Conflict as a Measure Essays -- essays research papers

Conflict as a Measure of Team Development The ability of a team to resolve conflict is a valid measure of team development. The role of conflict in work teams is determined by the manner in which it is managed. Conflict is a driving force of change that can result in improved decision-making processes and progressive team development. However, teams must learn to be confrontational without destroying the team process. Teams are able to handle conflict and perform at a high level by following a framework of communication needed for managing conflict constructively. Teams capable of mediating their own conflicts, improve both productivity and member relationships without the fallout. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Coercing: is a process in which groups use confrontational tactics, such as argument, use of authority, or threat, to achieve the goals of each group regardless of the expense paid by the other. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Withdrawal: is the process by which both parties involved in a disagreement postpone or ignore the issue causing the conflict. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Negotiation: is the process by which both groups selectively ignore certain interests in order to reach an agreement, thus achieving partial satisfaction for each side. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Accommodation: is the process by which one group neglects its own interests by satisfying the needs of the other group involved. One of the most used forms of solving conflict in the wor...

George Orwell’s novel Essay

George Orwell’s novel 1984, has been the center of much discussion since it was first published in 1949. A novel about a dystopian society that is ruled by a government with supreme power called Big Brother, 1984 raises a lot of curiosity about censorship and how secure freedom of speech really is for those who supposedly have it. Orwell uses the novel’s main character, Winston, as the vessel for carrying his message about censorship. Winston works for the Ministry of Truth, rewriting historical texts to suit the needs of a sect Big Brother called, the Party. History in Oceania must be censored so that it appears Big Brother has been and will always be there to watch over the citizens. Winston believes Big Brother’s ways to be unethical and illegal purchases a diary to record his personal thoughts, even though he knows such actions are considered to be thoughtcrimes. If he is caught, he will be severely punished. Though Winston has the desire to rebel, he is able to stifle his individuality and personal desires quite well. His act, however, becomes more complicated after he meets a beautiful, dark-haired girl named, Julia. Because personal relationships are not appropriate, Julia gives Winston a note she has written in which she proclaims her love for him. Because love, like everything else in Oceania, is censored, Winston and Julia develop their relationship in secret. They eventually move into an apartment together and things seem to go smoothly. Both Winston and Julia feel that Big Brother has too much control over the lives of the citizens. Citizens are not allowed to think for themselves, fall in love, nor are they allowed to experience natural freedom of expression. The lovers are able to put aside their fears of being caught in order to experience the intense passion that often comes with falling in love. Things, however, eventually take a turn for the worse and the lovers are discovered. The discovery, is in part, due to Winston’s fatalistic nature. He becomes unnecessarily risky and carries with him intense paranoia that they will eventually be caught. Due to the novel’s grim ending that involves Big Brother prevailing over the hero, Winston, 1984’s messages stay with the reader for hours, in part, because extreme forms of censorship have existed in earthly historical societies and in many societies today. Examples of past instances of harsh and extreme censorship include the Inquisition, and the Holocaust. During both of these horrific historical events, people were denied some right of expression. During the Inquisition, people were denied the right to choose their religion. For many, that basic right is similar to the right to love, which the citizens of Oceania were denied. The Catholic institution, like Big Brother, attempted to convert heretics or kill them for their disobedience. The Nazi party was also similar to Big Brother. Members of the party could not imagine speaking out against Hitler’s regime for fear of being killed or punished. The Nazi party, like Big Brother, made use of propaganda, and children who were easily influenced. Such propaganda is, in a way, a form of censorship because it promotes an idea that plays into the desires of a major organization, making it seem better than the alternative. When these historical examples are taken into consideration, it is easy to imagine why Orwell’s warning of extreme censorship is still valid in today’s society regardless of its technological advancements. Making Orwell’s message even more appropriate, however sad and unfortunate, are examples of such censorship today. Because censorship is still an issue today, the novel resonates with readers. Everyone experiences censorship often, perhaps on a daily basis. People may feel the need to censor themselves at work, home in front of children or parents, in class, etc for fear of being judged harshly or hurting another’s feelings. Another common example of modern censorship is keeping one’s sexual orientation a secret. Many feel the need to fall in love in the shadows like Winston and Julia because of what society may think of them. Sadly, today’s society is also responsible for many hate crimes every year. Many also keep journals and diaries like Winston in order to express their most private thoughts, dreams, desires, and fears. Because Winston is like so many normal people in today’s society, his character is very successful. Like Winston, the average person, when faced with something they feel is wrong or inappropriate, feels powerless to make a difference. I, for one, relate to his secret note-taking, his hidden relationship, and the urge to overcome society’s censorship because I still believe in the freedom of expression that supposedly exists in America. However, I, like Winston, am powerless to make any real change, so I succumb daily to desires that are not my own. The strength of Winston’s character alone makes 1984 a novel to stand the test of time. Or, perhaps it will be a book to be burned if censorship in our society continues to prevail.

The Underground Railroad Is Not Like The Railroad

The Underground Railroad is not like the railroads that we see today, they were not made of box cars and rails. They were routes that the slaves took to get to freedom, these railways were built or used in late 1786 to 1865. They went from as far west as Kansas, and Texas and as far south as Florida, they all were made to go north to Canada, or to Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands where slavery is illegal. This was an impossible task for the slaves to do on their own. There were many factors on how they found their way and the people who helped them on their journey, which I will discuss later throughout this paper. There over 3000 people who helped the runaway slaves to freedom. (The Underground Railroad). There are a few that stand out in history: Harriett Tubman, Levi and Catharine Coffin, William Still, John and Jean Rankin, and Captain John Brown. Each of these people has great stories to tell about their journeys and helping the black folk to freedom. Let’s talk about a couple of these famous people for a minute and how they got their names. â€Å"The Conductor or Station Master.† These were the names given to these courageous people, who helped the slaves to freedom and whom also had bounties on their heads for helping these folks to freedom. These folks who we called conductors would go back to the plantations and act as slaves to throw off the white folk who owned them. Also, they had to gain the slaves trust for them to follow these so-called conductors. The firstShow MoreRelatedUnderground Railroad Essay Outline1333 Words   |  6 PagesTHE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 1 The Underground Railroad Raymond Allen Setlock West Catholic High School THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 2 Our country’s history had its good times and also its bad times. One of our bad times in our country’s history was the time when the United States allowed slavery toRead MoreThe Underground Railroad1073 Words   |  5 Pagesother than a world with slavery, and were not for having a change like this occur and change many people’s lives one by one. This, lead to many people, including many Southerners taking the side of John C. Calhoun. Because, lets face it. No one actually likes change. But in the early 1800s it soon became a problem that abolitionists, people against slavery, couldn’t and wouldn’t put up with anymore. Thus, the Underground Railroad was established and became an important part of American history. ItRead MoreEssay on underground railroad1680 Words   |  7 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Introduction nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Underground Railroad, the pathway to freedom which led a numerous amount of African Americans to escape beginning as early as the 1700‘s, it still remains a mystery to many as to exactly when it started and why. (Carrasco). The Underground Railroad is known by many as one of the earliest parts of the antislavery movement. Although the system was neither underground nor a railroad, it was a huge success that will never be forgotten. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;IRead MoreAmerican History: UnderGround RailRoad Provided a Scape to Slaves1359 Words   |  6 Pagespermitted sparked much debate and tension between the North and South – that ultimately lead to the Civil War. The Underground Railroad was established in the mid-1800s as an informational system of clandestine that aided slaves in escaping towards the Northern States and Canada through secret pathways, routes and safe-houses. The system was referred to as the Underground Railroad because of the rapid and secretive way in which slaves were able to escape - where they mostly traveled during the nightRead MoreThe Underground Railroad : The Declaration Of Independence1587 Words   |  7 PagesThe Underground Railroad The Declaration of Independence states all men are created equal, sadly in America that was not true. It was legal in America to own a person. In The Underground Railroad In American History, Kem Knapp Sawyer states that the number of slaves in the South had gone from 1,519,017 in 1820 to almost 4 million in 1860. Araminta Ross was one of those people. She was born a slave, beaten, abused and forced to work for her owners. Her life and her families’ life was extremelyRead MoreThe Underground Railroad1145 Words   |  5 PagesThe Underground Railroad marks a devastating time in our nations History. It is a topic that is generally known but not in depth. Starting in the early 1800’s the Underground Railroad was a way for the slaves to reach their freedom. Initially, I believed that there really was an actual underground tunnel, or railroad that slaves walked through that went from the South to the North. Through my research I have discovered that it was neither of t he two, it was a variety of safe places in houses, barnsRead MoreEssay On Underground Railroad1005 Words   |  5 Pages Underground railroads have been prominent in history since the early nineteenth century. Throughout time, numerous different underground railroads have been created for many different purposes, all liberating those subject to slavery or poverty. Modern slavery, known as human trafficking, usually affects immigrants who do not completely know their rights or who are tricked into a â€Å"job† that does not fit its original description. This applies to Unwind due to the way the kids are treated and theRead MoreSexual Assault And Sexual Aggression1730 Words   |  7 Pagesof living in a rape culture include things like blaming the victim and teaching women to avoid getting raped rather than teaching men not to rape. Factors that play a role in creating a rape culture is the gap between men and women, gender roles, and the porn industry. Sex and gender are words that we interchange, but they mean completely different things. Sex refers to the biological characteristics that a person receives while they are developing, like their primary and secondary sex characteristicsRead MoreStory Of Henry Box Brown1662 Words   |  7 Pagestrade, who was caught aiding runaway slaves. As punishment in his state, he would be auctioned back off into slavery. Fortunately for Burris, one of his white associates impersonated a buyer at the auction to technically win back his freedom (Underground Railroad – Whisper†¦). While many unrecorded successful attempts have been undoubtedly lost to history, the ones that survived highlight the intelligence and craftiness of both the slaves and their allies. However, there were great risks. While the northernRead MoreTaking A Stand Against Slavery1228 Words   |  5 Pagesdeterminations. The Underground Railroad had its earliest beginnings with runaway slaves fleeing from the the Southern United States into Canada. By confronting human bondage without direct demands or violence, The Underground Railroad played a definite role in the destruction of slavery. The Underground Railroad was a great way to escape the hardships of their living conditions. It gave them hope, inspiration, and strength. It was also a major impact on the CIvil War. The Underground Railroad consisted of

The Work Of The Working Brain - 1898 Words

The Working Brain The brain has a large network that’s controlled by the senses to the muscular throughout the body it goes through. When the brain is harmed, it can damage the memory personality and sensation. The damage can lead to illness genetics or traumatic injuries. For instance brain tumors are very dangerous, it can spread cancer tumor in your brain. Your brain is your body control center, without your brain you wouldn’t have a body, all the brains develop the same way. The most common brain disorders are childhood, degenerative and psychiatric disorders. The brain is the most complex in the human body. When it comes to anatomy, it starts off as a structure that separates living parts. The brain has specialized areas of the cortex which is the outer layer part that helps movement. The brain gives us awareness of our surroundings which controls muscle and movements. There are different divisions when talking about brain diseases in autonomy. The basic that help the brain develop feeling would be the forebrain. The forebrain is made up of the cerebellum. The midbrain is located near the brain between interbrain and hindbrain. And that helps the connection to the spinal cord. Dealing with the brain will need guidance. With the brain, have the neurons also known as Motor Neuron Disease (MND) cell communication processes the entire brain. Sensory brain it surrounds the nervous system. Interneuron and motor carries glands and muscles. SynclinesShow MoreRelatedWhich side of the brain do you use?600 Words   |  3 Pagesof the brain do you use? Ever wonder which side of the brain individuals use to learn with? Left and right brain dominates impacts learning way more than people think. There are many theories about each side of the brain dominance. There are many different ways to determine if you are left brained, right brained or even if this whole matter of the learning style of the brain is just a myth. There are many different ways to determine which side of the brain people may use. The right brain dominanceRead MoreThe Effects Of Training On Brain Training Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pagesrecent years brain training games have become a topic of interest among both researchers and common people alike. Researchers are interested in the healing properties of brain training while normal people are looking to brain training as a way to improve their performance and get a leg up on the competition in school, work, and life. Up until recently, it was believed that the brain was unchangeable in terms of memory capacity. Researchers were well aware of the fact that the brain can change andRead MoreEssay on Brain Gym Learning Program1200 Words   |  5 Pagesinterested in learning. In 1960s Paul E. Dennison, â€Å"a specialist in kinesiology and an authority on the breakthrough in cognitive and academic skill, began the seminal research into reading achievement and its relation to brain development that would form the basis for the Brain Gym work(http://www.braingym.org/history).† With his study he proved that the movement-based learning program had improved peoples learning challenges into successes. Later while still trying to develop a full proof program heRead MoreThe Effect Of Video Training On Brain Training Essay1521 Words   |  7 Pagesrecent years, brain training games have become a topic of interest among both researchers and common people alike. Researchers are interested in the healing properties of brain training while normal people are looking towards brain training as a way to improve their performance and get a leg up on the competition in school, work, and life. Up until recently, it was believed that the brain was unchangeable in ter ms of memory capacity. Researchers were well aware of the fact that the brain is capableRead MoreBrain Drain And The Allure Of High Income Abroad1540 Words   |  7 Pages1.0 Introduction According to Merriam Webster (2015), brain drain is referred to as a circumstance where by all or the majority of geographic region and capable resources and skilled ,intelligent within a given area leave the area because of various factors that comprises lack of high paying employment. In addition brain drain is also mentioned to as capital flight of human. Brain drain in another way of defining it, refers to the leaving of skilled, professionals from one economic sector to anotherRead MoreThe Many Functions of The Brain Essays1242 Words   |  5 PagesThe Many Functions of The Brain The brain has many functions in which it helps process and understands information. One aspect of the brain is its memory. Memory is there so information can be used to understand what is happening around someone. The function of memory is somewhat of an enigma to many scientists. How does the brain store and retrieve such information and at such high speeds? Although it is hard to conceive the actual machine working behind memory scientist have been able toRead MoreVisual Information Processing Paper1592 Words   |  7 PagesVisual Information Processing Paper Laura Nancy Vargas PSYCH/64 December 2, 2013 Holly Berry Perception Paper Humans have a unique and wonderful device in how one sees. The eye and brain work together to turn the world into visual data one’s brain can understand and use. There are some eye conditions that inhibit the sight or the recognition of the shapes one sees. Research continues to overcome these conditions as well as to further understand the biochemical reaction that gives humansRead MoreA Research Study On Stress And Time Management1296 Words   |  6 Pagesand also working a full time job? If you are, this may increase your stress level and challenge your time management. Some students may be able to work under stress, yet for the majority of first year college students, managing stress and time will cause added frustration and uncertainty. I attend North Idaho College as a full-time student and have a full-time job. This paper will explore three strategies that has helped me become a more successful student while both studying and working. A stressedRead MoreSleep Is An Important Part Of Everyday Life Of A Human Being1704 Words   |  7 Pagespsychologists and doctors why sleep is actually so important to the human body, soul and mind. Brain activity still occurs in sleep. The brain is never at rest. Sleep is a time for the body to repair itself, but the brain is still working just as hard to improve memory as well as get rid of the information that is not important to everyday life. Sleep is prompted by natural cycles of activity in the brain and consists of two basic states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM)Read MoreMusic s Effect On The Brain1027 Words   |  5 PagesAndrew Stamatel Ms. Matino English 10H 4-21-15 Music’s Effect on the Brain The effect of music on the human brain may have much stronger powers than one might think. Music can directly improve brain functioning depending on the musical genre. Some studies show, music whether listening or playing, is able to improve the ability to process speech, evoke different emotions, stifle sound when concentrating, and help heal ill patients with cancer or memory disorders (Gholipour). Thats not all

Media Violence And The Effect It Has On Actual Behavior

Academic and Professional Communications 100 Assignment 1 PART B: Argumentative essay Title: Media Violence And The Effect It Has On Actual Behaviour. While many argue that film violence has little or no influence on actual behaviour, this essay will argue that media violence has a direct influence on actual behaviour in adolescence and adults. The main ideas I will put forward are. How Media Violence Increases Children’s tolerance of Real-Life Aggression, Violence Exposure in real-life, Violent Film Characters and their portrayal of violent acts, the effects of violence in emerging adults, film violence and subsequent aggressive tendencies. I will also show that people that were angered when they started watching Violent Films or TV were more angered afterwards which resulted in violent behaviour. The portrayal of media violence has come under more scrutiny in recent years with evidence that shows observations of similar behaviour of the viewers. It is documented that children who watched filmed violence are more likely to behave the same way to inanimate or live victims (Drabman and Thomas 1974, 418). As well as filmed violence adolescence have also reacted in different ways to real-life violence where there was a study that one group of children listened taxi drivers on the radio and predicted the ending of a newspaper story children who listened to the taxi driver using aggressive behaviour ended up predicting the end of the story with much more violence to driverShow MoreRelatedViolence And Sex On Television898 Words   |  4 Pages Violence and Sex on Television: Effects on the Younger Audience In today’s society, the media is used greatly for communication, advertisement, information, and for numerous other reasons. The world has evolved by technological advances as well as by the type of content that is put out on the internet, radio, and especially on television. In particular, violence and sex are two of the most controversial content types that have been recently used loosely in the present as compared to theRead MoreIs Media Violence Pernicious?983 Words   |  4 PagesIs Media Violence Pernicious? In recent decades, the emergence of television and the internet have made information and entertainment alike more accessible than ever before. By extension, this increased availability encompasses violent entertainment as well. As access has risen, media violence has become a rather contentious issue. There is currently a stark division surrounding the topic between those who believe that violent media is pernicious, and those who believe it is harmless, or even catharticRead MoreEssay on Is Media Violence At Fault For Societal Violence?1604 Words   |  7 Pageslinks between media and societal violence are only to be assumptions of the public. For one thing there are many other contributors to violence; so, how is anyone really sure that media is at greater fault. Media violence these days is really just a replica to societys everyday life. Without such activity taken in real life there would be no ideas for music, movies, television, basically nothing for the news crew to tal k about. So the real question would have to be, is societal violence a contributorRead More Violent Video Games and The Human Psyche Essay1343 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to Valadez and Fergusion (2012), â€Å"The effects of violent video game exposure, both positive and negative, on various behaviors are still highly contested within academia and the general public† (p. 608). Violence in video games is often wrongfully perused as a topic of extreme criticism pertaining to an individual’s act of violence in today society. Examples of such would include the shooting that occurred in April 2007 at Virginia Technical College; where Jack Thompson and Philip McGrawRead MoreMedia Violence Essay1420 Words   |  6 PagesViolence in the Media and how it Affects Society The effect of media is profound and far-reaching. All over the world, the media influences our values and intrudes upon our deep-seated ideologies and beliefs. Indeed the media has been a powerful force in influencing people’s perceptions, and more importantly, their behavior as well. Business, politicians, and showbiz personalities pay huge sums of money to media firms in order create an image or change an existing one. Politics in particularRead MoreMass Media and Violence Essay891 Words   |  4 PagesMass Media and Violence Is it hard to believe that just forty years ago only a few privileged American families had televisions in their home? In recent years, it is estimated that a whopping ninety-eight percent of Americans have one or more television sets in their home. Motion pictures, televisions, video games, and the internet are just some forms of mass media that have emerged since the last century. With the rise of mass media, the increase of violent behavior has increased as well. MassRead MoreMedia s Influence On The Youth Of America1454 Words   |  6 PagesMedia in the United States has a prominent role on the youth of America. A majority of children and young adults have access to internet, television, radio, newspapers, and video games practically any time they want. The violence in media, along with the availability of media are increasing, however the most predominant form of media for children is video games. Because of this, many are concerned with the effects on the youth. The violence in video games is a cause for aggressive emotions, thoughtsRead MoreWhat Is the Effect of Media Violence on Children1314 Words   |  6 PagesAbdelaziz Ms. Williams English 1010-18 13, December 2010 The Effect of Media Violence on Children Although very little research was done on it in the past, media violence has sparked much controversy in recent history. As technology becomes more advanced, new methods of uncovering the media’s effects on children have emerged. Advances in Neuroscience, for example, can become tools to understanding the effects media violence has from a psychological standpoint. The brain in its underpinningsRead MoreProtecting Children from Television Violence Essays1405 Words   |  6 PagesSummary #1 Television violence, and media violence in general, has been a controversial topic for several years. The argument is whether young children are brainwashed into committing violent real-world crimes because of violent and pugnacious behavior exposed in mass media. In his article â€Å"No Real Evidence for TV Violence Causing Real Violence†, Jonathan Freedman, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and author of â€Å"Media Violence and Its Effect on Aggression: Assessing the ScientificRead MoreVideo Games And Violent Behavior1460 Words   |  6 Pages Video Games and Violent Behavior Jessi Moffett CRJ 385 September 15, 2015â€Æ' Intro Technology is an important aspect of change in our world. As time goes on, we are introduced to more and more technology every year, which includes media such as video games. The increase of technology has also increased and improved the world including ways of communicating and distribution of information. More often used outlets of media are those used for entertainment purposes, like television, internet and

Essay on The Effects Of Fracking On The World Of Fracking Essay Example For Students

Essay on The Effects Of Fracking On The World Of Fracking Essay The government should make a bigger appearance in the world of Fracking because it causes irrevocable damage. Fracking is the process of injecting sand, rocks, and water into the ground at a very high pressure to break up rocks that contain natural gas and oil deposits. One of the biggest problems about fracking is that it destroys the coal industry. Now that fracking has come along people want to switch from coal to natural gas because it is cheaper. The problem with that is that Natural Gas will eventually run out. America has more than a quarter of world coal reserves. We are nicknamed the Saudi Arabia of coal. Virtually all of the coal mined here goes to generate our electricity. Our electric grid was designed based on major coal burning plants. Eliminating coal to generate electricity requires both expensive new generation facilities and expensive grid modifications. Meaning realistically it is not cheaper to switch to natural gas. (Source 4) Not to mention the fact that the coal industry is a major economy booster. The coal industry not only gives us a product we can export when we need extra money, but it also creates many jobs. An estimated 60,000 Americans work in coal-fired power plants. That s not even counting the jobs coal mining produces. On average, your everyday coal miner makes around 73,000 dollars a year. That’s enough money for any family in the U. S to live off of comfortably.(Source 4) As mentioned in an above paragraph, Natural Gas will eventually run out. Evidence suggests that Natural Gas production was oversold. In fact, â€Å"America’s 100 years of Natural Gas† was based on unrealistic evidence. Turns out there are only a few geological locations in America that offer great amounts of Natural Gas. Thes. .hat can potentially contaminate water sources but have not yet: spills, cracks in equipment intended to seal wells, improper disposal of wastewater, and contamination from chemicals.(Source 7) Finally, Fracking can really help our economy. If we were to export our oil and gas foreign markets for U.S. crude oil and natural gas will spur additional production of said oil and gas. It will also create thousands of jobs. It would also generate billions of dollars in net wealth. This could potentially create 665,000 direct and indirect jobs by the year 2035.(Source 5) Fracking can lead to many changes in the United States. Both good and bad changes. But taking the Coal Industry out is both unnecessary and irresponsible. Yes we should find a cleaner energy, but America does not have to remove its carbon footprint all at once. Nor should it, the cost would be too great.

Richard Wright

Introduction The Man who was Almost a Man, written by Richard Wright is a masterpiece exploring struggles of blacks and racism in America in mid 20th Century. During this time, whites were grappling with the reality that they would probably live together with blacks for a long time. This notion did not go down well with many whites; therefore, they subjected many blacks into untold sufferings racism being one of the popular intimidation tools.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Richard Wright – The Man Who Was Almost a Man specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nevertheless, the blacks had to struggle for survival and these elements stand out well in Wright’s work, The Man who was almost a Man. Writing in the 20th century, Wolfenstein notes that, â€Å"The problem of the twentieth century was the problem of color-line†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (163). Dave, the protagonist in this story faces the same problems and he ha s to survive. Nevertheless, he cannot survive in a society with unequal playing grounds. To achieve the equal playing ground, Dave has to get a gun; the only way he can wield power in this unfair society. Unfortunately, he does not have the courage to handle a gun; consequently, he uses the gun for the wrong reasons and shoots a mule dead as he practices how to pull the trigger. He has to pay for the dead mule. Wright’s work resonates well with Wolfenstein claims that, â€Å"many black Americans had pushed for equality and economic leverage since the latter half of the nineteenth century†¦began promoting strategies that would chip away at white dominance† (166). The only strategy that Dave has is to own a gun and that is exactly what he does. Perspective of the Story This story is told from an objective point of view. â€Å"With the objective point of view, the writer tells what happens without stating more than can be inferred from the story’s action and dialogue. The narrator never discloses anything about what the characters think or feel, remaining a detached observer† (Stokes Para. 4). Moreover, conversation is a dominant element in a story told from an objective point of view. As Wright begins the story, he does not divulge a lot of information about Dave’s environment. The reader knows very little about Dave’s workmates, friends, or parents. Wright opens the story by saying, â€Å"Dave struck out across the fields, looking homeward through paling light† (Wright Para. 1). This is too general and this is why the story fits in the objective perspective. Scholars have argued that, the reason why Wright uses this form of perspective to, â€Å"get readers to focus more on the imagery of the gun† (Everett 29).Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As expected, Wright accomplished his intentions bec ause the story revolves around this gun, which symbolizes, â€Å"power, masculinity, respect, and independence—in short, everything that Dave desperately wants† (Everett 35). This form of perspective helps to build up the central themes of this story viz. racism and survival. On the other side, this short story is full of conversation, an element of objective point of view in literature. In the story, there are some descriptive patches here and there describing places or people; however, the greater part of the story is conversation. Wright utilizes conversation so well that the reader can envision what is happening. For instance, â€Å"How do you do, Dave? What do you want? How are you, Mister Joe? Aw, Ah do not want to buy nothing. Ah, jus wanted to see if you would let me look at the catalog awhile, sure! You want to see it here?† Not so, ah, want to take it home with me. Ah will bring it back tomorrow when Ah come in from the fields.† This conversation makes the reader to get a picture of what is happening in Mr. Joe’s shop. Perspective or point of view in literature is very important for it allows author to draw attention to the main points. For instance, even after Dave shoots the mule, Wright focuses on his main theme of racism by saying, â€Å"There were white and black standing in the crowd†¦Dave cried, seeing blurred white and black faces† (Wright Para. 45). By doing so, Wright draws attention of readers to the issue of racism. This is why he talks of ‘white’ and ‘black’ people surrounding Dave and the dead mule. The important issue here is not the dead mule, it is the people of different colors, and this is why Wright is not concerned too much, about what happens to the dead mule as he is concerned about the ‘white’ and ‘black’ people surrounding Dave. Actually, Dave ‘cried’ for he knew the judgment that awaited him would be based on Ã¢â‚¬Ë œracial’ sentiments. Tone of the Story Wright applies the element of tone richly, â€Å"Tone is a literary technique that is a part of composition, which encompasses the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience implied in a literary work† (Stokes Para. 6). The tone of this story is somber and condescending. Dave is somber as he comes out of the fields. He says, â€Å"What’s the use of talking with them niggers in the field† (Wright Para. 1). This statement paints a picture of a dull Dave. He is not happy and that is why he does not see the need of arguing with the rest of his workmates. He knows the argument is futile and it will not solve the racism problem that they have in this place because argument does not translate to power; a gun does. After burying the mule, Dave goes out that night to practice shooting.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Richard Wright – The Man Who Was Almost a Man specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As he approaches Mr. Hawkins’ house he murmurs, â€Å"If Ah had just one mo bullet I would take a shot at the house. I would like to scare that old man Hawkins just a little†¦ Just enough to let him know Dave Saunders is a man† (Wright Para. 69). This tone is not a tone of a happy man; no, it is a tone of a dull person ready to prove his point and manhood. As aforementioned, the tone is also condescending. After Mr. Saunders realizes that Dave has a gun and that, the mule died of a gunshot, he patronizes over Dave. Mrs. Saunders follows suit and accuses Dave of killing the mule using the gun she had funded to purchase. Mr. Saunders says, â€Å"You wan me to take a tree n beat you till you talk† (Wright Para. 75). This is very patronizing; simply because Dave is the inferior party, everyone around here can threaten him. The somber and condescending tone used here helps to achieve the theme of survival as a member of a minority group. Interestingly, even other members of the minority group work in concert with those in power to intimidate one of their own. Dave’s parents back Hawkins and they accuse their son. If Mrs. Saunders did not raise the issue of money she had given Dave two nights ago, no one would have ever known or imagined Dave killed the mule. Conclusion Racism and black’s struggles were pertinent issues in American society in mid 20th century. Wright experienced these struggles and this story is a chronicle of personal experiences. After a long time of intimidation and oppression, Dave cannot take it anymore and he decides to prove his manhood by getting a gun. Unfortunately, he does not know how to aim and pull the trigger; therefore, he ends up shooting Jenny, a mule. Two literal elements stand out clearly in this story, perspective, and tone. Wright uses objective point of view, as he does not care much about what surrounds Dave; he is only intereste d in bringing out the theme of racism and survival. He uses a lot of conversation and this helps to build on his themes. The tone in this story plays the same role of building the themes of racism and survival. The tone here is somber and condescending to emphasize how grave racism was during those times. Works Cited Everett, Mildred. â€Å"The Death of Richard Wright’s American Dream: ‘The Man Who Lived Underground.’ â€Å"CLA Journal, 1974. 17(2): 318-26. Stokes, Suzanne. â€Å"Literature Elements.† 2006. Web.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Wolfenstein, Eugene. â€Å"Race, Racism, and Racial Liberation.† The Western Political Quarterly, 1977. Web. Wright, Richard. â€Å"A Man who almost Became a Man.† N.d. Web. 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