Indias Political Double Standard in Releasing Rijiv...

The Tamil Nadu state government’s decision to release the convicts in India’s former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case caused a ripple across the nation. The Tamil Nadu cabinet on February 19, 2014 declared that they will release all the convicts with due consultations with the centre. The state chief minister J Jayalalithaa in her statement informed â€Å"The cabinet has taken a decision to release the three convicts, Perarivalan, Murugan and Santhan, along with those four, Nalini, Robert Pyas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran who are undergoing life sentence. The decision will be conveyed to the Centre for appropriate action. If we dont get their response in three days, we will release all convicts in accordance with the rights granted under the Code of Criminal Procedure.† The state government’s decision came a day after the Supreme Court commuted death sentences on three men involved in the assassination to life imprisonment citing the 11 year delay in deciding their mercy pleas. The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam and comprising of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and S K Singh then left the decision of remission for the three convicts - Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan on the Tamil Nadu state government. The Tamil Nadu government’s decision resulted in an emotional outburst from Rajiv Gandhi’s son and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in his political rally the same day. Rahul said â€Å"I am sad the killers are being freed,† he said he does not

Equality In Harrison Bergeron - 807 Words

The short story â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., is set in 2081, a future where the 211th-213th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution enforce â€Å"total equality.† This is not equality of rights as we assume the Constitution is supposed to protect. This is a kind of social equality that wants every person to be like everyone else, so it is really talking about conformity, not equality. In the story, people who are smarter than average, or stronger, or more talented in any way are forced to suffer a handicap. For example, Harrison’s father, George, is forced to listen to a disturbing sound in his brain to prevent him from thinking about what is happening around him. Harrison himself is so talented that he has multiple handicaps†¦show more content†¦The story focuses on the parents of an extraordinary teenager, Harrison Bergeron, and also on Harrison himself. â€Å"The rest of Harrison’s appearance was Halloween and hardware. Nobod y had ever born heavier handicaps.† Because Harrison is really a genius, he stands out even though he has handicaps. He manages to overcome every barrier, and this makes him seem dangerous to his society because he is a nonconformist. When Harrison rebels and breaks out, he is eventually killed. His mother sees this on television and starts to cry. â€Å" ‘You’ve been crying,’ he said to Hazel. ‘Yup,’ she said. ‘What about?’He said. ‘I forget,’ she said, ‘something real sad on television†¦..’ ‘Forget sad things,’ said George. ‘I always do,’ said Hazel.† This illustrates the problems with this society. The parents cannot even mourn their son’s death because they can not remember what has just happened, because of the handicaps on them. On the other hand the government thought this would be a good way to control people and make them conform because no one with e nough intelligence could remember, or think about something for along time without a horrible sound causing them to lose their thought. Because no one could remember, then no one could protest. â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† was written in 1961, and this was a time of great fear in America because of the Cold War politics that made everyone worry about a possible war with the Soviet Union (now Russia). From the late 1940s into theShow MoreRelatedEquality In Harrison Bergeron864 Words   |  4 PagesJr’s futuristic story, â€Å" Harrison Bergeron†, is in the year 2081, where everyone is equal. No one was smarter or stronger than anyone else. No one was better looking than anyone else. Everyone was exactly the same. Harrison Bergeron is a 14 year old boy who had absolutely hates how equal everyone was. Harrison was stronger, smarter, handsome, and bigger than everyone else. Harrison was the opposite of being average. He plans to override the government and forbid equality so that the people can beRead MoreThe Importance Of Equality In Harrison Bergeron888 Words   |  4 Pageseveryone’s abilities equal. However, human equality isn’t always nece ssarily having the same abilities or limits. To be equal to everyone is also being treated and thought about the same as every person. It also means that you have the same power as everyone. It is impossible for everyone to have the same capabilities, even with devices created to put a limit to your abilities. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† Diana Moon Glampers attempted to create equality by making gifted people wear devices calledRead MoreThe Dangers of Total Equality in Harrison Bergeron759 Words   |  3 PagesKurt Vonnegut, Jr.’s â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† tells the story of an unbelievably talented young man that defies the constraints of total equality in futuristic America, year 2081. Because of the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments, all citizens are subjected to a communist like state where everyone is made to be equal in beauty, physique, and intelligence. Throughout â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† symbols such as Harrison’s defiance of the law , his physical attributes, and the setting presents the theme of the storyRead MoreEquality And Diversity In Kurt Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron1263 Words   |  6 Pagessociety should value both equality and diversity. Equality is justice. Diversity is individuality. Equality gives rights. Diversity enriches culture. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideally progressive America. As equality in our society has increased, we have viewed it as progress. However, diversity has often been a source of conflict in our society. Jealousy, confusion, anger, and so many negative emotions have arisen from our differences and slowed the progress of equality. Perhaps, diversity shouldRead MoreEquality Is Not Ideal In Harrison Bergeron, By Kurt Vonnegut1004 Words   |  5 PagesEquality Is Not Ideal Kurt Vonnegut’s brilliant story, â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† takes place in the year 2081. Thanks to the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments â€Å"Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else†(Vonnegut 1). Everyone seems to have equal looks and abilities but to make this happen; they have to limit people so they can be equal to other people. People with natural beauty, gifted intelligence, or high strength have to use handicaps so they canRead MoreEquality In Harrison Bergeron, The Scarlet Ibis, And Brownies884 Words   |  4 Pagesdoesn’t sound good to me I don’t think everyone should be treated equally. Harrison Bergeron, The Scarlet Ibis, and Brownies all share this in common they want people to be equal and when they try to treat people as equal they sometimes don’t take into concentration some things about them or if they have different ways about them or if they are taking away from what w e could have in the world. In Harrison Bergeron they deal with everyone being treated equal and they go to great lengthsRead MoreHarrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut Essay1565 Words   |  7 Pages Harrison Bergeron is a story written by Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut’s story is a warning to the world about the quest of equality, which is spreading all round in many nations with America on the lead. The story shows the reader how the equality issue can have negative impacts on people’s individuality, and the society. The story revolves around the protagonist, Harrison Bergeron who is an archetypical symbol that represents defiance, and individuality. He is used to represent the people who willRead MoreAnalysis Of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. s Harrison Bergeron1500 Words   |  6 Pagesactions of others, as we make choices in an effort to satisfy others and ourselves. Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† offers a dark insight into an idealistic utopia, and the consequences of a ruthlessly equitable society. Although equality provides a beneficial component to a desirable society, forcing it upon society would ultimately be at the expense of individuality. I nitially, Harrison Bergeron is physically constrained by society, however through his willful arrogance and determination to gainRead MoreAnalysis Of Kurt Vonnegut s Harrison Bergeron 935 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† Kurt Vonnegut reveals the truth about world. Vonnegut farther explains how humankind is controlled by America’s first amendment of everyone being created equal. The main character of the story, also a protagonist Harrison Bergeron aims to let the world know what is truly happening to them. He is killed by an antagonist Dianna Moon Clampers who is a handicapper general. The futuristic short story is written in a third person omniscient. It’s told y a narrator who seems to knowRead MoreEssay on Communism and Kurt Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron977 Words   |  4 Pagesheavily relate to â€Å"Harrison Bergeron†. Communisms main idea is to keep the corporations from having too much power; as well as making everything equal. Com munisms structure differs from â€Å"Harrison Bergeron†, but they both share a lot of characteristics. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† the government is given way to much power and forces everyone to become equal. Communism also differs greatly from our U.S. government and acts in many different ways. Communism ensures a lot of power and equality, as well as in

Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay Example For Students

Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay In the essay â€Å"Nature† by Ralph Waldo Emerson, he talks about the wonders of nature that are commonly overlooked by man. He sees these wonders every day and is desensitized to them. Emerson tells how the same things that we think as normal amaze a child. The first time children experience something they are dumbfounded, as we should be, yet nature stays overlooked. This essay speaks the complete truth about the way people treat nature and its beauties. I often pass up the amazing things happen around me in the world, thinking â€Å"oh I can see it again another time.† What Emerson is trying to tell us is that we should think that this could be the last time we see something of this caliber, and to treat it as such. A beautiful sunset, foliage on the trees, or even something as normal as rain, are all things that are amazing to watch, if you take the time to do so. He describes the model behavior of man towards nature as, â€Å"he who’s inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other In the presence of nature a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrow. Emerson uses the actions of a child in the essay to reveal the ignorance of man. A child treats everything it sees as a new and exciting experience, much like we should. We see everything as dull because these things take place everyday of our lives. That makes it no less important or amazing. Nature is something that we should treat as a child does. When such supernatural things like an eclipse or something of that nature takes place, we all go out and watch in awe. These things seldom occur and we all take the time to see them. What about the things that are equally as great but are seen everyday Why are they so disregarded It is because we are so busy doing other things that we have no time to stop and take in the things around us that are so brilliant. Nature means a lot to me, personally, although I frequently find myself in the same scenario described by Emerson. Yet when I do have time to just sit and see all the things that God has put on the Earth I am completely perplexed. Everything is in complete harmony. The animals, the plants, the seasons, and the skies, all work together so perfectly. It’s amazing how I could sit and enjoy these wonders, but then the very next day, overlook them as I had done before. Emerson also describes the special relationship between man and nature. This relationship has been severed over time, however. If man does not love nature, nature can not provide for man. Constantly we pollute and destroy nature’s precious assets with out a second thought. And we expect nature to still be there for us. We want the trees to provide oxygen, but we cut them down, we want to swim in the rivers, but we contaminate them with sewerage, and we want good food to eat, but we destroy the land. We shouldn’t take more than we need from nature, and treat is with respect and reverence. That way nature will provide for us. People should look at this essay and realize how important nature is and to stop and enjoy its splendor as much as possible. Emerson’s words that â€Å"the seasons are not always tricked in holiday attire† are very true in that the beauty is always there, but we just don’t care to pay attention to it. If everyone could feel the same about nature as Emerson did, we could all enjoy life so much more and, in my opinion, life would be much better for all.

Lord Of The Flies By William Golding Essays - Freudian Psychology

Lord of the Flies by William Golding Pieces of the Puzzle: the Island as a Macrocosm of Man In viewing the various aspects of the island society in Golding's Lord of the Flies as a symbolic microcosm of society, a converse perspective must also be considered. Golding's island of marooned youngsters then becomes a macrocosm, wherein the island represents the individual human and the various characters and symbols the elements of the human psyche. As such, Golding's world of children's morals and actions then becomes a survey of the human condition, both individually and collectively. Almost textbook in their portrayal, the primary characters of Jack, Ralph and Piggy are then best interpreted as Freud's very concepts of id, ego and superego, respectively. As the id of the island, Jack's actions are the most blatantly driven by animalistically rapacious gratification needs. In discovering the thrill of the hunt, his pleasure drive is emphasized, purported by Freud to be the basic human need to be gratified. In much the same way, Golding's portrayal of a hunt as a rape, with th e boys ravenously jumping atop the pig and brutalizing it, alludes to Freud's basis of the pleasure drive in the libido, the term serving a double Lntendre in its psychodynamic and physically sensual sense. Jack's unwillingness to acknowledge the conch as the source of centrality on the island and Ralph as the seat of power is consistent with the portrayal of his particular self-importance. Freud also linked the id to what he called the destructive drive, the aggressiveness of self-ruin. Jack's antithetical lack of compassion for nature, for others, and ultimately for himself is thoroughly evidenced in his needless hunting, his role in the brutal murders of Simon and Piggy, and finally in his burning of the entire island, even at the cost of his own life. In much the same way, Piggy's demeanor and very character links him to the superego, the conscience factor in Freud's model of the psyche. Golding marks Piggy with the distinction of being more intellectually mature than the others, branding him with a connection to a higher authority: the outside world. It is because the superego is dependent on outside support that Piggy fares the worst out of the three major characters in the isolat ion of the island. Piggy is described as being more socially compatible with adults, and carries himself with a sense of rationale and purpose that often serves as Ralph's moral compass in crisis; although Ralph initially uses the conch to call the others, it is Piggy who possesses the knowledge to blow it as a signal despite his inability to do so. Similarly, Piggy's glasses are the only artifact of outside technology on the island, further indication of his correlation to greater moral forces. In an almost gothic vein, these same glasses are the only source of fire on the island, not only necessary for the boys' rescue, but responsible for their ultimate destruction. Thus does fire, and likewise Piggy's glasses, become a source of power. Piggy's ideals are those most in conflict with Jack's overwhelming hunger for power and satiation. It is in between these representations of chaos and order that Ralph falls. Golding's depiction of Ralph as leader is analogous to Freud's placement of the ego at the c enter of the psyche. Ralph performs as the island's ego as he must offset the raw desires of the id with the environment using the superego as a balancing tool. This definition is consistent with Ralph's actions, patronizing Jack's wish to hunt with their collective need to be rescued, often turning to Piggy for advice. Initially, in the relative harmony of the island society's early emergence, Ralph is able to balance the opposing id and superego influences in order to forge a purpose: rescue. It is only as the balance devolves that the fate of the island's inhabitants is darkly determined. Among Ralph, Piggy and Jack exists a constant struggle to assert their particular visions over the island. As the authority of leadership by default falls to Ralph, the conch then becomes symbolic of the consciousness. Its possession rotates between Ralph and Piggy in order to determine logical courses of action for the boys. Jack however, constantly