Key Motivating Factors for CSR reporting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Key Motivating Factors for CSR reporting - Essay Example This research tells that the role of sustainable business practices has become the key component of corporate governance that incorporates social aspect within the broader framework of business goals and objectives. GRI is the important institution that helps to develop the framework of sustainability reporting that has the major impact on people. The various imperatives and drivers of changes motivate business to develop corporate social responsibility and sustainability report an intrinsic part of business strategy. Jones and Jones state that CSR actions are initiatives of companies to ‘further some social good beyond its own interests’ that have the long-term impact on their performance. Globalization influenced business decisions. Sirgy asserts that globalization is ‘the diffusion of goods, services, capital, technology, and people (workers) across national borders’. This has resulted in more competition and require the good image of companies. To stop s candals like Enron and WorldCom, transparency in corporate governance is needed. Corporate governance emphasizes accountability, responsibility, and transparency through good practice in business. Turnbull Report also says that risk management, internal control etc. are extremely important issues as they reflect ‘sound business practices’. Nature has limited resources like air, water, land and mineral resources. The indiscriminate use of natural resources resulted in fast depletion and therefore businesses must use technology and processes that promote environmental conservation and preservation. In the current times, people have become more aware of the environment, social issues and about other brands. Companies need become more active in responding to social issues like environment, diversity and contribute towards the socio-economic development of the society which is helping them to do business.

Arguments for and against Death Penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Arguments for and against Death Penalty - Essay Example However, a common opinion in regard to the use of death penalty has not been accomplished. This essay is an argument regarding the use of death penalty. It presents some reasons why death penalty should be abolished, while on the other hand it presents several reasons why the application of death penalty is right. There are certain situations whereby I have reasoned that death penalty should be applied on some of the crimes against humanity. For example, there are situations whereby people hire killers to cause the demise of those whom they feel are a barrier to their prosperity. Others do this as a result of disputes. The most amazing thing is that those who carry out such murders would never like to be faced with a situation whereby they can lose their life. The big question is why anyone would want to terminate another person’s life while he/she would not like his/hers to be terminated. This is selfishness that does not need to be supported under all the circumstances. Case y (2000) argues that once a person kills for the first time, it is likely that he is going to take the life of another. Human beings are vulnerable to death caused by fellow humans in many cases. This is because a person with the intention of killing another is intelligent enough to way lay the unsuspecting victim regardless of the living environment. I disagree with the people who argue that assassins should be sentenced to serve jail terms whereby they get rehabilitated with a situation whereby.

Race And Racism In Heart Of Darkness English Literature Essay

Race And Racism In Heart Of Darkness English Literature Essay One of the central issues that arise from Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness (1899) is the colonialist bias used to misrepresent the African race. Whilst Conrad was not himself accountable for the xenophobic westernised image of Africa, his story maintains the damaging stereotyping of native people. By painting them as bestialised, barbaric, primitive and uncivilised, he explores the black race through the lens of a hegemonic European representation; Conrads uses of myth and metaphor supported the colonial conquest of African people on the colonisers assumption that these people were racially inferior. Nevertheless, Conrad was writing at a time when the historical representation of Africans had always been a discourse of racism. Also, perhaps Conrad failed to appropriately depict Africans because he recognized little of their culture, having primarily spent time with white men during his 6 months at the African Congo. Moreover, by undermining imperial superiority and giving satanic ref erences to the colonisers, one may contend he is similarly insulting towards the Europeans, and that his exaggerated racism seeks to ridicule Europes civilising mission, and expose the ingrained racist ideals of Victorian imperialists. Marlow, the central protagonist and narrator of Heart of Darkness, expresses old racist prejudices against the Africans: They howled and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces, but what thrilled you was the thought of their humanity like yoursà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ugly. Not only does he deny the Africans a distinction of a name, he also rids them of normal human behaviour. Marlow belittles them with derogatory language, stressing that they mimic animalistic behaviour and have no methods of speech outside of violent babble and crude grunts. According to Chinua Achebe, these representations call the very humanity of black people into question. On the matter of communication, it is noteworthy that a small amount of English syllables are placed into the mouths of one or two Congolese Africans. It is in submitting to the hegemonic language of the coloniser that Conrad replaces native culture with his own, which he considers superior. It is this supposition of an advanced humanity which leads A chebe to brand Conrad a through-going racist. Nonetheless, it can be argued that Marlow is a product of a fairly racist era in history; a period in which racist discourses remained structured by Empire to legitimize its political ideology of suppression over the Africans. Like his contemporaries, Conrad is writing at a time where it was acceptable to view Africans as the other, and by overusing the words savage and nigger, he conforms to the racist sentiments of the day. Consequently, his story which was published in the Blackwood magazine, targets the conservative politics of the late nineteenth century. Furthermore, Conrad mentions in his authors note that his over exaggeration of the savage image had the purpose of bringing it home to the minds and bosoms of the reader. This admittance of a distorted characteristic account of the natives may explain his savage depiction of them. He also uses these images to make the setting realistic, accentuating the novels grave themes of darkness, and fear of the unknown. Being a victim of his time, Conrads portrayals of the African race also conform to the evolutionary trope of Charles Darwins theory of evolution. By painting Africans as the prehistoric man, and portraying Marlows voyage upriver as travelling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, Conrad integrates the temporal evolutionary trope in Heart of Darkness; he suggests that Europeans are at a more superior position, since the Africans have not yet emerged from prehistory. His repeated animalistic images of the natives place Africans at the low end of the scale: one of the creatures rose to his hands and knees and went off on all fours towards the river to drink. Linking in with Darwinism science, Conrad reduces the Africans into a subspecies between apes and Caucasians. The African here is represented as a modern ancestor, an animal, a barely human body without intelligence. Consequently, he views the Africans as prehistoric evils in desperate need of European influence and evolutio n; an outlook which reaffirms him as the personification of colonialism. Darwins views which had become entrenched in society are used here by Marlow to provide the principal ideological support for imperialism. Suggests that Europeans are at a more superior position, as opposed to the Africans since the latter has not yet emerged from prehistory Though truthful, Marlow is a prejudiced man; he is the personification of colonialism.   Going into the Congo, Marlow views the natives as prehistoric evils in desperate need of white influence and civilization. Throughout the physical journey, Marlow is confronted with the natives time and time again, seeing them chained as slaves, living in a village and attacking his own steam boat. Marlow holds fast his prejudiced view of the natives, referring to them as savages or calling them by more derogatory terms such as niggers. Through his exploration, he questions the humanity of Africans. According to him this deliberate stylistic obfuscation merely aided to satisfy the racial sentiments of the day, and Conrad was only acting as the purveyor of comforting myths Counter argue that he was a polish writer who had to show his mettle with the English language However, in his authors note he writes how over exaggeration is used. Sombre theme given sinister resonance perhaps explains the extreme savage image. It can also be said Much of his animalistic language of the black race conforms to the evolutionary trope of Charles Darwin whose views became entrenched in society. African on all fours like ants. So for someone, who had little contact, he makes use of these derogatory stereotypes, and it can be said that he relies on these preconceived ideas and western baggage since they dominate his descriptions. Maintains, and justifies imperialism, and although he witnesses the horror of colonialism and suppression of the Africans, it is interesting to note his approval of efficient imperialist activity. However, his constant questioning of imperialist values, and the sham of it all, reveal his anti essentialist views. slightly flatter noses. This acknowledges that the black race is more or less equal to whites, barring a few inconsequential physical attributes. Kurtz on the other hand shows no remorse whatsoever. He holds the absolute essential view to exterminate all the blacks. He holds the ideology of making the black race extinct. Hes a ruthless ivory trader, and arranges for the dead heads to displayed on poles. The white race use crude violence, and brute force. Very occasionally the natives show resistance, but their left largely helpless against the overpowering military control of the Europeans. They have no authority or voice. The colonists have become corrupted. They are blinded by the notion that this is their sacred duty to uphold the superiority of the colonial empire and white heritage. Through Marlow disapproval, he shows and exposes the Europeans, is equally deameaning, offensive, and undermines their superiority. flabby white devils.. Critiques immoral European behaviour. Transcends such prejudice, shows him to rise above racism. Ridicules benevolent project of civilisation. Uses an ambivalent tone to show the violent colonial enterprise. Kurtz the ultimate satanic, racist. Has the heart of darkness. However if he is showing Africa to be the reason for the deterioration of the European mans morale, it merely becomes a backdrop which eliminates the African as human factor. They have become marginalised. This marginalisation shows further through Kurtz mistress. He is racist towards her, but not so to his white woman. 333 But its interesting, that Marlow does approve of efficient colonialism. Puts in a section of Brtish colonialism. It is almost with this preconceived mindset that Marlow almost succumbs to this same worst impulsive violent mindset (look at thinking lit answer bold). Going further into self discovery and realises his own heart of darkness. Paints Africa as the heart of darkness, suggesting that its wilderness and wild inhabitants drive the Europeans to insanity and violence. Takes this stance to almost show how the Dark Continent is responsible for his behaviour, thus showing it to be the cause of Kurtzs insanity. Almost blaming Africans that they hold out temptations. His racist sentiments continue throughout. However, unlike the other colonists, Marlow does show some sympathy and admiration towards the natives; a viewpoint, emphasising his forward thinking mindset. Upon his very first encounter, he praises there vitality, muscles and seems entirely at peace with them. Gives the dying man a biscuit, and becomes friends with helman. Has a remote kinship with them as opposed to nothing with Europeans. Therefore it can be evaluated that he is just brainwashed by the politics of the time, but his contemplative nature, allows him to see through the cracks, and appreciate the African race. Later descriptions thus allow for readers to see the absurdity of racism. (Cedric Watts) Conclusion Although Marlow shows himself to be concerned with the heart of humankind, and the souls of individuals, the text emerged out of the very centre of racism and imperialism, therefore Marlow can be seen as merely replicating the colonial discourses available to him. Although he criticises the extreme brutal ness of Imperialism, he discourse is grounded in political, economic interest. He simply looks at Africa through a haze of distortions and cheap mystifications. It can be said that Conrad just uses Marlow to confirm and consolidate the wildest fantasies of the African savages to his European readers. However in my opinion his racist exaggeration and imperialist critique, are used to show how absurd racism was. http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=7947

MacBeth :: Character Analysis, Classics

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the three witches give Macbeth a false sense of security with their apparitions of truths. Instead, they prove to be harmful for Macbeth who takes too much comfort and confidence in his interpretation of the truths.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first apparition, a floating head warns Macbeth to beware Macduff. The apparition confirms Macbeth’s own fears saying he has already guessed as much. In the second apparition, a bloody child tells Macbeth, â€Å"None a woman born shall harm Macbeth† (4.1, p. 96). Believing everyone is born of woman, Macbeth takes relief in the idea that he will never be harmed. Although, the apparition does provide a truth, but unbeknownst to Macbeth, Macduff was not of â€Å"woman born† rather â€Å"from his mother’s womb / untimely ripped† (5.9 p. 349). Macduff was born through cesarean section after his mother died hence the bloody child in the apparition. In the third apparition, a crowned child holding a tree, tells Macbeth he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Again, the apparition deceives Macbeth the way he perceives it thinking Birnam Wood cannot move to Dunsinane Hill. Later, a messenger tells Macbeth the trees of Birnam wood are advancing toward Dunsinane. Malcolm’s soldiers carry the tree branches to Dunsinane making the apparition truthful. The crowned child in the apparition is Malcolm—the future king after Macbeth. Finally in the last apparition, a procession of eight crowned kings walks by, the last one carrying a mirror. Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the line. The witches vanish before Macbeth could get a meaning behind the apparition.

The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 13 KILLER

IF IT WAS ANYONE BUT JACOB, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, shaking my head as I drove down the forest-lined highway to La Push. I still wasn't sure if I was domg the right thing, but I'd made a compromise with myself. I couldn't condone what Jacob and his friends, his pack, were doing. I understood now what he'd said last nightthat I might not want to see him againand I could have called him as he'd suggested, but that felt cowardly. I owed him a face-to-face conversation, at least. I would tell him to his face that I couldn't just overlook what was going on. I couldn't be friends with a killer and say nothing, let the killing continue That would make me a monster, too. But I couldn't not warn him, either. I had to do what I could to protect him. I pulled up to the Blacks' house with my lips pressed together into a hard line. It was bad enough that my best friend was a werewolf. Did he have to be a monster, too? The house was dark, no lights in the windows, but I didn't care if I woke them. My fist thudded against the front door with angry energy; the sound reverberated through the walls. â€Å"Come in,† I heard Billy call after a minute, and a light flicked on. I twisted the knob; it was unlocked. Billy was leaning around an open doorway just off the little kitchen, a bathrobe around his shoulders, not in his chair yet. When he saw who it was, his eyes widened briefly, and then his face turned stoic. â€Å"Well, good morning, Bella. What are you doing up so early?† â€Å"Hey, Billy. I need to talk to Jakewhere is he?† â€Å"Um I don't really know,† he lied, straight-faced. â€Å"Do you know what Charlie is doing this morning?† I demanded, sick of the stalling. â€Å"Should I?† â€Å"He and half the other men in town are all out in the woods with guns, hunting giant wolves.† Billy's expression flickered, and then went blank. â€Å"So I'd like to talk to Jake about that, if you don't mind,† I continued. Billy pursed his thick lips for a long moment. â€Å"I'd bet he's still asleep,† he finally said, nodding toward the tiny hallway off the front room. â€Å"He's out late a lot these days. Kid needs his restprobably you shouldn't wake him.† â€Å"It's my turn,† I muttered under my breath as I stalked to the hallway. Billy sighed. Jacob's tiny closet of a room was the only door in the yard-long hallway. I didn't bother to knock. I threw the door open; it slammed against the wall with a bang. Jacobstill wearing just the same black cut-off sweats he'd worn last nightwas stretched diagonally across the double bed that took up all of his room but a few inches around the edges. Even on a slant, it wasn't long enough; his feet hung off the one end and his head off the other. He was fast asleep, snoring lightly with his mouth hanging open. The sound of the door hadn't even made him twitch. His face was peaceful with (deep sleep, all the angry lines smoothed out. There were circles under his eyes that I hadn't noticed before. Despite his ridiculous size, he looked very young now, and very weary. Pity shook me. I stepped back out, and shut the door quietly behind me. Billy stared with curious, guarded eyes as I walked slowly back into the front room. â€Å"I think I'll let him get some rest.† Billy nodded, and then we gazed at each other for a minute. I was dying to ask him about his part in this. What did he think of what his son had become? But I knew how he'd supported Sam from the very beginning, and so I supposed the murders must not bother him. How he justified that to himself I couldn't imagine. I could see many questions for me in his dark eyes, but he didn't voice them either. â€Å"Look,† I said, breaking the loud silence. â€Å"I'll be down at the beach for a while. When he wakes up, tell him I'm waiting for him, okay?† â€Å"Sure, sure,† Billy agreed. I wondered if he really would. Well, if he didn't, I'd tried, right? I drove down to First Beach and parked in the empty dirt lot. It was still darkthe gloomy predawn of a cloudy dayand when I cut the headlights it was hard to see. I had to let my eyes adjust before I could find the path that led through the tall hedge of weeds. It was colder here, with the wind whipping off the black water, and I shoved my hands deep into the pockets of my winter jacket. At least the rain had stopped. I paced down the beach toward the north seawall. I couldn't see St. James or the other islands, just the vague shape of the water's edge. I picked my way carefully across the rocks, watching out for driftwood that might trip me. I found what I was looking for before I realized I was looking for it. It materialized out of the gloom when it was just a few feet away: a long bone-white driftwood tree stranded deep on the rocks. The roots twisted up at the seaward end, like a hundred brittle tentacles. I couldn't be sure that it was the same tree where Jacob and I had had our first conversationa conversation that had begun so many different, tangled threads of my lifebut it seemed to be in about the same place I sat down where I'd sat before, and stared out across the invisible sea. Seeing Jacob like thatinnocent and vulnerable in sleephad stolen all my revulsion, dissolved all my anger. I still couldn't turn a blind sye to what was happening, like Billy seemed to, but I couldn't condemn Jacob for it either. Love didn't work that way, I decided. Once you cared about a person, it was impossible to be logical about them anymore. Jacob was my friend whether he killed people or not. And I didn't know what I was going to do about that. When I pictured him sleeping so peacefully, I felt an overpowering urge to protect him. Completely illogical. Illogical or not, I brooded over the memory his peaceful face, trying to come up with some answer, some way to shelter him, while the sky slowly turned gray. â€Å"Hi,Bella.† Jacob's voice came from the darkness and made me jump. It was soft, almost shy, but I'd been expecting some forewarning from the noisy rocks, and so it still startled me. I could see his silhouette against the coming sunriseit looked enormous. â€Å"Jake?† He stood several paces away, shifting his weight from foot to foot anxiously. â€Å"Billy told me you came bydidn't take you very long, did it? I knew you could figure it out.† â€Å"Yeah, I remember the right story now,† I whispered. It was quiet for a long moment and, though it was still too dark to see well, my skin prickled as if his eyes were searching my face. There must have been enough light for him to read my expression, because when he spoke again, his voice was suddenly acidic. â€Å"You could have just called,† he said harshly. I nodded. â€Å"I know.† Jacob started pacing along the rocks. If I listened very hard, I could just hear the gentle brush of his feet on the rocks behind the sound of the waves. The rocks had clattered like castanets for me. â€Å"Why did you come?† he demanded, not halting his angry stride. â€Å"I thought it would be better face-to-face.† He snorted. â€Å"Oh, much better.† â€Å"Jacob, I have to warn you† â€Å"About the rangers and the hunters? Don't worry about it. We already know.† â€Å"Don't worry about it?† I demanded in disbelief. â€Å"Jake, they've got guns! They're setting traps and offering rewards and† â€Å"We can take care of ourselves,† he growled, still pacing. â€Å"They're not going to catch anything. They're only making it more difficultthey'll start disappearing soon enough, too.† â€Å"Jake!† I hissed. â€Å"What? It's just a fact.† My voice was pale with revulsion. â€Å"How can you feel that way? You know these people. Charlie's out there!† The thought made my stomach twist. He came to an abrupt stop. â€Å"What more can we do?† he retorted. The sun turned the clouds a slivery pink above us. I could see his expression now; it was angry, frustrated, betrayed. â€Å"Could you well, try to not be a werewolf?† I suggested in a whisper. He threw his hands up in the air. â€Å"Like I have a choice about it!† he shouted. â€Å"And how would that help anything, if you're worried about people disappearing?† â€Å"I don't understand you.† He glared at me, his eyes narrowing and his mouth twisting into a snarl. â€Å"You know what makes me so mad I could just spit?† I flinched away from his hostile expression. He seemed to be waiting for an answer, so I shook my head. â€Å"You're such a hypocrite, Bellathere you sit, terrified of me! How is that fair?† His hands shook with anger. â€Å"Hypocrite? How does being afraid of a monster make me a hypocrite?† â€Å"Ugh!† he groaned, pressing his trembling fists to his temples and squeezing his eyes shut. â€Å"Would you listen to yourself?† â€Å"What?† He took two steps toward me, leaning over me and glaring with fury. â€Å"Well, I'm so sorry that I can't be the right kind of monster for you, Bella. I guess I'm just not as great as a bloodsucker, am I?† I jumped to my feet and glared back. â€Å"No, you're not!† I shouted. â€Å"It's not what you are, stupid, it's what you do!† â€Å"What's that supposed to mean?† He roared, his entire frame quivering with rage. I was taken entirely by surprise when Edward's voice cautioned me. â€Å"Be very careful, Bella,† his velvet voice warned. â€Å"Don't push him too far. You need to calm him down.† Even the voice in my head was making no sense today. I listened to him, though. I would do anything for that voice. â€Å"Jacob,† I pleaded, making my tone soft and even. â€Å"Is it really necessary to kill people, Jacob? Isn't there some other way? I mean, if vampires can find a way to survive without murdering people, couldn't you give it a try, too?† He straightened up with a jerk, like my words had sent an electric shock through him. His eyebrows shot up and his eyes stared wide. â€Å"Killing people?† he demanded. â€Å"What did you think we were talking about?† He wasn't trembling anymore. He looked at me with half-hopeful disbelief. â€Å"I thought we were talking about your disgust for werewolves.† â€Å"No, Jake, no. It's not that you're a wolf. That's fine,† I promised him, and I knew as I said the words that I meant them. I really didn't care if he turned into a big wolfhe was still Jacob. â€Å"If you could just find a way not to hurt people that's all that upsets me. These ate innocent people, Jake, people like Charlie, and I can't just look the other way while you† â€Å"Is that all? Really?† he interrupted me, a smile breaking across his face. â€Å"You're just scared because I'm a murderer? That's the only reason?† â€Å"Isn't that reason enough?† He started to laugh. â€Å"Jacob Black, this is so notfunny!† â€Å"Sure, sure,† he agreed, still chortling. He took one long stride and caught me in another vice-tight bear hug. â€Å"You really, honestly don't mind that I morph into a giant dog?† he asked, his voice joyful in my ear. â€Å"No,† I gasped. â€Å"Can'tbreatheJake!† He let me go, but took both my hands. â€Å"I'm not a killer, Bella.† I studied his face, and it was clear that this was the truth. Relief pulsed through me. â€Å"Really?† I asked. â€Å"Really,† he promised solemnly. I threw my arms around him. It reminded me of that first day with the motorcycleshe was bigger, though, and I felt even more like a child now. Like that other time, he stroked my hair. â€Å"Sorry I called you a hypocrite,† he apologized. â€Å"Sorry I called you a murderer.† He laughed. I thought of something then, and pulled away from him so that I could see his face. My eyebrows furrowed in anxiety. â€Å"What about Sam? And the others?† He shook his head, smiling like a huge burden had been removed from his shoulders. â€Å"Of course not. Don't you remember what we call ourselves?† The memory was clearI'd just been thinking of that very day. â€Å"Protectors?† â€Å"Exactly.† â€Å"But I don't understand. What's happening in the woods? The missing hikers, the blood?† His face was serious, worried at once. â€Å"We're trying to do our job, Bella. We're trying to protect them, but we're always just a little too late.† â€Å"Protect them from what? Is there really a bear out there, too?† â€Å"Bella, honey, we only protect people from one thingour one enemy. It's the reason we existbecause they do.† I stared at him blankly for one second before I understood. Then the blood drained from my face and a thin, wordless cry of horror broke through my lips. He nodded. â€Å"I thought you, of all people, would reali2e what was really going on.† â€Å"Laurent,† I whispered. â€Å"He's still here.† Jacob blinked twice, and cocked his head to one side. â€Å"Who's Laurent?† I tried to sort out the chaos in my head so that I could answer. â€Å"You knowyou saw him in the meadow. You were there† The words came out in a wondering tone as it all sunk in. â€Å"You were there, and you kept him from killing me† â€Å"Oh, the black-haired leech?† He grinned, a tight, fierce grin. â€Å"Was that his name?† I shuddered. â€Å"What were you thinking?† I whispered. â€Å"He could have killed you! Jake, you don't realize how dangerous† Another laugh interrupted me â€Å"Bella, one lone vampire isn't much of a problem for a pack as big as ours. It was so easy, it was hardly even fun!† â€Å"What was so easy?† â€Å"Killing the bloodsucker who was going to kill you. Now, I don't count that towards the whole murder thing,† he added quickly. â€Å"Vampires don't count as people.† I could only mouth the words. â€Å"You killed Laurent?† He nodded. â€Å"Well, it was a group effort,† he qualified. â€Å"Laurent is dead?† I whispered. His expression changed. â€Å"You're not upset about that, are you? He was going to kill youhe was going for the kill, Bella, we were sure of that before we attacked. You know that, right?† â€Å"I know that. No, I'm not upsetI'm† I had to sit down. I stumbled back a step until I felt the driftwood against my calves, and then sank down onto it. â€Å"Laurent is dead. He's not coming back for me.† â€Å"You're not mad? He wasn't one of your friends or anything, was he?† â€Å"My friend?† I stared up at him, confused and dizzy with relief. I started babbling, my eyes getting moist. â€Å"No, Jake. I'm so so relieved. I thought he was going to find meI've been waiting for him every night, just hoping that he'd stop with me and leave Charlie alone. I've been so frightened, Jacob But how? He was a vampire! How did you kill him? He was so strong, so hard, like marble† He sat down next to me and put one big arm around me comfortingly. â€Å"It's what we're made for, Bells. We're strong, too. I wish you would have told me that you were so afraid. You didn't need to be.† â€Å"You weren't around,† I mumbled, lost in thought. â€Å"Oh, right.† â€Å"Wait, JakeI thought you knew, though. Last night, you said it wasn't safe for you to be in my room. I thought you knew that a vampire might be coming. Isn't that what you were talking about?† He looked confused for a minute, and then he ducked his head. â€Å"No, that's not what I meant.† â€Å"Then why didn't you think it was safe for you there?† He looked at me with guilt-ridden eyes. â€Å"I didn't say it wasn't safe for me. I was thinking of you.† â€Å"What do you mean?† He looked down and kicked a rock. â€Å"There's more than one reason I'm not supposed to be around you, Bella. I wasn't supposed to tell you our secret, for one thing, but the other part is that it's not safe for you. If I get too mad too upset you might get hurt.† I thought about that carefully. â€Å"When you were mad before when I was yelling at you and you were shaking ?† â€Å"Yeah.† His face dropped even lower. â€Å"That was pretty stupid of me. I have to keep a better hold on myself. I swore I wasn't going to get mad, no matter what you said to me. But I just got so upser that I was going to lose you that you couldn't deal with what I am† â€Å"What would happen if you got too mad?† I whispered. â€Å"I'd turn into a wolf,† he whispered back. â€Å"You don't need a full moon.† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"Hollywood's version doesn't get much right.† Then he sighed, and was serious again. â€Å"You don't need to be so stressed out, Bells. We're going to take care of this. And we're keeping a special eye on Charlie and the otherswe won't let anything happen to him. Trust me on that.† Something very, very obvious, something I should have grasped at oncebut I'd been so distracted by the idea of Jacob and his friends fighting with Laurent, that I'd completely missed it at the timeoccurred to me only then, when Jacob used the present tense again. We're going to take care of this. It wasn't over. â€Å"Laurent is dead,† I gasped, and my entire body went ice cold. â€Å"Bella?† Jacob asked anxiously, touching my ashen cheek. â€Å"If Laurent died a week ago then someone else is killing people now.† Jacob nodded; his teeth clenched together, and he spoke through them. â€Å"There were two of them. We thought his mate would want to fight usin our stories, they usually get pretty pissed off if you kill their matebut she just keeps running away, and then coming back again. If we could figure out what she was after, it would be easier to take her down. But she makes no sense. She keeps dancing around the edges, like she's testing our defenses, looking for a way inbut in where? Where does she want to go? Sam thinks she's trying to separate us, so she'll have a better chance† His voice faded until it sounded like it was coming through a long tunnel; I couldn't make out the individual words anymore. My forehead dewed with sweat and my stomach rolled like I had the stomach flu again. Exactly like I had the flu. I turned away from him quickly, and leaned over the tree trunk. My body convulsed with useless heaves, my empty stomach contracting with horrified nausea, though there was nothing in it to expel. Victoria was here. Looking for me. Killing strangers in the woods. The woods where Charlie was searching My head spun sickeningly. Jacob's hands caught my shoulderskept me from sliding forward onto the rocks. I could feel his hot breath on my cheek. â€Å"Bella! What's wrong?† â€Å"Victoria,† I gasped as soon as I could catch my breath around the nauseous spasms. In my head, Edward snarled in fury at the name. I felt Jacob pull me up from my slump. He draped me awkwardly across his lap, laying my limp head against his shoulder. He struggled to balance me, to keep me from sagging over, one way or the other He brushed the sweaty hair back from my face. â€Å"Who?† Jacob asked. â€Å"Can you hear me, Bella? Bella?† â€Å"She wasn't Laurent's mate,† I moaned into his shoulder. â€Å"They were just old friends† â€Å"Do you need some water? A doctor? Tell me what to do,† he demanded, frantic. â€Å"I'm not sickI'm scared,† I explained in a whisper. The word scared didn't really seem to cover it. Jacob patted my back. â€Å"Scaled of this Victoria?† I nodded, shuddering. â€Å"Victoria is the red-haired female?† I trembled again, and whimpered, â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"How do you know she wasn't his mate?† â€Å"Laurent told me James was her mate,† I explained, automatically flexing the hand with the scar. He pulled my face around, holding it steady in his big hand. He stared intently into my eyes. â€Å"Did he tell you anything else, Bella? This is important. Do you know what she wants?† â€Å"Of course,† I whispered. â€Å"She wants me.† His eyes flipped wide, then narrowed into slits. â€Å"Why?† he demanded. â€Å"Edward killed James,† I whispered. Jacob held me so tightly that there was no need for me to clutch at the holehe kept me in one piece. â€Å"She did get pissed off. But Laurent said she thought it was fairer to kill me than Edward. Mate for mate. She didn't knowstill doesn't know, I guessthat that† I swallowed hard. â€Å"That things aren't like that with us anymore. Not for Edward, anyway.† Jacob was distracted by that, his face torn between several different expressions. â€Å"Is that what happened? Why the Cullens left?† â€Å"I'm nothing but a human, after all. Nothing special,† I explained, shrugging weakly. Something like a growlnot a real growl, just a human approximationrumbled in Jacob's chest under my ear. â€Å"If that idiot bloodsucker is honestly stupid enough† â€Å"Please,† I moaned. â€Å"Please. Don't.† Jacob hesitated, then nodded once. â€Å"This is important,† he said again, his face all business now. â€Å"This is exactly what we needed to know. We've got to tell the others right away.† He stood, pulling me to my feet. He kept two hands on my waist until he was sure I wasn't going to fall. â€Å"I'm okay,† I lied. He traded his hold on my waist for one of my hands. â€Å"Let's go.† He pulled me back toward the truck. â€Å"Where are we going?† I asked. â€Å"I'm not sure yet,† he admitted. â€Å"I'll call a meeting. Hey, wait here for just a minute, okay?† He leaned me against the side of the truck and released my hand. â€Å"Where are you going?† â€Å"I'll be right back,† he promised. Then he turned and sprinted through the parking lot, across the road, and into the bordering forest. He flitted into the trees, swift and sleek as a deer. â€Å"Jacob!† I yelled after him hoarsely, but he was already gone. It was not a good time to be left alone. Seconds after Jacob was out of sight, I was hyperventilating. I dragged myself into the cab of the truck, and mashed the locks down at once. It didn't make me feel any better. Victoria was already hunting me. It was just luck that she hadn't found me yetjust luck and five teenage werewolves. I exhaled sharply. No matter what Jacob said, the thought of him coming anywhere close to Victoria was horrifying. I didn't care what he could turn into when he got mad. I could see her in my head, her face wild, her hair like flames, deadly, indestructible But, according to Jacob, Laurent was gone. Was that really possible? EdwardI clutched automatically at my chesthad told me how difficult it was to kill a vampire. Only another vampire could do the job. Yet Jake said this was what werewolves were made for He said they were keeping a special eye on Charliethat I should trust the werewolves to keep my father safe. How could I trust that? None of us were safe! Jacob the very least of all, if he was trying to put himself between Victoria and Charlie between Victoria and me. I felt like I might be about to throw up again. A sharp rap on the truck's window made me yelp in terrorbut it was just Jacob, back already. I unlocked the door with trembling, grateful fingers. â€Å"You're really scared, aren't you?† he asked as he climbed in. I nodded. â€Å"Don't be. We'll take care of youand Charlie, too. I promise.† â€Å"The idea of you finding Victoria is scarier than the idea of her finding me,† I whispered. He laughed. â€Å"You've got to have a little more confidence in us than that. It's insulting.† I just shook my head. I'd seen too many vampires in action. â€Å"Where did you go just now?† I asked. He pursed his lips, and said nothing. â€Å"What? Is it a secret?† He frowned. â€Å"Not really. It's kind of weird, though. I don't want to freak you out.† â€Å"I'm sort of used to weird by this point, you know.† I tried to smile without much success. Jacob grinned back easily. â€Å"Guess you'd have to be. Okay. See, when we're wolves, we can hear each other.† My eyebrows pulled down in confusion. â€Å"Not hear sounds,† he went on, â€Å"but we can hear thoughtseach other's anywayno matter how far away from each other we are. It really helps when we hunt, but it's a big pain otherwise. It's embarrassinghaving no secrets like that. Freaky, eh?† â€Å"Is that what you meant last night, when you said you would tell them you'd seen me, even though you didn't want to?† â€Å"You're quick.† â€Å"Thanks.† â€Å"You're also very good with weird. I thought that would bother you.† â€Å"It's not well, you're not the first person I've known who could do that. So it doesn't seem so weird to me.† â€Å"Really Waitare you talking about your bloodsuckers?† â€Å"I wish you wouldn't call them that.† He laughed. â€Å"Whatever. The Cullens, then?† â€Å"Just just Edward.† I pulled one arm surreptitiously around my torso. Jacob looked surprisedunpleasantly so. â€Å"I thought those were just stories. I've heard legends about vampires who could do extra stuff, but I thought that was just a myth.† â€Å"Is anything just a myth anymore?† I asked him wryly. He scowled. â€Å"Guess not. Okay, we're going to meet Sam and the others at the place we go to ride our bikes.† I started the truck and headed back up the road. â€Å"So did you just turn into a wolf now, to talk to Sam?† I asked, curious. Jacob nodded, seeming embarrassed. â€Å"I kept it real shortI tried not to think about you so they wouldn't know what was going on. I was afraid Sam would tell me I couldn't bring you.† â€Å"That wouldn't have stopped me.† I couldn't get rid of my perception of Sam as the bad guy. My teeth clenched together whenever I heard his name. â€Å"Well, it would have stopped me,† Jacob said, morose now. â€Å"Remember how I couldn't finish my sentences last night? How I couldn't just tell you the whole story?† â€Å"Yeah. You looked like you were choking on something.† He chuckled darkly. â€Å"Close enough. Sam told me I couldn't tell you. He's the head of the pack, you know. He's the Alpha. When he tells us to do something, or not to do somethingwhen he really means it, well, we can't just ignore him.† â€Å"Weird,† I muttered. â€Å"Very,† he agreed. â€Å"It's kind of a wolf thing.† â€Å"Huh† was the best response I could think of. â€Å"Yeah, there's a load of stuff like thatwolf things. I'm still learning. I can't imagine what it was like for Sam, trying to deal with this alone. It sucks bad enough to go through it with a whole pack for support.† â€Å"Sam was alone?† â€Å"Yeah.† Jacob's voice lowered. â€Å"When I changed, it was the most horrible, the most terrifying thing I've ever been throughworse than anything I could have imagined. But I wasn't alonethere were the voices there, in my head, telling me what had happened and what I had to do. That kept me from losing my mind, I think. But Sam† He shook his head. â€Å"Sam had no help.† This was going to take some adjusting. When Jacob explained it like that, it was hard not to feel compassion for Sam. I had to keep reminding myself that there was no reason to hate him anymore. â€Å"Will they be angry that I'm with you?† I asked. He made a face. â€Å"Probably.† â€Å"Maybe I shouldn't† â€Å"No, it's okay,† he assured me. â€Å"You know a ton of things that can help us. It's not like you're just some ignorant human. You're like a I don't know, spy or something. You've been behind enemy lines.† I frowned to myself. Was that what Jacob would want from me? Insider information to help them destroy their enemies? I wasn't a spy, though. I hadn't been collecting that kind of information. Already, his words made me feel like a traitor. But I wanted him to stop Victoria, didn't I? No. I did want Victoria to be stopped, preferably before she tortured me to death or ran into Charlie or killed another stranger. I just didn't want Jacob to be the one to stop her, or rather to try. I didn't want Jacob within a hundred miles of her. â€Å"Like the stuff about the mind-reading bloodsucker,† he continued, oblivious to my reverie. â€Å"That's the kind of thing we need to know about. That really sucks that those stories are true. It makes everything more complicated. Hey, do you think this Victoria can do anything special?† â€Å"I don't think so,† I hesitated, and then sighed. â€Å"He would have mentioned it.† â€Å"He? Oh, you mean Edwardoops, sorry. I forgot. You don't like to say his name. Or hear it.† I squeezed my midsection, trying to ignore the throbbing around the edges of my chest. â€Å"Not really, no.† â€Å"Sorry.† â€Å"How do you know me so well, Jacob? Sometimes it's like you can read my mind.† â€Å"Naw. I just pay attention.† We were on the little dirt road where Jacob had first taught me to ride the motorcycle. â€Å"This good?† I asked. â€Å"Sure, sure.† I pulled over and cut the engine. â€Å"You're still pretty unhappy, aren't you?† he murmured. I nodded, staring unseeingly into the gloomy forest. â€Å"Did you ever think that maybe you're better off?† I inhaled slowly, and then let my breath out. â€Å"No.† â€Å"‘Cause he wasn't the best† â€Å"Please, Jacob,† I interrupted, begging in a whisper. â€Å"Could we please not talk about this? I can't stand it.† â€Å"Okay.† He took a deep breath. â€Å"I'm sorry I said anything.† â€Å"Don't feel bad. If things were different, it would be nice to finally be able to talk to someone about it.† He nodded. â€Å"Yeah, I had a hard time keeping a secret from you for two weeks. It must be hell to not be able to talk to anyone.† â€Å"Hell,† I agreed. Jacob sucked in a sharp breath. â€Å"They're here. Let's go.† â€Å"Are you sure?† I asked while he popped his door open. â€Å"Maybe I shouldn't be here.† â€Å"They'll deal with it,† he said, and then he grinned. â€Å"Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf?† â€Å"Ha ha,† I said. But I got out of the truck, hurrying around the front end to stand close beside Jacob. I remembered only too clearly the giant monsters in the meadow. My hands were trembling like Jacob's had been before, but with fear rather than rage. Jake took my hand and squeezed it. â€Å"Here we go.†

Nothing is Here Essay

Complete the Timeline of Early 20th Century American Literature by adding ONE literary title (short story, novel, or poem) and ONE influential event for that literary title for each of the decades listed. You will also need to explain how the two pieces are connected. You should be able to complete this as you read through the lesson, filling in events on your timeline, however you may also use outside sources if you would like. You should have a total of eight events on your timeline before submitting it to your instructor. Timeline of Early 20th Century American Literature 1900- (Novel/Poem) Ezra Pound lived outside the United States after 1908. He had, nevertheless, a profound influence on 20th-century writing in English, both as a practitioner of verse and as a patron and impresario of other writers 1910- (Poem) Frost memorably crafted the language of common speech into traditional poetic form, with epigrammatic effect. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse, founded by Harriet Monroe in Chicago in 1912 1920- (Poem) Eliot lived abroad most of his life, becoming a British subject in 1927 In 1922 appeared The Waste Land, the poem by which he first became famous. 1930- (Novel) The Cantos, the first installment of which appeared in 1926 and the latest in 1959 Their all connected by the mer fact all of these great  writers devoted time and money into such projects, even if  some wrote novels or poems they still wrote profoundly  excelling pieces in the writing industry.