DEFINATION OF SUSTAINABILITY PHENOMENON

DEFINATION OF SUSTAINABILITY PHENOMENON In todays world where populations are growing, where natural resources are stressed and where consumers expectations are expanding, sustainability is absolutely critical issue for our planet. Sustainability is a significant term for many disciplines and one of the important key for living. Then, it has become an important part of organizations with the effect of todays rapidly changed competitive business environment and surely the effect of globalization. Economic Sustainability Environmental Sustainability Social Sustainability Figure 1. Three dimensions of sustainability Sustainability can be described as a permanent ability.  Meaning in the science of ecology, diversity and productivity of the biological system is to ensure the continuity.  Today is a very popular sustainability concept, or fashion in the phrase sustainable growth, underground / aboveground resources, without jeopardizing their life opportunities of future generations to consume to sustain economic growth targets. In 1992, Sustainable Development was the main theme of the Rio Conference, later all the other United Nations conferences had been deeply affected and the basic principles of the UNs approach turned into the world Sustainability. According to the United Nations Environment and Development Commission definition in 1987, Humanity, future generations need to answer capability without jeopardizing the daily needs by providing development to sustain the ability to have. According to Nelson and Winter (1982, pg.5) sustainability adverts to a accumulated and persistent way of growth, at economic level- the economic sustainability or at company level- the business sustainability; an included growth way that provides benefits to people at different types of levels of social position, both within countries and all over the world the social sustainability; and a growth trajectory that recovers and protects the natural environment and is well balanced in terms of exploitation of natural resources- the environmental sustainability. According to all of these senses, sustainability can be related with the accumulative and path dependent nature of the innovation process. (Nelson and Winter, 1982) With regard to Tekeli (2001), sustainability is emerged in the environmental movement and has become widely accepted in the political process content and it is tried to be redefined as a moral principle. As determined in many academic studies, for humanity, the long-term prosperity and ease the situation related with the worlds natural balance and protection of natural resources usage responsibly. 2.2. HISTORY OF SUSTAINABILITY The concept of sustainability used for the first time in 1713 in order to explain economic use of forests by Carl von Carlowitz was put forward by a woodsman, much later it have been translated into English. The first form of sustainability, without consuming the essence of the forest, which grew up just sprinkling the cut, was expected to benefit from that. Todays sustainability thinking is also called three-legged model (triple bottom line / 3BL). The short-form of definition is, Sustainable development of the existence of the people with economic, environmental and social dimensions to the future. Sustainability is a kind of ideology that involves social life to economy, environment and atmosphere; can see the right to intervene, the world, people and life. As the area of interest and interfere with thinking, sustainability has unprecedented coverage area in history ever. In todays world of science is accepted by everyone. Therefore the appreciation of science to sustainability issues are expected to accept from everyone. 2.3. CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY In recent years, there has been significant discussion in the business, academic, and popular press about corporate sustainability. This term is often use in some cases as a same meaning with other terms as especially with sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. In this part of the research, corporate sustainability and the relationship with other terms will be analyze. Sustainability has been defined as economic development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland, 1985). For businesses this includes issues of corporate social responsibility. In other words, corporate sustainability can be identified as meeting the needs of a firms direct and indirect stakeholders like shareholders, clients, employees, pressure groups and committees, without compromising its ability to meet the needs of future stakeholders at the same time. To achieve these objectives, companies must have to take into account and expand their social, environmental and economical capital base while contributing sustainability in the global business area. Recently, companies have become more sensitive to social issues and stakeholders interest to become better corporate citizens. Regarding this, the result for the companies that they should make significant changes for managing their social, environmental and economic impacts. Worlds largest, best-known organizations like Coca Cola, GE, Unilever, Procter Gamble are leading the world economy the way with taking into consideration social and environmental issues. The Corporate Sustainability Model describes the inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes to implement a successful sustainability strategy (Epstein, 2008). For Wilson, sustainable development corporate social responsibility stakeholder theory accountability are the four pillars of corporate sustainability (Wilson, 2003). The contribution of sustainable development to corporate sustainability is two folds. First, it helps to identify the issues that firms must concentrate like social, environmental and economic performance. Second, it provides social objective for companies, governments to work for same aim, ecological, social and economic sustainability. Nevertheless, sustainable development does not provide the important evidence for the reason that firms action should look like (Wilson, 2003). The importance of sustainable development will be examine in detailed in the following heading of the research. Figure 2: The Evolution of Corporate Sustainability DISCIPLINE UNDERLYING CONCEPT CONTRIBUTION TO CORPORATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABILITY Economics Ecology Boundaries of the subject matter and description of a common societal goal. Social Justice CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Ethical arguments as to why corporations should work towards sustainability goals. Moral Philosophy CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY Strategic Management STAKE HOLDER THEORY Business arguments as to why corporations should work towards sustainability goals CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY THEORY Ethical arguments as to why companies shouldreport on sustainability performance. Business Law 2.3. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The conceptual idea of sustainable development has become a long-term place. This concept has been formed as a result of many international organizations especially The United Nations intensive works. Especially since 1970, a lot of scientific research and conferences were held both globally, national and local levels. Every new study has contributed to the idea of sustainable development become conceptual. Aforementioned studies should be sort chronologically in this format; i. The World Conservation Strategy-WCS The concept of sustainable development is first used at the World Conservation Strategy. This is the first formulation of sustainability and it is more ecological approach. According to this approach, development policies should have three priorities (Soussan, 1992: 21-24). Soussan, J. G. (1992), Sustainable Development, Environmental Issues in the 1990s, A. M. Mannion and S. R. Bowlby (ed.), John Wiley Sons, West Sussex, England, ss. 21-35. Protection of ecological process. Sustainable use of resources. Preservation of genetic diversity. The World Conservation Strategy (WCS) is more focused on the physical environment.  This approach of WCS has been criticized by the anti-growth. (Soussan, 1992: 24) ii. World Comission on Environment and Development Report- Our Common Future (1987) Brundtland Report was formed in 1983 by the period of the United Nations Secretary Generals request and upon the proposal and headed by Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and the participants from twenty different countries in The World Environment and Development Commission (WCED) and submitted to the United Nations General Assembly in 1987. The most detailed used definition of sustainable development was expressed by WCED report, Our Common Future (1987), as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. iii. United Nations Environment and Development Conference- Rio de Janeiro (1992) United Nations Environment and Development Conference was organized between 3-14 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the participation of 178 states. Rio Conference was adopted that Sustainable human development is at the heart of the case, consistent with the nature of every human being, the right to a healthy and productive life. With the Rio Conference, the scope of the sustainable development concept has greatly extended and has gained a place in the multi-disciplinary work area. iv. European Union 5th Action Program (1992) The most significant feature of this work is the first program that accepts local government as a coalition partner. (Hams,1994: 44-46). Hams, Tony (1994), Local Environmental Policies and Strategies after Rio, Local Environmental Policies and Strategies, Julian Agyeman and Bob Evans (ed.), Local Economic and Social Strategy Series, Longman Group Ltd, ss. 23-46. v. The Commission on Sustainable Development (1993) The purpose of the organization committee is implementing the principles which adopted in the conference, to strengthen the integration of environment and development issues for intergovernmental decision-making capacity. vi. The United Nations Conference on Human Settlements-Habitat II (1996) The concept of sustainable development followed in the historical course, The United Nations Conference on Human Settlements-HABITAT II had an important role. Istanbul Declaration and Habitat Agenda have both adopted in the Habitat II and the concept of sustainable development with a fairly close relationship between human settlements are discussed in detail. Sustainable development process based for many years before, however, it has been in the worlds agenda, widely after 1987 Brundtland Report and a lot of research, conferencing and meeting topics to be continue to be the subject. Sustainable development, the Brundtland Commission defined differently, although described in different ways by different authors during the 25 years.  There is no doubt that, this identifies the most common and accepted definition as a partner in this field, has described the 1987 Brundtland Report. With the words of Harlem Brundtland (1987) sustainable development refers a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation. This comprehensive report is published by United Nations. After a long period of study, the commission headed by Harlem Brundtland published Our New Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland, 1987). Coverage of the report was almost unique by its comprehensiveness; it covered numerous serious global issues like food security, population pressures and human resources, energy supply alternatives, species and ecosystem protection, industrial production and efficiency and peace security issues (WEC, 2001). According to the report, by over-exploiting resources societies may damage their capability to meet the needs of their future generations. The report noticed that, until recently, interventions of human society on environment were small in scale and their impact was limited. However, parallel to industrial and demographic trends observed in recent decades, these interventions have become more constitutional in scale and impact. Sustainable development is a concept that includes society, environment and development and all matters related to complex relationships with each other. In other words, sustainable development is a way of upgrading economic growth and the level of welfare with protecting the environment and quality of life of all people on earth. Increasing world population and its consumption rate, with rapid development in technology in the industry for increased production and environmental pollution hazards has led to the destruction of natural resources. In fact, until the middle of 20th century, the definition of sustainable development covers only environmentalism and nature preserve. The relationship between humans and the environment has always been throughout history, will continue to be. Especially 19  century industrial revolution which occurred in 19th century, these relationships have increased even more and human activities found more damaging for the nature. This fact has not escaped the attention of scientists and in this field has revealed the need for measures to be taken. Starting establishing in the late 19th century early 20th century of some associations and ongoing community of human natures the main objective was to prevent these losses. 2.4. THE ROLE OF MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Become the most important actors in the globalized world, multinational companies can be defined as companies that have operations in several countries and provider of benefits from international manufacturing (Aribogan, 1996). The term multinational corporations first occurred in 1960 Lilienthal used it to imply to such corporationswhich have their home in one country but which operate and live under the laws and regulations of other countries at the same time.(Kobrin, 2002) When we look at the period 1970-2000, massive growth of multinational corporation activities can be seen. In 1970 only 7000 Multinational Enterprises were existed in worldwide. In 2000 this score picked up to with 63,000 parent firms to totally 690,000. (UNCTAD,2000). Multinational enterprises have been expanding not only numerically also financially. Total sales of the largest 100 multinational enterprises increased from $3,2 trillion to almost $8,4 trillion (World Resources Institute, 2003). As a result, due to their power and capacity, multinational companies usually can affect the domestic policy of host developing countries. Sustainable Development can not be ignored in studies about management science and theory. (Galdwin et al.,1995). Over the last few years, the number of articles and projects about global implications of sustainable development has significantly increased (Banerjee, 2002). Because of increasing ratios of academic researches, debates abound among the basic players in the economy is multinational companies. These enterprises operate worldwide and they are strictly committed to foreign direct investment (Mclntyre, et al,2009). Multinational companies play a significant role in the generation of sustainable development strategies. Multinationals inflict dynamic and complicated strategic processes that consolidate social phenomena in different ways like social, economic, cultural and legal aspects of these phenomena influence each other (Mclntyre, et al,2009). Through to the incredible increase of knowledge related with sustainable development strategies and growing importance of multinational companies, it is necessary to review last few years research process. In a global context multinational enterprises had an slightly increasing importance till these years. Many studies have examined the role and importance of Multinational Enterprises in sustainable development in developing and underdeveloped countries. These studies identified that a variety of economical, social, political and legal situations in the host country may pick up or slow down the progress of sustainable development process. For instances, researchers highlight that multinational enterprises have a crucial role at the beginning of this process because they are decision-makers in countries. On the other hand, environmentalists are generally dejected the addition values of Multinational Enterprises especially about protecting the natural environment in host developing countries (Gafaru, 2006). Because of their exigent need for employment occasion, many low-income countries are usually obliged to organize their regulations about environment flexible, to attract foreign investors. According to Gafaru, developing countries are likely to be a haven for pollution intensive industries of Multinational enterprises. Rasiah (1999) also pointed that, the reason of the inferior machinery transferring from multinational firms to Malaysia is the countrys incompetent and lower environmental standards and regulations. Likewise, Blackman and Wu (1998) obtained important reinforcement. They claimed that foreign investment in electricity formation in China increased energy performance and reduced perilous emissions. Neoliberal researchers claim that multinational companies are the key issue to success sustainable development with transfer of new and innovative technologies. Technological development is a significant element for conserving the natural environment because development of technology may help in the manufacture of products which are environmentally-friendly to use. However, the current global trade and investment policies do not require from multinational firms to create new, modern and environmentally-friendly technologies in host countries (Gafaru, 2006) 2.5. IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY There are four main reasons why sustainability has an urgent attention for these years; Regulations Community Relations Cost and Revenue obligations Societal and Moral imperatives Government regulations and industry codes of conduct involve that firms must increasingly address sustainability. On the other way, the general society and activist are becoming increasingly aware of sustainability and impacts to society and the environment. A good performance on sustainability has a positive effect on improving community relations and business performance. Sustainability can also create financial value for the corporation through developed incomes and lower expenses. In other words, managing sustainability is definitely a perfect business decision. Societal and moral imperatives have an impact on environment and for this reason companies have a responsibility to manage sustainability. An individual interest for social and environmental impacts and their social and moral imperatives has led companies to include sustainability in their strategies. (Epstein, 2008) 2.6. SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING Sustainability reporting is the implementation of being responsible to internal and external stakeholders as related to the corporate performance measurement explanations with the aim of sustainable development goals. Sustainability reporting is a broad term used synonym with Corporate Responsibility Reporting that is also used to identify economic, environmental and social impact reporting . In a sustainability report, the reporting of sustainability performance assessment of institutions should be balanced with both positive and negative contributions. Sustainability Reports are generated by GRI (Global Reporting Initiative ) Reporting framework and cover reporting period that have the institutions commitment, strategy and management approach that has emerged in the context of the implications. In other words, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a network-based organization that has pioneered the development of the worlds most commonly used sustainability  reporting framework and is committed to its continuous  improvement and application worldwide. (www.globalreporting.org). From the beginning of GRI in 1997, it has developed in over 70 countries. The main reason of this growth is admittedly a bounce of the coming age of sustainability reporting. In ten years over 1000 companies announce the use of the GRI Guidelines in their sustainability reports. According to King, sustainability reporting has become critical for companies. It is important for companies to build the trust and confidence of its stakeholders. Basis and Guides ve Sector Effects Framework of Report Standard Explanations What to Report? How to report? Problems Figure 3: The Framework of GRI Reporting Consequently, GRI reporting has a significant importance for the companies because it provides to evaluate the sustainability performance with laws, rules, regulations, performance standards and voluntary interventions. It is also important to show how the company affect the expectations about sustainable development and how effected. Multinationals use GRI for comparison the performance in the company and with different institutions

gregory peck :: essays research papers

Gregory Peck, the well remembered actor, began his acting career in the 1940’s, People loved him and respected him on and off the stage. Not only was he a talented man, he was also very generous and deeply involved in politics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The story of this great actor began on April 15, 1916 in La Jolla, California (Fishgall insert). The name Gregory had been a family name, but Bunny, Peck’s mother, did not find this quite suitable for her son. She searched through her yearbook and chose the name Eldred. Her new baby boy was to be named Eldred Gregory Peck (Fishgall 23). Three years later, Peck’s parents, Gregory Pearl Peck and Bunny Peck, filed for divorce (Avery 143). After the divorce of his parents, he was sent off to live with his grandmother, Catherine (Fishgall 31). Over the next couple of years, he was forced to separate his time between his mom, dad, and grandmother (Avery 133).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Peck’s love for the movies came early in his life. As a young boy, he stumbled upon the making of a film. He says it was one of the most memorable experiences he’s ever had (Fishgall 29, 30). In the fifth grade, Peck performed in his first play, not knowing there would be many more to come. It was called â€Å"Pandora’s Box†, based on the Greek myth (Fishgall 31). Peck would not return to the stage until college.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While in high school, although being shy, he participated in sports and various organizations. He was a member of San Diego High School’s rowing and football teams, and also took part in the glee club called Walter (Pop) Reyer. â€Å"If you could hit a few notes, you were in. I tried never to be heard,† Peck recalled (Jones 2). After growing eleven inches between the ages of fifteen and seventeen, he was a skinny and gawky six   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hilley 2 foot two inches tall teenager. This of course not convincing himself he was attractive in any way. One man remembers, â€Å"He had dark black hair that he kept perfectly combed. He wore a lot of pastel colors in those days and was quite sought after by the opposite sex† (Fishgall 36). Secretly, Peck idolized the star of the varsity football team, praising and looking up to anything that he did. He said, â€Å"I was too shy to speak to him, but I used to watch him, admire everything that he did, and glow over his triumphs† (Fishgall 35)

Consider the marriage proposals in Essay

Consider the marriage proposals in â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† and what we learned about the characters and the early 19th Century society in which they lived in. During â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† there are six examples of marriage proposals to consider. Throughout this essay I am going to be commenting on the proposals between Mr Darcy and Lizzie the first time, Mr Collins and Lizzie, Mr Collins and Charlotte as well as Mr Bingley and Jane, Wickham and Lydia and the second proposal of Mr Darcy to Lizzie. Whilst looking at these proposals I will also be analysing the aspects of Love, Money, the relative status and class and the views of others, which might have influence within these proposals. The first proposal I am going to analyse is Mr Darcy to Lizzie. Mr Darcy proposed to Lizzie in Kent at Mr Collins and Charlotte’s house when Lizzie was visiting them for a few weeks and Mr Darcy was staying with Lady Catherine De Bourgh, his aunt. Mr Darcy and Lizzie were first acquainted with one another at Netherfield’s, which is the neighbouring estate to Longbourne, Lizzie’s family house. They met at a ball, which was held by the new lodger Mr Bingley at Netherfield’s, and Mr Darcy was there as a friend of Mr Bingley’s who hosting the ball for his new arrival to the village. Lizzie and Darcy didn’t get on at first as Lizzie thought he was arrogant and unsociable. But Mr Darcy’s dislike for Lizzie gradually grew to love for her. It seems that the continuation of this dislike was all a cover for his real feelings as he did not want to love or marry a woman who was beneath him in every state, money and status and especially the views of others would of discouraged him to act upon his feelings for Lizzie as he was thought of as much more superior to Lizzie and her family and at that time it was thought of as wrong or unheard of to marry someone beneath you. Mr Darcy did not only hide his feelings from Lizzie he also tried to hide them from himself. Mr Darcy gets to a stage where he cant avoid his feelings for Lizzie anymore so he decides to act upon them because Lizzie is so beneath him he assumes that Lizzie will have no other option but to accept his proposal as he feels that she can’t resist him as he has enough money and class to set her up for life. Mr Darcy says to Lizzie. â€Å"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings for you cannot be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.† However to Mr Darcy’s surprise Lizzie refuses his proposal as she will only marry for love and she doesn’t love Mr Darcy and she also is outraged with Mr Darcy at the insults towards her family. Just before the proposal Lizzie also found out that Mr Darcy had separated her sister and her love, Mr Bingley by persuading him to move back to London, which infuriates Lizzie even more. Lizzie says to Mr Darcy. â€Å"You are mistaken, Mr Darcy, if you suppose that he mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemen like manner.† This quotation showed how much Lizzie really despised him at that moment in time by questioning his gentlemen like manner, which was a big thing for men in those days. The second proposal I am going to look at is Mr Collin’s to Lizzie. Mr Collin’s proposed to Lizzie at Longbourne, the family estate. Mr Collins was a clergyman to Lady Catherine De Bourgh. Mr Collins asked Lizzie to marry him as Lady Catherine De Bourgh requested him too and as he is a clergyman he is expected to marry. Mr Collin’s also wants to marry her for the sake of her family, as Mr Collin’s is the closest male relative to Mr Bennet being his cousin, which meant that when Mr Bennet died Mr Collin’s would inherit Longbourne estate and Mrs Bennet and the girls would be kicked out of their own house so by marrying Lizzie they would become a proper family meaning he wouldn’t have to kick the rest of the Bennet family out. Mr Collins goes into the kitchen to talk to Lizzie. Lizzie knows Mr Collin’s will try and propose to her so she tries to get out of being alone with him but Mrs Bennet orders Lizzie to stay and talk to Mr Collins. Mr Collins tries to get Lizzie’s attention but Lizzie is trying desperately not to acknowledge him. â€Å"Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty so far from doing you any disserve, rather adds to your perfections.† Mr Collins takes Lizzie’s resistance the wrong way as he thinks Lizzie is trying to be modest where as Lizzie is actually trying to get out of this proposal before Mr Collin’s makes anymore a fool of himself. Even still Mr Collins carries on with the proposal assuming that Lizzie will accept his hand in marriage. Lizzie then says after much need for an answer. † You are too hasty- you forget I have made no answer.† Lizzie has become very irritated by Mr Collins at this stage, but Mr Collins is still not happy with this answer so he goes to find Mrs Bennet. Mr Collins explains the situation to Mrs Bennet and she is furious with Lizzie for turning down his marriage proposal and tries to reassure Mr Collins that she will change her mind. â€Å"Lizzie shall be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it myself directly. She is a very headstrong foolish girl and does not know her own interest, but I will make her know it.† This quotation shows how infuriated Mrs Bennet is with Lizzie as she turned down such an opportunity. Mrs Bennet is a very shallow woman as she wants her daughters married off as soon as possible because in those days it was thought the sooner all your daughters were married the better they were brought up or the more successful mother you had been. Mrs Bennet speaks to Lizzie about it but she is persistent she doesn’t want to marry Mr Collins, as she does not love him, she doesn’t have any affection for him. Mrs Bennet talks to Mr Bennet about the proposal to try and get Lizzie to marry Mr Collin’s but Mr Bennet is also against the wedding. In this proposal money doesn’t really play a part as Lizzie and Mr Collins are of about the same wealth. Love plays no role, as neither of them loves another although Mr Collin’s has great affection for Lizzie. Status plays a minuet role as Mr Collins has contacts, which are high up in society, but this is not enough for Lizzie. The views of others plays the biggest role in this proposal as Mr Collins only looked for a wife in the first place as he was told to be his patron, Lady Catherine De Bourgh. Mrs Bennet also was for the wedding, as she wanted her daughter to be married. The third proposal is Mr Collins to Charlotte. Mr Collins proposes to Charlotte as he wanted a wife and was turned down by Lizzie. He wants a wife because his patron, Lady Catherine De Bourgh requested him to get one, who is not too rich or pretty just a nice friendly woman who she can get along with and invite over for tea or dinner. After the refusal from Lizzie Mr Collins felt awkward staying with the Bennet’s so when he was invited to stay with Charlotte and her family who was Lizzie’s best friend he jumped at the chance. Charlotte was very happy about the new arrangements, as she was 27 years old and not married so in those days she was considered as ‘ on the shelf ‘ which meant this could be her last chance of marriage. Mr Collins proposed to Charlotte at Lucas Lodge, her family home. Charlotte accepted without any hesitation and couldn’t wait to make her news known. She went to tell her best friend, Lizzie first but Lizzie didn’t approve, as she knew her friend did not love him but Charlotte aired her opinions to her. â€Å"I am not romantic, you know, I never was I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr Collin’s character, connections and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast when entering the marriage state.† This quotation proves that Charlotte did not marry Mr Collins for love she married him for security. Lizzie is not satisfied with this but congratulates her still. When Mrs Bennet hears the news doesn’t believe it as she still thinks Mr Collins still wants to marry Lizzie. † God Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story? Do you not know that Mr Collin’s wants to marry Lizzie.† Mrs Bennet is very upset that Mr Collin’s has got engaged to Charlotte rather than Lizzie. In this proposal love doesn’t play any role for either of them and status doesn’t as they are of about the same class although Mr Collin’s has higher society connections than Charlotte. Money doesn’t influence the marriage, as there are both of about the same wealth where as the influence of others does as he is told be his patrons to find a wife. The next proposal I am going to analyse is Mr Bingley to Jane. Mr Bingley and Jane where a love match from the beginning of the book, when Mr Bingley moved into Netherfields, the neighbouring estate to Longbourne. Their love was blossoming until his best friend Mr Darcy talked Mr Bingley as he felt it was in his best interest. But Mr Bingley and Jane were united again when Mr Darcy saw the error of his ways, thanks to Lizzie Jane’s sister. The proposal took place in Longbourne estate. Mr Bingley after a few visits since after moving back asks Jane to take his hand in marriage however the actual proposal is not written in the book. Jane is ecstatic about the news and tells Lizzie. â€Å"I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed! Oh Lizzy, why am I thus singled from my family, and blessed above them all! If I could but see you as happy!† This quotation shows how happy Jane is about the marriage but it also shows even though she is so happy she is still sparing thought for her family, as she wants them to be as happy as she is. In this proposal love plays a very big role as that is what drives the relationship forward to marriage, status doesn’t play a role although Mr Bingley is of a much higher class than Jane I think their love for each other conquers this. Money doesn’t play a role in this, as Jane isn’t interested in his money even though he has much more wealth than her. The influence of others does help them as everyone is for the marriage as they can see the true love between them. After Mr Bingley has left Jane speaks to her father about the marriage. â€Å"Jane I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.† This quotation proves the support for the wedding from Jane’s family and it also proves that Mr Bennet has great admiration for Mr Bingley. The next proposal I am going to analyse is Wickham and Lydia. Lydia and Wickham run away together. Wickham is only interested in Lydia because he had been turned down by many woman as they realised he was only after their wealth but with Lydia it is different she doesn’t have any money. He run away with Lydia because he wanted someone young he could have a good time with. But when Mr Gardiner, Lydia’s uncle asked him, to marry her he accepted as Mr Gardiner offered to pay off all his debts if he married her as it would redeem some respect towards them from others as they would be married. Mr Gardiner wrote to Mr Bennet to tell him what had happened, later Mr Bennet talked to Jane about the situation. â€Å"Yes, yes, they must marry. There is nothing else to be done. But there are two things that I want to know: one, how much money your uncle has laid down to bring it about; and the other, how I am I ever to pay him.† This quotation shows that Mr Bennet thinks marriage is the right thing to do but is very concerned about how he shall pay back the money to Mr Gardiner. In this proposal love doesn’t play a role for Wickham as he doesn’t feel any consideration or affection for Lydia but I think Lydia loves Wickham and is perhaps naive enough to think that he loves her back. Money plays a huge role for Wickham as he is only going to marry Lydia for the money he is going to receive from her uncle, which will pay off all his debts it also means that he will be related to Jane and Lizzie who are married to very wealthy men. Status and the views of others play no role for either of them as they ran away together regardless of what other people thought. The last proposal I am going to look at is the second proposal between Mr Darcy and Lizzie. After the refusal of his last proposal Darcy has done all he can to get back into Lizzie’s good books. He got Mr Bingley and Jane back together after separating them. Mr Darcy was also really hurt by Lizzie’s remark to him after she refused his hand in marriage. † Had you behaved in a more gentlemen like manner.† This hurt Mr Darcy as he felt he was a perfect gentlemen but when he looked back at how he behaved towards Lizzie and her family he realised he had behaved appallingly. However Mr Darcy still felt the same about Lizzie he even felt he loved her more and he now thought that nothing else mattered so he decided he would ask Lizzie for her hand in marriage again. Mr Darcy went to visit Lizzie as his aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh had come to see her and warn her off from marrying Mr Darcy although Lizzie didn’t intend too as she thought all feelings for her from Mr Darcy were over by then. Lady Catherine De Bourgh tried to stop Lizzie from marrying Mr Darcy. â€Å"You are determined to ruin him in the opinion of all his friends, and him the contempt of the world.† Lizzie was agitated at such a comment as she had no intention in marrying Mr Darcy as she had not spoken to Mr Darcy for months but this made her think about her real feelings for Darcy, she discovered that from hate she had started to like Mr Darcy even love him. Mr Darcy proposed to Lizzie on a lane outside her house. Lizzie accepted his proposal and showed remorse for how she treated him in the past. Mr Darcy was overwhelmed by her answer. â€Å"The happiness which this reply was such as he had probably never felt before, and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do!† This quotation shows how strongly Mr Darcy felt for Lizzie, as he was so happy from her acceptance in his hand of marriage. Lizzie was so excited by the marriage that she went and told her family straight away. She spoke to Mr Bennet and he wasn’t so sure if Lizzie loved Mr Darcy as it wasn’t so long ago she hated him, he wanted to make sure that Lizzie wasn’t marrying him for his or her mother’s sake. â€Å"My child let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life. You know not what you are about.† This quotation is basically Mr Bennet saying to Lizzie that it might be great at the moment but make sure you still will feel the same way in the later future as he is saying that he doesn’t want her to end up like him not respecting his partner, Mrs Bennet. This shows how protective Mr Bennet is over Lizzie, as he only wants her to marry if she is sure it is the right thing to do. In this proposal love plays a big role as it alimented all the other aspects as they loved each other so much in the end that it didn’t matter how much money they had, what status they were and they definitely didn’t care what other people thought about the marriage especially as Mr Darcy was disowned by his aunt Lady Catherine De Bourgh due to his marriage to Lizzie. But Mr Bennet and the family where very pleased for Lizzie as they knew it was for love. Lizzie and Jane had a joint wedding, which made it more special for both of them. In the 19th Century marriage was thought of as a must for women and if you were over the age of 26 years old you were considered as ‘on the shelf’, which made it hard for woman to get married over that age. There were also many issues that a woman had to think about before they got married, whether they were in love which wasn’t a major issue but it was though of as a bonus if they were. Money and status played a huge role in deciding who to marry, rich men went for women of the same class or a bit higher which made it difficult for woman of a lower class or without much wealth to marry a wealthier or higher classed man. It was thought of as unethical to marry someone beneath you in any state. The influence of others played a big role in those days as people were put under a lot of pressure to get married as soon as possible and to someone higher up the society ladder. As you can see the attitudes to marriage in the 19th Century in which these characters lived in is very different to the attitudes in which we live in today.

Portias Power in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay

Portias Power in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice exemplifies a principle that is as unfortunately true in our time as it was in his - he who has money also has love, sex, and above all, power. In this case, the use of he is deliberate; she, in the Elizabethan era, rarely had either financial independence or much control over the course of her life. Portia, the deceitful heroine of the play, is a major exception. To put it bluntly, Portia is enormously rich. This unique position allows her to meddle in the affairs of the unsuspecting and somewhat dim male characters, and eventually gives her unprecedented power of self-determination. However, the play is more than a tale of feminine†¦show more content†¦Consequently, all financial and business matters were generally dealt with by men. Some documents suggest that men were usually aggressive and somewhat prone to tyranny; An Homily on the State of Matrimony, quoted in McDonald, vehemently warns men against beating their wives, which was app arently a not-uncommon practice. In short, femininity in Shakespeares time seems to have meant submission and gentleness, while masculinity was characterized by strength and both social and financial power. These assumptions are clearly present in Shakespeares work. In Merchant, financial language and romantic language are inextricably linked, suggesting that money is a source of both power and sexual desirability, particularly for males. The opening scene depicts Bassanio asking Antonio for money so that he may woo the beautiful and wealthy Portia. Bassanio is penniless and, it seems, made weak, unattractive, and perhaps less masculine by his poverty. . . . Many Jasons come in quest of her. O my Antonio, had I but the means To hold a rival place with one of them, I have a mind presages me such thrift That I should questionless be fortunate. (1.2.172-6) Without money, Bassanio believes himself an unfit suitor for Portia, unable to match any of her other, richer suitors in sexual appeal. It is doubly significant that though he speaks of love and sexualShow MoreRelated Mens Control in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1437 Words   |  6 PagesControl in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the scene opens to reveal a society controlled by men. Men, who live in the foreground of Venetian society, wield their power in business, government, and family life. In the background, women conduct their lives quietly. They are subservient to their husbands and fathers and are regarded as helpless and in need of male guidance in areas of decision making. Though in Shakespeare’s time such a societalRead MoreDiscuss the Portrayal of Portia and Jessica in the Merchant of Venice1438 Words   |  6 PagesIn The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare used Portia and Jessica as his stereotypical characters through which he successfully conveyed greatness and challenged the perception of 17th century society. Shakespeare, by doing so, has accomplished them with what they lacked. Quotation serves to emphasise Shakespeares drama since the word `accomplished implies that it is Shakespeare who created the two characters to appear as mens eq uals and that otherwise this equality would not be attainable withinRead MoreEssay on Gender Stereotypes in the Merchant of Venice884 Words   |  4 PagesThemes in the Merchant of Venice Gender stereotypes are not a modern notion and as such expectations and limitations have always existed for both men and women. Fortunately women, who have formerly beared great burdens of discrimination, now have very liberated roles in society as a result of slowly shifting attitudes and values. Shakespeare was integral in challenging the subservient role expected of women in the 16th century. Throughout the play, ‘The Merchant of Venice’, women are expressed asRead MoreCross-Dressing in Merchant of Venice Essay1305 Words   |  6 PagesIn William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, gender roles are explored, culminating in two distinct scenes of cross-dressing. The men of Elizabethan society enjoy a prominent status based solely on gender, to which women are clearly outsiders. This is particularly evident in Jessica’s newfound freedom when dressed as a pageboy in Act 2 and Portia’s and Nerissa’s immediate elevation in social standing when they take on male personas in Act 4. Through these two instances of cross-dressing, ShakespeareRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice : Comedy Or Tragedy? Essay1416 Words   |  6 PagesDecember 2015 The Merchant of Venice: Comedy or Tragedy? Intro: William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is a perplexing story of dark humor, race, religion, identity, love, and justice. Generally, most people understand The Merchant of Venice as a comedy about a bitter and outcasted Jewish moneylender named Shylock who seeks revenge against a Christian merchant who has failed to pay his loan back. However, there are many different perspectives on whether The Merchant of Venice is a comedy orRead MoreThe Dilemma Of Portia s Feminism1483 Words   |  6 PagesChristy Chandra Professor David Landreth GSI Aileen Liu English 117A 30 September 2015 Merchant of Venice: The Dilemma of Portia’s Feminism Known as the female lead in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, Portia is designed by Shakespeare to posses a high degree as equal as the other lead male characters in the play. The reason is definitely due to her position as the heir of a rich father who has passed, leaving her to be installed as his replacement. Bounded with a promise upon her father’sRead MorePortia s Speech From Act 3 Scene 2 Of William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1352 Words   |  6 PagesPortia’s speech from Act 3 scene 2 of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, not only directly targets the sex and gender system of Elizabethan England, but also highlights on a number of major themes of the play such as; the law, finances, gender roles and indeed the reversal of. It also takes the somewhat ambiguous title of the play and creates a â€Å"mercantile metaphor† which can be seen projected through Portia throughout this speech. From the outset the language contains embedded references to Portia’sRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare1206 Words   |  5 Pageshusbands, not as autonomous in their own individuality. How does The Merchant of Venice interrogate this ideological (and historically factual) denial of female selfhood through the words and actions of Portia and Jessica? Throughout the Renaissance period, men dominated both in the home and within society. Women were recognized only as dependents of male citizens, rather as autonomous figures in society. In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare broke this stereotype by portraying both Jessica and PortiaRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1616 Words   |  7 PagesThe Merchant of Venice offers another unique perspective on crossdressing as it existed on the English Renaissance stage. Howard suggests that Portia’s crossdressing is â€Å"more disruptive than Viola’s† (Howard, p. 433) because Portia herself was an unruly woman to begin with. Portia has become the master of her own destiny with the passing of her father, for she is referred to as the Lord of Belmont now that no man exists to fill such a role. What remains of the patriarchal authority, particularlyRead MoreEssay on The Merchant of Venice2952 Words   |  12 PagesThe Merchant of Venice is shows the d ynamics of love and to what extent humans will go to show love, they will use their wealth and even be prepared to give up their life for the people they love. Both Antonio and Portia love Bassanio differently. Portia perceives Antonio’s phileo in competition with her eros, (both forms of love will be defined later) and throughout the play she is seen trying to defeat Antonio’s phileo and she does this by subjugating Antonio, firstly with her wealth, she offers