Introduction
In the short story, Desiree’s Baby Kate Chopin depicts truth of life speaking about social problems of women and role of racial differences. In this short story, a women character of embodies qualities and unique characteristics typical for many 19th century women, and reflects their expectations, values and morals. Thesis Armand’s inability to accept and understand Desiree leads the family to conflict and breakdown of the family.
Issues that rise up in the story
In “Desiree’s Baby, Chopin portrays the problems of racial differences and social prejudice towards “color” of skin. In “Desirees Baby” the main problem is that the society does not want to accept the child who does not match their race. Desiree has to abandon her husband and her house because she has born a “non-white” child. Even Armand, a farther, depicted as cold unsympathetic man who has to obey social opinion.
The only possible way for Desiree is “Come home to Valmonde; back to your mother who loves you”. The important of her story is that she depicts suffering of a woman through woman’s eyes being well aware of problems caused by racial discrimination. If Desiree’s silence has also been prompted in large part by a desire to save her own face, then her decision makes perfect sense. Presumably she will then be able to confess her sins with considerable assurance of ready absolution.
Chopin portrays that a conflict is difficult to solve because of cultural prejudices and values followed by the society. The need for signs to help guide the way in either case is apparent. In an empty landscape and a culture lacking in the details which indicate appropriate conduct, something is wanted to stand in for the missing things. Chopin describes: “Presently her husband entered the room, and without noticing her, went to a table and began to search among some papers which covered it.
Armand says: “It means,” he answered lightly, “that the child is not white; it means that you are not white.” (Chopin n.d.). The “strikingness” of the young American woman, and her capacity for the embodiment of intangible quality, are precisely what serious students of American mores need to consult as a kind of combination. To confirm his belief in American self-confidence, he provides his own set of figures. Desiree and her baby are not accepted by the society because of false standards and traditions established by the majority.
Chopin demonstrates that racial identity is important for a 19th century family. In turn, this short story plunges readers into the anxiety that underlay the culture. It was anxiety over how to determine the identity of things in a society where there were no commonly accepted patterns to guarantee confident recognition. The woman’s sign is being actively interpreted. Family happiness is assigned according to the impact of the particular image by which a woman is perceived and to the idea conceived about her.
It is easy enough to say that the face conceived of by means of the emotions of love, or the face perceived through the mists of whisky, cannot guarantee what this woman is really like. Chopin describes thoughts and feelings of the baby’s father: “He thought Almighty God had dealt cruelly and unjustly with him; and felt, somehow, that he was paying Him back in kind when he stabbed thus into his wife’s soul. Moreover he no longer loved her, because of the unconscious injury she had brought upon his home and his name” (Chopin n.d.). Perception of the race and the choice to emulate it happen first; cognitive reflection follows; last comes interpretation.
As the result of these unfolding stages of consciousness and instinct, each person acquires a unique personality — one which is created by the complex interchange between cultural values and personal beliefs. This interchange, mediated by thought, is predicated upon the almost selection of the perceived image which receives its confirming sign as a cultural type. That the object shown in Chopin’s drawing is a woman in the figure of the mother is of great significance.
There is ample evidence that the concept of the value of the American home most favored at the turn of the century rested on the notion that impressionable children turn to the female object as tile basis for the moral conduct that will shape their future lives. Truth lay in appearances, and appearances paralleled the child’s capacity to recognize the elemental shapes that form the sensible world of experience. It was drawing what you “knew” that allowed subjectivity to run amok.
Conclusion
In sum, the short story portrays that the ideal of female was established by the society which believed that women did not have the same sexual desires as men. In contrast to this statement, through women’s eyes Chopin depicts that women have the same rights as men to love and to be loved. But deeply implied in the words and pictures dedicated to the definition of the correct American masculine type is the sexual role accorded to the American female as mother, wife, and daughter. The nation run by American men would continue to be strong and worthy through the perpetuation of the right race.
Works Cited
Chopin, K. Desirees Baby. N.d. Web.
War And Oil Prices In World Macroeconomics
Lately the crude oil prices have been volatile, reaching an all time high at over 96 dollars a barrel in November 2007. This can be perceived to be brought about by the war on terror. Due to this high prices and pressures from other factors such as environmental issues; energy sustainability is a currently highly discussed topic among governments, Medias, and businesses. However the issue of Peak oil has not been given much attention.
The global Peak oil model is recognized but the time of the Peak oil occurrence is extensively debated. Peaking in this context indicates that oil production has reached its climax and that half of the worlds oil has been consumed, not that the world oil wells are running dry and most of the remaining oil is in the war ravished regions. This also implies that total oil consumption will decrease, but it does not clarify oil consumption changes on a nation level. Inexpensive oil is vital for the world’s energy demand but its availability is finite, therefore volatility in production volumes will have substantial economic impact (ASPO, 2007).
Due to the wars on terror in the Middle East, during the year of 2007, the world has experienced historically high oil prices both in nominal and in real terms. It will come to no surprise to know that most of the world’s remaining oil lies in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia being the largest single holder of reserves, followed by Iran and Iraq. In total a little over 60% of the world’s proved reserves are in the Middle East, 11.7 % in Europe including Russia, 9.3% in Africa including Nigeria, 8.5% in South America including Venezuela, 5% in North America, including the US, Canada and Mexico and a paltry 3.5% in the whole of Asia and the Pacific.
OPEC embargo in 1974, in retaliation for Israel attacking Egypt, and by shortages in 1979 brought about by the revolution in Iran and the following Iran-Iraq war. During the intervening years world consumption increase actually went negative for a while before resuming a slower growth rate of between 2% and 3 % per annum for the rest of the 20century. The real prices of oil rose to a higher level in the 1973 and 1979 shocks than in the 1990 and 2000 shocks.
Real oil prices (in today’s real dollars) peaked above $43 per barrel in 1974 and to $82 in 1980, relative to $30 in 1990 and to $32 in 2000. Even at close to $43 (on July 30), oil remains below it 1980 earlier peak when adjusted for inflation. The speed of the change in oil prices (IEA, 2004).
By that standard the increases in 1973-74 and 1979-80 were larger (about 210% and 135%) than in 1990 and 2000 (40% and 60%). Also, in the two latter shocks, the shock occurred from very low initial real prices; for example, in 1997-98 real oil prices had fallen to about $15; thus, the subsequent sharp increase through 2000 was from a very low level. Recently, prices have increased by about 65% (relative to 2002 average prices) – a substantial, but by historical standards, more modest increase.
Early shocks were more persistent. It took about four/five years until the real prices of oil fell back significantly. The 1990 and 2000 shocks were temporary (lasting about 3 quarters). The oil prices shock in early 2003 was moderate in size. But the latest shock, starting in 2002 has been quite sharp and persistent so far (lasting about 9 quarters) (ASPO, 2007)
Different countries have different levels of oil dependencies, determined by such factors as their economic structure, level of development, access to alternative energy sources, and geographical characteristics. A country’s response to a Peak oil event depends on their level of oil dependency, all else equal. Peak oil is simplified as the point of maximum world oil production and following this Peak oil point or plateau is a decline of oil production leading to an inevitable decline in oil consumption. The logic of Peak oil comes from the well established behavior that the output of individual oil fields rises after discovery, reaches a peak and declines thereafter (ASPO, 2007).
Oil prices are set in US dollars. This helps the US, but the US dollar prices of oil are not independent of the value of the US dollar relative to other currencies. When the US dollar weakens, the purchasing power of OPEC and other oil producers’ dollar revenues in terms of other currencies is reduced and the producers tend to increase the dollar prices of oil. A supply shock that increases oil prices often has an impact on the relative value of major currencies (US $, yen and euro).
The currencies of countries that are more oil dependent tend to weaken. Japan and Europe were more dependent on oil imports than the US in the 70s and 80s, so oil prices shocks led to a strengthening of the US $ and a weakening of the euro and yen. This resulted in a double-whammy for Europe and Japan when oil prices go up because of supply shocks, they lose twice: once because oil prices in dollars are higher; a second time, because their currency weakens relative to the US $. An example of this was in 2000 in Europe when the oil shock hit while the euro was weakening relative to the US $ (Lynch, 2002).
This historical relationship, though, may be changing: the US has a large current account deficit that is worsened by an oil shock, and the US now imports more oil (on net) than Europe (the US imported 12.2 mbd in 2003; OECD Europe imported 8.9 mbd). For the first time, a surging global economy outside the United States is largely driving the oil market. Demand is increasing right now in large part because of booming demand in Asia.
China and other emerging Asia accounted for 17% of total world oil demand in 2003, but China and other emerging Asian economies are expected to account for 59% of the growth in demand for oil in 2004 (the U.S. accounts for 26% of overall demand, but only 16% of the expected increase in demand). China accounts for 7% of total world demand for oil, but its rapid growth means that it alone will account for nearly 40% of the expected increase in demand in 2004. China’s net oil imports are expected to nearly double – rising by 80% — between 2002 and 2004 (IEA data). From the point of view of the United States, a prices increase triggered by rising Asian and Chinese demand is much like a prices increase triggered by a fall in supply – the U.S. has to pay more for its oil imports, even though growing U.S. demand is not the core reason for higher prices (Lynch, 2002)
We can predict the effect of latest oil prices shock on the macro economy. Even with oil prices being above $40 per barrel, the real prices of oil remains well below its prices in previous oil shocks, and the percentage increase is less than in 1973-74 and 1979-80. On the other hand, a 65% plus percentage increase in oil since 2002 is still steep enough to have an impact. Current oil dependence on oil imports (as measured by net imports as a share of GDP) is as high as in the 1970s.
Net oil imports have increased from 0.9% of GDP in 1970 to 1.2% in 2003 as domestic production has fallen relative to domestic consumption, and the pace of improvements in energy efficiency has moderated. Net oil imports are more relevant than the economy’s overall energy efficiency in assessing the growth effect of an oil shock. If net imports were zero, an oil prices increase would not affect real GDP and would only redistribute income from domestic consumers to domestic producers of oil. Thus, the real GDP effect of an oil shock depends on the size of net imports. The magnitude of the negative effect on disposable income of the latest oil shock is similar to that of the 1990 and 2000 shocks, about 0.6% of disposable income this is about half the hit on disposable income of the 1973-74 and 1979-80 shocks (Dargay & Gately, 1995).
Whether the current shock will be transitory or permanent is a harder question to answer. It depends on factors that are as much political as economic. It also depends on the pace of China’s continued growth, and on the pace at which new supply can be brought on line to meet growing oil demand. The inflationary effect of the shock will be moderated by the fact that the inflation rate is quite low compared to the 1970s cases. On the other hand, the monetary policy response is trickier today than in 2000-2001. In early 2001 when the effect of the 2000 oil shocks were starting to kick in, inflation was low and falling (and there were concerns about deflation) and the dollar was strong. (Dargay & Gately, 1995).
Statistical analysis on macroeconomic variables was used as well as the modified Nerlove’s partial adjustment equation to calculate prices and income elasticities both in the short and long-run. Regression results have shown that short-run prices elasticities were low in all countries; in addition income elasticities were also inelastic but more elastic in relation to oil prices elasticities. This indicates that oil consumption is more sensitive to changes in income than to changes in oil prices.
It was concluded that oil dependencies among nations differ and the trend is that developing countries are increasing their oil dependency while developed countries tend to decrease their oil dependency over time. Peak oil will lead to higher oil prices, which in the short-run will change developing countries oil consumption to a greater extent than developed countries, but in the long-run their response are more similar. It was also noticed, that when GDP decreases in net- oil -importing countries, oil consumption will decrease even further. However, for the U.S., higher oil prices stemming from an Asian boom act much like higher oil prices from a reduced supply (Nerlove, 1956 & Awerbuch & Sauter, 2004)
Private sector estimates generally suggest that a persistent 10% increase in the prices of oil – say from an average $30 to $35 – would reduce the US and G7 growth rate by about 0.3%-0.4% within a year. Some are more pessimistic, and calculate that if oil prices were to increase further to levels closer to $45, the reduction in the G7 growth rate may be closer to 1% of GDP. Thus, private estimates of the negative effect of an oil shock currently range between 0.3% to 1% of US and G7 GDP growth.
This means that the US economy, which was growing at about a 4.3% average rate in Q4:2003 and Q1:2004) may see a slowdown of its growth to a level between 4.0% and 3.3%. Indeed, the first estimate for Q2:2004 U.S. GDP growth was 3.0%, a slowdown driven in part by the effect of high oil prices in the first half of 2004 on real consumer demand due to the war on terror ( Awerbuch & Sauter, 2004),
Bibliography
Awerbuch, S., Sauter, R., (2004), Exploiting the Oil-GDP Effect to Support Renewables World Oil Project.
Association for the study of Peak Oil and Gas, (ASPO). Webpage. Web.
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Mitigation, AIChE Journal Vol. 52, No.1.Horn, M., (2004), OPEC’s optimal crude oil price, Energy Policy 32, p. 269-280.
Nerlove, M., (1956), Estimates of the Elasticities of Supply of Selected Agricultural Commodities, J. Farm Econ. 38; p. 496-509.
World AIDS Day Celebration: Newspaper Research
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases are increasing per year. It does not only affect women but men and children as well. The disease is easily transmitted and is very fatal. Even though years of study have already been done, no treatments were still available to cure the disease. According to UNAIDS, HIV/AIDS is affecting 33.2 Million people including 2.5 million children and around the year 2007 another 2.5 million people got newly infected with the disease.
We could just see the fast pace of passing the infection from one person to another. About half of the total number of people affected by the disease contracted the disease before they reach the age of 25 and unfortunately dies before they reach the age of 35 (World AIDS Day, n.d). The developing nations account for 95% of the total number of HIV/AIDS victims. With this kind of trend in society, what was the answer of the health sector all over the world? What was done to increase the awareness of the people about the disease? What purpose does World AIDS Day serve and what is the main goal of the founders why they started the observance of the said day? Why do we still mention it today?
On December 1, 1988, the very first World AIDS Day was established. The concept of the celebration of World AIDS Day started at the 1998 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention joined by 140 countries (World AIDS Day 2006, n.d.). The campaign is not merely for raising funds but also for increasing awareness, improving education, and fighting prejudice (World AIDS Day, n.d). Celebrated every first of December, this serves to strengthen global efforts to address the challenges that the pandemic of AIDS brings (World AIDS Day, n.d.). This day allowed the non-governmental and local organizations, as well as individuals to show the importance of fighting AIDS and their dedication to this campaign.
Every year World AIDS Day has different themes. The very first celebration of the World AIDS Day was “Communication”, in 1989 “Youth”, in 1990 “Women and AIDS”, 1991 “Sharing the Challenge”, 1992 “Community and Commitment”, 1993 “Act”, 1194 “AIDS and the Family”, 1995 “Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities”, 1996 “One World, One Hope”, 1997 “Children Living in a World with AIDS”, 1998 “Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign with Young People”, 1999 “Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children and Young People”, 2000 “ AIDS: Men Make a Difference”, 2001 “I care. Do You?” 2002 and 2003 “Stigma and Discrimination, 2004 “Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS”, 2005 “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise”, 2006 “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise-Accountability”, and in 2007 “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise-Leadership”.
Every year different themes were made and in connection with the themes organizations discuss information that the public needs to know. The themes are the basis of what would be included in the talks all over the world. This would give them an idea on which topic to focus on thus increasing the awareness of the people about AIDS every year.
Each Year, from 1988-2004, it was the UNAIDS that spearheaded the World AIDS Day campaign; it was the organization that consulted the themes with other global health organizations. By the year 2005, the responsibility was then given to World AIDS Campaign (WAC) and this organization chose the main theme “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise” for World AIDS Day until the year 2010.
World AIDS Day is celebrated every year and a red ribbon is worn as an important symbol of AIDS awareness. This is worn all year round by some people and some wear this every first of December just to remind everyone of World AIDS Day thus remembering why this day is celebrated. Some may wear this to demonstrate their care and concern about HIV and AIDS and somehow affect others for their commitment and support.
Why the World AIDS Day is then celebrated all across the globe? World AIDS Day is not just celebrated in the United States, Europe, or Asia, it is observed all over the world because the disease does not only affect this part of the globe, but the occurrence of the disease is worldwide. This affects men, women, and children all over the globe. Considering the fast pace of the infection, people all over the world need to be informed of the disease.
The awareness must spread all over the world to educate the people about the disease to be careful and avoid activities that may expose them to the possibility of having the disease. Education about the disease should also include information about the kind of activities that may predispose one to the disease. Proper education and wide awareness may be a key to prevention and prevention are very essential because the disease has no known cure.
All over the world, awareness-raising activities are done and this is participated by some participants showing that they are concerned with the importance of education about AIDS. Global awareness is very important to help decrease the number of infections per year. This does not affect only a certain locality but all people, with no exceptions, can be infected by the disease thus worldwide information dissemination is a must.
What’s the importance of celebrating World AIDS Day? This very day is a constant reminder for us that there is a disease, a fatal one that is very contagious and affects millions of people around the world. This day is a reminder that HIV is here to stay until a cure is found. That every year we are reminded of our responsibility as an individual to help in our little way in stopping the spread of the disease. Living by example may affect others and be responsible for themselves as well. This is where love and support are important among family members and between husband and wife. In this way, people would tend to look ahead and plan their lives rather than play around and have the disease.
Why is this day still mentioned until the present? HIV/AIDS has not yet gone away. It is still left with no treatment for cure. Studies are still done to find the treatment for the said disease. World AIDS Day is a constant reminder for us that there are still a lot of people living with AIDS, many die from the disease. World AIDS Day would always remind us of the purpose it serves. It is to raise the communities’ awareness about the said disease. This also calls for support and understanding to those people living with the disease and the need to educate people about the disease and the prevention initiatives (World AIDS Day 2007 Stop AIDS Keep the Promise, n.d.)
In the present day, World AIDS Day has already influenced a lot of nations. The response of the people from different races and different cultures was positive that they even voluntarily participated in increasing the community’s awareness about the disease. This day is marked worldwide, and their purpose was met. Through the help of the government and the concerned people, this day is set to remain a primary vehicle for reinforcing the awareness about AIDS either nationally or internationally regardless of the theme or the participation of the UN (World AIDS Day, n.d.).
World AIDS Day was created to serve a great purpose; it is to increase the awareness of the people. Increasing their awareness would include a plan for an improved education so to help the people better understand AIDS. AIDS may be a complicated disease to understand but one doesn’t need to know the process that is going on with the disease. The most important thing that the people must know is its prevalence, it’s being contagious, how a person can have it, its effects and how is it prevented. These are the things that World AIDS Day is primarily focusing on. Celebrating World AIDS Day every year constantly reminds us of the purpose, decrease the prevalence of the disease.
By increasing awareness, chances it would be decreasing the HIV/AIDS cases every year. Proper information dissemination, especially with the activities done during World AIDS Day would help people reflect on its effects. New movements have been done. They wanted to transform World AIDS Day, not just a day for awareness but a day for transformation as well. The group came up with the activity entitled “6000 Reasons to Act” this is because 6000 children will lose a parent every day because of AIDS (World AIDS Day, n.d.). This is an effect of the World AIDS Day information dissemination that was started almost 20 years ago.
World AIDS Day did not just awaken people to be careful with their very own selves but it also awakened the charity in them because many organizations were born to help people with AIDS through World AIDS Day.
Bibliography
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