African Literature Essay Example for Free

African Literature Essay Despite the ignorance of most so called literati to the domain of African literature, African literature in fact is one of the main currents of world literature, stretching continuously and directly back to ancient history. Achebe did not invent African Literature, because he himself was inundated with it as an African. He simply made more people aware of it. The Beginnings of African Literature The first African literature is circa 2300-2100, when ancient Egyptians begin using burial texts to accompany their dead. These include the first written accounts of creation the Memphite Declaration of Deities. Not only that, but papyrus, from which we originate our word for paper, was invented by the Egyptians, and writing flourished. In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa feature a vibrant and varied oral culture. To take into account written literary culture without considering literary culture is definitely a mistake, because they two interplay heavily with each other. African oral arts are arts for lifes sake (Mukere) not European arts for arts sake, and so may be considered foreign and strange by European readers. However, they provide useful knowledge, historical knowledge, ethical wisdom, and creative stimuli in a direct fashion. Oral culture takes many forms: proverbs and riddles, epic narratives, oration and personal testimony, praise poetry and songs, chants and rituals, stories, legends and folk tales. This is present in the many proverbs told in Things Fall Apart, and the rich cultural emphasis of that book also is typically African. The earliest written Sub-Saharan Literature (1520) is heavily influenced by Islamic literature. The earliest example of this is the anonymous history of the city-state of Kilwa Kisiwani. The first African history, History of the Sudan, is written by Abd al-Rahman al-Sadi in Arabic style. Traveling performers, called griots, kept the oral tradition alive, especially the legends of the Empire of Mali. In 1728 the earliest written Swahili work,Utendi wa Tambuka borrows heavily from Muslim tradition. However, there are little to no Islamic presence in Things Fall Apart. The Period of Colonization With the period of Colonization, African oral traditions and written works came under a serious outside threat. Europeans, justifying themselves with the Christian ethics, tried to destroy the pagan and primitive culture of the Africans, to make them more pliable slaves. However, African Literature survived this concerted attack. In 1789, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustava Vassa was the first slave narrative to be published. Kidnapped from Nigeria, this Ibo man wrote his autobiography in Great Britain in English, and like Achebe used his narrative as a platform to attack the injustices of slavery and cultural destruction. Back in Africa, Swahili poetry threw off the dominating influence of Islam and reverted back to native Bantu forms. One exemplar of this was Utendi wa Inkishafi (Souls Awakening), a poem detailing the vanity of earthly life. The Europeans, by bringing journalism and government schools to Africa, helped further the development of literature. Local newspapers abounded, and often they featured sections of local African poetry and short stories. While originally these fell close to the European form, slowly they broke away and became more and more African in nature. One of these writers was Oliver Schreiner, whose novel Story of an African Farm (1883) is considered the first African classic analysis of racial and sexual issues. Other notable writers, such as Samuel Mqhayi and Thomas Mofolo begin portraying Africans as complex and human characters. Achebe was highly influenced by these writers in their human portrayal of both sides of colonization. Emerging from Paris in the 1920s and 1930s, the negritude movement established itself as one of the premiere literary movements of its time. It was a French-speaking African search for identity, which ofcourse took them back to their roots in Africa. Africa was made into a metaphorical antipode to Europe, a golden age utopia, and was often represented allegorically as a woman. In a 1967 interview, Cesaire explained: We lived in an atmosphere of rejection, and we developed an inferiority complex. The desire to establish an identity begins with a concrete consciousness of what we are†¦that we are black . . . and have a history. . . [that] there have been beautiful and important black civilizations†¦that its values were values that could still make an important contribution to the world. Leopold Sedar Senghor, one of the prime thinkers of this movement, eventually became president of the country of Senegal, creating a tradition of African writers becoming active political figures. Achebe was doubtless familiar with the negritude movement, although he preferred to less surrealistic and more realistic writing. In 1948, African literature came to the forefront of the world stage with Alan Patons publishing of Cry the Beloved Country. However, this book was a somewhat paternalistic and sentimental portrayal of Africa. Another African writer, Fraz Fanon, also a psychiatrist, becomes famous in 1967 through a powerful analysis of racism from the African viewpoint Black Skin, White Masks. Camara Laye explored the deep psychological ramification of being African in his masterpiece, The Dark Child (1953), and African satire is popularized by Mongo Beti and Ferdinand Oyono. Respected African literary critic Kofi Awoonor systematically collects and translates into English much of African oral culture and art forms, preserving native African culture. Chinua Achebe then presents this native African culture in his stunning work, Things Fall Apart. This is probably the most read work of African Literature ever written, and provides a level of deep cultural detail rarely found in European literature. Achebes psychological insight combined with his stark realism make his novel a classic. Post-Achebe African Literature Achebe simply opened the door for many other African literati to attain international recognition. East Africans produce important autobiographical works, such as Kenyans Josiah Kariuki’s Mau Mau Detainee (1963), and R. Mugo Gatheru’s Child of Two Worlds (1964). African women begin to let their voice be heard. Writers such as Flora Nwapa give the feminine African perspective on colonization and other African issues. Wole Soyinka writes her satire of the conflict between modern Nigeria and its traditional culture in her book The Interpreters (1965). A prolific writer, she later produces famous plays such as Death and The Kings Horseman. Later, in 1986, she is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. African Literature gains more and more momentum, and Professor James Ngugi even calls for the abolition of the English Department in the University of Nairobi, to be replaced by a Department of African Literature and Languages. African writers J. M. Coetzee, in his Life and Times of Michael K. written in both Afrikaans and English for his South African audience, confronts in literature the oppressive regime of apartheid. Chinua Achebe helps reunite African Literature as a whole by publishing in 1985 African Short Stories, a collection of African short stories from all over the continent. Another African writer, Naguib Mahfouz, wins the Nobel Prize in literature in 1988. In 1990 African poetry experiences a vital comeback through the work I is a Long-Memoried Woman by Frances Anne Soloman. African Literature is only gaining momentum as time marches onwards.

Reality Is The Life Of The Media Media Essay

Reality Is The Life Of The Media Media Essay After watching the movie Truman Show, I think a lot about the reality about the media recently. In fact, I know exactly this movie was to express an ironic effect by black humor. However, the film hit let me on media authenticity has many thoughts. Now the media, false information too much, especially newspapers and television, make people interested in reducing, even trust also reduced. Network of false information is the same. In order to better attract the audience or reader, the authenticity of media is very important, just like The Truman Show. Key words: Truman Show; Reality; Media I.Truman Show Truman always feels he has been under surveillance.He didnt think it was true. Since he were born during the first thirty years, Truman Bobbin most for a long time, there is the history of the most popular documentary soap opera actor, he is an ideal living town sea town is actually a huge studio, and his relatives and friends and before him every day people are all actors in the hidden throughout the occupation photographic lens. This is the The Truman Show , the global hundreds of millions of viewers was watching his every act and every move, and he himself does not know. Then after thirty years of drift life, Truman finally felt that his life was something wrong, when he discovers he is like living in a glass jar butterfly, he decided to escape from the sea town, regardless of the cost. But he must face the The Truman Show founder, producer and director Christophe, and overcome his deepest fear, can break through the barriers to get freedom. Of course, after watching the film, I had a pity for Truman, his all life was false by director, and he knew nothing about this. However, it was popular in the film. The film comes from the real life; this success in audience ratings gives me an important enlightenment at the media. II the reasons for the Truman Show popular In the movie, the soap opera Trumans world is loved all over the world is because Truman to film it know nothing at all, natural deduction. The true man show, as another self. In the Truman body, the audience can see the shadow of themselves including their birth, their love, and the first kiss. Truman sadness and happiness seemed so real, real as occurring in the audience themselves, can cause the audience response and love. Trumans world in the film popular reason is true.Of course, the real is cruel, for it hurts the pure man. However, it caused my attention to the authenticity of media is very important. III.The reality is the life of the media First, we must understand, this is a lack of attractive age because too much information. TV programs from the peoples life, let people feel the resonance. Naturally, it is unable to attract the attention of the people. No matter how to perform, there has to be a real existence in order to better attract the audience. The newspaper is even more the case, these years, our newspaper, false news, advertising increases; make people getting away with it. In recent years, the network became popular, but the network is too much false information also hinders the further development of network. From the film, we can see, people for the authenticity of the call. Then, the media should do to improve their authenticity? In order to enhance the authenticity, made the audience, the film Truman Show gives us the following enlightenment: one is the reality of characters. In the movie Truman is a born alive in the boy, he really exist, this character not fiction, his life and our life is not much different, and thus more likely to attract the attention of the audience. Therefore, in the media of authenticity, either in TV or film to create a character, or the real figures, media workers must pay attention to ordinary people, ordinary people get inspiration from. The lives of ordinary people can move the audience or reader, because, like we see another me. In addition, emotional authenticity. Truman every emotion so real, his family, his love, his grief and joy are so natural. Now a lot of TV programs like sensational, like with exaggerated reality to let the audience tears. In fact, the true feelings can cause the hearts of the audience resonance. Not everyones life is very strange, more and more peoples life is very ordinary. However, they are eager to be of concern, as their true feelings in the media embodiment, wanted they dont care about the difficulty. Watching the real life by the director, we had to mention news. Now the news authenticity was questioned, much news can even be director. As everyone knows, authenticity is the most important news soul. In the news, in order to Truman true, but not like the Trumans life was director. There is advertising, the ads are everywhere, but also a very exaggerated. Of course, exaggeration is advertising a means of performance, but if you really want to impress the audience must also be true. Only to meet the demands of consumers, the consumers can be remembered and the purchase of. The film tells us, authenticity is the important way to attract. In recent years, the media authenticity call more and more, people for the authenticity of media attention began to strengthen. Now a lot of domestic television stations have started to do some civilian program, started to pay attention to ordinary peoples real life, and has made very good progress. However, these civilians programs in many fictional events or the audience. The film Truman Show told us, does not need the imaginary of ordinary people, real life and emotion is enough to attract people. IV.Conclusion Life is not a drama, Truman story can only appear in the movie, and we have great sympathy for him. However, in this film, the protagonist to Truman hit television series gave us deep enlightenment. In this view, we present the media to be learned from this movie important element of success real. Whenever we are, authenticity is the life of the media, especially the lack of attention; we have to know, the more real, the more popular. Without the reality, the media will lose the charm for us; Truman Show also tells us this simple truth. Notes: The film Truman Show 2 Daniel. Dai Yang, Elisha Kats, media event [M] Beijing: Beijing Broadcasting Institute press, 2003:3 3 McGuire, audience analysis [M] Beijing: Renmin University of China press, 2006:90 4 Chen Lidan. What is communication [M]. Beijing: Peking University Press, 2007:178 Bibliography ¼Ã… ¡ [1]The film Truman Show [2] Liu Xuefeng. On news authenticity principle of multiple levels of understanding of [J]. Reading and writing, 2009, (02) [3]Bian Jian. From the The Truman Show to see media Pseudo Environment groups imbalance ( J ) Movie Review, 2008 ( 02). [4]Guo Yonghong true absurdity and refuses to escape on the film The Truman Show philosophical anatomy ( J ). Appreciation, 2009 ( 18) [5] Xing Runmei movie The Truman Show and mass media literary interpretation ( J ). Journal of Shanxi Normal University ( SOCIAL SCIENCE EDITION ), 2008 ( S1 ).

Luke Presents Jesus As The Divine Saviour Religion Essay

Luke Presents Jesus As The Divine Saviour Religion Essay The purpose of this essay is to look into the work and life of Jesus Christ while on earth as portrayed by each of the Gospels. Though each of the gospels presents a full picture of the person of Christ however, there is a distinction between the four. Each of the writers presents Jesus in his own way, in terms of audience, theme, and focus. The Gospel of Matthew was  [1]  written around 50-60AD in Palestine, before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD (Matt 4:5, 27:53). Although the specific date for the book of Mark is uncertain, scholars date it to be written around 49s 60s AD, and believed to be the first Gospel written. The Gospel of Luke was written between 60 65AD while the Gospel of John was dated about 90s. Theme Matthew presents  [2]  Jesus as Messiah. Mark presents Jesus as Servant of God, Luke presents Jesus as the Divine Saviour, and John presents Jesus as the Son of God. Audience Matthew writes his gospel to the Jews. He sought to convince the Jews that Jesus is the promised messiah and king, which was fulfilled through repeated prophecy in the Old Testament. Mark writes to the Roman audience, who were not  [3]  religious, neither philosopher like the Greek. Luke writes to a Greek audience, who were very religious, philosophical, and great thinkers. His two literal classical books, book of Acts and Luke were written to Theophilus a high ranking Greek noble man and other Gentile Christians (LK 1:3, Acts 1:1). The gospel of John was written to all Christians. Background to the Gospel The book of Matthew was placed first as an introduction to the New Testament because it bridge gap between the Old and New Testament. Written in Greek for Jewish believers but the style of writing was Hebrew or Aramaic due to the way Jesus life and ministry was narrated. Although the author of the gospel was not identified by name in biblical text, but testimony by early  [4]  church fathers, Eusebius and Papias shows that Apostle Matthew wrote the book as an eye witness to major events during the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth. The gospel of Mark was action parked fast moving narration written by John Mark an associate of Peter, companion of Paul and Barnabas.  [5]  According to Papias, Mark derived his content from his association with Peter, he was Peter interpreter and wrote as many things he can remembered as Peter relate to him. He tailored his gospel for his Romans listeners who are not religious, who have respect for authority but love action. He portrayed Jesus as a miracle worker; one who could control wind and storm, whom demons trembled at his sight and heal all manner of sicknesses and diseases, but despite this power he humbled himself and gave his life as a ransom, teaching that people who are truly great are servant, that anyone that wants to be great must be a servant first. The author of the gospel of  [6]  Luke was a physician, astute writer, theologian and historian whose book was directed to the Greek believer. The book of Luke is the first of its two books addressed to a man called Theophilus a gentile believer (LK 1:3, Act 1:1). He was a Gentile convert, the only non Jewish author of a bible book. Besides his medical knowledge which he shows frequently when he used medical terms to describe sicknesses for example a man suffering from dropsy (LK 14:2). The author of the fourth gospel was  [7]  John the son of Zebedee one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, he writes as the disciples whom Jesus loved (Jn. 13: 23-24, 20: 2-9, 21:2-24), hence claims to be an eye witness of Jesus ministry, and recorded much of Jesus ministry in Judea and Jerusalem. Purpose of the Canonical Gospels Matthew wrote to convinced Jewish Christians that Jesus roots is from the lineage of Abraham and descendants of David (Matt 1:1-17). Also too assured the Jews that Jesus was the son of God, awaited messiah has foretold by the Old Testament prophet (Ish. 7:14).  [8]  Matthew also shows to the Jews that Christ came to establish a spiritual kingdom not a political one, which will be followed by a physical kingdom at the end of the age. The book of Matthew is not complete without his explanation on great commission (Matt 28:19). Marks writes to persecuted  [9]  Romans Christian presenting Jesus as the Son of God (Mk 1:1), a suffering servant of God, also too encouraged Romans believers to suffered faithfully for the gospel as he placed before them the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ their Lord and saviour. Luke wrote to the  [10]  Greek Christian and the most comprehensive of the synoptic gospel, he provide full details of all that Jesus the human saviour had done, teach until the day he was taken up to heaven (LK 1:3-4). He traced Jesus human genealogy back to Adam (LK 3:23-38), not just to Abraham as did Matthew (Matt 1:1-17). In Luke we see Jesus as divine saviour (Lk. 1:47, 2:11) who provides salvation for all men irrespective of their nationality. Johns purpose was to reveal the  [11]  deity of Jesus Christ that he is indeed the Son of God who in obedience to the father took on the nature of man (Jn. 1:1), and those who believed in him receive eternal life (John 20:31). He wrote to refute false teachings of the  [12]  Gnostics who goes about denying the humanity: (the word became flesh, Jn. 1:14) and death of Jesus Christ: (Jesus death and resurrection, Jn. 19, 20:1-28). Focus of the Gospels Matthew  [13]  focus on Jesus, the King of Israel who fulfilled Old Testament laws and messianic prophecy (Ish. 7:13), from conception (Matt 1:22-23), to his residence in Nazareth (Matt 2:23), his Galilean ministry (Matt 4:14-chs 18), teachings about the end time (eschatology), triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He arranged Jesus teachings about the kingdom into; ethics-sermon on the mount (Matt 5:1-7:29); missionary (Matt 9:35-11:1); parables about the kingdom (Matt 13:1-52); discipleship (Matt 18:1-35) and lastly on Olivet discourse about the end of the age (Matt 23:1-25:46). He portrayed Jesus as the promised King, who came to inaugurate kingdom of heaven which is not political but spiritual. In a fast  [14]  catchy action, Mark focuses primarily on Jesus mighty miracles, his authority over sicknesses and demons as signs that the kingdom of Gods is at hand. He also portrayed Jesus as Gods servant. It was at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus identity was fully disclosed to his disciples as the Christ, and his prediction about his death and resurrection (Mk 8:31) which shows his divine foreknowledge; making references to cost of discipleship (Mk 8:34-38, 9:1-10) and lastly on Passion Week in (Mk 11-16). Luke is the most comprehensive of the synoptic gospel, focusing on Jesus lineage from pre birth to ascension, his  [15]  Galilean ministry in LK 4:14-9:50, final journey to Jerusalem in LK 9:51-19:27 and his last week called passion week in LK 19:28-24:53. The main focus of Luke is on Jesus teachings and parables during his ministry, expressing universal hope that Jesus came for both Jews and gentiles, his emphasis on prayer, on the move and work of the Holy Spirit, starting from the filling of John the Baptist from his mother womb; to the miraculously birth of the son of God (LK 1:35), to Jesus spirit baptism in (LK 4:14); and clothing of disciples with power from on high (LK 24:49). John focuses much more on the discourses of Christ as Gods incarnate Son. The  [16]  book of John have two divisions the first division (Jn. 1-12), he explain with evidences Jesus incarnation with: seven signs (miracles), seven teachings (Jesus used to disclose his identity), and seven à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"I amà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚  statements (by which Jesus revealed figuratively what he is to human race) with his bodily resurrection as proof of his claim as Christ, the Son of God. The second division John focuses on Jesus relationship with his disciples (Jn. 13-21), the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14-16), the last supper (Jn. 13), Jesus final prayer for believers (Jn. 17), finally his death and resurrection (Jn. 20-21). Relation of the Gospels The four gospel writers write to people of different background and needs. Each under the influence and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit write about the life and teaching of Jesus Christ according to audiences whom they were writing to. Other teaching was omitted purposely, for example Mark mentions women not divorcing their husbands to his Romans audience (Mk 10; 12), Matthew did not mention this since Jewish law did not permit a woman to divorce her husband. Matthew and Luke  [17]  write from Mark while John copied from no one. Altogether Matthew, Mark and Luke record eighty-three events of the same account only twenty four of this are  [18]  found in all the four gospels, with forty- one accounts unique to Johns Gospel, fifty-two to Luke, Matthew with twenty à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬seven unique accounts, while Mark has two. John has no record of Jesus parables. Matthew recorded eighteen parables of Jesus, Luke nineteen while Mark has four. Conclusion Each of the Gospels writers presents the same gospel under the leading of the Holy Spirit too meet specific need in the body of Christ. I believe the focus of each of the writer matured the church of Christ over time, keep the church focus in the right perspective.

Essay --

Clive Staples Lewis (or Jack as he was known to his friends) was born in Belfast, Ireland, onNovember 29th 1898. His mother was Florence Augusta Lewis. His father was Albert James Lewis. He had an older brother, Warren Hamilton Lewis. When Clive was young his dog Jacksie was killed by a car, he decided that his name should be changed to Jacksie, but he was later called Jack. When Clive was seven, his family moved into his childhood home, in East Belfast. As a boy, Lewis was fascinated with anthropomorphic (considering animals, objects, etc., as having human qualities) animals. He became fascinated with stories that involved talking animals and he often wrote and illustrating his own animal stories. Clive loved reading, since back when he was a child there was no television, there wasn’t much else to do. Clive’s father's house was filled to the ceiling with books, he felt that finding a new book to read was as simple as â€Å"walking into a field and finding a new blade of grass†. "The New House is almost a major character in my story. I am the product of long corridors, empty sunlit rooms, upstair indoor silences, attics explored in solitude, distant noises of gurgling cisterns and pipes, and the noise of wind under the tiles. Also, of endless books." —Surprised by Joy (C. S. Lewis’ Biography) Clive was taught by private tutors before he was sent to the Wynyard School in Watford, Hertfordshire. Lewis's brother had enrolled at Wynyard School three years earlier. The school was closed soon after Clive joined, due to a lack of students to teach. After the Wynyard School closed, the headmaster Robert Capron was admitted into to a psychiatric hospital (I Searched this and was not able to find out why he was sent to a Psychiatric Hospital). ... ...rrounding cities into The Kilns. Clive tried to re-enter the military, he offered to instruct cadets, but his offer was refused. Clive married a woman named Joy Davidman in 1956, Joy was an American citizen that had once been an atheist and had converted to Christianity like him. Joy was soon after diagnosed with bone cancer, Joy died in 1960. Clive continued raising Joy’s two sons (from a previous marriage). In 1961, Clive was diagnosed with Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), the Nephritis was caused by a bad blood transfusion during World War One. On November 22nd, only one week before his 65th birthday, Lewis collapsed in his bedroom at 5:30 pm and died a few minutes later due to the end stages of kidney failure. There was almost no media coverage of Clive Staples Lewis’ death due to the fact that US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated that same day.

Alice Walkers Roselily Essay -- essays research papers

Alice Walkers "Roselily" is a short story about a woman who is about to be married, but is having second thoughts about the marriage. She is also looking into the past and the future trying to make sense of what is happening. Roselily is being torn between choosing between her current or possible future Economic status, Societies view of her, her religion and her freedom. All these thoughts go through her mind as the wedding ceremony takes place, and she begins to wonder if she has made the right choice is marrying this man. Changing religion is one of the first things that is discussed. After the initial set up of the story Roselily thinks of â€Å"ropes, chains, handcuffs, his religion.† She is a Christian and he is Muslim. After they are married she will convert into a Muslim because that is what her husband wants her to be. She knows that things will be very different as a Muslim; there will be very strict rules that she will have to follow. She gives an example of this when she says â€Å"His place of worship. Where will she be required to sit apart with covered head†. This seems scary to her because she begins to feel the pressure of the marriage building; she begins to think if she wants a life like that. If she does choose to marry him and that life one of the advantages for Roselily, is that she will move up from poverty to not having to worry about money on a day to day basis. She worked in a sewing plant in Mississippi, but in Chicago she is not expected to work, but r...

Aid vs Trade Essay

The aid verses trade debate shows the strong difference and sizable reduction in severe poverty in emerging economies such as China, Thailand and South Korea that have embraced international trade, with the persistent poverty in many aid-dependent African countries. The debate of whether foreign aid is beneficial or harmful to a country in need can be seen as foreign aid directed to Africa has significantly grown yet this has not benefited the continent as it is still considered ‘developing’ and is in a state of widespread poverty (Alesina, Dollar, 2000). Asia, which was once also considered a third world country has developed a strong economy and infrastructure with not aid that, was introduced in Africa. Rather than seeing the two arguments as aid or trade, it should be seen as aid for trade. (Rotberg, 2009) TRADE HAS A SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM AFFECT ON THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ECONOMY; IT IS THE KEY TO DEVELOPMENT. IT ALLOWS THE COUNTRY TO DEVELOP STRONG TRADING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, THUS ALLOWING A REGULAR FLOW OF FUNDS INTO THE DEVELOPING COUNTRY. TRADE IS NECESSARY AS IT ALLOWS THE COUNTRY TO USE ITS OWN NATURAL RESOURCES, WHICH NOT ONLY BENEFITS THEMSELVES BUT ALSO THE WORLD OF TRADE. AFRICA HAS BEEN GIVEN IN THE PAST 60 YEARS AT LEAST $1 TRILLION OF DEVELOPMENT-RELATED AID; EVEN WITH THIS HUGE INFLUX OF ECONOMY THE INCOME TODAY IS LOWER THAN IT WAS IN THE 1970S, AND MORE THAN 50% OF THE POPULATION LIVE ON LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR A DAY AND STILL REMAINS IN A MAJOR STATE OF POVERTY (MOYO, 2009) Aid is beneficial for developing countries going through a period of unsteadiness and have gone through a major crisis e.g. natural disaster, this is when aid is most needed, as a country is left with nothing and needs initial funding to allow the country to start rebuilding and trading with outside countries. Aid accelerates the economy of underdeveloped countries but it is also given in the form of bilateral aid, multilateral aid, humanitarian emergency relief, NGO partnership support and Technical support and community involvement. Aid often has a positive effect in third world countries with good policies and has little or no effect when countries have  poor policies. (Burnside and Dollar (2000) Trade is a necessary tool in order to significantly develop and improve a third world countries economy and to reduce poverty. Trade is seen as difficult in these countries as there is sometimes a lack of information, institutions and infrastructure, which makes it difficult to efficiently trade globally. Advancing education, science and technology are important in order to help improve Africa’s development. In order to improve the many economical and poverty issues they’re confronted with, promoting this industrial development will help ensure long-term economic growth which will allow the continent to not be so aid dependant (Astier, 2006). Aid for trade increases the trade performance of developing countries; a small increase of 1 percent directed for trade, which is about $11.7 million, could generate amounts of up to $818 million (Helble, Mann, Wilson 2009) There are various economic, social, and political factors that can cause countries to remain in a prolonged widespread poverty, almost half the world live on less than $2.50 a day (Shah, 2013). Some economical factors include the lack of improvement in agriculture, the faulty industrialisation, and unequal economic distribution. Social factors that cause countries to remain in this state are the strong religious aspects of a country. Politics is full of corruption and how many political leaders in such countries rather than have the countries best interest at heart would prefer to enhance their own wealth. A prominent cause of poverty is the economic position of a country. A lot of countries lack advancements in agriculture, the absence of modern machinery, tools, facilities etc. result in the lack of development the current systems that are in place are often not sufficient and cannot provide for the local community. This can be seen in ineffective industrialisation, there is not enough finance in these countries to provide skilled and technically trained workers, thus is it difficult to provide employment. Another economical factor is the unequal distribution of wealth. Wealth is often distributed to a limited group of people, the wealth in such poor countries is often skewed e.g one is either extremely wealthy or extremely poor, thus leaving the  majority of the country in a state of poverty and unemployment. The social factors that contribute to countries with a high poverty level are mainly religious. In these countries material goods are not high in value. It is also evident that education in poverty-ridden countries is also not very highly valued; generally the emphasis is for young children to get a job to help the families’ income rather than get a better education and get a better job. Often there are socio religious aspects that also restrict advancements, such as marital agreements, putting these countries in a continual downward spiral into a worse state of poverty (Crabtree, 2010). The political factors that lead a country to remain in poverty can come down to the leaders that are meant to ‘provide’ for the country are hugely responsible for the destruction and poverty of the country. Administration can be full of corruption and ineffectiveness, and rather than enrich the countries overall wealth they will enrich there own wealth at the cost of the countries development. As a result of this political inefficiency and dishonesty there has been no real advancements in countries where poverty is high, they are still in a strong downward spiral of poverty.corruption has to stop before the continent can ever develop (Morrissey, 1991). The positive impact of aid and trade can be slow in some countries because of four factors physical capital, human capital, natural resources and the countries technological knowledge. The things that can be done to help these countries that are poverty stricken start with improving its level of productivity and growth as a country’s standard of living depends on its ability to produce goods and services (Shah, 2013). Nearly 21 percent of people in third world countries lived at or below $1.25 a day. With that measure based on latest data available, 1.4 billion people live on or below that line, meaning in 2010, 1.22 billion people lived on less than $1.25 a day. Almost half the world-over three billion people-live on less than $2.50 a day and at least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. (Okonjo-Iweala, 2007) The physical capital of a country can be seen as its evolution, their  production factory, their production process, and infrastructural development. In order for a country to improve, so must the stock of equipment and structures that are used to produced these goods and services (Sachs and Warner, 1999). Human capital is an essential part of the improvement of a country as human capital relates to the skills and knowledge that workers gain through various types of training, education and experiences, if the countries human capital in improved the nations ability to produce quality goods and services will increase accordingly. The development of infrastructure is needed in order to facilitate better medical, education, and working system. (Khumbah, Foote, 2014) A countries natural resources, their land, water, mining, both renewable and non – renewable resources are very important for a countries economy, and can be highly productive in producing goods and services of a high quality, and rather than be abused by other countries it can allow the suffering countries to prosper (Kaufman, 2002). Technological knowledge is educating a countries most effective ways to produce goods and services. In order for a country to improve overall they need to understand new technology, there must be training and knowledge in order to decrease poverty. One billion children live in poverty, six hundred and forty million don’t have sufficient shelter, four hundred million don’t have access to safe water, two hundred and seventy million have no access to health services and nearly eleven million died in 2003 before they reached the age of five (Shah, 2013). Poverty is a massive killer, although this as well as diseases and illnesses can easily be prevented, countries that do and do not suffer from poverty often don’t advertise the desperate need for change. (Rotberg, 2009) Aid is not the cure for the developing world’s problems but it has been helpful in minimizing suffering and increasing development. Aid has helped improve the health, education and trade systems in developing countries. Economic growth and global trade are crucial to reduce poverty in the long term, but in order to continually reduce global poverty both trade and aid are fundamental. References Astier, H. (2006, 1st February). Can aid do more harm than good? Bbc Khumbah, K., & Foote, M. (JULY 31, 2014). AFRICA NEEDS SCIENCE, NOT AID. Retrieved, 22nd august, 2014, Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/01/opinion/africa-needs-science-not-aid.html?_r=0 Aid versus trade. Okonjo-Iweala, N. (Director). (2007, July).[Video/DVD] TEDGlobal. Robert I. Rotberg. (2009). CHINA INTO AFRICA: TRADE, AID, AND INFLUENCE . Brookings Institution Press: Shah, A. (2013, 24th March). Causes of poverty. Global Issues Wilkinson, M., & McGregor, L. (2013). Preying on paradise Burnside, C. and D. Dollar (1997), `Aid, Policies and Growth’, Policy Research WorkingPaper no. 1777, World Bank, forthcoming in the American Economic Review What is Human Development?, Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Program Sachs, Jeffrey and Andrew Warner (1999), â€Å"The Big Push, Natural Resource Booms and Growth†, Journal of Development Economics, 59, 43-76. Human Development Report (HDR), United Nations Development Program, November 27, 2007, Kaufmann D, Kraay A 2002 ‘Growth Without Governance’ Economia Fall 2002, Vol. 3, No. 1 Alberto Alesina and David Dollar (2000), â€Å"Who Gives Foreign Aid to Whom and Why?† Journal of Economic Growth (March), pp. 33-63 Morrissey O. _An Evaluation of the Economic Effects of Aid and Trade Provision. Journal of Economic Studies 1991;28:104-29._ Steve Crabtree (2010) Religiosity Highest in World’s Poorest Nations http://www.gallup.com/poll/142727/religiosity-highest-world-poorest-nations.aspx

An Epic Story: Sundiata Essay

What makes a story truly epic? Is it the qualities of the characters within the story? Is it the story itself? Is it the sense of destiny or Fate that the story creates for the reader? Is it the way said story is written? Whether a story requires only one or all of these characteristics, the book â€Å"Sundiata and Epic of Old Mali† is a truly epic tale. The story tells the life of a great king in Mali named Maghan Sundiata. Born to an unfortunate looking mother, he is slow and weak at the beginning of life. Sundiata doesn’t start walking until he is seven years old but once he stands he stands tall. He is a natural leader and has all the qualities of a paragon protagonist. He is smart, kind, merciful, and fair as well as strong, willful, powerful and skilled. Choosing exile from his home city, and rightful throne, in order to protect his sisters he finds himself in a position of leadership in another city. After he leaves Mali it is invaded by and evil king showing all the characteristics of and epic antagonist. King Soumaoro Kante is narcissistic, cruel, petty, sadistic and ruthless as well as smart, powerful and most of all cowardly. They are joined in battle twice; both times the victory is Sudiata’s and both times Soumaoro Kante runs away. Soumaoro’s city is sacked and he is left powerless while Sundiata not only wins his kingdom back but also gains many allies and friends because of his truly good personality. If a story is made epic by its characters than surely the perfect paragon of Sundiata and the extreme evil of Soumaoro are epic enough to fulfill and epic requirement. If one judges an epic by the story being told than â€Å"Sundiata an Epic Tale of Old Mali† is also a worthy candidate for an epic tale. Starting from the weakest in the city and becoming the strongest in the Kingdom, Sundiata’s life in itself is epic enough. The story is told through the point of view of a griot named Mamadou Kouyate. A griot is many things in the society of Mali and thr oughout much of Africa. He is an Historian, an advisor, a mediator, an entertainer but most of all he is the culture of an entire society of people. Understanding the culture of the society in which this story comes, one would, without question, consider the griot Mamadou Kouyate on par with the likes of Homer and the author(s) of Beowulf. This is possibly partially because of his perspective but definitely because of his beautiful use of  the marvelous in order to beautify the story and make it personal to the reader or listener. The way the story is told enraptures an audience like any true epic should. Within all great epics there is an obvious theme of someone’s destiny. Sundiata is given a destiny at a young age, as predicted by a seer before his birth, and fulfills it with purity of heart. He faces many trials and tribulations along the way but never once does he give into darkness. Never once does he give up and decide he’s done enough. Not until all his people are freed, all debts are paid, and his kingdom is returned does the story end. This is a clear and perfect example of the sense of fate one requires of our epic heroes. Of all the traits of â€Å"Sundiata†¦Ã¢â‚¬  the characteristic that most earns it its epic status is the battle of good versus evil and the triumph of good. Not to be misunderstood with a novel tale of mediocre light and dark, the battle in this story speaks to the deepest depths of darkness and to the purest picture of paragon.