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Monday, August 24, 2020
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Walt Disney and Paramount Pictures
The Dragonslayer is a Walt Disney and Paramount Pictures film that was appeared on 1981. The story was essentially about a mythical beast that was called as Vermitrax Pejorative which was wrecking the realm of Urland with its red hot breath. So as to satisfy this mythical serpent, the ruler requested a gathering of warriors to have a campaign to discover somebody who has the ability to decimate this animal. The endeavor was driven by Valerian and their goal is to discover a wizard for the sake of Ulrich of Cragonmoor.However, Ulrich kicked the bucket upon a coincidental accident that happened in light of the fact that he needs to demonstrate his influence to Tyrian, a knight of the realm. Upon his demise, his ââ¬Å"inexperienced apprenticeâ⬠has expected to have his spot. This student was Galen Bradwarden who was a vagrant which has mystical forces fixed within him by Ulrich himself in ready to ensure him when he was as yet youthful. The story spins on the undertakings and misf ortunes of this youthful disciple so as to spare the entire realm as well as his pride as well.It likewise communicates a touch of sensational and sentimental unfurling and disclosure of Galenââ¬â¢s individual qualities and capacities. As a legend he attempted to protect the entire realm without anyone else without pondering the conditions that it might bring, anyway the story have demonstrated how he have developed into turning into a man that contemplates the future and not only of how to intrigue the individuals around him. The depiction of this can be found in the part wherein he attempted his best to protect the princess yet neglected to do so.Also, he develops with enough tolerance and commitment to achieve his strategic his goal with an unmistakable trust to his guts and individual will. The point of view of the narrator influences this story with respect to how the feelings and explanation of scenes would be handed-off. Concerning the way that the characters would talk an d how their expectations would uncover in the story would rely on how the narrator have seen or have comprehended the story as a whole.The narrator is the person who is capable in molding the creative mind of the audience members of the story with respect to what the characters resembles and how they act and respond in the scenes in the story. The narrator all in all demonstrations just as guide in understanding the subject and the as far as anyone knows reaction and sort of thinking about the characters in the story. The narrator is likewise the person who is dependable in divulging the various realities and settings that ought to be fused in the psyches of the beneficiary so as to completely welcome the entire story.At the finish of the story, there was a ramifications that everything that had happened was totally arranged by the incredible alchemist Ulrich in ready to uncover or possibly assist Galen with finding his possibilities. It additionally shows that the incredible alchem ist have utilized Galen so as to crush the Dragon since it is a crucial he can't manage by his self. It was an incongruity since up and down the beneficiary would imagine that it was all Galenââ¬â¢s eagerness but toward the end, everything was arranged in the beginning. References: Robbins, Mathew. 1981. Dragonslayer. Walt Disney and Paramount Pictures.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Bail What Are Your Options
Bail What Are Your Options Bail: What Are Your Options? Bail: What Are Your Options?Making bail while you await trial could be the difference between simply going to court and losing your job, your house, or even more.If youâre reading this youâre either just some sort of âbail option enthusiastâ or youâre in a less than ideal situation and are looking for some help. In the United States youâre technically innocent until proven guiltyâ"but in reality, people are currently being held in prison without having been convicted of anything.âIt isnt just âpossibleâ for somebody to be held pending trial because he or she cannot afford the bail,â warned Florida criminal defense attorney Michael Dye. âIt is happening every day in most, if not all, jurisdictions. It isnt an abstract concept.âYes, depressingly, our justice system has its own modern spin on debtorsâ prisons. So what are your options if you canât afford to pay your bail or the bail of a friend or family member?Bail basics.The stated purpose of bail seems re asonable enough. Theoretically, it provides a guarantee that someone will show up for trial without requiring that person be held in prison until the trial date. In reality, it can create a tiered justice system where poor people are held in prison until their trial date.âThe purpose of bail is to ensure an individualâs presence at trial,â explained Dye. âNothing more, nothing less. There is a presumption of non-monetary release unless the defendant is being held for a âdangerous crime.â Dangerous crime is defined by statute.âThere are certain criminal charges that come with a âpresetâ bond. It is known as a âcourtesy bond.â For example, in Broward County, the bond on a first DUI with no accident and no aggravating factors is $500. Once you are arrested and booked, you can pay the $500 and be released before even seeing a judge.âAnd if you canât pay that $500?Ask for a lesser amount.Judges tend to have a decent amount of leeway when it comes to setting bail . You may end up stuck with a strict judge, but it doesnât hurt to ask.âIf you cannot make the $500 bond, you can request a lesser amount at the first appearance which is almost always held within 24 hours of the arrest,â advised Dye. âThe judge at the first appearance can reduce it or leave it the same. For criminal charges without a courtesy bond, the judge determines the bond at the first appearance.âTry to get a signature bond.You may be able to get a judge to agree to let you avoid jail before trial without paying bail entirely. It might not be likely, but why not give it a try?âBail is basically an assurance to the judge that youâll show up for your court dates,â reiterated New Orleans criminal defense attorney Lance J. Robinson. âIf you and your attorney sit down with the judge and convince them that you will, without a doubt, show up to your court dates and that youâre not a threat to yourself or the community, you can be granted a signature bond. This bo nd is granted by the judge and will require no payment, although it is arguably the most difficult to attain.âGet a regular bond.Bail bonds are loans that are used to pay bail. However, much like any other loan, if you donât have good credit or know someone who does and will be able to sign off for you, it might be difficult to get a bond.âI operate in the bail bonds industry where we help individuals bail out their loved ones,â recounted Adi Dzebic, owner of Bail Bonds Network. âMany come to us looking for bail or a loan and hope to avoid a credit check. Some of our bail bondsmen offer bonds with no credit checks as an incentive to drive business, but it definitely presents risks.âAs bondsmen, we definitely want to protect ourselves in cases where we offer a bailout without a credit check. This means extra rules for the person being released from jail such as drug testing, frequent check-ins at our office, an ankle monitoring device, and other measures to ensure the per son doesnt skip bail (e.g. run off without attending their court cases).âAll in all, yes, we sometimes offer no credit check loans but we often try to cover ourselves to account for this extra risk.âSee if you can put up collateral.In addition to the aforementioned terms a bondsman could put on you, you might be able to put up collateral if you canât get a bond otherwise.âMost states will also allow you, a friend, or family member to put up property as collateral,â offered Dzebic. âObtaining a bail emergency loan is sometimes not possible since lenders deny high-risk, low income individuals especially if you donât have a job or any money saved up. Bail bond lenders simply canât take the risk if you appear like you canât make your payments.Having someone in your circle with property or other assets can help. If you donât have a person that will vouch for you financially, you may want to explore pawning off any valuables or obtaining a loan using your car title or other assets.âSee what your lawyer can work out.As anyone who has ever been arrested or watched an episode of Law Order knows, you have the right to an attorney. However, much like your right not to be imprisoned without conviction, the reality of your right to an attorney can have a lot to do with your ability to afford one.Yes, there are public defenders for those who canât afford attorneys, but their offices tend to be understaffed and underfunded, leading to one defender loaded down with more clients than they can provide a robust defense for.But to whatever extent you have access to an attorney, you can tell them about your situation and they can advocate on your behalf.âIm a criminal defense attorney and criminal justice professor, as well as a former prosecutor,â recounted Matt Pinsker who teaches law at Virginia Commonwealth University (@VCUWilderSchool). âWhen I have a client who cannot afford a bond, I schedule a bond hearing to get in front of a judge to (among other things) ask that the amount of money for bond be released or an alternative to a cash bond.Alternatives to a cash bond include more supervision while released, release to a third party custodian, house arrest with monitoring, GPS bracelet.âIf there are no circumstances where a judge will set a bond or other conditions for release that my client can do, I try to advance the court date to get the matter adjudicated as soon as possible, or strike a plea agreement with the prosecutor to get the case closed.With the latter option, it is a strong case for reforming our bond system because there is the danger that persons who are innocent will plead guilty to charges that are ultimately beatable so that they can be released.âCharitable funds.If you have nowhere else to turn, you may be able to use a charitable bail fund. Or try and reach out to charitable people in your extended social circle.âWe recommend looking at bail funds to sponsor you and cover your 10% bail bond fee a t no charge,â began Dzebic, âbut charitable bail funds are limited to certain states, although more are introduced on a regular basis.Another option is to borrow money from friends and family unless you are ready to enter into high-interest loans. Many states are now lowering the bail amount set for those in low income households to prevent discrimination and unfair challenges.âUnfortunately, whether or not you can pay bail can have impacts even beyond whether you spend the time until your trial in jail. As Pinsker alluded to, even if someone has not actually committed a crime, they may feel pushed into pleading guilty if it means they wonât have to sit in a cell.âThe issue for the consumer who is locked up in jail and cant find the money for a bail out,â laid out Dzebic, âis 90% are likely to plead guilty vs only 40 percent pleading guilty if they can afford a loan to get out. Without financing for a bail bond, people spend 15 days on average in jail. Thatâs enough time to be expelled from school or lose your job.Itâs an unfair disadvantage for people to not have the financial options to release their loved one from jail. Most lenders will require you to have a job, bank account, and be at least 21 years of age for a loan.âMany activists are pushing to make the system better, and theyâve been making some progress. In the meantime, however, we hope this advice can help you or a friend or relative if itâs ever needed. Though we hope itâs not needed!To learn more planning for less-than-ideal scenarios, check out these related posts and articles from OppLoans:How to Financially Plan for DeathSo Your Identityâs Been Stolen ⦠Now What?Emergencies and Divorce: How to Plan For Worst-Case ScenariosEmergency Funds Are Important: Hereâs How to Start Building OneDo you have a personal finance question youd like us to answer? Let us know! You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. | InstagramContributorsMichael Dye has substantial exp erience taking both misdemeanor and felony cases to trial. Mr. Dye has tried cases including, but not limited to, DUI, possession of a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, capital sexual battery, armed robbery, kidnapping, and many other serious criminal matters. Mr. Dye has also been successful in getting cases dismissed or reduced using various pretrial motions.Adi Dzebic is owner of Bail Bonds Network and other online assets in the finance and education sector. Dzebic is an MBA with a background in marketing, entrepreneurship, and finance. Bail Bonds Network looks to bridge consumers with bail bondsmen to offer options and education on how to secure bail bonds and other financial services.Matt C. Pinsker is a former state and federal prosecutor who currently practices law as a civilian criminal defense attorney and a Judge Advocate in the US Army Reserves, while also teaching crimina l justice as a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (@VCUWilderSchool).Lance J. Robinson is a dedicated New Orleans criminal defense attorney with over 22 years of experience. He has defended over 2,400 local and out-of-town clients and is recognized among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. He received his law degree in 1996 at Tulane University School of Law and went on to work for the Louisiana State Attorney Generalâs Office and a large personal injury firm. In 1999, he started his own law firm as a sole practitioner, where he provides clients with individualized attention and the legal representation that works best for them.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Gun Control and the Bill of Rights Essay - 710 Words
George Mason, a co-author of the Bill of Rights, said ââ¬Å"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave themâ⬠If this is true, why would anyone try to ban firearms in the U.S? Guns have been a part of American history since we declared independence from Britain in 1776. Many people believe that removing weapons from the hands of citizens is the only way to stop criminals from shooting down people at malls and kids at schools, but this is not the case. Outlawing guns is not the answer for effectively reducing gun crime. According to Wikipedia, a firearm is a portable gun, being a barreled weapon that launches one or more projectiles often driven by the action of an explosive force. The first firearms were invented inâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Murder by knives was first, followed by clubs, then strangulation. It seems that by banning guns, people used other ways to kill. On the other hand, Switzerlandââ¬â¢s gun policy is very different than other nations. It requires all men to go through militia training at age twenty and issue an assault rifle when they complete it. Switzerland has the lowest gun crime rates in the world, despite giving everyone a high-powered, fully automatic firearm. Another hot-topic that politicians debate about is allowing assault rifles, or select-fire guns (capable of semi-automatic or fully automatic fire),which have the ability to shoot rounds as long as you can hold the trigger down, in the hand of American citizens. Currently, eight states have banned owning assault weapons in some sense. Some may argue that these guns are overkill, and arenââ¬â¢t practical for hunting or self-defense, whereas other firearms fill that position well. In some cases that might be true, but if multiple intruders enter your home armed, a pistol with a low-capacity clip may not suffice. Contrary to popular belief, gun crime has dropped significantly over the past 20 years. Since 1993, violence involving guns has gone down 49% according to Pew Research. The media is to blame for sensationalizing shootings and with the internetââ¬â¢s influence an argument that got out of hand can be seen as an all out battle. The SecondShow MoreRelatedBill Rights Essay : Gun Control 1025 Words à |à 5 Pages2015 Bill Rights Essay: Gun Control In the past decade our society has contemplated whether guns should be permissible to be held at all times. Gun control is now one of the main political issues because of all the shootings in the past decade. It has shown that there have been about 30,000 gun incidents in the years between 2010-2015. Even though the law prevents guns from being possessed in the wrong hands, statistics still show thatRead MoreAgenda Setting : Missouri Gun Control1682 Words à |à 7 Pages Agenda Setting: Missouri Gun Control Peyton Flewelling University of Missouri at Columbia Agenda Setting: Missouri Gun Control The efforts of gun control advocates have been undermined largely by the persistent presence of those arguing the 2nd Amendment protects their Constitutional right to bear the majority of arms in almost every setting. This has occurred despite an ever-changing social climate, where gun violence occurs daily. Automatic, semi-automatic, and assault weaponsRead MoreThe Issue Of The Second Amendment1035 Words à |à 5 PagesYou Can Have My Gun When You Pry It from My Cold Dead Hands Those that oppose upholding the Second Amendment should consider the following scenario: It is the middle of the night, an armed intruder breaks into a home in a well-lit residential neighborhood; the intruder knows the home owners are home, and despite this knowledge, illegally enters the home. The father, awakened by the noise, listens for a second and realizes that someone has broken into his home. Concerned for the safety of his familyRead MoreThe Issue Of Gun Control1356 Words à |à 6 PagesGun control has been a longstanding debate in many countries around the world. For centuries men were actually encouraged to arm themselves to protect their families and homes. Many countries have enacted gun control laws in order to contain violent crimes, with the Canadian government taking the first step in the late 1800s. In order to protect its citizens, Canadaââ¬â¢s legislature implemented a series of laws, throughout several decades, restricting firearms and requiring gun registra tion. AlthoughRead MoreAmericas Debate Against Gun Control1155 Words à |à 5 Pages ï » ¿ The United States and the war on Gun Control The gun control issue has recently created a massive uproar throughout the U.S. due to some major horrific events such as the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, where 32 people were killed, the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012 where 27 people were killed, mostly children, and the Columbine shooting in 1999 where 13 people were killed, (CNN) as well as many others. To some, it is a crime issueRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Gun Control1397 Words à |à 6 PagesConstitution protects the right of the people to bear arms and was adopted on December 15, 1791, as part of the first ten amendments located in the Bill of Rights. Since then there have been many attempts to create stricter gun control legislation and this leads to the argument whether or not this is an attack on the 2ndà Amendment? The Bill of Rights amendments adds to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms andà rights. The Second Amendment was originally based on the right to keep and bearRead MoreEssay An Argument For Gun Control1458 Words à |à 6 PagesGun control is an issue that has been debated by Americans since the 1960ââ¬â¢s (Dolan 1). The debate questions the right of Americans to bear arms, this including, handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Some say a simple restriction of these arms is in order while some think they should be banned altogether (Dolan 1). Both sides hold strong opinions often causing conflict in the matter and confusion among the citizens of the United States. However, the opponents do agree that a death rate of 30 millionRead MoreGun Control : Opposing Viewpoints1449 Words à |à 6 Pages GUN CONTROL: OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS Introduction and Preliminary Research In a country where the people own more than 70 million handguns and perhaps one million automatic rifles and assault weapons, public opinion on gun control is understandably divided. Those opposed to gun control often cite the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which appears to guarantee private citizens the unrestricted right to bear arms; less theoretical arguments include the practical need for self-defenseRead More Gun Control versus The Right to Bear Arms Essay886 Words à |à 4 PagesWith the topic of gun control comes a widely split crowd. There are those that believe that gun control is necessary for decreasing crime and making a nation a safer place to live. And on the other end of the spectrum, they are those that speak of how anti-gun control is what would make our nation a safer place to live. After all, ?Would a person be as likely to break into another familys home knowing that the family has means of personal protection (Warren 308). ?Most everyone will agree thatRead MoreGun Control Essay536 Words à |à 3 PagesConstitution give people the right, or should guns be restricted or banned because they are used in the commission of many crimes? Some argue that the right to bear arms is not as vital today as it was in the 1700s, or that it does not apply to individuals. Others argue that it is an individual right guaranteed by the Constitution to own a firearm. It is obvious that the nation does not want guns in the hands of convicted felons; however it is necessary that guns be not confiscated from law-abiding
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Night - 2087 Words
Elie Wiesel wrote ââ¬Å"Nightâ⬠as a memoir, in his perspective living as a child in the holocaust. After reading this work, I felt like I could see everything through his eyes, as a child. There are many psychoanalytical approaches in which this novel could be seen, especially looking at how Wiesel came about writing such a heavy book after ten years of silence. Whenever I read a book, I try and read it like I am the author, looking over a final copy. That is the way I believe literature should be read, through the lenses of the author and when reading, you must think through the authorââ¬â¢s memories, and thoughts while writing. The author wrote this book after taking a self inflected ten-year oath of silence, never to speak of his experiencesâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦I think this is because this time in his life was so horrific, almost like a nightmare that he cant forget, that if he were to write about it, in the perspective of him as an adult remembering back to th at time, it wouldnââ¬â¢t have the same impact because of the different perspective. Elie didnââ¬â¢t have a childhood and was forced to grow up, when he was only fifteen, he was forced to act eighteen. Not only through numbers, ââ¬Å"Second, their childhood was cut short, as they were obliged to become adults too early, under pressure to be self-reliant, prudent, and responsible. Third, there is the hint of a changed experience of time. Exiles generally experience the passage of time differently in their homeland than in the reception countryâ⬠(Kroger, Hammel, 8-20). This experience completely changed who he could have been and that had an affected him for the rest of his life. There is a parallel between Elieââ¬â¢s journey through the holocaust and his childhood stages of self. It is important to look at how a childââ¬â¢s identity and moral development is built-up and how that is seen through Elieââ¬â¢s journey and how that affects his perspective. ââ¬Å"Self-concept can be viewed as a theory that links the childââ¬â¢s understanding of the nat ure of the world, the nature of the self and the meaning of interactions between the twoâ⬠(Newman, Philip, 253). Freudââ¬â¢s model ofShow MoreRelatedShadow of the Night619 Words à |à 3 PagesShadow of the Night On a freezing, dark blue night of Li, in the Village of Li-Marta. This was an old little village, the houses were nothing but ash and rubble except an old abandoned barn. The barn had creaking floor boards and a rotten wooden roof. In this abandoned barn there lived a young and confident farm boy; his clothes were ragged and full of holes. The young boy was called Rye named after the agricultural god Ren-Rye. As Rye was sitting on the creaking floor boards a thought hit himRead MoreThe Night By Elie Wiesel904 Words à |à 4 PagesIn Night by Elie Wiesel, the author reflects on his own experience of being separated from his family and eventually his own religion. This separation was not by any means voluntary, they were forced apart during the Holocaust. Wiesel was a Jew when the invasion of Hungary occurred and the Germans ripped members of his religion away from their home in Sighet. A once peaceful community where Wiesel learned to love the Kabbalah was now home to only dust and lost memories. Most members of that JewishRead MoreNight, By Eliezer Wiesel1585 Words à |à 7 Pages There are many important themes and overtones to the book Night, by Eliezer Wiesel. One of the major themes from the book includes the protagonist, and author of his memoire, Elie Wieselââ¬â¢s ever changing relationship with God. An example of this is when Moche the Beadle asked Elie an important question t hat would change his life forever, as the basis of his passion and aptitude for studying the ancient texts and teachings of Judaism, ââ¬Å"When Moche the Beadle asked Elie why he prayed, Elie couldn tRead MoreStarry Night971 Words à |à 4 PagesStarry Night is a beautiful painting, representational in the type of art. The size of the painting is 29 in. by 36 à ¼ in., and oil on canvas were the materials used. Van Gogh is using an expressive quality and an emotionalism viewpoint. On the left side of the painting, there is a group of black lines that curve in waves upward, coming to a point. To the lower right, there is a small town that leads up to hills and then mountains. The painting is set at night, and the sky is a wondrous swirl of burstingRead MoreThe Night Sky - Original Writing926 Words à |à 4 PagesIt was a dark and stormy night, the wind blows as the ghostly moonlight filled the darkness. George the highwayman made his way toward Bess the innkeeperââ¬â¢s daughte r. She was gazing out the window when the two of their eyes met. Hers, black as the night sky, and a dark red love knot placed on her hair. A red dress made of the fabric silk. Her hair was a dark brown, but could have been mistaken as black. Her outfit fit her personality as much as it did the highwayman. I hope he loves poetry.Read MoreSummary Of Night By Eli Wiesel1561 Words à |à 7 PagesNight by Eli Wiesel Amrinder Bhuller P.2 Author: The author of Night is Elie Wiesel. In my opinion, he did a very good job in writing this story! Eli was born on September 30, 1928. Eli is currently 86 and has written a lot of books. Eli had served as a prisoner Auschwitz and other concentration camps. He wrote all his experiences in this book. The Night talks about his experiences in these concentration camps and all he went through. Everything is probably historically correct because he wentRead MoreNight, Hope, By Elie Wiesel1580 Words à |à 7 Pagesthey grabbed onto it as tightly as they could. Throughout Elie Wieselââ¬â¢s memoir, Night, hope is a recurring theme. Elie and the people he was around were living in the darkest of conditions, but they still were able to shine a bright light on their situation. They remained hopeful, and this inspired the world. Putting all of this together, it is evident that the theme of hope was demonstrated throughout the book Night because Elie and the Jewish people tried to remain hopefu l as they were forced intoRead MoreThe s Night - Original Writing1526 Words à |à 7 PagesEverything that happened in Elie Wieselââ¬â¢s night. I will see, smell, and feel the holocaust through the eyes of Wiesel. ââ¬Å"Alright, uh, Yavin. Nice name. Iââ¬â¢m Mr. Hiraku. Are you ready?â⬠the teacher asked, looking down at his chart for my name. ââ¬Å"Yes sir.â⬠I answered, a bit shakily. I had used VR before for video games, but never for something so important. ââ¬Å"Alright. Iââ¬â¢m going to read you off some side effects involved with this experience. ââ¬ËWhile participating in the Night VR experience software, you may encounterRead MoreNight Time Tour951 Words à |à 4 Pagesonce more at the sea where the sunset splattered colors of red and orange on the rough surface of blue and violet. Although the boardwalk was lively with smells of French fries and the cries of seagulls, I nuzzled into the car seat and waited for the Night Time Tour to begin. I absolutely loved long car rides; it was the perfect excuse to let idle thoughts roam and to isolate myself from the world. I only observed the outside through the window of the family van, my personal theater. The images thatRead MoreLife Of The Night Market1280 Words à |à 6 PagesDIEBERT 2/8/15 LIFE OF THE NIGHT MARKET Every person has a place that he or she feels comfortable in, a place that he or she is belong to, a place that is important to him or her in some way. My significant place is not a glorious place, but it is different from any other place. The place that is important to me is the night market. It is a local night market right in the heart of downtown Saigon where is located in the southeastern region of Vietnam ââ¬â my country. The night market has its own beauty;
The Da Vinci Code Chapter 13-17 Free Essays
string(63) " had found the dot, he would have removed it and tried to run\." CHAPTER 13 For several seconds, Langdon stared in wonder at the photograph of Sauniereââ¬â¢s postscript. P. S. We will write a custom essay sample on The Da Vinci Code Chapter 13-17 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Find Robert Langdon.He felt as if the floor were tilting beneath his feet. Sauniere left a postscript with my name on it? In his wildest dreams, Langdon could not fathom why. ââ¬Å"Now do you understand,â⬠Sophie said, her eyes urgent,â⬠why Fache ordered you here tonight, and why you are his primary suspect?â⬠The only thing Langdon understood at the moment was why Fache had looked so smug when Langdon suggested Sauniere would have accused his killer by name. Find Robert Langdon. ââ¬Å"Why would Sauniere write this?â⬠Langdon demanded, his confusion now giving way to anger. ââ¬Å"Why would I want to kill Jacques Sauniere?â⬠ââ¬Å"Fache has yet to uncover a motive, but he has been recording his entire conversation with you tonight in hopes you might reveal one.â⬠Langdon opened his mouth, but still no words came. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s fitted with a miniature microphone,â⬠Sophie explained. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s connected to a transmitter in his pocket that radios the signal back to the command post.â⬠ââ¬Å"This is impossible,â⬠Langdon stammered. ââ¬Å"I have an alibi. I went directly back to my hotel after my lecture. You can ask the hotel desk.â⬠ââ¬Å"Fache already did. His report shows you retrieving your room key from the concierge at about ten- thirty. Unfortunately, the time of the murder was closer to eleven. You easily could have left your hotel room unseen.â⬠ââ¬Å"This is insanity! Fache has no evidence!â⬠Sophieââ¬â¢s eyes widened as if to say: No evidence?â⬠Mr. Langdon, your name is written on the floor beside the body, and Sauniereââ¬â¢s date book says you were with him at approximately the time of the murder.â⬠She paused. ââ¬Å"Fache has more than enough evidence to take you into custody for questioning.â⬠Langdon suddenly sensed that he needed a lawyer. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t do this.â⬠Sophie sighed. ââ¬Å"This is not American television, Mr. Langdon. In France, the laws protect the police, not criminals. Unfortunately, in this case, there is also the media consideration. Jacques Sauniere was a very prominent and well-loved figure in Paris, and his murder will be news in the morning. Fache will be under immediate pressure to make a statement, and he looks a lot better having a suspect in custody already. Whether or not you are guilty, you most certainly will be held by DCPJ until they can figure out what really happened.â⬠Langdon felt like a caged animal. ââ¬Å"Why are you telling me all this?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because, Mr. Langdon, I believe you are innocent.â⬠Sophie looked away for a moment and then back into his eyes. ââ¬Å"And also because it is partially my fault that youââ¬â¢re in trouble.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry? Itââ¬â¢s your fault Sauniere is trying to frame me?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sauniere wasnââ¬â¢t trying to frame you. It was a mistake. That message on the floor was meant for me.â⬠Langdon needed a minute to process that one. ââ¬Å"I beg your pardon?â⬠ââ¬Å"That message wasnââ¬â¢t for the police. He wrote it for me.I think he was forced to do everything in such a hurry that he just didnââ¬â¢t realize how it would look to the police.â⬠She paused. ââ¬Å"The numbered code is meaningless. Sauniere wrote it to make sure the investigation included cryptographers, ensuring that I would know as soon as possible what had happened to him.â⬠Langdon felt himself losing touch fast. Whether or not Sophie Neveu had lost her mind was at this point up for grabs, but at least Langdon now understood why she was trying to help him. P. S.Find Robert Langdon.She apparently believed the curator had left her a cryptic postscript telling her to find Langdon. ââ¬Å"But why do you think his message was for you?â⬠ââ¬Å"The Vitruvian Man,â⬠she said flatly. ââ¬Å"That particular sketch has always been my favorite Da Vinci work. Tonight he used it to catch my attention.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hold on. Youââ¬â¢re saying the curator knew your favorite piece of art?â⬠She nodded. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry. This is all coming out of order. Jacques Sauniere and Iâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Sophieââ¬â¢s voice caught, and Langdon heard a sudden melancholy there, a painful past, simmering just below the surface. Sophie and Jacques Sauniere apparently had some kind of special relationship. Langdon studied the beautiful young woman before him, well aware that aging men in France often took young mistresses. Even so, Sophie Neveu as aâ⬠kept womanâ⬠somehow didnââ¬â¢t seem to fit. ââ¬Å"We had a falling-out ten years ago,â⬠Sophie said, her voice a whisper now. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve barely spoken since. Tonight, when Crypto got the call that he had been murdered, and I saw the images of his body and text on the floor, I realized he was trying to send me a message.â⬠ââ¬Å"Because of The Vitruvian Man?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes. And the letters P. S.â⬠ââ¬Å"Post Script?â⬠She shook her head. ââ¬Å"P. S. are my initials.â⬠ââ¬Å"But your name is Sophie Neveu.â⬠She looked away. ââ¬Å"P. S. is the nickname he called me when I lived with him.â⬠She blushed. ââ¬Å"It stood for Princesse Sophieâ⬠Langdon had no response. ââ¬Å"Silly, I know,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"But it was years ago. When I was a little girl.â⬠ââ¬Å"You knew him when you were a little girl?â⬠ââ¬Å"Quite well,â⬠she said, her eyes welling now with emotion. ââ¬Å"Jacques Sauniere was my grandfather.â⬠CHAPTER 14 ââ¬Å"Whereââ¬â¢s Langdon?â⬠Fache demanded, exhaling the last of a cigarette as he paced back into the command post. ââ¬Å"Still in the menââ¬â¢s room, sir.â⬠Lieutenant Collet had been expecting the question. Fache grumbled,â⬠Taking his time, I see.â⬠The captain eyed the GPS dot over Colletââ¬â¢s shoulder, and Collet could almost hear the wheels turning. Fache was fighting the urge to go check on Langdon. Ideally, the subject of an observation was allowed the most time and freedom possible, lulling him into a false sense of security. Langdon needed to return of his own volition. Still, it had been almost ten minutes. Too long. ââ¬Å"Any chance Langdon is onto us?â⬠Fache asked. Collet shook his head. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re still seeing small movements inside the menââ¬â¢s room, so the GPS dot is obviously still on him. Perhaps he feels ill? If he had found the dot, he would have removed it and tried to run. You read "The Da Vinci Code Chapter 13-17" in category "Essay examples"â⬠Fache checked his watch. ââ¬Å"Fine.â⬠Still Fache seemed preoccupied. All evening, Collet had sensed an atypical intensity in his captain. Usually detached and cool under pressure, Fache tonight seemed emotionally engaged, as if this were somehow a personal matter for him. Not surprising, Collet thought. Fache needs this arrest desperately.Recently the Board of Ministers and the media had become more openly critical of Facheââ¬â¢s aggressive tactics, his clashes with powerful foreign embassies, and his gross over budgeting on new technologies. Tonight, a high-tech, high-profile arrest of an American would go a long way to silence Facheââ¬â¢s critics, helping him secure the job a few more years until he could retire with the lucrative pension. God knows he needs the pension, Collet thought. Facheââ¬â¢s zeal for technology had hurt him both professionally and personally. Fache was rumored to have invested his entire savings in the technology craze a few years back and lost his shirt. And Fache is a man who wears only the finest shirts. Tonight, there was still plenty of time. Sophie Neveuââ¬â¢s odd interruption, though unfortunate, had been only a minor wrinkle. She was gone now, and Fache still had cards to play. He had yet to inform Langdon that his name had been scrawled on the floor by the victim. P. S.Find Robert Langdon.The Americanââ¬â¢s reaction to that little bit of evidence would be telling indeed. ââ¬Å"Captain?â⬠one of the DCPJ agents now called from across the office. ââ¬Å"I think you better take this call.â⬠He was holding out a telephone receiver, looking concerned. ââ¬Å"Who is it?â⬠Fache said. The agent frowned. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s the director of our Cryptology Department.â⬠ââ¬Å"And?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s about Sophie Neveu, sir. Something is not quite right.â⬠CHAPTER 15 It was time. Silas felt strong as he stepped from the black Audi, the nighttime breeze rustling his loose-fitting robe. The winds of change are in the air.He knew the task before him would require more finesse than force, and he left his handgun in the car. The thirteen-round Heckler Koch USP 40 had been provided by the Teacher. A weapon of death has no place in a house of God. The plaza before the great church was deserted at this hour, the only visible souls on the far side of Place Saint-Sulpice a couple of teenage hookers showing their wares to the late night tourist traffic. Their nubile bodies sent a familiar longing to Silasââ¬â¢s loins. His thigh flexed instinctively, causing the barbed cilice belt to cut painfully into his flesh. The lust evaporated instantly. For ten years now, Silas had faithfully denied himself all sexual indulgence, even self-administered. It was The Way.He knew he had sacrificed much to follow Opus Dei, but he had received much more in return. A vow of celibacy and the relinquishment of all personal assets hardly seemed a sacrifice. Considering the poverty from which he had come and the sexual horrors he had endured in prison, celibacy was a welcome change. Now, having returned to France for the first time since being arrested and shipped to prison in Andorra, Silas could feel his homeland testing him, dragging violent memories from his redeemed soul. You have been reborn, he reminded himself. His service to God today had required the sin of murder, and it was a sacrifice Silas knew he would have to hold silently in his heart for all eternity. The measure of your faith is the measure of the pain you can endure, the Teacher had told him. Silas was no stranger to pain and felt eager to prove himself to the Teacher, the one who had assured him his actions were ordained by a higher power. ââ¬Å"Hago la obra de Dios,â⬠Silas whispered, moving now toward the church entrance. Pausing in the shadow of the massive doorway, he took a deep breath. It was not until this instant that he truly realized what he was about to do, and what awaited him inside. The keystone. It will lead us to our final goal. He raised his ghost-white fist and banged three times on the door. Moments later, the bolts of the enormous wooden portal began to move. CHAPTER 16 Sophie wondered how long it would take Fache to figure out she had not left the building. Seeing that Langdon was clearly overwhelmed, Sophie questioned whether she had done the right thing by cornering him here in the menââ¬â¢s room. What else was I supposed to do? She pictured her grandfatherââ¬â¢s body, naked and spread-eagle on the floor. There was a time when he had meant the world to her, yet tonight, Sophie was surprised to feel almost no sadness for the man. Jacques Sauniere was a stranger to her now. Their relationship had evaporated in a single instant one March night when she was twenty-two. Ten years ago.Sophie had come home a few days early from graduate university in England and mistakenly witnessed her grandfather engaged in something Sophie was obviously not supposed to see. It was an image she barely could believe to this day. If I hadnââ¬â¢t seen it with my own eyesâ⬠¦ Too ashamed and stunned to endure her grandfatherââ¬â¢s pained attempts to explain, Sophie immediately moved out on her own, taking money she had saved, and getting a small flat with some roommates. She vowed never to speak to anyone about what she had seen. Her grandfather tried desperately to reach her, sending cards and letters, begging Sophie to meet him so he could explain. Explain how!? Sophie never responded except once ââ¬â to forbid him ever to call her or try to meet her in public. She was afraid his explanation would be more terrifying than the incident itself. Incredibly, Sauniere had never given up on her, and Sophie now possessed a decadeââ¬â¢s worth of correspondence unopened in a dresser drawer. To her grandfatherââ¬â¢s credit, he had never once disobeyed her request and phoned her. Until this afternoon. ââ¬Å"Sophie?â⬠His voice had sounded startlingly old on her answering machine. ââ¬Å"I have abided by your wishes for so longâ⬠¦ and it pains me to call, but I must speak to you. Something terrible has happened.â⬠Standing in the kitchen of her Paris flat, Sophie felt a chill to hear him again after all these years. His gentle voice brought back a flood of fond childhood memories. ââ¬Å"Sophie, please listen.â⬠He was speaking English to her, as he always did when she was a little girl. Practice French at school.Practice English at home. ââ¬Å"You cannot be mad forever. Have you not read the letters that Iââ¬â¢ve sent all these years? Do you not yet understand?â⬠He paused. ââ¬Å"We must speak at once. Please grant your grandfather this one wish. Call me at the Louvre. Right away. I believe you and I are in grave danger.â⬠Sophie stared at the answering machine. Danger? What was he talking about? ââ¬Å"Princessâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Her grandfatherââ¬â¢s voice cracked with an emotion Sophie could not place. ââ¬Å"I know Iââ¬â¢ve kept things from you, and I know it has cost me your love. But it was for your own safety. Now you must know the truth. Please, I must tell you the truth about your family.â⬠Sophie suddenly could hear her own heart. My family? Sophieââ¬â¢s parents had died when she was only four. Their car went off a bridge into fast-moving water. Her grandmother and younger brother had also been in the car, and Sophieââ¬â¢s entire family had been erased in an instant. She had a box of newspaper clippings to confirm it. His words had sent an unexpected surge of longing through her bones. My family! In that fleeting instant, Sophie saw images from the dream that had awoken her countless times when she was a little girl: My family is alive! They are coming home! But, as in her dream, the pictures evaporated into oblivion. Your family is dead, Sophie. They are not coming home. ââ¬Å"Sophieâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ her grandfather said on the machine. ââ¬Å"I have been waiting for years to tell you. Waiting for the right moment, but now time has run out. Call me at the Louvre. As soon as you get this. Iââ¬â¢ll wait here all night. I fear we both may be in danger. Thereââ¬â¢s so much you need to know.â⬠The message ended. In the silence, Sophie stood trembling for what felt like minutes. As she considered her grandfatherââ¬â¢s message, only one possibility made sense, and his true intent dawned. It was bait. Obviously, her grandfather wanted desperately to see her. He was trying anything. Her disgust for the man deepened. Sophie wondered if maybe he had fallen terminally ill and had decided to attempt any ploy he could think of to get Sophie to visit him one last time. If so, he had chosen wisely. My family. Now, standing in the darkness of the Louvre menââ¬â¢s room, Sophie could hear the echoes of this afternoonââ¬â¢s phone message. Sophie, we both may be in danger.Call me. She had not called him. Nor had she planned to. Now, however, her skepticism had been deeply challenged. Her grandfather lay murdered inside his own museum. And he had written a code on the floor. A code for her.Of this, she was certain. Despite not understanding the meaning of his message, Sophie was certain its cryptic nature was additional proof that the words were intended for her. Sophieââ¬â¢s passion and aptitude for cryptography were a product of growing up with Jacques Sauniere ââ¬â a fanatic himself for codes, word games, and puzzles. How many Sundays did we spend doing the cryptograms and crosswords in the newspaper? At the age of twelve, Sophie could finish the Le Monde crossword without any help, and her grandfather graduated her to crosswords in English, mathematical puzzles, and substitution ciphers. Sophie devoured them all. Eventually she turned her passion into a profession by becoming a code breaker for the Judicial Police. Tonight, the cryptographer in Sophie was forced to respect the efficiency with which her grandfather had used a simple code to unite two total strangers ââ¬â Sophie Neveu and Robert Langdon. The question was why? Unfortunately, from the bewildered look in Langdonââ¬â¢s eyes, Sophie sensed the American had no more idea than she did why her grandfather had thrown them together. She pressed again. ââ¬Å"You and my grandfather had planned to meet tonight. What about?â⬠Langdon looked truly perplexed. ââ¬Å"His secretary set the meeting and didnââ¬â¢t offer any specific reason, and I didnââ¬â¢t ask. I assumed heââ¬â¢d heard I would be lecturing on the pagan iconography of French cathedrals, was interested in the topic, and thought it would be fun to meet for drinks after the talk.â⬠Sophie didnââ¬â¢t buy it. The connection was flimsy. Her grandfather knew more about pagan iconography than anyone else on earth. Moreover, he an exceptionally private man, not someone prone to chatting with random American professors unless there were an important reason. Sophie took a deep breath and probed further. ââ¬Å"My grandfather called me this afternoon and told me he and I were in grave danger. Does that mean anything to you?â⬠Langdonââ¬â¢s blue eyes now clouded with concern. ââ¬Å"No, but considering what just happenedâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Sophie nodded. Considering tonightââ¬â¢s events, she would be a fool not to be frightened. Feeling drained, she walked to the small plate-glass window at the far end of the bathroom and gazed out in silence through the mesh of alarm tape embedded in the glass. They were high up ââ¬â forty feet at least. Sighing, she raised her eyes and gazed out at Parisââ¬â¢s dazzling landscape. On her left, across the Seine, the illuminated Eiffel Tower. Straight ahead, the Arc de Triomphe. And to the right, high atop the sloping rise of Montmartre, the graceful arabesque dome of Sacre-Coeur, its polished stone glowing white like a resplendent sanctuary. Here at the westernmost tip of the Denon Wing, the north-south thoroughfare of Place du Carrousel ran almost flush with the building with only a narrow sidewalk separating it from the Louvreââ¬â¢s outer wall. Far below, the usual caravan of the cityââ¬â¢s nighttime delivery trucks sat idling, waiting for the signals to change, their running lights seeming to twinkle mockingly up at Sophie. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know what to say,â⬠Langdon said, coming up behind her. ââ¬Å"Your grandfather is obviously trying to tell us something. Iââ¬â¢m sorry Iââ¬â¢m so little help.â⬠Sophie turned from the window, sensing a sincere regret in Langdonââ¬â¢s deep voice. Even with all the trouble around him, he obviously wanted to help her. The teacher in him, she thought, having read DCPJââ¬â¢s workup on their suspect. This was an academic who clearly despised not understanding. We have that in common, she thought. As a code breaker, Sophie made her living extracting meaning from seemingly senseless data. Tonight, her best guess was that Robert Langdon, whether he knew it or not, possessed information that she desperately needed. Princesse Sophie, Find Robert Langdon.How much clearer could her grandfatherââ¬â¢s message be? Sophie needed more time with Langdon. Time to think. Time to sort out this mystery together. Unfortunately, time was running out. Gazing up at Langdon, Sophie made the only play she could think of. ââ¬Å"Bezu Fache will be taking you into custody at any minute. I can get you out of this museum. But we need to act now.â⬠Langdonââ¬â¢s eyes went wide. ââ¬Å"You want me to run?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s the smartest thing you could do. If you let Fache take you into custody now, youââ¬â¢ll spend weeks in a French jail while DCPJ and the U. S. Embassy fight over which courts try your case. But if we get you out of here, and make it to your embassy, then your government will protect your rights while you and I prove you had nothing to do with this murder.â⬠Langdon looked not even vaguely convinced. ââ¬Å"Forget it! Fache has armed guards on every single exit! Even if we escape without being shot, running away only makes me look guilty. You need to tell Fache that the message on the floor was for you, and that my name is not there as an accusation.â⬠ââ¬Å"I will do that,â⬠Sophie said, speaking hurriedly,â⬠but after youââ¬â¢re safely inside the U. S. Embassy. Itââ¬â¢s only about a mile from here, and my car is parked just outside the museum. Dealing with Fache from here is too much of a gamble. Donââ¬â¢t you see? Fache has made it his mission tonight to prove you are guilty. The only reason he postponed your arrest was to run this observance in hopes you did something that made his case stronger.â⬠ââ¬Å"Exactly. Like running!â⬠The cell phone in Sophieââ¬â¢s sweater pocket suddenly began ringing. Fache probably.She reached in her sweater and turned off the phone. ââ¬Å"Mr. Langdon,â⬠she said hurriedly,â⬠I need to ask you one last question.â⬠And your entire future may depend on it. ââ¬Å"The writing on the floor is obviously not proof of your guilt, and yet Fache told our team he is certain you are his man. Can you think of any other reason he might be convinced youââ¬â¢re guilty?â⬠Langdon was silent for several seconds. ââ¬Å"None whatsoever.â⬠Sophie sighed. Which means Fache is lying.Why, Sophie could not begin to imagine, but that was hardly the issue at this point. The fact remained that Bezu Fache was determined to put Robert Langdon behind bars tonight, at any cost. Sophie needed Langdon for herself, and it was this dilemma that left Sophie only one logical conclusion. I need to get Langdon to the U. S. Embassy. Turning toward the window, Sophie gazed through the alarm mesh embedded in the plate glass, down the dizzying forty feet to the pavement below. A leap from this height would leave Langdon with a couple of broken legs. At best. Nonetheless, Sophie made her decision. Robert Langdon was about to escape the Louvre, whether he wanted to or not. CHAPTER 17 ââ¬Å"What do you mean sheââ¬â¢s not answering?â⬠Fache looked incredulous. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re calling her cell phone, right? I know sheââ¬â¢s carrying it.â⬠Collet had been trying to reach Sophie now for several minutes. ââ¬Å"Maybe her batteries are dead. Or her ringerââ¬â¢s off.â⬠Fache had looked distressed ever since talking to the director of Cryptology on the phone. After hanging up, he had marched over to Collet and demanded he get Agent Neveu on the line. Now Collet had failed, and Fache was pacing like a caged lion. ââ¬Å"Why did Crypto call?â⬠Collet now ventured. Fache turned. ââ¬Å"To tell us they found no references to Draconian devils and lame saints.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s all?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, also to tell us that they had just identified the numerics as Fibonacci numbers, but they suspected the series was meaningless.â⬠Collet was confused. ââ¬Å"But they already sent Agent Neveu to tell us that.â⬠Fache shook his head. ââ¬Å"They didnââ¬â¢t send Neveu.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"According to the director, at my orders he paged his entire team to look at the images Iââ¬â¢d wired him. When Agent Neveu arrived, she took one look at the photos of Sauniere and the code and left the office without a word. The director said he didnââ¬â¢t question her behavior because she was understandably upset by the photos.â⬠ââ¬Å"Upset? Sheââ¬â¢s never seen a picture of a dead body?â⬠Fache was silent a moment. ââ¬Å"I was not aware of this, and it seems neither was the director until a coworker informed him, but apparently Sophie Neveu is Jacques Sauniereââ¬â¢s granddaughter.â⬠Collet was speechless. ââ¬Å"The director said she never once mentioned Sauniere to him, and he assumed it was because she probably didnââ¬â¢t want preferential treatment for having a famous grandfather.â⬠No wonder she was upset by the pictures.Collet could barely conceive of the unfortunate coincidence that called in a young woman to decipher a code written by a dead family member. Still, her actions made no sense. ââ¬Å"But she obviously recognized the numbers as Fibonacci numbers because she came here and told us. I donââ¬â¢t understand why she would leave the office without telling anyone she had figured it out.â⬠Collet could think of only one scenario to explain the troubling developments: Sauniere had written a numeric code on the floor in hopes Fache would involve cryptographers in the investigation, and therefore involve his own granddaughter. As for the rest of the message, was Saunie recommunicating in some way with his granddaughter? If so, what did the message tell her? And how did Langdon fit in? Before Collet could ponder it any further, the silence of the deserted museum was shattered by an alarm. The bell sounded like it was coming from inside the Grand Gallery. ââ¬Å"Alarme!â⬠one of the agents yelled, eyeing his feed from the Louvre security center. ââ¬Å"GrandeGalerie! Toilettes Messieurs!â⬠Fache wheeled to Collet. ââ¬Å"Whereââ¬â¢s Langdon?â⬠ââ¬Å"Still in the menââ¬â¢s room!â⬠Collet pointed to the blinking red dot on his laptop schematic. ââ¬Å"He must have broken the window!â⬠Collet knew Langdon wouldnââ¬â¢t get far. Although Paris fire codes required windows above fifteen meters in public buildings be breakable in case of fire, exiting a Louvre second-story window without the help of a hook and ladder would be suicide. Furthermore, there were no trees or grass on the western end of the Denon Wing to cushion a fall. Directly beneath that rest room window, the two-lane Place du Carrousel ran within a few feet of the outer wall. ââ¬Å"My God,â⬠Collet exclaimed, eyeing the screen. ââ¬Å"Langdonââ¬â¢s moving to the window ledge!â⬠But Fache was already in motion. Yanking his Manurhin MR-93 revolver from his shoulder holster, the captain dashed out of the office. Collet watched the screen in bewilderment as the blinking dot arrived at the window ledge and then did something utterly unexpected. The dot moved outside the perimeter of the building. Whatââ¬â¢s going on? he wondered. Is Langdon out on a ledge or ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Jesu!â⬠Collet jumped to his feet as the dot shot farther outside the wall. The signal seemed to shudder for a moment, and then the blinking dot came to an abrupt stop about ten yards outside the perimeter of the building. Fumbling with the controls, Collet called up a Paris street map and recalibrated the GPS. Zooming in, he could now see the exact location of the signal. It was no longer moving. It lay at a dead stop in the middle of Place du Carrousel. Langdon had jumped. How to cite The Da Vinci Code Chapter 13-17, Essay examples
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Sociological View of Family
Introduction Through the evaluation of the historical and current perceptions of families, this essay evaluates the sociological view of the family unit. To achieve this goal, this paper explores the sociological concepts, theories, and historical basis of the family unit to explain its purpose in the society.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Sociological View of Family specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In detail, this paper explores important issues concerning the family, such as, what families are supposed to do, the public and private purposes of family, and how the societal perceptions of families, as private and public goods, have evolved throughout the years. However, to have a better grasp of these issues, it is important to understand the family in focus ââ¬â first family of America. First family of the United States (US) The 44th president of America, Barack Obama, currently heads the first family of t he United States (US). Michelle Obama is the wife of the president and by virtue of matrimonial relationship; she is the first lady of the US. Barack and Michelle Obama have only two children, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama. Because of the public attention that most people give the first family, this paper uses this social unit to explain the social significance of the family through the postmodern theory and the symbolic interaction theory Symbolic Interaction Theory Max Weber developed the symbolic interaction theory by saying the perception of people regarding their environment informs their behavioral ideas and social approvals (social construction) (Crossman, 2013, p. 1). His idea was informed by the fact that the actions of most people usually depend on their understanding of the meaning of the world. Many researchers have touted this understanding as an important component of the sociological framework theory because it explains the premise that most sociologists use to understa nd social interactions (Crossman, 2013). The symbolic interaction theory is central to the understanding of the first family because the first family is symbolic of the highest status of a family unit in America. Based on this high social standing that the first family enjoys in America, the symbolic interaction theory helps to explain the subjective meanings that most people attribute to such a symbolic social unit. Understanding peopleââ¬â¢s subjective meanings, in this context, is essential to the understanding of the first family because Crossman (2013) says, people base their opinions on what they believe is right, and not what is objectively true.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Even though the symbolic interaction theory is a major framework of the sociological theory, some pundits say that the theory does not address the macro-understanding of social interactions (Cro ssman, 2013). In other words, these critics claim the symbolic interaction theory fails to capture the ââ¬Å"big pictureâ⬠of human interactions. The reason behind this criticism is the belief that many proponents of the symbolic interaction theory prefer to use social forces to explain human interaction, which is a wrong approach, according to the critics (Crossman, 2013). Postmodern Theory Similar to the symbolic interaction theory, the postmodern theory also explains the existence of the first family in a more intricate manner than other theories do. Through the understanding of life conditions that inform modern society, the postmodern theory explains the historical underpinnings that led to the creation of the first family, especially after the 20th century (Milner, 2013). A significant component of this narration, which directly explains the creation and the symbolism of the first family, is the ubiquity of mass media and the mass provision of goods and services, as a ke y component of postmodernism. Through a pragmatic understanding of this relationship, it is easy to see how the first family is a symbolic depiction of the shift from manufacturing to service economies (in the postmodern period). Stated differently, the first family represents a symbol of governance which is supposed to provide services to the electorate. Therefore, as the electorate votes for the president, they expect his/her government to provide them with services. The first family therefore sits in the Whitehouse, not as a symbol of adoration, but as a hallmark of services to the American public. To further elaborate this conception, it is also important to include the component of postmodernism ââ¬â mass media ââ¬â that elevates the position of the first family in the American society. Through mass media, the activities of the Obamas are always under public scrutiny. Media outlets represent the family as a symbol of social construction. Consequently, their activities, relationships, and behaviors are always presented to Americans. Mass media therefore play an instrumental role in promoting the profile of the first family.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Sociological View of Family specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Regardless of the role of the postmodern theory in understanding the first family, some critics say the postmodern theory lacks crucial characteristics of a reliable theory because it is only partly representative of the modern project (Milner, 2013). This group of critics also believes that postmodernism lacks the ability to grow because postmodernism is a phase that may disappear as the world develops (Milner, 2013). Nonetheless, most of the criticism advanced against the postmodern theory stems from people who do not support modernism, or its antecedents, in the first place. Public and Private Purposes of Families Cherlin (2013) conceives families as having two ma in purposes ââ¬â private and public purposes. People may understand the private purpose of the family through the understanding of the way most people live their daily lives. Through this understanding, the private purpose of the family includes the comprehension of private and intimate personal issues regarding family-life, like how many children to have, when to marry, and similar concerns (Ross, 2006). It is easy to understand the public purpose of life through the way most families manage larger social issues like generational substitution and care for senior citizens. In the same lens of analysis, people may understand the public purposes of family through the effect of government policies on family (Cherlin, 2013). Through the above understanding of private and public purposes of life, it is crucial to say that some of the most common private purposes of the family include socialization (learning right and wrong) and protection (where parents protect their children from ha rm). A common public purpose of family is procreation (the continuation of the human species) (Cherlin, 2013) (family purposes are however not limited to these issues). Evolution of Conceptions of Family as a Private and Public Good There has been a great transition in the conceptions of the family as a private and public good. One area of distinction between the historical and modern conception of the family is the limitation of observing family behavior. According to Ross (2006), the limited control of observing families is only a new trend that emerged in the 21st century. History shows that the access to social institutions that many people consider to be private today was more open in the colonial days than today (Laslett, 1973). A common consequence for the evolution of the family as a private institution is the increased control of audiences that observe families. The differentiation between the family as a private and public good stems from the distinction between work and f amily responsibilities. This development hinges on the start and spread of the industrial revolution (Laslett, 1973).Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Three major developments have changed the conception of families across time. One such development is the evolution of the family from the extended family to the nuclear family. As explained by Cancian (1990), this development has also led to the growth of companionship, as opposed to the comfort and protection that traditional family institutions provided. The modern period has also led to the loss of family functions because people are more mobile and disintegrated (in association) compared to the colonial days. In the past, the association with a family tree (say a powerful family) was a great symbol of power and wealth (Laslett, 1973). However, most aspects of this association have been broken down by modernity. Family members are therefore more individualistic. Therefore, gaining power by virtue of association does not always carry the day. Broadly, families today have become smaller and more private as more people demand exclusivity. Conclusion Based on the findings of this pa per, it is correct to say that our perceptions of families have evolved over the centuries. Today, many families are ââ¬Å"private goods,â⬠as opposed to traditional institutions of social focus. Indeed, the trend today shows that many families are becoming more private and exclusive, as opposed to the pre-colonial and colonial days when public scrutiny on families was more acceptable. Therefore, unless people regard certain families as ââ¬Å"public goodsâ⬠(like the first family); there is little acceptable scrutiny on modern families. The shift of the family as a public institution informs why there is a trend towards accepting families for their private purposes (like same-sex marriages for personal happiness), as opposed to public purposes, like procreation. References Cancian, F. (1990). Love in America: Gender and Self-Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Cherlin, A. (2013). Public and Private Families: An Introduction, 7th ed. McGraw-Hill: New York. Crossman, A. (2013). Symbolic Interaction Theory. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/symbolic-interaction-theory-3026633 Laslett, B. (1973). The Family as a Public and Private Institution: An Historical Perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 35(3), 480-492. Milner, M. (2013). Postmodernism and sociology: Can solidarity and be a substitute for objectivity? Virginia: University of Virginia. Ross, S. (2006). American Families Past And Present: Social Perspectives onà Transformations. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. This essay on Sociological View of Family was written and submitted by user Travis Golden to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
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