Blackpools Literature Character in Hard Times

Blackpool's Literature Character in "Hard Times" Charles Dickens Hard Times is a novel depicting the destructive forces of utilitarianism on the modern world following the Industrial Revolution. Through the vivid characters interwoven throughout the text, Dickens exemplifies the devastation caused by the mechanization and dehumanization of human beings as factory workers. This central theme is most readily seen in the tragic character of Stephen Blackpool and the unbefitting repetition of struggles he is forced to endure for the sake of morality and personal integrity. Even Stephens last name alludes to the somber, black pools of tragedy that immerse his life as a humble factory worker. Dickens uses the setting in which Stephen Blackpool lives, as well as his appearance, speech, social interactions, and death, to unashamedly attack the destructive nature of utilitarianism. In the tenth chapter of Dickens Book the First, Stephen Blackpool is first introduced as a character in the drab Coketown factory setting. In the hardest working part of Coketownwhere Nature was as strongly bricked out as killing airs and gases were bricked inthe whole an unnatural family, shouldering, and trampling, and pressing one another to deathamong the multitude of Coketownlived a certain Stephen Blackpool, forty years of age (68). Stephen comes from the inner most heart of the laboring town. Whereas personified Nature would be expected to live amongst a healthy community of people, artificial bricks have been erected in Coketown to create an unnatural town with images of deadly gas, fumes, and smog. Even the family unit, which is often viewed as the core element of most communities, has been cannibalized and set against itself with competition, shouldering, and trampling. Within the harsh and oftentimes dangerous world of factory labor, a man of forty years of age would be co nsidered an elder worker. For Steven to have survived to the age of forty attests to his diligence and endurance as a loom weaver. The setting in which Stephen is described emphasizes the contrast between the external, noxious environment and his true identity that is revealed as a man of heart, integrity, and goodness in the following chapters. Decades of work as a weaver in Coketown have shaped the physical appearance of Stephens body: a rather stooping man, with a knitted brow, a pondering expression of face, and a hard-looking head sufficiently capacious (68). Stern, weathered, and stooping images depict Stephens physical condition, but beyond the deep brow and hunching shoulders lie glimpses into his true character: a pondering, searching, hard-looking man with an ample capacity for goodness. Following this brief description of Stephens appearance, the reader is immediately told, whereby somebody else had become possessed of his roses, he had been possessed of somebody elses thorns in addition to his own (68). Undoubtedly Stephen Blackpool is an afflicted character with ragged scars from life in Coketown. The roses of life, whether rooted in a happy marriage, a faithful family, a satisfying job, or a life of fruitful works, have all been denied to Stephen. As a man with thorns and pain, Stephen cannot survive in his pre sent position. Coketown and other factory towns driven solely by industry and production do not value individuals like Stephen. He was a good power-loom weaver, and a man of perfect integrity (69). The primary value of Stephens life is placed in his identity as a good power-loom weaver. Only secondarily can he be described as having impeccable integrity because workers in this utilitarian system were solely valued in the quantitative measures of production. Through the character of Stephen Blackpool, Dickens asserts integrity and individuality have no place to root and grow in these bleak conditions. Allegorically, Stephen can be seen as a character that represents what happens to industrial workers when they are dehumanized and valued only for the sake of factory output. While this allegorical characterization holds true throughout Dickens novel, Stephen can also be examined on a distinct and unique level when compared to the other factory workers. When seen in relation to the other laborers, referred to as Hands in Hard Times, Stephen held no station among the other Hands who could make speeches and carry on debates (68). His simple speech and inability to deny personal integrity leads Stephen into further tragedy once Slackbridge and other union agitators rise up against him. After being cast out of his workers group, Stephen must report to the factory owner Mr. Bounderby. When prompted by Bounderby to relay information on the individuals instigating the United Aggregate Tribunal, Steven responds, Theyve not doon me a kindnessbut what believes as he has doon his duty by the re st and by himself. God forbid as I, that ha ettn an drooken wi em, an seetn wi em, and toiln wi em, and lovn em, should fail fur to stan by em wi the truth, let em ha doon to me what they may (151). Even though Stephen has been rejected and abandoned by his fellow workers, he refuses to give Bounderby any information to use against the laborers. Not only does Stephens character reflect the contrast between the agitators corruption and his own standard of virtue, but his character also emphasizes the contrasts between the laborers poverty and brotherhood as compared to Bounderbys affluence and self-interest. To greater exemplify the disparity between Stephen and Bounderbys characters, Dickens writes, Now, a Gods name, said Stephen Blackpool, show me the law to help me! Hem! Theres a sanctity in this relation of life, said Mr Bounderby, and-and-it must be kept up' (79). In communities like Coketown, equality between the factory laborers and owners cannot exist because prominent figures like Bounderby are sure to maintain sanctity and inequality no matter what the moral cost. When looking at the character of Stephen Blackpool, Dickens stresses the stark contrast and incompatibility between the ideals of utilitarian communities as opposed to the ideals of a man like Stephen Blackpool with perfect integrity. Once Stephen is exiled from Coketown for his alleged and unfounded blasphemy, he finds himself in search of a new home. Upon Stephens departure from Coketown, Dickens remarks, so strange to turn from the chimneys to the birds. So strange to have the road-dust on his feet instead of the coal-grit. So strange to have lived to his time of life, and yet to be beginning like a boy this summer morning! (167). So strange to fathom the persecution thrown on a man like Stephen Blackpool with faultless character. When Stephens name is eventually slandered for the robbery of Bounderbys bank, he decidedly returns to Coketown to defend his honor and integrity. However, after falling down the Old Hell Shaft, Stephen expresses his dying wish to Mr. Gradgrind, Sir, yo will clear me an mak my name good wi aw men. This I leave to you (274). Without a name of honor to live on, Coketowns agitators would eternally defeat Stephens integrity; therefore a cleared name for Stephen is of utmost importance. On ce Stephen succumbs to his fatal wounds from the fall, Dickens writes, the star had shown him where to find the God of the poor; and through humility, and sorrow, and forgiveness, he had gone to his Redeemers rest (275). Only in death can a good man like Stephen find peace and rest from the black pools of tragedy that plagued his life in the utilitarian setting of Coketown. Dickens theme of depicting the destructive forces of utilitarianism, mechanization, and dehumanization is found throughout the context of Hard Times, and specifically in the character of Stephen Blackpool. By shaping the honor displayed in this characters physical appearance, speech, social interactions and death to blatantly contrast the lack of morality in utilitarian industrialization, Dickens voices his condemnation on the destructive dehumanization present during this modern era. Unless changes are made, in the words of Stephen Blackpool ­a man of impeccable integrity ­the world will flood with black pools of tragedy and inevitably become a muddle! Aw a muddle! (273).

US border patrol UAV programs in Texas Case Study - 1

US border patrol UAV programs in Texas - Case Study Example The US Customs and Border Protection is an Agency quite known for its role in the protection of US borders. In fact, the specific Agency is responsible for the safety of Americans from terrorism or from illegal trade developed through the country’s borders.The successful implementation of plans related to issues of national importance, such as the protection of a country’s borders, is usually depended on a series of factors, such as the resources and the time available. The illegal entrance in USA is also controlled by the above Agency. Because of its crucial role in securing the safety of Americans from illegal activities, as indicatively mentioned above, the US Customs and Border Protection Agency has increased its value as a workplace offering many prospects to interested candidates. Current paper examines the profile of the specific Agency and its potentials/ value as a workplace; reference is made to a particular program of the above Agency: the US border patrol UA V programs in Texas. It is proved that the particular programs could offer a series of benefits to candidates who would be interested in working in the particular area. Of course, certain challenges related to the particular sector, as a workplace, cannot be avoided; however, these challenges could be easier confronted if the candidates were given the necessary support since their entrance in the particular service. II. US BORDER PATROL UAV PROGRAMS IN TEXAS IIa. US Customs and Border Protection - profile The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an Agency focusing on the protection of the borders of US from any potential threat – meaning terrorist attacks, violation of trade laws, illegal immigration and so on. The value of the Agency in enhancing the safety of the public in USA can be made clear through the Agency’s mission statement: ‘We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders; we protect the American public against terrorists and the instrum ents of terror’.1 The Agency’s mission statement also refers to the enforcement of the national laws especially in regard to the ‘international trade and travel’.2 In other words, the Agency has the responsibility for controlling the areas cited near the borders of US for any illegal activity; borders, in the above context, include land, water and air. The importance of the above targets for the members of the Agency is reflected in the Agency’s statement regarding its core values, as promoted through its members; it is explained that ‘the safety of all Americans’3 is the key priority of the members of the Agency. Additional values of the Agency are the following ones: the enhancement of the rules of the American constitution and the alignment of the Agency’s activities with ‘the highest morals principles’.4 The mission of the particular Agency, as described above, is quite challenging, especially if taking into cons ideration the importance of the country’s borders not just in terms of the economy, i.e. for controlling the value of goods imported in the country, but also in terms of the risks for criminal activity. Reference is made especially to the continuous increase of illegal immigrants entering the country – despite the hard efforts of CBP to monitor carefully the movement of persons and goods through the country’s borders. However, the effectiveness of CBP cannot be denied – especially if taking into consideration the size of USA – and the expansion of its borders. In order for the Agency to be able to respond to its mission, emphasis has been given on its structure.5 The Commissioner monitors all activities of the Agency; at the next level, five directors and the Chief of the Staff have been appointed to its of the CBP main departments –‘ Civil Rights, Policy & Planning, Trade Relations,

LANDSCAPE REHABILITATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

LANDSCAPE REHABILITATION - Essay Example Currently, the area is filled with water and disused from the excavations and the pits. The pits on the site have served as a dumping area for wastes for many decades and would require restoration. The restoration of the site will include removal of the excess water in the pits, filling the pits and planting appropriate plant species to improve the soil stability. The Strategic Context The Formulated Objectives i. To provide of an expert report on the means to rehabilitate Blackpool working area. The plan would provide procedures to realize a full reclamation and maintenance of the region. ii. To explain and the principles behind each technique employed in the process to foster understanding amongst the planets. The explanations would advise on the appropriate criterion by identifying the merits and demerits of each criterion and need for its implementation (Liddle, 1997). iii. To utilize the conventional models of reclamation on degenerated environments. http://www.mindat.org/gphoto s/0357418001078092838.jpg Setting of the Site The Plan Layout Retrieved on April 24th 2012 http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_0552001/report/vol1/vo_1.htm Site Plan and Design Design Considerations The Landscape Plan Goals To provide a strategic context for the plan would require the inclusion of created and approved objectives. The planners must also consider the incorporation of the local community in the selection of the site to use and the necessary facilities. To provide the feasibility framework for the rehabilitation will demand a plan for the site layout and the approved locations for landscaping, the phases of work and the procedures. The wildlife considerations will target the increment of the plants’ species diversification. The variation will additionally increase the number of the native animals’ populace that the Blackpool mining site can tolerate. Eventually, the other concern worth incorporation is the preference of the users. This consideration will define the entry point of the site and the order of entry and an arbor structure will be located at the entrance (Heywood & Carver, 2006). The Physical Reclamation Design This plan targets the creation of a conducive environment for the public into the Blackpool and creates a woodland feel within the urban setup. Plants should be located and accumulated to direct views and provide avenues in the space between the rehabilitated site and the Clay Works. The plants should be installed in natural arrangements. The plan should avert straightforward rows or formal procedures of planting trees. Limited groupings of similar plant species should offer the reigning pattern (Hawke & Jose, 1995).The planners have to consider reason for rehabilitation to provide a tentative guideline. The need for rehabilitation should direct the rehabilitating team on the areas to emphasize on with respect to the objectives. The availability of resources has to be addressed and considered as one of the critical facets for the success of the rehabilitation process. There has to be adequate finances to fund the process by hiring or purchasing the heavy machinery and tools together with the plant operators employed. The personnel involved in the rehabilitation process have to be competent and conversant with the geological and environmental issues. The ownership of the land is essential for consideration because the ownership