The English Barrier Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The English Barrier - Essay Example Due to this the import of immigrants is a contributing factor is a heavy offset. Therefore, near perfect accents will be very necessary for a non-native speaker to focus on work-related dealings. Similarly due to the internet burst, business dealing have also been brought to one’s home, free video calling and voice chats now mean that only emails will not be the form of business meetings, hence the need of speaking the language well. All of these factors coupled with more are explicitly explained in this research paper, joined along with personal opinion on the issue (Exforsys Inc, 2007). THESIS Before an opinion is laid out that whether it is necessary to have perfection in speaking of the English language, especially when the person learning will have to deal with people who are also speaking English as a non-native language, one has to skim through the reasons for learning English as a secondary language. The first and foremost being that of getting a job in an English spea king country, also if your interaction is with people who have English as their mother tongue. The second reason; being that of working in an environment where English dominates the working culture even if the mother tongue is not English. Also, the fact cannot be negated that most of the business done in any part of the world has something to do with countries other than yours, therefore a common language for correspondence is more often than not English and hence the need to learn the language is necessary. Similarly as mentioned before, the advent of technology has ensured that English governs the world as no other language ever has done in the history of mankind. Some experts go on record to claim that this is now the king of languages, and may never be dethroned. Some cynics also foresee it as not the case, since some major socio-political issues in the world may deem a universal language unnecessary. All these factors aside, the use of English language for the common man is fa st turning out to be the tool needed for making big bucks in this ever drowning economy of the world (Mydans, 2007). OPINION There are always two faces to a coin, both opposite and totally different. Similarly this topic constitutes a debate about the proficiency of oral English, especially when the people one has to talk to are not well versed with the English language. Many people think that it is unnecessary for a person to be proficient in English speaking skills as there is no such need for them when conversing or corresponding with a person whose native language is not English. I tend to disagree with the hypothesis. There are many reasons to my biasness with this topic. First of them being, the level of professionalism is a key factor in inducing people to do work or business with you. An aura of professionalism oozes out for the person in front of you to see and admire. Such will be the effect that half your problems will be solved. Another major issue that is solved when on e is proficient in speaking English is that; at times, is very unfamiliar with the language, as it is his second language. Therefore one has to change gears in his vocabulary to come to a lower level, this feat can only be performed if you are well-versed in the language, not only in reading and writing but also in speaking. Many people take good

Public Speaking And The Road To Success

Public Speaking And The Road To Success This is my first assignment in Public Speaking, and my topic is The Road to Success. I choose The Road to Success to be my topic is because I consider that it is very important to us. In our life we have many of choice and those choices are the Road. The Road that we choose will be reflected in our future. Are the Road is go to Success or Failure it is not just choose it only and we also have to know how to walk on the Road that we choose. Perhaps we will meet many difficulties and setbacks on the Road, but we must be strong enough to face it, to reach the destination that named success. Otherwise we can only reach to the destination that named failure. Body Definition of The Road to Success The Road to Success is means that the Road go to the Success, this road is not easy to go through because you may be will meet many of the problem and obstacle. But you cannot give up and you have to be strong and courageous to face it because at the back of those problem and obstacle, have your destination that called Success. If you choose to marking time or just choose to only take the shortcuts, you will never reach to the Success, and you may be will go to the place that called Failure! 3 Road To Success Many of the people would ask me that why we to choose the Road, it is because in our life we dont just have one Road only because we have many of the Road to choose and we have to choose it also. I know that wants to make a decision is not an easy thing, and it is not only related to you now, it will also involve you in the future. So when you are make a decision, you must to know that it will bring what consequences for you, and you also have to know that are you made the right decision for you, at the last that you have to bear that all any consequences that it will bring to you in your life. I know that The Road to Success is not an easy Road to walk on, but you have to know that in this world there is no free lunch. So if you want to achieve your goal, you have to know that how to pay for it. It is because if you do not want to make any pay, you will not get anything from the return. So do not think that the benefits of this world will just fall from the sky for you that are because you are not the special one in the world. So anyone that who wants to reaches to the Success, he or she has to be go through on the Road that he or she choose. 4 But I want to tell you all that, if you really want go to the Success, you have to go exactly straight, and if you meet so many of problem and obstacle on the Road that you have choose, please be strong and courageous to face it, do not just escaping from all the problems and obstacles, then just look for those shortcuts. Because when you are walk on the wrong step, you will not arrive to the destination that called Success any more, and you will arrive to the place that called Failure. So I hope that when you all choose your own Road in the time, please think clearly that what Road you have choose and do not just think that you wants to reach to the destination in the short time. We all are normal people; no any one of us is an exception, so that we all will have the experienced on the same way, so please do not think that only you have to go through on the Road. Even those well-known entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists, musicians and so on. They also just like us. They also have to go through such a difficult Road, you have to know that the reason that why today they will be so successful is because they do not give up their choice on the Road that they choose, they were brave to face the Road that are brought so many problems for they. Therefore, today, they will so successful! So do not easily to give up or go back because as long as you are willing to face whatever will comes on the Road that you choose, one day you will also become like them so successful! 5 The Road that each person choose are different, and perhaps that the Road that some people choose are go very easily, but you no need have to envy them because it may have been before he already put a lot of his thoughts on the Road that he choose that you do not know. So you just need to focus on your own Road is enough already, remember that the more you pay, the more that you can also can get. As long as you are willing to pay for it, so you no need to fear that you will not get anything returns from it because time will prove all. Rome and the pyramids are not built in a day, they are also using a lot of time to build it, so if you want to success is also not just in a short time you will success, perhaps walk on the Road that you choose cost you a lot of time, but please believe me that it definitely worth your time to spend. As long as you have the heart to walk on the Road that you choose, one day you will reach to the destination that called Success. So time is not any problem for you. God is fair for everyone. So the Road that you choose that go to Success must be broaden by yourself, but is it will bring you reach to the success? That is only you can go through by the decision that you choose because the fate is rests in your own hands you have to find out by yourself. 6 Poem by Sylvia Chidi The Road to Success We all want to walk on the road of success But do you day by day measure your progress Do you have a vision? Do you have a mission? You need one even if it is inspired by television We all want to walk on the road of success But do you day by day measure your progress Critically look at your personal development Grizzle over the final accomplishment Decide on the instruments you need at the moment? On its road, there are many paths to take With many sacrifices along the way to make Patience, faith and hard work, please dont forsake Or your dreams will pour empty into a wide lake We all want to walk on the road of success But do you day by day measure your progress Is your vision greater than greatness? You are the first one you must try to impress Take a step at a time and do not digress For success when achieved, I say without sarcasm Is more gratifying than any orgasm 7 Conclusion When finish my Public Speaking assignment I found out that wants to do a assignment is not an easy work. But because of my topic The Road to Success, no matter how hard or how difficult it is, I have to be strong to face it. So I did not give up and today my assignment already finish. I choose the Road so I have to go through it, when I was walk on the Road I have meet many problem but I use my best to solve all the problem that I meet, so now I already reach to my Success. The Success that I reach is I finish my assignment. 8 Reference

A Modern Version of Shakespeares Play, Henry V Essay -- Henry IV Henr

A Modern Version of Shakespeare's Play, Henry V The play Henry V, currently being staged at the University of Alberta student theatre, exemplifies an innovative manner of bringing the historic play into the modern era of technology. Set in the form of two multinational corporations: England and France, the play details the metaphoric battle for the market share from the two companies. Set in the current era circa 2002, the props and set for the play incorporate several technological innovations of the twenty first century. The workers for the corporation mirror the class system of the nobility, clergy and commoners in the play. The members of the clergy and nobility are analogous to the advisors, high-level executives, and members of the board of directors while the King fills the role of the Chief Executive Officer. The commoners and peasants are other employees of the firm such as the clerical staff and other related permissions. Their wardrobe is reflected accordingly the high-level business people wear suits of the finest calibre and the lower level workers wear attire that is considerably less formal. It was in this way that the audience is able to discern the respective classes from each other. This illustration of class distinction was most clearly portrayed in Act four Scene one where Henry changes into less formal wear as he goes down to the lunchroom and begins to converse with the publicists and other commoners that frequent the company's cafeteria. It is here within his masquerade th at he learns the morale of the workers and their attitude towards their executives. The entity of the chorus, which serves as the narrator of the play, still holds true to that function as a camera crew and news reporte... ...ing something that they had either experienced or had a family member experience. As a result, it caused them to identify with the play. The manner in which this play has been configured such that it is drawing on the predatory and imperialistic tendencies displayed by multinational conglomerates provides a way for today's audience to identify with the plight of the characters and their realm. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Henry V. The Norton Shakespeare Based on the Oxford Edition: Histories. Eds. Greenblatt, Stephen et al. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. 736-793. Works Consulted Ganz, Arthur. "Henry V In New York". Shakespeare Quarterly 35:4 (1984): 470-471 Speaight, Robert. "Shakespeare in Performance". Shakespeare Quarterly 36:5 (1985): 534-540. Stokes, Swell. "The Oliviers". Theatre Arts 29:12 (1945): 711-718.

An Analysis of Noli me tangere by Jose Rizal Essay

The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and epilogue. It begins with a reception given by Capitan Tiago (Santiago de los Santos) at his house in Calle Analogue (now Juan Luna Street) on the last day of October. The reception or dinner is given in honor of Crisostomo Ibarra, a young and rich Filipino who had just returned after seven years of study in Europe. Ibarra was the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra, friend of Capitan Tiago, and a fiancà © of beautiful Maria Clara, supposed daughter of Capitan Tiago. Among the guests during the reception were Padre Damaso, a fat Franciscan friar who had been parish priest for 20 years of San Diego (Calamba), Ibarra’s native town; Padre Sybila, a young Dominican parish priest of Binondo; Seà ±or Guevara, as elderly and kind lieutenant of the Guardia Civil; Don Tiburcio de Espadaà ±a, a bogus Spanish physician, lame, and henpecked husband of Doà ±a Victorina; and several ladies. Ibarra, upon his arrival, produced a favorable impression among the guests, except Padre Damaso, who has rude to him. In accordance with a German custom, he introduced himself to the ladies. During the dinner the conversation centered on Ibarra’s studies and travels abroad. Padre Damaso was in bad mood because he got a bony neck and a hard wing of the chicken tinola. He tried to discredit Ibarra’s remarks. After dinner, Ibarra left Capitan Tiago’s house to return to his hotel. On the way, the kind Lieutenant Guevara told him the sad story of his father’s death in San Diego. Don Rafael, his father, was a rich and brave man. He defended a helpless boy from the brutality of an illiterate Spanish tax collector, pushing the latter and accidentally killing him. Don Rafael was thrown in prison, where he died unhappily. He was buried in consecrated ground, but his enemies, accusing him being a heretic, had his body removed from the cemetery. On hearing about his father’s sad story, Ibarra thanked the kind Spanish lieutenant and vowed to find out the truth about his father’s death. The following morning, he visited Maria Clara, his childhood sweetheart. Maria Clara teasingly said that he had forgotten her because the girls in Germany were beautiful. Ibarra replied that he had never forgotten her. After the romantic reunion with Maria Clara, Ibarra went to San Diego to visit his father’s grave. It was All Saint’s Day. At the cemetery, the grave digger told Ibarra that the corpse of Don Rafael was removed by order of the parish priest to be, buried in the Chinese cemetery; but the corpse was heavy and it was a dark and rainy night so that he (the grave-digger) simply threw the corpse into the lake. Ibarra was angered by the grave-digger’s story. He left the cemetery. On the way, he met Padre Salvi, Franciscan parish priest of San Diego. In a flash, Ibarra pounced on the priest, demanding redress for desecrating his father’s mortal remains. Padre told him that he had nothing to do with it, for he was not the parish priest at the time of Don Rafael’s death. It was Padre Damaso, his predecessor, who was responsible for it. Convinced for Padre Salvi’s innocence, Ibarra went away. In his town Ibarra met several interesting people, such as the wise old man, Tasio the philosopher, whose ideas were too advanced for his times so that the people, who could not understand him, called him â€Å"Tasio the Lunatic;† the progressive school teacher, who complained to Ibarra that the children were losing interest to their studies because of the lack proper school house and the discouraging attitude of the parish friar towards both the teaching of Spanish and of the use of modern methods of pedagogy; the spineless gobernadorcillo, who catered to the wishes of the Spanish parish friars; Don Filipo Lino, the teniente-mayor and leader of the cuardrilleros (town police); and the former gobernadorcillos who were prominent citizens Don Basilio and Don Valentin. A most tragic story in the novel is the tale of Sisa, who was formerly a rich girl but became poor because she married a gambler, and a wastrel at that. She became crazy because she lost her two boys, Basilio and Crispin, the joy of her wretched life. These boys were sacristanes (sextons) in the church, working for a small wage to support their poor mother. Crispin the younger of the two brothers was accused by the brutal sacristan mayor (chief sexton) of stealing the money of the priest. He was tortured in the convent and died. Basilio, with his brother’s dying cries ringing in his ears, escaped. When the two boys did not return home, Sisa looked for them everywhere and, in her great sorrow, she became insane. Capitan Tiago, Maria Clara, and Aunt Isabel (Capitan Tiago’s cousin who took care of Maria Clara, after his mother’s death) arrived in San Diego. Ibarra and his friends give picnic at the lake. Among those present in this picnic, were Maria Clara and her four girl friends the merry Sià ±ang, the grave Victoria, the beautiful Iday, and the thoughtful Neneng; Aunt Isabel, chaperon of Maria Clara; Capitana Tika, mother of Sià ±ang; Andeng, foster sister of Maria Clara; Albino, the ex-theological student who was in love with Sià ±ang; and Ibarra and his friends. One of the boatmen was a strong and silent peasant youth named Elias. An incident of the picnic was the saving of Elias’ life by Ibarra. Elias bravely grappled with a crocodile which was caught in the fish corral. But the crocodile struggled furiously so that Elias could not subdue it. Ibarra jumped into the water and killed the crocodile, thereby saving Elias. After the crocodile incident, was the rendering of a beautiful song by Maria Clara who had a sweet voice and they went ashore. They made merry in the cool, wooded meadow. Padre Salvi, Capitan Basilio (former gobernadorcillo and Sià ±ang’s father) the alferez (lieutenant of the Guardia Civil) and the town officials were present. The luncheon was served, and everybody enjoyed eating. The meal over, Ibarra and Capitan Basilio played chess, while Maria Clara and her friends played the â€Å"Wheel of Chance†, a game based on a fortune-telling book. As the girls were enjoying their fortune-telling game, Padre Salvi came and tore to pieces the book, saying that it was a sin to play such game. Shortly thereafter, a sergent and four soldiers of the Guardia Civil suddenly arrived, looking for Elias, who was hunted for assaulting Padre Damaso and throwing the alferez into a mud hole. Fortunately Elias had disappeared, and the Guardia Civil went away empty-handed. During the picnic also, Ibarra received a telegram from the Spanish authorities notifying him the approval of his donation of a schoolhouse for the children of San Diego. The next day Ibarra visited old Tasio to consult him on his pet project about the schoolhouse. He saw the old man’s writings were written in hieroglyphics. Tasio explained to him that he wrote in hieroglyphics because he was writing for the future generations who would understand them and say, â€Å"Not all were asleep in the night of our ancestors!† Meanwhile San Diego was merrily preparing for its annual fiesta, in honor of its patron saint San Diego de Alcala, whose feast day is the 11th of November. On the eve of the fiesta, hundreds of visitors arrived from the nearby towns, and there were laughter, music, exploding bombs, feasting and moro-moro. The music was furnished by five brass bands (including the famous Pagsanjan Band owned by the escribano Miguel Guevara) and three orchestras. In the morning of the fiesta there was a high mass in the church, officiated by Padre Salvi. Padre Damaso gave the long sermon, in which he expatiated on the evils of the times that were caused by certain men, who having tasted some education spread pernicious ideas among the people. After Padre Damaso’s sermon, the mass was continued by Padre Salve. Elias quietly moved to Ibarra, who was kneeling and praying by Maria Clara’s side, and warned him to be careful during the ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone of the schoolhouse because there was a plot to kill him. Elias suspected that the yellowish man, who built the derrick, was a paid stooge of Ibarra’s enemies. True to his suspicion, later in the day, when Ibarra, in the presence of a big crowd, went down into the trench to cement the cornerstone, the derrick collapsed. Elias, quick as a flash, pushed him aside, thereby saving his life. The yellowish man was the one crushed to death by the shattered derrick. At the sumptuous dinner that night under a decorated kiosk, a sad incident occurred. The arrogant Padre Damaso, speaking in the presence of many guests, insulted the memory of Ibarra’s father. Ibarra jumped to his seat, knocked down the fat friar with his fist, and then seized a sharp knife. He would have killed the friar, were it not for the timely intervention of Maria Clara. The fiesta over, Maria Clara became ill. She was treated by the quack Spanish physician, Tiburcio de Espadaà ±a, whose wife, a vain and vulgar native woman, was a frequent visitor in Capitan Tiago’s house. This woman had hallucinations of being a superior Castillan, and, although a native herself, she looked down on her own people as inferior beings. She added another â€Å"de† to her husband’s surname in order to more Spanish. Thus she wanted to be called â€Å"Doctora Doà ±a Victorina de los Reyes de De Espadaà ±a.† She introduced to Capitan Tiago’s young Spaniards, Don Alfonso Linares de Espadaà ±a, cousin of Don Tiburcio de Espadaà ±a and godson of Padre Damaso’s brother in law. Linares was a penniless and jobless, fortune hunter who came to the Philippines in search of a rich Filipino heiress. Both Doà ±a Victorina and Padre Damaso sponsored his wooing of Maria Clara, but the latter did not respond because she loved Ibarra. The story of Elias like that of Sisa, was a tale of pathos and tragedy. He related it to Ibarra. Some 60 years ago, his grandfather, who was then a young bookkeeper in a Spanish commercial firm in Manila, was wrongly accused of burning the firm’s warehouse. He was flogged in public and was left in the street, crippled and almost died. His was pregnant, beg for alms and became a prostitute in order to support her sick husband and their son. After giving birth to her second son and the death of her husband, she fled, with her to sons to the mountains. Years later the first boy became a dreaded tulisan named Balat. He terrorized the provinces. One day he was caught by the authorities. His head was cut off and was hung from a tree branch in the forest. On seeing this gory object, the poor mother (Elias’ grandmother) died. Balat’s younger brother, who was by nature kindhearted, fled and became a trusted laborer in the house of rich man in Tayabas. He fell in love with the master’s daughter. The girl’s father, enraged by the romance, investigated his past and found out the truth. The unfortunate lover (Elias’ father) was sent to jail, while the girl gave birth to twins, a boy (Elias) and a girl. Their rich grandfather took care of them, keeping secret their scandalous origin, and reared them as rich children. Elias was educated in the JesuitCollege in Manila, while his sister studied in La Concordia College. They lived happily, until one day, owing to certain dispute over money matters, a distant relative exposed their shameful birth. They were disgraced. An old male servant, whom they used to abuse, was forced to testify in court and the truth came out that he was their real father. Elias and his sister left Tayabas to hide their shame in another place. One day the sister disappeared. Elias roamed from place to place, looking for her. He heard later that a girl answering to his sister’s description, was found died on the beach of San Diego. Since then, Elias lived a vagabond life, wandering from province to province – until he met Ibarra. Elias, learning of Ibarra’s arrest, burned all the papers that might incriminate his friend and set Ibarra’s house on fire. Then he went to prison and helped Ibarra escape. He and Ibarra jumped into a banca loaded with sacate (grass). Ibarra stopped at the house of Capitan Tiago to say goodbye to Maria Clara. In the tearful last scene between the two lovers, Ibarra forgave Maria Clara for giving up his letter to her to the Spanish authorities who utilized them as evidence against him. On her part, Maria Clara revealed that those letters were exchanged with a letter from her late mother, Pia Alba which Padre Salvi gave her. From his letter, she learned that her real father was Padre Damaso. After bidding Maria Clara farewell, Ibarra returned to the banca. He and Elias paddled up the PasigRiver toward Laguna de Bay. A police boat, with the Guardia Civil on board, pursued them as their banca reached the lake. Elias told Ibarra to hide under the zacate. As the police boat was overtaking the banca, Elias jumped into the water and swam swiftly toward the shore. In this way, he diverted the attention of the soldiers on his person, thereby giving Ibarra a chance to escape. The soldier fired at the swimming Elias, who was hit and sank. The water turned red because of his blood. The soldiers, thinking that they had killed the fleeing Ibarra returned to Manila. Thus Ibarra was able to escape. Elias seriously wounded, reached the shore and staggered into the forest. He met a boy, Basilio, who was weeping over his mother’s dead body. He told Basilio to make a pyre on which their bodies (his and Sisa) were to be burned to ashes. It was Christmas eve, and the moon gleamed softly in the sky. Basilio prepared the funeral pyre. As life’s breath slowly left his body. Elias looked toward the east and murmured: â€Å"I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land.† You, who have it to see, welcome it! And forget not those who have fallen during the night. The novel has an epilogue which recounts what happened to the other characters. Maria Clara, out of her loyalty to the memory of Ibarra, the man she truly loved, entered the Santa Clara nunnery. Padre Salvi left the parish of San Diego and became a chaplain of the nunnery. Padre Damaso was transferred to a remote province, but the next morning he was found dead in his bedroom. Capitan Tiago the former genial host and generous patron of the church became an opium addict and a human wreck. Doà ±a Victorina, still henpecking poor Don Tiburcio, had taken to wearing eye-glasses because of weakening eyesight. Linares, who failed to win Maria Clara’s affection, died of dysentery and was buried in Paco cemetery. The alferez, who successfully repulsed the abortive attack on the barracks, was promoted major. He returned to Spain, leaving behind his shabby mistress, Doà ±a Consolacion. The novel ends with Maria Clara, an unhappy nun in Santa Clara nunnery – forever lost to the world. Characters of noli me tangere Crisà ³stomo Ibarra, or commonly called as Ibarra, is a half-Filipino half-Spaniard who is the only descendant of the wealthy Spanish Don Rafael Ibarra. He was born and grew up in the Philippines, but during his adolescence, he spent seven years in Europe for education. Those years prevented him from knowing what was happening in his country. When he had returned to the Philippines, he found that his father had died and that the corpse was (supposedly) moved to a Chinese cemetery (but the body ended up in a river). He heard tales of how helpful and kind his father was and decided to honor the memory of his father by doing as his father did. Marà ­a Clara de los Santos, is the most dominant yet weakest representation of women in the setting. When thinking of Noli, the name of Marà ­a Clara is can be seen predominantly as image of ideal Filipina women. Marà ­a Clara is the primary female character in the novel. She is seen as the daughter of Capità ¡n Tiago and Doà ±a Pà ­a Alba. Doà ±a Pà ­a died when delivering Maria Clara. The poor child only grew under the guidance and supervision of Tà ­a Isabà ©l, Capità ¡n Tiago’s cousin. Dà ¡maso Verdolagas (commonly known as Padre Dà ¡maso/Padre Damaso or Father Damaso), of Dominican order, was the former curate of the parish church of San Diego. He was the curate for almost twenty years before he replaced by much younger Padre Salvi. Padre Damaso was known to be friendly with the Ibarra family, so much that Crisà ³stomo was surprised by what the former curate had done to Don Rafaà ©l. Don Santà ­ago de los Santos, commonly known as Capità ¡n Tiago, is the only son of a wealthy trader in Malabon. Due to his mother’s cruelty, Capità ¡n Tiago did not attain any formal education. He became a servant of a Dominican priest. When the priest and his father died, Capità ¡n Tiago decided to assist in the family business of trading before he met his wife Doà ±a Pà ­a Alba, who came from another wealthy family. Because of their consistent devotion to Santa Clara in Obando, they were given a daughter who shared same features as Padre Damaso, who is Maria Clara. Don Anastacio, or commonly known as Filà ³sofo Tacio (Philosopher Tasyo) is one of the most important character in Noli. In one side, he is referred to as philosopher/sage (hence, Pilosopo Tasyo) because his ideas were accurate with the minds of townspeople. Elià ¡s came from the family which the Ibarra clan downtrodded for generations. He grew up in a wealthy family until when he discovered something that changed his life forever. He is also the one who helped Ibarra in running away from the guards. Doà ±a Victorina de los Reyes de de Espadaà ±aalways ed dream to have a Spanish husband. and it came true but she don’t like Don Tiburcio she just forced her self to be married to Him She fell in love once before for kapitan Tiyago Narcisa or Sisa is the mother of Basilio and Crispin. Shows how Filipino mothers love their children. Synopsis of â€Å"El Filibusterismo† The hero of El Filibusterismo is a rich jeweler named Simoun. He was Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli, who, with Elias’ help, escaped from the pursuing soldiers at Laguna de Bay, dug up his buried treasure, and fled to Cuba where he became rich and befriended many Spanish officials. After many years he returned to the Philippines, where he freely moved around. He is a powerful figure not only because he is a rich jeweler but also because he is a good friend and adviser of the governor general. Outwardly, Simoun is a friend of Spain. However deep in his heart, he is secretly cherishing a terrible revenge against the Spanish authorities. His two magnificent obsessions are to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery of Santa Clara and to foment a revolution against the hated Spanish masters. The story of El Filibusterismo begins on board the clumsy, roundish shaped steamer Tabo, so appropriately named. This steamer is sailing upstream the Pasig from Manila to Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers are Simoun, the rich jeweler; Doà ±a Victorina, the ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman who is going to Laguna in search of her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaà ±a, who has deserted her; Paulita Gomez, her beautiful niece; Ben-Zayb (anagram of Ibaà ±ez), a Spanish journalist who writes silly articles about the Filipinos; Padre Sibyla, vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas; Padre Camorra, the parish priest of the town of Tiani; Don Custodio, a pro-spanish Filipino holding a position in the government; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San Diego; Padre Irene, a kind friar who was a friend of the Filipino students; Padre Florentino, a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest; Isagani, a poet-nephew of Padre Florentino and a lover of Paulita; and Basilio, son of Sisa and promising medical student, whose medical education is financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago. Simoun, a man of wealth and mystery, is a very close friend and confidante of the Spanish governor general. Because of his great influence in Malacaà ±ang, he was called the â€Å"Brown Cardinal† or the â€Å"Black Eminence†. By using his wealth and political influence, he encourages corruption in the government, promotes the oppression of the masses, and hastens the moral degradation of the country so that the people may become desperate and fight. He smuggles arms into the country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who wants very much to be Chinese consul of Manila. His first attempt to begin the armed uprising did not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery. In his agonizing moment of bereavement, he did not give the signal for the outbreak of hostilities. After a long time of illness brought about by the bitter loss of Maria Clara, Simoun perfects his plan to overthrow the government. On the occasion of the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez, he gives a wedding gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he and his confidential associates, Basilio (Sisa’s son who joined his revolutionary cause), know that when the wick of his lamp burns lower the nitroglycerine, hidden in its secret compartment, will explode, destroying the house where the wedding feast is going to be held killing all the guests, including the governor general, the friars, and the government officials. Simultaneously, all the government buildings in Manila will be blown by Simoun’s followers. As the wedding feast begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita because of his liberal ideas, is standing outside the house, watching sorrowfully the merriment inside. Basilio, his friend, warns him to go away because the lightened lamp will soon explode. Upon hearing the horrible secret of the lamp, Isagani realizes that his beloved Paulita was in grave danger. To save her life, he rushes into the house, seizes the lightened lamp, and hurls it into the river, where it explodes. The revolutionary plot was thus discovered. Simoun was cornered by the soldiers, but he escaped. Mortally wounded, and carrying his treasure chest, he sought refuge in the home of Padre Florentino by the sea. The Spanish authorities, however, learns of his presence in the house of Padre Florentino. Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informs the priest by letter that he would come at eight o’clock that night to arrest Simoun. Simoun eluded arrest by taking poison. As he is dying, he confesses to Padre Florentino, revealing his true identity, his dastardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himself, and his sinister aim to destroy his friends and enemies. The confession of the dying Simoun is long and painful. It is already night when Padre Florentino, wiping the sweat from his wrinkled brow, rises and begins to meditate. He consoles the dying man saying: â€Å"God will forgive you Seà ±or Simoun. He knows that we are fallible. He has seen that you have suffered, and in ordaining that the chastisement for your faults should come as death from the very ones you have instigated to crime, we can see His infinite mercy. He has frustrated your plans one by one, the best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara, then by a lack of preparation, then in some mysterious way. Let us bow to His will and render Him thanks!† Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at peace with God. Padre Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. He takes the treasure chest and throws it into the sea; as the waves close over the sinking chest. Characters in El Filibusterismo Simoun – Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise, left for dead at the end of Noli Me Tangere, has resurfaced as the wealthy jeweler, Simoun, sporting a beard, blue-tinted glasses, and a revolver. Fueled by his mistreatment at the hands of the Spaniards and his fury at Maria Clara’s fate. Basilio – Son of Sisa. A graduating Medical Student who befriended Simoun. This is the same Basilio introduced in Noli Me Tangere. Isagani Villamor – Basilio’s friend, ex-beau of Paulita Gomez and the man who removed the explosive lamp from the Captain Tiago’s house, thus sabotaging Simoun’s plans. Kabesang Tales – Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former cabeza de barangay (barangay head) of Sagpang, a barangay in San Diego’s neighboring town Tiani, who resurfaced as the feared Luzà ³n bandit Matanglawin Don Custodio – Custodio de Salazar y Sà ¡nchez de Monteredondo, a famous â€Å"journalist† who was asked by the students about hi s decision for the Academia de Castellano. In reality, he is quite an ordinary fellow who married a rich woman in order to be a member of Manila’s high society. Paulita Gomez – The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doà ±a Victorina, the old Indio who passes herself off as a Peninsular, who is the wife of the quack doctor Tiburcio de Espadaà ±a. In the end, she and Juanito Pelà ¡ez are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him. Macaraig – One of Isagani’s classmates at the University of Santo Tomas. He is a rich student and serves as the leader of the students yearning to build the Academia de Castellano. Father Florentino – Isagani’s godfather, and a secular priest; was engaged to be married, but chose to be a priest after being pressured by his mother, the story hinting at the ambivalence of his decision as he chooses an assignment to a remote place, living in solitude near the sea. Juli San Jose – Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales. To claim her father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid under the supervision of Hermana Penchang. Eventually, she was freed but committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to rape her. Juanito Pelaez – A favorite student of the professors. They belong to the noble Spanish ancestry. Doà ±a Victorina – Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaà ±a, known in Noli Me Tangere as Tiburcio de Espadaà ±a’s cruel wife. She is the aunt of Paulita Gomez, and favors Juanito Pelaez than Isagani. Although of Indio ideology, she considers herself as one of thePeninsular. Father Camorra – The lustful parish priest of Tiani, San Diego’s adjacent town who has longtime desires for young women. He nearly raped Juli causing the latter to commit suicide. Captain Tiago – Santiago delos Santos, although making a cameo appearance, Captain Tiago is Maria Clara’s stepfather and the foster-father to Basilio. Father Bernardo Salvi- Former parish priest of San Diego, now the director and chaplain of the Santa Clara convent. Father Hernando de la Sibyla – A Dominican friar introduced in Noli Me Tangere, now the vice-rector of the University of Santo Tomas Tandang Selo – Father of Kabesang Tales. He raised the sick and young Basilio after he left their house in Noli me Tangere. He died in an encounter on the mountains with his son Tales.

The Battle of Algiers (1966): Movie Review

[Author] [Course Code] [Instructor] [Date] The Battle of Algiers (1966): Movie Review On the 1st of November 1954, FLN guerillas attacked civilian and military installations in several parts of Algeria. The FLN hierarchy called on the Muslims in Algeria to restore the dignity and independence of the Algerian state. It was a bad opportunity to negotiate for independence.Just a few months ago, the French government had liquidated its claims in Indochina. On the 12th of November, the French National Assembly voted for the partial militarization of Algeria.The FLN were comprised of nationalist groups which asserted for the independence of Algeria. The FLN was a ‘sick’ organization, as one European observer noted. It was ruthless, subjective, and idealistic. It coerced students, farmers, and the masses to join in the independence movement. It also garnered support from both Communists and right-wing nationalists, without due consideration of repercussions. The movie begins wi th a short narrative of captured guerillas.The civil war between the Muslim Algerians and the Europeans had become a regional conflict. The French government ordered the deployment of French paratroopers to destroy the National Liberation Front. The paratroopers successfully hunted down members of the FLN. Indeed, many of its leaders were either assassinated or illegally detained. The film portrays France as the victor. However, the film ends with a short sequel portraying massive civil unrest and demonstrations against French rule in Algeria.The ruthlessness of the French Army had fueled the anger of the Algerian people. Although France won the Battle of Algiers, it had clearly lost the war. The movie is filmed in black and white. Its visual sense approaches that of a documentary, or rather the movie ‘The Desert Fox’ (1950). The apparent purpose is to create an atmosphere of despair and anxiety – to provoke the viewer to take sides and assert for interpretive au tonomy. Music and sound are important elements of imagery.The director uses classical motifs to highlight important events in the film and to heighten its emotional appeal. This is also done to evoke image parallelism – the elegance of music as representation of mass murder and torture. Indigenous Algerian music is added to emphasize the ‘danger of nationalistic terrorism’ or rather to symbolize the quest for independence. The FLN insurgents used guerilla warfare to wear the French down. But unlike in Vietnam, the French were able to contain FLN attacks.The reason is obvious. Guerilla warfare was not suited in Algerian geography. FLN guerrilla warfare was directed to top French military and political officials. The idea was to destroy the French hierarchy and replace it with a more palpable political organization. French counterinsurgency program was divided into two phases: liquidate the FLN in rural areas, and contain FLN threat in urban areas. Both strategies failed because the FLN were massively supported by the civilian population.