Racism And The World And Me - 1455 Words

â€Å"The Most† Known Unknown in the World Racism has been and always will be a form of segregation concurrently and in the history of humanity. From Ancient times to current, the status of segregation by any means of oppression privy of power, wealth, and prestige has been as second nature as drinking water. While Coates has his own perspective of reality and its structure, it’s interesting that a so called genius had taken almost 30 years to finally see the true nature of â€Å"the beast† he frequented. That Beast known as Racist America and all if its capitalist racial qualities. While some have their own experiences and perspectives, â€Å"Between The World and Me†, past historical events on racism in America; including the Civil Rights Movement, correlative measures of other countries on racism and the slave trade, and the many obstacles that are implemented to secure such advantages will continue to be the key topics of discussion. Interpretively speaking on â€Å"Between The World and Me†, Ta-Nehisi Coates speaks upon the current state of racial relations similarly to W.E.B. Dubois’ Color-Line of the 21st Century. It is the indirect, non-named, hiding in the shadows, racism that is so heavily intertwined and implemented in our cultural and social structures. (Kelley, Robin) Simon and Garfunkel wrote a song eerily similar to this theme, â€Å"The Sound of Silence†, and although it pre-dates the release of Coates’ book, it gives great concern of the existing issues that have adapted andShow MoreRelatedEssay on Black Like Me and Crash965 Words   |  4 PagesBlack Like Me and Crash In 1959 John Howard Griffin, the author of the book Black Like Me, disguised himself as an African American and decided to go live out in society to see what it would be like to be a black man. The book Black Like Me is his documentation of that experience. 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Morocco and Other Cities as Important Spaces to Practice Consumption a Literature review

Essays on Morocco and Other Cities as Important Spaces to Practice Consumption and Construct Identity Literature review The paper â€Å"Morocco and Other Cities as Important Spaces to Practice Consumption and Construct Identity" is a fascinating example of a literature review on social science. Consumption has emerged as a major theme in the modern debates both in the humanities as well as in the social sciences. As a result, every issue in society seems to have an association with the ability to consume. This can be viewed as a reflection of the wider process under which the very basic nature of our society seems to be implanted with consumer ethics (Miles Miles, 2004, p. 2). Similarly, consumption has been perceived as being ideological. This is founded on the fact that consumption plays a central role in the maintenance of social relationships between people and their physical environment. This aspect is evident in the cities or urban centers that have been viewed as spaces to practice consumption or construct of identity. This fact is supported by Zukin (1998, p. 825) who determined that attenti on in the lifestyle in the urban areas has generated new and highly visible consumption spaces. These are epitomized by boutiques, coffee bars, art galleries, cuisine restaurants, and Nouvelles. This has, in turn, generated new and sophisticated retail strategies combining, sales, advertisement, and entertainment as well as real estate development. This has shaped the construction of identity in the metropolitan spaces. Against this backdrop, this paper will focus on interrogating the assumption that cities are important spaces to practice consumption and/or construct identity. This will be discussed with reference to the consumption of populations/identities linked to place with the case study being Morocco which has seen several campaigns trying to sell Morocco as a place to experience the Orient. Thus, the city in this country through its architecture and activities present to the tourists and invites them to consume it in such away.Consumption/construct identity in citiesIn a ge neric sense, a city cannot be simplistically perceived as one great mass of people but instead, it entails diverse groupings of collectives and individual persons. Thus, each city has its own distinct characteristics that emanate from peculiar demographic profiles of the members of the populations inhabiting the city. In addition, it has been cited that the social structure of cities is not characterized by constant stability but instead endowed with extensive dynamism which can be attributed to the historical, cultural, political, economic and environmental factors.Generally speaking, it can be increasingly easy to forget in founding an understanding of consumption in the post-modern epoch that there are considerable linkages that are historical in nature between the cities and consumption. This is robustly based at the core of modernity as pointed out by Miles and Paddison (1998) in their work Urban consumption: A historiographical note.However, Miles (2010, p. 1) determined that the cities in the contemporary world are both were and what we consume. In this regard, the cities have been regarded as nothing more than a space for consumption in which diverse members of the population in the metropolitan spaces seemingly express themselves as citizens of a consumer society. In this regard, consumption lies at the heart of the modern city and as such, the consumption spaces lie at the core of what it denotes to be a citizen of the metropolitan society that people inhabit.

Analysis Of The Socio Cultural Implications For Managersn - Samples

Question: Discuss about the Analysis Of The Socio Cultural Implications For Managers. Answer: Introduction Globalisation has resulted in improved communication and transportation. Businesses are focused on expanding globally with the exciting new opportunities for growth and profit. However, there are several challenges and issues associated with sociocultural factors. The cultural difference between the nations can interfere with the global business community (Homann, Koslowski Luetge 2007). It has been evident that the managers in the current global business community have come across cultural differences that can create an impact on the competition of the project. The government of Australia has strengthened the relationship with India for busies expansion. The Indian market has a suitable competitive advantage (Willcocks 2016). The operation of Australian business in India has become quite easy for some common grounds such as a member of language, member of Commonwealth and crickets. These social factors have developed a long-term relationship between India and Australia leading to t rade and investment. Several businesses from Australia are successful in India. Strategic location, rapidly growing consumer market, skilled workforce, and well-developed financial and vibrant capital market has attracted the business from Australia to expand in India. BHP Billiton is one such Australian company that expanded in India. BHP Billiton is a multi-national mining, metal and petroleum listed dual public company. Founded in the year 1885, the company has grown enormously and presently and in terms of market value, it is the largest mining company in the world. The commodities produced by BHP Billiton are iron ore, coal, copper, uranium and metallurgical coal. Presently, the company has 65,000 employees and contractors. The business focuses on the health and the safety of the individuals and ensures on creating an environment that would cure fatalities, injuries and occupational illness(Billiton.com 2017). Considering the progressive development in India, BHP Billiton expanded in India and is presently focused on strengthening its position in India. The sustainable economic growth is unlocked by the productivity gains in the advanced economy. The high transformative growth in India is attained through reform transform in India. BHP Billiton has been successful in India only because the managers have been able to manage the socio-cultural implication on the business. It is a noteworthy fact that the India and Australia have huge socio-cultural difference in terms language, culture, religion, lifestyle and history. While expanding the business, the senior managers are bound to encounter challenges (Bhattacharyya Cummings 2014). The whole societal trend has been accepting the diversity and valuing it and this is creating significant impact. This encourages the leaders of the company to behave in a more enthused manner and address the diversity issues (Sinclair Wilson 2000). Valuing diversity is essential for business and BHP Billiton ensure respect by embracing openness, teamwork, diversity and relationship that are mutually beneficial. The senior managers are responsible for managing the sociocultural implications so that business projects are successful. This aspect has been analysed in this report. The present report analyses the importance of managing the socio-cultural implication for attaining success in business. The report would shed light on the ways in BHP Billiton has managed the socio cultural implication. The cross-cultural theory of Geert Hofstede is evaluated in this report for further understanding and analysis of the issues related to diversity. Implication of Cultural Values in Work Place Culture Culture refers to the ways in which an individual perceives the man-made part of one's environment. Culture functions in different ways. It is based on a culture that an individual behaves in a different situation and at the same time interpret the behaviour of others. The decision-making process in the business is often influenced by the culture. The decision-making approach of the business can hinder the strategic planning as well as the operation of the business. While carrying out overseas business, it is essential to evaluate the culture of different countries so that the employees and the customers can be kept satisfied. Australian culture is highly individualistic (McFarlane Kennedy 2006). (Aycan et al. 2000) put forward two socio-cultural dimensions which are called paternalism and fatalism. In paternalism, the superior always provide guidance and protection to the subordinate while the role of the subordinate is to remain loyal and deferential to the superior. Fatalism focuses on the fact that it is not always possible to control someone and fulfilling long-term plans. However, in business to keep the employees satisfied as well as attract the customers, it becomes necessary for the managers to guide the juniors and does not always control them. Addressing the cultural difference between the different nations is essential to keep the culture of the business intact across the borders. Culture in India is based on relationship. The managers of BHP Billiton have understood that fact being decisive does not work for the Indian employees as compared to Australia where decisions are taken much quickly (Chang, 2017). Considering the socio-cultural implications, the managers of the business organization needs to know cultural issues that affect the motivation of the employees at work thereby creating an impact on the productivity and the performance. India and Australia are distinctly different but the understanding of the culture by the business organization has led to the increase in trade between the two countries. Moreover, the removal of the ban on the sales of uranium in India and the visit of the Indian Prime Minister in Australia has boosted the relationship of trade between both the countries. This has further enabled BHP Billiton to strengthen its position in India (Mathew 2013). Social-Cultural Evaluation through Hofstedes Model The last few years have seen quite significant increase business between India and Australia. The medium, as well as the large enterprises, are taking up opportunities in the new globalization that help in making collaboration between the smallest of firms possible in any part of the globe (Hebbani 2008). The progressive development in India followed by material opportunities has drawn the attention of BHP Billiton in India. However, while carrying out its business, the managers of the organization are affected by the socio-cultural factors, as they are completely different from that of India. For examining the cultural difference between India and Australia and its impact on the business of BHP Billiton and the managers of the organizations are taken into consideration. BHP Billiton leaders engage in the full, frank and robust interchange of what can be very different views, opinions and perspectives. The five dimensions of Hofstede would help to reveal the cultural difference between India and Australia as shown below: Power Distance: This aspect deals with the equality of the power among the individuals. In India, the power distance has raking of 77, which is higher as compared to the world average of 56.5. This shows a high level of inequality of power and wealth in society. Australia's score is 36. Hence, organizations in Australia have a different hierarchy for convenience and good communication between the employees and managers as is seen in the case of BHP Billiton(Juhasz 2014). Long-term Orientation: This shows the links of the society with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and the future. Indias raking in this aspect is 61 while the average of the world is 48. This shows that India is preservative and parsimonious. While the score of Australia is, 21, which shows that it, have normative culture. Australians are also exhibited great respect for their culture(Geert-hofstede.com. 2017). Masculinity: This highlights the extent to which the society is driven by success and achievement. The masculinity rank of India is 56, which is third highest in the world, and it shows a competitive and assertive society and the higher gap between men and women. Australias rank is 61 that shows that behaviour in work is based on shared values and considerable success, and achievements to be quite important (Young Thyil 2014). Uncertainty Avoidance: India has a lower rank in this aspect as it has 40th position while the world average is 65. This shows that the culture is more open to unstructured ideas and situations. Australia scores 51 positions in uncertainty avoidance. Considering this difference, BHP Billiton has organized two Corporate Community Leadership Program helping the Indian employees to gain practical experience in complex social and environmental issues(Hofstede 2010). Individualism: This aspect reveals the degree of interdependence between the members in the society. Indias individual rank is 48, which is quite lower as compared to that of Australia, which is 90. There are limited standards for rewarding the employees and decisive working is not applicable in India. Development of relationship is essential in India for carrying out business (Tripathi Cervone 2008). It is for this reason BHP Billiton has developed Community Leadership Program in India for understanding the practical and theoretical of Oxfam CAAs approach to development. Corresponding Challenges for Managers of BHP Billiton in India Mining companies like those that BHP Billiton has focused on principles of participative development for making the Indian employees work efficiently, also influence, and share control, decisions and resources. Apart from the employees, BHP Billiton has also focused on fulfilling its social responsibility to create goodwill in the market and attract the customers based on their good purpose. For helping the environment to develop, the managers provide reports about their activities for developing mutual respect and trust. However, the issues, which are encountered by the managers of BHP Billiton because of socio-cultural implications, are listed below: Often the managers of BHP Billiton has encountered issues related to relinquishing control over the employees as their conventional orientation for operation and project control. Fundamentalism often plays an important role in the business of India as the majority of the people of India have strictly adhered to theological doctrines (Sharma Singh 2015). The concept of power to the people' may create an impact on the power structure as India has an instrumentalist view of power. Bureaucratic structure creates an obstruction in the participation of the employees. Hence, BHP Billiton requires humanistic approach for participatory development within the company. BHP Billiton is an Australian company that focuses on the professional relationship with the employees and expects the professionals and the experts to be respected, as they are able to undertake the right decision for the employees and the organization. Being decisive does not work for the Indian employees as compared to Australia where decisions are taken much quickly. In India, the managers need to develop a strong relationship not only with the employees but also with the community people and the customers for further development (BHP Billiton 2015). BHP Billiton focused on making a long-term investment in people. They are more concerned about seeing the outside result and made a little investment in people. However, to strengthen their position in India, the company focused on making an investment in the people for gaining the competitive advantage in the market. Another social issue, which was encountered by BHP Billiton, is the difficulty in showing sensitiveness for the local context. Initially, the company does not have enough knowledge about the local people, processes, relationship and traditional domain of India that the business has to adapt to for carrying out its exploration and excavations within the country (Business-humanrights.org. 2017) Implication of the issues on the managers The socio-cultural differences between India and Australia have potentially affected the current and the future business interaction between India and Australia. Managers from the individualist culture are much more concerned with their own performance as compared to that interpersonal relationship. This reduces the loyalty of the Indian employees as well as that of the customers towards the organization (Bohlander Snell 2006). To generate high commitment and responsibility on the part of the employees, BHP Billiton has to focus on creating different types of loyalty program not only for the employees but also for the community as a whole. The managers in the BHP encountered issues related to the cross-cultural competency of the workers for recognizing the cultural differences. Moreover, India has Vertical Collectivism as the people accept ranking and inequality while Australia has Horizontal Individualism where people are regarded to be similar based on certain attributes and status. Communication was a major issue for the managers within the organization due to the culture and the language differences (Hebbani 2008). The managers also encountered issues related to diversity managers that affected the performance of the employees. The organization needed to obtain knowledge and skills and develop cultural competence. The conflict was major issues between the cross-cultural employees in BHP Billiton, which affected the performance of the organization. The managers of the organization needed to ensure that the business in India is able to perform their task effectively. BHP Billiton has to ensure that the organization f ocuses on social well-being and minimize the environmental impact to strengthen its business within the country (BHP Billiton 2013). Addressing the Socio-Cultural Implications The socio-cultural differences between India and Australia have created major implication on the managers of BHP Billiton. However, Billiton has been successful in strengthening its position in the country has this has been done through the formulation and the application of the effective strategies. BHP Billiton realised that communication is the key to gain success in any business. Overcoming the language barriers became quite essential for the Billiton. This requires proper training of the existing as well as the newly recruited employees of the organization. Proper communication also requires understanding the needs of the employees and allowing them to put forward their views, complaints and grievances (Vanclay et al. 2015). BHP Billiton also focused on Group Dynamics that led to the understanding of Indian culture and their interaction in Group. The above analysis has made it made it evident inequality is quite common in India. However, BHP Billiton has created good will in the market by creating a hierarchical organization where the employees in India can easily communicate with the managers and can participate in the decision-making process. In collectivist culture country like India, decisions are undertaken significantly influenced by the group. Hence, BHP Billiton made strategies that only highlighted the needs of the employees but of the entire community(Oracle.com. 2017). For addressing the socio-cultural implications, BHP Billiton has made policy commitment for the development of the community. This policy is applicable not only in India but in all the places where BHP has expanded. The three key policy document of this organization include BHP Billiton Charter, Health, and Safety, Environment and Community Policy and Guidelines on Community Development. BHP has increased its focus on transparency, learning orientation local consideration and self-reliance to address the socio-cultural implications (BHP Billiton 2011). Development of Corporate Community Leadership Program (CCLP) has helped in making payments to the members of the public direct exposure understand the cultural and social aspects of development within the country(Billiton.com 2017). The pilot CCLP projects have helped the employees to gain practical experience in social and environmental issues in India. CCLP was an exposure program to create awareness about the social issues. BHP Bill iton relied on the local knowledge of India for accessing the local people and organization for the field exposure. The CCLP has resulted in a positive outcome in terms of participant learning as well as relationship building that helped the organization to establish its position within India. Conclusion The present study explored the different socio-cultural factors that affect the business across borders. The study has been carried out in the light of India and Australia. BHP Billiton, an Australian mining company, has successfully established its business in India. However, the business has undergone impact on several social and cultural factors as both the country are distinctly different from each other. Valuing diversity is essential for business and BHP Billiton ensure respect by embracing openness, teamwork, diversity and relationship that are mutually beneficial. Addressing the cultural difference between the different nations are essential to keep the culture of the business intact across the borders. Hofstedes cultural dimensions revealed the differences in culture and religion that affected the business of the organization. India is collectivist country while Australia is individualistic. This has created major differences in terms of work culture and expectation of the employees as well as that of the community people. The progressive development in India followed by material opportunities has drawn the attention of BHP Billiton in India. The leaders in BHP Billiton have focused on a complete frank and robust interchange of what can be very different views, opinions and perspectives. The organization has been successful in addressing the socio-cultural implications in India through the development of effective strategies. Leadership Program (CCLP) made payments to the members of the public direct exposure understand the cultural and social aspects of development in India. References Aycan, Z, Kanungo, R, Mendonca, M, Yu, K, Deller, J, Stahl, G Kurshid, A 2000, 'Impact of culture on human resource management practices: A 10?country comparison', Applied Psychology, vol 49, no. 1, pp. 192-221. Bhattacharyya, A Cummings, L 2014, 'Attitudes towards environmental responsibility within Australia and India: a comparative study', Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, vol 57, no. 5, pp. 769-791. BHP Billiton 2011, 'Our Company Annual Report'. BHP Billiton 2013, 'The Forum on Corporate Responsibility'. BHP Billiton 2015, 'Resourcing Global Growth Strategic Report'. Billiton.com, B 2017, BHP Billiton | Career detail page, viewed 15 August 2017, https://careers.bhpbilliton.com/cw/en/listing/?jobnotfound=true. Billiton.com, B 2017, BHP Billiton. Our Company, viewed 14 August 2017, https://www.bhp.com/our-approach/our-company. Bohlander, G Snell, S 2006, Managing human resources, Cengage Learning, Boston. Business-humanrights.org. 2017, BHP Billiton | Business Human Rights Resource Centre, viewed 15 August 2017, https://business-humanrights.org/en/bhp-billiton-0. Geert-hofstede.com. 2017, Australia - Geert Hofstede, viewed 15 August 2017, https://geert-hofstede.com/australia.html. Hebbani, A 2008, 'Managing cross-cultural encounters: Presenting a rationale for studying Australian-Indian business communication', In ANZCA08 Conference, Power and Place, no. 1-16. Hebbani, A 2008, 'Managing cross-cultural encounters: Presenting a rationale for studying Australian-Indian business communication. ', In ANZCA08 Conference, Power and Place. Hofstede, G 2010, Geert Hofstede, viewed 15 August 2017, https://geerthofstede.com/. Homann, K, Koslowski, P Luetge, C 2007, Globalisation and business ethics.., Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., Farnham. Juhasz, I 2014, 'The Workforce in Indian Organizations. An Analysis Based Upon the Dimensions of Hofstedes Model.', Economics Questions, Issues and Problems, pp. 38-45. Mathew, T 2013, 'Similarities and Differences in Perceived Work Motivation, Personality, and Culture: Snapshots of Australia and India.', pp. 1-336. McFarlane, B Kennedy, J 2006, 'The Implications of Cultural Values in Workplace Cultures: Australian Indigenous Employees Within Mainstream Australian Organisations.', pp. 1-17. Oracle.com. 2017, Understanding the Importance of Culture in Global Business, viewed 15 August 2017, https://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/profit/archives/opinion/050312-dhummel-1614961.html. 'Sharma, Manoj K., and Mr Kuldeep Singh. "Impact of Changing Socio-Economic Environment on Business in India." 21 (2015).', International Journal , vol 2. Sharma, DMK Singh, MK 2015, 'Impact of Changing Socio-Economic Environment on Business in India', International Journal of Research in Business Studies and Management, vol 2, no. 4, pp. 21-28. Sinclair, A Wilson, VB 2000, 'Diversity leadership.', 21st Century business delivering the diversity dividend. Research reports of the productive diversity partnership program, pp. 1-2. Tripathi, R Cervone, D 2008, 'Cultural variations in achievement motivation despite equivalent motivational strength: Motivational concerns among Indian and American corporate professionals', Journal of Research in Personality, vol 42, no. 2, pp. 456-464. Vanclay, F, Esteves, AM, Aucamp, I Franks, DM 2015, 'Social Impact Assessment: Guidance for assessing and managing the social impacts of projects'. Willcocks, LP 2016, 'Business and management in Global Context ', LSE, pp. 1-52. Young, S Thyil, V 2014, ' Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance: Role of context in international settings', Journal of Business Ethic, vol 122, no. 1, pp. 1-24.

Infidelity in The Sick Rose, A Poem by William Blake Essay Example

Infidelity in The Sick Rose, A Poem by William Blake Essay From time immemorial, the civilization is worried to keep society wrapped under its fold with set principles, be it on the subjective or on the objective plane. The codes of conduct were formulated and the yardsticks of ethics and morality have since been continuing to define themselves, evolving towards new dimensions; so much so, that they have started redefining the very concept of social cordoning itself. And this ongoing process is conducted by a voluntary and involuntary participation of the human beings themselves- the first group is doing this through the formulation and bindings of regulations by synthesizing the proceedings of the society, while the second group contribute their part through their creations, containing the current trend of the society along with the possible consequences of that trend. Such an example is the poem of William Blake, The Sick Rose, which have been continuing to bemuse us with its undermined content on infidelity, which is time winning, and sti ll hints at the consequences of it. This paper has a definitive aim of identifying that undermined content and to decipher it in the light of the present time, however, within its scope of limited words.The Poem, its period and the poetThe Sick RoseO rose, thou art sick!The invisible wormThat flies in the night,In the howling storm,Has found out thy bedOf crimson joy,And his dark secret loveDoes thy life destroy.William Blake (1757 1827)The multidimensional approach of this poemThe enigma of this poem lies in its ability to accommodate a wide variety of interpretation, even to the extent of one idea contradicting the other. Blakes mastery in structuring the poem makes the allegory and symbols submitting to its pattern-weaving force of the ideas about images and role of women, which are even stretchable to determine the most acceptable formula of a collective, joyful living. As for example, we can examine the word- howling storm. One can count it as an indicator of the societal buzz , or a premonition of doomsday, or the inner melancholy of our own! In any case, it is the carrier of the worm. That brings us to the coinage of the word worm, placed here as in intruding component from the larger situation that creates the howling storm. Here the thought element of infidelity first takes the shape of a worm, representing its crude and surreptitiousness, before anthropomorphizing itself. But, at the same time, the worm is invisible. That forces the reader to take another turn and think that the worm could be that idea which represents the evil of the society or the one that resides in the heart of an individual, which gets manifested with the touch of the dark and mystery. These examples actually substantiate Blakes attempt to cover the gamut of the subject infidelity with short, crisp words that are capable of covering most of the aspects of infidelity, all the while appealing to the women to take the cudgels to steer clear the society towards more joyful living.In other words, this poem hints at the consequences of exercising infidelity at any level of our existence by portraying it as a dangerous element, capable of destructing the recognized, mutually consented way of living. This exposition also speaks of his attempt to endorse the institution of marriage as the root source of overall development to achieve happiness both individually and collectively, and not at the expense of the sorrow of any other component of the society. This explanation can be instanced by Blakes lifelong loyalty to his wife Catherine.Period InterpretationsThe Sick Rose always remained at the center of hot debate, which has gained more momentum in the 20th century, when many books were published, each explaining its own interpretation of the poem, mostly relying on the fragmented part of the totality that the poem suggested at. However, most of the critics could not totally bypass the issue of infidelity, as evidenced by their critiques themselves. As for example, Harold Pagliaro (Selfhood and Redemption in Blakes Songs1987) explores the character of the speaker from a psychological perspective and arrives at the conclusion as there is a solid likelihood that the sexual drama outlined in the poem is internal, part of Roses dream or fantasy life, and that she knows little or nothing about it. (1) Another critic, E. D. Hirsch (Innocence and Experience, 1964, 1975), finds The Sick Rose satirizing sexual repression, and the invisible worm which destroys the Rose is a shame which an invention of the human brain, a shame that perverts enjoy.(1)Somewhat same idea was echoed by D.G. Gillham (Blakes Contrary States, 1966) who claimed that The Sick Rose tries to satirize the unhealthy attitude to sexual love. (1) Robert F. Gleckner suggests that enslavement is one aspect of experience (Enslave or be enslaved), while according to Bowra, another critic, The Sick Rose identifies the night of the howling storm as the night of experience(261), in which ensl aved man (and woman) secretly practice the joys of day (262). These interpretations nonetheless indicate towards the subject that lies at the core of the poem, i.e., infidelity. S. Foster Damons (1924 text) writes, Blake believes in an innocent, pure-minded love, and the worm represents the lust/love of experience that comes in the night to destroy the innocent love. (1). According to Harold Bloom (Blakes Apocalypse: A Study in Poetic Argument, 1963), the dark secret love of the rose is a jealous lust for possession of the Devourer, the reasonable Selfhood that quests only to appropriate (135). Here Bloom argues that the rose is less innocent than might first appear to the reader, and that opens another avenue of thought, as to why Blake issued his appeal to the rose and not to worm, which supposedly represents a male. Another critic, E. D. Hirsch took a smilar stance to Bowra, by saying although a poem (Sick Rose) about Beauty destroyed by Evil (233), it is also about a sickness m anifested by the roses ignorance of her disease (234). Hirsch went on to identify several contrary elements in the poem that indicates the perverted disease (destructive of secret love [and] its unnaturalness) that plagues the rose (for example, dark secrecy with crimson joy) (235), while concluding when secret love enters, life and joy depart (235). This statement clearly talks about infidelity and its effect that Hirsch found in this poem.Thus, it is because of beholding a subject like infidelity, this poems topicality would never cease, as there will always be the howling storm, the worms will venture in the nigh with the aid of it to feast on the innocence of rose with the magic of the dark secret of love it possesses. All the while the society will keep pondering on the questions like Whether it is the innocence or the indulgence of the rose that allows the worm to fulfill its desire? or Whether it was a voluntary or involuntary submission? Is the rose really helpless? The sear ch for the answers of those questions ultimately fetches an inference, which this humble researcher intends to explain in this paper: That The Sick Rose is William Blakes veiled appeal to the women to help curbing infidelity in the society.DiscussionThis poem corroborates the fact that in every creation there remains a slice of the mind of its creator and we would find that slice here through logical deduction from both Blakes life-experience and the poem.His life experienceWilliam Blake fell in love of history since he was a boy of 14 years, when he started his days of apprenticeship under James Basire of Queen Street, Lincolns Inn, who was an engraver to the London Society of Antiquaries. He used to send Blake to Westminster Abbey for practicing drawing and engraving from the relics and other antiquities.(2) It was from the history he had learnt about the social status of the women in earlier times, where there were scores of instances of matriarchal societies, which would conside r women as the source of power. It would only be unnatural if he had bypassed this part of the history, and this accentuates the possibility that he had developed a natural respect for women, which even bolstered him to raise his voice against the oppression of the prostitutes, save alone his unflinching faith and love for his wife Catherine till the end of his life. And it is undeniable that the belief in any power creates the urge of utilizing that power to the benefit of individual or collectivity. Blake took the latter route while believing in the power of women. While in doing so, he identified infidelity as a persistent problem of the society, and urged the women power to solve it.The contents of the poemThe poem establishes certain facts which none of the critics would deny. These facts are:1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That Rose represents female and worm represents male2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Howling storm facilitates the movement of worm3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Worm comes to the ros e4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rose either involuntarily or voluntarily submits to the wishes of worm5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That involves a crimson joy6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   All hastens the process of decay7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The poem is addressed to rose8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It cautions the rose about worm;From this, we can arrive at certain logical derivatives:1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Societal situation generates lust in human mind2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That fuels the thought to fulfill it by any means3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This steers them to infidelity4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Men are more mobile in the society5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They come to women6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That denotes the high degree of lust in men or7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They are less equipped to control that urge8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Women also derive pleasure from this event.9.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Yet women possess greater power to control their lust10.   Blake wanted to see infidelity in the society is checked. 11.   So he appealed to women (rose) to help curbing infidelity.This didactic mould leaves no space for any idea that denies the fact that Blake, with his desire to see a better society rising to the heights of joyful living, wanted to clear one persistent hurdle before it, and it was/is infidelity.;ConclusionIt was Blakes strong urge to check infidelity from the society that generated this poem from him, who otherwise was engaged to work on the vision that he claimed he had possessed at the age of ten. However, it was that vision in him prompted to issue this appeal to the subject of the society that it considered suitable. It was his vision that considered the night as the moment of ignorance; the dark secrets of love is our animal instinct of lust, and worm as the dormant notion to venture through the path of dark love, i.e., infidelity. This is why the topic, infidelity, dominates the proceedings of this poem. Infidelity in The Sick Rose, A Poem by William Blake Essay Example Infidelity in The Sick Rose, A Poem by William Blake Essay From time immemorial, the civilization is worried to keep society wrapped under its fold with set principles, be it on the subjective or on the objective plane. The codes of conduct were formulated and the yardsticks of ethics and morality have since been continuing to define themselves, evolving towards new dimensions; so much so, that they have started redefining the very concept of social cordoning itself. And this ongoing process is conducted by a voluntary and involuntary participation of the human beings themselves- the first group is doing this through the formulation and bindings of regulations by synthesizing the proceedings of the society, while the second group contribute their part through their creations, containing the current trend of the society along with the possible consequences of that trend. Such an example is the poem of William Blake, The Sick Rose, which have been continuing to bemuse us with its undermined content on infidelity, which is time winning, and sti ll hints at the consequences of it. This paper has a definitive aim of identifying that undermined content and to decipher it in the light of the present time, however, within its scope of limited words.The Poem, its period and the poetThe Sick RoseO rose, thou art sick!The invisible wormThat flies in the night,In the howling storm,Has found out thy bedOf crimson joy,And his dark secret loveDoes thy life destroy.William Blake (1757 1827)The multidimensional approach of this poemThe enigma of this poem lies in its ability to accommodate a wide variety of interpretation, even to the extent of one idea contradicting the other. Blakes mastery in structuring the poem makes the allegory and symbols submitting to its pattern-weaving force of the ideas about images and role of women, which are even stretchable to determine the most acceptable formula of a collective, joyful living. As for example, we can examine the word- howling storm. One can count it as an indicator of the societal buzz , or a premonition of doomsday, or the inner melancholy of our own! In any case, it is the carrier of the worm. That brings us to the coinage of the word worm, placed here as in intruding component from the larger situation that creates the howling storm. Here the thought element of infidelity first takes the shape of a worm, representing its crude and surreptitiousness, before anthropomorphizing itself. But, at the same time, the worm is invisible. That forces the reader to take another turn and think that the worm could be that idea which represents the evil of the society or the one that resides in the heart of an individual, which gets manifested with the touch of the dark and mystery. These examples actually substantiate Blakes attempt to cover the gamut of the subject infidelity with short, crisp words that are capable of covering most of the aspects of infidelity, all the while appealing to the women to take the cudgels to steer clear the society towards more joyful living.In other words, this poem hints at the consequences of exercising infidelity at any level of our existence by portraying it as a dangerous element, capable of destructing the recognized, mutually consented way of living. This exposition also speaks of his attempt to endorse the institution of marriage as the root source of overall development to achieve happiness both individually and collectively, and not at the expense of the sorrow of any other component of the society. This explanation can be instanced by Blakes lifelong loyalty to his wife Catherine.Period InterpretationsThe Sick Rose always remained at the center of hot debate, which has gained more momentum in the 20th century, when many books were published, each explaining its own interpretation of the poem, mostly relying on the fragmented part of the totality that the poem suggested at. However, most of the critics could not totally bypass the issue of infidelity, as evidenced by their critiques themselves. As for example, Harold Pagliaro (Selfhood and Redemption in Blakes Songs1987) explores the character of the speaker from a psychological perspective and arrives at the conclusion as there is a solid likelihood that the sexual drama outlined in the poem is internal, part of Roses dream or fantasy life, and that she knows little or nothing about it. (1) Another critic, E. D. Hirsch (Innocence and Experience, 1964, 1975), finds The Sick Rose satirizing sexual repression, and the invisible worm which destroys the Rose is a shame which an invention of the human brain, a shame that perverts enjoy.(1)Somewhat same idea was echoed by D.G. Gillham (Blakes Contrary States, 1966) who claimed that The Sick Rose tries to satirize the unhealthy attitude to sexual love. (1) Robert F. Gleckner suggests that enslavement is one aspect of experience (Enslave or be enslaved), while according to Bowra, another critic, The Sick Rose identifies the night of the howling storm as the night of experience(261), in which ensl aved man (and woman) secretly practice the joys of day (262). These interpretations nonetheless indicate towards the subject that lies at the core of the poem, i.e., infidelity. S. Foster Damons (1924 text) writes, Blake believes in an innocent, pure-minded love, and the worm represents the lust/love of experience that comes in the night to destroy the innocent love. (1). According to Harold Bloom (Blakes Apocalypse: A Study in Poetic Argument, 1963), the dark secret love of the rose is a jealous lust for possession of the Devourer, the reasonable Selfhood that quests only to appropriate (135). Here Bloom argues that the rose is less innocent than might first appear to the reader, and that opens another avenue of thought, as to why Blake issued his appeal to the rose and not to worm, which supposedly represents a male. Another critic, E. D. Hirsch took a smilar stance to Bowra, by saying although a poem (Sick Rose) about Beauty destroyed by Evil (233), it is also about a sickness m anifested by the roses ignorance of her disease (234). Hirsch went on to identify several contrary elements in the poem that indicates the perverted disease (destructive of secret love [and] its unnaturalness) that plagues the rose (for example, dark secrecy with crimson joy) (235), while concluding when secret love enters, life and joy depart (235). This statement clearly talks about infidelity and its effect that Hirsch found in this poem.Thus, it is because of beholding a subject like infidelity, this poems topicality would never cease, as there will always be the howling storm, the worms will venture in the nigh with the aid of it to feast on the innocence of rose with the magic of the dark secret of love it possesses. All the while the society will keep pondering on the questions like Whether it is the innocence or the indulgence of the rose that allows the worm to fulfill its desire? or Whether it was a voluntary or involuntary submission? Is the rose really helpless? The sear ch for the answers of those questions ultimately fetches an inference, which this humble researcher intends to explain in this paper: That The Sick Rose is William Blakes veiled appeal to the women to help curbing infidelity in the society.DiscussionThis poem corroborates the fact that in every creation there remains a slice of the mind of its creator and we would find that slice here through logical deduction from both Blakes life-experience and the poem.His life experienceWilliam Blake fell in love of history since he was a boy of 14 years, when he started his days of apprenticeship under James Basire of Queen Street, Lincolns Inn, who was an engraver to the London Society of Antiquaries. He used to send Blake to Westminster Abbey for practicing drawing and engraving from the relics and other antiquities.(2) It was from the history he had learnt about the social status of the women in earlier times, where there were scores of instances of matriarchal societies, which would conside r women as the source of power. It would only be unnatural if he had bypassed this part of the history, and this accentuates the possibility that he had developed a natural respect for women, which even bolstered him to raise his voice against the oppression of the prostitutes, save alone his unflinching faith and love for his wife Catherine till the end of his life. And it is undeniable that the belief in any power creates the urge of utilizing that power to the benefit of individual or collectivity. Blake took the latter route while believing in the power of women. While in doing so, he identified infidelity as a persistent problem of the society, and urged the women power to solve it.The contents of the poemThe poem establishes certain facts which none of the critics would deny. These facts are:1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That Rose represents female and worm represents male2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Howling storm facilitates the movement of worm3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Worm comes to the ros e4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rose either involuntarily or voluntarily submits to the wishes of worm5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That involves a crimson joy6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   All hastens the process of decay7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The poem is addressed to rose8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It cautions the rose about worm;From this, we can arrive at certain logical derivatives:1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Societal situation generates lust in human mind2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That fuels the thought to fulfill it by any means3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This steers them to infidelity4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Men are more mobile in the society5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They come to women6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That denotes the high degree of lust in men or7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They are less equipped to control that urge8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Women also derive pleasure from this event.9.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Yet women possess greater power to control their lust10.   Blake wanted to see infidelity in the society is checked. 11.   So he appealed to women (rose) to help curbing infidelity.This didactic mould leaves no space for any idea that denies the fact that Blake, with his desire to see a better society rising to the heights of joyful living, wanted to clear one persistent hurdle before it, and it was/is infidelity.;ConclusionIt was Blakes strong urge to check infidelity from the society that generated this poem from him, who otherwise was engaged to work on the vision that he claimed he had possessed at the age of ten. However, it was that vision in him prompted to issue this appeal to the subject of the society that it considered suitable. It was his vision that considered the night as the moment of ignorance; the dark secrets of love is our animal instinct of lust, and worm as the dormant notion to venture through the path of dark love, i.e., infidelity. This is why the topic, infidelity, dominates the proceedings of this poem.