Dysfunctional Families in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams

Dysfunctional Families in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams Dysfunction and volatility is common amongst families. These families dislike their kin and often resent them. In the play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams, the Politt family does not function as a normal family. Brick, Maggie, and Big Daddy are three members of the family that have the most problems that affect the whole family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Brick, Maggie’s alcoholic husband, is an uncaring man who has no good feelings toward his wife. For example, when Maggie buys a gift for Brick to give to Big Daddy on his birthday and Maggie wants Brick to sign the card, he says â€Å"No†¦ I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do†(28). Even on Big Daddy’s last birthday, Brick refuses to make Big Daddy happy. He is very selfish in his decision. In addition, when Maggie wants to have a little privacy with Brick and he refuses, Maggie responds by saying she can’t live under those circumstances, Brick then states â€Å"You agreed to†¦ Accept that condition†(32). Maggie wants to love Brick but is shunned because of his insensitivity. Brick’s alcohol seems to float his boat more than being with his spouse. Brick has no compassion and feelings for his family and for anyone else.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Margaret (Maggie), a young, beautiful woman has a marriage on the rocks and a strong dislike towards Mae and her children. For instance, when Maggie starts talking about Skipper during her con...

The Elizabethan Era

By definition, a class is a group of people with a related social standing. There are often distinct differences between the classes, denoted by characteristics such as one†s wealth, education, career, and health. These principles applied for the Elizabethan Era as well. Elizabeth herself was a member of the upper class, while other fairly successful people belonged to the middle class. Peasants were the lowest ranked class, usually because they were unfortunate enough to either contract a disease that disabled them from work, or they were farmers that were stricken with poverty when a harvesting season went bad. The â€Å"upper class† consisted mainly of nobility and wealthy landowners. Those in this class generally handled governmental affairs. They also had their children brought up with an education in music, math, and history. It wasn†t rare for many of them to be literate in multiple foreign languages, as well as their own, such as Latin, English, French, and Spanish. Also, the men usually received a better education than the women. The men of nobility were taught extra skills such as horse riding, hunting, shooting, and hawking as well. Because of this class†s social statute and wealth, they were easily able to treat themselves to the best of the food available during their time, especially meaty foods. But because of the large consumption of meat with few vegetables, many eventually suffered from diseases such as scurvy, which is weakness of the bone. The dinnerware consisted of wooden plates, like those of the lower classes, but these were accompanied by other delicacies of the Elizabethan period, such as chairs, forks, and glasses. The favorite drink of all the classes was beer, although the upper class favored wine imported from French vineyards. One custom between the people of this class and the peasants was known as the giving of â€Å"alms† to the poor. This was were a wealthy person would contribute money and sometimes provide supplementary shelter to a less fortunate person. Although the upper class was a minority in Elizabethan times as it is now, it kept the thriving European kingdom alive. The second class of the Elizabethan Period was the â€Å"middle class†. This class usually consisted of merchants and some landowners, although the number of peasants who rose and fell between this class and the lower class varied depending on the health of the seasonal harvest. Those in this class lead a fairly peaceful, easygoing life, other than common household chores and visits to the local market. If possible, they would hire a servant to keep up with some of the household chores, such as the tedious task of clothes washing. They sent their children to a formal school if they could afford it. The parents were so intent for their children to learn the material that they encouraged teachers to beat them if they made mistakes or became lazy. The middle class often could not afford some of the things taken for granted by the upper class, such as chairs instead of stools, forks, glasses, and a large selection of meats. The middle class drove the economy of Britain through its trades with other European countries. The peasants made up the lower class. These people were either ill, lazy, became laborers, or were just turned a bad hand during the harvest season. The laborers and servants served long hours each day handling the least favorable jobs, such as field work and laundry. During bad seasons, as many as 25% could not afford food, and often the most they ever ate was bread. In many cases they turned to thievery, otherwise they would starve. Some were lucky enough to receive â€Å"alms† from the wealthy, but many didn†t, because of their great number. The upper class pitied the peasants that were ill or that couldn†t find work, so they created a system to care for them. If there were able men that were just lazy and rather beg on the streets, a Parish, or the person in charge of the system locally, would send them to a larger city were they would be whipped and then sent back and assigned a job. If a man was ill, then they would often try to take him in and give him enough food to survive on. Widows and their families were also treated in the same manner. In the end, when harvest was well, every class benefited, and it created especially good seasons for the poor, otherwise it was the peasants who suffered most. The classes of the Elizabethan Period established a society which became a model for many present-day cultures. Though not perfect, it still exists today, even in America to some degree. The upper class was the wealthiest and had the most power, while the middle class was mostly involved in trade, and the lower class made up the remainder who were often ill or widowed.

Euthanasia a Right to Die or a Right to Kill

Euthanasia: a Right to Die or a Right to Kill? Wikipedia gives the following definition of euthanasia: It is a practice of ending life in a manner which relieves pain and suffering. And there is one more detailed definition from Committee on Medical Ethics: Euthanasia is a deliberate intervention undertaken with the intention of ending life to relieve intractable suffering. There are also several synonyms that can help to understand the notion of euthanasia, namely assisted suicide and excusable homicide. According to this euthanasia can be categorized in different ways including voluntary and involuntary, active and passive. Active euthanasia can be viewed as homicide and in this case it is considered as criminal. Passive euthanasia is mostly considered as non-criminal. Lets consider arguments for euthanasia. First of all, euthanasia gives a way to relieve unbearable pain. But is it a weighty argument? Modern technologies provide a lot of pain-relieving solutions – it makes the argument less forceful. Moreover, is a sick person who suffers from severe pain able to make objective appraisal of his medical condition? One should also take into consideration that fact that illness is usually accompanied by depression. Second argument for euthanasia says that people have right to commit a suicide. But†¦Do we give a right to die or a right to kill that will not be criminalized? Thirdly, euthanasia is supported by freedom of choice; people must not be pushed to stay alive. And again, does the condition of person allow him to evaluate the situation without bias? I dont think so. And what are the arguments against euthanasia? Euthanasia depreciates human life. Euthanasia may transfer from voluntary to involuntary. Euthanasia may be used not only for people who are mortally sick. Does it sound weighty enough? I think more than enough. In conclusion, religions are different. But there is the only and extremely important issue that unites Christianity and Islam: suicide is forbidden. God gives us life and God takes it back. And its not up to human beings to make such a decision.