Melancholy Caused by Fasting An Artist in the Modernist Period

The role of an artist has always remained a discussed issue; whether his/her activity was considered prestigious or, backwards, aimed at entertaining the crowd, the personality of an artist has always been perceived as that contrasted with the rest of the society; as that being separated from the concerns of the everyday life and minor, insignificant issues.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Melancholy Caused by Fasting: An Artist in the Modernist Period specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Not accidentally, the question of an artist’s role has often become an object of attention of artists themselves, in particular, writers: the interaction of an artist and the world around him/her has become a topic for a series of works of literature. In this paper, we will discuss A Hunger Artist (Kafka), the work of Franz Kafka, an outstanding German-language writer, that in an allegoric way depicts the role of an artist du ring the modernist period. In the image of the protagonist of the story, Kafka depicts a modernist artist, misunderstood, marginalized, â€Å"infected† by a specific â€Å"melancholy† peculiar to the way modernist artists perceived life and the world around them, as well as observes how an artist interacts with the â€Å"addressees† of his/her artistic â€Å"message†, which is his/her works. A Hunger Artist tells a reader about a specific genre of â€Å"art†, which is â€Å"professional fasting†: an artist performed his long-term fasting to numerous observers. Artist’s fasting was his way to express his ideas and share it with the observers (204-205). During a certain period, â€Å"professional fasting† was of big popularity awakening strong interest of the society, says Kafka; however, the story describes the period of the decline of the â€Å"genre† and its graduate â€Å"collapse†. In the course of narration, n ot only does Kafka depict the act of fasting itself and observers’ reaction on it, but he also throws light upon the artist’s inner experience, which makes the story of particular value for a reader interested in history of art. In the personality of the hunger artist, we may notice the generalized character of a modernist artist, and in the actions of fasting, we may recognize the characteristics of modernism as an epoch in history of art. Let us now discuss the peculiarities of modernism in culture and art to better understand the allegory of Kafka’s work. For the period of modernist culture, it was characteristic for art to be alienated from the everyday life, as well as from the majority of the â€Å"ordinary audience†; it is possible to say that the art was created by the â€Å"select few† and for the â€Å"select few† (Storey 182). This was caused by certain academicism of modernist works of art, by complexity of ideas and the ways of expressing them with the means of art. If we try to create the generalized image of a modernist artist, we will imagine a misunderstood person whose ideas and concerns are far from those ordinary and everyday; a person whose feelings and thoughts are complicated and contradictory; thus, the inner world of an artist is the center of the modernist works.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It will be not an overstatement to call a modernist artist a â€Å"marginalized person†: on the one hand, he/she exists within a community and demonstrates his/her works to it; on the other hand, the actual distance between them is very big, and the artist does not â€Å"fit into† the community. Not accidentally, modernist works could be hardly appreciated by the majority of ordinary readers/viewers. Moreover, it is interesting that this misunderstanding was peculiar to different strata of the society: while poorer people became not interested in modernist art because of insufficient education and background, the â€Å"elite† was also indifferent to the essence of the modernist works focusing on the form instead of content: Meier-Graefe writes, â€Å"The incomprehensibility of painting and sculpture to the general public has been shrouded in a veil of pretentious exposition† (Meier-Graefe 205); thus, modernist art was really â€Å"marginalized†, not fitting into the interest of different social groups. These trends are allegorically depicted by Kafka in his work: we see a misunderstood hunger artist who has a complicated view on his calling and his â€Å"art†, which actually differs from that of the observers coming to see him; Kafka defines the artist’s state as â€Å"a condition hardly to be understood by well-fed people† (Kafka 208). This distance between the interests of a â€Å"fasting† artist and the â €Å"well-fed† people is in fact the main tragedy in modernist art: while an artist focuses on a high idea that he delivers to the audience, the audience themselves are interested in â€Å"manners† rather than â€Å"matters† and aspire for being entertained. The embodiment of the artist’s position in his environment is the cage where he is placed. On the one hand, his artistic will is â€Å"imprisoned† by the audience’s tastes and mood: the period of fasting lasts for forty days; then the â€Å"show† finishes, as the observers’ interest diminishes (206); on the other hand, the cage is a symbol of the artist’s marginalization and separateness from the rest of the society. However, when we have discussed a modernist artist’s position relative to his audience, the question may arise: what is the cause of this marginalization? What makes the artist be â€Å"misunderstood† and â€Å"separated†: inner confl icts, disagreement with the world around him, or maybe, specific pride of an artist who wants to perform himself as â€Å"outstanding†, not clear for the rest? No doubt, for Kafka this question is also of big significance; that is why, in his A Hunger Artist, he provides his own answer to it: being asked about the reason for his fasting, the artist says, â€Å"†¦Because I couldn’t find the food I liked. If I had found it, believe me, I should have made no fuss and stuffed myself like you or anyone else† (211).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Melancholy Caused by Fasting: An Artist in the Modernist Period specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thus, we may conclude that the separateness of a modernist artist is of the dual nature: on the one hand, it is his choice to express his complicated ideas and thus to be a â€Å"marginalized person†; on the other hand, his opposition to the world is sincere and not feigned: the modernist era was the period of doubts, challenges, and testing the boundaries of all existing notions. Thus, being in the constant condition of search, the artist was nevertheless not able to find the â€Å"food† he would really like. This circle gave birth to specific â€Å"melancholy† of a modernist artist; Kafka uses the allegory of the artists â€Å"melancholy†¦ caused by fasting† (207). Another interesting question is the destiny of the modernist art. In his work, Kafka touches upon this issue as well expressing his opinion in the allegorical end of the story: after trying himself as a fasting artist in a circus where people prefer to look at the animals rather than at him, the artist dies, and his cage is given to a young, strong panther (211). Unlike the fasting artist, the panther awakens joy and brings good mood to the visitors of the circus. The â€Å"work† of a fasting artist turns out to be not â€Å"com petitive† comparing to the animals kept in the circus. â€Å"Perhaps, said the hunger artist to himself, many a time, things would be a little better if his cage were set not quite so near the menagerie. That made it too easy for people to make their choice†, with this quotation, Kafka reflects the mood of the crowd coming to the circus, and their expectations about the show. In fact, the end of the story reminds us about a change that took place in the middle of the 20th century: the â€Å"elitist† modernist culture is replaced by popular culture, and then by postmodernist culture. As a result, the borders between commercial and not commercial, â€Å"high† and â€Å"low† culture are eliminated; culture is now neighboring to the everyday life and is thus accessible for ordinary people. The fusion of art and entertainment is not bad manners any more (Storey 183-185). The new, â€Å"popular culture† is similar to Kafka’s young panther; à ¢â‚¬Å"The panther was all right†, says Kafka in the final sentences of his work (Kafka 211). Understanding the real-life context of a work of literature always helps a reader better understand its idea; having touched upon the role of the artist in the modernist era, Kafka gives us opportunity to get the notion of the society of that period, and, what is the most interesting, of the inner experience of a modernist artist. Having chosen the allegorical way of expressing his ideas, Kafka nevertheless has depicted the characteristic features of modernist culture very precisely and eloquently.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Kafka, Franz. â€Å"A Hunger Artist.† The Tyranny of the Normal: An Anthology. Eds. Donley, Carol, and Sheryl Buckley. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 1996. 204-211. Print. Meier-Graefe, Julius. â€Å"The Development of Modern Art.† Modern Art and Modernism: A Critical Anthology. Eds. Frascina, Francis, and Charles Harrison. London: Paul Chapman, 1982. 205-209. Print. Storey, John. Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction. 5th ed. New York, London: Pearson Longman, 2009. Print. This essay on Melancholy Caused by Fasting: An Artist in the Modernist Period was written and submitted by user AnneMar1eH0ag to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Authors Purpose Essays

Authors Purpose Essays Authors Purpose Paper Authors Purpose Paper Essay Topic: Literature Authors Purpose why an author writes something Persuade authors goal persuade the reader to agree with the authors opinion; if you changing the way you think of a topic as you read (does not mean that you necessarily agree with it!) Inform authors goal is to enlighten the reader with topics that are usually real or contain facts; facts are used to teach and not persuade Entertain authors goal is to provide enjoyment for the reader Describe / Explain use the senses to paint a picture; tell a story or describe real or imaginary characters, places, and events Examples of Authors Purpose: To Persuade advertisements, commercials, newspaper editorials Examples of Authors Purpose: To Inform textbooks, cookbooks, encyclopedias, newspapers Examples of Authors Purpose: To Entertain poems, stories, plays, comic strips, short story, novels, comedies, riddles, jokes, song lyrics Examples of Describe / Explain menus, catalogs, travel brochures, some poetry, technical manuals Authors Purpose Guiding Question Why was this piece written? Example of an Authors Purpose Question What is the most likely reason the author describes the storm in this way? Example of an Authors Purpose Question With which sentence below would the author of this passage most likely agree? Example of an Authors Purpose Question Which sentence from the brochure best indicates the authors bias in favor of Big Bend Landscape? Example of an Authors Purpose Question What is the authors attitude toward? Bias favoring one side, position, or belief being partial, prejudiced Audience Who the writer writes for (young adults, parents, children, policemen, voters, scientists, etc) Related Papers How Do Authors Persuade Their Readers? Assignment The primary purpose of the art Critical Reading Final 2 My Brother Sam Is Dead: Description of the Authors Victor E. Frankl Writes of the Meaning and Purpose of Life and Humanity Don Quixote Book Review: Custer the Great Controversy Explain the general purpose for measuring central tendency Purpose of College Education Friendship: Michel De Montaigne and Ralph Waldo Emerson A Mission Statement Describes an Organisations Basic Purpose Some nice quotes from unknown authors Purpose of Incarceration How to cite this page Choose cite format: Authors Purpose. (2018, Jan 22). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/'>APA "Authors Purpose." PaperAp.com, 22 Jan 2018, https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/'>MLA PaperAp.com. (2018). Authors Purpose. [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/[Accessed: 18 Sep. 2019]'>Harvard "Authors Purpose." PaperAp.com, Jan 22, 2018. Accessed September 18, 2019. https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/'>Chicago "Authors Purpose." PaperAp.com, 22 Jan 2018, https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/'>ASA "Authors Purpose," PaperAp.com, 22-Jan-2018. [Online]. Available: https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/. [Accessed: 18-Sep-2019]'>IEEE PaperAp.com. (2018). Authors Purpose. [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/[Accessed: 18-Sep-2019]'>AMA Authors Purpose. (2018, Jan 22). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/paper-on-authors-purpose/ Copy to clipboard B Pages:3 Words:809 This is just a sample.To get a unique paper Hire Writer Want to get a price estimate for your Essay? Deadline Paper type Essay (Any Type) Admission Essay Annotated Bibliography Argumentative Essay Article Review Book/Movie Review Business Plan Case Study Coursework Creative Writing Critical Thinking Presentation or Speech Research Paper Research Proposal Term Paper Thesis Other Article (Any Type) Content (Any Type) Q&A Capstone Project Dissertation Lab Report Scholarship Essay Math Problem Statistic Project Research Summary Assignment Dissertation chapter Speech Dissertation chapter: Abstract Dissertation chapter: Introduction Dissertation chapter: Hypothesis Dissertation chapter: Literature Review Dissertation chapter: Methodology Dissertation chapter: Analysis/Results Dissertation chapter: Discussion Dissertation chapter: Conclusion Dissertation Proposal Thesis Statement Thesis Proposal Application Essay Pages 550 words(double spaced) 126 writers online Check Price A limited time offer! Get custom paper sample written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed Order now Authors Purpose Paper Persuade The author wants to convince you to do, buy, or believe something Inform The author wants to give you information Entertain The author wants to amuse you or for you to enjoy the writing Explain The author wants to tell you how to do something or how something works Describe The author wants you to visualize or experience a person, place, or thing Entertain Entertainâ€Å"But please!† exclaimed Maddie. â€Å"I’ve been thinking about riding this all day!† â€Å"Fine,† said Maddie’s mother, â€Å"but only once and NO begging to ride again!† Maddie waited in line for the roller coaster, anxious and scared. As she climbed off after the ride, she spotted her mother, ran up to her, and asked, â€Å"Please, Mom, may I ride again?!† Explain Throwing snowballs is a fun and simple way to pass the time in the winter. First, find some soft but thick snow. The snow is no good for snowballs if it is too hard and icy or too soft and crumbly. You will know the snow is just right when it is easy to collect and pack together but isn’t too hard. Shape the snow into a firm, round ball by rolling it between your palms. Finally, spot your target, aim, and throw! Remember, it isn’t nice to throw snowballs at unsuspecting people. Now you know how to make a snowball. Persuade Attention Florida coast residents: EVACUATE NOW! Hurricane Amy is currently a category 5 storm and headed right for your area. You are not safe if you choose to stay in your home! The only way to be safe is to evacuate right away. If you choose to stay in your home and find yourself in an emergency, first responders will not be able to get out during the storm to help you. There is extreme danger of a storm surge and very high winds. Residents who choose to stay are likely to be injured or killed. NOW is the time to evacuate! Inform Frostbite is a medical condition in which localized damage has been caused to skin and other tissues due to extended exposure to freezing temperatures. Frostbite usually occurs in the extremities (hands or feet) because they are farthest away from the heart and often most likely to be exposed. Frostbite occurs when the body stops circulating blood in an area of the body that is too cold. The body does this in order to preserve body heat and fight hypothermia. In severe cases, frostbite can lead to amputation. Describe When entering the art studio, the sight of various colors fills your eyes. The bright colors startle you as you look around, breathing in the smells of paper, canvas, crayons, and paint. Huge, vast windows fill one wall, overlooking a beautiful cityscape. Soft classical music plays in the background, providing inspiration for artists and their teachers. As you approach a sculpture, you are surprised to find that it feels warm and soft, despite it’s shiny, hard appearance. Every footstep, whisper, and other sounds are amplified in the hard, bright room. Entertain As a lion slept, a tiny mouse began to run up and down him. As the lion woke, he trapped the mouse with his paw and prepared to swallow the mouse. â€Å"Excuse me,† cried the mouse, â€Å"but if you let me go this time, I will never forget it. One day, I will return the favor.† The lion was so amused at the idea of a mouse being able to help a mighty lion that he let the mouse go. Some time later, the lion was caught in a trap and the hunters went to search for a wagon to carry him. The tiny mouse saw him and began to gnaw on the ropes of the trap until the lion was freed. â€Å"Was I not right?† said the tiny mouse. Persuade A turtle makes the very best pet. There are numerous advantages to buying a turtle instead of an uninteresting, messy, stinky dog. First, your turtle will use the bathroom in his cage or aquarium, making clean-up easy. You won’t be cleaning up a huge mess that a big dog can make anywhere! Second, have you ever been awakened at night by a loud, obnoxious barking turtle? Of course not, because turtles don’t bark! And finally, you won’t waste your afternoon walking your turtle since turtles can get all the exercise they need in their cage or aquarium without your help. It is clear that turtles are the better choice for a pet! advertsiements Persuade textbooks Inform Opinions Persuade Expository Essays Inform Instruction Explain Product Descriptions Describe Newspaper Articles Inform Poems Entertain Imagery Describe Campaign Speeches Persuade Recipes Explain How-to-Guides Explain Stories Entertain Steps Explain Procedures Explain Plays Entertain Persuasive Letters Persuade Biographies Inform Songs Entertain Non-Fiction Books Inform Descriptive Essays Describe

Healthy Promotion Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Healthy Promotion Proposal - Essay Example on, the parents can also benefit from the project since the children will be educated on how to include the whole family while planning the healthy meals. The project will utilize the education strategies that are easily understandable by the target population. The scholars will be taught how to make healthy food choices, based on the available food items in their localities. Concepts of balanced diets and portion sizes will be explained to them in simple ways that are easy to understand. The educators will use models of the Plate method and Food pyramid to explain portion sizes and different colors to represent the various food groups. For instance, the educators will use white to represent starches and carbohydrates, green for vegetables and golden brown for proteins. The educators will also include activities that help in the attainment of the project goals. For instance, the students will be taught how to make diet plans that include the correct portions sizes for each food group. They will also be taught on the various food options that are healthy, for example whole grains instead of refined carbohydrates, unsaturated fats instead of trans-fats, etc. Exercises will be held after the teaching sessions to test their level of understanding and also to reinforce the knowledge acquired in the oral teaching sessions. Apart from designing meals, the students will be educated on the physiological consequences of taking certain foods. They will be taught on the roles of the different food groups in the body such as provision of energy, digestion and glycemic index, storage of excess energy and development of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and obesity. However, the educators will ensure that they are keen to avoid using technical terms to facilitate easier understanding of the concepts. The project is important to the target population in several ways. First, it provides basic knowledge on proper nutrition principles, thus facilitating

Integrated marketing communication Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Integrated marketing communication - Assignment Example She also needs to know whether the products and brand are too expensive or whether some are too cheap that they appear not to be of good quality. Such information can be used to increase stocking of the products and brands in various joints, improve pricing and the quality of the products and brands. The types of data the distributorship should collect about business customers include the information on how many business customers, for instance restaurants and drinking establishments, prominently display her products, whether the business customers give her products a good, fair or poor shelf space in off-sale outlets or whether they stock it at all. She can use this information to build a bond with the business customers to help increase the sales of Aheuser-Busch brands. This information can also be used to create a new link with business customers that do not stock Aheuser-Busch brands in their shelves to make them start selling the brand. It can also help her convince the business customers to give a good or fair shelf space in off-sale outlets by coming to an agreeable business terms with them (Clow & Baack, 2012). The distributorship can build frequency or loyalty program in the area. In this scenario, effective frequency will work rather than loyalty because there are many competitors and building loyalty would be difficult. A frequency will work in the sense that the distributorship will advertise the brand over a period of time in a platform of choice before a response is made. The distributorship can do this after collecting data on individual customers and business customers. The brand is not popular like other brands like Heineken and frequency will advertise the brand more. The sales approach that should be used for various businesses by the sales staff that sells Anheuser-Busch products is the networker approach. This approach is where the sales

Good fences make good neighbors Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Good fences make good neighbors - Essay Example The neighbor believes that a healthy boundary between the two farms can make them better neighbors as he feels that the erection of good walls or barriers would prevent any of his things getting across to the speaker’s farm thus preventing any future argument, though this makes no sense to the speaker as he says that, â€Å"He is all pine and I am apple-orchard. My apple trees will never get across and eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.† (23-25). The speaker asks a question that he answers himself, â€Å"Where there are cows? But here there are no cows,† (30) The speaker believes that since the two of them do not rear cows that could eat up their pines or apples, there is no need for the erection of a wall. The neighbor still insists on his saying that, â€Å"Good fences make good neighbors.† (44) The neighbor believes so much in his father’s saying, while the speaker sees him as somebody with a dark-age mentality. To him, good neighbors are the ones that have good fences between them, a good neighbor would not have any of his/her things interfering with their neighbor’s and to the neighbor, and it is only the erection of good fences that would make this possible.

Welfare Needs Of The Elderly Social Work Essay

Welfare Needs Of The Elderly Social Work Essay As the population continues to age, it is becoming increasingly important to focus on policies and practices that support and enhance the wellbeing of the older population in later life. One sad reality for many seniors in later life and an increasing cause for concern is elder abuse. Elder abuse is one of the most disturbing and rapidly growing areas of crime throughout the global. It is extremely difficult to exactly quantify the extent of elder abuse because many such cases go undetected and under-reported. The World Health Organization reported that it is generally agreed that abuse of older people is either an act of commission or of omission or neglect, and it may either be intentional or unintentional (Krug et al., 2002). It results in unnecessary suffering, injury, the loss of violation of human rights, and a decreased quality of life for the older person. Like any other form of domestic violence, abuse of the elderly initially remained as a private matter hidden from public view. It was initially seen as a social welfare issue and latter on a problem of ageing, but now has developed into a significant public health and criminal justice concern. The value of loving family institution has been tarnished by greed, position-struggle and impatience. Despite elder abuse is not entirely a new issue; it is time to find out the prevention ways to be implemented and effective interventions to emerge. There are a few welfare needs that will be highlighted after so that the young generation have a strong sense of love and care towards the senior citizen. Elderly Nowadays, Malaysians are living longer; they are on an average of 74 years for men and 78 years for women. In others words, their life expectancy has increase. With the advances in medical care and better nutrition, older people are living longer, they are more visible, more active and more independent than ever before and they are in better health. Therefore there is a growing concern regarding the global phenomenon of aging. A decline in the birth as well as death rates has resulted in an increase in the elderly population. Given that the elderly population is on the rise, it is of paramount importance to examine the care of the older persons. 2005 (%) 2010 (%) Total Population 26.75 m 28.96 m 65 and above 1.15 m 4.3% 1.36 m 4.7 % This table shows that the total population and the aged of 65 years or above in Malaysia between the year of 2005 and 2010. In 2005, the total population of Malaysia was 26.75 million, and which 1.15 million or 4.3% was aged 65 years and above. Moreover, in 2010, Malaysia currently has a population of approximately 29 million, and aged 65 years and above has increased to 1.36 million or 4.7%. With the projected population growth of 2% annually, it expected that the total population in 2020 will rise to 34 million, of which 3.2 million or 9.5% will be the age of 65 years and above. In the year 2035, the country is expected to have a total population of about 46 million of which 6.9 million or 15% will be the aged 65 years and above. This is evident that Malaysias demographic ageing pattern is emerging. Based on the figure showed in this table, the real numbers of older person have increased lately, which also means that the number of elderly will continue to grow over the coming year. As the populations of older Malaysian grows, so there has a hidden problem of elder abuse. Further, the number of elderly with chronic illness is likely to increase. This can pose an increased burden on their caregivers such as family members, and it could lead to a higher risk of elderly abuse. Elder abuse Elder abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person (Action on Elder Abuse 1995). The wilful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or cruel punishment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental anguish, or the wilful deprivation by a caretaker of goods or services which are necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish or mental illness (1985 Elder Abuse Prevention, Identification Treatment Act). According to the Swanson (1999), elder abuse refers to the mistreatment of older people by those in a position of trust, power or responsibility for their care. This is a global problem that is likely to intensify in view of the increasing number of older people and the changing socio-economic and environmental conditions worldwide (Randel et al. 1999). Further, Hazzard (1995) described elder abuse as cruel and inhumane tre atment of the elderly. Kapur (1997) defines it as a kind of harassment or an injustice done to the elderly by the family members themselves. In fact, there is too many definition of elder abuse but despite this, most would agree with this definition an action or inaction by someone in a position of trust; often a family member or unrelated caregiver. Normally, more than two-thirds of the abusers are their family members and are typically giving their basic needs or care support such as food, shelter, personal care or transportation. In others word, someone who commits elder abuse usually has control or influence over the older person. The older persons often know and trust the abusers. Some victims of elder abuse depend on the people who hurt them, sometimes for food, shelter, personal care, or transportation. Therefore, the abusers could be their family members, friend; someone the older people relies on for basic needs or staff in group residential settings such as care homes or i n long term health care facilities. The Prevalence of Elderly Abuse in Five Developed Countries Country Prevalence (%) USA 3.2 Canada 4.0 Finland 5.4 Netherlands 5.6 United Kingdom 5.0 The accepted prevalence rates of abuse of older people are drawn from five community surveys carried out in developed countries, which are USA, Canada, Finland, Netherlands and United Kingdom. The prevalence of the elderly abuse in USA with percentage is 3.2%, in Canada is 4.0%, in Finland is 5.4%, in Netherlands is 5.6% and United Kingdom is 5.0%. But in Malaysia, the information and data of elderly abuse is scarce. There are no reported cases of elder abuse to the Department of Social Welfare as well as no agency keeps proper records of the incidence of elder abuse in this country. Although this epidemic is virtually unheard of in Malaysia, we are challenged to be aware of the many faces of elder abuse in our own society and this issue is much more common than societies admit. Types of elder abuse Elder abuse referred to an inappropriate action that causes harms or distress to an elderly which the older person has expectation trust onto the person. Elder abuse can take in several forms. Elder abuse may take form in physical, psychological, financial, sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment that cause distress to a person who is past retirement age. Physical Abuse Physical elder abuse is non-accidental use of force against an elderly person that results in physical pain, injuries, or impairment (Ellen, Tina, Jeanne, 2008). This abuse includes not only physical assaults such as hitting or shoving but the inappropriate use of drugs, restraints, or confinement. The physical acts of violence commonly include slapping, hitting, and striking with objects. Indicators of potential physical abuse are broken bones, sprains, or dislocations, unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two side of the body, signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists (Elder Abuse.com, 2009). Diagnosis may be difficult even at autopsy as findings may be subtle and invariably some chronic or debilitating disease would be present. The case of an elderly lady from a nursing home referred to the police for suspected physical abuse. Investigations showed that osteomalacia and spontaneous fractures could ha ve accounted for her injuries. However, recognition of physical abuse may not be straightforward, as injuries may be secondary to falls to which the frail elderly are more prone. Emotional abuse Emotional abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress of elderly. Emotional abuse also referred as an act with the intention that causing emotional pain or injury which often accompanies physical abuse. This abuse may be happens in verbal or nonverbal acts. Verbal forms are included humiliation and ridicule, intimidation through yelling or threats and habitual blaming or scapegoating. Nonverbal emotional elder abuse can take the form of ignoring the elderly person, isolating an elder from friends or activities and terrorizing or menacing the elderly person (Ellen, Tina, Jeanne, 2008). Therefore, an elderly person who shows fear, passive, withdrawn, low self esteem, reluctance to talk openly, insomnia, fatigue and listlessness or behave mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself may be abused in the form of emotional abuse. Financial Abuse Exploitation of the elderly is also considered as an abuse which includes acts of material or financial exploitation. Financial or material exploitation is defined as the illegal or improper use of an elders funds, property, or assets (Elder Abuse.com, 2009). Elder financial abuse is one of the most difficult types of elder abuse to recognize due to its lack of obvious symptoms. Some of these include misuse an elders personal checks, credit cards, or accounts, steal elders cash, income checks, or household goods. Most common example case is the announcements of a prize that the elderly person has won but they need to pay money to claim (Ellen, Tina, Jeanne, 2008). Besides that, theft of pension checks, threats to enforce the signing or changing of wills or other legal documents, and coercion involving any financial matters also consider as the example of the financial abuse. Indicators of potential financial abuse may include unusual bank account activity, sudden changes in the elder s financial condition, or worsening medical conditions due to lack of follow up or unfilled drug prescriptions. Exploitation may also occur in the form of fraud schemes; someone may persuade the elderly person to withdraw their life savings in a get rich quick scheme, or contractors convincing the elderly that the house needs repairs which in reality might be unnecessary. Financial abuse is one of the most difficult types of elder abuse to diagnose as the victim may not be aware of its occurrence or may not know how to seek help. Abandonment and Neglect Abandonment is defined as the desertion of an elderly person by an individual who had physical custody or otherwise had assumed responsibility for providing care for an elder. It also referred to the action of withdrawing a person or a thing entirely; putting aside all care for him or it. Neglect of the elderly is also a form of abuse and is often referred to the refusal or failure to fulfil any part of a persons obligations or duties to an elder. This may be intentional or unintentional neglect. Active neglect is the intentional withholding of basic necessities or care, while passive neglect is not providing basic necessities and care because of a lack of experience, information or ability. Another area to consider is self-neglect where older adults, by choice or ignorance, live in ways that disregard health or safety needs, sometimes to the extent that the disregard also poses a hazard to others. For example, the caregiver may be unable to perform care giving duties such as bathing or changing an incontinent elderly person. Therefore, an elderly person with unusual poor hygiene, loss in weight, poor nutrition, skin breakdown, unsuitable clothing, unsafe and unclean living conditions such as no heat or running water, faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards and smelling of urine may be neglected either intentionally or unintentionally. Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse is defined as non-consensual and unwilling sexual contact of any kind. This includes all unwanted sexual activity, such as verbal or suggestive behaviour, fondling, sexual intercourse or a lack of personal privacy. Besides that, activities such as showing an elderly person pornographic material, forcing the person to watch sex acts, or forcing the elder to undress are also considered sexual elder abuse. Indicators of potential physical abuse are unexplained venereal disease or genital infections, bruises around breasts or genitals, unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding and torn, stained, or bloody underclothing (Ellen, Tina, Jeanne, 2008). Sexual abuse usually implies a physical sexual relationship with an elderly person without that persons informed consent, though this is not restricted to sexual intercourse but includes other forms of intimate sexual contact. It is often difficult to establish whether sexual abuse has occurred, unless the individual has cognitive impai rment. Signs and symptoms of elder abuse Signs and symptoms of elder abuse should be taken seriously. It is vital that we are alert to the possible indicators of abuse. In assessing any situation, it is important to realize that an indicator may be present for reasons other than abuse or neglect. However, if a combination of the following indicators is present there is a need to further explore why those indicators are present. Increase awareness of abuse signs and symptoms as well as monitor the progress in suspected cases of abuse. Home care community nurses can play a critical role in detecting suspected cases of elder abuse. However, in Malaysia, we do not as yet have a health care system in place for such purposes, although these types of services are only now slowly emerging. Hence the only opportunity for detecting abuse is when the older adult visits a primary care setting or an emergency department. Characteristics of the Abused Elder Most victims of elder abuse are mentally competent and able to make decisions for them. Most of them able to taking care of their own health needs and do not need constant care. Although some victims of elder abuse are generally dependent on their abuser in some way, their dependency is not necessarily because they are mentally incapable or physically frail (Al Loney, 2006). However, if the older people who having mental or physical disability, they may be more vulnerable to be abused. Those at risk are most likely to be female, widowed, frail, cognitively impaired, and chronically ill. The older adults who poor in physical health, highly dependence on the abuser, functional or cognitive impairment and a living arrangement shared with the abuser are consider as risk factors for elder abuse. Normally, older women are more vulnerable to abuse than older men and are burdened with a lifetime of experiences and beliefs that may increase their susceptibility. In most instances, violence an d abuse against older women can be sexual, physical or psychological and also can include material or financial abuse and neglect. It can occur in the home, in institutions or as a result of harmful cultural practices that specifically target older women (Breatheinspirit, 2006). There are various studies have looked at factors associated with elder abuse. In the NEAIS report, females and those aged 80 and above were more likely to suffer abuse, family members were the most likely perpetrators and victims of self-neglect were usually depressed, confused or extremely frail. Other studies have similarly reported vulnerable elderly as those with physical and mental weaknesses, advanced age, women, those with previous abusive relationships in the family, financial strain and caregiver stress and burnt out. Characteristics of the Abuser The abuser is most likely the person with whom the elderly person stays with. More often, the abuser is a close relative; 80% being spouses and children of the victims, or a close relative. In some cases, elder abuse may be caused to abusers over use of drug or alcohol, history of anti-social behaviour, or mental illness problems. Abuse is more likely to happen when the abuser is going through a period of high stress. It may be the stress of looking after the older person due to old age is a time of weak health, low income, meaningless role, or the death of loved ones (Al Loney, 2006). These problems may be creating great unhappiness for older people and then damage the relationships with their family. In extreme cases, this may lead to abuse. Elder abuse often happens because of the abusers power and fully control over an older person. Family members who depend on the elder for financial, housing, or other necessities have a higher risk of become an abuser. A caregivers inexperience, a history of family violence, economic dependence on the elder or a blaming personality and unrealistic expectations often contribute to elderly abuse. The abuser may be lack involved in community activities, social services, and even contact with other family members. Besides that, they may lack of family support, facing marital conflict, overcrowding and the high burden of care placed on the caregiver. In most of elder abuse cases, the abuser may not allow people to visit or talk to the older person alone. On the other hands, staff in long-term care homes, such as homes for the aged and charitable institutions, might involved in abuse the older people in physically or mentally. Abusers are more likely to be staff members who are not able to do their jobs properly (Al Loney, 2006). This may due to poor of training, low salary, over-work without pay, or under-staffing. Besides that, it also could be the staffs have personal problems that influence their services to older people which under their care. But, there is no excuse for abuse. The personal circumstances or problems of the caregiver cant be an excuse of elder abuse. These problems may be factors in the abuse, but they do not try to recognize it. It is unmoral because the older people are fully trusted and relies on the caregiver, but the caregiver misuse the trust of the older people to do something that threaten to the older people. Common Reasons Elder Abuse Is Not Reported The actual and prevalence of elder abuse is unknown and difficult to measure. Elderly abuse exists in our society but it is seldom reported, and perhaps even less so in an Asian society where filial piety and respect for the elderly is traditionally highly regarded. This problem often remains undetected because of poor public awareness and lack of knowledge among health care personnel. This is because it can cause some adverse effects on the health and quality of life of the elderly. Due to their mental capacity, they are unaware of the help available to them. Therefore, elder abuse is seldom reported. In most situations, elderly are unlikely to report that they are abused as they are fear of embarrassment and fear of losing care support. They are mostly completely under the control of the abuser and depend on the abusers for food, shelter, clothing and health care. Furthermore, they also fear of harm by the abuser. Some of them are lack of awareness; they are only suspect but uncert ain that is abuse, therefore, the cases of elder abuse is hardly to report and also seldom reported. Risk Factors for elder abuse Abuse of older adults is such a complex issue with no single explanation. However, there are many factors seem to contribute to these critical issues and each case has its own unique mix of factors. One of the most obvious factors is the family dynamics. The habits, values, emotional and coping skills are learned early in life and largely through family interaction. In other words, if unhealthy or violent behaviours go unchecked, abuse may continue when roles are reversed.   Therefore, if a child who was previously abused becomes a primary caregiver, there is a probability that the cycle of abuse will continue and be inflicted on a dependent parent. Besides that, inability to cope with stress especially for those non professional caregiver such as spouses, adult children, other relatives and friends find taking care of an elder would caused many responsibilities. This may be extremely stressful to cope with the demands of elder care giving. As a result, the stress of elder care can lead to mental and physical heaths problems that caused caregivers impatient, burned out, and sometimes are unable to keep from lashing out against elders in their care. Next, problem of elderly abuse may also happen in the nursing home when the staffs who worked are those lacks of experience and training. This is because even caregivers in institutional settings can experience stress at levels that can lead to elder abuse. The nursing home staff may be prone to elder abuse if they lack training, have too many responsibilities and are unsuited to care giving, or they are work under poor conditions. Social isolation can also conceal and perpetuate abuse or neglect. An older person may become isolated due to physical or mental illness, or through the loss of friends and family members. Therefore, isolation does not just conceal abuse and neglect; it perpetuates the problem.   The result of this isolation can make it easier for an abuser to exploit, neglect or abuse an older person.  There is a significantly higher risk for elder abuse if without a caring support network.   In addition, if a caregiver imposes isolation to avoid uncovering the abuse, this is also a form of abuse. In addition, sometimes caregivers who are unable to cope with the long term care giving may react to the stress of too many responsibilities in appropriate ways. These unusual releases way are such as abusing, neglecting the older adults in their care. Also, most of the caregivers perception is that taking care of the elder is burdensome and without psychological reward. Thus, many of them choose to neglect the older adults. The societys acceptance towards violence can also be a form of factors in contributing the elderly abuse. For example the Canadians see violence in the news, movie and television shows. This wide exposure often leads to a general acceptance or tolerance of violence as an acceptable way of venting frustration or anger. Thus, this tolerance creates an environment which can contribute to abuse and neglect of older adults. The welfare needs of elderly Welfare needs are necessary for elderly in order to stop the growing elder abuse issue. The government, law and legislation, mass media, school education, health care providers, family and also elderly have the responsibility to give support the rights of old persons. The government The National Service Program or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) was established since started in 2004 as a response to the Malaysian Governments desire to inculcate the spirit of patriotism in the hearts and minds of Malaysian youths. Besides to develop the spirit of patriotism, it instils a spirit of caring and volunteerism among members of society as well as to develop positive characteristics among younger generation through good values. The three-month program is aimed at shaping young people into disciplined, independent and resilient citizens capable of advancing the nation. From this programme, the young generations could learn how to respect the elderly. Welfare pension should be introduced in Malaysia. If elderly do not have the ability to claim maintenance from their financially-able children, they have the pension as a security. It is seen as a way to eradicate poverty. The senior citizens are still able to take care of themselves in spite of they are abandoned by their merciless children. Abuse prevention programme could be introduced by Malaysian government as well. Its purpose is to provide and arrange for services to protect adults who are unable to protect themselves from abuse and provide older adults with information about their rights. For example, Abuse Prevention Programme (APP) in Australia which supports older adults who are being abused, or who are at risk of being abused, by someone with whom they are in a relationship of trust, such as family and friends. APP advocates work in consultation with the older adult, either directly, or with someone else the older person has chosen (their representative). APP can assist them to identify and understand the issues related to abuse of their rights as well as discuss information about options which they can implement to assert their rights. Besides, it suggests action they can take to stop abuse of their rights and give them with appropriate advocacy support that enables them to have their rights met. In addition, the government can launch adult day care programme, which it enables the caregivers to get time off during the day. Adult day care is a planned program of activities designed to promote well-being though social and health related services. Adult day care centres operate during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, in a safe, supportive, cheerful environment. It not just provides older persons an opportunity to get out of the house and receive both mental and social stimulation but also gives caregivers a much-needed break in which to attend to personal needs, or simply rest and relax. Law and legislation Malaysia law and legislation also play a vital role in overcoming the elderly abuse problem. Malaysia law can establish a legislative Elder Protective Act which is warranted to protect our vulnerable elderly from untold suffering. They have the right to live with dignity and security. For example in all 50 US states have specific adult protection legislation within which issues related to elder abuse and/or neglect are addressed. This legislation is influenced by child welfare models, and is characterised by legal powers of investigation, intervention and mandatory reporting. In the absence of federal mandates, states have been developing their own responses to adult abuse, neglect and exploitation. Legislative Elder Protective Act should be implemented by the government to safeguard the rights of our vulnerable elderly. Suggestion has been made for the government of Malaysia to adopt a law which allowing the elderly parents to claim maintenance from their financially-able children. This can be learned from the country of Singapore where the Maintenance of Parents Act enables parents above 60 years old who cannot support themselves to seek legal action forcing their children to provide maintenance for them. The government of Malaysia should also tighten the law and can used country of India as an example. In India, children could be imprisoned or fined or be subjected to both if they abandon their elderly parents. The Tamil Nadu government is set to notify rules for the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, to help tribunals in each district decide on the order of maintenance for elderly citizens, who complain about being neglected by their children. Therefore, the government is committed to develop such services and formulate policies against elder abuse in Malaysia. Malaysia, being one of a few countries that uphold Syariah Law has Islamic Law that governs the welfare of family matters including the ageing parents, following the case in which a couple sued their daughter for not providing sufficient maintenance as what they have agreed. Elder abuse is a national problem with far reaching consequences for individuals, families, communities, and institutions. The state courts must play a critical role in addressing the needs of victims of elder abuse. The courts ability to assist older persons essentially determines whether individuals live their remaining years with respect and dignity, or are further alienated from the justice system with personal safety. Mass Media Mass media also plays a quite significant role in minimizing the problem of elderly abuse in Malaysia. The media was often blamed as one of the sources of the negative images of older adults in society. It was seen as important to work with the media to change these negative images, to raise awareness and to educate the population about elder abuse. They are able to inspire the public to be aware of this social issue by utilizing mass media such as televisions, radio networks, internet, newspaper, magazines, etc. Nevertheless the problem often remains undetected because of poor public awareness and lack of knowledge among healthcare personnel. Therefore, the print as well as electronic media are to play active roles to increase the societys awareness of the elderly. Media coverage of elder abuse cases can make the public knowledgeable about-and outraged against-abusive treatment in those settings. Due to most abuse occurs in the home by family members or caregivers, there needs to be a concerted effort to educate the public about the special needs and problems of the elderly and about the risk factors for abuse. Within mass media cultures, social issues such as elder abuse, have key reference points which can attract concentrated coverage of the topic and carry influential associations in public perceptions. For example, in USA, the Indochina Sino-American Community Centre  formed a coalition called Chinese Americans Restoring Elders, they used mass media to encourage the public to contact the Community Centre for matters related to elder abuse; provided some individual counselling sessions; and conducted a press conference and distributed brochures and flyers in Chinatown to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The television networks always played the advertisements that have the influence on the public over the caring of the elderly. Like the PESTRONAS during religious or cultural holidays (namely Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali) are often accompanied by touching advertisement that convey the message to show love and care to our parents. School Education Education is the cornerstone of preventing elder abuse. This education needs to start very early, in primary school. The students need to be educated to perceive to older adults more favourably as positive contributors to society. The elderly do not necessary mean burden to the family or society. With their wealth of knowledge and experience, they can still contribute to economic development and wealth creation. They have contributed to the development of the nation in their earlier years and they can still continue to be productive in their golden years. The students should consider senior citizens are an important and integral part of our society. Students need to understand the interpersonal dynamic of care-giving. For example, they need to be award of the value placed on the dependency and inter-dependency in care-giving; role reversals in care-giving; and how unresolved emotions between the elderly and the care-giver influence the care-giving process. The school curriculum is to include education on the family to enable the younger generation to understand and appreciate the elderly. They need to be encouraged to form closer relationships with older adults. The general population also needs to be aware that elder abuse happens and is a problem. Students need to understand the subtle difference between abuse, neglect and abandonment theoretically as well as operationally. The moral education teachers not just teach theoretically but also operationally. What is more, the schools should organise a numbers of the activities like visiting old

Moxy Fruvous :: Music Musical Essays

Moxy Fruvous From their earliest gigs as buskers (street performers) in downtown Toronto, the Canadian pop band Moxy Fruvous has attracted attention with an energetic blend of tight harmonies and witty social commentary (Bush). The band’s first album, 1994’s Bargainville, highlights both these qualities, casting a skewed glance at topics ranging from video stores to the Gulf War. One of the disc’s highlights, â€Å"Darlington Darling,† examines blue-collar love and tells a tale of frustration, both economic and romantic. The first verse introduces the song’s speaker, who works on an assembly line in an auto plant, where he â€Å"slaps on† plugs and distributor caps for Mercuries (1-2). However, we quickly discover that the speaker is unable even to afford the cars he helps to build, noting that â€Å"I can drive. . . but this car’s made for you† (4). This point is underscored by the chorus. As the speaker says that he’d like to buy a car or cars for his love, his wishes are countered by the economic realities of his situation: I’d like to buy her one – (Where you gonna get the money, son?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . An’ I’d like to buy her more Than this blue collar can afford (5-6, 11-12). In the second verse, the speaker’s situation is contrasted with the case of a co-worker who is doing a little better. â€Å"Chipper down the line† sycophantically plies his boss with egg nog at the company Christmas party (13-14). In return, Chipper gets a raise, which he uses to pay for a vacation cottage/â€Å"love nest† on Lake Scugog (a rather unprepossessing man-made lake near Toronto)(â€Å"Lake Scugog†). Although Chipper is willing to let his coworker use the cabin for a weekend, the speaker’s girlfriend is working for nearly the entire weekend (16). Once again, the economic realities of the working class (weekend shifts) interfere with dreams of leisure and love. Also worth noting here is that, during the solo that follows the second chorus, the listener can here a voice berating Chipper, telling him to â€Å"Get back to work, you greaseball!† Apparently, even toadying for the boss only goes so far, and even the better-paid workers are subject to verbal abuse. After the solo and another repeat of the chorus, a final half-verse focuses on the speaker’s love. We learn that she lives â€Å"half a mile from the cooling towers† of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, a nuclear power plant near Toronto (â€Å"Darlington†).