How is society conditioned to see Colombians?

According to the article of Colombian values, there are various perceptions that are developed by individuals at the mention of Colombians. According to this article by David Restrepo, Pablo Sanint and Jorge Herrera, Colombian people ca be exemplified to posses certain traits, some of which are right while others wrong.

First and foremost, Colombian people have a vehement elongation to inclinations to a true definition of value systems. Every individual has been raised according to a set standard of norms, values and code of conduct. Theoretically speaking, Colombian values are a blend from many sub ethnic groups that have mingled together. According to this article, social mobility is nonexistent among these people. This has lead to absence of nationalistic features, symbolized in the various social classes that have stratified the entire society. Moral tensions as in the field of economy, politics and morality, have reached a maximum point. This is epitomized by such destitute practices as contemporary begging in the streets. The value systems in Colombia are therefore considered as desperate conditions with the only remedy of overhauled modification. This is one of the perceptions which do not rhyme with the Colombian people.

The second perception concerns diversity among the Colombians. According to this article, it is perceived that there is no ultimate regional diversity among Colombian inhabitants. Lack of value systems has compelled many native and afro-Colombians to dwell in the lowest hierarchy where they languish in sheer poverty. This is unlike the richer level where wealth is rampant. Many social activities have been perceived to vanish within no time among the Colombian people. The author notes that many social activities are legible to be subjected to vanity. One of this is dancing. This perception is contrary to the present day Colombians. Every traditional activity in Colombia has been preserved and is doubtful that they will vanish.

Colombians have been viewed as the most resourceful people in the world. Colombians have been well described as idiots, dull and wishy-washy. A lowest level of ignorance has been labeled on them. They lack institutional organization with their society irresponsive and far away from realities of life. However, this is not true and invalid with the Colombian people. With struggle to overcome a wide spread adversity, Colombian people are thus viewed as resourceful.

Colombians have also been perceived as intolerant. This is a characteristic derived from their “calor Humano”. When a stranger arrives, he is rarely given any tolerance. As a result of intolerance, many problems have affected the people of Colombia. According to the present day Colombia, patience is important to many Colombians. Apart from being intolerant, Colombians have been portrayed as being classists. They cling so much to the various classes of belongingness, and are stubborn to get to other higher levels of hierarchy. This has made many dwell in poverty. Moreover, Colombians are seen as fatalists. They seem not to have a human feeling, both on their deeds and intentions. This is another perception that might not be true as regards the present state of Colombians.

Colombians are also perceived to cling to traditions. They are people not ready to renounce their old ways of living in order to change. It is for this reason that they are also considered to be too loyal to tribal interests. All these descriptions laid on Colombians are not up to date when we study and compare with the present Colombian people.

In conclusion, Colombians are people who, though thought to be bad as indulgent in drugs, brutal, traditional and intolerant, they are people with families, decency, welcoming, healthy relationships and an overall growing economy.

A book review of “a Thousand Splendid Suns”

Laila sees something behind this young girl's eyes, something deep in her core, that neither Rasheed nor the Taliban will be able to break; something as hard and unyielding as a block of limestone; something that, in the end, will be her undoing and Laila's salvation” (Hosseini 401). This statement sums up the hopes and aspirations of Afghan women as they go through challenges in a male-dominated society that has little regard for their welfare.

A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a captivating novel by Khaled Hosseini that focuses on the tragic story of the Afghan people, especially women. The book follows the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, as they move from one misfortune to another, and their struggle against society and authority, notably the Taliban.

Afghan women are faced with many obstacles in their quest for freedom. To elaborate on this thesis, the essay explores further the roles played by religion and men in the oppression of women, the importance of cooperation and education for women, physical and emotional abuse of women, and discriminations in their daily life.

Mariam, an illegitimate daughter of Jalil, a prosperous businessman from the city of Heart, is married to a Kabul shoemaker by the name of Rasheed at age 15. Jalil is a philandering and irresponsible man who sires an illegitimate child but does not take care of her. Rasheed, on the other hand, epitomizes the typical afghan man.

Mariam and Laila, his two wives, are the complete opposite; hardworking and saintly in character. They are courageous even in the face of adversity.

Through Laila, the novel puts emphasis on the need of education for women. Her father encourages her to appreciate the value of education. Her father says, “a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated…marriage can wait, education cannot” (Hosseini 103). During the communist role, women had more freedom compared to when the Taliban came to power. “Women taught at the university, ran schools and held office in the government” (Hosseini 121).

Khaled Hosseini's aim is to draw attention to the hardships faced by women in Afghanistan. Mariam and Laila are at first suspicious of each other when they meet, but later realize that their cooperation was crucial for their own survival. The suffering of Mariam and Laila not only draws attention to the suffering of Afghan women, but also to many other women worldwide who are subjected to the male chauvinistic society and suffer domestic abuse. Hosseini also shows that women are partly to blame for the misfortunes befalling them. Mariam, for example, is frequently bullied by her epileptic mother who constantly reminds her that she is a harami, a bastard child. She also opposes her daughter going to school. Instead, she questions the importance of education to her daughter.

Religion is used as an excuse to oppress women. Laila’ father confides that the reason the communist leadership was ousted from power was mainly because of the men’s opposition to women empowerment. When the communist regime abolished forced marriages and set the minimum age for marriage at16, the Pashtun tribe on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan were not amused. They saw this as a threat to their authority.

In religion, Islam, Men apply double standards. They apply the sharia law selectively. In most cases, they walk scot free while women face harsh sentences, even for small misdemeanors. Rasheed forces Mariam to wear a burqa yet he takes alcohol and possesses on pornographic material, contrary to Islamic teachings. Rasheed appeals to Islamic tradition only when it suits him.

Women are discriminated against in all spheres of life. Men reserve the best facilities for their use and leave women to use facilities of low quality. Laila gives birth to her second child in a hospital without oxygen, medicine and power supply. The main hospital that has all life supporting equipments is meant for men only (Hosseini 255). During Mariam’s trial, one of the Taliban judges makes it clear that women are inferior and cannot think on the same level as men (Hosseini 324). The women in Hosseini’s novel are only valued for reproduction. When she fails to give him a son, Rasheed sees Mariam as a burden (Hosseini 90). Compared to the communist era, the Taliban worsened the life of women. Unaccompanied women were flogged in public while those who committed adultery were stoned. Items such as cosmetics and jewelry were banned. They were not allowed to laugh in public or make eye contact with men (Hosseini 249).

The problem with Hosseini’s novel is that it gives more attention to the historical artifacts destroyed by the Taliban than the suffering of women. He also fails to mention the role of the US in the suffering that the people were subjected to through their bombs and rockets. He also seems to imply that the afghan women were much better during and after the Taliban era, which is not true.

The suffering of Afghan women can be blamed on men who justify their action in the name of Islam. Hossein sees education and cooperation among the women as the springboard to the freedom of Afghan women.

Porter’s Five Forces

Iran Advertising Company, IRAPCO, is an advertising agency whose mission is to offer a diverse assortment of quality advertisement services for its clients in marketing management through improvements made possible by research projects. The extensive executive networks that collaborate with IRAPCO will enable it tap into the opportunities that these collaborators have to offer. Using the simple yet powerful tool that is the porter’s five forces, IRAPCO will be able to comprehend the competitive power that it holds in the advertisement industry. The company will also be able to analyze its strengths in future ventures using porter’s five forces. The advantage of understanding IRAPCO’s competitive position is that the company will benefit from its strengths while providing an opportunity for strengthening its weaknesses. Analysis on the 5 forces will also help the company avoid making the wrong decisions. Below is a graphic representation of the analysis instrument of Porter’s 5 forces.

The Impact of Sexual Imagery on Teenage Pregnancy in the UK

Chapter 1: Introduction
Sexual imagery in the society is on the increase with young people exposed from an early age to sexual concepts and behavior especially through media exposure and sex education in school. This has an effect on the conceptualization of sexual beliefs and behavior patterns as the young generation moves into adolescence and sexual maturity (Brown 2002). Read more >

Financial Analyses: Delta Airlines versus American Airlines

Introduction

Financial statement analyses refer to the assessment of an organization’s financial performance and stability. In this study, ratio analyses on the firms financial performance as well as stock analyses is employed. The study covers two organizations namely Delta Airlines (DAL) and American Airlines (AMR), both in the large airlines services industry, both started within 1920’s. Financial information used is retrieved from the organizations 2010 annual report while stock charts have been retrieved from yahoo finance historical prices. Both American Airlines and Delta Airlines operate in major airlines, service industry in the United States of America. The organizations are in competition with other major airlines in US including Ryan air Holding Ltd, China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd, and Easy jet Plc AND Singapore airlines among others.

Corporate History

American Airlines serves approximately 250 cities in over 40 countries. The organization has an average of 3,400 daily flights. To gain competitiveness, the organization has leveraged on its wide network as well as the high frequency of its flights. The history of the organization is traced back in 1920’s when Charles A. Lindberg engaged his friends in mail delivery using his plane at the Robertson Corporation, Missouri. He developed his company which merged with Robertson Company where he and worked as an employee to form the America Airlines in 1929. The organization started trading in New York Exchange market in 1939. The organization also engaged in real time data processing systems in collaboration with IBM in 1964. In 1974, the organization was led by Albert V. Casey at the capacity of chief financial officer as well as the chairman of the board. The organization expanded significantly towards the end of 20thn century. The organization had already adopted Boeing 777 and 727 in its operations by 2002.
The organization reached an agreement with Japan Airlines to jointly monitor their operations between North America and Asia. On January 2011, the two airlines announced commencement of their joint business in respect to transpacific operations. To enhance its global coverage, the organization expanded its code sharing significantly in 2011.On the other hand, the onset of Delta Airways started in 1924, when Huff Deland engaged in crop dusting using air planes. In 1927, it expanded operations from Macon to Peru and started offering passenger flights. By 1930, it had already expanded these services to Atlanta. In 1941, the organization moved its headquarters from Monroe to Atlanta. Over the years, the organization expanded its operations significantly through strengthening of ties with regional airlines. By 1987, it had attained the position of US largest carrier. In 2010, the organization reported a $ 2 billion investment through 2013 aimed at improving its customer service.
Ratio Analyses

Financial analyses for 2010 accounting period
Current ratio

Company                     Formula                       Values used             Ratio
Delta airlines                 CA/CL                           7307/11385               0.641809398
American Airlines                                               6838/8780               0.77881549
                                   Quick ratio                    (6838-594)/8780       0.711161731
Delta airlines               CA-inventory/CL              (7307-318)/11385       0.61387791

American Airlines
                                   Receivable turn over
Delta airlines                les/account Receivable    31755/1456           21.80975275
American Airlines                                              22170/738              30.04065041
                                  Days sales uncollected
Delta airlines               Acc. Receivable/net
                                      sales*100                 1456/31755*100         4.585104708
American Airlines                                      (738/22170)*100         3.328822733

                                Inventory turn over
Delta airlines           COGS/average inventory    29538/318               92.88679245
American Airlines                                             21986/594               37.01346801

                                   Days inventory on hand
Delta airlines               365/inventory turn over       365/92.88679       3.929514627
American Airlines                                           365/37.01             9.862199406
                                   Payables turn over
Delta airlines                   sales/accounts payable 31755/1713          18.53765324
American Airlines                                                 22170/1156           19.17820069

                                   Days payable
Delta airlines       365 days/payable turn over       65/18.53765          19.68965861
American Airlines                                               365/19.178            19.03222442

                                   Profit margin
Delta airlines               profit/sales*100           (593/31755)*100          1.867422453
American Airlines                                       [(471)/22170]*100        -2.124492558
                                   Asset turn over.
Delta airlines                sales/total assets         31755/43188               0.735273687
American Airlines                                            22170/25088               0.883689413
        Return on assets
Delta airlines               Profit/total assets *100 (593/43188)*100           1.373066593
American Airlines                                            [(471)/43188]*100       -1.877391582
                           Return on equity

Delta airlines               net income/equity*100   (593/897)*100           66.10925307
American Airlines                                              [(471)/5308]*100       -8.873398644

                           Debt to equity ratio
Delta airlines               Total debt/total equity    (11385+30906)/897       47.14715719
American Airlines                                               19780/5308               3.726450641

                           Interest coverage ratio
Delta airlines    EBIT/ interest expense               2217/1004               2.208167331
American Airlines                                              308/823                   0.374

                           Free cash flow
Delta airlines       Operating cash flow- capital exp.    2832-(1055+287)       1490
American Airlines                                                     1241-1962               -721
                           Cash flow yield
Delta airlines       Cash flow per share/stock price     (1490/255)/12.6           0.464
American Airlines                                                    (-721/848)/7.79            -0.109

                           Price earnings ratio
Delta airlines               stock price/EPS               12.6/0.70                  18
American Airlines                                                  7.79/1.141               6.827344435
Values used are in millions except earnings EPS, stock price, and cash flow yield.
Free cash flow is the only ratio in millions

Source: United States Security Exchanges Commission 2011.

Liquidity Analyses
   From the above presentation, it is clear that the two organizations have recorded varying level of performance in their 2010 financial year in respect to liquidity. It is clear that both organizations performed poorly in 2010 in respect to liquidity. A current ratio of 0.64 for Delta airlines and 0.78 fro American Airlines fell short of the recommended current ratio of 2. The quick ratios equally fell short of the recommended quick ratio of 1. This indicates the organization’s low capability to finance its current operations as well as meet their current obligations. In spite of this, it is clear that Delta Airlines is more liquid than American Airlines. Delta airlines recorded a lower receivable turn over at 21.81 as compared to American Airlines which recorded a receivable turn over of 30.04. This implies that American Airlines (AMR) is able to collect turn credit sales to cash at a faster rate than Delta Airways. This implies that it is in a better position in raising its working capital. Retrospectively, this is reaffirmed by the organization’s higher level of quick and current ratio. Whenever cash is tied up in receivables, the operations of an organization are hampered. This is because the airline companies needs cash to fuel their planes, pay for repairs and maintenance as well as pay their employees among others. This implies that without sufficient cash flows, an organization may be forced to result to borrowing which comes at a cost. Delta airways slow speed in collecting cash from receivables in reflected in its higher day’s sales uncollected of 5 days as compared to the four days taken by AMR to convert receivables into cash. These three ratios clearly indicate the lower liquidity levels recorded by Delta Airlines as compared to its competitor: American Airlines.
Efficiency Analyses
   Unlike in goods business, service industry presents differences that may affect application of ratios in financial analyses. For instance, inventory in a service business may be small or non existent. In 2010, DAL recorded an inventory turn over of 92.98 as compared to inventory turn over of 37.01 recorded by AMR. This indicates that AMR is able to turn its inventory to sales at a higher rate as opposed compared to AMR. This leads to increased level of revenue generated by the organization. This being the case, it is clear then that the low receivable rate recorded by Delta airlines is mainly as a result of increase in credit receivables.
   As a result of the high level of stock turn over recorded by DAL, it has led to lower number of days that inventory is held on hand at 4 days as compared to 10 days recorded by AMR. This implies that AMR would end up incurring higher level of inventory related costs as compared to DAL. The level of Payables turn over is a measure of how often an accounting entity meets its obligations to creditors. DAL recorded a payables turn over of 18.54 in 2010 as compared to a higher payables turn over of 19.18 recorded by AMR in the same year. This indicates that DAL is paying its suppliers and other creditors at a slower rate than AMR. This has the potential of leading to suppliers’ dissatisfaction which has the potential of leading to disruption of its operations, more strict terms of supply among other unfavorable outcomes. Nevertheless, the margin in payables turn over between the two organizations is relatively small leading to an average of 20 days taken by the two organizations in meeting their creditors’ obligations. From these five efficiency ratios discussed above it is clear that American Airways is fairing better in comparison to its competitor: Delta Airways.
Profitability Analyses
   One of the most used indicators by investors among other publics in assessing the financial performance of a firm. In spite of American Airlines higher liquidity and efficiency health as compared to its competitor Delta Airways, its profitability is lower. AMR reported a loss of $471 million in 2010 as compared to net income of $593 million recorded by Delta airlines over the same period. This indicates AMR low ability to generate return to its shareholders. In fact, it is generating negative returns, reducing investors’ wealth as compared Delta Airlines. This makes less attractive for investment to investors than its competing firm. Retrospectively, this can be explained by the two organizations inventory and receivable turn over discussed above. AMR has focused so much on operating efficiently as evidenced by its higher efficiency level to the detriment of effectiveness. By risking high level of services to account receivables risks and collection risks, Delta airways has managed to grow its profits significantly. This is clear since AMR is still ranked higher in asset turnover. This is a measure of an organization’s ability to generate sales from available resources. AMR recorded a higher rate of asset turnover in 2010 at 0.88 as compared to 0.74 recorded by Delta Airlines. This indicates that the organization is utilizing its assets in a better manner Delta Airlines. In spite of this high level of utilization of assets, AMR has recorded a lower return on equity at -8.87% as compared to 66.11 recorded by Delta Airlines. This indicates that Delta Airlines is more attractive to investors currently due to its higher return for every dollar invested in the organization by investors.
Solvency Analyses
The main explanation for AMR’s poor profitability in spite of its high level of efficiency and liquidity is its high level of financing obligations. AMR recorded interest expense of $ 823m as compared to its earnings before interest and taxes of $ 308m (United States Security Exchanges Commission, 2010). This led to a great decline in the organization’s interest coverage ratio to 0.374 as compared to 2.21 recorded by Delta Airlines. This indicates that AMR is highly exposed to the risk of financial distress due to its low ability to meet interest expenses from its earnings before interest and taxes. American Airline has further recorded a lower debt to equity ratio of 3.73 as compared to debt to equity ratio of 47.14 recorded by Delta Airlines. This indicates the lower level of exposure of AMR to the risk of insolvency as compared to Delta Airlines. Nevertheless, Delta airlines is able to pay its interests better from operating cash flows implying that in spite of its high debt to equity ratio it is operating at safer solvency margins than American Airways.
Cash Flow Analyses
   From the above study, it is clear that American Airlines has recorded higher efficiency and liquidity levels but lower profitability than Delta Airlines. AMR more over recorded a lower level of cash flows at $-721 million as compared to free cash flows of $ 1490 million recorded by Delta Airlines. A low cash flow indicates AMR’s low ability to finance its operations with incremental cash flows. Digging deeper to the reason as to why AMR recorded this low level of cash flows, it is clear that the organization incurred higher capital expenditures as compared to Delta Airlines. AMR incurred capital expenditures worth $ 1962 million in 2010. This led to significant decline in its cash flows as well as increase in debt financing and interest expense. This has further resulted to Delta Airways realizing a higher cash flow yield at 0.464 as compared to American Airlines which recorded a cash flow level of -0.109 in 2010. This indicates the organization’s reduced level of attractiveness in generating cash flows to investors.
   Conventionally, a high level of efficiency and effectiveness in financial management is expected to result to a higher stability and profitability levels to an accounting entity. This conceptual back ground does not resonate well with the poor profitability levels recorded by AMR in spite of its higher liquidity and efficiency. It is thus worth noting the effect of the organization’s heavy capital investments. To improve its service delivery, AMR incurred extremely higher level of debt financed capital expenditures as compared to Delta Airlines
, resulting to a high level of interest expense. This cash out lay is expected to increase the level of cash flows recorded by the organization in the future and it cannot be ignored in this analyses. If financial information used in this study is adjusted to this one time item difference in capital expenditure between the two organizations, AMR is more profitable than Delta Airlines by big margins.
Assumptions
   The above analyses are based on various assumptions. For instance, while it may not always be easy to determine the cost of service in a service industry, associated direct costs to service delivery has been used as the cost of sales in equations. Being a service industry, the level of inventory was also minimal. The findings of this study are further subject to the assumptions of ratio analyses. For instance, relationships are assumed to exist between variables used in various ratios. Ratios development is also assumed to be based on a sound conceptual frame work.
Stock Price Movement
In terms of returns to share holders, Delta Airlines recorded a higher price earnings ratio of 18 as compared to the price earning ratio reported by AMR in 2010. This is explained by the low level of AMR stock prices at an average of $7.79 on December 2010, as compared to Delta’s stock price of $12.6 recorded on December 2010. The stock price movement for the past one and five years is as indicated below.

American Airlines (AMR) 1 year stock movement

5 years

Source: Yahoo finance 2011
From the organization’s stock prices presented above, it is clear that both Delta Airlines and American Airlines have recorded declining stock prices over the period of the recent global financial crises. The two organization’s stock is behaving in a similar manner in that they after declining significantly towards 2010, they assumed an upward trend between 2010 and 2011 before resuming their bearish trend from January 2011 to date. Nevertheless, it is clear that Delta Stock is highly volatile as compared to the stock of American Airways from the above presentations. High volatility (standard deviation) indicates a high beta of risk associated with the organization’s stock. Highly volatile stock is not good for investment. Decline in the organization’s performance between 2008 and 2009 is traced fro m the effects of the recent global financial crises that occurred in US in 2007/2008 and spread to other parts of the world. Between 2008 and 2009, there was reduced demand for air transport as the economy weakened reducing disposable income in house holds. People opted for cheaper means of transport, leading to decline in revenue generated by the air transport industry. For instance, between 2007 and 2005, domestic passenger revenue declined by 20% in AMR while international passenger revenue declined by 23% for the same organization. High air craft oil costs accelerated the rate the rate of decline of the air transport industry during the crises period. AMR reported an increase in aircraft fuels from $ 12,342m in 2009 as compared to $ 7384m recorded in 2008. Delta airways equally recorded a decline in the level of passengers over the same period.
Conclusion
From the above study, it is clear that American Airlines operates at a higher rate of efficiency than Delta Airlines. The organization also has a more health liquidity levels. Nevertheless, its profitability and solvency level is poor as compared to Delta Airlines. This indicates that the ability of the Delta Airline to reward investors is high as opposed to American Air lines. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that reduction in profitability of American Airways was as a result of one time transaction where the organization acquired high level of debt to finance a huge capital investment leading to rise in interest expense. Without this extra ordinary item, AMR is more profitable than Delta Airlines. In conclusion, it is clear due to American Airlines low level of stock volatility and high level of liquidity and efficiency, it is the best choice to invest in the long run as opposed to Delta airlines which is highly inefficient in operations.

References
United States Security Exchanges Commission (2010). AMR Corporation 2010 annual report.
Retrieved December 8, 2011 from http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9NDIyOTIzfENoaWxkSUQ9NDM3MDEwfFR5cGU9MQ==&t=1
United States Security Exchanges Commission (2011). Delta Airlines form 10k. Retrieved
December 8, 2011
from http://images.delta.com.edgesuite.net/delta/pdfs/annual_reports/2010_10K.pdf
Yahoo finance (2011). Basic chart. Retrieved December 8, 2011 from
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=AMR&t=5y&l=on&z=l&q=l&c=

Sharon Olds and Michel Foucault: The Power in the Sexual

Confessional poetry developed out of the dire need to express feelings that were greater than pain or even joy by making use of other mediums such as the environment and nature in general. It marked an era where feelings that had been suppressed finally got exposed bringing to light the strong urges and desires that were previously kept in check especially by the females in the population. This new genre was rapidly taken up and developed through the works of poets like Sylvia Path and Anne Sexton with most of the attention stemming from their personal emotions thus the direct difference from other genres.
The new genre represented what can be termed as a new way of life or the new outlook for the normal functional family, which was actually indirectly representing some form of existence that was confused largely. The day-to-day happenings could not be predicted effectively and this saw life take the course brought about by nature. This saw growth not governed and marked by occurrences that could be directly associated with hence no memories that could be looked back upon as milestones in life. The environment was so protective that childhood years simply vanished leaving no traces of their presence making it further impossible to develop future plans.

Sharon Old’s poetry brought about portrayals of erotic imaginations and this was directly representative of the discourse in which sex was taken allowing not even slight amounts of obscurity based on the reasoning behind Michael Foucault’s, history of sexuality (Foucault 20). Sharon goes ahead to represent sexuality without making any concessions or even apologies for the same. Just like Foucault, she makes use of a speaker who explores pleasures that tend to emanate from the use of power (Foucault 45). Sexuality tends to be directly linked to the family and lovers with boundaries of the same being under constant mention. The speaker in this poetry actually displays levels of control and power that are unparalleled directly introducing the notion of being in control at all times and in all situations.
Olds gets most of her power, authority from the sexual thoughts apparently driven by the emotional dysfunction presented thus the mention of the father, and the speaker in what can be termed as a sensual manner. The various stages in the work present complex relationships presented by the speaker with characteristics of vulgar talk being directly presented in a number of vulgar words including terms like “shit, and cock” and gradual shifts to words that are gentler. It is evident that according to Old’s speaker, the junction where power, sexuality and the family get to meet presents a good environment from which individuals can ultimately piece their lives and consequently develop some form of identity of their inner selves. Old’s speaker tends to view power as an element gathered from the different pieces that constitute life as opposed to Foucault’s notion of power as based on sexuality.
Emotions have come to be linked in the genre confessional poetry therefore in order to capture aspects of my own life, it is necessary to look back at the relationship shared with my father. This is all in the aim of completing the creative thesis section. Many poetic pieces tend to highlight the aspect of emotions especially in association with abuse as well as emotional incompleteness brought about by abuse and an uncertain existence. However, the sexual power as well as exploits tend to eventually turn life back around from the darkness and misery introducing an aspect akin to a rebirth giving a new chance at life to the individuals involved. A collision between the past feelings of frustration, the sexuality presented at the moment and the unknown future tend to come together in an explosive sense of emotional mix-up giving way to continuity in life. This is for instance brought up once the death of my father is remembered. The fears and dreams as well as themes that tend to be generated have similarities compared to Old’s. They actually mirror the various representations in her work for instance in Satan Says.
Critical Chapter
The critical chapter of this thesis will have its focus on emotional motions in a dysfunctional father/ daughter relationship as well the connection between this relationship and the sexual deviation that ultimately leads to the development of a connection between the erotic and daily life. Old’s work is characterized by eroticism that remains present and directly creates a linkage between Old and her family (McEwan). Olds suffers from abuse of power instigated by her father as is portrayed by Dillon. At one point, it is evident that Olds suffered a lot with some of the evidence of abuse of power being defined in terms of the suffering Olds underwent. This directly associates abuse of power with the need for the same, as it appears that the perpetrator was actually consumed with need for power. This ought to be enough for development of a poor relationship between father and daughter. Gale Swiontkowski presents another issue in Imagining incest: Sexton, Plath, Rich, and Olds on Life with Daddy. Gale looks back at the relationship between father and daughter and focuses on Olds sexuality. She happens to present eroticism and sexuality that can be attributed to either her life with her father or the environment she grew up in.
Old presents emotions that are overwhelming especially when placed in the Old’s context are erotic images. It is evident that her relationship with the father is still present due to the pain and the fact that she has managed to gain strength from the pain. This cycle seems to plague Old in a way that makes it difficult to overcome. Her childhood marked by the absence of a father’s love eventually paints a picture of her life and her view of the world and society. Her past memories are captured and projected into this view of the world clearly and this tends to explain her freedom in terms of communicating about sexuality, her family, as well as her father who she had strained relations with. This goes on to present her sexuality and the people who are her lovers as definitive tools. She actually has managed to survive outside the box with a portrayal of her sexual aptitudes in the vulgar words she uses (Satan Says).
Overview
Chapter One: This chapter will represent the vision of the world from an innocent perspective by making use of poems that are “younger” in the context of innocence. The idea behind this will be to develop a portrayal of the world from the innocent perspective gradually showing how this perspective was slowly corroded by violence eventually breaking down the walls and presenting the real world as it is. In life, every person has memories of such times and it is clear that this notions and perspectives tend to influence us even in old age. These thoughts cannot simply be erased and done away with. The notions one had early in life are determinants in the aspects of life in terms of the sexual and family outlook. This chapter will simply act as an introduction to the poems that will be presented in the other parts of the book.
Chapter Two: This chapter will try to recreate the violence perpetrated by the father as well as highlight the pain and suffering that emanated from the same. The poems will highlight this part of life and present it in various ways. The use of imagery and color will ensure the emotions are effectively brought out while showing the aspect of being trapped in a situation that presents no escape route. This section will further be tailored to portray the actual conditions of life while at the same time trying not to show any form of belligerence to the harsh situation or even to the perpetrator. The exploration of life in the past will definitely present some amount of gloom and a darker tone to ensure the audience is connected to the occurrences of the time. This part will culminate in the eventual escape from the harsh conditions.
Chapter Three: This section will introduce an analysis of the relationship between father and son. It will further introduce the poor relationship between the two parents and the eventual remarriage of mother after successfully escaping. Moving away with mother and the subsequent introduction to another father figure after mother’s remarriage will be presented in an attempt at describing the confusion that developed upon these occurrences. The acceptance of another father was one-step towards the development of a dysfunctional family unit. The tone in this section will be somber as it is expected that the same will help in expressing the pain and confusion as well as the rejection that came about due to these occurrences. This tone will try to cover up the pain and anger within.
Chapter Four: This section will present the disappointment as well as disillusionment that eventually came about upon realization that the stepfather was not the “father figure “envisioned all along. It will further address the ups and the downs presented by the various people present and revolving in life and concerning the family. This part will be filled with numerous downturns and the fact that the path of life has been filled with many inconsistencies. The path is what will be the overwhelming image in this section in an attempt to highlight the true nature of every individual involved. Therefore, it will attempt to present life in line with Old’s portrayal of the same.
Chapter Five: This chapter will present the hardest part so far in terms of emotions. Surprisingly, it will also be the easiest part to write, as it is ingrained and very relevant to life.. This section will for instance introduce the aspect of dad’s sickness and death as well as emotional effect of this news. In spite of the lack of a sound relationship with him, It will also portray the need to fly alongside my daughter to sign his cremation papers. This was emotionally challenging as it presented feelings that were deep and that had me think life over again. This was mainly because he was still my father in spite of the cruelty he had exposed everyone to. I had to visit my grandmother and lie to my daughter that we were on vacation yet we were preparing for my father’s final send off. This section will definitely include all my pent up emotions.
The creative portion will be concluded by a poem written by my father. This poem was written a long time ago and I came to learn about it recently. I was surprised to learn that he also wrote poetry. At least we had a common interest, poetry.

Custom Writing Service