Role Of Music In Sonnys Blues

Role Of Music In Sonnys Blues The story Sonnys Blues is written by James Baldwin in 1846 and raises the problem of the misconception between two brothers. Their conflict grounded on the problem of racial discrimination in the African-American society. Influenced by the oppression, both bothers developed different views on life, which served as a problem for their common understanding. The narrator has adjusted to the white society still feeling the pressure, but not willing to change it. On the contrary to his brother, Sonny tries to find the way out and to state himself a worthy person of approval and respect. Sonny tries to avoid his pain and sufferings with the immersion into Jazz music, resided to his race. Describing Sonnys lifeline from his brothers perspective, depicting a fair representation of Sonnys relationship with music, and evaluating the authors method for creating a specific frame of mind in readers, it will be possible to create a holistic picture of Sonnys struggle on the way to salvation. The knowledge of Sonnys life comes only through the narrator. The only one evident point in Sonnys character is his hope that he can become a musician. His close minded brother, who seems to be the strict father for Sonny, rather than his supporting brother, expresses his disapproval of Sonnys wish. Suffer the consequences of his criticism Sonny agrees to live with Isabels family, only because they have a piano at home. Even though everybody admits that Sonny was at that piano playing for his life (p.101), nobody really hears and understands him. When he realizes that his efforts to create something from his music failed and he could not meet the expectations of the family, sadness devours him and he runs away. Later in the story, the brother narrates that Sonny starts to use drugs. Next, police arrests him for it and send to prison. Sonny kicks his drug habit and returns to live with his brother. After so many years and events influenced his life, he still continues to develop himse lf as a musician. As a matter of a fact, music plays a very significant role throughout the whole story written by James Baldwin. Basically, it is possible to notice how Sonny is dedicated to music and to jazz in particular. Additionally, the role of music is irreplaceable in defining and describing the major characters, as well as the culture of Harlem as a whole. Seeing Sonnys eternal eagerness to music, it is reasonable to assume that music is the only drug for Sonny, his only way of expressing his hopes and dulling his pain, incomparable even to his drug addiction. Sonnys devotion to Jazz is even able to change the upstanding mind of his brother by the end of the story. Comparing to his brother, who is afraid of the disorder and cannot face pain and uncertainty of the way Sonny lives, Sonny has a radically different perception of the world. Due to Sonnys artistic nature, tenacity and willing to struggle, his brother finally begins to understand not only the value of jazz and blues music, but also himself and his relationship with Sonny. In the club he starts to appreciate Sonny in a way he never did, as a real musician (p.107). Rather than trying to make Sonny fit into his world, he is now in Sonnys world. Or, rather: his kingdom. Here it was not even a question that his veins bore royal blood (p.107). The name of the story is Sonnys Blues, which contradicts with the genre of music, which Sonny is dedicated to. Sonny finds his strengths and motivation in jazz music. Basically, this music genre is based on informal order and format, which gives the musicians a lot of space for genuine expression of their souls. On the other hand, the actual name of the story seems to reflect Sonnys story of life. As a fact, blues is a music genre, which mostly expresses melancholic feelings, as well as it is infused with deep sadness and tragedy. Consequently, by naming the story Sonnys Blues the author defines Sonnys life with a genre, which is full of grief and sorrow, disappointments and frustration. The method which the author uses to frame the flow of the story is very representative, and leads the readers to a specific atmosphere and directs them towards a specific frame of mind. Creating a complete representation of Sonnys struggle on the way to salvation, it was essential to unfold the major aspects of Sonnys story and to describe his relationships with music and its meaning in Sonnys life. Additionally, by analyzing the name of the story it was possible to assemble the right atmosphere the author was trying to create for the readers. Thus, the author has chosen music, for it is communal function to tell the stories of a community of people. Music evokes feelings in performers and in listeners, helping them to cure from the failure in their lives or to at least feel comfortable in the company of others who are similarly afflicted.

Data Analysis

To analyze the time series data, a statistical software (STATA) was used. In time series data analysis important required condition is stationarity of the data set. To test whether the time series is stationary or not, the two tests are used; the ADF (Augmented Dickey Fuller) test and Zivot and Andrews test for unit root. Both of these tests have same null hypothesis that the series is non-stationary (unit root process). For ADF unit root test we need lag length for the given time series variables. The lag length is selected by using information criteria (HQIC, AIC, SBIC) mentioned in section [2.2]. We performed the unit root tests with both trend and constant. It is important because the graphs of the time series variables gives an indication, whether we will include the trend term in the model or not. We can check the t value as well for inclusion of trend term in the model. The graph of immigration, unemployment and inflation shows that these series have time trend, but GDP growth rate series has no trend. The Table 4 summarizes the results of ADF test at levels. The given table consists of test statistics value and p-value. In case of variable GROWTH, the hypothesis was rejected and we can say that GDP growth rate is stationary at levels. The remaining variables IMMIG, UNEMP and INF are non-stationary at levels. All these three variables are non-stationary, when ADF test is performed with trend and intercept in the model. Table 4: Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test for Unit Root at levelsVariables With intercept With trend and intercept Test statistics Z(t) P-value Test statistics P-valueIMMIG -0.838 0.8077 -2.825 0.1881UNEMP -1.398 0.5833 -2.503 0.3265GROWTH -5.671 0.0000 -5.587 0.0000INF -1.313 0.6231 -3.163 0.1032Since the series (IMMIG, UNEMP and INF) are not-stationary at levels, we take first difference for these three series. After taking the first differenced for IMMIG, UNEMP and INF series, the ADF test are then performed, as shown in table 5. Now these three variables are stationary at the first difference and they are said to be integrated of first order. Table 5: Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test for Unit Root at first differenceVariables With intercept With trend and intercept Test statistics Z(t) P-value Test statistics P-valueIMMIG -6.516 0.0000 -6.520 0.0000UNEMP -4.582 0.0001 -4.523 0.0014INF -7.967 0.0000 -7.891 0.0000 The results obtained from Zivot and Andrews test of unit are shown table 6. GDP growth rate has same results like in previous tests which is stationary at level with constant and trend and without trend. Unemployment rate and immigration are non-stationary series with or without trend. The inflation rate is stationary without trend but non-stationary when including trend term in the model. Zivot and Andrews test was reformed after taking first difference of the three non-stationary time series. The unemployment, immigration and inflation rate have a strong evidence to reject the null hypothesis of unit root at first difference.Table 6. Zivot and Andrew unit root test for structural break (at levels)Variables With intercept With trend and intercept Test statistics Z(t) Break Year Test statistics Z(t) Break YearIMMIG -4.167 2006 -3.698 2002UNEMP -5.313 1992 -3.841 1997GROWTH -6.001*** 1994 -5.180*** 2005INF -5.025** 1992 -3.830 1977Note: significant at 10% level, **significant at 5% level, *** significant at 1% level Table 7. Zivot and Andrew unit root test for structural break (at first difference)Variables With intercept With trend and intercept Test statistics Z(t) Test statistics Z(t)D. IMMIG -7.032*** -6.413***D.UNEMP -5.600*** -4.632**D.INF -7.092*** -6.896*** Note: *significant at 10% level, **significant at 5% level, *** significant at 1% level The empirical results of vector autoregressive model are investigated in the form of Granger causality test and Impulse response function. In this thesis, the time series variables used on levels to perform VAR model, because GDP growth rate is stationary on level and the remaining three variables (IMMIG, UNEMP and INF) are stationary at first difference. As mentioned in section [2.1], various studies have indicated that vector auto regressive model can be estimated on levels of variables.The information criterion is used to select the lag length for a vector autoregressive model with four time series variables. The three information criterion (HQIC, AIC, SBIC) gives same lag length, which is two. But we preferred SBIC for selecting the lag length. After computing the results of vector autoregressive model, there is need to test for autocorrelation of residuals and stability of the model. The LM Test for Residual Autocorrelation is used to test for autocorrelation. The results of the test shows that there is no evidence of autocorrelation found between the residuals. The resulting VAR model gives all eigenvalues less than one and these eigenvalues lies inside the unit circle shown in appendix [A4], which confirms that estimated VAR model is stable.The Granger causality test is performed by using the results of VAR model. Table 8 shows the results of Granger-causality. The null and alternative hypotheses is used for immigration variable are H_0: Immigration does not Granger cause unemployment rateH_1: Immigration granger causes the unemployment rate H_0: Immigration does not granger cause GDP growth rate H_1: Immigration granger causes the GDP growth rate ? H?_0: Immigration does not Granger cause inflation rate H_1: Immigration granger causes the inflation rateIn first column of table 8 the null hypothesis is shown and degree of freedom is in 2nd column. The next two columns give test statistics value and p-value. We set the level of significance to be at 5%. The degree of freedom for all pairs is used 2, because the estimated VAR model has lag length 2. The results obtained from granger causality test for first null hypothesis have p-value 0.194, which is a clear evidence that we cannot reject null hypothesis. It showed that immigration does not granger cause unemployment rate. For hypothesis about effect of immigration on GDP growth rate, the p-value is 0.35, which means again that we cannot reject the null hypothesis and conclude that the immigration does not granger cause GDP growth rate. The same results found in case of immigration and inflation rate hypothesis, where the p-value is 0.186. It is found that immigrations do not granger cause inflation rate. In these three cases we cannot reject the null hypothesis. Table 8: Engle-Granger test for Causality:Null Hypothesis df Chi-sq Prob > chi-sq decision IMMIG does not granger cause UNEMP 2 3.2787 0.194 Do not reject H0IMMIG does not granger cause GROWTH 2 2.1011 0.350 Do not reject H0IMMIG does not granger cause INF 2 3.3626 0.186 Do not reject H0The impulse response function obtained from vector autoregressive model results are presented in figures (6-9). The impulse response function in the figure (7) shows the response of unemployment rate after a shock in the immigration. At first two steps, the resulting effect is negative, but after two steps it has a positively increasing trend till the fourth step. At the fourth step it has a maximum value near 2 and after fourth step it goes down, which eventually disappeared at sixth step. The impulse response function in this case build an idea that immigrations have positive short run relationship with unemployment.The figure (8) displays the response of growth rate to a shock in immigrations. It shows the negative relation in first three years. After the third year, it tends towards positive side and after sixth year it fades away. In figure (9) the response of inflation rate to a shock in immigration show that in first three years it has positive value. But after third years, it is going towards negative side till sixth year and after sixth year it has no effect. It shows that in first years immigration and inflation have positive significance short run relationship and after this period it has negative relation till sixth year. Figure 6: Graph of Impulse Response Function Figure 7: Response of UNEMP to a shock in IMMIG Figure 8: Response of GROWTH to a shock in IMMG Figure 9: Response of INF to a shock in IMMG ? ConclusionsThe main objective of this thesis is to investigate the effect of immigration on macro-economic variables in Sweden. In this study unemployment rate, GDP growth rate and inflation rate are considered as the economic variables. The annual data for period 1970-2014 is used to examine the relationship between these variables in Sweden. We estimated VAR model for a short run relationship. The estimated VAR model satisfied the stability condition and by using Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test for autocorrelation, it was made sure that there is no autocorrelation between the residuals at any lag order 2. The granger causality analysis performed by using the results of VAR model. The granger causality results shows that the immigration does not effect the unemployment rate, growth rate and inflation rate in Sweden during the study period. It is concluded that immigration has no short run relationship with these three macro-economic variables. The results obtained from impulse response function shows that the immigration has short run positive relationship with the unemployment rate after first few years. On the other hand, the immigration have negative effect on growth rate in first three periods, but after these periods, the reverse effect has been observed. There is a positive relationship found in first two years between immigration and inflation rate. But after two years it has negative relationship between immigration and inflation rate. The impulse response function results shows that immigration affect these economic variables for five to six periods and after that it have no such effect. This indicates that in the beginning the immigrants does not participate in the economic growth. One probable cause of this could be the exposure to a new language in Sweden, which produces language barriers. Which also verifies that the GDP growth rate becomes static relative to the immigrations after few years, since language barrier is a temporary effect. However, considering more economic variables which could be affected by the immigration may lead to more findings in Sweden's economic growth. Moreover, increasing the sample size of the study variables could yield more improved results. Data Analysis According to Parahoo (2006, p.375), data analysis is â€Å"an integrated part of the research design†, which is a way of appreciating the data before presenting them in an understandable manner. While Authors(De Vos, 2005:333; Neuman, 2006:16) describes data analysis as a way in which the data was captured, analysed, and the statistical procedures used in order to bring meaning and measure to it. For the purpose of this mix method, study both qualitative and quantitative data collected from the field will be analysed. Content analysis will be used to analyze the data that will be gathered from focus group interviews. The process of analysing the qualitative data will start immediately after the focus group discussions is concluded. Therefore, the aim of this study is to follow the process outlined by Babbie and Mouton (2010:493, 494, 495); Creswell and Plano Clark (2007:129); Schurink, Fouchà © & De Vos (2011:403-404); Singh (2007:82); Welman, Kruger and Mitchell (2005:211) to achieved the following: managed or organised data so as to make it easily retrievable and managed; analysed, described, and classified data; represented and visualised data so as to be able to present and place them in the form of themes and statements. The Data will also be validated and interpreted (Alasuutari et al., 2008:362, 363; Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007:35; Flick, 2008:16; Schurink, Fouchà © & De Vos, 2011:417). According to Moore & McCabe (2005), this is the type of research whereby data gathered is categorized in themes and sub-themes, will be able to be comparable. This will help us to reduce and simplify the data collection processes, while at the same time producing results to assist in the measurement of using quantitative techniques. Another aim of the content analysis in this research is to assist us to structure the qualitative data collected in a way that satisfies the accomplishment of research objectives. However, human error can be highly involved in the content analysis process, since there is the risk for researchers to misinterpret the data gathered, thereby generating false and unreliable conclusions (Krippendorff & Bock, 2008).Thus, in additional to content analysis, the Statistical weighted mean will be used to answer the research questions. Most of the response options in the questionnaire instrument will be weighted as shown below:Table xx: Likert Scale of SignificanceStrongly Agree Agree Undecided/ Neutral Strongly Disagree DisagreeSA A U/N SD D5 Points 4 Points 3 Points 2 Points 1 PointThe acceptance point for the items will be 2.50. Nworgu, (1991), purports that the t-test is testing hypothesis about the differences between means when the sample size is small. Therefore, we will be using, the t-test statistical analysis to test the three null hypotheses used in this study. On the other hand, if the calculated t-value is greater than the critical value of t, the null hypothesis will be rejected and the alternative, which is â€Å"significance† will be accepted. By extension if the calculated t-value is lesser than the critical t-value, the null hypothesis (Research questions) will be accepted and the alternative rejected. However, the null hypotheses will be tested at 0.05 (5 %) level of significance. This means 5 chances of being in error out of every 100 cases. Therefore, any chances of error will be very low.The statistical weight mean will be supported and complemented by the use of IBM SPSS Statistics 19 (Singh, 2007:83). According to some authors(Babbie& Mouton, 2010:459; Fouchà © & Bratley, 2011:251) the researcher will be using descriptive methods to describe, analyse, and summarise numerical data into major characteristics of the study without distorting or losing too much of valuable information, so that it is simple, manageable, and more understandable and to facilitate eventual processing of data, the researcher will also be analysed quantitative data according to different themes of the measuring instrument (Delport & Roestenburg, 2011:196). Most importantly data will be presented and displayed in the form of table/s and graphic/s. (Fouchà © & Bratley, 2011:257).

Colleges and graduate schools

Gaining admission to colleges and graduate schools has become far more difficult, as the competition has increased dramatically over the past few years. Even perfect SAT, GRE, and other standardized test scores are no longer enough grant you the edge you need to be sure of acceptance.The admission essay service we provide is your surest way of getting noticed by the admissions committees at even the most prestigious schools. Our writers are highly experienced and have succeeded in giving the winning edge to hundreds of persons accepted into Ivy League institutions. We will craft your essay to your best advantage, guaranteed.Scholarship EssayWinning a scholarship out of a pool of the best applicants in any given year means your scholarship essay must be of stellar quality. Our highly trained and creative writers are perfectly attuned to the spoken and unspoken requirements of scholarship boards in all disciplines.In fact, many of our writers have themselves sat on scholarship boards a nd know what it takes to get you the coveted prize. We will maximize the effect of your accomplishments, taking care to correlate them with the board’s requirements so that you’ll definitely be seen as the most outstanding candidate.Personal StatementMany of the personal statements currently being drafted by applicants leave admissions committees bored with their unimaginative content. Our service bypasses those banal and formulaic methods by infusing your statement with rich variety and bold creativity.While we accurately portray your academic and extra-curricular activities, we also dig deeper to the major implications of these facts, in order to maximize the effect of your accomplishments. With our help, your statement will be at once profound, interesting and demonstrative of the great intellectual and creative capacity that will win the attention of the toughest admissions board.

Microsoft to improve buying experience at retail. (Thats shopping to you and me.) - Emphasis

Microsoft to improve buying experience at retail. (Thats shopping to you and me.) Microsoft to improve buying experience at retail. (Thats shopping to you and me.) Microsoft has announced its to open its own shops, in a clear bid to grab a slice of the Apple retail action. Apple trades on its image as the quintessence of cool: all innovative design and sleek lines. Microsoft may face an uphill battle in this respect, at least if its press release announcing the move is anything to go by. It quotes Kevin Turner, Microsofts chief operating officer, as saying: Were working hard to transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience at retail by improving the articulation and demonstration of the Microsoft innovation and value proposition so that its clear, simple and straightforward for consumers everywhere. What? you may ask. Good question. I was going to offer a translation, but Im afraid its stumped me. Some clear, simple and straightforward language might be a good start, Mr Turner.

Wish War Veterans a Happy Veterans Day

Wish War Veterans a Happy Veterans Day The eleventh day of November is a special day. In the United States, the day is called Veterans Day. In some other parts of the world, it is called Remembrance Day, a day to honor military folk, who served during war.This day draws the nations attention to the sacrifices made by its war heroes. Americans express their collective pride for the armed forces. Mark TwainIn the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.Arthur Koestler The most persistent sound, which reverberates through mens history is the beating of war drums.Dan LipinskiOn this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.John DoolittleAmericas veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world. Veterans Day Background On November 11, 1918, the First World War officially ended. A year later, American President Woodrow Wilson formerly instituted Armistice Day to honor the brave hearts, who were martyred during the war. However, Second World War veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama had a different vision. In 1945, Weeks announced that 11 November should honor all war veterans. Hence two years later, the first Veterans Day was observed, paying tribute to all those who served the military during war. Veterans Day is now a federal holiday across America. Veterans Day Celebrations in America On this day, military veterans are awarded medals and honors for their selfless hard work. At 11 a.m., the ceremony begins with the official wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a colorful parade by various veterans service organizations, and speeches made by dignitaries. Elsewhere, states conduct their own parades, honoring brave military personnel, who served during wartime and peacetime. Gary HartI think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.Douglas MacArthurIn my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.Michel de MontaigneValor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war. Celebrating Courage Under Fire Writer George Orwell made a moving comment on civilians attitude to the military when he said, People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Author Mark Twain also brought out the tragedy of being in a war. Twain wrote, Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.Remember these famous Veterans Day quotes when you offer your opinion during a conversation on war, peace, and the military. War is certainly not a game for the men and women who have to show courage under fire. Remember Your War Heroes If you love poetry, spare a moment to read Tommy, a classic poem by Rudyard Kipling. The poem talks about the publics hypocritical attitude to the common soldier, typified by Tommy Atkins. Towards the end of the poem, Kipling writes, Its Tommy this, and Tommy that,And chuck him out the brute,But its Savior of his Country,When the guns begin to shoot. Kipling may have been describing military life in Britain, but the poem has universal significance. Around the world, we fail to give our military heroes their due. As you read some Veterans Day quotations from poems, you will gain insight into the lives and motivations of those serving in the military. Byron PulsiferTo be free and to have a choice and a voice means that veterans have been quieted through death.Henry Ward BeecherAre they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism?Jeff MillerThe willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.

Your Painter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Your Painter - Essay Example Now the unit price of the commodity rises to P2 from P1 and at that price the quantity of that commodity declines to Q2 (This follows from the generally accepted law of demand that a rise in price of a commodity will mostly result in the decline in the demand of the same) (Mankiw, 2008). If ?P denotes the change in price or rise in the same then ?P = P1 – P2; similarly if ?Q refers to the change in the quantity demanded or decline in the same then ?Q = Q1- Q2. Now if Ed refers to the price elasticity of demand then Ed = (?Q/Q1)/ (?P/P1). In the given economic problem, on the quantity demanded side, Q1 = 35 gallons of paint, Q2 = 20 gallons a month. On the other hand the price of the paint was initially $3.00/gallon that is P1 = $3.00 and the price of the paint raised to $3.50/gallon, hence P2 = $3.50. Following the paragraph above, ?Q = (35 - 20) gallons = 15 gallons. Similarly ?P = $(3 – 3.5) = - $0.5. If now we put all these data into the equation that we have mention ed for price elasticity of demand we will find – Ed= (?Q/Q1)/ (?P/P1) = ?Q/Q1 X P1/?P = 15/35 X 3/-0.5 = - 3/7 X 6 = - 2.57 (approximated) Here the price elasticity of demand has been determined at – 2.57, that is less than – 1. Following the price elasticity of demand we classify goods as elastic or inelastic. If the price elasticity of demand is 0 then any rise in the price will not affect the quantity consumption of the commodity.

Research paper - Same Sex-Marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research paper - Same Sex-Marriage - Essay Example Then voices are raised in all quarters and the media also plays its undue role in projecting it out of proportion. Thus, one marriage that involves individuals from the same gender becomes an issue that seems to be made a mountain out of a molehill. The society needs to be quite broad-minded when someone suggests something positive in the direction of same gender couples that choose to marry. The reason for the same is that gays and lesbians are being continuously discriminated against in being refused the right to marry legally. Thus this brings to light just about everything from retirement programs, health care, parenting rights to social security benefits as well as the significant medical decisions. Same sex marriages come about due to one form of stagnation within the people’s minds and the role of one and all within the domains of the same sex marriage debate is significant nonetheless. Though the government might not approve of a marriage between members of the same sex, they just should not impose a law on their sense of ethics related with these very individuals. Since gay marriages are not at all at peril to the public welfare and one’s day-to-day life is not affected by the same, the right to marry anyone one so decided to choose for him or herself should thus be in accordance with the rights the United States of America states that are both "self-evident" as well as "inalienable" in its Declaration of Independence that was brought into notice of one and all a few years back. (Allen, 2006) The problem continues for some people who are of the view that since homosexual parenting can be harmful for children, thus allowing such marriages to be carried out in the first place must be declined and the state must do something that would disallow the people from doing the same. They also say that as homosexual unions are not built around lifetime commitments and also that they are not good environments to