Last hurrah-Character :: essays research papers

Edwin O'Connor's novel The Last Hurrah presents a view of the difficult and hard life of the Irish-American community in Boston of the 1950's. The author uses a number of characterizations to produce themes that relate to the political and social considerations of this era. With a narrative style that holds the reader's interest, O'Connor leads you through the streets and alleys of the old city, giving you a brief look at old-time city politics. He does this through Frank Skeffington who is the main character. One of the characters O’Connor used to make his point is John Gorman. John Gorman is quiet and somber. Gorman's dedication to social structures and concern for religion and the family differ from the ideas represented by the candidate and the corrupt political leader. When talking with Gorman at a party, Molly Riordan presents her view of Frank Skeffington, and is met with Gorman's skeptical response. Molly says, â€Å"He's the best of them all, John, God love him. There's not a night goes by I don't say a little prayer for him.†(O’Connor 85). Gorman's response is a simple non-committal comment about the party and skeptically attempts to avoid demonstrating any commitment to Molly's remarks.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Gorman and Skeffington have a close association, there is no determination of any loyalty that exists from Gorman's view. He is not dedicated to the cause of Skeffington's election, although that is a primary aspect of many of his interactions. Gorman's odd sense of humor also adds to his presentation of disbelief in regard s to Skeffington. When discussing the topic of campaign issues that came up between Skeffington and his nephew, the nephew acknowledges that the topic did come up whenever they were together. Gorham's response, intended to bring up religious symbolism as well as humor, which was, â€Å" Ah well, that's natural enough, If you met the Pope, you'd talk about religion. (O’ Connor 192). O'Connor's book is powerful because of its complexity of levels. There is a defined consideration for the plot and characterizations, but O'Connor does not stop at this.

A Citizen’s Guide to American Ideology: Conservatism and Liberalism in Contemporary Politics Essay

Conservatism is political belief based on social stability and tradition, emphasizing established institutions and having a preference on a gradual development to an abrupt change (Marietta 23). In conservative theories, they aim to preserve and restore, stressing continuity and stability, limit to change, restricted government guidelines of business and strong national defenses (Para 3). Conservatism so to speak is political morality. Conservative political drives have been productive as they have unified people of different opinions on the basis of shared goals (Mannheim 41).It is not possible to find the successes of conservatism in a big government but through individual achievement and freedom! According to O’hara, conservative ideology is mirrored through family values, decent parenting at home and what can be achieved when the government ceases to interfere (52). For instance, set of grandparents living their years without debt with their families leading a simple but self-governing life and out of trouble that’s a conservative success. When a small business opens up, with owners working hard and selling authentic products and excellent service, then gradually expanding step by step then becoming a big business organization†¦that is a conservative success story. If you see a soldier risking his life to protect the inhabitants of a dangerous area and receiving no recognition, that is conser vative values in action (Cecil 23). Conservative form of leadership is the best, as it grows people to take responsibility for their actions, health, education and family the success is revealed in the glory and accomplishments of the individual and not in the credit and achievement of legislation that will promise some things that one should earn on their own. In Canada, the Harper government has offered positive differences to the people of Canada and the world in general. It has offered tax relief with a 2% decrease to 5% in goods and services tax (GST), has assisted working families by lowering income taxes, has lowered small business and corporate taxes and has introduced the universal child care benefit that has given families real choices in child care (Gottfried 45). The harper government has also taken action by offering a special tax credits which has assisted in paying for children’s fitness programme, in regard to Crime and Justice, it has improved with strong new laws and punishments that fit the crime. The Tackling Violent Crime Act has ensured that criminals who get jail condemnations pay their dues to the society. According to Gottfried, corporations and unions have been banned from contributing to politics (66); the amount that an individual can donate has been reduced to between $5,000 and $1,100 per year. There has also been investment in the Canadian Forces who strive to protect the country and its citizens by providing insurance for the personnel, while increasing sustenance for those who experience injury and illness in the line of duty. Canada signed the Copenhagen According, an agreement among developing and developed nations to decrease the worldwide level of air pollution ( Viereck and Claus 33). In America, during the president George W. Bush conservative administration, they never accepted corruption in office and rejected the state ordering people how they should lead their lives. In 2007 President Bush lifted the strategy for the war in Iraq from forced safeguarding to population security (Marrieta 54). In 2002, President Bush fronted the â€Å"housing first† strategy to reduce homelessness this worked and the number of homeless people decreased by 30 percent between 2005 and 2007. For the time being, serious crimes levels declined rapidly since 1993, when the country began to embrace conservative tough on crime policies. According to Marrieta, he addressed nationwide poverty, increased financial aid to developing countries and assisted in alleviating AIDS in Africa (67). In 2003 November third, he facilitated enactment of The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. According to Viereck and Claus Australia’s main achievements of the Menzies, Holt, Gorton and McMahon conservative governments included high living standards for Australians; increased ratio of home owners, progress in industry, free medical treatment for seniors and the homeless, introduced homes for the aged, established Commonwealth Scholarships as means of introducing aid to all schools, increased work force and introduction of family allowance (71). The Howard government’s policies enabled the provision of low rates of interest, lower taxation and increased economic growth; Australian domestic students by allowing them to invest in their own education, increased total revenue for higher education institutions from $8.6 billion in 1997 to $16.8 billion in 2007( O’hara 46) Conclusion The principles of conservatism are all-encompassing as they are founded on what men and women have learned through involvement in a dozen generations. With all the experience of the past and present, conservative future is still going to continue working as the task will not be to sell a philosophy, but to make the citizens, who already believe in the philosophy, see that modern conservatism offers us a political home (Marietta 27).From above it evident that conservatism prevents movement backward and downward and towards forward and upward away from chaotic darkness and primitive state, a philosophy that world nations should adopt for better and brighter futures. References Marietta, Morgan. A Citizen’s Guide to American Ideology: Conservatism and Liberalism in Contemporary Politics. New York: Routledge, 2012. Print. Viereck, Peter, and Claes G. Ryn. Conservatism Revisited: The Revolt against Ideology. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 2005. Print. Gottfried, Paul. Conservatism in America: Making Sense of the American Right. New York: Palgrave, 2007. Print. Mannheim, Karl. Conservatism. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2013. Internet resource.O’Hara, Kieron. Conservatism. London: Reaktion Books, 2011. Internet resource.Berkowitz, Peter. Varieties of Conservatism in America. Stanford, Calif: Hoover Institution Press, 2004. Print. Gord, Walker.A conservative Canada. Santa Barbara, Calif: Paget Press, 1983. Source document

Theology- Church and Sacraments - 4375 Words

All of which I am about to write in this short synthesis is solely taken from the book entitled, â€Å"Church and Sacraments† by Victoria D. Corral, Ed.D. Et al. No other reference was used in the makings. The 12 chosen apostles of Jesus Christ were the first footsteps taken to the creation of the Church, which was born from the Father’s plan in order to continue the mission He had done and that is to proclaim the Kingdom of God. The early Christian community was the beginning of the Church as each apostle begins the journey of spreading His Word to all nations. Despite the universal acceptance of the many, it had not always been as acceptable as it is now, before in Christ’s time. The division between Jews and Gentile had been in continuous†¦show more content†¦Despite attempts to regain the lost during the disparities, much of the original doctrines have been shattered. Arianism at some point ended but was again spread due to the coming of the West migrants such as Visigoths. Destroying many Catholic churches and bringing disaster, Roman Empire enters the Dark Ages period. Although, at the time, bishops and popes became more functional in civil authority, it wa s not of power, but because of the opportunity to impart the religious authority. Afterwards, Catholic Church soon became the Roman Catholic Church. On the other hand, the East maintained traditions and at the Council of Chalcedon, Pope Leo disagreed with the decision to make Constantinople equal to Rome and fought for papal primacy. Written in Pope Leo’s papacy was the greatest mission taken place that when the empire collapses, the only way to protect all was the conversion of the barbarians. When Christendom was created, it paved the way to the conversion of the barbarians. When Clovis, for example, was baptized, he used the Church in stabilizing moral codes towards his men. Gregory the Great laid the foundation of the medieval Christendom making the pope supreme. But still corruption and abuses remained. Monks also played another role in the Church as they accompany the dissolution of the Empire. The monks who created monasteries allowedShow MoreRelatedTheology of Worship1367 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"My Theology of Worship† My theology of worship can be found in John 4:24: â€Å"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.† This is my theology of worship from this text, which can further be broken down into these four questions, which I will go in detail about how they relate to my theology. How worship functions in the relationship between God and humanity, where the sacraments fits into my theology of worship, the role of the church in corporate worship(community)Read MoreThe Importance of Sacraments1085 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the history of religion, the significance of sacraments has remained unchanged. According to Downey, there are key terms in relation to the language of sacraments. 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