Short Stories Essay Lamb to the Slaughter Essay Example for Free

Short Stories Essay Lamb to the Slaughter Essay Most murder mysteries often have a motive to prompt an investigation, and most classic murder mysteries include a detective to solve the case. Murder mysteries obviously also include a murder, may it be spectacular, cold blooded or accidental. There is also a murderer and a victim and a weapon of some description.. However, not all murder mysteries involve an alibi which in my opinion, adds to the suspense of the story. The main focus of a murder mystery is the location of the story or where it is set. There may be many different locations in a murder story, however there must be one main location for the story to be effective. Lamb to the Slaughter was written by Roald Dahl who is infamous for his enthralling stories, most of which are directed at a younger audience. It was first published in 1954. In Lamb to the Slaughter, the use of modern language automatically gives the impression that it is written in the present day. Roald Dahl is much more famous for his stories which are directed at a younger audience, however Lamb to the Slaughter is directed at an older audience ranging from GCSE students to adults. In his style of writing, Roald Dahl always writes about ordinary people who get involved in difficult situations to make his stories more suspenseful. The other short story, which I will be investigating, is The Speckled Band. The Speckled Band was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and it was first published in 1892. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is infamous for writing The Sherlock Holmes Adventures and The Speckled Band is just one story of many and The Speckled Band is written in speech of the time when it was first published much like Lamb to the Slaughter. Much more formal English language was used when compared to Lamb to the Slaughter. The main characters in The Speckled Band are Holmes and Watson and you could tell that they were well educated just by analysing how they spoke. Sir Arthur Conan Doyles creation has had worldwide success and has also been made into a Television series. The stories prove so popular because of the way Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the stories. He was very descriptive and gave the reader a real atmosphere of what it must be like to be in Sherlock Holmes Land. The setting also enhances the suspense and the atmosphere of the stories which is also another successful formula, which proves the Sherlock Holmes Stories to be  so popular. Sherlock Holmes is probably thee most famous detective in the world now and it is all thanks to the creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Lamb to the Slaughter and The Speckled Band are both murder stories however they both deal with different types of murders. However in both stories there is a focus on animals that being the snake in The Speckled Band and the Leg Of Lamb in Lamb to the Slaughter. The Speckled Band is the longer, more sophisticated story of the pair and deals with exotic animals. This may be a personal theme of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. While the Lamb to the Slaughter murder is brutally simple, but in this case the murder is so good the murderess gets off. In the Speckled Band we want the detective to solve the murder to tell us how it was done, while in the Lamb to the Slaughter we know how the murder was committed, and we read on to see if she gets away with it. We also have two different styles as one of them was written in the 19th Century and the other in the 20th Century. The Speckled Band starts with the reader being introduced to how many cases Dr Holmes and Watson have solved and also what sort of cases these were. These cases were not ordinary cases, they were all difficult; strange, but none-commonplace, so any normal cases were shunned. The first sentence is also very long; taking up eight lines, so the reader can get background all in one go, without having to refer back to anywhere. The story is retrospect, as the plot of the story has already been started. We are introduced to the case and Dr Holmes; by Dr Watson, the faithful companion to Holmes. The entire first paragraph is devoted to describing the case of Dr Grimesby Roylott of Stoke Moran The first mention we get of Holmes is when at the beginning of the second paragraph he wakes Watson up, which we find unusual as, we are told he is a late riser. At the bottom of the next page we get our first archaism of the story. These are old style words or phrases that are now no longer in use, the one we get here is intimate friend, in this sentence he is referring to Dr Watson, and now most people no longer say male friends are intimate. We also get the feeling that Holmes has collected a considerable amount of money for his efforts on the seventy odd cases he has solved. This is shown by the fact he is only a bachelor; but he still manages to have a maid, and  he also drinks coffee which is an expensive drink; as in 1883 coffee was a recent import and so only for the upper classes. He is also respectful and a gentlemen and cares a lot for people, You must not fear, he said leaning forward and patting her arm. We then come across defray which is another archaism and means to make good or repay. We also find that Holmes finds his work rewarding, as when Miss Stoner says she cant pay yet, Holmes lets her pay when she can. The narrative then told by Miss Stoner goes on to say she was a step daughter to one of the oldest Saxon families in England, this family has fallen apart as has the Saxons. Being old as well would mean they were honourable. The estate had stretched to Berkshire and Hampshire, which are both rich a reas. The Dr Grimesby Roylott went to Calcutta, which was the jewel in the crown, of the British Empire, and soon got a prison sentence for beating a native butler to death, but as he was white, he did not get a death sentence. This shows us that he had a huge temper and was strong enough to kill someone with a beating. While in the Indies he married Mrs Stoner who had ?1000 a year, which would be given to him while her daughters resided with him. So when she died shortly after they returned to England near Crewe in a railway accident, they moved in with Dr Grimesby Roylott back to his roots at Stoke Moran. While they lived with him the ?1000 a year saw to all their needs. Until Doctor Grimesby Roylott changed and started throwing fits of anger, and as he was a man of immense strength he often got into brawls. It was said to be part hereditary and part from living in the tropics for so long. He had even thrown the local blacksmith over a bridge, so if he could do that to a blacksmith, normal people had no chance. He also allowed gypsies onto his land, and would disappear off with them for weeks at a time. He also had a cheetah and a baboon roaming his land, showing that he could not leave India behind. Her sister met a half-pay Major of Marines at her aunts house, and if she were to marry him Dr Grimesby Roylott would have to pay ?250 a year of his ?1000. A half pay soldier is a private soldier who already has enough money to live, and doesnt need paying; he is an amateur soldier. On the day of the murder the weather had been bad and full of forbidding, offering perhaps some pathetic fallacy of the awful deed done that night. Then from the story being quiet and conversational it very quickly turns into a scene of action and murder. The last words of her sister were very confusing, and so puzzled everyone;  which added mystery and cynicism. The next main event was when Percy Armitage asks for her hand in marriage. When this happens she is told to move to the room where her sister had died. From this point onwards the reader is very neutral, as they talk of what to do, and in a classic Sherlock Holmes way he talks of what to do and when to do it, but it will all happen because of logic. The next page is just Dr Holmes summing up and analysing all that he has been told. Dr Grimesby Roylott then burst through the door and starts shouting and threatening Holmes, he is never phased by any of this and responds quietly and politely to the raging shouts directed at him. We then see the great detective start on his quest; he shows he is also well aquatinted with firearms as he tells Watson to get an Eleys No2. So they then set off on the journey to Stoke Moran, when reached the story tells of the darkness surrounding Stoke Moran, and the Great House and its owner. During this part of the story, Watson asks Holmes questions on behalf of the reader, and so the reader gets all the information that Watson gets. Sherlock Holmes then goes through the whole process of trying to solve the mystery of how the murderer got into the house room, but it is without success, so it is still a mystery to Watson, the reader and probably Holmes. It is obvious though over the next few pages that Holmes begins to understand how the murder was committed. It is also shown that he begins to dislike Dr Grimesby Roylott increasingly, as he understands more about the murder and how it was committed. We then get the plan of Sherlock Holmes to show us how the murder was committed. The plan works perfectly, but with one fatal part for Dr Grimesby Roylott. The doctor is bitten by the murder weapon, the evil doctor dies dressed even in death in an eastern style. After this we are brought up to date by Dr Watson as he finishes writing the narrative. The start of the Lamb to the Slaughter differs from the Speckled Band because it is in the pas-tense. It builds up a picture. It also shows that it is in the 20th century as it has a Thermos bucket. We are then introduced straight away with no description a character who is Mary Maloney, who is six months with a child; and so an unlikely murderer. Where as in the Speckled Band we are introduced to Holmes after a page of description of his background; and  he is the story. The story style is more immediate and straightforward, and in the Speckled Band we have Dr Watson as a filter to help us. We get description of movement over the next paragraphs. This helps us to assess the mood in the house, and the tension between the two people. We also get to know the characters, and their routines, where as in the Speckled band we know who the main characters are and what they do, while out of no where we are told that Mr Maloney is a policeman with no build up to it all. We are also told that the couple have a conversation that lasts only about four or five minutes. We are not told what happened in this conversation, so we are forced to make our own opinion, of what he said to her, while in the Speckled Band we are given every detail. We are then made to make up our own mind about this and the next part of the story, when she walks across the room, she couldnt even feel her feet touching the floor. This shows she is walking on an autopilot, she may have pre-meditated the murder. She then goes downstairs to get the leg of lamb. We are told all this in the Lamb to the slaughter, but in the Speckled Band we dont know what the murder weapon is, but we do know that it is pre-meditated. We are then told that Mrs Maloney goes out to the shops to get an alibi, that she was happy and chirpy and not looking or acting like someone who had just committed murder, she puts on the face of a expectant mother and a very happy wife. She does this perfectly and gets th e alibi needed for later in the story. So when she gets back to the house she does not need to act to cry or feel sorrow at the death of her husband because she really loved him, and was probably sorry for killing him. The stories do also differ as, one person calls all the moves of the investigation, and the other has a team of people working all working together to try and solve the murder, when the single investigator solves the crime and the group of detectives fail. We then get a long drawn out conversation between the policemen, which is all-ironic. As they talk about the murder weapon, they are describing the joint that they are eating. Towards the end Mary gets referred less and less as a person and more as an object; this shows her identity as a murderer is disappearing. Both of the murders are perfectly planned and carried out, but the one has a detective, which we need to solve the case, and the other is a case of will the murderer be caught?

Free To Kill a Mockingbird Essays - The Families of Maycomb :: Kill Mockingbird essays

The Families of Maycomb    In the novel there are two families in the town of Maycomb that are very different. The Cunningham's and the Ewells have contrasting and opposite reputations. The Cunningham's are very respected in the town while the Ewells very much despised by the community. The Cunningham's show the respectability of hard worker or, where as Ewells are considered lazy. Miss Maudie is another character in the town who lives next to the Finch family. She is similar to the Cunningham's because she is a trusted figure who faces hard times very bravely and works hard in her garden.    The Cunningham's have pride, and are very respected by the citizen's of Maycomb County. The Cunningham's are given special privileges because there trusted. For example the Cunningham's paid Atticus Finch, a lawyer, for some legal work that Atticus did with their farm. They paid him not with money, but with food, and other services. The population of Maycomb County accepted this form of payment because they knew that the family had no money but was very honest, and extremely hard working. The Cunningham's would never take anything that they couldn't payback equally or with greater something of value. They were always considerate and would help you, and never consider about what was in it for them. The Cunningham's renewed their resources by doing this, people were glad to help them.    The Ewells were very different from the Cunningham's. Bob Ewell was a total drunk. He took what money he earned or stole and he drank it away. Mr. Ewell very rarely or if ever bought or cooked for his family a hot and total nutritious meal in his life. The Ewells used up the resources of the community. They scrounged around taking, and taking from others. People were disgusted when they helped the Ewells. The Ewells were liars, and were too ashamed to stop the slandering of Tom Robinson before it came uncontrollable, costing Tom his life.    Miss Maudie is a neighbor to the Finch Family. She shows more qualities of the Cunningham's and was a role model. Maudie respects others and minds her own business. She worked in her yard during the daytime and spent her evening on her front porch.

Analysis of Act 1 Scene 1 of Measure for Measure

Act 1 Scene 1 at its most basic interpretation is encircling the thoughts and actions of three characters; the Duke, Escalus and Angelo. The reader observes the Duke of Vienna telling Escalus, an his advisor, that he is leaving the city and would like to leave Angelo in his place. Escalus agrees with the Duke's choice and Angelo is summoned. Angelo appears surprised and slightly reluctant of the Dukes offer but accepts it readily. However if the reader decides to prove deeper inside the scene, it becomes clear that the seemingly simple interpretation above conceals a more complex scenarios. Firstly the scene is set the city of Vienna in approximately 1604, the reader is made aware it is Vienna when Escalus states, ‘if any in Vienna†¦'The reader is left to wonder whether the play is set in Vienna because of it beautiful historic acitchecture or it dazzling surrounding. Or if perhaps there is a more fundamental reason such as the plays context, whether for instance the themes running rife throughout the play are so diverse and unconventional for its time, that Shakespeare feared situating it in more familiar surroundings such as England. These imminent revelations help to captivate and develop the curiosity of the reader. The language used in measure of measure is Elizabethan, formal and conventional of its time. The play is composed of words such ‘t'affect' and ‘y' are' which were frequently used during that period. The play is constructed within iambic pentameter are subsequently blank verses. The fact that the verses do not rhyme may indicate to the reader, the sincerity of the issues stirring inside the play. As in most plays, the characters within it help guide the play through its stages. Measure for Measure is not an exception. The Duke appears to be an intelligent and sensitive man who cares about the welfare of his citizens, this is emphasised utters statements such as ‘The nature of our people, Our city's institutions, and the terms For common justice†¦' and ‘ I love the people' although he seems to be dismayed by the by the decay in his city and wishes to reform it. The Duke speaks with formal, somewhat legalistic language of a ruling, noble figure. He uses the royal ‘we' and regards the citizens of Vienna â€Å"our people,† the city is â€Å"our city†. Again demonstrating his status as well as his care for his citizens. His diction is quite elegant in some places; he makes use of alliteration, stating that with his â€Å"special soul† he has chosen Angelo. The Duke also uses paradoxical terms that convey the duties of a ruler; he says he will lend Angelo both his â€Å"terror† and his â€Å"love† to rule with, showing how a ruler must be authoritarian, yet caring for his subjects. This causes the reader to ponder just why he is leaving and what drives the urgency. The Duke seems to confide earnestly in Escalus his advisor. Escalus seems to genuinely respect and look up to the Duke, along with a strong fondness towards Duke. The reader becomes increasingly aware of this throughout the scene. A classic example is when Escalus chimes ‘I'll wait upon your honour' just before the Duke's departure. As a result the reader is not sure whether Escalus agreed with the Duke's choice because of his fondness for the Duke or if hemade an objective decision and agreed. The puzzling issue is likely to befriend the reader and subsequently encourage them to read on. The reader is made aware that Escalus is an intelligent man, when to the Duke reports to Escalus, ‘since I know your own science exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice my strength can give you. Then no remains but that, to sufficiently, as your worth is able'. The reader is left to wander how substantial Escalus's role will be in the remainder of the play. Lastly we are introduced to Lord Angelo. The Duke and Escalus both seem to be immensely confident in Angelo's capabilities. Highlighted with phrases such as when Escalus states ‘ if any in Vienna be worth to undergo such ample grace and honour it is Lord Angelo' and when the Duke states to Angelo that: ‘There is a kind of character in thy life that to the' observer doth thy history fully unfold. Thyself and thy belongings are not thine own so proper as to waste thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee'. Angelo is portrayed as a young trustworthy, righteous able man. However he although he does accept the offer humbly he does express reluctantly and concern as times. For example when he pleads, ‘let there be some more test made of my mental before so noble and so great a figure be stamped upon it'. The reader cold possibly perceive this as warning to his behaviour in the rest of the pay. Angelo's righteous appearance subtley disturbs the reader; the reader is subsequen tly left to ponder whether there is something sinister under this loveable exterior. The imagery of a coin could possibly signify Angelo becoming corrupt and obsessed with money. After the reader's brief introduction to the setting, chracteters and subsequent situation the scene leaves the audience crying what next. As although it is a short scene the reader is overwhelmed with a variety of themes and potentialities. Such as the Dukes intentions. For instance why this imminent departure? Also the reason for the portayl of Angelo is it possibly to contradict his behaviour within the rest of the play. The scene could also be a breeding ground for lots of themes for instance, how power can curopt or how responsibility is handled. To summarise although Act 1 scene 1 appears docile in appearance, the volcano is bubbling with possible revelations waiting to erupt, possibly mirroring the potential pattern for the rest of the play.

International Trade Essay - 865 Words

International Trade What is International Trade? International trade is defined as trade between two or more partners from different countries in the exchange of goods and services. In order to understand International trade, we need to first know and understand what trade is, which is the buying and selling of products between different countries. International Trade simply is globalization of the world and enables countries to obtain products and services from other countries effortlessly and expediently. International trade has been in existence throughout history and has an economic impact on the participating countries. Trade in most countries has a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and helps to boost the†¦show more content†¦Free Trade is the concept we use when referring to selling of products between countries without tariffs, fees, or trade barriers. Free Trade simply is the absence of government interference or numerous restrictions, which has been labeled as laissez fair econ omics. Free Trade grants easier access to goods and services, promote faster growth for the economy, and also allows for the outsourcing of production of goods, which hurts the economy. Many believe that the free trade hurts developed countries and nations, due to the loss of jobs by international competition and can reduce the country’s GDP. Overall, free trade agreement with other countries can save time and money and increase participating countries economy. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) There are various trade agreements the United States have with many other countries and I will do a brief overview of a few of them. The most noticeable one is the North American Free Trade Agreement, which include the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This agreement was constructed and approved in January of 1992 and formed the largest free trade area. NAFTA eliminated and reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers in addition to comprehensive provisions in the way trade was conducted between these countries. Conclusion NAFTA was born out of the original Canada-US Free Trade Agreement of 1988, which did change the existing agreement concepts, but essentiallyShow MoreRelatedThe Trade Of International Trade1538 Words   |  7 PagesInternational trade is the exchange of capital, goods in general, and services across other countries or territory provided if the government impose free trade. (Grosse; Behrman, 1992) Free trade means that the government do not intervene on what its citizen can buy, produce or sell internationally. International trade first began in a barter system which is followed by mercantilism in the early 16th and 17th century we’re mercantilism trade is practiced and this is what nation nowadays still viewRead MoreInternational Trade1662 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The escalating liberalization of international trade that occurred during the decades following World War II under the impulse of various multilateral agreements and organizations has brought about a dramatic change in the geographic scope of logistics and freight transportation systems. While new trade ties have emerged with East Asia, long-time trading partners such as the United States and European nations have also intensified their trade relationships, to the point that the EuropeanRead MoreInternational Trade16708 Words   |  67 PagesExport/Import Procedures and International Trade Contents 1) Outline on International Trade 2) Problems and Barriers to Trade 3) International Trade Terms 4) Trade Financing Payment 5) International Trading Pricing 6) Shipping Documents 7) Cargo Insurance 8) Shipping Organizations 9) Containerisation 10) Freight Market 11) Shipping Operation 12) International Organizations 13) Physical Distribution 14) Modes of Transportation Chapter 1 Outline on International Trade 1. Introduction Read MoreTrade Finance and International Trade1903 Words   |  8 PagesAccording to Branch trade finance has become a strong bargaining point in the conduct of international trade. Negotiating strategy needed to reduce finance risk (Branch, 2005). Trade finance is a topic contained the financial facilities industry. Manufactured goods is sold and distributed to overseas; therefore, it takes longer to get paid. Additional time and energy is required to make sure that buyers are trustworthy and creditworthy. Also, foreign buyers who are just like domestic buyers. TheyRead MoreInternational Trade And Trade Agreements Essay1396 Words   |  6 Pages Global business is defined as the buying and selling of goods and services by people from different countries (McWilliams Williams 2010). It also has to do with international trade and trade agreements. Corporations that own businesses in two or more countries are called multinational corporations (McWilliams Williams 2010). Most of these global businesses main headquarters are found in the United States or the United Kingdom. Expanding to a global market is quite a complex process and businessesRead MoreImpact Of Trade On The International Trade Market1489 Words   |  6 PagesThe international trade of goods across the world accounts for approximately 60% of the world Gross Domestic Product (The World Bank, 2014). A great proportion of goods transactions occur every second. The primary question is whether international trade benefits a country as an entirety, and, if so, why would a country implement protective trade policies to restrict particular exports? To address this quest ion, this essay aims to explore the impact of trade on various economic stakeholders, includingRead MoreWhat Is International Trade?1669 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is international Trade? International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories, which could involve the activities of the government and individual. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product (GDP). This type of trade allows for a greater competition and more competitive pricing in the market. The competition results in more affordable products for the consumer. The exchange of goods also affectsRead MoreInternational Trade and Finance1501 Words   |  7 PagesLinda Luc Duong International Trade and Finance ECO/372 August 27, 2012 Matthew J. Angner International Trade and Finance When there is a surplus of imports brought into the United States it means that the price of the products will drop. Companies in the United States are competing with the Chinese made products will suffer from price drops on goods. Lower prices on goods will benefit consumers. Large screen Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and High Definition Television (HDTV) is a good exampleRead MoreImpact Of Trade Relations On International Trade1485 Words   |  6 Pagescountries are dependant on international trade and the government plays a big role in this through forming their trade policy (Miller, 2010). In the past smaller countries have relied on trading with bigger nations, but in the mid-1960’s a lot of countries looked to pursue independence in their foreign policy. Even though we live in this new technological and global age, forming trade relations is vital to our economy. Every country has different trade policies which determine how trade occurs between themselvesRead MoreThe I nternational Trade Concepts1357 Words   |  6 PagesThe International Trade Concepts The International Trade Concepts simulation helps one to learn the advantages and limitations of international trade. One can also take what is learned from the simulation and relate it to the U.S. economy and the effects international trade has on it. Learning about how fiscal and monetary policies affect the exchange rate is important as well. Not only can one apply what was learned in the simulation to the U.S. economy but they can also apply it to their workplace