Form and Structure of Abigails Party Emily Huntley Essay Example for Free

Form and Structure of Abigails Party Emily Huntley Essay Mike Leighs Abigails Party was primarily shown on television and wasnt initially meant for the stage, until it was realised how successful it was. The plot is based around a mirror of two partys, one involving 5 adults all living in the same estate but of very contrasting backgrounds and classes which Mike Leigh also depicts, and the other of the sixteen year old daughter of Sue, whos organised a typical teenage rave. The essence of the play is that generally speaking the younger generations should be observed at parties but in Mike Leighs example the irony is that the adults seem just as drunk and obscene as what is imagined next door. This is where the comedy arises and is developed throughout the play as the adults keep a close eye on the teenagers but there is no one to observe the adults. Mike Leigh has also drawn the attention of the audience by focusing on class by contrasting the classes of the characters, Beverly and Lawrence who are aspiring for true middle class, a poor newly married couple and a middle class divorcee. This situation in itself is controversial due to Sue not being nearly as wealthy as Beverly and Lawrence but being by far the most cultured of the group. Another example of this would be shown in Ang, her occupation as a nurse can actually be called a well known and accepted profession, although she has little money and isnt well cultured or travelled, as an outsider you can see the intelligence that Mike Leigh has tried to depict over the other characters. The play is composed of two acts, both of which surprisingly end with the focus on Sue, the most timid character. I think this was purposeful on Leighs behalf as although she seems to be a pretty insignificant character she holds a lot of unknown power over the people in her company. Especially Lawrence who realises her class is above his and he aspires to be like her by seeking her approval. As the play develops so does the amount of alcohol consumed and the tension between the two married couples. Especially from Beverly and Lawrences points of view as they start verbally abusing each other in the presence of their guests, which I believe would not occur otherwise as Ang, Tony and Sue would realise their true characters. Therefore I could also state that the play is structured around class, parties and also alcohol. Everything in the play including props, lighting and sound effects is ultra realistic. The set includes real food and drink with a working record player and lamps, which provide the naturalistic lighting throughout the whole play, and the constant thumping from next door really makes the situation believable. To enhance the realism, Mike Leigh also wrote the play in real time, this means that the duration of the play is natural over the period of an evening, with no days or hours skipped. Another tool used by Mike Leigh to develop true realism is the use of colloquial dialect. There is no stylised or poetic language and also no imagery used. It is written so the audience can easily place themselves in the characters positions. Discussing the structure of the play is hard considering the definitions of A Well Made Play 1.) Exposition (introduction of characters and situations) 2.) Conflict (a huge problem is bought to the surface) 3.) Complications (the problem develops) 4.) Climax (the most dramatic, and tension filled part of the play) 5.) Dà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½nouement (the resolution) The exposition occurs between pages 1 and 13 when the characters are introduced to each other and also the audience. This is the period when the audience makes their own assumptions of the characters, and they can recognise different relationships and tensions. This is when we also realise about Lawrences hectic lifestyle and frequent suffering of heartburn so that his heart attack doesnt come as a complete shock and the audience understand and sympathise more. The conflict is primarily to do with Beverly and Lawrences relationship and the strain that it is clearly under. But we also see the stress between Angela and Tony periodically. The complication is when the tension builds as more and more alcohol is consumed predominantly between Lawrence and Beverly. The climax is clearly Lawrences heart attack, which is the outcome, of a stressful job, a nagging wife, being polite to unwelcome guests the consumption of alcohol and the constant thumping of the party next door. This is when the focus and drive of the play changes completely from the future life these characters have built themselves to the present situation. Lastly the dà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½nouement. In Abigails Party there doesnt seem to be a definite resolution, the play is left on a cliff hanger as the audience is left in the dark as to whether the conflicts have been resolved and if not the final outcome of the situation. Abigails Party is referred to as a comedy, but of various types, it contains a slight element of black comedy in the fact that Lawrence has a heart attack. But throughout the play, Leigh develops another form of comedy, not through one-liners, but due to the characters dialogue and movement etc. For example, Tonys monosyllabic answers, Angelas lack of social etiquette, Sues shyness and total dislike of the situation, Lawrences frequent cultural references even though everyone can see he is uneducated in Shakespeare and Beethoven and is simply attempting and failing to reach a higher social class (nouveaux riches). And Beverlys clear lack of self-control concerning Tony and insulting Angelas lipstick. Abigails Party is essentially written as a comedy, until the end, which presents more opportunities, and shows a more tragic and retrospective feel. This play is unique in that it is completely down to the director as to how they depict it as it can be of two extremes tragic or comic, excluding Lawrences death, which is clearly comic with the reference to Angs cramp etc. In the production I saw, it was comic and I thought this worked well but having considered it to be a tragic play I think this could be just as effective.

Education Fiesta :: Technology Internet Technological Essays

Education Fiesta In Today’s competitive society, we all strive for the ideal occupation, and the best learning skills. Technology is a prevalent tool for us, and the Internet especially has helped bring about efficiency. Distance education is not something that I have personally experienced, but through various information sources, I now am fully aware of what online education is all about. To put my research into play I chose to narrate a scenario in which the authors of the sources I used came to my house for a dinner party. Then I provided my own ideas in an analysis of the facts that these authors presented. I tied it up with a personal reflection of everything that I learned. My dining room table pushed against the wall, buffet style, with steaming chaffing dishes, a basket of assorted fresh baked breads, a caddy filled with festive cutlery, pretty napkins laid out in a crescent shaped pattern, and various plates and bowls with the evenings fixings, anxiously I awaited my five guests of honor for tonight’s dinner: Pam Dixon, Emily Weiner, Marcia Williams, Kenneth Paprock, and Barbara Covington; all experts on the topic and field of distance education. They were to arrive at seven o’ clock, which was in ten minutes. I meticulously set up a table of beverages, and a bucket of ice. I also invited a few of my own friends and family members who were interested and about the subject, and wanted more information about online learning. My mother, who is considering finishing up her degree online, my aunt and uncle who are both in the field of computer technology and programming, my neighbor who is also doing research for school on online lea rning, and my friend Lauren who had just decided to come for the discussion, information and appetizing meal. I finished up some last minute preparation work, as the arrival time of my guests got closer. Distance learning is an alternative method of education in our society, which values time and convenience. Online learning, although not a tangible way to attend a university, allows those with families, people with busy lives, those with jobs, those with physical disabilities, and those who do not have access to universities or the right classes to learn the r skills they need, and attain the right degree, in order to work in our field of choice.

Economics Unit Portfolio Essay

1) In 1861 Abraham Lincoln introduced income tax during the Civil War when he needed money to pay his army. 2) That every consumer paid the same tax for the product no matter what their income is. 3) I would agree with Benton McMillin. Education is one considered a free institution. Using the education system helps someone become smarter and that helps accumulate wealth. Part 2 – Internet Taxation 1) Because not collecting tax means the internet retailer can offer lower prices than other stores. It can kill their business with lower profit margins. 2) Taxing internet retailers would discourage investment employment growth. The shipping costs for online transactions can cancel out any price advantage. 3) I disagree that taxing the internet would discourage new technology investment and employment growth. 4) Computer hardware is more expensive than books or clothing. Part 3 – Economic Detective activity 1) With the decline in business in Centreville the tax base will drop. There will be smaller amount of businesses and people paying taxes. 2) The operating budget would decrease because of the decline in businesses. 1) Increase fines for texting while driving, drunk driving, tailgating,  aggressive driving, public intoxication, toll violations and other crimes. Increase fines for all violators of health and safety regulations in business, especially the food service industry. Lower the taxes can increase economic activity and provides incentives for taking risks in investments. 2) Increasing fines for individuals or businesses. 1) A. By using the capital funds from the other project to buy the warehouse. B. The indoor mall would attract businesses to lease from the city in the mall. 2) There will be more revenue from the sales and more jobs for people of the city. 3) Tax deductions for energy savings. Corporate income tax credit. Sales tax exemption. Payroll tax deductions. Part 4 – Summary questions 1) Challenges to implement a fair tax system: a. People agreeing on a fair tax system. It seems that most will not agree on every aspect of creating a fair tax system. b. Implementing a fair tax system would take power out of the hands of politicians. c. The poor would suffer more than the wealthy with a fair tax system. 2) Sales tax. Each person is charged at the same rate on their purchases. The wealthy will pay more sales tax because they have more disposable income.

Mainstream Media in a Democracy - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1124 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/02/15 Category Politics Essay Level High school Topics: Democracy Essay Did you like this example? Every citizen in their given country has the chance to vote and elect these representatives and people in power. Power can also be held directly by the people themselves as well. In a democracy, there is a belief of freedom and equality amongst the people as well as a system that is put in place based on these beliefs. Explain role of media in a democracy: The role of media in democracy has grown immensely in the last couple of years because of how popular social media and media in general has become. Media in a democracy can help educate voters, report, and can help explore someones interest. Because democracy needs citizens and the people to be actively participating, the media plays the role of keeping these people/citizens engaged in the government by informing, educating, reporting, and gathering the public. Media is the backbone of a democracy as it help shapes our views and makes us aware of the various social, political, and economic situations whether it shows us the bare truth or harsh realities of the world. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Mainstream Media in a Democracy" essay for you Create order Thesis statement: Mainstream media in the United States today supports American democracy by giving everyone an opportunity to express their right of freedom of speech and giving people the right to send and deliver (communicate) these messages without being oppressed by authorities. Body 1: One way in which mainstream media supports american democracy (What is it doing right): Everyone in the United States has the right to freedom of speech. In this democratic state, each and every citizen has the opportunity to express these thoughts, feelings, ideas with words, symbols,actions and freedom. The media certainly gives the people this opportunity where they can do and say whatever they want to help report, educate and gather the community and audience they are reaching out to. These media platforms could include: radio, social media, online newspapers/articles, and television. For example, on social media platforms, people can go on there and publicly express their thoughts and feelings and give their opinions without any permission. Apps like facebook, instagram, snapchat, and twitter all give the user a freedom to say and do whatever they want on the platform. one option to improve the role of the media to strengthen democracy While these forms of social media signify what freedom of speech and expression look like, one way in which we can improve the democracy is for social media platforms like the ones stated above as well as television broadcast such as Fox News and CNN need to stop controlling what people will see whether it’s sponsored, censored, or biased. Because you get the right to free speech, a lot of it can be negative. To support the equality aspect of a democracy especially in America, social media platforms, radio, and news broadcast should really track down on hate speech and any speech that violates the 1st amendment and democracy in America. Body 2: One way in which mainstream media supports american democracy whether your posting something on social media, communicating with the people through radio, or being able to show your interests and views through television news and online news sources, you can say and do what you want while communicating these messages without being oppressed by authorities. one option to improve the role of the media to strengthen democracy Another way to help improve media to strengthen democracy based off communicating messages without being oppressed by authorities would be to show more equality. There seems to be a major way in which authorities treat people and what messages they try to communicate and convey between social media and the outside world. For example, someone in social media could aggressively voice their thoughts and opinions and no one stops them but in the real world, like at rallies and protests, authorities seem to treat citizens with harsher treatment then through an electronic. Democracy is all about giving the people a freedom of speech and equality and although the freedom of speech is there, equality needs to be worked on. Whether its cracking down on the hate speech in social media and authorities treating it the same way as rallies and protests or having it the other way around, one or the other needs improving to help k eep this democracy strong and moving forward. Analyze how effectively the american media is fulfilling the role of the free press in a democracy Based on the two arguments above, American media is effectively fulfilling the role of free press in this democracy. Counterargument: Although there are many ways in which mainstream media for the majority supports american democracy, there are some ways in which it can go against democracy. For example, certain media platforms such as social media as well as online articles/newspapers limits what viewers see because of the side that they support politically. In other words, mainstream media should be a place where people can easily go too to find news without any source supporting one side more than the other and being very bias. It should be a place where people go to express and voice their thoughts, opinions, and ideas without being told to pick and choose a side. In the text We the People, author(s) Benjamin Ginsberg, Theodore J. Lowi, Margaret Weir, Caroline J. Tolbert, and Robert J. Spitzer, mention how the media can influence the public opinion by choosing what they present and how they present it. They claim that â€Å"the media can shape and modify, if not fully form, the public’s perception of events, issues, and institutions. Media coverage can rally support for, or intensify opposition to, national policies on matters as weighty as health care, the economy, and international wars† (Ch 6, Page 189). Like i’ve mentioned previously, to support an american democracy, the press gets a right of freedom of speech and they get to post what they want without being oppressed by authorities. Yes they are still doing this but at the same time some are coming out with complete bias statements and sometimes false news or in Donald Trump’s words â€Å"Fake News†. This goes against democracy as some media outlets are abusing their freedom to say whatever they want to shape public opinion whether its right or wrong. In the end though, the democracy is still being supported by mainstream media as every person gets to do and say whatever they want to say without being punished for it. Conclusion: Mainstream media has played a huge role in todays society and politics as it is a way where citizens can go to voice their thoughts and opinions as well as politicians use it as a platform to get their name and message/agendas out there.