My Papas Waltz Essays

My Papas Waltz Essays My Papas Waltz Paper My Papas Waltz Paper There are many excellent poets. One of which is Theodore Roethke, who has written many pieces that leave the writer confused about what he may really want to convey through his pieces. His mother sent him to Arthur Hill School because she was opposed to sending him to Saginaw High. At Arthur Hill School, Roethke learned his writing skills. As a freshman, he wrote a speech about the Red Cross. This speech received worldwide recognition and was written in twenty-six languages. Roethke had somewhat or a rough life during High school. During his junior year of High school, his uncle committed suicide in February and his father died two months when he was fourteen. Roethke was an accomplished writer early in school, but at the same time his success was tarnished by the difficult life he endured through High School. Roethkes troubled adolescence may be a reason why it is hard to know exactly what he is means through out his poems. After High school, Roethke attended University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. While at College, he joined the Chi Phi fraternity, played tennis, and worked. When he graduated, he went to Law School for a short period of time before dropping out to pursue a degree in Literature at Harvard University. Roethke was forced to withdraw from school due to his depression. After leaving school, he started writing many of his wonderful pieces and had several jobs along the way. One of his most famous works is The Waking, Poems written and published in 1954. For this wonderful piece Roethke received the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestiges award a writer can receive. In 1942, Roethke, wrote My Papas Waltz. Many of Roethkes pieces leave the reader wondering about what happened during the poem. In My Papas Waltz, he continues this legacy of leaving the reader wondering when reading his poems. At he age of 37, after writing many outstanding pieces, Roethke wrote My Papas Waltz. In My Papas Waltz, Roethke leaves the audience wondering about what he really wants to convey through his work. In My Papas Waltz, Roethke the reader is confused about what Roethke is trying to convey to the reader. When first reading the poem, you may think that the father is abusing his son but in reality the father and son may have a wonderful relationship. Roethke may have written this poem in reponse to the depression he suffered as a child and as well when his father, uncle, and mother dying. The speaker in the poem leads the reader to believe his father is abusing him. While in reality, if you look into the poem deeper you can tell that maybe the father and son are having fun together. Roethke uses sarcasm in his peom about his fathers attitude towards his son (Ashley). In lines five and six he wrote, We romped until the pans slid from the kitchen shelf. (Ashley) If you look at what happened closely the father and son were actually fighting until the walls shook and everything fell. The father obviously drinks often and turns violent. It is also clear that happened what happened before, like he is used to being abused, because the speaker talks as if it wasnt a big deal. (Jane) The speaker may act as if it is no big deal when it really is not a big deal at all, but wants the audience to think so. The rhyming cadence of Roethkes My Papas Waltz follows the order of steps of the dance alluded to the poems title. The structure of the poem follows the rough pace of the Waltz and the conflict between the father, mother, and son that the waltz displays in the poem. The speakers recollection of what has happened generates several narratives that show the vision home and what goes on there. As you read the poem, the speakers displays different signs of abuse and terror that goes on in the house through the first two stanzas. The first stanza of the poem seems to convey the terror and abuse the child encounters from his father. The little boy, the speaker, starts off with a somewhat of a frightening tone in his voice. (Jane)As an audience, we may think that this means the father is abusive while in fact he might just have had one shot of liquor after a hard day at work. Another point made in the first stanza is the whiskey could make a young boy dizzy. If one exams hard and looks for possible explanations, one should know that any amount of whiskey smelt by a young child would make him dizzy. When reading this poem one may think that Roethke meant this to be is an abusive situation, where in fact this may be a normal night for the family. The waltzing among them the son and father turns into a more rough like manner as the two continue. In the second stanza, the waltzing becomes rougher and conveys to the reader that this may be an abusive situation. We romped until the pan slid from the kitchen shelf. After reading this line, an audience would immediately presume that the father is abusive to his son. This may be abusive but may also be the two having a great time together. One can have a fun time, but at the same time be rough while doing so. I feel that one should have an open mind about what may be really going on during the poem. In the last tw o lines of this stanza, it says, My mothers countenance Could not unfrown itself. When one first reads these lines, one would think she is scared and doesnt know what to do about the situation with the son and father. The mother in fact may not be able to believe the two can play this long and rough together. I know when I grew up that my mother had a face that way many of times after watching my dad and I having fun together. Roethke leaves the audience here wondering whether she is scared about her husbands abuse or whether she cant believe they are causing this much mayhem having fun together. Once you look at this closely, the father and son are just having a great time together due to the fact that the son doesnt get to see his father much. As I said before, it looks like the father is a drunk and abusive when in fact he has a shot of whiskey every night he comes in. In the third stanza, Roethke leaves the audience thinking that the son and father are having fun together opposed to the abuse that some think is happening. A battered knuckle, an ear scraping a buckle, those may seem like descriptions of beatings with a belt. That stanza alone can spell out negativity (Jane). However, I do not see how this stanza can mean that the poem is completely negative. When the two are waltzing, I do not feel that there is any abusive going on here. They are just so close together dancing that it sounds worse than it may be when you read this line. If you are dancing this close and as rough as these two were, anyone could get a battered knuckle. After waltzing much of the night, the father puts the son to bed. When putting the son to bed, it is clear to me that the two have a strong relationship together. In the final part of the poem, Roethke displays a kind-hearted father. After waltzing much of the night, the father puts the son to sleep. Then waltzed me off to bed Still clinging to your shirt. The boy didnt want to go because maybe he doesnt get to see his father very often and he clings to his shirt because it just may be one of the most satisfying things that he has done with his father and he doesnt want to lose the joy in it (Jane). During the poem, Roethke left his audience wondering about what view to take on his piece. Until the last sta nza, I could not completely tell if this was an abusive situation or an enjoyable situation. I now am confident that these two had a wonderful relationship. If this was not a good relationship, I do not think the son would have wanted his father to stay or would have been holding so hard to his father. Roethkes My Papas Waltz is a poem that leaves an audience wondering to what side it should take. Many of the pieces Roethke wrote over his career did that it as well. He leaves the reader scratching its head to what went on in this piece. Maybe this is his way of making his reader think about things that may happen in real life. Everyday we view something a certain way when in fact we were wrong because we didnt look at all details involved.

Why Hercules Had to Perform the 12 Labors

Why Hercules Had to Perform the 12 Labors For most of his life, Hercules (Greek: Herakles/Heracles) was in thrall to his cousin-once-removed, Eurystheus, the King of Tiryns, but it was not until Hercules committed unspeakable acts that Eurystheus got to have some fun at his cousins expense- with the help of Hera. Hera, who had been angry with Hercules since even before he was born and had repeatedly tried to destroy him, now drove the hero mad and delusional. In this state, Hercules imagined he saw Lycus, the tyrant of Thebes who killed Creon and plans to kill Hercules family, accompanied by his family. Here is a section on the slaughter, from a 1917 English translation of Senecas tragedy (Translated by Miller, Frank Justus. Loeb Classical Library Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1917): [He catches sight of his children.][987] But look! here lurk the children of the king, my enemy, the abominable spawn of Lycus; to your detested father this hand forthwith shall send you. Let my bowstring discharge swift arrows- so it is meet that the shafts of Hercules should fly.... THE VOICE OF MEGARA[1014] Husband, spare me now, I beg. See, I am Megara. This is thy son, with thine own looks and bearing. See, how he stretches out his hands. THE VOICE OF HERCULES:[1017] I have caught my stepdame [Juno/Hera]. Come, pay me thy debt, and free o’ermastered Jove from a degrading yoke. But before the mother let this little monster perish.Seneca Hercules Furens In reality, the figures the Greek hero saw were his own children and his well-loved wife, Megara. Hercules slew them all (or most of them) and incinerated 2 of the children of his brother Iphicles, as well. In some accounts, Megara survived. In these, when he came to his senses, Hercules transferred his wife, Megara to Iolaus. [To learn more about Hercules murderous rage, you should read the Hercules Furens tragedies of Seneca and Euripides.] Here is an extended passage from the same translation of Hercules Furens, on the motivation of Juno: [19] But I lament ancient wrongs; one land, the baneful and savage land of Thebes, scattered thick with shameless mistresses, how oft has it made me stepdame! Yet, though Alcmena be exalted and in triumph hold my place; though her son, likewise, obtain his promised star (for whose begetting the world lost a day, and Phoebus with tardy light shone forth from the Eastern sea, bidden to keep his bright car sunk beneath Oceans waves), not in such fashion shall my hatred have its end; my angry soul shall keep up a long-living wrath, and my raging smart, banishing peace, shall wage unending wars.[30] What wars? Whatever fearsome creature the hostile earth produces, whatever the sea or the air has borne, terrific, dreadful, noxious, savage, wild, has been broken and subdued. He rises anew and has thrives on trouble; he enjoys my wrath; to his own credit he turns my hate; imposing too cruel tasks, I have but proved his sire, but give room for glory. Where the Sun, as he brings back, and whe re, as he dismisses day, colours both Ethiop races with neighbouring torch, his unconquered valour is adored, and in all the world he is storied as a god. Now I have no monsters left, and tis less labour for Hercules to fulfil my orders than for me to order; with joy he welcomes my commands. What cruel biddings of his tyrant could harm this impetuous youth? Why, he bears as weapons what he once fought and overcame; he goes armed by lion and by hydra.[46] Nor is earth vast enough for him; behold, he has broken down the doors of infernal Jove, and brings back to the upper world the spoils7 of a conquered king. I myself saw, yes, saw him, the shadows of nether night dispersed and Dis overthrown, proudly displaying to his father a brothers spoils. Why does he not drag forth, bound and loaded down with fetters, Pluto himself, who drew a lot equal to Joves? Why does he not lord it over conquered Erebus and lay bare the Styx? It is not enough merely to return; the law of the shades has bee n annulled, a way back has been opened from the lowest ghosts, and the mysteries of dread Death lie bared. But he, exultant at having burst the prison of the shades, triumphs over me, and with arrogant hand leads through the cities of Greece that dusky hound. I saw the daylight shrink at sight of Cerberus, and the sun pale with fear; upon me, too, terror came, and as I gazed upon the three necks of the conquered monster I trembled at my own command.[63] But I lament too much oer trivial wrongs. Tis for heaven we must fear, lest he seize the highest realms who has overcome the lowest- he will snatch the sceptre from his father. Nor will he come to the stars by a peaceful journey as Bacchus did; he will seek a path through ruin, and will desire to rule in an empty universe. He swells with pride of tested might, and has learned by bearing them that the heavens can be conquered by his strength; he set his head beneath the sky, nor did the burden of that immeasurable mass bend his should ers, and the firmament rested better on the neck of Hercules. Unshaken, his back upbore the stars and the sky and me down-pressing. He seeks a way to the gods above.[75] Then on, my wrath, on, and crush this plotter of big things; close with him, thyself rend him in pieces with thine own hands. Why to another entrust such hate? Let the wild beasts go their ways, let Eurystheus rest, himself weary with imposing tasks. Set free the Titans who dared to invade the majesty of Jove; unbar Sicilys mountain cave, and let the Dorian land, which trembles whenever the giant struggles, set free the buried frame of that dread monster; let Luna in the sky produce still other monstrous creatures. But he has conquered such as these. Dost then seek Alcides match? None is there save himself; now with himself let him war. Rouse the Eumenides from the lowest abyss of Tartarus; let them be here, let their flaming locks drop fire, and let their savage hands brandish snaky whips.[89] Go now, proud one, se ek the abodes of the immortals and despise mans estate. Dost think that now thou hast escaped the Styx and the cruel ghosts? Here will I show thee infernal shapes. One in deep darkness buried, far down below the place of banishment of guilty souls, will I call up- the goddess Discord, whom a huge cavern, barred by a mountain, guards; I will bring her forth, and drag out from the deepest realm of Dis whatever thou hast left; hateful Crime shall come and reckless Impiety, stained with kindred blood, Error, and Madness, armed ever against itself- this, this be the minister of my smarting wrath![100] Begin, handmaids of Dis, make haste to brandish the burning pine; let Megaera lead on her band bristling with serpents and with baleful hand snatch a huge faggot from the blazing pyre. To work! claim vengeance for outraged Styx. Shatter his heart; let a fiercer flame scorch his spirit than rages in Aetnas furnaces. That Alcides may be driven on, robbed of all sense, by mighty fury smitten, mine must be the frenzy first- Juno, why ravst thou not? Me, ye sisters, me first, bereft of reason, drive to madness, if I am to plan some deed worthy a stepdames doing. Let my request be changed; may he come back and find his sons unharmed, that is my prayer, and strong of hand may he return. I have found the day when Hercules hated valour is to be my joy. Me has he overcome; now may he overcome himself and long to die, though late returned from the world of death. Herein may it profit me that he is the son of Jove, I will stand by him and, that his shafts may fly from string unerring, Ill poise them with my hand, guide the madmans weapons, and so at last be on the side of Hercules in the fray. When he has done this crime, then let his father admit those hands to heaven![123] Now must my war be set in motion; the sky is brightening and the shining sun steals up in saffron dawn. Hercules Seeks Purification for His Crimes Madness was not an excuse for the carnage- not even madness sent by the gods- so Hercules had to make amends. First, he went to King Thespius on Mt. Helicon [see a map of northern Greece, Dd, in Boeotia] for purification, but that wasnt enough. Hercules' Expiation and Marching Orders To learn what further course he must take, Hercules consulted the oracle at Delphi where the Pythian priestess told him to expiate his crime by serving King Eurystheus for 12 years. During this 12-year period, Hercules had to perform the 10 labors the king would require of him. The Pythian also changed Hercules name from Alcides (after his grandfather Alcaeus) to what we normally call him, Heracles (in Greek) or Hercules (the Latin form and the one most commonly used today regardless of whether the reference is to a Greek or Roman myth). The Pythian also told Hercules to move to Tiryns. Willing to do anything to atone for his murderous rage, Hercules obliged. The Twelve Labors- Introduction Eurystheus set before Hercules a series of impossible tasks. If completed, some of them would have served a useful purpose because they removed the world of dangerous, predatory monsters- or excrement, but others were capricious whims of a king with an inferiority complex: Comparing himself with the hero was bound to make Eurystheus feel inadequate. Since Hercules was doing these tasks to atone for his crimes, Eurystheus insisted there be no ulterior motive. Because of this restriction, when King Augeas of Elis [see Peloponnese map Bb] promised Hercules a fee for cleaning his stables (Labor 5), Eurystheus denied the feat: Hercules had to do another to fill his quota. That King Augeas reneged and did not pay Hercules made no difference to Eurystheus. Other tasks the king of Tiryns set his nephew were make-work. For instance, once Hercules retrieved the apples of the Hesperides (Labor 11), but Eurystheus had no use for the apples, so he had Hercules send them back again. Eurystheus Hides From Hercules One more important point needs to be made in connection with these tasks. Eurystheus did not just feel inferior to Hercules; he was also afraid. Anyone who could survive the suicide missions on which King Eurystheus had sent the hero must be very powerful indeed. It is said Eurystheus hid in a jar and insisted- contrary to the instructions of the Pythian priestess- that Hercules stay outside the Tiryns city limits.

How convincing do you find Stuart Hall's approach to 'race' Essay

How convincing do you find Stuart Hall's approach to 'race' - Essay Example Therefore, Stuart Hall’s approach to race is totally convincing to me, and it is practical in a number of situations; it provides vast knowledge on race dynamics. Stuart Hall argued about the human culture and the tendency to categorise human beings into subgroups, as well as fragment human society diversity into discrete types with regard to characteristics and qualities, which are deemed essential and are always extremely high. The qualities and characteristics according to which human beings are categorised may include intellectual, body and physical characteristics among others (Smaje, 2000, p.55). This categorisation is a reflective cultural impulse; it gives human beings a chance to understand various meanings in classification. Stuart Hall argued that classification is an extremely fundamental aspect of the culture of human beings (Rex and Mason, 1989, p. 35). Further, the significant aspect of classification to people is when the classification becomes the power dispos ition object. This point is relevant to the extent that marking of the similarities and differences across populations of human beings becomes the reference point for treating one group of people with privileges, which may not be enjoyed by another group of people (Malik, 1996, p. 43). In essence, classification facilitates one group to be treated favorably, and the other group gets subjected to a wide range of discriminations and suffering. This juncture marks the union of classification of human societies and cultures and power and authority. Classification assumes the status of a power system, and this power system is evidenced in a wide range of characteristics, especially in human beings (Smaje, 2000, p.57). For instance, this system of power is evidenced in gender, which ascribes feminine and masculine identities to people in a cultural setting. From these ascriptions, a vast range of opportunities, aspirations and behavior can be predicted from the classifications (Omi and Wi nant, 1994, p. 33). Therefore, classification is an extremely generative term, and the moment an individual is classified into any group or race, many things and aspects assume their position in the life of the individual, as a result of the classification. However, classification has another significant aspect in the life of people; it awakens the minds of people and maintains order and stratification of a system. This order is retained at all times, and anything which disturbs this order is viewed negatively, and people who strive to retain the status quo fight to return the order to its original position (Rex and Mason, 1989, p. 46). Apparently, it becomes clear that classification is not only a division into whites and blacks, but also that one of these groups has more value (positive) than the other group. This is the path always taken by power, and any person who attempts to ascribe white characteristics to blacks generates immense worry in society. In such instances, people e xperience misplaced priority and misappropriated ascription, which is described as â€Å"matter out of place† (Malik, 1996, p. 43). This phrase denotes that all societies and cultures have classification orders, which can be said to be inbuilt and out of the culture (Augstein, 1996, p. 36). This order informs people about their position in a society, their rank, as well as

Information Technology assignment unit 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Information Technology assignment unit 4 - Essay Example The speed is not a great concern so I have chosen a medium speed for printing b. In this scenario we have a firm that uses computer only for word processing. The biggest application occupies 24 MB, so we do not require a system with huge capacity drives and processing power. The hardware configuration selected for this firm is given: c. In this type of firm we need systems that have extreme processing power and clock speed power. Here we have to process at high speed because scientific applications require more processing power, so configuration of the system is given below; d. In this scenario we need a better printing power and this can only be achieved through enhanced memory. Because the printing current pages are stored in the RAM so we need better RAM as compared to processing power. Here we need a printer that can print the pages at higher speed. We also need big data travel drive. a. Magnetic tapes: In this scenario we need to store thousands of employee records for several years. This storage is only for backup procedure. Here we do not require processing of records. So we will choose the magnetic tapes those provide large storage capacity at less expenses. b. Magnetic hard disks: Air line reservation requires fast and large record processing. Here in this scenario we require systems that provide high storage and fast processing speed. The selection of magnetic hard disks is the best choice for such areas of working. c. Recordable optical discs (CD-R: write once, read many): the maintenance manual facility is effectively provided through CR-Rom technology. Main reasons of this technology selection are the less cost and appropriate capacity of medium for the maintenance manual storage. d. Flash memory USB drives: when we want to take any digital data from one place to another then the flash memory USB drives are the best choice. These are high speed data travel

Unemployment UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Unemployment UK - Essay Example The main swings in joblessness over the past years are due principally to progresses in the fundamental experiential natural rate of unemployment. We may also discuss European Central Bank’s liability for evaluating any appliance and its need for a precise and autonomous evaluation of the labor market in the UK. Unemployment and price increases are each at their lowest stages for more than a few years. Even in a well-built labor market, many individuals become jobless for short phases as they go into the labor force or alter jobs. However, some individuals take several months to find work. Over the past more than a few decades, the percentage of joblessness lasting has augmented. Such long-standing unemployment may bring about severe problems for the jobless individuals themselves along with the overall nation. The frequent incidence of short spells of joblessness by people entering the labor force or altering jobs is the trait of a self-motivated economy: As new chances for personnel and firms occur, provisional periods of job loss may occur. Even in a well-built labor market, some individuals will be jobless. Individuals are classified as jobless if they are not functioning, are obtainable to work, and have lately made specific endeavors to find a work or are anticipated to be remembered from a impermanent lay-off (Long-Term Unemployment, 2007, p. 1). Unemployment will floor out at some phase, almost certainly close to its present stage and inflation is under the Bank of Englands aim. One of the confrontations for macroeconomic policy will be to protect as far as probable the enhancements that have been attained. This is anticipated to get firmer in the subsequent few years. The steady development in economic circumstances since the commencement of the 1990s can be viewed as the natural reaction to an unfavorable shock

Parts of a Newspaper Essay Example for Free

Parts of a Newspaper Essay A .Headline- the words are printed in a large type across the top or a news paper article to catch the reader’s attention B. Dateline- the words at the beginning of a news article that tell when and where the story was written. C. News article- in a news paper, a story about an event that has just taken place. D. Feature Article – a detailed report on a person, an issue, or an event. E. Editor – one of the people who run a newspaper F. Editorial – an article in which the Editors give their opinion on an important issue. G. International – tells you about the news across the continents. H. Business tells you the things that are happening business-wise. (media and advertising, world business, economy, stock markets, mutual funds, etc. I. Technology – contains things that are going in and out of style in the technology world. J. Science – contains things that are happening in medical world. (e.g. outer space, environment, etc.) K. Health – talks about modern day human health and health problems. I. Sports – talks about games. (ball games, Olympic games, SEA games, etc.) M. Education – contains the trend n the world of education. (students’ Achievement, schools, etc.) N. Weather – contains the weather for the day O. Obituaries – contains people who passed away and their death should be mentioned to the community. P. Classified Ads – contains open jobs and job description plus job requirements. Other parts include: Cover Page Story, Table of Contents, Editors Pool, Entertainment, etc. Commentary is a series of giving explanations and interpretations Guidelines in Writing a Commentary: There is no recipe for doing commentaries. The elements that make up a successful commentary tend to vary and will depend on the nature of the text and on particular approaches to it. Nor is there a single ‘right answer’ to any passage for commentary. A good commentary may well consist of a number of pertinent questions raised by the passage. However, certain tendencies should be avoided: 1. A commentary should not be prà ©cis of the passage. Summary and description are not commentary. 2. A commentary should not dwell on the context of the passage and should in general avoid venturing into other parts of the work from which the extract is taken. IT should likewise avoid excursions into the wider oeuvre of the author 3. It is not necessary to write out quotations from the passage this can waste valuable time. The following points should be considered: 1. A commentary benefits by paying close attention to the use of language. 2. 2. IT is important to pay attention to the means of representation and to address not only the quest of WHAT is said but of HOW it is said. 3. There is no need to ascribe to the text a definitive meaning or structure. It is fine to problematize the text. Critique – is a method of disciplined systematic analysis of a written or oral discourse. Critique is commonly understood as fault finding and negative judgement, but I can also involve merit recognition, and in the philosophical tradition. It also means a methodical practice of doubt. The contemporary sense of critique has been largely influenced by the enlightenment critique of prejudice and authority, which championed the emancipation and autonomy from religion and political authorities. Critique is an accepted format of written or oral debate. Stating a Purpose: * It is important to state your purpose clearly at the beginning of your talk. Here are some ways to do this: * *talk about – to speak about a subject Example: I’d like to talk about our plans for the new site. * *report on – to tell you about what has been dine. * Example: I’ll be reporting on the progress we have made since last meeting. * *take a look at – examine * Example: First, let’s take a loo at what we have achieved so far. * *tell you about – to give someone information or instruction. * Example: Our reporters will tell you about what is happening in Visayas. * *show – to explain something by doing * Example: The object of the orientation is to show you how to put the theory into practice. * Outline – to give the main facts or information * Example: Give me an outline of the new policy. * *Fill you in on – to give extra or missing information * Example: I will fill you in on the details you just missed during the meeting. * *Give an overview of – to give a short description with general information but with no details. * *highlight – draw attention to or emphasize important facts. * *discuss – to talk about ideas or opinions on subject in more detail

The Impact of the Media on the Vietnam War Essay -- Vietnam War Essays

The Impact of the Media on the Vietnam War This essay will discuss to what degree the media can be blamed for the United States’ loss in the Vietnam conflict ending 1975. It will be based predominantly on key written resources on the subject, but it will also contain - by means of an interview - certain first-hand observations from a Vietnam War veteran. For the sake of conciseness, and in order to focus the bulk of the content on the main topic, this essay will make certain assumptions. Most importantly, the essay assumes that the conflict in Vietnam was, indeed, lost by the US. It also presupposes that ï ¿ ½ due to the political climate in the US ï ¿ ½ the war itself was unavoidable. Finally, the essay takes for granted that the reader has a basic knowledge of the reasons and major events behind the US military intervention in Vietnam from the mid-1950s until 1975. In the late 1960s, the low-intensity conflict in Indochina that had been in progress since the end of the Second World War became a full-scaled war. In order for the transition from low-intensity conflict to war to have taken place, a change in the public opinion surrounding the war must have taken place, resulting in the politicians of the time having support for the conflict. When the invasion was initiated, it was proved that the politicians in effect had the press in their pockets: the American press was not asking why there was a need for intervention, but rather how the logistics and economics of the invasion would fit together (Herman & Chomsky 1988). Escalation of conflict The US media did not become interested in the conflict until November 1960, when the US troops stationed in Saigon suffered a spectacular failure during a hunt for a small group of rebels: approximately 400 civilians were killed by American troops. With the conflict suddenly caught in the media spotlight, a small group of war correspondents were sent to Vietnam. The reporters were from the NYT, Herald Tribune, AP , UPI , Reuters and AFP . Stringers and / or reporters from Newsweek, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph and the Observer soon followed. (Knightly 1975) Eventually ï ¿ ½ when the conflict escalated further ï ¿ ½ â€Å"Indochina was flooded with war correspondents† (Herman & Chomsky 1988, 193) Warfare can be conducted for many reasons. In the case of the Vietnam conflict, the conflic... ...; The media showed what happened, no more. And what was going on in Vietnam was not pretty, as with most other wars. It is safe to say that the media did not lose the war, but rather expressed the feeling that the US soldiers were dying by the thousands without a good reason. As Melnick quite profoundly summarises it: â€Å"Nobody wants to die for somebody else’s country, and that’s what it boiled down to†. Works cited: Albig, W (1939) Public Opinion New York: McGraw-Hill Cook, M et al. (2001) Tet Offensive http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=tet+offensive Herman, E.S. and Chomsky, N (1988) Manufacturing Consent: The political economy of the mass media New York: Pantheon Books Kennedy, W.V (1993) The Military and the Media: Why the Press Cannot Be Trusted to Cover a War. New York: Praeger Publishers Knightly, P (1975) The First Casualty London: Pan Books Lugo, J (8 Oct 2002) Lecture: Manufacturing consent and public opinion. Liverpool John Moores University Melnick, Mark (12 Oct 2002) Interview via e-mail: Media and Vietnam Schulzinger, R.D. (1998) A time for war: The United States and Vietnam, 1941-1975 New York: Oxford University Press