To Kill A Mockingbird Irony And Sarcasm Essays -

To Kill a Mockingbird: Irony and Sarcasm To Kill a Mockingbird: Irony and Sarcasm Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is a highly regarded work of American fiction. The story of the novel teaches us many lessons that should last any reader for a lifetime. The messages that Harper Lee relays to the reader are exemplified throughout the book using various methods. One of the most important and significant methods was the use of symbols such as the mockingbird image. Another important method was showing the view through a growing child's (Scout Finch) mind, eyes, ears, and mouth. There is another very significant method that was used. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee utilizes the effects of irony, sarcasm, and hypocrisy to criticize a variety of elements in Southern life. Harper Lee employs the effects of irony in To Kill a Mockingbird as a way to criticize the deficiency of public education. "Now tell your father not to teach you any more. It's best to begin reading with a fresh mind." (pG. 22) Instead of praising Scout's ability to read at an advanced level, Miss Caroline discourages it. This ironic example set by Miss Caroline seems to demonstrate the inadequate training that she had received for her occupation. Miss Caroline seems to have been instructed upon a strict standard on how her students are expected to behave, but when she encounters something different, such as Scout's advanced ability to read, she advises Scout to stop being advanced, whereas a modern-day schoolteacher would capitalize on Scout's ability to read and encourage her to read more. "You won't learn to write until you're in the third grade." (pg. 23) The strict, recipe-style, rubric method of teaching that Miss Caroline uses is once again emphasized here. Miss Caroline once again discourages Scout's advanced abilities and regards Scout's ability with contempt. "The Dewey Decimal System consisted, in part, of Miss Caroline waving cards at us which were printed 'the,' 'cat,''rat,' 'man,' and 'you.'" (pg. 23) The Dewey Teaching Method was supposed to place an emphasis on "active" learning, yet the irony in Miss Caroline's"use" of it was that her teaching method wasn't "active" at all. It was, in fact, extremely passive. The students in the class didn't do anything. They became extremely bored and learned very little. As I have established, the use of irony clearly reveals the deficiency of the public education system in the 1930's. Teachers did not seem to be trained enough to handle the vast abilities of their students. Instead, they seemed to be trained to handle a narrowly confined amount of expected abilities. If Miss Caroline had recognized that Scout had advanced abilities, she could have allowed Scout to advance to a higher grade and save Scout from going through a school year that teaches her stuff that she has already learned. Public education is not the only element that Harper Lee uses irony to criticize, however. American political attitudes are also criticized using irony. Harper Lee also uses sarcasm to criticize the American political attitudes that were clearly evident in the South. "(When Alabama seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861, Winston County seceded from Alabama, and every child in Maycomb County knew it.)" (pg. 21) By listening to their parents and other adults, the young children of Maycomb have grown to despise Winston County for the same reason the adults despise it because it seceded from Alabama in 1861. It would seem pretty idiotic to most people to despise people based upon what their ancestors had done 70 years ago. "North Alabama was full of Liquor Interests, Big Mules, steel companies, Republicans, professors, and other persons of no background." (pg. 21) Overheard from adults, most likely, Scout's thoughts reflect the beliefs of a majority of the people in Maycomb. The political attitudes in the provincial South are criticized as the people seem to want to stick to their old ideas and beliefs. Evolving new ideas and beliefs are systematically rejected; anybody that adapts the new ideas are regarded as having "no background." "People up there set 'em free, but you don't see 'em settin' at the table with 'em... I think that woman, that Mrs. Roosevelt's lost her mind-just plain lost her mind coming down to Birmingham and tryin' to sit with 'em." (pg. 237) The outright hypocrisy that Mrs. Merriweather states when referring to the North is one of the main elements that Harper Lee employs in criticizing the South's political attitudes. There seems to be nothing that satisfies Mrs. Merriweather, who reflects the stereotypical southern woman-she despises

Financial Revolution in Australia in the 2004

Financial Revolution in Australia in the 2004 Fiscal Scenario in Australia Three different examinations have already been instated by the Government this year. These studies are expected to bring significant changes to the financial structure of Australia after a very long time. The last financial revolution in the country is dated back to the Financial Services Reform Act in 2004.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Revolution in Australia in the 2004 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Ripoll Review Different views are coming in from different sections of the financial industry. The PJC chairman has summarized the precedence for the investigational inquiry. Ripoll thinks that the financial services licensing sector needs immense attention to draw out some conclusive results. Although the industry stakeholders agree that some kinds of reforms are important, they fear that the reforms might just make the system complex and imposes more constraints. Ripoll is confident; he says they’re planning to not only introduce reforms in the system, but to make it simpler and clearer. There are numerous issues prevailing in the industry that the PJC is concerned about. Some of these include understanding of PI and financial advice and tax deductions. Many people are hoping that these issues will be addressed in PJC’s report on November 23rd  (Papandrea, n.d). Henry Review The Henry Review conducted under the Secretary of Treasury is also on its way. Superannuation guarantees and the superannuation preservation of age caught a lot of attention of stakeholders. The Henry Report was released on 2nd May entitled â€Å"Australia’s Future Tax System†, includes 138 suggestions for long term reforms in tax and transfer system. At present, 125 taxes are obligatory by all levels of government in Australia. 90% of tax proceeds are attained from only 10 of these taxes. This has led to a conclusion in the taxation circles to bring in any reforms in taxation the best thing would be to increase these 10 taxes and eliminate all the 115 other taxes. A number of recommendations have been given in the report. Let’s take an overview of the major highlights of the report; Business taxation suggestions An overall reduction in company tax rate to 25%, reduction of compliance cost for small businesses, enhancement of capital allowance allowed for write off of income producing assets, updating of taxation rules regarding trusts, revision of small business capital gains tax rules and increase lifetime limit of retirement exemption.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Consumption taxes The report excludes consideration of GST but provides a few points which if implemented could be effective for the operation of GST. Land Natural Resources Taxes The highest attention gaining reform suggested by Henry r eport is the introduction of Resource Rent Tax RRT. It proposes replacing all current resource charging arrangements at both feederal and state levels and impose a uniform RRT imposed and administered by the federal government (Thompson, 2010). Government’s Response to Henry’s Report The government has announced that it will adopt a limited number of recommendations and some suggestions have been pointed out as potential misinterpretations of the recommendations which the government says it will not implement at any stage. Overall NO CHANGES have been intended to be made. The government has agreed to take up these changes immediately; company tax rate deduction from 30 to 29% in 2013-14 and 28% from onwards, tax off set for exploration companies where exploration expenditure results in tax loss. Offset will extend to geothermal exploration, improved downgrading for small businesses with an instant write off for assets worth $5000, increase in employer contribution from 9 to 12% by 2019-20. A new resource SUPER PROFITS TAX RSPT for mining projects at 40% from 1st July 2012 will be deductible against the company income tax. Some critics have raised fingers on the government considering only a few tax reforms suggested in the report. Cooper Review Most of the stakeholders are expecting this year’s investigation of the Coopers Review to outline a major breakthrough in the superannuation systems. The first phase of the review gathered 100 entries from the business sector. Some have argued that the current system is effective and should not be amended. Some are of the view that trustee model should not be changed, but major areas for its improvement have already been identified.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Revolution in Australia in the 2004 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Other issues majorly addressed are the superannuation funds’ prudential requirements. A lot of debates have come up on this. Some groups think that the current liquidity and capital requirements are not enough. Preliminary results of the inquiry are expected to be shared soon. On the other hand, phase two of the inquiry has already begun. Overall View Some people are of the view that to live in Australia equities should be overweighed in the emerging markets. In the recent years, maximum equity funds have been entering the market from Asia. Addressing the insecurities of the stakeholders, and the suggestions coming up from the reviews should be addressed with the highest priorities. The Australian financial institutions seem to be undergoing a major change. Although all the suggested changes cannot be implemented it’s important that the stakeholders’ interests are safeguarded and that decisions are taken with full guidance to them. References Papandrea, V., n.d. Inquiries Galore. Inquiries and Reviews, IFA 483. Thompson, W.D., 2010. A long-term plan fo r Australian tax reform-the Henry report and the governments response. Professional Updates Taxation Law, 62(5), pp.305-08.