Essay --

Essay - Clergy & Laity Katelyn R. Gonzalez, Student Christian Life, faith, and Ministry/108 Week-4 November 22, 2013 Hjamil A. Martà ­nez-Và ¡zquez, Ph.D. Essay - Clergy & Laity The word view salvation in relations to works, and believe that salvation from works is a misleading believe that have cost people their ticket to heaven. There had been numerous of people who have tried to explain the truth about salvation and works. However, they give up or distort the truth. Others have tried to unmask religious, cults, and sects. They have also failed for different reasons. Others have succeeded in explaining certain beliefs, based on their own understanding or the word of God. The few people who have fully succeeded have made history for their achievement. A known person who challenged the Catholic Church was Martin Luther, who was driven by fears of hell and God’s wrath that lead him to became a monk. The knowledge of salvation is not a subject to be determined. Salvation only has one way of process, but the scenarios of why people cry out to The Lord are numerou...

Some Problems With Ecofeminism :: Karen Warren Essays

Some Problems With Ecofeminism ABSTRACT: Karen Warren presents and defends the ecofeminist position that people are wrong in dominating nature as a whole or in part (individual animals, species, ecosystems, mountains), for the same reason that subordinating women to the will and purposes of men is wrong. She claims that all feminists must object to both types of domination because both are expressions of the same "logic of domination." Yet, problems arise with her claim of twin dominations. The enlightenment tradition gave rise to influential versions of feminism and provided a framework which explains the wrongness of the domination of women by men as a form of injustice. Yet on this account, the domination of nature cannot be assimilated to the domination of women. Worse, on the enlightenment framework, the claim that the domination of nature is wrong in the same way that the domination of women is wrong makes no sense, since (according to this framework) domination can only be considered to be unjust when the o bject dominated has a will. While ecofeminism rejects the enlightenment view, it cannot simply write off enlightenment feminism as non-feminist. It must show that enlightenment feminism is either inauthentic or conceptually unstable. Karen Warren claims that there is an interconnection between the domination of nature by humans and the domination of women by men. She uses the following argument schemas to set out the 'logic of domination'. A1. Humans do, and plants and rocks do not, have the capacity to consciously and radically change the community in which they live. A2. Whatever has the capacity to consciously and radically change the community in which it lives is morally superior to whatever lacks this capacity. A3. Thus, humans are morally superior to plants and rocks. A4. For any X and Y, if X is morally superior to Y, then X is morally justified in subordinating Y. A5. Thus, humans are morally justified in subordinating plants and rocks. (1) She points out that the assumptions A2 and A4 are critical, since without them, all that can be shown is that people are different from plants and rocks.A4 in particular expresses the logic of domination.(269) This key assumption recurs in the reasoning justifying male domination of females: B1. Women are identified with nature and the realm of the physical; men are identified with the "human" and the realm of the mental. B2. Whatever is identified with nature and realm of the physical is inferior to ("below") whatever is identified with the "human" and the realm of the mental; or conversely, the latter is superior to ("above") the former.

Pet Shop :: essays research papers

I?ve been in lots of pet shop, and they?fve alwaays seemed to be cute, happy, friendly, clean places. That?fs why, on a recent Sunday afternoon, I stopped in a pet shop for to see pets. I?fd been visiting my friends, whom I talked about cute pets, and saw that we were favorite pets. A pets shop, however, was not the place I had impression-it was different. Even the outside of the pet shop was dirty. These were much kind of birds in cage they showed in front of the shop, which looked like a zoo. A pet shop leaved bird?fs dropping and fell down theirs feather all over. They were screamed and made noise when the customer entered in shop. We felt small and surprised when we listened them. The pet shop was noisy when I entered. Same things the entrances, inside noises were injured our feel. Almost dogs and cats in cage, they were gathered stress because they couldn?ft walk and run about in free. Therefore they barked when they saw the customer. Some dogs and cats were disciplined not to bark, but I felt that they wanted to free and to go out of theirs cage. The pet shop rules have a cruel for unsold pets. They had to sold before they were reached full growth because pet?fs nurture easily when they were child therefore almost the customers wanted to buy puppy and almost people liked puppy than grew up pets. The pet shop?fs owner reduced the price by 50 percent; nevertheless, if they couldn?ft sell they were killed. When I went to the pet shop. I saw a dog. He was good dog and popular type of dogs and he was so smart. In addition to he had pedigree but he was grown up already. I was taken the dog but I couldn?ft buy to him because I had not enough to money for buying him and I couldn?ft have a dog as a pet.

Huckleberry Finn Essay

Theme, structure and social characteristics as the literary elements, highlighting the spiritual growth of the main characters in â€Å"My Name is Asher Lev†, â€Å"Emma† and â€Å"Huckleberry Finn† The present paper is designed to discuss three novels about moral maturation and the growth of self-awareness, â€Å"Huckleberry Finn† by Mark Twain, whose protagonist is Huckleberry Finn, Jane Austen’s â€Å"Emma†, named after the protagonist and â€Å"My Name is Asher Lev† by Chaim Potok, whose main character is Asher Lev. Notably, the authors necessarily indicate the protagonists’ names in the titles, underlining their moral and psychological development as a central plotline. The literary elements of theme, structure and protagonist’s social characteristics actually strengthen the reader’s understanding of the character’s spiritual growth: Lev’s novel demonstrates’ the protagonist’s liberation from the community bonds through the lens of the theme of social pressure, Twain’s writing – the progress of Huck’s humanistic views underlining the theme of slavery, Austen’s work – Emma’s psychological maturation, through prioritizing the theme of marriage, moreover, all works by their structure provide the mistakes made by the protagonists on their path and thus make clear to the reader that development is not a smooth and gradual process, whereas the change or stability of sociological characteristics pay reader’s attention either to the connection between self-awareness and social position or to the purely inner revolution. The characters actually perfect very distinct aspects of self awareness: Emma, for instance, overgrows the selfish and infantile girl, whose main interest is manipulating the others’ fates (as she appears at the beginning), Asher Lev realizes that he is actually an independent personality rather than the subject of the Hassidic community after being judged for depicting the his mother’s anguish, whereas Huckleberry Finn, who has never considered carefully the issue of racial equality, begins to realize his humanistic views and oppose the oppression of slaves and the split of their families. Due to the fact that the major theme in â€Å"My Name is Asher Lev† is community bonds and the conflict itself develops in terms of the weakening of the commitment to the groups of Hassids (Walden, 1985), the protagonist, who is a bright and unordinary individuality, should ascend over the blind observance of community tradition and learn to distinguish himself from the group. Therefore, his development is associated with individuation and learning of his ego and the religious conflict results in the development of Asher’s ability to assert his self: â€Å"So it is time for the defense, for a long session in demythology. But I will not apologize. It is absurd to apologize for a mystery†(Potok, 1998, at http://search. barnesandnoble. com). The theme of marriage as the leading one in â€Å"Emma† is also related to the main character’s development: whereas at first, Emma views marriage as a game, popular in her environment, she is still not infantile to understand that this specific type of partnership is based necessarily on strong affection after developing the feelings for her brother-in-law; whereas at the beginning she has fear for the responsibility associated with marriage. The theme of slavery also supports the reader’s understanding of the young protagonist’s moral growth in â€Å"Huckleberry Finn†: â€Å"I’m low down; and I’m a-going to steal him† (Twain, 1999, Ch. 33); as one can understand, Huck no longer views Jim as property, but in order to persuade Tom, he recognizes his own inclination to wrongdoing and takes entire responsibility for the stealing the slave. The structure of the stories is generally similar: the greatest part of the plot is dedicated to depicting the behavioral imperfections of the protagonist, so that the reader can feel the protagonist is an ordinary person, whose growth is based upon his/her own mistakes. For instance, â€Å"Emma† at first depicts an arrogant and class-conscious girl saying â€Å"The yeomanry are precisely the order of people with whom I feel I can have nothing to do† (Austen, 2001, Vol. 1 Ch. 4) and throughout the first two parts she acts as a quarrelsome person, whereas her later reasoning can be characterized as wiser: â€Å"I think Harriet is doing extremely well â€Å"(Austen, 2001, Vol. 3, Ch. 28), i. e. she approves of her best friend’ marriage to the farmer, having got the idea of love and letting it in. Beyond mistakes, Potok’s and Twain’s protagonists also encounter difficulties and adversities, which shape their outlooks; for instance, Lev’s story can be divided into three parts (Walden, 1985): period of the teenage conflict with the environment, movement toward the goal in Kahn’s studio and the resolution of the conflict and individuation (Potok, 1972). Huck’s moral development is less gradual and actually consists of several insights: 1) first encounter with Jim as a fugitive slave and the initial desire to help him; 2) The loss of the companion after meeting the â€Å"aristocrats† and Jim’s imprisonment in Phelpses’ house. Finally, social characteristics of the protagonists are quite expressive themselves and point actually to the qualities to be changed. For instance, Emma is introduced as a girl with a degree of self-importance and class-based prejudice because of her upper class identity, but later she begins to understand her friend Harriet in her love for Martin and thus grows more open-minded; furthermore, her maturation is accompanied by the change of social characteristics, as Emma accepts Knightley’s proposition Huck Finn’s social characteristics remain practically the same, as the author seeks to maintain the reader’s focus on the advancement of his moral qualities, so that the adolescent still remains to some extent uncommitted to social norms (â€Å"Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it† (Twain 1999, Ch. 43), in spite of having developed his distinct attitude towards slavery. Asher Lev, in turn, drastically changes his social identity: the growth of his self-awareness and self-identity result in his alienation and separation from the community. To sum up, the reader’s understanding of the protagonist’s path toward self-awareness is to great extent manipulated by the authors: Jane Austen, Chaim Potok and Mark Twain design the plot structure, which underlines the failures and subsequent insights of the protagonist, embed the central theme into the main character’s spiritual growth and substantially change the protagonist’s social features, except Huck’s case, in which the focus on morality shift is broadened through remaining social characteristics stable. Reference list Austen, J. (2001). Emma. At http://ebooks. adelaide. edu. au/a/austen/jane/a93e/. Twain, M. (1999). Huckleberry Finn. At Potok, C. (1972). My Name is Asher Lev. Alfred A. Knopf. Potok, C. (1998). My Name is Asher Lev. At http://search. barnesandnoble. com/booksearch/isbninquiry. asp? ean=9781400031047&displayonly=EXC&z=y#EXC http://etext. virginia. edu/toc/modeng/public/Twa2Huc. html Walden, D. (1985). The World of Chaim Pot ok. State University of New York Press, 1985.

Siren Song

In â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey† and â€Å"Siren Song† both show the weaknesses of human beings. Also it reveals humans find something so enticing that they are incapable of withstanding it. In â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey† Homer creates an illusion that the sirens are dangerous creatures, unlike Atwood’s poem, â€Å"Siren Song. † Atwood’s poem however shows a desperation coming from the sirens. In â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey† the poem is told from Odysseus point of view. He portrays the Sirens as mysterious and luring.Circes advises Odysseus that the Sirens â€Å"spellbind any man alive, whoever comes their way. † Gaining this knowledge, Odysseus made his sailors plug their ears with beeswax so they would avoid hearing the thrilling songs of the Sirens. Odysseus was determined to hear the beautiful songs of the Sirens, even though he was aware of the consequences. This reveals mans selfishness by having Odysseus do whatever it takes to hear the song. Odysseus orders his men to tie him down on the mast to ensure his survival.Odysseus hears the Siren's song and starts to react to it, his men â€Å"flung themselves to the oars† and â€Å"sprung up at once to bind him faster with ropes. † This shows how inciting the sirens were to men. In â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey† a man’s perceptive is shown, and describes how temptation will always be a part of life. Unlike â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey†, Atwood’s poem â€Å"Siren Song† is told from the Sirens point of view. The sirens are portrayed as irresistible creatures that cause men to completely lose all self control.One of the Sirens states â€Å"I don’t enjoy it here,† in â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey† all the sirens seem to be fond of singing their admirable songs. In Atwood’s poem a Siren is begging for help; â€Å"Help me, only you can. † Unfortunately no one can help because once the music of the Sirens touches the ear; they succumb to the power of the Sirens. The Sirens have a certain desperation to be set free from their unpleasant life on the island. â€Å"Will you get me out of this bird suit? † shows that the Sirens in Atwood’s poem have identities, opposite of â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey†.There is no information in The Odyssey that infers that the sirens have an identity. In both poems the Sirens voices show an irresistible lure to men. The reasons that the Sirens sings differ from each poem. In† Homer’s Odyssey,† Odysseus feels like they are targeting him, however in Atwood’s poem the Sirens are simply singing for themselves. The Sirens seem sympatric to the men who jump overboard, yet unable to stop themselves from calling the men to their island.The poems â€Å"Homer’s Odyssey† and â€Å"Siren Song† have many similarities in how the Sirens are portrayed but at the same time th ey differ in many different aspects of the poems. The â€Å"Sirens Song† Sirens use the men’s own natural curiosity to bring the men to them. The â€Å"Odyssey† Sirens use enchantment and the promise of passion to get the men to come. Either way, the Sirens reveal how tricky and clever they are with their magical songs. Nevertheless, the Sirens could just be trying to torment men for their own entertainment or they could be trying to reach out for help.

Life of Pi Response

Life of Pi: Reading Response When I began reading ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel I had little expectation it would peak my interest. I expected it to be a boring school assignment that I would have to get through, process the information and put on paper. To my relief, this book was completely the opposite. I must admit, the beginning chapters were quite dry. I would have never chosen in the beginning of a book to mention a sloth, probably the most uninteresting mammal ever. Slowly, the book progresses to where it gives you a little background information on Piscine Patel and his life in India. In part one, I really liked where Mamaji taught Piscine to swim. Looking back it proved to be a very important for Pi’s survival I dislike stories where the hero’s journey is clearly defined anda once weak man overcomes unrealistic circumstances to become a stronger man. That was not the case in this book. I like the realness of the book, especially in the case of Richard Parker. He wasn’t personified in any way really. He was what I think a natural tiger would be given the conditions. What I really enjoyed about this book was the deep thinking it evoked. The author allowed you to come to your own conclusion as to whether the story with the animals or the story with the people was true. Normal logic and reasoning tells you that the story with the people would be right, because the chance of the story with the animals happening is hard to believe. Both stories have the same circumstances and follow the same events. The zebra represents the sailor, the hyena is the cook, the orangutan is the mother and Richard Parker is Pi, but I believe the story with the humans is the true story. I think that the story with the animals was Pi’s way of coping with the reality that his mother was murdered and that he murdered someone as well. I believe the choice that the members of the Ministry of Transport had to make about the stories is a metaphor for religion. Science and many religions all have an explanation for certain events and some seem farfetched, yet they could all be possible. In the end, it’s all up to what you believe, and the way you interpret it.

A Woman of No Importance

The purpose of this essay is to analyze, explain, inform, and suggest. An analysis of the various gender/sexuality, social status, religious, and governmental power struggles that existed in the play is presented. Explanation of various leadership styles is given.Information on whether or not the analyzed power struggles were evident in England and America. Suggestions about why these two countries differed are given. The review begins with a discussion on the â€Å"First Act†.First ActIn the â€Å"First Act†, there was discussion on how some American states are as big as the entire countries of England and France. Also, conversation between Lady Caroline and Miss. Worsley (Hester) was about how Lady Caroline thought that Miss. Worsley had not right to be so particular over the people that others invited her to meet.This was because Miss. Worsley was considered as a foreigner and Mrs. Allonby (the lady that Hester did not know if she would like or dislike) was considere d to be royalty (Wilde 1893). As a result, this scene suggested that everyone in England is not treated equally. In fact, this inequality later manifested itself in a number of conversations between various characters in the play. However, unfair treatment between men and women in England is not the only conversation in the play.The discussion shifted to how society perceived working individuals in both England and America. In England, workers never had the opportunity to become acquainted with high society. In fact, the high society members of England were considered more important and respected than those who held jobs (Wilde 1893).This provides an indication that England’s power was one of a hierarchy where those at the top make all the decisions for the lower class levels to follow. In America, the play portrayed the people with the jobs as those who were highly respected in society (Wilde 1893). This showed a power shift to the working class because this class had purcha sing, bargaining, and selling power to keep the economy moving forward.At one point, Hester stated, â€Å"Mr. Arbuthnot has a beautiful nature!’ ‘He is so simple, so sincere.’ ‘He has one of the most beautiful natures I have ever come across.’ ‘[I can say that] it is a privilege to meet him (sic)’† (Wilde 1893, First Act).This statement is reminiscent of stereotyping. It indicates a power of persuasion that people are often able to portray themselves as having a good personality. However, in reality, they have faults and other faulty characteristics that would cause others to think of them in a different manner. Also, the fact that women had to conceal their feelings in England’s society, made it difficult for people to know their true personalities.Lady Caroline said, â€Å"It is not customary in England†¦for a young lady to speak with such enthusiasm of any person of the opposite sex.’ ‘English women co nceal their feelings till after they are married.’ ‘They [are allowed to] show them then’† (Wilde 1893, First Act). This passage suggests that England does not consider it lady-like for a woman to express interest in a man until after marriage.In America, this would not have worked because women were able to have friendships with men they did not intend to marry. Furthermore, some American women engaged in sexual activities with men before marriage. The play portrayed the differences between how England women and American women are treated when it comes to this issue throughout each scene (Wilde 1893).In another discussion, Lady Hunstanton expressed an interest in the fact that Lord Illingworth did not marry lady Kelso because she either came from a large family or her feet were too big (Wilde 1893, First Act). This suggests that royalty in England chose spouses based upon their appearance and whether or not they would fit into high society. In America, for the most part, people got married based upon the amount of love and respect they had for each other and not for the size of one’s family or feet.At some point, Kelvil entered into the discussions. The passage where he talked about â€Å"I find that the poorer classes of this country display a marked desire for a higher ethical standard† (Wilde 1893, First Act) is reflective of how many of America’s working poor strive hard to achieve the American Dream.However, at the same time, when Kelvil said, â€Å"Women are always on the side of morality, public and private† (Wilde 1893, First Act) he is placing gender constraints on the political views of women. Yet, when Lady Hunstanton indicated, â€Å"†¦that dear Lord Illingworth doesn’t value the moral qualities in women as much as he should† (Wilde 1893, First Act) she was placing limitations on the values and beliefs of high society England.That is why when Lord Illingworth enters the scene he voiced his displeasure in being talked about behind his back (Wilde 1893). In America, people are talked about behind their backs all the time. This gives no party more power but often causes conflicts to occur that are hard to resolve. Rather than a win/win scenario occurring, these conflicts often create avoidance issues and that is a lose/lose scenario type. Perhaps this is why England women are expected to conceal their eagerness towards men.While other conversations are noted, the discussions shifted to how American women should stay at home and stop traveling to England to find husbands (Wilde 1893). This shows a belief that England did not want its citizens marrying other cultures. At this point, the discussions are nearing politics.Lady Hunstanton pointed out that no country has good politics. As the conversation continues, Kelvil said, â€Å"You cannot deny that the House of Commons has always shown great sympathy with the sufferings of the poor† (Wilde 1893, Fir st Act). This suggests that the poor in England must struggle to survive due to little assistance from England’s government. Not too long after this, the conversation shifts to England’s East End and how it needs fixing. The problem is that slaves are amusing the higher society, according to Lord Illingworth (Wilde 1893, First Act).Later on in the scene, conversation turned to debt. Lord Alfred talked about how everyone he knows is in debt (Wilde 1893). This is reflective of America’s society today. Many people do not get the things they want unless they can charge those items to credit cards and then pay them off later on. In the play, discussion was about how Americans were always well dressed and did their shopping in Paris for clothes (Wilde 1893). So, even in early centuries, Americans went into debt to make sure they looked and felt good.In fact, the fine apparel and good looks were not reflective of the plain look that was discussed in the play. Mrs. Allo nby said, â€Å"Curious thing, plain women are always jealous of their husbands, beautiful women never are!† (Wilde 1893, First Act). This suggests that plain-looking women in England had low self-esteem issues. In America, it is possible for any type of woman to fear her husband will cheat on her.Later on in the scene, Lord Illingworth indicated, â€Å"One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything except a good reputation† (Wilde 1893, First Act). This means that anyone with a good reputation is highly respected even after death. It also suggests that everyone has something to live for and that is to have a good reputation when they die.Second ActAs the â€Å"First Act† ended, the â€Å"Second Act† came in with a strong discussion on a woman’s place in society. Mrs. Allonby made known her belief that women should stick by their husbands and not let them be alone. Lady Caroline talked about how a women’s place in society is to look after her husband. She also said that bachelors should be forced to marry within 12 months time. In addition, Lady Caroline made a reference to women as property and Mrs. Allonby pointed out that people should not be discussed in that type of manner (Wilde 1893).In a sense, human property is slavery. Earlier in the play, it was discussed that this was a problem in England (Wilde 1893). However, America went through its own trials with slavery as well. Fortunately, when the right government came along, slavery was abolished in America and many African Americans have contributed greatly to the world. In particular, Martin Luther King, Jr. helped end slavery and for that, he has his own nationally observed holiday.The discussion on men in the â€Å"Second Act† is of major significance. This is because the type of man that each woman wanted was their Ideal Man.   Lady Stutfield desired a man with a square chin. Mrs. Allonby told her that Ernest was that type of man. However, Lady Caroline reflected,The Ideal Man! Oh, the Ideal Man should talk about us as if we were goddesses, and treat us as if we were children. He should refuse all our serious requests, and gratify every one of our whims. He should encourage us to have caprices, and forbid us to have missions. He should always say much more than he means, and always mean much more than he says. (Wilde 1893, Second Act)This type of man would possess charismatic leadership qualities. A charismatic leader is able to get others to follow him because of his personality.On the other hand, Mrs. Allonby wanted another type of man. Mrs. Allonby’s Ideal Man â€Å"†¦should persistently compromise us in public and treat us with absolute respect when we are alone† (Wilde 1893, Second Act). A person who compromises creates a win/lose scenario. Basically, the thing that is compromised works in the best interest of the one doing the compromising. In this sense, transformational lead ership qualities are evident. This type of leader does whatever he can to get others to come on board with his ideas. In fact, transformational leadership exists in America. Remarkably, due to the effective leadership styles that both men and women have as reflective of Miss. Worsley’s explanation, her conversations take on new meanings as they come to light in the play.Miss. Worsley said, â€Å"†¦true American society consists simply of all the good women and good men we have in our country† (Wilde 1893, Second Act). This implies that a high standard of ethics, humanitarian, and utilitarian exists. As a result, these men and women represent the universal leadership style. In this type of leadership, the leader is an active listener and among other qualities, looks out for the best interests of all parties that are involved.Lady Hunstanton saw England as being too artificial when it comes to social class (Wilde 1893). This suggests that the upper class in England has their noses held high in the air and considers their class to be the best that England has to offer. In fact, Miss. Worsley (Hester) later supported this by stating, â€Å"Oh, your English society seems to me shallow, selfish, foolish† (Wilde 1893, Second Act).Third ActIn the â€Å"Third Act†, Lord Illingworth talked about how mothers are selfish people. Yet, this is a different type of selfishness than that discussed by Miss. Worsley. Lord Illingworth referred to the fact that mothers want to hold onto their children and not let them live their own lives. He also discussed the fact that people want to live in the best society. Unfortunately, the only way for them to get there â€Å"†¦one has either to feed people, amuse people, or shock people—that is all!† (Wilde 1893, Third Act). Basically, this statement sums up how all three types of classes can coexist. For example, kings feed people, court jesters entertain, and the educated poor shock. On e could say that this was the type of country that England was.Lord Illingworth also talked about the history of women, the types of women, and religion in the â€Å"Third Act†. Women were considered to be tricky. However, one can argue that the reason why women are considered by Lord Illingworth to be â€Å"The tyranny of the weak over the strong† (Wilde 1893, Third Act) is because they need to be strong. Women are the ones who bear the pains of childbirth to bring leaders (kings, presidents, lords, etc.) into the world.That is why Lord Illingworth’s depiction of women as either plain or coloured is wrong (Wilde 1893, Third Act). Women come from a variety of backgrounds and they are more than just white and black. Thus, another thing worth noting as discussed by Lord Illingworth in the â€Å"Third Act† is religion. In terms of religion, Lord Illingworth said, â€Å"The only difference between the spirit and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future† (Wilde 1893, Third Act).In America, there are many different perceptions of what constitutes as a saint and a sinner. The notion that all individuals have a past, present, and future devalues Lord Illingworth’s statement. As a result, the discussion on the secret of life has new meaning. Mrs. Allonby said, â€Å"[It is]†¦never to have an emotion that is unbecoming† (Wilde 1893, Third Act). Kelvil said, â€Å"[It is]†¦to resist temptation (Wilde 1893, Third Act). Lord Illingworth pointed out, â€Å"There is no secret of life† (Wilde 1893, Third Act). These statements suggest that philosophy was evident in England and that it was openly discussed by members of high society. Of course, this brings the play to the final act.Fourth ActIn the â€Å"Fourth Act†, talk between Gerald, Mrs. Allonby and Lady Hunstanton was about how Gerald wanted to stay close to his mother, Mrs. Arbuthnot. Yet, Lady Hunstanton believed t hat by Gerald staying at home, he is being lazy (Wilde 1893). In American society, many people believe that the children should take care of their parents when the parents reach old age. Based upon the conversation between Gerald and Lady Hunstanton, some England citizens believed that a son wastes his life by trying to be near his mother (Wilde 1893).As this conversation simmers down, Gerald strikes up a conversation with his mother and tried to get her to marry Lord Illingworth which happens to be Gerald’s father. This twist of events indicates that not everything goes well in England. Mrs. Arbuthnot and Lord Illingworth were not married when they had Gerald. As a result, Mrs. Arbuthnot paid a high price and Lord Illingworth did not.This is a sure sign that women were punished for deeds done in their bodies out of wedlock. Yet, the men were not (Wilde 1893). In America, the fathers are forced to pay child support. Thus, this implies that men held all the power in England wh ereas there were equal opportunities in America for both men and women.Towards the end of the play, Mrs. Arbuthnot got into a heated conversation with Lord Illingworth over Gerald (their son) and marriage to him. Mrs. Arbuthnot told Lord Illingworth that he was not needed in Gerald’s life and that she did not want to marry him.In addition, Mrs. Arbuthnot warned Lord Illingworth to stay away from them. At this point, Lord Illingworth exchanged a few more words with Mrs. Arbuthnot and then leaves. Gerald and his wife-to-be, Miss. Worsley comes back into the house and asked who had been there. Mrs. Arbuthnot replied, â€Å"A man of no importance† (Wilde 1893, Fourth Act).ConclusionConsequently, there seems to be a shift in the power struggle between Lord Illingworth and Mrs. Arbuthnot. In the past, Lord Illingworth had gotten the best of Mrs. Arbuthnot through a number of ways, including not marrying her and not supporting their child. However, Mrs. Arbuthnot finally stoo d up for herself and spoke her mind. Lord Illingworth suggested that she would not be able to stay in England like that. However, Mrs. Arbuthnot told him that they did not plan on staying there anyway. As a result, this suggests that strong-minded England women had to find other countries to leave in order to both have and enjoy the freedoms that they deserved.ReferenceWilde, Oscar. A Woman of No Importance. 1893. Emotional Literacy Education and Mark Zimmerman. 21 May 2007