Georgiana as a Perfect Woman in the Contemporary Society

Georgiana as a Perfect Woman in the Contemporary Society Three Works Depicting a Contemporary Woman Contemporary western society is seen as a terrain where women have acquired quite many liberties and opportunities. Women occupy highest posts in countries and this can be regarded as a complete victory of feminists. Nonetheless, works by Woolf and Brownmiller, which were written in the twentieth century, verify that all those ‘victories’ are nothing more than a pleasing diversity for men who are still in power.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Georgiana as a Perfect Woman in the Contemporary Society specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The two essays reveal the essence of gender roles in the contemporary society. The two works depict women as dependant on men. The authors also explain this dependency stating that women were bred to fit the world of men during centuries. It is possible to think of a variety of examples that confirm ideas provided by Woolf and Brownmi ller. However, it is also possible to think of a conspicuous example of gender roles which is represented by Georgiana, the main character of Hawthorne’s short story â€Å"The Birthmark†. Georgiana is a specific example of the women in the twenty of the Major Characteristics of the Woman Sympathy Georgiana is depicted as a perfect woman as she is sympathetic and supportive. She admires her husband and keeps saying about her admiration. However conspicuous her words of admiration are, her husband’s remarks prove the suggestions of Woolf and Brownmiller. The two writers stress that submissiveness is one of the major virtues assigned to women. Thus, when Georgiana says she worships her husband, he replies: Ah! wait for this one success . then worship me if you will. I shall deem myself hardly unworthy of it . I have sought you for the luxury of your voice. (Hawthorne 7) The man humbly says he is unworthy of the woman’s admiration. Nonetheless, it is obvious that he does not really think so. He believes he is to be worshiped and he is pleased to be flattered. He never stops his experiments even though they are failures. He does not say his attempts are unsuccessful and he does not want to see how painful it is for his wife. He seeks for comfort. He wants to listen to his wife’s singing even though she is hardly able to perform as she is exhausted by the experiments. Georgiana has to endure painful experiments and she stresses that her husband is the great decision maker as she notes, â€Å"fear not that I shall shrink, for my share in it is far less than your own† (Hawthorne 7). On one hand, Georgiana accepts her husband’s superiority and keeps saying about it. On the other hand, she is very supportive and is ready to help him no matter what. She understands the danger of those trials. However, she is too concerned with pleasing her husband and supporting him in his efforts to achieve his aims. She notes, â€Å"I s hall quaff whatever draught you bring me . a dose of poison, if offered by your hand† (Hawthorne 7). She is submissive and supportive as she loves her husband and, being a perfect woman, she is eager to please him. Responsibility Georgiana is eager to accept her husband’s viewpoint. Her attitude towards the birthmark illustrates her readiness to skip from decision making. Thus, she has never thought of her birthmark as an imperfection as â€Å"it has been so often called a charm† and lots of â€Å"desperate† swains â€Å"would have risked life for the privilege of pressing lips to the mysterious hand† (Hawthorne 1). Nonetheless, her husband realizes that the ‘hideous’ imperfection of his wife’s face cannot be tolerable. He starts gazing at her face and she understands her birthmark disgusts him.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Georgiana as a Perfect Woman in the Contemporary Society specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More She is eager to please her husband and she simply grants him the right to make the decision. She declares, â€Å"I joyfully stake all upon your word† (Hawthorne 8). What is more, she starts believing she hates the birthmark. This illustrates Woolf’s and Brownmiller’s suggestions that women are bred in accordance with existing rules. Some women understand they have to express ideas supporting men’s beliefs. However, some, like Georgiana, adopt male’s concept without even knowing it, â€Å"Not even Aylmer now hated it so much as she† (Hawthorne 6). Thus, the young and beautiful woman starts begging her husband to do what he (not she) wants to do. The woman has no will of her own anymore. Beauty Brownmiller notes that women are expected to be charming and beautiful to delight men’s eyes. Georgiana’s husband is the embodiment of the concept. It is he who decides what is beautifu l and what is imperfect. It is he who sees the birthmark as a hideous sign of the evil. Woolf and Brownmiller note that religious concepts put a kind of vicious mark on all women who are regarded as sinful and somewhat unworthy creatures. Many women are bred in terms of these conventions and, as a result, they start believing it in the course of time. Georgiana exclaims, â€Å"There is but one danger – that this horrible stigma shall be left upon my cheek† (Hawthorne 7). Therefore, women are conditioned to feel inferior to men as even their bodies do not truly belong to them. Women are ready to change their appearance only to please males. Conclusion On balance, it is possible to note that the three works discussed can be regarded as a certain reflection of gender roles existing in the contemporary world. Woolf and Brownmiller define major characteristic features of the woman in the modern society, while Hawthorne provides a story that illustrates the concepts revealed . The three sources depict the woman as a supportive, submissive, indecisive, but beautiful and charming creature that is assigned to please the man. Moreover, according to the three texts women are conditioned to believe they are really inferior to man as they are brought up in terms of a variety of conventions that support the society as it is. Of course, some women understand that those are conventions that make them play roles assigned. For instance, they know that to be heard they need to say things that go along with men’s ideas. However, some women do not even think about such things. Thus, the works discussed may be the necessary stimuli for women to start a new order and to make men as well as women see that such concept as equality is much more important than doubtful superiority.Advertising Looking for essay on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Digital Marketing Case Study 4 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Digital Marketing 4 - Case Study Example Their lifestyle also denotes a proper work-life balance. As per the demographic segmentation, there is increased percentage of middle age group individuals in UK market. Poverty level is considerably low in UK market due to economic stability in the geographical region. Cookery and textile business is utilizing online platform to communicate with target audience (Bea’s Handmade, 2014). Expert classes are designed for students along with production of unique textiles for UK consumer market segment. However majority percentage belongs to middle income group segment and this requires proper designing of communication strategy. Technological developments in UK have been able to transform its business environment. UK government is actively involved in lump sum investment towards research and development activities. Funds of  £4 billion have been allocated in R&D sector. Key developments have been mainly in communication and internet segment. The rapid change of broadband diffusio n has enhanced growth of internet and mobile communications. Technological development has also encouraged transfer of high street shops to online platform. This aspect has been incorporated in the marketing strategy of cookery and textile business. Online platform such as Facebook, Twitter, etc., is being utilized by the firm to promote products and interact with customer base (UK Parliament, 2015). Governmental support towards developing new communication channels shall be an opportunity for the business in future years. As per the analysis on income distribution in UK market, majority of population belongs to middle income group segment. This might negatively affect Becky’s business to certain extent since individuals would not have high disposable income to be spent on cookery classes or handmade products. Positive impact on the business shall be in the form of governmental support to promote textile products. Culture of UK denotes a proper work-life balance,

Lesson 5 Disscusion and Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lesson 5 Disscusion and - Assignment Example The lyrics were written by big talents and were very innovative. In most Motown music albums, it appeared that the sound engineers placed the echo and equalizer right on the tape when they were moving between the rhythm tracks. In every Motown album the musicians and equalizer were same, but each album was different from the other. Making the albums required loads of creativity and most of the times it was the combinations of all the songs in an album that is more admiring than any individual song of the album (Coffey, 82-83). One popular Motown album was released in 1960 by the American singer Sammy Ward also known as Singing Sammy. The bestseller song of the album was â€Å"That’s Why I Love You So Much† which he sang duet with Sherri Taylor. Tin Pan Alley was the name given to the West 28th Street in New York where many musicians did business during the period between 1880 and 1953. Some examples of this model are Frank Sinatra’s â€Å"Young at Heart†, Cole Porter’s â€Å"High Society† etc. It is not practically possible to pin down a definite year as the starting era of rock ‘n’ roll music. It was in 1953 that rock ‘n’ roll gained significant popularity in the music industry with Crazy Man Crazy recorded by Bill Haley (Gillett, 3). The Beatles were an English rock band that originated in Liverpool in the year 1960, and it ruled rock ‘n’ roll industry for the next ten years. Their immense popularity worldwide can be attributed to their variety of wonderful songs that have become integrated in the modern music culture. Each song is characterized by unique sound. One interesting fact regarding the Beatles is that they composed their own songs, and the publishing rights of the songs were considered as commercial property to be sold by their manager, Brian Epstein (Richards, 1-2). The Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is the most popular rock ‘n’ roll album ever made by the Beatles who were considered as the mo narch of

Nonprofit and charity organizations

Nonprofit and charity organizations Why are Volunteers Important? For many nonprofit and charity organizations volunteers are the life-blood that keeps the organization working and performing to its true purpose and goals. Without these unpaid volunteers the charity or nonprofit organisation would not be able to function because costs of employing paid workers would probably make it unviable. For any organisation that uses volunteers recruitment can cause a big headache. It is tempting to think that if someone is prepared to give up their time for free then that is all that is needed. This is a mistake. It is important to find the right people for the tasks that need doing but those people will need to have or be prepared to learn the required skills. Shared Values and Purpose Volunteers will also need to fit into the organization so they will need to have the beliefs and attitudes that the organization sees as being important in the role it aims to fulfil in society. This means an organization will need to have clear values and purpose and look for people who share them to recruit as volunteers. When selecting and recruiting volunteers consideration needs to be given as to why the organisation needs volunteers. It is likely that the financial considerations will be an important factor with the economy of unpaid volunteers favouring setting on paid staff. At the same time it is important to recognise that some members of the organisation may well need to be paid employees Them and Us Sometimes a them and us or volunteers and employees scenario may develop which may not be healthy for the organisation. It may be necessary to emphasise that paid employees are an essential part of the organisation and that volunteers will probably be the lifeblood. Rewards for Volunteers People rarely do something with out some kind of reward or return whether it is monetary, training, gaining experience, or for personal satisfaction. Volunteers will need to feel they are contributing and receiving. Ways will need to be found to ensure that both employees and volunteers feel they are valued and have a proper place within the organisation. Defining Boundaries It will be necessary to define the roles and boundaries within the organisation for employees and volunteers and define and communicate clearly what the organisation needs and expects from both which may differ. It will also be necessary to decide what the organization will give to the volunteer. This may be satisfaction and a sense of doing good work, training, experience, a good reference for future employees or perhaps something else. Whatever it is it will need to satisfy the volunteers expectations. To help ensure the nonprofit or charity organization gets the right person in the right place at the right time there will need to be an understanding of what roles are required and the type of people needed to fill them. Job Descriptions and Contracts It is a good idea to create a separate Job Descriptions and contracts for employees and volunteers. This will help define the boundary between employee and volunteer. This is important because some volunteers have been known to claim that they are employees with employees rights which can have serious legal implications. Also some employees may try to claim some of the volunteers perks, rewards or working conditions. The role, or roles, that the organisation want filling will need to be clearly defined to ensure that candidates are interviewed for the right position. An organisation may have several different roles it want to fill and it will be a waste of time interviewing a person who does not have any administration skills or interest in learning them for a role in administration. It is essential to define the role and then decide what skills the candidate will need to either have, or learn. Person Specification. It will be necessary to identify the characteristics and personal qualities and beliefs of the volunteer and their motives for volunteering to ensure that they are right for the organisation and in sympathy with the aims and mission of the organisation. A good idea is for an organization to decide the kind of person they will be looking for and decide what characteristics, attributes and skills are essential or desirable. Separate Recruitment Procedures and Policies The organisation will need to have a separate recruitment procedure and policies for employees and volunteers. This will be necessary to protect the organisation and also offer best protection for employees and volunteers. The organisation will need to comply with the law. Finding Volunteers When the organization has defined the role of the volunteer, created Job Descriptions, Contracts and Personal Specifications and knows exactly what sort of people they are looking for how do they find them? Word of mouth can be an effective and cheap way to find volunteers depending on the role of the volunteer and the numbers of recruits required. This can be effective for some organizations with employees, existing volunteers and their friends and neighbours spreading the word, or service users and their families doing the same. There are also various forms of advertising that can be used to help recruitment. Television, radio, internet, newspapers magazines can be expensive but reach a great number of potential recruits. Cheaper ways of advertising such as putting up posters in local shops, or leaving flyers in public places such as libraries can also work well as can simply handing them out in busy shopping centres. |What ever way the organisation decides to advertise the advertisement will need to have certain information displayed clearly. The name of the organisation and the nature, purpose and values needs to be made clear. It will also be important to display the role of the volunteers and the benefits they will receive. To make it easy for potential recruits the advertisement will need to display clearly how to apply, where to apply or get further information. A contact name, postal and email address and telephone number will help and encourage potential recruits to apply or ask questions. Information in the advertisement should be clear and simple, concise and inoffensive. It should stand out but for the right reasons. Once the method or methods of advertising have been decided and advertisements placed the next stage is to send out application packs with the Job Description, Person Specifications, Application Forms and any other information the organization wants to send or is required to send by law. The organization may decide it wants to keep to assign a date for the return of applications or it may decide to leave it open. Either way it should advise the potential recruit as well as advising them on how or when they will be informed if they are accepted for interview. Interviews The interview should give the organization the chance to access the candidates potential and consider how they will fit in. The previous work done on producing a Job Description and Personal Specification will be a big help in this. Before the interview takes place the format of the interview needs to be decided. For example, will it be a group interview, will there be tasks or tests, or it will candidates be interviewed individually? Decide who and how many people will interview candidates, what questions are going to be asked and how the answers will be rated. All candidates should be treated equally and fairly. When these points have been addressed then a timetable can be scheduled taking in advertising, closing dates, time to consider applications and sending out invitations. With all the preparation work done the interview should give the organization a good idea of if the candidate is suitable for them. Candidates need to be informed as soon as possible. Successful candidates should be informed first just in case they turn down the offer for some reason. An offer can then be made to the next best candidates if deemed suitable. It can also be useful to keep unsuccessful candidates details on file just in case a more suitable position comes up in the future This will save the need to advertise. It should be made clear to successful candidates that any offers are subject to suitable references, qualification checks and any legal checks that may need to be done. It may be necessary, depending on the role offered, for some, or all of these checks to be done before a starting date can be arranged. Getting the Right Person in the Right Place. Finding the right volunteers for a required role can be very difficult and time consuming and expensive. An unsuitable volunteer may cost the organization or charity a lot of money or cause damage to their reputation so it is essential to recruit the right people. If all of these points are considered and taken into account the nonprofit organization or charity will stand a very good chance of selecting the right volunteers for the right role at the right time.

Language and Identity in Richard Wright’s Black Boy :: Richard Wright’s Black Boy

Language and Identity in Richard Wright’s Black Boy Richard Wright portrays the many aspects of social acceptance and the use of language as a key to identity throughout the novel. He brings the pages to life by using sufficient elements to enhance his writing. Through these displays of rhetorical techniques, the appeal to the reader is dramatically increased which results in a more personal and overall significant meaning to the book Black Boy. The claim of social acceptance is especially evident throughout chapter ten. For example, ?I had no association with them; the religious home in which I lived, my mush-lard gravy poverty had cut me off from the normal processes of the lives of black boys my own age?. (219) The strongest tool used in this passage is that of point of view. Delivering such depth in his own personal emotion, Wright is able to more effectively present evidence. This appeal demonstrates emotional ethos, a technique to capture and somewhat influence readers? opinions. In addition, ?My throat grew tight with anger. I wanted to rush into the room and demand an explanation, but I held still.?(219) His style of writing has an effect so captivating with emotion and with great detailed imagery; it adds dramatic effect to the storyline. Wright?s clever tactics of using personal experience as evidence gives him a unique credibility based on emotion instead of the typical factual driven emphasis. The influence of language as a key to identity is present in the passage on page 229. Wright?s abundant use of derogatory terms which describe him in dialogue supports his diction and tone. Wright uses such degrading profanity as a way to qualify and support his justifications of racial inequality. The white man?s cruel interpretations include that of: ?nigger, bastard, and sonofabitch.? Using such drastic and explicit words to describe black men convey Wright?s claim of fact. This develops a strong thesis and creates motivated assumptions. A strong use of repetition is present which also reinforces the attitudes of the white man.

How great websites help improve your business Essay

Mission Statement Our diversity mission is to foster a culture that integrates diversity and inclusion into all aspects of the business in order to further fulfill dreams through the experiences of motorcycling.   Vision Statement Harley-Davidson values, embraces and celebrates diversity in order to develop and continuously improve mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders to fulfill dreams and provide extraordinary customer experiences in an increasingly dynamic, diverse and global market.   Objectives   Create a viable brand that would effectively compete within the Non-Menthol, Lo-Fi category. Attract more young adult (25-49) male smokers into the Lorillard family.   Develop a highly targeted â€Å"Niche Brand’ that would generate modest share goals.   Build strong brand awareness and imaginary.   Gain trial and repeat purchase. Create consumer confidence.   Strategies MARKET PENETRATION Get some more market share from the existing market, like U. S, U. K, and Japan etc through more marketing techniques like advertising. Harley-Davidson has a good brand name so it’s easy for them to eat up the competitor market share if they can provide some more customer benefit. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Younger generation and female are now coming to this segment so expand the motor cycle segments to younger generation and females.   MARKET DEVELOPMENT Harley-Davidson can bring in their vehicle to Asian countries like India and China, because these countries have a high population and the market potential is also high.   DIVERSIFICATION Bring new bikes to attract customer and market.   INVESTING IN THE BRAND The Company is reinforcing its support of the Harley-Davidson brand, accelerating its ongoing marketing efforts to reach out to emerging rider groups, including younger and diverse riders. In addition, the Company will continue to focus on product innovations targeted at specific growth opportunities with its strong core customer base and new riders.   ADJUSTING THE COST STRUCTURE Consolidate its two engine and transmission plants in the Milwaukee area into its facility in Menomonee Falls, Wis.   OBTAINING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR HDFS The Company said it is evaluating a range of options to provide the necessary liquidity for the wholesale and retail lending activities of Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) Recommended Mission To be branded as the best motorcycle available in the world. Recommended Vision The best quality motorcycle, motorcycle products and financial services will be provided worldwide is the commitment of Harley-Davidson. Customer satisfaction is our motto and the Harley-Davidson customers can experience the taste of reality of motorcycle dreams by relaying their satisfaction on us. Harley- Davidson is dedicated to use the advanced technology to produce the most superior motorcycle in domestic and international markets. Stay competitive and continue growth worldwide remain profitable and survive is our philosophy. Employees of Harley-Davidson are the foundation of the company and they are the driving force behind the Harley-Davidson name. The total team effort of Harley-Davidson employees is devoted to fulfilling dreams of customers and we believe that there is not a motorcycle riding experience like a Harley-Davidson’s. Excellence is our push though our Harley-Davidson bar and shield logo that says superior quality. Honesty and customer loyalty and these morals are the heartbeat of Harley-Davidson organization. Harley-Davidson do our part in supporting all environmental laws in every country we do business. Determination and commitment is the place where Harley-Davidson intends to stay.   External Opportunities The European demand for Harley Davidson is the highest in the international market and represents the single largest motorcycle market in the world Women and younger riders are increasing becoming interested in bikes   The international heavy weight market is growing and is now larger than the U. S. heavyweight market Market share increasing in Europe and Asia for the last two years   Increasing demand in US markets for bike. Buell division needs to continue to produce a quality motorcycle under Harley’s brand name.   Competitive Profile Matrix: Critical success factor| Harley- Davidson| Honda| | Weight| Rating| Score| Weight| Rating| Score| Advertising| 0. 10| 4| 0. 40| 0. 10| 3| 0. 30| Product Quality| 0. 15| 4| 0. 60| 0. 15| 3| 0. 45| Price Competitiveness| 0. 20| 1| 0. 20| 0. 20| 3| 0. 60| Management| 0. 10| 3| 0. 30| 0. 10| 4| 0. 40| Financial Position| 0. 15| 2| 0. 30| 0. 10| 4| 0. 40| Customer Loyalty| 0. 15| 4| 0. 60| 0. 15| 2| 0. 30| Global Expansion| 0. 05| 3| 0. 15| 0. 05| 4| 0. 20| Market Share| 0. 15| 2| 0. 30| 0. 15| 3| 0. 45| Total| 1| | 2. 85| 1| | 3. 10|   External Factor Evaluation Matrix Key External Factors| Weight| Rating| Score| OPPORTUNITIES| | | | The European demand for Harley Davidson is the highest in the international market and represents the single largest motorcycle market in the world| 0. 15 | 4| 0. 60| The international heavy weight market is growing and is now larger than the U. S. heavyweight market| 0. 15 | 4| 0. 60| Women and younger riders are increasing becoming interested in bikes| 0. 10 | 3| 0. 30| Market share increasing in Europe and Asia for the last two years| 0. 05 | 2| 0. 10| Increasing demand in US markets for bikes| 0. 05 | 2| 0. 10| Customers value quality parts| 0. 02 5| 1| 0. 025| THREATS| | | | Harleys ongoing capacity restraints caused a shortage supply and a loss in domestic market share in recent years| 0. 15 | 4| 0. 60| Harleys average buying age is 42 years old and increasing| 0. 05| 2| 0. 10| The European Union’s motorcycles noise standards are more stringent than those of Environmental Protection Agencies in theU. S and increased environmental stand| 0. 05 | 2| 0. 10| Some competitors of Harley Davidson have larger financial andmarketing resources and they are more diversified| 0. 05 | 2| 0. 10| Environmental protection laws| 0. 15| 4| 0. 60| Buell division needs to continue to produce a quality motorcycleunder Harley’s brand name| 0. 025| 1| 0. 025| Total | 1| | 3. 25|   Internal Strength   The standard and performance segments of Harley Davidson make up 70% of the European heavy weight motorcycle market. Harley-Davidson operates in two segments: Harley-Davidson motorcycles & related products and HDFS (Harley-Davidson Financial Services).   Harley-Davidson is the only major American heavyweight motorcycle manufacturer.   Strong brand name.   The HOG (Harley Owners Group), which have a 7, 50,000 members worldwide is the industry’s largest company sponsored motorcycle enthusiast organization.   Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG) was also formed recent Customization of the bikes, this is Harley-Davidson’s major revenue maker. Harley-Davidson has a good marketing division and it’s divided as dealer promotions, customer events, magazine and direct-mail advertising, and public relations.   Internal Weakness   High price Harley-Davidson has problems in gaining more market share in some European countries (That’s one of the main markets for Heavyweight motorcycles outside U. S).   They didn’t yet start its sales in India, one of the biggest markets. Required production is not met, analyzing the future of Heavyweight motorcycle market.   Recommended specific Strategies and Implementations. MARKET PENETRATION   Get some more market share from the existing market, like U. S, U. K, and Japan etc through more marketing techniques like advertising. Harley-Davidson has a good brand name so it’s easy for them to eat up the competitor market share if they can provide some more customer benefit.   Competition is high in this segment mostly in U. S so market penetration can be a good choice for the company.   Expand the HOG (Harley Owners Group) to Asian countries, if the company can provide the customer satisfaction that they are providing to the U.S customers to the Asian customers they can increase the sales. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Younger generation and female are now coming to this segment so expand the motor cycle segments to younger generation and females.   In Europe they can increase or expand the Buell’s market share by introducing new motorcycles.   MARKET DEVELOPMENT   Harley-Davidson can bring in their vehicle to Asian countries like India and China, because these countries have a high population and the market potential is also high. The cost to bring in the old vehicles (old product) to India is so much difficult because there are so much environmental laws are there which won’t allow that type of vehicles to come to India, and its difficult that taxes and levis are high in India so starting new plant in India can solve this problem. Negotiations with the Government can solve these problems.   DIVERSIFICATION   Bring in new vehicles to new markets like India and china is a good choice, but it’s too costly.   Bringing new types of recreational vehicles is a best choice.   Recommended Long-Term Objectives. Establish Harley-Davidson as a recognized leader in the development and participation of its people, to maximize each employee’s potential.   Grow and maintain demand by providing exceptional product styling, performance, quality, reliability and customer service at prices our customers can afford.   Meet the demand by expanding our existing distribution and manufacturing capacity, and, where necessary, adding new production and retail distribution points.   Improve information services capabilities to enable all stakeholders to easily do business with Harley-Davidson, through the creative integration of information technologies. Drive financial results to the levels achieved by acknowledged high-performing companies.   Recommended Procedure for Strategy Review and Evaluation   Review underlying bases of strategy   Once again prepare all the internal and external analysis.   Compare the already prepared analysis with the one which will be prepared after the new strategy implementation. Measuring organization preferences   Analyze all financial ratios current and the future.   If any advantage, then implement the new strategy, otherwise continue with the present one.

Stephen Douglas

Stephen Douglas was an influential senator from Illinois who became one of the powerful politicians in America during the decade preceding the Civil War. He was involved in major legislation, including the controversial Kansas-Nebraska Act, and was Abraham Lincolns opponent in a landmark series of political debates in 1858. Douglas ran for president against Lincoln in the election of 1860, and died the following year, just as the Civil War was beginning. And while he is remembered mostly for having been a perennial opponent of Lincoln, his influence on American political life in the 1850s was profound. Early Life Stephen Douglas was born into a well-educated New England family, though Stephens life was changed profoundly when his father, a doctor, died suddenly when Stephen was two months old. As a teenager Stephen was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker so he would learn a trade, and he hated the work. The election of 1828, when Andrew Jackson defeated the reelection bid of John Quincy Adams, fascinated the 15-year-old Douglas. He adopted Jackson as his personal hero. The education requirements for being a lawyer were considerably less stringent in the west, so Douglas, at the age of 20, set out westward from his home in upstate New York. He eventually settled in Illinois, and trained with a local lawyer and became qualified to practice law in Illinois just before his 21st birthday. Political Career Douglass rise in Illinois politics was sudden, a great contrast to the man who would always be his rival, Abraham Lincoln. In Washington, Douglas became known as a tireless worker and crafty political strategist. After being elected to the Senate he took a place on the very powerful Committee on the Territories, and he made sure he was involved in critical decisions involving western territories and new states that may come into the Union. With the exception of the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates, Douglas is best known for his work on the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Douglas thought the legislation might lessen tensions over slavery. In fact, it had the opposite effect. Rivalry With Lincoln The Kansas-Nebraska Act spurred Abraham Lincoln, who had put aside political ambitions, to oppose Douglas. In 1858 Lincoln ran for the US Senate seat held by Douglas, and they faced off in a series of seven debates. The debates were actually quite nasty at times. At one point, Douglas made up a story designed to inflame the crowd, claiming that the famed abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglas had been seen in Illinois, traveling the state in a carriage in the company of two white women. While Lincoln may have been considered the victor of the debates in the view of history, Douglas won the 1858 senatorial election. He ran against Lincoln in a four-way race for president in 1860, and of course Lincoln won. Douglas threw his support behind Lincoln in the earliest days of the Civil War, but died soon after. While Douglas is most often remembered as a rival of Lincoln, someone who antagonized and inspired him, during most of their lives Douglas was far more famous and was considered more successful and powerful.