Deviants and Crime

The individual who digresses unmistakably from the standard is known as a degenerate. A degenerate may likewise be characterized as the individual whose mentalities and practices conflict with the set cultural standards or norms. Aberrance isn't age explicit yet it begins in the early times of human turn of events and on the off chance that it goes plain, it winds up arriving at a final turning point causing a grown-up whose character to can be depicted by single word; a freak. The demonstration of abnormality is found out either by relationship with different freaks or by attempting to offer reasons to legitimize the demonstrations of aberrance prompting propensity. Aberrance and wrongdoing is very much the same thing.This is on the grounds that, when one conflicts with the arrangement of standards for this situation the conventional guidelines called law, this is wrongdoing. Degenerates resist both the formal and casual (Social) measures and standards. For instance, a degenerate ma y conflict with the normal practices and submit a demonstration of nose picking in broad daylight or illegal and break into private premises with an expectation of taking. In light of this, abnormality is a subject of worry to both the communists and the criminologists. These two experts take part in a genuine investigation of how standards are framed, changes that the standards experience after some time and the authorization of norms.The human science of aberrance can be summed up in three primary hypotheses I. e. representative interactionism hypothesis, Structural functionalism hypothesis, and struggle hypothesis. These speculations attempt to clarify the reasons for aberrance. Taking is one case of abnormality that is a genuine wrongdoing in the US today. Individuals don't wake up one day and become criminals. Burglary is a propensity that is found out at adolescence and proceeds into adulthood. This paper tries to characterize and build up a sociological hypothesis that clarif ies aberrance from the emblematic interactionism hypothesis viewpoint (Rodney, 2007:pp 48)Symbolic Interactionism Theories All the speculations under this class are of the view that freak conduct is found out. Because of the learning, the freak practices inevitably become piece of an individual’s character or character. The hypotheses under this class incorporate Sutherland's differential affiliation hypothesis, Gresham Sykes and David Matza's balance hypothesis and Tannenbaum and Howard Becker’s marking hypothesis. Sutherland's differential affiliation hypothesis suggests that the lawbreaker and degenerate practices are not natural in people but rather they are just learnt.It enhances the normal conviction that all human are made acceptable. Each individual is innately acceptable however society makes them awful. The learning of criminal or degenerate practices is equivalent to the learning of different practices, for example, saying â€Å"thank you† when one o ffers a commendation or gives some help. The learning procedure comes because of collaboration between individuals or gatherings of individuals using emblematic correspondence. The representative correspondence may likewise incorporate thoughts and perspectives that are moved from one individual or gathering to another.If the images utilized in the correspondence are ideal and alluring than the opposite, at that point an individual or gathering grasps aberrance conveyed by the images, thoughts or mentalities and will in general be arranged to of freak practices more than some other conduct (Lanier, 2004 pp. 162-163). Accepting burglary for instance of a degenerate criminal conduct, we understand that if an individual partners with an individual or gathering who take or hold taking more ideal than ominous, and the affiliation is private, at that point intentions thoughts, perspectives , strategies and so on that are good for taking are learnt.Once this learning happens and incase the re is a need, at that point one will in general take and along these lines we state that this crook and freak demonstration of robbery has come about because of emblematic communication. The Neutralization hypothesis, much the same as the name proposes, decides to clarify the manners in which that the freaks in the end execute their blame still, small voice through justification. A portion of the justifications utilized incorporate the refusal of duty of the freak activity planned for causing the criminal to feel better.Denial of obligation is essentially a contention that the guilty party had no alternative and that some other individual put under similar conditions would have acted a similar way the wrongdoer did. Proceeded with disavowal of duty inevitably slaughters the blame still, small voice making the criminal cold and to have an inclination of carrying out the wrongdoing once more. For instance, on the off chance that a criminal takes and acknowledges obligation, at that po int there is some blame that accompanies the acknowledgment and this blame has a change part. Disappointment of tolerating duty precludes plausibility of change and along these lines high likelihood of perpetrating the wrongdoing again in future.Other resistance components or legitimizations utilized incorporate the forswearing of harm and disavowal of casualty. Refusal of harm or injury alludes to the thinking that the criminal demonstration didn't hurt anyone and therefore the guilty party isn't ethically off-base. This thinking depends on the rudimentary conviction that in the event that an activity doesn’t cause any damage to other people, at that point it is ethically right. Then again, disavowal of the casualty is a contention that the casualty merited the freak demonstration because of his/her apparent absence of ethics by the guilty party. Criticism of his denouncers is one more justification utilized by freaks or hoodlums to secure their actions.It is a contention th at the individuals who reprove their activities have the capability of submitting same or comparable acts or they additionally submit comparable acts and as such they are wolves in sheep's clothing. Reprimand of denouncers causes the wrongdoer to feel better about his activities and it also obstructs hence opening a chance of future criminal acts. At last, request to higher loyalties includes encouraging feedback of the criminal demonstration by what he convictions in. The criminal contends that a few qualities outperform the law or conventions and along these lines the criminal translates the qualities to be a higher priority than the law.For model, in the event that one takes since he is starving, he has done nothing since he has faith in sparing life. To him, life is a higher priority than the law. For the most part, under this hypothesis, crooks defend criminal acts by balance (Lanier, 2004 pp. 168-9). The marking hypothesis is a famous one which has been utilized in human scien ce as well as in brain research. The mental marking hypothesis, in a layman’s language expresses that in the event that you ceaselessly call a kid names, state a cheat, the youngster will wind up getting one. Honest Tannenbaum and Howard S.Becker proposed the naming hypothesis in the sociological setting. They said that the demonstration of society making rules whose infringement adds up to resistance causes aberrance in itself. On the off chance that society says that the individuals who take different people’s property without consent are hoodlums and cheats are bad individuals, this definition adds up to naming. The marking speaks to the negative disposition the general public holds against a degenerate, for example, a hoodlum and makes the guilty parties to disguise the name and attempt to showcase the name via completing activities that fit in with the label.For model naming of a criminal, makes the freak such named to disguise this name and does demonstrations of robbery in an offer to adjust to the name. This hypothesis lies at the limit of emblematic interactionism and struggle hypothesis. The contention hypothesis direction of this hypothesis suggests that the general public use capacity to make standards and name freaks. A genuine model is the jail framework which marks the convicts of robbery to a point that these burglary convicts likewise start to see themselves as hoodlums (Giddens, 2006 pp. 525-7).In an offer to fortify the strengthen Edwin Lemert proposed the possibility of essential and auxiliary deviation. He translated essential deviation to be the aberrance before the degenerate is marked all things considered. Optional abnormality then again is the demonstrations of aberrance that come after the essential abnormality as a response to the cultural establishments that have capacity to set standards and to name. Lemert clarifies further how one moves from essential to auxiliary deviation lastly to presumption of the job of the m ark he/she has been given.The change between these stages begins when a guilty party submits a degenerate represent the first run through provoking the general public to control some disciplinary punishments on him. In the event that the disciplinary punishments directed on the essential degenerate don't figure out how to stop the wrongdoing, the guilty party may act a similar wrongdoing or abnormality again in this manner provoking much harsher discipline from the general public. The unforgiving discipline makes the guilty party to disdain the general public or the organization in the general public that controls this brutal discipline. The hatred establishes tone for additional wrongdoings with the organization reining harsher and harsher discipline on the offender.As the quantity of violations builds the general public, aside from the discipline given to the guilty party, pampers shame too on the wrongdoer. This shame denotes the naming g stage. The shame sandwiches the wrongdoer in a tight spot where he has no choice than acknowledge the job endorsed by the name. In an offer to satisfy the job, the wrongdoer showcases the job endorsed in the mark and this comprises the optional abnormality. Auxiliary abnormality solidifies the crooks kindness of the naming demonstration by the societyPrimary and optional aberrance is seen in the American lawful framework when a first time guilty party gets lesser discipline when contrasted with a second or numerous time wrongdoer of a similar wrongdoing. For both the wrongdoers, state criminals, the discipline is intended to change them. The various time guilty parties get a harsher discipline in light of the fact that the general public feels that the first-run through discipline was not adequate enough causing the wrongdoer to perpetrate a subsequent wrongdoing. The second time wrongdoer is bound to carry out the wrongdoing the third time that the first run through guilty party is to perpetrate a second crime.The ramific ations of this essential and optional abnormality can be applied in the jail framework where the crooks should be seen as acceptable peopl

To Appreciate the Nature of Life We Must First Understand the Cell

Life itself is astonishing. It encompasses us every day from the ants in our window seal, the squirrels on the electrical cable, to the microscopic organisms we as a whole have in our mouths and on our bodies. Life is in fact a blessing. Each life that comes into this world is comprised of cells, life of people, plants, and creatures. I realize that to comprehend the idea of life we should initially appreciate the cell, its parts, and organelles. There are two distinct sorts of cells, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Living microorganisms is a case of something that contains prokaryotic cells.Eukaryotic cells are in pretty much everything, all people and all creatures. I should state that the eukaryotic cell is far more mind boggling than the prokaryotic. A prokaryotic cell doesn't hold a core, which is the cerebrum of the eukaryotic cells. Human and creatures cells can't be created without prokaryotic cells. Despite the fact that these two distinct kinds of cells are totally di fferent they additionally are to some degree comparable. Both contain ribosomes, cell layers, and cytoplasm. Plant cells are eukaryotic cells however there are things that very separate them. Cell dividers, chlorophyll, and vacuoles are distinction between the two.By plant cells having these various organelles, they work in an extraordinary request. Every organelle in the cell do diverse assignment. Supporting all organelles in the cell is the cytoplasm. Cytoskeleton keeps up the shape and invigorates it. The core is a cell’s mind and working framework. The mitochondrion creates vitality through cell breath. Ribosomes produce protein, while the nucleolus is the thing that makes ribosomes. The vacuole is the biggest organelle and it stores food, squanders, and water. The cell divider which is in all cells with the exception of creatures, ensure the cell and permits components, for example, water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to enter.Endoplasmic reticulum is the thing that helps materials through the cell. Lysosomes are what separate huge food particles into littler ones. Utilizing vitality from the sun to deliver glucose is the chloroplast (which must be found in plant and green growth). Cells make up life. We can't live or work without them. Every individual cell resembles gatherings of laborers that cooperate. Without the nucleolus which makes the ribosomes, we would not have any protein. What's more, without protein, we as people couldn't be sound. People need cells and all their numerous organelles. Without cells, there is no life.

7 Reasons Why You Dont Want to Miss Writing.ie

7 Reasons Why You Dont Want to Miss Writing.ie As a self-described complete online magazine, Writing.ie has a vast collection of writing resources for writers across genres and around the globe, although its seat of operations is in Dublin, Ireland. Additionally, it offers an events calendar that is absolutely free for authors wishing to announce a literary event or book launch. That, combined with a Resources Page updated often and weekly make the site a useful bookmark for any writer looking for tips, inspiration, marketing outlets, or even the chance to Tell your own story to like-minded authors who access the site daily.The site is established and run by Vanessa Fox OLoughlin, one of Irelands leading literary scouts and former consultant and presenter for WritersWebTV, bringing free, live, online workshops to writers worldwide.In case these details alone are not temptation enough to visit and bookmark the site, here are seven reasons why if youre a writer, you dont want to miss all that Writing.ie has to offer.Writing.ie is a website full of great blogs across several genres and topics related to the writing process and industry.#1. Kate Dempseys Poetic License blogAs one of many guest blogs published on the site, Kate Dempseys Poetic License blog has much to offer writers interested in the art of poetry. It primarily focuses on competitions and publishing opportunities open to poets across a scope of topics and highlights interesting calls for poems both in the U.K. and around the world. For example, this call for submissions for poems about scientists experience announces the opportunity for writers, who find themselves at that strange intersection of science and poetry, to submit their work to a paid anthology entitled Spectral Lines. Although the submission deadline has passed for this particular work, it highlights some of the fascinating opportunities for poets that the blog offers. If youre a poet, its incredibly helpful to know whos looking for your poems and where to send them. If youre a poet in the Dublin area, or the U.K., this is an opportunity you certainly dont want to miss.#2. Hazel Gaynors Carry On Writing blogAs an acclaimed New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of five novels, Hazel Gaynors debut post, A Beginning and an End, is a great taste of the kind of honest approach she takes in the blog. Heres a quote from it:Im starting to think publishing deals dont really exist, that theyre just myths, the stuff of legend; about as simple to track down as the Ark of the Covenant or the golden snitch.Being an aspiring writer is no easy thing, as any aspiring writer will tell you. Its a lonely, frustrating occupation, riddled with potential for disappointment and despair but â€" and heres the thing â€" with the benefit of hindsight, Ive come to the conclusion that the rejections and close-shaves have made me more determined than ever to succeed. Of course, Id be lying if I said I hadnt thrown the occasional strop on the way to reaching this co nclusion, or curled up on the sofa in a deep rejected-author malaise, unable to speak to anyone, let alone turn on the laptop or pick up a pen, but Im pleased to have reached this conclusion all the same.Hazel Gaynor#3. Louise Phillipss Crime Scene blogIf you write crime or thriller novels, Louise Phillipss Crime Scene blog is for you. Ranging from her lists of Delicious Reads of Irish Crime Fiction books to calls for submissions for Crime novelists, this blog offers information about new books in the genre that have launched, writing conferences and courses, and tips for writers looking to sharpen their crime writing skills. She also offers writing tips and advice for the genre, which can be a great help for anyone looking to break into the industry with their own crime novel.#4. Olivia Hope and Niamh Garveys Flourish Blogs about writing for childrenWritten and curated by Olivia Hope and Niamh Garvey, Down the Rabbit Hole by Flourish and Blogs offers fascinating explorations of th e genre for anyone interested in writing and publishing childrens books. As an example article, Uncomfortable Childrens Books is an examination of the question of what topics are safe for childrens literature. In it, Garvey writes:This is a generation where mental health problems are beginning younger and younger in children. Childhood anxiety, depression and low self-esteem are on the increase. There is a tendency to panic, to think we must protect our children and teenagers from any hardship, to helicopter around them dropping cotton wool at their feet and shaded glasses on their eyes in case they see something unpleasant. They mustnt read that book, where people starve to death, where people die violently, where families are ripped apart, because it will make them sad. And yet, those same children and teenagers are allowed online alone, where more real-life danger lies than the in woods down the road at night.Niamh GarveyIn addition to their thoughtful criticism, this writing due include within their blog childrens book events, new releases, lists of must-reads, and more. As a parent and a writer, I found this blog to be an intriguing and thoughtful read, even though I dont plan to publish in the childrens book genre.#5. Tara Sparlings The Lighter Side blog offers satire and humorIn this blog about book humor, selling trends, marketing and character stereotype follies, Tara Sparlings writing lifts the spirits of her readersâ€"often by stating the obvious on a not-so-obvious path to writing a bestseller. For example, in her post, Who Are You NOT Writing For This Year?, she takes a satirical approach to the all-important writers audience and offers a handy list of all the people you are definitely NOT writing for in 2019. Included on this list are: The cool kid in your class you asked out when you were 15, your ex-spouse, your current spouse, your next spouse, and book reviewers, among others.In another post, You Think 5-Star Reviews Are So Great? Think Again , she asks:Youre certain you want to award 5 stars to this? The highest accolade of them all? This is truly one of the best books youve ever read? Its better than the last 20 books you read and the 20 you read before that?No it isnt. Stop 5-starring like its the 1980s. Give it the solid and absolutely fine 3 it deserves.Tara Sparling#6. Derek Flynns SongBook blog about writing from a musicians perspectiveAs an Irish writer and musician, Derek Flynn has much to say about the connections and inspiration he draws from music, including an ongoing series like this one with interviews of various authors asking about how music has shaped and inspired their writing.Other articles approach literature and writing through music-related concepts, such as this piece titled Literary One Hit Wonders, which discusses famous authors known only by one book. He writes:Of course, when we mention literary one hit wonders, most people will think of Harper Lee and To Kill A Mockingbird, possibly the most famous example (and well ignore the dubious release of Go Set A Watchman). But there are some otherâ€"probably equally as famousâ€"examples. There is, of course, JD Salinger, author of Catcher in the Rye, who subsequently wrote only a handful of short stories and novellasâ€"no more novelsâ€"and gave his last interview in 1980.But while Lee and Salinger chose not to write any more novels, there are others who died before getting the chance to write more, leaving us wondering what might have been.Derek FlynnFlynn also writes of local publishing opportunities or jobs available in the industry, as well as competitions and anthologies seeking submissions.#7. Resources for writersFinally, and as mentioned earlier, the websites section for Resources for writers is packed with valuable information and links to sources writers can use throughout the drafting, editing, publishing and marketing phases of their writing journey.The Resources tab of the site offers links to sources writers can us e throughout the entire process of writing, from first draft to marketing the published work.In the Resources submenu, there are links to the following directories or sources, with additional submenus within each:Services for writersEssential guidesGetting publishedBetter fiction guidesBetter nonfiction guidesWrite for stage and screenBetter poetry guidesDeveloping your craftNational Emerging Writers Program (NEWP)Final takeawayWhile many of the literary events, book signings, and course offerings showcased in writing.ie are for the Dublin, Ireland and Greater U.K. area, there are parts of the site and blogs that provide great sources for writers around the globe. The section I found most helpful as a writer is the Writing Competitions under the Magazine menu. It was chock full of calls for submission, competitions, anthology notices, and publishing opportunities for writers of all genres, and included important information such as deadlines, how to submit your manuscript, and links to the main website for each entity seeking writers or submissions. Ill be using it in the coming months to seek out publishing opportunities and I hope youll be equally as excited about the excellent opportunities that are available.

Alzheimers and Dementia Risk Factors - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1498 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2019/04/04 Category Medicine Essay Level High school Tags: Alzheimer's Disease Essay Did you like this example? A very thorough study by The Alzheimers Association states that, 5.7 million Americans are living with alzheimers in 2018. Seniors, 65 or older, are more likely to get the disease (Alzheimers Association). Dementia is not reversible and progressively destroys memory over the course of a few years.When most people think if dementia, they think of Alzheimers, but many people do not know that that is just one out of quite a few forms of dementia. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Alzheimers and Dementia Risk Factors" essay for you Create order Dementia is more common as people grow older. Before all of the research, developing dementia was mostly based on family history, genes and age. Now, research is beginning to reveal more information that we could use to prevent this disease (Alzheimers Association). Factors such as bad health, head injuries and smoking can put someone at a greater risk for developing Alzheimers or other forms of dementia in their later years of life. There is a link between head injuries and Alzheimers that puts you at more risk to develop Alzheimers or any other form of dementia. There are ways you can protect your brain like wearing a helmet when you participate in sports and wearing a seatbelt when riding in a car. All of these can decrease the chance of developing dementia such as Alzheimers disease. Once known as dementia pugilistica, head injuries that cause dementia are now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is caused by protein deposits formed in the brain from a head injury (Alzheimers Society). Head injuries can be preventable. On the website National Center for Biotechnology, an article written by Anna Nordstrom, from the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, states, a meta-analysis of 15 case-control studies determined that individuals who suffered severe brain injuries were approximately 50% more likely to develop Alzheimers. With that information, when are the chances worse? The same stu dy states, researchers found out that the risk of a dementia diagnosis is highest during your first year after the injury (National Center for Biotechnology). Even though your chances are greater after the first year, your overall chances of developing dementia never really goes away. During this time, people were four to six times more likely to get a dementia diagnosis after a traumatic brain injury than those without the injury. Even though the overall risk decreased over time, patients still faced higher risk even thirty years later (National Center of Biotechnology). According to Jesse Fann, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Our data showed that even if you have multiple head injuries in your early twenties, the risk of developing dementia in your fifties increases by 60% (UW Medicine2:20-32). My great grandfather and both of his brothers were boxers, they all went through bad head injuries during their career and all three developed dementia as they grew older. Many boxers, football players and wrestlers develop a form of dementia; which means that even if you have a traumatic brain injury when you are fairly young, it could still affect you later down the road. At the fifteen year follow up, researchers found the risk for a dementia diagnosis increased 80 percent in those who have had at least one traumatic brain injury compared to those who havent (National Center of Biotechnology). Your overall health also has an affect on your chances of developing Alzheimers later down the road. In an article from Alzheimers Society, authors state, there is very strong evidence that conditions that damage your heart, arteries or blood circulation such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels and obesity all significantly affect a persons chances of developing Alzheimers. These all can be avoidable so your health doesnt affect you when you grow much older. In the book Understanding Alzheimers the author Dr. Naheed Ali stated, Poor lifestyle habits that could lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, and diabetes are now risk factors for Alzheimers disease (25). These conditions can contribute to the damage and and death of brain cells by hardening the blood vessels and blocking oxygen flow to the brain. Which means that there are steps you can take to control high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. While keeping yo ur blood pressure under control is important, over treating it can be just as harmful as undertreating it says Dr. Levine from an article in Everyday Health. When blood pressure is low it becomes difficult for our bodies to supply the exact amount of blood we need to our brains. Having cardiovascular disease or Type 2 Diabetes, the risk of developing dementia increases by up to two times, which is most typically known as vascular dementia; this is caused by problems that have to do with blood supply to the brain (Alzheimers Society). Having poor mental health also puts you at risk for developing dementia. Depression is a big leading factor. Esther Heerema, who is a licensed social worker and has worked with hundreds of people with Alzheimers dementia and other types of dementias stated, In a study involving 1,764 participants who were tested and monitored for eight years to evaluate depression symptoms and dementia symptoms, the researchers found that there was a significant correlation between late-life depression and the risk of dementia (Very Well Health). Depression in late-life is unhealthy for your brain, as well as early life depression. Depression in early life can also affect your chances of developing this disease. After more studies, researchers concluded that individuals with either early or late life depression were both up to four times more likely to develop dementia than those without depression (Very Well Health). A lot of people do not realize the overall effect that your health can have on your brain. Depression and Type 2 Diabetes pose a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, and that when the participants had both type 2 diabetes and depression, the risk was even greater than expected (Very Well Health). There are ways that you can keep your mental health strong. Improving your mental health can include eating well and exercising. Gisele Wolf-Klein a professor of medicine at Hofstra Medical School and director of geriatric education for the North Shore LIJ Health System in New York states, Very much of what applies to prevention and good healthy habits in general, applies also to the prevention of dementia (Everyday Health). A very healthy habit to take up to improve your mental health includes exercising. You dont have to go crazy overboard with the exercising, exercising for just a little bit everyday can help. Studies show that just walking more than a couple blocks a day will reduce dementia risk says Dr. Wolf-Klein (Everyday Health). Exercise is helpful for your body to continue good blood flow to the brain. We already know that smoking causes serious health risks, but did you know it increases your chances of developing Alzheimers, too (Cognitive Vitality)? Smoking is very unhealthy for your brain. Cigarettes and cigarette smoke contains more than 4,700 chemical compounds, including some that are highly toxic such as vinyl chloride, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and heavy metals (Cognitive Vitality). None of these can be good for you nor healthy for your brain. The World health Organization now estimates that up to 14% of Alzheimers, most common form of dementia, cases are caused by smoking (Health and Wellness Alerts). There have been quite a few studies on smoking and how it is related to dementia. A 2015 analysis published in the online scientific journal PLOS ONE evaluated the results of 37 studies that compared current smokers with people who never smoked or who quit; the authors found that current smokers were 30 percent more likely to develop some for m of dementia than people who never smoked (Health and Wellness Alerts). Which means, that even if you quit smoking, your chances go down. Smoking leads to cognitive decline in many ways. Smoking harms DNA cells throughout the body, which promotes the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain; both are closely associated with Alzheimers disease (Cognitive Vitality). Alzheimers is not the only form of dementia you can develop from smoking. Tobacco smoke damages arteries, which interferes with flow to the brain (Cognitive Vitality). When you have poor blood supply to your brain you can develop vascular dementia. Smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, so it makes sense that it would also make you vulnerable to Alzheimers disease and other dementias, John H. Growdon, MD who studies neurology, states (Sharecare). Cardiovascular disease is also linked to vascular dementia and Alzheimers. As earlier mentioned, there has been many studies on smoking and how it is related to Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. Anthony Cirillo who studies Geriatric Medicine says, A Kaiser Permanente study reported that an analysis of more than 20,000 men and women, studied since 1978, found a 157% heightened risk of Alzheimers for people who smoked two packs or more a day (Sharecare). Smoking two packs a day is a whole lot of smoking, but even less than that can still heighten the risk.

What Is Sociology - 1062 Words

What is sociology? We can start by saying that sociology is the systematic study of human society. Sociology should be more than you find in a good documentary on a social issue. It is certainly more than listings of facts and figures about society. Instead it becomes a form of consciousness a way of thinking, a critical way of seeing the social. Seeing the general in the particular. In his short book ‘Invitation to Sociology’(1963) characterized the sociological perspective as seeing the general in the particular. He meant that sociologists can identify general patterns of social life by looking at concrete specific examples of social life. While acknowledging that each individual is unique, in other words, sociologists recognize†¦show more content†¦And whereas male suicides in the industrial West outnumber female, in China women’s suicides outnumber men’s. In China the suicide rates is three times higher in the countryside, which is not the case in the West, where suicide is linked to city life. Patterns of suicide, then, are variable and are not constant around the world. Recent figures suggest that: -In the last half-century, suicide rates have increased by 60 % worldwide. -In 2000, approximately one million people died of suicide – 16 per 100,000 or one in every 40 seconds. -This puts it among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44.(both sexes) -Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more common than completed suicides. Sociology and social crisis. Periods of massive social change or social crisis stimulates sociological vision. Sociologists illustrated this principle by recalling the Great Depression of the 1930’s. As the unemployment rate in the US soared to 20%, people out of work could not help but see general social forces at work in their particular lives. Rather than personalizing their plight by claiming ‘Something is wrong with me. I can’t find a job’ they took more sociological approach, observing: ‘The economy has collapsed. There are no jobs to be found!’ Conversely, sociological thinking often fosters social change. The more we learn about the operation of the system, the more we like to change it in some way. Benefits of the sociological perspective 1. TheShow MoreRelatedWhat is Sociology?1169 Words   |  5 Pages . Introduction Sociology is described by Layder (2006, p.1) as being â€Å"How the encounters of everyday life and individual behaviour influence, and are influenced by, the wider social environment in which we live† Bauman May (2001. p.1) describe a visual image of the output of sociology, as being a â€Å"collection of books in a library†. The discussion within this collection broadly follows main concepts and perspectives, with many authors, but also of key peer tested Authors. 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Mary Queen Of Scots By William Shakespeare - 1805 Words

Mary I of England, not to be confused with her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, is most commonly referred to as one of the most, if not the most vicious and blood thirsty monarchs in English history and few of them have been given reputations as infamous as hers. Mary was obsessed with the quest to return England from the Protestant Church of England to its Catholic tradition during her three year reign as Queen of England. Mary’s insistence on creating a Catholic English nation stemmed from resentment held for her father King Henry VIII’s decision to break away and create his own religion, harboring the Reformation period. These reforms were ultimately reversed under Mary, who was determined to achieve her goals at any cost. Mary was not afraid to remove anyone who stood in her path of reform. Fueled by her loyalty and love for the Catholic Church, Mary’s reputation and legacy of ‘Bloody Mary† was created as she sought to create her Catholic nation, at th e expense of the hundreds of Protestants that were murdered under her reign. Born on February 18, 1516, Mary Tudor was the fifth child but the only child of Henry Tudor VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon who survived to live until adulthood (Doran). She was baptized soon after her birth and was raised in the Catholic tradition of her mother. Mary was sent off by her father to live in Wales, and was constantly set up for marriages with princes and other nobility. She was taught by an English tutor was a prolific studentShow MoreRelatedThe Story of the Virgin Queeen of England616 Words   |  3 PagesDo you know about the Virgin Queen of England and her reign? Queen Elizabeth I was born at Greenwich, England on September 7, 1533. Although, she grew up in a wealthy family, her early life was filled with uncertainties. 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Unconscionability And How It May Mean That A Cannot Be Enforced

Question: What Are The Characteristics Of An Unequal Bargain That Must Or Might Be Demonstrated To Indicate Unconscionability? Answer: Introducation: In the present assignment, an attempt has been made to explore the impact of unconscionability on the enforceability of contracts that has been created by the parties in their business transactions. Sometimes, unfair practices adopted by the businesses and as a result, a large number of consumers are disadvantaged. With the rising number of such consumers, the need was felt to provide relief to such consumers under statutory law, and also under the provisions of common law. Therefore, in this research, the provisions of statutory law and also the relevant provisions of common law have been explored, particularly the changes that were introduced after the decision given in Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio (1983). This was a particularly relevant case in which the court decided that it can rely upon the unconscionable conduct of a party to the contract. Hence, this case can be described as the reason due to which the amendment of unconscionability was introduced in the law of contract in Australia. Similarly, it is worth mentioning that with the rise in the provisions of consumer protection legislation that have been implemented for the purpose of providing justice to the consumers and at the same time to enforce the 'unconscionable conduct' clause when contractual relationships are created between the parties. Generally, the law provides that the ownership of business transactions rests with the trader. As a result, it is the responsibility of the trader to ensure that a fair and reasonable transaction has been created between the parties (Beatson and Virgo, 2002). In its form as a doctrine of contract law, the purpose behind the introduction of unconscionable conduct was that equity and fair play should be upheld. For this purpose, the term unconscionable conduct can be described as the behavior due to which the court may provide relief to the other party. In Blomley v Ryan (1956), the court had relied upon this doctrine for providing relief to the other party. At the same time, the application of unconscionability in cases of contracts created between the parties was further strengthened when this doctrine was used by the court to give its judgment in Commercial Bank of Australia v Amadio (1983). Under these circumstances, it becomes important to briefly mention the facts of this case. There was an elderly migrant couple from Australia, Mr. and Mrs. Amadio who stood as the guarantors for the loan that was taken by their son, Vincenzo from the Commercial Bank. The manager of the bank was in regular contact with Vincenzo and having a good understanding of the business realities, the manager knew that most probability, Vincenzo had not told the facts to his parents and made a misrepresentation for the purpose of preparing them to become guarantors for the loan he was going to take from the bank. Under these circumstances, the company failed and the bank started efforts to enforce the guarantee, which was given by Vincenzo's parents by mortgaging their building. Under these circumstances, the court to decide if the elderly couple can be considered as being bound by the mortgage and if this contract can be enforced against them, keeping in view the circumstances in which the contract was signed by them. It is worth mentioning that Amadios have migrated from Italy and they were not very proficient in English language. Moreover, before signing the contract, no independent advice was available to them. All this took place even when the bank manager, Mr. Virgo was well aware of the business situation of their son. However, he did not try to advise the elderly couple that they should seek professional and independent advice before standing as guarantors for their son. When the Amadios had signed the contract, the bank was well aware of the fact that the financial condition of their son was not very stable. Similarly, the bank also knew that perhaps the elderly couple was not aware of the fact that the business of their son was not doing well. Another issue was that the Amadios was under the impression that under the contract, their liability will be limited to $50,000. Therefore the bank did not try to inform the Amadios that in fact, there liability was unlimited as the guarantors for the loan taken by their son. In view of all these facts, the court arrived at the conclusion that the bank knew regarding the special disability from which the Amadios were suffering. But still the bank did not take any steps so that the elderly couple can understand the nature of transaction. Consequently, the court stated in this case that the bank had taken an advantage of an opportunity in this case and this can be said to be unconscientious. The court pointed o ut that on this basis, the clause of unconscionability relies upon. In view of this decision, a new concept became a part of the contract law. Similarly, as a result of this decision, legislative changes were also made in the statutory law. The term unconscionability can be distinguished in two ways. The first instance is of procedural unconscionability. In this case, the weaker party has suffered a disadvantage during the negotiations. Therefore, the stronger party has taken advantage of the fact that either the consumer does not have sufficient knowledge/understanding regarding the contract or the consumer cannot make an independent decision (Carlin, 2002). Therefore, in this case, there is failure on the part of the consumer to inform him that avenues are available from where help can be taken for the purpose of clearly understanding all the terms of the contract. Hence, it can be concluded in this case that an advantage has been taken by the trader regarding the lack of understanding of the consumer (Grantham and Rickett, 2001). The second case i s of substantive unconscionability. This is related with the unfairness of the contractual terms or the outcome of the contract. Similarly, it can also reveal that a particular contract was made on the basis of undue influence or coercion. Under these circumstances, it is not possible for the consumer to make an independent decision as the consumer is facing undue influence. Generally in such cases, the courts do not try to find out if the parties have received a good bargain or a bad bargain under the contract. But the court considers if in such a case, a chance was available to the party to properly decide if the transaction was in the best interest or not. As a result of the reason that generally went unconscionability is involved, an imbalance of bargaining power is also present among the parties, it is easy for individuals and small companies to allege unconscionability against large companies (Kremer, 2001). Under these circumstances, it can be said that the purpose behind the introduction of the doctrine of unconscionability can be described as to make sure that the stronger party is the aware of the fact that the other party suffers from a disadvantage regarding the transaction. In view of the decision of the court in Amadio's case, it can be said that the stronger party has to establish in the court that the transaction was fair, just and reasonable so that the transaction may not be impugned by the court. After the decision given by the court in Amadio case, several developments took place in this field of law. These changes include the amendments that were made to the earlier Trade Practices Act, 1974 and also the changes introduced in the Corporations Act, 2001 and the ASIC Act. Similarly, various codes of conduct that were in force in different industries also underwent these changes. For instance, reforms were seen in the financial services sector in July 1990. Similarly, it was provided by these changes that the ASIC has been given the main responsibility to handle the issues related with consumer and small-business protection in case of the financial sector. The respective application of different types of provisions related with the unconscionable conduct to the contracts dealing with financial services need to be decided, keeping in view the particular exclusion clauses and the definitions that have been mentioned in the ASIC Act. Although the legislation clearly defines the financial services and products, the provisions dealing with unconscionable conduct under this law are similar to the provisions that existed under the Trade Practices Act, 1974. Consequently, there are equivalent compliance obligations for the businesses that are operating in the financial services sector (Paterson, Robertson and Duke, 2009). For the purpose of dealing with cases where unconscionability is involved, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission provide certain remedies to the consumers. According to the law, administrative or court action can be taken by the Commission against individuals or businesses if the Commission believes that they are involved in unconscionable conduct that has breached the law. In such cases, the action taken by the Commission will depend on its priorities and also the nature of conduct. Several different types of administrative action is available to the Commission. For example, the Commission may make a request that a particular individual or business should stop particular conduct or it should change a particular trade practice adopted by it (Kremer, 2001). Regarding the serious examples of such conduct, it is available to the Commission to accept an enforceable undertaking from such person or business and the commission can also make it public. The courts can enforce the se written undertakings, in case an application has been made by the Commission. Similarly, it is also available to the Commission to take court action if it is not possible to resolve a particular matter through administrative means. In such cases, the law has empowered the Commission to seek injunction or any other order from the court against such individual or business. It is also available to the Commission to make a decision on behalf of the consumers. The commission can also represent the consumers if they are going to suffer a loss in a particular transaction as a result of the unconscionability of the other party (Paterson, Robertson and Duke, 2009). In Victoria, the apex body for financial counselors is the Financial and Consumer Rights Council. Responsibility has been given to the Council to provide resources and support to financial counselors. Similarly, it also supports the consumers who need support. Due to the financial problems faced by them. The Council has the responsibility to provide support and information as well as advocacy to the consumers in Victoria. The Council works in tandem with the community sectors. The services provided by the Council are confidential in nature and at the same time, they are provided free of cost to the consumers. The major purpose of providing these services to the consumers is to advocate for the vulnerable consumers in Victoria. The Council also supports the financial counselors. It also supports through stakeholder relationships in order to create systemic change. Hence, the Council supports the financial counseling sector through advocacy, law reform and also by ensuring that best pr actices adopted and maintained. in this context, consumer advocacy acts as a voice for the consumers. An examination of the history of consumer advocates see in Australia also supports this view. According to the literature evaluating the term advocacy and the perusal of mission statements of different organizations that claim to be the advocates of consumers, this view is supported. Under the present circumstances, it is very significant that the consumer advocates should act as the voice of the consumers, considering the long-term interests of the consumers. Different consumer organizations need to play an effective role, although significant constraints of resources are present. As a result, generally these organizations have to adopt the strategy to work smarter and harder as compared to their opponents. References Beatson J and Virgo, G J (2002) Contract, Unjust Enrichment and Unconscionability, 118 Law Quarterly Review 352 Carlin, T.M., (2002) The Rise (And Fall?) of Implied Duties of Good Faith in Contractual Performance in Australia, UNSWLawJl 4 Grantham R and Rickett, C (2001) On the Subsidiarity of Unjust Enrichment, 117 Law Quarterly Review 273 Kremer, B (2001) The Action for Money Had and Received, 17 Journal of Contract Law 93. Paterson, Robertson Duke, (2009) Contract: Cases and Materials, Lawbook Co, 11th ed. Case Law Blomley v Ryan (1956) 99 CLR 362 Commercial Bank of Australia v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 447, 461 Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594

Before the Mayflower essays

Before the Mayflower essays An article Before the Mayflower goes into a discussion of development of racism in Europe and Americas. I shall use the facts provided by the author and the concepts of Marxism to analyze and dissect the origins of racism in Americas and Europe. With the discovery of Africa by Europeans a new era began in European trade. It was very profitable to trade with a newly discovered nation since they possessed many products wanted by European traders and would sell them cheaply for the goods theyve never seen before. Africans were royal and noble people who didnt see themselves inferior to Europeans nor did Europeans see Africans inferior in any way. Its interesting to see that Europeans saw Africans superior in some trades, an example of one would be agriculture, which was better developed in Africa than Europe. Religion found its way to Africa as well. Many preachers turned their steps onto a black continent in order to spread gods word. Many members of African tribes did turn into Catholicism and held important offices in Vatican. Many Africans were servants, military men, traders and scholar in Europe. They participated in discovery and exploration of the New World after its discovery by Columbus. Africans moved into Americas with their masters. It was commented by Washington Irving that These negroes, like the monks of the Dark Ages, engross all the Knowledge of the place, and being infinitely more adventurous and more knowing than their masters, carry on all the foreign trade... Majority of Negroes came to Americas as indentured servants. Like their white comrades, they didnt see a difference between being black and white indentured servant. They were rigidly accepted by white people and interracial marriages were common. Blacks had all the rights of whites, they were free after certain amount of years working for the master, could accumulate property, and...

Samuel Adams essays

Samuel Adams essays Many famous people are usually considered to be successful in life from start. However, this was not the case with Samuel Adams. He struggled through the beginning of his life and was finally able to find a way to succeed. Samuel Adams was born on September 27, 1722 in Boston, Massachusetts to Samuel and May Fifield Adams. After graduating from Harvard College in 1740, Adams entered private business in which he was very unsuccessful. He repeatedly failed as the manager of a malt-house due to the fact that his attention was diverted by politics. Meanwhile, Adams attended the Boston town meeting in which he was an outspoken participant and earned the title of Man of the Town Meeting. When his business failed in 1764, he was able to pay attention to politics continuously. He was then elected as a member of the Massachusetts legislature. Adams established to Committee of Correspondence through which the Declaration of Colonial Rights, written by him, was published. Adams led the protest against the Stamp Act and was the founder of the Sons of Liberty. In 1773, Adams organized the resistance to the Tea Act, the Boston Tea Party, in which cargo of tea was dumped overboard. This resulted in the crea tion of the Continental Congress in which Adams represented Massachusetts for seven years. During his term in the First and Second Continental Congresses, Adams signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1775, he organized forces to fight in revolution. Adams succeeded in governing Massachusetts after the death of John Hancock and was re-elected three times. Samuel Adams died at the age of 81 years on October 2, 1803 in his hometown of Boston. Although Adams did have an extremely interesting life, it was not easy. His first 42 years of life were full of failure. However, he was able to turn it around, thankfully to the loss of his business. Samuel Adams has effected every person living in America in one way or ano...

Dispersion of Inflation Rates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Dispersion of Inflation Rates - Essay Example According to the paper the inference is not necessarily correct: other explanations are equally logical and sufficiently important to be worth serious consideration. Many countries might experience inflation at the same time without international transmission of inflationary forces because they respond in the same way to common causes. All countries have undergone long-period institutional and structural changes which, although not in themselves inflationary, have made them more vulnerable to inflation. One of these changes is a widespread increase in the resistance to reductions of nominal prices and wages. Another is the growing role of the public sector in most national economies, a development that may increase the vulnerability to inflation in a number of different ways, which are discussed in the appendix to this paper. Another possible cause of a decrease in the dispersion of rates of change in consumer prices and other comprehensive price indexes, such as gross national produ ct deflators, is a convergence in the rates of productivity growth of different countries. These comprehensive price indexes tend to diverge from the corresponding national indexes of wholesale prices in degrees related to the growth in a countrys productivity. If changes in national wholesale prices continue to be tied together, a convergence of national rates of productivity growth would cause a convergence of changes in their consumer price indexes and GNP deflators.

A critique of published research By Anthony Feiler Essay

A critique of published research By Anthony Feiler - Essay Example The result of the analysis is decisive in a complete comprehension of the article as well as its strengths and weaknesses. The research paper has been identified as crucial in arriving at a conclusion regarding the effectiveness of strategies in support of the children who have difficulty in learning, and those struggle with literacy. The primary strategy proposed in the study is the provision of weekly home visits during the first year of the students in school. Anthony Feiler comes up, through the research investigation undertaken, with evidences for the effectiveness of additional support for the children with difficulties in literacy. The test scores and the views of the participants which have been collected through a series of interviews are used to arrive at such a conclusion. The literacy difficulty in children during the primary years of education poses serious challenges in the learning process as they continue the learning activity and this has been a major issue raised in the research paper by Feiler. The research undertaken in the paper concentrates on the evidences for strong and specific family variables which influence the literacy outcome of children at the early years of their education. The quality of the learning environment as well as the role played by the parents in the learning activity of students has great significance in the learning skills of children and the research investigation by Feiler focuses on the family literacy schemes, especially the strategy occupying the parents as well as children. Ultimately, the research study â€Å"explores the impact of providing additional literacy support at home (with some additional support at school), using a Reception teacher’s and head teacher’s predictions to target children c onsidered to be in need of extra help during their first year at school. There is a particular focus on strategies for working with parents whose engagement with

The Welfare Needs Of The Elderly Social Work Essay

The Welfare Needs Of The Elderly Social Work Essay Introduction Nowadays, Malaysians are living longer, they are on an average of 74 years for men and 78 years for women. In others words, their life expectancy has increase. With the advances in medical care and better nutrition, older people are living longer, they are more visible, more active and more independent than ever before and they are in better health. Therefore there is a growing concern regarding the global phenomenon of aging. A decline in the birth as well as death rates has resulted in an increase in the elderly population. As a result, the demographers are now paying more attention to the issues of aging. Total Population 26.75 m 28.96 m 65 and above 1.15 m 4.3% 1.36 m 4.7 % This table shows that the total population and the aged of 65 years or above in Malaysia in the year of 2005 and 2010. In 2005, the total population of Malaysia was 26.75 million, and which 1.15 million or 4.3% was aged 65 years and above. Moreover, in 2010, Malaysia currently has a population of approximately 29 million, and aged 65 years and above has increased to 1.36 million or 4.7%. With the projected population growth of 2% annually, it expected that the total population in 2020 will rise to 34 million, of which 3.2 million or 9.5% will be the age of 65 years and above. In the year 2035, the country is expected to have a total population of about 46 million of which 6.9 million or 15% will be the aged 65 years and above. This is evident that Malaysias demographic ageing pattern is emerging. Based on the figure showed in this table, the real numbers of older person have increased lately, which also means that the number of elderly will continue to grow over the coming year. As t he populations of older Malaysian grows, so there has a hidden problem of elder abuse. Further, the number of elderly with chronic illness is likely to increase. This can pose an increased burden on their caregivers such as family members, and it could lead to a higher risk of elderly abuse. Elder abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person (Action on Elder Abuse 1995). The willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or cruel punishment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental anguish, or the willful deprivation by a caretaker of goods or services which are necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish or mental illness. (1985 Elder Abuse Prevention, Identification Treatment Act). According to the Swanson(1999), elder abuse refers to the mistreatment of older people by those in a position of trust, power or responsibility for their care. This is a global problem that is likely to intensify in view of the increasing number of older people and the changing socio-economic and environmental conditions worldwide (Randel et al. 1999). Further, Hazzard (1995) described elder abuse as cruel and inhumane t reatment of the elderly. Kapur (1997) defines it as a kind of harassment or an injustice done to the elderly by the family members themselves. In fact, there is too many definition of elder abuse but despite this, most would agree with this definition an action or inaction by someone in a position of trust; often a family member or unrelated caregiver. Normally, more than 2/3rds of the abusers are their family members and are typically giving their basic needs or care support such as food, shelter, personal care or transportation. In others word, someone who commits elder abuse usually has control or influence over the older person. The older persons often know and trust the abusers. Some victims of elder abuse depend on the people who hurt them, sometimes for food, shelter, personal care, or transportation. Therefore, the abusers could be their family members, friend, someone the older people relies on for basic needs or staff in group residential settings such as care homes or in long term health care facilities. The Prevalence of Elderly Abuse in Five Developed Countries Country Prevalence (%) USA 3.2 Canada 4.0 Finland 5.4 Netherlands 5.6 United Kingdom 5.0 This table shows the prevalence of the elderly abuse in five developed countries, which are USA, Canada, Finland, Netherlands and United Kingdom. The prevalence of the elderly abuse in USA with percentage is 3.2%, in Canada is 4.0%, in Finland is 5.4%, in Netherlands is 5.6% and United Kingdom is 5.0%. But in Malaysia, the information and data of elderly abuse is scarce. Although this epidemic is virtually unheard of in Malaysia, we are challenged to be aware of the many faces of elder abuse in our own society. So far in Malaysia, there are no reported cases of elder abuse to the Department of Social Welfare as well as no agency keeps proper records of the incidence of elder abuse in this country. The actual and prevalence of elder abuse is unknown and difficult to measure. Elderly abuse exists in our society but it is hardly reported. This problem often remains undetected because of poor public awareness and lack of knowledge among health care personnel. This is because it can cause some adverse effects on the health and quality of life of the elderly. Due to their mental capacity, they are unaware of the help available to them. Therefore, elder abuse is seldom reported. In most situations, elderly are unlikely to report that they are being abused because they are fear of embarrassment and fear of losing care support. They are mostly completely under the control of the abuser and depend on the abusers for food, shelter, clothing and health care. Furthermore, they also fear of harm by the abuser. Some of them are lack of awareness, they are only suspect but uncertain that is abuse, therefore, the cases of elder abuse is hardly to report and also seldom reported. As the aging population continue grows, they are need more care and attention. The care and attention may help them remain free of abuse and it can be from their family members, relatives, friends and neighbours. Further, some of them also can be from their caregivers such as from the care home, or nursing home personnel. Other than that, older also can get their care and attention or in form of the fairness from the government by law. This may prevent the occurrence of the elder abuse. Conclusion Elder abuse should be a growing concern issue in our society but it is preventable. Each of us, as individuals, family members, in the community, as a society, government or nongovernmental agencies, must play our role, hand in hand to curb this problem. Understanding the magnitude of the problem, knowing and acting against its root causes will help to provide a healthier and safer society in this country and all over the world. In short, we must continue to create awareness, concern our loved ones care and protect them from becoming one of the victims. Further, if we find any problem, moved our loved one immediately and report them to the police. For so many to live to be old is one of the most remarkable achievements of the twentieth century. To be old and live in dignity free from all forms of abuse must be a common goal for all societies of the twenty-first century. Elderly have rights and deserved to be loved and respected. Certainly elder abuse will increase with an ageing population worldwide, especially if adequate caregiver support programmes and services are not developed in tandem.

Finding James Cains Life in Mildred Pierce Essay -- Biography Biograp

Finding James Cain's Life in Mildred Pierce      Ã‚   An individual is greatly influenced by his/her environment, life   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   challenges, and experiences. As a result, in addition to imagination, a   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   novelist uses his life experiences to create his/her books. The influence   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   of James Cain's life in his writing is obvious.   In Mildred Pierce, James   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cain utilized his characters to portray the hardships suffered in the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Great Depression, characteristics that impressed him about his mother, and   Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  his experience with love.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   James Cain employed his experience of the Great Depression as a context of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mildred Pierce. Like any American who lived during this period, he   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   suffered from this economic slowdown. In November 1931, Cain came to   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hollywood to start a six-month contract with Paramount; however, "within   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   six months of his arrival in Hollywood, Cain was out of job in the middle   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   of the Depression"(Contemporary Authors Online). Layoffs were common   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   because of the bad recession. Thus, although James Cain attained a job at   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Columbia, he quickly lost it (Skenazy 12). Consequently, Cain used the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   effects of the late 1920's market crash to create the story of Mildred   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Pierce. Bert, Mildred's husband, lost all his invested money in the AT&T   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   stock on "Black Thursday of 1929, and his plunge to ruin was so rapid he   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   could hardly see Pierce Homes disappear on his way down" (Cain 10).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Similar to Bert, Cain was financially unstable, with a wife and two   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   children to support. Cain wrote some stories and essays; nevertheless, the... ...pedia of World Biography Supplement, Vol. 19.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gale Group, 1999. Reproduced in Biography Resource   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: The Gale Group 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   (http://www.galenet.com/servlet/BioRC)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hoopes, Roy. Cain: The Biography of James M. Cain. Southern   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Illinois: University Press, 1987.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Marling, William. Hard-Boiled Fiction. Case Western Reserve   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   University. Updated 2 August 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   (http://www.cwru.edu/7177060/artsci/engl/marling/hardboiled/Cain%20James.HTM)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Murray, Bill.   James M. Cain: July 1, 1892 - October 27,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1977.(http://www2.rmcil.edu/users/dhaynes/hum120/caincainbio.htm)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Skenazy, Paul. Cain James M. (James Mallahan), 1892-1977.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   New York: Continuum, 1989.      

Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-Seven

WALKING INTO THE COURTROOM was one of the most surreal experiences of my life–and not just because I was the one being accused here. It just kept reminding me of Victor's trial, and the idea that I was now in his place was almost too weird to comprehend. Entering a room with a troop of guardians makes people stare–and believe me, there were a lot of people packed in there–so naturally, I didn't skulk or look ashamed. I walked with confidence, my head held high. Again, I had that eerie flashback to Victor. He too had walked in defiantly, and I'd been appalled that someone who had committed his crimes could behave that way. Were these people thinking the same thing about me? On the dais at the front of the room sat a woman I didn't recognize. Among the Moroi, a judge was usually a lawyer who had been appointed to the position for the purposes of the hearing or whatever. The trial itself–at least a big one like Victor's–had been presided over by the queen. She had been the one to ultimately decide the final verdict. Here, the Council members would be the ones to decide if I even reached that stage. The trial makes it official. That's where they pass the verdict and dole out the punishment. My escort took me to the front seating of the room, past the bar that separated the key players from the audience, and motioned me toward a spot next to a middle-aged Moroi in a very formal and very designer black suit. The suit screamed, I'm sorry the queen is dead, and I'm going to look fashionable while showing my grief. His hair was a pale blond, lightly laced with the first signs of silver. Somehow, he made it look good. I presumed this was Damon Tarus, my lawyer, but he didn't say a word to me. Mikhail sat beside me as well, and I was glad they'd chosen him to be the one who literally didn't leave my side. Glancing back, I saw Daniella and Nathan Ivashkov sitting with other high-ranking royals and their families. Adrian had chosen not to join them. He sat farther back, with Lissa, Christian, and Eddie. All of their faces were filled with worry. The judge–an elderly, gray-haired Moroi who looked like she could still kick ass–called the room to attention, and I twisted around to face forward again. The Council was entering, and she announced them one by one. Two sets of benches had been arranged for them, two rows of six with a thirteenth in back raised. Of course, only eleven of the spots were filled, and I tried not to scowl. Lissa should have been sitting there. When the Council was settled, the judge turned to face the rest of us and spoke in a voice that rang through the room. â€Å"This hearing is now in order, in which we will determine whether there is enough evidence to–â€Å" A commotion at the door cut her off, and the audience craned their necks to see what was going on. â€Å"What's this disturbance about?† the judge demanded. One of the guardians had the door partially open and was leaning out, apparently speaking to whoever was in the hall. He ducked back into the room. â€Å"The accused's lawyer is here, Your Honor.† The judge glanced at Damon and me and then delivered a frown to the guardian. â€Å"She already has a lawyer.† The guardian shrugged and appeared comically helpless. If there had been a Strigoi out there, he would have known what to do. This bizarre interruption of protocol was beyond his skill set. The judge sighed. â€Å"Fine. Send whoever it is up here and let's get this settled.† Abe walked in. â€Å"Oh dear lord,† I said out loud. I didn't have to scold myself for speaking out of turn because a hum of conversation immediately filled the room. My guess was that half were in awe because they knew Abe and his reputation. The other half were probably just stunned by his appearance. He wore a gray cashmere suit, considerably lighter than Damon's grim black. Underneath it was a dress shirt that was so bright a white, it seemed to glow–particularly next to the brilliant crimson silk tie he wore. Other spots of red were scattered about his outfit–a handkerchief in the pocket, ruby cuff links. Naturally, it was all as perfectly tailored and expensive as Damon's outfit. But Abe didn't look like he was in mourning. He didn't even look like he was coming to a trial. It was more like he'd been interrupted on his way to a party. And of course, he sported his usual gold hoop earrings and trimmed black beard. The judge silenced the room with a hand motion as he strutted up to her. â€Å"Ibrahim Mazur,† she said, with a shake of her head. There were equal parts amazement and disapproval in her voice. â€Å"This is†¦ unexpected.† Abe swept her a gallant bow. â€Å"It's lovely to see you again, Paula. You haven't aged a day.† â€Å"We aren't at a country club, Mr. Mazur,† she informed him. â€Å"And while here, you will address me by my proper title.† â€Å"Ah. Right.† He winked. â€Å"My apologies, Your Honor.† Turning, he glanced around until his eyes rested on me. â€Å"There she is. Sorry to have delayed this. Let's get started.† Damon stood up. â€Å"What is this? Who are you? I'm her lawyer.† Abe shook his head. â€Å"There must have been some mistake. It took me a while to get a flight here, so I can see why you would have appointed a community lawyer to fill in.† â€Å"Community lawyer!† Damon's face grew red with indignation. â€Å"I'm one of the most renowned lawyers among American Moroi.† â€Å"Renowned, community.† Abe shrugged and leaned back on his heals. â€Å"I don't judge. No pun intended.† â€Å"Mr. Mazur,† interrupted the judge, â€Å"are you a lawyer?† â€Å"I'm a lot of things, Paula–Your Honor. Besides, does it matter? She only needs someone to speak for her.† â€Å"And she has someone,† exclaimed Damon. â€Å"Me.† â€Å"Not anymore,† said Abe, his demeanor still very pleasant. He had never stopped smiling, but I thought I saw that dangerous glint in his eyes that frightened so many of his enemies. He was the picture of calm, while Damon looked like he was ready to have a seizure. â€Å"Your Honor–â€Å" â€Å"Enough!† she said in that resounding voice of hers. â€Å"Let the girl choose.† She fixed her brown eyes on me. â€Å"Who do you want to speak for you?† â€Å"I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My mouth dropped open at how abruptly the attention shifted to me. I'd been watching the drama between the two men like a tennis match, and now the ball had hit me in the head. â€Å"Rose.† Startled, I turned slightly. Daniella Ivashkov had crept over in the row behind me. â€Å"Rose,† she whispered again, â€Å"you have no idea who that Mazur man is.† Oh, didn't I? â€Å"You want nothing to do with him. Damon's the best. He's not easy to get.† She moved back to her seat, and I looked between my two potential lawyers' faces. I understood Daniella's meaning. Adrian had talked her into getting Damon for me, and then she had talked Damon into actually doing it. Rejecting him would be an insult to her, and considering she was one of the few royal Moroi who'd been nice to me about Adrian, I certainly didn't want to earn her dislike. Besides, if this was some setup by royals, having one of them on my side was probably my best chance at getting off. And yet†¦ there was Abe, looking at me with that clever smile of his. He was certainly very good at getting his way, but a lot of that was by force of his presence and reputation. If there really was some absurd evidence against me, Abe's attitude wouldn't be enough to make it go away. Of course, he was sly, too. The serpent. He could make the impossible happen; he'd certainly pulled a lot of strings for me. That did not, however, change the fact that he wasn't a lawyer. On the other hand, he was my father. He was my father, and although we still barely knew each other, he'd gone to great lengths to get here and saunter in with his gray suit to defend me. Was it fatherly love gone bad? Was he really all that good a lawyer? And at the end of the day, was it true that blood ran thicker than water? I didn't know. I actually didn't like that saying. Maybe it worked for humans, but it made no sense with vampires. Anyway, Abe was staring at me intently with dark brown eyes nearly identical to mine. Trust me, he seemed to say. But could I? Could I trust my family? I would have trusted my mother if she were here–and I knew she trusted Abe. I sighed and gestured toward him. â€Å"I'll take him.† In an undertone, I added, â€Å"Don't let me down, Zmey.† Abe's smile grew broader as shocked exclamations filled the audience, and Damon protested in outrage. Daniella might have had to persuade him to take me on in the beginning, but now this case had become a matter of pride for him. His reputation had just been sullied by me passing him up. But I'd made my choice, and the exasperated judge would hear no more arguments about it. She shooed Damon away, and Abe slid into his seat. The judge began with the standard opening speech, explaining why we were here, etc., etc. As she spoke, I leaned toward Abe. â€Å"What have you gotten me into?† I hissed to him. â€Å"Me? What have you gotten yourself into? Couldn't I have just picked you up at the police station for underage drinking, like most fathers?† I was beginning to understand why people got irritated when I made jokes in dangerous situations. â€Å"My fucking future's on the line! They're going to send me to trial and convict me!† Every trace of humor or cheer vanished from his face. His expression grew hard, deadly serious. A chill ran down my spine. â€Å"That,† he said in a low, flat voice, â€Å"is something I swear to you is never, ever going to happen.† The judge turned her attention back to us and the prosecuting lawyer, a woman called Iris Kane. Not a royal name, but she still looked pretty hard-core. Maybe that was just a lawyer thing. Before the evidence against me was laid out, the queen's murder was also described in all its grisly detail. How'd she'd been found this morning in bed, a silver stake through her heart and a profound look of horror and shock on her face. Blood had been everywhere: on her nightgown, the sheets, her skin†¦ The pictures were shown to everyone in the room, triggering a variety of reactions. Gasps of surprise. More fear and panic. And some†¦ some people wept. Some of those tears were undoubtedly because of the whole terrible situation, but I think many cried because they'd loved or liked Tatiana. She'd been cold and stiff at times, but for the most part, her reign had been a peaceful and just one. After the pictures, they called me up. The hearing didn't run the way a normal trial did. There was no formal switching back of lawyers as they questioned witnesses. They each just sort of stood there and took turns asking questions while the judge kept order. â€Å"Miss Hathaway,† began Iris, dropping my title. â€Å"What time did you return to your room last night?† â€Å"I don't know the exact time†¦.† I focused on her and Abe, not the sea of faces out there. â€Å"Somewhere around 5 a.m., I think. Maybe 6.† â€Å"Was anyone with you?† â€Å"No, well–yes. Later.† Oh, God. Here it comes. â€Å"Um, Adrian Ivashkov visited me.† â€Å"What time did he arrive?† asked Abe. â€Å"I'm not sure of that either. A few hours after I got back, I guess.† Abe turned his charming smile on Iris, who was rustling through some papers. â€Å"The queen's murder has been pretty accurately narrowed down to between seven and eight. Rose wasn't alone–of course, we would need Mr. Ivashkov to testify to that effect.† My eyes flicked briefly to the audience. Daniella looked pale. This was her nightmare: Adrian getting involved. Glancing farther over, I saw that Adrian himself seemed eerily calm. I really hoped he wasn't drunk. Iris held up a sheet of paper triumphantly. â€Å"We have a signed statement from a janitor who says Mr. Ivashkov arrived at the defendant's building at approximately nine twenty.† â€Å"That's pretty specific,† said Abe. He sounded amused, like she'd said something cute. â€Å"Do you have any desk staff to confirm that?† â€Å"No,† Iris said icily. â€Å"But this is enough. The janitor remembers because he was about to take his break. Miss Hathaway was alone when the murder took place. She has no alibi.† â€Å"Well,† said Abe, â€Å"at least according to some questionable ‘facts.'† But no more was said about the time. The evidence was admitted into the official records, and I took a deep breath. I hadn't liked that line of questioning, but it had been expected, based on the earlier conversations I'd heard via Lissa. The no-alibi thing wasn't good, but I kind of shared Abe's vibe. What they had so far still didn't seem strong enough to send me to trial. Plus, they hadn't asked anything else about Adrian, which left him out of this. â€Å"Next exhibit,† said Iris. There was smug triumph all over her face. She knew the time thing was sketchy, but whatever was coming up, she thought it was gold. But actually, it was silver. A silver stake. So help me, she had a silver stake in a clear plastic container. It gleamed in the incandescent lighting–except for its tip. That was dark. With blood. â€Å"This is the stake used to kill the queen,† declared Iris. â€Å"Miss Hathaway's stake.† Abe actually laughed. â€Å"Oh, come on. Guardians are issued stakes all the time. They have an enormous, identical supply.† Iris ignored him and looked at me. â€Å"Where is your stake right now?† I frowned. â€Å"In my room.† She turned and glanced out over the crowd. â€Å"Guardian Stone?† A tall dhampir with a bushy black mustache rose from the crowd. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"You conducted the search of Miss Hathaway's room and belongings, correct?† I gaped in outrage. â€Å"You searched my–â€Å" A sharp look from Abe silenced me. â€Å"Correct,† said the guardian. â€Å"And did you find any silver stakes?† asked Iris. â€Å"No.† She turned back to us, still smug, but Abe seemed to find this new information even more ridiculous than the last batch. â€Å"That proves nothing. She could have lost the stake without realizing it.† â€Å"Lost it in the queen's heart?† â€Å"Miss Kane,† warned the judge. â€Å"My apologies, Your Honor,† said Iris smoothly. She turned to me. â€Å"Miss Hathaway, is there anything special about your stake? Anything that would distinguish it from others?† â€Å"Y-yes.† â€Å"Can you describe that?† I swallowed. I had a bad feeling about this. â€Å"It has a pattern etched near the top. A kind of geometric design.† Guardians had engraving done sometimes. I'd found this stake in Siberia and kept it. Well, actually, Dimitri had sent it to me after it had come loose from his chest. Iris walked over to the Council and held out the container so that each of them could examine it. Returning to me, she gave me my turn. â€Å"Is this your pattern? Your stake?† I stared. It was indeed. My mouth opened, ready to say yes, but then I caught Abe's eye. Clearly, he couldn't talk directly to me, but he sent a lot of messages in that gaze. The biggest one was to be careful, be sly. What would a slippery person like Abe do? â€Å"It†¦ it looks similar to the design on mine,† I said at last. â€Å"But I can't say for sure if it's the exact same one.† Abe's smile told me I'd answered correctly. â€Å"Of course you can't,† Iris said, as though she'd expected no better. She handed off the container to one of the court clerks. â€Å"But now that the Council has seen that the design matches her description and is almost like her stake, I would like to point out that testing has revealed†Ã¢â‚¬â€œshe held up more papers, victory all over her face–â€Å"that her fingerprints are on it.† There, it was. The big score. The â€Å"hard evidence.† â€Å"Any other fingerprints?† asked the judge. â€Å"No, Your Honor. Just hers.† â€Å"That means nothing,† said Abe with a shrug. I had a feeling that if I stood and suddenly confessed to the murder, he would still claim it was dubious evidence. â€Å"Someone steals her stake and wears gloves. Her fingerprints would be on it because it's hers.† â€Å"That's getting kind of convoluted, don't you think?† asked Iris. â€Å"The evidence is still full of holes,† he protested. â€Å"That's what's convoluted. How could she have gotten into the queen's bedroom? How could she have gotten through the guards?† â€Å"Well,† mused Iris, â€Å"those would be questions best explored in trial, but considering Miss Hathaway's extensive record of breaking into and out of places, as well as the countless other disciplinary marks she has, I don't doubt she could have found any number of ways to get inside.† â€Å"You have no proof,† said Abe. â€Å"No theory.† â€Å"We don't need it,† said Iris. â€Å"Not at this point. We have more than enough to go to trial, don't we? I mean, we haven't even gotten to the part where countless witnesses heard Miss Hathaway tell the queen she'd regret establishing the recent guardian law. I can find the transcript if you like–not to mention reports of other ‘expressive' commentary Miss Hathaway made in public.† A memory came back to me, of standing outside with Daniella while I ranted–with others watching–about how the queen couldn't buy me off with an assignment. Not a good decision on my part. Neither was busting in on the Death Watch or complaining about the queen being worth protecting when Lissa had been captured. I'd given Iris a lot of material. â€Å"Oh yes,† Iris continued. â€Å"We also have accounts of the queen declaring her extreme disapproval of Miss Hathaway's involvement with Adrian Ivashkov, particularly when the two ran off to elope.† I opened my mouth at that, but Abe silenced me. â€Å"There are countless other records of Her Majesty and Miss Hathaway sparring in public. Would you like me to find those papers too, or are we able to vote on a trial now?† This was directed at the judge. I had no legal background, but the evidence was pretty damning. I would have said that there was definitely reason to consider me a murder suspect, except†¦ â€Å"Your Honor?† I asked. I think she'd been about to give her declaration. â€Å"Can I say something?† The judge thought about it, then shrugged. â€Å"I see no reason not to. We're collecting all the evidence there is.† Oh, me freelancing was not in Abe's plan at all. He strode to the stand, hoping to stop me with his wise counsel, but he wasn't fast enough. â€Å"Okay,† I said, hoping I sounded reasonable and wasn't going to lose my temper. â€Å"You've put up a lot of suspicious stuff here. I can see that.† Abe looked pained. It was not an expression I'd seen on him before. He didn't lose control of situations very often. â€Å"But that's the thing. It's too suspicious. If I were going to murder someone, I wouldn't be that stupid. Do you think I'd leave my stake stuck in her chest? Do you think I wouldn't wear gloves? Come on. That's insulting. If I'm as crafty as you claim my record says I am, then why would I do it this way? I mean, seriously? If I did it, it'd be a lot better. You'd never even peg me as a suspect. This is all really kind of an insult to my intelligence.† â€Å"Rose–† began Abe, a dangerous note in his tone. I kept going. â€Å"All this evidence you've got is so painfully obvious. Hell, whoever set this up might as well have painted an arrow straight to me–and someone did set me up, but you guys are too stupid to even consider that.† The volume of my voice was rising, and I consciously brought it back to normal levels. â€Å"You want an easy answer. A quick answer. And you especially want someone with no connections, no powerful family to protect them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I hesitated there, unsure how to classify Abe. â€Å"Because that's how it always is. That's how it was with that age law. No one was able to stand up for the dhampirs either because this goddamned system won't allow it.† It occurred to me then that I had strayed pretty far off the subject–and was making myself look more guilty by slamming the age law. I reined myself back in. â€Å"Um, anyway, Your Honor†¦ what I'm trying to say is that this evidence shouldn't be enough to accuse me or send me to trial. I wouldn't plan a murder this badly.† â€Å"Thank you, Miss Hathaway,† said the judge. â€Å"That was very†¦ informative. You may take your seat now while the Council votes.† Abe and I returned to our bench. â€Å"What in the world were you thinking?† he whispered. â€Å"I was telling it like it is. I was defending myself.† â€Å"I wouldn't go that far. You're no lawyer.† I gave him a sidelong look. â€Å"Neither are you, old man.† The judge asked the Council to vote on whether they believed there was enough evidence to make me a viable suspect and send me to trial. They did. Eleven hands went up. Just like that, it was over. Through the bond, I felt Lissa's alarm. As Abe and I rose to leave, I looked out in the audience, which was starting to disband and buzzing with talk over what would happen now. Her light green eyes were wide, her face unusually pale. Beside her, Adrian too looked distressed, but as he stared at me, I could see love and determination radiating. And in the back, behind both of them†¦ Dimitri. I hadn't even known he was here. His eyes were on me too, dark and endless. Only I couldn't read what he was feeling. His face betrayed nothing, but there was something in his eyes†¦ something intense and intimidating. The image of him ready to take down that group of guardians flashed through my mind, and something told me that if I asked, he would do it again. He would fight his way to me through this courtroom and do everything in his power to rescue me from it. A brushing of my hand distracted me from him. Abe and I had started to exit, but the aisle ahead of us was packed with people, bringing us to a halt. The touch against my hand was a small piece of paper shoved between my fingers. Glancing over, I saw Ambrose was sitting near the aisle, staring straight ahead. I wanted to ask what was going on, but some instinct kept me silent. Seeing as the line still wasn't moving, I hastily opened the paper, keeping it out of Abe's sight. The paper was tiny, its elegant cursive almost impossible to read. Rose, If you're reading this, then something terrible has happened. You probably hate me, and I don't blame you. I can only ask that you trust that what I did with the age decree was better for your people than what others had planned. There are some Moroi who want to force all dhampirs into service, whether they want it or not, by using compulsion. The age decree has slowed that faction down. However, I write to you with a secret you must put right, and it is a secret you must share with as few as possible. Vasilisa needs her spot on the Council, and it can be done. She is not the last Dragomir. Another lives, the illegitimate child of Eric Dragomir. I know nothing else, but if you can find this son or daughter, you will give Vasilisa the power she deserves. No matter your faults and dangerous temperament, you are the only one I feel can take on this task. Waste no time in fulfilling it. –Tatiana Ivashkov I stared at the piece of paper, its writing swirling before me, but its message burning into my mind. She is not the last Dragomir. Another lives. If that was true, if Lissa had a half-brother or half-sister†¦ it would change everything. She would get a vote on the Council. She would no longer be alone. If it was true. If this was from Tatiana. Anyone could sign her name to a piece of paper. It didn't make it real. Still, I shivered, troubled at the thought of getting a letter from a dead woman. If I allowed myself to see the ghosts around us, would Tatiana be there, restless and vengeful? I couldn't bring myself to let down my walls and look. Not yet. There had to be other answers. Ambrose had given me the note. I needed to ask him†¦ except we were moving down the aisle again. A guardian nudged me along. â€Å"What's that?† asked Abe, always alert and suspicious. I hastily folded the note back up. â€Å"Nothing.† The look he gave me told me he didn't believe that at all. I wondered if I should tell him. It is a secret you must share with as few as possible. If he was one of the few, this wasn't the place. I tried to distract him from it and shake the dumbstruck look that must have been on my face. This note was a big problem–but not quite as big as the one immediately facing me. â€Å"You told me I wouldn't go to trial,† I said to Abe. My earlier annoyance returned. â€Å"I took a big chance with you!† â€Å"It wasn't a big chance. Tarus couldn't have got you out of this either.† Abe's easy attitude about all this infuriated me further. â€Å"Are you saying you knew this hearing was a lost cause from the beginning?† It was what Mikhail had said too. How nice to have such faith from everyone. â€Å"This hearing wasn't important,† Abe said evasively. â€Å"What happens next is.† â€Å"And what is that exactly?† He gave me that dark, sly gaze again. â€Å"Nothing you need to worry about yet.† One of the guardians put his hand on my arm, telling me I needed to move. I resisted his pull and leaned toward Abe. â€Å"The hell I don't! This is my life we're talking about,† I exclaimed. I knew what would come next. Imprisonment until the trial. And then more imprisonment if I was convicted. â€Å"This is serious! I don't want to go to trial! I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a place like Tarasov.† The guard tugged harder, pushing us forward, and Abe fixed me with a piercing gaze that made my blood run cold. â€Å"You will not go to trial. You will not go to prison,† he hissed, out of the guards' hearing. â€Å"I won't allow it. Do you understand?† I shook my head, confused over so much and not knowing what to do about any of it. â€Å"Even you have your limits, old man.† His smile returned. â€Å"You'd be surprised. Besides, they don't even send royal traitors to prison, Rose. Everyone knows that.† I scoffed. â€Å"Are you insane? Of course they do. What else do you think they do with traitors? Set them free and tell them not to do it again?† â€Å"No,† said Abe, just before he turned away. â€Å"They execute traitors.† Many thanks to all the friends and family who have lent their considerable support to me as I worked on this, especially my amazing and patient husband. I know I couldn't get through this without you! Special thanks also to my pal Jen Ligot and her eagle eyes. On the publishing side, I'm always grateful for the hard work of my agent Jim McCarthy, as well as everyone else at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management–including Lauren Abramo, who helps spread Vampire Academy around the world. Thank you also to the gang at Penguin Books–Jessica Rothenberg, Ben Schrank, Casey McIntyre, and so many others–who work a lot of magic for this series. My publishers outside the U.S. are also doing wonderful things for getting the word out about Rose, and I'm constantly amazed to see the growing international response. Thank you so much for all you do. A last shout-out to my readers, whose continued enthusiasm still overwhelms me. Thank you for reading and loving these characters as much as I do.