Demanding Rights From The Beginning Franklin And Caillat...

Demanding Rights from the Beginning: Franklin and Caillat Fight for Respect We hear all the time that we learn from our past, but is that true? Inequalities have been around for thousands of years; we are still surrounded by prejudice and differences every day. So do we truly learn from our past? Women’s rights and women’s equality issues have been around for a long time because of the need for respect, equality and voting rights. Two songs relating these issues include â€Å"Respect† by Aretha Franklin (1967) and Try by Colbie Caillat (2014). Respect was originally written by Otis Redding (1965), but the reason I chose the Aretha Franklin version (1967) was to use her voice and her style of music to set and relay the theme of women s rights. Try is a Colbie Caillat (2014) original which is about being yourself no matter what society thinks of you. Most women obsess over their image because of how society has shaped us to think that we, as women, should wear makeup and conform to society. Society has lowered women’s confidence lev els because â€Å"social norms† consist of women wearing makeup, curling or straightening our hair, or painting our nails. When we conform to the â€Å"social norms† we are lowering our confidence because we feel as if we cannot go out in public without â€Å"making ourselves up†. Both songs speak about the same issue of women’s rights; they also have the same tone of being respected, being worthy, and being confident. Some people think that respect is a value

Analysis Of Jodi Picoult s My Sister s Keeper Essay

Existence precedes essence. These three words sum up existentialism in a nutshell and is the single most important of all of its theories. Originating from a nineteenth century Danish philosopher, this theory is still found throughout many literary works. Among these literary works is Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, a novel in which the theory of existentialism is actively present and found in many elements of the story. These elements, upon further observation, exhibit the six major concepts or existentialism: existence, freedom, facticity, despair, absurdity, and atheism. It can be noted therefore, that the critical theory of existentialism is evident in Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, as all of the aforementioned concepts are present in various elements within the novel. The term existentialism is derived from the word existence, which means simply to have a physical presence. To exist is the only thing that is predetermined, while the essence-which consists of the identity of a person-, comes second, and is created by the individual. Life has no purpose; therefore it is important that an individual embraces the idea of merely existing. Jean Paul Sartre, a famous French existentialist, writes in his work - Existentialism is Humanism, â€Å"Man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself† (Sartre). Since it is up to the individual to determine their own meaning to life, they are responsible for themselves only, and no one else. AnnaShow MoreRelatedMy Sisters Keeper and Morality1345 Words   |  6 PagesMy Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult Where is the line with choices? How is a decision determined to be right or wrong? These are some of the questions that summarize the concept of the book My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Anna, the protagonist, files a law suit against her parents, Brian and Sara, because they forced her to make medical decisions that were not her own. Anna is sympathetic with her sister’s condition and has given all she can to ensure Kate’s recovery from leukemia. Yet the

Sicut Cervus free essay sample

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was an Italian Renaissance composer of spiritual music and the best ­known 16th ­century representative of the Roman School of musical composition. He has had a marvelous influence on the development of church music, and his work has often been seen as the culmination of Renaissance polyphony. Palestrinas masses show how his compositional style developed over time. One of the symbols of Palestrinas music is that dissonances are typically credited to the weak beats in a measure. This produced a smoother and more consonant type of polyphony which we now consider late Renaissance music, given Palestrinas position as Europes leading composer. In this piece, Sicut Cervus, Palestrina uses the smooth style of 16th century polyphony. It speaks of a deer longing for spring, a soul longing for you, and God. He had written three sections of music, with parts taken out then added in. Palestrina wrote this piece as the first part of a double motet. Musical Content In this piece, Palestrina is using metaphoric context to describe how an individual longing for God is exactly how a deer longs for springs of water. It starts out with the tenor part singing â€Å" As the deer longs for springs of water†, which is when overlapped by the other parts because it is emphasizing springs of water which is compared to God. So all throughout the middle piece, each part sings back and forth beautifully, which represents a musical â€Å"sigh†. As the notes soar, the longing builds and you can see that Palestrine was trying to imitate an almost perfect expression of the human yearning for God . At the end of the song, everything is taken into a peaceful manner because you are going to praise God. Everyone is trying to be at peace because they all want to see and praise God. The song comes to a peaceful end on a note of hope that one day they shall all see God together. Type of Piece This piece here Palestrina created is a polyphonic texture. It is in duple meter and is also a motet in the F major key. Also, it from Psalm 42. The translation of the piece is â€Å" As a deer longs for springs of water, so my soul longs for you, O God†. The Strategic Plan Palestrina had a simple but complex way when it came to his strategic plan in this piece. The piece is text ­ driven as is written as a simile. Palestrina used Aesthetic appeal, emotional power, and intellectual depth to make this piece a true masterpiece. Part of Palestrina is strategic plan was to write the piece as a simile. He used the translation from Psalm 42, â€Å" As a deer longs for springs of water, so my soul longs for you†. First off, this line is represented throughout the motet, like a simile. The deer longing for springs of water is a simile as to how the soul longs for God. Each part is put into three sections, because Palestrina is comparing â€Å" As a deer longs for springs of water† and â€Å" my soul longs for you†. Palestrina also uses â€Å"so† or â€Å"ita† to put the simile together, he uses this to show what is being compared and to help show that the deer longs for water is the same as the soul longs for God. Palestrina also shows text ­painting when has the notes flowing just like the flowing of water when it says water. The springs of water is a comparison to God. Also, he when it states in the piece ,† my soul longs† the notes go down because the soul is connected to Earth. This is also a connection to how the notes go higher when it reaches God because God is up in heaven. As a result, the strategic plan was to make the piece a simile and show how towards the end God and the soul come closer together, which would be considered the stretto, because it symbolizes God and the human soul together at last. Compositional Techniques Used This piece is text driven, beginning with â€Å"like† or â€Å"as† which means it has a simile in the piece. Similes have three parts in the sentence? the first comparison, the â€Å"like† or â€Å"as† and the second comparison. Palestrina has three parts, or sections right when the cadences happen. The second section is shorter than one and three, having only two voices. The entrances are a bit imitative, every cadence. The melodic line moves diatonic, complex frame and shows the mood and characters throughout the text, with four voices. Form and Structure Contrast is the form in this 5th species masterpiece, because all three sections had different text painting to construct the feeling, and motion of the piece. With the heroic help of polyphonic texture that happens throughout the piece, it helps balance the voice parts throughout all three sections, and also helps all the voices come to harmonize together throughout the piece, that ALSO help to create the contrast of this masterpiece. Then with all these little pieces of incredible creations coming together to create this masterpiece, also helped create the strong, and powerful structure of this piece. The cause of this strong and powerful structure mainly comes from the word and text painting that comes together to help stabilize the harmony, and balance that is listened to threw out the masterpiece. Sections: There are exactly 3 sections in the motet. Each section connects in some way and has an inner meaning. The first section is based on the springs of water, which is represented through the notes. The next section about â€Å"Ita† which shows how the piece is a simile and it also shows how the soul is connected to Earth just like God is connected to Heaven. Lastly, the third section is the stretto and shows how in the end the soul and God will be together. As a result, each section relates to each other because they are part of a simile, which forms a connection to the strategic plan of the entire piece.

Muses of Marylyn Monroe

What wonderful powers lead people to their fame and success? What or who can motivate and stimulate creativity and talent? Many years ago the antique authors found the answer to this question with developing the myth about the Muses who inspired artists and their teacher Apollo. Nevertheless, the secret of the enormous glory of the famous people was not solved because behind each talent is a unique destiny.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Muse’s of Marylyn Monroe specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More When today people speak about the most vivid cultural phenomena and extraordinary figures of the 20th century they always mention the name of Marilyn Monroe. This actress made a real revolution in the public’s minds of the 1950s years and became the forever legend of cinematography in spite of the fact her talents were not appreciated by critics. It is possible to say that her secret was in her extr eme charm and magic attraction because this woman always smiled and looked happy. However, her smile was the mask of her great loneliness, trying to avoid which Marilyn Monroe directed all her efforts to her career success. Thus, the loneliness and desire of recognition became Monroe’s main forces toward the fame, became her Muses which followed her since birth to death. Marilyn Monroe not only devoted her short and vivid life to art of cinematography and Apollo’s goddesses but also she herself became the goddess of the whole cultural era. While observing vibrant pictures in many magazines and colorful posters, it is difficult to imagine all that pain, loneliness, and misunderstanding which were common for Monroe’s everyday life since her early years. Norma Jeane Mortenson, later known as Marilyn Monroe, was born on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles. Norma’s mother, Gladys, was an ordinary woman, and the father was unknown to the girl. The family suffered from poverty, but the real tragedy of little Norma Jeane was the mental illness of her mother. When Gladys was taken to hospital Norma Jeane began to change the orphanages and foster homes where she could not find the necessary love and support (â€Å"The Marilyn Monroe Biography†). Her character formed under the influence of difficult life conditions and the enormous feeling of loneliness. Norma Jeane was too young when she understood that she can trust only herself, â€Å"I learned also that the best way to keep out of trouble was by never complaining or asking for anything† (Spoto 123). Nevertheless, it seemed that Norma Jeane can get a chance to have a family when her mother’s friend Grace took her from the orphanage, but at the age of sixteen the girl had to look for new ways to cope with her difficult living conditions. Grace decided that the best variant for Norma Jeane could be marrying a good man. Jim Dougherty was considered as the best party for the girl.A dvertising Looking for research paper on biography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Norma Jean got everything she wanted because now she had her own home, family, and the social status (Morgan). However, the feeling of loneliness did not disappear. Norma Jeane’s husband spent a lot of time abroad, and the young girl suffered from boredom. In 1944 Norma Jeane worked at factory, and she with other women from the factory was photographed for the promotion of the working woman’s image in the Army (Morgan). The girl’s interesting appearance attracted David Conover, one of the photographers. It was the start of Norma Jeane’s career as a model and the end of her marriage with Dougherty. Describing her marriage, she said that it â€Å"didn’t make me sad, but it didn’t make me happy either. My husband and I hardly spoke to each other† (Spoto 201). Moreover, the career of a model could gi ve her proving her beauty and the feeling of personal significance because the lack of it influenced the development of her many psychological problems and inner complexes (Leaming). Norma Jeane became a famous model who worked for such magazines as Life and Sir. This fact could become the highest top of her career, but in 1946 she signed the contract with Twentieth Century-Fox Studios. Norma Jeane’s first role in Scudda-Hoo! Scudda-Hay! was too small, but she was happy because this new life seemed to be unfamiliar and very interesting for her, full of surprises (Morgan). Moreover, it was the best way to gain the public’s recognition. To be ready for a successful career of an actress, Norma Jeane chooses the pseudonym ‘Marilyn Monroe’. Marilyn was sure that she could have the wonderful future because even when she worked as a model she tried to improve her appearance and prepared for the public’s attention. Thus, she was waiting for the recognition and praise and persistently tried to achieve it. It was very important for her to gain the status of a movie star (Leaming). In spite of the fact the contract with the studio was not extended, Marilyn continued to take the lessons in order to improve her actress’s skills. She stated: My illusions didn’t have anything to do with being a fine actress. I knew how third rate I was. I could actually feel my lack of talent, as if it were cheap clothes I was wearing inside. But, my God, how I wanted to learn, to change, to improve! (Spoto 209).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Muse’s of Marylyn Monroe specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Monroe’s efforts and charm were noticed, and she got the role in Ladies of the Chorus (1948) in which she sang her first song. However, directors of the studios and the public did not consider her as a serious actress. Marilyn began to receive her first significant roles only in 1950. The movies were known as The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and Clash By Night (1952). Monroe’s acting attracted the critics’ attention, and in 1952 she also received the leading part in Don’t Bother to Knock. However, the film was not successful, and the leaders of the studios began to blame Monroe for her bad acting and the failure of the movie (Morgan). Marilyn thought that it was too injustice, and she was alone with her feelings and sufferings again. She noted that â€Å"creativity has got to start with humanity and when you’re a human being, you feel, you suffer† (Spoto 124). Nevertheless, her inner world was only her territory, and nobody could observe her real feelings. It was typical for her to combine the great optimism with disastrous depressions (Leaming). Marilyn found the way to avoid depressions caused by the enormous feeling of loneliness in love. It was necessary for her to feel the love of the public and of those men who were with her. That is why when she met Joe DiMaggio in 1952 she thought that this man could give her that love the lack of which Monroe felt since her early childhood living without her father. She said about DiMaggio, â€Å"he treated me like something special. Joe is a very decent man, and he makes other people feel decent, too!† (Spoto 126). Nevertheless, DiMaggio was not ready to share his wife with a lot of fans and dreamt about a loving housewife, but not a popular actress (Morgan). Marilyn also felt that her husband did not share her success in such movies as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), and Seven Year Itch (1954) (Morgan). When Marilyn began to achieve her goals and her dreams became true she did not feel the support of close people again. To overcome the attacks of depression, Marilyn began to study at Michael Chekhov’s classes. â€Å"As Michael’s pupil, I learned more about acting. I learned psycho logy, history, and the good manners of art – taste† (Barris 78). It was that place where she felt happy and significant, where she felt being a real actress. Her attempts to improve her acting, develop her inner world, and receive some necessary knowledge were motivated by her extreme desire to find herself as a person, to understand her real nature: I’m trying to find myself as a person, sometimes that’s not easy to do. Millions of people live their entire lives without finding themselves. But it is something I must do. The best way for me to find myself as a person is to prove to myself that I am an actress (Barris 137). Trying to find herself, Marilyn lost her husband, the marriage was broken as a result of DiMaggio and Monroe’s misunderstandings. When she had to choose between her career and marriage she chose the career, because she felt that love expressed by her public, and she did not feel the love of her husband who only wanted to change he r (Morgan).Advertising Looking for research paper on biography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More During this period Monroe think about the lack of serious roles in her career, she dreams to get a really significant role in an interesting movie. However, she has a definite reputation, and nobody discusses her acting seriously (Leaming). That is why Marilyn joined the Actors Studio in 1955 and began to take the lessons of Lee Strasberg, the famous drama coach. He was one of those few people who could see her talent and considered her as a gifted actress (Morgan). He said that she had â€Å"a luminous quality – a combination of wistfulness, radiance, yearning, that set her apart and yet made everyone wish to be part of it, to share in the childlike naà ¯vetà © which was at once so shy and yet so vibrant† (Barris 154). In spite of Michael Chekhov and Lee Strasberg’s praises and acknowledgements of Monroe’s talents, there always were critics who accentuated only the actress’s weaknesses. According to David Thomson, the American critic, Marilyn co uld not even say two lines at once, and he did not believe that Lee Strasberg really appraised her talents (Leaming). When Marilyn Monroe observed such commentaries she thought that the only way for her was to smile more openly, conceal her real feelings, and do as much as possible to develop her abilities. She was very dependent on the public’s vision of her acting (Morgan). High assessments stimulated her activity and gave her the optimistic state of mood when negative reactions caused her depressions and made her feeling lonely. Monroe could be touchy and sensitive, but she was never indifferent to the other people’s thoughts about her acting and personality. Marilyn also said that â€Å"it’s better for the whole world to know you, even as a sex star, than never to be known at all†, but at the same time she stated, â€Å"I want to be an artist, not an erotic freak. I don’t want to be sold to the public as a celluloid aphrodisical† (Spoto 128). The actress’s way to the Hollywood’s tops always depend not only on her drama talents but also on her appearance. Monroe’s appearance was so remarkable that it determined the special fashion style for the long period of time. Every woman dreamt to look like Marilyn, and every man dreamt about Marilyn. Monroe’s appearance was a result of her everyday hard work. First, Marilyn developed her image because of the desire to be loved by the public and attract its attention. Then her appearance became her main actor’s tool, and it was almost impossible to change the public’s perception of Marilyn as a beautiful doll (â€Å"The Marilyn Monroe Biography†). Nevertheless, in spite of different considerations about Monroe’s talents as an actress, there were very few people who did not admire her as a wonderful woman. Marilyn received the audience’s admiration which was her inner desire from the early years, but now she was not a young dreamful girl. She was a woman who wanted to be considered as a serious actress and, first of all, as a personality. Marilyn ironically noted, â€Å"I don’t want to make money. I just want to be wonderful† (Barris 130). When Monroe met Arthur Miller she was ready to create a real family with analyzing her previous unhappy experiences. Now Marilyn could even choose her family instead of her career successes. Marilyn thought she was happy in her marriage with Miller (Morgan). It seemed that her Muse of loneliness left her, and all her efforts were directed toward creating a lovely nest at home. Moreover, Monroe was pregnant and felt that now she could realize all her love. However, the atmosphere of happiness in Monroe’s family was not long. Marilyn’s pregnancy resulted in the miscarriage, and it was too difficult for her to overcome the following depression. That is why Monroe experienced the drug therapy and used a lot of tranquilizers as the par t of her psychotherapy (â€Å"The Marilyn Monroe Biography†). Her marriage with Arthur Miller was also broken because they were very different people. Marilyn did not receive the necessary support from her husband, and she had to cope with all her problems by herself. The Muse returned with Marilyn’s failures in the private life and stimulated her to act more and more vividly. Her talents developed greatly from Some Like It Hot (1958) to The Misfits (1961) (Morgan). However, the successes in her career could not give Marilyn satisfaction any more. Monroe understood that â€Å"it’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone†, but once her loneliness became so extreme that only drugs could help her cope with it (â€Å"The Marilyn Monroe Biography†). It was typical for Marilyn to feel guilty for almost everything including her imperfect behavior and acting. The only remedy for Marilyn’s depression could be the public’s praise. â€Å"I feel stronger if the people around me on the set love me, care for me, and hold good thoughts for me. It creates an aura of love, and I believe I can give a better performance† (Barris 29). Even her ex-husband Arthur Miller stated that, â€Å"to have survived, she would have had to be either more cynical or even further from reality than she was† (Spoto 139). Some people said that Hollywood was her single love, and it â€Å"broke her heart† (Thomas). The real peculiarities of Marilyn Monroe’s death in 1962 are still unknown. There are many versions of the tragedy including the possibilities of murdering and committing suicide (Morgan). Monroe’s absence of abilities to survive in the dangerous and cruel world of Hollywood led to her tragic demise. She always tried to become more beautiful, more talented, more perfect, but those people who were close to her rarely noticed her attempts and considered her aims not seriously. It seemed that Mari lyn Monroe’s talents flourished against the critique and mockeries, and her Muse developed on the base of her difficult inner world and private deep feelings. During all her life Monroe tried to get rid of the thought that she is worse than other people because there are so many great talented persons around her (â€Å"The Marilyn Monroe Biography†). Different famous people find their inspiration and their Muses in various things. The secret of Marilyn Monroe’s fame was in her inner tragedy and enormous loneliness. Marilyn did not feel the support of her mother and father in the childhood. She also did not feel the support of her husbands when she became the famous actress, and the public which now praises her comedian gift was not always so merciful to Monroe’s works. However, Marilyn always tried to find the powers and go with her head up, but one day in 1962 her lonely way ended. Works Cited Barris, George. Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words. USA: Cita del, 2001. Print. Leaming, Barbara. Marilyn Monroe. USA: Three Rivers Press, 2000. Print. Morgan, Michelle. Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed. USA: Carroll Graf, 2007. Print. Spoto, Donald. Marilyn Monroe: The Biography. USA: Cooper Square Press, 2001. Print. The Marilyn Monroe Biography. n.d. Web. Thomas, Michelle. Hello Again, Norma Jean. 18 Jul. 2006. Web. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2006-07-18-0607170102-story.html This research paper on Muse’s of Marylyn Monroe was written and submitted by user Jaxon E. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Quotes About the Joys of Winter

Quotes About the Joys of Winter Come winter and the world is covered with a white sheet of snow. Kids welcome winter by catching the first few snowflakes in their mouth. For adults, winter brings a slew of festivities like skiing, snowboarding, sled dog racing, and many others. And then there is Christmas. Christmas on a wintry December night brings families closer as they cozy up around a warm hearth. Revel in the joys of winter while you sip your ale and read these winter quotes. Pietro AretinoLet us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. George HerbertEvery mile is two in winter. Mignon McLaughlinSpring, summer, and fall fill us with hope; winter alone reminds us of the human condition. William BlakeIn seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. Edith SitwellWinter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. Victor HugoWinter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart. William BradfordAnd for the season it was winter, and they that know the winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent, and subject to cruel and fierce storms. Boris PasternakIt snowed and snowed, the whole world over, Snow swept the world from end to end. A candle burned on the table; A candle burned. Virginia WoolfNever are voices so beautiful as on a winters evening, when dusk almost hides the body, and they seem to issue from nothingness with a note of intimacy seldom heard by day. Charles DickensLooking up, she showed him quite a young face, but one whose bloom and promise were all swept away as if the haggard winter should unnaturally kill the spring. Elizabeth BowenAutumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day. HeraclitusGod is day and night, winter and summer, war and peace, surfeit and hunger. Albert CamusIn the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. Robert FrostYou cant get too much winter in the winter. Sinclair LewisWinter is not a season, it’s an occupation.

The 13 Best Places to Visit in Paris

The 13 Best Places to Visit in Paris SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You only need a glimpse to know what they are: the barest outline of the Eiffel Tower or a few flying buttresses of Notre Dame are usually enough to identify the most famous Paris attractions. Located in one of the best known and most visited cities in the world, Paris’ top sites are, in fact, so popular and so heavily visited that touring the city can sometimes feel like pushing through a sea of tourists as you each struggle to complete the same sightseeing checklist. It shouldn't feel this way! Paris is a huge city filled with diverse sights, some better known than others. It’s not difficult to step off the tourist trail and find yourself in authentic Paris, surrounded by native Parisians and visiting places that don’t have their images plastered on every dish towel and ashtray filling the tourist shops. However, a desire to see a more unique and realistic view of Paris doesn’t mean you should skip the main attractions. It would be an odd (and likely disappointing) itinerary that didn’t include the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. The key is to find a balance between the popular attractions that define our image of Paris and the lesser-known sights that let you see another side of the city and get a better idea of what Paris is like for locals. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the top 13 Paris attractions and organized them into four categories: architecture, museums, churches, and parks. Together, these categories make up much of our popular vision of Paris. For each category, the best-known sight (or sights) is listed first, followed by two lesser-known but equally enjoyable options. At the end of the guide, I’ve included a three-day itinerary you can follow on your visit to Paris, along with ways to customize it to your particular interests. This itinerary will introduce you to off-the-radar places rarely visited by tourists as well as give insider tips and guidelines for visiting some of the most popular Paris attractions. The Top 13 Places to Visit in Paris Architecture Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe Palais Garnier Museums Louvre Musà ©e d’Orsay Musà ©e Rodin Musà ©e du quai Branly Churches Notre Dame Cathedral Sacrà ©-Coeur Basilica St Denis Basilica Parks Luxembourg Gardens Cimetiere de Pere Lachaise Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Here's a map of 12 of the 13 locations (St. Denis is to the north). You can also view the map online. Architecture Best Known: The Eiffel Tower The worldwide symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is about as â€Å"must-see† as an attraction can get. It hasn't always been so popular though. There’s a legend that famed French writer Guy de Maupassant hated the Eiffel Tower so intensely that every day he’d eat lunch under it because it was the only place in the city where he couldn’t see it. These days it’s quite easy to wander around many parts of Paris without catching a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, so you should try to make your first sight of it memorable. One of the grandest views is at the Trocadà ©ro Metro stop. While there are stops that are closer to the tower, none can match the view of the Eiffel Tower suddenly springing into existence and filling most of the skyline as you step out of the station. The best times for viewing the Eiffel Tower are early in the morning, before most tourists and vendors have gotten up, and at night, when the tower lights up every hour, on the hour. For five minutes the Eiffel Tower is transformed into a sparkling structure that looks almost as if it has been covered with a fine piece of glittery lace. It’s also possible to go up the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel Tower tickets are very popular so, if you choose to do this, be sure to reserve your tickets at least several days ahead of time (particularly in the summer) to avoid long lines. There are three different levels you can stop at, with most people finding the middle level to offer the best photo opportunities. The Eiffel Tower also has two restaurants, Le 58 Tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne Restaurant. If you're interested in dining at one of them, book several weeks in advance to ensure you get a spot. Arc de Triomphe Another symbol of the city, the Arc de Triomphe is located at the western end of Paris’ most famous street, the Champs-Elysà ©es. Built in honor of those who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc de Triomphe also contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI and an eternal flame in remembrance of those who died in both World Wars. While most people are content to simply take a picture of the Arc de Triomphe and continue on with their shopping (or window shopping) along the Champs-Elysà ©es, this site is in fact my pick for the best attraction in Paris to ascend to the top of. It’s much more popular to travel up the Eiffel Tower, but going to the top of the Arc de Triomphe is cheaper, far less crowded (no need for advance tickets), and, above all, it gives you a better view of Paris. This is because your view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe will include the Eiffel Tower anchoring Paris’ skyline which, as Monsieur Maupassant knew, the view from the Eiffel Tower does not. Palais Garnier Located near two of Paris’ major department stores, the Palais Garnier is a historic opera house and one of the loveliest buildings in Paris. It’s also one of the most famous opera houses in the world and was the setting for the novel and musical Phantom of the Opera. The best way to visit is during one of its evening performances (there are actually more ballet performances here than opera these days) when you can mingle with the hoi polloi of Paris. However, even people with no interest in attending a show will enjoy seeing the building’s opulent interior which is practically dripping with chandeliers and gold leaf. Highlights include the grand staircase, Grand Foyer, Salon de la Lune, and the Auditorium, with its vibrant ceiling painting by Marc Chagall. This architectural sight is a nice contrast to some of Paris’ better known buildings, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, since its interior is the main draw. The Palais Garnier can be visited daily by self-guided tours which allow access to each of the aforementioned sights as well as a small museum. Museums Best Known #1: The Louvre Not only the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre is also the largest, with over 35,000 objects on display, a thought that excites some but causes others to shudder at the idea of shuffling past miles of oil paintings. The trick to the Louvre is to use its size to your advantage; it’s collection is so vast that there’s truly something here to interest everyone. Hit the top attractions first: Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Venus de Milo are the three most popular pieces to view. Then, struggle free of the crowds and head to whichever galleries strike your fancy. It’s helpful to review a map of the museum beforehand and arrive at the Louvre museum with a game plan. There are as many paintings as you could ever want to see, and, if you’re interested in something different, there are also galleries devoted to Islamic art, recreations of Napoleon’s apartments, sculpture gardens, and more. You may find the Louvre quieter if you visit right when it opens or in the afternoons (particularly Wednesday when it’s open until 10pm), but, more often than not, there will be a line to purchase Louvre tickets and crowding around the main attractions. Particularly around the Mona Lisa, it’s best to just give in and accept the selfie sticks, then escape to a quieter part of the museum. Best Known #2: Musà ©e d’Orsay A shade less well-known than the Louvre, the Musà ©e d’Orsay is often the preferred museum of travelers who visit both. A main reason for this is because the Musà ©e d’Orsay is often seen as far less overwhelming than the Louvre: its lines are typically much shorter, its galleries less crowded, and it has roughly 4,000 works on display compared to the Louvre’s 35,000. Both museums have top-notch buildings, but people who prefer contemporary architecture may be more drawn to the Musà ©e d’Orsay’s setting in an old railway station. While the Musà ©e d’Orsay doesn’t have any pieces as famous as the Mona Lisa, it houses the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces in the world, including Monet’s Blue Water Lilies, Renoir’s Montmartre, and Van Gogh’s Church at Auvers. Impressionist pieces are often very popular with visitors due to their bright colors and open composition, and if you are interested in this style of art, you may want to consider visiting the Musà ©e d’Orsay in place of, or in addition to, the Louvre. Musà ©e Rodin Image source: Vincius Pinheiro/Flickr The Musà ©e Rodin is the museum for people who hate museums or are burnt out from museums. It features pieces by Auguste Rodin, one of the world’s most famous sculptures, known for the realism and emotion in his works. The majority of pieces are showcased in the attractive mansion Rodin used to live and work in, but the highlight is the adjacent sculpture garden. Here, visitors can wander through manicured gardens with some of Rodin’s most famous pieces, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, lining the paths and tucked into grassy alcoves. Visitors can also take a rest or read the newspaper in one of the chairs situated next to the pond at the edge of garden. Wandering through the museum gardens on a sunny day is one of the most enjoyable ways I know to get a dose of art and culture. It’s possible to visit just the gardens, and, at 4 euros, it’s also one of the best deals in Paris. Musà ©e du quai Branly Image source: Julien Texier/Flickr The Musà ©e du quai Branly is the place to visit for people interested in international art or those who can’t handle looking at one more Renaissance-era painting. Situated close to the Eiffel Tower, the first thing you’ll notice about this museum is the lush vertical gardens covering its outer walls. They’re the first sign that this museum prides itself on its individuality. Inside are art and cultural objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. This is one of Paris’ newest museums, opened in 2006, and it makes good use of technological advances and interactive displays. Cutting through the middle of the museum is a winding sculptural â€Å"river’† with interactive panels, meant to connect the different exhibits and guide visitors through the museum. Even people not normally interested in the sort of objects the Musà ©e du quai Branly displays may enjoy visiting if they need a quiet refuge from the Eiffel Tower. There are no individual rooms and few displays to read, so the museum seems airier and less intimidating than most. Musà ©e du quai Branly is also open later than almost all other museums in Paris (until either 7pm or 9pm each night), so it also makes a good option if you’re wondering what to do in Paris at night. Churches Best Known: Notre Dame Cathedral Visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, with its flying buttresses and rose stained-glass windows, is one of the top things to do in Paris, and practically everyone who visits the city makes it to this Gothic masterpiece. There is almost always a line snaking out the doors, but since admission is free and there is no checkpoint to pass, it moves quite quickly, so don’t be daunted. If you’d like to avoid the crowds anyway, try arriving early in the morning, before 10:00am. You can also visit the bell towers (for a fee), but the wait is often several hours due to the limited number of people allowed up at a time. If you’re interested in doing this, try to get in line before doors open at 10:00am to reduce waiting time. Notre Dame is located on the ÃŽle de la Cità ©, a small island in the middle of the Seine River and the historical center of Paris. In addition to Notre Dame, there are two other Medieval buildings on the island which you can visit: the Sainte-Chapelle church and the Conciergerie prison, where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution in 1793. Sacrà ©-Coeur Basilica Despite its relative youth (it was only completed in 1914), Sacrà ©-Coeur is a popular Parisian attraction, though not as highly visited as Notre Dame. Its attractive onion domes look straight out of the Byzantine, but there are a few clues that show Sacre-Coeur’s true age. Once inside, see if you can spot the anachronistic-looking painting of businessmen hidden amongst all the religious figures in the ceiling mural. They were added in recognition of some of the Basilica’s most important donors. Sacre-Coeur was built on the highest point in the city, and reaching the top (either by taking a funicular or climbing a few hundred steps) offers fantastic views of Paris. Surrounding Sacre-Coeur is Montmartre, one of Paris’ most interesting and popular neighborhoods. There are tourists here, but there are also art studios, bistros, and cobblestone streets leading to traditional walled gardens. It’s a great place to feel the bohemian vibe of a bygone Paris. St. Denis Basilica This is the church to visit for people interested in history (or royals or over-the-top tombs). Located just outside the city limits, in a northern suburb, St. Denis Basilica is an easy 20-minute ride on line 13 from the city center. While hardly noticed by tourists, it is here that 43 kings and 32 queens of France, including Marie Antoinette, are buried. The site has been used as a burial place since Roman times, and nearly every French king between the 10th and 18th centuries came to rest here. The building itself is also important. Completed in 1144, it’s often considered the world’s first Gothic church. Parks Best Known: Luxembourg Gardens The wonderful thing about the Luxembourg Gardens is that they are hugely appealing to tourists yet not at all a tourist attraction. These gardens are well-loved and well-frequented by the citizens of Paris, and many Parisians spent their childhood afternoons launching toy sailboats into the ponds or playing games on the lawn. No matter when you visit, even at the height of tourist season in July and August, you can be sure that a fair percentage of the other people enjoying the Luxembourg Gardens are native Parisians, which is not true of many of Paris’ other top attractions. After a day of rushing from one attraction to another, come to these gardens to see how Paris relaxes and join in on the (in)action. Stroll through the gardens, play a game of tennis, admire the fountains, or just pull up a chair (there always seems to be vacant ones) and let the afternoon drift by. Pà ¨re-Lachaise Cemetery Pà ¨re-Lachaise is, in fact, a cemetery rather than just a park, but it includes many walking paths as well as sitting areas within its confines. And this isn’t just any cemetery; Pà ¨re-Lachaise is the place to be buried in Paris. It’s the largest cemetery within the city, with an estimated one million people buried here. Hundreds of famous names, both Parisians and foreigners, have made this their final resting place, and demand is so high for space that plots are often purchased only for 10, 30, or 50 years, to be exhumed when the â€Å"lease† is up and moved to another area. Some of the most famous people to be buried in Pà ¨re-Lachaise include writer Oscar Wilde, singer Edith Piaf, composer Frà ©dà ©ric Chopin, and, most visited of all, American rocker Jim Morrison. Morrison’s grave is, in fact, so popular that it has been fenced off and a guard posted nearby to prevent fans from doing illicit activities near (and on) his grave. Pà ¨re-Lachaise can often feel like a maze with gravestones planted every which way, and finding a particular grave can be challenging. It helps to purchase a map at any of the shops flanking the cemetery before you plunge in. Additionally, the cemetery has been divided into different numbered sections to help you find your way, and there are signs at the main entrances that list where the most famous graves can be found. The catacombs are typically the attraction tourists visit when they want to come face-to-face with death in Paris, but I find them to often be hurried and overly touristic. As an alternative, I recommend Pà ¨re-Lachaise. There are no visible bones to gawk at, but it’s free to visit, you can wander at your own pace, and you’ll likely get a better sense of Paris’ history, the changes the city went through, and the luminaries who made this place their home. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Image source: Ard Hesselink/Flickr For those who like their parks a little wilder (and a lot less populated), Buttes-Chaumont is the place for you. Located in the 19th arrondissement, this park contains the standard flower beds, walking paths, and areas for play. In addition to all that, Buttes-Chaumont also has a collection of waterfalls, cliffs, and grottoes. This spot was formerly a quarry, which accounts for the steep changes in height throughout the park. If you want a bit of a workout, follow the suspension bridges across the artificial lake to the rocky island situated in the middle. Here, you can travel the steep stairway to the island’s highest point, where a miniature Temple to Sybil (a copy of a famous Roman temple) is hidden among the trees. The bustle of Paris may as well be a world away. The Best 3-Day Itinerary for Paris Attractions Three days is a great amount of time to get a taste for the City of Light. Following this itinerary will ensure you hit all the major Paris attractions without getting burned out: you'll hit all of the must-see locations, but there's plenty of flexibility to customize the itinerary to your particular interests and energy level. Day 1 Start your trip on Paris’ most famous street, the Champs-Elysà ©es. At the end stands the Arc de Triomphe. Buy a ticket to climb a few hundred stairs to the top where you can survey the city you’re about to explore. After you’ve gotten glimpse of the Eiffel Tower from afar, it’s time to visit it up close. Take the Metro to the Trocadà ©ro stop where you can choose to go to the top of the tower or simply admire it from the ground. After visiting the Eiffel Tower, visit the Musà ©e du Quai Branly or the Musà ©e de Rodin. After the sun goes down, you can watch the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower easily from either museum. The Musà ©e de Rodin has great views of the Eiffel Tower from the gardens, while the tower is just a short walk from the Musà ©e du Quai Branly. Day 2 On day two, arrive at the Louvre about 30 minutes before doors open at 9am to reduce the chances of crowds and long lines. Once inside, you’re free to spend as much time as you’d like surveying its vast collection. In the afternoon, get some fresh air by wandering the Ile de la Cità © and Notre Dame. Ile de la Cità © and the neighboring Latin Quarter on the left bank of the Seine River are some of the most attractive and historical parts of Paris, so spend some time enjoying the sites. Afterwards, the Luxembourg Gardens are close to the Latin Quarter for a picnic dinner and relaxation, or you could stop by a museum you didn’t get to visit the first day. Day 3 For the third morning, visit either the Musà ©e D’Orsay, or, if you want a smaller and quicker attraction (or just aren’t interested in any more museums), take a self-guided tour of the Palais Garnier. Both are great examples of the beauty of Parisian architecture. Spend the afternoon around the Montmartre area of Paris and visit the Sacrà © Coeur. This is a great area to have lunch and soak in the artistic, bohemian vibe in one of the many small cafes lining the streets. You then have a couple of choices for what to do next. If you want to keep the church theme going, catch a train to the St. Denis Basilica and check out its Gothic architecture and historical tombs. Or, if you’d prefer the graves you visit to be a bit more recent, take a walk through Pà ¨re-Lachaise Cemetery. Finally, if all you’re looking to do is relax, head over to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and enjoy the natural setting.

Minimum Wages Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Minimum Wages - Essay Example With both the Democrats and the Republican united on the issue of increase in the minimum wage a price hike is predicted in the near future. The current price of minimum wage is likely to rise from $5.15 to $ 6.15 in a phased manner spread over a period of 2 to 3 years. There has always been a clash of interest among organized labor groups and the business community. Organized labor group call for more competitive hike in minimum wage so that the workers enjoy a marked advancement in their standard of living. The business community is apprehensive of the economic consequences of rising minimum wage. Small business fears they would face a crunch forcing them to shut down their business or discourage new entrepreneurs due the rising cost of labor. Most small business organizations are in short of finance and hence if the cost of hiring labor is more then the profit generated then the costs are cut and expenses covered by making less recruitment. The business community at large predicts that the increases in cost of minimum wage would force them to lay off people and discourage them from making new recruitments thus increasing the rate of unemployment especially of the unskilled labors.