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Analysis Of The Canterbury Tales - 1806 Words

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of twenty-four stories regarding numerous pilgrims and their pilgrimage to Canterbury written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer. The subjects of these tales range from knights to the clergy to government officials. The various tales in the Work are presented in the manner of a contest at the Tabard Inn in London, in which the prize for the best story is a free meal upon their return. Chaucer’s first impressions of the Miller as a rude and sinful man continue to manifest as the tale progresses. After the Knight finishes his story and the Monk starts his, the Miller interrupts him and begins his tale, much to the disapproval of the pilgrims. Even the Miller himself warns the others that his tale will†¦show more content†¦However, this ideal of behavior is contrasted with the human reality of a cuckolded husband and his wife, for the â€Å"Knight’s courtly romance is succeeded by the Miller’s bawdy fabliau† (P opescu 32). These two tales being told in succession clearly shows the disparity between the human reality and ideal expectations during this time period. The main conflict in this this fabliau is between a Church clerk Absolon, Oxford clerk Nicholas, both of which exemplify the struggle between the ideal of the courtly lover and the reality of human sexuality. Both Absolon and Nicholas are pining over the young woman Alison, who is married to a carpenter significantly older than she. Both men are determined to get her to sleep with them, though they have very different approaches. From the very first lines, the Miller describes Nicholas as â€Å"skilled in secret love affairs† and who, after meeting the carpenter’s wife, â€Å"began with this young wife to fool and play† (Chaucer 242). While Nicholas is a very flirtatious man, Absolon, on the other hand, approaches her from the more traditional and accepted route. Rather than stooping to Nicholas’s vulga rity, he attempts to employ the â€Å"medieval discourses† of the ideal man behavior: â€Å"Christian masculinity, courtly masculinity, and discourse of the intellectual male† (Forbes 3). In fact, Absolon succeeds at many of these traits; he is a clerk of the Church, courts Alison respectfully, and is intelligent, as he canShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Canterbury Tales 1189 Words   |  5 Pagessuch examples following this concept is The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1478, and Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley 1818. Three characters in The Canterbury Tales (The Wife of Bath, The Pardoner, and The Knight) and The Monster in Frankenstein have developed a talent for successful storytelling, proven by their abilities to engage the audience with their pathos and passion. While storytelling is used differently in The Canterbury Tales (as a method of entertainment) than in FrankensteinRead MoreCanterbury Tales Analysis841 Words   |  4 PagesIn th e Canterbury Tales, Chaucer gives a detailed description of what life was like in Medieval times . In the â€Å"Prologue†, the reader comes to better understand the people of the time period through the characters words and actions. Chaucer uses a variety of groups of society to give the reader a deeper insight into the fourteenth century Pilgrims customs and values. Through the Court, Common people and the Church, Gregory Chaucer gives a detailed description of ordinary life in the medieval timesRead MoreCanterbury Tales Character Analysis1988 Words   |  8 Pages The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer, is a collection of tales and prologues of stories told by many characters whilst on a pilgrimage to the city of Canterbury. From religious figures such as nuns, monks and pardoners; to doctors, cooks and millers, this pilgrimage embarked on by many interesting people with stories that range from inspiring to gruesome. A few of the most predominant stories include those of the Prioress, the Summoner, the Wife of Bath, the Miller, and the Reeve. In theseRead MoreAnalysis Of The Canterbury Tales1157 Words   |  5 PagesThe Canterbury Tales, written by English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, is arguably the most notable yet controversial work of British Literature. Known as the Father of British Literature, Chaucer ultimately revolutionized both the English language and literature by refusing to follow the status quo and writing his works in Middle English instead of the more widely accepted languages at the time, such as Latin or French. Chaucer used The Canterbury Tales to target and satirize society of the Middle AgesRead MoreCanterbury Tales Analysis1124 Words   |  5 PagesIn Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, various people band together to go on a pilgrimage from England to Canterbury. Their aim is to see a shrine of St Thomas Beckett, the revered Archbishop of Canterbury who had reportedly healed others when they were ill. The pilgrims have a variety of occupations and are divided fairly evenly amongst the three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners). The pilgrims who are members of the clergy are ironically depicted as the least moral, compared to theRead MoreCanterbury Tales Analysis1934 Words   |  8 PagesUnderstanding the Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer is considered by many scholars to by the father of early English poetry literature. Prized for his literary talent and philosophic disposition, some of his best works include The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde (Encyclopedia of World Biography). The Canterbury Tales, in particular, shows a remarkable depiction of society during the Middle Ages. Through this piece of literary work, Chaucer provides powerful commentary the church, socialRead More Summary and Analysis of The Shipmans Tale (The Canterbury Tales)928 Words   |  4 PagesSummary and Analysis of The Shipmans Tale (The Canterbury Tales) Introduction to the Shipmans Tale: The Host asks the priest to tell a tale, but the Shipman interrupts, insisting that he will tell the next tale. He says that he will not tell a tale of physics or law or philosophy, but rather a more modest story. The Shipmans Tale: A merchant at St. Denis foolishly took a desirable woman for a wife who drained his income by demanding clothes and other fine array to make her appearRead MoreCanterbury Tales Character Analysis997 Words   |  4 Pageslanguages grants her access to the forms of power that patriarchy denies to women, establishing her character as an authoritative female through the authentication of English as a literary language. In the dissertation â€Å"Geoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales: Rhetoric and Gender in Marriage,† Andrea Marcotte analyzes Chaucer’s usage of ethos to grant the Wife authority in her male-dominated culture. Marcotte argues that the Wife reflects on her experiences in marriage throughout the general prologueRead MoreCanterbury Tales Character Analysis981 Words   |  4 PagesUpon first reading of the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the reoccurring theme of social status is not blatantly obvious. Upon further reading, however, it becomes apparent that it in fact plays large role in most of the aspects of the tales. In both the Wife of Bath’s Tale and the Nun’s Priest Tale, social status plays a role in the plot, characters, and themes in order to more effectively portray the messages Chaucer is trying to get across. The underlying theme addressing social statusRead MoreCanterbury Tales Character Analysis1334 Words   |  6 PagesThe Canterbury Tales is a written work, by Geoffrey Chaucer, that is a representation of the society he lived in. His work portrays the feudal system during the medieval times and how each level of livelihood was a character, whose personalities reflect how Chaucer and his culture view them. During his time, his society regarded the Christian Church as corrupt and manipulative, with a few clergy who are honest and genuine in their exertion. Therefore, the ecclesiastical persona has the dispositions

Da Vinci - Battles And Brushstrokes - 2042 Words

Da Vinci - Battles and Brushstrokes, The Story Of His Lost Masterpiece Leonardo Da Vinci, the famed Florentine polymath is revered around the world for his ingenuity, creativity, and adaptability, but even with a huge body of renowned and legacy inducing work, this Renaissance man still has hidden depths that ought be shared with a wider audience. Da Vinci was a man immersed in several battles of varying complexity, both internal and externally in his Italian home. Many of Leonardos creations were formulated with battles and more specifically war in mind, the obvious being the many war machines he designed (some of which he was rumoured to have actually created), but conflict was rife in 16th century Florence, and this eked its way into Da†¦show more content†¦This rivalry between two creative powerhouses did not begin with the commissioning that would soon be bestowed upon them by Soderini, rather it began when da Vinci returned to Florence two years after his younger counterpart. Da Vinci did not like the level of fame reached by this young star (who was at the time working on the piece that would grant him immortality - the statue of David) and he expected to be treated with the level of respect someone of his stature should demand. However, instead of this Leonardo with greeted with animosity as Michelangelo paid no heed to Leonardo’s preferred artistic output of paintings, instead he saw sculpture as the pinnacle of art and creation, claiming that it was easy to correct an error on canvas, but fixing a mistake in sculpture was nigh on impossible so the greatest artists must therefore create sculptures. This was something that da Vinci wholeheartedly disagreed with. It was therefore difficult for Soderini to find the perfect conditions to convince both men to accept his challenge, but through a combination of money and the chance to crush their rivals, both hesitantly accepted. The hesitation on both behalf s came as a result of the nature of the commission itself, namely that it was a fresco painting that was required. Leonardo disliked fresco painting due to the perceived rush needed toShow MoreRelatedThe Mona Lisa Illusion : Art Collectors1838 Words   |  8 PagesThe Mona Lisa Illusion As one of the most renowned paintings of all time, the Mona Lisa, a half-length portrait of a woman painted by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1506, attracts millions of visitors to the Louvre each year. When seeing the painting, people interpret it differently. Does the smile reveal a mischievous smirk, a peaceful expression, or an empty heart? There is no set answer. For artists, being able to imitate the Mona Lisa demonstrates their solid artistic

The Theory Of Evolution Within Tennessee Public Schools

On March 13, 1925 the state of Tennessee passed the Butler Act. This law prohibited teaching the Theory of Evolution in Tennessee public schools. Any teacher who taught a theory that denied the story of the Divine Creation would be punished by a fine. The American Civil Liberties Union offered legal defense to any Tennessee teacher who would break the law and fight it in court. John Thomas Scopes was a teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, and he intentionally taught his class about the theory of evolution, which led to his arrest and trial. John Thomas Scopes trial began on July 10, 1925, and I watched as the trial unfolded. The famous Clarence Darrow defended Scopes and Williams Jennings Bryan was leading the prosecution. Williams Jennings Bryan had run as the Democratic presidential candidate three times, and he was the fundamentalist hero. After a few days of the trial, many spectators and reporters flocked to Dayton. I watched as the Dayton’s streets became more and more crowded and I saw many preachers with revival tents, who taught how the Theory of Evolution went against the Divine Creation of man. The streets had become a carnival and everyone knew what was going on in Dayton, Tennessee because of the revolutionary radio. Right outside of the courthouse, there were two chimpanzees dressed in plaid suits entertaining the public with their antics around the lawn. Not only where their preachers and reporters, but people on the streets selling hot dogs, lemonade, bibles, andShow MoreRelatedCharles Darwin s Theory Of Evolution951 Words   |  4 Pagesremain religiously neutral in its actions. Perhaps nowhere else is this neutrality being challenged more vigorously than in America’s public school science classrooms. Of particular concern for school administrators and the educators whom they supervise, are the repeated efforts of Christian fundamentalists to replace the teaching of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection with Biblical Creationism. During the past ninety years, many legal cases have further defined the boundary ofRead MoreCreationism vs. Evolution Essay1170 Words   |  5 Pagesscientific theories. The Catholic Church had a nasty habit of persecuting such ideological dissent toward creationism, calling it heresy and thereby somewhat suppressing a complete upheaval of the Scriptures. For many centuries to come, the scientific research grew and developed into theories like the Big Bang and evolution, though primarily in places where such progress was tolerated. The state of Tennessee in 1925 was not such a place. In the town of Dayton in Tennessee, a high school biologyRead MoreCharles Darwins Theory Of Evolution1151 Words   |  5 PagesState of Tennessee passed a law called The Butler Bill that prohibited any teacher within the State of Tennessee to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man and that man descended from a lower order of animals.†1 Fundamentalism was the basis of The Butler Bill. Fundamentalism is the belief in the literal interpretation of religious texts. In June, a Tennessee high school substitute teacher named John Scopes was accused of teaching Charles Darwin s theory of evolution to studentsRead More Ernst Mayrs What Evolution Is Essay1212 Words   |  5 PagesErnst Mayrs What Evolution Is When Ernst Mayr published his book, What Evolution Is, in 2001 it was hailed as a work of genius. The praise, replete with superlatives, ranged from elegant, enthralling, and provocative to clear, comprehensive, and very informative.1 From all appearances it intended to be the theory of evolution offered up to the common man for general consumption and enlightenment; it was what would put the evolution/creationism debate to rest once and for all. It neitherRead MoreEssay on Science V. Religion: The Scopes Monkey Trial1397 Words   |  6 Pagesfocus on in this paper, however, is Evolution. It is a theory that had been around for over half a century before the 20’s but had only more recently caught on in the US. It contradicted the Christian theory of Divine Creation as described in the Bible. This caused many religious fundamentalists to fight against it. They took their battle to the law books, and they were challenged by pro-evolution modernists in the Scopes Monkey Trial o f 1925. The theory of Evolution was developed by Charles DarwinRead MoreEssay on Creationsim vs. Evolution794 Words   |  4 PagesCreationsim vs. Evolution For a long time school administrators, teachers, parents and even students have argued for and against the teaching of either creation and/or evolution. Evolution has been taught in many public schools for generations because of the scientific methods and support it has as a scientific theory of how we as humans came to be. Many religions hold different views of how humanity as we know it was created and these people believe that students should be able toRead More Religion Has No Place in Public Schools Essay1020 Words   |  5 Pagesseparation of church and state, which has resulted in many debates over the limitations of religion in the public schools (Hamburger). There is research that supports both the arguments that students can benefit academically from the influence of religion and from keeping religious teachings separate from public schools. Early in Americas history, when it first became a country, public schools were administrated by Protestants. As a result, Protestant prayers and services became incorporated intoRead MoreThe Case Of Epperson V. Arkansas953 Words   |  4 PagesIn the wake of the Scopes trial in Tennessee, the State of Arkansas passed an â€Å"anti-evolution† statute in 1928, that made it illegal to teach the theory or doctrine that mankind ascended or descended from a lower order of animals, or to adopt or use in any such institution a textbook that teaches the doctrine or theory that mankind ascended or descended from a lower order of animal.† Forty years later, the case of Epperson v. Arkansas (1968) was argued before the Supreme Court. The case originatedRead MoreEvolution vs. Creation Science1650 Words   |  7 Pagestruth, the world will not be able to develop. Evolution is verifiable in comparison to creation science because of the theories, evidence, and the increasing acceptanc e in today’s society. In order to discuss the irrefutable nature of evolution, one must be able to fully grasp the history of this groundbreaking knowledge. Evolution is often described as a change that has occurred over an extended period of time. The world evolution conjures several theories, â€Å"scientists generally describe the formationRead MoreEssay about The Influence of Religion on Scientific Advancement1737 Words   |  7 Pagesversus evolution has become a point of controversy in the area of education (which is the foundation of science). To give some historical perspective, the commonly accepted theory of divine creation was being replaced by evolutionism in the 18th century. The developments in geology caused people to question whether the seemingly old geologic conditions coincided with the Biblical idea of a young earth. By the 19th century, Darwinism had become popular among young scientists. Today, evolution is the

Virtue Ethics Advantage Free Essays

These character traits are classified as the backbone of virtue ethics. When we look at action utilitarianism, we think of rules and our call to duty. Nothing is greater than our call to duty, and we are sentenced to perform the most pivotal option. We will write a custom essay sample on Virtue Ethics Advantage or any similar topic only for you Order Now With virtue ethics we are almost provided more eel-way if you will. Morals are taken into much more depth and consideration than with action-utilitarianism. If we look at Kantian demonology, we notice the perfect and imperfect duties. These set of rules are essentially a guideline of how us people should act and live our lives. Once again, virtue ethics allows more freedom to decide for ourselves and make exceptions to these rules. An issue that surrounds Kantian demonology is that there must be exceptions to these perfect duties. The way I look at it, we can with a virtue mindset. We are allowed to take our moral code and apply it to the situation. Overall, I believe that virtue ethics allows people to make their win decisions, and with what people should do. This again conflicts with act- utilitarianism because it believes that the decision should be based on the best result for man-kind, not just one individual. Virtue ethics, along with our morals intact, allow for persons to take into consideration for others and select an option that results in better outcome for that person. These are a few advantages believe virtue ethics offers instead of utilitarianism and demonology. How to cite Virtue Ethics Advantage, Papers

Constitutional Status of the Family and Medical Leave

Question: Describe about the Constitutional Status of the Family and Medical Leave. Answer: Under what authority in the constitution could congress mandate that employers give paid leave for maternity or family medical leave? 1. The Congress can mandate the above under Section 5 of the US constitution along with the Commerce Clause (i.e Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) (Kenny, 2004). Review the laws discussed in the chapter and whether the FMLA is comparable in coverage 2. In the given chapter, various employment laws have been discussed which deal with regulation of wages and hours, compensation for unemployment, safety at workplace, compensation laws along with privacy laws besides FMLA. Based on these laws, it is apparent the FMLA is not comparable in coverage with the other laws that deal with safety and wage regulation. This is because FMLA does not cover private businesses which have less than 50 employees and covers only 50% of the total labour force. Besides, the other employment laws are in line with global standards but the same is not true for FMLA as US is the only major developed country which has unpaid maternity leaves (Simmons, 2000). Discuss the policies behind giving the medical leave what is the nation trying to accomplish and is the FMLA written appropriately to meet those goals? 3. By extending the medical leave, the nation is trying to accomplish that the employees can balance their personal and professional commitments. As a result, medical leaves are provided to cover not only the employees illness but also the immediate familys illness along with pregnancy (Simmons, 2000). The EMLA was enacted in the year 1993 with the above objective but it has failed to do so. This is because the leaves provided are of unpaid nature and hence act as a deterrent for the employees even for their valid needs. This is particularly applicable for maternity leave where a long leave is required and unpaid leaves leads to financial burden on the family which puts them into debt and thereby causes instability. Additionally, FMLA covers only state and federal employees along with those working in private institutions with more than 50 employees and hence covers only 50% of the total labour force (Ludden, 2013). References Kenny, S. (2004), The Constitutional Status of the Family and Medical Leave Act, Retrieved on August 5, 2016 from https://www2.tulane.edu/newcomb/upload/family_medical_leave_act.pdf Ludden, J. (2013), FMLA Not Really Working For Many Employees, Retrieved on August 5, 2016 from https://www.npr.org/2013/02/05/171078451/fmla-not-really-working-for-many-employees Simmons, E. (2000), The Family and Medical Leave Act: Well Meaning Legislation Meets the Strong Arm of the Constitution of the United States, Journal of Contemporary Health Law Policy, 17(1), 349-368

Manipulation of Ethnic Identity by Groups in Iraq

Introduction Iraq has had a turbulent history as a result of its ethnic make up. While all this was blamed on the ruthless dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq has continued to be split along ethical lines even after the overthrow of Saddam and his subsequent execution. Now more than ever, the country’s population has clustered themselves around ethnical and sectarian lines with each group advancing its interests over those of the country.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Manipulation of Ethnic Identity by Groups in Iraq specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This has inevitably led to an escalation in violence as well as a lack of progress for Iraq as a whole. It has been noted that the major benefactors of this division have been political parties and their leaders who have obtained power from their followings. Davis advances that many Iraqis fall back on tribal and confessional identities as a result of soci o-economic decay that is rife in the country (3). The corruption that plagues the current Iraq government compares unfavorably even with Saddam’s oppressive regime. As such, harsh socio-economic realities make the Iraqi people prone to being manipulated into falling back into their ethnic and sectarian identities. This paper shall argue that ethnic and sectarian identity is being manipulated by political leaders in Iraq for their own gains resulting in an Iraq that is divides, and has numerous incidents of violence as the various groups compete for resources. The paper will undertake a concise yet informative comparison of the various means used by the leaders of the main ethnic groups to harden ethnic identity of their followers therefore consolidating their own power. The Ethnic Issue in Iraq As a result of the demarcation of the borders of Iraq into the current state by the then British colonizers, a number of Ethnic groups fell within Iraq’s borders therefore formi ng the people of Iraq as we currently know it. The three major ethnic groups that formed Iraq are; the Shia, Sunni and the Kurds. Ibrahim defines ethnicity in the Iraqi context as referring to â€Å"contiguous or co-existing groups differing in race, religion, sect, language, culture of national orientation† (229).Advertising Looking for research paper on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strife among the various ethnic groups has always been present in past regimes with the most predominant one being by the Kurds who have sought to break away from Iraq. However, these attempts have been crushed by the central government resulting in a unified, albeit oppressed, Iraq. Therefore, while the potential for conflict and actual conflict along ethnic lines has always been present in Iraq’s history, the political and institutional arrangements that were present prevented the conflict from escalating. How ever, the U.S. led invasion of Iraq resulted in a sudden structural change as a result of the collapse of Saddam’s regime. This breakdown resulted in a lack of a common national identity as each ethnic group sought to benefit itself the most from the fall of Saddam. Rear asserts that â€Å"in the absence of a national identity, it is perhaps to be expected that leaders would attempt to utilize ethnicity as the glue which could bind the population of the state together† (167). This association invariably results in ethnic mobilization both in the electoral process and even in conflicts between groups. Post Saddam Iraq Iraq has been plagued by manipulation by political leaders so as to consolidate their power at the expense of other ethnic groups. This manipulation works since as Michael theorizes, â€Å"While not everyone [in an ethnic group] may be mobilized as an active fighter for his or her group, hardly anyone ever fights for the opposing ethnic group† (9). Ethnic divisions in Iraq politics have continued to be acutely pronounced despite the overthrow of Saddam’s regime and the imposition of a democratically elected government. The Saddam government was at best predatory in nature and employed a â€Å"winner-takes-all† policy where the Sunni dominated all aspects of Iraqi government. Following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, leaders who represented the ethnic constituents of Iraq were chosen to represent the Iraqis. These leaders did not enjoy much public support ant their promotion was based on their opposition to the Saddam regime as well as their ethnic identities (Berdal 96).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Manipulation of Ethnic Identity by Groups in Iraq specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Dawisha documents that the 15 December 2005 general elections were characterized by voters en masse turning to their primordial loyalties (26). The ele ctions resulted in the largest vote (46.5%) going to the United Iraqi Alliance which is a coalition of Shia solidarity. The Kurdistan Alliance on the other hand received votes primarily from the Kurdish population while the Iraqi Accord Front which is a Sunni-sectarian group garnered 80% of the Sunni vote. These results demonstrate strong divisions along ethnic lines by the Iraqi people. These ethnic divisions were mostly as a result of the politicians who pried on the political psychology and emotions of the Iraq people. The motivation for this manipulation is the fear by the politicians of losing economic and personal security to members of other ethnic communities. These skillful politicians rallied the masses to identify with the ethnic group and agenda of the particular leader. The 2005 elections which were decisive in putting the current Iraqi leaders in office were characterized by widespread appeal to ethnicity. A report by the United States Institute of Peace reveals that i n order to gain power, the hugely inexperienced politicians appealed to ethnic and sectarian identity with great success (7). While the politicians purported to create an Iraq that was unified and just unlike the former Saddam regime, they highlighted the differences of the people so as to ensure that the people from their ethnic groups voted for them. This clearly demonstrates that the leaders did not have the best interests of the people as they purported to but rather, they were only interested in getting themselves into power. Manipulation of Ethnic identity by Politicians The Shia The Shia were arguably the greatest benefactors of the end of the Saddam regime. Following this events, Shia militia leaders were afforded power and given government ministries at the expense of the other ethnic groups. This resulted in a scenario whereby the militia leaders took over specific ministries and run them for the party interest therefore breaking the coherence of the government (Berdal 98) . Following the 2005 elections, the Supreme council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq (SCIRI) which was one of the parties forming the United Iraqi Alliance had one of its leaders, Bayan Jabr Solagh appointed as Interior Minister. This SCIRI member proceeded to sack hundreds of Sunni officials working in the Ministry and accused them of being criminals (Berdal 99).Advertising Looking for research paper on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The new Minister then made it mandatory for all new Interior Ministry recruits to have a letter of reference from a SCIRI office or mosque. This move was evidently aimed at locking out the Sunnis from the ministry therefore benefiting only the Shia. Another prominent Shia political party is the Sadrist movement which also forms part of the United Iraqi Alliance. The United States Institute of Peace reveals that while this party is fairly new in the political scene in Iraq, it has become a force to be reckoned with owing to its following in the streets (10). This party is made up of young mostly inexperienced leaders some of whom, as a result of the high number of votes their party obtained, have been given cabinet positions. The strength of this party is said to be in the ability of its leader, Muqtada al-Sadr to mobilize local Shia communities and particularly the poor and unemployed youth (Pollack 122). The leader of this party is interested in consolidating the party’s pow er and as such, reinforces its position in the UIA. This is a situation which led to strife as armed conflicts occurred between SCIRI and Sadr as they both fight for control over the UIA and the Shia group. Dawisha reveals that the Sadrs and the Hakims are prominent clerical families who have â€Å"long been intense rivals for the spiritual leadership of Iraq’s Shias (30). These two young leaders have therefore been at odds not on a matter of party principles or even any national interest but rather for personal reasons. These two young leaders are said to have incited their followers to many bloody battles in the south resulting in the death of many. From these conflicts, it is clear that personal interests of the party leaders take precedence over the interests of the Iraqi people The Kurdish Interestingly, the Kurdish Alliance which is comprised of various Kurdish parties gathered 20% of the 2005 election votes; roughly equal to the Kurdish share of the population (USIP 1 2). While the Kurdish people have been given key positions in the Iraqi government as a result of strive for national unity by the Iraqis, the Kurds are not acting in the interest of national unity. The Kurdish Alliance is united behind a Kurdish nationalist agenda which is interested in a semi autonomous state in the Kurdish north. As such, the Kurdish politicians foster Kurdish identity and hope to have control independent of the rest of Iraq. The loyalty of the Kurds to Iraq is further put to question by the fact that they have a Kurdish Flag which is hoisted by the â€Å"Kurdish Regional Government†. Despite the united front presented by the Kurds, the two main parties in Kurdistan have had a bitter history which culminated in violence back in 1994 (Bengio and Kirmanj 3). The Kurds are made up of Turkman and Christian population these groups take opposing views on some of the important issues that the new Iraq faces. On the issue of secularism, the Kurdish parties support this unanimously and desire a separation of religion and state. The Shia and Sunni fundamentalists on the other hand back the application of Sharia law on the land. With regard to the constitution, the Kurds are pro the idea of federalism which will give them equal status with other federal units as well as enable them to eventually form the Kurdistan Regional Government. Some of the leaders have taken to oppressive actions, not unlike those of Saddam’s regime, to ensure that their positions as leaders are secure. For example, the Kurdish leader Masud Barzani is accused of starting a war against free press as well as detaining his political rivals (Rubin). The Sunni The Sunni Arabs enjoyed leadership for decades under Saddam’s reign. During this regime, all the top military commanders as well as government positions were occupied by Sunnis. Following the fall of Saddam, all this was reversed and the Sunnis were perceived as the enemy. During the 2005 Iraq Elections, t he Arab Sunni community fronted Tawafuq (Iraq Accord Front), an alliance of Sunni parties. The alliance won most of the Sunni votes highlighting the ethical lines along which the people voted. The Iraqi Islamic Party which formed part of the IAF changed leadership in 2005, replacing the Kurd leader with an Arab Sunni who was an articulate spokesman for Sunni views (USIP 15) In the Saddam era, the Sunnis considered themselves to be racially superior to the Kurds as well as religiously superior to the Shia (O’Leary 81). This notion was reinforced by the favoritism that they were afforded by the leader Saddam who was also a Sunni. Following his fall, the Sunnis continued to hold this notion and are therefore opposed to the idea of being lorded over by people they regard as their inferiors. However, the realities of the new Iraq have made the Sunnis accept that they are not the minority group. The Sunnis are for the idea of a strong united Iraq and hold strong nationalist views e ven favoring a centralized government. This non-sectarian view is not shared by the other ethnic groups which do not hold the same secularist ideals. Discussion Blagojevic argues that ethnic conflict may occur as a result of a number of factors including the presence of historical memories of inter-ethnic grievances (3). These memories may then be used by political entrepreneurs to evoke emotions of fear, resentment, and hate towards the others. This is precisely the situation in Iraq where most Kurdish and Shia politicians are promoting ethnic intolerance through manipulation of historical memories. In 2006, Nouri al-Maliki who had just been made prime minister of Iraq stripped hundreds of policemen of their rank and proceeded to replace them with others. Bender notes that this move was not motivated by incompetence on the part of the officers or even their perception as a security threat but rather on the fact that they were Sunnis. Considering the fact that Saddam Hussein’ s Sunni dominated government was repressive to the other ethnic groups, the move by the prime minister was in fear of Iraq experiencing a Sunni renaissance. It should be noted that the US led occupation also strengthened ethnic loyalties in the case of the Sunni for as Berdal documents, the US military viewed Sunni insurgents as seeking the return of Saddam Hussein while insurgent groups from the Shia were perceived to be fighting for nationalistic ideals (97). As a result of these double standards, the Sunnis felt that their nationalist struggle against occupation was being labeled as criminal and the Sunni the political leaders of the Sunni took advantage of this state and consolidated their communities. As has been noted through this paper, some of the reasons for the pronounce division along sectarian and ethical lines is as a result of the previous Saddam regime. Many Iraqis are suspicious as to the intentions of the Sunnis and are unwilling to let them take powerful positions (Gritten). This is because they fear that the Sunnis might relapse into a Saddam like regime. These suspicions that have made the reality of a â€Å"national unity† government hard to achieve are hard to dispense since they are engrained from many years from the Sunni led government. It is this fear that the unscrupulous leaders are prying on and making Iraq even more divided than it was during the oppressive Saddam regime. Solutions Rear states that according to the primordialist approach, â€Å"ethnicity as a collective identity is so deeply rooted in historical experience that is should properly be treated as a given in human relations† (6). Bearing in mind that Iraq has a long history of repression along ethnic lines; it is unlikely that the ethnic divisions in Iraq will fade. While identity plays an important role in Iraqi politics, there has been lack of concession on what the Iraqi identity should be. While the Sunni are for the idea that Iraq should have an Ara b Identity the Kurds oppose this view. In addition, while some of the Sunnis and Shia see an Islamic identity as paramount to the Iraq identity and view an Arab-Islamic Iraq as the only way to promote a unified state, the Kurds favor a secular state. This differences unless resolved only promise to advance sectarian/ethnic oriented politics in Iraq. A radical solution to the Iraqi problem is proposed by Leading political scholars Steven Cook and Douglas Dillion who suggest the imposition of a â€Å"National Unity Dictator†; a national leader who would be willing and mandated to suspend the constitution in order to address the lawlessness that has brought Iraq to the brink and the sectarian militias (Cook and Dillion 7). This â€Å"ideal† leader would be situated between the various ethnic and religious factions and would be an Iraqi nationalist. However, the idea of a National Unity Dictator seems unlikely since the Kurds and the Shia are unlikely to relinquish the sub stantial gains they have achieved since the fall of Saddam. Blagojevic states that ethnic conflicts are not inevitable since peaceful and cooperative ethnic relations are by far more typical than the large scale violence that characterizes Iraq (2). As such, despite the ethnic and sectarian strife that currently characterize Iraq, it is possible to build a political system that can work across ethical and sectarian boundaries therefore benefiting Iraq as a whole. This can be done through ensuring that all the ethnic groups are given an equal opportunity in government therefore reducing the need for division so as to fight for the available resources. Conclusion This paper set out to argue that ethnic and sectarian identity is being manipulated by political leaders in Iraq for their own gains. To reinforce this assertion, this paper has performed an analysis of the major ethnic groups and their leading political parties so as to highlight the role that ethnicity plays in Iraqi politi cs. From the discussions presented herein, it is evident that leaders from the three major ethnic groups; Shia, Sunni and Kurds, all utilize sectarian animosity to advance their own interests. This has resulted in an Iraqi that is more divided than ever and with the threat of seceding from the Kurds even more real. All this has resulted in lack of nationalism and an escalation in violence. However, the reality is not all bleak and there have been moves towards creating national unity and moving away from ethnic based politics. However, for this to become a reality, the institutional and representational imbalances that have led to the ethnic divisions must be effectively addressed. Until then, sectarian and ethnic differences will continue being used by politicians in Iraq to manipulate the population. Works Cited Bengio, Ofra and Kirmanj, Sherko. Elections in Kurdistan: A model Democracy or a Return to Factionalism? 19 Jul. 2009. Web. Blagojevic, Bojana. â€Å"Causes of Ethnic Con flict: A Conceptual Framework.† Journal of Global Change and Governance, Vol 3, No 1, 2009. Bremmer, Ian. â€Å"What will happen to Iraq’s Sunnis in the next government?† Foreign Policy, 30 Sept. 2010 Web. Cook, Steven and Dillion, Douglas. â€Å"Iraq Post 2010.† Center for Global Affairs, 2010. Davis, Eric. â€Å"Rebuilding a Non-Sectarian Iraq.† Strategic Insights, Volume VI, Issue 6, December 2007. Dawisha, Adeed. Iraq: â€Å"A Vote Against Sectarianism.† Journal of Democracy, Volume 21, Number 3, July 2010, pp. 26-40. Gritten, David. â€Å"Long path to Iraq’s Sectarian Split.† BBC News. 25 Feb. 2006. Web. Pollack, Michael. A switch in time: a new strategy for America in Iraq. Brooking Institute Press, 2006. Rubin, Michael. â€Å"New Iraq, Same as the Old Iraq?† National Review. 9 Aug, 2010. Web. United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Iraq’s New Political Map. Diane Publishing, 2007. This research paper on Manipulation of Ethnic Identity by Groups in Iraq was written and submitted by user Nathaly G. 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.