The Condition of Women in Samuel Richardson’s ‘Pamela’ and Fakir Baykurt’s ‘Tirpan’ Essay Example For Students

The Condition of Women in Samuel Richardson’s ‘Pamela’ and Fakir Baykurt’s ‘Tirpan’ Essay Abstract Women is benefit by the society from the past to now. This state of affairs is for sex and labour. Society sees adult females like a goods and can purchase them with money. Harmonizing to work forces, adult females are sex stuff and slave. Womans who downtrodden, is married by parent. After that, they kill themselves because of this state of affairs. This status is normally in the eastern societies. Then, adult females ever want to be from upper category so ; they are exposed to sexual maltreatment. In 18 century, adult females are accused with witchery and they are roasted alive. Besides, adult females who want to populate alive, they are accused with witchery. In this term, hapless peasant adult females who want to acquire aid from church, they have sexual relationship with priest and cook. Harmonizing to this state of affairs, while work forces give in to enticement, adult females who sell themselves for nutrient, are devil and they are nail person to the wall. In West, sees that adult female an object for work forces. We will write a custom essay on The Condition of Women in Samuel Richardson’s ‘Pamela’ and Fakir Baykurt’s ‘Tirpan’ specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now In this paper, I will analyse Samuel Richardson’sPamelaand Fakir Baykurt’sTA ±rpanand so I will knock of two novel about adult females is benefit sexual maltreatment and labour. Besides I will advert â€Å"The status of adult females in society.† And besides, I will compare Pamela and Duru . 1. Fakir Baykurt He is a Turkish novelist in 19. yy. He mentions live of small town to novels. He begins write verse form. He is inspired Orhan Veli. He represents pastoral novel. After 1950, he writes fresh and narrative. He died in 1999. 2. TA ±rpan Musdu who is landlord of Evci small town. He has money and lands. Duru who is from Gokcimen small town, she is really beautiful miss and she is 13 old ages old. Musdu sees Duru and wants purchase her. Duru and her female parent do non desire but her male parent accepts this state of affairs because of his friends. In small town, some of individual, conceal Duru but Musdu find her. Then, Duru and Musdu acquire married. UluguAY grandma helps Duru . She tries to forestall Musdu. Grandmother says something about Musdu to Duru . Because this state of affairs, everybody and Duru will acquire rid of Musdu. The work forces who take money, when they give gold for their household, who like a miss and he can transport miss. Then they go to imam and get married. After that, adult females can worked by work forces and arrive some babes. After many old ages, Womans who are from Gokcimen, when get old, work forces go to Gokcimen and sell another adult female for themselves. Everything is change bur this state of affairs is non alteration ( Baykurt, 1 ) . As you see, adult females are goods in their society. They can sell to work forces as goods. And besides, Women accept as can work and utilize. However, work forces use to adult females for sex. They ever think themselves non adult females. Men want many babes from adult females but merely they want male. If babe is girl, they will act severely so, they are married by their household but normally they marry work forces who do non desire. My maestro gave me more all right things. He called me up to my late lady ‘s cupboard, and, drawing out her shortss, he gave me two suits of all right Flanders laced caput apparels, three brace of all right silk places, two barely the worse, and merely tantrum for me, ( for my lady had a really small pes, ) and the other with shaped Ag buckles in them ; and several Ribbands and top-knots of all Colours ; four brace of white all right cotton stockings, and three brace of all right silk 1s ; and two brace of rich corsets ( Richardson, 16 ) . .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a , .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .postImageUrl , .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a , .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a:hover , .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a:visited , .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a:active { border:0!important; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a:active , .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uee84054d3b613f76e134b0fffd28483a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Reeling In Catch 22 EssayMr. B gave something to Pamela and she accept their. She wants to be from upper category and take a hazard of everything. And besides, Mr. B becomes severely things of Pamela because he gives white cotton stockens. Cotton stokens is particular of adult females and Mr. B knows this state of affairs but he does non desire reveal. Kabak Musdu is really rich adult male. He has Equus caballus and he ever goes to with Equus caballus in small town. He goes to in Ankara and KA ±zA ±lca every hebdomad. He sells patridge and honey to Cankaya. And besides, he sells violet chou, lamb, fresh butter, sort of cheese and sock and everything†¦ Are you acquiring it? He has much profusion. He is proprietor of many edifice land. He likes that money safe. One twenty-four hours, he will be advantage to us, excessively. There are client for your girl and you still thoughtfully! Never head. Good fortune with it. Then, Duru who heard that, becomes sad and shouting ( Baykurt, 20 ) . In this citation shows us that men’s money is really of import in society. Oppression of society force many things. Kabak Musdu is rich individual so he is so attractive for people because of money. Actually, work forces who travel everyplace become informed for people. Some of adult females marry work forces who rich like Kabak Musdu. For case, Pamela because she tries to get married his maestro call as Mr. B. However, there are adult females who do non desire marry like Duru because she is so immature and she has non some purposes about marry like Pamela. Duru is great illustration of pureness. My wife’s unwellness acquiring proceed because of unwellness she can non cook and cleaning. As you know, I have ever guest at my place. There are non adult female who can cook. And besides I feel severely against to my friends ( Baykurt, 8 ) . I mentioned in abstract that, adult females see as goods and they can sell and utilize by work forces. When they are old, they can alter with new one. Women are used for both house labour and sexual relationship by work forces. Mr. B wants to get Pamela and he purposes a contract. Then he direct contract to Pamela ; he writes, if you are my kept woman, I will take money, apparels, gem and besides fiscal possibility for your parent ( Richardson, 225 ) . Pamela does non desire because her purpose is matrimony and she want to be from upper category and this state of affairs will go with matrimony. In this portion, Mr. B wants benefit from Pamela but she does non let. Financial possibility is really attractive to adult females so, Mr. B thinks that Pamela accepts this state of affairs. In this state of affairs, Mr. B becomes fail. I wish you really much. I like you. Musdu hugs Selver and caresses her legs. Then, Musdu says that I will come once more for love you. He kisses her lips, eyes and ears. You are so sweet and fantastic adult female. Be your hubby recognizing your sugariness? Selver becomes emphasis. He once more kisses her lips. I will come once more for gustatory sensation her. You look like young person of Duru . If she sweet likes you, I will be happy ( Baykurt, 37 ) . Although Selver is married woman of his friend, Musdu uses Selver for sex. Selver does non desire that, but Musdu forces to Selver. And besides, he is sexual relationship with Selver. However he still think that Duru . This state of affairs sees that Musdu’s purpose is sex. He thinks severely and harmonizing to his, he buys everything with his money. Actually, society sees that. He ever thinks about that because of society. .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 , .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .postImageUrl , .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 , .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335:hover , .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335:visited , .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335:active { border:0!important; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335:active , .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335 .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0730348d7cf71219a9b08d2da5c9f335:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Poetry of A. E. Housman EssayOne dark, Mr. B enters to in secret Pamela’s room by the aid of Mrs. Jewes and he assaults to Pamela. She swoons and Mr.B leaves entirely to her ( Richardson 256 ) . Mr. B wants to populate sexual relationship with Pamela like Musdu but Pamela does non desire. As we see, work forces accept adult females as goods. This idea still continues. In two novels, we see that adult females are same in two societies. Harmonizing to society, adult females who are downtrodden and used animals. In TA ±rpan, while Musdu represents to east, In Pamela, Mr.B represents to west but sex and adult females are same in two society. While, Money is really attractive for many people but it is non attractive for some people. For case, Pamela wants get to Mr.B for being upper category, on the contrary Duru refuses profusion and being upper category but subjugation of society, her male parent wants accept of this state of affairs. YanarateAY says that, â€Å"According to society, adult females are ever weak and demand of protection but work forces are symbol of power and money† ( 15 ) . Harmonizing to work forces, adult females are created for work forces but this state of affairs are non true. Actually, adult females are defenseless so, they are saw that destitute to work forces. Duru and Musdu acquire married. One dark, Musdu slumbers and Duru comes along with him, she stabs to swath of Musdu’s belly. Musdu tries to shout but he can non because Duru ties his oral cavity. She once more stabs to swath. After that, she takes package and goes out from place ( Baykurt, 256 ) . However, Duru does non desire Musdu and she saves herself and peasant from Musdu. And besides, she ne’er does non flinch. In this state of affairs shows that Duru is really powerful adult female. She begins release. Mr.B sends an battle to Pamela and this is a prenup. Pamela accepts to this battle. Prenup includes appanel, reference, household and maintain house ( Richardson, 395 ) . Pamela acquires what she wants. In this manner, she will be upper category. She immediate accepts battle. Although Lady Davers does non desire to this matrimony but they get married in secret. Harmonizing to this state of affairs, Pamela is powerless adult female because she is defeated to petitions. In decision, as I mentioned both in two novels, adult females who are people benefited and weak. From past to now, society expressions at adult females as downtrodden work forces marry in order to hold regularity in their life. On the contrary, downtrodden adult females try to order men’s life but this nonsensical state of affairs. This state of affairs shows that work forces can non populate without adult females but so they are non value. Lots of adult females see matrimony as release but really this state of affairs limits their freedom. For case, although Pamela sees matrimony as freedom, when she married, her freedom was limited by Mr.B. On the contrary, Duru ne’er wants to marriage, for that affair, when she married with Musdu, she kills him and she additions her freedom. The society in which money is of import, adult females involvement in work forces with money as Pamela. Work Cited Alikoc , Fulya. â€Å"DoAYu BatA ± ArasA ±nda KadA ±n, †Ozgurluk DunyasA ± Dergisi, No.123, ( 2014 ) : 5-6. ArA ±kan, Seda. â€Å"Gostergebilimsel BirCozumleme: Samuel Richardson’A ±n Pamela’sA ± , †AtaturkUniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitusu Dergisi, Vol. 13, No. 2. ( 2009 ) : 147-160. Baykurt, Fakir.TA ±rpan.A °stanbul: Literatur, 2007. DurukoAYlu, Salim. â€Å"KadA ±nA ±n ve Kaderin ‘TA ±rpan’ , †International Periodical for the Languagesand History of Turkish.Vol. 8/6, ( 2013 ) : 145-156. Richardson, Samuel.Pamela or Virtue Rewarded. New York: E.P. Dutton A ; Co. Inc, 1976. Sevim, AyAYe. KadA ±nA ±n OrtacaAYdan 20. YuzyA ±la DeAYin Seruveni. YanarateAY , Zeynep Ezgi.SusturulmuAY Bedenlerin CA ±AYlA ±klarA ±.

Free Essays on Mother

Write an essay on mother and son relationship A mother's love is very important. A child who feels love is most likely to succeed and give it in return than a child who never received it and doesn't know what it means to be loved. In most cases, it is the mother's love, care, and understanding that enable the child to overcome many hurdles in their life. In my case, I was able to An important obstacle that I overcame because of my mother was shyness. I always kept to myself and never felt the need to go out of my way to be friendly. But my mother constantly told me and pointed out that communication is key in the real world and that I had to learn to communicate with people if I wanted to succeed. She realized that in order for me to overcome my shyness, I had to start talking to people and being sociable so she introduced me to different people and I began to open up more. Eventually I was able to start high school and make life-long friends there and I owe it all to her. Another obstacle I overcame was self-doubt. Whenever I had trouble believing I could do something, my mother was always there to believe in me and constantly install me that I could do anything as long as I believed I could. Whenever I have trouble with friends or school or when I was just in one of my "moods", my mother was always there for me and willing to discuss my dilemmas. The fact that she is proud of what I accomplish is the main reason for my success so far and I am glad that with her help, I am more confident in my abilities and potential. The last obstacles that I overcame and am still overcoming are the overall difficult times. These times include problems concerning school, and even problem with my parents. Like I said before, when I do have problems with work being extremely difficult, my mother doesn't criticize me for failing, but encourages me to try harder and tells me she is still proud of my efforts. She knows that I am not perfect ... Free Essays on Mother Free Essays on Mother Write an essay on mother and son relationship A mother's love is very important. A child who feels love is most likely to succeed and give it in return than a child who never received it and doesn't know what it means to be loved. In most cases, it is the mother's love, care, and understanding that enable the child to overcome many hurdles in their life. In my case, I was able to An important obstacle that I overcame because of my mother was shyness. I always kept to myself and never felt the need to go out of my way to be friendly. But my mother constantly told me and pointed out that communication is key in the real world and that I had to learn to communicate with people if I wanted to succeed. She realized that in order for me to overcome my shyness, I had to start talking to people and being sociable so she introduced me to different people and I began to open up more. Eventually I was able to start high school and make life-long friends there and I owe it all to her. Another obstacle I overcame was self-doubt. Whenever I had trouble believing I could do something, my mother was always there to believe in me and constantly install me that I could do anything as long as I believed I could. Whenever I have trouble with friends or school or when I was just in one of my "moods", my mother was always there for me and willing to discuss my dilemmas. The fact that she is proud of what I accomplish is the main reason for my success so far and I am glad that with her help, I am more confident in my abilities and potential. The last obstacles that I overcame and am still overcoming are the overall difficult times. These times include problems concerning school, and even problem with my parents. Like I said before, when I do have problems with work being extremely difficult, my mother doesn't criticize me for failing, but encourages me to try harder and tells me she is still proud of my efforts. She knows that I am not perfect ...

4 Ways to Increase your Hireability as a Medical Coder and Biller

4 Ways to Increase your Hireability as a Medical Coder and Biller In order to remain marketable as a medical coder and biller, you must keep your skills sharp and your head in the game. Here are 5 steps that will keep your resume at the top of any hiring pile: 1. Stay on top of industry newsDo your best to be an informed professional. Read everything you can get your hands on about industry trends and changes, subscribe to any available newsletters, and attend local gatherings of peers.  Doing so will lead you to the next tip:2. Network–and not just onlineWhile you should definitely play an an active role on online industry boards and keep in touch via social media, there’s no substitute for face-to-face meetings. The more people who know and respect your skills, the higher the chances someone will remember your face and name and recommend you when there’s a position up for grabs.3. Increase your earning potentialThe more experience you have, the more industry credentials you’re able to earn (such as RHIT, HRHIA, and C PC-P). Adding certifications to your resume means you’re more attractive to potential hiring managers and are available to take on higher ranking positions.4. Prioritize ICD-10Don’t get left behind come this October, when the U.S. transitions to the ICD-10 coding system. If you haven’t started learning the new system’s coding and billing, start now.Treat maintenance of your coding and billing skills and industry contacts as a major part of your job to leave no doubt in employers’ minds that you’ll be a dedicated and knowledgeable hire.5 Ways to Keep Your Medical Billing and Coding Career CurrentRead More at www.careerstep.com

Discussion and self reflection assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Discussion and self reflection assignment - Essay Example Nurses are always a in a position to put forward path breaking views on existing medical system all over the world. A new vision gets easily translated into a reality, if there is sufficient passion to support it all through its phases of conception, growth and manifestation. As a nurse, I would like to remain truthful to myself as much as possible in whatever I do. One can be truly professional only if there is no disparity between one’s goals and what one truly likes do in order to reach that goal. As far as I am concerned, it is always a pleasure to get involved in team work, share my knowledge with others, learn from others and take important, informed decisions as an individual whenever necessary. I have often felt that decision making is possible only when we are not mentally and physically distanced from the issues at hand. The more we could get involved in something, the easier it becomes to take good decisions. What guides one’s decisions is the innate sense of values that is part of one’s self. Therefore, I would always attempt retrospective introspections in situations where I am required to be in a leadership position. The best thing to make this process take place smoothly and effectively is to ask myself constantly whet her I can remain true to myself and my values while indulged in passionate work related to nursing. For me the most important step towards leadership is â€Å"to be true to myself and my values†. A vision, which is an integral part in leadership, comes from true passion and conviction. Therefore, if I am sure that I am doing what I am passionate about, there can be nothing to stop me. A lot of self-confidence and energy can come out of doing what we believe in. It is possible to gradually inculcate values related to one’s career. I watched a video recently. It was on enabling people, and I was really impressed by its depiction of a leader who was very energetic. He was able to motivate the crowd instantaneously. He spoke of

Nursing shortage, a major healthcare issue Research Paper

Nursing shortage, a major healthcare issue - Research Paper Example The seriousness of the matter can be gauged from the following reports. In July 2007, American Hospital Association released a report that U.S hospitals needed approximately 116,000 RNs to fill vacant positions. Percentage wise this translated into 8.1 percent of occupied positions. Dr. Peter Buerhaus and his team estimated that shortages of registered nurses in the U.S. would reach as high as 500,000 as per their report released in 2008. They stated in their report that demand for RNs is likely to grow by 2-3 percent each year. (Nursing Shortage†¦) The 2008 survey of registered nurses indicate that as of March 2008, there were 3063,162 licensed registered nurses staying in the U.S. This survey indicated that only 153,806 RNs were found to be working more over the last survey of 2004. However, it was found that 444,668 RNs obtained their license between 2004 and 2008. This indicates that 291,000 RNs surely went out of nursing services either due to retirements or due to other re asons. (The Registered Nurse (a)†¦) This trend surely indicates that matter could become grave in few years time. U.S. Bureau of Health Professions report supply demand projections of Registered Nurses up to the year 2020 that is depicted in the following graph. National Supply and Demand Projections for RNs, 2000 to 2015 Source: Bureau of Health Professions, RN Supply and Demand Projections URL: http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/nursingshortage/default.htm History and Evolution of Shortages of Nurses in Healthcare Though nursing shortages are observed from the days of World War II, it has impacted now significantly. The four factors that have contributed heavily in creating the shortages of nurses can be described as per the following. 1. Rise in population of U.S 2. A fewer people opting for the career in nursing 3. A generation called baby boomer is now retiring to create pressure on health care services. 4. Ageing workforce gets out of nursing services In 1950, U.S popul ation was 152,271,000 that have now almost doubled at 307,212,123 in 2009. Population has gone up at the rate of 1.8 percent per year. In view of the increasing standards of health, nursing population need to rise at much higher rate than the general population rise but that is not happening. The reasons for shortages in nursing are not sudden. The results obtained from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses carried out in 2000 indicated that too few people are choosing careers in nursing. The statistical data as available for the employment of young between 1980 and 2000 are worth noting to indicate the trend. In 1980, 52.9 percent of RNs were the age below 40 and 26 percent were the age below 30. In 2000, 31.7 percent of RNs were the age below 40 and 10 percent were the age below 30. (The Registered Nurse (b)†¦) Shortages of nurses are also being felt because baby booming generation (born between 1946 and 1964) is now getting retired causing increasing pressure on he althcare services and so on the services of nurses. Ageing and trained workforce gets out of nursing services due to retirement or other social reasons causing more pressure on services. Currently, the nursing profession is the largest segment of the U.S healthcare system. Nurse to Patient Ratios are under pressure affecting healthcare services severely. Unfortunate part is that there is a continuous decline in the

Impacts Of Social Networks On Social Behaviour

Impacts Of Social Networks On Social Behaviour Social network sites have become a global phenomenon that plays important roles in our society today. It is a social milieu that allows individuals to present themselves, communicate with one another and to maintain relationships. These SNSs (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and MySpace) are rapidly increasing visibly among the University students. Social network does not only influence students learning outcome but it also help the University students to attain social acceptance as well as adapting to University culture which may play central role towards improving their learning outcome. Several researchers revealed that SNS as technological tools can be used to effectively improve student-student and student-teacher interactions in higher institutions. In this regards SNS plays a prominent role in learning environment as a major conduit for getting resources, knowledge, and social support and also provides help for students preparing for or/ finding employment. On the other hand, many researchers observed that students spend several hours in a day attending to different social network sites even during lecturers and library sessions thus creating distractions and reducing the time to focus on their studies. This discourse therefore reviews the benefits and obstacles of social networks on social behaviour and academic performance of students. It also reviews the attitude of students towards the use of technology, SNS and how social network can improve learning style as it portends great promise towards enhancing their academic performance. 1.0 Introduction Academic institutions all over the world especially in developed countries have made tremendous investment in computer and internet infrastructure with the hope that this would result in the utilisation of web-based knowledge resources which may leads to significant increase in academic performance and productivity of students or staff (Oskouei, 2010) . However, this investment may not have yielded the desired goals of increasing learning quality and productivity of the students because these resources are used for both academic and non-academic works (Oskouei, 2010). It has been estimated that young adults are the highest computer and internet users in the world population today, about 46% of them uses it for completing school assignment, 36% for e-mail or instant messaging and 38% for playing computer games (DeBell and Chapman, 2006). Social network sites which are online communication tool that have existed less than a decade allows its users to create public and private profile thus enabling them to interact with people in the same network (Boyd and Ellison, 2008). Social networks can be defined as web-based activities that allow individuals to build public and/or semi-public profiles within a confined system; articulate and connects to list of other users with which they are connected; view and check their list of connections with the ones created by others inside the system(Boyd and Ellison, 2008, Kirschner and Karpinski, 2010). Examples of the new phenomenon of social networks are MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Facebook is the leading social network in many countries followed by Twitter and LinkedIn in popularity. It has been reported that Facebook have 901 million monthly users and more than 125 billion friends connected at the end of March, 2012 (Karpinski et al., 2013). The positive and negative impacts of social network on students social behaviour and academic achievement can be examined by their engagement, collaborative work, creativity, distraction, and grade point average (GPA). Research has shown that students participation on social networks have a positive connection to their engagement, and negative connection to their academic performance. Many researchers indicate that students academic performance can be increased by enhancing their engagement, and it has been stated that students engagement has a significant predictor of their academic performance (Wise et al., 2011). The relationship between students academic engagement and their academic performance is in agreement with (Junco, 2012). They reported that students engagements are powerful forces for psychosocial development and academic success. Social networks have the potentials of improving learning styles, as they provides alternative to traditional teaching format such as creation of online classroom community, and also enhancement of student-teacher and student-student interaction (Merchant, 2012) Social network increases social interactions and allows easy communication between, families, friends, neighbourhoods and global communities. Most social networks incorporate lots of communication tools like mobile connectivity, blogs, photos and video sharing which allows cross-posting to each other as desired by the users (Merchant, 2012) It has been reported that social network interactions allows quality relationships, connectedness, positive behaviours and also sharing of relevant information have been observed on social network sites (Martin Dowson, 2009). Forkosh-Baruch Hershkovitz, (2012), also reported that lecturers, learners, system/software designers, decision makers and students are coming to social network sites for significant educational activities, and also establishes new innovations using interactive and collaborative online journals. Griffith and Liyange (2008) reported that students use social network in their academic studies such group and team based works. In this regards social network plays a central role in learning environment as a major conduit for getting resources, knowledge, social support and socialization for learning distribution (Cho et al., 2007). It provides help for students preparing for or finding employment (Connelly, 2011). On the other hand, researchers have shown that high level of internet usage among adults of certain age group (16-24 years) for social and emotional advancement could be regarded as internet addiction or pathological internet users for the group (Odaci and Kalkan, 2010). Internet addiction is the inability to limit internet usage despite its detrimental effects on social behaviour and academic performance; and also cause of anxiety when internet accessibility is restricted (Odaci, 2013). Young adults that experience difficulties in communication skills in the real life have reported significantly reduction while using social network but in real life their social skill is inadequate and therefore problematic in social behaviour and academic performance (Caldwell Cunningham, 2010; Caplan, 2010; Odaci, 2013). Social behaviour is an indispensable constituent of social psychology that can either be positive or negative. It consists of social determinant such as attitude, self-concept, collaboration, communication, violent behaviour and conflict reduction etc (Bertram, 2009). Social network helps to provide information on direct friendships and also generates a better global modelling for social organisation which determines how individual patterns of social behaviour correlate to group characteristics. The behaviour of an individual can affect the behaviours of others within the same social networks. Social behaviour can, for instance, influence flow of information or behaviours throughout a group (Makagon et al., 2012). Social networks do not only provide an assessment of popularity, but they can also be exploited as a vehicle to gain or access important information (Fetta et al., 2012). According to Lewis et al., (2007), the mass movement of people to the use of social network has instigated researchers into investigating impacts of social networks. It may not be an exaggeration if we say that many modern day young adults, especially students, make use of social network on a daily basis (Boyd Ellison 2007). According to Bryant Bryant (2005), the internet possesses the capability to influence our young adults and students behaviour very easily. This researcher has had experiences with youths/students in the library and classes that spend most of their time chatting and watching sexually explicit resources that might produce negative effects on their behaviour. Arising from the fore going, this researcher intends to study the postgraduate students attitudes as regards the use of social network during formal classes and library in Heriot-Watt University. At the end of the research, recommendations will be made based on the students response. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter are chosen for this research study because of the large number of students that use these online social networks for chatting and sending messages (Cheung et al., 2010; Golder et al., 2007; Stutzman, 2006). It is essential for the academic institutions to know the positive and negative impacts of social network on students behaviour and academic performances. Benefits and obstacles of social network on educational system Social network sites (SNS) has become one of the useful tools that can revolutionized educational sector to suit requirement to improved knowledge for both student-student and student-teacher interaction. As an effective new culture of learning, social network site (SNS) offers students opportunity to use informal ways to communication, learn and collaborate independent of time and space (Zaidieh, 2012). It also helps teacher to keep constant communication and get feedback from students which improves learning efficiency. Social network sites play major role between students-teachers by allowing students to be in constant connections with other students, educators, alumni, administrators within and outside the academic environment (Jiang and Tang, 2010; Zaidieh, 2012). SNS has the ability to attract, motivate and engage students in meaningful academic practices, content exchange and other collaborations (Mills, 2011). SNS provides student-teacher flexibility in learning, teaching and also the ability to join groups in specific subjects or disciplines and enable them to connect, view photos, videos and instructional activities established by other users of the network (ELI, 2007). SNS gives students and teachers the possibility of repetition i.e to either retrieve information immediately or later which is hard when using traditional methods of teaching (Dobrzanski and Brytan, 2007). In contrast to SNS the non-SNS method such as blackboard and module are much focused and lack personal touch and network capacity of SNS. SNS has the potentials to actively encourage online community building and extend learning beyond the boundaries of the classroom (Smith, 2009; Brady et al., 2010). It provides unique opportunities for educators and instructors to facilitate a very strong sense of community within students and encourages creation of new knowledge and collective intelligence by personal interactions. SNS provides shared forum where students can post or share, and engage in collaborative discussion while sharing common sources like links, video and photos (McCann, 2009). It represents a defined shift towards social and community web-based application that can cultivate and sustain subject specific social networking. It does not only attract people but also hold their attention, propel them, to contribute and bring them back time without number all to get desirable qualities for educational purposes. SNS makes it easy and quick to access, review, update and edit learning materials any time and everywhere (Cheong, 2002) and allows students and teachers to select desirable materials from large quantity of course offered on online. It allows easy distribution of learning materials and reduces stress and increases satisfaction among students. It gives students opportunity to study at their own self-pace and allow them to join bulletin board discussion any time while visiting classmates and instructors remotely in chat room. It overcomes the limitations of space and time in education and allows accessibility of available materials in their sites and also helps to resolves time table conflicts (Zaidieh, 2012). The major challenges of SNS in education sector including lack of privacy, miscommunication and taking up times. Privacy is the major obstacles of SNS in education. Nissenbaum, (2004) described privacy as the contextual integrity which refers to the rules of appropriateness, in confines of the nature and types of information about different individuals within a given context, that is allowed, expected, or demanded to be revealed, and the rules of distribution, in confines of the movement, or transfer from one person to another. It simply means that in social network interaction; individuals have expectations concerning what information is deem appropriate to collect and circulate. Thus, specific types of information are appropriate for sharing among a certain groups of friends but may not be good to open to other social network users outside that group (Pai and Arnott, 2012). Its users express concern about privacy of their personal information and are most vigilant about safeguardin g it (Dwyer et al., 2007). In social network site (SNS), people have lots of friends and the quality and integrity of these friendship are always in question because they are not always 100% honest and reliable and cannot actually verify personal details (age and location) of their members. It also allows accurate and positive self-profile that can be potentially abused by the openness (Zaidieh, 2012). Miscommunication: In most cases, learner (students) face difficulties in expressing their ideas and views in writing as most of them prefer to express their ideas and views orally, the approach they are used to for many years of their studies. Face-to-face allows one individuals to perceive physical clues like tones, reflection, body language in an online environment (Zaidieh, 2012). Taking up time: Social network users spent much time in Internet, and more time online for their studies and works. Most times this causes lack of motivation towards learning and can be bored sitting in front of a computer for a very long time especially when the learning materials presented is free of audio and visual effects that can attract learner towards learning (Zaidieh, 2012). Lenhart et al., (2010) reported that half of the users are idled online for hours from time to time. This finding suggested that the more online time, the more SNS users, took their toll on information consumption through the social network platforms. According to Zhong et al., (2011), more than half of the social network users stated that reading information and watching videos online gave them short time for using non-SNS materials, such as broadcast and printed documents, indicating a move in trend of information from non-SNS to SNS, especially among students. Many researchers observed that students spend several hours in a day attending to different social network sites even during lectures and library sessions thus creating distractions and reducing the time to focus on their studies. For example, in the lecture or library, most students leave their mobile phone on and silently chat on the social network sites and when the lecturer sets an examination, with high expectation of good grades; majority of the students will not do well. This scenario is ominous for both the students involved and the society at large. If this situation is not put under control, it will affect the students focus towards academics and possibly increase the number of students dropping out of school. Pempek, et al., (2009) studied College Students social networking experiences on Facebook using 92 scholars. The study revealed that the students spend minimum of 1 hr. on daily bases with social network. The researchers reported that students spend more time reading the contents from their friends responses, uploading pictures and to keep in touch with friends. Other researchers however, observed that there is no relationship between time spent on the use of social network and students academic performance. Hunley et al., (2005) opined that there is no significant between the time spent on the social networks and the Grade Point Average (GPA) of students. This finding is in agreement with Kolek and Saunders (2008) which observed that social network usage and the GPA of Users have no relationship. On the other hand, Verden Boogart, (2006), reported that social network users have lower GPAs more than non-users. This finding correlates with the report by Flad (2010) that 32% out of 35% of the students that use social network have poor academic performance, and concluded that social network is good for students socialisation but negatively impact on their academic performance. Barratt et al., (2009), observed that many students log onto Facebook many times in a day, thus spending valuable time, if spent on their studies would lead to excellent academic performance. It is necessary to examine whether or not social network involvement by students improves their academic works and social behaviour. How Social network Improves learning style? In the world today, higher institutions explore emerging technologies such as social network sites as a new or improved tool to enhance teaching and learning. Social network sites support student, and boost the integration in the higher education classes. Even though the infrastructures to support social network presently exist in most universities, instructors are slow in adapting to the tools as an educational one. Recently, Sadaf et al., (2012) studied pre-service teachers beliefs about their intent to use social network in their future classrooms. The results opined that half (51%) were committed to the new technology as an instructional tool because it increases student engagement. Brady et al., (2010) studied the use of social network at North Carolina State University. Seventy percent agreed with the notion that SNS made communication skill possible between peers than a comparable face-to-face class. Nearly (82%) indicated that SNS help them communicate outside the class as we ll. Most users (74%) also agreed that SNS allows them to reflect and comments on other peoples work more effectively than a face-to-face class. In addition, Ajjan and Hartshorne, (2008), reported that Social network sites are viewed as useful tools to improve students satisfaction (32%) and also increased student-student interaction (56%). For instance, SNS enables scholars and teachers to remain current in their research areas, and also to explore recent approaches to teaching through networking with colleagues, interacting with different individuals, discussing their research/or work, and also expose their work or research interest to greater audiences. For example scholars use SNS such as blogs to support their scholarly endeavours. Researchers have identified that blogs are used; i) as a debate platform for scholars who seeks a live public intellectuals, (ii) for recording or sharing logs of pure research, (iii) as a type of tongue-in-cheek i.e water cooler to which analytical discussions of only scholarly experience can occur (Kirkup, 2010). Blog usage extends beyond research to include teaching endeavours (Deng and Yue n, 2011). Cho et al., 2007 reported that early Twitter users used Twitter for making instructional information and provide students with opportunities to communicate with professional communities outside the classroom. Future usage of social network In the past few years, social network sites have attracted the interest of researchers which examine the role this technology plays in higher education. Few of the work have showed the affective outcomes of social network site integration. Some of the studies examined learning outcomes and students achievement as related to the educational usage of social sites in college courses. King et al., (2009) described the recent development of an inter-professional team work in the healthcare field that shows how to integrate social networking. The researchers stated that in future integration of an educationally structured social network sites will facilitated growth toward the concept of effective communication which will overcome barrier of distance in learning. Some researchers have also reported that in future social network sites could foster scholarship that is social (Chong, 2010; Greenhow, 2009), conversational and open (Oblinger, 2010; Pearce et al., 2010). Social scholarship is the practice in which the use of social tools is an integral part of the research and publishing process that is characterised by openness, fast conversation, and collaboration, accessible, sharing, cheaper and transparent revision (Pearce et al., 2010). Social network sites which provide digital scholarship is more than just using information technologies and communication skill to research for materials; teach students and collaborate with other, but also to embrace the open values, ideologies and potentials of technologies essential for peer-to-peer networking and also a way of working in order to profit both the academic work and society at large. Picking up the mantle, Greenhow et al., (2009) suggested that todays student experienced different online identities due to new digital technologies at hand (for example; role playing sites, and virtual worlds). They opined that this new development presents a fundamental shift from the non-SNS to SNS and concluded that in future learners participation will be evidenced by inter-connections, content creation and participation attitudes in and out of the classroom. QUESTIONNAIRES A modified questionnaire instrument designed will be used in other to arrive at a general perception as regards to students opinion to the use social networks, behaviour to academic pursuit and social behaviour (Goodson et al., 2005; Pascarella et al., 2009). Considering the advantages of the quantitative approach, the researcher uses questionnaires to get many responses on the students behaviour towards the use social networks during classes and library sessions. There are 18 questions designed to elicit the participants opinion on the use of social network during classes and library sessions, social behaviour and time spent using social networks. Figure 1. Basic model of social behaviour and academic performance of students using social network (Adapted from Paul et al., 2012) The questionnaires measuring each of the following constructs; time spent on social network, predictors of behaviour, time management skills, academic competency, attention Span, student characteristics and academic performance were developed from literature and discussions with supervisor. For example, questions that best describe the factors which explain studentsonline networking behaviour were adopted from Cameron, (2010). Questionnaires that are related to factors such as academic competency, Information on GPA, time management skills, study strategies, student characteristics, etc. are adopted from Mizerski and Pettigrew, (2003); Sansqiry et al., (2004); Paul et al., (2012). The questionnaire adopted five point Likert scale of Strongly Agree, Agree, Undecided, Disagree, Strongly Disagree (Ary et al., 2000). The adaptation of this method is to provide correct and simple grammar in other to achieve the research objectives and also provide answers to the research questions. CATEGORIES OF SOCIAL NETWORK SITES There are many social network sites that exist today. The most popular sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and LinkedIn are free registration. All that is required from the prospective users is to provide their profile picture. Social network sites have several categories which are available in the World Wide Web (WWW) (Brown, 2011). Social network categories are the class given to a large groups based on certain functions, features, forms and meaning. Each of the social network categories has their specific focus and functions but all have common characteristics. They have features such blogs, videos, records of members, journal and many more (Othman et al., 2011). Thelwall (2009), reported that social network tools have three main categories as regards to friendship connections, (Fig1.2). The first Category social network is for social communication among members. Facebook, MySpace, twitter, etc. have this feature. Category two, with LinkedIn as example aims at searching for new contacts. Category three is the social navigation network through which specific types of information or resources can be obtained. Figure 1.2 shows about 22 categories available in social network like discussion, education, and library. Most of the website falls into more than one category such as MySpace which can be categories into music and friendship category. Facebook Facebook was originally introduced in 2004 as an online Harvard social network site which allows students living on University residential halls or students from other faculties of the University to register as users and communicate with their fellow students (Zywicas and Danowski, 2008). In 2006, Facebook was made public for everybody (Urista et al., 2009); and in December 2006 it had over 12 million users and at the end of December 2009, the active users increased to 350 million (Hew, 2011). Today Facebook is the most populated social network site in the majority of the countries with more than 400 Million users. In March 2011, Europe had the highest number of Facebook users 234.6 million followed by 163.9 million in North America (Karpinski et al., 2012). Facebook is a social network site in which individuals or groups can share photographs, personal information, and communicate with friends (Hew, 2011). Facebook is also considered as the leading social network site used among college students. For example, Ellison et al., (2007) reported that in USA, 90% of the Undergraduate students Participate on Facebook. In British undergraduate students, Facebook has also become the most popular SNS used (Madge et al., 2009). Munoz and Towner, (2009) suggested that Facebook can have positive impact on college students life, and further stated that students can use Facebook to communicate with other students concerning their assignments, group work or project, or teachers communicating their students regarding useful information on a specific course links. On the other hand, researchers have shown concern in regards to possible negative impacts of Facebook usage among college students. For example, Kirschner and Karpinski, (2010) reported that students spending hours on Facebook may adversely affect their academic performance. Facebook profile can be classified into four main groups: i) control elements, ii) referents elements, iii) preference elements, iv) contact elements. Control elements are fields like the gender of the user, length/period of Facebook membership, and their institutional status. Referents elements include hometown, residence and high school which are based on profile fields or common points of contact among the users. Preference elements are simply based on expression of personal interest and self-descriptive information of the user. For example, About Me, my interests, my favourite Music, favourite movies, favourite TV-shows, favourite books, favourite quotes, and my political views. Contact elements are profile fields such as e-mail address, instant messenger screen name, and the relationship status (Cain, 2008; Lampe et al., 2007). Facebook users can also create groups and become a fan of a particular page of their interest organization such as football clubs, and celebrities thus allowing users with common goal to get together and support the organization or the celebrity. Facebook also serve as sources of entertainment because of the availability of games and other applications. Examples of such games and applications are Crazy Taxi, My Fairyland, and Facebook for iPhone (Hew, 2011). MYSPACE MySpace is one of the popular social networks sites in the world today. It was launched in California in 2003 to compete with other networks like Friendster and Xanga etc (Anderson, 2007). It grew rapidly by taking advantage of Friendsters mistake and failure. According to Anderson, (2007) Indie-rock bands that were expelled from Friendster because of profile problems; moved to MySpace network and began to attract users. There were several advertisements by most popular clubs in MySpace. It is believed that music was not only the key issue that attracted users of MySpace but rather there were symbiotic association between music bands and fans that helped to expand MySpace beyond expectation. MySpace is unique because it allows addition of features based on the users interest (Boyd, 2006). Boyd said that teenagers started using MySpace in 2004 to connect to their friends and not just for the reason that they belong to the bands. MySpace site achieved its highest growth rates with three different groups, namely, the musicians, teenagers and undergraduate students. Among SNS, MySpace gives greater self-expression than the popular Facebook and Twitter. It allows the users to customize their virtual space through an open format in which the designed elements, like text, video, music, graphics and photographs can be used to display their users online personality. With this feature users can create self-image that can be communicated to the mass audience. MySpace also gives the users more anonymity by providing the option of using a nickname. (Kane, 2008; Boyle and Johnson, 2010). Twitter Twitter is a free social network site and micro blogging service which enables the users to read and post short text-based message that is not more than 140 words, called tweets. Some people tweet with micro-blog platform, while others regard it as a social networking site (Bake, 2009). A Web service which allows people to post brief messages to other users of the same service is micro-blogging. It derived its feature from Instant Relay Chat (IRC) including instant messaging and handsets. According to Bake (2009), Twitter is one of the social network web-based applications that allow its users to build their own profile either publicly or semi-publicly. Twitter uses the exact basic features like find people profile and uploading pictures on profile etc. The traditional contacts in twitter are followers and following categories. Twitter does not belong to only SNSs socializing category but also to networking with navigation, (Thelwall, 2007). This network allows you to follow users (following) and also followed by other users (followers) without any authorization. Messages sent are automatically published on the front page of the users (timeline) (Torreente et al., 2012). Any user may reply or retweet any tweet, which can generate public debate and conversation. Links can also be added to the tweets in order to create additional information beyond the 140 words. Some key potentials of Twitter are that it is a window to the unlimited source of information and can be regarded multi-focal. It gives the opportunity to create lists of manage tweets by themes, authors and tags which helps users to manage the information and also easier to follow a particular topic. It is an ideal tool to disseminate information and to broadcast live events such as conferences, and any event worldwide. Twitter is fast and viral i.e. anyone can tweet and the spread of information can be unstoppable. One of the features of Twitter is the ability to include links which makes it easier to move from particular content to another (Torreente et al., 2012). Influence of social network on social behaviour of students Social behaviour is a kind of influence from specific group of people which may positively or negatively affec

Irish Violence and the Troubles Essay

In this essay I will examine the effect of silence during the ‘troubles’ on individual and national identities; with particular interest to Seamus Deane’s Reading in the Dark, Tim Pat Coogan states that the term â€Å"Irish Troubles† refers to a whole history of violence and colonialism that Ireland has endured, over the last thousand years. ‘To the physical force school of Irish nationalism the Norman coming is generally regarded as the starting point for ‘eight hundred years of British oppression’’ (Coogan, 1996, p. 43). In addition to this, he explains that the term ‘troubles’, is now directed to the modern, twentieth century troubles. They mainly occurred during 1960 to 1998. The reason for the violence and resentment in Northern Ireland is due to the divisions between the nationalists (Roman Catholics) and the unionists (Protestants). The nationalists identify Northern Ireland as part of Ireland, not a separate country, and not another colony of the United Kingdom; whereas the unionists have great allegiance to Britain and regard their position as part of the UK with pride (Coogan, 1996, p. 1). But the Irish agony had been building up slowly also, rooted in complex factors, one of which geography, pre-dates the dawn of history: others involve the outworkings of two forms of colonialism, those of Mother Church and Mother England (Coogan, 1996, p. 1). Discrimination also factored into the tension between the two groups. The unionists rule over Northern Ireland affected most Catholic lives negatively, as they were a minority; they were discriminated in areas of employment, housing and education. Internment or also known as Operation Demetrius is one key issue that contributed to the beginning of the ‘troubles’ (Coogan, 1996. 30). This was introduced by the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary; it involved arresting anyone who was accused of being against the professional military force immediately, without trial. These aspects stirred resentment from the nationalists and inconsequence caused violent rebellion (Coogan, 1996, p. 145). Thus, the violence that was carried out during the ‘troubles’, was chiefly by the IRA (Irish Republic Army), the Ulster Volunteer Force, the British Army and The Royal Ulster Constabulary (Coogan, 1996, p. 18). The aggression of the ‘troubles’ constructed Northern Ireland to be a place of great instability and tension. In his book The Wretched of the Earth, Frantz Fanon comments on the state of the colonised mind. Fanon was a psychiatrist and a theorist of post-colonialism. His work essentially centred on the developing countries, particularly Algeria. In order to break away from colonisation, Fanon advocates violence to the colonised and he is renowned for this factor (Fanon, 1967, pp. 10-11). His main concern is his patients, who are mentally ill. In his final chapter â€Å"Colonial War and Mental Disorders†, he explains that his patients suffer not merely by war but also from a colonial circumstance (Fanon, 1967, p. 235). But the doctors described it by portraying as a congenital stigma of the native, an ‘original’ part of his nervous system where, it was stated, it was possible to find the proof of a predominance of the extra-pyramidal system in the native. This contracture is in fact simply the postural accompaniment to the native’s reticence, the expression in muscular form of his rigidity and his refusal with regard to colonial authority (Fanon, 1967, p. 35). It is this colonial circumstance that inevitably yields the ‘native’ into a nervous, mental state. Fanon pays close attention to language and asserts that language is taken away from the colonised subject (Fanon, 1967, p. 194). The language of colonising involves removing the ‘native’s’ language and speech. Consequently, the colonised is silenced, and this is an oppressive act. ‘Silence’ is defined in The Oxford English Dictionary as an ‘absence of sound’ and ‘speech’; it can be an evasion of discussing something in particular, or it can be something that is forced upon (Soanes and Stevenson, 2008, p. 1342). Sara Maitland, author of A Book of Silence, attempts to understand silence and claims that the OED’s definition is far too indistinct (Maitland, 2008, p. 25). She explores the essence of it in several ways; her own life, history, religion, literature and travel. It is apparent from this book that ‘silence’ is an ambiguous phenomenon that consists of both positive and negative dimensions. Silence is abstract and transforms itself; it can be relative or a complete absence. Maitland observes that it is generally recognised negatively, her friend writes in a letter that, ‘silence is the place of death, of nothingness’ (Maitland, 2008, p. 8). She justifies that silence is only negative when it obstructs. Maitland describes the three forms of ‘interferences’; a subject’s tongue is cut out then they are silenced; if someone is imprisoned, they are silenced, since any noise they make will not be heard; if speech is construed as ‘worthless’ and ‘meaningless’, then it is silenced (Maitland, 2008, p. 29). This is very effective and useful for your average oppressor: calling someone ‘mad’, for example, means they can say what they like but no one will hear – this was the sort of silencing the Soviet Union went in for (Maitland, 2008, p. 9). This form of silence interrupts speech and creates a barrier that subjugates the potential speaker. It is oppressive and in effect it becomes a metaphorical prison. Seamus Deane’s novel Reading in the Dark was published in1996, two years before the end of the ‘troubles’. The novel is a bildungsroman, as it reports the protagonists’ growth from child to an adult, so the reader witnesses the protagonist’s youthful innocence transform with experience, as he comes of age. The narrator is an Irish Catholic boy who is growing up in Northern Ireland, Derry. It is constructed of smaller stories that are dated from 1945 up to 1971, where the protagonist matures into an adult. These stories are fragments of memories, conversations, myths and events that happened in the area. They contribute in narrating the protagonist’s growth from a young child to an adult. Thus with backdrop of the violent ‘troubles’, the narrator develops his understanding of who he is, by unearthing a profound family secret (Deane, 1996). Deane complicates the whole novel by playing with ‘silence’. The style of narration is one of the key methods that he employs to do this. Before the narration begins, the title ‘Reading in the Dark’ indicates towards a narrative of silence and so to a narrative that will be indecipherable. As mentioned before, this novel is a bildungsroman, a story of self-discovery and identity. Ensuing this, to read is to understand, and so the protagonist will understand and discover himself by ‘reading’. However, ‘reading in the dark’ is a paradox, as it is impossible and in result self-discovery is silenced. The opposite of dark is light, and light is generally associated with illumination and knowledge (Farquharson, 1999, p. 101). Whereas, darkness contains an absence, so it becomes the visual equivalent to silence. Deane implies through this understanding of the title that the unfolding of the narrative will be an intricate and complicated process. This displays that the colonial landscape of Northern Ireland and the ‘troubles’ create identity as problematic. Pre-eminent among them are the disfiguring effects of both colonialism and postcolonial nationalism alluded to above, the crisis of self-representation produced by colonialist discourse, and the dynamics of power and resistance, history and memory, language and identity within colonial relations. Read from postcolonial perspective, the novel could be described as an exploration of the problematic process of identity formation in a colonialist context (Harte, 2000, p. 152). As a result, Deane deliberately confirms through his title that self-discovery and understanding of identity is furthermore complex in a colonised state (Fanon, 1967, p. 182). In consequence, darkness obstructs light and silence obstructs articulation. Therefore, silence hinders the narration.