agus cardozo final october 20th

8/15/2019 Agus Cardozo final October 20th

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FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH

Coursework portfolio

Cardozo Toms, Agustina

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Assignment 1 Informative, analytical and/or argumentative

Does p rogress pay?

In this world of constant technology progress and continuous improvements in science,

it is almost inconceivable to be left out of this development the world is suffering. Every

day new techniques and products appear to help improve our way of life; some affect it

directly, but others indirectly; several can not change our lives yet, but will make a

great difference in some years time. Many of these deal with the theme of health.Lately, a lot has been investigated about cells and their importance in the transmission

of inherited information. The thorough and fervent study of the origins of life as well as its

bases has led to the discovery of the molecule of DNA and, in the same way, to the

investigation of the genetic code.

Along with genetics engineering and the manipulation of genes came an enormous

controversy regarding the viability of the projects originated by this science. There are

many people who foster the projects of human cloning and genetic modifications, but, as

always, there are groups who deliberately oppose and believe all kinds of cloning should

be banned. Before developing any premature opinion, it is necessary to clarify what

cloning is, and erase any mistaken idea. To clone means simply to duplicate, to copy, not

only whole bodies, but also single cells, and the difference between these types must bestated. Actually, many industrial processes involve cloning of special breeds of bacteria or

parts of DNA, and they result very useful and applicable in medical, industrial or

agronomic environments.

But these types of modifications are not exactly the protagonists of nowadays debates,

the most critical discussions take place around the intervention in the human genetic code.

People who promote the creation of whole human clones have the opposition of those who

believe making clones or means playing God. I think there are many sensible reasons for

and against human cloning, all of them acceptable; nevertheless, cloning a person requires

excessive care and involves very expensive processes, which would finally make me

believe it is still not the right moment to start creating clones.

Most arguments in favor of human cloning sound cruel and cold-blooded, since the

majority involves the creation of a human being to obtain a benefit and then get rid of it.

Some of these ideas include creation of clones that would allow sterile people to have their

own babies; homosexual couples to get pregnant; parents who have lost a child to recover

him. Also, clones could be destined to be operated on to take their organs for

transplantation. These ideas may sound extremely barbarous and self-centered as they

suggest the use of a person for our own benefit and it is due to this that human cloning is

outlawed in most countries. However, there are some possible solutions for these

problems, which means that human cloning can still wait until better research and

investigation has been done. There are treatments for infertile people which can, though

slowly, enable them to have their children. Apart from this, a lot has been investigatedabout organ tissues and it has been possible to obtain cloned organs; cells have been

extracted from special tissues and by genetic engineering their cloning was achieved,

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which means we can create individual compatible organs for transplantation. Anyway, all

these procedures still need testing and evaluation to finally start using them massively.

Other reasons for human cloning which have more support are the creation of humans to

help in medical research of diseases. Once again, scientific advances can help to improve

our quality of life.

On the other hand, people against these manipulations sustain that clones may have

several psychological problems of lack of individualism. But the truth is that we have to

take into account that clones do not grow from one day to another and therefore would

have a great difference in age with their parents; clones would be like twins, only with

different ages. They also believe that having clones around the world would destroy the

sense of uniqueness of individuals. Many are also concerned about the dangers thatinvolve cloning; in order to obtain one healthy and viable embryo, hundreds have to die.

Still, I believe that for everything we have to run risks, it is not possible to obtain

something or succeed in the area of medicine if we dont take risks; it is part of the game.

Finally, we have seen that there are as many arguments in favor as there are against.

Human cloning could help us greatly improve our way of life, by providing answers and

help to cure special types of diseases; by genetic planning we can ameliorate a lot our

health as well as our relatives. But still there are some ideas that do not fully convince me;

as always, there are cruel ideas which some people support that can degenerate and ruin all

the devised projects, as well as throw away years of research and investigation. The best

course of action is to continue investigating and slowly lead to the creation of human

clones when the world is ready to receive them and give them the treatment they deserve:equal to human beings. In this way when we are ready to, we can go on with this science;

meanwhile we can do nothing but continue studying the complex and never ending nature.

Although rather too long, this is a coherent and consistent piece, where the candidate

describes and reflects effectively upon her own experience over the issue of human

cloning. There are insignificant language errors. Paragraphs are well constructed and

linked to clarify writing as a whole. That is why I allot this piece 37 out of 40 .

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Assignment 2 Imaginative, descriptive and/or narrative(DRAFT)

Numbered

Scene 1 Emergency Rest Room

[Dr. Manley is dozing half-falling from a narrow stretcher, barely covered by an old blanket.Every once in a while he startles and whispers something incomprehensible, probably productof a momentary nightmare. Those nights staying at the Emergency Guard were never easy, andeven less today, after a whole day of teaching at University. But its been a peculiarly and oddly

calm night and Dr. Manley is apparently getting the rest he has needed for a long time Yet,theres something going on. He senses it. Thats why he cant conciliate sleep. He is runningthrough a corridor Chasing something Or otherwise: he is being chased. He is getting there;he is reaching the door, just one more step...]

Nurse: Sir, we have an emergency, a man has just dropped in, we dont know whats going on with him

Dr. Manley: [Suddenly jumping off the stretcher, his glasses have almost fell and hang only from one ear,they are completely crooked]Heh?! Hum, what?! Okay, okay, dont panic, Im coming! Quick!Where is he? Duh, where are my glasses Oh! Here! Theyve fell on the floor; oh, just what Ineeded: a pair of broken glasses Well, Ive the spare one in my pocket. Now, back to work!

[A resident student enters the place with an expression of horror on his face. It must be hisfirst time at Emergency.Those guys always panic at the sight of a blood drop when its theirfirst patient. They just freeze and dont know what to do. Seeing the extremely worried look,Dr. Manley simulates to be worried too, just not to ridicule or embarrass the young doctor.]

Dr. Manley: [As they leave the room running]Yes, so, Dr? Jim Farrell, yes, Dr. Jim Farrell, tell me aboutthe man, what is he showing signs of?

Dr. Farrell: [Very agitated]Well, his blood pressure is sky-high, and theres no way to lower it by any means.His heartbeats increase second by second. Weve already provided him with a beta-blocking, buthe doesnt seem to respond. He has goose bumps and doesnt stop sweating [They arrivewhere the stretcher with the man is]This is the third sheet we have to change, he leaves themcompletely wet

[Dr. Manley carefully examines the man. He is about 25 years old. He is shaking convulsively andhis hair is electrified. After some minutes the patient becomes stiff. He stops shaking andseems to be peacefully asleep. The professional seems very confused. A person with that blood

pressure and heartbeats cannot simply calm down in that way. He tells Dr. Farrell to go andsleep for a while: everything is under control. He sits down beside him. After some minutes, hesees the man moving.]

Dr. Manley: Hello there Can you hear me? Do you understand me? I dont really know your name, andneither the reason why you are here, but well try find out, okay? I just need to know your nameand any useful phone number to call any relative Hey! Are you listening to me? Can you speak?

[The man keeps looking around completely stunned and frenetically. He is absolutely lost andperplexed. Abruptly, he shows his intention of talking, but only some stammering comes out.He cannot pronounce a word, or, at least, nothing understandable.]

Man: Dub Yub Argg Stub

Dr. Manley: Calm Down, calm down. Just relax, we have time. So, can you try and tell me your name? Or atleast where you come from?

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[The man keeps moving hysterically, until he suddenly freezes. He has given a good look at Dr.Manley and is paralyzed, as if he had recognized him, or remembered something.]

Man: [Running out of breath]Na Num 34 Number 342? Tom Tommy You ok? WhereTommy! I I found you! Oh cant believe it escaped! its you!

Dr. Manley: Sir, in case you can listen to me, my name is Dr. Joseph Manley, and you are at the hospital rightnow. We want to know whats happening to you, we just need Sir? Hey! Sir?!

[The man has ceased to move. His body is stiff. His eyes wide open, but apparently lifeless. Heseems as frozen by an invisible frost. The doctor immediately begins his work to revive him:electro-shock, respirator. The whole room has become a chaos, people entering and leaving,bringing and taking out things.]

Scene 2 Hospital Corridor, Analysis Lab

[It is a normal day at hospital. Nothing apart from the quotidian: Dr. Manley has just finishedchecking his patients, everything is in order. But he has good spirits; he is expectant as hestarts for the Analysis Lab]

Dr. Manley: Hi everyone, hows everything going? Tough day, heh? Well, we all have one every once in awhile Itll do, dont worry, itll do. Meanwhile Mark, please tell me you have what I wantYes Exactly, oh yes, make me a happy man and tell me youve made it

Dr. Glauber: [In an ironic and joking way]Well That depends Nah, you owe me a big one there, JoeHere, take it and disappear, away, go, go

Dr. Manley: [Almost jumping in happiness and gratification]Thank you sooo much! You cant imagine whatyou have just done for me. I couldnt simply let the death of that man pass inadvertent as itwas Something must have killed him, he cant just die. Tell me, anything unconventional on hisblood test results?

Dr. Glauber: Hmm Well, everythings fine: glucose levels, erythrocytes number ok, leucocytes too, plasmaThe only striking result is the adrenaline level, its exorbitant. But No, no, it cant be possible,it must be a mistake. Dont worry about it, you know, you can never trust technology! Ha ha ha!

Dr. Manley: Are you sure? That would be the only abnormal thing in that man, the only possible cause ofdeath. Ill think about it.

Dr. Glauber: I dont think so, its a verystrange result. But listen, why didnt you do an autopsy if you are sointerested in him?

Dr. Manley: Why didnt I do it? I wanted to, but the authorities wouldnt let me. Since no one has claimedfor his body, and he doesnt have any identification, they wont waste their time on him. But Icant just stay here when a man has died in my hands and I find no reason. Ok, I guess Illcontinue searching in case I find something else. If not, well have to blame his high levels ofadrenaline, though they have to be drastically high to kill him And it would be a really oddcase, really hard to explain this hormonal overproduction. Bye Mark, and thanks again, I owe youa big one!

Dr. Glauber: No problem, go on, in case I find something I tell you. See you later at lunch.

[]

Scene 3 Hospital Cellar

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[Two men are squatting behind some old syringe boxes, under some debilitated dusty shelves.They are whispering in an almost imperceptible way, trying to avoid being heard or seen.]

Dr. Manley: So what is it that youre telling me? Do you want me to believe theres a vast net of people inthis town who are conspiring behind us and manipulating us and our society? Im sorry Madam,but Im not quite sure I get your idea

Woman: Its not my idea, Ive already told you! [Starts to get nervous]Youre gonna blow my top Imtrying to warn you! Listen, I know my appearance doesnt help, but Im pretty sure of what Ivebeen seeing and listening for the past years: Theres a group of people under the abandonedmall where I sleep who are kidnapping others to play with them! To harm them! To manipulatetheir bodies! If you dont believe me who will? Ive got to go right now, but please, just trust meand visit that place, just try not to be seen. Theyre making doubles over there, theyre makingexperiments. Go there and try to save that people, please, trust me. Bye

Dr. Manley: [A loud chilling sound is heard from above. They both stand up very quickly, but Manley hits hisback with one of the shelves and it falls down]Ouch!

Woman: [Worried]Are you okay? Look, look what youve done to yourself! You have a great scar underyour neck that has reopened! Your neck is bleeding

Dr. Manley: [Calming her down]Oh, dont worry, it happens all the time. Its an old scar Ive always had;probably a fall when I was a kid, I really never knew. The fact is that my skin there is very weak,and at the slightest touch it opens. Nothing to worry about. Lets go.

Woman: Okay, yes, Id better be going. Bye, and thanks for listening, I hope you trust me and go to themall.

[]

Scene 4 Down the mall

[Manley has hardly managed to get into the mall, after having to fight with some beggars wholive there. He has escaped from the security men of the cellar, and gotten into a kind of secretinstallation that resembles a hospital. He is now in the Conference Room, hiding at the back ofthe auditorium. Everybody is silent, and a video is about to be played.]

Man: Welcome everybody! Im glad to introduce you to the new world of technology! [Applause]After15 years of research and experimentation, we are ready to present you with the medicine of thenext millennium: genetic techniques to modify any problem in people and achieve the birth ofbetter human beings, and individual cloning! [Applause]The video that follows will explain ourwork step by step, and show you the future of health. Thank you very much. [Applause]

Video: After years of undercover research, Genetech is glad to introduce you with the first humanclones in the Earth. At the same time, we want to show the creation of genetically improvedhuman beings, who have a better performance in everyday life, thanks to their special proteinproduction. All the studied individuals were kept here numbered under exam. In the first place,we introduce you to the first human beings to be modified in order to produce higher levels ofadrenaline. In this way, their functioning is longer and better; they have much more energy tocontinue working and doing everyday activities, without needing to sleep that much. On theother hand, Genetech has been able to modify individuals providing them with genes thatstimulate the formation of new nervous branches; due to this, it is possible to regenerate anybroken nerve in the body. And related to this topic, some other experiments were held. Ourmain objective about the nervous system was to improve the treatments in diseases related tothe spinal marrow: cancer, body paralysis, etc. To contribute to these experiments, certain

specifically chosen individuals were cloned. They were studied and kept here numbered forsome time, and then a part of their marrow was surgically extracted to continue the studies, aswell as certain organs in some cases. This was achieved by a dorsal incision, right under theneck

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1883 words!!Agustina,This is too long. Your stage directions can be reduced because in many parts they soundmore like a novel, rather than stage directions. Also choose the most important entries ofeach scene.

Assignment 2 Imaginative, descriptive and/or narrative

Numbered

Scene 1 Emergency Rest Room

[Dr. Manley is dozing half-falling from a narrow stretcher, barely covered by an old blanket.]

Nurse: Sir, we have an emergency, a man has just dropped in, we dont know whats going on with him

Dr. Manley: [As they leaves the room running]Yes, so, Dr? Jim Farrell, yes, Dr. Jim Farrell, tell me aboutthe man, what is he showing signs of?

Dr. Farrell: [Very agitated]Well, his blood pressure is sky-high, and theres no way to lower it by any means.His heartbeats increase second by second. Weve already provided him with a beta-blocking, buthe doesnt seem to respond. He has goose bumps and doesnt stop sweating [They arrivewhere the stretcher with the man is]This is the third sheet we have to change, he leaves themcompletely wet

[Dr. Manley carefully examines the man. He sits down beside him. After some minutes, he seesthe man moving.]

Dr. Manley: Hello there Can you hear me? Do you understand me? I dont really know your name, andneither the reason why you are here, but well try find out, okay? I just need to know your nameand any useful phone number to call any relative Hey! Are you listening to me? Can you speak?

[The man keeps looking around completely stunned and frenetically. He is absolutely lost andperplexed. Abruptly, he shows his intention of talking, but only some stammering comes out.He cannot pronounce a word, or, at least, nothing understandable.]

Man: Dub Yub Argg Stub

Dr. Manley: Calm Down, calm down. Just relax, we have time. So, can you try and tell me your name? Or atleast where you come from?

[The man keeps moving hysterically, until he suddenly freezes. He has given a good look at Dr.Manley and is paralyzed, as if he had recognized him, or remembered something.]

Man: [Running out of breath]Na Num 34 Number 342? Tom Tommy You ok? WhereTommy! I I found you! Oh cant believe it escaped! its you!

Dr. Manley: Sir, in case you can listen to me, my name is Dr. Joseph Manley, and you are at the hospital rightnow. We want to know whats happening to you, we just need Sir? Hey! Sir?!

[The man has ceased to move. His body is stiff. His eyes wide open, but apparently lifeless. Heseems as frozen by an invisible frost. The doctor immediately begins his work to revive him:electro-shock, respirator. The whole room has become a chaos, people entering and leaving,bringing and taking out things.]

Scene 2 Hospital Corridor, Analysis Lab

[It is a normal day at hospital: Dr. Manley is expectant as he starts for the Analysis Lab]

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Dr. Manley: Hi everyone, hows everything going? Tough day, heh? Mark, please tell me you have what Iwant Yes Exactly, oh yes, make me a happy man and tell me youve made it

Dr. Glauber: [In an ironic and joking way]Well That depends Nah, you owe me a big one there, JoeHere, take it and disappear, away, go, go

Dr. Manley: [Almost jumping in happiness and gratification]Thank you sooo much! You cant imagine whatyou have just done for me. I couldnt simply let the death of that man pass inadvertent as itwas Something must have killed him, he cant just die. Tell me, anything unconventional on hisblood test results?

Dr. Glauber: Hmm Well, everythings fine: glucose levels, erythrocytes number ok, leucocytes too, plasmaThe only striking result is the adrenaline level, its exorbitant. But No, no, it cant be possible,it must be a mistake. Dont worry about it, you know, you can never trust technology! Ha ha ha!

Dr. Manley: Are you sure? That would be the only abnormal thing in that man, the only possible cause ofdeath. Ill think about it.

Dr. Glauber: I dont think so, its a verystrange result. But listen, why didnt you do an autopsy if you are sointerested in him?

Dr. Manley: Why didnt I do it? I wanted to, but the authorities wouldnt let me. Since no one has claimedfor his body, and he doesnt have any identification, they wont waste their time on him. But Icant just stay here when a man has died in my hands and I find no reason. Ok, I guess Illcontinue searching in case I find something else. If not, well have to blame his high levels ofadrenaline, though they have to be drastically high to kill him And it would be a really oddcase, really hard to explain this hormonal overproduction. Bye Mark, and thanks again, I owe youa big one!

Scene 3 Hospital Cellar

[Dr. Manly and a woman are squatting behind some old syringe boxes, under some shelves,whispering so as not to be heard]

Woman: Its not my idea, Ive already told you! [Starts to get nervous]Youre gonna blow my top Imtrying to warn you! Listen, I know my appearance doesnt help, but Im pretty sure of what Ivebeen seeing and listening for the past years: Theres a group of people under the abandonedmall where I sleep who are kidnapping others to play with them! To harm them! To manipulatetheir bodies! If you dont believe me who will? Ive got to go right now, but please, just trust meand visit that place, just try not to be seen. Theyre making doubles over there, theyre makingexperiments. Go there and try to save that people, please, trust me. Bye

Dr. Manley: [A loud chilling sound is heard from above. They both stand up very quickly, but Manley hits hisback with one of the shelves and it falls down]Ouch!

Woman: [Worried]Are you okay? Look, look what youve done to yourself! You have a great scar underyour neck that has reopened! Your neck is bleeding

Dr. Manley: [Calming her down]Oh, dont worry, I have had it for a long time. Lets go.

Woman: Okay, yes, Id better be going. Bye, and thanks for listening, I hope you trust me and go to themall.

Scene 4 Down the mall

[Dr. Manley has gotten into a kind of secret installation that resembles a hospital. He is now inthe Conference Room, hiding at the back of the auditorium. Everybody is silent, and a video isabout to be played.]

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Man: Welcome everybody! Im glad to introduce you to the new world of technology! [Applause]After15 years of research and experimentation, we are ready to present you with the medicine of thenext millennium: genetic techniques to modify any problem in people and achieve the birth ofbetter human beings, and individual cloning! [Applause]The video that follows will explain ourwork step by step, and show you the future of health. Thank you very much. [Applause]

Video: After years of undercover research, Genetech is glad to introduce you with the first humanclones in the Earth. At the same time, we want to show the creation of genetically improvedhuman beings, who have a better performance in everyday life, thanks to their special proteinproduction. All the studied individuals were kept here numbered under exam. In the first place,we introduce you to the first human beings to be modified in order to produce higher levels ofadrenaline. In this way, their functioning is longer and better; they have much more energy tocontinue working and doing everyday activities, without needing to sleep that much. On the

other hand, Genetech has been able to modify individuals providing them with genes thatstimulate the formation of new nervous branches; due to this, it is possible to regenerate anybroken nerve in the body. And related to this topic, some other experiments were held. Ourmain objective about the nervous system was to improve the treatments in diseases related tothe spinal marrow: cancer, body paralysis, etc. To contribute to these experiments, certainspecifically chosen individuals were cloned. They were studied and kept here numbered forsome time, and then a part of their marrow was surgically extracted to continue the studies, aswell as certain organs in some cases. This was achieved by a dorsal incision, right under theneck

Still too long, but we can see how well Agustina has constructed her script around

organized action, providing entertainment and sound food for thought. Characters

are well developed, while unity is achieved; therefore, I see no reason why the

number of words should be considered self-penalising. On the contrary, I do believe

we should recognize Agustinas nack as a writer. I allot this script 38 out of 40 points.

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Assignment 3 Reading and Writing

Extract from the novel Anthills of the Savannah, by Chinua Achebe

He dug his hand into his shirt pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper and carefully

unfolded it on his knee. I wrote this strange love-letter last night. May I read it? I nodded.

"The original oppression of Woman was based on crude denigration. She caused Man to fall. So

she became a scapegoat. No, not a scapegoat which might be blameless but a culprit richly deserving

of whatever suffering Man chose thereafter to heap on her. This is Woman in the Book of Genesis.

Out there, our ancestors, without the benefit of hearing about the Old Testament, made the very samestory differing only in local colour. At first the Sky was close to the Earth. But every evening Woman

cut off a piece of the Sky to put in her soup pot or, as in another version, she repeatedly banged the

top end of her pestle carelessly against the Sky whenever she pounded the millet or, as in yet another

rendering so prodigious is Man's inventiveness she wiped her kitchen hands on the Sky's face.

Whatever the detail of Woman's provocation, the Sky finally moved away in danger, and God with it.

"Well, that kind of candid chauvinism might be OK for the rugged taste of Old Testament. The

New Testament required a more enlightened, more refined, more loving even, strategy ostensibly,

that is. So the idea came to Man to turn his spouse into the very Mother of God, to pick her up from

right under his foot where she'd been since Creation and carry her reverently to a nice, corner

pedestal. Up there, her feet completely off the ground she will be just as irrelevant to the practical

decisions of running the world as she was in her bad old days. The only difference is that now Man

will suffer no guilt feelings; he can sit back and congratulate himself on his generosity and

gentlemanliness.

Meanwhile our ancestors out here, unaware of the New Testament, were working out

independently a parallel subterfuge of their own. Nneka, they said. Mother is supreme. Let us keepher in reserve until the ultimate crisis arrives and the waist is broken and hung over the fire, and the

palm bears its fruit at the tail of its leaf. Then, as the world crashes around Mans eras, Woman in her

supremacy will descend and sweep the shards together.

Do I make sense?

As always, go on.

Thank you BB. I owe that insight to you. I cant tell you what the new role of Woman will be. I

dont know. I should never have presumed to know. You have to tell us. We never asked you before.

And perhaps because youve never been asked you may not have thought about it; you may not have

the answer handy. But in that case everybody had better know who is now holding up the action.

Thats very kind of you!That was the first part of this love-letter, the part I owe specifically to you. Heres the rest.

The women are, of course, the biggest single group of oppressed people in the world and, if we

are to believe the Book of Genesis, the very oldest. But they are not the only ones. There are others

rural peasants in every land, the urban poor in industrialized countries, black people everywhere

including their own continent, ethnic and religious minorities and castes in all countries. The most

obvious practical difficulty is the magnitude and heterogeneity of the problem. There is no universal

conglomerate of the oppressed. Free people may be alike everywhere in their freedom but the

oppressed inhabit each their own peculiar hell. The present orthodoxies of deliverance are futile to

the extent that they fail to recognize this. You know my stand on that. Every genuine artist feels it in

his bones. The simplistic remedies touted by all manner of salesmen (including some who call

themselves artists) will always fail because of mans stubborn antibody called surprise. Man will

surprise by his capacity for nobility as well as for villainy. No system can change that. It is built into

the core of mans free spirit.

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A myriad of d ifferences

One of the most controversial debates taking place in the world these days is the

discussion about social differences among people. In this extract of a letter written by the

character Ikem Osodi in the novel Anthills of the Savannah, we can clearly appreciate not

only the situation of women throughout the years and in diverse parts of the world, but

also the circumstances in which other oppressed groups live. Despite the myriad of wars,

battles and struggles in seek of equality and universality, it is shameful to have to admit in

the 21

st

Century that these differences continue and affect a great number of people. In thisextract, Achebe masterfully succeeds in presenting a very clear idea, by means of his

character Ikem, about the position of these groups of people and how they have changed

since the origins of civilization, as well as his opinion as regards this topic.

Osodi begins his letter by going back to the origins of civilization, according to the

Bible, when Woman started to be cornered by Man, until reaching the point of crude

denigration. We can notice the writers opposition to this idea when he implies this was

done due to the fact that Woman was in some way stronger than Man: She caused Man to

fall. So she became a scapegoat. In this line he also suggests Man needed somebody to

put the blame on and punish, and this role was taken by Woman, who had to carry all the

culpability, or supposed culpability, leaving Man free of guilt. Further on, he compares this

religious story to the native one, an African legend, probably to show the reader that thisattitude was not only adopted by certain groups of people, but also by others who had no

contact at all, suggesting may be, that having the need of blaming somebody for their own

actions is in Mans nature. In the second story, we are told that Woman is supposed to be

the one who caused God to go away, accusing her again of being the culprit of the worlds

evils. The choice of the word chauvinism clearly denotes his opposition to the course of

action taken by the people at that time. The reference to this particular ideology similar to

that of narcissism, suggests ideas of egotism/self-absorption, absolutism and xenophobia

from Mans part, who cares only about himself to the point of reaching perverse, merciless

and cruel manifestations. But then the writer tells us by an excellent use of irony and a

masterful choice of words, that long after that Man had to disguise what he had done; the

suffering Woman had to go through could now sound terribly sanguine and abusive, andthats why he chooses to change a bit her position in society. But what can he do to revert

the situation? Exactly that: completely revert it; by making Woman pass from being the

lowest thing on Earth, to being the highest in Heaven - Gods Mother. The irony in this

idea makes emphatically clear his opinion about Woman being treated like an object whose

position can be changed from one day to another; it is absolutely sensible and asserted to

fight for social equality. Man without Woman would never survive, they need each other to

do this, and there is no reason to believe one is inferior to the other. This is why the idea of

the supremacy of one sex over the other is completely absurd.

The effect of irony reaches its climax when Osodi insinuates that now that Woman is in

her nice corner pedestal Man can finally be content with himself and fully proud of his

actions, his questionable/pretended heroism. His critics make sense when we realize that,despite Woman has now ascended position, she still has no right or power of decision; she

continues to be useless and insignificant when talking about the worlds management.

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agus cardozo final october 20th

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