Causes and Impacts of Inflation on Developing Countries

Causes and Impacts of Inflation on Developing Countries Introduction Economic development in low developed countries is a contested argument amongst economists, all of which are looking for the best way to enact economic growth. The discussion surrounds whether stable monetary policy will encourage economic development by encouraging foreign direct investment or will currency depreciation and inflation create the right environment for exports growth and thus economic growth? This essay will discuss the causes of inflation and its repercussions for economic growth in developing nations. The argument for monetary stability and its repercussions for economic development will also be discussed. The scenario surrounding the Asian financial crisis will be used at the conclusion of the essay to illustrate the finer points in the argument for monetary stability as a means to economic development. The Causes of Inflation Krugman and Obstfeld define inflation as the increase of prices of goods[1]. There are arguably many causes of inflation; it is a complex combination of many macroeconomic variables that work together to increase the price of consumer goods in a developing economy. Shamsul, Shyam and Kamath discuss, there are two dominant hypotheses regarding the causes of inflation; the monetarist hypothesis and the structuralist hypothesis. The monetarist hypothesis refers to an increase in the money supply which in turn causes an increase in the price of goods and the structuralist hypothesis refers to structural characteristics of a developing economy creating inflation including the nature of the tax system, foreign exchange restraints, the budgetary process, the nature of the labour market and administered prices. All result in a devaluation of domestic currency on a global currency market[2]. The forces that result in an increase in the money supply or a devaluation of domestic currency agains t foreign currency will discussed. Common economic theory states that liberalisation of financial and capital markets in developing countries results in growth and stability in those countries. However Chakraborty discusses how unrestrained opening up of an economy can result in a foreign exchange crisis. That an inflow of foreign currency through investment and fixed exchange rates will result in higher reserves in the central base, which in turn results in more money existing in the economy which causes inflation. Inflation thus can be seen as a cause of the devaluation of a domestic currency on global money markets[3]. Developing countries will often use an export oriented economic strategy to increase growth. Devaluations of a domestic currency will make exports look more attractive on foreign markets; hence governments will try and keep exchange rates down. Chakraborty continues that as prices continue to rise the demand for money similarly rises by domestic residents. It is common for residents to sell foreign b onds in order to buy local currency, which in turn puts pressure on the currency to appreciate. In order to undermine this scenario banks will sell local currency and buy foreign reserves to counteract the appreciation of the exchange rate due to the increased demand. This scenario has a cyclical effect and will in turn increase the money supply and inflation[4]. The situation surrounding a floating exchange rate can be quite different. Chakraborty discusses how liberalising the capital market will attract capital inflows from foreign investors which will increase the money supply, but will however appreciate the exchange rate. This type of policy will usually be accompanied by a contractual monitory policy that will increase demand for money and increase the interest rate. The increased interest rate will further attract capital inflows and further appreciate the exchange rate. An appreciated currency will be less attractive on foreign markets thus export demand will decrease and imports will increase, deteriorating the balance of trade deficit[5]. Large foreign debts result in a higher risk of financial instability. Inflation and currency devaluations have been a common problem in the history of developing nations. Instability in prices and foreign exchange rates discourages lenders in richer countries from investing in poorer markets due to the threat of losing money in a financial crisis or currency devaluation. Krugman et al discuss how richer nations protect themselves against this risk by insisting that poorer countries repay their loans in the lenders currency. A transfer of wealth can be directed towards foreign lenders in the event of currency devaluation as it raises the local currency valuation of the debt. This scenario can lead to developing countries inability to repay foreign debts and sometimes in default[6]. Inflation can be a result of external factors in a global economy including contagion from other trading partners. Cheng and Tan discuss that although domestic factors are important determinants of inflation, they are often not as important as price volatility being transmitted from one country to another. In the case of Malaysia, interactions in the form of trade resulted in a causality of inflation from other ASEAN nations to inflation in Malaysia[7]. This form of contagion can be very influential for a developing country liberalizing its financial and capital markets in a global economy. Instability and inflation can lead to speculation which in turn can lead to financial crisis. Krugman et al discusses contagion as the vulnerability of developing economies to suffer a loss of confidence in their financial markets which can cripple even the healthiest economies. Speculation regarding the devaluation of a local currency can result in investors pulling out of their investments (which now must be paid in the lenders currency), selling all the local currency (which has a further devaluing effect) and leaving the country with a large foreign debt. Speculation can be contagious as was seen in the Asian financial crisis where devaluation of the Thai Baht was followed by similar speculation surrounding other Asian currencies including that of Indonesia and Malaysia and eventually resulted in full financial crisis[8]. Controlling Inflation and Stabilising an Economy Methods used to counteract heavy speculation and financial instability includes information transparency. Ferreira de Mendonca and Filho discuss increasing information transparency as implying a fall in inflation bias and inflation volatility. Anxiety regarding inflationary pressures can be controlled through forecasts being released by the central banks of developing nations making policy and macroeconomic performance more predictable. There is evidence that economic transparency can reduce inflation and lower interest rates thus improving the conduction of monetary policy[9]. Wagner discusses inflation as being regarded as the signal of bad policy and political and economic instability. The variables are the relevant locational factors that determine the attractiveness of economies for investment. A loss in investors and mobile factors of production such as technology transfer and knowledge results in loss of potential production and potential output and hence growth. Local residents suffer through an increase in unemployment and a decrease in productivity[10]. Local economies become more unstable as a consequence. It can now be deduced that managing exchange rates is paramount to controlling inflation in developing countries. Wagner discusses two methods of managing exchange rates in order to control inflation; the ‘hard peg’ option and the floating currency option. The term ‘hard peg’ refers to the currency boards, where monetary policy autonomy is completely given up. Hard peg exchange rate regimes have gathered a lot of interests for developing economies over recent years as currency crises are not possible under the hard peg system. There are certain preconditions for an economy that need to be present in order for a hard peg to be possible. The recipient developing nation must have a developed, well supervised and regulated financial system; the rule of law; fiscal discipline; and wage and price flexibility. Many emerging nations lack these preconditions and hence are unable to sustain a hard peg[11]. Boyd and Smith suggest that low inflation is the central objective of developing economies in their efforts to enact economic growth. Growth is seen as having an inverse relationship to inflation and thus must be kept as low as possible. Developing countries in the Caribbean such as the Bahamas have been successful in lowering inflation and stabilising the exchange rate through using a currency board as part of their institutional structure. The currency board ties the monetary policy of the constituent countries and provides disciplinary controls on monetary and fiscal policy which in turn provides stability in their output. All the countries in the currency union experienced persistence however low rates of inflation and low variability in inflation rates therefore could be considered stable and an acceptable monetary policy performance[12]. Wagner further postulates that a floating exchange rate is similarly effective in controlling high inflation. Despite anxiety that a floating exchange rate will result in an unstable currency, floating exchange rates can be used to attract foreign investment and thus appreciate the value of the currency. Interest rate and intervention policies can be used to influence the behaviour of the exchange rate and reduce the negative effects of speculation[13]. A floating exchange rate can be flexible enough to encourage investment through appreciation however encourage exports through devaluation provided controls are in place to ward off speculative attacks. Maskooki shows Mexcio as having successfully implemented a floating exchange rate in order to control inflation. It reduced the value of the peso by gradual and frequent currency adjustments in reaction to market conditions. The slow depreciation of the peso made exports more attractive overseas and was offset by the liberalization of the capital market which was attractive to foreign investors. The combination of the two had a balancing effect on inflation and exchange rates and thus encouraged stability of prices. This had made the external market less exposed to unexpected shocks[14]. Through economic stabilization Mexico is now less vulnerable to investment reversal and thus less vulnerable to financial crisis. Stable inflation rates and exchanges rates send positive signals to global financial markets of positive financial policy in developing countries. Good corporate governance has the reflexive ability to create the positive economic environment to control inflation and also the positive outcome of successful monetary policy. Arsoy and Crowther comment that mandatory corporate governance can be achieved through the creation of capital markets in which transparency, accountability, responsibility and fairness are understood by both investors and shareholders[15]. Transparency being the proponent for fighting speculative attacks by reducing risks associated with investing in developing countries. Krugman et al discuss that governments of developing countries must create a stable environment through reducing the risk of inflation and protecting property rights in order to encourage economic growth. In protecting property rights they encourage private enterprise, investment, innovation and ultimately economic stability[16]. The conditions for economic stabilization feed off each other – stabilization encourages investment which in turn encourages more stabilization. Nsouli, Rached and Funke discuss the control of inflation as paramount to the success of any domestic economy. Here again price can be seen as a signal of economic health as price liberalization is essential for the efficient allocation of resources within and across sectors of the economy. Without a rational price system, profit and losses alone cannot signal what industries should expand and which ones should shrink. In both transition and developing economies, price liberalization led to a rapid increase in the availability of products for consumer use[17]. The Asian Financial Crisis The countries of the Asian economic boom in the mid 1990’s are a perfect example of how unstable monetary policy can bring even the most impressively growing economy down. Krugman et al tells us the Asian tigers were initially South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan and then Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia later joined the group. They had achieved incredible rates of growth through high savings and investment rates, improving education levels amongst the work force and by liberalising trade or at least a high level of openness and integration with global markets. The Asian tigers were gaining popularity as an investment opportunity as restrictions on capital inflows were lifted. However all this investment was leading to large deficits and would eventually result in financial demise[18]. Krugman et al continues that starting with the depreciation of the Thai Baht, a chain reaction of events brought the Asian miracle into financial crisis. A sharp drop in the value of the Baht as it was left to float after being pegged to the American dollar brought about speculative attacks on the currencies of its neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia and eventually South Korea. All countries had large foreign debts mostly in American dollars and as a result were facing increasing values on these debts due to the decreasing exchange rate. Many debts in Asia had the power to push banks and viable companies into bankruptcy as a result of exchange rates spirally out of control[19]. The Asian financial crisis was seen as a self perpetuating scenario based around speculative attacks on currency valuations. Lee argues that as soon as a currency peg is seen as non-defensible market participants expect that the market will move in one direction and in fact it does. Once the expectation sets in collective action takes hold (in this case investors pull out of their investments) and the result can inflict financial ruin on whole economies[20]. The Asian miracle had come to an abrupt end. Krugman further discusses the cause of such violent economic collapse can be seen through bad government policy. In Thailand and Indonesia ‘crony capitalism’ was the source of a lot of poor investment decisions. The sons and daughters of royalty or prominent politicians were the recipients of a lot of investment money regardless of the legitimacy of the project resulting in considerable moral hazard in lending. The regulatory system was ill equipped to deal with companies in danger of bankruptcy or to foster quality investments in the economy that would count towards real growth[21]. As a result the first sign of instability caused foreign investors to pull out of investments and leave the economy in crisis. The act of stabilising an economy is a complex process involving effectively monitoring the potentially volatile variables of an economy. Wagner discusses economic stability as being created through strengthening domestic banking and financial systems; providing better information and policy transparency; strengthening corporate finance, including bankruptcy laws and their implementation; taking precautions against potential capital flow reversals; and last but not least, building packages of sound macroeconomic and exchange rate policies[22]. Although the situation in South East Asia has improved over the years since the financial crisis, Low tells us that many questions still remain in Asia regarding their economic stability for the future, for example, whether effective democratic checks-and-balances in the political system, legal, judicial and institutional processes can help reinforce the moral economy[23]. It is fare to say that controlling inflation is but the tip of the ice b urg when stabilizing a developing nation’s growth. Conclusion Inflation and economic instability are a common problem for low developed countries trying to establish themselves in global markets. Inflation and currency depreciation are fundamental signals to wealthier nations that a local market is too big a risk to invest in thus leaving development and growth stagnant in those countries. Price stability on the other hand can signal to potential investors that a local financial market has strong monetary policy, that exchange rates can be controlled and that the local business environment is encouraging to growth. Countries with unstable monetary policy are vulnerable to speculative attacks from market participants as can be seen in the case of the Asian Financial crisis. Pegging local currencies to stronger currencies such as the United States dollar can result in devastation if markets forecast a currency will be overvalued. Contagion can result in a chain reaction of events that brings trading partners into similar financial crisis. Althoug h devaluing a currency can make exports more attractive on foreign markets it can also discourage foreign direct investment from investing due to the high incidence of default on foreign debt. Mechanisms have been designed to control factors such as inflation and encourage foreign investment by richer nations. A floating currency or a currency board can be used effectively to stabilise exchange rates and thus control the flow of funds in and out of a local market. Good corporate governance including transparency of monetary policy can be used to reduce the risk of speculation and forecast inflationary activity. Political stability also needs to be created through effective regulatory systems on financial and capital markets including bankruptcy laws and laws preventing capital flight in the face of financial crisis. Reference List Arsoy, A.P, Crowther, D (2008) â€Å"Corporate Governance in Turkey: Reform and Convergence,† Social Responsibility Journal, vol.4, iss.3 pp.407-422 Boyd, D Smith, R (2006) â€Å"Monetary Regimes and Inflation in 12 Caribbean Countries,† Journal of Economic Studies, vol.33, iss.2, pp.96-108 Chakraborty, D (1999) â€Å"Macroeconomic conditions and Opening Up – Argentina, Chile and India: A Comparative Study,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol.26, iss.1/2/3, pp.298 -311 Cheng, M.U. Tan, H.B. (2002) â€Å"Inflation In Malaysia,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol.29, iss.5, pp.411-426 Ferreira, H Filho, J.S (2007) â€Å"Economic Transparency and Effectiveness of Monetary Policy† Journal of Economic Studies, vol.34, iss.6, pp.497-515 Krugman, P.R. Obstfeld, M. (2005). International economics: Theory and policy (7th ed.). Boston: Addison-Wesley Longman Lee, J.Y. (2007) â€Å"Foreign Portfolio Investors and Financial Sector Stability in Asia,† Asian Survey, vol.47, iss.6 pp.850-871 Low, L (2006) â€Å"A Putative East Asian Business Model,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 33, no.7 pp. 512-528 Maskooki, K (2002) â€Å"Mexico’s 1994 Peso Crisis and its Aftermath,† European Business Review, vol.14, no.3, pp.161-169 Nsouli, S.M Rached, M Funke, N (2005) â€Å"The Speed of Adjustment and the Sequencing of Economic Reforms: Issues and Guidelines for Policy Makers,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol.32, no.9, pp.740 766 Shamsul, A Shyam, A Kamath, J (1986) â€Å"Models and Forecasts of Inflation in a Developing Economy,† Journal of Economic Studies, vol.13, iss.4, pp.3-30 Wagner, H (2005) â€Å"Globalisation and Financial Instability: Challenges for Exchange Rate and Monetary Policy,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 32, iss.7, pp.616-639. 1 Footnotes [1] Krugman, P.R. Obstfeld, M. (2005). International economics: Theory and policy (7th ed.). Boston: Addison-Wesley Longman. [2] Shamsul, A Shyam, A Kamath, J (1986) â€Å"Models and Forecasts of Inflation in a Developing Economy,† Journal of Economic Studies, vol.13, iss.4, pp.3-30 [3] Chakraborty, D (1999) â€Å"Macroeconomic conditions and Opening Up – Argentina, Chile and India: A Comparative Study,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol.26, iss.1/2/3, pp.298 -311 [4] Chakraborty (pp.298 – 311) [5] Chakraborty (pp.298 – 311) [6] Krugman et al (pg.615) [7] Cheng, M.U. Tan, H.B. (2002) â€Å"Inflation In Malaysia,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol.29, iss.5, pp.411-426 [8] Krugman et al (pg.623) [9] Ferreira, H Filho, J.S (2007) â€Å"Economic Transparency and Effectiveness of Monetary Policy† Journal of Economic Studies, vol.34, iss.6, pp.497-515 [10] Wagner, H (2005) â€Å"Globalisation and Financial Instability: Challenges for Exchange Rate and Monetary Policy,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 32, iss.7, pp.616-639. [11] Wagner (pp.616-639) [12] Boyd, D Smith, R (2006) â€Å"Monetary Regimes and Inflation in 12 Caribbean Countries,† Journal of Economic Studies, vol.33, iss.2, pp.96-108 [13] Wagner (pp.616-639) [14] Maskooki, K (2002) â€Å"Mexico’s 1994 Peso Crisis and its Aftermath,† European Business Review, vol.14, no.3, pp.161-169 [15] Arsoy, A.P, Crowther, D (2008) â€Å"Corporate Governance in Turkey: Reform and Convergence,† Social Responsibility Journal, vol.4, iss.3 pp.407-422 [16] Krugman et al (pg. 634) [17] Nsouli, S.M Rached, M Funke, N (2005) â€Å"The Speed of Adjustment and the Sequencing of Economic Reforms: Issues and Guidelines for Policy Makers,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol.32, no.9, pp.740 766 [18] Krugman et al (pg.620) [19] Krugman et al (pg. 623) [20] Lee, J.Y. (2007) â€Å"Foreign Portfolio Investors and Financial Sector Stability in Asia,† Asian Survey, vol.47, iss.6 pp.850-871 [21] Krugman et al (pg.622) [22] Wagner (pp.616-639) [23] Low, L (2006) â€Å"A Putative East Asian Business Model,† International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 33, no.7 pp. 512-528

Chemistry Diploma Paper Essay

1. Attempt any ten of the following : a) Why is an atom electrically neutral ? b) Differentiate between isotopes and isobars. c) Define conductor and nonconductor. d) State Faraday’s second law of electrolysis. e) Define cell. Give its classification. f) Explain the terms mineral and ore. g) Define alloys with suitable example. h) What is nickel silver ? Write its composition. i) Give composition of glass-wool. j) Name the types of plastics with examples of each. k) Define COD of sewage. l) Define Air-pollution. Give its magnitude. 2. Attempt any four of the following : 16 a) Give the comparison of electron, proton and neutron w.r.to their symbol, change, mass and location within an atom. b) Give four points of distinction between orbit and orbital. c) Write orbital electronic configuration of the following elements 24 39 20 N14 , Mg 12 , K 19 , Ne10 7 d) Describe the formation of NaCl molecule with diagram and name the type of bonding. e) Explain electrovalency and covalency with example. f) State and explain Faraday’s first law of electrolysis. P.T.O. 12002 *12002* MARKS 3. Attempt any four of the following : 16 a) Draw diagram and explain the construction working of lead-acid storage cell. b) A given quantity of electricity is passed through two cells containing copper sulphate and silver nitrate respectively. If 0.99 gms of silver and 0.29 gms of copper are deposited, find equivalent weight of silver when that of copper is 31.6. c) Explain the mechanism of electrolysis of fused sodium-chloride by using carbon electrodes. d) Why copper is electro-refined ? Describe the process of electro-refining of copper. e) Explain construction working and application of dry-cell. f) Define metallurgy. Outline the general principle of metallurgy. 4. Attempt any four of the following : 16 a) Define the terms : flux, slag, malleability and toughness. b) Write composition, properties and applications of Alnico and Woods metal. c) Explain with diagram the gravity separation used for concentration of iron-ore. d) Differentiate – calcination and roasting. e) Write any four purposes of making alloys. f) Explain the fusion method for manufacture of alloys. 5. Attempt any four of the following : 16 a) State four properties of plastics and write the uses based on each of given properties. b) What is thermocole ? Give its properties and applications. c) What is rubber ? What is the difference between natural and synthetic rubber ? d) What is green-house-effect ? State the measure to control it. e) Explain the causes of water pollution. f) What is bio-medical-waste ? Give two techniques for its disposal. 6. Attempt any four of the following : a) Write properties and application of glass-wool. b) Explain any four major sources causing air-pollution. c) Write any four methods to control water pollution. d) What is preventive environmental management ? Give one example. e) Distinguish between air-pollution due to vehicle and industries. f) Write short note on effect of E-waste. ————— 16

A Brief Encounter

The sun was beaming down onto the hills of Konstanz, a small and low-lying village, very close to the border with Switzerland. The men were walking to the station. They had been walking a long way and were very tired. It was late in the evening. They stopped off at a small cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ where they ordered some water and some crisps each. They paid and walked the final few metres until they arrived at the small and derelict station. There, they were stopped by a small group of soldiers, wearing their green, olive-coloured suits. They asked the men for their papers. The men handed their tatty papers over very reluctantly. They checked the papers and then told the exhausted men that they were not allowed to cross and that they had to see the general of the area. The tired men slowly walked the few steps across the battered platform, accompanied by the tired soldiers. On the other side of road, there was a small, brick-walled hut. They walked slowly up to it. Inside the general was reading the local newspaper, slouched back in his leather chair. ‘Ah, hello,' he said calmly. They did not respond but looked around the little building. On the wall, there were lots of photographs of the squadrons in which he must have trained as a pilot. ‘You know that there are a group of fugitives from a German concentration camp, where are you from?' he said. ‘We come from France. We are going to Zurich to greet our friends from school,' Francois said. ‘You are the fugitives, aren't you?' he said, ‘you have caused us enough trouble.' ‘We are not the†¦' ‘Yes you are,' he said interrupting, ‘we have been told by General Heimlich back in Munich. Remember him? He has sent us a telegram of what you look like and your names.' They stood still, looking at the photos. The sun was dying down as the evening started to approach. ‘We are not the fugitives, we are going to Zurich to see our friends,' Francois said very persuasively. The general was not to be moved. He stayed there, smoking his pipe casually. ‘You are; because I know what you look like, so there is no point in trying to plead your case; and even if you are going to Zurich, you do not have the right papers to do so,' he replied. ‘That is absurd!' Raphael said. He stamped his foot on the ground loudly. ‘What is happening to us, then?' said Francois. ‘No, don't say that; I want a reason why we are being refused entry. Go on then, why?' said Raphael. ‘The general from the camp in Munich has told others, and me, that three men of French origin have escaped. They match your figures and so I have to enquire as to who they are. He did not say any names so I will phone him now. If you could wait for a second or two,' he replied. He picked up the phone from the other side of his wooden desk. He dialled the number carefully and slowly. He then listened in. ‘Ah, hello, is that General Heimlich?' he enquired. ‘Yes,' was the reply from the other end. ‘Hello, this is General Fuser, here in Konstanz,' he replied. ‘I have three young men here, who say that they are French. They say that they are visiting some friends in Zurich. What are their names? ‘Francois, Raphael and Danni. They must be returned to Munich,' he replied. ‘Ok, thanks, bye,' he responded. He put the phone down onto the desk quietly. ‘Ok then,' he said calmly. ‘General Heimlich has ordered that you be returned to Munich at once. You will get the next train, which leaves in ten minutes.' ‘What!' said Raphael. He started to shout at the general. He was restrained with difficulty by two of the soldiers and they were led of the building to the other side of the destroyed station. They picked up their bags and headed for the furthest platform. They were accompanied by the same soldiers. The train rolled into the station slowly. A pile of travellers got off it and dispersed into different parts of the station. The distraught men then got onto the train and it quickly left. The hills of the village quickly disappeared as the train gradually got further away from the ruined station. ‘How long will the journey be?' Danni asked Francois. ‘Oh, only an hour. We will be there by seven,' he replied. By now, the sun had died and it was beginning to get dark. The station was approaching and there were lots of people waiting patiently on the station platform. Also, there were a group of soldiers with General Heimlich. They were escorted of the train by the soldiers and taken to General Heimlich. The men were led to a car and then driven a few minutes to the familiar site of the Munich Concentration camp. When they arrived, there were about two hundred men, lined up against the fence, watching them arrive. All of the men quickly walked into the general's office. He was furious. ‘Right then, you know why you are here. Why did you try to escape? We monitor all of the paperwork very closely. You will not escape again, though I am sure you will try again.' ‘You will face a bad punishment,' he said to them. ‘I think that two weeks isolation will do you a bit of good. If you do it again and then get caught, you will be in front of a firing squad.' They looked around the room with a sense of concern. It was cold and windy outside and the only light was from a car over the hills in the distance. ‘Do you hear me,' he shouted to them. ‘Yes,' they said timidly. ‘You will be monitored very closely by the soldiers, and I will see you every two days. Also, there will be cabin checks every week,' he said very angrily. ‘You have caused me enough trouble, and you will be punished.' ‘Understand?' ‘Yes,' they replied quietly. The fugitives walked out of the room escorted by soldiers. When they neared the entrance, there was a huge cheer for them. The distraught men walked into the compound, surrounded by captives, congratulating them on what they had done. General Heimlich stood outside his office, pondering what to do with them next. A Brief Encounter The poem â€Å"Summer Love† by Marilyn Chin written in 1994 uses descriptive emotional imagery through various tones to illustrate short lived relationships during the summer of a woman’s life. The situations and settings of the poem add to the theme of the poem as well as her use of figurative speech to describe the emotions she experiences during and from these relationships. The author Marilyn Chin has expressed several emotions within the poem through the use of descriptive imagery and by altering the tones of the piece, subsequently stimulating the readers’ imagination. The author’s creative writing conveys her underling message of change of emotions that are experienced in any relationship, whether it lasts minutes or a lifetime. Her use of figurative speech captivates the reader, and allows them to experience her emotional journey through language. Mei Ling Chin was born in Hong Kong in 1955 and migrated to the United States with her family where they resided in Portland Oregon. Upon the insistence of her father her name was changed to Marilyn as he thought it was necessary for school and he also had an obsession with Marilyn Monroe. Having family in Hong Kong, Hawaii and all over the West Coast reinforced assimilation as an important issue to her. 1 Being afraid of losing her roots she used poetry to recapture this aspect, however she acknowledges that the truth is we cannot recapture the past. Marilyn Chin is an Asian contemporary writer who has three collections of work and her other pieces can be found in various anthologies. She was influenced by activist poets and has won numerous awards throughout her career. This piece is reflective of a short lived relationship between a young woman possibly the author, and her encounter with a desirable partner with whom she has had a brief sexual encounter. This is concluded in the first stanza, which has her explaining that her companion has spent the night and that she does not mind him staying for breakfast, but she does not want him to remain afterward. Her statement that there is nothing worse than last night’s love implies there was a sexual occurrence of some sort. She also reflects on former companions during the third stanza, speculating if her resent beau plans to follow similar actions taken by her previous partners. She describes her previous lovers as being scorned, possibly due to her actions during their brief encounters. Throughout the poem the young woman’s sentiments toward her lover change via each stanza. There is a profound sexual undertone expressed throughout the piece which could also be associated with the title of the poem. The phrase summer love commonly implies a brief love affair during the summer months between two people who know that it will come to an end. The author has appropriately altered the tones of the piece to enhance the reader’s understanding of each stanza. The first emotion expressed is one of indifference towards her lover. The third line in the first stanza is the initial affirmation to the young girl’s apathy. â€Å"If this doesn’t please you, too bad, its all I have. †, (Chin 3) referring to her cooking breakfast consisting of dried lotus, bay oysters with scrambled eggs. Her unemotional statement has let her companion know that she is not concerned about their feelings. She has cooked breakfast and it does not matter if they stay to eat, yet if the meal is not of his preference, it is not of importance to her. The next line shows a more callous attitude towards her lover. â€Å"Do not linger; nothing worse in the morning than last night’s love. † (Chin 4-5) She is ready for him to depart, creating an intimidating atmosphere. The author has conveyed the impassive view she takes on the encounter through the woman’s statements in the last three lines. The woman’s apparent communications of these distant feelings demonstrate her indifferent attitude toward this person during the commencement of the poem. The second stanza denotes a lustful, yearning of her partner. She describes her partner’s physical attributes starting with his stomach, which she describes as flat, and uses a metaphor of their skin as milk in the moonlight. The second line’s hyperbole allows the reader to understand that even though they were amidst many people, she noticed his glimmer. As they dance, her judgment becomes clouded and her inhibitions appear to fade. The last two lines illustrate the physical connection that has occurred. â€Å"I let you touch me where I am most vulnerable, heart of the vulva, vulva of the heart. † (Chin 9-10) This metaphor is twice as significant. The first half represents that they have pleasured her physically in the most personal part of her body, while the second half symbolizes the emotional contact that her partner has made with her heart. 2 The author alters the mood of the piece again, when the woman expresses the compassion she begins to show. The first lines declare her trepidation that she might not find someone else like her partner. She does not want this association to be comparable to her past relationships, in which her previous lovers left scorned. The sentiment of the first three lines of this stanza illustrates her empathy. â€Å"Perhaps, I fear, there will not be another like you, / or you might walk away in the same face of others- / -blue with scorn and a troubled life. † (Chin 11-13) The feeling of dispassion once expressed has now been replaced, possibly due to her knowledge of the impending closure of the relationship. The author then gives the realization of the situation saying, â€Å"But, for now, let the summers be savored and the centuries be forgiven. † (Chin 14) The woman would like to preserve the good times and put any other concerns out of her mind for now. She ends the poem with the lines, â€Å"Two lovers in a field of floss and iris- / where nothing else matters but the dew and the light. † (Chin 15-16) The author poignantly ends her poem, where the woman is holding on to her memories, unconcerned of the future only thinking of the present. The situations and settings of the poem vary as much as the tones do. Our speaker stays the same yet her location seems to change throughout the stanzas. In the beginning our speaker appears to be at home. This is inferred by her comment to her partner regarding him not lingering around. Then it seems that either she has gone to a place where she is reminiscing about meeting, or seeing her partner, at what would be perceived as a function due to her reference of â€Å"a thousand tired eyes†. Chin 7) The last stanza doesn’t give the impression of the woman being at a specific setting but more of her reflecting on her past circumstances. The last two lines seem to be more of a daydream that has her envisioning herself and her partner in a field of floss and iris. The author uses figures of speech to captivate and retain the readers’ interest. The hyperbole used in the seventh line strengthens the author’s emphasis of her desire for her lover, being able to n otice her lover amongst many people. The metaphor used in the last two lines symbolizes the physical and emotional feelings experienced by the speaker. In conclusion, the author has used creative writing to express the emotions felt during diverging relationships to explicate the same emotions experienced in this particular relationship. In my opinion, the altered tones and situations create a balance to the poem that keeps the reader intrigued. The author has expressed the emotions that most people experience during their own relationships, whether or not the relationship was the similar to the one described in the poem.

A Streetcar Named Desire Analysis - 887 Words

The Importance of Bathing in â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire† Tennessee Williams’ â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire† takes a different twist on sexual temptation and how it affects a woman, a man, a marriage, and on the wider scope of things, a culture. The story essentially centers on the sex lives of a woman, her husband, and her sister, and the plot is driven by how wanton is inevitably their downfall. One-third of this sexually tense trifecta is Blanche DuBois, the â€Å"lady† of the three individuals, who takes the ideas of innuendo to a completely different level. From the beginning of the play, Blanche is characterized as somewhat of a â€Å"nervous wreck†, and makes baths a continual habit throughout the play to â€Å"soothe her nerves.† It can be assumed†¦show more content†¦Once again, Blanche is seen trying to cleanse herself of her unapologetically â€Å"filthy† ways while at the same time exercising them on the nearest male figure. Not long after, Stanley also resorts to water to neutralize his own transgressions when he showers after putting his hands on Stella. The shower is meant to satisfy and calm his vicious temperament; afterward, he exits the bathroom full of regret and bawls rapturously for his wife. In comparison to Blanche’s use of bathing to evade reality, Stanley’s friends immerse him in the shower to sober him up so that he can face the real world. Needless to say, though, this â€Å"sobering up† never happens for Blanche—she pulls a veil over her own eyes throughout the entirety of the drama. On an afternoon in mid-September in Scene Seven, Stanley comes into the kitchen to find Stella decorating for Blanche’s birthday while Blanche is taking yet another bath to soothe her nerves, which Stanley mocks. During the whole of the scene, Blanche’s crooning of the song â€Å"Paper Moon† is heard in opposition to Stanley and Stella’s conversation. The juxtaposition between Blanche’s bath and her birthday punctuates not only Blanche’s need to bathe in hopes to escape but also her wish for endless youth. Blanche chooses to hide behind a self-fabricated world rather than face her life’s truth. She also longs for the effeminate mystery of the moon, but as her song tells that moon is paper and ergo will surely shred, foreshadowing also the tearing ofShow MoreRelatedA Streetcar Named Desire Analysis1080 Words   |  5 Pagesreassumed their more dominant part in the public field. Individuals were finding new voices right now this inversi on was happening in prior structures and pushes the limits to re-voice set up artistic structures. Tennessee Williams wrote A Streetcar Named Desire around the time this inversion was happening in American culture. Williams was a gay from the profound American south, and his play is about physical, enthusiastic, and sexual clash. We likewise observe an exposure about the characteristicsRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire Analysis1080 Words   |  5 PagesA Streetcar Named Defiance After the social upheaval of the roaring 20s with women and minorities trying to come into their own. By the time the 50s arrived the white male had returned to their seat of power with an iron fist. It was in this setting Tennessee Williams wrote A Streetcar Named Desire. A dark, seedy, drama that represented the brutal power struggle between men and women within the more impoverished side of American society as well as society’s idea of masculinity and femininity duringRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire Analysis858 Words   |  4 Pages Often times individuals deal with stress in their lifetimes. Whether it is from work, school, or even life in general, they all have their own ways to destress themselves. This idea is explored in Tennessee William’s â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire†.William’s suggest that although individuals deal with their own personal stress, they often have ways to reaffirm the positive forces in life and distress themselves. It focuses on the the main character Blanche DuBois, who takes hot baths to deal with theRead MoreAnalysis Of A Streetcar Named Desire 1702 Words   |  7 PagesPractice Essay: Emilia Kelly The two texts of Enduring Love and A Streetcar named Desire show privilege of one way of perceiving the world over the other in their conclusions. Ian McEwan’s Enduring Love, shows favour of Joe’s scientific and rational view but also demonstrates that it is flawed. Similarly, Tennessee Williams shows that realism in inevitable but is not always desirable in the play A Streetcar Names Desire. Both texts explore explore the responses of their protagonists of a crisisRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire Analysis1185 Words   |  5 PagesIt is evident in A Streetcar Named Desire, that Williams explores the class differences relating to conflict at this time of post-war America. Through William’s use of stage directions and dialogue to show how the conflict heightens due to the underlying class differences. However, this is challenged partially due to other factors that create conflict and tension. As at this time America was very much a society where class was importa nt and respected and Williams clearly portrays this as BlancheRead MoreFilm Analysis Of A Streetcar Named Desire1114 Words   |  5 PagesMartinez 10/3/17 Period 3 Streetcar Film Analysis Elia Kazan directed the film A Streetcar Named Desire and produce by Warner Brothers in 1951. The novel was originally written by Tennessee Williams and promoted as a play in 1947 and turned into a film later through out its success . The awards received were the Pulitzer price award in 1948 and was nominated for best motion picture, best writing and screen play. The novel was basically about a former English school teacher named Blanche Dubois (playedRead MoreAnalysis Of A Streetcar Named Desire 2094 Words   |  9 Pageshence are perhaps encouraged to challenge any personal biases or discriminations of those which we fail to understand, this could be read from his suggestion of ‘strangers’. This draws surprising parallels with the aims of Williams within ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, particularly focussing on the subtleties of his description of Blanche from which his alliance with her is made increasingly explicit throughout the play, with all represe ntations of her as rising above her societal condemnation culminatingRead MoreAnalysis Of A Streetcar Named Desire 1749 Words   |  7 Pages The Elysian Fields are the Greek afterlife or heaven. Going through A Streetcar Named Desire, there is a tug-of-war like shift between a solid heaven-state that Stanley is very comfortable in and the flaky hell-state that Blanche so desperately tries to avoid but brings upon herself in said avoidance. It is interesting to have a character such as Stanley who is defined as an evil character because of his aggression end up the more audience-associated character and the almost-helpless female characterRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire Analysis825 Words   |  4 PagesTennessee Williams’ 1947 drama, A Streetcar Named Desire, is a work of social realism which demonstrates the destructive impact of machismo on society in the late 1940s. In his raw representation of the human condition, Williams critiques the unrelenting gender roles whi ch adversely affected so many members of his society. Although the drama is aimed at Williams’ society, as an audience member in the 21st century, Streetcar continues to be a confronting example of the past. Furthermore, the ongoingRead MoreA Streetcar Named Desire Analysis1151 Words   |  5 PagesTennessee Williams was an award-winning playwright who wrote many works, including A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. A Streetcar Named Desire is about a displaced southern aristocrat named Blanche DuBois, who seeks refuge in her sister Stella’s New Orleans home to escape her dark past. As the days go by, Blanche comes into conflict with Stella’s husband, a coarse and harsh man named Stanley Kowalski, who she discovers is abusive towards her sister. Blanche and Stanley disapprove