United States Cuba Relations And The Economies Politics Essay

United States Cuba Relations And The Economies Politics Essay Economic sanctions can be and are a valuable tool for enforcing international norms and protecting our national interests. The U.S. Policy of applying economic pressure in Cuba originated soon after Fidel Castro came into power in 1959. The United States first imposed a full trade embargo on Cuba on February 3, 1962, after the Kennedy Administration became convinced that Castro was moving rapidly toward the establishment of a totalitarian regime in alliance with the Soviet Union. Castro had not only confiscated U.S. and other Cuban and foreign-owned properties on the island, but had been providing indiscriminate support for violent revolution throughout the Americas as part of his efforts to carry on the continental struggle against the Yankees, which he considers to be his true destiny. The embargo was formally begun by President, John F. Kennedy, and has been supported by all successive Presidents. The U.S. embargo has had a major impact on the Cuban economy involving trade, wages, and jobs; and in addition, it has affected many United States businesses both directly and indirectly. The Helms-Burton Act is one of the major bills regarding trade with Cuba, and it has encountered much opposition and controversy both in the United States and abroad. Only recently was the news media ban in Cuba lifted allowing American journalists to get news from within Cuba. Health care in Cuba is also a major concern and is strongly affected by the Cuban Embargo. Our policy on Cuba is illustrative of one of the principal goals of economic sanctions-to encourage our friends and allies to adopt policies that can advance our common interests. Our allies and trading partners disagree with our embargo and have urged us to alter the provisions of the Libertad Act, also known as the Helms-Burton Act named after its principal sponsors. Cubas economy is in complete disarray as a direct result of Castros insistence on adhering to a discredited economic model-that of communism. The impact of the U.S. embargo was offset during the Cold War years by five to six billion dollars in subsidies a year from Russia. The economic problems in Cuba were exacerbated by the demise of the Soviet Union. The U.S.S.R. annually gave nearly five billion dollars in subsidies to the Castro government. However, the communist regime dedicated a bulk of these funds to maintaining an over-sized military machine and to a massive internal security apparatus. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba suffered a 35% decline in its gross domestic product between 1989 and 1993 (see chart), revealing an inherently dysfunctional economy. Food shortages and failure to provide basic public services incited disturbances that began to threaten the regime. In order for the communist government to survive, they had to undertake certain limited economic reforms because of these problems coupled with the continuing embargo. In the mid-1990s, the Cuban government began to allow private citizens to offer certain services under strict government scrutiny. Then in 1997, they introduced heavy taxes that forced many of these people out of business. In this sector, employment peaked at 206,000 in 1996, and then fell to 170,000 in 1997. The Cuban government has actively encouraged foreign investment, but forbids private investment by Cuban citizens, leaving it hostile to private enterprise. Not until 1993, did the Cuban government make it legal for Cubans to possess U.S. dollars. Since then, it has become the major currency. Failure by the communists to launch major economic reforms has fostered the development of a large black market and vividly growing corruption. Those with access to dollars can purchase imported goods at government-run dollar stores. To earn dollar tips, many skilled persons, such as doctors, teachers, engineers, and scientists are working in more remedial jobs in restaurants or as taxi drivers. Nevertheless, the Cuban government has not employed any credible effort to adopt market-based policies and continues to keep tight control over the highly centralized economy. Over 80% of the work force are employed by the state. To encourage a democratic transition in Cuba, Congress passed the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) in 1992, which tightened the embargo by prohibiting American owned or controlled subsidiaries located abroad from doing business with Cuba. The sanctions will also have an unanticipated indirect effect on the American economy too. In addition to the immediate impact of sanctions on trade with the target, Cuba, many American businesses will suffer. American businessmen claim that the effects of even limited unilateral trade sanctions will go well beyond the targeted sectors. They also argue that the effects of such action will tend to linger long after the embargo is lifted because U.S. forms will come to be regarded as unreliable suppliers. Exports lost today may mean lower exports after the sanctions are lifted because U.S. firms will not be able to supply complementary parts, replacement parts, or related technologies. These indirect effects may extend beyond the sanctioned products and even beyond the time period in which the sanctions are imposed. Jobs in the export sector of the economy tend to pay better than the average wages. Thus even in the full employment economy that the U.S. is enjoying now, the loss of exports still means a loss in wages-the export wage sector premium. The export sector wage premium is about 12 to 15 percent, taking into account both direct and indirect employment. In 1995, the average salary in the manufacturing sector was about $34,020, so the premium paid by the export sector was about $4080 per worker (12% of $34,020). What these figures mean is that, as a consequence of U.S. sanctions, workers probably lost between $800 million and $1 billion in export sector wage premiums in 1995. In some periods in the last two decades, when the U.S. economy was not flourishing with full employment, and when jobs were not readily available, the loss of these exports may have added to the unemployment rolls. But even if the loss of exports had a zero effect on unemployment, it certainly reduced the number of good paying jobs. If the next twenty years see similar applications of sanctions in the United States, the cumulative loss of wage premiums could be around $20 billion (20 years times roughly $1billion a year). This is a heavy cost for us, and does not even take into account less tangible costs like making U.S. companies seem unreliable as suppliers and handing over business to foreign competitors. U.S. businesses are alarmed by the proliferation of trade sanctions by federal, state, and local governments and are pushing for legislation making it harder to use commerce as a weapon in international disputes. USA*Engage and its 632 businesses and organization members argue that unilateral trade sanctions rarely work, and often, they do backfire and have a bad affect ion American interests. Most of the analysis of the effectiveness of economic sanctions suggests they have limited utility for changing the behavior or governments of target countries. Previous research at the Institute for International Economics concluded that US sanctions had positive outcomes in fewer than one in five cases in the 1970s and 1980s. Much less is known about the costs of economic sanctions for the U.S. economy. Foreign investment in Cuba has failed abysmally to meet the regimes own expectations. Many of the countries that had committed investment hardly reached what they had actually promised (see chart below). Originally targeted at $500 million per year when new measures to attract foreign investment were introduced in 1990, the three-year investment total (FY 90-91 to 92-93) barely reached $500 million. For thirty years, the United States had a media ban restricting the media from having outposts in Cuba. American news bureaus were closed down in Cuba in 1969 when Castros government expelled the last members of the Associated Press who had been operating in the country. Almost thirty years later, in February 1997, President Clinton stated that ten news organizations would receive licenses allowing them to resume operations in Cuba. The decision to lift the news media restrictions came at a time when questions concerning relations with Cuba began to cause policy rifts between the United States and our European allies. Despite this minor concession made by the White House concerning the media networks, the policies of the Clinton Administration remained avidly anti-Castro. Clintons main intentions concerning Cuba are to promulgate democratic reforms in the government and bring an end to four decades of communism in Cuba. During Clintons first term in office, he signed into law, a bill that imposed sanctions on any country that chose to do business with the Castro government, the Helms-Burton Act. Our European allies argued that the law was an attempt by the United States to control the foreign policies of other countries. And they vowed to challenge the law before the newly formed World Trade Organization (WTO). After Cuban fighter jets shot down two passenger planes without warning in February 1996, President Clinton showed no hesitation in signing this bill into law. Part of his intentions were to send Cuba a powerful message that the United States will not tolerate further loss of American life, as Clinton stated himself. The bill targets companies doing business in Cuba in an attempt to block crucial international investment sought by the Cuban government. It allows Americans to sue companies that profit from the property the Cuban government has confiscated in the past 35 years, a stipulation many U.S. allies have shown opposition for. One of the major reasons for the imposition of the embargo was the Cuban Governments failure to compensate thousands of U.S. companies and individuals whose properties, large and small, were confiscated after the revolution. They specifically targeted and took property owned by U.S. nationals. Under the Cuba claims programs in the 1960s, the U.S. Foreign Claims Settlement Commission certified 5,911 valid claims by U.S. nationals against the Government of Cuba. The Castro government also took property from thousands of Cubans, some of whom have since become U.S. citizens. Under the law, any person who makes use of property confiscated from Americans by Castros government can be denied entry into the United States. Cuban-American Representative Ileana Ros-Lechtin, R-Florida, said the bill will penalize those who have become Castros new patron saints: the foreign investors who callously traffic in American confiscated property in Cuba to profit from the misery of the Cuban worker. The bill also urges the president to seek an international embargo against Cuba, but currently, no other economic power observes an embargo. Cuba doesnt seem very concerned though. The main victim of this law will be the United States itself, said Paul Taladrid, Cubas deputy minister for foreign investment, because it will have to face the opposition of the r est of the world, or its closest allies. Although many U.S. allies oppose parts of the policy, they have said that they agree with us on the key goal of encouraging democracy and human rights in Cuba. Even when supporting Cubas resolution at the UN General Assembly against the U.S. embargo of Cuba, The European Union made clear its opposition to Cubas human rights policies. The best known and most controversial parts of the Act are Title III and Title IV which created a private cause of action in U.S. Courts and prohibits visas and entry into the United States to those who traffic in confiscated property claimed by a U.S. national. The provisions extend well beyond Americas legal reach. These provisions prompted the European Union to initiate a complaint against the U.S. in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Canada and Mexico called for consultations under the provisions of NAFTA. Many think that the Act is a misguided principle; critics claim that it attempts to undermine the regime of Castro by depriving him of hard currency. This is futile, not only because the U.S. finds itself alone in its policy of isolating Cuba; although sometimes a lonely policy may be the right one. Both Canada, the biggest investor in the island country, and the European Union are still poised to retaliate against the United States. American allies reject the idea of making foreign policy under threat of lawsuit. Although the United States has such a problem with other countries not backing the embargo, an embarrassing example is still extant. After the foundation of the state of Israel, an Arab boycott penalized foreign firms for doing business with the new state. America rightly opposed this policy; now it must prepare to reverse itself. U.S. allies in Europe and Latin-America are livid over Helms-Burton; by what right, they ask, do U.S. Courts presume to impose sanctions against foreigners doing their own business in Cuba? Several of these countries have passed counteracting laws allowing their citizens to sue in their courts if Helms-Burton cases are brought against them in the United States. All this does is leave a potential legal rats nest benefiting nobody but the lawyers. Helms-Burton in section 306(b) gives the President authority to suspend the provisions allowing lawsuits against traffickers for successive periods of six months if he finds that such a step is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite the transition to democracy in Cuba. President Clinton has already exercised this option several times to appease the dissention from our allies. We have been able to manage this serious disagreement with our close allies and trading partners and advance the promotion of democracy in Cuba. Under Secretary Eizenstat reached an Understanding with the EU in April 1997 under which the EU agreed to suspend its WTO case and step up its efforts to promote democracy in Cuba. The parties also agreed to negotiate disciplines on property confiscated in contravention of international law, including property in Cuba, and principles on conflicting jurisdictions. These discussions are in a crucial phase and, if an agreement is reached, the Administration will discuss with Congress the possibility of obtaining authority to waive Title IV of the Act. There is a large body of misconceptions about the present state of health care in Cuba, including the false accusation that it is the U.S. policy to deny medicine or medical supplies and equipment to the Cuban people. The end of Soviet subsidies forced Cuba to face the real costs of its health care system. Unwilling to adopt the economic changes necessary to reform its dysfunctional economy, the Castro government quickly faced a large budget deficit. In response, the Cuban Government made a deliberate decision to continue to spend money to maintain its military and internal security apparatus at the expense of other priorities including health care. In 1995, Cubas imports totaled $2.8 billion dollars, yet only $46 million dollars only 1.5% of overall foreign purchaseson medical imports for its 11 million people. By comparison, Cubas neighbor, the Dominican Republic, spent $208 million dollars on medical imports for its 7.5 million citizens in 1995. The US embargo does NOT deny medicines and medical supplies to the Cuban people. As stipulated in Section 1705 of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, the U.S. Government routinely issues licenses for the sale of medicine and medical supplies to Cuba. The only requirement for obtaining a license is to arrange for end-use monitoring to ensure that there is no reasonable likelihood that these items could be diverted to the Cuban military, used in acts of torture or other human rights abuses, or re-exported or used in the production of biotechnological products. Independent non-governmental organizations, international organizations, or foreign diplomats can perform monitoring of sales. Since 1992, 36 of 38 license requests have been approved to U.S. companies and their subsidiaries to sell medicine and medical equipment to Cuba. Sales have included such items as thalamonal, depo-provera, pediatric solutions, syringes, and other items. The Department of Commerce declined the other two requests for licenses it received for failure to meet legal standards. Both of these exceptions to the general policy of approving commercial medical sales occurred in 1994. Moreover, the U.S. embargo on Cuba affects only U.S. companies and their subsidiaries. Other nations and companies are free to trade with Cuba. Should Cuba choose not to purchase from the U.S., it can purchase any medicine or medical equipment it needs from other countries. Such third-country transactions only cost an estimated 2%-3% more than purchases from the U.S. as a result of higher shipping costs. In closing, the essential element of the tragedy of the Cuban people is not the United States-Cuba conflict; rather, it is the struggle of eleven million people who seek to assert their human dignity and reclaim the inalienable political, economic and civil rights that were taken away from them by the Castro regime. The Cuban people have been victims of one of the most oppressive regimes of the twentieth century. The systematic violation in Cuba of each and every human right recognized in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been faithfully documented in recent years at the UN Human Rights Commission and by respected human rights organizations throughout the world. The truth is there for all that wish to see. Impervious to the deplorable living conditions of the people, the asphyxiating lack of liberty, and to repeated international calls for democratic change, Castro staunchly clings onto the reins of absolute power. Yet, despite the regimes relentless repres sion, those on the island are courageously demonstrating their commitment to change with increasing resolve. The U.S. economic embargo against the Castro regime has weakened its capability to repress this universal desire for freedom and is an expression of moral support that strengthens the will of those who seek to wrestle from the hands of a dictator the destiny of a whole nation.

A World Without Mathematics :: essays research papers

According to teachers for as long as any can remember, one cannot survive in this world without mathematics, yet thousands in the United States alone cannot grasp mathematics, cannot learn mathematics because of â€Å"Dyscalculia† (also called Dyscalcula). Dyscalculia is a term meaning "specific learning disability in mathematics." People who suffer with a poor memory for all things mathematical have many other symptoms and characteristics. Taken as a whole, these coexisting conditions comprise what is termed as "the dyscalculia syndrome." Dyscalculia is an MLD (mathematics learning disability) that affects approximately ten percent of the US population, yet almost no one (shy of those diagnosed with the MLD) knows that it even exists. People who suffer from Dyscalculia have severe anxiety attacks, as well as short term memory loss associated with mathematics, numbers, rules, and retention. Other symptoms of Dyscalculia range from normal or accelerated language acquisition, poetic ability, good visual memory for the printed word, difficulty with the abstract concepts of time and direction, inability to keep track of time, and may be chronically late. The diagnosis of such a MLD is a simple test that ranges from a few hours to as long as a day. It is, however, difficult to recognize because it appears similar to math anxiety, lack of studying, and just simple mistakes. Doctors believe that there are thousands in the world who have Dyscalculia, but go undiagnosed. The test is also very expensive, costing too much for the average person or college student to pay for (ranging from five hundred dollars into the thousand or so range). As is typical in dyscalculia syndrome, students are usually gifted in most other academic areas. They may be in Honors classes, achieve excellent grades, and be tenacious learners. Math, however, confounds them, because it defies their learning history. They can read, understand, work the problems, but instead of remembering and mastering the material, it is mysteriously forgotten sometimes an hour later. To some, it seems like a lack of effort; to those with Dyscalculia it is a nightmare. The typical response to this phenomenon is to try harder. Thus, students apply all of the strategies used for success in other classes to the mathematics task. But success is temporary. The student willingly exerts extraordinary effort and invests unprecedented amounts of time, yet success eludes her. At this point, the student becomes frustrated by seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But she is further aggravated by the fact that she cannot identify and define the obstacles to her achievement.

Broken glass †research Essay

Margaret Hyman- Harry Hymans wife, â€Å"fair, lusty and energetic†, informative, nosey. She is friendly, likes laughing a complete opposite to Gellburg- it makes him uncomfortable Phillip Gelburg- â€Å"slender intense man in his late forties†, patient, secretive, dislikes social situations, unsympathetic The theme of Gellburgs wife’s illness is introduced, and Gellburg indicates he is perhaps either irritated by wife’s condition or the presence of Margaret – uses short brief answers. Gellburg is going to visit Dr Hyman office to receive some results on the test his wife had – she is paralysed and showing no signs of illness at all. A little background history about the Hymans is given. Reference to places in Brooklyn made –â€Å"ocean Parkway†. Opening of scene two from p3 to Gellburg I see p5. Margaret Hyman Dr Hyman-â€Å"early fifties†, an inquisitive, factual man â€Å"more people die or rat bite you know†, idolises women/wife. Slow thinker Gellburg- he is impressed by Hyman, however some uncertainty towards him is clear A very slight introduction to the theme of Gellburg and Sylvia’s relationship, suggest that’s its perhaps cold â€Å"oh†¦ I never thought of it†¦ † he’s almost unfamiliar with his own wife. Sylvia’s illness is mentioned again – appears to be coping. Audience is introduced to Dr Hyman, Sylvia’s doctor who is investigating her sudden paralysis. Sylvia appears to be coping well, something which Hyman admires. Dr Hyman has the results from Dr Sherman’s tests on Sylvia. Reference to the typicality of the time – a doctor smoking indoors, un fazed by the claimed causes of smoking. p5 Hyman I find this Adolph Hitler†¦ to p6 Gellburg Listen, I sympathise†¦ Hyman – Educated in Germany, and shows great sympathy towards the Jews being punished over there, he can’t understand the brutality. Gellburg – suggests he has a short temper and that is almost ashamed of being a Jew, he’s not very sympathetic of the Jews in Germany – he’s very independent. Theme of Sylvia and Gellburgs relationship with one another is touched on – Hyman presents this idea that Sylvia is scared of Philip. The theme of anti-Semitism and Gellburg’s own personal beliefs and his resentment of being Jewish is shown. Also Sylvia’s NAZI fear suggested – it’s almost an obsession of hers. While Hyman is trying to find the answer within the results, he talks to Gellburg firstly about the Soldiers in Berlin smashing Jewish homes/stores etc, and Sylvia’s concern over it. Gellburg expresses his thoughts on the German Jews, â€Å"I know but they’re supposed to be refugees†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he has a negative attitude towards them – Hyman particularly agree. Contextual reference to the Nazis pogroms—state sanctioned, anti-Jewish riots—against the Jewish community of Germany. It was known as â€Å"Kristallnacht†, or â€Å"night of the broken glass†. Many Jewish homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and synagogues were destroyed. It can be seen as the first step in anti-Semitism. Also contextual reference to the stigma and accusations attached to the Jews in the 1930’s. p7 Hyman (cutting him of)†¦ to p9 Gellburg That’s the way I am†¦ Hyman – shows more intrigue in Gellburgs relationship, he reasons behind his questions are not yet revealed but cause audience interest. He isn’t sure of how/what is causing the hysteria. Gellburg – he is shown to be a very forward and assertive man; he likes to know the facts He is difficult to talk to. Gellburg becomes â€Å"tense† and â€Å"flushed† by the mention of his marital relationship. Gellburg is proud of his wife, however the tension and the fact they only â€Å"get on very well† suggests some issues. Sylvia’s paralysis is hysterical, in relation to â€Å"people who are anxious enough or really frightened can imagine they’ve gone blind or deaf† – Gellburg is finding it difficult to understand. Sylvia and Gellburgs relationship is discussed – Gellburg speaks very highly of Sylvia but Hyman senses some tension around the discussion of their relationship. Dr Hyman believes that Sylvia’s paralysis is hysterical and psychological, however he is unsure what is causing it. Gellburg questions Sylvia’s mental stability. p9 Hyman You’re in†¦ to p10 slight pause Hyman- he is against the â€Å"psychiatry rigmarole†. He likes get ‘stuck in’ with work- likes to get straight to the point. Gellburg –He is proud of his profession. He is embarrassed about talking about his sexual relationship with his wife. He shows his disapproval of the actions in Germany/Judaism. Again the theme of relationship. Sylvia and Gellburg have relations â€Å"twice, three times a week† Theme of the situation in Germany and how it’s in the papers across the world. Also the theme of Sylvia’s paralysis. It’s revealed Gellburg is â€Å"the head of Mortgage Department of Brooklyn Guarantee and Trust. † Hyman plans to treat Sylvia in his own way. The sexual relationship of Gellburg and Sylvia is queried as Hyman believes sex is linked to the paralysis – Gellburg claims to have relations â€Å"twice, three times a week†. Gellburg believes it is the pictures of the anti-sematic actions in Germany in the papers is what has caused the hysteria –â€Å"she scares herself to death with them† Contextual link to Anti- Semitism occurred in America as well despite the Jewish community being greater than the Christian community. There we no laws passed against the Jews to prevent them from doing things – it was personal prejudice. Also , contextual link to the pogroms in Germany p10 slight pause to p13 Hyman I don’t know†¦ Gellburg – He becomes very emotional when describing the fall.. However he then becomes doubtful of his own wife. He denounces other Jews for not succeeding as he has done. His lack of humour, his brutish, snappy impatience, and paranoiac intensity make him dislikeable to the audience. Hyman- is becoming more inquisitive, he likes to know about people, what they do etc. The theme of work plays a part, Gellburg is very proud with the position he is in –â€Å"I’m the only Jew ever worked for Brooklyn Guarantee in their whole history. † Although a contradiction, the theme of Gellburgs Judaism. The theme of Sylvia’s illness – the emotional side it (how she’s reacting, it’s also suggested she is almost faking the paralysis) Gellburg recalls the night Sylvia collapsed and became paralysed – â€Å"her legs turned to butter. I couldn’t stand her up. Kept falling around like a rag doll†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Gellburg explains his work, and expresses his pride of being â€Å"the only Jew ever worked for Brooklyn Guarantee in their whole history. † Hyman suggests that Sylvia is subconsciously scared causing her paralysis. Gellburg however questions whether or not his wife is â€Å"doing it against me†. Context reference to the American economy In the 1930’s. In 1928 the wall street crash left America in a great depression due to the crash in the stock market. p13 Gellburg (stares for a long moment†¦) to p14 Gellburg turns and goes†¦ Hyman-clearly a man of science does not believe in possessions or â€Å"dybbuk†. Gellburg- he comes across as uneasy, â€Å"deeply disturbed†, he has a short temper, and he’s quick to assume â€Å"you’re not blaming this on me, are you? †. We also learn his is perhaps old morale as his â€Å"parents were from the old country† Theme of relationship- Hyman believes that â€Å"a lot of loving† is needed to help Sylvia and her Paralysis (another theme). Unsure of what to make of the results of his wife’s tests, he even questions whether she has been possessed. Hyman wants to treat Sylvia â€Å"unconventionally†. Gellburg leaves. In Jewish folklore, a dybbuk is a malicious possessing spirit, believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person. p14 Margaret That’s one miserable pisser†¦ to end of scene. Margaret- likes to be romanced by Hyman. Very concerning over her husband. A good judgment of character. Hyman- Determined man â€Å"full enthusiasm† regarding the mystery surrounding the illness. He likes to romance women. He has a good heart- likes to help even though he’s doubtful he can Gellburg –Highly controlling man, â€Å"He’s a dictator†, and â€Å"miserable†. Sylvia’s illness: Hyman isn’t sure how to treat her, and promises his wife that if it becomes too much that he will refer her. Margaret comments of Gellburgs character â€Å"That’s one miserable pisser†, and that â€Å"he’s a dictator†. Hyman is doubtful of his ability to treat Sylvia; however he is determined to continue due to sheer fascination. The scene ends on a empty promise to refer Sylvia to another doctor if its becomes too serious and Hyman and Margaret become intimate. Reference to American culture/cinema at the time – â€Å"at the Beverly they’ve got Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Jimmy Cagney’s at the Rialto but it’s another gangster story. † Scene Two p15 Next evening to p18 Sylvia Yes. Sylvia- â€Å"She is mid-forties, a buxom, capable, and warm woman. † She is a sensitive woman, and doesn’t like to be a burden on anyone. Is she attracted to Hyman? Harriet- is Sylvia’s younger sister, she isn’t as intelligent as her sister, and she doesn’t understand Sylvia’s reasoning. The theme of Sylvia’s illness, she can feel something â€Å"†¦but inside not on the skin. (Looks at legs. ) I can harden the muscles but I can’t lift them. (Strokes her thighs. ) I seem to have an ache. Not only here but†¦ (She runs her hands down her trunk. ) My whole body seems†¦ I can’t describe it. It’s like I was just born and I†¦ didn’t want to come out yet. Like a deep, terrible aching†¦Ã¢â‚¬ suggests perhaps her paralysis is emotional? Theme of Nazi Germany: it angers Sylvia, the poor Jewish men remind her of her grandfather- it disturbs her. Sylvia’s sister Harriet is visiting her, to run some errands for Sylvia – she is â€Å"pale† and Harriet questions whether she has been eating and Sylvia’s fascination with newspapers. Harriet is doubtful of Hyman. Sylvia explains her illness into more depth, and how/why the newspapers are distressing her – the old men scrubbing the flood remind her of her grandfather, she sympathises with them. In November 1938, a Nazi ‘diplomat’ was shot dead by a Jew in Paris. Hitler ordered a seven day campaign of terror against the Jews in Germany to be organised by Himmler and the SS. On the 10th November, the campaign started. 10,000 shops owned by Jews were destroyed and their contents stolen. Homes and synagogues were set on fire and left to burn. A huge amount of damage was done to Jewish property but the Jewish community was ordered to pay a one billion mark fine to pay for the eventual clear-up. Jews were forced to scrub the streets clean. p18 Sylvia returns to p 20 Gellburg It’s only a colour†¦ Gellburg – he has a Stern, harsh and forbidding presence. He is only proud of being Jewish when there is reason to be proud (i. e. only Jew in the army) Sylvia – a very emotional, concerned woman and has a slightly reserved attitude towards Gellburg. Sylvia’s paralysis: she feels like she is a burden on Gellburg- being overly apologetic, something which causes annoyance to Gellburg and strain to their â€Å"relationship†. (another theme) Gellburg arrives home, he has a letter from the General of his son Jerome rank – Jerome has been given the honour of giving a lecture on artillery in Fort Still. Gellburg is overwhelmed with pride, as Jerome could be the first Jewish general in the US army. Sylvia is resentful – she is concerned about his welfare. Sylvia keeps apologising for her burden she feels she is putting on Gellburg. Gellburg reveals he saw Hyman last night, and that he wants to change. He wants to teach Sylvia to drive. Slight link to the stigma’s that were attached to being Jewish –â€Å" I wanted to see that a Jew doesn’t have to be a Lawyer or a Doctor or a businessman. † p21 Sylvia Tell me†¦ to p24 end of the scene. Sylvia- she is unhappy in her relationship – she only stayed for â€Å"her mother†, â€Å"for Jerome†. She also regrets marriage. Her illness takes its toll; she is frightened by the mystery surrounding it. Gellburg: he is also very miserable, impotent and hasn’t had relations with his wife for years. Only out of fear he stayed in the relationship. Sylvia and Philips relationship/marriage: they haven’t been a couple in years- Gellburg resents marriage it is clear they are merely just living together- not married. Philips incompetence has put a strain on their relationship – perhaps even Sylvia’s health? Is she frightened by him? Sylvia’s illness: remains unchanged, when Philip eggs her on to walking heated discussion she falls to the ground. Gellburg explains that Dr Hyman believes that her paralysis is psychological, and caused by fear- fear, which Gellburg believes, is due to the newspapers. Sylvia believes â€Å"it’s ridiculous. I can’t move my legs from reading a newspaper? † When Gellburg attempts to comfort her, she believes she’s dying, that there is no hope. Phillip tries to change their relationship but Sylvia believes â€Å"it’s too late for that†¦ It hasn’t happened in years†- Philip is impotence. Philip regrets marriage – they haven’t had a relationship for years. He eggs her to try and walk but she collapses on the floor. In November 1938, a Nazi ‘diplomat’ was shot dead by a Jew in Paris. Hitler ordered a seven day campaign of terror against the Jews in Germany to be organised by Himmler and the SS. On the 10th November, the campaign started. 10,000 shops owned by Jews were destroyed and their contents stolen. Homes and synagogues were set on fire and left to burn. A huge amount of damage was done to Jewish property but the Jewish community was ordered to pay a one billion mark fine to pay for the eventual clear-up. Jews were forced to scrub the streets clean. Characters Key themes Plot development Reference to context. Scene Three p24 Opening of sceneDr Hyman’s office†¦ to p25 Hyman Yes. But in a way†¦ Harriet –adores Hyman and the work he had done for her cousin. She is attentive, nosey, almost a gossip although she has reservations of whether to tell Hyman anything. Hyman – he adore female attention. He is mystified, confused by Sylvia’s paralysis, he is interested in finding out about Phillip and Sylvia’s relationship The events in Germany are mentions in reference to the paper Sylvia has obsession with. Harriet goes to see Dr Hyman – he explains how physiologically, her numbness doesn’t make sense. Hyman used to treat Harriet’s cousin, Roslyn Fein who had a crush on him. Since the collapse, Sylvia acts like â€Å"this is how she wants to be†, and that’s its only â€Å"last couple of weeks† she has had the fascination with Germany despite it â€Å"being across the ocean†. Reference made again to the NAZI and actions taken against Jews in Germany. (mentioned in previous context) p25 Hyman Yes. But in a way†¦ to p27Something darkens Harriet’s expression†¦ Harriet- Doesn’t withhold on her opinions, which are suggested as general ones of everybody. Hyman – he is piecing together and trying to work out who Phillip is, what he’s like, is it’s something to do with Sylvia’s paralysis? He is shocked by how Philip has treated Sylvia. Harriet discusses Gellburg and Sylvia’s relationship ? she explains Phillips brash side and how he took is anger out on Sylvia by hitting her with a steak. Their relationship isn’t stable. Gellburgs hatred of himself being a Jew and his awareness of anti-Semitism is picked up. Hyman asks questions about Philips personality and his relationship with Sylvia. Harriet regards him as a â€Å"prune†, lies about him being â€Å"sweet† and discloses how no one like to be around him ,especially with opinions that go against his â€Å"republican† thoughts. â€Å"I don’t understand him and I never will. † Harriet reveals when Philip and Sylvia came close to separation when â€Å"he hit her with a steak† because it was â€Å"overdone† –â€Å"the whole thing is very strange†. p27Something darkens Harriet’s expression†¦to the end of the scene Harriet – although haunted by the account, she feels sympathy towards Philip and her sister despite her not liking Philip very much. Philip despite everything is a good man. Hyman – is with further confusion – they’re marriage does not make sense. Again in further detail the theme of Sylvia and Phillips relationship. Despite their fights and abuse, he still adores her – something which causes great confusion amongst everyone. Harriet tells Hyman of one Christmas when Sylvia was joking about some â€Å"very French† postcards, Phillip threw her up the stairs and â€Å"screamed† at her and everyone else ? all because, it is suggested, he is impotent. However, Harriet explains that â€Å"the expression on that man’s face when he’s watching her- it could almost break your heart†¦He adore her! † Scene Four Complete scene Case –â€Å"He has great natural authority, an almost childishly naive self-assurance†, he has a lot of trust in Gellburg. However, anti-Semitism is hinted â€Å"it’s surprising for one of you people† Gellburg: admires and trusts Case, hard worker, enjoys the satisfaction of being right. The theme of Gellburgs obsession with work. It shows his emphasis for detail and how he adores praise and appreciation of all his work/findings. Gellburg stops by the office to offer advice on a property and to also boast about the progress of his son in the army. He suggest that case stay away from building 611 due to hearsay issues that Wannamaker’s- a popular business is going and that 611 is a bad building. He is thanked and offered a brandy. Anti-Semitism in America reached its peak during the interwar period. Car manufacturer Henry Ford propagated anti-Semitic ideas in his newspaper The Dearborn Independent. The radio speeches of Father Coughlin in the late 1930s attacked Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and promoted the notion of a Jewish financial conspiracy. views were also shared by politicians; Louis T. McFadden, Chairman of the United States House Committee on Banking and Currency, blamed Jews for Roosevelt’s decision to abandon the gold standard, and claimed that â€Å"in the United States today, the Gentiles have the slips of paper while the Jews have the lawful money Scene Five p32 start of scene to p33 Sylvia Well you mustn’t get anyone†¦ Sylvia – her mood changes around Hyman, she becomes flirtatious, anticipated, when he comes closer or touches her. Hyman- he is excited by Sylvia, he repeats how â€Å"beautiful† she is and how she have â€Å"moved â€Å"him. It’s clear they have feelings for one another. Sylvia and Hymans relationship: the theme of their relationship and development of their emotions for one another plays an important role, as it shows Sylvia’s desire to be loved. Sylvia’s paralysis has no improvement despite the coaxing words of Hyman, she simply can’t move her legs. Hyman comes to visit Sylvia – he checks upon her legs; She can’t feel touch or move them. Sylvia is excited by his presence, as is Hyman by her and so feels he should refer her to another doctor as he claims he hasn’t â€Å"been moved by a woman in a very long time†. Sylvia disapproves. p33 Sylvia Well you mustn’t get anyone†¦ to p34 Hyman Are you afraid right now? Sylvia –Anxious around him Her â€Å"eyes show fear† when Philip is mentioned Hyman – revealed he had many lovers in his youth. He is vain. Cares a lot about Sylvia. Sylvia does not know the overall answer as to she is feeling the way she does, why she can’t move her legs. Relationship: When Hyman mentions Philip at random he notices fear in her eyes ? key to her paralysis? Disruption in marriage? Hyman tries to press for an answer as to what is bothering her, but she doesn’t know. Hyman feels defeated; he doesn’t know what to do. Sylvia begs for patience, and they change topic onto Hymans youth, but when Hyman mentions Philip, â€Å"Sylvia’s eyes show fear†. p34 Hyman Are you afraid right now? to p36 Sylvia Tell me about Germany. Sylvia – She enjoys reminiscing about the past (suggests that they were better times. ) She has great desire to talk to Hyman/to be loved. Hyman- also likes remembering about his past in Germany, he likes women’s attention and is suggested he find sit difficult to say no to Sylvia. Illness: She tries to avoid questions on the subject almost as though she has convinced herself she will never walk again. She likes the company of Hyman. Relationship: Sylvia resents the fact she was forced to give up work, almost as though it took her freedom. But the fact that she is seeking â€Å"love† or attention from Hyman by kissing him, suggests that her marriage is not satisfying her needs. Sylvia tells Hyman of how she met Phillip, when they married and how he forced her not got to work despite her wanting to. She enjoys talking to Hyman. Sylvia reveals that Hyman makes her feel hope full of herself – she kisses his palm and he sweeps her hair back. He resists her by staying away, he tries to encourage her to move her legs but she gives us – she just can’t move them. She asks to know about Germany (of Hymans Past). p36 Sylvia Tell me about Germany to the end of the scene. Sylvia- She is silenced by fear, she wants to talk and express things but she knows that Philip disagrees. She feels comfortable and open with Hyman, something she does normally feel. Hyman – Links back to how he believes love/sex is linked to her secret illness. He uses it to try and get her to open up (intelligent/inquisitive. ) Germany – Sylvia constantly refers back to the events in Germany. But Hymen isn’t convinced this is her only fear. Gellburgs hatred of himself being a Jew and his awareness of anti-Semitism is picked up. Hyman studied medicine in Germany because American medical school have â€Å"high quotas for Jews†. Sylvia feels great sympathy and almost empathises with the Jews in the times. No one talks about it with her, Philip only jokes about Jews. She is frightened inside. Hyman asks Sylvia to pretend they have made love and that she is telling him all her secrets. He leaves and she is left thinking. Certain universities, most notably Harvard, introduced policies which effectively placed a quota on the number of Jews admitted to the university. This reached its height in the 1920s and has now died out to the point that 28% of the Ivy League student population is Jewish Scene Six p38 Hyman’s Office to p38 Gellburg I’m kind of upset†¦ Gellburg- he’s nervous, lost weight , sighs a lot – he snaps rudely at Margret when she tries to help Margret- pry’s into the business of Gellburg, she notices changes in Gellburg. Sylvia’s illness: there are been change since Hymans last visit. Gellburg visits Hymans office. While waiting Margaret notices he has lost weight and that he is sighs a lot. There is no change in Sylvia. Gellburg snaps, he is â€Å"upset†.p38 Hyman enters†¦ to p40 Gellburg Listen†¦ Gellburg- His quick to judge nature is reflected again into the discussion – he is elf conscious about what Sylvia may or may not have said. Hyman – â€Å"the openness of this hostility mystifies Hyman who becomes apologetic† Relationship: Appears that Gellburg is attempting to fix their relationship, however Gellburg leads us to doubtfully believe it is only a recent occurrence. Gellburg confides with Hyman that he is going to have sex with Sylvia. He claims they haven’t been together â€Å"for the last two week† and â€Å"some time before that†. Hyman suggests that love is the key to her being well, as women who aren’t feeling loved is â€Å"lost†. Gellburg takes offence. Characters Key themes Plot development Reference to context p40 Gellburg Listen†¦to p41 Hyman Good! Gellburg- he is full of such anger and doubt, his reasoning is difficult to understand for Hyman, but he does trust him Hyman – He questions everything he hears. Illness: Gellburg almost uses the paralysis as an excuse for their lack of relationship, as though it is being used to defy him. Marriage: Suggests that he doesn’t trust his wife ? no trust weak marriage. Gellburg asks to be put in touch with a specialist for himself (his impotence). Hyman believes Gellburg is stressed (due to sighing). Gellburg thinks that her paralyse is being done on purpose, he’s wondering â€Å"if she gets out and walks around when I leave the house. † He is suspicious of what Sylvia and Hyman talk about, despite that he claims â€Å"I do trust you. † p41 Hyman Good! To p43 Shaken, Hyman†¦ Gellburg – He is vein liar, he will say anything to protect himself and his image. He tries to blame her paralysis on her madness because he may know that he is the reason for it. Hyman –He is out of his depth Relationship- this again suggests a very poor and weak relationship. He takes his personal weakness out on his both others and his marriage.. Gellburg confides in Hyman that he has trouble with impotence. Hyman comforts Gellburg that its nothing to worry about, and that he shouldn’t worry that she is expecting more. .Facing increasing recognition of his own impotence and weakness, he tries to hide it behind the lie that he made love to his wife, but that she then rejected him by cruelly claiming to have forgotten the experience altogether within hours of its occurrence. p43 Shaken, Hyman†¦ to p44 Gellburg I am deciding†¦ Gellburg- is angry, frustrated and physically sick of Hymans indecisiveness and by the idea that his wife is trying to destroy him. Hyman – he is out of his depth, unable to say the answer Gellburg is looking for. He is sus pious of his claim of making love with Sylvia. Relationship – It seems as though Sylvia and Gellburg don’t know each other anymore. Gellburg is so caught up in the lies that he is ruining his wife’s only happiness of seeing Hyman. Sylvia claims that Gellburg had â€Å"imagined doing it† as an act of spite and that she is trying to â€Å"destroy† him. Hyman doesn’t know what to say, in fear he is out of his depth. Gellburg is furious, storms out of the office forbidding Sylvia to be treated by Hyman again. p44 Gellburg I am deciding†¦to end of the scene Hyman- he believes anything a woman tells him. He is ambitious, has a drive to figure out the mystery Margaret- is doubtful of him ever finding an answer. She believes he is out of his depth and should referred to another doctor – for once Hyman is not taking her advice. Illness- Hyman believes something big is causing the illness, something which she is scared to admit it. Driven by this idea that Sylvia knows something key, he is full of determination to find out what it is that is making her so scared that she is paralysed. Margaret id doubtful – she simply believes she mad and that she should be referred. Scene Seven p46 start of the scene to end of the scene p48 Case – angry at the fact he has lost out on a property with potential – he blames Gellburg. Gellburg – Quick with explanation, he hates to be in a position where his work is criticized. Gellburgs obsession with work is clear because when he fails and becomes in trouble it is a great blow to him and his self-esteem. Gellburg and Case have a heated discussion, the building Case wanted which Gellburg had told him information on was false, causing friction and tension between the two. Gellburg becomes progressively ill under stress– he â€Å"is left open mouthed, one hand raised to bring back his life. † Scene Eight p49 Start of the scene to p51Hyman (forced to give up).. Sylvia – likes sharing things with Hyman, she likes to listen to. Hyman –wants to help to the best of his ability, but he is finding it a struggle, he can’t cope he needs assistance. Ill ness- â€Å"I’ve learned that your kind of symptoms come from deep within the mind. I would have to deal with your dreams to get any results, your deepest secret feelings, you understand? That is not my training. † Hyman visits Sylvia, he compliments her hair and perfume (much to Sylvia’s delight) and they discuss about their childhood. Hyman says that â€Å"I’ve learned that your kind of symptoms come from deep within the mind. I would have to deal with your dreams to get any results, your deepest secret feelings, you understand? That is not my training. † Despite this Sylvia wishes for Hyman to hear of her dream. p51Hyman (forced to give up)..to p52 Sylvia I feel like I’m losing†¦ Sylvia – her obsessions with the NAZI pogroms have become greater – she is now dreaming every night of being attacked. Hyman – is greatly concerned for the welfare of Sylvia. Germany – the events in Germany have affected her dreams, like what Hyman said â€Å"the people in the pictures seem real to her. † Her dream is in black and white of a town (just like the pictures in the paper), within it, she is being chased, and then is mounted by a man who kisses her and cuts of her breasts. She thinks its Philip but it’s not. Sylvia becomes emotional, and embraces and kisses Hyman on the mouth. Pogroms in Germany, as written in previous boxes ^ p52 Sylvia I feel like I’m losing†¦ to p54 Sylvia (with bitter irony)†¦ Sylvia- she is furious over the suggestion that she is mentally unstable and that her husband would create such a lie. Hyman Marriage ? is weak; they haven’t had relations in over 20years, unusual for a couple of their age. Key reason for their poor relationship. Hyman asks Sylvia whether they had relations the other night- she has no idea what he is talking about as they haven’t been intimate with one another for 20 years just after their son was born. Gellburg suffered from impotence since a young age and they were never able to have sex – despite them seeing a rabbi. It caused a huge strain on their marriage, they were close to divorce. p54 Sylvia (with bitter irony)†¦ to p57 Gellburg enters Sylvias – a very fearful, timid and frail women. She is driven by Hyman to attempt to walk again. Hyman –He tries leave and calm Sylvia down and keep a distance between them because he knows of Sylvia’s flirtatious intentions. Illness – she scared of psychiatry treatment because to her it would mean that she is crazy and also of what Gellburg might do he found out Hyman had come to visit. She seeks comfort from Hyman when she panics over the newspapers. (events in Germany) Hyman asks if he can bring a specialist to see her- but she is scared of psychiatry and seeks comfort and assistance from Hyman for when Gellburg returns. She is scared of what he may do, as he is in trouble with Case at work. She then begins to panic about the Germans, whom of which Hyman believes are nothing to be scared of as â€Å"it will all pass! † She panics further about it reaching the US, and what they do with the Jews. She can’t understand why they don’t runway- Hyman is flustered, out of his depth. Sylvia faints as she attempts to take a step off the bed. 10,000 shops owned by Jews were destroyed and their contents stolen. Homes and synagogues were set on fire and left to burn. A huge amount of damage was done to Jewish property but the Jewish community was ordered to pay a one billion mark fine to pay for the eventual clear-up. Jews were forced to scrub the streets clean. Holocaust (in two boxes below) p57 Gellburg enters to p58 Hyman gives Gellburg a quick†¦ Sylvia Hyman – shows a concern for Sylvia but a suggestive slight hatred towards Gellburg and the way he’s treated her. Gellburg – Concerned for Sylvia Illness ? even though she began to walk there is further improvement. They rush to her assistance. Hyman exclaims he is here because â€Å"she is desperate to be loved! † Sylvia tries to move her legs but nothing happens. p58 Hyman gives Gellburg a quick†¦ to p59 They are silent†¦ Sylvia – Gellburg doesn’t want to talk to her, he shuts her out so she kicks him out of their marital bed. Gellburg – he doesn’t understand his wife, or her thoughts. He pushes her too hard. He is greatly upset by the banning from his bed. Relationship ? they no longer sleep in the same bed – she bans him. Sylvia exclaims that she nearly walked, that it was/is Hyman who can help her walk again. Gellburg disagrees and questions her tone, and calls her â€Å"crazy†. Sylvia forbids him to sleep with her again, after he misunderstands the concept of the Jewish children being beaten. She argues at him for lying about their relations, upsetting Gellburg who weeps â€Å"you will kill me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. â€Å"Holocaust† is a word of Greek origin meaning â€Å"sacrifice by fire. † The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were â€Å"racially superior† and that the Jews, deemed â€Å"inferior,† were an alien threat to the so-called German racial community. Characters Key themes Plot development Reference to context p59 They are silent†¦ to the end of the scene Sylvia- resentful of her life. Gellburg – Begrudging on everyone and everything. He always feels as though it is his fault – self pity. Anti-Feminist ?

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