Identity and Postmodernism | Essay

Identity and Postmodernism | Essay Critically assess the contention that identities are, plural, unstable, situationally enacted, and sites of contestation. The stability or otherwise of identity has become a major battleground for sociological theorists in recent times. The infamous ‘postmodern’ turn has rendered identity a deeply problematic phenomenon. In this paper I will investigate the claim that identities are unstable sites of contestation. I will do this by examining the dissolution of identity within postmodern theory before examining both the negative and more importantly, the positive consequences of this.[1] This will enable a deeper understanding of precisely what is meant by this fluid notion of identity, and where possible criticisms and inconsistencies can be located within this theory. The debate over the stability of identity is one that is inseparably linked to postmodernism. This diverse group of theories centre around, in Lyotard’s (1984:xxiv) famous phrase, ‘incredulity toward meta-narratives.’[2] Postmodernists maintain that the project of modernity has failed, and that no single source or body of knowledge can legitimise itself as a universal measure of value or identity. This obviously has some profound effects on the ways in which we would normally think about the world. Postmodernism no longer allows us to theorise society into homogenous identities which can then be totalised in a grand-theory or meta-narrative. This is also the case when it comes to the identification of the self. Rather than the self maintaining a stable core of identity, from a postmodern perspective identity is fluid and is dependant upon where the self is historically and culturally situated. As Luntley (1985:185) notes, this conception of the self threatens the very possibility of self-identity: The loss of self-identity is threatened because if we situated the self in real historical circumstances, we would situate it in things that are contingent and constantly changing. Therefore, the self would also be constantly changing. It would be in flux and would have no continuing identity. Once the very identity of the self comes under threat, then so does the possibility of any coherency in social theorising. A postmodern society is one in which the identities of the social actors are undergoing constant transformation. Identity then becomes open to contestation as there is no longer any ultimate referent (truth, science, God etc.) to provide universal legitimation. In Lyotard’s terms, the impossibility of a grand or meta-narrative leads to the social being constructed of small narratives, none of which are necessarily more valid than another. Any theory that aims at totalising society should only be seen as one constructed from a particular perspective (e.g. one that still remains in the logic of modernity), rather than a totalising theory as such. Whilst postmodernism can be viewed as liberating and opening up seemingly limitless opportunities for re-theorising society, it does at the same time impose new problems. Firstly, there seems to be an inconsistency in the postmodernist stance, as it could be argued that the theory of the dissolution of meta-narratives is a type of meta-narrative itself. This criticism can also be applied to the postmodernist take on identity, for in arguing that identity is ultimately unstable and fluid postmodernists inadvertently provide a certain rigid structure in which identity operates (i.e. that all identity must be unstable). So whilst postmodernism is liberating on the one hand, on the other it sets limits to the very possibility of any meaningful social theory or practice. This is exemplified in the disparity between postmodern theorists, some of which view postmodernism as opening up huge opportunities for getting rid of authoritarian grand theories, others view it as essentially debilitating as the only thing that can prevail in postmodern societies is a sense of meaningless flux. Within this disagreement the postmodern analysis of identity remains reasonable intact, both sides of the argument larg ely accept that identity is fluid and unstable. By analysing this disagreement we can therefore obtain a better understanding of the various aspects of fluid identity. Jean Baudrillard (1990:160-164) for example, argues that the dissolution of identity is a process that started in the nineteenth century and was exacerbated in the twentieth. In the postmodern era, historical processes have undermined the stability of identity, so that it becomes impossible to meaningfully theorise about social identity. Rigid identity and meaning are destroyed due to the rise of global capitalism and the demise of the referents from modernity (truth, purpose, meaning and so on). ‘Gone are the referentials of production, signification, affect, substance, history, and the whole equation of â€Å"real† contents’ (Baudrillard 1988:125). Identity now becomes a radically fluid and empty vessel, which becomes temporarily filled with content that has no foundation or ultimate meaning. Whilst for Baudrillard this cannot be thought of as a particularly positive or negative phenomenon, as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ no longer have any real mea ning in postmodernity, it does render theoretical and political action largely impotent.[3] This is why in postmodernism we are presented with numerous texts heralding the end of theory, history, meaning and so on.[4] The dissolution of identity means for many postmodernists that theory and meaningful political action are no longer possible: The end of history is, alas, also the end of the dustbins of history. There are no longer any dustbins even for disposing of old ideologies, old regimes, old values †¦ Conclusion: if there are no more dustbins of history, this is because History itself has become a dustbin. It has become its own dustbin. Just as the planet itself is becoming its own dustbin. (Baudrillard 1994b:26) The negative aspects of the lack of fixity and grounded meaning in identity are thus very evident. Laclau and Mouffe on the other hand, in Hegemony and Socialist Strategy, positively embrace the fluidity and instability of identity. Indeed, they argue that the impossibility of the closure of identity is what makes the social possible (1985:112). Society as such is therefore an impossible object for Laclau and Mouffe, as the field of identities is never fixed, but the continuing attempt to do this renders the possibility of the social. Society resists closure and remains eternally negotiable as the meanings produced to bind the social together are only temporarily fixed at nodal points by articulation (1985:11). Articulation is where social relations and identities are modified. Many differing types of articulations (political, cultural, scientific an so on) are capable of doing this, but the important thing for Laclau and Mouffe is that no one particular articulation totalises and re stricts the ability for other articulations to operate freely. Laclau and Mouffe (1985:13) argue that their concept of hegemony recognises the plurality of struggles and attempts to engage with it: The concept of ‘hegemony’ will emerge precisely in a context dominated by the experience of fragmentation and by the indeterminacy of the articulations between different struggles and subject positions. Hegemony for Laclau and Mouffe refers to the ‘battleground’ of identity. As the identity of the social is fluid and open to negotiation, different types of social articulations and struggles will attempt to hegemonise society to gain recognition. While this attempt at hegemony in itself is not a negative practice for Laclau and Mouffe, successfully achieved hegemony is. It is therefore imperative that a strong egalitarian and democratic framework is in operation for this site of social hegemony. The advent of democracy is therefore a pivotal moment in social history. Here Laclau and Mouffe (1985:186-187) concur with Claude Lefort’s analyses of the ‘democratic revolution’. Society prior to democracy was thought of as a unified body with power being embodied through that of a sovereign monarch, who was the representative of a god or gods. After the democratic revolution, power becomes an empty space without reference to a transcendental guarantor or a r epresentation of substantial social unity. A split occurs between the instances of power, knowledge, and the foundations of law which are no longer absolute. Without these foundations, no law can be fixed and everything is open to questioning. Society cannot be apprehended or controlled, the people become sovereign but their identity can never be totally given. But once we are in a democratic society, we are in danger of totalitarianism. This is because a purely social power can emerge after democracy has destroyed extra-social powers, which presents its power as total and extracts from itself alone the principles of law and knowledge. As there are no longer any foundations or a centre to political power, it becomes necessary to bind together political spaces through hegemonic articulations. But these articulations will always remain partial, as they have no ultimate foundation. Any attempt to deny the radically open nature of the social will lead to totalitarianism, be it a politic s of the ‘left’ according to which every antagonism can be eliminated and society rendered transparent, or a fascist authoritarian fixing of the social into a rigid hierarchical state system. The democratic logic of equivalence can therefore be hegemonised into totalitarianism. The radical openness of identity is therefore impinged with the danger of totalitarianism for Laclau and Mouffe.[5] To avoid this, the diverse and fluid nature of identity should be embraced within an egalitarian and democratic framework, so no particular articulation may hegemonise social identity. This is difficult however as the ultimate lack of closure for identity leads to a necessarily antagonistic network of social relations. Antagonism is caused when a discursive form of one type of identity interrupts another’s discursive frame (1985:154). The inability of a particular identity to successfully assimilate the articulations of another leads to an internal antagonism that becomes the catalyst for a further modification of itself. Hence there is no stable core to any particular identity, identity is always shifting and changing. But this is also how a democratic framework can be constructed. As all identity is open, then democratic and egalitarian ideals can permeate diff erent articulations to avoid totalitarianism: [I]t is only from the moment when the democratic discourse becomes available to articulate the different forms of resistance to subordination that the conditions will exist to make possible the struggle against different types of inequality. (1985:154-155) The openness of identity, once incorporated into a democratic framework, is therefore a positive and progressive phenomenon for Laclau and Mouffe. The impossibility of totalising society is embraced as an opportunity for new fields of thought to be created, free from the tyranny of authoritarianism. We can therefore see a great disparity between Baudrillard’s and Laclau and Mouffe’s notions of the openness of identity. Both perspectives fully accept the lack of stability in identity, yet for Baudrillard this leads to sociological and political impotence, whereas for Laclau and Mouffe this is seen as an opportunity for sociological and political creativity and action. For many theorists however, the apparent differences or similarities between various postmodern theories of unstable identity are merely superficial.[6] They claim that there are deeper problems and inconsistencies within this notion of identity itself. Zizek (2000:106-107), for example, claims that whilst Laclau and Mouffe are vehemently opposed to all forms of essentialism, and seek to affirm the radical contingency of the political and irreducibility of the social, they nonetheless have to rely on a formal existential a priori, such as ‘the logic of hegemony’. In other words, one of the main problems with this type of discourse is that in maintaining that identity and the social is radically open, it has to rely on a certain formal logic. Laclau and Mouffe have to rely on a ‘logic of hegemony’ as the natural state of identity formation and articulation, as they deny that the fluidity of identity is a historical phenomenon: Only in contemporary societies is there a generalisation of the hegemonic form of politics, but for this reason we can interrogate the past, and find there inchoate forms of the same processes that are fully visible; and, when they did not occur, understand why things were different. (Laclau 2000:200) This proposes that all social identity was always-already the result of hegemonic struggles, whilst it is only in our ‘postmodern’ world that we can recognise this. So while the maintaining of the openness of identity is a form of anti-essentialism, it is nonetheless only operable within a rigid essentialist framework. Zizek criticises this approach for its lack of historical analysis. For Zizek (2000:95) it is the process of contemporary global capitalism that has created the conditions for the demise of essentialist politics, and has led us to the ‘recognition’ of the irreducible plurality of identities.[7] Zizek argues that Laclau and other proponents of this postmodern notion of identity do not analyse the logic that makes this possible, and therefore do not engage with any theoretical confrontation with it. In fact Zizek (1993:216) and other notable theorists argue that postmodern theories of identity are merely a product of capitalism and late modernit y:[8] Far from containing any kind of subversive potentials, the dispersed, plural constructed subject hailed by postmodern theory simply describes the form of subjectivity that corresponds to late capitalism.’ Rather than postmodern identity being a liberating and revolutionary new way of rethinking the social, from this perspective it is merely a reaction of late modernity which fails to seriously engage with the major problematic of our time. It is in this sense that Hardt and Negri (2000:138) argue that ‘the postmodernist and postcolonialist strategies that appear to be liberatory would not challenge but in fact coincide with and even unwittingly reinforce the new strategies of rule.’ Postmodern notions of the fluidity of identity bring us to a political and theoretical impasse.[9] But it could be argued that this is only the case if we accept postmodernism itself as a type of totalising theory. The notion of the fluidity of identity is useful and does open up new avenues of theorising and politicising. But as Zizek and others argue, the social and historical processes that have lead up to this should play a greater role in understanding modern or postmodern identity. Some postmodernists such as Baudrillard accept these historical processes, but insist that they are irreversible under a banner of the end of history. Others such as Laclau and Mouffe insist on the positive aspects of the instability of identity, and indeed even insist that it is unavoidable. But what both these positions share is the unavoidability of groundless identity, and the ultimate impossibility of creating positive content for identity. Laclau and Mouffe may argue that positive identity is possible, within a democratic framework. But the problem of failure remains unavoidable; all identity is either a failed attempt at hegemonising the social, or if successful then it is necessarily totalitarian as it denies the radical openness of identity as such. Even in this positive use of fluid identity, negativity is still very much inscribed into its operation. The lack of fixity in identity does indeed seem to correlate with modern or postmodern subjectivity, as Zizek argues above, but claims that make this a universal and necessary phenomenon are fraught with difficulties. References Baudrillard, J. (1988) Selected Writings. Cambridge: Polity Press Baudrillard, J. (1994a) Simulacra and Simulation. Michigan: University of Michigan Press Baudrillard, J. (1994b) The Illusion of the End. Cambridge: Polity Press Bauman, Z. (1992) Intimations of Postmodernity. London: Routledge Brockelman, T. (2003) ‘The failure of the radical democratic imaginary’, Philosophy and  Social Criticism, vol 29 no2, pp 183-2 Butler, J., Laclau, E. and Zizek, S. (2000) Contingency, Hegemony, Universality.  Contemporary Dialogues on the Left. London: Verso Grillo, R.D. (1998) Pluralism and the Politics of Difference State, Culture, and Ethnicity in  Comparative Perspective. Oxford : Clarendon Press Fukuyama, F.(1992) The End of History and the Last Man. London: Hamish Hamilton Hardt, M. and Negri, A. (2000) Empire. London: Harvard University Press Laclau, E. and Mouffe, C. (1985) Hegemony and Socialist Strategy. Towards A Radical  Democratic Politics. London: Verso Lefort, C. (1988) Democracy and Political Theory. Cambridge: Polity Press Lyotard, J-F. (1984) The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Manchester:  Manchester University Press Sim, S. (1986) ‘Lyotard and the Politics of Antifoundationalism’, Radical Philosophy,  Autumn no 44, pp 8-13 Zizek, S. (1993) Tarrying with the Negative. Kant, Hegel and the Critique of Ideology.  Durham: Duke University Press Zizek, S. (1999) The Zizek Reader. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Zizek, S. and Daly, G. (2004) Conversations with Zizek. Cambridge: Polity Press 1 Footnotes [1] As the negative aspects of postmodern identity are clearly evident (lack of meaning, stability and so on), I will therefore concentrate more on the positive aspects of fluid identity to gain greater insight. [2] See Hardt and Negri (2000:139-140): ‘It is difficult to generalize about the numerous discourses that go under the banner of postmodernism, but most of them draw at least indirectly on Jean-Francois Lyotard’s critique of modernist master narratives †¦ [P]ostmodernist theories are defined by many of their proponents as sharing one single common denominator, a generalized attack on the Enlightenment.’ [3] ‘The dialectical stage, the critical stage is empty. There is no more stage no more stage either of mental or political solidarity.’ (Baudrillard:1990:164) [4] See for example Fukuyama (1992) [5] Here we can see parallels with Lyotard’s antagonism toward meta-narratives. [6] Grillo (1998:219) interestingly claims that there is another problem with postmodern theory: ‘There is an ambiguity in postmodernist writing in the social sciences: are we dealing with an intellectual stance (on language and so forth) or type of culture and society whose features are captured by the phrase postmodern? Or both?’ In other words, postmodernists are generally confused in their theorising, as they cannot adequately account for the origins of the dissolution of identity and meaning. [7] Zizek is not alone in this view. See for example Brockelman (2003:191): ‘[A]t the core of all social systems producing identities is a certain structure, a structure that alone makes possible the formation of diacritical or articulated identities.’ [8] See also Hard and Negri (2000:137-143) [9] Stuart Sim (1986:11) for example reproaches postmodernism for its political ineptitude, arguing that antifoundationalist political approaches are ‘uncoordinated guerrilla campaigns conducted by alienated solipsists – and one wonders how successful that would be.’

Social Responsibility in Akira Kurosawa’s Movie, Seven Samurai :: Movie Film Essays

Social Responsibility in Akira Kurosawa’s Movie, Seven Samurai It is truly a corrupt time when keepers of the peace must create unrest in order to survive. In sixteenth century Sengoku jidai Japan, it is survival of the fittest; a major part of this survival is what class one has been born into. Organized politics have been said to be a luxury of developed civilizations. Given that a poor farming village in sixteenth century Japan is hardly developed, the harsh rules of nature are ascribed to instead. Weakened by a continuing drought topped with unrelenting bandit raids, they must appeal to those who are stronger for help. However, in this land where the strong are successful, this will mean anyone who comes to the aid of these farmers will be stooping to work for their social inferiors. It is understood that violence has a starring role in samurai movies. In recent markets, a movie with as much blood as dialogue, though harshly criticized, will do decently in the box office. For the most part, Western cinema has been blamed as the cheapener of something that once was art. However, Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai approaches mortal combat from a different perspective. The scavenging bandits kill indiscriminately, taking what they want and destroying the rest. The honorable samurai, on the other hand, use their sword sparingly. The movie’s first killing is given to Kambei, who draws his sword on a kidnapping robber only to save another life. Credit is due to Kurosawa who takes care not to make light of death. In a particularly haunting scene, a bandit lays impaled on a villagers spear. This portrayal of the impact taking a life can have is something often overlooked a genre that usually glorifies the act. Kurosawa’s greatest achievement with Samurai is his statement on social responsibility. Kambei and his team of samurai choose to help the villagers despite the lack of a reward or even glory. By helping those less fortunate to achieve a semblance of at least a productive way of life and exterminating those who are willing to exploit others for personal gain, a nation can be at peace and therefore prosperous.

Communication and Care Professionals

Unit 501 – Use and develop systems that promote communication Learning Outcome 1. Be able to address the range of communication requirements in own role. 1. 2. Explain how to support effective communication within own job role. There are a number of reasons for communicating as a manager and leader such as delegation of work, supervision, building a team, interviewing, etc. As well as the need to communicate in many different levels of communicators such as clients, family members, staff, senior staff, other managers, other professional.Different mix of people require a different type of communication. Throughout the duty manager might be undertaking the variety of roles when advising, instructing, welcoming, assessing, observing, informing and counseling. Whatever the communication need or type, a good working relationship, trust and ability to talk openly are essential and therefore the need to adjust the communication to each circumstance. in supporting others to became eff ective communicator, it is necessary for leader to be an effective role model and where able to reflect effectively on how you communicating your messages.If we support all our communication by accepting and valuing the people with whom we interact in the expression of warmth and a non- judgemental attitude, we will improve our communication skills no end. So effective communication can be supported by ensuring that staff are all well aware of the need to be flexible in the way in which they communicate within varied contexts and to engage in communication which is empathic and values people with whom they interact. 1. 3.Analyse the barriers and challenges to communication within own job role. There are a range of barriers and blocks in communication like: * Difference in culture and values. Living in multi-cultural society it is important to be culturally aware in our interpersonal interactions. It is includes not only cultural differences but also the differences in values that pe ople hold. By developing a respectful curiosity about beliefs and practices within all service user's lives, we are able to communicate in more meaningful ways. Negative feelings about the person you are speaking to or taking personally what the person are saying. We may not share the views of people we communicate or particularly like the stance the person takes, but as the manager and leader in a setting we do have to show tolerance of these views and to be fully aware of how we come across to those we are communicating with. One of the things we often do not pay enough attention to is our body language.The way in which we present ourselves can have as much if not more impact on whether our message is listened to and understood. It is vital that our bodily actions match our speech. * Difficulties in own life, tiredness, feeling unwell. Self management highlights the need to manage those emotions we feel and manage them appropriately. So we may feel angry at somebody, but as a mana ger and leader, showing that anger inappropriately will have negative effect on relationships. Feeling unsafe due to person's behavior. We can overcome the problems associated with aggression by using our own verbal and non-verbal communication skills in a calm, non-threatening way, being clear and assertive in the way that they communicate with people who are aggressive, ensuring that the environment is used to defuse or de-escalate an aggressive situation and empowering people to take control of situations that they find stressful. * Not listening effectively.Active listening shows that staff and clients have been heard and the way in which we do this is with the following skills: acknowledging and reflecting feelings, body language, restating, paraphrasing, summarising, questioning. * Noise, inappropriate environment. Another area where communication could break down is an inappropriate environment. Manager must be aware of need for privacy when carrying out sensitive types of co mmunication. The initial impact of a room or building, for instance, is it welcoming, tidy, level of noise, can have huge effect on how people feel and can influence the success of an interaction.Learning Outcome 2. Be able to improve communication systems and practices that support positive outcomes for individuals. 2. 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing communication systems and practices. The initial assessment must be done from the first meeting with person to establish a baseline of the person’s ability and communication method. Everyone involved with care of the person should be made aware of this baseline so they can evaluate the effectiveness of any agreed ways of communication.Comparing the baseline with current findings helps us to identify the effectiveness of agreed ways of communication. Positive changes may indicate that agreed method of communication is effective and should be encouraged to continue or possibly adapted to make even more improvement. Findi ngs which show a decrease in the person’s ability need to be investigated further. Whatever the cause, the person should be supported to manage their communication ability, to prevent further decrease, and identify alternative methods of communication where possible.Once we have identified and supported the person to use agreed method of communication, we will need to work with others to identify ways of supporting the person to develop their communication continually. Others may include family, speech and language therapists, behavioural support workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologist. When somebody masters their agreed method of communication to support their specific communication need, it may be time to introduce alternative methods to aid them to develop their communication further.Care professionals communicate with people using services very frequently and in a variety of ways. These can include formal meetings and appointments to assess a personà ¢â‚¬â„¢s health or wellbeing problems, to review a person’s progress or recovery, in informal conversations during activity sessions and in brief interactions in the corridor, for example. To ensure that they communicate effectively, care professionals need to use language that isn’t too technical, scientific or based on professional jargon.This can frustrate and intimidate people who use services, particularly if they feel that their concerns aren’t being responded to in an appropriate manner. Effective communication and interaction enable people who use care services to feel more supported, are essential for identifying and responding to their individual care needs and form the basis of a trusting, respectful care relationship. 2. 3. Propose improvements to communication systems and practices to address shortcomings.Health and social care professionals need to be able to communicate effectively with people who use care services. Once they become aware that an individual needs assistance to communicate effectively, a care practitioner should ensure that suitable human or technological aids to communication are made available. Care professionals communicate effectively when they are able to ‘connect’ directly with other individuals. To be able to do this well, a care professional must adapt to the communication and language needs and preferences of others.This includes people who are unable to use spoken language and people who have sensory impairments that limit their communication and interaction abilities. Some people may develop their own way of communication because they do not have the ability to communicate in more formal manner. A sensory disable people usually use aid techniques and specific forms for communication. Effective communication and interaction play an important role in the work of all health and social care professionals.For example, care professionals need to be able to use a range of communication and in teraction skills in order to: †¢ work inclusively with people of different ages and diverse backgrounds †¢ respond appropriately to the variety of care-related problems and individual needs of people who use care services †¢ enable people to feel relaxed and secure enough to talk openly †¢ establish trusting relationships with colleagues and people who use care services †¢ ask sensitive and difficult questions, and obtain information about matters that might be very personal and sensitive †¢ obtain clear, accurate information about a person’s problems, symptoms or concerns †¢ give others information about care-related issues in a clear, confident and professionally competent way.Collating or collecting information about somebody’s communication and support provided is essential in monitoring the effectiveness of the person’s communication. We can collect the information observing the person, getting feedback from others and rec ording information. Learning Outcome 3. Be able to improve communication systems to support partnership working. 3. 2. Compare effectiveness of different communication systems for partnership working. Health and social care work is now based on multi-professional and multi-agency working. This means that care professionals need to be able to communicate effectively with colleagues from a variety of different care disciplines.A multi-professional team might include nurses, care workers, social workers, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists, for example. Each of these care professionals has a particular disciplinary training and a range of specialist skills. They also share some core skills in working with people who are mentally distressed. Members of this team will need to be able to use their one-to-one and group communication skills flexibly so that they can talk to, share ideas and collaborate with their team colleagues in ways that benefit the people in their care. Care professionals involved in multi-professional teams may communicate in both formal and informal contexts. When team members get to know each other very well, they may use more informal language at times.However, multi-agency working often requires care professionals to communicate more formally, using agreed plans and agendas to achieve specific goals. Formal communication may be used to ensure that the professionals and agencies involved in this kind of collaborative working are clear about each other’s responsibilities and don’t drift into miscommunication, compounding problems. 3. 3. Propose improvements to communication systems to support partnership working. Collating or collecting information is essential in monitoring the effectiveness of the communication systems. We can collect the information observing, getting feedback from others and recording information. So we need to work with others to identify ways to support the continued developmen t of communication.Care professionals communicate with colleagues and other professionals in many contexts every day. Effective communication requires personal and professional respect for others, trust in the judgement and values of colleagues, good verbal and listening skills. Care professionals may communicate formally and informally with colleagues and others working in partnership. Effective communication and interactions enable people to work more efficiently and to collaborate with and support each other in teams. In formal communication the specific writing skills needed by care professionals are generally learnt in practice and quickly become part of a care professional’s skill set.However, it is important for care professionals to regularly review and reflect on their written communication skills to ensure they are using them as effectively as possible. Learning Outcome 4. Be able to use systems for effective information management. 4. 1. Explain legal and ethical t ensions between maintaining confidentiality and sharing information. Tensions caused by confidentiality: the need for consent to share information; understanding when information may be shared without consent; concept of ‘need to know’; need for transparent policy and protocols for information sharing. In many cases, the passing information is routine and related to the care of the person concerned. However, this is only with the agreement of the person.But it is essential that only that is required for the purpose is passed on. Sometimes there are situations when we need to break confidentiality and pass information without consent but we must do this when we have good reason to believe that there is a risk of serious harm to someone. Good practice involves asking people if you can let other people know things, if not we can't give any information even to close relatives only because they want to know. Exception to this rule is when others have a need to know. For exam ple, managers, colleagues or other professional because they may need to help to make decisions or will be working with the same person. 4. 2.Analyse the essential features of information sharing agreements within and between organisations. Every organization have a policy on confidentiality and the disclosure of information. In my organisation Policy on Confidentiality and Policy on Record Keeping relate to it. The main point of these policies are: * All information we receive about or from service users is confidential and that only those people who need to know the information will have access to it * Individual and home records are kept in a secure fashion, are up to date and in good order * Service users have access to their record and information, as well an opportunities to help maintain their personal records.Staff working in health and care sector have a duty to respect individuals personal information, not discus client out of work place, ensure that all written informatio n is signed and dated and stored in a secure manner, are not left out, are accurate and up to date, the passwords and computer screens are used in computer systems, information shared with appropriate peoples and on need- to- know basis. Managers responsibility for maintaining confidentiality is to be convinced that policies and procedures are appropriate and operational within your area and staff are provided training covering basic information about confidentiality, data protection and access to records.

Use of Gothic Elements in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre

USE OF GOTHIC ELEMENTS IN CHARLOTTE BRONTES ‘JANE EYRE Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre was published in the middle of the nineteenth century. Bronte was greatly influenced by the Gothic novels that were in fashion before the time of Jane Eyre. The Gothic novel was popularised in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and was defined by its use of suspense, supernatural elements, and desolate locations to generate a gloomy or chilling mood. The protagonist of the novel would generally be female, and often face distressing or morbid circumstances. Contextually, there was little freedom for middle-class women during the period of the Gothic novel, and this remained the case in the time of Charlotte. Marriage especially†¦show more content†¦Mrs. Fairfax claims Grace Poole, one of the servants is responsible for the noise. But we know immediately that there is more to the story than this simply answer; the intuitive description of the odd laugh by Jane herself foreshadows a more complex and disturbing explanation to come in the future. When describing the third floor, Jane compares it to Bluebeards Castle. I lingered in the long passageway to which this led, separating the front and back rooms of the third story. Â…like a corridor in some Bluebeards castle The reference to Bluebeards Castle is also an important allusion; the French fairy tale referenced is a pre-Gothic account of a Duke who murders all his wives, locking their bodies in different closets, while forbidding each new wife to look inside each closet. When each bride breaks his commands, they find the dead wives, and are themselves, murdered. The Gothic plot is Romantic in the literary sense; the myth of Bluebeard is not. According to critics, it is a dark drama/comedy in some interpretations--a didactic and frightening commentary of society in others. In another episode, the whole incident of meeting Mr. Rochester on the road, against the pallid moon-lit hills and vales, introduces the tortured yet romantic character of theShow MoreRelatedUse of Gothic Elements in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1729 Words   |  7 PagesUSE OF GOTHIC ELEMENTS IN CHARLOTTE BRONTES ‘JANE EYRE Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre was published in the middle of the nineteenth century. Bronte was greatly influenced by the Gothic novels that were in fashion before the time of Jane Eyre. The Gothic novel was popularised in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and was defined by its use of suspense, supernatural elements, and desolate locations to generate a gloomy or chilling mood. 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The gothic style also plays a big part in numerous points in the book. â€Å"Jane Eyre† is about a young orphan girl called Jane Eyre who is neglectedRead MoreMystery and Suspense in Gothic Novels758 Words   |  3 Pages Gothic literature began and was very strong at the time of the Romantic Writers Movement. Gothic novels share common characteristics that contribute to the overall feeling of the novel. Most Gothic novels involve a setting that typically added mystery and suspense. The novel usually took place in a castle-like structure that was dark, scary, and isolated (Examine). In addition, the story enveloped omens or visions, supernatural or inexplicable events, overwrought emotion, women in distress, andRead MoreJane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte1714 Words   |  7 Pages Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brà ¶nte voiced the radical opinions of Brà ¶nte on religion, gender, and social class. Jane Eyre, a young orphan who lived with her vituperative aunt and cousins, strayed away from the Victorian ideals of a woman and established a new status for he rself. Jane Eyre was originally written in 1827 and was heavily influenced by the late gothic literature of the 19th century. Gothic literary aspects such as supernatural occurrences, mysteries and dark secrets, madness and dangerRead MoreJane Eyre by Charlotte BrontÃÆ' «1068 Words   |  5 PagesJane Eyre, one of the Victorian Era’s most popular novels, has continued to engage readers since its 1847 publication. It has spawned an incredible amount of adaptations, such as multiple motion pictures, a couple of musicals, a play, sequels, prequels, a web-series, and a ballet. However, it is truly the novel’s amazing success that makes the titular character, Jane Eyre, an instantly recognizable figure. Charlotte Brontà « originally published Jane Eyre: An Autobiography. 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In the first few chapters of the novel we are introduced into the world she is surrounded by, with the use of very descriptive imagery, with a gothic element also incorporated for the audience to obtain a grasp of Jane’s situation. As the nature of the book develops and unravels, frequently