GENDER AND POLITENESS IN AN ESL LANGUAGE ACADEMIC CONTEXT Research Paper - 1

GENDER AND POLITENESS IN AN ESL LANGUAGE ACADEMIC CONTEXT - Research Paper Example There are several ways in which members of a particular gender express themselves politely. Globally, there are various ways of expressing oneself be it with his/her peers or the elderly, or the use jargon depending on the context, the consideration of all these elements boils down to the varied linguistic expressions of politeness by both males and females Linguistics is the study of language. Language is the total whole of meanings and sound. It is the mode of communication between genders and thus for there to be a sense of politeness in an academic context, the following must be addressed. The context of a school setting is that of a teacher, student and other non teaching staff and due to the different backgrounds students have, the expression of politeness varies between the male and female students Literature review According to (Wehmeier, 2000) politeness are defined as having respect and good manners in consideration of the feelings of others. The theory of linguistic polite ness by Brown and Levinson holds that the individuals face is interpreted as self image seen publicly. (Grundy, 2008) notes that the faces of human beings are properties comparable to self esteem. (Kitamura, 2000) notes that the face notion is classified into two, that is the positive and the negative. On one hand, the positive face represents the similarities that exist between people interacting and appreciate each other’s self image while on the other hand; the negative face represents the desire to be unrestricted. These theorists argue that interact ants mutually aim to maintain each other’s face. (Holmes, 2006) notes that ideally, one can never know what people are feeling or thinking in a conversation, thus try to construe what is conveyed to them through communication For the sake of harmony in a given society, politeness strategy is essential and thus employed in conversations. This is so as (Bowe & Martin, 2007) note that face can be maintained, lost, enhance d and monitored during interactions. According to (Bowe & Martin, 2009) citing Brown and Levinson, the face is threatened by inappropriate behavior or acts. (Holmes, 2006) points out that this situation is assessed through three operational defined factors: the social distance (D) between partners, the ranking of the imposition (R) shared in the word of the appropriate culture and the power (P) of the addressee over the speaker. The seriousness of these acts therefore can be easily measured and assessed. With regard to gender, it argues that women are linguistically more polite than the men. The use of minimal responses like yeah and mhm demonstrates active participation, agreement and therefore used by both sexes. The use of questions for men, normally, it is genuine while for women it’s more of a rhetoric question and therefore use it more for conversation’s sake, with regard to writing, both use it as a literacy tool. In conversation, meaning is determined by the pe rson listening depending on his/her concerns, focus and habits rather than the will intended for. Women seem to attach more weight to the significance of listening rather than men. The use of verbal aggressiveness is used more so by women and physical aggression is used more by men. The issue of self

Substance Misuse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Substance Misuse - Essay Example On the other hand, many individuals who happen to be victims of this disorder may not be similarly motivated, and retaining them in the treatment table will require the clinician to adapt the assessment process to their level of insight and motivational state. This will often call for the extension of the treatment phase over time rather than attempting to acquire all the information regarding the patient at once so that the clinician can tailor the intervention to the individual’s particular stage of change. A full assessment of an individual’s substance abuse and/or dependence may need to be gathered in pieces over time, with details being added to the initial picture when the individual is in a position to share information that is pertinent to the pattern of his or her condition and more motivated to think about change (Rasool 2009). Causes of substance abuseThe causes of substance abuse and/or dependence are complex as they encompass social, economic and educationa l factors. However, the immediate treatment of this condition must address the underlying cause of substance abuse and/or treatment which includes poverty, inadequate health care, ethnic discrimination, hunger, and an inefficient educational system. Since these causes range from environmental, psychological, informational and social factors, it is evident that not even a persuasive campaign can address these factors at once. By implication, researchers are of the idea that a lack of information regarding the nature of substance abuse.

Term Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Term Paper - Essay Example This aspect of Edna’s awakening is important for the status of Chopin as a writer, for she portrays her heroine above but not of culture which Edna desperately tried to grasp. Whatever feminist beliefs Kate Chopin held, she makes it clear that Edna is largely unaware of- and certainly unconcerned with- the reasons for her actions and that her awakening is a realization of her sensual nature, not of her equality or freedom as an individual. Some critics tend to associate Chopin’s novel to the feminist tract; however, Chopin’s motives tend to be of a Naturalist rather than Feminist, for much of Chopin’s portrait of Edna depends upon the Lousiana Creole setting she chose and the naturalistic literary convention of her day. Chopin concentrated to a greater degree on the life of sensation and careless enjoyment that the Creoles lived. Creole society occupied the southern half of Lousiana. The descendants of French and Spanish colonists of the eighteenth century , the Creoles were bound by Catholicism, strong family ties, and a common language. The cultural patterns of the Creole society have been romanticized by local colorists like Chopin in their works. Through her characterization of Edna, she wanted to scrutinize the Creole society and its reputation for an easygoing attitude. For this purpose, Chopin has not placed her heroine in a rigidly moralistic environment. She eloquently translates Edna’s feelings, her emotions and experiences when she enters the ‘sensuous’ Creole environment. Chopin reproduced this little world through her naturalistic techniques with no intention to shock or make a point, rather for her these were the conditions of civility. This attitude of the novelist clarify Edna’s position as an outsider, whose behavior is not shocking or inexplicable, for her position allows Chopin to deal with the clash of two cultures. Edna’s awakening is a product of the clash of cultures that she ex periences. It is important to note that Edna initially finds it difficult to participate in the easy intimacy of the Creoles. She describes herself as â€Å"self-contained†, and remains largely so until the end of the novel, in the sense that she incorporates no doctrine or set of principles outside herself. However, she does become a fully sexual being. Therefore, her awakening is more or less a sexual one rather than an approach towards an independent self. Her approach is rather physical in terms of her leaving her husband’s house and entering her own independent house named as â€Å"pigeon house†. Here, it is important to note that Chopin carefully translates Edna’s new-found independence in the imagery of â€Å"pigeon house†. As the name suggests the house gives an impression of a trapped existence, which can never free itself from the bounds of sensual nature of the Creole society. That is to say, though Edna tries to form a new identity she is still entrapped in the male dominated society guided by her own unconscious longing for Robert Leburn. Edna’s actions are partly the result of her will, in allowing herself expose to Robert’s charms, and mainly the result of her position in the Creole society. Her sexual awakening begins with the flirtations of Robert, but it is apparent

Analysis the Song The Way We Were Essay Example for Free

Analysis the Song The Way We Were Essay There is a song—a love song that has touched several hundred thousand audiences’ hearts; it expresses the overflowing feelings of a woman who used to live in her intense true love. â€Å"The Way We Were,† by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and Marvin Hamlisch illustrates the innermost emotions and regret of a middle-aged woman when she reflects on the youth which she had gone through. This song has a light beat and slow tempo forming delightful sensations for the listeners, but it also leaves audiences a profound message to think about. Sophisticated audiences may find themselves in the song. It brings out fervor, especially for people who have been living in love. Marilyn Bergman uses simple words, but it is very touching and emotive. Basically, it is a classical song which was played by symphony orchestras and performed by Barbra Streisand. By just looking at the lyrics, one would feel the sentimental soul and an introspective mind of a sensitive woman. In the first line of the song, she writes â€Å"Memories, light the corners of my mind. Misty watercolor memories of the way we were. These memories have been engraved in her heart; they are neither gloomy nor euphoric, but they are vivid images which she wants to repress in the most innermost sphere of her mind. It is not just something very hurtful; it is not blissful to think of either. Her feeling is a mixture of nostalgia, melancholy, and a little bit of regret that is rushing through her body. Former familiar scenes were depicted in her mind, but, somehow, t hey are both painted with watercolor and blurred, symbolizing a mystical ethereal world that solely exists in her imagination and belongs to her only. Near the middle of the song she wonders, â€Å"If we had the chance to do it all again. Tell me would we? Could we? † She already knows her former love would never come back again; the melody sounds like she is missing and regretting her loss of love. The term â€Å"Would we? Could we? † is deliberately sung slowly and softly as mumbling is also a way to convey her thoughts. Despite her haunting regret, she prefers keeping that regret to making up her love again because she knows wistful moments and romantic longings that she has right now wouldnt exist if her love remained today. It is such an uncanny feeling and an agonizing struggle between the logic and the sentiment of a human being. The last couple lines expose changes in her mood, â€Å"Memories may be beautiful and yet whats too painful to remember. We simply choose to forget, so its the laughter we will remember whenever we remember the way we were. † She used to live in love with both happiness and bitterness, but she had to learn how to forget unpleasant experiences to keep the most exquisite feelings inside herself. Does she â€Å"simply† choose to forget? It is not something easy to do. The way Barbra Streisand sings shows internal struggling when she decides to get rid of mental pains. The word â€Å"laughter† here is not simply something funny and delightful to laugh at; it is also a pang of remorse and regret about the love and the youth that are gone from her life. Marilyn Bergman used simple words to describe emotion of the woman in this song, so it is quite easy for listeners to apprehend the meaning; however, its melody and the way Barbra Streisand performs it, the most essential factor, helps the song convey the message to audiences . The intended stress in every single word of her lyrics is absolutely touching. For example, the word â€Å"smiles† in the second line was purposely lengthened to give a hint to the audiences so that they can comprehend the whole significance of the song. It is a beautiful song evoking diverse memories for listeners. Each listener will feel and interpret the song in different ways depending on their character and their personal experiences. However, one thing for sure is that these audiences will feel more appreciative of people around them so that they will not be regretful later on.

Research Paper: Elections 2008 - Barack Obama -- American Politics

Currently, America is facing various hardships such as struggling economy, poor health care, two wars, pollution, excessive relying on exported oil and illegal immigration. Both Barack Obama and John McCain expressed in the campaigns their points of views and possible solutions for these problems. Obama, the candidate from the Democratic Party, proposed answers on improvements on situation in the United States. One of the major issues nowadays is the health care. There are many reasons why it is so controversial and needs a lot of attention from the future president. In the past eight years, health insurance prices have grown 3.7 times faster than wages. Many insurance plans do not cover a number of doctor’s visits. In addition to that, over forty-five million Americans don’t have any health insurance at all. Most of these people just cannot afford their medical bills. Dramatically rising health care costs are also making it increasingly difficult for small businesses and other employers to provide insurance to their employees. (â€Å"Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s Plan to Lower Health Care Costs and Ensure Affordable, Accessible Health Coverage for All,† par 1) Barack Obama believes that government-run health care or insurances supplied by government are wrong. He proposes a plan that combines the two types of health care system into one. The plan would â€Å"strengthen employer coverage, make insurance companies accountable and ensure patient choice of doctor and care without government interference.† (â€Å"Plan for a Healthy America,† par 1, 2) Under Obama’s plan, everyone can keep his or her current health insurance and all the insurances will cost about $2,500 per year. Those who don’t have insurance would have many affordable options to ... ...9/opinion/19tue1.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=in%20search%2 0of%20 a%20real%20urban%20policy&st=cse&oref=slogin.>. Ivanovich, David. â€Å"Obama Likely to Tackle Energy Early on.† Chron.com 8 Nov. 2008. 11 Nov. 2008 . â€Å"New Energy for America.† Obama ‘08 08 11Nov. 2008 . â€Å"Obama-Biden vs. McCain-Palin: Record on Women.† Obama ‘08 11 Nov. 2008 . â€Å"Plan for a Healthy America.† Obama ‘08 11 Nov. 2008 . â€Å"Plan for Ending the War in Iraq.† Obama ‘08 11 Nov. 2008 . â€Å"Plan to Stimulate Urban Prosperity.† Obama ‘08 11 Nov. 2008 .

Reporting Practices and Ethics Essay

Introduction Reporting practices and ethical standards are the most important building blocks that are needed to build a successful health care organization or any business. These reporting practices and ethical standards prove to be the upmost important practices in any health care organization. When reviewing all the variables and factors, one considers the principals listed in the generally accepted accounting principles. There are several factors to consider and inforce these principles in an organization. To successfully implement generally accepted accounting principles and execute corporate compliance, an organization should consider in order for building a successful organization; ethics, fraud and abuse are all key components for maintaining a successful health care or business organization. A successful organization cannot be successful unless they integrate and implement the four elements for financial management. In order to implement and execute the four element of financial management for a successful organization, the four elements should be implemented and carried out in full on a daily basis for every procedure and operation within the organization. Controlling, planning, organizing, and decision making are the four components every business and/or health care organization should adopt. The four elements are the keys to every good business ethics and standards to maintain a successful organization. Four Elements of Financial Management The planning stage of the four elements of financial management proves this stage, is vital to set goals for a healthcare organization end to end with its execution of this stage and the other four elements. The next element of financial management is the controlling stage and in this important stage the organization must set goals for their organization and that each goal is executed and carried out. A perfect example of how an administrator /director/ manager in a healthcare organization can control their  organization is to conduct audits of the department they oversee. Decision making is defined as the overall performance of the other three elements and determination on wither or not the overall performance of the other elements. The success of this can be measured Decision making in conjunction with the other elements and the overall performance and success of other 3 elements ultimately determines decision making elements. Examples, if the organization exceeds the funds budgeted and find they are over budget, the decision making element comes in to play to review these items over budget and make an action plan to correct and/or prevent in the future. The four components are a vitally in financial management there are also other important principals and standards. The Generally accepted accounting principles and general financial ethical standards along with corporate compliance, ethics, or fraud and abuse are equally important separately and combined. The four functions of management help the facilities function properly and give the management the opportunity to resolve any issue or obstacle that may present as well as the opportunity to growth and make them better to perform and utilized the resources around them. Management is responsible for beginning the process for procedure or task at hand and sustaining the actual method of internal control that is set by the organization. It is important that management/ administrator/ director to oversee and maintain the budget control. The manager/admin/director overseeing the budget should be knowledgeable of how to control the budget and in order to maintain budget control, they should regulate to increase productivity and be familiar with assets, financial reporting and account summary. Every cooptation or health care organization is necessitate to meet the satisfactory operational needs, consequently cash management function helps any organization begin to create a set of policies and procedures to ensure that federal funds are not withdraw unreasonable from the organization and payments are made properly to the programs (Ethics and Compliances May 1994). According to Ethical Behavior by Companies Benefit Society and Business (November 13, 2010), when applying ethical business practices, says that business should ensure that the production of its services should be environmentally ecological and every human involve in the production should not be dangerous or harmful for them. Ethical practices involve the strong financial reporting as well as consideration  for the social and environmental impact of the business. Audit reports help the organizations know the financial condition of the organization for Health Care or any other business as well as the result of the organization’s day to day internal operations. Audits are helpful when following the practices of financial reporting practices of the organization can serve as a checks and balances and a great tool for capturing financial data, if management checks the financial audit reports often. Financial reports explain in detail how the organization is doing and prevents negative numbers on the company because it records any procedure and activity that happens in the organization (Ethics and Compliances. May 1994). According to American College of Physicians (Snyder. 2012), the environment for the delivery of health care continues to change. Sites of care are shifting, with more care provided in ambulatory settings while the intensity of inpatient care increases. Generally Accepted Accounting Principals â€Å"The phrase â€Å"generally accepted accounting principles† is a technical account term that encompasses the conventions, rules, and procedures necessary to define accepted accounting practice at a particular time. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are concerned with the measurement of economic activity, the timed when such measurements are to be made and recorded, the disclosures surrounding this activity, and the preparation and presentation of summarized economic information in the form of financial statements (Bragg, 2012). Generally accepted accounting principles also known as GAAP to understand the definition better, GAAP are guidelines that one should follow when trying to establish proper financial documents and reports. With these guidelines to follow, it was easier to maintain the financial reporting’s for all fields, including healthcare. The generally accepted accounting principles were held in the highest regard. The guidelines of the GAAP have had a high authority when it came to determining financial practices in healthcare. The GAAP influence has dwindled if not stopped. It was stated that it was not required for hospitals, nursing homes or any kind of healthcare facility to adhere to the GAAP (Taebel 1995). It has been documented that the guidelines of the GAAP has caused facilities to lose money, even though they knew what was best about recognizing costs. It has  been suggested that is not required to make decisions based off of the general accepted accounting principles. Capital costs are reimbursed according to a prospective payment system; providers are being paid a predetermined amount regardless of GAAP issues (Taebel, 1995). Conclusion There are countless of different ways that we can touch bases on to understand the importance of a cohesive financial department. It is essential to its success to be ethically compliant and to follow through with policy and procedure. It is up to the financial managers to execute and enforce proper guidelines. In conclusion, there are four elements of the financial structure that is the basis for a financial department’s success which are planning, controlling, organizing and decision making. With this information we were able to understand and summarize more in depth the importance of generally accepted accounting principles and general financial ethical standards. Finally, we were able to view examples in those respecting terms and gain understanding from them. By compiling all of these elements together can guarantee a solid financial department in any healthcare facility. References American College of Physicians (2010) Ethics in Practice: Managed Care and the Changing Health Care Environment. Retrieved 11/13/2010 from http://www.annals.org/content/ Bragg, Steven M. Wiley GAAP 2012: Interpretation and Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (10th Edition). Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. ProQuest ebrary. Web1 May 2015. Ethics and Compliances Retrieved 11/13/2010 from http://www.miamivalleyhospital.org/mvhdefault.aspx?id=12746 (May 1994) Snyder L, for the American College of Physicians Ethics, Professionalism, and Human Rights Committee. American College of Physicians Ethics Manual: Sixth Edition. Ann Intern Med. 2012;156:73-104. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-156-1-201201031-00001 Taebel, S.W. (1995, October). Supreme Court ruling reduces GAAP’s authority in Medicare cases. Healthcare Financial Management, 49(10)

Come Out the Wilderness: Character Analysis

â€Å"Come Out the Wilderness† James Baldwin’s â€Å"Come out the Wilderness,† presents the mentally isolated Ruth Bowman’s thoughts about men and her unwillingness to forget past relations. Growing up as a child, Ruth is sexually harassed by a guy whom her parents and brother think she is voluntarily sexually involved with. The events that happen in a previous era was a stepping stone into a life of low-self esteem and much insecurity that follows. The uncontrollable event causes her to be dependent on men and to have uncertainty in relationships. Ruth is educated in school, and she uses her skills on her job as a secretary, which she is promoted to.Ruth is a complicated woman in her thoughts as well as her actions. The feeling of not being wanted circulates Ruth’s mind. The memories of changed perceptions on her part by her family, devastates her. She has had past relationships but to no prevail in finding true happiness. Life in her eyes is chara cterized by being with a man who rarely acknowledges her features as a woman. He merely acknowledges when his urges have arisen and are in need of satisfying. Marriage to her seems as if a man is living with her whom she wants to love her and make her feel special ; though that is not the case. The relationship she has is inexplicable.Life may seem barren to a woman of Ruth’s nature. She goes to bars every night in hopes of time passing as she waits for her husband to get home. Ruth believes her husband has another woman, but does not obsess with the thought. She simply lives with his decisions whatever they may be, because she is dependent on him. Ruth is comparable to old-time wives in the way she allows her husband to do whatever he wants maybe because of masculinity or perhaps the doubt of him coming home. That signifies defeat, on her part, in the game of life. Ruth does not have any stability in her relationship with Paul, and it is filled with disbelief.She is unsure i f he loves her still, or wants her around, and what he thinks of her appearance. â€Å"She could not help feeling that he treated her this way because of her color, because she was a colored girl† (378). Ruth has many doubts towards Paul and his actions. She does not truly know why he gets home late. Paul proclaims he is working at those times, but Ruth suspects wrong conjectures. Ruth is dominated by Paul in her yielding persona towards him. Ruth is unsure if she even wants to take the secretary job her boss gives her. She reluctantly accepts in order to better her career. She is also victim to gossip she proclaims to her boss.The situation when her boss walks with her during lunch evidently means he has an obsession with Ruth. Though he likes Ruth, she cannot bring herself to commit adultery typed deeds. Even though her self-esteem is low she does not accept his flattery genuinely because of her own moral code. Flattery does not even help with her self-esteem issues. She is committed to her job and takes it seriously even though she awaits a call from Paul when she is at work. Ruth gets her work done and does not pay attention to the other women at her job because she is not focused on the idle topics of their gossip filled conversations.She is filled with information on their subjects. Ruth is the type of woman who is there for her husband even if he is not there for her and her endeavors. The relationship they have is lazy and needs reconstruction if there are hopes for it to persist. Ruth does her best to please Paul as far as cleaning and cooking. She tries to look good for him but no acknowledgment leads her to believe her actions are in vein. She often day dreams about past relationships compared to her relationship with Paul. She is always reminded of her dirty past, â€Å"She bawled at last: ‘Goddamit, I wish I had, I wish I had.I might as well of done it! ‘ Her father slapped her. Her brother gave her a look and said: ‘You dirty†¦ you dirty†¦ you black and dirty' † (382). Ruth hates her husband for not ending the tiring relationship and wishes them both dead. She smokes cigarettes because of her depression. The cigarettes may also symbolize her attempt to join her husband in a similar trait, to have something in common. Insecurities in Ruth’s life prevent her from being happy although she is married. Marriage does not hide the fact that two people are not happy; though she does attract attention from her boss Mr.Davis. She walks and has a conversation with him about life. She and Paul have tension between each other in an environmental way. Ruth thinks her relationship with Paul is heading to an end. | â€Å"She knew that he was going to leave her. It was in his walk, his talk, and his eyes. He wanted to go. He had already moved back, crouching to leap. And she had no rival. He was not going to another woman. He simply wanted to go. It would happen today, tomorrow, three weeks from today; it was over she could do nothing about it; neither could she save herself by umping first, She had no place to go, she only wanted him. She tried hard to want other men, and she was still young, only twenty-six, and there was no real lack of opportunity. But all she knew about other men was that they were not Paul. † (Baldwin 378) Ruth has many realizations in her life that include her past mistakes that she continues to make relationship wise; she picks the wrong guys In her own mind. The cycle stated with musician named Arthur, he is twenty years older than Ruth. She did not love him; she just couldn’t escape his domination.She also knew a merchant seaman who whored around a lot. She liked him but loneliness in him was like a cancer, which was unfit for intercourse. The difference or main difference between the two, Arthur and the seaman is the fact that Arthur offered more as in life and education. Paul is the only one she loves but does not know if he lo ves her anymore. She does not even know if she loves him. She cannot leave because he is her husband and she just cannot go through with the action. Ruth gives up so much in her life to please her man that characteristic prevents her from living in happiness. She was in a reckless, desperate state, like flight. She knew that she could not possibly go home to cook supper and wait in an empty apartment until Paul's key turned apartment door's lock (388). †Ã‚  Ã‚   Happiness does not follow Ruth though she has the chance to find it; she passes on it every time Ruth cannot function without a man ; that is why she is so dependent on them. She will never be at peace in life with her mind set and the way she carries herself. Self-esteem is important in a relationship but Ruth has non-to-little of that trait. Even when Mr.Davis her boss treats her with great respect in order to please and woo her; his attempts are flaunted by her dependent attitude towards Paul. The obvious assumption that Mr. Davis is better for her is evident. Her misfortunes are to continue if her dependent thoughts continue. Those actions will lead her nowhere in life and in her relationship. Ruth is a strange minded person who needs help to get over the man who shows no care for her which is Paul. | | Ruth is dependent on her husband Paul physically and mentally, which prevents her from moving on even though there is no love in the past relationship; seemingly. She did not want to be friends with him nor desire their friendship become anything more (Baldwin 387). † All of Ruth’s failures result from her family and their perception of her. She shows all the symptoms of depression in her house and life. Marriage is the step she takes to not be alone. Sexual Harassment can change a person’s thoughts on life and the struggles in it drastically. That can also influence what is in her life and the people she has in it. Ruth has had a rough life and there may not be any turning back from disaster. Ruth is alone as she sees in her mind.Ruth Bowman is a woman with much insecurity from past events that prevents her from moving on in life. She is a woman with many skills and talents. She has no love shown towards her by the person she wants to see it shown from. Ruth is mistakenly accused by her family and leaves out of despair. She is taken care of by an aspiring musician by the name of Arthur. Arthur provides her with education and flattery. She leaves Arthur and gets in a relationship with Paul whose love for her gets weak and eventually is not shown towards her. Mr. Davis, her boss, shows an obsession towards her as they walk and talk together.She wonders why Paul will not leave because it is evident that he shows no love towards her. Ruth wishes to profess her love, but acts as if everything is ok with she and Paul. Ruth acknowledges her role as a wife and succumbs to the domination of Paul, as well as, the other gentlemen that showed interest in her. Ru th is in a time period where men are the dominant humans while women’s ideals mean nothing. Ruth’s despair is what causes her depression other than her bad luck with men. She is the prime example of a woman guided by a man. Ruth has a kind heart, but that is not enough to keep her pleased.