The Great Gatsby Thesis By F. Scott Fitzgerald - 943 Words

The Great Gatsby Thesis The 1920s, often deemed the â€Å"Roaring 20s,† took place in the middle of the Prohibition Movement. Prohibition was a constitutional ban on the sale, production, and consumption of alcoholic beverages resulting in a large supply of cheap alcohol and a high demand for it. Society was becoming corrupt and inhibited. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work, The Great Gatsby, is set in this very time period. The main character, Jay Gatsby, who at first appears to be a wealthy businessman is symbolic of the 1920 society. In the beginning of the novel, Fitzgerald reminds the reader not to judge too harshly, â€Å"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one†¦just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had† (Fitzgerald 1). Through Jay Gatsby’s characteristics of deceitful charisma, persuasion, and his fateful death, Fitzgerald portrays the 1920s society as the decline of the American dream. Jay Gatsby uses networking and flawed facts to create his 1920s â€Å"Oxford man† attitude and persona which displays the superficiality of 1920 society. Gatsby gained his wealth through the illegal activity of selling alcohol during Prohibition. His romantic reputation proceeds him before we even meet him the novel. â€Å"In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the starts† (Fitzgerald 39). He hosted lavish, rather unrealistic parties that â€Å"†¦were bigger. The pace was faster, the shows were broader,Show MoreRelated The Great Gatsby and the Valley of Ashes Essay1149 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Gatsby and the Valley of Ashes    Many times we hear of societys affect on people; society influencing the way people think and act.   Hardly mentioned is the reverse: peoples actions and lifestyles affecting society as a whole and how it is characterized.   Thus, society is a reflection of its inhabitants and in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it is a wasteland described as the valley of ashes.   Since the characters of this novel make up this wasteland, arent they theRead More F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby as Criticism of American Society 1734 Words   |  7 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚   In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald criticizes American society in the 1920?s for its tendencies to waste, advertise, form superficial relationships, and obsess over appearances. The work has been praised for both its brutal realism and its keen depiction of the age that The New York Times referred to as the era when, gin was the national drink and sex was the national obsession(Fitzgerald vii).   . . . indifference is presented as a moral failure - a failure of society, particularlyRead MoreIllusion and Reality in The Great Gatsby Essay1548 Words   |  7 Pagesand Reality in The Great Gatsby  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a novel about one mans disenchantment with the American dream. In the story we get a glimpse into the life of Jay Gatsby, a man who aspired to achieve a position among the American rich to win the heart of his true love, Daisy Fay. Gatsbys downfall was in the fact that he was unable to determine that concealed boundary between reality and illusion in his life.      The Great Gatsby is a tightly structuredRead MoreThe Great Gatsby and the Lost Generation2099 Words   |  9 PagesBJTU’s Course Thesis for History and Anthology of American Literature The Great Gatsby and the Lost Generation | Institute: | School of Languages | | | Major: | English | | | Student: | Chen Haoxiang | | | Reg. No. | 10321004 | | | Tutor: | Dr. Zhang Junxue | | June 08, 2012 The Great Gatsby and the Lost Generation By Chen Haoxiang Abstract: The Great Gatsby is regarded as the most widely taught and widely read American literary classic. A classic is a work thatRead MoreEssay Outline Introduction: ANT A=Attention Getter: N=Necessary Information: In â€Å"The Great700 Words   |  3 PagesGetter: N=Necessary Information: In â€Å"The Great Gatsby,† by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick Carroway, the narrator, has recently moved from the midwest to start his career in New York. He lives on the island of West Egg, next door to a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby. Nick becomes friends with him and learns that Gatsby is in love with his cousin Daisy. They never married because Gatsby had to go off into the military and he was not rich enough for her, so when Gatsby was shipped overseas, Daisy married anotherRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1318 Words   |  6 Pages I. Brainstorm II. Freewrite: I am going to write about the usage of symbols in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. There are many symbols used in the book The Great Gatsby such as the green light, the valley of ashes, and the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg. The green light represents Jay Gatsby’s hopes, as well as his dreams, for the future. Because many people strive to become rich in The Great Gatsby, the result is moral and social decay. The valley of ashes represents social and moral decayRead MoreSophia Diep . Mrs. Ploeger . English 3, P. 6. 8 March 2017.1197 Words   |  5 PagesP. 6 8 March 2017 The Great Gatsby Character Analysis Essay Outline Thesis: In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows the corruption of material wealth through the empty life of Daisy Buchanan. I. F. Scott Fitzgerald weaves white and yellow to present a contrast between Daisy s purity and her actual corruption by materialism. A. Daisy is associates with the color of white, from her young age to now, she dressed in white, and had a little white roadster (Fitzgerald 40). 1. Daisy s car wasRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1901 Words   |  8 Pages F. Scott Fitzgerald Stephen Hagenbuch Mr. Fields American Literature Period 2 May 18, 2015 F. Scott Fitzgerald Thesis: Although life for Fitzgerald was never easy in â€Å"The Lost Generation†, he continued to provide for himself and his family’s needs by writing novels such as The Great Gatsby. Author Biography Middle-class man This Side Of Paradise 1920 RIP December 21, 1940 Historical Background â€Å"Lost Generation† Jazz age Hollywood Years The Great Gatsby - A Novel Summary Jay GatsbyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby thesis statement3021 Words   |  13 PagesAbstract The Great Gatsby is written by the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story takes place in â€Å"the roaring twenties†. The characters in the novel have dreams and goals and not one dream ends well. That is why my thesis statement is: The Great Gatsby is really about unattainable dreams. The dreams I am discussing is Gatsby ´s American dream, Daisy’s dream and Nick’s dream. The dreams are based on the love story between Daisy and Gatsby. The final piece in Gatsby’s American dream wouldRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1262 Words   |  6 PagesChris Molina Ms. Hunt English 3 5th period 17 March 2015 Outline I. Hook: Everyone wants happiness and success. Thesis Statement: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author uses Jay Gatsby to demonstrate the themes of friendship and the American dream. II. Historical Context Topic Sentence #1: The novel was written in the Roaring twenties, when the economy was at its peak. A. Supporting Detail: â€Å"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then

The Mythology Of Crime And Criminal Justice Essay

In The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice it discusses the consequences of reality programs have on the public. One particular show called America’s Most Wanted, was giving information about a fugitive named Don Moore who was wanted for having different sexual interactions with fifth-grade students. What happened was that a worker named Richard Maxwell was thought to be identified as Moore even though his description was not very close to the actual suspects. The police officers arrested him in his workplace in front of his other coworkers and went to the police station to fingerprint him and was found innocent and allowed back to work. He sued â€Å"the city whose police officers had compounded the process initiated by the reality programming†(Kappeler and Potter 16). What the court also had found was that the police officers never asked any questions or his consent to the fingerprinting. They â€Å"had no grounds for suspecting Maxwell† (Kappeler and Potte r 17). This sort of mistake can lead to reputations being destroyed and can affect their future employment. In an article by Leslie Scott he mentions those who are wrongly convicted and released â€Å" struggle to reintegrate into society, reclaim normality, and carve out a stable existence. They return to society only to face poverty, employment discrimination, societal discrimination, and broken relationships† (2). As a result they can feel hopeless to the point where, for example in the article it mentions that RonaldShow MoreRelated The Mythology Of Crime And Criminal Justice Essay1157 Words   |  5 PagesThe Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Crime is defined as: commission of an act or act of omission that violates the law and is punishable by the state. Crimes are considered injurious to society and the community. As defined by law, a crime includes both the act, or actus rea, and the intent to commit the act, or mens rea. Criminal intent involves an intellectual apprehension of factual elements of the act or acts commanded or enjoined by the law. It is usually inferred fromRead MoreThe Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice: Contributing Factors of C1175 Words   |  5 PagesThe Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice: Contributing Factors Of Crime Crime is defined as: commission of an act or act of omission that violates the law and is punishable by the state. Crimes are considered injurious to society and the community. As defined by law, a crime includes both the act, or actus rea, and the intent to commit the act, or mens rea. Criminal intent involves an intellectual apprehension of factual elements of the act or acts commanded or enjoined by the law. It isRead MoreThe Criminal Justice System Essay1432 Words   |  6 Pageswho have a vast amount of power and control over the people are typically the ones responsible for fabricating such accounts in order to avoid certain areas of concern. The criminal justice system as a whole, embodies thousands of authoritative figures that citizens confide in. Myths that are fabricated within criminal justice play a vital part in coercing American society’s thoughts and perception, which by its nature, can serve as an advantage to some and destructive to others (Griffin, WoodwardRead MoreEssay about Criminal Justice Myths and Facts1363 Words   |  6 Pages Compare and contrast crime myths and facts. The media plays a huge role in forming peoples perceptions of crime. Without the media we would remain ignorant to occurrences outside our direct social groups. The media and especially news coverage therefore provides us with an important point of contact with the rest of society. In evaluating its effect on popular perceptions of crime it becomes important to consider where most of the information comes from and how representative it is onRead MoreResearch Process and Terminology Paper1069 Words   |  5 Pagesinformation can be biomedical, social, behavioral, research fraud, or as simple popular car color. However, in research it can be very intensive when the research involves people lives through crime. In this research and terminology paper, will examine the process of research and how it targets the criminal justice. To begin, lets us examine the terminology needed to understand how the research process flows and works. The process of collecting and analyzing data has bec ome a work of art when comparedRead MoreComparing Media Images Of Criminological Research Essay1712 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"become a staple on film, television, and in video games† (Darowski). The genre is so influential in fact, that it dates back all the way to the Ancient Greeks, and possibly even further (Haynes). Every group in history has had their mythologies and epic tales of crime fighters, they just did not call them superheroes. For example, Achilles only had one weakness (his heel) and was by the Greeks definition, considered a hero (greek-gods.org). The same goes for heroes like Perseus, Theseus, and evenRead MoreBook Review of Domestic Violence1329 Words   |  6 Pagesconclusions from the research literature: men are victimized more often than women and violence against them by females is just as severe as violence against women. Women are the primary abusers of children and most of their young victims are male. Criminal statistics show, in spite of a ris ing chorus of voices denouncing violence against women, that violence against males over at least the past twenty years has been rising, while conversely, violence against women has been decreasing. The same statisticsRead MoreHeros and Sidekicks Eastern Western and Modern Mythology. Achillies and Patroclus, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, Batman and Robin1713 Words   |  7 Pagesconsistent motif in mythology from the very first civilization, to the ancient Greeks, and even to popular culture now. Three specific stories with very similar hero-sidekick themes are the relationships between Gilgamesh and Enkidu in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Achilles and Patroclus in the Iliad, and Batman and Robin in the graphic novel Death in the Family. This essay will explore the similarities and differences between these important pieces of literature. The three mythologies are quite differentRead MoreSexual Assault On Public Texas University Property961 Words   |  4 Pagesmolestation, to fondling. In order to make our research more accurate, we have chosen to reduce the definition of sexual assault down to just forced intercourse, or in other terms, rape. We have found a definition of rape from the Texas Department of Justice that goes into explicit detail, â€Å"The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim† (â€Å"Attorney General Eric Holder,† 2012)Read MoreThe American Dream and Domestic Violence1512 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Dream and Domestic Violence Criminal Justice Systems Topical Analysis Paper A Course Research Paper Presented to the Criminal Justice Department in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Systems Keuka College December 5, 2013 Introduction Many people have their own American Dream which have become their driving force and center of their life. However, not everyone can achieve their American Dream. Paul

God’s Lift Is Out of Order Essay Sample free essay sample

In Karen McCarthy’s short narrative God’s Lift is Out of Order the narrative has a first individual position. which follows an nameless storyteller. She lives in Kilburn. London. and is black with Jamaican descent. Throughout the short narrative she is fighting with the memories of her childhood friend Aaron. Aaron. who was the narrator’s childhood friend. was a smart child. He played cheat a batch. and at the age of 14 he became a nationally ranked participant. He could besides read music. write poesy. play the piano. hoops and make maths. But even though he was a smart child with a most likely bright hereafter. he was unable to acquire away from his mentally sick female parents heritage. He and his brother so subsequently ended up taking drugs. Through their childhood memories. Aaron seemed to hold wanted to take their relationship further. which can be seen by the reference of Aaron’s valentine’s missive to her. However. she had no farther involvement in him at that point. as seen in line 93 – 94 â€Å"But things were different now†¦ and I saw more of Aaron’s older brother. † Even though she had been able to travel on. from their childhood coquette. he had been stuck in the yesteryear with her. which could potentially mention to the rubric. God’s Lift is Out of Order. he is non acquiring any farther. no ups and no downs. But instead stuck in topographic point. needed to be fixed before being able to travel once more. Later while acquiring ready for a large birthday party. the storyteller by chance finds the old valentine’s card from Aaron. but doesn’t halt to believe about him. possibly holding had developed stronger feelings for her. than that of their childhood coquettes where they would put in his bed reading old X-men cartoon strips. while playfully pretend their legs weren’t touching each other. A more of import memory. would be when they arrive at a infirmary. they would normally travel to. where one of their lifts were non working decently. and hence had a mark stating â€Å"Goods lift is out of order† Which was p layfully taken as â€Å"God’s Lift is Out of Order† by Aaron. where he would so state that they wouldn’t be able to travel to heaven now. Subsequently when she arrives at the party. she meets up with Kevin. who so asks her if she had heard about what happened to Aaron. Kevin. non recognizing that she doesn’t know. tells her that Aaron had jumped out from his brothers flat. successfully killing himself. The storyteller seem to be highly guilty upon hearing this. Particularly since the last clip they spoke she said: † Mum should neer hold given you this figure and don’t call here once more. † P3 line 120 She thinks that It is her mistake. for rejecting him. that he resorted to suicide. even though she didn’t intend what she said. because she really missed him. She felt like she should hold reached out to him. when he was mistreating drugs. and that if she had been at that place for him a little more. he might non hold killed himself. The chief subject throughout the narrative is regret. as she regrets how she was neer able to make out to him. when still able to. She keeps following back h er memories to him. and all the good times they had together. but being excessively busy with her life neer really holding the opportunity to of all time make anything about it. God’s Lift is Out of Order. could besides be interpreted in the manner. that the message of his valentine’s card didn’t go through to her. it represents how their relationship had stopped. it was out of order. non repaired by the message that neer got through. Having had a bad dream about his decease. perchance a vision of her late childhood friend. and the manner they had ended everything over the phone. makes it obvious of how much she regrets neer making out to him. as in the dream. he had been shouting her name and tried to make out to her. but she merely woke from her nightmare-ish dream and allow him fall without making for him. The several dreams she had to travel through. with Aaron. and besides her fellow Ed. can be seen as how deep Aaron had been in her subconscious. she had to wake up several times in order to shout out his name. but even after holding eventually given in and screamed his name. she didn’t contact him. she neer fixed the â€Å"e levator† that was their relationship.

What Makes a Hospital a Top 100 Hospital free essay sample

The 100 Top Hospitals program uses a balanced scorecard that incorporates public data, proprietary, peer-reviewed methodology and key performance metrics to arrive at an objective, independent analysis of hospital or health system performance. This research measures performance, organizational alignment, progress against business goals and demonstrates the value that an award winning organization provides to patients. (Truven Health Analytics, 2013) So what makes a hospital one of the best in the country? Along with providing top-notch medical care for patients, leaders at these hospitals must think beyond immediate results and prove efficiency in key areas such as; processes, financial stability, and the value they hold to the community in a long term point of view. These leaders need to be dedicated to never-ending self-evaluation and constant improvement. The Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, Located in Los Angeles, CA has been recognized as one of the top five American hospitals in the country and the best hospital in the western United States for the 23rd consecutive year, and number three in the Top 20 out of the Top 100 Hospitals. We will write a custom essay sample on What Makes a Hospital a Top 100 Hospital or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page U. S. News and World Report, 2013) Founded in 1955, UCLA Medical Center became Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in 2008, reopening in a new 10-story structure that takes hospital design into uncharted waters. The latest medical advances are provided in a friendly environment that is bursting with light and open spaces to heighten a sense of wellness and endorse healing. (Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, 2013) As stated above, Ronald Regan UCLA Medical center is ranked among the highest in the nation, but what makes this hospital so pristine? Well, the sitting on 4 acres the hospital encompasses Ronald Regan UCLA Medical center, Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA and Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. Some key features I found extremely helpful is their organization. Every floor of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is devoted to a specific specialty and equipped with all of the essential support equipment and supplies. Every floor has its own satellite pharmacy, dialysis storage, respiratory therapy workrooms, and resident doctor sleep rooms. Additionally; each patient room has the ability to convert into an intensive care unit (ICU) to allow for the continuous care of a critically ill patient in one room. This makes caring for patients extremely easy as everything they need is made available to them at the exact moment of a potential emergency. (Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, 2013) One other element that seems to help with its rating is their â€Å"Healing by design† architectural concept. Renowned architects I. M. Pei and C. C. Pei of Pei Partnership Architects designed Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, with the firm of Perkins amp; Will serving as the executive architect. Their vision was to construct an environment that enhances healing. The design is open and light-filled, organized in pavilions with glass walls facing outdoors, and includes gardens and gathering places. Patient rooms feature panoramic views and bring in an abundance of natural, healing light. (Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, 2013)Four separate towers are staggered to avoid windows looking directly in on each other. All patient rooms are private and feature window seats that convert to daybeds, allowing family members to room-in with patients. Under a federal program, most U. S. ospitals now sample recently cleared patients and inquire about their stay. In a years worth of surveys, heres how this hospitals patients responded to a key question, along with averages within the state and nationally, 85% would recommend this hospital to family and friends; this is well above the national’s average of 68%. (U. S. News and World Report, 2013) As you might already know, in order to be rated as one of the highest, not only must you provide top notch care for the patients, which is done at UCLA, you must obtain organizational alignment. Their leadership team consists of four individuals, Dr. A. Eugene Washington (Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences and Dean, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA), Dr. David T. Feinberg (President, UCLA Health System, Chief Executive Officer, UCLA Hospital System and Associate Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences), Dr. Patricia Kapur (Chief Executive Officer, UCLA Faculty Practice Group and Executive Vice President, UCLA Health System), and Dr. John Mazziotta (Executive Vice Dean, David Geffen School of Medicine and Associate Vice Chancellor at UCLA, Interim Co-President, UCLA Faculty Practice Group Chair, UCLA Faculty Practice Group Clinical Chair). Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, 2013) These leaders work together every day to provide financial stability in the organization, enforce processes, and achieve medical, health care, and technology goals on a daily basis. In conclusion, Ronald Regan UCLA Medical center has proven time and time again to be one of the leading hospitals in the nation. After learning of their 14 adult and 8 pediatric rankings, organizational stability, leadership alignment, financial stability and efforts in providing excellent care, it is no wonder why the Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center is ranked among the highest in the nation.

Dave Matthews Band Report essays

Dave Matthews Band Report essays Imagine standing on a stage, overlooking 70 tiered rows in what is possibly the most beautiful amphitheater in the world. As Dave Matthews and his fellow band mates walk on stage, the crowd cheers wildly. You are at Red Rocks and the scene is set for the Dave Matthews Band. Red Rocks Amphitheater is located in Morrison, Colorado, 15 miles west of Denver. It provides seating for 9600, and has some of the best acoustics found anywhere on Earth. Since 1941 it has been home to many concerts and performers and is the perfect backdrop for a live performance. Recorded on August 15, 1995, "Live At Red Rocks 8.15.95" was created at the height of the bands musical talent and at the bottom step of their climb to fame. It was shows like this that left fans mesmerized by the funky, jazz-infused riffs that the band played. It is this kind of energetic and intimate live music that keeps the fans coming back. The members of the Dave Matthews Band (or DMB for short) are each very unique, especially in the instruments that they play. This is what makes the band and its music really work. Dave Matthews provides lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Boyd Tinsley plays the violin, Stefan Lessard is on bass guitar, Leroi Moore blows the woodwinds, and Carter Beauford plays the drums. Matthews is a very talented musician. He provides very unique singing styles and an abstract, awkward ability to play the guitar. Tinsley plays the violin like no other. It is odd to find a band with a violin, but his talent forces it to work. Lessard, who joined the band when he was only 16, provides funky bass lines that fill in the empty spots. Leroi Moore plays flute, saxophone, and clarinet which mixed with modern instruments, create an odd combination of sounds, finally Carter Beauford, known for his excellent improvisational skills and perfect fill-ins, lights up the drums with a talent that few have. These fiv e musicians joined together on the night of Augu...

HRM Essay Example

HRM Essay Example HRM Essay HRM Essay First and foremost, applicants must be satisfied with the procedure of interview in order to prove efficiency on the job and to take advantage of employee rights in terms of health and safety.   For instance, Ontario Employees are governed by Occupational Health and Safety Act (1990) to understand about the benefits and laws entitled to receive.In University of Wisconsin, medical interviews are conducted through digital computers to check non-verbal behavior and also the response from the keyboard. The system of computer based interview is by and large very advantageous in scrutinizing   applicants in speed, mentally alert and in work efficiency. It saves time and money for organizations such as Nike which saved   $2.4 million in a term of three years.  Ã‚  Ã‚   In tech-savvy days, there could be no possibility of   disadvantages through computer-based interview system instead it facilitates on line processing of applicants at a fast pace. Equal employment opportunities for   Nike being a multinational profit making company, there are always job opportunities opening up and aspects of EEO   can be easily handled by HRM as its workforce is segregated into skilled, semi-skilled and professional in computer based interview system and there can be no possibility of giving scope for unbiased or unfair HR practices.Some of the applicants who attended computer-based interview were impressed with the speed and accuracy Nike functions which gives an evident fact that Nike handles public relations in a professional manner.   Nike has a large pool of workforce and a continuous recruitment according to the capacities of expansion that Nike plans for its products.   The system of recruitment is excellent as computer systems work with speed, accuracy and reduce the burden of manual working of interviewing system.ConclusionIt is important for applicants to stay ahead with education, work experience in order to get recruited in multinationals and also it is i mportant to be well aware of employee rights to perform well in job as well as personal life in keeping good health and in deriving benefits from the organisation.

The Basques Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Basques - Research Paper Example With the incursion of the modern industrial age, however, in the form of mines and steel mills, much of the Basque tradition has disappeared along with its unique language, Catalan. Over the past thirty or so movements have arise to stop this progressive cultural deterioration and to restore the identity of the Basques—their language and culture—to former glory. These movements, however, suggest a separatist government apart of the central government of Spain, a demand fought violently by separatists groups that have to an extent damaged the Basque cause. The good position in which the Basques now find themselves can only maintained by denying the separatist movement as a radical tool of the past no longer necessary. The Basques: Background and History The homeland of the Basques, known by Basque nationalists as Euzkadi, lays claim to some of the oldest known people in Europe. Their land occupies the area on the French border near the Bay of Biscay and east to the area of San Sebastian. Although over the centuries overrun by scores of invading hordes from the south and east, the Basques remained until the tenth century â€Å"a fairly isolated† (Solsten and Meditz par 3) and distinct cultural group. Divided originally into two autonomous regions, the area was eventually absorbed by the powerful kingdom of Navarre. By the 16th century the kingdom became fragmented and war torn, and the Basque region was subsequently absorbed by the powerful lords of Castile--an event which even today raises the ire of true Basques who see themselves as separate in culture and language from the Castilian majority. Earlier Basque provinces were recognized as separate political entities with fueros, or full local privileges by the central governm ent of Castile and all went smoothly. But with the full centralization of the Spanish state and the protracted Carlist wars of the 1800s, the fueros were abolished, leaving the Basques and their culture at the mercy of various kings. Moves to reestablish the Basque region as autonomous from Castile in the 1930s were thwarted by the bloody Spanish Civil War of the 1930s. (Solsten and Meditz par 3) Worse for the Basques, with the victory of the Falangists over the Spanish Republican army, and the rise of Dictator Generalissimo Franco, the Basques became targets of Franco’s frenetic attempts to extinguish their language and culture and force them into the Spanish mainstream. With Franco’s death in the 1970s restrictions on the Basques and their culture were largely lifted, but feelings of absorption by the central Spanish regime remained an issue. For the Basques, their unsettled history from the mid-1900s onward has been one â€Å"clash† after the next with the â €Å"other Spain.† They resent the influx of heavy industrial activity—mines and steel mills—activity which brought a steady stream of non-Basque migrants to further dilute the language and culture. This steady decline of culture, while accepted by some, has been the root of serious violent disagreement over time between the Spanish government at large in Castile and hard core separatists in the form of the well-publicized terrorist activities of the ETA and its membership. The Basques: Politics Firstly, it is important to note that what constitutes being a Basque does not require residency in Spain or the Basque region. Many Basques, for a variety of reasons include those economic had left Spain over time and settled all over the world. As with other nationalities which have dispersed, there is a tendency to continue to identify with the group. This is sometimes true of the Basque, and sometimes not. In Belgium, for instance, there is a strong tendency to follow political