Smoking, Stigma and Social Class - 1247 Words

The practice of smoking, whether it be the likes of tobacco, marijuana or other substances has been around for thousands of years. It has been a defining feature of many diverse ethnic and social groups and has been noted to take place in a variety of settings—ranging from sacred rituals and ceremonial meetings, private/ personal use, to simple or even somewhat elaborate get-togethers. The sacred and endowed side of smoking tobacco was generally believed to have medicinal as well as spiritual benefits. According to Jordan Paper, â€Å"[tobacco] was used in healing practices among Native peoples in Central and South America in ways similar to their use of powerful psychoactive plants.† It is true that, smoking has taken on many forms, but it†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, numerous states across America have banned smoking in major public places, such as in restaurants, bars, work places, banks, parks and just about any area where there are a lot of people co ngregating. This is an effort to preserve public health. Even some advocates of smoking bans agree that, â€Å"restricting cigarette smoking in public places has clear health benefits and no adverse economic consequences† (Smoking Bans and the Tobacco Industry). The world can function pretty well without smoking, in fact studies showed that since the inception of smoking bans, there is a higher likelihood that a smoker may quit and that there is significant reduction in exposure to secondhand smoke. It not only benefits, non-smokers but it also helps smokers to kick the habit. Providing a flurry of reasons why it is so important to strive for the illegality of that which has done so much harm. With it completely illegal, Americans from state to state would undergo a drastic change—but for the better, our life spans would subsequently increase and we would be one step closer to getting rid of the diseases which have plagued us, as humans so long. Though the ill effects of cigarettes are widely known, some might argue that the details of each case of disease is exaggerated (to shock the public into makingShow MoreRelatedThe Power Of Context By Malcolm Gladwell1709 Words   |  7 Pagesrecognizable form of advertising. These institutions and systems use social stigma. In Malcolm Gladwell’s â€Å"the Power of Context† the power of social stigma is shown by how context effects a situation, And in Karen Ho she identify the social stigma of being â€Å"elite† and getting a higher education. Societal stigma is the way of the system (society) to advertise to their people what is okay, and what is not okay. With societal stigma Society is allowed to manipulate its denizens through peer pressureRead MoreUsing Material from Item a and Elsewhere Assess the View That Crime and Deviance Are the Product of Labelling Processes.705 Words   |  3 Pagesinteractionist approach, this is because it focuses on how individua ls construct the social world through face-face interactions. It recognises the concept of the ‘procedural self’ where ones identity is continuously constructed and recognised in interaction with significant others, this results in the individual’s behaviour, including that related to crime and deviance. Significant others are those who are in high social power and thus able to dictate influence and actively determine an individual’sRead MoreCommon Mental Disorders in Colombian Women1590 Words   |  7 Pagescommon mental do not ask for medical or psychological help due to the stigma attached to mental disorders.2 Common mental disorders show a complex relationship with genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors play an important role in the onset and persistence of symptoms of mental health problems more common in the general population.3 The lifestyles or health-related behaviors such as drinking coffee, cigarette smoking and alcohol use, may change the course of many mental health problemsRead MoreEssay about Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Children1367 Words   |  6 Pages Everyone knows about the various stereotypes and social stigmas that come with socioeconomic status whether they will choose to admit it or not. Society has come to assume that a child who comes from a family of low socioeconomic status, that they will not do as well as a child who comes from a family of a greater socioeconomic status. Unfortunately these assumptions are so ingrained in our brains that we start to follow the self-fulfilling prophecy. When a child from a noticeably low socioeconomicRead MoreRumspringa: Role Conflict Within The Amish Youth Community Essay742 Words   |  3 Pagesviolating a physical stigma by dressing English and wearing earrings and jewelry, smoking, drinking, dating, possessing a drivers license and listening to music and watching TV. Farons daily use and selling of crystal meth is highly illegal making it a crime. He receives multiple death threats after he complies with the polices deterrence agreeing to be wired leading to the raid of a fello w Amish dealers home. The fact that people were out to get him played as an external social control causing himRead MoreNot So Young At Heart1635 Words   |  7 PagesThese include support groups, e-cigarettes, gum, nasal sprays, etc. With an abundance of resources, quitting has become easier than ever. And as quitting has become easier, awareness is at is peak with the rise of the Internet and social media. The stigma around smoking is growing, and the health effects are becoming more noticeable and easily communicated. This invokes the following question: Why do people continue to smoke, knowing that it will damage their health? This advertisement, titled â€Å"Not-so-youngRead MoreDiscrimination And Judgement Based On Their Gender, Class, And Race937 Words   |  4 Pageswomen still have to face discrimination and judgement based on their gender, class, and race. This population clearly reflects the gaps and limitations of primary health care services today. Adelson (2005) reflects on this circumstance as a absence of control of a comprehensive health care program where there is acceptable conduct of resources that can diminish the bureaucratic unbalance. Maternal care, is defined as the care provided to women at different stages of maternity: prenatal, pregnancyRead MoreColonialism and the Indigenous Australians1151 Words   |  5 Pageslimits the life chances of Indigenous Australians. This essay illuminates colonialism as a major contributor to the social marginalisation and low socioeconomic status experienced by indigenous Australian. An analysis of Aboriginal infant mortality rate, a health indicator highlights the difference between biomedical and sociological approach and the embedded negative impact of social marginalisation and low socioeconomic status on the health of Indigenous Australians. The essay will first exploreRead MoreThe Founding Fathers Of Sociology, Emile Durkheim2373 Words   |  10 Pagescommunity is facilitated by a class of actors who carry a stigma and sense of stigmatization and are termed ‘deviant’. Unity is provided to any collectivity by uniting against those who are seen as a common threat to the social order and morality of a group. Consequently, the stigma and the stigmatization of some persons demarcates a boundary that reinforces the conduct of conformists. Therefore , a collective sense of morality is achieved by the Creation of stigma and stigmatization and devianceRead MoreIncrease Taxation Of Tobacco Products On South Korea And Reduce The Levels Of Noncommunicable Diseases1733 Words   |  7 Pagespercentage. In addition, cigarette smoking contributes to almost 35% of the mortality inequality among middle-aged, Korean men4. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was the first international treaty by the WHO and was signed by South Korea in 2003 and ratified in 20054. South Korea has one of the highest prevalence of smoking in the world, making it a target market by multinational tobacco companies5. In 2010, the prevalence of cigarette smoking in Korea was 48.3% among adult men

Prescribing Patterns Of Drugs Used For Treating...

Original Research Article PRESCRIBING PATTERN STUDY IN HYPERTENSIVE OUTPATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL M.S.K.M.CHAITANYA*, D.SATHEESH KUMAR and V.J.VISHNU VARTHAN. Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM University, Kattankulathur zip code 603203, Chennai, India. ABSTRACT Aims: The prescribing pattern of drugs used for treating hypertension changes over time in response to changes in recommended guidelines and innovations in drug formulations, among others. In addition, the classes of antihypertensive drugs used vary among the countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the practice of antihypertensive medications in Tertiary care hospital in India. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prescription pattern for hypertensive outpatients. Place and Duration of the Study: Tertiary care hospital, Tamil Nadu, India and duration of the study was 12 months. Methodology: Prescription pattern of 400 hypertensive outpatients were analyzed on basis of age, percentage of male and female patients, anti-hypertensive drug category, most frequently prescribed hypertensive drug and percentage of one/two drug combination. Results: As monotherapy ACE-Inhibitors 38.25% (153 prescriptions) were the most commonlyShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Treatment Of Older Adults2030 Words   |  9 PagesOur bodies experience many changes as we age. The body can develop depending on a person’s genetic pattern of aging. Also, the choices you make in life can have a more deeper impact on your bodily changes as well. These changes can also be mental or physical. Because of the aging body, older adults may use medication to maintain the liability of their functions and abilities due to aging. Many elderly adults may be unaware of the physical changes caused by drug usage and their bodies may become tolerantRead MoreCase Study on Copd4135 Words   |  17 PagesThis is a case study on a 76 year old man.Mr Alan Chari(pseudonym used to protect the identity of a patient),was admitted over night in my department.He is a divorcee who stays with son.He is a retired teacher and his son is permanently employed by a local company as an electrician.He is independent with activities of daily livings but is occasionally limited by his ill health.He used to be a heavy smoker .After realising the burden COPD has on general New Zealand population ,affecting about15%Read MoreThe Components Of Aerobic Power3835 Words   |  16 PagesDisease and inactivity therefore can impair or inhibit these factors consequently reducing a persons ability to function. The second component is the metabolic function in the body, which can be used to control blood sugar levels. During exercise this can be tested by the ability to deal with changes in muscle and blood PH, the more active someone is leads to higher endurance to metabolites and therefore less muscle fatigue. This component can also be linked in with the third component of muscularRead MoreSelf Medication Practices in a Rural Filipino Community21296 Words   |  86 PagesFactors Affecting The Prevalence Of Self Medication Using Commercial Drugs In A Rural Filipino Family For The Course Research II With Statistics Presented by: Elaiza Joy M. Claravall Hazel Faith W. Cortel Abegail Jane W. Pasion Jave Mar C. Leonardo Minette B. Dangue MSN students Date Presented: May 20 2013 Date Revised: May 21, 2013 Factors Affecting The Prevalence Of Self Medication Using Commercial Drugs In A Rural Filipino Family Abstract Objectives: the purpose of theRead MoreThe Marketing Research of Brainquiry33782 Words   |  136 Pagescomplete sample breakdown of doctors and patients. This breakdown can be used to send surveys, as contact information for personal selling or promotion. The folder titled New York on the CD contains all information needed to conduct any of the things mentioned above. There is also an ample sports breakdown for the golf professionals. This is not a sample but all the private golf clubs and the golf associations that could be used for promotional needs as well as selling. All the information neededRead More‚Äà ºa Contemporary View on Health Care System in Bangladesh.‚Äà ¹14806 Words   |  60 Pages In this stage I would use some statistical and graphical analysis tools to interpret the relationship among different variables and factors. The fourth stage is the stage for drawing conclusions and prescribing recommendations. In this stage the results from the previous stage would be used to draw conclusions about different aspects of concerned matters within the organization and prescribe some recommendation for future improvement. The project is base on both primary and secondary informationRead MoreMedicare Policy Analysis447966 Words   |  1792 PagesC—Public Health Workforce Subtitle D—Adapting Workforce to Evolving Health System Needs TITLE III—PREVENTION AND WELLNESS TITLE IV—QUALITY AND SURVEILLANCE TITLE V—OTHER PROVISIONS Subtitle A—Drug Discount for Rural and Other Hospitals; 340B Program Integrity Subtitle B—Programs Subtitle C—Food and Drug Administration Subtitle D—Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Subtitle E—Miscellaneous DIVISION D—INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT TITLE I—AMENDMENTS TO INDIAN LAWS TITLE II—IMPROVEMENT

Motivation and Purchase Intention Luxury Goods †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Motivation and Purchase Intention Luxury Goods. Answer: Introduction Price elasticity of demand refers to the percentage change in the quantity demanded of a good or service due to one percent change in its price (Varian, 2014). The concept of price elasticity of demand plays an important role in the price making decisions of the businesses and price regulatory decisions of the government. It also judges the impact of currency depreciation or devaluation on the earnings from exports (Gal, 2015). This essay focuses on the price elasticity of demand for shoes in general and compares it with that for the shoes of a specific brand, Reebok. Importance of price elasticity of demand for business firms The price elasticity of demand for a product or service is very important for the pricing decisions for a business firm. For setting a particular price for any good or service, it is important to know the market as well as the competition. Various factors affect the pricing decisions of a firm. Price elasticity of demand for a product is the major factor while making any pricing decision for the product, as depending on the coefficient of the price elasticity, the change in price for the product would bring about the change in quantity demanded. This would affect the consumers expenditure and consequently affect the revenue of the firm. If a particular product is highly price elastic, then any rise in the price would invariably reduce the demand for it, and would push down the total revenue of the firm (Haynes, 2015). Hence, a price rise, instead of raising the total revenue, would reduce the total demand for the product if the product were price elastic. However, if the product is price inelastic, then a price rise would not affect its demand, rather, would increase the revenue of the firm. Thus, for getting a profit maximizing price, a firm must consider the price elasticity of demand for its product. If the firm knows the value of price elasticity, then it could decide the amount of price reduction required to get a rise in the revenue to a certain optimum level (Hirschey, 2016). This also helps in the price discrimination by a firm, especially by a monopolist. If the price elasticity of a product is different in different segments of the market, then a monopolist can successfully execute price discrimination. It can charge a higher price to the demand inelastic customers and a lower price to demand inelastic customers (Hollensen, 2015). Goods are classified into necessities and luxuries, depending on its needs. If a good is needed by everyone for living, irrespective of its price, then the good is a necessity. On the other hand, if a good is not really needed for basic everyday living but many people desire to have that, then the good is a luxury (Foxall et al., 2013). For example, shoes are necessary goods. Irrespective of its price, people need to buy shoes for living. Hence, in general, shoes are necessity and price inelastic. A rise in the price for shoes would not reduce the overall demand for it (https://www.ft.com/content/23571378-58a7-11df-a0c9-00144feab49a). Reebok is a big brand in the field of athletic shoes and sportswear. The Reebok shoes are usually high priced than any local brand of shoes. It is a luxury good, as people want to own a Reebok shoe but this is not a necessity. Hence, Reebok shoes are price elastic. If the price rises for a Reebok shoe, the demand falls. Thus, the price elasticity of Reebok shoes is generally higher than the elasticity of general shoes (https://www.moneycrashers.com/difference-between-needs-wants-luxuries/) Factors affecting price elasticity of demand There are various factors that affect the price elasticity of shoes and Reebok shoes in particular (Cameron, 2014). Price: this is the major factor determining the elasticity of for shoes. Law of demand says that, if the price rises, the demand for a good falls. Thus, generally goods are price elastic. Availability of substitute goods: shoes as a general product, do not have any substitute product. Hence, even if there is a price rise, people cannot shift to other products to satisfy the need for shoes. On the other hand, Reebok shoes have many substitute products from other brands. Thus, people have the option to buy shoes from other brands, if there is a price hike of Reebok (Nwankwo, Hamelin Khaled, 2014). Proportion of consumers income: the products that consume a higher percentage of a consumers income generally have high price elasticity. Shoes in general do not take up a very high percentage of peoples income, but, a branded shoe is higher priced than a local or non-branded shoe, and thus, it takes up a higher portion of a consumers income. Therefore, Reebok shoes are more price elastic than shoes in general (Kim, 2012). Necessity and luxury goods: Since, shoes are necessary goods, therefore, a rise in price will not have much effect on the demand for shoes in general. However, Reebok is a luxury brand. Thus, people might not want to buy a high priced Reebok shoe when a local brand is available at a lower price (Livingston, 2016). Habitual consumption: if people buy shoes out of habit, then the price does not matter much. Even if there is a price rise for shoes, people would still buy it out of habit. Time for buying: if the time period for purchasing a product is less, then the product is price inelastic. People have less time to decide whether to buy the product or not, irrespective of its price. If the buying time is more, then the product is price elastic, as people have time to consider the price change and shift their preferences. For shoes, since it is a necessary good, people do not spend much time to decide whether to buy it. On the other hand, since Reebok shoe is luxury goods and high priced, people take more time to decide whether to buy it (org., 2016). This can be illustrated with the help of the following diagrams. Figure 1 shows the inelastic demand curve for shoes and the effect of price rise on its quantity demanded. The demand curve is steeper, shown as D. As the price rises from P1 to P2, there is a small fall in the quantity demanded, from Q1 to Q2. Similarly, when price falls from P1 to P3, then the rise in quantity demanded is not much, shown by a shift from Q1 to Q3. Figure 2 shows the elastic demand for Reebok shoes. The demand curve is less steep than that for the general category of shoes, shown by the curve DR. Since, it is a luxury good, when price rises from P0 to P1, the fall in quantity demanded is bigger, shown by the shift from Q0 to Q1. Similarly, when price falls from P0 to P2, the rise in the quantity demanded is bigger compared to that of the shoes in general category, shown by the movement from Q0 to Q2. The above figure shows the effects of increase in the supply of shoes on the price elasticity. Initially the supply curve was S1, equilibrium is at point E1 with corresponding price P1, and quantity demanded Q1. As supply increases, the supply curve shifts upwards from S1 to S2. Due to this, there is a rise in the price from P1 to P2. New equilibrium is at E2. Since, the demand is inelastic for shoes; the quantity demanded does not fall much and reaches to Q2. Figure 4 shows the effects of an increase in the supply of Reebok shoes on the price elasticity. Since, Reebok shoes are luxury, the demand curve is less steep than that of the necessary goods, shown by DR (Belleflamme Peitz, 2015). When there is a rise in the supply of the rebook shoes, the supply curve shifts upward from S1 to S2 and as a result, price rises from P0 to P1. Equilibrium rises from E0 to E1. Since, the demand is price elastic; the rise in price has a wider effect on the quantity demanded, as it falls from Q0 to Q1. The magnitude of the decline in the quantity demanded of Reebok shoes is greater than that for the shoes in general category. References: Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2015).Industrial organization: markets and strategies. Cambridge University Press. Cameron, P. (2014). Price Elasticity of Demand. Learning.hccs.edu. Retrieved 7 May 2017, from https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/pamela.cameron/price-elasticity-of-demand Foxall, G. R., Yan, J., Oliveira-Castro, J. M., Wells, V. K. (2013). Brand-related and situational influences on demand elasticity.Journal of Business Research,66(1), 73-81. Gal, J. (2015).Monetary policy, inflation, and the business cycle: an introduction to the new Keynesian framework and its applications. Princeton University Press. Haynes, W. W. (2015).Pricing Decisions in Small Business. University Press of Kentucky. Hirschey, M. (2016).Managerial economics. Cengage Learning. Hollensen, S. (2015).Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. Kim, K. (2012). Demand analysis of clothing and footwear: The effects of price, total consumption expenditures and economic crisis.Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles,36(12), 1285-1296. Livingston, A. (2016). Difference Between Needs Wants (Luxuries) and How to Draw the Line. Money Crushers. Retrieved 7 May 2017, from https://www.moneycrashers.com/difference-between-needs-wants-luxuries/ Nwankwo, S., Hamelin, N., Khaled, M. (2014). Consumer values, motivation and purchase intention for luxury goods.Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services,21(5), 735-744. Stlouisfed.org. (2016). Elasticity of Demand, Economic Lowdown Podcasts. Stlouisfed.org. Retrieved 7 May 2017, from https://www.stlouisfed.org/education/economic-lowdown-podcast-series/episode-16-elasticity-of-demand Varian, H. R. (2014).Intermediate Micro economics: A Modern Approach: Ninth International Student Edition. WW Norton Company.

Talking Heads Alan Bennett Essay Example

Talking Heads Alan Bennett Paper The following text is an essay based on two of the six Talking Heads monologues written by Alan Bennett: Bed Among The Lentils and Her Big Chance. The essay attempts to explain whether anything is lost or gained by reading these plays as short stories rather than seeing performances on television or the stage. The Talking Head monologues were originally written for performance on television, though they are also available as a collection of short stories. It has been suggested that Bennett created the pieces for specific performers, all of who are, to a certain extent, associated with him. It is therefore probable that he tailored the material to suit the individual actors styles. Bed among the Lentils starred Maggie Smith as Susan, who can be thought of as a typical English actress synonymous with intelligent, straight-laced, aloof characters, i. e. Miss Brody, while Her Big Chance starred Julie Walters as Leslie, who, at that time, was best known for her ditsy, flamboyant, comic roles. Casting of this kind makes a difference to the way in which the characters are accepted by the audience. The Actors individual nuances and deliverance would have been taken into account when the plays were written and would make a vast difference to the way in which the characters are shown. Being aware of a particular Actors performance strengthens the language the character uses. It makes the language used appropriate to the characters social background and since all the pieces were intended for performance, there is a musical quality to the text, which makes it sound more effective when read aloud. We will write a custom essay sample on Talking Heads Alan Bennett specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Talking Heads Alan Bennett specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Talking Heads Alan Bennett specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Though the text also stands reasonably well as a series of short stories, the fluent language used by each individual Actor as a repetitive musical rhythm of speech, i. e. Susan with her monotone delivery and Leslie with her high-octane quality, does add to the performance. One of the features of these stories is that there is an invisible barrier between the main characters and the real world. Each person has a secret which is well hidden but never revealed or acknowledged voluntarily. Each person hides her weakness Susans alcoholism and loss of faith Lesleys promiscuity and lack of talent. Each character keeps up a pretence of normality and Bennett shows us, through the eye of the camera, how each person struggles to maintain a facade. The characters dont seem to talk to the audience, but at it. Susan, the vicars wife, tells the story of her alcoholism and rehabilitation. She feels she is trapped in a loveless marriage to an Anglican clergyman, has taken to drink and begun an affair with an Asian grocer. Initially, Susan does come across as someone who is full of contempt for sex, with her description of sex as frightful collisions, or her own sex with Geoffrey as desiccated conjunctions. This at first suggests that she is simply a woman who lacks sexual desire. However, we later discover that it is a mere lack of desire with regards to Geoffrey. Her constant reference to Rameshs wonderful legs indicates great sexual desire. We therefore have this image of Susan as an unfulfilled woman in every respect, which is enhanced by the envious tone in her voice when she notices people, on a Sunday afternoon, Living, but when she refers to Mr Ramesh it is enhanced by the smile on the Actors lips. Susan despises her husband and his loyal band of parishioners and what they stand for but her involvement in the church is so fundamental to her life that she has even started to date important events in her life by holidays and occasions in religion. She remembers sleeping with Ramesh as being the second Sunday after Trinity. This is highlighted by the Actors voice, for example, when Susan is heard to recant part of the Lords prayer it is with a musical preaching tone which had been preceded and immediately followed by a mono-tonal quality, used when she is speaking of her life. Susans appearance is a good indicator as to how she is feeling about herself and her life. When the audience first sees her she is dressed in dull, shabby clothing and has unkempt, lank hair. She makes no mention of her problem with alcohol, except by allusion, until the final scene when she reveals that she has been to Alcoholics Anonymous. Even her rehabilitation is seen by her as another religion and Geoffreys attitude to it and to her are recounted with scant affection. It is apparent by the Actors delivery that there is no love lost between Susan and Geoffrey. He is, we are told, more interested in using the experience as a means of acquiring status as an upwardly mobile parson and according to Susan, this is what is in store for them both as Geoffrey brandishes Susans hand and tells her story all over the diocese. Susan is a changed woman at the end of the story, having, for the time being, given up drinking. This is clearly visible as the character is now well dressed, clean and smart with perfect hair and makeup. She is still Mrs Vicar, but the audience is left thinking that this might not last and there is an uncertainty to her future. Her attitude has not softened at all and this is obvious in the Actors delivery, the same mono-tonal voice and blank expression. It seems that though she is well aware of her situation, she has not yet decided what to do about it and her future is unclear. Susan remains, despite her reformation, a vicars wife who has lost her faith and is still dissatisfied with her marriage and her husband. With Leslie, in Her Big Chance, it would seem that Bennett based this character on various types he had seen in theatrical auditions and we can assume that she does have a certain accuracy. This is heighten by casting Julie Walters in this role. The character is first seen on a sunbed, a pastime considered to give the appearance of health though it is widely known to actually cause health problems. Using this in the opening of the play helps to build an image of Lesley of someone who is superficial and spends a lot of time on her appearance. Lesley believes herself to be professional to her fingertips when in fact she is almost completely lacking in any talent other than taking off her clothes and sleeping with the stage-hands. The parts she has played are minor, although she believes that they are important. From the first moment, Lesley builds up her small role in her head, ignoring the obvious facts that she has the part only because of the size of her breasts and that the (possibly soft-porn) production will have only a small audience. She tries desperately to improve herself, but her efforts at collecting people result only in more casual bed partners. Bennett makes her language very luvvie, and lards her story with theatrical jargon. This is delivered brilliantly by Julie Walters who is stereotypically cast in this kind of role. Lesley has no sense of humour at all, and displays a certain amount of waspishness when other characters puncture her ego. This is heightened by the expression on the characters face that shows that she is completely unaware of the sarcasm in others voices. Her naivety is displayed by the hopeless way in which she records others put-downs, and by her failure to see how distant she is from stardom. Fed by the flattery she receives from her lovers, she has an unrealistic idea of her success. Her self confidence is immense and in fact she is very difficult to like. Bennett, however, cleverly uses enough humour to prevent us from despising Lesley and we feel at the end rather sorry for her, left alone and determined to acquire another skill so that she can offer more as a person. She says at the end of her story that acting is really just giving but what she has to give is really not worth very much at all. The awful truth is that she is a victim of the fast dollar and doesnt even know that she is being exploited. Although neither of the characters intend to be funny, Bennett makes each of them speak in ways which cause the audience to laugh either at their situations or their turn of phrase, for example, Susans account of the flower arranging session with Mrs Shrubsole or Lesleys attempt to be interesting at a party. The humour comes from the seriousness of the characters, they use what they perceive to be appropriate language to recount their stories. The audience, therefore, laughs at their situations and at their pretentious behaviour and often their ignorance within those situations. They are touching and real, and at the same time both tragic and funny and this is heightened when it can be seen on the screen.