Thursday, May 21, 2020

Neoliberalism Essay - 1723 Words

‘Neo liberalism is responsible for most of the global economic problems we are experiencing today’ ‘Neo liberalism is responsible for most of the global economic problems we are experiencing today’ Brett nelson Word count – 1511. Neo-liberalism is a political ideology that suggests that ‘human well-being can be advanced by the maximisation of entrepreneurial freedom, characterised by private property rights, individual liberty, free markets and free trade’ (Geografiskar, A 2006). In today’s modern society neo-liberalism is widespread around the globe with various stakeholders offering conflicting views. Some advocates, namely the capitalistic portion of society argue that a liberal market is†¦show more content†¦The most prominent and possibly the most notable market crash is the ‘Global Financial Crisis’ which was a direct repercussion of the neo-liberal policies which were implemented at the time and for which many of today’s global economic problems has stem from. These policies predominately include the replacement of government functions and services with profit-seeking entities, or more commonly known as privatisation and most importantly the deregulati on of the economic market (Beder, 2006). Due to the deregulation, financial institutions and other economic players were able to invest in more complex financial markets which were beyond their understanding and a result a market crash occurred and the detrimental effects were widespread. If regulation had been put in place to monitor investment activity then it has been argued that the Global Financial Crisis would not have occurred and the associated global economic problems we are experiencing today would not have eventuated (Dag Einar Thorsen, 2013). As neoliberal policies where implemented around the world casing the global financial crisis the world disparities in wealth and income increased as well as poverty, contradicting neoliberal theories that by increasing the wealth at the top everyone becomes better off. One of the largest areas of concern around the globe is the poverty levels. Over the last 40 years governments have been influenced by neoliberal ideologies and poverty has increased on aShow MoreRelatedNeoliberalism in Brazil1312 Words   |  6 PagesIn an article entitled â€Å"Resisting and reshaping destructive development: social movements and globalizing networks†, P. Routledge describes neoliberal development, â€Å"Contemporary economic development is guided by the economic principles of neoliberalism and popularly termed ‘globalization’. The fundamental principal of this doctrine is ‘economic liberty’ for the powerful, that is that an economy must be free from the social and political ‘impediments,’ ‘fetters’, and ‘restrictions’ placed upon itRead MoreThe Cold War And Initiation Of Neoliberalism Essay900 Words   |  4 Pagesmany developments and new features since 1989. The ending of the Cold War an d initiation of neoliberalism was expected to lead to a decline in conflict and result in a cooperating international system under the anarchic system. In addition, to the new features of liberalism, new features of realism (neorealism) opposing neoliberalism emerged attempting to explain the flaws in cooperation. Neoliberalism is derived from the early theoretical framework; classical liberalism. The original liberal schoolRead MoreNeoliberalism : A New Economic System1169 Words   |  5 Pages 9/12/2014 Neoliberalism In the late twentieth century, the world experiences the emergence of a new economic system. From 1970s to modern day, this dominant economic agenda is coined as â€Å"neoliberalism.† Neoliberalism, a â€Å"new† liberalism, promotes global free market as a more efficient way in producing and supplying. They also advocate for privatization ofRead MoreThe Key Principles Of Neoliberalism Essay1052 Words   |  5 Pages(B. KamiÅ„ski 225). However, the package was met with a flurry of criticism from prominent economists and journalists. Echoing the key principles of neoliberalism, the economist Tomasz JezioraÅ„ski argued that the principal weakness of the package consisted in granting the full responsibility for economic performance to the central administration. The free enterprise characterized by responsibility and autonomy, he insisted, was incompatible with economic coercion by the state (B. KamiÅ„ski 226)Read MoreAnalysis : The Sociopolitica l Theory Of Neoliberalism Essay1448 Words   |  6 PagesValerie Mangulabnan Prof Marcellini AH 362 6 December 2016 Claire Fontaine is Neoliberalism Society is entranced with the consumer driven values that have steamed from a post-industrial era. This consumerist society fuels many multibillion dollar companies as well as keeps a certain few in power. Neoliberalism is a political theory that is considered to be right-winged and often associated with laissez-faire government policies. Many theorist, economist, and social activist criticizes the neoliberalRead MoreTopic: Neoliberalism, The Commonality And Differences Between1096 Words   |  5 PagesTopic: Neoliberalism, the Commonality and Differences Between The Western Countries and China To many people, neoliberalism seems to be a capitalism-associated word that is often refer to what is going on in the US. Although neoliberalism has its deep root among western countries such as the US and many others in the EU, China as a socialism country, has its unique take on neoliberalism. In this paper, I will be discussing how neoliberalism emerge in the west and how it become the neoliberalism thatRead MoreHow Neoliberalism Has Changed The World1221 Words   |  5 Pages This essay aims to identify how neoliberalism has changed the way we do business in particular managerial strategies to maintain competiveness and adapt to changing market conditions. Firstly, I will briefly explain the term neoliberalism and how it has affected the world. Secondly, I will explain how neoliberalism has influenced managers and their strategic reforms. Thirdly, I will further explain the importance of strategizing and planning in regards to managers in today’s market. Finally, theRead MoreNeoliberalism, A Very Short Introduction Essay1360 Words   |  6 PagesNeoliberalism, A Very Short Introduction Manfred B. Steger and Ravi. K. Roy Book Review ABSTRACT Neoliberalism a Very Short Introduction, is an excellent and concise presentation of the history and development of neoliberal ideas. During the 1980s and 1990s, the revival of the liberal ideas was known as neoliberal. They spread around the world in a variety of size, forms and colors depending who, where and how implemented them. The Washington Consensus IMF, World Bank supported neoliberalRead MoreEssay about Corruption and Neoliberalism in the Philippines2905 Words   |  12 Pagesa previous paper I discuss the issue of the accuracy, reliability, and focus of poverty measurements and the development discourse itself, but there are larger factors at play as well. In this paper, I discuss how the history of corruption and neoliberalism, two contested but highly influential issues, have negatively impacted development as a whole in the Philippines and perpetuated the poverty of its population. According to a recent poll by the online periodical The Philippine Star, an overwhelmingRead MoreModernization And Neoliberalism : Economic Status And Growth1841 Words   |  8 Pagescore assumption is present in the primary models of development, modernization and neoliberalism, both of which in turn offer their own implications and consequences. It is these consequences that inspire Sachs, and many others, to seek out a more comprehensive definition and approach to development. As was previously stated, the two most prevalent theoretical models of development are modernization and neoliberalism. These ideologies are both centered on the principle of development-as-growth with

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The West African Nation of Nigeria - 547 Words

The West African nation of Nigeria is rich in oil and natural resources. However, ongoing internal conflicts hinder the country from benefitting from its natural wealth. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria had two coups and various violent protracted conflicts. The major conflicts in the country are religious, ethnic, economic, and political. However, ethnic and religious conflicts alone claim thousands of lives and affect the countrys economy enormously. Grievance over power distribution and wealth allocation between the Muslim dominated north, and the Christian dominated south created a dip division among the two religious groups. Military rule, poor governance, and corruption also became major impediments for the economic growth and peacebuilding in the country. In addition to exacerbating poverty, bad governance is often cited for the rise of religious and ethnic conflicts in Nigeria. In this short essay, I discuss the role of religion in the ongoing conflicts of Nigeria. I also discuss the different factors that exacerbate the religious conflict. The essay also discusses how the teachings of Islam and Christianity are used to transform the conflict. Examples are drawn from conflict transformation effort by two religious leaders, Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa. The essay finishes with a brief conclusion. 2. Brief History of Colonization and Political Conflict in Nigeria Historians date the root of the political conflict in Nigeria to the colonialShow MoreRelatedCivil Wars in Western Africa: Nigeria, Sierra Leone1743 Words   |  7 Pagesplace in Nigeria, and the civil war that happened in Sierra Leone. And by breaking down the events that took place and exploring the causes of both civil wars, I will try and deduce the similarities and differences, if any, both countries had leading up to their respective civil wars. Historically, West Africa is a zone were there has been a plethora of conflicts. Colonization was not helpful to the region, but ever since the Europeans left, the situation there has barely improved. West Africa hasRead MoreThe Illicit Trade Of Drugs For Terrorism1205 Words   |  5 PagesOur globe is plagued by a number of issues, one of the most pressing and widespread being terrorism. The nation of Cameroon believes that through international cooperation, this body of the United Nations can solve one of the major facets that contributes to terrorism: narcoterrorism. The illicit trade of drugs for terrorism funding is debilitating to large and small nations alike, and must be debated and resolved in a manner most timely and suitable to its nature. History Recently, the countryRead MoreA Report On Nigerian Training Framework1422 Words   |  6 Pagesand judgment, and by and large of setting oneself up or others mentally for experienced life. The Ministry of Education is responsible for instruction in Nigeria. The instruction framework in Nigeria is separated into Kindergarten, essential training, auxiliary training and tertiary training. Foundation Problem The present example of Nigeria training framework, especially the tertiary association has been an issue of sensitivity toward the administration, accomplices, educationists, managers (homeRead MoreThe Education Framework Of Nigeria1479 Words   |  6 Pagesthinking and judgment, and by and large of setting oneself up or others mentally for experienced life. The Ministry of Education is responsible for education in Nigeria. The education framework in Nigeria is separated into Kindergarten, essential training, auxiliary training and tertiary training. Foundation Problem The present example of Nigeria Education framework, especially the Tertiary Institutions has been an issue of sensitivity toward the administration, accomplices, educationists, managers (homeRead MoreThe Coming Anarchy - Robert Kaplan Essay901 Words   |  4 Pageslead to the demise of that African region within the next 50 years. Mr. Kaplan further theorized that nations worldwide would eventually contract the same problems occurring in Western Africa and collapse into anarchy. Mr. Kaplan’s prediction of worldwide anarchy is inaccurate, since his argument relies on broad generalizations and insufficient credible examples and sources of information. Western Africa exhibits many of the problems common in the world’s developing nations, including overpopulationRead MoreOptimal Currency Area1588 Words   |  7 PagesDiscuss whether the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is an optimal currency area. To give an opinion on whether or not the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is an optimal currency area, first an optimal currency area must be defined. An optimal currency area was defined by Pilbeam (2013) as â€Å"A region for which it is optimal to have a common currency and a common monetary policy†. For the ECOWAS to qualify as an optimal currency area it must fulfil certain criteriaRead MoreCapital Punishment Is The Sanctioned Practice1605 Words   |  7 PagesCommittee Name: 6th legal Committee Topic: Capital Punishment Country Name: Nigeria BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE TOPIC Capital Punishment is the sanctioned practice that puts someone to death in response to crimes. There are many and varied types of execution used around the world today, including: beheading, electrocution, hanging, lethal injection, shooting in the back of the head, and by firing squad. People have been working to end executions since 1977, when only 16 countries had abolished the deathRead More Impact on the People of Nigeria by Muslims, French and British1158 Words   |  5 Pages Africans have been migrating through out the continent, including Nigeria, long before there was even written record. Because of this, there has always been an extensive amount of inter-mingling between various ethnic groups, making it difficult to actually trace back who came from where. Aside from this amalgamation, there has been a huge impact on the peoples of Nigeria by outside forces. In particular, three major groups that had a major impact were Muslim merchants from across the Sahara, BritishRead MoreEssay on The Nigerian Civil War1344 Words   |  6 Pagessecession of the South-eastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed republic of Biafra. The war became notorious for the starvation in some of the besieged war-bound regions, and the consequent claims of genocide made by the largely Igbo people of those regions. Causes of the Conflict The conflict was the result of serious tensions, both ethnic and religious, between the different peoples of Nigeria. Like most modern African nations, Nigeria was an artificial construct, put together byRead MoreThe Conflict Between Tradition And Western Influence On Nigeria1665 Words   |  7 Pagestalent and black pride like Nigeria.† There is certainly truth to these words. The west african country of Nigeria has proven itself to be a successful and enduring land. As the English began exploring and colonizing the land grounded in tradition and folklore, Nigeria effectively adapted and grew. Even when torn apart, Nigeria has pulled itself back together and grown stronger. There are many aspects to Nigeria’s culture that are worth considering. But one aspect of Nigeria has proven itself to be rich

The Return Nightfall Chapter 26 Free Essays

Ley lines. Stefan had spoken of them, and with the influence of the spirit world still on her, she had seen them without trying. Now, still lying on her side, channeling what remained of that Power to her eyes, she looked at the earth. We will write a custom essay sample on The Return: Nightfall Chapter 26 or any similar topic only for you Order Now And that was what made her mind go gray in terror. As far as she could see there were lines converging here from all directions. Thick lines that glowed with a cold phosphorescence, medium-sized lines that had the dull shine of bad mushrooms in a cellar, and tiny lines that looked like perfectly straight cracks of the outer surface layer of the world. They were like veins and arteries and nerves just under the skin of the clearing-beast. No wonder it seemed alive. She was lying on a massive convergence of ley lines. And if the cemetery was worse than this – she couldn’t imagine what it might look like. If Damon had somehow found a way to tap into that Power†¦no wonder he seemed different, arrogant, undefeatable. Ever since he had released her to drink Matt’s blood, she had kept shaking her head, trying to shake off the humiliation with it. But now finally she stopped as she tried to calculate a way to make use of this Power. There had to be a way to do it. The grayness wouldn’t clear from her vision. Finally Elena realized that it was not because she was faint, but because it was getting dark – twilight outside the clearing, true darkness coming into it. She tried again to lift herself up, and this time she succeeded. Almost immediately a hand was extended to her and, automatically, she took it, letting it draw her to her feet. She faced – whoever it was, Damon or whatever was using his features or his body. Despite the almost-darkness, he still wore those wraparound sunglasses. She could make nothing out of the rest of his face. â€Å"Now,† the thing in the sunglasses said. â€Å"You’re going to come with me.† It was nearing full dark, and they were in the clearing that was a beast. This place – it was unwholesome. She was afraid of the clearing as she had never been afraid of a person or creature. It resounded with malevolence, and she couldn’t shut her ears to it. She had to keep thinking, and keep thinking straight, she thought. She was terribly frightened for Matt; frightened that Damon had taken too much blood or had played too hard with his toy; breaking it. And she was afraid of this Damon thing. She was also worried about the influence this place might have had on the real Damon. The woods around them shouldn’t have any effect on vampires, except to hurt them. Was the possible-Damon inside the possessor hurt? If he could understand anything of what was happening, could he distinguish that hurt from his hurt and anger at Stefan? She didn’t know. She did know that there had been a terrible look in his eyes when Stefan had told him to get out of the boardinghouse. And she did know that there were creatures in the forest, malach, that could influence a person’s mind. She was afraid, deeply afraid, that the malach were using Damon now, blackening his darkest desires and twisting him into something horrible, something he had never been even at his worst. But how could she be sure? How could she know whether or not there was something else behind the malach, something that controlledthem ? Her soul was telling her that this might be the case, that Damon might be completely unconscious of what his body was doing, but that might just be wishful thinking. Certainly all she could sense around her were small, evil creatures. She could feel them encircling the clearing, strange insect-like beings like the one that had attacked Matt. They were in a furor of excitement, whipping their tentacles around to make a noise almost like a buzzing helicopter. Were they influencing Damon now? Certainly, he had never before hurt any of the other humans she knew the way he had today. She had to get all three of them out of this place. It was diseased, contaminated. Once again she felt a wave of longing for Stefan, who might know what to do in this situation. She turned, slowly, to look at Damon. â€Å"May I call someone to come and help Matt? I’m afraid to leave him here; I’m afraidthey’ll get him.† Just as well to let him know that she knewthey were hiding in the liverwort and the rhododendron and mountain holly bushes all around. Damon hesitated; he seemed to consider it. Then he shook his head. â€Å"We wouldn’t want to give them too many clues to where you are,† he said cheerily. â€Å"It’ll be an interesting experiment to see if the malach do get him – and how they do it.† â€Å"It wouldn’t be an interesting experiment forme .† Elena’s voice was flat. â€Å"Matt is my friend.† â€Å"Nevertheless, we’ll leave him here for now. I don’t trust you – even to giveme a message to Meredith or Bonnie – to send on my phone.† Elena didn’t say anything. As a matter of fact, he was right not to trust her, as she and Meredith and Bonnie had worked out an elaborate code of harmless-sounding phrases as soon as they knew that Damon was after Elena. A lifetime ago for her – literally – but she could still remember them. Silently, she simply followed Damon to the Ferrari. She was responsible for Matt. â€Å"You’re not putting up much of an argument this time, and I wonder what you’re plotting.† â€Å"I’m plotting that we might as well get on with it. If you’ll tell me what  ¡Ã‚ ®it’ is,† she said, more bravely than she felt. â€Å"Well, now what  ¡Ã‚ ®it’ is, is up to you.† Damon gave Matt a kick in the ribs in passing. He was now pacing in a circle around the clearing, which seemed smaller than ever, a circle which didn’t include her. She took a few paces toward him – and slipped. She didn’t know how it happened. Maybe the giant animal breathed. Maybe it was just the slick pine needles under her boots. But one moment she was heading for Matt and the next her feet had gone out from under her and she was heading for the ground with nothing to grab onto. And then, smoothly and unhurriedly, she was in Damon’s arms. With centuries of Virginian etiquette behind her she automatically said, â€Å"Thank you.† â€Å"My pleasure.† Yes, she thought. That’s all it means. It ishis pleasure, and that’s all that matters. That was when she noticed that they were headed for her Jaguar. â€Å"Oh, no, we don’t,† she said. â€Å"Oh, yes, we will – if I please,† he said. â€Å"Unless you want to see your friend Matt suffer like that again. At some point his heartwill give out.† â€Å"Damon.† She pushed her way out of his arms, standing on her own feet. â€Å"I don’t understand. This isn’t like you. Take what you want and go.† He just kept looking at her. â€Å"I was doing just that.† â€Å"You don’t have to† – for the life of her, she couldn’t keep a tremor out of her voice – â€Å"take me anywhere special to take my blood. And Matt won’t know. He’s out.† For a long moment there was silence in the clearing. Utter silence. The night birds and the crickets stopped making their music. Suddenly Elena felt as if she were on some kind of thrill ride that plummeted down, leaving her stomach and organs still at the top. Then Damon put it in words. â€Å"I wantyou . Exclusively.† Elena braced herself, trying to keep a clear head despite the fog that seemed to be invading it. â€Å"You know that that’s not possible.† â€Å"I know that it was possible for Stefan. When you were with him, you didn’t think about anything but him. You couldn’t see, couldn’t hear, couldn’t feel anything but him.† Elena’s gooseflesh now covered her whole body. Speaking carefully around the obstruction in her throat, she said, â€Å"Damon, did you do something to Stefan?† â€Å"Now, why would I want to do something like that?† Very low, Elena said, â€Å"You and I both know why.† â€Å"Do you mean,† Damon started out speaking casually, but his voice grew more intense as he gripped her shoulders, â€Å"so that you would see nothing butme , hear nothing butme , think of nothing butme ?† Still quietly, still controlling her terror, Elena said, â€Å"Take off the sunglasses, Damon.† Damon glanced upwards and around as if to reassure himself that no last ray of sunset could pierce the green-gray world that surrounded them. Then with one hand, he stripped off the sunglasses. Elena found herself looking into eyes that were so black there seemed to be no difference between iris and pupil. She†¦turned a switch in her brain, did something so that all her senses were tuned onto Damon’s face, his expression, the Power circulating through him. His eyes were still as black as the depths of an unexplored cave. No red. But then, he’d had time, this time to get ready for her. I believe what I saw before, Elena thought. With myown eyes. â€Å"Damon, I’ll do anything, anything you want. But you have to tell me.Did you do something to Stefan?† â€Å"Stefan was still high onyour blood when he left you,† he reminded her, and before she could speak to deny this – â€Å"and, to answer your question precisely, I don’t know where he is. On that, you have my word. But in any case, it’s true, what you were thinking earlier,† he added, as Elena tried to step away, to get out of the grip he had on her upper arms. â€Å"I’mthe only one, Elena. The only one you haven’t conquered. The only one you can’t manipulate. Intriguing, isn’t it?† Suddenly, in spite of her fear, she was furious. â€Å"Then why hurt Matt? He’s just a friend. What’s he got to do with it?† â€Å"Just a friend.† And Damon began to laugh the way he had before, eerily. â€Å"Well, I knowhe didn’t have anything to do with Stefan leaving,† Elena snapped. Damon turned on her, but by then the clearing was so dim that she couldn’t read his expression at all. â€Å"And who saidI did? But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to make use of the opportunity.† He picked Matt up easily and held up something that shone silver from his other hand. Her keys. From her jeans pocket. Taken, no doubt, when she was lying unconscious on the ground. She could tell nothing from his voice, either, except that it was bitter and grim – all usual if he were talking about Stefan. â€Å"With your blood in him, I couldn’t have killed my brother if I had tried, the last time I saw him,† he added. â€Å"Didyou try?† â€Å"As a matter of fact, no. You have my word on that as well.† â€Å"And you don’t know where he is?† â€Å"No.† He hefted Matt. â€Å"What do you think you’re doing? â€Å"Taking him with us. He’s hostage for your good behavior.† â€Å"Oh, no,† Elena said flatly, pacing. â€Å"This is between you and me. You’ve hurt Matt enough.† She blinked and once again almost screamed to find Damon much too close, much too fast. â€Å"I’ll do whatever you want.Whatever you want. But not here out in the open and not with Matt around.† Come on, Elena, she was thinking. Where’s that vampy behavior when you want it? You used to be able to vamp any guy; now, just because he’s a vampire, you can’t do it? â€Å"Take me somewhere,† she said softly, intertwining her arm with his free one, â€Å"but in the Ferrari. I don’t want to go in my car. Take me in the Ferrari.† Damon paced back to the trunk of the Ferrari, unlocked it, and looked inside. Then he looked at Matt. It was clear that the tall, well-built boy wasn’t going to fit in to the trunk†¦at least, not with all his limbs attached. â€Å"Don’t you eventhink about it,† Elena said. â€Å"Just put him in the Jaguar with the keys and he’ll be safe enough – lock him in.† Elena fervently prayed that what she was saying was true. For a moment Damon said nothing, then he looked up with a smile so brilliant she could see it in the dusk. â€Å"All right,† he said. He dumped Matt on the ground again. â€Å"But if you try to run while I move the cars, I runhim over.† Damon, Damon, will you never understand? Humans don’tdo that to their friends, Elena thought as he brought the Ferrari out so he could bring the Jaguar in, so he could dump Matt in it. â€Å"All right,† she said in a small voice. She was afraid to look at Damon. â€Å"Now – what do you want?† Damon inclined from the waist in a very graceful bow, indicating the Ferrari. She wondered what would happen once she got in. If he were any normal attacker – if there wasn’t Matt to think about – if she didn’t fear the forest even more than she feared him†¦ She hesitated and then got into Damon’s car. Inside, she pulled her camisole out of her jeans to conceal the fact that she wasn’t wearing a seat belt. She doubted Damon ever wore a seat belt or locked his doors or anything like that. Precautions weren’t his thing. And now she prayed that he had other matters on his mind. â€Å"Seriously, Damon, where are we going?† she said as he got into the Ferrari. â€Å"First, how about one for the road?† Damon suggested, his voice fake-jocular. Elena had expected something like this. She sat passively as Damon took her chin in fingers that trembled slightly, and tilted it up. She shut her eyes as she felt the double-snakebite pinch of razor-sharp fangs piercing her skin. She kept her eyes shut as her attacker fastened his mouth on the bleeding flesh and began to drink deeply. Damon’s idea of â€Å"one for the road† was just what she would have expected: enough to put both of them in danger. But it wasn’t until she actually began to feel as if she would pass out any minute that she shoved at his shoulder. He held on for a few more very painful seconds just to show who was Boss here. Then he let go of her, licking his lips avidly, his eyes actually gleaming at herthrough the Ray-Bans. â€Å"Exquisite,† he said. â€Å"Unbelievable. Why you’re – â€Å" Yeah, tell me I’m a bottle of single malt scotch, she thought. That’s the way to my heart. â€Å"Can we go now?† she asked pointedly. And then, as she suddenly remembered Damon’s driving habits, she added deliberately, â€Å"Be careful; this road twists and turns a lot.† It had the effect she had hoped for. Damon hit the accelerator and they shot out of the clearing at high speed. Then they were taking the sharp turns of the Old Wood faster than Elena had ever driven through here; faster than anyone had dared go with her as a passenger before. But still, they wereher roads. From childhood on she had played here. There was only one family who lived right on the perimeter of the Old Wood, but their driveway was on the right side of the road – her side – and she got herself ready for it. He would take the sudden curve to the left just before the second curve that was the Dunstans’ driveway – and on the second curve she would jump. There was no sidewalk edging Old Wood Road, of course, but at that point there was a heavy growth of rhododendron and other bushes. All she could do was pray. Pray that she didn’t snap her neck on impact. Pray that she didn’t break an arm or leg before she limped through the few yards of woods to the driveway. Pray that the Dunstans were home when she pounded on their door and pray that they listened when she told them not to let the vampire in behind her. She saw the curve. She didn’t know why the Damon-thing couldn’t read her mind, but apparently he couldn’t. He wasn’t speaking and his only precaution against her trying to get out seemed to be speed. She was going to get hurt, she knew that. But the worst part of any hurt was fear, and she wasn’t afraid. As he rounded the curve, she pulled the handle and pushed open the door as hard as she could with her hands while she kicked it as hard as she could with her feet. The door swung open, quickly being caught by centrifugal force, as were Elena’s legs. As was Elena. Her kick alone took her halfway out of the car. Damon grabbed for her and got only a handful of hair. For a moment she thought he would keep her in, even without keeping hold of her. She tumbled over and over in the air, floating, remaining about two feet off the ground, reaching out to grab fronds, branches of bushes, anything she could use to slow her velocity. And in this place where magic and physics met; she was able to do it, to slow while still floating on Damon’s power, although it took her much farther from the Dunstans’ house than she wanted. Then she did hit the ground, bounced, and did her best to twist in the air, to take the impact on her buttock or the back of a shoulder, but something went wrong and her left heel hit first – God! – and tangled, swinging her around completely, slamming her knee into concrete – God, God! – flipping her in the air and bringing her down on her right arm so hard it seemed to be trying to drive it into her shoulder. She had the wind knocked out of her by the first blow and was forced to hiss air in by the second and third. Despite the flipping, flying universe, there was one sign she couldn’t miss – an unusual spruce growing into the road that she had noticed ten feet behind her when she’d exploded out of the car. Tears were pouring uncontrollably down her cheeks as she pulled at tendrils of bush that had entangled her ankle – and a good thing, too. A few tears might have blurred her vision, made her afraid – as she had been with the last two explosions of pain – that she might pass out. But she was out on the road, her eyes were washed clear, she could see the spruce and the sunset both directly ahead, and she was thoroughly conscious. And that meant that if she headed for the sunset but at a forty-five-degree angle to her right, she couldn’t miss the Dunstans’; driveway, house, barn, cornfield were all there to guide her after perhaps twenty-five steps in the woods. She had barely stopped rolling when she was pulling at the bush that had thwarted her and getting to her feet just as she pulled the last entangling stems from her hair. The calculation about the Dunstans’ house happened instantaneously in her head, even as she turned and saw the crushed swath she’d cut through the greenery and the blood on the road. At first she looked at her skinned hands in bewilderment; they couldn’t have left such a gory trail. And they hadn’t. One knee had been skinned – flayed, really – right through her jeans – and one seriously messed up leg, less bloody but causing her sheets of pain like white lighting even while she was not trying to move it. Two arms with quite a lot of skin removed. No time to find out how much or to figure out what she’d done to her shoulder. Ascreeeeeeech of brakes ahead. Lord, he’s slow. No, I’m fast, hyped up by pain and terror. Use it! She ordered her legs to sprint into the forest. Her right leg obeyed, but when she swiveled her left and it hit the ground fireworks went off behind her eyes. She was in a state of hyper-alertness; she saw the stick even as she was falling. She rolled over once or twice, which caused dull red flares of pain to go off in her head, and then she was able to grab it. It might have been specially designed for a crutch, around underarm height and blunt on one end but sharp on the other. She tucked it under her left arm and somehow willed herself up from her place in the mud: boosting off with her right leg and catching herself on the crutch so that she scarcely had to touch her left foot to the ground. She’d got turned around in the fall and had to twist to right herself again – but there she saw it, the last remains of sunset and the road behind her. Head forty-five-degrees right from that glow, she thought. Thank God, it was her right arm that was messed up; this way she could support herself with her left shoulder on the crutch. Still without a moment’s hesitation, without giving Damon an extra millisecond to follow her, she plunged in her chosen direction into the forest. Into the Old Wood. How to cite The Return: Nightfall Chapter 26, Essay examples