The Signalman by Charles Dickens and The Landlady by Roald Dahl Essay Example For Students

The Signalman by Charles Dickens and The Landlady by Roald Dahl Essay The Signalman is a short story from the author Charles Dickens and was written in the mid 19th Century; The Landlady is also a short story written by Roald Dahl. The Signalman is a ghost story and The Landlady is a mystery story; however, there are many similarities that the two stories show. At the start of The Signalman there are many things that seem strange. The signalman from the very opening is peculiar; his actions, such as how he looks at the narrator with fixed attention and how he doesnt even acknowledge him, is far from seemingly normal behaviour. We will write a custom essay on The Signalman by Charles Dickens and The Landlady by Roald Dahl specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The description of the train approaching the tunnel is also strange. The train is said to have had the force to draw me down, implying a supernatural presence right from the start. The opening of The Landlady, however, is quite different. Everything at the start seems to be perfectly normal that is except Billy Weaver who is already shown by Dahl to be very naive. One key thing in the opening is the appearance of Bath itself. Baths seems to be a place with no character, as when being informed about the houses we are told they are: all of them identical -, giving no individuality or character to the city. The city seems old and run-down shown by how the paint was peeling from the woodwork on their doors and windows, and that the handsome white facades were cracked and blotchy from neglect. The overall view we receive of Bath is that it is simply dead, which is a direct link to The Signalman; this is except for the Bed and Breakfast. The inside of the Bed and Breakfast contrasts dramatically with the outside as Billy looks in. It seems warm and comfortable with the flowers, the bright fire and the pretty little daschund, which we later discover to be a great misconception on ours, and Billys, behalf. The outside, which seems dead, is completely different to the inside of the Bed and Breakfast, which is full of life with the flowers and the animals. The Signalman brings the reader to an appearance of death and gloominess, which is the environment in which everything in the story happens. The Landlady creates a false sense of reality with the Bed and Breakfast seeming very different from what is actually the case. The Signalman is set in a dark, gloomy, damp place. The position is very isolated in a deep trench. The only way down is along an unusually precipitate path made of clammy stone, which became oozier and wetter as I went down. The narrator describes the place to be the most solitary and dismal place I ever saw. As the narrator went down further along the path he became aware of an earthly deadly smell that was because the region never saw sunlight, the source of all life. The further the narrator passed down the path the more it seemed to be an unnatural world. The picture that we, the reader, imagine from the description is very much like a grave; very fitting as both that, and the story itself, is involved with death. The Landlady is set in a major city, but not at all one full of life. Again this story is set at night. The air is said to be deadly cold with the wind like a flat blade of ice on Weavers cheeks. Here there is an impression of pain from the cold wind but there is also pain in the signalman with how he suffers greatly with what happens. The contrast comes only when we see the Bed and Breakfast, which is completely different. Both of the stories are set in isolated places with the entire story of The Signalman being set in the signal box and the surrounding valley, and The Landlady being set mainly in the house. Isolation is a very important part to both stories as it is a key factor in most ghost and mystery stories, the two genres to which these belong. Both The Signalman and The Landlady have very themes to the stories, beyond what we actually see. In The Signalman the main theme is showing us the effect that isolation has on someone. Through the character of the signalman, Dickens shows us the fear and haunting someone can undergo when away from the rest of the world. Dickens also looks upon fate and destiny throughout The Signalman and the idea that we cant do anything about what has already been decided for us. In The Landlady Dahl is also focussing on isolation but not in the same way as Dickens. Here we are the ones that experience the fear for what may happen to Weaver, but the character himself is completely unaffected. .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 , .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .postImageUrl , .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 , .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043:hover , .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043:visited , .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043:active { border:0!important; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043:active , .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043 .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ube5434f6c113e83b8ad896f48a18b043:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Maggie Girl of the Streets Huck Finn - Family Life EssayBoth of the stories also have the theme of the unknown, and also death, but are very different from one another; in The Signalman the unknown is in the spectres appearances and what they mean, where in The Landlady the unknown is with why there have only been three guests in total and also with what is going to happen to Weaver. From the two different stories we are shown that fear is clearly something in the mind; with how we see things in The Landlady without any actual evidence to substantiate our views, and with how the visitor sees things in the story compared with the signalman. The characters in The Signalman are vital for the story. The signalman is shown to be a very strange character right from our opening introduction to him. His behaviour with how he expectantly looked down the line, and how he ignores our narrator initially, then when he does turn to our narrator he stares at him with fixed attention but doesnt speak is hardly what could be considered to be normal behaviour. He seems to be very distant and mysterious. When the narrator sees him he seems a dark sallow man, someone whose entire features are dark, with how the narrator describes him to have a dark beard and rather heavy eyebrows creates tension. However, despite theses strange qualities, he seems to be a very reliable person who is worthy of great credibility and is excellent at his job. His brightness is clear as he has taught himself a language but we are also told that he struggles with other things such as figures. The most important thing we see about his character is how dedicated he is to his job. He is definitely a credit to the company from what we see. The visitor, our narrator, is a very inquisitive person; this is clear by how he initially goes down to the signal box. He is also a very caring person, shown with how he thinks about the narrator and what is best for him. However, he is also very responsible with how he is worried about the signalmans state of mind for the safety and well being of others. He is rational and punctual but apart from this we know very little about him apart from it seems that he is not from around the area. The characters in The Landlady are very different from those in The Signalman. Billy Weaver is an eager and enthusiastic young man, who is also very gullible and naive. This is clear from his ridiculous idea on briskness being the way to success, which is very humorous to us, the reader. His naivety is also shown with how he doesnt suspect anything with the landlady. The landlady is a very strange character, but not at all in the same way as the signalman. Her behaviour is very irrational. Her attitude could simply be considerate and caring but we dont see this as being the case and rather see it as a false front. In fact we know very little about this, but this only adds to the mystery of the story. The styles of the two writers also differ. Dickens uses great descriptive passages throughout the story. He also uses vivid imagery, such as how he describes the setting of the story to be a tomb or a grave both of which are a direct link to the events in the story. ie. Death. Dickens also uses metaphor in his descriptions a great deal, such as great dungeon. Between the two characters there are great contrasting views, which Dickens has incorporated to give us all possible views of the situation. Dahl, on the other-hand, focuses his style of writing in this piece on humour and dramatic irony. He brings the naivety of Weaver through to add to the humour and irony of each of the little pieces of revealed evidence throughout. He also shows everything from two sides. He gives great misconceptions throughout the story leaving us guessing at many things; perfect for a mystery story. In The Signalman the dialogue that Dickens uses between the characters expresses how the signalman is feeling, however, he more clearly shows this with the body language of the character. .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 , .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .postImageUrl , .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 , .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9:hover , .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9:visited , .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9:active { border:0!important; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9:active , .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9 .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u71a3cb8ca4ef24ec6955411260efc4d9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Conan Doyle EssayBeing the first person narrative there is effective dialogue when the narrator is conveying his ideas to us directly; due to this style of approach, we can begin to visualise how we would feel in the same scenario. Quite simply because of the way the narrative is put to us we see things on a far more personal level than if it was simply a third person overview of events. We also believe what we are told more readily but also question far more, as we question our own feelings. Dahl uses dialogue excellently in The Landlady. With how things are said, by the landlady especially, it leads us to see two sides of everything. Being in the 3rd person narrative we can simply laugh at the character of Weaver with how ridiculous he is. But, also, due to this style of writing, we begin to see all side to the story because of it being an overview. However, Billy is also quite an engaging character. Partly due to how naive he is, but also how eager and responsible he is, we begin to relate to the character as we too could put ourselves in the situation as we know little more about the Landlady than he. Dickens creates suspense by giving us dramatic pieces of information, which have no meaning on their own but serve to keep our attention and interest and also gradually build up the whole picture. The suspense in the story starts at the opening descriptions of the setting, and then the character of the signalman and his story, as we begin to build up a picture and gain an understanding of everything but cant; it end partly when we are told the complete story on the second night but only completely when the signalman dies as then we understand more about the spectre. Dahl, however, creates suspense because of the view we have of what could have happened to the previous two guests and what could be slowly happening now to Weaver. The suspense basically starts from when she opens the door but especially from when we learn that there have been only two other guests previous to that night. There is a great feeling of suspense we feel about the bitter almond taste to the tea. Dahl keeps the mystery going right through to the end, as without us knowing what is going to happen to Billy the suspense doesnt go. Certain qualities of the plots of the two stories are the same: they both involve the unknown, death, both stories happen at night, and both involve unexplainable occurrences, or events. In The Signalman, Dickens looks at the supernatural with the connection between the spectre and the deaths of the different people. It also looks at the fact of believing people when there is no reason to do so. The Landlady has a very sinister plot but doesnt have nearly as much depth as The Signalman. Therefore, I think the plot of The Signalman is more effective as with having more depth is more interesting to read. The ending of The Signalman wasnt at all what I expected to happen because before that point nothing had happened to the signalman himself. The ending is very dramatic and the link between what the narrator says in the first line of the story to what the train driver was shouting is excellently thought out. However, I believe Dickens made a mistake with the final paragraph, as quite simply it just isnt needed. Dahls ending to The Landlady is excellent for a mystery story as it is left completely open. We are left to guess at the end and make our own conclusions, as we have done throughout the story. Due to this, we also question ourselves as there is still no evidence to substantiate our claims of sinister happenings we see occurring. In conclusion I prefer The Signalman by Dickens as it has a better storyline and plot. His use of style, language, and dialogue are also excellent and add greatly to the story. The characters have been expertly created and elaborated upon through the events of the story. One of the biggest reasons I prefer Dickens story to that by Dahl is because of the themes it looks at and how it makes us question ourselves and our own views and so many things, and not just those looked at in the story.

The Kurds in Modern Iraq

The Kurds in Modern Iraq Introduction Kurds are people who originated from Indian and European races. They reside in the hilly regions of the borders between Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. This region where the Kurds live is referred to as Kurdistan. They have a different culture from their neighboring people in Iraq.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Kurds in Modern Iraq specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They also have a different language of their own. Their language is quite related to Persia, although it differs by some two dialects. Their main religion is Sunni Muslim although they accommodate some Christian, Jewish, and Yazidis religious groups among them. Their total population by the 1987 census was 19.7 million people in the Kurdistan region. Their population in the entire world numbers at 25-35 million people, although their estimated population usually varies. They are spread out especially in Russia and Europe. Kurdis policies of nationalism have continued to worry Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran. During Saddam Hussein’s regime, the Kurds suffered atrocities under this administration. Their independence was minimized especially during the Gulf war of 1991. Their good relationship with Iraq became questionable when Saddam Hussein was overthrown in the year 2003. They have since been making several attempts to self govern themselves. Currently, they have around eight political parties that are actively involved in all political issues. These political parties are the major machines they use to drive them to their homelands. As we speak, the Kurds are ruled by one government called the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). This government began to reign in 1991 and is still operational to date. Their success story made a major leap forward by the death of former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein. Since then, the United States has been helping the Kurds in reconstruction and ensuring their security is guara nteed. It is also purported that should the security of Kurds be threatened by bloodshed and destruction from Iraq, the United States will gear up in support for an independent Kurdish state. Recent History of Kurds The Kurds are sometimes referred to as a people without a nation because they are unarguably the largest ethnic group without a country of their own. From the time the modern state of Iraq was created, the Kurd’s history has been characterized with instances of underdevelopment, political turmoil and cultural repression, destruction, revolutionary revolts and ethnic cleansing. Genocide has also characterized the Kurd’s society.Advertising Looking for research paper on eastern europe? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Iraq has been engaged in major campaigns to obliterate the Kurd’s synergetic approach towards gaining independence. Many people have been killed and scores injured when Sad dam’s administration ear marked the Kurdish society for destruction. The main aim of these attacks was to thwart any efforts by the Kurds to arise against the national government. Thus, resistance movements were countered with rigorous military operations by the Iraqi government. In post-Saddam Iraq, many political and ethnic issues have arisen in relation to Kurd’s assimilation into the Iraqi state. Many opinions have been given concerning how this issue should be dealt with. Some people have been supporting the formation of five-state Iraq with the region occupied by the Kurd’s forming one of the states. Another option includes the northern self governing section organized not on ethnic basis but on regional basis. It is quite important to note that some of the neighboring countries have not been in support of an independent Kurd state. Turkey as an example has been strongly opposing this fight for freedom[1]. The modern history of the Kurdish people is theref ore examined in two phases. The first one is the phases of the fight between the Kurdish populace and the governments, which they are subject for control. The second involves the struggle of the Kurds to become a sound community[2]. The Kurds during Saddam’s Reign The contemporary Kurd’s history during Saddam Hussein’s reign can only discuss the events that happened during Saddam Hussein’s last years of dictatorship. These are the years 2000 up to 2003 in Iraqi’s history. Saddam’s reign was characterized by Kurd’s repression. There were secret police tortures, murders, forced disappearance and the use of chemical weapons. Assassinations were also common during this period. Saddam’s methods of eliminating Kurd’s resistance included gassing. Up to the year of his death, there were still many widespread imprisonments. Political participation was only allowed to those politicians who belonged to the Baath Party. It is amazin g that this political party consisted of only 8% of the total population of Iraq. Hussein’s administration had also made numerous torture centers where citizens considered resistant to the national government use to be tortured. The Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq The Kurds have been the most pro-US group in Iraq since time immemorial. They welcomed the U.S invasion of Iraq thereafter cooperating with the U.S political and military officials. In return to this, the Kurds have been expecting the U.S to support them in their fight for self governance.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Kurds in Modern Iraq specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is the reason as to why they do not want the United States to leave Iraq without proper arrangement so that the United States does not abandon Iraq and the Kurds[3]. Turkey refused to support the U.S invasion from the beginning. However, the country has expressed her support in the withdrawal project that will end in the year 2011. Since the invasion of the U.S led troops to Iraq, the Kurds entered into active post-Saddam national politics on equal footing with Iraq’s Arabs. They did this by participating in a U.S-led occupation administration. This government operated under a ‘Transition Administrative Law’. The constitution also preserved the Kurds’ self-governing ‘Kurdistan (Religion) Government’ and its supremacy to modify the application of some (national) laws. Another provision of this constitution permitted the Kurds to continue to field their militia numbering close to one hundred thousand. The Kurds continued their support of the constitution (in the year 2005) for the reason that this charter seemed to fulfill their momentous demands. The endorsement of this constitution by the Kurds was also because it also included the Kurd’s insistence on federalism. This allowed for the formal creatio n of regions that had their own regional governments. The constitution recognized the presence of three Kurdish regions which are Dohuk, Irbil, and Sulaymaniyah as legal regions. This constitution appears to have given the Kurds more strength in relation to politics. Many controversies arose concerning the political assertion of the Kurds and the system of governance by the central government. Thus, Iraqi minority groups would later protest at this excessive assertion of demands by the Kurds arguing that it threatened Iraqi’s integrity. On the other hand, the Kurd’s believed that the central government’s system of leadership is not living up to its promises to build a diverse multi ethnic democracy[4]. Political Orientation of the Kurds A short history of the Kurdish political parties shows that the mainstream Shiite Islamic parties are the main parties that boast a huge membership of the Kurds. The main reason as to why Kurds have been politically oriented in t hese parties is because they seemed to be yielding to their demands. However, in the year 2008, the Kurds began to break with Da’wa party headed by Maliki. This was because he failed to accede to their main demands. The main demands that were not redressed were issues concerning terrorist activities in the northern parts of Iraq[5].Advertising Looking for research paper on eastern europe? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Maliki offset by reproving the Kurds that they were trying to practice issues that were unconstitutional[6] outside their protective limits and setting up Kurds envoy offices in alien nations. For these reasons, the Kurds representative and the Iraqi prime minister stayed for more than a year before meeting in 2009. Since then, it has been reported by observers that the main Kurdish factions are no longer king makers in central government politics. This was evident when the number of seats held by the two main factions was reduced from 53 to 43, between the year 2006 and 2010. Currently, there has been a lot of political bickering within the Kurdish factions. This is why up until now; there has been no executive branch that has been chosen among the main parties seven months after the elections. The effect of this relationship is that it has reduced the straggle for self governance by the Kurds. Thus, Kurdish independence is not an active source of friction between the two factions. However, the issue still remains to be of topical concern to Iraqi’s neighbors that have Kurds minorities. The Betrayal of the Kurds There have been many instances by both the local government of Iraq and foreign governments have done that have been taken as acts of betrayal of the Kurds. The Kurds have been considered as a vulnerable ethnic group existing in many countries neighboring Iraq and beyond. The U.S has been involved in major operations aimed at guaranteeing security to this marginalized community. From the time of President George W. Bush senior through the Obama administration, things have been taking different twists and turns for the Kurds. When the United States declared her mission to topple Saddam, the Kurds expressed their willingness to join in the exercise. They encouraged the United States in this operation thereby advising them to send notes in major Iraqi cities that announced that the United States were coming as liberators. In this action, the Kurds were fighting against the repression that was being propagated by the Iraqi regime and the Turkish authorities[7]. The Kurds also experienced some acts of betrayal from the Palestinian people. The argument goes this way. The Palestinian people have been strongly opposing the idea of formation of a state for the Kurdish people. Yet, as a matter of fact, the Palestinians have been in a strong demand for their autonomy in Israeli soil. Taking into consideration that the Kurdish people outnumber the Palestinians in population, the double mouthed Palestinians ought to either support the autonomy of the Kurds or they stop demanding for their autonomy from the Israeli’s. Thus the betrayals have arisen due to the souring deal between the Kurds and the U.S.A, and between the Kurds and the Turkish administration. The Kurds expected the United States to act in favor of their demand for autonomy as a way of reciprocating. Also the United States has been accused by the Kurds of supportin g the establishment of an antidemocratic leadership in Iraq. The U.S.A has also been accused further, of supporting Turkish administration in anti autonomous Kurds campaign. The Unknown Oppression of the Kurds The Kurds are reported to be treated not quite well in all the surrounding countries that they occupy. Some of the nations have been treating them badly because the Kurds have been resisting the efforts their host countries have been making in trying to assimilate them into their citizenry. The Kurds do not want to be called Arabs. They are therefore treated as second class citizens. In Iraq, the situation has seemingly subsided. However, in neighboring countries such as Turkey, the situation is worse because the Turkish administration has denied the existence of the Kurdish nation. Thus, these states have been trying to force Kurds out of Kurdish lands because they cannot put up with the truth that the states themselves are occupying Kurdish lands. The other unknown oppressio n comes in form of a place called Kurdistan. Kurdistan is that part of the country between Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq that does not have a border[8]. According to these countries, it is that mountainous region with basic natural features such as canyons. It remains unclear whether Kurdistan will revive as was the case with Poland (after two world wars)[9]. This is a fact that has been enhanced by the enactment of policies in the host countries to make the Kurds feel at home. Although the American and the British governments have been trying to protect the Kurds from such oppression, this has only been limited to human rights issues[10]. This is because military force is out of question since the action could be an infringement of the sovereignty of the states. Future Prospects of the Kurds It has become more and more difficult for the Kurds to gain complete self governance. The project has been rendered almost not feasible. Following the consequences of its effects, the Kurds woul d rather seek to improve and strengthen their position in relation to their autonomy within their regions. The restrictions from the international community especially, the European Union have worsened the situation. Worse still, the Kurds are found in other independent states like Turkey which appear to obliterate any attempts by their leaders that are geared at pushing for their autonomy[11]. However, they have been receiving support from human right activists and European Union programs that promote reforms. These programs have been pushing for the awarding of citizenship to Kurds who reside in Syria and Iran. However, the program is being slowed by the fragility of the European Union and the internal problems within the Syrian administration. The problem is also worsened by the issue of the United States troops in Iraq. The instability and murders on the Iraqi soil seem to put the future direction of Iraqi’s perspective on the Kurds quite uncertain. It is extremely hard f or there to be a peaceful multicultural administrative and political coexistence in the recently formed Iraqi government while at the same time recalling the unforgettable truths of the mass graves of the minority Kurds. It will also be difficult to oversee the raising Shia attempts, coupled with the strongly rebellious Iraqi accommodate this multicultural approach. However, should this phenomenon become feasible, it would offer a good example for Turkey, Iran and Syria to internalize this idea within their systems. By doing this, the Kurds in these countries will be saved. The Fight for Self Governance by the Kurds The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) is currently ruling the northern regions of Iraq occupied by the Kurds. The KRG is however not completely autonomous because it depends on financial support from Baghdad. The KRG controls the three provinces dominated by the Kurds namely, Dahuk, Irbil and Sulaymaniya[12]. This government however has a share of its own troubles. There have been some cases of corruption and poor governance within the KRG. This government does not have its own resources. It has thus been forced to depend entirely on Baghdad’s economy for its survival. The KGR has a large measure of autonomy in these three regions. It is responsible for the primary legislative, budgetary and administrative authority. It is worth noting that the Kurdish Regional Government is still drafting a constitution even as we speak. The constitution will be tabled in the regional parliament for amendments and approval. The regional parliament is the supreme authority of the KRG. It has been in operation since the year 1992 when Saddam’s forces were largely forced out of the Kurdish region. The Kurdish Regional Government still has a weak parliament that is however, gradually growing stronger by and by. Its strength has been exemplified when in 2007, for the first time, the parliament summoned some cabinet ministers for questioning on many occasi ons. In early 2008, the parliament received a detailed current government budget with just enough lead time to allow some real debate. This was also the first time such an instance ever happened since the formation of the KRG[13]. It should also be noted that the parliament and the executive perform their functions under a form of joint management by the two top traditional Iraqi Kurdish political parties. These parties are the KDP, led by the president of KRG, and the PUK, led by the Iraqi president. Conclusion Kurds are people who originated from Indian and European races. They reside in the hilly regions of the borders between Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. This region where the Kurds live is referred to as Kurdistan. They have a different culture from their neighboring people in Iraq and other neighboring countries. From the time the modern state of Iraq was created, the Kurd’s history has been punctuated with instances of underdevelopment, political turmoil and cultural repress ion, destruction, revolutionary revolts and ethnic cleansing. Assassinations were also common during this period. Saddam’s methods of eliminating Kurd’s resistance included gassing. Up to the year of his death, there were still many widespread imprisonments. The future of the Kurds seems to be oblique in relation to their fight for their autonomy. Kurds would rather seek to improve and strengthen their position in relation to their autonomy within their regions due to internal and external factors. Internal factors include instances of corruption and other malpractices in public offices. External factors include foreign government policies that are against the formation of an autonomous Kurdish state. Bibliography Cagaptay, Soner. The Future of the Iraqi Kurds. The Washington Institute Of Near East Policy. Policy focus#85. July 2008. Carkoglu, Ali. Turkey’s November 2002 Elections: A New Beginning. Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol, 6 No. 4 â€⠀œ December 2002 Gasper, Phil. â€Å"The Betrayal of the Kurds.† Third World Traveler, April 2003,  thirdworldtraveler.com/Global_Secrets_Lies/Betrayal_Kurds.html . Izardy, Mehrdad. A Concise Handbook: The Kurds. Washington D.C: Taylor Francis, Inc, 1992. Katzman, Kenneth. The Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq. Congressional Research Service. CRS Report for Congress. October 1, 2010. McDowall, David. A Modern History of the Kurds, 3rd Edition. London: I.B. Tauris Co Ltd, 2007. Natalie, Denis. The Kurds and the State: Evolving National Identity in Iraq, Turkey, And Iran. Ed.1. New York: Syracuse University Press, 2005. O’Leary, Brendah, McGarry, John Salih, Khaled. The Future of Kurdistan in Iraq. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2005. Students institute for international global affairs. Kurds: the history of oppression and future prospects. Articles and Interviews, March 15, 2009. Footnotes Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol, 6 No. 4 – December 2002. McDowall, David. P. 1 Katzman, Kenneth. P 5 The multi ethnic democracy allowed the Kurds full rights and redresses the perceived abuses of the Saddam era. This rift widened so much that one of the Kurd,s leaders would be seen on a local television program accusing Maliki of trying to monopolize power. These are the Kurds militia Gasper, Phil Izady, Mehrdad, p. 3 O’Leary, Brendah, McGarry, John Salih, Khaled. p. 7 Natalie, Denis, p. 175 Students institute for international global affairs. Cagaptay, Soner, p 2 Cagaptay, Soner, p. 4