Symbolism In Native Son Essay Example For Students

Symbolism In Native Son Essay The novel Native Son was published by Richard Wright in 1940. The book represents the tragedy of Bigger Thomas, a black boy raised in the Chicago slums during the great depression. Wright uses symbolism extensively in the novel. There is even symbolic meaning behind the titles of each of the three parts of the novel. It is symbolism that allows Wright to explain the entire novel in the first few pages. Even though symbols are widely used in the novel, there are only three that are very important. The three most important symbols are the black rat, blindness, and the kitchenette. One of the major symbols in Native Son is the black at in the first chapter of the novel. The rat symbolizes the fate, feelings, and actions of the main character. The parallels between the rat and Bigger Thomas are unmistakable. The black rat is seen as an invader and is killed. The same eventually happens to Bigger later in the novel (Lee 50). Robert Lee argues that the black rat is symbolic of several things. According to Lee, one symbolic function of the black rat is that it sets up a motif that resonates throughout the novel. The rat points forward to the figure Bigger himself will become, the part-real, part-fantasy denizen of a grotesque counter Darwinian world in which uman life-his own, Marys, Bessies-seems to evolve backward into rodent predation and death. Whether in pursuit or the pursued, Bigger becomes damned either way, just as he victimizes others while doubling as both his own and societys victim. These inner meanings of the novel also lie behind Wrights three-part partition of fear, flight, and fate (Lee 51). We will write a custom essay on Symbolism In Native Son specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Secondly, the rat is symbolic of the terrified helplessness of the Thomas family and Biggers response to it: The rats belly pulsed with fear. Bigger advanced a step and the rat emitted a long thin song of defiance. Bigger crushes the rat utterly and, in triumphant bravado, launts the bloody corpse in his sisters face, enjoying her terror. Lee recognizes the significance of this episode of fear, rage, and violent action. He states that the entire novel is an extension, with the roles inverted of this chilling metaphor (Lee 58). Finally, the killing of the rat is symbolic of Biggers attempt to assert himself as someone important. Lee argues that Bigger actually hated his family. He hated them because he knew that they were suffering and that he was powerless to help or protect them. The killing of the rat represents, perhaps, Biggers one chance to protect his other and younger siblings as the patriarch of the Thomas family (Lee 68). Edward Margolies views blindness, which affects everyone throughout the novel, as the most important symbol. He believes that Wright uses blindness to illustrate the relationship between the races. His symbolic use of blindness illustrates how blind whites are to the humanity and existence of black people. Whites prefer to think of blacks in easily stereotypical images-in images of brute beast, or happy minstrel. They are incapable of viewing blacks as having sensitivity and intelligence. Even well meaning people like the Daltons re blind to the suffering of blacks. The Daltons lavish millions of dollars on black colleges and welfare organizations-while at the same time they continue to support a rigid caste system that is responsible for black degradation in the first place (Margolies 45). To support his belief, Margolies illustrates how this symbolic blindness affects all of the characters. Bigger is blind to the realities of black life as well as to the humanity of whites. Bigger vaguely discerns the white enemy as white tides, icy white walls, and looming white mountains. He is therefore unable to accept Jans offer of riendship, because he blindly regards all whites as symbols of oppression. Mary, Jan, and Max are just as blind to the humanity of blacks as the others-even though they presumably want to enlist blacks as equals in their cause. .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 , .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .postImageUrl , .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 , .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21:hover , .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21:visited , .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21:active { border:0!important; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 { 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; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21:active , .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .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; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21 .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4f8a4b1689611c9927c23c1254785c21:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Memento EssayFor Mary and Jan, Bigger is an abstraction- a symbol of exploitation rather than someone whose feelings they have ever tried to understand. Mrs. Daltons blindness is symbolic of the blindness of the white liberal philanthropic community (Margolies 50). Margolies believes that in all cases but Mrs. Daltons, blindness is psychosomatic. Like others, however, Mrs. Dalton has a spiritual handicap as well as a physical one. She and her husband, as Max points out, cannot see the malevolent condition, which they serve and perpetuate. Similarly, Mary and Jan cannot see the emptiness of their charity. At different points in the novel Bessie is blinded by tears and fright, while Bigger is blinded by snow, light and rage. In the presence of Jan and Max he feels transparent and invisible. At the end of the novel Max groped for his hat like a blind man. The two abstract conceptions, love and justice, which inform Native Son are also traditionally blind (Margolies 52). Finally, Margolies argues that only one person, Bigger vercomes this symbolic blindness. Bigger gains a kind of sight in the novel. The sight Bigger gains is distorted though. It is made up of images that appear when one holds a magnifying glass close to the face, and then moves it further and further away from ones eyes until the picture reflected in the glass comes in at once clearly and upside down. Bigger begins the story seeing everything in a haze. The sight, which he eventually achieves, is in sharp focus, but out of whack (Margolies 55). Dan McCall differs from both Lee and Margolies. McCall argues that the most powerful symbol Wright uses in Native Son is the kitchenette. He views the opening scene as symbolic of how people driven so closely together are driven violently apart. The kitchenette throws desperate and unhappy people into an unbearable closeness of association, thereby increasing latent friction, giving birth to never-ending quarrels of recrimination, accusation, and vindictiveness, producing warped personalities. The full recognition of how the kitchenette forms Biggers sensibility-or how it deprived him of one- is what makes this symbol so important (McCall 3). McCall points to the kitchenette as the reason why Bigger thought the way he did. The kitchenette constantly eminded Bigger that he is black, and that is how he is supposed to live. The kitchenette is responsible for making Bigger black crazy. He is incapable of nonracial thought. His obsession produces what McCall calls the state of exaggeration. This state of exaggeration serves to show the emotional intensity with which Bigger attacks ordinary, daily problems (McCall 5). This state of exaggeration is clearly seen in the kitchenette, argues McCall. It is seen in the overwhelming fear of being looked at that the Thomas family has. On the first page of Native Son, when people get out of bed, the first words are Turn your head so I can get dressed. Day after day in the ghetto that is the call to society; and on the second day of Wrights novel, Vera repeats the line Turn your head so I can get dressed. Even when one is dressed, the fear and horror of being seen continues (McCall 6). McCall argues that Wrights point is to show that for those urban slum dwellers the folk culture was swallowed in unbearable closeness. This emptiness and fear of being looked at Bigger carries with him all day long. The scene which begins the book is present at the very center of the crime where Bigger is hysterical at not being able to get the entire human form into a tight place. He has to cut off the head. Biggers head, his sensibility, was cut off in the kitchenette (McCall 7). Without the use of symbolism, Native Son would not have had the impact it did. Bigger Thomas symbolizes the truth about the relationship between blacks and whites. Native Son had a huge impact in America because it exposed the horrible truth about that relationship. Bigger Thomas symbolically represents the consequences of a relationship based on abuse, inequality, and fear. However, in order to understand Bigger Thomas, one first must understand the symbolism behind the black rat, the kitchenette, and the element of blindness.

Take It Easy Quotes to Live By

Take It Easy Quotes to Live By Just about everybody feels rushed and stressed at times. Since we all know that stress can be harmful to our health, nows the time to take steps to reduce the amount of stress in our lives. Slow down as you do things. Accept that what has passed  is past. Take one step at a time instead of multitasking your way through the day. Identify  what you are doing when you feel totally relaxed and focus on these activities instead of ones that stress you out. No one can avoid all the stress in life, but you can cut back on it. Chill Out With These Quotes Jim MorrisonTime to live, time to lie, time to laugh and time to die. Take it easy baby. Take it as it comes. Christian Nestell BoveeThere is a German proverb which says that Take-it-Easy and Live-Long are brothers. David SelznickWhy do you knock yourself out? Take it easy. Elbert HubbardDo not take life too seriously; you will never get out of it alive. Johnny CashI recently found myself going through a period of uncertainty about my future as a performer, my status as a personality, the believability of my Christian witness and the knowledge of Gods will in my life. I felt a force bigger than myself saying, Lay back. Take it easy. Study hard. Read your Bible. Think, write and keep your mouth shut for awhile. Kate JacobsIts all about getting the hang of things. Easy does it; take it easy. Youll figure everything out in time. But for right now, just keep trying. Pay attention and avoid the temptation to go further than youre ready. Talk less. And listen more. Martin ScorseseThe problem with anger is that its so consuming. Youve got to take it easy on yourself at a certain point. Robert BreaultIts not that Im a Type-B personality. Its that Im driven by a passionate, all-consuming desire to take it easy. Jack Kerouac ï » ¿So long and take it easy, because if you start taking things seriously, it is the end of you. Jackson BrowneLighten up while you still can, dont even try to understand. Just find a  place to make your stand, and take it easy. Fats WallerTake it easy, be a sport. Just remember life is short. Oscar WildeLife is too important to be taken seriously. Ryan ReynoldsI see guys with, like, eyebrow art, and I wanna tell them, You dont have to go too crazy on your brows. Take it easy, man! Golda MeirMy dear, old age is like an airplane flying in a storm. Once youre in it, theres nothing you can do. You cant stop a plane, you cant stop a storm, you cant stop time. So you might as well take it easy, with wisdom. Mark GormanOnly 8 percent of our worry will come to pass. 92 percent of our worry is wasted. Dont panic!

Qualifications to Become a Member of the Roman Senate

Qualifications to Become a Member of the Roman Senate In historical fiction members of the Roman Senate or young men who dodge their civic responsibilities but who are senatorial material are rich. Did they have to be? Were there property or other qualifications to become a member of the Roman Senate? The answer to this question is one that I need to repeat more often: Ancient Roman history spanned two millennia and over that time, things changed. Several modern historical fiction mystery writers, like David Wishart, are dealing with the early part of the Imperial Period, known as the Principate. Property Requirements Augustus instituted a property requirement for senators. The sum he set it at was, at first, 400,000 sesterces, but then he raised the requirement to 1,200,000 sesterces. Men who needed help meeting this requirement were at this time given grants. Should they mismanage their funds, they were expected to step down. Prior to Augustus, however, the selection of senators was in the hands of the censors and before the institution of the office of censor, selection was by the people, kings, consuls, or consular tribunes. The senators selected were from the wealthy, and generally from those who had already held a position as magistrate. In the period of the Roman Republic, there were 300 senators, but then Sulla increased their number to 600. Although the tribes selected the original men to fill the added ranks, Sulla increased the magistracies so there would be ex-magistrates in the future to warm the senate benches. Number of Senators When there was a surplus, censors trimmed the excess. Under Julius Caesar and the triumvirs, the number of senators increased, but Augustus brought the number back down to Sullan levels. By the third century A.D. the number may have reached 800-900. Age Requirement Augustus appears to have changed the age at which one could become senator, reducing it from perhaps 32 to 25. Roman Senate References Seating Space in the Roman Senate and the Senatores PedariiLily Ross Taylor and Russell T. ScottTransactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association Vol. 100, (1969), pp. 529-582A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, by Sir William SmithA Summary of the Roman Civil Law, by Patrick Mac Chombaich de Colquhoun

Analyse the movie <The TrueMan show> Essay

Analyse the movie - Essay Example Truman Burbank is the main character who has an ordinary and routine life, and he seems to have all what is needed – a steady job which doesn’t bring happiness but is enough for a normal life; a close childhood friend who is near at the pivotal moments; beautiful wife who is always smiling and artificially happy; kind neighbors and a vague dream about Fiji which makes him alive. The truth is that everything what he has and knows is an invented delusion for a show that ultimately wins attention of the entire world, but he became a super star without his wish for that. Sooner or later each program can glitch and it became a reason of Truman’s suspicions about everything what surrounds him. That is the moment when his life starts crashing and only two variants are left, either to stay in the comfort zone or to fight the fear facing life which has always been under the curtain. Such a key point of the movie teaches that only mortifying the fear a person becomes an in dividual. Who is a real victim of "The Truman Show†? At first sight, looking at Truman, people could call him a victim of the events predefined by Christof. Even though it took thirty years to suspect something wrong, by questioning his reality, he finds the truth and enough of courage to make a step into the world which is unknown and enigmatic, while people watching after him don’t ask any questions. The audience is an actual victim of the situation which is proved by the following: One point seven billions were there for his birth. 220 countries tuned in for his first step. The world stood still for that stolen kiss. And as he grew so did technology. An entire human life – recorded on an intricate network of hidden cameras and broadcasted live and uninterrupted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to an audience around the globe (The Truman Show). But among all of those people Christof was the most dependent on the show because, in hindsight, all his life was turning around

Which factors affect one's chances of experiencing poverty during Essay

Which factors affect one's chances of experiencing poverty during one's lifetime - Essay Example Furthermore, statistics and studies have shown that unfortunately the children that grow up with parents who are married, working, and religious, are also more likely to face experiencing poverty as adults. Obviously this is a very important and critical matter, and this is why it is so important to make sure that every issue within this matter is discussed thoroughly and properly. There are many different perspectives that will be taken on this issue as well, and that includes New Right, Liberal, and Feminist, as each of these is incredibly important in its own right and thus needs to be included in the standpoint in regards to this subject matter. This is what will be dissertated in the following. Poverty is a very serious issue, and in order to be able to find out how it applies itself, we truly must determine as to where it actually begins, and the quite obvious answer to that would be in childhood. After all, things that take place during childhood tend to carry on throughout a person’s life, and so this explains quite well as to why issues that took place during one’s childhood would highly affect their chances of experiencing poverty later on in their life. One of the most apparent factors of all is the living environment for children, as when children are living in an unstable environment the family is that much less likely to have stable income of money, and thus the children are more susceptible to living in poverty. Using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) of 1988, we see that â€Å"eighth graders who were living apart from their biological fathers had an expected poverty rate of 16.6 percen t when they were twenty-five. In contrast, the poverty rate for eighth graders who were living with their fathers was 9.9 percent† (The Future of Children, 2007). Therefore, we can quite clearly see from this that there is an incredibly powerful

Isolation and Identification of Listeria Species

Isolation and Identification of Listeria Species Alesha Coleman-McCallum Title: Isolation and Identification of Listeria species from chicken sample using Palcam broth (pre-enrichment), UVM 11 broth (selective enrichment), Palcam and Oxford agars (selective plating) also confirmation using biochemical tests. Objectives: To isolate Listeria species from chicken sample To observe the reaction of listeria on selective medium To confirm the Listeria species using biochemical tests Introduction Listeria is a genus of aerobic parasitic, gram positive rod-shaped bacterium (Define, n.d). This genus has more than 10 species with the commonly encountered being: Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, Listeria ivanovii, Listeria welshimeri, Listeria seeligeri, Listeria grayi, Listeria murrayi. Members of this genus are extensively spread in the environment and maybe found in soil, plants, gastrointestinal tract of animal and humans. Listeria monocytogenes species is of great concern because it is pathogenic to humans and causes Listeriosis. Listeriosis is a foodborne illness (Hardy Diagnostics, 1996). Listeria monocytogenes is different from most bacteria since it can grow in the cold, salt, acid and air-tight conditions. The increased demand of ready to eat foods especially in first world countries has the potential of listeriosis more eminent. Pregnant women, older adults, young children and immunocompromised persons are more susceptible to Listeriosis infections. Therefore cooking, pasteurization/applying heating steps to food, avoiding raw meat and milk/ moist or processed food and washing hands regularly may reduce the risk of infections. (FDA, 2004). According to Food Quality Safety USA [4] a dry and clean work environment is crucial in avoiding listeria outbreaks in the food industry. Methods for Identification Methods used in BI208 lab for identification of Listeria were Palcam broth (pre-enrichment) then UVM 11 broth for selective enrichment step, Palcam (selective agent) and Oxford agars (selective and differential agent). For confirmation of species: organism was plated on a blood agar to check for hemolysis. Biochemical test included SIM tube for motility, mannitol, D Xylose and L Rhamnose reactions obtained. Other methods that could be used to identify listeria species are: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Rapid Identification Kits and Serological tests (MFHPB-07, 2012). Results Table showing results obtained from Listeria media reaction Media Observations Reaction Palcam Agar Shiny, smooth, circular, convex colonies. No fermentation No Hydrolsis Oxford Agar Black colour around colonies Esculin Reduction Blood Cream, hilly,glistening colonies No Beta-hemolysis Mannitol Transparent colonies Negative D Xylose Transparent colonies Negative L Rhamnose Light yellow fermentation around colonies Positive SIM Tube Umbrella shaped growth Positive Gram Stain gram positive rods Assuming Listeria monocytogenes control was used: Media Expected Results Palcam Broth Cloudy UVM 11 Cloudy Palcam Agar No fermentation Positive Hydrolysis Oxford Agar Esculin Reduction Blood Beta-hemolysis Mannitol Negative D Xylose Negative L Rhamnose Positive SIM Tube Positive Discussion Listeria innocua was isolated from the chicken sample. Listeria innocua is not usually implicated in food born-illnesses however an isolated death in an elderly patient was reported (Perrin, Bemer and Delamare, 2003). Portions of chicken sample were first placed in pre-enrichment broth in order for stressed cells to become viable and all other bacterial cells to multiply.   Enrichment stage is to partially suppress unwanted organisms and allow listeria to thrive. Oxford agar (OXA) is both selective and differential. The selective properties of OXA agar will not allow gram negative organisms to grow while suppressing most gram positive organisms (Oxoid, n.d). The different property of OXA agar will allow some species of Listeria to be totally inhibited, growth with or without blackened colonies (MFHPB-07, 2012). Palcam agar   utilizes two indicator systems: esculin and mannitol.   Listeria monocytogenes changes esculin to a black complex around colonies but does not ferment mannitol. Therefore some gram positive organisms such as enterococci and staphylococci will ferment mannitol hence can be ruled out as contaminants (Oxoid, n.d). Blood agar was used to determine if the organ ism is beta-hemolytic. Other Biochemical tests were mannitol, D Xylose, L Rhamnose and SIM Tube to differentiate and confirm the species. Since Listeria monocytogenes is pathogenic to humans a 2 Class Sampling Plan would be used to asses if the chicken is fit for consumption. Different species of an organism may exhibit variable characteristics and maybe mistaken. Listeria species were found and should be deemed unacceptable for consumption. Further testing such as PCR which is very specific could be used to conclusively identify the species present. Conclusions Based on the objectives previously outlined, isolation and Identification of Listeria species from chicken sample using Palcam broth method was very effective. References Define,n.d. Listeria Genus. Retrieved February 22, 2017 from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/listeria Hardy Diagnostics, 1996. Food Borne-illneses Retrieved February 22, 2017 from https://catalog.hardydiagnostics.com/cp_prod/Content/hugo/Listeria.htm FDA, 2004. Food-Borne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook: The Bad Bug Book U.S. FDA/CFSAN. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College park, MD. Food Quality Safety (formerly Food Quality),2007.   Retrieved February 20, 2017 from http://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/prevent-and-control-listeria Jay, J.M.,Loessner, M.J. Golden, D. A. (2005). Modern Food Microbiology: Indicator of Food Microbial Quality and Safety, 476-477. United States of America: Springer Science+Business Media LLC . MFHPB-07 Method, November, 2012. The isolation of Listeria monocytogenes and other listeria species from food and environment samples using Palcam broth. Retrieved February 20, 2017 from  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/res-rech/analy-meth/microbio/volume2-eng.php Monique Perrin, Michel Bemer and Catherine Delamare, 2003. Fatal Case of Listeria innocua Bacteremia: Journal of Clinical Microbiology Oxoid, n.d. Enrichment Media for Listeria. Retrieved February 20, 2017 from  http://www.oxoid.com/uk/blue/prod_detail/prod_detail.asp?pr=CM0856org=91c=uklang=EN US Government, n.d. Retrieved February 20, 2017 from https://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/listeria/ Zimbro, M.J., Power D.A., Miller,M.M., Wilson, G.E., Johnson, J.A., (Revised 2009). Difco BBL Manual: Palcam and Oxford Agar, Culture Media for Specific Groups of Microorganisms. United States of America: Becton, Dickinson and Company.

The first Olympic Games

The year is 776BC, and in Athens the first Olympic Games are about to start, the festivities have begun with a feast and sacrifices for the gods. The Olympic Spirit was a key part of their society. It was the one-time cultures from all of Greece could come together and celebrate, compete and enjoy. In the past few weeks we have been discussing the pros and cons of different issues and today it's the tur of Olympics. Approximately 2000 years later, what has changed, not much? But this Olympic spirit is ingrained within the Games, the international community spirit along with the best athletes coming together and competing in one of the most prestigious sporting competition in the world. I'd like to give you three reasons to explain why and Why the games will benefit Britain Firstly because of urban regeneration; this has been put at the heart of the London bid, and is a massive benefit to hosting the Olympic Games; there is the opportunity to redevelop areas that are dilapidated and have physical disorders. Although many locations in and around London will be used for Olympic Games the core location for most of the events will be the 500-acre Olympic Park in the Lower Lea Valley in East London, Which stretches over 5 boroughs: namely Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Camden, Greenwich and Stratford. 3 years ago Lower Lea Valley, was literally a dump site, with muggings at an all time high, knife crimes were going up and up. And you know why? Because no one cared about the place, it was considered to be a dirty, dangerous and dilapidated. And know gentlemen, due to the Olympic Committee's regeneration programme, the streets are clean, the alleys are well light The most important venue of the 2012 has been described as an architect's dream. Planned and already in building the 500 acre park promises an excellent site for sporting activities, with over 9 competition events, and is claimed to be the biggest sports site in Europe for nearly 150 years. Outside of the new Olympic Park, which will principally host indoor sports and track and athletic events, all of England will join in as hosts. However it is not just London that is going to benefit. Throughout the countries there will be facilities available. Already the Olympic Committee, has set up brilliant badminton centers in Birmingham, superb swimming pools in Swansea and even mountain biking in Manchester! However to gain the most from the Olympics we need to maximize the legacy effect. Currently the plan is to sell the Olympic stadium to West Ham Football Club, so that they can keep the sporting spirit alive. The legacy effect is in essence the only thing that will keep allow us to maintain the investment of hosting the Olympic Games. Britain, has the highest number of sports fans in the world, we have a pride in our sport, when we hear our national anthem at any event our hearts swell with pride. Recently in the last Commonwealth Games over a thousand British supporters flew out to India to support Team GB. We are proud to be British, Londoner, but the 2012 Olympics is not just about London. It's about team GB, it's about national pride, it's about an amazing, historical event taking place on our doorstep, it's about getting excited and involved, and it's about making sure that we maximise the legacy and the investment. As Lord Coe said â€Å"The Games will inspire the nation and give us the ability to showcase all that is great about Britain.†