Comparing the Female Pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read

During the Golden Age of Piracy (1700–1725), legendary pirates like Blackbeard, Bartholomew Roberts, and Charles Vane commanded mighty ships, terrorizing any merchant unfortunate enough to cross their path. Yet two of the most famous pirates from this age served on a third-rate pirate ship under a second-rate captain, and they never held an important position on board such as quartermaster or boatswain. They were Anne Bonny and Mary Read: bold women who left behind the stereotypical domestic chores of women at the time in favor of a life of adventure on the high seas. Here, we separate fact from myth in regards to two of historys greatest swashbucklerettes. They Were Both Raised as Boys Mary Read was born into complicated circumstances. Her mother married a sailor and they had a son. The sailor was lost at sea about the time Mary’s mother found herself pregnant with Mary, by another man. The boy, Mary’s half-brother, died when Mary was very little. The sailor’s family did not know about Mary, so her mother dressed her as a boy and passed her off as her dead half-brother in order to get financial support from her mother-in-law. Apparently, the scheme worked, at least for a while. Anne Bonny was born out of wedlock to a lawyer and his maid. He grew fond of the girl and wished to bring her into his home, but everyone in town knew he had an illegitimate daughter. Therefore, he dressed her as a boy and passed her off as the son of some distant relations. Bonny and Read may have been in a somewhat precarious situation—two women on board a pirate ship—but pity the fool who tried to take advantage of them. Before turning pirate, Read, dressed as a man, served as a soldier in an infantry regiment and once she became a pirate she was not afraid of accepting (and winning) duels with other pirates. Bonny was described as â€Å"robust† and, according to one of her shipmates, Captain Charles Johnson, she once badly beat a would-be rapist: â€Å"†¦once, when a young Fellow would have lain with her, against her Will, she beat him so, that he lay ill of it a considerable Time.† Piracy as a Womans Career If Bonny and Read are any indications the pirate captains of the golden age were missing out by sticking to all-male crews. The two were every bit as good at fighting, manning the ship, drinking and cursing as any other member of the crew, and maybe better. One captive said of them that they â€Å"were both very profligate, cursing and swearing much, and very ready and willing to do anything on board.† Like most of the pirates of the era, Bonny and Read made the conscious decision to become pirates. Bonny, who was married and living in the Caribbean, decided to run off with Calico Jack Rackham and join his pirate crew. Read was captured by pirates and served with them for a while before accepting a pardon. She then joined an anti-pirate privateering expedition: the would-be pirate hunters, most of whom were former pirates themselves, soon mutinied and returned to their old ways. Read was one of those who actively convinced the others to take up piracy again. Although they’re arguably the most famous real-life female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read are far from being the only women ever to take up piracy. The most notorious was Ching Shih (1775–1844), a one-time Chinese prostitute who became a pirate. At the height of her power, she commanded 1,800 ships and 80,000 pirates. Her rule of the seas off of China was nearly absolute. Grace O’Malley (1530?–1603) was a semi-legendary Irish chieftain and pirate. Working Together and on Crews According to Captain Johnson, who knew both Read and Bonny, the two met while both were serving on Calico Jack’s pirate ship. Both were disguised as men. Bonny became attracted to Read and revealed that she was really a woman. Read then also revealed herself to be a woman, much to Bonny’s disappointment. Calico Jack Rackham, Bonny’s lover, was allegedly very jealous of Bonny’s attraction to Read until he learned the truth, at which point he helped both of them cover up their real gender. Rackham may have been in on the ruse, but it apparently wasn’t much of a secret. At the trials of Rackham and his pirates, several witnesses came forth to testify against them. One such witness was Dorothy Thomas, who had been captured by Rackham’s crew and held as a prisoner for a time. According to Thomas, Bonny and Read dressed as men, fought with pistols and machetes like any other pirate and were twice as ruthless. She said that the women had wanted to murder Thomas to prevent her from eventually testifying against them. Thomas said she knew them at once to be women â€Å"by the largeness of their breasts.† Other captives said that although they dressed like men for battle, they dressed like women the rest of the time. They Didn’t Go Out Without a Fight Rackham and his crew had been active in piracy on and off since 1718 when in October of 1720, Rackham was discovered by pirate hunters led by Captain Jonathan Barnet. Barnet cornered them off the coast of Jamaica and in an exchange of cannon fire, Rackhams ship was disabled. While Rackham and the other pirates cowered below decks, Read and Bonny remained on the decks, fighting. They verbally berated the men for their spinelessness and Mary Read even fired a shot into the hold, killing one of the cowards. Later, in one of the most famous pirate quotes of all time, Bonny told Rackham in prison: Im sorry to see you here, but if you had fought like a man, you need not have hanged like a dog. They Escaped Hanging Because of Their â€Å"Condition† Rackham and his pirates were swiftly tried and found guilty. Most of them were hanged on Nov. 18, 1720. Bonny and Read were also sentenced to hang, but both of them declared they were pregnant. A judge ordered their claim checked out and it was found to be true, a fact which automatically commuted their death sentence. Read died in prison shortly thereafter, but Bonny survived. No one knows for sure what became of her and her child. Some say she reconciled with her rich father, some say she remarried and lived in Port Royal or Nassau. An Inspirational Tale The story of Anne Bonny and Mary Read has captivated people ever since their arrest. Captain Charles Johnson featured them prominently in his 1724 book,   A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most  notorious  Pyrates, which certainly helped his sales. Later on, the notion of female pirates as romantic figures gained traction. In 1728 (less than ten years after Bonny and Reads arrest), noted playwright John Gay wrote the Opera Polly, a sequel to his acclaimed Beggars Opera. In the opera, young Polly Peachum comes to the New World and takes up piracy as she searches for her husband. Female pirates have been part of romantic pirate lore ever since. Even modern fictional she-pirates like Angelica, played by Penelope Cruz in Pirates of the Caribbean: on Stranger Tides (2011) owe their existence to Read and Bonny. In fact, its safe to say that Bonny and Read have had a far greater impact on popular culture than they ever had on eighteenth-century shipping and commerce. Sources Cawthorne, Nigel. A History of Pirates: Blood and Thunder on the High Seas. Edison: Chartwell Books, 2005. Cordingly, David. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 1996 Defoe, Daniel. A General History of the Pyrates. Edited by Manuel Schonhorn. Mineola: Dover Publications, 1972/1999. Konstam, Angus. The World Atlas of Pirates. Guilford: Lyons Press, 2009 Rediker, Marcus. Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age. Boston: Beacon Press, 2004.

Food the Succulence in Deceit - 1723 Words

In the American supermarket, we have access to an array of food products. These products, in most cases, appeal to our baser needs to eat items rich in flavor. For example, McDonald’s commercials prey on our weaknesses; depicting a slender man or woman of reasonable attractiveness eating their product, a succulent hamburger composed of what they claim to be fresh ingredients. Many people assume that these items, because they are sold in the supermarket, are generally healthy but this is far from the truth. In reality, the corporations producing the food we consume have a blatant disregard for the healthiness of the product nor the consumer. The major food corporations that produce these products pose a threat to our health, attested by the†¦show more content†¦In the meat field, there is also unhygienic practices. The animals enter the same way in which they left the industrialized farm, unhealthy, in most cases, and filthy. To cleanse the animals of their filth, they are treated to a quick spray of water. Of course, this futile attempt does not remove all of the manure from their hides. If an animal, shows any signs of sickness; it will still be slaughtered. For example, in the film they showed a clip of cows outside the slaughterhouse that were simply too weak to walk being forcefully herded into the slaughterhouse. This practice increases the probability of contamination and exposure to dangerous pathogens. The finished product contains meat from not few but thousands of animals. When that many animals are mixed within one finished product, the likelihood that the product is tainted by feces, salmonella, E. Coli or any another pathogen increases tenfold. Despite the increased number of outbreaks in several dangerous pathogens, the regulatory agencies are lax in their policies toward the food industry. The food industry holds immense power, to say the least, and they have equally powerful supporters. For example, the biotechnology company Mon santo, whom has numerous former employees holding office of consequence in the USDA and the FDA. These clever infiltrators have the power to influence the laws and to skew them in favor of their benefactor. Currently, the FDA is being advised by a Mr. Michael Taylor, who formerly

Management Style Essays - 660 Words

Management Style Essay Joyce Davis HCS/325 3/23/2015 Management Style Essay Introduction Today’s paper is about management styles. I will discuss things; such as what management is and what are the good and poor qualities of managers. In addition; do these conditions change based on the social environment, work environment or home environment? Last, I will discuss the results of my management quiz. This part of the discussion will focus on whether or not I agree or disagree with those results. What do you define as management? Management equals having the ability to lead, plan, organize, control, make decisions, and direct others in achieving an organization’s goals and their mission. Managers perform many†¦show more content†¦Do the qualities change based on different situations? It is my belief that these qualities do not change. â€Å"Leadership roles are all around us, not just in a work environment† (SkillsYouNeed, 2015). â€Å"They can be applied to any situation where you are required to take the lead, professionally, socially and at home in family settings† (SkillsYouNeed, 2015). I do not feel that you can just dismiss these qualities whenever you wish. However, I feel that you need to be able to adapt to whatever environment you find yourself. Do you agree with the results of your management quiz? I agree with the outcome of the exam. Taking the test was an excellent experiment! It allowed me to see whether or not I would make a good manager. According to the results, a managerial position would be in line with my personality. The test result indicated that I had the ability to manage and govern myself. It lets me know; I have the capacity to control and supervise others. As stated before if one can not govern one’s self, it makes no sense attempting to direct others. According to the exam; when it comes to managing my team’s work it states â€Å"It sounds like you are getting your staff on the same page about goals and plans to achieve them, delegating well, and ensuring results match what you are looking for† (Management Center, 2015). Conclusion Today, I discussed management styles. I also explained things; such as what management is and what are the good and poorShow MoreRelated The Management Style at Cadbury Essay1083 Words   |  5 PagesA description of the management style used at Cadbury There are three main management styles that a business can have these are:  · Democratic  · Consultative  · Autocratic  · Laissez-faire Cadbury’s management style is democratic. This is when all members of staff work together as a team. The managers listen to the other employees ideas and suggestions before they go ahead with decisions. If ideas are found to be achievable and successful by the senior group, then it is taken forwardRead MoreManagement Styles in the Workplace Essay1266 Words   |  6 PagesTitle: Management Styles in the Workplace Purpose Statement: My purpose today is to inform you on four different management styles in the workplace. Thesis Statement: It is important for managers to understand their management style when certain situations arise in the work place, by knowing your management style you will become a better leader. Introduction: Have you ever been told, â€Å"Do it this way or don’t do it at all?† if so do you know what type of leadership or management style this. WellRead MoreEssay on The Different Types of Management Styles4740 Words   |  19 PagesThe Different Types of Management Styles by Brick Jackson There are several different types of management styles when it comes to managing in the workplace and choosing the right type of style to lead with could have a big impact in terms of how your staff produces for you. But knowing the four different leadership styles in management does not mean that you can simply pick one and then that is going to work because you are then in essence trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. In mostRead Moremanagement style essay973 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ Management Style Paper Kerri Love HCS/325 August 26, 2014 Jennie Anderson Management Style Paper Many people believe they can either be a good or great manager. The actual reality to this is some people are actually not fit to be a manager either because they do not know what to do or because they do not know how to handle themselves. Throughout this paper, management styles will be discussed, and the qualities of a good manager. Management Management is usually the people thatRead MoreEssay Management Styles1139 Words   |  5 PagesYolanda D. Jones Colorado Technical University Management Styles There are some traits which constitute a good manager, however being a good manager is not necessary based on education, experience, or skills, but more tangible personal attributes that would make an individual a successful manager. First, and most possibly foremost, is the blended attribute of leader and manager. The ability to be an effective manager and enable individuals under their leadership to be productive, a managerRead More conflict management styles Essay559 Words   |  3 PagesConflict Management Styles nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;How many people have conflicts with there parents? This is not a uncommon thing for young adults to show conflict with their parents. Conflicts are something that occur very often and it seems as though young adults have lots of conflicts with their parents. Some young adults feel as though, if they are eighteen, nineteen, or twenty that they are able to make their own decisions. Whether it be staying out pastRead MoreEssay on Conflict Management Styles946 Words   |  4 PagesConflict Management Styles Conflict occurs in organizations whenever a difference of opinions exists. People disagree over many things including but not limited to, policies and procedures, the overall direction of the company, and distribution of rewards. This type of conflict is substantive conflict, as described in our reading text organizational behavior as a, fundamental disagreement over ends or goals to be pursued. The second type of conflict is emotional conflict; which involves, interpersonalRead MoreEssay on Conflict Management Styles 1166 Words   |  5 PagesConflict is known to be inseparable in all human interactions. In any organization, role differentiation acquires the different uses of conflict handling styles. Work direction, reward, supervision, discipline and performance review also involve the use of conflict handling styles. Organizational change and control is also viewed from a conflict perspective. In attempts to explain the nature or dynamics of a particular organizational phenomen on, conflict may be incorporated as a causal factor (BrownRead MoreThe Different Styles of Management Essay1005 Words   |  5 Pagesto look into three different styles of management and find real life examples of companies or individuals who have or are currently using such styles of management. To begin we will take a look into the use of an autocratic style of management versus a participative. In this portion we will look into Leona Helmsley and her chain of hotels. Once this potion is completed, our next section will be looking into a centralized style of management versus a decentralized style. In this section of the researchRead More Improving Management Styles Essay1056 Words   |  5 Pages Improving Management Styles and Their Function nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In the article When the Problem is Management, author Lawrence Sawyer takes a look at the different styles that managers have in their practice, how they can better perform their functions and how they relate to the four basic functions of management. As an internal auditor, Mr. Sawyer provides some insight to these managers in helping them and their departments make better use of the tools they have and points out what

Good Country People free essay sample

Manley Pointer exploits joy-Hulga’s weakness to the fullest extent, because she never sees it coming. Greatest flaws can often be found in those characters with physical impairments (Oliver). Joy/Hulga had grown cynical and cold as she grew up with only one leg and heart ailment. She creates an image that she is smarter and better than the rest of the characters in the story. Her education and self-absorption seemed to instill this attitude. Those who are physically crippled are often emotionally or spiritually crippled(Oliver). We can relate these impairments to Joy’s impairments. She emotionally died at age 10 when she lost her leg. Now her weakness is the feeling of power she believed she gained from her studies. She refers to herself as a person who â€Å"sees through nothing† (Flannery). Little does she know that she is stating her greatest weakness by saying this. Ideally good country people are moral, religious and therefore trustworthy. We will write a custom essay sample on Good Country People or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Mrs. Hopewell refers to Manley Pointer as â€Å"good country people† and â€Å"the salt of the earth† (Flannery). Good Christian people. The title of the story comes from what she likes to call the poorer and less fortunate people that live off the land and work their whole lives just to hang on to some scrap of a life. This is how she views these people. She believes that they are good country people not a bad seed among them, that they are all eager to help out. But Manley Pointer is really a demon, a demon that has come to remind them of their weaknesses. Hulga changes her name from Joy to spite her mother. Joy believes she had picked out the ugliest name she could find. But in all actuality the name true meaning â€Å"the holy one† Which is ironic as Joy is Atheist. â€Å"She is seeking, unconsciously, a moral and spiritual perfection that is holy in nature. That Hulga also likes to see herself in the part of Eve add not only to the irony of her name but her fate in the story† (Holsen). In the short story â€Å"Good Country People,† Flannery O’Connor utilizes the characters Joy Hopewell and Manley Pointer to expose how believing in nothing makes a person isolated and spiritually empty.