Luther Essay Research Paper Martin Luther was free essay sample

Luther Essay, Research Paper Martin Luther was a German theologist and spiritual reformist, who started the Protestant Reformation, and whose huge influence during his clip period made him one of the important figures in modern European history. Luther was born in Eisleben on November 10, 1483 and was descended from the peasantry, a fact that he frequently stressed. Hans Luther, his male parent, was a Cu mineworker. Luther received a sound primary and secondary instruction at Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach. In 1501, at the age of 17, he enrolled at the University of Erfurt, having a unmarried man # 8217 ; s grade in 1502 and a maestro # 8217 ; s grade in 1505. He so intended to analyze jurisprudence, as his male parent had wished. In the summer of 1505, he abandoned his surveies and his jurisprudence programs, sold his books, and entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt. The determination surprised his friends and appalled his male parent. Later in his life, Luther explained his suprising determination b y remembering several coppices with decease that had occurred at the clip, doing him cognizant of the fugitive character of life. We will write a custom essay sample on Luther Essay Research Paper Martin Luther was or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the monastery he observed the regulations imposed on a novitiate but did non happen the peace in God he had expected. Nevertheless, Luther made his profession as a monastic in the autumn of 1506, and his higher-ups selected him for the priesthood. Ordained in 1507, he approached his first jubilation of the mass with awe. After his ordination, Luther was asked to analyze divinity in order to go a professor at one of the many new German universities staffed by monastics. In 1508 he was assigned by Johann von Staupitz, vicar-general of the Augustinians and a friend and counsellor, to the new University of Wittenberg ( founded in 1502 ) to give introductory talks in moral doctrine. He received his unmarried man # 8217 ; s grade in divinity in 1509 and returned to Erfurt, where he taught and studied. In November 1510, on behalf of seven Augustinian monasteries, he made a visit to Rome, where he performed the spiritual responsibilities customary for a pious visitant and was shocked by the sophistication of the Roman clergy. Soon after restarting his responsibilities in Erfurt, he was reassigned to Wittenberg and asked to analyze for the grade of physician of divinity. In 1512, after having his doctors degree, he took over the chair of scriptural divinity which he held till his decease. Although still unsure of God # 8217 ; s love and his ain redemption, Luther was active as a sermonizer, instructor, and decision maker. Sometime during his survey of the New Testament in readying for his talks, he came to believe that Christians are saved non through their ain attempts but by the gift of God # 8217 ; s grace, which they accept in religion. Both the exact day of the month and the location of this experience have been a affair of contention among bookmans, but the event was important in Luther # 8217 ; s life, because it turned him resolutely against some of the major dogmas of the Catholic church. Luther became a populace and controversial figure when he publish ed his Ninety-five Thesiss on October 31, 1517. His chief intent of composing the theses was to demo his resistance for the corruptness and wealth of the pontificate and to province his belief that redemption would be granted on the footing of religion entirely instead so by plants. Although it is by and large believed that Luther nailed these theses to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, some bookmans have questioned this narrative, which does non happen in any of his ain Hagiographas. Regardless of the mode in which his propositions were made public, they caused great exhilaration and were instantly translated into German and widely distributed. Luther # 8217 ; s spirited defence and farther development of his place through public university argument s in Wittenberg and other cities resulted in an investigation by the Roman Curia that led to the condemnation of his teachings and his excommunication. Summoned to appear before Charles V at the Diet of Worms in April 1521, he was asked before the assembled secular and ecclesiastical rulers to recant. He refused firmly, asserting that he would have to be convinced by Scripture and clear reason in order to do so and that going against conscience is not safe for anyone. Condemned by the emperor, Luther was spirited away by his prince, the elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony, and kept in hiding at Wartburg Castle. There he began his translation of the New Testament from the original Greek into German, a seminal contribution to the development of a standard German language. Disorders in Wittenberg caused by some of his more extreme followers forced his return to the city in March 1521, and he restored peace through a series of sermons. Luther continued his teaching and writing in Witt enberg but soon became involved in the controversies surrounding the Peasants’ War (1524-26) because the leaders of the peasants originally justified their demands with arguments somewhat illegitimately drawn from his writings. He considered their theological arguments false, although he supported many of their political demands. When the peasants turned violent, he angrily denounced them and supported the princes’ effort to restore order. Although he later repudiated the harsh, vengeful policy adopted by the nobles, his attitude toward the war lost him many friends. In the midst of this controversy he married Katharina von Bora, a former nun. The marriage was happy, and his wife became an important supporter in his busy life. After having articulated his basic theology in his earlier writings, he published his most popular book, the Small Catechism, in 1529. By commenting briefly in question and answer form on the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord ’s Prayer, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, the Small Catechism explains the theology of the evangelical reformation in simple yet colorful language. Not allowed to attend the Diet of Augsburg because he had been banned and excommunicated, Luther had to leave the presentation of the reformers’ position to his friend and colleague Melanchthon. In 1532 Luther’s translation of the Old Testament from the original Hebrew was published. Meanwhile, his influence spread across northern and eastern Europe. His advocacy of the independence of rulers from papal supervision won him the support of many princes. His fame made Wittenberg an intellectual center. By 1537, Luther’s health had begun to deteriorate, and he felt burdened by the resurgence of the papacy and by what he perceived as an attempt by Jews to take advantage of the confusion among Christians and reopen the question of Jesus’ messiahship. Apprehensive about his own responsibility for this situation, he wrote a violent polemic against the Jews, as well as polemics against the papacy and the radical wing of the reformers, the Anabaptists. In the winter of 1546, Luther was asked to settle a controversy between two young counts who ruled the area of Mansfeld, where he had been born. Old and sick, he went there, resolved the conflict, and died on February 18, 1546, in Eisleben. Luther left behind a movement that quickly spread throughout the Western world. His doctrines, especially justification by faith and the final authority of the Bible, were adopted by other reformers and are shared by many Protestant denominations today. As the founder of the 16th-century Reformation, he is one of the major figures of Christianity and of Western civilization.

Will new machines perk up coffee sales essays

Will new machines perk up coffee sales essays 1. Challenges that Kraft and other coffee sellers face are numerous in terms of competition and trends. Brand-loyal premium coffee drinkers are flocking to Starbucks, which expects to achieve a net revenue growth of 20% in fiscal 2005 . In the supermarket, sales are being taken not only by lower-priced private label brands but also by upscale whole-bean and ground packaged coffee. Tea accounts for an approximate 38% share of overall coffee/tea dollar sales. The coffee market in the US has been slow growing. Between 2002 and 2003, coffee consumption decreased from 3.2 to 3.0 cups per day. 2. Developing their own brewing machines will provide a mechanism which will allow Kraft to sell the coffee pods used in those machines. Since Krafts is a closed system, users will be forced to buy only the pods manufactured by Kraft. 3. Krafts business model for its Tassimo coffeemaker is very similar to HPs model for its printers and cartridges. Both products utilize closed systems. Refills for both products are sold by the manufacturer and the machines wont work with refills that arent designed for the specific machine. If the consumer wants the HP refill or the Tassimo refill, he or she must pay the price. From a business perspective, this creates long-term financial relationships with the customer and maximizes profitability of the organization. This is evidenced by the fact that the machine itself is distributed by Braun (a division of Gillette) while the T-discs are manufactured and distributed by Kraft. It prevents the use of competitors pods (or cartridges), including those offered by low-priced private label brands. While remanufactured cartridges and refill kits are available for HPs printers, consumers report problems with print quality and difficulty refilling the cartridges. From a consumer perspective this means several things, not the least of which is c ...

USS Iowa (BB-61) Battleship

USS Iowa (BB-61) Battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship of the Iowa-class of battleships. The last and largest class of battleship constructed for the US Navy, the Iowa-class ultimately consisted of four ships. Following the pattern set by the preceding North Carolina- and  South Dakota-classes, the Iowa-classs design called for a heavy armament combined with a high top speed. This latter trait allowed them to serve as effective escorts for carriers. Commissioned in early 1943, Iowa was the only member of the class to see extensive service in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of  World War II. Retained at the end of the conflict, it later saw combat during the Korean War. Though decommissioned in 1958, Iowa was modernized and brought back into service during the 1980s. Design In early 1938, work commenced on a new battleship design at the behest of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, head of the US Navys General Board. Originally conceived as an enlarged version of the South Dakota-class, the new ships were to mount twelve 16 guns or nine 18 guns. As the design was revised, the armament became nine 16 guns. Additionally, the class anti-aircraft armament underwent several revisions with many of its 1.1 guns being replaced with 20 mm and 40 mm weapons. Funding for the new battleships came in May with the passage of the Naval Act of 1938. Dubbed the Iowa-class, construction of the lead ship, USS Iowa, was assigned to the New York Navy Yard. Intended as the first of four ships (two, Illinois and Kentucky were later added to the class but never completed), Iowa was laid down on June 17, 1940. Construction With the US entry into World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, construction of Iowa pushed forward. Launched on August 27, 1942, with Ilo Wallace, wife of Vice President Henry Wallace, as sponsor, Iowas ceremony was attended by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Work on the ship continued for another six months and on February 22, 1943, Iowa was commissioned with Captain John L. McCrea in command. Departing New York two days later, it conducted a shakedown cruise in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic coast. A fast battleship, Iowas 33-knot speed allowed it to serve as an escort for the new Essex-class carriers that were joining the fleet. USS Iowa (BB-61) - Overview Nation: United StatesType: BattleshipShipyard: New York Naval ShipyardLaid Down: June 27, 1940Launched: August 27, 1942Commissioned: February 22, 1943Fate: Museum ship Specifications Displacement: 45,000 tonsLength: 887 ft., 3 in.Beam: 108 ft., 2 in.Draft: 37 ft., 2 in.Speed: 33 knotsComplement: 2,788 men Armament Guns 9 Ãâ€" 16 in./50 cal Mark 7 guns20 Ãâ€" 5 in./38 cal Mark 12 guns80 Ãâ€" 40 mm/56 cal anti-aircraft guns49 Ãâ€" 20 mm/70 cal anti-aircraft cannons Early Assignments Completing these operations as well as crew training, Iowa departed on August 27 for Argentia, Newfoundland. Arriving, it spent the next several weeks in the North Atlantic to protect against a potential sortie by the German battleship Tirpitz which had been cruising in Norwegian waters. By October, this threat had evaporated and Iowa steamed for Norfolk where it underwent a brief overhaul. The following month, the battleship carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull to Casablanca, French Morocco on the first part of their journey to the Tehran Conference. Returning from Africa in December, Iowa received orders to sail for the Pacific. Island Hopping Named Flagship of Battleship Division 7, Iowa departed on January 2, 1944, and entered combat operations later that month when it supported carrier and amphibious operations during the Battle of Kwajalein. A month later, it helped cover Rear Admiral Marc Mitschers carriers during a massive aerial attack on Truk before being detached for an anti-shipping sweep around the island. On February 19, Iowa and its sister ship USS New Jersey (BB-62) succeeded in sinking the light cruiser Katori. Remaining with Mitschers Fast Carrier Task Force, Iowa provided support as the carriers conducted attacks in the Marianas. On March 18, while serving as flagship for Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, Commander Battleships, Pacific, the battleship fired on Mili Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Rejoining Mitscher, Iowa supported air operations in the Palau Islands and Carolines before shifting south to cover Allied attacks on New Guinea in April. Sailing north, the battleship supported air attacks on the Marianas and bombarded targets on Saipan and Tinian on June 13-14. Five days later, Iowa helped protect Mitschers carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea and was credited with downing several Japanese aircraft. Leyte Gulf After aiding in operations around the Marianas during the summer, Iowa shifted southwest to cover the invasion of Peleliu. With the conclusion of the battle, Iowa and the carriers mounted raids in the Philippines, Okinawa, and Formosa. Returning to the Philippines in October, Iowa continued to screen the carriers as General Douglas MacArthur commenced his landings on Leyte. Three days later, Japanese naval forces responded and the Battle of Leyte Gulf began. During the course of the fighting, Iowa remained with Mitschers carriers and raced north to engage Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawas Northern Force off Cape Engaà ±o. Nearing the enemy ships on October 25, Iowa and the other supporting battleships were ordered to return south to aid Task Force 38 which had come under attack off Samar. In the weeks after the battle, the battleship remained in the Philippines supporting Allied operations. In December, Iowa was one of many ships that were damaged when Admiral William Bull Halseys Third Fleet was hit by Typhoon Cobra. Suffering damage to a propeller shaft, the battleship returned to San Francisco for repairs in January 1945. Final Actions While in the yard, Iowa also underwent a modernization program which saw its bridge enclosed, new radar systems installed, and fire control equipment improved. Departing in mid-March, the battleship steamed west to take part in the Battle of Okinawa. Arriving two weeks after American troops had landed, Iowa resumed its previous duty of protecting the carriers operating offshore. Moving north in May and June, it covered Mitschers raids on the Japanese home islands and bombarded targets on Hokkaido and Honshu later that summer. Iowa continued to operate with the carriers until the end of hostilities on August 15. After overseeing the surrender of the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on August 27, Iowa and USS Missouri (BB-63) entered Tokyo Bay with other Allied occupation forces. Serving as Halseys flagship, Iowa was present when the Japanese formally surrendered aboard Missouri. Remaining in Tokyo Bay for several days, the battleship sailed for the United States on September 20. Korean War Taking part in Operation Magic Carpet, Iowa aided in transporting American troops home. Arriving at Seattle on October 15, it discharged its cargo before moving south to Long Beach for training operations. Over the next three years, Iowa continued with training, served a stint as flagship of the 5th Fleet in Japan, and had an overhaul. Decommissioned on March 24, 1949, the battleships time in the reserves proved brief as it was reactivated on July 14, 1951 for service in the Korean War. Arriving in Korean waters in April 1952, Iowa began shelling North Korean positions and provided gunfire support for the South Korean I Corps. Operating along the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, the battleship routinely struck targets ashore through the summer and fall. Departing the war zone in October 1952, Iowa sailed for an overhaul in Norfolk. Modernization After conducting a training cruise for the US Naval Academy in mid-1953, the battleship moved through a number of peacetime postings in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Arriving at Philadelphia in 1958, Iowa was decommissioned on February 24. In 1982, Iowa found new life as part of President Ronald Reagans plans for a 600-ship navy. Undergoing a massive program of modernization, much of the battleships anti-aircraft armament was removed and replaced with armored box launchers for cruise missiles, MK 141 quad cell launchers for 16 AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and four Phalanx close-in weapons systems Gatling guns. In addition, Iowa received a full suite of modern radar, electronic warfare, and fire control systems. Re-commissioned on April 28, 1984, it spent the next two years conducting training and taking part in NATO exercises. Middle East Retirement In 1987, Iowa saw service in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Earnest Will. For much of the year, it aided in escorting re-flagged Kuwaiti tanker through the region. Departing the following February, the battleship returned to Norfolk for routine repairs. On April 19, 1989, Iowa suffered an explosion in its Number Two 16 turret. The incident killed 47 crewmen and initial investigations suggested that the explosion was the result of sabotage. Later findings reported that the cause was most likely an accidental powder explosion. With the cooling of the Cold War, the US Navy began reducing the size of the fleet. The first Iowa-class battleship to be decommissioned, Iowa moved to reserve status on October 26, 1990. Over the next two decades, the ships status fluctuated as Congress debated the US Navys ability to provide gunfire support of US Marine Corps amphibious operations. In 2011, Iowa moved to Los Angeles where it was opened as a museum ship.

Why is prison overcrowding a growing concern in the US Research Paper

Why is prison overcrowding a growing concern in the US - Research Paper Example The challenge is costing tax payers more money, in US, there are many people behind bars than any other country in the world. According to current statistics by Wagner and Sakala (2014), it is estimated that between 1.4 million to 2 million people in US are in prison. The numbers of people released in jails inclusive of local jails are approximately 688,000. Collection of all information provides a clear perspective of number of prisoners in United States. According to the authors, the U.S. hold 2.4 million people in all states prisons including 1719 states prisons, 2259 juvenile correctional centers, 79 Indian jails, 102 federal confinements, military, immigration and civil confinements. Crowding of correctional facilities is quite significant to prisoners, tax payers and the officials working in confinement centers. An analysis of the topic is important, measures taken to correct problems arising from crowding or overcrowding of state prison can only be done by a study of the topic. This makes it quite significant to every citizen in US. They provide views on how to tackle such difficulties. The crowding effect in US correctional facilities started in early the 1980s due to an increase in criminal activities such as drug use. The war on drugs with tough policies increased the number of inmates in the U.S. Research shows that the U.S. has the highest number of inmates in the world; they are currently higher than prisoners held in Russian and South Africa. Prisons in the southern part of the United States have more inmates that any other region. The state of Alabama contains the highest number of prisoners than any other state. Despite the highest number of prisoners held in Alabama, they also have small number of staff. However, federal prisons in the U.S. saw a decline in the number of admission of prisoners in 2009. There was an increase of prisoners by 430%, which saw the number of prisoners rising from 294,000 to

Safegurading health information and systems Essay

Safegurading health information and systems - Essay Example The other most important wording is the ethical statement. These act as a guide to the ethical behaviors the health care workers such as nurses are supposed to abide by when in use of the information systems (Wager, Lee & Glaser, 2013). This wording is important as it saves on disciplinary actions and prevents nurses and other health care workers from breaching the ethical code of conduct. Lastly, the other most important wording necessary to be included in these health systems is the patient management statement. There are standards of patient management necessary for the nurse to apply in all patients and they should be openly stipulated and clearly worded in the information system for the benefit and frequent reminder of them to the nurses when attending to their patients (Mettler & Raptis, 2012). Failure to follow these statements leads to legal actions being taken against the nurse as is stipulated in the legal and regulatory statement mentioned

Organizational Structure Paper Essay Example for Free

Organizational Structure Paper Essay The United States Army is one of many legal types of organizations of the armed forces and has been since June 1775. It is the largest and oldest of all the branches of the military and continues to dominate all threats aimed at the United States alongside the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marines. Like many other organizations in the United States, the U.S Army has a structure of its own. From the top down, it functions as any other organization, but unlike most, every member of its team carries rank and has a chain of command to abide by. In the following I will describe and evaluate the structure and functions within the United States Army, compare it to its fellow branches, and explain its organizational design that has been the primary reason Americans have been kept free from tyranny and enjoy the freedoms taken for granted every day. Army Organizational Structure The United States Army has a structure that starts as high as the President of the United States down to the newest and youngest recruit soldier. Its organizational structure far exceeds that or your local neighborhood Wal-Mart, yet has far less â€Å"employees†. As of 2014, the U.S Army has a total strength of on or about 1,130,000 soldiers, that which include the Army National Guard and Army Reserve units (The Official Homepage of the United  States Army, 2014). Other than the President of the United States, orders go downhill following the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Joint Chief of Staffs, then along to Regional Commands stationed globally. Thereafter, divisions are formed by brigades, which control battalions beneath them, formed by several units or companies of soldiers organized accordingly into platoons. Attempting to explain the organizational structure of an entire military branch would be rather extensive and complicated, therefore the following will breakdown the basic structure of a U.S Army company. Similar to nonmilitary organizations, the U.S Army has a structure that coincides with one another to be able to function properly. No matter the type of battalion, either it consist of Armored, Infantry, Airborne, or Calvary soldiers, a Headquarters company is and always will be the core to a battalion. That company staffs a variety of soldiers with particular jobs that range from administration (S1), intelligence (S2), training and operations (S3), logistics (S4), communication (S6), medical, mechanic, and any other type of military occupational specialty (MOS) that primarily functions to support its entire battalion. All these so called â€Å"S Shops† work alongside each other and handle the day to day business as well as prepare units for training exercises and overseas deployments. Similar organizations that resemble the U.S Army would be that of the Marine Corps and the Navy. Even though these branches fight to defend the United States and its interest right alongside the U.S Army, each of their â€Å"mission statement† differs slightly. The United States Marine Corps works closely with the U.S Navy when it comes to training and combat deployments. Like the U.S Army, they both have similar rank structures that move up the chain of command until it hits the President of the United States. A few differences between these branches though, the Marine Corp Commandant reports directly to the Secretary of the Navy, as does the U.S Navy, unlike the U.S Army, which reports to the Secretary of the Army. Organizational Functions The United States Army has many functions that influence its determination on keeping its soldiers properly trained, physically and mentally tough, and readily available to deploy within a few days of after being called for combat operations. To be able to train a soldier, willing and able men and women must first enlist into the U.S Army. No matter their reasons of joining, either school or patriotism, they are all trained as equals. For this to happen, marketing campaigns must be advertised to be able to recruit. Television commercials demonstrate briefly the life of a soldier and the benefits, not only to him/herself, but their families and the courage it takes to join the â€Å"Army of One†. Recruiters often visit local high schools in attempts to enlist soon to be high school graduates. Others wander around shopping malls handing out brochures, speaking to interested men and women on what it takes to be a soldier. All this is only possible if the United States Army is financially able. Like all other organizations, they must follow a specific budget that continuously gets cut for political reasons. The U.S Army has an estimate number of soldiers that it can recruit and have enlisted at certain times under the units structural guidelines. These numbers and structure fall under the Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE). An excess of soldiers in various units account for numerous war time enlistments aimed at maintaining strength in numbers. But what happens when there are no more wars to be fought? Excess soldiers of certain military occupational specialties are deemed unnecessary and honorably discharged before their end of term is officially over. On the civilian side, this is known as downsizing. The army chain of command is what keeps the U.S Army organized and disciplined. Not all orders given are always performed to the letter and many are sometimes unjustified. For these reasons, there is also a human resources department within a battalion. When some issues need greater attention and not are able to be handled within a unit, the Post Inspector General can be contacted. The Inspector General, or IG, help enforce all army regulations that involve soldiers of any rank and also their families  when need be. IG helps assist commanders in handling punishments, what is allowed, and what actions are authorized in simply punishing a soldier temporarily or discharging him/her from service. Usually, when IG is contacted, it is for negative reasons, but there always has to be a strong hand to enforce and influence the continuous control of soldiers, from Private to Captains, regulations know no rank. Following rules are important for the sustainment of the organizational structure and daily operations. Organizational Design There are several organizational designs that best suit the United States Army’s needs and support its organizational structure. Just one would not suffice to assist the U.S Army market its branch of service and promote the value of its organization. Stating the obvious, the U.S Army was born in the United States, yet has bases worldwide. After wars fought in a number of different countries, the U.S Army has made it a point to continue showing its presence by establishing bases in countries such as Germany, Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, and Iraq, giving the United States a geographical advantage. The product it provides consist of customer based relations; supporting and defending the citizens of our country. Army bases overseas report to their Regional Commands depending on the part of the world they are based. This structure continues to allow generals abroad to command its bases yet still must report to the higher echelon in Washington D.C. The fact to remember is, the United States Army is an organization that does not sell material products, but creates soldiers out of men and women to continue fighting, defending, and preserving our land of the free and home of the brave. Conclusion After 239 years serving our country, the United States Army has long proved to Americans that it is a force to be reckoned with. The structure used today has allowed the armed forces to control, enforce, and withstand all others when threatened. Throughout the years all other branches of service  evolved to create a team that no other country on earth can match. With all these organizations united, it is doubtful that the United States of America will continue to rule as the superior force on earth and will remain that way for all time. References Business Dictionary. (2014). The Official Homepage of the United States Army. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.army.mil/

The Prostitute In Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment, Notes from Undergr

The Prostitute In Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Notes from Underground, and The Meek One The prostitute is a curious fixture of Victorian era literature. In the works of William Thackeray and Samuel Richardson it was almost clichà © for the heroine to end up in a house of prostitution and then to transcend that situation in a show of proper Victorian morals. Having seen many young women forced by extreme poverty to take up the trade of a loose woman, Fyodor Dostoevsky, a petit-bourgeois fallen on hard times himself, took a rather different approach to the whole issue; he recognized that these women were not utterly without merit as so many people of the time thought. Georg Brandes spoke accurately when he said, "Dostoevsky preaches the morality of the pariah, the morality of the slave." Dostoevsky explored these themes through prostitute characters in many of his works. The most famous of these characters are found in Crime and Punishment, Notes from Underground, and "The Meek One." Each of these presents a unique approach to the condition of prostitutes and the problem of their redemption. In Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky uses the character of Sonia Marmeladov, whose first name means wisdom, not solely to illustrate God's mercy toward a fallen woman but to have her redeem both herself and Raskolnikov through God's mercy. As in the parable given by Father Zosima on his death bed in The Brothers Karamazov, Raskolnikov's initial connection to Sonia in Book I functions as his "stalk of grain" which keeps him from being completely severed from God's grace. Just as the old woman in the parable was without merit except for the fact she gave the beggar a stalk of grain, Raskolnikov lacks merit after his murderous deed exce... ...uments of grace. But most importantly, he tells us that without our own attempt to transcend our sinful nature we will fail like the Underground Man or leap to our spiritual and physical doom as the heroine of "The Meek One" did. We are all Raskolnikov, we are all Sonia. The key is to strive, strive harder and strive forever to reach the unreachable perfection lost to us and unreachable without God. Works Cited and Consulted Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Trans. Constance Garnett. New York: Bantam, 1981. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. The Brothers Karamazov. Trans. Constance Garnett. New York: Signet Classics, 1999. Dost. Research Station. Ed. Christiaan Stange. Vers. ? 17 July 1999 - kiosek.com/dostoevsky/quotations.html Martinsen, Deborah A., ed. Notes From Underground, The Double, and Other Stories. New York: Barnes and Noble Classics NY, 2003.