Sunday, November 24, 2019

Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Essay Example

Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Essay Example Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Paper Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Paper Essay Topic: Film Oliver Twist Blade Runner was made in 1982 and was directed by Ridley Scott. Made a long time after the classic Noir film making period of the forties and fifties, this neo noir sci-fi thriller was a bricolage of genres and highly original. Described as visually overwhelming, this movie has become a cult classic, and there are few films that have managed to achieve its originality, mood and suspense. The narrative is typical Noir set in a dystopian future Los Angeles. Disillusioned blade Runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is hired to track down six replicants (more commonly thought of as androids or robots) who are out of control. Typically labyrinthine, as the narrative continues it picks up the femme fatal and other trade marks of classic forties detective fiction, as Deckard stumbles after his quarry in a tough, tough, world. The scene I am looking at is the introduction, the opening sequence of Blade Runner. It is key because it suggests things to the audience through the genre conventions it uses, because the audience will recognise them. Noir opening sequences are very dramatic usually. They create a feeling of claustrophobia and impending doom. They are often what makes a noir stand out and are re-used in other films, for instance the Coen brothers Blood Simple was almost exactly the same as the opening to Double Indemnity, and it is the kind of classic noir opener that is often seen in other films of the genre. Also the opening of any film sets the mood, tone and, most importantly, the expectations of the audience. I am going to explore the genre conventions that are used in the opening sequence, especially the noir conventions, and look at how they are used, and to what effect. I will also look at audience expectations, and how the conventions used create them. Genre is a term often just associated with classification. It is a lot more than that. Each film genre has its own set of conventions that distinguishes it from other films from other genres and builds expectations within the audience. Inflecting those expectations or subverting and merging them with others does alter an audiences perception of the film. Phillip Drummond says They (genres) respond to rules and conventions by developing formulas and patterns of theme, character and iconography (the repertory of visual motifs) He also states that genres need to stay the same to survive, and also, for precisely the same reason, need to retain the possibility of innovation and change Blade Runner is an example of such innovation and change. All these conventions and rules form a language which the viewer learns through years of watching film, and subconsciously reads. Each genre has its own language, a set of symbols and conventions which distinguish it from other genres. My approach to the study will be an iconography approach to genre study, as it embraces not only looking at classification but the way a film looks, its language, and its continuity and change. There are other conventions such as sound which must be considered, and things like character stereotypes, narrative structure and themes that its harder to explore in one scene. Foster Hirsch describes Film Noir as as a descriptive term for the American crime film as it flourished, roughly from the early forties to the late fifties It became known as Noir because of its dark look, a look that came from the German expressionist movement. It created its own conventions, and created a whole new style of lighting, low-key lighting. Low key lighting was a style where the main characters wouldnt always be lit up in full, and would not only leave many parts of their face and body in shade, but also parts of the set and scenery. It was a dark image that created a world full of contrasting patterns of light and dark and would create a dark, tense, claustrophobic and secretive atmosphere. It wasnt just a style, or a technique to create suspense, but symbolic representation of a dark reality. A scared reflection of a modern world that lacked morals. Where people always seemed to be I the dark because of lack of knowledge, or because they were secretly greedy and lustful. It represented hidden emotions and a clash between good and evil that was almost daily. The film doesnt just use Noir conventions. From the outset it is clear that science fiction has big role to play as the sequence opens up with a scrolling text. This is a most common part of sci-fi, that even without such words as replicant and Blade Runner to highlight the genre, we understand that it has been used in such sci-fi greats as Star Wars, and that it is an essential part of informing the audience of the setting of the sci-fi. The script, however, is in red this hints at the types of emotions the film is going have in it, such as anger and lust, but also tells us that it isnt going to be like Star Wars and the others, and will have a different edge to it. The text sets other expectations as well, of the narrative. It tells that a Blade Runner (and what a Blade Runner is) will be hunting down what are in essence outlaws, giving the audience an idea of what other genres the film will be drawing on. It could be interpreted as a western, but sounds like one of the more classic chases of the noir crime genre. The lone detective in a world of deceit and lies trying to find the truth. Next we are given the date and location. While the fact that is 2019 tells us it is Sci-fi, the location of Los Angeles is most definitely the site of most crime stories, and a classic Noir location. Also the hero is a world weary cynic, as up to this point he had been retired, so he knows his stuff. This is the classic hero/anti-hero that noir loves to use. The slow moving tracking shot of the city is the next thing that appears, and it to has its Noir elements. While it is most definitely a futuristic setting, it is also dystopian. Film Noirs world is almost indefinitely dark, as this city is. The world of Noir is not just dark, it is a setting for lust, greed, mystery and corruption. This city is the kind of opening shot most Noir directors would have dreamt of. It has many levels, which could be symbolic of the different levels of corruption in this city, and it is also massive. It is perplexingly complex, yet almost totally dark. This wide angle establishing shot is breath-takingly presented in the first few moments, yet what the eye is drawn to the most is the large bursts of flame appearing from different parts of the screen. Fire is a classic symbol of Noir, standing for corruption, burning anxiety and Hell, where most of the characters in this film are headed for, or so it suggests. The fiery colour are juxtaposed to the blackness, and make an interesting contrast. It is not only symbolic therefor, but also a device to create mood and suspense. The next thing that strikes us is a sort of lying car, obviously a land mark of the future, and something that has become a classic symbol of sci-fi. It is not just that though, as the theme of escape has always been one a the very heart of noir. The actual doing it is always in question, as noir is a fatalist genre where it seems that the characters cant escape their eventual fate. The car is not just a symbol of that escapist theme, but is also seemingly moving away from the city (the place always to escape from), and is a more actual than just symbolic reference to escape. Earth looks like a dispiriting place that people would want to escape from, probably to the off earth colonies. The images created make the city seem threatening, a place where people are trapped and doomed, and this is also a major part of noir. Not just a theme, but a feel, an atmosphere that is created. From this opening we know that the opposite of this world an agrarian paradise would be the utopia that would be the place to escape to. Again the colonies seem to provide that answer, they are places where there is space, somewhere to be able to see things, somewhere better to live. It then cuts to a blue eye with fire reflected in it, juxtaposed with the colour of the eye to a startling effect, and also used as a symbolic reference to film Noir. We have no idea who the eye belongs to at this point, but we assume one of the main characters. The eye is not just an interesting opening sequence device to shake up the mood, but a running theme throughout the film. Not only that but it is an allusion to one of the central themes of Noir, the act of seeing. Vision as a whole is a theme often in question, how it can be clouded, whether characters see what they want to see, and in a dark genre such as Noir, the actual physical, and not just metaphorical, act of seeing becomes a central preoccupation of the viewer. Before this shot the tracking shot didnt seem have any destination, but we cut back to the tracking shot and our attention is drawn to pair of large, triangular buildings with white beams of light coming from the top. The chiaroscuro pattern of light and dark recurs throughout noir, and these make a classic symbol. As J. A Place and L. S Peterson describe in Some visual motifs of Fil Noir it is the constant opposition of light and dark that characterises noir cinematography. Small areas of light seem on the verge of being totally overwhelmed by the darkness that threatens from all sides. And this is exactly what we can see here. It is towards these we now head. Because of the expectations created by the opening sequence so far, the audience already has a certain understanding of what is going to happen. Not just in the narrative, but in what the expect to see. Remembering the shot of the flying car, the viewer will probably realise, now we have a destination, that we seem to be on o ne these. That is was is taking us to our apparent destination of the two buildings, and the shot can now be recognised as having some practical relevance to the film. It is not just some grandiose sci-fi opener, but an integral part of the film, accustoming the audience to the feel of the film, and the world they are entering. This very continues the custom of Noir openings, where you are placed in the world of the characters, either by being in a car in the rain (Blood Simple, Coen Brothers 1983, Double Indemnity, Billy Wilder 1944) or by travelling the seedy back streets of the inner city in another way. This time we are just travelling above. We cut back to a medium shot of a man standing in a smoky room, extremely reminiscent of a private detectives office. It is small, cramped badly lit, and the unnerving sound of a huge fan whirring. The fan is a classic symbol of Noir because of the way it emphasises the claustrophobia of cramped spaces, and because it has a knack of creating the image of jail with a juxtaposed pattern of light and dark splashed across small walls. It does its job well here, and not only creates a enclosed atmosphere in seconds, but really does add to the Noir feeling of the film. Of course it looks out of place, as the so far we have seen nothing but futuristic images, albeit unpleasant ones. This image is obviously contrasted with the others so sharply to create a shock. It is at this point that the audience get their first proper idea of genre mixing, as well as the possibility of archetypal characters appearing, and certain narrative conventions being followed. This is true, and there is a lot of noir conventions that appear throughout the film, but the old set up against a futuristic backdrop is indicative of the film itself. Its set is a mixture of superior technological advancements set in an almost industrial age city, which cramped living style and industrial smear reminds you of something from Oliver Twist, or gangster movies set during the Great Depression. Ridley Scott managed to use Noir conventions to create this dystopian vision. The connotations that this Noir imagery carries are important in helping the audience pre-determine the narrative, recognise the themes, and creating a mood. We cut back to the approach to the building until we settle inside the office. Then we again cut back to the approach. We can see the office through a window, as well as the building it is situated in. Up close it is a grimy, metallic, but definitely futuristic in its design. We cut back to the office, and see that it has a table and two chairs. A computers voice opens the scene introducing one of the characters with his name, occupation and how long hes worked. The edge interview that follows is typically Noir. There are long pauses, awkward silences, and interviewed character is very defensive. The interviewer is shot at the end when the interviewee delivers a line that carries all the hidden threat and innuendo that a bad guy would want to carry in a Noir. Let me tell you about my mother. The non-diegetic music running through the entire opening sequence shout sci-fi, it is dreamy and electronic, a winding piece that fits perfectly with the setting and establishes a very futuristic and dystopian mood. As a film student I have been able to recognise many elements of the opening that suggest the mixture of Noir with Sci-Fi. These images and clues were put their purposefully and were supposed to let the viewer know the nature of the film within minutes. It is questionable, however, to whether this theory is correct, and whether it is possible to tell such things from a film language. The film was slated when it first came out, and did appallingly at the box office. This could be due to peoples expectations being focused totally on the Sci-Fi element of the film from the beginning because they missed the signs. Then when the film did not conform to their expectations the were disappointed. I use myself as a perfect example, as when I watched when I was younger I was very confused by the lack of action in the film and did not pick up on the Noir elements. Ultimately, though, that is because of my lack of knowledge of Noir at the time. The beauty of the film is that it confuses expectations from the very start and does not promise anything specific, other than the fact that you know it will have elements in from both noir and sci-fi. We have already read from the opening that the future appears to be bleak and threatening, and yet many elements from the past have survived. We also have expectations of the characters and the narrative from the opening dialogue. It is all picked up through an understanding of the language of film, and the more film we watch the more we will be able to read that language. The noir iconography in this opening sequence is not explicit until the scenes in the office, but it is always there.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Organisations face a variety of contradictory and competing approaches Essay

Organisations face a variety of contradictory and competing approaches when deciding whether or not to comply with industry norms - Essay Example The Group's mobile subsidiaries operate under the brand name 'Vodafone'. In the United States the Group's associated undertaking operates as Verizon Wireless. During the last two financial years, the Group has also entered into arrangements with network operators in countries where the Group does not hold an equity stake. Under the terms of these Partner Network Agreements, the Group and its partner networks co-operate in the development and marketing of global services under dual brand logos. At 30 September 2007, based on the registered customers of mobile telecommunications ventures in which it had ownership interests at that date, the Group had 241 million customers, excluding paging customers, calculated on a proportionate basis in accordance with the Company's percentage interest in these ventures. Vodafone seeks to be the worldwide communications leader in over the period of the next 2-5 years. In order to accomplish this, they will first and foremost have to deal with telecommunication industry regulations (Damien & Kerf 2003). Vodafone also consistently has to address customer complaints that stem from their competitors. International trends also play a factor, including "the liberalization of the terminal equipment market and the market for value-added services" (Bauer 1994). In order to stay ahead of the g... ing against global sourcing decisions across companie, and provid[ing] compliance measurement reports," as well as perfect the use of cellular phones for "tracking persons through the global positioning system" (Bauer 1994). According to Balsinde et al.: Multiple opportunities are open for Vodafone. One, cheaper UK-US phone calls would divert traffic from Europe to be routed via London to the US, turning Britain into a vital telecommunications hub. Two, There is still a huge market which is still untapped for mobile services. About 78 out of a hundred UK residents still do not have mobile phone services; this is a potential market that Vodafone needs to address. Three, Vodafone can create a strong market niche in the 3G telephone systems set-up since it has the technological advantage, financial expertise and marketing network to compete with other major players. The fourth strength is the full liberalization of the telecommunications market will enable Vodafone to make its presence felt in the new member countries of the European Union (EU). The fifth strength is that once the benefits of EU industry regulation outweigh their potential costs, Vodafone can operate unhampered in the EU. The efficient allocation of regulatory resources will result in consistent regulatory decisions across EU member-states. The sixth strength is that the UK economy offers low business taxes, low real interest rates, robust growth in demand, substantial falls in equipment prices and the effect of a strong stock market in reducing the cost of capital. These positive factors favor business growth in areas which require the installation of substantial new capital such as the mobile phone business. The seventh strength is that the overall picture of telecommunications in the UK is one

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

How native American were treated Personal Statement

How native American were treated - Personal Statement Example rrently is not much different from how they were treated centuries ago except that discrimination is more discreet now, but every bit as alive as it was back in the day. I feel that the presentation had so many different aspects which are worth discussing and exploring further in detail. It challenged many conventional beliefs in an attempt to expose the reality. For example, the presenter asserted that Christopher Columbus should not be considered a noble figure because of his questionable reputation. This was a big blow to me because great reverence and prestige has always been associated with the name of Columbus. It is widely believed that he was the first ever person to discover the Americas laying foundation for what was to become the United States of America. In contrast to this conventional idea, the presentation accused Columbus of tyranny, imprisonment, lying, and terrorism. It was claimed that on grounds of bad reputation of Christopher Columbus, the Native Americans do not acknowledge and celebrate the Columbus Day. Only the Natives are familiar with the real story of Christopher Columbus and how he played a role in persecuting and elimi nating millions of native people. This real story is masked and decorated with fake embellishments to mislead people and make them believe in the nobleness of whites. This tradition of eliminating the voice of the Natives has survived over the years despite changing times. The presentation was delivered in an attempt to get the voice of the Natives registered and spread awareness about reality. When Christopher Columbus first landed in America, he encountered the Natives. He wrongly began to call them Indians like other Spanish people. This term is still used for the Natives despite the fact that they find it highly offensive. Also, as a way to pay respect to the Natives’ account, people in America should begin to acknowledge this reality that Columbus was not the first European explorer to set foot here. The

Monday, November 18, 2019

ROTERDAM RULES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

ROTERDAM RULES - Essay Example With different countries following their own choicest laws to protect and further their own commercial interests, global sea trade has been thrown into a quagmire of anarchy and gross malpractices which need to be thoroughly cleansed before accountability and responsibility fixtures are made. While the shipper and the ship owners had added responsibilities under the new Rules, it is also envisaged to introduce modern communication and technological innovations including e-commerce documentation, have sound laws for container movements and also bring in new laws and conventions that could fill the gaps left in the previous Shipping rules, especially with regard to Deck Cargo and balancing of risks and responsibility among the various players in the sea trade. It is widely believed that with more and more countries signing up for the Rotterdam Rules, it would fulfil its role as a precursor of robust and rule based transportation of Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea. â€Å"The Rotterdam Rules are the direct and natural result of the deregulation and reforms that have been a boon to shippers, allowing for the flexibility and customized transportation central to any efficient supply chain.† (Rotterdam Rules, 2009). The reason for the replacement was that the old versions did not included criteria for the carriage of goods in containers and transferring electronic data. This was the main reason that made the court of law to reinvent the old versions of law. The Rotterdam rules clearly states the responsibility and accountability in certain situations where the container are stolen or if any damages happen to the ship. The other parties who are involved in the chain are also liable for the loss that happens while the goods are carried through sea. All these conditions were not included in the Hague rules and the Hague-Visby rules and the Hamburg rules. â€Å"The Ordinance of Rotterdam of 1721 declared that the owners should not

Friday, November 15, 2019

Dynamic Capabilities

Dynamic Capabilities Making a competitive difference through Dynamic Capabilities Summary Purpose of report †¢ Method followed (if necessary) †¢ Main findings 1 Strategy and Resource-Based View Strategy of a company is about setting a direction towards the success. Competitive strategy is about being different from the competitors; its about choosing a unique set of activities aiming for a greater value to deliver. the resource-based perspective highlights the need for a fit between the external market context in which a company operates and its internal capabilities. The resource-based view is the classical view on strategy that explains how competitive advantage within firms is achieved and how that advantage of firms can be sustained over the time (Barney, 1991). Strategy is about combining activities (Horn, p86). How More recent studies suggest that understanding of the RBV (Barney, Eisenhardt, Teece, 2000) should be enhanced by the extended understanding of dynamic capabilities. resource-based view is grounded in the perspective that a firms internal environment, in terms of its resources and capabilities, is more critical to the determination of strategic action than is the external environment. Another view (Peteraf, Bergen, 2003) proposes to see the Resource-based view and Market-based view as compliments to one another. In that way the authors tackle the most common criticism on Resource-based view that it is insufficiently linked to the market. The role of similarity or rather dissimilarity in from the point of view of resource type can be a stepping stone for many managers, because they fail to analyse the competitors that are not producing the exactly the closest substitute product. The keyword here is resource functionality that should be addressed when deciding on a competitive strategy, as often resource packages that are dissimilar in type may serve as effective substitutes in terms of producing the same end product. Moreover, the authors here introduce a new edge on resource-side, such as functionality to counteract the market-side element of focus substitute detection. As the result, this draws on the importance of capabilities, the focus here is not only on pro duct markets, but also on the competitors activities in resource markets as well. 2 Dynamic Capabilities The theory of dynamic capabilities is thought to have arisen from a fundamental weakness of the resource-based view of the firm. The RBV has been criticized for ignoring factors surrounding resources, instead assuming that they simply â€Å"exist†. Considerations such as how resources are developed, how they are integrated within the firm and how they are released have been under-explored in the literature. Dynamic capabilities attempt to bridge these gaps by adopting a process approach: by acting as a buffer between firm resources and the changing business environment, dynamic resources help a firm adjust its resource mix and thereby maintain the sustainability of the firms competitive advantage, which otherwise might be quickly eroded. So, while the RBV emphasizes resource choice or the selecting of appropriate resources, dynamic capabilities emphasize resource development and renewal (Barney, 1991). According to wade and Hulland (2004), IS resources may take on many of the attributes of dynamic capabilities, and thus may be particularly useful to firms operating in rapidly changing environments. Thus, even if IS resources do not directly lead the firm to a position of superior sustained competitive advantage, they may nonetheless be critical to the firms longer-term competitiveness in unstable environments if they help it to develop, add, integrate, and release other key resources over time. The most common definition on what dynamic capabilities are is defined as â€Å"the firms ability to integrate, build, and recon internal and external competences to address rapidly changing environments†. The basic assumption of the dynamic capabilities framework is that todays fast changing markets force firms to respond quickly and to be innovative (Teece,1997). Are they easily imitable? Some says yes According to (Eisenhardt, Martin, 2000) Dynamic capabilities are more subsituable than it is usually thought. What is their nature? It is thought the the dynamics of the market influence can have some impact on the nature of dynamic capabilities; .. In moderately dynamic markets dynamic capabilities resemble the traditional conception of routines (Eisenhardt, Martin, 2000). In contrast, in high velocity markets, they are simple, highly experiential and fragile processes with unpredictable outcomes. Besides, in another context (Grant, 1996, Pisano, 1994) they are explained as the resources that are transformed, integrated together and recombine to generate a new value creating strategy. In that way, they are drivers behind the creation, evolution and recombination of other resources into new sources of competitive advantage (Henderson and Cockburn, 1994; Teece et al, 1997). Based on these premises (Eisenhardt, Martin, 2000) dynamic capabilities are defined as: The firms processes that use resources specifically the processes to integrate, recon, gain and release resources to match and even create market change. Dynamic capabilities thus are the organisational and strategic routines by which firms achieve new resource configuration as markets emerge, collide, split, evolve and die. An alternative definition that abandons the idea of high-velocity markets as the necessary context to explain dynamic capabilities says that (Zollo, Winter, 2002): A dynamic capability is a learned and stable pattern of collective activity through which the organization systematically generates and modifies its operating routines in pursuit of improved effectiveness. This definition clearly redefines the role and function of dynamic capabilities, since it stresses their connection with learning processes. Dynamic capabilities arise from learning; they constitute the firms systematic methods for modifying operating routines (Zollo, Winter, 2002). An example is given by an organisation that develops from its initial experiences with acquisitions or joint ventures a process to manage such projects in a systematic and relatively predictable fashion. The ability to plan and effectively execute postaquisition integration processes is an example of a dynamic capability, as it involves the modification of operating routines in both the acquired and the acquiring unit. In short, learning mechanisms shape operating routines directly as well as by the intermediate step of dynamic capabilities. 5 Strategic positioning and Competitive Advantage Strategy is conceptualized as a firms realized position in its competitive market (Mintzberg, 1987; Porter, 1980). Each firms strategic position is supported by its resources and capabilities, reflecting the idea that resources and positions are two sides of the same coin (Wernerfelt, 1984). In a constant strive for higher performance and long term successful strategy a question on strategic balance arises. Similarity among firms has raised an important question on strategic balance, how do firms chose to position themselves among their rivals? What is the value ( Deephouse, 1999) of being different (differentiation)or what is the value of being the same (conformity). Abrahmson and Hegeman (1994) observed that strategic conformity reduces both competitive risks and opportunities for competitive advantage. This can be solved by an integrative theory of strategic balance, because as evidence suggests (Deephouse, 1999) moderately differentiated firms have higher performance than either highly conforming or highly differenciated firms. However, (Deephouse, 1999) draws on strategic similarity as a firm-level construct representing the extent to which a firms strategic position resembles the strategic positions of other firms competing in its market at a particular point in time. Strategy and IKEA Positioning means performing different activities from rivals or performing similar activities in different ways. If a company is prepared to satisfy all needs of all customers it loses the distinctive positioning edge. Since IKEA begun in 1943 it has grown into a successful global network of stores with its unique retailing concept. The global furniture retailer based in Sweden, also has a clear strategic positioning. IKEA targets young furniture buyers who want style at low cost. What turns this marketing concept into a strategic positioning is the tailored set of activities that make it work. IKEA has chosen to perform activities differently from its rivals (see 2). In comparison to traditional furniture merchandisers who display just a fraction of their stock, IKEA takes a step further and displays all their stock in a room like settings, that way selling the whole concept of modern living. Also, by selling their own low cost designs in ready to assemble packages to fit its positioning, IKEA trades off service for cost. Customers are expected to do their own pickup and delivery, and despite of their low-cost position that comes from having customers do it themselves, IKEA offers a number of extra services that its competitors do not. Such as, childcare and extended opening hours, services that are uniquely aligned with the needs of its young and, middle class customers. As long as consumers from Moscow to Beijing and beyond keep striving to enter the middle class, there will be a need for IKEA. Currently with 226 stores worldwide it hosts 410 million delighted shoppers a year. Positioning choices determine not only which activities a company will perform and how it will con individual activities but also how activities relate to one another. While operational effectiveness is about achieving excellence in individual activities, or functions, strategy is about combining activities. What is the most important key factor in the success of IKEA? The answer is simply that it all is of an equal importance. Activities that form a system act as compliments to one another generating value for a company, which is a way strategic fit creates competitive advantage and superior profitability.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Comparing Carol Ann Duffys Havisham and Robert Brownings The Laborato

Comparing Carol Ann Duffy's Havisham and Robert Browning's The Laboratory In the poem â€Å"Havisham†, Carol Ann Duffy presents the subject as an old, embittered woman with â€Å"ropes on the back of her hands†. In â€Å"The Laboratory† by Robert Browning the subject is a strong and determined, but very jealous and embittered, young woman. Both poems are written in the first person in the form of a dramatic monologue. Carol Ann Duffy writes about the feelings of rejection, isolation and desolation that a woman who has been jilted at the alter by her husband might feel. I think that feelings such as this in both of the poems have been based on either literature or historical events, for example â€Å"Havisham† was most likely based on Miss Havisham, a rich lady in the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and â€Å"The Laboratory† was probably influenced by the celebrated French murderess (who has been said to have poisoned her family). Oxymoronic phrases are used throughout the poem â€Å"Havisham† such as â€Å"Beloved Sweetheart Bastard† and â€Å"Love’s/hate† to express the ambivalence that this woman ...