Dennis vs US essays

Dennis vs US essays This case focuses on the Smith Act, which was passed in the late 1940s. Under this act It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly or willfully advocate, abet, advise, or teach the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of the overthrowing or destroying any government in the United States by force or violence... It also targets organizers of groups intending to commit such acts, as well as people who publish or in any other way support a movement with the end goal being the actions described above. In particular, this case focuses around the 11 members of the Communist Party of the United States who were planning the violent overthrow of the United States government, which is prohibited under the Smith Act. [Section 3] The communists are convicted and appeal, contending the Smith Act is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court, in the end sides with the government based on a series of reasoning. First they agree with the Court of Appeals, which finds that the Marcist-Leninist doctrine the Communist Party subscribes to, in itself, states that a violent overthrow of government in an existing democratic state is necessary because the ruling classes would not allow any other method of revolution. They also found Communists tolerate no dissension from the policy laid down by the guiding forces, but that approved program is slavishly followed by the members of the party. The Supreme Court also argues that many laws require an evil intent and that the petitioners are wrong in saying there is no evil intent. If that precise mental state [must] be an essential element of a crime, surel an intent to overthrow the Government of the United States by advocacy thereof is equally susceptible of proof. The Court continues by saying that change to the government and constitution is all right, as long as it is done legally, but that Congress has a right to protect the Government ...

A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide for Act Three

A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide for Act Three This plot summary and study guide for Lorraine Hansberrys play, A Raisin in the Sun, provides an overview of Act Three. To learn more about the previous scenes, check out the following articles: A Raisin in the Sun: Act One, Scene OneA Raisin in the Sun: Act One, Scene TwoA Raisin in the Sun: Act Two, Scene OneA Raisin in the Sun: Act Two, Scene TwoA Raisin in the Sun: Act Two, Scene Three The third act of A Raisin in the Sun is a single scene. It takes place an hour after the events of Act Two (when $6500 was swindled from Walter Lee). In the stage directions, playwright Lorraine Hansberry describes the light of the living room as gray and gloomy, just as it was at the beginning of Act One. This dismal lighting represents the feeling of hopelessness, as though the future promises nothing. Joseph Asagais Proposal Joseph Asagai pays a spontaneous visit to the household, offering to help the family pack. Beneatha explains that Walter Lee lost her money for medical school. Then, she recounts a childhood memory about a neighbor boy who injured himself severely. When the doctors fixed his face and broken bones, young Beneatha realized she wanted to become a doctor. Now, she thinks that she has stopped caring enough to join the medical profession. Joseph and Beneatha then launch into an intellectual discussion about idealists and realists. Joseph sides with idealism. He is dedicated to improving life in Nigeria, his homeland. He even invites Beneatha to return home with him, as his wife. She is both bewildered and flattered by the offer. Joseph leaves her to think about the idea. Walters New Plan During his sisters conversation with Joseph Asagai, Walter has been listening intently from the other room. After Joseph leaves, Walter enters the living room and finds the business card of Mr. Karl Lindner, the chairman of the so-called welcoming committee of Clybourne Park, a neighborhood with white residents who are willing to pay a large amount of money to prevent black families from moving into the community. Walter leaves to contact Mr. Lindner. Mama enters and starts to unpack. (Because Walter lost the money, she no longer plans to move to the new house.) She remembers when as a child people would say that she always aimed too high. It seems she finally agrees with them. Ruth still wants to move. She is willing to go to work extreme hours in order to keep their new house in Clybourne Park. Walter returns and announces that he has made a call to the Man more specifically, he has asked Mr. Lindner back to their home to discuss a business arrangement. Walter plans to accept Lindners segregationist terms in order to make a profit. Walter has determined that humanity is divided into two groups: those who take and those who are tooken. From now on, Walter vows to be a taker. Walter Hits Rock Bottom Walter breaks down as he imagines putting on a pathetic show for Mr. Lindner. He pretends that he is speaking to Mr. Lindner, using a slave dialect to express how subservient he is in comparison to the white, property owner. Then, he goes into the bedroom, alone. Beneatha verbally disowns her brother. But Mama devoutly says that they must still love Walter, that a family member needs love the most when they have reached his lowest point. Little Travis runs in to announce the arrival of the moving men. At the same time, Mr. Lindner appears, carrying contracts to be signed. A Moment of Redemption Walter enters the living room, somber and ready to do business. His wife Ruth tells Travis to go downstairs because she does not want her son to see his father debase himself. However, Mama declares: MAMA: (Opening her eyes and looking into Walters.) No. Travis, you stay right here. And you make him understand what you doing, Walter Lee. You teach him good. Like Willy Harris taught you. You show where our five generations done come to. When Travis smiles up at his father, Walter Lee has a sudden change of heart. He explains to Mr. Lindner that his family members are plain but proud people. He tells of how his father worked for decades as a laborer, and that ultimately his father earned the right for his family to move into their new home in Clybourne Park. In short, Walter Lee transforms into the man his mother had prayed he would become. Realizing that the family is bent on moving into the neighborhood, Mr. Lindner shakes his head in dismay and leaves. Perhaps the most excited of all the family members, Ruth joyously shouts, Lets get the hell out of here! The moving men enter and begin to pack up the furniture. Beneatha and Walter exit as they argue about who would be a more suitable husband: the idealistic Joseph Asagai or the wealthy George Murchison. All of the family except Mama have left the apartment. She looks around one last time, picks up her plant, and leaves for a new home and a new life.