Who is Jason Bourne. How does amnesia play a role in the plot. Why is the CIA hunting Bourne. What makes The Bourne Identity a compelling spy thriller. How does Matt Damon portray the complex character of Jason Bourne.
The Mystery Unfolds: Jason Bourne’s Amnesiac Journey
The Bourne Identity, released in 2002, introduces us to a man without a past, played by Matt Damon. Found floating in the Mediterranean Sea with two bullet wounds, this enigmatic figure becomes the centerpiece of a thrilling espionage narrative. As he regains consciousness, he quickly realizes he’s suffering from retrograde amnesia, with only a bank account number embedded in his hip as a clue to his identity.
This unique premise sets the stage for a gripping tale of self-discovery and survival. The protagonist’s journey from confusion to competence is both fascinating and tension-filled. How does one reconcile possessing extraordinary skills without knowing their origin? This question drives the narrative forward, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Uncovering Hidden Talents
As our amnesiac hero navigates his new reality, he discovers a plethora of unexpected abilities. Fluency in multiple languages, advanced combat skills, and an instinctual understanding of covert operations all point to a past shrouded in secrecy. These revelations not only intrigue the audience but also raise the stakes as the character grapples with his true identity.
The CIA’s Treadstone: A Web of Secrets and Lies
At the heart of The Bourne Identity lies Operation Treadstone, a clandestine CIA program that becomes both Bourne’s nemesis and the key to unlocking his past. As Bourne pieces together his identity, he finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with his former employers.
The film expertly weaves together action sequences with moments of revelation, creating a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and adrenaline-pumping. Why is the CIA so desperate to eliminate Bourne? The answer to this question unfolds gradually, adding layers of complexity to the plot.
Alexander Conklin: The Puppet Master
Chris Cooper’s portrayal of Alexander Conklin, the head of Treadstone, adds depth to the antagonistic forces pursuing Bourne. Conklin’s determination to eliminate Bourne stems from a failed assassination attempt on an African dictator, Nykwana Wombosi. This subplot not only provides context for Bourne’s predicament but also highlights the morally ambiguous world of international espionage.
Marie Kreutz: An Unexpected Ally in a Dangerous World
Franka Potente’s character, Marie Kreutz, serves as more than just a love interest for Bourne. Her involvement in his journey adds a human element to the story, grounding the high-octane action in relatable emotions. Marie’s transformation from an ordinary civilian to a crucial ally in Bourne’s quest for the truth is both believable and compelling.
The relationship between Bourne and Marie evolves organically, providing moments of tenderness amidst the chaos. How does their bond impact Bourne’s journey of self-discovery? Their interactions offer insight into Bourne’s character beyond his role as a skilled operative, revealing his capacity for empathy and connection.
Trust and Betrayal in a World of Shadows
As Bourne and Marie navigate the dangerous landscape of international espionage, trust becomes a precious commodity. The film explores themes of loyalty and betrayal, questioning the nature of allegiance in a world where identities are fluid and motives are often hidden.
The Bourne Fighting Style: Redefining Action Cinema
One of the most distinctive aspects of The Bourne Identity is its approach to action sequences. The film’s fight scenes are characterized by their raw intensity and practical choreography. Unlike the stylized combat often seen in spy thrillers, Bourne’s fighting style is brutally efficient and grounded in reality.
This realistic approach to action extends to the film’s car chases and shootouts, creating a sense of immediacy and danger that sets The Bourne Identity apart from its contemporaries. How does this gritty realism contribute to the film’s overall impact? By eschewing over-the-top spectacle in favor of believable yet intense action, the film heightens the sense of real-world stakes.
The Evolution of the Spy Genre
The Bourne Identity’s influence on the spy thriller genre cannot be overstated. Its success paved the way for a new breed of espionage films that prioritize realism and complex character development over gadgetry and suave one-liners. This shift in tone and style has had a lasting impact on cinema, inspiring numerous imitators and influencing even established franchises like James Bond.
Memory and Identity: The Psychological Core of The Bourne Identity
At its heart, The Bourne Identity is an exploration of memory and its role in shaping our sense of self. Bourne’s struggle to reconcile his skills and instincts with his lack of personal history raises profound questions about the nature of identity. Is Bourne defined by his past actions, or by the choices he makes in the present?
This psychological depth adds a layer of complexity to what could have been a straightforward action thriller. As Bourne grapples with the moral implications of his former life, viewers are invited to consider their own identities and the factors that shape them.
The Ethics of Covert Operations
The film doesn’t shy away from exploring the ethical dilemmas inherent in covert intelligence operations. Through Bourne’s journey, we’re confronted with questions about the justification of assassination, the accountability of secret government programs, and the human cost of international power plays.
The Global Stage: From Zürich to Paris and Beyond
The Bourne Identity takes viewers on a whirlwind tour of Europe, with each location adding texture and authenticity to the story. From the pristine streets of Zürich to the gritty alleys of Paris, the film’s use of real locations contributes to its immersive quality.
This globetrotting narrative not only serves the plot but also reinforces the international scope of the conspiracy surrounding Bourne. How does the film’s use of diverse settings enhance the storytelling? By grounding the action in recognizable locations, The Bourne Identity creates a sense of realism that makes the extraordinary events of the plot feel all the more plausible.
The Paris Safe House: A Crucible of Truth
The climactic scenes set in the Treadstone safe house in Paris serve as a focal point for the film’s themes of revelation and confrontation. It’s here that Bourne finally comes face-to-face with his past, triggering memories that have eluded him throughout the story. This location becomes a physical manifestation of Bourne’s internal struggle, where the truth is finally laid bare.
The Legacy of The Bourne Identity: Spawning a Franchise
The success of The Bourne Identity led to a series of sequels, each building upon the foundation laid by the first film. The Bourne franchise has become synonymous with intelligent, action-packed storytelling that respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering heart-pounding thrills.
What makes The Bourne Identity so enduring? Its combination of cerebral plotting, intense action, and a compelling central performance by Matt Damon created a formula that resonated with audiences and critics alike. The film’s exploration of identity, memory, and the moral ambiguities of espionage continues to feel relevant and thought-provoking.
The Bourne Effect on Popular Culture
Beyond its immediate sequels, The Bourne Identity has left an indelible mark on popular culture. References to the film and its iconic scenes have appeared in everything from other movies to television shows and video games. The character of Jason Bourne has become shorthand for a certain type of highly skilled, morally complex operative, influencing depictions of spies and assassins across various media.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting a Modern Spy Classic
The making of The Bourne Identity was a complex process that involved overcoming numerous challenges. Director Doug Liman’s vision for a grittier, more realistic take on the spy genre initially met with resistance from studio executives who were used to more fantastical depictions of espionage.
The film’s production was marked by a commitment to authenticity, with extensive location shooting and a focus on practical effects over CGI. This approach not only lends the film its distinctive look but also contributes to its enduring appeal in an era of increasingly CGI-heavy blockbusters.
Adapting Robert Ludlum’s Novel
While The Bourne Identity is based on Robert Ludlum’s novel of the same name, the film takes significant liberties with its source material. The screenplay, written by Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron, streamlines the plot and updates the setting to create a more contemporary feel. This adaptation process demonstrates the challenges and opportunities inherent in bringing literary properties to the screen.
The Supporting Cast: Bringing Depth to the Bourne Universe
While Matt Damon’s performance as Jason Bourne anchors the film, The Bourne Identity benefits from a strong supporting cast that brings depth and nuance to the story. Chris Cooper’s portrayal of Alexander Conklin provides a formidable adversary, while Brian Cox as Deputy Director Ward Abbott adds layers of bureaucratic menace to the CIA’s pursuit of Bourne.
Clive Owen’s brief but memorable appearance as The Professor, another Treadstone asset, offers a glimpse into the world Bourne has left behind. These supporting characters not only serve the plot but also help to flesh out the complex web of alliances and betrayals that form the backdrop of Bourne’s journey.
Nicky Parsons: A Link to Bourne’s Past
Julia Stiles’ character, Nicky Parsons, though having limited screen time in the first film, becomes increasingly important as the franchise progresses. Her presence in The Bourne Identity hints at the deeper connections and history that Bourne has yet to uncover, setting the stage for future revelations.
The Music of Bourne: Setting the Tone for Espionage
John Powell’s score for The Bourne Identity plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s tense, paranoid atmosphere. The music blends electronic elements with orchestral arrangements to create a soundscape that’s both modern and timeless. How does the score contribute to the film’s overall impact? By alternating between pulsing, adrenaline-fueled tracks and more introspective pieces, Powell’s music enhances the emotional journey of the characters and amplifies the tension of key scenes.
The iconic Bourne theme, with its driving rhythm and memorable melody, has become inextricably linked with the character and the franchise as a whole. This musical identity helps to unify the series and instantly signals to audiences the high-stakes world they’re about to enter.
Sound Design: The Unsung Hero of Atmosphere
Beyond the score, The Bourne Identity’s sound design contributes significantly to its immersive quality. From the muffled underwater sounds that open the film to the crisp, realistic gunfire in action sequences, the audio landscape of the movie helps to ground the audience in Bourne’s world. This attention to aural detail enhances the film’s realism and adds another layer of sensory engagement to the viewing experience.
The Visual Language of The Bourne Identity
Director Doug Liman and cinematographer Oliver Wood collaborated to create a visual style for The Bourne Identity that would become a hallmark of the franchise. The film’s handheld camera work and quick cuts during action sequences create a sense of immediacy and chaos that mirrors Bourne’s disoriented state of mind.
In contrast, the film’s quieter moments often employ a more restrained visual approach, allowing the emotional weight of Bourne’s journey to come to the fore. This balance between kinetic action and contemplative character moments is key to the film’s success in engaging viewers on multiple levels.
Color Grading and Mood
The Bourne Identity’s color palette plays a subtle but important role in storytelling. The film’s muted tones and cool color grading contribute to its atmosphere of uncertainty and danger. As Bourne moves through different European locations, subtle shifts in the visual tone help to differentiate between settings and reflect the character’s emotional state.
The Bourne Identity’s Place in 21st Century Cinema
Released in 2002, The Bourne Identity arrived at a pivotal moment in both cinema history and geopolitics. In a post-9/11 world, audiences were ready for a new kind of action hero – one who questioned authority and grappled with the moral complexities of covert operations. Bourne’s journey from amnesiac to self-aware operative resonated with viewers navigating an increasingly complex global landscape.
The film’s success paved the way for a new era of thoughtful action thrillers that balanced spectacle with substance. How has The Bourne Identity influenced subsequent films in the genre? Its impact can be seen in everything from the grittier reimagining of James Bond to the rise of more psychologically complex superhero narratives.
A New Standard for Adaptation
The Bourne Identity also set a new standard for adapting literary properties to the screen. By taking the core concept of Robert Ludlum’s novel and updating it for a contemporary audience, the film demonstrated how to respect source material while creating something fresh and relevant. This approach has influenced numerous subsequent adaptations, encouraging filmmakers to reimagine rather than merely translate books to film.
The Enduring Appeal of Jason Bourne
More than two decades after its release, The Bourne Identity continues to captivate audiences. The film’s exploration of identity, memory, and moral ambiguity remains as relevant today as it was in 2002. Jason Bourne, as portrayed by Matt Damon, represents a new kind of action hero – one who is vulnerable, conflicted, and deeply human despite his extraordinary abilities.
What makes Bourne such an enduring character? His struggle to reconcile his past with his present, his quest for redemption, and his unwavering determination in the face of overwhelming odds all contribute to his appeal. Bourne is not a superhero, but a man pushed to extraordinary lengths by circumstance and training, making him relatable even as he performs incredible feats.
The Evolution of the Franchise
While The Bourne Identity stands on its own as a complete story, it also laid the groundwork for a franchise that would continue to explore themes of identity, power, and accountability. Each subsequent film in the series has built upon the foundation established by the first, expanding the universe while remaining true to the core elements that made The Bourne Identity so compelling.
As the franchise has evolved, it has continued to reflect and comment on real-world issues, from government surveillance to the ethics of artificial intelligence. This ongoing relevance has helped to maintain the series’ popularity and critical acclaim, ensuring that Jason Bourne remains a significant figure in contemporary cinema.
The Bourne Identity (2002) – Plot Summary
An Italian fishing boat crew working off the coast of Marseille, France finds an unconscious man (Matt Damon) adrift in the Mediterranean with two gunshot wounds in his back.
The man awakens on board, and very soon he comes to realize he suffers from retrograde amnesia, having only one clue to his identity: the account number to a safe deposit box provided by a tiny laser projector surgically implanted in his hip. He uses the information and travels to Zürich, Switzerland to find the corresponding bank and discovers he is skilled in advanced hand-to-hand combat and fluent in German when he instinctively defends himself from two policemen questioning him for loitering in a closed park at night.
The man arrives at the bank and finds the deposit box contains a significant amount of cash in different currencies, a handgun, and several passports with his photo, but with numerous aliases and nationalities. He assumes the identity of the top passport, “Jason Bourne”, and leaves. A bank employee notifies a CIA Special Activities Division group, “Operation Treadstone,” about his visit, and the police arrive on the scene. Bourne manages to escape and flees to the U.S. consulate, where he is accosted by the officials there but once again manages to elude capture. A few blocks away, Bourne approaches Marie Kreutz (Franka Potente) and offers her US$20,000 to take him to Paris to the address on his “Bourne” passport.
Meanwhile, back at CIA headquarters, Alexander Conklin (Chris Cooper), the head of Treadstone, reveals to his supervisor, Deputy Director Ward Abbott (Brian Cox), that Bourne was the covert operative responsible for a failed assassination attempt on exiled African dictator Nykwana Wombosi (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). Intending to sever all connections between the CIA and Wombosi, Conklin sends three highly-trained “assets” (assassins) to eliminate Bourne. Bourne and Marie arrive at the apartment in Paris, where he finds that one of his aliases, “John Michael Kane,” was supposedly killed two weeks ago. The first asset, code-named “Castel” (Nicky Naude), ambushes them but Bourne subdues him after a brief fight. Marie checks Castel’s bag and panics when she discovers a hit list package with photos of CCTV footage of her and Bourne at the embassy the day before. As Bourne tries to calm her down, Castel escapes and jumps out the window to his death before Bourne can learn anything else from him.
Conklin enlists Nicolette “Nicky” Parsons ([link=nm0005466), a logistics technician at the Treadstone Paris safe house, to assist him in tracking Bourne and Marie. Bourne goes to meet Wombosi to obtain more information but the second asset, code-named “The Professor” (Clive Owen), kills Wombosi before Bourne arrives. With the news of Wombosi’s death, Bourne surmises he was an assassin before the onset of his amnesia. Bourne and Marie flee to the home of her stepbrother in the countryside where Bourne decides that he no longer wants to be who he was before.
Back at the CIA headquarters, Conklin tracks Bourne and Marie to the countryside house. The next morning, The Professor tries to snipe Bourne but Bourne creates a diversion and dispatches him in a cropfield, having sneaked out. As he dies, The Professor tells Bourne about their mutual connection to Treadstone. Bourne sends Marie and her stepbrother away for her safety, then uses The Professor’s cell phone to arrange a meeting with Conklin to bring him out into the open so he can track him.
Bourne tails Conklin back to the Paris safe house where Conklin tells him that he (Bourne) planned the entire operation to kill Wombosi. The revelation triggers Bourne’s memory and through successive flashbacks Bourne remembers he used the Kane alias to infiltrate Wombosi’s entourage but couldn’t bring himself to kill Wombosi because Wombosi’s children were present with him. He aborted the mission and tried to flee the boat, but he was shot twice by Wombosi and fell overboard from Wombosi’s yacht into the Mediterranean, where the Italian fishermen later found him.
Bourne tells Conklin he is quitting Treadstone and warns them not to follow him. After knocking Conklin out, Bourne engages in a shootout with several other Treadstone agents in the building. Bourne is wounded during the gunfight but kills the other agents and escapes the building. After Bourne has escaped, Conklin orders Nicky to close down the safe house, and shortly afterwards is murdered by the third asset, code-named “Manheim” (Russell Levy), on orders from Abbott. Some time later, Abbott explains to an oversight committee that he shut down Treadstone because of its ineffective cost benefit ratio and proposes a new program, “Operation Blackbriar.”
Bourne, now free from the CIA, travels to Mykonos, Greece, where he reunites with Marie, who runs a scooter shop, and the two share an embrace.
A National Patient Safety Initiative
[3 MIN READ]
Correct patient identification has long been at the top of the list regarding safety.
A recent TSG article by Dr. Tom Syzek entitled “Medical Errors, Communication, Teamwork and End of Life: Lessons from Angola” speaks to the importance of correct patient identification and the safety implications surrounding it. This article dovetails nicely with the new 2019 Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) regarding newborn identification, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to keep the conversation relevant and on-topic by addressing this new NPSG.
Hospitalized newborns are a vulnerable population at considerable risk for misidentification. Several unique features of the newborn population lead to misidentification:
- They all are born with similar birth dates and similar medical record numbers.
- Multiples will have identical surnames and be hospitalized at the exact same time.
- They are not able to speak, so they cannot participate in confirming their identities.
- They lack the distinguishing physical attributes and characteristics that are specific to the adult population.
Furthermore, well-known misidentification errors such as wrong patient/wrong procedure have resulted in many errors, including:
- Providing two vaccines to the same infant
- Wrong infant being circumcised
- Feeding a mother’s expressed breastmilk to the wrong newborn
- Giving a breastfed infant formula or a mother breastfeeding the wrong infant
All these errors have the potential to cause patient harm and parental distress. A reliable identification system is necessary to prevent these types of serious errors and prevent harm to the newborn; hence, the birth of this safety initiative.
The need for updated and improved newborn identifiers was recognized by the AAP and other leaders in the field of safety. Gray et al. found that similar medical record numbers followed by similar or identical surnames made up the bulk of misidentification errors. Heightened awareness to this issue provided the impetus for much needed scrutiny of current practices. After research of the literature, public review, and engaging discussion the safety leaders developed the National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG.01.01.01).
Effective January 1, 2019, all hospitals caring for newborns will be required to use at least two patient identifiers when providing care, treatment and services to newborn infants.
Examples of methods to prevent misidentification as cited by the NPSG may include the following:
- Distinct naming systems could include using the mother’s first and last names and the newborn’s gender (for example: “Smith, Judy Girl”; or “Smith, Judy Girl A” and “Smith, Judy Girl B” for multiples).
- Standardized practices for identification banding (for example, two body-site identification and barcoding).
- Establish communication tools among staff (for example, visually alerting staff with signage noting newborns with similar names). (NPSG.01.01.01)
Safe Practices for Infant Identification
- Utilize the 2019 NPSG guidelines for identification.
- Focus on standardized practices with consistency.
- Use barcoding when available.
- Ensure that information on ID band is legible.
- Place newborn ID bands on two extremities; preferably wrist and opposite ankle.
- Ensure that ID bands are secure so they will not become loose or lost in blankets and linens.
- Double check two identifiers prior to initiating documentation into the electronic medical record.
- Instruct parents on the importance of maintaining the ID bands.
- Replace ID bands that are destroyed, damaged, inaccurate or incomplete.
- Use dual RN ID confirmation prior to meds, treatments and procedures.
- Use a time-out before treatments/procedures as an opportunity to again confirm patient identification.
- Parents can and should assist in the identification process, especially at the time of hospital discharge.
- Standardize an alert system that identifies similar-sounding names; for example, a flag on the chart stating “similar name patient,” a color-coding alert, etc. Alert team members, charge nurse, etc., of the similar names and make sure that this information gets passed along from shift to shift.
Vigilance for accurate patient identification is a quality and safety issue that should be embedded into our daily hospital routines. The busyness of hospital routines such as infant feedings, circumcision, cardiac screens, hearing screens, bilirubin assessment and lab draws should not undermine the importance of correct patient identification. Everyone working with newborns is responsible to ensure that misidentification does not happen and that safety is always maintained.
Resources
What is birth registration and why does it matter?
How can birth registration rates be improved?
Legal identity, including birth registration, is a human right. For every child to fulfil this right, governments must improve and strengthen civil registration systems.
Improving birth registration rates can be done in a number of ways, including eliminating registration fees and late fees, or giving cash grants to families who register their children. Increasing the number of trained registrars, and/or sending them to remote areas in mobile registration units can also help governments reach more vulnerable populations.
Technology offers a promising solution as well. The Governments of Pakistan and Tanzania have introduced smartphone apps for birth registration, which allow registrars to digitally collect and upload birth registration data to a protected, centralized system, in real-time.
Ultimately, we need to make birth registration the new normal in communities where it is not regularly practiced. This means advocating for governments to revise their laws and policies, and working with communities to shift attitudes and behaviours – showing the value and benefits of birth registration to create a demand for it.
What is UNICEF doing to help?
UNICEF has been a key player in birth registration globally for over 30 years. In 2018, we worked with governments and communities to register over 16 million births and issue birth certificates to over 13 million people.
Our work focuses on helping governments strengthen their civil registration systems. This includes increasing the number of service points where children can be registered, developing or updating birth registration policies, innovations in registration technology, and increasing community awareness about birth registration.
We also work with other sectors, like health and education, to integrate birth registration into their work. This includes increasing birth registration in hospitals and health centres, including birth registration in immunization drives, and linking birth registration systems to national cash transfer system and student databases.
The world has made substantial progress on birth registration over the past 20 years. Today, around 75 per cent of children under 5 are registered, compared to 60 per cent in 2000. Without this progress, an additional 100 million children would be unregistered today.
But countries need more investment and commitment to achieve universal birth registration by 2030. Read more about UNICEF’s recommendations here.
Clinician Identification of Birth Asphyxia Using Intrapartum Cardiotocography Among Neonates With and Without Encephalopathy in New Zealand
Importance:
Despite improvements in antenatal care and increasing cesarean delivery rates, birth asphyxia leading to neonatal encephalopathy (NE) continues to contribute to neonatal death and long-term neurodevelopmental disability. Cardiotocography (CTG) has been used in labor for several decades to detect a stressed fetus so that delivery can be expedited and NE avoided.
Objective:
To investigate whether experienced clinicians can detect and respond to abnormal readings from CTGs during the penultimate hour before birth in infants with moderate to severe NE but no acute peripartum event.
Design, setting, and participants:
This case-control study included 10 practicing obstetricians and midwives at maternity hospitals in New Zealand. Participants, who were masked to the perinatal outcome, were asked to assess CTG tracings from 35 neonates with NE and evidence of birth hypoxia (ie, cases) and 105 neonates without NE or birth hypoxia (ie, controls), all of whom were born in 2010 to 2011. Data analysis was conducted from May to December 2017.
Exposures:
Brief clinical details and 1 hour of CTG tracings from the penultimate hour before birth were provided for each baby. Clinicians assessed the CTG tracings and recommended a plan.
Main outcomes and measures:
Intra-assessor and interassessor agreement on CTG findings and action plans as well as sensitivity (ie, detection of NE) and specificity (ie, ruling out those without NE) for the assessment of abnormal CTG readings leading to immediate action (ie, fetal blood sample or immediate delivery) were reported.
Results:
A total of 35 infants (mean [SD] gestational age, 40 [1. 4] weeks; 16 [45.7%] cesarean deliveries) were designated cases, and 105 infants (mean [SD] gestational age, 39.4 [1.2] weeks; 22 [21.0%] cesarean deliveries) were designated controls. No infants had congenital anomalies. The mean (range) sensitivity for detection of abnormal CTG results and for recommending immediate action for all assessors was 75% (63%-91%) and 41% (23%-57%), respectively, with a mean (range) specificity of 67% (53%-77%) and 87% (65%-99%), respectively. A sensitivity analysis including only assessors with 80% or more interassessor agreement only differed from the main analysis by 6% or less (mean [range] sensitivity for detection, 76% [63%-91%]; sensitivity for action plan, 36% [25%-49%]; specificity for detection, 71% [53%-77%]; and specificity for action plan, 93% [88%-99%]).
Conclusions and relevance:
Experienced clinicians detected 3 of 4 infants who were subsequently diagnosed with NE. Action to expedite delivery was recommended for more than 40% of infants with NE. These results indicate that CTG does not identify all infants at risk of NE, and that there is a need for further investment in new approaches to fetal surveillance in labor.
Identification Requirements | Department of Public Safety
Individuals must complete additional requirements to obtain a driver license or ID card.
To help reduce identity theft, individuals must present documents to verify their identity when applying for a driver license or identification card.
There are three ways an individual can verify his/her identity:
- Bring one item listed in the “Primary Identity Documents” category or
- Bring two items listed in the “Secondary Identity Documents” category or
- Bring one item listed in the “Secondary Identity Documents” category and two documents listed in the “Supporting Identity Documents” category
The information on the documents, such as name and date of birth, must all match. If the name is different on each document, then the individual must provide documents that verify a legal name change. If other information on the document is different, speak with a License and Permit Specialist for assistance.
If you are using a name other than what is on your birth certificate, (example: married name), you will be required to show legal documentation of name change. Documents must be original or certified copy. Certified documents should not be laminated. No photocopies can be accepted.
Acceptable documents:
- Marriage license
- Divorce decree
- Original or certified copy of a revised birth certificate
- Court ordered name change
- Department of State Health Services marriage verification letter
NOTE: A brochure listing all of the following documents is available for download.
Primary Identity Documents
An individual can present one primary document. No other documents are required to verify identity if one primary document is provided.
Primary identity documents include:
- Texas driver license or Texas identification card not expired more than 2 years
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport book or U.S. passport card
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization with identifiable photograph (N-550, 560, N-561, N-570 or N-578)
- Unexpired Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services document with verifiable data and identifiable photo, such as one of the following:
- U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
- Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
- Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with temporary I-551 language and ADIT stamp
- Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Unexpired U.S. Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
- Advance Parole Document (I-512 or I-512L)
- I-94 stamped Sec. 208 Asylee with photo
- I-94 stamped Sec. 207 Refugee with photo
- Valid Refugee Travel Letter with photo, stamped by Customs and Border Protection
- American Indian Card (I-872)
- Northern Mariana card (I-873)
- Valid, unexpired foreign passport with attached visa (visa may be expired but passport must be valid) and valid Form I-94
- Unexpired U.S. military ID card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel with identifiable photo
Secondary Identity Documents
Individuals who do not have a primary document can present two secondary documents. No other documents are required to verify identity if two secondary documents are provided.
Secondary identity documents include:
- Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province. Laminated copies are not accepted.
NOTE: Because Puerto Rican statute provides that Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are no longer valid, the Department cannot recognize these birth certificates as proof of identification or lawful presence. For more information please select the following link. http://prfaa.pr.gov/birthcertificatesnd2.asp
- For U.S. citizens born abroad – Original or certified copy of Consular report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) (Form FS-240) or Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 for FS-545) issued by the U.S. Department of State
- Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating a name and/or gender change from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province
Supporting Identity Documents
Individuals who do not have a primary document or two secondary documents can provide one secondary document (from the list above) and two supporting documents.
Supporting identity documents include:
- Social security card (actual card)
- Form W-2 or 1099
- Driver license or ID card issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province (unexpired or expired less than two years)*
- Texas driver license or ID card that has been expired more than two years (actual card)
- Temporary Texas driver license or ID card (actual receipt)
- School records* (e. g., report cards, photo ID cards)
- Unexpired U.S. military dependent identification card
- Original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree (if the document is not in English, a certified translation must accompany it)
- Valid, unexpired Texas Voter registration card*
- Pilot license* (actual card)
- Concealed handgun license or License to Carry*
- Professional license issued by a Texas state agency
- ID card issued by a government agency*
- A valid consular document issued by a state or national government
- Texas Inmate ID card or similar form of ID issued by Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole or mandatory release certificate
- Federal inmate identification card
- Federal parole or release certificate
- Medicare or Medicaid card (actual card)
- Selective Service card (actual card)
- Immunization records*
- Tribal membership card from federally-recognized tribe
- Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
- Valid, unexpired foreign passport
- Insurance policy valid continuously for the past two years (e.g., auto, home or life insurance)
- Valid, unexpired Texas vehicle registration or title
- Valid, unexpired Texas boat registration or title
- Veteran’s ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Original or certified copy of an abstract (shortened) birth certificate issued by a State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia
- Hospital-issued birth record*
- Military records (e.g., Form DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22)
*The document must be issued by an institution, entity or government from a U.S. state, a U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province.
Birth certificate |
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U.S. passport |
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Valid, unexpired foreign passport |
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Motor vehicle driver’s record |
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School documents | ||
U.S. military ID |
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North Carolina Limited Driving Privilege |
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U.S. government documents |
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Court documents |
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Acceptable Primary and Secondary Identification
Acceptable primary proof of identity includes, but is not limited to, original or certified documents with full name and date of birth, such as the items listed below.
PLEASE NOTE: All documents are subject to verification with the issuing agency or source. Documents subject to verification may delay the issuance of your permit, driver license, identification only license, temporary driver license or temporary identification license.
No photocopies will be accepted!
Resources for Obtaining Necessary Documents for Identity
Primary Identification
All documents must have full name and date of birth
U.S. photo driver license or photo ID card, License from another country
- May also include photo learner permits.
- U.S. Department of State Driver’s License also acceptable.
Original or Certified Birth Certificate
- Must be original or certified, have an official seal and be issued by an authorized government agency such as the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health.
IMPORTANT: Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 will not be recognized as a form of primary or secondary identification beginning November 1, 2010.
The government of Puerto Rico has provided information for citizens to apply for new birth certificates. - Foreign birth certificates, not issued in English, must be translated and accompanied by a Certificate of Accurate Translation.
NOTE: Hospital issued certificates (mother’s copy) are not acceptable.
Military Identification
- Active Duty, Retiree or Reservist military ID card (DD Form 2 or 2A)
- Discharge papers (DD-214)
- Military Dependent ID card (for spouse or children of Active Duty Military personnel)
Valid, Unexpired United States Passport
Valid, Unexpired Foreign Passport
- Foreign passports must contain a Valid United States Visa or I-94 to be used as a primary proof of identification.
- Foreign passports, not issued in English, must be translated and accompanied by a Certificate of Accurate Translation. Passports are not acceptable if expired.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Documentation
- Certificate of Naturalization N-550, N-570, N-578
- Certificate of Citizenship N-560, N-561, N-645
- Employment Authorization card (I-766)
- Northern Mariana Card
- American Department of Indian Affairs Tribal Card
- U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179, I-197)
- Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
- Travel Documents Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94)
- Border Crossing Identification (I-586)
- Nonimmigrant Visa/Border Crossing Card (DSP-150)
- U.S. Re-entry Permit (I-327)
- Refugee I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure stamped “Refugee”
- Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
- Canadian Immigration Record and Visa or Record of Landing (IMM 100)
- Canadian Department of Indian Affairs issued ID card.
Marriage License/Certificate
- Must include the applicant’s full name and date of birth. The certificate must be the original or certified copy that is registered AFTER the marriage; NOT just the “license”authorizing the union.
Federal Census Record
- Must include the applicant’s full name and date of birth (age).
Applicant’s Own Child’s Birth Certificate
- Must include the applicant’s (i.e parent’s) full name and date of birth not just “age” of parent at the time of the child’s birth.
Adoptive Decree
- Must include the applicant’s full name and date of birth.
Legal Change of Name (Divorce, etc.)
- As recorded in court decree with judge’s original signature and/or official court seal.
NOTE: Copy of court document with copied seal/signature is not acceptable. Copy of court document with an original signature/seal that is affixed to copy is acceptable.
Any confirmation of date of birth in court of law
- As recorded in court document(s) with judge’s original signature and/or official court seal.
NOTE: Copy of court document with copied seal/signature is not acceptable. Copy of court document with an original signature/seal that is affixed to copy is acceptable.
Any other documentary evidence which confirms to the satisfaction of the Department the true identity and date of birth of the applicant.
Secondary Identification
Computerized Check Stubs
- Must include the applicant’s full name pre-printed on the stub.
Union Membership Cards
- Must include the applicant’s full name preferably with photo and/or Social Security number.
Work IDs
- Preferably with photo and/or Social Security number.
Financial Institution Documents
- Computer printouts of bank statements, savings account statements, loan documents, etc.
Social Security Documents
- Social Security Card (original only not metal or plastic replicas)
- Printout or benefits statements, etc.
- Social Security Check or Direct Deposit Verification of Social Security Check
Health Insurance Card
- TennCare, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.
- Health Insurance Card
- Insurance Policies or Payment statements
IRS/state tax form
- W2 Forms, Property tax receipts, etc.
Military Records
- Assignment orders, selective service cards, Leave & Earnings Statement, etc.
- United States or Foreign
School Records
- Transcript of grades
- Elementary Immunization or “Shot” Records
- Diploma or G.E.D.
Vehicle Documents
- Vehicle Registration or title
- Bill of Sale or purchase contract
Resources for Obtaining Necessary Documents for Identity
For information about birth documentation or proof of name change from another state, visit: National Center for Health Statistics.
For information about passports, visit: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html.
For information or to request a certified copy of a birth certificate or marriage certificate for a birth or marriage that took place in Tennessee visit: Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records
For information or to request a certified copy of a birth certificate or marriage certificate from another state or a US Territory or possession, visit: National Center for Health Statistics.
The Government of Puerto Rico’s information for citizens to apply for a new birth certificate.
For Social Security information, contact the Social Security Administration.
To contact the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), call:
- National Customer Service Center (800) 375-5283; or
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (202) 955-0307.
PLEASE NOTE: These telephone numbers and outside links are subject to change without notice.
90,000 Roger’s Identification – Year of Literature
Text: Oleg Divov
American surnames imported from Europe often look so scary to read, and utterly unthinkable to pronounce aloud: suddenly you call the devil. In fact, it is simple to deal with them: as a person calls himself, so you say. One problem is hearing the right sound. For example, Asimov was in correspondence with Simak for a long time, then at face-to-face meetings he called him Cliff without fuss and did not know that he was Simak.And we still don’t know. Yes, we don’t care, because Cliff’s grandfather brought out the surname Shimák from Bohemia, from which, frankly, little is left. And Simak sounds proudly, befitting a grandmaster.
At Isaak Yudovich Azimov himself , born in the RSFSR, there were suspicions that he was Ozimov at all, but now it has been established: the Azimovs are his family, without options.
And the hero of our story had a dad like a Pole, and dad’s name was like Jozef Zelazny . Probably. Probably.It is not excluded. Well, somewhere nearby, something like that.
It’s different mom: Josephine Flora Sweet , no questions.
According to the documents, the hero is Roger Zelazny.
If the Americans are not allowed to distort everything, as is their custom, it is so close to the Polish word “zhelazny” (żelazny, “iron”) that it served as the name of the hero’s father – where’s Simaku. Although Azimov cannot be surpassed, know ours.
And if you don’t let the Russians, as they usually do, distort everything …
American science fiction writer Roger Zelazny was invented either by the great and unsurpassed Eleanor Halperin herself, or she was with the participation of the editorial staff of the magazine “Chemistry and Life”.
More precisely, our enthusiasts have corrected Roger not quite phonetically correct, but historically reliable and politically consistent “Slavic” signature. Back in the distant 1972 the tiny story “Obsession of the Collector” was translated into Russian – six thousand three hundred eighty-three characters with spaces, the author’s name and the postscript “Nora Gal’s translation.” In the distant 1980 , just sixteen years after it was published in the original language, Chemistry and Life published it.
In the distant 1985 , the second appearance of the hero to the Soviet reader took place, this time in the collection of fiction “Lalangamena”: again a short form, again a story of almost twenty years of exposure (“Keys to December”), again the name of Zelazny.
The story is poetic, sentimental and bitter.
Keys to December are the keys to Roger himself, his Main Question and Main Plot. Question – where is the line when superhuman capabilities will make you superhuman
and can you see how superhumanity turns into inhumanity? And the plot, according to Borges, is “the suicide of God.”Sometimes with elements of “city defense” and “homecoming”, but the center line is always the same.
As a rule, Roger’s good gods cast down the bad ones, not sparing their lives, otherwise they tear the petrified heart out of their own chest – and as a reward they are reborn as people.
Or remain human.
If you’re lucky, of course …
In the early 90s, Roger will attack a Russian-speaking person in earnest – ironically, just as powerfully and convincingly as in the late 60s on an English-speaking person.And yet abroad our hero was seen in development. Even if for a short time, the audience had a chance to get used to the idea that that entertainer and also a great master of the word had broken into fiction. There they could read “Indian” and “Egyptian” books with a pause of two years. See the “Greek” novel first in a story format. And at least the Amber cycle was definitely received, thank Gods, in portions.
Formally, if you look at the dates of the release of the texts, the entire development of Roger from “good beginner” to the state of a recognized star fits into some five years.
It is incomprehensible to the mind, it does not happen. If you count for work – seven. In the sixty-fifth the story “… and call me Konrad” was published, which was rewritten in a year into the iconic novel “This Immortal”. Then there are the crazy “Prince of Light” and “Generations of Light and Darkness”, and already in the seventieth the first novel of the future Amber ten-book is published, which is destined for popular love on the verge of light hysteria.
And this happiness will collapse on us all at once.
A whole heap of iron fiction writers – and completely different ones – will fall from the publishing bins from the publishing bins on the head of an unprepared reader.Why are there, generally dissimilar.
Therefore, every fan of science fiction in the post-Soviet space has his own Roger. Individual spill.
Who started with what, who ate what and what turned out to be closer, which Roger is “real”, and which one is so-so – an abyss of options.
There were three starting positions.
Times. Unpretentious, frankly from the 60s, but strong post-apocalyptic novel by Roger Zelazny “The Road of Damnation”. Remember, probably, there is such a natural anarchist Damn Tanner, in comparison with whom Plissken the Serpent seems almost disciplined, and Mad Max Rokatansky is just sulky and an exemplary gentleman.
Two. We don’t need LSD, we have enough of our imagination: Roger Zilazni, “Prince of Light” and “Spawn of Light and Darkness.” After “This Immortal” – programmatic, cult novels and incidentally give reason to call their author “one of the most culturally equipped American science fiction writers.” Ancient Indian and Ancient Egyptian material, the strongest loading of the text with cultural allusions … Bam! Babakh! Blood in the river, guts on the walls, battle scenes, which we could not imagine before! – and delightful poetry of presentation.We did it beautifully. And imagine, this is SF, there is simply nowhere more scientific.
And finally, three. Gloomy to the brutality of fantasy in the range – Amber, Chronicles of Amber, Chronicles of Amber, Chronicles of Amber, Chronicles of the Amber Kingdom … Productions of Zelazny, Silly and even sometimes Zelazny. Not as harsh as Baggins, Sumkins and Baggins from Tolkins and Tolkiens, but it will not seem a little either. And the circulation is no less convincing.
It should be noted, by the way, that the scale and success of the invasion of the hobbits to Russia is now accepted retroactively as such Tatar-Mongols, after which everyone has shaggy legs – but in vain.In reality of the 90s, Prince Corwin, aka Carl Cory of Earth, became the first fantasy hero for tens, if not hundreds of thousands of our readers, and The Nine Princes of Amber became the first fantasy novel they met in principle.
What is interesting, in addition to the eternal Main Question and the Main Plot, it is in the fantasy Amber cycle that a typical sci-fi assumption is packed – a fan of parallel worlds. And strictly speaking, the acclaimed “classic of the fantasy genre” is not quite what it seems.
Like everything that our hero wrote.
Otherwise he would have been simply bored.
“I am firmly convinced that I could write the same story in a dozen different ways: as a comedy, as a tragedy, as something in between; from the point of view of a minor character, in the first person, in the third person, at different times, and so on. But I’m also convinced that there is only one preferred embodiment for true science fiction novels. I feel like the material can dictate the shape.Keeping this right is the most difficult and rewarding part of the story writing process for me. This is beyond any skill, in the area of aesthetics. ”
Thus spoke Roger Zelazny.
Today in the Russian translation tradition the surname Zhelyazny and the word “Amber” are rigidly fixed. For reference: Americans call amber “embe”, the British pronounce it almost like “amba”. In general, we do not have Amba’s chronicles, and thanks for that.
There is a widespread belief that the author treated the fantasy cycle from above, without a soul and special love, as a commercial handicraft.It’s probably easier to think this way, comparing Amber with the frankly and obviously highly intellectual works of previous years. After all, even the most devoted fans separate the “Pentateuch of Corvinus” from the later texts: it was good there, and then it was weaker … But the writer, excuse me, knows better whom he loves. Known evidences George Martin and Neil Gaiman (the latter directly quoted a conversation with Roger): he was categorically against the very idea that anyone else would write about Amber.
This is what they say when they take their “world” very seriously. And the author did not abandon the cycle, even when he found out that he was seriously and most likely terminally ill.
Fifty-eight – some only come into force, but this has not become … But it is pleasant to realize that Roger was never an unrecognized genius, and the “beginner” phase flew past with a whistle. He became a successful professional, for whom it is in the order of things, without the slightest reflection, to rewrite a successful story into an even more successful novel, because good things can be done better and sold for more.He eagerly took part in inter-author projects, worked in co-authorship, generously gifted ideas to colleagues. And although he settled in the middle of nowhere (New Mexico is even cooler than Maine), he was tightly integrated into a fantastic get-together, was treated kindly by her, was repeatedly awarded, everyone knew him, and Roger knew everyone.
He is from the galaxy called the “new wave” – although there was nothing new in it, rather the opposite: Dick, Delaney, Silverberg, Allison and Roger pushed “science fiction” out of the niche of fiction for techno-freaks and nerds back into the mainstream …They made it literature again. Notice how Brian Aldiss described the style of our hero : “… behind all the innovations in style, his work marked a return to Dockampbell’s storytelling method. It was non-analytical, Burroughsian fiction. ” Exactly. From the tortured – back to the natural, from the formulas – to the living word, and not to the detriment of scientific knowledge.
By the way, almost all colleagues and friends, mentioning Roger, spoke of him primarily as a rare master of the word.
“The only modern writer with a more distinctive approach to English is Nabokov” (Harlan Ellison, 1967) – not bad, huh?
George Martin : “He was a poet from start to finish, always. His words were sung. ”
It couldn’t be better.
But … Still, what was his name, our Roger?
Let us remind you: it’s easy to deal with American surnames. The main thing is to hear what is right. I had to ask Sheckley , but who knew thirteen years ago that it would be needed today… And you can call the literary agent who published the friends and colleagues of our hero.
– Americans call him Zelyazny, – said Alexander Korzhenevsky to .
-?! ..
– Greenery. And Zelazny is “Chemistry and Life” nahimichila. There was the first Soviet publication, a very long time ago, almost in the seventies, a tiny little story … And from them it went further.
Greenery, my ass.
Can we leave it Zelazny for the Russians? Not even Zhelazny, which follows in Polish, but, as they are accustomed to, through “me”: Nora Gal had an excellent hearing.Strong, strong, with an iron clang – Zelazny!
With Simak it turned out well.
No wonder Asimov thought that was his name.
Our man.
Related links:
Fanzon. It’s just fantastic, 08/08/2016
“There and back”: point of no return, 03/05/2017
Russian Science Fiction, 04/25/2016
Simply fantastic, 04/03/2016
Mashup – a combination of classic and fantasy, 19.04.2016
True Fantasy, 04/13/2016
“Teenagers are reading translated fantasy …”, 28.03.2016
90,000 Childhood Gender Identity – Yes or No?
Now there are many different opinions about whether it is worth focusing the child’s attention on his gender, whether it is necessary to emphasize gender differences, and instill in children the idea of masculinity and femininity. And every opinion has a basis. Let’s talk about this today?
We live in a modern world where everything changes every minute and traditional values are constantly criticized.There is a popular point of view that you should not impose certain gender roles on children, teach them that if you are born a boy, you should behave this way, and if you are a girl, then this way. However, in the world of adolescents, as in the adult world, we increasingly see women trying on male roles and behavioral models, and men – female ones. And the further we go, the less it shocks and surprises us. Man is a complex creature, and in the entire history of mankind, his social habits have radically changed hundreds of times.
So, is it worth focusing on the child’s gender identity and instilling in him certain models of behavior, depending on his gender?
Of course, this question is at the mercy of the family: the child adopts, first of all, those social-role models that are adopted at home. And this is where the problems begin. For example, if a family is incomplete and consists only of a mother and a grandmother, the child does not have a constant example of male behavior in front of his eyes, and it is more difficult for him to receive this information and form his own line of behavior.And here the options can be absolutely anything: courageous girls, and feminine boys, and antisociality, and infantilism – each child “draws” in his head the qualities of a man who is absent from the house himself, and learns his own model of behavior. Therefore, already at this stage, the issue of gender identification can be quite acute.
Absolutely, can not criticize or punish children for actions and behavior that are not characteristic of his gender . For example, there is nothing terrible in the fact that a boy likes to cook or play with dolls – this does not tell us in any way that he will grow out of him as a “non-man”, it only says that his sphere of interests goes beyond his gender role. …The same goes for girls – there is nothing wrong with the fact that she loves to design airplanes or she loves helping her dad build a house. Any initiative and any constructive interest shown by the child should be encouraged, and the child himself should be loved unconditionally, regardless of whether he adheres to his gender role or falls out of it.
What, in essence, is this “gender role”? A certain set of stereotypes created by people themselves over a period of time.The set of these stereotypes has been constantly changing and continues to change – this is not something immutable and unchanging, which should be guided by and what should be taken as a basis in raising children. It is just a variable, not a constant.
The world is moving towards the universalization of man: women occupy “male” posts and more and more easily cope with “male” jobs: there are women pilots, auto mechanics, drivers, subway drivers, etc. – it was impossible to imagine such a thing 100 years ago, but now it is the norm.And men proudly do manicure, sew clothes, work as nannies and cooks. And it’s great that now each of us has such a wide choice.
But still, in our Center for Personality Development we celebrate traditional “women’s” and “men’s” holidays. Why? First of all, because there are still differences between boys and girls, as well as between men and women, and I personally think it is important that boys are aware of themselves as strong, able to protect, support, help and protect, and girls are aware of yourself gentle, loved, surrounded by attention and care.However, in our work with children, we do not proceed from the norms imposed by society, but of those qualities that each child demonstrates. And almost every boy sooner or later tries to show strength, which can cause serious damage if it is not directed in the right direction – this is where the stereotype of “defender of the weak and a breadwinner” comes to our aid – we teach boys to direct their strength not to destruction, but for creation. And we tell the girls that their tenderness and sensitivity is not a drawback, but just a part of their feminine nature – a woman’s strength in her natural sensitivity and ability to look at life through feelings.
Summing up, I would like to say that the main thing in a child is not his gender, but his human qualities, talents and abilities. This is exactly what it is worth starting from and what it is worth relying on in upbringing and education.
Of course, this topic cannot be discussed and closed once and for all – it remains open, and perhaps our point of view will change many times, just as everything around us. What is your opinion? Is it worth focusing the attention of children on their gender? We will be glad to discuss in our social networks:
We congratulate all wonderful men on the last Defender of the Fatherland Day, and beautiful ladies – on the upcoming March 8th.We wish you harmony, love, understanding, and peace – with yourself and with others.
We remind you that now there is a set in the group “Together with mom” (0-3 years), and there is also 1 place in the Toddler group (2-3 years). Enrollment in the Senior Group (3-6 years old) for this academic year has already been completed, but you can come to us for the Open Day, which will be held on April 24-25, 2021, and enroll in the group for the next academic year. Phone +7 (903) 723-27-99, Aliya Shamilevna.
90,000 Loan identification – Kommersant newspaper No. 77 (6315) dated 07.05.2018
The Ministry of Finance has prepared a bill providing for the assignment of a unique identifier to all existing loan agreements and their transfer to the credit history bureau (BCH). According to the developers, the new code will simplify the task of calculating the client’s debt load indicator, including by eliminating duplicate records. Experts note that the problem of duplicate loan agreements is not widespread, and they doubt the effectiveness of the innovation.
The Ministry of Finance published for public discussion a bill under which banks, microfinance organizations, credit cooperatives and pawnshops will be required to assign unique identifiers to all existing agreements (transactions) with borrowers, guarantors and principals and submit them to the BCH.The Bank of Russia began discussing the issue of introducing a unique identifier for loan agreements with market participants in the middle of last year (see Kommersant dated June 7, 2017). Such an identifier, as conceived by the developers of the bill, should simplify the task of calculating the debt burden indicator.
The Ministry of Finance explained to Kommersant that a single identifier will ensure the accuracy of identification of loan agreements by eliminating duplicate data and “gaps” in the credit history when changing a passport or full name.The Central Bank noted that in the absence of an identifier, additional procedures are required for data deduplication in order to establish the amount of a citizen’s debt. “The through-the-cross unique identifier of the transaction will improve the accuracy, reliability and speed of processing in determining the total debt of a citizen,” the Bank of Russia believes.
The CHB confirms the existence of the problem of duplicates in credit histories, but notes that it is not large-scale.
“It is relevant for sanatorium banks when transferring loans from problem banks to themselves or in the case of combining loan portfolios of several banks,” notes Viktoria Belykh, director of the legal department of OKB.According to the general director of Equifax, Oleg Lagutkin, duplicate loan agreements arise, as a rule, due to technical failures in the IT systems of lenders.
Market participants note that the main issue remains the algorithm for determining and assigning unique identifiers, since the time and financial costs for the technical implementation of the initiative will depend on its complexity. “The question is how difficult it will be to transfer the entire existing base of contracts to such identifiers and to ensure synchronization of information between market participants and the BCH,” said Elman Mehdiyev, Executive Vice President of ARB.Indeed, if the law is passed within a year, creditors will have to generate unique identifiers for about 300 million open contracts. The bill states that the identifier will be assigned “in the manner prescribed by the Bank of Russia.” The Central Bank did not answer Kommersant’s question regarding a possible algorithm for generating a unique code and the time frame for its development.
However, even with successful synchronization of all information, the problem of duplicates is unlikely to be solved, experts say. “Such an innovation cannot lead to the complete elimination of technical failures and errors in financial institutions, as a result of which there are duplicate contracts,” says one of the market participants.”For professional market participants now there is no problem of data deduplication, so the introduction of such an identifier is just an extra headache for them.” At the same time, it will be necessary to adjust the list of sources for the formation of credit histories, which will be required to assign new identifiers. “Otherwise, such an initiative will turn out to be completely useless, because in addition to creditors, information on the obligations of borrowers is also transferred to the BCH by collectors, housing and communal services providers and other organizations,” the source of Kommersant concludes.
Svetlana Samuseva
Personal identification by molecular genetic methods Text of a scientific article in the specialty “Other medical sciences”
UDC 343.983 BBK 67
© 2018 V. V. Popov,
Senior Lecturer of the Department of Criminalistics and Operational-Investigative Activities
Rostov Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
Tel .: 8 (918) 892-83-84.
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION BY MOLECULAR-GENETIC METHODS
The article examines the possibilities of personality identification by molecular genetic methods, using for comparison the genetic profiles of parents, as well as siblings, if it is impossible to compare with parental genetic profiles.The methods and methods of carrying out molecular genetic examinations, as well as the expediency of assigning an examination in various situations are explained. The forensic perspectives in connection with scientific and technological progress are analyzed.
Keywords: DNA, chromosome, mitochondrion, consanguineous, uterine, kinship.
V. V. Popov – Senior Teacher of the Department of Criminalistics and Operative Activity of the Rostov Law Institute
of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONALITY BY MOLECULAR GENETIC METHODS
In article the possibilities of identification of the personality are considered by molecular and genetic methods, using for comparison genetic profiles of parents and also brothers and sisters at impossibility of comparison with parental genetic profiles. Ways and method of conducting molecular and genetic examinations and also expediency ofpurpose of examination at various situations speak.Criminalistic prospects in connection with scientific and technical progress are analyzed.
Keywords: DNA, chromosome, mitochondrion, consanguineous, uterine, relationship.
When investigating crimes against the person, as well as the discovery of unidentified corpses, an important issue is the establishment, or identification, of the person. A powerful help in this matter is the database of fingerprinting records, but it is not always possible to fingerprint a corpse.Then the question arises about the identification of a person by molecular genetic methods, that is, by DNA research.
Identification by DNA research is directly related to the concept of kinship. Due to the fact that practically no one, especially in our country, has a genetic passport, the establishment of a person’s genetic profile does not yet lead to personal identification. Then, the genetic profiles of relatives (parents, children, brothers and sisters) act as a comparative material.The kinship proved in this way leads to a specific person, and therefore leads to the identification of the person.
Human DNA
It is known from the school curriculum that information about appearance, physiology, psi-
hike and diseases of everything living on earth are transmitted through the genome, that is, DNA. DNA is a chain of a diverse sequence of nucleotides inherent in each specific living organism and transmitted from generation to generation, from parents to children.
There are 2 types of DNA in every human cell: nuclear, which carries the bulk of hereditary information, and mitochondrial, which carries about 0.2% of hereditary information. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of a person is a genome, consisting of 23 pairs of chromosomes located in the cell nucleus, and individual cyclic DNA strands located in mitochondria. DNA carries information not only about signs of appearance and physiological features, but also about hereditary diseases.
Out of 23 pairs of chromosomes [1] located in the nucleus, 22 pairs carry information about signs of appearance, physiology and psyche – somatic chromosomes and 1 pair determines the sex of an individual – sex chromosomes X and Y. Paired chromosomes identical in structure are called homologous. Each chromosome consists of 2 chromatids – sister chromatids (Fig. 1).
STRUCTURE OF CHROMOSOME
Chromosome consists of two
There is a primary constriction – centromere on the chromosome.
The centromere divides the chromosome into a short and long arm.
The end of the chromosome is called the telomere.
Fig. 1. The structure of chromosome [11]
During the formation of germ cells (gametogenesis of spermatozoa or oocytes) in the original cell at a certain stage of hamethogenesis, an exact and close convergence of homologous chromosomes occurs – conjugation, at which similar regions that carry the same genes coincide [2].Further, with a probability of 50%, a crossing-over exchange of aligned chromosomes occurs. In this case, only two adjacent, non-sister chromatides are divided into sites. At the end of crossing-over, the effect of repulsion of the chromosomes from each other occurs, the pair of chromosomes diverge and the genome is divided between the two cells. As a result, each germ cell contains only half of the original set of chromosomes, and each chromosome contains one unchanged chromatid and another with a modified unique set of genes.Also, each cell contains an unchanged either X chromosome or Y chromosome. The method of cell division with the formation of two daughter cells containing a chromosome set reduced by 2 times is called meiosis. After the fusion of the sperm and the egg (fertilization) in the formed –
, a 23-pair set of chromosomes is restored to the zygote. With the fusion of sex chromosomes XX, the sex of the child is female, XY is male (Fig. 2).
Thus, each child contains its own unique set of genes, but corresponding to 50% of the set of genes of the mother and 50% of the set of genes of the father.
Inheritance of mtDNA [3] in humans occurs only from the mother, regardless of the sex of the child. This is due to the following factors:
1) the egg is much larger than the sperm, and, accordingly, the amount of mtDNA is much higher than in the sperm;
2) in the sperm cell, mtDNA is located at the base of the flagellum.During fertilization and the penetration of the sperm into the egg, the flagellum is detached, and with it mtDNA is lost.
Personal identification [4]
It should be said that carrying out a molecular genetic examination is not a decoding of the human genome, but the study of certain sections of individual chromosomes
Idiogram of human chromosomes
Fig.2. Human chromosome set [12]
(loci). Loci are a sequence of nucleotides, which can be long or short, and consists of repetitive tandem sections [5]. Usually, short tandem repeats are studied, since long tandem repeats are subject to early degradation when exposed to adverse conditions (exposure to radiation, chemicals, etc.). The shorter the tandem region and, accordingly, the shorter the nucleotide sequence, the easier it is to analyze the number of repeats and the less likely it is to make an error in the conclusion upon partial DNA degradation.Short stretches of DNA with short core units (2-6 nucleotides) are called STRs (short tandem repeats). The study of STR-loci of DNA, or rather the number of tandem repeats in these loci, underlies the identification of a person by molecular genetic methods, with an accuracy close to 100%.
At present, about 30 polymorphic loci have been standardized for DNA identification, in which the number of repeats is extremely individual.These loci are united by
neny in test systems from 13 to 24 and are included in international standards for DNA research – CODIS, ESSS, UK Core Loci, etc. In the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 13 loci + sex determination are accepted for compulsory research [6].
The number of tandem repeats in the loci accepted for research constitutes the human genetic profile.
Autosome analysis
Each human cell contains a double set of chromosomes, which means that there are also two copies of each chromosomal locus (alleles).If the number of tandem repeats in each allele of one locus is different, the state of the locus is heterozygous; if it is the same, it is homozygous. In this case, the autosomal profile determines the individuality of the genome of each person.
Analysis of sex chromosomes
Not only somatic STR-loci are used for differential analysis
chromosomes.When determining the relationship and belonging to various hereditary lines, STR-loci are used that lie in the region of the sex X and Y chromosomes.
Analysis of mtDNA
Each human cell can contain up to several hundred mitochondria, respectively, the number of copies of mitochondrial genes in relation to chromosomal genes is many times greater. According to the theory of probability, the preservation of mtDNA is much higher than that of nuclear.In addition, closed-ring mtDNA is more resistant to degradation when exposed to unfavorable factors. The analysis of ancient bone remains, as a rule, is carried out on the basis of mtDNA.
Individual identification options
Personal identification is possible by comparing the genetic profile along the “vertical”: father-daughter, father-son, mother-daughter and mother-son.
As mentioned earlier, the transfer of genetic material from parent to child occurs 50% from the father and 50% from the mother.In the study of tandem repeats in
identified loci and comparing the genetic profiles of the putative parents and the child, the number of repeat matches in each allele is established. If alleles that are not characteristic of one of the parents are detected at least at two loci, the fact of relationship is excluded.
When examining the genetic profiles of the mother, father and child for a positive conclusion about the fact of maternity or paternity, the probability should be at least 99.90%.When studying the genetic profiles of a child and one of the parents, a positive conclusion about the fact of kinship is made with a probability of at least 99.75% [7].
An example of the distribution of genetic material between true parents and a son, identified by the study of tandem repeats at established loci, is shown in the table below.
Also, when establishing vertical kinship, you can use the mtDNA study method, but in this case, only maternal relatives – mother, mother’s sisters, grandmother, etc. – should serve as donors of comparative samples of genetic material.d.
However, there are situations when a “vertical” comparison is impossible – the parents have died or live abroad or in the distance.
Investigated locus Father Mother Child
CSF1PO 11.13 10.12 11.12
D3S1358 18.15 14.17 14.15
D5S818 11.14 13.12 12.14
D7S820 12.12 8.10 10.12
D8S1179 11.17 10.16 10.11
D13S317 10.13 15.15 13.15
D16S539 16.14 11.12 12.16
D18S51 12.13 12.15 13.15
D21S11 28.29 31.32 28.32
FGA 22.22 20.23 20.22
TH01 6.8 7.9 7.8
TROX 8.
Table
Distribution of alleles of true parents in the genetic profile of the child
of her region, but there are “horizontal” relatives – a brother or sister.There is a need to establish kinship according to the available genetic profiles. With the distribution of genes between descendants, numerous combinations are possible, the conclusion of the examination of common genetic characteristics will be given in probabilistic form, indicating the percentage probability of relationship. Accordingly, at a low percentage probability, the relationship will not be proven, and the identification will be considered untenable.
Siblings can be:
– consanguineous and uterine, i.e.e. born of one mother and one father;
– consanguineous, that is, born of the same father and different mothers;
– single uterine, i.e. born from one mother and different fathers;
– twins – these are children descended from the same zygote, that is, they have the same set of chromosomes, and therefore the same genetic profile.Accordingly, they are not genetically distinguishable;
– twins (triplets, etc.) are children descending from different zygotes. In fact, these are half-children and half-children only born at the same time;
– step-by-step, that is, they do not have common parents.
It is not possible to exclude the relationship between siblings by examining standard STR-DNA loci.Let us consider the possibilities of proving the relationship between brothers and sisters with all possible options using additional methods of molecular genetic research:
1. Siblings and uterine children.
Option number 1 – two brothers. The relationship is proved by studying the STR-loci of the Y-chromosomes, since this chromosome is passed from the father to all his sons unchanged.
Option number 2 – two sisters.The relationship is proved by studying the STR loci of the X chromosomes, since one of the X chromosomes is passed from the father to all daughters unchanged.
Option number 3 – brother and sister. The relationship is proved by the study of mtDNA, since the children descended from the same mother, and when studying the sex X chromosomes passed on from the mother, the probability of inheriting the same X chromosome is 50/50.
The mtDNA study method is also applicable to variants 1 and 2, i.e.Because, having a single mother, children carry a single set of mtDNA.
2. Consanguineous children.
Option number 1 – two brothers. The relationship is proved by examining the STR-loci of the Y-chromosomes.
Option number 2 – two sisters. The relationship is proved by the study of STR-loci of X-chromosomes.
Option number 3 – brother and sister.The relationship is practically not provable, since with the distribution of X and Y chromosomes, 8 different variants are possible, in which the inheritance of the same X chromosome is excluded.
The mtDNA study method is not applicable in this case, since, having different mothers, children carry a different set of mtDNA.
3. Single uterine children.
In any case, it is more expedient to prove the relationship by examining mtDNA, i.e.Because, having a single mother for all possible distributions of sex chromosomes, the set of mtDNA will be the same.
The study of sex chromosomes in this case is impractical, since the Y chromosomes will be acquired from different fathers and, accordingly, will not be identical, and the distribution between the children of the mother’s X chromosomes will tend to a 50/50 ratio. The study of sex chromosomes will prove the relationship only if all children inherit only one of the mother’s X chromosomes, while the second will not be inherited.
Despite the reduction in the cost of DNA analysis, the production of molecular genetic examinations remains an expensive and time-consuming process. Therefore, if it is necessary to identify a person by “horizontal” relationship, a thorough collection of information about alleged relatives will determine the choice of a molecular genetic research method or the refusal to conduct a study at all for inappropriateness.
Genetic passport [8]
Genetic passport – a document containing information about a person’s genetic personality.It indicates the studied loci and the frequency of tandem repeats identified in them, as well as the sex
belonging to the individual. The information contained in the genetic passport is universal and understandable to the genetics of any country. This is more than enough to identify a specific person.
Molecular genetic examination is often called genetic fingerprinting. Therefore, a genetic identification passport is a “genetic fingerprint card” that is strictly individual and does not change throughout life.
It is hardly possible to use the data of the genetic passport to the detriment of a person. The used encoding of genetic information does not contain information about the traits of a person, his physiological and mental characteristics, as well as about hereditary diseases. The only clue is the sex of the individual, since during sex reassignment operations only the appearance changes, while the genetic gender remains unchanged.
The Genetic Passport is a natural “barcode” or “QR code” made available through the discovery made by Alec Jeffries [9] on September 10, 1984.
By comparing the data obtained through the analysis of any biological material with the information specified in the genetic passport, a geneticist makes a precise conclusion about the belonging of the biological material to a person whose genetic passport has been prepared in advance.
Databases of genomic information
/ P ______ ^ ________ ^
Since the receipt of the first genetic information and the subsequent accumulation of the obtained DNA profiles, the need has arisen to systematize and process the information received.For this purpose, various databases were created. In Russia, obtaining genomic information was part of the functions of two structures: the forensic departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and the bureau of forensic medical examination of the Ministry of Health and Social Development. In each of the structures, regulatory documents were developed for the formation of this type of accounting, but these bases were not integrated with each other. Accordingly, identification was possible only if the determination of the genetic profile and subsequent
studies of biological material were carried out in the same structure.When researching in different structures, the objects were registered as unidentified.
In this regard, it became necessary to summarize data and form a single database of genomic information. On December 3, 2008, the Federal Law No. 242-FZ “On State Genomic Registration in the Russian Federation” was adopted, in accordance with which a federal database of genomic information began to form, one of the functions of which is personal identification.
Federal database of genomic information is a federal automated information system for processing genomic information, the operator of which is the federal executive body authorized by federal law. Thus, any government organization that has received genomic information can provide it for inclusion in the federal database.
Genetic profiles are subject to mandatory entry into the database:
– persons convicted and serving a sentence of imprisonment for committing grave or especially grave crimes, as well as all categories of crimes against sexual inviolability and sexual freedom of the individual;
– unidentified persons whose biological material was seized in the course of investigative actions;
– unidentified corpses.
Other Russian citizens or foreign citizens can undergo voluntary genomic registration at any forensic medical examination bureau.
By analogy with a genetic passport, when comparing the analysis data of a biological material with a DNA profile stored in the federal database of genomic information, identification of a person is possible.
The question of integrating databases at the intra- and interregional level remains unresolved.The database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia of one region or republic is not integrated with the database of the forensic medical examination bureau of the same region. Also, there is no data exchange between adjacent regions, even within one structure –
rounds. This circumstance leads to the possibility of comparing data only at the federal level, and in connection with the large load –
femininity, this leads to a delay in the timing of identification.
Literature
1. Molecular biology of the cell / Alberte B., Johnson A., Lewis D. et al. M., 2013.
2. Gilbert S. Developmental Biology: trans. from English M., 1993.
3. Dymyshits GM Surprises of the mitochondrial genome // Priroda. 2002. No. 6.
4.Personal identification in forensic medicine. URL: http://medical-enc.ru
5. Human genome and genes of “predisposition” / Baranov V.S., Baranova E.V., Ivaschen-ko T.E., Aseev M.V. SPb., 2000.
6. Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia dated February 10, 2006 No. 70 “On the organization of the use of forensic forensic records of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation.” URL: http: //www.consultant.ru /
7. Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated May 12, 2010 No. 346n “On approval of the Procedure for organizing and conducting forensic medical examinations in state forensic institutions of the Russian Federation”. URL: http://www.consultant.ru/
8. Genetics and forensics. URL: http: // unnatural.ru/
9.Alec Jeffries and the first ever DNA raid. URL: http://fishki.net/
10. Federal Law No. 242-FZ of December 3, 2008 “On State Genomic Registration in the Russian Federation”. URL: http://www.consultant.ru/ URL: http: // Easy-teacher 1.ru/
11. URL: http://Great-academic.ru/
Bibliography
1.Molecular cell biology / Alberts B., Jonson A., Lewis D., etc. Moscow, 2013.
2. Gilbert S. Developmental biology: translation from English. Moscow, 1993.
3. Dymyshits G. M. Surprises of the mitochondrial genome // Nature. 2002. No. 6.
4. Identification of personality in forensic medicine. URL: http://medical-enc.ru
5.The human genome and the genes of “predisposition” / Baranov V. S., Baranova E. V., Ivaschen-ko T. E., Aseev M. V. St. Petersburg, 2000.
6. Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation of February 10, 2006 No. 70 “On the organization of the use of expert and criminalis-tics records of the Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation”. URL: http://www.consultant.ru/
7.Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation of May 12, 2010 No. 346n “On Approval of the Order of the organization and production of forensic medical examination in state forensic institutions of the Russian Federation”. URL: http://www.consultant.ru/
8. Genetics and Forensic Science. URL: http: // unnatural.ru/
9. Alec Jeffries and the first in the history of “DNA round-up”.URL: http://fishki.net
10. The federal law of December 3, 2008 No. 242-FZ “About the state genomic registration in the Russian Federation”.
11. URL: http: // Easy-teacher 1 .ru /
12. URL: http://Great-academic.ru/
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Identification or How to find a lost dog
There is no translation available.
As a dog owner, you must be prepared for the fact that one day your pet may be lost or stolen. This will be a huge misfortune for you, and his search will be a very difficult task, unless of course you take the necessary measures in advance to quickly identify the dog.
Firstly, if you bought a puppy through a club that is part of the Russian Kennel Federation, the baby will already have a stamp – a special tattoo, which is usually applied to the belly or the inner surface of the puppy’s ear and contains information about him.
The mark is a code of letters and numbers that helps to identify the dog. The letters (usually three) indicate in which club the puppy was born. These letters are once and for all assigned by the RKF to the club and by themselves are not deciphered in any way, but are simply issued in order, like the letters of the series in the car numbers.
For example, the club “A-Dalmatian” has the letters of the AAM brand, and all puppies born in our club have these letters in their brand number.
Further, each club chooses the system by which it assigns numbers to the dogs. They can contain from one to 5-6 numbers, fractions or letters. In our club, we just give numbers in order, and now, when the number of branded puppies in the club has exceeded a thousand, they have become four-digit. In any case, every club keeps records, has a herd book or a computer database, where you can easily find the owner of the dog by number.
Thus, any person who finds your dog can easily, by contacting RKF, find out the phone number of the club in which the dog belongs, and in this club he will be sure to contact you.
It is also useful to provide your Dalmatian’s collar with a plate indicating his name and your phone numbers, or purchase a special capsule for your pet that attaches to the collar and also contains all the information that will help you quickly return it to you.
The newest identification method is used abroad – the implantation of a special microchip.A microchip is a tiny microchip, about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted by veterinarians under the dog’s skin at the withers. In this case, the dog does not feel any discomfort. If your Dalmatian is lost and ended up in the Society for the Protection of Animals, then by scanning the information on the microchip, they can easily determine who it belongs to. This is currently the easiest and most progressive way to identify dogs, but it will take several more years before it will be used in Russia.
I think you will agree with me that there is nothing worse than losing your dog.Caring and experienced owners rarely lose their dogs. They don’t let their pets run far.
Nevertheless, if such a misfortune does happen to you, there are several steps that allow you in a short time to get a lost dog.
1. Call your breeder and the club where your Dalmatian is registered and report the accident to the dog handlers. The brand can become vague and difficult to read over time, and it is not always easy to determine the owner of the dog from scraps of data.
2. Ask your neighbors, post notices at the entrances of nearby houses, schools, shops and transport stops, gas stations, as well as in any crowded places. It is useful to indicate the name of the dog, breed, sex, color, age, special signs (brand number, etc.), when and where the dog was lost, as well as your coordinates. It would not be superfluous to inform that the dog needs special medical treatment.
3. Contact animal welfare societies and organizations that find and relocate lost and abandoned dogs.Be sure to contact a stray animal control service. Usually, in such organizations, dogs are not kept for a long time, but can be handed over to new owners or simply put to sleep. Try to call them promptly and persistently ask for help.
4. Seek help from local schoolchildren – maybe the children have seen your dog and will help you find it for a small fee.
5. Advertise in newspapers and on TV and radio channels.
6.Visit the Bird Market and all the places where dogs can be sold on this coming weekend. It is not uncommon for homeless people or alcoholics to steal a dog in order to resell it later.
7. Be persistent and patient in your quest. Do not give up ahead of time. In the vast majority of cases, the people who found your Dalmatian are just kind owners or dog lovers who took pity on and temporarily sheltered your lost friend. They will be happy to return it and you just need to help them find you in a huge city.
Irina Petrakova, 1999
Behold the person, go Identification of the frog princess
Behold the person, go Identification of the frog princess
In the well-known Russian fairy tale about the Frog Princess, Ivan Tsarevich marries a frog. Well, yes, what’s wrong with that? The Civil Code of the Russian folk tale, if it existed, would not have known matrimonial prohibitions. Tsars in Russian fairy tales marry peasant women, foxes marry cats, why not marry a frog?
You say this is a political matter? Tsarevich claims to the throne? A third of the kingdom is at risk of being ruled by a reptile? But the fact is that the political system of the Russian fairy tale, if it were formalized, would not at all imply that the state must necessarily be ruled by a person.Koschey the Immortal, for example, is what a great tsar is for, but very few people would think of considering Koschei a man. And Morozko, the ruler of the underworld, is he a man? These two are at least anthropomorphic, but it must be admitted, for example, that the dragonflies, in one of the Russian fairy tales, governing the Kingdom of Heaven, are insects. And the Serpent Gorynych, who from time to time finds himself at the head of some bizarre state, is a snake at all, and he was born, as follows from his patronymic, not by another snake, but by a mountain, so you cannot understand whether it is a reptile or a mineral …
In a word, we have to admit: in the political sense, there are no obstacles for a prince marrying a frog.
One could worry a little about the physiological side of the issue, about how the prince and the frog will continue to breed and how to fertilize frog eggs in general. However, this is not a problem either: Russian fairy tales know not such perversions either.
And in general, the question of whether the wife of Ivan Tsarevich, besides being a frog, is also a man, gets pushed into the bad heads of the wives of the tsarevich’s brothers.In essence, finding out whether a frog is also a human is a woman’s whim. Such stupidity does not occur to a serious statesman like a tsar. The tsar prefers to exist in the legal field: for him, if the wife of the prince, then the princess. The tsar starts experiments aimed at establishing the biological species of the daughter-in-law solely so that the other two daughters-in-law stop making scandals, that is, out of generosity.
But this is where the king faces serious legal problems.Of course, the king has absolute power. Of course, the tsarevich obeys the tsar in everything without question. Of course, the king can kill the prince if necessary. But the king cannot enter the prince’s bedroom. Moreover, the prince himself does not feel too at ease in his wife’s little room.
According to other Russian fairy tales, we know what insoluble problems sometimes arise before a man, if, for example, two women simultaneously declare themselves to be his legal wives. In order to find out which of the wives is real, which only men do: they make riddles to their wives, and make them climb the fence, who is faster, and shoot wives with a bow in the hope that the impostor will die, and the real wife will survive …
But a man never dares to undress a woman and take a good look at her.And this despite the fact that nudity is not prohibited in the Russian fairy tale. In The Wise Maiden, the heroine appears to the king in what her mother gave birth to. That is, the prohibition does not apply to nudity as such, but to the very sacrament of women’s dressing. In the fairy tale about the Frog Princess, Ivan Tsarevich secretly enters his wife’s dressing room to burn the frog skin. He lived with his wife in perfect harmony, but never saw, therefore, how his wife from frog skin changes into a woman’s dress.
So: it is impossible to undress a woman and examine it.Neither the husband nor the father-in-law can, even if he is a king. To determine whether she is a person, you have to navigate by indirect signs. The Tsar, as everyone, of course, remembers, orders the Frog Princess to weave a carpet, cook food and dance {1}. The Frog Princess copes with all three tasks brilliantly, after which the king leaves the woman alone. And even the eccentric wives of his eldest sons have no reason to doubt that the frog is a man.
It could be argued ironically that from the point of view of the Russian fairy tale, a person is a creature that can weave, cook and dance.However, irony is not very appropriate. This definition is not so stupid. Besides, it explains a lot. For example, it becomes clear why the heroes of Russian fairy tales kill children, including their own, with such ease. Why, for example, a loving father, on the orders of his stepmother, takes his beloved daughter to freeze in the forest, where Morozko is in charge. It becomes clear why another loving father unquestioningly takes Little Havroshechka to live in a cold barn in the same stall with a cow. Because children are not people from the point of view of the Russian fairy tale: they cannot weave, cook and dance.Children become human as soon as they learn all this.
Another thing is that in the world of the Russian fairy tale being human is not as important as in our modern world. It is important for a creature ruling a state to be able to shoot a bow, stay in the saddle, judge fairly and, preferably, cast magic. And whether he is a man or a woman, a man, a snake or even a bear does not matter.