Poetry Criticism Essay

?Write a critical appreciation of the poem INCENDIARY by Vernon Scannell. You should comment on theme, diction, tone and structure. An incendiary is a bomb which sets things on fire, which gets across the idea that the boy was like a dangerous weapon, ready to explode at any time. This poem is about a boy who sets a farm on fire in hope that he receives the attention he has been longing for. In the first line, the poet describes the boy to have a face â€Å"like pallid cheese†. This simile is depicts the boy to look quite sick and weak. We immediately feel pity and realize that the boy is uncared for. The poet also describes the boy to have â€Å"burnt-out little eyes† implying that, with reference to fire, his eyes have died out showing that he has lost hope. The fire was huge, boiling and all-consuming, as implied in this quote: â€Å"As brazen fierce and huge, as red and gold and zany yellow. † This suggests that the fire was a multitude of colours- â€Å"red, gold and zany yellow†. It was also bold, savage and extremely big- â€Å"Brazen, fierce and huge†. The word zany also suggests it being, uncontrollable or wild. The poet shows the extent of damage caused by the fire through the quote â€Å"spoiled three thousand guineas† worth of crops. The fact that he uses â€Å"guineas† could imply that the poem was set some time ago. Scannell portrays the scene as frightening and very damaging: â€Å"Is frightening- as a fact and a metaphor†. He describes the flames as â€Å"flame-fanged tigers†. This is a metaphor in which the flames are compared to tigers; wild animals which are perceived as viscous and ferocious. These large flames are said to be â€Å"roaring hungrily†. The use of the word â€Å"hungrily† implies that the flames are consuming while the use of the word â€Å"roaring† is an onomatopoeia showing that the fire was loud. The reader no longer feels a sense of pity towards the boy because he has caused so much irreversible damage. The feeling of hostility is heightened through this quote: â€Å"And frightening too that one small boy should set the sky on fire and choke the stars†. This use of personification portrays the image of the large amount of smoke rising so high that it blocks out the stars. This could possibly be another indication of lost hope as the light of the stars is no longer visible. The poet once again tries to make us feel pity for the boy: â€Å"Such skinny limbs and such a little heart which would have been content with one small kiss had there been anyone to offer this†. This quote once again introduces the theme of neglect. His â€Å"skinny limbs† show that he is malnourished. The boy is longing for â€Å"one warm kiss† which gives the reader an idea of his motives. He is probably seeking attention, in an effort to be loved. The poem doesn’t have a particular rhyme scheme however rhyming couplets appear three times throughout the poem, one of them appearing at the end. Like this, the poet emphasises specific lines in which he may want to be particularly powerful. When a poem ends in this way after not having much rhyme throughout, it can make it more emotionally moving. Due to the lack of punctuation and the effect of the rhyming couplets that appear, the tone is quite fast which possibly indicates the short amount of time in which the farm caught fire. It may also create a lively atmosphere to bring the energy of the fire to life. In this poem, Scannell uses an exaggerated but possible example of what a child may do when he or she is uncared for. Through this he tries to show us the consequences and dangers of neglecting children and the desperate measures they may turn to.

Grace Nichols comes from Guyana and Hugh Boatswain from the Caribbean Essay

Writers who came from over seas write the two poems that I have been asked to analyse. Grace Nichols comes from Guyana and Hugh Boatswain from the Caribbean. The poems deal with identical themes, a man who has immigrated to Britain from the Caribbean, and must learn to adapt to a new life and culture. Both men suffer a sense of loss for their past, but in Hugh Boatswains poem ‘Old Father’, the central character tries to forget about his earlier life. Hugh Boatswain writes the poem ‘Old Father’ in a Caribbean dialect. It is a narrative poem, which tells the story of old father’s arrival in Britain. At first old father is very unhappy, we can see this in the quote. â€Å"Man, a takkin’ ‘de nex’ boat back home.† The writer is trying to show the reader that old father is thinking of taking the next boat back home. At this point in the poem old father still uses Caribbean dialect. I think that the use of the word â€Å"home† tells the reader the old father wants to go home. Later as he forgets about his past and rejects his earlier culture. Old father is trying to ignore his heritage and trying to become English. We can see that old father rejects his earlier culture when he makes jokes about his people to the white people, we can see this in the quote. â€Å"tut tut†, he would say, â€Å"isn’t it disgusting how they make a spectacle of themselves.† The poem is divided into four stanzas. The writer uses alliteration and assonance, to give the poem a rhythmical sound. Assonance is where the vowels sound the same in a line, for example in this quote. â€Å"make him bawl in his small basement room.† Boatswain also uses alliteration when he repeats ‘b’ consonants. We can see alliteration in this quote. â€Å"Bouncing down the road with a blond.† We can also see the writer using personification in the quote. â€Å"Cold bite him hard.† The poem gives a lot of detail about old father’s life and now he changes to adapt to his new life. He changes his appearance by straightening his hair and ignoring his old friends. The writer is quite critical about old father, he sees him as betraying his identity. ‘Island Man’ written by Grace Nichols is an imagist poem. The writer gives images or ‘pictures’ of the man’s dreams rather then telling his story directly to the reader. The poem is written in free verse, without rhythm. However, the writer uses alliteration in the phrases. â€Å"Sun Surfacing† â€Å"heaves himself† Nichols also repeats word, we can see this in the quote. â€Å"groggily groggily† â€Å"muffling muffling† Which describes the man waking up. The repetition helps to emphasise the emotions of the man. The poem is divided into the man’s dreams of the Island and his waking life in London. The writer uses enjambment, which means that each line flows into the next. We can see an example of enjambment in the quote. â€Å"Morning and Island man wakes up† This gives the language in this poem a rhythmical pattern like wave on a beach. The use of colours is very important in this poem. The dream Island is â€Å"blue surf† and â€Å"small emerald Island†. In contrast London is â€Å"grey metallic soar†. By reading and analysing the two poems â€Å"Old Father† and â€Å"Island Man† I have come to a conclusion that I think that the poem â€Å"Old Father† is better in the sense of language and themes. I enjoyed reading the poem â€Å"Old Father† more because the writer has used a large range of language skills. It also shows the use of Caribbean dialect, and the way the writer has structured out the poem.

Abstract Aestheticism in Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay

Each character in the novel searches for the elusive goal of happiness, but is never able to a... ..., Sarah. "decadence." In Maunder, Andrew. Facts On File Companion to the British Short Story.New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Sanyal, Arundhati. "Taboo in The Picture of Dorian Gray." Quoted as "Taboo in The Picture of DorianGray" in Bloom, Harold, ed. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2010. Bloom's LiteraryReference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Shuman, R. Baird. Magill’s Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition, January 2009, p1-2. (WorkAnalysis) Wainwright, Michael, "Oscar Wilde, the Science of Heredity, and "The Picture of Dorian Gray.'"()AUTHOR. English Literature in Transition, 1880-1920, 2011, Vol. 54 Issue 4, p494-522, 29p.(Literary Criticism) Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. A Norton Critical Edition. Ed. Michael Patrick Gillespie. NewYork: W.W. Norton Company, 2007.

Pakistan International Airlines Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Pakistan International Airlines - Case Study Example This report aims to research the main reasons behind the customer service issues in PIA that have been a constant source of not satisfying customers properly. Having traveled by PIA more than once, I have myself been subject to a few customer service issues, the details of which will be presented later on in the paper. The research discusses some of the concepts in literature pertaining to customer service standards and links them to PIA's existing standards; and analyses the areas where there is a gap between the two. In the fast-paced world of today where technology is the dominant factor, it is essential for businesses to retain their customers in order to grow and expand. PIA, however, has not been emphasizing upon this idea until late. The attitude of PIA, at least on the forefront, leads its customers to think otherwise. The purpose of this research paper is to identify the customer service issues faced by PIA customers while traveling by the airline. It is important for the PIA management to realize and focus on the specific issues that have been a regular factor in causing negative perception of PIA in the minds of its consumers (Anthony, Steven & Quinn, 2009). It is necessary for PIA to identify these issues and establish ranks; and accordingly identify the most important issues that are the biggest contributors to negative customer satisfaction. Only then can PIA modify its operations in terms of better training and address the issues in order to generate higher positive reviews from customers. The research will focus entirely on the customer perspective and will seek to identify the root causes, according to them of the problems that they face when travelling by PIA. Research Question The research question for this paper should focus on the customer and their feelings regarding PIA service. Thus the research question is: "What are the most important issues causing the greatest disappointment amongst the international customers of Pakistan International Airlines" The paper is focused on identifying the issues of international passengers since it is not possible to include the views of domestic passengers for the scope of this study. Furthermore, the airline industry has become highly symmetrical in that the domestic and international services do not have much of a difference. Issues identified in the international arena will also be present, to a certain extent, in the domestic travel. Thus, it is important to address international issues and identify the root causes of these issues so that they can be addressed. Marketing experts would advise a research question aimed at getting the most out of the customer regarding the root causes of the problems rather than the problems itself (Etzel, Walker, Walker & Stanton, 2000). Thus the research question will be accompanied with a survey aimed at finding out root

How did the 1970's oil crisis affect the US SAUDI relations ( in other Essay

How did the 1970's oil crisis affect the US SAUDI relations ( in other words what does the 1970's oil shock tell us about the U - Essay Example On her part, the United States was in need of quenching her thirst for oil which Saudi Arabian offered (Frum, 2000,76). However, the relationship between the two countries was not based on equality principles, making the United States refuse to honor some parts of the agreement. This was especially when the congress ordered the government to stop the supply of weapons for fear that they would be used to launch attacks on Israel. This act coupled by direct financial and weapon aid to Israel angered many oil producing countries. The resolution was to punish the United States through the oil embargo. This gave Saudi Arabia an opportunity to demonstrate its competitive advantage over the United States. Though the embargo would later be lifted after negotiations with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, it brought changes in the way the two countries would relate in future. To the United States, there was need to review the way it related with other nations. The resumption of the relationship wit h Saudi Arabia was to be based on equality, respect and mutual benefits. The United States would also act as a mediator for peace in the Middle East instead of appearing to foster the aggression against Palestine by Israel. Great personalities such as Yamani, Ahmed Zaki and Ali Al-Naimi were imperative in shaping the relations between US and Saudi Arabia (Robinson, 1989, 87). History of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship and causes of the oil crisis The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is deeply rooted. Its history dates back just before the commencement of the Second World War (Ian, 2004, 87). With the realization that Saudi Arabia had a huge reserve for oil, the United States was willing to do everything possible to cement its relationship with this country. Saudi Arabia had a competitive edge that many countries in the Asian continent did not have due to its resources in oil. Its importance was demonstrated when President Franklin Roosevelt ordered protection of Saudi Arabia (Hammes, 2005, 98). While this could be described as an ulterior motive since the country wanted to benefit from oil, this act assisted in cementing the relationship between the two countries. In addition to that, the United States with its engineers began the construction of military bases, infrastructure and training the Saudi Arabian military. The agreement between the two countries included the supply of the latest weapons to the Saudis in order to protect themselves from the eminent threat of attack from aggressors such as Iraq. On the other hand, the United States would be allow to construct its military bases in Saudi Arabia, while at the same time buying oil which at the time would cost at less than $3 a barrel. This enabled the United States meet the high demand for oil. During the cold war, the relationship between the two countries became even more solid. There was a threat that the Soviet Union would attack Saudi Arabia due to their relations with the Un ited States (Hammes, 2005, 100). While the Soviet Union was spreading the communism ideologies, the United States promoted the capitalism. However, the United States demonstrated its support by defending this country against any threat. This was clear when Iraq had invaded Saudi Arabia, with an aim of destroying its relations with the west. At the time, the United States

Students With Disabilities Are Not Meeting the State Mandated Essay

Students With Disabilities Are Not Meeting the State Mandated Requirements. The Disability Achievement Gap - Essay Example States should ensure that the school systems have in place reasonable accommodation that addresses the needs of children with disabilities. Evidently, children with disabilities require support provided by the entire school system if they are to benefit from education. In addition, individualization of the support cannot be underestimated because it is required to ensure maximized learning. In the United States, the No Child left Behind Act of 2001 was passed in an effort to ensure that all children including those with disabilities have access to quality education. Each state and county  are  required to develop education policies that conform to the act. However, there is evidence that these efforts have not filled in the disability achievement gap. This paper will discuss how students with disabilities are still left behind in the education sector. The No Child left Behind Act of 2001 was developed to address barriers that had been identified that served to prevent children with disabilities from accessing education opportunities. Before the act was passed, many states did not have any specific policies regarding the education of children with disabilities (Colker, 2013). Although some states had some policies, they proved to be outdated and ineffective to address the existing barriers of educating children with disabilities. Many of the school systems did not provide any support services for children with disabilities. There was a social stigma associated with disability, which affected the learning process for children with disabilities. Since disability and poverty are interlinked, many children with disabilities, and from poor backgrounds were the worst affected by the barriers to education. Notably, school budgets did not allow the schools to invest in facilities that could offer children with disabilities the relevant su pport in the education system (Shriner & Ganguly, 2007). Worst still,

Exxon Mobile's Strategy Analysis Research Paper

Exxon Mobile's Strategy Analysis - Research Paper Example On the other hand, the chemicals segment handles manufacturing and sales of petrochemicals. The success and outstanding performance of Exxon Mobil Corporation emerge from several strategies implemented by its management executives. Just to name a few, the Corporation has a strategic management system that provides an elaborate framework for maintaining high standards and performance. This particular analysis paper looks deep into the strategies that Exxon Mobil implements to support its success. Exxon Mobil Corporation is guided by a corporate strategy that guides operation and enhances efficiency in its system. The organization strategy is reliant on the ability to innovate and develop in the new emerging markets by providing new products that suit the changing consumer needs. Ideally, it concentrates on their strong market positioning strategy to exhaust their market segments and fill the niches that can be identified by their competitors. The success arising out of this strategy is dependent on the broad portfolio. Exxon Mobile Corporation has a stronger business portfolio that emphasizes on the long-term profitability of the organization regardless of the volatile nature of the product prices in the industry. Additionally, the corporation relies on diversity strategy in production and sale of its products. Its global diversity principle act as a foundation for the long-term career oriented model to employment. Ideally, skills and expertise of the employees is quite critical to any organization. Competent employees usually work harder to boost the productivity of the organization. Exxon’s approach to employment is not only a relevant model but also a productive model to the general performance of the organization. The method fulfills the desired dreams of the organization through attracting, developing and retaining premier workforce diversity. It arguably fosters a productive work environment and culture where every

Qualitative research Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Qualitative research - Coursework Example Basically, it enables people to comprehend social structures and how certain complexities can be overcome. Another paradigm applied in interpretivism is assumptions; the concept of assumptions in interpretivism entails a scenario where issues have to be examined holistically to facilitate individuals to understand their structures and functionality (Walsham, 1993). There is also the paradigm of positivism, which is basically a scientific approach. Positivism entails utilization of mathematical data as a means to gain greater insights of social dynamics. The corpus of solipsism entails a scenario whereby one believes in the existence of his own mind as the valid and reliable source of information (Teensma, 1974). Philosophers have also argued that it is a theory that believes in one’s own existence. Heshusius, L., & Ballard, K. (1996). From positivism to interpretivism and beyond: tales of transformation in educational and social research (the mind-body connection). New York: Teachers College

Edition Tata motors Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Edition Tata motors - Essay Example It talks about its operational activities across the globe. Koontz, H. & Weihrich, H. 2006. Essentials Of Management. McGraw Hill- Some information regarding Daewoo Motors have been extracted from this book. The subtitle of the article is ‘International Case : Restructuring at Korea’s Daewoo. This is relevant as the essay talks about Tata Motor’s acquisition of Daewoo Motors. Onkvisit, S. & Shaw, J. J. 2004. International marketing: analysis and strategy (4th ed). London, UK: Routledge – This book talks about the international strategy adopted by several renowned organisations. Certain information such as export statistics are important to understand the strategy of Tata Motors to acquire Daewoo Motors. Sauvant, K. P. 2008. The rise of transnational corporations from emerging markets: Threat or opportunity? UK: Edward Elgar – This book talks about the globalisation and international economic transactions across borders. On page no 25 and 30, the auth or has talked about the strategy and turning point of the acquirer, Tata Motors. Philip, C. 2010. Small Wonder: The Authorised Story Of The Making Of The Nano. Bangalore, India: Westland – This book is all about Tata Motors reinforcing in Indian market with its ‘Nano’. This has also talked about the benefits of acquiring Daewoo Motors like entering into developed markets. Jeannet, J. & Hennessey, H. D. 2005. Global Marketing Strategies (6th ed). USA: Houghton Mifflin – This book also talks about the marketing strategies of global companies. On page no 587, the author has talked about the positive consequences of Tata Motor’s acquisition of Daewoo Motors. Khanna, T., Palpeu, G., K. & Bullock, J. R. June, 2009. House of Tata: Acquiring a Global Footprint. [Pdf]. Available at: http://docs.orijing.com/college/2010/ugba115/Reading/HouseofTataAcquiringaGlobalFootprint.pdf [Accessed on March 05, 2011] – This is also relevant site which talks about T ata Motors. On page no. 11, the author has discussed the tactical point of view of Tata Motors to acquire Daewoo. Even on page no 194, the author has talked about how this acquisition helped Tata Motors to capture a larger market share. Aswathappa. 2008. International Business. McGraw Hill – This book also talks about the international business of consolidation processes. On page 200, the author has talked about the strategies adopted by Tata Motors to optimally use its resources in the post acquisition period. Banerjee, B. 2010. Financial policy and management accounting (8th ed). New Delhi, India: PHI Publishing - This book talks about managerial policies in different companies and the theories. On page no. 175, the author has discussed how the deal has brought in green technology for Tata Motors. Bilham-Boult, A. 2001. People, places and themes (2nd ed). Oxford, UK: Heinemann – This book is on strategic management considering people, places and themes. On page no. 1 55, the author has discussed how the marketing and resource development of Daewoo has benefited the Tata Motors. Kadle, P.,P. June, 2007. Challenges in Mergers and Acquisitions -Tata Motors Case Study. [Pdf]. Available at: http://www.dnb.co.in/FESConfTool/Uploads%5CPresentations%5C85%5CMr.P.P.Kadle.pdf [Accessed on March 05, 2011] – This article talks about the challenges in the consolidation processes considering the case study of Tata Motors. On page no. 11, the author has talked about the increase in the market share due to the deal with Daewoo.

Rori Rayes Advice Essay Example for Free

Rori Rayes Advice Essay At least not the way youd like it to smooth and easy, loving, exciting, fun, sexy? Maybe it would start out great, he might start out like Prince Charming, but then it all fades away and youre left with a guy whos only half-there? He forgets to call, forgets to show up on time, forgets your birthday? He forgets to make the reservation, forgets the directions, and asks you to pay for dinner? He only seems to want sex, and even then, he seems to have better things to do? AFFECTION and ATTENTION are things of the past? It feels awful when even one of these things happens. But when they all seem to happen at once, its TERRIFYING. I Know Just How This Feels I remember feeling as though the bottom had dropped out of everything. As though I must have been in a dream, and then suddenly found myself awake in the middle of a nightmare. Love Doesnt Have To Be Such Hard Work If you find yourself in the same kind of relationships with the same kind of difficult or emotionally unavailable man, over and over Relationships that dont work out, or are on-again, off-again with no real progress or closure Then theres a way you can turn all that around. I have a program that will teach you all about the reasons WHY you are attracting a certain type of man to you in your life, but also HOW you can make the relationship with this kind of man actually WORK. Heres where you can read all about it and see how you can transform your difficult relationship into a loving one permanently: Feel Safe With Him The thing that I had to learn to stop beating myself up about was that the nightmare kept happening over and over again. It was so PREDICTABLE. Id get with a man and go from dream to nightmare in nothing flat. Sometimes it took a week, sometimes two, sometimes a year. I felt absolutely helpless over my own romantic destiny. When I finally figured out that the same nightmare results were coming not from my luck or my looks, but from the same MISTAKES I was making over and over things started to change. I stepped back just enough to SEE things a bit more clearly. And I started to identify EXACTLY what my mistakes were. And then and it seemed like an overnight transformation I was finally able to take some control over what was happening to me. I almost instantly got totally different results: Instead of finding myself in the middle of a nightmare where I felt hurt most of the time, I found myself having fun I discovered I had CHOICES where I used to think the choice was all the mans I discovered I had some POWER over myself and my life that I didnt know I had I felt better

Analyzing The Class System In Twelfth Night Duchess Of Malfi English Literature Essay

Analyzing The Class System In Twelfth Night Duchess Of Malfi English Literature Essay The feast of Twelfth Night where the play takes its name, was celebrated in a time when social hierarchies were turned upside down. That same spirit is alive in Illyria, and Shakespeare has created situations that create a comedic yet farcical tone to the play. I am going to compare and contrast the ways in which hierarchy class are used as plot devices, a means create comedic circumstance and for mistaken identity. Hierarchy is series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system, and in the case of twelfth night the constrains of time have to be taken into consideration, as the views of contemporary audiences would give the play a new interpretation and a loss of satire or comedic value. Feste as a means of a narrative feature if fairly incohesive in his role along the side of characters such as Sir Toby whose actions dictate the plays outcome (his manipulation of Sebastian) rather we know of his intellect although his career does not suggest that he is intelligent one who professionally Counterfeits folly for the entertainment of others, a jester, Clown or one who has little or no reason or intellect although we see Feste as a sharp and witty jester Better a witty fool than a foolish wit. And because of his class no love like Maria is shown for minor roles (although in some adaptations all characters are connected for an orthodox happy ending) O mistress mine, where are you roaming? O, stay and hear; your true loves coming. .he is intelligent one who professionally Counterfeits folly for the entertainment of others, a jester, Clown or one who has little or no reason or intellect although we see Feste as a sharp and witty jester Better a witty fool than a foolish wit. And because of his class no love like Maria is shown for minor roles (although in some adaptations all characters are connected for an orthodox happy ending) O mistress mine, where are you roaming? O, stay and hear; your true loves coming. The almost farcical relationship between Sebastian and Antonio is created by Shakespeare for a hinted comedic effect or just for structure If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant. Antonios language can be seen as simply the expression of a purely platonic passion. However, Antonios words can also be seen as carrying an obvious homoerotic charge. It seems safe to say here that if Antonio were a woman, we would read her speech and actions as an unambiguous expression of her love for Sebastian and hope that he would return this love. In a play so concerned with bending gender roles-a play in which Orsino can seem to be attracted to Viola Malovolio portrays a classic image of a Puritan. As Olivias servant, he dreams of power and his status within the inner ring, and wants nothing else than to marry his mistress. This would have seemed absurd and impossible as there are societal normalitys that would prevent such an unfortunate marriage. Although social mobility was beginning to take place, there was still a division among the classes. It would have been quite out of place for a woman of Olivias status to marry one so far beneath her. Although for Malovolio, the situation of how it would be between him and Olivias uncle, Sir Toby Belch, if he had gained the hand of his mistress, he said, I extend my hand to him thus, quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control You must amend your drunkenness Malovolios presence in this scene adds a new uncertainty to the play and we start to loose the empathy we once had for the idiotic Malovolio rather we see his pretentious pompous way of displaying his false hope and misguided love. We can see why Maria doesnt feel cathartic about the plot and its unfitting end. The manor in which Malovolio speaks shows that he truly believes he deserves to be above his class and talks almost condescending to Sir Toby whose reaction shows his disapproval. Malovolios desire to rise above his class sets a course for his own demise though the relationship with Olivia; this shows the audience that Sir Toby and the others find his delusions to preposterous. Malovolio is an unsuitable match for Olivia not only of his unappealing personality but also because he is not of noble blood. He is within his class a lower class citizen and to Sir Toby a commoner, while Olivia is a woman of noble blood with money and a high social status. The Duchess (within the duchess of malfi) is an independent and defiant woman who has a strong personality and I think was urged on to remarry by her brothers threats and warnings not to remarry down her social status. I believe that she wanted to defy her brothers, she wanted to rebel, because thats in her nature. Websters primary source for his story (mostly true to history), William Painters  Palace of Pleasure(1567), shows less sympathy for the Duchess, taking a strict, moralistic tone, condemning her for being too lustful and for breaking the accepted rules of her social status Hypocrisy is woven of a fine small thread, Subtler than Vulcans engine: yet, believet,Your darkest actions: nay, your privatst thoughts,Will come to light. . Webster created, in the Duchess what Shakespeare never did, a tragic female protagonist (Juliet doesnt act on her own, Cleopatra shares the world stage with Antony) who represents a challenge to social hierarchy and  natural  order, violas situation was resolved also. As a woman she refuses to be subservient to men: she ignores her brothers commands not to marry, and she takes the initiative to woo Antonio. A rich widow presented a special threat to male-dominated families, as she was now free to marry of her own choosing for love, and to give the family wealth to another man. The problem in a rigid society. Her crime is choosing a husband not from the ruling class but from the upwardly mobile middle class (using the term very slackly). The ruling class, in the shape of Duke Ferdinand and the Cardinal, resist the idea of a woman making a free choice, especially when that choice transgresses class strata. It is necessary for her to be eliminated in order to maintain the status quo . In the case of the Duke an obsession with blood, breeding and pedigree tips over into murkily incestuous desire, a rage to control his sisters sexuality and eventual madness. Jane Eyre  is critical in the exploration of neo-Victorian Englands social hierarchy. Brontes exploration of the complicated social position of governesses is perhaps the novels most important treatment of this theme. Like Heathcliff inWuthering Heights,  Jane is a figure of ambiguous class standing and, consequently, a source of extreme tension for the characters around her. Paradoxically for Malvolio his treatment creates a comedic effect of his outcome due to his class and personality and similarly to Sebastians effect of the propulsion of the play and festes catalytical effect to the narrative, In her novel  Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontà « explores the possibility that class relationships have no absolute boundaries that cannot be crossed. Her protagonist Jane is placed in between economic classes and drifts among the lower, middle, and upper classes of Victorian England. Janes flexible class status allows her to evaluate other characters on their actions and personalities r ather than on their economic status and physical appearance. She forms deep relationships with members of the other classes and holds animosity towards individuals that others might respect based on their achievements in life but who did not act appropriately to Jane. Other characters in the novel judge Jane in much the same way as she judges them; they note her class status and physical appearance at first but then learn to appreciate her for her behaviour and thoughts. Brontà « ends the novel on a dramatic turn of events that completely flip Janes class status. Yet, Jane still remains the same character that we have seen throughout the entire novel. Charlotte Brontà « uses Jane Eyre as an example that class boundaries are not finite and that individuals can transcend them. Jane tends not to evaluate other people based on their class status. Instead, she evaluates peoples superiority or inferiority based on their behavior and forms either deep friendship or animosity based on it. During her childhood at Gateshead, Jane is more emotionally attached to the servant Bessie than to any of her wealthy family members. She bases her adoration on Bessies personal characteristics rather than her economic status. Fraiman tells us that during Christmastime, instead of yearning toward the genteel company, [Jane] would rather spend a quiet evening with Bessie (617) because of the motherly characteristics that Bessie displays towards Jane. Jane longs for the affection of a motherly woman rather than the glamorous company of her rich family. Janes characters disposition manifests, sophistication, education and higher status this would have been expected of an aristocrat, because Victorian governesses, who tutored children in etiquette as well as academics, were expected to possess the culture of the aristocracy. Yet, as paid employees, they were more or less treated as servants; thus, Jane remains penniless and powerless while at Thornfield. Janes understanding of the double standard crystallizes when she becomes aware of her feelings for Rochester; she is his intellectual, but not his social, equal. Even before the crisis surrounding Bertha Mason, Jane is hesitant to marry Rochester because she senses that she would feel indebted to him for condescending to marry her. Janes distress. This situation corresponds to that of Malvolio Jane herself speaks out against class prejudice at certain moments in the book. For example, in Chapter  23  she chastises Rochester: Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!-I have as much soul as you-and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. However, it is also important to note that nowhere in  Jane Eyre  are societys boundaries bent. Ultimately, Jane is only able to marry Rochester as his equal because she has almost magically come into her own inheritance from her uncle. Bronte distils a perfect argument of love and its aforementioned dependency on class distinctions; she has used her characters in a way that there is her own symbolic meaning behind the novel. Brontes has created a direct contrast with the two other texts I am studying, within twelfth night Shakespeares use of class as a means for separation and forbidden love have been used for comedic effect, not to question or contrive against any social limitations, the duchesses situation was not to question but create dramatic effect using class as a division and boundary. Paradoxically to viola and the duchess janes class indifference and ambiguous history created a journey of self discovery and because of her unknown class, a way of finding true uncontrived love was found. The idea of social distinctions setting apart relationships now is considered archaic because of its absurdity and because of the transition within tolerance and rationality, it matters little about wealth and social hierar chy Love in Jane Eyre is a predominant theme and is projected and differed through the hindrance of the class system and its effect on love. I find a similarity within Janes character to Shakespeares viola because of their social difficulties leading to a positive conclusion in both cases. Whereas violas characters social misconception is used primarily for comedic and satiric effect Janes in used as a reflection of the constrains of the written content at the time and like a Christmas carol it has been written to inform and to create a fictional account of how class hindrance can cause suffering and a struggle to achieve and apprehend whats achievable. Brontes used of a first person narrative also gives the novel connotations of factual accounts and gives the whole novel a theme of realism and not directly implied intolerance. The duchess similarly to Janes character is portrayed trough a struggle, also in the duchess of malfi is through love though the class divide. Because of the time constrains within this novel, a different connotation was meant in the meaning of the theme of love though hierarchy. Websters use of class was distinctively a means of a plot device similarly although slightly contrived to twelfth night whereas the plot seems so farcical to his contemporary audience and shocking in the case of the duchess of malfi. Jane Eyre, The duchess of malfi twelfth night all share the confidence that all the characters whose social class is effect when looking fro love are all female. This is partly due to some of the constrains within the novels such as Jane Eyre where a womans ability to choose a partner was dictated their parents and this meant that a class hindrance (neglect from Mrs. Reed and her children I am glad you are no relation of mine. I will never call you aunt again as long as I live. I will never come to visit you when I am grown up; and if any one asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick. Jane asserts her fiery spirit in her tirade, and she displays a keen sense of justice and a recognition of her need for love) made it harder than males to meet agreeable men. Whereas the duchess is of noble blood similarly to the situation of viola in that we know of her situation and the other characters are unaware of her noble blood and she fal ls in love below her class when in disguise as a man and a lower class than she is actually situated. the duchess is in love with a man from below her own class and because of the aforementioned time constrains this relation was seen as inappropriate and would have been contested by her family because of the effect on their families reputation and her future marital prospects.

Exodus and the Ethics of Labor Essay -- Social Issues, Oppression

Oppression is something that has been repeated throughout history all over the world. Whether it was the oppression of Black Americans during the Jim Crow period or the oppression of Jews in Nazi Germany during World War II, oppression is an unethical act that humanity has not yet moved past. Looking to the Bible as a source of Christian ethics in terms of how to fight oppression and promote equality brings to attention how God intended His people to be treated, especially the poor and the helpless. The book of Exodus is a primary guide for what the ethics of labor ought to be in the work force to avoid oppression. One might reference the story of the Israelites in the book of Exodus. The Israelites are under the thumb of the Pharaoh and the Egyptians that force them into slave labor. The grueling and overly strenuous labor conditions in which the Israelites are put under is comparable to the labor conditions that the employees of slaughterhouses are forced to endure today, as illus trated by Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. By comparing these two labor conditions, the reader is able to apply the Biblical ethics found in Exodus to modern times. â€Å"Knocker, Sticker, Shackler, Rumper, First Legger, Knuckle Dropper,† these are just a few of the positions the workers at a slaughterhouse get assigned to. Simply reading the names of the above job positions induces a sense of nausea and hints at the inherent brutality that these positions demand (Schlosser, 172). Because the weight and size of cows is unpredictable, most of the labor in the slaughterhouse must be done by hand. On the kill floor of a slaughterhouse, workers are forced to slice cattle into halves with a power saw â€Å"as though they were two-by-fours,† (Schlosser, 170). Wo... ...is people to be free and live and work under ethical and just conditions. Jesus preaches that as long as the Israelites follow his commandments, they will be â€Å"treasured among all people† and that they will live in a â€Å"land of milk and honey,† (Exodus 3:8). Unlike the unethical laws that the Pharaoh forced upon the Israelites, Jesus’s commandments are moral and promote the common good of the whole community. The Bible says in Exodus 1:12, â€Å"But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.† This provides hope the workers in the slaughterhouses whom are still forced to work under unsafe conditions today. The workers must become collectively active and speak up and fight for their right to an ethical work environment. Ultimately, the minorities and immigrants will become the majority, and the â€Å"dictators† of the world will be forced to step down.

The Hidden Agenda of the News Media Essay -- TV Television Newspapers

The Hidden Agenda of the News Media People use many different sources in order to gain knowledge about current events. In America, historically, mass media and television have been the most dominant sources for information. Over the last decade, internet-based news sites and talk-radio shows have emerged as viable alternatives to the traditional media. While, obviously, the latest forms of news media are very different from their â€Å"elder† counterparts regarding the conveyance of the information, they share some of the same issues regarding the reporting of the news. News coverage can be, and usually is, influenced by many factors including, but not limited to: personal political ideology, religion, culture, and economics. The â€Å"inner† influences of political ideology, cultural values, and religion are not limited to the writer or reporter of a story. Editors, managers, and owners are also subjected to these pressures, in addition to the need to turn a profit, and, therefore, also influe nce the reporting of the news. Because of these influences, the final product is rarely an objective reporting of the facts. News sources convey their subjectivity, sometimes subtly, other times blatantly, through many methods. Listeners, readers, and viewers of all media should consume all information with a grain of salt. The goal of this paper is to take one single news topic, somehow related to the United States, and see how it is treated, or â€Å"spun†, by two different foreign news sources. Although I could have chosen a topic related to the American presence in the Middle East, I chose instead to look for a topic that might be treated with subtle subjectivity: the cancellation of three of pop star Madonna’s concerts in Israe... ...ans. On the other hand, the Arutz SHEVA story is blatantly subjective, almost to the point of becoming propaganda. Freund’s attempt to link the Palestinian Authority to terrorist threats is very apparent, and considering the information found on the Opinion page, it is obvious why. Arutz SHEVA appears to be written by religious conservatives and nationalists, and intended for an audience of the same mindset. Both, the Arutz SHEVA article and, to a lesser extent, the AP story, are examples of how terms, phrases, and emphasis can be used to â€Å"spin† a news topic to convey your message. My analysis of these two stories supports the argument for consumers to take all information with a grain of salt. Works Cited The Straits Times, http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/storyprintfriendly/0,1887,252771-230000,00.html? Arutz SHEVA, http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=62927

Financial Analysis Essay -- essays research papers

Financial Accounting MidTerm I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Debit vs. Credit A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Debit Debit = left side of T-account On the Balance Sheet a debit indicates: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An increase in an asset 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A decrease in a liability 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A decrease in shareholders’ equity item B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Credit Credit = Right side of T-account On the Balance Sheet a credit indicates: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A decrease in an asset 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An increase in a liability 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An increase in shareholders’ equity item ** HINT** - Identify two components of each transaction: 1.) what did you get; 2.) where did it come from. The debit is what you got, and the credit is the source of the item you received. For instance, let’s imagine that you purchase a computer with your credit card. Since the computer is what you received it’s going to result in a debit to the asset account for your computer. The credit will be applied to the credit card liability account for the same amount. II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What accounts Increase/Decrease with debits and credits   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Account Type  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Debit   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Credit Balance Sheet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Assets   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increase  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Decrease Balance Sheet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liabilities  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Decrease  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increase Balance Sheet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Owner’s Equity  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Decrease  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increase Income Statement  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Revenue  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Decrease  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increase Income Statement  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cost of goods sold  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increase  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Decrease Income Statement  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Expenses  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increase  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Decrease III.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typical Accounts A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Assets Cash  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marketable Securities Accounts receivable   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Notes receivable Interest Receivable  Ã‚  &nb... ...ccounts decrease cash and appear with negative signs. 2) Step 2: Classify the change in each balance sheet account as an operating, or investing, or financing activity and enter it in the appropriate column of the work sheet using the same sign as the first column. 3.) Step 3: Sum the entries in the Operations, Investing, and Financing Columns and net the 3 sums to ensure that they equal the net change in cash. ***Things to Remember*** In T-accounts the balance are as follows:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Asset: balance on the left   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liability: balance on the right   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stockholders’ equity: balance on the right Balance Sheet is written as follows:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Assets   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liabilities   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stockholders’ equity Income Statement is written as follows:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sales   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Other Revenue   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cost of Goods Sold   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Expenses   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Net Income Statement of Cash Flows (Indirect Method) is written as follows: Operations Investing Financing

Analysis and Comparison of Iranian and American Management; the Cultural Dimensions and Values Essay

This report is aimed to represent a brief description of the Iranian management values today and compare the results with a developed country like Unites State. First it will give a description of some of the characteristics of Iran management and culture, then it is tried to categorize these characteristic base on Hofstede’s Dimensions (1980) (power distance, avoiding uncertainty, masculinity/femininity, individualism/collectivism) and Flower’s dimensions, Flower 1975, (tribalistic, egocentric, conformist, manipulative, sociocentric, existential). In the next step will be presenting of relative information about United State and at the end the comparison between the results. Most parts of this report is focused on Iran management. IRAN The name ‘‘Iran’’ was used as early as the third century BC by a ruler who described his empire as Iran-shahr and himself as the ‘‘King of Kings’’. The country is highly diverse from every point of view, especially in topography and climate. The population of Iran is estimated at some 70 million, 12 million of which live in the capital Tehran and its suburbs. The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi) which is an Indo-European language derived from Sanskrit. The country has one of the world’s most diverse ethnic groups ever assembled in one country: Persian (56 per cent), Turk (Azari) (24 per cent), Gilaki (8 per cent), Kurd (8 per cent), Lur, Baluch, Arab and Turkaman. The religious groups are Shiite Muslim, Sunni Muslim, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian and Bahaii. At the present, Iran is an Islamic republic, ruled according to a constitution providing for executive, legislative and judicial branches. The political system comprises both elected and un-elected institutions. Iran’s economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil, large enterprises, village agriculture, small-scale private trading and service ventures. All large industries and the majority of medium-scale enterprises are run by the public institutions particularly the foundations which were set up during the revolution. These entities own some 20 per cent of the country’s assets, and contribute 10 per cent of GDP (Khajehpour, 2000), however, they are generally mismanaged. Management in Iran Iranian management today is interesting firstly because the country is slowly opening up to the West after two decades of ignorance on the part of Westerners as to sides of life in Iran other than the political and religious aspects. Up till quite recently, the political discourse was dominated by the belligerent official language and images of mobs demonstrating in the streets against â€Å"the devils in the West†. Now after twenty years of austere clerical regime, the reform movement is gradually gaining momentum, especially among young people who have not known life before the Revolution. Secondly Iranian management is interesting because most people confound Iranians with Arabs, believing that what they learn about Arab countries is also valid for Iran, and this obviously is a misunderstanding. We begin our discussion with bringing some insights into Iranian society and its culture. Based on Hofstede’s findings (1980) Iran is classified in near Eastern cluster including Turkey and Greece. A more recent research found that Iran is part of the South Asian cultural cluster consisting of such countries as India, Thailand and Malaysia (Javidan and Dastmalchian, 2003). For a newcomer these findings may seem very different from the image of Iran as a predominant Islamic/Middle-Eastern country which is often confused with its neighbours. The point is that as a country situated in the Middle East, Iran has many commonalities with its neighbour Muslim countries; however, due to its unique historical, linguistic and racial identities it has a different and unique culture. Collectivism A very fundamental issue in every society is the priority given to interests of individuals versus those of collectivity. Hofstede (1980) views an individualistic society as one in which beliefs and behaviours are determined by the individual; whereas in a collectivistic society the attitudes are determined by loyalty towards one’s group. The manifestations of collectivism and social networking are very common in Iranian management. Personal connections and informal channels seem more practical, whereas formal systems, official institutions and procedures are considered less efficient and even bothering. As a direct result, Iranian society tends to perate rather on the basis of personal relationships among people, than on the basis of impersonal and mechanised institutions. The use of informal channels may imply bending rules and taking advantages to which one is not formally entitled. The popular Persian term for this practice and other forms of nepotism and favouritism is Partibazi, which is a common practice in Iranian organizations. For instance, it would not be unusual for Iranian managers to hire a relative or acquaintance for a job vacancy, even though they could easily employ a more competent but unknown worker. Collectivism has also a significant influence on the communication. An outcome of collectivism is the implicit and high-context communication in Iranian culture. Iranians from an early age learn to be careful about what they say and are advised to use an indirect language for expressing their intentions (Javidan and Dastmalchian, 2003). Persian language and literature are full of nuances and metaphors which should be interpreted in their context and cannot be taken at face value. A particular and very common form of indirect language in Iranian culture is Taarof which can be translated literally as politeness, but has a much more profound significance. In fact, Taarof implies a wide range of complicated and highly polite expressions/behaviours, which should not be interpreted literally. This kind of context-bound communication is very common in Iranian organizations in both written and oral forms. Power distance This orientation concerns the extent to which the less powerful members of a society expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. This orientation concerns the extent to which the less powerful members of a society expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. Results from Yeganeh and Zhan(2007) about ‘‘hierarchy’’ reflect the high degree of hierarchical distance among Iranian managers. Hofstede (1980) considers these characteristic as power distance in his research. The antecedents of this high hierarchical distance are deeply rooted in many aspects of Iranian mythology, history, politics, religion and family structure. Manifestations of high degree of hierarchical distance are various and numerous in Iranian management. A very clear example is the over-centralization of the capital Tehran. Despite the diversity and largeness of country, all administrative bodies and decision-makings are concentrated in the capital and other provinces should obey the resolutions. Other examples include top-down management, authoritarian decision-making (Javidan and Dastmalchian, 2003) and hierarchical structure of reward systems. For instance, there is considerable gap between compensation packages intended for people working at the top of organization and those working at entry levels. Managers consider it normal that people at higher levels have more privileges than those at lower levels. An outcome of hierarchical distance, combined with effects of collectivism and family-orientation is the dominance of paternalism in Iranian organizations, which is encouraged also by Islamic virtues. Schramm-Nielsen and Faradonbeh (2002) reported that Iranian employees expected superiors to help them in a variety of issues such as financial problems, wedding expenses, purchasing of new homes, illness in the family, education of children and even marital disputes. Past-orientation Results from Yeganeh and Zhan (2007) indicate Iranian managers tend to be past- rather than future-oriented. The orientation toward past may be crystallized in honouring indigenous managerial styles and their underlying foundations. After the revolution of 1979, there was much emphasis on substitution of modern/western management by traditional/Islamic work-related principles. Therefore, Iranian executives were urged to realign their managerial styles and practices to religious, social and political values of revolutionary ideology. Not surprisingly, most of these managerial styles were not based on rationality and progress, but on old-fashioned and obsolete views which were not efficient and practical. The past orientation can be manifested also in terms of neglecting plans or setting short-time horizon and also relative high uncertainty avoidance. High uncertainty avoidance means that members of the society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity and thus support beliefs that promise certainty and conformity. Activity orientation (being versus doing) According to Yeganeh and Zhan(2007) , ‘‘Activity Orientation’’ corresponds to masculinity dimension as described by Hofstede (1980). It is argued that in a ‘‘Doing’’ culture, people tend to view work activities as core to their existence, and they attach much importance to achievement and hard work. In contrast, in ‘‘Being’’ cultures peace of mind is cherished and emphasis is placed on immediate and unplanned actions. In reality, it is possible to witness demonstration of both ‘‘Being’’ and ‘‘Doing’’ orientations in Iranian society. For instance, a good deal of Persian literature is devoted to peace of mind, pleasure and frugality. Moreover, affected by Islamic culture, Iranians tend to view the world as an ephemeral step which does not worth hard work and which should be considered as a transitional phase toward eternal life and salvation. While these manifestations correspond to ‘‘Being’’ orientation, Iranians are known also for ‘‘Masculine’’ qualities such as individual achiever (Javidan and Dastmalchian, 2003), militant, hard-working and efficient. Bargaining Whereas doing business always means trying to negotiate the best deal in terms of price and related conditions anywhere in the world, this does not normally in the Western world extend to everyday little purchases. The bargaining represents a tradition that goes back thousands of years. According to this tradition the choice of dealer or business relation is an important one. The tradition is also that you bargain with your usual suppliers. The Western custom of shopping around for the best price and the best conditions is not well accepted. The obvious reason is that it breaks with the golden rule of trust. It takes time to build up a relationship based on trust, and so you need to have a long-term strategy and a lot of patience. Uncertainty avoidance High uncertainty avoidance means that members of a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity and thus support beliefs that promise certainty and conformity (Daft 2003). According to Ali and Amirshahi (2002) results, the primary values of Iranian Managers are conformist. Flower’s dimensions Based on a research by Alishahi (2002) which was conducted through istributing twenty-two hundred questionnaires to a random sample of Iranian managers, the primary values of Iranian managers are conformist, sociocentric. Indeed, the outer-directed values (conformist, sociocentric, and tribalistic) are relatively dominant. This result may have its roots in the political and cultural reality. Since the Islamic revolution, Islamic values have been propagated. The emphasis has been on achievement and human dignity and on societal causes, rather than on personal material gains, in alleviating internal problems. Both dimensions reinforce conformity and sociocentric attitudes without discounting the existential outlook and personal growth. The Islamic regime constantly reminds the public about the outside threat and the need to sacrifice personal gains for the sake of society. In addition, the core philosophy of the regime is that the poor and unfortunate segments of the society must have access to political and economic opportunities. It should be mentioned too that the current Islamic regime condones both conformity and sociocentric outlooks. In an era of transition, managers may seek to avoid uncertainty by going along with the public pronouncements of the regime. Nevertheless, certain values differ across some variables, such as size of organization, ownership, managerial position, and father’s occupation. For example, manipulative managers were found in larger organizations and in the private sector. A typical manipulative manager relies on building a network of friends and supporters, and on careful political manoeuvres. Large corporations in Iran were public or had been nationalized after the revolution. Both have experienced profound restructuring in terms of power distribution and economic partnership. Perhaps this situation created opportunities for a new allegiance to seize power and gain influence. Sociocentric value is found among lower-level managers and those with peasant, working class, and clergy origins. Those with working and lower class origins, therefore, may have developed an awareness of the enormous social differences, and may nurture the feeling of belonging to â€Å"social classes† that have little or nothing in common with upper social classes. Perhaps this in turn creates a commitment to humanistic and community causes and strengthens the desire for a just society. United State management American culture is characterized by high individualism with loosely knit social frameworks. In individualistic societies, people are supposed to take care of themselves and their immediate families. Since individualism is high in the United States, work and accomplishments are viewed as person-centred. Thus, issues of individual meritocracy and perceptions of fairness are likely to be more pronounced among American employees. Materialism, according to Abdu K. (2004), conveys the idea that being affluent, prosperous and rich should be encouraged and suggests that a certain product or service will make the user well off. However, the simplistic approach, like in the USA, conveys the â€Å"just enough idea,† which emphasizes ego needs and self-actualization, rather than just material comfort. Pluralism refers to the degree to which national culture fosters simultaneous coexistence of different ethnic groups with strong identities. In a low pluralism culture, minority groups are completely absorbed by the dominant culture. The minority groups either completely replace their identities with those of the dominant culture, or retain weaker cultural linkages with the dominant cultural group. High pluralism on the other hand characterizes simultaneous coexistence of diverse ethnic groups with strong identities. Both Iranian and American culture is non-pluralistic or ethnocentric. Ethnocentrism means that people have a tendency to regard their own culture as superior and to downgrade other cultures. In both countries cultural differences are unified into a coherent, universal work culture. Diverse groups are absorbed into the mainstream work culture to create uniform work norms, beliefs and values. In such a non-pluralistic culture, minority communities have weak identities and legitimacy. Thus, the in-group–out-group ideology may not be as prominent in non-pluralistic cultures as in pluralistic culture. Rather than compete with minority cultures, the dominant culture aims at absorbing the minority cultures. Ethnocentrism within a country makes it difficult for foreign firms to operate. Based on a research by Alishahi (2002), prevailing dominant values in the U. S. are, (egocentric, manipulative, and existential; 60% inner-directed). United state is characterized by low power distance a relatively high tolerance for uncertainty and emphasizes shared power and authority, with team members working on a variety of problems without formal guidelines, rules, and structure. Many workers in Iran expect organizations to be hierarchy.

Compare and contrast Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe with Golding’s Lord of the Flies Essay

This essay will compare the two novels, Robinson Crusoe and Lord of the Flies, to see how each author reflected the point of view of society at the time that they lived in. The nature of civilisation will be viewed from their two different perspectives. Daniel Defoe published Robinson Crusoe in 1719; William Golding published Lord of the Flies in 1954. Both novels are the first fiction works of their respective authors and they deal with the issue of being deprived of the surroundings of the civilisation that they are used to. The former is about a man, shipwrecked repeatedly, and how he survives in the face of slavery and savagery. The latter concerns a group of schoolchildren whose plane crashes onto an island after a nuclear war breaks out and explains how they cope and change as time wears on with no sign of a rescue. Although the subject matter of these two books is similar on the surface, there is a contrast in the way the two authors represent civilisation. Daniel Defoe was a novelist, journalist, businessman and spy. He defended William of Orange and Mary’s rise to the throne. He attacked the Church of England in his book The Shortest Way with Dissenters and he was fined and imprisoned, but after his release he became a spy for the government. He did not begin writing until he was almost sixty. The Robinson Crusoe narrative was inspired by the actual experience of Alexander Selkirk on the island of Juan Fernandez from 1704 to 1709. Defoe wrote for the middle and lower classes and his realism and sentimentalism pleased them. At the time Britain was at the beginning of its Empire building phase and was entering a ‘Golden Age.’ After the union with Scotland in 1707, internal trade prospered in this, the largest customs-free area in Western Europe. The aristocracy and upper middle class that controlled Parliament also controlled the principal trading and banking companies, so that the growth of new enterprises was more rapid than anywhere else in Europe. The gradual control of the seas, the establishment of trading posts in exotic lands, and the policy of taking overseas territories as booty from successful wars enabled Britain to gain commercial benefits and to build the world’s largest empire. Inside Britain, the Industrial Revolution was under way. New countries were seen as lands of opportunity and resource; many people emigrated to make their fortune in tobacco growing or gold mining etc. There was a general air of optimism concerning mankind’s future and when Crusoe is shipwrecked – the only survivor on an unknown island – he fights for survival not only in the physical sense but also in the sense that he fights for his belief that civilisation would conquer all difficulties. The main character of Defoe’s book is Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe wanted to go to sea and explore rather than follow his father’s wishes and practise law; as it says on the first page: â€Å"My father†¦design’d me for the Law; but I would be satisfied with nothing but going to Sea.† Robinson Crusoe repeatedly went out to sea, even though after each expedition he always vowed to go home and stay on land. Eventually he was shipwrecked on an island and this is where the main narrative of the story begins. In this book he retains a strong sense of civilisation. This is shown after he rescues a savage from other savages who were about to eat him. He called him Friday after the day that he had met him, immediately taught him English and what his morals were: â€Å"†¦I likewise taught him to say Master, and then let him know, that was to be my name†¦I would give him Cloaths.† Crusoe also warned Friday off cannibalism and when he later rescues a Spaniard and Friday’s father from savages, he thought he had an example of society: â€Å"How like a King I looked†¦ The whole country was my own†¦property; so that I had undoubted Right of Dominion†¦My people were perfectly subjugated: I was absolute Lord and Law-giver.† Order is brought out of chaos by civilisation. The Lord of the Flies, on the other hand, was written when the Cold War was under way, nuclear tensions were high and people were nervous and fearful about the future of mankind. The story reflects Golding’s thoughts about civilisation – what in his view it was really like when the coating was stripped away. The story begins with the aeroplane crashing and the group of schoolchildren forming a semblance of a society with a democratically appointed leader. However as the narrative progresses, civilisation slowly falls apart; the main group of boys become savages and lives are taken. The book ends with all sense of civilisation being lost and the main character running for his life. Eventually civilisation is restored in the form of a Royal Navy cruiser, after spotting the signal that the boys initially lit, coming to rescue them. The main character in Lord of the Flies is named Ralph and this story starts with another boy and him discussing what happened to the plane that they were in. After finding more children and no adults he called a meeting where he said, â€Å"Seems to me that we ought to have a chief to decide things.† This shows he had some views on the need for planning. Jack, another boy, also had some sense of civilisation: â€Å"After all, we’re not savages. We’re English; and the English are best at everything.† This is ironic, as later on he is the one to break all the rules and become the chief of the savages. Eventually they came to a disagreement over a signal they had lit to try and attract rescue ships. Ralph wanted to keep it going, but the other children wanted to hunt animals. The group acted like a savage tribe and eventually chooses to abandon civilised living: one of Ralph’s friends, Piggy, offers the choice: â€Å"Which is better – to be a pack of painted niggers like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? †¦ Which is better – to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? †¦ Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?† The group then killed him and Ralph was running for his life. He represents a leader of a democratic society, which soon collapsed. â€Å"One chanced nothing! What could they do? Beat him? So what? Kill him? A stick sharpened at both ends.† At the end, when an officer from the rescue ship asks him who was in charge, he declared himself the leader again knowing that no one would dare challenge him in the face of civilisation protected by power. Ralph had no power in the story to protect his civilisation. Power lay with those who had the weapons. In Robinson Crusoe human freedom, based on reason, is seen to be a higher way of living in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Defoe notes the presence of religious differences and uses the situation to express his belief that freedom of belief should overrule religious bigotry: â€Å"We had but three Subjects, and they were of three different Religions. My man Friday was a Protestant, his Father was a Pagan and a Cannibal, and the Spaniard was a Papist: however, I allow’d Liberty of Conscience throughout my Dominions.† The opposite is true in Lord of the Flies as the group degenerates from civilised English schoolboys to primitive hunters only interested in the hunt and the kill. A pig’s head on a pole represents religion in this story, similar to a totem pole that the native Americans and other similar tribal people used. This represents a relapse to a less ‘reasonable’ form of existence. Lord of the Flies is similar to Animal Farm by George Orwell, in that the impression of civilisation disappears and chaos reigns as they overthrow the person in control and all the order that goes with it. By contrast, Robinson Crusoe is similar in outlook to The Swiss Family Robinson (Johann Wyss) in that both retain an optimistic outlook even after they have been shipwrecked on the island. In both of the above books they find and make living areas, they capture wild animals to make a farm and they both are religious. A further modern example of the ‘Castaway’ plot is in TV shows like ‘Big Brother’ or other situations where a group of people is stranded in an area and has to adapt to keep any semblance of control. The pressure seems to affect the group and behaviour is altered compared with what is normally seen in public society. The overall feel of Robinson Crusoe’s plot is optimistic – reflecting the times that Defoe lived in. Rene Descartes, a philosopher of the period, believed in the power of human spirit and reason over the force of nature. He said that ‘True knowledge must come from human reason alone. Defoe uses pirates and savages to symbolise a more primitive and uncontrolled force and uses Crusoe’s triumph over them to illustrate human spirit. Lord of the Flies, however, is pessimistic: all semblance of civilised society is stripped away. The two world wars undermined to ability of human beings to interact and use reason. Advances in society and technology had destroyed faith in rationalism and a belief grew that if left to our own devices, humans would in essence revert to animals. In the former novel the main character was on his own and it was only later did he have any company. There was no pressure on him to change into a savage and he could keep to the way he was wi thout anything to transform him. Lord of the Flies, however, portrays children like a pack of wolves, with the most influential ones being the leaders. When one of them started to backslide into savagery, he took the rest with him. William Golding essentially believes that all humans are evil inside, but it is just that civilisation puts pressure on you to keep in place and if it were not for the controls present in civilised society, we would all be like the savage group. â€Å"There was no Piggy to talk sense. There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conch.† The Navy officer who arrived to take them back to the waiting ship said, â€Å"I should have thought that a pack of British boys would have been able to put up a better show than that.† Robinson Crusoe, on the other hand, arrived home with Friday (his servant) and immediately wanted to set sail again for South America. â€Å"My true friend the widow earnestly diswaded me from it, and so far prevail’d with me, that for almost seven years she prevented my running abroad.† This shows that he still had an adventurous spirit and was willing to go out again confident that he would be able to cope with any troubles. Both stories show that civilisation needs controls before it is effective; rules need to be enforced and reason alone may not be enough to ensure survival. Crusoe may not have survived without his gun and Ralph had nothing to protect himself with when the symbol of civilisation (the conch) was broken. In spite of this similarity, Defoe’s book presents a positive outlook for the future of humanity as civilisation spread across the globe, whereas Golding’s work suggested that the weapon would be used not to support civilisation, but to destroy it. Both reflect the world view of their times.

An Accident from My Memory Essay

The cold numb feeling was freezing every part of me as I sat quietly inside the car that was twirling in the middle of the highway. Sitting there and patiently waiting for the airbag to explode and cover me as if it was my moms arms took some fear out of me but my body still shivered as if there would be no tomorrow. Even though its been almost four years, I can still recall that day as clear as crystal, yet most of me wished it would just turn into thin air and disappear. As I sit still today, I think of what would have happened to me if I had lost a loved one in that incident. That night made me realize about two important concepts in life. First, to respect what we have and make the best of our time because we never know when life can take it all away and second, to respect nature because when nature prevails itself, it can either kill us or save us. My hands were shivering as I went to go lock my front door, as I was turning the key I felt a large breeze of air pushing me back as if god himself did not want me to leave. As I moved towards the car I felt as if something was weird, it seemed as if I had a dà ©jà   vu but I assumed that it was because of the fact that I did not eat anything the entire day. Slowly I opened the door to the car and sat in the front seat, as I sat down I heard a man on the radio saying that today would be the best day we are going to experience the entire winter, hearing that made everyone glad as we left towards Ottawa. With time we realized that the experience we were going to have is not going to be the best but the worst. As time passed we headed towards Ottawa, leaving the house behind and not knowing what to expect next. While blasting the music in the car I thought about how great this weekend would be and how much fun were going to have with the beautiful weather. At first everything seemed to be perfect as my dad was cruising along the smooth pavement at 110 km/hr but then things begun to change when the car started making a very soft yet annoying sound, hearing the sound my dad pulled over. Being on the side of the highway and staring out the window amazed me because I saw hundreds of cars going by every second. Watching the cars fly by fascinated me but at the same time they also terrorized me, while I sat still I thought about how one of the car might crash into our and destroy us all, thinking that I fell asleep. As I was sleeping I felt someone tapping my shoulder. The feeling of that tapping on the shoulder made me get up and as I looked over I saw my dad standing still saying wake up Ankit, wake up. Hearing the sound I woke up and as I looked up at the sky I saw total darkness and I noticed that I had been sleeping for three hours. As I walked towards Pizza Hut to eat I felt small water drops falling on my head and hands, at first I thought it was a small drizzle of snow that would stop in a few minutes but later I figured that the snow would get worse. As we finished eating we saw large amounts of snow falling on the road and making the roads more slippery. As I walked back to the car I looked into my moms eyes and noticed that there had been something frightening she saw, perhaps it was the large amounts of snow, I thought. Disregarding the snow we kept going and driving at high speeds towards Ottawa. At first everything seemed so beautiful because the pellets of snow slowly fell upon one another but with time they started getting bigger and bigger just like the terror in my moms eyes. Giving my mom sympathy and telling her we are going to make it to Ottawa safely helped her to calm down but there was still some terror that I could see. Talking to my mom surely made her feel better but at the same time it distracted my dad. When my dad had gotten distracted he lost his controls on the car which caused it to go out of control and twirl around in the middle of the highway. Luckily, when the car was twirling in the middle of the highway there was not a lot of traffic so the ones behind the car had stopped. However, other cars on the side of the highway kept going; as I stood in the front seat tightly gripping my belt I thought to myself that I would never see a tomorrow. As the car slid I looked at my family because they were the last people I would see before the airbag would explode and take me far away from this planet. My nerves were popping out of my skin as I held the grip tightly. Looking out the front window and watching cars drive by scared me even more because I knew if any one of those cars were to crash into ours then our chances of survival would be very low. As I sat still in the car I thought about how I  would die, would it be in the hospital or would it be a simple death. At that moment my thoughts were not very positive and all that went through my mind was one question. Would I live or die? But believing in myself I decided to face my fear and bring back my senses just like my dad. Once my dad had gotten his senses back he had shifted the car into lower gear and pressed on the break frequently which eventually made the car stop. My dads consciousness gave me a second life and made me learn some important concepts that I would have never understood if I hadnt been a part of that incident. As time passed my wounds healed but the incident left me with a scar that may never be removed. Now that I look at my car I can recall those exact moments that made me more fearless. I have now learned that people should never challenge nature because nature can easily make a dramatic change and kill us all. Biography: http://www.projo.com/extra/2006/midlives/pages/week3/bina.htm

The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ethan had Chloe, was holding her tightly in his arms like a parody of a lover's embrace. Matt moaned deep in his throat and strained toward her, but he couldn't move, couldn't even open his mouth to shout. Chloe's large brown eyes were fixed on his, and they were fil ed with terror. As Ethan bent his head to her neck, Matt held her gaze and tried to send Chloe a comforting message with his eyes. It's okay, Chloe, he thought. Please, it won't hurt for long. Be strong. Chloe whimpered, frozen, her eyes on Matt's as if his steady gaze was the only thing keeping her from fal ing to pieces. Keeping his eyes on hers and his breathing slow, Matt tried to emanate calmness, tried to soothe Chloe, as his mind worked frantical y. Including Ethan, there were fifteen Vitales. Al of them vampires. The other Vitales were watching quietly from behind the altar, letting Ethan take the lead and sire the pledges. The bodies of four of the pledges lay at Ethan's feet now. They'd be out of the picture for several hours at least, their bodies going through the transition that would take them from corpses to vampires. Including Matt and Chloe, there were six pledges left. The longer Matt waited to fight back, the worse the odds would get. But what could Matt do? If only he could break this involuntary stil ness, if only he weren't a helpless prisoner. He tried again to move, this time focusing al his strength on lifting his right arm. His muscles tensed with effort, but after about thirty seconds of trying, he stopped in disgust. He was exhausting himself, and he wasn't moving an inch. Whatever held him was strong. But if he could figure out a way to get free, then he'd be able to grab a torch from the wal , maybe. Beneath his robe, his pocket knife weighed heavily in his pants pocket. Vampires burned. Cutting off their heads would kil them. If he could just hold the vampires off long enough to pul Chloe and whichever other pledges he could grab out of the room, then he could come back later with reinforcements and fight them with a chance at winning. But if he couldn't break this spel or compulsion that was holding him in place, any plan he came up with would be useless. Ethan raised his head from Chloe's neck, his long sharp teeth pul ing out of her throat, and licked gently at the red blood trickling from the wound in her neck. â€Å"I know, sweetheart,† he murmured, â€Å"but it's only for a moment. And then we'l live forever.† Chloe's eyes glazed over and fluttered shut, but she was stil breathing, stil alive. There was stil a chance for her. At Ethan's feet, Anna stirred and moaned. As Matt watched in horror, her eyes snapped open, and she looked up at Ethan, her expression confused but adoring. No! Matt thought. It's too soon! As if he had caught the thought, Ethan turned to Matt and winked. â€Å"The herbs in the mixture you al drank worked to thin your blood and speed up your metabolism,† he said, his voice as casual and friendly as if they were chatting in the cafeteria. â€Å"I wasn't sure if it would work, but it looks like it does. Makes the transition go a lot faster.† His smile widened. â€Å"I'm a biochem major, you know.† Ethan's mouth was smeared with blood, and Matt shuddered but couldn't look away from the golden eyes that held his. It's possible, Matt thought for the first time, that I might not survive this. His stomach rol ed with nausea. He real y didn't want to become a vampire. If the newly transformed pledges were waking up so soon, the already slim odds would quickly become impossible. New vampires, he remembered from Elena's transformation back in the winter, awoke vicious, unreasoning, hungry, and fanatical y committed to the vampire who had changed them. Ethan lowered his head to bite at Chloe's neck again, as Anna climbed to her feet with a fluid, inhuman grace. On the other side of the altar, Stuart was now beginning to stir, one long leg shifting restlessly against the dark wood of the floor. His throat burning with unvoiced sobs of frustration, Matt felt his last flame of hope begin to flicker and die. There was no escape. Suddenly, the door at the far end of the chamber burst inward, and Stefan swept in. Ethan looked up in surprise, but before he or the other vampires could move, Stefan flew across the chamber and ripped Chloe from Ethan's arms. She fel flat in front of the altar, blood running down her neck. Matt couldn't tel if she was stil breathing, stil clinging to life as a human, or not. Stefan grabbed Ethan by his long robe and slammed him against the wal . He shook the curly-haired vampire as easily as a dog might shake a rat. For a moment, the terrible fear that held Matt in its grip loosened. Stefan knew what was happening, Stefan had found him. Stefan would save them al . The other Vitales were racing toward Stefan now as he struggled with Ethan, their long robes flowing behind them as they smoothly came forward, moving as one. Stefan was without a doubt much stronger than any of them. He flung a black-clad female vampire – the one who had handed him the goblet, Matt thought – away from him easily, and she sailed across the chamber as if she was no heavier than a rag dol , landing in a crumpled heap against the opposite wal . Smiling viciously, Stefan tore at the throat of another with his teeth, and she fel to the ground and lay stil . But there were so many of them, and only one of Stefan. After just a few minutes of watching the fight, Matt could see that it was hopeless, and his heart sank. Stefan was much older, and much stronger, than any other vampire in the room, but together they outweighed him. The tide of the battle was turning, and they were overwhelming him through the sheer strength of their numbers. Ethan was free of him now, straightening his robes, and four of the Vitale vampires, working together, pinned Stefan's arms behind him. Anna, her eyes shining, snapped at him viciously. Ethan grabbed a torch from the wal behind him and eyed Stefan speculatively, absently licking at the blood on the back of his hand. â€Å"You had your chance, Stefan,† he said, smiling. Stefan stopped struggling and hung limp between the vampires holding his arms. â€Å"Wait,† he said, looking up at Ethan. â€Å"You wanted me to join you. You begged me to join you. Do you stil want me?† Ethan tilted his head thoughtful y, his golden eyes bright. â€Å"I do,† he said. â€Å"But what can you tel me that'l make me believe you want to join us?† Stefan licked his lips. â€Å"Let Matt go. If you let him leave safely, I'l stay in his place.† He paused. â€Å"On my honor.† â€Å"Done,† Ethan said immediately. He flicked his fingers in the air without taking his eyes from Stefan, and Matt staggered, suddenly released from the compulsion that had held him in place. Matt sucked in one long breath and then ran straight for the altar and Chloe. Maybe it wasn't too late. He could stil save her. â€Å"Stop.† Ethan's voice cracked commandingly across the room. Matt froze in place, once again unable to move. Ethan glared at him. â€Å"You do not help. You do not fight,† he said coldly. â€Å"You go.† Matt looked imploringly at Stefan. Surely he wasn't just supposed to leave, to abandon Chloe and Stefan and the others to the Vitale vampires. Stefan gazed back at him, his features rigid. â€Å"Sorry, Matt,† he said flatly. â€Å"The one thing I've learned over the years is that sometimes you have to surrender. The best thing you can do now is just leave. I'l be okay.† And then, jarringly intrusive and sudden in Matt's head was Stefan's voice. Damon, he said fiercely. Get Damon. Matt gulped and, as Ethan's compulsion released him once more, nodded slowly, trying to look defeated while stil signaling to Stefan with his eyes that his message had been received. He couldn't look at the other pledges. No matter how much he hurried, some or al of them would die before he returned. Maybe Stefan would be able to save some of them. Maybe. Maybe he would be able to save Chloe. His heart pounding with terror, his head spinning with fear, Matt ran for the exit and for help. He didn't look back.

Images of Aphrodite and female nudity in Greek art Essay - 1

Images of Aphrodite and female nudity in Greek art - Essay Example The Greeks established artistic standards with the aim of expressing true ideals. They used balance, harmony, and symmetry to achieve perfection in their art. The amazing Greek works of art also reflected issues and changes in society. Examining legendary works of Greek art tells a history of how their ideals changed as centuries came and passed. With high respect for their excellence in this field, the artists of the Western World have been strongly influenced by the Greeks. The Greeks have an undeniably world- renowned reputation in art. They started by making beautiful pottery. They established influence in the field of architecture because of their impeccable and unmatched buildings. The temple, for example, had walled rooms in the center, made architectural- heaven by the sculptures of gods, goddesses and gifts to these deities. These sculptures provide evidence for why they were also significantly admired in the field of sculpting. The different outlook of Greek sculptors made them exceptional in this field. Instead of creating realistic works, they preferred making statues which were reflections of what they considered ideal beauty. As mentioned, the common subjects for Greek sculptures were their deities. The Ancient Greek religion was anthropomorphic; where they perceive Gods as having human- like features and characteristics. There were twelve principal deities, both male and female and all with distinct personalities and special domains of reign. Their origins, natures, and relationship to humankind were interesting. They were believed to live on Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in mainland Greece. There was Zeus, the sky god and father of the gods, his two brothers, Hades and Poseidon who ruled over the Underworld and the sea, Hera, Zeus’ sister and wife who was also the queen of the gods, Athena,

Corporate Governance at Wal-Mart Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Corporate Governance at Wal-Mart - Case Study Example Wal-Mart has a total of 15 directors on its board. S. Robson Walton, the eldest son of founder Sam Walton, serves as Chairman of the Board, and H. Lee Scott, the Chief Executive Officer, serves on the board as well. Other members of the board include Aida Alvarez, James Breyer, M. Michele Burns, James I. Cash, Jr., Roger C. Corbett, Douglas N. Daft, David D. Glass, Roland A. Hernandez, Allen I. Questrom, Jack C. Shewmaker, Jim C. Walton, Christopher J. Williams, and Linda S. Wolf. The members of the Board of directors come from a much diversified background. Belonging to different fields and business sectors, they have gained several skills and aptitude. Some of them are from countries other than U.S.A. They all possess ample of experience, knowledge and due to several years of service, they have got several connections. All of this adds up to their profile as plus points which makes them worth the job. Members such as David and Shewmaker have been serving since 1977-78 while other members that are currently on the board joined between the year 2003 and 2006. Mr. Allen joined in June 2007. The board members are responsible for making managing and controlling the committees for specific purposes. These committees are in-charge of several operations of the organization respectively. Their job includes controlling and managing the finances, operations and other business functions of Wal-Mart. They are actually there to assist the Board of Directors in the strategic decision making process and overall management of Wal-Mart. The members of the respective committees' obligations include; To possess full information about the financial details of the company. To actively review the equity status of the company and recommend changes to have a legitimate and profitable balance of finances. Make suggestions to the board regarding the financial and global policies, the equity structure, the acquisitions and other matters. Perform an analysis of the financial position of the company and recommend attainable goals respectively. Regular review of the major projects. Constant relationship management with its financial partners such as banks and other financial institutions. Making suggestions regarding the financial statements, the dividends and the company's budgets. The committee therefore serves as an advisory body and acts as a representative of the board in the process of strategic decision making and its successful implementation by controlling the overall operations of the company. The top management group of the company includes the board of directors. Apart from them others senior officers along with their respective designations are; 1. Eduardo Castro-Wright: Executive Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer, Wal-Mart Stores Division 2. M. Susan Chambers: Executive Vice President of People Division 3. Patricia A. Curran: Executive Vice President, People, Wal-Mart Stores Division 4. Leslie A. Dach: Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations 5. Linda M. Dillman: Executive Vice President, Risk Management, Benefits and Sustainability 6. Michael T. Duke: Vice Chairman, International Division 7. Johnnie C. Dobbs: Executive Vice President, Logistics and Supply Chain 8. John E. Fleming: Executive Vice P

Expected US GDP Growth Rate Going Forward Research Paper

Expected US GDP Growth Rate Going Forward - Research Paper Example The recession is officially said to have ended by the third quarter of 2009. However, household incomes kept falling for the two year period after September 2009 (Pear, 2012). The key measures of macroeconomic indicators for a product market and labor market include Gross Domestic product (GDP) which measures the real changes in growth and levels of real output and changes in average consumer prices. Changes in the labor market are measured or indicated by the rate of unemployment, total employment and total unemployment (Vroman & Brusentsev, 2005). Other indicators include the base interest rate which is determined based on inflation and inflation levels. These also in turn affect the consumer purchasing power and the level of economic activity in an economy. The United States is a free capitalistic economy where the forces of demand and supply and free enterprise dictate economic development. This paper evaluates the trends, performance and forecasts for the US economy by looking a t key economic indicators and concludes at the end of the paper. Literature review The US economy is the largest in the world and its performance affects not only the USA, but also other countries which are trading partners and usually affects the whole world too. The last two years, from 2010, have seen an increase in overall GDP growth although the rate of GDP growth fell from the third quarter of 2010 (Isidore, 2011). In the first quarter of 2010 GDP grew by 3.9 percent and 3.8 percent in the second quarter. The rate fell to 2.5 percent GDP growth in the third quarter and falling further to 2.3 percent in the fourth quarter. In 2011 the GDP grew by just 0.4 percent and improved in the second quarter by growing 1.3 percent in the second quarter. The third quarter of 2011 saw the GDP grow by 2.5 percent showing a steady improvement in GDP growth in 2011, after adjustment for inflation (Isidore, 2011). The observed growth rate especially in the third quarter though good is still con sidered weak as a growth rate of at least 3 percent to be considered as real growth. The economy is expected to just grow by 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 and achieve a 2.3 percent growth rate throughout 2012, though economists predict a robust 3 percent growth in the fourth quarter (Isidore, 2011). The revised upward trend for fourth quarter GDP growth is due to contributions from computer sales adding 0.12 percent. Real personal consumption rose by 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter, which is higher than the 1.7 percent experienced in the third quarter of 2011. Real exports of commodities grew by 4.3 percent in the fourth quarter; all contributing to the expected GDP growth of 3 percent in 2011/2012 (â€Å"US GDP Growth rate† 2012). The US is expected to achieve a GDP growth of 2.1 percent in 2012 while 2013 will see a GDP growth of 2.2 percent (â€Å"The economist online†, 2012). While the US GDP is expected to grow, the growth is still minute compared to what a good GDP growth should be (3 percent). The trend and forecasts are summarized in the table below; 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 -0.48 3.13 1.63 2.10 2.20 Source: Trading economics GDP which stands for Gross Domestic Product refers to the total value of all services and goods produced within an economy (or country) in a given year. It is a measure of how much income is generated from production activities within the country’s economy. The GDP incorporates only the finished commodities (goods and services) produced within the economy but does not incorporate capital goods or raw materials used to produce another