Analysis Of The Book Maus - 853 Words

Anne Freeman once said â€Å"I know very little about darkness †¦.. except that we cannot stop its coming†. The frame on page 127 of Maus is a perfect depiction of this inevitable saying. In this frame the reader is able to see Vladek and Anna walking on a cross walk that is shaped out as a swastika, and we as the reader cannot see the end of this cross walk. The reason why Art Speiglemen portrayed this subliminal frame precisely the way he did, was to emphasize the inevitability behind not only Anna and Vladek s capture, but to the capture of all the Jews during this era. One argument found was that Art Speiglemen portrayed the environment Anna and Vladek were passing by to look lifeless. If you look closely into the environment you will see leafless trees and an area that is shriveled up. It is to bring a feeling of depression and hopelessness, and is the reason why later on they end up getting caught. As authentic as that may sound, that still does not account for the swastika road, and for the emphasis on the â€Å"Where to go†. There is no concrete evidence to back this up, and for all I see this is just another fallacy. Another argument was that Vladek and Anna were only doomed when they left their bunker, hence the swastika road to show that they were walking in the hands of the sadistic Nazi s. The anwser to that is, Vladek had an inclination in him to keep fighting for life through out the entire halocoust period, and it was not only Vladek whoShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Book Maus 864 Words   |  4 Pagesthroughout his career, working for numerous comic lines. There’s no doubt that Maus certainly was his greatest work. You could consider Spiegalman’s experience to be his best credential. Maus is a graphic novel that depicts basically a cat and mouse representation of the Holocaust. A graphic novel as defined by Webster’s dictionary is a â€Å"fictional story that is presented in comic strip format and published as a book.†(1) Maus tells the story of Spiegelmans father, and his experience as a Jew during theRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Maus 1077 Words   |  5 PagesMaus Mid-term The Holocaust was and still is a tragedy that is talked about today among many scholars. There are many ways people have attempted writing about the Holocaust, but not all are the same such as Art Spiegelman with his two-volume book Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, which is about his own father’s tale of the Holocaust told through comic medium. Many scholars and writers think that this ironic and experimental approach to the Holocaust is undercutting what really happened. However, within thisRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Maus 1257 Words   |  6 PagesMaus is a tale about a young man who is in search for answers about his own life and his father’s life. Vladek Spiegelman is a survivor of the holocaust who reconnects with his son Art Spiegelman by telling him stories of his past. Art creates a well-written comic tale about the Holocaust and the relationship he has with his father. This survivor’s tale takes you back to the Second World War to tell us a story of a Jew who hardly survived life. The story opens with Art visiting his father to getRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Maus 1453 Words   |  6 PagesHolocaust in which millions of Jews were killed. Maus tells the story of father who was a Polish Jew at the time of the Holocaust. Maus is also portrayed visually with high angle shots, low angle shots, curved lines, shadows and rule of thirds. Art Spiegelman drew his graphics in specific way, which was to grab the reader’s attention more to the pictures rather than the words because a photo can explain a thousand words. There are two underlining stories in Maus. One story is telling how Vladeck survivedRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Maus 759 Words   |  4 PagesAmber Yvette Bazan Eng. 1301.S61 Ms. Etherington Dec. 3, 2014 Maus: Response Paper 1 In chapter one of Maus by Art Spiegelman, Artie sets out to visit his father, Vladek, in Rego Park after being away for nearly two years. Vladek has remarried to Mala after Artie s mother s suicide. Artie convinces his father to tell him his story so that he may write a book about his life in Poland and the war. Vladek begins his story by explaining how he met Artie s mother, Anja. In the beginning of chapterRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Maus 1653 Words   |  7 Pageseither because of luck or some sort of economic advantage. We see this theme in Art Spiegelman s book Maus. Many of the situations Vladek, the main character, finds himself in, he would have never mahde through without luck and/or his socioeconomic status. Vladek witnesses people, family members, sent to the camps and die around him, yet he lives. Why is this? One of the first scenes in the book that luck comes into play is when Vladek is caught by the Nazis and sent to a Prisoner of War campRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Maus Essay1907 Words   |  8 Pagesjudge a book by its cover, but the cover of Maus aptly sets us up for a reading experience like no other. Maus is a graphic novel that aims to display the gruesome, deplorable, and dehumanizing events that occurred during the Holocaust. The Holocaust, in simple terms, was the brutal genocide of over six million Jews by the hands of the Germans. It can be argued that at its core, Maus is a novel about the father-son relationship between Art Spieglmen and his father, Vladek. What separates Maus from variousRead MoreGraphic Novels : Are They `` Real `` Literature?916 Words   |  4 Pagesliterature. In any aspect, new concepts and ideas that are introduced are always put into question of how capable they are. Many people believe that graphic novels are not a type of literature that can be used in a classroom because they are not â€Å"real books† (Crawford Weiner, n.d). I believe that graphic novels should be offered and encouraged in classrooms. According to Julia Rick, many educators are hesitant to use graphic novels in the classroom. She also states that the reason behind their actionsRead MoreMaus Elements956 Words   |  4 PagesArt Spiegelman’s Maus is a famous, Pulitzer Prize winning tale about the journey of a Jewish Holocaust survivor. Despite the amount of similar storylines, Spiegelman’s creativity with the normal elements of comics has won him high praise. This analysis will focus on Spiegelman’s unique twist on icons, layouts, diegesis, abstraction, and encapsulation as displayed by Maus. Icons are pictures that are used to embody a person, place, thing, or idea. McCloud hammers this concept home by drawingRead MoreBetrayal in Maus Essay1451 Words   |  6 Pagesalso plenty of mistrust for prior friends and neighbors. In the graphic novel, â€Å"Maus (Volume I and II) Vladek Spiegelman makes it very clear to his son, Artie, that one cannot count on their friends. He makes the point that in time of hardship, friends will abandon you quite quickly. Vladek says, â€Å"Friends? Your friends†¦if you lock them together in a room with no food for a week†¦then you could see what it is, friends! (Maus, VI. 5-6). Throughout the novel, we see examples of this gloomy point proven

Death In The Woods - 1340 Words

A Critical Analysis of Death in the Woods Death in the Woods is a story about a woman that lives a hard life. When she was a girl she worked for a German farmer and his wife. When she was a little older she married a man named Jake Grimes thinking she would get away from the crude work of the farmer. She soon finds out that life doesn t get any better for her than it already was. Later in the story she is found dead by a rabbit hunter in the woods (Cleveland). Death in the Woods seemingly concerns a farm woman, Mrs.Grimes, who, only in her early forties, seems old and probably psycotic. She doesn t have a first name in the story, and, indeed, very little is known about her life at all in the story. It s like no one knows who she†¦show more content†¦A person could then appropriate a single one of these truths and try to go by it. That is when he or she would become a grotesque. The stories in Winesburg, Ohio do grapple with Anderson s intended theme, and a story such as Hands clearly illustrates what he means by grotesque (Ellis 2). The hands belong to Wing Biddlebaum, formerly Adolph Myers, a teacher in a Pennsylvania village who was beaten and run out of town for caressing boys. Anderson Cleveland 4 is oblique about Wing s homosexuality, for the thrust of the story. In the story Death in the Woods, as a girl, Mrs. Grimes was sexually abused her German owner (Doneskey 1- 3). The Philosopher provides a more subtle illustration of grotesque and introduces the idea that a grotesque need not be pitiable or tragic; in fact, he can be wildly humorous as demonstrated at the beginning of the story with the philosopher s description (Doneskey 1-3). Anderson was interested in the development of the artist- type, the inner desires of repressed people, the failure of people to communicate their true selves; the way conventions and tradition have twisted and distorted the individual (Doneskey 1-3). Anderson wrote several versions of the tale before he felt that he had to come close to telling it adequately, and one of the most narrative devicesShow MoreRelatedDeath In The Woods1371 Words   |  6 PagesCritical Analysis of Death in the Woods ?Death in the Woods? is a story about a woman that lives a hard life. When she was a girl she worked for a German farmer and his wife. When she was a little older she married a man named Jake Grimes thinking she would get away from the crude work of the farmer. She soon finds out that life doesn?t get any better for her than it already was. Later in the story she is found dead by a rabbit hunter in the woods (Cleveland). ?Death in the Woods? seemingly concernsRead More Death In The Woods - Thematic Explication Essay1959 Words   |  8 Pagespay tribute to us. But that, too, is a part of the cycle. It’s not good, nor is it bad. It just is. In his story â€Å"Death in the Woods,† Sherwood Anderson demonstrates mankind’s ability to take for granted the gifts received through our Mother Earth, aptly symbolized by an old woman with no name. He also reveals to his reader the beauty that lies within the ceremonies of life and death that are constantly taking place all around us and within us. The story is broken into 5 different parts, told inRead More Death in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Essay679 Words   |  3 PagesStopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening   - A Stop for Death  Ã‚   Everyone feels burdened by life at some point. Everyone wishes they could just close their eyes and make all the problems and struggles of life disappear. Some see death as a release from the chains and ropes with which the trials and tribulations of life bind the human race. Death is a powerful theme in literature, symbolized in a plethora of ways. In Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Eve Robert Frost uses subtle imagery, symbolism,Read More Analysis of Mrs. Grimes in Sherwood Anderson’s Death in the Woods831 Words   |  3 Pages Analysis of Mrs. Grimes in Sherwood Anderson’s â€Å"Death in the Woods† The self-worth that a person feels that he or she has is mainly determined by how others view that individual. Many people that are blessed with a loving family learn to feel cherished and important. They believe that they have some sort of value to their lives. These people tend to find a reason to be happy and positive regardless of any negative situation they are involved in. However, those who have never been shown love or affectionRead MoreEssay about Isolation in Winesburg Ohio and Death in The Woods2171 Words   |  9 PagesIsolation in Winesburg Ohio and Death in The Woods In 1919, Sherwood Anderson composed his work Winesburg Ohio, which depicts the inner lives of small-town America. Anderson’s fascination to explore what’s beneath the surface of human lives results in another story in 1933 called â€Å"Death In The Woods†. These two works, incidentally, share a common theme of isolation. The characters in these works, are portrayed as â€Å"grotesques† or people who live their lives by one truth, thus living aRead MoreThe Depressing Life of an Old Woman in Death in the Woods by Sherwood Anderson1136 Words   |  5 PagesSherwood Anderson’s â€Å"Death in the Woods† tells story of the depressing life of an old woman told many years later by a man who narrates the short story. This short story is driven by a plot structure that is told by a sequence of events, a narrator who tells the story, characters, theme, symbolism, and tone. â€Å"Death in the Woods† narrates a sequence of events—the life and death of Mrs. Grimes in its plot structure. This story does not just express the old woman’s tale, but re-tells it. The readerRead MoreDeath In The Woods And I Want To Know Why By Sherwood Anderson1832 Words   |  8 PagesIn two short stories by Sherwood Anderson, Death In The Woods and I Want To Know Why† the reader will find a connection between the two. In the story, â€Å"Death in The Woods†, the reader is encountered by an elderly lady, who will end up dying in the woods one winter day. Sherwood s second story, â€Å"I Want to Know why†, is a reflection about the life of a young boy who adores horses and horse races. However, the boy eventually starts to lose his innocence and deals with disappointment when he sees theRead More Life and Death in Frosts Stopping by Woods and Thomas Do Not Go Gentle 1545 Words   |  7 PagesLife and Death in Frosts Stopping by Wood s and Thomas Do Not Go Gentle  Ã‚   Robert Frosts Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and Dylan Thomas Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night reflect deeply on both life and death. Frost interprets death as rest and peace from a hard and deserving life, whereas Thomas depicts death as an early end to an unfulfilled life. Contrary to Thomass four characters who rage against death because of its premature arrival, Frosts speaker accepts death but isRead More Life and Death in Thomas Do Not Go Gentle and Frosts Stopping by Woods 2066 Words   |  9 PagesLife and Death in Thomas Do Not Go Gentle and Frosts Stopping by Woods  Ã‚        Ã‚   Carpe Diem(seize the day) is a Latin phrase which has come to denote an important literary motif especially common in lyric poetry: the encouragement to make the most of present life while it lasts, or to live for the moment, (The UVic Writers Guide). Both Robert Frosts Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and Dylan Thomass Do Not Go Gentle explore the idea that people should attempt to live lifeRead MoreAnalysis Of Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening By Robert Frost1405 Words   |  6 Pagesdarkness; â€Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,† a seemingly simple glimpse into the beauty of a winter night, is in both content and form a metaphor for the contemplation of suicide. The title of the poem suggests a familiarity, with the narrator â€Å"stopping by† the woods, a neighborly phrase that suggests that he has been in this place before (Saunders). The woods symbolize death and oblivion, and as such, it’s implied that this is not the first time that the narrator has considered death and taking his

Should Higher Education Be Made Available to All Free Essays

Education is a channel to understand the real world better and whether this education should be provided to the students by the universities should be free or not, is one of the most debated topics over last many decades. In the today’s fast growing civilization this education has become everyone’s necessity to survive. Everyone understands the value of education in their lives; hence they compete hard to get the best of the education. We will write a custom essay sample on Should Higher Education Be Made Available to All or any similar topic only for you Order Now So to give this education free to some students would be an injustice on the part of the others. Therefore, from my perspective education should not be given by the universities free of cost. In my opinion, if the students will not pay for their education then who would pay for that, is a big question that requires an immediate solution. Thus it can create further confusions in the society. For example, if the government would pay for students’ education then they will extract the money from public only by increasing the taxes and this can further complicate the situation. Another reason is that to get education from good universities students usually take some kinds of loans, which I feel, make them more serious towards their studies and responsible so that they can clear the debts in future. Therefore, education received by giving money stands more value to them as they have sacrificed something to get that education. The third reason is that the money universities take from the students is used by the universities for the upliftment of the university’s standard only. The university utilize this money to pay the teachers, to introduce most recent advances in all the aspects of education like getting new equipments in laboratories, building new classes with more advanced technologies, new books for the libraries, new hostels etc. Nevertheless, the proc ess of financial support through Bank Loans, Philanthropic Trusts, Corporate Social Responsibility funds and a National kitty should be augmented and structured and worthy candidates screened well through a competency based selection process should be supported. Making higher education free for all will only dilute the standard of education. The impact of this on society at large is not difficult to visualize. We just need to think about Doctors, Engineers, Pilots, Architects and Pharmacists, to just name a few, who may come out from our colleges with free education, where they have not put anything on stake, participated wholly in all kinds of college level politics and hooliganism, and then sit down to treat serious patients or build bridges, buildings and industries, or fly an aircraft with hundreds of lives at stake or even make medicines with complex chemicals only to damage the lives of so many innocent citizens, who have trusted their University degrees. Therefore , in my opinion universities should not provide education for free because the amount they get from the students is used for the welfare of the students only because it has been seen before also that universities that provide education for free are lower in standards compared to universities taking an appropriate amount of money from the students. I believe, that there is no good thing that we can get for free in the world. How to cite Should Higher Education Be Made Available to All, Papers

Does Mcmurphy Transfer His Individualistic Spirit Into free essay sample

That Of The Other Patients In One Flew Over The Cuckoo # 8217 ; s Nest? Essay, Research Paper One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest, with its meaningful message of individuality, was an highly influential novel during the 1960 s. In add-on, its writer, Ken Kesey, played a important function in the development of the counterculture of the 60 s ; this included all people who did non conform to society s criterions, experimented in drugs, and merely lived their lives in an unconventional mode. Ken Kesey had many important experiences that enabled him to make One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest. As a consequence of his entryway into the originative authorship plan at Stanford University in 1959 ( Ken 1 ) , Kesey moved to Perry Lane in Menlo Park. It was at that place that he and other authors foremost experimented with psychedelic drugs. After populating at Perry Lane for a piece, Kesey s friend, Vik Lovell, informed him about experiments at a local V. A. infirmary in which voluntaries were paid to take mind-altering drugs ( Wolfe 321 ) . Kesey s experiences at the infirmary were his first measure towards composing Cuckoo s Nest. Upon proving the effects of the so little-known drug, LSD, # 8221 ; he was in a kingdom of consciousness he had neer dreamed of earlier and it was non a dream or craze but portion of his consciousness ( 322 ) . # 8221 ; This consciousness caused him to believe that these psychedelic drugs could enable him to see things the manner they were genuinely meant to be seen. After working as a trial topic for the infirmary, Kesey was able to acquire a occupation working as a psychiatric adjutant. This was the following important factor in composing the book. # 8220 ; Sometimes he would travel to work high on acid ( LSD ) ( 323 ) . # 8221 ; By making so, he was able to understand the hurting felt by the patients on the ward. In add-on, the occupation allowed him to analyze everything that went on within the confines of the infirmary. From these things, Kesey obtained exceeding penetration for composing One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest. To do the novel seem every bit realistic as possible, he slackly based the characters on the personalities of people in the ward ; besides, his usage of drugs while composing allowed him to do scenes such as Chief Bromden s ( The Chief is the storyteller of the narrative. He is a Native American who happens to be a paranoid schizophrenic. ) dreams much more graphic ( Ken 2 ) . As mentioned in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Tes t, # 8221 ; certain transitions + like Chief Broom [ Chief Bromden ] in his schizophrenic fogs + [ it ] was true vision, a small of what you could see if you opened the doors of perceptual experience, friends ( Wolfe 328 ) . Ken Kesey s altered mental province while he wrote Cuckoo s Nest is what genuinely makes it alone. The fresh s message of arising against authorization was really influential to the counterculture coevals of the 1960 s. Kesey and his authorship became a cardinal factor in a decennary filled with drugs and anti-establishment feelings. One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest takes topographic point in a mental infirmary in which the patients individualism is suppressed by the caput nurse, Nurse Ratched. When a sane con-man ( Randle P. McMurphy ) has himself committed to avoid a prison sentence, the machine-like order that had antecedently existed on the ward is instantly challenged. Initially, McMurphy is a really selfish adult male whose lone desire is to do jobs for authorization figures, Nurse Ratched in peculiar, and to do life for himself every bit easily as possible. Finally, this all alterations as the conflict between himself and Nurse Ratched becomes their conflict for the psyche of the inmates. McMurphy s battle to # 8220 ; free # 8221 ; the other inmates is a hard one, finally ensuing in his ain devastation ; nevertheless, through his decease, the other patients are able to recognize their ain sense of ego and they escape the ward. Although McMurphy works to salvage all the inmates, the schizophrenic, Chief Br omden, is the chief mark of his attendings. The Chief is the largest, most powerful adult male on the ward, but is made to experience weak and inferior by remaining at that place. Upon recognizing his ain value at the terminal of the novel, Chief Bromden participates in the clemency violent death of McMurphy which allows for his ain complete release, every bit good as that of the other patients. Entering the mental infirmary a sane adult male, R.P. McMurphy merely looks out for himself ; nevertheless, this all alterations when he realizes the permanency of his residence on the ward if he does non conform. This motivates him to get down working to salvage the other inmates on the ward and reassign some of his high spirit into them. His battle to assist them recognize their individualism consequences in his ain mental decay and he is finally destroyed. In order to do himself every bit comfy as possible, McMurphy ab initio tries to withstand authorization and derive the inmates trust for his ain personal addition. He is instantly a menace to the order that Nurse Ratched has created and maintains. While there is non supposed to be chancing on the ward, one of McMurphy s first ends is to acquire the other patients to play cards with him for money. This is expressed when McMurphy says # 8221 ; I came to this constitution to convey you birds fun an amusement around the street arab tabular array ( Ken 12 ) . # 8221 ; Another manner that he is able to interrupt the infirmary s order is through his bold laughter. This is really distressing because no one of all time laughs in the mental infirmary. The inmates are controlled and mechanized ; the laughter suggests personality, which would interrupt down this order. Harmonizing to Chief Bromden, he had non hear a laugh in old ages ( 11 ) . McMurphy makes it obvious right off that he has no purpose of allowing the infirmary s machine-like order devour his individuality. As a consequence off his boisterous behaviour, the inevitable conflict between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched begins. During group therapy meetings, McMurphy does non allow Nurse Ratched have complete control as she has had in the past and as she would wish to go on. He disrupts the meetings by arousing the other patients to excit ement when they make remarks about their several jobs. It besides infuriates Nurse Ratched when McMurphy diverts the attending directed at other patients towards himself. Besides, one peculiar scene exposing the beginning of the conflict between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy occurs when McMurphy wants to watch the World Series. He convinces the inmates to defy Nurse Ratched by watching a clean Television screen, even when she turns off the World Series ( 140 ) . The things that McMurphy does early in the novel to conflict Nurse Ratched are selfish and have the purpose of being helter-skelter. Finally, this all begins to alter as McMurphy begins his battle to assist salvage the other inmates. He begins to conform somewhat when he recognizes the power that Nurse Ratched wields ; he learns that he can non be dismissed from the infirmary without Nurse Ratched stating he has been cured. However, the other inmates are non satisfied ; they want him to take a rebellion. McMurphy s rebellious nature goes from that of opportunism to that of devotedness to assisting the other inmates find their freedom and individualism. By making so, he besides sees a agency of flight for himself. The first show of his new scheme for withstanding authorization occurs on the fishing trip that the inmates take. This trip, which is organized by McMurphy, helps the inmates realize that they can move for themselves and returns to them some sense of dignity. Another illustration of McMurphy s alteration from a nuisance to a Jesus is how he and the Chief resist Nurse Ratched in the disturbed ward ( a subd ivision of the infirmary for those patients who are considered the most insane or unsafe ) . Trying to arouse an apology from McMurphy and Chief Bromden for maintaining another patient from holding an clyster, Nurse Ratched fails and angrily sends the two work forces to hold electro-shock therapy. Although McMurphy is weakened by this, the Chief takes his first measure towards being cured by stating the other patients of McMurphy s heroics ( 277 ) . This is the first clip that he has of all time talked to anyone other than McMurphy. In an obvious response to McMurphy s devotedness to him, the Chief starts to recognize his true ego. In the terminal, McMurphy s struggle leads to his devastation ; nevertheless, he still becomes the inmates savior. By happening McMurphy s failing, which is his unmanageable impulse to ever flim-flam the other inmates out of their money, Nurse Ratched is able to get the better of him. This is apparent when McMurphy tricks the other work forces into non believing that the Chief could raise the control panel. As a consequence of this unjust stake, McMurphy wins money from the other work forces, but loses much of their religion in him ( 256-257 ) . However, McMurphy finally regains their trust and the inmates join him in the large party on the ward. Because the party involves interrupting infirmary regulations, the inmates are forced into a state of affairs in which they will hold to support themselves. This is McMurphy s concluding effort at taking the inmates to their freedom. As a consequence of all his attempts to assist them, he has become worn-out, both physically and emotionally. Taking on the duty for the other patients has drained McMurphy of all his plangency and individualism ; nevertheless, it is about as if his animation has been transferred into the psyche of the inmates. Merely as in the jurisprudence of the preservation of energy ( energy can neither be created nor destroyed ) , McMurphy s verve must be sapped in order to give the other patients life. In consequence, McMurphy has sacrificed his ain saneness to do the others sane. The concluding struggle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy occurs when McMurphy attacks her and reveals her gender by bring outing her big chests ( 305 ) . McMurphy is taken off to be given a lobotomy + a surgical operation in which a lobe of the encephalon, normally the frontal lobe, is cut out for the intervention of psychoses + but Nurse Ratched no longer has control over the other patients. By hiding her feminine nature, she has been able to hold power over the inmates. To them, Nurse Ratched antecedently symbolized the cold, unfeeling, and mechanised nature of the infirmary ; by uncovering her muliebrity, this frontage is destroyed and the work forces realize her failing. Now, although she defeats McMurphy physically, he has really won the conflict because the other patients are able to get away. In order to guarantee the Nurse s overall licking, Chief Bromden returns in the clemency violent death of McMurphy. His decease finalizes the transference of his spirit into the other p atients ; accordingly, this allows for the complete release of all the inmates. Using the Chief as the storyteller of the novel, as opposed to McMurphy, allows the reader to analyze McMurphy s actions as being heroic, non mere bluster. Chief Bromden, through his sub-rosa analysis of everything that occurs in the ward, is able to portray McMurphy s saga much more subtly than if McMurphy had been the storyteller. By utilizing the Chief s point of position, Kesey enables the reader to see a patient ( badly weakened by the infirmary s control over his individualism ) finally cured through the continuity of another forbearance to do him recognize his true ego. Because Kesey does such an effectual occupation in making the Chief s schizophrenic province early in the narrative, the reader is able to see him easy recover his sense of individuality and therefore one can truly understand the significance of McMurphy s aid in altering him. One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest should decidedly be included in a list of plants of high literary virtue. It s message of contending for individualism and self-expression is portrayed with immense accomplishment. Kesey s willingness to experiment with the radical manner of composing in an altered province of consciousness should be extremely regarded. This novel is a symbol of the 1960 s counterculture and should be considered a authoritative of its clip. Not merely were its issues of import during its ain decennary, but many are still relevant today.

The impact of Korean popular music

AIDS Symptoms essays

AIDS Symptoms essays The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in people with healthy immune systems. These infections are termed "opportunistic infections." Patients with AIDS have had their immune system destroyed by HIV and are susceptible to such opportunistic infections. The general symptoms are fevers, sweats, chills, weakness, and weight loss. Some other ones are loss of energy, weight loss, a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat. There is also an easier chance of bruising, a continuos deep dry cough, and an increase in loss of breathe. These symptoms however may not necessarily mean that you have AIDS. The best way to fully be sure that you have AIDS would be to go see a doctor. It may just be that you have a very bad cold. Yet people normally will have HIV for years before they fully develop AIDS at which point they should be aware of it. There are however for main stages of HIV/AIDS. This is how people normally develop AIDS: This is when people first contract HIV/AIDS. This stage may last about three (3) months and in some rare cases, as long as a year. Now a process to produce anti-bodies symptoms of infection. This stage may last for years. At this stage, people show signs and symptoms of infection. This stage may last for years as well. Immune system cells are severely depleted. Now the body enters full blown AIDS. At this point the bodys Immune System is completely destroyed. So now more diseases easily spread to the victim. However children get more symptoms which are also complications within them selves. Some of these symptoms are: ...

How Google Chooses Employees Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

How Google Chooses Employees - Essay Example    The case under discussion focuses on the hiring practices in use at Google along with the evolution of such practices given Google’s dynamic work environment. Google’s burgeoning structure mandates that around 200 people need to be hired every week out of a pool of around 100,000 people. Fitting criteria needs to be utilized in order to hire the best possible choices for Google. Google needs to better quantify its expansion and the resulting need for new employees. Merely the estimation that new employees are needed in technical, administrative and marketing positions is not enough to find fitting solutions. Moreover, Google needs to find criteria to narrow down applicants at the first step which is applying to Google. Instead of having to sift through hundreds of thousands of applications the best method would be to eliminate as many unsuitable candidates during the application process as possible. This could be done by placing restrictions on minimum experience required for each position advertised.   GPA or other such crude academic measures are not a guarantee of finding the most suitable candidate for a position. However, the use of GPA cannot be ruled out altogether either. A more holistic approach would be to use GPA as well as other related factors that account for suitability in the workplace. Google needs to classify the working conditions as wel l as roles and responsibilities for its employees on the quantifiable basis. The use of quantifiable means will ensure that Google can truly discover the right criteria with which to discern the most fitting individual. One of the best methods for Google to discern the abilities of people would be to try them out before hiring them such as through internships and temporary placement positions. Employees could be hired for a few months and then retained continuously if their performance measures up to the intended tasks.

Juvenile crime issues in the criminal justice system Essay

Juvenile crime issues in the criminal justice system - Essay Example The explanation of delinquency and state offences, i.e. of two terms that are quite common in juvenile justice, would help to understand that the differences between the adult court and the juvenile courts are more than estimated. Also, the review of the variables related to juvenile crimes would help to realize that juvenile court serves an important social need: the need for fighting crime in its initial appearance, i.e. among teenagers. From this point of view, juvenile court should keep its independence towards the adult court. One of the key differences between the juvenile court and the adult court is that the former does not allow to the offender to appeal, at least when the case has reached the level of the final order (Siegel & Welsh 2010, p.354). Neubauer & Fradella (2010) focus on another characteristic of juvenile court, as differentiated from the adult court: in juvenile court ‘most of the proceedings are informal’ (Neubauer & Fradella 2010, p.521), a practice that would not be accepted in the adult court. Furthermore, in the juvenile court proceedings are not published, as in the case of the adult court, aiming to protect the personal life of the offender, who is young and should not be stigmatized for the rest of his life (Neubauer & Fradella 2010, p.521). In addition, in juvenile court the option of jury is not available; indeed, it is prohibited to juvenile courts to use jury trials (Neubauer & Fradella 2010, p.521). This practice has been possibly introduced for protecting the pe rsonal life of young offender. On the other hand, Del Carmen & Trulson (2005) note that the differences between the juvenile and the adult courts are gradually decreased; it is suggested that in the future an integrated system should be used, for both the adult and the juvenile offenders, so that their treatment, in terms of the hearing and the evaluation of their case, is fairer. In order to understand the

Based on how technology, with particular emphasis on the internet and Essay

Based on how technology, with particular emphasis on the internet and computers, has changed world culture - Essay Example on, online education is less costly than going in another part of the country or going abroad and earning a degree (Online Education Database , par 2). This is indeed one of the major breakthroughs of the Internet age. Furthermore, doing research has never been easier than it is now. Gone are the days when one has to spend hours in the library. There is simply so much information within one’s reach. Globalization is another area which has benefitted much from the emergence of the Internet and computers. Better access to information and more efficient processing of information from Internet technology has helped businesses worldwide to improve its competitiveness and productivity (Zunairah 1). Marketing of products became less complicated with even a greater reach. Doing business and availing of products and services all over the world is less rigorous. Economic and political laws and policies of the different countries can easily be accessed, making it easier for companies to tap international markets. The Internet technology is not without its problems though. A major problem posed by the Internet is cyberbullying. The Internet and digital technologies gave birth to the social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. These networks have made it easier for some people to torment, threaten, harass, humiliate and embarrass other individuals (WiredKids, Inc. , par 1). Another major drawback of the advancement in information technology is the rise in cybercrimes. The Internet has brought about the emergence of cybercrimes such as unwanted software, fraud, identity crime, phishing, crimes against the intellectual property rights and terrorism (Chantler 249). Computers and the Internet technology is probably one of the greatest invention of mankind. One believes that its benefits more than outweigh its detrimental effects. It would be hard to imagine life without computers and access to the Internet. For the Internet generation, eliminating these

Public Office And Private Lives Social Policy Essay

Public Office And Private Lives Social Policy Essay The development of the media and high speed information exchange brings private lives of public officials to public discussion. Transgress moral boundaries may damage public officials career, especially elected ones, severely. The growing attention to private lives among the population makes the topic more important for the social sciences. On one hand politicians use certain aspects of their ideal private lives in their election campaigns in order to gain popularity, on the other hand they require the right for privacy in the things that will affect their lives negatively. Interestingly, the level of public interest in private life varies in modern democracies. While USA citizens are interested in every aspects of public officials (mostly elected ones), and try to find relationship between officials job performance with his private life, Greek people seems to be less caring about private lives and prefer to focus on officials job performance only. The purpose of this paper is to exp lain level of public interest for private lives of politicians, its reasons, affect on politics the Greece and the USA comparatively. In the first section I will focus on the USA case, in the second on the Greece, in the third section I will give comparison of these two countries. The final section Privacy in USA In past three decades borders between private and public life of public figures in USA became more invisible; their private lives are brought to public discussion more often. Privacy in general considered as freedom from unauthorized intrusion: state of being let alone and able to keep certain esp. personal matters to oneself.( Merriam-Websters). Freedom from unauthorized intrusion may include media, police, and government and so on. Although to define hat is public is not that easy. According to Frederick Schauer in public issue individual preferences is not indulged, including a preference that information not to be disclosed(Frederick Schauer 2000, 294 ). In this case electors right to whether decision making public official is suitable for the job, and how his/her policies affect their lives. Having normal childhood, family, and friends seems indicator of good personality as well. Through the history there are several cases showing that public leaders having abused childhood, lea ders who treated their families in abusive ways used alike policies in their job. For example Hitlers abused childhood caused disaster for the world as Alise Millen said Hitler did not invent fascism; he found it, like so many of his contemporaries, prefigured in the totalitarian regime of his family (The Natural Child Project). Or another dictator, Joseph Stalin, also had abusive childhood, problems with his family. Stalins wife Nadejda Alilulayeva wife committed suicide in 1982 after he spoke her mind about Communist Party purges and the famine and was met by a flood of vulgar abuse from Stalin (Nyu York Times, April 14, 1988) and another member of his family, his son Joseph committed suicide in 1943. Today family images of politicians play very important in their career path and their successful marriages brings moral and softer image to them. Perhaps its not coincidence that British Prime Minister Gordon Browns workaholic, lonely man changed before becoming prime minister. He is not mentioned as lonely man but family man who loves his family. In USA situation is not that much different than most of the world, even politicians private lives are more exposed than other countries. While most of the politicians complain about insufficiency of privacy in their private lives, they use their private lives as a means of advertisement. Since USA presidential election of 1992 politicians started to publicize their private lives more and more. Public interest for private life increasing, people prefer more entertaining programs, the American electorate are regarded as fed up with Washington politicians, voter want people who arent political ( Newman, in Schauer 2003, 301,). Candidates private life scandals seemed very interesting topic for news programs. Perhaps Bill Clintons extramarital relationship with Monica Lewinsky was one of the biggest scandals in USA history which was on headlines of newspapers for years. Although Clinton was elected for office for the second time after the scandal, some of higher ranked officials, had to resign after scandals, Randall L. Tobias, Deputy Secretary of State, resigned a day after confirming his usage of Washington escort services. Although April 27, 2007 dated press release of the state department said that he was leaving for personal reasons. New York governor Eliot Spitzer who also accused having extramarital affair with prostitute resigned from his post after scandal. Before his resignation he made a brief public appearance during which he apologized for his behavior, and described it as a private matter. (New York Times, March 10, 2008). There might be several reasons for this increase, but probably the most important two reasons which is decrease of interest to real politics as mentioned above peoples being fed up with Washington politicians (Schauer 2003, 301) and media which always tries to meet popular demand. In the last elections in USA candidate Barack Obamas race, family, religion was discussed and much as his election platform. Today media is considered as one of most profit bringing areas in the world. In the competitive market companies are working to maximize their profits at any price. American media is called as freest and most commercial media in the world by Heather Savigny (2004, 225). Privacy in Greece Discussions about privacy and public life are not something new for Greece. In ancient Greece private lives and public were separated from each others, private life was called oikos and public life was called as dimos. In Platos Republic Plato and Socrates discuss privacy issue. After reviewing Greek newspapers headlines in last 25 years one might thing that Greeks might seem not to be interested in oikos of politicians after over than 2000 years from Socrates times or Greeks are not interested in politics at all or having politicians who has very ideal life without any scandals, so that there are only two well known publicized high ranked public officials scandals. Both of these scandals have very similar feature. In the first case Andreas Papandreou, while receiving hospital treatment in London, was accompanied by a former air hostess, Ms. Dimitra Liani rather than with his wife, even friendly press gave the fact widespread publicity. Later, he was constantly seen with Ms. Liani, most notable on his return to Greece from London, In Autumn 1988 and at the EC Summit in Rhodes in December of that year. (Georgia Chondreleou 2004,5,) However this case was not revealed by journalists or someone else but Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou himself let rumors to be spread. Greek prime ministers confident action also indicates that he is not that much concerned about critiques and media pressure. Indeed this case was not discussed in the media that much, so that his health and later on corruption scandals overshadowed this case. In the Second case: Christos Zachopoulos, the former secretary general of the Greek Culture Ministry and chairman of the Central Archaeological Council, jumped off the balcony of his fourth-floor home here [December 20, 2007]after allegations that he was being blackmailed by his former office assistant, with whom he had had an affair. Mr. Zachopoulos, 54, survived the fall. (New York Times December 20, 2007) This scandals also mentioned as The juiciest sex scandal in modern Greek memory (Times Online January 9, 2008) Comparatively with the first case in the second case General Secretary of the Greek culture get more attention from the media. Perhaps, the thing that forced General Secretary to resign and attempt for the suicide was not only related publication of his love affair in the media, but also his being accused for corruption. An Athens prosecutor [was] also examining at least 10 of an estimated 200 cases in which Mr. Zachopoulos, in his capacity as the head of the Central Archaeological Council, decreed that places could be removed from the list of protected archaeological sites. (New York Times, January 19, 2008). Having only two politician private life scandal in Greece also doesnt means that Greek people are not interested in politics. Politics is still one of the most famous topics in Greek Coffee Shops. But its also known that population get information what media gives. Although there was freedom of speech in media, since the beginning of the 1980s ruling parties always had impact on TVs, so that most the TVs and big newspapers either belonged to the government or survived with the subsidies from the government. Even today from time to time Greek governments subsidize media. Perhaps it is not coincidence that there is not that much critique in media against government and high ranked officials except the cases which officials exposed them or the cases which is already related with some ethical issues. Comparison Even if this two countries seems very similar in some points there differences in public attention to their life. However political scandals take place only in liberal democracies because only there is the separation of public from private spheres fundamental to the political system (Markovitsa nd Silverstei in Betty a. Dobratz and Whitfield, Stephanie 1992, 168). Perhaps the level of the liberalization and Greeks being under dictatorship was also one of the factors that affect level of scandals. Platos Republic abolishes the foundation of any private life for the guardians who the ideal state-eliminating the family and private property in order to create unity in the state. Socrates considers the objection that guardians will not be happy if they have to give up pleasures of the private life. Such happiness he replies is senseless and childish; the guardians, after all, will enjoy a better and more honorable life than other citizens. Anyhow, the aim should be to make whole society good, not to make one section of it happy, he also argues that even if guardians will have to give up their private lives, they will still enjoy a better honorable life.'(Platos Republic in Thompson 1987, 124). If we compare USA and Greece with Plato and Socrates philosophy, Platos model private and public life is very suitable USA approach of privacy so that politicians seems to be ok giving up their privacy in order to enjoy a better honorable life. However Greece politicians still can manage to keep their private lives from public. The main difference in the cases of two countries is that USA population will get more However media also played significant role in publicizing the cases. Free and commercialized USA media seems is more likely to meet entertain popular demand of population that the media and press which is subsidized by government. Conclusion Its obvious that there are still will be a lot of debates about public and private lives. As much country will get liberalized, achieve free media, References: Frederics Schauer 2000, Can Public Figures have private lives? Social Philosophy and Policy, 17:299-306 Dennis F. Tomphson 1987, Political Etics and Public Office. Cabridge Mass.: Harvard University Press Georgia Chondroleou 2004, Public Images and Private Lives: the Greek Experience Parliamentary Affairs Vol. 57 No. 1, 53-66 Heather Savigny 2004, The Media and the Personal Lives of Politicians in the Unites States, Parliamentary Affairs Vol. 57 No. 1, 223-235 Betty A. Dobratz and Whitfield, Stephanie Sep., 1992, Does Scandal Influence Voters Party Preference? The Case of Greece during the Papandreou Era European Sociological Review, Vol. 8, No. 2, 167-180 privacy. Dictionary.com. Merriam-Websters Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/privacy (accessed: December 11, 2009). http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/privacy (accessed: December 05, 2009) http://www.naturalchild.org/alice_miller/adolf_hitler.html, last accessed December 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/ http://timesonline.co.uk (accessed December 10, 2009)

The Western Lawman :: American America History

The Western Lawman The west was filled with various characters ranging from cowboys, bandits, bar owners, and ultimately the law. The different attitudes towards men of authority during the western era can be seen through the national radio show of Gun smoke. The knowledgeable, caring, and just sheriff of Dodge County named Matt Dillon portrays many societal roles as he is faced with perplexing situations. Through three episodes of Gunskmoke, the reoccurring theme is that Matt Dillon is the law, the judge, and often the jury. The rise of the west needed a figure of authority and Matt Dillon was that symbol. He was the first person the lawbreakers saw and also the last they wanted to meet. Yeah, weve met Throughout the three episodes of Gunsmoke it can be seen that Dillon is a very knowledgeable person. When a towns person comes and informs Dillon regarding a certain situation, he normally knows who they are or someone related to him. Not only is he aware of whom they are but also their tendencies, whether they are humanitarian in nature or just a plain drunk. During the three episodes of Gunsmoke, Dillon was faced with solving cases in which a murder took place. Dillon knew those who were involved as well as the likelihood of that same person committing the crime at hand. It can be seen through this incident that the western lawman is knowledgeable about his surroundings as well as the various possible suspects. Pope was a good man, he wouldnt do this In the first episode of Gunsmoke, Dillon speaks to a frightened resident who fears the invasion of Indians on his property. Dillon advises the man named Pope to acquire a gun and shoot if they came to close. When the Indians came, Pope shot one dead. However Dillon found out that it wasnt Indians but rather a group of drunken men playing a practical joke. Through this story it is evident that Dillon was very compassionate to Pope by listening to his problem and advising him. Dillon was also kind and patient to the men who played the wrongful joke. It can be seen through this incident that the western lawman is caring and understanding. Im still the law in Dodge Dillon was also very just when it come to the law. The main theme of these three episodes was the portrayal of Dillon playing the role of investigator, judge, jury and lawman.

Energy Sources and Alternative Energy Essay

Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining Table 1: pH of Water Samples Water Sample Initial pH Final pH (24-48 hours) Pyrite 5 5 Activated Carbon 5 7 Water 5 5 POST LAB QUESTIONS 1. Develop hypotheses predicting the effect of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water? a. Pyrite hypothesis = If pyrite is added to water, it will make the water more acidic. b. Coal hypothesis = If the activated carbon is added to the water, it will make the water more acidic. 2. Based on the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this. a. Pyrite hypothesis accept/reject = The hypothesis was rejected as no change occurred in pH levels after testing the sample with a pH strip b. Coal hypothesis accept/reject = The hypothesis was rejected as the pH level rose  from 5 to 7 after testing the sample with a pH strip, which would indicate a rise in alkalinity. 3. Based on your data, what effect do you predict coal mining has on the environment? Answer = Based upon the data collected, there does seem to be a small effect on the environment, however, based upon knowledge of the subject, coal mining can and does have a significant adverse effect on the environment. 4. What can be done to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem? Utilize at least one scholarly resource to support your suggestions. Answer = Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the more serious environmental problems in the mining industry. AMD is the major pollutant of surface waters in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States (US EPA, 2006). The formation of AMD is a very complex chemical and microbial process, and usually occurs where deep excavations, such as those associated with coal mining, expose unweathered pyritic materials. Water contaminated by AMD on permitted sites where mining has occurred must be treated to remove dissolved metals and raise pH. Millions of dollars are spent to treat this water and the interaction of these metals with each other and their removal from water are important areas of study (US EPA 2006). Water is the basic transport for contaminants, and consequently most measures at limiting acid formation use migration control and are concerned with the control of water flow (EPA 2006). To help out local ecosystems, water entry into the site of acid formation may be controlled by: 1. Diversion of surface water flowing towards the site of pollution; 2. Prevention of groundwater infiltration into the pollution site; 3. Prevention of hydrological water seepage into the affected areas; and 4. Controlled placement of acid-generating waste. (EPA 2006). Experiment 2: Solar Energy Table 2: Solar Energy Experiment Results Environmental Descriptor/Variable Observations (Each should be compared against direct subnlight) Weather of the Day Mostly Sunny with some clouds Motor speed in direct sunlight Very Fast Motor speed at 45 degree angle Very Fast Motor speed under reflectors Very Fast Motor speed with 25% shaded Very Fast Motor speed with 50% shaded Medium to fast Motor speed with 75% shaded Very Slow Motor speed under red filtration Fast Motor speed under blue filtration Fast Motor speed under green filtration Fast Motor speed under yellow filtration Fast Post-Lab Questions 1. Develop hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight against the 4 variables tested? Direct vs indirect hypothesis = If exposed to direct sunlight, the motor will move faster than indirectly exposed Direct vs reflected hypothesis = If exposed to reflected sunlight, in addition to direct sunlight, the motor will move faster than only exposed directly Direct vs shaded hypothesis =Upon shading the solar panel, the more than panel is shaded, the slower the  motor will move (EX. At 25% shaded the motor will go slower than completely exposed-medium, at 50% shaded, the motor will go slow, at 75% shaded the motor will go very slow Direct vs filtered hypothesis = Upon filtering the motor with the different shades of cellophane, the motor will go slower 2. Based on the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this. Direct vs indirect accept/reject =Rejected. The motor was just as fast when the solar panel was set up at a 45 degree angle Direct vs reflected accept/reject = Accepted. When the foil was reflected at the solar panel, the motor moved faster. Direct vs shaded accept/reject = At 25% shading-Rejected-The motor moved just as fast as when the solar panel was completely exposed to sunlight. At 50%-Accepted-The motor moved slower than when the solar panel was completely exposed to sunlight (speed medium to fast) At 75%-Accepted-The motor moved very slow compared to when the solar panel was completely exposed to sunlight (Very slow) Direct vs filtered accept/reject = Rejected-Upon being covered by the red, yellow, green, and blue cellophane, the motor moved the same as in direct sunlight 3. Does increased exposure to the sun’s light produce more current? Explain how you know this based on your data. Answer = YES. The more exposure the solar panel had to the sun, the faster the motor moved. Through a variety of trials with the solar panel and exposure to the sun, it was determined that the more exposure the solar panel had, the faster the motor moved. 4. How could you increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day, when the sun’s angle is constantly changing? Answer = One could increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day while the sun’s angle was constantly changing would be either to move the panels (use ones that can be adjusted) to coincide with the movement of the sun, use adjustable mirrors or other reflective devices to  reflect directly on the solar cells, or both of these options. 5. Based on your data, could adding filters to solar panels increase the solar energy produced? Explain how you know this. Answer = Upon the data I collected, none of the filters actually INCREASED the amount of solar energy produced, so I would say no. References. Acid Mine Drainage. (2006). EPA. Retrieved August 2, 2013, from http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/acid_mine.cfm

Buy It or Review It (Or Preferably Both)

Buy It or Review It (Or Preferably Both) I believe Ill touch a nerve here, which is sometimes fun. But most of the time, it means a controversial topic that wakes people up.and makes people make excuses for what they thought was righteous behavior. Well see. Not long ago, I wrote a piece about paying writers properly. I posted this abbreviated version on Facebook: If you are a writer, ask to be paid for your work. If you are asking a writer to appear, pay them. If you read a book, pay for it. If you accept a free book, post a review. Anything else is eroding the careers of writers everywhere. A lot of people got on board with rants about not getting reviews after giving away so many books. We all get that. I give away 100 books the first few weeks of a new release, and barely half of the recipients initially keep their promise to review. Its difficult to add a book to your busy schedule. But its wrong to agree to review then not do so. It amazed me the ones who DID review, and pained me seeing the ones who DID NOT. However, few got my point, that as writers, we tend to cannibalize our own. When we act as readers, do we review every book we read? As badly as we crave reviews, are we loyal to other writers in Doing Unto Them as Wed Like to Be Done To? It really boils down to this: When you obtain a book, you have two choices: You pay for it or you review it. If you can find the time to spend hours reading the thing, you can take three to five minutes to review it. What about all those souls giving away free books? Personally, I only take a free book if I intend to read it as a reviewer. And frankly, I prefer to pay for my books. Why? Because I prefer people pay for mine. I refuse to download a free one, much preferring to at least pay $1.99 or more. Its a principle of mine. Yes, I give away a few books with the clear message that they are review copies. And against the advice of others, I even follow up with those readers. The system goes like this: 1) I ask for reviewers for a book on social media or in my newsletters 2) I make a list and determine how many books to send out 3) I send the books 4) I wait a month then email/mail postcard asking if they received the book no mention of a review 3) I wait another month then email/mail a postcard asking if they enjoyed the book no mention of a review Thats it. No harassment. You have a list of names who reviewed your work. You love these people. You dont mind asking them to review again in the future. You know they will follow through. And you also know those who have not reviewedand to not ask again.

The use of race in Their eyes were watching god essays

The use of race in Their eyes were watching god essays The Use of Race in Their Eyes Were Watching God This novel, while poetically conveying a black woman's pursuit of true love, seriously addresses society's ability to be judgmental and oppressive. Gender, race, economic security, and social stratification share equally important roles in the development of the main character, Janie. Hurston vividly describes how each qualification specifically affects the character, although the racial implications are much more subtle. This subtlety allows the reader to mistakenly perceive indifferent or positive feelings towards the novels black community. Hurston initially establishes the ideal unimportance of race by using Janie's innocent childhood memory. Janie painfully recalls Mr. Washburn, who is the father of the family with whom they live, abusively laughing at her belief of being the same as his white children. She also remembers being teased by the other black children for her clothing, which is better than others because hers is the Washburn childrens old clothing. This recollection is multiply used by Hurston. It capitalizes childrens acceptance of people for their actions, which is surpassingly more believable than portraying adults with the same feelings. It displays the dependence of black people on white people for success. Finally, it instates the Washburn family as the representation of white culture; accordingly initiating a negative undertone towards Janies ethnicity. However, these prejudices and their undermining effect depicted within the novel are soundly contrasted by Janies peaceful disposition at the e nd of her narration. Hurston masterfully uses the emotional responses of the black characters, specifically pertaining to successful and potentially successful endeavors of Joe, as metaphors of societys prejudice. The initial astonishment of the black characters to Joes monetary holdings and accomplishments deftly...

Progressive Education and Progressive Educators Essay

Progressive Education and Progressive Educators - Essay Example These 'themes' were created in order to confront the problems of the postwar society. Progressives looked optimistically for signs of political and economic democracy during the postwar "reconstruction." Progressivism was at its heart an effort to remoralize society. At all political levels, politicians advocated laws to facilitate moral economic and political systems. They advocated city improvements, like pure water and sanitary sewage. They wanted honesty in public officials. They wanted the right for the people to initiate important legislation. They wanted the right to have referenda on laws that politicians enacted. They wanted the right to recall public officials who did not do what they had been elected to do. The first phase of progressivism, "The Genesis phase", took place between 1890-1910. The aim of this stage was to test innovative ideas and theories, and develop a new approach to education. John Dewey supported the idea that students should be active learners. The second phase, "Child Centered Education", took place between 1919-1930. Dewey promulgated and tested a child-centered approach in education. The phase of "social reconstruction" took place between 1930-1945.

MTV Culture And Music TV In Popular Culture Research Paper

MTV Culture And Music TV In Popular Culture - Research Paper Example With the desire to have huge following and cover, mass media engineered strategies to influence as many people as possible. Some of these strategies revolve around creating a culture that is consistent with the needs of the people, the products being advertised, and that can influence the beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of people regarding certain products and services to the targeted audience. Music TV, MTV culture in popular culture One of the most popular culture edifices is music. Music stalks all life realms and it is impossible to find an individual who does not like any kind of music. Since its establishment in 1981, MTV has had a great influence in the way popular culture, especially in the music industry, has evolved and developed. It is hard to distinguish pop culture, MTV and music TV. There is no other mass media communication network that has had such influence and control over popular cultural evolution than the two networks (Rojek 199). MTV as a mass media communication network has greatly impacted the way people hold beliefs about politics, dressing, public figures, and other life elements that the network communicates to the audience. One of the credits that MTV has had is the way it has shaped the music industry. MTV and other music TV networks have taken a revolutionary turn by airing certain types of music that are conversant with the audience. For example, MTV has shaped people’s taste of music through repeated airing of pop music and gangsta rap that dominates the world popular culture.

Scrabble Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Scrabble - Essay Example Matt Graham is a thirty two year old. He works in the comedy industry where he is a standup comedian. His mode of dressing of dressing is actually shabby. As Fatsis (2001) states, he wears flannel shirts that he does not button over old T-shirts. The jeans that he puts on are torn and do not fit him well. When he speaks, he speaks so fast that it seems his mind is running ahead of his thoughts. Matt is an individual who does not care much about his health. This is showed by the amount of pills that he takes each day. He has a five by seven card which he has divided into two columns. In one column, he has written the names of twenty pills which he takes in the morning on an empty. In the other column, he has written seventeen more that he has to take with breakfast. He does not care of the warnings indicated on the labels. Rather, he claims that they turn him around more than anything. He also has a damaged knee which pains him much but he refuses to see an orthopedist to check out th e issue. This supports the point that he does not care much about his health (Fatsis, 2011). According to Fatsis (2001), Matt is affected by insomnia. It is indicated that he does not sleep much. Especially on the night before the day when Matt shall play a best of five games against an opponent to find out the world Scrabble champion. The eating habits of Matt are quite out of order. On this particular morning, Matt does not eat much. Matt also chooses not to relax as opposed to the notion that a moment of relaxation and reflection before a very important game is needed. It seems that Matt has very peculiar ways of going about his time and actions before the finals. This peculiar ways may be as a result of the consumption of pills. It is suggested that if Matt is tested for drugs, then he would actually be banned for life. But Matt is lucky as drugs are not tested

Global Warming effect on Hair care Industry Essay Example for Free

Global Warming effect on Hair care Industry Essay â€Å"It is the gradual increase of the temperature of the atmosphere near the earth’s surface as a result of the increase of what we call â€Å"greenhouse gases† since the industrial revolution. Those gases are, water vapor, Carbon Dioxide,Methane,Nitrous Oxides and Ozone† (Global Warming ). This phenomenon is considered a healthy natural procedure because, when the light from the sun hit the earth’s surface reflects off this surface toward space ,but doesn’t easily pass through the greenhouse gases blanket of the earth. Some of the sun’s light and heat are trapped keeping the planet at an average temperature suitable to life, which is about sixty degrees Fahrenheit(Global Warming ). As we said ,Global Warming as a natural process is not harmful, but the growth in industry,agriculture,transportation and technology revolution has produced additional quantities of greenhouse gases along with other harmful substances such as â€Å"Chlorofluorocarbons† or â€Å"The CFCs† (Global Warming ). That made earth’s atmosphere traps more heat and light than it is required, so earth is facing a dangerous future with scientists predictions of high temperature ages to be coming. Global warming has a long term effects on our planet. Some of those results are, Melting of polar ice with a resulting rise in sea level and coastal flooding; disruption of drinking water supplies ;profound changes in agriculture due to climate change; extinction of species as ecological niches disappear; and an increased of tropical diseases(Girardet 19). We may consider some global warming effect as following: †¢ Greenhouse gases are accumulating in earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities, causing temperatures to rise. Global average temperatures warmed by about 1 ° F in the twentieth century and could increase by 2. 5 ° F to 10. 5 ° F in this century(Speth 56). †¢ Human-induced warming and sea-level rise are expected to continue throughout this century and into the next(Speth 56). †¢ This warming is caused by the cumulative effects of several greenhouse gases that have built up steadily in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, methane from fossil fuels and agricultural activities, nitrous oxide from agricultural activities and the chemical industry, and specialty chemicals including CFCs(Speth 56). †¢ Global warming could well have serious adverse societal and ecological impacts by the end of this century, and temperature and sea levels could also continue to rise well into the next century even if societies stabilize the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere(Speth 56) Hair care industry tools â€Å"Every woman knows how you look is essential to how you feel† (Make a date with your hair 73) No. 1 women magazine â€Å"Cosmopolitan† started an article with that word. Hair dressing is essential to all women on this planet. What ever you men laugh or criticize, they will still go to coiffures and hair dresser all over the world. Also men are not far from hair care. Men nowadays care a lot about how do they look like and hair look became essential for them too. More products are produced and invented every day to help those stylists to accomplish good looking hair cut and a soft ,long and strong hair texture for every woman. Every hair stylist, uses some essential products such as: †¢ Shampoos: They are used in washing and cleaning scalps and hair from dirt and moist. They remove unwanted amounts of oils with substances called â€Å"Surfactants† that produces foam. The most famous surfactants are, â€Å"Sodium Laureth Sulphate† and â€Å"Sodium lauryl sulphate†,which are written on every shampoo bottle. They considered harmful (Burke) . Some kinds of natural oils are used in making shampoos. Anti-dandruf kind of shampoos are using substances like Ketoconazole,Selenium sulfite or ZPT(Doctor NDTV). †¢ Conditioners: They are used in softening hair after washing it with shampoo. Conditioners coat the hair with protective material such as silicone making the hair feel softer, shiny and less likely to tangle. Silicones are the base substance in making conditioner along with natural oils such as shampoos(Burke ). †¢ Hair dryer, curling irons and hair crimpers: Those are electric devices used to dry wet and curling it using hot air blowout . They produce heat and consume more electricity ,and it may cause damage to hair if heat was high. Many kinds of those gadgets are designed to produce more heat to style thick strands of hair(Sloane ). †¢ Hair sprays and hair gels: These products are using many different kinds of polymers used to sustain the hair’s look and keep it stable (Make a date with your hair 73). †¢ Hair dyes: Products that are used to change the color of hair for many weeks. Bleaching is achieved by oxidation with â€Å"Hydrogen Peroxide† (Hocker and Popescu 36). †¢ Hair cut equipments: Like scissors,clippers,electric trimmers, brushes and combs. Every day millions of men and women all over the globe is cutting and brushing their hair. Every time that happen ,lots of hair are lost ,removed and thrown a way. Hair Chemistry â€Å"Biologically, hair is the filamentous appendage on the skin of mammals. Chemically, it is a composite material in which both the reinforcing fibers and the matrix are made of proteins† (Hocker and Popescu 36). Hair fibers, roughly cylindrical with diameters ranging from 10 µm to 100 µm, are multicellular tissues. The heart of the fiber is surrounded by the cuticle, made of plate-like overlapping cells whose heights can reach up to 1 µm. Each cuticle cell has four layers: the epicuticle; the a-layer; the exocuticle; and the endocuticle. Inside the cuticle, the cortex contains spindle-like interlocking cortical cells, with cell membrane complex in-between. Each cortical cell is composed of macrofibrils embedded in an intermacrofibrillar material. Each macrofibril consists of microfibrils, called the intermediate filaments (IF), themselves embedded in an intermicrofibrillar matrix composed of intermediate filament associated proteins (IFAP). Thus, hair is a composite material with a complex dual structure at all levels(Hocker and Popescu 36). In brief, elemental analysis of hair shows, remarkably independently of hair origin, 50wt% carbon, 7wt% hydrogen, 22wt% oxygen, 16wt% nitrogen and 5wt% sulfur(Hocker and Popescu 36). Global warming effects that relate to Hair care industry Global warming especially alarms bioenvironmentalists and social greens, because the three main greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) arise from core economic activities (automobile use, electricity generation, factories, agriculture, and deforestation),while the main consequences (rising seas, severe storms, drought, and desertification) are beyond the lifetimes of politicians and business leaders—perhaps occurring in 50 to 100 years. And the impacts, when they are most severe, will be mostly felt by the poor, marginalized peoples of the world. Obviously, lowering greenhouse gas emissions will involve major changes to global economic production and consumption patterns (Clapp and Dauvergne 39) not only hair care industry in the near future. It will require, too, governmental, corporate, and personal sacrifices. It’s known now that a huge part of earth’s warming is due to human activity. Humens are destroying the planet and global warming is one way for that. Global warming has many bad effects as we briefed earlyier. It’s more likely to discuss how hair care industry affecting the global warming . It what was announced by Al Gore, American former vise-president and Nobel Prize winner in Bali climate conference held this month that hair cuts and thrown away hair cutting decay, give massive amounts of green house gases, which contributes to the severe global warming crisis. They wanted us to go baldy (Al Gore Finds New cause of Global Warming†). We will discuss how global warming affect the hair care industry with all the climate change criteria and harmful gases found in the air . A different point of view but a remarkable one to study. Environmental scientists predict that, from global warming of 0. 8 °Ã¢â‚¬â€œ2. 0 °C will â€Å"commit† 18–35 percent of animal and plant species â€Å"to extinction† by the middle of the twenty first century (Clapp and Dauvergne 35). Plants are the main source for natural oils and substances used in making hair products such as, Cacao extracts, Grape seed oil, roses, safflower and even bananas. Tropical plants are the most used in this industry. Global warming effect on those plants are very svere, so that hair care products are having problems in getting its raw mterials. Many surfactants for example are derived from plant oils like coconut or palm kernel (Hargreaves). Even if hair products company are saying they don’t use animals in their experiments, they still use them and with the bad effect of climate over different animal species, Those companies will not be able to develop their future products. Global warming is a result of what we called greenhouse gases(Global warming) . Some of them are harmful gases like,Cabon dioxide, nitrous oxides and Ozone(not the ozone type in the upper atmosphere). If we study the situation of every gas we may find that, higher concentrations of carbon dioxide—could mean an even higher rate of extinctions of animal and plants species, because they breathe Oxygen just like we do and as we said before that may lead to less natural products for hair care industry and less development to those products(Clapp and Dauvergne 54). In the air, nitrogen oxide from fossil fuel combustion reacts with volatile hydrocarbons and sunlight to produce smog, a nasty mix of photochemical oxidants, one of which is ozone (Speth 72) and according to hair chemical composition, hair absorbs moisture due to the polar amino acid residues of the inside of the hair (Hocker and Popescu 36), this cause harm to hair, which make it essential to repeat hair treatment processes and it may cause hair and scalp disease. Nitrogen Oxides can also become nitric acid and contribute to acid deposition through acid rains, which also contains harmful substances to hair health (Speth 45) . Acid rain is also a cause for water supply pollution due to rain falling on open water sources such as rivers and lakes, Polluting water sources may directly affect the hair care industry, due to the daily use of water in washing hair for probably every one. Acid rain coming from Nitrogen Oxides may pollute soil, forests, and crops (Speth 86) and of course making the same effect on plants and animals that are essential to hair care industry. Acid rains made thousands of lakes have â€Å"gone acid† (Speth 53), that means any kind of swimming of any of those lakes or water area contaminated by acids may cause hair loss or diseases. After a few years, scientists predict that global warming will cause shortage in universal water supplies . that may cause less water washing habits (Elsworth), less hygiene and of course it may cause diseases. Global warming is making the atmosphere on earth hotter than before (Girardet 19) and sunlight concentration is one of the most harmful effects on human’s health. Skin cancers are believed to be caused mainly by sunlight . Skin cancers may spread over the body even into hair scalp, causing severe hair loss (Armstrong 141-55). Losing hair for both men and women are emotionally destructive, so both of them may use hair wags or artificial hair parts to cover there baldness. Some kinds of skin rashes due to water or air pollution with green house gases may cause hair loss also(Doctor NDTV). Climate change ,high humidity ratios and long time sunlight effects are all factors that can injure the hair or make them very dry (Doctor NDTV)and of course that what would global warming do. Attitudes toward Global Warming and their effects Men and women and even Hair care companies started a new attitude in dealing with global warming and climate change problem. First of all, we must admit that hair care products with all their chemical materials, packaging bottles and even the misusage of these products are a big problem causing more and more environmental threats. Government started putting some regulations and laws to fight global warming increase . Hair products companies that still use harmful ingredients such as ,Sodium Laureth sulphate and sodium lauryl sulphate [they are found to be a cause for some kinds of cancers]( â€Å"SLES†),started searching for natural alternatives to use in shampoos, conditioners and any other products. Companies are increasingly becoming aware of environmental issues . Some companies are now trying to use technology in making hair products with excellent suspending power, low freezing point and wide thermal stability range(-5 ° C to 50 ° C) (Burke ),so that they may survive the global warming bad effects. Companies also targets to make new products with reduced environmental impact over the upcoming years, in an attempt to improve the environmental profile of its products and their packaging materials by reducing CO2 emissions, energy and water consumption used to make those products. Some of those companies continue with some environmental projects like Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program done by PG hair Products Company (Product supplier news). Governments also put under Current pressure to move away from non-renewable petroleum feed stocks and towards plants as sources of raw materials, which has led to a lot of effort on developing surfactants from oleo chemical feed stocks. Many recently-developed surfactants are an attempt to satisfy the modern consumers desire for products to be more natural'(Hargreaves). The elimination of Chlorofluorocarbons (â€Å"Global Warming†) is also another effort to decrease the global warming effect not only on hair care industry but on any other human activity. Many people is trying to avoid using chemicals in their hair care regimes. Instead, they are using natural herbs and oils extracted from organic plants that is planted under observation to avoid pollution. Because of this hard effort to produce such substances, they are sold in high prices, not every one could be able to use those organic products. Also going to hair saloons became unadvisable from many environmental scientists, they are not environment friendly, which cause many to abandon those saloons and of course causing financial lost to many of those hair care branches. Maybe some hair saloons will only specialize in organic and natural products and because of the high prices of their products, only rich people will keep going to them. Bali Climate Change Conference (Al Gore Finds New cause â€Å") declared that haircuts may raise green house gases amount. Maybe in the future, every body is going bald to avoid environmental crisis or even worse, we may be not able to even wash our hair, just like Cate Blanchett (Elsworth) is doing now. Climate is treating our hair badly, let’s all go baldy. Works Cited Global Warming. The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th,New York. 2004. Clapp, Jennifer, and Peter Dauvergne. Paths to a Green World:The Political Economy of the Global Environment. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2005. Surviving the Century:Facing Climate Chaos and Other Global Challenges. Ed. Herbert Girardet. London: Earthscan, 2007. Speth, James. Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment. USA: Yale University Press, 2004.

Strategic analysis of WalMart

Strategic analysis of WalMart The secret of successful retailing is to give your customers what they want. And really, if you think about it from your point of view as a customer, you want everything: a wide assortment of good-quality merchandise; the lowest possible prices; guaranteed satisfaction with what you buy; friendly, knowledgeable service; convenient hours; free parking; a pleasant shopping experience. Sam Walton (1918-1992) (WAL-MART FOUNDER) Wall mart bought a revolution in the field of retail industry with its tag line low Price Always. This is achieved through large scale of operation and bulk buying. Though it has a wafer thin profit margin, it is able to retain its cost leadership in market. Company History: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is not only the largest retailer in the world, it now also ranks as the largest corporation in the world. The retail giant dwarfs its nearest competition, generating three times the revenues of the worlds number two retailer, Frances Carrefour SA. Domestically, Wal-Mart has more than 1.2 million workers, making it the nations largest nongovernmental employer. U.S. operations include 1,478 Wal-Mart discount stores (located in all 50 states); 1,471 Wal-Mart Supercenters, which are combined discount outlets and grocery stores (and which make Wal-Mart the countrys top food retailer); 538 Sams Clubs, the number two U.S. warehouse membership club chain (trailing Costco Wholesale Corporation); and 64 Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets, smaller food and drug outlets also offering a selection of general merchandise. International operations, which commenced in 1991, include Wal-Mart discount stores in Canada and Puerto Rico; Wal-Mart Supercenters in Argentina, Brazil, China, Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; and Sams Clubs in Brazil, China, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets are grocery stores that average about 42,000 square feet (3,901.9 m ²). They offer a variety of products, which include full lines of groceries, pharmaceuticals, health and beauty aids, photo developing services, and a limited selection of general merchandise. The first Neighborhood Market opened in 1998 in Bentonville, Arkansas. As of November 30, 2007, there were 128 Neighborhood Markets in the United States. Sams Club Sams Club is a chain of warehouse clubs which sell groceries and general merchandise, often in large quantities. Sams Club stores are membership stores and most customers buy annual memberships. However, non-members can make purchases either by buying a one-day membership or paying a surcharge based on the price of the purchase. Some locations also sell gasoline. The first Sams Club opened in 1983 in Midwest City, Oklahoma under the name Sams Wholesale Club. Sams has found a niche market in recent years as a supplier to small businesses. All Sams Club stores are open early hours exclusively for business members and its slogan, as such, is Were In Business for Small Business. WAL-MART GOING GLOBAL Wal-Mart and International Expansion Wal-Mart was entered into international markets by a conviction that it could achieve competitive advantage abroad by applying its combination of technology, logistics and human resources with its tremendous buying power with multinational consumer goods suppliers. Wal-Marts strategy has been to acquire companies and convert them into the Wal-Mart way stores. European retailers like Carrefour and Ahold, have more than 20 years of international experience than Wal-Mart. Multinational retailers entry is usually by mergers acquisitions, which is what Wal-Mart did in its initial entry into Mexico, with a joint venture with CIFRA, the most powerful retailer in Mexico. Models For Strategic Analysis ENVIORNMENTAL SCANNING OF WAL-MART External Environment Socio-cultural Throughout the world there is a large shift in our demographics. There currently is a larger aging population than ever before, and at the same time the birthrate in developed countries is decreasing, as it is increasing in underdeveloped countries. Due to advances in medicine individuals are living longer and longer, as it seems we can beat any disease. Health is becoming more and important to individuals as they exercise and eat better; everyone wants to stay healthy longer. At the same time in the United States in particular the population is getting fatter and fatter, preschool age children are being labeled as obese. Shopping has turned into a favorite pastime for the whole family, and when buying big-ticket items, everyone has a say. Increasingly there are more single-parent households, which does not leave much disposable income. Most two-parent households have both parents working and earning more, living in bigger houses, taking more vacations, and owning more cars. On the o ther hand we are currently experiencing a great deal of the American public has been downsized, and may be unemployed, starting a new career, or back in school. Technological Due to the current recession the government has been looking for any way possible to save money, and unfortunately research and development, non-military that is, was one of the first things to go. However many of the suppliers to retail are forced to continue their RD programs as competition is stiff and their product line needs to continually be updated. Technology is growing at an incredibly rapid pace that no one can keep up with it. There have been amazing growths in the areas of health, consumer goods, and food due to technology. As consumers are used to the ever-growing technology they are not as wary of it as in the past, but do not buy the newest thing, as quickly because the item it replaces is less than a year old. Production is becoming more and more automated which is pushing individuals out of jobs. The Internet is widely available in the United States, but that is not the case in the rest of the world. Even in parts of Europe many houses do not have computers much less access to the Internet. Telecommunications structures continue to be improved upon or even built. Politico-Legal USA has democratic form of government. In fact it is the one of the worlds oldest democracy of more than 200 years where everyone has a saying in the government. Pressure groups play a vital role in US democracy, a retail chain giant like Wal-Mart have their representatives in congress and senate. Hence , they keep a keen eye on all the policies and laws so that it is conducive with the Wal-marts future plans In case of any blockage lobbying is used by them. Economic US has capitalist system of economy, the mode of production is controlled by private enterprises. The economic conditions are favorable for operation of private firms. In fact big retail chains like Wal-mart has revolutionized the US economy Always Low Prices- ALWAYS .With trends of globalization Wal-mart is able to spread its wings in Asia-Pacific region where the economy is liberalized . Globalization, Liberalization and Privatisation gives economic policy that are is consonance with growth and expansion strategies of Wal-mart. Internal Environment Being the largest non-government employer and corporation in the world, Wal-Mart is bound to have an interesting internal structure put in place. So what exactly is the method to all the madness? Lets look inside Wal-Marts Internal Environment. Corporate Structure Wal-Mart is a public corporation, however the majority of the stock is still held by Walton family members. Therefore, there is lots of family involvement at the top level. The headquarters are in Bentonville, Arkansas, along with the control and decision making ability of the organization. There is a very hierarchical structure in place which only fuels the good old boys club for top management. The other unique element in Wal-Marts corporate structure is a strong culture that is fueled by the Wal-Mart way of doing things, which as far as they are concerned is the only way. WAL-MART ANALYSIS INTERNAL ANALYSIS ANALYZING RESOURCES Financial Resources Wal-Mart is the worlds largest and most profitable retailer. Wal-Marts pre tax return on sales was 8% during 1989 which was double the industry standard and it continues to be the front runner till today. Wal-Mart commands market value 10 times more than its book value. Wal mart stores FISCAL YEAR SEGMENT NET SALES SEGMENT OPEARTION INCOME 2007 7.8% $17029 2006 9.4% $15324 2005 10.1% $14163 Sams Club FISCAL YEAR SEGMENT NET SALES SEGMENT OPEARTION INCOME 2007 4.5% $1512 2006 7.29% $1385 2005 7.59% $1280 International FISCAL YEAR SEGMENT NET SALES SEGMENT OPEARTION INCOME 2007 30.2% $4259 2006 12.7% $3509 2005 19.3% $3197 Human Resources Wal-Mart promotes internal staff development and over 60% of its store managers are promoted internally then direct recruits. Wal-Mart believes in recruiting people with a flair for customer service and trains them accordingly to its strong company values. Employees are treated as owners as more than 70% of employees have shares of the company and incentives are paid in stock options too. Physical Resources Wal-Mart developed its computerized inventory system way back in 1970 that decreased check-out and reordering times and built highly automated distribution centres, reducing shipping cost and time. Wal-Mart has continued to be an innovator and has this has led it to create and sustain its competitive advantage by being the first and to be continuous to replace systems and processes replicated by competitors. Intellectual or Intangible Resources Wal-Marts core resources are its customers which total over 40 million per year. Wal-Mart has over 1.3 million associates (employees) at its stores, worldwide. The author feels this itself is unique which helps Wal-Mart get 1.3 million unique, hardcore loyal customers. Wal-Mart uses its technological capabilities to sustain its cost leadership in distribution and superior inventory systems. Culture Analysis Wal-Marts culture is as unique and distinctive as possible considering the mammoth that it has grown into today. Usually firms even of a small and medium company find it hard to maintain and build good customer service but Wal-Mart has always had it as its foundation and till today preaches and practices exemplary customer service. Wal-Marts Corporate Citizenship actively helps development of the community with programs spread across education, health, and environment. Wal-Marts Code Adam, a tribute to a lost child in a retail store helps prevent children getting lost in stores today which make it a safer place for families to shop. Wal-Marts Ten Foot Rule and Sundown Rule all promote the employees to treat the customer right, first time, always. Employees are treated as Associates inspiring their status. The everyday morning cheers act as a ritual and cheer and energize the associates making them part of the organization. Associates acting as greeters at the entrance of every store worldwide is unique and makes the customer more welcome and special. P.E.S.T. ANALYSIS FOR WAL-MART P.E.S.T. Analysis Political Influences à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ European Customs and Regulations à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ FDI Restrictions à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ UKs Zoning Regulations Economic Influence à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ War in Iraq à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Global Terrorism à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Exchange Rates à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Low levels of productivity in Asian Countries à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Wall Street Improvements Social Influence à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Marketing strategies ineffective à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Absence of Bulk Buying à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Language and Cultural Barriers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Anti-Globalisation Movements Technological Influence à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Advances in Technology and Satellite systems à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Lack of basic infrastructure Political Influences The political influences in this industry is probably the most burning concern with organizations going global and many countries restricting the growth of companies by many countries. European Customs and Regulations heavily hamper expansion plans. FDI in many countries are still heavily regulated and global companies are yet to set foot into emerging markets like India. Economic Influences War on Iraq has had a negative impact on consumer spending and outlook. Disproportionate levels of income and consumer spending in developing countries like India and China will impact growth of global companies. Exchange rates affect global sourcing and pricing policies on a day to day basis. Recent developments with Wall Street have helped foster a better relation and helped in Wal-Marts listing and ratings. Social Influences Developing countries are not used to push type marketing and aggressive selling. Bulk buying patterns predominantly present in USA, is non-existent in Asian countries. Language and cultural factors is a barrier to globalisation. Anti-Globalisation movements in the recent past has affected growth of global companies, especially companies originated USA. Technological Influences Development in technology and satellite systems has given a boost to Wal-Mart. Basic infrastructure still lacks for effective warehousing and distribution, the lifeline of a retail chain. PORTERS 5 FORCES ANALYSIS FOR WAL-MART Porters Analysis SUBSTITUTES CUSTOMERS SUPPLIERS MARKET NEW ENTRANTS Horizontal Forces Mature markets Vertical Forces Growth Markets Vertical and Horizontal Competitive and changing markets WAL-MART SUPPLIERS POWER Wal-Mart enjoyed a 50 percent market share position in the discount retail industry. Procter Gamble, Clorox, and Johnson Johnson were among its nearly 3,000 suppliers. Though Wal-Mart may have been the top customer for consumer product manufacturers, it deliberately ensured it did not become too dependent on any one supplier; no single vendor constituted more than 4 percent of its overall purchase volume. Further, Wal-Mart had persuaded its suppliers to have electronic hook-ups with its stores. About 85 percent of all the merchandise sold by Wal-Mart was shipped through its distribution system to its stores. (Competitors supplied to their retail outlets on average less than 50 percent of the merchandise through their own distribution centers.) Wal-Mart used a saturation strategy for store expansion. The standard was to be able to drive from a distribution center to a store within a day. A distribution center was strategically placed so that it could eventually serve 150-200 Wal-Mart stores within a day. Stores were built as far away as possible but still within a days drive of the distribution center; the area then was filled back (or saturated back) to the distribution center. Each distribution center operated 24 hours a day using laser-guided conveyer belts and cross-docking techniques that received goods on one side while simultaneously filling orders on the other. The company owned a fleet of more than 3,000 trucks and 12,000 trailers. (Most competitors outsourced trucking.) Wal-Mart had implemented a satellite network system that allowed information to be shared between the companys wide network of stores, distribution centers, and suppliers. The system consolidated orders for goods, enabling the company to buy full truckload quantities without incurring the inventory costs. The bargaining power of suppliers and buyers is low with Wal-Mart having established a near monopoly in its home market and increasing its market-share in its overseas operations. Wal- Mart is already Canadas and Mexicos top retail chain and in UK is at the third position. Threat of entry remains low in the home market and globally. The entry scene is limited to existing retail chains as the cost of setup is substantial. Regulatory restrictions are also a concern here. Threat of substitute products is low to medium with consumers having a choice from different stores to buy the same product at highly competitive prices. A sixth force, called the complementors enable the firm whose products or services work in conjunction with enabling a synergistic effect .Wal-Mart sees more customers than the banks do these days. Recent antitrust lawsuits over Visa and MasterCard by retailers, headed by Wal-Mart, alleging the use of expensive debit cards and the costs borne by the retailers may upset the market .The intensity of competitive rivalry can be classified low to medium The power obtained by the low bargaining power of suppliers and buyers is offset by the threat of substitutes and threat of entry. Overall a substantial amount of power still lies with Wal-Mart considering the scale of operations and maturity in its industry. WAL-MART S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS Strengths Wal-Mart is the largest corporation in the world giving it enormous status and recognition in the industry and new markets. Wal-Mart is great at building and maintaining relationships with suppliers. Wal-Mart is a continuous learning organization with integrated systems and frequent meetings with store and aisle managers and systems that receive 8.4 million updates every minute on transactions from its stores. More than 70 million customers roam Wal- Mart aisles each week (Fortune, 2003). Wal-Marts distribution centre and logistics capabilities are a key strength adding value to its entire system. Wal-Marts cross-docking and effective inventory managements gives its a 3% cost advantage which helps sustain its Every Day Low Price strategy . Weaknesses Wal-Mart shows little adaptability to its formats in overseas expansions. Wal-Mart is still to develop its expertise in international marketing. Shows weakness in its expansion by not fulfilling expansion plan of opening 50 new stores in Germany during 2001. Opportunities Growing middle class of consumers in emerging markets like China and India, gives Wal- Mart a tremendous opportunity for global expansion. There is growing consolidation in the market with the weak economy which is also leaving many competitors up for sale at below book value. Growth of e-commerce enables a new business channel and Wal-Mart has aggressively trying to capture and create its presence in this medium too. Threats Recent years have witnessed anti-globalisation movements affecting global companies and American companies in general and Wal-Mart can face stiff resistance from consumers in new markets. Recent wars and outbreaks have affected sales globally. Increased competition in mature markets like Germany and U.K. with established retail chains dominating despite Wal-Marts entry. Growing trade blocks and zoning regulations hamper Wal-Marts expansion plans. Summary The beauty of Wal-Marts Value Chain is the scale of operations and the control it exercises over each activity. Wal-Mart takes care of all the activities internally except partially outsourcing its logistics requirements. Its systems integration from inventory, to stores, to headquarters to suppliers is the lifeline of its success. Transportation undertaken by its own fleet of trucks is an added advantage. The core activity remains in its bulk buying and inventory management which supports Wal-Marts competitive advantage of pricing and every element shows traces of cost leadership. Total integration is key here. Wal-Mart located its discount stores around regional warehouses allowing a streamlined and low cost physical distribution . CONCLUSION Wal-Mart considering its scale and scope of operations has given a dynamic perspective in analysis of the many frameworks analyzed with. Strategists like Govindrajan and Gupta, who specialize in globalisation, endorse and acknowledge Wal-Mart as a global organization and highly lauding Ironically, Rugman, argues, Wal-Mart as a regional player with regional strategy considering that Wal-Mart has only 9.6% of its stores outside its home region and only 16.3% of revenue is generated from stores outside its home country. Again considering classification such as the NAFTA and the TRIAD, large economies (Countries) are clubbed together and treated as one which the author disagrees to justify as one. Arguments such as only a certain percentage of business is generated outside the TRIAD making a business less global are arguments the author disagrees with. With the EU becoming as one then soon, the world will become large chunks of amalgamations. The simple definition or presence in different markets should be taken into consideration of being global. Many strategists do not give concessions for the time the business has started to expand globally. Wal-Mart for instance has grown to such a strong position over 40 years, this would take considerable time to replicate and adapt in international markets. Analysis using Yips Globalisation / Localisation Drivers shows the industry and Wal-Mart in general moving towards globalisation but yet maintaining key aspects to localisation. This could be the way ahead. The Transnational Model illustrates the same key aspect. Marketing strategy and product variation though it can be global, it needs to be tuned to the local market catered considering the emergence of localisation preference in consumers. The market has gone too global, that consumers place an emphasis of localisation. Acknowledgements are made that the industry is maturing far greater than Internationalisation but its yet to be seen as a global player. But its a matter of time before it expands it to new markets and creates a foothold. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR WAL-MART Analysis of the generic strategy and the supporting value chain, gives us a good insight into sources of Wal-Marts competitive advantage. When two or more firms compete within the same market, one firm possesses competitive advantage over its rivals when it earns a persistently higher rate of profit . Wal-Marts capability to outperform its rivals is achieved with its ability to outperform its competitors quickly and effectively. Supporting this is its, highly integrated systems, technological advances, highly efficient inventory management skills, few markdowns and few stock-outs. This is supported also by its corporate culture encouraging and rewarding initiative and innovation. Low cost leadership helps the firm above average returns in the industry despite strong competitive forces . Traces of cost leadership are noticeable in the value chain. Wal-Mart saves costs by holding stocks for less than 48 hours in its inventory. Wal- Mart is known to negotiate with suppliers for the lowest cost of the product without any frills and marketing expenses which adds to the cost later. Wal-Marts purchase by the truckload saves costs again by bulk purchasing. Wal-Marts inventory handling and logistics distribution with its own fleet of 2000 plus trucks help attain a cost effective distribution channel than relying on unreliable suppliers networks which costs in delays. But is Wal-Marts strategy based solely on cost or does it have any other attributes based on its characteristics. Wal-Mart appears to have a differentiation strategy. The differentiation strategy is one of differentiating the product or service offering of the firm, creating something that is perceived industry-wide as being unique. It can be design or brand image, technology, features, customer service, dealer network or other dimensions High degree of customer service with store greeters and no questions asked policies reaffirms Wal-Marts differentiation from its competitors. Every Day Low Price strategy helped reinforce Wal-Mart was the lowest price. The third generic strategy advocated by Porter is the focus strategy. The focus strategy is focusing on a particular buyer group, segment of the product line or geographic market as with differentiation, focus may take many forms .Wal-Mart right from its foundation located its stores to out of town areas with small populations. This was a segment ignore by its competitors giving Wal-Mart an edge over competition by locating itself in a low competitive environment before it creates competition. Wal-Marts focus on the segment of people targeted as well as its location of stores, does give it an attribute of the focus strategy. Effective implementation of any of these generic strategies usually requires total commitment and supporting organizational arrangements that are diluted if there is more than one primary target .Arguably Porter termed organizations attempting cost leadership and differentiation together as stuck-in-the-middle and it does not lead to competitive advantage and its sustainability. Academic criticism is not new and Porter has received his share of it. Most strategists feel low cost leadership alone, does not lead to competitive advantage unless there is an element of differentiation. A strategy combining elements of low cost, price and leadership is known as hybrid strategy .Mintzberg advocated the hybrid strategy for it combines both elements of low cost leadership with differentiation. However, the fact can not be denied that Wal-Mart has a focus strategy as well as a differentiation strategy. Overall the company thrives on cost leadership. The global validity of these are tested with Wal-Marts core strategy in every market it operates, it maintains cost leadership in all activities as well as it maintains its differentiation by having exemplary service. The adoption of the focus strategy globally can be critiqued as Wal-Mart is unable to expand into most markets like UK and Europe with tight zoning regulations and its entry into these markets have been through mergers and acquisitions. But the focus of the segment of customers targeted remains undiluted though the focus of location geographically is understood to be compromised considering the market conditions. SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Wal-Marts sustainable competitive advantage can be attributed to its cost advantage supported by its inventory management skills and processes and expertise in supply chain management (which can not be replicated considering the scale of operations) and its culture which promotes aggressive customer service and satisfaction through satisfied and happy associates.The ability to build and maintain relationships with its customers, suppliers, and its associates and its speed in innovation and initiative ness is also a source of sustainable competitive advantage. CORE COMPETENCIES FOR WAL-MART Prahalad and Hamel (1990) define core competencies as the collective learning of the organization, especially how to co-ordinate diverse production skills and integrate multiple streams of technologies. The cumulative learning acquired with experience in an industry enhances a firms competence. Wal-Marts core competence can be said to be its knowledge achieved by its inventory management skills with its supply chain management facilitated by its innovations like the cross-docking techniques and its innovation in information technology and in relationship strategy maintained with its customers, suppliers, and associates and its cost strategy achieved with its scale of operations. This passes the three tests whereby its providing added value to customers and is difficult for competitors to imitate considering the scale of operations to achieve such economies and provides access to wider markets. Wal-Marts achieves competencies from: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Cross docking à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Supply chain management à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Communication strategy with suppliers and associates à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Relationship strategy with suppliers and associates à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ People strategy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Cost strategy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Location and market strategy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Ability and inspiration from Sam Walton à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Customer service strategy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Knowledge management à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Innovation in I.T. and warehousing and inventory management Although an exhaustive list, Wal-Mart does achieve and maintain the above in proportions unseen in its industry. Although they are imitateable, competitors have been unable to replicate the entire series and sustain it. Profit verses non-profit objectives: We can see one difference in both the objectives i.e. in profitable objectives we have to emphasise revenue, profit growth and our product must be able to fulfil our customer demands. But non-profit objectives are just to complete the need of our organisation i.e. general community, health and welfare.