Saturday, August 31, 2019
Blanche Dubois As Tragic Heroine Essay
How far does Blanche Dubois measure up to the status of tragic heroine? Looking at the definition of hero, we see that in mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favoured by the gods. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field. The principal character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation. Blanche Dubois can be seen as a tragic heroine within ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ on a number of occasions. In the opening scene of the play, Blanche is introduced as someone who seems to be very sensitive and in some ways innocent, we see this when Williams writes: ‘She is daintily dressed in a white suit†¦looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party.’ Both her sensitivity and appearance are an obvious contrast to not only Stanley, but his apartment also, where Blanche ironically chooses to stay. Within Streetcar, Blanche’s life is evidence of how a single, tragic event can, in effect, end someone’s life. In Blanche’s case, this tragic event is her fall into complete incapability to cope with real life situations and failure to remove herself from the fantasy world she has created for herself. This can be seen as one of Blanche’s main tragic flaws, that is the error of a tragic hero that in time leads to the hero’s defeat, such as Macbeth’s success to the throne, yet his actions that brought him there eventually causes his death. In an effort to escape the misery of her life in Laurel, Blanche drinks heavily and has meaningless affairs. She needs alcohol to stop the polka music which symbolises Allan’s death, from repeating in her head and to avoid the truth of her life. She gives herself to various strangers in an attempt to lose herself. She seduces young boys in memory of Allan. But her empty heart finds no peace, and her bad reputation ends her teaching career. Blanche cannot stand a vulgar remark, a loud noise, or a harsh light. With Allan’s departure, the light seems to have gone out of her life. As a result, she prefers darkness and dim candlelight, the perfect setting for her make-believe world that has no pain or memories. It also hides the reality of her departed youth and advancing age, which is yet another flaw that she has, her obsession about not getting old because then no man will want her. Blanche’s dim perception with real life feelings and situations can first be seen when she discusses her past husband. She believed that her marriage to Allan was genuine, however refused to acknowledge his sensitive and effeminate qualities, perhaps in fear of the consequences. This is evident as we see here: ‘There was something different about the boy, a nervousness, a softness and tenderness which wasn’t like a man’s†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ At the age of sixteen, she fell in love with, worshipped, and eloped with a sensitive boy. She believed that life with Allan was sheer bliss, however her faith is shattered when she discovers he is a bi-sexual degenerate, her discovery of this lead Allan to take his own life. Blanche is seen to hold herself responsible for his untimely death due to the way she spoke to him after discovering his secret. She is full of enough remorse that the thought of Allan alone is enough to make Blanche vomit, as can be seen in Scene 1 when Stanley asks her about her past marriage: ‘The boy – the boy died. [She sinks back down.] I’m afraid I’m – going to be sick!’ Blanch is in no way perfect, the audience is made to feel sorry for her at times, and to hate her at other times, but despite the fact that another of her main flaws is her ability to deal with situations like an adult, the tragic event leading Blanche to her fantasy world and on occasion depression, is the death of Allan. This sets off Blanche’s downfall into what could be diagnosed as insanity, as it is the loneliness and and the fact that she feels her life doesn’t have a purpose without a man, she experiences after Allan’s death that forces her to seek attention in the wrong way and from the wrong company. Such as the flamingo hotel, which is a good example of her dealing with a bad situation badly.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Naturalism
Naturalism is a type of literature that â€Å"exposed the dark harshness of life . . . were often very pessimistic and . . . blunt .†(Wikipedia).  Naturalistic writers do not moralize about the nature of human beings in their works, but view them with cold impartiality.    To them, nature is an indifferent force that adopts a hands-off policy vis-à -vis human beings and the calamities that befall them. Naturalistic works often depict an individual’s struggle to survive against the forces of nature. At times, the conflict may be that of man against himself as he strives to maintain his humanity, to tame â€Å"the brute within†in the face of contending passions.   Characters in such works usually belong to the lower middle class or the lower classes.   (Campbell).Jack London’s The Law of Life depicts the indifference of nature to the impending death of an old man.   Abandoned in the snow by his tr ibe, nearly blind and lame, old Koskoosh lies beside a fire with only a handful of twigs to keep himself from freezing. He is aware of his imminent end, but calmly accepts the fact that â€Å"all men must die†.   In the few remaining hours of his life, he reflects on the never ending cycle of life and death, on how even the most vigorous animal would fall prey to old age and its predators.  In all this, he concluded that â€Å"nature did not care.  To life, she set one task, gave one law. To perpetuate was the task of life, its law was death.†Koskoosh recalled how the Great Famine ravaged his tribe, against which they were all helpless.      Here, London brings into focus an indifferent nature, heedless of the wailings of the villagers until nearly all of them starved to death.  Koskoosh also remembered how the times of plenty awakened the blood lust in his people until they revived ancient quarrels and wage d war on their enemies.  In this case, the â€Å"brute within†, another frequent theme of the naturalistic work, is awakened and unleashed.Occupying the old man’s thoughts in his final moments was his memory of a moose that fought off wolves until it was overpowered and fell on the bloody snow.   That recollection foreshadowed his own death: wolves were closing in on him as his fire dwindled.   But unlike the moose which fought to the very end, Koskoosh gave up when he realized the futility of it. â€Å"What did it matter after all?†he asked. â€Å"Was it not the law of life?†An indifferent, hostile nature pervades The Open Boat by Stephen Crane. Four men, one of them injured, sat on a dingy after their ship went down.      An angry surf separated them from the safety of the beach; they could not take the boat to shore lest she capsize.    Desperate and afraid, sleepless and hungry, the corre spondent ponders the indifference of nature to their plight.   The men spend the night at the sea, alternately rowing and keeping the boat afloat.The appearance of vacationers on the beach waving gaily to the men in the boat thus giving them hopes of immediate rescue is probably Crane’s way of emphasizing the nonchalance of nature in the face of human suffering, made more bitter by the realization that no rescue was forthcoming after all.   The cook’s â€Å"house of refuge†, deserted and lifeless, seemed to mock the men: â€Å"There was the shore of the populous land, and it was bitter and bitter to them that from it came no sign.†(4).Crane focuses on the inner despair of the men as they wait and toil at the oars, aware that their tiny dingy might be swamped at the next wave, drowning them, or that they might be taken out to sea when the on-shore wind died.     In the face of this uncertainty, Crane voices out, thr ough the correspondent, the pathetic rebellion of the ordinary mortal who could not believe, and yet could not overcome, the indifference of nature to his plight:Was I brought here merely to have my nose dragged away as I was about to nibble the sacred cheese of life? It is preposterous. If this old ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this, she should be deprived of the management of men`s fortunes.  . . If she has decided to drown me, why did she not do it  in the beginning and save me all this trouble? . . . But, no, she cannot mean  to drown me. She dare not drown me. She cannot drown me. Not after all this work. . . Just you drown me, now, and then hear what I call you! (4).The correspondent in The Open Boat saw the â€Å"abominable injustice†of being drowned after so much hardship.  The idea of fairness and justice is deeply ingrained in him that he finds it would be â€Å"a crime most unnatural†.   He imagined nature’s indifference similar to his own and that of his school-fellows who during childhood were taught a poem about a soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers: he did not care about him but now, faced with his own death, he felt sorry for the soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers (6).The tall wind-tower is also an apt symbol of nature’s indifference.  â€Å"This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants.  It represented . . . the serenity of nature amid the struggles of the individual. . . She did not seem cruel to him, nor beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise.  But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent.†(7).The characters in The Open Boat are just â€Å"ordinary†persons but in their mortal peril each of them performed heroically in their battle against the sea: the wounded captain, vigilantly keeping watch, clinging with one hand to the keel of the dingy after it had swamped; Billie the oiler, mast erfully steering the craft, dying before he reached the safety of the beach; the cook and the correspondent, fighting desperately against the churning surf.Like Koskoosh, the correspondent in The Open Boat considered death a proper release from one’s pains, the former from his futile struggle with the wolves, and the latter from his struggle with the waves.   He thought that â€Å"when one gets properly wearied, drowning must really be a comfortable arrangement, a cessation of hostilities accompanied by a large degree of relief, and he was glad of it . . .†(7).A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris tells about the plight of Sam Lewiston and his wife and thousands of other wheat farmers who were driven to bankruptcy due to the trickery of wheat dealers who gambled with the prices of grain, oblivious of the untold suffering caused by their machinations.     Sam and his wife and the people who lined up at night at the bread line belonged to the lower c lasses of society: â€Å"workmen, long since out of work, forced into idleness by long-continued ‘hard times,’ by ill luck, by sickness.†The â€Å"interminable line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely still . . .waiting in the vast deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word .. . . under the slow-moving mists of rain†,  is as naturalistic as Crane’s and London’s stories set in a hostile sea and an abandoned camp in the snow:There was something ominous and gravely impressive in this interminable line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely still; a close-packed, silent file, waiting, waiting in the vast deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word, without a movement, there under the night and under the slow-moving mists of rain.From this line of hungry men there arose â€Å"a shudder of despair, an unformed, inarticulate sense of calamity†caused by the abrupt notice that the bread line was being discontinued owing to the increase in the price of grain.  This particular scene imparts to the reader Sam Lewiston’s and the crowd’s pathetic plight, their helplessness against the market forces that conspired to bring about their ruin.   The â€Å"white-aproned undercook†who posted the notice and disappeared within the bakery symbolizes an indifferent nature, perhaps an indifferent society, not caring whether or not the hundreds of people that have silently, patiently stood outside in the cold would go to bed hungry that night and for nights to come.These three stories represent the naturalistic genre: The Law of Life by Jack London showing the endless cycle of life and death as viewed in the last reflections of an old man, who resigns to accept his own violent death from hungry wolves; The Open Boat by Stephen Crane depicting the struggles of four men in a dingy to reach the safety of land; and A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris, which brings into focus the grim silent suffering of people at a bread line.   In all these works the writers attempt to portray the lives of common persons as they grapple with the forces of nature and endure calamity caused by the manipulation of other human beings.   Through these works, the writers drive home to our consciousness a world of harsh and cold reality: of ordinary human beings forced to contend with an uncaring, indifferent nature, yet bringing to the fore something heroic and extra-ordinary within them.WORKS CITEDCampbell, Donna M. â€Å"Naturalism in American Literature.†Literary Movements.   2 February 2007. Accessed 2 March 2007..Crane, Stephen. â€Å"The Open Boat†. 2 March 2007.London, Jack. â€Å"The Law of Life†. 2 March 2007.Norris, Frank. â€Å"A Deal in Wheat†. 5 March 2007. â€Å"Naturalism†. 20 February 2007.  Accessed 2 March 2007. Naturalism Naturalism is a type of literature that â€Å"exposed the dark harshness of life . . . were often very pessimistic and . . . blunt .†(Wikipedia).  Naturalistic writers do not moralize about the nature of human beings in their works, but view them with cold impartiality.    To them, nature is an indifferent force that adopts a hands-off policy vis-à -vis human beings and the calamities that befall them. Naturalistic works often depict an individual’s struggle to survive against the forces of nature. At times, the conflict may be that of man against himself as he strives to maintain his humanity, to tame â€Å"the brute within†in the face of contending passions.   Characters in such works usually belong to the lower middle class or the lower classes.   (Campbell).Jack London’s The Law of Life depicts the indifference of nature to the impending death of an old man.   Abandoned in the snow by his tr ibe, nearly blind and lame, old Koskoosh lies beside a fire with only a handful of twigs to keep himself from freezing. He is aware of his imminent end, but calmly accepts the fact that â€Å"all men must die†.   In the few remaining hours of his life, he reflects on the never ending cycle of life and death, on how even the most vigorous animal would fall prey to old age and its predators.  In all this, he concluded that â€Å"nature did not care.  To life, she set one task, gave one law. To perpetuate was the task of life, its law was death.†Koskoosh recalled how the Great Famine ravaged his tribe, against which they were all helpless.      Here, London brings into focus an indifferent nature, heedless of the wailings of the villagers until nearly all of them starved to death.  Koskoosh also remembered how the times of plenty awakened the blood lust in his people until they revived ancient quarrels and wage d war on their enemies.  In this case, the â€Å"brute within†, another frequent theme of the naturalistic work, is awakened and unleashed.Occupying the old man’s thoughts in his final moments was his memory of a moose that fought off wolves until it was overpowered and fell on the bloody snow.   That recollection foreshadowed his own death: wolves were closing in on him as his fire dwindled.   But unlike the moose which fought to the very end, Koskoosh gave up when he realized the futility of it. â€Å"What did it matter after all?†he asked. â€Å"Was it not the law of life?†An indifferent, hostile nature pervades The Open Boat by Stephen Crane. Four men, one of them injured, sat on a dingy after their ship went down.      An angry surf separated them from the safety of the beach; they could not take the boat to shore lest she capsize. Desperate and afraid, sleepless and hungry, the correspondent pon ders the indifference of nature to their plight.   The men spend the night at the sea, alternately rowing and keeping the boat afloat.The appearance of vacationers on the beach waving gaily to the men in the boat thus giving them hopes of immediate rescue is probably Crane’s way of emphasizing the nonchalance of nature in the face of human suffering, made more bitter by the realization that no rescue was forthcoming after all.   The cook’s â€Å"house of refuge†, deserted and lifeless, seemed to mock the men: â€Å"There was the shore of          the populous land, and it was bitter and bitter to them that from it came no sign.†(4).Crane focuses on the inner despair of the men as they wait and toil at the oars, aware that their tiny dingy might be swamped at the next wave, drowning them, or that they might be taken out to sea when the on-shore wind died.     In the face of this uncertain ty, Crane voices out, through the correspondent, the pathetic rebellion of the ordinary mortal who could not believe, and yet could not overcome, the indifference of nature to his plight:Was I brought here merely to have my nose dragged away as I was about to  nibble the sacred cheese of life? It is preposterous. If this old ninny-woman, Fate, cannot do better than this, she should be deprived of the management  of men`s fortunes.  . . If she has decided to drown me, why did she not do it  in the beginning and save me all this trouble? . . . But, no, she cannot mean                 to drown me. She dare not drown me. She cannot drown me. Not after all  this work. . . Just you drown me, now, and then hear what I call you! (4).The correspondent in The Open Boat saw the â€Å"abominable injustice†of being drowned after so much hardship.  The idea of fairness and justice is deeply ingrained in him that he finds it would be â€Å"a crime most unnatural†.   He imagined nature’s indifference similar to his own and that of his school-fellows who during childhood were taught a poem about a soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers: he did not care about him but now, faced with his own death, he felt sorry for the soldier of the Legion who lay dying in Algiers (6). The tall wind-tower is also an apt symbol of nature’s indifference.  â€Å"This tower was a giant, standing with its back to the plight of the ants.  It represented . . . the serenity of nature amid the struggles of the individual. . . She did not seem cruel to him, nor beneficent, nor treacherous, nor wise.  But she was indifferent, flatly indifferent.†(7).The characters in The Open Boat are just â€Å"ordinary†persons but in their mortal peril each of them performed heroically in their battle against the sea: the wounded captain, vigilantly k eeping watch, clinging with one hand to the keel of the dingy after it had swamped; Billie the oiler, masterfully steering the craft, dying before he reached the safety of the beach; the cook and the correspondent, fighting desperately against the churning surf.Like Koskoosh, the correspondent in The Open Boat considered death a proper release from one’s pains, the former from his futile struggle with the wolves, and the latter from his struggle with the waves.   He thought that â€Å"when one gets properly wearied, drowning must really be a comfortable arrangement, a cessation of hostilities accompanied by a large degree of relief, and he was glad of it . . .†(7).A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris tells about the plight of Sam Lewiston and his wife and thousands of other wheat farmers who were driven to bankruptcy due to the trickery of wheat dealers who gambled with the prices of grain, oblivious of the untold suffering caused by their machinations.     Sam and his wife and the people who lined up at night at the bread line belonged to the lower classes of society: â€Å"workmen, long since out of work, forced into idleness by long-continued ‘hard times,’ by ill luck, by sickness.†The â€Å"interminable line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely still . . .waiting in the vast deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word .. . . under the slow-moving mists of rain†,  is as naturalistic as Crane’s and London’s stories set in a hostile sea and an abandoned camp in the snow:There was something ominous and gravely impressive in this interminable line of dark figures, close-pressed, soundless; a crowd, yet absolutely still; a close-packed, silent file, waiting, waiting in the vast deserted night-ridden street; waiting without a word, without a movement, there under the night and under the slow-moving mists of rain.From this line of hungry men there arose â€Å"a shudder of despair, an unformed, inarticulate sense of calamity†caused by the abrupt notice that the bread line was being discontinued owing to the increase in the price of grain.  This particular scene imparts to the reader Sam Lewiston’s and the crowd’s pathetic plight, their helplessness against the market forces that conspired to bring about their ruin.   The â€Å"white-aproned undercook†who posted the notice and disappeared within the bakery symbolizes an indifferent nature, perhaps an indifferent society, not caring whether or not the hundreds of people that have silently, patiently stood outside in the cold would go to bed hungry that night and for nights to come.These three stories represent the naturalistic genre: The Law of Life by Jack London showing the endless cycle of life and death as viewed in the last reflections of an old man, who resigns to accept his own violent death from hungry wolves; The Open Boat by Stephen Crane depicting the struggles of four men in a dingy to reach the safety of land; and A Deal in Wheat by Frank Norris, which brings into focus the grim silent suffering of people at a bread line.In all these works the writers attempt to portray the lives of common persons as they grapple with the forces of nature and endure calamity caused by the manipulation of other human beings.   Through these works, the writers drive home to our consciousness a world of harsh and cold reality: of ordinary human beings forced to contend with an uncaring, indifferent nature, yet bringing to the fore something heroic and extra-ordinary within them.WORKS CITEDCampbell, Donna M. â€Å"Naturalism in American Literature.†Literary Movements.  2 February 2007. Accessed 2 March 2007..Crane, Stephen. â€Å"The Open Boat†. 2 March 2007.  London, Jack. â€Å"The Law of Life†. 2 March 2007. Norris, Frank. â€Å"A Deal in Wheat†. 5 March 2007.â€Å"Naturalism†. 20 February 2007.  Accessed 2 March 2007.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Lean management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3
Lean management - Essay Example Procurement establishes a set of rules, strategies and plans to be followed when acquiring products and services that are added to the supply chain. Order management keeps track of the whole process; it determines where some changes can be made. Logistics cover for the complex systems that incorporate large organizations expanding rapidly and need to grow simultaneously (Blanchard, 2010). The managing of returns accelerates the process of realizing the company’s progress, loss or profit. Finally, the process of planning and forecasting is trivial on the future of the enterprise. All of the discussed features are adapted using an efficient or responsive supply chain. An effective supply chain is characterized by; long production times, large batch sizes and high set up costs. An example is the process of implementing upgrades in the company, the process has to be thoroughly researched, and the best options selected (Blanchard, 2010). Responsive chain supply is characterized by; short production lead times, small batch sizes and low setup costs. An example is the introduction of a new product in the company due to its demand. A food processing company, for example, will shift to developing a newly discovered flavor for its customers when it is on high
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Education - Questions and Answers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Education - Questions and Answers - Essay Example This definition of curriculum stems from the proposition of formal learning, which considers it as an organized and systematic discourse. As such, curriculum becomes the distinctive feature that differentiates formal learning from informal learning. Learning is a process that demands certain systems and designs in order for it to achieve its set objectives. Due to its logical nature, the learning process entails the organization of knowledge in accordance with the objectives of interests of the students (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, 2011). On this score, the learning process is considered as a needs-based discourse that takes place in controlled environments that are governed by specific procedures and order. In essence, curriculum development must relate to the objectives of learning as a systematic process that proceeds in sequence from a point of relatively lesser knowledge to the projected point of adequate knowledge. Curriculum provides the mechani cs that enables the learning process. It provides the kinetic force that appropriates the learning process in accordance with the needs of the students (Kern et al, 2009). Alternative explanations contend that a curriculum is basically a plan that governs the learning process of the teaching process. This kind of explanation often considers curriculum as a document. In essence, curriculum is considered as a documentation that defines the limits and scope of the learning process in any given field of study. It serves as a guide to the teacher about the methods to be adopted in the learning process. It defines the boundaries of the learning process of a given subject in terms of the aspects to be included and those to be excluded from the learning process (Kern et al, 2009). The pursuit of the details in the curriculum helps the teacher to concentrate his or her focus on the pertinent issues that attach to the field of study (Subang, 2011). These issues are usually developed in line w ith the social, economic, political, and other forms of human discourses that have to be addressed by the study. This implies that curriculums must evolve with the changing nature of realities on which it is based. For example, studies in intelligence have often changed their curriculum in line with the changing nature of global insecurities. In the particular example of the United States, the military educational curriculum has undergone a determined shift from the cold war era to the modern age. During the cold war era the intelligence courses in the United States had their curriculum focussed primarily on the tensions between the United States and the Soviet bloc. The design of the curriculum was designed to be responsive to the needs of the society as they manifested themselves at that period. However, after the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the emergence of global terrorism, the curriculum has been changed in such a manner that there is more emphasis on the phenomena o f global terrorism than on the threat posed by Russia. Legislations One of the most important legislations by the United States Congress was the Native Culture, Language, and Access for Success in Schools Act. This bill was sponsored by Senator Daniel Akaka in 2011. This act was primarily intended to level the field of education by recognizing the challenges faced by non-native American students and teachers in the learning process. Among other things, it directed states to lower the kind of
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Fireground Activity Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Fireground Activity - Assignment Example However, the informal discussion does allow for firefighters to share what they saw, what they felt, what happened, and any other observations that need to be added. This is an important aspect as far as data gathering is concerned when one is trying to determine what may have caused a fire, and how it may have burned. The more formal postfire conferences also have advantages and disadvantages. It provides firefighters with the ability to examine all of the evidence and come to a decision. However, it may be difficult to always come to the correct decision within one conference, and this can certainly be a disadvantage. There is also the problem of some individuals jumping to certain conclusions and assumptions before all the facts are in and analyzed. Furthermore, there is no assurance that all participants at the conference will agree. Therefore, both informal and formal discussions dealing with the post fire concepts do have positive and negative aspects.
Monday, August 26, 2019
Trial of Galileo Galilei Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Trial of Galileo Galilei - Research Paper Example This theory ruled the ancient and medieval science for a very long time and it was hugely respected among all the scientists around the world. When Galileo introduced his theory and heliocentric approach, it was proposed that Earth does not occupy the central position in the solar system, rather sun is at the centre and all the other planets including Earth revolve around it. The observations made by Galileo through his own telescope revealed the scientific facts that initiated phenomenal criticism around the globe. He showed proof based on practical experience that Earth is not stationary, rather it revolves around the sun. Actually, Galileo was made liable to attend a trial in the court because his theory did not go in accordance with the traditionally and religiously accepted view. This paper is an effort to highlight and explain almost all the exposed and obscured facts related to this historical trial. Science was a sub field of religion in the medieval ages and therefore, any modification made in the scientific views directly caused offence to the religiously held views as well. In this way, science and religion had a direct relation in the medieval age and this was one of the major causes of causing the entire angry riot in regards to Galileo’s heliocentric theory. Religious concepts were highly respected and fiercely followed in the old days and Galileo’s modern scientific views seriously interfered with the religious views of then people. In fact, Galileo experienced a dual-trial since he was seriously warned in the first trial in which he was ordered not to show any tendency for publicly speaking about his scientific approach. In the second trial, he was punished by the court in terms of house arrest and ordered to stay at his home for the rest of his life. This trial raised such a pandemonium in the scientific and
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Personal Ethics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Personal Ethics - Research Paper Example My personal opinion on ideology to cultivate a better human character, therefore, is largely based upon the notion of developing all these character traits in an individual’s personality and life. Businesses being the major part of the modern life also need to depict an ethical business behavior, because their behavior must be in consistence with the values and ethics as agreed by society. Failure of any business to actually comply with what society considers as acceptable and ethically good must be a top priority of all the business. As such it is critically important that our ethical system - whether it is at the personal or business level - must demonstrate certain principles which ultimately shape our real character and orientation towards society and how we approach it. It is critical for the reason that we must first describe our underlying ethical principles. My individual ethical system is based upon the ideology of cultivating character which is based upon the traits described above. I honestly believe that in order to live an ethical life, it is critically important to first actually develop the character. Cultivating fairness, honesty and showing responsibility are some of the basic ingredients of my ethical system. (Josephson Institute, 2012). The primary principles of my ethical system include living with honesty, fairness, and duty realization while at the same time complying with the morals, ethics and values set by the society in which I live. Religion has been one of the keys to shape my overall ethical system, as I believe that it has the power to actually shape the way we make distinction between right and wrong. Apart from this, my experience with the world, so far, has also provided me an insight into developing an ethical system based upon the notions outlined above. I truly believe that my ethical system is a duty
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Saudi Arabia's Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Saudi Arabia's Economy - Essay Example It is acknowledged that the oil industry is a major contributor in the GDP of Saudi Arabia. However, one should not lose sight that other sectors also have significant roles in shaping the economy of Saudi Arabia. These other sectors, though currently not as significant as the oil industry have a considerable bearing in the performance of Saudi Arabia. Also, the Hubbert Peak Theory, which foretells the downslide in Saudi Arabian oil production, warns of the possible collapse of the oil industry's which will considerably reduce or even eliminate the significance oil to the country. This paper will look at the economy of Saudi Arabia as a whole. The first part will talk about the country's GDP and its composition. Next, it will tackle the contributing sectors individually mostly concentrating on the oil industry. An assessment of the Hubbert Peak Theory and its opponent will also be done. In general, Saudi Arabia has a robust economy supported by its strong oil industry. Saudi Arabia's economy began to flourish during after 1973, when the price of oil in the world market skyrocketed. This phenomenon made the country one of the fastest-growing economy in the world as it enjoyed a substantial surplus in its overall trade transactions with its partners, rapid growth in imports, and the generation of substantial government revenue that supports the country's development efforts (Background Note 27-28). During 2004, the country recorded a total GDP of $310.2 billion dollars which translates to a per capita GDP of $11,742. It should be noted that in terms of GDP, the country is in a decline. The aggregated GDP average growth during the period of 1975-2000 was -2.2% as opposed to the -4.4 recorded during 1980-2000 (Saudi or Saudi Arabian Economy 5). In spite of the overall decline in the economy, Saudi Arabia is showing signs of slow recovery from the oil price collapse in 1998. Real GDP growth rate during 2004 was seen at 5.2% while experts forecast that Saudi Arabia will expand at an annual rate of 5.7 and 4.8% for the years 2005 and 2006, respectively (Saudi Arabia 2). The oil industry largely contribute to the total GDP of Saudi Arabia. As stated above, oil export revenue accounts for 90-95% of the country's export earnings, 70-80% of the total state revenue and 40% of the total GDP. The largest chunk of the country's GDP is shared by the industry sector which makes up 58.8%, followed by the services sector at 36.5%. The remaining 4.7% is accounted for by Saudi Arabia's agricultural sector (Saudi Arabia 2). The Oil Industry Saudi Arabia controls the largest petroleum reserves in the world which is 26% of the proved total, ranks the largest exporter of petroleum and undeniably plays a significant role in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). According to the Oil Gas Journal, Saudi Arabia possesses 261.9 billion barrels of proven oil reserves in the world including those, which are in the Saudi-Kuwaiti Divided. The country has 80 oil and gas fields though more than half of the total reserves is concentrated in only eight fields which includes Ghawar and Safaniya. Ghawar is considered the largest oil field with an estimated remaining reserves of 70 billion barrels while Safaniya is the largest offshore
How teaming in the workplace has affected the culture of the working Essay
How teaming in the workplace has affected the culture of the working person - Essay Example Group formation might be temporary or permanent. Following are some of the main types of groups: Roles are sets of behaviors that individuals occupying specific positions within a group are expected to perform. These roles might be assigned (e.g. managers or other work related roles) or pre-determined (like father, mother, etc). Roles help in clarifying responsibilities and obligations of the group members. A status is a position or a rank within a group. People are sensitive to status because it is related to desired outcomes (e.g. salary and perks). High status people have a higher access to key resources relating to survival. Sometimes even physical features play an important role in gaining a certain status (e.g. a beautiful secretary). People can boost their status by behavior (e.g. intimidation, anger and threat) Norms are the rules within a group indicating how its members should or should not behave. Adherence to norms is a necessary condition for gaining status and other rewards controlled by groups. This forms the basis of organizational behavior. It comprises everything that causes the group members to remain in the group. It leads to depersonalized attraction, i.e. liking for other group members stemming from the fact that they belong to the group and embody or represent key features (like hard work or creativity, etc). These include effects upon performance resulting from the presence of others. Increased and positive effects occur due to collaboration, while decreased and negative effects take place due to dependence upon others. This theory says that the presence of others induces conflicting tendencies to focus on the task being performed and on the audience. The more the audience, the more the conflicts and thus, the more nervous you get. Working together with others to obtain shared goals is called co-operation. They are achieved by making others
Friday, August 23, 2019
Implementation of ISO 9001 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Implementation of ISO 9001 - Case Study Example Indeed, ISO 9001:2008 is the International Standard for Quality Management Systems of businesses. The design and purpose of the ISO 9001:2008 applies in any product or service, produced by any process anywhere in the world (9001Council 2013, p.1). The ISO 9001:2008 provides a set of principles for a company to ensure a common sense approach in the management of business activities for purposes of achieving consistent customer satisfaction. Upon implementation, the ISO 9001:2008 derives many benefits, which enables the improvement of operations in any business setup. Ideally, the ISO 9001:2008 involves developing quality management systems (QMS), management responsibility, resource management, product realization, measurement, analysis, and improvement (9001Council 2013, p.1). There are specific ISO 9001 requirements, which include establishing an organization's process-based QMS, documenting the organization's QMS, implementing the organization's QMS, maintaining the organization's Q MS, and improving the organization's QMS (9001Council 2013, p.1). ... ddress the implementation of ISO 9001 on organization workmanship performance in a case study that investigates the effects of ISO 9001 certification on organization workmanship performance using the construction industry. The case study compares the workmanship performance between ISO certified organizations and non-ISO-certified organizations (Iwaro & Mwasha 2012, p.53-67). Various companies seek to achieve ISO 9001certification for different reasons, which may include complying with a contractual or regulatory requirement, to motivate the staff by setting clear goals, and to satisfy the customers’ needs. In addition, companies seek ISO 9001certification as a factor in risk management programs and for purposes of achieving a competitive advantage over its competitors in the same industry who do not implement the ISO 9001 standards (ISO 2013, p.1). It is also a way of demonstrating the company’s commitment to quality and willingness to improving efficiency. Moreover, c ompanies seek the ISO 9001certification in order to boost the image and goodwill of the company to the employees, customers, and other stakeholders (ISOQAR 2013, p.1). In this context, the construction companies that sought to achieve the ISO 9001certification aimed at improving workmanship performance and workmanship factors in their respective companies. Indeed, through the implementation of the ISO 9001, these companies sought to enhance the designing process, improve workmanship quality, improve quality management system within their companies, and establish a management technique that would enhance workmanship performance (Iwaro & Mwasha 2012, p.60). Ultimately, the companies, which implemented the ISO 9001, sought to establish the extent of the relationship between ISO 9001 certification and
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Crime and Punishment in Ancient Greece Essay Example for Free
Crime and Punishment in Ancient Greece Essay Today, criminals are punished for their crimes by going to jail or prison or being on probation. But what was it like in Ancient Greece? After the Dark Ages, about 1200-900 BC, the Ancient Greeks had no official laws or punishments. Murders were settled by the victims family killing the murderer, but this was difficult if they were elderly or female. This often began endless blood feuds. It was not until the seventh century BC that the Greeks began to establish laws. Around 620 BC, Draco wrote the first law for Greece. This law said that exile was the penalty for murder and was the only one of Dracos laws that Solon kept when he became law giver in 594 BC. Foreign slaves were often employed as police men and women in Ancient Greece. After somebody reported a crime, if somebody was arrested, an informant would receive half of fine charged to the criminal. In Athens, criminals were tried before a jury of 200 or more citizens picked at random. Going to prison was not an usual punishment for the people of Greece. In cases involving rape, theft, adultery, and murder, the accused got a written summons that told them when they had to appear before the magistrate. Athenian law was divided into two things, public and private action. Public actions included the entire community. Private actions included an individual. In cases of murder, the victims family was required to prosecute the killer. Even though magistrates were at the trial, they werent judges. They neither gave advice nor did they convict the felon. They just supervised the hearing. The jury in a trial was made up of 200-600 members over the age of thirty to make sure there was no risk or bribery. After the speeches had been delivered by the prosecution and the defense, the jurors voted without deliberation. In the 5th century BC, jurors cast their vote in secret. Each juror was provided with two tokens, one for conviction and the other for acquittal. The juror put one of these in a wooden urn whose tokens were disregarded, and the other in a bronze urn whose votes were counted. Judgement was passed on a majority verdict. In the 5th century B. C. , a tie meant an acquittal. In the following century, old-numbered juries were the norm and that is the custom today. In Ancient Rome the slaves had no rights at all. They were thought of and treated like merchandise. However, slaves did cost money to buy so many of the punishments did not inflict lasting damage. The lash was the most common punishment. When slaves were beaten, they were suspended with a weight tied to their feet, so they wouldnt be able to move them. Another punishment was to be branded in the forehead. An alternative punishment included the slave being forced to carry a piece of wood around their necks wherever they went. This was called furca; and whichever slave had had been punish with this was called furcifer all the time after that. Slaves were also, by way of punishment, often kept in a work-house, or house of correction, where they had to turn a mill for grinding corn. When punished for any capital offense, they were commonly crucified; but this was eventually prohibited under the rule of the Emperor Constantine. In Rome, the punishments for death are beheading, strangling in prison, throwing a criminal from the Tarpeian rock, crucifixion, burying a person alive, or throwing a criminal in the river (patricide). Throwing a criminal in the river was inflicted for killing your father. The criminal was immediately blindfolded as unworthy of the light, and in the next place the person were taken to the field of Mars outside Rome, stripped of everything then whipped with rods. He was then sewed up in a sack, and thrown into the sea. Later in time, to add to the punishment for patricide, a serpent was put in the sack; and still later, an ape, a dog and a cock. The sack which held the criminal was called Culeus, on which account the punishment itself is often signified by the same name. There are eight kinds of punishments, fine, fetters, flogging, retaliation of kind, civil disgrace, banishment, slavery, and death. Punishments in Ancient Rome were very harsh and violent and they are unlike the laws today.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Study Of Organizations Behavior
Study Of Organizations Behavior Formal and informal framework of policies and rules , within which an organization arranges its lines of authority and communications , and allocates rights and duties. Organizational structure determines the manner and extent to which roles , power , and responsibilities are delegated, controlled, and coordinated, and how information flows between levels of management . This structure depends entirely on the organizations objectives and the strategy chosen to achieve them. In a centralized structure, the decision making power is concentrated in the top layer of the management. Structure is the pattern of relationships among positions in the organisation and among members of the organisation. Structure makes possible the application of the process of management and creates a framework of order and command through which the activities of the organisation can be planned, organised directed and controlled. .Culture in Organizations These are the informal values, norms and beliefs which control how individuals and groups in an organization interact internally and externally. This in turn shapes attitude and behavior and the quality of inter group relationships again to achieve organizational goals. Lateral Horizontal Top Vertical Bottom Values and Norms Culture in organization has two founding values: Terminal Value; is linked to desire goals e.g. excellence, quality, morality, stability, profitability. Instrumental Value; is linked to desire modes of behavior for the organization e.g. hard work, tradition, respect for authority, risk taking, honesty, standards of service, dress code. Norms; specific norms emerge as a result of shared experiences over time which became expectations for behavior. These result in rules for conduct e.g. courtesy, cleanliness, grooming, teamwork, information sharing, and cooperation. The Source of Values Norms Edward Scheins approach to culture claims that it can be understood at 3 levels. Basic Assumptions: unconsciously learned responses based upon perception. Values and Beliefs: consciously help concepts as a result of experiences. Visible Artifacts: physical evidence e.g. office design, layout and dress code. Cultural Dynamics A set of beliefs and assumptions held commonly throughout the organization, taken for granted in that organization, but discernible to the outside observer in the stories of organization history and explanation of events. Company Information The Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) group is one of the worlds leading financial organizations. It was founded in 1865 in china. Since then the bank expanded rapidly with an emphasis up representation in China and also other parts of Asia, Europe and America. In the mid 1950s HSBC embarked on a strategy of pursuing profitable growth through acquisitions as well as organic development. After conducting my research into global business of HSBC bank, we have identified that London offers tremendous opportunities for HSBC which make businesses want to operate in those markets. HSBC Culture Operational Strategy: The Worlds Local bank HSBC differentiates itself from its competitors by its branding. The strong tag line the worlds local bank reflects the HSBC approach towards powerful branding. This brand image has been the result of many years of investment in the companys corporate image and culture that attracts and maintains satisfied customers and employees. HSBCs understanding and experience of multiple markets and local knowledge have contributed towards its brand success. HSBC has branches in 76 countries and the strategy used is Think Global, Act Local. Corporate Social Responsibility: HSBC like many other major companies from different industries believes in sharing its success by giving it back to the community. The application of corporate social responsibility is mandatory for all companies doing business. This being thought as a liability could also provide a company with the tools to promote its brand image with in communities. They are aware of the social responsibilities of economy management, community and environment. HSBC has undertaken activities such as environmental protection projects, successful and honest business practices, educational programs, undergraduate scholarships and funding local community projects. They also undertake volunteer charity and community work. Human Resource Management: HSBC employs over 284,000 people worldwide. They understand the benefits and competitive advantage of having a smart, loyal and well educated workforce. HSBC encourages workforce diversity in order to create the finest employee network and a corporate culture that celebrates differences, empathy and integrity. They employ the best qualified individuals, regardless of their nationality to manage top-level operations. However they employ local country staff to manage day to day and branch operations because they know they local business environment and this strategy also helps the foreign company be accepted by the local society. HSBC Principles Values The HSBC Group is committed to five Core Business Principles: Outstanding customer service Effective and efficient operations Strong capital and liquidity Conservative lending policy Strict expense discipline Employee Benefits Rewards In return for employees dedication and hard work, HSBC offer a very attractive and competitive benefits package with rapid rewards for the right people. While different roles come with different rewards, the following is a guide to the kind of package they offer: Performance-related bonus scheme Pension 25 days holiday Private medical insurance Life insurance Preferential rates on a range of HSBC products Season ticket loan Sports and social scheme Employee assistance programs Corporate discounts HSBC Structure Corporate Governance: HSBC is committed to high standards of corporate governance. HSBC Holdings has complied throughout with the applicable codes provided by the Combined Code on Corporate Governance issued by the Financial Reporting Council and the Code on Corporate Governance Practices in Appendix 14 to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. The Board of HSBC Holdings has adopted a code of conduct for transactions in HSBC Group securities by Directors that complies with The Model Code in the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and with The Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers (Hong Kong Model Code) set out in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, save that The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong has granted certain waivers from strict compliance with the Hong Kong Model Code, primarily to take into account accepted practices in the UK, particularly in respect of employee share plans. Following a specific enquiry, each Director has confirmed he or she has complied with the code of conduct for transactions in HSBC Group securities throughout the period. Board Committees: The Board has appointed a number of committees. The following are the principal committees: Group Management Board Group Audit Committee Remuneration Committee Nomination Committee Corporate Sustainability Committee HSBC structure is matrix structure, because they have teams of people from various sections of the business, these teams will be created for the purpose of a specific purpose of a specific project and will be led by a project manager, often the team is only exists for the duration of the project and matrix structure are usually deployed to develop new products and services. Relationship between Culture and Structure Organizational Culture : a group of mutually interacting people with negotiated , shared values , understandings ,norms , ideals , way of life and the way of looking at the world and their place in it .The way a structure or culture is designed or evolves over time affects the way people and groups behave within the organization. Structure and culture affect: Behaviour Motivation Performance Teamwork and cooperation Intergroup and Interdepartmental relationships Organizational culture is more of a larger picture, a more general term that refers to a large umbrella of smaller topics and issues within an organization. The structure refers to the infrastructure, and the various methods and practices within that infrastructure, that helps an organizational culture run with the efficiency and consistency that should be the hallmark of any healthy organizational structure, whether it is in a corporation, sports team, or any other set up that is large enough to create its own organizational culture. This makes the structure an integral part of any organizational culture, but also narrows out a very specific segment of the culture as its own responsibility. Organizational structure will deal primarily with the set up of the culture. How management works, which specific responsibilities supervisors have, how a complaint is passed through the ranks-these are all issues within the organizational culture that are directly tied to how an organizational structure works. The structure is not limited to those three examples, but it would certainly include all of them. TASK 2 Styles of Management Management is tasks, Management is a discipline. But management also people. Every achievement of management is the achievement of a manager. Every failure is a failure of a manager. People manage rather than forces or facts .The vision, dedication and integrity of managers determine whether there is a management or mismanagement Stewart, R, Management and organizational behaviour, Sixth Edition, Laurie J Mullins. Prentice Hall (2002) Management takes place within a structured organizational setting with prescribed roles. It is directed towards the achievement of aims and objectives through influencing the efforts of others. This role encouraged a lot of writers to study management aspects, where they came out with theories thats become the sprit of management thinking. Scientific Management: F. W. Taylor. Taylor formalized the principles of scientific management, 1909, he published the book for which he is best known, Principles of Scientific Management. In his own words he explained: The old fashioned dictator does not exist under Scientific Management. The man at the head of the business under Scientific Management is governed by rules and laws which have been developed through hundreds of experiments just as much as the workman is, and the standards developed are equitable. Management Leadership According to John P. Kotter in his book, A Force for Change: How Leadership Differs From Management (The Free Press, 1990), managers must know how to lead as well as manage. Without leading as well as managing, todays organizations face the threat of extinction. Management is the process of setting and achieving the goals of the organization through the functions of management: planning, organizing, directing (or leading), and controlling. A manager is hired by the organization and is given formal authority to direct the activity of others in fulfilling organization goals. Thus, leading is a major part of a managers job. Yet a manager must also plan, organize, and control. Generally speaking, leadership deals with the interpersonal aspects of a managers job, whereas planning, organizing, and controlling deal with the administrative aspects. Leadership deals with. Theory X (Authoritarian Management Style): The average person dislikes work and will avoid it if he or she can. Therefore most people must be forced with the threat of punishment to work towards organizational objectives. The average person prefers to be directed; to avoid responsibility; is relatively less ambitious, and wants security above all else. Theory X basically holds the belief that people do not like work and that some kind of direct pressure and control must be exerted to get them to work effectively. These people require a rigidly managed environment, usually requiring threats of disciplinary action as a primary source of motivation. It is also held that employees will only respond to monetary rewards as an incentive to perform above the level of that which is expected. From a management point of view, autocratic (Theory X) managers like to retain most of their authority. They make decisions on their own and inform the workers, assuming that they will carry out the instructions. Autocratic managers are often called authoritative for this reason; they act as authorities. This type of manager is highly tasked oriented, placing a great deal of concern towards getting the job done, with little concern for the workers attitudes towards the managers decision. This shows that autocratic managers lose ground in the work place, making way for leaders who share more authority and decision making with other members of the group. Theory Y (Participative Management Style): Effort in work is as natural as work and play. People will apply self-control and self-direction in the pursuit of organizational objectives, without external control or the threat of punishment. Commitment to objectives is a function of rewards associated with their achievement. People usually accept and often seek responsibility. The capacity to use a high degree of imagination, ingenuity and creativity in solving organizational problems is widely, not narrowly, distributed in the population. In industry the intellectual potential of the average person is only partly utilized. A more popular view of the relationship found in the work place between managers and workers, is explained in the concepts of Theory Y. This theory assumes that people are creative and eager to work. Workers tend to desire more responsibility than Theory X workers, and have strong desires to participate in the decision making process. Theory Y workers are comfortable in a working environment which allows creativity and the opportunity to become personally involved in organizational planning. Some assumptions about Theory Y workers are emphasized in one of the texts, namely that this type of worker is far more prevalent in the work place than are Theory X workers. For instance, it is pointed out that ingenuity, creativity, and imagination are increasingly present throughout the ranks of the working population. These people not only accept responsibility, but actively seek increased authority. According to another of the authors studied for this project, in which the participative (Theory Y) leadership style is discussed, a participative leader shares decisions with the group. Also mentioned, are subtypes to this type of leader, namely the Democratic leader who allows the members of the working group to vote on decisions, and the Consensual leader who encourages group discussions and decisions which reflect the consensus of the group. A Laissez-Fair Style: A laissez-fair style is where the manager observes that members of group are working well on their own. The manager consciously makes a decision to pass the focus of power to members, to allow them freedom of action to do as they think best. And not to interfere; but is readily available if help is needed, There is often confusion over this style of leadership behavior. The world genuine is emphasized because this is to be contrasted with the manager who could not care, who deliberately keeps away from the trouble of sports and does not want to get involved. The manager just lets members of the group get on with the work in hand. Members are left to face decision which rightly belongs with the manager. This is more a non-style of leadership or it could perhaps be labeled as abdication. Management Styles at HSBC: The qualities required in individuals by HSBC reflect a lot about their approach towards the management style. These quality individuals are: Responsive: Who always try to anticipate and act quickly to ensure we meet and exceed our customers ever-changing expectations. Respectful: Individuals who look for the value in everyone. Fair: Who reward our customers for the commitment they give to us. Progressive: Who are driven by the belief that we can shape a better future. Perceptive: Who look harder, in order to understand things more deeply, and this informs everything we do. The management empowers employees and builds a trust with the employees to deliver the brand promise effectively. Every department has efficient staff available to help the customers but for more specific needs and decision making, the branch managers play the role. Leadership Leadership is a dynamic relationship based on mutual influence and common purpose between leaders and collaborators in which both are moved to higher levels of motivation and moral development as they affect real, intended change. (Kevin Freiberg and Jackie Freiberg, NUTS! Southwest Airlines Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success, Bard Press, 1996, p. 298) Three important parts of this definition are the terms relationship, mutual, and collaborators. Relationship is the connection between people. Mutual means shared in common. Collaborators cooperate or work together. This definition of leadership says that the leader is influenced by the collaborators while they work together to achieve an important goal. Leadership is the ability to command acceptance by a group of people and thus, get them to do what the leader wants. The person providing this direction and commanding acceptance is called the leader. From this definition of leadership, it is obvious that the leader is the person whom others accept to show them the way. However, you probably are aware that a leader can be imposed on a group of people against their will. For example, a military coup can bring a leader to power. This leader was not voted for or accepted by his people. But he ascended the leadership seat by virtue of military might or military intrigues. Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things (Warren Bennis and Peter Drucker) Leadership Styles Types of Leadership Style: Four of the most basic leadership styles are: Autocratic Bureaucratic Laissez-faire Democratic Autocratic Leadership Autocratic leadership: is an extreme form of transactional leadership, where a leader exerts high levels of power over his or her employees or team members. People within the team are given few opportunities for making suggestions, even if these would be in the teams or organizations interest. Many people resent being treated like this. Because of this, autocratic leadership often leads to high levels of absenteeism and staff turnover. Also, the teams output does not benefit from the creativity and experience of all team members, so many of the benefits of teamwork are lost. For some routine and unskilled jobs, however, this style can remain effective, where the advantages of control outweigh the disadvantages. Bureaucratic Leadership : Bureaucratic leaders work by the book, ensuring that their staff follow procedures exactly. This is a very appropriate style for work involving serious safety risks (such as working with machinery, with toxic substances or at heights) or where large sums of money are involved (such as cash-handling).In other situations, the inflexibility and high levels of control exerted can demoralize staff, and can diminish the organizations ability to react to changing external circumstances. Democratic Leadership or Participative Leadership : Although a democratic leader will make the final decision, he or she invites other members of the team to contribute to the decision-making process. This not only increases job satisfaction by involving employees or team members in whats going on, but it also helps to develop peoples skills. Employees and team members feel in control of their own destiny, and so are motivated to work hard by more than just a financial reward. As participation takes time, this style can lead to things happening more slowly than an autocratic approach, but often the end result is better. It can be most suitable where team working is essential, and where quality is more important than speed to market or productivity. Laissez-Faire Leadership This French phrase means leave it be and is used to describe a leader who leaves his or her colleagues to get on with their work. It can be effective if the leader monitors what is being achieved and communicates this back to his or her team regularly. Most often, laissez-faire leadership works for teams in which the individuals are very experienced and skilled self-starters. Unfortunately, it can also refer to situations where managers are not exerting sufficient control. Leadership vs. Management A leader can be a manager, but a manager is not necessarily a leader. The leader of the work group may emerge informally as the choice of the group. If a manager is able to influence people to achieve the goals of the organization, without using his or her formal authority to do so, then the manager is demonstrating leadership. Motivation Definition: Motivation is the processes that account for an individuals intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal. Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs is the most well-known theory of motivation. He hypothesized that within every human being there exists a hierarchy of five needs: (See Exhibit 6-1). Physiological: Includes hunger, thirst, shelter, sex, and other bodily needs Safety: Includes security and protection from physical and emotional harm Social: Includes affection, belongingness, acceptance, and friendship Esteem: Includes internal esteem factors such as self-respect, autonomy, and achievement; and external esteem factors such as status, recognition, and attention. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs If Maslows theory is true, there are some very important leadership implications to enhance workplace motivation. There are staff motivation opportunities by motivating each employee through their style of management, compensation plans, role definition, and company activities. Application of Maslows Theory If Maslows theory is true, there are some very important leadership implications to enhance workplace motivation. There are staff motivation opportunities by motivating each employee through their style of management, compensation plans, role definition, and company activities. Safety Needs: Provide a working environment which is safe, relative job security, and freedom from threats. Social Needs: Generate a feeling of acceptance, belonging, and community by reinforcing team dynamics. Relationship between Theories of Motivation All companies seek to motivate their employees for a very simple reason; a motivated employee is a high producer. In todays workplace, many complex and sophisticated plans have been put in place towards this end; some companies offer a variety of incentives to meet the different needs and expectations of the different personalities employed there. Motivation is an individual thing; in other words, the same things do not motivate all people. Abraham Maslow outlines a pyramid-shaped theory that is the basis for most motivation theories that followed. They will then design and implement an action plan to increase the motivational factors in their own organization. Some of their action steps are discussed. The lowest level of Maslows pyramid of needs relates to every humans survival needs or by physiological needs, which include hunger, thirst and shelter are at this level (Robbins, 2001). TASK 4 Team Work A small number of people with complemen-tary skills who are committed to a common purpose, common performance goals, and an approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. -G. Moorhead and R.W. Griffin When people listen carefully to each other, when they seek and take seriously each others opinions, when they make use of each others competencies and expertise, they are involved in teamwork. Situations like, a football team, a marriage, a project at work, or a math team, may come and go. It requires no special structure, only an opportunity for two or more people to engage collaboratively and cooperatively in undertaking some task. Teamwork in the workplace is something to be expected in our organizations today. Senior leadership teams, functional and intact teams, special project teams, play an important role to the success of any business. However, finding, creating, and maintaining effective a high performance team is much more difficult. No group of people is automatically entitled to teamwork just because they are smart, talented, and are working together. Teamwork in the workplace is subject to countless challenges as different personalities, talents and expertise, values, and working styles are merged together. Group Working A collection of individuals, the members accept a common task, become interdependent in their performance, and interact with one another to promote its accomplishment Harold H. Kelley and J.W. Thibaut Various Types of Groups Friendship groups Interest Groups Formal groups Informal Groups Small groups Large groups Primary groups Secondary groups Coalitions Membership groups Reference groups Command groups Task groups Good group work has great potential for the following reasons: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Individuals are encouraged to become active rather than passive learners by developing collaborative and co-operative skills, and lifelong learning skills. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ It encourages the development of critical thinking skills. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ It requires the establishment of an environment of support, trust and co-operative learning can be nurtured. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ It promotes learning and achievement. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Students have the opportunity to learn from and to teach each other. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Deep rather than surface approaches to learning are encouraged. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ It facilitates greater transfer of previous knowledge and learning. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ It enhances social skills and interactions. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Learning outcomes are improved. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Large numbers of individuals can be catered for and work on the task simultaneously. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Interaction and co-operation on a micro scale is facilitated thus decreasing a sense of isolation felt by some. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Quiet individuals have an opportunity to speak and be heard in small groups thus overcoming the anonymity and passivity associated with large groups. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Individuals get the chance to work on large projects (larger in scope or complexity than individual tasks). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ It can save time and requires a shared workload. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Alternative ideas and points of view can be generated. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Individuals develop and practice skills in: decision making, problem solving, values clarification, communication, critical thinking, negotiation, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Team Working at HSBC The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. This is a phrase that very much applies to HSBC. Although, as an organization HSBC a leader in the world of financial services. It is the power and reach of each of our local teams working together, which make HSBC such a successful and fast growing business. Recognizing the importance of local knowledge is a key message of HSBC advertising but it is not merely this. It is a value the HSBC live by. The employees work as a team to perform daily operations seamlessly.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
An Analysis Of The Global Automotive Industry
An Analysis Of The Global Automotive Industry The car industry is one of the largest and most profitable industries in the world and is epitomized by the innovative ideas of Henry Ford. Since then the industry has evolved in almost every aspect. The industry has experienced its lows and highs, the 2009 economic downturn being the pivotal point in its history. The industry is essentially an oligopolistic market, which means competitive advantage is the vital objective for all firms. Recent trends have witnessed large firms shifting to regions where costs are low and vertical integration is possible. Most of the lead firms are almost completely vertically integrated and this absorbs most of their profit margins. Firms must also consider the key drivers of change such as revised environmental and technological requirements. Due to the region-centric dispersion of production there is always a risk of poor operations management in certain regions. Organizations are now encouraging their major suppliers to set shop in these emerging m arkets. This leads to a high level of dependence on suppliers who are benefiting from the sharp increase in outsourcing. Customers needs and wants have also changed, with safety and technology on top of their list. The rising costs in fuel and the impending threats of global warming have created a new segment for alternative energy vehicles. Analysis of these macro economic factors leads to a conclusion that the car industry is far from its saturation point and there is still potential for growth in many regions. Table of Contents Introduction The automotive industry is an ever-evolving industry that has experienced both, spurts of rapid growth and unforeseen decline in sales (Molnar, 2009). This is largely due to the fact that the automobile industry shares certain similarities with other large industries, such as the electrical and apparel industries where foreign direct investment (FDI), global production and international trade are significant influences (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). This industry is principally an oligopolistic market; therefore competitive advantage is a key strategic objective for all major players in the industry (Williamson et al., 2004). Based on statistical data the current major players in the industry are Toyota (Japan), General Motors (USA), Volkswagen group (Germany) and Ford (USA) (Datamonitor, 2011)(See Figure 1). Apart from the current big four there are several other lead firms from Japan, USA and Germany, whose domination was heightened due to several mergers and acquisitions and equity based alliances. (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). Since the automobile industry is largely homogenous, there are common trends in the market that directly or indirectly affect most organizations (Williamson et al., 2004). Great potential for growth has been identified in markets like India, Brazil and China due to the availability of low cost skilled labor. This encourages an increased flow of FDI into such countries and facilitates trade liberalization through World Trade Organization (WTO) (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). Along with Global integration organizations are also integrating themselves regionally due to dispersion of final assembly plants in various countries (Molnar, 2009). Another changing attribute in the industry is the alteration of the supply chain due to higher technical dependence on the suppliers. In contrast to the tier based supply chain, now suppliers are vertically integrating to handle complex subsystems (Molnar, 2009). This report focuses on the various macro-environmental factors that affect the car industry currently. Factors such as supplier bargaining power, economical integrations, and political and technological aspects are the key drivers, which are affecting the car industry. The report analyses the trends in the industry from the past, and future expectations, focusing mainly on companies such as Ford, GM, Volkswagen, and Toyota, and justifies how the industry can expect growth in the future. Market Trends The automotive industry has experienced structural changes, from mass production techniques in the 1920s to lean production methods in the 1980s (Wayman, 2007). A groundbreaking concept introduced by Toyota called the just in time Strategy (Beasley, 1950) changed the face of car manufacturing. Similarly Ford introduced the standardization method (Fordism) that revolutionized the method of manufacturing in all industries. Over time the industry experienced a transition from standardization to modern concepts such as just in time and lean production. Emphasis then shifted to branding and sales, as competition got fierce, leading to focus on company operations and marketing (Data monitor, 2011). The slowdown at the end of the first decade of the 21st century affected the banking sector and the stock market thus indirectly affecting the automobile industry. In this recession, costs in the industry increased due to an increase in the cost of the raw materials. As shown in the following graph, the sector most affected was premium cars (Luxury cars). As stated by Pwc. on autofacts.com (2011), Much of the recession was rooted in the white-collar financial service professions, which account for a large percentage of the sectors consumers. This caused an unforeseen dip in the production level of premium cars and had a ripple effect on the on the economies of Europe and Asia Pacific. (Autofacts 2011) As illustrated above the fall in production during the recession can further be explained by analyzing the level of contribution by these strategic groups towards the world production of cars (by value). The United States (US) has been a dominant force in contributing towards the worlds production of passenger cars, with 37.80% of the worlds automotive production in the year 2007. However, negative economic conditions meant production decreased drastically from 30.70% in 2008 to 15.70% in 2009. This free-fall in production shows how susceptible demand for new cars and the auto industry are to economic conditions. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/07/26/business/26euauto-graphic/26euauto-graphic-articleInline.jpg The recession in the US not only affected the domestic market but also affected other major economies. Europe, closely interlinked with the American economy, was one of the first to experience the effects. The recessions magnitude was evident with the fall in production in Europe in 2010, decreasing to 29.70% from 35% in 2009. Although Europe has experienced fluctuations in production, on average it has been reasonably stable compared to the US and the rest of the world. In 2012 estimates by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association predict that sales of passenger cars will decrease by 3 million to 12.4 million. Actual sales of passenger cars have been decreasing since 2008. Sergio Marchionne chief executive of both Chrysler and Fiat commented saying, Ive never seen it this bad, (New York Times 2012). Asia pacifics production has grown at a stable rate averaging 27.92%. Although the region was affected by the global recession it limited the fall in production to 6.4%. After 2009 it experienced a boost in growth for the following two years taking levels close to the 2008 high. Through these years of volatility the automotive industry has had to trim the fat by cutting payrolls and closing underperforming facilities. As well as dealing with these difficult economic trends manufacturers have to be conscious about legal factors and social factors like global warming. Most companies have introduced products consider the environment, which has a positive effect on sales and brand image. These costly additions linked with bad economic conditions have in some ways encouraged greenfield ventures and outsourcing the production of parts and labor in low cost areas like Thailand and other parts of Asia. Macro-economic Analysis PESTLE Analysis The macro environment of the car industry is extensive. Companies need to identify the key drivers of change in order to build scenarios to help them achieve their strategic objectives (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2008). Changing macro-economic conditions force companies to alter their strategies in order to sustain and increase their market share. The economic crisis that the industry suffered in 2009 played a major role in shaping the industry into its current state (T.J. Sturgeon and Biesebroeck, 2010). As stated by Sturgeon, Biesebroeck and Gereffi (2008), the automotive industry is neither fully global, consisting of a set of linked, specialized clusters, nor tied to the narrow geography of nation states or specific localities. However, in recent times the industry has become more region-centric, as companies have set up production and assembly closer to point of sale in order to take advantage of economies of scale and lower labor costs that are available in these emerging markets (Humphrey and Memedovic, 2003). Emerging markets in the car industry are attracting lead firms due to rapid sales growth in these regions (Datamonitor, 2011). In China, lead firms are adopting cautious localization and aggressive localization strategies to reduce their variable costs so that they can compete efficiently in the region (T.J. Sturgeon and Biesebroeck, 2010). The rapid growth of the Chinese car market can largely be attributed to its liberal policies towards joint ventures, as highlighted by the joint venture that formed the Shanghai Volkswagen Automobile Co. which dominated the market for 10 years (Molnar, 2009). Another rapidly growing market is Brazil, which is projected to be the worlds sixth largest car manufacturer in 2013. High import taxes ensure that companies are forced to manufacture locally. Another unique aspect of the Brazilian industry is its dependence on the ethanol industry that fuels almost all cars in this region. The government supports this industry as it employs over a million pe ople and also protects the car industry from the flux of oil prices (Matthew Symonds, 2008). One of toughest challenges for the automobile industry in current times is adhering to the latest technological and environmental norms. The emphasis on incorporating cutting edge technology in cars is evident in KPMGs (2012) survey that shows us the recent demand for mobile connectivity and built in technology (See Figure 3). In order to meet the consumer demands for technological improvements companies are turning to new technology suppliers. This is a strategic risk for companies, as the lack of transparency in the supply chain could lead to environmental disasters, such as the catastrophes in Japan and Thailand in 2011 (KPMG, 2012). Improved fuel efficiency and lighter cars are two factors that are desired by consumers and legislators alike, however the required resources like aluminum cannot be used due to stringent environmental laws (KPMG, 2012). China has set a good example by investing US$15 billion in a market determined to utilize technology to reduce the environmental dam age inflicted by fuel emissions (KPMG, 2012). The automobile industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. Manufacturers need to follow the safety and environmental regulations of the respective regions they are based in. This becomes difficult due to the current trend of outsourcing most of the cars parts. Every company has to adhere to the environmental norms and therefore strive to reduce emissions from their products. There is no room for error as any breach of legal regulations jeopardizes the companys business strategy Porters 5 Forces Suppliers Suppliers bargaining power is increased when there are a few producers dominating supply (Mintzberg, H. 2002). Despite the automotive industry manufacturers concentrated firm structure, since the early 1990s bargaining power has shifted from the industries automotive manufacturers to their suppliers. This is because of the creation of global suppliers which have taken on more extensive roles in the areas of design, production and FDI (Sturgeon et al, 2009). These globally dominant suppliers are favored by manufacturers who expect and encourage them to be present near their plants and in emerging areas of growth (Molnar, 2009). New projects are no longer seen as an opportunity to expand globally instead, a supplier must have a global base in place to even make a bid, (Sturgeon et al, 2009). Suppliers such as Bosch and ZF are becoming involved in manufacturing and assembly, assembling important sections of vehicles before passing them on to manufacturers (Molnar, 2009). Increased outsourcing and the bundling of more value chain activities make these firms larger and more powerful (Sturgeon et al, 2009). The larger firms achieve economies of scale and scope, making it cheaper to design and produce many components creating high entry barriers (Molnar, 2009). This is concentrating the industry, which in turn is also increasing suppliers bargaining power. Buyers Buyer power can be high if buyers are concentrated, there are low switching costs, or there is buyer competition threat (Johnson, 2011). From the consumer perspective there are definitely low switching costs as switching from VW to Ford costs nothing but the price of the car. End customers generally have no bargaining power because they are individuals who purchase directly from the manufacturer through franchised distribution systems. Only large car rental or leasing companies can gain discount (Molnar, 2009). Substitute Cars do not have a direct substitute threatening sales in the industry. Substitutes like public transport are available but they do not share the same benefits, mainly price and door-to-door transport, that cars do (Molnar, 2009). Bicycles and motorbikes do however offer this benefit and are often considered substitutes. They are not however perfect substitutes, as they do not meet the same comfort, carriage and experience needs, that are a unique selling point for different varieties of automobile. A growing concern that consumers would switch to these substitutes during the global recession was the price of fuel. Despite spikes in the price of oil which provides 97% of transportation fuel, there has been a large increase in demand for passenger cars (Molnar, 2009). This can be attributed to improvement in mileage per gallon and the convenience of having a personal vehicle. It also distinguishes price from performance and that in the case of a car, a lot of people, seek value more than price. Competitor analysis Rivalry between competitors occurs when competitors are numerous or are roughly equal in size or value (Mintzberg, H. 2002). The battle for market share is usually very costly and industries exhibiting these traits usually have low profit margins. The auto industry however is considered to be an oligopoly, which minimizes the effects of price based competition (Molnar, 2009). Firms try to position themselves as luxury brands (Ferrari) or low cost fuel efficient brands (Toyota) to corner a market segment. However some firms like Mercedes, by introducing the Smart car, target a wider demographic. This however, goes against the product life cycle pattern in which differentiation is supposed to decline as the business becomes more mature (Mintzberg, H. 2002). There is some differentiation between vehicles price, quality and status, a vehicle is perishable and there are no (to very low in the case of finance) switching costs. The aforementioned factors, according to Mintzberg (2002), create a strong temptation to cut prices which intensifies rivalry. A strategy firms use to avoid price based competition is to offer rebates, 0% financing, long term warranties and no money down. These finance options help lure in customers but also pressurize profit margins and break even projections (Molnar, 2009). Marketing innovations can raise brand identification or help differentiate the product (Mintzberg, H. 2002). Threat of new entrants: Heavy investment is required by companies looking to enter the automobile industry. Economies of scale are sort after by the new entrants; however the current players have reached large-scale production levels (Gerry Johnson et al., 2011). Most brands have a rich history, helping them build their branding, as brand equity is a big seller (Molnar, 2009). Ford was established in 1903 and GM began in 1908 and they are world renowned (MarketLine, 2012). Firms need to invest heavily in research and development in order to match their competitors technical and design prowess in area such as energy conservation (Molnar, 2009). New entrants may struggle to build their network with suppliers as the automotive industry has an extremely concentrated firm structure (Sturgeon et al., 2009). The global recession made it easier for the larger firms to acquire and integrate horizontally as well as vertically, opening more retail and franchise distribution locations. The recent global meltdown has led to customers switching brands in order to look for low-priced or high performance cars. For example, the Tata Nano was an instant hit in India upon launch; since it was a low price car. The A6 from Audi also got high appreciation for its performance and quality. The existing players in the market would adapt these features and come up with their own designs, hence increasing competition. Daewoo founded in 1967, could not survive and was dismantled in 1999 by the Korean government. Indian Tata motors entered the passenger vehicle market, in 1998 through aggressive acquisitions of foreign brands but could not penetrate the US or EU markets (Molnar, 2009). One of the most crucial barriers to new entrants is legislation and government policies. Restraints such as patent protection regulate the market and have an impact on new companies, if they do not have any unique ideas (Gerry Johnson et al., 2011). Policies regarding FDI and FII affect companies going global and entering new markets. Regional integration such as NAFTA, EU, makes trade and foreign investments simpler and convenient for such companies. Conclusion The current economic crisis has accelerated deep structural change in the automotive industry, setting the stage for sustainable growth (Deloitte, 2009). There are huge potential gains and room for growth in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, mainly in China and India. Countries with high importing costs will experience a decline in domestic capacity as the lead firms continue to set up their manufacturing centers in these emerging markets. The regional trading blocs (e.g., NAFTA, European Union, ASEAN, and Mercosur) are expected to grow and drive regional production as firms look to shift to lower cost regions. Another lucrative opportunity for the organizations is the increase in demand for new cutting edge technologies in cars. This convergence leads to the creation of new business models that include alliances with companies from other industries that provide new technology (Deloitte, 2009). The rising prices of crude oil indicated a continuous and gradual increase in fuel prices over the next 4 years (Moming Zhou, 2008). This is an opportunity for the lead firms to grow by investing more resources in alternative energy products (Hybrid cars), at a time where consumers are looking to switch to more environment friendly cars (See Figure. 2). This is a perfect time to capture this market when treaties like the Kyoto Protocol (Molnar, 2009) call for a collective effort to battle global warming. In conclusion, it can be determined that the global car industry continues to attract consumers to differentiated products. However, firms must make the right strategic decisions, to reduce the absorption of their profits by their vertically integration strategies. Existing companies must adopt a strategy of sustainable growth to ensure their survival in this industry. Bibliography Book JOHNSON, G., SCHOLES, K., WHITTINGTON, R. (2008). Exploring corporate strategy. Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall. JOHNSON, G., SCHOLES, K., JOHNSON, G., WHITTINGTON, R. (2011). Exploring strategy. Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall. MINTZBERG, H., QUINN, J. B. (1991). The strategy process: concepts, contexts, cases. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice Hall. Report Pwc (2011) 2011 Automotive Review. [report] Autofacts ProQuest (2012) Thailand Emerges as Global Hub for Fuel Efficient and Environment Friendly Car Manufacturing. [report] ProQuest. KPMG (2012) Global automotive executive survey. [report] KPMG. p. 4-57 DATAMONITOR (2005) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2006) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2007) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2008) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2009) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2010) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2012) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2011) Global Automative Retail. [report] MarketLine (2005) Global Automative Retail. Website People.brunel.ac.uk (1950) Just-in-time. [online] Available at: http://people.brunel.ac.uk/~mastjjb/jeb/or/jit.html [Accessed: 10 Nov 2012]. EWING, J. (2012) Europes Auto Industry Has Reached Day of Reckoning NYTimes.com. [online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/business/global/europes-auto-industry-has-reached-day-of-reckoning.html?pagewanted=all_r=0 [Accessed: 10 Nov 2012]. deloitte (2009) [online] Available at: http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-Global/Local%20Assets/Documents/A%20New%20Era_Online_final.pdf [Accessed: 11 Nov 2012]. Articles Dannenberg, J. and Kleinhans, C. (2007) The Coming Age of Collaboration in the Automotive Industry. p.88-94. Datamonitor (2011) Global Automobiles. [report] Datamonitor p.1-37. Molnar, E. (2009) Strategic Management in the ailing automobile industry. Sturgeon, T. et al. (2009) Globalisation of the automobile industry: main features and trends. International journal of technoligocial learning, innovation and development, 2. Sturgeon, T. and Biesebroeck, J. (2010) Effects of the crisis on automotive industry in developing countries: A global value chain perspective. Sturgeon, T. et al. (2008) Value chains, networks, and clusters: Reframing the global automotive industry.Journal of economic geography, 8 (3). p.297-321 Humphrey, J. and Memedovic, O. (2003) The global automotive industry value chain: what prospects for upgrading by developing countries. Magazine Symonds, M. (2008) A global love affair: A special report on cars in Emrging markets. The Economist, Iss. 8606. Online Newspaper Zhou, M. (2008) Gasoline could hit $7 a gallon in four years: CIBC. The Wall Street Journal, [online] 24th April. Available at: http://articles.marketwatch.com/2008-04-24/news/30787082_1_crude-supplies-natural-gas-oil-supply [Accessed: 11 Nov 2012].
Monday, August 19, 2019
Hamlet :: essays research papers
Hamlet’s delay in seeking revenge directly correlates to the age in which the play was written along with the notion that Hamlet is brilliant but impatient, these are the reasons for Hamlet’s procrastination. His impatience leads to his death in the end. In Elizabethan times, a ghost was generally believed to be a devil that had assumed the form of a dead person. These ghosts wanted to put into danger the souls of those nearest themselves through lies and other questionable behavior. In Hamlet, when the ghost first appears on the palace guard’s watch, no one affirms that it is the spirit of Hamlet's father, only that it looks like him. Hamlet waits to be convinced that the ghost is indeed the spirit of his late father. When Hamlet decides to present â€Å"The Murder of Gonzago†before the king, he states as his motive: The spirit that I have seen May be the devil; and the devil hath power To assume a pleasing shape; yea and perhaps Abuses me to damn me. However, once he is convinced that the ghost is truly his father, Hamlet still appears to hesitate. Some critics have explained this by analyzing his situation. Because the murder of the late king took place secretly, the Danish court doesn’t suspect Claudius. His reaction to â€Å"The Murder of Gonzago†is significant only to Hamlet and Horatio, and Hamlet cannot kill the king before publicly proving him a murderer (as he is dying, Hamlet's main concern is that Denmark know his reasons for killing Claudius). Also, if Hamlet kills the king without supporters present to uphold the act, he himself might be immediately killed as a regicide. This shows is brilliance in the grand scheme of things. When Hamlet rushes at the king in the last scene, the whole court with one voice shouts, â€Å"Treason! Treason!†although Laertes has already exposed Claudius's bad character. Like the Oedipus of Sophocles, Hamlet is a tragic hero and thus largely determines his own fate. Shakespeare portrays him as an extraordinarily complex young manâ€â€brilliant, sensitive, noble, philosophic, and reckless.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Friday :: essays research papers
FRIDAY A handsome, in about 26 years old, with straight and strong limbs, tall and well shaped fellow who bare name Friday which he got for the memory of a day he was rescued. The native who was saved from a certain death by Robinson Crusoe during one of the cannibal rituals of a local tribe. By the man who was actually on his way to Africa to buy Negroes! His hair was long and black but not curled, he had very high forehead and great sparkling sharp eyes. Friday’s appearance was somewhere in between Negro and European, black but tawny skin, round face and small but not flat nose as most of the Negroes have. Of course, like all Negroes have, had he fine teeth well set and white as ivory, but oddly enough – thin lips. To lay his head flat upon ground, close to person’s foot and set other foot upon his head – this was Friday’s way of showing the servitude and submission. Robinson understood him in many things and let him know how very pleased he was with him. This was something Friday understood before he could speak Robinson` s language. Still he was a cannibal in his nature, full of lot abhorrence. We can see how the other culture is suppressed from the very beginning. Robinson cures Friday of his cannibalistic habits and gives him a new Western name. But the first words he taught him in English were words that one servant has to know and use! So Friday was domesticated and incorporated into Western society. The main fear and an idea throughout the book is Crusoe `s goal to re-educate Friday to a civilised human being and if he wouldn’t have, he would have no mercy but to kill him!
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