Democratic Nation Essay

Democracy in its ancient concept is a beautiful idea. It means a government by the people and for the people. Democracy empowers the people regardless of their social status and it promises freedom to exercise ideas and to choose the kind of life that we want. Democracy gives us a freedom of self-expression. Freedom is such an important element of democracy directly in contrast to tyranny of the dictatorial and authoritarian rule. Basham quoted from Welzel which says, â€Å"at this point in history, democracy has a positive image almost everywhere, but these favorable opinions are often superficial, and unless they are accompanied by deeper-rooted orientations of tolerance, trust, and a participatory outlook, the chances are poor that effective democracy will be present at the societal level† (Basham, p. 3). Democracy as a political reform that emerged in western and Asian countries almost centuries ago began to saturate the whole world. In this case, it is important to look into reasons why Iraq has to be democratic based on its political, social, and cultural conditions, as discussed below. Iraq has for many years been under tyrannical rule of Saddam Hussein and many of its citizens are dreaming of freedom under a democratic rule. Paul Woodruff asserts, â€Å"no one sleeps well in tyranny because the tyrant knows no law, and he is a terror to his people† (p. 64). In many democratic countries it was quite evidence that citizens enjoys more freedom and self-expression than in non-democratic countries. Thus the blessings of democracy are that it guaranties our freedom to exercise our highest capacities while it protects us from our worst tendencies. (p. 3) As the rule of tyranny ended, Iraq is now underway to become a democratic country under the guidance of the United States. But the imposing question is can Iraq overcome the challenges it faces to become a democratic nation? As we all know, Iraq have not emerged yet completely from the rubbles of destruction brought about by the war against the US led coalition to oust the tyrant ruler. Frequent suicidal bombings that are killing many innocent people continues to pose threat to the safety of its people and of everyone which are clear indications that the fangs of tyranny are still alive and giving signal of its desire to regain their power. The case of Afghanistan reminds us of the tyrannical rule of the Taliban who were toppled by the US backed anti Taliban Afghan forces but they remain a threat to the reign of peace and freedom in the Afghan people. Aside from the unstable political and social condition in Iraq that poses challenge to existing political and social structure, Hugh Starkey noted that the displacement of individuals and even groups, by war and the dire economic conditions as well as the â€Å"political movements based on ethnic, religious and narrowly nationalist ideologist† (p. 23) not only poses challenge but threaten democracy as well. But amidst this political and social problem, Starkey emphasized the need of education in general, and education for citizenship in particular if Iraq has to embrace democracy, for it â€Å"provide the mechanism for transmitting those core shared values that are essential if just and peaceful democratic societies are to be develop† (p. 23). It means that the challenges that threaten the existing political and social structure and the democracy can be subdue if an intensified educational approach are implemented focusing both on the education in general and education for citizenship in particular. Another question that needs answer is whether Iraq is prepared politically, socially, and culturally for democracy. In the survey conducted by Freedom House conducted from 1981 to 2002 that measures the values and beliefs of people in seventy countries regarding the society’s level of democracy. The survey concluded that for Islamic countries, the â€Å"prospects for democracy are particularly poor† (Basham, p. 3). The reason for this finding was that, for Islamic people democracy is problematic but better than any other form of government. Though, they have a poor prospect for democracy but the chance for acceptability is positive. Another reason that has to be considered is that, Iraqis has anti-American sentiment that is so pervasive though which, according to Ottaway, et. al, â€Å"the Middle East today lacks the domestic conditions that set the stage for democratic change elsewhere† (cited by Basham, p. 4). Religion is another factor for non-democratization of Iraq in which many of the practices and tradition of people in the democratic countries are very distinct from the Islamic faith. For instance, separation of authority and rights of both gender marks the difference. Democracy is hinder to gender equality. Culturally, Iraq seemed to be unprepared for democratic. In another study conducted, of the 150 tribes in Iraq, seventy-five percent of them exercised the terms â€Å"primordial allegiances. † In one example of this according to Basham is that, most Iraqis â€Å"view political nepotism as a moral duty rather than a civic problem† (p.5), as such a strong family bonds is still prevalent as in marriages between first or second cousins is still of significance in the society. This society’s condition is another hindrance in the democratization of Iraq according to Basham. Accordingly, the greater challenge that Iraq faces is the challenge of democracy it self. Audrey Osler noted that â€Å"even in the most proudly democratic societies, significant inequalities remain sections of the population maybe marginalized and anti democratic forces’ misuse freedom of speech to promote xenophobia and nationalistic populism† (p. 23). Democracy is often identified with what the traditional societies see in it, what they see in democracy is a â€Å"cultural devastation caused by American-style freedoms† (p. 6). Embracing democracy therefore could mean allowing western values of economic and especially political freedom to dominate the society. Thus, the question that must be answered is Does Iraq need democracy? Certainly democracy is not the immediate answer to the political and social problem of Iraq but in the end it will bring more economic benefits, peace, and social order. As Bruce M. Russett puts it, â€Å"in the modern international system, democracies have almost never fought each other† (p. 4). What Russett meant for this is that democracies rarely fight each other because they have other means of resolving conflict. Therefore, â€Å"the more democracies there are in the world the fewer potential adversaries †¦will have the wider the zone of peace† (p. 4). Ayers noted, Iraqis are cognizant of their situation yet they remain to what they are because of fear out of distrust to Americans and democratic life (p. 5).

Remembering John Steinbeck Essay

John Steinbeck, and his writings served not just an instrument but an inspiration of courage, strength and determination. He is a warrior and he fought for the right of the people. He is one of America’s best writers and is best known for his novels. He started by experimenting with characters and thematic unity in his writings. He focused on materialistic values and social exploitation. He is known for his compassion for the poor and the politically oppressed. His works reflects social issues, thus his works were subjected to criticisms. But despite all that, his works gained popularity because of his realistic yet sensitive portrayal of ordinary people. In the beginning of his career in literature, his works were not recognized but even after a few unsuccessful published works, nothing stopped him from writing. His work, Tortilla Flat in 1935 was the one which made a turning point in his literary career. It was only then that his works we’re recognized and given credit. He believed that as a writer he has a responsibility to the readers, and so through his works he was able to serve the people by creating social awareness. Through his works, he became the voice of the people, especially those who are oppressed. Despite a lot of criticisms, he proved himself worthy and used literature as an instrument to fight for what he believed is right. â€Å"Literature is as old as speech. It grew out of human need for it and it has not changed except to become more needed. The skalds, the bards, the writers are not separate and exclusive. From the beginning, their functions, their duties, their responsibilities have been decreed by our species†¦ the writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man’s proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit – for gallantry in defeat, for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature. † (Steinbeck) John Steinbeck’s works created impact despite criticisms. He was able to portray in his works the life of the people, which created social consciousness. His writings are based on experiences, and is a mirror of the many different lives of people. This is why I believe, the reason why he gained popularity in his works. He had this connection with the readers, he was able to make each reader relate to the characters in his works, and made them feel that someone was brave enough to stand up and tell the world what the people are going through. He was concerned with the welfare of the people. Through his writings, he became their voice, their inspiration, their salvation. Steinbeck endures because he does not permit readers to complacently dig in, like the hermit crab. He embraces the fullness of life. With compassion, tolerance, and humility, he surveys landscapes: of place, of spirit, of a nation. (Shillinglaw) According to an author review by Amber Garret: John Steinbeck’s ability to mix realistic social conditions with characters of depth and vitality are what make his literature paramount. In order to support his desire to write, Steinbeck worked in various different jobs, many of which were among the working class laborers in California. It was this direct experience with the working class community that gives his writing an element of authenticity and richness. He created novels and stories that did not only address the social issues of his time, but also represent California’s history. Each novel has characters that will stick with the reader long after the book is finished, revealing his obvious unsurpassed talent as a writer. John Steinbeck’s writing style evolved from a period of realist naturalism as seen in The Grapes of Wrath, to more sentimental tone portrayed through novels like East of Eden. He evokes both the good and bad of mankind in his stories through the use of symbolism and nature. John Steinbeck’s writing was not just a product of the imagination, but also a reflection of his friendships and other life experiences. Although he is widely recognized by critics for his early years of writing, in my opinion, it is his later years that show his greatest achievement as a writer. His ability to transform with time and allow his writing to grow and develop into other stages and styles are what make him a true pioneer of American literature. (Garrett) Steinbeck, despite of a few unsuccessful attempts proves that all man’s efforts will be paid of if only he would strive hard, work with passion and dedication and never gives up. Like what he depicted in his novel, â€Å"Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up in the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments. † (From The Grapes of Wrath). Up to this day, John Steinbeck’s works are still wildly read and appreciated. He died in 1968 but he dedicated his life observing and reflecting the human condition through his works. He dealt with the economic problems of the rural labor. He showed his sympathy and concern to the oppressed, to the little people being empowered by the rich and in power. He immortalized strength and courage in the human spirit. His life and his writings remain an inspiration to a lot of people. Whatever his experiment in fiction or journalistic prose, he wrote with empathy, clarity, perspicuity: In every bit of honest writing in the world, he noted in a 1938 journal entry, there is a base theme. Try to understand men, if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. (qtd. Shillinglaw) Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is one of the best examples of how Steinbeck described the social condition of the people in his hometown Salinas, California. Steinbeck dedicated a part oh his life writing about the people of his place. In the novel of mice and men, he reflected the lives and problems of the working people. Most of the characters he used in this book are immigrants from Mexico and from other places in America who came to California with such hope of finding a better life. The novel was set in Salinas Valley, where he was born. A place he dedicated a part of his life to. A place he knew so well. A place he knew all his life. The place described in the book was very similar to the place he grew up in. The novel is about two migrant workers and is set during the Great Depression in 1930’s. Main characters George Milton and Lennie Small, portrayed two migrant agricultural workers on a ranch in California who both dreams of having their own ranch. But their dreams were hindered by the harsh reality of materialism and greed. This novel present how dreams of the innocent can be broken but this also proves how a friendship can mend someone’s broken dreams. They held on to each other with such hope that someday their dreams will be fulfilled but then some dreams are meant to remain a dream. Steinbeck was able to relay important lessons in life, through his writings. And his works were written based on his own experiences and observation on the people around him and the environment he lives in. Steinbeck received a lot of negative criticism on his works but his works also touched the lives of many people. People continue to read and appreciate his works up to this day. Despite all the criticisms, a lot of people believed in his writings. In an article on why read John Steinbeck written by Dr. Susan Shillinglaw, she said: Steinbeck reaches out a fictional hand. Emotional bonds are forged between book and reader. Solace and laughter and commitment are what many readers discover in Steinbeck’s work. â€Å"In every bit of honest writing in the world,† he wrote in the late 1930s, â€Å"there is a base theme. Try to understand men. † And Steinbeck’s ghostly voice of understanding and solace endures, inspires. In his album â€Å"The Ghost of Tom Joad,† Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to the power of those interior landscapes – characters whose lives are often desolate, besieged, unacknowledged. â€Å"I’ll be ever ‘where,† promises Tom Joad, â€Å"I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Other reasons, equally compelling, insure that John Steinbeck’s voice will not diminish. A distinguished scholar of American literature, John Seelye, repeatedly intones: â€Å"Steinbeck is a great read. † Stories are readily understood. Characters engage, inspire, enrage. My students love East of Eden best of all his novels; ‘It’s like a soap opera,† one said this spring. â€Å"Cathy’s a kick. † Good and evil face off in this book and others. They live. Recently, a class spent 50 minutes discussing whether George needed Lennie as much as Lennie needed George. Readers return to books that are, like close friends, reliable, accessible. entertaining, and – let Steinbeck never again be pilloried by the old complaint that he’s a writer only for adolescent readers – challenging and perplexing. The Japanese have a vigorous Steinbeck Society, over 150 strong. Why are his books so popular there? For many international readers, Steinbeck’s work captures the elusive American psyche: bonds to land, the need for a place. Many of Steinbeck’s stories are archetypal – restless migrants moving west to begin anew. Steinbeck endures because he does not permit readers to complacently dig in, like the hermit crab. He embraces the fullness of life. With compassion, tolerance, and humility, he surveys landscapes: of place, of spirit, of a nation. Today, Steinbeck’s life and works is remembered and is given tribute through the National Steinbeck Center, located in Salinas California. It aims to continue to help enrich the community and the lives of the people through his works. The center is dedicated to inspire audiences to learn about human nature, literature, history, agriculture, and the arts. Works Cited Dirks, Tim the grapes of wrath http://www. filmsite. org/grap. html Garret, Amber. â€Å"John Steinbeck† http://eprentice. sdsu. edu/F044/agarrett/Steinbeck. html National Steinbeck Center http://www. steinbeck. org/MainFrame. html Shillinglaw, Dr. Susan. The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies â€Å"Why Read John Steinbeck? † http://www. steinbeck. sjsu. edu/works/ORWhy. jsp Steinbeck, John. The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies â€Å"John Steinbeck’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech† http://www. steinbeck. sjsu. edu/works/NobleSpeech. jsp

Agreement may not be necessary

Agreement may not be necessary Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work produced by our Law Essay Writing Service . You can view samples of our professional work here . Agreement may not be necessary Every contract is an agreement but agreement may not necessary to be considered as contracts if the agreement does not made in lawful way. A binding contract consists of these four essentials which consist, an offer s.2(a) CA1950, an acceptance s.2(b) CA 1950, consideration s.2(d) CA1950, as well as intention to create legal relations (Adams 2010). On the other hand, (Ayus, 2009,page 197) defined an offer as â€Å"an ‘intimation’, by words or conduct, of a willingness to enter into a legally binding contract, and which in its terms expressly or impliedly indicates that it is to become binding on the offeror as soon as it has been accepted by an act, forbearance or return promise on the person to whom it is addressed†. However, based on the opinion given by Duxbury (1991), an acceptance may be defined as an unconditional assent, which communicated by the offeree to the offeror, to all terms of the offer, made with the intention of ac cepting. It should be noted here that a contract will not be binding unless the parties have expressed themselves with reasonable certainty. 1.0 Issue The issue of this question is about a sale of car for RM30, 000 that advertised in the local newspaper by Ah Chong, whether or not he has a contract with any of the three parties. This question is regarding offer and acceptance whereby offeror signifies his willingness to do something or not to do, with a view to obtaining the consent given from the offeree. 2.0 Law S.2(a) CA1950 defined offeror/proposal as stated in appendix. In unilateral contracts, the party who offers something to offeree/acceptor may not necessary to be an offeror, but an offeree which is stated in s.2(b) CA1950. A contract binds between offeror and offeree by completing communication of proposal, acceptance, and revocation that stated in s.4(1), s.4(2), and s.4(3) of CA1950 respectively. According to s.4(1) CA1950, it stated that: â€Å"the communication of a p roposal is complete when it comes to the knowledge of offeree†. In other word, proposal is effective upon its communication has been communicated to the offeree. When offeree reply his/her acceptance (by email, by post, by hand) to the offeror, there is an official contract exists between the both parties – s.4(2)(b) CA1950. In postal rule, the moment offeree posted his/her acceptance letter into postbox, the contract binds offeror provided that the letter has been placed into the hand of the relevant postal authorities – s.4(2)(a) CA1950. Acceptance must be made within a reasonable time embodied in s.6(b) CA1950. On the other hand, in situation whereby offeree posted an acceptance, it must be certain and fixed based on the condition given by the offeror since the offer contained the element of consideration [s.2(d) CA1950] by offeror and shall not be in the midst of negotiating or bargaining s.7(a) CA1950. Hence, a purported acceptance that is different from the stipulated in the offer would not be an acceptance in law and may end up to a counter-offer. (Nabi Baksh & Arujunan 2005)

Financial Information Course work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial Information Course work - Essay Example Q2: The auditor’s report of Tesco Plc. has shown the company in a positive manner by endorsing the accounts of the company as complied with the applicable requirements of Section 428 of the Companies Act 2006. It also shows that the company is not involved in any fraudulent activities and a ‘clean opinion’ is given by the independent auditors which will create positive sentiments for its shareholders. It is clear that auditors have carefully examined every financial recording and notes presented in the Consolidated Income Statement and Balance Sheet and have read all notes attached to be completely sure of the accounting being done in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Auditor’s report acts as a guarantee that the company is not involved in any deceptive practices which may harm the company in the long run and its shareholders. Auditor’s report generates satisfaction among its stakeholders about the financial strength of the company. Also it helps increase the accuracy of investors’ perceptions by reducing investors’ overconfidence. When investors’ perceptions are more accurate, their prediction of asset worth is closer to economic predictions and the profits get evenly distributed. Q3: Ratio Expression 2010 2009 2010 result 2009 result Industry Average ROE 16.9% 17.2% 19% Gross Profit margin 8.1% 7.8% 10% Net Profit Margin 4.1% 4.0% 3% Current Ratio 0.7 times 0.8 times 1.7 times Inventory Turnover Period 18.8 days 18.7 days 50 days Payables’ turnover period 18.3days 19.4 days 20 days Gearing Ratio 54% 74.4% 4% P/E Ratio 14.3 x 12.3 x 9.0 x Note: Purchases for the year are calculated as: Cost of goods sold + closing stock – opening stock. Q4 2010 (in million $) 2009 (in million $) change Sales $56910 $53898 5.58% increase Operating Profit $3457 $3169 9.1% increase Share price $419.7 $333.2 26% increase Note: (only share price at 27th February is considered.) Q5: A nalysis: Return on equity shows the return gained by shareholder by investing $1 in the organization. ROE of Tesco Plc. fell marginally from 17.2% in 2009 to 16.9% in 2010. Although the net income increased during this period, the fall in ROE is due to Tesco Plc’s focus on equity rather than on debt to finance its operations. Compared to the industry average it is below par but looking at the future growth prospects and the scale of operations which Tesco has expanded into, the company’s return would move up in the future. It is evident from the fact that the sales have climbed up by 5.58% from $53,898m to $56,910m. It is notable that Tesco Plc.’s sales have significantly increased internationally as the percentage of international sales to the total sales have increased from 24% in 2005 to 31% in 2009. This will continue to do so and would reflect with a higher percentage increase in the upcoming years. However, the gross profit margin is mere 8% of the sales w hich means that a higher proportion of the sales are cancelled out by the cost of goods sold. There has been an increase in the Gross Profit Margin from 7.76% last year to 8.09% in 2010 which is complimentary to the increase in Sales. Comparing it to the industry the ratio is lower, however compared to previous year the margin has increased and therefore would come up to the industry average in due time. The Net profit margin of Tesco Plc has increased to 4.1% in 2010

Major Competitors Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Major Competitors - Essay Example Smith & White maintains several strengths as a multi-national company. First, the business has a well-diversified product line including professional and consumer products which provide for higher sales revenue from multiple, international consumers. The company’s brand strategy is also a significant strength due to the unified brand messages which gives S&W dominant market share globally. The company further has already established brand equity, which means that customers recognize the company brand names and many prefer them. This gives the company powerful marketing edge. S&W products also have a quality reputation in the retail sales environment as Big Box retailers stock its products which give them more selling exposure. Weaknesses at S&W include financial issues such as costs associated with high labor in areas where old manufacturing plants are still being utilized. There is also market confusion regarding consumer and professional products, meaning that the two categories of products are not being distinguished or differentiated properly. Distributors also create weaknesses because the ones which S&W uses have a dominant position in the supply chain and take advantage of this position. The company’s sheer size, also, creates weaknesses for the company as it is not able to respond quickly enough or efficiently enough when rapid changes are occurring in the market. The cordless market is also growing quickly, however S&W does not have a very big market presence in the cordless product area, making this another weakness at the company. There are many opportunities for S&W, the first of which is to begin focusing areas of the business on the development of cordless professional and consumer products to gain a larger presence and earn higher revenues there. Secondly, S&W maintains opportunities to develop an appropriate rapid change training and development seminar to allow staff

The lack of cultural awareness in the average American Soldier served Essay

The lack of cultural awareness in the average American Soldier served as a detriment during the early phases of the Iraqi War - Essay Example Firstly, culture is not a static entity. Rather, it`s a dynamic and an ever changing concept. Since people are the driving force behind a culture, it keeps evolving and changing according to the change in circumstances. Secondly, culture is not inherited, i.e. it can`t be transferred via genes to the next generation. In fact, it is transmitted through socialization from one generation to another. Culture can also be multi-faceted, which implies that one person might be exposed to various cultures at the same time, which incarnates values and beliefs in an individual which are a blend of various other cultures. Fourthly, there are various means of transmitting a culture, including our family, friends, school, religion, media and any other modes of communication we experience. Thus, acquiring a culture is a continuous process which goes on through our entire lives. Lastly, culture is expressed though various means, which is reflected in the way our beliefs are carved, the way we dress up, talk, eat, our work habits etc (Colbert). Thus, culture is a very important entity which leaves an impact on almost all aspects of the lives of an individual, who is a member of a community or a nation. Since shared cultures and meanings are an important part of an individual`s identity socialized via various modes, it is important to understand the culture of a region to understand the dynamics of that area. For this reason, the lack of cultural awareness in American soldiers acted as a detriment during the Iraqi war. To analyze the situation closely, it is important to study the geography and the history of the military conflict in detail, the weather analysis of the region, and the ASCOPE (areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people and events) of the region of interest. To understand the culture, however, it is important to

Critique of a Memo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critique of a Memo - Essay Example It also gives recommendations based on the costs analysis and the employees’ opinions. The analysis of the overtime cost shows that the addition of 150 units daily would costs about 388.54 or 2.59 dollars per unit. On the contrary, the cost of the extra 150 units daily in the second shift would be about 421 or 2.81 dollars in every unit. The analysis clearly shows that the use of overtime will be less costly compared to the second shift production by about 0.22 dollars and 32.32 dollars per unit. However, the corporation should execute the second shift strategy since employees are not willing to work extra hours. The company should not force the workers to work overtime. The use of visuals has been used for easier comprehension of analysis of the cost. They have helped in showing the comparison of the cost of the two strategies. However, I think there is need for improvement in the use of visuals. For instance, the tables and the graphs do not show the precise costs of every unit in every strategy used. I think I should have given the average cost of one unit in another column on the tables. For instance, the title of the tables explains that the table is supposed to give the cost per unit. However, this is not what has been presented in the table. It only shows the cost of between 75 units to 600 units. I think I also presented my arguments clearly with the support of the analysis. For instance, I was able to prove that the use of overtime will be less expensive compared to production shift. In addition, I supported my argument as to why the organization should not implement the overtime strategy based on workers’ negative attitudes towards it. However, I think I should have supported this argument by explaining the exact reasons for the worker’s rejection of the overtime strategy. I also think that the precise explanations will improve the memo. For instance, in the recommendation section I should have explained why the cost of

A Bar at the Folies-Bergre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Bar at the Folies-Bergre - Essay Example There is also a seemingly displaced symmetry of the lights that have been placed on the pillars that are behind the woman. The illusions on the reflection of the woman on the mirror prompt one to change their thoughts great meaning about the woman on the painting. The comparison of the woman’s frontal image and the image of her that is reflected on the mirror that is behind her conveys a certain the painting can be difference and a form of tension. This tension can be interpreted to be the difference between the way that a customer at the bar sees the woman and the way that the painter sees her, or the difference between the illusion of the calm that the woman presents and the reality that is the chaos in her life.. In other words, the woman is not necessarily what she seems. The use of classical iconography in the painting can be studied to provide clues as to whom the woman really is. The roses that are on the painting have been placed in a glass of water have great meaning. The white rose is a symbol of purity while the pink rose is a symbol of divine love. There are also white roses on the woman’s corsage. This is done to present the woman as a representative of ancient deity in modern times. There is also a crystal bowl of tangerines that have been placed on the bar. The tangerines provide color to the painting as they are glossy and are also an iconographic representation. This is because they are often used as a substitute for apples in the Christian iconography.

Great Gatsby (FS Fitzgerald), Passing (N Larson), and poems of Essay

Great Gatsby (FS Fitzgerald), Passing (N Larson), and poems of Langston Hughes - Essay Example But let us look again at the mountain.'(1) Larsen's second novel (The Passing) tells the story of two light skinned women: Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. Clare Kendry is of mixed heritage, while Irene Redfield is fully African American but both are light enough to pass. Clare fully commits herself to passing and marries John Bellew, a white man who knows nothing of her heritage and affectionately and jokingly calls her "Nig" for her "tan" complexion. Irene lives in Harlem, commits herself to racial uplift, and marries a black doctor. The novel centers on the meeting of the two childhood friends later in life, and the unfolding of events as each woman is fascinated and seduced by the other's daring lifestyle. The novel traces a tragic path as Irene finds out about the affair between Clare and her husband and Clare's race is revealed to John Bellew. The novel ends with Clare's sudden death by "falling" out of a window. As for the Great Gatsby,Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota, moves to New York in the summer of 1922 to learn about the bond business. He rents a house in the West Egg district of Long Island, a wealthy but unfashionable area populated by the new rich, a group who have made their fortunes too recently to have established social connections and who are prone to garish displays of wealth. Nick's next-door neighbor in West Egg is a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, who lives in a gigantic Gothic mansion and throws extravagant parties every Saturday night. Nick is unlike the other inhabitants of West Egg-he was educated at Yale and has social connections in East Egg, a fashionable area of Long Island home to the established upper class. Nick drives out to East Egg one evening for dinner with his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, an erstwhile classmate of Nick's at Yale. Daisy and Tom introduce Nick to Jordan Baker, a beautiful, cynical young woman with whom Nick begins a romantic relationship. Nick also learns a bit about Daisy and Tom's marriage: Jordan tells him that Tom has a lover, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the valley of ashes, a gray industrial dumping ground between West Egg and New York City. Not long after this revelation, Nick travels to New York City with Tom and Myrtle. At a vulgar, gaudy party in the apartment that Tom keeps for the affair, Myrtle begins to taunt Tom about Daisy, and Tom responds by breaking her nose. As the summer progresses, Nick eventually garners an invitation to one of Gatsby's legendary parties. He encounters Jordan Baker at the party, and they meet Gatsby himself, a surprisingly young man who affects an English accent, has a remarkable smile, and calls everyone "old sport." Gatsby asks to speak to Jordan alone, and, through Jordan, Nick later learns more about his mysterious neighbor. Gatsby tells Jordan that he knew Daisy in Louisville in 1917 and is deeply in love with her. He spends many nights staring at the

HumanBrain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HumanBrain - Essay Example The monkeys use their judgmental skills to determine the type of leaves and fruits they will eat. The old world monkeys have a duplicated opsin gene that is lacking from other primates. The gene gives them the ability of having a better vision of orange and red areas of the light spectrum. The ability helps them choose nutritional food substances to consume (Zimmer, 381). As the world develops, the climate changed and the fruits became scarce and the primates had to change their strategy towards smell for survival purposes. The change of strategy from the sense of smell to the sense of sight changes the social skills of primates. The primates have to rely on their sense of smell to choose food and in some circumstances communicate to each other. There was development on the language of odors in the primates. A mother sheep passes molecules to her child that helps them communicates to each other. The molecules cause change in the brain of the ewe that helps it bond with child. It will use the molecules to recognize her lamb bond with it until it is ready to be on its own. The transition enabled primates to respond more emotionally to the sight of other primates (Zimmer, 382). The transition results in change of the muscles in the face-helped primates make expressions. The expressions in the face of the primates were a development of the brain. They had the ability to know of understanding what other primates were doing. Researches believe that the social evolution made the brain more intellectually. Robin Dunbar, a specialist in the area, believes that the size of the human brain continued to develop ever since (Zimmer, 383). Numerous tests tested the social and mental skills of small chimpanzees and those of adult chimpanzees. The results of the research indicate that the children learn faster when they observe what their adult counterparts do. Children develop their social skills by observing what the activities of

Culture and disease Essay Example for Free

Culture and disease Essay Diabetes is a common chronic disease whereby blood glucose or sugar levels in the blood are too high. Glucose mainly comes from foods that are consumed and by the help of insulin hormone they can get into the body cells to provide energy. Diabetes is classified into two types whereby in type 1 diabetes the body is unable to produce insulin whereby with type two the body does not make insulin or use it well in the body. Therefore, when body lacks enough insulin to convert sugar into energy, the sugars stay in the blood and this leads to the disease condition of diabetes. The two common types of diabetes are type 1 and type II diabetes. The condition mainly affects the old people due to lack of exercise and poor eating habits. Within the Italian community, the most common condition presented is diabetes mellitus but unlike other places in Italy it affects children between the ages of 0-14. Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreases is not capable of producing enough insulin which is meant for converting sugar into energy. When the cells are not responding well to the insulin which is produced a disease condition can arise. This leads to lack of absorption of glucose into the cell of the body and therefore high levels of glucose are found in blood. The disease manifest itself in different symptoms such as frequent urination, leathery weigh loss, hunger and excessive thirst. The disease can be controlled by exercising regularly and eating well balanced diet and avoiding a lot of sugary meals. Condition can be treated by administration of insulin so as to convert the excess sugar in the blood to energy so that it can be utilized by the body cell. This condition in severe state it can cause renal failure, heart disease, blindness, and stroke or limb amputation. There is quite a high prevalence rate of diabetes in Italy which is about 3-4% of its population and it increases with age. Most of them have type II which is diabetes mellitus and it occurs mainly at the onset of adulthood. Agent or causative agent of diabetes mellitus in Italy and elsewhere are not known since the disease occurs when the body can not produce insulin properly. Type I mainly occurs in young people whereby islet of langerharn cells stops producing insulin completely. In the report by John (2002), diabetes can also arise as a result of auto immune problem whereby the body turns against its own cells thus damaging them and rendering important processes to take place. Type II mainly affects the old people but it’s also gaining roots in younger generation due to lifestyle i. e. As a result of poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. In this type, the body is unable to utilize insulin in converting blood glucose levels to energy. Other causes of diabetes includes:- Obesity- This mainly occurs as a result of metabolic syndrome. It occurs as a result of extra energy. Diabetes can also be caused by excessive chronic stress due to excessive utilization of thoughts. Therefore, the best way to overcome all these causes is by living a healthy lifestyle exercising regularly and being cautious on what you are eating. Diabetes mellitus can also result due to hereditary factor whereby the disease is passed through the generation on families. It can also result due to the environmental factors of the surrounding. In genetic diabetes, these individuals have a common genetic marker Type I can occur as a result of vital infection or other microorganism which damages the islet of langerharns cells in the pancreas. Type II is mainly associated with old age, obesity and genetic factors. Italian population is said to be more vulnerable to diabetes than the rest of the European countries. This is much contributed by their lifestyle and the diet they utilize. One thing in Italy is that almost half of its population are said to be overweight and they are clinically tested and proved to be obese. Obese is one of the factors that caused diabetes. Their stare of obese prevents them from working and living normal life due to the bulkiness of their bodies. Failure to work and live normal life hindered them from obtaining financial help from state to help them fight the condition. There state of obesity is also contributed by their diet since they mainly consume fatty foods which are rich in carbohydrates and therefore they end up accumulating a lot of energy which is not utilized in their bodies leading to obesity (James, Kelly, 2007) [PR] There are quite a number of environmental factors which contributes to diabetes. One major environmental cause of diabetes is persistence organic pollution in the environment and insulin resistance. Around 1940, Italian was quite persistent in the use of DDP pesticide which was quite dangerous to crops for consumption and also human. Even after it was banned it remained in the environment causing more harm to human. They slowly biodegrade and finally enter into the food chain which is finally consumed by human. Therefore, high levels of persistence organic pollutants cause types II diabetes. Environmental contaminant which mainly causes diabetes acts through estrogen receptors which results to disruption of endocrine by the chemicals which are incorporated in pollutants. Due to the industrial activities of Italy these pollutants are quite many within the environment and have resulted to diabetes type II since they hinder utilization of insulin by the cells. The mode of transmission of diabetes underlies some of difference in concordance rate. In Italy one of the major transmission modes is through genetic transmission which is mainly from substantial differences in preference rate of the disease which is mostly present in the same ethnic group and to those people who are under similar environmental burden. Apart from genetic transmission, diabetes can posses the mode of inherited transmission. This is also genetically connected whereby phenotype and pathophysiological levels indicates that genetic compounds are likely to be heterogeneous. Different mode of transmission of diabetes can be evidenced in discrete families and it can act as an overall mode of inheritance. Therefore, diabetes is mainly transmitted through genetic since it’s a hereditary disorder and can be passed from one generation to another within the same family (altha, Edgren, 2007) [PR]. There are quite a number of control methods which are used to control diabetes in Italy. These modes of control can be used to minimize the risk of infection in most prone areas of Italy. The first main control measure is by ensuring that the right diet is consumed foods with high energy context should be avoided such as consumption of a lot of carbohydrates in diet, sugary things, snacks fatty foods, potatoes and other meals which have a lot of energy. These foods can lead to obesity which is one of the major causes of diabetes. Therefore if they are avoided the risk of one being obese is reduced which consequently reduce the prevalence rate of acquiring diabetes. Another control measure which needs to be taken into account and which is less practiced in Italy is exercising regularly. Regular exercise helps to burn excess fats and energy which makes one’s body physically fit. In Italy due to most of the people being overweight they do not exercise regularly and this makes their bodies to retain a lot of energy and therefore they become prone to infection. Regular exercise therefore can be used as a control measure in preventing diabetes among the Italians. Exercising healthy lifestyles is also another thing that can help in the control of diabetes this is mostly encouraged in those families who have a life history of diabetes since by doing so they minimize the risks of inheriting disease from their relatives. Government of Italy can also come in to ensure that the danger posed to its citizens of acquitting diabetes as a result of harmful environmental effects like the use of DDP. Therefore, government should ban the use of such chemicals which are harmful to human life and also to ecosystem at large. The main treatment methods used for curing and maintaining diabetes at minimum are change in diet, administration of oral medicine, and in other cases daily injection or insulin or Byetta are mainly used to improve insulin concentration in the blood so that it can convert excess glucose in the blood to energy so that it can be utilized by the cells. Apart from these medicines in most of the routine hospitals in Italy they use acarbose and metform which are known to reduce the disease prevalence in the country by increasing the levels of insulin in the blood. They also use sulfonylurea and combination of different drugs in treating diabetes. These form of treatment resulted to different complication among those who were treated. These complications ranged from mild to severe complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and nephropathy and obstatic arteriopathy of lower limbs. This showed that the medication had vast adverse effect on the health of patient which did not cure the disease but brought about more complication to patients. In determining the social and cultural influences of diabetes in Italy, anthropological methodology was employed which signified that:- They came up with ways of breaking the social network providing support of young people and this contrasted greatly with the ideas of health cares that held conferences, meeting and social support networks. Diabetes patients were excluded at any age without minding about their development they were categorized by age and not individual ability and preference. People were encouraged to take care of themselves at an early age which ensured that they were separated from the family and peer. According to Italian population, they considered the type of treatment offered inconvenient and mostly since it was associated with so many side effects to most of the patient who treatment was administered to and acted well on a very small percentage of patients. Therefore, patients in Italy do not believe that there is effective medication for diabetes and hence they opt for just natural ways of curing the diseases i. e. by use of diet exercising. Therefore since statistics shows that there is quite high prevalence rate of diabetes in Italy as a result of poor diet and lack of exercise. The country need to come up with ways of minimizing this incidence rate since their treatment methods are not quite effective and they end up causing move harm to patients. Reference: Altha Robert, Edgren Ken R, (2007), The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, (vol 5) Jacqueline L. Longe Ed 3 Detroit, Gale on line update. Anne Dornhorst Gary Frost, Robert Mosses, (2003), Nutritional Management of Diabetes Mellitus, New York: John Willey and Son. James Enger, Kelly, (July-August 2007), Dangerous diabetes obesity connections on How to reduce your Risks now, ‘’vibrant life’’: 6-11.

Corporate University in China Essay Example for Free

Corporate University in China Essay The concept of corporate university (CU) in China is a recent phenomenon although it existed more than eight decades in the western world. Literature reviews indicate that CU is an independent professional-managed entity proactively providing learning intervention in the workplace. With the ownership of the corporation, CU embedded culture and optimized learning through commitment to strategic intent in order to meet organizational objectives. The concept of â€Å"training† has to be redefined. The major key role of CU is to facilitate both individuals and organization to become â€Å"efficient learner† in order to maintain competitiveness in the ever-changing of business environment. Since the start of economic reform in 1978, the Chinese economy has enjoyed a dramatic growth. In 2002 alone, China attracted over US$52.7 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), surpassing the US. The drastic economic growth and the fundamental structural change in China as a result of government policies, globalization and technological advances will continue to drive the demand for training and competency development. Both local and foreign-invested corporations seek the CU concept as the strategic solution. There are many reasons for corporations establish CU; however, the primary one is to facilitate corporate objectives and support business strategies. Studies on HRM suggest different models vary across different countries. A direct copy from western model might cause ineffective and inefficient. A comprehensive understanding on the CU meaning, how it operates, and its roles are important. In addition, consideration of local elements is necessary in adopting CU in China. Major Chinese characteristics with current corporate situation and issues should be identified. Evidences support that the Chinese contextual variables and their CU motives impact the strategies and development of CU in China. Adapted from Prince Beaver’s conceptual CU Wheel model, a priori China CU framework encompassed the unique characteristics of China is formulated in an attempt to describe the key functions that an â€Å"ideal† type of CU in China should perform. Based on the theoretical assumptions, the four core subsystems include learning and teaching process, networks and partnership, accreditation system, and marketing process constitute the main elements of the CU process. They work collaboratively with the common goal of supporting business goals and strategies. The two cultural elements, â€Å"guanxi† and â€Å"mianzi†, work as catalyst or lubricator to enhance the effectiveness and coordination. The priori CU framework brings new insight to the CU development in China. Research is performed to test the relevance of this framework across the three major forms of ownership. To achieve the research objectives, an exploratory and descriptive approach is used. This study adopts a qualitative case-methodology based on the in-depth interviews, previously collected data through questionnaires and documentary analysis. The three study cases include: 1. Taikang Business University (TBU) a joint-venture enterprise with foreign investment; 2. Motorola University, China (MUC) a wholly foreign-owned multi-national corporation (MNC); 3. X Academy, a state-owned enterprise (SOE) To delimit the study, each case covers background information, its objectives and roles, core portfolio, and the relevance of the priori framework. Challenges and issues of each case organization are addressed as well. A cross-case analysis of the three case organizations is used to identify the similarities and differences. The diffusion of CU practices varies with the investment form and the foreign equity stake. The study provides evident that both the MNC and joint venture case organizations with foreign investment are more mature in their CU process. The integration and coordination of the four core processes that constitute the priori CU framework are strongly evident. A hybrid model of CU practices is adopted with the convergence of practices from the parent country operation and the divergence of practices for the China context. On the other hand, the CU development of the SOE case is less developed. It can be explained that most of SOEs in China lack western management know-how and resources. Some CU sub-processes or practices of the priori CU framework are either missing or too weak in the SOE case. It has been facing problems at the CU evolution. Misconception on training, lack of support from upper management, lack of CU understanding, unable to demonstrate the CU value, ineffective learning process, and the cultural gap are the major issues and challenges for CUs in China. Improvements have to be made before CU can really take off in organizations in China. Recommendations with reference to the priori CU framework are made. Additional comments on CU strategies are given for local enterprises and the foreign-invested organization. It is evident that some CUs such as Motorola University China (MUC) perform a range of strategic functions in China. Among all, it can be summarized into two major categories: developing people and developing business. Although developing people is the most common motive for the CU establishment, the CU strategic orientation towards market-driven and profit-driven is more evident and justifiable to most Chinese enterprises. The CU strategies and practices are highly influenced by the political, economic and cultural characteristics of China. It would be difficult to apply a single CU model to all CU phenomena. Despite the limitation, the priori CU framework can still be used as a tool to describe the current situation in the CU scene in China. It encompasses the unique characteristics of China CU, capable of providing the direction to the CU operations and practices. This research raises a number of issues upon which subsequent research efforts can be expended as follow: 1. Besides the forms of ownership, other company variables such as the industry types, leadership style, corporation sizes, and corporate culture might affect the CU development and practices. Further, the CU strategies and practices are highly influenced by the political, economic and cultural characteristics of China. To what extent these contextual variables influence the CU adoption in China? 2. The major motive for local enterprises to establish CU is to drive corporate-wide initiative, reinforcing and perpetuating behavior towards internationalization. So how do the local corporations, particularly state-owned enterprise, change their traditional view to more global perspective in order to run a successful CU? 3. Different foreign-invested corporations adopt different local strategy. Some focus on globalizing the China operation whilst others prefer to adopt a complete localization approach. Does the local strategy adopted by the foreign-invested corporation affect the CU strategy and development? 4. The dynamic business environment in China creates a constant change phenomenon in corporate strategies. How does CU support the changing corporate strategies and maintain its agility? How does CU demonstrate its value in China? With a large population, fast and rapid growing economy and constant improvement of its people’s living standard, corporations in China enjoy tremendous market potentials. CU definitely has an important role in China. However, a successful CU requires continuously learning and self-reflective. The evolution of CU involves ongoing values, trust, respect, commitment, integrity and enthusiasm. The priori CU framework, to a certain extent, can be used as a tool to explain the current situation in the CU scene in China. With more understanding on the CU practices and development in China, it will benefit both organization decision makers and educational providers to evaluate their responses to what is clearly a growing phenomenon.

Corporate Strategy For Kingfisher Plc

Corporate Strategy For Kingfisher Plc This paper shall discuss about the financial management of Kingfisher Plc. This report shall include the background information of the organization which will tackle the brief history of the organizations formation and development, its mission statement, and its organizational values. The major stakeholders shall also be examined and their powers and function shall be evaluated as well. An environmental analysis of the organization shall also be conducted. The company shall also be appraised by means of a SWOT analysis. Finally, the organizations strategy shall be identified and evaluated. History of Kingfisher Plc The origins of the company can be traced back in the year 1982 when FW Woolworth was acquired by Paternoster. This deal came with a small chain of home improvement stores. This was the start of the creation of Europes biggest retail company. In 1984, the company bought the chains of Cornet electrical and the health and beauty stores of Superdrug in 1987. During the 1990s, the companys BQ continued its expansion when it opened its Warehouse style stores in the year 1994. On the year 1998, BQ merged with Frances leading home improvement retail store, Castorama. The following year, BQ opened its first store in China. The decade also marked other acquisitions such as Screwfix. The year 2000, the organization has decided on focusing its expansion on its home improvement stores. Woolsworth was demerged and Superdrug was sold towards the end of the year. On the year 2002, the remaining stakes at Castorama was acquired in order to continuously develop the home improvement chains in Europe. The organization has focused in expanding internationally such as creating new businesses in Turkey, Spain and Russia. Core businesses were also developed in the United Kingdom, France and Poland. Towards the end of the decade, the organization has a total of 830 stores and eight markets across Europe and Asia. The organizations mission statement is delivering more value for the shareholders of Kingfisher by focusing on three key priorities namely: management; capital and returns. SCC is geared towards providing an environment that encourages and gives merit to team efforts. They are committed in having consultative and participative management instead of directive management. They also encourage appropriate authority delegation and decision making on the lowest possible member of the organization. Collective effort and teamwork is being insisted. It is Kingfishers belief that a rich network of communication which is informal and open can lead into greater trust, learning and innovation. Kingfisher supports the concept of attractive compensation to a great performance. Kingfisher cultivates a set of beliefs that are shared within the organization wherein all policies and actions are based. It is believed that success is the goal for each effort and that determination in improving and innovating are constant challenges and stimuli. It is also believed that integrity, objectivity and fair play in business as well as in relationships with staff are very important. Mutual trust and respect are also very vital culture being practiced. Work in the company is perceived as enjoyable. Finally, Kingfisher believes with the perpetuity of its organization. Organizational Values The organization aims in achieving sufficient profit so that it can provide very attractive returns to is shareholders as well as financing the companys growth. For the company, profit is the organizations reward for their effort in offering the consumers the right kinds of products and services. For the long term, profit is the one absolute measure of their corporate performance. It is the organizations belief that in continually meeting their profit objective, other corporate objectives shall follow as well. Kingfisher believes that as a company is their duty in providing clients with quality products and services. The organization values that customers shall always come first. The customers interest should be the companys interest as well, and this should provide them with a long-term partnership with one another. The organization is committed in earning a preferred position with each of their clients by offering a consistently highest quality and reliability of service. Kingfisher ensures that they products always represent the best value for money. It is Kingfisher strategy in exerting its efforts only to those markets, industries and products wherein the organization can excel. Kingfisher believes in providing its people an environment wherein they can excel, develop and have growth in the company. Kingfisher considers its human resources as its most important asset. It aims in attracting people, developing them and retaining those with the highest foundations of character and competence. It does its best in providing training and opportunity to the people for development in improving themselves so that they could expand in their career opportunities. It is expected that their manpower will be full of initiative and drive and is eager in staying and growing with Kingfisher. It ensures that the people of Kingfisher get the recognition they deserve and that the people should be grateful with their accomplishments and that the company has its best choice with them. Examination of Major Stakeholders Stockholders elect the members of the board and they represent the stockholders interests in the company. Board members are at the apex of the decision making body of Kingfisher. They ensure that corporate strategies are met and are all in the interest of the stockholders. They can also do sanctions such as voting against nominees for the board of directors. Further, the board of directors has the authority in hiring, firing and compensating corporate employees. Authorities are centralized at Kingfisher. The managers in the organizations upper levels have retained the authority in making decisions. Decision making that is centralized is easier to coordinate with regards to organizational activities in order to carry out the strategy of the company. This also means that the organizations decisions are fit with the organizations objectives. In times of crisis, this decision making gives strong leadership that is focusing with one person or group. It allows a faster decision making process and a concerted response throughout the organization. Kingfisher clusters its people through groups of common expertise and experiences. This is called Functional Structure which has several advantages. First, the employees perform together and from this they can learn from each other. Employees become more productive on something that they do. Second, employees can monitor on their tasks and make sure that they are giving their best and do not let their responsibilities shrink. The result of this is that the work process becomes more effective. Most of all, the Functional Structure gives the manager a greater control of the activities within the organization. Environmental Analysis Five Forces Model and PESTLE Analysis According to Michael Porter (2009), there are five competitive forces that shape strategy. These are the established rivals; supplier power; customer power; new entrants; and the substitutes. According to Porter, customers dictate to lower the prices by playing the organization and its rival against one another. Suppliers on the other hand can hinder an organizations profit if they charge higher prices. The aspiring new entrants are armed with much newer capacities and are hungry for a share in the market can ratchet your investment in keeping Kingfisher in the market. The offered substitutes can just drive customers away. Porter has suggested tactics designed in reshaping these forces for your organizations favor. In neutralizing the power of the supplier, specifications of your organizations should be standardized so that shifting to other vendors can be easy. Customer power can be countered by expanding the organizations services so that it will be hard for the customers to leave. In tempering wars established by rivals, organizations should invest heavily with products that are different with that of the rivals. New entrants can be scared away by elevating your organizations fixed costs like increasing your organizations research and development. Threats brought about by the substitutes can be limited by offering products with greater value. Figure 1 is the PESTEL analysis for the organization of Kingfisher. Political factors such as regulations and politicians often affect an organizations strategy. This is the same as the legislative factors which includes legislation from the European Union and directives from the United Kingdom. Fortunately over almost twenty years in the business Kingfisher is able to adapt through these changes in policy. Economic trends which include world trends as well as that of the United Kingdom and homebuilding industry also affected the strategies of Kingfisher. But through the means of effective planning and execution of strategies, it was able to address the ever changing trends of these factors. Technology has always been a factor in advancements. Kingfisher was able to meet the demands of this fast paced factor. It was able to deliver a more effective service and product to its consumers. Social factors that is very important. Based on the strategies of the company their relationships w ith its stakeholders are of utmost importance. Activities in promoting and practicing corporate social responsibility were ensured to be given top priority. Finally, the environmental factors such as public opinion, cost implications and sites and locations were ensured that adherence to guidelines were followed. SWOT Analysis Kingfishers greatest advantage is its very adept experience in its line of business. Through extensive research and continuous development, it is able to produce top of the line products. With an over 100 operations all over the globe, it has a great marketing advantage over its competitors. Its greatest advantage is its workforce. Kingfisher ensures that the manpower it appoints has the advantage in handling its operations both culturally and technically. Kingfishers most valuable capability is its ability to produce great products and its marketing expertise all over the world. It is best that they would continue to do research for the continual improvement of its products towards customer satisfaction worldwide. Threats to the organizations operations are small homebuilding businesses especially in the local scenarios. These businesses would often offer cheaper prices and its managements are often run by locals that are undeniably more knowledgeable of the local market. Since the firms strength is its efficient product and very capable marketing ability, it is better to continue developing its products to address the ever changing needs of homebuilding industry. The only weakness that can be derived on this case study, based on the facts given, is its inability to train people for future succession plans. The threats are the local competitors in China which in all factors, know the Chinese market very well than anyone. It is with this given threat, that opportunities such as training more competent employees that are culturally and technologically adept should be considered. Evaluation of Organizations Strategy The article of Sveiby focuses on the very little development of strategy in firms that are not in the manufacturing industry. It also emphasised on the notion that strategies were juts formed and developed for the manufacturing industry. It was imposed on this article regarding knowledge intensive companies those in the service industry. This sector is a phenomenon of all types of companies that range from organizations that took the effort in refining and packaging their outputs. Knowledge industries are the ones in the service sector. Heavy investment in knowledge and highly innovative. An ongoing process of solving the problems of the customers by the producers is the emergence of service. Roos, G. R. (1997) came to the conclusion that standardized service or package was only appropriate on a short term base. The provider of the service is an expert while the customers want their problems to be solved by the expertise of the provider. It is therefore fitting that the knowledge in dustries know how to treat their clients as individuals. According to Morton (2010), when strategy and strategic planning is defined, it should always include as taking all the proactive approaches in evaluating all activities basing it in how well the activity moves towards the core goal of the business. More specifically, strategies are the plans for reaching a business objectives and goals. The concept of shaping strategies was discussed by John Hagel in his article Shaping Strategies. According to Hagel (2008), shaping strategies are strategies that use positive incentives in mobilizing and focusing thousand of participants to shape a specific desired industry or market. The elements that come together in this strategy are the compelling shaping view in providing focus for the participants of investments, a very power platform that will shape the economic leverage of the participants, and the shapers sets of acts and assets in communicating conviction and capabilities to potential participants. Hagel (2010) believes that shaping strate gies hold a great promise in the business world as business executives hold a greater freedom in shaping their target markets and industries during these times of high uncertainty and rapid change. For the case of the Kingfishers organization, its strategy is on focus strategy. Over the years it has developed new products engaged in businesses, merged with other companies and many other business ventures. All of these decisions are focused on what they do best to provide the consuming public with the best home improvement products and services that they can give.

Drugs Should NOT be Legal :: Against Legalization of Drugs

Drugs Should NOT be Legal Everyone agrees that something must be done about the tremendous physical and emotional health problems that drug abuse causes. Concern about the abuse of drugs is so widespread that recent polls indicate it to be one of the most serious problems in today's world, threatening the security and freedom of whole nations. Politicians, health experts and much of the general public feel that no issue is more important than drug abuse. America's other pressing social problems- disease, poverty, child abuse and neglect, and corruption- often have a common element; that is drug abuse. The use of illegal drugs such as cocaine, crack, heroin and marijuana cause extensive harm to the body and brain. Yet, even after knowing this many people want illegal drugs to be legalized in every aspect. The last thing we need is a policy that makes widely available substances that impair memory, concentration and attention span; why in God's name foster the uses of drugs that make you stupid? The campaign for drug legalization is morally disgusting.The number of people who are addicted to illegal drugs or are users of these drugs is quite shocking. Drug abuse is clearly an injurious and sometimes fatal problem. The leaders of the international economic summit in Paris in July 1989 concluded that the devastating proportions of the drug problem calls for decisive action. On September 5, 1989, President Bush called upon the United States to join in an all-out fight against drugs. The United States Congress reports an estimated 25 to 30 million addicts of illegal drugs worldwide. Not all users are addicts, but some of the 26 million regular users of illegal drugs in the United States are addicted. Reports of child abuse to New York social services tripled between 1986 and 1988 and most of the cases involved drug abuse. Approximately 35 percent of the inmates of state prison were under the influence of illegal drugs at the time they committed the crimes for which they are incarcerated. In some parts of the country, that percentage is as high as 75 to 80! Another fact that hits people hard is that out-right deaths from illegal drugs have quadrupled in the last ten years! The proportion of 19 to 22 year olds who were at risk from using illegal drugs rose from 44 percent in 1980 to 69 percent in 1987. Among 17-18 year olds the shift over the same interval was from 50 percent to 74 percent (Williams 226)! The abuse of illegal drugs is very threatening to America's future. These drugs are the cause of many problems and crimes.

Americas Flawed Constitution :: American History

America's Flawed Constitution Right from the beginning of it’s creation the constitution of the United States has been a shaky document. The very basis for it being there was in fact illegal. The story of American politics starts with the Declaration of Independence. This document was brilliantly written by Thomas Jefferson and compacted all of the great ideas of enlightenment into one short easy to read paper. The declaration stated all of the ideals the new American nation would strive for. A constitution was needed as a way in which to fulfill those goals. The articles of confederacy were created as that constitution. However, they were weak, because no state wanted to give away any of their powers, and so the articles eventually failed. That is when the modern day constitution was starting to form. The Articles of Confederacy stated that in order to change any part of the document all thirteen states must agree to the change. Therefor a meeting was called so that they could amend the failing articles. However, representatives from two of the states did not show up. Even though not all states were represented the meeting started and the first vote was to totally throw away the Articles of Confederacy. The constitution wasn’t formed yet and it was already a flawed document. Because not all states were represented when the articles required it, the constitution was an illegal document. The delegates working on the constitution new that they needed a stronger document, because the articles proved too weak, but it still needed to please all of the states. This was impossible. So what ended up happening was the new ducocument became more and more vague. The only way to create a document that would pass was to make a document which didn’t really solve any problems but make each state believe that there problems would be fixed. This was accomplished by making it so that it was too vague to offend anybody but you could read into it. This made for a document that would be seriously flawed because people would be able to read into it too much. It could not work. The Constitution of the United States of America was too vague to work. The way the constitution was written it gave power to four parts: the congress, the executive branch, the judicial branch, and the states. Because it was so vague it did not really define which powers went where (with a few exceptions).

A Bought Lesson Learned :: Free Essay Writer

A Bought Lesson Learned The moment had come for students and staff members to order and purchase school spirit attire for the 1987-1988 school term. This was avery exciting occasion my classmates and I because nothing mattered more than being able to showcase the joyous spirit for our beloved school. Mrs. Barbati, my homeroom teacher, passed out individual catalogs from which to make selections, and there were instant waves of highly motivated, but premature claims from any one student in the class as to what he or she would purchase. After she finished distributing the catalogs, Mrs. Babati enthusiastically suggested that every participate and recommended that no selections or purchases be made without the consent of a parent or guardian. Later that evening, I presented the catalog to my mother with no consideration as to her state of mind or feeling of health. She could see the energetic nature at which I appeared; yet she accepted the catalog with very little change in emotion and posture. My mother thouroughly reviewed the information, while subliminally granting a jovial tease as for me to display a sense of calmness in that she suggested that maybe such release of energy could somehow be placed towards making the purchase myself, since I had saved a few coins and dollars of my own. Suddenly, an array of dissapointment overtook me because my attempt to make a very important identity claim in the name of "good ole' schoolpride and spirit" had just been smoke screened by the person I had grown to love more than anyone or anthing in the world. Before giving up, the episode of being dissapointed was no longer a lasting feeling; desperation and temptation were prevalent and in play. My mother drifted off into the bathroom long enough for me to ramble through one of her dresser drawers where loose change and an assortment of papered monies would occasionally be present. As I opened the drawer, there was a one hundred dollar bill gleaming to my eyes and resting in crisp form. Within seconds of seeing such amount of money, I cuffed it as if it was my own; the valued teachings of "Thou Shall Not Steai" posed no sense of restaint as I walked away as if nothing had ever occurred. On the day the payments were due, I went to school with a sense of honorable guilt in that I was very much ashamed of my wrongdoing because my mother had previously raised questions bout the money after discovering that it was missing; thoughts never occurred that I had taken the money without her knowing.

Nell Movie Review

â€Å"Nell† is the drama that describes the whole life of a young girl, who was raised without any knowledge and experience of civilization. Nell has never been taught of any kind of conventional language. Her childhood was completely isolated from the outside world. As the result, the only person she could communicate with was her little twin sister. And what they used to communicate with each other was their own made-up language. After her twin sister’s death, her imagination about her twin sister has still existed. Still, that is the only one she could talk to. Something that’s really interested here is how Nell saw herself when she looked at the mirror. There are obviously two different reactions and feelings when Nell was looking at the mirror. First, at the beginning of the movie, it’s like that her reflection in the mirror was another person, who was her twin sister; a she were like playing with her sister. The other scenes are Nell used the mirror when combing her hair and dressing; this is just like what a normal person does. In this case, her looking glass self based on the perception of how other think about her. I guess, these two different reactions refer to the appearance of Jerome and Paul. In the film, after seeing Jerome and Paul, Nell started learning about varying things in the outside world. I guess, every times of learning, Nell tried to image what Jerome and Paul expected her to be or to do. Therefore, it’s like she was taking on the perspective of generalized other which is Jerome and Paul.

A Comparison of Nursing Education Essay

A career in nursing has many possibilities and depending on where one is employed there may be different educational requirements. There are many nurses in the workforce with only their associate’s degree in nursing, but as time passes it seems that the baccalaureate degree is becoming more of an expectation. This brings up the question- is there a difference in the competency of the associate-level nurse from the baccalaureate-level nurse? Studies are showing that there is a difference and patient outcomes are affected by this difference. Differences between the Associate Degree in Nursing and the Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing In order to compare the competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level, one must first compare the requirements to obtain these degrees. The Associate’s Degree in Nursing, abbreviated ADN, is a two-year degree usually earned through a community college. It requires 60 credit hours to complete and upon completion the graduate can apply for licensure through the state in which they will practice. The Bachelors of Science in Nursing, also called BSN, is a four-year degree obtained at a university. It includes the same areas of study and has the same license upon completion of the NCLEX as the ADN nurse, but delves further into nursing theory as well as pathophysiology and technical skills. Many employers require the bachelor’s degree for higher positions in nursing such as clinical managers and nurse specialists. Differences in competencies between nurses prepared at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level As explained above the bachelor’s degree in nursing requires two more years of education and a much deeper study of nursing theory and pathophysiology than the associate’s degree. The question is does this extra education and focus on nursing theory make a BSN nurse more competent than an ADN nurse. Research suggests there is a significant effect of nurse experience and a significant effect of the percentage of BSN nurses in each hospital (Kendall-Gallagher, Aiken, Sloane &Cimiotti, 2011) in regards to better patient outcomes. To understand the difference one must look at the basic nursing process and how knowledge of nursing theory and pathophysiology affects it. The basic process taught in nursing school in providing patient care is assessment, plan, intervention and evaluation. Assessment is one the first things a nursing student learns. The associate-level and bachelor-level nurse will both have learned this skill in the very first days of nursing school. Both nurses will also be competent with the last step, evaluation of the interventions. The advantage a BSN nurse will have lies in the middle two steps- plan and intervention. The plan and interventions a nurse provides is affected by their decision-making skills and this is based on their education. Plan and Intervention To determine a patient’s plan of care, one looks at the abnormal assessments and then uses their knowledge of pathophysiology to determine the plan of care. While the BSN nurse will not necessarily have more clinical hours in assessing the patient, they will have taken more classes in pathophysiology than the ADN nurse and therefore may notice a disease process more readily than the ADN nurse. This is where the interventions will occur. Interventions are determined by the nurse based on their decision-making skills. Decision-Making Skills Nursing is a field in which one is given a great amount of autonomy. Therefore much of a patient’s care is affected by a nurse’s decision-making skills. One’s ability to make decisions is affected by many things including past experiences, environment and education. The focus here is education and how the additional study for the BSN affects nurses’ decision-making skills. The BSN nurse will have studied pathophysiology and nursing theory in greater depth than the ADN nurse. This extra knowledge is then applied to the decisions a nurse makes for their patient. These decisions have a great impact on patient outcomes and recent studies have indicated that there is decreased morbidity, mortality, and failure-to-rescue rates in hospitals that employ larger percentages of baccalaureate prepared nurses (Altman, 2011). Effect of baccalaureate-degree level nurses on patient outcomes In the acute situation the BSN nurse can use their knowledge of pathophysiology in addition to their decision-making skills to decrease morbidity and mortality. Taking into account the greater picture, a more holistic approach based on the BSN nurse’s familiarity with nursing theory, will improve patient outcomes. For example let’s look at a hospital admission for a congestive heart failure exacerbation. Both the ADN and BSN nurse will assess the patient and notice classic signs like shortness of breath and edema. Both nurses will plan on diuresis and paying close attention to respiratory status. The difference will come with the holistic approach that a BSN nurse is more likely to take. The emphasis on the nursing theories that a BSN nurse has studied will allow them to look at the patient as a whole, rather than dealing with only stabilization of symptoms. The knowledge of nursing theory the BSN nurse has will allow them to delve further into why this patient admitted and what they can do to prevent a readmission. The BSN nurse asks questions as to what caused the exacerbation. It may be that the patient needs more teaching on diet and medication compliance. They will ask the patient about their home situation. It’s possible the patient is having financial burdens that have kept them from filling their prescriptions. The BSN nurse is more likely to look at the home situation. The patient may have depression with the diagnosis and need some resources for social support. In regards to King’s theory, nursing’s central goal is to help individuals maintain their health so that they can function in their roles (Creasia, 180). By helping the patient function in their role, the nurse empowers the patient to lead a healthier life. The patient is sent home educated with the resources needed to lead a healthy life and therefore reduces unnecessary hospital admissions. This in turn allows the space available for hospital admissions that are necessary and leads to a healthier community . REFERENCES Altmann, Tanya K. (2011). Registered nurses returning to school for a bachelors degree in nursing: Issues emerging from a meta-analysis of the research. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 39, (2): 256-72. Creasia, J; Friberg, E. (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice. (5th Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Kendall-Gallagher, Deborah; Aiken, Linda H.; Sloane, Douglas M.; Cimiotti, Jeannie P. (2011). Nurse Specialty Certification, Inpatient Mortality, and Failure to Rescue. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43, 188-94.

Songs of Innocence and Song of Experience Analysis

William Blake lived from 1757 – 1827 in London. He was primarily an engraver then painter until later writing his famous poems. In his childhood he was educated at home although he later attended a drawing school, Henry Pars' and was an autodidact. Blake also claimed to have visions, most notably a vision when he saw and conversed with the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel. In 1779, Blake became a student at the Royal Academy in Old Somerset House. His studies required no payment but he was expected to supply his own materials throughout the six years he would stay. He married in 1783 to Catherine Boucher, based solely on love and to this day is defined as a romantic poet. He was Associated with the Romantics because he had similar ideas that the imagination was very important. Byron, Shelly and Coleridge believed that the imagination was important – much more then rational thought. They were all against industrialisation of the countryside. The Romantics were an artistic movement which started in the 1770s through the Industrialisation of Europe continuing into the early Victorian period. They were classed here because of certain shared beliefs. The Romantics disliked the effects of the Industrial revolution. They lived during the civil war of America and the French revolution, due to the sudden questioning in the role of Monarchy and Church. William Blake produced poems, most notably the two companion poems of Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. One of his beliefs was that innocence is something good and generally saw experience as a bad thing. Evidence shows from his poems that he detested the expansion of industrialisation and very much liked the countryside as well as his deep religious attitude. Also you can read Analysis July at the Multiplex Songs of Innocence and Experience was written in 1790. The main theme Blake stressed was that a child remains innocent in his or her youth. The songs of Innocence are written in a child's point of view. They still strive strong even though there is evil around them. Blake felt as you grew older you lost that innocence as you gained more experience. The songs of Experience are written in an experienced point of view, which had realised the true evil around him or her and hated it. The first two examples are the lamb from Songs of innocence and the Tyger from songs of experience. Firstly, the lamb consists of two stanzas with five rhyming couplets. The Lamb is about innocence and Blake utilises the symbolism of a child to emphasize the theme. â€Å"He is meek & he is mild†. A lamb is a small, timid and weak animal and can portray innocence and peacefulness, properties we can associate with a child. It may also have deeper meaning, such as the Lamb of God. It was Jesus who became known as the Lamb of God because as the Jewish faith believes, sacrificing a lamb would take away your sins. The Christians saw Jesus as acting like a lamb so he could take away everyone's sins after becoming crucified, an image which shows self-sacrifice and innocence. Blake, who has a passion for religion gives praise to God for creation of a creature like the Lamb. The alliteration of â€Å"Little Lamb† gives the effect of softening the tone and adding to the imagery of innocence and possibly Blake tried to make the Lamb seem like a Nursery Rhyme, which portrays the poem being narrated by a child, therefore linking back to the theme of innocence. In the Tyger, the poem consists of six stanza's, with two rhyming couplets in each stanza. The Tyger is about experience and Blake utilises this using industrial and colour imagery like in the fourth stanza such as â€Å"what the hammer† or in the first stanza â€Å"forests of the night†. The Tyger needs experience to survive, as it needs to kill to live. Blake is questioning God â€Å"What immortal hand or eye, / could frame thy fearful symmetry† to why God would want to make animals like tigers, such as mankind. This is one of Blake's rhetorical questions throughout the poem. Read also  Case 302 July in Multiplex The â€Å"immortal hand† refers to the power of God to create. The â€Å"fearful symmetry† refers to the complexity in the tyger by the divine artistry, almost being so perfect as to be fearful to understand. Blake saw the Tyger as a very intricate animal, asking how God created it, â€Å"In what furnace was thy brain / What the anvil,†. The comparisons between the two is that the Lamb has pastoral imagery, such as language, â€Å"Vale†, â€Å"mead†, â€Å"stream†, This helps the reader picture a pastoral scene. This was the ideal life of William Blake, evidence for his want for the time before the industrial revolution. The Tyger has industrial imagery, â€Å"furnace†, â€Å"hammer†, â€Å"anvil†, to show how the Tyger is made as if it were in a factory. This imagery shows a pessimistic view of the Tyger. Blake does this because of his hate of industrialisation and saw it as an impurity to the countryside. In the penultimate stanza of the Tyger, Blake quotes Genesis, â€Å"Did he smile his work to see†. Blake is talking about the sixth day of creation when God had finally stopped and looked at his work, and saw it was good and rested on the seventh day. But then Blake adds â€Å"Did he who made the Lamb make thee! † Blake gives this rhetorical question to state whether the same God made the â€Å"little lamb† also made the â€Å"Tyger†. Here Blake questions the omniscience of God. If God is kind and all knowing shouldn't he have known evil and suffering would exist due to the creation of creatures like the Tyger. In general, Blake examines two separate animals, the Lamb and the Tyger which express his feelings on ideas about creation and the creator. Blake appreciates an innocent creature like the Lamb and is awe-struck by the complexity of the Tyger but is asking why God would make a Tyger with properties like having to kill in order to survive. Blake sees innocence as something good because as age your experience in the world increases. People see the sinister side of the world; therefore Blake would have seen ignorance as bliss. The next poems I will be analysing are The Chimney sweeper from Songs of innocence and The Chimney sweeper from Songs of Experience. The Songs of innocence version was written in 1789. Blake saw around him the child cruelty and shows this through his poem. â€Å"When my mother died I was very young,† from the first stanza immediately shows Blake's choice to make the poem in a child's perspective thus increasing the empathy, which he has tried to do repeatedly â€Å"in soot I sleep† to show the reader the bad life of poor children. Yet they continue to strive as best they can and treat each other well compared to the adults. â€Å"soot cannot spoil your white hair†, from the second stanza is about another child trying to comfort another child. In the penultimate line in the First stanza, â€Å"Could scarcely cry † ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep! † † is the child's attempt to say â€Å"sweep! , sweep! â€Å", which was the common street cry of chimney sweepers. It shows the child is very young and cannot even talk properly, adding to his innocence. Also this poem shows that the children have a very optimistic attitude on life, they try to make the greatest of what they have and do not fear death. This can be shown through a religious theme. When â€Å"the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy, He'd have God for his father & never want joy†. Here Blake is showing that the children will live happily for eternity if they followed God's rules. Blake therefore believes the innocence of the children is what keeps them believing they'll have a better life after this wretched one because their innocent minds were easy to manipulate with the guarantee of an afterlife. The Chimney Sweeper from Songs of experience was written in 1794. The Chimney sweeper show evidence of his former innocence and is the same chimney sweeper from songs of innocence but matured and grown to realise the real world around him. Now, the Chimney sweeper blames his parents for the life he was put in, the first stanza say's, â€Å"Where are thy father & mother†. He is miserable in his position â€Å"notes of woe† and also blames â€Å"God & his Priest & King†. Blake purposefully made this child's perspective different from the companion poem to show the chimney sweeper has been influenced by society and therefore has an experienced point of view. Through the child's experience, Blake has portrayed the child detesting religion. In the first stanza the child speaks out for his parents, but he knows â€Å"They are both gone up to the church to pray. The child is angry that the people who follow God are the same people who â€Å"taught me to sing the notes of woe. † The child is bitter towards his life and believes he has been done wrong by the adults and believes they find joy in their misery â€Å"Who make up a heaven of our misery†. Blake has done this because of the controversy around the role of the church and monarchy and is an indication of someone who is experienced to question the role of church and monarchy. The Comparisons between the two is that they both contain metaphors prophesizing a most likely death. The Songs of innocence also has dark colour imagery inside the metaphor, â€Å"Were all of them lock'd up in coffins of black. † The â€Å"black† being themselves covered in soot and â€Å"lock'd† inside the chimneys, as was a lot of boys misfortunes. The Songs of experience shows the child knowing what his parents have done to him and is aware of a possible death. â€Å"They clothed me in the clothes of death†. The metaphor also shows that he was â€Å"clothed† from the real world during his younger years of innocence, meaning he felt he was living a lie. Further colour imagery is used in the songs of innocence such as, â€Å"cannot spoil your white hair†, white symbolising something pure as well as in the fourth stanza when the children â€Å"naked and white†, go and â€Å"wash in a river, and shine in the sun†. Here Blake uses pastoral imagery to make the countryside seem like a heaven and uses more themes of religion linking â€Å"naked and white† to Adam and Eve, where they â€Å"wash in a river, and shine in the sun†, this being the Garden of Eden. Blake is using the innocence and naivety of Adam of Eve to link this with the Children. The colour imagery in the chimney sweeper from Songs of experience relates to darkness in a â€Å"black thing among the snow. † This meaning the soot covered child is an oddity among everyone else. Blake stresses that he is all alone among the world and tries to win the readers sympathy. Using the word â€Å"snow†, Blake has used the snows property of being cold to portray society's ill attitude to life. In general, Blake has tried to expose the churches twists of their religion to benefit themselves. Blake has used the chimney sweepers as evidence of this. They were taught that if they do their â€Å"duty they not fear harm. † And as the innocent children they believed blindly until gradual experience revealed that is was the church that â€Å"taught me to sing the notes of woe. † Most children were brought into chimney sweeping when they reached 5 and continued that life until their size grew too big to fit inside. Many died from becoming trapped, getting tuberculosis, asthma and testicular cancer. William Blake lived in London his whole life and wrote the poem London for Songs of experience. London was written in 1794, in the aftermath of the French Revolution. This was a time of great political conflict in Britain. It exposes the distance in classes between those in power and the poor. In the second stanza, â€Å"mind-forg'd manacles†, this metaphor contains a deeper meaning then at first glance. The â€Å"mind-forged† relates back to the tyger's meaning of being created as if it were a machine. â€Å"manacles† are chains to the arms, which is being used to say London was a like a prison. The powerful minority had imposed their laws and removed freedom of the majority. We see this as how the powerful people were granted charters to control the streets of London and the river. Blake is obviously displeased that the streets are â€Å"chartered† but more obviously for the â€Å"Chartered Thames†, which shouldn't be controlled by laws. This is evidence for his views on the removal of freedom. Blake writes the â€Å"weakness† and the â€Å"woe† has appeared â€Å"in every face† to show the misery to try and make the audience feel sympathy for the poor. The repetition of â€Å"marks† and â€Å"every† reveals the extreme anxiety which â€Å"marks† of misery show up in â€Å"every Man† and â€Å"every Infants† faces which inform us that the Londoners are weakened in mind, body and spirit by the imposing of laws and â€Å"chartered streets†. Blake has utilised this to increase the audience's sympathy. Another main point with deeper meaning is in the third stanza, where Blake utilises imagery of religion and destruction as a paradox. He is implying the fall of religion such as the religious imagery of the â€Å"black'ning church† which represents the loss of innocence and the society's desertion of faith. The â€Å"chimney-sweeper's cry† symbolises trying to clean the soot that covers society and clean what causes their misery. But the â€Å"black'ning church† can also be blackened metaphorically with the shame of not helping the poor with the use of their power. There is also a pun as â€Å"appals† means to become pale, as with fear, but the churches are becoming metaphorically black, with soot. Still in the third stanza, the â€Å"hapless soldiers sigh† is about the aftermath of the French revolution when soldiers were drafted into war, unwilling or willing. Blake uses the imagery of destruction â€Å"Runs in blood down palace walls† to explain why the society is forced to mend their â€Å"weakness† and â€Å"woe† so an uprising will not occur in London. The last stanza reveals Blake's feelings that the next generation will be affected by his generation, â€Å"youthful harlot's curse† symbolises the youth's bad deeds will cause the â€Å"newborn infant's tear† which means the new generation will have to deal with the previous generations problems. This shows how old generations make mistakes for the new such as the current generation creating global warming, which the next generation must deal with. The language in the final stanza such as â€Å"plagues† also symbolises the â€Å"curse†. The â€Å"marriage hearse† symbolises eternity with death, an oxymoron. This makes the effect of showing life is not without death, in every life there is a final misery, death. William Blake wrote Holy Thursday in songs of innocence in 1789. Holy Thursday describes the church's festival to commemorate the ascension of Jesus which takes place thirty-nine days after Easter. On the Thursday, children from the charity schools across London went on a march to attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral. Beadles were lower ranking church members who kept the order of the children as they arrived. The Songs of innocence version of Holy Thursday consists of three quatrains each with two rhyming couplets. The first stanza brings the life to the poem with use of colour imagery â€Å"red, blue and green† to emphasize the children's delight. Blake uses â€Å"innocent faces clean† to once again stress how simple and innocent children are. They are â€Å"clean† because they have not yet acquired experience, which Blake saw experience as something bad. The Beadles are â€Å"Grey headed†, revealing them as possibly old aged. Blake also describes them as â€Å"wise guardians† perhaps because of the knowledge they have acquired till their old age. This is peculiar because the main attitude of Blake was that experience was something bad. It may be that Blake writes this because he is pleased that the children are brought up with a good religious attitude by the church. In the last stanza the children sing above the â€Å"aged men†, more evidence of the beadle's old age and a way to show their experience. Blake may have done this because he believed the Beadles were not â€Å"wise† or bothered to be â€Å"guardians† of the children because they cared not for them, another link to show experience as something bad. In the last line of the last stanza, â€Å"Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door† is a reference to Hebrews 13:2, â€Å"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. † This is God telling people to be good to our fellow man as you don't know who they are. This portrays the children as angelic to the reader. Also the sentences of the poem lengthen across the page. This can represent the long marching line of the children towards the church. The Songs of experience version was written in 1794. It is about the same event from the Songs of innocence but the manner is more disheartening. The poem consists of four quatrains and Blake has removed the effect of lengthening the sentences. Pastoral imagery is evident that the children are in a â€Å"rich and fruitful land†. Blake has done this because of the beauty of the actual church itself but he then stresses they are still â€Å"reduced to misery†. This is a reflection to the sour attitude of life expressed in the poem London. Blake is furthermore disapproved of the powerful taking advantage of the poor. Blake furthermore criticises the integrity of the church by writing that the children are â€Å"Fed with cold and usurous hand. † This means that the church has no concern of the children as is only interested in continuing the ceremony so it will benefit the church as â€Å"usurous† meant to lend money for a profit. Blake has also written deeper parts including â€Å"And their ways are fill'd with thorns†, from the third stanza. Blake has used religious imagery to suggest the children's lives will be full of adversity just as Jesus did. The â€Å"thorns† give a reminder to Jesus being flogged along with the crown of thorns. This was the hardship Jesus endured but after being crucified he ascended straight to heaven. Blake is saying the children will endure hardship like this but when the die they will go straight to heaven. Comparisons between the two are that in the last line of the third stanza of the Songs of Experience version, â€Å"It is eternal winter there,† describes how the children see the ceremony from the experienced point of view. This is different from Holy Thursdays of the Songs of innocence. The last stanza of the Songs of Experience version links to the â€Å"winter† by saying that when the sun shines and the rain doesn't fall, there â€Å"can never hunger there† and â€Å"Nor poverty†. But in winter the sun does not shine and rain does fall, so therefore Blake is saying there is hunger and there is poverty. The Songs of innocence version portrays the children as â€Å"flowers of London town†, this gives a good mood of the imagery for the children. But The Songs of Experience version opposes this mood as â€Å"their fields are bleak & bare† which both quotes touch on pastoral imagery. The experience of the children has lead them to become miserable as the adults and are â€Å"bleak and bare† physically and mentally. In general, Holy Thursday is meant to be a joyous occasion as Blake writes about the children in Songs of innocence but the exploitation by the powerful minority has demoralised the poor majority and this foul mood on such an occasion is shown in Holy Thursday from Songs of Experience. William Blake died in 1827. Blake wrote Songs of Innocence and Experience to show the world the bad deeds that society had created, expanding on matters he felt important like religion and morality, child labour and cruelty. It is true that Songs of Innocence and Songs of experience are very complex and Blake has done a good job of helping the reader understand the complexity by using his powerful use of imagery and language and William Blake has definitely expressed his beliefs well though his poems.