Operations Management at Bajaj

Markets Motorcycles: Overall Two-wheeler sales of Indian players is dominated by the domestic market and, within it, by motorcycles. After growing at a sharp clip from the late 1990s, motorcycle sales witnessed a 7. 8% drop in volume in 2007-08, due to falling domestic demand as a result of rising interest rates and many private sector banks reducing their retail lending exposures. 2008-09 saw a modest increase in motorcycle sales of 4%, driven largely by growth in cash sales. Even so, sales of motorcycles (both domestic and exports) in 2008-09 has been lower than what it was in 2006-07, before the slowdown hit this sector. ABOUT BAJAJ:- The group comprises of 34 companies and was founded in the year 1926. The group's flagship company, Bajaj Auto, is ranked as the world's fourth largest two- and three- wheeler manufacturer and the Bajaj brand is well-known across several countries in Latin America, Africa, Middle East, South and South East Asia. Founded in 1926, at the height of India's movement for independence from the British, the group has an illustrious history. The integrity, dedication, resourcefulness and determination to succeed which are characteristic of the group today, are often traced back to its birth during those days of relentless devotion to a common cause. Motorcycles : Domestic Sales for Bajaj Auto The company classifies motorcycles into three segments, based on consumer categories and approximate price points. These are: a) Entry segment. These are typically 100 cc motorcycles at a price point in the neighbourhood of Rs. 35,000. Bajaj AutoDespite the slight uptick in the industry’s sales volume, Bajaj Auto did not maintain volume growth, for reasons that will be discussed below. From 1. 66 million motorcycles in 2007-08, the company’s domestic sales fell by 23% to 1. 28 million units in 2008-09. Some of this was compensated by a 31% increase in exports to 631,383 units. But it was not enough. Consequently, Bajaj Auto’s market share(domestic and exports, combined) fell from 32. 7% in 2007-08 to 28% in 2008-09. b) Executive segment. This largely comprises 100 cc to 135 cc motorcycles, priced between Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000. We arein this segment with two brands: XCD and Discover. c) Performance segment. These are sleek, high performance, with price points in excess of Rs. 50,000. We are present here with our flagship brand, the Pulsar, and our cruiser, the Avenger. We dominate this space, with a domestic market share in excess of 47%. Using the three-fold classification described above, Chart plots Bajaj Auto’s domestic sales of motorcycles over 2008-09. [pic] Products Avenger Avenger 200 DTS-i Pulsar Pulsar 135 DTS-i Pulsar 220 DTS-i Pulsar 180 DTS-i Pulsar 150 DTS-i Discover Discover 135 DTS-i Discover DTS-i Platina Platina 125 Platina 100 cc NINJA Ninja 250 R Operations Plants Bajaj Auto’s vehicle manufacturing capacity stands at 3. 96 million units — comprising 3. 6 million two-wheelers and 360,000 three-wheelers. The newest plant at Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) has a capacity to produce 900,000 two-wheelers. Table gives the capacity data. [pic] Pantnagar Bajaj Auto’s production at its state-of-the-art Pantnagar plant (Uttarakhand) has been on the rise. In 2007-08, the plant produced 276,925 motorcycles. This increased by 15% to 318,321 vehicles in 2008-09. By end-2008-09, Pantnagar was producing some 40,000 motorcycles per month. To maximise the tax benefits available at Uttarakhand, the company is shifting some of its more profitable products to the Pantnagar plant. After the shift of these products, the plant is expected to produce around 60,000 vehicles by the third quarter of 2009-10. Table gives the data on which products are manufactured in what plant. pic] MAJOR SUPPIERS |SUPPLIERS |PARTS | |USHA |PISTONS,RINGS | |ROLON |CHAIN,CHAIN SPROCKET | |ENDURANCE |FORKS,SHOCKERS,RIMS,ALLOY-WHEELS | |PRICOL |METER CONSOLE |MINDA |LOCKS ,HORNS,SWITCHES | |LUMAX |LAMPS | |SUNDARAM |FASTENERS | |KBX |DISK BRAKE PADS | |BOSCH |SPARK PLUGS | |EXIDE |BATTERIES | |MRF |TYRES | Supply Chain Bajaj Auto’s supply chai n encompasses the process from vendors to the final customers via manufacturing. Therefore, the Company’s supply chain involves as much the vendors and the procurement-to-payment logistics, as it does the manufacturing to selling process, or the order to cash system. Given below are some of the key supply chain initiatives of Bajaj Auto. Vendors Most of the Company’s vendor initiatives, including the Pantnagar operations and TPM have been discussed earlier. What needs to be emphasised is that the 16 vendors clustered within the campus of Bajaj Auto’s Pantnagar plant were a part of a planned process of project development – where the vendors were fully integrated with the plant, starting with basic raw materials, automated paint, plating and powder coating plants. This has ensured that the maximum possible value addition is done within Uttarakhand, so as to maximise the tax advantage and make Bajaj Auto’s motorcycles even more cost competitive. Initial facilities created by vendors at Pantnagar at an aggregate investment of Rs. 5 billion (Rs. 500 crore) are for half million motorcycles per year, which will be increased with balancing investments to roduce one million motorcycles per year to synchronise with the Company’s plans. Dealers Bajaj Auto has adopted a channel policy approach which is unique in the automobile industry. This policy and its linked initiatives are guided by the requirements of specific se ts of the Company’s final customers. 1. The Primary Channel : This comprises 408 exclusive two-wheeler dealers, 75 exclusive three-wheeler dealers, and 98 dealers who deal in both product categories. Bajaj Auto has followed a policy of systematic network consolidation, in which the primary dealerships have been given a larger scale and scope to operate based on their strengths. 2. The Secondary Channel : Much of Bajaj Auto’s recent success can be attributed to policy of rapidly adding to the number of secondary outlets, which provide sales, service and spares support in the vast hinterland of India. These are in the form of 1,500 Authorised Service Centres (ASC), 4,500 Rural Service Outlets (RSO), and 750 Young Engineer Service (YES) centres in the towns and cities. 3. The Rural India Foray : The Company has been aggressively pursuing initiatives to increase two-wheeler penetration in rural India. A large number of rural outlets were added to the network during the year, which not only increased hinterland sales but also gave additional employment in the rural sector. 4. Pro-biking : This initiative sits far away from the rural India play but is no less important. Bajaj Auto believes that young India doesn’t pay to buy motorcycles; it pays to buy excitement and exhilaration. The Pro-biking initiative, which was kicked off with the inauguration of first store in Pune in August 2005, aims precisely at creating this thrill. Owned and operated by Bajaj Auto, Pro-biking showrooms are now operational in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. ———————– AUTOMOBILE – BAJAJ Assignment on Operations Management Prasad T. P. FN-105 Mahesh R. FK-1895 Jijo Lukose FN-77 Deepu P. FK-1905 Abinash Nanda FK-2010 Anoop B. FK-2005 Manu Korah Mathew Athul Raj Vyshakh P. R. FK-1919 Balaji Vinay Singh FK-1883 PRasad

Mikhalkov’s Burnt by the Sun Essay

In the tradition of passions plays of a century ago that illustrated the age-old inequalities of unchallenged intrinsic power wielded by a single entity. This is the story of absolute authority and how well earned past loyalties have elapsed and betrayed by fear and replaced with paranoia.   Burnt by the Sun, a 1994 film by Russian director and actor Nikita Mikhalkov, the long film even with a tendency to meander,   carries the distinction of being the first noteworthy anti-Stalin film produce in post-Communist Russia. While the subject of matter of post revolution in Russia is not a new platform for addressing the thesis of Stalin’s dictatorial regime, what is interesting and original is the ability and opportunity for Mikhalkov to openly criticize the past without apparent fear of reprisal. The antagonistic and customary undiscriminating maltreatment launched at the history of the Soviet era has served to strengthen the political movement in late 19th-century Russia that sought to bring about a just new society by destroying the existing one through acts of terrorism and assassination. The obvious resentment of modern Russian film-makers toward the concept of socialism has not prevented them from producing a considerable number of films about Russia’s past during the past decade. For the most part, the directors of these films have sought to outdo one another in depicting the agonies of Soviet history. The tale of the films begins in 1936 Russia, slightly less than two decades following the Communist Revolution.   This point in time is seated in the midst of General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union’s Central Committee Joseph Stalin’s era murderous dictatorship.   The main characters; a well heeled and socially content Colonel Sergueiv Kotov, a military hero of the Bolshevik revolution,   his young beautiful wife Maroussia and their six-year old daughter Nadia are established in peaceful yet sheltered existence from the rest of post revolutionary Russia.   Their surroundings are idyllic and rustic, all expected from yearly sabbatical. However, the untroubled setting is soon disrupted by the untimely entrance of Dimitri; an old love of Kotov’s wife Maroussia, a young entertainer of a man, grew up with Kotov’s wife’s family.   Ironically, 10 years ago, Dimitri served under Kotov and hence was ordered away on duty.   The motives of such decision was suspect to say the least, but now Dimitri, of unknown means and purpose, has returned with a tacit mission.   Even while pleasantries were exchanged, adolescent amusements offer and lover’s memories revisited, Dimitri had assumed the task of arresting Kotov for espionage under order from Stalin.   Rather paradoxical since Kotov was openly very patriotic, dedicated to the State of the Soviet Union to the extent of carrying a photograph with him of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. The tale ends as it presents Kotov slowly and tactfully being removed from his relaxed and filled with humor semi-retirement. Obviously, this story being about Stalinist Russia, the closing stages will not reach a cheerful finish. The film has effectively taught us just how brutal those murderous years were and the insanity on which it was all based. The audience is presented with the beauty of happy, content lives crushed by the demands of Joseph Stalin.   Directly, in the conclusion, we are shown Kotov, a heroic courageous, dedicated and loyal soldier of Russia who, having devoted a lifetime to serving his motherland, is ultimately destroyed by a fellow soldier. Despite Kotov’s threats to contact Stalin directly, witnesses are shot, he is badly beaten and eventually executed.   Whether a deeper plot envisioned by Stalin existed or not, the plan took the lives two loyalist, from grief, Dimitri commits suicide. Unlike most depictions of this time period that display the horrors in surfeit, Burnt by the Sun has clearly focused on presenting a genuine sharp critique of Stalinism.   Much of the command of this film is due to the restrained manner in which Mikhalkov integrates a forbidding significance into the script.   His clear offering of allowing all the humanity of the characters develop first, in complete humor and visual beauty, before letting them fall prey to their fate. Symbolism plays a key part in Burnt by the Sun. Some of it, while images are subtle and obscure, imagery is left up to the viewer to determine how literally to take several instances of magic realism. Mikhalkov ensure that his central thesis is so strong and conveyed in such a manner that it’s impossible to overlook or be misunderstood for another point. Director Nikita Mikhalkov is candid about the definitive meaning of his film by dedicating it to â€Å"everyone who was burnt by the sun of the Revolution.† (Bulavka, 1997, p139) This movie is very much an attack on the policies and paranoia of Stalin. The chilling final scenes emphasize the theme as we come to realize just how far-reaching the dictator’s grasp was, and how insecure even the most loyal patriots were. One result, however it was intended, has been that both Russian audiences and the film-makers communities have tended to grow weary of the traditional national cinema preoccupation with its themes and obsessions. All the reason more Burnt by the Sun., was met with an enthusiastic reception not only in Russia but also in the West, (eventually receiving an Oscar.) Burnt by the Sun uses the medium of film to pose social questions and explore social relationships with some attempts to combine opposing segments of radically different style and presentation. In many ways, Burnt by the Sun is presented by Mikhalkov as an intense pathos that rivals any cinematic present day effort. The film presents a challenge to the main trends in post-Soviet Russian cinema. Traditionally, film-making in Russia is dominated by the realism in the democratic classification therefore advancing tired themes.   Clearly, the Russian audiences have suffered for a realistic candid character that deals with the important dilemma of the moral duality of man.   If not with the times in which he is currently living but all times that follow. However, the only criticism of the production is the over-emphasized methodical process of reaching the main point of the story. The overall finale primarily impacts the audience due to the beginning of the film is subdued, therefore setting up a climatic end. The crux is essential yet distant for it takes an extremely long time for it to be enjoyed by the audience.

Remembering the Alamo Essay

This article is of course about the Alamo. It gives a very brief history of the battle at the Alamo and the characters that participated there. It momentarily mentions that there are now facts and history of the Alamo being disputed among many historians today. This article also makes comments concerning the great influence The Alamo has had in today’s culture, referring to the many productions based off this historic happening. Each time I remember the Alamo inspiration fills my chest. I love to remember the great heroes that fought so brave and valiantly in the face of the opposition; a cruel dictator (Santa Anna) and the oppression he could inflict. Many of the people that inhabited 2nd Chance Texas migrated there for primarily one reason and one reason only†¦ a second chance. Most of them, having endured hard lives and relocating to a new country, terrain and lifestyle were not about to give up their God-given rights to a Mexican dictator. While many had the chance and opportunity to get the heck out of Dodge, they chose to stay and defend what was rightfully theirs and so they did. These brave men, led by Travis, Bowie and Crockett, took a stand at the Alamo that will be remembered forever. They gave their lives not for greatness, though they earned that and more in the end, they gave their lives for what they lived for and that was to be free. We shouldn’t argue or dispute over the noble and honorable history of these great men, doing so we taint there story with our ignorance. Not all of these men may have lived great, but all of them died great in the sight of ALL AMERICANS. REMEMBER THE ALAMO.

Historical development of the Role of Human Resource Management Essay

Historical development of the Role of Human Resource Management - Essay Example Human resource management is in charge of compelling the recruited employees to be committed to their work. It evaluates the performance of the employees and it advocates for the best human assets integration to ensure the maximum efficiency in an organization. Human resource management transforms the personnel in an organization into human resources, placing emphasis on their efficiency (Heathfield, 2012). Human resource management is the function in an organization that deals with all the relations of the human assets that enhance their wellbeing in the working area. It focuses on the recruitment and evaluation of the human assets. It does a follow-up on the performance of the employees and it ensures that the relations between the human assets provide an atmosphere that motivates them. It is a strategic management plan that looks into people’s issues and solves them through the integration of various organizational policies. Human resource management is a vital function for any company looking to enhance its performance in the production of quality goods and services. HRM adds value to the organization through analyzing the performance of the employees when subjected to various programs (Marler, 2012). HRM enables the employees to contribute their ideas, which are addressed individually for the sole purpose of ensuring that all the employees in the organization achieve their highest level of efficiency. HRM is in charge of driving the employees towards achieving the common goals in the organization. HRM is a positive response to the fact that the human assets in an organization are the most important assets. Historical background of Human Resource Management Human resource management has been in existence for a very long time and it has evolved from a simple to a very complex and strategic function. The principles of human resource management were set in use since the prehistoric days when the people would use certain values to select their leaders. A fter the successful selection of a leader in the social or political scene, the leader would then pass on the knowledge he gathered to his successor and so forth. This was a form of human training. The leaders had to have outstanding knowledge in certain areas, and the heirs would be trained before they took power. This was the most basic form of human resource management, which was aimed at ensuring that the leaders were efficient and committed to their work before they could be allowed to rule (Khilawala, 2012). Historical records indicate that the first people to screen their employees were the Chinese and the Greeks. This was done by a separate function in the early organizations – the most qualified people who have obtained jobs would be constantly evaluated and provided with training for their work. Human resource management has been given several names during its evolution. It was first recognized under the name â€Å"personnel management†. Personnel management gained popularity in the late years of the 19th century. During this period, the organizations would organize welfare officers’ teams whose main responsibility was to address the requirements of laborers. The welfare officers were solely females. Later on, in the early 20th century, the task of the welfare officers became too demanding, and organizations developed a new function named

1. the cold war 2.the most important events in American history of the Essay

1. the cold war 2.the most important events in American history of the last 33 years - Essay Example The first personality was the 35 president of the United State. President John F Kennedy was integral during the cold war. A year after his election, Kennedy took part in a failed attempt to repatriate the Bay of pigs. A year later, he was involved in diplomatic and ideological war against the Russian president. This was after the Russian planned in erecting nuclear weapons in Cuba. This culminated into the Cuban Missile crisis. His action highlighted the differences between the United States and the soviet onion. In an effort to ensure political superiority, countries engaged in political ideologies and propaganda to ensure their ideologies were influential worldwide. The president was actively involved in the German politics in an effort to influence the European nation to shun away from communism and embrace the American ideologies. In 1963, the president managed to foster a deal that saw the United States and the Soviet Union sign a treaty that gave direction on nuclear testing ( Dallek, 2003). The second personality was Allen Dulles. He was the orchestrated of most of American plan in controlling the spread of communism around the world. He played key roles in the Bay of Pig operation, which saw the trained CIA fail to capture the island. He also shaped the international relation in the United States by playing part in collecting intelligence and planning for operations aimed at spreading the American ideologies and preventing communism form spreading. He also led the 1954 Iran operation that was aimed at overthrowing the elected president (Grose, 1996). As a CIA boss, he managed to collect intelligence and planned offense and counter offenses against the communist nation. He controlled the nature in which America approached foreign policies. The Iran and Cuban operations was aimed at controlling the Soviet Union ideologies. Allen Dulles was actively involved in cold war (Grose, 1996). The final

Counter-Point Written Response to Reading Essay

Counter-Point Written Response to Reading - Essay Example To avoid going to court and risk getting being convicted and suffer its dire consequence, pretrial arrangements are usually resorted to as a damage control measure of corporations who are subjected to a criminal charge. The most common measures employed to control the collateral consequence of litigation comes in the form of pretrial agreements. Types of Pretrial Agreements a. Plea agreements Plea agreement is the most common form of pretrial agreement whereby a corporation pleads guilty to the most provable charge in the indictment. It requires an admission of guilt as a mitigating factor and in exchange for a lesser punishment including the avoidance of a jail term. The following memoranda sets the guidelines of a plea agreement between government prosecutor and the corporation investigated of a corporate crime. The Thompson Memo The Thompson Memo guidelines, Plea Agreement with Corporations set the limit of a prosecutor’s ability to bargain. Per Thomson memorandum, prosecut ors should only bargain to the most serious cases which is also known as â€Å"top count† policy. This memorandum requires the accused corporation to plead guilty on the charge and its provisions ensure â€Å"punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, and compliance with the agreement. The deterrence mechanism of this policy comes in the hefty fines, mandatory restitution and compliance measures. The McNulty Memo The McNulty memo was drafted by Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty as Guidelines for Prosecuting Corporate Fraud. This new memo removed few of the restrictions in the Thompson Memo to ensure the complete and fruitful corporate cooperation. The provision that were removed from the previous memo includes; â€Å"that the corporation waive attorney-client and work product protection, make employees and agents available for debriefing, disclose the results of internal investigation, file appropriate certified financial statements, agree to governmental or third-party aud its, and take whatever other steps are necessary to ensure that the full scope of the corporate wrongdoing is disclosed and that the responsible culprits are identified and prosecuted†. Filip Memo The Filip Memorandum is a revision of McNulty Memo and was updated on August 28, 2008. This process of revisions of the policy culminated in the incorporation in the final policy form into the United States Attorney’s Manual (USAM). This memo requires the prosecutors to ask permission from DOJ before requesting waivers of attorney-client privilege and work product protections during criminal investigations. In summary, Filip Memo; Prohibits prosecutors from asking protected materials from charged corporations. Not to treat refusal of such request as non-cooperation Prohibits prosecutors from including the disciplinary action of corporations in their evaluation of cooperation; and Refusal to cooperate in the part of corporation is not an admission of guilt b. Deferred prosecuti on agreements (DPA) The usage of deferred prosecution agreement as a resolution to a corporate criminal investigation is rare. It is an alternative disposition towards a corporate criminal case whereby government files the charge against the corporation in a court and agrees to â€Å"defer† the prosecution of the case and to dismiss the charge if the corporation pays the fines and rehabilitate itself. c. Nonprosecution agreem

Circuit Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Circuit Theory - Essay Example The paper "Circuit Theory" shows and describes some figures with the two-way crossover's work. At frequencies way above the pass band, the rate of increase in attenuation is 12dB/octave at a 90 degrees phase shift which goes to 180 degrees at very high frequencies. The rate of the attenuation here depends on the filter order, which in turn is determined by the number of reactive components in the ladder. For instance in our case here there are two reactive components, hence the filter order is two and its rate of attenuation is given by nx6dB/octave = 12dB/octave since n=2. Its response at different values of n is as shown below. A two-way crossover has a combination of a high pass and a low pass filter which could be used to drive a tweeter and a loudspeaker at the same time. These two could be fed from the same model of an amplifier if and only if it can accommodate the frequency ranges of both of them. However this is a wide range hence it’s impossible to come up with such an amplifier, hence the two-way crossover is used. With the low pass filter designed as explained earlier its high pass counterpart can be derived from it following the simple fact that their frequency response is reciprocal of one another. This means that attenuation of a low pass filter at say a frequency of w=2 is the same as the equivalent high pass at w=0.5. Deriving from this the high pass filter components are the reciprocal of the normalised low-pass filter, such that where there are capacitors in the low pass model they are replaced by inductors in the high pass model.

Customer Information Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Customer Information Management - Essay Example Companies particularly doing e-business achieve decisive competitive advantages by knowing their customers' wishes in detail, guaranteeing them customized service, and establishing long-term relationships with them. By delivering 24/7 personalized access to customer service via the Internet, a call centre, or face to face, they can get the most from their company's existing customers, and develop an ongoing stream of satisfied customers in the future []. Customer information management covers methods and technologies used by companies to manage their relationships with clients. Information stored on existing customers (and potential customers) is analyzed and used to this end [1]. Automated information management processes are often used to generate automatic personalized marketing based on the customer information stored in the system. In its broadest sense, customer information management covers all interaction and business with customers. A good CIM program allows a business to acquire customers, provide customer services and retain valued customers. CIM applications often track customer interests and requirements, as well as their buying habits. This information can be used to target customers selectively. ... Providing a mechanism for correcting service deficiencies Storing customer interests in order to target customers selectively Providing mechanisms for managing and scheduling maintenance, repair, and on-going support CIM applications often track customer interests and requirements, as well as their buying habits. This information can be used to target customers selectively. Furthermore, the products a customer have purchased can be tracked throughout the product's life cycle, allowing customers to receive information concerning a product or to target customers with information on alternative products once a product begins to be phased out [2]. Repeat purchases rely on customer satisfaction, which in turn comes from a deeper understanding of each customer and their individual needs. Customer Information management is an alternative to the "one size fits all" approach. In industrial markets, the technology can be used to coordinate the conflicting and changing purchase criteria of the sector. The data gathered as part of Customer Information management raises concerns over customer privacy and enables coercive sales techniques (Goodhue, 2002). However, Customer Information management does not necessarily involve gathering new data, but also includes making better use of customer information gathered as a result of routine customer interaction. The privacy debate generally focuses on the customer information stored in the centralised database itself, and fears over a company's handling of this information, especially regarding third parties [3]. Profit from the numerous advantages of an innovative solution for customer relationship management [3]: Reduce your costs by transferring functions in a targeted manner from company to customer, simplifying

18th Century of Enlightenment & Revolution Essay

18th Century of Enlightenment & Revolution - Essay Example According to Hobbes’ view, the governments should have limited powers and should protect the natural rights of the citizens. According to his social contract, citizens should reject monarchies and should overthrow the governments that fail in protecting the civil liberties and natural rights. Voltaire writings allowed the Americans to see injustices such as slavery and religious prejudice. The writings also defended the freedom of expression and speech1. Enlightenment helped the African Americans to challenge the old methods of thinking and challenged the divine authority of the slave owners. Thomas Paine writings stressed that American colonist should be independent from British oppression since there was a need to end the ancient tyranny. The 1764 Sugar Act which increased duties on sugar imports from West Indies was unjust for Americans while the 1765 Stamp Act was unjustified on the marriage licenses and newspapers since Americans had no representation in Parliament. Enlig htenment led to the enactment of the American constitution in July 4th 1776, the declaration of independence reflected the original ideas of enlightenment since people should have the right to overthrown dictatorial governments that fail in protecting natural rights of the citizens. ... States like South Carolina and Delaware had temporarily stopped slavery after the Declaration of Independence while Massachusetts gradually made provisions for the abolition3. Constitution Convention of 1787 made provisions of abolition until 1808 but only few States ratified the provision. In 1794, the Congress prohibited the American citizens from supplying slaves to foreigners4. In 1800, Gabriel Prosser who was an enslaved African American, organized slave revolts with the intention of civil marches in Virginia but the conspiracy was unsuccessful. The African Colonization Society that was founded in 1816, facilitated in sending back slaves to Africa5. African Americans like Fredrick Douglass and William Wells Brown provided accounts of the difficulties that slaves were undergoing in the Southern States and started organizing other Blacks to support Underground Railway. The Underground Railway project would transport slaves to the Northern Slave Free States through secrecy thus ten sions between the North and South ensured leading to fueling of the abolitionist movements. Several African Americans started organizing slave strikes in South Carolina in 1822 where Denmark Vesey, an enslaved African American carpenter together with thirty four other slaves was hanged for engaging in a conspiracy siege Charleston6. In 1831, Nat Turner who was African American preacher led a deadly rebellion in Southampton County of Virginia where several Slaves and White Americans lost their lives after a militia quelled the rebellion. Dred Scott sued for his freedom in Missouri in the Supreme Court in 1857 but the Courts ruled own that the Federal government had no authority to end slavery. John Brown recruited slaves that raided Harpers

Chicken run Essay Example for Free

Chicken run Essay Executive summary: 1998, Excel Poultry Meat Sdn Bhd (EPM) was a SME located in Kluang, Johor, operating business of chicken farming and supplying chicken throughout Malaysia. This subsidiary of PCK holding since 2005 was managed by Encik Selamat, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). It became one of top 5 chicken suppliers within mid-tier producers in the country due to increasing demand in year 2000 from superstores and fast-food chains, high chicken consumption by Malaysian, and expansion of chicken industry. However, in 2008, cost of poultry production increased. EPM operating cash was low and severe, that it â€Å"had puzzled Encik Selamat† (p. 4). Other problems were also identified. Decision Maker: Credit Controller Ms Choy is the decision maker as she has the responsibility to make the right decision regarding unethical conduct of Encik Selamat, she can convince Board of Directors about En. Selamat. If she failed to convince BOD to take action, she can then reveal the issue to the auditor, besides mentioning to the auditor the lack of segregation of duty in the business operation. She can execute and monitor implementation and performance of employees under her responsibility and convince her friend, Puan Azura to do the same. What should Ms. Choy do? Analysis: 1) SWOT analysis S – STRENGTHS | W – WEAKNESSES | * One of top 5 chicken suppliers * Continuing profitability and growth * Good promotional strategy * Qualified accountant (Encik Kasim) * Reliable Credit Controller (Ms Choy) * Encik Selamat’s reputation in community| * En. Selamat’s lack of expertise in poultry and meat industry * 2008’s operational crisis * Lack of focus of business operation * Cash flow issue * Conflict of interest * Possible error/ fraud/fictitious transaction * En. Selamat’s connection | O – OPPORTUNITIES | T – THREATS | * Malaysians’ highest consumption rates * Popular quick-service restaurants * East Coast Economics Region (ECER) * Emerging of giant superstores * Institutional retailing| * Production cost had risen about 56. 5% * Drop in demand * Credit limit of Cold Gold| The company has strong position in the industry as it is one of top 5 chicken suppliers. This means that EPM has a big portion of the market share in the industry. EPM also is strong for its sustained profit and growth. EPM had been able to maintain its operations and started making profit since the buoyant demand of chicken consumption. Besides, with initial capital of RM3. 6 million and starting with 20 employees, now, EPM had more than 200 employees. Occupied with good promotional strategy, EPM’s management team seized every opportunity in the industry. Moreover, EPM has capable key employees, which two of them are a qualified accountant, Encik Kasim and a reliable Credit Controller, Ms Choy. These employees contribute significantly towards the operation of EPM especially in the finance sector. In addition, Encik Selamat’s reputation in community is a strong influence of EPM towards the society where EPM was based. He was a public figure that will be contested in the local city council. En. Selamat’s lack of expertise in poultry and meat industry contributed a negative element in EPM as En. Selamat need to gain skills and expertise in the industry. Even though he was especially worried about the current unfavorable condition of EPM, his experience in this industry may not be sufficient. Besides, 2008’s operational crisis of EPM placed En. Selamat away from a smooth career track as recorded before 2008. EPM was lack of focus of business operation as it was at the infant stage and yet to mature in a proper method of management. Next, within EPM, there was cash flow issue and the company had to resort to short term borrowing which subjected to higher interest payment obligations. There was conflict of interest between Encik Selamat’s personal deal with Encik Azman, former college mate which was one of the executive of Cold Gold and the company’s interest. Cold Gold was one of EPM’s major customers. This relationship may impair En. Selamat’s judgment. In EPM, a few possible error/ fraud/fictitious transactions were detected, especially the irregularities in debtors’ account. The symptoms lead to a conclusion that it was caused by the former employee of EPM, En. Munir. Another factor that can be considered as EPM’s weakness point is En. Selamat’s connection with parent company of EPM, PCK Holding, where En. Selamat might be able to secure his position in EPM despite the problem he created without facing any punishment. The industry is in quite a potential market where Malaysians’ highest consumption rates of poultry and meat product. Malaysia was having one of the highest per capita consumption rates in the world for chicken (32. 5 kg) and eggs (298 units) and there were no dietary prohibitions (during these years) and religious restrictions against chicken consumption. In addition to household and traditional delicacies demand, the surge of popular quick-service restaurants from outside Malaysia and home-grown fast food chains intensified the market. Besides being the recognized poultry exporter, the industry was supported by the government through the East Coast Economics Region (ECER) as the poultry sector was part of the plan. Emerging of giant superstores and institutional retailing also enhanced the bright future of the industry. Despite the favorable situations in the market, EPM faced threat of chicken feed which resulting the production cost to rise about 56. 5%. Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) made a call for higher chicken prices in order to protect producers’ earning in the face of feed cost hike. However, when the sellers did increase the retail price, some producers complained that they seen a drop in demand. Another threat was the credit limit of Cold Gold Sdn Bhd which had exceeded its level. This has significant effect to the company as Cold Gold is one of EPM’s major customers multiplied with the other issues faced by EPM. Increment in production cost Drop in demand Low cash flow High interest expense INABILITY TO PREDICT ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE FORCAST CONSEQUENCES: LACK OF COORDINATION IN CONTROL AND REPORTING: Credit limit control Debtor confirmation Misstatement Lack of segregation of duty LACK OF COMMITMENT FROM SENIOR MANAGEMENT: Lack of expertise Lack of focus Conflict of interest Unethical behavior Reluctance in taking action LOW PERFORMANCE 2) Fishbone diagram According to Peter Drucker, â€Å"management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things†. Thus, the major issue in this case is unorganized management which leads to bad performance of the company. EPM faced problem as it fails to get commitment from senior management. As a leader, Encik Selamat was lacking of expertise in poultry industry, actively involved in social and community work instead of focusing more on business operation like, had conflict of interest (agency problem) while handling credit limit issue, and had under table deal with the client. Director himself had shown lack of leadership skill and ethical awareness as he kept silent regarding the unethical behavior of Encik Selamat and had more concern on reputation than ethical conduct. Besides, management of EPM is lacking of coordination in control and reporting. This can be seen from the severity of insufficient cash flow which was noticed only when significant borrowings had been made, high expenses, and loss incurred. Lack of segregation of duty also had given wide opportunity for misstatement by employees. Finally, EPM fails to predict environmental change regarding cost of production that leads to low profit making as EMP did not make any preparation or back-up plan to overcome such problems. 3) Financial Evidence on the operation of EPM: Financial Ratio Ratio| Formula| 2006| 2007| 2008| Interpretation| GP ratio (%)| (GP/Sales)*100| 5. 4845| 1. 6542| 1. 0814| Due to increment in COGS, EPM is profiting only 1 cent for every dollar of product sold in 2008| Inventory turnover ratio| COGS/Inventory| 16. 6774| 36. 0667| 28. 4962| EPM is turning over its inventory on average, 3 times per month in 2007 while this reduces to twice per month in 2008. | AR turnover ratio| Net sales/AR| 4. 3071| 3. 3957| 2. 8808| EPM takes around 3 months to collect its debt in 2006, while it takes more than 4 months in 2008. | Days to collect AR| 365/AR turnover ratio| 84. 7441| 107. 49| 126. 702| | Description of case exhibit (Account abstract): %Increase| 06to07| In 2007, cost increased while revenue did not increase much, and operating loss was recorded as retail price was only increased in August 2008. Thus, increment of revenue from in 2008 by 36. 16% corresponds with increment in cost in that year. Expenses took 30% of operating profit in 2006 while it took almost twice the operating profit in 2008. This might be due to interest payment made for short-term borrowing. Increment in trade receivable may not be the true amount as there were cases of misstatement. Stock in 2008 was higher due to lower demand. 07to08| Rev| 0. 57| 36. 16| COGS| 4. 64| 36. 95| Oper profit| -69. 67| -10. 99| Exp| 37. 50| 45. 45| Net| -108. 64| -315. 79| Trade rec| 27. 56| 60. 49| Stock| -51. 61| 73. 33| Trade cr| 62. 16| 50. 00| Alternatives available to the protagonist: Option 1: Ms. Choy can choose not to disclose the issues that she managed to investigate within EPM. This will benefit in saving the reputation of the company in public as well as the General Manager, Encik Selamat to secure his reputation in the coming city council election. Besides, Ms. Choy can justify her action of not bringing the matter up as Encik Selamat is an important staff of EPM and she had done her part by approaching one of the directors who was reluctant to take action against Encik Selamat. The drawbacks of this choice are ethical aspect and long term impact towards the company as a whole. Choosing not to disclose the facts is an unethical behavior on Ms Choy’s part. As for the long term, the public will find out the reality of the company as time goes because the auditors are likely to question the irregularities and Ms Choy will be interrogated. In the end, the company, En Selamat and Ms Choy need to face the huge impact of being nontransparent to the stakeholders. Option 2: Ms Choy has the right to disclose her findings straight to the external auditors as she has no direct authority to take any action towards the misappropriate culture in the company as well as the director which she had approached was hesitated to do so. By this, Ms Choy’s responsibility to report to public is passed to auditors and the problem is most likely will be solved. However, this aggressive decision will affect EPM severely in terms of drop in share price and reputation. Besides, the share price of the parent company will be affected too and the dropping trend will continue for a long time. Furthermore, the reputation of Encik Selamat will be highlighted by the public and media, subsequent of the auditors’ disclosure. Option 3: Ms Choy can opt to disclose the matter internally to the board of directors. Besides, she had found evidences to support her claims about the low performance of EPM. The benefit that EPM will gain from her disclosure is to ratify the problem before the auditors’ visit the following month. If the auditor is not satisfied with EPM’s condition, justification of ratification can be made and EPM will not be punished with qualified financial reports, which is not favorable. This decision may result in impairment of EPM’s and PCK’s reputation and share prices but the impact will be lower than the second option above. Recommendation and action plan: Based on analysis above, it is recommended for Ms Choy to choose Option 3 which is to disclose the matter internally to the board of directors. Suggested steps to follow are: 1. Bring the matter with sufficient evidences and justifications together with possible solution to board of directors 2. Check whether EPM has a written guideline relating to these issues and take proper actions against these issues (e. g. salary cut, not giving bonus etc. ) 3. If no written guideline is established, in case to avoid similar situation in the future, Ms. Choy should suggest for EPM to; a. Set up and appoint an independent committees of directors to monitor the performance and compensation of staffs b. Establish policies for clear ethical conducts, job scopes and management of EPM especially to solve ethical and agency problems c. Establish a whistle-blowing policies to encourage staffs to report any irregularities d. Communicate and implement guidelines and policies across levels of management, and absorb them as the EPM’s corporate culture to be shared within the organization.

Reflecting Personal Development Study Of Mental Health Nursing Nursing Essay

Reflecting Personal Development Study Of Mental Health Nursing Nursing Essay This essay will illustrate how I developed from being a novice to an expert within my three year study of mental health nursing programme. The chosen topic from my log book to be discussed will be management. Dreyfus and Dreyfus student model (1986) and Benners stages of skill acquisitions (1984) will be used to structure this essay. The stages that students go through in their skills acquisition are novice, advance beginner, competent, proficient and expert (Selinger Crease, 2006).Current evidence based literature such as mentors comments from my ropas including government policies relevant to my practice will be used to explore my strengths, limitations and experiences. Future recommendation for my post graduate as a newly registered nurse will be explored. Names of clients, practice placements and health professionals will remain anonymous to protect and respect confidential in this essay (NMC, 2008). Management is planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling in order to achieve your goals (Clark, 2009).Management also involves making good decisions, communicating effectively, motivating staff and being persuasive and sensitive (Manion, 2005).Due to the health care system changes in modern nursing it is vital for a professional nurse to acquire different skills to manage a shift regardless of your specific role (Yoder-Wise, 2003).I took an interest in presenting management as my topic of this essay mainly for the following reasons. Once am newly qualified I might face a challenge of running a shift and management skills will be essential for the shift to be efficient and effective. Management skills are also essential as they are required to obtain a job as a mental health nurse. Hewison (2004) states management in nursing is essential to delivers high standards of care. The above author further state that delivery and organisation of care has been influenced by manag ement ideas and theory throughout its history. First year of training I completed 4 placements starting with an acute ward and next being a hip replacement ward. From there I went to the community where they specialised in children with learning disabilities. My last placement was a day hospital for old people with dementia and depression; this is where I had the most exposure. In my first placement I could not under see lying problems with the patients, for example when it came to observing moods and effects patients get from taking the medication they are prescribed on. My other problem was communicating using the correct terminology in my notes and handover. Swannell (1986) defines communication as imparting or exchange of information, message, letter, etc; Social dealings (Ingram and Lavery, 2009.p.14). Communication skills are essential in healthcare as they help professionals to maximise their management (Darley, 2002). At that time my communication was poor, therefore my management was lacking as its vital and mostly an essential skill in nursing management (Adair, 2009). When I started my last placement I had done research on communication and the same principles of communication applied on different situation. At this placement I managed to reflect on my experiences as a novice, hence improving my skills (Quirk, 2006). I applied knowledge gained from research but still referred to the literature and communication principles taught in year one. I was able to communicate effectively using the right terminology in my notes, hand over, ward round and appropriately with patients. I was able to identify under lying problems portrayed by the patients and interpret them when communicating with staff. Research and applying it to practice helped my skill improve hence enhanced my management (Pilot Beck, 2004). First year of training I started off as a novice because I had minimal knowledge but could not connect it to practice (Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 1986) .Using the work of Benners (1984) Stuart (2007) describes a novice as a new student entering a clinical area without experience but expected to perform. Stuart (2007) further goes on to say they must be given rules and instructions to guide their performance, they do not see beyond the task and underlying problems with a patient. Considering experience gained in year one I was in the novice trajectory. By the end of the first year I was now fairly experienced and considered myself as an advanced beginner no longer a novice (Dreyfus Dreyfus, 1986). In my second year the first practice placement was at a day hospital for older people suffering from dementia. From there I moved to work with the community mental health team (CMHT) treating patients with different disorders. The second placement is where I gained the optimum exposure as different skills where developed. We dealt with patients discharged from acute ward and have been referred to CMHT for ongoing treatment away from hospital settings offering a wide variety of interventions tailored to their specific needs (D.O.H, 2002). My final placement in second year was elective. This was a day centre for adults 18-65 offering a large range of therapy thats beneficial to their aspects of life (France and Kramer, 2005). According to Swansburg Swansburg (2002) planning involves what to do, how, who is to do it, where its to be done and when in order to achieve goals. My last placement was a day centre for older people suffering from dementia and I developed planning skills. I was shift planning and organized daily activities according to their needs (Schultz and Videbeck, 2009). I was involved in care planning under supervision as I was assigned to a patient suffering from depression. This patient used to play in professional bands and his depression started when he stopped. I planned his recovery by completing tasks like contacting professional recording studios and looking into an option to obtain funding to buy his own equipment. This included booking suitable dates and times he can attend to record. I managed to negotiate with the studio to get 3 free sessions but had to attend only when they was no bookings for business purpose. Both my communication and planning skills where implemented succes sfully and no longer followed the maxims used during the initial stages of learning, as I had acquired my skills (Selinger Crease, 2006). Based on this experience I gained decision making skills to contribute to my management. According to Thompson and Dowding (2002) decision making should be logical, have a rationale and concentrate on how decision will be made in a real world. According to Lloyd et al (2007) decision-making is a process of gathering relevant information and analysed to make a decision. Lloyd et al (2007) further clarifies that in a clinical setting, decision making is a situation in which choice is made from a number of possible alternatives considering the outcome is weighed. I applied these skills as I gathered information like contacts and whom to call, weighing distance and cost of travelling from his home to the studio and also obtaining time of recording referring to his schedule. I also gained another management skill in organisation. According to Kneedler and Dodge (1994) organization involves the arrangement of nursing actions orderly and that actions need to be evaluated, ranked and carried out according to the nurse capabilities. I believe I evaluated and ranked my actions as I considered the patients safety, choosing a suitable recording time for both my patient and the studio by making sure its very close, accessible and its during the day. When I finished year 2 I had gained new skills and my communication skills from year one had paid off as the new skills required good communication skills. (Please see appendix 1 and 2). According to Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986) model of skill acquisition, an advance beginner has the knowledge of key working aspects in practice. I noticed this as I applied knowledge into practice, therefore found it easy applying rules in real a situation. Tsui (2003) states that advanced beginners begin to recognize situational elements, I recognized these elements easily as I had the experience as a novice according to Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986). According to Benners (1984) I managed to complete tasks using my own judgement which was acceptable to a limited extent. I started of my third year very keen to professionally modify my management skills and taking into account my skills need to adhere with the nursing and midwifery council (NMC, 2008). The first placment was in a mother and baby unit offering therapy which meet individuals physical, psychological, emotional and social needs based on evidence (DH, 2007). The next and final placement of the programme is where I had the optimum exposure in my management skills. This was an acute ward for old people suffering from organic mental health disorders. I applied all management skills acquired in year 1 and 2. At this stage I was practicing as a competent nurse according to Benners (1984). I was initiating and completing tasks without being asked or being monitored but under supervision from my mentor. Management was not only about completing the shift planner. I was now looking at the safety of the ward, reviewing general, constant and special observations, during handover, ward round and CPA. My decision making skills where implemented using assessment tools and the help of staff as we allocated appropriate levels of observations for the patients (The Scottish Government, 2002). I was planning and organizing tasks to tackle on duty and transport for transfers or appointments. I was using the diary for communication and checking tasks to be completed. I also collected and prepared information to be communicated in ward rounds, handovers and CPAs. I was organizing daily activities and decisions being made according to their needs. (Please see appendix 3). According to Cherry and Jacob (2005) stage three of Benners (1984) skills of acquisition state that competent nurses foresee long range goals and master their skills at this stage. Competent nurses are to cope with complex situations by analysing and planning (Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 1986).Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986) go on to say they have the background knowledge of area practice and ability to use their own judgement to achieve tasks. According to Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986) a proficient nurse approaches situations as a whole rather than in small portions and tackles situation according to priority. Benners (1984) further states that as they view situations as a whole their decision making is more improved and they also use maxims as guides. Tomey and Alligood (2006) state that level four of the acquisition skill, nurses stand outside the situation and at the same time be part of the situation, fully engaging in the situation. I believe in my practice I had started portraying some abilities of a proficient nurse, integrating my knowledge and experience into a whole (Jasper, 2006). I was running shifts, planning and assigned tasks, incorporating management skills learned in year one, two and three to a level of proficiency by managing ones self, ones practice and that of others. (NMC, 2004). The last part of the stage is the expert level and using Benners model (1984), Sitzman and Eichelberger (2010) state that they no longer, rely on rules, guidelines or maxims to make appropriate decisions for a situation. I believe I did not reach to the stage to fulfil the expert level but have the ability to succeed to expert level after graduating. According to Daly, Speedy and Jackson (2010) reflection is a process of monitoring practice to enable you to improve it. They go on and further state that the following are essential when reflecting, self-appraisal, research for practice, everyday reviewing of practice, feelings and belief, and the consequences. This is the part where I reflect my practice in order to enhance and maintain my practice within competent to expert level for my future practice as a registered nurse. Focused will be my managerial skills to reach expert level. As a newly qualified I will make use of clinical supervision as an opportunity to improve and continue professional development (Royal College of Nursing, 2003).I will engage myself into lifelong learning that will be of benefit to the service users and my profession. This will extend my skills hence making it easier to manage when in critical situations (D.H, 1999). This will also enable me to maintain high standard of care, therefore enhancing manag ement skills (D.H, 2006).I will continue using evidence based practice to offer best possible care and practice(D.H, 2006). I will also avoid favouritism and discrimination amongst staff as they are good management skills (Marriner-Tomey, 2004).This is further supported by Woods (2005) who encourages democratic management as it encourages those you delegate to, to be part of the team and feel valued. I will be aware of the policies and procedures as its essential to understand your work role and responsibilities in the work place hence helps in managing and guide day to day operations (Fradd, 2004).Above all I will undergo a period of preceptorship as a newly qualified, therefore this will provide a structured, supportive bridge during my transition from a student to a practitioner in my managerial skills and other skills (Illingworth and Singleto, 2010). To conclude, after going through both five stages of Dreyfus and Deryfus (1984) and Benners (1984) I also got the opportunity to reflect my three year practice as a whole, therefore this enabled me to see areas I will need to improve in management. I will work towards being an expert as I progress into my profession . Contexts of Nursing   By John Daly, Sandra Speedy, Debra Jackson/2010/Elsevier/ -Perioperative patient care: the nursing perspective   By Julia A. Kneedler, Gwen H. Dodge,1994

Looking Below the Surface of Hamlet Essay -- GCSE Coursework Shakespea

     Ã‚   The mystery of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a phantom that has haunted students throughout the centuries. Hamlet is a complete enigma; a puzzle students have tried to piece together since his introduction into the school curriculum. Throughout the course of Hamlet, the student is constantly striving to rationalize Hamlet’s odd behavior, through the play’s written text. In doing so, many students mistakenly draw their conclusions based on the surface content of Hamlet’s statements and actions. When drawing into question Hamlet’s actions as well as his reasons for acting, many assume that Hamlet himself is fully aware of his own motives. This assumption in itself produces the very matter in question. Take for example Hamlet’s hesitation to kill the king. Hamlet believes that his desire to kill King Claudius is driven by his fathers’ demand for revenge. If this were true, Hamlet would kill Claudius the moment he has the chance, if not the moment he knows for sure that Claudius is guilty of murdering his father. Why does Hamlet hesitate? One must call into question what Hamlet holds to be true. If Hamlet’s given motivation for killing the king is legitimate, then Claudius should die at about Act 3. Because Hamlet’s actions do not correspond with his given reasoning, one is forced to look for an alternate explanation for Hamlet’s behavior. In doing so, one will come to the conclusion that Hamlet is driven by forces other than what is o bvious to the reader, as well as Hamlet himself. Given this example, one must denounce the assumption that Hamlet is aware of the forces that motivate him, and understand that Hamlet’s true motivation is unconscious This unconscious force is the true reason behind Hamlet’s mysterious behavior. In n... ...hree characters, his step-father being one. Thus, by digging into Hamlet’s unconscious, his true unconscious motives have been unveiled. In overlooking the obvious, the true force behind Hamlet’s actions and inaction has been revealed, resulting in a final product that is an extensive comprehension of Hamlet’s character, and is, as Gertrude would say "more matter than art".      Works cited:   Shakespeare, William. The Tradegy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark.   New York: Washington Square Press, 1992   Hall, Calvin s. A Primer of Freudian Psychology   New York: Harper and Row, 1954   Jones, Ernest. Hamlet and Oedipus. Newyork: W W Norton and company, 1976   Platania, John. Jung for Beginners. New York: Writers and Readers Publishing inc., 1997   Weiten, Wayne. Psychology: Themes and Variations, Fourth Editon. Boston: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co., 1998

Maxine Hong Kingstons Woman Warrior - No Name Woman Essay -- Woman Wa

Maxine Hong Kingston's Woman Warrior - No Name Woman The excerpt, "No Name Woman", from Maxine Hong Kingston's book, Woman Warrior, gives insight into her life as a Chinese girl raised in America through a tragic story of her aunt's life, a young woman raised in a village in China in the early 1900s. The story shows the consequences beliefs, taught by parents, have on a child's life. Kingston attempts to figure out what role the teachings of her parents should have on her life, a similar attempt for many of us in the world. Lessons taught by our parents, the people who brought us into this world, help guide us into the people we become as adults. Hopefully, the guidance is positive. Kingston's story about her aunt sends a message as to how many families communicate the meaning of life. Through this story you will see how much we truly learn from our parents, some of it good and some of it bad. The story of Kingston's aunt, as told by her mother, started out by her mother saying. You must not tell anyone," my mother said, "what I am about to tell you. In China your father had a sister who killed herself. She jumped into the family well. We say that your father has all brothers because it is as if she had never been born." (Kingston, 319) In the first sentence of this quote, the mother is asking her daughter, Kingston, to remain quiet about a negative event, an occurrence deemed as shameful, in the family's life. Kingston's mother, playing a role model, taught her daught...

The Psychological Portrait in The Yellow Wallpaper -- Yellow Wallpaper

The Psychological Portrait in The Yellow Wallpaper   Ã‚   Charlotte Perkins Gilman was famous in her time as a women's activist. Later, she began writing fiction. As noted in her Norton Anthology biography, Charlotte's stories often reveal her worldview. The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story written to combat the modus operandi for curing depression in her day. This cure consisted of being completely sequestered from any intellectual or artistic engagements. Her addendum to the story also makes clear she experienced this same treatment. Gilman's catalyst was to write a story that would serve as a social corrective. What we are left with today is a masterpiece of psychological suspense.      The story begins with our main character, a writer whose name is never given, imagining the house in which she is to spend her recuperation. In choosing to never name the narrator and main character, Gilman emphasizes the erasure of the individual that takes place within the story. She pictures the house in romantic terms, a colonial mansion or perhaps a haunted house. This romantic identification indicates an emotional person who puts a priority on the natural. Contrarily, her husband is portrayed in no uncertain terms. John is practical, has no patience with faith, and hates superstition. He is skeptical, and scoffs at anything that cannot be "...felt and seen and put down in figures"(658). Clearly, the preliminary material on these two characters sets them in sharp contrast with one another.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The narrator then privately blames her husband, who is also her physician, for her lingering illness. She suggests perhaps it is because he is a physician that she is still ill. She believes this lack of recov... ... X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 6th ed. New York: Harper Collins, 1995. 424-36. Hume, Beverly A. "Gilman's Interminable Grotesque': The Narrator of 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Studies in Short Fiction 28.4 (1991):477-84. Johnson, Greg. "Gilman's Gothic Allegory: Rage and Redemption in 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Studies in Short Fiction 26.4 (1989):521-30. King, Jeannette and Pam Morris. "On Not Reading between the Lines: Models of Reading in 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Studies in Short Fiction 26.1 (1989): 23-32. Owens, E. Suzanne. "The Ghostly Double behind the Wallpaper in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Haunting the House of Fiction. Ed. Lynette Carpenter and Wendy K. Kolmar. Knoxville: U of Tennessee P, 1991 64-79. Scharnhorst, Gary. "'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Boston: Twayne, 1985. 15-20.   

How Many Miles to Babylon?

â€Å"How many miles to Babylon? † Alec Moore – Narrator Frederick Moore – Father to Alec Mrs. Moore – Mother to Alec Jerry Crowe – Friend to Alec Mrs. Crowe – Mother to Jerry Major Glendinning – Commending Officer to Jerry and Alec in the army. General Points –  § Main Theme: Love vs. Hatred  § Reflects different stages of Narrator Development – There’s a continuous stream of consciousness, no chapters  § Ireland  § France  § Love – of country – passionless love of duty – of power and wealth – narcisstic love (love of self) Theme and Issues:Setting the Scene –  § Alec Narrates his tale of a loveless child, leaving him emotionless and scarred cruel mother, manipulative and hateful  § He was always goaded by his â€Å"beautiful mother†  § Mrs. Moore’s beauty contrasted to her vindictive personality. She’s swift and dismissive (passionless)  § Home with no affefction â€Å"The dining room in the daytime was unwelcoming† Relationship with his mother –  § Described through an experience when he seen his mother feeding the swans, thinking she was another woman for a split second, and felt love for her.This shows us that he doesn’t know his mother that well, mistaking her for another person but also that he only feels love for her when she is perceived as someone else. Compared to Christy’s love with his mother in â€Å"My left foot† – he has a continuous plutonic love for her.  § Mrs. Moore’s human relationships are meaning less and without power.  § She feels she is not capable of love as they are never aloud the freedom to experience it themselves.  § She has been taught only the proper etiquette of the wealthy at the experience of wealthy needs.The mother is jealous of Alec’s father and their relationship.  § She is again jealous of Alec’s developing relationships, such with Jerry, but also is worried what other people may think of a higher class boy, being friends with a lower class boy. Therefore, she wants to destroy it.  § She removes Alec from school, just so she won’t be left alone in the day. This is also a way for her to get to her husband, showing him that her and Alec also have a relationship, although it is fake. Relationship with Father – Alec feels real affection for his father, shown in his willingly attitude to spend time with him by the fire. He loves him within the bounds of duty and sensitivity.  § He leaves his father with loosing his only love in the family, when joining the army â€Å"heart rendering† when he leaves.  § They don’t display their love or intensity of feelings for one another, but it is evident e. g. when he accepts money as a â€Å"gesture of love†  § His golden watch is given to Alec – Metaphorically represented as the beating of his heart. I t will – â€Å"protect him from danger†Image of Women as hateful figures –  § The mother sees Alec’s decision to join the army as a personal triumph. She doesn’t have worries about the probable loss of her son’s life at war, but instead begins to enjoy the sympathy of her peers that she will receive from having her son at war.  § Jerry and Alec ridicule their â€Å"hypocritical mothers† as a display of grief as they go to war  § Alec makes fun of his mother for her intensity towards him, showing us that he doesn’t take her seriously. War as an image of hatred –  § The topic of war, adds a sense of horror The combination depicts a metaphorical journey for these characters from a debased nation of love in Alec to the trenches.  § The trenches are described as a physical representation of humankind without the power of love. It depicts the true meaning of evil and hate in contrast to love. Major Glendinning â€⠀œ  § He never shows remorse – he shows precision and dispassion by the murder of â€Å"Gloucester’s Regiment†  § This illustrates the breakdown of the inherent moral code in humanity  § When Alec requests leave for Jerry he shows compassion Paradoxical Aspect – to Jerry Crowe’s character.Contrary to loving nature Jerry Crowe –  § He abides by his sense of filial duty (wanting to find his father)  § His character brings out the true Alec Moore, makes him find himself.  § The reunion of Jerry and Alec at the finality of the novel is moving  § When Jerry is found, he is put into a detention camp, and declares he loves his country than his King. It is love that is the death of Jerry Crowe.  § When Alec pulls the trigger, it is none of murder, but saving his friend from a brutal death.  § After the death of Jerry, Alec finds no love in his life. He withdraws from life after his death.Cultural Context : – the world in whi ch the novel is set  § Set in Ireland and focuses on the political conflict around the time of the nationalist movement and the First World War.  § Also conflicts between the upper and lower class in Ireland (classification)  § Alec Moore draws the reader into the story of his life by focusing on the rituals of his parents’ lives, his early childhood, education and his friendship with Jerry Crowe – all the ways that he sees his own life.  § The main way we see the cultural differences in Jerry and Alec is through their language and colloquialisms. Alec’s wealth is illustrated through his life setting – â€Å".. a high curtained window in which I could see as I went up the reflection of walls, the pictures, the polished banisters, the three altered heads, the crossed pikes, and a pair of beautifully chased silver swords† Alec’s Experience in childhood –  § His portrayal of his early childhood is harrowing. Mrs. Moore’s try to destroy the natural instincts of childhood are evident from her refusal to allow Alec to go to school, her interference in his friendship with Jerry and her dismissal of his piano teacher. Her interference is the source of Alec’s shyness and isolation.  § His relationship is distorted as his mother uses him as a means of avoiding direct contact with her husband – who neglects the important aspects of his development as he is a moral coward who has been bullied by his wife.  § Alec is used like a pawn by his mother to undermines her husband’s authority: â€Å" You never speak without authority.. you never sound as if you knew what you were talking about. You have always been an ineffective man† pg. 30 Mrs. Moore as an image of upper class – We are shown this through Alec’s narrative that she is a cruel and peevish mother  § Her maternal instincts are over-shadowed by her selfishness  § Her physical beauty is juxtaposed with he r deformed nature.  § Johnston uses her to reflect the negative aspect of upper class society.  § Her desire to be regarded as a woman of culture and breeding is illustrated by her refined eating and drinking, her piano playing and her dress code. Mr. Moore as a Father figure –  § He has more of a relationship with Alec then the mother, shown by his scepticism about Jerry and Alec’s friendship. The Father is weak, his example of adult behaviour is confusing for his children.  § He can not be considered as a role model for Alec because of his flaws. The Friendship of Alec and Jerry –  § Alec’s childhood salvation comes from Jerry Crowe, he would have been very lonely without him, and wouldn’t have experienced his rejuvenation of childhood without him  § Ironically, Jerry’s childhood was one of a bad experience, similar to Alec’s – may have been what makes their friendship so solid. It is Jerry’s boisterous cha racter that carries Alec through his awful home life  § His humour and attitude, allows Alec to manifest a reasonable perspective about his own future and society  § Their conversations are subtle reflections of the time in which they live â€Å"The German’s are going to fix all those eejits in Europe, The British are going to fix the Germans, and we†¦we are going to fix the British†  § The strength of their friendship survives the corrosion of class consciousness  § Proven by Alec’s constant support of Jerry, especially in the army.Alec’s Education –  § He lacks the encouragement needed from his parents, particularly from his mother to spur him to academic success.  § His mother is a crucial part in teaching him the piano, since dismissing Mr. Cave, although she does not keep her promise.  § She deprives him from going away to school as she cannot bear being left alone with his father. The Irish Nationalist Cause –  § J erry’s recruitment to the army, is only for him to learn how to handle ammunition for the nationalist cause in Ireland, not for the desire to protect the English. The illustrates the nature of Irish society in the early part of the twentieth century where a small number of nationalists wanted to recreate a culture which was severly curtailed since the penal period.  § The paralleling of the nationalist movement in Ireland with the First World War illustrates two examples of the degeneration of society in violence. Portrayal of Women –  § It is unflattering and prejudicial  § The author illustrates the lack of maternal nurturing which indicates the dysfunctional nature of society. Mrs Moore and Mrs Crowe deprive their sons of love, care and happiness – making decisions that are contrary to the moral well being of their sons.  § They both represent each end of society and class, yet both have the same role as mothers. Portrayal of Men –  § A portr ayal of disconcert  § Alec’s introduction is apathetic and amoral who rejects the solace of religion  § Alec and Jerry are most admirable in their childhood, and they earn the readers respect through their loyalty to one another. The ambiguous ending of the novel suspends their credibility as full rounded characters and infers their symbolic function in the story.  § The other men are not symbolic as heroic figures (Major Glendinning, Jerry’s father, Mr. Moore) Instead, they are portrayed as ineffectual men enwrapped by their social position or as hard hearted, condescending automations. Setting of the Novel –  § The setting is varied, begins with Alec’s detention in France, and reverts to his childhood in Co.Wicklow – moves between Dublin, Belfast, England and France.  § With each change of setting, the reader is brought deeper into the impending doom with awaits Alec and Jerry.  § The move from Ireland to France also propels the prota gonist from the domestic, political disharmony of his own country into the European fray so that the scale of the violence and cruelty of Alec’s early experiences is magnified beyond himself to thousands of other people. How Many Miles To Babylon The same cannot be said for How Many Miles to Babylon, which ends in a pessimistic and gloomy scene. Alec Moore is awaiting execution, as the novel comes full circle. He is given â€Å"a pen and paper† because he is an â€Å"officer and a gentleman†. He has nothing to do but wait. Alec refused to kill Jerry by firing squad, so in a sense, he asserted his own humanity in the face of war. However, this noble act is detrimental, as this act of compassion tragically costs him his life.Johnston’s outlook is in keeping with the sombre vision of the whole novel – dark, pessimistic and undeniably tragic. The central characters and key relationships within a text are extremely important to our understanding of the general vision and viewpoint. They allow us to see how the actions of another person can have a positive or negative impact on the life of the protagonist. The relationship between Alec and his mother Alicia in How Many Miles to Babylon is characterised b y a lack of communication and affection.Alicia uses Alec as an extension of her own ego. He is not appreciated as an individual with individual needs and desires. She only cares that he conforms to her expectations. There is no real warmth to their relationship – which is cold and stifling. As well as restricting Alec’s relationship with Jerry Crowe, Alicia overpowers his relationship with Frederick. Alec cannot do anything without the consideration of his mother.Their relationship is presented in a negative light and Johnston, in a sense, caricatures Alicia to reflect the dark and negative aspects of the upper class. Alicia has a desire to be regarded as a woman of culture and intelligence, which is evident through her piano playing and refined eating rituals, but her actions are a departure from normal maternal practices. Alec feels unloved and unappreciated. The mother-son relationship is so important in How Many Miles to Babylon because not only does it portray a d ark outlook on life, but is also a catalyst for the main plot.The general vision and viewpoint of a text expresses the author’s or director’s optimistic or pessimistic outlook on life. It also enables us to establish a greater understanding of the characters and allows us to empathise with them. The outlook can be either bright or dark, or indeed a combination of brightness and darkness and as we become more aware of this outlook as the plot develops, we can more effectively understand the situation of the protagonist within the narrative. How Many Miles to Babylon? â€Å"How many miles to Babylon? † Alec Moore – Narrator Frederick Moore – Father to Alec Mrs. Moore – Mother to Alec Jerry Crowe – Friend to Alec Mrs. Crowe – Mother to Jerry Major Glendinning – Commending Officer to Jerry and Alec in the army. General Points –  § Main Theme: Love vs. Hatred  § Reflects different stages of Narrator Development – There’s a continuous stream of consciousness, no chapters  § Ireland  § France  § Love – of country – passionless love of duty – of power and wealth – narcisstic love (love of self) Theme and Issues:Setting the Scene –  § Alec Narrates his tale of a loveless child, leaving him emotionless and scarred cruel mother, manipulative and hateful  § He was always goaded by his â€Å"beautiful mother†  § Mrs. Moore’s beauty contrasted to her vindictive personality. She’s swift and dismissive (passionless)  § Home with no affefction â€Å"The dining room in the daytime was unwelcoming† Relationship with his mother –  § Described through an experience when he seen his mother feeding the swans, thinking she was another woman for a split second, and felt love for her.This shows us that he doesn’t know his mother that well, mistaking her for another person but also that he only feels love for her when she is perceived as someone else. Compared to Christy’s love with his mother in â€Å"My left foot† – he has a continuous plutonic love for her.  § Mrs. Moore’s human relationships are meaning less and without power.  § She feels she is not capable of love as they are never aloud the freedom to experience it themselves.  § She has been taught only the proper etiquette of the wealthy at the experience of wealthy needs.The mother is jealous of Alec’s father and their relationship.  § She is again jealous of Alec’s developing relationships, such with Jerry, but also is worried what other people may think of a higher class boy, being friends with a lower class boy. Therefore, she wants to destroy it.  § She removes Alec from school, just so she won’t be left alone in the day. This is also a way for her to get to her husband, showing him that her and Alec also have a relationship, although it is fake. Relationship with Father – Alec feels real affection for his father, shown in his willingly attitude to spend time with him by the fire. He loves him within the bounds of duty and sensitivity.  § He leaves his father with loosing his only love in the family, when joining the army â€Å"heart rendering† when he leaves.  § They don’t display their love or intensity of feelings for one another, but it is evident e. g. when he accepts money as a â€Å"gesture of love†  § His golden watch is given to Alec – Metaphorically represented as the beating of his heart. I t will – â€Å"protect him from danger†Image of Women as hateful figures –  § The mother sees Alec’s decision to join the army as a personal triumph. She doesn’t have worries about the probable loss of her son’s life at war, but instead begins to enjoy the sympathy of her peers that she will receive from having her son at war.  § Jerry and Alec ridicule their â€Å"hypocritical mothers† as a display of grief as they go to war  § Alec makes fun of his mother for her intensity towards him, showing us that he doesn’t take her seriously. War as an image of hatred –  § The topic of war, adds a sense of horror The combination depicts a metaphorical journey for these characters from a debased nation of love in Alec to the trenches.  § The trenches are described as a physical representation of humankind without the power of love. It depicts the true meaning of evil and hate in contrast to love. Major Glendinning â€⠀œ  § He never shows remorse – he shows precision and dispassion by the murder of â€Å"Gloucester’s Regiment†  § This illustrates the breakdown of the inherent moral code in humanity  § When Alec requests leave for Jerry he shows compassion Paradoxical Aspect – to Jerry Crowe’s character.Contrary to loving nature Jerry Crowe –  § He abides by his sense of filial duty (wanting to find his father)  § His character brings out the true Alec Moore, makes him find himself.  § The reunion of Jerry and Alec at the finality of the novel is moving  § When Jerry is found, he is put into a detention camp, and declares he loves his country than his King. It is love that is the death of Jerry Crowe.  § When Alec pulls the trigger, it is none of murder, but saving his friend from a brutal death.  § After the death of Jerry, Alec finds no love in his life. He withdraws from life after his death.Cultural Context : – the world in whi ch the novel is set  § Set in Ireland and focuses on the political conflict around the time of the nationalist movement and the First World War.  § Also conflicts between the upper and lower class in Ireland (classification)  § Alec Moore draws the reader into the story of his life by focusing on the rituals of his parents’ lives, his early childhood, education and his friendship with Jerry Crowe – all the ways that he sees his own life.  § The main way we see the cultural differences in Jerry and Alec is through their language and colloquialisms. Alec’s wealth is illustrated through his life setting – â€Å".. a high curtained window in which I could see as I went up the reflection of walls, the pictures, the polished banisters, the three altered heads, the crossed pikes, and a pair of beautifully chased silver swords† Alec’s Experience in childhood –  § His portrayal of his early childhood is harrowing. Mrs. Moore’s try to destroy the natural instincts of childhood are evident from her refusal to allow Alec to go to school, her interference in his friendship with Jerry and her dismissal of his piano teacher. Her interference is the source of Alec’s shyness and isolation.  § His relationship is distorted as his mother uses him as a means of avoiding direct contact with her husband – who neglects the important aspects of his development as he is a moral coward who has been bullied by his wife.  § Alec is used like a pawn by his mother to undermines her husband’s authority: â€Å" You never speak without authority.. you never sound as if you knew what you were talking about. You have always been an ineffective man† pg. 30 Mrs. Moore as an image of upper class – We are shown this through Alec’s narrative that she is a cruel and peevish mother  § Her maternal instincts are over-shadowed by her selfishness  § Her physical beauty is juxtaposed with he r deformed nature.  § Johnston uses her to reflect the negative aspect of upper class society.  § Her desire to be regarded as a woman of culture and breeding is illustrated by her refined eating and drinking, her piano playing and her dress code. Mr. Moore as a Father figure –  § He has more of a relationship with Alec then the mother, shown by his scepticism about Jerry and Alec’s friendship. The Father is weak, his example of adult behaviour is confusing for his children.  § He can not be considered as a role model for Alec because of his flaws. The Friendship of Alec and Jerry –  § Alec’s childhood salvation comes from Jerry Crowe, he would have been very lonely without him, and wouldn’t have experienced his rejuvenation of childhood without him  § Ironically, Jerry’s childhood was one of a bad experience, similar to Alec’s – may have been what makes their friendship so solid. It is Jerry’s boisterous cha racter that carries Alec through his awful home life  § His humour and attitude, allows Alec to manifest a reasonable perspective about his own future and society  § Their conversations are subtle reflections of the time in which they live â€Å"The German’s are going to fix all those eejits in Europe, The British are going to fix the Germans, and we†¦we are going to fix the British†  § The strength of their friendship survives the corrosion of class consciousness  § Proven by Alec’s constant support of Jerry, especially in the army.Alec’s Education –  § He lacks the encouragement needed from his parents, particularly from his mother to spur him to academic success.  § His mother is a crucial part in teaching him the piano, since dismissing Mr. Cave, although she does not keep her promise.  § She deprives him from going away to school as she cannot bear being left alone with his father. The Irish Nationalist Cause –  § J erry’s recruitment to the army, is only for him to learn how to handle ammunition for the nationalist cause in Ireland, not for the desire to protect the English. The illustrates the nature of Irish society in the early part of the twentieth century where a small number of nationalists wanted to recreate a culture which was severly curtailed since the penal period.  § The paralleling of the nationalist movement in Ireland with the First World War illustrates two examples of the degeneration of society in violence. Portrayal of Women –  § It is unflattering and prejudicial  § The author illustrates the lack of maternal nurturing which indicates the dysfunctional nature of society. Mrs Moore and Mrs Crowe deprive their sons of love, care and happiness – making decisions that are contrary to the moral well being of their sons.  § They both represent each end of society and class, yet both have the same role as mothers. Portrayal of Men –  § A portr ayal of disconcert  § Alec’s introduction is apathetic and amoral who rejects the solace of religion  § Alec and Jerry are most admirable in their childhood, and they earn the readers respect through their loyalty to one another. The ambiguous ending of the novel suspends their credibility as full rounded characters and infers their symbolic function in the story.  § The other men are not symbolic as heroic figures (Major Glendinning, Jerry’s father, Mr. Moore) Instead, they are portrayed as ineffectual men enwrapped by their social position or as hard hearted, condescending automations. Setting of the Novel –  § The setting is varied, begins with Alec’s detention in France, and reverts to his childhood in Co.Wicklow – moves between Dublin, Belfast, England and France.  § With each change of setting, the reader is brought deeper into the impending doom with awaits Alec and Jerry.  § The move from Ireland to France also propels the prota gonist from the domestic, political disharmony of his own country into the European fray so that the scale of the violence and cruelty of Alec’s early experiences is magnified beyond himself to thousands of other people.

Maya Angelou Stories Essay Essay

Maya Angelou, within amazing stories has revealed the importance of perseverance, staying strong in moments of struggle, having the will to overcome difficulties, as well as having dreams that sometimes seem unreachable and yet believing that it is a gift to survive. In many of her motivating quotes, she expresses, â€Å"I’m always inspired by men and women who rise†¦That ability to rise is nobleness of the human spirit. This clearly displays how her optimism in life has made her rise when fallen and has helped her make life teaching contributions by writing stories and poems that become valuable for all humans to endure life’s rough path also helping readers see life with a different perspective. In the stories, â€Å"I know why the Caged Bird Sings†, â€Å"New Directions†, and in the poems â€Å"Caged Bird† and â€Å"Woman Work†, Angelou has written about many of her own experiences and taught us what humans will encounter, â€Å"fail at, dream, and still survive. † Even the ones who have suffered the most have a lot to teach. The story, â€Å"I know why the Caged Bird sings† and poem, â€Å"Caged bird† are important comparison regarding Angelou’s lesson. These contents are both similar since in the story, Angelou observes how all the cotton pickers long freedom making it a metaphor to caged birds in a way that all they want is to be free and able to fly. Most commonly, they both share the same feeling of being lost and trapped and lack the same rights as the ones that are free. The caged bird represents the cotton pickers and the African Americans meaning that they cannot have freedom and are ensnared in a world of no rest and hard work, regarding their colored skin. This shows how the cotton pickers and caged birds have dreams that sometimes even seem unreachable and impossible to defeat since they never even had the chance to think that someday, freedom would form part in their lives. Angelou reveals throughout these selections, how people faced hardships growing up in the segregated south. This story also shows Angelou’s true account of growing up as the poem connects to the way she probably felt as she experienced difficulties. She recites, â€Å"The sounds of the new morning had been replaced with grumbles bout cheating houses, weighted scales, snakes, skimpy cotton and dusty rows. In later years I was to confront the stereotyped picture of gay song-singing cotton pickers with such inordinate rage that I was told even by fellow Blacks that my paranoia was embarrassing. But I had seen the fingers cut by the mean little cotton bolls, and I had witnessed the backs and shoulders and arms and legs resisting any further demands. † This clearly illustrates how hard everything became and how the only thing she could do to bring her hopes up and release her anger, was sing, just like the caged bird. Angelou says in her poem, â€Å"the caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom. † Indeed, as Angelou? s feelings relate to the caged birds’ feelings, all they could ask for was freedom. In the selection, â€Å"New Directions,† Angelou as the speaker is very motivational in what life may teach to people and how they should deal with certain outcomes of failure. She is a persevering woman that always looks forward for what good is to come and is very conscious about difficulties she may encounter in the way. This story shows how life has many courses from which people can choose and sometimes there are possibilities of getting lost or going the wrong way but what she tries to display and let people interpret is that no matter how many ways one turns, or how many times one gets lost, it is never too late to change direction and strive for success. Clearly, failure is an important step that leads to success; it all depends on one? s attitude towards achieving it. Angelou really shows the value of perseverance and how humans should encounter problems. She says, â€Å"She had indeed stepped from the road which seemed to have been chosen for her and cut herself a brand-new path. In years that stall became a store where customers could buy cheese, meal, syrup, cookies, candy, writing tablets, pickles, canned goods, fresh fruit, soft drinks, coal, oil, and leather soles for worn-out shoes. † This displays a great example on how she failed in many jobs, took different paths, but with will and tenacity ended up with her own perfect stall that finally succeeded and made her feel proud. To achieve goals, humans have to turn many ways which sometimes will be full of rocks and others full of flowers until they find their own piece of land and make up their garden. This is what Angelou reveals with this great selection. A good mother does not only care for her child, guide him all way through, pay for his education but keeps on working until sometimes rest is not even part of their lives due to all the duties and responsibilities that are far more important than rest. This next poem, â€Å"Woman Work† expresses in detail how even though some people work the entire day with almost no hours of sleep and rest, still survive. Angelou illustrates how the only thing some humans desire is to rest while others complain about working for a few times a day or even a few times a week or month. This deeply reveals how hard life can be for some people that do not even ask for luxurious gifts but for the gift of rest only. In this poem, Angelou tries to convey how the woman feels by listing various activities making it seem never ending by the use of rhythm. She states, â€Å"Storm, blow me from here with your fiercest wind let me float across the sky ‘Til I can rest again. † This shows how the woman even sees the serenity in life as an unreachable goal. It is deeply a strong theme of how the ones who have freedom and have the necessary money to live have to be grateful while others, who do not, are entirely grateful for few hours of rest. To conclude, Angelou was not only a woman who went through many hard times as a child and further on learned life lessons, but is a woman to venerate and thank for great contributions that she has made by her amazing written selections; both poems and stories that help readers build their own perspective of life in general. To display these contents, within her stories and poems, she used many metaphors, rich language, rhythm and descriptive actions that bring the audience into the readings and make them feel as if they were living it themselves. They once said anonymously, â€Å"Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you’ve ever been, to stand up taller than you ever were. † This quote defines the rule of life. To rise, everyone has to have fallen. Every time life brings people down, life itself teaches them to come back up with perseverance and handling problems properly. All themes that Angelou reveals are lessons that will only make humans fly freely, sing higher and rise into better persons granting them the choice of what direction to go and what path to build.

Maus vs. Animal Farm

The most annoying thing Is when parents do not control their children in public. If their child Is mucking around and doing something reckless, parents need to step In and take action. In today's society, parents are too focused on their phones, Pad and gadgets to pay enough attention. Therefore, leaving their kids to run muck. Children need discipline. If parents cannot control their own children, why do they even bother taking them out in public? Parents have to learn that it is not okay to let a hill run around a store and disrupt others.If the parents paid more attention, they would notice what kind of child they have brought into this world – a monster! It makes no sense for a mother or father to sit on their phone in a restaurant meanwhile crazy corrupt children are creating chaos. Touching, hitting, and knocking everything in sight. How does a parent not notice this? Their child could possibly damage a priceless artifact and it would not even become an immense deal unle ss someone pointed it out. When will it become apparent that children need discipline?Many children Just don't listen to their parents as a result, children need discipline. Furthermore, they are young, they are foolish and they are definitely not experienced enough to know what Is right or wrong. It Is a parent's Job to teach their chide the right and wrong thing to do In a situation. If a child Is not telephoned from a young age, It is a lot harder to instill discipline when they are older. Starting from a young age, discipline can be taught easily gaining the authorities respect therefore; the parent can control their children in public!