Thursday, October 31, 2019
Term paper - micro eco Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
- micro eco - Term Paper Example The prices to be charged for the product are also negotiated in the market. The market structure is the term used to define the features of a market. This essay would provide a epigrammatic description of the general types of market structures in the economy. Situation Analysis This section of the essay would explain the different types of market structures: Perfect Competition This type of market structure is hypothetical in the real world at present. In a perfectly competitive market the number of sellers and buyers in the market are infinite in number. Since the number of sellers and buyers are infinite in number, the sellers and buyers are the ‘price takers’ of the products and the services in the market. Since the sellers cannot set the prices of the products, they try to maximize their business returns through the policy of revenue maximization. The types of the products sold by these sellers are homogeneous in nature. This is the reason for which the seller in thi s type of a market structure does not adopt the method of advertisement to sell their products. In the long run, all the sellers in this type of market structure enjoy normal profit (total cost = total revenue). ... Figure 2: Firms Demand in Perfect Competition (Source: McEachern 165) Since the product is homogeneous in nature, the price for every unit would be same so the sellers as shown in the above diagram would face a perfectly elastic demand curve (d). Figure 3: Firms Output Determination (Source: McEachern 173) The sellers in this market system would continue produce till the marginal cost curve would be >= the average variable cost curve. Thus the point 1 is the shut down point of the firms. This is a point in which the firm would only incur the fixed cost loss. This the portions of the marginal cost curve that a lie above the average variable cost curve is the supply curve of the perfect competitive sellers. Figure 4: Long Run Equilibrium (Source: McEachern 177) As shown in the above graph, in the long run all the firms would only enjoy normal profit. It would be at e, where the long run average cost curves (LRAC), average total cost curve (ATC), marginal cost curve (MC) and the demand or average revenue curve would intersect. Figure 5: Net Social Welfare Maximization (Source: McEachern 184) As shown in the above graph, the net social welfare is maximized in a perfectly competitive market structure, as it generates the maximum amount of consumer surplus. Monopoly Unlike perfect competition, the monopoly market structure is displays complete imperfect competition. In this type of a market structure there is only one seller and many buyers in the market. The single seller has the power to determine the price of the product of the service, thus a monopoly seller is a ‘price maker’ in the market. The monopoly seller may sell homogeneous or
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Impact Of U.S. Foreign Policy In Middle East Essay Example for Free
Impact Of U.S. Foreign Policy In Middle East Essay Brief Introduction            The continuing saga of Middle East manifest from the biblical exegesis on the life of Israelites’ struggle in search for the promise land. The struggle from Egypt fleeing on foot and crossing the Red Sea has long been withdrawn from the crusade of Moses.            The exploration of Men from the Christian world has not only found the beauty of Arabian nights, the wonders of Pyramid in Egypt and anthropological finding on the wealth of the Pharaoh but the richness of Middle East resources in oil wells and gold.            A few among men found Middle East in search of destiny from its aboriginal concepts to the foundation of Islam. The transformation of Middle East to the life of the world is carried out by the insatiable desire of men to capture the once pristine and innocent Muslim world.            Today, Middle East surpasses from the annals of time where the dryness of desert is dumped with bloodbath; the fate of the Middle Eastern people is laid from the palm of the explorer. Shooting Birds with One Stone: The US in Iran-Iraq Conflict            The holocaust of Iran-Iraq war is described as one of pandemic mass slaughtering in the 20th century history of Middle East with human casualty toll estimated figures of about 1 to 2 million. It was not only the loss of lives but of financial cost of war that is attributed to being a substantial health budget of poor countries in South East Asia.            Iraq invaded Iran on September 22nd 1980. In which earlier before on that fateful date, similar local rebellion occurred that sparked the invasion. Two years later, Iranian civilian populace resistance enabled the fight and causing Iraqi’s withdrawal. A twist of fate has changed the offensive positioning of Iran but defeated by Iraq’s modernized weapons. The Iran-Iraq war lasted for eight years from 1980 to 1988.            The defection of Iraq to the Communist Russian Soviet has pledged the supplying of weaponry and financial aids relatively to purchase modernized weapons from France. Meanwhile, the United States covertly provided weaponry to Iran through the facilitation of Israel. The reasons behind the covert activity of US were due to the cold war conflict with Soviet Union. In which case, the US was likened to shooting two birds with one stoneâ€â€overcoming two enemies with a single shot of slingâ€â€without direct participation in the battlefield.            Utilizing the US-Israel diplomatic ties, access to intelligence information were secretly supplied to Iran by the CIA, to overwhelm the fallacy of possible direct aggression of Soviet troops, to mislead Iran from its defensive strategies and rely dependency to US (Shalom, S.R., 2005). By providing the so-called open source information, the CIA purposely makes the cover of plans to position with Iran at the time of winning the war. Likewise, a disintegrating information reached Moscow for a possible direct participation of US. The information was passed to demoralize and disintegrate Iraqi’s offensive-defensive position.            From the point of view of Iran-Iraq war, the US gained strategic collaboration with Israel and somehow sympathy of compliment from Iranian ruler Ayatollah Khomeini having supplied with armaments. The US ploy for being diplomatic and yet covertly supporting the war has earned an advantage in the Arabian and Persian oil consortium. Liberalized oil exportation favored the US benefits. The Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein was taken out from the picture of economic and diplomatic ties between the US, the Arabs, Persians and Israelites. What has left with Saddam was the blunt and contemplative Libyan ruler Khadafy.            The US clandestine activities in the Iran-Iraq conflict is perceived by political analysts, military historians and economist as having been brought about by protecting interest to oil resources in the Gulf and preempting the Soviet Union’s armament support to Iraq. Motivated by the similar interest, US continuously enhanced its diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia as a preferential option in the impact of Iran-Iraq war to the rest of Middle Eastern countries. In which case, the US government has utilized the CIA to examine the scenario of rippling effect of Iran-Iraq war and furthering the military and economic aid to Saudi Arabia in accord of protecting the Gulf. Predicted War: Achievement and Idolatry            Indeed, the US has enabled to predict the forthcoming turmoil when the Gulf war broke out in 1990. The Operation Desert Storm has propelled a more strategic US alliance to Saudi Arabia to directly involve at the frontline of defense against the invading Iraqi troops. The presence of US was caught between conflicting Muslim countries and justified by the Soviet instigated Iraqi invasion to Saudi Arabia. The Gulf war was defined as an indirect hostility of superpowers between the US and Soviet Union. Regardless of the ideological Islamic conflict between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the US and Soviet Union aggravated the situation. The cost of Gulf war accounted for substantial armament demand and supply from US and Soviet Union. The opportunity of business has proven in the substantial sale of armaments. Added to that, the US has forged a more established economic ties with Saudi Arabia and invested facilities/technologies on oil production. The end of US-Soviet cold war engages single domination of US in the Gulf. The achievements of US Pentagon’s Operation Desert Storm resulted isolation of Iraq from Islamic allies of US. However, as the US allied governments in Middle East restructure its international diplomatic relations to the Christian world, various Islamic opposition hold the vacuum of power. The influence has instigated alliances in support of Islamism doctrines. Diversity in beliefs to Islamism has drawn divisiveness among Muslim sectarian and fundamentalist. The elevated contrast of ideologies in Islamism has emerged secessionism. The Muslim idolatry in Islam has primarily miscarriage the Oslo Agreement from its conception. The Oslo accord on September 13th 1993 was supposed to bring the future of Israelites and Palestinian people but it was plagued by hunger, political-economic plunder and resistance of Islamic radicals that Israel accounted human carnage of 854 and surviving 5,051 casualties. The inadequacy of Israel to promoting political and monetary indulgence to Palestine broke down the Oslo (Pipes, D., 2003). Likewise, the abortion of Oslo was claimed by the then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the inability of Palestinian ruler Yasser Arafat to break the spell of terrorism and yet continue harboring in his regime (Netanyahu, B., 2002). The effect of aborted Oslo accord enticed Islamic radicals and collaborated with regimes that are enemies of US and its allies. The collaboration of Islamic radicals with Iraqis and Palestinian secessionist trekked down the converging network of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. In which the plagued of terrorism brought about the 9/11 attack to the US. Retaliating Effect: The 9/11 US Tragedy            The September 11th 2001 attack to the US was called as unprecedented and described with bursting indignation of US allies against terrorism. The condemnation to the terroristic attack was acted upon by member states of the United Nations for a call to disarm the belligerent countries and regimes with weapons of mass destruction. Among are Iraq and North Korea in focal point of investigation. The US claimed lately that it found out Iraq conspired with the terroristic handiwork of al-Qaeda. More so, US have known its enemy way back from its role in the Iran-Iraq war. And, the result of intelligence gathering on Iraq aid to al-Qaeda.            The synthesis on the cobweb of US presence to conflicts in Middle East has met the retaliating effect as attributed in the 9/11 tragedy. As the attack was described as cowardice in character, it cannot deny the consideration for a retaliatory factor that instigated the 9/11 tragedy. In contrast, Iraq did not plunge into strategic position which obviously constructed the conspiracy theory of US and its allies in the United Nations. In addition to the theory, it was even more concluded that Iraq was in possession of lethal armament which ruled out by the UN Security Council to be disarmed and eradicated.            In 2003, pursuing Baghdad in Iraq lightened the city with bombardment and advancing US military troops. The short-lived US invasion to Iraq and consequently capturing Saddam Hussein has shown relevance to the dominion of US. The bringing to international court of Justice and prosecution of Saddam relive the Iraqi people to restoring the democracy and government. It was not for US to directing the role of Iraqis in restructuring their way of life but to promulgate socio-political-economic diplomatic ties and exploration of Iraq resources.            What transpired over the extremely pressuring presence of US in the Middle East, with its counter-terrorism agenda, the faà §ade of human carnage and uncertainty that stem from the indigenous war of Muslim in its Islam faith, is a continuing impact of US in Middle East with the excesses of its foreign policy for wealth and power domination. References Celalifer, A. (2005). Paradoxical Policies-EU, Iran and US Triangle. Retrieved January 17, 2008 from www.turkishweekly.net CRS Report for Congress (2007). US Foreign Aid to Israel. Retrieved January 17, 2008 from www.state.gov Harris, M. (2006). Why did the US invade Iraq in 2003? Retrieved January 18, 2008 from www.google.com/search Islamic Thinkers Society (2006). US-Iran relationship more then what it seems? Retrieved January 18, 2008 from www.islamicthinkers.com. National Intelligence Council (2004). Mapping the Global Future. Retrieved January 17, 2008 from www.cia.gov Netanyahu, B. (2002). Concordia: The Speech that Rioting Cancelled. Retrieved January 17, 2008 from www.israelinews.com Pipes, D. (2003). Why Oslo’s Hopes Turned to Dust. New York Post. Retrieved January 17, 2008 from www.danielpipes.org. Shalom, S.R. (2005). The United States and the Iran-Iraq War. Retrieved January 18, 2008 from www.zmag.org.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Applications of Multiple Integrals in Engineering
Applications of Multiple Integrals in Engineering Integrals are used to consider the full body on the basis of analysis done on a small part of it, but these analysis are just on a single dimension of any body, for e.g. if we take a cuboid it has three dimensions i.e. its length, breadth and the height. But by to analyse it we have consider all of its dimensions, this is where Multiple Integrals into application. Multiple integrals are there for multiple dimensions of a body. Now for taking a cuboid into consideration we need to be working in Triple Integration. The definition of a definite integrals for functions of single variable, while working with the integral of single variable is as below, f(x) dx we think of xs as coming from the interval a ≠¤ x ≠¤ b . For these integrals we can say that we are integrating over the interval a ≠¤ x ≠¤ b . Note that this does assume that a < b , however, if we have b < a then we can just use the interval b ≠¤ x ≠¤ a . Now, when we derived the definition of the definite integral we first thought of this as an area problem. We first asked what the area under the curve was and to do this we broke up the interval a ≠¤ x ≠¤ b into n subintervals of width ÃŽâ€x and choose a point, , from each interval as shown below, Each of the rectangles has height of f() and we could then use the area of each of these rectangles to approximate the area as follows, A ≈ f(ÃŽâ€x + f(ÃŽâ€x + f() ÃŽâ€x f() ÃŽâ€x To get the exact area then we take the limits as n that go till infinity, to fulfil the definition of definite integrals = This was how we integrate for a single dimension in a single variable, but we want to integrate a function of two variables, f (x, y). With functions of one variable we integrated over an interval (i.e. a one-dimensional space) and so it makes some sense then that when integrating a function of two variables we will integrate over a region of (two dimensional space). DOUBLE INTEGRALS We will start out by assuming that the region in is a rectangle which we will denote as follows, R = [a,b]*[c, d] This means that the ranges for x and y are a ≠¤ x ≠¤ b and c ≠¤ y ≠¤ d . Also, we will initially assume that f ( x, y) ≠¥ 0 although this doesnt really have to be the case. Lets start out with the graph of the surface S give by graphing f (x, y) over the rectangle R. Now, just like with functions of one variable lets first talk about what the volume of the region under S (and above the xy-plane) is. We will first approximate the volume much as we approximated the area above. We will first divide up a ≠¤ x ≠¤ b into n subintervals and divide up c ≠¤ y ≠¤ d into m subintervals. This will divide up R into a series of smaller rectangles and from each of these we will choose a point (,). Here is a sketch of this set up. Now, over each of these smaller rectangles we will construct a box whose height is given by f (,). Here is a sketch of that. Each of the rectangles has a base area of ÃŽâ€A and a height of f (,) so the volume of each of these boxes is f (,).ÃŽâ€A. The volume under the surface S is then approximately, V ≈ [f (,).ÃŽâ€A] We will have a double sum since we will need to add up volumes in both the x and y directions. To get a better estimation of the volume we will take n and m larger and larger and to get the exact volume we will need to take the limit as both n and m go to infinity. In other words, V = [f (,).ÃŽâ€A] Now, this should look familiar. This looks a lot like the definition of the integral of a function of single variable. In fact this is also the definition of a double integral, or more exactly an integral of a function of two variables over a rectangle. Here is the official definition of a double integral of a function of two variables over a rectangular region R as well as the notation that well use for it. = [f (,).ÃŽâ€A] Note the similarities and differences in the notation to single integrals. We have two integrals to denote the fact that we are dealing with a two dimensional region and we have a differential here as well. Note that the differential is dA instead of the dx and dy that were used to seeing. Note as well that we dont have limits on the integrals in this notation. Instead we have the R written below the two integrals to denote the region that we are integrating over. Note that one interpretation of the double integral of f (x, y) over the rectangle R is the volume under the function f (x, y) (and above the xy-plane). V = We can use this double sum in the definition to estimate the value of a double integral if we need to. We can do this by choosing (,) to be the midpoint of each rectangle. When we do this we usually denote the point as (,). This leads to the Midpoint Rule, ≈ [f ( , ).ÃŽâ€A] Now we be looking at how to actually compute double integrals. Fubinis Theorem If f (x, y) is continuous on R = [a,b]*[c, d] then, = These integrals are called iterated integrals. Note that there are in fact two ways of computing a double integral and also notice that the inner differential matches up with the limits on the inner integral and similarly for the out differential and limits. In other words, if the inner differential is dy then the limits on the inner integral must be y limits of integration and if the outer differential is dy then the limits on the outer integral must be y limits of integration. Now, on some level this is just notation and doesnt really tell us how to compute the double integral. Lets just take the first possibility above and change the notation a little. We will compute the double integral by first computing and we compute this by holding x constant and integrating with respect to y as if this were an single integral. This will give a function involving only xs which we can in turn integrate. Weve done a similar process with partial derivatives. To take the derivative of a function with respect to y we treated the xs as constants and differentiated with respect to y as if it was a function of a single variable. Double integrals work in the same manner. We think of all the xs as constants and integrate with respect to y or we think of all ys as constants and integrate with respect to x. In this case we will integrate with respect to y first. So, the iterated integral that we need to compute is, When setting these up make sure the limits match up to the differentials. Since the dy is the inner differential (i.e. we are integrating with respect to y first) the inner integral needs to have y limits. To compute this we will do the inner integral first and we typically keep the outer integral around as follows, (2x) dx = dx = dx Remember that we treat the x as a constant when doing the first integral and we dont do any integration with it yet. Now, we have a normal single integral so lets finish the integral by computing this. = 7 = 84 we can do the integral in either direction. However, sometimes one direction of integration is significantly easier than the other so make sure that you think about which one you should do first before actually doing the integral. The next topic of this section is a quick fact that can be used to make some iterated integrals somewhat easier to compute on occasion. Fact If f (x, y) = g (x)h( y) and we are integrating over the rectangle R = [a,b]*[c, d] then, dA = ().() So, if we can break up the function into a function only of x times a function of y then we can do the two integrals individually and multiply them together. Lets do a example using this integral. Example- Evaluate , R= [-2,3]*[0,] Solution- Since the integrand is a function of x times a function of y we can use the fact. ().() = . (] = + [y+] = DOUBLE INTEGRALS OVER GENERAL REGIONS In the previous section we looked at double integrals over rectangular regions. The problem with this is that most of the regions are not rectangular so we need to now look at the following double integral à ²Ãƒ ² f(x,y) dA Such figures show us the area that we have to consider and the details about that area i.e. the points from which its starting or finishing at etc. Lets do an example to understand these type of figures and problems well, Example- dA, where D is the region bounded by y = y = . Solution- In this case we need to determine the two inequalities for x and y that we need to do the integral. The best way to do this is the graph the two curves. Here is a sketch. So, from the sketch we can see that that two inequalities are, 0 ≠¤ x ≠¤ 1 , ≠¤ y ≠¤ √x We can now do the integral, dA = dydx = [2xy ]dx = + = TRIPLE INTEGRAL Now that we know how to integrate over a two-dimensional region we need to move on to integrating over a three-dimensional region. We used a double integral to integrate over a two-dimensional region and so it shouldnt be too surprising that well use a triple integral to integrate over a three dimensional region. The notation for the general triple integrals is, dV Lets start simple by integrating over the box, B = [a,b]*[c, d]*[r, s] Note that when using this notation we list the xs first, the ys second and the zs third. The triple integral in this case is, = Note that we integrated with respect to x first, then y, and finally z here, but in fact there is no reason to the integrals in this order. There are 6 different possible orders to do the integral in and which order you do the integral in will depend upon the function and the order that you feel will be the easiest. We will get the same answer regardless of the order however. Lets do a example of this type of triple integral. Example-Determine the volume of the region that lies behind the plane x + y + z = 8 and in front of the region in the yz-plane that is bounded by z = √y and z = y . Solution- In this case weve been given D and so we wont have to really work to find that. Here is a sketch of the region D as well as a quick sketch of the plane and the curves defining D projected out past the plane so we can get an idea of what the region were dealing with looks like. Now, the graph of the region above is all okay, but it doesnt really show us what the region is. So, here is a sketch of the region itself. Here are the limits for each of the variables. 0 ≠¤ y ≠¤ 4 ≠¤ z ≠¤ The volume is then, V = = [ = [ = dz =dy =(8-) = So this is it about the triple integrals as well as the multiple integrals, there are yet some details which are not covered like double integrals in polar coordinates, triple integrals in cylindrical coordinates, and triple integrals in spherical coordinates etc. APPLICATIONS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Now the applications of multiple integrals in mechanical engineering are the basic applications of them i.e. to find areas and volumes of various bodies just by taking a little part of them into consideration. And this is applicable in various fields like while preparing a machine,or the parts to fitted in any machine its size and volume etc. are very important.
Friday, October 25, 2019
The Caste System Ideology in Akira Kurosaw’s Seven Samurai :: Movie Film Essays
The Caste System Ideology in Akira Kurosaw’s Seven Samurai Akira Kurosaw’s Seven Samurai is a film that encompasses various ideologies in order to allow the audience to understand the lives of Japanese people during the 1600’s. The film delves deep in social issues of the roles of the people within the society, the expectations as well as the obligations within the respected castes and elements within groups of ; suffering, working together, protecting family and working for the better good of the community. The caste system ideology is most clearly presented of all the ideologies named. The caste system is embedded in the Japanese culture as well as their way of life. Both the samurai and the farmers are bound by the roles that are imposed by the society. The samurai soldiers are proud protectors of the art of war, they accept their fate in battle as well as their duty to die for the causes they fight for. As the film comes to an end the samurai stand at the foot of the hill with the graves of the fallen soldiers, yet they do not mourn, rather accept the fate of the warriors and understand their place in the caste system. The farmers have a tough time gathering enough samurai to protect their village from the bandits. They are afraid of the warriors, yet they are giving up everything the village posses to employ the samurai to protect the village. After the village is safe, the farmers no longer want the samurai to stay imposing themselves in their village. The separation of the castes is rather obviously displayed in the love affair between the farmer’s daughter and the youngest samurai. The two are actually forbidden to be together due to their social status. This fact is evident when the battles end, the village is safe again, yet the girl chooses to stay with her village than to be with the young samurai. The crossover of the castes did not happen in this film, to show how love can transcend all boundaries and last forever; instead the two fall back into their respected roles in the society.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
â€ÂErnie Breaks†by Genevieve Scott Essay
The short story †Ernie Breaks†by Genevieve Scott is about ten year old Cara, who lives with her mother and her older brother, Jed. The main themes in the short story are responsibility and expectations. It can be elaborated to what you have to do, so you can live up to challenges you are approaching, and to succeed something that you are contemplate responsible for. Sometimes you cannot determine the expectations people have for you, or the responsibility is just too big for your shoulders. Another perspective is other people can also set question marks about the expectations they have for you, or sometimes your effort is just not enough to fulfill other people’s expectations. Shortly to sum up the themes, the story reflects a regular problem concerning too high expectations and responsibility for young people. At the end of every school semester their mother always buys them a passing present. The two siblings want a puppy, but their mother says it requires too much time. Instead, they got a turtle to share. The turtle is named Ernie. The theme and the central ideas are mostly told through the narrator, Cara. She is a young and precarious girl who lives with her mother and brother. She is not very intelligent, for example line 85-87 â€Å"I don’t understand why we have to learn about broken numbers. If something is broken, it’s wrecked and useless anyway. If it’s not your fault that it’s broken, you usually don’t need to care about it†This quote can be referred to the whole story, especially the last sentence when she kills the turtle. The expectations and responsibility for Cara is visible, because she is meant to take care of Ernie, but accidentally kills him by dropping him on the floor. Even though she kills him, Cara did not say a word to her mother, therefore the mother believes she has accomplished her responsibility for Ernie. It is easier for Cara to not tell the truth then admitting she failed her mother’s expectations. In addition to the quote’s last sentence, she says herself that if it’s not your fault that it’s broken, you usually don’t need to care about it. In this case, it is her fault that â€Å"it’s†broken, consequently she should take care of it. She contradicts her self by not telling the truth. Cara’s relationship to her brother is like every other sibling relationship. They are not nice to each other, but at the end of the day, they have each other’s back. Jed is the one who get to keep Ernie in his room, but they shared playing with him fifty-fifty. Since they both are allowed to play with him, the responsibility is also equally shared. In the text Jed acts tough in front of his friend, Toby by ignoring his little sister. For instance in the text line 116-120 â€Å"I look at Ernie’s tiny, twitching legs and I feel like I’m going to be sick. â€Å"Don’t do it, Jed!†I say, â€Å"You’ll hurt him†Jed looks up at me, hair hanging over his eyes. â€Å"Private property†He says. â€Å"You’re being mean,†I say. â€Å"Don’t be so gay†Toby says. â€Å"Turtles don’t feel anything. They have shells†This quote shows that she wants to get his attention, and feels sad because he does not listen to her. A typical older brother, who tries to be cool and act tough in front of his friends. Jed also fails the expectations his mother have for him because he played with Ernie’s little life in a short string. The symbols in the text are clearly more or less. Firstly, the turtle symbolizes responsibility the two siblings need to take care of. The mother trusts them by giving them a pet, so they can share about the responsibility, but unfortunately ruins it. They do not tell her anything that has been going on while the mother is away. This shows the lack of responsibility of Cara and Jed. Another symbol can be Quit4Life, an organization that helps people stop smoking. Their mother is attending to their â€Å"get together†, but secretly she still smokes. That means she is lying to Quit4Life and the same is her children, when Ernie dies. That cannot be a coincidence. It is all about social heritage. The way their mother is in the society will eventually reflect on her children. She is their everyday role model. They look up to her, and since she is lying to other people, why shouldn’t the children lie.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Journal Writing Essay
Week 1 – Reflective Journal This was my first day in class for the unit Co Ordinate the Work Environment. Amongst the class mates each one introduced the self to others, and Adrian as a teacher for the unit introduced himself to all of us. Today’s lecture was based on housekeeping and overview of unit outline. I learned about different ways to contribute and practise effective workplace practises. I also learned about different leadership styles. I felt good throughout the class as I was an active participant in all topics. I felt good about taking on the knowledge about learning and sustaining workplace ethics and self morale. I believe that this knowledge will help during my job times. Week 2 – Reflective Journal In today’s session I learned about developing and implementing work plans. The idea behind is to integrate into and build a healthy, trustworthy and reliable relationship with colleagues. I listened the whole session carefully, gave my opinion at right time and respected to the opinion shared by other students. I also learned about how at a workplace we can maximise the performance and outcomes and yes how can i forget the amazing organisational theories, boring but important. I took proper notes throughout the session and kept myself attentive till the end. Week 3 – Reflective journal In this week’s class I learned about implementing various strategies to ensure that the communication in a workplace is effective. I think the information was very necessary to develop my own level of understanding of initiating and sustaining a healthy communication amongst colleagues. I also learned about different ways of resolving the conflicts at the workplace if and when they arise. I personally would always be proactive about it however at any times if i do face any such conflicts then the knowledge that I received today will help a lot. Week 4 – Reflective Journal This week Adrian told us about workplace environment in regards of the resistance, different ways to deal with it and how we can bring a change in an organisation. I think this week’s session was very important from the academic perspective but also will help me in future in my carrier. I was active throughout the session. We also talked about the decision making process that takes place in everywhere and i felt good about that how important all this info was. Week 5 – Reflective Journal This week’s class was the interesting one because i learned about how important it is to always add on to our existing skills and knowledge by undertaking various training workshops related to same work. It was good to learn that taking such training lessons keeps us synchronised with the latest in the world and that these should not be neglected. Then we were also taught about different ways how we can monitor our own progress and appraisals. I felt this week’s session was very important and the knowledge delivered will help me in future. Week 6 – Reflective Journal This week was an important time in class as i had my first assignment for this unit due. The assignment was to make a report on the overview of any organisation related with the same sector. While making the assignment and reflecting on various areas of the organisation i realised that it included mostly a lot of things that we covered in class and i was glad because i already had them in my mind and my notes.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Quotes on Dance and Life from Isadore Duncan
Quotes on Dance and Life from Isadore Duncan Isadora Duncan was an American dancer who rejected classical ballet forms for more natural movements of interpretive dance, which later evolved into modern dance. Isadora Duncan first found fame in Europe which received her more readily. Isadora Duncans personal life was also unconventional and scandalous, including a dramatic death. Selected Isadora Duncan Quotations Adieu, mes amis. Je vais la gloire. reported as her last words.My motto - sans limites.Dance is the movement of the universe concentrated in an individual.I have discovered the dance. I have discovered the art which has been lost for two thousand years.If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it.The dancers body is simply the luminous manifestation of the soul.What I am interested in doing is finding and expressing a new form of life.People do not live nowadays. They get about ten percent out of life.The whole world is absolutely brought up on lies. We are fed nothing but lies. It begins with lies and half our lives we live with lies.I do not teach children, I give them joy.The finest inheritance you can give to a child is to allow it to make its own way, completely on its own feet.So long as little children are allowed to suffer, there is no true love in this world.The real American type can never be a ballet dancer. The legs are too long, the body too supple and the spirit too free for this school of affected grace and toe walking. It seems to me monstrous that anyone should believe that the jazz rhythm expresses America. Jazz rhythm expresses the primitive savage.I had learned to have a perfect nausea for the theatre: the continual repetition of the same words and the same gestures, night after night, and the caprices, the way of looking at life, and the entire rigmarole disgusted me.Virtuous people are simply those who have not been tempted sufficiently, because they live in a vegetative state, or because their purposes are so concentrated in one direction that they have not had the leisure to glance around them.We may not all break the Ten Commandments, but we are certainly all capable of it. Within us lurks the breaker of all laws, ready to spring out at the first real opportunity.Any intelligent woman who reads the marriage contract, and then goes into it, deserves all the consequences.So that ends my first experience with matrimony, which I always thought a highly overrated performance.It has taken me yea rs of struggle, hard work and research to learn to make one simple gesture, and I know enough about the art of writing to realize that it would take as many years of concentrated effort to write one simple, beautiful sentence. Good-bye, America, I shall never see you again! to reporters on leaving for Europe for the last timeArt is not necessary at all. All that is necessary to make this world a better place to live in is to love to love as Christ loved, as Buddha loved.You were once wild here. Dont let them tame you.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Big Five Personality Theory Essays
Big Five Personality Theory Essays Big Five Personality Theory Essay Big Five Personality Theory Essay Psychology refers to analyze of human head and behaviour. The chief purpose of psychological science is to derive an intricate apprehension of all and why persons behave the manner they do and what are the causes of their behaviour. The ultimate purpose is to understand a adult male in order to profit society at big. There are many theories that discuss and seek to research different facets of human behaviour. The large five personality theory has been radical and is presently the most recognized theoretical account in the scientific community. It consists of five traits – Extraversion. Agreeableness. Conscientiousness. Emotional stableness. and openness and can be remembered by acronym – Ocean. One of the best ways to entree a trait is to straight inquire a individual about the trait ( self study ) and so acquire an perceiver to corroborate the trait ( observer study ) . Me and my hubby scored me on assorted traits as detailed above individually. We scored the replies. the tonss and inside informations of each trait are as below: Extraversion: My extraversion tonss were ( 41- 41 ) . This suggests I am chatty. surpassing. seek escapade. and exhilaration. Introverted people are quiet and reserved. though some research workers have shown that introverts can be every bit gregarious in societal state of affairss as extraverts but the key is in the beginning of energy. Extroverts gain energy from societal interactions where as introverts from purdah. This is so true in my instance. I have neer been comfy being entirely. Openness: I scored ( 78-65 ) in openness. which is characterized by imaginativeness. broadmindedness. originality. Peoples low in this trait traditional. stick to acquaintance. follow tried waies. It’s true in my instance. I love challenges. seeking new things adds new dimension and significance to my life. In fact I would travel in front and state non making different things disappoints me. It is this trait that got me my fellow who is now my hubby. I guess this demand comes because I lived 22years of ritualistic and traditional life. Thankss to a rigorous male parent. Conscientious: I scored ( 33-36 ) on painstaking which is characterized by dependableness. efficiency and continuity. I love order in anything. Be it my closet. gym modus operandi. making my wash on Saturday or cleanliness of the house. Bing on clip to assignments. maintaining order in life. I believe speaks volumes about a individual and I intend to hold a positive 1. Guess. I get that trait from my male parent. He was ever prompt with measures. early for assignments even informal 1s. I did non cognize one could populate any other manner. Agreeableness: I scored 30 ( me ) -43 ( hubby ) in amenity. It is characterized by less negative emotions. like green-eyed monster. retaliation and more empathy. Peoples low in this trait expression to win statements non people. tilt more towards exhilaration and laterality. I guess my hubby sees me as being as agreeable because he himself is a agreeable individual and sees positive in others ever whereas I am more critical of myself. I am supportive of friends and household and sympathize a batch with people to an extent that I feel angry if my close 1s are insulted. But at the same clip if person does something incorrect even if it is my female parent I will non halt myself from facing her. So. I must state I agree with my mark of 30. Emotional stableness: I Scored 16 ( me ) -29 ( hubby ) in Emotional stableness. It is characterized by stableness in emotions in assorted state of affairss in life and they are unagitated. free from relentless negative feelings. Peoples evaluation low on this trait show negative emotions like choler. anxiousness. depression. low tolerance to emphasize. temper swings and pessimism. Both me and my hubby have scored me low on this graduated table. The ground is I do acquire stressed easy. Exams. major determinations in life acquire me on my nervousnesss. At those times I am a different individual – angry. non accessible and cranky. But one time I find solution to the job in my head. I instantly acquire back to being myself. I guess. I need to work on being more stable. The large 5 theory helps shed light towards formation of human personalities and why different persons exhibit different emotions and reactions when covering with different societal state of affairss. Human behavio r merely like psychological science itself is a wide forte and holding all the replies is virtually impossible. However holding different theories give countless inside informations that helps organize a bigger image of causes and variables that shape a homo. Anju Priyadarshini
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Applying psychological perpective to a case study
Applying psychological perpective to a case study The aim of this report is to apply psychological perspectives of human growth and development to a specific case study. To demonstrate an understanding of psychological theories of human behaviour with regards to a specific stage in life and to identify ways in which these theories underpin the social work profession. This report will analyse the case of Tina with primarily giving the history and evidence of the case. The report will then explain the possible psychological explanations for Tina’s behaviour, followed by a conclusion and the recommendations the social worker may advise in order to assist Tina. Case history/sequence of events It would appear from Tina’s background she had a difficult upbringing and this appears to have stemmed from her mother leaving when she was three years old. She was left in the care of an abusive alcoholic father and there appears to be significant amount of neglect from her father and issues with poor standards of hygiene. Although, this evidence is from a former friend, both Tina and her brother John were placed on the Child Protection register. Tina was sexually active in early adolescence which then lead to her having a baby at fourteen years old but the baby was taken into emergency foster care as there was evidence of neglect and physical abuse. When Tina was eight months pregnant her GP referred her and her boyfriend Tom to social services due to concerns about their ability to cope with the unborn child because of her previous history. When the social worker visited the family home she reported the conditions of the flat, which is on the fourteenth floor, were unacceptable due to poor standards of hygiene and no signs of preparation for the unborn child. Tom was extremely unreceptive towards the social worker. The social worker received a call from the hospital two days after Tina and Tom had their baby as Tina was seen by staff at the hospital to smack the baby. Psychodynamic explanations of human beha viour Freud’s psychodynamic theory is widely used in the social work profession and is extremely valuable when attempting to understand the relationship between feelings, emotions and behaviour. From a Freudian perspective there appears to be significant evidence surrounding Tina’s childhood experiences and the difficulties she experienced could relate to how her behaviour is affecting her capabilities in looking after her baby. According to Freud (1938) disturbances in the five stages of psychosexual development in childhood could result in abnormal behaviour in adulthood. Perhaps the most important crisis point in these stages is the phallic stage which occurs around the age of three and therefore, does relate to the age when Tina’s mother abandoned her. Freud (1923) would suggest this may cause the child to repress the sexual and aggressive urges into the unconscious causing problems later in life. He suggests children will internalise aspects of their parent ’s standards and would follow what their parents do with regards to aggression and other forms of anti-social behaviour. From a Freudian point of view, it could be argued Tina is exhibiting the same behaviour as her father with being over sexualised and her aggressive behaviour is being displaced unto her newborn baby. Therefore, it would appear the social worker could use the Freudian view of Tina’s behaviour, as it could relate to the disturbances she encountered in her childhood and more specifically the abuse and neglect from her father.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Radical Behaviorist Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Radical Behaviorist Critique - Essay Example For the purpose of ensuring that the learner meets the learning outcome described above, it is of essence to use the constructivism radical approach during instruction. Constructivist approach Constructivism involves allowing the learner to solve problems on their own based on the experience they have gained over time. A constructivist classroom does not consider the learner as a passive recipient of information. Rather, the learner is actively involved in discovering knowledge by themselves and not necessarily depending on the instructor. In constructivist learning, the role of the teacher is simply to facilitate learning activities, then leaving the learner to acquire knowledge on their own. According to Seel (2011) constructivist theorists believe that the acquisition of knowledge is determinant on prior knowledge. Therefore, a learner only builds up upon previous knowledge while learning. Accordingly, in my mathematics class, the learners will be required to use the knowledge the y have acquired over time coupled with new ideas to find solutions to the algebraic problems. More importantly, the learners will use the mathematical knowledge they have acquired previously to achieve the set learning outcomes. ... This means that as a learner continues to perceive external information, they continually blend it with what they already know about the topic and make a meaning out of it. The process of acquiring external information may be through reading a book or viewing images. In the process of doing either, the learner stores the information in the short-term memory then later on, after they are through reading or viewing, the information is transferred into the long-term memory (Seel, 2011). From the long-term memory, the information can now be retrieved as knowledge. Using this information processing theory, I would change the view of constructivists that the teacher does not have a very important role to play in learner-centered learning. It is obvious that the learner needs the teacher to simplify some of the concepts for easier encoding and decoding. Therefore, in as much as the learner should be left to solve the problem on their own, the teacher needs to guide the learner in perceiving the instructions and solving the problem. Some algebraic equations may be too complex for the learner and they may need the teacher’s intervention. Schema theory of meaningful learning According to the schema theory, meaningful learning can only occur if the learner is able to use their schema to interpret their experiences. Schema in this case refers to a learner’s existing knowledge. This theory is somehow similar to the constructivist theory, in that it emphasizes on the role played by prior experiences in determining how a learner acquires knowledge. The constructivist and schema theories belong to a group of learning approaches that emphasize on discovery learning. Here, the learner is left to discover concepts on their own,
What I learned and what i think about the things ive watched Essay
What I learned and what i think about the things ive watched - Essay Example They bring back to life all abandoned neighborhoods, something that gives them enough wages as they await their graduation. Ritz mission is bringing hope and awareness in neighborhoods that have been devalued. He explodes with energy during the presentation hence engaging the audience in the conversation without swaying them from the message. The second video of Majora Carter features three crucial stories. The first story is that of Brenda, who was hired to assist ex-convicts in re-entering the society and preventing them from reconviction. Her solution, in turn, was to establish a business that could manufacture skin products using honey. The program employed seemingly unemployable men converted them, and made them productive citizens. Secondly, Andy Lipkis works to help Los Angeles reduce infrastructure costs that come with urban heat island and water management – linking technology, people and trees to establish a livable city. Trees normally absorb water hence helping to cool the city. Finally, Judy Bonds the coal miner’s daughter saw potential wind energy on a mountain of reduced elevation of over 2,000 feet. She was against removals of mountaintops for mining. This would guarantee clean energy and stimulate development of technical skills and local knowledge on harnessing wind energy. The third video is part of an interdisciplinary seminar series that examines the necessary changes within the system of free market. The tough questions that were tabled include whether capitalism can truly be just and sustainable. This comes at a time when there is global climate change, depletion of resources, inequality and social unrest. The seminar noted that current political and economic models are proving unsustainable. Some of the suggestions put forward for changes include law and public policy, science and technology, consumer behavior, the
Managing Cross Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words
Managing Cross Culture - Essay Example Dysfunctional employee outcomes such as sceptical behaviour, job insecurity, psychological anxiety and distress which in turn results in worse health outcomes can be caused by un-planned cross-border merger and acquisition activities (Chung et al. 2014). There are three theoretical approaches for studying the employee problems associated with merger and acquisition namely, psychological, social and cultural (Marmenout, 2010). Objectives of this study are to examine the problems which can arise to a company in the UK during acquiring or merging with a Chinese company and to provide a comprehensive guideline to overcome those problems. Current study adopts literature methodology to adopt focusing on the cultural perspective which states that combining two distinct organizations with different cultures often leads to a cultural clash or collision that undermines individual employyes’ performances (Barry & Slocum, 2003; Marmenout, 2010). Cross-border merger and acquisition initiat ives are considered even more challenging to the work force compared to the within country business expansion because the employees are confronted with various cultural difference at the organization level as well as nation level (Chung et al. 2014). There are language-barriers, different religions, contradicting believes, values and perceptions in the society which may obstacle from achieving the goals of cross-border merger. Current research findings reveal that productivity of the human resource component in a firm can be severely affected by the un-planned cross-border expansion (Makri, 2012) because in the new company there is an interface where the cultural values of individuals coming from the two different organizations and countries are interacted. If this interface was not carefully designed cultural clash or collision can occur disrupting the functions of the organization. As the nature of the difficulties faced during the business expansion across the borders highly depe nds up on specific cultures, most of the researchers have restricted to specific case studies. The current study also focuses on problems which were identified in research studies based on the cross-border merger and acquisition activities initiated by the companies in the Western part of the world and China. Chapter organization of the study can be described as follows. Part one provides an insight as to what are problems of cross-border merger and acquisition activities with a special emphasis on the differential cultural values. Part two presents recommendations to face the above challenges. Finally the summary of the research findings are presented under conclusions. Part 01 Literature Review Power Status of the Organizations involved in Cross-Culture Business Expansion Cross-border (or cross-culture) expansion of businesses often involves organizations which are characterised by status differences. Organizations which have differential power status are involved in cross-border expansion because merger and acquisition are the methods by which the cross-border expansion is achieved by the companies. Fischer et al. 2007, states that market expansion of the organizations comprises of an organization which is more economically successful or of greater size and the rest of the
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Reflection articles Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Reflection articles - Article Example Thus, the issue of disrespect can be resolved in a number of ways. First, one has to review the kind of relationship he or she has with others in the office. Secondly, compare yourself with other professionals and listen to the view of other people about their jobs. Lastly, challenge yourself by setting and achieving several goals that are related to his or her career. In any group of individuals, there must be issues arising regularly. These issues are best handled through appropriate methods of resolution. Thus, in resolution of issues, one has to focus on the following aspects: Convert the complaints to respect, make sure all the statements are made using â€Å"I†or â€Å"we,†focus on the future only, come up with a solution, keep off from making demands and avoid generalizing of ideas. For instance, in an organization where an individual or individuals complain about a colleague not finishing up his or her job and over burden others, is an issue which needs to be addressed. In finding a solution to such issues, a number of factors have to be considered. These factors include: Avoiding a sarcastic tone in making requests or approaches, expect to work out the resolution steps effectively, be respectful to the parties involved and finally try to recognize the needs of every human; to be listened to and understood. Health professionals have a key responsibility of educating patients in regard to their specific health issues. For instance, dental hygienist has a role of educating patients about their oral health; instructions on oral hygiene and significance of maintaining oral hygiene. For one to perform effectively in this, one has to provide the patients with a general overview of the entire procedure placing emphasis on the specific words to be used in the whole process (Smith, 1). The phrases which are used in such practices are extremely vital to both
Role of Women in Greek Tragedy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Role of Women in Greek Tragedy - Research Paper Example Below are four tales of tragic events associated to the women’s inherent flaws. 2. Prometheus Bound: The Role of Pandora in the Release of Evil Prometheus, an immortal god, is the creator of the human race. He stole fire from the temple of Zeus and gave it back to men, despite awareness that the supreme god will be infuriated. As punishment for his crime, Prometheus was sent to severely suffer to a mountain in Scythia for thirty thousand years. The fire thief was bound in an iron chain while an eagle delivered by Zeus ate his liver out during the day. The liver, or some say the heart, constantly grows back at night to be feasted on again by the wicked bird. As this did not appease his anger, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to â€Å"mould a virgin, Pandora, of earth, whom Athena adorned with all the charms calculated to entice mortals†(Theoi.com). Pandora, as she is named, was sent to Epimetheus to become his wife. Pandora is said to be the first woman on Earth, indicted for ha ving casted evil upon the mortal souls as stated by Hesiod, â€Å"for from her is the descent of female women (for the race and tribes of women are destructive,) a great pain for mortals, living with men, companions not of destructive Poverty but of Plenty†(Hes. Theog. 521). ... 3. Oedipus Rex: The Role of Jacosta in the Doom of Oedipus A prophecy forewarned the king of Thebes, Lauis, that his son by Jocasta will murder him. To escape such a tragedy, he tied the infant’s ankles and commanded a shepherd to leave it to die at Mount Cithaeron. Taking pity on the innocent soul, the shepherd instead brought him to Polybus, king of Corinth and wife Merope. They raised the child as their own and called him Oedipus. Intrigued by questions about his true identity, and with his adopted parents standing firm on the deception that he is their own, Oedipus consulted the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. Oedipus was told that he is fated to take the life of his father and make a wife of his own mother. Horrified of what awaits him in what he thought was his birth land, Oedipus left Corinth, determined never to return. On his journey to Thebes, he came upon Laius and had him killed when a squabble over pride sets in, inadvertently fulfilling part of the prophecy. At the t ime, Thebes was in state of trepidation on account of a man-eating Sphinx, thus unable to pay enough attention to the death of its king. Oedipus, however, brought the Sphinx’s reign of terror to an end by answering its riddle about the phases of human life. Consequently, Oedipus was granted the right to the throne and the hand of Jacosta, widow to Laius and mother to Oedipus, in marriage. Jocasta, upon realization of the bitter truth, hanged herself to death. She could have prevented the fulfilment of the prophecy had she performed her duty as a mother to a helpless infant. Oedipus would not have to leave Thebes, loved her as any righteous son would, and valued the life of his own sire. In addition she failed at acquiring justice over the death of her
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Managing Cross Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words
Managing Cross Culture - Essay Example Dysfunctional employee outcomes such as sceptical behaviour, job insecurity, psychological anxiety and distress which in turn results in worse health outcomes can be caused by un-planned cross-border merger and acquisition activities (Chung et al. 2014). There are three theoretical approaches for studying the employee problems associated with merger and acquisition namely, psychological, social and cultural (Marmenout, 2010). Objectives of this study are to examine the problems which can arise to a company in the UK during acquiring or merging with a Chinese company and to provide a comprehensive guideline to overcome those problems. Current study adopts literature methodology to adopt focusing on the cultural perspective which states that combining two distinct organizations with different cultures often leads to a cultural clash or collision that undermines individual employyes’ performances (Barry & Slocum, 2003; Marmenout, 2010). Cross-border merger and acquisition initiat ives are considered even more challenging to the work force compared to the within country business expansion because the employees are confronted with various cultural difference at the organization level as well as nation level (Chung et al. 2014). There are language-barriers, different religions, contradicting believes, values and perceptions in the society which may obstacle from achieving the goals of cross-border merger. Current research findings reveal that productivity of the human resource component in a firm can be severely affected by the un-planned cross-border expansion (Makri, 2012) because in the new company there is an interface where the cultural values of individuals coming from the two different organizations and countries are interacted. If this interface was not carefully designed cultural clash or collision can occur disrupting the functions of the organization. As the nature of the difficulties faced during the business expansion across the borders highly depe nds up on specific cultures, most of the researchers have restricted to specific case studies. The current study also focuses on problems which were identified in research studies based on the cross-border merger and acquisition activities initiated by the companies in the Western part of the world and China. Chapter organization of the study can be described as follows. Part one provides an insight as to what are problems of cross-border merger and acquisition activities with a special emphasis on the differential cultural values. Part two presents recommendations to face the above challenges. Finally the summary of the research findings are presented under conclusions. Part 01 Literature Review Power Status of the Organizations involved in Cross-Culture Business Expansion Cross-border (or cross-culture) expansion of businesses often involves organizations which are characterised by status differences. Organizations which have differential power status are involved in cross-border expansion because merger and acquisition are the methods by which the cross-border expansion is achieved by the companies. Fischer et al. 2007, states that market expansion of the organizations comprises of an organization which is more economically successful or of greater size and the rest of the
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Role of Women in Greek Tragedy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Role of Women in Greek Tragedy - Research Paper Example Below are four tales of tragic events associated to the women’s inherent flaws. 2. Prometheus Bound: The Role of Pandora in the Release of Evil Prometheus, an immortal god, is the creator of the human race. He stole fire from the temple of Zeus and gave it back to men, despite awareness that the supreme god will be infuriated. As punishment for his crime, Prometheus was sent to severely suffer to a mountain in Scythia for thirty thousand years. The fire thief was bound in an iron chain while an eagle delivered by Zeus ate his liver out during the day. The liver, or some say the heart, constantly grows back at night to be feasted on again by the wicked bird. As this did not appease his anger, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to â€Å"mould a virgin, Pandora, of earth, whom Athena adorned with all the charms calculated to entice mortals†(Theoi.com). Pandora, as she is named, was sent to Epimetheus to become his wife. Pandora is said to be the first woman on Earth, indicted for ha ving casted evil upon the mortal souls as stated by Hesiod, â€Å"for from her is the descent of female women (for the race and tribes of women are destructive,) a great pain for mortals, living with men, companions not of destructive Poverty but of Plenty†(Hes. Theog. 521). ... 3. Oedipus Rex: The Role of Jacosta in the Doom of Oedipus A prophecy forewarned the king of Thebes, Lauis, that his son by Jocasta will murder him. To escape such a tragedy, he tied the infant’s ankles and commanded a shepherd to leave it to die at Mount Cithaeron. Taking pity on the innocent soul, the shepherd instead brought him to Polybus, king of Corinth and wife Merope. They raised the child as their own and called him Oedipus. Intrigued by questions about his true identity, and with his adopted parents standing firm on the deception that he is their own, Oedipus consulted the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. Oedipus was told that he is fated to take the life of his father and make a wife of his own mother. Horrified of what awaits him in what he thought was his birth land, Oedipus left Corinth, determined never to return. On his journey to Thebes, he came upon Laius and had him killed when a squabble over pride sets in, inadvertently fulfilling part of the prophecy. At the t ime, Thebes was in state of trepidation on account of a man-eating Sphinx, thus unable to pay enough attention to the death of its king. Oedipus, however, brought the Sphinx’s reign of terror to an end by answering its riddle about the phases of human life. Consequently, Oedipus was granted the right to the throne and the hand of Jacosta, widow to Laius and mother to Oedipus, in marriage. Jocasta, upon realization of the bitter truth, hanged herself to death. She could have prevented the fulfilment of the prophecy had she performed her duty as a mother to a helpless infant. Oedipus would not have to leave Thebes, loved her as any righteous son would, and valued the life of his own sire. In addition she failed at acquiring justice over the death of her
High School Essay Example for Free
High School Essay I like to believe that everyone has their own goals and dreams they would like to accomplish. Every person’s dreams and goal differ from one another. My name is Gwendolyn Pavon, and I too, have goals and dreams that I hope to accomplish. Having a future and a good career is something I have always dreamed about. My current academic goals are to stay in school. Being in school is my main priority, and focusing on my schoolwork is important to me. I have the opportunity to be in school and receive financial help and I won’t let this opportunity pass by. I realize how hard things are getting in the real word. Careers are becoming harder to find and to keep, therefore I’m willing to get an education to get a good career. I never really had people to motivate me to stay in school until my senior year in high school. I opened up to my English teacher about a couple things, and she made me realize a lot. I remember being younger and my father telling me to say in school, but after he left I didn’t have much motivation. My English teacher always pushed me into doing my work and staying in school. It felt nice knowing she cared about me getting an education. She helped me with scholarship applications, with getting everything done to get into college and helped me out with anything I needed. College isn’t as easy as high school, but I’m honestly willing to do anything to get a degree and hopefully become a nurse one day. All the work, and waking up early will be worth it in the future. Soon I will have to get a job and save money for my own car. I’m not so sure if having a job and being in school will be so easy, but if it gets tough I will not give up. I have understood that there will be complicated times in life, but the one thing I will never do is give up. I don’t have much people to push me into doing what I want, but I push and motivate myself. I want the best things in the world, and having the best things means working hard to get them. I’m not the smartest person out there, but I know that I’m a pretty bright person. Although being in school isn’t something I like so much, I have decided to continue going. My weaknesses as a learner outweigh my strengths. I can get very distracted easily and I have trouble staying focused on a topic. I have to constantly remind myself to get back on topic. Getting distracted interferes with my learning, but I work at it every day to try to focus on my work. The good thing is that if something really interests me, I give it my full attention. Being in school and sitting through fifty minute classes isn’t something I always enjoy but I do have days where I enjoy the classes. Focusing on my school work will be a little complicated for me, but I’m willing to put in all my effort to continue my education. Getting an education, being successful, and accomplishing my goals and dreams are really important to me. I will prove to people that I will be successful and continue getting an education.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Malaysian Airlines Computer System Management
Malaysian Airlines Computer System Management Malaysian Airlines (MAS) has won many awards for its quality customer service since it began on 1937. Since then MAS has increased its fleet size by providing both cargo and passenger travel. The company had gone through the tough times (2005) and some of its best times (2008, 2009) in the last 10 years. Even though the fuel prices are increasing MAS have reduced some of the costs of maintaining the fleet to be successful in the industry. By providing some of the best services in terms of technology and maintained the quality of the applications and hardware by outsourcing these areas to some of the most well-known companies in the industry. The company is currently implementing the hub-and-spoke network which considers Kuala Lumpur as the hub in the network. The increase in Low-cost carriers (LCC) has led to MAS changing some of its strategies, and in Business Turnaround Plan (BTP) 2 it was clear that the company is targeting to become a Five Star Value Carrier (FSVC). Current Business Model and recent Strategies The main hub of MAS is in Kuala Lumpur while it has recently announced its selection of Kota Kinabalu as its eastern hub. The reason for this is that it is targeting China, Taiwan, North Asia, Indonesia and Australia markets (Karantzavelou, 2010). MAS recovered from the loss in 2005 by cancelling some of the unprofitable routes and furthermore changing its operations from point-to-point services to a hub-and-spoke service. Using hub-and-spoke model it would reduce the number of routes and some of the more complicated tasks could be carried out at the hub rather than each node. Some issues that may need to be addressed may include that delays in the hub may affect the whole network by causing delays. Figure Hub-and-spoke network as displayed in BTP2 As displayed in the diagram some of the code share and interline partners of MAS are as follows: KLM for Northern Europe Alitalia for Southern Europe Virgin Blue for Australia South African Airways for Africa China Southern Airlines for Chine MAS were making losses of more than 1 billion on 2002, where the main reason for this was the increase in the fuel prices in 2000. Even though the cargo traffic increased between 2001 and 2002 the profits were not increased due to the rise in the operational cost. Some of the challenges MAS faced includes overcapacity, intense competition with yields and profit margins eroding as well as liberalization of ASEAN skies and rising fuel costs. The company started focusing on improving the cost and productivity of the company in accordance with BTP. One of the techniques that MAS used was to introduce the performance management system in all the company offices. This improved the staff performance by providing a reward and recognition scheme with motivated the staff by rewarding them on their performance and contribution to the company. It is known that such techniques to improve the decision making skill of all the staff and keep the staff motivated since they would feel as a valuable member of the company. After achieving the profit targets by 2008, MAS introduced the BTP2 which highlighted the rise of low-cost competition, increasing fuel prices and rise in the public pressure on environmental issues. The purpose of BTP2 was to maintain the growth that MAS has been experiencing after 2003. Hence MAS decided to build an airline that would provide the best services in the industry and has decided to become a FSVC. The way MAS currently works is by providing quality services at reasonable prices which are higher compared to budget-airlines such as Air Asia. MAS have been trying to renew its fleet by ordering Airbus A330s and A380s. Furthermore for the year 2010 it was identified that the main purpose is to maintain the growth following the last three years using the BTP. With the competition from Air Asia, MAS is trying to focus on the areas that it is good at and trying to co-exist with Air Asia in the market. There were delays in the delivery of A380, so compensation for this delay was collected by MAS. There was increase in fuel cost for MAS by almost 42% between 1st Quarter 2009 and 1st Quarter 2010, and it was only possible to reduce other expenditures by only 7% (Yee, 2010). However it was possible for MAS to gain a profit after receiving the compensation for A380. The most important plans currently are the fleet renewal plans. It is understood that by renewing the fleets the maintenance cost could be reduced by disposing the older models of planes which require more maintenance due to operating for a long time. Furthermore MASKargo has been able to support the increase in demand for cargo at the end of 2009. The online services provided by MAS have been improving with providing online booking services to many additional destinations mainly in Europe. This would enable the customers to easily book their flights and furthermore provide details on prices, dates and other necessary details online. The need for customers to go to the ticketing offices would be significantly reduced and tickets could be bought at any time. MAS currently implement a frequent flyer program which gives certain benefits to its members such as priority check-in, priority standby and extra baggage allowance. The program is called Enrich frequent flyer program which increase the miles by using MAS services or even using the services of some of the partners of MAS such as airlines, hotels and credit-card companies. By implementing such programs MAS is able to maintain its more frequent travelers by providing quality services and providing them with discounts/ benefits according to the miles that the passenger have travelled. Current IT/ IS Infrastructure To reduce cost and increase profitability MAS selected Avaya for its Contact Center Transformation Project (Swamy, 2010). The purpose of the project was to improve the customer service by using Avaya since they already have well-established platforms that provide information in real-time. Avaya already has many systems such as Call Management System and Avaya Aura Workforce Optimization which would assist MAS to improve the workforce and customer services. Avaya was selected because they are a well-known and established company in providing customer services with experience in the area and it would be more beneficial for the company to give Avaya the project rather than having the company (MAS) staff work on the project. Thus, MAS would be able to use its resources (staffs) in other areas of business. These services are supposed to be implemented in mid-April 2011. Following the BTP2, MAS selected Nortel as the company to provide the communication network. Nortel offers real time communications such as voice, video and other multimedia services with low power consumption using Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 8600 (Nortel, 2008). This system would improve the communication with a centrally managed network to provide support for the operations/ activities of the business. Since Nortel is experienced in providing these types of system would improve the quality of the services, and MAS need not hire experienced staff to develop it and could focus on other activities. These type of communication systems would help the company to communicate within the company and with the customers. MAS have a contract with IBM for 10 years to maintain the IT infrastructure, application maintenance and development (Amonk, 2003). IBM would be providing skill transfer to the IT staffs working in MAS such that staffs working in MAS would have the relevant knowledge to maintain the servers and applications. Since IBM is one of the leading IT service provider, MAS signed the contract with IBM such that it would help the company to meet the increasing IT needs of the future. Later MAS selected Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to maintain the data center and the maintain the IT network. According to the BTP, a key priority was to improve the Passenger Service System (PSS) such that MAS would have a quality IT system. Hence MAS selected Specialists in Air Transport Communications and IT Solutions (SITA) to improve the ticketing system (SITA, 2008). The introduction of the e-ticketing system, fuel efficiency programmers, rationalization of facilities and customer service would save lots of costs for MAS. The introduction of e-ticking and web check in systems provided customers with the convenience of getting tickets 24/7 and it improved the sales significantly. MAS currently have contracts with SITA and TSC to maintain the network of computers and Applications. It was further identified that MAS uses Symantec security products to reduce IT related risks (Symantic Corp., 2008). The risks of security increased with the development of online services and it reduces the risk of threats on its servers and applications. Another notable IT solution is the Sabre Movement Manager which was implemented by MAS in 2004 which assist the company in scheduling and monitoring of the flights and this system was later integrated with the other systems such as e-ticketing system (Business Wire, 2004). The company Sabre Airlines Solutions is one of the largest developer of this type of systems, hence this product could be considered very reliable. However, the company would need to be able to integrate this systems with other future systems that may require some of the data generated using this system. Furthermore, to make it easy for customers MAS introduced worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first iPad Kiosks and self check-in Kiosks. (slinger, 2010). Conclusion MAS have been very successful with the BTP, since the company performed better than what was forecasted in the plan. The company had improved the productivity and reduced the costs for the company. MAS have been successful in attracting businessmen who are frequent flyers with the Enrich frequent flyer program. Furthermore, MAS have implemented the IT solutions by outsourcing the work to companies which are experienced in the area. The company has been improving the IT services especially to the customer with the latest technology such as the latest kiosk and iphone augmented reality application. Hence MAS is already a well-established company with the right IT infrastructure and implementing strategies that are suitable by taking into account the external factors. word limit: 1650 words
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Corruption in Hamlet :: Essays on Shakespeare Hamlet
Corruption in Hamlet          An incidental comment from a minor character lays down, in the opening moments of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the theme which is to pin together all its aspects. Francisco the guard says, 'I am sick at heart.' [Act I. Sc. I, 29]. Francisco's sick melancholy is in keeping with the atmosphere of corruption and decay which permeates the play; unexplained, difficult to define, but with a clear component of dread. And, typically, his expression of misgivings is misinterpreted, perhaps even underestimated. Barnardo, seeking palpable reasons for Francisco's distraction, asks whether Francisco has had a quiet watch. Perhaps he wonders if the ghost has disturbed Francisco, but whatever is ailing Franciso remains secret, simply becoming a part of the anxious atmosphere.   We are constantly reminded of the pervading atmosphere of decay through the imagery used in the play. It is a significant point that the ghost, the only character that could arguably be termed an outside observer, and who is certainly qualified to make some form of prophetic judgement, should be one of the prime sources of imagery of decay, poison and rotting.  Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebona in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment . . . . . . doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, the thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine. And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust All my smooth body [Act I, Sc. v, 66 - 78]  A graphic description, especially since only moments before the ghost had instructed Hamlet not to pity it!  Throughout the play we can trace a progression of corruption, that leads to death, through 'disease' in the characters of Polonius, Claudius and Hamlet.   Polonius is perhaps the most obviously corrupt character in Hamlet. His corruption has occurred long before the play begins; the progression is in the extent to which it is revealed to us. From this courteous, almost comically long-winded member of the court, emerges a personality that is first dominating (as he instructs Laertes: 'These few precepts in thy memory/ Look thou character.' [Act I, Sc. iii, 63]), clearly abusive towards Ophelia:  Affection? Pooh! You speak like a green girl, Unsifted in such perilous circumstance,
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Native americans :: essays research papers
Take a look what do you see? Heaven? Birds? Planes? Have you ever thought that possibly there is another world above us? Well the native Americans did. They came up with preposterous myths like these witch are written about in the two stories, â€Å"Earth on a turtles back†and â€Å"when Grizzlies walked upright†. Your probably thinking to your self where do they come up with these absurd ideas and stories. However im sure if you lived in that time period did with no formsof entertainment and had to sit around looking at trees 24/7 , you would most likely be coming up with some bizarre stories like these two. In both stories creation begins with a woman that is curios and creation is an accident. In both of the stories animals are highly looked at,and constantly helping or causing issues. Personification is also use to describe the animals acting humanly and other things such as the wind†entering†. Although these twostories are alike in many ways they have several differences, The two stories are both how curtiosity caused creation but there are many unique things that twist the stories to make them different, staring with the whole in the â€Å"skyland†in the first story the hole is created by a uprooted tree and is already exsisting in the second. The next thing that happens is that the pregnate women falls through the hole and is saved by animals and leads to the animalshelping to create an earth on a turtles back. While in the second story the girl rolls down a hill and mates with a grizzely bear an the grizzley bear is cursed to walk on all 4’s.there was no land in the first story and there has already nature and land below the sky world in the 2nd story. The stories both end differently the seeds that the woman happen to get when she fell were planted on the turtles back and that created nature. In the second it ended with the grizzley being cursed.even thouth these examples from these storiesa are a bit out landish they were clever,an d creature enough to make it into a high school lit book.
Friday, October 11, 2019
Cost Of Goods
The cost of making the product is an expense to the business and reduces the profit that the company can make when selling the products. The COGS is calculation once a year by showing charges from the Start to the end of the company fiscal (financial) year.In calculation the COGS you need to include cost of producing the product, wholesale price of good resold and what the direct manual labor cost the company makes the product. The other costs to be calculation is cost of containers, freight, rent, utilities, shipping and overhead. Whenever the COGS increase the net income is less. The sales of products need to be kept down to increase the profit. Inventory also determined the COGS by it changes of the product that was sold at the beginning of year and the inventory at the end of the previous year is calculation.The cost of goods purchased and made during the year is added up and the inventory at the end of the year is subtracted. This calculation is done so the company will know how much the inventory cost and how much was sold by the company during the year. The inventory is reported at the cost to make or buy the product, it is not the cost to sell it. If sells items cost change during the year, the company much figure out a transaction to deal with those cost changes in a way suitable to the IRS. It would have to figure this change into their COGS equation.The IRS has quite a few standard ways to account for changes in cost through the year without having to track each product price separately. 2. Record the transactions HTH made the purchase and sale of merchandise. All sales transactions have a credit entry to the sales account. The other transactions depend on the particular situation that is surrounding that transaction. There are make ways a company can makes sales and it can have a impact on an transactions sales. The sales can be for cash, resulting in a debit to cash or credit, which can lead to a debit to account receivable.The companies that use t he cash method receive sales only when actual cash have been received. When using the accrual method record the sales the moment the sale is made regardless of payment. In a permanent inventory system every entry for a sale must have a matching entry cost of goods. Using this system you have to book a cost of goods transaction for every individual inventory item you sell. The periodic systems from beginning to end on cost of goods entries are recorded during the accounting period, resulting in single -entry sales transaction.Once a business chosen an counting system that method dictates that part of the entry all the time. In a cash system you cannot ever record a sale transaction until the money has been paid. A cash or credit transaction may be different because it depends on the actual sales. Also there are risks when using cash sales and credit sales. When using the cash sales you get paid right then there is no waiting to receive your money in cash or credit card. With credit s ales the company extend credit with agreement of to be paid later and the business run the risk that the customer may not pay the money on time or pay not at all.It is very important when using the cash or credit system for a transaction the company needs to keep a record Of it (document) so the detail can be found of the transaction. The detail should include sales receipt with date, description of what was sold and the amount of the item. But credits sales are (not credit card sales) are treated just like a cash sales. The source document is done on a invoice slip it include all the information as the sale receipts and much more it have the purchaser name, contact information, credit terms due date, account number, purchase order number and invoice number.These record much be kept straight this should be done by premiered sale receipts and invoices slips and must be use in order, this will make it easier when you have to use then for information which you will need now and later. When using the accrual method accounting recording system should always be put in a second Journal entry for the cash part at the time of the receipt and this accounting method only let you know when you count the revenue not how you got it.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Business Analysis – International Strategy and Competitive Advantages
Introduction According to Iliev et al (2004, p. 133), Apple Inc. was selling its products exclusively in America, initially. Nowadays, Apple has expanded significantly beyond domestic market. Apple has so far succeeded to become a multinational organization, selling products and resourcing law materials globally. To minimize the impact of the existing rivalry in the PC industry at the global edge and to maintain competitive advantage, Apple applies non-competition strategies, (Yoffie, 2004).This section examines the strategies adopted Apple Inc to penetrate and to manage rivalry in the global market. Further, this part looks into the competitive advantages of Apple Inc, which enable it to maintain competitive edge In the PC industry globally. In addition, paper briefly highlights the benefits and shortcomings of the strategies adopted by Apple Inc, giving potential solutions and strategies based on the available data. International strategy According to Iliev et al (2004, p. 133), Ap ple Inc. ses a combination of product development and product proliferation strategies to achieve and maintain its international competitiveness. Iliev et al notes that, product proliferation strategy is similar to the approaches used in creating barriers to entry. In such an approach, if new niches develop, the leader in a given industry benefits most. For example, Apple got the first mover advantage in the digital music market where it was the first company to provide online music through iTunes and the iPod.The other companies in the industry started to move into the niche, competition was raised and rivalry decreased Product development on the other hand refers to the process of innovation of new or better products so as to replace the old ones. Apple has managed to lead in the PC industry in innovation and design hence, it has been able to exploit available opportunities and to gain significant market share in the international market. For example, in 2002 and 2003, iTunes and the iPod were made available by Apple at windows version.As a result, demand for the products skyrocketed and helped to propel revenues for Apple to record high. In fact, today, iTunes account for 70% for global market for digital music downloads, (Jones, 2011). The combination of product development and product proliferation strategies is beneficial to Apple since the perceived value of the products of Apple Inc. generated through innovation and superior design proves to be inimitable competency. Thus, as much as this advantage exists, Apple will continue to lead in the PC industry.However, the product proliferation strategy adopted by Apple Inc. a major shortcoming. According to Iliev et al (2004, p. 133), this tactic leads to high pressure for cost reduction and for local responsiveness. This makes this approach the most difficult to realize, but if a company succeeds, it can obtain a low cost structure and also considerable level of customer acceptance. According to Iliev et al (2004, p. 133), Apple applies this approach, but, it has not yet attained the optimal point.As a result, the majority of computer owners in the global market do not know much about Apple’s technology. For Apple to attain appropriately low cost situation, it has to come up with ways to persuade PC users in the global market from the very entry of their innovative and technological superiority. Competitive advantage Apple Inc faces great competition form other companies in the PC industry such as Dell, Compaq and Gateway. This forces Apple to come up with competitive strategies which best fits generic business level strategy in the industry life cycle (Lubeck et al, 2009, p. ). According Lubeck et al, Apple is keen to constantly watch the other players and tries to predict the step that each of them is likely to take in the future in order to be ahead of them. Further, Apple possesses competitive advantage in specific areas resulting from its distinctive competencies. First, Ap ple enhances the quality of its products through improved product design, (Iliev et al (2004, p. 135). According to Besanko et al, (2009, p. 362) this helps in creating value through functionality and better product quality, thus leading to more pricing options and differentiation.Moreover, the Human Resource Department of Apple Inc facilitates it to reach superior quality since it recruits high skilled workforce that ultimately leads to better product quality, thereby also leading to more pricing options and differentiation. Also, the Research and Development department of Apple Inc plays an important role as a source of superior innovation and comes up with new brands of products that create more value to the customers and enhances usability. As well, this factor results in more pricing options and to differentiation. Finally, the information systems in Apple Inc enhances internal communication and also, xternal coordination which in turn, optimizes business processes. This helps to reduce costs due to increased efficiency. According to Iliev et al (2004, p. p. 135). Apple adopts a model which acknowledges these distinctive competencies and sets a business model which facilitates it to enforce and to organize its competitive advantage. Therefore, all these above competencies enable Apple Inc to achieve superior level of innovation, enhance quality of its products and increase efficiency in production, hence provide Apple with a competitive advantage.Conclusion In conclusion, Apple uses product a both product development and product proliferation strategies to achieve and maintain competitiveness in the global market. This approach is beneficial since the perceived value of the products of Apple Inc. generated through innovation and superior design proves to be inimitable competency. However, this approach leads to high pressure for cost reduction and for local responsiveness and hence, it becomes the most difficult approach to realize. As demonstrated in thi s part, Apple Inc. eeds to come up with ways to persuade PC users in the global market from the very entry of their innovative and technological superiority so as to attain the benefits of the strategy of cost reduction. As noted in the essay, Apple Inc. possesses various competencies including; product design, branding, usability and internal communication and external coordination. These competencies enable Apple to attain a competitive advantage against the competitors. References Besanko, D. , Dranove, D. , Shanley, M. & Schaefer, S. (2009), Economics of Strategy, John Wiley and Sons, New York Iliev V. , Lindinger, A. & Poettler G. , (2004), â€Å"Apple Coputer Inc. Strategic audit,†Retrieved from, http://www. andreaslindinger. net/downloads/strategicmgmts-lindingeretal. pdf Jones D. , (2011), â€Å"Apple strives for global markets,†Retrieved from, http://online. wsj. com/article/SB10001424052748703302604575294530119152528. html Lubeck, B. , Niltz J. , Danforth, J. & Brannon J. , (2009), Apple Inc. : creating and sustaining a competitive advantage, retrieved from,
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Caucasion chalk circle
The chalk circle is a symbol of truth. Within the circle, all will be revealed. In the play, Azdak cannot come to a rational decision on who should have the child. His methods of justice are not by the Book of Statutes he sits upon. By putting the women in a circle and observing them act towards the child, he can see which woman is best for it. The circle levels the playing ground, removing the advantage of money or rank or history. There are no distractions to the problem or its solution. Azdak lets justice reveal itself. Similarly, the play opens with another circle of justice, when the members of the two communes sit together to decide who should have the valley. The Expert from the Government Reconstruction Commission is like Azdak, who announces the outcome but does not push; he observes. Within this friendly circle where the communes have equal social status, they can impartially decide the best use of the valley, and it is peacefully and mutually decided for the fruit growers. This circle symbol is reinforced by the Wheel of Fortune brought up by the Singer in Scene 2. He sings about the downfall of the Governor, who was so secure in his power and assumed he would always have it. â€Å"But long is not forever. / Oh Wheel of Fortune! Hope of the people! †(p. 15). This wheel of change is always turning and fits the Marxist message of the play. The Wheel celebrates the historical dialectic where the center of power is always shifting from one group or class to another. It is the hope of the people because eventually, this turning circle of fortune produces justice, as we see in the first scene. The first scene depicts the same landscape where the medieval civil war had taken place that we observe through the rest of the play. In the present time in Scene One, however, there is a socialist society that strives for fairness to all. Looking back, the people perform their own history and see how the Wheel of Justice kept moving until the people were free of their class bondage. When the artificial constructs of society are removed that favor the few, then it is clear who deserves what. Christian Symbolism Brecht often criticizes the Christian church as a tool to support the upper classes and keep the lower classes in their places. The historical church subverts the original teaching of Christ who treated all humans with respect. Brecht uses Christianity symbolically in this play, either to criticize religion, or else to transpose Christian rites into secular ceremonies of brotherhood. For instance, critics have pointed out use of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. The sacraments are the sacred ceremonies that convey God’s grace: Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Extreme Unction (Last Rites or the Anointing of the Sick). In the play the first sacrament performed is the engagement of Simon and Grusha on Easter. He gives her a cross that belonged to his mother and asks her to wait for him. It symbolizes a true marriage. Later, the sacrament of marriage is made a farce when Grusha is forced into marrying Yussup, and he crudely tells her the purpose of marriage is for her to serve him in bed and in the fields. Simon on the other hand, stands by Grusha, â€Å"for better or worse. †When Grusha flees with Michael to the mountains, she finally decides he belongs to her and performs a Baptism, saying: â€Å"Ill wash you and christen you/ With glacier water†(Scene 3, p. 39). This is not the Church’s baptism but a human bond recognized by Grusha towards the child. At Jussup’s farm in the mountains, the drunken priest represents Holy Orders, and he performs a wedding and offers to do Extreme Unction on the groom. These rites are a parody of religion, but at the same time, they ensnare Grusha into the exploitive social structure that keeps her a slave. She is blackmailed into being respectable for the sake of the child. Another sacrament is Penance, comically performed by Azdak when he rushes into town with his confession that he let the Grand Duke escape. The sacrament of the Eucharist, or Communion, happens when Azdak shares wine with Granny and the bandit, Irakli. Finally, Brecht makes the fool Azdak into a type of Christ figure. He is beaten by the soldiers and almost hung, but is â€Å"resurrected†by the Grand Duke. The Singer says, â€Å"To feed the starving people/ He broke the laws like bread/ There on the seat of Justice/ With the gallows over his head . . . a poor man judged the poor†(Scene 5, p. 80). Azdak is no saint or supernatural figure. He is humane, performing acts humans can do, and is thus both hero and example. The Garden In Scene Two, Governor Abashvili is remodeling and enlarging his palace, in honor of his newborn son, whom he wants to carry on after him. He proposes to knock down the peasant shacks on the estate to do this. Natella says, â€Å"All these miserable slum houses are to be torn down to make room for a garden†(p. 11). This will be a garden for the privileged at the expense of the poor. The slum people are of no account as humans. In fact, in Scene Six, Natella complains about their smell, as if they were animals. Ironically, this same estate is confiscated for the state in Scene Six when Azdak declares it will be given to the people and made into a playground for children. He calls it â€Å"The Garden of Azdak†(p. This is a human Eden, and the Singer speaks of it as a brief â€Å"Golden Age†(p. 96). The garden is also evoked in Scene Three as Grusha is fleeing to the mountains. She meets a carriage of aristocratic women from the south, who stay at an inn. The innkeeper describes the beauty of the land to the ladies, saying, â€Å"We’re planting fruit trees there, a few cherries†(p. 28). He shows them farther away where the land gets more stony, and that is where the shepherds have their flocks. The ladies say, â€Å"You live in a fertile region†(p. He asks what their land is like, and they say they don’t know. They have not paid attention. This scene reinforces the first scene where the fruit growers and goat herders argue over the same valley. The common people have a relationship with the land and are contrasted to the aristocratic ladies who have not paid attention to the land at all. They are just trying to get through it to someplace else. The Rosa Luxemburg Commune wins the valley in the Prologue because they will make great orchards there, a garden for everyone. Making the land into a garden is the symbol of making the land productive and the sscene of social harmony and justice, so everyone can share the fruits. When the Abashvilis try to make a garden for themselves alone, there is only war and misery. The fact that it is Easter Sunday is thus the first of the many religious themes present in the play. For example, the fact that the Fat Prince is the Governors brother brings to mind the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. Grusha goes through ten developmental steps that start in this act. Each of these steps requires that she sacrifice a part of herself to Michael. She does this financially, emotionally, in terms of her promises to Simon, and in terms of her life. The first step occurs when she gives up her money for the child, paying two piasters for milk. The second is when she decides to go back for Michael after leaving him with the peasant woman. The third is when she hits the Ironshirt over the head. Four is when she adopts Michael, the helpless girl adopted the helpless child. Five is when she is offered the chance to leave the baby with the merchant woman so that she can cross the bridge and save herself. Six is when she risks her life and Michaels life to cross the bridge. The remaining developmental steps occur in the next act. This is almost a direct comparison of Azdak to Christ. Brecht will continue this comparison in the next act, when Azdak is killed, resurrected by the Grand Duke, and finally disappears. Theme Analysis Class Warfare The Grand Duke of Grusinia (Georgia) is involved in a foreign war in Persia when the play opens, yet the action focuses on the civil war at home caused by the coup of the Princes. While the aristocratic regimes come and go during the action of the play, the common people are always regarded as less than human. They suffer no matter who is in charge. The Singer uses Governor Abashvili who is executed by his brother, the Fat Prince, as a warning to other aristocrats: â€Å"Oh blindness of the great! They walk like gods/ Great over bent backs, sure/ Of hired fists, trusting/ In their power which has already lasted so long†(Scene One, p. 15). The soldiers or â€Å"hired fists,†like the Ironshirts, change loyalties with regimes and let themselves be used by the rich to persecute the poor. Simon Chachava is an exception to this, remaining loyal to the Duke. One of the most passionate denunciations of the upper classes is by the maid Grusha in Scene Six when she denounces Azdak the Judge and the justice system itself as a servant of the rich. She complains that the wealthy â€Å"drag our men into their wars†(p. 92). Simon’s memories of the war in Scene Four reinforce her complaint as he witnessed his brothers slain around him for the sake of the Duke’s cause. Grusha tries to disguise herself as an upper class lady when she escapes, but she is found out when she knows how to make beds. The women look at her hands and know she works for a living. The servant at the inn sympathizes with her, saying, it is hard to pretend to be â€Å"a lazy useless person . . . once they suspect you can wipe your own arse . . . the game’s up†(Scene Three, p. 32). Natella Abashvili becomes the stereotyped and heartless noble lady who can only run around picking out the right dresses to pack and berating the servants while her husband is being executed and her son is abandoned. In court, Natella’s notion of motherhood has to do with station. She wants her son back so they can be restored to their estate. She only notices what the child is wearing and is shocked to see him in rags. When Azdak asks Grusha if she wouldn’t like the child to be rich, she thinks to herself it is better for him to be poor than to mistreat the poor: â€Å"Hunger he will dread/ Not those who go unfed†(Scene 6, p. 94). He will not always have to be afraid of who is going to chop off his head, as was done to his father, because of a power struggle or because he was unjust to others. Human Sympathy What is it that can heal class divisions? The play answers that human sympathy makes everyone equally valuable. Grusha does not hate Michael because he is the son of the Governor, who oppresses everyone. She is won over because he is a baby, like any other: â€Å"He looks at you like a human being†(Scene 2, p. 23). When Grusha sits with the baby all night trying to consider what to do with it, she hears it call to her as if saying: â€Å"Don’t you know woman, that she who does not listen to a cry for help/ But passes by shutting her ears, will never hear/ The gentle call of a lover†(Scene 2, p. 24). When she risks her life for the child’s, the Singer asks, â€Å"How will the merciful escape the merciless/ The bloodhounds, the trappers? Grusha does get some sympathy along the highway. A peasant woman was willing to take the child until the Ironshirts came. The servant at the inn tried to give her food. The merchants wanted to help her cross the ravine or take the child so she could go on. Her brother gives her a roof for as long as he dares and arranges a marriage for her. Yussup takes in both her and the child without asking questions. She is given partial help but she is the one who has to sacrifice her whole life for Michael. The child would not have survived but for her. She wants to tell Simon this when he comes for her but only thinks it: â€Å"I had to tear myself to pieces for what was not mine/ But alien. / Someone must be the helper†(Scene 4, p. 60). Grusha deserves to be Michael’s mother because of what she passes on to him. From her, his inheritance will not be money or rank, but wisdom: â€Å"I’ve brought him up according to my best knowledge and conscience . . . I brought up the child to be friendly with everyone. And from the beginning, I taught him to work as well as he could†(Scene 6, pp. 88, 89). She wants him to treat others humanely, and that is a priceless gift for him and the future. Azdak recognizes this humanity in Grusha, demonstrated by her unselfish letting go of the child’s arm so she won’t hurt it. Azdak himself is the other great example of human sympathy as he risks his own life for two years to help the poor. It is a great and comic juggling act he performs with great humility. In the case of Granny, for instance, who claims the stolen cow, ham, and waiving of the rent were â€Å"miracles,†Azdak fines the farmers for not believing in miracles. He sits on the floor with Granny and the bandit, treating them as equals. He calls Granny â€Å"Little Mother†or â€Å"Mother Grusinia,†seeing her as the suffering poor. The Singer says, â€Å"So, so, so, so Azdak / Makes miracles come true†(Scene 5, p. 77). Miracles are not supernatural events for Brecht, but human acts. Justice The play uses the dilemma of the child, and the debate of the communes over the valley, to ask, what is Justice? Who should get the child? Who should get the land? Azdak the fool, who is made into a Judge, works his way through to an answer. It is not an expected or a ready-made answer, for, as the Singer comments, â€Å"Truth is a black cat/ In a windowless room at midnight/ and Justice a blind bat†(Scene 5, p. Justice will never come from â€Å"willing Judges†like Prince Kazbeki’s nephew ( Scene 5, p. 75). Azdak’s antics, such as demanding bribes in the court from the rich, comments on the accepted corruption. He says, â€Å"It’s good for Justice to do it in the open†as he moves around in a caravan among the people (Scene 5, p. 75). Everything he does or says satirizes the court system. He asks Grusha, â€Å"You want justice, but do you want to pay for it? When you go to the butcher, you know you have to pay (Scene 6, p. 91). The rich are used to equating money and rank with truth, but it is their truth, not impartial Justice. Out of Azdak’s comic theater in the courtroom, he creates a crazy logic so that the people who need help get it, despite the law. â€Å"His balances were crooked,†says the Singer (Scene 6, p. 77). Grusha, not understanding Azdak’s intent, scolds him for being corrupt. She claims that what would be true justice is to choose â€Å"only bloodsuckers and men who rape children†for judges as a punishment to make them â€Å"sit in judgment over their fellow men, which is worse than swinging from the gallows†(Scene 6, p. Judging is a punishment to an unjust man who will only blacken himself with hypocrisy. This is the justice the poor are used to. Azdak’s reply to her is, â€Å"I’ve noticed that you have a weak spot for justice†(Scene 6, p. 93). After Azdak rules in Grusha’s favor, the Singer states the principle of Justice that Azdak uses: â€Å"what there is shall belong to those who are good for it, thus/ The children to the maternal . . . the valley to the waterers†(Scene 6, p. 97). The play opens and closes with true justice served. Essay Questions What is Brecht’s concept of epic theater? Because Brecht was a Marxist, he did not like the classical Aristotelian concept of theater as a drama focusing on the story of individual characters. In traditional drama, the audience has a vicarious experience through identification with certain characters that ends with an emotional catharsis. The audience leaves with its personal experience of the drama and does not think about society as a whole. Brecht’s epic theater hopes to do the oppositeâ€â€it increases the scope to let the audience witness, rather than identify with, the forces of history, and thereby creates a rational reflection on social conditions. Brecht wanted a critical response that would make spectators want to change the world. Theater should be a teaching and political forum. In order to create this new theater, Brecht breaks the dramatic illusion of reality. The spectators should be reminded they are watching a constructed play (such as the play within a play in Caucasian Chalk Circle), because they should understand that all reality is a human construct, and thus can be changed. One way to break the dramatic illusion is through the â€Å"alienation†or â€Å"defamiliarization†effect. The event portrayed is made strange in different ways, such as having characters address the audience directly, or by the use of harsh lighting, by having songs comment on the action, by using camera projections and signs, by speaking the stage directions aloud, or by having a narrator on stage. Brecht also uses what he called â€Å"separation of the elements,†in which the words, music, and sets are self-contained artistic expressions, combining to produce an overlapping montage rather than a unified effect. Brecht was influenced by the subject matter and techniques of Charlie Chaplin and Soviet filmmaker, Sergei Eisenstein. He learned the techniques of avant-garde theater from his mentor, Erwin Piscator. In addition, his epic theater expressed Marxist ideals by being a theater collective rather than the work of individuals. The playwright exchanged ideas with composers, artists, singers, and actors. Brecht wrote the text with such collaborators as Elisabeth Hauptmann, Margarete Steffin, Ruth Berlau, and Emil Burri. Brecht’s techniques have influenced other writers and filmmakers such as Peter Brook, Peter Weiss, Robert Bolt, Jean-Luc Godard, Nagisa Oshima, and Lars von Trier. How does Marxism influence The Caucasian Chalk Circle? Brecht was a Marxist, and his work reflects this philosophy, formulated by Karl Heinrich Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895), the most famous statement of which is The Communist Manifesto (1848). Marxism is a materialist philosophy that denies any supernatural forces shaping human life. History is therefore a struggle between classes for the means of production and distribution of goods. Marx criticized capitalism as exploiting the workers, because ownership was in the hands of the few. The laborers have to sell their services to capitalists and are not given a fair share of what they themselves produce. Private ownership, Marx felt, must be abolished to create a fair society. Marx advocated revolution by the proletariat or workers against the bourgeoisie, or capitalists, to advance to the next stage of civilization in which the workers would dominate. He saw civilization evolving in stages (the historical dialectic): first, primitive or tribal communism; then slavery with an aristocracy; feudalism with peasants and lords; capitalism with bourgeosie and proletariat; socialism where private property was abolished; and finally, true communism where there would be no property and no supervising state. Inequality would be abolished for good. Exploitation is demonstrated in the play with Grusha and the other servants and peasants doing all the work, and the Governor and his wife doing nothing to contribute to society. The Marxist concept of alienation is demonstrated by the ruling classes losing their humanity or feeling of kinship with others. The Governor’s wife only sees her child as the means to get the inheritance. The ruling classes are contrasted with the common people who appear more human; the rulers seem monstrously selfish and insensitive. The military and the judges support the princes and governors. Even as the princes fight among themselves for power and create chaos with their wars, the common people suffer, and no government is better than another. According to Marxism, however, the forces of history are not static, and we hear of the revolt of the carpet weavers in Nukha in Scene Five. Their revolt is short-lived, but when Azdak becomes the Judge and rules in favor of the poor people, it predicts the time coming when the people will be victorious. What is the underlying structure of the play and what is the purpose of the prologue? Brecht uses a frame story in the prologue, where the workers of the Rosa Luxemburg Commune are putting on the Chalk Circle play. In the main drama, Brecht cobbled together two tales into one: part one sets up the chalk circle motif of the rival mothers derived from a fourteenth century Chinese play and the judgment of Solomon in the Bible (told in scenes 2-4, 6), and part two is Azdak’s story that resolves the dilemma (scenes 5-6), apparently derived from Brecht’s own imagination and folklore. There had already been a version of â€Å"The Chalk Circle†in German by Alfred Henschke (also known as Klabund) in 1925, which differed from Brecht’s by making the biological mother win the test. Brecht disliked Klabund’s sentimental tone and worked on his own revision of the story, experimenting with settings in Denmark and Germany, before choosing to set the story in medieval Georgia, with the prologue in Soviet Georgia, after World War II. At first, the frame story took place in 1934 without reference to the Nazis, but then, he moved the time of the frame story to after the war. Using Soviet Georgia as the frame in the prologue caused problems in the United States where the play was first performed in English during the Cold War. The play had to be performed without the prologue referring to the Soviet communes, leaving it as a mere retelling of the fables. Brecht felt this destroyed the play and thereafter the prologue was treated as a vital part rather than a tacked-on afterthought, as some claimed it was, to make the play more Communist. The prologue is necessary because it sets up the occasion for the telling of the chalk circle story, and Brecht wanted the setting to be a real one: â€Å"this parable-like play has got to be derived from real-life needs†(Notes by Brecht, p. 104). Brecht claimed that the fable the Singer tells the workers is not meant to be a literal parable. The two Communist collectives arguing over a piece of land solve their differences amicably without war before the play starts, and the story is a simply a celebration of their just decision. Brecht calls the prologue a â€Å"background†and the fable a â€Å"true narrative†that contains â€Å"a particular kind of wisdom†(Notes by Brecht, p. The Singer Arkadi says, â€Å"old and new wisdom mix very well†(sc. 1, p. 8). The foreground of the play (the chalk circle story) and the background of the play (the modern Soviet communes) come together to display the forces of history. The workers in present-day Soviet Georgia hear a tale about their ancestors in medieval Georgia who were exploited. The fair judging of Azdak in favor of the peasants foretells their own time of greater justice under the Soviet collective system. How are the characters of Grusha and Azdak important to the message of the play? Brecht comments on Grusha that she is a â€Å"sucker†(Notes by Brecht, p. 100) for taking on the child since it nearly costs her own life and dreams. Grusha, like the workers and peasants, only pays and pays and pays without getting anything back, for the child is not even hers. She is a â€Å"producer†who gets none of the fruits, like the proletariat. Brecht comments that Grusha does not expect justice from Azdak; she just wants â€Å"to go on producing, in other words to pay more†(p. 101). After the hearing, â€Å"She is no longer a sucker†(p. 101). Like the other poor people Azdak has helped, she gets back some of the fruits of her labor and gets back her self-respect. She is accepted by Simon, though she had to break her promise to wait for him, for the sake of the child. Their new family unit represents a constructed or just family that rejects the old prejudices and notions of ownership. The child is divorced from a mother that only wants to gain money from it and given to the woman who loves it. Grusha is divorced from the farmer who married her for his own convenience and given to a man who loves her. Simon takes on a woman and a child who are not technically â€Å"his†in the conventional sense, but he appreciates them and is the proper father and husband. This accords with the Marxist idea of economics and justice, of reassigning property and social roles to be more just and fair. It does not matter what went before or who has â€Å"owned†something in the past. On the other hand, Grusha has earned her reward. Brecht remarks that â€Å"Bit by bit, by making sacrifices, not least of herself, Grusha becomes transformed into a mother for the child†(p. 104). Like the people themselves who make sacrifices, suddenly the tide turns, as Marx predicts. Through small quantitative changes, there is a sudden qualitative change. This is the historical dialectic, the process of evolution, and the character of Azdak becomes the means for that to happen in the play. In every case he judges, there is a sudden shift from the side of the dominant landowner to the poor peasant. Azdak is the trickster figure who turns the law upside down. His Robin Hood justice is the Marxist kind that will be rendered by the sudden shift of history, illustrated by the carpet weaver’s revolution in Nukha. Brecht’s directions call for an actor who can portray â€Å"an utterly upright man†(p. 102) to play the part of Azdak. He is â€Å"a disappointed revolutionary posing as a human wreck, like Shakespeare’s wise men who act the fool†(p. 102). But, Brecht comments, â€Å"Azdak is the disappointed man who is not going to cause disappointment in others†(p. 105). He risks his life, like Grusha, to be human and to make a difference. That is the only way justice can come, Brecht insinuates. The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht Leave a reply The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Brecht uses epic theatre to bring forth an idea or meaning for the audience to consider while entertaining the audience. Epic theatre involves the use of alienation techniques to distance the viewer from the story but still concentrate on the overall meaning. The person who just views the story would likely take it as fantasy and not reach the true depth of the play. Brecht shocks the viewer by making the events and actions in the play â€Å"strange and abstract†this contrasts with dramatic plays where the audience sympathises and relates to the characters of the play. The theme throughout the play is natural justice versus class justice. The title has links to other parables and stories before it. The Chalk Circle, a Chinese play involved a legal action where the false claimant was granted custody due a bribe to claim her dead husbands estate. This however was overturned by the emperor, the guarantor of the law, in a retrial as the emperor was the father. This particular story is a whisper to the result of Grusha’s trial. The emperor is portrayed as the epitome of justice and gives a true verdict. The trial scene is also adapted from the parable of King Solomon. Solomon the paragon of justice and truth oversees the trial of two mothers, one child is dead the other alive, they seek custody of the alive child. The king asks the child to be cut in half, the real mother relinquishes her claim and thus gains custody of her rightful child. In these two whispers the law is shown to be equated with justice, however Brecht seeks to highlight that within Grusinia this is not the case and it takes a greedy Azdak who despises the upper classes to give a just Verdict. The class justice presented in the novel has close links to the Marxist view of the law, with the law serving all, but in reality it protects and secures the interests of the ruling classes. The play seeks to emphasise that within this class justice the poor can only gain justice under exceptional circumstances. Azdak as the judge and arbiter of justice has come to this position only through a matter of chances and mistakes. Firstly he harbours the Grand Duke from Shauva, then he confesses to the Ironshirts only to be made judge because the Duke escaped. Then through shear chance just before his execution the Duke redeems him and makes him judge, finally making him the arbiter of justice between Natasha Abashvilli and Grusha. This shows that the poor class can only get justice under a system of whims and extraordinary circumstances and that justice is intrinsically linked to a series of chances and not linked to the law as it should be in a feudal regime. Azdak finally decides in Grusha’s favour on the spur of the moment, the chalk circle is a real test, and it is through this test that Azdak decides the child’s fate. In order to entertain the audience, Brecht sought to keep the verdict in flux, keeping the audience in suspense as to the final outcome. Azdak although seen as the arbiter of justice between Natasha Abashvilli and Grusha is shown throughout the play as greedy and corrupt when dealing with the upper classes. The humour that Azdak displays toward the upper class is entertaining, he constantly refers to them as â€Å"arse-holes.. sows.. well-born stinkers. †This anal imagery is continued right through the novel. Azdak is so disgusted by the odours the upper classes emit that he occasionally â€Å"before passing judgement, I went out and sniffed the roses. †This helps Azdak give the verdicts he gives to the â€Å"monied classes†such as the Invalid, and the landowner. He swindles them into giving him money for a bribe then turns about and gives a contradicting verdict against the upper classes. This duplicity when passing judgement is seen by the audience but the lower classes see that for once the law is on their side. This is the final hint that Grusha will get the child, as she is good for the child and will continue to do good for the child, contrasting to Natasha Abashvilla’s intent to get the child only to keep her late husband’s estate. The singer sums up the meaning of the entire play, linking the prologue with the stories of Azdak and Grusha. â€Å"That what there is shall belong to those who are good for it, thus the children to the maternal, that they thrive; the carriages to good drivers, that they are driven well; and the valley to the waterers, that it shall bear fruit. †Brecht in the play seeks to highlight the difference between justice and the law within Grusinia. The feudal society, or Marxist society, is shown to have harder implications for the poor than the even distribution of wealth which is the main emphasis of the Marxist state. The Marxist law is not equated with justice for all rather justice for the upper classes, or class justice, where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
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