Many high profile organisations have - through the media discussed Essay

Many high profile organisations have - through the media discussed their need to change their culture. The mining industry, p - Essay Example The managers form the largest group that spear head initialization and implementation of proposed programs in various department of any organization. Some of the roles played by the managers include provision of leadership, managing people, managing priorities and safety in the workplaces (Brown, 2004). In fact, competent managers contribute immensely to the success of a business. In relation to contextualized issue of social dynamism, the managers have a special and critical niche to occupy in a bid to achieve the overall goal of achieving a highly rated level of social diversification. Essentially, initialization and implementation of any program should follow the normal managerial process, which involves setting up the work agenda, identifying the work methods and roles, implementing management functions, applying knowledge and key management skills and organizational performance (Weidlich, 2000). A successful application of a managerial process in initializing and implementing a program or a process contributes to achievement of the intended goals. This study establishes that, mangers focus their energies through work agendas when implementing a program (Brown, 2004). ... More over, the managers should uphold high standards of managerial ethics. The aspect of social responsibility refers to the commitment of an organization to act with intent of protecting and improving the welfare of a given society. The organizational responsibility entails three key perspectives, which include invisible, and, the government and management hand (Brown, 2004). It is imperative to note that, the process of responding to any social demand requires inclusive participation of the stakeholders, which include the shareholders, employees, customers, local community, international community and the society. The bid by numerous organizations to embrace diversification in social demands and relevant response mechanisms revolve around critical societal matters related to health, education, technology, culture, environment and ways of generation of income (Hunnicutt, 2000). To define social responsibility in relation to the environment the basis of social paradigm in systems is a fundamental component for consideration. It is imperative to note that, organizations secure numerous resources and release outputs to the society in a bid to strengthen the economic and social milieu (Brown, 2004). On how to respond to the social demands through building of social response mechanism, a corporate social responsibility should take the epicenter of all events. This is the origin of the intended solutions for social demands attributed to an organization. Corporate social responsibility (CRS) can be referred to as the corporate accountability or corporate ethics. It should be noted that, the move to embrace this aspect of management is intended to establish better practices within the

The Merchant of Venice and Shylock Offering Essay Example for Free

The Merchant of Venice and Shylock Offering Essay Many different people can be good or bad or might seem good but actually bad or the other way around. In The merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, shylock, the money lending Jew, is seen more like a villain then a victim. Shylock is a villain because he cares more about his money then he cares about his daughter, he is not merciful towards shylock and hewants a pound of flesh from Antonio for hi revenge. First of all shylock is a villain because he cares more about his ducats then his daughter, Jessica. Shylock cares more about his money then his daughter because when Jessica left home with Lorenzo, that she planned to elope with, shylock was really mad because his daughter left but mostly he was mad because she left with a lot of money and his jewels. This shows that shylock is a villain since he cares more of his money then his family and family should always be more important than money. Solanio is saying what he heard shylock say in the streets: My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Justice! The law! My ducats and my daughter! And jewels-two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stol`n by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats! In this quotation Solanio is saying to Salerio what he heard shylock saying in the streets of how mad he was of his daughter leaving with all his money. This quote is shylock talking to tubal about Jessica leaving â€Å"I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and/ the jewels in her ears: would she were hearsed at my foot, /and the ducats in her coffin!.(III.i.79-81). Shylock is mad that his daughter left him with his money and would want her to be dead in front of him to get his money and have all her ducats from her coffin. This shows that Shylock is a villain since he would go to the extent to wanting her dead for his ducats. Shylock is also a villain because he was not being merciful towards Antonio. When Shylock wanted his pound of flesh from Antonio shylock was not being merciful he really wanted that pound of flesh from him. Portia disguised as a lawyer even tried to tell shylock to be give mercy but he did not want too. Shylock believed more in the justice but the Christians want mercy. This quote is shylock refusing to the duke of being merciful â€Å" I have possessed your grace of what I purpose,/And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn/ To have the due and forfeit of my bond† shylock I telling to the duke that I will keep my bond and that no matter what this is his bond and he will keep it no one can convince him. Portia and Shylock are discussed about mercy: In this quotation shylock does not want to give mercy to Antonio and Portia says that you cannot receive mercy if you do not give some. As you can see Shylock is a villain since he is not merciful at all. Finally shylock is a villain because he wants a pound of flesh from Antonio since Antonio did not pay him back. The only reason the Shylock wants a pound of flesh from Antonio is for revenge and if you get a pound of flesh taken there are many changes you will die which were Shylock`s intention to get Antonio to die so he gets his revenge for spitting in his face and having to lend money to other people interest free and that made Shylock lose money. This is Shylock saying that Antonio miss treats him and he hopes to lend money from Shylock â€Å"Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday last;/to you spurned me such a day; another time/you called me a dog†(I.iii.126-128) here Shylock is mad at Antonio and wants revenge so makes a deal that he makes the bond interest free but if Antonio does not pay back he will need to give a pound of flesh to Shylock. This quote is Shylock offering to Antonio the money interest free but under the condition of one pound flesh if he does not repay in time â€Å"Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit/be nominated for an equal pound/Of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken†(I.iii.151-153). Shylock wanted revenge towards Antonio for what he had done so he made this bond this proves that shylock is a villain In conclusion, Shylock is a villain since he does not care about his daughter more then his money and he wants revenge on Antonio by getting a pound of flesh. Like you can see in the merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, Shylock is seen as a horrible man. People are good or bad those this mean they were born that way or you get bad or good later on in life.

Financial Statements Analysis In Making Investment Decisions Finance Essay

Financial Statements Analysis In Making Investment Decisions Finance Essay During the financial crisis in 2008, the world witnessed the bankruptcies of leading firms such as Lehman Brothers or Washington Mutual. These collapses caused the losses of many shareholders and stock investors and raised the importance of financial analysis in investment. This project looks at the necessity of financial statement analysis in investment decision making with an emphasis on how to use it to reveal potential risks. Introduction One of the most important long-term decisions for any business is investment with the aim of making gains in the future. Investment decisions are concerned with the use of funds including buying, holding or selling and each decision could be vital to a firm. A careless decision may result in a long-term loss or even worse, bankruptcy. Therefore, an in-depth understanding and analysis is necessary for a high quality investment decision process. This is also even more critical to investors who invest in stock of company or shareholders. Financial statement analysis is critical in making effective stock investment decisions. By study the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and statement of owners equity separately and combined, an analyst might have a good sense of a companys overall financial picture; therefore, the investment decisions are likely to be reasonable and profitable. I. Understanding of financial statements analysis In order to understand the analysis of financial statements, it is necessary to define financial statements. According to Fabozzi (2003), financial statements are summaries of the operating, financing and investment activities of a business. These reports provide information to both investors and creditors in making credit, investment, and other business decisions. In other words, financial statements might be used as a tool to predict a companys future earnings. There are four basic financial statements including: the balance sheet, the income statement, the statement of cash flows and the statement of shareholders equity. Firstly, the balance sheet is a summary of the assets, liabilities and equity of a business at a particular time. Assets include the resources of an enterprise that are used to generate profits. Therefore, if a company owns assets, the company can expect them to produce cash inflows in the future. Take for example, cars of a taxi company will be used in order to serve customers and gain income to the company. Liabilities are obligations of the business, or in other words, the commitments to creditors in the form of future cash outflows. Another factor is Equity, which reflects ownership. This means equity represents the part of a firms value that is not owed to creditors and therefore is left over for the owners. Thus, equity is the difference between assets and liabilities. Another part of financial statements is income statement, which is a summary of the revenues and expenses of a business over a period of time. Therefore, it shows both the results of the firms operating and financing decisions during that time, and people can also call this as the profit and loss statement. Thirdly, statement of cash flows is a summary over a period of time of a firms cash flows. This statement lists separately its operating cash flows, investing cash flows, and financing cash flows. The last main part of financial statements is the statement of shareholders equity. This provides additional information about equity including the amounts and changes in equity accounts; thus, it is considered as a link between the balance sheet and the income statement. Apart from the four main parts, the financial statements include notes in order to give additional information to readers. The first notes summaries the companys accounting policies such as methods of inventory accounting, methods of depreciation and foreign currency translation. Depending on each company, then there may be additional notes providing, for example, information on mergers or acquisitions. Financial statement analysis is a process that examines past and current financial date for the purpose of evaluating performance and estimating future risks and potential. II. What influences the making of Investment decision? In order to understand how financial report analysis affects investment decisions, it is important to understand the main contributing factors of making an investment decision. According to Cahill (2003), the investment decision making bases on assessing the sectors prospects, assessing the companys prospects and evaluating the value of company. A sectors prospects, which are dependent upon the supply/ demand, pricing and cost trends within the industry, provide information to analyze a companys prospects in more details. Meanwhile, the analysis of the prospects for the company is based on four drivers including management and strategy, performance and returns, financial positions and outlook for earnings. The combination of these factors determines the value put on a companys share. After analyzing the numbers and the four factors, it is important to evaluate those numbers with some approaches such as price/earning. As it can be seen clearly, financial statements are essential source of information in analyzing companys prospects and in evaluating companys value. Therefore, it is safe to assume that financial statements analysis is important in the making of investment decision. III. The influences of financial statements analysis on investment decision 1. Financial ratio analysis and its effect Financial ratio is one of the most important tools of financial analysis. In financial ratio analysis, the relevant information that will be processed is primarily from the financial statement data. A ratio is a mathematical relation between two quantities, in this case is from financial statements. Generally, by using financial ratios, investors can evaluate five aspects of operating performance and financial conditions including return on investment, liquidity, profitability, activity and financial leverage. With return on investment ratios, analysts compare measures of benefits, such as net income or earning before interest and taxes, with measures of investment in order to evaluate how well the firm uses its sources in its operations. Thus, analysts could consider increasing their investment into the firm if its ratio of net income to total assets is larger than other firms in the same sector. Moreover, not only compare current figures, investors might compare a firms current ratio with its ratio in the past so that they could have a view of how well the firm operate in the recent period of time. On the other hand, investors can assess the companys liquidity, which is the ability to meet the short-term obligations using current assets, by several ways including current ratio, quick ratio or net working capital to sales ratio. Take for example, a ratio of current assets to current liabilities will provide information about the comparison between assets that can be readily turn in to cas h and obligations that are due in the near future. In other words, by calculating this ratio, people might know the ability of a company to satisfy obligation due in the near future; therefore, they could have an valuable information about the safety of investing in that company. As it can be seen clearly, the higher a firms liquidity is, the more secure the investment is. Moreover, professional investors even extend their analysis skill by adding profitability ratios, which help them gauge how well a firm is managing its expenses. With detailed information in financial statements, investor can select and use different profitability ratio in each case. For example, suppose an analyst wants to evaluate how well production facilities are managed, it is reasonable to focus on the comparison between gross profit, which is a measure of income that is direct result of production management, and sales. This ratio shows the portion of each dollar of sales that remains after deducting production expenses; hence, the analyst might evaluate the firms ability to manage expenses. In general, it would be unwise to invest in a company that cannot control its expenditures appropriately (Akintoye, 2009). Apart from above ratios, activity ratios can be used to evaluate the benefits produced by specific assets; thus, they would be useful in specific circumstances. For instance, a ratio of cost of goods sold to inventory provide information about how quickly a firm has used inventory to generate the goods and services that are sold. Another kind of ratios is financial leverage ratio, which is used to assess how much financial risk the firm has taken on. These ratios are essential to evaluate the safety of investment decision to that company. Although financial ratio analysis help analysts in evaluating a firms operations, risk and potential returns so that they can decide to invest in the firms securities or not, this analysis cannot tell the whole story and must be used with care due to some limitations such as interpretation of the ratios or accounting data. 2. Earning analysis In order to give out a right investment decision, investors have to forecast the market value of firms securities, or in other words, forecast a companys cash flows in the future. However, this is difficult and as an alternative, investors examine the historical and current relation between stock price and some fundamental factors. In many cases, the factor is used to estimate the value of securities is earnings. Earnings are varying in different circumstances; therefore, it is common to use different approaches depend on real case. For example, if an investor is evaluating the performance of a companys operations, the focus is likely on the operating earnings of the company the earnings before interest and taxes. Generally, earning analysis is usually referred to the amount of earning per share of stock. In this case, the EPS (earnings per share), which shows how much on each share is earned by the firm in a given accounting period, is widely used. A firm with high EPS seems to be a profitable firm and is worth to invest in; thus, EPS can play a significant role in investment decision making. However, earnings can be adjusted by the firm itself and in fact, there are pressures that force the firm to adjust its earnings such as meeting analyst forecast or meeting shareholders expectation. In particular, earnings can be manipulated using a number of devices including the selection of inventory method and the selection of depreciation method. The pressure to report constantly increasing earnings may also result in wrong earning report. For example, Leslie Fay showed increasing earnings in 1990 and 1991, even though its business was not that excellent (Fabozzi, 2003). Therefore, similar to using financial ratios analysis, earning analysis should be done with most careful attitudes. 3. Cash Flow analysis According to Fabozzi (2003), cash flow play an important role in valuation and help analyst calculate the current value of a company base on the present value of its expected future cash flow. Moreover, understanding cash flow allows an investor to assess the ability of a firm to maintain current dividends and its current capital expenditure policy without relying on external financing. Currently, a firm reports its cash flows on the statement of cash flows using either the direct method, which is reporting all cash inflows and outflows, or the indirect method, which is adjustment the net income with depreciation and other noncash expenses. By looking at the relations among cash flow from operations, cash flow from investing activities and cash flow from financing activities, an analyst could have a overview of the firms activities. For example, a young fast growing company is likely to have a negative cash flows from operation and a positive cash flows from financing activities because the company rely on external financing. Examination of the sources of cash flows, especially over time, gives analysts a general idea of the companys operations. For instance, PG, which is a mature firm, has a consistent cash flow. Moreover, cash flow information may help the analyst identify companies that may encounter financial difficulties. A clear example of this case is W.T. Gr ant company during 1966-1974 with no definite clues of bankruptcy that were showed on profitability ratio, turnover ratio and liquidity ratios. However, a study of cash flows from operations clearly revealed that company operations were causing an increasing drain on cash (Fabozzi, 2003). For above reasons, cash flow analysis is an essential part of making investment decision. Conclusion Financial analysis is the basis for investment and financing decisions and the basic data for this analysis is the financial statement data. This data can be used to analyze the relationships between different elements of a firm in order to provide an overview as well as an in-depth view of companys operation and financial condition. Moreover, by looking at the calculated financial ratios, in the connection with economic data, investor can make judgments about past and future financial performance and conditions. Besides, earnings analysis and cash flow analysis may provide even more detailed information about the firm, and also help investor to see potential risk. Therefore, it is safe to assume that financial statement analysis play an irreplaceable role in making investment decisions.

Critical Lens Essay :: essays papers

Critical Lens Essay Whenever someone performs a task, he/she can labor over it carefully, or do a rushed job. A student writing an essay describing the causes of the American Revolution, or a president proposing ways to end World War II illustrate two situations where both simple and complicated ways to address a problem exist. Writing a non-analytical response to the essay question would be easy to do. Likewise, dropping atomic bombs over cities, razing them and eliminating many people would not be entirely morally correct. H.L. Mencken^s assertion that ^for every problem there is one solution which is simple, neat, and wrong^ is excellent for assessing the literary elements in two works: Fences by August Wilson and Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. Fences is filled with difficulties between characters, and many of these were not reconciled in a proper manner. One problem involved Cory, a high school student and his father, Troy. Cory, an accomplished football player wanted to focus on his team and play in college. However, his father was against Cory^s goals, insisting he prioritize his work and house chores over the football. Ordinarily, there is nothing wrong with a parent making major decisions for his/her children, but in this case, Troy^s solution to the problem was simply to go behind Cory^s back and revoke his membership on the team. Going behind one^s back is an easy way out of resolving a problem^the person was plainly too indolent to spend the time to find a more mutually acceptable solution. Troy^s demeanor is unacceptable not only with Cory, but also with other characters in the book. For example, when Lyons asks him for a small amount of money, Troy creates a big scene, detailing problems he had had in the past with getting credit, such as paying for furniture through ten-dollar monthly installments. It is clear that Troy is rather selfish, for he tries to keep what little amount of money he has for himself. In Snow Falling on Cedars, readers observe different types of problems. While those in Fences tend to be between two people, those in Guterson^s book usually involve a large group of people, often the entire town of San Piedro. The principal question throughout the novel centers around who killed Carl Heine. The entire town seems to show prejudice against Kabuo, primarily because he is Japanese. This prejudice is obvious even in affairs unrelated to Kabuo^s trial. In a descriptive paragraph about life in San Piedro, readers learn that Japanese workers at the Port Jefferson mill were

Nothing Good Ever Comes from Violence

The twentieth century was the century of discovery for life . Dreadful diseases like diphtheria and leprosy were halted; sterile women have been given children; handicapped people were made a part of society. Numerous vaccines have been found to stop the most dangerous diseases. New technologies have enabled the creation of better conditions for life. International humanitarian organizations were felt all over the world where living conditions were not acceptable. Humanitarian aid have been sent many times where they were needed: Africa, Haiti, Pakistan, etc..Under these conditions, feeding his superego with illusions, man has become complacent. He is gracious and fair. He is, finally, human. However, what ultimately is not understood is that violence, which has its roots deep infiltrated in human consciousness , cancels all these developments. For each cured disease , hundreds of ways to return it are invented. For every child saved in high-tech hospitals there are another hundred k illed innocent children. Not a virus manages to disappear as we rush to replace it with another. Violence is everywhere.In this situation , the following idea needs to be understood : violence , in the common perception of this word, destroys everything we dream for. In this essay I will try to argue my thesis, demonstrating why each type of violence in part must be avoided. In the beginning, I’m obliged to clarify the essence of the term violence. Violence is the expression of physical and / or verbal force of one person against himself or another person / group of persons ,that brings the pain to whom it is addressed. There are several forms of violence : Physical, Sexual, Emotional, Psychological, Spiritual, Cultural, Verbal, Financial.Each one is a tragedy for one against whom it is directed. Violence is a primal part of human nature. Since ancient times, it has governed human acts. His destructive tendencies and self-defense were the ones that have characterized all his actions. However, for some time, the state claims, for better or worse, a monopoly on violence practiced within the confines of a specific territory ( Max Weber) ,realised by law and education, to impose the man to conform himself to cooperation and group working, whitch is much more effective and productive than the free violence.Violence is everywere. In families were husbands abuse their wives and children we speak about domestic violence. Domestic violence' is a specific form of violence in which physical, psychological, or sexual abuse is perpetuated by one spouse upon another, or by both partners upon each other. It is caused by many factors , including : the pure impuls control , lack of education,social stress, need of power and control, mental illnesses , etc. Domestic violence has a lot of negative results. Broken bones, head injuries ,internal bleeding are some of the acute effects .Hundreds of thousands of dead women and children annually: it is the result of domestic vi olence. And those who survive have a nightmare during all their life. A life marked by depresion, stress, fear, and anxiety. These symptoms are generally experienced for a long span of time after the victim has left the dangerous situation. But problems do not stop there. If victims can escape the abusers, they are tortured by the society. They don’t have money , they don’t have the ability to get money, they don’t have friends that can help them†¦ This leads many times to the suicide.For children, domestic violence can become an enormous psychological trauma that will change the perception of the world. For example, Hitler was physically abused by his father in childhood. Because of this, he became a sociopath and did what he did. Franz Kafka was educated under the moral domination of his father, which made him one of the biggest pessimists in the history of mankind. So, the domestic violence pursues its victims till the grave. War is another manifestation of violence on a very large scale. It is thought to be the key of solving of the territorial, ideological and resources problems.During the war, violence is encouraged in the highest level. After the Industrial Revolution, that is percepted as a very good event, the number of war victims has grown. For example, World War I has caused 40 mln victims and World War II – 70 mln. New technologies are constantly developed to ensure the governments of all countries with weapons to bring as many victims as possible. From the machinegun to the atomic bomb, every discovery is greeted with applause. Death smiles at us and we applaud. Then we go home, satisfied of ourselves, and criticize the politicians.We applaud, but then we close our eyes in front of terror victims. Do you think that after Hitler has caused 50 million victims in his war people haven’t made new weapons? Do you think that after Hiroshima and Nagasaki haven’t appeared new types of atomic bombs? We applaud them all. Every year on May 9, Russia shows its military force one the Red Square. And we applaud, proud of what we’ve created. While we’re applauding, millions of Africans die in civil wars, progress in the black continent can not be put on wheels, people dying of hunger because of civil wars.And we applaud. Much more horrible are the conflicts caused by religious, racial and national hate. During the middle age, near 300  000 people ( especially women ) were killed because of their religion. The Jews were killed and chased all other the Europe. The Crusades against Muslim have caused a lot of human and material prejudice. Interracial hatred, maintained by Ku Klux Klan in America, which has started since the late 19th century and continue fruitful so far, does not allow free evolution of American democracy, as well as the evolution of democracy all other the world.Thousands of people are killed in Russia, according to race. The new national-socialist organization a re growing rapidly . In a world where the Hungarian National Socialist Party gain 9% in the elections, progress is a castle on sand. Well†¦ This is our world – a world of violence. It surrounds us , wispers sweet words to our ears , decieve our eyes, feed our egos by illusions, and continues its very productive work. Millions of people die from violence.Is not it enough that we die because of pollution and unhealthy way of life? Should we help nature in the murder? Is it not time that the understanding between people to become the engine of a better life? We arrived at times when the slightest mistake could cost us a lot. We are on an unstable platform and only on us depens our future. A future soaked in the blood of violence or dried by the Sun of welfare. It’s our turn to choose now. Listen Read phonetically Listen Read phonetically

Ikemefuna Described as an Ill-Fated Lad

In the book ‘Things Fall Apart’ Chinua Achebe describes Ikemefuna as an ‘ill fated lad’. Behind the meaning of this description lie different literary elements that pay a great significance to the book, in general. Before the author describes Ikemefuna in this manner, he writes about Okonkwo’s reputation and youth. He says, referring to Okonkwo, ‘He was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife’. By saying these words, the author wants to show Okonkwo as a man who earned his good reputation by hard work and not family wealth. He also writes ‘And so although Okonkwo was still young, he was already one of the greatest men of his time’ meaning that age was not the problem for him to succeed in life. ‘As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings’, by stating this proverb, the author means that being one of those boys who ‘washed their hands’, Okonkwo believed that he himself, could treat anyone in this manner if they ‘washed their hands’. He compares and contrasts Okonkwo’s youth against Ikemefuna’s who is later on described as an ‘ill fated lad’. Behind the description of Ikemefuna as an ‘ill fated lad’ lies foreshadowing which shows the readers that the fate of Ikemefuna is not fortunate, and there will be some event later on in the book that will prove the description right. As well as foreshadowing, the words ‘ill fated’ are a metaphor. ‘ill fated’ if translated correctly means a fate that is ill, therefore unfortunate. Even though the passage where Ikemefuna is described is short, there lies a lot of significance that affects the book as a whole. If the readers would not have read those lines saying ‘the ill-fated’ lad, they would most likely not predict anything unusual happening to him in the future. And because this line foreshadows the coming of Ikemefuna’s unfortunate fate, the readers pay more attention to the way Okonkwo treats Ikemefuna later on in the book. They see how Okonkwo treats him like his own son, and for the first time it is seen that Okonkwo becomes interested in something more than simply power and physical strength.

The Yellow Wallpaper Questions for Study and Discussion

The Yellow Wallpaper Questions for Study and Discussion The Yellow Wallpaper Questions for Study and Discussion: The Yellow Wallpaper is the most famous work by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. She also wrote about why she created this short work in Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper .Students often are asked to read this story in  Literature classesthe description is compelling, and the storyline is unforgettable. Here are a few questions for study and discussion related to this famous work. What is important about the title, The Yellow Wallpaper?Could the wallpaper have been any other color? How would a change in color have changed the story? How does the color yellow affect you? Do you like (or dislike) it? What are the psychological implications of the color yellow? How would a different color change the story?How does the narrators description of the wallpaper change over time? How is the wallpaper representative of the domestic sphere?Could the story have taken place in a different place (or at a different time)? Why does the narrator live in a colonial mansion? What does the setting mean? Is it important?Why does Charlotte Perkins Gilman change the point of view? Is it an effective technique?Why does the narrator say: what can one do How does that statement represent her state of mind?Why do you think Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote The Yellow Wallpaper? Historically, the story was based on personal experience (autobiographical)how effectively does Gilman employ the events of her life to create this work of literature? What are the conflicts in The Yellow Wallpaper? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) did you notice? Is the conflict resolved?How does Charlotte Perkins Gilman reveal character in The Yellow Wallpaper?Do you care about the characters? Do you like (or dislike) them? How real (or well-developed) do they seem to you?What are some themes in The Yellow Wallpaper? Symbols? How do they relate to the plot and characters?Does The Yellow Wallpaper end the way you expected? Did you expect a longer (or more involved narrative)? How? Why?What is the central/primary purpose of The Yellow Wallpaper? Is the purpose important or meaningful?What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women? What is important about womenin the historical context?How does the narrators relationship with her husband evolve/change? Does her mental state improve or worsen?Compare the main character in The Yellow Wallpaper with the mad wom an in the attic (from Jane Eyre). What does love have to do with it? What about mental illness? Compare the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper with Edna in The Awakening. Is the narrator suicidal?Compare the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper with Susan from Doris Lessings To Room 19. Is the narrator suicidal?Compare the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper with the narrator from Virginia Woolfs Mrs Dalloway. Why is the party so important?Would you recommend The Yellow Wallpaper to a friend? Why? Why not?What did you enjoy (or hate) most about The Yellow Wallpaper? Why?Why is The Yellow Wallpaper sometimes considered essential reading in Feminist Literature? What are the qualities that make it representative?How does The Yellow Wallpaper fit in with the other known works of literature by Charlotte Perkins Gilman? Study Guide The Yellow Wallpaper QuotesWhy I Wrote The Yellow WallpaperCharlotte Perkins Gilman Biography

Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Essays

Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Essays Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Paper Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Paper Stephan Covey is one of the speakers that will inspire you to truly listen to what the other person is trying to say. If a person does that, one will be able to reflect what the other person is saying and therefore be more able to assist him/her in what they are feeling. Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend years learning how to read and write, and years learning how to speak. But what about listening? Most people probably seek first to be understood; we want to get our point across. And in doing so, we may ignore the other person completely, pretend that we are listening, selectively hear only certain parts of the conversation or attentively focus on only the words being said, but miss the meaning entirely. So why does this happen? Because most people listen with the intent to reply, not to understand. Covey warns that giving out advice before having empathetically understood a person and their situation will likely result in rejection of that advice. In order to participate in communication fully, one should be sure to understand the speaker by asking questions and then replying in a way that lets the listener know that you understand the situation. This could be done by trying to mimic the other person’s feeling by repeating what he or she says, a topic that we went over in class when the professor mentioned that this a tactic some interviewers do when interviewing a job candidate. They try to do some bodily gestures and if the interviewee follows their actions, this means that they are on the same level of understanding each other. Seeking understanding is a two-way street that relies on the ability of each listener to ‘actively listen’. Generally speaking, our first impulse in communication is to make sure that we have been understood. Especially as managers and leaders and parents, we often give instruction to others. While this sort of directed communication is important, it is not the only way that we communicate. There are many times that others will come to us with problems, with needs, or with conversation. And I as a mother can attest that my first impulse is to help, to solve the problem or to offer solutions even before I know all the facts. After listening to Covey, sometimes it is a good idea to just listen and say nothing for the first few minutes so I can be able to gather all the facts before offering any assistance. It is in those times that we practice listening with empathy. This means turning our communication practice around and seeking first to understand, rather than first to be understood. This puts the power in the hands of the other person, the power to communicate their feelings. The responsibility then lies with us to accept, and understand the source of, these feelings and then seek to offer any help, if necessary.

Economics in the early renaissance Research Paper

Economics in the early renaissance - Research Paper Example The economic development at the time portrayed the economy as a cohesive structure with numerous facets all of which function independently albeit in unison to enhance the economic growth of the entire society. The numerous sectors in the early renaissance economies thrived on peaceful economies coupled with systematic integration with other neighboring economies in order to expand their economies. Specific dynasties and think tanks such as Aristotle and Plato contributed fundamental economic ideas that fostered the development of the economies as I discuss in the easy below. In the research of the early renaissance economy, I research the theories fostered by numerous classical and neoclassical economists such as Adam Smith and David Ricardo. Effective taxation refers to a system of taxation in which the government demands a fair share of the citizens’ earning thus leaving the citizens with an adequate amount to foster the economic growth of the countries. At a time that the church played an important role in te formulation and implementation of policies, taxation was a fundamental issue since the royal dynasties often collaborated with the church to defraud the people. However, in order for the countries to register economic growth, the leadership had to implement effective policies that would enhance effective taxation, a system that would curb exploitation and enhance the appropriate utilization of the expenditure. Among the early cities worse governments exhibited effective management of resources was Florence. Florence was a small inland cit y in Italy that unlike other inland cities became economic success. Among the reasons for Florence’s success was the use of the resources in enhancing the liquidity of the economy. The Medici circulated the money in the economy through increased public spending thus resulting in the thriving of arts among other sectors of the economy. This way, the government raised the purchasing power

The Growth of Anti-Communist Belief In the 20th century Essay

The Growth of Anti-Communist Belief In the 20th century - Essay Example The ideas of communism later grew rapidly spreading the political and social structures in countries all over the eastern bloc and causing an intense rivalry between the east and countries in the Western bloc that were mainly capitalist. During the cold war, the feelings against anticommunism began spreading in the eastern countries thereby resulting in the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The cold war created an enabling environment for the spread of propaganda about other countries and economic regimes. The cold war period preceded the Second World War, a period in which countries in the different economic blocs never shared any business transaction and they each lived in fear of the operations of each bloc. Each region therefore feared that the other was progressively becoming stronger and accruing military assets thereby gaining military power. This culminated into fear which no bloc could break by opening war against the other. However, the fear and sus picion that the East had against the economy of the West slowly began countering the effect of communism in the East resulting in the abolition of the economic regime. The West led by the United States of America and countries in Europe had the capitalist economic structure. Capitalism enabled rapid economic growth since it permitted private enterprises thereby enabling the government to collect taxes from the population thereby gaining more revenue. The ideas of capitalism promised rapid economic growth through private investment. The western countries therefore looked economically stronger than the Eastern bloc did since they had enough money to purchase any military artillery they would require. This was unlike the situation in the Eastern bloc where the countries communally owned the economy and therefore the military assets. The regime looked weak and threatened the growth of the entire Asian continent and their affiliates. The precarious times of the cold war therefore created an enabling environment for the spread of propaganda and hate messages among each region. The East progressively became suspicious of the activities of the western bloc, which had active economic activity. The fear and propaganda led to fighting among the different regions in the eastern bloc resulting in the split within the socialist world. The West feared that the growth of the communist ideologies in the East would eventually affect their economies since they targeted foreign markets after the war. The cold war therefore created an enabling environment for the spread of propaganda which the west appropriately created and used their advanced telecommunication mechanisms to spread to east and other neutral countries. The infiltration of the propaganda resulted in fear, which compelled the socialist countries to split their political ideologies a feature in the history of communism that resulted in the creation of left wing anticommunism. The creation of the left wing anti-communi sm preceded the split of the communist parties from the previously predominant socialist second international to create three different political ideologies including the democratic socialist, the third international and the social democrats2. Communism had an elaborate political system referred to as the socialist. The regimes had

Developing Successful Business Teams Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Developing Successful Business Teams - Essay Example Characteristics of team and its contribution to the overall success of the organisation: Team can be defined as a group of people working together to achieve a common target for the welfare of the organisation. However, Dackert, et al. (2010) cited that in a team, the members complement the strengths and weakness of each other. The characteristics of an ideal team such as in Apple Inc., has been mentioned as under: A team leader: Each of the team operates under a team leader. Team leader directs the right path and motivates the members to achieve the targets. The success of effective teamwork in Apple Inc. depends primarily on the leadership quality of Steve Jobs. A common goal: Each of the team members’ work to meet a common short term and long term objectives that improves the business performance of the company. In Apple Inc., the staff are dedicated to provide unique and innovative technical solutions to the customers. Communication : An effective team work includes free communication among the team members. In Apple Inc., the employees can share the feelings and ideas with each other. Moreover, the staff of Apple Inc .are also allowed having an open communication with the leaders. Measurement of team performance: The teamwork of a particular department is being measured by the managers at a regular interval of time. In the company, the managers conduct a team meeting in every month with the team members to discuss the progress of the ongoing project.

Economic Perspectives Of Global Warming Case Study

Economic Perspectives Of Global Warming - Case Study Example Global Warming and Climate Change have now become the buzzwords and rightly too. Carbon Dioxide released from the burning of fuels especially fossil fuels is a significant contributor to the global warming effect. The ever-increasing concentration has been held responsible for the breaking of Arctic Ice Caps; the retreat of glaciers, increase in salinity, storms, floods and so forth. In short, the results could be catastrophic for civilization as we know it. Greenhouse gases tend to stay put before they dissipate. While the jury is still out on the ways to tackle this problem, there is no doubt that economic trade-offs will be involved. Economics provides the necessary tools to realistically address the problem. "It's really now a battle over the economics," said James E. Rogers, chief executive of Duke Energy, who has long advocated curbing carbon emissions. "The debate is not about the climate problem. Everybody could agree on the principles and still get the economics wrong." ( NYT 6th, June 2008 ) The least cost option, as identified by economists, is one which increases reductions over the decades. This will allow for capital depreciation and also the replacement of conventional energy sources like coal, fuel oil, etc. with alternative sources like wind, solar power, Nuclear Power and the like. It is no coincidence that China and India are among the major sources for greenhouse emissions have been under pressure from the OECD and the Group of Eight to look at alternative energy sources. Neither is any altruism involved. Economics dictate adoption of a pragmatic approach which would be all inclusive i.e. include the developed and developing countries (who are way below emission levels in the developed economies and still in an economic growth path with no incentive to cut down on such emissions). Climate is perceived as a public good and therefore international cooperation is de rigueur.

Walgreens Annual Report 2011 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Walgreens Annual Report 2011 - Term Paper Example There is a comparison between the financial year 2011 and the preceding year 2010. The percentage increase for each of the mentioned entities is given. The third section is the company highlights. This section stipulates the company’s locations in terms of new locations, new acquisitions, closings, and the sales area. Also there is a breakdown of the product class sales in terms of prescription drugs, non prescription drugs and general merchandise. Extensive comparison of the financial year 2010 with preceding four years is given. The section is concluded with a graphical representation of the company’s fiscal year stock performance. The fourth section in the Walgreens report is the letter to shareholders. This section, signed by the Chairman of the Board and the President and Chief Executive Officer, delineates the company’s activities, achievements, drawbacks and how they were curbed among other issues from the perspective of the Chairman and the CEO. The fifth section is known as everyday. This section defines the core values, missions and objectives of Walgreen Company. One by one they give a vivid description of what the company does in people’s lives everyday. These include: providing integrated care, caring for patients, helping people live well, enhancing healthy living as well as getting closer to people. The section concludes with a group photo of the board of directors plus their names and ranks as well as a list of the company’s officers. The sixth section is the five-year summary of selected consolidated financial data.As the title suggests, this section encompasses a breakdown of a few selected entities including net sales, per common share, non current liabilities, assets and equity as well as location. An extensive analysis of these entities for the last five years is given. Seventhly, we have the management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition. In this section, ther e is an extensive and lengthy discussion and analysis of the company’s financial conditions and results of the company’s operations. It contains a series of statements which involve risks and uncertainties inter alia. The eighth section is the consolidated statements. This section comprise of consolidated statements of earnings, consolidated statements shareholder’s equity, consolidated statements balance sheets and statements of cash flow. It is followed by the notes to the consolidated financial statements. This section comprehends the accompanying information to the consolidated financial statements. It describes the major accounting policies, restructuring, leases, acquisitions, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes, short-term borrowings and long-term loans, financial instruments, fair measurements commitments and contingencies, capital stock, stock compensation plans, retirement benefits as well as supplementary financial information. Finally, there is the report of independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. This is the last section of the report which gives an audit feedback to the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Walgreen Company by the Delloitte and Touche LLP audit firm. There are many factors that influenced the Company’s financial performance during the financial year 2011 as delineated in the report. First and foremost is the establishment of new alliances with top health system. These include: John Hopkins Medical Center, Onchsner Health

Homo Erectus and the Colonization of Asia Essay

Homo Erectus and the Colonization of Asia - Essay Example These early hominids experienced the interpreted environmental changes. These changes, however, probably had little negative affect on this hominid. In fact, the adaptations that permitted Homo erectus to leave Africa were most likely well suited to the open woodland environments subsequently encountered. These adaptations include larger body size compared to earlier hominids, bipedality, linear body proportions, and a more sophisticated tool kit (Spencer, 1997). Specifically, bipedality would have permitted foraging in open environments (Rodman and McHenry, 1980), whereas large body size would have been useful for surviving interactions with large predators also found in these habitats (Walker, 1993). Others (Anton et al., 2002) have suggested that the maintenance of this large body size, as well as increased brain size, may have resulted from greater nutritional dependence on animal fat and protein. This may have necessitated the increase in tool sophistication for acquiring this additional component of the diet. Finally, the long, linear body proportions found in Homo erectus might have been an advantage for heat dissipation in tropical, open grasslands, like those found in Java during this time (Ruff, 1994). Anton et al. (2002) have proposed a model for the initial hominid dispersal from Africa. They suggest that ecological change provided an increase in niches within grassland and wooded grassland environments for terrestrial herbivores. Hominids of relatively larger brain and body size, in turn, took advantage of these animal resources and ultimately increased their own reproductive success (Leonard and Robertson, 1997; Anton et al., 2002). As foraging strategy and the ecosystem structure changed, the home range of these hominids increased leading to greater dispersal capability. Additionally, the dispersing herbivores not only provided a subsistence resource but may have also served as an impetus for hominid dispersal (Anton et al., 2002). It has been shown that the Middle Pleistocene faunas of Java are closely related to the faunas of India and Burma (de Vos, 1995). Thus, based on the model of Anton et al. (2002), it can be inferred that as these species migrated southward, they began to occupy the open grasslands, densely vegetated river valleys, and upland forests of Java during the Early to Middle Pleistocene. As the hominids followed the migrating herbivores, they too would have taken advantage of the resources afforded by the landscape at this time. The Sunda Shelf then became exposed approximately 800,000 years ago, grasslands expanded, and more species began to enter Java. This increased resource base may have lead to increased reproductive success of Homo erectus. 3 The Asian Homo erectus The relationship of Asian Homo erectus to Asian Homo sapiens has long been a source of discussion. In the simplest terms this problem takes the form of whether or not modern and recent Asian populations show morphological affinities to earlier populations attributed to Homo erectus. Again the currently unresolved question of the genetic

Economic Perspectives Of Global Warming Case Study

Economic Perspectives Of Global Warming - Case Study Example Global Warming and Climate Change have now become the buzzwords and rightly too. Carbon Dioxide released from the burning of fuels especially fossil fuels is a significant contributor to the global warming effect. The ever-increasing concentration has been held responsible for the breaking of Arctic Ice Caps; the retreat of glaciers, increase in salinity, storms, floods and so forth. In short, the results could be catastrophic for civilization as we know it. Greenhouse gases tend to stay put before they dissipate. While the jury is still out on the ways to tackle this problem, there is no doubt that economic trade-offs will be involved. Economics provides the necessary tools to realistically address the problem. "It's really now a battle over the economics," said James E. Rogers, chief executive of Duke Energy, who has long advocated curbing carbon emissions. "The debate is not about the climate problem. Everybody could agree on the principles and still get the economics wrong." ( NYT 6th, June 2008 ) The least cost option, as identified by economists, is one which increases reductions over the decades. This will allow for capital depreciation and also the replacement of conventional energy sources like coal, fuel oil, etc. with alternative sources like wind, solar power, Nuclear Power and the like. It is no coincidence that China and India are among the major sources for greenhouse emissions have been under pressure from the OECD and the Group of Eight to look at alternative energy sources. Neither is any altruism involved. Economics dictate adoption of a pragmatic approach which would be all inclusive i.e. include the developed and developing countries (who are way below emission levels in the developed economies and still in an economic growth path with no incentive to cut down on such emissions). Climate is perceived as a public good and therefore international cooperation is de rigueur.

Homo Erectus and the Colonization of Asia Essay

Homo Erectus and the Colonization of Asia - Essay Example These early hominids experienced the interpreted environmental changes. These changes, however, probably had little negative affect on this hominid. In fact, the adaptations that permitted Homo erectus to leave Africa were most likely well suited to the open woodland environments subsequently encountered. These adaptations include larger body size compared to earlier hominids, bipedality, linear body proportions, and a more sophisticated tool kit (Spencer, 1997). Specifically, bipedality would have permitted foraging in open environments (Rodman and McHenry, 1980), whereas large body size would have been useful for surviving interactions with large predators also found in these habitats (Walker, 1993). Others (Anton et al., 2002) have suggested that the maintenance of this large body size, as well as increased brain size, may have resulted from greater nutritional dependence on animal fat and protein. This may have necessitated the increase in tool sophistication for acquiring this additional component of the diet. Finally, the long, linear body proportions found in Homo erectus might have been an advantage for heat dissipation in tropical, open grasslands, like those found in Java during this time (Ruff, 1994). Anton et al. (2002) have proposed a model for the initial hominid dispersal from Africa. They suggest that ecological change provided an increase in niches within grassland and wooded grassland environments for terrestrial herbivores. Hominids of relatively larger brain and body size, in turn, took advantage of these animal resources and ultimately increased their own reproductive success (Leonard and Robertson, 1997; Anton et al., 2002). As foraging strategy and the ecosystem structure changed, the home range of these hominids increased leading to greater dispersal capability. Additionally, the dispersing herbivores not only provided a subsistence resource but may have also served as an impetus for hominid dispersal (Anton et al., 2002). It has been shown that the Middle Pleistocene faunas of Java are closely related to the faunas of India and Burma (de Vos, 1995). Thus, based on the model of Anton et al. (2002), it can be inferred that as these species migrated southward, they began to occupy the open grasslands, densely vegetated river valleys, and upland forests of Java during the Early to Middle Pleistocene. As the hominids followed the migrating herbivores, they too would have taken advantage of the resources afforded by the landscape at this time. The Sunda Shelf then became exposed approximately 800,000 years ago, grasslands expanded, and more species began to enter Java. This increased resource base may have lead to increased reproductive success of Homo erectus. 3 The Asian Homo erectus The relationship of Asian Homo erectus to Asian Homo sapiens has long been a source of discussion. In the simplest terms this problem takes the form of whether or not modern and recent Asian populations show morphological affinities to earlier populations attributed to Homo erectus. Again the currently unresolved question of the genetic

The Things They Carried Essay Example for Free

The Things They Carried Essay Throughout his novel, the things The Carried, author Tim O’Brien uses a plethora of strategies to give the reader a deeper incite into the day to day life of an American ground soldier during the Vietnam War. O’ Brian shares with us his extensive knowledge and first hand experiences throughout the novel. Being a veteran of the Vietnam War helps O ‘Brian gives us a look into American’s longest war, not often given. Aside from recalling past events, he uses many unique techniques that we may be less used to. The first is the use of characters and objects as representations. This is one of the tactics most often used in the book. Another way that O ‘Brian uses rliterature to emphasize a point is the use of meta-fiction. This is basically telling the truth in a lie. Lastly, his knowledge and experiences add another dimension to this book that can really engage the reader. All of these components working together are what has mad the Things They Carried, such a critically acclaimed book. I have found that a good strategy to use when reading this book, is to remember that often times things are not what they seem. The book was filled with figurative language and representation the O ‘Brien uses to emphasizes and support his points. This strategy is used with both people and objects. In the book, there are characters that O ‘Brian tells us that he served with in the war, but in interviews told people that he fictionalized them to emphasize his point. An example of this would be Mark Fossie’s girlfriend Mary Ann Belle who visits the men in Vietnam. She is the classic example of the â€Å"American girl†. â€Å" A tall, big-boned blonde. AT best, Rat said, she was seventeen years old, fresh out of Cleveland Heights Senior High School. She had long, white legs and blue eyes and complexion like strawberry ice cream. Very friendly, too. She is a representation of what all them men left behind when the joined the war. The young, attractive, and vibrant girl is a dramatic contrast to the death and destruction that they are forced to endure everyday. As time goes on and Mary spends all of her time in a war zone surrounded by men, there is a dramatic change in her character and personality. She starts to embrace the death and carnage that the war zone is filled with. â€Å"Everything I want, is right here. † –Mary. Legend says that she disappeared into the black of the jungle, never to be heard from again. This experience shatters Mark Fossie’s erception of Mary as a harmless beauty, which was a thought he would use to escape from the horrors of war. Another example of this use of characters are more than a character to add to the plot is O ‘Brian’s daughter Kathleen. She, much like Mary, is young and naive. Although to the naked eye she would appear to be nothing more than a little girl, she actually represents how war has affected the soldiers. She may show Tim what he was, pre-war and how being sent to the front lines at such a young age can turn anyone to a little girl. Meta-fiction is one of my favorite literary devices. It is essentially the use of lies to tell the truth. This may sound contradictory but in certain cases, there is not factual information or, â€Å"truth† to support your point. An example of this from â€Å"the Things They Carried† would be the scene where Kiowa died. This event never actually never happened during O ‘Brian’s service despite the fact that he tells it this way. This is because as far as the message that the author is trying to tell us about the Vietnam War, Kiowa’s death represents more than just a soldier dying in battle. â€Å"Kiowa was gone. He was under the mud and water, folded in with the war. † He may have known many men that died in combat but none in a way that is this representative. The mud and water where he sunk into and eventually died represents the way that the war can bog someone down. Whether you die in combat or not, a piece of your is almost left on the battle field. This is the point that O ‘Brian is trying to make. Another example of meta-fiction was the entire chapter titled, â€Å"The Man I Killed†. In this chapter, the young Tim O ‘Brian shorts a man in the face. After, the kill, he goes over and inspects the dead body. He inspects it from head to toe, paying special attention to the star shaped bullet wound where the victim’s eye should have been. Again, while one may just assume that this is just the author talking about a man he killed, but in this situation, this never even happened. In fact, O ‘Brian tells us that he never even saw any of the men that he killed. He was to s cared to â€Å"see a life ended by his trigger†. He inserts this chapter because this is how he imagines seeing a man that you killed you feel, and look like. Even if he had looked at the man he had killed, the real experience may not have captured all the emotions that this fictionalized scenario would. This is a tactic used by writers because these cenarios that they create can capture emotions and powerful moments that may not have happened but still feel real. The more knowledge and author has on a given subject usually results in a better final product. O ‘Brian’s personal experiences in the Vietnam War assures us that the stories and information we are receiving is as first hand as it comes. Rather than just reciting dates and facts like a history textbook, he shares with us what it was actually like to be risking your life in the field. While some of the stories he tells are admittedly fictionalized, most are not. Even those that are often are based on some fact or true event. Tim O ‘ Brian’s personal experiences help him in achieving his goal of giving us a look into the day to day life of a foot soldier in Vietnam. All of these devises utilizes by O ‘Brian help make the Things They Carried one of the best war books that I have ever read. Symbolism, meta-fiction, and personal experience help give the reader a more personal look into America’s longest war. I believe that Tim O ‘Brian was very successful in accomplishing his goal of giving readers an in depth look into a war that is often not talked about for what happened on the battle field.

Disadvantages Of Fast Foods English Language Essay

Disadvantages Of Fast Foods English Language Essay Fast food, the type of food changed our lives. According to Bender and Bender, fast food is a general term used for a limited menu of foods that lend themselves to production line techniques and that are typically hamburgers, pizzas, chicken or sandwiches (Davies Smith, 2004).) There is 59% of adult population that eats at take-away restaurants at least once a week (ACNielsen, 2005). This is due to convenience concept of fast food restaurant match the busy lifestyles and ease of access to a wide variety of fast food restaurants in the markets. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAl8Bf2__zM/TiWoKHkuCcI/AAAAAAAABGA/SJtJUeBRvj8/s1600/fast-food-restaurants.jpg Nowadays, many people, mostly young people, prefer to eat fast food such as hamburgers, fried chicken, shawarma, or pizza. ). Its fast, easy to prepare, easy to eat, and cheap. Its for everyone. Its for the poor and the non-poor. Its for students, managers, actors, for factory workers, for criminals, for priests and others. Today it seems like fast food was always around and it is not possible to imagine a world without fast food. Even countries like Japan, which has a traditional diet of rice, fish, vegetables and soy products, accepted fast food into their worlds. Malaysians were first introduced to fast foods when AW established its first restaurant in 1963. Since then, consumers acceptance of fast foods has been on the upward trend. This is manifested by the proliferation of fast food outlets in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, such as McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Grandys, Pizza Hut and Shakeys Pizza. Restaurants are nothing new, but the idea of fast food is a newer concept. In ancient Rome and Greece taverns usually served food and drink to their guests. These places served food out of necessity not because the guests though it would be fun. For a long time, people liked to eat at home more than they liked to eat at a restaurant. In the 17th century people like to drink coffee and beer in taverns, but eating out didnt start to become popular until the late 18th century. White Castle was one of the first fast-food chains in the United States. White Castle sold burgers and fries and helped to popularized hamburgers across the nation. In the 1930s drive-through fast food restaurants began to appear. Of course McDonalds followed suit in 1948. McDonalds was so popular that other fast food chains started to pop up all over the United States. Time is money. This is the new buzzword in todays world. People are now spending more time by running after money then spending time on their daily activities. No wonder fast food is on the rise. May people do not realize that fast food is a slow death. There are a host of disadvantages associated with eating fast food such as effect to health, economy and loss of the family tradition. The greatest disadvantage of fast food is the adverse effect that it has on ones health. It is a fact that fast food is more unhealthy than home-cooked meals, as they contain higher amounts of unwanted nutrients like salt, fat and various types of additives (artificial chemicals). It may contain harmful bacteria too. Frying destroys most of the essential nutrients from the food. Very small amounts of vegetables and fruits are normally present in fast food. Moreover, serving larger portions when most people dont need extra portions has led to several health problems. We require a small amount of salt to maintain the health of the cells and tissues. Fast food being rich in salt, adversely affects the heart health and the overall health of an individual. When customers consumed too much fast food they might become obese and develop diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, and heart related symptoms due to high cholesterol from excessive fat (Bose D, and N.D,2001). Obesit y is on the rise, and a direct link is being cited between fast food and obesity in children.With obesity come other problems like high blood pressure and diseases of the joints. Beside that, because of the standardized menu and consistent quality, only minimal time need to be spent obtaining product information (Jekanowsky, Binkley, Eales, 2001) then consumer did not know what ingredients contain inside fast food. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPTG_qtqfnY1NuGQBIho8CgTQX4kEO_4R0w7bv89RXliPdY5JdhI5Lnxuh0M96tO7-Xf_g0d5rUr9X7oaJiKxaN_MeFGJmhUm4PGqCVNgSAaci_iYZFz3yKbC5ayWG7ZZTvtrZt7CONP7/s320/Naturally+Yours+obesity+2.gif    Even though, fast food is the fastest way to feed our hunger, it is not healthy at all. It is full of saturated and unsaturated fat. Moreover, it is a major source of calories and most of these calories are from fat. Unsaturated fats are good fat. Which means someone can burn this fat overtime through exercise. On the other side, saturated fats are bad fat which cannot be burned and stay in our body. French fries, deep fried chicken and other deep fried foods are the major source of trans fats. Furthermore, it is one of the reasons behind people getting over weight these days. Fast food is full of sodium. If we look at the nutrients facts on one of our favorite fast food, we will see the highest percentage of sodium in it. Moreover, sugar is one of the major ingredients of fast food as we can see in desserts like apple pie and apple with caramel at MacDonalds. http://www.footballtainment.com/images/public/msg-food-disadvantages.jpg A further effect is on the economy for ourself or country.Although fast food is not very expensive, it is more expensive than cooking properly for yourself. The greater the number of people at a meal in a fast food restaurant, the larger is the bill. Eating at fast food outlets is economical only for a single person. Going out to a fast food eating joint with family once in a while wont matter much. However, frequent visits to such restaurants with ones family can become quite an expensive affair, besides being unhealthy. Beside that, many of the fast food companies are franchisees of foreign corporations, so profits leave the country. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qto3FQDv8es/STZZn5ge_fI/AAAAAAAAACA/3ii9jWKvNc0/s320/money_fly.gifhttp://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Finance-Economy-Stocks-Money-300225.jpghttp://www.mole.my/sites/default/files/images/malaysian-ringgit-598694.storyimage.jpg Another effect of fast food is the loss of the family tradition of eating together. Eating fast food encourages people to eat on the go. Diners are encouraged to eat quickly and then leave the premises or eat while doing something else. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHny8PxEeLmM3yn5hd54lILQ0w0HOFt3mNC-f0r6T2SjZbQpkhkRcO-A9YH9xQk-6F03HeAIXbPtyvCTlU0G5uf8ACDMxB-z2jvIcEizZJCb0bPffggaSX8pjm2nehYxm3VfBbgMqNBCRL/s1600/eating20alone_canuckshutterer_xlarge.jpeg Fast food joints are being seen as a factor that is making a number of families spend less and less time together. Family meal time is something that is considered as an opportunity for all the members to come together and share their experiences. However, the fast food centers are quickly eating into this quality time. This is especially true about youngsters for whom a fast food center is a good place to hangout with friends and peers where the days experiences are shared with other members of the family. Additionally, many children from present time prefer eating in fast food branches with friends of their age rather than with their parents, this could also decrease the amount of time where the whole family actually gather (Brown J, 2009). Beside that, people who eat quickly tend to consume calories mindlessly. This can easily lead to overeating. http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4e25e076cadcbb470a000000-400-400/these-are-the-ten-most-bizarre-fast-food-locations-on-the-planet.jpg Fast food is certainly an occasional fun treat, and there are healthy menu choices.   Sadly, too many people visit too often, with unwholesome results and bad habits setting the stage for health disasters for our young people.Everyone should think twice before deciding to eat fast food. The health risks arent worth your life, and animals that live in slaughter houses arent treated properly or hygienically before their death, which can cause many food-borne illnesses to inhabit food. Although it is easy to buy and cheap, risking a life for something that isnt good for any person in the first place could cost thousands of dollars in hospital bills. It is important to eat healthy and make good choices when deciding what to put in your body. Dont be lazy and pick up fast food on your way home from work. Make the right choice and eat some vegetables. http://www.fitbodylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/fast_food_kills.png In conclusion, fast food although it is convenient and a tasty addition to a diet, can have serious health, increase economy and social effects.People should learn to choose fast food carefully and remember the pleasure of eating good food in good company. It is not necessary to boycott all fast food restaurants, but its important to limit how often we eat at them. http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20091028/a1897_121.jpeg

Othello’s Sinister Side Essay -- Othello essays

Othello’s Sinister Side  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare’s Othello, with its prolonged exposure to the evil mind of Iago, is difficult for some in the audience. Let’s consider the play’s evil aspect.    In the Introduction to The Folger Library General Reader’s Shakespeare, Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar explain the single, evil focus of the drama – the arch-villainy of the ancient:    Othello has been described as Shakespeare’s most perfect play. Critics of dramatic structure have praised it for its attention to the main theme without irrelevant distractions. Many Elizabethan plays had rambling subplots and much extraneous detail to amuse the groundlings. Othello avoids all irrelevancies and the action moves swiftly from the first scene to the denouement. We never get lost in a multiplicity of incidents or a multitude of characters. Our attention remains centered on the arch villainy of Iago and his plot to plant in Othello’s mind a corroding belief in his wife’s faithlessness. (viii)    Even the imagery in the drama has its evil aspect. Kenneth Muir, in the Introduction to William Shakespeare: Othello,   explains the instances of diabolic imagery in the play as they relate to the infecting of the Moor by the ancient:    The same transference from Iago to Othello may be observed in what S. L. Bethell called diabolic imagery. He estimated that of the 64 images relating to hell and damnation – many of them are allusions rather than strict images – Iago has 18 and Othello 26. But 14 of Iago’s are used in the first two Acts, and 25 of Othello's in the last three. The theme of hell originates with Iago and is transferred to Othello only when Iago has succeeded in infecting the Moor with his jealousy. (22) .. ...rsity. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Wayne, Valerie. â€Å"Historical Differences: Misogyny and Othello.† The Matter of Difference: Materialist Feminist Criticism of Shakespeare. Ed Valerie Wayne. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1991.    Wilson, H. S. On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy. Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1957.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.    -- -- --. Introduction. The Folger Library General Reader’s Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. New York: Washington Square Press, 1957.

Hustler - Censoring a Film about Censorship :: Movie Film Essays

[1] The People vs. Larry Flynt celebrates America for â€Å"being the strongest country in the world today only because we are the freest,† as Flynt once said. The problem is, that while the film triumphantly exhibits the (seemingly obvious) â€Å"evils of censorship,† it hypocritically censors out the most controversial parts. The film champions free speech yet is not able to visually depict the potentially harmful material that the First Amendment defends. The content in Flynt’s Hustler magazine absolutely, positively, requires the protection of the First Amendment. The film does not show you why. For how do you expose to mainstream society something that cannot legally be seen in an R-rated film? Director Milos Forman, incapable of surmounting this problem, needed to make changes. He removed the most obscene aspects of the â€Å"real† Hustler and Flynt, and fabricated the â€Å"reel† socially acceptable, laughable (and even likable) depicti ons. Consequently, in the process of telling this story that Forman wished to dedicate to his hero, the U.S. Justice system, he both sanitizes and canonizes Flynt and Hustler magazine. [2] In this issue essay I will first discuss the history of pornography in America and the emergence of Hustler. I will then show how the movie makes the viewer feel proud of the country without letting the viewer choose if he or she is really pleased with what is being protected, pointing out the impossibility of portraying the obscene images in an R-rated film. After that, I will discuss the possible ramifications of pornography, including violence against women and children. I will then address the moral implications of a complete freedom of expression and the possible effects of promoting ignorance about pornography through the movie. Finally, I will comment on my views regarding pornography and censorship in our society. The Sexual Revolution in America [3] Since the 1950’s, a sexual revolution has spawned in America, accordingly downgrading previous anathemas in society, like pre-martial sex, masturbation, and homosexuality. For example, according to an article describing the sexual revolution, â€Å"In the 1950s, less than 25 percent of Americans thought premarital sex was acceptable; by the 1970s, more than 75 percent found it acceptable† (Stossel 74). Norman Podhoretz recounts how in the early 1950’s obtaining pornography was like trying to buy illegal drugs. But Playboy changed all of that, as it emerged as an â€Å"acceptable† form of pornography in 1953.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The two leading stock exchanges are the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations.   The NYSE began in 1792 with 24 stock owners gathering on Wall street to buy and sell stock. The stock exchange has the largest dollar volume of stock sales in the world, but the NASDAQ   has a larger stock volume. Membership in the NYSE is through â€Å"seats† and seat-holders are guaranteed the right to trade on the floor of the stock exchange.   The NASDAQ was established in 1971 as the first completely electronic trading forum. The NYSE was at the time the largest stock exchange in the world, but in the 1990s it was surpassed in stock volume by the NASDAQ. There are approximately 3300 companies traded on the NASDAQ;   there are 2,764 on the NYSE. 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If a firm’s shares grew from $1 to $2 per share over a 10-year period, the total growth over the course of the decade is 100 percent, but that does not mean that the annual growth would be 10 percent.   If fact, because annual growth is based on the beginning price, 10 percent annual growth is simply not a mathematical possibility. The math makes it more clear. If in the first year, stock is $1 then with 10 percent annual growth, the price would $1.10 at the beginning of the second year. During the second year, ten percent growth would add 11 cents to the share’s price. Share prices would increase 12 cents the third year and so forth. At the end of a decade with 10 percent annual growth per year, the shares would be $2.41. So, it is false to believe that 100 percent total growth in a decade, does not mean 10 percent annual growth. 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Simply because the returns of two stocks are negatively correlated does not necessarily mean that one of the stocks is a negative beta.   Though a negative beta would negatively correlate with a stock that performs well during market upturns, it is not required for the negative correlation. Two stocks can have little to nothing in common and both be dependant on the same sort of market action for growth. For example, stocks previously considered to be totally unrelated all perform poorly when the market takes a major downturn. High tech stocks, housing stocks and retail stocks can all be hit by a sharp market turn regardless of the limited correlation between these types of stocks.   A negative beta does not guarantee that the stock can hold steady during those severe drops.

Love is Greater than Hate (Tale of Two Cities)

In Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, he illustrates the constant battle between love and hate. This battle is never-ending, but in the novel, I believe that love won, and that love is greater than hate. Love is displayed as love for family and friends, while hate is displayed as hate for the aristocrats and revenge. Lucie, a young girl who never met her father, grows into a strong woman and her love for her family is evident. Her love even saved her father from his despair. Miss Pross has love for Lucie, affectionately called Ladybird, and cares for her and her daughter, little Lucie, with her life.However, there is also hate. Madame Defarge hates the aristocrats, mostly the Evremondes, and will go to any length to see them suffer. Sydney Carton hates everyone and hates life in general. Can love overpower these emotions; will love prove it is greater? In Dickens’ novel, it did. Lucie loves her father, from the day they first meet, it is obvious, and the sent iment is soon shared by her father. After living a life of hatred and despair for 18 years, Lucie brings Doctor Manette love.The first glimpse we see of this love that will save Doctor Manette from himself is when Dickens writes, â€Å"His cold white hair mingled with her radiant hair, which warmed and lighted it as though it were the light of Freedom shining on him. † (Dickens, pg. 50). After being with his daughter for awhile, her love freed him from his sufferings and brought him back to the man he used to be. The love that Lucie was able to give him, gave him the strength he needed to overcome the hatred that held him prisoner inside the Bastille for so long.But even then, there were times when he relapsed into his old habits from prison. However, Lucie was the one who could bring him back from that despair and hatred with her love. As Miss Pross remarks, â€Å"In silence they go walking up and down together, walking up and down together, until her love and company have brought him to himself. † (Dickens, pg. 103). This just goes to prove how strong love is and how it is greater than hate. Doctor Manette went through a great ordeal of pain and suffering during his 18 years of imprisonment.He held a hatred for the Evremondes because they are the ones who put him in prison after he tried to condemn them for their unlawful actions towards the peasants. Doctor Manette writes in his letter, â€Å"Them and their descendents, to the very last of their race, I Alexandre Manette, unhappy prisoner, do this very last night of the year 1767, in my unbearable agony, denounce to the times when all these things shall be answered for, I denounce them to Heaven and to earth. † (Dickens, pg. 342).When he is recalled to life by his daughter Lucie, he forgets these troubles and is able to live a happy life. When Lucie falls in love with Charles Darnay, an Evremonde, Doctor Manette’s old pain, hatred, and suffering arises. We see this illustrated wh en Dickens writes, â€Å"In a very curious look at Darnay: an intent look, deepening into a frown of dislike and distrust, not even unmixed with fear. † (Dickens, pg. 86). However, in chapter 10 of Book 2 entitled, Two Promises, Charles Darnay admits to Doctor Manette that he loves his daughter, Lucie.To this, Doctor Manette exhibits that same dark look, but then turns to Darnay and says, â€Å"If she should ever tell me that you are essential to her perfect happiness, I will give her to you. If there were  ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Charles Darnay, if there were (†¦) – any fancies, any reasons, any apprehensions, anything whatsoever, new or old, against the man she really loved – the direct responsibility thereof not lying on his head – they should all be obliterated for her sake. She is everything to me; more to me than suffering, more to me than wrong (†¦)† (Dickens, pg.142).Even with the history of the Evremondes haunting him every time he looks at Darnay, he is willing to put it all aside for Lucie, because he loves her so strongly. This is an excellent example of how love trumps hate. As an example of the battle of love and hate, one could take Miss Pross as being the personification of love and Madame Defarge as being the personification of hate. Miss Pross has been serving Lucie since she was a young girl and has therefore fallen in love with the young woman.She will do anything for her and treats Lucie as if she were her own daughter. When Lucie has a little girl, Miss Pross cares for her the same way, with ample love and compassion. In one of the scenes in the novel, we are given a glimpse of the love Miss Pross has for Lucie. Dickens writes, â€Å"Smoothing her rich hair with as much pride as she could possible have taken in her own hair if she had been the vainest and handsomest of women. † (Dickens, pg. 104). Madame Defarge, on the other hand, shows no compassion to anyone.She hates all the aristocrats, but mos t of all, the Evremondes. This is for the same reason as Doctor Manette, because the peasants that were abused by the family were her family, and they died at the hands of the Evremondes. She has let this blind hatred lead her life and fuel her anger most of her life. We can see her hatred when she is knotting the coins in the cloth at the wine-shop, â€Å"She tied a knot with flashing eyes, as if it throttled a foe (†¦) as if it were another enemy strangled. † (Dickens, pg. 185, 186).On the day of Charles Darnay’s execution, Madame Defarge goes to find Lucie, Doctor Manette and little Lucie to condemn them to death also. Instead, she finds only Miss Pross. Thus begins the largest battle of love and hate in the novel. Madame Defarge is determined, and armed, but Miss Pross is filled with the strength of love and loyalty. As they fight, Dickens describes Miss Pross’ strength by writing, â€Å"Miss Pross, with the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much st ronger than hate (†¦) held her round the waist, and clung to her with more than the hold of a drowning woman.† (Dickens, pg. 379).After they struggle for a while, Madame Defarge tries to pull her gun out, but it works against her and suddenly Miss Pross is struggling with a dead body. Love has triumphed over hate in the truest sense as hate dies and love lives on. Sydney Carton’s character is introduced as a brilliant man who is bitter and depressed. He tells Darnay the first time they meet, â€Å"I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth and no man on earth cares for me. † (Dickens, pg. 90).He also admits to himself in that same passage that he hates Darnay, because he has all that Carton will never have, he is the man Carton will never be. Later on in the book, Carton tells Lucie that he loves her, but is glad that she will never love him, and then he says, â€Å"If my career were of that better kind and there were an opportunity or capa city of sacrifice in it, I would embrace any sacrifice for you and those dear to you (†¦) think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you! † (Dickens, pg.159).This shows that even though Carton has hate for life, he may still show love, but yet none of the two emotions has surpassed the other, until he fulfils his promise to Lucie. When Darnay is sentenced to death by guillotine, Carton sneaks in and takes his place. He sacrifices his life to give Lucie back her husband, to give her back the man that Carton never liked, even hated. The power of love surpassed that of the emotions of hate that Carton has towards Darnay, his love for a woman who will never love him back led his actions.Even at the guillotine, we see the power of love overcoming hate as Carton helps a young seamstress overcome her fears of dying and gave her love before she died. This love was returned to Carton and gave him strength when he went up to die. His face when he died was, â€Å"The peacefullest man’s face ever beheld there. † (Dickens, pg. 385). This further demonstrates that love can, and will always, be greater than hate. Love is by far greater than hate. Love can save, love can heal, and love can grow.Hate is destructive, and that’s its weakness, it has no grasp on people when love is present because love can rebuild all that hate has torn down. In Dickens novel, he gives plenty of proof to show just how powerful love is, and that even if, like Carton, we feel there is no love present, there is, and eventually we will see it. In his novel, we also see that even if hatred has claimed a person for so long, such as Doctor Manette, they can be saved with love.

Both Sided of Humanity

Both Sides of Humanity A typical spring morning, crisp, cool air. Three girls in the driveway like ducklings in a row, momma behind them in the doorway waving. Three girls anxiously awaiting the arrival of bus 210, lilacs in hand for the driver. They’re so young and pure, free of corruption and clueless of the dangers of each new day. The bus takes them to school, the place they think they go to learn about numbers and curving cursive Y below the line, but today school is a haven. Imagine a seemingly unsteady world crumbling under the pressures of fate’s unsteady hand. Imagine everything you own taken in an instant. And as their mother weakly told the girls of the disaster that day, the girls wondered, was it fate? Was it always going to happen? No. And they wondered what could have happened differently in the past to prevent this tragedy as they solemnly stared at the smoldering ash that was their home this morning. Three girls in the driveway like ducklings in a row, momma beside them- and beside herself, wondering what will happen next. While the thought of reconstruction brings happiness, they know their house will never be rebuilt. Money is scarce- the miracle ration has been spent on their lives. The family is all okay; no one was home to endure the deadly licks of the fire’s vicious tongue. There are six, and for now they must all live together in one small hotel room. For the three girls, getting along with their step dad would be like a fuzzy white mouse getting along with a starved python. Tension is high for everyone, but they all have their outlets. For the girls it is school. There they thrive in A+ papers, constant praise from teachers, and â€Å"BFF† love, and in the room at night there were three in the bed and the little one said, â€Å"we made it through another day.† Winter of 2004, the house is not complete; it’s not a house at all. There are some walls, but numerous holes and open spaces. The baby can’t crawl around because the floor is missing in some places, in others there is floor board†¦or some kind of board. No carpet. The stairs are slightly safe, enough to get to the top if they go one at the time. The kitchen has an infinite number of open places so the snow comes in sometimes. The floor is too cold to walk on with bare feet, but they have a few pairs of socks. There is no electricity, but they have a generator in the backyard. Gas is expensive though so it is rarely turned on. Their only heat source is a portable kerosene heater and kerosene is expensive too. There’s no running water, but when the generator is on they get about five ice-cold minutes in the shower-sometimes seven or eight depending on how much gas there is to spare. The youngest girl goes outside and sticks her hand deep into the snow. The sn owy yard is their refrigerator. When the sun goes down candles are gathered and lit. The girls gather in a circle, pens and paper in hand to do their math homework and write tomorrow’s essay in the company of dancing shadows on the wall. It is cold but they are grateful to have this skeleton house rather than nothing at all. Friends don’t know about this new way of life, keeping it a secret is no challenge though, because there is no time for friends. School is the only social time available, but that’s okay-it’s easier to keep secrets that way. Days go by, then weeks. Thanksgiving came. Oh were they thankful. Thankful for life, each other, and good health, and thankful that they had sense enough to be thankful. On Christmas Eve the family decorated a small tree cut from the woods out back, knowing nothing would be under it in the morning. Christmas morning arrived and they huddled around the tree. No words came out, but everyone knew what the others were thinking, â€Å"Its great to be alive; its great to have a healthy family; what a beautiful Christmas morning it is.† The girls knew their friends were opening presents, but their friends were unlucky because they were not having thoughts of thanks and gratitude flood their heads like the family with the creaky, dark house d own the road. Four years later life is very different from that in the creaky, dark house and still, there are three girls becoming women with a definite past and a bright future. They have seen two very different sides of life, and despite everything they are thankful for what they didn’t have before. Nothing will ever be the same, they will never look at life through the eyes of those three innocent girls that they once were. They, along with everyone else, are a very small part of an impossibly large world. Without the past the girls would not be thankful for every meal put on the table. They would not be thankful for the clothes on their backs. They are humble, and know that no matter what is going wrong, someone out there is always worse off. Three girls standing together, not in a row but side by side, grown and strong, ready to take on the world. They know what they have, they know that may not have it tomorrow, and that’s okay because nothing can take away their passion for life and their ability to adapt to any situation. When everything is mixed up and life is kept secret from friends and society it’s hard to cope with what others may think or say. The idea of society as a whole is a fallacy. We are all driven to be the same and to conform to the thoughts and ideas of others, but how can we act like a certain person or group of people when they too are acting like someone else? There is no truth in society, yet we all follow the same path to uniformity. To find the truth within yourself is crucial. Staying strong in a faulty situation is to have self awareness and to realize that life- no matter how fancy or dull- is beautiful. No power is so strong that it can ruin someone’s self-image and sens e of self worth. Everyone has the power to reach inside themselves and find their inner beauty, their reason for being on this earth. In the words of Emerson from his essay on self reliance, â€Å"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.† In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave the world is a cave full of prisoners who see nothing but what is displayed in front of them. In the words of Plato, â€Å"And if they could talk to one another, don’t you think they’d suppose that the names they used applied to the things they see passing before them?† unless the prisoners are led towards the truth they will never fully understand the real world. Three girls standing in a row, each with her own ideas of life’s truths. Each aware that she is responsible for freeing the world’s prisoners. It is their responsibility to show the world what life really is and what goes on behind closed doors. Reflecting on the past, they realize that their history is no different from anyone else’s. Together they became independent, self-reliant individuals. They have strength and passion, a burning fire within them as one, shedding warm light on each that reveals their individuality and what they have chos en to believe. Like the dancing arithmetic shadows on the wall, adversity vanishes leaving hope and certainty to their lives†¦a warm memory on a cold winter night. Three women who know: They’ve been up the rocky path and down the gentle slope. They’ve seen both sides of humanity and the miracles of hope. The light keeps glowing on them; and the moon keeps shining bright. As long as nature takes her course, they know they’ll be alright. Life cannot be touched; you can’t hold it in your hands. Its being can’t be dissected although it has the most intricate parts. Life thrives in every human being, entwines itself in every heart. Living with love, and having a passion for life are parts of life’s flawless web of catching you in time. Before your time, between your time, and after your time you’ll know†¦your life was perfect all along you just didn’t always know were to go, why you went, or how you got there. Following the brightest star, the path of yesterday and tomorrow, let your senseless worries guide you to your destination, wherever that may be. Be happy on the outside, and happier on the in. donâ€⠄¢t let others tell you how your life should end and begin. Respect yourself for who you are and love the light that guides you. Cherish every heart that has touched your very soul. Believe you can, and know you can, and you will be led home.