Saturday, August 31, 2019
Organization Culture of Harley Davidson Essay
Harley Davidson has a strong organizational culture. The organization transformed its business strategy and aligned its organization strategy to meet the challenges it faced from low cost and fuel efficient Japanese competitors in the late 1970’s. However, the introduction of an online biker community could require certain changes in the organization culture. These changes discussed below will not be radical in nature and would only further strengthen the culture that exists at Harley Davidson and the contribution the culture makes to make the brand a cult. Aspirers and owners perceive Harley Davidson to possess a brand persona that liberates, excites and gives them a sense of identity while still being part of a large family. To strengthen this positioning the organization should continue to focus on its endeavor to make it a gender neutral organization and continue to provide women a succession path in the organizational hierarchy. The organization needs to work a bit harder in achieving an ethnically diverse mix of employees. This is as necessary as the focus on diverse mix of employees coupled with the current organizational encouragement towards ideation would help make the online community a success. The diverse mix of employees will bring together the behavioral understanding required to motivate people to join the community and ensure sustained participation in the community. As even though the initial membership can be offered free with the purchase of an Harley Davidson, subsequent years would require the community member to be motivated enough to go for a paid subscription. The organizations current emphasis on learning should incorporate sharing of ‘learning’s’ that employees have across diverse geographical markets and with a diverse demographic customer base. This would help foster a greater understanding of the needs and wants of an online community and package offerings that would help subscribers gain the maximum. There are a lot of cross functional teams and specialized teams within the organization. This could be a challenge as well as an opportunity. The organizational culture should imbibe a sense of participation amongst various teams to promote the online community. All teams involved including the sales function, brand promotion, technical teams and others need to feel that the selling the online concept is part of the overall organizational strategy. Also all teams/roles have to ensure that operational and strategic support is provided towards this goal. However the entire premise of the online community is the values that the brand seemingly upholds. The organization culture should be continuously strengthened around the ethos of freedom of expression and being part of a larger community to make the online endeavor a success.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Embarrassing Moment Essay
Advantages At first when I took first aid training from a local hospital, I had no idea how much helpful is this training in providing help to others. It gives you a sense of self-satisfaction when you help someone in acute emergency. But at the time of training, I didn’t realize about the importance and advantages of first aid box but after some time when I got a first aid box to keep at my home and equipped the same with all necessary items, I have a piece of mind to cope any type of emergency in my home or even if it happens with anyone in neighbor hood. If you are a person who also likes to help others, even if not others, just to provide treatment to your loved ones, you must maintain a first aid box at your home. But before you maintain a first aid box at your home, consider taking part in a first aid training course because it will train you in using various surgical instruments and medical devices properly. Usually, after you get first aid training from any hospital or organization such as Red Cross, your trainer also provides you a check-list for your first aid box. The check-list usually includes following items: * Antiseptic Wash * Gauze squares & Gauze rolls * Cotton balls & Cotton swabs * Neospirin or other triple antibiotic ointment or cream * Medical tape, hot/cold pack, small scissors * Bee sting kit, thermometer * Selection of bandages There are many other extra items which you may keep in your first aid box such as sterile water, self-adhesive tape, nail clippers, trauma shears, surgical suture, surgical suture needle, vicryl mesh, Ethicon sutures, steroid cream and sunburn treatment (aloe products) etc. Some of these items need more specific training to use them properly such trauma shears are used to cut leather jackets, seat belts and denim etc. Like wise to use surgical instruments such as surgical suture and surgical suture needle, you also need specific training to take care of large wounds or cuts. You can also make two first aid kits, one for your home and other for your. Take a small kit with you when you travel or you can name your travel kit as a mini kit. To get all these necessary items for your first aid box, you can search over the internet to find many reliable resources where you may get discounts if you order for all medical supplies at one place. The contents and equipment of the first-aid kits are not otherwise specified. Therefore, the following items are to be included in each first-aid kit and be available at every pool or spa: 1. 1 – First Aid Book 2. 1 – Box Plastic Adhesive Bandages – 1†³ x 3†³ 16/Box 3. 1 – Tweezers 4. 1 – Scissors 5. 1 – Spool Tape – 1/2†³ x 5 yards 6. 2 – Compress Bandage – 3†³ x 3†³ 7. 1 – Triangular Bandage – 40†³ 8. 1 – Small Ice Pack 9. 1 – Box Fingertip Bandage – 10/Box 10. 1 – Box Cloth Knuckle Bandage 11. 1 – Eye Dressing 12. 1 – Box Telfa Pads – 1 1/2†³ x 2†³ 12/Box 13. 1 – Roller Gauze 14. 3 – Packages Clean Wipes 15. 1 – Compact CPR Shield 16. 1 – Latex Gloves, Pair 17. 2 – Emergency Blankets Moral As well as the moral duty of employers to protect employees and members of the public,General Health and Safety Legislation covers all employers and workplaces. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 These regulations place an obligation on employers to assess risks and where necessary, take action to eliminate or control the risks. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 These regulations state that, in order to provide First Aid to their employees who become injured or ill at work, employers must have adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel. Regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less than five employees. Self-employed workers need to ensure they have adequate facilities to provide First Aid to themselves. If the self-employed person works with others on mixed premises, then joint arrangements should be made with other occupiers. It could be that one employer will take responsibility for the provision of First Aid cover for all workers on the premises. back to top Further information on First Aid at Work * Email your query now * Call our Adviceline on 0800 019 2211 First Aid at Work (external site) This site from the Health and Safety Executive provides information on all aspects of first aid at work for employers and employees across all industry sectors. Free resources from Healthy Working Lives Links below are to publications pages giving options to download these resources: * Risk Assessment Form * Risk Assessment Form – Worked Example Free First Aid guidance from the Health and Safety Executive Note – all links are to external pages on the HSE website giving options to download or order these resources: * First Aid at Work – Your questions answered INDG214 (external site) Priced First Aid guidance from the Health and Safety Executive Note – all links are to external pages on the HSE website giving options to order these resources: * Basic Advice on First Aid at Work (external site) * Electric Shock: First Aid Procedures (external site) * First Aid at Work: The Health and safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 – Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L74 (external site) back to top
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Business Model Canvas Analysis Of Travelport L ote - Samples
Travelport L ote is an organization which is simple in operations and provides a travel platform for the corporate travellers. This organization mainly empowers the travel managers so that they can drive the change and further achieve a leap in the program efficiencies. The app does not only provide an online booking platform it further powers the workflow and the features related to a corporate travel. The app provides customised deals for the various levels of officials which can suit their specific needs. Globalisation has caused many expansions in the businesses of various organizations. This has led to the establishment of offices of the organizations in various countries (Ltd, 2018). These changes in the business environment further calls for a lot of travel for the business officials. The app provides travel packages to the officials of various levels according to the costs that are permitted by their organizations. The business travels have b e an important of the business op erations in the modern economic environment. The app helps the business executives in planning their business trips by keeping a control on the costs incurred. The pany offers an intuitive and simple platform which is designed for the new working process of the organizations in the modern environment (Joyce & Paquin, 2016).  ·Ã‚        The content creators or the users who write reviews of the hotels are important for the panu.  ·Ã‚        The hotels, restaurants are major partners of the business activities of Travelport (Dudin et al., 2015).  ·Ã‚        The travel management panies related to corporate travelers.  ·Ã‚        The travel experts who provide tips to the customers.  ·Ã‚        The travel agencies who wish to expand their business related activities.  ·Ã‚         Enhancing the positive effects of indirect networks by the fresh reviews provided by travelers.  ·Ã‚        Enhancing the experience of the customers.  ·Ã‚        Providing value to the platform with the help of the technological innovation (Toro-Jarrà n, Ponce-Jaramillo & Gà ¼emes-Castorena, 2016).  ·Ã‚        Improving the app and increasing the content.  ·Ã‚        Developing the partners and acquiring platforms.  ·Ã‚        Enhancing the value proposition.  ·Ã‚        Increasing the visibility of the app in various search engines.  ·Ã‚        Observing the steps taken by the other organizations.  ·Ã‚         The vision of the pany is to deliver the experience that can redefine travel related to corporate needs.  ·Ã‚        The pany is driven by the passion to provide best services to the corporate customers.  ·Ã‚        The value provided to the travelers is related to the reduction of costs related to corporate travel (Vargas, Calva & Camacho 2015).  ·Ã‚        The value proposition of the pany to the hotels and other organizations is related to getting listed for corporate travel options.   ·Ã‚        The hotels enlisted in the app have the opportunity to increase their revenue.  ·Ã‚        The good reviews provided by the corporate travelers improves their reputation.  ·Ã‚        The hotels can use the app for advertising purposes (Aversa et al., 2015).  ·Ã‚        The ability to provide special deals with the help of the app.  ·Ã‚         Increasing the trust of the corporate travelers.  ·Ã‚        The genuine reviews by travelers in the app helps in creating loyal customers.  ·Ã‚        The incentive related policies of the app for the hotels who are their partners.  ·Ã‚         The app serves both the sides, the travelers and the hotels.  ·Ã‚        The travelers are segmented based on their levels in the organization.  ·Ã‚        The supply side of customers are segment based on the various levels of hotels (Plenter et al., 2017).  ·Ã‚        The ratings provided by the travelers are one of the major resources of the app.  ·Ã‚        The list of the partner hotels.  ·Ã‚        The major resources of an app or webpage are the customer experience reviews.  ·Ã‚        The webpages of the pany.  ·Ã‚        The app of the organization.  ·Ã‚        The sales team of the organization.  ·Ã‚        The advertisements in the search engines.  ·Ã‚        The expenses related to operating of the app.  ·Ã‚        The costs related to selling of the services and promotional activities of the app.  ·Ã‚        The costs related to the development of the app.  ·Ã‚        The costs related to acquisition of the partners of the app.  ·Ã‚         The first major revenue stream of the app is related to the profits gained from the partner hotels.  ·Ã‚        The advertising revenue is related to the promotions of the various hotels in the app.  ·Ã‚        The revenues earned from the subscriptions of the corporate travelers. The key relationships between the nine building blocks of business lie in the ways by which the various areas of the pany support each other. The key activities of the pany support the customer relationships that are developed by Travelport L ote. The promotional activities of the pany help in acquiring customers for Travelport L ote. The resources that are possessed by the pany will also help in improving its goodwill reputation in the market. This will further assist in the expansion related operations of the app. The pany can increase its customer base by providing enhanced services to the present customers (Fritscher & Pigneur, 2014). The customer segments of the pany are related to the revenue streams and the ways by which it operates in the market. The revenues of the app are generated from the partnerships of the various hotels and restaurants and the corporate travellers who book packages in with the help of the Travelport app. The value proposition of the app is related to t he services provided to the customers and packages designed for the corporate travellers. The costs related to various operations of the pany includes the maintenance of the app. These costs are related to the amount of profits that are earned by the app (Gonà §alves & da Silva, 2017). The major factors behind the success of Travelport L ote are the personalized services provided by the app to the various levels of business professionals. The trust that the customers or the travellers have on the pany is a key to the success of the organization in the industry. The ease and outlook of the website of Travelport helps in attracting corporate travellers towards the app. The app provides services which are personalized for the various levels of business professionals. The executives are able to control the costs related to their business trips. The reason behind this offer is the increase of globalization and global offices in the various countries. The costs related to the trips are also scrutinized by the organizations and the Travelport app helps in maintaining the costs (Fritscher & Pigneur, 2015). The flexibility related to various modes of payment provided to the business professionals is another reason related to the success of the pany. The app also aims to man age the quality of the various services that are provided to the corporate travellers. The attractive offers and discounts provided by the app on the packages designed for the business executives also contribute to the success of the pany within a short span of time. The app also provides solutions to the travellers to reduce the travel cost related to business operations. The safety measures related to business operations are also taken by the app (Ghezzi et al., 2015). The major issue that can be faced by Travelport in the market is related to trust that needs to be gained from the customers who are not used internet based services. The security related issues that can occur in the online transactions can be a major issue for the app while providing services to the corporate travellers. The officials belonging to the senior management levels are dependent on the other employees of the pany or the travel desk for their bookings related to corporate travel. They are however less likely to use to the app to book their travel packages. The quality of services that are required to be provided to the corporate travellers need to be maintained as they have a certain level of travel related preferences. The pany will be required to take special care about the packages that they provide to these corporate travellers (Zolnowski & Bà ¶hmann, 2014). The app is quite new to the market and they need to give a considerable amount of time to establish their operations in the industry, this can be an issue related to the revenues of the pany. The changes that can made in the business model includes, the increase in the number of partners or channel of the pany. Travelport can make alliances with the travel desks of the business organizations so that can direct access to the travel related needs of the executives of the different levels. The app needs to give more importance on the feedback that is gained from the travellers and the reviews that they provide. The reviews can act as major resource of the organization and help in acquiring customers. The pany needs to increase its promotional and advertising related activities so that they can create the awareness of their brand in the minds of the consumers. The revenue streams of the app can be increased with the increase in the number of partners. The customer relationships can be maintained by the app by keeping contact with the customers and maintained their records. This will help Travelport L ote in getting knowledge about their preferences and designing their service s accordingly. Aversa, P., Haefliger, S., Rossi, A., & Baden-Fuller, C. (2015). From business model to business modelling: Modularity and manipulation. In Business models and modelling (pp. 151-185). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Dudin, M., Kucuri, G., Fedorova, I., Dzusova, S., & Namitulina, A. (2015). The innovative business model canvas in the system of effective budgeting. Fritscher, B., & Pigneur, Y. (2014, July). Visualizing business model evolution with the business model canvas: Concept and tool. In Business Informatics (CBI), 2014 IEEE 16th Conference on (Vol. 1, pp. 151-158). IEEE. Fritscher, B., & Pigneur, Y. (2015, July). Extending the Business Model Canvas: A Dynamic Perspective. In Proc. International Symposium on Business Modeling and Software Design (Vol. 5, pp. 86-96). Ghezzi, A., Cavallaro, A., Rangone, A., & Balocco, R. (2015, April). A parative Study on the Impact of Business Model Design & Lean Startup Approach versus Traditional Business Plan on Mobile Startups Performance. In ICEIS (3) (pp. 196-203). Gonà §alves, R. F., & da Silva, M. T. (2017, March). System Thinking and Business Model Canvas for Collaborative Business Models Design. In Advances in Production Management Systems. Initiatives for a Sustainable World: IFIP WG 5.7 International Conference, APMS 2016, Iguassu Falls, Brazil, September 3-7, 2016, Revised Selected Papers(Vol. 488, p. 461). Springer.  Joyce, A., & Paquin, R. L. (2016). The triple layered business model canvas: A tool to design more sustainable business models. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 1474-1486. Ltd, L. (2018). Corporate Travel Management - L ote. L ote . Retrieved 24 March 2018, from https://www.l ote /  Plenter, F., Fielt, E., Hoffen, M., Chasin, F., & Rosemann, M. (2017). Repainting the business model canvas for peer-to-peer sharing and collaborative consumption.  Toro-Jarrà n, M. A., Ponce-Jaramillo, I. E., & Gà ¼emes-Castorena, D. (2016). Methodology for the of building process integration of Business Model Canvas and Technological Roadmap. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 110, 213-225. Vargas, I. S., Calva, A. L. G., & Camacho, J. H. (2015). Business model canvas. Ciencia Huasteca Boletà n Cientà fico de la Escuela Superior de Huejutla, 3(5). Zolnowski, A., & Bà ¶hmann, T. (2014). Formative evaluation of business model representations-The service business model canvas.Â
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Leading in a changing world Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Leading in a changing world - Coursework Example The team members are better involved as they own the entire process through their contributed views which are discussed and agreed to do. A team creates an environment in which each member can positively contribute more to solving problems and decision making. A team can be a very rich forum to identify talent and or weaknesses of participants. In a very positive way can help create synergies based on strengths and weaknesses of individual members. For a team to fulfil the primary role it is formed in improving organisational effectiveness, it is imperative that the teams are developed into working units that are oriented towards a set goal, mission or the reason for its existence. From an adaptation in Coventry University Journals, a team is formed through five major stages; forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning or mourning. Forming is the primary stage in which members are meeting for the first time. They are characterised by politeness, positivity and impartiality; some might be very excited about their expectation. There could be some negative forces though like anxiety, unwillingness to fully participate, and some members might be very careful treading on some sensitive issues held by one. This is brought about by the perceived weakness not to give the whole ability to the intended purpose for the team. Storming is the second stage in the team formation in which the reality for the team formation dawns to the members. The roles are clarified for each member and how the team will work is clarified. The process might create or result in conflict as members confront each other as some might be uncomfortable with the perceived workload to be performed, and the approach used. What happens at point might either strengthen a team or break it as others feel that they are overburdened while others have less to do. The conflict and perceived inequity will cause some members to opt out of some roles or withdraw membership from the team. The third stag e is norming. The team, at this stage, settles on and starts respecting the team hierarchy, nominated officials and role heads. Specific skills are developed to facilitate the performance of the roles of each member of the team. Systems and procedures are developed by which challenges, tasks, and feedback will be performed, tackled and processed. At this stage, socialisation is enhanced and members will begin to help each other and constructively criticize one another. Stronger commitment to the team’s goals is developed, and progress is made towards achieving is made. At the performing stage, team’s hard work leads to substantial and tangible progress is made in achieving the vision with a solid structure in place which means that a team member can leave or join without affecting the activities of the team. The team leader, after delegating roles, can concentrate on observing and assisting where necessary individual members of the team who have issues. Closeness and c ooperation achieved thus far will entrench support to one another, foster trust, sharing of ideas and better way to tolerate one another. All goals are achieved at this stage. The last stage is what is referred to as adjourning or mourning. The team is disbanded at this stage after completing its role and achievements can be celebrated at this stage. Preliminaries can be set to for future
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Rubric Activity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Rubric Activity - Essay Example are that students should never lose interest in reading habit [ since drawing a picture to emphasize the meaning of the lesson will remain in their mind at the time recollecting what they have learned], once the students feel easy to recollect and understand what they have learned they will not get distracted by other activities , this will also improve their ability to explain things that they face new, finally students will be encouraged gradually to develop their reading habit in terms of making them flexible to understand the meaning of what they read new. A rubric has to be formulated to assess their learning development. The categories that are to be included with this rubric are Drawing pictures while teaching a new concept, asking them to guess what it represents before going into detail, teaching the concept and asking them what they have understood, linking the picture and explaining, finding out the response from the students, linking the resources used, finally to make them do the same by giving a new task in the class itself. This will show a good result
Monday, August 26, 2019
Your views stand out among others i have read and here is why Personal Statement
Your views stand out among others i have read and here is why - Personal Statement Example However, it is an undeniable fact that American society observed new horizons of life and learned new lessons. People were afraid of the loss of work and the hardships that would accompany with the economic calamity. Depression was not only an economic devastation, but it changed the social perspective entirely. For instance, women find it easier to get low-wage jobs that opens new opportunities for them although it was a clear deviation from ideal gender roles in a family at that time. Farmers could not bear the heavy burdens of banks loans and saw the commodity prices fall sharply. The event forced mass agricultural based population to move in urban settlements to find a job. By the introduction of CCC, NWA, and WPA, people start thinking that their government is actually working for them. The government had more control and an increased influence on people’s life and that lingers on till today. Just when the American economy was reshaping itself and recuperating from the de pression, United States was forced to enter into the WWII. Ironically, the war helped the economic activity and reduced employment that had surged to more than 11 percent. However, economists believe that the real prosperity started not before the war ended. What bothers me most is the concept that freedom comes through government. Ideally, government should protect its citizens from internal or external violent and destructive elements. Should government be allowed to start a war?
Critical thinking for resort management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Critical thinking for resort management - Essay Example It is also considered as the pattern of several collaborative behaviors that are taught to the new members of an organization as a way of feeling, thinking and perceiving. Organizational culture affects the way groups and people interact with each other, with stakeholders, and with several clients in an organization. Several organizations in this world follow different types of organizational cultures. In terms of business perspective, organizational culture is also known as corporate culture. Culture of an organization can be identified through its business performance, employee management, customer services and structure of hierarchy, decision making strategy and information flow. Major Elements of Organizational Culture Organizational behaviors, values, beliefs and assumptions are considered as the major elements of organizational culture. The behavior allowed within an organization is a key element which is crucial to the strength of that organization’s corporate culture. Organizational behavior includes several things, such as use of technology by the employees and dress code of all the members of an organization. Organizational value is considered as one of the major element of the organization’s corporate culture. The value of an organization has great impact on its employees and members. The value of an organization can dictate the particular behaviors exhibited by its members. Examples include dedication to effective customer service, accountability of individual behavior, and personal and corporate integrity. Assumptions and beliefs are considered as the fundamental elements of an organizational culture. Leaders or the managers of an organization develop several strategies and implement those on the basis of assumptions and beliefs. These assumptions and beliefs are directly related with the organizational performance. The organizational beliefs can influence and motivate the managers to treat their colleagues and subordinates with valua ble respect that they actually deserve. Positive beliefs enhance effective workforce and business outcome. In addition to these, there are other elements that contribute to an effective organizational culture. Symbols and rituals are also referred as key elements of an organizational culture that enhances employee and employer morale. Organizational Culture’s Relationship with Organization’s Strategy and Performance Effective and strong organizational culture helps the managers of several departments within an organization to motivate their employees. Organization with effective corporate culture follows high business ethics that enhance high business performance and employee morale. An employee always expects significant compensation and reward against their hard work and effective performance. In addition to this, strong organizational culture helps the managers to develop effective strategies that can successfully drive the organizations towards business objectives. Therefore, it is important for an organization to maintain effective and strong corporate culture to maintain motivated workforce, significant strategy development process and high business output. Section 3 A review and critical thinking on resort management would help to help to establish the link between the culture of organization, the strategic management of the organizations and the future performance as an implication of effective strategies. The resorts and hotels are solely a service-based industry and thus the main assets of these resorts are the
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Alcoholics Anonymous Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Alcoholics Anonymous - Assignment Example Focus is given to the purpose, leadership, membership, decision making process and the general functioning of the group. The main reason for formation of Alcoholics Anonymous group was to rescue members from abuse of alcohol and similar substances (Mckellar, Stewart & Humphreys, 2003). Although the group was started in Ohio in 1935, it has grown to all other US states and beyond (Mckellar et al., 2003). As the name suggests, one of the principles of AA is that its membership should always remain a secret (Mckellar et al., 2003). Apparently, the main purpose of this principle is to shield members from public ridicule that can easily compromise rehabilitation process. The AA has been very effective in helping people abandon alcoholism (Moos & Moos, 2006). According to Moos and Moos (2006), the group does not use scientific therapies but rather members come together to help each other deal with the problem of alcohol and drug abuse. In this regard, new entrants are linked to already rec overed members for assistance. As noted by Moos and Moos (2006), in addition to helping members to quit unhealthy drinking habits, AA also creates conducive environment to enable them cope with their new life. Some psychologists have suggested that AA can become more effective if scientific medication is incorporated in the group’s traditional methods of fighting alcoholism (Moos & Moos, 2006). The functioning of AA group is based on a program of twelve steps that start with entry of addicts and end with exit of fully recovered individuals who are ready to assist other alcoholics (Sharma & Branscum, 2010). According to Sharma & Branscum (2010), there are twelve traditions used as the constitution of the group. The traditions guide members on how to relate with each another. Some of the most embraced values include group unity, fear of God and self-support (Sharma & Branscum, 2010). Since the group is open to any person willing to fight addiction, there is no minimum or maximu m membership requirement (Sharma & Branscum, 2010). The meeting attended by the author was held on Saturday evening in a four walled room. The timing of the meeting was designed to avoid inconveniencing members as most people are free during Saturday evenings (Harrison, Price, Gavin & Florey, 2002). In addition, Harrison et al. noted that meeting at the time when most people are free ensures that members are occupied and won’t find time to engage in unhealthy drinking (2002). The seating arrangement was similar to a learning classroom where learners sit in rows facing one side. Unlike most meetings where group officials sit in front, there appeared to be no distinction between leaders and other members in the AA meeting. This arrangement was designed to discourage any feeling of authority by perceived leaders. It is believed that a sense of equality among members encourages free flow of information within the group. In this regard, the group did not have official leaders. Whe never there is a meeting, any member can volunteer to lead the group through the process (Moos & Moos, 2006). As Moos and Moos notes, the volunteer is only a coordinator rather than a leader (2006). Decisions are made through deliberations of the entire group. However, decisions that only affect certain individuals are made by such individuals but other
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Plato and Aristotle Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Plato and Aristotle - Research Proposal Example This practice is to this day referred to as Socratic dialogue and is much valued by pedagogues and counselors. Plato was, from the beginning concerned with the relationship between what is eternal and immutable, and what is more transient and 'flows' in nature. This was a preoccupation of both Socrates as well as the pre-Socratic sophists, who were more concerned with human morality and the societal ideals or 'virtues'. While the sophists, like today's postmodernists held that ideas of right and wrong varied from state to state and were equally valid, this was not accepted by Socrates. He believed that there were absolute rules for right and wrong. He believed in eternal, immutable laws because human reason was eternal and immutable. Plato is concerned not only with what is eternal and immutable as regards morals (right and wrong) in society, but also what is eternal and immutable in nature. For Plato, there was no dichotomy as the two problems were the same. The reality he tried to grasp behind the appearances was what was eternally, 'true', beautiful' and 'good'. Before Plato arrived on the scene, Empedocles and Democritus had drawn attention to the fact that, although in nature everything appears to be transient, there must be 'something' underlying this flow that never changes. Plato agreed with the view that everything 'flows' and that there are no 'substances' that time cannot dissolve and erode, but that what is permanent is in the idea of a timeless 'form' which is eternal and immutable. So, for Plato, what was immutable was not anything physical and demonstrable, but a conception of a spiritual and abstract pattern that underpin all tangible things in the world. For example, while individual, physical horses may differ in several dimensions, there is an unchanging model of what a horse is or should be and each individual horse conforms to it. Plato decided that there were a limited number of forms giving rise to all the varied forms we experience around us. Plato called these forms ideas. Plato concluded that there was a greater reality behind the observable, material world and that this reality resolved itself into the world of ideas. These are the eternal and immutable patterns behind all observable phenomena and were the basis for Plato's theory of ideas. Plato observed that nothing that is perceived by the senses could last forever. Plato therefore, expounded the view that we could not have true knowledge of things that are in a constant flux and are changing. We can have true knowledge of things that are understood by the use of our faculty for reasoning while we can only have opinions about what we perceive through our senses. He illustrated his belief that all natural phenomena are merely shadows of their true forms and ideas by utilizing the 'myth of the cave'. He likened normal people to those living in an underground cave sitting with their backs to the mouth of the cave and unable to move or look around. Meanwhile there are shadows of human-like creatures projected on a wall, and to the cave dwellers that is the only observed 'reality' for them. They cannot know what is behind these shadows. If however, one of the cave dwellers were to free him/herself and see the actual figures who cast the shadows,
Friday, August 23, 2019
Digital Media Platforms and Education Assignment - 10
Digital Media Platforms and Education - Assignment Example It was important to analyze this in order to come up with all the causes of global warming and a solution to the problems its causes. It has previously been understood that human actions contribute a lot to global warming. However, I found out that the extent to which human CO2 factors into the total CO2 generated by planet earth on a yearly basis is only four percent. This was quite informative and changed my way of looking at the whole issue (Archer, 29). This fact does not relieve humans of their responsibility towards the planet. Instead, it helps in putting into perspective the precise scope of the problem and the means by which it should be rectified. From my research, it has been scientifically proven that it is not only CO2 levels that determine global temperature but even the sun and the world’s oceans do. The oceans seventy percent coverage of the earth’s surface gives them a profound effect on regulating our global system’s temperature. Scientists have also recently proven that the global temperature levels have been dictated by the world’s oceans more so than was previously recognized. This is due to a number of observations (Archer, 49). I also learned that technology has contributed to new inventions and learning greatly. Digital media promote new technologies that enrich learning abilities and enable for better skills like in the case of music. Communication has been made easier and more interesting even in classrooms. The rise of social media platforms has enabled me and other people exchange ideas and learn from each other. Digital media has also enabled me and my friends produce and share information that has been helpful both academically and socially. My experience during this course was great and I got to learn about different devices used and how to use them effectively. (Archer, 57).
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Spring And Autumn Essay Example for Free
Spring And Autumn Essay Natural events In spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to spring forth, giving the season its name. Snow, if a normal part of winter, begins to melt, and streams swell with runoff. Frosts, if a normal part of winter, become less severe. In climates that have no snow and rare frosts, the air and ground temperature increases more rapidly. Many flowering plants bloom this time of year, in a long succession sometimes beginning even if snow is still on the ground, continuing into early summer. In normally snowless areas spring may begin as early as February (Northern Hemisphere) heralded by the blooming of deciduous magnolias, cherries, and quince, or August (Southern Hemisphere) in the same way. Subtropical and tropical areas have climates better described in terms of other seasons, e.g. dry or wet, or monsoonal, or cyclonic. Often the cultures have locally defined names for seasons which have little equivalence to the terms originating in Europe. Many temperate areas have a dry spring, and wet autumn (fall), which brings about flowering in this season more consistent with the need for water as well as warmth. Subarctic areas may not experience spring at all until May or even June, or December in the outer Antarctic. While spring is a result of the warmth caused by the turning of the Earths axis, the weather in many parts of the world is overlain by events which appear very erratic taken on a year-to-year basis. The rainfall in spring (or any season) follows trends more related to longer cycles or events created by ocean currents and ocean temperatures. Good and well-researched examples are the El Nià ±o effect and the Southern Oscillation Index. Unstable weather may more often occur during spring, when warm air begins on occasions to invade from lower latitudes, while cold air is still pushing on occasions from the Polar regions. Flooding is also most common in and near mountainous areas during this time of year because of s nowmelt, accelerated by warm rains. In the United States, Tornado Alley is most active this time of year, especially since the Rocky Mountains prevent the surging hot and cold air masses from spreading eastward and instead force them into direct conflict. Besides tornadoes, supercell thunderstorms can also produce dangerously large hail and very high winds, for which a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning is usually issued. Even more so than in winter, the jet streams play an important role in unstable and severe weather in the springtime in the Northern Hemisphere. In recent decades season creep has been observed, which means that many phenological signs of spring are occurring earlier in many regions by a couple of days per decade. Spring is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born. The term is also used more generally as a metaphor for the start of better times, as in the Prague Spring. Spring in the Southern Hemisphere is different in several significant ways to that of the Northern Hemisphere. This is because: there is no land bridge between Southern Hemisphere countries and the Antarcticzone capable of bringing in cold air without the temperature-mitigating effects of extensive tracts of water; the vastly greater amount of ocean in the Southern Hemisphere at all latitudes; at this time in Earths geologic history the Earth has an orbit which brings it in closer to the Southern Hemisphere for its warmer seasons; there is a circumpolar flow of air (the roaring 40s and 50s) uninterrupted by large land masses; no equivalent jet streams; and the peculiarities of the reversing ocean currents in the Pacific. AUTUMN SEASON Autumn is when all these colors transition into different levels of reds and browns and become crisp, falling off for children to sweep or collect. If the leaves in spring are bright green, the leaves in autumn are a magnificent red. Spring is the signal that winter has already ended, and autumn is the signal that summer is finally over and done with. For many people, spring lets them look towards summery days and vacations ahead ‘â€Å" while autumn signifies the reality of going back to school and the routines of the most part of the year. Colorful plants and green leaves versus brilliant reds and browns and falling leaves ‘â€Å"an awakening from the cold, and the end of the hot summer heat. The eager anticipation of sunny days and breezy nights, and the stark reality of a vacation ended on a high note. These are usually the things that come to mind when you try to differentiate between the two seasons of spring and autumn.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Romantics cautioned Essay Example for Free
Romantics cautioned Essay Whereas the great minds of the Enlightenment has placed great value on the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge, the Romantics cautioned that knowledge, unrestrained by a proper respect for the natural order, could lead to despair. There are several episodes in the book that point to the destructive power of knowledge that does not respect proper boundaries. The readers impression of Victor undergoes a transformation from a light, idyllic childhood, to a darker, more solitary figure pursing his passion by moonlight at Ingolstadt. His retelling of the story takes on a rushed, obsessive mood as he talks of nights in graveyards and charnel houses, foraging in the ground for human flesh and body parts. He remarks, I seem to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit.(Shelley 39) In his obsessive pursuit of knowledge and the power to create life, Frankenstein oversteps the boundaries of nature. In a moment of reflection, Frankenstein warns Walton, Learn from me how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. (Shelley 38) In a similar manner, the innocence and naivetà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ of the monster undergoes a transformation while sitting outside the cottage increasing his knowledge from tales in Ruins of Empire. Retelling this new knowledge to Frankenstein, the monster laments, I could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow, or even why there were laws and governmentswhen I heard details of vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased and I turned away in disgust and loathing. (Shelley 104) Having previously been enamored with the beauties of nature, and capability of man, the monster reflected a sense of disillusionment when he asked, Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and base?(Shelley 104) Perhaps the most powerful caution against knowledge that does not respect natural laws comes when Shelley invokes the themes of Genesis, and Miltons Paradise Lost. What more powerful image could there be to prove this point, than that of Adam and Eve disobeying Gods laws, eating from the forbidden tree of knowledge, and being cast out of the Garden of Eden into the dark world? Shelleys portrayal of Victor and the monsters evolution seem to align the innocence of childhood with the Romantic themes of sentiment, emotion, and an idealized view of the world. Victors depiction of his childhood seems to be filled with hope and happiness. He retells fond memories of family and friends that appear in stark contrast to the path his life took after the death of his mother. Similarly, the monster is initially described as possessing a childlike inquisitiveness, innocent and optimistic, until the outside world changes him. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.(Shelley, 84) Experience and knowledge change both of these characters for the worse. It is only the return of a friend from Victors childhood, Henry Clerval, which can pull Victor out of his darkness and rekindle an appreciation for the beauties of nature. Romantics believed that people should look to the natural world around them in order to provide insight into their inner selves. (Spielvogel 152) Frankensteins obsessive and reclusive studies cause him to neglect correspondence with his family for two years, and it is only Clervals appearance that can draw him out of seclusion and into nature. Their explorations through the countryside restore life to Victor. His renewed appreciation for nature makes him temporarily forget the dark, destructive path he was on. Clerval is the epitome of a Romantic character, well read in books of chivalry and romance, a composer of heroic songs, and an author of tales of enchantment and knightly adventure. (Shelley 23) These are the themes of the Romantic Movement! Shelleys depiction of Victor and Clerval are not meant to be an indictment of education and knowledge, or even of science for that matter. According to Patricia Neal, Shelley considered education essential for improvement. (Neal) In fact, it is the knowledge the monster receives by reading great works of literature that allow him to develop a sense of awareness and truth about himself. Shelley cautions against the unrestrained quest for knowledge, as Victor warns Walton you seek for knowledge and wisdomand I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.(Shelley 15) It is the selfish pursuit of knowledge, to the detriment of an appreciation for natural beauty, which leads her characters down destructive paths. An important theme of Romantic literature, and one very present in Frankenstein, is the idea that the progression of industrialization would cause people to become estranged from their inner selves, their identity, and the natural world all around them. (Spielvogel 152) The Movement placed a great deal of emphasis on nature and a glorified past because the Industrial Revolution was destroying nature and creating a gloomy environment. Victor is so immersed in his selfish scientific pursuits that he becomes oblivious to natural beauty all around him, Never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage, but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature. (Shelley 40) Waldmans characterization of scientists penetrating the depths of nature to discover its secrets, draws attention to industry and Sciences attempt to master the natural world, and the disruption of the delicate balance between humankind and nature that had existed in a previous era. (Shelley 33, Damyanov) The early days of the Industrial Revolution held so much promise and potential for improving civilization, but the results were not always so beneficial. Similarly, Victor had noble intentions when he began his research, but a lack of self-restraint meant the outcome was destructive. Shelley was alarmed by the absence of conscience, or awareness of implicit obligation to provide safeguards in scientific creations. (Neal) She was concerned about the long-term effects as Victor/mankind focused on his ability to manipulate nature, and lost sight of the bigger picture. The creation that held so much promise in the beginning, whether it was Shelleys monster or the Industrial Revolutions machines and science, had become a scourge upon society and a threat to its very existence. Shelley issues an eerie warning as the monster threatens the lives of Victors loved ones, Remember that I have poweryou are my creator, but I am the master. (Shelley 152). The countless adaptations of Frankenstein that have been drawn from the original, fail to capture the essence of the story and the societal conflict it addressed. Victor Frankensteins desire to challenge the laws of nature led him down a path of self-destruction. His pursuit of knowledge and glory consumed him as he lost sight of the larger purpose, and lost respect for the natural world. Shelley intended his story to be a lesson to a rapidly changing society. Originally applied to the Industrial Revolution, these same lessons are still appropriate to a contemporary society engaged in a Technological Revolution. Works Cited Bushi, Ruth. The author is become a creator-God (Herder). The deification of creativity in relation to Frankenstein' October 15, 2002 http://www.kimwoodbridge.com
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Regulation and Economic Growth
Regulation and Economic Growth China has experienced a rapidly growing economy for more than three decades since reform and opening. Now China becomes the second largest economy in the world and its growing speed is still very high. Though China achieves great successes, it faces a lot of problems. Regulation is one of the tough issues. Recent years, skewed distribution of income has become a sensitive issue in China. Because it is related to how to deepen the reform, it causes a wide public concern. More and more people blame society equality on economic growth and always say income gap widening is the inevitable product in the process of developing. As a result, how to enhance regulation now is a hot issue attracting more and more people to talk about in China. Nearly all countries face the growing income disparities when they develop from poor countries to the developed and China is not an exception. Different groups get different gains, the rich become richer and the poor become poorer in the process of economic development. The economy grows with a skewed distribution of income. Genii coefficient is an acknowledged indicator to show the degree of inequality. With the economy grows, China’s Genii coefficient also increases rapidly, from 0.315 in 1980 to 0.438 in 2010, which has already surpassed the world’s recognized cordon, 0.4. This demonstrates the income distribution imbalance in China is serious and there is a potential trend that the income gap will become larger and larger. I collect time series data from 1980 to 2010 in China and most of them are from China’s National Bureau of Statistics. There are two variables. For economic growth, I use per capita GDP (G) as logarithmic form to represent it. Here I choose Genii coefficient (GN) to measure inequality (Though not comprehensive, it’s a common practice). China’s government does not publish Genii coefficient before, but it can be calculated. Now I get all the data I need and then I will test the stationary property of these time-series data. I utilize five unit-root tests to measure the stationary property, which will also help to set up a VAR model later. Here are the five tests: (1) augmented Dickey and Fuller (1979) (ADF), (2) Phillips and Perron (1988) (PP), (3) Elliott (1996) came up with Dickey-Fuller GLS detrended (DF-GLS). (4) Kwiatkowski et al.(1992) (KPSS), (5) Ng and Perron (2001) -NP. I can see from the result that nearly all the two variables are not significant in level, which means they are not stationary. But after differencing, all G and GN are significant. So the integration order cannot exceed 1 and the highest integration order d=1. Then I will set up a level VAR model by using TY procedure, and test Granger causality between the variables. TY procedure is attractive because it has the follow three advantages: (1) TY procedure does not need to know variables’ cointegration property so I do not have to make a cointegration test before modeling. (2) TY procedure is allowed to any level of integration order of all variables. (3) Utilizing TY procedure can make us have a level VAR model, which can retain all data information (differencing may cause some information loss). TY procedure test is in fact a Wald test. Employing TY procedure means we will Change a level VAR (k) model to a level VAR (k+d) model. Then test for whether the first k parameters are significant, which will follow an asymptotic chi-square distribution with freedom degree k. According to the previous part, I get highest integration order d=1 and in terms of Schwarz criteria, I get optimum lag length k=1. So I set up a VAR (2) model. The formula is as follow: (1) Where , is a column vector of constant, and are both coefficient matrixes. is a white noise process. From the result, I can see that per capita GDP unidirectionally Granger cause Genii coefficient (Though per capita GDP is significant at 10% level). This means per capita GDP can help to forecast the variation of Genii coefficient and the influence is positive. In addition to it, we should know that Genii coefficient does not Granger cause any other variables. I can get the follow conclusions from the outcome above: In the long run, China’s per capita GDP can help forecast the variation of Genii coefficient and there is logic that economic growth may cause more serious equality, but this influence is not so significant (only in 10% level). There is no evidence to show that Genii coefficient can affect other variables. The Granger causality is unidirectional between them. Then, I will utilize impulsive response and variance decompositions. The Granger causality test can reflect the long-term relationship of these variables and impulsive response and variance decompositions can be employed to test variables’ short-run relations, so they can provide some valuable views on the relations in the short run and make us have a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship. Impulsive response shows how the aim variable will react to other variables’ impulse at first and how long the effect will last, whether it will disappear quickly. Variance decompositions show what proportion of forecast error variance of the aim variable can be explained by the change of other variables. From the outcome of impulse response, I can see that Genii coefficient has a positive reaction in the start of per capita GDP’s impulse and the effect will last for a few periods before disappear. Here I can get a conclusion that: in the short run, economic growth has a positive effect on Genii coefficient, which will cause income gap increasing and more serious inequality in the short run. Then let’s see the condition in variance decompositions. From the outcome of variance decompositions, I can see that at start, more than 30% of Genii coefficient’s error variation can be explained by per capita GDP, but this influence disappears in the long run. Of course, Genii coefficient itself has always been the main reason for error variation. These outcomes match with Granger causality test. Genii coefficient cannot help to forecast the error variance of per capita GDP all the time. This is also similar to the conclusion in the Granger causality test that the relation is unidirectional. Conclusion and Regulation Suggestions Through setting up a level VAR model by using TY procedure, this paper investigates the relationship of inequality and economic growth by employing Granger causality test, impulse response and variance decompositions. I get follow conclusions: In the short run, economic growth has positive effect on Genii coefficient, which means skewed income distribution will be more serious with economic growth. But in the long run, this effect is weak and can be nearly ignored and so economic growth won’t increase income gap. The other way round, inequality does not affect economic growth no matter in the short run or long run. As a result, from a long-term view, there is no evidence to show we need to weigh economic growth and inequality. Though GDP is the second largest in the world, China’s per capita GDP is still in a low level. From my model, I can see that in the future, economic growth shouldn’t be a main reason for society inequality. Economic growth will not for sure lead to inequality. China’s government is supposed to implement and enhance some redistribution measures (such as tax reform and social insurance) to adjust and improve income distribution, not be worried about that may hinder economic growth. References [1] Alesina, Alberto, and Dani Rodrik (1998). Distributive Politics and Economic Growth, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 109, 465–490. [2] Deininger, Klaus and Lyn Squire (1996). A New Data Set Measuring Income Inequality, World Bank Economic Review, 10, 3, 565–591. [3] Edin, Per-Anders, and Robert Topel (1997). Wage Policy and Restructuring: The Swedish Labor Market since 1960, in R. B. Freeman, R. Topel and B. Swedenborg (eds.), The Welfare State in Transition, Reforming the Swedish Model. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, pp. 155–201. [4] Fishcher (2001)à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½Evolution of inequality after trade liberalizationà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’Journal of Development Economiesà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’66, 555â€â€579à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½ [5] Forbes, Kristin J (2000). A Reassessment of the Relationship Between Inequality and Growth, American Economic Review, 90, 869–887. [6] Guillermo Perry, Marcelo Olarreaga (2006), Trade Liberalization, Inequality and Poverty Reduction in Latin America, World Bank, Washington, DC [7] Kakwani, N. and H. H. Son (2006), How costly is it to achieve the millennium development goal of halving poverty between 1990 and 2015? Working Papers, No. 19, UNDP International Poverty Centre, Brazil. [8] Li, Hongyi, and Hengfu Zou (1998). Income Inequality is Not Harmful for Growth: Theory and Evidence, Review of Development Economics, 2, 318–334. [9] Silva J Aà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’Robin M L (2003)à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½Regional income inequality and international tradeà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½Economic Geographyà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’80, 261-286à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½ [10] Toda, H.Y., Yamamoto, T (1995). Statistical inference in vector autoregression with possibly integrated processes, Journal of Econometrics, 66, 225–250. [11]Ugur Soytas, Ramazan Sari and Bradley T. Ewing (2006), Analysis Enegy consumption, income, and carbon emissions in the United States, Ecological Economics, 62, 482-489 [12] Wood Aà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’Ridao-Cano C (1999)à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½Skill, trade and international inequality, Oxford Economies Papersà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’51, 89â€â€119à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½ 1
Monday, August 19, 2019
Black Leaders Of 20th Century Essay -- essays research papers
BLACK LEADERS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY In the time after the fall of radical black reconstruction of the nineteenth century, African Americans were being oppressed by rural farming, civil rights, economical advancement and sharecropping. Booker T. Washington charged the fight for economical and political accommodation with his dream of equal civil rights. Timothy Thomas Fortune was an influential black journalist that fought for the rights of African Americans through literal resistance. The Lonely Warrior, Ida B. Wells was an outspoken voice against lynching throughout America and fought against the oppression of men and woman everywhere. Booker T. Washington was one of the last great African American leaders born into slavery. Washington emphasized political means and civil rights along with economic means and self-determination. Washington was the founder of the Tuskegee Normal and the Industrial Institute in 1881, for the development of skilled trade. The Instituted was the largest self-black supported Institution in America at the time. The school taught the arts of trade, self-determination and economical independence of sharecropping. Washington gave the Atlanta Compromise Address in 1895, to disclaim the notion of white supremacy and social equality to the south. Booker T. Washington sought to influence whites, but sought out the solid programs of economical and educational progress for blacks. Washington was one that thought that speaking out against injustice was self-defeating and should be suppressed. Washington founded the National Negro Business League in 1900, helped put a stronghold on substantial black population and did little for black business. As the chief black advisor to President Roosevelt and Taft, Washington devoted much of his time to securing federal jobs and used political power to win over key political figures in the North. He aided many blacks businesses but also hindered the activities of those who spoke against him. He also helped appoint the first black assistant US Attorney General. Many of Washington's ideas and concepts are still being used today in black communities. Booker T. Washington was in control of many black newspapers that agreed with his views and opinions.... ...hting for all possible rights. Ida B. Well's kept up her fight for black equality for all African-Americans. Her fight stayed alive for some time until mutual friends such as Washington and Fortune decided to push her out of newspaper journalism for black rights and eventually out of the NAACP. All three figures that are talked about above are some of the greatest leaders in the fight for African-American rights. Booker T. Washington was a fine leader in (towards starting) the movement to push black equality, however he lacked the courage to be a true leader because he only wanted to keep whites pleased. The "Agitator" as Thomas T. Fortune was a great editor of black newspaper, next to Du Bois. Fortune is not all that and a bag of chips. He is a man that lived on hiding behind Washington and his ideas, was just a toy of Washington. "Joan of Arc", Ida B. Wells was the anti-lynching spokeswomen and the true heart and soul behind the fight for black equality in America. She is the only true independent leader out of the above. Wells spoke her mind, which was the truth, and she never looked back even when it was her life that mattered.
Themes in Hamlet Essay example -- GCSE English Literature Coursework
Themes in Hamlet     Within the Shakespearean tragic drama Hamlet there are a number of themes. Literary critics find it difficult to agree on the ranking of the themes. This essay will present the themes as they are illustrated in the play – and let the reader prioritize them.  Michael Neill in â€Å"None Can Escape Death, the ‘Undiscovered Country’†interprets the main theme of the play as a â€Å"prolonged meditation on death†:  How we respond to the ending of Hamlet – both as revenge drama and as psychological study – depends in part on how we respond to [the most important underlying theme] of the play – that is, to Hamlet as a prolonged meditation on death. The play is virtually framed by two encounters with the dead: at one end is the Ghost, at the other a pile of freshly excavated skulls. The skulls (all but one) are nameless and silent; the Ghost has an identity (though a questionable one) and a voice; yet they are more alike than at first seem. For this ghost, though invulnerable â€Å"as the air,†is described as a â€Å"dead corse,†a â€Å"ghost . . . come from the grave,†its appearance suggesting a grotesque disinterment of the buried king. The skulls for their part may be silent, but Hamlet plays upon each to draw out its own â€Å"excellent voice†just as he engineered that â€Å"miraculous organ†of the Ghost’s utterance, the †Å"Mousetrap.†(112-13)  The interpretation of the main theme of the play as revenge is popular among literary critics: Phyllis Abrahms and Alan Brody in â€Å"Hamlet and the Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy Formula†decide on revenge as the dominant theme:   There are ten deaths in Hamlet, if we include the death of Hamlet’s father and the â€Å"make-believe†death of the Player-King. The cause of ... ...eath, the ‘Undiscovered Country’.†Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from â€Å"Hamlet: A Modern Perspective.†The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. N. P.: Folger Shakespeare Lib., 1992.  Pitt, Angela. â€Å"Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies.†Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Excerpted from Shakespeare’s Women. N.p.: n.p., 1981.  Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html  West, Rebecca. â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption.†Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Court and the Castle. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1957.  Themes in Hamlet Essay example -- GCSE English Literature Coursework Themes in Hamlet     Within the Shakespearean tragic drama Hamlet there are a number of themes. Literary critics find it difficult to agree on the ranking of the themes. This essay will present the themes as they are illustrated in the play – and let the reader prioritize them.  Michael Neill in â€Å"None Can Escape Death, the ‘Undiscovered Country’†interprets the main theme of the play as a â€Å"prolonged meditation on death†:  How we respond to the ending of Hamlet – both as revenge drama and as psychological study – depends in part on how we respond to [the most important underlying theme] of the play – that is, to Hamlet as a prolonged meditation on death. The play is virtually framed by two encounters with the dead: at one end is the Ghost, at the other a pile of freshly excavated skulls. The skulls (all but one) are nameless and silent; the Ghost has an identity (though a questionable one) and a voice; yet they are more alike than at first seem. For this ghost, though invulnerable â€Å"as the air,†is described as a â€Å"dead corse,†a â€Å"ghost . . . come from the grave,†its appearance suggesting a grotesque disinterment of the buried king. The skulls for their part may be silent, but Hamlet plays upon each to draw out its own â€Å"excellent voice†just as he engineered that â€Å"miraculous organ†of the Ghost’s utterance, the †Å"Mousetrap.†(112-13)  The interpretation of the main theme of the play as revenge is popular among literary critics: Phyllis Abrahms and Alan Brody in â€Å"Hamlet and the Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy Formula†decide on revenge as the dominant theme:   There are ten deaths in Hamlet, if we include the death of Hamlet’s father and the â€Å"make-believe†death of the Player-King. The cause of ... ...eath, the ‘Undiscovered Country’.†Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from â€Å"Hamlet: A Modern Perspective.†The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. N. P.: Folger Shakespeare Lib., 1992.  Pitt, Angela. â€Å"Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies.†Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Excerpted from Shakespeare’s Women. N.p.: n.p., 1981.  Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html  West, Rebecca. â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption.†Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Court and the Castle. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1957. Â
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Frame in the Movie Yellow Earth :: Movie Film Essays
Frame in the Movie Yellow Earth The movie, Yellow Earth, focuses on images that use mise en scene aesthetics. Bazin advocates the use of mise en scene rather than using montage. In mise en scene, the director takes account for everything that appears in the frame. The director also takes the effects in the onstage space of the frame. Some examples of effects in the frame are lighting, setting, costume, and character behavior. Even though mise en scene literally means, â€Å"placing of the scene†, contextually it means all the effects, actions, and settings in a frame prior to editing. Due to the lack of editing, mise en scene (in contrast to montage) usually presents a long shot to capture more of a realistic emotion. In mise en scene, the shot shows a close up of a character to show emotion. In mise en scene, unlike in montage, cause and effect take an important place in the same, lengthy shot. A reoccurring scene in the movie, the scene of Ciuqiao collecting water from the river, uses mise en scene effectively. The director of Yellow Earth, Chen Kaige, accurately portrays the perils of Ciuqiao’s life. Everyday Ciauqiao goes to the river to gather water for her family. A significant scene in the movie points out where Ciuqiao expresses her grievances by singing. As the sun gradually sets, the sky sullenly darkens. The sunset sky signifies the young girl’s feelings. The dark sky suggests that Ciuqiao feels sad and downtrodden; however, the pockets of sunlight may show that there is still hope for this young girl. Her singing everyday at the same time demonstrates even more significance in the movie. The river in the scene, gigantic and vigorous, seems to separate this young girl from the world in which she knows. With the visit from the soldier, Ciuqiao realizes that life is worth living beyond the Yellow Earth.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Storm Born Chapter Three
I'd been people-watching for almost an hour, so I saw him as soon as he walked in. It was hard not to. The eyes of a few other women in the bar showed that I wasn't the only one who'd noticed. He was tall and broad-shouldered, nicely muscled but not over the top in some crazy Arnold Schwarzenegger way. He wore khakis with a navy blue T-shirt tucked into them. His black hair was not quite to his chin, and he had it tucked behind his ears. His eyes were large and dark, set in a smoothly chiseled face with perfect, golden-tanned skin. There was some mix of ethnicities going on there, I suspected, but none I could discern. Whatever the combo, it worked. Extremely well. â€Å"Hey, is anyone sitting here?†He nodded at the chair beside me. It was the only empty one at the bar. I shook my head, and he sat down. He didn't say anything else, and the only other time I heard him speak was to order a margarita. After that, he seemed content just to people-watch, like me. And honestly, it was a great place to do it. Alejandro's was right next to a midlevel hotel and drew in patrons and tourists from all sides of the socioeconomic scale. TVs showed sporting events or news or whatever the bartender felt like putting on. A few trivia machines sat at the other end of the bar. Music – sometimes live, but not tonight – forced the TVs to have closed-captioning, and dancing people crowded the small space among the tables. It was humanity at its best. Teeming with life, alcohol, mindless entertainment, and bad pick-up lines. I liked to come here when I wanted to be alone without being alone. I liked it better when drunk, stupid guys left me alone. I wasn't sure about articulate, good-looking ones. One nice thing I soon discovered was that with Tall, Dark, and Handsome sitting next to me, no losers dared approach. But he wasn't talking to me either, and after a while, I realized I'd kind of like him to – not that I'd have any clue what to say back. With the glances he kept giving me, I think he felt the same way. I didn't know. A sort of tension built up between us as I nursed my Corona, each of us waiting for something. When it finally came, he started it. â€Å"You're edible.†Not the opening I'd been expecting. â€Å"I beg your pardon?†â€Å"Your perfume. It's like†¦like violets and sugar. And vanilla. I suppose it's weird to think violets are edible, huh?†â€Å"Not so weird as a guy actually knowing what violets smell like.†It was also weird that he could even smell it. I'd put it on about twelve hours ago. With all the smoke and sweat around here, it was a surprise anyone's olfactory senses could function. He shot me a crooked grin, favoring me with a look that could only be described as smoky. I felt my pulse quicken a little. â€Å"It's good to know what flowers are what. Makes it easier to send them. And impress women.†I eyed him and then swirled the beer in my bottle. â€Å"Are you trying to impress me?†He shrugged. â€Å"Mostly I'm just trying to make conversation.†I pondered that, deciding if I wanted to play this game or not. Wondering if I could. I smiled a little. â€Å"What?†he asked. â€Å"I don't know. Just thinking about flowers. And impressing people. I mean, how strange is that we bring plant sex organs to people we're attracted to? What's up with that? It's a weird sign of affection.†His dark eyes lit up, like he'd just discovered something surprising and delightful. â€Å"Is it any weirder than giving chocolate, which is supposed to be an aphrodisiac? Or what about wine? A ‘romantic' drink that really just succeeds in lowering the other person's inhibitions.†â€Å"Hmm. It's like people are trying to be both subtle and blatant at the same time. Like, they won't actually go up and say, ‘Hey, I like you, let's get together.' Instead, they're like, ‘Here, have some plant genitalia and aphrodisiacs.'†I took a drink of the beer and propped my chin in my hand, surprised to hear myself going on. â€Å"I mean, I don't have a problem with men or relationships or sex, but sometimes I just get so frustrated with games of human attraction.†â€Å"How so?†â€Å"It's all masked in posturing and ploys. There's no honesty. People can't just come up and express their attraction. It's got to be cleverly obscured with some stupid pick-up line or not-so-subtle gift, and I don't really know how to play those games so well. We're taught that it's wrong to be honest, like there's some kind of social stigma with it.†â€Å"Well,†he considered, â€Å"it can come out pretty crass sometimes. And let's not forget about rejection too. I think that adds to it. There's a fear there.†â€Å"Yeah, I guess. But being turned down isn't the worst thing in the world. And wouldn't that be easier than wasting an evening or – God forbid – months of dating? We should state our feelings and intentions openly. If the other person says ‘fuck off,' well, then, deal. Move on.†I suddenly eyed my beer bottle suspiciously. â€Å"What's wrong?†â€Å"Just wondering if I'm drunk. This is my first beer, but I think I'm sounding a little unhinged. I don't usually talk this much.†He laughed. â€Å"I don't think you're unhinged. I actually agree with you.†â€Å"Yeah?†He nodded and looked remarkably wise as he contemplated his answer. It made him even sexier. â€Å"I agree, but I don't think most people take honesty well. They prefer the games. They want to believe the pretty lies.†I finished off the last of the Corona. â€Å"Not me. Give me honesty anytime.†â€Å"You mean that?†â€Å"Yes.†I set the bottle down and looked at him. He was watching me intently now, and his look was smoky again, all darkness and sex and heat. I fell into that gaze, feeling the response of nerves in my lower body that I'd thought were dormant. He leaned slightly forward. â€Å"Well, then, here's honesty. I was really happy when I saw the empty seat by you. I think you're beautiful. I think seeing the bra underneath your shirt is dead sexy. I like the shape of your neck and the way those strands of hair lay against it. I think you're funny, and I think you're smart too. After just five minutes, I already know you don't let people screw around with you – which I also like. You're pretty fun to talk to, and I think you'd be just as much fun to have sex with.†He sat back in his chair again. â€Å"Wow,†I said, now noticing I'd put on a white shirt over a black bra in my haste. Oops. â€Å"That's a lot of honesty.†â€Å"Should I fuck off now?†I played with the rim of the bottle. I took a deep breath. â€Å"No. Not yet.†He smiled and ordered us another round. Introductions seemed like the next logical step, and when his turn came, he told me his name was Kiyo. â€Å"Kiyo,†I repeated. â€Å"Neat.†He watched me, and after a moment, a smile danced over his mouth. A really nice mouth too. â€Å"You're trying to figure me out.†â€Å"Figure you out how?†â€Å"What I am. Race. Ethnic group. Whatever.†â€Å"Of course not,†I protested, even though I'd been trying to do exactly that. â€Å"My mother is Japanese, and my father is Latino. Kiyo is short for Kiyotaka.†I scrutinized him, now understanding the large dark eyes and the tanned skin. Human genes were exquisite. I loved the way they blended. How cool, I thought, to have such a solid grip on your ancestry. I knew my mother had a lot of Greek and Welsh, but there was a mix of all sorts of other things there too. And as for my deadbeat father†¦well, I knew no more about his heritage than I knew anything else about him. For all intents and purposes, I was very much the mongrel the keres had called me earlier. I realized then I'd been staring at Kiyo too long. â€Å"I like the results,†I finally said, which made him laugh again. He asked about my job, and I told him I worked in Web design. It wasn't entirely a lie. I'd majored in it and in French. Both areas had turned out to be completely irrelevant to my job, though Lara swore having a Web site would drive up our business. We mostly relied on word of mouth now. When he told me he was a veterinarian, I said, â€Å"No, you aren't.†Those smoldering eyes widened in surprise. â€Å"Why do you say that?†â€Å"Because†¦because you can't be. I just can't see it.†Nor could I imagine telling Lara tomorrow: So I was in a bar last night and met this sexy veterinarian†¦ No, those concepts somehow didn't go together. Veterinarians looked like Wil Delaney. â€Å"It's God's truth,†Kiyo swore, stirring his margarita. â€Å"I even take my work home with me. I have five cats and two dogs.†â€Å"Oh, dear Lord.†â€Å"Hey, I like animals. It goes back to the honesty thing. Animals don't lie about how they feel. They want to eat, fight, and reproduce. If they like you, they show it. If they don't, they don't. They don't play games. Well, except maybe the cats. They're tricky sometimes.†â€Å"Yeah? What'd you name all those cats?†â€Å"Death, Famine, Pestilence, War, and Mr. Whiskers.†â€Å"You named your cats after the riders of the apocal – wait. Mr. Whiskers?†â€Å"Well, there are only four horsemen.†We talked for a while after that about whatever else came to mind. Some was serious, some humorous. He told me he was in town from Phoenix, which kind of disappointed me. Not local. We also talked about the people around us, our jobs, life, the universe, etc., etc. All the while I kept wondering how this had happened. Hadn't I just been noting how I lived outside of society? Yet, here I was, talking to a guy I'd just met like I'd known him for years. I barely recognized the words coming out of my own mouth. I didn't even recognize my body language: leaning into him as we talked, legs touching. He wore no cologne but smelled like he looked: darkness and sex and heat. And promises. Promises that said, Oh, baby, I can give you everything you've ever wanted if you'll just give me the chance†¦. At one point, I leaned toward the bar to slide an empty bottle across it. As I did, I suddenly felt Kiyo's fingers brush my lower back where my shirt had ridden up. I flinched as electricity crackled through me at that slight, casual touch. â€Å"Here's more honesty,†he said in a low voice. â€Å"I like this tattoo. A lot. Violets again?†I nodded and sat back in my chair, but he didn't remove his hand. That tattoo was a chain of violets and leaves that spread across my lower back. A larger cluster of the flowers sat on my tailbone, and then smaller tendrils extended outward on both sides, almost to my hips. â€Å"Violets have sort have become my patron flower,†I explained, â€Å"because of my eyes.†He leaned forward, and I almost stopped breathing at how close his mouth was to mine. â€Å"Wow. You're right. I've never seen eyes that color.†â€Å"I've got three more.†â€Å"Eyes?†â€Å"Tattoos.†This got his interest. â€Å"Where?†â€Å"They're covered by the shirt.†I hesitated. â€Å"You know anything about Greek mythology?†He nodded. A cultured man. Cue swooning. I touched my upper right arm. My sleeve covered the skin. â€Å"This one's a snake wrapped all the way around my arm. It's for Hecate, the goddess of magic and the crescent moon.†What I didn't add was that Hecate guarded the crossroads between worlds. It was she who governed transitions to the Otherworld and beyond. This tattoo was my link to her, to facilitate my own journeys and call on her for help when needed. I moved to my upper left arm. â€Å"This one's a butterfly whose wings wrap around and touch behind my arm. It's half black and half white.†â€Å"Psyche?†he asked. â€Å"Good guess.†He really was cultured. The goddess Psyche was synonymous with the soul, which the butterfly represented in myth. â€Å"Persephone.†He nodded. â€Å"Half black, half white. She lives half her life in this world and half in the Underworld.†Not unlike my own life. Persephone guided transitions to the world of death. I didn't travel there myself, but I invoked her to send others across. â€Å"She governs the dark moon. And back here†– I tapped the spot behind me where my neck connected to my back – â€Å"is a moon with an abstract woman's face in it. Selene, the full moon.†Kiyo's dark eyes held intense interest. â€Å"Why not one of the more common moon goddesses, then? Like Diana?†I hesitated with my answer. In many ways, Diana would have served the same purpose. She, like Selene, was bound to the human world and could keep me grounded here when I needed it. â€Å"The others are†¦solitary goddesses. Even Persephone, who's technically married. Diana's a virgin – she's alone too. But Selene†¦well, she doesn't get a lot of press anymore, but she was a more social goddess. A sexual goddess. She opens herself up to other people. And experiences. So I went with her. I just didn't think it'd be healthy to be marked with three goddesses who were all alone.†â€Å"What about you? Are you alone, Eugenie?†His voice was velvet against me, and I could have drowned in those eyes. They were like chocolate. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac. â€Å"Aren't we all alone?†I asked with a rueful smile. â€Å"Yes. I think in the end, we all are, no matter what the songs and happy stories say. I guess it's just a matter of who we choose to be alone with.†â€Å"That's why I come here, you know. To be alone with other people. There's isolation in a crowd. You're hidden. Safe.†He looked around at the buzzing, moving sea of people in the bar. They were like a wall surrounding us. There but not there. â€Å"Yes. Yes, I suppose that's true.†â€Å"Isn't that why you're here too?†He glanced back down at me, his expression a little less sexual and a bit more pensive. â€Å"I don't know. I'm not sure. I guess maybe I'm here because of you.†I didn't have any quick retorts for that, so I started playing with the bottle again. The bartender asked if I wanted another, and I shook my head. Kiyo touched my shoulder. â€Å"You want to dance?†I was pretty sure I hadn't danced since high school, but some force compelled me to agree. We stepped out into a crowd of very bad dancers. Most were just sort of floundering around to a fast song with a heavy beat that I'd never heard before. Kiyo and I weren't much better. But when a slower song came on, he wrapped me to him, pressing us together as close as two people could be. Well, almost as close. I couldn't ever remember anything like this happening with a guy I'd just met, a desire for someone I actually wanted and not just someone who was available. His body felt hard and perfect against mine, and my flesh kept concocting ways to touch his. I was already picturing him naked, imagining what it would be like to have his body move against and inside of mine. What was going on with me here? The images were so vivid and real, it was a wonder my feelings weren't written across my face. So I didn't really mind when he slid his hand up the back of my neck and brought his mouth down to kiss me. It wasn't a tentative kiss either. No first-date kisses here. It was the kind of kiss that meant business, the kind of kiss that said, I want to consume every inch of you and hear you scream my name. I'd never really made out in a public place, but it seemed kind of a trivial concern as that kiss burned between us, our tongues and lips exploring the contours of each other's mouths. But when his other hand slid up and cupped my breast, even I was surprised. â€Å"Hey,†I said, breaking off slightly. â€Å"There are people around.†Amusing, I thought a moment later, that I was less concerned about him doing it than being seen doing it. He kissed the side of my neck, just below my ear, and when he spoke, his words heated my skin. â€Å"People only notice if you make a big deal about it.†I let him kiss me again and didn't say anything else about the hand that continued to stroke the curve of my breast and tease my nipple into hardness beneath the shirt. His other hand slid down to my ass and ground me closer to him, letting me feel exactly what was underneath his jeans. The fact that we were doing this in public suddenly made it a lot sexier. I let out a small, trembling sigh and then broke away from the kiss again. Only this time, it wasn't because of any prudish feelings. It was from need. My body's suddenly urgent and excruciating need. â€Å"Are you staying next door?†I asked, indicating the hotel adjacent to the bar. â€Å"No. Out at the Monteblanca.†I let surprise show on my face. That was in the region near where I lived, in the Santa Catalina foothills. â€Å"That's not a hotel. That's a resort. A really nice one. Veterinarians must make a lot.†He smiled and brushed his lips against my cheek. â€Å"You want to see it?†â€Å"Yes,†I told him. â€Å"I certainly do.â€
Friday, August 16, 2019
Disadvantages of Using Technology in the Classroom Essay
In most cases, technology is a true blessing to the modern-day classroom, making access to information faster and easier to understand than ever before. But just like all new innovations, it is not without drawbacks. Here are some of them One of the first cons of classroom technology is the financial aspect. Not every school can afford the numerous pieces of electronics needed for even a single classroom to be fully equipped. At best some schools can only afford a limited number of these items.But it’s not only this. Once technology is purchased for a school, the cost of upkeep and maintenance can be too expensive for the school to maintain. Outdated software and hardware components can have compability issues with available programs. Unless the teacher is well trained in technology and can support the hardware in the classroom, an IT will be needed to troubleshoot problems whicj means even more scpenses for the school. Also, the cost of repairing broken equipment may be too expensive for school budgets. In order for a school to successfully integrate technology, there must be a replacement or updating plan in place to keep technology updated and useful. Because of connection problems, downloading issues, illegal software and other difficulties, teachers can sometimes stop using it simply because the lack of time. To lose the 10 minutes period just because of connectivity issues is not fair, and it’s one of the main reasons for the failure of technology integration in schools To sum up, technology can be powerful learning and educating tool, but schools must first ask themselves if they have the resources, not only the material but also human resources, to afford and maintain such expensive equipment . This can lead to students and teachers competing for such resources, which can only affect badly to the school environment. While technology can be a great addition to the classroom, it also can be a source of frustration for both teachers and students. Unless the teacher is well trained in technology and can support the hardware in the classroom, an IT will be needed to troubleshoot problems.. Additionally, technology often needs frequent maintenance to keep it in good condition for use. Once technology is purchased for a school, the cost of upkeep and maintenance can be too expensive for the school to maintain. Outdated software and hardware components can have compability issues with available programs. Also, the cost of repairing broken equipment may be too expensive for school budgets. In order for a school to successfully integrate technology, there must be a replacement or updating plan in place to keep technology updated and useful.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Courage in the Civil War (Referencing for Cause and Comrades by James M. Mcpherson
Kathie Kaidan 4/14/10 HST 202 Paper #2 There is much controversy and uncertainty about the reasons of why the Civil War started, and why it went on for so long. The Civil War is unusual not only in American History, but in world history as well because of the intensity and carnage of it. Men were taking up arms against their neighbors, fathers, sons, brothers, and friends to meet on the field of battle with only one mission: to kill one another. James McPherson wondered this, so he researched over 25,000 uncensored letters to friends and family, and almost 250 private diaries from soldiers fighting for the Confederacy and soldiers fighting for the Union. He then took what he learned and wrote the book For Cause and Comrades, and found certain ideals that, he believes, are key reasons as to why these men fought each other over this conflict. McPherson argues that the initial impulse of the soldiers to fight the war was the simple â€Å"military rage†that follows after the declaration of any war. In most cases â€Å"military rage†is short lived, and mostly just talk, and then people back down when asked to rise up and fight. But in the Civil War, men were tearing down doors in order to enlist, and they continued to do so after the initial excitement had died down. McPherson also follows French Revolution Historian John Lynn in dividing soldiers motivation to fight into three sections throughout the war. â€Å"I have borrowed part of my conceptual framework from John A. Lynn, an historian of the armies of the French Revolution. Lynn posited three categories: initial motivation; sustaining motivation; and combat motivation. The first consists of the reasons why men enlisted; the second concerns the factors that kept them in the army and kept the army in existence over time; and the third focuses on what nerved them to face extreme danger in battle. These categories are separate but interrelated†(McPherson, 12). One important aspect was that men fought because of the desire to have this sense of manliness and doing things to prove it. Two versions of manhood competed in the Victorian era: the hard-drinking, gambling, whoring two-fisted man among men, and the sober, responsible, dutiful son or husband. Some soldiers found that the army transformed them from one kind of man to the other, better kind†(McPherson, 26). Courage played a huge role in determining one’s level of manliness. The more courage you showed, the manlier you were. And with every man trying to prove himself better than the others, it played a key role in why Civil War soldiers continued to fight for as long as they did. The war started out with the soldiers having a sense of false courage. Most of them hadn’t seen battle yet, and they were often unsure if they war would end before they had the chance to make their mark. But this behavior of being â€Å"pumped up†and excited for battle was just pre-battle adrenalin. They were not truly being courageous until after they had experienced the horror of the bloodshed, and decided to continue to endure it all over again. When it had been experienced, the emotional impact of it was overwhelming. Many wrote in their letters to loved ones saying â€Å"I hope I will never be in another†¦no man can tell me anything about war I have got a plenty†(McPherson, 33), and â€Å"I am satisfied with fighting. I wish the War was over†(McPherson, 33). McPherson compared these feelings to those men who fought in World War II, mostly the 101st Airborne Division who took part in the D-Day Invasion. â€Å"Before their drop behind German lines on D-Day, men in the elite 101st Airborne Division were ‘gung-ho’. When the survivors returned to England to prepare for their next mission, ‘the boys aren’t as enthusiastic or anxious to get it over with as they were before Normandy. Nobody wants to fight anymore. ’†(McPherson, 35) This is when the courage began to show. Even after seeing the â€Å"elephant†, a metaphor used by McPherson in place of battle, the men remained determined to fight. They came to realize that courage meant to stand up against and conquer their fear, not just feeling fear itself. It was at its worse before the battle had even begun. Once it began only their courage and adrenaline could keep them going. They also began of noticing ways to relieve their tension. One way was yelling at the top of their lungs, and this it to be thought as the origin of the famous Rebel Yell. The men didn’t understand the changing in their body chemistry, so they were dumbfounded when they could overcome illness, disabilities, and sometimes-even wounds in order to fight. After the battle had ended, most men were overcome with exhaustion. When they finally could rest, thoughts and nightmares of the battle would fill their heads. They experienced breakdowns, little sleep, appetite loss, and hot flashes quickly followed by the chills. But, nonetheless, they pursued on. The last thing they wanted was to give up or be taken over by their dreams. To them, retreating or going home was a loss of courage. â€Å"Civil War soldiers had never heard of the terms ‘shell shock’ or ‘battle fatigue’ or ‘combat stress reaction’ or ‘psychiatric casualties’. But many of them experienced the symptoms these terms attempt to describe. A word that was familiar to them, however, was ‘courage’. And they understood that combat stress reaction was a loss of courage, a loss of the will to go on fighting†(McPherson, 163). It soon was known that courage wasn’t only shown and proven on the field of battle, but to have the determination and desire to endure all else that comes along with warfare: scarcity of food, changes in weather, not having proper shelter, little sleep, having to march for hours every day, and not knowing if you were going to see your friends and family ever again. These were the things that took up most of the soldiers’ lives; fighting in battle was only a small percentage. McPherson quoted a major in the 11th Georgia on his definition of what courage was in 1863; â€Å"†¦not as merely bravery in battle, but also the nerve to endure rain, and snow, and sleet, and the privations of Winter, and the scorching sun of Summer†¦to undergo extreme fatigue, to subdue the pains of hunger†¦ to do battle with sickness and despondency and gloom as with the Country’s enemies. And above all to hold one’s self patiently and cheerfully ready to meet the shocks of battle†(McPherson, 163-164). Although many other factors were involved as to why the men stuck it out, I believe courage is the root to them all. It takes courage to defend your family and land, which is what made your honorable. It takes courage to believe in God, and know that he is watching over you, and guiding you. It takes courage to stand up for your country and fight for what you believe in. It’s amazing how these men continued to fight, and continued to be courageous when they had so many things going against them. It’s better understood as to why they volunteered in the first place, but it is amazing how so many stayed until they died or the war was declared over. Courage is a strong factor for anyone, but the way it is displayed through these men is miraculous.
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