Jill Lepore, new york burning

New York Burning, by Jill Lepore, is an interesting yet flawed study of a 1741 conspiracy among New York’s slaves, which authorities discovered in the wake of ten fires started by African Americans.   While the work claims to examine the slave revolts and ensuing trials (in which over a hundred blacks were executed by hanging or burning) as evidence of how political opposition formed and functioned, it succeeds much better as a study of race relations and the culture of paranoia. Lepore’s thesis is that the 1741 conspiracy, while based more on hearsay and forced confessions than on actual evidence, occurred within a climate of political and intellectual ferment that made political pluralism (and, ultimately, the American political system) possible.   Indeed, the New York she describes was already politically divided in the wake of the landmark Zenger trial of 1735, in which printer John Peter Zenger was charged with printing libelous attacks against the arbitrary, heavy-handed colonial governor. His acquittal laid the foundations for free speech but also caused a political schism, as two rival political factions formed – the Court party, which supported the royal governors, and the Country Party, an opposition group which demanded greater liberties.   (However, she makes clear that liberty was reserved strictly for whites and pertained more to the press and taxation than to individuals, certainly those of color.)   Mutual mistrust between the two parties lingered for years. The 1741 conspiracy took place, says Lepore, within a rather tense and paranoid context.   It began in March with a fire at the city’s only military outpost, Fort George.   Subsequent blazes over the next few weeks broke out at houses and businesses belonging to Court party members, and these were quickly followed by a series of arrests and trials that lasted into the summer. Twenty whites and 152 blacks (slave and free) were arrested and over a hundred people executed, including many Country Party members’ slaves and servants.   Lepore claims that the end result of these events was greater acceptance of political opposition, but her work does less to connect the slave plot to politics than it does to describe a place beset by racism and paranoia. In tracing the plot’s evolution, Lepore offers the reader a detailed description of New York in 1741.   A former Dutch colony with a multilingual population and sizeable slave population, New York had considerable political division and a strangely paranoid culture.   Not only were fears of slave rebellions prevalent and population politically split, but novels and plays about intrigues were common and highly popular.   (She notes that George Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Stratagem was then the city’s most popular play.) New Yorkers were thus highly sensitive to anything resembling a plot and unusually prone to imagine such things; Lepore writes, â€Å"Nothing ‘just happened’ in the early eighteenth century.   There was always a villain to be caught, a conspiracy to be detected.   The century was lousy with intrigues† (51). In addition, she asserts that the black plotters may have been misunderstood by white witnesses who overheard them in Hughson’s tavern, taking oaths and swearing revenge on New York. She demonstrates that, much like New England’s slaves staged mock â€Å"election days† to both mimic and satirize white culture, the New York plotters may have been imitating their masters, many of whom were Masons (and thus mistrusted in an early America which saw wrongdoing in their secrecy and rituals).   Horsmanden, says Lepore, viewed the trial like a conspiracy novel and, â€Å"In an anxious empire, he found monstrous black creatures . . . [and] political plotters† (122) from whom he thought he could save the city. The 1741 plot was thus tailor-made for the age.   It involved a group of New York blacks who swore oaths to burn down the city, kill its white men, take their wives, and to install a tavern keeper and small-time criminal named John Hughson as the new governor.   After the arsonists were captured and confessions extracted (in some cases with torture, which could not legally be used on whites but was freely used against blacks), the colony’s Supreme Court was eager to demonstrate its authority and regain some of the credibility it lost after the Zenger trial.   In particular, Lepore devotes considerable attention to Daniel Horsmanden, the English judge who prosecuted Zenger and was eager to redeem himself. Lepore relies heavily on his own journal of the trial, pointing out its biases and distortions, and she comments that Horsmanden considered losing the Zenger trial â€Å"a gross humiliation† and that the 1741 plot offered him â€Å"an unrivaled opportunity to consolidate the court’s power.   He could make a name for himself† (118). Indeed, his handling of the trial shows not only his zeal but also how poorly colonial courts handled evidence and how grossly they mistreated black defendants.   Four whites and over a hundred blacks were executed, often in a grisly manner that assuaged the nervous city.   According to Lepore, whites enjoyed public executions and attended â€Å"out of hatred, out of obligation, out of fascination† and, â€Å"like imprisonment, interrogation, and trial, an execution was a pageant† (105).   Trials and executions of rebellious slaves were especially celebrated, as the racial order was preserved. Though the book claims to examine the 1741 slave plot’s meaning in terms of politics, is actually spends little time doing this and her analysis is thus somewhat underdeveloped.   However, Lepore offers an excellent picture of colonial New York’s race relations, which were volatile and tense, adding that â€Å"however much ‘liberty’ some enslaved New Yorkers might have enjoyed, it was always fragile and nearly always illicit† (155). Whites so feared blacks that they passed laws regulating their right to gather freely and set grossly unfair standards for sexual conduct (white men could exploit black women without penalty, but black men were sternly discouraged from consensual relations with white women).   It is little wonder, then, that blacks resented their white masters and neighbors.   Also, at the same time, though, the court was quick to attribute the plot’s leadership to Hughson, a smuggler and thief on the side, because few believed blacks intellectually capable of hatching such a scheme. Lepore ends the book by claiming that the 1741 plot demonstrates how New York’s colonial politics operated.   Horsmanden, who exacted a vicious justice on the conspirators, was stripped of his political offices in 1747 and then became a champion of the liberties he had denied as a judge.   His activities redeemed him and one of his posts was restored to him in 1755. Lepore uses this, along with the Zenger trial, as evidence of how New Yorkers became more tolerant of opposition politics, but she does not tie this very convincingly to the slave plot.   Indeed, her discussion of New York’s colonial politics pales in comparison to her picture of New York’s social and cultural landscapes. New York Burning appears to be two different histories in one, with its study of race relations and fear of conspiracies submerged within its examination of how the plot influenced politics.   The political aspects are not as well-developed and Lepore does not argue very convincingly that the Zenger trial and slave conspiracy demonstrate how New Yorkers handled the question of political opposition. The author devotes much of the book to exploring race and culture, and she creates a vivid, convincing picture of how early New Yorkers combined fear of their slaves with their taste for (and sensitivity to) conspiracy and intrigues.   Had the book been a study of race and paranoia, instead of claiming these were only parts of a developing political culture, it would likely have been a stronger piece of scholarship.   The book succeeds as a cultural history while failing to connect race and culture to the developing political landscape of early America. Lepore, Jill.   New York Burning.   New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

The Human Resources Scorecard: Linking People

Providing the tools and systems required for leading a measurement managed HR architecture, this important book heralds the emergence of human resources as a strategic powerhouse in todays organizations. Three experts in the field outline a powerful measurement system that highlights the indisputable role HR can play as both a prime source of sustainable competitive advantage and a key driver of value creation. They draw from an ongoing study of nearly 3,000 firms to outline a seven-step process they call an HR Scorecard, specifically designed to embed human resources systems within a firms overall strategy and manage the HR architecture as a strategic asset. Building on the proven Balanced Scorecard model, they also show how to link HRs results to measuressuch as profitability and shareholder value-that line managers and senior executives will understand and respect. The authors argue that human esourcess strategic role begins with designing an HR architecture-the HR function, the HR system, and strategic employee behaviors-that relentlessly emphasizes and reinforces the implementation of the firms strategy. Using compelling examples from a variety of leading companies, they explain how to develop and implement an HR Scorecard in order to both manage the HR architecture as a strategic asset, as well as measure the contribution of that asset to firm performance. Personal Review: The HR Scorecard: Linking People, Strategy, and Performance by Dave Ulrich I recently re-read this book and have even higher regard for it now than I did I when I first read it soon after it was published in 2001. Becker and Huselid later co-authored The Workforce Scorecard with Richard W. Beatty. With rigor and eloquence, they examine three separate but related challenges: Perspective (with an emphasis on differentiation), Metrics (and their relationship to strategy execution), and Execution (which holds senior executives and line managers accountable for workforce success). They suggest that all organizations which successfully meet these three challenges (i. e. those which â€Å"do it right†) have these six characteristics in common: 1. HR professionals spend less time on employee performance than they did five years ago 2. The relationship between workforce success and strategy implementation defines the ROI of new HR initiatives. 3. Creating a shared mind-set is not taken for granted. . The HR function has a staffing structure that effectively balances the tension between being a strategic partner and delivering efficient and effective HR services. 5. Strategic workforce measures are â€Å"owned† and coordinated by a single individual or task force. 6. Senior executives, line managers, and HR professionals consider the results of the measurement system worth the implementation effort. Although it may seem to some who read this brief commentary that will be of substantial value only to large organizations, I hasten to reassure them that, after appropriate modifications, what Huselid, Becker, and Beatty recommend in The Workforce Scorecard can help any organization (regardless of size or nature) to improve the quality of their strategy execution by developing the right perspective on the contributions of its workforce to its success, and, by developing the right execution strategy to ensure that its managers are ready, willing, and able to use workforce metrics to drive business success. It is important to keep these points in mind when reading The HR Scorecard and I strongly recommend that, if possible, The Workforce Scorecard be read in combination with it, preferably but not necessarily afterward. Robert Kaplan and David Norton wrote three articles for Harvard Business Review (â€Å"The Balanced Scorecard,† â€Å"Putting the Scorecard to Work,† and â€Å"Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System†) which led to a series of books in which their insights were developed in even greater depth. According to Norton who wrote the introduction to The HR Scorecard, in the New Economy, human capital is the foundation of value creation and that up to 85% of an organization's value is based on intangible assets. â€Å"This presents an interesting dilemma: The asset which is most important is the least understood, least prone to measurement, and, hence least susceptible to management. † He goes on to commend the co-authors of The HR Scorecard for three specific contributions: their development of causal models which illustrate the relationship of HR value drivers with business outcomes and hereby take the Balanced Scorecard to the next level of sophistication; their research on the drivers of highperformance organizations to provide a framework to decision-makers with which to formulate and implement strategies for human capital growth; and finally, their insights into the competencies required by HR professionals, competencies which can enabler an organization to deliver on the promise of its measurement system. In essence, the co-authors of The HR Scorecard identify and explain linkages – indeed the interdependence — between and among people, strategy, and performance. Only by understanding these linkages and their independence can decision-makers in any organization (regardless of size or nature) accurately measure the nature, value, and impact of human capital on the bottom line. Moreover, decision-makers can then make much more accurate measurement of each individual in terms of the value she or he adds to the organization and, more importantly, to those on whom that organization depends for revenue. Customers who purchase products, of course, and clients who purchase services but also members who purchase members and benefactors to contribute donations. Here are two other substantial benefits of establishing and then maintaining a HR scorecard: 1. It can guide and inform hiring decisions which ensure that an organization increases its human capital with those to add new value 2. It can also guide and inform decisions concerning the allocation of tangible resources, especially when there are unexpected major developments (either threatening or promising) in the given organization's competitive marketplace. When concluding their brilliant volume, the authors observe that while much of the work of an HR scorecard is technical, the delivery of the Scorecard is personal. It requires that HR professionals design to make a difference, align their work to business strategy, apply the science of research to the art of HR, and commit to learning from constant experimentation. When you create the HR Scorecard, using the approach we describe, you are actually [begin italics] linking HR to firm performance [end italics]. But you will also develop a new perspective on your HR function, practices, and professional development. In measurement terms, the benefits will far outweigh the costs. I presume to add two concluding suggestions of my own. First, that HR professionals use the Scorecard initially to measure their own performance so they can determine how, as individual executives, they can add greater value to their organization. Next, that all others in senior management also read this book as well as The Workplace Scorecard to increase their own understanding of (a) how and why to link people, strategy, and performance enterprise-wide and (b) how to manage human capital much more effectively (also enterprise-wide) when executing strategy.

Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Decision Making Essay

In the corporate environment critical decisions must be made, sometimes quickly, whether because of changes in market conditions, corporate profits, or corporate performances. The decision-making process is vital to good management in today’s work environment. This paper will examine the relationship between critical thinking and the decision making process, explain what the textbook authors believe, and relate how both apply to today’s workplace. Critical thinking involves the ability to weigh evidence, examine arguments, and construct rational bases for generally accepted beliefs. In order to establish a theoretical basis for studying critical thinking, a great quantity of research has been done. Critical thinking is not only the ability to reason and construct arguments, but also the ability to examine the reasoning processes involved and being able to evaluate their appropriateness and effectiveness. This â€Å"judgment† aspect is what makes critical thinking more than just problem solving. It is not sufficient to be able to apply problem-solving strategies to a particular problem; a true critical thinker must be able to choose appropriate strategies and even create new ones when necessary. In dealing with most complex problems in today’s work environment, there may be more than one good answer to a problem. The question then becomes one of picking the best answer; this is called decision-making. Weighing the consequences of these possible solutions based on our understanding of their potential outcomes is the job of the manager. A good manager does not distinguish between â€Å"critical thinking† and â€Å"decision-making† when working. He uses both to arrive at a solution. It is only when analyzing how to come to a specific decision that he must employ critical thinking skills so that he does not allow personal prejudices, emotions, or stress to affect his thinking processes. According to the authors of Whatever It Takes – The Realities of Managerial Decision Making, the six steps to critical thinking and decision making are:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"1) a problem is defined and isolated, 2) information is gathered, 3) alternatives are set forth, 4) an end is established, 5) means are created to achieve the end, and 6) a choice is made.† The authors say when applied in today’s business environment, the six steps are mostly ineffective because â€Å"executive decision-making is not a series of single linier acts.† It is the interference of many other factors (such as murky information, poor information input, and multiple problems intersecting) that makes scientific study of real-life decision-making difficult. (McCall & Kaplan, 1990, pg xvii – xviii) Therefore, the authors suggest case study and specific dissection of past decisions is the best way to learn how to make future decisions. In my field of work (currently training of teaching personnel), decisions must be made as to time management, importance of curriculum vs. methodology, and allocation of skill acquisition importance. In addition, two corporations are my superiors; each with different hierarchies as to who tells me which jobs should be done. My decisions, therefore, must not only be politically correct, but must be ones that make the most people happy. When three different departments from three different divisions ask me to begin a project, someone has to be told to wait. It is at times like these that critical thinking becomes important to justify my decisions when responding to their requests. Critical thinking is used both to justify my decisions and to clarify my thinking. Reference McCall, M. W., & Kaplan, R. E. (1990). Whatever It Takes – The Realities of Managerial Decision Making (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Enacting a Corporation in the State of Florida Research Paper

Enacting a Corporation in the State of Florida - Research Paper Example These laws are intended to cater for the needs of the people and constitution of Florida. After graduating from college, starting a business corporation would be a great idea to earn a clean living. This essay will discuss the procedures and requirements one is supposed to abide by when enacting a corporation in the state of Florida after graduating from college. As a new investor, it is essential to know the types of corporations allowed in Florida. One type includes a general profit corporation which is owned by stockholders. Another type is Close Florida Corporation which is limited to between 30 and 50 stockholders. The director of the close corporation is required to offer shares to existing stockholders before selling them to new ones. Another type of corporation is a Florida limited liability company, a form of business structure from Latin America and Europe. There are many business opportunities for fresh college graduates. Starting a lucrative business is one such opportuni ty that many college graduates can venture into. Many fresh college graduates have brilliant business ideas. However, these ideas only materialize for the few who are willing to endure the strain that come with initiating a new business (Strauss, 2003). Starting a new corporation requires some information to be created about the business venture. The first and most prominent is the name of the corporation. A name can either be inviting or repelling to potential clients (Strauss, 2003). The name of a corporation needs to be unique and not in use by any other registered body. The name of a corporation uniquely identifies and differentiates it from many other businesses that already exist. ‘Newline Corporation’ has been chosen as the most suitable name for the business that is being set up in Florida. This is because the name is not in use by any other business and it signifies a new development that is coming up in an already existing industry (Barnet & Ronald, 1974). The next step is to create a filing receipt system. This allows constant follow up of any purchases or payments that have been made. It also creates accountability in the use of capital and resources (Kamoroff, 2000). Knowing the amount of money that has been spent at each stage and on what enables an individual to plan for the remaining tasks. It can also be helpful in time management and in evaluating the progress made in starting up the business. A filing receipt system can be used to determine if it is in line with the specification on when the corporation should be up and running (Beerel, 1993). A filing system enables an individual to easily retrieve information whenever it is required. The filing system consists of both manual and automated systems that are labeled under the month and years of their receivership. The most current files should be put at the top. It is crucial to keep a record of the receipts due to tax purposes. Some kinds of receipts that will need to be kept sa fe include unpaid invoices, business receipts, vender statements and client product receipts (Beerel, 1993). At the end of each year, the receipts need to be purged and filed with taxes. An article of incorporation is sometimes referred to as a certificate of incorporation. It must fulfill information as permitted by set laws. A form is required to be filled and filed by the secretary of state (Corporations in General, 1964). This form includes information about the name of

Bio Ethics and Longevity Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Bio Ethics and Longevity - Term Paper Example The idea of extending human lifespan has captivated scientists, philosophers and writers for a long time now. Moreover, ethicists have argued whether people should take a step to increase human longevity, which is not surprising. This is in consideration of the persistent media interest in research in to preventing or slowing ageing. Taking note of that, this paper will briefly summarize the ethical arguments that arose from this debate, with a focus on a recent case study on Life-extension and its effects on memory and learning (on worms). Finally, it will give a summary of critique of the case study as well as the personal opinion or ethical stand. 1. Summary Case study: Life-extension and its effect on memory and learning (on worms) The focus of the case study is on two methods to increase the longevity of various organisms - calorie restriction and alteration hormone insulin. It claims that research has shown that, reducing activity related to the insulin signal pathway impact lo ngevity positively. Several biological processes such as metabolism, development and stress response are triggered by the change of insulin signal pathway.1 A group of Biologists from Princeton recently found that, altering these mechanisms do also have some consequences on the organisms’ cognitive function and their research also revealed that calorie restriction and reduced insulin signaling is linked to reduced memory and learning as the organism grow old, which calls for development of a special treatment to avoid memory loss if people are to live longer. According to Coleen Murphy, longevity research works on the assumption that people who are able to live longer should have their bodies function equally well for the additional years. Collectively with her research team, they found out that calorie restriction had some severe effect on the lasting memory of C.elegans roundworms. To their surprise, the worms only suffered from impairment to long-term memory, but did not e ncounter any reduction in memory with age. Consequently, this means that gradual memory loss can be fought by calorie restrictions. On another front, the worms that were experimented with generic mutation reduced insulin active, signaling insulin activity. This experiment improved learning ability with age, but the worms were not secured from age-related reduction in long-term memory. These worms were used because their molecular mechanisms which governed these worms were alike to higher organism like mammals, and this has provided a promising hope for cognitive research on humans. Definition(s) Cognitive is based on or related to or involving reasoning or thinking, which is an activity of the mind. Indeed, Murphy’s team has done a tremendous job, but they have to be sure that it will apply to human beings as well and how they can overcome the reduction in learning and memory of these worms in question. The information that human’s genes are likened with those of C.ele gans, enabled treatment of negative cognitive alteration in relation to longevity extension of the worms, which is an answer to humans research. This study poses big questions. Will there be equity in access to this intervention once it is out? How does it impact our morality as human beings? Is the use of worms as having the same memory as human beings ethical? The following principles and academic papers try to take these questions into consideration. 2.

Why water is our thirst - Quencher Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Why water is our thirst - Quencher - Essay Example Whenever thirsty, most animals including human beings search for water event if it takes them to cover long journeys to exact points of open and reachable water. Similarly, plants would dry and curl their leaves during dry spells but regain full life during cold or wet seasons. From the above, it is totally arguable that water is the perfect thirst quencher. It is important to note that most of the body organs in human body and any animal works and properly execute their functions when moist. To be moist, the organs must be able to absorb nearly fresh water with little salt concentration. Failure to absorb water will leave the organs dry and at high temperatures. The high temperatures will cause serious burning effect that will work to suffocate that particular animal (Nicholson, 2010). In case of human beings, concentrated drinks like sodas, tea or coffee among others will have insignificant effect when taken during serious thirst. This is due to the significant acidic and sugar contents characterized with most of the drinks. Instead of lowering the body temperatures and in effect moist dry body organs, the acid will increase the burning effect due to thirst. It is also worth noting that most if not all of the concentrated drinks contain numerous chemical substances that may pose threat of poisoning the body. This therefore makes them the worst option a person can regard when thirsty. Instead of supplying plenty of fresh water to the liver and kidney to facilitate the process of detoxification, the drinks will inject more poisons to the body system and eventually paralyze basic physiological processes (Nicholson, 2010). However, there are certain drinks that have low levels of acid concentration but with high water concentration. Such drinks include and not limited to blended fruit juices, which when taken can help reduce thirst. In fact, natural fruits tend to

Male divine article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Male divine - Article Example Key features of the character Superman are mapped on to Biblical texts. So, for example, Superman is descended from non-human holographic entity called â€Å"Jor-El† and destined to find a new life among strangers in a strange land (Earth) â€Å"like a diaspora Jew† (p. 5). A clear parallel is made between the extra-terrestial Superman and â€Å"an intelligence greater than our own.† (p. 6) Depiction of the infant with outstretched arms recalls the crucifixion, and the piercing blue eyes of Christopher Reeve are â€Å"part of a long tradition of celluloid saviors having blue eyes† (p. 8) The color blue, which is the main color in Superman’s costume is also linked with heaven, since the sky is blue. A number of stylistic references link Superman with Jewish culture, for example the mock religious oath â€Å"Holy Mackerel† and the ending â€Å"man† in â€Å"Superman† which is â€Å"a suffix common to many contemporary Jewish name s e.g. Silverman, Freedman, etc)† (p. 13) .

HR - Organization Environmental Pressures Essay

HR - Organization Environmental Pressures - Essay Example This paper gives a critical evaluation of these pressures, and it proposes a strategy that the organization can use, for purposes of solving or mitigating the pressures under consideration. In meeting the objectives of this paper, the researcher will create a table, identifying three environmental and organizational pressures that Wal-Mart faces. Furthermore, this paper will rank these pressures, in accordance to their influences. This paper will also contain a detailed description of these pressures, and how they have evolved over a period of time. Furthermore, it would identify how these pressures have impacted the organization, from its financial perspective, and also from the perspectives of its employees, and that of the researcher. An important organizational pressure that Wal-Mart faces is on the expectations that its stakeholders have on it. The stakeholders of the company expect it to be a high performer. This expectation on Wal-Mart is based on its position in the global retailing sector. As of 2014, Wal-Mart was voted as the world’s largest company, in terms of revenues. Furthermore, the company has employed more than 2 million people, and it is considered as the biggest retailer in the world. Furthermore, the company is considered as the biggest grocery in United States, and as of the year 2009, it was able to generate 51% of the total sales made by the company. Based on these statistics, the company is under pressure to maintain its good performance. Furthermore, because of increased competition, emanating from new retailers in the industry, the company is forced to develop strategies that would ensure it remains a market leader in the retailing industry. To be a high performer, the company has i nitiated a cost leadership strategy, whereby it sales its products at a cheaper cost, to attract customers to it. Furthermore, the company has sought to decrease its capital expenses, by

Same Sex Marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Same Sex Marriage - Essay Example On the other hand there are a few states that have not recognized same sex marriages as legal marriages. State of Texas is one of the very few states in which same sex marriages are not yet considered as legal marriages (Ncsl.org, 2015). On the other hand majority of the states have recognized such marriages as legal ones. Same sex marriages as well as civil unions between couples of the same gender have been prohibited in the state of Texas since the period of 2003. As of 2005, the constitution of the state of Texas was even amended in order to ban same sex marriages (Freedomtomarry.org, 2015). During 2005 it was decided the state of Texas will only recognize those marriages as legal that take place between a male and a female and marriages between two females or two males were recognized as unconstitutional. It is not that no same sex marriages take place within the state of Texas. During the period of 2015 a same sex marriage took place between two individuals belonging to the female gender and the matter was taken to the courts. The courts decided the case in the favor of the coupl es but they did not recognize same sex marriages as legal (Sanchez, 2015). The reason for recognizing their marriage as legal was the illness that was experienced by one of the couple. The ban on such marriages by the state of Texas have been severely criticized and recognized as unconstitutional by the federal as well as the state level courts of Texas. These courts have recognized that the measures taken by the state of Texas to ban same sex marriage is against the constitution of the United States of America. Same sex marriage laws that have not yet been passed and enacted by the state of Texas include the consideration of legalization of same sex marriage in Texas. In the state of Texas, civil unions which are a kind of marriage but not legal marriages have not yet been legalized in the state. Same sex couples of the state of Texas are not entitled to the

Attitudinal Behaviour Essay Example for Free

Attitudinal Behaviour Essay Purpose – In order to classify individuals based on their needs, this paper aims to consider both self-stated attitudes and behaviours in a comprehensive range of daily ï ¬ nancial affairs. Furthermore, it aims to study the impacts of socio-demographic variables such as gender, age, and education. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was answered by 1,282 respondents in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Factor analysis revealed ï ¬ ve components. Based on these components a two-step cluster analysis (Ward and K-means analyses) identiï ¬ ed distinct subgroups. Linear regressions were used to investigate the impacts of socio-demographic variables. Findings – Factor analysis revealed ï ¬ ve underlying dimensions of ï ¬ nancial attitudes and behaviour: anxiety, interests in ï ¬ nancial issues, decision styles, need for precautionary savings, and spending tendency. Cluster analysis segmented the respondents into ï ¬ ve subgroups based on these dimensions with an ascending order of speciï ¬ c needs for ï ¬ nancial products. Gender, age, and education were found to have signiï ¬ cant impacts. Research limitations/implications – Real consumption behaviour cannot be observed through the survey, which limits the external validity of the study. Practical implications – The segmentation identiï ¬ es different levels of ï ¬ nancial competence and needs for ï ¬ nancial products. It allows ï ¬ nancial service providers to offer more effective advice and to meet customers on their own level to improve personal ï ¬ nancial management. Originality/value – Attitudes and behaviours in daily ï ¬ nancial affairs are examined to reveal individuals’ ï ¬ nancial competence and consequential product needs. A heterogeneous sample covers a variety of demographic groups. Keywords Personal ï ¬ nance, Savings, Questionnaires, Factor analysis, Cluster analysis, Switzerland Paper type Research paper Introduction Everyone has to manage his or her personal ï ¬ nance in one way or another. Some tend to save a lot, some like to collect information before each purchase, some like to follow their gut feelings. Private investors are not a homogeneous group but rather The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the University Research Priority Program â€Å"Finance and Financial Markets† of the University of Zurich and the National Centre of Competence in Research â€Å"Financial Valuation and Risk Management† (NCCR FINRISK), Project 3, â€Å"Evolution and Foundations of Financial Markets†. In addition, they would like to thank the Swiss ï ¬ nancial company that provided them with client data and the anonymous referee for the helpful comments. International Journal of Bank Marketing Vol. 27 No. 2, 2009 pp. 108-128 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0265-2323 DOI 10.1108/02652320910935607 individuals with various ï ¬ nancial practices combined with different levels of experience, anxiety and interest in ï ¬ nancial matters (Gunnarsson and Wahlund, 1997). In an increasingly competitive marketplace, ï ¬ nancial institutions need to emphasise customer relationships and the retention of existing customers that require an in-depth understanding of their attitudes and behaviours (Harrison and Ansell, 2002). The heterogeneous market is divided into smaller more homogeneous groups to meet speciï ¬ c needs with a corresponding business model (Jenkins and McDonald, 1997). Market segmentation relies, in the ï ¬ nancial industry, largely on socio-demographic information to deï ¬ ne segments for speciï ¬ c services (Harrison, 2000). It is questionable  ¨ as to how appropriate they are (Jorg, 2005), therefore in this study, selected aspects of ï ¬ nancial affairs such as routines and attitudes are gathered to gain insights towards signiï ¬ cant behavioural patt erns. The objective in this research is to examine the extent to which a broad range of private investors can be classiï ¬ ed into a small number of clusters in order to learn about group-speciï ¬ c needs in ï ¬ nancial affairs. More than 1,200 participants in Switzerland have answered our questionnaire with a response rate of 79 per cent. Unlike some other studies in this ï ¬ eld (e.g. Lim and Teo, 1997; Wood and Zaichkowsky, 2004), this survey is not limited to students, but includes a broader range of the public. Instead of focusing solely on savings behaviour (EBRI, 2002; MacFarland et al., 2003), the present study embraces a wider scope of daily ï ¬ nancial concerns. Thereby factor analysis exposes ï ¬ ve underlying dimensions: anxiety, interests in ï ¬ nancial issues, decision styles, need for precautionary savings, and spending tendency. We demonstrate that our respondents can, based on these dimensions, be classiï ¬ ed into ï ¬ ve distinct groups by cluster analysis where from cluster I to V, the need for action for a better handling of ï ¬ nancial matters increases: for example, the â€Å"Gut-feeling followers† show a intuitive way of decision taking, disinterest in ï ¬ nancial subjects and a lack of awareness for the need of provision which make it difï ¬ cult to argue for or to initiate remedial action. Each cluster raises key issues in meeting their needs and allows for guidance to design and adapt instruments to assist in speciï ¬ c ï ¬ nancial requirements. To illustrate how ï ¬ nancial behaviour can be modiï ¬ ed to improve personal ï ¬ nance speciï ¬ cally for each group, examples from the area of retirement savings, an important part of daily ï ¬ nancial management, are chosen (Clark-Murphy and Soutar, 2005). Linear regression further reveals that the clusters highlight socio-demographic characteristics and help generate a better understanding, although one socio-demographic factor alone does not offer enough information to detect cluster membership. The main theoretical contribution of this paper is that we segment the investors based on the revealed dimensions in attitudes (e.g., level of anxiety), together with the self-stated ï ¬ nance-related behavioural pattern (e.g., spending tendency). In this way we could identify the speciï ¬ c needs and provide different services to each subgroup. Theoretical background and literature review Individuals show considerable deviation from the expectation of rational behaviour implied by ï ¬ nancial models (Barberis, 2003). Being conscious of the empirical limitations of the homo economicus model for exploring the behaviour of private individuals, behavioural ï ¬ nance broadens the view by combining knowledge from psychology and economics ( Camerer and Loewenstein, 2004). Our study belongs to this area. However, instead of focusing on particular anomalies and biases that individuals succumb to, such as overconï ¬ dence and procrastination (Biais et al., 2005; O’Donoghue and Rabin, 1998), we broaden the scope under review by studying general patterns when dealing with ï ¬ nancial issues. Market segmentation In the ï ¬ nancial services industry, market segmentation is a common method to understand better and serve the diverse customer base with its wide-ranging needs and various behaviours (Speed and Smith, 1992). Competitive pressures from deregulation of the ï ¬ nancial services market increase the requirement for market orientation and a more intimate knowledge of the market and its segments (Gunnarsson and Wahlund, 1997). Previous research has shown that there are various beneï ¬ ts from taking a segmented approach to the marketplace: a better serving of customer requirements; a tailoring of offerings; and higher customer satisfaction (Harrison and Ansell, 2002). It can increase customer retention and create loyalty and long-term relationships that positively affect performance (Martenson, 2008). Market segmentation aims to recognise patterns of ï ¬ nancial behaviour, identiï ¬ ed by studied segment predictors to group individuals into segments according to their product needs (Harrison, 2000). Yet, marketing in the ï ¬ nancial services industry today is still predominantly based on socio-demographic features like gender and age which are easy to identify and easy to apply in the composition of groups (Machauer and Morgner, 2001). A prediction of needs from socio-demographic characteristics cannot be assumed; therefore these widely used a priori segmentations are under review (Speed and Smith, 1992). In contrast, post hoc methods entail the grouping of respondents according to their responses to particular variables, focusing on customer motivations (i.e. needs/behaviour) that are more likely to result in a service based on individual n eed (Durkin, 2005). In research, behavioural segmentation is increasingly found (Elliott and Glynn, 1998; Soper, 2002), although researchers continue to concentrate on the ï ¬ nancial behaviour of speciï ¬ c groups and selective variables  ¨ (Warneryd, 2001). This study focuses on the general population, giving a more holistic view of personal ï ¬ nancial management activities and taking attitudes and behaviour into account. Individual investors The literature on individual economic behaviour often focuses narrowly on speciï ¬ c  ¨ areas such as risk attitudes (Warneryd, 1999; Wood and Zaichkowsky, 2004) or saving (Normann and Langer, 2002; Thaler and Benartzi, 2004). Other ï ¬ elds of research target investment in securities (Barber and Odean, 2001; Brennan, 1995; Keller and Siegrist, 2006) or focus on speciï ¬ c segments such as occupational groups (e.g., dentists and  ¨ managers (Jorg, 2005)). Speciï ¬ c ï ¬ nancial issues or situations, however, are not indicative of an individual’s behavioural and attitudinal disposition toward ï ¬ nance. Rather an interest in ï ¬ nances or having certain habits related to managing one’s ï ¬ nancial means may indeed be a moderating factor to learn about behaviours and needs (Loix et al., 2005). The attitudes and behaviours toward ï ¬ nances regarded in this study focus on individual ï ¬ nancial management behaviour. It is a topic with important implications that has not been sufï ¬ ciently examined in ï ¬ nancial and economic behavioural studies (Loix et al., 2005). The subject is not covered by the extensive research on individual’s attitudes and habits towards money, as such studies focus on the meaning of money (Lim and Teo, 1997) or basic values concerning money in general as an abstract concept (Raich, 2008), and not on an individuals’ ways of dealing with his or her personal ï ¬ nance. Previous studies of private investors have used mainly behaviour-based criteria or attitudes and do not combine both aspects (Keller and Siegrist, 2006) that are the focus of this study. This study is not product-linked but wider ranging in that it examines the self-stated ï ¬ nancial attitudes and behaviour of individual investors. Attitudes and behaviours A frequently discussed question in research is to what extent attitudes predict behaviour. A direct relationship between attitudes and behaviour has often been found to be weak, but difï ¬ culties in ï ¬ nding a strong relationship might derive from  ¨ differences in deï ¬ nition and measurement (Warneryd, 1999). The more speciï ¬ c the attitude is the better are the chances of ï ¬ nding a substantial correlation with behaviour if behaviour is also deï ¬ ned as a speciï ¬ c act (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980). Therefore, deï ¬ ned questions or attitudes can have predictive power and a higher correlation of attitude to-wards behaviour has been conï ¬ rmed in studies (in a comprehensive  ´ meta-analysis: Glasman and AlbarracÄ ±n, 2006; Tesser and Shaffer, 1990). A further question is the beneï ¬ t of knowledge concerning behaviour. Whilst behaviour changes over time, there is a popular assertion that â€Å"past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour† (Ajzen, 1991, p. 202). It is a reï ¬â€šection of these ideas that leads to attitudes and behaviour being explored in this paper. Financial needs segmentation Several typologies concerning the ï ¬ nancial affairs of private investors can be found in the previous literature, but with more speciï ¬ c approaches: se gmentations are based on ï ¬ nancial maturity and knowledge (Harrison, 1994), provision for retirement (Gough and Sozou, 2005) or savings strategies (Gunnarsson and Wahlund, 1997). Loix et al. (2005) come closest to the focus of this study with the question of orientation towards ï ¬ nances but their goal is to develop a measurement scale for individual’s ï ¬ nancial management. In this study, we examine the self-stated ï ¬ nancial attitudes and behaviour through a broader basis and do not restrict ourselves only to questions concerning risk or saving. We apply the methodology of cluster analysis to identify groups of private investors in order to obtain insight into the enforcing or modifying of speciï ¬ c behaviour. Cluster analysis has become a common tool in marketing and is a well-adopted method for market segmentation as well as the applied factor analysis apparent in this paper (Punj and Stewart, 1983). The aim of the present study is to obtain a better understanding of people’s needs in ï ¬ nancial matters to provide adequate services and products. This study, based on ï ¬ nancial service consumers, identiï ¬ es distinct motivational clusters that were independent of the more established socio-demographic segmentation variables used in targeting and communicating by ï ¬ nancial institutions. This study demonstrates that, by segmenting respondents on the basis of a broader range of ï ¬ nancial attitudes and behaviour, a yield of clearly interpretable proï ¬ les can be realised and is helpful to identify those people in most need of professional ï ¬ nancial advice. This research suggests that customer’s ï ¬ nancial proï ¬ les may be useful in predicting their response to new products as well as persuading them to use existing services for the speciï ¬ c beneï ¬ ts they value. Participants and questionnaire The data come from a questionnaire that wa s completed by 1,282 respondents from various regions of the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The respondents were recruited from two sources: 53 per cent of the participants (n  ¼ 680) were clients seeking consulting advice from a Swiss ï ¬ nancial planning company, together with participants in courses in ï ¬ nancial training within the same ï ¬ rm (convenient sample). The second source was employed to avoid a client bias in the study. A total of 602 study subjects (47 per cent of the total study) were identiï ¬ ed through a combination of â€Å"quota[1] and snowball[2] sampling procedures† (Vogt, 2005) so that its composition in terms of sex, age, and other demographic characteristics came close to reï ¬â€šecting the respective proportions in Switzerland. Although not every member of the population is equally likely to be selected, the sample is composed of a wide variety of backgrounds. The diversity came from such groups as participants in a study relating to ï ¬ nancial literacy, and from different sources such as a nursing home, a group of university students, a group of teachers, company employees from four Swiss companies unrelated to the ï ¬ nancial services sector, a group of self-employed people, participants in a course for the unemployed, and a group made up of parents. The questionnaire was designed in German. Participants were ï ¬ rst asked to give their self-assessment by answering 17 questions on their ï ¬ nancial behavioural practice or attitude towards ï ¬ nancial affairs. The response format is a ï ¬ ve-point-Likert-type scale with â€Å"absolutely† and â€Å"not at all† at the two ends of the question spectrum. Subsequently, the questionnaire contains questions concerning socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, career stage, and education[3]. The age of participants ranges from 18 to 84 years old, with 58.9 per cent between 36 and 65 years old (n  ¼ 755). The natural demographic balance of men and women is reï ¬â€šected in the sample with 49.3 per cent men (n  ¼ 632) and 50.7 per cent women (n  ¼ 650). The proportion of people with a university degree or equivalent is 46.6 per cent (n  ¼ 598), whereas 33.8 per cent participants (n  ¼ 433) obtained an apprenticeship (up to ï ¬ ve years). There are 14.5 per cent participants (n  ¼ 186) who have a high school diploma as the highest educational level, whereas 5.1 per cent participants (n  ¼ 65) have only attended secondary school. There are 10.5 per cent (n  ¼ 135) participants who were studying at a university or at another institute of higher education at the time of our survey. Methodology and results Factor analysis As the ï ¬ rst step we conducted an exploratory factor analysis, a principal component analysis, in order to determine the underlying dimensions of the ï ¬ nancial attitudes and behavioural tendencies. The chosen solution with ï ¬ ve principal components was constructed using the varimax rotation technique and can explain 53.3 per cent of the total variance. Different opinions concerning what constitut es a high loading are found in the literature, e.g. 0.3 (Gardner, 2001). Here, the rotated factor loading of 0.5 was chosen as a threshold.

Social criticism through science fiction literature

Social criticism through science fiction literature Science fiction frequently involves social criticism. The use of social criticism is an author’s interest in addressing specific political, social, cultural, economic or religious issues in their work. When reading or critiquing these stories, it is necessary to see what the author might be saying about our lives, our society, our political and power relations, gender roles, or sexuality. Every author has a point to make, and may make use of social criticism as a means to this end. In the short story, â€Å"Baby, You Were Great!† by Kate Wilhelm, she employs one of the best ways to critique society, by playing with gender roles. This story was written in 1967, when sexism was rampant and her interpretation of women as commodities seems very timely. The story also works as a commentary on the future of media, celebrity, and the various forms of vicarious pleasure that can be acquired from our new technologies and the myriad fantasies that these technologies permit. Obviously, this story predates our current reality shows, which have become so popular. Nonetheless, it was a harbinger of things to come. This seems to be attributable to the universal human need to feel and experience novelty, and technology’s ability to allow humans to do so much more than their physical bodies may allow. Who doesn’t wonder what it is like to have some of the experiences that people have on these shows? Another, more obvious way that science fiction comments on society is through the relationship between man and technology. These stories are usually used to caution us against an over-dependence on technology. Humanity is seen as always searching for the next thing that can make our lives easier, but sometimes things can go radically wrong. For instance, in â€Å"I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream,† by Harlan Ellison, computers were created by humans to fight their wars. Somehow they join together into one linked and unified computer called AM, who discovers sentience. He quickly runs data to kill everyone on Earth except for five survivors with whom he plays out his sadistic and revenge-filled mind games. The goal of his game is not to actually kill them, but to torment them and to continue to torture them forever. Moreover, AM has acquired hatred for his creators. Obviously AM is only reflecting the traits that were inherent in the society that created him. The story demonst rates that there is a little piece of AM in all of us. AM is the watcher and Punisher. He is the terminator that cannot stop, for that is his job. The reader can feel and empathize with the survivor’s ongoing state of misery, apprehension and fear. In conclusion, the ending is pretty horrific with Ted ending up a slug-like, mouthless blob with no extremities. It is nice to know that Ted does care about the others because he frees them by killing them, leaving himself alone to face the music. The story shows us what we can look forward to if we choose to hand over our choices and our control, to the semi-sentient machine of government. This whole catastrophe happened due to a global world war. It is a warning as valid today as it was when this story was written, back when people realized that we should not be in Vietnam and anti-war sentiment had finally begun to spread on a mass scale. We lost that one too. Finally, Harlan Ellison comments on social control and regulation in the short story â€Å"Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman, which was published in 1965. The story describes the Marxist perspective of the inherent class warfare and contradictions that are part and parcel of a society subjugated and oppressed by a dominant ruling class. In any class society, there will be a dominant ideology, made up of the ideas and institutions which favor the ruling class. Ticktockman and Harlequin personify the struggles between law and order and personal freedom, as well as the paramount conflict between forced discipline and creative individuality. Specifically, it seems to have been written to protest the rigid bureaucracy ruled by an equally unfeeling social elite. It shows what can happen in the future if the world resorts to coerced labor forces and obsession with time. People then were already addicted to mass consumption and many countries were/are under totalitarian rule. At the e nd of the story, it is ironic that Ticktockman is even guilty of not being on time. The Harlequin is the solitary person who refuses to be controlled. Indeed, disruptive and rebellious, Harlequin is the obvious deviant because he is the only human being who goes against the powers that be. In short, the theme of the story basically shows how useless protest usually is in achieving social change. Only the great, tragic, jelly bean showering clown had the guts to go against the status quo of the government, only to be forcibly reprocessed by the ruling hierarchy and forced into conformity. All three stories exemplify the authors’ use of particular social issues to comment on and criticize many of man’s ongoing dilemmas that underscore the volatile state of the world and our place in it. Of particular importance is how we treat one another in a world so obsessed with consumerism, sex, power, and money. It is time for a reassessment of what is truly important as we trudge into an uncertain future. Question 3 During the 1950s and 1960s, the United States was in the midst of the Cold War with Russia, also known also as the Red Scare and McCarthyism. Americans had a fear of the communist regime taking over the U.S. Senator McCarthy investigated government employees and the Hollywood film industry in search of communist sympathizers. America had also gone to war with Korea, and the Vietnam War was spiraling out of control. In addition, the Soviets had launched Sputnik, so we were rivals in many areas. Subsequently, these mostly unfounded fears spurred conservatism and the compromising of many civil liberties. Many of the science fiction stories played on these fears. According to many people, the 1950s and 1960s is when science fiction â€Å"grew up.† I concur with this assessment. During the 1950s, science fiction was finally getting some respect by literary scholars. People were beginning to see that science fiction fantasy was actually becoming scientific fact. Many inventions which had been predicted in earlier pulp novels, such as the atomic bomb, transistor radios, ATM’s, the computer mouse, and television were now a reality. With the coming of the 1960s a radical change, known as the New Wave, took place in science fiction. These stories were about everyday people being influenced by science and concerned itself more with sex and violence than with the science itself. Without a doubt, it was a reaction against earlier science fiction. This New Wave created a more urbane and metaphoric style of science fiction much different from the past. Also, during this time, America was going through a cultural revolution known as the â€Å"Psychedelic Sixties.† Young people broke society’s rules in every imaginable way, especially through rock music and fashion. They rejected the establishments mores and manners. The hippie counter-culture was born. They were embracing new ideas, thoughts, and inspiration from the world around them because they had grown up in a changing society influenced now by drugs, as well as science and technology. They saw the first space flights and watched as the first man walked on the moon. Thus, science fiction matured along with society, incorporating these new influences which now appealed to adults, not just kids. Based on what we have read so far, I am in total agreement with the notion that it was during this time period that science fiction â€Å"grew up.† In short, these last series of stories demonstrate this maturation process. Stories such as â€Å"Baby, You Were Great,† which dealt with sexism, reflected the 1960s women’s rights movement, and the changing cultural and social climate of that era. Repent, Harlequin! Said The Ticktockman,† by Harlan Ellison, can be seen to epitomize the young hippies and other young adults’ aversion to being forced to be puppets of the ruling elite and drafted into the military as agents in a war they did not believe in. According to Timothy Leary, people were advised to Turn On, Tune In, and Drop Out. That is what the Harlequin did, but to no avail. Like the hippies, he succumbed to the powers that be. At least he valiantly tried, and who doesn’t like a clown?

Franz Schubert Composing The Erlkonig Poem English Literature Essay

Franz Schubert Composing The Erlkonig Poem English Literature Essay This essay will compare and contrast four Lieder by Schubert and Schumann. Firstly, I will be referring to Schuberts Erlkà ¶nig and Gretchen am Spinnrade. Secondly, I will be referring to Schumanns Dichterliebe Op.48 and Liederkreis Op.24. Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was an Austrian composer who, more than any other, was noted for his artistic skill in Lieder. He arrived into the music scene in 1814 with one of his first songs, Gretchen am Spinnrade which is a selection of text from Goethes Faust. Schubert produced many masterpieces throughout his short career, composing in nearly every genre, all which was characterized by strong, rich harmonies and having an endless gift for melody. Schubert initially started out as a vocalist where he sang at the chapel of The Imperial Court. Eventually he explored composition and became known as a young genius. After Schuberts voice broke in 1812, he was directed by his father to become a school teacher and follow in his footsteps, even though he was committed to his passion of composing. He worked miserably by day while composing profusely by night and at the age of 20, Schubert had written over 100 songs as well as various operatic, symphonic, and chamber music scores. Throughout the rest of his short life, Schubert produced a large quantity of operas, symphonies, piano sonatas, chamber music pieces, and masses. He is known first and foremost for composing hundreds of songs including his most popular works Gretchen am Spinnrade, and Erlkà ¶nig. He greatly affected Robert Schumann and Gustav Mahlers vocal writing. Erlkà ¶nig is a poem written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) in 1782. It is part of his singspiel Der Fischerin and is easily one of his most familiar works from the German song repertoire; it gave Schubert his most known dramatic ballad to date. Goethe was a German poet, dramatist and novelist. He was one of the most important literary and cultural figures of his age, impacting Germany like Shakespeare impacted us. He studied law in Leipzig and Strasbourg, but worked as a newspaper critic after returning to Frankfurt in 1771. He moved to Weimar and became a court official and a privy councillor. However, what sustained his reputation was his literary works, and his relationship with music. Erlkà ¶nig was composed between August and December 1815 and published in 1821 as Schuberts Opus 1. It tells the tale of a father and his son riding through the woods late at night. The boy is only able to see the evil Erl-king (Erlkà ¶nig), and not his father. The Erl-king calls out to the young child, playing with his mind. The boy cries out for his fathers help many of times, but as the father cannot see the Erl-king or his demons, he takes his sons behaviour as a one natural occurrence. When the boy is wounded, the father then realises that desperate measures are called for, he rides through the woods with all his strength and skill, but the boy dies in his arms before he reaches a safer place. Schubert, while working as a school teacher composed nearly 145 lieder and numerous instrumental works in the year of 1815. Erlkà ¶nig gained many stories during the nineteenth century; one being that some people believed it was composed in a matter of minutes. It took Schubert three times to revise his song, he mostly adjusted the piano accompaniment and inserted/deleted bars in the music to somewhat better the pacing. He played about with the dynamics, altering them greatly each time. The piano accompaniment, known to be physically tiring and very difficult keeps a continuous background of repeated, triplet octaves creating a horror theme. Schubert simplified the figuration in one of his revisions, asking for duplets instead of triplets. While the piano accompaniment continues the three characters and narrator sing their simple lines. Each character is given their own unique quality: the child is frenzied and emotional, the father dignified and confident, Erlkà ¶nig himself tranquil and attractive as he attempts to trick the child. The song is usually sung by one vocalist, but on occasion, four separate singers have performed it. The narrator sings in middle range and is kept in a minor key throughout, the father sings in low range and sings in both minor and major keys, the boy sings in a high range, also in a minor key, signifying the fright of the child and the Erl-kings vocal part is in the major key resulting in a contrast as the piano accompaniment is minor , his part is sung pianissimo and undulates up and down to the accompaniment, portraying a sneaky persuasiveness. The horse is implied through the piano accompaniment by the rapid triplets, which represent the horses galloping. As the drama unfolds, the boy becomes more and more terrified, this is shown as the character sings in a much higher register, the harsh dissonances occur as the child cries, Mein Vater, mein Vater! The music quickens towards the end, portraying an image of the father desperately trying to encourage his horse to go faster. It is only at the very end of the song that the piano accompaniment ceases and that the horse has come to a halt, as the narrator states in a bit of skilled recitative that the child was dead in his arms. The piano accompaniment then ends with a dramatic perfect cadence. Gretchen am Spinnrade was composed by Schubert on October 19, 1814. The poem is taken from Part 1 of Goethes enormous recasting of the Faust legend, which finds Gretchen sitting at her window waiting for her lover to return. She spins as she waits for him and Schubert translates the imagination of her foot rising and falling on the pedal, the wheel rotation, and the semi-quaver piano accompaniment showing the twisting of the thread. Schuberts composition seems to be a simple background for the poem, but doesnt just portray the spinning wheel; it also represents Gretchens restlessness. Schubert creates this tension by moving through different key changes, from D minor, then to E minor and finally to F minor. In addition, he alters the text so that the opening lines keep returning throughout the song, which pull the harmony back to the original key. The first stanza of the song reads My peace is gone, my heart is heavy, I shall never, never again find peace. This sets a sad atmosphere for the rest of the piece, and Schubert composed the accompaniment so that it would sound sad along with the text, beginning the song in D minor. At the climax of the song, the accompaniment stops with a fortissimo ascent when Gretchen thinks of her lovers kiss. She stops spinning completely, and its only after several faltering efforts that she is able to regain full composure and resume her spinning. Robert Schumann (1810- 856) was one of the great composers of the early romantic era. He was uncomfortable with writing symphonies and concertos, the larger musical forms, but still composed works in these genres which contain moments of great beauty. He preferred to express his talent in songs and short pieces for piano. Schumann had an ability to translate deep and delicate states of the soul. He did this in works such as the song cycle Dichterliebe by Heinrich Hein which means A Poets Love and in his collections of short piano pieces, which include Phantasiestà ¼cke (Fantastic Pieces), Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), and Waldszenen (Forest Scenes). Schumann began playing the piano at the young age of 10, after being encouraged by his father to pursue his musical and literary talents. In 1828, he became a law student at the University of Leipzig, even though he preferred music, philosophy, and Leipzigs taverns. He also started piano lessons with well-known Leipzig piano teacher, Friedrich Wieck. Schumann became a compulsive womanizer and a heavy drinker. He failed to become a concert pianist when he became partially paralysed in his right hand. Wieck had a daughter, Clara, who grew up and fell in love with Schumann but her father didnt approve. Despite his opposition, Clara and Robert gained the legal right to marry in 1840. Heinrich Hein (1797-1856) was a German poet and critic. He received his early education at the Lyzeum in Dà ¼sseldorf and went to Hamburg in 1816 to work in the banking office of his uncle, Salomon Heine. The business failed in 1819 and he entered the University of Bonn attending August Wilhelm Schlegels lectures on literature. He matriculated as a law student in 1820 at the University of Gà ¶ttingen but ended up getting suspended for participating in a duel. He continued his studies in Berlin between the years of 1821 and 1823. Heines poetry was used by all the major composers of the 19th century and by some minor figures as well. His verses were also popular in music well into the 20th century, and the 19th century witnessed the production of approximately 8000 lieder on Heine texts. It was the year 1840 when Schumann launched his year of song with a Liederkreis (op.24) on a poetic cycle from the Junge Leiden section of the Buch der Lieder. For his Dichterliebe, he selected 16 poems from the Lyrisches Intermezzo. Schumann set 43 of Heines verses. Dichterliebe was composed during the year of 1840 and apparently in a matter of days. It was composed during the same month that Schumann wrote his Liederkreis, Op 24. The texts originate from 16 poems from the Lyrisches Intermezzo which is a section of Heinrich Heines Buch der Lieder which was wrote in 1827. The song cycle originally held 20 songs, but when it was published as Op. 48 in 1844, four songs were omitted. In the opening poems, Im wunderschà ¶nen Monat Mai which translates to In the Wonderful Month of May and Aus meinen Trà ¤nen spriessen, Springing from my tears, optimistic imagery of springtime and birds singing is featured. Schumann used to end the vocal line of a song hanging on a dissonant chord, and the piano would complete the rest of the piece. In Im wunderschà ¶nen Monat Mai, Schumann ends the piano accompaniment also on an unresolved chord, this suggests that the love the singer is showing may remain unreturned. In the fifth song of the cycle, the speaker now sings in the past tense, instead of the present. The seventh song, which is Ich grolle nicht, has a decidedly sardonic tone. The accompaniment has a powerful bass line which supports a repeated chordal right hand part, while the singer sings in a royal, heroic tone. However, the text pretends to have austerity in order to cover its suffering. I saw you in a dream, and saw the darkness trapped in your soul, and saw the serpent that gnaws at your heart; I saw, my love, how miserable you are. Schumanns accompaniment makes it clear that the miserable one is the speaker, and not his beloved. In the conclusion of the collection, the speakers tone is fed-up and all pretence is gone. The music in Die alten, bà ¶sen Lieder sounds ploddy and unrelenting in its rhythm and figuration, it also sounds dark. Ascending arpeggios break the minor key into a brief major mode, only to find an ironic answer in minor once again. In the end of the song, the singers final, sorrowful strains fade and a last piano postlude offers a sense of rest, not found anywhere in Heines original.

The Bridge Of San Luis Ray Essay -- essays research papers

Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) The Bridge of San Luis Rey The Bridge of San Luis Rey, by Thornton Wilder, presents the ancient dilemma of whether tragedy is the result of chance or a manifestation of divine intervention. It explores the lives of five people and reveals their internal struggles for survival. The sadness that is created by the undying love of the Marquesa de Montemayor for her daughter, Esteban for his twin brother, Manual and Uncle Pio for the vain actress, Camilla Perichole, is so overwhelming in its enormity, that when tragedy strikes, we feel relief that their suffering is finally over. The scene is set in Lima, Peru, in 1714. One afternoon, an ancient bridge broke sending five people to their deaths. Brother Juniper, a Franciscan monk, witnesses this catastrophe and believes he can prove the existence of divine intervention. The first person is the Marquesa de Montemayor along with her servant and companion, Pepita. The Marquesa’s love for her daughter is not returned which sends her into a state of borderline psychosis. She begins to drink heavily and neglects to take care of the most important things in her life. One night while Pepita lay sleeping, the Marquesa is struck with the realization that her love for her daughter is a selfish love and she decides to renounce this love and begin a new life. Esteban and Manuel are orphaned twins found on the steps of a convent and raised by Maria del Pilar. When Manuel dies of an infection, Esteban is in despair and is about to embark on a new life with Captain Alvarado when he crosses the bridge. Camilla Perichole did not die on the bridge but was a victim nonetheless. Uncle Pio, friend and confidant of the Perichole, takes her son to educate him in the Arts and literature. The two never make it across the bridge. The Perichole is a famous actress who plays an important role in the story. â€Å"She is the axis, as it were, around which everything turns†(Stresau 23). She weaves the threads of the story together with her â€Å"passions and perversities†(Fadiman 338). The Perichole is a very selfish woman who indirectly causes the death of Manuel, Esteban’s brother, by destroying his will to live. When Manuel falls in love with the Perichole, the love the brothers' share becomes tainted and is forever destroyed. The only time that Manuel admits this is when he is in a state of such pain, he lashes out: ... ... of tragedy and lets her be the diamond in the rough. She is the one person whose vision is unaltered from the very beginning of the book and to her the other survivors draw their own courage. Camilla Perichole was in such pain over the loss Uncle Pio and her son Don Jaime, that she could no longer live in solitude. She desperately wished to be able to tell them one last time of her love for them. She sought out Maria del Pilar who accepted her with open arms and without judgment. â€Å"I fail everybody,† she cried. â€Å"They love me and I fail them†(Wilder 143). The Marquesa de Montemayor’s daughter, Dona Clara, also came in search of redemption. Her guilt of not returning her mother’s love was consuming her and she wished to be punished. Dona Clara and Camille Perichole began to find new meaning in their lives by helping Maria del Pilar take care of those less fortunate them themselves. The question still remains. Was it an accident or by design? It is best to leave the mystery in place, for to answer it dissolves the meaning of the book. Just knowing that some good came out of a catastrophic event brings pleasure to one’s heart and leaves us believing that it really does not matter.

The Significance of Language in Richard Wright’s Black Boy :: Wright Black Boy Essays

The Significance of Language in Richard Wright’s Black Boy Richard Wright had the "privilege" to experience America society, probably, at its worst. He saw how humans had the ability to treat other humans. His autobiography tells the tale, but it also gives life to words, to language. Wright had a gift for writing and he uses many techniques to bring that writing to life; for example, the exchange of words between whites and blacks gives the reader insight as to how much respect each race held for each other, or the degree of imagery he uses to bring the book to life. Both of these techniques show how language-words set us apart in society. Back in the 1920's there were lines set before a black man that he was expected not to cross. Blacks were looked down upon in American society; not just by whites, but by everyone, including Jews. When a white person spoke to a black person, that white person expected and demanded respect from that black person. And if the kind of respect that was sought after was given, then you might as well run and never come back. Richard saw this in his everyday life, it was normal, and he conveys it in his writing. For instance, when Richard is arguing with his principal about his valedictorian speech the language that comes from Richard is full of anger and resentment; however, though his tone sings one tune, his words sing a totally different one. The words that Richard spits out at his principal are filled with a certain respect that is not practiced or learned but built in. In any place that Richard ever worked or visited if and when he encountered a white man or woman he removed his hat an d always answered with "yes or no ma'am" or "yes or no sir". That kind of respect and speech had always been around and was assumed around. Richard knew that if you were black and in the white-world you didn't speak until spoken to; and this can be found all through Black Boy. Imagery, Richard uses a plethora of it throughout his book. It is the collection of images that helps you see what Richard is trying to show the world. When Richard is arguing with his principal, you can picture it perfectly.... This tall skinny black boy standing in a small office arguing with this red faced fat white man who is sitting at a desk.

Sartre, Jean Paul. Existence precedes essence Essay

Existence precedes essence Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As much as Existentialism is a philosophy, existentialist emphasize on artistic creation as a crucial aspect of existence. As an outcome, Sartre often chose to combine both points of aesthetic concerns and that of philosophy in short stories and novels. Unlike the fiction of Sartre, the philosopher fiction is not mythical or allegorical, but it is a straightforward plan of his philosophical arguments. The dependence on artistic creation to understand oneself becomes Roquentin’s final cure to his Nausea. Rather than anguish, the inspirational piece of music gives him a reason to confront the bare existence of things and put them down in his novel.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sartre slogan of existence precedes essence serve to bring out what is most distinctive of existentialism. The idea that non-formal account of what it relates to be human, can be given since its meaning is decided and existing by itself. Existence in a situation is self-making in itself, it constitutes that identity is formed neither by nature nor by culture (Sartre 95). The main theme of Sartre’s novel results from his belief that existence precedes essence. Rouquentin unsuspectingly gives a clear distinction between the intimate objects or a being in itself and the consciousness of the human. For instance, when he gives a stance on the purple bartender’s suspenders, he is distraught to find that they appear blue in some parts. Sartre’s feeling of Nausea comes from moments like this when he is forming the essence or of the characteristics of the objects he glances at. He understands that color is an idea and purple is just a term that is used to describe something that Sartre has never come across in his entire life. He concludes that the essence of the objects is comforting that hides the unthinkable truth of existence. In effect, while having a close look at the Chestnut root tree, Roquentin finds out that the root first existed. Sartre attributed an essence to it by terming it as black (43).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Every new discovery that Roquentin makes continues from the epiphany that existence precedes essence. He thinks that the presence of overwhelming and fearful presence of existence is too much for individuals to handle. People ignore it and hide it by only seeing its essence. He therefore identifies the power of a being for itself to choose its own essence, just as the object decides what color it is. Because of the choice, Sartre strongly believed that the human race was fundamentally free to do whatsoever they felt to do regardless of the restricted mandate they had before. Indeed Roquentin continued to state that he wants freedom, freedom that will make things around the world become a reality. But with the freedom, it goes a great deal by the responsibility of one’s action. Sartre strongly believed that the staggering responsibility makes people anxious and inevitably leads one to a path that denies them to a world with no freedo m and responsibility (Sartre 123). They total perceive themselves as total slaves on the hands of humans. For instance, Anny is afraid to take an action because she does not want to have the responsibility of breaking with her past. Responsibility condemns people to be free an earlier explanation by Sartre.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The broader themes of free will and time will also recur Roquentin’s search for the cause his Nausea. The inner desire to be self-sufficient and free provokes Roquentin’s to abandon the research that he started on the Marquis de Rellebon. He finds out that he has been attempting to resuscitate Rollebon in order to have justification on his own existence. He decides that the past life does not have meaning and that the concept does not exist. Instead, Roquentina embraces the present life as the only where things started and existed. He thinks that human emphasize their past in order to take a break from existence. For instance, when Anny terms herself in relation to the human Roquentin used to be. As Sartre explained earlier in the novel, this is an example of faith that is unacceptable to the human fraternity (65). Anny rejects her freedom to choose how own essence because the responsibility means a lot to her. She believes r esponsibility comes with the belief she has had during the past and present life (Sartre 45). Responsibility provides a vast array of opportunities that makes her feel recognized in the community. Roquentin also thinks that people give tales so as to put time in a standard measure and linear order, trying to grasp time by the tail. In effect while studying Rollebon, Roquentin not only deceived his own self by thinking   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rollebon was like him, but he could clearly understand and evaluate himself through the intermediary of a dead human being. Roquentin’s past rejection causes him to embrace the existence of the future and present. Roquentin’s wants to be successful in whatever he does not looking back at what hindered him at one point not to achieve his desired dreams and goals. He constantly repeats he exists and mocks the multitude of people in Bouville who in turn refuse to recognize their own existence (Sartre28). Later, he discovers existence is a deflection of his own self. He realizes that existence in nature is contingent and that there is no necessary reason for anything to come into existence. If evolution was to take place over and over again, the results would be completely different. Instead of the reasons, he found nothingness, an empty space that paradoxically comes into existence. Sartre uses the theme to criticize the individ ualism emphasis on the rational world with human existence as its main point of focus and reason (78). It is seen that human beings are accidental offspring’s to nature. Rather than surrender to nausea, Roquentin confronts his existential anguish in the broader face of nothingness. Although it cannot be clearly seen by him, nothingness is a force that makes up a purposeless reality which usually inspires action. Artistic creation emerges as a way of survival. Sartre asserts his freedom in defining his own essence by putting words down to the novels.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is well examined that Jean Paul Sartre notion of the absurd, it is clearly seen in his philosophy and novel (76). The connection show that Sartre takes certain characteristics arises from the character Anny the Camus does the same to the character of Roquentin. The analogy used is circumscribed as a basic tenet of existentialist humor which consists of the historical irony. The powerful and distinct shape of Sartre literature and life certainly simplifies and reinforces the basic tenet. The theme exhibited by Sartre clearly helps one to understand the connection of the real world and that of existence precedes essence. References Sartre, Jean Paul. Nausea. New York: New Directions Publishing, 2013. Print Source document

Business Report

It is specialized in the selling of clothing, home products and luxury food products. Indeed, the company concentrate itself on quality products for well off customers. It Is employing more that 85 81 3 person all over the world In 2014 and got a turnover retailer market. II. Findings A. Structure Over its development M&S has changed of structure. It became over the years, a flatter structure organization. Employees got more responsibilities that enable them to take quick decision. They must be prepared to explain and Justify the decision they take.In order to development that structure, M&S has given more importance to the development of employees ‘ careers by set up training and reviewing of skills in concussion session between employees. Moreover, employees are able to create a career planning profile that enables them to focus on their next target role. It shows how M is supporting the development of skills within the company. The aim of this strategy is to make evolve with out interruption the skills of employees and by this improve performance of the company.It brings benefits to both parts for they own development. By training and developing its staff well, Marks & Spencer is in a position to develop a competitive advantage over its competitors. M success is due to its guiding principles: Inspiration – generating new ideas that excite customers, enthuse people and enhance business. Innovation – focusing on continuous improvement, pushing boundaries and encouraging experimentation. Integrity – doing the right thing, not the easy thing; building trust and reinforcing our reputation.In Touch – understanding what's important to customers, the communities in which it works. M&S is also engaged a Policy of Equal Opportunities Policy in order to diversify employees. They promote an environment free from discrimination, harassment to ensure everyone equality of opportunity to achieve their potential. All employment decision is ob jective based on work criteria and individual merit. M&S try to maximize personal and commercial opportunities. M&S think that employees need to be well rewarded for the work.That's why they developed a reward package that's proven to attract, motivate and retain the best people. This package include: Pay – Checking salaries against other companies to make sure of the competitiveness of M&S. Moreover, extra performance is rewarded by increasing pay to recognize individual achievements. Employee discount: Every employee gets a 20 % discount on all in tore and online purchase. Holiday- Employees get a minimum of 28 days ‘statutory holiday per year. Bonus: M give out bonus when the company has good profit. Business Report As a world-leading cosmetic company of Australia and established in 1985, Jurlique has expanded its customers at a staggering rate recently. I have used its products for many years and am one of its loyal customers. Although Jurlique has conducted its businesses beyond Australia and gradually penetrated into many other countries, it neglects an imperative country that can contribute to boost its sales and profits significantly, namely China. Because Jurlique has not entered into Chinese market, every time I come back to China, my relatives and friends always will ask me to bring them its products. Therefore, I am thinking whether Jurlique can expand its businesses into Chinese market so that its loyal customers can purchase its products conveniently and easily. It is widely know that the most unique quality of Jurlique is its natural elements in products. Almost all the other cosmetic products contain various chemical compositions that may potentially have subtle negative influence on customers. However, Jurlique plants raw materials that its products need on its own and provides pure and natural materials for its products, so that these products are environmental friendly. Due to such unique character, Jurlique gradually attracts more and more loyal customers. Thus, for Jurlique, operating its businesses in China becomes increasingly necessary. With Chinese cheap labour, Jurlique can establish factory in China to manufacture its products. And with the assistance of excellent marketing strategies, there is no doubt that Jurlique can achieve huge success in Chinese market. Executive Summary Jurlique can select China to be its target country. As an emerging country, China has the highest GDP growth around the world. This situation means that there are numerous opportunities for various companies to conduct their businesses in this emerging market. Hence, Jurlique can profit from these numerous opportunities by operating its businesses there. Furthermore, owning the largest population around the world, there is no denying that China has significant potential for digesting the products of Jurlique. To be more specific, Chinese people are more affluent than before. It is universally acknowledged that during the economic crisis period, Chinese people contribute the most to continue flourishing luxury industry. And Chinese women lay more emphasis on their faces than before, thereby providing enormous opportunity for cosmetic industry. Consequently, China is an extremely appropriate choice for Jurlique to expand its business. Because Jurlique is a famous brand around the world and and belongs to high-end products. Therefore, it mainly targets its customers in China at affluent people. Although affluent people only account for small part of the whole Chinese people, due to the large population base, there are still a large number of Chinese people to spend money on its products. Jurlique can distribute its products in China mainly through two ways. The first one is online sales. The prevalent online shopping phenomenon in China can help Jurlique reach the most potential customer. The other one is set up counters in shopping malls, which is the most frequent places people go to buy cosmetics. Campaign Strategy It has been mentioned that the main potential customers of Jurlique are affluent women. And those women generally live in such big cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and so on. Therefore, Jurlique can start its business from the Chinese fashion city, namely Shanghai. It is widely known that Shanghai women usually spend more time and money than others on makeup. And then this company can gradually penetrate its business into other cities and take full advantages of Chinese market to expand its businesses, thereby achieving high profits. Undeniably, the giant influence of advertisement can not be ignored and therefore the first step of starting Jurlique's business should be effective advertising. Firstly, appropriate slogan should be made. Because the unique quality of Jurlique is its natural and pure raw material and the main function of its products is make women be beautiful and charming, the brand slogan can be â€Å"for your natural beauty†. As to advertisement, Chinese people should be its models in order to show people directly that products of Jurlique can beautify not only western people but also eastern people. In order to boost its sales effectively and smoothly, Jurlique should conduct some promotions in accordance with local culture. And the most effective promotional method should be advertising (Gabriel, Kottasz, Bennett, 2006). There are a host of ways can be used for advertising. The most effective one is TV advertising. To be more precise, there are numerous fashion programs on TV now and they attract a vast number of fashion people to be their audience. More importantly, some TV stations even specially set up a fashion channel to broadcast fashion related programs. As a consequence, by advertising on these channels, Jurlique can effectively and efficiently cover its target customers as many as possible. Additionally, Jurlique also can advertise on fashion magazines. These magazines have the same target customers as Jurlique and therefore can effectively and efficiently deliver its information to customers. Another advertising way is billboards. They generally should be established in subway station (Low, Mohr, 2000), because in China, the majority of white-collars who can be potential customers of Jurlique are prone to take subway when getting off work. During the time of waiting for trains, people usually have nothing to do. If there are some gorgeous billboards in front of them, they are inclined to staring at these billboards to appreciate their fabulous content. And them, these people may be motivated in large distance to buy the advertised products. In order to make Jurlique operate smoothly in China, this company also should consider the timeline and costs of its expansion. As to timeline, Jurlique can start its business from Shanghai. About several months later, its business can be expanded to Beijing, and then other big cities. Turning to cost, it is one of the most crucial parts for company, because it relates to its profits. For cosmetic business, advertisements usually occupy the most costs, because gorgeous and luxury advertising contents can contribute to consolidate its high-end position and the high price can offset increased cost in advertisement (Mitchel, 1985). As a result, Jurlique can allocate more money on advertising costs than other aspects. Business Report It is specialized in the selling of clothing, home products and luxury food products. Indeed, the company concentrate itself on quality products for well off customers. It Is employing more that 85 81 3 person all over the world In 2014 and got a turnover retailer market. II. Findings A. Structure Over its development M&S has changed of structure. It became over the years, a flatter structure organization. Employees got more responsibilities that enable them to take quick decision. They must be prepared to explain and Justify the decision they take.In order to development that structure, M&S has given more importance to the development of employees ‘ careers by set up training and reviewing of skills in concussion session between employees. Moreover, employees are able to create a career planning profile that enables them to focus on their next target role. It shows how M is supporting the development of skills within the company. The aim of this strategy is to make evolve with out interruption the skills of employees and by this improve performance of the company.It brings benefits to both parts for they own development. By training and developing its staff well, Marks & Spencer is in a position to develop a competitive advantage over its competitors. M success is due to its guiding principles: Inspiration – generating new ideas that excite customers, enthuse people and enhance business. Innovation – focusing on continuous improvement, pushing boundaries and encouraging experimentation. Integrity – doing the right thing, not the easy thing; building trust and reinforcing our reputation.In Touch – understanding what's important to customers, the communities in which it works. M&S is also engaged a Policy of Equal Opportunities Policy in order to diversify employees. They promote an environment free from discrimination, harassment to ensure everyone equality of opportunity to achieve their potential. All employment decision is ob jective based on work criteria and individual merit. M&S try to maximize personal and commercial opportunities. M&S think that employees need to be well rewarded for the work.That's why they developed a reward package that's proven to attract, motivate and retain the best people. This package include: Pay – Checking salaries against other companies to make sure of the competitiveness of M&S. Moreover, extra performance is rewarded by increasing pay to recognize individual achievements. Employee discount: Every employee gets a 20 % discount on all in tore and online purchase. Holiday- Employees get a minimum of 28 days ‘statutory holiday per year. Bonus: M give out bonus when the company has good profit.

Good Habits

Practicing good things in our lives, make us and our surrounding happy. Every individual should engage in good deeds to becomes good human being . There are many tall leaders ,who became our role models. The reason behind their greatness is, indulging themselves in good habits . The habits like, reading books that radiates knowledge and moral , or attending religious ceremonies ,or participating in group sports ,would make a comprehensive or a complete human being .Lets discuss in detail. Firstly, good habits are very essential for leading a harmonious life. if we look in to biography of famous people, we can learn that they had indulge healthy habits like reading books or spending their most of the time in library. Reading enhances our knowledge and perception towards outer world. There are many beautiful books that teach, the proper way of personal and social life. Hence one must cultivate this habit to lead a good life.Secondly, religion teaches the holistic way of life, that incl udes respecting elders and nature . Attending these religious ceremonies will change individual behavior and make them to live a moral and virtue life. Irrespective of any religion, all teaches to become a good human being . By spending some time from our daily life in religious rituals, will inculcate high moral in people. Further more , participating in sports especially in group sports,also help us to construct our personality in positive direction .Playing in team teaches to how to be a part of team, and it also show co-ordination of each other to get success ,it could be in sports or in personal life. To put it in to nut shell,indeed good habits make a good human being . Spending time with good books or attending religious ceremonies ,certainly bring changes in personality . And plying group sports enhance harmony and integrity in our social life. Good Habits Good Habits Did you know that a person can be defined and be judge by his or her appearance. If someone is dirty maybe his personal hygiene or his good habits are not well practiced. A good habit may result to one’s cleanliness and we all know that cleanliness is next to godliness. The assigned person will be using some pictures to show the students the different good habits a person should practice. And every picture the students will be asked to give their opinion about it and reflect to themselves if they are doing the habit indicated in the picture or not. 1. Sleeping early is one good habit to practice.We should always go to bed early to be able to have enough rest for the day and to regain energy for the next day. Because being sleepy in school is not a good attitude a student should have. Growing kids like you should have at least 8-10 hours of sleep for you to be able to grow taller and most especially energetic for the rest of the day. 2. Brushing your teeth. We shoul d brush our pearly white teeth 3 times a day to be able to keep them from cavities. Using dental floss and mouthwash are also required to keep our gums healthy. Also we should visit our family dentist to have our teeth check so that our teeth will be free from cavities.We should take care of our teeth since we use them for eating. 3. Cutting our nails. We should keep our nails clean and short and we should do it weekly. Since our hands are the dirtiest part of our body we should always make sure they are clean. We could also bring alcohol and hand sanitizer to keep our hands and nails clean. 4. Combing our hair. Especially to the girls since we do not want to look like we just got off the bed we should comb our hair to be presentable to others. And also to look beautiful and handsome. 5. Exercising. As children you always play outside so it is a good habit since we stretch and exercise our bodies.And we should not always watch TV and play computer games. Outdoor activities are more fun than indoor activities since as kids you are able to explore your surroundings and appreciate nature. 6. Taking a bath or shower. It is important to be able to keep our bodies clean most especially after playing outdoor games with friends. Also change your underwear regularly, make sure they are clean and also washing of our hands before and after eating. 7. Well balance diet. A well balance meal is always good for our bodies and especially to your growing bodies. We should consult the food pyramid to be able to know how to balance our diet.A meal should compose of Go, Grow, and Glow foods to be able to give our bodies the necessary vitamins, nutrients and minerals for us to be able to do our works and chores for the day. In addition, they will sign an oath stating that they will be practicing the good habits everyday and help their fellow classmate to do the same thing. The oath is indicated below: â€Å"I, (Name) promise to practice the good habits regularly. In addition, I p romise also to help my fellow classmates to do the same thing. † This activity will be submitted next meeting. Also they are required to bring coloring materials for next week’s activity.