The Heart Of Racism, And Tommie Shelby Paper - 1177 Words

Statement of the particular issue to be addressed: What is racism? The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines racism as â€Å"a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race†. Is it actions or beliefs that make someone or something fundamentally racist? These are the main ideas behind J.L.A Garcia’s paper â€Å"The Heart of Racism† and Tommie Shelby paper â€Å"Is Racism in the Heart?† Exposition of the opposed position: According to Garcia racism is defined as â€Å"a vicious kind of racially based disregard for the welfare of certain people, in its central and most vicious form, it is hatred directed against a person or persons on the account of their assigned race† (Garcia; 236). Garcia proposes that in order for a particular action to be considered racist that it needs to be based on the attitudes or desires of the person. Which means that they have harbor ill will for the individual on the sole basis of race. Arguments and reasons supporting that position Garcia states that the advantages to his position by stating: that prejudice is not essential to racism. That some racial prejudice may not be considered inherently racist. Garcia explains â€Å"The beliefs themselves can be called â€Å"racist† in an extended sense because they are characteristically racist. However, just as one may make a move without acting wisely (as when one makes sound investments for stupid reasons), so one may hold

Leadership Approach Paper Ldr 531 Free Essays

Abstract Leadership is an approach taken to guide a significant large group to follow the desired objective of the leader. This paper will explain a leadership approach that has an effect within the organizations today. In addition, explain the strengths and weaknesses of the trait leadership approach. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership Approach Paper Ldr 531 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Leadership Approach Dealing with a competitive and diverse global market in today’s society requires a robust Leader. An organization’s success depends on the strength of its leader. The writer will explain trait approach, one of the major approaches to studying leadership. Trait Leadership Approach Leadership comes natural to some people, as if they were born to be leaders. According to Yukl (2010), early leadership theories attributed managerial success to extraordinary abilities such as tiredness energy, penetrating intuition, uncanny foresight, and persuasive powers. This research failed due to futile research. Since then leadership values effectively been identified and trait approach examines leader values that are relevant for explaining ethical leadership. Strengths and Weakness The main strength of the trait approach is that it relies only on attributes that can be identified and with proper research dictate a leader’s effectiveness. This trait approach examines values of a leader relevant for explaining ethical leadership. The main weakness of the trait approach is to assume that one’s attributes simply determine their strength in leadership. One may have the identifiers of a true leader and fail to have the intelligence or character to implement success. The trait approach requires extensive research measuring the correlation between individual leadership attributes and the criteria of a successful leader. Example of Trait Approach An example of trait approach would be an organization hiring for a specific job position and during the interview choosing attributes that identify this particular person as a leader. Conclusion To conclude, a successful leader has great astuteness and knowledge in what approach needed to guide a populace in achievement of the leaders objective. Effective leadership requires understanding of influence process and power. A successful leader ethically influences others to achieve the common goals of an organization. Throughout the times of history leadership has been defines in many ways with several approached. However, the common denominator of an effective leader is success. References Yukl, G. (2010). Leadership in organizations. (7th Ed. ) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education How to cite Leadership Approach Paper Ldr 531, Papers

Nhs Acceptance Letter free essay sample

Leadership Narrative – Write a narrative explaining and describing your involvement in two leadership areas, one of which MUST be in an official capacity. The signature of an advisor and a phone number/email for verification purposes are required. Leadership shown in individuals is proof of a future-full of success in various areas. In my community I have shown leadership by taking responsibility of the trash in the town. Almost every time I see trash while walking through the streets of Decatur (etc. ) I will pick it up and either throw it away or store it in my pocket or bag until a trash can is sighted. I have ideas about our community participating in a weeklong â€Å"Easy Clean† in which people while doing their everyday thing, throws away any trash they come across. We could do it once every few months until it caught on and we could together inspire others by cleaning up our community, Decatur. We will write a custom essay sample on Nhs Acceptance Letter or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In my classroom and school, I have shown leadership by becoming senator at DHS for my upcoming sophomore year. I will give it everything I have, because I’ve been given an opportunity to speak for my peers. I will not let my class down. I also show leadership in my classes. For example, last year I was the leading curator for my group in Art class with Mrs. Keith-Ott. Another example happened in 8th grade when I would take an hour or so multiple afternoons to help tutor the younger students in my class and neighboring classrooms. Respect from your peers and self-respect sprout from your actions in life, and the two listed are a big part of that. The two weakest traits are â€Å"Consistently exemplifies qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)† and â€Å"Observes instructions and rules, is punctual and faithful both inside and outside the classroom. † The first of the two is because while remaining and obtaining a happy and contained composure at work, school, or in your community is great, it’s not necessary or important. You should be polite, but concentrate more on getting what needs to be done done. Don’t worry about what other people think about you. The second trait (â€Å"Observes instructions and rules, is punctual and faithful both inside and outside the classroom. †) Is also important, but if what needs to be done stretches the rules a little bit, don’t stop yourself from doing it. Think outside the box and about the bigger picture. A person shouldn’t be so fixated on the rules that they miss an opportunity to do something big. I understand that completing this form does not guarantee selection to NHS, and that the information presented here is accurate. Student SignatureDate I have read the information provided by my son/daughter on this form and can verify that it is true, accurate and complete in its presentation. Parent SignatureDate

Wave Of International Mergers And Acquisitions Essays - Finance

Wave Of International Mergers And Acquisitions The wave of international mergers and acquisitions experienced in both the United States and the UK in the 1980s and 1990s is known as the fourth merger and acquisition wave. The fourth wave began just as the U.S. emerged from the recession of 1981-82, which as a result of global competition had laid bare the weaknesses of traditional American center industries. In many cases, changes in markets and technology had resulted in obsolete assets and redundant personnel. The progressive deregulation of airlines, trucking, telecommunications, and banking would also reveal excess capacity in those industries. The conglomerate boom had saddled corporations with unwieldy inefficient/under-managed operations. Massive shifts in investment away from manufacturing to services, along with energy shortages, high inflation, rising interest rates, and falling unemployment had all further contributed to the most serious crisis of confidence in the American business system since the Great Depression. P ostwar corporate profits were reaching a low point, and many of the nations biggest companies were suffering from low productivity and a widely perceived loss of managerial competence. Many of these problems were addressed by the merger and acquisition wave of the 1980s. Brief History of the Merger Waves The American economy has experienced four distinct waves of mergers during the twentieth century. The first wave may be dated approximately as having taken place between 1885 and 1905. This wave consisted predominantly of horizontal mergers. Thus in this period we have an increase in concentration in industrial markets. Mergers were particularly strong in the steel, rubber and tobacco industries. The second wave may be dated approximately as having occurred during the period 1916-30, with the peak during the late 1920s. Horizontal mergers continued to be predominant, but vertical ones and conglomerate in particular started being important. Significant merger activity took place in petroleum, primary metals and food products. The third period started in the 1940s, after the Second World War. Over that period a striking change in the form of merger took place. Horizontal and vertical mergers have declined in importance while conglomerate mergers have become predominant. Fourth Wave and the Leveraged Buyout As the conglomerate wave began to ebb, a new vehicle surfaced for giving dissatisfied shareholders an opportunity to sell their stock in underperforming assets. The tender offer enabled buyers to bypass CEOs and boards of directors to appeal directly to shareholders. Typically, a tender offer gave shareholders the opportunity to sell their shares at prices substantially above the going market value, when a buyer, seeing the potential for increasing the value of the assets, was willing to pay a premium for them. In many cases, this would spell bad news for underperforming managers, who were likely to be replaced by the new owners. In other cases, buyers might retain managers, but under new restructured agreements or understandings about how the assets would be managed. Most often, the tender offer was associated with a corporate raid, or a hostile takeover attempt, that is, one resisted by the target companys board of directors. The fourth wave was different from the previous ones in that both hostile takeovers and leveraged buyouts played a significant role, stimulated by aggressive investment bankers, corporate raiders, and heightened shareholder activism. The fourth wave was also characterized by increasing foreign participation, especially following the relative decline in the value of the dollar and the reduction of federal taxes on capital gains in 1986. During the merger and acquisition boom of the 1980s, leveraged buyouts spurred a dual revolution in the American economy- one in corporate finance, another in corporate governance- that profoundly altered the patterns of managerial power and behaviour. They not only substantially improved the worth of specific firms, they also helped to change the ways in which business in general though about debt, governance, and value creation. In order to succeed, they usually required drastic reforms in operations, reallocations of capital, and dislocations of personnel. They aroused the anger of numerous interests- from corporate executives to labor unions, from local communities to bondholders- whose power, status, jobs, and other economic interests were affected by the restructurings. It should be no surprise, then, that the leveraged buyout was denounced in many quarters as just another unproductive, dangerous financial scheme. A leveraged buyout in its

Counseling And Psycotherapy Essays - Clinical Psychology, Health

Counseling And Psycotherapy Essays - Clinical Psychology, Health Counseling And Psycotherapy Differences Between Counseling and Psychotherapy Counseling Theories August 3, 1995 Running head: Coun. v. Psychotherapy Counseling v. psychotherapy is there a difference between the two? This paper will attempt to prove that there are several differences between counseling and psychotherapy. While counseling and psychotherapy have several different elements in each, the following information will also attempt to show the reader that there are some areas where the two overlap. At times this was a confusing topic to research. A fine line distinguishes the two topics and one must look hard to see this line. Definition of Counseling One survey taken by Gustad suggests a definition of counseling where he included three key elements. Counseling is a learning-oriented process, carried on in a simple, one to one social environment, in which a counselor, professionally competent in relevant psychological skills and knowledge, seeks to assist the client by methods appropriate to the latter's needs and within the context of the total personn el program, to learn more about himself, to learn how to put such understanding into effect in relation to more clearly perceived, realistically defined goals to the ' end that the client may become a happier and more productive member of his society (1957, p. 36). In lay terms counseling can be described as a face to face relationship, having goals to help a client to learn or acquire new skills which will enable them to cope and adjust to life situations. The focus is to help a person reach maximum fulfillment or potential, and to become fully functioning as a person. Definition of Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is the process inwhich a therapists assists the client in re-organizing his or her personality. The therapist also helps the client integrate insights into everyday behavior. Psychotherapy can be defined as more inclusive re-education of the individual (Brammer

A Story Called Unconditional English Literature Essay

Very few minutes in life can convey a adult male to rupture on the happiest twenty-four hours of his life. The events that lead up to this twenty-four hours of extreme joy are filled with concern and uncertainty. We find ourselves worrying about the things that could travel absolutely incorrect and doubting our abilities to get by with the changing of our lives. One of these minutes is the twenty-four hours you are introduced to a new life. The twenty-four hours your kid is brought into this universe in all their flawlessness and inexperienced persons. On this twenty-four hours we learn the true definition of unconditioned love. I sat in a little infirmary room listening to the sounds of adult females shouting in child birth emanating through the door. Nervous and perspiration, I did my best to conceal my uncomfortableness as I tried to soothe the adult female that would convey my boy into this universe. She had been in labour for three yearss now. I knew she was in tormenting hurting and I would non allow her see the concern in my face. This proven hard as I struggled with my ain concerns and uncertainty. My focal point, nevertheless, was to stay unagitated and insure that she felt every bit comfy as possible while she went through the hurting of kid birth. My married woman, Arica, was in and out of slumber, non holding slept much in the past three yearss. The hurting would come with the contractions but as it subsided she would fall back asleep. It was in these minutes of remainder that I let my resoluteness, to conceal my concerns, faux pas and the grounds covered my face. Siting down to counterbalance for the overpowering weight that was on my shoulders I looked over at my female parent, who was besides at that place to see her grandson enter the universe, and she began to soothe me. Equally long as you do your best everything will turn out mulct. my female parent assured me. But before I could reply, I heard the small computing machine Begin to do the Tell narrative honking sounds that meant a contraction had started and immediately snapped back into comfort manner. As Arica began to groan in torment and submerge out the other shrieks that could be heard throughout the ward, I jumped back to my pess and rapidly grabbed her manus a s if I had neer allow it travel. The physician was in and out every 30 proceedingss to look into on her dilation and give a brief conjecture on how much longer it would be. I knew he had to be busy as it sounded like there were at least 3 other adult females giving birth. As the hours passed I began to happen it more hard to keep in my concerns inquiring the nurse Does it usually take this long? She replied with a smiling this kid is obstinate and cosy. She so assured me these things take clip. Feeling somewhat better I readied myself as I heard the bleeps coming from that small raging computing machine once more. At long last the physician re-entered the room and said, It s clip with a large smiling. Taking his small axial rotation about stool, he looked at me and said, You want to catch him? Confused and astounded that this would even come up, I remained quiet and every bit still as a marble statue. Then before I knew it I was being shunted into topographic point following to the physician. As Arica began to force I became more and more nervous. What was the physician believing? I had no experience in child birth. What if I drop him? I asked. Oh do nt worry about it said the physician I m right here if anything goes incorrect. As my kid began to coronate I knew it was merely a affair of clip before my unequal parturition accomplishments were put to the trial. Yet before I even had the clip to come to this decision my boy was dropping into my outstretched, towel covered custodies. Thankfully the physician was right following to me. I had non taken into history how slippery a new born kid was and as he slipped off from me the physician stepped in and took control. As I looked at this beautiful creative activity clip came to a hault. He was perfect in every manner. Certain he had a cone shaped caput and he was covered in blood, but I knew theses things would go through. I took in every characteristic of his bantam organic structure, from his bantam, wrinkled fingers to his outstandingly beautiful sky bluish eyes. What was likely seconds felt like an infinity and my boy was rapidly swooped out of my custodies. I wanted to protest at this indignation, but I rapidly realized that it was for the good of my boy. I took this minute to look at my married woman, whom I had stopped soothing after I was asked to show my kid catching abilities. I could see in her face the contemplation of my emotions. The absolute felicity and joy of this twenty-four hours would populate on timelessly in our Black Marias. I took her manus once more and tried to talk but establish my pharynx blocked. I told myself I would nt yield to cryings, but found myself fighting to keep them. I think she knew what I wanted to state because she smiled at me and nodded her caput. And at that really minute the cryings that I had been fighting to keep back came out like a waterfall. The following thing that happened took me wholly by surprise. Finally drawing myself back together, I noticed the physician transporting a five gallon pail. Showing my ignorance once more I asked What s that for? Smiling, he looked at me and said you will see . He moved his small axial rotation around stool and replaced it with this five gallon pail. Cocking my caput to the side in arrant confusion I looked once more toward my female parent for account, but she was paying attending to the newborn kid being cared for by the nursing staff. Before I could acquire her attending and inquire I heard the physician say all right one last good push . I turned back merely in clip to see a ball of what looked similar blood but thicker and about flesh like. Nasty! I exclaimed, holding been caught wholly off guard and unable to keep from shouting. My female parent hearing me turned about and scowled Charlie that was nt really nice . The physician began to laugh stating I thought you mi ght state something like that . After being taken to the nurses station, cleaned and checked by the physician my beautiful boy was laid into the weaponries of my married woman. I could see in her face the absolute love that was make fulling my bosom and psyche. Once once more tearful and unable to talk, I looked at the both of them lying in that infirmary bed and knew this would be one of the happiest yearss of my life. I eventually understood why my parents had put up with me through my rebellious and experimental old ages. There was perfectly nil this kid could make that would alter the manner I felt about him in this ageless minute of pure joy. On this twenty-four hours I was introduced to the proper usage of the commonly used term unconditioned love. Prior to this I had thought that the love that I felt for my married woman was unconditioned. However, I found the love we felt for one another was conditional common feelings. It relied on love and committedness which can melt over clip. This love, nevertheless, was unchanging, deathless, and neer stoping love. Nothing could alter the effortless love I felt toward this new life.

How has the social psychology of prejudice enhanced our understanding Essay - 1

How has the social psychology of prejudice enhanced our understanding of learning difficulties - Essay Example n of the fact that prejudice towards people with learning disabilities exits can help to eliminate the prejudice and discrimination towards people with learning disabilities to lifelong isolation and unemployment. Prejudice is gradually becoming unacceptable towards many other social groups, but it is not challenged enough in the case of people with a learning difficulties. These people are not visible members of their community; they exist in the community rather than living as part of it From this point of viÐ µw disÐ °blÐ µd pÐ µoplÐ µ Ð °rÐ µ forcÐ µd to livÐ µ in Ð ° sociÐ °l prison. WhilÐ µ no onÐ µ cÐ °n objÐ µct to cÐ °mpÐ °igning for ‘rights’ so thÐ °t thÐ µ prison in which wÐ µ livÐ µ is mÐ °dÐ µ morÐ µ humÐ °nÐ µ it is only Ð ° politicÐ °l buffoon who bÐ µliÐ µvÐ µs thÐ °t Ð µxploring prisonÐ µr Ð µxpÐ µriÐ µncÐ µs cÐ °n lÐ µÃ °d to Ð µmÐ °ncipÐ °tion! Nothing lÐ µss thÐ °n dismÐ °ntling thÐ µ prison Ð °nd rÐ µplÐ °cing it with Ð ° non-compÐ µtitivÐ µ form of sociÐ µty cÐ °n brÐ µÃ °kdown thÐ µ doors which bÐ °r our Ð µmÐ °ncipÐ °tion. I bÐ µliÐ µvÐ µ thÐ °t wÐ µ cÐ °nnot undÐ µrstÐ °nd or dÐ µÃ °l with disÐ °bility without dÐ µÃ °ling with thÐ µ Ð µssÐ µntiÐ °l nÐ °turÐ µ of sociÐ µty itsÐ µlf. To do this disÐ °blÐ µd pÐ µoplÐ µ must find wÐ °ys of Ð µngÐ °ging in thÐ µ clÐ °ss strugglÐ µ whÐ µrÐ µ thÐ µ historicÐ °l dirÐ µction of sociÐ µty is fought, won or lost. It is in this Ð °rÐ µnÐ ° thÐ °t thÐ µ boundÐ °riÐ µs of knowlÐ µdgÐ µ thÐ °t hÐ °vÐ µ put disÐ °blÐ µd pÐ µoplÐ µ Ð °sidÐ µ from thÐ µ ‘normÐ °l’ cÐ °n Ð °nd hÐ °vÐ µ to bÐ µ opÐ µnly quÐ µstionÐ µd. For mÐ µ rÐ µpossÐ µssing thÐ µ sociÐ °l modÐ µl of disÐ °bility mÐ µÃ °ns sÐ µÃ °rching for opÐ µnings in thÐ µ structurÐ µs of sociÐ µty whÐ µrÐ µ wÐ µ might Ð µffÐ µctivÐ µly contributÐ µ with othÐ µrs in thÐ µ rÐ µstructuring of sociÐ µty so thÐ °t it is nÐ µithÐ µr compÐ µtitivÐ µ nor disÐ °bling for Ð °ll pÐ µoplÐ µ. ThÐ µ SociÐ °l Modà  µl of DisÐ °bility wÐ °s dÐ µvisÐ µd by disÐ °blÐ µd pÐ µoplÐ µ, whosÐ µ Ð µxpÐ µriÐ µncÐ µ of thÐ µ hÐ µÃ °lth Ð °nd wÐ µlfÐ °rÐ µ systÐ µm, Ð °s wÐ µll Ð °s sociÐ µtys gÐ µnÐ µrÐ °l rÐ µÃ °ction to thÐ µm, mÐ °dÐ µ thÐ µm fÐ µÃ µl sociÐ °lly

Writing a Blog for my second Lecture ( About consumer behaviour) Essay

Writing a Blog for my second Lecture ( About consumer behaviour) - Essay Example That’s why cognition familiarises the customer to the product, making him to be at ease on it. When this happens, the consumer eithers accept or rejects the information being processed in his mind. This is like passing by a Burger King store and feeling suddenly hungry. And then burger pictures flash on your mind. Before you know it, you’re in front of a crew taking your order. I have learned that consumer behaviour also goes beyond consumption of tangible products. It also depends on their use of services, experiences, ideas and many others (Hoyer and MacInnis, 2010, p.6). Like the products, services like going to the doctor or taking aerobics have been perceived and recognised inside the consumer’s mind, and therefore taking on with the decision of going there. The use of advanced communication technological devices is very popular in the advertisements today. It has been perceived as a must in our generation. Environmental influences are indeed many. However, recognising our own resources, needs and values when purchasing a product still rules out (Kardes et al, 2008, p.57; Blythe, 2008, p.19). This will help us gain satisfaction in meeting our

Successful at College Essay Example for Free

Successful at College Essay Successful is achieving or having achieved success; having attained wealth, position, honors, or anything. College, it’s a big thing in a person’s life. It’s take a step into the real world. None is going to tell you what to do or how to do something in class. College students try to balances academic, work and social all at ones and it can be stressful. College is where one begins to find themselves and explore the world. It’s the start of where your life begins. The first step in being successful at college is being motivated. One needs to have a good mind if they want to success in college. No one can motivate you more about college then yourself. Remember you can’t just skip school or someone will tell you to go to class. You pay for your classes in college, so if you don’t go to class it’s none fault but your own. Also, college puts more responsibility on a student. Most students don’t tend to pick the right choice when it comes to college. They think their social life is more important than their academic. They think going to party and being popular is important than studying, getting a B.A. degree, and having the career of their dreams. The next step to be successful at college is having good habits and planning. Good habits in college would be having good study skills, attitude, test-taking skills, and listening skills. The biggest challenge that is different from high school and college would be that teachers in high school would teach, and in college the professors’ lecture. You have to prepare yourself because a professor can change a lesson plan if they want too. You should always look over at the syllabus to stay on track of what you’re doing in class. You should go over your notes, highlighting key material, and make sure you understand them. You should plan when you need to study and when you hang out and party with your friends. Putting your school work before everything else shows you being a successful student. In conclusion, being successful in college takes a lot of work. You have to put your mind to it and figure what is more important to you being successful and having a good grades and knowing you have a future or someone trying to fight their way, struggling and all stress out when they can get a B.A. degree and telling their parents that they wasted their money for college because they thought partying was more important than going to class and studying.

Copyright and Fair Use :: Legal Issues, Ethics

Copyright and fair use are prominent topics in today’s society where mass pirating of copyrighted material occurs. A product is considered copyrighted â€Å"when something is put into ‘tangible form’ the creator of the work owns a copyright,† (Simpson, 2005). Such tangible forms include movies, books, music, and etc. (Simpson, 2005). Therefore, â€Å"copyright is the law of the United States that protects the works of authors, artists, composers, and other from being used without permission,† (Cyberbee, n. d.). This means that if one wishes to use more than a limited amount of a copyrighted material, they will need to ask permission from the owner of the copyright (Richter, 2003). Although, one needs to be careful, because the copyright sign does not necessarily need to be present for a work to be considered copyrighted (Cyberbee, n. d.). So how does fair use play a part in the copyright law? Fair use allows â€Å"an author may make limited use of another author's work without asking permission,† (Nolo: Law for all, 2011). If one uses copyrighted material beyond fair use, it is considered an infringement. Infringement is basically a violation of the copyright law; although, it’s been stated that â€Å"the distinction between fair use and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined,† (United State Copyright Office, 2009). To avoid the possibly of an infringement, there are guidelines that need to be followed under the fair use doctrine. First off, there are four questions one must consider when using copyrighted material under the fair use doctrine: â€Å"purpose of use, nature of work, proportion/extent of the material used, and the effect on marketability,† (Newsome, 2000). Purpose of use refers to what a copyrighter material is going to be used for (i.e. education). The nature of the work deals with the type of material being used. For example, one needs to ask if the â€Å"copyrighted work published or unpublished, is the copyrighted work out of print, and is the work factual or artistic,† (University of Maryland University College [UMUC], 2011). The next point to consider is the amount of copyrighted material being used. However, allowed amounts depend on the type and length of material. For instance, ten percent or thirty seconds of a song may be used (depending on which one is less) (Information Technology Evaluation Services: Public Schools of North Carolina, 1997). Copyright and Fair Use :: Legal Issues, Ethics Copyright and fair use are prominent topics in today’s society where mass pirating of copyrighted material occurs. A product is considered copyrighted â€Å"when something is put into ‘tangible form’ the creator of the work owns a copyright,† (Simpson, 2005). Such tangible forms include movies, books, music, and etc. (Simpson, 2005). Therefore, â€Å"copyright is the law of the United States that protects the works of authors, artists, composers, and other from being used without permission,† (Cyberbee, n. d.). This means that if one wishes to use more than a limited amount of a copyrighted material, they will need to ask permission from the owner of the copyright (Richter, 2003). Although, one needs to be careful, because the copyright sign does not necessarily need to be present for a work to be considered copyrighted (Cyberbee, n. d.). So how does fair use play a part in the copyright law? Fair use allows â€Å"an author may make limited use of another author's work without asking permission,† (Nolo: Law for all, 2011). If one uses copyrighted material beyond fair use, it is considered an infringement. Infringement is basically a violation of the copyright law; although, it’s been stated that â€Å"the distinction between fair use and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined,† (United State Copyright Office, 2009). To avoid the possibly of an infringement, there are guidelines that need to be followed under the fair use doctrine. First off, there are four questions one must consider when using copyrighted material under the fair use doctrine: â€Å"purpose of use, nature of work, proportion/extent of the material used, and the effect on marketability,† (Newsome, 2000). Purpose of use refers to what a copyrighter material is going to be used for (i.e. education). The nature of the work deals with the type of material being used. For example, one needs to ask if the â€Å"copyrighted work published or unpublished, is the copyrighted work out of print, and is the work factual or artistic,† (University of Maryland University College [UMUC], 2011). The next point to consider is the amount of copyrighted material being used. However, allowed amounts depend on the type and length of material. For instance, ten percent or thirty seconds of a song may be used (depending on which one is less) (Information Technology Evaluation Services: Public Schools of North Carolina, 1997).

TCS FInancial Statement analysis

Major Sources of Revenue: a) Revenue from operations: accounts for 98% of the total revenue of the firm and consists of the revenues from the below categories Information technology and consultancy services: contributes 97% of the total revenue from operations Sale of equipment and software lilicenses contributes 3% of the total revenue from operations b) Other Income: accounts for approximately 2% of the total revenue of the firm and consists of the revenues from the below major categories Interest Income: Contributes to 81. 0% of the total revenue from other income 73% of the Interest income comes from Interest on Bank & Interest on long term Bonds & Debentures. 25% of the Interest income comes from Inter-Corporate deposits. Profit from Sale of mutual funds and other current Investments Contributes to 0. 57% of the total revenue from other income Major Expenses a) Employee benefit expenses: consumes 35. 78% of the total operations revenue and consists of the below categories Salari es and incentives: accounts for 87. 57% of the total employee benefits expense Contributions to Provident fund & pension [Superannuation/Gratuity etc.Staff welfare expenses. b)BOperations and other Expenses: consumes 32. 11% of the total operations revenue and consists of the below major categories Overseas business expenses: – accounts for 43. 4 % of the total Operations and other Expenses Services rendered y business associates and others: – accounts for 18. 42% of the total Operations and other Expenses hardware and material costs: Software, – accounts for 1 1 the total Operations and other Expenses (c) Tax expenses: consume 7. 27% of the total operations revenue (d) Dividend on equity shares and tax thereon for Fiscal 2014 accounts increased by 40% Year on Year (7058. 2 crscoresiscal 2014) Major Uses of funds: a) Cash And Bank Balances: accounts for 21. 51% of the total Non-Current Investments and Current assets. Company has increased the Cash and Bank balan ces significantly in fiscal 2014. Horizontal analysis on the Balance Sheet for Cash and Bank Balances shows a Year on Year growth of 113. 34% for fiscal 2014. b)BPurchase of Fixed Assets: The Company has been investing in infrastructure development across various locations in India to meet its growing business needs. Additions to the gross block in fiscal 2014 amounted to 2,284. 7 crscoresHorizontal analysis on the Balance Sheet for fixed assets shows a Year on Year growth of 28. 27% for fiscal 2014. c)CNon-Current Investments: Company has increased the Non-Current Investments significantly in fiscal 2014. Horizontal analysis on the Balance Sheet for Non-Current Investments shows Year on Year growth of 134. 97% for fiscal 2014. d)DLong Term Loans & Advances: accounts for 10. 85% of the total Non-Current Investments and Current assets. e)EShort-term loans and advances: accounts for 6. 2% of the total Non-Current Question 2: Perform a horizontal and vertical analysis on the Balance Sh eet and Profit and Loss Account and comment on any significant changes that you observe over the last 2 years. AnNASPlease refer the attached excel sheet for arriving at the below conclusions a) Profit & Loss statement: Significant observations on Horizontal analysis. Net Profit After tax for Fiscal 2014 shows a Year on Year growth of 37. 70%. Net Profit After tax nearly doubled when compared with Fiscal 2012. EPPEPSEarnings per Share) also show consistent growth in the last few Fiscal years.EPPEPShows a Year on Year increase by 37. 58% in Fiscal 2014 Finance Cost for Fiscal 2014 has decreased significantly by 20%. Tax for Fiscal 2014 has increased significantly by 51% Year on Year. Profit & Loss statement: Significant observations on Vertical analysis. Despite a significant increase in the Employee base we find that Employee Expenses s a % of revenue remained constant around 35% in the last few Fiscal years Total Expenses as a % of revenue remained constant around 70% in the last f ew Fiscal years Total Tax as percentage of revenue, increased from 6. 37% in fiscal 2013 to 7. 2% b) Balance Sheet: Significant observations on Horizontal analysis. Non- Current liabilities shows a Year on Year growth of ofof4. 64% in Fiscal 2014. Fixed assets shows a Year on Year growth of 28. 27% in Fiscal 2014 Current liabilities shows a Year on Year growth of 34. 33% in Fiscal 2014. Reserves and Surplus shows a Year on Year growth of 27. 76% in Fiscal 2014. Share Capital shows a Year on Year negative growth of 33. 76% in Fiscal 2014. Current assets shows a Year on Year growth of 36. 62% in Fiscal 2014. Long Term borrowings shows a Year on Year negative growth of 2. 4% in Fiscal 2014. Balance Sheet: Significant observations on Vertical analysis. Cash and bank balances as a % of the total Assets excluding fixed assets increased from 12. 97% Fiscal 2013 to 21. 51% Fiscal 2014. Non-Current Investments as a % of the total Assets excluding fixed assets has been increasing steadily in the last few Fiscals. Short-term loans and advances as a % of the total Assets excluding fixed assets eccreasedrom 10. 81% in Fiscal 2013 to 6. 42% in Fiscal 2014. Goodwill as a % of the total Assets excluding fixed assets decreased from 6. 86% in Fiscal 2013 to 3. 7% Fiscal 2014. Question 3: Scrutinize the Notes to Accounts and Statement on Significant Accounting Policies and check for any deviations in accounting policy over the last year with respect to major items. AnNASThere were no deviations with respect to significant accounting policies. However TCTTSdopted a new hedge accounting principle under the below category. a)AForeign currency forward, option and futures contracts: TCTTSnters into foreign currency forward, option and futures contracts to manage its exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, in accordance with its risk management policies.With effect from January 1, 2014, the Company has adopted hedge accounting principles in line with International Financial Reporting Standard 9 (referred to as IFFIRS), which align more closely with the Company's risk management policy. The change has resulted in a reduction of ‘ 4. 76 crscoresn profit before tax in fiscal 2014. Question 4: Examine the Statement of Cash Flows for the last 2 years and point out the following: ) Major sources and Uses of cash: Sources: -Operations: Cash generated from operations, post adjustments to profit before tax, has gone up from 16,436. 77 crscoresn fiscal 2013 to ‘ 21,795. 4 crscoresn fiscal 2014, registering a growth of 32. 60% over the previous fiscal. -Income from Interest InInterestn funds invested went up by 71. 22%, from 798. 80 crscoresn fiscal 2013 to 1367. 72 Uses: crscoresn fiscal 2014. During fiscal 2014, the significant uses of cash were Acquisition of French Company AlAlit. A. foFor52. 41 crscoresPayment of Dividend & dividend tax for 5,489. 54 CrScoresurchase of fixed assets Increase in inter-corporate deposits Investment in fixed deposit. Pay Taxes amounting to 7,043. 63 CrScoresover Working Capital expenditures (b) Were the cash flows from operations greater than or less than net income?Explain in detail the major reason for the differences in these 2 figures. For Fiscal 2014, by referring to the Consolidated financial statements we get the below fgfiguresNet Cash provided by from Operating activities = 14751. 41 CrScoreset Profit for the year = 19163. 87 crscoresnNASNet Cash provided by from operating activities is less the net income. Explanation: Working Capital fgfiguresnder the categories below are the major reasons for reducing the Net Cash value provided by from operating activities below the net income. ) Unbilled Revenue – (811. 60) CrScores) Trade Receivables – (4015. 80) CrScoresc) Was the firm able to generate enough cash from its operations to be able to pay for all its capital expenditures? For Fiscal 2014, by referring to the Consolidated financial statements we can arrive at the below table. Net Cash provided by/Used in Fiscal 2014 Fiscal 2013 Operating activities 14,751. 41 11,614. 96 Investing activities (9,667. 08) (6,085. 66) Financing activities 5,673. 24) (5,729. 48) Exchange difference on translation of foreign currency 21 5. 41 48. 5 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents after translation (373. 50) (152. 13) Purchase of fixed assets accounted for (3126. 15) CrScoresf the Net Cash of (9,667. 08) crscoressed in investing activities. From the above table we can clearly infer that the company generated enough cash from Operating activities to fund the capital expenditures on its own. (d) Did the cash flow from operations cover both the capital expenditures and payment of dividend, if any? AnNASDividend paid accounted for (5480. 7) CrScoresf the Net Cash of (5673. 24) crscoressed in financing activities.From the above table we can clearly infer that the company generated enough cash from Operating activities to fund both capital expenditures & payment of dividends on its own. (e) How did your firm invest its excess cash (if any)? Cash flow statement from Investing Activities indicate that the excess cash that remains after investing and financing is mamajoraintained in Short-term bank deposits. From the Cash Flow Statements we can see that Short Term deposits increased from 4911. 46 crscoresn Fiscal 2013 to 12948. 9 CrScoresn Fiscal 2014. This accounts for a significant growth of 163%. g)GAre there any other unusual / extraordinary items of cash inflow / outflow? AnNASCash outflow due to Taxes: Cash Flow Statements indicate a significant increase in Taxes for Tax for Fiscal 2014. Taxes have increased significantly by 46% Year on Year. By referring to Management Discussion & Analysis & Notes forming consolidated statements we can infer that company has paid (1) Additional tax of 2,129. 82 crscoresaid by TCTTStd on its higher income for the year and (2) 92. 00 crscoresf higher tax on dividend received y TCTTStd from its overseas subsi diaries.

Mkt 402 Exam

Question 1 6 out of 6 points Proactive pricing suggests that _____. Answer Selected Answer: a company develops strategies to maintain profitability in anticipation of a changing market Correct Answer: a company develops strategies to maintain profitability in anticipation of a changing market Question 2 6 out of 6 points Which of the following is the simplest price structure? Answer Selected Answer: price per unit Correct Answer: price per unit Question 3 6 out of 6 points ____ allows a company to vary its prices outside the scope of value and cost according to explicit or cultural rules or protocols. Answer Selected Answer: Pricing policy Correct Answer: Pricing policy Question 4 6 out of 6 points Pricing that reflects market conditions is _____. Answer Selected Answer: customer-driven pricing Correct Answer: customer-driven pricing Question 5 6 out of 6 points Price-cutting is one strategy of share-driven pricing to achieve sales objectives but _____. Answer Selected Answer: it doesn't sustain a long term market advantage unless competitors cannot match the price cut Correct Answer: it doesn't sustain a long term market advantage unless competitors cannot match the price cut Question 6 6 out of 6 points Cost-plus pricing is effectively opposite of a prudent pricing strategy because _____. Answer Selected Answer: it leads to overpricing in weak markets and underpricing in strong markets Correct Answer: it leads to overpricing in weak markets and underpricing in strong markets Question 7 6 out of 6 points _____ pricing suggests that prices should reflect the value a customer receives from a product or service. Answer Selected Answer: Value-based Correct Answer: Value-based Question 8 0 out of 6 points Marketing research is the key to creating good value because _____. Answer Selected Answer: it compares willingness-to-pay against the cost of producing the product Correct Answer: it analyzes how much value different combinations of benefits could represent to cutomers Question 9 6 out of 6 points A company that is willing to be a smaller company in order to be profitable is employing the _____ principle of strategic pricing. Answer Selected Answer: profit-driven Correct Answer: profit-driven Question 10 6 out of 6 points A _____ company focuses pricing to increase revenue relative to other investments rather than as a comparison to competitors earnings. Answer Selected Answer: profit-driven Correct Answer: profit-driven

Charles W. Chesnutt essays

Charles W. Chesnutt essays Charles W. Chesnutt, America's first great Black novelist, lived in the distinct political, social and cultural environment that found expression in his literary works. Instead of trying to hide behind the lightness of his skin color, as many fair skin African-Americans did, Chesnutt chose to show his true identity. He took the racial and social discrimination inflicted upon him and others then used it for motivation in his writings. Chesnutt novels reveal the harsh world of prejudice and social indifference in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Charles W. Chesnutt was born June 20, 1858, in Cleveland Ohio, the eldest child of Andrew Jackson Chesnutt and Anne Maria Sampson, free blacks from North Carolina. During his childhood the Chesnutt family was forced to move to Ohio due to increasing civil turmoil regarding slavery. The Chesnutts moved to Fayetteville, NC after the civil war. At this time Charles Chesnutt received some of his education at Howard School, a Freedmans Bureau school, but for the most part Chesnutt was a self-educated. Chesnutt Literary carrier took birth when he got his first successful short story was The Goophered Grapevine in August 1887 in the Atlantic Monthly. Even though his first publication of his short stories was "Uncle Peter's House," appeared in the Cleveland News and Herald in 1885. Chesnutt was the first African American author to be published in the Atlantic Monthly, one of the major contemporary literary journals. From there it was onto The Conjure Woman in 1899, a short fiction book written in North Carolina dialect that put him on the map with widespread attention among white and black readers. Chesnutt composed several more works over the next twenty years. They included fiction, nonfiction, and mostly letters to publishers and family. He also found time to mingle among many social groups. Chesnutt died on 15 November 1932, leaving behind him a ...

National health care policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

National health care policy - Essay Example As such, the White Paper, Our health, our care, our say: A new direction for community service (Department of Health, 2006a) aims to put in place the structure required to achieve these goals. Importantly, this particular health policy identifies and explains a comprehensive and integrated framework to adapt community health and social care services to the UK community of the 21st century (Thomas, 2005). Ultimately, the document seeks to support a patient-centred approach and in doing so increase the standards of quality service across the national health system. The integration of health delivery services will enable the diverse range of care organisations to provide convenient, comfortable and high-value care that will meet the communities immediate, and long-term needs. This paper aims to critically review the social health care policy of Our health, our care, our say in regards to the contribution of nursing. Firstly, the White Paper shall be more fully described. Secondly, the political, financial and social drives behind this policy shall be identified. Thirdly, the concept of clinical governance shall be explained. Next, the tensions between health care providers and the users of these services briefly outlined. The roles and skills required of nurses within the integrated NHS will then be established. And the roles of other multi-disciplines and agencies shall be provided. Finally, a conclusion shall reiterate the main arguments and show the vital need for nurses to support the implementation of this White Paper.Our health, our care, our say: A new direction for community service The White Paper, Our health, our care, our say, is part of the NHS plan to create a world-class health and social-care system (Department of Health, 2006a). This document is just one element of the present Government's long-term and nation-wide reform programme to provide services that place the patient at the centre of the healing process, rather than the traditional model that has required the patient to fit with the services available. The framework provisions the patient and other end-users of health care services, with more control. Also, the policy makes services more responsive to the needs of the community, especially people who require more complex care plans, as well as to enable services to be accessed at amore local level, by way of integrating the diverse service providers available. An example of some of the services within the community that will be integrated include: home-care and other health visitors, GPs and family planning centres, day and short-break centres, m ental health agencies, family planning and pharmacies, meals on wheels and social workers, general and community hospitals, PCTs and local council authorities. Overall, the changes enable better value for public money, as a procedure that occurs in primary care can be up to one-third of the cost of secondary care.The legislation sets new standards for an integrated delivery of health and social care services to the community (Department of Health, 2006b). The NHS has determined that integration is a critical way to reduce the waste of resources whilst providing a standardized approach to service delivery across the nation. In July, 2002, it was determined that funding for health and social care resources would be pooled to encourage the diverse range of service providers to establish partnerships

The Movies and Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Movies and Research - Essay Example Truman continued to question further his existence since he noticed that everything that is going on in Seahaven revolve around his life. When Truman decided to seek out the truth to the world beyond Seahaven, the producers of the show tried as much as they can to prevent him from doing so by making plot twists in his daily activities that would avert any attempts made. Eventually, Truman secretly sailed off from his house, and was almost killed by a storm the producer of the show made. Realizing the morality in killing a cast member for the sake of a show would be an outrage, the producer allowed Truman to exit the arcological movie set and to see the real world beyond Seahaven. In this film, one of the main themes being shown is the concept of simulated reality. Simulated reality is an approach of observation, usually scientific, that makes events in reality replicated to a point that it is difficult to distinguish it from actual reality. This form of observation is the major plot basis for the movie The Truman Show and is the driving force for the main character’s actions and existential inquiries about his life. It should be remembered that in the setting of the movie, simulated reality is used as a form of mass media entertainment while setting aside any real or applied scientific usage. However, research in the movie setting is implied to have been done in a way to make the main character Truman spend most of his life believing that his world of Seahaven is the only reality. One could consider this form of research as a controlled form of observation, as every aspect of Truman’s daily life is being manipulated by external human actions. T his is done so skillfully that it has been an accepted fact by Truman even right on the day of his birth until adulthood. It should also be noted that the reason for the simulated reality scheme is for audiences of the show in the movie’s setting would watch an

Orientalism in America and Terrorism Movie Review

Orientalism in America and Terrorism - Movie Review Example The media and other organizations do not, therefore, carry out any investigations, but rather report on the government views of these nations. This, in turn, shapes the views of the people towards the Arab nations as rogue nations who permeate violence in their everyday lives through their hatred of the western nations. On orientalism and empire, Edward Said argues that most of the European states were just aiming to exert influence and political mileage in the Islamic states of the Middle East. He bases this argument on the fact that throughout the period of history and colonization every empire told itself that it was not like the other empires (Orientalism). That its territorial occupation was based on noble ideas of education, enlightenment, and liberation, rather than political control and plunder. However, as time passes the true intention of the occupiers become evident. In this respect, Orientalism is a tool for colonialism and political dominance. On American orientalism, Edward Said gives the distinction between the American Orientalism and other European Orientalism. Unlike the French or the British, America did not have direct colonial experience in the Orient. American Orientalism was thus more indirect and abstract. As a result of this abstraction, American orientalism is very much politicized by the presence of Israel as their main ally. The view of Israel that all Arab states are its enemies is thus imported into the American orientalism, which plays a significant role in portraying all Arab states as enemies (Orientalism). Whereas the terrorism exists in the middle east as a result of the violence and the political problems there, much of the images portrayed by the media only serve as to demonize the Arab nations and do not tell the whole story behind the problems in the Middle East.

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 40

Psychology - Essay Example eeling and 1ehaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of other human beings.† In other words, the concept itself talks about the mindset of a crowd of people living in a particular environment, brought up in a particular manner and dealing with everyday situations the way that they feel best, however, at the same time, their thoughts may not be compatible with people belonging to a different society. The main aim of this subject is to understand various topics like social behaviour, individual conformity to a group of peers, as well as emotions that one experiences like aggression or prejudice towards something. Understanding social interaction is very important because it forms the basis of human relationships; only when one is able to understand the thinking of another will he be able to act in an appealing manner to be accepted by that person. This is a subject that is prevalent in all streams and aspects of the world; may it be education, work or a personal life, it is pertinent to understand social behaviour in order to comprehend the social psyche of an individual and act in a befitting manner. It cuts across all other subjects especially other disciplines of sociology itself because it aims to decipher people’s notions and apply it to daily living. The interesting thing about this subject is that it focuses not on a particular individual and his characteristics or traits but on a group of such people and their collective behaviour while being part of a bigger picture and being caught in a different situation. People often manipulate their emotions and conduct in order to fit into various situations and feel comfortable in various circumstances and thus this subject assists in breaking down the psyche of an individual with respect to the entire social surrounding or setting and finding out where he or she may be going wrong with respect to their own identities. Social psychologists thus focus on situations that

Human Rights Analysis of South Africa

Human Rights Analysis of South Africa Naquille Curtis South Africa, post apartheid era, has had to refocus their attempts at bettering their demographics compared to many industrialized countries, as well as address inequalities within their current health care system. In addition to addressing those social and economic issues, their outlook on human rights has also been subject to refocus in light of the new era of political change. South Africa has had five constitutional changes within its history of being an independent republic, and their most current constitution (1996) had included Black African representation, a bill of rights (modeled from both the United States Constitution (1789) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)), and adult suffrage, which was a significant change to what the country was addressing before. Although their bill of rights and recent laws state that there is equality and rights for all people, issues of Xenophobia, unsafe abortion practices, educational and health-related disparities, and gend er inequality are still barriers in a country where these issues are supposed to be eliminated and upheld by the law (Crush, 2001). The State of South African Human Rights Amnesty International (2017), a nongovernmental global leader in addressing and protecting human rights, has listed several domains in which South Africa is not living up to what their constitution has been created to address. Issues include: polices excessive use of force and inhumane murder (chapter 2, section 12 violation), corporate accountability in relation to housing for underserved populations (chapter 2, section 26 violation), xenophobia (chapter 2, sections 9, 20, 24, 30, 31), womens rights (chapter 2, sections 9 28), LGBTQIA discrimination and hate crimes (chapter 2, sections 9, 18, 24), and educational inequalities (specifically those with disabilities) (chapter 2, sections 9 29). Amnesty International also reports that those who try to address these issues of inequality and human rights are also subjected to violence and being arrested, which is also a violation of inhumane treatment and freedom of speech/expression laws. Human Rights Watch (2017), another nongovernm ental organization, further discusses how South Africa has been excluding those with disabilities from education, as well as how lack of protection of queer individuals is showing that hate crimes are normalized within the country, and hosts a plethora of material in relation to which individuals, racially, suffer the most with these human rights violations.   Many of the discriminatory actions that South Africa is continuing to perpetuate on its citizens are factors as to why the country suffers in multiple areas, and that education, in particular, can be one of the vital ways to fix many of the issues that the country faces. Analysis of South African Human Rights According to Mapp (2014), the continent of Africa makes up 13 seats of the United Nations (UN) and, although the United Nations and other countries and organizations have had some say in what has been happening in South Africa in terms of human rights violations, there is not much these countries can do to enforce them because the United Nations has very little power in the enforcement department; rather, it is up to South Africa to realize their flaws and return to what they vowed to protect when the constitution was redesigned with help from other nations. Activism and speaking out against injustices are normally a great way to voice opinions and create radical changes when they are heavily needed, however, with the stressful security climate of the country and the harm being done to civilians who do speak out mixed with the complete marginalization of the those most affected in the country, South Africa will need to rely on the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty Inter national to make significant strides in the right direction. As Mapp described in their textbook (2014), All people should be equal under the law and should have equal opportunities to develop their potential (p.23), and South Africa can make the shift from making empty governmental promises to working with others to cultivate the safe and nurturing environment for all of those they had promised to serve. References Amnesty International. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2017, from  https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/africa/south-africa/ Assembly, C. (1996). Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Cape Town. Assembly, U. G. (1948). Universal declaration of human rights. UN General Assembly. Constitution, U. S. (1789). Constitution of the United States.  Accessed 28 March 2017. Crush, J. (2001). The dark side of democracy: migration, xenophobia and human rights in South  Africa. International Migration, 38(6), 103-133. Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2017, from https://www.hrw.org/ Mapp, S. C. (2014). Human rights and social justice in a global perspective: An introduction to  international social work. Oxford University Press, USA.

Free Awakening Essays: The Parrot :: Chopin Awakening Essays

The Importance of the Parrot in The Awakening "Go away! Go away! For heaven’s sake! That’s all right!" (1) Chopin opens her poetic novella, The Awakening, not with the dialogue of a character, but with the ramblings of a brash parrot. Immediately, Chopin compels her readers to ponder what significance, if any, these seemingly random words will have in the following tale. Yet, it is not until the final pages that we recognize the bird’s true importance and meaning. The parrot, though seldom referred to within the text, comes to symbolize Edna’s role in society and the woman she becomes as she is spiritually awakened. At first impression the parrot’s bold demeanor creates an image of eccentricity. His spirited exclamations give him an air of impertinence, defiance, and intelligence that one would not expect of such a bird. Chopin portrays Edna in the same light, showing that perhaps as the parrot may deviate from the norm, so does Edna, who digresses from the society in which she lives. She does not conform to the image of a typical woman in society, playing the roles of a devoted mother and wife. Edna ignores these standards by engaging in two extra-marital affairs and by placing her own life before those of her children. Her desire to live as she pleases lies in direct opposition to the duties she is expected to perform, and she refuses to put on this performance to satisfy society. As a result, Edna seems as brazen and audacious as the parrot that obviously does not mimic the sounds he hears and instead seems to create his own. Again squawking, "Go away! Go away!" at the bothersome piano playing of two girls, Chopin writes, "He was the only being present who possessed sufficient candor to admit that he was not listening to these gracious performances for the first time that summer." (23) Edna shows similar candor in her unwillingness to accept society’s burdening stereotypes. The seemingly intelligent bird "could speak a little Spanish, and also a language which nobody understood..." (1) Though the parrot’s remarks appear to fall on deaf ears, Edna is one who can identify with his presumable wisdom, as her existence too is misjudged. Both Edna and the parrot are depicted as extraordinary and misunderstood in their surroundings, yet they are not free:as the parrot must exist in a cage, so Edna is caged by the restrictions society places upon her.

Wider Reading – Cider with Rosie and Cranford

Cider with Rosie is an autobiography, it is not fiction like a novel but an account of a persons own life. Unlike a novel, it does not have the thread of a story with interacting characters connecting all it's parts. It has a different pattern with which we are all familiar. It is about childhood and growing up. We all have our own special early childhood memories and Laurie Lee seems to highlight the things we all have in common. The book starts with early childhood, early memories of people, an animal and places which then seemed strange and sometimes frightening. It goes on to describe going to school and branches out to tell us about members of his family, neighbours, tales about the neighbourhood and how the changing seasons of the year changed peoples habits and activities. Laurie Lee writes about the illnesses which brought him close to death. He writes about the entertainment to be had in those days, his first girlfriends and the book ends in his teens with the first of his family about to leave home to get married. The book is set in the village of Slad which still exists, not far from Stroud in Gloucestershire, however Laurie Lee is writing about the village as it was fifty or sixty years ago. We are reading about a past that has changed almost out of recognition. Laurie Lee uses language in an attempt to make his memories come alive, vividly and colourfully. He may use a single word: â€Å"Peas come in long shells of green pearls† Or a comparison: â€Å"The sun hit me smartly on the face like a bully† Or a very descriptive and poetic sentence: â€Å"All day she trotted to and fro, flushed and garrulous, pouring flowers into every pot and jug she could find on the kitchen floor. † All of these words, phrases, comparisons and rhythm of sentences are chosen to add spring and sparkle into what is being described. Cider with Rosie is a youthful biography set in the colourful world of over half a century ago, it is about those occasions that occur in most of our lives. This is what makes the book such an enjoyable read. Cranford is the work of Elizabeth Gaskell on the surface it appears as a quaint picture of provincial life, we are told in the first sentence it is a society of â€Å"Amazons†. However as you get deeper into the book a somewhat ironic distance from society is maintained. Throughout the book there seems to be a tender, delicate mocking of lifestyles and values which invites us to marvel and sympathize with the eccentricity of the characters. Unlike Cider with Rosie, Cranford is a novel, studying the aspects of change in the world. However like Laurie Lee, Elizabeth Gaskell writes about the people she had known in her childhood. It must also be taken into consideration that Cranford is set one hundred and fifty years ago, about one hundred years before Cider with Rosie. Cider with Rosie and Cranford are both similar and different in many ways. Both books seem to be made up of short stories rather than a novel. In fact some chapters first appear as single articles in a magazine. In Cranford this is rather like the germs of stories which are found in the letters Miss Matty has kept tied into bundles which she reads with Mary. Cranford is a series of linked sketches of life among the ladies in a quiet country village in the 1830's, it is based on Knutsford in Cheshire where Elizabeth Gaskell spent her childhood. The novel revolves around Miss Deborah Jenkyns and her gentle sister Miss Matty, daughters of the former rector. Elements of drama are provided by the death of Captain Brown whilst trying to save the life of a child, the surprising marriage of the widowed Lady Glenmire to the vulgar Mr. Hoggins, the failure of a bank which ruins Miss Matty and her rescue by the fortunate return from India of her long lost brother Peter. In my opinion the reason why Cranford is such an enjoyable read is its amusing but loving portrayal of the old fashioned customs and ‘elegant economy' of a group of middle aged figures in society. Women in Cranford are very set upon keeping up their appearances and this can make them seem somewhat fierce, never openly admitting to straightened circumstances. They would rather practice ‘elegant economy' and observe the smallest rules of etiquette. At the tea table they would wear appropriate headgear while keeping to the well-understood patterns of social visiting. To gain self-respect you had to keep your feelings hidden this was as important as status. Due to this fact Mary learns more about the great sadness in her friend Miss Matty's life through the details she fails to tell her than through the details she reveals. In the book Cider with Rosie the narrator, Laurie Lee, actually lives in the village and sees and takes part in all village activities. Whereas in Cranford the narrator, Mary Smith, is an outsider and only hears of the goings on in the village from her friend Miss Matty. The idea of social order and solidarity is most strongly seen in Cranford when Miss Matty looses all her money. The other ladies of Cranford contribute all they can to set her up as a tea-seller and sweetshop keeper even though these kind and commercial practices would not enable her to survive elsewhere. As Mary comments: ‘My father says; â€Å"such simplicity might be very well in Cranford, but would never do in the world†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Cranfords marketing may not be responding adequately to change but social forms show otherwise. Although Cranford ladies stress the importance of class distinctions, it is in fact Miss Matty's loyal servant Betty and her new, labourer husband who offer her a home. This arrangement however does not need to be put to the test because Peter returns from India with enough money to bale out his sister. Peters return brings up another illusion the ladies in Cranford hold; the fact that they can manage without men. Elizabeth Gaskell can be seen as being somewhat tongue in cheek about the self-protective, socializing characteristics of the unmarried women. But on the other hand, Elizabeth Gaskell seems to be experimenting with what might be thought of as women's narrative. Mary comments that: â€Å"I had often occasion to notice the use that was made of fragments and small opportunities in Cranford; the rose-leaves that were gathered ere they fell, to make the pot-pourri for someone who had no garden; the little bundles of lavender-flowers sent to strew the drawers of some town-dweller, or to burn in the chamber of some invalid. Similarly, Cranford is made up of ‘fragments and small opportunities', The letters, which Miss Matty reads with Mary, carried with them: â€Å"A vivid and intense sense of the present time, which seemed so strong and full, as if it could never pass away. † These letters symbolized, as they are dropped one by one into the fire, a passing of a changing world. The world around Cranford is changing but the women seem to be set in their ways. They prefer to ignore the vast economic and social changes taking place taking place in England at that time. However they cannot remain unaffected. Cranford is made up of a collection of ageing women who although want to stay as they have always done are now becoming unable to do so. Throughout the book new influences keep on creeping their way in. These begin with the arrival of Captain Brown and continue with the closeness of the railway. Cranford is a town in a world of its own but it snobbishness and old-fashioned ways must make way for the more vital energetic forces of the new age. Never the less Cranford did have some good points. The motivation of Miss Matty and her friends was based on true kindness and generosity the very qualities the industrial new age lack. In the village of Slad in Cider with Rosie, everyone was poor. It was an extremely rural dwelling. There was a church, a chapel, post office, two pubs – the Star and the Woolpack – and the Hut for penny dancers. There would have been one woman in the village who acted as midwife and another who would lay out the dead. Villagers bottled fruit, kept pigs and hens, trapped pigeons, collected kindling, fermented flowery wines and bartered home grown vegetables, eggs, rabbits and game. There was a heroic village cricket team. Life was intensely communal, with choir outings, concerts and harvest festivals. Otherwise they just amused themselves. However the village was not all ‘fields of poppies and blue skies'. There were tramps and children dying of perfectly ordinary diseases like whooping cough. Then there was the murder of Vincent, the boastful villager who had returned from New Zealand, the escape of Jones's goat: â€Å"Huge and hairy as a Shetland horse. † There was also the tale of the Browns' sad ending in the workhouse and the suicide of the beautiful Miss Flynn. Walking was probably the main form of transport in Cider with Rosie along with cycling. The whole village went on many outings which mainly consisted of walking and picnics: â€Å"Then sometimes there'd be a whole days outing, perhaps to Sheepscombe to visit relations – a four-mile walk, which to our short legs seemed further, so that we needed all day to do it. † Laurie Lee also took trips with his local choir. These outings were a great reward and had to be worked hard for. They may have ventured to places like Weston-Super-Mare or Bristol to see the docks. â€Å"The first Choir Outing we ever had was a jaunt in a farm wagon to Gloucester. † A farm wagon was probably the most common form of transport for this kind of outing up until: â€Å"The coming of the horse-brake and charabanc† Man and horse power were the only power ever known to Laurie Lee in the village of Slad, with the horse being the most powerful. You could only travel at speeds of up to eight miles an hour, which really limited where you could go, as it says in the chapter ‘Last Days': â€Å"That eight miles an hour was life and death, the size of our world, our prison. † As Laurie Lee grew older he noticed changes occurring in the village transport which he had always known and been familiar with. There was the introduction of ‘The brass-lamped motor-car', ‘the clamorous charabanc', and ‘scarlet motor-bikes. ‘ Everything began to change as new technology began to take over. Cranford is almost the complete opposite to Cider with Rosie. In Cider with Rosie walking was common and thought of as the norm but in Cranford walking was almost unheard of especially among the upper class members of society. Miss Jamieson comments: â€Å"Don't you find it very unpleasant walking? † Miss Jamieson says this as if she looks down upon those who wish to walk. Or maybe it is just that she likes to draw attention to herself and the fact that she has ‘her own carriage in the coach house' and her very own sedan chair which she always went out in even if it was to cover the shortest of distances. There was also the railway which although everyone hated as it showed the change taking place in the outside world, was still a means of transport. The main means of education in Cider with Rosie is the small village school to which all the children attend. The school was made up of only two classes which you stayed in up until the age of fourteen. School was where you met the other village children and made friends. You didn't learn much at school, you left with: â€Å"Nothing in his head more burdensome then a few mnemonics, a jumbled list of wars and a dreary image of the worlds geography. It seemed enough to get by with. † School was more of a place to learn manners and prepare yourself for when you left and had to work in a field or factory. Unlike Slad there was no village school in Cranford, children would have been sent away to a boarding school or a private tutor would be hired. Peter was sent away to Shrewsbery boarding school and was to go to Cambridge but he did not do very well. His father could not afford to hire him a private tutor and so taught him to read and write himself. In Cider with Rosie Laurie Lee talks a lot about his first girlfriends. The relationships are mainly those of a young boy whereas in Cranford there is talk of marriage and settling down. In Cider with Rosie there was young Jo, a thin girl with brushed back hair a ‘cool face' and ‘speechless grace'. She was the first girl Laurie was ever interested in. Laurie would wait for her after school when they would go and play a game together. The game was: â€Å"Formal and grave in character, its ritual was rigidly patterned. It was almost like a game of doctors, Jo would be the patient lying on the grass and Laurie would be the doctor moving his hands across her, exploring her body. They played this game every night until they were caught and even then they were just laughed at, Laurie comments: â€Å"There were no magistrates to define us obscene. † Then there was Rosie Burdock, a devious girl who had ‘sharp salts of wickedness about her' and looked at you with the ‘sly glittering eyes of her mother. ‘ The events between Laurie and Rosie are what give the book its title. Rosie was provocative. Laurie had gone to the farm to help with the haymaking when he stumbled upon Rosie behind a haycock. She had a bottle of cider and offered it to Laurie and so he had: â€Å"His first long secret drink of golden fire. † It was at this time under the hay wagon that Laurie had his first kiss: â€Å"We kissed, once only, so dry and shy, it was like two leaves colliding in air. † These images of romance in Cider with Rosie are very innocent, those of a young boy learning more and more about the world each day as he becomes adolescent. Cranford is a society of women who think they can live without men. It was unheard of for women in this period to tell a man that they were interested in them. It was not like today where it is perfectly acceptable for a woman to ask man out in those times the women had to wait to be asked by the man. In the chapter ‘A love affair of long ago' we hear of Miss Pole's cousin Mr. Holbrook who offered to Miss Matty long ago. From then on the whole chapter revolves around the ladies gossiping about why Miss Matty did not accept his offer. Also within this chapter we can see another example of class-consciousness: They did not like Miss Matty to marry below her rank. † This gives the impression that Mr. Holbrook was not looked upon as good enough for Miss Matty. When anyone in Cranford got married it made all the other ladies look to themselves and wonder if their turn would ever come. For this reason they would dress up smartly perhaps to impress the men or perhaps simply to make themselves feel better. Contact between people in Cider with Rosie is mainly by word of mouth. As the village is so small everyone hears about each other's business. Everyone hears about the death of Miss Flynn and the murder of Vincent the New Zealander. The good thing about this is the fact that everyone knows each other and however bad the crime committed they are not about to go and tell the police. To this day it is still unknown as to who committed the murder. Of course letters were written but as education was poor many people in Slad could not read or write, which made letter writing difficult. In Cranford contact was also spread by word of mouth and gossiping between the ladies but the main point of contact was through letters. Mary Smith keeps in contact with Miss Matty through letters, it is the sorting through of old letters which prompt Miss Matty to unearth the story of her younger brother, Peter. In the beginning of the book the only contact that Mary has with the village is from her occasional visits to Miss Matty. However, as the book progresses she becomes increasingly active in shaping the town she records. It is she who initiates the scheme to set Miss Matty up in her teashop and she who sends off the letter which recalls Peter. The older generations in the village of Slad in Cider with Rosie seem to make more of an effort to dress up formally then those who are younger. Laurie Lee's two Grannies, Granny Wallon and Granny Trill included. They wore: â€Å"High laced boots and long muslin dresses, beaded chokers and candlewick shawls, crowned by tall poke bonnets tied with trailing ribbons and smothered with inky sequins. † Laurie was enthralled by their attire. He would imagine many, many grannies all dressed up parading in front of him, as he puts it: â€Å"Rank upon rank of hobbling boots, nodding bonnets, flying shawls and furious chewing faces. There is talk in the chapter ‘Outings and Festivals' of Peace in 1919. Everyone was to go in fancy dress. Laurie watched everyone change. He watched as his sister Marge transformed herself into Queen Elizabeth with his other sister Phyllis as her lady in waiting. Marge wore: â€Å"A gown of ermine, a brocaded bodice, and a black cap studded with pearls. † Laurie sees his sister in a new light. She is beautiful and graceful, Laurie is awestruck. Phyllis is also looking beautiful, she is wearing: â€Å"A long chequered dress of black and white velvet, and a hat full of feathers and moths. † Ladies in Cranford weren't too fussy about what they wore. They didn't follow fashion but what they did wear made them look respectful and admirable, as it was the expected rules of dress. They observe: â€Å"What does it signify how we dress at Cranford, where everybody knows us? † When they visited other towns or villages their explanation for dress was: â€Å"What does it signify how we dress here, where nobody knows us? † So the women in Cranford stuck to clothing that was in general ‘good and plain'. There are many interesting characters in Cider with Rosie but perhaps the most amusing are the grannies. Their constant bickering and unusual habits make you feel warmth towards them. They are two very different characters. Granny Wallon was the more mysterious of the two, scurrying around never saying much about her past. She was very interested in the outside world collecting plants and taking walks in the garden: â€Å"One saw her hobbling home in the evening, bearing her cargoes of crusted flowers, till she had buckets of cowslips, dandelions, elder-blossom crammed into every corner of the house. † Then there was simple Granny Trill who seemed to the children very strange. Her pattern of life was very different to others, Laurie says: â€Å"She breakfasted, for instance at four in the morning, had dinner at ten, took tea at two-thirty, and was back in her bed at five. † Granny Trill seemed almost fierce. She was very religious and believed very much in fate, she also believed she knew what was going to happen in the future. These two Grannies were ancient enemies but their lives revolved entirely around one another: â€Å"Like cold twin stars, linked but divided, they survived by a mutual balance. † The Grannies died within two weeks of one another. Granny Trill was the first to go and once she was gone there was no further reason for Granny Wallon to live. You can tell from the constant references throughout the book that Laurie Lee has a lot of respect for his mother. She has been through a lot. She was left to bring up many children on her own after her husband left to go to war. She lives in hope of his return and when the war ends she is really exited but he never returns and ‘mother' is left to nurse a broken heart forever. Cranford also has its far share of interesting characters. There is ‘The Honourable Mrs. Jamieson', all but Mary look upon her as the local oracle although she shows herself to be quite unworthy of her status. She doesn't seem interested in others and at house-parties when everyone else is chatting and playing cards it can be counted upon that Mrs. Jamieson would be found fast asleep or eating. There is also Signor Brunoni who is a majestic figure revealed when the curtain rises on a much vaunted performance of magic in the assembly hall. He is an exotic touring conjurer who is not all he appears to be. Of course there is also the dear and innocent Miss Matty who everyone knows and loves. Unfortunately she has led a sad life of lost opportunities. She admits: â€Å"I dream sometimes that I have a little child†¦ she comes to me when she is very sorry or very glad, and I have wakened with the clasp of her dear little arms round my neck. † Finally there is Mary Smith the narrator of the novel. She has much affection for the ladies in Cranford and provides a link between the old world and the new industrial one. She is practical and down to earth, able to sort out many of her neighbours' problems and on many occasions she has the last word. I would now like to end by saying which of the two communities I would like to live in and why. Cranford is very picturesque with its ‘elegant economy' and rules of social etiquette. The people who live there are very interesting and amusing and have true qualities of kindness and generosity. If somebody gets into trouble they stick together and help each other. But Cranford is in a little world of its own. The world around them is changing but they are too determined to stick with their old fashioned traditions that they will not move with the times. For this reason I can say I would prefer to live in Slad with Laurie Lee. I like the fact that everyone knows each other and are willing to stick up for one another. Everyone one treats each other equally and they aren't as class conscious and so quick to pass judgement as those in Cranford. Slad is a more rural community where everyone chips in. There seems to be more freedom and although the education isn't brilliant at least you get to stay with your family. If you have a problem you don't have to go through it on your own, everyone will be there to support you and won't judge you for it. As far as I am concerned, Slad, the rural village of the 1940's would offer me a more fulfilling existence.

The Annual Catholic Appeal

Part of our obligation as Catholics is to grow in prayer, and participate along with contributing to your parish. Another part of our duty to participate in the parish is to give back to the Lord financially. The Archdiocese of St. Louis has looked out for each other for many years through the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) by the help of their stewardship and generosity. Archbishop Robert J. Carlson also specifically states that â€Å"Taking stewardship seriously means giving thanks to God through prayer, participation and generosity. The ACA calls us to fulfill these obligations that were made recognized by Archbishop Carlson by giving back to the Church once a year since the Catholic Church has given so much for us after all. In just a short time period in the springtime, the ACA calls the Catholic church to fulfill their duties as Catholics with their generosity. For every dollar that is donated to the Annual Catholic appeal, only 9 cents is kept by the organization.Through the ge nerosity of the Catholic community, the ACA can accomplish incredible things in Catholic communities. Through the funds the ACA receives, students can create remarkable foundations for the rest of their lives in the Catholic Schools by which the ACA donates to Catholic Schools annually. Not only do the funds provided by the Archdiocese of St. Louis help provide excellent educations to the youth, the also go toward helpingretired priests, feeding the hungry, and giving shelter the homeless.But these are just a few of the praiseworthy things that the ACA accomplishes, there are many unseen remarkable things that the ACA helps conquer such as sparing the life of an unborn baby! The Catholic Church teaches to love one another as the good Lord Jesus loves you, which is why Catholics, in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, should answer their call to stewardship by giving just a mere 15% of their annual income to the ACA. When one puts it in perspective, God sacrificed his son, Jesus, so that h umanity could be freed from sin and be granted eternal life so is 15% of a person’s income to much to ask for?Since Jesus gave his life, Catholics should willingly give back to their community so that the homeless can seek shelter, the priests can can live a good retirement, the hungry can find food, and children in Catholic schools can receive solid foundations to the rest of their lives. Given these ideas, I often wonder if I truly and willingly answer my call to stewardship? Do I help give back to the community since the community has given so much to me? Am I grateful for all the great things that God has given me? Do I give back to God?God gave me life, and I cherish that gift by respecting it and being prayerful that I remain safe so that I can continue to live this awesome life that God gave me. I never abuse my life nor do I abuse the lives of others. I respect all of God’s creations and even attend my obligation to attend Sunday Mass regularly. But do I really show that I’m Catholic? It’s thoughts like this that, even when I do think I am living a life of stewardship, I wonder if I am even close to fulfilling my obligations as a Catholic. But, I can model my life after others that significantly answer their call to stewardship.I can constantly remind myself of what Jesus would want me to do. I can think from my heart to help out others in any way that is recognizable by others. I can give thanks to God by being generous and conversing with God through prayer. I can also give back to the Church with generosity, just like the other members of the Catholic community. If the ACA can give generously, how come we are not as generous at times? The ACA counts on the community within the Archdiocese in order to fulfill its goal each year. With everyone's generous contributions, the ACA always receives more than enough to fulfill their goals.The ACA gave more than $30,000 to help immigrants and refugees, along with giving over $25,00 0 to food pantries within the Archdiocese parishes. They help criminal justice systems by giving over $20,000 and the ACA significantly helps out the area schools by giving substantial amounts to the Catholic schools. But, not only does the ACA give generously to all of these organizations, they give over $1,100,000 to tons of other Catholic charities! If the ACA is this generous, we should be just as generous by answering part of our call to stewardship and giving back to our community through the help of the ACA.