Analysis of Chopin’s use of linguistic features in her literary works

From the Victorian era, Chopin startled critics with her paradigmatic tale of a woman’s abortive struggle towards independence in an oppressive society. By using women as her protagonist, Chopin highlights their sexist roles in literature whilst restricting them from the expansion necessary to deal with their realisation. It thus seemed conducive to transform the novel into a series of letters in the form of English Sonnets, establishing the undeveloped characterisation of Edna with Robert, whilst they are separated from each other. The transformation aims to elucidate Edna’s role in society, by satirizing the narrow and stereotypical way in which woman are commonly portrayed in literature. The novel as a form does not offer the opportunity for character development in the same way a series of letters/sonnets do. For example, Edna openly declares her love for Robert, at the time of her death: â€Å"I’m the person who deserves your love.† The continuous sense of the author’s evaluation of the moral choices that her characters make is lost; they seem more autonomous throughout the sonnets because they speak for themselves without Chopin’s explicit authorial presence. The sonnet form successfully mimics letter writing as both forms are addressed to someone, whilst informing and shedding light on their own thoughts. Moreover, when the two characters reveal their feelings to each other or reminisce of their time together at Grand Isle, the meter is tight, mirroring the natural sound of a heart beating. For example, Robert declares: â€Å"The bonds we made grew deeper than the sea.† This foreshadows events, making it clear to the reader the context of which the letter/sonnets are written, in the novel. As the final sonnet concludes, the iambic pentameter in the rhyming couplets deliberately fails, creating the sound of a dying and irregular heartbeat, phonetically indicating Edna’s death. Both lines thirteen and fourteen consist of eleven syllables, breaking the strict rule of including five iambs with one unstressed and stressed syllable, to make up the meter. Unlike the rest of the sonnets, the final is in past tense which suggests that she has already died and is looking back on her words to Robert. The fact that she dies simultaneously as the sonnet concludes, highlights the end of their communication and hence concludes the transformation through her tragic death. Phallogocentrism is a key attitude conveyed in Robert’s sonnets, particularly after he discovers that Edna only likes him to gain attention from her husband, whom she believes to be having an affair. For example, conventional values of gender roles are implied through this simile: â€Å"like a deceived husband not knowing you,† which aims to make Edna feel sympathy towards her husband, in an attempt to reduce her emotional desire for Robert, which contrastingly accentuates through the discourse of the transformation. In conclusion, the third sonnet uses juxtaposition of Edna’s beauty to highlight her cunning and manipulative ways as a female protagonist. This is revealed through the line: â€Å"For there can live no hatred on your face,† which highlights Edna’s surfaced, innocent faà §ade, concealing her inner desires, highlighting her non feminist attitude.

Human Resource of Ritz Carlton Essay

Introduction In today’s economy where knowledge and skills demand are rising, it is also the responsibility of an organization’s human resource team to analyze and ensure they recruit the most appropriate candidate for the job. Organisations have been seeking, attracting and retaining the best talents available in order to overcome the competitive challenges that they are facing today. Apart from achieving the strategic goals and objectives of an organization, human resource management (HRM) also plays a part in the output of a company performance as it lays down strategic decisions, policies, as well as systems, that may affect the most important asset in the organization, its employees (Armstrong, 2008, p.5). In this assignment, it will reference to Ritz Carlton that is one of the most successful organizations that have acknowledged their human resource (employees) as the most important asset to achieve goals and objectives. The focus on human resources into recruiting, selecting and development has aided them to achieve several worldwide recognition awards such as the gold standard of hospitality (The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, 2011). Recruitment and Selection Hellriegel and Slocum (2007, p.161) states that Ritz Carlton knows the type of employees they are looking for in every job position, and is careful to only employ those who display the skills and behavior required to accomplish the job. Ritz Carlton has always been successful in selecting and recruiting the most suitable talents to their organisations that will fit into their cultures, values and service standard that is crucial in maintaining or even heighten the standard of Ritz Carlton. With positions that require employees to be on the front line to interact and serve guests, it is of utmost importance that an employee is able to provide the level of service required to meet or exceed the satisfaction level of the guests as failing to do so may result in negative feedback, leading to poor company performance. In the success of Ritz Carlton, its employees had played a significant role by blending into the organization’s culture, abiding by the organization’s value and philosophy, to create a unique and pleasant experience for its guests. Training & Development A well planned and structured training not only provides information and direction to accomplish specific tasks related to organizational needs and objectives, it also leads to behavioral change and improvement in job performance (Vaughn, 2005, p.2) In Ritz Carlton, be it current employees or new hires, employees are provided with an array of opportunities to learn and develop skills to facilitate and enhance employee performance. In the case of an employee in management role, training could lead him to better decision-making skills for both himself, and for the organization. For employees in the non-management positions, training could include developing the necessary skills, knowledge, the right mindset, as well as the abilities to resolve problems. Today, with the numerous awards won for its legendary services, Ritz Carlton had proven that its employees had been consistent in demonstrating the skills, knowledge, and behavior obtained via training. With their heavy focus on human resources training and development, employees are more equipped and knowledgeable in tackling problems, changes or any obstacles while performing their tasks which will lead to increased productivity which may be crucial for organizations that may need constant improvement. Employee Retention For an organization to be relying very much on its employees Ritz Carlton have not only provided a unique work environment, it has also recognized the needs to prioritize the health and well-being of its employees as a mean to retain its talented employees. By being able to retain the talented individuals in the organizations, Ritz Carlton will be able to invest their capital more efficiently as they do not need to waste time and money on new hires and re-trainings. High-turnover rate of any organisation will be disruptive and non-productive for the work environment that will might slow down or affect the growth of the organisation. Therefore, retaining the best talent within the organisation is also crucial for any organisations. Ritz Carlton is a good example as they create a very good working environment as they respect others and in return, receive the respect from others with their famous motto â€Å"We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentleman†. (The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, 2011). Employee Compensation Career development plans, opportunities to promote within the organization, complimentary employee meals and retirement plans are just some of the benefits offered by Ritz Carlton to motivate its employees. Apart from that, Ritz Carlton had also recognized the need to respond to the needs of its employees by getting employee feedback. By having motivated employees, Ritz Carlton had also gained a competitive edge by having more loyal and committed employees who would go the extra mile to get their job done. Conclusion Human Resource (employees) is the greatest asset to an organization as they contribute directly to the growth of an organizations. With capable and talented employees in the workforce, an organization can benefit greatly as its employees could make critical and responsible decisions that determines the progress of an organization. However, an effective and efficient human resource strategy needs to be implemented for both employees and organization to fully benefit from it. In the example of Ritz Carlton where its employees are its greatest asset, its human resource department has taken further measurements by analyzing and identifying the requirements of an individual who can perform the job. With the right attitude and beliefs, its employees are given a wide array of opportunities to learn and develop skills via training which would lead to increased productivity and efficiency. In an attempt to retain its top talents, Ritz Carlton had also been successful in providing attractive benefits, as well as a distinctive work environment, so as to keep its employees motivated, loyal and committed. To conclude, Ritz Carlton had been remarkably successful in its strategy of using its employees as its greatest asset to achieve its goals and objectives. References A. Noe et al.(2010): Human Resource Management: Gaining a Competitive Advantage(7th Edition) . New York: McGraw-Hill D.Hellriegel and W.Slocum (2007): Organizational Behavior (11th Edition) . USA: Thomson South-Western H.Vaughn (2005): The Professional Trainer: A Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Delivering, and Evaluating Training Programs(2nd Edition) . San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers M. Armstrong (2008): Strategic Human Resource Management: A Guide to Action(4th Edition) . US: Kogan Page Publishers The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company,2011. About Us.[Online]. Available at: http://corporate.ritzcarlton.com/en/About/Default.htm. [Accessed 16 November 2011] The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company,2011. Learn and Develop.[Online]. Available at: http://corporate.ritzcarlton.com/en/Careers/YourCareer/LearningAndDevelopment.htm. [Accessed 16 November 2011] The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, 2011. Gold Standards. [Online]. Available at: http://corporate.ritzcarlton.com/en/About/GoldStandards.htm#promise. [Accessed 16 November 2011] Bibliography H. Koontz and H.Weihrich(2008): Essentials of Management: An International Perspective(7th Edition) . New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill

Christology of Jesus in the Book of Colossians Essay

Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As hints from the book’s internal evidences point (Col.1:4, 23; 2:1), the church at Colossae was not founded by the Apostle Paul, but rather the fruit of one of his associates’ labor – namely, Epaphras. His words like â€Å"we heard of your faith,† â€Å"the gospel which you heard,† and â€Å"for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,† indicate clearly that these people to whom he was writing were known by him only through means other than himself. Nevertheless, they are close to him since they are the result of Eparhras’ bringing of the Gospel in their place (Aid to Bible Understanding 1971). Epaphras was Apostle Paul’s son in the faith much like Timothy and Titus. He had come to know the Lord through the preaching of Paul in Ephesus and eventually carried the message with him back to Colossae and the result was the founding of the church there. Like any father would feel of significant accomplishments of his son, the Apostle was exhilarated simply by reflecting on such achievement wrought by his son in the faith (Henry 1998). Indeed, it’s quite a feat. To the eyes of a true apostle of Christ who have grasped the vision of the Lord of the harvest, nothing more and none else bears the mark of indisputable success than the authentic surrender of previously rebellious sinners to the Lordship of Jesus (Walvoord & Zuck 1997). The church in Colossae is yet another landmark to the progress of the Gospel and the advancement of the kingdom of God as well. In Biblical perspective, this is true success. This letter, therefore, was Paul’s response to the report he received from Epaphras regarding the spiritual condition of the Colossians. The details of the report, however, are not thoroughly positive. Concurrently, the whole scenario was one of good prospects, with regard to what they are already enjoying being in Christ, and the possibility of some of them being dragged away to religious nonsense because of the presence of false teachers among them who actively engaging them into a kind of doctrines that sidetrack them from the right focus. These false teachers are so subtle in their approach that caught the Colossians off guard. The presence of these cultic teachings in their midst brought them to a situation that is very dangerous, and Paul had to write to them a polemic on the fundamentals of the Person of Christ and what He achieved on the cross for them (Duncan p.1 â€Å"The Incomparable Christ†). Historical & Cultural Background   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is interesting to note that Phrygians are one among the many peoples present in Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost at the time when the promised Holy Spirit descended upon the first band of disciples in the upper room (Acts 2:10). These people were there at the very center of God’s activity when He was mobilizing His first band of missionaries to reach the first of the target geographic spheres – Jerusalem. Earlier, Jesus pronounced that his disciples would become His witnesses in â€Å"Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.† At the brink of this massive missionary activity, a people who would eventually become direct beneficiaries of an apostolic letter were present – witnessing a poignant presentation of the gospel by Apostle Peter. The city of Colossae was once known to be a great city and was hailed by famed historic figures such as Alexander the Great and Herodotus. Both spoke, in their respective times, of Colossae as â€Å"a great city.† However, at the time of the writing of the Apostle Paul of his letter to the Colossians, the city was not as celebrated as Laodicea and Hierapolis (Smith The Letter To The Colossians, New Testament Introduction) in comparison. However, along with these greater Phrygian cities, Colossae was famed for its textile industry. In the ancient world, a variety of cloth called â€Å"Colossinum† with its purple wool was one of the exquisite that it was very much valued. Thus, Colossae was among the triad of known center of the textile industry. Geographically, it was positioned along the banks of the Lycus River, and was 160 kilometers travel to the east side of Ephesus. It’s easy to think of a Christian disciple from Ephesus to have gone to this nearby city to extend the gospel; and indeed, it might have been Epaphras who blazed the trail of evangelistic work there and probably since then holding the reins of pastorate there. Since Colossae was in the regions of Phrygia which was itself part of Greece, the population was naturally Phrygians, Greeks, and considerable number of Jews. In his book, â€Å"The Antiquities of the Jews,† Josephus Flavius recorded that during the reign of Antiochus the Great (223-187 B.C.), he banished into exile from Babylonia 2,000 Jewish families and relocated them into the districts of Phrygia and Lydia (Antiquities 12.147-153). The probability was high that the descendants of those Jews who immigrated there two centuries earlier, were without a doubt still living in the same region, and in Colossae particularly were rooted and settled by the first century A.D. Culture’s Influence   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The mixture of population in Colossae undoubtedly contributed to the difficulty in determining decisively what kind of philosophies or false teachings have crept into the fellowship of Christians at Colossae. The manner through which the problem is identified in the book makes scholars conclude that it was syncretism. Because these false teachers have never outrightly denied Christ in their instructions, if looked at the surface, they appear to be Christian teachers in the eyes of the new converts whose level of understanding of the Christian doctrines was at this time not yet thorough strong. False teachers used Christ only as their launching station to bring these people into the true substance of their belief. For example, it would only disturb the Colossians if these teachers uncunningly had presented themselves as Gnostics, or Judaizers, or some pagan gurus propagating their paganistic philosophies (Bauer et al. 1979). Therefore, they stealthily conducted themselves among Christians and apparently they have successfully injected some of the important features of their doctrines into the forefront among the biblical truths which the Colossians were previously oriented to focus their minds on, namely, the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Paul elaborated on the implications of everything that the Person of Christ stood for. From unveiling the majestic Person of Christ to the natural ramifications of what it means he went on in scrupulous details. The confusion that these false teachers created among the Colossian church was very dangerous that it threatens the very character of their identity as Christians (i.e. disciples who follow Christ’s teachings). And besides, it endangers the spiritual lives of the believers at Colossae. Gospel truths will lead to true godliness while half-truths or the Gospel mixed with other philosophical elements which are not found in Christ will always lead to the destruction of life in general. According to Paul, it’s not possible for them to practice Jewish religious rituals, and embrace paganistic beliefs and philosophies, and still retain the true nature of Christianity. As can be seen, the cultural background through which Colossians was written played a huge role on how Paul developed his themes in the book. They could not have escaped the applications of Paul’s teachings since he made everything clear to them. The structure of Gnosticism’s philosophy was based on presuppositions such as, God is the Supreme Being who is spirit and good in nature. He is the unnamed Father, and out of the core of His being flows a series of emanations/aeons or mediators, and the material world is evil. Reading Paul’s letter in the midst of a culture that is so familiar with the Gnostic teachings, one would not miss the images he was using and its implications (Shelley 1982 pp.52-54). To the things advocated by these Gnostics, like for instance, that they needed â€Å"mediaries† to be able to tap to that special wisdom which alone could be received from God, Christ is the â€Å"wisdom of God.† The advocacy of Jewish traditions which are also present and rampant among these believers were just as attractive as all these Hellenistic philosophies in that it lay claim to the very roots of Christianity (Gaebelien 1998). To those who find the arguments of Judaizers logically appealing, the Apostle would say: â€Å"They are but a shadow of things to come.† All of the legitimate practices of the people of God as sanctioned by the Old Testament Scriptures were all types and only a shallow of the real thing (Gill 2000). They all pointed to Christ and when Jesus came all of them were done away with because the whole substance of those things is Christ. And Christ was manifested in the flesh. To the Gnostic who does not believe in the incarnation of the Christ in literal physical body, Paul’s word is: â€Å"In Him (Jesus) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily† (Col.2:9). To those Jewish Christians who constantly were being â€Å"Judaized† by the Judaizers wanting them to incorporate certain elements of their tradition, Paul’s message is: â€Å"You were circumcised by the circumcision of Christ.† He made it in the spirit â€Å"without hands.† â€Å"God has forgiven all your trespasses because Christ has wiped out everything that the righteous requirements of the law have been demanding from you.† Christ neutralized all the incriminatory proofs written in the Jewish canon that would declare Christians guilty, whether Jews or Gentiles, before the bar of God’s justice (Metzer 1975). In Paul’s own words, â€Å"He (Christ) has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross† (Col.2:11-14). The Colossians were reminded of the all sufficiency of Christ (Wenham et al 1994). Overall Message of the Book   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Since what is under attack is the very Person of Jesus Christ, and because this assault has far-reaching effects and naturally hit the Colossians at different fronts of their faith, Apostle Paul saw it necessary to concentrate his treatise on the Person and the work of Christ. For instance, as it was the assertion of certain teachers inside the church that the fullness of spiritual experience which until then had not been realized in their lives could be attained only through means other than Christ (e.g. worship of angels), Paul had to stress the distinctness and the exclusivity of the role of the second Person of the Godhead in salvation and in securing the fullness of experience of every believer in their relationship with God. The completeness and the comprehensiveness of Christ’s Person and work have covered everything that the Colossians could ever imagine. There is no angel, no religious practice/rituals, and no tradition could ever surpass Christ. Christ is supremely preeminent. The Colossians, contrary to what these false teachers wanted them to be convinced of with their teachings, has the fullness already in Christ. They needed only to realize this through the clear elaborations of an Apostle. Epaphras discovered the significance of this role of Paul, hence he asked for his reinforcement. During this time of the church’s history, Christ’s teachings were still significantly guarded by legitimate apostles. In Colossians 1:1, Paul opened his letter with this salutation: â€Å"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. . . to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse. . . .† He has not yet by this time visited the church at Colossae and therefore has not known personally many of them. They might have heard of him though through Epaphras. And so, his first words reflect the assertion that what will follow are instructions coming from the one who has been sent directly and authorized by Jesus Christ himself. Paul said, â€Å"I am an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.† This introduction stands in sharp contrast to the false teachers in their midst who go along professing to be spiritual elites who were privies to God, and possibly, Jesus. Therefore, the first few words of Paul are crucial and their force is carried through the entire letter. It bears the mark of apostolicity and hence it is not just an ordinary epistle. Paul was one of the privileged few in his time, like Peter and the rest of all the twelve authentic apostles, who had seen and were commission by Jesus personally. And at the time of his writing, there were many still living apostles who could attest to his claim, although it was not necessary. His apostleship was widely known among the first generation of Christians, and at Colossae, Epaphras was there as direct result of Paul’s apostleship – and the Colossians the indirect product of Paul’s commission. In setting forth very clearly the fact of his authority, what he had to say to them in this letter were not opinions or just lofty guesses coming from a person who mustered enough of his noble thoughts about Christ. His teachings were at that time the standard teaching of true apostles of Jesus (Clarke 2003).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another paganistic element in the teachings of these false teachers was the contention that insights into spiritual powers – demonic powers – that could protect and shield the Colossians could be acquired through certain observances and rituals. In particular, rites that were thought of as effective in restraining the flesh from engaging even in legitimate use of the body in marriage between husband and wife, and lawful consumption of food and use of things were put forward as necessary for superior spirituality. Again, to battle these cultic emphases on the superficial appearance of spirituality among the Colossians, the apostle Paul presses over and over again the theme of Christ’s overall sufficiency. The absolute preeminence of Christ has overarching cosmic implications. To know Christ is to know God. To know Christ is to know the Creator who not only created the universe and all of the planets, but also by His power hold these things together (Col.1:15-20). If Christ is, as the Apostle’s Creed faithfully declares, â€Å"very God of very God,† then they have all good reasons to trust in Him alone. No religious leader should dare to compare Him to angels nor to spiritual mediaries because He Himself is God. â€Å"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him† (Col.1:15-16). Themes of the Book   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the pressing concerns that had seriously affected the demeanor of the Colossians was their fear of the â€Å"stoicheia† – Greek word for â€Å"elementary principles.† The source of the heresy that Paul was battling among the Christians in Colossae was the philosophy that had successfully sneaked into their consciousness. It was very unfortunate to see an apostolic congregation being victimized by this philosophical nonsense (Balz & Schneider 1990). Paul would have to tell them in his letter of the utter rubbishness of what they are entertaining in place of Christ. They were playing with â€Å"philosophy† which amounts to â€Å"empty deception† because it comes from â€Å"the tradition of men† (Col.2:8). In the ancient times, stoicheia means many things. But basically, it means, as it is translated in English, â€Å"elementary instructions.† These include the physical elements like earth, water, fire, and wind. Also, the ancient people would have meant it to be â€Å"elemental spirits.† These elemental spirits are believed to be those powerful beings that control nature. These are evil spirits and therefore hostile in nature. They command the respect and allegiance of human beings because they rule over the fate of humans. They can cause â€Å"sicknesses, effect a curse, bring in poor crops, plagues, earthquakes, and natural disasters† (DeWaay â€Å"Colossian Heresy† p.1). The Colossians find this kind of teaching so attractive. Their problem however was that in this kind of hodgepodge religion, they had already fallen into idolatry from whence they had been delivered when they believed the Gospel. In the first chapter of Colossians, Paul established the reality of Jesus’ divinity. Jesus Christ is the one who is truly in control of the â€Å"elemental spirits† because He is in fact the Creator of everything â€Å"seen and unseen.† In Colossians 2:15, Paul presented Christ as one who through His death on the cross, â€Å"disarmed principalities and powers,† and by the power of His resurrection, â€Å"He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.† The culture where they happened to be living in has much influence on their lives that they never have suspected. This sinister influence had been there all along and just biding time, and had found the occasion through the false teachers. It was observed that this belief in â€Å"elemental spirits† had been characteristic of ancient Pagans and Jews. It could be that some of the initiates to the Colossian church were looking for help in Christian religion to avert the spell of stoicheia in their lives. This belief in â€Å"evil forces† in the air might even be their common background. They were brought up from this superstitious environment. Paul, therefore, had to remind them of what has transpired when they surrendered and have put their trust in Christ. They â€Å"died with Christ from the basic principles of the world† (Col.2:20). There’s the word â€Å"stoicheia† again. The Colossians should have totally forsaken any trace of this paganistic reservation. If Christ rules the universe, why fear the evils that these sinister spirits could inflict them? And if Christ is the Creator and for whom all things were created, including â€Å"invisible elements,† and all the spiritual hierarchy in the heavens, then He must be Supreme and Sovereign. The Colossians did not have to subject themselves to useless regulations. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The understanding of the Person of Christ is crucial to the establishment of the Christian’s faith. After this elaboration of Paul on the majesty of the Person of Jesus Christ in his epistle to the Colossians, there should be none any more room for any additives to the faith and practice of the Christian life. Christ’s Person and His redemptive work are sufficient source of unshakeable confidence. Thinking about the Person of Christ, of who He really is as portrayed by Paul in Colossians, how could possibly anyone who knows all these things concerning Jesus add to Him the philosophies of mere men? What is it there that innovative human beings can add to Christ? False teachers of Paul’s day would say that if one wanted to be freed from the dominion and powers of darkness, even if he or she has Christ already, there needed to be certain things to be added. To this, Paul would retort: â€Å"Christ has saved us from the powers of darkness and there’s nothing to be added. He is enough and we are complete in Him.† To look for â€Å"fullness† somewhere else and other than Christ is to doubt His Person. All things consist in Him and in Him all the fullness dwells. In Christ we received redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. Works cited: Anonymous.   1971.   Aid to Bible Understanding. Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. (Aid). Bauer, Walter; Arndt, William; Gingrich, F. Wilbur; Danker, Frederick.   1979. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Second Edition. Chicago, Ill: The University of Chicago Press. (BAGD). Balz, Horst and Schneider, Gerhard. 1990. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. 2 Volumes.   Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. (EDNT). Barnes, Albert, Notes on the Bible. Electronic E-Sword Files.   E-Sword copyright 2000 – 2003 by Rick Meyers.   www.e-sword.net Beveridge, William A Short History of the Westminster Assembly. Revised, edited, and introduced by J. Ligon Duncan III. Greenville: Reformed Academic Press, 1993. Clarke, Adam.   Commentary on the Bible.   Electronic E-Sword Files.   E-Sword copyright 2000 – 2003 by Rick Meyers.   www.e-sword.net Duncan, Ligon. Christology, Soteriology, and Eschatology. Orlando: RTS Media Ministries, 1993. [with accompanying audio tapes].Ligon Duncan III. Greenville: A Press, 19911,    19932, 19943. Cunningham, William An Introduction to Theological Studies. Edited and introduced by J.Ligon Duncan III. Greenville:   Ã‚   A Press, 19911, 19932, 19943. DeWaay â€Å"Colossian Heresy† p.1. Retrieved   March 20, 2008 Douglas, J.D. and Comfort, Phillip.   The New Commentary of the Whole Bible: New Testament: Based on the Classic Commentary by Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown.   Electronic STEP Files.   Cedar Rapids, IA: Parsons Technology (JFB). Gaebelien, Frank, editor. 1998. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.   Electronic STEP Files.   Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. (EBC). Gill, John.   Exposition of the Entire Bible.   Electronic E-Sword Files.   E-Sword copyright 2000 – 2003 by Rick Meyers.   www.e-sword.net Henry, Matthew.   1998.   Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.   Electronic STEP Files.   Cedar Rapids, IA: Parsons Technology. Metzger, Bruce M. 1975. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament.   3rd Edition.   Stuttgart, Germany: United Bible Societies. The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Power BibleCD Version 3.3 Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 Phil Lindner, Online Publishing, Inc. Shelley, Bruce. Church History in plain language. 1982 pp.52-54. Walvoord, John and Zuck,   Roy.   1997. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament.   Electronic STEP Files.   Cedar Rapids,   IA: Parsons Technology. (BKC). Wenham, G.J., Motyer, J.A., Carson, D.A. and France, R.T. 1994.   New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Downer’s Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press. (NBC).   

Contemporary Issues in Eastern Religion - Jainism Research Paper

Contemporary Issues in Eastern Religion - Jainism - Research Paper Example 1). The core beliefs of Jainism focus on the existence of the soul for every living being, karmas, and the concept of non-violence, among others. These beliefs were deeply rooted in Indian traditions and belief in reincarnation and karma. As closely related to Hinduism, Marett indicated that â€Å"in many ways the Jain community has been influenced by the customs and traditions of the larger Hindu community. Jain influence on Hinduism must include non-violence and vegetarianism Mahatma Gandhi, as is well-known, was deeply influenced, particularly in his attitude to non-violence by the Jains† (n.d., par. 5). In contrast to the predominant religions of the West, like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Jainism’s interaction with them are manifested in ways of communal living. As opposed to Christianity and Islam, religions that believe in a supreme being, Judaism and Jainism, â€Å"is both a religion and a community, a close-knit community with a way of life and worship which keeps religion in a central place in society. Unlike Jainism the religion of Judaism centers around the worship of a single all-powerful creator God. The code of right and wrong is strict but Judaism pays less attention to life after death than almost any other religion† (Marett, n.d., par. 7). Likewise, as averred by Ahmad (2010), â€Å"through various  interactions in India, Jainism had an influence on Hinduism and Buddhism, and they share concepts such as the seeking of freedom from  worldly life and reincarnation of the soul. Some scholars suggest that Hinduism adopted vegetarianism through strong Jain influence across India† (par.6). In the modern world, Jainism’s influence could be exemplified by the practices of monks and nuns who believe in celibacy and adhering to austere lifestyle. By living in a community committed to peace and non-violence, the traditions of Jainism are manifested. Further, devotees of Jainism are known to be vegetarians

As you sit down on the bus, you notice that John Locke, Edmund Burke Essay

As you sit down on the bus, you notice that John Locke, Edmund Burke and Karl Marx are having a discussion about the proper role - Essay Example Instead, John Locke in the discussion with the Edmund Burke and Karl Marx revolves around an insistence on accommodating divergent views. John Locke, believes in the perception of moral truths considered to result in a strong political implication. In a focus on toleration, John Locke highlights on the division of state and the church since it is not possible for the state to force moral behavior (Norman 68). The separation, would lead to free speech because of individuals exercising free thought. The separation according to Locke, needs to be absolute in terms of the state only focusing on civil concernments. The power by the state according to John Locke, should only focus on the outward force. However, religion provides an inward persuasion related to individual’s mind. On the other hand, the state’s actions in relation to imprisonment, confiscating estates or torments cannot manipulate the inward judgment of individual’s world views. Locke reiterates that, un derstanding the truth needs a volitional interaction between reality and a person’s mind. In essence, Locke in the discussion, asserts the need to separate the government or state force and the mind. In addition since the volitional relationship only exist between one’s mind and the reality, then, it means the political leaders have no authority to compel their opinions or thoughts on other people (Norman 72). As explained by John Locke, the state should exist to protect the rights of its citizens, but not to compel public morality. In regard to civil government, John Locke asserts that, the political power denotes the privilege of enacting laws that are supported through a threat of force. However, it is impossible to provide evidence of a person’s right to political power as a result of one’s lineage or ancestry. The formation of government through ancestry or following a lineage result in a draconian rule and in turn, exacerbate civil disorder(Norman 7 4). An alternative means is important in choosing political leaders and should focus on understanding men’s relationships with one another prior to the establishment of a government. The relationship, should focus the state of nature since, within a state of nature, every man that possess free will or reason has an independent mind and by implication, is also politically equal and independent. Locke suggests that, being endowed with similar faculties and co-existing in the same community of nature, then issues of subordination that result in the destruction of one another, should not exist. While contrasting individual’s state in relation to nature, John Locke also highlights on the war that may arise because of disobeying the law of nature. These state of war, is a threat to the lives of persons on whom it has been imposed and results in the need to exercise self-defense. Locke further suggests that, men often focus in establishing a civil society by voluntarily, reli nquishing their personal right to defend themselves against the established public authority. This often occurs as a result of searching for a mutual protection of individual’s liberties and property (Norman 78). As a result, the laws related to the state emanate from individuals consent to the establishment of a government authority. As maintained by Locke, the appropriate functions of the law involves establishing , but not limiting individual freedom since, the state does not exist to limit freedoms related to the rational

The Yellow Wallpaper - Managing the Madness-Mental Illness Research Proposal

The Yellow Wallpaper - Managing the Madness-Mental Illness - Research Proposal Example ory, an exaggerated account of an event from Gilman’s own life, stands as a statement against the male oppression of women experienced throughout much of history, but particularly as it was still experienced in the late 19th century when this story was written. Although many advances have been made on the part of women to explore their own goals and psyches, ‘the problem that has no name’ discussed by Friedan and illustrated by Gilman remains an issue as women continue to find many of the same objectification issues they have faced for centuries. In the story, John and the protagonist take up residence in an upper room of the house, thought to have once been a nursery, with bars on the windows and old faded yellow wallpaper attached to the walls. This wallpaper plays a large role in the progression of the woman’s illness as she begins to see women creeping around inside it, trying to escape the oppression they, too, have experienced. The woman is instructed to stay within the room, doing nothing, thinking nothing and engaged in absolutely no household chore, until she is well. While the diagnosis is to rest, with absolutely no burdens placed upon her, this treatment does not seem the wise course to the woman. â€Å"Personally, I disagree with their ideas. Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good. But what is one to do?† However, her opinion doesn’t matter in the slightest as she is told to hush and stop being so contrary. In the end, the woman is completely insane, creeping around the walls herself after peeling the wallpaper off as high as she can reach, even creeping over her husband, who has fainted against the wall, in order to continue her progress unimpeded. One of the biggest impacts on women throughout history has been a general socially oriented tendency to objectify the gender rather than consider females as fully viable members of a society. According to Diana Kendall (2004),

Gilberto Vargas is an affluent Brazilian citizen who has lived in Rio Essay

Gilberto Vargas is an affluent Brazilian citizen who has lived in Rio since 1965. He is the controlling shareholder of a multina - Essay Example The test of connection that decides whether the person comes under the jurisdiction of UK taxation is primarily the test of residence (Baistrocchi, 2013, p. 2).The network that exists amongst the scores of double tax treaties (DTTs) forms an important part of the international law. The existing DTTs are all bilateral and based on two existing models; the OECD model and the UN Model. All the DTTs have stark similarities in terms of the topics covered, the order in which the topics are presented and the language in which the articles are described. This makes the DTT network such an important element in the tax regime, that the general rules have become a feature of the international law and might become binding in situations of governing taxation of income in cases of cross border transaction. This paper deals with the case of a Mr. Vargas who is a businessman and considers moving base to London for seven years. The OECD Model of DTT The DTT that follows the OECD Model is particularly applicable for the developed countries. It â€Å"reduces tax on royalties to zero but has a positive rate on interest and dividends† (Avi-Yonah, 2007, p. 3). There is harmful tax competition in which two issues are identifiable. Firstly, tax havens have been identified â€Å"as jurisdictions with no or nominal income taxes and also one or more of lack of effective exchange of information, lack of transparency, and lack of substantial activities by tax payers†. Secondly, preferential tax regimes have been identified as regimes that offer â€Å"no or low effective tax rate and one or more of ring fencing, lack of transparency, and lack of effective exchange of information† (Baistrocchi, n.d.). The prevalence of tax havens and preferential regimes has been condemned by the OECD which has stated it to be a harmful tax competition. The basis of taxation applicable for Mr. Gilberto Vargas: Arising basis or Remittance basis In the given case study, there is OECD Model based tax treaties between the relevant countries. Gilberto Vargas is the controlling shareholder of a multinational enterprise which is based in Brazil and holds investments in the real property market in Brazil, China and India. He is a citizen of Brazil and is considering a migration to the United Kingdom, along with family, for seven years. He is then a foreign national to the UK and his income is liable to taxation for only that amount that arises to him in the UK. The status of becoming a â€Å"resident in the UK† (Judgement, 2010, p.6) creates the platform for UK tax under the provisions of â€Å"Income Tax (Earning and Pensions) Act 2003† (Judgement, 2010, p.6). He is to be considered as a resident of the United Kingdom under the 183-day rule which states that if any person stays in the UK for one hundred and eighty three days, which is approximately half of a tax year (starting form 6th April of any year and continuing till 5th April of the next year) he is c onsidered a â€Å"resident in the United Kingdom† (BN1-British Citizenship, n.d., p. 5) for tax purposes occurring in that tax year. For the citizens of UK, unless a person spends the entire tax year outside the UK with no return visits to the UK, he would be treated as a resident of UK â€Å"for the tax years in which† (You are a UK resident taking a holiday or working holiday abroad, 2010) a citizen of the UK spends any time in the United Kingdom. But when the person is a non-UK domiciled, ie, his

Balanced Score Card Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Balanced Score Card - Essay Example According to various studies, the Balanced Score Card system affects strategy at the levels of finance, customer, internal, and growth. One advantage of this strategy is that it relies significantly on measurable outcomes that weigh against specific goals as spelt out in the organization’s specific mission and vision. According to a range of financial management literature, the application of the Balanced Score Card is manifest at the financial level of strategy (Punniyamoorthy, & Murali, 2008; Figge, Hahn, Schaltegger, & Wagner, 2002, p. 269). This is because, financial growth strategies are comparably easier to ascertain as compared to the other levels of strategy as customer growth and satisfaction. The universal characteristic of these strategies involve the active application of specific periods within certain financial goals are measured (Brown & McDonnell, 1995). The levels of success or failure are measured within the specified period in order to obtain the most accurate standards of measurement as spelt out within specific growth objectives and strategies. On this score, it becomes appropriate to consider the fact that time factor remains one of the most important considerations of the rate of growth. Financial Management In many organizations, the determination of growth using the Balanced Score Card method involves the determination of revenue growths and profits (Chavan, 2009). This usually entails the determination of the rate of growth in profits as understood together with certain financial measurable. The application of the strategy involves the determination of the strategic growth objectives and the outcome measures as the key determinants of growth within the strategy (Chavan, 2009). For instance, within a manufacturing company, strategic growth could involve the determination of various strategies for growth and other processes (Brown, & McDonnell, 1995). Some of the issues that relate to the development of strategy within the understanding of the Balanced Score Card relate to the need to adjust outcomes within definite operational paradigms. On this matter, it is necessary to consider the fact that the application of strategy remains an integral issue that applies within various factors an d strategies of growth. The determination of specific outcome measures assists in providing the management with specific indicators of telling whether the strategy relates well with the projected goals (Chavan, 2009). The assumption is that the end-result is significantly a factor of the strategy within, which it was achieved. The relationship between outcome and process depends on the manner in which the strategy relates with the financial objectives and the ability of the management to harness all the other aspects of the strategy towards the attainment of the same. The various processes that attach to strategy relate to other application specifics that combine to form some continuous link between the starting point of the strategy and the budgeted outcomes (Chavan, 2009). Critics of the Balanced Score Card strategy contend that other variables apart from the mechanics of the strategy could be involved in the achievement of the specific goals of the organization. Organization proc esses are subject to multiple internal and external factors, which affect the processes in different

Tobacco Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Tobacco - Term Paper Example Many people enjoyed tobacco after introduction in 15th century. However, use of tobacco was seen as a sign of disrespect to the public. Research reveals that tobacco users suffered extremely leading to introduction of warning statements. King James was the victim of tobacco in 1604 and so he was prompted to issue warnings against tobacco use. The first industry of tobacco was started in early 17th century by John Rolf in North America. His industry was boosted by high demand from England. Study reveals that John exported his tobacco products from his firm to England. Approximately two hundred pounds of tobacco were shipped to England by John’s firm due to the demand from tobacco users in England. The demand was increased by high price imposed by Spanish sellers to the people of England (Yeargin, 2008). High competition between John Rolf and Spanish traders forced John to smuggle the sweetest seeds of tobacco from Varina firms and started producing more desirable products. The sweetness of his products led to high demand from England. Later he named his firm Varina farms. Study shows that the farm in still in existence to date despite that it is not growing tobacco anymore (Yeargin, 2008). The high demand of tobacco in England increased the requirement of labor force. African slaves were used as labor force in tobacco farms in early 17th century. Satcher (1998) point out that Jamestown in Virginia was the most profitable tobacco firms due to high demand for tobacco in England and other European countries. Study by the author reveals that the colonies wealth was from tobacco trade in early 17th century. Other cash crops such as cotton were not common but it was later introduced in 1793. The profitability of tobacco led increase in a number of farms in North America and later spread Southern part. Though it was profitable crop, it was later planted with other crops in

Marketing research goals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing research goals - Essay Example Apart from this marketing research also is important for an organization as it gives them directions for future planning. Its like if marketing is an engine that drives a country's economy than marketing research is the process that keeps the engine tuned. Marketing Research's wide range of uses can measure the importance of it. For example it helps in making new and improved products and enables an organization to have a more convenient delivery of products and services. Well marketing research results can be both correct and incorrect, same is for the viewpoints of the senior management. The major reason for following either one of the options, which is following the marketing research conclusion or the viewpoints of senior management, depends on how much a person knows about the marketing research. If a person is sure that there has been no mistakes or errors throughout the marketing research then he can be sure of following the conclusions based on the marketing research but its not necessary that the results come out to be positive. It's vice versa if u follow the viewpoints of the senior management. Rather than offering the same marketing mix to different customers, organizations plan out market segmentation. Market segmentation helps firms to tailor marketing mix for specific target markets, hence better satisfying customer needs. Not all elements of the marketing mix are changed from one segment to another. For example in some cases only the promotional campaigns would change. A niche is a further division of a segment. Thus, the difference between a segment and a niche is that between segments substitution is negligible, while a large part of the customers in a segment will allow substitution between niche products. Niche products are aimed at a smaller group of consumers within a segment, for whom specific product properties are obligatory, while the same properties were only positioning properties in the broader market segment. We can have a market segment of one individual but in business markets not in consumer markets. There is a major reason for it. The reason is that in business markets an organization can have only one consumer. This is due to the high priced machinery transactions that take place in the business markets. Apart from that, organizations do want many customers to cater to but they can have a single customer as well and can be specialized producer for a single buyer as they are still making profits in doing so. Ans.3 There are basically two types of sellers in any international market. These two types rely on the two basic terms that a buyer uses to distinguish the products. These two factors are price and quality. Some seller might be giving a good price but not good quality and vice versa. Sellers can be buyers there is no doubt about it. There is no country that is completely self sufficient in producing every single good or commodity that is required by the people living in it, hence keeping this fact in the mind a seller can be a buyer is proved easily. The challenges in regard

To What Extent Have UNHCR's RSD Procedures been an Effective and Fair Essay

To What Extent Have UNHCR's RSD Procedures been an Effective and Fair Tool in the Refugee Decision-making Process - Essay Example The United Nations High Commission on Refugees is reposed with the dual task of both ensuring the protection of refugees and reducing their vulnerabilities, whilst at the same time being charged with the role of refugee decision-maker in Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures, when individual States renege on this role. This duality of roles – protector and decision-maker – has been theorized to lead to quantifiable adverse effects on the refugees themselves. This is particularly problematic in light of the particular vulnerabilities that refugees already face, simply by being refugees. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union: Refugees have been the targets of violent attacks and intimidation, largely because they were perceived as â€Å"different† from the communities in which they had temporarily settled. Tensions between refugees and local populations have erupted when refugees were seen as competitors for natural and economic resources. Armed combat ants have been allowed to mingle freely with--and intimidate with seeming impunity--the civilians who sought safety in refugee camps and settlements. And, increasingly, governments have resorted to detention of illegal entrants, including women and children, many of whom are seeking asylum. Given this, it is imperative to craft an international legal framework that ensures an adequate standard of protection for the refugees. Indeed, the trend must be to heighten protections and reduce impediments to the full exercise of their rights. If the legal regime that covers refugee protection and selection results in outcomes that are contrary to the interests of refugees, then indeed it must be subjected to critical examination. II. Statement of Aims This paper intends to conduct an exploratory analysis on whether the existing legal framework that grants the dual mandate of the UNHCR and sets down its RSD procedures has led to inequitable outcomes for the refugees. By â€Å"inequitableâ₠¬ , this paper means either of two things (1) that, as a result of the legal framework, an individual that would otherwise have been granted refugee status under a more liberal contemplation, would be denied such status; (2) an individual granted refugee status would be given less protections than would otherwise have granted under a more liberal contemplation. Is the UNHCR deviating from its palliative protective role, and transforming into a refugee problem solver for the individual states, or even worse, as an enforcement mechanism for donor states’ policies of containment and exclusion? This preliminary proposal aims to analyze in depth the accountability of UNHCR’s RSD practices and the ethical issues arising from its additional role as one of the largest refugee decision-makers in the world. III. Research question and hypothesis This paper is guided by the following research question: To what extent have the UNHCR’s RSD procedures been an effective and fa ir tool in the refugee decision-making process, considering its dual role as a refugee protector and refugee decision-maker? To this end, the following sub-questions are likewise proposed: a. What are the concrete areas of tension between the UNHCR’s role as a refugee protector, and its role as decision-maker? b. What, if any, are the gaps in the RSD procedures, examined vis a vis the mandate of the UNHCR and existing International Law and International Humanitarian Law Conventions? c. Using as basis

Massage Questionare Essay Example for Free

Massage Questionare Essay 1. Why is it important that the therapist should know the direction of flow in each individual meridian? Yang energy flows downwards and is found mainly to the back of the body, and Yin energy flows up-wards and is found mainly in the front of the body. Because of this it is paramount for a therapist to know the direction of flow in each individual meridian, in order to administer effective treatment. 2. How would the therapist apply Shiatsu treatment to a patient who is hyperactive and unable to relax? If the client is hyperactive and unable to relax and appears to possess an excess of energy that will not fade the normal way, then thumb pressures along each meridian must move over the tsubos from the one with the highest number to the one with the lowest number. 3. Give the Japanese name and number of three tsubos which can be pressed to help relieve a patient suffering from menstrual pain? RIN KYU (12) – menstrual pain –press inwards towards the tarsus for 9 seconds 3 times. YU SEN (1) – menstrual pain- press hard inwards with both thumbs for 12 seconds 3 times. KAN GEN (2) – menstrual pain – press with palm of the hand, increasing pressure gradually for 15 seconds 3 times. 4. Give the Japanese name and number of the tsubo which is concerned with both sciatica and calf spasms. For sciatica – SHO FU, SHYO ZAN. For both Calf spasms, sciatica ICHU (22) – Press inwards for 9 seconds, three times. 5. Give the name and number of the tsubo you would press to treat an arthritic knee. RYO KYO (7) – Press hard inwards for 9 seconds, three times. 6. Give the number of the tsubo on the Bladder Meridian, which is concerned with neck pain. HAKU KO (24) – Press hard inwards towards the anterior aspect of the spine for 6 seconds, three times. 7. On which meridian is there a tsubo that is concerned with heart palpitations? Heart Meridian – SHYO-KAI – Press hard inwards for 6 seconds 3 times. 8. Which tsubo lies between the 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebrae? This comes under Governing Vessel Meridian and would be MEI MON. 9. Give the name and number of the tsubo which lies over the middle metacarpal in the palm of the hand. What condition can it be used to correct? RO KYU (2) the condition that can be corrected is EXHAUSTION. You wish to treat a client suffering from Bell’s Palsy. Give the name, number and location of the tsubo, and describe how you would apply treatment. RETSU KETSU (3) – Press hard inwards for 9 seconds, three times Facial muscles attach to the skin allowing us to make many expressions. When these muscles are paralyzed, they begin to atrophy. Massage can be used to stimulate circulation in the face and maintain the health of the muscles. Massage can also help encourage the muscles to move and ease the discomfort associated with Bells palsy. By massaging the side of the face (above the eye down to the chin, behind the ear) and specifically the 7th cranial nerve (located just below the cheek bone) will soothe and alleviate pain and discomfort and thereby allow the paralysis to decrease. Recommended Time: 15 to 20 minutes of massaging, followed by 15 minutes of good intention Reiki, both morning and night REF: Japan Shiatsu Inc

Different Environmental Influences On Various Organizations Business Essay

Different Environmental Influences On Various Organizations Business Essay Hawley (1950) said that all organizations have engaged in activities which have adjustment to the environment. Duncan (1971) emphasized that organization must adapt to their environment in order for them to be existed. Then Pfeffer and Salancik (1978) have concluded that: organizations are inescapably bound up with the conditions of their environment. Handel (2003) noted the environment in which the organization operate generated excess uncertainty about what must be done, the necessity that something must be done, and main consequences of whatever is done. Then what is environment of an organization? And why these factors have so much influence on organizations? Environmental factors The idea of environment context of an organization has been studied from early of the XIX century however the specific concept of organization environment and its components had not been formed yet till the late of the XIX century (Duncan, 1972). There were many fail attempt throughout the way. Pugh et al. (1969) had studied organizational contexts where the settings of organization structure are developed. However, it was not a model of an organization in an environment. Lawrence and Lorsch (1967) has considered environment as a total entity in their studied but they only looked at the environment from the organization outward. Till 1972 analysis, Duncan then finally concluded that environment was the totality physical and social factors that were taken directly into consideration in the decision-making behavior of individuals in the organization. With this definition we could identify that factors within the boundaries of the organization must be considered as part of the environme nt and therefore differentiate the environment into internal and external environment. Types of environment The organization environment is segmented as below: Source: Kuratko (2001) Internal environment The internal environment consists of those relevant physical and social factors within the boundaries of the organization. Strategy development It is how an organization could achieve the final goal. It demonstrates an appropriate pathway, instruction to the whole system. The strategy included all parts of the organization, from people, financial aspects, market factors, product characteristic, etc. Organizational culture, values This is the factor that shapes up the view of an organization about ethics and determines various important issues. It varied depends upon each organization, nation, area, religious, and belief of the organization. Handel (2003) consider high output does not depend much on technical conditions, such as physical features of the working environment, human physical capacities, or economic incentives, but on social conditions and organizational climate. Structures and systems This factor is the formal organizing principles that enable collaboration and guide behavior. It should be suitable and effective to achieve the organizational goals. It creates a chain of responsibility that affects the whole organization and demonstrates the management style. Also, this is the factor that identifies the chain of communication. Burns and Stalker (1960) studied British firms in the textiles, heavy industry, electronics industries, and found out that firm structure varied depending on whether the firm operated in a stable or fast changing environment. Metrics and incentives This factor is the formal measure that drives the behavior of individuals, teams and departments within the organization. It defines the promotion, advancement opportunities to motivate employees. Handel (2003) mentioned that the Human Relations researchers exaggerated worker happiness in the experimental groups and minimized the conflicts between management and labor. Technology and methods This factor is the capability that providing and delivering value. It help organization to achieve the final goal easier, quicker. The organization should provide employees with appropriate training so that they can make good use of these factors and generate the best value. Woodward (1982) examined the effect of different production technologies on organizational structure among manufacturing establishments. She found out that plants using mass production technology were more bureaucratized than those using small set technologies however, plants using continuous process technology tended to have more crude structure, and their production jobs contain more responsibility and were more skilled. People This factor is the skill sets and mindsets of individuals that work together to achieve common goals, including employees, partners, suppliers, etc. Making good use of the employees would lead the organization to great success cause putting right people in the right job would generate the best productivity. Also appropriate training and development of the human perspective would improve the performance of the whole organization remarkably. Activities, tasks, processes This factor is how strategies are executes and how work is done. It should be controlled closely by quality, responsibility and achievement. The internal environment of organization (Source: Kaplan, 2001) External environment The external environment consists of those relevant physical and social factors outside the boundaries of the organization. Internal environment factors affect directly on the organization performance and could be anticipated and controlled by the management but the external environment factors are harder to predict and require more effort from the organization to adapt after. Normally the external environment is divided into two sections as macro-environment and micro-environment (industry). Mostly, we could define the external factors based on the scope of study like Porters Five Forces (rivalry, new entrants, suppliers, buyers, and substitutes), PESTEL (political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, and legal). Porters five forces are elements of micro-environment (industry) which consist of the competitors (rivalry) factor, thread of new entrants to the industry factor, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of customers and the thread of other produc ts that can substitute for their products. PESTEL are elements of macro-environment which consist of macro factors that organization have to adapt after and hardly resist. The basic model of these components is below: (Source: JG media, 2010) Impact of environmental influences on organizations. Organizations often overlook the environmental factors due to the obvious, unexpected and normally hidden characteristic of the environmental factors. Environment influences are delicate and persistent as well as difficult to identify and measure. Osborn and Hunt (1974) accepted that as the environment start to change, the organization must adjust internal structure and processes to maintain their operation and/or increase productivity. As for Webster and Wind (1972) environment influences are recognized in four distinct ways. First, environment defines the availability of goods and services. This influence reflects mostly on physical, technological, and economic factors. Second, environment defines the general business conditions including the rate of economic growth, the level of national income, interest rates, unemployment, etc. Economic and political forces are the main influences on general business conditions. Some of these forces are mainly task variables like economic factors, while others such as political variables may be hardly happened. Economic environment is an important element of general environment which consist of inflation, interest rate, unemployment etc. As these elements directly affect the business organizations, as well as employees, decisions should only be taken after having deeply studied and analyzed them. When inflation and interest rate increase the cost of goods therefore increase the price of products and lead to less sale. When the unemployment rise, the demand in buying would decrease and also lead to lower sale. These elements do not remain under control of business. So, the business organizations cannot affect thes e elements. Rather the organizations are affected by them. Third, environmental factors determine the values and norms guiding inter-organizational relationship between buyers and sellers as well as among competitors, and between organizations and other institutions such as government and trade associations. Such values may be formed into laws or considered as law. Cultural social, legal, and political forces are the main sources of these values. Each change in these factors would result in directly impact on the organization. When the target customer demand for better products and service, the organization would have to upgrade their technology, resources in order to satisfy and maintain the customer. Finally, environmental forces influent the information flows which most important is the flow of communications among potential suppliers, customers and the organization through mass media and other personal or impersonal channels. This influence reflects a variety of physical, technological, economic, and cultural factors. Other than those main forces, Handel (2003) has also mentioned that the existence of a common legal environment have impacts on many aspects of an organizations behavior and structure. Webster and Wind (1972) has identified environmental influences are exerted through a variety of institutions including business organizations like suppliers, competitors and customers, governments, trade unions, political parties, etc. The nature of these institutions would vary from one country to another, Asian culture to European culture, etc. These are elements that indirectly impact the organization which are sometimes forgotten due to the lack of acknowledgment. A change in values, beliefs of different markets could have a great affect on organizations. Hirsch (1975) argued in a comparison of the performance within the pharmaceutical industries that those obtained greater profits, controlled their environments better. A more concentrated industry; organization could restrict entry and manage their distribution channel more effectively. Though the environment factors all have great effect on organizations and change unexpectedly frequently, organization can still afford to reduce the affect of these factors if they understand the rules of environment and flexibly adapt after in a short time. Those with stronger scope and financial foundation could withstand the greater change in environment with less affect than normall organizations. Conclusion Environmental factors of organization are basic, essential and subjected to change any time so in order to survive, organizations have to be able to adapt to the environment changes. There are two major type of organization environment which are internal environment and external environment. Those segments are defined by the boundaries of the organization. Though recognized the importance of environment influences, organizations often overlook environment factors due to their basic and normal characteristics.

Social Interaction Activities In Public Spaces Cultural Studies Essay

Social Interaction Activities In Public Spaces Cultural Studies Essay These public spaces are used for various activities based on which the activities can be divided into necessary activities, optional activities, and social activities. Necessary activities include those, which are more or less compulsory going to school or work, shopping, going to supermarkets, waiting at bus stops or waiting for a person, running errands, distributing mails- in other words, all activities in which those involved are to a greater or lesser degree required to participate. In general, all everyday activities and pastimes are included in this group. The major activities included are most walking related ones. As these activities are necessary ones and will take place throughout the year, under nearly all conditions, and are more or less independent of the exterior environment. The participants have no choice. Optional activities this category includes such activities as taking a walk to get a breath of fresh air, standing around enjoying life, or sitting and sunbathing. These activities can only take place when the weather conditions are favorable. This relationship is particularly important in connection with physical planning because most of the recreational activities that are pleasant to pursue outdoors are found precisely in this category. These activities are especially dependent on exterior physical conditions. Social activities are those that depend on the presence of others in the public spaces. Social activities may include children at play, people greeting each other, a lot of communal activities. Simply seeing and talking to each other are also included in this category. Public spaces are of vital importance because they shape peoples experience about understanding the city and of the culture. They become the citys identity. Lawrence halprin describes this process: our collective perception of cities depends on the landscape of open spaces. In our imagination of cities it is these open spaces that we remember. They are the places where people congregate to walk and shop and picnic, to play and bicycle and drive. It is these places that we use and in which we encounter each other and participate in that communal life we call city. ( Halprin, 1981, p.4) This is a result of the way people use the city, the way they commute or travel around the city, the placement of major civic and public institutions, social and gathering spaces, ceremonial spaces, location of significant public events, and spaces for recreation and leisure. These places are an expression of the public culture of a city like the way pubic institutions are. They demonstrate the relationship between the state and the citizens and express the cultures urban values. Pubic space plays an important role in the citys social and environmental life. Public space is often mistaken as the space between two buildings or, merely the all the remaining spaces and street corners. Initially no thought was given to the planning of public spaces, buildings were considered more important. After placing all the structures and important buildings the remaining area was converted to public space. Buildings were considered as the life of cities and were made iconic. Lot of money, manpower and energy was spent in the make of an iconic structure. But an iconic building cant make a city iconic. What makes a city iconic are its public and open spaces and when these public spaces are actively used by people they add to the additional value. A public space is named public because of the people using it. It belongs to the public of that area or city. Everyone are free to use it and dont have to pay any entrance fee to use or access it. It is a place where people from all caste, culture, religion and age can come, sit or take advantage of. I believe that public space should be a place for everyone and that a place should not be defined by its designer, but by its user. Currently many public spaces are impersonal with little thought into the facilities offered for the people who use it. If local people do not feel connected to a place it decays and social interaction around the place is lost. The aim is to create engaging places; increases the enjoyment people have in those spaces; or add something to existing locations in order to encourage a positive response to that space where people interact with the environment and with each other. Elements of a public space. Any public space gets affected by a number of factors. There are reasons why a particular space is formed or you may say redesigned. Some spaces such as public squares or plazas were formed in the early 18th or early 19th century due to the revolution taking place. The main purpose behind creating these public spaces was that people could gather here during times of trouble or any event. Also these squares were centrally located so people could access them from anywhere plus they represented the citys history, culture and became iconic sites of the cities. They became one of the most visited tourist destinations. The centre square mostly contained important art or statues of the person responsible for the cities reform and formation. Some of them were formed due to the political scene of the city. During election times some party made some good public spaces. Some public spaces like street markets, parks, centre squares were formed or designed taken into account the citys social and cultural scene. While some of street markets were just formed by the local people or the community living there marking the culture of the space. Some spaces were just formed due to the citys demands and needs. Other factors which affect or make a public space are streets, climate, interaction, furniture, shopping, culture, playfulness, rallys, religions, money, demonstrations, events, material, health, legislation, policies, law and order, housing schemes, security, environment, crime scenes, government policies, art, architecture, construction details, local community and last but not the least people. In short the main factors which affect any public space are listed below: Political: mostly during countries reform or some election events and rallys Economic: the countries development affects its public space. Developed countries have different public spaces whereas developing ones have a different notion and atmosphere of public space. Cultural: the countries culture affects the public space the most. Its mostly reflected in the appearance of the public space. Social: the people living there are to ones which make their public spaces. Its said that people space their space and then in return the space shapes the people around. London as a cultural hub. From being home to many national treasures, museums, libraries, galleries and universities, London is also a centre for global and contemporary culture. London attracts many visitors for its popular and creative culture and also for its interactive informal exciting spaces. For example, you will see artists plating live music in most of the underground stations, theres live music going at Camden markets and other street markets. Also many stores and bookshops keep on holding any events and fares to attract customers. Its a city which makes peoples visit even more interesting, interactive, fun and makes every visit of theirs worthwhile. When compared to the other cities around the world, London leads with an impressive count. London is the largest city in Europe, with a dramatic variation of people from all ages and cultures offering a huge amount of design opportunities. Population of London is approximately 7 million. London has a diverse range of population, which comprises people from Asia, China, and Europe and also from the states. London also shows diversity in age of this population. You find young school going children, to university graduates, mid age office crowd and also a large number of old retired people. Also you will find a number of school, colleges, universities spread all around London. Because of which it has become a hub for students and learning. Also many international companies have their headquarters here, which make it business hub. The political scene in London appears to be quite stable. Thus all the above factors like, diverse culture, economic opportunities, age ratio, political stability, have made a huge impact on the public life and public places. Table 1.1 major cultural indicators (source: cultural audit, 2009) Indicator London New York Paris Shanghai Tokyo No. Of public galleries 92 N/A 59 6 40 No. Of specialist art HE institutions 12 7 3 15 N/A No. Of national museums 22 16 19 6 8 No. Of other museums 162 85 138 100 71 UNESCO world heritage sites 4 1 2 0 0 No. Of public libraries 395 255 303 248 369 Table 1.2 creative industries indicators ( source: cultural audit, 2009) Indicator London New York Paris Shanghai Tokyo No. Of music venues 400 151 122 148 132 Music performances per year 32.292 22,204 3612 11,736 7419 Theatrical performances per yr 17,295 12,045 15,598 3117 8281 No. Of theatres concert halls 215 111 158 137 132 No. Of cinemas 105 264 88 49 105 No. Of bookshops 927 498 1,076 300 N/A No. Of nightclubs, discos etc 306 279 277 N/A N/A No. O festivals. 200 81 40 22 N/A Social interaction: important element of public spaces. They are our streetscapes and promenades According to us gardens, parks, squares are all the spaces that make a public space. This belief is not incorrect but has to transform. We need to widen our views and think of the bigger picture. We conveniently forget about the streets, paths and the roads on which we travel everyday or rather use daily. We dont consider the above ones as public spaces, but if looked in detailed these are the ones, which are used publicly the most. We dont appreciate but these spaces offer a great deal to our lives than any other spaces. These streets and pathways is where maximum interaction takes place. Meeting people, talking to each other, greeting one another, flirting, talking over the phone while waiting for the bus, queuing at he bus stop, all these activities leads to interaction and takes place on the streets, pathway, and bus stops which we generally use for walking, travelling and to reach out to our final destination. All we expect from these connecting spaces is a flat paved area to walk on, a dustbin, sometimes a bench to sit to munch on a sandwich or sip coffee. A place where maximum interaction takes place offers us very little in terms of services and activities. All the attention is mostly given to the redesigning and improvement of parks, squares and the everyday active streets and pathways are always neglected. These spaces have always been overlooked and taken granted for. The streets and pathways become like a lunch place for those who dont have time to go to a restaurant and for those whos lunch just comprises of grabbing a sandwich and eating on the streets or the bus stops. Even with many coffee shops or restaurant options we still like to munch on the noisy streets or sip coffee looking at the people pass by. The main reason behind this is that we love people, we like to watch people, we like interaction. Even though we eat alone on the streets the sense of people being around makes us feel less lonely. Generally, these spaces whish are used daily have been neglected by the government and remain unimproved. Its the local community or some private organizations or simply the people residing in the nearby areas, which come ahead and make arrangements to make these spaces better. They make a sincere effort to convert these unpleasant under walks to cleaner, brighter and fresher places. Pleasant spaces that make our daily commuting journey memorable. Same way if the government looked into this matter and offered more to people using them, it would not only make our journey pleasant but also would make it healthier. For example, if the streets and pathways are made better by putting new paving, made wider, installed with street furniture where people can sit, talk with each other, munch a sandwich or sip coffee, it would encourage people to walk down the corner or use cycles instead of cars for shorter distance, in a way also helping in a healthier, greener environment. A small change ca n make a big impact on our lives. Same way making small changes on our everyday streets and pathways can have a huge impact on our lives. They would make our journeys memorable, pleasurable and healthier. Below are some case studies where streets and pathways are considered as public spaces and redesigned taking people into account and offering them what they demand for. People are better than no people The above saying is said by an old woman counting her last breaths at a hospital bed, surrounded by a few nurses and a doctor she said people are better than no people. Even during her last few hours she wished for people, she wished someone was there at her side during her last few hours. She wished her people were there beside her to make her feel secure and comfortable. Even though she couldnt talk much she longed to see her loved ones. Just the sight of a few nurses and the doctor made her comfortable and secure even during the most dreadful moment. She said even if we arent in talking terms with some of our loved ones just a sight of them is worth it than staying alone and dying a lonely death. It applies the same way to others also, to share our happiness, to exchange the bad news in the most dreadful of all moments, in loneliness, in life and death we need people around. Even if not to share, the visual sight of people being around or just a person around makes us breathe a sign of relief. More than the need or necessity its the psychological factor because of which we long to see people or just a person around and need some physical contact. Hence more than the need, necessity and longing its the psychology and human behavior that leads us to talk to other people and interact. Socializing, communicating or meeting other people has a lot of other advantages than just the psychological factor. Firstly the good part is that we interact and talk to people, talking to other people teaches us a lot of things. We express our thoughts, our feelings, and our views. We share our happiness and sadness; we share our griefs and beliefs. They say that our happiness multiplies when sha red with someone, while our grief minuses when told to someone. Great ideas come from others, same way, talking to others, sharing views leads to some new innovation everyday. Speaking to someone we acquire knowledge about a lot of things before unknown to us, like, we learn new things about the city, about the culture, history of the city. We understand new traditions and cultures. We get to know people from diverse cultures and their ideas about life, philosophy and lifestyle. We gain knowledge about the daily happenings, city status, country status, the latest news, political and social endeavors, weather updates, season changes, news about social events, sports activities, background information and many other things. Finding out new things or getting to know about the happenings increases excitement in us. A research also shows that talking to people reduces stress and tension. Refrence. Apart from acquiring knowledge a lot of other things are also learnt from interaction, like , we laugh, we inspire, we get inspired, we share, we learn, listen, we fight, we pray, we hope and the most important thing is we care. All these emotions are very important to lead a healthy, happy and normal life. http://www.wikihow.com/Relieve-Stress http://www.essortment.com/all/stressreliefte_psh.htm http://www.tipsforpanicattacks.net/waystorelievestress.html THE DESIGN It all started with giving something more to people than they actually deserved, especially at spaces which they used daily. These spaces were not parks or gardens but spaces like the streets, pathways which people used daily to travel, walk and reach their destination. Spaces were maximum interaction takes place unintentionally and which still have the capability to give more. Spaces where maximum people are already present, and all you have to do is give them some character, some urge, some environment, some force to interact. For the same I couldnt think of a place other than a local bus stop. A bus stop is one such place, which is accessed by one and all. Its a connecting or you may say a waiting point for people going to work, children travelling to school, people going to church, people going for grocery shopping or any other social activities. Its a waiting hub for a diverse range of people. You see people from different cultures, different age groups, different communities and religion waiting for a single purpose called commuting. Where you have so many people around and waiting, why not provide some interesting features and make their wait fun? Why not create an environment which forces people to interact, to talk to each other? Thinking on the same lines, it was possible to make peoples journey more fun, more interesting and more exciting. A wait in an environment where people interact with each other without realizing they are forced to do so. For the same, the bus stop chosen was a local one called Christchurch located near the ealing broadway tube station, west London. This bus stop is on the uxbridge road and is the closest to the mall, church, tube station, shopping stores, banks etc. Plus all the buses travelling towards uxbridge make a stop here. Its the centre of all the major activities, filled with people waiting for the bus almost at any time of the day. A live survey was done at the same bus stop al day long for three consecutive days. Busiest being the morning hours from 8.00 am to 10.00 am and the evenings from 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm. The mornings and evenings at the mentioned time above you usually see a lot of office crowd, and the rest of the day specially at noon hours you meet a lot of old people. After interviewing most of the people it was found that waiting at the bus stop had been one of their major and daily activities. Specially the older people, their routine considers of going to the bus stop, then grocery store, then back to bus stop and then back home. The main reason of having this routine is meeting people at the grocery store, having some kind of interaction with at least the sales person or even with come of them at the bus stop. Inteviews HOW DID YOU COME TO THE CONCUSION FURNITURE IS BEST FOR INTERACTION. WHY FURNITURE Examples of good public spaces Millennium Park Various designers Chicago, USA (2005) Millennium Park is a massive 10-hectare project based in Chicago at a central location is a combination of art, architecture and landscape design as a single public space design. It was a 450 million dollar budget, centrally located and can be used as a public event space or even as an informal space. Its a major destination for all recreational activities. The project was created with an initial idea to create a green park to block the unattractive railway lines and car parks, which had strewn the lakefront. These tracks and car parks were seen since the city had neglected the lake and its development. A simple project, which has turned out to be the most ambitious project in USA and one of the most successful public spaces in terms of aesthetics and the use by people. A perfect park with a blend of space, form and function, which bring people together for recreation, interaction and fun contributing to a healthier life. The park has different elements designed by great architects and artists. Like at the centre of the park is a pavilion designed by Frank Gehry, which is used as an outdoor space for events, concerts and other social gatherings. It consists of a proscenium surrounded by Gehrys trademark curves of stainless steel with a large steel trellis spanning the entire auditorium. Connected to the pavilion is the first bridge project which spans from Columbus drive, linking millennium park to daley bicentennial plaza and Chicago lakefront system. Connecting all the major points, and people can take a walk through all. Another interesting element is an elliptical jellybean shaped sculpture by Artist Anish Kapoor, a graduate from University of Arts London, and his first public project in USA.its called the bean because its shape is like a bean. The elliptical jelly is inspired by the liquid mercury, and made of steel, so it reflects the city, clouds and people. Its makes us look at our feel that w e are responsible for our city, our people, and the environment we live in. Its also a way to showcase the beautiful Chicago skyline and weather with people along. Another sculpture is a crown fountain designed by artist Laume Plensa, from Spain. The fountain comprises of black granite reflecting pool, placed between two glass block towers. The glass block towers are 15.24m high and at each end of the reflecting pool. They display graphic animation videos and photos, which are constantly changing with the help of LED lights. This was one of the most notable works done by artist Laume Plensa, and is highly successful. It took about 18 million dollars to build this fountain, but the good thing is that it encouraged physical interaction between people and water. Most of the pictures and videos displayed on the tower are mostly of people from Chicago. So most of the people come to see this fountain hoping to see themselves on the tower. Its a perfect public play area, an interaction space and also an area to beat the heat during summers. Another interesting element is the garden located near the pavilion designed by the team of Kathryn Gustafson, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel. The garden is a combination of architecture, planning and lighting. The garden contains a variety of spaces, which helps people enjoy and encourages interaction. It contains small and large spaces, pedestrian areas, pathways etc. that invites more and more people. The millennium park is a perfect blend of pavilions, bridges, parks, sculpture, and art designed by various and famous artists and architects from all around the globe. Its a park which has all activities going on, thanks to the different elements present in it, like the pavilion, the elliptical bean shaped sculpture, the fountain, garden, and the bridge. With elements all over it attracts people and encourages interaction, being a perfect communities space. Though it contains sculpture and structures been designed taking into account peoples need, citys demand, environment, atmosphere but also doesnt neglect aesthetics. USF SQUARE 3RW Architects Bergen, Norway This public space was designed by local architects called 3RW architects and is situated in the Norwegian city of Bergen. This space was initially a car park, which used to be dusty in summer, filled with puddles in rains and slippery in winter. It needed a practical solution and redesigning hence it was decided to cover the whole area with concrete surface. This plaza is used as an artist workshop and also as a restaurant. During the redesign the clients initially wanted a stepped plaza, but the architects convinced to have a sloping concrete surface. They made it as a concrete surface so that it would be rough enough and be less slippery especially during the wet icy weather. A special arrangement is made during winters, heating elements were laid under the concrete so the ice melts and can be used as a public area no matter any weather conditions. This plaza also leads to the cultural centre. Concrete was laid in a grid of 16ft X 16ft and fitted with corten steel strips to create dividers and make shallow gaps. To help make this place interesting at night fibre optics were put into two glass boxes in concrete. An architectural solution to help people use the public space any time they needed to enjoy the weather, have some recreation, interaction and fun. A space to near the water body, a calm restaurant invites many people and helps to promote social interaction. New public spaces The growth of community led projects is creating public space that has a very local and specific uses related to local needs and physical qualities and features of their local environment. Give the people something different Serpentine pavilion Kensington garden, London. Serpentine pavilion is a different kind of public space, situated in Kensington gardens in London. Kensington garden is a huge park with people visiting at all times. To make it more exciting and invite more people

Free Terrorism Essays: Muslims Must Denounce Terrorism or Die :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

While many respectable Muslim organizations the world over have condemned the reprehensible carnage at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, there is a growing number of groups and individuals who equivocate in their rebuke of violence. In doing so, they become apologists for violence and terror. There is something deeply disturbing about employing explanation and understanding as a fig leaf for justification and as a pretext to spread feeble diatribes about just desserts. Even more disturbing is the fact that intelligent and right-thinking people sit through sermons and speeches where such dehumanizing pseudo-religious drivel is preached without demurral or protest. Never has Walter Benjamin's famous statement rung more true when he said that every document of civilization is also a document of barbarity. The most preposterous aspect of the rhetoric of especially Muslim apologists of terror is that they advance their claims in the name of justice. To allow them to become the guardians of justice is to bring it into disrepute. These pulpit impostors and armchair generals know little of humanity, are bereft of compassion and have perverted justice for their own ends. No human being deserves to die. Our moral sensibilities are tested even in the most conclusive convictions leading to the death penalty, let alone when acts of determined destruction and terror are unleashed on innocents at the New York World Trade Center. No Iraqi children deserve to die as a result of unyielding sanctions meant to punish a draconian political authority. Nor do Palestinians and Israelis deserve to die in spine-chilling slaughter if their respective leaders cannot make peace. It may be better that Muslims condemn acts of terror unequivocally without launching into explanations about the algebra of grievances. To venture into such complex levels of sociological commentary without the requisite skill and empathy is to treat human life as dispensable. For Muslims to make such claims is to bring into disrepute to the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad, whose person is fondly recalled in Islamic teachings as a "mercy unto humanity." And surely every Muslim is entitled to retrieve the reputation and integrity of her or his faith from such misrepresentation. The truth is that such large numbers of Muslims have become so dehumanized that they parade indecency as grandiloquent virtue. It is difficult to configure who lacks more compassion: the terrorists who perished with their victims or their many apologists who make a linkage between tragedy and just desserts, sometimes without even disguising their joy at others' misery.

Comparing the Mothers in The Glass Menagerie and A Raisin in the Sun Es

Comparing the Mothers in The Glass Menagerie and A Raisin in the Sun   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The plays, The Glass Menagerie and A Raisin in the Sun, deal with the love, honor, and respect of family. In The Glass Menagerie, Amanda, the caring but overbearing and over protective mother, wants to be taken care of, but in A Raisin in the Sun, Mama, as she is known, is the overseer of the family. The prospective of the plays identify that we have family members, like Amanda, as overprotective, or like Mama, as overseers. I am going to give a contrast of the mothers in the plays.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, we embark on the task of seeing a family living in the post WWII era. The mother is Amanda, living in her own world and wanting only the best for her son, Tom. Tom, a dreamer, tired of Amanda’s overbearing and constant pursuit of him taking care of the family, wants to pursue his own goals of becoming a poet. He is constantly criticized and bombarded by his mother for being unsuccessful. This drives him to drinking and lying about his whereabouts, and eventually at the end of the play, he ends up leaving. An example of Amanda and Tom’s quarrel I when he quotes, â€Å"I haven’t enjoyed one bit of this dinner because of your constant directions on how to eat it. It’s you that makes me rush through meals with your hawklike attention to every bit I take.†(302) Laura, on the other hand, is shy and out of touch with reality because of a slight disability, in which she is comfort...