Thursday, August 27, 2020

My Antonia Imagery Essay

Willa Cather, an American creator, accomplished a lot of acknowledgment on her outskirts works. She earned a lot of affirmation in her work of My Antonia. Raised on a crude ranch in Nebraska, Cather utilizes her encounters of the scene to change the faculties of her perusers. Cather shows her capacity to catch the sentiment of the grassland toward the finish of the â€Å"Hired Girls. † (â€Å"Presently we saw†¦ some place on the grassland. † Page 146-147) Not just is this scene a significant picture existing apart from everything else, except the portrayal of this furrow among the setting sun also. The picture of the furrow before the sinking sun is exceptionally unmistakable all through the book. In spite of the fact that the furrow could basically speak to a furrow or the sun only a sun, Cather places significantly more profundity into it. She makes a psychological picture that interests to the perusers detects. Cather underscores the â€Å"gold-washed sky† and â€Å"horizontal light. † She makes vivaciousness into the brain. The glow that the sun radiates caused Jim to feel happiness and the affection for his nation. Cather incorporates how the setting sun adorns a red tint around the furrow. Red causes Jim to feel the energy and friendship he has for Antonia and the land he experienced childhood with. It helps him to remember the fire and life he had as a child and recalls the affection forever itself. The furrow as an outline against the setting sun shows its hugeness and monstrosity. The furrow throws a shadow along the fields, making the impression of an a lot bigger furrow than in all actuality. The furrow has changes Antonia’s life, however the fields too. It changes the ground, from something hard and intense, to ripe soil utilized for cultivating to make something new and delightful. On the off chance that the furrow was not set before the sun, the furrow would in any case look littler and superfluous. As the sun keeps on setting, the shadows lessen. Despite the fact that the imagery of the furrow is critical, it could not hope to compare to the unlimited fields. The furrow settles â€Å"back to its own humbleness. † It is no match to the excellence of Mother Nature. Towards the start of the book, Cather incorporates Virgil’s quote, â€Å"Optima dies†¦ prima fugit,† which means â€Å"the greatest days are the first to escape. It speaks to a reoccurring subject in the book. The sun rises and falls every day, and this second with Antonia stood apart to Jim a large portion of all. As the two of them become more seasoned and move in their different manners. Mindful of the moving toward end, Jim leaves for school right away a short time later. The setting of the sun around evening time implies another day will day break soon, and another section of Jim and Antonia’s life must start. Antonia leaves her life on the fields behind to move onto an existence of a â€Å"Hired Girl. † Cather changes this stupendous novel into a Bildungsroman. Antonia and Jim create from kids to youthful grown-ups. She consistently helps the perusers to remember the American Dream, which is additionally referenced to by the furrow. All things considered, the furrow and sun-or the American Dream, glances lovely in blend. However, when the sun sets, all that is deserted is a normal furrow that despite everything requires difficult work and commitment. In no time before the finish of Jim’s proclamation, Cather incorporates â€Å"heroic in size, an image composing on the sun,† Heroic represents the furrow, an option that could be greater than itself. At the point when placed into utilization, the furrow is a quintessential component for cultivating, yet when not, it occupies room and could disrupt the general flow. Unimportant and unnoticed. The difficult work that Willa Cather put into My Antonia didn't go unrecognized. She depicted her ability to catch the peruser into the book. The basic words she utilizes assists with compelling the genuine intricacy she can not communicate. The imagery integrates with the story to clarify to the peruser of the American Dream and the various reoccurring topics all through the story.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Words for Subservient People and Actions

Words for Subservient People and Actions Words for Subservient People and Actions Words for Subservient People and Actions By Maeve Maddox One of the most extraordinary characters in writing is Uriah Heep in the novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Heep functions as assistant to Miss Trotwoods legal advisor, Mr. Wickfield. Since Wickfield is frequently crippled by liquor abuse, Heep can swindle him out of his riches. Heeps generally essential and repellent trademark is his every now and again declared modesty. He continually alludes to himself as a very umble individual, telling David I am very much aware that I am the umblest individual goingMy mother is in like manner a very umble individual. We live in a numble dwelling place, Master Copperfield, yet have a lot to be appreciative for. My dads previous calling was umble. He was a sexton. Heep is the cliché lackey, an individual who quits his way among his bosses, plotting his own finishes behind a deferential outside. Here are a few words for expounding on such characters. Things flunky [tÃ¥ dä] a groveling brown noser The word is believed to be a shortening of amphibian eater a term that alluded to the partner of a voyaging sales rep who sold deceitful wonder fixes. The right hand would eat a frog that should be noxious. The sales rep at that point gave him the fix. Flunky can likewise be utilized as an action word. For what reason do you attendant to your manager like that? flunky [sä ­ké™-fé™nt] This word is normally used to allude to somebody who compliments individuals in power. When Jones lost the political decision, those doormats fled to the side of his adversary. NOTE: The word toady is frequently misspoke by embeddings a n after the y. The modifier is obsequious apple-polisher [äÆ'pl pÃ¥ lä ­sh É™r] In the past times, educators were frequently paid their compensations in kind, that is, with produce or different necessities. Taking an apple to the educator was something to be thankful for. Presently taking an apple to the educator is viewed as an endeavor to pick up partiality. Cleaning the apple implies an additional push to pick up favor. lickspittle [lä ­kspä ­tl]-You may go over this word in old books. The thought is that the flunky is so anxious to satisfy that damnation even lick up his lords spit. bootlick [bÃ¥ «tlä ­k] One who licks his lords boots. ass-kisser [äÆ's kä ­s É™r]-Same thought as booklick. earthy colored nose [broun nÃ¥ z] (symptom of kissing a back) Can likewise be utilized as an action word. Harold is an earthy colored nose. He earthy colored noses every one of his educators. mat [dã'rmäÆ't] an individual who permits others to abuse her. Action words kowtow [kou-tou, koutou] to humble oneself before another. The word is from a Chinese word significance to knock the head. The best possible approach to introduce oneself to the Emperor was to kowtow, that is, get down and knock your head on the floor before the seat. That demigod anticipates that all his musicians should kowtow to him . truckle [trÃ¥ ­ké™l] carry on in a servile, faithful way to somebody. The word gets from truckle bed. A truckle bed is a little bed that turns out from underneath a bigger one. When voyaging, a privileged person would rest on the huge bed and his hireling on the truckle bed. In the event that two equivalents voyaged together, theyd most likely contend or flip a coin over which one dozed on the truckle bed. She truckles to all his impulses. Descriptive words groveling [fã'nä ­ng] The word originates from the action word to grovel, which means carry on like a creature glad to see its lord. I cannot stand watching you grovel all over her! slavish [Ã¥ b-säkwä- É™s] displaying a disparaging, servile behavor. Clique promises make due by docile conduct to the individuals. servile [sã »rvä «l] from the word for slave. In a slave society, self-assurance and confidence are not attributes attractive in ones human property. Servile methods acting like a slave, i.e., avoiding the way, not pointing out oneself, bouncing when the ace snaps his fingers. Need to improve your English quickly a day? Get a membership and begin getting our composing tips and activities every day! Continue learning! Peruse the Vocabulary class, check our mainstream posts, or pick a related post below:7 English Grammar Rules You Should Know5 Lessons for Mixing Past and Present TenseComma After Introductory Phrases

Friday, August 21, 2020

Old Smyrna - The Possible Home of Homer in Anatolia

Old Smyrna - The Possible Home of Homer in Anatolia Old Smyrna, otherwise called Old Smyrna Hã ¶yã ¼k, is one of a few archeological locales inside the cutting edge cutoff points of Izmir in Western Anatolia, in what is today Turkey, each reflecting early forms of the advanced port city. Before its exhuming, Old Smyrna was an enormous tell rising roughly 21 meters (70 feet) above ocean level. It was initially situated on a promontory extending into the Gulf of Smyrna, albeit normal delta development and changing ocean levels have moved the area inland around 450 m (around 1/4 mile). Old Smyrna lies in a geographically dynamic area at the foot of Yamanlar Dagi, a now-wiped out fountain of liquid magma; and Izmir/Smyrna has been exposed to various seismic tremors during its long occupation. Advantages, nonetheless, incorporate the antiquated showers called the Agamemnon underground aquifers, found close to the southern shore of Izmir Bay, and a prepared wellspring of building material for design. Volcanic rocks (andesites, basalts, and tuffs) were utilized to fabricate a significant number of general society and private structures inside the town, close by adobe mudbrick and a modest quantity of limestone. The most punctual occupation at Old Smyrna was during the third thousand years BC, contemporaneous with Troy, yet the site was little and there is constrained archeological proof for this occupation. Old Smyrna was involved reasonably persistently from around 1000-330 BC. During its prime in the mid fourth century BC, the city contained around 20 hectares (50 sections of land) inside its city dividers. Sequence Greek period, ~330 BCVillage period, ~550 BCLydian Capture, ~600 BC, after which Smyrna was abandonedGeometric, solid Ionic impact by eighth century, new city wallProtogeometric, starting ~1000 BC. Aeolic products, presumably a little port of some kindPrehistoric, third thousand years BC, first home, ancient As indicated by Herodotus among different history specialists, the underlying Greek settlement at Old Smyrna was Aeolic, and inside the main couple of hundreds of years, it fell under the control of Ionian outcasts from Colophon. Changes in stoneware from monochrome Aeolic products to polychrome painted Ionic products are in proof at Old Smyrna by the mid ninth centuryâ and away from of the style by the start of the eighth century. Ionic Smyrna By the ninth century BC, Smyrna was under Ionic control, and its settlement was very thick, comprising fundamentally of curvilinear houses pressed firmly together. The strongholds were renovated during the second 50% of the eighth century and the city divider stretched out to secure the whole south side. Extravagance merchandise from over the Aegean turned out to be generally accessible, including trade wine containers from Chios and Lesbos, and inflatable amphorae containing Attic oils. Archeological proof proposes Smyrna was influenced by a seismic tremor around 700 BC, which harmed the two houses and the city divider. A short time later, curvilinear houses turned into a minority, and most design was rectangular and moved toward a north-south hub. A haven was built at the north finish of the slope, and settlement spread outside the city dividers up into the neighboring coast. Simultaneously, proof for an improvement in engineering with volcanic square stone work, the obviously across the board utilization of composing, and renovating of open structures propose new success. An expected 450 private structures were situated inside the city wallsâ and another 250 outside the dividers. Homer and Smyrna As indicated by an antiquated saying Many Greek urban areas contend for Homers shrewd root, Smyrna, Chios, Colophon, Ithaca, Pylos, Argos, Athens. The most significant artist of antiquated Greek and Roman journalists was Homer, the old time frame minstrel and creator of the Iliad and the Odyssey; conceived somewhere close to the eighth and ninth hundreds of years BC, in the event that he lived here, it would have been during the Ionian time frame. There is no total proof for his introduction to the world area, and Homer could conceivably have been conceived in Ionia. It appears to be genuinely likely that he inhabited Old Smyrna, or somewhere in Ionia, for example, Colophon or Chios, in view of a few printed notices of the River Meles and other nearby milestones. Lydian Capture and the Village Period Around 600 BC, in light of authentic documentation and a prevalence of Corinthian stoneware among the remnants, the prosperous city was assaulted and caught by Lydian powers, drove by the lord Alyattes [died 560 BC]. Archeological proof related with this memorable occasion is appeared by the nearness of 125 bronze sharpened stones and various points implanted in crushed housewalls annihilated in the late seventh century. A reserve of iron weapons was recognized in the Temple Pylon. Smyrna was deserted for certain decades, and reoccupation appears to come about the center of the 6th century BC. By the fourth century BC, the town was a thriving port city once more, and it was refounded and moved over the cove to New Smyrna by the Greek officers Antigonus and Lysimachus. Paleohistory at Old Smyrna Test unearthings at Smyrna were led in 1930 by Austrian archeologists Franz and H. Miltner. Somewhat English Turkish examinations somewhere in the range of 1948 and 1951 by Ankara University and the British School at Athens were driven by Ekrem Akurgal and J. M. Cook. Most as of late, remote detecting methods have been applied to the site, to create a topographic guide and record of the antiquated site. Sources Flickrite Kayt Armstrong (girlwithatrowel) has amassed an assortment of photographs of Old Smyrna.Berge MA, and Drahor MG. 2011. Electrical Resistivity Tomography Investigations of Multilayered Archeological Settlements: Part II †A Case from Old Smyrna Hã ¶yã ¼k, Turkey. Archeological Prospection 18(4):291-302.Cook JM. 1958/1959. Old Smyrna, 1948-1951. The Annual of the British School at Athens 53/54:1-34.Cook JM, Nicholls RV, and Pyle DM. 1998. Old Smyrna Excavations: The Temples of Athena. London: The British School at Athens.Drahor MG. 2011. An audit of incorporated geophysical examinations from archeological and social locales under infringing urbanization in Izmir, Turkey. Material science and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 36(16):1294-1309.Nicholls RV. 1958/1959. Old Smyrna: The Iron Age Fortifications and Associated Remains on the City Perimeter. The Annual of the British School at Athensâ 53/54:35-137.Nicholls RV. 1958/1959. Site-Plan of Old Smyrna. The Annual of the British School at Athens 53/54. Sahoglu V. 2005. The Anatolian exchange arrange and the Izmir Region during the Early Bronze Age. Oxford Journal of Archeology 24(4):339-361.Tziropoulou-Efstathiou A. 2009. Homer and the So-Called Homeric Questions: Science and Technology in Homeric Epics. In: Paipetis SA, editorial manager. Science and Technology in Homeric Epics: Springer Netherlands. p 451-467.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Bubonic Plague - 2091 Words

http://ponderosa-pine.uoregon.edu/students/Janis/menu.html Abstract Bubonic plague has had a major impact on the history of the world. Caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis, and transmitted by fleas often found on rats, bubonic plague has killed over 50 million people over the centuries. Burrowing rodent populations across the world keep the disease present in the world today. Outbreaks, though often small, still occur in many places. The use of antibiotics and increased scientific knowledge first gained in the 1890s have reduced the destruction of plague outbreaks. In Medieval times, with the unknowing help of humans, bubonic plague exploded into a pandemic. Known as the  ³Black Death ², it decimated Europe in 1350, killing 1/3 of the†¦show more content†¦Fourteenth century physicians didnt know what caused the plague, but they knew it was contagious. As a result they wore an early kind of bioprotective suit which included a large beaked head piece. The beak of the head piece, which made them look like large birds, was filled with vi negar, sweet oils and other strong smelling compounds to counteract the stench of the dead and dying plague victims. Bubonic plague has a vaccine. It lasts for about 6 months. Currently, plague vaccine is not available in the United States. A new vaccine is being worked on and could be licensed later this year. Travelers to plague infested areas should take prophylaxic antibiotics. The preferred antibiotic for prophylaxis is tetracycline or doxycycline, and for children 8 or less, sulfonamides. Bubonic plague is easily treated if caught early. Streptomycin is the preferred drug, but gentamicin, teracyclines, and chloramphenicol also are effective. Penicillin is useless on plague. Treatment shortly after exposure can reduce overall plague mortality from 60%-100% to 10%-15%. The most effective way to prevent plague is better sanitary conditions and precautions. These conditions and precautions include: -rat populations should be controlled using rodenticide -effective insecticides should be used to control the flea population that transmits plague to humans and rodents -ships should be fumigated with hydrocyanic gas before arriving in port -conditions around human dwellings should be madeShow MoreRelatedThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague896 Words   |  4 PagesBlack Death The Bubonic Plague was likely the first semi-global pandemic that rightfully merits the name which means affecting all people. The period of time in which the disease wreaked havoc was also known as the â€Å"Black Death. Alexandere Yersin was a French bacteriologist and discovered the bacteria in Hong Kong This diabolical disease is characterized by both positive and negative outcomes for the few people that managed to survive the plague. The total number of people who died subsequentlyRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague1848 Words   |  8 Pages The Bubonic Plague killed over twenty-five million people during the Elizabethan Era (David Perlin, PhD and Ann Cohen). â€Å"The origins of the Black Death can be traced back to the Gobi Desert of Mongolia in the 1320’s (Ed. Geoffrey J. et al).† The Bubonic Plague has picked up many nicknames. For example, it has been called â€Å"The Black Death,† and â€Å"one of the four horsemen of the apocalypseâ €  (Ed. Geoffrey J. et al). The Bubonic Plague was very prominent during its time with many people’s lives beingRead MoreBubonic Plague1154 Words   |  5 PagesBubonic plague is believed to have brought the Byzantine empire to its knees in the 6th century. This is the first ever documented record of bubonic plague in human history. But the fact that bubonic plague continues to afflict human population even today is a matter of concern. Your bubonic plague research paper would revolve around the premise of it being a deadly disease, but we assure you that we won’t scare you by the facts. Bubonic plague is typically differentiated from other infections becauseRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague1426 Words   |  6 PagesThe plague was a catastrophic time in history, and happened more than once. It took millions and millions of people’s lives. It destroyed cities and countries, and many people suffered from it. What is the plague? The plague or referred to as the Black Death, according to the CDC (2015), â€Å"is a disease that affects humans and other mammals and caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handlingRead MoreThe Plague Of Bubonic Plague1714 Words   |  7 Pagescharacteristics. The diffusion, history, and cure are just a couple universal aspects that contribute to the well known, yet unforgiving disease known as the Bubonic Plague. The Bubonic Plague diffused to many people during its time of dominance. To start, the Bubonic Plague is transmitted to other living organisms in a distinct way. The plague bacteria circulates among different populations of certain rodents without causing an excessive amount of rodent die-off (â€Å"Centers for Disease Control andRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague825 Words   |  4 PagesThe Plague Discussion Questions The Black Death was an epizootic bubonic plague, a disease caused by the bacterium of rodents known as Yersinia pestis. The bubonic plague overwhelming effects of European history. The Black Death was considered one of the most â€Å"devastating pandemics† in human history. Whom Did the Black Death Affect The Black death affected mostly Europe. â€Å"The disastrous mortal disease known as the Black Death spread across Europe in the years 1346-53.† (Paragraph 1) â€Å"By the endRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague975 Words   |  4 PagesThe Bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, was a severe outbreak of disease that spread in Europe in the 14th century from 1346-1353. The disease spread faster then originally expected of killing only twenty or thirty percent but killed 60 percent of Europe s population ( Benedictow). It is believed the population of Europe was around eighty million and that would add up to be fifty million deaths. It was a horrific death for one to experience and can still be found in the world todayRead MoreThe Plague Of Bubonic Plague945 Words   |  4 Pages Essays 3. The bubonic plague was a devastating disease that rapidly swept across Europe. Also known as the Black Death, the plague spread from port to port and started to wipe out entire civilizations. All of Europe was eventually contaminated, with over two-thirds of the population dieing to the infectious disease. Believed to have started in 1346 when the Mongol armies overtook the Genoese trading outpost of Caffa on the Black Sea, over half the soldiers on the boat returned dead. The quicknessRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague1938 Words   |  8 PagesBlack Plague DBQ   Ã‚  Ã‚   The Bubonic Plague or Black Plague devastated Europe in the fifteenth through eighteenth centuries killing anywhere from twenty to twenty-five million people or about one-third of the continent’s population. At the time, medical knowledge was not competent for understanding why the deadly pathogen was spreading; therefore, the plague radiated like wildfire. The Europeans believed that the plague was a sort of divine punishment for the sins in which they had committed, and theyRead MoreThe Bubonic Plague Essay1463 Words   |  6 PagesThe Bubonic Plague Introduction Plague, was a term that was applied in the Middle Ages to all fatal epidemic diseases, but now it is only applied to an acute, infectious, contagious disease of rodents and humans, caused by a short, thin, gram-negative bacillus. In humans, plague occurs in three forms: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, and septicemic plague. The best known form is the bubonic plague and it is named after buboes, or enlarged, inflamed lymph nodes, which are characteristics

Friday, May 15, 2020

Essay on Special Effects Simulation in Cinema by Temengua...

There was a period of time in the postmodern world when a considerable number of works being published, broadcasted, or exhibited were demonstrations of humanities’ creative progression and development. A sense of awe and possibility permeated culture, and human beings were inspired to find new arts, new sciences, new voices; however, somewhere along the way the focus on aesthetics, originality, possibility, and intelligence blurred. It seems so anachronistic that, in a world where pluralism, an ability to engage in any culture, is more widely practiced than ever before thanks to technology, mainstream media has become so limited. Such limited depictions of contemporary culture reduce humanity’s ability to identify the constructed nature†¦show more content†¦Chin-Yi Chung states in her essay, â€Å"Hyperreality, the Question of Agency, and the Phenomenon of Reality Television.† that, â€Å"...it is existential banality and the boredom of our own lives that we desire as spectacle†¦.In elevating the banal to spectacle, we are elevating ourselves as media objects.† (Chung 33) Similarly, news media, which one would expect to be a dose of objective reality, follows the same developments as other media. Mark Peace of Aberystwyth University writes, â€Å"This is a telltale sign of construction of reality by news broadcasters in two ways: firstly all the events of the world are obviously not bad (if the news is to be believed, the world is complete hell); the second indicator is the way in which broadcasters structure around the ideological rather than the concrete.†(Peace, n.p.) This further complicates one’s ability to identify the constructed reality that spans the globe. Although some proponents may argue that technological advances in media could lead to a utopian society, substance and critical thinking are rapidly declining because these same advances have reshaped one’s ability to perceive or des ire reality clearly. Filmmaking advanced along side technology, resulting in visual effects so realistic that they have numbed captivated viewers into going beyond a suspension of disbelief. Our ability to look at something that’s so obviously constructed and analyze it as such is diminished significantly. Viewers focus on the the EFX

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

`` Utopia `` By John De Mol - 1719 Words

Ever since humans have existed on this earth the idea of a perfect world has been experimented with. Some examples are Brook Farm in Massachusetts, Fruitland also in Massachusetts, and one of the biggest â€Å"perfect world† is Jonestown in Guyana. All these â€Å"perfect societies† was attempted, but never succeeded. A positive perfect world, where every single member living in it joyfully and without worries is a Utopia. Dutch media tycoon John de Mol once said, â€Å" Utopia is a positive and constructive program that gives people the opportunity, if you can start all over again, start from scratch and create laws and make decisions, will you be able to build a society that is better than the one we have; will it be chaos or happiness†. I know for me my mind automatically thinks about the changes I would make in this world to make it perfect when I hear or see something I don t like. It just an automatic switch in my head. It happens to most people believe or not it happens. But who wouldn t want to make this world our own we all are a little bit selfish. Who wouldn t want to get rid of all the crimes, share all our riches with everyone, create a place where no one is judged, and produce an atmosphere where it s safe for our next generation to run around. Philosopher and author Thomas More would sure love to see all of these things happen. Thomas More wrote the first formal Utopia so he came up with this good or bad (however you want to view it) Utopia idea.Sir More imagined a

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Akira Kurosawa Essay Example For Students

Akira Kurosawa Essay Akira Kurosawa often incorporated social issues into his films. One of the most interesting of these issues was that of western cultures affect on the Japanese and whether it was better to evolve with the rest of the world or not. Many times in his films, Kurosawa ended up bashing the message over his audiences heads: This new culture may not be the best, but everything will be all right. Kurosawa used many different tools in getting his themes and metaphors across to his audience. By combining the right visuals, audials, and even dialogue, he completed, what he deemed to be, the perfect picture with the perfect statement on society and he did it repeatedly. Sanshiro Sugata began the illustrious career of Kurosawa with resounding force. On the surface it seemed to be a simple film about a judo fighter defending his art versus jujitsu. Judo was a newer version of jujitsu and was looked down upon by those who studied the older art, including _______, the antagonist of the movie. Although this antagonist studied the more ancient of the two martial arts, he was shown to be a very modern individual. He wore western style clothing, including fashionable shoes and by giving this character a snide attitude with western style, he made the statement to the Japanese that the west represents evil. This character was visually Europe and America. When Kurosawa established that part of the character, he turned that character into a symbol and could now do whatever he pleased with that symbol. The symbol became oppressive and hateful, something to fight against. One should remember, however, that this symbol also represented the ancient style of fighting, and in part, the older part of society. The title character, even though he was the protagonist, fought for the younger and less traditional style of life. He was impatient and sometimes overly aggressive, but fought with nobility, as opposed to his negative counterpart. The protagonist did not want to hurt or kill, but was forced into it by the actions of others. This movie presented what appeared to be a movie with a strong anti-western theme to it, while underneath suggesting that by looking at the west in the right light. They are not as bad as the Japanese have made them out to be. The reason for the hidden message in Sugata is most likely the timing of the movie. It was released in 1944, during World War II. Because Japan was fighting against most of Europe and America they absolutely could not present a movie with a positive message on the side of the west. Later in his directing career, with a lot of the pressure off of him for propaganda, Kurosawa was free to make the directorial decisions he wanted to. In 1952, Kurosawa directed a movie called Ikiru, debatably the best movie of his career. The lead character, an old man named Kanji Watanabe, was stuck in the rut of boring tradition. He went to work day in and day out and never thought about himself. Never thought to enjoy life. He was not content with his life, but he was not discontent either. After finding out that he has gastric cancer he becomes extremely depressed, while at the same time, his son and daughter-in-law want him to help them build a new house. They feel their old house is rickety and cold, much like the old man. It seems that the old way is dying out and the new is taking over. The daughter-in-law even states to her husband that they should think about themselves more, and forget about his father for a while. .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 , .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .postImageUrl , .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 , .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1:hover , .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1:visited , .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1:active { border:0!important; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1:active , .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1 .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1cfc7eb6971be8729e5bb4aa20db08d1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Gandhi - A Pacifist Hero EssayKanji finds himself dwelling on his past, he comes to the realization that he never really lived his life for himself, and would like to give that a try. The only problem is that he doesnt know how. He finds thinks he finds solace in a young novelist, dressed in a Jack Karuac style, who says he knows how to show him a good time. All the novelist does is drag him throughout the city, bringing him to modern bars with aggressive prostitutes and clubs playing salsa music. It seems that again, the new western culture is the aggressor and is shown in a poor light. At one point, it actually appears that Kanji is fighting for his soul. Placed in a small room with a piano and several flapper-like dancers, he requests a simple, traditional song that he remembers from his youth. As he begins to sing it, he is looked at with disdain and uncomfortableness. There is no place for such traditional things in such a fast moving, trendy world. After this experience, he meets a young woman who works under him at his office. She too, is a modern woman, and is quitting his office because The work bores . . . here is never anything new. His interaction with the woman revitalizes him; she is young but not impetuous and she shows him how through subtle ways he can enjoy himself more. In the end, he dies a happy man, having changed his actions dramatically, while keeping the tradition of his culture intact. This is what I believe Akira Kurosawa intended his message to be from the beginning, but because of the strict hold on art that the Japanese government held , he was never able to get that message across until more than a decade after he began working on film.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Nikes Cheap Labor

Based on the presented Nike’s Cheap Labor article by Tim Glenn, several ethical issues stand out. Among them is the failure of Nike Shoe Company to uphold the values of what is right and wrong in the society. It was unethical for Nike to allow various unethical practices to be carried out by its subcontractors.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Nike’s Cheap Labor specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Since the products of all its subcontractors bear its name, Nike should have clearly spelt out its ethical code of conducts to its contractors. According to Berle and Means (1932, p.1), ethics go beyond what the government can control to behavior regulation. The contract awarded to Earnest and Young to ensure inspection of ethical code of conduct in its contracting companies seems to have failed. Various unethical practices were evident in its subcontractor firms. Nike was at fault for unethical labor pra ctices. The first evidence of this fault is that Nike closed and shifted its factories in the United States to Asian countries where there is cheap labor. Although the company does not involve itself in direct production, it is aware of the unethical undertakings by its subcontractors. Secondly, since the products of these subcontractors belong to Nike and that they bear its name, it should have eliminated these unethical practices. Ignoring such unethical practices on employees who make its brands will amount to employees’ enslavement (Kingsolver, 2008). The media has a duty to educate masses (workers for this case) about their rights. According to Chomsky (1989), one of the roles of media is to educate the employees on business ethics. In this case, the media in Asia and other places where Nike has its factories should enlighten workers. Workers should know that they have the right to good working conditions, work at will, not to be sexually harassed, good housing and food, and even a good pay. Media should air employee education programs. The second role that the media can play is exposing unethical acts of such companies as Nike.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Since most of the companies will do everything to ensure that their image is not soiled, Nike would act quickly to restore employees’ ethics. Media should publicize unethical acts such as firing of employees advocating for better terms by force, sexual harassment, poor housing, poor pay, and forced overtime. This airing will expose the other side of the source of the famous Nike’s products. Chomsky (1989) asserts that airing of unethical acts of a company enlightens the public and employees. The major consequence of the mistreatment of workers by contractors and subcontractor of Nike in Asia is the development of a bad image. Although Nike spends a lot of money in e ndorsing celebrities to make up its image, this brand will gradually be soiled. If the company can afford to pay about $250 to athletes in endorsement, it should spend more in creating a good image. Brand means everything to a company since it creates a feeling of either attachment or lack of attachment to a company. It makes employees, investors, financiers, customers, and communities desire and or detest being associated with the company. When media exposes the variety of unethical acts that the company engages in, its public stakeholders will develop a negative image about it (Chomsky 1989). No one would like to collaborate with inhuman companies. No investor would like to be part of a company that physically abuses its employees and or does not pay them their dues. Customers of the company are also likely to leave its products and turn to other apparel industries because they will always attribute the company’s products to its unethical practices. No one would like to buy products of a company that cannot compensate workers who had accidents in the course of producing its goods.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Nike’s Cheap Labor specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many potential employees will also shun working for a company due to its bad image (Schneider et al. 2003, p.836). This case means that a poor brand will deny Nike Company the talents and creative minds that are likely to go to its competitors. The competitor will produce high quality goods. As a manager, I would take the most effective action in image restoration. The first step will be allowing open and efficient communication among the company, its contractors, and employees. In fact, Parker (2005, p.17) affirms that development of formal ethics and its communication is essential in today’s business world. I would establish structures that will allow open communication. There is a clear communication cut between employees and Nike as a company. By ensuring that there are good communication paths, employees will regain confidence in the company. According to Guest (2007, p.52), employees should be allowed to air their grievances and or join trade unions without being sacked or punished. Communication will also ensure that employees are enlightened about their rights and the code of conduct of the company. To boost communication, I will provide suggestion boxes, hotlines, and emails for them to use in case their supervisors or contractors are in breach of the ethical code of conduct. This strategy will also enable clear punishment of the contractors if they breach it. The second tactic that would save the image of Nike Company is advertising, which is paid for to create public attention to certain goods and services.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I would use media (both print and electronic platforms) to advertise the strategic changes that the company has undertaken to ensure employee satisfaction and product quality improvement through the common catchy phrase that, if a business treats its workforce well, they will in turn treat clients well. The changes in employee relations would be aired on media. Schneider et al. (2003, p.836) assert that employee satisfaction makes potential employees aspire to join a company in the future. In addition, it will make Nike’s customer change their perception of the company from bad to good. Media has the ability not only to tell people what to think about but also how to think about a certain idea. With frequent positive exposure of the changes in the company, people will not only think about Nike but also tuned to think about it positively. Conclusion Nike Cheap Labor article by Tim Glenn is an epitome of the many organizations that strive to reap much not only on the expense of its workforce but also on their own expense. Mistreating of employees by not giving them their due wages, denying them motivations, and not involving them in key decision-making process comprise some of the unethical issues that companies like Nike are practicing. Kingsolver (2008, p.268) says that all unethical business practices amount to slavery. Such ways like poor payment of employees, dismissal from duties without protocol, unpaid overtime, sexual harassment of women, and avoiding paying workers’ benefits are unethical. Therefore, media should come in to publicize these malpractices in an effort to curb them by exposing their implications not only to the employees but also to the victim companies. References Berle, A Means, G 1932, The Modern Corporation and Private Property, Transaction Publishers, New Jersey. Chomsky, N 1989, Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies, Pluto Press, London. Guest, D 2007, HRM and performance: Can Partnership Address the Ethical Dilemmas?, Macklin Campbell, Pennington. Kingsolver, A 2008, Capitalism. Encyclopedia of Race and Racism, Macmillan, Detroit. Parker, M 2005, For Business Ethics: A Critical Text, Routledge, London. Schneider, B, Hanges, P, Smith, D, Salvaggio, A 2003, ‘Which Comes First: Employee Attitudes or Organizational Financial and Market Performance?’, Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. 88 no. 1, pp. 836–51. This case study on Nike’s Cheap Labor was written and submitted by user 3-D Man to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

My Poem Essays - Prayer, Scout Prayer, Nelle A. Coley, Free Essays

My Poem Essays - Prayer, Scout Prayer, Nelle A. Coley, Free Essays My Poem When we were young,I just knew I would find you.I might not of known you,But I knew what you were feeling.The day we met I knew it was you,The one in my dreams.When I think of you I know my prayers have been answerd.All now that I can hope for is that you will always love me.And when the day comes that we shall part,and leave one another.... Just think tomorrow we will meet again. Sometimes I feel,That this might be the end.But you always reasure me and say that this is only the begining. You say that you love me,But sometmes I wonder.Like when you say the things you do.I love you and even though I get confussed,I know that you love me. And I will never let you forget this...We have made it this far,we are here till the end! ________________________________

Monday, February 24, 2020

Bahrain World Trade Centre Technical Report Essay

Bahrain World Trade Centre Technical Report - Essay Example What makes it unique is the fact that it was the first skyscraper in the world to have wind turbines into its design. The Bahrain World Trade Centre is constructed in close proximity of the King Faisal Highway, near population landmarks such as the Bahrain financial harbor, the National Bank of Bahrain and the scenic pearl roundabout. The building offers an un-obstructed view over the Arabian Gulf. It currently ranks as the second tallest building in Bahrain after the twin towers of the Bahrain Financial Harbour. Architecture and Physical Characteristics The Bahrain World Trade Centre is a revolutionary building as it is well equipped with inbuilt large scale wind turbines that supply 15% of the entire building’s electricity supply (Atkins 2012). The two 50 storey tapered, sail shaped architectural design of BWTC with a height of 240m is the only of its kind in the world to integrate wind turbines into its twin tower design. The Bahrain World Trade Centre master plan comprises of twin office towers, an associated single-storey huge shopping mall with a 30,000 square meters of exclusive boutiques and multi-brand retail outlets, departmental stores, food and beverage outlets, a car parking services, mother and baby rooms and a children’s entertainment and landscaped areas. ... Each tower provides 34 flexible floor plates ranging 120 to 820 sq.m area for offices and an exclusive 42nd floor viewing deck (Binder 2006). The BWTCs with a distinct nautical theme is a modern interpretation of traditional Arabian wind towers. Each of the towers is visibly anchored to the ground by a concertina of curved sail-like structure. The most distinct feature of the design is the integration of large- scale, commercially-available renewable wind energy turbines into a sustainable architecture design. The podium of the Bahrain World Business Centre accommodates a single-storey extension to the existing shopping mall and it does reflect the already established modular, axial and spatial parameters. Three levels of covered car parking space are available within the podium with further extensive parking and service areas provided in the basement. The Bahrain World Trade Centre Location of the wind parameters The Bahrain World Trade Centre was situated along the highway so as to fully harness the Persian Gulf winds since the wind in Bahrain is almost always consistent. The Bahrain World Trade Centre has three 29m horizontal axis turbines suspended between two-story 34 story towers of prime office space. Both of these towers have been designed to catch and accelerate the prevailing mild coastal winds of Bahrain. The design of this complex provides for three 29m diameter wind turbines that are supported horizontally between the two towers. The elliptical plan form and sail-like tapered design of both towers acts as aerofoil and it funnels and lifts the onshore breeze flowing from Persian Gulf. The wind funneling and lifting of air behind the towers due to tapered design creates a negative

Friday, February 7, 2020

Research Proposal on The Rape Shield Law Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

On The Rape Shield Law - Research Proposal Example Despite the purported and perceived protection, which the enforced Rape Shield laws serves to give to the complainants, there may be some flaws in the laws itself, which may prejudice the interests of the defendant. The defendant may not be able to present his side of the story in front of the judge or to provide evidentiary support to prove his innocence in case where previous sexual conduct of the victim is not taken into consideration. Thus, false and unjust incarceration of the defendant may happen. The rape shield laws are deficient in some ways and specific amendments have to be brought into the rape shield laws to provide a fair and just decision to the defendant as well as the victim. Though the rape shield laws is an accepted statute, mainly for the purpose that it seeks to protect the victims of rape, yet, acceptance does not eradicate the contention that rape shield laws may have some inherent deficiencies that needs to be taken care of to make it a more acceptable and fai r form of legislation. The present research paper is devoted to explaining the deficiencies that are inherent in the rape shield laws, which may prejudice the legal rights of the defendant and at times even the victim. The basis of the contention is deficient and vague rape shield laws in different states, constitutional criticism of the rape shield law and failure of the laws to fulfill their purpose in exceptional cases where high profile is involved. 2. Vagueness of Rape Shield laws in Different States The rape shield laws in different States are different. There is no uniform set of laws like the Uniform Commercial Code, which may be applicable to all the states. This increases vagueness of the law itself. Each state has its own set of laws enacted with its own set of exceptions, sometimes distinct from that which is enacted in a particular state and sometimes completely different from other states. For instance, as per the Alabama statute any evidence relating to the past sexua l behavior of the complaining witness is admissible with an exception that evidence shall be admissible, when it is found that past sexual behavior directly involved the participation of the accused. On the other hand, though most states have in one way or another bared the admissibility of the past sexual conduct, however, the exceptions to such restriction is sometime less stringent and in some cases more stringent. In comparison to the exceptions to rape shield laws, which is in force in Alabama , the exceptions in Texas, Utah and Vermont are more stringent, as evidence is acceptable where probative value outweighs danger of unfair prejudice .1 This indicates while defendants in certain jurisdictions get better opportunities to prove their innocence while at other jurisdictions do not. 2. Constitutional criticism There are some inherent deficiencies in the rape shield laws despite its acceptance as an enacted law in all the states of US. The critics who seek to criticize the rape shield laws on the reasoning that it somehow violates the constitution propose that the rape shield laws are deficient in providing a fair trial to the defendant, it violates his right to cross-examine the victim or witnesses, it discriminates between sexes, it is an intrusion of the legislature into the judiciary and thus a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers and it is a vague form of law.2 In the forthcoming cases, the questions which arose to prove the constitutional violation of the rape shield laws were repeatedly nullified by the court. In a case, the question arose that whether not allowing the defendant to raise questions about the

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Sakuntala India Essay Example for Free

Sakuntala India Essay Kalidasas Sakuntala is the best-known Sanskrit drama, and widely considered a masterpiece. It is based on an episode from the Mahabharata (book 1, ch. 62-69), though Kalidasa takes significant liberties in his version. Widely translated there were no fewer than forty-six translations in twelve different languages in the century after Sir William Jones groundbreaking first translation (1789) alone, Dorothy Matilda Figueira notes in Translating the Orient new editions continue to appear regularly. Barbara Stoler Millers, published along with translations of Kalidasas two other dramas (and three explanatory essays) as Theater of Memory, appears to have become a standard version, and certainly the classroom text of choice (at least in the US); it also has the advantage of being relatively easy to find (which is not the case with most of the other translations). The eighty pages of essays, covering three different aspects of Kalidasa and Sanskrit drama, and the solid critical apparatus (though the actual notes are a bit thin), as well the fact that it makes the other two Kalidasa plays easily available, does make this an appealing edition. It is not, however, ideal. Millers translation is solid, with a few inspired touches, but it does not stand out among the competition. In addition, more supporting material, and more extensive notes focussed specifically on the play would have been welcome. Sakuntala is a play in seven acts. It begins with a remarkable Prologue, in which the director of the play briefly discusses the planned nights entertainment with the lead actress. Hes worried about impressing his learned audience, and tells her: I find no performance perfect until the critics are pleased; the better trained we are the more we doubt ourselves. (Critics with its newspaper-reviewer connotations is an unfortunate choice here; Kalidasa clearly only means hes worried about the opinion of this generally well-informed audience.) The actress manages to reassure him with a brief song: she is so utterly convincing and enrapturing that he forgets what play he wanted to put on (after just having  mentioned it moments before). Its a hard scene to pull of on the stage, but on the page it can convince, and its a stunning start to the play (and also sets the bar very high). The play proper then begins, with King Dusyanta on a hunting expedition. Hes going after an antelope, but a monk stops him, telling him the antelope belongs to the local hermitage: Your weapon should rescue victims, not destroy the innocent ! The king does as he is asked. Invited to the hermitage he looks around the grove, and comes across Sakuntala and two friends but he hides before they see him. Sakuntala is the daughter of the head sage, Kanva (who is away at the time), or so the king has been told. In fact, she is only the adopted daughter, and is actually the daughter of a royal sage and a celestial nymph (which is important, as the it wouldnt be appropriate for the king to be involved with a commoner). Sakuntala is coming into her own, and one of the first things the king sees is Sakuntala asking one of her friends to loosen the no longer quite form-fitting bark dress she is wearing. As the friend says: Blame your youth for swelling your breasts. (Ryder translates this much more successfully: You had better blame your own budding charms for that.) The king finally shows himself, but hes uncertain whether to reveal his true identity and pretends to be someone else. He finds out that Sakuntala would be an appropriate mate, but theres still a bit of romancing to do. He does, however, give her the ring of the title an embellishment of Kalidasas that isnt found in the original source-material, but that will allow the king to come of looking better than he originally did. The second act begins with a Shakespearean buffoons monologue: the character of the fool transposed to India. The king is by now completely smitten. As the buffoon notes: She must be delectable if youre so enticed. The king is indeed filled with enthusiasm but by the end of the act realises that the buffoon may let something about his passion slip back home at the palace, which might not go over so well, and so he tells him: I really feel no desire for the young ascetic Sakuntala. What do I share with a rustic girl reared among fawns, unskilled in love ? Dont mistake what I muttered in jest for the real truth, my friend ! The audience knows better, and in the third act their true feelings cant be hidden any longer though both the king and Sakuntala suffer for their passion before they can embrace each other: SAKUNTALA: I dont know your heart, but day and night for wanting you, love violently tortures my limbs, cruel man. KING: Love torments you, slender girl, but he completely consumes me daylight spares the lotus pond while it destroys the moon. The king wants to marry Sakuntala, but she is worried that the proposed rushed and secret marriage wouldnt be appropriate. Fulfillment of desire is fraught with obstacles, the king sighs. Sakuntala gives in but only off stage, in between scenes. When the fourth act opens the king has returned home, promising to send for Sakuntala later. Still enraptured, Sakuntala neglects her duties and is cursed by the angry sage Durvasas: the king wont remember who she is at least until he sees the ring of recollection. (In the original version of the story in the Mahabharata there is no curse or ring: the king is simply a cad: he remembers her well enough, but pretends not to.) But Sakuntala is sp swept away she doesnt even realise whats happened. Much of the fourth act is filled with the sweet sorrow of parting, as Sakuntala prepares to  leave the idyllic grove and the hermitage. Its all the more poignant because she is not aware of the terrible fate shes facing (while the audience knows exactly whats coming). In act five Sakuntala arrives at the kings court and doesnt get quite the welcome she expected. It should all be easy enough to clear up, even Sakuntala realises: this ring will revive your memory and remove your doubt. But, alas theres no ring on her finger ! It must have fallen off .. Sakuntala has other evidence, describing their meetings, but that isnt enough to convince the cursed king, and he continues to worry: Since its unclear whether Im deluded or she is speaking falsely should I risk abandoning a wife or being tainted by another mans ? Act six begins with more comic relief, as a fisherman is interrogated by the police about a ring he found the missing royal ring of recollection, of course. Now, finally, the king remembers. and he sets off to regain her. Sakuntala has by now given birth to a child, a boy who looks much like the king (and who should so the kings promise to Sakuntala long ago be his successor). But the king can barely believe that there is any hope left for him: learning the boys mothers name is Sakuntala he moans: But names can be the same. Even a name is a mirage a false hope to herald despair. But, finally, there is the happy reunion and ending. Much of the power of the play is as a character study of Sakuntala, as Kalidasa shows her in these different circumstances. Her love, her despair, her anger are all impressively displayed. Much of this and, indeed, the success of much of the rest of the play depends on the poetry of the play, and while there are some very successful bits, Millers translation does fall short. Sanskrit is a difficult language to translate in any case. The nominal compounds (similar to the German, except that they can be much more elaborate) pose a particular problem, and the Sanskrit verses with their own complex rules are also very difficult to convey. Miller knows her stuff, and the substance of the play is well-conveyed. But much goes  missing especially that sense of poetry. Some of the problems can be guessed at from the explanation she offers of the plays title in the notes (one of the few terms she explains at greater length): Sakuntala and the Ring of Recollection This is not a literal rendering of the Sanskrit compound Abhijnanasakuntala, whose exact form and meaning are controversial even among Sanskrit critics and commentators. The word abhijnana means recognition or recollection; it is used in the play to refer to the ring Dusyanta gives as a token to Sakuntala () A more exact translation of the title might be [The drama of] Sakuntala [remembered] through the ring of recollection, where the entire compound refers to the implied word nataka (drama),and a word like smrta (remembered) may be supplied according to a rule of Sanskrit grammar governing elision in compound verbs. Unfortunately, there are probably few words (and verses) in the text that dont warrant as much or more explanation. Miller goes for the grounded, straightforward approach, not rhyming the verses, for example (Ryder, on the other hand, imposes a rhyme on all the verses). Enough of the original comes through to get a decent sense of the plays qualities, but it rarely reaches the transcendent heights the original is reputed to have. A useful edition, with some decent supporting material (though more would have been welcome), it nevertheless isnt entirely satisfying. Return to top of the page

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

The End of Make Believe Essay -- Analysis, Claudia Kalb

In a culture saturated in high tech toys that explode with dynamite sounds and whirling lights, children spend countless hours watching television and playing video games and less time engaging in creative and imaginative play. In Claudia Kalb’s article â€Å"The End of Make Believe,† she introduces the Knott family from Cleveland, Ohio. Kris Knott and her husband, parents of three active children, are striving to get back to the basics of play by increasing family time and decreasing their children’s television and video game usage. During the summer months, it would not be uncommon to find the entire family outside enjoying a pleasant evening together. Mrs. Knott states that â€Å"entertainment is not play† and children need carefree, less structured time to use their imaginations (Kalb, par.1). While the Knott’s children have plenty of organized activities such as after school sports, their parents recognize the importance of using imaginatio n and creativity as a source of play (Kalb, par.1). In the same manner, parents must limit children’s time engaging in technology by creating quality family time and encouraging more creative and imaginative play for intellectual, emotional, and social skills to develop. In addition to television, today’s children are inundated with a wide variety of technological choices such as video games, Internet games, and other interactive activities. Despite these advanced technologies, television continues to play a large role in today’s society and while it began as an element to unite the family, it appears to be dividing the family apart now (Winn 437). While television provides us with hours of entertainment, stirs emotions deep inside, and is a tool for gathering information, most experts agree ... ...roviding the â€Å"box† for more creative and imaginative play. In addition, parents must gather around the dinner table and create family traditions that will last forever in their children’s memories. Parents must emulate the Knott family who are creating memories by spending time together outdoors instead of watching television in separate rooms. As a result, these children develop intellectually, emotionally, and socially and contribute both to their family and community. Elyssa Knott, at the young age of 11 states, "How much fun could you possibly have if you didn't use your imagination?" (Kalb, par.1) As parents follow Kris Knott and her family’s example, they will see their own family beginning to change and acknowledge the importance of spending quality time together, letting go of the television remote and stepping back to the basics of play.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Writing Deficiencies in Today

Employers rank oral and written skills as some of the most valuable qualifications desirable when looking for new hiring candidates (Gray, 2005). Writings need to be informative, concise, free of spelling and grammatical errors. Additionally, effective business communication needs to be accurate and clear in meaning. Implications of poor grammar skills of today's employees on company profitability can quickly add up into the billions. Company productivity can be effected due to poor communication between employees and customers.The need to have material interpreted by different employees because of poorly written material causes lost time and productivity. Instructions being misinterpreted due to poorly written material causes unnecessary time being lost. The academic community has long debated the need to teach grammar skills and its benefits to students. Unfortunately; college students are graduating every day without the simple basic knowledge of sentence structure, spelling or gr ammar (College Bad, The National Commission on Writing for America's Families, Schools, andColleges, 2004). Traditionally, two different approaches have been used. In the ass's, a â€Å"rule-based†, approach which used repetitive drills and sentence diagramming was employed. This theory was proven ineffective by Weaver in 1 996 (Weaver, 1996), and a â€Å"context-based†, theory was adopted, which focused on students learning language by using a specific content. Regardless of the approach taken it is clear that it is necessary to take charge of our students need to learn grammar skills at an early age and to reinforce Hess skills throughout their school age years.

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Study On The Variability In Foreign Exchange Rate - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 12 Words: 3535 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Economics Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? 1.0. Introduction Variability in foreign exchange (FX) rate has been one of the major economic and financial factors affecting cash flows and common stocks value. After the collapse of post-war Bretton Woods fixed exchange rates in the 1970s, the relative prices of currencies began to fluctuate. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Study On The Variability In Foreign Exchange Rate" essay for you Create order The rapid expansion in international trade and adoption of floating exchange rate regimes by many countries led to increase exchange rate volatility. As economic integration and globalization have been increasing year by year, exchange rate movements have become very important source of risk for financial firms as well as non-financial firms. In this context, it is very important to mention that virtually all existing empirical studies estimate currency exchange rate exposures on the basis of share prices. However, the assessment of cash flow and stock price exposures which will be studied in this research will represent a rational alternative to the analysis of stock price exposures. In fact, it is the impact of exchange rate risk on corporate cash flows rather than equity prices per se, that is emphasized in the theoretical literature on corporate risk management, either for tax reasons, managerial performance, bankruptcy, investment decisions or compensation purposes. Jacque (1996) points out that change in a companys earnings due to unexpected foreign currency exchange rate changes relatively to their domestic currency is considered as foreign exchange rate risks. Changes in exchange rates may affect firms profitability and value. Exchange rate changes can also impact on the level of competitiveness of the firms which are exposed to exchange rate risk, or affect the value of their net assets denominated in foreign currencies. Adler and Dumas (1984) show that even firms whose entire operations are domestic may have affects of exchange rates of foreign currencies, if their output and input prices are influenced by currency movements. Moreover, Eiteman et al. (2006) says that in general, firms are exposed to three types of foreign exchange risk: translation exposure, transaction exposure and economic exposure. Translation and transaction exposures are accounting based and defined in terms of the book values of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency. In practice, economic exposure is computed as the net sensitivity of some aggregate measure of firm value to currency fluctuations. Economic exposure contains of the direct and indirect effects of currency fluctuations by focusing on the net sensitivity. At the corporate level, changes in exchange rates affect the firm value, because future cash flows of the firm will change with exchange rate fluctuations. In other words, exchange rate changes have important implications for financial decision-making and for firm profitability. It is widely believed that changing exchange rates affect the competitiveness of firms engaged in international competition. According to Luehrman (1991), a falling home currency promotes the competitiveness of firms in home country by allowing them to undercut prices charged for goods manufactured abroad. Many simple partial equilibrium models (e.g. Shapiro) predict an increase in the value of the home country firm in response to a real drop in the value of the home currency. Economic theory suggests that under a floating exchange rate regime, exchange rate appreciation reduces the competitiveness of export markets; it has a negative effect on the domestic stock market. Conversely, if the country is import denominated, exchange rate appreciation may have positive affect on the stock market by lowering input costs. Problem statement As economic integration and globalization have been increasing year by year, exchange rate movements have become very important source of risk for financial firms as well as non-financial firms. Also, the internationalization of capital markets has resulted in inflow of vast sums of funds between countries and in the cross listing of equities. This has therefore made investors and firms more interested in the volatility of exchange rate and its effect on stock price and stock market volatility. According to Yucel and Kurt (2003), floating exchange rate appreciation reduces the competitiveness of export markets; and has a negative effect on share prices as well as the domestic stock market. On the other hand, for import dominated country, it may have positive effect on the stock market by lowering input costs. Malaysia presents an example of an open economy which engages in international trade with several countries and hence susceptible to foreign exchange rate volatility. Malaysian exchange and trade system have been liberalized for many years. Malaysia now follows a floating exchange rate policy. Malaysian economy has been suffered from Asian financial crisis 1997 and World financial crisis 2008. As a result volatility in foreign exchange rate and deviation from purchasing power parity might become persistent in the economy. Most of the firms operating in Malaysia are affected in many ways from these economic conditions. The firms have faced higher business risk and foreign exchange risk. However, empirical evidence on the influence of foreign exchange market volatility on stock market is largely inconsistent. These have been in the contest of developed economies. Mishra (2004) found no theoretical consensus on the interaction between stock prices and exchange rate. However, Solnik (2000) argues that there is a negative correlation between stock market and local currency. The openness of a countrys economy is recognized as a cause of volatili ty of its market. Malaysia presents a classic example of an open economy which engages in international trade transaction. Moreover, with advert of globalization, developing economies are becoming more integrated into developed economies as the results of increasing flow of imports and exports. Malaysia is not an exception. A cursory examination of foreign exchange rate history in Malaysia shows some considerable level of volatility. Therefore, it would be interesting to explore the effect of its foreign exchange volatility on cash flows as well as stock prices of its non-financial companies. Again, much work on the effect of the exchange rate volatility in the developing country like Malaysia has not been done. Thus, for that reason the study intended look at the effect of foreign exchange exposure on companies cash flows and stock prices in Malaysia. Research objectives Objective of the current research is to determine whether cash flows and stock prices of companies are affected by exchange rate exposure. This research project attempts to assess the economic exposures of the firms chosen from the Bursa Malaysia Main market. The issues are important for investors as well as corporate risk management. To examine the relationship between cash flows of the companies and exchange rates; To examine the relationship between stock prices of the companies and exchange rates; To determine which currencies have major influence on the companies cash flows? To determine which currencies have major influence on the companies stock prices? Research questions The research aims to find answers to the following questions: Whether cash flows of the companies exposed to exchange rate risk? Whether stock prices of the companies exposed to exchange rate risk? Which currencies have major influence on the companies cash flows? Which currencies have major influence on the companies stock prices? Significance of the study The estimation of exchange rate exposure is a relatively new area in international finance. After 1973, managers and economists become more concerned about the exchange rate fluctuations on firms. Also, for the past decade, researchers have been empirically investigating the exchange rate exposure of the firms. Following Adler Dumas (1984) most of the research measures the exposure as the elasticity between change in firm value and exchange rate. Empirically, this exposure elasticity is obtained from a regression of stock returns on an exchange rate change (Bodnar Wong, 2000). In practice, there is little general agreement on the use of appropriate choice of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"aggregate measure. In this research project it is focused on the impact of economic exposure of Malaysian firms values. Corporate managers will also be interested in the exposures of corporate cash flow measures such as sales, operating cash flow and earnings for reasons of corporate planning and risk management. Scope of the study The current study one of the new studies in international finance and risk management. In general, the research will assess the economic exposures for the companies listed in Bursa Malaysia Main Market from the years 2000 to 2008. For the research, first, all sample companies stock returns will be regressed on exchange rate change and market return. In the second step, companies will be examined according to one specific character, which is export volume. LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction It is also noticeable whether the firms cash flows are sensitive to exchange rate movements. Perhaps we should also point out the fact that Grambovas and McLeay (2006) are convinced that empirical analysis confirm that currency fluctuations may affect firm values, especially with consideration to the influence of foreign exchange rate movements on the firms cash flows and their accounting earnings, and on their stock prices. Previous literature Miller Reuer (1998) conducted a study on the implications of differences in strategy and industry structure for firms economic exposures to foreign exchange rate movements. According to their results, 13-17 % of US manufacturing firms exposed for foreign exchange rate movements. Also they indicated that foreign direct investment reduces economic exposure to foreign exhange rate movements. Martin and Mauer suggest that economic exposure, which typically has a longer-term time dimension, encompasses the competitive and indirect effects of exchange rate risk. Many academics such as Hodder (1982), Marston (2001) Pringle (1995), Shapiro (1975) and von Ungern-Sternberg von Weizsacker (1990) argue that unlike transaction exposure, economic exposure can affect even domestic firms. Economic exposure arises from changes in the sales prices and volumes, and the cost of inputs of the firm and its competitors as a result of exchange rate changes. Miller Reuer (1998) and Sundaram Black (1 992) argued that geographically positioning production, sales, sourcing, and financing operations is effective for reducing economic exposure. Glaum, Brunner and Himmet (2000) examined the economic exposure of German corporations to change in DM/US dollar exchange rate. They found that German firms are significantly exposed to changes in DM/US dollar rate. Several studies focused on the some companies and they demonstrated that exporter firms stock values are more sensitive to change in foreign exchange rates (Mao and Kao, 1990; Bortov and Bodnar, 1992). The study by SÃÆ' ¶hnke M. Bartram (2007) found significant exposure of several firms to at least one of the foreign exchange rates, and significant exposures found by them were more frequent at long-term horizons. They also argue that the impact of exchange rate risk on share prices and cash flows is similar and determined by a correlated set of economic factors. Moreover, Dominguez and Tesar (2006) found that exchan ge rate movements do matter for a significant fraction of firms, though which firms are affected and the direction of exposure depends on the specific exchange rate and varies over time, suggesting that firms dynamically adjust their behavior in response to exchange rate risk. Exposure is correlated with firm size, multinational status, foreign sales, international assets, and competitiveness and trade at the industry level. Martin and Mauer (2003) pointed out that cash flow effects are greater for long-term lags than for short-term lags in exchange rate movements. This result may occur because transaction exposure is easier to assess and hedge, whereas economic exposure is more difficult to recognize and hedge. While Bartram (2007) suggests significant exposure of several firms to at least one of the foreign exchange rates such as CAD, JPY and EUR, and significant exposures determined by Bartram (2007) were more frequent at long-term horizons. The percentage of firms observed fo r which stock price and earnings exposures were considerably different was relatively low, though it increased with time horizon. Finally, he was convinced that the impact of exchange rate risk on stock prices and cash flows is similar and determined by a related set of economic factors. Batram and Karolyi (2006) took a new look at the exposure puzzle by studying the potential impact of the introduction of the Euro on stock returns of 3,220 non-financial firms from 20 countries. Their findings suggest that the introduction of the Euro decreased foreign exchange rate exposure, but these changes are statistically and economically small. According to Tesar and Dominguez (2006), factors such as firm size, multinational status, foreign sales, international assets, and competitiveness and trade at the industry level may influence economic exposure of the companies. These factors may either increase the companies economic exposure or decrease. These factors influence on the companies economic exposure will depend on how significantly these factors are correlated with the companies cash flows and operations, and if there are significant correlation between them, we should also point out whether these significant correlations are positive or negative. Empirical analysis by Grambovas and McLeay (2006) confirmed that exchange rate fluctuations will affect firm values, especially with regard to the influence of exchange rate movements on the cash flows and accounting earnings of companies with international exposure, and on their stock prices. Recent studies by Priestley and Odegaard (2007) studied the exchange rate exposures by orthogonalizing the market returns with respect to changes in exchange rates and a set of macroeconomic factors. Their findings suggest that the extent of exposures is only fully exposed when it is subdivided the sample period into regimes and at the same time used an orthogonalized market portfolio in the regression. Batram and Karoly i (2006) studied the exposure puzzle by looking at the potential impact of the introduction of the Euro on stock returns of 3,220 non-financial firms from different 20 countries. It was found that the introduction of the Euro had decreased foreign exchange rate exposure, but the changes were statistically and economically very small. However, Bae, Kwon, and Li (2008) having studied the exchange rate exposure and risk premium by using data on American depositary receipts (ADR) of Australia, France, Japan and the U.K., found that changes in the exchange rates were negatively correlated with the underlying shares of ADRs, but they were positively correlated to ADR returns observed in the U.S. markets. Moreover, they discovered that U.S. and local investors require different risk premiums for exchange rate risks presented in ADR investments. Griffin and Stulz (2001) found weak evidence of statistically significant exchange rate exposures, and the economic significance of the estimate d exposures was low. A first main study of the foreign exchange exposure fact done by Jorion (1990) found a significant impact of foreign exchange rate risk on share prices for 5.2 percent of the analyzed 287 U.S. MNCs at the 5 percent level. Choi and Prasad 1995 developed a model and examined the exchange rate sensitivity of 409 US multinational firms. Their findings indicated that change in exchange rate affected firm value. They found that 60 percent of firms had significant exchange rate exposure. In their study, Choi and Prasad (1995) found that 14.9 percent of the individual firms in the U.S. and 10 percent of the industry portfolios showed a significant exchange rate exposure at the 10 percent level, corroborating earlier findings. Domely and Sheehy (1996) found contemporaneous relation between the foreign exchange rate and the market value of large exporters in their study. Comparable results were found outside the United States by He and Ng (1998). For instance only s ome multinational companies in Japan (26.3% and 53.8% for different time periods) showed a significant exchange rate exposure with regard to a multilateral exchange rate index. Some studies look into the exposure of industry portfolios in several countries, there were found percentage yields of companies with significant exposure of 15% (United States), 4% (Japan) and 6% (United Kingdom) by Prasad and Rajan (1995), or 23% (United States), 21% (Canada) and 25% (Japan) by Bodnar and Gentry (1993) at the 5% level. Study by Bartram and Karolyi (2006) suggests that the FX rate exposure of non-financial firms is systematically linked to firm characteristics such as sales, the percentage of foreign sales in general and in Europe in particular, regional factors like geography, strength of currency and industry characteristics like competition, traded goods. Study examined by Allayannis and Ihrig (2001) speak about stock price exposure to international trade activities of U.S. industries, an d Bodnar et al. (2002) mention the significance of pass-through for exposure. Moreover, Starks and Wei (2004) found that the scale of exchange rate exposure is linked to proxies for probabilities of financial distress, product uniqueness and growth opportunities. However, the evidence of corporate foreign exchange rate exposures on a cash flow basis is very thin and inadequate to individual case studies. Garner and Shapiro (1984) investigated the foreign exchange rate exposure of Vulcan Materials Company by regressing changes of its quarterly operating cash flows on changes in the exchange rate of USD against GBP, and showed only small and statistically irrelevant foreign exchange rate exposures. Moreover, Oxelheim and Wihlborg (1995) use quarterly changes of total cash flow, commercial cash flow and sales revenue as dependent variables in the exposure analysis of Volvo Cars. Results by Oxelheim and Wihlborg (1995) indicate that the financial situation of the company reduces expo sures with regard to changes in the DEM/SEK exchange rate only to a modest degree. One more study by Bartram (2005) investigated the exposure of a large nonfinancial company based on proprietary internal as well as external capital markets data. Analysis by Bartram (2005) illustrated that the irrelevance of foreign exchange rate exposures of wide-ranging performance measures such as total cash flow and/or share price can be explained by hedging at the company level. Several studies focused on the some companies and they demonstrated that exporter firms stock values are more sensitive to change in foreign exchange rates (Mao and Kao, 1990; Bortov and Bodnar, 1992). In the most of the studies foreign exchange exposure was measured by regression analysis by using stock returns. Adler and Simon (1986) measured economic exposure as the slope of stock return on exchange rate change. Jorions (1990) model was established by adding the return of the market to control for market movemen ts. As Jorion, Booth and Rotenberg (1990) and Bodnar and Gentry (1993) examined economic exposure with market return, Miller and Reuner (2000) estimated economic exposure by multivariate modelling approach. They applied three-currency model, also add some specified macroeconomic variables such overall stock market return and interest rates. Flanney and James (1984) and Sweeney and Warga (1986) also used interest rates in their models. Doneely and Sheehy (1996) formed a porfolio with 39 companies, and examined the relationship between abnormal return on exporting firms portfolio and return on sterling. Khoo (1994) estimated mining companies economic exposure by using exchange rates, interest rates and price of oil. METHODOLOGY 3.0. Economic Exposure Measurement In order to measure Malaysian companies economic exposure I decided to follow Adler Simon (1986) model. I will measure economic exposure as the slope coefficient from a regression of stock returns on exchange rates. R it = ÃŽÂ ±i + ÃŽÂ ²i et + eit (1) ÃŽÂ ±i = constant term R it = Stock return for company i. et = Percentage change in exchange rate The coefficient ÃŽÂ ²i represents the sensitivity of a company is stock returns to exchange rate movements. In the model exchange rate quotation is direct quotation for Malaysia. In other words it is shown as MYR per one unit of the foreign currency. Positive value of ÃŽÂ ²i means that a depreciation of MYR corresponds to an increase in the value of company i. In the study, I will apply another model as Jorion approach. Jorian introduced another macroeconomic variable market return to control for market movements. To control for the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"common macroeconomic influences on total exposure elastici ties; most emprical studies include the return to a market portfolio with the exchange rate variable in their emprical models (Bodnar Wong, 2000). R it = ÃŽÂ ±i + ÃŽÂ ²1i et + ÃŽÂ ²2i Rmt + eit (2) ÃŽÂ ±i = constant term R it = Stock return for company i. et = Percentage change in exchange rate Rmt = Market return Ordinary least squares regression was used to estimate models. Exchange rate movements can be measured in nominal or real terms. Real movements are defined as nominal movements adjusted for price level changes across countries. In some studies (Khoo, 1994; Bodnar and Wong, 2000), since real and nominal exchange rates are highly correlated both or one of them are used. Also in some studies trade weighed foreign exchange rate used. The exchange rate used in the study is real effective exchange rate, which is calculated by the Bank Negara (Malaysian Central Bank). The market index I employ will be FTSE Bursa Malaysia Mid 70 Index. In both mod el, it will be focused on individual firm value. Choi and Prasad (1995) state that examining exchange rate risk on aggregate level, on portfolio or market index, may not reveal the true exchange risk sensitivity of firm value. They claim that a firm level study is necessary to understand whether and why individual firms display varying sensitivity to exchange risk. I follow their approach in my analysis. 3.1. Data In order to examine Malaysian companies economic exposure, I constructed a sample. Sample companies stocks are publicly traded in FTSE Bursa Malaysia market. Only medium and big sized companies will be included. It will be used monthly data to estimate exchange rate sensitivity of the equity for the period from January 2000 to December 2008. Sample companies economic exposure will be examined in two steps. First, all sample companies stock returns will be regressed on exchange rate change and market return. In the second step, companies will be examined according to one specific character, which is export volume. The companies will be divided into two: exporter and non-exporter firms. It will be identified companies as an exporter company, if their foreign sales level is at least 20% of total sales in 2000. Individual stock returns for companies and FTSE Bursa Malaysia market return data will be collected from Bursa Malaysia sources and DataStream in UUM Library.