Saturday, August 22, 2020

Change and Continuity in China free essay sample

From a ruler to add up to socialism, China’s society had a huge number of new thoughts and approaches they needed to adjust to. From 618 to the late 1400s, China’s craftsmanship and writing scarcely changed by any means. Scene painting stayed a typical type of craftsmanship from the Tang and Song line to the Ming administration. In scene painting, craftsmen attempted to catch the substance of nature. Both old and new styles were utilized as mountains, timberlands, and even city life, were painted. Some Chinese painters accepted that they ought to â€Å"create an agreeable connection among paradise and earth† when they are painting. Scene painting was restored during the Ming administration, however it constantly assumed a job †large of little †in Chinese workmanship. Alongside scene painting, making earthenware was another aptitude that the Chinese had. Porcelain, hard stoneware prized as the best on the planet, was a well known type of craftsmanship that individuals kept creation for various years. An assortment of coatings were made for beautification and a few different articles considered as â€Å"chinaware† were created during the Tang and Song lines. These included lunch services and porcelain figures running from outsiders to camels. A long time later, in the Ming line, porcelain was all the while being made. Blue and white porcelain rose, and porcelain turned into a famous fare toward the west. The Ming jars were the most important of these fares, and westerners respected these fragile, lovely pieces. In conclusion, the Chinese likewise delighted recorded as a hard copy verse. Works dependent on theory, religion, and even history, were very famous to peruse and compose. Confucian researchers were relied upon to ace the aptitudes of verse since it was the most regarded type of Chinese writing. Chinese scholars frequently centered around a wide subject, for example, life or the universe. Verse never blurred consistently, and new types of famous writing started to develop in the Ming line. Stories started to be told by explicit bits of writing, and old style verse kept on having an influence in Chinese writing for a long time. While China socially continued as before from the 600s to the late 1400s, the nation scarcely changed politically either. A government totally ruled China’s government during these years. Under the Tang administration, the rulers continually changed and new approaches were thought of, however the general government didn't change. The Tang Code, the crook or punitive code, was built up in 624. It blended Legalist and Confucian of law, and it has continually been viewed as one of the best achievemnts of customary Chinese law. This code turned into the premise of later codes in both China and different pieces of Asia. During the Ming line, Zhu Yuanzhanged started the draft of another Confucian law code, the Daming Lu, which rehashed different statements that were found in the Tang Code years back. Explicit angles in the Tang administration were restored during the Ming line, bringing about an exceptionally slight measure of progress for the lives of Chinese residents for right around 800 years. Women’s status remained lower than that of men’s. After a young lady wedded, they would turn into a piece of her husband’s family and was not permitted to keep her endowment. Nonetheless, spouses and relatives had the activity of dealing with the workers and family funds. They assumed a significant job in the family, in spite of the fact that young men were constantly favored more than young ladies during childbirth. Other than ladies, Chinese laborers kept a similar status consistently. A large number of the Chinese populace were comprised of laborers who worked the land and lived off of what they poduced. They dealt with their own issues in their little towns. Laborers had a low status in the public eye, however they had the oppurtunity to climb through training and taxpayer driven organization. Their status would increment of they got instruction and passed the common help assessments. Subsequent to being a government for quite a long while, China’s new approaches and new pioneers changed China politically from the late 1800s to the 1900s. During the 1800s, the Qing line started to decay, and the workers started o gain power. Uprisings rose. The Taiping Rebellion nearly toppled the Qing tradition while the Boxer Uprising killed outsiders across China. The government like government turned into a Chinese republic after Sun Yixian became president. Sun Yixian and his Guomindang set up their own administration in South China, which was taken over by Jiang Jieshi after Sun’s passing. He butchered the Communist Party since he accepted they were a danger to his capacity. In any case, Mao Zedong believed that Communism ought to be upheld by huge worker bunches rather than the littler laborer gatherings. He tried to transform from the first Confucians beliefs, stifling laborers. Differentiating from the first government years prior, Mao Zedong set up a one-party authoritarian absolutism with the socialists driving the whole thing, supplanting customary religions and Confucian convictions. The administration additionally rearranged Chinese characters so it is simpler to peruse and compose for uneducated individuals. With another administration comes another constitution. Under China’s new constitution, lady picked up uniformity, which they didn't have during the 1800s. Rather than a more distant family being the most widely recognized sort of family, the possibility of an atomic gamily developed. Ladies during this timeframe were completely expected to work nearby with men and set up nurseries for kids. From the early Golden Ages to the late 1900s, an assortment of social and political progression and changes happened in China. The nation continued as before, both socially and strategically, from the 600s to the 1800s. The arrangement of social and political changes formed the lives of numerous Chinese residents. Workmanship and writing kept on being a huge part of Chinese way of life, and a government was the dynamic government until Mao Zedong dominated. In the late 1800s, China encountered a lot of political change, a ruler to socialism, when another pioneer totally changed the first strategies.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

The Link Between Religious Faith and Fear

The Link Between Religious Faith and Fear Phobias Print The Link Between Religious Faith and Fear By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial policy Lisa Fritscher Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on February 07, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on February 18, 2020 Digital Vision / Getty Images More in Phobias Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Treatment Types The link between religion and phobias is strong, but its not well understood. Although a strong religious faith can bring comfort to you if youre suffering, certain phobias appear to have a religious component. These phobias often appear or worsen during a crisis of faith, but they may occur at any time. And they may happen to anyone, regardless of their religious background. Types of Phobias With a Religious Component There are several types of phobias that appear to have a religious component. Some of the most common include: Doomsday Phobias Doomsday phobias can be loosely defined as those phobias that involve the end of the world. They tend to fall into two basic categories: technology phobias and fears of the End Times. Both types of doomsday phobias may be triggered or worsened by religious belief, particularly if you have begun to question your faith. Astrophobia, or fear of space, may be related to doomsday phobias. Death Phobias Death-related fears are extremely common among people of all cultures and religious backgrounds. No matter what your faith, contemplating your own death is generally not a pleasant experience. Thanatophobia, or fear of death, is the most common of these phobias, but many people also fear the symbols of death such as tombstones and ghosts. Mythophobia, or fear of legends, may also be related to the fear of death. Numerical Phobias Different religions assign importance or power to different numbers. Although these beliefs are sometimes dismissed as superstition by modern science, belief in the power of numbers can be extremely strong. Two of the most commonly feared numbers are 13 and 666. Exploring the Connection Between Religion and Phobias Religion does not cause phobias.  Many people draw comfort from rather than fear their religious faith. Additionally, the phobias listed above often occur in those who do not identify themselves as religious.  Instead, it seems that personal religious beliefs may be a small component of a larger picture. As science has not yet conclusively proven what happens after death, fear of the unknown may be the ultimate driver behind the religious component of certain phobias. Treating the Religious Component of Phobias If you feel that religion may play a role in your phobias, a two-pronged approach often works best. It is important to consult with a trained mental health professional, who will treat your phobia from a scientific perspective. Common treatments include talk therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications. Its also recommended that you seek counseling with your religious leader, particularly if you are undergoing a crisis of faith. He or she can help you explore your beliefs and examine your concerns within the context of your faith. While traditional therapy is action-oriented and focused on removing the fear, religious counseling can help you resolve the underlying conflict.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Marks Spencer - 1929 Words

bstract: This report critically analyses how the external and internal factors affect the strategies of MS and modifies its business strategies. Even though MS has good strategy and marketing plans they haven’t used it to their advantage. It also tells how the macro and micro environment affect their strategy and their plan. The report uses frame works like PESTEL, SWOT and porter 5 forces. It further investigates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of MS. This report highlights on MS planning, organising, and taking decisions. It further incorporates the history, business operation, and the treats and opportunities faced by the company. It also provides an alternative solution and offers recommendation which might†¦show more content†¦Weakness: It is heavily reliant on British suppliers where as its competitors use foreign suppliers for low cost products. They have an old and classical fashion image, advertising is poor as they do not offer discount sales during festivals like Christmas and Easter, this Is the time when the customers buy a lot of goods. No customer focus Technology is poor as they cannot provide reading of their inventory No knowledge about the market for the younger generation. Poor customer service as they do not provide fitting rooms and loyalty cards. Opportunities: MS has to enter the e-business effectively as their competitors Expansion in growing product areas such as Food, Home and Beauty as they have customers trust for their quality and innovation The Home business, areas like home furnishings and gifts are fastest growing product areas and beauty products are growing rapidly. Both of these areas offer promising opportunities for the company to develop and expand Focus on cloths market segment by age group and introduce clothing line for kids and teenagers. Threats: Since MS operate inShow MoreRelatedMarks and Spencer2725 Words   |  11 PagesMARKS SPENCER (Individual Analysis) Words Count:2064(excluding tables) [pic] Introduction: Marks and Spencer plc is a UK-based company. The business is known best as a retailer. There are over 622 Marks Spencer stores throughout the UK that sell clothing, food and household goods. The core of its retailing business is clothing, particularly womens. What market segments do the three different product ranges serve? Assume that the Perfect and Classic ranges serve essentially the same segmentRead MoreThe Analysis of Mark and Spencer5691 Words   |  23 Pages1. Sample Case Study on Marks and Spencer 2. Marks and Spencer Case Study 3. Introduction 4.    5. The essay explains what the important parts of Marks and Spencer’s (M amp; S) current and historic strategies are. The value chain is analysed to explain M amp; S’s competitive advantages. The value chain focuses on inbound logistics, operations and marketing amp; service analysis of M amp; S. Furthermore, the essay interprets what the problems of present strategies M amp; S willRead MoreThe Case Of Marks And Spencer1404 Words   |  6 PagesChange Management Issue: The case of Marks and Spencer Introduction Marks Spencer is founded by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. Since starting in 1884 by selling clothes for men and women, the company has grown in the UK and soon in the rest of the world they experienced tremendous market strength and even expanded their items from food, wine, beverages and household items. In the 19th century they expanded to more than 1,250 stores in the UK and major cities in different countries worldwideRead MoreMarks and Spencer Case Study6890 Words   |  28 Pages1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 CS1208 The Association of Business Executives Advanced Diploma 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CASE STUDY Marks Spencer plc afternoon 2 December 2008 This is an open-book examination and you may consult any previously prepared written material or texts during the examination. Only answers that are written during the examination in the answerbook supplied by the examination centre will be marked. CS1208Read MoreMarketing Concepts - Marks and Spencers3595 Words   |  15 PagesIntroduction Per Una believe they â€Å"deliver high quality style for the modern woman.† This objective drives the company resulting in a turnover of more than  £423.5 million in 2006/2007. Per Una was detrimental to the revival of Marks and Spencer and it accounted for one quarter of their total women’s wear sales last year. Born from George Davis in 2001, the label tries to replicate the Italian catwalk trends through â€Å"safe fashion† that is â€Å"trendy and stylish.† With this in mind is Per Una achievingRead MoreEssay about Marks and Spencer6659 Words   |  27 Pages....37 7. Appendices †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦..40 Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Chosen Topic and Its Context: This research and analysis project, analyses the Financial and Business performance of Marks and Spencer Plc which is the holding company of Marks and Spencer group of companies, from the period of March 28th 2007 to March 29th 2009. This project has been carried out for the potential investor and shareholder prospective. It considers accounting and financial key ratio andRead MorePestle Report on Marks and Spencer1497 Words   |  6 PagesThe Marketing Environment Assignment 1 Pestle Analysis on Marks Spencer Rachel Pulizzi Student ID No. 08498890 1st December 2008 Contents Page 1 – Cover Page 2 – Contents Page 3 – Introduction Page 4 – Political Factors Page 4 – Economical factors Page 4 – Sociological Factors Page 5 – Technological Factors Page 5 – Legal Factors Page 5 – Environmental Factors Page 6 – Conclusion Introduction Marks Spencer is a British retailer with over 800 stores in more than 30Read MoreMarks and Spencer Merger with Sainsbury Essay1350 Words   |  6 Pages 1. Background to organisational strategic change. Marks and Spencer plc is a UK-based company. Many people regard the business as a national institution. It is lovingly called Mamp;S and Marks and Sparks. Mamp;S is known as a best retailer. There are over 370 Marks amp; Spencer stores throughout the UK that sell clothing, food and household goods. The core of its retailing business is clothing, particularly womens. Over 80% of Marks amp; Spencers stores are sited in traditional highRead MoreMarks And Spencer Plc : Distribution Problems1129 Words   |  5 Pages Marks and Spencer Plc. (MS) IS Distribution Problems Introduction Marks and Spencer Plc. (MS) is a major British multinational retailer. Located in London, the company has for a long time been specializing in selling of clothes, home products and luxurious food products (Thomson, 2013). On a weekly basis, there are more than 21 million people who are served by the entity. The principal sources of the company’s’ products have been for a long time stood at 2,000 suppliers in the entire world, whichRead MoreMarks and Spencer(Case Study)4549 Words   |  19 PagesTEACHING NOTES Marks Spencer Nardine Collier and Gerry Johnson 1. Introduction This case study is about why one of the world’s most famous retails, Marks Spencer, ran into trouble at the end of the 1990s and how it attempted to manage a programme of change to overcome those problems. It is therefore useful to explore issues concerned with organisational culture, strategic drift, strategic choice and the management of change. The case covers both the history of Marks Spencer throughout the

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Pestle Analysis for Singapore Supermarket - 1011 Words

Issue | Impact on Business | Political | * To facilitate the take-off of e-commerce in Singapore, the Government has been putting in place a supportive legal and policy framework. For example, the Electronic Transaction Act, passed in Jul 98, provides a favourable legal environment for safe and secure e-transactions. * The government provides direct subsidies and fiscal incentives to support companies embarking on e-commerce initiatives. One example of a direct subsidy program introduced is the eBusiness Industry Development Scheme (eBIDS), aimed at encouraging companies that already have existing e-commerce capabilities to further expand the scale and scope of their e-commerce activities. eBIDS cofunds companies’ investment in†¦show more content†¦By most indicators, Singapore has also achieved among the highest rates of penetration of ICT and Internet usage in Asia, reaching levels comparable to the United States and Scandinavian countries in some cases. | * S hopping online on a one-stop shop for your daily necessities and groceries will provide more convenience for people in general and more importantly the elderly, who have less energy to shop outside at physical stores. Providing a timely delivery service together with an accommodating range of products beyond just food and beverage could prove very lucrative by tapping into a potentially new market. We can promote healthy options or organic variants for food categories and offer discounts to cater to and target the health conscious segment of the market. * E-grocery shopping will become an increasingly attractive option for those without cars due to its sheer convenience and the increasing proliferation of the internet among general consumers. | Environmental | * Corporate social responsibility is one of the key agendas in the government s efforts to brand our country as Sustainable Singapore . Sustainable development for Singapore moving forward together as an individual or a c ompany is defined as: * As efficient: we develop with less resources and waste * As clean: we develop without polluting our environment * As green: we develop while preserving greenery, waterways and our natural heritage *Show MoreRelatedPestle Analysis Essay example2031 Words   |  9 Pages1. Introduction to the assignment and summary of the selected business. This assignment is about the factors that influences the business environment in different ways. This is about environmental analysis which is dynamic process that comprises scanning, monitoring, disseminating and forecasting. There are different factors which influences the business in 21st century. Somehow these factors have impact on the business in favour of the business and sometimes have an adverseRead MoreStrategic Management - Eu Yan Sang Case Study8311 Words   |  34 Pages1. Past Performance Assessment 6 4. EXTERNAL ANALYSIS 7 4.1. Political 7 4.2. Economic 8 4.3. Social 8 4.4. Technological 8 4.5. Legal 9 4.6. Environmental 9 4.7. Conclusion of PESTLE Analysis 10 5. INTERNAL ANALYSIS 10 5.1. SWOT Anal ysis on Eu Yan Sang 10 5.2. Conclusion of SWOT Analysis 11 6. INDUSTRY ANALYSIS 13 6.1. Key Success Factors 13 6.2. Michael Porter’s Generic and 5 Forces Analysis 15 6.3. Michael Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis 15 6.4. Implications of Assessment (Issues) 17 Read MoreStrategic Management - Eu Yan Sang Case Study8325 Words   |  34 PagesSITUATION 6 3.1. Past Performance Assessment 6 4. EXTERNAL ANALYSIS 7 4.1. Political 7 4.2. Economic 8 4.3. Social 8 4.4. Technological 8 4.5. Legal 9 4.6. Environmental 9 4.7. Conclusion of PESTLE Analysis 10 5. INTERNAL ANALYSIS 10 5.1. SWOT Anal ysis on Eu Yan Sang 10 5.2. Conclusion of SWOT Analysis 11 6. INDUSTRY ANALYSIS 13 6.1. Key Success Factors 13 6.2. Michael Porter’s Generic and 5 Forces Analysis 15 6.3. Michael Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis 15 6.4. Implications of Assessment (Issues) 17 7. OBJECTIVESRead MoreGiant Supermarket Case Analysis6309 Words   |  26 PagesEXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper is a company analysis on Giant Hypermarket Malaysia in general, but specifically focusing on Giant Hypermarket Sabah. Giant Hypermarket is a major supermarket and retailer chain in Malaysia. It is a subsidiary of Dairy Farm International Holdings (DFI) and is headquartered in Shah Alam, Selagor. In this paper, firstly we focus our analysis in identifying the Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) of Giant; in addition, we constructed a SWOT Matrix for GiantRead MoreYakult and Its Marketing Strategy3433 Words   |  14 PagesContents Executive Summary 2 Section 1: Introduction 2 Section 2: Current Situation 2 Part 1: SWOT Analysis 2 Strength: 3 Weakness: 6 Opportunities: 7 Threats 7 Part 2: PESTLE Analysis 8 Part 3: USP Analysis 9 Section 3: Recommendations 11 Part 1: Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning 11 Segmentation 11 Targeting 12 Positioning 12 Part 2: Marketing Objectives and Goals – SMART Principles 12 Part 3: ProductRead MoreSnack industry in Hong Kong Essay6276 Words   |  26 PagesOwnership 8) Management Summary 9) Industry Analysis – Porter’s Five force 9.1) Rivalry among existing firms 9.2) Potential of new entrants into industry 9.3) Power of suppliers 9.4) Power of buyer 9.4) Threat of substitute products 10) Macro-environmental – PESTAL analysis 10.1) Political and legal environment 10.2) Economies environment 10.3) Social Cultural environment 10.4) Technological environment 10.5) Extreme Events 11) SWOT analysis 11.1) Internal factory – Strength / Weakness Read MoreStarbucks Case Analysis7863 Words   |  32 Pagespage 1 PESTEL analysis page 1 Five forces analysis page 4 Competitor analysis page 6 Resource Audit page 6 Value system analysis page 7 Core competences page 8 Stakeholders page 8 SWOT analysis page 8 Future strategic options page 9 Recommended option page 12 Critical review page 12 References Bibliography page 13 Introduction: This is a strategic report on Starbucks. First of all I will explain the external environment of Starbucks using PESTEL analysis, Porters five forcesRead MoreCORPORATE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT Essay6064 Words   |  25 Pagesï » ¿CORPORATE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT Part 1 1.1 Axiata Company profile 1.2 Company mission and Organization Chart Part 2 2.1 Axiata products Models Analysis 2.2 Ansoff Matrix 2.3 Pestle Analyis 2.4 Product life cycle 2.5 The BCG matrix(applied by the Company) 2.6 The 5 forces 2.7 The generic Strategies 2.8 Axiata Competitors(Robi) and SWOT analysis Part 3 Question 1 Question 2 Part 4 4.1 – General opinion about Axiata and suggestions Axiata Group Berhad (AXIATA) 1.1 Axiata CompanyRead MoreTea Beverage (Jamaica Cherry)7403 Words   |  30 PagesJamaican Cherry Leaves 22 Preparation of Tea – leaf Infusion 22 Level/Formulation 22 Physico – chemical Analysis of Ready – to – Drink Jamaican Cherry Leaves 23 Proximate Analysis of Ready – to – Drink Jamaican Cherry Tea 23 Microbial Analyses 23 Analysis of the Antioxidant Activity of Ready – to – Drink Jamaican Cherry Tea 23 Sensory Evaluation 23 Costing 24 Statistical Analysis of Ready – to – Drink Jamaican Cherry Tea 24 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 25 SUMMARY 26 CONCLUSION 27 RECOMMENDATIONSRead MoreIcici Bank- Strategy Analysis12524 Words   |  51 PagesICICI Bank : Strategy Analysis Table of Contents ICICI Bank : Strategy Analysis 1 ICICI Bank 4 Brief History: Evolution of the Entity with respect to Time 4 Inception 4 Establishing Synergy: Consolidation 5 ICICI Bank in the Retail sector 6 How it all began 6 ICICI’s perspective of the retail market and the elements of strategy 7 Corporate relationships 7 Technology 8 Operational excellence 8 ICICI and International Business 9 International remittance key corridors for

The Street Free Essays

In Anne Petry’s novel, The Street, the wind wreaks havoc on the city and puts the city and its pedestrians in an overwhelming and chaotic state. The wind is the antagonist in the story as it tortures the pedestrians with its pesky ways and coldness. The wind establishes a negative relationship between Lutie Johnson and the urban setting and Pettry’s use of literary devices aptly displays this relationship. We will write a custom essay sample on The Street or any similar topic only for you Order Now Petry starts out by letting the reader know there as â€Å"a cold November wind†.This wind terrorizes the street by blowing â€Å"bits of paper to dancing high in the air† such as â€Å"old envelopes† and â€Å"newspapers†. Pedestrians were â€Å"bent double† as they tried to walk through the wind and street to â€Å"offer the least possible exposed surface to its violent assault†. This use of imagery begins to give the reader an understanding of how the relationship between Lutie Johnson and the urban setting will play out.The selection of detail that the reader is given further shows how the wind is a negative element in the novel. The wind â€Å"drove most of the people off the street in the block between Seventh and Eighth Avenues†. This leads the reader to believe the wind is fierce and that one shouldn’t try to withstand it. The wind also blew more than just paper around, it blew things such as â€Å"dirt†, â€Å"grime†, â€Å"dust†, â€Å"chicken bones and pork-chop bones†. All of these things blowing around can definitely bring a city to a state of chaos.These details also enhance the urban setting give allow the reader to understand what the experience is like for Lutie Johnson. Petry’s use of figurative language also made the reader’s understanding of the urban setting more pertinent. The wind was â€Å"fingering its way along the curb† and the wind also â€Å"wrapped newspaper around their feet†, entangling the pedestrians and forcing them to bend down and remove the newspaper with their hands. This shows the reader how the wind has power over the pedestrians and Lutie Johnson.Petry’s use of personification really makes the relationship between Lutie Johnson and the urban setting more apparent. Petry personifies the wind by stating, â€Å"The wind lifted Lutie Johnson’s hair away from the back of her neck† and â€Å"the cold fingers of the wind touched the back of her neck†. This use of personification makes the reader feel like their experiencing the tortures of the wind for themselves with Lutie. The wind also took on the role of a bully by making a simple task very difficult. Lutie Johnson was looking for a room to stay in but she couldn’t read the sign with the wind blowing. â€Å"Each time she thought she had the sign in focus, the wind pushed it away†. In conclusion, the urban setting has a negative relationship with Lutie Johnson. The wind made everything hectic and overwhelming. The wind kept antagonizing Lutie while she looked for a place to stay and all she could do was try to deal with it as best as she could. How to cite The Street, Papers

The Street Free Essays

In Anne Petry’s novel, The Street, the wind wreaks havoc on the city and puts the city and its pedestrians in an overwhelming and chaotic state. The wind is the antagonist in the story as it tortures the pedestrians with its pesky ways and coldness. The wind establishes a negative relationship between Lutie Johnson and the urban setting and Pettry’s use of literary devices aptly displays this relationship. We will write a custom essay sample on The Street or any similar topic only for you Order Now Petry starts out by letting the reader know there as â€Å"a cold November wind†.This wind terrorizes the street by blowing â€Å"bits of paper to dancing high in the air† such as â€Å"old envelopes† and â€Å"newspapers†. Pedestrians were â€Å"bent double† as they tried to walk through the wind and street to â€Å"offer the least possible exposed surface to its violent assault†. This use of imagery begins to give the reader an understanding of how the relationship between Lutie Johnson and the urban setting will play out.The selection of detail that the reader is given further shows how the wind is a negative element in the novel. The wind â€Å"drove most of the people off the street in the block between Seventh and Eighth Avenues†. This leads the reader to believe the wind is fierce and that one shouldn’t try to withstand it. The wind also blew more than just paper around, it blew things such as â€Å"dirt†, â€Å"grime†, â€Å"dust†, â€Å"chicken bones and pork-chop bones†. All of these things blowing around can definitely bring a city to a state of chaos.These details also enhance the urban setting give allow the reader to understand what the experience is like for Lutie Johnson. Petry’s use of figurative language also made the reader’s understanding of the urban setting more pertinent. The wind was â€Å"fingering its way along the curb† and the wind also â€Å"wrapped newspaper around their feet†, entangling the pedestrians and forcing them to bend down and remove the newspaper with their hands. This shows the reader how the wind has power over the pedestrians and Lutie Johnson.Petry’s use of personification really makes the relationship between Lutie Johnson and the urban setting more apparent. Petry personifies the wind by stating, â€Å"The wind lifted Lutie Johnson’s hair away from the back of her neck† and â€Å"the cold fingers of the wind touched the back of her neck†. This use of personification makes the reader feel like their experiencing the tortures of the wind for themselves with Lutie. The wind also took on the role of a bully by making a simple task very difficult. Lutie Johnson was looking for a room to stay in but she couldn’t read the sign with the wind blowing. â€Å"Each time she thought she had the sign in focus, the wind pushed it away†. In conclusion, the urban setting has a negative relationship with Lutie Johnson. The wind made everything hectic and overwhelming. The wind kept antagonizing Lutie while she looked for a place to stay and all she could do was try to deal with it as best as she could. How to cite The Street, Papers

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Size Reduction and Screening free essay sample

Size reduction and screening The purpose of this experiment was to determine the affect of vibration rate and time on the size reduction and size separation of particles. The objective was successfully completed and the initial sample of soil was separated by vibration into finer particles with a large amount passing through the smallest diameter screen which was 0. 0278 inches producing a final product of fine soil particles which are now easier to transport and store. As can be seen from the graph below (figure 1) undersize particles verses screens, all three different vibration settings (45%, 65%, 85%) produced similar results for the screening process. At the beginning of the experiment (time zero) all of the soil sample was placed on the first screen, number 5, and after repeated screening (vibrating) the sample was broken down in more uniform sizes leaving larger pieces of soil left on the screen while smaller sizes fell through finally producing a fine powder left in the bottom pan. We will write a custom essay sample on Size Reduction and Screening or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As can be seen from the graph below, after six minutes (the fourth bullet point on graph each bullet point represents two minutes of vibrating) the soil had mostly been sorted into its final sizes. This occurred for all three different vibration settings indicating that after a certain time period, six minutes for this particular experiment, the screening process is 90% complete and may be more cost effective to stop the process as only a small percentage is then sorted into smaller sizes. It can be seen though, that after a few minutes of screening, the original soil sample was sorted into a much more manageable sample making storage and transportation much easier. With regards to retained soil over time, again all three percentage settings produced similar results. The pan weight increased over time as more soil was broken down and this was to be expected as this is the purpose of this particular procedure. Screen 5 and 12, with the larger diameter holes contained the larger, unbreakable soil samples slowly decreased in soil being retained until only the large unbreakable matter was left. All the screens, screen number 14, 16, 20 and 25 kept a rough constant weight indicating that a certain percentage could be broken down and pass through the screens while the rest had reached its optimum broken down size. The higher vibration setting, 65% and 85% had more constant weight and this was due to the sample being vibrated at a higher setting and being broken quicker and thus settling. To conclude, from this small scale experiment alone it can be seen that size reduction and screening is a very useful and effective procedure in reducing the size of a sample making transportation cheaper and easier and taking up less storage space and in a world of cutting costs, this procedure has become vital to a number of different industries

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

The Gift From The Greeks Essays - Sports, Religion, Free Essays

The Gift From The Greeks Essays - Sports, Religion, Free Essays The Gift From The Greeks The Gift from the Greeks The first Olympic Games were held at Olympia, in the Peloponnes. The most famous are the games that were held in Olympia in honor of Zeus every four years from August 6th to September 19th. Olympics have been a symbol of the camaraderie and harmony possible on a global scale. The gathering of athletic representatives from participating governments, even throughout the recent Cold War period, is proof that world unity is possible. It was a gift from the Ancient Greece The Pentathlon consisted of five events; the long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, foot race, and wrestling. The Pentathlons, especially the successful ones, were often treated and even worshipped like gods. Because of their exquisite physiques, they were used as the models for statues of the Greek Gods. The superior athletic ability of these athletes affects the games even today. The twisting and throwing method of the discus throw, which originated in Ancient Greece, is still used today. The original events were even more challenging than those of today. The modern discus weighs in at just 5 pounds, one-third of the original weight, and the long jumps were done with the contestant carrying a five pound weight in each hand. The pit to be traversed in this jump allowed for a 50 foot jump, compared to just over 29 feet in our modern Olympics. Apparently, the carried weights, used correctly, could create momentum to carry the athlete further. Legend has it that one Olympian cleared t he entire pit by approximately 5 feet, breaking both legs as he landed. These legends, for all their blood, sweat, and tears, were awarded an olive branch from the tree behind the alter of Zeus when they won. Fortunately, the regions they represented were usually somewhat more grateful for bringing honor home. It was not uncommon for the victors to receive free food for life, money, or other valuable offers. They were often worshipped as gods and sometimes their sweat was preserved and sold as a magical potion. In the later years of the games, an additional event was added which signaled the end of the games and the return to the war ridden life of ancient history. Soldiers, adorned with a full body of armor weighing upwards of 50 pounds, would compete in a foot race. Unfortunately, even the apparent athletic ability of these soldiers could not prevent the fall of Greece to Rome in the middle of the second century BC. Under Roman rule, the Olympics began to lose its fervor until it was abolished in 393 AD by the Christian Roman emperor Theodosius I who most likely objected to the pagan rites associated with the Olympics. Some historians believe that even after the official abolishment of the Olympics, it may have survived for an additional 120 years. Its subsequent revival in 1896 was brought about by the discovery of the ancient stadium. Since that time, it has been held every four years, in accordance with tradition, being interrupted only for the two world wars. The competition of the nations in these events represents the age old competitive spirit of man. The need for people to take pride in something larger than themselves and feel as if they are part of a greater good. The Olympics, today as well as 3,000 years ago, offers a non-combative environment to do so.

Sunday, March 1, 2020

The 7 Deadly Workplace Mistakes

The 7 Deadly Workplace Mistakes Workplace mistakes: they happen. More importantly, they happen to everyone, from the CEO down to the most junior employee. It’s just a fact of professional life. However, some workplace mistakes are worse than others. Here are seven of them that are likely within your control, and that you should avoid at all costs. 1. LyingWhether it’s a little white lie about whether or not you responded to an email or a big honking falsehood you tell to cover up a mistake, just don’t do it. Your honesty is a huge part of your workplace reputation. If you’re caught in that lie (or worse, more than one), you’ve given your bosses and colleagues a reason not to believe anything you say.2. Throwing others under the busThe workplace can be a very competitive atmosphere, especially depending on your industry. When things go wrong, it can be tempting to shift the blame to one of your coworkers, so that they get the consequences from a mistake. But really, it’s jus t poor form, and trust me- you’re not pulling it off as subtly as you might think. It might get you out of the hot seat for now, but your boss (and possibly your colleagues) will know that you’re not someone who will take deserved blame along with credit.Just about every professional evaluation survey I’ve ever seen has a question about whether the employee owns up to mistakes and handles them productively. Like dishonesty, deflective blame is something that can really damage your reputation. So when things go wrong, own up to your piece in it, and figure out how you can either help fix it, or prevent it in the future.3. Tooting your own hornThink of it as sportsmanship in the workplace. Nobody likes a bad winner, who rubs their success in everyone’s faces- especially if it comes at the expense of other team members. Feel free to do a mini-victory dance in the privacy of your own desk, but don’t send out a company-wide email announcing your good fo rtune.4. Taking credit for things you didn’t doIf you weren’t the one who stayed up all night on this project, don’t be the one who steps up to accept the laurels when credit and applause come from above. If the idea you floated in the meeting wasn’t exactly your own creation, make sure the person who did come up with it gets the credit. Don’t be like one of those comedians who get busted stealing others’ jokes†¦it’ll just undermine your support when you do have an awesome idea. No one wants to be known as the Milli Vanilli of their office.5. Throwing a tantrumIf things aren’t going your way, don’t let it cause a scene at work. Sometimes you’ll feel like screaming. Sometimes you’ll feel like having it out with a colleague who’s treating you like crap. Always, always find a way to cool off before you handle an emotionally charged situation. You can’t take back things said in anger, and you really don’t want to get a reputation around your office as someone with an unstable temper.6. Talking about how much you hate your job/company/bossOccasionally muttering, â€Å"I hate this place† under your breath at your monitor = fine. Announcing it in a meeting or in front of colleagues = not okay. Letting everyone know how unhappy you are is only going to provoke one response: â€Å"Then why are you still here?† It will also tell your boss and your company that you don’t care anymore, which can work against you when it comes to raises, promotions, etc. If you’re truly unhappy at your job, there are ways to manage that stress- not least of which is looking for a new job. You can do that without announcing your discontent, and avoid any awkwardness that might result.7. Talking about colleagues behind their backsTalking smack about someone is just never gonna end well. I promise this is just as true in the adult workplace as it ever was in high school. Best case, you may be spreading information that might not be true, or might be damaging to someone else or the company. Worst case, it gets back to the subject of the gossip, and you’ve damaged your reputation and at least one working relationship.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Knowledge of Organizational Communication Concepts and Skills Essay - 1

Knowledge of Organizational Communication Concepts and Skills - Essay Example This paper presents an analysis of each communication concepts and provides suggestions to implement it in the organization. Active listening is a very important part of communication structure. In order to build an effective business communication structure there is need to improve listening skill. This section outlines the importance of active listening and suggests ways to improve this skill. Both speaking and listening are very important part of verbal communication. Without a doubt, in any firm (small, medium or large), listening plays a significant role in effective working associations and communications among employees and between staff and administration. In the same way, this skill is also important in communicating with business customers and other organizations. The importance of listening cannot be underestimated if a business really wants to survive in this ever-increasing competitive world. In fact, listening has the power to make or break someone’s success in management, or customer relationships. Hence, improving listening skills means increasing the chances of business success (Hatter, 2013; Kati, 2011; More-For-Small-Business, 2012; Tingum, 2013). In addition, there are many important tips that can be used to improve listening skills. However, the first rule is to pay the speakers full attention and try to keep eye contact. In this scenario, the speaker can be a colleague, an employee, customer or management. Additionally, when they have completed this process, put another way their words and confirm whether you understand them in the approved manner. If you have any confusion then keep continue asking questions to increase understanding of their speech. Actually, listening cautiously while someone speaks to you can improve the quality of business communication. However, in order to improve listening power there is a need for effective concentration, which can only be attained with endeavor and practice. Without a

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Project Managment Scheduling queastion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Project Managment Scheduling queastion - Essay Example The expected time for an activity represents the average time it would take if the activity is performed over and over again. It is known empirically that the probability density function of activity duration closely follows a Beta distribution, which defines the following relationship (Heldman & Baca, 267) Standard Deviation is used for calculating the variability associated with the high degree of uncertainty in estimated time durations. The standard deviation is represented by sigma symbol ‘ÏÆ'’ and is calculated as The time analysis elements such as the forward pass (Early Start time ES and Early Finish time EF) and the Backward Pass (Late Start time LS and Late Finish time LF) are used to find the Critical Path. These times are calculated using the Expected Time (te) for the respective activity relative to the zero date (date when the project clock starts ticking) of the project. The Backward Pass Late Start (LS) and Late Finish (LF) values are calculated considering that the earliest completion time of the project for the last activity and then working backwards towards the predecessors. For all the last activities, the LF will be equal to the respective EF value. Therefore, values of LF for the activities O, N, M, I and C are equal to the respective values of EF. The Critical Path can be determined by finding the Total Slack for each activity. Total Slack for any activity is the maximum time by which the start of an activity can be delayed without affecting the critical path. The path with the longest Expected time duration is the critical path. Activities on the critical path have slack as 0, since these activities cannot be delayed at all. Each path from the Start to the Finish node is defined along with the respective time duration. The Expected Completion Time (Et) for each path is equal to the expected duration of the constituent activities. For Example, A-E-H-K-I is calculated

Friday, January 24, 2020

Essay on Women in Iliad, Odyssey, and the Bible -- comparison compare

Role of Women in Iliad, Odyssey, and the Bible Much is known of men in ancient civilizations, from the famous philosophers and mathematicians of Greece to the patriarchs and subsequent kings of the nation of Israel. It would seem, however, that history has forgotten the women of these times. What of the famous female thinkers of Ancient Greece, the distinguished stateswomen of Rome? What power did they hold? What was their position in societies of the distant past? A glimpse into the roles and influence of women in antiquity can be discovered in such ancient masterpieces as the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Hebrew Bible. In the Iliad, women are barely mentioned, and then only as spoils of war or treacherous creatures not worthy of a man's trust. The two main Argive heroes, Achilles and Agamemnon, the brightest and best of the Greeks, enslave captured women to keep as personal prostitutes, passing them around and dividing them among each other as if the women were no different from the rest of the booty they have won in battle. Agamemnon says of Chryseis, the girl he has claimed for himself, "[. . .] The girl-I won't give up the girl. Long before that, / old age will overtake her in my house, in Argos, / far from her fatherland, slaving back and forth / at the loom, forced to share my bed!"(Homer , book 2, 33-36). Indeed, these two paragons of Greek virtue talk and act as if these women are not truly people; Achilles may have a fit when Agamemnon tries to lay claim to his prize, Briseis, but more from a sense of being cheated out of his share in the loot that any real compassion for the girl or her si tuation. Helen, a prominent figure in the fable of the Trojan War, has barely a cameo in this version of the Iliad, and he... ... sons and to be obedient, but occasionally, some women were not content with this one purpose in life. Throughout history, we have a few examples of extraordinary women who held power and influence, such as Hetshepsut, the first female pharaoh of Egypt, and Cleopatra, who managed to snag two notable Roman generals. A sense of women's resorting to indirect means to obtain power can be seen in these works of the ancient world, of women's exerting influence perhaps through the men they marry or the positions they hold, if not outwardly of power, then at least with some chance of gaining it. Works Cited Homer. Iliad. Mack 1: 98-208. -----. Odyssey. Mack 1: 208-540. The Inspirational Study Bible. Ed. Max Lucado. Dallas: World Publishing, 1995. Mack, Maynard, et al. eds. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. 6th ed. 2 Vols. New   York: Norton, 1992. Essay on Women in Iliad, Odyssey, and the Bible -- comparison compare Role of Women in Iliad, Odyssey, and the Bible Much is known of men in ancient civilizations, from the famous philosophers and mathematicians of Greece to the patriarchs and subsequent kings of the nation of Israel. It would seem, however, that history has forgotten the women of these times. What of the famous female thinkers of Ancient Greece, the distinguished stateswomen of Rome? What power did they hold? What was their position in societies of the distant past? A glimpse into the roles and influence of women in antiquity can be discovered in such ancient masterpieces as the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Hebrew Bible. In the Iliad, women are barely mentioned, and then only as spoils of war or treacherous creatures not worthy of a man's trust. The two main Argive heroes, Achilles and Agamemnon, the brightest and best of the Greeks, enslave captured women to keep as personal prostitutes, passing them around and dividing them among each other as if the women were no different from the rest of the booty they have won in battle. Agamemnon says of Chryseis, the girl he has claimed for himself, "[. . .] The girl-I won't give up the girl. Long before that, / old age will overtake her in my house, in Argos, / far from her fatherland, slaving back and forth / at the loom, forced to share my bed!"(Homer , book 2, 33-36). Indeed, these two paragons of Greek virtue talk and act as if these women are not truly people; Achilles may have a fit when Agamemnon tries to lay claim to his prize, Briseis, but more from a sense of being cheated out of his share in the loot that any real compassion for the girl or her si tuation. Helen, a prominent figure in the fable of the Trojan War, has barely a cameo in this version of the Iliad, and he... ... sons and to be obedient, but occasionally, some women were not content with this one purpose in life. Throughout history, we have a few examples of extraordinary women who held power and influence, such as Hetshepsut, the first female pharaoh of Egypt, and Cleopatra, who managed to snag two notable Roman generals. A sense of women's resorting to indirect means to obtain power can be seen in these works of the ancient world, of women's exerting influence perhaps through the men they marry or the positions they hold, if not outwardly of power, then at least with some chance of gaining it. Works Cited Homer. Iliad. Mack 1: 98-208. -----. Odyssey. Mack 1: 208-540. The Inspirational Study Bible. Ed. Max Lucado. Dallas: World Publishing, 1995. Mack, Maynard, et al. eds. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. 6th ed. 2 Vols. New   York: Norton, 1992.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

London by William Blake and Composed upon Westminster Bridge bt William Wordsworth Essay

The Revolution in France coincided with the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution of England. During this period the rich became richer, the poor became even poorer, and major towns or cities became over crowded. The thoughts and feelings of the people living throughout the country at this time, often were expressed in poetic form. Two such poems set around the same time and both set in London are â€Å"London†, by William Blake and William Wordsworth’s â€Å"Composed Upon Westminster Bridge.† â€Å"London† is written nine years before â€Å"Composed Upon Westminster Bridge†, and tells of the suffering of the people of London. A uniform and exact feeling is sensed in the opening two lines of the poem, as both streets and the Thames are described as being â€Å"chartered† and something which is chartered is very exact and has a definite and set outline. The next two lines ending the first stanza tell of weakness and woe in every face Blake meets, meaning there is sadness and regret along with vulnerability sensed by him as he passes people along his journey. The first two lines of the second stanza read of the cry of both men and infants. The reason why infants cry is because they cannot say what is hurting or annoying them. Therefore we are led to realise that the suffering felt by the adults of London or of ‘Man’ as it were, is so intense that even they cannot verbalise it and so they cry out. Ending the second stanza we read that the poet hears â€Å"mind-forg’d manacles†. These are forms of fears, enforced into the minds of people, holding them back from doing or saying certain things. We are told these fears are found â€Å"in every person’s voice, in every ban†, meaning that these common fears are sensed by the poet, in every person he encounters. The opening lines of the third stanza again tells of crying and also now of admonition. In this case the chimney-sweeper’s cry is heard. In those days chimney-sweepers were young children forced to go out to work by their families. They did very difficult and pain staking work for very little money – it shows their pain and suffering in doing so. Condemnation comes from the church. The religious leaders are appalled at the fact of this, yet the poet describes the church as â€Å"blackening†, giving us the impression of an unpleasant ‘refuge’ which turns a blind eye on the suffering of the sweeps. The closing two lines of the third stanza reads of a â€Å"hapless soldier’s sigh run in blood down the Palace walls.† This conveys to us that the hopelessness felt by soldiers is stemming from the fact that their welfare is not considered by those in charge. The soldier is sent to war by a ruler who cares little for him. The first three lines of the final stanza tells us that the majority of noise heard comes from â€Å"youthful Harlot’s curses/ [which] blasts the new born Infant’s tear†. This means that a lot of the noise heard during the night comes from young prostitutes shouting at young babies to be quiet because they are crying. An uncomfortable and unsettling mix is created through the contrast of these young women who sell their bodies for sex, yelling at young, fearful and unadulterated infants. The final line is an ominous one containing the statement â€Å"And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse†. The fact that we are told of how the prostitutes are â€Å"blighting† with â€Å"plagues† the â€Å"Marriage hearse† is significant – Marriage usually means a life just starting out with someone else, this contrasts with a hearse which carries coffins and so is usually linked with death and hence symbolises the end of a life. The curse and words associated with disease give us a sense that sexually transmitted diseases are quickly spreading and they are readily killing all of society. Overall Blake takes a negative and strict viewing point of London which echoes the great suffering of the day. Another poem, set in London and written just nine years after â€Å"London† offers a contrasting tone to Blake’s. It is William Wordsworth’s â€Å"Composed Upon Westminster Bridge†. â€Å"Composed Upon Westminster Bridge† is a similar poem to â€Å"London† as the poet is the one travelling through the London it describes, yet the poems contrast greatly. Wordsworth opens with an emphatic statement, praising London as he says it surpasses anything on the earth. In the second and third line Wordsworth makes the statement: â€Å"Dull would he be of soul who could pass by/A sight so touching in its majesty:† which means one would have to be ‘dead inside’ if he/she couldn’t appreciate such beauty. The fact that Wordsworth uses the word â€Å"majesty† offers a regal sense, a regal beauty – giving us the idea of just how grand and magnificent this city actually is. This contrasts well with the disease ridden city described by Blake, using such words as plague and blight, giving the city an altogether unsettling atmosphere. In the fourth line Wordsworth starts out by giving the word â€Å"City† a capital letter, which stresses just how important the city actually is. Wordsworth then goes on to tell us how â€Å"like a garment [it] wears/The beauty of the morning†. Like a garment is a simile, and in this case Wordsworth uses clothing imagery to convey to us his point. The fact that he links this with the beauty of the morning suggests to us that this beauty â€Å"fits well† with the city. The ending of the fifth line flows into the sixth line and tells of a silent beauty of all of the man made things found in a city. A complete contrast to this, are the two references made by Blake of â€Å"Man’s† creations telling us of â€Å"black’ning† churches and blood-stained Palaces. A disturbing and unpleasant contrast to the silent beauty implied by Wordsworth. The next line tells of how these buildings merge seamlessly with nature; â€Å"Open unto the fields, and to the sky;† As this links directly with the previous line of the silent beauty of the city’s buildings, Wordsworth is connecting man and Nature; the city is at one with Nature’s wanders, at one with God. Blake makes no reference linking both man and Nature, in fact we are given but one reference to nature and that is of the â€Å"chartered Thames†, due to the fact of this we can only infer that Blake is trying communicate to us in fact the great over industrialised ‘hell’ London really is, and just how much Nature has been destroyed in order to create this city. Wordsworth ends this section by telling us in line eight of the scene as â€Å"All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.† conveying to us Wordsworth’s thoughts that London is very clean, very sparkling, beautiful and new. . In lines nine and ten Wordsworth makes another emphatic statement, literally exclaiming that at no other time has the sun, not even since creation, made the landscape more beautiful than currently in London. â€Å"Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!† shows of Wordsworth’s great surprise of just how beautiful London is. He cannot believe what he’s seeing and so is very moved. This again differentiates with Blake’s views on London. He tells of a common fear sensed within all people he met, that they are ill at ease and afraid to go freely around this ‘great’ city. Which can only mean that London may not have been this great and calm city described by Wordsworth. The last lines in the poem are descriptive of the landscape and line twelve sees Wordsworth expressing the freedom felt by Nature: â€Å"The river glideth at his own sweet will†. This contrasts greatly with the limits and restraints conveyed to us through the description of the Thames as being â€Å"chartered†. Suggesting to us the restraints put upon Nature, immobilising it from flourishing due to man’s greed for industry and money. Wordsworth ends his poem exclaiming that it is so quiet and tranquil that even the houses â€Å"seem asleep†. The last line of the poem sets up London as being the ‘heart’ of Great Britain, London is the thing which enables Great Britain to work correctly: â€Å"And all that mighty heart is lying still.† We really sense Wordsworth’s surprise at finding this essential life force so still and at rest. This is the complete opposite to Blake’s bustling, overcrowded and disease ridden city. The nights are filled with young â€Å"harlot’s† swearing at screaming babies, while they’re out trying to earn a bit of money from sell in themselves for sex while. And all the time aiding to the destruction of society due to the spreading of disease. On the whole, undoubtedly my favourite poem is William Blake’s â€Å"London†. I feel Blake’s poem far surpasses Wordsworth’s as Blake offers to us a more realistic and altogether poignant atmosphere to Wordsworth’s happy and â€Å"perfect† city. I feel that his use of language and style of writing expresses well the perception of London during the course of industrialisation as being an overpopulated and disease ridden â€Å"hell†.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

An Interesting Coming of Age Ritual in Germany

This weekend my soon to be 14-year-old son took part in a ceremony that I had known only from my knowledge about the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Jugendfeier also known as Jugendweihe.   A quick history of this coming of age ritual It marks the coming of age of the participants with a memorable celebration and it thought as an alternative to religious initiations like the Kommunion and Firmung (Catholic Church) or Konfirmation (Protestant Church) where children declare that they choose to be self-declared members of these churches. While the concept is from 1852, the Jugendweihe was adopted in 1954 by the socialist GDR and turned into a ritual where the young had to make an oath (scroll to the end of this article to find the oath with translation into English) in favor of the socialist state. The Jugendfeier nowadays does not require the participants to make any vow or swear an oath. The only tradition that has survived the GDR is that they all get a rose and a book with thought provoking texts about becoming an adult.  You can read a bit more about this event that still is popular among former inhabitants of the GDR or their descendants here on Wikipedia. From a fathers experience We took part in this event due to the fact that my son Simon goes to a school in the Eastern part of Berlin with many parents that still seem to feel some (N)Ostalgy  and brought this topic up in class. As 20 out of 28 classmates of Simon wanted to participate in it, we didn’t want him to stand out and asked him whether he’d like to participate or not. At that age it is important for him to be part of the group and so he decided for it.   As I was born in Western Germany and had gone through a rather Catholic education and initiation I didn’t have any idea what to expect but neither had I any rejection of that idea nor was I much excited about it. I took Simon to parachute jumping last year which we inofficially declared to mark his transition into an adolescent. His mother, originating from Poland, another formerly socialist country, didn’t really know the Jugendweihe either but we were on the same track regarding our participation. Its seems still pretty popular The fact that we had to register for the event in 2013, almost 18 months ahead of time, shows how popular it still is. There were also several seminars planned that would cover certain topics of adolescence and start a thought process in the children about who they wanted to be and become. Many of those seminars where also thought to be lead or at least organized by the parents. But this task seemed to be more difficult than many had hoped. In those months until the Jugendweihe, Simon took part probably in two events and I didn’t really get the impression that he took much from it. In socialist times, those preparations would have been organized by the state and would have included quite some propaganda.   Its not the ritual, its what you make of it I’m not blaming others. I understand that our lack of deeper interest and conviction in the sense of such an initiation also had a huge influence on everything. Another parent with more enthusiasm would have described this experience probably quite differently.   When the great day came, we were invited with approximately 2000 other people to meet at the Friedrichstadtpalast, a revue theater in the evening. There the Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands (HVD, Humanistic Organisation of Germany) had organized quite a show with professional dancers and singers and has managed to get some popular entertainers like e.g. Joko Winterscheidt or actress Anna Loos to leave a few encouraging words to the children. My interim conclusion Parts of it I personally found a bit over the top and it all was a bit surprising as neither of us really knew what to expect of that day. On the other hand it was mainly entertaining and short enough to enjoy it and the message for the young participants was to trust in themselves, to question authority and to understand that with growing up they will be confronted with new rights and obligations in their life. I can’t really object to that, can you? The rest of the day As everything started at 8.30h on Saturday morning, we were home by noon and both families (my son’s mother remarried a while ago and has two little adorable daughters today) had a nice brunch  in a cafà © next door and then just enjoyed the rest of the day with my half of the family. A unique experience I am very thankful to have been able to witness this event. In a way it was inpiring, though I would have also enjoyed a more humble approach to it all. Coming of age is a challenge for all members of the family and I would have integrated the parents and siblings way more into the preparation. But as I don’t expect others to take care of my responsibilities, my overall experience was a positive one. I hope you enjoyed this little insight into the German culture and I would like to know what you do in your culture to mark the coming of age of your children. If you are religious: do you consider the existing religious rituals to also cover the coming of age or is it rather focussing on being a more responsible member of your church/religion? Das à ¶ffentliche Gelà ¶bnis   The public oath of the GDR Jugendweihe (not in use nowadays) (as found first on this page  which also contains many more information on the topic of GDR but unfortunately only in German language.)  My translation is at times very literally so that you can also learn something about the German sentence structure and grammar here. Where a literal translation would be difficult or impossible to understand, I have put a more comprehensible version into parenthesis. Liebe junge Freunde!Dear young friends. Seid ihr bereit, als junge Bà ¼rger unserer Deutschen Demokratischen Republikare you ready as young citizens of-our German Democratic Republic mit uns gemeinsam, getreu der Verfassung,  with us together, according the constitution fà ¼r die große und edle Sache des Sozialismus zu arbeiten und zu kà ¤mpfenfor the big(ger) and noble cause of-the Socialism to work and to fight und das revolutionà ¤re Erbe des Volkes in Ehren zu halten, so antwortet:and (to keep) the revolutionary heritage of-the Nation in honor to keep, so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als treue Sà ¶hne und Tà ¶chter  Are you prepared, as faithful sons and daughters unseres Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Staates nach hoher Bildungof-our workers- and peasant nation (to strive) for higher education und Kultur zu streben, Meister eures Fachs zu werden,  and culture (to strive), (to become) Master of-your (professional) discipline, unentwegt zu lernen und all euer Wissen und Kà ¶nnen fà ¼r die Verwirklichung  incessantly to learn and all (to utilise) your knowledge and skill for the realization   unserer großen humanistischen Ideale einzusetzen, so antwortet:  of-our grand humanistic ideals (to utilise), so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als wà ¼rdige Mitglieder der sozialistischen Gemeinschaft  Are you ready, as worthy members of-the socialist community stets in kameradschaftlicher Zusammenarbeit, gegenseitiger Achtung  always (act) in companionate cooperation, mutual respect und Hilfe zu handeln und euren Weg zum persà ¶nlichen Glà ¼ckand help (to act) and (to always unite) your path to personal fulfillment immer mit dem Kampf fà ¼r das Glà ¼ck des Volkes zu vereinen, so antwortet:  (always) with the struggle for happiness of the nation (lit.: the people), so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als wahre Patrioten die feste Freundschaft mit der Sowjetunion  Are you prepared as true patriots, the steadfast friendship with the Sovjet Union weiter zu vertiefen, den Bruderbund mit den sozialistischen Là ¤ndern zu stà ¤rken,  further to deepen, the brotherly association with the socialist countries to strengthen, im Geiste des proletarischen Internationalismus zu kà ¤mpfen,  in-the spirit of-the proletarian internationalism to fight, den Frieden zu schà ¼tzen und den Sozialismus gegen jeden imperialistischen Angriffthe peace to protect and the socialism against every imperialistic attack zu verteidigen, so antwortet:  to defend, so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Wir haben euer Gelà ¶bnis vernommen.  We have heard (lit.: perceived) your pledge. Ihr habt euch ein hohes und edles Ziel gesetzt.  You have (set) yourselves a high and noble goal (set). Feierlich nehmen wir euch auf in die große Gemeinschaft  Solemnly take we you in, into the grand collective des werktà ¤tigen Volkes, das unter Fà ¼hrung der Arbeiterklasse  of-the working nation, that under the leadership of the working class und ihrer revolutionà ¤ren Partei, einig im Willen und im Handeln,  and her revolutionary party, united in will (intention) and acting die entwickelte sozialistische Gesellschaft  (errects) the developed socialist community in der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik errichtet.in the German Democratic Republic (errects). Wir à ¼bertragen euch eine hohe Verantwortung.  We transfer to-you a huge responsibility. Jederzeit werden wir euch mit Rat und Tat helfen,  At-any-time will we (help) you with advice and deed (help), die sozialistische Zukunft schà ¶pferisch zu gestalten.(to design) the socialist future creatively (to design).