The Domestic Box Office Gross Receipts Counted - 1080 Words

The domestic box office gross receipts counted of $9.66 billion in movie ticket sales in 2014, a 4.5% retreat from 2012 and 2013. This totals about 1.18 billion movie tickets sold. The top grossing films of the year were Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The LEGO Movie, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Maleficent, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Godzilla, and 22 Jump Street. Regal Entertainment recent released that they are considering â€Å"strategic alternatives†, hinting at a possible sell of the company. Regal Entertainment’s quarter net income in October 2014 was $26.7 million which is down from $75.1 million earlier in 2014. US consumer spending on home†¦show more content†¦Digital trends have not been enough to offset loss from CDs and downloads, according to the RIAA report released for the first half of 2014. Sales declined a total of 4.9%, equaling less than $3.2 billion total. The first half of 2014 showed an 11.6% decline in digital album sales compared to the first half of 2013. 2c. SWOT analysis of the industry as of 2015 The film industry sees a 32% rise at the Chinese box office in 2014. The overseas interest in film has been steadily increasing and has reached $3.55 billion in the first half of 2014. Blu-ray, electronic sell through (EST), and subscription based streaming technology has supplemented the movie and entertainment industry and are reportedly still growing according to the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG). The television industry is expanding into locker services, which allows consumers to store purchased content online to download later on multiple platforms. The radio industry had a 57% increase year over year in streaming internet radio. The Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2014-2018, released by consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, predicts music streaming revenue to reach $1.7 billion by 2018. The domestic box office has shown a decline in the sales of tickets to consumers. This means that the theaters are losing its audience. Competition from other forms of media are threatening to eradicate film. 3D movies are not succeeding in the market as hoped and the domestic revenue

Great Expectations Morality Vs. Mobility - 1363 Words

Matthew Goriachkovsky Ms. Lyons AP English Literature 8 December 2014 Great Expectations: Morality Vs. Mobility Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, represents the morality and ambition of self improvement in Victorian England. Dickens’s early life, which was during the Victorian era, has hidden connections with Pip’s situations and struggles. This paper will explore and be supported by the concepts of two literary criticisms, Himmet Umunà §Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s, â€Å"Class Mobility in Victorian England and the Social Rise of the Underprivileged† and Nicholas Shrimptons, â€Å"Dickens’s Muscular Novel†. Umunà §Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and Shrimpton dive into the deeper meaning of Great Expectations and how it shows the triumph of morality over mobility. It is important to revisit Dickens’s past because Great Expectations represents many aspects of his early life. Dickens was born in 1812 and moved to London in 1821 when his father accumulated consistent debt. His father was sent to debtor’s prison in 1824 and Dickensâ₠¬â„¢s mother decided that their children would stay with their father, in prison. Dickens’s mother arranged for him to work outside of prison to support the family. Dickens was miserable and hated his job because he believed he was capable of more. Once Dickens’s father was released from prison and Dickens finished schooling, he became a law clerk and then a famous writer. The novel has also taken place in early Victorian time, 1837-1901, at a time where class, wealth, and mobility were very significant.Show MoreRelatedCultural Anthropology6441 Words   |  26 PagesBritish - Incorporate varied ethnic groups: Indian, African, Indigenous, Chinese - Reflect post- independence history/politics: Leftist propagandist titles - Chart colonial history of Guyana by village names: Voncheister, West Minster, etc - AFRO vs. INDO GUYAMESE Effects of Nationalism: Nationalists policies of ethnic assimilation through language (US) Language Decay: people who one or two generations ago completely fluent, now not so much, another country language becomes primary and traditionalRead MoreBohlander/Snell-Managing Hr24425 Words   |  98 PagesA multinational corporation (MNC) is a more complex form that usually has fully autonomous units operating in multiple countries. Shell, Philips, and ITT are three typical MNCs. These companies have traditionally given their foreign subsidiaries a great deal of latitude to address local issues such as consumer preferences, political pressures, and economic trends in different regions of the world. Frequently these subsidiaries are run as independent companies, without much integration. The globalRead MoreMasculinity in the Philippines12625 Words   |  51 Pagespass as many boys through our character factory as we possibly can (Mangan 1987, 150-53; 1981,2241; 1986, 33-36; Rosenthal 1986, 1-6). In his study of the cult of war in nineteenth-century Europe, historian George Moss e asks: Why did young men in great numbers rush to the colors, eager to face death and acquit themselves in battle? Simply put, they volunteered because the modern nation-state, through its poets and propagandists, made the passage to manhood synonymous with military service. To becomeRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesand industrial depression from the late 1860s to the 1890s, as well as the social tensions and political rivalries that generated and were in turn fed by imperialist expansionism, one cannot begin to comprehend the causes and consequences of the Great War that began in 1914. That conflict determined the contours of the twentieth century in myriad ways. On the one hand, the war set in motion transformative processes that were clearly major departures from those that defined the nineteenth-centuryRead MoreCross-Cultural Management in China11008 Words   |  45 Pagesexamining the effects of culture on single variables to examining the relationships among same and different level of variables. Research limitations/implications – Systematic conceptual model development and assessment of important topics are in great need. Although there is an increasing amount of comparative studies being done in China, very few studies have been conducted to study Chinese firms that are doing business abroad, which represents one of the most critical problems in the field ofRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pages269 United Chemical Company 269 Byron vs. Thomas 271 Active Listening Exercise 272 SKILL APPLICATION 274 Activities for Communicating Supportively Suggested Assignments 274 Application Plan and Evaluation 274 274 SCORING KEYS AND COMPARISON DATA 276 Communicating Supportively 276 Scoring Key 276 Comparison Data 276 Communication Styles 276 Comparison Data 276 SKILL PRACTICE Diagnosing Problems and Fostering Understanding: United Chemical Company and Byron vs. Thomas 278 Observer’s Feedback FormRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesPerformance Appraisal Around the World 558 An Ethical Choice Recruiting the Unemployed 561 Self-Assessment Library How Good Am I at Giving Performance Feedback? 563 Myth or Science? â€Å"Work Is Making Us Fat† 564 Point/Counterpoint Social Media Is a Great Source of New Hires 567 Questions for Review 568 Experiential Exercise Evaluating Performance and Providing Feedback 568 Ethical Dilemma Credit Checking 568 Case Incident 1 The End of the Performance Appraisal? 569 Case Incident 2 Job Candidates WithoutRead MoreNationalism and Transnationalis m in the Context of the European Union28567 Words   |  115 PagesTransnationalism In the context of the European Union (†¦) History says, ‘Don t hope On this side of the grave.’ But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme. So hope for a great sea-change On the far side of revenge. Believe that a further shore Is reachable from here. Believe in miracles And cures and healing wells.... Read MoreContemporary Issues in Management Accounting211377 Words   |  846 PagesContemporary Issues in Management Accounting This page intentionally left blank Contemporary Issues in Management Accounting Edited by ALNOOR BHIMANI 1 Great Clarendon Street, Oxford ox2 6dp Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne MexicoRead MoreMarketing Management130471 Words   |  522 Pagesexplaining variance among companies resides with a few key relationships among those categories. Now let us see each environment in detail. 3.1. SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT: Indian society is multifaceted to an extent perhaps unknown in any other of the world s great civilizations. Virtually no generalization made about Indian society is valid for all of the nation s multifarious groups. Comprehending the complexities of Indian social structure has challenged scholars and other observers over many decades. The

Interpreter of Maladies Free Essays

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri Coursework activities booklet 2013 A Temporary Matter 1. Create a diagram of the orientation, complications (rising tension), climax and resolution of the story. 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Interpreter of Maladies or any similar topic only for you Order Now How do the characters overcome the narrative complications? 3. From whose perspective is the story told? Why are we denied the other point of view? Whose story is it, Shoba’s or Shukumar’s? 4. How does Lahiri give depth to the characters in the first 2 pages? 5. What evidence of tension does the reader get in the first 2 pages? 6. How have Shoba and Shukumar changed since the still birth? 7. Why do they find it so hard to communicate? Why is it so much easier in the dark? 8. List the revelations that the 2 characters reveal. Why does Shukumar tell Shoba his last revelation? 9. Why does the story end with the Bradfords walking past? 10. Although this story is based on Indian characters, is it necessarily an ‘Indian’ story? 11. How does the title refer to more than just the blackout? 12. Lahiri often gives the reader clues as to what will happen before the characters themselves are aware. What clues are given in this story? 13. Many of Lahiri’s stories use the natural world to underline a theme. How is the natural world used in this story? 14. How important is food in the story? What might it symbolise? 15. Writing task: take a section of this story and change the perspective – tell it from Shoba’s point of view. How would her perspective alter the story? 1 page Vocabulary: dissertation, superfluous, agrarian, methodically, cavernous, paprika, candelabra, bulbous, dysentery, diction When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine 1. Who is the narrator of the story? Whose story is it? 2. This is one of the stories that deal with the immigrant experience. How do the adults in the story try to fit into American society? Answer in detail, using examples from the text. 3. Analyse the use of food and the natural world as symbols in this story. 4. What does Lilia represent for Mr Pirzada? 5. Why does Lilia keep eating the candy when Mr Pirzada leaves? Why does she eventually throw the candy away? The Pumpkin Carving: 1. Why does Mr Pirzada decide to ignore the television so they can carve the pumpkin? What does this suggest about his relationship with Lilia? 2. Why is there a close description of what Mr Pirzada is wearing, down to his opal cufflinks? Think about it in the context of wanting to be like Americans. Why then do his clothes ring false? 3. Why do the family and Mr Pirzada eagerly engage in the carving of the pumpkin? What does this suggest about their attitude towards their adoptive country? 4. What similarities are there between Mr Pirzada and the reporter on the television? What effect does this have on the reader? 5. Why does Mr Pirzada seem so competent and confident carving the pumpkin? What does this suggest about him? 6. What effect does the eventual shape and size of the Jack-o-Lantern have on the reader? Why is it important to the story that it does not look correct? 7. Why is this an important passage in the story? 8. What is the significance of Lilia teaching the adults to carve the pumpkin? Vocabulary: ascertain, autonomy, botany, compatriot, sovereignty, camphor, fez, disproportionate, haphazard, placid Mrs. Sen’s 1. Who is the narrator? Whose story is it? What advantages are there in not using the first person in this story? 2. How well has Mrs Sen adjusted to life in the USA? Is she at peace in her new life? Explain, highlighting the struggles she has faced. 3. Why did Mrs Sen insist on driving to the fish store? 4. Secrets are a recurring theme in Lahiri’s stories. What secrets are kept in this story and why? 5. What Indian traditions and customs are highlighted in this story and what is the significance of these to Mr Sen in comparison to his wife as they start their new lives in the USA? 6. Unlike other stories, Mrs Sen’s has many settings. Why do you think Lahiri has extended the settings for this story? 7. How is Elliot presented? How does life at Mrs Sen’s compare with life with his mother? Vocabulary: remnants, protuberant, flourishes, palanquins, audibly, periwinkle, quahogs, vermillion, portico, complementary Third and Final Continent . What is the relevance of the title? 2. What does ‘splendid mean and what attitude to life does it suggest? 3. Give your views of the narrator, Mala and Mrs Groft? 4. What impact does Mrs Croft have on the narrator? 5. Why are the moon landings included in the text? 6. Why is the narrator nameless? 7. What is the significance of the final passage of the story? Vocabulary: intolerable, occupancy, clamorous, perpendicular, stucco, desolate, proposition, oblivious, salutation, interlude Interpreter of Maladies 1. How is this story different to those we have read so far? 2. Narrator, food, landscape – you know the drill by now! What do they reflect and how are they important? 3. ‘†¦ it was hard to believe they were regularly responsible for anything other than themselves. ’ (pg 49) What type of parents are Mr and Mrs Das? Provide examples from the text and also comment on how Mr Kapasi sees their parenting skills. 4. What is the impact of Mr Das calling his wife ‘Mina’? 5. How is the gulf between the 2 cultures shown through the characters? What are the most obvious differences between the guide and his clients? 6. Discuss the impact of the description of the characters’ clothing. . Why has Mr Kapasi compromised his life? 8. Why does Mrs Das reveal her secret to Mr Kapasi? 9. How are Mr Kapasi and the monkeys similar in the last scene? What is symbolic about the address floating away? 10. Essay response (500 words/2 pages with quotes): ‘The stories we tell ourselves are more important than our realities . ’ Discuss Think about what this question is asking you, and then relate it to both Mr Kapasi and Mrs Das. * What stories do we tell ourselves? How do they often clash with reality? * Which story holds more sway over us? Does more important mean that it is necessarily better for us? Is it better to live with a vision of the world that is not accurate over truth and reality? Vocabulary: malady, translucent, emaciated, etymology, exorbitant, indifferent, magenta, eloquently, edifice, solemnly This Blessed House Character study: 1. Compare and contrast Twinkle and Sanjeev, using at least 3 examples for each and 3 quotations for each. (You may double bubble if you wish. ) 2. Are Twinkle and Sanjeev suited to each other? Will their marriage last? Justify your answer. 3. What have we learned about Indian marriages in the stories we have read so far? A Temporary Matter, Mrs Sen’s, Mr Pirzada, Third and Final, Blessed House. ) How successful are they? 4. How is Twinkle differ ent to the Indian characters we have met so far? Explain in detail. Extract study (Inside Stories study guide – VATE – Andrew Doyle): Sanjeev feeling he has the house to himself during the party, p 155- 157 This extract from the end of ‘This Blessed House’ is at the tail end of the party. While it displays Sanjeev’s inability to have fun and his irascibility, it does show his growing understanding of love and acceptance. The extract ends with him carrying the bust of Jesus down for Twinkle. . What does the religious iconography represent in the story? 2. Why does he want to be undisturbed? What is his desire for a quiet night really about? 3. What does the reference about the liner notes indicate about his personality? 4. Is his desire to tear down the posters about them being blasphemous or is it about something deeper? 5. What is the stated reason for not pulling the ladder up? Where is the comedy or humour in this reason? 6. What seems to be the source of his anxiety and the knotting in his neck? 7. What stops Sanjeev from going into the bedroom? What does this suggest about his feelings towards Twinkle? 8. What is the relevance of her finding the kitschiest of the objects at this point in the story? What sort of test is Sanjeev being put through by the writer? 9. List the reasons why he hates the silver bust. What do you think is the most important? Why? 10. What seems to be the consolation to having this thing he hates on the mantel? Is this consolation enough to keep him happy? 11. Why is Sanjeev careful with the feather hat? What does it show about him? 12. In what mood do you think Sanjeev leaves the story? Essay practice: 1. Making connection between people is difficult. Discuss with reference to at least 3 of the stories we have studied so far. 500 words. A Real Durwan The Treatment of Bibi Haldar 1. These 2 stories do not reflect the same issues as the other stories in the collection. Do you agree? 2. Bibi and Boori Ma are not sympathetic characters. Discuss. 3. These 2 stories show how vital it is to belong to a community. Do you agree? 4. Both of these stories could be described as fables, as they have a strong message. Discuss. 5. To be different is a curse. Discuss. . Create 10 questions for each story, in the style of the ones you have been given in the past. Vocabulary (A Real Durwan): durwan, enumerated, deportation, litanies, almari, punctilious, parapet, diaphanous, sedulous, recriminations Vocabulary (Bibi Haldar): throes, poultice, auspicious, fruitless, pallid, replenish, non sequiturs, paroxysm, propitious, imprudent Sexy 1. Create a diagram of the orientation, complicat ions (rising tension), climax and resolution of the story. 2. How do the characters overcome the narrative complications? 3. Food, landscape, narration. 4. How does Lahiri give depth to the characters in the first 4 pages? 5. What is the purpose of telling the reader Miranda and Dev are having an affair in the early stages of the story? 6. How is Miranda presented to the reader? Give examples from the text. 7. How is Dev’s personality portrayed? Use evidence from the text to support your answer. 8. What is the purpose of the explicit description of the products at Filene’s make up counter? 9. Although this is a story based on Indian characters, is it necessarily an ‘Indian’ story? Would it be more of an ‘Indian’ story if Miranda was of the same cultural background as Dev? 0. Identify the major themes in the story and provide examples from the text. 11. Why does Miranda put on the dress for the young boy? 12. Why is Rohin’s character written in such an unappealing way? Revision: character 1. Complete the attached character boxes sheets. 2. List the following categories of characters and thin k about how Lahiri presents them: * Children * Single adults * Married couples (no children) * Married couples (with children) * Older adults 3. Make a list of the characters that are similar. How could you use them to prove a point in an essay? 4. Re read Lahiri’s use of descriptive language to introduce each character. How does she convey so much information about the characters in a relatively short time? 5. Practice questions on character: a) All of the children in Lahiri’s stories are searching for an identity. Discuss. b) None of the characters in these stories are at peace. Do you agree? c) While the character’s lives remain largely unchanged, they do undergo a transformation. Do you agree? d) â€Å"They wept together for the things they now knew. † Discuss how the characters in these stories are all on a journey of self discovery. ) Many of the characters in these short stories are negotiating the hurdles of forming a new relationship. Discuss. Revision: style Short story structure: The stories fall into 2 categories: * Classic structure – orientation, complications, resolution. In these stories the characters learn more about themselves by solving a problem or overcoming an obstacle. * Observational structure – a glimpse into a moment of the character’s life, rather than a problem to be solved. In these stories we are shown how people are, they are more about character than plot. 1. Divide the stories into classic and observational. Justify your choice. 2. Do you think that this is a collection of separate and independent stories, or a story cycle, that is, stories that are united by a common character, location, pattern or set of concerns? Justify your answer. Narration: 1. Make a list of the stories’ narrators and next to that who the central character of the story actually is. Why do you think Lahiri chooses to do this? 2. What is the effect of using children as narrators? 3. What is the effect of using a narrator who is looking back at an event that has already occurred? Foreshadowing: 1. Often the reader of the short story is aware of a character’s faults or impending doom before they are. Consider the following examples: * Miranda – we know that her relationship with Dev is unlikely to work well before she does, through the fact that as soon as his wife comes back, they no longer leave the house. He also fails to call as often as he once did. (pg 93/100) * Shukumar – we realise that Shoba is preparing to leave him by the way she is dressed on their last night. (pg 20) * Bibi Haldar – is told early in the story that she will be saved by a man, which the character’s assume is a husband, when ultimately it is her son. * Think about the other stories and see if you can find any examples of foreshadowing. Descriptive language: Chapter: The Real Durwan Description| Technique| Effect| ‘†¦ brittle with sorrows, as tart as curds, and shrill enough to grate meat from a coconut. ’ (70)| Metaphor| Emphasises the harsh nature of Boori Ma’s voice, gives the reader several points of comparison in the form of the senses, taste particularly. | ‘†¦ Boori Ma could see some light spilling into the stairwell. ’ (71)| Metaphor| Gives the lights a quality that it doesn’t actually posses, that of movement. The reader has the impression of the light coming in a gush, quickly. | ‘Boori Ma’s mouth is full of ashes†¦ (72)| Metaphor| Implies that Boori Ma’s words are not true, that her history (refugee of Partition) is up in flames, now ashes. | ‘†¦ our mosquito nets were as soft as silk. ’ (74)| Simile| Compares the nets to silk to show the reader how luxurious Boori Ma’s former life was. | ‘†¦ wha t burned like peppers across her thinning scalp and skin†¦ ’ (75)| Simile| Compares the sensation on her back with that of the heat of peppers. This gives the reader a sense (taste, touch) so as to empathise with the character. | ‘It (the rain) came slapping across the roof like a boy in slippers too big for him†¦ (75)| Personification/Simile| The rain is give a quality of a human initially (slapping) to emphasise how heavy and sudden the rain is. Then it is compared to the sound of slippers to help the reader imagine the sound more accurately. | ‘†¦ she knew her quilts were turning into yoghurt. ’ (76)| Metaphor| The rain is making her quilts soggy, the same consistency as yoghurt. | * Create your own table for another 3 of the stories in the collection. Symbolism and iconography Lahiri uses symbols and iconography to enhance the meaning of her stories. Think about the following symbols and what they represent: Symbol| Stories| Examples| Food| | | Natural landscape| | | Clothing| | | Housing| | | She also uses a particular icon attached to a character to reinforce her point. How do these icons reflect the character’s personalities? Story/Character| Icon| Meaning| This Blessed House/Sanjeev| Liner notes| | A Temporary Matter/Shoba| Coloured pens| | Mrs Sen’s/Mrs Sen| The knife| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Practice SAC questions for style/structure: 1. Jhumpa Lahiri uses metaphors and symbols to enhance the point of the stories. Discuss with reference to at least 3 stories in Interpreter of Maladies. . The stories are quite clearly related through a common theme. Do you agree? 3. What are the advantages of Lahiri using children as narrators? 4. Lahiri often sets up contrasts between characters and situations to show the universal nature of humans. Discuss. 5. How does the imagery from the natural world influence these stories? Revision: themes 1 . Theme pages. Make a page in your book for each of the following themes: * Loneliness * Belonging * The migrant experience * Marriage * Identity * Human contact/connections Now brainstorm everything you can think of about that theme. Create a table: Theme| Evidence in the stories| Relevant quotes| | | | Character: Mr Pirzada Physical description| | History| | Personality traits| | Audience impact| | Quotations| | Character: Bibi Haldar Physical description| | History| | Personality traits| | Audience impact| | Quotations| | Character: Boori Ma Physical description| | History| | Personality traits| | Audience impact| | Quotations| | Characters: Shukumar and Shoba Physical description| | | History| | | Personality traits| | | Audience impact| | | Quotations| | | Character: Mrs Das and Mr Kapasi Physical description| | | History| | | Personality traits| | | Audience impact| | | Quotations| | | Character: Mrs Sen Physical description| | History| | Personality traits| | Audience impact| | Quotations| | Characters: Twinkle and Sanjeev Physical description| | | History| | | Personality traits| | | Audience impact| | | Quotations| | | Characters: Miranda and Dev Physical description| | | History| | | Personality traits| | | Audience impact| | | Quotations| | | Characters: Narrator and Mrs Croft Physical description| | | History| | | Personality traits| | | Audience impact| | | Quotations| | | How to cite Interpreter of Maladies, Papers Interpreter of maladies Free Essays From the very beginning of the story the narrator depicts a very burdensome life. After leaving his homeland of India, he describes the first place he lived In London as: â€Å"a house occupied entirely of penniless Bengali Bachelors Like [himself], at least a dozen and sometimes more and all struggling to educate and establish ourselves abroad†(Lair 173). This is the perfect example of the narrator’s determination to be successful in life and also the major hardships he will have to endure. We will write a custom essay sample on Interpreter of maladies or any similar topic only for you Order Now This also portrays how the narrator accepts and is aware of his inevitable transformation through education and hardships. He knows that his struggles will eventually lead to the ultimate achievement of revealing over three continents. After surviving on the bare minimum in London for about flee years the narrator is offered a fulfillment job in America at the prestigious MIT, which will be his third continental move. Before he sets off abroad he must go back to Calcutta to fulfill an Indian tradition of an arranged marriage. The narrator sees his marriage as Just another mundane chore and focuses instead on adjusting to his new life as an Indian immigrant In America. While he waits for his new wife’s green card he looks for a cheap room to rent, which Is where he meets the first American he truly admires. Mrs.. Croft is first portrayed as an insignificant ranting old crippled woman that lives alone and rents out rooms, but when her age is revealed, the narrators whole perspective changes; after all he had assumed that she was only in her eighties. She then becomes a special and memorable person to him because he is absolutely astonished and Impressed that a one-hundred and three year old woman could still more or less be Independent or even coherent for that matter. This Is due to the fact that he mentions his own mother completely falling apart after his father passed away. He goes so far as to say: â€Å"What pained me the most was to see her so unguarded, to hear her burp after meals or expel gas in front of company without the slightest embarrassment† (Lair 1 87 ). Seeing a widow like Mrs.. Croft so bold and quick-witted, yet so fragile, was refreshing and positively inspiring to him. The way he acknowledges her life, â€Å"As vigorous as her voice was, and imperious as she seemed, I knew that even a scratch or a cough could kill a person that old, each day she lived, I knew, was something of a miracle† (Lair 188). The significance of this quote shows that Mrs.. Croft was a big contribution to the narrators realization of an ever changing world where adaptation is the key to survival. As the the narrator waits the six weeks for his wife to arrive he is more than happy to make It a routine to simply sit down next to Mrs.. Croft each night and give her a little of his company. He feels compelled to do more but being of no relation he Crofts and find an apartment suitable for two people. It is peculiar that he not exactly anxious for his wife to Join him in America. He refers to her arrival as â€Å"the arrival of a coming month, or season – something inevitable, but meaningless at the same mime† (Lair 189). These are his feelings in the beginning when he only knew his wife for a mere five days. Once she is there she makes an effort as a dutiful wife by sprucing up the In conclusion the narrator encounters an internal conflict, he slowly becomes an Americanizes Indian with attempts to maintain his original Indian culture. His conflict comes to a head when speaking of his son because it is clear that he is afraid that his son will abandon their Indian traditions. A prime example is the following quote: â€Å"So we drive to Cambridge to visit him, or bring him home for a keen, so that he can eat rice with us with his hands, and speak in Bengali, things we sometimes worry he will no longer do after we die†(Lair 197). His attempt at being the modern American occurs when he tells his wife that she does not have to wear her sari all the time, â€Å"There is no need to cover your head, â€Å"l said. † I don’t mind. It doesn’t matter here† (Lair 192). Another example is when the narrator tries to retain his original traditions by eating egg curry and walking barefoot throughout his house. Egg curry seems to be the one thing the narrator holds onto which is obvious because he cooks egg curry in all three continents. How to cite Interpreter of maladies, Papers

Ambiguity Aversion and Household Portfolioâ€Free Samples to Student

Question: Discuss about the Ambiguity Aversion and Household Portfolio. Answer: Introduction: The purchase of any item or assets in belief that it can produce maximum benefits or income in near future is called as the investment in general terms. In economics, goods are purchased to use them in the near future not in present conditions to generate maximum income or money is called as the investment. Residential, non-residential, human capital and inventory are some types of investments (Bodie et al, 2014). The technique of risk Management which includes different varieties for investment within any portfolio is called as the investment diversification. The reason to select investment diversification in economics is that different varieties of investments within any portfolio will produce higher returns on an average basis and also low risks associated with it as compared to investments which are done on individual basis within any portfolio. The diversification for household assets can be measured using the Gini Index. This index has been preferred for household diversification as it has both statistical and theoretical properties for the analysis and also all findings will be done by comparing equality diagonal with the Lorentz curve (Gaudecker and Von, 2015). Further, it measures all household distribution by directly comparing across population using certain specific weights. The index can be measured using the formula as, The households during the diversification can also be classified into various components like superannuation, vehicles, business value, home value, bank accounts, trust funds, cash investments, equity investments, other assets value or insurance policies. From all these, bank accounts, superannuation and equity investments shares the largest part in households investment portfolio (Macours and Vakis, 2014). The household suffer various risks during the investment like health risk, expenditure risk or income risk associated with labour market. Further, there are several other factors as well which determines investment risk for the households like age, net worth, income, occupation, social interaction, living place, and educational attainment. The household assets which are constrained with liquidity and who have more income or net worth have more chances to diversify their investments. The demographic factor like age will also affect diversification as increase in age will increase investment diversification factor and with less risks (Fransen and Mazzucato, 2014). The relation between social interaction and educational attainment will also enhance chances for more diversification in the investment and also reduces chances of risks on the investment within portfolio. If there is less investment on different assets, then there will be more chances of risks associated with household investment and will affect diversification of household assets. Further, the risk or returns for every household will be different and will depends on different categories like their income, net wealth, employability, age, living place and many more. Corporations: From the economical perspective, it has been found that diversification has certainly increased the borrowing capacity for most of the companies and corporations all across the globe. There are carious drivers which are associated with the corporate diversification like investment efficiency, productivity, financial constraints, and information asymmetry or agency conflicts (Hartzell et al, 2014). The diversification in corporations will provide more opportunities related to investment and capital funding. The corporations who are looking to expand their business operations and market share will be mostly affected by the diversification. The diversification enables corporations to transfer their capital for different financial projects at expenses of other financial resources. These also reduce risks associated with cash flows and provide more access for the credits in order to enhance business operations. The diversification in corporations has enhanced cross pledging effect which certainly provides more finance for the companies to invest in order to enhance business operations (Junior and Funchal, 2013). The various empirical studies also define the investment advantages and different financial resources for the corporations from the diversification factor. It has also analysed that different credit constraints has also enhanced efficiency to allocate internal resources of finance in case of extreme harsh market conditions. The diversification will help in such cases to the companie s to provide advantages of investment and at the same time also enable the corporations to allocate resources on more cost effective projects rather than on projects which are less efficient. Further, diversification in case of corporations can be defined in two stages that are on the basis of Herfindahl index and on the basis of segments which are associated with the corporations. The Herfindahl index is mainly sum associated with percentages for net revenues on the reportable segments associated with the corporations (Najeeb et al, 2015). If there is one segment then the indexs value will be one and these provides its closeness to zero for the corporations which are more diverse in nature. The corporation diversification defines negative relationship among growth opportunities and leverage. These also provide more growth opportunities for the corporations which have high leverage. The companies which are large in size have high diversification level and bankruptcy risks are also low which provides more credits facilities for such corporations (Damodaran, 2016). If corporations have not enough credit facilities then there will be more chances of bankruptcy resulted in lower degree level for diversification. Tangibility resources of corporations will provide more chances for diversification and reduces debt characteristics of the corporations in order to provide maximum leverage benefits. Government: It is the responsibility of the governments to protect funds of the public and also to manage publics investment for achieving all investment objectives for liquidity, return and safety. Generally, if more risks associated with investment portfolio then there will be more opportunities for better returns. The Management for risks needs to be done effectively to achieve all objectives of the investment. Diversification is the medium which can be efficiently used as strategy to manage all the risks associated with the investment (Government Finance Officers Association, 2016). Government needs to implement targeted risk profiles which include constraints or objectives of investment, risk tolerances, current risks or liquidity requirements for the market. This type of profile helps to create framework to make all investment decisions on individual basis which reduces market risks and establish required structure for investment portfolio. Further, appropriate risk profile will help the government to determine diversification level. There are various risks associated with diversification related to government like interest rates, credit risk and liquidity risk (Dimmock et al, 2016). These risks can affect various business operations and other loan rates which can affect both the households and the corporations. If the interest rates for loans will be low, then there will be more chances for individuals and corporations to take loans so that can effectively invest on various objectives. Conclusion: From the above discussion, it is evident that the various government policies are affecting the diversification level for both households and corporations. The bank rates needs to be reduced in order to enhance more investment opportunities for households and corporations as these will also create lower risk level for various financial activities. The various external factors like inflation or globalization may also affect the level of diversification. It is also observed that if there will be more investment then there will be more chances for more returns due to diversification and also reduces risk levels associated with different financial resources. References: Bodie, Z., Kane, A. and Marcus, A. (2014) Investments, 10e.USA: McGraw-Hill Education. Damodaran, A. (2016) Damodaran on valuation: security analysis for investment and corporate finance (Vol. 324).USA: John Wiley Sons. Dimmock, S., Kouwenberg, R., Mitchell, O. and Peijnenburg, K. (2016) Ambiguity aversion and household portfolio choice puzzles: Empirical evidence. Journal of Financial Economics, 119(3), pp.559-577. Fransen, S. and Mazzucato, V. (2014) Remittances and household wealth after conflict: A case study on urban Burundi. World Development, 60, pp.57-68. Gaudecker, H. and Von, M. (2015) How does household portfolio diversification vary with financial literacy and financial advice?. The Journal of Finance, 70(2), pp.489-507. Government Finance Officers Association (2016) Diversifying the Investment Portfolio. [Online]. Available at: https://gfoa.org/diversifying-investment-portfolio (Accessed: 25 April, 2017). Hartzell, J., Sun, L. and Titman, S. (2014) Institutional investors as monitors of corporate diversification decisions: Evidence from real estate investment trusts. Journal of Corporate Finance, 25, pp.61-72. Junior, J. and Funchal, B. (2013) The effect of corporative diversification on the capital structure of Brazilian firms. [Online]. Available at: https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1519-70772013000200006script=sci_arttexttlng=en (Accessed: 25 April, 2017). Macours, K. and Vakis, R. (2014) Changing Households' Investment Behaviour through Social Interactions with Local Leaders: Evidence from a Randomised Transfer Programme. The Economic Journal, 124(576), pp.607-633. Najeeb, S., Bacha, O. and Masih, M. (2015) Does heterogeneity in investment horizons affect portfolio diversification? Some insights using M-GARCH-DCC and wavelet correlation analysis. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 51(1), pp.188-208.

Safety and Accident Prevention Essay Example

Safety and Accident Prevention Essay Safety and Accident Prevention Name: Institution: Safety and Accident Prevention We will write a custom essay sample on Safety and Accident Prevention specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Safety and Accident Prevention specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Safety and Accident Prevention specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In the article, Safety, Accidents and Investigations: Be Prepared for the Unexpected, by Robert A. Battles, the author focuses on describing the verification and maintenance of an Accident Prevention Plan. According to Battles (2011), an Accident Prevention Plan forms the main basis for an effective safety program. This is because the plan delineates probable safety consequences within the workplace. Additionally, an Accident Prevention Plan outlines the methods of decreasing or eradicating such consequences. The author insists on the inclusion of a documented and dynamic Accident Prevention Plan within the safety program. Furthermore, Battles (2011) acknowledges that the plan guides in the implementation of the safety program through the incorporation of procedures that delve on the management of accident investigations. Throughout the article, the author focuses on the employers of organizations. Based on the costs and disadvantages safety hazards pose to most organizations, Battles observes the importance of safety programs in the framework of any organization. According to Battles (2011), one formidable manner in which employers can reduce the costs arising from the safety hazards is ascertaining the inclusion of a safety program. Based on this assertion, the incorporation of safety program negates the detrimental impact of costs such as healthcare expenses, fines, penalizations and lost efficiency that arise from the implications of safety hazards. Furthermore, the author notes the laws that employers must follow in ensuring the safety of their employees. As such, Battles focuses on informing employers regarding the regulations encompassing the notion of safety and health within their firms based on the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act (OSHA) as well as the co rresponding State programs. According to Battles (2011), the development of an Accident Prevention Plan requires the assessment of probable workplace hazards. As such, the analysis of job hazards will involve identification of the potential mannerisms that can cause injury to an employee in the event of performing a task. Subsequently, after recognition, the employer should note the probable causes of the injuries and proceed to provide solutions and countermeasures that will mitigate the causes. Aside from job hazard assessment, developing a Plan requires the inclusion of basic essentials such as the program overview, emergency actions, first-aid kits locations, injury and precarious condition reporting, identification of workplace hazards, employee safety course and safety meetings and committee. In addition, documentation of training and constant reviewing is vital for plan development since both provide steps for safety instruction of employees and evaluating the plan’s application and effectiveness. Consequently, Battles (2011) also necessitates the importance of effective response to accidents. As such, the author outlines steps important for the process. Foremost, the employer should ensure that medical attention is present in case of a major casualty. Secondly, the employer should ascertain that the facility is safe after the injured receive care. Thirdly, the employer should refrain from the accident scene with the exception of providing first aid or preventing more casualties. Fourth, as mandated by law, the employer should report the accident to government agencies and finally, perform an internal investigation after informing appropriate authorities and securing the sight. Regardless, the employer should prepare for an accident investigation by including interviews from those that possess knowledge regarding the event, visiting the accident site, plan review, review of current safety paraphernalia and review of manuals and recommended uses for the equipment based on the m anufacturer. Usually, external investigations stress employers due to the possibility of incurring fines and penalties based on the investigation findings. As such, employers should learn on how to address external investigations. For instance, in the event of an obligatory investigation, employers can contact their legal counsel forehand. Regarding OSHA investigations, employers should know about the constituents of the mentioned investigation, which include the Opening Conference, Document appeal, Employee and Administration Reviews and Closing Conference. In the Opening Conference, employers can determine the way in which the authority plans to perform the investigation in order to have an idea of the probable issues that may arise. In the document phase, employers can provide the only documents required. In the interviews, the employers should permit and pay for the time used by the employee in the interview. Lastly, the employers should provide reasons that deter the citations provided by th e agency in the Closing Conference. Indeed, the article provides considerable information on the configuration and implementation of safety programs within the workplace. However, improvement of the article can take place by including the hazard preventive measures such as the conduction of daily precautionary and standard maintenance, implementation of processes and controls for correcting hazards and ascertaining that employees grasp utilization and sustenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Stuhlmacher Cellar, 2001). In addition, in the job hazard assessment, various methods may be put in place in order to report the hazards. For instance, verbal reports can be vital for reporting risks directly. Suggestion programs are also important in encouraging workers to offer propositions based on safety improvement. Additionally, hazard card programs can be vital for the process since they will provide the employees with cards for documentation of perilous situations and hazardous events (Friend Kohn, 2007).

The structure of keratin and collagen and show how their structures are suited to their biological functions Essay Example

The structure of keratin and collagen and show how their structures are suited to their biological functions Essay Example The structure of keratin and collagen and show how their structures are suited to their biological functions Paper The structure of keratin and collagen and show how their structures are suited to their biological functions Paper Keratin and collagen are very vital within the bodys structure; both are very similar in nature, being that they derive from amino acids, which make up their respective proteins. They both fall under a group of particular proteins known as scleroproteins or fibrous in nature. Majority of their structure consist of left-handed helix structures1. Scleroproteins make up one of the two major protein categories, the other being globular. Keratin and collagen each represent one of the three subclasses within scleroproteins. As scleroproteins their jobs are to provide support and protection for the body. They are adapt for this because of their complex structure of repeating polypeptide chains which strengthen as the bind together; this and their insolubility are vital in maintaining the anatomy of the body. Whilst being similar in some ways, collagen and keratin remain different in their specific functions and role. As mentioned above keratin is one of the three scleroproteins. It is an extremely strong, insoluble tertiary protein; it is the main constituent in the structures of various parts in the body. These include the skin, hair, nails, as well as horns and hooves in animals. The variety of body compounds that contain keratin show that it is a material that varies depending on function. In relation to skin, the amino acids, which make it up are arranged differently from any other form of keratin and make up the soft layer known as skin. It is present in all epithelial cells, those on the outer surface and on the inner surface such as the lining of the digestive tract. On the other end of things nails contain keratin, which are very hard. Other hard substances such as horns and hooves are formed by epithelial cells adapting to growing generous amounts of keratin and then dying as individual cells, leaving the keratin to form into these hard structures2. Where keratin is needed to be hard the arrangement of specific amino acids respond to the need to form a tough material. One of keratins important qualities is that it has the ability to flex and not tear of become destroyed. Keratin reinforces epithelial cells by helping to maintain their connections between cells. Cornification also known as keratinization is the foundation of how keratin in formed. The outer cells on the epidermis lose their function in this process, the cells organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria disappear and metabolism ceases as the cells become replaced by keratin. This new layer is incapable of sensory perception and is classified as dead. Keratin covers the width of a cell enabling it to connect indirectly with other keratin in adjoining cell to form junctions called desmosomes2, this makes the outer most layer of non-porous, almost water proof. There are many types of keratin found in the body and in mammals, each type structured to suit its function. The most common form of keratin found in most parts of the body is alpha keratin3. They have long fibrous strands that super coil into alpha helixes, the folds and the short repeating units along the polypeptide chain are what make up their composition. The alpha helix is formed from an alpha keratin polypeptide, two of these twists around each other to form a coil. The hydrophobic strips on one helix associates itself with the other. This allows the side chains to interlock. The combination of the two coils is known as a dimmer. This is the basis of the protofilament of which 2 make up a protofibril. Four protofibrils make up a microfibril. The associations of many microfibrils form a macrofibril4. Hair for example consists of layers of dead cells that are packed with macrofibrils. The diagram below shows a general idea of how the higher order of alpha keratin is structured. A key feature of its structure is that is contains cysteine disulfide, this makes up for almost 24% of the amino acid structure5, it allows it to form disulphide bridges which forms a helix shape that is extremely strong. As the sulphur atoms bond covalently to each other across the helix, it forms a fibrous matrix, which is highly stable. High percentages of glycine and alanine aid to the formation of hydrogen bonds between amino and carboxyl groups of adjacent peptide bonds6. The disulphide bridges and hydrogen bonding cause insolubility in things like water. This structural feature is vital in mammals. The long filaments present in the structure provide support for the epithelial cells that contain keratin such as skin. It protects the body from damage by allowing other tissues to form around it and stabilize. Collagen is one of other types of scleroprotein, as with keratin it is an important part in majority of the bodys structures. It is the main component in connective tissue. It makes up for roughly 25% of the bodys protein7. Its strength and insolubility make it the most abundant protein in mammals. Being a connective protein it is seen in body tissues such as the skin, muscles, tendon and cartilage. There are about 25 different types of collagen that occur in the body. Collagen widely works with the other scleroproteins supporting the bodys tissues. It does this by providing support, firmness and strength. Collagen may be seen in different forms such as endomysium and fibrous tissue8, different types being made for different parts of the body such as the cornea, bone, blood vessels as well as the gut. It is able to withstand intense pulling and stretching. It makes up the major stress bearing parts of connective tissue4. One of the most important qualities of collagen is strength; it has the tensile strength of steel and is used to strengthen bone similarly to how metal rods reinforce concrete. It has been seen as a form of glue that hold the body together; with out it the human body would not be one complete structure. Collagen appears to be able to do this as a result of features within its structure. For a long period of time scientists have struggled to identify the exact structure of collagen, this is because of its unusual amino acid composition. Collagen has a super-coiled helical shape, it is long, stringy, strong, and resembles a rope. Its primary structure consists of a repeating sequence of glycine and two other amino acids, often proline and hydroxyproline; this forms its sturdy structure. These amino acids cause the chain not to gain the normal alpha- helix or beta- sheet structure; instead they form the long separate chains that allow the collagen triple helix to form9. A single strand of collagen is composed of three chains of polypeptides each being about 1000 amino acids long, the three strands are arranged parallel to each other and are wound up into a triple helix. The bundling of the fiber together and hydrogen bonding between the lengths of the polypeptide chain give it strength. The diagram below gives a general idea as to how a collagen fiber is shaped. Collagens tightly wound matrix of fibers in its structure is very vital in its function, being that majority of the body comprises of it, it need be very strong. For instance collagen is a major component of tendons, which connect muscles to bones, and ligaments, which connect bones to joints. The variance of collagen in these two parts is very little, but remain specialised for both areas. Both parts require strength and flexibility, things that are provided and adjusted from the compactions of the collagen fibers. As mentioned collagen varies in strength and flexibility depending on where its located and its function as connective tissue. Structural defects within the structures of vital proteins such as collagen and keratin can be responsible for major metabolic related diseases. Osteogenesis imperfecta also known as brittle bone disease is an example of one of these conditions that affect collagen. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder that causes extremely fragile bones. As a result people with the condition tend to have many fractures within a lifetime. It is an inherited disease; it is caused by mutations within the genes of type 1 collagen (the most prevalent collagen in the body). The deficiency stems from the substitution of the amino acid glycine, it should normally be at every third position for the triple helix to form properly, mutations that result in amino acids other than glycine in that position cause an issue within the collagen complex which produce unstable helices. The bodys lack of response to the dysfunctional collagen structure allows it to be hydrolyzed. When unstable helices form in the collagen associated with tendons and bones, such as Type I collagen, severely weak bone formation results10. There are 8 types of OI ranging form type I- VIII. The later being the worst case of it. The severity the condition depends on the specific gene defect. OI is typically hard to generalize as it varies from person to person, even when two people in the same family have the same form of it, the characteristics may be completely different. Symptoms of the condition vary; they may include blue sclera and early hearing loss. Milder forms of OI result in bowed arms and legs, scoliosis and kyphosis11. Currently there arent any cures for the condition. Treatment is directed toward preventing or controlling the symptoms, maximizing independent mobility, and developing optimal bone mass and muscle strength. Various forms of therapy are in place to reduce suffering for individuals with the condition. In extremely severe cases a surgical procedure called rodding is used. This involves inserting metal rods through the length of the long bones to strengthen them and prevent and/or correct deformities12. Research into various medication and other treatments are being explored, some include growth hormones, gene therapy and other multiple types of drugs.

Rather than being a medium for western culture alone,the internet Essay

Rather than being a medium for western culture alone,the internet actually help promote and strengthen the societies - Essay Example Today, social networking websites seem to have turned the whole world into one single social platform where people belonging to different cultures and ethnicities communicate with each other and promote each other’s cultures (Tomlinson 1999). According to Hermeking (2005), significant influences of international cultures can be seen all over the internet today. Cross cultural marketing is being done to promote products from countries all over the globe including the non-western nations. Internet may be regarded as one of the reasons behind the increasing trend of globalization in the world (Slevin 2000). It can be said that internet has become one of the best sources for any kind of information and communication throughout the world has become very easy after the advent of the internet. Business entities seem to have put internet to use at its maximum potential and still a number of possibilities of innovative use of the internet pop up every day (Lengert 2000). So many signif icant business entities all around the globe have put their products on their website and users can easily view the features of the products and buy them online. Some of the significant organizations that conduct online business are Walmart and Amazon. Internet has made online businesses very easy and the best thing about using this resource is that it is not limited to a single society or a nation, internet can be used by anyone all around the globe and this has given the opportunity to non-western nations to introduce their products to other parts of the world. Internet has not only helped non-western nations promote their cultures internationally through internet but it has also helped them boost their economies through the exposure of their potential in the global market (Slevin 2000). The internet is being used widely as a primary source for real time information all over the globe therefore it has become significantly easy for western entrepreneurs to access information regard ing non-western nations, their human resource and the way business is conducted in such nations (Lengert 2000). The real time availability of such information has helped the non-western nations to present their potential to the international market and it has increased the probability of investment in non-western nations. IMPACT OF INTERNET ON BUSINESS OF NON-WESTERN NATIONS Internet has played a very important role in promoting business of non-western nations in the global market. Internet is one of the reasons behind the increasing trend of Foreign Direct Investment in underdeveloped countries. Following is the analysis of increasing trend of international investment in non-western countries. Internet and Multinational Entities As mentioned earlier, internet may be one of the biggest drivers of globalization. The exposure of the potential of the non-western nations to the international investment drove the attention of multinational entities to such countries (Park & Jun 2003). Wi th the development in internet, it can be observed that investment in under

Cultural Competence and Diversity Research Paper

Cultural Competence and Diversity - Research Paper Example The paper also throws light how minority groups are crushed and intimidated at the hands of majority groups. The attitude of professionals while dealing with the problem of bias has also been discussed in the paper. The Paper The term cultural competence simply refers to the ability of the individuals to skillfully interact with their social environment by penetrating into the culture and adopting its patterns in one way or the other without taking the prejudiced behavior into account on the basis of cultural diversity prevailing in society. It is a reality beyond suspicion that the contemporary world has witnessed tremendous alterations in the social establishment, where the people belonging to divergent racial, ethnic, religious and geographical backgrounds reside and work under one and the same environment, and render their services to the institutions, firms and organizations. The presence of different communities requires exercising strict and comprehensive tolerance towards the staff members and colleagues for surviving and growing in profession. Consequently, cultural competence demands the condemnation of the prejudiced behavior of the biased stratum of society in order to serve the people without discrimination. Cultural competence is emerging as a key factor in leadership and professional life. From police officers patrolling the streets, teachers in the classroom and doctors in hospital wards to managers, working in virtual project teams and leaders planning a strategy of international expansion and the need to recognize different attitudes and expectations is an increasingly important aspect of personal effectiveness and organizational success. (Diversity Gains, 2010) Since, every reputed organization requires and hires the services of the professionals, without which there remains no possibility of sticking to one specific race only; nor the individuals can make achievements in life while working for the companies belonging to their own community. The same is applied to the professionals while dealing with the customers and clients of the groups other than one’s own. Hence, swift climbing on the career ladder vehemently requires serving all members of society without discrimination of caste, class, clan, community, race, region, religion, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. It is particularly the case in the teaching and medical professions. Researches vehemently support the very idea that the companies and individuals having least prejudice and more broad-mindedness are far more successful in social arena in comparison to the groups that observe narrow-sightedness in their behavior while dealing the communities and groups other than that one is following. The same is the case with the societies, where the liberal societies earn sound reputation and respect in social structure and establishment by earning huge amount of profit because of the combined efforts made by the people belonging to diversified groups and cultural backgrounds. On the contrary, the societies relying upon one specific group start lagging far behind than others in the race of progress and prosperity. There was a time when the US society had racially segregated schools, where the blacks and white teachers used to teach the students belonging to their community. Somehow, the second half of twentieth century introduced several reforms in the US society; abolishing of the segregated

Fair Value Reporting And The Financial Crisis Essay

Fair Value Reporting And The Financial Crisis - Essay Example Fair value accounting is the unbiased and rational estimate of the market price of a service, an asset, or a product. The concept of fair value accounting takes into consideration factors such as the demand and supply, the distribution, production, the various costs of the products close substitutes, the utility produced at any given level of development, etc. These are referred to as the objective factors of fair value accounting. There are also some subjective factors of fair value accounting, and these factors include, the utility which is individually perceived, the risk characteristics, the return on, and cost of capital. It is important to understand that accountants use fair value reporting to depict the market value of a product or a liability, which in most cases; it is difficult to determine their market price. The FAS 157 defines fair value accounting as a value in which an asset can either be sold or bought in a current business transaction that involves willing parties. It is important to understand that fair value accounting is used for assets which have a carrying value that is based on the mark-to-market valuations. It is also important to understand that the fair value of an asset that has a historical cost is not always used. It is important to understand that the financial crisis began with the decline of the housing prices, and with an increase in the default rates. There was uncertainty in the financial market because of lack of accurate information from policy formulators.

Hyperbole in the Importance of Being Earnest

Hyperbole in the Importance of Being Earnest Satire is a genre used and widely known for its comedic purposes. It involves the mocking of an individual for humorous means; however, it is commonly used by authors and playwrights to display criticism of the society that the character is in. In the first act of the play, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff have an exchange at Algernons flat in Half-Moon Street about Jacks alter-ego; Earnest, who he creates to be able to escape from the obligations and responsibilities that he is faced with because of societal expectations. During the exchange, there are a few glimpses of the use of ironic techniques portrayed by Wilde through Jacks character with reference to social and cultural norms when Jack states: I dont propose to discuss modern culture. It isnt the sort of thing one should talk of in private. (Wilde, 11) This is ironic as modern culture is something to talk about and discuss, however, in the aristocratic society, it is frowned upon to question or disagree with the cultural norms and values in a negative manner. Further into the exchange between Jack and Algernon, Wilde also portrays irony in terms of marriage when Jack tells Algernon: my dear fellow, the truth isnt quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl. What extraordinary ideas you have about the way to behave to a woman (Wilde, 33). Jacks views on how to treat women represent the upper-class societys views as he believes that honesty is not considered an important factor in relationships. Additionally, later on in the play, when Lady Bracknell is introduced as a typical upper-class aristocrat who has strong and set cultural views on marriage as well as everyones obligations in the privileged society. The playwright uses hyperbole as a literary device to show the cultural norms through her exchange with Algernon about how there should be an even number of people present at the dinner table when Algernon tries to decline the offer of feasting with her, I hope not Algernon, it will put my table completely out. Your uncle would have to dine upstairs. Fortunately, hes accustomed to that. (Wilde, 19) This statement mocks the upper-class and their over-exaggerated mannerisms in a comedic manner by portraying how they turn something that is very insignificant into unacceptable, without any reason simply because they are privileged and have more power and control over others who are beneath them. Wilde further uses hyperbole when Algernon tells Lady Bracknell that he will be unable to attend dinner because of his invalid friend Mr. Bunbury. Lady Bracknell replies with Algernon, I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I should be much obligated if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me (Wilde, 20) The use of the term shilly-shallying shows how even the matter of life and death is insignificant to her. As she represents the upper-class society, it shows that it does not matter what the situation is as long as they get what they desire, which is control. When Lady Bracknell states ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, (Wilde, 20), it mocks the upper-class in a way that shows how they ask for more than one is able to do and have high expectations from everyone to act according to how they want them to, which also enhances the genre of satire in the play as is brings a new comedic perspective towards the upper-class society. Wilde uses more of the previously explored literary technique of irony to enhance satire further along the play through Acts 2 and 3. When Algernon pretends to be Jacks brother (Earnest) in the Manor House at the countryside, Algernon states I certainly wont leave you so long as you are in mourning. It would be most unfriendly. If I were in mourning you would stay with me, I suppose. I should think it very unkind if you didnt. (Wilde, 59), showing how it is ironic as at the end of the play, it is revealed that Algernon is, in fact, Jacks biological brother. This happens towards the end of the play leading onto Act 3 when Gwendolen and Cecily come to realize the truth about how both, Jack and Algernon have been lying to them about how their names were Earnest. Wilde uses hyperbole as a technique to show two extreme sides of their love and emotions towards who they thought was Earnest. Cecily and Gwendolen also represent the aristocrat society, as when they find out that both of them had been wronged, they both go against Algernon and Jack which shows superficiality: My poor wounded Cecily! (Wilde, 78) and My poor wounded Gwendolen! (Wilde 78) which portrays how marriage was highly based on the name one carried in the upper-class society, rather than it being a genuine relationship between two individuals. Continuously throughout the play and towards the end, Oscar Wilde shows and reveals how he cleverly used the name Earnest as one with a pun on it as it suggested more than just one meaning. Firstly, the actual meaning of the name which stands for honestly, truthfulness and integrity ironically does not describe Jack Worthing or Algernon Moncrieff. This is because, firstly, both of the characters have an alter-ego to obtain their desires and to escape from the upper-class societys obligations and responsibilities. Additionally, they lie to Gwendolen and Cecily about being Earnest so that they are able to marry them. Therefore, the word Earnest ironically expresses the notion of false truth and false morality as neither, Jack nor Algernon, portray themselves to be Earnest, as neither of them express moral values, and only towards the end of the play does Jack realize, for the first time in his life, the vital Importance of Being Earnest (Wilde, 106), as it shows that he has finally lea rnt the value of being honest. Both, irony and hyperbole are two clever literary techniques used by Oscar Wilde in the Importance of Being Earnest to portray his criticism towards the upper-class Victorian society in a comedic manner. The play is exposed to the audience humorously, while at the same time, it expresses the contradictory and hypocritical actions of those who conform to the aristocrat society of the late 1800s which ties the play together in a satiric manner.

The Analysis Of The Profane And Sacred In John Donnes Poems The Flea

John Donne who is considered to be one of the wittiest poets of the seventeenth century writes the metaphysical poem "The Flea" and the religious poem "Holy Sonnet 14". In both poems, Donne explores the two opposing themes of physical and sacred love; in his love poem "The Flea," he depicts the speaker as an immoral human being who is solely concerned with pleasing himself, where as in his sacred poem "Holy Sonnet 14" Donne portrays the speaker as a noble human being because he is anxious to please God. In the book The Divine Poems, writer Helen Gardner supports this fact as she argues, "His Maker is more powerfully present to the imagination in his divine poems than any mistress is in his love poems" (Pg-2). Overall, it seems that both these poems operate on many different levels as the rhyme scheme in both poems varies from iambic tetrameter and pentameter to the Petrarchan sonnet form. Donne employs wit as well as complex paradoxes, which are symbolic of the strong opposing dr ives at play in his poetry, and abstract conceits to further complicate the subject matter in both his poems. This is evident to the reader as in "The Flea" Donne presents the notion of carnal love through religious expressions, where as in "Holy Sonnet 14" he depicts the notion of divine love through sexual expressions. Hence, Donne does an excellent job in revealing the fact that in "The Flea," the speaker appears to be arrogant, selfish, and disrespectful towards women. He is self absorbed and only cares about fulfilling his sexual fancy, while the speaker in "Holy Sonnet 14" comes across as a humble human being, who is worried about pleasing God. John Donne deliberately makes his metaphysical love poem "The Flea" light-hearted by using humour t... ... pure is when God takes him hostage and rapes him. Therefore, in the sacred poem "Holy Sonnet 14," the speaker seems to be overly concerned with pleasing God, which is why he addresses him so passionately and sincerely. In "Holy Sonnet 14" the speaker comes across as completely spiritual and devoted to God, which suggests that devotional love is deeper as well as more meaningful than earthly love because the speaker possesses positive traits as he is unselfish and only concerned about pleasing God. Where as the speaker in "The Flea," seems to possess negative traits as he appears to be extremely inconsiderate and selfish. Bibliography Alvarez, A. The School of Donne. New York: Pantheon Books, 1961. Gardner, Helen. The Divine Poems London: Oxford University Press, 1978. Novarr, David. The Disinterred Muse. London: Cornell University Press, 1980.