A street car named desire †How do the play’s settings contribute to its dramatic effect? Essay

* The Kowalski’s flat * It’s surroundings * The wider American Context The play and its author beg the question; how does the absolute appearance of surroundings affect an audience’s compassion to the drama that the play perceptibly emits? The play unquestionably needs dramatic effects to capitalise the story and also to induce and consume an audience. If, without the use of incarcerating dramatic effects from the surroundings and manipulating them into supplying the story’s tension, then it would ultimately not receive the same desirable reaction that is needed to illuminate the play. The depicted ideas of the eminent and radiating title tempts the audience with certain evocative ideas, but are ultimately confronted with a whole new concept of a darker and more dramatic story line. The audience can automatically sense this with the contrast of the title with the melancholy and hoary surroundings of the old corner building, emancipating an ‘atmosphere of decay’, betrayal, self embrace, ugliness and death. This contrast creates a poignant conflict between ideal standards the audience had prepared themselves to see. Whilst the synchronisation between ethnic groups and the humbling sounds of the â€Å"blue piano† are heard in the opening scene, these merely act as a faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade for the troubles that evolve when Blanche Dubois arrives. It anaesthetises the â€Å"cosmopolitan† people’s perceptions whilst masquerading Blanche’s true character. As we can see, the set consists of the Kowalski’s flat. This radiates the dramatic tension emanated from the constriction and the consistency of the close proximity of the characters. However there is a curtain that restrains the utmost confrontations of the characters, but this also forms a dramatic effect because it is so unstable and the fact that it could tear at anytime guarantees a dramatic effect. The beginning scene ends on a dramatic and disconcerting candour as the polka music enhances a tense abrupt period of elusive mourning. Music and interruptions count for most of the dramatic effects as they are the manifestations of drama, in which the audience can hear and feel the fears and grasp it’s connotations through the art of melodies. Music is an important role as it acts as a catalyst for Stanley’s unwarranted tirade. The jazz music that flows from the radio exasperatingly encourages Stanley to expose his domineering wrath. With this we can see that Stanley falls back into the depths of evolution and creates a dramatic tension from the effect of the radio. The small white radio that Stanley hurls out the window is a major theme due to it coinciding with media. It is ironic because unlike the common aspect of media, that holds society and communication together, it is lost through anger. The penetrating sounds of a locomotive strengthen the dramatic effect by indicating a dramatic tension. The locomotive that preposterously, irregularly and yet ingeniously tarnishes the intense situations between exploitations, guaranties a short freedom, rendering the tense situations and the audience and characters unconscious to hear or say anything, involuntarily perfect a contaminated quietude about the area of Elysian Fields and heighten a dramatic tension due to its astounding dramatic effect. Costume also plays an important part in creating dramatic effects through out the play. When the masculine game of poker, a game full of risk, deceit and chances arise, the men wear bright silk bowling shirts which symbolise their uncouth, masculine behaviour. Primary colours symbolises the simplicity of the men’s thoughts and behaviours; illuminating desires, hatred and power. In contrast to this, Blanche wears white; an immaculate costume free from scandal, free from responsibility, guilt and blamed. It is consumed by absurd imitation jewelleries, trying to flaunt what is not there, creating a dramatic effect as everyone can see through this feeble disguise and unavoidably see the facility of her descent. In scene four, the early morning â€Å"confusion of street cries† reflects and increases the ebbing tension, but contrasts with the narcotic serenity that is; a new day. Scene nine is perturbed with precariously high realisations and intense dramatic tensions, due to an ingenious knit work of dramatic effects and story line. There is a critical moment when the audience captures a dramatic tension, when the shouts of an old Mexican woman selling â€Å"Flores† are heard. Blanche capitulates to her â€Å"regrets and recriminations,† telling her rutted tale of sorrow with the old woman expressing her formulaic dispossessions, forming with Blanche, one speech of death. Again, the music that was ostensible throughout the scene gets vociferous with the desperate need of freedom, and the slow, blue tune sets the dramatic effect to a heart rendering misdemeanour.

Iron Crowned Chapter 12

There was a moment of stunned silence. â€Å"That's impossible,† said Kiyo at last. â€Å"Unless you're saying she should kill all those monarchs?† â€Å"No need,† the old man replied. â€Å"Even I know how it works,† I argued. â€Å"The only way to claim a land is if its previous monarch dies or grows too weak to hold it. Otherwise, they're bound together. The monarch and the land are one.† â€Å"Aren't you listening?† he asked. â€Å"The crown changes that. The crown breaks that bond. Doesn't matter how strong they are. No killing – unless you want to. The land is freed up, allowing you to seize it if you're strong and ambitious enough, which, of course, you have to be even to possess the crown.† Ambitious enough. His words reminded me of our fight, when I'd nearly killed Kiyo in my rage. I stared down at the crown in disgust. â€Å"I don't want it. I don't want that kind of power. That was never my intention.† The crown's keeper now looked as baffled as Kiyo and I had been moments ago. â€Å"Then why did you come for it?† â€Å"Eugenie,† said Kiyo uneasily. â€Å"I don't think you should leave it. Regardless of what it truly does †¦ well, the original plan still holds. You don't actually have to use it. Just having it may still be enough to scare Katrice into peace – especially if she knows its true power.† I lifted my eyes from the crown, staring off absentmindedly at the cave's scorched walls. â€Å"Of course she knows. And so does Dorian. He's known all along.† It was a sign of Kiyo's tact and self-control that he made no scathing remarks about Dorian. â€Å"You have to take it,† exclaimed the old man, glancing back and forth between our faces. He seemed shocked and even offended that I was seriously considering leaving it. â€Å"You passed the test. No one who has done that has ever refused the crown.† The sick feeling in my stomach grew. He knew. Dorian knew. â€Å"You don't have to use it,† reiterated Kiyo. â€Å"But Katrice won't know that.† â€Å"I was an idiot,† I murmured. â€Å"An idiot to think it was just a war prize. If I accept it †¦ what happens if someone else takes it? If it's stolen?† After experiencing so many attempts at rape, I was well aware of the extent of Otherworldly ambition. â€Å"The crown will only work for its current owner,† said the caretaker. â€Å"It will only stay with the worthy. If it's taken – or if you die – it will return here, and we will wait for the next challenger.† â€Å"Hold on,† said Kiyo. â€Å"You just wait here all the time? How old are you?† I didn't wait for a response. I felt dizzy on my feet and so, so tired, both mentally and physically. I wanted to get out of this place. â€Å"Let's go,† I said. â€Å"We'll take the crown.† The old man beamed. â€Å"Excellent. I look forward to hearing of your victories.† I scowled and moved for the exit. This was hardly the situation for warm and fuzzy good-byes, so Kiyo and I simply left without any more conversation, though I could feel the caretaker's gaze burning into my back. The trek out of the mountain was quiet as well and seemed to go much more quickly. The fire barriers were gone. When we finally emerged, the light and air of that barren landscape seemed like the sweetest, most refreshing thing ever. Volusian and Deanna were exactly where we left them. Deanna's expression lit up. Volusian's didn't ostensibly change, but I sensed definite dismay. â€Å"You did it!† exclaimed Deanna. â€Å"Now you can help me and find out – â€Å" â€Å"No,† I interrupted, heading straight to my horse. â€Å"Not now. We're not dealing with that yet.† Her pale eyes widened. â€Å"But you promised to – â€Å" â€Å"Not yet,† I growled. Something about my tone and look must have been pretty intimidating because she vanished without comment. I knew she'd be back, though. I glanced at Kiyo, who was already on his horse, face troubled. â€Å"Think those snakes are regular residents or just part of the test?† I asked. He glanced around, taking in the scattered holes in the ground. â€Å"I don't think we can assume they're gone.† I made sure my pack was secure, the crown inside it. â€Å"Then let's get out of here. We're not stopping until we're out of the unclaimed lands.† Kiyo's face was lined with worry. â€Å"Eugenie – â€Å" But I was already urging my horse down the road, back in the direction we'd come. Our initial ride had been brisk but still energy-conserving. Now, I held nothing back. I let the horse run as fast as she could, half-suspecting she wanted out of this cursed place as much as I did. The speed and rush of air was almost enough to distract me from what had just happened and what was to come. Almost. Kiyo easily kept up with my hard pace, and the speed made any conversation difficult. I lost track of time but had the sense of riding for hours as the sun moved across the sky. I fell into such a lull surrounded by the dreary landscape that crossing back into the Otherworld's claimed regions was like a splash of water in the face. We'd emerged into the Honeysuckle Land and were suddenly surrounded by heat and color. Kiyo slowed his horse down. â€Å"Eugenie, we have to stop.† When I didn't react, he yelled more harshly, â€Å"Eugenie!† It snapped me from my haze, and I slowed too, eventually bringing my horse to a halt. His trotted up to us. â€Å"Eugenie, it's almost night. We have to make camp here. We'll be safe now that we're out of that place.† â€Å"Safe? I'm a war leader. This place isn't on our side yet. They could have a lot of leverage if they found and captured me.† â€Å"That's just an excuse,† he said. â€Å"It won't happen, and you can't keep up this pace without rest. The horses certainly can't either.† I didn't know much about animals, but Kiyo did. These two didn't seem ostensibly exhausted, but they were breathing a bit more heavily than when we'd left. I petted the head of mine in apology. I didn't want to stop, but Kiyo was right. The lush and beautiful land provided any number of camping spots. The trick was finding a concealed one that kept us near the road. If we strayed too far, the Otherworld's nature could very well shift us away to another location. And, despite his confident words, I think Kiyo did worry a little bit about the Thorn Queen being discovered in this kingdom. At least we had Volusian to keep watch. We finally settled for a small glade that was almost impossible to see through the trees until you were right inside it. Not far away was a small lagoon edged in stones. I was filthy from the fight but didn't have the energy to bathe fully and settled for washing my hands and face. Nonetheless, back in our camp – which really was just a place to sleep since we needed no fire here – Kiyo insisted on changing my bandages again. â€Å"You tore more stitches in the lich fight,† he said with dismay. â€Å"We can keep the blood loss down, but you have to get this treated soon.† I nodded without hearing him, my mind still wrapped around what I'd learned. Once he'd pulled my shirt back down, I turned and faced him. â€Å"Dorian knew, Kiyo. Dorian knew what this crown could do. That's why he wanted it. I wouldn't be surprised †¦Ã¢â‚¬  It killed me to say the next words. â€Å"I wouldn't be surprised if he set it up from the beginning with Masthera.† I again expected mockery from Kiyo, but his dark eyes were serious and full of sympathy. â€Å"I wouldn't be surprised either. I'm sorry.† It was true what I'd said in the cave: I was such an idiot. I should have listened to my initial instincts, the ones that said a battle prize wasn't enough to end a war. A prize that could strip Katrice's kingdom from her? Yeah. That would end a war, true, but Dorian should have told me. He should have told me what the crown's real threat was. And then you wouldn't have done it, a voice in my head pointed out. I knew it was the truth. I wouldn't have risked my life – or Kiyo's – to come after some artifact that put me one step closer to being the conqueror everyone expected me to be. â€Å"Dorian knew,† I repeated. â€Å"Dorian let me risk my life for this.† Kiyo stayed silent for a few moments, staring off into the rapidly darkening trees around us. â€Å"You said he resisted at first, though. Until he realized I could go.† â€Å"Was that an act, though?† I rested my forehead in my hands, doubting everything I'd come to believe about Dorian. I'd so, so wanted to trust him. â€Å"Did he pretend to be hesitant, knowing I'd be suspicious if he was aggressive?† â€Å"For all his faults †¦ I don't know. He does care about you, Eugenie. I don't think he'd carelessly throw you into danger. He might have seriously waited until he knew you could go in with backup.† I sighed and lifted my head back up. â€Å"You're giving an awful lot of credit to someone you hate.† A small smile crossed Kiyo's lips. â€Å"I don't hate him, not exactly. I don't trust him. I don't like him. And †¦ well, I certainly carry a grudge for his taking you from me.† I narrowed my eyes, a spark of anger flaring up in me. â€Å"No one ‘took' me. I'm not something you guys can just pass around!† â€Å"Sorry, sorry,† he said hastily. â€Å"I didn't mean it like that. I just mean that after we split up, it's been hard seeing you with him. That's petty jealousy, I admit it. But I also hate that his grand, brash action won you over and drove the final stake in our relationship.† â€Å"His ‘grand, brash action?' Do you mean killing Leith? I'll never regret him doing that,† I said fiercely. Despite how dark it was growing out here, I could see Kiyo's eyes boring into me. â€Å"Do you mean that, Eugenie? Was your personal vengeance worth all the people who've died since then?† I looked away. â€Å"He deserved it. You don't understand.† â€Å"I understand perfectly well what he did. And if I could have? I would have done a lot more than run a sword through him. Really, that was almost merciful compared to what he deserved. But the fallout †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I know.† I sighed again. â€Å"I know what I've caused, all the upheaval in this world.† A sudden odd thought occurred to me. â€Å"Maiwenn †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Kiyo tensed, not following my jump in thoughts. â€Å"What about her?† â€Å"Dorian knew that too! She knows what the crown does; I'm certain of it. That's why he kept telling me not to let you talk to her!† I shot up, full of fury now. â€Å"Goddamnit! He played me. He's always played me! It doesn't matter if he loves me. It's his nature. He can't love without using it to his advantage. Goddamnit!† My cry rang out into the empty night as I paced irritably. In seconds, Kiyo was up too, gripping me by my arms. â€Å"Hey, hey. Calm down. He may have tricked you, but he can't make you do anything you don't want to with the crown. You're in control. No harm's done.† â€Å"No harm?† I exclaimed. â€Å"Kiyo, I almost killed you! Do you understand? Do you understand what I almost did? I lost control! How am I supposed to forgive myself for that?† He drew me into his arms. â€Å"I forgive you for that, and that's all you need to worry about. Don't beat yourself up with the guilt.† I clenched my fists. â€Å"The craziest part is that the fake-lich whatever guy thought what I did was a good thing. Me shoving my friends aside for power. That's what the crown represents. That's what I'll become.† â€Å"I won't let you,† said Kiyo fiercely. â€Å"It's in my blood,† I said weakly. â€Å"I realize that now.† â€Å"Maybe. I don't know. I used to think †¦ well, I used to think it was all just some easy decision you could make. ‘Do this, don't do this.' That was stupid of me. It's more than that, this conflict in you. And I didn't help – not in the way you needed. I will now – if you'll let me.† I peered up at him in confusion. â€Å"Why? After everything I've done?† â€Å"Because I – † Kiyo cut himself off. I could hardly see him now, but the feel of his hands was warm on my skin. â€Å"Because it doesn't matter. Because I screwed up. Because we never should have split up. I've been wanting to tell you something for a while. We should have – â€Å" I broke away and stalked off across the glade. I couldn't hear this. I couldn't hear some proclamation of love, not when my heart was still broken over Dorian's betrayal. I'd trusted him. I'd trusted him, despite all the evidence that he would go to great extremes for power. I'd thought love for me would be stronger than that ambition. I'd been wrong. Even if he loved me, his heart would always be split between me and his craving for power. It was his nature, just as my own nature was divided between human and gentry ways. â€Å"I need to sleep, Kiyo,† I said roughly. â€Å"I can't hear this right now.† â€Å"But Eugenie – â€Å" â€Å"Good night.† I turned my back to him – I knew he could see in the darkness – and curled up on the grass. It was hardly a comfortable bed, but compared to last night's discomfort, this felt like heaven. Kiyo said no more, and I eventually heard him settle down. Volusian had been put on watch, meaning neither Kiyo nor I had to stay awake. In my case, it didn't matter. Sleep wouldn't come no matter how much I willed it to. I stayed up most of the night, staring up at the clear sky and its glitter of stars. The Otherworld had the same constellations as the human world, which surely presented some sort of physics quandary, one I didn't have time to think much about right now. Dorian knew. That crown. That fucking crown. Part of me wanted to go over to my bag, grab the crown, and throw it off into night, never to be seen again. What had the old man said? It'd return to its home? No harm done. No harm except the loss of my potential to steal Katrice's land from her – hers and anyone else's who opposed me. Was that what Dorian had wanted? Would he have tried to convince me that it was the only way to win the war? And would I have believed it? Maybe. I'd been willing to risk a lot for peace by coming after the crown at all. Maybe that had just been the â€Å"gateway drug† in Dorian's eventual plan for conquest. In the end, it didn't matter what his plan was. What mattered was that he'd betrayed me. I'd opened myself to him, loved him. That was over now. It was that thought, that thought and the anger burning within me, that got me up and around early when dawn broke. Kiyo – who apparently had slept – instantly woke when he heard me stirring. â€Å"Let me guess,† he said. â€Å"You didn't sleep.† â€Å"Nope.† I took out some of the travel food from my bag, cringing when my fingers brushed against the crown. Kiyo stood up and stretched, then wandered off into the foliage. He returned several minutes later with some mangos in his arms. â€Å"Supplement your breakfast,† he said, tossing me one. He leaned against a tree and bit into one of his own. I nodded my thanks, but the fruit's sweetness was lost on me. Nothing had any taste. I was distantly aware of Kiyo's eyes on me but ignored them. â€Å"What are you thinking?† he asked at last. â€Å"How much I hate Dorian.† â€Å"What are you going to do?† This was something I'd thought about for a while, so I had a solid answer. â€Å"Go to him. Call him out. Pass him a note in class. Tell him it's over – everything. Us. Our alliance.† Kiyo's eyebrows rose. â€Å"You might not want to be so hasty on that last one.† â€Å"How can I be in a partnership with someone like that?† I exclaimed. â€Å"You can be in business with people you don't like. I wouldn't throw away his military support in the middle of this mess.† â€Å"I don't need his help,† I said obstinately. â€Å"Especially if Katrice does call a truce over the crown.† â€Å"And if she doesn't?† â€Å"I don't know.† I stood up and rubbed my sticky hands on my jeans. Kiyo was the last person I expected to be having this discussion with. â€Å"What are you getting at? Should I forgive him? Let it all go and jump back into bed?† â€Å"No. Absolutely not.† Kiyo walked over to me, almost mirroring our positions from last night when he'd been on the verge of telling me something romantic. Only, I'd since had more time to come to terms with my anger and could actually focus now on Kiyo, the concern in his eyes and the way his body always made mine feel. â€Å"But I don't think Dorian will leave the war, no matter what else happens between you. And you should take that help.† â€Å"I'm afraid †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Until those words came out of my mouth, I didn't realize I meant them. â€Å"I'm afraid when I see him, when I talk to him †¦ he'll do it again. He'll convince me of, I don't know. Whatever his plan is. He'll justify it and lure me back in.† Kiyo cupped my face between his hands. â€Å"You don't have to do anything you don't want to. You're strong. And I'll go with you, if you want.† I looked up into Kiyo's eyes, feeling lost in their depths and confused by what I saw in them. â€Å"I do want you to.† Leaning down, he pulled me close and kissed me almost before I realized what had happened. There was heat in his lips, heat and hunger and that raw, animal passion that so defined him. My body pressed against his, and I was startled at the arousal that kiss ignited within me, me who twenty-four hours ago had been sworn and sealed to Dorian. Now, the desire within me was all for Kiyo, a desire that was probably equal parts revenge against Dorian, a resurgence of my feelings for Kiyo, and the simple lust triggered by being with anyone I found so attractive. I pulled away from him, and it wasn't easy. That kiss had consumed me, taken over my reasoning. I had a feeling I was seconds away from ripping his clothes off and throwing myself at him. Some annoyingly rational part of me kept saying I shouldn't do that until I knew for sure if it'd be because I still cared about Kiyo or because I wanted to get back at Dorian. â€Å"No, don't. I can't,† I said, taking a few steps away. â€Å"I'm not †¦ I'm not ready†¦.† I knew he could tell that wasn't exactly true. He'd be able to smell the desire on me, the pheromones and other physical signs that said I wanted him. But my head and heart? No, I wasn't sure about that. â€Å"Eugenie †¦Ã¢â‚¬  His voice was husky, every ounce of him radiating that dark, primal sexuality that had always drawn me in. â€Å"I can't,† I repeated. â€Å"Please †¦ don't do that again†¦.† I hurried off blindly, into the forest, ignoring the branches and leaves whipping against me. I didn't have to go very far because something told me Kiyo wouldn't follow. He'd leave me alone for now. I sank to the ground, leaning my head back against the smooth bark of a tree I didn't recognize. My heart pounded in my chest, in turmoil from Kiyo's advances. I'd suspected he still cared, especially seeing as the breakup had been more my idea than his. He'd conceded its wisdom, true, but I'd always known he'd wished things could have been different. Hell, that made two of us. I exhaled and closed my eyes. What did I do with this? What did I do with Kiyo's feelings? What did I do with my own feelings? Because at the core of it all, my heart was still raging over Dorian. I'd meant what I said to Kiyo: I was indeed going to go back and tell Dorian we were over. I'd been disappointed in Kiyo – still was, a little – over his not taking direct action against Leith. Yet, as much as that had hurt me, Kiyo had been blunt and open about his reasons for it. That was better than someone telling you pretty lies. Pretty lies. Dorian was full of them – and not just about the crown. Suddenly, I found myself questioning why he'd even suggested Kiyo come along on this quest, rather than Jasmine. Maybe Dorian had thought this would be a convenient way to get rid of someone he'd always seen as a potential rival. I didn't know. The only thing I was certain of was that I was getting more and more worked up as I sat there. A faint splash startled me out of my emotional maelstrom, and I opened my eyes. No cry of alarm had come from Volusian back at camp, and a moment later, I realized what was going on. Rising, I headed over toward the pool in the glade's heart. Sure enough, I found Kiyo swimming laps back and forth. The lagoon was crystal clear, sparkling in the morning sunlight, and it sang to my magical senses. I wondered if he was there to clean off yesterday's battle or to work out his frustration over me. Judging from the lines on his face – maybe both. I watched him for a minute, knowing opportunities to catch him unaware were rare. The water and his mood had distracted him; he normally would have smelled and heard an observer. After a little while longer, I made my decision. I began taking off my clothes. Kiyo turned and noticed me just as I slipped into the water, easing myself down the stone edge. â€Å"Eugenie †¦ what are you doing? You're soaking your bandages.† I swam over to him, on the pool's far side. â€Å"I'm here naked with you, and that's your biggest concern?† He eyed me carefully. â€Å"Well, that was our last batch of them.† I put my hands on his chest. â€Å"We'll be home soon.† When I brought my lips to his, joining us in a deep kiss, I felt the same response as earlier. He answered me hungrily, arms wrapping around my waist as we pressed together. Now, however, it was Kiyo who broke us apart – despite the arousal in his eyes. I had a feeling there was a human versus animal war going on within him. â€Å"Wait,† he said. â€Å"Earlier †¦ you told me you couldn't †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I changed my mind. I can do this,† I said. â€Å"Does it need to be more than that right now?† I was still going to tell Dorian I was done with him, but I didn't need to for this. I had mentally broken up with him. I was free to do whatever I wanted. I moved toward Kiyo again, slowly walking us toward the water's edge. Our top halves emerged, the morning air slightly chill against my wet skin. â€Å"I don't trust why you're doing this,† said Kiyo. But when I drew him closer, he didn't pull back. â€Å"I think you're getting back at Dorian.† I kissed him hard, cutting off whatever logical arguments he might attempt. â€Å"Maybe I am,† I said at last. He was gasping, a little surprised at the intensity. I felt empowered, filled with lust for Kiyo and – yes – anger at Dorian. â€Å"But you're the one I'm doing it with. Doesn't that mean something?† There was a pause as Kiyo's dark, smoky eyes studied me intensely. â€Å"Yes.† With one swift motion, he turned me around, pushing his body against mine. â€Å"It does. This is how it should have been anyway.† I caught my breath as he kissed my neck, teeth grazing my skin. â€Å"And I'll take back what's mine.† My body burned, both at his touch and the dangerous tone in his voice. Then, the full meaning of his words hit me. I started to turn around but his hands were on me, pinning me against the ledge surrounding the water. â€Å"Hey, I'm not yours,† I growled. â€Å"I thought I made that clear.† â€Å"You're right,† he said. â€Å"But you're not his either. Not anymore. You never should have been. We never should have been apart. And if you want this – if you want to do this – you have to tell me you feel something for me. I can't believe this is just simple revenge sex.† â€Å"Kiyo – â€Å" The hands that held me slid forward to my breasts, the roughness of his touch sending shockwaves through my body. â€Å"Tell me,† he breathed against my ear, his hands sliding along my stomach and down between my thighs. â€Å"Tell me you still feel something for me.† His body closed the miniscule space left between us, pushing me right to stone. I felt him hard and ready. â€Å"I †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I closed my eyes, lost in the way his hands touched me and stoked the sexual tension that had been building between us for days. What did I feel? For a moment, I was conflicted. Maybe this wasn't right. Maybe I did need to end things formally with Dorian before letting my emotions run away with me. â€Å"I †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yes?† He bent me over, hands gripping my waist, and suddenly, he was sliding into me, a low groan escaping his lips as he filled me up. I gave a small cry at the unexpected act, one that turned into a moan of pleasure as he began to move in and out of me. â€Å"Tell me there's still something, anything †¦Ã¢â‚¬  he grunted. â€Å"If not, I'll stop and let this go. Just say it.† â€Å"I †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Again, I couldn't summon the words. This time, it was simply because I was too lost in how he felt. I'd forgotten what it was like with him, the way he'd always loved to take me from behind, driven by the animal instinct within him. There was more than that to him, though. Images flashed through me, the way he'd fought by my side, the compassion when he'd seen how hurt I was over Dorian's deception. â€Å"Tell me,† he said again, a savage and hungry note in his voice. â€Å"Tell me you want me; tell me there's still something between us. That you don't want me to stop.† He felt so good, so strong and hard. â€Å"No †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No what?† â€Å"No †¦ don't stop †¦ there is †¦ of course there's still something†¦.† I meant it. And with that, the animal within him was unleashed. I screamed as he gave me the full force of his body, my arms pushing hard to keep me from being shoved against the ledge. The sound of our bodies slapping together echoed around us as he thrust tirelessly, taking me over and over as he reclaimed my body. â€Å"I've missed you, Eug,† he managed to say. â€Å"Missed having sex with you. Missed making love to you. But especially †¦ especially missed fucking you.† His words were punctuated with a particularly sharp thrust, one that took me hard and deep as he bent me over more. I screamed again, but it was out of ecstasy, not pain. Kiyo had always been able to make me come this way, and now was no exception. I felt the nerves of my body explode, every part of me shaking. Still he kept moving in me with that primal need, pushing me into sensory overload. He'd given up on words, simply making small grunts as our bodies connected. At last his body reached its breaking point, giving me the hardest thrusts he was capable of as his climax hit. He held me tight, my body there to fulfill his need as he came in me, groaning and spasming until he'd finally given me all he had. He pulled out, and I turned around, my own breath shallow and rapid. â€Å"That †¦ maybe we shouldn't have done that †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Kiyo put an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. His lips grazed mine. â€Å"You sound like a guy the morning after. You're the one who attacked me, remember?† â€Å"True,† I admitted. With my lust sated, I was feeling slightly more coherent. But only barely. His naked body was still right against mine, and that was distracting. â€Å"Give me a few more minutes,† he murmured. â€Å"A few more minutes and we can do it again †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"We're probably just creating more problems.† He kissed my neck. â€Å"What's one more problem among all the others we have? One more time, Eugenie. I've missed you so much. Let's do this just one more time.† I could feel that he was indeed almost ready again. I lifted one of my legs up, half-wrapping it around him as my body decided it was ready again too. â€Å"And then what?† â€Å"Then?† Kiyo's mouth moved toward mine. â€Å"Then we go see Dorian.†

Dulce Et Decorum Est Essay

World War One was a time of divisions, not only between countries but between the different people within one country. In many western countries the propaganda convinced young men to enlist to portraying war as a great adventure and the German’s as an imminent enemy – The Huns. But as news came back from the Western Front and Gallipoli, there was a sense that the war was not glorious, the dirtiness, the sheer loss of life was beginning to be revealed through poems such as Dulce et Decorum Est. However, with enlistment numbers dropping, the image of a noble, adventurous war needed to be reaffirmed and this can be found in Who’s for the Game, by Jessie Pope. In this poem, Pope, affirms messages of jingoism as righteous and justified. She describes England as â€Å"up to her neck in a fight† and that the right course of action is to â€Å"grip and tackle the job unafraid† using sporting allusions to make the war seem like a game. For example, this â€Å"game† is â€Å"played†, the enemy is â€Å"tackled† as a rugby player would attack an opponent, and the entire war is just a â€Å"show†. One could take a â€Å"seat in the stand† and â€Å"be out of the fun† or â€Å"toe the line†. This sporting imagery, suddenly removes the idea of war as a bloody, dirty, nightmarish suffering and transforms it into an exciting prospect. It attacks the reader’s sense of manliness, affirming Edwardian notions that men prove themselves under fire in war and also the chivalric notion of helping your country, personified as a woman stuck in a fight and also the idea of leaving fellow soldiers behind by not joining in the fun. On the other hand, Dulce et Decorum Est, uses realism and hellish imagery to portray the war the way it is. The first line immediately strips the soldiers of all dignity, likening them to â€Å"old beggars† who had â€Å"turned†¦backs† to the enemy trenches. They were â€Å"bent double† and â€Å"cursing through sludge† and â€Å"drunk with fatigue†. The image of defeat, is portrayed through the soldiers being â€Å"deaf even to the hoots of gas shells dropping softly behind. † These men no longer see any true value in living, their hellish nightmare of â€Å"haunting flares†, â€Å"thick green light† and the mention of â€Å"the devil’s sick of sin†. Shows war to be an atrocity not fit for humanity. There is no sense of a â€Å"red crashing game† or any sense of â€Å"fun†. Suddenly, the reader wishes they did have a â€Å"seat in the stand†. Apart from the depiction of warfare, the idea of a noble death or death in war is conflicting in these two poems. Whereas, Jessie Pope omits any mention of death or suffering, Owen goes into immensely graphic, borderline gratuitous detail of the gassing of a man. He describes the man â€Å"flound’ring like a man in fire or lime† who was â€Å"drowning† in a â€Å"green sea†. The unceremonious word â€Å"flung† describes the way a corpse is disposed. The individual human has been reduced to an object, a corpse that has no real value, and is a burden. Pope, creates an image of injury in war as honourable and respectable. The idea of returning â€Å"back with a crutch† as a heroic sentiment. Of the man who took a bullet and survived. She makes it seem as though there is no real risk of going to war, there is no graphic imagery and any mention of the bad aspects of war is referred to in opposites. It won’t be a picnic† but from this the reader cannot conjure the image of war as a nightmare, as a hell the way that Owen does with his description of the â€Å"hanging face† engaging the visual senses of the reader, the sound of â€Å"blood come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs’ the smell â€Å"obscene as cancer† and one can almost taste the â€Å"vile incurable sores†, â€Å"bitter as cud† on their own â€Å"innocent tongues†. This activation of four major sense immerses the reader in the almost unbelievable scene of war. Even the soldiers in there half trance sate, march â€Å"asleep†, unable to comprehend their situation. Thus, the audience of Jessie Pope’s poem is most likely the â€Å"children ardent for some desperate glory† described in Dulce et Decorum est. Desperately glorious. Perhaps that is the best way to describe how Pope conceives war. Furthermore, the poems contrast with this idea of patriotism. The quote found on war memorials and that ends Dulce et Decorum est, is attacked in Owen’s poem whereas it is affirmed in Jessie Pope’s inspirational call to action and invocation. Wilfred Owen describes the idea of â€Å"pro patria mori† as an old lie. As untenable to anyone who has had any experience of real war. We must consider that Jessie Pope probably never visited the front line and never experience a man dying on her â€Å"guttering, choking, drowning† on his own fluids. The title of Owen’s poem is ironic, as the entirety of the poem seeks to disprove this notion. If we examine what Jessie Pope uses to make her poem such an effective example of propaganda, of making the idea of â€Å"pro patrai mori† noble, we see the anaphoric repetition of the who question. Of engaging the reader directly, of making the reader feel ashamed for not helping their â€Å"mother country†. She uses ctive verbs such as â€Å"tackle† and â€Å"grip† to add to this idea of excitement which is absent in the soldier’s poem. Which is absent in truth. In conclusion, we see the whereas Jessie Pope attempts to obscure the truth about the futility and atrocities of war, Owen, a soldier gives us a confrongtingly realistic portrayal of the death of just one man in a retreat on the western front. Whereas Jessie Pope affirms ideas of jingoism, Owen shows how the soldiers on the front line couldn’t care less. Whereas Jessie Pope inherently affirms the idea of dying in war as manly and noble, Owen shows us how unceremoniously and graphic real deaths in war are.

The Future of Cybersecurity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Future of Cybersecurity - Essay Example As we have seen $14 billion has been invested by the U.S federal government to empower its security sector (Amoroso & Amoroso, 2007). This research aims to answer some of the important questions that are associated with cyber security. In this scenario, this paper attempts to answer the questions such as what changes need to occur in the cyber security industry of the future and why. And is cyber security becoming more important to national security than the security of kinetic weaponry? The outburst of Cyber Assault The countries which are currently attacking United States include China and Russia. In fact, the chances of cyber security attacks have increased to a huge extent from these two nations because of their original revival in the global economy. The United States has been accusing both China and Russia of current attacks that the United States has been experiencing. The current technological advancement has greatly influenced several nations which have mainly exposed China, United States, UK and Bangladesh. It is quite expected that physical defense associated with countries particularly talking about USA will be affected which mainly with cyber terrors. Threats for controlling systems can be associated from various resources especially antagonistic governments, terrorist associations (staysafeonline.org, 2013). Additionally, for ensuring confidentiality and privacy in the informatics, it is exceedingly recommended that there should be a national level association to demeanor the in vogue studies and prepare reports on issues in the works at the crossroads of cyber attacks and privacy, society level suggested boards that would help speak to these issues from local or community perspectives. In addition, there is also a risk that even the restricted public cyber attacks that have been modeled after the ethics committees to take in hand the explicit situations concerning health data and privacy should be working in order to preserve the restrictions rel ated to the field of cyber security. In this scenario, some of the major suggestions regarding implementation of security measures to deal with these cyber attacks include adopting the restricted, well defined, well practiced and fruitful public security requirements, including a focused assessment of security attentiveness for all public systems, and contemplation for split funding of the work compulsory to achieve ample security. It is an admitted fact that securing the rights of the people and retaining their due confidence is the responsibility taken up by the government and this has been very intensely regulated by institutions (govtrack.us, 2012). President Obama perception on Cyber Attacks A Cyber security executive orders were issued by the president of the U.S.A, Barack Obama, drew the attention by proposing policies that could defend the country from the current torment of cyber attacks

Leadership style Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Leadership style - Essay Example Transformational leadership occurs when the leader broadens and elevates the followers’ interest and stirs the followers to look beyond their own interest for the good of others (Shermerhorn & Hunt & Osborn, 2003. p. 301). President Obama could be considered a transformational leader. Four characteristics of transformational leaders are idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration (Thompson, 2009). In my workplace I have seen how managers have applied different leadership styles in order to motivate employees to achieve higher levels of performance. Different managers within the organization used alternate leadership styles. The company’s general manager is a very outgoing person whose actions inspire the entire staff. His leader style could be categorized as being a transformational leader. One of my supervisors only cares about the operating results. On the few instances this supervisor has spoken to me it has been to provide criticism and exaggerate things. Despite her lack of personality the supervisor gets the job done. Her leadership style can be classified as a transactional leader. Transactional leaders involve leader-follower exchanges necessary for achieving routine performance agreed upon among the leaders and the followers (Schermerhorn, et. al., 2003, p. 301). After a corporate restructuring a few years ago at my workplace the managers wanted to changed the corporate culture. The executives believed that applying a new leadership style was a good initiative that would help deal implement change. The leadership chosen was House’s path-goal theory. The used of this leadership theory requires for the leader to adjust his / her behavior to support situational contingencies. There are four types of leadership that can be applied with the use of House path-goal. The four types of leaderships are directive, supportive, achievement-oriented,

Summary of Fat and Happy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summary of Fat and Happy - Essay Example Mary Ray Worley, in her article, "Fat and happy; in defense of fat acceptance", emphasis's that there is another way of looking at being fat; that is one needs to accept one's body size and enjoy it. Coming to terms with your body size gives you the opportunity explore ways and means by which you can be yourself and practice healthy living. She states that most fat people rush through dieting programs in the hope of conforming to society's pressure of loosing weight only to gain it back. This is a waste of time and money and obviously not the solution to the problem. Hillel Schwartz in her article 'Fat and happy" shares the same notions above as Mary Ray Worley. She also asserts that its society that make fat people unhappy and discriminates against fat people like other minority groups. The two articles have successfully brought out the discriminations and the wrong perceptions of society about fat people. It enlightens the reader on the fact that been fat is no crime and accepting one's body weight is the best solution to the problem of being fat rather than going on numerous diets. Schwarz asserts that "What causes the most damage is not the actual weight itself, but the fear of weight.

Critically analyse the role of senior managers as barriers to Essay

Critically analyse the role of senior managers as barriers to organizational change and explore how this can be addressed - Essay Example It is the objective of this study to delve deeper into this controversial premise, explore how management overcome resistance to change, compare how differing and contrasting theories impact the work organization, and finally to present methodologies to address resistance to proposed change(s) in the organizational, administrative and technological structures. As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, â€Å"Change is the only ever constant in this world†, and change is inevitable for evolution, development and fulfillment of any tangible or intangible object, concept or idea. Change creates opportunity for growth (Baker).It is the basic nature of man to resist change, and as Dr. Claude Brodeur states â€Å"We resist change. We choose to keep our habits, rather, the comfort of our habits† (Barriers†¦cited by E-commerce Expert ) It is this becoming too comfortable and complacent with our habits that gives rise to our distinct culture or behavior which often are not r eceptive to any disturbance or change,and as such, habit has become our individual culture and custom. Change cannot be easily undertaken by clashing with this individual culture, but rather by focusing on the work itself (Beer and Spector,1990). Change can be implemented on three potential areas: organizational structure, technology and people (Understanding and Managing Organizational Behavior,2006; Aladwani, 2001) and each area has its own definite, peculiar concerns that can impact and affect over-all employee attitude and behavior. Some changes may call for a company’s organizational upgrading and this may cover the company’s own policies, rules and regulations; the creation or abolishment of certain departments, altering the number of employees under each supervisor, or can be much simpler like clarifying someone’s job description (UnderstandingBehavior†¦ 2006). Technological change refers to new gadgets or equipment for better efficiency, while chang es in people refer to changing employees’ set behavioral patterns and attitudes. Of all these changes, change in people offer the most challenge and level of difficulty, and this is the area where this paper will focus thoroughly. Changing employees’ behavioral patterns and attitude perspective is a challenge for management, as employees are creatures of habit, and habits, as the saying goes, are hard to break. Early studies on change and resistance to change was undertaken by Kurt Lewin (Dent and Goldberg 1999; Burke, Lake and Paine, 2008) and clearly explained how habits are hard nuts to crack, and enumerates three steps to assimilate change. This three-step model is widely accepted when studying change theories and these can be summarized as unfreezing, moving and refreezing (Burke, Lake and Paine, 2008, p. 233). Lewin refers to a person as a â€Å"complex, energy field in which all behavior could be conceived of as a change in some site of a field† (Marrow, 1969). Marrow’s further research showed that David Bowers and Stanley Seashore , both pioneers of organizational behavior, acknowledged Lewin’s view that a person’s biological system of homeostasis, i.e., man’s natural ability to resist change should undergo a three step cycle: first, an unfreezing or disruption of an already existing steady state,

Doing business in Europe (German) 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Doing business in Europe (German) 2 - Essay Example logical changes, and even environmental changes generate ever new problems and challenges which companies must face in order to continue to operate successfully. For instance, changes in the enforcement and interpretation of tax laws in Europe have had an impact on the operations and viability of such companies in the European continent. The problems are tied to the way Europe for instance is pushing for higher tax collections from HP and other American firms, and that these problems in turn affect the profitability and the viability of companies such as HP (Duncan, 2012). Does HP enter at all, and what kind of entry strategy makes sense in light of this problem? When it has entered, does it pull out and miss out on the large and lucrative European market for computing products and services, or does it adapt and shift strategies in order to properly deal with the problem of more persistent and higher tax collection efforts on the part of the European governments? This is one case amo ng many others that this paper discusses, presenting the problems faced by companies such as Siemens, BMW, Airbus, and Mercedes Benz, and also presenting the ways in which these companies solved these problems, using a variety of approaches specific to their circumstances and the problems that they faced, with a focus on the German market (The Economist Newspaper Limited, 2013). In the case of HP and other American companies operating in Europe, the problem has to do with the way European governments have been pushing to collect more taxes from those companies, who in turn have been trying to move the other way via a global practice that sees those firms trying to avoid paying taxes by financial accounting maneuvering so that profits are reported in so-called tax haven territories. This is tied to the problem of HP being able to enter and operate successfully in the continent, and in what manner. In the end the solution seems to be to financially retain the identity of HP as an entity

Environmental Science Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Environmental Science - Research Paper Example According to all peer-reviewed scientific studies, if the quantity of greenhouse gasses being spewed into the air by automobiles, power plants and factories is not greatly reduced and quickly, the earth and its inhabitants will experience catastrophic consequences in the not too distant future. This paper will discuss the viability of various alternative fuels such as hydrogen, bio- fuels, solar, geothermal and nuclear sources which if put into practice on a wide scale would significantly reduce air pollution and perhaps circumvent the predicted effects. One solution to reducing automobile emissions may be found in vegetable fields. The conversion of corn or beets into ethanol is promoted by scientists as an environmentally and economically sound solution to global climate change concerns. However, this is hardly a new revelation. Rudolf Diesel, in 1897, fifteen years after the inventing the engine named after him said â€Å"The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insign ificant today. But such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal products of the present time† (Boles, 2005). ... Bio-fuels are derived from a readily accessible source and emit no pollutants. The most familiar kind, Ethanol, is a vegetable oil which is most often be mixed with gasoline and bio-diesel. It can be burned by diesel engines without altering the engine. Ethanol, a ‘green’ fuel, could be used as a bridge to the future of consumption and energy production because it can be used in existing engines unlike hydrogen. Another by-product of the bio-fuels industry is tit will ‘fuel’ the growth of agricultural businesses. Regrettably, it takes significantly more energy (from high-grade gasoline) to create ethanol than it produces. It takes approximately70 percent more energy to produce a gallon of ethanol than is contained in a gallon of ethanol. In addition, â€Å"fossil fuel is used in the production of corn or any crop used for ethanol and by increasing ethanol production will increase degradation of vital agricultural and water resources and will seriously contr ibute to the pollution of the environment† (Pimentel, 1998, p. 5). European country’s both produce and consume close to 90 percent of the world’s bio-fuel. Brazil makes up most of the remaining 10 percent. Brazil produces more bio-fuel than it consumes and does not import crude oil. The South American nation is energy independent and among the lowest producers, by capita, of greenhouse gasses. The quantity of bio-fuels produced and consumed is predicted to grow significantly over the next decade. â€Å"It is possible that (bio-fuels) could represent as much as 20 percent of all on-road diesel used in Brazil, Europe, China and India by the year 2020† (â€Å"Biodiesel†, 2006). In the U.S., the production of bio-fuels grew six-times during a two year period

Our Absurd fear of fat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Our Absurd fear of fat - Essay Example n society has been made to believe that being thin is good not only for the sake of health but also for the reason that thinness is associated with beauty. Popular media in the U.S. and in other countries have associated obesity and being overweight with several health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and, therefore, higher mortality. The law professor is seeking to dispel the fear that people have about obesity and being overweight. In his view there no study has shown a significant relationship between the mortality of people who overweight or obese, and trivial variations in weight. The article is targeted at the public in America, and by extension the whole world, and especially those who consider themselves to be obese or overweight. The author seeks to reassure his obese or overweight audience that they really may have no cause to worry about their weight. The subject under discussion in the text mainly relates to obesity and being overweight and the exte nt to which these conditions have been presented in negative light. Campos succeeds in appealing to the audience by relying on statistics. Campos relies on statistics to make the audience appreciate the extent of the â€Å"problem† and its supposed gravity. To this extent, he first makes the audience get sympathetic to those who are considered to be of abnormal weight before getting deeper into the subject and dispelling the audience’s fears. When he notes that nearly 7 out of 10 American adults are overweigh (par. 1), for example, he succeeds in drawing the attention of the audience who may quite easily be part of the statistics of overweight people. The author also appeals to the emotions of the audience by carefully choosing his words. For example, he states at one point that, †¦ baselessly categorizing at least 130 million Americans — and hundreds of millions in the rest of the world — as people in need of â€Å"treatment† for their â€Å"condition† serves the economic

Organization development Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Organization development - Case Study Example The Nissan Company was experiencing a number of problems after 17 years of exporting its vehicles known as Datsun cars to USA. The companies become the top selling import in the market of US. Even though the sporty datsun gained popularity due to its reputation as the ultimate thrill machine, there were a number of management missteps that led to long-lasting decline of the company from 1980. First there was the change of brand name from Nissan to Datsun which was not popular. Secondly, there was little infusion of innovative in their popular car Z. This led to its decline in popularity hence few people went for it. In addition to its already faced problems, there was even more trouble as Nissan was unable to establish flexible relationships with its suppliers. It was also recorded that, their parts were extremely expensive as ranged from 15 to 20% above domestic competitors. This was obviously the decision of management to set prices high but as it was found out it was a wrong strategy as it led to a decline in sales (Covey 28). Nissan also faced competition that was unfavorable from Honda that led to Nissan having an expense of 1000$. This was a discount offered to consumers who purchased their vehicles. All these challenges forced Nissan to restructure their plans but were not successful since they faced powerful trade unions which were against the layoff of workers. Renault was another company which was facing problems for example in the year 1984; it experienced a loss of $2.4 billion. Among the reasons was how managers or heads of departments turned the separated silos into baronies that made it hard for cross functionality to take place in the company. The company also had embraced a narrow minded culture whose basis of thinking was one that was at the expense of a view that was larger. Renault was also experiencing a problem of additional unnecessary expenses through the operation of some of its plants.

Spanish Empire Essay Example for Free

Spanish Empire Essay The Spanish had little respect for Indian culture. As soon as their boots hit the ground, they set about subverting and destroying every aspect of the Indian way of life. The Aztecs attempted to befriend the Spanish explorers, but when Hernan Cortez heard his capitol of Vera Cruz had been plundered, he capture and killed their leader Montezuma II. The Incas didn’t fare any better. Francisco Pizarro, driven mad with greed, kidnapped the Incan king, Atahualpa and forced his people to pay an outrageous ransom of gold before executing him. Soon after these tragic events, the Spanish set up encomienda, a system of government similar to the feudal system of the middle ages. Under this system, Spanish military commanders were granted land on which several Indian tribes lived. They forced these indigenous people to convert to Christianity, work in the gold and silver mines, and pay tribute for the protection of their homes. The natives of South America had little hope of fighting off these foreign invaders. When the Spanish arrived, they brought with them all of the technological advances of their homeland. The Aztecs and Incas had wood, stone, and bone weapons, the Spanish had steel and gunpowder. One Spanish priest said, â€Å"Gunpowder frightens the most valiant and courageous Indian and renders him slave to the white man’s command.† The only domesticated animals the Aztecs and Incas had seen was the dog. The Spanish brought horses. A mounted warrior was something the Indians had no experience dealing with and it frightened them greatly. The Spanish plundered their way through South America, destroying every important cultural artifact they came across. Virtually nothing remains of the religious writings and histories of these rich cultures. The wealth plundered from South America by the Spanish, made them extremely rich and powerful. Shipments of gold were regularly taken back home. Some ships carried as much as $15,000,000 worth of gold at one time. This made Spanish ships a target for piracy. To combat this, the Spanish invested much of their wealth into an armada. The Spanish armada was the most feared naval unit of its time. The Spanish set up smaller colonies in North America. Most of these were situated along the East Coast and were nothing more than black markets for pirate booty. Some Spanish explorers, like Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, made it all the way to the Grand Cany on. They were most likely the first European explorers to see it. In the end, these colonies were used as  a barrier of protection for Spanish gold interest in the south. Because of the enormous wealth gained from the rich natural resources of the new world, the Spanish would be very reluctant to let their territory go. As powerful as the Spanish empire became, it would soon meet with hardship and eventually disaster. The English and French understood the value of setting up an extensive trade network with the natives. The Spanish thought converting them to Christianity was more important, and this decision would come back to haunt them. The English dispatched privateers like Francis Drake to attack Spanish ships carrying shipments of gold. While reluctant to declare war on Spain, England had no problem funding terrorist like attacks against their shipping industry. This outraged this Spanish King Phillip, and he promptly dispatched his armada to attack the English criminals. The English destroyed his armada and subsequently gained dominance in the Atlantic and eventually in the Caribbean. With their armada destroyed and no trade network in the Americas, the Spanish slowly lost their grip on their once mighty empire.

Overview of Leadership Personality Theories

Overview of Leadership Personality Theories CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION â€Å"The study of leadership rivals in age the emergence of civilization, which shaped its leaders as much as it was shaped by them. From its infancy, the study of history has been the study of leaders—what they did and why they did it† (Bass, 1990). According to Keith Davis (1967), â€Å"Leadership is the ability to persuade others to seek defined objectives enthusiastically. It is the human factor which binds a group together and motivates it towards goals†. Barnard in 1938, defined leadership as, â€Å"The ability of a superior to influence the behavior of subordinates and persuade them to follow a particular course of action†. Leadership has a range of definitions but at its simplest it is concerned with the ability to influence others to accomplish goals. The concept of leadership, and the study of the phenomenon, has its roots in the beginning of civilization. Various work-related variables such as work environment, worker motivations, leaders, managers, leadership style, have been the subject of study for almost two centuries. (Gregory Stone, Kathleen Patterson, 2005). The organizational focus of the leader emerged over this period, from organizations operating with an authoritarian style to ones that operate with a more comfortable work environment. Today, organizations are in a transit stage of empowering, encouraging and supporting personnel in their personal and professional growth throughout their careers. The focus of leaders has changed over time, which has influenced and shaped the development and progression of leadership theory (Gregory Stone, Kathleen Patterson, 2005). Researchers have examined leadership skills from a variety of perspectives. Early analyses of leadership from the 1900s to the 1950s focused on identifying the differences between the characteristics of a leader viz. a viz. a follower. Study findings suggested that no single trait or combination of traits fully explained the abilities of a leader. Later studies, examined the influence of the situation on leaders skills and behaviors. Subsequent leadership studies attempted to distinguish effective from non-effective leaders. These studies attempted to determine which leadership behaviors were exemplified by effective leaders. Leadership studies of the 1970s and 1980s once again focused on the individual characteristics of leaders which influence their effectiveness and the success of their organizations. The investigations led to the conclusion that leaders and leadership are critical but complex components of organizations. Leadership is necessary for a variety of reasons. On a supervisory level, leadership is required to complement organizational systems (Katz Kahn, 1978) and to enhance subordinate motivation, effectiveness and satisfaction (Bass, 1990). At the strategic level, leadership is necessary to ensure the coordinated functioning of the organization as it interacts with a dynamic external environment (Katz Kahn, 1978). Thus leadership is required to direct and guide organizational and human resources toward the strategic objectives of the organization and ensure that organizational functions are aligned with the external environment (Zaccaro, 2001). Research on leadership has been divided into 8 major schools (John Antonakis, Anna T. Cianciolo, Robert J. Sternberg, 2004): Trait School of Leadership (1900s) Behavioral School of Leadership (1910s) Contingency School of Leadership (1960s) Contextual School of Leadership (1960s) Skeptics (1970s) Relational (1970s) New Leadership (1970s) Information Processing (1980s) The trait movement gave way to the behavioral styles of leadership in the 1950s. This line of research focused on the behaviors that leaders enacted and how they treated followers. The well-known University of Michigan (Katz, Maccoby, Gurin, Floor, 1951) and Ohio State (Stogdill Coons, 1957) studies identified two dimensions of leadership generally referred to as consideration (i.e., employee-oriented leadership) and initiating structure (i.e., production-oriented leadership). Leader behaviors are often discussed in terms of whether the behavior is oriented toward (a) task processes, (b) relational dynamics, or (c) change. One consistent theme in the literature is that behaviors can be fit into four categories: task-oriented behaviors, relational-oriented behaviors, change-oriented behaviors, and what we refer to as passive leadership. Initiating structure represents task-oriented behaviors. It describes behaviors such as defining task roles and role relationships among group members, coordinating group members’ actions, determining standards of task performance, and ensuring group members perform up to those standards. They describe leaders as being clear about expectations and standards for performance, and using these standards to shape follower commitment, motivation, and behavior. Moreover, initiating structure discusses dealing with deviations from those standards via the use of structure and routines. Relative to initiating structure, consideration leader behaviors describe more relational-oriented behaviors. In particular, leaders high on consideration show concern and respect for individual group members, are friendly and approachable, are open to input from others, and treat all group members as equals (Bass, 1990). A common theme among relational-oriented behaviors is that the leader acts in ways that build follower respect and encourage followers to focus on the welfare of the group. It should be noted that certain aspects of transformational leader behaviors (e.g., individualized consideration) also consist of a relational orientation, which is a point that will be revisited later in the manuscript. Leader behaviors oriented toward facilitating and driving change in groups and organizations represent a third category of leader behaviors that is conceptually distinct from task and relational-oriented behaviors. According to Yukl et al. (2002), change-oriented leader behaviors encompass actions such as developing and communicating a vision for change, encouraging innovative thinking, and risk-taking The present study deals with two dimensions of Leader Behavior, Initiating Structure and Consideration Structure. â€Å"Initiating Structure reflects to the extent to which an individual is likely to define and structure his role and those of his subordinates toward goal attainment† (Fleishman Peters, 1962). It refers to the leader’s behavior in endeavoring to establish well-defined patterns of organization, channels of communication, and methods of procedure. Initiating structure refers to getting the job done. The individual who exhibits behavior highly oriented toward initiating structure is one who sees or recognizes the job to be done and more to accomplish it. This individual is task-oriented. He strives to fulfill the purposes of the organization, often at the expense of others concerned. Initiating structure reflects behavior which: Emphasizes the quality of work. Clarifies everyone’s responsibilities. Is continually planning to get everything done. Offers new approaches to problems. Is first in getting things started. Encourages the meeting of deadlines. â€Å"Consideration Structure reflects the extent to which an individual is likely to have job relationships characterized by mutual trust, respect for subordinates’ ideas, and consideration of their feelings† (Fleishman Peters, 1962). It refers to behavior indicative of friendship, mutual trust, respect and warmth in the relationship between leader and members of his staff. Consideration reflects concern for individuals in a group and their feelings. The individual exhibiting behavior highly oriented to consideration, tries to maintain close understanding between members of a group. This person is more concerned with group cohesiveness than with accomplishing specific purposes. Consideration is reflected by a person when he: Finds time to listen to others. Does little things to make it pleasant to work with him. Shows interest in others as persons. Compliments others for their work. Has an open ear. Has others share in making decisions. A combination of both initiation structure and consideration structure is the most productive type of leader behavior. A study conducted by Bruce M. Fisher and Jack E. Edwards, on ‘Consideration and Initiating Structure and their relationships with Leader Effectiveness† suggested that situations play a major role in determining the best suitable leader behavior. Leaders play a very important role in the formation and functioning of teams. Henderson and Walkinshaw (2002), defined the effectiveness of a team as, â€Å"The accomplishment of a desired result, especially as viewed after the fact† and the measure of effectiveness as â€Å"The extent to which a team meets the demands which are placed upon†. Work teams in organizations have three features. First, they are real groups – intact social systems, complete with boundaries, interdependence among members, and differentiated member roes (Alderfer, 1977). Second they have one or more group tasks to perform, producing some outcome for which members bear collective responsibility and whose acceptability potentially can be assessed. Finally such teams operate in organizational context. This means that the group, as a collective, manages its relations with other individuals or groups in the larger social system in which it operates. To perform well, a team must surmount three hurdles. It must: (1) exert sufficient effort to get the task accomplished at an acceptable level of performance; (2) bring adequate knowledge and skill to bear on the work; and (3) employ task performance strategies that are appropriate to the work and to the setting in which it is being performed (Hackman and Morris, 1975). Teams are formed for the express purpose of accomplishing critically important goals. Its formation does not automatically lead to performance. In fact, without significant and ongoing nurturing by the leadership of an organization, teams can actually make things worse. It is helpful to understand the building blocks required for a team’s success. Robbins and Judge (2012) describe a three dimensional model that articulates its foundation. Dimension 1 relates to the importance of Context. Organizations need to support the construction and sustainability of a team, and the team itself requires an environment of comfort for its members; psychological safety is essential so members can feel free to speak up and engage without ridicule. Performance feedback and motivational systems must also be in place. Dimension 2 suggests Composition is vital. In addition to knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) of its membership, the leader needs to focus on the peoples components as well Dimension 3 reveals Process is important. Teams must have clear purpose and specific goals. It is hard to motivate without all members having a clear idea of the direction the unit is heading. In addition, mechanisms and agreements must be in place to deal with conflicts that arise and/or the members who are not â€Å"getting it done† Since teams are a dominant feature in organizations, its effectiveness is paramount to the success of the business. To that end, leaders must understand the dimensions that make a team successful and then work diligently to make it happen. In addition, when teams derail, mechanisms must be in place to bring it back to life; it is the responsibility of the leaders’ to make it happen.

Martin Luther King Jr History Essay

Martin Luther King Jr History Essay In the 1800s slavery in America was very normal, nobody looked in on. The slaves often came from Africa where they were picked up by boat and were brought to America. They were in America on the slave market to people sold into slavery, which they then had to work. The slaves had no rights and nothing to say. This went on for years like this. More and more people used their minds and there were also whites disagreed. There were people in revolt in 1860 and caused a civil war to liberate the slaves. Before the end of the civil war in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery. The black still had many problems in life. As they were much poorer than whites and were less and other rights they had were for example in some places not come. The black were seen as inferior. Also, they were often threatened or attacked by whites. Usually they were a member of whites than whites club called Ku Klux Klan, that society was against black people. Black was wrong according to their species / breed, so they were often threatened and discriminated against by the whites. Some examples of these measures against black: The training was for black people often less than the programs of the white people. She also had a different school than the white man, who was usually a worse school, which had a lower level. Many public places were forbidden for black people as I have mentioned such as cinemas, parks, etc. Even at the oddest places and you saw a difference against the black, for example, the toilets were of black and whites were separated so much bad for black than of whites. Also, the stores where no black people were allowed, they were such as to another shop for clothes when they had money for. This went on for years like this until finally there was a man who stood for the rights of people and especially the black Martin Luther King (Jr.). 2. Who is Martin Luther King (Jr.)? Martin Luther King (Jr.) was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta (Georgia) in the United States of America. His parents were both learned men. His mother was Alberta Christine Williams and his father was named Martin Luther King. His father was a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, there met his wife know. He was also a civil rights activist. The King family was a good and wealthy black family from Atlanta. The father of Martin Luther King could not racism against the black bear. He taught his children than that racism was bad and that everyone was equal. This anti-racist education was critical of Martin Luther King Jr..s Further life. Martin was at a younger age preoccupied with religion and found it very interesting. He wanted to become a pastor himself, but really wanted more he wanted people to think. On July 18, 1953 married Martin Luther King (Jr.) with Coretta Scott she is a musician and she was also someone who advocated equal rights and follower of the work of her husband. Together they had children too Yolanda Denise (1955), Martin Luther III (1957), Dexter Scott (1961) and Bernice Albertine (1963). In 1955 after he had finished his studies, he became minister in Montgomery, Alabama city. This is one of the southern states where the difference between black and white was well made. Scott Correta his wife had really not looking to go back to the southern states, because she was sick of it. She grew up with apartheid and hatred of the negro. But ÂÂ  Martin Luther King (Jr.) considered it his duty to the south to work hard. He wanted to make sure the black people a better future. His stay in Montgomery led him straight into the everyday problems of black people, he was also only 26year. In 1960 he returned to Atlanta, where it came from. In October 1960 he was arrested in a sandwich shop, but not because of his actions, but for a trivial traffic violation. He was imprisoned. This case has received attention across the country eventually did Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy free. He also had a few awards such as Nobel Peace Prize (1964), received by Pope Paul VI in Rome, man of the year by Time Magazine (1963), statue in New York, National Day in USA (Martin Luther King day) and many honorary degrees worldwide. 3. Position and the followers of Martin Luther King Criticism (Jr.). Martin Luther King (Jr.) fought for the civil rights of the people. He was sure that every person was equal and the same rights, meaning that while blacks and whites who wanted equal. He also had a great example that was Mhatma Gandhi from India who was also against violence was. The Indians came in opposition to the British under the leadership of Gandhi, because India was formerly a colony of England. The Indians had to work hard and really made use of the English. Gandhi was right that they fought against it, but wanted it without violence, nonviolent resistance So, like King did. King has worked on include the abolition of apartheid in the bus (bus boycott) and in public places. Through the good speeches and sermons of Martin Luther King (Jr.) wanted a lot of people both black and whites to campaign they were hopeful of him. Martin Luther King (Jr.) was for nonviolence and against discrimination and found that blacks and whites were equal. That was his dream. The supporters of King were especially poor black people. They saw King as their leader and gave their hopes for their rights arose. King by his actions, people could express their rage and show that they disagreed. The supporters were therefore often very poor and had no money. The children were raised by only their mother, because fathers often had to fight in the Vietnam War. The women often work, but were very poorly paid. Mostly clear was their boss and then as their inferior, and then was underpaid. Usually attended the black together together together in a neighborhood, a slum. Where no white people in sight, the black and whites lived are often separated. Also, the white people who join the thinking of Martin Luther King (Jr.) that also put their thinking. But it is mainly black supporters were in bad conditions, they relied on King, he was their hope. Despite the great King aanhand there was indeed critical. People were angry with him because actions often students who left school and participate in its actions. Sometimes children or young children of primary schools involved. Around 1961 and 1962 was marching through the streets of Albany (Georgia). As someone who march on Martin Luther King asked why he used children in the demonstrations that answer: that children have to express themselves and to demonstrate against the injustice done to all of their birth. It was also particularly about the future of the children. There was also criticism among blacks, who felt that everything should go faster. She wanted more rapid improvements in their situation. She wanted to use force, because they thought it might be faster. King continued to stand behind his position. He continued to believe that nonviolent resistance was the best thing they could do. Violence would only bring more violence and hatred would arise. Despite continued crit icism by King fight. 4. What did Martin Luther King (Jr.) for the black stuff and what did he outside de U.S.A? Martin Luther King (Jr.) demanded of the black that they used no violence, that nonviolent resistance was the best. It was difficult for black people angry to calm and quiet, but he managed with difficulty. He taught them some violent resistance was. 1. Its really any resistance. It takes courage, not for the fainthearted. 2. It is not intended to defeat your opponent, but your opponent will understand. 3. The attack is focused on the injustice done in the world. Not against the people. During a speech in Chicago, said Martin Luther King (Jr.): The violent man not only refuses to shoot his opponent but he refuses to hate him. That the Americans found strange. The man who lets his enemy will not return, according to him eventually win the battle, it believed Martin Luther King (Jr.). Why did Kings nonviolent resistance so important? Well he felt like his white opponents had shot that had no understanding among white people. If you object to violence only creates more violence and that solves nothing. The black would still have lost the battle because the whites were much more powerful. Through his non-violent resistance was also white on his side, got his way of handling things better understanding of the disparity between black and a white population. He undertook many actions in the United States of America, which you can read the next chapter actions of Martin Luther King (Jr.). He also made trips abroad. The mayor of Berlin invited him to do a speech for a large crowd in Berlin. Pope Paul VI received him in Rome. He also visited the Netherlands. In 1965 he was in Amsterdam to talk to people. Very important was his trip to India, the land of Gandhi. As you could read in Chapter 3, people in India were in revolt against the British led by Gandhi, but he pleaded like King for nonviolent resistance was therefore also the biggest example of Martin Luther King (Jr.). Gandhi was due to his opposition in jail. He did 3 weeks of hunger strike and other so long that the Indians were free. On August 8, 1948, India became independent. Unfortunately, who can not experience, 30januari he was shot by an Indian who saw nothing in nonviolent resistance that he found weakness. When King was still a student who has read books about Gandhi, so he learned how to organize nonviolent opposition had. That what he learned about nonviolent resistance he wanted black people to learn. Example, holding marches, which is a procession with people. Whats happening in Montgomery, said many black students, but also white students mostly from North Carolina. Since the students wanted an end to apartheid in snack bars and restaurants. She went right in, even though they were refused, they went down there and demanded to be served. It was days like this, every day. This be came known as sit-ins. This action ensured that more equality in hundreds of places created / came. Through his many speeches and actions, the support, but also enemies. He found that he could get problems with the whites. He and 3000 people were detained and arrested by a police commissioner, Eugene Conor. He was strongly against the actions of the protesters and against people like Martin Luther King (Jr.). The police went very rage against the demonstrators, mostly black. There were in America, images and people are really shocked. There were angry reactions from the country not only of blacks but also whites of the population. This provoked the anger forced the city to racial segregation in parks and cinemas and other public places should be abolished. And there were black are employed in the department store. There were more demonstrations in action. When his influence peaked in 1964 had won, he received the Nobel Peace Prize. Martin Luther King (Jr.) was seen as a man who coul d save the black community. He taught black people so violent resistance, but he also speeches abroad, where he also played on information, its most important trip was to India. 5. Actions of Martin Luther King (Jr.) This chapter discusses the two main actions of Martin Luther King (Jr.) supply, the bus boycott and the march to Washington DC. I had in the previous chapter described some smaller actions and demonstrations, but I feel that these are the two most important and famous. The first major action of Martin Luther King (Jr.) was the bus boycott. The reason was that the action of Rosa Parks, a black woman, refused to give her seat to a white man on the bus in Montgomery. Montgomery was required that as a black on the bus to a white face. Rosa Parks later said: I really do not know why I did not rise. I had nothing special planned. I was just tired from shopping and feet hurt. After the police arrived there was Rosa, she was arrested and fined 10dollar. When the black population of Montgomery heard that they were very angry and decided to hold a meeting. They made a plan and that plan had become a general boycott of the bus. This came forward a committee led by Martin Luther King (Jr.). The text that was made for the protest was do not take the bus to work, to town and from school etc. 5december. There is another black woman was arrested, said since refused to stand in the bus for a white man. Prefer to go anywhere, if you really need to work, take a taxi or ride with someone with you or walk. Come Monday at a mass meeting at 19:00 Molt Street Baptist Church for more information. On that day Monday 5december 1955 there were almost no black on the bus. The bus boycott went so very well. They never imagined that it would go so well. The protesters had a committee had to be remembered as a name that was: Montgomery Improvement Assocation, abbreviated MIA. King was the president so that night was a speech that she had made that afternoon. In the speech King would tell how he wanted to solve the racial problems, with violent protest and put pressure on the authorities. He wanted the black population was a unit together and revolt. The bus boycott was more comprehensive, they asked the people taking the bus again only if there were changes. The whites not picked a rose up and pulled the black neighborhoods and black people went there to bother. They wanted action but it did not stop. They were Martin Luther King (Jr.) is in prison, but t hat produced nothing, because they quickly released because the deposit paid. The bus was very angry because the black is no longer the bus came, they earned much less. Despite everything the police did nothing. There were many setbacks, but the black fought together. Also Martin Luther King (Jr.) went through despite a bomb attack on his house, he was not there but his wife and daughter were at my home, but were unharmed. Another setback was a Saturday afternoon in 1958 when Martin Luther King (Jr.) in a harem, King was a department store there in the book Stride Toward Freedom at the signing. The book was about the bus boycott in Montgomery. Then suddenly, and woman named Izola Ware Curry and asked King if he was Martin Luther King, where he yes answers. But at that moment was not looking, because a signature, she stuck him with a letter opener. King survived happily for the event. What began as a strike of 24 hours into a strike of one year. Because the black continued until they had achieved what they wanted to achieve. What finally worked. Supreme Court decided in 1956 that segregation on buses had to be shaved. This success came more and more protests and strikes, with the goal: equal rights for blacks. King had organised many marches, the most famous of these was the March to Washington DC. The march on Washington was held at 28augustus 1963, under the leadership of Martin Luther King (Jr.). The black population is now thought that they had waited long enough. She wanted to go but once freedom. In order to reach it, they had to perform actions. One of the black leaders, A. Philip Randolph, came up with an idea. He thought for a march to Washington and proposed to keep that. A few other black leaders doubted whether it would succeed. Suppose now is like walking out of hand and there are fights or there is no case, it would be completely wrong. The rest of the leaders had confidence in it and so was everybody, white and black, called to participate in the march on Washington. Then everyone could see that they were for freedom and equal rights for whites and blacks did. On 28augustus there were more people than they had thought there were as many as 250,000 people to the memorial of Abraham Lincoln, there would begin the march. 60,000 of those people were white. They also found that black should have equal rights as their. The whole march went well, there were no problems. Martin Luther King (Jr.) had to march a speech. He had prepared the speech in New York. During the speech, which was about the continuation of violent resistance, etc. Did he suddenly returned to his speech in June, while he used the words I have a dream . His speech was not as thought, but suddenly had a twist. Then came his most famous speech ever. Through this speech were more people standing behind King. Many whites were against racism and for equal rights were. There was also the media attention to the speech. That was very rare for the actions of blacks, there is usually only something in a newspaper when something has happened in such a violent action, but this time the newspapers were full of it. The march and speech I Have a Dream came on television. Other countries were themselves more concerned, the action was therefore greater than ever. The black freedom and would no l onger be seen as a slave. And so did this action, because finally something was going to change. These were the two most important and biggest and most famous actions that Martin Luther King has been done with them or 6. The assassination of Martin Luther King (Jr.). Martin Luther King (Jr.) always had many opponents. Many whites took his opinion stupid or bad, they could not like. He stood up for equal rights for black people. King had been threatened several times, as an autograph session that he was stabbed with a letter opener. This time he was lucky and was quickly out of the hospital. This was not his only setback in his life. There have also been several bomb attacks on his house, lucky there was rarely anyone at home or they were lucky and were unharmed. A time bomb was so bad that his house was completely destroyed. The perpetrators were found in whites racists. People who thought themselves better than other races or are black people. He also repeatedly seriously assaulted or attacked by racist opponents. It is also a few times that he was arrested and imprisoned, because they came out for equal rights for black people and white people. When he received the Nobel Prize for peace, he was arrested again 60 days later. Action because he wa nted to defend the black. There was a law established that black could vote. But if black people wanted to register so they could vote for what they never heard back. Whites people were too poor for black people to vote. There were laws, but they were hardly implemented. In 1968 4april fired a white man from a racist family, the fatal gunshot. Later it became known that James Earl Ray was. It was a sniper in front of the apartment at the motel across from the room of Martin Luther King (Jr.). He only needed one shot to shoot King. It all happened in Memphis, Tennessee. That same day, Martin Luther King said in a speech in the church, it is spoken about threats on the part of our white brothers. I would like to live long, but Im not worried about that now. Im worried about nothing. The news of the death of Martin Luther King (Jr.) was really a great message to the world very quickly spread throughout America and the rest of the world. The president, President Johnson came right on television, how he felt about the murder of King, he thought it was awful. He asked every citizen the violence King had fallen victim to reject. The speech came too late because within 24 hours after the announcement of the death of Martin Luther King had already struck the violence in Memphis. Snipers fired at the police and riots were conducted and shops looted. The pain was quickly transferred to other cities. Martin Luther King has given his life for his ideal: equal rights for b lack people and white people. Unfortunately, this ideal is not reality. Always get the black people seen as an inferior race. That just because a black / dark-skinned slaves in history. Yet Kings life for no nothing. He has put a lot of people think about, inequality and violence. He was buried in Atlanta 9april 1968. He had a funeral as slaves in those days before two donkeys pulled a cart containing the coffin was alone this time behind the procession walked thousands of times larger. There were about 15,000 people participated in the procession, most of which were white. The true facts of the murder was never known. James Earl Ray, the assassin, caused a new wave of attention on the place of Martin Luther King (Jr.) had. His comments and thoughts are still many people a source of inspiration. There is also a beautiful sentence on his tombstone: Free at last Free at last. Thanks God Almighty. I am free at last. That means: Free at last free at last. Thank you Almighty God. At last I am free. Afterword. While making this piece, I learned a lot about Martin Luther King (Jr.). I admire him for how he helped people and that what she did. Me it was a beautiful story of what he did pity the poor run off and get shot. I thought it was an educational mission. I did not always make much sense to make it, yet I am wiser or it is today. It was sometimes a difficult task to find the information. Unfortunately I have nothing to do with myself in pictures or the like. Because never in the square in Washington wouldve been just once want to go to see where Martin Luther King (Jr.) has done well his speech. Hopefully you will find it a good piece. resource list Sites: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King http://werkstuk.freddoweb.nl/mlk/mlkfr.htm http://www.spreekbeurten.info/King.html http://www.scholieren.com/werkstukken/8066 http://www.scholieren.com/werkstukken/6238 Books: The autobiografy: Martin Luther King (Jr.) Author: Edited by Clayborne Carson. People: Mother helps me with grammatica. My grandfather with information about Martin Luther King (Jr.). He was been a history teacher.

UK Education in Chaos :: social issues

UK Education in Chaos The British education system at one time was considered as one of the world's finest, admired and emulated by nations spanning several continents. Now it is in a state of disarray, reduced to nothing less than a complete shambles and plagued with corruption thanks to the implementation of the so-called Curriculum 2000. "Luck of the draw" is becoming an increasingly influential factor in today's exam lottery. This article's title draws on the sarcasm of a Warwick undergraduate contributing to the A Level newsgroup. Having been fortunate enough to take his A Levels back in the good old days when Edexcel was a reputable name, he was sceptical about the validity of students' current grievances. But the present state of the exam system means that come results day, such seemingly bizarre statements could be taken seriously. In all fairness, Edexcel were made the scapegoats [or "escape goats" as Jade from Big Brother would say] after a minor error by their printing company for a Maths paper resulted in disastrous consequences back in January. The media blitz that followed had everyone jumping on the bandwagon, venting all their fury at the exam board. Following the Yarm School head teacher's reporting of the unanswerable Maths question to the Beeb, suddenly allegations against poor old Edexcel reached new heights as they were blamed for more farcical errors. But with a sudden exponential increase in exam papers, these mistakes were inevitable. In fact such cock-ups had begun the previous summer, when in a much less publicised event, Question 1 in an AQA Physics A Level paper was impossible as it lacked essential data. From personal experience AQA's shoddy marking and virtually non-existent customer service means they deserve as much if not more criticism than Edexcel, with over 1 in 3 teachers finding AQA's marking quality unsatisfactory last year for some subjects. However, neither is at fault as much as the government, recklessly implementing these changes so that 24 million scripts had to be marked when teacher shortages.are clear. So why has Curriculum 2000 resulted in the introduction of these primary-school errors? Maybe because the endless module combinations and numerous resit opportunities have meant exam boards cannot sufficiently check through each and every one of the hundreds of different exam papers. AQA's report for January's A Level Literature paper casually mentioned how some of the options set had not been attempted by any candidates.

Financial Analysis of Oracle Corp Essay -- essays papers

Financial Analysis of Oracle Corp INTRODUCTION Background and History Oracle Corporation is a technology company that supplies software for the use of information management. They develop, manufacture, market and distribute computer software that helps other corporations manage their data so they can better grow and prosper. In 1977, Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates founded System Development Laboratories. After being inspired by a research paper written in 1970 by an IBM researcher titled â€Å"A Relational Model of Data for Large Shared Data Banks† they decided to build a new type of database called a relational database system. The original project on the relational database system was for the government (Central Intelligence Agency) and was dubbed ‘Oracle.’ They thought this would be appropriate because the meaning of Oracle is source of wisdom. In 1978, Software Development laboratories moved from their offices in Santa Clara to ones in Menlo Park, the heart of the Silicon Valley. To better explain what they did, they changed their name to Relational Software Inc., or RSI. In 1979, RSI developed and distributed its first commercial SQL database V2, there was no version 1. In 1982, RSI changed its name to Oracle Systems Corporation, which later changed again to Oracle Corporation. They reasoning behind this was that they thought by naming the company after the product it would help the company obtain more recognition. In 1983, Oracle decided to make the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) portable. They then introduce V3, the first portable database to run on Personal Computers, minicomputers and mainframes. In 1984, Oracle Corporation’s revenues reach $12.7 million and they move into a new eighty-four thousand square foot building in Belmont, CA. They also went international by working with companies in Canada, Netherlands, and a limited portion in the United Kingdom. In 1985 they hit $23 million in revenues and expanded to Austria, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland. Their Initial Public Offering was on March 12, 1986, the same year their revenues reached $55 million. The stock opened at a price of $15 and closed at $20.75. Oracle Corporation expanded to Australia, Finland, France, Hong Kong (limited), Norway, and Spain. In 1987, Oracle’s revenues were $131 million, as ... ...rs, setting a good trend for the corporation. They also have a very low debt-to-equity ratio, indicating that they have enough equity to easily pay off any funds acquired from creditors. As a creditor I would feel safe in lending them funds for any future projects or endeavors. Bibliography: WORKS CITED Oracle Corporation 2000a. Investor Relation – Corporate History. 20 July. Internet: http://www.oracle.com/corporate/. Oracle Corporation 2000b. Investor Relations – Financials. 21 July. Internet: http://ww.oracle.com/corporate/. Oracle Corporation 2000c. 1999 Annual Report – Introduction. 21 July. Internet: http://www.oracle.com/corporate/annual_report/99/index.html. Oracle Corporation 2000d. Financial Highlights. 22 July. Internet: http://www.oracle.com/corporate/annual_report/99/financial/index.html?finhgh99.html. Moyer, Charles R., and McGuigan, James R., and Kretlow, William J. 1998. Contemporary Financial Management. South-Western College Publishing: Cincinnati, Ohio, 64-106. America Online, Inc. 2000. Personal Finance – Investment Research. 30 July. http://research.web.aol.com/index.adp?T1=orcl&item=4.