Hagar Currie Shipley from the novel “The Stone Angel” by Margaret Laurence and Edgar Gallant Essay

Through the character Hagar Currie Shipley from the novel â€Å"The Stone Angel† by Margaret Laurence and Edgar Gallant, we can see that life experience and religion have certain affects on people which may change as they grow older. Those impacts can be for the good or the bad. These decisions are made by the people who experience something so great that had changed their minds. When someone goes thought something that might have changed their lives then they sometimes become a different person. Hagar Shipley is often found in contact with her past but not with her emotions. She had been thought a lot in her life and one thing was holding her back which lead her to make the decisions she did. On the other hand, Edgar Gallant, uses his emotions to share his past with his relatives and loved ones. Being this way Edgar became the person he is now. These two people are unique in their own ways but they still have certain similarities with their lives experiences. First Paragraph Hagar Shipley’s life experience has an important affect on her present self since she keeps on leaving the present whenever she feels uncomfortable. In her old age, she escapes the present through daydreaming and wanders around in her past in search of a situation where she had control instead of having to deal with the present situation. For example when Hagar is given Barium by the doctor at the hospital and she is wondering what will happen next: â€Å"I’ve waited like this, for things to get better of worse, many and many a time. I should be used to it. So many years I waited at the Shipley’s place†¦Ã¢â‚¬  We see here that Hagar does not feel comfortable in the present being given a substance she does not know. Therefore Hagar leaves the present in search of a situation she has been in previously where she knows what will happen. Hagar does not only escape from the present mentally but also physically. Even though Hagar is a very proud woman, she becom es progressively more powerless to care for herself and therefore becomes an unbearable tension on her son, Marvin and his wife, Doris. This tension becomes even worst as she takes a trip away from home leaving them stranded, not knowing where she has disappeared: â€Å"Oh dear, you threw an awful scare into us. Why should you go and do such a thing, anyway, mother? When I came back from the store, and found you weren’t there, I nearly when out of my mind. Its been so worrying for us, and we felt so awful, having to go to the police. They looked at me in such a funny way, as though I should’ve taken better care, but how on earth was I to know you’d do a thing like that?† We see here the problems that Hagar has inflicted upon her son and his wife. We do not hear very often of an old lady of ninety two years old running away from home. Hagar needs care because she has become a child. Hagar was never a child because her father made her grow up faster then her age. So as Hagar looks into her past at her childhood she sees a grown up child, so in her old age, she became the child she never was. Hagar’s college education was not a very important part of Hagar’s life even though it has prevented her to live the care free of a young growing women. In those days, college was not the same for girls and boys. We can see this through a quote from Jason Currie: â€Å"It’s not the same for you-there’s no women here to teach you haw to behave like a lady.† Jason was sending Hagar East to learn how to become a lady, not for work related knowledge. This is shown by Jason when Hagar come home two years later: â€Å"Do you think I sent you down East for two solid years just so you could take a one-room school?† Hagar’s father did not need her to learn to do any type of work, he had sent her there for her to be pretty and know how to behave herself like a lady to show off to the entire town to show off his daughter. â€Å"You’re a credit to me. Everyone will be saying that by tomorrow. You’ll not work in the store. It wouldn’t do.† We here realizes that Jason has sent his daughter Hagar to college so that he could be proud of her. Hagar is also very proud as we can see when her father hits her: â€Å"I wouldn’t let him see me cry. I was so enraged.† This is pride, she has inherited from her father. Her father then realizes that she will not let him see her cry and says: â€Å"You take after me, you’ve got backbone, I’ll give you that.† From this quote, we can see that Hagar’s pride comes directly from her father. Hagar once said:† â€Å"Pride was my wilderness and the demon that led me there was fear.† She has been afraid of being unrespectable which is why she decided to go to college and was easily convinced that it was she that should go and not Matt. Afraid of needing too much and giving too much, Hagarâ€℠¢s pride is both unsettling and inspirational. Second Paragraph Edgar Gallant’s life experience and past memories have an important effect on his life and relationships with others. Edgar had a very interesting past that affects him even today. His past affects his career as a volunteer in the later years of his life as he helps out others with his knowledge. He has been asked to take part in over a dozen organizations due to his previous success in his life’s work. Not thinking he has fulfilled his dream and what he was sent here to do, he has accepted to help out in about nine different association for the public usually as a president or vice president of comities. Edgar Gallant uses his past, not to hide, but to enrich his every day’s work. Unlike Hagar, Edgar has usually worked in a team thinking that several brains are better then one, sharing information to reach a better solution that one could not come up with alone. Edgar does not hide his emotions, he believes that hiding a certain part of them is good in the work environment because of the professional look and rational approach to have in a work environment with work partners. On the other hand, he is very open towards his family and shares everything with them. He has shared hi time between work and family always leaving enough time to carry on his duties as a responsible father. Sharing his feeling with his wife and children, he was able to create a feeling of trust and educate his children in the way he thought was best. Edgar found that sharing some degree of emotion show as well as the rational view of things was the best approach in family situation. It is good to show emotion to a certain degree. One does not want to overwhelm, but share his problems with his family. â€Å"I have always consciously made an effort not to let emotion dominate reason.† This shows that he shares his emotions with others but does not let them take over by keeping a rational look on things. Edgar was never really proud in the same way as Hagar. He was often given position he though were above his expertise, but decided that since others had that trust in him, that he would not deceive them so he went on to do what was expected of him, never letting anyone down. Third Paragraph Hagar’s take on religion has changed throughout her life. In her younger age, Hagar was very religious and went to church with her father. Then she found out that her father was having an affair with Lotions mother and since then she started being less religious. After John’s death Hagar stopped being completely religious. She prayed for him to live, but to no avail as she explained to Mr. Troy. She feels that praying is useless because god will not respond to her in the end. Edgar’s take on religion has also changed with age. When he was a boy, his family was very religious. At the age of 13, he was sent to a boarding school which had a priests where all his companions and teacher were extremely religious. As soon as he left the boarding school, he then realized that he did not agree with some of the religious concepts he was taught. From then on he decided to take a different look on religion. As he got old he leaned more about the world and that added to his concepts to religion which was also a reason why it changed. Just like Hagar, Edgar does not currently practice a certain religion but has beliefs of his own inspired from the Catholic Church and books. Edgar has changed his view on religion due to philosophical books, religious texts from other religions and his work which is about social justice and truth to the people. Due to his knowledge as he grew older, he has come to realize that not one religion is true, but that all of them have something good and that religious belief is a sum of all of them. He also mentioned that there is not way of knowing which religion is the right one so taking bits from all of them can maybe create a better understanding from all of them. He also did not let religion take over his life which enabled him to work more frequently. From her childhood as a daughter of a Scottish merchant to her marriage, Hagar has fought a long and wrong battle for freedom and respect. In the end she realises her wrong doings when it became too late, she has gone with her life without thinking about her actions and the consequences. When someone does not know if they are at fault they keep repeating those actions until its too late to reverse them. Edgar on the other hand has nothing to look back on, he knew exactly what he wanted and went right for it. In Edgar’s case he was raised by and worked hard to earn respect which in the end he was granted respect by others. The work he has done for the society is incredible and he is still doing so in a manner that will benefit the society and him self. He will not stop working until he probably can’t function anymore. The benefit that he is getting out of it is the joy of being able to make a difference. Hagar unfortunately realized this near the end of her life, when time was running out. She realized this when she only performed one task to help out the girl in the hospital. If only she realised that helping others is rewarding and makes a difference, then she could have started at an earlier age. Whether it’s a person’s character or religion, as one grows older their views change. This could include a change in heart or opinion.

Oedipus the King: A Theme Analysis

Oedipus the King is one of the group of three plays by Sophocles known as the Theban plays since they all relate to the destinies of the Theban family of the Oedipus and his children.   The other two plays of this group are Antigone and Oedipus at Colonus. Oedipus the King relates the story of Oedipus who reached Thebes, having killed on the way an old man with whom he picked a quarrel. The city of Thebes was then suffering terribly because of the monster, the Sphinx. He solved her riddle and citizens of Thebes offered him the kingdom as city is afflicted with the loss of their king, who had been murdered while on a pilgrimage.So he assumed the power and married the widowed queen. Here the tragedy of Oedipus takes its final course. As city was afflicted with famine, so Delphic oracles were consulted who disclosed that troubles of the city arose from the fact that it is harboring an unclean person, the murderer of late king Laius. Oedipus resolved to get to the bottom of this myster y and punish the wrongdoer. However, he ultimately discovered that the culprit he was seeking was none other than he himself. He blinded himself and went on exile. There are various standpoints for looking at the theme of the play.It may be considered as a play enacting the theme of insecurity and illusoriness of human happiness. Or the theme may be that of the inadequacy of human intelligence in resolving the riddles of destiny. The identification of themes in Oedipus differs from reader to reader and from critic to critic. I think that Sophocles wanted to convey that a man is plunged from prosperity and power to ruin ands ignominy due to his own human failings.   It was something[1] in his character that brought his tragedy. Anything foreign to his own character only augmented the tragic proceedings but it was only his own disposition that made him a prey to disgrace. Dodds is of the view, â€Å"If Oedipus is the innocent victim of a doom which he cannot avoid, does this not re duce him to a mere flaw puppet?† Whereas Knox (1984) is of the view that Oedipus’ tragedy takes place due to tragic flaw[s] and fate as no part to play in Oedious Rex.Distinguished Professor Butcher has identified four possible ranges of human failings in Oedipus. The foremost of these connotations is an error due to unavoidable ignorance of circumstances whereas an error caused by unawareness of conditions that might have been identified and for that reason to some extent morally blameworthy The third range is â€Å"A fault or error where the act is conscious and intentional, but not deliberate. Such acts are committed in anger or passion.† (313) Where as fourth one is â€Å"A fault of character distinct, on the one hand, from an isolated error, and, on the other, from the vice which has its seat in the depraved will†¦a flaw of character that is not tainted with a vicious purpose.† (315)The crucial point is that whether Sophocles wants us to think th at Oedipus has basically unsound character. One way of deciding this question is to examine what other characters in the play say about Oedipus. The only result that we can arrive at in this way is that Sophocles intends us to consider Oedipus an essentially noble person. In the opening scene of the play, the priest of Zeus refers to him as the greatest and noblest of men and the divinely inspired savior who saved Thebes from being destroyed by the Sphinx. The Chorus also considers him to be noble and virtuous. They refuse to believe in Tireseas accusations of him. When catastrophe befalls Oedipus, not a single character in the play justifies it as a doom which has deservedly overtaken Oedipus. (Dodds, p.39) So there were certain other tragic flaws that were acting behind the curtain to bring about Oedipus tragedy. Let us examine those.Oedipus seems to be obsessed with his own intelligence and this leads him to very unfortunate and uncomfortable situations. This human weakness[2] of Oedipus laps over with his pride as he is extremely proud of the fact that he was able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx which had proved too much for any other person. He thinks that Gods has capacitated him with intelligence and wisdom to solve riddle that the Thebes is afflicted with. Oedipus even taunts Tireseas on his inability in solving the Sphinx’s riddle. He says;And where were you, when the Dog-faced Witch was here?Have you any word of deliverance then for our people?There was a riddle too deep for common wits;A seer should have answered it, but answer there came noneFrom you†¦..  Ã‚   (12-16)After calling the soothsayer false prophet, Oedipus boasts of his own skill in having solved the puzzled which proved too much for the blind seer;Until I came—I, ignorant Oedipus, came—And stopped the riddler’s mouth, guessing he truthBy mother-wit, not bird-lore.  Ã‚   (17-19)So he describes Tireseas predictive cautions as the whims of a fanatic and opposes the seer’s prophecy with arguments of his own. Self-confidence and pride in his own wisdom is an outstanding feature of his character that also brings his tragedy. Here Oedipus also fulfills the traits of Aristotelian tragic hero as he possesses a noble tragic flaw. The man who sets out on his new task by sending first for the venerable seer is not lacking in pious reverence; but we also observe that Oedipus manifests unrestrained arrogance in his own intellectual achievement. No seer found the solution, this is Oedipus boast; no bird, no god revealed it to him, he â€Å"the utterly ignorant† had to come on his own and hit the mark by his own wit. This is a justified pride but it amounts too much. This pride and self-confidence induce Oedipus to despise prophecy and feel almost superior to the gods. He tell the people who pray for deliverance from pathos and miseries they are afflicted with if they listen to and follow his advice in order to get a remedy.La stly his unrelenting pursuit of the truth is demonstrated when he believes he is the murderer and that Polybus was not his father, yet he continues with his search with the statement, â€Å"I must pursue this trail to the end,†(p.55).   These characteristics were only fuel to the fire and added to the pride created a blaze that consumed him. Bernard Knox eulogizes Oedipus’ â€Å"dedication to truth, whatever the cost† (p.117)Another characteristics of his character that contributes toward his tragedy is Oedipus’ longing for thoroughness. His inquisitive nature is not content with anything which is either half-hearted or incomplete. Nor can he brook any delay. He damns that the direction of the oracle should be given effect at once. As before, Oedipus speaks on the basis of the workings of his own mental faculties that has been tested time and again and have proved their intelligence.It can be said that the tragedy of Oedipus is the result more of his go od qualities than his bad ones. It is his love for Thebes which makes him send Creon to Delphi to consult the Oracles. It is the same care for his subjects who make him proclaim a ban and a curse on the murderer of Laius. It is his absolute honesty which makes him include even himself within the curse and the punishment. He replies by saying â€Å"Sick as you are, not one is sick as I, each of you suffers in himself†¦but my spirit Groans for the city, for myself, for you†.  (62-62)He is angry with Tireseas because he is unable to tolerate the fact that   although the prophet says that he know who the murderer of Laius is , he refuses top give the information to the king. His rage and rashness is due to the fact that the masses are suffering and Tireseas does not provide the murderer’s name. Oedipus cannot but regard this as a clear manifestation of the seer’s disloyalty to his city.To Oedipus the discovery of truth is more important than his own good an d safety. Even when it seems that the investigation that he is carrying on will not produce any result which will be him, he decides to carry on with it. He is so honest with himself that he inflicts the punishment of self-blinding and banishment from the city of Thebes.So his moral goodness also seems as a human failing that brings his ruin.There is another important human failing that contribute toward his tragedy i.e. his intellectual myopia. He has a limited vision and is unable to assess the situations in a right perspective. Robert L. Kane (1975) puts this preposition in this way; â€Å"He[Oedipus] was the victim of an optical illusion†. (p. 196) The juxtaposition between â€Å"outward magnificence and inward blindness of Oedipus and the outward blindness and inward sight of the prophet† (Kirkwood, p. 130) depicts two types of blindness i.e. physical and intellectual. One is related to physical sight whereas the other, the most pernicious type of blindness, perta ins to insight. Tiresias is physically blind but whereas Oedipus is blind intellectually. This intellectual blindness of Oedipus also contributes greatly to lead him to his tragic destination.Oedipus possesses faultless physical vision throughout play except in the end but he remains blind to the reality regarding himself. At one point in the play, he has the ability to see but he is not willing to do so. He intellectual vision comes with his physical loss of sight but he is unable to cast away the psychological â€Å"slings and arrows† and mental sufferings that intellectual blindness has afflicted on him. So his blindness, both intellectual at the start of the play and physical at the end of the day, is the worst.Blindness interweaves with the main plot from the very start of the play when Oedipus says, â€Å"I would be blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet. (14)† It manifest that he refers to blindness that if h will not recognize the distress of his people. This shows his physical sight but intellectual blindness as he himself was the cause of those afflictions.   Later he acknowledges that although Tiresias is physically blind but has prophetic power when he says, â€Å"Blind as you are, you can feel all the more what sickness haunts our city. (344)†. Tiresias response refers to the gravity of Oedipus’ inability to see his future. He says, â€Å"How terrible – to see the truth when the truth is only pain to him who sees! (359)†Later on Oedipus denounces his own acknowledgement of Tiresias as a seer and abuses him by saying, â€Å"You've lost your power, stone-blind, stone-deaf – senses, eyes blind as stone!(423)† and â€Å"Blind, lost in the night, endless night that nursed you! You can't hurt me or anyone else who sees the light – you can never touch me. (425)†. It is illustrated that it is Oedipus who is blind intellectually as he is not willing to comprehend the situation and to understand the truth. In retort to his slur, Tiresias refers to worst form of blindness that Oedipus is suffering. He says, â€Å"You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, to the house you live in, those who live with – who are your parents? (470)† and foretell, â€Å"Blind who now has eyes, beggar who now is rich, he will grope his way toward a foreign soil, a stick tapping before him step by step. (517)†.These supportive texts clearly manifest that Oedipus was afflicted with severe intellectual myopia as he was unable t see the truth that was pervasive all around him. Actually he was unwilling to see truth around him, prior to his physical blindness and afterwards as he blinds himself not to observe the things around him. His is the most insidious form of blindness.Oedipus can be held guilty due to another human flaw—his inability to take appropriate preventive measures. It is said that he fails to take logical steps and precaution s which would have saved him from committing the crimes.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Could not Oedipus†¦have escaped his doom if he had been more careful? Knowing that he was in danger of committing parricide and incest, would not really a prudent man have avoided quarrelling, even in self-defense and also love-relations with women older than himself?†¦ real life I suppose he might. But we not entitled to blame Oedipus either for carelessness failing to compile a hand list or lack of self-control in failing to obey its injunctions.†Ã‚  Ã‚   (Dodds, p.40)Oedipus has necessary human failings of anger and rashness. He rashly jumps into conclusions. Choragos points this out in scene II after a long speech by Creon who tries o remove the ill-fed and hastily formed suspicions of Oedipus about Creon. They say, â€Å"Judgments too quickly formed are dangerous† (II, 101)But Oedipus justifies this, arguing that ruler have to take quick decision. He says later on, â€Å"But is he not quick in his duplicity? / And shall I not be quick to parry him?† (II, 102-103) Later at the conclusion of scene II, Creon indicates the same fault in his character by saying, â€Å"Ugly in yielding, as you were ugly in rage! / Nature like yours chiefly torments themselves.† (II, 151-152) It is this rashness that makes to not merely suspect Creon but accuse him and even declares that he deserves the sentence of death. The rashness can be observed in his treatment of Tireseas. Oedipus does not lack analytical thinking but his rashness does permit him to weigh up the situation rightly and he makes hasty decision. In retrospect we see that rashness of Oedipus has something to do with the murder Laius at the hands of Oedipus. The self-blinding also is an act of rashness although Oedipus tries to give several arguments in favor of it.His bad temperament is demonstrated in the squabble between Teiresias and himself, where Teiresias utter the propheti c truth and Oedipus retorts, â€Å"Do you think you can say such things with impunity?† and afterward attributes him as a â€Å"Shameless and brainless, sightless, senseless sot!†(p.36). His character is further marked with suspicion about Creon to whom he considers as a conspirator. Kirkwood is of the view that â€Å"The Creon he [Oedipus] is battling is a figment of his imagination† (Kirkwood, 1958. p. 132) and nothing else. He says with reference his tà ªte-à  -tà ªte with Tiresaeas, â€Å"Creon! Was this trick his, then, if not yours?† So here his imagination works together with anger and rashness.All the above-mentioned manifestations of tragic flaw, their supported arguments and views of the critics clearly proves the thesis that Oedipus unavoidable ignorance was the major factor of his tragedy because he was unable to locate that the man whom he assaulted on the crossroads to Thebes was his father. Secondly, if he would not have been occupied by his aspirations, he would have possibly explored the horror of his deed and could have avoided the additional tricky situations by not marrying his mother. Thirdly, his â€Å"conscious and intentional† act includes his decision to â€Å"bring what is dark to light† (133).Furthermore, as result to revelation of Tireseas, he charges Creon with conspiracy and murder and denounces Tireases as an accessory. Although these actions were intentional and bring Oedipus to tragic end but have a clear background that illustrate that these actions were not â€Å"deliberate†. Fourthly, all these errors originate from a hasty and obstinate temperament, unjustified anger and excessive pride that compel him to an energized inquisitiveness. With the development of the plot, all these ascriptions of his character jumps back with amplified force on his head that finally culminates at his tragedy. Knox (1957) sums up in this way;â€Å"the actions of Oedipus that produce the catast rophe stem from all sides of his character; no one particular action is more essential than any other; they are all essential and they involve not any one trait of character which might be designated a hamartia but the character of Oedipus as a whole† (31).Here I want to point out that all these human failings were not innate or inborn but he developed these as his habitual formations. It was inculcated in his spirit so that it became a part of his natural disposition. If it were innate then he could not be blamed for his downfall. It was human failings rather than the destiny that brought his tragedy. So Sophocles has successfully put across that a man is plunged from prosperity and power to ruin ands ignominy due to his own human failings.ReferencesBloom, Harold. Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. : New York : Chelsea House Publishers. 1988. Butcher, S.H. Aritotle’s theory of Poetry and Fine Arts. Hell and Wang: New York. 1961.Dodds, E. R. On Misunderstanding the Oedipus. Greece & Rome. Vo. 13. No. 1. (Apr.1966). Pp. 37-49.Cook, Albert Spaulding. Oedipus Rex, a mirror for Greek drama. Prospect Heights, Ill. : Waveland Press.1982. Gould, Thomas. Greek tragedy. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press. 1977. Gould, Thomas. Oedipus the King: A Translation with Commentary. Englewood Cliffs. 1970. Kane, Robert L. Prophecy and Perception in the Oedipus Rex. Transaction of theAmerican Philological Association. Vol. 105 (1975). pp. 189-208.Kirkwood, G.M. A study of Sophoclean drama. Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University Press. 1958. Knox, Bernard. Oedipus at Thebes. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1957. Knox, Bernard. Introduction to The Three Theban Plays. New York & London: PenguinBooks,1984.O’ Brien, John M. Twentieth century interpretations of Oedipus Rex; a collection of critical essays. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall. 1968 [1] Moral flaw, habitual formations, behavioral defect etc. [2] in any other context, pride in one’s intelligence cannot not a human weakness but course of the play depicts clearly that in Oedipus the King it was a human weakness.

Effect Of Inflation, Pro and Cons Of Inflation

This graph above show the inflation rate and gdp rate in Malaysia for the year 2005 until 2012. http://zaidzainuddin. wordpress. com/2012/12/14/the-effect-of-inflation-on-malaysias-economic-growth/ The effect of inflation on economic growth is debatable and can act as either a positive or a negative influence. Local and international researchers have conducted studies on the relationship of Malaysia’s inflation rate and economic growth. It can be concluded that over the past decades, there has been a general non-linear relationship between inflation rate and economic growth in Malaysia. However, in the long run inflation has a positive effect on Malaysia’s economic growth. This correlates with econometric study as they too reported a positive impact of inflation in the long run. Pro & Cons Of Inflation Inflation may have a positive effect in Malaysian economy. This is because deflation is very harmful, inflation enables adjustment of prices and wages and boost economy growth. The first advantage is deflation is very harmful. Deflation is a negative effect of inflation. For example, the Japanese economy has suffered lower growth because of deflation. When prices are falling people are reluctant to spend money because they are concerned that prices will be cheaper in the future, therefore, they keep delaying purchases. Second advantage is moderate inflation enables adjustment of prices and wages. It is argued a moderate rate of inflation makes it easier to adjust relative wages and prices. For example, it may be difficult to cut nominal wages (workers resent wage cut). But, if average prices are rising, it is easier to increase good workers’ wages more than unproductive workers. Third advantage is inflation can boost growth. At times of very low inflation the economy may be stuck in a recession. Arguably targeting a higher rate of inflation can enable a boost to growth. This view is controversial. Not all economists would support targeting a higher inflation rate. However, some would target higher inflation, if the economy was stuck in a prolonged recession. Inflation is considered to be a problem when the inflation rate rises above 2%. The higher the inflation, the more serious the problem it is. The first problem is inflation tends to discourage

Reading journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Reading journal - Essay Example Nye Jr. states that there were more differences than similarities in industrial development in Britain, Germany, American and Japan (1). Moreover, Nye Jr. points out that industrial development in China, India and Brazil will not reflect that of U.S and Germany when completed (1). Additionally, Nye Jr. argues that the influence of America in other country is ‘situational’ and will diminish with time. According to him, the U.S was in the forefront in the current information revolution hence Americanizing other cultures through television programs and internet. However, if any other country took the place of Americans, the same would have happened (Nye Jr. 1). Of more importance, Nye Jr. maintains that some have strongly held to their cultural identity. For instance, the Japanese are persistent to their unique culture despite external influences from other countries. In addition, Nye Jr. argues that vibrant cultures borrow useful ideas from other cultures that need not to be the U.S (1). Finally, Nye Jr. points out that globalization is a double edged sword citing that in some incidences, the American culture has not only received a backlash but there have been efforts to change the culture itself. For example, the American policies concerning capital punishment and genetically modified foods draw a lot of criticism in Europe (Nye Jr. 1). Further, Nye Jr. argues that the American culture will diminish as people from other areas of the world gain increased technological capabilities (1). Interestingly, this article relates to several current personal experiences at various areas. Firstly, globalization has led to change in the modes used in teaching students in school. For instance, in the recent past, our tutors began training us through online programs that enabled easy assessment of individual performance. Secondly, at individual level, due

Operation management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Operation management - Essay Example This essay states that the task of operation management team is to convert the inputs into the output in the most beneficial way. They are the real causes for the net operating profit of the organizations. Operation management team has to take care of all the processes starting from the acquisition of resources to delivering the products or services to the end user. They have to come across the tactical and strategic level of the operations. The strategic level includes deciding the structure of service networks, determining the size and location of manufacturing plants and deciding the technology of the supply chain etc. The tactical level issues are project management, plant layout, selection of equipments etc. Now a day’s, operations management is employing more and more information technology to get the work done more accurately and more effectively. This is being done to improve the organization’s respond to the five objectives of operations: speed, flexibility, de pendability, quality and cost. These are the core objectives of the operation management. The think tanks of the organization are up to date about the information technologies that can be applied to the each and every process of the operation management. The field of technology and operations management is concerned with the design, management and improvement of the processes and operating systems. The global market experiences a rapid change of technology and the companies face big challenges to compete with the world class standards in production and delivery of products and services. ... ramatically due to the emergence of a truly global economy, significant advances in information and process technology, and the continued growth of services. The Technology and Operations Management Area (TOM) focuses on value creation on a global scale through innovative product and process design, project management as well as on value capture through effective supply chain management† (Technology and Operations Management 2011). The theory of constraints (TOC) is much successful application of information technology in operations management. The TOC starts with through-put driven business policy, seven step resource management methodology through the cost/utilization capital investment technology and ends with drum-buffer-rope production activity procedure. Total quality management (TQM), just in time (JIT) and the theory of constraints are well absorbed in the field of operations management. Some of the information systems used in production and operations management are gi ven below: Inventory system: Inventory system uses techniques like just in time, ABC, first in first out, last in last out, etc. Such information is then used for reorder purposes. Stub control (used by retailers) enables the manager to retain a portion of the price ticket when the item is sold. The manager can then use it to put record about the item that was sold. Production System: The manufacturing system often produces the standardized products in large volume. The plant and machinery will have a limited capacity. The system facilitates with fixed costs, variable costs, labor costs and material costs. While producing the products, the net value and the economic value are forecasted and added to the product. Service System: The service system is more complicated as the service is not

Research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Research Paper Example Zombies therefore are quite effective and efficacious tools for communicating subtle and intractable realities, simply because of their versatility; zombies are neither living nor dead, they gravitate between life and death. Consequently, zombies are able to be employed in a wide range of arena to communicate powerfully to people, especially because of their appeal to people’s emotions and their ability to capture subtle realities that other figures of speech are unable to capture well. This paper explores the phenomenon of zombies as effective tools of communication. To achieve that end, a critical review of McCarthy Gallery exhibit, â€Å"You cannot kill what is Already Dead’’, is done. After the review of the article, a focus is made on three individual pieces of art from the exhibit. At the end of the paper, a conclusion is made based on the findings in the paper and in line with the thesis of the paper which is, zombies are effective and efficacious tools o f communication. A critical Review of McCarthy Gallery Exhibit According to Suzanne Carte, Zombies illustrate problems about consciousness and its relation to the physical world. Carte goes to argue that zombies are ‘’never just one thing, but a stand-in for an assumed lack of agency.’’, (McCarthy, p.6). ... ies therefore are imageries that stand-in for realities that do not actually exist in the real world; zombies make up for realities that are not in the physical world, but they are in our consciousness. Zombies therefore are undead realities, i.e. that which is both dead and alive simultaneously. Due to their rather fluid and hazy position between life and death, zombies constitute a powerful metaphoric device of critiquing various aspects of our lives including our economic structures, politics and various forms of corruption. Carte goes on to argue that zombies are untimely projections of our fears, dark desires, and imperfections. She goes on to argue that due to their fluid and luminal position, zombies allow for a wide variety of interpretations. A critical look at this account of the nature of zombies by Carte shows that the main purpose of zombies is to powerfully express realities within our consciousness, which are not quite expressible using imageries of things that actuall y exist in the physical world. By claiming that zombies are projections of ourselves, our fears, desires, and imperfections, Carte in other words is saying that zombies as metaphoric tools allows us to kind of transcend the physical realities in that they enable us to express and to communicate what is not expressible through the medium of physical realities. Carte goes on to show how zombies as tools of communication provokes us to think more deeply and to get deeper meaning of realities that we are going through in our lives. She argues that what the zombie wants is to eat human brain. In other words, what zombie wants is what it does not have, i.e., the ability to be human again. As such, a zombie is a pure drive and that is why it is represented as having an insatiable desire to devour

Is current uk law relevant , when applied to cloud computin Essay

Is current uk law relevant , when applied to cloud computin - Essay Example void legal responsibility for security of information and endow their clients with full responsibility of retaining safety based on information they upload, the principals of the UK legislation are on the contrary to this. This Data Protection Act provides that anyone with the intention of or responsible for using data has to adhere to data protection principles recommending: fair and lawful use; use for limited, and specifically stated purposes; use in an adequate, relevant and not excessive way; accurate use; data not kept for longer than is absolutely necessary; handled in accordance to the people’s data protection rights; kept safe and secure; and, not transferred outside the UK without adequate protection. In short therefore, this Act ensures that Data controllers are bound by the law to give rights to data subjects, i.e.: the right of access to their personal data; the right to stop information processing techniques that are likely to cause substantial distress or damage; the authority to obstruct auto generated decisions; and the right to object direct marketing by any institution thereof (Data Protection Act, 1998). From a wider perspective, the European Data Protection Law (which also concerned with electronic data), stipulates very stringent controls on the entire steps involved in processing of personal data/ information, and its transfer to anywhere outside European Economic Area. Because of the uncertainties over how and where cloud vendor will probably store the uploaded data, there is a lot more potential that need to be put to ensure that customers are in breach of such laws. Therefore, a number of regulations influencing cloud computing are linked to data security. Whatever processes are involved in processing of data, and the consequent location where the data is processed is so critical. Hence, regarding data processing, the European law necessitates that appropriate techniques and organizational measures are actively taken to protect

Iters 234 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Iters 234 - Essay Example She would first demonstrate stringing the beads to the children, then allow children to string beads on as they please. The teacher should make comments as the children play, such as "How many beads do you have so far?" or "What color beads did you use?". These questions are a good way to get an idea of a childs knowledge base. This activity meets the ITERS requirement because the stringing of the beads helps strengthen fine motor control and knowledge of colors and numbers is reinforced, which contributes to academic readiness. In this activity, the teacher would set out several knob puzzles on a table and allow children to come to the table as a free choice center. At first, the teacher should play with a puzzle, to model for the children. Then, she should let the children play with the puzzles. If children get frustrated, the teacher may show the child how to turn a puzzle piece around, but she should not do it for the child. This activity meets the ITERS requirement because it strengthens fine motor control and helps develop memory skills, which contributes to academic readiness. Before the activity, the teacher will need to make the dough and refrigerate it, so that it can be firm for the activity. This activity is best to do with individuals or small groups (2 to 3 children). The teacher should allow each child to make a sculpture, then put the sculptures on a baking sheet. Once the children have finished sculpting, their creations can be baked into tasty snacks at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes. This activity meets ITERS standards because it is an open ended activity that allows them to express themselves creatively. This is a two part activity, best done with two children or one child at a time. In the first part, the teacher takes each childs handprint in green paint, on the bottom center of the white paper. In the second part of the activity, the teacher allows the child to finish

Hyper Globalization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Hyper Globalization - Research Paper Example According to Rodrik it is impossible to have a situation where globalization flourishes while democracy and sovereignty succeed. Rodrik argues that where globalization flourishes, national policies are weak and where state democracy is strong globalization has no root in that country. Rodrik says that the choice is what is necessary for nations to choose either to succeed in the global integration or national interest. However, he argues a balance can be achieved like the Bretton Woods convention agreement. Rodrik Dani presents the Argentina scenario to argue that globalization and national politics are incompatible. Argentina economy collapsed after managing to pass the Convertibility Law which ensured that monetary mismanagement was checked to avoid loss of government fund. However, the law created unfavorable exchange rates that made investor turn down any investment opportunity in the country. The lawmaker had made it a political ideology to control the exchange rate and thus the ideas got support from every quarter of the nation. Nevertheless, the country bumped itself into the reality of the global economy. The advent of GATT and World Trade Organization brought an era that championed the benefit of globalization. These bodies strategized the functioning of the global market by drawing up laws that would check and improve trade between nations. According to Rodrik, the agreement of Bretton Woods, GATT and WTO refuted the national laws to accommodate free trade. The developed countries supported the idea of globalization and helped establish international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). These institution initiated hyper-globalization, but with the subordination of national policies.  

Management - 3 tools or approaches that contributes to decision making Essay

Management - 3 tools or approaches that contributes to decision making [sap5] - Essay Example Measures to be implemented are those that draw immense support. In systems 1 and 2, the main features are observed when perceived from objectives-led and problem-oriented planning approaches (Moore & Lowenstein, 2004). The objective of joint-versus-separate decision making solves the problem of people failing to move from suboptimal System 1 thinking to improved System 2 thinking. The system is chosen and considered among multiple options concurrently rather than conceding or declining alternatives separately. The objective approach cites a promising stream of research that evaluates how System 2 thinking can be weighted to lower System 1 errors. It demonstrates that analogical reasoning can be applied in reducing bounds on people’s consciousness like impulsivity and anxiety about relative outcomes. It is possible that the study on joint-against-separate decision making highlights the reality that our initial impulses lean more on emotions than logic (Moore & Lowenstein, 2004). For instance, additional suggestive results in passing exams include the findings that willpower to succeed is weakened when students are placed under severe cognitive burden and when they are insufficient knowledge in their study areas. Students will most likely make less impulsive, but suboptimal decisions during schools years while further making choices in advance of their consequences. Another scenario is where school management adopt unilateral decisions that suggest that change in the decision’ s context that promotes coolheaded System 2 thinking. This has the capability of reducing common biases from arising. I believe that when people get busier on their schedules, their minds get committed irrespective of time constraints faced, thus relying on System 1 thinking. Managers of corporate companies implore System 1 thinking, where superior decision making is a recipe for improving efficiency without sacrificing brand quality. The problem and

Sonny's Blues and Big Black Good Man Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sonny's Blues and Big Black Good Man - Essay Example This paper endeavors to tackle the different significant points in both aforementioned short stories. It also aims to discuss the variations in both literary works. The story entitled, Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin, is a tale inscribed in the first-person singular narrative style. It commences with the narrator reading about his younger brother named Sonny who has been seized in a heroin bust. The narrator then recounts about the events of his day; he is a professor at a school in Harlem. However, he is having trouble of getting his mind off Sonny. He imagines all the boys he is teaching in class who he supposes does not have a bright future and probably doing drugs just like Sonny. After school, he came across a friend of Sonny who informs him that they will put him up in jail and put him in rehab but eventually he will be set free and hence, be all alone. Originally, the narrator does not have any contact with his brother Sonny not until his daughter Gracie passes away due to poli o when he decided to write him a letter. Hence, they eventually re-established their means of communication and somehow got updated with each other’s lives. When Sonny was set free from jail, he then resided with the narrator who is his brother. The two brothers then had a flashback of their parents. The narrator depicts his father as a drunken man, who passed away when Sonny was fifteen. Sonny and his father had the same solitude; however they did not get along. Sonny was an introvert and usually quiet; while their father acted as if he was immense, resilient, and loud-talking. They also reminisced the time of their mother’s funeral where the narrator had a talk with Sonny asking him what he aims to do with his life. Sonny replied that he desires to be a jazz musician and to play the piano. The narrator does not appreciate this dream and does not believe that it is good enough for Sonny. They also discussed his living arrangement for the remainder of his high school d ays. This subject matter ignites the two brothers to be in an argument where Sonny calls his brother ridiculous for not knowing who Charlie Parker is, and contends that he does not want to finish high school or live at the house of the parents of Isabel who is the narrator’s wife. However, they resolved the predicament with a compromise, since the house of Isabel’s parents had a piano; Sonny could play it whenever he wishes to provided that he will agree to go to school. It was then discovered that Sonny is not pursuing his studies instead he plays in the Greenwich Village with his jazz friends whom the narrator assumes that he is taking drugs with so Sonny left the house of Isabel’s parents and went to the navy. After the communication of the two brothers were re-established, Sonny arrives at the house, and asks the narrator if he wishes to come and watch him play in Greenwich Village, and the narrator, although reluctant at first, decides to go with Sonny. Son ny then starts to narrate about his heroin addiction in somewhat vague terms. He divulges that when the lady that the brothers both admire was singing at the revival meeting, it prompted him to be reminiscent of what it feels like when heroin is gushing through one’s veins. Sonny declares that it makes an individual feel that he is in control, and sometimes a person just have to feel that way. The narrator inquires if he has to feel like that to play and he responds that some people do. They then tackled suffering and the narrator raises the question

Mathematics and Linguistics Essay Example for Free

Mathematics and Linguistics Essay How is Mathematics and Linguistics related with each other? Linguistics is the science of language. Linguists seek to understand the proper uses of natural human language. How languages are structured, how and why they vary and change, how they are acquired, and how people, in communicating use them. Mathematics on the other hand is the language of science. It is used to understand areas as diverse as the structure of DNA and the motions of planets. Mathematics abstracts the fundamental issue at the heart of an example, frequently  finding connections with other, initially contradictory problems. Language is a universal theory. Everyone uses language as a form of communication. This is the same in Mathematics. Math, like linguistics can be broken down into many different sub-categories such as geometry, trigonometry, algebra, etc. Algebra, being a great example of this because, instead of using words, it uses symbols to convey an idea. Forming sentences is like forming an equation. Once the pattern is understood, a person who speaks this type of language is able to understand. Once  one knows the pattern, it is easy to understand the overall meaning of a language without even knowing the vocabulary; therefore linguistics like mathematics is a universal concept. In my research and study of mathematics and linguistics I discovered how important and inter-related both subject areas are to each other. Mathematical linguistics is the study of statistical structure of texts and the construction of mathematical models of the phonological and grammatical structure of languages. Today, the fields of linguistics are used by computer scientists, engineers, and by  mathematicians who are interested in the nature of language processing. To summarize,math deals a lot with patterns, as does linguistics, so understanding patterns is very important. Noam Chomsky , a notable Linguist and Philosopher once stated â€Å" A linguist does not need to have deep understanding of the more complicated fields of mathematics; However a good linguist, is educated enough to see a pattern in language and from there, they are able to properly study and dissect the on going patterns and changes that occurs with languages everyday. †

The huge volume of guidance for leaders

The huge volume of guidance for leaders Essay title: The huge volume of guidance for leaders is a clear indication of the desire of those who can’t lead, to lead. In place of becoming leaders they become obedient followers of the latest ‘leadership’ fashions and fads. There is no direct route for leadership. It requires so many years of hard work, time and lots of communication to high profile person in strategic positions. Leader is a person who finds out the right way for followers in which direction, they can get success. For example, teams in major league cricket matches won more games when players perceived the coach as an effective leader. In India, â€Å"Mahatma Gandhi† leads people together and got independence for country. According to Brigid Carroll and Lester Levy management and leadership can be differentiated by identity, to understand and define leadership, it can be taken as emergent and desirable which is intangible, unknowable and nebulous while management taken as default identity which is specific and pragmatic (Brigid Carroll and Lester Levy, 2008). About fads and fashions of leadership, it is a growing issue. Fashions are not remaining stable how to appear or ways of working that are popular during certain periods while fads are usually understood to be short-lived fashions. There are lots of management fads and fashion after Second World War such as, Acceptable Risk, Assessment Centers, Business Ethics, Centralization, Computerization, Distributed Intelligence, Job Enrichment, Job Sharing, Knowledge Management, Outsourcing, Privatization etc. and they all flourished to a varying extent (Carl V. Rabstejnek). â€Å"Some fads were short-lived and others have stood the test of time â€Å"(Carl V. Rabstejnek, pg. 1). GUIDANCE FOR BEING LEADER The leader leads his people towards the goal. He is the person who can get his people to follow him. He is the one who is looked up to, whose judgment is trusted, and who inspires the people working with him and for him. Good leader should be motivating, inspiring and able to manage people. Leader should be charismatic and being visionary and have ability to acting decisively. There is very complex opinion about leadership either can take it as based on personality and physical traits or based on prescribed behaviors. Leadership can define in terms of power relationship between leaders and followers. As good leaders, they must try to get employees to concentrate around common goal and should have creative vision and strategic plan for an organization. Decisiveness is very important characteristic because every leader has to be taking some difficult decision in job. They have to take decision that shows firmness and leads the team towards the desired goal. Great leader never take step back during the hard situation. They react according to the time and situation. Leader has to be aware about the surroundings, their people’s working style and nature, about their boss, about the company’s desired goal and strategy. So, leader can be preplanned what to do in future and in such type of situation. By understanding the problem and situation, leaders have to take wise decisions that lead team towards the goal. Attitude of leader is also an important factor in team work because it determines the action and affects the people’s working style. Leader has to be optimistic and should be become the source of positive energy that inspires the others. Great leaders are always aware of their people’s thinking, their problems and needs. Leaders have to try to solve their problems which improve the outcome of work. People inspired by this because when they get positive response from leader, they feel satisfaction. This helps to make effective and efficient work environment in which people work together willingly. To make leadership successful, engagement is necessary because by engaging the all team members together helping the team to share their ideas and contributions which lead the team towards the desired goal. Empowerment and collaborations are also needed because by this team members do not feel suppressed and ignored and feel the part of team which leads the team to work together. They will show willingness to work together with positive attitude which take them towards the team’s success. Rewarding is also considering an important factor in leadership because it motivates the team members. When team member has been rewarded for their good work, they feel satisfaction which built the positive response towards the work. Team work output increases with this. Self-assessment is also needed because by this, one can know his weakness and strength points. Leadership skills may be improved by concentrating on the weakness point. Knowing the organizational goals and purpose is also needed to lead the team towards the success. Communication between leader and their team members should be honest and open. Leader has to know the each team member members’ capacity, skill and working style so it will be more effective to distribute the work. Clear vision about goal and how to achieve it is necessary. Leader has to think analytically and leads the team with focused towards the main goal. Trust worthy, passion and dedication with maintaining the high standard are necessary to get success. Leader has to be calm, confident enough and should be enthusiastic about their work with great commitment towards the hard work for desired output. COMPARE AND CONTRAST LEADERS AND FOLLOWER To differentiate leader from follower is difficult; they have several similarities as well as also have some differences. In leadership, one should have to take risk and lead the team; have ability to see opportunity that other cannot see. Both should be able to learn from someone or something. Leaders must be independent and isolated and should not rely on anyone but himself and have to be entrepreneurial and make workplace culture better by working with generous purpose. Good leadership is needed to solve problems and to navigate unexpected circumstances Followers only need to be competent during the battle and must be able to carry out orders by their leader, with their own ability while at other times; they have no need to be that competent. They could ask for help from their friends but in contrast, Leader cannot ask for help from his followers or else his followers would consider him incompetent. Being a follower is easier than being a leader because leader has to be isolated a nd should have ability to solve his own problems. Leadership can be as successful or effective or both. Successful leadership but not effective- In this pattern, leader’s style may not compatible; but follower does the job because of leader’s power and position. They obey the command and follow his idea. Effective leadership- the followers may do the job willingly to cooperate because the leader’s request satisfies the follower’s needs or goal. Successful leadership-it emphasises upon position, power and close supervision. There are lots of different views about leadership, either it is a product of individual that assume one’s behavior, styles, traits or a behavior rational, it may be taken as a socially constructed phenomena elsewhere some thinks that leader as a power holder (Neil Sutherland, Christopher Land and Steffen Bohm, 2013). Leadership position not hold s permanent role in organization ,instead of this, it gives opportunity to others who can take this role and lead in future, Individual leader has a crucial role for formation, growth and success, in certain situation when individual can take more than one active leadership role in organization(Neil Sutherland, Christopher Land and Steffen Bohm, 2013) . GREAT FOLLOWERS As leader, it is very important to know about that how to follow and how to lead. Many people believe that if you want to become a good leader then you must be a good follower. Some characteristic about good follower: Well finisher- Good followers always concentrate on their task and complete their task according to preplanned. Clear vision-they understand their power and position and it is equally important to understand their role as a leader. Loyalty-Good followers always try to avoid telling bad things about their boss/leader in public. It does not means that they are completely agree with their boss/leader but only do not want to do things in public because to influence the public it is needed to become public loyal. Good followers are obedient enough and humble. Awareness of surrounding –Good follower is well aware of surrounding situations and people. They always try to learn about people behavior and their thinking and how they affect in his work and what is going wrong and then make changes according to demands. Own thinking-To becomes a good follower, you are able to think on your own and decide what is right and what is wrong. Good followers always take side to leader and support them when they are doing right. GREAT LEADER AS A GOOD FOLLOWER Many qualities are same between leaders and followers. A great leader follows the same trait as followers do but change their style and do some modification in it. Great leader knows their boundary and limitation very well. Good leadership is the golden key to get best performance. Need to imply your own clear sets of values and belief and also have to make clear vision for all. Develop some creative ideas for the organization to make changes and reach up to desire goal. From this perspective, leaders are always try that people follow the process and in this way leader always think themselves as a follower. There is very important reason to leaders that they have to follow because no one can do it alone and have to create and utilize the energy, ideas and full potential of everyone. Leadership requires a close study of human behavior. It is the people who are the factors of importance. There are many different points of view about leadership. One belief is that leadership has to be taught while some are of the view that leaders can’t be made by teaching or training. In this modern age, new leaders are coming but most of them fail to cultivate their inner strength, ability to guide the people, to lead the people. There are three basic steps which are followed mostly in the process of training. Information is the first step, gets from simple reading and continuous study which then converted into knowledge. Wisdom is the transformation of knowledge. Trained person has to be able to transfer the knowledge into the practice. As a result of training, one should become more self-confident. On receiving training, knowledgeable person becomes capable of taking his own decisions and at this stage; person visualizes the truth-real understanding. There are few requir ements to reach to the truth, in ascending direction that are desire to learn, listening to the teacher, learning, retention, understanding, reflection, rejection of false views and truth. Human relationship gains the most attraction for a leader for the obvious reasons that the leader leads people. For any business, workforce is the basic requirement and for accomplishment leader has to understand people. Common logic reason behind the successful leader is the development of proper appreciation human nature. For this, one should have enough confidence and has to explain to other members about task and targets and how that can be accomplished. Leader should also explain the subordinates about their position and also impact of success or failure on the ultimate goal. If the goal achieved, that is a success of team not a success of leader alone. The leader has to do the required morale boosting apart from handling the work and must to be in touch with his people. It is necessary to show adequate interest in their personal problems. It is better for his people must perceive as their leader becomes the real guardian of their interests. This is necessity to do this as it he lps to maintain respective distance from the people. This concept of distant has been mostly appreciated and understood by successful leader. Thus, taking an overall view, the leader has to be a dynamic person and should have capability to turn the adversity in his favors and to gain this. The leader must have the capacity to concentrate and focus attention on the goal with an aptitude to take timely decisions and have to be sincere in his dealing. He has to show his faithfulness and loyalty towards his mission and the people and should possess a fair knowledge of his job and profession. FADS AND FASHION This broad category can be described as a type of collective behavior that is followed by people for period of time. It follows particular pattern. First is developed and then grows slowly and one time it reaches up to its peak level and remains some time and then gradually decline and disappear. For example: In late 1950s, hula hoop craze occurred in United States. Fads and fashion in management is very confusing and ongoing debate to discuss in recent years because many rhetorical strategies affects them and shape the management and also have long lasting effect, while fashions are developed by the heterogeneous group of actors but doing this, some gaps and weakness may result (Sue Newell, Maxine Robertson and Jacky Swan, 2001). It is important to know the role of fads and fashions in innovations and its diffusion because these two perspectives may benefit organization and helps to evolve efficient innovation by process of adopting and rejecting multiple fads and fashions (Eric Abrahamson, 1991). It may harm the organization by facilitating the inefficient administrative technology and adversely affect the economic performance of organization by doing prompt rejection of administrative technologies like job enrichment, strategic planning units (Eric Abrahamson, 1991). According to Abrahamson, fashion perspective is important because it disseminates new goals as beliefs to the innovations and help to settle down new organizational goals and adoption of innovation (Eric Abrahamson, 1991). Fads and fashion has taken over many leadership positions like managers, board’s members, etc. in organization and they are changing with time (Carl V. Rabstejnek). Fashionable ideas are helpful to filter good thing which can be incorporated into healthy business practices. The bandwagon effect helps to understand why the fads so popular (Carl V. Rabstejnek). In current trade there are lots of things that helping in marketing like newspapers, magazines, journals as a mass media; television, social networking sites like face book, twitter (Carl V. Rabstejnek). Academic journals, business schools, organizations all follows the current trade in market (Carl V. Rabstejnek). CONCLUSION The foregoing discussion shows that training till today is one of the most important function as it is has potential for leading towards the excellence. Human resource development is directly affected by this. Characteristics like honesty, decisiveness, positive attitude, trustworthy, loyalty, clear vision, self-assessment, confidence etc. may be found naturally present in person but can also develop and strengthen it with time and training because these are the foundation of great leadership. To become a great leader they should possesses such characteristic but to become successful, they have to follow latest fashions and fads in market and take decision accordingly. REFERENCES Sue Newell, Maxine Robertson and Jacky Swan, 2001 ‘Management Fads and Fashions’ DOI: 10.1177/135050840181001 Eric Abrahamson, 1991â€Å"Managerial fads and fashions: The diffusion and rejection and innovations Voi. 16, No. 3, 586-612 Carl V. Rabstejnek, â€Å"Management fads and fashions: Leading and Directing Companies by Popular Codified Methods† Neil Sutherland, Christopher Land and Steffen Bohm, 2013 â€Å"Anti-leaders (hip) in Social Movement Organizations: The case of autonomous grassroots groups† DOI: 10.1177/1350508413480254 Brigid Carroll and Lester Levy, 2008 â€Å"Defaulting to Management: Leadership Defined By What It Is Not† Volume 15(1): 75–96

Strategies to Increase Client Retention in Personal Training

Strategies to Increase Client Retention in Personal Training Devise and support a plan to increase long-term client retention and reduce turnover in a personal training context. INTRODUCTION Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases such as Conroy heart diseases, diabetes, and specific types of cancer (World Health Organisation (2010). Withthe development of advance technology, transportation, and household tasks that involves less exertion; this figure is expected to increase (World Health Organisation (2010).With and   an large amount of growing evidence suggesting a positive association between physical activity and physical well-being, less depression, increased cognitive function and slowing down in advancement of Alzheumeirs disease( Rolland et al, 2008).Physical activity is used to define any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that result in energy expenditure (Caspersen, et al 1985)which involves walking, jogging, and rock climbing for example. With physical activity being a vital determinant of energy balance, and is therefore important to weight-weight and obesity. Regular physical activity is associated with both enhanced social and economic capital (Cadilhac, et al 2011).With Society being faced by the rising health care and economic costs in part as a result of physical inactivity, individuals, business government have a mutual interest in the promotion of physical activity. The Majority of adults are aware of the benefits of engaging in regular exercise, with 70% of adults proposing that they would like to do more physical activity(Craig, et al 2009). Regardless of knowing the advantages associated with engaging in regular physical activity, most individuals do not take sufficient exercise to accrue the physical and psychological benefits of exercise. For example, the Health Survey for England (2008) pointed out that only 39% of men and 29% of aged 16 and over met the governments recommendations for physical activity, based the data.   In children aged 2 to 15 years, 32% per cent of boys and 24% of girls were classified as meeting the government recommendations. Most individuals in 2013 (90%) did not know the existing guidelines for the physical activity in the UK. Certainly awareness and knowledge about the benefits of physical are arguably not enough to influence changes in physical activity behaviour. An example being, an evaluation of the gov ernments Change for life campaign suggests an increased awareness, but little change in attitude and behaviour (Croker, et al 2012). Wide arrays of cognitive and psychological variables have been examined as potential links of physical activity adherence (Trost et al, 2002). Between these variables, previous studies have shown that the following are most consistently associated with greater physical activity levels such as fewer perceived barriers, greater enjoyment of physical activity, greater expected benefits, better psychological health, and greater self-efficacy for physical activity, greater self-motivation for physical activity, greater readiness to change and better perceived health for fitness (Sallis Owen 1999) Self-efficacy for physical activity, is described as an individuals confidence in their ability to be physically active on a regular basis, has been one of the strongest and most consistent cognitive correlates of activity level (Rhodes et al, 1999). Both adoption and maintenance is related to self-efficacy in physical activity(Sallis et al, 2007). It has been correlated with physical activity in a variety of settings, which includeslarge population based community samples, exercise groups healthy individuals, and solid exercise programs (Trost et al, 2002). Previous longitudinal studies on Self-efficacy have been shown to predict future physical activity levels (Sallis Owen 1999).In addition, self-efficacy may be improved through training and Morey feedback and therefore could be particularly a vital target for interventions. Perceived barriers also have relate strongly within physical activity. Lack of time is the most common reported barrier within psychical activity among UK sam ples (Dishman, 1994). Other common barriers include lack of facilities, bad weather, safety, lack of exercise partner fatigue or lack of energy, poor health, and being self-conscious about appearance (Trost et al, 2002).Perceived barriers may include subjective and objective components. Objective barriers such lack of exercise facilities may be modified by policy interventions and subjective barriers may be altered through cognitive interventions that disprove beliefs that hamper activity. Therefore the aim of this study is to encourage behaviour change and to increase participation in exercise in client retention. This will be achieved using the trans-theoretical model and to propose strategies to increase long-term client retention and reduce turnover in a personal training. THE TRANS-THEORETICAL MODEL The Trans-theoretical model has been defined as an integrative and comprehensive model of behaviour change that has drawn from all the important theories of psychotherapy (Prochaska Norcass, 1999).The TTM is made up of five stagesprecontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. This Figure shows each stage of the changes of stage Model (Prochaska, 1992) STAGES OF CHANGE   Ã‚   Stage 1: Precontemplation stage Precontemplation is the stage in which an individual has no intention of adopting a physical activity program. Majority of the Bedford who are sedentary may not understand the value of introducing physical activity into their daily routine. When working with them at this stage, encourage them to consider thinking about change and the several benefits. This is a time to educate the individual about the health risks of inactivity and the value of being physically active. With a fitness professional, it is important for them to validate that fact that the Bedford citizens are not ready to make a change; however they should offer encouragement and information about the benefits of making positive changes to their lifestyle. Stage 2: Contemplation stage Contemplation is the stage where the individual who is currently not active but who have the intention of adopting a physical activity program. An individual in this stage is still sedentary, but has started to think about how a sedentary lifestyle is negatively affecting their health. This individual is not ready to make a change, but is starting to think about physical activity as an option. It is important f as the fitness professional to encourage the client to weigh the pros and cons of a healthy behavioural change, so they can start to understand the benefits and participate in physical activity and make other positive lifestyle modifications. Stage 3: Preparation stage The preparation stage is the stage where the clients are both mentally and physically preparing to adopt a physical activity program (Marcus Owen 1992). The individual is no longer sedentary. They now have begun to partake in some from physical activity (e.g. walking, going to the gym, however, there is no consistency or commitment in this stage (Prochaska et al, 1994). Its important for the fitness professionals to work with the client to create a plan for adopting healthy lifestyle changes and overcoming challenges. This plan may include how to fit physical activity into a busywork schedule, also making healthy food choices when eating out and identifying and creating a social support system. This stage is about creating plans adopt healthy behaviour changes that specific to the client. Stage 4: Action stage The action stage is where an individual has been engaging in regular activity for less than six months. This individual begins to carry out the plan created during the preparation stage. It is important for the fitness professional to offer continuous support and encouragement while helping the individual focus on the long-term advantages if making positive behaviour changes. This is stage goal setting particularly useful. It is also important to teach the client how to anticipate and overcome obstacles that could deter their motivation adherence. Stage 5: Maintenance stage The maintenance stage is where the citizens have been engaged in regular physical-activity program for over six months (Prochaska et al (1992).This client has progressed from the action stage into the maintenance stage, where they maintaining new healthy behaviour changes. It is important for the fitness professional to offer continued inspiration to the citizens so they can maintain the changed behaviour, and to identify those things that might cause a setback. The fitness professionals should take time to work with individual to identify things that could tempt or undermine the positive changes the individual decided on. Furthermore, helping the client to strategize how to prevent these recently identified causes for a setback. The goal of the fitness professional is to provide the citizens with the tools necessary for maintaining positive behaviour changes. Therefore, keeping in mind that citizens may hesitate back and forth between stages Prochaska et al (1992).The shift back and forth may be caused by internal such as changes in self-efficacy and external such as commitment to family, work factors. APPLYING THE SELF-EFFICACY THEORY TO INCREASE LONG TERM RETENTION Self-efficacy is defined as the strength of a persons conviction that they successfully execute those courses of behaviours necessary to bring about specific outcome (Bandura, 1979). According to(Bandura, 1989) self-efficacy affects thoughts patterns that can aid or hinder the individual. An individual with high-self efficacy within physical activity will feel better that they have the ability to be successful in exercise related activates. For example, Fitness professionals will help their clients be more successful if they can guide clients to higher levels of self-efficacy. Essentially, this theory is specific to individual tasks and situations, rather than general situations (Rhodes et al, 1999).The transferability of self-efficacy from one area to another depending comparable two domains is. (Maddux, 1995). For example, if a client has high self-efficacy in the area of sport, it is likely that they will high-efficacy within a similar domain, such as exercise, However, there clearly be less transfer of efficacy to domain that is less similar , such speaking to large group of people. The issue of the transferability is one that fitness professionals should consider when aiming to improve a clients sell-efficacy. Referring back to (Bandura, 2000),self-efficacy influences activity choices, effort of intensity  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   at a task, and persistence when facing obstacles. For example, is the client has low self-efficacy within exercise, they are more likely to avoid exercise. If they do exercise, they be more likely to pic forms of exercise that do not seem challenging, also when obstacles do occur, the client will lower self-efficacy will give up before the client with higher self-efficacy, moreover a client with high efficacy will put more effort into an exercise and be more determined when obstacles occur Bandura, 1990).This difference between clients who have low self-efficacy within exercise and high self-efficacy within exercise is an important distinction personal trainers should contemplate constructing exercise programs and coaching clients. HOW SELF-EFFICACY IMPACTS EXERCISE BEHAVIOR Self-efficacy has been established to have a strong correlation with intense [physical activity. In a survey of 2,053 randomly tested Adults, self-efficacy was found to be the strongest relation to vigorous exercise  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   (Sallis et al, 1989).Poag McAuley, (1992)found that at any exercise intensity, individuals with higher self-efficacy had a lower perceived exertion during exercise in their study that included 67 adult women, exercise efficacy accounted for 11.1% of variance in womens perceived exertion.   This research has direct consequences for health and fitness professionals trying to promote physical fitness and exercise adherence because effort and persistence are two relevant factors in devising a successful exercise program. HOW EXERCISE IMPACTS SELF-EFFICACY Remarkably, self-efficacy and exercise have a mutual relationship. Even though self-efficacy is a determinant of exercise behaviour, exercise is also a source of self-efficacy (McAuley, 1991). This creates situations because people who need the most encouragement to exercise work out the least, due to low efficacy. However, one of the best ways to increase self-efficacy is through exercise, this will also allow clients to maintain long-term exercise program. For example, in a study conducted by (Mihalko McAuley, 1996)94 middle aged participants who previously did not exercise completed a 20-week aerobic exercise program.   Feelings of self-efficacy during a graded exercise test significantly increased pre-program and post program. Self-efficacy and also be improved during the exercise session.   Moderate exercise can increase self-efficacy in clients when evaluated after a gym session (Treasure Newbery, 1998). A study conducted by (Rudolph and Butki, 1998) found that as little as 10 minutes of aerobic exercise could increase moods of self-efficacy. This has implications for fitness professionals who may deal with a hesitant new client during their first apportionment. If the fitness professional can a get a client to begin exercises that they are comfortable with, this will lead to increases self-efficacy and more willingness to try more challenging exercises later in that session or future sessions. RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES TO INCREASE SELF-EFFICACY WITHIN EXPRESS Fitness professionals and fitness clubs can use several psychological techniques to aid in the development of high self-efficacy with their clients. Because self-efficacy is impacted by mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, and physiological state, it is logical to develop individual and group strategies aimed at increasing self-efficacy through each of these factors. INCREASING SELF-EFFICACY THROUGH SELF PERSUASION Verbal and social persuasion from respected individuals or from positive self-talk is the third source of self-efficacy (McAuley et al, 1994). As proven through in the studies of Weinberg et al, (1994).Verbal persuasioncan is a powerful way to influence self-efficacy. Exercise professionals should actively look for health promoting behaviours that beginners in exercise are performing and then verbally recognise that behaviour. Personal trainers can also provide behavioural contract that exercise can sign. For example, an individual may sign a contract that they will exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 times per week. Finally, self-talk has recently been shown to increase self-efficacy, decrease anxiety, and increase performance during completion of an athletic skill (Mcauley et al, 1994). Personal trainers can educate their clients on positive self-talk routines to help improve exercise performance. Teaching clients use of affirmation statements such as I can do this and Ive done this before and I can do it again can help the client stay focused on a positive result of their routine. INCREASING SELF-EFFICACY THROUGH VICARIOUS EXPERIENCE Vicarious experience is the second source of self-efficacy, can be targeted through important strategies such ad modelling and imagery (McAuley, et al 1991).Using the idea of modelling, a person trainer could share success stories of people similar to their clients have successfully adopted an active lifestyle.   This would help encourage my clients to implant the idea of I can do it too their minds.   Beginning exercises can analyse the habits of successful exercisers to understand how they reach that level.   Personal trainers, whether recognising it or not, regularly use modelling to increase efficacy within clients. For example, a trainer may use a number of modelling techniques to teach an exercise.   When, discussing an exercise, a trainer may point out another exerciser that is performing the exercise properly, then, the personal trainer demonstrates the exercise (vicarious experience) , finally, the trainer may have the client perform the exerciseà ƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   properly in front of a mirror (mastery experience. If the fitness professional finds that the client has family members or a friend who have adopted exercise into the daily routine, this may good model to use to access vicarious experience. It should be noted that the more similar the client is to model, the greater impact that this model should have on the clients Fitzsimmons et al, (1991). INCREASING SELF-EFFICACY THROUGH MASTERY EXPERIENCE The mastery experience stage is the most powerful source of self-efficacy, it is very important to focus on developing the mastery experiences within a clients exercise program. Using past personal successes, goal setting, appropriate exercise program design, and exercise logs are sources of mastery experiences that can increase self-efficacy. Past mastery experiences within domains should be emphasized when increasing a clients self-efficacy for exercise.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Having the mentally of Ive done it once, I can do it again is powerful thought process that should be used. If the person has not experienced many mastery experiences in an exercise-related environment, it is essential use to effective goal setting during the beginning of their exercise program to create mastery experiences. Proper goal setting is widely recognised as a powerful source of improved task, which is critical the first phase of an exercise program (Gould, 2001).Developing realistic short-term goals lea d to early exercise success can have effect on increase exercise efficacy throughout the mastery experience stage Fitzsimmons et al, (1991) INCREASING SELF-EFFICACY THROUGH PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE Educating clients about what is going on inside their bodies and the physical sensations to expect during exercise can help them decrease anxiety that they may be feeling about the gym session. Once the clients understand that the feelings as muscular fatigue, as well as reaching and maintaining a high heart rate, are involved in exercise, they more likely to cope with physiological states more effectively.   If a client doesnt point out that they are highly anxious while thinking of exercise, a personal trainer can teach them to use relaxation methods such as deep breathing and positive self-talk to ease anxiety (Gould Udry 1994). CONCLUSION Self-efficacy is an important factor within exercise behaviour for gym members. It can help beginners keep going in the face adversity. Furthermore, it can help the middle aged push to another level of fitness. Also help advanced gym members overcome dramatic relapses such as injuries. Due to the fact self-efficacy are both a predictor and an outcome of exercise, personal trainers and strength and conditioning coaches should understand the role that self-efficacy plays in behaviour and decision making. In addition, they should implement several research based strategies as discussed in this study. Finally, in effort to get the most effect from way to increase self-efficacy in gym clients, fitness professionals main focus in this regards should be creating mastery experiences that will create the foundation for positive exercise behaviour with their clients which also increase long-term client retention and reduce turnover. REFERENCES Bandura A. Human agency in social cognitive theory. Am Psychol 44: 1175-1184, 1989 Cadilhac, D.A., Cumming, T.B., Sheppard, L., Pearce, D.C., Carter, R. Magnus, A. (2011). The economic benefits of reducing physical inactivity: an Australian example. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8, 99. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-8-99 Caspersen, C.J., Powell, K.E. Christenson, G.M. (1985). Physical activity, exercise and physical fitness: Definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Reports, 100, 126-31. Craig, R., Mindell, J. Hirani, V. (2009). Health survey for England 2008: Physical activity and fitness. London: The Information Centre. Croker, H., Lucas, R., Wardle, J. (2012). Cluster-randomised trial to evaluate the Change for Life mass media/social marketing campaign in the UK. BMC Public Health, 12, 404. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/404 Dishman, Rod K. Advances in exercise adherence. Human Kinetics Publishers, 1994. Fitzsimmons PA, Landers DM, Thomas JR, and Van der Mars H. Does self-efficacy predict performance in experienced weightlifters. Res Q Sport Exerc 62: 424-431, 1991. Gould D and Udry E. Pyschological skills for enhancing performance: Arousal regulation strategies. Med Sci Sports Exerc 26: 478-485, 1994. Gould DG. Goal setting for peak performance. In: Applied Sport Psychology. William JM, ed. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 2001. pp. 190-205. Maddux JE. Self-efficacy theory: An introduction. In: Self- Efficacy, Adaptation, and adjustment: Theory, research, and application. Maddux, JE, ed. New York, NY: Plenum Press, 1995. pp. 3-33. Marcus, B.H. and Owen, N., 1992. Motivational Readiness, Selfà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Efficacy and Decisionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Making for Exercise1. Journal of applied social psychology, 22(1), pp.3-16. McAuley E, Courneya K, and Lettunich J. Effects of acute and long-term exercise on self-efficacy responses in sedentary, middle-aged males and females. Gerontologist 31: 534-542, 1991 McAuley E, Courneya KS, Rudolph DL, and Lox CL. Enhancing exercise adherence in middle-aged males and females. Prev Med 23: 498-506, 1994. Mihalko SL and McAuley E. Self-efficacy and affective responses to acute exercise in middle-aged adults. J Soc Behav Pers 11: 216-223, 1996. Poag KG and McAuley E. Goal setting, self-efficacy, and exercise behavior. J Sport Exerc Psychol 14: 352-360, 1992. Prochaska, J.O. and Norcross, J.C., 1999. Comparative conclusions: toward a transtheoretical therapy. Systems of psychotherapy: A transtheoretical analysis, pp.487-528. Prochaska, J.O., DiClemente, C.C. and Norcross, J.C., 1992. In search of how people change: applications to addictive behaviors. American psychologist, 47(9), p.1102. Prochaska, J.O., Velicer, W.F., Rossi, J.S., Goldstein, M.G., Marcus, B.H., Rakowski, W., Fiore, C., Harlow, L.L., Redding, C.A., Rosenbloom, D. and Rossi, S.R., 1994. Stages of change and decisional balance for 12 problem behaviors. Health psychology, 13(1), p.39. Rhodes RE, Martin AD, Taunton JE, Rhodes EC, Donnelly M, and Elliot J. Factors associated with exercise adherence among older adults: An individual perspective. Sports Med 28: 397-411, 1999. Rhodes RE, Martin AD, Taunton JE, Rhodes EC, Donnelly M, and Elliot J. Factors associated with exercise adherence among older adults: An individual perspective. Sports Med 28: 397-411, 1999. Rolland, Y., Abellan van Kan, G. Vellas, B. (2008). Physical activity and Alzheimers disease: From prevention to therapeutic perspectives. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 9, 390-405. Rudolph D and Butki B. Self-efficacy and affective responses to short bouts of exercise. J Appl Sport Psychol 10: 268-280, 1998 Sallis JF, Hovell MF, Hofstetter CR, Faucher P, Elder JP, Blanchard J, Casperen CJ, Powell KE, and Christenson GM. A multivariate study of determinants of vigorous exercise in a community sample. Prev Med 18: 20-34, 1989. Sallis JF, Kerr J. Built Environment and Physical Activity. PCPFS (Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports) Research Digest. 2006;7(4):1-8. Treasure D and Newbery DM. Relationship between self-efficacy, exercise intensity, and feeling stages in a sedentary population during and following an acute bout of exercise. J Sport Exerc Psychol 20: 1-11, 1998. Trost, Stewart G., Russell R. Pate, James F. Sallis, Patty S. Freedson, Wendell C. Taylor, Marsha Dowda, and John Sirard. Age and gender differences in objectively measured physical activity in youth. Medicine and science in sports and exercise 34, no. 2 (2002): 350-355. Weinberg RS, Hughes HH, Critelli JW, England R, and Jackson A. Effects of preexisting and manipulated self-efficacy on weight loss in a self-control group. J Res Pers 18: 352-358, 1994. World Health Organization. Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press; 2010.

The Marriage Ordeal: Rights and Ramifications :: essays research papers fc

2005  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Marriage Ordeal: Rights and Ramifications   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In a country with it’s fundamentals based on liberty and equality, America has always struggled with those very concepts. Throughout history, Americans have been challenged to make decisions that have oppressed and freed certain groups of people. The political fight for same-sex marriages is a perfect example of this notion. This relation between spouses has created a major controversy that is creating history in our nation. A series of protests, acts and political scandal has finally opened America to discuss a topic that had been in â€Å"the closet† for a long time. This discussion asks questions that have caused a visceral reaction in society. Questions such as whether gays and lesbians should marry, and if so, should they be granted the same matrimony rights as heterosexual couples? Should marriage be protected to fit traditional American values? How would these unions affect or contribute to our definition of such a celebrated institution? .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tradition is a strong component in the institution of marriage. The ideal American dream usually involves the perfect fairy-tale wedding with the gorgeous white wedding dress for the bride, the matching bridesmaids, the well-arranged bouquet and the numerous rituals that compose this well thought-out event. Usually it requires a great amount of planning, devotion and dollars to make the important day memorable. Family and friends come together to rejoice in the vows that will bond the two lovers into a lifetime journey of love, commitment and fidelity. Each person in the couple is expected to have a role in this institution. According to Judith Wallerstein and Sandra Blakeslee, â€Å"in the idealized form of the older model of traditional marriage, the man’s primary job for self-definition is to provide for the economic well-being, protection, and stability of his family ...The woman’s job and self-definition†, on the other hand, continue Wall erstein and Blakeslee, â€Å"is to care for her husband and children and to create a comfortable home that nourishes everyone, particularly her husband, who comes home each evening drained by the demands of his job (211).† With a constantly changing society, the concept of marriage has also varied. The â€Å"quickie† Vegas drive-through wedding or the underwater vow exchange is not as unusual or shocking as it once was. Even the roles of the persons involved have changed to fit the shape of society’s needs. For example the modern â€Å"companionate marriage† which is â€Å"founded on the couple’s shared beliefs that men and women are equal partners in all spheres of life and that their roles, including those of marriage, are completely interchangeable (Wallerstein, Blakeslee 155).

Edgar Allen Poe Essay example -- Authors Writers Essays

Edgar Allen Poe Edgar Allen Poe is a writer of the 1800’s. He has written many classics and has a unique style. Edgar fits into a gothic romance style that was prevalent at the time of his writing. Science at the time was making leaps and bounds and often scientists were immoral and hypocritical. This is reflected in Edgar’s sonnet to science were science has been destroying all that Edgar finds wonderful in the world. Edgar has a tough life with many losses which is also reflected in his writing and the sonnet to science. To understand Edgar and his writing you have to know his history and the history of his time, that is the goal of this paper. Death of important women in Edgar Allan Poe’s life dominates much of his writing and his thinking. If you understand that Edgar lost all four of the important women in his life you see why he has an obsession with death in his writings and why he has such a fear of it. Along with the fear of death is the fear that his dreams and imagination may also be killed. Much of his happiness is killed by the deaths of loved ones and with the death of his happiness so do his dreams die. Edgar’s life is full of sadness, which is why his writing is so dark as apparent in this poem. The dying of his dreams and conflict with science as another way in which what he loves is being killed is inline with Poe’s other writings that more directly deal with the sadness and darkness in his life. Edgar Allan Poe was a controversial writer during his time; his writings were counter culture and tried to challenge the morals of the public and defiance against modernity. Poe wrote shocking and satirical tales to challenge the readers. He wanted people to be shocked an... ...dities and stories that must be deciphered by logic. Poe wanted to challenge readers and the world’s ideas. Poe is and was a controversial writer. His writing influences modern writers and his influence can be seen in post modernism and modernism. Both styles tend to be challenges to the world and question the world. Edgar Allan poet is one of the greatest writers in American history and will continue to influence generations of writers with his style and legacy of challenging the status quoi. References http://bau2.uibk.ac.at/sg/poe/works/poetry/science.html http://www.press.jhu.edu/books/hopkins_guide_to_literary_theory/entries/edgar_allan_poe.html http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/news-releases-17.html http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/campbell/enl311/poenotes.html http://www.poedecoder.com/Qrisse/biosummary.html