Literary Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Literary Analysis - Essay Example The two passages that I have selected to highlight the two forms of writing include passage four and ten. Therefore, from both passages, I have highlighted the incidences where the form of mystery and suspense is evident. The first incidence is when Mr. Oke character of shyness from the way she behaves in front of his wife. For instance, he could not talk properly in the presence of his wife but in the absence of his wife he was a fluent speaker. Nature defines that a man in a family should act as the head. It is contrary to Mr. Oke could not express the manhood in front of his wife. On the other hand, Mrs. Oke is so superstitious that she is completely obsessed with a ghostly tale that encompasses her family and ancestors. She often told stories about her ancestors who are long dead. The stories about her long ago dead ancestor bring the sense of mystery as to how her ancestor’s situation of love could reflect her. Additionally, it is mysterious to see that the same Lovelock that her ancestors went through is the same position she was facing. She tells her stories in a queer way that culminates to give an unusual atmosphere. The reasons for cherishing such stories are not highlighted giving a sense of mystery. Close relations between Mrs. Oke and her past is, therefore, evident, and it’s mysterious how she remembers the ancestral stories so vividly (Lee 130). The two passages are related because both are explaining the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Oke is also very mysterious. Unlike the expected husband wife relationship, Mr. Oke is full of inferiority complex before her wife. He looks lowly and do not fully take the role of the husbandry. Oke inferiority complex before her wife made Mrs. Oke ever happy throughout the book while her husband remained ill and felt unease whenever his wife was present. Therefore, he started planning to kill her wife because of the strain in their relationship. Their relationship ends up according to the old

Quantitative Methods for Finance and Investment Essay Example for Free

Quantitative Methods for Finance and Investment Essay University of Bristol School of Economics, Finance and Management QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR FINANCE AND INVESTMENT (EFIMM005) Review Questions Question 1: Concepts a. Deï ¬ ne a stochastic process. Give an example in Finance of a quantity that can be modelled as a stochastic process. b. Deï ¬ ne a stationary stochastic process. c. Consider a stochastic process {Yt , t = 1, . ., T }. Deï ¬ ne the partial autocorrelation function (pacf) associated to this process. d. Explain the diï ¬â‚¬erence between estimator and estimate. e. Let {Ut , t = 1, .., T } be a mean zero white noise process. What is the value of pacf at lag 2 for the process Yt = .5Yt−1 + Ut ? f. Explain the diï ¬â‚¬erence between the autocovariance function and the sample autocovariance function. Question 2: Application The capital asset pricing model (CAPM) can be written as E(Rjt |Rmt , Rf t ) = Rf t + ÃŽ ²j (Rmt − Rf t ), where Rjt is the net return of security j at period t, Rmt is the return on a market portfolio proxy, and Rf t is the return on a risk-free proxy. The coeï ¬Æ'cient ÃŽ ²j is the CAPM beta for security j. Suppose that you have estimated ÃŽ ²j by ordinary least squares and found that the estimated value was 1.37 with standard deviation 2.6. based on 3665 observations. a. A city analyst has told you that security j closely follows the market, in the sense that security j is equally risky, on average, to the market portfolio. Perform a 5% signiï ¬ cance level test of hypothesis to determine whether data support the analysts claim. b. Are hypotheses tested concerning the value of ÃŽ ²j or its estimated values? Question 3: Techniques Consider the moving average process: Yt = ÃŽ µt + ÃŽ ¸1 ÃŽ µt−1 + ÃŽ ¸12 ÃŽ µt−12 with {ÃŽ µt }T a mean zero white noise process with variance ÏÆ' 2 0. t=0 a. Calculate the mean of Yt . b. Calculate the variance of Yt . c. Calculate the autocovariance function of {Yt }T . t=a T =120 d. Assume that {yt }t=1 represents the monthly tons of ice cream sold in the UK between Oct. 2001 and Oct. 2012. What type of dependence can the term ÃŽ ¸12 ÃŽ µt−12 capture? 1

Essay example --

Hey Teacher, leave recess alone! In her Huffington Post blog article titled Here’s One Way to Wreck a Child’s Education: Take Away Recess, Haley Krischer takes an emboldened stand against the practice of eliminating recess; which is often done as a punishment or to make more time for instructional learning. I stand in agreement with Krischer. I do not agree with schools taking away recess for any reason with the exception of dangerous weather or environmental circumstances. Yet, research indicates how common the 86-ing of recess is occurring in schools. A study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2010) revealed 77% of school Principals reported taking away recess as a punishment, and 81.5% of schools allow students to be excluded from recess. Krischer begins the article by introducing her 9 year old son and his affinity for recess: â€Å"the only subject he will talk about†. She gives examples of how recess benefits her son such as other students who help him troubleshoot technology issues and challenging him to improve his sports skills. Indeed, the unstructured playtime allows children to explore their environment and develop new ideas and understandings of it and those within it (American Pediatric Association, 2013). Kischer also expressed that children need active play to combat restlessness and that this is especially important for children who may suffer from ADHD, noting that taking away recess as a punishment for misbehavior may be counterproductive and result in increased behavioral problems. A longitudinal study that followed over 10,000 students between the ages of 8 and 9 concluded that student recess of at least 15 minutes resulted in better behavior as rated by teachers (Samuels, 2009). Case studies of boys with at... ...er, H. Here's One Way to Wreck a Child's Education: Take Away Recess . 2013. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hayley-krischer/heres-one-way-to-wreck-a-childs-education-take-away-recess_b_4149596.html National Organization for Sport and Physical Education (2006). POSITION STATEMENT. Retrieved from http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards/upload/recess-for-elementary-school-students-2006.pdf Ridgeway,A., Northup, J., Pellegrin, A.,LaRue, R., & Hightshoe, A. (2003). Effects of Recess on the Classroom Behavior of Children With and Without Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. School Psychology Quarterly, 18(3), 253. Robert Johnson Wood Foundation (2010). State of Play. Retrieved from FENTON communications website: http://www.playworks.org/sites/default/files/d6/StateOfPlayFeb2010.pdf Samuels, C. A. (2009). RECESS AND BEHAVIOR. Education Week, 28(20), 4.

Is Junk Food Really Cheaper Essay

Junk food is just to provide some of the heat to people’s body, there is no other food nutrients, or to provide more than the body needs, become superfluous ingredients. Including frozen desserts, biscuits, ham, and canned. Sometime, I was thinking why people like to eat junk food. Many people like eating junk food, because they think it is not only so delicious, but also cheap. Tardily, eating junk food becomes a culture, and it also is a very important problem at this era. Like Mark Bittman said people eat a lot of junk food which had obesity. Thus, the nutrition in people’s body cannot balance. Actually, I agree with Bittman that junk food is not cheaper than real food and cooking should be a culture, but eating junk food is still a culture, and eating right amount of junk food is feasible. Although junk food is not health and cheap, like Bittman said, but I think junk food also is very convenient and appetitive. Since the fast food by the people’s â€Å"favo rite†, it certainly has its benefits; otherwise it cannot become a mainstream food culture. First, when people feel hungry, and they do not have time to cook, when you order at the general restaurant, teahouse, people usually need to wait for some time to have a food supply. Thus, it is not easy to satisfy people. Second, junk food usually uses the high cooking method which has the good color, flavor and taste, such as frying and high concentration of ingredients; those can stimulate people’s appetite. People who is weekday rush and poor appetite is very suitable to eat junk food. Many parents are worried about their children eating problem that most children don’t like eating real food. Eating junk food is a way to solve this problem. Same as â€Å"IS JUNK FOOD REALLY CHEAPER?† said, cooking is very good way, it is very health and cheap. Like Bittman said â€Å"the fact is that most people can afford real food†, people can buy some food to cook no matter how poor. And buying food is more convenient than before, such as â€Å" IS JUNK FOOD REALLY CHEAPER† this article said â€Å"the Department of Agriculture says that more than two million Americans in low-income rural areas live 10 miles or more from a supermarket, an d more than five million households without access to cars live more than a half mile from a supermarket.† Before I go grocery shopping with my mother, we bought a dozen vegetables, it took less than 50RMB. Cooking is not only cheap but also very health. Every day we do the different kind of dishes, so daily nutrition is also different. And it do not have many unhealthy ingredients inside. Therefore, people’s nutrition can be balanced if people are cooking every day. Cooking being a culture is very important, people should use more times to cook and enjoy cooking. Eating junk food already becomes a culture, and cooking might become a culture too, especially cooking is cheaper and healthier than eating junk food. People should cultivate the good habit which is cooking every day. Like Bittman said that cooking shouldn’t is defined as work, and fast food shouldn’t is both a pleasure and a crutch. Cooking should be a very happy thing. When you finish cooking a delicious dish, do not you think this is a great sense of accomplishment? Cooking like a game, Enjoy the process and the result is a very pleasant thing. Enjoy cooking is the main paint of how cooking becomes a culture. In a work, people should use more times to enjoy cooking, and you will fell in love with cooking. In short, Bittman has a very good idea which is cooking is better than eating junk food; nevertheless, I think eating junk food also is good at the one side. Whatever people eat junk food or not, people should have a good eating habit. In my opinion, the reason why he wrote â€Å"IS JUNK FOOD REALLY CHEAPER† this article, because he want people to care about their own body. I hope cooking could be a culture; it is help people’s body.

Thorn Queen Chapter Seven

There were five of them, to be precise, each standing about seven feet tall. Their skin reminded me of a salamander's, smooth with a slightly moist appearance. It was mottled red and black, like marble. They had fangs like saber-toothed tigers, and flames glowed in the hollows of their eyes. â€Å"Fire demons,† I amended. Not that the type mattered too much. I'd fought other creatures from the Underworld, but full-fledged demons? Those were bad. The type was irrelevant. These guys made last night's fight with Rocky Raccoon seem like a warm-up stretch. Immediately, those bandits that weren't actively engaged with us began retreating behind the demons. Those we were fighting struggled to break away, knowing the demons would cover them. One of my men bravely charged a demon. The demon put its hands together, and a huge orb of fire appeared. The demon then threw it at the guy, instantly turning him into a screaming, living torch. â€Å"Shit!† I yelled. Without even thinking, I pulled all the moisture from the air and hurled it toward the guard. Water materialized around him, drenching him in a tidal wave. It turned the rest of the air oppressively dry, and a few trees withered and collapsed. I'd sucked out their water to make the wave as well. Nonetheless, the flames dissipated, and the guy dropped into wet, smoldering unconsciousness. At least, I hoped he was unconscious and not dead. My guards attacked in groups and fared a little better that way, able to distract the demons' attention. Volusian fought well too, but it was quickly becoming apparent that this was not going to end well for us. Picking the demon who appeared to be putting up the best fight, I took out my wand and focused my energy. I sent my will out toward the demon, grabbing hold of him with my mind and letting my senses spread beyond me and this world. The black and white butterfly tattoo on my arm began to burn. It was the symbol of Persephone, goddess of the Underworld, and I used its power to open the gates to that domain. Down the slope, the demon suddenly looked in my direction, sensing the binding wrap around it. He was powerful, and banishing him from this world into the next was taking more of my strength and power than I expected. Ignoring the attacking guards, he hurled a huge ball of fire at me. Immediately, I dropped my connection to the Underworld and pulled as much water as I could to me. Aside from my companions-whom I was careful to avoid-only the vegetation provided a quick source of water. Plants and cacti crumpled and died in a wide arc around us, but it was what I needed. A wall of water appeared before me, blocking the fireball. â€Å"Damn it, Eugenie,† cried Kiyo. â€Å"You can't keep doing that.† â€Å"I can banish them,† I said. â€Å"Just distract them.† Kiyo grimaced and then transformed into that â€Å"superfox† form, a huge beast of primordial strength and power, the Otherworldly ancestor of all foxes. He leapt on the demon who'd attacked me, and I once more attempted my binding. Volusian joined him. Between those two and the guards, the demon couldn't block me this time. Speaking words of banishment, I pushed him out of this world and into the next, careful to keep myself from getting sucked in along the way. The demon exploded in sparks that quickly dimmed and disappeared. I nearly fell over. The exertion to do that had been excruciating, and I was pretty sure I couldn't do it again. We had to get out of there and pray the demons didn't follow us. â€Å"Rurik,† I yelled, hoping the big warrior would hear me. â€Å"We need to retreat!† He gave a quick nod, eyes on the demon he attacked. Between magic and swords, his group was doing a good job of fighting it, but the battle was far from over. He barked out some orders. My group began falling back, fighting our way through the retreat. To my relief, two men picked up the guy who had been burned earlier and helped drag him out. Kiyo and Volusian stayed to cover our retreat, and I tried once again to banish a demon. No luck. So, relying on an old standby, I took out the Glock and began firing silver bullets. They hit the mark, weakening some of the demons and allowing our escape. When we'd reached a certain point, I saw that they were no longer following us. They were based around the camp, as I'd suspected. Demons like those had to be summoned, and they would stay close to their summoner. We eventually cleared the area and made it back to our horses. Not long afterward, Kiyo-still as a fox-and Volusian joined us. I glanced at Kiyo with a sigh, relieved he was okay and frustrated that it would be awhile now before he could become human again. I wanted to discuss this with him. Instead, I turned to Rurik as we rode away. â€Å"What the hell was that?† â€Å"Fire demons,† he replied. â€Å"I know that! What were they doing here?† â€Å"They were summoned.† He frowned. â€Å"Which is unexpected for ruffians like that. Someone who can wield that sort of magic would have no need to live that kind of life.† My adrenaline-charged heart rate had slowed down, allowing me to get a good look at our group now. We'd managed to cart off two prisoners-a few of the others had been freed by their friends in the demon chaos-which meant we could do some questioning later. For now, they weren't my chief concern. The guards were. Many of them were burned and wounded, though none as badly as the guy I'd saved. Some of the injured rode on their own; others required help. â€Å"They need healers,† I told Rurik anxiously. He was singed and cut but had emerged unscathed for the most part. It had taken almost an hour to get to the spot we had tethered the horses, and I didn't want the injured waiting that long. Rurik didn't answer right away. He annoyed me and wasn't as socially graceful as he could be, but he knew military matters and was a good strategist. At last he said, â€Å"If we veer west, we can be in Westoria in fifteen minutes.† â€Å"Westoria?† â€Å"The village we passed through yesterday.† â€Å"How is that-† I didn't finish the question. I would never understand how the Otherworld folded upon itself, how yesterday Westoria had been an hour and a half from the castle and now it was right around the corner. I also didn't understand how everyone but me seemed to always know what direction to go. Rurik assured me they'd have healers in the village, so I followed his lead. As soon as we turned, we found ourselves in the Rowan Land. Ten minutes later, we were back in the Thorn Land, and another five brought us to Westoria. â€Å"Un-fucking-believable,† I muttered. I really never would learn this land's layout. Only Kiyo the fox was close enough to hear my profanity, and I didn't know if he understood or not. Our approach was noticed just like before, and I paused before entering the village in order to say the words that would send Volusian away for now. I didn't want to terrify the townspeople more than I already did. Of course, when we'd left last time, their terror had been replaced by hope and faith. Today, once we told our tale, that optimism faded to disappointment and fear of a different kind-fear that their queen couldn't defend them. If they couldn't look to their wonderful new monarch for protection, what hope did they have? I tried to ignore those disillusioned faces as best I could. Otherwise, I thought I might snap back that fire demons were hardly an everyday occurrence for a king or queen. I doubted Dorian or Maiwenn would have done much better. Instead, I directed my attention to those who had fought for me and been injured for it. The burned man was still alive but in very bad shape. Davros, the mayor, assured me they had a healer who could bring the guard back to a stable condition. The healing took awhile, so I accepted Davros' invitation to sit and have a drink in his home once again. They'd already gotten my well up and working, and he seemed very pleased to be able to offer me water. â€Å"There were no girls there,† I told him. I sat in a plain wooden chair. Kiyo lay on the floor at my feet, his furry body pressed up to my leg. Davros snorted. â€Å"Of course not, your majesty. I told you that girl ran off. It's easier on her parents to believe otherwise. We certainly appreciate your, uh, efforts to clean out those villains, however.† I grimaced. â€Å"Yeah, well, the fire demons were kind of unexpected.† â€Å"There have been rumors for some time, your majesty, that there were some very strong fire users among them. It's part of what's made their raiding so problematic.† I widened my eyes. â€Å"Oh? That might have been useful information earlier.† He cowered at the tone in my voice. â€Å"Begging your pardon, your majesty. None of us could have imagined their power was that great.† I questioned him further on where the bandits might go now and if he'd heard any other stories about their magic users. If we faced these guys again, I didn't want any more surprises. We spoke until Rurik came to get me, telling me that most of the wounded were in traveling shape but that the severely injured man would stay behind for further recovery. There seemed no point in remaining after that, so we set out for the castle. The ride back wasn't too different from our last ride from Westoria. There was a dark mood over the group, and I was probably the worst. We'd set off counting on an easy victory and had more or less gotten our asses kicked. It was late when we finally arrived, the sun having set and cooled the weather to a comfortable eighty degrees. Time in Tucson tended to run a little later than here, which meant it was well into the night back home. So much for the date with Kiyo. That saddened me further, and I wandered out to a stretch of garden-by which I meant rocks and cacti-that extended beyond the castle. I settled down on a patch of grass that Shaya had been painstakingly trying to grow. As someone who controlled and spoke to plant life, I think this barren landscape killed her sometimes. I'd been sitting there and ruminating for about an hour when Kiyo joined me. His fox form had finally lifted. â€Å"Don't take it so hard,† he said, putting an arm around me and guessing what had me worried. â€Å"There was nothing you could have done differently.† â€Å"I suppose. I just feel bad now. Like, I still don't want this place. Not at all. But here it is, and then I feel horrible and guilty because even if I try, I can't do anything for it. I pushed the thinking off on Shaya, and then I failed at the fighting part-the one thing I can usually do. Argh.† I buried my face in my hands. â€Å"It's so confusing. I never wanted to deal with this.† Kiyo pulled me close, and I rested my head against his chest. â€Å"It's okay,† he said. â€Å"We'll get through this.† â€Å"We? You've got enough to worry about without this.† I was in one of those glum moods where everything seemed hopeless. How could he possibly have time for me with a new baby on the way? â€Å"We,† he said firmly. â€Å"And as much as I hate to say it†¦you just being here is going to help the land.† â€Å"How?† â€Å"It's tied to your life, right? You affect it, strengthen it just with your presence. It's why that meditation you do soothes it.† â€Å"Maybe. But I've been meditating for months, and there have still been droughts and famines.† â€Å"You're still helping it, whether you know it or not. Your thoughts, moods†¦it's all connected.† â€Å"Wonderful. It must be doing just great tonight then,† I muttered. In the moonlight, I saw him gesture around us. The sky was clear, and there was no breeze. There was a dry, stagnant feel to the air. It seemed unhealthy. Like you could feel the energy being sapped from everything. I sighed and lay back on the grass. â€Å"If I stay the night, will it help?† â€Å"Probably.† He lay beside me. â€Å"No Red Pepper Bistro then.† â€Å"Yeah. And I was so looking forward to their Salmonella Burrito Special. I guess there's always tomorrow.† â€Å"Mmm, well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I turned toward him. â€Å"Oh, I don't like that.† â€Å"I promised Maiwenn†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He couldn't finish. â€Å"It's fine. I understand.† I did. I just didn't like it. Were we ever going to have some semblance of a normal dating life? â€Å"Oh, Eugenie.† Kiyo wrapped himself against me and brushed the hair from my face. â€Å"You're the only one. You know that, right? The only one I want in this world.† He paused. â€Å"Or any other world.† I laughed, but it was smothered when he pressed his lips to mine. There was almost never warm-up with Kiyo's passion. He always came on hungry and strong, and to my surprise, I always responded right away with equal intensity. I opened my mouth to his, feeling the thrust of his tongue and brush of his teeth against my lips. He slid a hand up my T-shirt, squeezing my breast through the thin lace of my bra. His other hand slid along my hip and down the back of my ass, shoving me closer to him, so that we were pressed hip to hip as we lay on our sides. My own hands were tangled in his hair, keeping our faces close as we kissed. Then, growing impatient, I reached down to the edge of his shirt and tugged it up over his head. It broke our kiss momentarily, but it was worth it to have the warm, wonderful skin of his chest exposed. I ran my hands over it, wanting to kiss every part of it, but he had other ideas and took off my shirt in return. I saw it land on a prickly pear when he tossed it away. His hands moved just as quickly to my jeans, and I leaned back, extending my legs straight out while he pulled them and my underwear off in one motion. I was grateful then for the grass beneath me that Shaya had grown. Gravelly sand would have been a bit harsh on bare skin. Nonetheless, he was the one I pushed down, forcing him to keep his back flat on the ground. Straddling him and still wearing my lace bra, I undid his belt and tugged his jeans and boxers halfway down, just enough to expose what I needed. I leaned over him, pressing us and our naked skin together, rubbing my hips provocatively without taking him into me. I kissed him as I did, and his hands reached around to unfasten my bra and remove the last of my clothing, leaving me completely naked. In that unforgiving heat, though, I barely noticed. He was hard underneath me, and I continued writhing my hips, taunting and teasing him more while I grew wetter. The lust in his eyes burned into me, laced with the remnants of the animal he'd been earlier. His hands were still all over my breasts, rubbing and squeezing them. Each touch sent shockwaves through my body. Occasionally, he'd draw me forward so that he could take one breast into his mouth, suckling and stroking the nipple with his tongue. As he did, I moved one of my own hands down between my thighs and began touching myself, wanting to reach my own climax before he took me-and I knew he would soon. I could see the desire and impatience all over him. Drawing sex out was not in his nature. I much preferred it when a man touched my clit-there was nothing like it in the world-but I had a feeling I'd have to literally take matters into my own hands with the way he looked tonight. Besides, I knew my body well enough to know I could get myself off pretty quickly. Not quickly enough. Kiyo's hands gripped my hips, sitting me up slightly and then roughly pulling my body down. I got my hand out of the way just as he shoved into me, penetrating with a strength I hadn't expected since I was the one on top. I tried to pull off, but his grip on me was firm as he began bucking his hips upward. â€Å"Too soon,† I said, even as my body reveled in the feel of his inside me. â€Å"Never too soon,† he growled back. I managed to shift myself away, and he slipped out of me. I grinned triumphantly, loving how I could prolong this and torment him. His erection was harder and bigger after being inside me, wet and slick from my body as my hand gripped him hard and began stroking back and forth. He groaned, arching his body up to reclaim what I'd taken away. He seized me again, this time rolling me over onto my back so that I'd now have to fight the full strength of him. â€Å"You are so sexy,† he gasped, lowering his body to mine. The rough ground scratched my skin. â€Å"All day, I just think about fucking you.† He thrust into me again, and I cried out so loudly, I wondered if someone from the castle would hear me and come running. If so, it probably wouldn't be a big deal to them. With nothing to hold him back, Kiyo gave me his full force, pumping into me and driving deeper and deeper with each thrust. I was still burning and wet from where I'd touched myself, and with each stroke, he managed to heighten that pleasure, driving me increasingly wild. The muscles in his body were strong and hard, working without rest as he moved furiously, his eyes burning into mine as he took me deeply and forcefully, letting the animal in him do what it wanted. I cried out again, exulting in the harshness mixed with ecstasy as I felt myself grow closer and closer to orgasm. I could see the clench of his jaw and tension within him as he tried to hold back. â€Å"God, I want to come†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he managed through labored breathing. â€Å"Want to come in you so badly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He was waiting, trying to hold out for me to come first. I clenched my hands against his back, digging my nails into his skin. â€Å"Do it,† I hissed. â€Å"Come in me. Now†¦let me feel it†¦.† It was all he needed to tip him over. His mouth opened in something that was half-moan and half-roar. He still managed to keep moving in and out of me, but the movements were slower, more punctuated as he came and his body found release. At last, he shuddered and pulled out, only to then collapse on top of me. I wrapped my arms around him. Even without an orgasm, my body felt renewed and alive, burning with pleasure at the intensity of what we had just put our bodies through. He rested his head on my chest, and I continued holding him, neither of us saying a word. At some point, I drifted to sleep like that, only to be woken up about an hour later. It took me a moment to figure out what had happened, until I felt a wet drop hit my face. Then another. Then another. I squirmed and sat up, wiping water out of my eyes. â€Å"What's wrong?† murmured Kiyo drowsily, stirring slightly. I looked up into the sky, scattered with both stars and much-needed clouds. â€Å"It's raining.†

Atticus confesses that he sometimes thinks of himself as a complete failure as a parent Essay Example

Atticus confesses that he sometimes thinks of himself as a complete failure as a parent Essay Example Atticus confesses that he sometimes thinks of himself as a complete failure as a parent Paper Atticus confesses that he sometimes thinks of himself as a complete failure as a parent Paper Essay Topic: Literature Atticus Finch is nearly fifty years of age and is a well-known and established lawyer in Maycomb County. Atticus has two children named Jeremy Finch and Jean Louise Finch, better known as Jem and Scout. Atticus is an only parent as Jem and Scouts mother died when Scout was two from a sudden heart attack and Scout therefore expresses in the book that she never really felt her absence. My personal view is that Harper Lee intentionally creates Atticus as having to raise both Jem and Scout by himself as he has much more responsibility as a father to fulfill all the parental duties on his own and this may give Atticus a reason to doubt himself as he does at certain points in the novel. Different characters and different incidents throughout the novel portray varied views, thoughts and ideas to the reader about Atticus as a parent, some bad, some good but each tell us a substantial amount about this character as a whole. An example may be chapter one when Scout expresses her own and her brothers views about Atticus as father, Jem and I found our father satisfactory: he played with us, read to us, and treated us with courteous detachment. The reader can learn a lot from individual character opinions about Atticus such as the one above, however it is my belief that we as readers learn much more from the way in which Atticus handles situations which arise throughout the book and very much by the way in which he deals and explains these incidents to his children. There are countless incidents in the novel which demonstrate to the reader just how good Atticus really is as a father and I feel that one of the writers main intentions was to make us as readers recognise Atticus ability to relate to his children with such understanding and honesty. Our first example of this is in chapter two when Scout learns one of her very first lessons from Atticus. Scouts first day at school does not prove to be a very successful one and Atticus soon realises that something is wrong. Having explained to Atticus about the days misfortunes Atticus tries to make Scout see the day at school from Miss Carolines point of view. Scout learns a lesson from Atticus as he explains, if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, youll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. The need to look at circumstances from the other persons point of view is a strong theme in the book. It is the chief lesson Atticus teaches his children and reflects upon Atticus main philosophy of life and these are the main reasons as to why Harper Lee includes this incident at this very early stage in the novel. Atticus then goes on to explain the meaning of compromise to Scout and the two of them agree that if Scout continues going to school, they could continue reading every night. Atticus talks to Scout intelligently and this is shown when he describes compromise to her as an agreement reached by mutual concessions, which most would regard as quite a complex definition unusually used when explaining to a child and especially one of her age. In chapter four, we begin to see Atticus fairness as a father. Even though he suspects that the childrens game is to do with the Radleys, because they deny it and he has no proof, he lets it go I believe that this behavior may be more representative of a lawyer than most parents. I certainly feel that the quality of fairness in Atticus is intentionally shown by the writer to the reader in this incident as this same quality is shown again in later stages of the book, however under more extreme and important circumstances. Atticus does eventually find out about the childrens games regarding the Radleys in chapter five and is disappointed in the children. Nevertheless, Atticus explains to the children that what Mr Radley [does] is his own business and goes on to teach the children valuable lessons of acceptance and tolerance. Again he asks the children to think in the other persons point of view asking the children how they would like it if he barged in on [them] without knocking, when [they] were in their rooms at night. Atticus does not only tell the children to stop doing it but also gives them reasons as to why it was wrong and also speaks to the children in an intelligent manner, in this particular incident but also generally throughout the book. This contrasts very much to the way that other adults treat the children, which are portrayed later on in the novel. Another quality of Atticus, which is reinforced throughout the book, is Atticus ability to always remain truthful and honest even in the most difficult circumstances. This is shown very well in chapter twenty three, when Atticus explains to his children the realities of the world they live in. he tells them honestly and truthfully that in our courts, when it is a white mans word against a black mans word, the white man always wins. Atticus words to Jem about the trial are strong, his outrage is revealed. It is difficult for Atticus to explain the societies prejudice to the children, however Atticus does so remaining truthful. Yet another example of Atticus brilliance in explaining situations and incidents to his children is shown in chapter nine. Chapter nine begins with Scout ready to fight a boy named Cecil Jacobs as he had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finchs daddy defended niggers. Scout does not understand the full meaning of what Cecil has said and turns on Atticus yet again to explain. Scout questions her father as to why he was defending Tom if he shouldnt be defended the opinion of most of Maycomb. Atticus says he is doing it for a number of reasons and that the main one is, if [he] didnt [he] couldnt hold his head up in town, [he couldnt represent this county in the legislature, [he] couldnt even tell [Scout] or Jem not to do something again. In my opinion, the case of Tom Robinson is a matter of honour for Atticus. He knows he cannot win, but he must take it on or lose his self-respect, the respect of his children and the respect of those townsfolk whose opinions he values. When Scout asks Atticus if they were going to win the case, Atticus replies no as he knows exactly what the status of the Negro is in the south. Even in court they are not equal and this is why Atticus is so sure of failure. Atticus tries to explain all this to Scout and is rather successful in doing so as the next day, Scout remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped [her] fists and walked away. We are told that this was the first time that Scout had ever walked away from a fight and this is very important as it shows the extent of understanding and respect Scout has for Atticus and also shows just how well Atticus explained the complicated situation to Scout the night before. Scout is beginning to remember to be reasonable and this is a definite sign of her growing up. Scouts tolerance can only last a day or two however as towards the end of chapter nine, Scout gets into another fight when they go to Finchs Landing for Christmas with a boy named Francis when he accuses Atticus of letting [them] run around with stray dogs and also of being a nigger-lover. This is a very significant incident in the novel and the writers intention was to enable Scout to express her opinion of Atticus as she does on p92 when she tells uncle Jack that [he] aint fair. She explains to him that when Jem and [her] fuss Atticus doesnt ever just listen to Jems side of it, he hears [her] side too. The way in which Atticus handles the children contrasts very much with the way in which Uncle Jack handles them in this incident and really emphasises and highlights to the reader Atticus fairness as a father, which the writer also demonstrated earlier in the novel. There is also a certain sense of humor and irony that comes from the way Scout seems to be telling her Uncle off. Scou t asks her Uncle what a whore-lady is and being put in this uncomfortable position, Jack completely avoids the question by plunging into a long tale about an old Prime Minister. Again, we as readers are able to compare the way in which Uncle Jack handles this sort of situation to the way in which Atticus does and I think that this is one of the writers main intentions. Atticus is given a chance to express both to the reader and to Uncle Jack about the way he feels adults should handle situations such as this and the reader realises the major differences between Atticus and the majority of other parents who would have probably acted as Uncle Jack had done. Atticus seems to understand and relate to children much better as he explains to Uncle Jack that children are children but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and an evasion quickly muddlesem We really begin to like and admire Atticus when we find out that Atticus has never laid a hand on [Scout] and Atticus also explains that Scout tries her best and that is all that matters. In chapter ten, we find out about Atticus dislike and uninterest in guns and rifles and he reminds Jem that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, an important lesson which Atticus knows will be needed later. Chapter ten also gives us Miss Maudies opinion of Atticus as the children complain to her about Atticus old age. Miss Maudie tell them hes the best chequer-player in his town and that he can play a Jews harp. The fact that the children find all of these things extremely boring and are rather ashamed of their father at this point is in my opinion Harper Lees intention. I believe it is her intention because when the children find out about their father being the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time this comes as much, much more of a shock to both the reader and the children. Scout and Jem learn something new about their father and their respect for him increases. It is a most crucial time for Atticus to have gained the childrens respect just before the trial days begin. During chapter eleven, Atticus is able to teach both Jem and Scout yet another very important and valuable lesson. Jem loses his temper with the outspoken, cantankerous old neighbor, Mrs. Dubose. In retaliation for the names she calls Atticus, Jem knocks off the heads of her camellias. Atticus is angry at Jems behavior and as a punishment Jem has to read to her everyday for a month. This gives the writer another chance to allow Atticus to teach the children another valuable lesson of allowing people to be entitled to their own opinions using the example of Mrs Dubose. The children also learn an important lesson of courage and by the time of her death, they realise it is wrong to judge others too quickly or too superficially. The reason as to why Harper Lee introduces the character of Aunt Alexandra into the novel is illustrated very well in chapter fourteen. Her views contrast very much to those of Atticus and as readers we are able to see the differences in the way Aunt Alex treats the children to the way Atticus does. An example of this is shown in chapter fourteen when Aunt Alex wants to get rid of Calpurnia. Atticus refuses however, as he has high regards for the cook and the arrival of his sister does not change that. We see how Aunt Alex always thinks of her narrow-minded prejudices before thinking of the children. This incident also shows us how quick Aunt Alexandra is to impose her own views on her brothers household. This demonstrates the extent of her own prejudice and intolerance contrasting to Atticus fair, understanding, honest opinions and views. Although Atticus has a huge amount of good points as a father which are portrayed throughout the novel by individual characters or by the way in which Atticus handles certain situations, Atticus has a number of bad points also revealed at times in the book. Some may believe that these bad points show that Atticus is in fact a bad parent, however my belief is that the writer intentionally included many of these points to reinforce the fact that Atticus, as heroic as he may seem is in fact only human and can therefore make mistakes also. Many of Atticus bad points are reflected upon at certain points in the book. A good example of this is in the beginning of chapter ten. I quote, Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty. He was much older than the parents of our school contemporaries Scout also expresses to the reader Jems love for football and how Atticus was never to tired to play keep-away, but when Jem wanted to tackle him Atticus would say, Im too old for that, son. Scout then continues by talking about Atticus job and how Atticus did not do anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone. At this early stage in the book, it is typical of Scout to make this sort of judgement about Atticus, however we can certainly see that as she evolves and grows up throughout the course of the novel, her attitude also changes from that of the above to one of much more respect and admiration for her father. I think that one of the writers main intentions here was for Scout to grow up through the book and learn more about Atticus as a person and also more about his character, opinions and views which she comes to recognise and admire by the end of the book. As Scout does so, we as readers also learn more about Atticus and this is one of the important ways in which we do so. Chapter thirteen shows us that Atticus in a sense may not be as brave as we have seen in other points in the novel. Atticus is a lawyer as we know and he is ineffective at putting his heart into saying something that he does not believe in. We can tell this by the way Atticus says your Aunt has asked me to implying that he himself does not actually believe in what he is saying and the children realise this very quickly. I think that when we as readers read this particular part of the book, we wonder why Atticus doesnt stand up to her sister instead of doing as she says unwillingly. This may be a weakness of Atticus which can be seen also at other times in the novel. There are three main instances throughout the course of the book in which Atticus appears to be very wrong in his views and opinions which, for a character like Atticus who plays such an heroic role in this book and to the reader is extremely rare. The first instance which Atticus is proven to be very wrong about is during chapter three when the children hear about Bob Ewells threaten to get [Atticus] if it took [him] the rest of his life. Atticus tells Jem and Scout, we dont have anything to fear from Bob Ewell, he got it all out of his system that morning. As readers, I feel that we do trust Atticus judgements very much as he so rarely makes any mistakes, however it seems here that Atticus almost has too much faith in mankind and Bob Ewell does in fact gain his revenge. The second instance is also in chapter twenty three when we learn from Scout that Atticus assured [them] that nothing would happen to Tom Robin son until the higher court reviewed his case, and that Tom had a good chance of going free. Again, the readers are lulled into a false sense of security, putting full faith in Atticus and his judgement. We do find out however, in chapter 24 that in fact Tom himself had no faith in Atticus and did not believe that he would be released and this may be what caused him to try and runaway which subsequently lead to his death. The last instance in which Atticus proves again to be very wrong in his beliefs is during chapter fifteenwhen he explains to Jem and Scout that we dont have mobs and that nonsense in Maycomb. We soon find out later in the very same chapter that in reality, Maycomb does have mobs and Atticus idealism backfires at him during this particular scene. It seems, knowing the above, that the author has included imperfections in the character of Atticus, idealism and having too much faith in mankind, some examples. My personal belief is that by including such examples of imperfections in Atticus character, makes him seem much more human like and more believable for the reader, rather than a faultless hero which we know is humanly impossible. I would like to briefly conclude this essay by saying that overall, I strongly do not agree with Atticus view that he is a complete failure as a father. My reasons for believing so are as stated earlier in this essay however I also believe that by simply making a few honest and unintentional mistakes, most of which I have stated above, does not make him any less of a good father. On the contrary, I strongly believe that the author intentionally illustrates imperfections in his character to make the readers recognise both Atticus strengths and weaknesses and realise that ultimately, nobody is perfect.

Casting and Data Type Conversions in VB.NET

Casting and Data Type Conversions in VB.NET Casting is the process of converting one data type to another, for example, from an Integer type to a String type. Some operations in VB.NET require specific data types to work. Casting creates the type you need. The first article in this two-part series, Casting and Data Type Conversions in VB.NET, introduces casting. This article describes the three operators you can use to cast in VB.NET - DirectCast, CType and TryCast - and compares their performance. Performance is one of the big differences between the three casting operators according to Microsoft and other articles. For example, Microsoft is usually careful to warn that, DirectCast ... can provide somewhat better performance than CType when converting to and from data type Object. (Emphasis added.) I decided to write some code to check. But first a word of caution. Dan Appleman, one of the founders of the technical book publisher Apress and a reliable technical guru, once told me that benchmarking performance is much harder to do correctly than most people realize. There are factors like machine performance, other processes that might be running in parallel, optimization like memory caching or compiler optimization, and errors in your assumptions about what the code is actually doing. In these benchmarks, I have tried to eliminate apples and oranges comparison errors and all tests have been run with the release build. But there still might be errors in these results. If you notice any, please let me know. The three casting operators are: DirectCastCTypeTryCast In practical fact, you will usually find that the requirements of your application will determine which operator you use. DirectCast and TryCast have very narrow requirements. When you use DirectCast, the type must already be known. Although the code ... theString DirectCast(theObject, String) ... will compile successfully if theObject isnt a string already, then the code will throw a runtime exception. TryCast is even more restrictive because it wont work at all on value types such as Integer. (String is a reference type. For more on value types and reference types, see the first article in this series.) This code ... theInteger TryCast(theObject, Integer) ... wont even compile. TryCast is useful when youre not sure what type of object youre working with. Rather than throwing an error like DirectCast, TryCast just returns Nothing. The normal practice is to test for Nothing after executing TryCast. Only CType (and the other Convert operators like CInt and CBool) will convert types that dont have an inheritance relationship such as an Integer to a String: Dim theString As String 1 Dim theInteger As Integer theInteger CType(theString, Integer) This works because CType uses helper functions that arent part of the .NET CLR (Common Language Runtime) to perform these conversions. But remember that CType will also throw an exception if theString doesnt contain something that can be converted to an Integer. If theres a possibility that the string isnt an integer like this ... Dim theString As String George ... then no casting operator will work. Even TryCast wont work with Integer because its a value type. In a case like this, you would have to use validity checking, such as the TypeOf operator, to check your data before trying to cast it. Microsofts documentation for DirectCast specifically mentions casting with an Object type so thats what I used in my first performance test. Testing begins on the next page! DirectCast will usually use an Object type, so thats what I used in my first performance test. To include TryCast in the test, I also included an If block since nearly all programs that use TryCast will have one. In this case, however, it will never be executed. Heres the code that compares all three when casting an Object to a String: Dim theTime As New Stopwatch() Dim theString As String Dim theObject As Object An Object Dim theIterations As Integer CInt(Iterations.Text) * 1000000 DirectCast Test theTime.Start() For i 0 To theIterations theString DirectCast(theObject, String) Next theTime.Stop() DirectCastTime.Text theTime.ElapsedMilliseconds.ToString CType Test theTime.Restart() For i As Integer 0 To theIterations theString CType(theObject, String) Next theTime.Stop() CTypeTime.Text theTime.ElapsedMilliseconds.ToString TryCast Test theTime.Restart() For i As Integer 0 To theIterations theString TryCast(theObject, String) If theString Is Nothing Then MsgBox(This should never display) End If Next theTime.Stop() TryCastTime.Text theTime.ElapsedMilliseconds.ToString This initial test seems to show that Microsoft is right on target. Heres the result. (Experiments with larger and smaller numbers of iterations as well as repeated tests under different conditions didnt show any significant differences from this result.) Click Here to display the illustration DirectCast and TryCast were similar at 323 and 356 milliseconds, but CType took over three times as much time at 1018 milliseconds. When casting reference types like this, you pay for the flexibility of CType in performance. But does it always work this way? The Microsoft example in their page for DirectCast is mainly useful for telling you what wont work using DirectCast, not what will. Heres the Microsoft example: Dim q As Object 2.37 Dim i As Integer CType(q, Integer) The following conversion fails at run time Dim j As Integer DirectCast(q, Integer) Dim f As New System.Windows.Forms.Form Dim c As System.Windows.Forms.Control The following conversion succeeds. c DirectCast(f, System.Windows.Forms.Control) In other words, you cant use DirectCast (or TryCast, although they dont mention it here) to cast an Object type to an Integer type, but you can use DirectCast to cast a Form type to a Control type. Lets check the performance of Microsofts example of what will work with DirectCast. Using the same code template shown above, substitute ... c DirectCast(f, System.Windows.Forms.Control) ... into the code along with similar substitutions for CType and TryCast. The results are a little surprising. Click Here to display the illustration DirectCast was actually the slowest of the three choices at 145 milliseconds. CType is just a little quicker at 127 milliseconds but TryCast, including an If block, is the quickest at 77 milliseconds. I also tried writing my own objects: Class ParentClass ... End Class Class ChildClass Inherits ParentClass ... End Class I got similar results. It appears that if youre not casting an Object type, youre better off not using DirectCast.

Medieval Clothing and Fabrics in the Middle Ages

Medieval Clothing and Fabrics in the Middle Ages In medieval times, as today, both fashion and necessity dictated what people wore. And both fashion and necessity, in addition to cultural tradition and available materials, varied across the centuries of the Middle Ages and across the countries of Europe. After all, no one would expect the clothes of an eighth-century Viking to bear any resemblance to those of a 15th-century Venetian. So when you ask the question What did a man (or woman) wear in the Middle Ages? be prepared to answer some questions yourself.  Where did he live? When did he live? What was his station in life (noble, peasant, merchant, cleric)? And for what purpose might he be wearing a particular set of clothes? Types of Materials Used in Medieval Clothing The many types of synthetic and blended fabrics people wear today were simply not available in medieval times.  But this didnt mean that everyone wore heavy wool, burlap, and animal skins. Different textiles were manufactured in a range of weights and could vary greatly in quality. The more finely woven the textile was, the softer and more costly it would be. Various fabrics, such as taffeta, velvet, and damask were made from textiles like silk, cotton, and  linen using specific weaving techniques. These were not generally available in the earlier Middle Ages, and were among the more expensive fabrics for the extra time and care it took to make them. Materials available for use in medieval clothing included: Wool By far the most common fabric of the Middle Ages (and the core of the flourishing textile industry), wool was knitted or crocheted into garments, but it was more likely woven. Depending on how it was made, it could be very warm and thick, or light and airy. Wool was also felted for hats and other accessories. Linen Almost as common as wool, linen was  made from the flax plant and theoretically available to all classes. Growing flax was labor-intensive and making linen was time-consuming, however. Since the fabric wrinkled easily, it wasnt often found in garments worn by poorer folk. Fine linen was used for the veils and wimples of ladies, undergarments, and a wide variety of apparel and household furnishings.​ Silk Luxurious and costly, silk was used only by the wealthiest of classes and the Church.   Hemp Less costly than flax, hemp and nettles were used to create workaday fabrics in the Middle Ages. Though more common for such uses as sails and rope, hemp may also have been used for aprons and undergarments. Cotton Cotton doesnt grow well in cooler climes, so its use in medieval garments was less common in northern Europe than wool or linen. Still, a cotton industry existed in southern Europe in the 12th century, and cotton became an occasional alternative to linen. Leather The production of leather goes back to prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages, leather was used for shoes, belts, armor, horse tackle, furniture, and a wide assortment of everyday products. Leather could be dyed, painted, or tooled in a variety of fashions for ornamentation. Fur In early medieval Europe, fur was common, but thanks in part to the use of animal skins by Barbarian cultures, it was considered too crass to wear in public. It was, however, used to line gloves and outer garments. By the tenth century, fur came back into fashion, and everything from beaver, fox, and sable to vair (squirrel), ermine, and marten was used for warmth and status. Colors Found in Medieval Clothing Dyes came from a lot of different sources, some of them far more expensive than others.  Still, even the humble peasant could have colorful clothing. Using plants, roots, lichen, tree bark, nuts, crushed insects, mollusks, and iron oxide, virtually every color of the rainbow could be achieved. However, adding color was an extra step in the manufacturing process that raised its price, so clothing made from an undyed fabric in various shades of beige and off-white was not uncommon among the poorest folk. A dyed fabric would fade fairly quickly if it wasnt mixed with a mordant, and bolder shades required either longer dyeing times or more expensive dyes. Thus, the fabrics with the brightest and richest colors cost more and were, therefore, most often found on the nobility and the very rich. One natural dye that did not require a mordant was  woad,  a flowering plant that yielded a dark blue dye. Woad was used so extensively in both professional and home dyeing that it became known as Dyers Woad, and garments of a variety of blue shades could be found on people of virtually every level of society. Garments Worn Under Medieval Clothing Throughout much of the Middle Ages and in most societies, the undergarments worn by both men and women didnt substantially change. Basically, they consisted of a shirt or under-tunic, stockings or hose, and some kind of underpants or breeches for men. There is no evidence that women regularly wore underpants - but with a matter of such delicacy that the garments became known as unmentionables, this isn’t surprising. Women may have worn underpants, depending on their resources, the nature of their outer garments, and their personal preferences. Medieval Hats, Caps, and Head Coverings Virtually everyone wore something on their heads in the Middle Ages, to keep off the sun in hot weather, to keep their heads warm in cold weather, and to keep dirt out of their hair. Of course, as with every other type of garment, hats could indicate a persons job or their station in life and could make a fashion statement. But hats were especially important socially, and to knock someones hat off his or her head was a grave insult that, depending on the circumstances, could even be considered assault. Types of mens hats included wide-brimmed straw hats, close-fitting coifs of linen or hemp that tied under the chin like a bonnet, and a wide variety of felt, cloth or knitted caps. Women wore veils and wimples. Among the fashion-conscious nobility of the High Middle Ages, some fairly complex hats and head rolls for men and women were in vogue. Both men and women wore hoods, often attached to capes or jackets but sometimes standing alone. Some of the more complicated mens hats were actually hoods with a long strip of fabric in the back that could be wound around the head. A common accouterment for men of the working classes was a hood attached to a short cape that covered just the shoulders. Medieval Nightwear You may have heard that in the Middle Ages, everyone slept naked. Like most generalizations, this cant be perfectly accurate - and in cold weather, it is so unlikely it becomes painfully ridiculous. Illuminations, woodcuts, and other period artwork illustrate medieval people in bed in different attire. Some are unclothed, but just as many are wearing simple gowns or shirts, some with sleeves. Though we have virtually no documentation regarding what people wore to bed, from these images we can glean that those who wore nightdress could have been clad in an under-tunic (possibly the same one theyd worn during the day) or even in a lightweight gown made especially for sleeping, depending on their financial status. As it is true today, what people wore to bed depended on their resources, the climate, family custom, and their own personal preferences. Sumptuary Laws Clothing was the quickest and easiest way to identify someones status and station in life. The monk in his cassock, the servant in his livery, the peasant in his simple tunic were all instantly recognizable, as was the knight in armor or the lady in her fine gown. Whenever members of the lower strata of society blurred the lines of social distinction by wearing clothing ordinarily found only among the upper classes, people found it unsettling, and some saw it as downright offensive. Throughout the medieval era, but especially in the later Middle Ages, laws were passed to regulate what could and could not be worn by members of different social classes. These laws, known as sumptuary laws, not only attempted to maintain the separation of the classes, they also addressed excessive expenditures on all sorts of items. The clergy and more pious secular leaders had concerns about the conspicuous consumption the nobility was prone to, and sumptuary laws were an attempt to reign in what some found to be distastefully ostentatious displays of wealth. Although there are known cases of prosecution under sumptuary laws, they seldom worked. It was difficult to police everyones purchases. Since the punishment for breaking the law was usually a fine, the very rich could still acquire whatever they pleased and pay the price with hardly a second thought. Still, the passage of sumptuary laws persisted through the Middle Ages. The Evidence There are exceedingly few garments surviving from the Middle Ages. The exceptions are the apparel found with the bog bodies, most of whom died before the medieval period, and a handful of rare and costly items preserved through extraordinary good fortune. Textiles simply cannot withstand the elements, and unless they are buried with metal, they will deteriorate in the grave without a trace. How, then, do we really know what people wore? Traditionally, costumers and historians of material culture have turned to period artwork. Statues, paintings, illuminated manuscripts, tomb effigies, even the extraordinary Bayeux Tapestry all depict contemporaries in medieval dress. But great care must be taken when evaluating these representations. Often contemporary for the artist was a generation or two too late for the subject. Sometimes, there was no attempt at all to represent a historical figure in clothing appropriate to the figures time period. And unfortunately, most of the picture books and magazine series produced in the 19th century, from which a large percentage of modern histories are drawn, are based on misleading period artwork. Many of them further mislead with inappropriate colors and the casual addition of anachronistic garments. Matters are further complicated by the fact that terminology is not consistent from one source to the next. There are no period documentary sources fully describing garments and providing their names. The historian must pick up these bits of scattered data from a wide range of sources - including wills, account books, and letters - and interpret exactly what is meant by each item mentioned. There is nothing straightforward about medieval clothing history. The truth is, the study of medieval clothing is in its infancy. With any luck, future historians will break open the treasure trove of facts about medieval clothing and share its riches with the rest of us. Until then, we amateurs and non-specialists must take our best guess based on what little weve learned. Sources Dickson, Brandy. Cotton is Period? Really? Brandy Dickson, 2004-2008. Houston, Mary G. Medieval Costume in England and France: The 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries. Dover Fashion and Costumes, Kindle Edition, Dover Publications, August 28, 2012. Jenkins, David (Editor). The Cambridge History of Western Textiles 2 Volume Hardback Boxed Set. Hardcover, Cambridge University Press; Slp edition, September 29, 2003. Kà ¶hler, Carl. A History of Costume. Dover Fashion and Costumes, Kindle Edition, Dover Publications, May 11, 2012. Mahe, Yvette, Ph.D. History of Fur in Fashion 10th to 19th Century. Fashion Time, February 19, 2012. Medieval Veils, Wimples and Gorgets. Rosalie Gilbert. Netherton, Robin. Medieval Clothing and Textiles. Gale R. Owen-Crocker, Hardcover, The Boydell Press, July 18, 2013. Norris, Herbert. Medieval Costume and Fashion. Paperback, Dover Publications Inc., 1745. Piponnier, Francoise. Dress in the Middle Ages. Perrine Mane, Caroline Beamish (Translator), Paperback, Yale University Press, August 11, 2000. Priest, Carolyn. Period Leather-working techniques. Thora Sharptooth, Ron Charlotte, John Nash, I. Marc Carlson, 1996, 1999, 2001. Virtue, Cynthia. How to be a HOOD-lum: Medieval hoods. Cynthia Virtue, 1999, 2005. Virtue, Cynthia. How to make a Coif: 1 and 3 piece patterns. Cynthia Virtue, 1999-2011. Virtue, Cynthia. Mens Stuffed-Roll Hats. Cynthia Virtue, 2000. Virtue, Cynthia. Womens Roll Hats. Cynthia Virtue, 1999. Zajaczkowa, Jadwiga. Hemp and Nettle. Slovo, Jennifer A Heise, 2002-2003.

The Civil Partnership Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The Civil Partnership Act - Essay Example The Act is therefore a landmark legislation in elevating the legal status of same sex relationships to that close to heterosexual marriages. However, while it is undeniable that the Act is a step in the right direction, it is doubtful whether it can actually achieve the objective it was set out to fulfil - to eliminate the discrimination and injustice suffered by same sex relationships within society. Prior to the Civil Partnership Act 2004, same sex relationships in the United Kingdom simply do not have the legal status given to marriages. The Family Law Act 1996 under s 62 §1, for example, limits the definition of cohabitants to â€Å"a man or a woman living together as husband and wife.† The Local Government Act 1988 also provides a similar definition in defining same sex relationships as â€Å"pretended family relationships† under section 28, indicating a lack of recognition both from a legal and social point of view. As a result, same sex relationships have been discriminated

Why I want to be an officer in the US army Essay

Why I want to be an officer in the US army - Essay Example The US Army is founded upon seven principles i.e. Personal Courage, Integrity, Honor, Selfless Service, Respect, Duty and Loyalty. (US Army Manuals, 2008)Soldiers are taught about these values during training and they soon form part of their lives as they carry out their duties. Because I share in the desire to acquire and live according to these values, then I believe that the US Army would be the right place for me. In the civilian world, many people are familiar with all the latter values; however, very few of them actually embrace them as part of their lives. Most of them may consider these values as theoretical ones and rarely do they adhere to all of them. However, US Army officers are different in this regard. This is because the seven Army values are part of what they are. All US Army officers are expected to bear allegiance to the Army, the US constitution and to their fellow soldiers. Loyalty as an army value is first and foremost directed to the country and its heritage. In theory, this may seem like a relatively easy thing to do. However, there is much that has to be considered in the execution of this value. For instance, when soldiers are out in combat and they are heading towards a location that they may not be sure of, it is essential for these officers to demonstrate their loyalty to the Army by obeying the directions of their Captain. This should be the case regardless of objections that other soldiers may have against the Captain's opinion. (US Army, 2008) In order to be loyal, it is necessary for one to actually bear witness to the US Army ideals. This normally means that one has to be willing to devote oneself to the Army and to other persons in the Army. This is usually displayed by a deep respect and support for one's leaders and colleagues. Every Army soldier can contribute towards the greater good of the institution by carrying out their part. There is only one thing that can prepare an individual to engage or participate in something that poses a serious risk of death. This is having great loyalty to ones country. Such officers usually pledge allegiance to their country and their constitution even when it might cause them great harm or even loss of their lives. To me, there is nothing that can show one's loyalty to their country like sacrificing one's own life for it. While it may be a fact that not all US Army officers are at risk of loss of life, one cannot ignore the fact that it can happen. Consequently, one ought to be ready for this. Source; http://www.cbc.ca/ A memorial for fallen soldiers in the war in Iraq; the latter illustration shows some of the prices that the US has to pay to defend their deals. It may be a scary thing for many people to work in the army because many are wary of its unpredictability. In fact, this is the sole reason why so many people opt not to join the Army. However, the same situation does not apply to me. I have a deep respect and love for my country. My loyalty is so immense to the point that I can be willing to put up with so much just so that I can secure a better life for my generation. Many great leaders in history had to make sacrifices because if they had not chosen to do so, then our nation would not be as it is today. The ideals that hold America today must be protected at all costs and if it takes some injuries or a life to prove this point, then so be it. The US Army is the best place to serve when one has such utmost respect and loyalty for their

Dispersed Team Dynamics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Dispersed Team Dynamics - Case Study Example Since advanced technology-driven interventions can have a significant positive effect on virtual project management and online education, it is essential for virtual team leaders to identify the role of interventions in improving technology choice in a virtual setting. In this article, the Mitchell argues that both proactive and reactive interventions can be used to manage virtual team challenges while considering the technology choice (p.433). In a virtual team environment, leaders are forced to use interventions in order to proactively and reactively address various workplace issues that may arise during the course of task performance (Mitchell, abstract). In addition, they are required to sense the need for technology change timely for executing the interventions effectively. The need for addressing the organizational change, technology change, and conflict management has been influencing leaders to use interventions in virtual groups (Mitchell p.432). Therefore, the use of interventions in a virtual group setting is of great strategic importance in the modern days. There are two types of interventions such as proactive and reactive interventions used to address a discrepant event. Proactive interventions are based on previous experiences and best practices that keep virtual team members informed of the strategies that could prevent certain challenges. In contrast, reactive interventions would address discrepant events that arise while team members work together to achieve their shared objectives. Although these interventions may foster learning in the virtual team setting, there are several factors such as cultural diversity, language barriers, and communication difficulties that can hinder the effectiveness of the interventions. Hence, team leaders have the additional responsibility to ensure that the interventions employed are capable of influencing the overall team behavior

The manufacturing of a Premount Base Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The manufacturing of a Premount Base - Essay Example The manufacturing process was aligned and synchronised after the launch of Computer Numerical Control. The performance and machining characteristics of the Computer Numerical Control is consistent, and possibility of production or machining error is minimal. The human error has previously consumed significant effort and time, and in cases have been cause of production downtime. The evolution of the Computer Numerical Control is in compliance with the quality standards. The material for the fabrication of pre-mounting base shall be inspected through several non-destructive techniques to verify its compliance against standard, and strength. The metal identification of the job piece is important; the identification of the metal constituents through metal identification shall conform to the description provided by the vendor. This test shall be followed by hardness measurement; the hardness of the job piece shall be within the range as described in ASTM standards. The dye penetrant test of the job piece is recommended to verify the possibility of existence of external cracks on the job piece; it is strongly recommended that the cracked job piece shall be rejected. The ultra-sonic flaw detection shall be conducted; the test will verify the existence of internal flaws of the job piece. Beside ultra-sonic flaw detection, another recommended technique shall be eddy-current testing. The machining process for the pre-mounting base is simple. The job piece after certain inspection and quality checks should be placed on the lathe machine for trimming. It is important that the job piece shall be not greater than 2mm from the maximum required length. The quality of the cutting tools has to be ensured and maintained. The lathe machine shall be suitable for this job. The fabrication of the pre-mounting base requires essentially straight machining. After machining, the drilling of holes at specified

Measuring Business Performance Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Measuring Business Performance - Coursework Example Kinney (2009) defines effectiveness is the state of doing the right things within and the limits that have been put, on the other hand efficiency is the state of doing things the right way. Effectiveness aims at outcome regardless of how resources are used while in efficiency focus on the process considering resource allocation. A good example is a company that deals with customer care services, if a worker achieves their daily target then they are effective. However, reaching targets does not mean all the calls successfully connected the customer. On the other hand, a worker may not reach the daily set targets but all his or her calls connect to customers, this is efficiency. 1. Efficiency and effectiveness enables a company saves resources and ensures maximum utilization of the same. When employees work efficiently, they utilize most of the resource with minimal or no wastage respectively. In doing so, the purposes for which the resources were intended for will are met. If efficiency is not there, some resources will be wasted meaning that new ones will have to be purchased thus affecting maximization of the resources. 2. Effectiveness and efficiency leads to expansion of a business. Through effectiveness company can meet targets and produce large volumes of quality goods per a given period of time. This means that the company will sell more goods per unit period. Increase in sales leads to purchase of new equipment that will demand space. The company will therefore expand so as to provide room for the equipment. 3. Efficiency and effectiveness increases profit margin of a company. When a company is efficient, it means that they are maximizing the use of the available resources. If effectiveness is applied, then the company will produce more commodities with minimum materials hence bringing up the profit margin of the company. Lyons (2013) note that in case of inflation, it is very hard to determine the performance of

Leadership, A good leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Leadership, A good leader - Essay Example The history of leadership can be traced back to two phases of theories, the classic theories (before 1938) and the contemporary theories (after 1938). A leader plays a very important role in binding a team together and guiding them through the phases of problems and solving them, as well. A good leader is one, who can maintain his poise and dignity, level-headedness and expertise; and yet, be a part of the team and lead them. He possesses a clear vision and very often, discusses things out with his team mates. The article discusses these various theories that have emerged through the years, which all emphasize different leadership styles. "Superior leaders get things done with very little motion. They impart instruction not through many words, but through a few deeds. They keep informed about everything but interfere hardly at all. They are catalysts, and though things would not get done as well if they were not there, when they succeed they take no credit. And, because they take no credit, credit never leaves them," said Lao Tzu There exist numerous types of leaders---Autocratic, Bureaucratic, Participative, Laissez Faire and Paternalistic. Each of these kinds is distinctive and clear-cut in terms of its approach and the general perception. Autocratic leadership is characterised by close supervision, wherein the leader dons the most important role. The authoritarian gives clear and precise directions; and therefore assumes the top stop with authority. He or she offers no room for employee initiative or independent thoughts. There exists no room for discussions and sharing of ideas, since it is all one-sided. Employees do not participate in decision making and are more like obedient executioners of the plan of action imposed by the leader. In other words, the leader is the most important person, without whom the team crumbles into shambles. He or she becomes the be-all of the team and often is perceived as the face of the entire team. This is very often perceived as the least effective method of motivation, due to the non-participatory element in this form of leadership. The next form of leadership is the Bureaucratic form of leadership. This form of leadership focuses on the institution's rules and policies. It is more or less a statutory form of leadership, that follows theoretical principles with adherence. There exists an apprehension to take chances and management is done "by the book". There are no departures from the rules that are generally accepted. Attempts at creativity of thinking out of the box is something that is not synonymous with this kinds of leadership, more so because of the sheer dedication to rules and book material.

Measuring Business Performance Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Measuring Business Performance - Coursework Example Kinney (2009) defines effectiveness is the state of doing the right things within and the limits that have been put, on the other hand efficiency is the state of doing things the right way. Effectiveness aims at outcome regardless of how resources are used while in efficiency focus on the process considering resource allocation. A good example is a company that deals with customer care services, if a worker achieves their daily target then they are effective. However, reaching targets does not mean all the calls successfully connected the customer. On the other hand, a worker may not reach the daily set targets but all his or her calls connect to customers, this is efficiency. 1. Efficiency and effectiveness enables a company saves resources and ensures maximum utilization of the same. When employees work efficiently, they utilize most of the resource with minimal or no wastage respectively. In doing so, the purposes for which the resources were intended for will are met. If efficiency is not there, some resources will be wasted meaning that new ones will have to be purchased thus affecting maximization of the resources. 2. Effectiveness and efficiency leads to expansion of a business. Through effectiveness company can meet targets and produce large volumes of quality goods per a given period of time. This means that the company will sell more goods per unit period. Increase in sales leads to purchase of new equipment that will demand space. The company will therefore expand so as to provide room for the equipment. 3. Efficiency and effectiveness increases profit margin of a company. When a company is efficient, it means that they are maximizing the use of the available resources. If effectiveness is applied, then the company will produce more commodities with minimum materials hence bringing up the profit margin of the company. Lyons (2013) note that in case of inflation, it is very hard to determine the performance of

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 20

English - Essay Example It was made out of two sports,  soccer  (association football) and  rugby football, each of which remains a separate sport with its own specific set of rules. The international body governing it is FIFA Federation International de Football Association and it organized the world cup which is very popular in the world. FIFA governs all levels of soccer, including professional games internationally, Olympic competitions and youth leagues. FIFA world cup is the sport’s premier event, it held after every four years pitting national teams from 32 countries against one another. The most popular and major professional league in the world is the National Football League (NFL). However, over the years, several other leagues have been formed in North America and Europe. While soccer league known as MLS (Major League Soccer) have many teams which have fans worldwide and some of the most famous teams are A.C. Milan of Italy, Ajax Amsterdam of The Netherlands, Manchester United of England, Real Madrid of Spain, Boca Juniors of Argentina, Sà £o Paulo of Brazil, and Colo Colo of Chile etc. The common thing between the two games are that it is a game played between two teams, in which players try to score a goal by hitting in opponents goal, by using any part of the body except the hands. So, players have to use their skills of using feet and heads as they kick, dribble, or pass the ball toward the goal or to another player. While the table shows compare and contrast both the

Skill and Training Background Essay Example for Free

Skill and Training Background Essay 1. Experience with the company personnel involved in the training The employee and staff in BIR are very approachable and they are cheerful person. I feel the trainee are part of their family we are treat them family as well and I experience the treatment as if I’m also their co-employee. They are let me learn and experience the day by day. The Company gave the best training for students that would give them a good training ground and would enhance their knowledge and skill. The school must have the job training their company. The school should visit the OJT to have the best monitoring of the training the students are taking. 4. Strong points We all know BIR is the collect taxes from the tax payer. As an intern’s I gained so much ideas especially in the tax field because I’m taking up financial management and accounting this is very relevant on my program. The company has a great training background and learning background as well because I learned slightly how to compute the taxes. This is a great opportunity for me to be one of their OJT’s. 2. Weak points and suggested solutions As an intern my concerned is, they won’t allow their OJT’s to handle some confidential documents like financial matter. And I don’t think that this is there weak point, for me, this is not an issue this is my own observation the office have lack of tables for the trainees they don’t know when we sited I suggest that we request them to give for the trainee extra table to be more comfortable especially when they recording the dockets.. V. RECOMMENDATION A. Potential of the company as a training ground BIR has a good training background especially to the finance and accounting students. The company offers great opportunity that would let me be more knowledgeable, confident and to develop my skills in so many thing. B. Duration of training (too long too short) The duration of my training is too short because I only lasted for more or less 2months. The first week of being an intern was really uncomfortable and nerve because I didn’t know how to communicate my boss in a nice way when I feel nervous. And I’m always nervous in what could happen to me every day. But the good side of the employee of BIR they are willing to share their knowledge and they will help you how to deal with other people in terms of the taxpayer pay their taxes. C. Suggestions for the improvement of the training program As far as the performance of BIR it was doing well. They should always hire at least two interns because They have good learning background and training background that the interns should absorb it and it will helpful for them to become a better employee in the future. D. Advice to future On- the-Job trainees Some of the students have taken their OJT for granted. They are not realizing how importance the future carrer. To all future On-the-Job Trainees student, here are some advices that I would like to share to you: * Learn to accept your mistakes * Take your OJT seriously, but don’t be too serious all the time always keep smiling everytime your getting tired * Listen carefully to the trainer and ask a question for a better understanding. * You should love your co-ojt and co-owners * Most importantly, hard work is actually enough. If you do well on your OJT you will definitely have a great evaluation, like me. So work hard and love your job.

Benefits of Video Conferencing

Benefits of Video Conferencing VIDEO CONFERENCING WHAT IS VIDEO CONFERENCING? A Video Conference (known as video teleconference) is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a type of groupware. In other word Video Conferencing is a communications technology that integrates video and voice to connect remote users with each other as if they were in the same room. Each user needs computer, web cam, microphone, and broadband internet connection for participation in video conferencing. Users see and hear each other in real-time, allowing natural conversations. Video Conferencing differs from a videophone calls in that its designed to serve a conference rather than individuals. It is an intermediate form of video telephony, first deployed commercially by A T T during the early 1970s using their picture phone technology. Video Conferencing is becoming increasingly popular as a way to facilitate meetings, and save time and money on travel and accommodation. HOW IT WORKS Video Conferencing can be used in a host of different environments, which is one of the reasons the technology is so popular. General uses for video conferencing include business meetings, educational training or instruction and collaboration among health officials or other representatives. Thus far video conferencing has been helping in different sphere of life. The most usage field of Video conferencing Interviewing prospective students and staff Presentations Seminar presentations to remote audiences Business meeting Distance Learning Telecommuting Telemedicine BENIFICIAL OF VIDEO CONFERENCE The biggest advantage or benefit Video Conferencing has to offer is the ability to meet with people in remote locations without incurring travel expenses or other expenses associated with face to face communication. Business meetings, educational meetings, healthcare conferences and more can all be easily conducted thanks to video conferencing technology. Individuals living in remote areas can also use video conferencing to keep in touch if you will, with the world at large. More people are easily accessed and contacted using video conferencing. Because of this technology information and knowledge are often disseminated at more rapid rates, and collaboration between people occurs more willingly and freely. Students can take advantage of video conferencing to take classes at distant locations that would normally be unavailable. They can also take classes that will accommodate busy schedules. Video Conferencing can stimulate better brainstorming, knowledge sharing and information gathering. Businesses can use video conferencing to provide presentations to key members of an organization or to solicit new clients in a professional manner, regardless of their location. The possibilities for communication are virtually endless thanks to video conferencing technologies. Video Conferencing provides with the ability to meet and to work with others over a distance. The following list includes several examples of the benefits for businesses using video conferencing: Reduce travel costs. Improve use of executive time. Speed up decision-making. Keep meetings brief and more focused than face-to-face meetings. Enable top management to quickly and effectively communicate with employees sitting in multiple locations. Allows virtual project management via video and data conferencing with geographically dispersed peer groups at short notice. Provides an effective way of delivering cost-efficient training to individuals without the requirement to consistently travel to central locations. Creates a medium for conducting interviews. Working out of home has never been easier or more practical. Videoconferencing makes it possible to stay connected with people in a very real way. Videoconferencing allows users to save resources by meeting with clients and/or colleagues via videoconference. This reduces travel expenses, while maintaining face-to-face contact. For a minimal cost, it is possible to set-up a fully functional videoconferencing system that works in a professional and reliable way from your home office. HOW TO DO THIS Video Conferencing used to be something of a black art. Today, easy-to-use and manage technology means that users need know little about how the equipment actually works, Whats important is what it can do, now how it does it. Video Conferencing has become popular over the last decade. Video conferencing is when two or more parties communicate in real time in separate locations with both video and audio signals. Technology used in Video conferencing Video Input Video Output Audio Input Audio Output Data Transfer Data Compression Software Acoustic Echo Cancellation This is the technology/software used for video conferencing. The software is usually used for Video Conferencing. So start video conferencing in your preferable work and make your world easy and trouble free.

One Life Aquatic :: essays research papers

One Life Aquatic Steve Zissou is a world known, and partially renowned oceanographic explorer. He has been depicted through his documentary films as a larger than life character, yet it seems that each unsuccessful film shows more and more of his humanity. The film introduces us to Steve Zissou when he is at an all time low in his career, having just lost his best friend and crewmate Esteban. Steve is now searching for something more amazing than anything he has ever done, just to reaffirm his place in life. In the film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Wes Anderson, 2004), parallelism can be found between two very similar scenes. By contrasting the second film premiere to the first, the transformation of Steve Zissou can be seen through his departure down the red carpet. The crew of the Belafonte starts their stroll down the red carpet; red knit caps shaping their heads, clad in their finest suits. Classical music fills the air, ringing the delicate atmosphere. The ragtag team exits their film premiere; their half cocked smiles tell us more than an interview ever could. A heckler from the crowd shouts toward the most somber of them all, Steve Zissou; a middle-aged oceanographer carrying a â€Å"crayon seahorse† he just received from a crewmate’s nephew, named Werner. Steve stands unassuming for a second, and then rushes the man, only to be punched in the face seconds later. He suddenly realizes the bag containing the seahorse has been punctured by the fight. He grabs a passerby’s wine glass and pours the seahorse in. The scene finalizes as Steve Zissou flees the film premiere. He makes his way through the crowd as the only visible part of him is the raised wine glass. While exiting his film premiere, Steve is looking for reassurance of his film’s credibility. The only comfort offered comes in the form of a â€Å"crayon seahorse† from Werner, a crewmate’s pre-pubescent nephew. As Steve leaves he is surrounded by his friends and colleagues; and though their proximity is close, their demeanor shows some distance in their relationships. After the ensuing fight, Steve exits by himself, blending into the crowd except for the raised wine glass containing the seahorse. The raised wine glass represents an obvious conflict of disposition in Steve Zissou. Though the film has shown him to be imperfect in many ways, he attempts to adapt to the persona of a very confident and brash person, much like a person who raises his wine glass to propose a toast. One Life Aquatic :: essays research papers One Life Aquatic Steve Zissou is a world known, and partially renowned oceanographic explorer. He has been depicted through his documentary films as a larger than life character, yet it seems that each unsuccessful film shows more and more of his humanity. The film introduces us to Steve Zissou when he is at an all time low in his career, having just lost his best friend and crewmate Esteban. Steve is now searching for something more amazing than anything he has ever done, just to reaffirm his place in life. In the film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Wes Anderson, 2004), parallelism can be found between two very similar scenes. By contrasting the second film premiere to the first, the transformation of Steve Zissou can be seen through his departure down the red carpet. The crew of the Belafonte starts their stroll down the red carpet; red knit caps shaping their heads, clad in their finest suits. Classical music fills the air, ringing the delicate atmosphere. The ragtag team exits their film premiere; their half cocked smiles tell us more than an interview ever could. A heckler from the crowd shouts toward the most somber of them all, Steve Zissou; a middle-aged oceanographer carrying a â€Å"crayon seahorse† he just received from a crewmate’s nephew, named Werner. Steve stands unassuming for a second, and then rushes the man, only to be punched in the face seconds later. He suddenly realizes the bag containing the seahorse has been punctured by the fight. He grabs a passerby’s wine glass and pours the seahorse in. The scene finalizes as Steve Zissou flees the film premiere. He makes his way through the crowd as the only visible part of him is the raised wine glass. While exiting his film premiere, Steve is looking for reassurance of his film’s credibility. The only comfort offered comes in the form of a â€Å"crayon seahorse† from Werner, a crewmate’s pre-pubescent nephew. As Steve leaves he is surrounded by his friends and colleagues; and though their proximity is close, their demeanor shows some distance in their relationships. After the ensuing fight, Steve exits by himself, blending into the crowd except for the raised wine glass containing the seahorse. The raised wine glass represents an obvious conflict of disposition in Steve Zissou. Though the film has shown him to be imperfect in many ways, he attempts to adapt to the persona of a very confident and brash person, much like a person who raises his wine glass to propose a toast.

First Draft of Fundamentals of Macroeconomics Paper Essay

There are a lot issues that actually affect our economy, such acts as gross domestic product, nominal GDP, real GDP, inflation rate, unemployment rate, and as well as interest rates. These areas actually has massive power regarding the way we purchase groceries, if there will be a large amounts of layoffs to workers, and decrease in taxes. Gross Domestic Product is defined as the market value of services and goods that are made in the country in one year. This is an indication of the normal living situation in a country. On the contrary, real GDP is a nation’s total output of goods and services adjusted for price changes. Nominal GDP is the gross domestic product without inflation adjustments. Unemployment rate is a fraction of the whole workforce who are unemployed and looking for work. Inflation rate is the amount increase by percentage that products & services increase on an annual basis. Interest rate is the amount charged, expressed as a percentage of principal, by a lend er to a borrower for the use of assets. These factors are relevant to our lives and how we manager the money we have. Purchasing food sounds like an easy thing to do but if you are limited on money, it can be very stressful. The price of food affects the government. Products are produced and sold within our country; this affects GDP, real GDP, and nominal GDP. This is precisely relevant to buyers spending and during periods of recession, buyers ease up on spending and decide to save. Once consumers venture into savings mode, all business will be effected because production is down and this could cause layoffs. Purchasing food affects homes due to the fact that a lot of people have a hard time trying to provide for their families and when the cost of goods constantly goes up but wages don’t this makes it really difficult to live. Massive layoffs affect people’s standard of living and that is what the GDPÂ  is centered around. Having to many layoffs can have a dramatic effect on the unemployment status which c auses the economy to have a higher unemployment rate which causes salaries to go down so what their spending is down. Massive layoffs has a vicious cycle and globally in 2012, 200 million people were without employment and this shows the slowdown in employment growth, which means companies are were not hiring and people were not spending like they use to. Massive layoffs affect the economy dramatically because it has a huge impact on consumer spending which in my opinion makes the world go around. If no one is buying then production is down and that’s how layoffs happen, and this affects households, businesses, and the government. Tax decreases can stimulate economic growth because if people are paying less in taxes, they have more money to spend. It has been proven over the years that tax decreases generate economic growth and federal revenue will always rise. On a personal note, I sometimes spend more during tax season because I usually get back a good return because I qualify for various tax breaks. These affect my household because I have more disposable income. Tax decreases can help a business if their taxes are decreased the organization will payout less and have more income. As we compare GDP, nominal GDP, real GDP, unemployment rates, inflation, and interest rates, it is obvious that all of these factors affect us every day. They show how we spend our money and these factors give indications of recession. Buying groceries, layoffs, and tax decreases are all a reflection of these factors. Daily acts, such as, buying groceries has huge impact on our economy because it is directly related to consumer spending, which is a driving force. Massive layoffs affect our households, business, and government because this causes consumer spending to go down. Tax decreases on the other hand has a positive influence on all six factors. Plus it will benefit your household, business, and the government. References Colander, D.C. (2010). Macroeconomics (8th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin http://www.forbes.com