Our Essays - Our Town, English-language Films, Thornton Wilder

Our Town By Thornton Wilder 1. Thornton Wilder was one of the most cosmopolitan and sophisticated of American writers. Born in the Midwest on April 17, 1897, he was educated in China, in Germany language schools, in America, and in Rome. He was thoroughly familiar with classical literature. In 1938 he wrote Our Town. In this play Wilder gained admiration for his serious philosophical concerns and use of theatrical techniques. When reading Our Town it is difficult to find one major conflict. The ideas imbedded behind the scenes deal with the importance of love, the continuity of human life, the beauty of life, and the meaning of life. The topic of love is seen many times throughout the play. All the characters are brought together by love however, each relationship and each love is different. Throughout the play it is very easy to notice the different loves. In act one love is centered on the family, the main characters seem to show unconditional love for one another. In the second act the word of love changes to romance, as Emily and George fall in love. In act three love is shown in the most unconditional way. Unselfish love that expects no return. As the play moved forward we work constantly reminded that like this one continuous cycle. The play itself begins with birth and ends in death. The stage manager also insinuates this idea by comparing generations. The strongest theme in Our Town is the beauty of life. This theme helps show us the wonderful happenings of everyday existence that most people will ignore and is only sometimes grasped by poets and saints. 2. After a short analysation of Our Town the plot reveals itself very easily. It has been said that Our Town has no plot at all, in that the stage manager tells a few stories about life in Grover's Corners and sends the audience on their way. The simplicity behind the plot is what brought excellence to the play. Wilder tries throughout the play to show the importance of ideas not personalities, and let each individual audience member gain something different from the play. The play begins while people are still entering the theater and being seated. A character known only as the stage manager enters a bare, partly lit stage. He begins rummaging around on stage acting as a stagehand setting up for the first act. The stage manager begins by telling you that you are in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, in 1901. The first action seen on stage is everyday activity between the Webbs and the Gibbses. Dr. Gibbs comes home from the hospital and the wives catch up on gossip while they work. The stage manager interrupts with some more information and the children come home from school. Time passes very quickly. The stage manager tells you that act two will be love and marriage. George and Emily by the end of the act will be wed. In the middle of this act they take you back to a scene from George and Emily's courtship. Act three opens in the graveyard; the stage manager tells you that nine years have passed. Emily has died and her grave is being prepared. Night comes to Grover's corners, and the stage manager wishes the audience a good night. 3. In Our Town, the actors have plenty of room for their own influences to fit in, because Wilder depicts types rather than individuals. All the people in Grover's Corners are individualistic. By doing this Wilder left room for each audience member to connect with each character in their own way. Emily Webb is the daughter of the editor of the town paper. She marries George Gibbs and dies giving birth to their second child. She is the girl who grows up during the play. Her speeches at the end of the play are very important George Gibbs, the son of Dr. Gibbs, is the boy next door who marries Emily. Both George and Emily represent typical American children. He is nice and polite, but not very bright. Throughout his whole life he was always lagging behind in maturity. Doctor Frank Gibbs is the loving father and husband every man wants to be. He is at total peace with his living conditions and life. Mr. Charles Webb is the editor of the local newspaper and enjoys studying Napoleon. As presented before the parents of George and Emily are also typical and alike. Julia Hersey Gibbs is Doc Gibbs's wife and the mother of George and Rebecca.

Greenwood South carolina Hisotry essays

Greenwood South carolina Hisotry essays Greenwood County keeps growing every year new things are build , like houses , industries and many other things. Greenwood County has a diversified manufacturing economy some companies have more than a century , others have only recently selected Greenwood as the location of new Industries. Greenwood Mills , Inc. , began operations in 1891 , the town's first textile manufacturing plant , is now a major producer of denim and other fabrics . With 7,000 employees in South Carolina , Georgia , Tennessee . George W. Park Seed Company has been in business since 1868 and is international mail - order supplier of gardening materials and seeds . In 1918 Southern Brick Company was established , when rich deposits of clay were discovered in Ninety Six Creek ,and continues to manufacture building materials . Fuji photo film, Inc. , was established in Greenwood in 1889 . In early 1994 , Fuji announced the construction of its largest and most technologically facility in Greenwood .This factory has recently been completed and is ready to supply color photographic paper to the US Market . Fuji announced on June 20 , 1995 , that the construction was completed and production had begun at the Greenwood site . The construction of a Central Distribution Center was announced in January , 1996 . This facility has been completed and serves of all the manufacturing facilities at the fuji Greenwood complex . The Distribution Center is over 3,000,000 square feet in size and represents as investments of 20 to 25 million dollars . Also in January of 1996 , Fuji of Greenwood announced the construction of new 100,000 square foot facility which will expand Fuji's ability to serve the graphic arts market . The new plant will be operational in early 1997 , will employ about 70 new Associates , and will represent an additional investment of approximately 25 Million .In February of 1996 , Fuji of Greenwood...

How to stay eager and motivated during the summer

How to stay eager and motivated during the summer Which is worse: a case of the Mondays, or a case of the Summer Fridays? There’s always the coffee cure for that groggy feeling as you drag your feet to work on Mondays, but what about the long slow burn of the summer Fridays, when you’re surrounded by empty desks of people on vacation? Whether it’s the summer heat, the creeping envy of coworkers on vacation, or just the call of the outdoors, staying motivated and productive this time of year can be a challenge. Here are 5 ways to beat the summer blahs, stay focused, and enjoy your work more. Set micro-goalsReaching a goal you’ve worked hard for can make you feel a great sense of accomplishment. So why not get this feeling in smaller doses to help give you a boost throughout the day? Making a list of small goals- even â€Å"get coffee†- can help you get focused and get the ball rolling on the tasks you need to do. Checking something off your list can also help you feel productive and organized. Even better: set time goals. Turn your task into a small challenge. What can you get done in the next 15 minutes? To stay truly productive, schedule the next hour, the whole morning, and the rest of the day.DaydreamBut make sure you also schedule some break time. You may find yourself avoiding work to think about all the fun coworkers are having on vacation as you sit in your ghost town of an office, or to start planning out your ideal beach weekend. Use this tendency to daydream to your advantage by making it strategic. Letting yourself daydream (on a time limit) can refresh you and help you refocus before you go back to your work. It’s better to give yourself planned breaks rather than let your mind wander all day. And whatever you do, stay off social media (scrolling through posts of other people’s sunsets and palm trees won’t help you stay motivated).Reward yourselfWe’re not rats in a maze, but we are motivated to act by reward centers in our brains. If yo u’re absolutely burnt out at work and wishing you could take the day off and enjoy the sun, make your break times, evenings, and weekends count. Treat yourself by splurging on a really great lunch. Go to a movie after work. Rest well. Buy a new outfit as if you were taking a vacation. Plan a day trip for the upcoming weekend. Cost and time can prohibit you from actually going to the Bahamas, but even simply planning something you will enjoy later can boost your mood now- helping you be more productive in your everyday routine.Switch up your routineSpeaking of the everyday routine: if you just find yourself wishing you were elsewhere, bring a little something different into your everyday. Listen to calypso music on headphones or drink a nonalcoholic frozen pineapple beverage with your lunch. Even get an iced coffee instead of hot coffee. Walk a different way to work. One thing a vacation does is break up the everyday routine and give you a change of scenery – you can do this on a small scale. Let something in your day feel a little different to make the summertime special, even within your office walls.Bring the outdoors inSimilarly, if you are yearning to go outdoors in the sun, bring some nature into your office space. Listen to some ocean waves. Buy yourself a plant or some flowers for your desk. Look at pictures of nature or places you want to go. Spending a weekend on the beach can be restorative, but simply looking at nature can also actually make you calmer.Acknowledging your desire to be elsewhere will help you be more productive then trying to ignore it. Tapping into the small things that can help keep you motivated and help break up the rut will help you get through those long summer days.

Human Resource Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Human Resource Planning - Essay Example Human resource management strategies usually involve adopting several organizational objectives and goals. After this adaptation, the organizations try to translate the objectives and goals into an integrated, complementary and consistent set of policies and programs for employee management process (Mello, 2011). However, it does not imply that the strategic human resource management is kneejerk in nature. Although human resource management strategy is basically derived from business or corporate unit strategies, this human resource management strategy generally developed in a proactive manner. Under the human resource management strategies, several HR staffs try to design and develop suitable HR systems in order to meet the expected workplace condition that can enhance several organizational operations. Senior HR professionals are considered as the important member of the top management team. These HR professionals should significantly involve in the business or corporate unit strat egic planning. It will help the top management of the organization to integrate key HRM concerns with overall organizational planning. On the other hand, several HR executives in the organization should inform the top management of the organization about the skills and competencies of the organizational workforce. This will help them to measure the impact of developed strategic plans. (B) There are several components and processes associated with the HRM strategy development. Human resource planning is the first and most important component of HRM strategy. This human resource planning considers translating corporate strategic initiatives into an effective workable plan. Effective HR planning allows the human resource function to significantly contribute to the effectiveness of an organization by arranging a foundation for the proactive management (Mello, 2011). Most importantly, human resource planning helps to facilitate several key processes within an organization. Effective huma n resource planning enhances the leadership activities through significant planning. Effective leadership process helps to reduce the threat of the disruption of daily organizational operations. On the other hand, effective human resource planning basically facilitates several strategic planning through the examination of the availability of skilled employees and skill sets. Moreover, it facilitates the realization of trends and shifts in the labor market by the examination of employee capabilities and job requirements. Employee development is the key process that is associated with human resource planning. Effective human resource planning enhances employee development through the determination of skills and competencies of those employees. Appropriate budget planning and suitable resource allocation can be enhanced through effective human resource planning. Last but not the least; it can be stated that employee shortages and surplus can be facilitated through this human resource p lanning. Question 2 It is clear from above discussion that human resource planning is the major component of human resource strategy. The organizations generally develop their human resource strategies after developing and understanding corporate and business unit strategies. Once the business objectives and goals are understood, an effective understanding of workforce, planning for assumed surplus and shortages in specific skill sets and occupation will be needed. Several important demographic

Hersey blanchard situational leadership Final paper Research

Hersey blanchard situational leadership Final - Research Paper Example Moreover, effective leadership style based on the nature of a particular situation can help an organization to provide effective solutions to the developed issues and challenges. This research paper will evaluate the value of Hersey-Blanchard’s situational leadership theory or model or theory in order to improve the performance of healthcare organizations. Healthcare industry can be considered as one of the sensitive industries in this global market place. It is important for the organizations in this particular industry to ensure the implementation of effective leadership style in order to maintain effective workplace environment. The Hersey-Blanchard situational leadership theory can be considered as important theory for the healthcare organizations. This particular theory was introduced and presented by Dr. Paul Hersey (Blanchard, 1983). It is highly important for the healthcare organizations to be prepared for different types of situations. On the other hand, it is important for the management of these healthcare organizations to develop and implement different types of situational leadership styles based on the demand of the situation (Graeff, 1983). According to this leadership theory, an effective leader should have the flexibility to change his or her leadership style and implement change management process in the organization by adopting different types of leadership styles based on the demand and nature of the situation. However, the leadership theory of hersey and Blanchard can be divided into four different styles, such as telling, selling, participating and delegating. Telling can be considered as one of the important situational leadership styles. In this leadership style the leaders used to tell the followers and sub-ordinates what exactly to do and what is the process or procedure to complete the task (Vecchio, 1987). The managers in the healthcare organization can adopt and implement

French culture Essay Example for Free

French culture Essay France is a Western Europe country with a population of approximately 60. 4 million people as by July 2004. France has a diversity of religions but the dominant religion is Roman Catholic with Jewish religion having the least followers (Kwintessential, 2010). These preliminary diversities in ethnicity and religion signal a diverse French culture. This paper discusses French culture by looking into different beliefs and attitudes common to French people. Language is also a central part of French culture as well as other important values. A diverse French culture Every people have their identity which is mainly entrenched in their culture. The French are not exceptional for the French culture is rich in almost all dimensions. The culture is usually best felt when you explore philosophy or by looking at the unique literary and art work. The input of French people in philosophy is outstanding with prominent philosophers like Rene Descartes (1600s) prided as the pioneers of modern philosophy. Montaigne is also a renowned sixteenth century philosopher who is celebrated for his ability to institute as part of art. Other French philosophers include Voltaire, Pascal and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (LERC, 2010). Having such renowned philosophers indicate that the French culture has been very influential not only in European countries but also in the Western nations and practically the whole world. A people’s art is a mirror of the people and what their values are all about. French art is in the form of literature, theatre as well as other forms of art. Some of the art works are very old thus portraying a rich history of the French culture. Some of the French artists who are known worldwide include Claude Monet who is known for his contribution to impressionist art which is an impression of ones view about nature (Cauderlier, 2009). Other artists include Edouard Manet, Auguste Renoir and Armand Guillaumin. The cathedrals of France such as the Notre Dame and Chartres cathedral are popular structures that showcase French artistry. In particular, the Notre Dame cathedral has its walls decorated with statues as well as gargoyles. On the other hand, Chartres cathedral has its windows made of about 3,000 m2 of stained glass (LERC, 2010). All these are magnificent features of the French art work. Writing, poetry and theatre make up a beautiful French literature. France prides of the Academie francaise which is made of prominent writers. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was for instance the work of novelist Victor Hugo in the 1800s. Among other French writes whose works have been influential in development of culture include Alexandre Dumas and Charles Baudelaire (LERC, 2010). In poetry, the works of Ronsard and Lamartine regarding nature and love are still influential (French Language, 2010). French theatre is also a unique symbol of French culture. For instance, Moliere has several comedies which portray the vanities of human nature as a satire. Other playwrights include Racine and Corneille. These pieces of literature unique to French people are a source of pride and identity to the French people thereby displaying one aspect of their culture. Language is an important aspect in the French culture. French is the predominant language with about 88 percent of the communicating through French with even most of the rest speaking French and another language. Other spoken languages which are spoken by a small percentage of people include German dialects, Flemish, Italian, Catalan dialects, Breton and Basque. Immigrants have such dialects as the Corsu, Kabyle as well as Antillean Creole (Kwintessential, 2010). French people not only utilize verbal communication but they also regularly use non-verbal communication mainly in form of gestures. For instance, an eye contact is mainly used to signify equality or to act as a cue for friendship request. Shaking hands among acquaintances is also highly regarded by French people. Specific gestures are used for counting (using fingers starting from the thumb) whereas covering ones mouth with the hands indicates making an apology or an acknowledgement that one has made a mistake (LERC, 2010). French people also have their food which is unique and defines them. French cuisine varies mainly according to regions in France as regions influence availability of food. The most common traditional meal is the baguette and cheese accompanied by wine. Other meals have several courses with an air of sophistication. Since each region has different ingredients, each region seems to specialize in such ingredients but the foods have commonalities such as use of olive oil and tomatoes. In addition to the influence of local availability, French foods also vary depending on the influence of bordering countries and immigrants (sauerkraut common Alsace which borders Germany) Lunch break usually takes about two hours for most people (FPSi, 2010) The French society also has unique family and societal values, customs and etiquettes which are an important feature of the French culture. The family is highly valued and they are families are composed of few children. The roles of each family member are clearly defined with the parents being guardians and providers. The extended family offers support either financially or emotionally. French people usually develop open and polite dealings with family members and friends. Exchange of gifts bears some given etiquettes. For instance, one is not supposed to give an even number of flowers. Nevertheless, number thirteen is said to be unlucky and therefore such a number of flowers should not be given. It is also a requirement to open gifts immediately they are received (Kwintessential, 2010). French people are time conscious and they value keeping time. For instance, one is not supposed to be late for dinner for an invited dinner for more than ten minutes without prior explanation for being late. There are unique table manners such as being a requirement to finish food in ones plate. Business is usually conducted formally and courtesy is among the most important etiquettes. For a person who cannot speak French, it is always preferable for them to apologise if they are to establish a meaningful relationship. Dark-coloured suits are recommended for as business wear for men while women can do with either business suits or if it has to be a dress, then it must be elegant and having soft colours (Kwintessential, 2010). This is an exemplary culture as it has been adopted in the business environment virtually all over the world. Conclusion French culture is interesting, unique in many ways and has influenced other cultures in the world. The philosophy, art and literature are renowned worldwide and are an identity for the French people. French culture is also clearly defined in language, foods, general etiquettes in the society as well as unique business etiquettes. The French culture is undoubtedly interesting and influential especially if one considers every minor detail of the culture. As French, one finds reason to be proud of their culture which is outstanding even in the modern world. Bibliography Cauderlier, A. (2009). Monet. Retrieved 12, May 2010 from http://giverny. org/monet/welcome. htm FPSi. (2010). French food culture. Retrieved 12, May 2010 from http://www. france-property-and-information. com/french_food. htm French Language. (2010). French culture. Retrieved 12, May 2010 from http://www. frenchlanguageguide. com/french/culture/ Kwintessential. (2010). France-French culture, customs and etiquette. Retrieved 12, May 2010 from http://www. kwintessential. co. uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile. html LERC. (2010). French culture, communication and gestures. Retrieved 12, May 2010 from http://lerc. educ. ubc. ca/LERC/courses/489/worldlang/french/frenchcultandcomm. html

The Study of Anthropology and the Humanities Essay -- exploring the hu

The humanities are a broad multidisciplinary field of study where its disciplines aren’t in just one department. Therefore, studying the humanities correlates to the study of anthropology. Simply put, anthropology is the study of humanity and the origins of human beings. Learning about the humanities can help those studying anthropology because the humanities looks into understanding and exploring the human condition. There is an idea of culture that is used to describe what humans do. Anthropology explores what culture is, how it influences society, and why the idea of culture is important. Studying anthropology also looks into the various cultures around the world and the diversity that makes the human race. A basic concern for anthropologists is what defines human life and its origins. How has the evolutionary past of humans influenced the contemporary culture? Reading R. Crumb’s The Book of Genesis (Illustrated) opens doorways for studying anthropology becau se it looks into the history and beginning of humankind. Studying the humanities relates to the study of anthropology because the graphic novel The Book of Genesis depicts ancient human culture. Crumb’s 2009 graphic novel helps better understand today’s society and comprehend how humans live today. The study of man and civilization connects with other subjects of education because it involves the reasoning for life today. The real effect of Anthropology is rather to lighten than increase the strain of learning (Tylor preface). When a scholar knows of early history, he knows how humankind arose and is able to take a better hold of himself and his own society. For example, if a paleontologist is studying the theory of the how humanity began, a book that depicts anc... ...here is a better comprehension of today. Studying different historical texts provides insight into features of the past which some anthropologists may first find difficult to comprehend or examine. Humanities deal with society and serve as a basis for studies in other fields, like anthropology. Anthropologists use methods in humanities to better understand society, people, and culture. In order to understand such a complex system of people, a history of culture and humanity must be taken into account. Works Cited Crumb, Robert. The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb New York: Norton, 2009 Lassiter, Luke E. Invitation to Anthropology. Lanham, MD: AltaMira, 2009. Print. Linton, Ralph. The Study of Man; An Introduction. New York: D. Appleton-Century, 1936. Print. Tylor, Edward B. Anthropology. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan, 1960. Print.

Identity and Belonging: Witness

‘Where we come from and our attitude to it are powerful forces in our lives. ’ â€Å"This gun of the hand is for the taking of human life. We believe it is wrong to take a life. That is only for God. † The conflicting notions and difference between cultures is thoroughly represented throughout Peter Weir’s stunning and thematically moving film ‘Witness’ in which two different worlds with two different value systems are profoundly presented to its viewers. Having a sense of belonging is essential to identity; it is a basic human instinct to belong and to have faith in certain beliefs, the preoccupations meaningfully explored within Weir’s creations. Moreover, through the use of film techniques and representation, Weir has managed to captivate and compel his audience to indulge into the hardships and strategic traditions in which the Amish community follow and also allows the audience to gain a further understanding to the extreme disciplinary law of the ‘Ordnung. The protagonist, John Book, faces a tedious journey to bring justice to contemptible crime and must undergo an ultimate sacrifice of ‘changing his ways,’ which would cause a crucial disregard to all his life lessons that have shaped and guided him, in order to gain the acceptance he subsequently strives for from his ‘former carers’ and unique counterparts of the Amish community. Book also faces the riveting dilemma to assert or deny his d isreputable love with Rachel as well as apprehend where he truly belongs. Weir’s film is positioned between two worlds; the good and the evil, decency and corruption, head and heart, the Amish and the ‘English’. Throughout the film, the complexities of parallel worlds are explored where the different worlds begin to sporadically intertwine. ‘We want nothing to do with your laws,’ at the beginning of the film when Rachel first becomes subject to Detective John Book’s questioning and police procedures, she is taken out of her comfort zone and is presented with a world she knows not of. Rachel is more so driven by the forceful nature of her own predecessors and ‘elders’ which intuitively leads to her attitude of not wanting to abide by the laws of a different world from her own. The passiveness of the Amish is explored as they are depicted as being self-cast as outsiders, basing their lives solely on natural things due to their own stringent belief that it will bring them closer to God. Furthermore, the audience is able to gain an insight to the cultural restrictions in which the Amish live by; living in a rural society where there are no radios, telephones, or televisions, where the only means of transportation is a horse and buggy, and where one dresses to look â€Å"plain. † The depiction of the Amish community in the film is extraordinarily contrasted with the modern contemporary society of the Americans, otherwise known as ‘the English’ by the Amish people. Book’s world is portrayed as being the human function of corruption where ‘somewhere along the way [cops] lose their meaning. ’ Book is inevitably accustomed to deceit, brutality and violence that it consumes him and is the very essence in which drives him forward and acts accountable for his actions. He is inescapably surrounded by it, so much so that he is not completely oblivious to the corruption occurring within the very organisation that is meant to oppose it, his own police department. Book’s duty to investigate corruption within his police department leaves him shot. This violence from Book’s own world and place of belonging is what ironically leads to him going into hiding amongst the Amish people in order for him to protect Rachel and Samuel. He is significantly driven by his job of policing that it acts as a powerful force in his life in which he is suited to, ‘[Elaine] thinks you like policing because you think you are right about everything and you're the only one who can do anything†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Evidently, Book is quite complacent living his own life in his contemporary society as it composes of his identity and sense of belonging. At a further contrast, the contemporary society of the Americans deem to be utterly dependant on technology, not just as helpful tools but also for ones own sense of luxury. In the film, when Book is in town with Eli accompanied by other Amish they are ambushed by tourists who simply treat them as though they are placed there for their own amusement, the Amish are not acknowledged as being actual human beings. The tourists bombard them with taking photos and Book does not follow the placid way of the Amish, ‘Lady, you take my picture with that thing and I'm gonna rip your brassiere off†¦ nd strangle you with it! You got that? ’ Though Book attempts to conform to the ways of the Amish he is still so accustomed to his old ways that where he comes from is his own sense of belonging. Furthermore, Book’s trial of ‘fitting in’ with the Amish is ultimately tested when he cannot rid himself of his urban assertiveness and simply turns to violence when a g roup of ‘townies’ harass Daniel Hochleitner, of the Amish, to which Book violently punches one of them in the face though ‘it’s not our way [of the Amish]. Book is fundamentally fixed in his ways, ‘it’s my way,’ and initially disregards his attempts to fit in with the Amish and gain their acceptance. Consequently, Book’s violent actions lead to Schaeffer and his despicable partners being able to locate and track down where Book is staying in hiding. Though Book has sufficiently failed in his attempts to conform to the ways of the Amish, it is evident that he finally makes a connection with the Amish community during the traditional barn-raising scene in the film where Book helps out and realises that for the Amish, community is more important than any other modern necessity. Despite Book’s connection with the Amish he is still mildly branded as an outsider to their community and is only truly accepted through the eyes of Rachel. During the course of the film, Book and Rachel begin to grow affectionate for one another. The attraction between the two only grows stronger as the film progresses and Weir uses intended camera angles and film techniques to represent a change in the status quo. When Book and Rachel are together, they are always filmed through doorways. Book is depicted as always being in the doorway, symbolising that he cannot get past it whereas Rachel is always in through it. However, as the attraction grows stronger, specifically after they kiss, Book talks to Rachel through the door of chicken wire, the holes in the wire imply that Book can now get through to the Amish community yet some of his own identity and predispositions will always remain behind the chicken wire. More so the attraction is shown within the scene in the barn in which Book is fixing his car with his radio on, an ultimate defiance of the ways of the Amish, to which Rachel responds positively. They begin to dance and although Book appreciates the moment, he does not fully understand that he is breaching the wishes of the elders in the community and ominously causes Rachel to act in such a manner which is stupendously frowned upon by her peers. Despite Eli's warning that she will be â€Å"shunned† if she becomes too close to John, Rachel defiantly gives in to her feelings for the outsider. Though they come from two different worlds, hold different values, nd live different lives, their emotions and feelings towards one another prove to be the same. Eventually Book comes to terms with his limitations and realises that he does not belong in Lancaster County with Rachel despite his utmost attempts to try and change himself in order to belong. Book remains too dependant on things from his world and his reliance on technology bounds him. The life lessons and fixed ways in which Book continuously holds onto prove to a big part of his identity that to completely disregard t hem would be a vital sacrifice. His attempts to try and belong with the Amish are boldly thwarted by his own understanding of his significant influence on young Samuel, ‘I would only kill the bad man. ’ His very presence brings danger and the aspect of life in which the Amish try to avoid, that is, murder. The place in which one comes from, one’s home and upbringing, proves to be a powerful force in one’s life. Having a place to belong is essential to identity and life lessons taught prove to be guidance throughout life. It is essential to belong and people will try and change themselves in order to feel as though they fit in. However, to merge two completely different worlds together would be controversial and ultimately unprincipled. The love shared between Book and Rachel would never work because they were two different, they were bestowed with different values, different upbringings and essentially different morals. Book could never stay with the Amish, â€Å"He's going back to his world, where he belongs. He knows it, and you know it, too. †

Continuing Professional Development Essay

With the rapid pace of change, many people may find that their skills and knowledge, acquired over the recent past, are outdated. In order to update their members, many professional groups have introduced the concept of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). (Foot and Hooks, 2002). The Royal Town Planning Institute (2001) holds that CPD is the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop their personal qualities required in their professional lives. A guide for employers of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST, 2001) states that CPD is the term that describes how employees maintain their competence in the workplace. CPD comprises of updating particular areas of competence, developing personal and management skills and broadening experience leading to new opportunities. The challenges and opportunities of the work experience provide the central mechanism for maintaining CPD and professional and other organizations should encourage and support their members to maintain their CPD. Here, CPD can be organized so that it can be carried out almost automatically. It is a continual process of planning, completing activities, assessment of those activities and review/feedback to the plan. A system that encompasses these four stages must be set up. Many employers have a system in the arm of the Human Resource Department and professionals should be encouraged to include their employers in the CPD process, as ideally, it should be a partnership that will benefit employee, employer and the company. The annual appraisal interview is the ideal time to plan development targets and assess progress. The details of CPD are very much the property of individuals and one should not rely on the company’s personnel system. If not maintained properly, it may be of no support to an employee if he no longer works for that particular company. The planning stage is the most important of the four core aspects of CPD. There should be an analysis of the current job, concentrating on knowledge and skills. Then, the same thing should be done for the job/position targeted. Consultation with a mentor at this stage may be helpful. A skills and knowledge gap analysis will identify appropriate learning and  development activities. Available opportunities and personal constraints, such as money availability, should be taken into account and targets should be high, practical, achievable and challenging, bearing in mind that the plan will change regularly. (Porter 1998). Relevant information such as technical subjects, foreseeable career opportunities and in – house or external development courses should be gathered. An outline plan stating objectives, priorities, target dates and appropriate activities must also be developed. If suitable, the plan should be agreed with interested parties such as colleagues, employer, and mentor or development specialist. The outline plan should be developed into a structured detailed plan to include such information as targets agreed resourced, agreed support, agreed control and responsibility. To meet development need and to achieve targets, a wide range of activities may be chosen and support of the employer may sought. Activities may be formal and structured, for example, as in courses, distance learning, conferences, presentations or research. The advantage of formal activities is that they will often offer tangible evidence that can be incorporated into a record of CPD, the disadvantage being that the employee may feel some of the cost, especially in the cases of external courses. CPD will be a combination of this formal structure as well as less structured activities such as work experience, assignments, on the job training or mentoring. Advantages derived here are the unexpected challenges and the professional contact leading to better learning. Successful development usually requires that learning activities be matched with practical applications. An important outcome of activities is the compilation of a detailed record of activities undertaken, which should show what activities have actually occurred and with what consequence. A suitable log/record book should include certificates of attendance at events, training syllabuses, completion certificates, performance appraisals as well as a personal development record. The review against the CPD plan must be measured in terms of new/improves  levels of competence. Some useful questions to ask at this stage include ‘ What added value was gained from this activity? What can I do now, do better, that I could not do before? How do I plan to use my new abilities? Am I making progress towards achieving my learning objectives? What lessons have I learned and what should I do next?’ As stated previously, CPD is a continuous process of planning, completing activities, assessment of those activities and review/feedback. Having completed the review and feedback stage, the plan must now be amended to start the process again. The benefit derived here is the regular updating of achievements, which will act as a useful historical record and a powerful document when in discussion with a current or potential employer. In terms of CPD, professional associations are particularly helpful in conducting a skills audit gap analysis, determining the knowledge and skills required for a particular job, setting development objectives and assessing learning experience. They also aid in deciding the next necessary steps and may offer encouragement and provide motivation to persist with a CPD activity, as well as suggesting other CPD activities. Advantages and disadvantages may arise from choosing professional associations from within and external to an organization. Benefits may include a structured plan being presented, mindful of deviations and credible certification. A downside from an internal association may be the training to a specific and specialized field, as in the case of Information Technology, thereby limiting employees. The advantages and disadvantages of CPD in relation to professional associations, employees and employers may best be shown by how CPD obligations affect those particular groups. CPD is important to employers because it involves the competence and efficiency of the workforce. Professionals aged under 30 ranked career development opportunities higher than salary, while those over 30 still place it high on their demands. (IMarEST 2001). Today, technology is  changing at such a rapid rate that individuals must keep up to date in order to remain competitive and employable, and, businesses must invest in their workforce in order to remain competitive and profitable. The crucial role played by people in a company is now widely recognized and now many firms are becoming involved with initiatives such as ‘ Investors in People.’ The employee who maintains his competence through CPD will be a highly valued member of the workforce, giving assurance to the truism that ‘ the investment in people appreciates, whilst investment in equipment depreciates.’ (IMarEST 2001). This investment by employers may be double edged, as people in the U K change their employers every 4.5 years on average, either voluntarily or compulsory, for example as a result of redundancy. Thus, one employer after investing in an employee’s CPD may find that he has prepared his employee for another employer. Investment in employee development provides a benefit to the company which result in ‘ bottom line profit.’ Even in the short run, payback can significantly exceed the outlay because when employees understand the processes they are working with, and appreciate the business objectives that they are working towards, their productivity and creativity improve. Individuals also gain greater job satisfaction which lead to a greater commitment to the company’s performance and therefore a lower rate of staff turnover, an advantage to employers. Employees should be encouraged to take a proactive role in deciding what training and development activities they should undertake, whilst employers should be helping and guiding such decisions to ensure that corporate goals are met. Individuals have a responsibility to themselves and their employers to consider what might be required in the future and to prepare themselves to be ready when opportunities occur and when changes are necessary. At the same time, employers have a responsibility to their company and their employees to provide an environment where people can develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take on new responsibilities as the need arises. (Christopher 1998). The days when we did a three to four year course and thought we’d been  trained for life have gone. Evolving technology, faster rate of product development and the need for employees to work across several disciplines, require everyone to be aware of the need to regularly update their skills. CPD offers a well recognized mechanism for all to update their technical competence, communication and management skills, and an appreciation of the commercial aspect of their industry. CPD will allow a person to spot opportunities and exploit new ideas effectively. From the point of view of not performing CPD, we can highlight some inherent disadvantages to all concerned parties. Clients are becoming more involved with their investments in terms of scrutiny. Vocal groups of shareholders may be ready to arm themselves with litigation, lobbying powers and letters whenever they feel professional standards may have slipped. CPD will be the proof of continued development and reviewing of professional standards, reducing an organization’s vulnerability to its professionalism being brought into question. Correctly maintained CPD will also have the benefit to review and explore one’s career and to discover strengths and weaknesses, holding to the adage ‘ to learn now ensures that you earn later.’ (Evans 1997). Every company need some form of career development program to produce a succession of motivated upward moving employees. Even employees who are destined to remain at the same level may need career development as their job change or become obsolete. Employers may invest in the CPD of their employees by some transparent actions. They need to clarify how business objectives may best be met by the investment in employees, and should use opportunities like annual appraisals to discuss individual development. They should listen to employees’ ideas and encourage them to consider personal goals, and setting realistic expectations, as there will be limited resources of time and money. Employers should persevere in CPD of employees, with regular review progress reports, as it will lead to tangible improvements in productivity and in the competitiveness of the business. A mentoring scheme should be established to assist in setting medium and long-term career goals. The wide ranges of activities that take place, daily, in the workplace provide many of the most important learning skills. People should be given the chance to experience different situations and develop a wide range of skills. In specific instances, formal, off the job training may be required. Employees should be encouraged to read widely to gain an appreciation of the wider issues related to their job. (Beer 1985). The professional development of staff should not be confined just to technical competence but should include the wider issues of environmental protection, health and safety, interpersonal skills, management techniques, and legal and financial knowledge, where necessary. Employers should actively encourage their employees to attend events organized by local groups of professional institutions and similar relevant organizations. These meetings offer both technical updating, by means of formal lectures, and the opportunity for discussion with other professional people working in related fields. Encouraging staff to network in this way is a key means of increasing competitiveness. It is of great benefit to employees to have help in reviewing their progress and guidance in choosing which routes to follow. Managers within a company should be aware of the importance of individual development and be able to guide those for whom they are responsible. They should be aware not only of development goals, but also of the different types of training requirements that different people have. (Bernardin and Russel 1993). It is strongly recommended that, where possible, a fellow professional act as a mentor to facilitate the CPD of employees, as helping individuals improve their performance will improve overall business results. There are no hard and fast rules for the amount of time to be spent on staff development. It is the benefit of an activity to a particular employee rather than the activity itself that is important and all learning opportunities, however informal, should be seized when they arise.

The Pyramids of Teotihuacan essays

The Pyramids of Teotihuacan essays Teotihuacan is situated in the central section of the Valley of Teotihuacan. The valley is in the northeastern part of the Basin of Mexico, a plateau over 2,000 meters high with a temperate semiarid climate. The later Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, grew up about 700 years after the collapse of Teotihuacan 60-km southwest on an island in the shallow lakes that spread in the Basin at that time. The Spaniards destroyed Tenochtitlan in the 16 th century. Teotihuacan arose as a new religious center in the Mexican Highland around the time of Christ. The next two centuries were characterized by monumental construction, during which Teotihuacan quickly became the largest and most populous urban center in the New World. By this time, the city already appears to have expanded to approximately 20 square km, with about 60,000 to 80,000 inhabitants. The development of the city seems to have involved inter-site population movements, exploitation of natural resources, an increase in agricultural prod uction, technological inventions, establishment of trading systems and other kinds of socio-political organizations, and attractive belief systems.The city was dominated by three enormous pyramids called "Pyramid of the Sun" and the "Pyramid of the Moon," and the .Feathered Serpent Pyramid. The Avenue of the Dead was the main street of Teotihuacan. The name stems from an early rumor that this was where the Teotihuacanos buried their kings. While most scholars have discarded this idea due to the lack of burials, others note the possibility that mummy bundles of ancestors once lined the "Avenue of the Dead". It ran for more than 2.5 km, beginning at the Moon Plaza to the north and extending beyond the Ciudadela and the Great Compound complexes to the south. The avenue divided the city into two sections. Apartment compounds with pyramidal constructions were arranged on both sides of the avenue, often symmetrically and sharing the...

Rethinking Thanksgiving Old Holiday, New Traditions

Rethinking Thanksgiving Old Holiday, New Traditions If you’re the kind of person who isn’t a fan of traditional family dinner Thanksgiving celebrations, it doesn’t mean you have to give up on the holiday altogether. In fact, there are many fun, freaky ways to celebrate Turkey-Day in a style that’s all your own. With a little food, and a creative outlook, this year’s Thanksgiving can be one that you and your friends will remember forever. Eat a Non-Traditional Turkey Although Thanksgiving is traditionally turkey day, you can make it your own way by creating your turkey out of anything but turkey. Carve a cheese turkey, tofu turkey, or create a turkey made out of hamburgers. In fact, your new tradition can be making your turkey as untraditional as possible. If youd like to go vegetarian or just want to try some new holiday menu, check out these great, non-turkey turkey recipes: Cheese Ball Turkey (tasteofhome.com/recipes/turkey-cheese-bal) Vegetable Turkey Tray (princesspinkygirl.com/make-veggie-turkey-tray) Tofu Turkey (allrecipes.com/recipe/tofu-turkey-i) Do a Modern-Day Thanksgiving Play Everyone has seen that hashed-out thanksgiving play where pilgrims get cooking advice from the Native Americans. Instead, infuse a little fun into your Thanksgiving by producing a personalized Thanksgiving production. Choose an event that happened this year that made you thankful about something. Reenact or tell your story to keep your guests laughing and thankful. Make a Thankful Pumpkin No need to throw out those Halloween decorations just yet. For your new Thanksgiving tradition, create a â€Å"Thankful pumpkin.† Not only is this a fun way to get you and your roommates thinking about the good things that have happened this year, but they are a cute addition to your holiday dà ©cor. Just grab a couple of pumpkins (small or large) and some Sharpie markers. Then, have your guest write the things they are thankful for this year. You can even make a tradition of writing a single thing each day between Halloween and Thanksgiving to make the thankfulness last all month long! Eat Small Although Thanksgiving is traditionally known for it’s huge food, invent your own Thanksgiving tradition of eating small. Create a menu of miniature cupcakes, turkey cutouts, and apple pie pops. Not only will it impress your friends, but you’ll be less likely to overeat and overspend on the holiday of excess. Start a Thanksgiving Journal A cool way to remember what you’re grateful for is to start a Thanksgiving journal. To start your journal, try to remember all the amazing things that happened during the year and write them down. Then, starting the day after Thanksgiving, write a single thing each day that you’re thankful for – no more than a sentence or two. Next Thanksgiving, you can review the wonderful things that happened all year long. Hide the Pope’s Nose The â€Å"Pope’s Nose† is the fatty extra part of the turkey. As a fun Thanksgiving tradition, hide this weird-looking turkey part under the mashed potatoes of someone before the feast begins. It’s a guaranteed way to get people laughing, and fun surprise that your guests will look forward to every year. You can even have the person who gets the â€Å"pope’s nose† start the round-table discussion of what they’re thankful for. Try Thanksgiving Drinking Game If you want to really get into the spirit of the holiday, there is nothing more traditionally untraditional than turning the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade into a drinking game. Or, if you’re not a drinker, it’s a spice up your Thanksgiving with a little truth or dare. Rules of the Game: Drink (or do a dance) every time a float features a Broadway musical. Drink (or take off an article of clothing) every time a singer messes up his lip-syncing. Drink (or switch seats with someone) every time someone mentions the word â€Å"Snoopy.† Drink (or do the Chicken Dance) every time someone says the word â€Å"Turkey.† Drink (or sing â€Å"Santa Claus is Coming to Town) when you see Santa. Drink (or kiss a stranger) every time an announcer says â€Å"Wow.† Drink (or tell an embarrassing story) every time you call it the â€Å"Macy’s Day Parade.† Say goodbye to boring, emotionally-fraught holidays of the past. All it takes is a little creativity and a willingness to have fun to make your Thanksgiving into a fantastic holiday. With a couple of creative recipe ideas, some brand new holiday traditions, and even a drinking game or two, Thanksgiving could easily become your new favorite holiday. What are your plans for Thanksgiving this year? Do you have some unusual traditions for the holiday? We are waiting for your comments and feedback!

How can a manager motivate a workforce and what are the major benefits Essay - 4

How can a manager motivate a workforce and what are the major benefits of this to a company Support your answer with examples - Essay Example This model states that there are five different main elements of a job that can result in motivating employees, these five main elements include, skill variety, task identity, task significance along with independence and reaction being the two most important elements of a job (DAFT, 2011, p.421). Body The model of job characteristics states that employees are motivated to perform those jobs where they can use different sets of skills and the skills that are required for such a job must require an employee to use that are of higher level. For example: managers can motivate an entry level employee in Human Resource Department if the employee is allowed to work on tasks that require higher level skills such as screening of resumes, creating training and interviewing schedules and other skills. According to Bremner and fellow researchers, skill variety is one of the main job characteristics that led to making employees feel that their work was meaningful and this feeling employees are m otivated as they feel that their skills are being used to perform are important for the job (Bremner, 2011, p.15). The job characteristic model asserts that employees are motivated to work on those tasks in which they feel that they are in control and due to their contribution a particular task was completed from the moment it started to the moment it ended. For example: a recruitment specialist will be motivated from hiring an employee in which he performed the duties of conducting job analysis and ended the task by hiring a suitable employee for a particular position. The employee would end up being de-motivated if he was only allowed to conduct job analysis and screen employees and selection of the employee was done by another employee. According to a literature search conducted by Rizwan and other researchers, there is a positive relationship between employee performance and job involvement (Rizwan, 2011, p.81). They state that the higher the level of an employee in a job, the h igher is the performance level of the employee. A third element of a job emphasized upon by the model is the element of task significance and the model states that employees are motivated to work on those assignments that are significant for others who are within the organization as well as outside the organization. For example: managers can motivate employees by assigning them tasks that are of significant importance to the top level of the management as this will make employees feel that they are needed by the organization. According to Grant, employee performance as well as dedication of lifeguards was positively impacted due to the significance of their task for others (Grant, 2008, p.120). A fourth important component of a job that leads to employee motivation is the amount of freedom to make decisions regarding how a particular job should be performed. For example: a teacher who is handed over a curriculum and course outline to follow by the supervisor will be less motivated t o perform his/her job as compared to a teacher who is allowed to design the curriculum as well as the outline to teach the students. According to Cordery and fellow researchers, employee team performance was degraded when they were faced with uncertain situations, but employee team performance became better due to higher level of autonomy even when they faced uncertain situati