BUS ECON (You Decide Activity) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

BUS ECON (You Decide Activity) - Assignment Example The first thing that the government usually does in cases like this is to execute monetary policy, a mandate of the Federal Reserve. It lowers interest rates thereby increasing liquidity and helping customers and businesses get back on foot. However, as many analysts would say this may end up hurting the economy in the long run as it may lead to a rise in inflation, something that was witnessed in 2001 in the U.S (Desai, 2011). On the other hand, the idea of increasing taxes and reduced government spending will hurt the common person. This strategy is bad for the economy as consumers and business people will suffer and economic growth will slow down before it picks up again. Such tough measures are not good for the common man as they only benefit the rich (MacEwan & Miller, 2011). The best approach will be the Federal Reserve to retain the current interest rates and be involved strongly in selling bonds in order to increase the bank reserve requirement. This will lead to increased money supply in the economy, as well as stability of financial institutions (Mullard, 2012). However, the federal monetary policies may not be enough and this necessitates the need for both fiscal and monetary policies to help the economy. Some of the fiscal measures could include increased government spending and lowering of taxes. This will balance the economy as the effects of these decisions will be considerate to consumers, as well as businesses (Desai,

Company Delamere Pottery Limited Essay Example for Free

Company Delamere Pottery Limited Essay Company Delamere Pottery Limited, which produces earthenware tableware, founded in 1997 after obtaining assets of T.G. Delamera Co ltd. Company acquired a functional structure to better support the increase in turnover (Williamson et al., 2004, p. 53) in new markets areas that offer greater margins. To enhance the competitiveness, company launched a new strategies in business, marketing and finance mainly to increase gross margins by 10% and increase customer satisfaction together with a reduction of inventory (Williamson et al., 2004, p. 207). Business strategy is mainly based on the more efficient use of existing resources of the company. With implementation of the ERP system, the company promises to improve the planning, transparency and shortening process times and increasing the performance. ERP systems are often used by manufacturing companies to achieve a competitive advantage (Zhang et al, 2005, p. 69). ERP system helps companies create a strong information infrastructure, more accurate decision-making thanks to always actual data, enhance the overall quality and streamline the exchange of information between departments, suppliers and customers (Shatat Udin, 2012, p. 577). Further costs reductions, the company tried to streamline production by reducing the overall waste. Basically to become  ´Ã‚ ´lean ´Ã‚ ´ and build an efficient, just-in-time manufacturing system to increase the overall quality. According to Lewis (2000, p. 962), company which is lean, is effective in transforming inputs resources into outputs, this reduces the costs and increase overall business financial performance. Becoming more  ´Ã‚ ´lean ´Ã‚ ´ (having lower costs) is one of the advantages over the competition (Lewis, 2000, p. 964). Source: Lewis (2000, p. 962) One of the main asset of the company are employers. To increase the overall success of the company can be achieved by: increase communications, increasing cooperation and following common goals, raising creativity and innovation, emphasizing on continuous development, empowering people (Kourdi, 2003, p. 84). Marketing strategy relies mainly on improving quality of products, service and so increase the overall brand reputation. Delamere Pottery Limited wanted to differentiate from competition through their products, supply chain and marketing (Williamson et al., 2004, p. 90) and so obtained higher saleability. The achievement of this strategic plan had five segments: Quality, Design, Service, Reliability, Brand awareness (Williamson et al., 2004, p. 210). Marketing strategy was closely linked to business strategy, with emphasis on the lean production. Improvement of manufacturing processes has a direct positive impact on the quality of the products and also thorough better controlling of the packaging, labeling and delivery of products can reduce costs. The company sought to be recognized as a progressive and innovative (Williamson et al., 2004, p. 210), therefore been given a lot of emphasis on design. Decisions in product design can have a large impact on cost, but also with design can be achieved the differentiation from the competition and getting higher profits (Desai et al, 2001, p. 37). Be credible among customers, the company tried to improve service, improve communication and improve the performance in the delivery of finished products to the customers on time. To support this plan has been introduced customer relationship management (CRM). Another tool how to increase turnover is to enhance the brand awareness. Greater brand awareness among customers increase the differentiation from competition and gives firm the possibility to increase the prices of products. Financial Strategies Delamere Pottery Limited was divided into two main parts: increasing gross margin and additional turnover (Williamson et al., 2004, p. 211). The results of gross margins depended on the success of the implementation of ERP system, lean manufacturing and improved distribution and getting the brand into public awareness. Additional turnover was possible made by sale of selected products for specially selected markets and the gradual-depth sales to particular markets. In company Delamere Pottery Limited the main emphasis has been taken on comprehensive manufacturing strategy. To support this strategy, in year 1999 was presented the system MPC (Manufacturing, Planning, Control). MPC should be associated with the other main functions such as finance, purchasing, sales and marketing (Williamson et al., 2004, p. 216). According to Williamson et al. (2004, 216-218), the implementation of MPC system, company received the following benefits: -With connection to ERP system is possible to have more efficiently planning and greater control of the production. -With connection to CRM system improve communication and service with customers. Significant improvement of delivering products on time. Increase of  £2M in turnover. -Better inventory management, increased stock turns. Reduction in working capital  £120.000. -Better recognition of loss-making and non-contribution products. Enhance in pre-tax profits of  £150.000.

A Report On Pride And Prejudice English Language Essay

A Report On Pride And Prejudice English Language Essay By comparing and contrasting the marriage proposals of Mr Collins and Mr. Darcy, examine the attitudes to marriage explored by Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice. You should: Consider Jane Austens use of language; Consider social and historical contexts; Comment on any moral dimensions explored in the text; Discuss key characters; Comment on central themes and ideas During the eighteenth and nineteenth century marriage is a state to which every lady was expected to aspire: it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. The first sentence of the novel introduces two of the most important aspects of life at the time; marriage and wealth. During the time of Jane Austen, marriage was about money, power and appearance. These components were essential for what would be deemed, a good marriage. Marriage was for reasons of increasing the couples, and their families social and financial ranking. The opening sentence does not provoke any images of love but only to have security of marriage which aids both families both socially and for wealth purposes. Mr. Collins proposal to Elizabeth is strange to say the least. Not only is it clear that he has his proposal speech ready made, he refuses to take no for an answer. He has even prepared a rejection speech to try and win her back. We can relate to Elizabeth from the beginning of the book, her rational thinking it what she may consider her greatest trait. She is described as having something of quickness than her sisters which is completely true. This quickness is shown when she argues back to Mr Collins, and later in the novel,someone of far higher ranking which was socially unheard of. Mr. Collins proposal is humorous in the sense that he clearly does not know Elizabeth and her personality. Jane Austen use of irony appears often in Chapter 19 as she mocks him in a kind nature without insulting him too greatly. Mr. Collins is formal in his proposal and having no feeling of diffidence he is sure that he will not be refused. His proposal is structured like a speech or a sermon in his case, and amuses us as the reader and Elizabeth herself as she finds it difficult not to laugh. The use of rhetorical devices such as numbering his points and punctuating his proposal with terms like thus adds to the hilarity of it. Mr. Collins tries to flatter her by talking of her perfections, a use of hyperbole. He also describes her as a natural delicacy. Mr. Collins tells Elizabeth that he has been told Mr Collins, you must marry by his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Catherine believes he owes it to himself and to all his family to marry Elizabeth. Mr Collins talks of the death of Elizabeths father, Mr. Bennet. An odd topic to bring up when proposing to a lady. Elizabeth rejects his efforts but he rapidly continues as if he will not leave until hear gets the yes that he wants to hear. Elizabeth argues back because he is not accepting the fact that he has been refused. Again he has a counter argument for her rejection: it does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy your acceptance. Elizabeth starts to be rude to him to see if that will work. He insults her and her family by reminding her that she is not wealthy: your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your lovingness, he also says that it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Mr. Collins is intelligent enough to realise that the Bennet sisters have little chance in the unforgiving marriage market of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Mr. Collins makes it clear that as far as he is concerned, respectability is the most important attribute in a wife; he values this more highly than wealth or beauty. This is a sensible decision due to his profession; a clergyman must be respected so he requires a respectable wife. Despite his proposal seeming definitely passionless and quite cold hearted it develops to become rude when he is refused but at the same time , amusing because of Mr. Collins being such a foolish man. Like Mrs. Bennet, Mr Collins is in the novel for comical value. Mr. Collins gives a series of practical and completely unromantic reasons to marry Elizabeth. During the time that Jane Austen wrote this novel, marriage was often arranged for practical reasons and Jane Austen includes in her novels situations that may occur in everyday life, she did not write about fantasy worlds. Jane Austen was a realist author. Jane Austen is extremely effective in conveying how Elizabeth deals with this proposal as Jane Austen was said to have based her novel on close observances of real people and situations similar to the ones described in the book. She was familiar with these situations. Mr. Collins feels he should marry one of his cousins, because if he doesnt they will be left homeless and penniless on the death of their father. He feels it is morally important to marry one of them. When Elizabeth hears of Charlottes engagement to Mr. Collins she is rather disparaging of their engagement. This shows that despite Elizabeths quickness of mind and intelligence, she may be being too idealistic. We sympathise with Charlottes position because she has taken an informed pragmatic decision and has accepted Mr. Collins offer of marriage. She has agreed to marry him for the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment. This is a typical marriage because it is based on the grounds of practicality. This marriage is not romantic or fuelled by love, most marriages of the upper class were just like this during the eighteenth century and may be the reason many gentlemen of the time had mistresses. Due to the fact that they were highly ranking members of society, their reputati on remained intact despite having two women in the house. Mr. Darcys first proposal to Elizabeth is a huge contrast to Mr. Collins. Darcy speaks with emotive language telling Elizabeth how his feeling cannot be repressed and that he ardently admires and loves her, despite her background. The adverb ardently suggests he passionately loves her. Elizabeths astonishment was beyond expression; this is a perfect example of Jane Austens economy of expression showing Elizabeths surprise. Despite telling her that he loves her, it is almost ruined by his first comment which tells us that in vain have I struggled. meaning that he has struggled not to love her but he cant help it. Elizabeth blushes as she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a mans affection. Her feelings towards Darcy are conflicted, which shows an early sign of possible love, she may be attracted to him without knowing it but she quickly looses all compassion in anger. She was not angry with Mr. Collins proposal, she just found it amusing but Darcys proposal is different. Mr. Darcy is over confident that she Elizabeth will love and accept him immediately. Elements of pride are found in this section of the novel. Mr. Darcy is one of the proudest characters in the novel. He is extremely wealthy and his manners are exemplary but there is a certain air about him that makes him seem snobby and this makes him slightly unl ikeable. He creates a reputation for himself, when at the ball, he considers himself far too good to dance with any of the local girls. He knows his social position and superiority. By doing this he has insulted the entire neighbourhood and Elizabeth takes the insult very personally because she overhears him saying that she is not beautiful enough for him. Though she is not as pretty as her sister Jane, she is still pretty by the neighbourhoods standards. So in showing his self-pride he has damaged Elizabeths and she tries hard not to show it. Mr. Darcys proposal is similar to Mr. Collins due to the fact that he suggests to Elizabeth that she is less in rank than himself and that marrying her is a degradation. It was socially daring at the time for someone of such a high social rank to marry below themselves despite Elizabeth being a gentlemens daughter. Elizabeth eloquently expressing her feelings towards the unexpected proposal and refuses his best efforts of securing an engagement. Darcy is a man who is not used to denial of something so he is shocked at her refusal. There is narrative tension as we wait for a reply from Darcy. They have an argument and Darcy storms out after hearing enough of Elizabeths clever and well thought through replies. Elizabeth cries for half an hour as she goes over what had happened in her head. Jane Austen use of exclamation marks epitomises the agitated state of mind of Elizabeth. Jane Austens use of free indirect speech is effective in conveying characters thoughts to us as the reader and is necessary in Chapter 11 (Volume 2). it is neccesary to us during this chapter because it tells us what thoughts are conflicting Elizabeth. It is the most effective way to convey he thought processes. Lydia Bennets elopement was seen by society very badly. She was not yet a lady and after she eloped with Wickham she had very little chance as being viewed as a lady in the future. Lydia running off and living with Wickham without the benefit of marriage had ruined her reputation and damaged the reputation of her entire family. She would be considered a loose woman, and no man of a good family would ever consider marrying her. Wickham certainly had no intentions of marrying her. This is what provoked the letter from Mr. Collins telling Mr. Bennet of his opinion on Lydias elopement, societies view and Lady Catherines view. Wickham took Lydia away with him to Scotland because he could and Lydia had fallen desperately in love with him. He was self-indulgent and would never deny himself any pleasure in his power. He knew that Lydia would be good company because he could easily persuade her to sleep with him. Lydia was very attracted to Wickham, he should have known better and had the sel f control and decency not to allow her to have sex with him. Mr. Collins tone in his letter is a very serious one telling Mr. Bennet that it is his last chance to preserve his families reputation. He is warning that Lydia is compromising the other Bennet girls chances, and that he should throw off his affection for her and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence. This is a very severe action to take. Mr. Collins is telling Mr. Bennet that if he wants to keep his reputation intact, he must stop loving his daughter. This view that Mr Collins has, reflects the views that eighteenth century society would have had. The Bennets do not have a ready supply of money, they are relatively rich in land and assets but not in money so Wickham has no intentions of marrying Lydia. Therefore, Darcy paid Wickham to marry Lydia. Mr. Darcy arranging for Wickham to marry Lydia preserved not only her reputation but also her sisters reputations. He removed the disgrace from the Bennet name. In Volume 3 Chapter 14, Elizabeth realises she was wrong in her judgement of Mr. Darcy. She travelles to Pemberley to rescue her sisters reputation and speak with Mr Darcy. She is confronted by Lady Catherine who tells of Mr Darcys supposed engagement to her daughter. Lady Catherine de Bourgh makes clear her opinion on Elizabeth marrying Darcy and warns her off. She sees the marriage between Elizabeth and Darcy as socially unusual as it is the joining of two people from different social classes and financial background. Lady Catherine is displeased to say the least that her nephew Mr. Darcy is not intending on marrying Lady Catherines daughter. If Darcy and Lady Catherines daughter did marry, then two very large fortunes would be joined, increasing the financial status of both families. But there is one person getting in the way of Lady Catherines ideal marriage, and that is Elizabeth. Lady Catherine makes very clear she wants Darcy to marry her daughter. I believe Mr. Darcy is unwil ling to marry Miss de Bourgh as he is in love with Elizabeth. Elizabeth dares to stand her ground in her argument with Lady Catherine. Once again Lady Catherine gives a threat: I am not to be trifled with. Elizabeth stands up to the snobbery of Lady Catherine. As Elizabeth is a match for her, she resorts to insults by saying Elizabeth is a women of inferior birth, of no importance in the world. Lady Catherine is part of a slowly diminishing generation in which old opinions were dying with the generation. Lady Catherines views on marriage were traditional and society was changing. Despite the attempts, warnings and insults of Lady Catherine, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy get engaged in Volume 3 Chapter 16. Their engagement has been long anticipated by the reader and it finally comes at the end to finish with a happy ending just like Jane Austens other novels. Darcy refers to Elizabeth as dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. Jane Austen makes clear that Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are the perfect love match. This is affectionate language used by Mr. Darcy. There are many different attitudes towards marriage expressed in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Collins and Charlotte could be seen as a good couple, despite the lack of love, as they both have the belief that marriage is for practical reasons. Lady Catherine believes marriage is for wealth and power; and Elizabeth got her wish of marrying someone who is deeply in love with her. Elizabeths marriage to Darcy was to set a trend over the next centuries, more people married for love and now in the 21st century nothings changed. Jane Austens clever novel still has readers gripped two centuries since it was written. The marriage we hear about which isnt entirely based on this principle is the joining of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. Elizabeth goes through most of the novel disliking Mr. Darcy but this is mainly as she has not seen his full character and this is odd for Elizabeth as she is usually good with judging character. She likes to watch people and how they behave. Elizabeth learns that she has been mislead by Darcys character and had she known the truth, she would love him just as he loves her. Darcy leaves the countryside only to return to a different Elizabeth. They work out their misunderstandings and agree to marry. Notes: All this is after Mr. Collins prepared proposal to Elizabeth in chapter 19 where she declines his proposal. Charlotte Lucas who is Elizabeths best friend agrees to marry him as she fears she may not get another offer. Elizabeth remains close friends with her, despite the fact that she is married to the awful Mr. Collins. Charlotte is relatively happy as she has security financially and socially as Mr. Collins is a pastor. He is high in social rank but not as high as Mr. Bennet or Lady Catherine De Bourgh who is his patroness.

Madagascar :: History

Madagascar â€Å"Great Red Island† Background Information Government Formal Name: Republic of Madagascar DTA code: MA Government Type: Republic Legal System: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. Foreign Relations: Good relations with many countries, especially France, and the western countries of Africa. Holidays: Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day May 1 - Workers Day May 24- OAU Day June 26- Independence Day Nov 1 - All Saints Day Dec 25- Christmas Dec 30- Republic Day History The Malagasy are of mixed Malayo-Indonesian and African-Arab ancestry. Indonesians are believed to have migrated to the island about B.C.E. 700. Archaeologists have found human remains dating back 2000 years. Madagascar was a favorite base for sea pirates in the 1600’s and 1700’s, including the famous Captain Kidd. The French made the island a protectorate in 1885, and then in 1894-95 ended the monarchy. In 1908 a colonial administration was set up, to which the Comoro Islands were attached. In World War II the British occupied Madagascar, which retained its ties to France. Madagascar became an independent member of the community in 1960. Economy Rated 10th poorest country in the world. Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition and severe loss of forest cover accompanied by erosion. Agriculture Provides almost 80% of exports, 16% of cultivated land is irrigated. Major crops include, coffee, vanilla, sugar cane, cloves, rice, bananas, peanuts; wide spread cattle raising; also extensive fishing. Exports and Imports Major exports are coffee, vanilla, cloves, and sugar. Main markets are France, USA, Germany, and Japan. Major Imports are capital goods, oil, and consumer goods. Main suppliers are France, Japan, and Germany. Culture Society There are some 20 ethnic groups of which principal ones are the Central Highlanders of mixed Arab, African, MalayoIndonsian ancestry. Other groups include, Comorans, French, and IndoPakistanis. The estimated population as of July 2000 was 15,506,472 Language Languages are Malagasy and French. Religion About 55% hold indigenous beliefs, 40% Christian, and 5% Muslim Currency One Malagasy Franc equals one US dollar Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean Area: Slightly less than double the size of Arizona Climate: Tropical along coast, arid in the south Natural Resources: Graphite, Coal, Tar, Stones. Natural Hazards : Periodic Cyclones Ports: 15 major ports Airports: 105 Major Cities and Points of Interest Capital: Antananarivo The city is built on a Y shaped granite mountain surrounded by rice fields. Madagascar :: History Madagascar â€Å"Great Red Island† Background Information Government Formal Name: Republic of Madagascar DTA code: MA Government Type: Republic Legal System: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. Foreign Relations: Good relations with many countries, especially France, and the western countries of Africa. Holidays: Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day May 1 - Workers Day May 24- OAU Day June 26- Independence Day Nov 1 - All Saints Day Dec 25- Christmas Dec 30- Republic Day History The Malagasy are of mixed Malayo-Indonesian and African-Arab ancestry. Indonesians are believed to have migrated to the island about B.C.E. 700. Archaeologists have found human remains dating back 2000 years. Madagascar was a favorite base for sea pirates in the 1600’s and 1700’s, including the famous Captain Kidd. The French made the island a protectorate in 1885, and then in 1894-95 ended the monarchy. In 1908 a colonial administration was set up, to which the Comoro Islands were attached. In World War II the British occupied Madagascar, which retained its ties to France. Madagascar became an independent member of the community in 1960. Economy Rated 10th poorest country in the world. Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition and severe loss of forest cover accompanied by erosion. Agriculture Provides almost 80% of exports, 16% of cultivated land is irrigated. Major crops include, coffee, vanilla, sugar cane, cloves, rice, bananas, peanuts; wide spread cattle raising; also extensive fishing. Exports and Imports Major exports are coffee, vanilla, cloves, and sugar. Main markets are France, USA, Germany, and Japan. Major Imports are capital goods, oil, and consumer goods. Main suppliers are France, Japan, and Germany. Culture Society There are some 20 ethnic groups of which principal ones are the Central Highlanders of mixed Arab, African, MalayoIndonsian ancestry. Other groups include, Comorans, French, and IndoPakistanis. The estimated population as of July 2000 was 15,506,472 Language Languages are Malagasy and French. Religion About 55% hold indigenous beliefs, 40% Christian, and 5% Muslim Currency One Malagasy Franc equals one US dollar Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean Area: Slightly less than double the size of Arizona Climate: Tropical along coast, arid in the south Natural Resources: Graphite, Coal, Tar, Stones. Natural Hazards : Periodic Cyclones Ports: 15 major ports Airports: 105 Major Cities and Points of Interest Capital: Antananarivo The city is built on a Y shaped granite mountain surrounded by rice fields.

Nick’s View That Gatsby Essay

How far do you agree with Nick’s view that Gatsby is â€Å"worth the whole damn bunch put together†? The title character of The Great Gatsby is a young man, around thirty years old, who rose from an impoverished childhood in rural North Dakota to become fabulously wealthy. Indeed, Gatsby has become famous around New York for the elaborate parties held every weekend at his mansion, ostentatious spectacles to which people long to be invited. And yet, Nick Carraway’s description of the protagonist asserts that Gatsby seems curiously out of place among the ‘whole damn bunch’ which inhabit this lavish, showy world. Indeed, despite the aura of criminality surrounding his occupation, his love and loyalty to Daisy Buchanan and ultimately his capacity to dream, set him apart from the inhabitants of East Egg and West Egg. A key criticism made in Nick’s first person, self-aware and retrospective narration is that the ‘whole damn bunch’ entertained by Gatsby lives in extravagance. In Chapter Three, comparative adjectives and adverbs allude to the idea that the parties they attend grow ever increasingly lavish; the narrator expresses how ‘laughter is easier’, an ‘opera of voices pitches a key higher’ and ‘groups change more quickly’. In fact, the sheer scale of the operation required to keep them excited is emphasised by details that Nick gives, including ‘a machine in the kitchen which could extract the juice of two hundred oranges in half an hour if a little button was pressed two hundred times by a butler’s thumb.’ But the ‘vacuous bursts of laughter’ and the dancing ‘in eternal graceless circles’ lend a degree of artificiality to the proceedings. Indeed, the tone of the narration reveals another major shortcoming, suggesting that this outward show of opulence by the inhabitants of West Egg and East Egg is used to cover up their inner corruption and moral decay. This decadence is first exemplified by the length of festivities. Nick states that after ‘the first supper’, ‘there would be another one after midnight.’ Society’s moral compass seems to invert completely, Nick ironically asserting that there were ‘two deplorably sober men’. Being drunk appears to be proper behaviour at such a party. Moreover, Fitzgerald’s comical use of voice suggests that being sober is more than just frowned upon, ‘their highly indignant wives’ exclaiming that they ‘have never heard anything so selfish in my life.’ But other guests contribute to this air of corruption; for example, the predatory nature of ‘Young Englishmen’ selling bonds is stressed by anaphora: ‘all well-dressed, all looking a little bit hungry, and all talking in low, earnest voices to solid and prosperous Americans.’ Such obsession with money is further emphasised by musical language and assonance; they were ‘agonizingly aware of the easy money and convinced that it was theirs for a few words in the right key.’ And as time passes, such vices become ever more apparent. Increasingly ‘women were now having fights with men said to be their husbands’, ‘said to be’ suggesting that some may have brought mistresses rather than partners. Nick observes one man philandering with ‘a young actress’, with his wife present. Her anger is humorously emphasised by simile, the narrator comparing her to ‘an angry diamond’. She ‘broke down entirely and resorted to flank attacks’, reduced to hissing into his ear, ‘You promised!’ By the end, the function had turned into ‘violent confusion’. Fitzgerald’s use of characterisation also emphasises the flaws of those immediately around Gatsby, Tom Buchanan in particular. Tom is Daisy’s husband, an extremely wealthy man, a brute, and an athlete. And his vices become apparent from the beginning of the book. His ignorance is brought out when he praises the ridiculous notions of ‘The Rise of the Coloured Empires’ that ‘the white race’, which is ‘the dominant race’ has to ‘watch out or other races will have control of things.’ The way he refers to it as ‘science and art, and all that’ and ‘scientific stuff’ only undermines his racist viewpoints even further. But more importantly, Tom is deeply immoral, Jordan Baker informing the narrator that ‘Tom’s got some woman in New York’. Nick is so incensed by Tom’s affair that his ‘own instinct was to telephone immediately for the police’. In fact, only a few months after their wedding, he appears to have had a fling with ‘one of the chambermaids in the Santa Barbara Hotel’. This series of affairs must have caused his wife some emotional damage. He does not even turn up to the birth of their daughter, Daisy casually informing Nick that ‘Tom was God knows where.’ In this way, Tom is neither attentive nor sensitive towards Daisy, especially in contrast with Gatsby. But Tom is not just unscrupulous but abusive. When Nick meets him in Chapter One, he asserts that he had ‘a cruel body’ which was ‘always leaning aggressively forward.’ And though Carraway never sees him being violent with his wife, there are hints of his unbridled physicality when Daisy reveals a bruise on her finger that, although accidental, was caused by that ‘brute of a man’. She says ‘accusingly’ that ‘you did it, Tom’. But the brutal streak really comes across when Tom is with his mistress. ‘With a short, deft movement’ he ‘broke her nose with his open hand.’ But the title character too has his flaws. Like ‘the whole damn bunch’, Gatsby lives extravagantly, replacing a guest’s damaged dress with one costing ‘two hundred and sixty-five dollars’. And like ‘the whole damn bunch’, he has made unethical choices, in his case in acquiring his fortune. Speculation among his guests first alludes to such decisions, Fitzgerald using the method of choric voices. Although various theories that ‘he killed a man once’ or that ‘he was a German spy during the war’ may appear unrealistic, later speculation, from Tom Buchanan in particular, does start to blemish Nick’s idealised conception of Gatsby. When they first meet, Tom presumes that Gatsby is ‘some big bootlegger’. This assumption may not be wrong, the antagonist discovering that Gatsby ‘and Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter’. In this way, though Nick never quite finds out what Gatsby did for a living, his greatest vice appears to be the source of his income. But while Tom’s report would never be objective, Fitzgerald’s characterisation of Wolfsheim also hints at the aura of criminality surrounding Gatsby. The author’s use of voice emphasises the gambler’s sleaze, pronouncing ‘connection’ as ‘gonnegtion’ and ‘Oxford’ as ‘Oggsford’. But he also appears sinister, wearing ‘cuff’ buttons made of ‘human molars’. Wolfsheim’s criminality is confirmed when Gatsby informs Nick that ‘he’s the man who fixed the World’s Series back in 1919.’ But the gambler may be involved in more dangerous activities than simply fixing baseball matches. Wolfsheim’s own dialogue suggests that he has experience in activities where men end up dead, explaining to Nick that ‘when a man gets killed I never like to get mixed up in it in any way. I keep out.’ The mysterious phone calls which Gatsby receives in no way vindicate him either. His reunion with Daisy is interrupted by one such call, the use of ellipses adding a sense of secrecy to his subsequent conversation: ‘Yes †¦ Well, I can’t talk now †¦ I can’t talk now, old sport †¦ I said a small town †¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ The confidential nature of the suggested business dealing may imply that Gatsby’s work is not legitimate. In fact, only after Gatsby’s death does he find out what would be said on the other end of the line. When Nick is mistaken for the title character, ‘Slagle’ rapidly explains that ‘Young Parke’s in trouble’ and that ‘they picked him up when he handed the bonds over the counter.’ Words such as ‘trouble’ and ‘picked him up’ suggest that one of Gatsby’s subordinates may have landed himself on the wrong side of the law. Furthermore, the ‘frightened’ nature of Gatsby’s so-called ‘friend’ Klipspringer again alludes to the criminality of Gatsby’s business acquaintances. Over the telephone, Klipspringer even ‘demanded to know who I was before he would give his name.’ For such reasons, when Wolfsheim recalls how close he and Gatsby were, ‘thick like that in everything’, the narrator ‘wondered if this partnership had included the World’s Series transaction in 1919.’ Such implications about the way Gatsby has accrued his fortune also expose his deceit. In fact, early in the plot the title character lies to Carraway by saying that his wealth was inherited, that he is ‘the son of some wealthy people in the Middle West – all dead now.’ He also states that he was ‘brought up in America but educated at Oxford, because all my ancestors have been educated there for many years.’ In reality Gatsby rose from an impoverished childhood in rural North Dakota. His dishonesty is closely linked to his lack of authenticity. Indeed, Nick notices the manufactured aspects of his personality, put on to promote the image of the ‘Oxford’ man which he claims to be. The writer’s use of voice underlines his slightly forced characteristics. These include his affected accent – ‘an elaborate formality of speech’ which ‘just missed being absurd’ and his habit of calling people ‘old sport’. Moreover, Fitzgerald’s use of scene and place, his library specifically, alludes to the idea that he is not genuine. Owl-Eyes, one of his invited guests, is surprised that the millionaire’s books are ‘absolutely real – have pages and everything’, rather than being made out of ‘nice durable cardboard.’ This reaction implies a belief that so much about him is fake. Even when he realises its authenticity, Owl-Eyes compares him to ‘a regular Belasco’, a Broadway producer known for the realism of his sets. Thus, though he is putting on act, this theatrical persona which he has mastered is still a very convincing act. Indeed, The novel’s title itself – ‘The Great Gatsby’ – is suggestive of the sort of vaudeville billing for a performer or magician like ‘The Great Houdini’, again subtly emphasising the showy and perhaps illusory quality of Gatsby’s life. But despite both the nature of his work and this theatrical quality, Nick still suggests that Gatsby does not share the same level of moral decadence as the ‘whole damn bunch’ in his circle. Chapter Three serves to separate his personality from that of his guests. Anaphora underlines how he remains an outsider at his own function, Nick asserting that ‘no one swooned backward on Gatsby, and no French bob touched Gatsby’s shoulder, and no singing quartets were formed with Gatsby’s head for one link.’ Antithesis also contrasts Gatsby from the company he entertains; while ‘no one swooned backward on Gatsby’, girls were ‘swooning backward playfully into men’s arms’ Indeed, unlike the decadents he entertains, ‘he grew more correct as fraternal hilarity increased’. Gatsby’s acquaintances also reveal his merits. Meyer Wolfsheim stresses the basic nobility which defines his character, telling Carraway that he is ‘a man of fine breeding’, ‘the kind of man you’d like to take home and introduce to your mother and sister.’ Moreover, before the funeral, Gatsby’s father also underlines his son’s good nature by stating that ‘ever since he made a success he was very generous with me’. But he also reveals Gatsby’s great ambition and desire for self-improvement. Mr Gatz tells Nick that ‘Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something’ and that he placed great emphasis on ‘improving his mind’. Indeed, the ‘schedule’ – including activities such as ‘dumbell exercise and wall-scaling’, ‘study electricity’, ‘practise elocution, poise and how to attain it‘ and ‘study n eeded inventions’ – which he made ‘when he was a boy’ reveals that even before he knew what he wanted to be, Gatsby always desired to make something of himself. Furthermore, Chapter Five serves to explain that his method of acquiring millions of dollars, his lavish weekly parties and lifestyle and his manufactured persona are all merely means to a more worthy end. This end is winning back Daisy Buchanan. Indeed, in contrast with Tom’s cruel and unthoughtful treatment of his wife, Nick characterises Gatsby most of all with the admirable qualities of love for and loyalty to her. The title character’s speech alludes to his attempts to ensure that the reunion is perfect, the man asking Nick whether he has ‘got everything you need’. He specifically checks the day’s forecast in the hope that sunshine will emerge during the reunion, informing Nick that ‘they thought the rain would stop about four.’ The writer also uses scenes and places to enhance Gatsby’s need for perfection. For example, the reunion takes place at Nick’s house, perhaps reflecting how Gatsby wanted to meet the love of his life in a more secluded and romantic environment than his gaudy mansion. But Gatsby may also have organised the reunion at Nick’s house to impress Daisy, to give her a view of his ‘huge place’. He himself proclaims that his ‘house looks well’. However, the use of a first-person, self-conscious and retrospective narrator emphasises his efforts most of all. Gatsby almost redecorates Nick’s place, not only sending a man ‘over to cut my grass’ – to make sure the lawn outside was smart – but also adorning the interior with flowers, ‘with innumerable receptacles’. Hyperbole emphasises the extent of this renovation, as if a whole ‘greenhouse arrived.’ Further in the chapter, the author underlines the intensity of his love by presenting Nick’s speculation about Gatsby’s intentions as Gatsby’s actual thoughts. When Daisy goes from Nick’s place to her lover’s, Nick states: ‘I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes’, as if everything he has ever bought or owned has been simply to please her. Moreover, Gatsby’s decision to take the blame for Daisy over the death of Myrtle Wilson – telling Nick that ‘I’ll say I was’ driving – demonstrates the deep love he still feels for her and illustrates the basic nobility that defines his character. The image of a pitiable Gatsby keeping watch outside her house while she and Tom sit comfortably within is an indelible image that allows the reader to look past Gatsby’s criminality. Indeed, the fact that he wants ‘to wait here till Daisy goes to bed’, to protect her even after it appears that Daisy is not going to leave Tom, is a final testament to his undying love for her. Nick leaves Gatsby to watch over Daisy, as if his ‘presence marred the sacredness of the vigil’, the last statement suggesting that his devotion has moved to the extremes of religious worship. And yet, Nick’s final criticism of Gatsby questions the realism of such deep and uncompromising devotion. The parallels between his love for Daisy and religious worship – the title character ‘consumed with wonder at her presence’ – suggest that Gatsby, a man who stakes everything on his ‘dreams’, now appears to have dreamed too big. Even at the beginning of their reunion, Nick recognises the unrealistic nature of his ‘dream’. The way Fitzgerald presents Nick’s speculation about Gatsby’s intentions as Gatsby’s actual thoughts helps demonstrate that ‘there must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams’. Although Daisy possesses a number of virtues, although it is ‘not her own fault’, even she cannot match Gatsby’s ‘dream’. The narrator suggests that his ‘dream’ was so alive, that ‘his illusion’ had such a ‘colossal vitality’, that ‘it had gone beyond her, beyond everything.’ The repetition of ‘beyond’ emphasises that she cannot live up to Gatsby’s idealised expectations. The author’s use of poetic prose further emphasises how much the man has romanticized her. Indeed, metaphor likens Gatsby to an artist who decks his image ‘with every bright feather that drifted his way’, with every possible virtue. The alliteration of ‘f’ in the narration emphasises how permanent this idealised image has become, Nick asserting that ‘no amount of fire or freshness can challenge it’. Indeed, he expects too much, wanting ‘nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you.’ Tragically such expectations lead Daisy to change her mind, breaking down under his own pressure in Chapter Seven, exclaiming to Gatsby that ‘you want too much!’ But in Chapter Eight, Nick goes a step further, suggesting that Daisy, the object of his ‘dream’ is unworthy of his power of dreaming. Fitzgerald’s use of time and sequence, the narrative switching to Gatsby’s ‘story of his youth’, emphasises the influence of Daisy’s wealth and privilege on Gatsby. The narrator states that ‘her porch was bright with the bought luxury of star-shine’, and that she ‘vanished into her rich house, into her rich, full life’, the repetition of ‘rich’ reflecting the aura of affluence which Gatsby is drawn to. Indeed, it becomes clear that Gatsby idolises both wealth and Daisy, the title character almost quantifying her, the fact that many men already loved Daisy increasing ‘her value in his eyes’. Indeed, his attraction to Daisy may be caused in part because of what she represents, the exclusive upper class which he aspires to be a part of. Daisy thus appears almost shallow and fickle, and because she is the focus of Gatsby’s life, his dream is simply reduced to a motivation for material gain. After Gatsby’s death, Nick writes that Gatsby must have realized â€Å"what a grotesque thing a rose is.† The rose has been a conventional symbol of beauty. Nick suggests that roses aren’t inherently beautiful, and that people only view them that way because they choose to do so. Daisy is â€Å"grotesque† in the same way: Gatsby has invested her with beauty and meaning by making her the object of his dream. Had Gatsby not imbued her with such value, Daisy would be simply an idle, bored, rich young woman with no particular moral strength or loyalty. But this capacity to ‘dream’, this ceaseless effort to recreate the past, reflects the vitality and optimism which Nick most respects about Gatsby. The active narrator first notices this quality when they meet in Chapter Three. Fitzgerald’s use of first person, self-aware and narration reveals Gatsby’s rare ability to make anyone he smiles at feel as though he has chosen that person out of ‘the whole external world’; it reflects that person’s most optimistic conception of him or herself. His smile ‘believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself’ and ‘assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.’ And because of such ability to hope, when Gatsby waves goodbye to his guests, Nick emphasises the contrast between the immorality of his work and the virtue of his motivation. While ‘they guessed at his corruption’, ‘he had stood on those st eps, concealing his incorruptible dream’. Nick alludes to such undying hope in the last lines of the novel, the narrator strolling along Gatbsy’s lawn one final time, just as the title character had done when Nick first sees him in Chapter One. And as he sprawls out on the beach behind Gatsby’s house, he muses that Gatsby had failed to realize that even before his reunion with Daisy, his dream had already ended, ‘that it was already behind him’, and that his goals had become hollow and empty. But though this dream had ‘eluded us then’, Nick envisions that people everywhere are motivated by similar dreams and that ‘tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further’. In this way, though there is an ambiguity over whether men such as Gatsby will ever reach their ‘dream’ – Fitzgerald leaving the phrase, ‘and one fine morning -’, open-ended – Nick Carraway recognises that the importance lies not in reaching the ‘dreamâ€℠¢ but in refusing to lose heart. In the same way, Gatsby’s own audacity and nobility of spirit to dream of creating a radically different future for himself, to dream of a life with Daisy, never let up. This is why one can agree with Nick’s viewpoint to a great extent. Even though his dream ends in failure – because his methods are criminal, because he can never gain acceptance into the American aristocracy, and because his new identity is largely a theatrical act – his deep-rooted ambition, his loyalty to Daisy and, uniting the two together, the strength of his capacity to dream, are what set him above the members of West Egg and East Egg. Gatsby is a visionary. This is why he is â€Å"worth the whole damn bunch put together†.

Auguste Rodin essays

Auguste Rodin essays Francois-Auguste-Rene Rodin was born on November 12. 1840. Auguste Rodin was the second child of Jean-Baptiste Rodin and Marie Cheffer. Like many artists, he was not an overnight success. He was rejected numerous times from art schools; nevertheless, he prevailed in the end. Rodin got his inspiration from other great and famous artists. In Rodin's case, his inspirational artist was Michelangelo. In Rodin's more famous works, one can see the similarities between the two artists' artwork. He was also responsible from the resurgence of the popularity of sculpture as an art form. One common characteristic among all of his works was the realistic nature of his sculptures. Rodin's parents were not wealthy; therefore, he could not attend an art school of his choice. His father did send him to Petite Ecole, a training school for commerical draftsman. At age seventeen, he won first prize for a clay model. His teachers encouraged him to audition for the Grande Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He applied three times, every time he was turned down. When he was 22 of age, his sister Maria died. He decided to leave his art after her death because so much anguish was in him. It was then he decided to enter the Order of the Fathers of the Very Holy Sacrament. He eventually realized that religion was not his called. One again, he went moved into his studio. It was at this point, he was fully committed to his artwork. Since he could not afford a heater, he would see parts of his sculptures on the floor every time he wakes up due to cold and heat. Sections of heads, arms and chunks of torso would detach itself from the sculpture; "I found them in pieces...covered the floor ...could not believe what I lost in that way (Hale: 1987: 42). In 1864, he created The Man with the Broken Nose; with the new creation he set his path to greatness. He soon had a job with Carrier-Belluse. He was a draftsman, molder, finisher and a caster. When he had all the money he needed, ...