The Theory and Medical Treatment of ADHD

For the past several decades the terms learning disorders, learning dysfunctions, learning disabilities, learning differences, and attention-deficit disorders have made the rounds in the educational, medical, and psychological journals. The concepts have been studied routinely and thoroughly with similar and distinct differences. Some theoreticians and educators include the concepts of dyslexia, hyperactivity, interrupted concentration, anxiety, perceptual dysfunction, and a host of other variables as belonging to the definition of what should be called a learning puzzle rather than a dysfunction. If the perception of a piece is placed before the recognition of the whole, then treatment is item specific and not supportive of the entire structure. In other words, learning, and the process whereby it is completed or interrupted, must be viewed in relation to the whole structure rather than identified by its parts. The learning puzzle can be properly described as an intricate formation of a human's neurological, physiological, psychological, and sociological systems (parts) blended together to produce a healthy functioning individual (whole). The â€Å"act† of learning is accomplished optimally when all parts of the puzzle are functioning without interruption. However, when learning is interrupted through external or internal stimuli the puzzle cannot be completed and negative results occur. The lack of puzzle completion is brought about both environmentally and medically. For example: A lack of educational opportunity, poor self esteem, and even peer pressure (environmental leaning interruption) can help to erode the puzzle structure and produce a dysfunctional situation in the learning process (Jourard, 1959). Similarly, should there exist a malfunction in the body (medical part) disruption in learning can occur as well; thus preventing the puzzle from becoming complete. The focus, therefore, of this paper will be to report on that which causes learning to be disrupted through a medical variable (hyperactivity) and the treatment that can be applied to permit learning to take place on a much more normal basis. The literature is replete with references to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and the learning consequences. Generally speaking AD/HD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate impulsivity, attention, and hyperactivity. It is a neurological disorder (DSM-IV-TR, 2000; Breggin, 2000) that has serious consequences including school failure, problems with relationships, conduct disorder, substantive abuse and job failure (Bagwell, 2001; Cepeda, 2000). More specifically AD/HD refers to a family of related chronic neurobiological disorders that interfere with an individual's capacity to regulate activity level (hyperactivity), inhibit behavior (impulsivity), and attend to tasks (inattention) in developmentally appropriate ways. Treatment for the disorder runs the gambit from behavioral therapy (Rabiner, 2003), to herbal remedies (Chan, 2000), to medication (Biederman, 1999). For the most part the drugs used to treat AD/HD are those, which must be prescribed by a physician. Regardless of the drug prescribed the most effective way to treat AD/HD is to use a combination of drugs and therapy. The most common, as well as most familiar, prescriptive medications used for the treatment of AD/HD in children are those stimulants known as methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate-ER) and amphetamines (Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansules, Adderall. (Breggin, 1998; Watkins and Brynes, 1999). However, administering these particular drugs to AD/HD children reportedly has some rather severe ramifications such as drug dependency, changing brain chemistry, suppressing appetite, and disrupting the growth hormone. Stimulant medications commonly used to decrease distractibility by increasing focus and concentration, are Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert. The general misconception is that this type of medication is used to control hyperactivity. However, the decrease in observable hyperactivity is actually the result of increased ability to concentrate. On the other hand there are even some researchers and practitioners who believe that Ritalin can also lead the way to the use of other narcotics and drugs as the child gets older. Yet there are those who believe that even though the use of Ritalin should be discontinued, they believe the AD/HD child can be placed in a more compliant or submissive state with medications that will permit the child to gain control over the disruptive behavior and learn more (Pelham, Carlson, Sams, Vallano, Dixon, & Hoza, 1993; Runnheim et al. 1996; Barkley, R. A. ,1990). Just because an AD/HD child may have a positive reaction to medication is not indicative that medication is all that is required to produce the desired learning and behavioral results. The medications do not cure the disorder; they only control the symptoms while the medication is in the system. Knowing that medications may help a child pay better attention they do not improve the child's academic skills or increase the child's knowledge. What is most often recommended for lasting improvement is to combine a medical management program with other treatment modalities such as behavioral therapy, emotional support, and parental and educational involvement. The concern today is that everyone is looking for a miracle cure for AD/HD children. Successful treatment of AD/HD requires specifically dealing with several problems in terms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and poor motivation. In fact the more the treatment digresses from the aforementioned performance points, the less successful the treatment becomes. Knowing that proper nutrition, exercise and a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, including ADHD children, there is extremely little scientific evidence that any homeopathic or herbal preparations will lessen or eliminate the symptoms of AD/HD in children. In addition there is little evidence as well treating an AD/HD child with vitamin and mineral supplements, biofeedback, or acupuncture will have any long-lasting affect. The life of an AD/HD child can only change for the better through a combination of careful assessment, proper counseling, family involvement, and appropriate medical treatment.

Midtermquestion obesity

Generally, much of the blame for obesity’s widespread existence in Western society is placed upon poor lifestyle. In the case of the former, the increasing pervasiveness of a sedentary lifestyle, characterized by long periods of inactivity (such as sitting in an office) with little to no exercise, in addition to a decreasing amount of leisure time being spent on physical activity, as opposed to video games and television viewing. (Bleich, et. al., 2007) In the case of the latter, over-eating remains a problem, despite advances in nutritional awareness. Additionally, the increasing reliance on fast-food meals, with their energy dense composition, have quadrupled the calorie intake of the average American over the period between 1977 and 1995.   (Lin, et. al., 1999) Genetics also play a part in the development of obesity. Excess calorie intake and how it translates into body mass is affected by various factors such as the genes which regulate metabolism, appetite and adipokine. Additionally, there are various genetic conditions that have been identified as symptomatized by obesity (e.g. Bardet-Biedl syndrome, leptin receptor mutations and MOMO syndrome). Farooqi & O’Rahilly (2006) have also noted that obesity has a hereditary component. Chakravarthy & Booth (2004) have also theorized that certain ethnicities may be more prone to obesity, as an evolutionary means of taking advantage of abundance in between long periods of food scarcity. As such, the genetic disposition towards obesity is an advantage in surviving famine, but a maladaptive trait in a society with food stability. Obesity may also be affected by medical illnesses such as Cushing’s syndrome, growth hormone deficiency and hypothyroidism. The treatment of some illnesses may also lead to fluctuations in weight, as a side effect of medication taken (e.g. antipsychotics, fertility meds). Quitting smoking has also been recognized as a cause of moderate weight gain, due to the resulting loss of appetite suppression. Also, some psychological disorders such as bulimia or binge disorders contribute direct risks of obesity. The mechanisms of neurobiology also contribute to the development of obesity. In addition to leptin (which regulates the intake and expenditure of energy) substances such as ghrelin (which regulates short-term appetite) are linked with the maintenance of obesity. (Flier, 2004). Other such substances include adiponectin which regulates glucose, cholecystokinin which stimulates the digestion of fat and protein, and PYY 3-36 which responds to food intake by reducing appetite. Finally, social determinants contribute to obesity by significantly affecting the habits formed that contribute to obesity. In a 2004 study, it was noted that there was an inverse correlation between wealth and obesity, suggesting that lower income individuals rely on cheaper fast food for nourishment. (Zagorsky, 2004). Also, a 2007 study followed more than 32,500 individuals over a span of 32 years and found that changes in body mass of friends, and siblings were reliable predictors of changes in subjects, regardless of geographical distance, suggesting that the acceptance of one’s body mass has an influence on changes in body size. (Christakis & Fowler, 2007) REFERENCES Bleich, S., Cutler, D., Murray, C. & Adams, A. (2007) Why Is The Developed World Obese?. Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 29. Retrieved May 5, 2008 from: http://www.nber.org/papers/w12954.pdf Lin, B.H., Guthrie, J. & Frazao E. (1999) â€Å"Nutrient contribution of food away from home†. In: Frazao, E. (Ed). America's Eating Habits: Changes and Consequences. Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 750, US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Washington, DC, pp. 213–239. Farooqi, S., O’Rahilly, S. (2006) Genetics of obesity in humans. Endocrine Review, Volume 27. Chakravarthy, M.V., Booth, F.W. (2004). Eating, exercise, and â€Å"thrifty† genotypes: connecting the dots toward an evolutionary understanding of modern chronic diseases. Journal of Applied Physiology, Volume 96. Flier, J.S. (2004). Obesity wars: molecular progress confronts an expanding epidemic. Cell, Volume 116, Issue 2, pp. 337-350. Zagorsky, J.L. (2004) Is Obesity as Dangerous to Your Wealth as to Your Health? Res Aging Volume 26, pp. 130-152. Christakis, N.A., Fowler, J.H. (2007) The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years.†      

Operations management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Operations management - Essay Example Some brands offer luxury other offers sturdiness. The presence of company in different countries also creates many problems. The operations of Toyota are susceptible to political and economic fluctuations. Because of the dispersed manufacturing the company faces different problems in different countries. The problem of competitors and safety issues rise regularly. The recent safety issues with Toyota cars caused significant financial issues to the company. There are issues regarding location of retail showrooms and supply chain management issues. The company follows Just in Time inventory system (JIT) in which management of supplies is extremely important. Also with different safety rules, manufacturing regulations, tax legislations and environment concerns in different countries Toyota faces many operational challenges and this paper will discuss these challenges with great detail. The strategies to address these issues will also be discussed in the paper. These possible solutions m ight help Toyota Motor Company solve its operational problems. Key Operational Challenges faced by Toyota The automobile industry all over the world is facing problems due to economic recession and environmental concerns. Toyota faces multifaceted problems due to its presence all over the world. Design issues, pricing and product development issues are the main operational challenges Toyota is facing today. ... 2005). Usually there are teams that work on new products as a whole but in Toyota teams work on subsystems like hardware, software and suppliers. Then all these subsystems are combined to form a new product. In this way the development process is speeded. The problem in this system arises with regards to the suppliers. Product development cannot be completed if suppliers are not equipped to supply different parts that are needed to develop the new product. For this reason supplier development is also necessary. This is an operational challenge for Toyota as it is very difficult for development teams and suppliers to be on the same page. Suppliers are to be trained and they should be equipped with proper technology in order to ensure that they are able to meet the demands of the newly developed product. This is a serious challenge for Toyota. Because of supplier issues inventories of Toyota are increasing and storage cost is also hiking even though Toyota is famous for its Just in Tim e inventory system (JIT). Toyota will have to rely on suppliers because it is not feasible to develop everything on their own but supply chain management issues are also a major challenge even for a big company like Toyota. Complexity Problems in Toyota The complex products of Toyota are a problem. The manufacturing units are dispersed all over the world and because of this sophisticated technology have to be made available everywhere. Alongside making complex products for its diverse clientele Toyota also has to manage its worldwide sale. The complexity problem becomes an operational issue when a car is developed and the technology used in the car is not available in some of the manufacturing countries. Now in order to make similar cars in those countries the technology is required

Western vision and American values. Western notions of freedom and Essay

Western vision and American values. Western notions of freedom and democracy - Essay Example This question requires the discussion of the notion of the Rule of law and how it has developed within and through the Western Notions of freedom and democracy. My discussion explores the position vis a vis the two great democratic nations which have led the world in their quest for human rights and whose legal and political systems are deemed to be the envy of the world.It has often been said that the modern American Constitution along with the Declaration of Independence is a result of Lockean Ideals of Liberalism(that is John Locke’s Concepts based on liberty, freedom, instituting government, and the right to alter that government.).However proponents of the heavy influence of British/European ideals (Gary Wills for example) have argued that a much more important role in this regard has been played by Scottish philosophers ,the Dutch and more importantly Britain.(Kavka 1986:45).Thomas G. West (2003:95) has summarized the position with regards to John Locke’s ideals t hus by way of stating,According to Sheldon the Declaration of Rights reflects â€Å"three dominant ideologies present during the American revolution and the founding of the American republic. These political philosophies were British liberalism†¦Classical Republicanism†¦and Christianity,† It can be seen that the Western Ideals of Government and Democracy are directly a result of the way ancient Roman and European philosophers sought to understand the human nature by the concept of the â€Å"state of nature.† "state of nature." (Kavka 1986:87).This theory sought to look at human beings after stripping them of all their societal attributes, in the hope of uncovering their common characteristics.(Jean 1986:46) Through this theory they hoped to discover an effective theory of Government.For Hobbes man is purely motivated by self interest and in his notion of the state of nature all humans are competing with each other .(Jean 1986:58).For Locke of the state of nature reveals the obligations of humans to each other in terms of natural rights to life, liberty and property. In contrast for Rousseau in line with the tradition of the modern natural law there was a need to answer the "challenge of scepticism" and this would require a step by step approach to human nature based on self interest. (Jean 1986:69).For Hobbes men are politically obligated to each other based on their own selfish interests which is their state of nature. The notion of the state of nature assumes that it is each man for hi mself out there and every man is vulnerable. This he shows is not a desirable "state" to be in at all and therefore there is a need of an invisible assurance of security.For him this state of " perpetual and unavoidable war", will cause anarchy and will not benefit anyone.(Kavka 1986:87).Here he brings in his notions of the social contract which will help this society to restore stability and create a civil society. The first and most important law of nature commands that each man be willing to pursue peace when others are willing to do the same, all the while retaining the right to continue to pursue war when others do not pursue peace. The enforcement of the social contract thus involves the establishment of a society and the imbuement of one or many individuals with a sovereign status in order to "enforce and maintain" this contract. For Rousseau's the idea of the State of Nature takes a historic approach to this idea and mankind's progression into the civil society. He goes back to the historic state of nature for men and terms it as a peaceful time with a simple life for human kind. There was no competition as there was little population and plenty of resources. Armed conflict was barely there and people had little interaction with each other.For him human nature has corrupted into

Marketing research Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Marketing research - Case Study Example However, Alok (2009) is convinced that female shoppers are more likely to remain loyal to shops they have signed loyalty programs with. Nazia (2011) delved into the effect of income levels on shopping habits, supporting notions spread by Peter, Borle and Kadane (2003) that shoppers with higher income tend to be loyal to more shops than those with lower income. Yuping, Williams and Tam (2010) refuted this claim, noting that every individual signs up with a program based on how much they need the products offered by a store. Older buyers are shown in Rose (2013) as being less likely to make large purchases, due to their partial inability to earn at the same pace as the energetic younger cohorts. Seyhmus (2002), however, had a differing opinion, preceding Rose’s article with the assertion that age does not actually affect ability to shop (size of purchase) since there are many wealthy older persons. Based on these contradicting notes, this research poses the questions: The current research is based on a model depicting the consumer as more being more loyal based on their membership to loyalty programs. Therefore, the response (percentage of clothing budget spent at the store’s clothing category and amount of money spent at the store) are affected by the age, income, gender and membership to loyalty for the participants. The hypotheses developed in response to the research questions are: H4: There is no significant difference between amount spent at the clothing category and percentage of clothing budget spent on clothing at the store for participants signed to the loyalty program and those not signed. The sample comprised 202 participants who were all shoppers at the selected clothing store. 122(60.4%) were male while 80 (39.6%) were female shoppers. There were no shoppers below the age of 18 years. However, 184 (91.1%) were adults aged between 19 and 50 years while 18 (8.9%) were older persons aged above

Branched Chain Amino Acids and their Effect on Sports Performance Article

Branched Chain Amino Acids and their Effect on Sports Performance - Article Example Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are amino acids whose molecular structure is made up of branched aliphatic side chains. Three amino acids occurring in humans, viz. valine, leucine, and isoleucine, are essential BCAAs. They are essential because they are not synthesized by the body and have to be supplied through diet. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which in turn, are the building blocks of the body. A high proportion of muscle tissue is built of BCAAs. Therefore, these are of high utility in increasing muscle mass, especially for those who undertake strength training. Since BCAAs are essential amino acids, they have to be supplied either through diet or through dietary supplements. All food sources that are rich in proteins have sufficient amounts of BCAAs. Commonly available food sources that are rich in BCAAs include dairy products, eggs, whey, chicken, and meat, especially red meat. During strength training and strenuous exercise, a high amount of BCAAs are broken down and used up. Oxidation of these amino acids occurs in skeletal muscles. Though BCAAs are not used as a source of energy in the body under normal conditions, they do contribute to energy generation during heavy and strenuous exercise. The subsequent breakdown of these amino acids for energy generation during heavy exercise leads to muscle damage and tear. Therefore, restoring them with the help of protein supplements is extremely necessary to make up for the loss of proteins. Innumerable studies have investigated the effects of BCAAs on the performance of athletes.

Managing Multinational Operations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing Multinational Operations - Assignment Example According to the New Foreign Trade Law amended in April 2004, import goods and technologies are divided into four categories, namely prohibited imports, restricted imports, free imports, and goods under tariff-rate quota management (Hong Kong Trade Development Council). The exports are restricted for resources that are in short supply in China. The foreign currency rules allow enterprises to either sell their foreign exchanges to certain banks or open current foreign currency accounts to keep their foreign exchange. "Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) and foreign enterprises have to pay income tax on their income derived from production, business operations and other sources within the territory of China" (Hong Kong Trade Development Council). Income tax on foreign enterprises is levied on an annual basis and paid in advance in quarterly installment (Hong Kong Trade Development Council). The foreign enterprises in preferred sectors are subject to lower income tax rate of 15%. A foreign enterprise can open a foreign exchange settlement account through one of the banks; and can use this fund to make external payments, whenever required. In case additional funds are required, this can be purchased from the bank. A foreign enterprise can also open a foreign exchange capital fund account. Chinese government also allows the foreign enterprises to remit their profits, dividends and bonuses outside the country. ChineseFinancial and accounting system Chinese government requires all companies, including the foreign enterprises to comply with Financial Principles for Enterprises (Hong Kong Trade Development Council). These rules provide guidance to enterprises to develop their financial statements. Intellectual Property Rights China provides various ways to foreign invested enterprises to ensure that their intellectual property is adequately protected. These include various laws and regulations and patent and trademark registration facilities to the foreign investors. Sources of Funds The minimum capital requirement for limited liability company is Rmb30,000 and for joint stock limited companies, it is Rmb5 million. The rules

Employee privacy on computers in the workplace Research Paper

Employee privacy on computers in the workplace - Research Paper Example Such policies mean that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to define where personal privacy and eavesdropping laws end and the rights of the employer being with respect to monitoring any and all forms of electronic communication that the employee might engage in while employed. Accordingly, the purpose of this essay is to provide a thoughtful commentary on key issues relating to privacy and employer rights with respect to the issues at hand. Furthermore, the analysis will seek to raise some key questions with reference to what the technological development evidenced within the past few years portends for the employment frontier. Firstly, it should be understood that the technological development that has taken place within the past few decades has made a profound and lasting impact on the way that firms surveil and monitor their employees. Prior to this technological revolution, the ways in which an employer could surveil an employee legally were quite limited. Privacy laws d ictated that electronic eavesdropping by means of a microphone or the use of a hidden camera was illegal. As such, the level to which an employer could ethically, morally, and legally gain a degree of inference with regards to what activities and thoughts the employee shares within the company, among personal friends, or any other such activities is brought clearly into focus. The true crux of the matter is not the fact that the employer will be able to gain a high degree of inference with regards to the potential unethical or illegal activities in which the employee might be engaging; rather, it has been proven statistically that a high percentage of emails and correspondence that are done at work are of a personal nature. Naturally, such correspondence put a burden on the sender to understand and realize that the privacy of these communications is suspect due to the terms of the confidentiality agreement and terms of electronic communications that they have agreed to; however, the re is a small degree of moral burden on the part of the employer as well to actively seek to purposefully disregard such personal conversations as long as they do not represent a breach of contract or any form or manifestation of illegality (Detterman 980). Yet, the issue with such an approach hinges upon the fact that the employer will not be painstakingly reading each and every correspondence generated by the employee. Unfortunately, privacy laws or ethical considerations cannot guarantee that this will not be the case. Although this essay has spoken primarily about the privacy concerns that employees might experience as a function of having their employer read their correspondence, it would be remiss of this author to discuss this situation fully without offering advice for a simple way in which the employee can work to avert many of the negative repercussions of over-aggressive privacy policy (Evans 1116). Once the employee signs on the dotted line and accepts the fact that the employer can monitor their activity and communication via the devices that are utilized within the workplace setting, virtually no privacy whatsoever exists within these mediums. As such, it is the strong recommendation of this author that the employee be ever-mindful of the lack of rights they possess while utilizing the employer’

Historical development of Continental Philosophy Essay

Historical development of Continental Philosophy - Essay Example This resulted in Hegel's theories, as well as the deeper focus on existentialism and phenomenology. Hegel's idealism, also known as Absolute Idealism, has severely affected society at large. The primary reason for this is because Hegel's work developed the framework for both Marxism and Darwin's Evolutionary Theory. Hegel's notions start with the idea that knowledge does not have the ability to explain itself; therefore human beings must trust their senses to understand knowledge. The mind also comes into play here, because the mind processes all senses, and thus becomes the primary focus of knowledge. Hegel believed that humans must contradict themselves in order to form a new way of thinking. To further explain this, Hegel burrowed the idea of the Absolute Ego from Fichte and renamed it the Absolute Spirit; to Hegel this meant that the earth cannot be measured based on personality. Hegel heavily believed in Pantheism and attributed this to the absolute spirit; basically, Hegel believed that God was in everything. This belief is a reflection of a Romantic view, and was a movement in the 19th century in direct result of the Industrial Revolution occurring in Europe. ... Many of these themes were introduced by Arthur Schopenhauer, Soren Kierkegaard, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Existentialism believed that philosophy focuses on the individual, and that individual's interactions with the world. For example, Nietzche, a Continental philosopher, did not agree with Hegel's concept of idealism. Nietzche firmly felt the world is controlled by will-to-power. Furthermore, Nietzche also disagreed with Hegel on the concept of absolute truth; Nietzche did not believe in an absolute truth, he felt that everything was open to one's own interpretation. This is far different from Hegel's notion that the individual must look inward, to the self. Another concept promoted by existentialism that conflicts with Hegel's notions is the existentialist idea that the world itself is an absurd place, and there is no description for why the world acts in this way. Furthermore, existentialists believe that this inability for humans to understand why the world is chaotic causes self doubt, and therefore individuals have to decide how to live and progress in this type of chaotic world. Hegel, being a pantheist, would have seen some order in the world, as reflected in the idea that God is in everything. He would not have agreed with the concepts of a chaotic world causing self doubt. Hegel did not accept the existentialist concept of the "thing-in-itself." He believed that reality was a reflection of thought and rational. Thus, reality was not a collection of separate specifics; instead, it functioned like an articulate system of thinking, like mathematics; forming one large whole which pieces are all connected. Where Hegel was abstract to a degree rarely found outside mathematics, Kierkgaard was concerned with how and what

The Comparison of Tyack and Dewey Essay Example for Free

The Comparison of Tyack and Dewey Essay In your own words, summarize each chapter in Tyack and Cuban’s Tinkering Toward Utopia. Write one sentence for each chapter in your own words. Do not include any quotations. Prologue: Learning from the Past Reformers today need to focus on ways to help teachers improve instruction  from the inside out. Chapter 1: Progress or Regress? Progress or regress, we are still left with the problem of those who live in poverty. Chapter 2: Policy Cycles and Institutional Trends Changes in schools do show some cycles, but most of the messages remain the same. Chapter 3: How Schools Change Reforms If teachers would be more involved while collaborating and sharing information there could be more effective school reform. Chapter 4: Why the Grammar of Schooling Persists The Grammar of schooling provided a stable structure for a vast number of people. Chapter 5: Reinventing Schooling Reinventing schooling is correcting and continuing what is best about our present system. Epilogue: Looking toward the Future Education is a process of recycling democracy to create a healthy common good in society. Tyack and Cuban’s â€Å"grand theory† or â€Å"big idea†: Education can change society. Read your summary sentences carefully. Write one succinct paragraph sharing what Tyack and Cuban’s main ideas are regarding the assumptions and purposes of public education, the politicization of public education, and the interaction of social change and school reform. You will demonstrate that you have been a critical reader as you capture the essence of Tyack and Cuban’s ideas during this period of their writing. Tyack and Cuban felt that one of the purposes of education was to change society. Their thoughts are that changes in schools show cycles based on trends, but messages remain the same. Reformers today need to focus on ways to help teachers improve instruction from the inside out. Education is a process of recycling democracy to create a healthy common good in society.

America And World War Ii History Essay

America And World War Ii History Essay The objective of this book is to subject the chief features of the Good War myth to bright analysis in the hope of present an additional realistic picture, one that does not demean the achievement of the United States and of liberal democracy but that at the same time does not diminish the stress, suffering, problems, and failures inevitably faced by a society at war. The war was good for the economy. It was liberating for women. It was a war of tanks and airplanes a cleaner war than World War I. Americans were united. Soldiers were proud. It was a time of prosperity, sound morality, and power. But according to historian Michael Adams, our memory is distorted, and it has left us with a misleading even dangerous legacy. Challenging many of our common assumptions about the period, Adams argues that our experience of World War II was positive but also disturbing, creating problems that continue to plague us today. Michael C Adams has contributed to The Best War Ever: America and World War II as an author. Michael C. C. Adams, a professor of history at Northern Kentucky University, is the author of The Great Adventure: Male Desire and the Coming of World War I (1990).   Much of the events of WWII has been mythologized not only by Hollywood and government propaganda, and over the years this mythology has been perpetuated by those who lived through the war themselves. Michael C. C. Adams has sought to expose these stories for what they are, fabrication and oversimplifications, and provide the basic facts that facilitate a truer understanding of WWII and the world wide cultural changes surrounding it, both before and after the war itself. In chapter one, Mythmaking and the War, Adams sets out the myth itself, as defined by Hollywood dramatization, government propaganda, advertisement agencies, and the revised memories of those who stayed home, as well as those who fought in the war itself. The war became Americas golden age, a peak in the life of society when everything worked out and the good guys definitely got a happy ending. (Adams, 2) The WWII era came to serve a purpose; to be the bygone age which America once was, and if worked hard enough for, could be again. It was, in a sense, Americas Garden of Eden, the time and place where all things were right. Of course, this was a manufactured ideal, what Adams calls a usable past. In creating a usable past, we seek formulas to apply in solving todays problems. Americans believe that WWII proved one rule above all othersit is usually better to fight than to talk. (Adams, 4) To make WWII into the best war ever, we must leave out the area bombings and other questionable aspects while exaggerating the good things. The war myth is distorted not so much in what it says as in what it doesnt say. (Adams, 7) This applies not only to the war itself, but also to the home front. Chapter two, No Easy Answers, begins the process of deconstructing the myth, and demonstrating that the events leading up to WWII began long before the Treaty of Versailles, and the ramifications of WWII will last much longer than the generation that fought it. Adams lays out the frame of the complex political, cultural and economic histories of each of nations which would become involved in WWII, and shows that there was no obvious point at which one decision would have prevented the war from happening. Taken in context, the actions each nation took leading up to WWII make sense. Adams asks, what could have been done differently? Apparently, not much; appeasement didnt work in Europe, and determent didnt work in Asia. There really were no easy answers. Chapter three, The Patterns of War, 1939-1945 lays out the way in which each nation fought the war, with a new speed and brutality made possible by technology and the remoteness of the enemy. Chapter four, The American War Machine, demonstrates how the tools were created and sent into battle, and how the soldiers and organization of each army differed, for better or worse. Chapter five, Overseas, outlines the realities of life for the American soldier both in the European and Pacific theatres, while chapter six, Home front Changes, does the same for those who stayed home. These chapters have one unifying purpose; to define the reality of the WWII era, expose the complex history and actors, and above all, disabuse us of the reigning WWII mythos. Chapter seven, A New World, takes us one step further and debunks the myth that returning GIs readjusted quickly without lasting physical ailments and emotional traumas and into a society awaiting them with open arms, friendly smiles and lovin g families. Above all else, Adams has provided an interesting and easily accessible framework with which one can examine WWII and appreciate the complexities and realities of the era. While his history is intentionally brief and uncomplicated by example and detail, it does achieve its purpose. By identifying the mythos and realities of WWII, the Good War can be appreciated for what it actually was; an ugly, brutal and ultimately necessary war. Adams says that the existence of the WWII distortions is not entirely the fault of the American public. It is also the fault of the Federal Government and the media. The government censored controversial material during the war and only delivered to the public details that were uplifting and beneficial to the cause. The media also used the war to its advantage, promoting products using references to the war.   Adams also goes into detail the Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome the soldiers endured during the war.   The book does go into some historical accounts of WWII. Most of Adams references though were secondary sources. I would have liked to see him use more primary sources which would have provided more authenticity and credibility to the book. I do recommend the book if you are looking for a quick read about WWII, but if you are looking for a military history about WWII, this is not the book for you. 3-John F. Kasson, AMUSING THE MILLION: CONEY ISLAND AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY Amusing the Million: Coney Island at the Turn of the Century (American Century) Amusing the Million examines the historical context in which Coney Island made its reputation as an amusement park and shows how Americas changing social and economic conditions formed the basis of a new mass culture. Exploring it afresh in this way, John Kasson shows Coney Island no longer as the object of nostalgia but as a harbinger of modernityand the many photographs, lithographs, engravings, and other reproductions with which he amplifies his text support this lively thesis. After studying the whole book my point of analysis on this book is that In these times, when entertainers bare body parts normally kept strictly covered, it is hard to believe the cover photo of this book was considered rather racy a century ago. It shows a line of girls on the beach at Coney Island where the skirts on their swimsuits have been raised to reveal the shorts underneath. Considering that they also appear to have full-length tights on underneath the shorts, to modern eyes, they look overdressed. There were many social commentators at the end of the nineteenth century that argued that the egalitarian social structure of Coney Island was debasing the social fabric of the nation. As Coney Island was the most conspicuous example of the dramatic social changes taking place in the United States. By the turn of the century, the people were generally no longer rural tillers of the soil, having been transformed into urban tillers of the machines. Furthermore, by this time, the social distinctions between the upper and other classes were being blurred. As the author points out, at Coney Island, many of the stiff social restrictions came down. People who otherwise would not speak to each other became friendly and shared rides, beach water and other amusements.   The members of the compressed urban society craved simple and inexpensive recreation and Coney Island provided it. Therefore, as Kasson points out so well, it was a phenomenon that grew out of a social need and in many ways served as a social release. People could, for a very small fee, leave their crowded dwellings and engage in a day of escape. Everyone was equal on the rides and the beaches, so at least at that location, social distinctions disappeared.   Until I read this book, I had never considered the amusement park as a barometer for social change. However, it is now clear that Coney Island was a metaphor for a dramatic change in the social fabric of the nation and from this book, you can learn many of the details. These were all much the same in nature, differing mainly in size and duration. Their reason for being and the reason or them becoming a thing of the past is all the same.   The book suggests that they started in the mid-1800s is stretching the point somewhat as Fairs of all types were around for many centuries and only differed in how big they were, how far people travelled to them ,how much new inventions became incorporated and how long they lasted.   It seems that throughout history people loved to gather for just about any reason, but generally some sort of amusement along with the hope of seeing something new. Thus there were Races, Exhibitions of animals, crafts, products for prizes or sale, Auctions, Magic shows, Plays, Sporting events; and on and on ad infantilism.   This happened at Stonehenge and before, at the Roman Collisium, and Religious Celebrations. It didnt take much to create an event; heck, even a Hanging was enough to get a huge crowd out.  The same sort of thing continues today. So instead of taking the Subway to Coney Island or some other Amusement park; we go to the great Theme Parks, National Parks, Sporting Events, Concerts, Casinos, Vegas, Nashville, Ski Hills, Cruises, or even events and locations around the world, such as World Fairs or the Olympics.   The old adage The more things change, the more they become the same applies to Amusement Parks, just as it does to everything else.   The greatest change is in the ease of travel, the amount of disposable income available, and the introduction of TV where everything can be brought right into the living room. That doesnt leave much but the Thrill Rides, the Smells and Sounds, the Crowds and the Outdoors; but thats coming too.  The Canadian National Exhibition continues to run for 3 weeks in August: however it gets poorer and tackier every year and who knows how much longer it will continue. Amusement parks that began to exist during the turn of the century served as venues for fun and excitement as well as helped to release the repressed from the gentility of the Victorian Age of the nineteenth century. John Kasson examines the social and cultural ramifications that occurred in American society in his book, AMUSING THE MILLIONS: CONEY ISLAND AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. In his study, Kasson shows how the American landscape became playgrounds, especially in New York, which extended the use of recreational space, New Yorks Central Park, and expositions that commemorated and celebrated the American historical past, Chicagos Columbian Exposition of 1893. They magnified the cornerstones and building blocks of the city, and the behavior that was exhibited with the rising middle class, which attracted a mass audience. The city became cosmopolitan and modern where many engaged and frolicked, and helped to unlatch social, racial, and economic boundaries that were bestowed upon ma ny individuals; they also helped to rejuvenate cities through urban planning.   Indeed, Kasson explores the world of imagination. The amusements ran the gamut from a Barnum and Bailey atmosphere to reveling along the boardwalk amongst exotic and unusual exhibits that coveted Coney Islands Luna Park and Dreamland Park. And within the text Kasson highlights those who helped architect this unrestrained environment of excess, such as Frederick Law Olmstead, Daniel H. Burnham, George C. Tilyou, Frederic Thompson, James Gibbons Huneker, and Maxim Gorky. Undoubtedly these were elaborate and spacious constructed palatial playgrounds of pleasure full of materialism and consumption where many gathered for pure utopian enjoyment. According to Kasson, these amusements also served as an outlet for artists and painters whose works did not particularly belong in museums. However, they reflected the modernist and realist genres of the art world before they came into vogue, and they depicted technological, urban, populous, egalitarian, erotic, hedonist, dynamic, and culturally d iverse images that the public were not accustomed to (88).   Overall, this is an interesting trip down nostalgic memory lane. Through the revealing pictures and detailed narrative, Kasson shows readers how Coney Island at the turn became a form of liberation for an array of classes. In essence, this is a good source to refer to when studying or reading about the American Dream as it relates to amusement parks that transcended social and cultural change in American society.   4-John Kenneth Galbraith, THE GREAT CRASH, 1929 The Great Crash of 1929 The Great Crash, 1929  is a book written by  John Kenneth Galbraith  and published in 1954; it is an economic history of the lead-up to the  Wall Street Crash of 1929. The book argues that the 1929 stock market crash was precipitated by rampant speculation in the stock market, that the common denominator of all speculative episodes is the belief of participants that they can become rich without work and that the tendency towards recurrent speculative orgy serves no useful purpose, but rather is deeply damaging to an economy.  It was Galbraiths belief that a good knowledge of what happened in 1929 was the best safeguard against its recurrence. Galbraith wrote the book during a break from working on the manuscript of what would become  The Affluent Society. Galbraith was asked by  Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.  if he would write the definitive work on the  Great Depression  that he would then use as a reference source for his own intended work on Roosevelt. Galbraith chose to concentrate on the days that ushered in the depression. I never enjoyed writing a book more; indeed, it is the only one I remember in no sense as a labor but as a joy.  Galbraith received much praise for his work, including his humorous observations of human behavior during the speculative stock market bubble and subsequent crash. The publication of the book, which was one of Galbraiths first bestsellers, coincided with the 25th anniversary of the crash, at a time when it and the  Great Depression  that followed were still raw memories and stock price levels were only then recovering to pre-crash levels. Galbraith considered it the useful task of the historian to keep fresh the memory of such crashes, the fading of which he correlates with their re-occurrence. For the purpose of the summary and analysis phase of this book I thought that the Republican Great Depression of 1929-1939 has been an unending source of mystery, fascination, and disinformation for the past four generations. As youre reading these words, theres a huge push on by conservative think-tanks and wealthy political activists to reinvent the history, suggesting that Roosevelt prolonged the Depression or that New Deal programs were ineffective. At the same time, folks like David Sirota are valiantly pushing back with actual facts and statistics, showing that Roosevelts New Deal was startlingly effective, particularly when compared with the Republican policies of 1920-1929 that formed the bubble that crashed in 1929, and the Republican failures to deal with its consequences during the last three years of the Herbert Hoover administration (1929-1933). To really understand what brought about the great crash, however, its most useful to read an historical narrative written by one of the worlds preeminent economists when that world-changing event was still fresh in his and his readers minds.  The Great Crash  is that book, first written by Galbraith in 1953-54 (and published in 1955) and updated for modern readers in 1997. From this book I like to discuss some points in its summary phase. From the Introduction The people who remained sane and quiet Extracts from  The Great Crash: 1929, John Kenneth Galbraith, First Published 1955, Page 27 Even in such a time of madness as the late twenties, a great many man in Wall Street remained quite sane. But they also remained very quiet. The sense of responsibility in the financial community for the community as a whole is not small. It is nearly nil. Perhaps this is inherent. In a community where the primary concern is making money, one of the necessary rules is to live and let live. To speak out against madness may be to ruin those who have succumbed to it. So the wise in Wall Street are nearly always silent. The foolish thus have the field to themselves. None rebukes them. From Chapter 1: A Year to Remember Opportunities for the social historian Extracts from  The Great Crash: 1929, John Kenneth Galbraith, First Published 1955, Page 26 In the autumn of 1929 the mightiest of Americans were, for a brief time, revealed as human beings. Like most humans, most of the time, they did some very foolish things. On the while, the greater the earlier reputation for omniscience, the more serene the previous idiocy, the greater the foolishness now exposed. Things that in other times were concealed in a heavy facade of dignity now stood exposed, for the panic suddenly, almost obscenely, snatched this facade away. We are seldom vouchsafed a glance behind this barrier; in our society the counterpart of the Kremlin walls is the thickly stuffed shirt. The social historian must always be alert to his opportunities, and there have been few like 1929. From Chapter 7: Things Become More Serious Things keep getting worse Extracts from  The Great Crash: 1929, John Kenneth Galbraith, First Published 1955, Page 130 In the autumn of 1929 the New York Stock Exchange, under roughly its present constitution, was 112 years old. During this lifetime it had seen some difficult days. On 18 September 1873, the firm of Jay Cooke and Company failed, and, as a more or less direct result, so did fifty-seven other Stock Exchange firms in the next few weeks. On 23 October 1907, call money rates reached one hundred and twenty-five per cent in the panic of that year. On 16 September 1922 the autumn months are the off-season in Wall Street a bomb exploded in front of Morgans next door, killing thirty people and injuring a hundred more. A common feature of all these earlier troubles was that, having happened, they were over. The worst was reasonably recognizable as such. The singular feature of the great crash of 1929 was that the worst continued to worsen. What looked one day like the end proved on the next day to have been only the beginning. Nothing could have been more ingeniously designed to maximize the suffering, and also to ensure that as few as possible escaped the common misfortune. The fortunate speculator who had funds to answer the first margin call presently got another and equally urgent one, and if he met that there would still be another. In the end all the money he had was extracted from him and lost. The man with the smart money, who was safely out of the market when the first crash came, naturally went back in to pick up bargains. The bargains then suffered a ruins fall. Even the man who waited out all of October and all of November, who saw the volume of trading return to normal and saw Wall Str eet become as placid as a produce market, and who then bought common stocks would see their value drop to a third or a fourth of the purchase price in the next twenty-four months. The Coolidge bull market was a remarkable phenomenon. The ruthlessness of its liquidation was, in its own way, equally remarkable. 5-Ronald G. Walters, AMERICAN REFORMERS, 1815-1860 American Reformers, 1815-1860, Revised Edition With American Reformers, Walters has composed a fine synthesis of secondary literature on the varied antebellum reform movements. In doing so, he argues that the reform impulse emerges out of evangelical Protestantism but by the Civil War takes a more secular turn more involved in legislating social controls than converting the hearts of individuals. As he develops this argument he addresses the different forms that this reform impulse took and organizes the book thematically. He discusses in successive chapters utopian movements and secular communitarians, abolition, the womens movement and the peace movement, temperance, health reform and spiritualism, working mans reform, and institutional reform, into which he groups mental hospitals, prisons and schools. Walters demonstrates the secularization of reform in the realm of communitarian societies. Thus, the early nineteenth century utopian settlements that often emerged out of pietistic impulses gave way to more secular experiments in social engineering such as Owenism, or as in the case of Oneida, how a once religious community endured only as a commercial venture. Similarly he shows institutions such as asylums wove their religious inspiration with the science of the times but like prisons and almshouses became holding pens for outcasts rather than places for healing and reform. Walters also situates the emergence of reform in the particular circumstances of antebellum America. He argues that the emergence of the middle class created made it possible for people to devote time to reform, and those technological advances in printing made it possible for people to actually make a living as an agitator. He also argues that reform helped shape the identity of the emerging middle class. This point comes through particularly clearly in his chapter on working mans reform. Walters synthesis suffers from its grand scope and short length. In it he sacrifices a certain amount of detail and analysis for space and clarity. The section on utopian movements, for example, traces the personalities of the major reformers and a brief outline of the community that followed without in-depth analysis. Throughout the book quotations from primary sources would have been helpful in giving a feel for the particular movement under discussion. The lack of primary source material allows Walters to sacrifice documentation, and the reader sometimes wishes for some assistance in discerning the origin or fuller development of a particular point. To his credit, Walters provides a good bibliographical essay at the end, but the lack of documentation sometimes proves frustrating and thus interrupts the otherwise smooth flow in the text. Nonetheless, American Reformers is a very readable and useful synthesis of the secondary sources on antebellum reform. As such, it is a helpful an d welcome addition to the field. In my mind, this is an introductory text, albeit a fine one. Walters is very accessable, he tries to include necessary historical perspective and whatever cultural information he deems to be valuable to the story hes telling in each chapter. And while each chapter is a story of a different movement or people, he also demonstrates those things these groups have in common. I wont spoil it for you, but at the least of it, they were all idealists who thought to affect the world around them. Material and political changes transformed America at a dizzying pace in the 1820s and 1830s. The expansion of industrialization, the creation of roads and canals to connect manufacturers to new markets, westward migration, a prolonged period of economic depression following the panic of 1837, and the broadening of voting rights triggered vast social upheavals. Reform movements were often attempts to cope with the consequences of these changes. Some movements wanted reform of institutions like prisons, schools, and asylums. Others looked to individual regeneration to transform the whole society. Some reformers drew attention to a particular groups suffering: Richard Henry Danas  Two Years before the Mast  (1840), for example, pressed for expanded legal rights for sailors. Others, like the founders of Brook Farm, sought radical and universal reform. A powerful source of reform emerged from the Second Great Awakening, the religious revivals sweeping the nation from the 1790s through the 1820s. Like the Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s, this series of revivals emphasized individual, often emotional religious experiences. Yet unlike the first period of revival, the Second Great Awakening had an even broader impact. The disestablishment of religion in the early national period and the deism associated with Americas founding fathers (that is, their belief in the power of reason and the existence of a Supreme Creator and their skepticism about supernatural religious explanations) seemed to threaten the nations Protestant moral foundation. Moreover, many Christians attributed certain social ills (drinking, dueling, disregard for the Sabbath, and the like) to Chris-tianitys decline. Ministers such as Lyman Beecher (1775-1863) and Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875) responded with messages about wickedness, conversion, and the imm inent return of Christ. Moving away from the Calvinist doctrines (such as predestination) associated with the initial Great Awakening, they preached individual moral agency and personal salvation, moral improvement and perfection, and a responsibility to hasten the coming of Gods Kingdom. These religious ideas contributed to the desire for reform and creation of voluntary benevolent societies such as the American Education Society (1815), American Bible Society (1816), and American Tract Society (1825). These organizations distributed religious literatures, but their members also led efforts to stem Sabbath-breaking, drinking, and other forms of vice. Various female moral reform societies focused on ending prostitution, sexual exploitation, and the sexual double standard. The ostensibly moral concern with sexual vice also helped justify the not-so-pious demand for reform literature featuring fallen and wronged women in texts like Maria Monks  Awful Disclosures  (1836) and George Fosters  New York by Gas-Light  (1850). Evangelical reformers also played important roles in other reform movements. Theodore Dwight Weld (1803-1895), a disciple of Finney, began his career distributing tracts and preaching against strong drink. In 1829 Weld shifted his efforts to the campaign against slavery and authored two antislavery classics,  The Bible against Slavery  (1837), which dismantled biblical pro-slavery arguments, and  American Slavery As It Is  (1839), the text that inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) to write  Uncle Toms Cabin  (1851-1852). Evangelical reform spread popular literature as tracts, sermons, Sunday school books, and temperance testimonies. The revivals also had an important influence on developments in literary style. Religious writings became more emotional and imaginative, formally less rigid, and theologically less rigorous. Antebellum religious texts began to rely on vivid narratives to illustrate, edify, and entertain. This new religious style, as David S. Reynolds calls it in his study  Beneath the American Renaissance  (p. 15), reshaped not only evangelical writing but also the style of liberal reformers, popular writers, and transcendentalists. 6-James M McPherson, ABRAHAM LINCOLN Abraham Lincoln In honor of the bicentennial of Lincolns birth, renowned Civil War scholar James M. McPherson has written a wonderful brief biography of our 16th President. This book will be a wonderful source for beginners to study Lincoln and will serve as a good framework for larger works, like David Herbert Donalds  Lincoln. This book covered the important aspects of Lincolns life from his birth and childhood in Kentucky and Indiana to his coming to Illinois, to his administration and death. McPherson discussed Lincolns tarnished relationship with his father and his wonderful relationship with his step-mother, which presented a more personal side of the man. Though short, this book does a great job of discussing Lincolns life in the larger context of American history. McPherson summarized the important moments and events during his life and provided a wonderful look at the war and its effect on him. True to his scholarly reputation, McPherson used great sources for this little biography, including the  Collected Works of Lincoln  and  Lincoln at Cooper Union  to name a couple. In addition to using great primary and secondary sources, McPherson provided a bibliographic essay that provided a great synthesis of the historiography of Lincoln and where it may be heading in the coming year. There are many things to like about this book. It is a well-researched, but brief biography that will reach a wide audience. The reputation of James McPherson as a scholar lends great weight to the legitimacy of this biography.  Abraham Lincoln  is a wonderful beginning to the scholarly celebration of the Lincoln bicentennial. - James McPherson has emerged as one of Americas finest historians.  Battle Cry of Freedom  , his Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the Civil War, was a national bestseller that Hugh Brogan, in  The New York Times Book Review  , called history writing of the highest order. In that volume, McPherson gathered in the broad sweep of events, the political, social, and cultural forces at work during the Civil War era. Now, in  Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution  , he offers a series of thoughtful and engaging essays on aspects of Lincoln and the war that have rarely been discussed in depth. McPherson again displays his keen insight and sterling prose as he examines several critical themes in American history. He looks closely at the Presidents role as Commander-in-Chief of the Union forces, showing how Lincoln forged a national military strategy for victory. He explores the importance of Lincolns great rhetorical skills, uncovering howthrough parables and figurative languagehe was uniquely able to communicate both the purpose of the war and a new meaning of liberty to the people of the North. In another section, McPherson examines the Civil War as a Second American Revolution, describing how the Republican Congress elected in 1860 passed an astonishing blitz of new laws (rivaling the first hundred days of the New Deal), and how the war not only destroyed the social structure of the old South, but radically altered the balance of power in America, ending 70 years of Southern power in the national government. The Civil War was the single most transforming and defining experience in American history, and Abraham Lincoln remains the most important figure in the pantheon of our mythology. These graceful essays, written by one of America are leading historians, offer fresh and unusual perspectives on both. From my analysis point of view the book itself in hardcover is a joy to hold with its compact size, readable typeface and bound-in ribbon bookmark. Whoever worked on this project obviously did it as a labor of love. They worked the details on this one.  You cant honestly compare this work to others like Carl Sandbergs Lincoln or With Malice towards None or even my nice coffee table book of photographs taken of Lincoln. This work COMPLEMENTS those more comprehensive volumes. That said, it is not incomplete. It does an excellent job of hitting the hundreds of high and low points in Lincolns too brief life. The pace moves quickly and precisely along so that you never have the feeling that youre being written down to if thats the phrase Im looking for. This one has NOT been dumbed down for the reader.   Personally I see this smaller volume as an annual read

OConnors Everything That Rises Must Converge :: Everything That Rises Must Converge

O'Connor's Everything That Rises Must Converge "Everything That Rises Must Converge," in a sense sums up O'Connor's overall philosophy or theology: that is, that everything which rises above the petty concerns of earth, above materialism, must converge somewhere in an ideal realm, that is, Heaven. The story concerns Julian and his mother and a series of misunderstandings between them. We find that Julian's mother is overweight, rude to other people, particularly to Black people, and very judgmental. Julian in turn spends a lot of his time judging his mother. The story focuses on a bus trip that Julian and his mother are taking to the Y's reducing class, and what happens in the course of that trip. During the bus trip, Julian's mother openly sympathises with some other white women who don't like "Negroes" on the bus. When a Black man gets on the bus, Julian attempts to be friendly with him and in so doing sees himself as morally superior to his mother. We see here that Julian is being very judgmental. For instance, we find Julian entertaining these thoughts after the man has got off the bus: He imagined his mother lying desperately ill and his being able to secure only a Negro doctor for her. He toyed with that idea for a few minutes and then dropped it for a momentary vision of himself participating as a sympathiser in a sit-in demonstration. This was possible but he did not linger with it. Instead, he approached the ultimate horror. He brought home a beautiful suspiciously Negroid woman. Prepare yourself, he said. There is nothing you can do about it. This is the woman I have chosen. (15) It is just shortly after this fantasy that a very large Black woman and her little boy get on and Julian is somewhat delighted because the Negro woman is actually wearing the same hat as his mother, a hat that he has made fun of earlier in the story. Julian reacts as follows: His eyes widened. The vision of the two hats, identical, broke upon him with the radiance of a brilliant sunrise. His face was suddenly lit with joy. He could not believe that Fate had thrust upon his mother such a lesson. He gave a loud chuckle so she would look at him and see that he saw. She turned her eyes on him slowly. The blue in them seemed to have turned a bruised purple.

The Theme of Friendship in Julius Caeser :: Julius Caesar Essays

The Theme of Friendship in Julius Caeser Throughout, William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, the theme of friendship would prove to be a very delicate and manipulative element. This element would be the very entity that would seal Julius Caesar's fate. Brutus, Decius, and all the other conspirators would use this to their power, and to Julius's weakness. Friendship was used as a cover to blind Julius from the truth, from the plots against him. Flattery along with manipulation was used as a way of persuasion to soothe any feelings of doubt or weariness. These essentials would gain trust, the key to all friendships. This trust would be lost and transform into betrayal. Even though Caesar was plotted against and murdered by the likes of Brutus and Cassius, friendship still proved a strong theme because it would cloke the conspirators intentions. Julius was vulnerable to the power of friendship and was blinded by the shrewd ways of Decius, Brutus, and all the other conspirators. Decius uses flattery and persuasion to form a strong union with Caesar. Decius is an active member of the Conspirators, so he is very motivated into getting Caesar to go to the Senate House. The first thing that Decius says when he walks into Caesar's house is "Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar." Decius would also refer to Caesar as "most mighty". This would only make Caesar grow comfortable with Decius. Julius had lost all feelings of doubt and did not presume any caste of dire plot against him. Decius would deceive Julius into thinking that they had a resilient friendship by using his devious words. Caesar was not able to foresee his true faithful friends, such as Antony. He would grieve the killing of Julius and try to justify his murder by killing Brutus and Cassius. Antony was one of Julius's true and trustworthy friends. The conspirators had planned the death of Julius. Brutus and Cassius, along with Decius, knew they had draw in to Caesar close. Proving Caesar that they had a firm friendship, that would solidify their situation and leave Julius completely sightless to his doomed fate. Caesar's wife Calphurnia would have a dream. She would see Caesar's statue run with blood and men with swords surrounding him. The Theme of Friendship in Julius Caeser :: Julius Caesar Essays The Theme of Friendship in Julius Caeser Throughout, William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, the theme of friendship would prove to be a very delicate and manipulative element. This element would be the very entity that would seal Julius Caesar's fate. Brutus, Decius, and all the other conspirators would use this to their power, and to Julius's weakness. Friendship was used as a cover to blind Julius from the truth, from the plots against him. Flattery along with manipulation was used as a way of persuasion to soothe any feelings of doubt or weariness. These essentials would gain trust, the key to all friendships. This trust would be lost and transform into betrayal. Even though Caesar was plotted against and murdered by the likes of Brutus and Cassius, friendship still proved a strong theme because it would cloke the conspirators intentions. Julius was vulnerable to the power of friendship and was blinded by the shrewd ways of Decius, Brutus, and all the other conspirators. Decius uses flattery and persuasion to form a strong union with Caesar. Decius is an active member of the Conspirators, so he is very motivated into getting Caesar to go to the Senate House. The first thing that Decius says when he walks into Caesar's house is "Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar." Decius would also refer to Caesar as "most mighty". This would only make Caesar grow comfortable with Decius. Julius had lost all feelings of doubt and did not presume any caste of dire plot against him. Decius would deceive Julius into thinking that they had a resilient friendship by using his devious words. Caesar was not able to foresee his true faithful friends, such as Antony. He would grieve the killing of Julius and try to justify his murder by killing Brutus and Cassius. Antony was one of Julius's true and trustworthy friends. The conspirators had planned the death of Julius. Brutus and Cassius, along with Decius, knew they had draw in to Caesar close. Proving Caesar that they had a firm friendship, that would solidify their situation and leave Julius completely sightless to his doomed fate. Caesar's wife Calphurnia would have a dream. She would see Caesar's statue run with blood and men with swords surrounding him.

Discuss the Various Attitudes to Marriage and Courtship

Discuss the Various Attitudes to Marriage and Courtship that Jane Austen presents in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ In Jane Austen’s book ‘Pride and Prejudice’ she shows various attitudes of marriage and courtship through each character. Some of these attitudes to marriage and courtship are very different to the attitudes of most people today. This book is mainly about marriage so it is very easy and interesting to compare the opinions of marriage from the early nineteenth century to life now. Jane Austen mentions marriage for the first time, in Pride and Prejudice, in the very first sentence:It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. (Chapter 1, page 51) This is possibly the most important quote in the book because it sets the tone for the rest of the novel and it is where we first discover that the book is actually about marriage. Marriage was more of a business arrangement then. For young women it was very important, particularly for the Bennets, that you married a man who was as rich as possible. The amount of money that men had and the lifestyle based on that amount played a very important part in the decision of who to marry.How much love played a part in the equation was a lot smaller than how much the money did. Mrs Bennet, throughout the book, we can see is a very loud, impolite woman. Her character could be described as being a caricature. We first hear of Mr Charles Bingley when Mrs Bennet is telling her husband, Mr Bennet, about him. We don’t learn too much about him other than the fact that he is very wealthy and he is in the area. Mr Bennet asks at this point to Mrs Bennet if he is married or single. She replies: â€Å"Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls! (Chapter 1, page 51) From what Mrs Bennet says we can instantly see that she is very excited at the news of Mr Bingley being in the area. All that she has heard is that he is wealthy and single and she is already picturing him marrying one of her daughters: â€Å"You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them. † (Chapter 1, page 51) We can see that Mrs Bennet’s main aim is to have her daughters married to rich men because while she is trying to inform Mr Bennet of, in her opinion, great news that Mr Bingley has just arrived into the area, Mr Bennet shows no interest, which agitates her further. Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves. † (Chapter 1, page 52) Elizabeth, however, has different views to marriage compared to her mother. Her opinions of marriage are very much like the opinions of most women today. Of course she takes into account how much money she would have as a result of the marriage but having a rich husband is not all she considers in th e decision of marriage. For Elizabeth love has to be included with the marriage no matter how wealthy the husband would be.This is why she refuses two marriage proposals from Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr Collins later in the book, because – although accepting either marriage would financially improve her lifestyle – she does not love either man. Of course later in the book she does change her mind and fall in love with Mr Darcy. She shows this with various changes of her character and opinion of him throughout the book and later accepts Darcy’s second marriage proposal. This book was set to be in the late 18th century at which social gatherings were particularly important.Balls and musical evenings were seen as being the centre of social life. These gatherings were great opportunities to find a partner. Jane Bennet first met Mr Bingley at a ball in Meryton. (They later marry). At the same town ball Elizabeth Bennet first met Mr Darcy too. (They also marry later i n the novel). At this point in the novel, however, Elizabeth does not love or even like Mr Darcy. Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. (Chapter 3, page 59) This was quoted just after Elizabeth overheard Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley talking at the ball.Mr Bingley was trying to persuade Mr Darcy to dance with somebody and suggested specifically for him to dance with Elizabeth. He, however, did not think that she was good enough for him: â€Å"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me;†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Chapter 3, page 59) This signifies that Mr Darcy does not appreciate women that are of a much lower class than him. He would rather not marry a poor woman. Unfortunately for him he falls in love with Elizabeth later. During chapter seven Jane Bennet receives a letter from Caroline Bingley inviting Miss Bennet out to lunch.In the late 18th century women were very delicate in comparison to women today. They were delicate in that, for example, if they were in the heat for too long they would feel headachy or faint. Mrs Bennet obviously knew this because, when Jane asked for the carriage, Mrs Bennet deliberately said no: â€Å"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night. † (Chapter 7, page 77) This quote proves the point that ladies during this time wanted nothing more than to have their daughters married, Mrs Bennet in particular.She is willing to risk her daughter’s health and actually wants her daughter to feel ill so she can stay the night at Mr Bingley’s house rather than just go out for lunch. It shows how far Mrs Bennet is willing to push her daughters into the path of suitable men in order to secure a good marriage. Later in the chapter, when we find out that Jane in fact does have to stay the night due to feeling ill, Elizabeth decides to visit her but intends on walking to Mr Bingley’s house instead of using the carriage. Mrs Bennet cl aims that it is a foolish idea and will not be fit to be seen when she arrives. Elizabeth replies: I shall be very fit to see Jane – which is all I want. † (Chapter 7, page 78) This quote supports the fact that Elizabeth has no intention of trying to impress the Bingleys or Mr Darcy by the way she looks. The opinions of her are very modern in terms of marriage so she does not really care for what she looks like. Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley both think of Elizabeth as quite disgusting at this point. It brought them great shock when she arrived in her ‘dirty stockings’ (Chapter 7, page 79). When Elizabeth goes to go check on Jane after dinner Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley can’t help but ‘abuse her’ (Chapter 8, page 81) as soon as she leaves.Mrs Hurst says: â€Å"I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She looked almost wild. † (Chapter 8, page 81) The contrast of opinions of Elizabeth and Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley again shows how much more modern Elizabeth is compared to every other lady in the novel. We soon meet Mr Collins. Jane Austen has written Mr Collins to have a very exaggerated personality or character of smug pomposity making him, like Mrs Bennet another caricature. During chapter 19 he proposes to Elizabeth: â€Å"†¦I singled you out as the companion of my future life.But before I am run away with by my feelings for this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state reasons for marrying -† (Chapter 19, page 147) Mr Collins continues to speak of why he has chosen to propose. He claims that the church says it is a good idea to get married so he would simply be setting an example for other people. He also claims that it would bring him happiness and that Catherine de Bourgh, his benefactor, wishes for him to be married also. He then goes on to say what would happen when they were to be married. Elizabeth interrupts him: â€Å"You are too hasty, Sir, â€Å" she cried. You for get that I have made no answer. (Chapter 19, page 148) Indeed, Elizabeth is right. Mr Collins has not waited for Elizabeth to even agree to the marriage but is already referring to what he predicts will happen in the future when they supposedly get married. He does this because he expects her to accept the marriage proposal. The idea of Elizabeth rejecting Mr Collins’ marriage proposal was alien to him. If Elizabeth was to accept the proposal then she would have a better life financially so in that time there was not a great deal of reason for her to reject the proposal.When she does reject the proposal he doesn’t seem to believe it, declaring: â€Å"†¦it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour†¦ sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. † (Chapter 19, page 148) He clearly thinks that all women initially refuse a proposal so as not to appear too eager or too desperate to get married when in fact that is their intention all along. This is why he goes on to express his confidence that he will eventually lead her to the altar.Elizabeth again declines the proposal but Mr Collins will not have it. He again states his belief of women not wanting to sound too eager by accepting a proposal. Elizabeth again declines the offer before Mr Collins tries to persuade her to marry him. Jane Austen shows by this, how women were expected to accept proposals if it would financially improve their life. Jane Austen also shows how the modernisation of the character Elizabeth affects the other characters such as Mr Collins and his disbelief of her rejection.A few days after this Mr Collins proposes to Charlotte Lucas. For this moment, the meaning of the first sentence of the novel seems defensible. Unlike Elizabeth she accepts the proposal. The views of this between Mrs Bennet, Charlotte Lucas and Elizabeth Bennet are all very differen t. The prospect of financial security outweighs any romance or love for Mr Collins’ character according to Charlotte Lucas: â€Å"I am not romantic you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home;† (Chapter 22, page 165) Charlotte Lucas and her family view the proposal as a triumph.This quote shows how Charlotte Lucas’ opinion of marriage is not modern like Elizabeth’s. Elizabeth views this as disappointing. She thinks that it is ridiculous that Charlotte would marry for such a reason as to financially improve her lifestyle. Mrs Bennet is also disappointed but at Elizabeth. She blames her child for letting such a great opportunity slip through the family’s fingers. When Mr Bennet dies, Mr Collins will own his estate. Now that he is to marry Charlotte Lucas instead of Elizabeth they cannot save it. This thought brings Mrs Bennet more distress. When Kitty and Lydia first ind out they think of it as nothing more than gossip as Mr Collins is †˜only a clergyman’ (Chapter 23, page 168). Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth has a vital importance in the novel and could be described as signalling a turning point. Darcy is exceedingly rich and earns ? 10,000 a year. If Darcy were to propose to anyone other than Elizabeth they would probably agree to the marriage due to the large sum of money he receives per year. Elizabeth however rejects him! This truly does show how her opinion is different in comparison to other women in terms of marriage.Elizabeth informs Darcy about her knowledge of Wickham and Jane and Bingley, justifying her reasons to reject his proposal. We can tell that he is shocked at this: His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. (Chapter 34, page 222) His anger signifies that he was not expecting rejection. Mr Darcy is described in the book many times as being very proud and snobby. He must find it exceedingly confusing as to why a lady wi th such a poor background and family would reject his proposal, as he believes that he is quite magnificent.However his loyalty to his friend Mr Bingley allows us to forget the arrogance when he gives Elizabeth a letter the following morning explaining that he did not believe that Jane loved Bingley, and that he thought that if Bingley was to propose to her then he would make a fool of himself. He merely was trying to protect Bingley he claims. When Elizabeth visits Darcy’s estate with the Gardiners to her surprise Darcy is there despite the fact that she had been told he would be out of town until the following day. After a few conversations between them Elizabeth thinks: â€Å"Why is he so altered?From what can it proceed? It cannot be for me, it cannot be for my sake that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford could not work such a change as this. It is impossible that he should still love me. † (Chapter 43, page 276) Elizabeth ponders to herself as to whether Darcy loves her still or not. She is wondering how it is that, after her rudeness when she rejected his proposal, he can appear to be so nice and polite to her and the Gardiners. She considers the fact that he may still love her, as he is more gentlemanly than she has ever seen him to be. This shows how much love he has for Elizabeth.You could also look at it from the point of view that he is fighting for Elizabeth by trying to flatter her. He does in fact propose to her again later in the novel. Lydia is well aware of the attitudes of courtship and marriage but because she is so besotted with Mr Wickham later in the novel she forgets all of the rules and elopes with him. The family are so shocked and disgusted at the behaviour of Lydia (and Wickham). Even Elizabeth who has more modern views on courtship and marriage is worried how Lydia’s misbehaviour will reflect on her family and what its consequences will be for her relationship with Darcy.When she hears of Lyd ia’s elopement she tells Darcy that she is â€Å"distressed by some dreadful news† (Chapter 46, page 294) and Darcy’s response is to declare that he is â€Å"grieved – shocked. † (Chapter 46, 295). Elizabeth soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; every thing must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. (Chapter 46, page 295) This shows how truly embarrassed Elizabeth was. Her views on everything are so modern compared to most ladies and gentlemen in the 18th century however this even shocked her.We find out that Lydia and Wickham agree to get married later in the novel. The reactions of her family are very predictable. Mrs Bennet is so overjoyed that Lydia is getting married at such a young age that she forgets about her disgusting behaviour. Jane hopes they have a happy life together. Elizabeth is happy that they are marrying but is disappointed at Lydia’s behaviour. Mr Bennet is angry at Lydia for putting the family in the situation of having to give the Gardiners money. Lydia is so happy with herself because of her marriage that she is completely taking advantage of it all.She says to Jane: â€Å"Ah! Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman. † (Chapter 51, page 329) Lydia and her mother are very alike in terms of how excited and proud they are to the fact that Lydia is now married. They are both very proud so Lydia in this chapter tries to find any way she can to show off the fact that she is married. When Darcy proposes to Elizabeth the second time, ironically it is all due to the fact that Lady Catherine de Bourgh visited Elizabeth and tried to force them apart.When Lady Catherine told Darcy he was delighted that Elizabeth refused to promise to turn down a proposal from him if he was to make one. Of course Elizabeth accepts the proposal. Darcy and Elizabeth have a joint wedding with Jane and Bi ngley. To conclude, one of the main features of Jane Austen's writing is to carefully set out how young ladies should behave in the late 18th century. In ‘Pride and Prejudice’, by using a ‘heroine' such as Elizabeth she gives an alternative and possibly more modern view of behaviour. In this novel, Elizabeth’s views on marriage are particularly modern.

Job Fair Brochure

Job Fair Brochure This discussion will describe the structure, business model, and culture of a selected business. There will be a justification for why each element was selected, and an explanation of how each choice of elements will impact the chosen business. A business model is like any other model; it represents and summarizes how whole businesses do business. The business model explains, in summary, the fundamental nature of the business and how the business makes money, without having to share complexities of strategies, â€Å"processes, units, rules, hierarchies, workflows, and systems† (Business Model Designs and Innovation, 2005, p. ). For example, the business that is chosen is a Geriatric Health Club and Daycare. The company makes money by offering wellness and exercise services to senior citizens all over the Merrillville community; for a reasonable amount of money. The fundamental nature of the club is to encourage the elderly, ages 55 and older, to continue to l ive a healthier and active life, by offering leisure activities, social interaction with their peers, nutrition education, and exercise (Business Model Designs, and Innovation, 2005). The business model was chosen because research, indicates that â€Å"High-intensity resistance exercise training is a feasible and effective means of counteracting muscle weakness and physical frailty in very elderly people. In contrast, multinutrient supplementation without concomitant exercise does not reduce muscle weakness or physical frailty† (Clements, Evans, Fiatarone, Kehayias, Lipsit, Nelson, O'Neill Roberts, Ryan, and Solares, 2009, 1769). The impact of this business model helps the company to function and guide the company in a productive direction. The business model helps the company to stay profitable by catering to a fast increasing age group. â€Å"The business structure is the type of legal entity that exists to contract to perform licensed work. Examples of legal entities are individual/sole proprietors, corporations, limited liability companies (LLC), partnerships, limited partnerships (LP), and limited liability partnerships (LLP)† are examples of business structures (Minnesota Department of Labor, and Industry, n. d, p. 1). The structure of the Geriatric Health Club and Daycare is a partnership. A partnership is a business agreement between two or more people, with an understanding of making a profit (NSW Small Business, 2001). The geriatric health club and daycare operates under a registered business name. The business name the club operates under is Transitions Senior Health Club and Daycare. The reason a partnership was chosen is because liabilities can be shared (NSW Small Business, 2001). A functional structure is for the staff. The CNAs works directly with customers, RNs oversees the CNAs, trainers, therapist, and assist the Medical doctor. The partnership structure impacts the club by the sharing of liabilities and increased financial investments and the sharing of responsibilities. The functional structure brings order with the staff and creates a harmonious working environment (NSW Small Business, 2001). â€Å"The business culture is the way your organization operates, the customs, attitudes; etiquette and etc. † (Answer, 2007, p. 1). For example, Transitions will use â€Å"The Plane tree’s approach, which is holistic and encourages healing in all dimensions; mental, emotional, spiritual, social and physical† (Axia College of University of Phoenix 2008, p194). The Plane tree’s approach maximizes the outcomes of healthcare by combining â€Å"harmonizing medical therapies, such as mind and body medicine, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, yoga, and energy therapies with conventional medical therapies†(Axia College, 2009, p. 194). The medical staff is well trained, board certified, and licensed by the state. The trainers are certified in yoga, low impact exercises, and small weights. The instructors are RNs with bachelor’s degrees; a Medical Doctor and a certified massage therapist, will be on staff. The staff is given two weeks of vacation and health benefits. They are also given incentive awards for out standing work. The impact that this business culture will have on Transitions is a healthy, safe and serene environment. The customers will be encouraged to reach their wellness goals and lead a longer and active life. Reference Axia College of University of Phoenix. (2009). Job fair brochure. Retrieved August 30, 2009, aXcess BUS 210________Foundations of Business Course Website. This is not a properly formatted reference listing for the textbook for this course. Your citation to this source is incorrect as well for this reason. Answers. (2007). What is business culture? Retrieved August 27, 2009, from http://answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20080209153352AADUsZS Business Model Designs and Innovation. (2005). But What Actually is a Business Model? Retrieved August 27, 2009, from http://www. ask. com/web? qsrc=2417=0&1=dir=what+is+a+business+modle= Clements, K. M. , Evans, W. J. , Fiatarone, M. A. , Kehayias, J. J. , Lipsitz, L. A. , Nelson, M. E. , O'Neill, E. F. , Roberts, S. B. , Ryan, N. D, and Solares, G. R. (2009). Exercise training and nutritional supplementation for physical frailty in very elderly people. The New England Journal of Medicine. 330(25) 1769-1775. Retrieved August 30, 2009, from http://content. nejm. org/cgi/content/abstract/330/25/1769 Job Fair Brochure Job Fair Brochure This discussion will describe the structure, business model, and culture of a selected business. There will be a justification for why each element was selected, and an explanation of how each choice of elements will impact the chosen business. A business model is like any other model; it represents and summarizes how whole businesses do business. The business model explains, in summary, the fundamental nature of the business and how the business makes money, without having to share complexities of strategies, â€Å"processes, units, rules, hierarchies, workflows, and systems† (Business Model Designs and Innovation, 2005, p. ). For example, the business that is chosen is a Geriatric Health Club and Daycare. The company makes money by offering wellness and exercise services to senior citizens all over the Merrillville community; for a reasonable amount of money. The fundamental nature of the club is to encourage the elderly, ages 55 and older, to continue to l ive a healthier and active life, by offering leisure activities, social interaction with their peers, nutrition education, and exercise (Business Model Designs, and Innovation, 2005). The business model was chosen because research, indicates that â€Å"High-intensity resistance exercise training is a feasible and effective means of counteracting muscle weakness and physical frailty in very elderly people. In contrast, multinutrient supplementation without concomitant exercise does not reduce muscle weakness or physical frailty† (Clements, Evans, Fiatarone, Kehayias, Lipsit, Nelson, O'Neill Roberts, Ryan, and Solares, 2009, 1769). The impact of this business model helps the company to function and guide the company in a productive direction. The business model helps the company to stay profitable by catering to a fast increasing age group. â€Å"The business structure is the type of legal entity that exists to contract to perform licensed work. Examples of legal entities are individual/sole proprietors, corporations, limited liability companies (LLC), partnerships, limited partnerships (LP), and limited liability partnerships (LLP)† are examples of business structures (Minnesota Department of Labor, and Industry, n. d, p. 1). The structure of the Geriatric Health Club and Daycare is a partnership. A partnership is a business agreement between two or more people, with an understanding of making a profit (NSW Small Business, 2001). The geriatric health club and daycare operates under a registered business name. The business name the club operates under is Transitions Senior Health Club and Daycare. The reason a partnership was chosen is because liabilities can be shared (NSW Small Business, 2001). A functional structure is for the staff. The CNAs works directly with customers, RNs oversees the CNAs, trainers, therapist, and assist the Medical doctor. The partnership structure impacts the club by the sharing of liabilities and increased financial investments and the sharing of responsibilities. The functional structure brings order with the staff and creates a harmonious working environment (NSW Small Business, 2001). â€Å"The business culture is the way your organization operates, the customs, attitudes; etiquette and etc. † (Answer, 2007, p. 1). For example, Transitions will use â€Å"The Plane tree’s approach, which is holistic and encourages healing in all dimensions; mental, emotional, spiritual, social and physical† (Axia College of University of Phoenix 2008, p194). The Plane tree’s approach maximizes the outcomes of healthcare by combining â€Å"harmonizing medical therapies, such as mind and body medicine, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, yoga, and energy therapies with conventional medical therapies†(Axia College, 2009, p. 194). The medical staff is well trained, board certified, and licensed by the state. The trainers are certified in yoga, low impact exercises, and small weights. The instructors are RNs with bachelor’s degrees; a Medical Doctor and a certified massage therapist, will be on staff. The staff is given two weeks of vacation and health benefits. They are also given incentive awards for out standing work. The impact that this business culture will have on Transitions is a healthy, safe and serene environment. The customers will be encouraged to reach their wellness goals and lead a longer and active life. Reference Axia College of University of Phoenix. (2009). Job fair brochure. Retrieved August 30, 2009, aXcess BUS 210________Foundations of Business Course Website. This is not a properly formatted reference listing for the textbook for this course. Your citation to this source is incorrect as well for this reason. Answers. (2007). What is business culture? Retrieved August 27, 2009, from http://answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20080209153352AADUsZS Business Model Designs and Innovation. (2005). But What Actually is a Business Model? Retrieved August 27, 2009, from http://www. ask. com/web? qsrc=2417=0&1=dir=what+is+a+business+modle= Clements, K. M. , Evans, W. J. , Fiatarone, M. A. , Kehayias, J. J. , Lipsitz, L. A. , Nelson, M. E. , O'Neill, E. F. , Roberts, S. B. , Ryan, N. D, and Solares, G. R. (2009). Exercise training and nutritional supplementation for physical frailty in very elderly people. The New England Journal of Medicine. 330(25) 1769-1775. Retrieved August 30, 2009, from http://content. nejm. org/cgi/content/abstract/330/25/1769

Short story “Everyday Use”

In her short story â€Å"Everyday Use,† Alice Walker takes up what is a recurrent theme in her work: the representation of the harmony as well as the conflicts and struggles within African-American culture. â€Å"Everyday Use† focuses on an encounter between members of the rural Johnson family. This encounter––which takes place when Dee (the only member of the family to receive a formal education) and her male companion return to visit Dee’s mother and younger sister Maggie––is essentially an encounter between two different interpretations of, or approaches to, African-American culture. Walker employs characterization and symbolism to highlight the difference between these interpretations and ultimately to uphold one of them, showing that culture and heritage are parts of daily life. The opening of the story is largely involved in characterizing Mrs. Johnson, Dee’s mother and the story’s narrator. More specifically, Mrs. Johnson’s language points to a certain relationship between herself and her physical surroundings: she waits for Dee â€Å"in the yard that Maggie and I made so clean and wavy† (88). The emphasis on the physical characteristics of the yard, the pleasure in it manifested by the word â€Å"so,† points to the attachment that she and Maggie have to their home and to the everyday practice of their lives. The yard, in fact, is â€Å"not just a yard. It is like an extended living room† (71), confirming that it exists for her not only as an object of property, but also as the place of her life, as a sort of expression of herself. Her description of herself likewise shows a familiarity and comfort with her surroundings and with herself: she is â€Å"a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands† (72)—in other words, she knows the reality of her body and accepts it, even finding comfort (both physical and psychological) in the way that her â€Å"fat keeps [her] hot in zero weather† (72). Mrs. Johnson is fundamentally at home with herself; she accepts who she is, and thus, Walker implies, where she stands in relation to her culture. Mrs. Johnson’s daughter Maggie is described as rather unattractive and shy: the scars she bears on her body have likewise scarred her soul, and, as a result, she is retiring, even frightened. Mrs. Johnson admits, in a loving manner, that â€Å"like good looks and money, quickness passed her by† (73). She â€Å"stumbles† as she reads, but clearly Mrs. Johnson thinks of her as a sweet person, a daughter with whom she can sing songs at church. Most importantly, however, Maggie is, like her mother, at home in er traditions, and she honors the memory of her ancestors; for example, she is the daughter in the family who has learned how to quilt from her grandmother. Dee, however, is virtually Maggie’s opposite. She is characterized by good looks, ambition, and education (Mrs. Johnson, we are told, collects money at her church so that Dee can attend school). Dee’s education has been extremely important in forging her character, but at the same time it has s plit her off from her family. Mamma says, â€Å"She used to read to us without pity; forcing words, lies, other folks’ habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice† (73). Dee, in other words, has moved towards other traditions that go against the traditions and heritage of her own family: she is on a quest to link herself to her African roots and has changed her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo. In doing so, in attempting to recover her â€Å"ancient† roots, she has at the same time denied, or at least refused to accept, her more immediate heritage, the heritage that her mother and sister share. The actions Walker’s characters take, as well as their physical attributes, are symbolic of their relation to their culture. Dee’s male companion, for example, has taken a Muslim name and now refuses to eat pork and collard greens, thus refusing to take part in the traditional African-American culture. Mrs. Johnson, meanwhile, has â€Å"man-working hands† and can â€Å"kill a hog as mercilessly as a man† (72); clearly this detail is meant to indicate a rough life, with great exposure to work. Symbolic meaning can also be found in Maggie’s skin: her scars are literally the inscriptions upon her body of the ruthless journey of life. Most obviously—and most importantly—the quilts that Mrs. Johnson has promised to give Maggie when she marries are highly symbolic, representing the Johnsons’ traditions and cultural heritage. These quilts were â€Å"pieced by Grandma Dee and then Big Dee â€Å"(76), both figures in family history who, unlike the present Dee, took charge in teaching their culture and heritage to their offspring. The quilts themselves are made up of fragments of history, of scraps of dresses, shirts, and uniforms, each of which represents those people who forged the family’s culture, its heritage, and its values. Most importantly, however, these fragments of the past are not simply representations in the sense of art objects; they are not removed from daily life. What is most crucial about these quilts—and what Dee does not understand—is that they are made up of daily life, from materials that were lived in. This, in essence, is the central point of â€Å"Everyday Use†: that the cultivation and maintenance of its heritage are necessary to each social group’s self-identification, but that also this process, in order to succeed, to be real, must be part of people’s use every day. After all, what is culture but what is home to us, just as Mrs. Johnson’s yard is home to her.