Thinking Fast and Slow Essay Example for Free

Thinking Fast and Slow Essay 1. One of the book’s more stunning examples of the priming effect takes place in an office kitchen. Employees would typically make themselves coffee or tea and in return would drop a small fee into an â€Å"honesty† box. Researchers designed an experiment that involved alternating weeks where either a picture of a flowerpot or a picture of a set of eyes was in the room. Donations were checked after ten weeks and researchers found that significantly more money was contributed on weeks in which the eyes were in the room. Given this, and other examples of priming, do you find it feasible for organizations to devise methods that attempt to prime their employees to perform or react in a desirable manner? 2. One of the errors of System 1 is known as the framing effect. This refers to the ability of the way in which a problem is presented to influence an individual’s solution to it. Kahneman’s example in the book involves doctors at Harvard Medical School. In seeking their opinion a question is framed using either survival rate or mortality rate, with relative figures being the same. Despite this, 84% of the participants selected surgery that referred to a patient’s survival rate. Knowing the effects of framing a question either too broadly, too narrowly, or incorrectly all together, what are measures that organizations can take to ensure that their employees understand how to properly frame problems in such a way that the companies’ primary objectives are being targeted? 3. The book advocates that in our search for a causal link between occurrences in our lives we often dismiss the legitimacy of luck’s involvement in our success. To demonstrate this point, Kahneman points out that the gap in corporate profitability and stock returns between high performance firms and less successful firms dissipates to nearly nothing over time. In fact, over a 20 year period the returns of companies that originally had the worst ratings went on to earn much higher returns than their counterparts, which he refers to regression to the mean. Given that we may not necessarily be as talented as we perceive ourselves to be, what are steps that organizations can take to ensure that top brass is better able to understand what may actually be creating the company’s success?

Theory of Absolute Advantage | Analysis

Theory of Absolute Advantage | Analysis Introduction In response to the mercantilism system which dominated economics thought in the 18 century, Adam Smith introduce and gives extension discussion of absolute advantage theory in international trade and illustrate what to do if countries do not stick to the rule and maxim of international trade in An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Adam Smith prove wrong the belief of international trade between country was zero sum game which means the gaining of a country from international trade was the loss of other country. In additional, the international trade was positive sum game which means countries will gain benefit from trades. In the illustration of absolute advantage theory, Adam Smith illustrate that a country which have absolute advantage over other country if its production capacity in goods and services is greater when using same amount of resources or its produce a good using fewer resources (lower opportunity cost). Adam Smith also says that a country should produce goods where its production capacity is the most efficient and trade those goods where its production is not efficient. In additional, absolute advantage theory can also applies in the regions, cities and firms and tariffs and quotas should not restrict international trade. Adam Smith says the labor is fixed and homogeneous within a country. In additional, he also considers the labor is the only factor of production (input) and technology and production cost is constant in absolute advantage theory. He also illustrate that transportation cost are zero and countries use barter trade system in trading. In conclusion, Adam Smith absolute advantage theory replaces the mercantilist idea and questions the objective of national governments which applies mercantilist idea and acquires wealth through restrictive trade policies. In additional, absolute advantage theory also measure a country wealth through the living standard of its people. Theoretical background and Issues In absolute advantage theory, there are issue which is do all countries have an absolute advantage. Adam Smith does not consider the question if every country has an absolute advantage in the production of some goods. From a theoretical point of view, it could be possible that a country has no absolute production advantages or might lose them over time. Adam Smith’s theory suggests that absolute advantages develop as a consequence of trade and trade might be the incentive ways that leads to the creation of absolute advantages. However, nowadays, international trade is widely spread and the countries do not start equally. Rather, some countries are less productive and poorer. They might have an absolute advantage in those goods which only they are able to produce because of natural environment or condition. But those goods constitute only a small fraction of all traded goods. Smith gives another possibility for less productive countries to have an absolute  advantage. He states that poor countries might be able to compete in the agricultural sector with rich, more productiv e countries. Smith’s reaches this conclusion by state that the division of labor does not equally increase in all sectors of production and that wage levels differ internationally. Another issue in absolute advantage theory is how the trading between developed countries that have an equally high level of development using absolute advantage theory. Unlike the theory of comparative advantage, which is complemented by intra-industry trade theory, Adam Smith’s absolute advantage theory can also help to understand trade between developed countries. Firms in developed countries produce similar industrial products and compete over profits and market shares. Trade and success is determined by absolute production advantages which means that ‘art and skill’ (technology and education of the workers) play a significant role. Since this competition exists domestically there is no reason why this kind of competition should not exist internationally; especially because Adam Smith’s theory does not have a basic difference between domestic and international trade. An additional gain is technology transfer or international learning. Developed countries benefit from it to a greater extent than underdeveloped countries since they are able to make use of technological developments. This can explain, for example, why the technological level of Europe and North America has converged in fifty year. As a result, a rich country benefits more from trade with another rich country than from trade with an underdeveloped country. Discussion: Adam Smith’s Absolute Advantage Theory To illustrate the theory of absolute advantage, presume that there are two countries (China and Germany), producing just two products (rice and cars). Assume that products are tradable without workers and costs are not moving between the two countries, but moving between the two sectors within a country. All workers are equally productive and as the only input in a country. Production technology in China differs from that in Germany (see table below). Suppose that to produce 1 unit of rice, Germany requires 3 units of labor meanwhile China requires only 2 units of labor. Similarly, to produce 1 car, Germany needs 6 units of labor while China needs 8 units of labor. As the result, China is more efficient in the rice production and Germany is more efficient in the cars production. Therefore, China has an absolute advantage in the rice production and Germany has an absolute advantage in the cars production. To illustrate that specialization of production, coupled with international trade flows according to the theory (absolute advantage), can be profitable. In our example, presume that China produces less 1 unit of car yet this save up 8 units of labor so, now the labors can be used to produce 8/2=4 units of rice (opportunity cost of car production in the China). China has now produced extra 4 units of rice although produced less 1 car. Suppose that China must import 1 car from Germany if China wants to consume the same amount of car s like before. Germany needs 6 units of labor to produce this car. Thus, rice production drops by 6/3=2 units of rice (opportunity costs of car production in Germany) as these laborers must bring in from the rice sector. Now note that the total production of rice has increased by 2 units (4 units more in China and 2 units less in Germany), while the total production of cars remain unchanged (1 car less in China and 1 car more in Germany). In conclusion, these extra units of rice show the potential gains from specialization if China and Germany focused on the production of the product which they can produce most efficiently. Both countries can gain benefit from the theory, when they exchange 3 units of rice for 1 car. Argument: Is theory of absolute advantage best describes international trade? Absolute advantage refers to a country’s ability to produce a certain good more efficiently than another country and it has three main arguments. First, it argues that regulations favoring one industry draw away real resources from another industry where they might have been more advantageously employed. Second, it mentions the important of specialization in a society. When someone has some advantages in produce or provides a good or services, he or she needs to specialize in the production. Third, specialization needs to be practice in international commercial policy and nations. It is better when a country is allows to focus on production of goods that it has absolute advantages and then import goods that other countries have absolute advantage. Theory of absolute advantage provides a clear and simple view on international trade and helps country decide what to produces, import and also export but it has some drawback since it fails to explain why free trade can be advantages when one country has absolute advantage in producing all the goods. How would a country without having any absolute advantage in producing any good, join and gain from free trade with other countries. How will this country pay for its imports because it will produce nothing that is cheaper to produce as compared with other countries? This theory ignored to explain how differences in climatic conditions and natural resource can contribute to comparative advantages. Some country has no absolute advantage in all good cause by limited resources and technology may excluded in international trade market and consequently, it will lead to conflict in allocate resources in that particular country and insufficient in production. Theory of absolute advantage focuses on which country can product good by using lesser resources. If there is no trade between countries, then the prices of good will indicates by its resources cost in each country. The difference in prices with no trade will reach an equivalent price with each good being exported from the initially low-price country and imported by the initially high-price country. Smiths approach does not indicate what would happen if the same country had absolute advantage in both products. The theory of comparative advantage introduces by David Ricardo has solve this problem as it do not considers cost in production but opportunity cost. A country will trade in the pattern that maximizes its advantage. Next, absolute advantage fails to illustrate the real situation in international market because of some assumption. First, it does not take transportation costs involved in selling the product into account. For instance, if product is exchanging between China and German, the transportation cost may cause the price even higher than the original price without trade because of long distance. Besides, Adam Smith assumes that exchange rates are stable which the case is seldom and hence it is a limitation. Furthermore, it also assumes that labor can switch between products easily and they will work with same efficiency which in reality cannot happen. In conclusion, we do not think that theory of absolute advantage by Adam Smith best describe international trade in today world. This is because it fails to explain the condition of country that does not have any absolute advantage. In addition, assumptions that not fit to reality like ignore transportation cost, use stable exchange rates and assume same efficiency between labors causes it is not accurate. Recommendation A country with absolute advantage can produce a good at lower marginal cost (fewer materials, cheaper materials, in less time etc.) This means that, the country should implement specialization in the production of such goods. Specialization of good can be made by Research and Development which leads to improvement of existing products or procedures. For example, to increase the Agricultural productivity Scientist such as Biologist and Chemists will need to develop technologies which may eventually lead to more production. For example, if a country has an absolute advantage on producing wheat, farmers of that country has to balance the environmental concerns to meet the need in a sustainable way. In overall, Research and Development helps the countries with absolute advantage to specialize and maximize the productivity. This benefits the countrys economics state. Next, a country in absolute advantage should carry out trade. This is because a country can produce goods more than its need. Therefore they should trade the goods with other countries. The trade can be goods for goods or goods for money. When the country is carrying out goods for goods trade it can acquire goods which it cant produce in its country and vice versa. On the other hand, goods for money trade allow the country to strengthen its economic state and grow further. Conclusion In a nutshell, absolute advantage creates many benefits for a country. However, there are certain limitations to this theory that a country will have to face. Firstly, it does not consider the transportation cost of moving the products from one country to the other. This is because, transportation cost are counted in final selling price of the product. As transportation cost is also a factor in production price sometimes trading can be a loss to a country. Next, the theory also assumes that exchange rates are stable which in reality it is seldom. In the current economic world exchange rates changes rapidly. This can cause major loss to some country if they trade in a wrong time. This is because exchange rates play a major role in trade market. The next limitations are, labors also cannot switch between products and they won’t be able to work with same efficiency. Some labors will only have a few working skills and training which cannot be used to produce variety of goods. So, even though absolute advantage gives many benefits to a country but it also have some negative sides which a country will have to encounter and tackle it effectively.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Analysis

A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Analysis This movie tells about The Baudelaires orphans: Violet; Klaus; and Sunny. Violet is fourteen years old, Klaus is twelve years old, and Sunny is still an infant. Each of these orphans has awesome ability: Violet can find and create everything from the things around her as good as a scientist; Klaus loves reading so much and amazingly he remembers all what he read even in details; and then Sunny, the youngest, her teeth are so strong and she bites almost everything. Their parents are killed in a fire that also destroyed their house. Mr. Poe, the family banker, then sends the children to live with Count Olaf, an actor who is their closest relative. Count Olaf treats the children awfully. Soon The Baudelaires know that Count Olaf just wants to take their parents richness. One time because of a coincidence, Mr. Poe thinks that Count Olaf is not a responsible parent so that Mr. Poe takes back the children from Count Olaf. Olaf, pretending to have an emotional goodbye with The Baudelaires, promises that he will find them again and get their fortune. Mr. Poe sends the children to live with their uncle, Dr. Montgomery Montgomery, a cheerfully herpetologist. The Baudelaires live happily with Uncle Monty. Nonetheless, Count Olaf comes in disguise to Uncle Montys house as his new assistant for herpetology and he killed Uncle Monty. The orphans are then sent to live with Aunt Josephine who lives in a house on the edge of a cliff above the Lake Lachrymose. However, Count Olaf catches the children wherever they go in order to get an opportunity to grab the Baudelaires wealth. He does camouflages to fool other guardians of the Baudelaires. Count Olaf causes the death of Aunt Josephine and makes himself as if he is the childrens savior. As a result, Mr. Poe gives custody back to Count Olaf, seeing how he rescued the children. Mr. Poe reveals to Count Olaf that he would not inherit the childrens fortune even if they died, with the exception of blood relatives, or married couples. Count Olaf invites Mr. Poe and people he knows to his play which stars himself and Violet as the leads. It is a trap for the Baudelaires so that Count Olaf can gain access to Violets inheritance. Klaus notices Count Olafs bad plan. Somehow he ruins the play and makes people realize the tyranny of Count Olaf and then arrest him. Moreover, Klaus notices that the death of his parents is not merely an accident, but it was Count Olafs deed. Eventually, the Baudelaires are safe and kept away from Count Olaf. The reason the writer choose this movie to be analyzed is because the writer is indeed interested in this movie from the first time the writer saw it. This movie is one of 21th century literary works which depicts chains of a unique story which is not clichà ©. From its title, it is discernible that this movie imparts a kind of tragedy which involves life/moral values. Moreover, it involves the hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia, and catharsis. This is why the writer decides to use Aristotelian theory to analyze this movie, because hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia, and catharsis are the key elements of the theory. Having considered the above facts, the writer proposes a study entitled The Hamartia, Anagnorisis, Peripeteia and Catharsis in Brad Silberlings (2004) Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events. FIELD OF THE STUDY The field of the study is literature, especially movie. SCOPE OF THE STUDY This study will discuss about Aristotles theory of tragedy, about Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events movie, mostly its hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia, and catharsis. PROBLEM FORMULATION What are the Hamartia, Anagnorisis, Peripeteia, and Catharsis in the movie? How are the Hamartia, Anagnorisis, Peripeteia, and Catharsis represented cinematographically in the movie? To what extent do those elements affect the movie? OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The writer wants the readers notice and comprehend the meanings of Hamartia, Anagnorisis, Peripeteia, and Catharsis and also their existence. The writer wants to show how the key elements of Aristotelian theory are depicted in Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events movie cinematographically. The writer wants to evince how the key elements affect the movie. HYPOTHESES Only few people know the movie of Lemony Snickets A Serie s of Unfortunate Events. Also, only few people comprehend what Aristotelian theory is about well, including the hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia, and catharsis. Many people do not know that this movie is impressive, that using the Aristotelian theory to analyze the movie can give people some significant life values. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This study concentrates on the movie entitled Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events and on the Aristotles theory of tragedy especially the key elements. Entertainment, knowledge, and wisdom are benefits that can be obtained from this study. By watching or observing Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events movie, the readers are going to get pleasant or fun. Through signification of the Aristotelian theory, it will broaden the readers knowledge. Moreover, by understanding the life/moral values in the movie through catharsis, the readers are going to be conscious that the values do enlarge their wisdom. DEFINITION OF TERMS Action A unit of happening. (Paredes, 1986). Imitation/Mimesis Mimesis means copying another persons action or way of doing something. Plot Plot is the imitation of the action or the arrangement of the incidents. Plot is also the first principle and the soul of a tragedy. (Hibbard Frenz, 1954). Meanwhile, according to Cooper (1979), plot is the principle of life. Character Character is that which reveals moral purpose, showing what kinds of things a man chooses or avoids. (Hibbard Frenz, 1954, p. 170). Spectator Spectator is the synonym of audience. (Good, 2008). Tragedy Tragedy (as opposed to epic) relies on an enactment (dramatic performance), not on narrative (the author telling a story). (Leyg, 1996). According to Cooper (1979), a tragedy is a mimesis, not of people but of their actions and life. However, Kennedy (1979) said that tragedy is an imitation not only of a complete action, but of events inspiring fear or pity. Furthermore, he said that tragedy is about the realization of the unthinkable. Tragic Hero The tragic hero is a great man who is neither a paragon of virtue and justice nor undergoes the change to misfortune through any real badness or wickedness but because of some mistake. (Leyg, 1996). Tragic hero is one who is not pre-eminent in moral virtue, who passes to bad fortune not through vice or wickedness, but because of some piece of ignorance, and who is of high repute and great good fortune. (Cooper, 1979). Hamartia Hamartia is the characters fatal flaw. In other words, it is an intellectual mistake or an error in judgment. Anagnorisis Recognition or discovery (anagnorisis): the revelation of some fact not known before, or some persons true identity. (Kennedy, 1979, p.943). Peripeteia Peripeteia is a reversal of circumstances or turning point. (Aswers, 2007). According to Watson (2002), peripeteia is a reversal is a change of a situation to its opposite. Catharsis It is purgation, purification, and clarification of pity and fear. REVIEW OF LITERATURE In this study the writer focuses in Aristotles theory of tragedy which includes hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia, and catharsis as its key elements. This can help the writer to analyze the hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia, catharsis in Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events movie. The form of drama called tragedy was born in the fifth century B.C. It is Aristotles famous definition. (Kennedy, 1979). Aristotle was one of important ancient philosophers from Greek. He was born in Stagira, a town in Macedonia in 384 B.C. Aristotle is a whole university in himself. (Hibbard Frenz, 1954). He influenced medieval science and logic and on literary theory since the Renaissance. Since the Renaissance, his name has been associated most often with his concepts of tragic catharsis, anagnorisis, and unity of action. (Answers, 2007). His theory will be applied in this study, which is theory of tragedy. Aristotles Theories Cooper (1979), stated that a work cannot be a tragedy if there were no action. Hibbard Frenz (1954), said that without action there cannot be a tragedy. The tragic event involves a fall from greatness, brought by the agents free action. (Perrine, 1974). Aristotles theory which is prior to his theory of tragedy is theory of responsibility. Aristotles theory of responsibility was established through his theories of character acquisition and action. Theory of Character Acquisition His theory of character acquisition states that people get their character from repetitively demonstrating actions they think are best. Theory of Action Theory of action distinguishes between what actions are voluntary or not voluntary. (Watson, 2002). Theory of Tragedy Nowadays the best tragedies are about a few families only. For a tragedy is an imitation, not of men, but of an action and of life, and life consists in action, and its end is a mode of action, not a quality. (Hibbard Frenz, 1954, p.170). It is the nature of tragedy that the protagonist must fall from power and from happiness. The recognition, combined with reversal, will produce either pity or fear; and actions producing these effects are those which tragedy represents. Nonetheless, the problem with Aristotles famous definition is not in agreeing in how to translate it, but rather how to interpret it. Definition of Tragedy The arrangement of tragedy should be complex, not simple, and it should present a mimesis of things that arouse fear and pity, as this is what is peculiar to the tragic mimesis. Tragedy is a mimesis not only of a complete action, but also of things arousing pity and fear, emotions most likely to be stirred when things happen unexpectedly but because of each other. A tragedy is a mimesis of an action and it is only because of the action that it is a mimesis of the people engaged in it. (Cooper, 1979). A tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, accomplishing through incidents that arouse pity and fear the purgation of these emotions. (Kennedy, 1979, p.899). Tragedy causes the emotions of pity and fear in the hearts of all men, then affords a pleasurable relief. In other words, the spectator at a tragedy, following the tribulations of the tragic hero, himself suffers vicariously, is emotionally moved, and as a result of the experience, finds pleasurable relief. (Hibbard Frenz, 1954). In a tragedy a hero suffers due to hamartia and then knowledge comes of ignorance followed by a reversal in fortune with a feeling of purification in the character. (Answers, 2007). Key Elements of Theory Hamartia: Hamartia is the Greek word. It means error, transgression, flaw, or weakness of character. (Kennedy, 1979). Hamartia is a tragic error caught in a crisis situation; the protagonist makes an error in judgment or action, missing the mark, and disaster results. In other words, hamartia is the fall of a noble man caused by some excess or mistake in behavior. The main character break a divine or moral law which leads to disastrous consequences. Despite the horrible events befalling the tragic hero, tragedies celebrate the human spirit, in the confrontation of difficult situations and the accountability of a character for his or her own actions. (Answers, 2007). The protagonist in the story is not a perfectly good man nor yet a bad man; his misfortune is brought upon him not by vice and depravity but by some error of judgment. The heros downfall is his own fault, the result of his own free choice, not the result of pure accident or villainy. Accident, villainy or fate may contribute to the downfall but only as cooperating agents: they are not alone responsible. The combination of the heros greatness and his responsibility for his own downfall describes his downfall as tragic rather than as merely pathetic. (Perrine, 1974). Anagnorisis: It means a recognition or discovery. Recognition is a change from ignorance to knowledge, producing love or hate between the persons destined for good or bad fortune. (Hibbard Frenz, 1954). Recognition is a change from ignorance to knowledge, tending either to affection; it determines in the direction of good or ill fortune the fates of the people involved. (Cooper, 1997). Anagnorisis is commonly applied to any self-knowledge the hero gains as well as to insight to the whole nature or condition of mankind. (Watson, 2002). The discovery induces a startling effect. Peripeteia: Cooper (1997), remarked that a peripeteia occurs when the course of events takes a turn to the opposite in the way described. According to Kennedy (1979), reversal or peripeteia is an action that turns out to have the opposite effect from the effect its doer had intended. Peripeteia occurs when a situation seems to developing in one direction, then suddenly reverses to another. Reversal is a series of incidents or a train of action tending to bring about a certain end but resulting in something wholly different. (Hibbard Frenz, 1954, p.170). The change of fortune for the hero should be an event that occurs contrary to the audiences expectations and that is therefore surprising. Catharsis: Purification of plot events, so that the central characters errors become cleansed by his or her recognitions and suffering. Through a course of events involving pity and fear, the purification of those painful or fatal acts, pity and fear it archives the purgation. It is simply an intellectual clarification of the meaning of the tragic happenings. Catharsis is also the purging of the emotions of pity and fear that are aroused in the viewer of a tragedy. Therefore, it is related to the psychology of the spectator, the public is purged of its fear and pity. (Paredes, 1986). Actually, catharsis is the positive social function of tragedy. It purifies the audiences feelings of pity and fear so that in real life we understand better whether we should feel them. Further, it purges pity and fear so that we can face life with less of these emotions or more control over them. K. METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS This study uses qualitative research, applied research, or library research. The reason is because field of this study is literature which interpretation is the prime provision. Therefore, desk work or library research is appropriate and suitable to commit for this study. K.1 Method of Data Collection After deciding what study that would be done, which is a study of Aristotelian theory of tragedy, the writer searched the materials. Movie of Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events, pictures, and data about this movie are the first materials that would be gained. The writer is going to keep looking for data about Aristotles theories especially his theory of tragedy which consists of the key elements (hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia, and catharsis). Those theory elements become essential to analyze the movie. The writer collected the data needed by visitting the library and reading some books related to the study. Also the writer looked for the data from the internet. For the further plans/steps, the writer will keep looking for the data and searching them through both written and electronic sources to enrich the primary data for this study. K.2 Data Analysis The title of the movie is Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events. The complete information about the movie can be read as follows: Title : Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events Year : 2004 Genre : Drama Director : Brad Silberling Film Stars : Jim Carrey, Emily Browning, Liam Aiken, Meryl Streep, Jude Law The movie tells about three orphans (The Baudelaires) who are adopted by a bizarre and mysterious actor named Count Olaf. He attempts to steal The Baudelaires parents richness. The Baudelaires try to get away from Olaf any time they can but Olaf can find them wherever they go. The avoidance of The Baudelaires towards Olaf leads these pitiful orphans to a series of unfortunate events. To analyze the movie, the writer uses the Aristotelian theory. Aristotles theory concerns with tragedy. According to Aristotle, in a tragedy a hero suffers due to hamartia and then knowledge comes of ignorance (anagnorisis) followed by a reversal (peripeteia) in fortune with a feeling of purification (catharsis) in the character. In analyzing the study, the writer will explain more about the research questions from the problem formulation. Using Aristotelian theory, the writer will show the key elements in the movie and why they are called as the way they are. Then the writer depicts the existence of the key elements through cinematography to show the evidences. Further, the writer describes how the movie is so affected by the key elements and how come the movie and the key elements foster one another. L. REFERENCES Cooper, D. E. (Ed.). (1997). Aesthetics: The classic readings. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd. Good, M. (2008). Cambridge advanced learners dictionary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hibbard, A., Frenz, H. (Ed.). (1954). Writers of the western world. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Kennedy, X. J. (Ed.). (1979). Literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, and drama. Toronto: Little, Brown and Company. Perrine, L. (Ed.). (1974). Literature: Structure, sound, and sense. USA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. WEBSITES Answers. (2007, June 6). In Aristotelian. Retrieved April 17, 2012, from http://www.answers.com/topic/aristotelian#ixzz1ez5h7jOW Berardinelli, J. (2004, April 5). Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events. ReelViews. Retrieved April 11, 2009, from http://www.reelviews.net/movies/l/lemony_snicket.html Leyg, H. (1996, June 24). Aristotles tragedy. In Aristotle the elements of tragedy. Retrieved June 21, 2012, from http://www.ohio.edu/people/hartleyg/ref/aristotletragedy.html Paredes, R. (1986, April 27). Aristotles definition of tragedy. In Introduction to philosophy. Retrieved June 21, 2012, from http://www.paredes.us/tragedy.html Watson, J. (2002, September 9). My class notes. In Aristotles tragedy. Retrieved May 2, 2012, from http://johnwatsonsite.com/MyClassNotes/Texts/Antigone/AntigAristotleTrag.html

Personal Narrative on Divorce :: Narrative Essay Marriage

It was the last Saturday in December of 1997. My brother, sister, and I were chasing after each other throughout the house. As we were running, our parents told us to come and sit down in the living room. They had to tell us something. So, we all went down stairs wondering what was going on. Once we all got down stairs, the three of us got onto the couch. Then, my mom said, â€Å" Well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Your mother and I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  interrupted my father. â€Å"Are getting a divorce, † said my mother, completing his sentence. I was five at the time, so I had no idea what a divorce was. I then asked a ton of questions. â€Å"What’s a remorse?† I asked â€Å"Divorce,† corrected my older sister, Jennifer, â€Å"D-I-V-O-R-C-E. Not remorse, or whatever you said!† My mother then answered my question saying, â€Å"A divorce is when†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I could see her eyes watering, â€Å"two married people don’t want...to be married anymore.† â€Å"Will we still live here?† I asked â€Å"No,† answered my mother. â€Å"Will we ever see Daddy again?† asked Jennifer. â€Å" Well of course, † answered my father, â€Å"It’ll just be like I’m out of town for a very long time. Y’all will see me every other weekend.† My older brother, Jonathan, was very quiet at the time. I think he was quiet because he was the only one of the three of us who truly knew what was going on. With me being at the tender age of five, I was very confused of what was going on. I thought that Jonathan, Jennifer, and I would live in a house by our selves and that both my parents would visit us from their separate houses every now and then. Most people would think that I’m depressed, but I like to think of my parents’ divorce as something positive that has happened in my life.

Public and Private Management Essay -- Business, Performance Review, Q

Unlike many of the other writing assignments done thus far, this paper will be providing brief synopses for several essays on issues involved with the study of public management. Although it might be possible to state that the ideas and theories presented in these texts are either true or false, it will be the goal of this writing to take the simple approach and focus on the thoughts that are presented are still relevant in modern practice of public management. However, it is first important to point out that even today there is no aggregated view for weighing or measuring the success of public managers. This is because in part due to the various ways in which the agencies manage themselves, for example whether or not they chose to follow national performance review (NRP) response or a total quality management (TQM) method. Another problem is that often times today a management policy that has been set up and successfully tested for the private sector is either grafted to the, or im posed over the management policies of a public enterprise. The issue that this brings up is that, depending on the agency, that there is no clear idea on who the ‘customers’ are, nor what ‘product’ is that the public agency is trying to appease. Meanwhile, the management theories that are being imposed on to them, are based on a quantifiable examination as to rather they are successful or not. Simply put, there is no easy or standard way for researchers of the field of public administration to be able to clearly differentiate between the successful management styles of one public administrator to another. In fact, researching this problem is the very thing that our first author is calling for in his essay. Graham T. Allison attempts with his article... ...uted to be useful as a measurement against the values from the private sector. Instead, Moore suggests that research in a cost-effectiveness approach may be a solution to this problem (1995, p 553). All of these essays end up with the same major issue concerning measuring the successful public management style, from one that is not successful. In one form or another both Moore and Moe have called for research in finding some standard in analyzing the public sector. In any analysis standard, the effects that politics has in its creation cannot be ignored. If as Woodrow Wilson claim is true, and the goal of these public administrators is to find the most cost-effective and the most efficient method to implement the political oriented policies; then why not come up with a measurement on the efficiency and cost-effectiveness to be used for passing judgment on them?

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman :: essays research papers

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story, â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† explores the restricted societal roles of both Jane and John. Gilman, a strong supporter of women’s rights, focuses on her account with depression through this story (Hill 150). Traditionally, the man must take care of the woman both financially and emotionally while the woman’s role remains at home. Society tends to trap man and woman and prevent them from developing emotionally and intellectually. Although Gilman focuses on the hardships of the woman, she also examines the role of the man in society. Repression generated by social gender roles hinders men and women from acquiring self-individuation. The repression of Jane ties into her lack of exposure to emotional and intellectual stimulus. Jane’s feminine emotions towards her environment aid in her restraint. Representing the dominance of masculinity over the restrained female, Jane observes the female figure, who looks as if she is behind bars, in the pattern of the wallpaper (1156). The woman who unsuccessfully attempts to climb out of the pattern symbolizes Jane’s frivolity in trying to alter feminine societal roles (1158). Significantly, the maternal instincts of Jane remain enslaved due to her surroundings. The nursery, containing windows â€Å"barred for little children,† represents the suppression of Jane’s motherly duties (1150). Jane is unable to take care of her own baby. The garden which Jane can view through her barred windows, stands for her fertility which she is incapable of obtaining (1149). Intentionally, Jane’s intellectual prowess remains held back. Beginning to â€Å"writ e for a while† in a journal against the wishes of those around her, represents the suppression of Jane’s attempt at creative stimulus (1149). The yellow wallpaper hinders Jane’s recovery in that it confuses her whenever she attempts to decipher its’ meaning (1151). John’s repression results from the absence of his feminine side. Spirituality, a part of the human psyche of which John lacks, accounts for his repression. Jane feels that John â€Å"has no patience with faith,† justifying his stubborn behavior and the detraction of his masculinity (1148). An ideal attribute for one attempting to obtain self-individuation is a concern for faith, which is not present in John (1148). John’s scarcity of feminine emotions accounts for his repression. John shows no understanding of Jane’s need for an intellectual stimulus, signifying his lack of intuition (1150). For John, everything must be â€Å"put down in figures† (1148) in order for him to make sense out of anything, illustrating his stronghold on the stereotypically obstinate man (1155).

Planning Document

PLANNING DOCUMENT Planning Document HRM 517 – Managing Human Resource Projects Planning Document Construct a project charter to revamp the compensation and benefits package. The overall goal and strategy of the XYZ Company is to align its total compensation and benefits plan to the financial and operational results of the Corporation and the Business Unit.Alignment of variable compensation to performance is essential to ensure that the supervisory team and identified sole contributors share in the prosperity of the Company when our goals and objectives are exceeded and does not expect or receive variable compensation in those years where failed to meet our key business targets It is essential that each participant in the Supervisory Variable Compensation Plan (SVCP) has a clear understanding of the plan, understands the parameters and guidelines by which SVCP is paid and that a key component is utilizing â€Å"ACTUAL† overall financial and operational year end results.T he Supervisory Variable Compensation Plan (SVRP) is designed to establish the participation, criteria and the process by where variable compensation will or will not be paid out to those individuals who have been identified as participants in the plan and have made a contribution to the financial and operational results of the Business Unit. The following guidelines have been defined to assure that the SVRP is administered fairly and within the parameters required to protect the financial integrity of the Corporation. 1.SVRP payout is based on actual fiscal year financial and operational performance. 2. SVRP will be paid out on an annual basis. 3. Actual payouts are based on individual performance to defined objectives and targets from each qualified participant. 4. Objectives and targets will be established for each participant prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. Objectives and targets will be weighted based on importance. 5. Objectives and targets can be adjusted during th e year to reflect changing Business Unit performance or priorities. 6.A mid-year performance review with each participant with their respective manager is required and performance to date against objectives and targets should be reviewed. Mid- year reviews are to be documented and placed in the participants personnel file with a copy to the participant. 7. SVRP payouts will only be paid to participants who are on staff at fiscal year-end. 8. SVRP payouts are paid on final results achieved for each objective using the weighting established for each target. 9. All payouts will require the approval of two levels of management.In order to qualify for a payout under the Supervisory Variable Compensation Plan the following criteria must be met: 1. Eligibility – Identified first level supervisors, managers and individual contributors in the business units. Eligibility to participate in the plan will start after a 90 day probationary period for new hires. 2. Managers must have been i n the position a minimum of 6 months and performing at a â€Å"fully satisfactory† level. 3. All managers must have a completed Job Performance Evaluations (JPE) for their respective teams.Copies of the JPE must be on file with a copy sent to Human Resources. 4. Meet or exceed performance objectives and targets established at the beginning of the fiscal year. 5. Managers who are on an hourly rate will not qualify for the Supervisory Variable Compensation Plan. 6. For managers who do not have a full year of service will have the SVCP will be pro-rated for the year. SVCP Timeline: ? October 1, 2012 – Business Unit Objectives established ? November 1, 2012 – Individual Performance Plans developed ? May 2013 – Mid Year reviews ? November 2013 – Year End Final Results November 2013 – Final SVCP Calculations completed and submitted for approval ? December 2013 – SVCP payouts [pic] Incentive Plan Calculation Participants will have the opport unity to earn an SVRP payout of 20% of their base salary. The payout will be based on the participant’s performance to their individual objectives and the weighting assigned to each objective. [pic] Design a communication plan for the project. The project's communication plan will consist of the reasons why XYZ Company should revamp their compensation and benefits plan.The purpose of the change will help with productivity as well as seeking more customers within each business unit. It is important that all stakeholders understand why the company should make changes to enhance the business. The managers will see this change as a plus for them since it will include giving them a bonus based on productivity within their business unit. The compensation plan will allow room for hourly and salaried managers to receive incentive pay and this will also help them during performance review for advancement opportunities.The communication plan will include email, conference calls, meetin gs, and voice calls to push our compensation plan and get the information out to the managers. Furthermore; we will hold monthly training sessions for all managers to ensure they are receiving the correct information and training to be successful with this plan. Finally; we will have a Q session which will allow everyone to bring their issues and questions to the table every month.These sessions will help the stakeholders understand what concerns the managers may have or what they may need assistance with to obtain their goals. Define the scope of the project. In order for the plan to be a success there are a few things each business will have to focus on. One of the important factors include errors, if employees are making consistent errors at the customer sites this will cause issues with XYZ Company and the customer. As a team, all will have to determine if all the objectives have been met to include error free installations, and A1 customer service.As a company we have to do it right the first time because there is not guarantee that we will have a second time to correct it. Another important factor is safety, we have to maintain a minimum amount of preventable accidents on a monthly basis. To ensure that we are remaining in compliance, we will have to enforce our safety policy and place sanctions on those who are violating the company policies. Create a work breakdown structure including numbered components. Submit your WBS by creating a table inside your assignment. |Level |WBSCode |Element Name | |1 |1 |Compensation/Benefits Plan | |2 |1. 1 |Initiate Compensation Plan | |3 |1. 1. 1 |Evaluation & Make Recommendations | |3 |1. 1. |Develop Plan | |3 |1. 1. 3 |Present Compensation Plan to Stakeholders | |3 |1. 1. 4 |Stakeholders Review Plan | |3 |1. 1. 5 |Compensation Planned Approved | |2 |1. |Plan for next steps | |3 |1. 2. 1 |Create Scope Statement | |3 |1. 2. 2 |Organize and Select Compensation Team | |3 |1. 2. 3 |Compensation Team Meeting | |3 |1. . 4 |Develop Compensation Plan | |3 |1. 2. 5 |Submit Compensation Plan to Stakeholders | |3 |1. 2. 6 |Milestone: Compensation Plan Approval | |2 |1. 3 |Execution Plan |