Motives for British Imperialism in Africa Essays -- Imperialism Africa

Motives for British Imperialism in Africa Before the Europeans began the New Imperialism in Africa, very little was known about the inner parts of the continent. However, after some explorers delved deeper into the heart of Africa, the Europeans soon realized how economically important this area was, and how much they could profit from it. At the time, Britain had only small occupations of land in Africa, but after they realized that they could make money from the rich resources from the inner regions of Africa, they wanted to invade the African countries and take over. This led to the scramble and ultimately, the partition of Africa. During the Age of Imperialism, from 1870-1914, Britain was a major country, which proved to be true in the â€Å"carving up† and division of Africa. Britain was one of the strongest of the European countries, and had the power to take over much of the most valuable lands with the most rich and abundant supplies of raw materials and other resources. There were five main reasons for their imperialism. They were political and military interests, humanitarian and religious goals, ideological, exploratory, and lastly, but most importantly, economic interests. As for the political reasons, Britain simply wanted to remain competitive with other countries, such as Germany and France. At the time, the British had no allies, and the other countries such as France and Germany, were getting economically more stable. By taking over Africa, and setting up colonies, they would have allies and a sense of protection. Germany and France were also some of the bigger powers in Europe, and the British feared them because they needed to keep up with the competition of their rival countries. They were pretty much forced to practice imperialism because of the growing threat of Germany and France. The British continued to be imperialists until the beginning of World War 1, in 1914, because they feared that they might lose their empire. They conquered and added on many parts of Africa, such as Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, the Suez Canal, etc†¦ In most cases, the reasons for this was that were able to colonize these people and gain alliances with them an d also to send out the message to other countries that they were still competitive. One prime example of this, was how Britain bought the Suez Canal into their own power. Fredinand de Lesseps, a Frenc... ...e from India. That was the underlying tenet of all British imperialism. Throughout history, the British have been a nation of sailors and businessmen. With the dawn of the imperial era, money began to equal power, and the wealth of the British elevated them to the top of the world. As Sir Walter Raleigh said, "Whosoever commands the sea commands the trade; whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently the world itself." India was where the riches of the world came from, the jewel in the crown of the British Empire. The British needed to dispel the threat of other Europeans in Africa to maintain control of India, and they did so efficiently. They quickly gained control of both the major sea routes to India and then turned their eyes to the rest of the continent. Whether the British were trying to foster public support or prevent another nation from becoming a threat, all British actions in Africa were directly or indirectly linked to India. The British were motivated by their desire to become powerful, and they skillfully combined enterprise and conquest to create a globe spanning empire centered around the wealth of India.

A Background on William Blake Essay

A child of the Romantic Period, William Blake was a poet born into the lively grounds of Soho, England. Since childhood, people observed in him a keen sense of imagination. This recognition then encouraged his parents to support his career path as an artist (Merriman n. p. ). Blake was largely considered as eccentric or demented by his contemporaries, causing him to be denied in his lifetime the recognition he deserved. However, literary critics now consider him an influential force in the development of Romanticism (Barker n. p. ). Blake’s works and style of writing cannot be classified into a single category or genre. However, his works showed recurring themes of knowledge and innocence, heaven and hell, external reality and internal reality, and most of all, good and evil (Merriman n. p. ). Most of his works are expressed with simplicity, except for some of his later works. With this simplicity, Blake was able to portray opposing aspects of human nature. He achieved this superbly by using one literary piece to present the negative side of another earlier literary work. Sorrow: the Antithesis of Joy This style of Blake was highlighted in his two poems Infant Joy and Infant Sorrow. Infant Joy was presented to dwell on the joys of life, childbirth, and existence. Then, in contrast, Infant Sorrow came to life to demonstrate the sadness of life and human existence. Content Comparison. In Infant Sorrow, the infant’s realization that the world is an unhappy place to live in summed up human existence. This poem renders a bleak understanding of human conditions and strongly contrasts with the earlier poem, Infant Joy. This other poem celebrates childbirth, as shown by the infant christening herself as ‘Joy. ’ The voice of her mother celebrates with her baby too. However, the poem’s too-evident joyfulness invites suspicion. The mask of exaggeration can be unfurled to reveal a deeper understanding of human existence. Both poems share similar strong emotions in describing birth, and both use little to no figurative language. However, they differ in structures and in the portrayal of human oppression. The poems both describe the sentiments that surround the birth of a child. Infant Joy portrays the happiness of an infant for being alive (Blake 4-5). There is a sense of gladness because human existence is worth celebrating. When one is born, he/she is given civil rights and freedoms that are worth being born for. Nonetheless, the infant cannot realistically even be aware of herself in such a way. A source even notes that it is still the mother who provides the infant’s voice: she merely projects herself unto her baby’s seeming happiness (Gilham 3). Still, the mother’s voice (as herself) is also present in the poem. She also feels exuberant, so she sings for her baby (Blake 11). On the other hand, Infant Sorrow depicts the infant’s feelings of lack of safety and security, as well as experiences of oppression (Blake 5). The parents in this poem also express resounding emotions, as the â€Å"mother groaned† and the â€Å"father wept† (Blake 1). This first line of the poem emphasized the parents’ sadness and misery about the baby’s birth. Thus, both poems explore the avalanche of powerful feelings that come with childbirth. Use of Figurative Language. Both poems similarly employ little to no figurative language. For Infant Sorrow, the most striking figurative language is the simile, â€Å"Like a fiend hid in the cloud† (Blake 4). This indicates that the baby is like a criminal in the clouds of happiness. The irony stands out: here is a two-day old infant who normally feels peaceful and happy, but in reality should really feel like another criminal who cannot hide anywhere, not even in the comfort of his dreams. Another figurative speech is the pun of â€Å"sulk,† instead of â€Å"suck† (Blake 8). The baby sulks in being fed by her mother, which is confounding, because there should be a natural connection between feeding and existence, a connection that is more positive than depressing. For Infant Joy, there are no evident figures of speech. This makes the poem very straightforward to some extent. Curran calls this as having no word â€Å"in excess† (6), which have made the poem a pithy rendition of childbirth happiness. Structure and Rhyming Patterns. The poems also diverge in different aspects, beginning with their dissimilar rhyming patterns. In Infant Sorrow, Blake uses a regular AABB rhyme scheme for its two stanzas, but in Infant Joy, he utilizes ABCDAC for the first stanza and ABCDDC for the second. The dissimilar rhyming patterns depict the underlying chaos behind the sweet joy of the infant. This rhyming style suggests the incongruence that exists between what is said and what is not said in Infant Joy. Furthermore, the most distinct pattern in Infant Joy is the double rhyme that recurs in lines three, six, nine, and twelve. This rhyming pattern contrasts with the more stable rhyme of Infant Sorrow. As pointed out already, this signifies an uncertainty in the voice of the mother in Infant Joy, as she wishes her child a happy life. The mother could be suppressing the reality that happiness is rarely attainable, when human existence cannot be described as joyful at all. Other Structures. Both poems possess different structures that also impact their meanings. These poems use different strategies in illustrating human oppression. Infant Joy uses two voices of happiness and the theme of innocence to mask the latent doubts of insecurity in the mother’s voice. The voices come from an infant and mother who believe that human life is joyful and so being born into it must be a cause of cheerful disposition. The poem portrays the happiness of an infant in being born: â€Å"I happy am. /Joy is my name† (Blake 4-5). The mother feels high-spirited also and she sings for her baby. The poem also celebrates innocence by repeating the phrase â€Å"sweet joy† five times over in lines 6, 8, 9, and 12. The repetition emphasizes the sweetness of being born and being so young. Infant Joy, however, somehow masks an uncertainty. The mother keeps on saying that the baby is only two days old. In a way, it indicates that this is the main reason why the baby feels too happy; she is still too young to experience the harshness of living. Furthermore, there is a tone of wishful thinking about happiness from the mother. When she says â€Å"Sweet joy befall thee! † (Blake 12), it is more of a benediction rather than a conviction (Gilham 3). In here, human innocence has resembled a mask, a charade for a mother who wishes a form of short-term happiness for her baby. Blake undermines the happiness of human existence through Infant Sorrow, which directly assaults human innocence through dark symbolism, imagery, and figurative expressions. It is quite shocking that an infant would describe a new world as dangerous, one where the infant’s parents would weep or groan, as if in terror. Parents should be happy when they see their baby, but this poem paints an extremely contrasting picture. This point of view can be explained by the fact that Blake lived in a time of war (Curran 6). Thus, in the author’s context, he was right to say that a child born in such a society only â€Å"leapt to a dangerous world† (Blake 2). An infant described as a fiend is also hardly anticipated. This image is quite perplexing, because innocence has been plunged into the murky waters of evil (Blake 4). At the same time, the infant, who has just been born, already feels â€Å"bound and weary† (Blake 7). A baby should be free of the world’s numerous worries, but this infant is like an adult who has been disillusioned by the burdens of human life. The infant even sulks upon his mother’s breast. â€Å"Sulk† is a pun for â€Å"suck,† which renders a different interpretation of depending on a mother for nurturance (Carson 150; Bender and Mellor 300). â€Å"Sulk† underscores the resistance to the passive role of the baby in society (Gilham 4). The struggles of the infant symbolize the struggles of adults against the oppression from political and economic forces of society. The â€Å"swaddling bands† indicate how people also struggle to fight the institutions that make it impossible for them to enjoy their civil liberties. Infant Sorrow, hence, takes the voice of an adult who has briskly shaken off the pretensions of modern liberties. Blake used infants as the starting point of his argument about human existence. Conclusion Infant Joy and Infant Sorrow may directly oppose each other in the choice of words, structure and rhyming pattern.  Underneath them, however, are the same strong human emotions, portrayed simply with little use of figurative language. These poems possess the voice of a weary and dissatisfied adult who wants to escape but cannot wholly leave society. The innocence and happiness was a mere mask for the realities of life. They also express inconspicuously the voice of a human being who constantly fights the battle against dominant social institutions that trample on civil liberties. Ultimately, both poems remarkably render in diverse ways, the tortures of human existence.

Modes of enquiry - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 14 Words: 4285 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? Task 1 A. Methods of enquiry The following discussions will cover the means on which information is retrieved, construed and consequently interpreted in the modern organisation. For this study, three types of enquiry are taken into consideration. Specifically, the modes of enquiry like analytic-deductive, systems thinking and inductive-consensual are to be discussed. The discussions are to be based on the existing organisational literature. Analytic-Deductive The rational model of inquiry is used in the process of analytic-deductive model. In the simplest sense, this model rests on the assumption that every problem involving the human condition is addressed such that it fits in a formula. This assumption also implies that there is a specific formula that applies in every specific situation. (Linstone and Mitroff, 1995, 43) In a sense, this mode recognises that there is a single truth that could apply provided in every type of problem. Based on that definition alone, it appears that this mode evidently follows a particular pattern in the process of enquiry. Hence, one could surmise that this mode is rather mechanical and even unyielding. At some degree, the lack of flexibility or even the chance to change directions in the last minute is out of the question. This is the weakness of this mode. It presupposes that the every enquiry goes through a particular process and that it also presupposes that every process fits that particular situatio n. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Modes of enquiry" essay for you Create order Another area on which this mode shows some shortcomings is the fact that it does not consider all aspect of the information. It disregards those which do not fit the problem. Logical consistency of the data acquired with the needed information is one of the indispensible elements required in the process. (Linstone and Mitroff, 1995, 45) To put it in plain words, the process has the tendency to treat problems as puzzles to be resolved. This means that every problem is solved as there are only missing pieces required to fill in every situation. Every situation is ready to be dismantled and remade to rectify any of the perceived problems that organisations come across. In looking at the discussions above, it appears that this mode of enquiry uses a simple process which could be beneficial in some respect and adverse in others. Systems thinking The Systems thinking enables the decision-maker to be involved in all disciplines and context to come up with the most appropriate actions, solutions or conclusions. In addition, this mode of enquiry enables the management of the decision-maker to choose what he or she thinks would be the most effective and appropriate enquiry system to utilize for a certain issue. In addition, the decision-maker is not restricted to constraints to a certain idea; rather, he or she can provide infinite factors and issues about the given data. In line with the use of internet, the unbounded system thinking is useful since the internet itself offers different challenges and conception which must be given enough consideration to have a successful outcome. One of the consequences of using this approach is that the decision-maker may use factors which may be irrelevant to the issue given. In this manner, problems in having more conflicting issues may provide difficulties for the decision maker to efficiently decide on the problem or issues. In addition, with too many options developed with this system, the decision-maker will not be able to critically analyze each which may affect the decision to be made. Inductive-consensual The inductive-consensual system is defined by the process of deducing a general conclusion from the collection o data acquired or accessed by the organisation. (Linstone and Mitroff, 1995, 35) Like the first mode of enquiry discussed in this paper, the inductive-consensual model is one of the simplest types of enquiry models of enquiry. This is because there is an inherent assumption that the answers to issues are based on these acquired data. The Delphi model indicated in organisational literature is possibly one of the best examples of this mode of enquiry. In these types of models, the processes involve knowing the specific problem and consequently arrive at a perspective that will bestow to the organisation a single final solution. IS strategic planning Using Systems thinking Systems Thinking is therefore a way of positioning yourself relative to an organisational or systems issue. People who use systems thinking keep one eye on the big picture and one eye on the detail. They recognise how structures in one part of the system can impact on other parts, and they understand the longer term patterns of behaviour that lead to events and crises. Systems Thinking uses tools such as causal loop diagrams and graphs over time to analyse and describe problems and ways of making improvements. It is supported by System Dynamics modelling that enables the development of a computer simulation model that is able to test alternative policies and future scenarios. System Dynamics modelling provides an environment in which feedback and delays that underpin system behaviour are brought into play with a focus on a particular issue. It combines, hard quantitative data derived from analysis of the system under investigation with other more qualitative information. It aggregates this into a high level strategic model designed specifically to explore policy options and future scenarios that relate to the issue under investigation. Systems thinking and the use of system dynamic modeling is an essential tool for strategic planners and commissioners working in complex systems. It enables strong analytical competences within an organisation to be harnessed in a way that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾makes senseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ to policy makers. It engages these policy makers alongside other stakeholders in a partnership that defines, explores and makes decisions based on their insights. Such decisions are underpinned by good quantitative analysis, but rely equally on st akeholder engagement and an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾intelligentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ use of this analysis. Strategic planning can easily get a bad reputation amongst those who have had a poorly handled experience with it, with such pitfalls as: Getting bogged down in intellectual debates of conflicting terminology and models. Seeing it as a linear process, requiring perfection at every step before proceeding. Ending up with SPOTS (Strategic Plan On The Shelf) a wasteful, academic exercise. Plans are nothing. Planning is everything. Systems thinking offer an approach that avoids these pitfalls and makes strategic planning what it should be a crucial, iterative and adaptive process, helping us judge journeys that are prone to success, not failure. A Systems Thinking model for Strategic Planning Even the most complex systems can be understood using a simple building-block model of Output, Feedback-Loop, Input, Throughputs and Environment. When applied to Strategic Planning in its skeletal form: Task 2 Multinational corporations (MNCs) are businesses that have operations in more than one country. The energy business, BP, operates in more than 100 countries. Corporations that control assets in more than one country are also known as transnational corporations (TNCs). Some MNCs control more money than some governments. Exxon Mobil, the parent of Esso, Mobil and Exxon Mobil companies around the world, is the biggest MNC. Macro level: the most important changes taking place in the macro environment can be summarized in the so-called PEST analysis: PEST analysis stands for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis and describes a framework of macro environmental factors used in environmental scanning. P Political and legal factors E Economic factors S Socio-cultural factors T Technological factors. Can be used as a basis for the analysis of business and environmental PEST analysis is a useful strategic tool for understanding market growth or decline, business position, potential and direction for operations. Political Factors Include government regulations and legal issues, define both formal and informal rules under which the firm must operate. Some examples include: Tax policy Employment laws Environmental regulations Trade restrictions and tariffs Political stability Economic factors Economic factors affect the purchasing power of potential customers and the firms cost of capital. The following are examples of factors in the macro economy: Economic growth Interest rates Exchange rates Inflation rate Social Factors Include the demographic and cultural aspects of the external macro environment. These factors affect customer needs. Some social factors include: Health consciousness Population growth rate Age distribution Career attitudes Emphasis on safety Technological factors Technological factors can lower barriers to entry, reduce minimum efficient production levels, and influence outsourcing decisions. Some technological factors include: Research Development activity Automation Technology incentives Rate of technological change During the past 20 years,a newand fundamentally different form of international commercial activity has developed, greatly increasing worldwide economic and political interdependence. Very few countries remain isolated in the world of business; rather than merely buying resources fromand selling goods to foreign nations, multinational companies (MNCs) now make direct investment in fully integrated operations that cover the spectrum of goods and services. Today, MNC networks control a large and growing share of the worlds technology, marketing and productive resources. Rates of economic growth fluctuate over time and across the globe. While growth is undoubtedly cyclical, the indications are that the developed economies are unlikely to see again the rate of growth experienced in the first decades after the Second World War. The state of national and international economies affects businesses directly in a number of ways; for example, it affects interest rates and hence the cost of borrowing. In times of slow economic growth governments, or their central banks, tend to reduce interest rates to make borrowing cheaper and hence stimulate spending. When economic growth is rapid, concerns for growing inflation, or economic overheating, lead to increased interest rates to dampen demand. Interest rates have a number of effects in addition to directly raising or lowering the cost of borrowing. In particular they have a psychological effect on the confidence of consumers and businesses, affecting purchasing decisions beyond purely rational, or economic, judgement. Company investment decisions are often delayed in times of relatively high interest rates and that can then have an obvious knock-on effect on suppliers further down the supply chain. Consumers too may delay purchases, especially where they are to be made using loans that are increasingly expensive. The housing market, for example, is particularly vulnerable to interest rate changes. Perhaps one of the most obvious ways in which the political and economic environment affects demand is through the fiscal, or taxation, policy of the regime that is in power. Where taxation rates are high they result in low disposable incomes, which can depress demand. Low taxation tends to be a spur to growth. But there are two main types of taxes and their effects may be different. Direct taxation taxes income and hence affects the overall disposable income available for purchases. Indirect taxation, on the other hand, taxes purchases and may, through its selective application, shift demand from one area to another. Employment and unemployment rates also follow economic and business cycles. In times of economic slowdown firms may find their order books less full and hence be forced to pursue efficiency gains through downsizing. IS Strategy Information System Strategy provides students with an understanding of the contemporary technological and organizational issues involved in the management of information technology resources at a strategic level. The role of information systems in providing competitive advantage and the frequent need for business re-engineering that accompanies adoption of new technology are discussed. Strategic IT planning and the evaluation process to ensure proper alignment of technology to business goals are also explained. Global IT issues are also considered. The segment looks at how IT may be used to give firms a competitive advantage. Students learn how to link IT applications with business strategies within an organisation and to identify strategic business opportunities that IT can help create. Different models of competition, such as the extended rivalry model, generic strategies model and value chain model, are examined. Information technology can be used to enable business process reengineering, a powerful management technique characterised by critical scrutiny of business processes followed by their redesign. The different types of business process reengineering projects are discussed. Students learn how to apply the process and evaluate the impact of information technology on business process reengineering in organisations. Strategic planning within an organization must involve information technology planning, to align the overall business plan of the firm. Students explore ways in which IT enables a firm to fulfil its strategic objectives and some of the challenges faced by organisations while conducting IT planning. Commonlyused approaches the critical success factors approach, contingency approach and business systems planning approach are reviewed, along with best practices in IT planning. The segment describes ways in which you can assess the costs and benefits of IT deployment, at the economy level and at the level of the firm. Economic evaluation techniques are explained, as are complementary evaluation methods to examine IT performance. Service level agreement monitoring and the user satisfaction measurement are among the methods covered. Students are introduced to some of the challenges relating to the management and deployment of IT on a global scale. A global information systems strategy can help organisations improve business coordination of worldwide activities and exploit supply chain efficiencies. It is, however, important to ensure effective planning and communications, as development and implementation of global IT systems are typically centred in different locations. Task 3 Potential hard and soft problems on IS strategic planning for MNC Socially beneficial goods or services include public education programs, recycling programs, and public health programs. Socially beneficial products are culturally or socially defined and vary with a countrys conditions. For example, consumption of fatty or oil-rich foods may be considered as harmful in many developed countries where too much of oil and fat is consumed. However, in some African countries where the diet is poor in fats, consumption of these foods may be, in fact, quite desirable. Products targeted at a specific segment of a market, such as disposable diapers, disposable dishes or other time-saving goods. Although these products are highly beneficial for working mothers, they have a negative impact on the environment. Products that could be harmful if abused, such as alcoholic beverages or firearms. Buyers often do not have a good knowledge of the potential dangers of these goods. Sellers, on the other hand, are aware, or should be aware of the risks and consequences of the misuse of these products. For example, marketing powdered milk in countries where water is not safe to drink, can endanger the lives of consumers. Inherently harmful products, such as cigarettes or opium. Socially beneficial goods or services include public education programs, recycling programs, and public health programs. Socially beneficial products are culturally or socially defined and vary with a countrys conditions. For example, consumption of fatty or oil-rich foods may be considered as harmful in many developed countries where too much of oil and fat is consumed. However, in some African countries where the diet is poor in fats, consumption of these foods may be, in fact, quite desirable. Products targeted at a specific segment of a market, such as disposable diapers, disposable dishes or other time-saving goods. Although these products are highly beneficial for working mothers, they have a negative impact on the environment. Products that could be harmful if abused, such as alcoholic beverages or firearms. Buyers often do not have a good knowledge of the potential dangers of these goods. Sellers, on the other hand, are aware, or should be aware of the risks and consequences of the misuse of these products. For example, marketing powdered milk in countries where water is not safe to drink, can endanger the lives of consumers. Inherently harmful products, such as cigarettes or opium. Ethics issues Ethical behavior in organizations Ethics deals with morality rules regarding behavior conduct. and In organizational set up, ethics can be defined as the rules or standards governing the conduct of individuals and organizations. Ethical philosophy There are three different ethical philosophies that individuals follow under different situations in an organizational set-up. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ These are- utilitarianism, individual rights, and justice. Organizations attempt to ensure that their employees behave ethically by using control systems The individual rights philosophy deals with safeguarding the rights of individuals, such as the right to be informed, right to free speech, right to free consent, the right to privacy, and the right to due process. Utilitarianism recommends that a course of action that achieves the greatest good for the greatest number of people is ethical Justice requires that the rules of the organization be enforced fairly and impartially. Individuals should be accountable only for factors which are under their control. Utilitarianism is the most commonly followed ethical philosophy Ethical decision ideology Ethical decision ideologies can be classified based on two dimensions: one is Idealism the belief that behaving ethically ensures positive results; and the other is Relativism the belief that moral values depend on circumstances. Based on these two dimensions, there are four classifications of ethical decision ideologies Absolutist, Exceptionist Situationist, and Subjectivist. Ethical decision ideologies Matrix An Absolutist believes in strictly following the universally accepted ethical principles. An Exceptionist refers to universally accepted ethical principles for broad guidance rather than for strict adherence. A Situationist takes a decision on a case to case basis by studying and comprehending the situation at hand. A Subjectivist prepare to abide by their respective individual ethical principles rather than adhering to universally accepted ethical principles Influencing factors of Ethics Individual factors Organizational factors: Culture and structure Performance measurement systems Reward systems Position related factors Individual factors Individuals with higher ego strengths will not depend on others for decisions making, whereas people with low ego strength will look to others for help in arriving at decisions Organizational culture The culture of an organization includes its values, belief systems, and norms. It is influenced by the behavior of the mangers or the top management of the organizations Performance measurement systems The top management of sears auto centers developed incentive systems to improve revenue performance, and set targets for their employees that were practically unachievable. The employees therefore resorted to unethical actions by indulging in unnecessary and incomplete repairs of vehicles and overcharging for services. Finally, consumers initiated legal proceedings against the organization Reward systems Reward system in many organizations tend to encourage unethical behavior like kickbacks. Also, some organizations tend to discourage and penalize whistleblowers; such punishment systems tend to further encourage unethical behavior. Reward systems should be integrated with the performance measurements systems. Position related factors These are peer pressure, the expectations of the top management regarding achievement of objectives, the presence or absence of a code of conduct, superior-subordinate relationships, extent of resource availability, etc., For example, employees of departments like marketing and purchase tend to face more ethical dilemmas Organizational factors If a specific ethical behavior is rewarded, employees will tend to continue behaving in that way. On the other hand, if any employee gets punished for a specific behavior, he and the others in the organization will not resort to that kind of behavior Influencing factors of Ethics External environmental factors political economical factors social factors Political and economical factors It include factors like government polices, tax structures, and the tariffs and duties levied on imports. Many organizations resort to bribing government officials to get contracts or licenses for businesses or to get into such transactions to stay in competitions. The case of Siemens AG officials routing organizational funds to an Italian energy company as bribes is an example of unethical behavior Social factors Giving the right information to customers regarding products and services is one of the major ethical considerations that organizations must keep in mind. Being ethical serves as a competitive advantage for organizations, as it helps them build up a good reputation and image for themselves. Johnson and Johnson- faced a serious crisis, when a few capsules of its popular medicine, Tylenol were found to be laced with cyanide. Integrated framework for ethical behavior When the ethical/unethical behavior of an individual is rewarded or punished, these decisions become a part of the employee s decision history and this further influences the decisions and behavior of the employees. MCA and Ethical issues Budgetary slack Managing earnings Ethical issues in sales Ethical issues in operations Ethical issues in Human Resources Budgetary slack Budgetary slack is a deliberate understatement of revenues and /or overstatement of expenses in the budget. Budgetary slack is caused by managerial intention rather than by an unforeseen error in the estimation process. The slack created by mangers may also be used for the organizations benefit during bad times Managing earnings Corrupt managers tend to mange earnings for personal benefits. They try to show higher earnings in order to show that budgeted targets have been achieved. In united states, the Sarbanes Oxley act was enacted to act as an external control system to restrict such practices. Ethical issues in sales The samples and gift adjustments in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is the practice to give samples of new products to doctors as a part of the sales promotion. These samples are given to the doctors so that they can try out the drug and also to help them in brand recall. Ethical issues in operations Consuming more resources, providing for greater lead times, or accepting relatively poor quality. Focuses only on gaining maximum profit at minimum costs without taking social responsibilities into consideration. Neglecting the safety of employees. Having unhealthy and dangerous working conditions and passing off confidential information Ethical issues in Human Resources Lack of Job security Increased risk of unemployment Excessive scrutiny and control Discrimination Absence of proper appraisal methods Sexual harassment Recruiting on contract basis Force them to work longer hours Regulating Ethical conduct Control activity Mechanism to regulate ethical conduct Indicating and communicating objectives Code of ethics Ethics committee Ethics training for employees Corporate governance focused on ethics Feedback through performance measurement systems Ethics committee System of whistle blowing Reward systems integrated with objectives accomplishment Reward systems focused on ethics Codes of Professional Conduct The utility principle and the golden rule are intended to be applicable to all ethical reasoning, in all contexts. For practical reasons professionals have found it convenient to supplement these with ethical rules, which address the specific needs of a specific profession. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Commitment to the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is expected of every member of the Association for Computing Machinery. British Computer Societ (BCS) The BCS Code of Conduct sets out the professional standards required by the Society as a condition of membership. In your professional role you I must not misrepresent my skills shall have regard for the public or knowledge. ~ ASM Code of Ethics. Health, safety and environment. (BCS Code of Conduct.) Avoid harm to others. (ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.) You shall not claim any level of competence that you do not possess. You shall only offer to do work or provide a service that is within your professional competence. (BCS Code of Conduct.) Heuristic Methods Ethical behavior and unethical behavior of the Professional Conduct an recognize a solution to an ethical problem when he see it. It does notoffer much management on how to finding a solution when he is confronted with a new ethical problem. Heuristic methods have been proposed as a way of bridging this gap. Form an ethics committee of at least five persons. Frame a specific question that creates the desired ethical dilemma. Construct a scenario of about 150 words that will evoke the dilemma. Construct at least three persuasive arguments on each side of the question. Raise objections to these arguments. Make replies to these objections. Make counter-replies to these replies. Take a stand on the issue and reach a verdict. Paramedic Method Collect data systematically about the parties Analysis the data systematically for the alternatives. Try to negotiate a social contract agreement in an imaginary meeting where all the parties are represented. Judge each of the alternatives according to ethical theories. Data Accessibility Individual Efforts to Protect Privacy Find out what is stored about you in existing databases Be careful when you share information about yourself Be proactive to protect your privacy When purchasing anything from a Web site, make sure that you safeguard your credit card numbers, passwords, and personal information Corporate Privacy Policies Should address a customers knowledge, control, notice, and consent over storage and use of information ~ fairness of information use May cover who has access to private data and when it may be used A good database design practice is to assign a single unique identifier to each customer Fairness in Information Use You have access to the sales and customer information in a flower shop. You discover that the boyfriend of a woman you know is sending roses to three different other woman on a regular basis. The woman you know is on the flower list, but she believes that shes the only woman in his romantic life. You really think you should tell the woman. Your dilemma is that you have a professional responsibility to keep the companys information Health Concerns Occupational stress Repetitive stress injury (RSI) Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) Emissions from improperly maintained and used equipment Increase in traffic accidents due to drivers using cell phones, laptops, or other devices while driving Avoiding Health and Environment Problems Work stressors: hazardous activities associated with unfavorable conditions of a poorly designed work environment Ergonomics: science of designing machines, products, and systems to maximize safety, comfort, and efficiency of people who use them Employers, individuals, and hardware manufacturing companies can take steps to reduce RSI and develop a better work environment Avoiding Health and Environment Problems (continued) Research has shown that developing certain ergonomically correct habits can reduce the risk of RSI when using a computer

Essay about Age Discrimination in the Workplace - 1839 Words

Age Discrimination in the Workplace Harold had been with the company going on forty-five years. There was no doubt that his contributions over the past few decades helped the once intimate business flourish into an international corporation. As his sixty-fifth birthday rolled around, Harold was greeted with a staff party and a mandatory retirement notice that was effective two weeks from that date. Harold was stunned, inasmuch as he had no intentions whatsoever to leave his position with the company; indeed, he was still fully able to complete his duties better than any new hire ever could, not to mention the fact that his attendance record was spotless. Needless to say, Harold was completely taken aback with the discovery that his†¦show more content†¦Once under the auspices of the 1964 Civil Rights Act but soon realizing an individuality of its own, the scope of the ADEAs protection is quite far-reaching in that not only does it broadly guard against age discrimination, but it also helps to protect favoritis m between and among those in similar age groups. However, of all the issues surrounding age discrimination that the 1967 law addresses, none is more heated than that of mandatory retirement. When gathering the effects of the ADEAs shield, it is important for the student to consider the act that a small population is exempt from this protection are those who are bona fide executives or in high policymaking positions and are at least 65 years of age, have held their position for two years immediately preceding retirement, and are entitled to retirement income of at least $44,000 exclusive of social security (Nobile, 1996, p. 38). The ADEA has recognized the fact that there cannot be a blanket resolution throughout the entire workforce without some industries taking unnecessary risks due to older employees. The airline industry is just one area where age plays a critical role in the safety of passengers; as such, pilots are still required to retire at age sixty. However, this exemptio n applies to only a very small portion of the overall workforce, particularly when there is noShow MoreRelatedAge Discrimination At The Workplace Essay2284 Words   |  10 Pages Christina Jones Age Discrimination in the Workplace Human Resource Management Dr. Melissa Mann â€Æ' Introduction With the rise of the fastest age group expected to be between the age of workers 55 and older from 2012-2022, Age Discrimination will likely be on the rise. According to U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), for the fiscal year of 2015, there were 15,719 receipts that filed an Age Discrimination complaint under the Employment Act which was 20.2% of the total chargesRead MoreAge Discrimination At The Workplace Essay1574 Words   |  7 PagesJeanie Gay Lewis Age Discrimination in the Workplace Human Resource Management Dr. Melissa Mann 9-20-2016 1 Introduction An all encompassing definition for age discrimination in the workplace is the practice of excluding applicants for hire or promotion based on the age of the individual. Related to the factor of age, age discrimination is an approach that does not focus on skill levels and job competency, and places emphasis on the calendar age of the individualRead MoreAge Discrimination At The Workplace1779 Words   |  8 PagesAge Discrimination in the Workplace American workforce is getting older. Fact, in between 1970 to 1991, the workforce number over the age of 40 in the U.S. has increased from 39,689,000 to 53,940,000. Because of that, the legislative and judicial developments in the age discrimination in employment have occurred (1). The baby-boomer generation - Americans born between 1946 and 1964 represents more than seventy million workers in the U.S. workplace, and that around 50 percent of the whole workforceRead MoreAge Discrimination in the Workplace Essay 21815 Words   |  8 PagesAge Discrimination in the Workplace Age discrimination in employment is a complex issue which impacts many areas of Government policy and has many implications for individuals themselves. Age discrimination can occur across all spectrums of employment and can affect both young and old. Age discrimination can affect a person’s chances of getting a job, and potentially their chances of promotion or development within the workplace. Age can also be a factor when employers are deciding who should beRead MoreEssay on Age Discrimination Within The Workplace1993 Words   |  8 Pages Age discrimination in employment, also known as job ageism, is a complex issue which impacts on many areas of Government policy and can have many implications for individuals themselves. Age discrimination can occur across the whole spectrum of employment and can affect both younger and older people. It can affect a person’s chances of getting a job, as well as their chances of promotion or development when in work. Age can also be a factor when employers decide who should be selected for terminationRead MoreEmployment Discrimination Can Wear Many Faces In The Workplace.1703 Words   |  7 PagesEmployment discrimination can wear many faces in the workplace. Three common workplace discriminations are in the categories of age, weight, and sexual orientation. Only age discrimination has a specific law named after it. The law is called the Age Discrimination Act (ADA). Weight discrimination is linked with the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to be enforced. Sexual or ientation (Gender identity) is linked with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. There is a new regulation called the LGBT employmentRead MoreEthics of Workplace Discrimination Essay1434 Words   |  6 PagesWorkplace ethics are standards or codes that determines right and wrong moral behavior in the work environment. Discrimination is defined as â€Å"the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.† (Oxford Dictionary) Workplace discrimination deals with issues such as religion, race, gender, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Covering all of these issues is beyond the scope of this paper, therefore, I will focus onRead MoreWhen People Think Of Discrimination, They Tend To Think1254 Words   |  6 Pagespeople think of discrimination, they tend to think back to older times of slavery, racism, and an underdeveloped country. Sadly, discrimination actual plays a large role in the workplace of t oday. Discrimination is defined as â€Å"treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin color, sex, sexuality, etc.† according to the Cambridge Dictionary (Cambridge University Press 1). Discrimination comes in manyRead MoreWorkplace Discrimination : Discrimination And Discrimination1588 Words   |  7 Pagesfeatures they possess. Unfortunately, prejudice and discrimination occur even in places which, by definition, should be free of all personal prejudices – specifically, in offices and other business surroundings. This tragedy is called workplace discrimination; not every unfair behavior at work, however, can be assessed as discrimination. Discrimination in the workplace happens when an employee experiences unfair treatment due to their race, gender, age, religion, marital status, national origin, disabilityRead MoreLiterature Review : The United States Essay1 505 Words   |  7 Pageshistory in terms of discrimination towards women in the workplace. Such discrimination only increases when the events of childbirth are taken into account. When women give birth, they often opt to stay lengthy amounts of time with the members of the family as opposed to remaining in the workplace for the duration of their maternity leave. Thus, there is increased rates of discrimination towards these women specifically. Often mothers within the workplace receive the most discrimination as opposed to same-gendered

Social Class And Social Work Essay - 1367 Words

The purpose of this assignment is to Examine the extent to which social class determines life chances in contemporary Britain, and explore the relevance of the issue for students on a social work degree. Within this document I will identify and explore key concepts and approaches in the sociological analysis of social differentiation in modern society. I will then use these concepts and apply them to contemporary britain in order to explain how social class influences an individual s life chances. I will also discuss and examine the value of these theories to students on a social work course. Sociology is fluid in the way in which theories become less central to sociological thinking as time progresses. The theory of social class in particular was very prominent throughout the 1950’s-1970’s where social class divisions were seen as central to understanding differences in opportunity and life chances. Social class has been defined as ‘ a division of a society based on social and economic status.’ (1) These theories of social class were developed and studied by the likes of Marx, Weber and Durkheim. The theory of class has been subject to some criticism however since it fails to explain other forms of inequality such as race, gender and sexuality. Although there have been many attempts to link these inequalities to social class, no such connection has been found and other theoretical approaches have been needed from the likes of Andrew Pilkington, Kathwood Woodward andShow MoreRelatedSocial Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work960 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent social-class. In the article â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† Jean Anyon states, â€Å"In the two working-class schools, work is following the steps of a procedure. The teacher rarely explains why the work is being assigned and how it might connect to other assignments† (2). Students are not taught to think for themselves. They are taught to follow their parent’s footsteps into the work force as very low skilled workers. Compared to the students in the capitalist class where theyRead MoreSocial Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work1161 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"From Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work,† Anyon argues that this is no longer the case. Anyon’s study concludes that from the fifth grade, students in poorer communities are groomed to succeed in low-class, blue collar jobs, while children in wealthy communities are prepared for more desirable careers. Anyon analyzes four different type s of schools that all varied based on family income, occupation and other relevant social characteristics. She found that students in working-class schoolsRead MoreSocial Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work By Jean Anyon1447 Words   |  6 PagesIn the article â€Å"From Social Class to the Hidden Curriculum of Work,† written by Jean Anyon, he argues that the working-class and affluent communities both receive a learning-based education, the working-class lacks the fundamentals. Supporting this claim is Diane Ravitch in â€Å"The Essentials of a Good education† stating affluent communities provide classes beyond the essentials, including extra-curricular classes and activities with well-equipped material for their children to obtain. ContrastivelyRead MoreSocial Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work By Jean Anyon1247 Words   |  5 PagesIn the article â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† by Jean Anyon. She argues that there is a seriou s gap in quality and level of education in the public school system. The gap widens as you progress up from working class to middle class and on through affluent professional to executive elite. Based on her research I would have to agree with her. Anyons research revealed that the working class students are not given the same opportunities to learn as students in the other classes. WhetherRead MoreJean Anyon s Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work1245 Words   |  5 PagesJean Anyon’s â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† What does social class mean? Social class means a division of a society based on social and economic status. Now, what does hidden curriculum mean? Hidden Curriculum means a side effect of education, such as norms, values and beliefs in the classroom. Accordingly, Jean Anyon’s, author of â€Å"Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work† claims that each and every social class has it’s own very different way of teaching in schools. AnyonRead MoreSocial Class And The Self1502 Words   |  7 Pagesbetween the social class and the self. I will do this by examining the theories of social class and examining them against Bourdieu’s work. The two main theorists on the idea of social class are Karl Marx and Max Weber. Marx based his theory on the idea that there are only two social classes, the bourgeoisie and proletariat. The bourgeoisie being the capitalist upper classes such as factory and business owners who exploit and dominate the mindless proletariat (lower or working class). ‘In bourgeoisRead MoreUnited States Six Economic Social Classes1450 Words   |  6 Pagesdetermines social class. A social class is any person or group of people with the same educational, social or economical status. Social class can be broken down into many different categories such as race, age, gender, economic status, educational status and many more. Social class can be measured in many different ways such as financial status, family values, appearance, and demeanor. In America there are six main economical social classes which are the: Very poor, Poor, Working class, Middle classRead MoreInstructional Objective ( Lesson Obj ective ) Essay1029 Words   |  5 PagesInstructional Objective (Lesson Objective) After analyzing and annotating documents based on social class in Ancient Egypt, students in groups, will determine the central ideas or information of a secondary source by creating a fact sheet. The students will then make an exit slip of a quote (the students can create a hashtag to tweet with) based upon on their assigned social class, the students must have no less than three historical facts. CCLS/ +NYS Standards and Indicators CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RHRead More The Social/Economic Upper-Class in England in Mrs. Dalloway, Sense and Sensibility, and The Picture of Dorian Gray1383 Words   |  6 Pages The social/economic upper-class in England in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray are depicted through the characters’ lifestyles, wealth, and behaviors. Woolf, Austen, and Wilde give insightful portrayals of the characters by emphasizing their social roles in the England society. Their portrayals of the characters suggest that they are critical of the upper-class’ factitious lifestyles. Members of England’sRead MoreSocial Classes And Class System Essay1182 Words   |  5 Pagesthe United states, social classes is a controversial issue in terms of defining the actual nature of the classes themselves. Many individuals have categorized the society into three elementary groups that is the â€Å"poor†, â€Å"middle class† and the â€Å"rich†. Additionally, a more complex system of social classes is derived from the three elementary classes. In this regard, a four-class system includes â€Å"the capitalist/upper class†, â€Å"the middle class†, â€Å"the working class† and â€Å"the lower class† (Thompson, 2005)

The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 37 Free Essays

This Square in My Hand My father refuses to go with Mom, so I put on the new suit she bought me earlier this month and accompany her to the candlelit Mass at St. Joseph’s. It is a crisp night, but we walk the few blocks required, and soon we are in the very sanctuary where I was confirmed so many years ago. We will write a custom essay sample on The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 37 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Rows of red and white poinsettias are lined up on the altar, and antique wrought-iron lamps stand guard at the ends of the pews, just like every other Christmas Eve. The candlelight makes the stone building look even more antiquated – almost medieval. And sitting down in the pew again reminds me of when Jake and I were just boys. We’d come to Christmas Eve Mass so excited for the next day, ready to tear into all those presents. But tonight it’s just Mom and me, as Jake and Caitlin are spending Christmas Eve in New York City with Caitlin’s parents, and Dad is home drinking beer. After some announcements and Christmas hymns, the priest talks about stars and angels and mangers and donkeys and miracles, and somewhere in the story, I start praying. Dear God, I know it would take a miracle to get Nikki to show up tomorrow at the place where we were engaged, but lucky for me, You and I both believe in miracles. As I sit here thinking about this, I wonder if You actually believe in miracles, since You are all-powerful and can do anything. So technically, Your making Nikki show up tomorrow or putting Baby Jesus inside of the Virgin Mary is no more difficult for You than, say, watching an Eagles game – which has been pretty easy since backup QB Jeff Garcia has managed to win three straight. It’s sort of funny when I think about it now. If You created the world in only a week, sending Your Son down to do a mission must have been no sweat for You. But I am still glad You took the time to send Jesus to teach us all about miracles, because the possibility of miracles happening keeps a lot of people moving forward down here. I don’t have to tell You that I have been working pretty hard on bettering myself since apart time began. I actually want to thank You for disrupting my life, because I would never have taken the time to improve my character if I did not get sent to the bad place, nor would I have met Cliff, or even Tiffany for that matter, and I know this journey has been for a reason. I trust that there is a divine plan in effect, and that is why I believe You will make sure Nikki shows up tomorrow. I want to thank You in advance for helping me get my wife back. I am looking forward to the years ahead, when I can treat Nikki how a woman should be treated. Also, if it is not too much trouble, please allow the Eagles to win on Christmas Day, because a win over the Cowboys will put the Eagles in first place and then my dad might be in a good mood and maybe he will even talk to Mom and me. It’s strange, even with the Birds in play-off contention, Dad has been a grinch this holiday season, and it has really made Mom sad. I’ve caught her crying several times, but You probably alre ady know that since You are all-knowing. I love You, God. I cross myself just as the priest finishes the homily, and then the candles are passed out and lighted while the people sing â€Å"Silent Night.† Mom is sort of leaning against me, so I throw an arm around her shoulder and give her a little squeeze. She looks up at me and smiles. â€Å"My good boy,† her lips mouth, bathed in candlelight, and then we both join in with the singing. My father is in bed asleep when we return home. Mom pours some eggnog and plugs in the lights, and we sip in the glow of the Christmas tree. Mom talks about all the ornaments Jake and I made as little kids. She keeps pointing to painted pinecones, little Popsicle-stick picture frames with our grade school photos inside, and reindeers made from clothespins and pipe cleaners. â€Å"Remember when you made this in so-and-so’s class?† she keeps saying, and I nod every time, even though I don’t remember making any of the ornaments. It’s funny how Mom remembers everything about Jake and me, and somehow I know that Nikki will never love me as much – no matter how much I improve my character – and that’s what I really truly love about my mom. Just when we are finishing the last sips of our eggnog, the doorbell rings. â€Å"Who could that be?† Mom asks in a dramatic way, suggesting she knows exactly who it could be. I start to get excited because I think that it might be Nikki, that Mom has arranged the best Christmas present ever. But when I answer the door, it’s only Ronnie, Veronica, Tiffany, and little Emily. They all but skip into the foyer and start singing, â€Å"We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.† At this point Tiffany stops singing, but Ronnie and Veronica continue to belt out the first verse, and my mother is all smiles as she listens to the good tidings they bring. Little Emily looks like an Eskimo, all bundled up, but her parents’ singing makes her little round face look content. I can even see the Christmas tree lights reflected in her dark eyes. As they sing, Ronnie’s family looks like a happy one, and I envy my friend. Tiffany is looking at her feet, but she rejoins the singing when they get to the chorus again. The song ends with Ronnie holding the last note too long, but my mother claps anyway, and then we are all seated around the Christmas tree drinking more eggnog. â€Å"Maybe you want to give your friends their presents,† Mom says. Mom had taken me shopping many times in the past few weeks, and we picked out presents for the people who have helped me get better, because Mom says it’s important to recognize the special people in your life around the holidays. Cliff loved his Eagles dartboard, and it turns out that Veronica and Tiffany both like the perfume we purchased – thank God, as I did sniff just about every bottle in the Cherry Hill Mall. Ronnie loves the official NFL leather football I picked out for him so that he can work on his throws, and little Emily hugs the stuffed eagle wearing an Eagles jersey that I picked out special for her, and she even begins to chew on the yellow beak just as soon as she finishes ripping off the paper. For my mom’s sake, I keep hoping my father might come downstairs and join the party, but he doesn’t. â€Å"And we have a present for you too,† Ronnie tells me. â€Å"Come on, Em. Let’s give Uncle Pat his present.† He hands Emily a box, which is too heavy for her to carry, even though she is walking pretty well now, so he and Emily both carry the present over to me. â€Å"For Pap!† Emily says, and then starts to rip off the wrapping paper. â€Å"You want to help me?† I ask her, and she tears the rest of the paper off as everyone watches. Once Emily finishes with the paper, I open the box and fish through the Styrofoam peanuts and find what feels like a plaque of some sort. I pull it out of the peanuts and can see it is a framed picture of Hank Baskett. He’s in the end zone with a football in his hand. â€Å"It was taken during the Dallas game,† Ronnie says. â€Å"Read what’s written on the picture,† says Veronica. To Pat, You’re on the road to victory! Hank Baskett #84 â€Å"This is the greatest present ever! How did you get Baskett to sign the picture?† â€Å"Veronica’s cousin’s a barber,† Ronnie explains, â€Å"and one of his customers works for the Eagles promotions department, so we were able to pull a few strings. Vinnie said that this was the first request his contact got for a Baskett autograph, and Baskett was actually pretty excited to get a specific request, since his autograph is not in such high demand.† â€Å"Thanks, Ronnie,† I say, and then we give each other one-armed manly hugs. â€Å"Merry Christmas,† Ronnie says to me as he thumps my back. â€Å"Well, I hate to break up the party, but we need to get Emily in bed before Santa comes down the chimney,† Veronica says. As they put on their coats, my mom is putting their presents into a holiday bag with fancy handles and thanking everyone for coming over, saying, â€Å"You don’t know how much it means to Pat and me. You’ve been so good to us this year. You’re good people. All of you. Such great people.† And then Mom is crying again, saying, â€Å"I’m sorry. Thanks. Merry Christmas. Don’t mind me. God bless you.† Just before everyone leaves, Tiffany grabs my hand, kisses me on the cheek, and says, â€Å"Merry Christmas, Pat.† When she pulls her palm away from mine, I have a square in my hand, but the look in Tiffany’s eyes commands silence, so I stick the square in my pocket and say goodbye to Ronnie’s family. I help my mother clean up the wrapping paper and empty eggnog mugs, and then she catches me under the mistletoe in the hallway. She’s pointing up and smiling, so I kiss her good night, and she reaches up to hug me. â€Å"I’m so glad I have you in my life right now, Pat,† my mother says to me, flexing her arm muscles so hard, pulling my head down so that her shoulder juts up into my throat and it becomes a little harder to breathe. In my room, by the light of the electric Christmas candle Mom has stuck in my window for the holiday season, I unfold the note Tiffany passed me. How to cite The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 37, Essay examples

Social Order Versus Personal F Essay Example For Students

Social Order Versus Personal F Essay Social Order Versus Personal FulfillmentIn the regal, and superficial high-class New York world presented in The Age of Innocence there is one particular, unchallenged rule of social order. This rule of complete social grace has been, instead of branded in stone, been impounded deeply in the minds of every generation raised under the canopy of money and fashion. The desire for etiquette is so overwhelming that it manages to suppress the simple human yearnings for personal fulfillment, otherwise enjoyed by those not imprisoned by clothes or cash. This conflict between society and human emotion is extremely prevalent. From the beginning of the tale, the description of old New York and its inhabitants seems rigid. The people are bent on their customs and beliefs. From the promptness of the Beaufort Ball, the inflexibility of decorum (including dress, meals, and room presentation), and all relationships, personal or business. The severity of the conformity makes the presence of radicals such as Ellen, Mrs. Mingott, and even Newland, fodder for subversive scandal and gossip. But these radicals are merely people who are unyielding to the harness of the rich. They have attempted to achieve their own satisfaction, however unsavory to the rest of the order. Ellen and Newlands personal feelings for each other are passionate, burning, and intensely primitive. The impact an unmasked relationship would have is extremely far-reaching. It would be devastating to Newlands wife, May. The waves would also be felt internationally by Ellens husband in Poland. Newland and Ellen would be ostracized by the entire upper-rank, ruining not only their own lives, but others as well. The complex set of rules and regulations that accompany living in such a society is analogous to a house of cards. If one card is disturbed, the entire thing may crash down. The effect of diversion is foreshadowed by the treachery of Julius Beaufort. He debauches the whole system and gains the scorn of all the other elitists. Further scandal is achieved by Mrs. Regina Beaufort when she abandons her husband in time of crisis and attempts to get the backing of her maiden family. The rules are broken and the aftermath felt far and wide. Similar catastrophe would follow if Newland and Ellen decide to fulfill their personal desire. They do realize the consequences and therefore remain reticent about their affair, and eventually gave up all hope and stay within the confines of social order. Edith Whartons message about social order versus personal fulfillment can be summarized in the statement The good of the many, outweighs the good of the few. Many would be hurt, and the delicate balance of the high-ranks would be disturbed if a few key characters were allowed to act on their own impulses. The main characters understand this balance and realize the futile nature of rebellion and resign themselves to abandoning their ambition and then fall in with the pattern of normal life.