The Joy Luck Club Essays (1072 words) - Chinatown, San Francisco

The Joy Luck Club The Joy Luck Club By Amy Tan Is it fair to judge someone by their sex? In traditional Chinese culture, many judgments were made about a person just by observing their sex. The woman was looked upon as an inferior being. They had little or no status in society, and little was expected from them. They were discriminated against when they tried to stand up for themselves. Chinese culture was customarily male dominated. The male was expected to do most of the work, and the woman was expected to stay at home with their mouth shut. This custom leaves an unwelcome feeling in a woman's heart. They feel like no one cares, and it makes it much harder to live with an optimistic view on life. In the novel, The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan, reviews the lives of three Chinese women, Ann-Mei Hsu, Lindo Jong, and Ying Ying St. Clair. These women grow up in traditional Chinese homes, where there is sexism. They deal with serious problems that corrupt their lives. Through perseverance and the passing of time their lives return to normal. Ann-Mei, Lindo, and Ying Ying are subjugated by males because of their sex, and Chinese tradition. Ann-Mei was oppressed in many ways. Her mother was invited to spend time at the home of a wealthy merchant named Wu Tsing. At night he would come into Ann-Mei's mother's room and rape her. Despite emotionally scaring Ann-Mei this demonstrates the lack of respect for a women in China. Ann-Mei's mother is forced into concubinage because of her lack of power as a women. She becomes the third wife. As a third wife she maintains very little status in the home of Wu Tsing. Ann-Mei's family disowns her mother because by becoming a third wife she has brought shame to her family. ?When I was a young girl in China, my grandmother told me my mother was a ghost?. Ann-Mei is told to forget about her mother and move on in her life. The fact that Ann-Mei is told to forget her mother because she has become something she could not control, is preposterous. She was raped and forced into concubinage. The lack of appreciation for a female causes this feeling of shame for the Mei family. Since rape and polygamy is accepted in China, it makes it appear that what Ann-Mei's mother has done is wrong, and what Wu Tsing did was right and normal. Ann-Mei's daughter Rose, reaps the disadvantages of being a woman because she feels that she can't make decisions. ?...Ted decided where we went on vacation. He decided what new furniture we should buy...We used to discuss some of these matters, but we both knew the question would boil down to my saying, ?Ted, you decide.'? This illustrates Rose's disability to be assertive, and her dependence on a male. The life of Ann-Mei demonstrated how women were undervalued in society. The story of Lindo Jong allegorizes how women were discriminated against. At the very young age of twelve, Lindo is betrothed to Tyan-yu. This is an example of the insignificance of a female's feelings. Nobody wants to have an arranged marriage. Marriage is sacred, and is supposed to be exercised by two people who are in love with each other. This is an act of extreme unfairness to Lindo. This shows how an accepted Chinese practice is in actuality hurtful toward the female sex. ?I [Lindo] once sacrificed my life to keep my parents' promise?. Here, Lindo is talking about her arranged, loveless marriage. Chinese tradition is restricting Lindo from being her own person, and living her own life. She is unable to make her own decisions. Lindo is so willing to sacrifice her life in order to preserve the honor of her parents. There is no honor in forcing someone to be unhappy. On another note, Lindo was quickly blamed for not having children. Actually, their lack of offspring resulted from Tyan-yu's lack of interaction with Lindo. It was impossible for Lindo to stand up for herself because no matter what, the male would be believed over the female. Lindo is a perfect example of how Chinese tradition prohibited the female

A Profile of Henry VIII of England

A Profile of Henry VIII of England Henry VIII was King of England from 1509 to 1547. An athletic young man who famously grew much larger later in life, he is best known for having six wives (part of his quest for a male heir) and breaking the English church away from Roman Catholicism. He is arguably the most famous English monarch of all time. Early Life Henry VIII, born June 28, 1491, was the second son of Henry VII. Henry originally had an older brother, Arthur, but he died in 1502, leaving Henry heir to the throne. As a youth, Henry was tall and athletic, frequently engaged in hunting and sport, but also intelligent and academic. He spoke several languages and studied the arts and theological debate. As king, he wrote (with help) a text refuting the claims of Martin Luther, which resulted in the Pope granting Henry the title of Defender of the Faith. Henry became king on the death of his father in 1509 and was welcomed by his kingdom as a dynamic young man. Early Years on the Throne, War, and Wolsey Shortly after acceding to the throne, Henry VIII married Arthur’s widow Catherine of Aragon. He then became active in international and military affairs, pursuing a campaign against France. This was organized by Thomas Wolsey. By 1515, Wolsey had been promoted to Archbishop, Cardinal, and Chief Minister. For much of his early reign, Henry ruled from a distance through the greatly capable Wolsey, who became one of the most powerful ministers in English history and a friend of the king. Some wondered if Wolsey was in charge of Henry, but this was never the case, and the king was always consulted on key matters. Wolsey and Henry pursued a diplomatic and military policy designed to raise England’s (and thus Henry’s) profile in European affairs, which was dominated by the Spanish-Franco-Habsburg rivalry. Henry displayed little military ability in wars against France, living off one victory at the Battle of the Spurs. After Spain and the Holy Roman Empire became united under Emperor Charles V, and French power was temporarily checked, England became sidelined. Wolsey Grows Unpopular Attempts by Wolsey to change England’s alliances to maintain a position of importance brought a backlash, damaging vital income from the English-Netherlands cloth trade. There was upset at home, too, with the regime growing unpopular thanks partly to demands for more taxation. Opposition to a special tax in 1524 was so strong the king had to cancel it, blaming Wolsey. It was at this stage in his rule that Henry VIII entered into a new policy, one which would dominate the rest of his rule: his marriages. Catherine, Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII’s Need for an Heir Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon had produced just one surviving child: a girl called Mary. As the Tudor line was recent to the English throne, which had little experience of female rule, no one knew if a woman would be accepted. Henry was worried and desperate for a male heir. He had also grown tired of Catherine and fascinated by a woman at the court called Anne Boleyn, sister of one of his mistresses. Anne didn’t want to simply be a mistress, but queen instead. Henry may also have been convinced his marriage to his brother’s widow was a crime in Gods eyes, as proved by his dying children. Henry decided to solve the matter by requesting a divorce from Pope Clement VII. After seeking this, he decided to marry Anne. Popes had granted divorces in the past, but now there were problems. Catherine was an aunt to the Holy Roman Emperor, who would be offended by Catherine being shunted to the side, and to whom Clement was subservient. Furthermore, Henry had obtained, at cost, special permission from a previous Pope to marry Catherine, and Clement was loathe to challenge a previous papal action. Permission was refused and Clement dragged a court decision out, leaving Henry worried about how to proceed. Fall of Wolsey, Rise of Cromwell, Breach With Rome With Wolsey growing unpopular and failing to negotiate a settlement with the Pope, Henry removed him. A new man of considerable ability now rose to power: Thomas Cromwell. He took control of the royal council in 1532 and engineered a solution which would cause a revolution in English religion and kingship. The solution was a breach with Rome, replacing the Pope as the head of the church in England with the English king himself. In January 1532, Henry married Anne. In May, a new Archbishop declared the previous marriage voided. The Pope excommunicated Henry soon after, but this had little effect. The English Reformation Cromwell’s break with Rome was the start of the English Reformation. This wasn’t simply a switch to Protestantism, as Henry VIII had been a passionate Catholic and he took time to come to terms with the changes he made. Consequently, England’s church, which was altered by a series of laws and bought tightly under the control of the king, was a halfway house between Catholic and Protestant. However, some English ministers refused to accept the change and a number were executed for doing so, including Wolsey’s successor, Thomas More. The monasteries were dissolved, their wealth going to the crown. Six Wives of Henry VIII The divorce of Catherine and the marriage to Anne was the start of a quest by Henry to produce a male heir which led to his marriages to six wives. Anne was executed for alleged adultery after court intrigue and only producing a girl, the future Elizabeth I. The next wife was Jane Seymour, who died in childbirth producing the future Edward VI. There was then a politically-motivated marriage to Anne of Cleves, but Henry detested her. They were divorced. A few years later, Henry married Catherine Howard, who was later executed for adultery. Henry’s final wife was to be Catherine Parr. She outlived him and was still his wife at the time of Henrys death. Final Years of Henry VIII Henry grew ill and fat, and possibly paranoid. Historians have debated the extent to which he was manipulated by his court and the extent to which he manipulated them. He has been called a sad and bitter figure. He ruled without a key minister once Cromwell fell from grace, attempting to stop religious dissension and maintain the identity of a glorious king. After a final campaign against Scotland and France, Henry died on January 28, 1547. Monster or Great King? Henry VIII is one of England’s most divisive monarchs. He is most famous for his six marriages, which caused two wives to be executed. He is sometimes called a monster for this and for executing more leading men than any other English monarch on alleged charges of treason. He was aided by some of the greatest minds of his day, but he turned against them. He was arrogant and egotistical. He is both attacked and praised for being the architect of England’s Reformation, which brought the church under crown control but also caused dissension which would lead to further bloodshed. Having increased the holdings of the crown by dissolving the monasteries, he then wasted resources on failed campaigning in France. Henry VIIIs reign was the height of direct monarchical power in England. However, in practice, Cromwell’s policies enlarged Henry’s power but also bound him tighter to Parliament. Henry tried throughout his reign to enhance the image of the throne, making war partly to increase his stature and building up the English navy to do so. He was a fondly-remembered king among many of his subjects. Historian G. R. Elton concluded that Henry was not a great king, for, while a born leader, he had no foresight for where he was taking the nation. But he was not a monster, either, taking no pleasure in casting down former allies. Sources Elton, G. R. England Under the Tudors. Routledge Classics, 1st Edition, Routledge, November 2, 2018. Elton, G. R. Reform and Reformation: England, 1509-1558. The New History of England, Hardcover, First Edition edition, Harvard University Press, January 26, 1978.

Key Consumer Psychology & Buying Behavior Essay

Key Consumer Psychology & Buying Behavior - Essay Example This essay stresses that marketers view each consumer as a single decision-making unit. They collect information relating to a product or service from various sources and through various dimensions analyze it. The decision resulting from their analysis is the buying or rejection of the product. Marketers look to understand the types of stimulating information that arouses the favorable consumer action towards their product and the extent of their understanding affects their success. This process is in fact based on the underlying philosophy of â€Å"consumer sovereignty† which dictates that the consumer plays the role of the king responsible for all decisions and the activities done by the vendors should therefore be focused on satisfying these customers. This should go along with the primary business objective of making profits. This paper makes a conclusion that the process of decision making means the underlying steps the consumers experience in order to select between the different market alternatives. Alternative products include, for example, different choices to achieve the same set of goals, like whether to fly by plan, travel by train; whether to select regular briefs or boxers etc. This is mainly a five step process. Each step occurs in succession to the previous step without any gaps. These steps are briefly discussed hereunder. Depending on the circumstances the consumer may undertake a heavy research, a little search or no further research on the needs and the available products.

Smart Grids. What is the Buzz on Smart Grids Essay

Smart Grids. What is the Buzz on Smart Grids - Essay Example This essay examines prominent elements related to smart grid technology. There are a variety of ways that smart grids differ from the current electricity infrastructure in the United States. Perhaps the most overarching distinguishing feature between the current electricity infrastructure and smart grids is that smart grids use digital technology. This technology carries with it a many more potentialities than the current system. Another of the major elements that differentiate smart grids from current electricity infrastructure is the nature of information collection. The current electricity infrastructure lacks the ability to determine the specific contexts in which consumers use energy; smart grids have the ability to record this information, allowing for the development of more efficient energy sources. The smart grid would also aid service providers in determining peak periods of demand. This would allow them to more accurately raise prices during high demand periods and reduce prices during low demand times. While this technology aids service providers it can also potentially aid consumers target their peak energy uses, allowing them to more efficiently use energy. Another prominent element that differentiates smart grids from current electricity infrastructure is the ability for power companies to more accurately and efficiently determine the areas and causes of blackouts. There are a number of management, organization, and technology issues that should be considered when developing a smart grid. In terms of technology, one of the prominent considerations is from the consumer end with in-home displays. In-home displays are a significant consideration as they would greatly aid consumers in reducing their energy consumption and allow them to program devices more efficiently. Another important technological consideration is the development of a means of implementing alternative energy. This has already occurred in the Boulder, Colorado SmartGridCity project where consumers are able to save solar power and implement it at a later time. In terms of management and organizational elements the major consideration must be given to coordinating the project in such a way as to communicate to interested parties that such technology is not only effective, but also worth the expense. Management must also consider public perception in terms of privacy concerns. It’s noted that consumer advocate groups have questioned the Orwellian nature of the in-home monitoring devices. It follows that management will need to quell these concerns and brand the smart grids in a positive light. While there are a number of potential challenges to the implementation of smart grid technology, it’s clear that the greatest challenge will be convincing stakeholders of the financial viability of their implementation. This process involves the service providers, but also consumers and consumer advocate groups. Consider that consumer advocates have already v owed to fight against smart grids if they raise customer rates, particularly for customers who are unable to use the Web portals or at-home systems for monitoring energy use. While smart grids are specific to energy infrastructure, it’s clear other areas of infrastructure could benefit from smart technology. While to an extent they have already been implemented in this context, it’s clear smart technologies could be highly effective in terms of traffic systems. In these contexts smart technology could be used for elements such as regulating flows of traffic through managing traffic lights. In addition to traffic light regulation smart technology

The Impact of the Repeal of Dont Ask Dont Tell Policies Research Paper

The Impact of the Repeal of Dont Ask Dont Tell Policies - Research Paper Example Through aggressively taking down the level of sexual harassment and eliminating sexual displays of dominance, the military can become a more solid and unified organization in which men and women are safe and honorably treated with respect. The following study through secondary research will examine the nature of the ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy and the ways in which the repeal is a necessary measure. Through understanding the ways in which the sociological nature of the military will undergo changes, this will be related to the ways in which the repeal of the law will impact military families. The sociology of integrating homosexuality into society will be examined, and then assessed in consideration of the unique environment of the culture of the military. With respect to family culture, the nature of the changes will look at any impact that might occur. The following research paper will discuss the nature of the ‘don’t ask don’t tell policy, creating a background for the controversy and then relating the information to the effect that the repeal of this policy will have on military families. As the issue is intertwined with those who support political factions that support the ‘family values’ platform, the new policies and philosophies that will be included in the sociology of military life will have some form of impact on families within the military. The paper will be structured with a history of the military philosophies on homosexuality and the consequences of those philosophies.

A Short Introduction To The Quran Religion Essay

A Short Introduction To The Quran Religion Essay Muslims regard Islam as a total ideology of life, and Al-Quran is the holy book consists of universal message for entire humanity. Its a source of life guidance, solution, healing and mercy for believers. Alif-Là ¢m-Rà ¢. A book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad SAW) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allah and Islamic Monotheism) by their Lords Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise. [Ibrahà ®m: 1] The Quran is an sources of wide range knowledge includes civilization, morals, social justice, administration, leadership, economics, spiritualism, marriage, family. This Book promotes personality development through parables and metaphors. We have indeed sent down (in this Quran) manifest Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, lawful and unlawful things, and the set boundries of Islamic religion, etc. that make things clear showing the Right Path of Allah). And Allah guides whom He wills to a Straight Path (i.e. to Allahs religion of Islamic Monotheism). [An-Nuur: 46] Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Quran) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of that which was before it and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe. [Yusuf: 111] The Holy Quran is a divine scripture that was revealed in the Arabic language over fourteen centuries ago. We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran, in order that ye may learn wisdom. [Yusuf:2] Do they not then consider the Quran carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions. [An-Niisa:82] Tawheed (Oneness of God) comes first, however the Quran use We which refers to God himself. It does not suggest plurality; rather it presents the highest status in the language. Arabic, Persia, English, Hebrew and many other languages use term We to address royal figure, highest status, and dignity. The Quran are evidently self-explanatory. Speaking of authenticity of the Quran, this book has presented its own answer and challenges to the unbelievers through several verses. Alif-Là ¢m-Rà ¢. These letters are one of the miracles of the Qurà ¢n, and none but Allà ¢h (Alone) knows their meanings. [Al-Hijr:1] Say: If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qurà ¢n, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another. [Al-Isrà ¢: 88] And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true. [Al-Baqarah: 23] Or do they say: He (Muhammad SAW) has forged it? Say: Bring then a Sà »rah (chapter) like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides Allà ¢h, if you are truthful! [Yà »nus: 38] Or they say, He (Prophet Muhammad SAW) forged it (the Quran). Say: Bring you then ten forged Sà »rah (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allà ¢h (to your help), if you speak the truth! [Hà »d: 13] During lifetime of Prophet (pbuh), the Idolators claim that the Quran was taught by a human, they referred to a foreign (i.e., non-Arab) man who lived among them as the servant of some of Quraysh clan who used to sell goods by As-Safa. They claim that possibly the Prophet (pbuh) used to sit with him sometimes and talk to him a little. However he was a foreigner who did not know much Arabic, only enough simple phrases to answer questions when he had to. So in refutation of their claims of fabrication, Allah said: And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: It is only a human being who teaches him. The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Quran) is (in) a clear Arabic tongue. [An-Nahl: 103] In The Choice: Islam and Christianity Vol. 2 by Ahmad Deedat, the Arab Christians in the Middle East had a try to produce Quranic verse alike, not to be outsmart, launched -a sixteen-year project lately and generated selected portions of the New Testament in Arabic, with a large verses adopting of words and phrases word to word from the Arabic Quran. In this brassy plagiarism, every chapter of this new Arabic New Testament of theirs begin with the first verse of the Holy Quran In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. [Al-Fatiha: 1] None has been capable to produce Quranic alike, not even a single verse. Thousands people memorized the Quran during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh), then this memorization went across from teacher to student, from one nation to another, from generation after generation. Today there are over nine million Muslim living worldwide. Every single Muslim has memorized at least several parts of the Quran in the original Arabic that it was manifested in over fourteen centuries ago; word to word, and many who have completely memorized the entire Quran in Arabic, Prophet (pbuh) did fourteen centuries ago. Finally à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge. [Ar-Ruum: 22]

Satanism :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   SATANISM When people think of Satanism or anything to do with that subject, they think of evil. People who sacrifice animals, do all sorts of drugs, murderers etc. But Satanism is completely different from what people may perceive it as. Satanism is actually a religion based on finding yourself and following a moral code other than the one society has made. Satanism goes back to ancient times before the birth of Jesus Christ any of the Gods that people worship today. The religion is spreading and is gaining popularity, not just as devil worshippers, but also as a religion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Satanism is derived from the ancient Egyptian God Set, who is the Prince of Darkness. This God goes back before any of the dynasties were brought. There has been pictures that have dated back to 3200B.C. And inscriptions that date back to 5000B.C. Set is not like the image of Satan, but more of a figure of richness, subtlety and complexity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first cult began at the eastern Nile Delta and quickly spread to the borders of Egypt and Libya. Set can also be found in the Great Pyramid of Giza. It has a connection with the Setian afterlife and the solar life. Later, in the fourth dynasty Setian worship died down because of the start of solar worship. Setians’ started up again around 2000 to 1500B.C. The leader of Egypt Hyksos identified himself with Set.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Pharaohs of Egypt declared Set as being mighty. Set represents the individual who through his own hard work, magical skill, and the use of the resistance of the world becomes divine (www.xeper.org). Set was almost destroyed when Christianity took over and identified Set as the modern Satan. And then bloomed during Greek time and spread as far as Great Britain. Then in 1975 the Temple of Set was founded.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Temple of Set the only followers are philosophers and magicians. The people with the most power in the temple are called the power of nine which include the High Priest of Set and the Executive Director. Priest/ Priestess, Adept, Magister/ Magistra, Magus/ Maga, and Ipsissimus/ Ipsissima. Adept means that a person has mastered the art of black magic. Priests are the ones who keep the integrity of the temple. They can recognize a person for his excellence or they can expel someone for not maintaining Setian morals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Setians’ must be with the temple for a year before they can receive higher positions, most of them just stay as priests, but a few number make it to High Priests.

The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Sixteen

Bonnie never could quite remember how the next few seconds went. She heard Stefan's cry that almost seemed to shake the earth beneath her. She saw Damon start toward him. And then she saw the flash. A flash like Klaus's lightning, only not blue-white. This one was gold. And so bright Bonnie felt that the sun had exploded in front of her eyes. All she could make out for several seconds were whirling colors. And then she saw something in the middle of the clearing, near the chimney stack. Something white, shaped like the ghosts, only more solid looking. Something small and huddled that had to be anything but what her eyes were telling her it looked like. Because it looked like a slender naked girl trembling on the forest floor. A girl with golden hair. It looked like Elena. Not the glowing, candle-lit Elena of the spirit world and not the pale, inhumanly beautiful girl who had been Elena the vampire. This was an Elena whose creamy skin was blotching pink and showing gooseflesh under the spatter of the rain. An Elena who looked bewildered as she slowly raised her head and gazed around her, as if all the familiar things in the clearing were unfamiliar to her. It's an illusion. Either that or they gave her a few minutes to say good-bye. Bonnie kept telling herself that, but she couldn't make herself believe it. â€Å"Bonnie?† said a voice uncertainly. A voice that wasn't like wind chimes at all. The voice of a frightened young girl. Bonnie's knees gave out. A wild feeling was growing inside her. She tried to push it away, not daring to even examine it yet. She just watched Elena. Elena touched the grass in front of her. Hesitantly at first, then more and more firmly, quicker and quicker. She picked up a leaf in fingers that seemed clumsy, put it down, patted the ground. Snatched it up again. She grabbed a whole handful of wet leaves, held them to her, smelled them. She looked up at Bonnie, the leaves scattering away. For a moment, they just knelt and stared at each other from the distance of a few feet. Then, tremulously, Bonnie stretched out her hand. She couldn't breathe. The feeling was growing and growing. Elena's hand came up in turn. Reached toward Bonnie's. Their fingers touched. Real fingers. In the real world. Where they both were. Bonnie gave a kind of scream and threw herself on Elena. In a minute she was patting her everywhere in a frenzy, with wild, disbelieving delight. And Elena was solid. She was wet from the rain and she was shivering and Bonnie's hands didn't go through her. Bits of damp leaf and crumbs of soil were clinging to Elena's hair. Elena gasped back, â€Å"I can touch you! I'm here!† She grabbed the leaves again. â€Å"I can touch the ground!† â€Å"I can see you touching it!† They might have kept this up indefinitely, but Meredith interrupted. She was standing a few steps away, staring, her dark eyes enormous, her face white. She made a choking sound. â€Å"Meredith!† Elena turned to her and held out handfuls of leaves. She opened her arms. Meredith, who had been able to cope when Elena's body was found in the river, when Elena had appeared at her window as a vampire, when Elena had materialized in the clearing like an angel, just stood there, shaking. She looked about to faint. â€Å"Meredith, she's solid! You can touch her! See?† Bonnie pummeled Elena again joyfully. Meredith didn't move. She whispered, â€Å"It's impossible-â€Å" â€Å"It's true! See? It's true!† Bonnie was getting hysterical. She knew she was, and she didn't care. If anyone had a right to get hysterical, it was her. â€Å"It's true, it's true,† she caroled. â€Å"Meredith, come see.† Meredith, who had been staring at Elena all this while, made another choked sound. Then, with one motion, she flung herself down on Elena. She touched her, found that her hand met the resistance of flesh. She looked into Elena's face. And then she burst into uncontrollable tears. She cried and cried, her head on Elena's naked shoulder. Bonnie gleefully patted both of them. â€Å"Don't you think she'd better put something on?† said a voice, and Bonnie looked up to see Caroline taking off her dress. Caroline did it rather calmly, standing in her beige polyester slip afterward as if she did this sort of thing all the time. No imagination, Bonnie thought again, but without malice. Clearly there were times when no imagination was an advantage. Meredith and Bonnie pulled the dress over Elena's head. She looked small inside it, wet and somehow unnatural, as if she wasn't used to clothing anymore. But it was some protection from the elements, anyway. Then Elena whispered, â€Å"Stefan.† She turned. He was standing there, with Damon and Matt, a little apart from the girls. He was just watching her. As if not only his breath, but his life was held, waiting. Elena got up and took a tottery step to him, and then another and another. Slim and newly fragile inside her borrowed dress, she wavered as she moved toward him. Like the little mermaid learning how to use her legs, Bonnie thought. He let her get almost all the way there, just staring, before he stumbled toward her. They ended in a rush and then fell to the ground together, arms locked around each other, each holding on as tightly as possible. Neither of them said a word. Bonnie watched unabashedly, feeling some of the heady joy spill over into tears. Her throat ached, but these were sweet tears, not the salt tears of pain, and she was still smiling. She was filthy, she was soaking wet, she had never been so happy in her life. She felt as if she wanted to dance and sing and do all sorts of crazy things. Some time later Elena looked up from Stefan to all of them, her face almost as bright as when she'd floated in the clearing like an angel. Shining like starlight. No one will ever call her Ice Princess again, Bonnie thought. â€Å"My friends,† Elena said. It was all she said, but it was enough, that and the queer little sob she gave as she held out a hand to them. They were around her in a second, swarming her, all trying to embrace at once. Even Caroline. â€Å"Elena,† Caroline said, â€Å"I'm sorry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It's all forgotten now,† Elena said, and hugged her as freely as anyone else. Then she grasped a sturdy brown hand and held it briefly to her cheek. â€Å"Matt,† she said, and he smiled at her, blue eyes swimming. But not with misery at seeing her in Stefan's arms, Bonnie thought. Just now Matt's face expressed only happiness. A shadow fell over the little group, coming between them and the moonlight. Elena looked up, and held out her hand again. â€Å"Damon,† she said. The clear light and shining love in her face was irresistible. Or it should have been irresistible, Bonnie thought. But Damon stepped forward unsmiling, his black eyes as bottomless and unfathomable as ever. None of the starlight that shone from Elena was reflected back from them. Stefan looked up at him fearlessly, as he'd looked into the painful brilliance of Elena's golden brightness. Then, never looking away, he held out his hand as well. Damon stood gazing down at them, the two open, fearless faces, the mute offer of their hands. The offer of connection, warmth, humanity. Nothing showed in his own face, and he was utterly motionless himself. â€Å"Come on, Damon,† Matt said softly. Bonnie looked at him quickly, and saw that the blue eyes were intent now as they looked at the shadowed hunter's face. Damon spoke without moving. â€Å"I'm not like you.† â€Å"You're not as different from us as you want to think,† Matt said. â€Å"Look,† he added, an odd note of challenge in his voice, â€Å"I know you killed Mr. Tanner in self-defense, because you told me. And I know you didn't come here to Fell's Church because Bonnie's spell dragged you here, because I sorted the hair and I didn't make any mistakes. You're more like us than you admit, Damon. The only thing I don't know is why you didn't go into Vickie's house to help her.† Memory swept over Bonnie. Herself standing outside Vickie's house, Damon standing beside her. Stefan's voice: Vickie, invite me in. But no one had invited Damon. â€Å"But how did Klaus get in, then-?† she began, following her own thoughts. â€Å"That was Tyler's job, I'm sure,† Damon said tersely. â€Å"What Tyler did for Klaus in return for learning how to reclaim his heritage. And he must have invited Klaus in before we ever started guarding the house-probably before Stefan and I came to Fell's Church. Klaus was well prepared. That night he was in the house and the girl was dead before I knew what was happening.† â€Å"Why didn't you call for Stefan?† Matt said. There was no accusation in his voice. It was a simple question. â€Å"Because there was nothing he could have done! I knew what you were dealing with as soon as I saw it. An Old One. Stefan would only have gotten himself killed- and the girl was past caring, anyway.† Bonnie heard the thread of coldness in his voice, and when Damon turned back to Stefan and Elena, his face had hardened. It was as if some decision had been made. â€Å"You see, I'm not like you,† he said. â€Å"It doesn't matter.† Stefan had still not withdrawn his hand. Neither had Elena. â€Å"And sometimes the good guys do win,† Matt said quietly, encouragingly. â€Å"Damon-† Bonnie began. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he turned toward her. She was thinking about that moment when they had been kneeling over Stefan and he had looked so young. When they had been just Damon and Bonnie at the edge of the world. She thought, for just one instant, that she saw stars in those black eyes. And she could sense in him something-some ferment of feelings like longing and confusion and fear and anger all mixed. But then it was all smoothed over again and his shields were back up and Bonnie's psychic senses told her nothing. And those black eyes were simply opaque. He turned back to the couple on the ground. Then he removed his jacket and stepped behind Elena. He draped it over her shoulders without touching her. â€Å"It's a cold night,† he said. His eyes held Stefan's a moment as he settled the black jacket around her. And then he turned to walk into the darkness between the oak trees. In an instant Bonnie heard the rush of wings. Stefan and Elena wordlessly joined hands again, and Elena's golden head dropped to Stefan's shoulder. Over her hair Stefan's green eyes were turned toward the patch of night where his brother had disappeared. â€Å"You wanted us all back together again!† Bonnie shouted at Caroline, and pulled the scandalized girl into the dance. Meredith, her dignity forgotten, joined them too. And for a long time in the clearing there was only rejoicing. June 21, 7:30 a.m. The Summer Solstice Dear Diary, Oh, it's all too much to explain and you wouldn't believe it anyway. I'm going to bed. Bonnie

Leadership Theories Essays

Leadership Theories Essays Leadership Theories Essay Leadership Theories Essay Introduction Numerous studies have been conducted on leadership styles and theories, leading to an abundance of information on the topic. This paper will identify leadership styles and theories that the author has experienced in the maintenance field. Given the leadership styles identified, the author has identified one leadership theory that has influenced their leadership style for an ongoing project that they are currently working on. The study of leadership has identified many different styles exhibited by leaders. Leaders may be of predominantly a single style or may demonstrate the use of different styles depending on the environment that they find themselves in. Goleman (2000) has identified six styles which have been summarised below, however the descriptions of each style may be known by other titles according to different authors. Coercive – ‘Do as I tell you’. Demands that people follow the instructions given to them and leaves no room for their input or initiative. Rules from the top down. Can make people feel devalued and so resentful that they feel no compulsion to help the leader or business. It can however be used in times of crisis, during a turnaround and to deal with problematic employees, however it should ceased to be used when then issue is dealt with. Authoritative – ‘Come with me’. Authoritative leaders build a vision and inspire people to achieve the vision. Establishes a clear vision and encourages everyone to achieve the vision with true enthusiasm. They motivate people by demonstrating to them how their work fits into the larger vision of the organisation, and generally offers people the freedom to develop their own methods to achieve the stated vision. Affiliative – ‘People come first’. The Affiliative leader has a caring, nurturing approach building strong emotional bonds with people to develop fierce loyalty among people. They provide the freedom for people to choose the most effective way to do their work. Affiliative leaders offer positive feedback to personnel providing a sense of recognition and reward for work well done which in turn generates motivation and a sense of belonging among personnel. Democratic – ‘What do you think? ’. By listening to other people’s ideas and getting their buy-in, the democratic leader seeks consensus among personnel in how the work is to be done to achieve their goals and in setting the goals. This leadership method can create high morale and flexibility within a workforce due to personnel having a say in what is happening. Leaders can use this method to put off decision making or gain input from personnel to make decisions, however there is a risk that if a consensus cannot be reached on issues, many meetings may soon start to occur where decisions are not made, and more meetings are required. It is also a style not recommended when personnel are not competent or well enough informed to be able to make sound decisions. Pacesetting – ‘Do as I do, now’. The pace setting leader sets extremely high performance standards and then exemplifies them himself, expecting the others around him to do the same. If used inappropriately, it will negatively affect the work climate by the pacesetter overwhelming employees with their demands for excellence by making them feel as though they cannot be trusted to do their work. Initiative, flexibility and responsibility among personnel will also diminish. This approach however may work well with a group of like minded, competent personnel who have a set goal or project to complete. Coaching – ‘Try this’. By helping personnel to identify their strengths and weaknesses, the coaching leader helps to determine long term development goals and formulate an action plan to attain those goals. Coaching leaders are prepared to assign challenging tasks to personnel and accept the risk of short term failure if it furthers long term learning. Paradoxically, coaching primarily focuses on personal development rather than the immediate work related tasks, however coaching reinforces many factors that drive work climate – constant dialogue, constant and constructive feedback, clear expectations, responsibility, flexibility and commitment all of which have a positive effect on business performance. Although Goleman (2000, p. 87) identifies 6 individual leadership styles, he also goes on to state: Leaders who have mastered four or more – especially the authoritative, democratic, affiliative, and coaching styles – have the very best climate and performance. And the most effective leaders switch flexibility among the leadership styles as needed. Other leadership styles and theories include: Charismatic – According to Fatt (2000), â€Å"the charismatic leader is a visionary, specifically, having a vision of extraordinary goals and the ability to motivate those around him or her to achieve that vision†. The charismatic leader is able to express the vision, both in terms of communicating the vision and through their personal behaviour to realise the vision, explain the vision to others capturing both benefits to the business and the individual, extend the vision throughout the organisation and expand the vision in different ways and circumstances addressing whatever is required to achieve the vision. Charisma is often conferred by followers onto the leader, creating loyalty to the leader. The climate created by the leader is liable to change when the charismatic leader is removed or the situation changes and the need for a charismatic leader is no longer there. Situational Leadership Theory (SLT) – SLT suggests that leaders demonstrate a combination of both task and relationship orientated behaviours in various ratios when dealing with their subordinates depending on the maturity (ability and willingness) of the subordinate to able to complete the task. Blank et al (1990) suggest â€Å"subordinate â€Å"maturity† as the key situational characteristic that is said to moderate the relationship between leader behaviour (task and relationship) and leader effectiveness (Hersey Blanchard, 1969, 1982)†. It can be said then that as a workers maturity grows, their relationship with their leader will also change in terms of the leader demonstrating more relationship based behaviour and less task orientated behaviours. Path Goal Theory (PGT) – â€Å"The theory states that the main goal of the leader is to help subordinates attain the subordinates’ goals effectively, and to provide them with the necessary direction and support to achieve their own goals as well as those of the company. † Silverthorne (2001). In trying to achieve this, the leader needs to be adept in adopting directive, supportive, participative and achievement-orientated behaviours where necessary in order to assist the worker in achieving their goals. The leadership behaviour required will be decided by the nature of the task and the needs of the workers who have been set the task. Transactional – Transactional leadership involves the setting of tasks or goals and the provision of recognition or rewards for achieving the desired results. Bass et al. (2003), further this by stating â€Å"Exhibiting transactional leadership meant that followers agreed with, accepted, or complied with the leader in exchange for praise, rewards and resources or the avoidance of disciplinary action†. This includes a behaviour known as active management by exception whereas the leader specifies the standards for compliance, what will be deemed as non-conformance, and often details consequences of non-conformance. Transformational – â€Å"Transformational leadership refers to a leadership style in which leaders possess charisma and provide intellectual stimulation, individualised consideration and inspirational motivation to followers† Beugre et al. (2006). By clearly defining the organisations goals and objectives to workers, the transformational leader then inspires and motivates workers to achieve, beyond the task – reward behaviours exhibited by transactional leaders, the goals and objectives of the organisation. Transformational leadership is an effective style when an organisation needs to encompass change as transformational leaders identify new ways of working, seek opportunities and effective resolutions to problems rather than efficient solutions. Leadership styles can be many and varied or a leader can sometimes exhibit a dominant style. Generally throughout the research the author has conducted, the more styles a leader is competent in, the more likely they are to achieve the results they are after. The leadership style adopted by a leader in a given situation can have a large affect on the work climate and consequently, aid or inhibit them from achieving their objectives and goals. References Bass, B, Avolio, B, Jung, D, Berson, Y 2003, ‘Predicting unit performance by assessing transformational and transactional leadership’, Journal of Applied Psycology, vol. 88, no. 2, pp. 207-218 Beugre, C, Acar, W, Braun, W 2006, ‘Transformational leadership in organisations: an environment-induced model’, International Journal of Manpower, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 52-62 Blank, W, Weitzel, J, Green, S 1990, ‘A test of situational leadership theory’, Personnel Psychology, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 579-597 Fatt, J 2000, ‘Charismatic leadership’, Equal Opportunities International, vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 24-28 Goleman, D 2000, ‘Leadership that gets results’, Harvard Business Review, March-April, pp. 78-90 Sagie, A, Koslowsky, M 1994, ‘Organisational attitudes and behaviours as a function of participation in strategic and tactical change decisions: an application of path-goal theory’, Journal of Organisational Behaviour, vol. 15 , no. 1, pp. 37-47 Silverthorne, C 2001, ‘A test of the path-goal leadership theory in Taiwan’, Leadership Organisational Development Journal, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 151-158

Free Essays on The Flood Of Gilgamesh

Utanapishti & Noah: A Comparative Analysis In the Epic of Gilgamesh the story of Utanapishtim is very similar to the story of Noah in the Holy Bible. In both stories the God(s) saw the wickedness in man and intended to destroy them. The God(s) favored one man in both stories who had similar characteristics. Both were very noble and God(s) fearing men. Utanapishtim and Noah were both given the same instructions by their God(s). In the story of Noah, God saw all that was evil in the world and wanted it destroyed. He however found favor in Noah and warned and ordered him to build a boat (ark). As God observed how bad it was, and saw that all man kind was vicious and depraved, he said to Noah, â€Å"I have decided to destroy all mankind; for the earth is filled with crime because of man. Yes, I will destroy mankind from the earth. Make a boat from resinous wood, sealing it with tar; and construct decks and stalls throughout the ship. (Genesis 6:12-14) In the story of Utanapishtim the Gods were going to destroy the city of Shuruppak and all of mankind. The Gods found favor in Utanapishtim and warned him to build a boat. O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubartutu: Tear down the house and build a boat! Abandon wealth and seek living beings! Spurn possessions and keep alive living beings! Make all living beings go up into the boat. (Tablet XI; Line 23-27) Noah built the boat (ark) exactly as God wanted and did all that God had commanded him to do. (Genesis 6:22). Utanapishtim also did as the Gods had command him and built a boat. (Tablet XI; Line 32-34) When the day came God instructed Noah to take on the boat his family, himself and all that God considered to be righteous. He also told him to bring all animals in pairs, except for the ones he had chosen for food and sacrifice (Genesis 7:1-4). Utanapishtim also took his family and whatever else he had (silver, gold). He also put all animals and the craftsmen. (Tablet XI; Line 76-81)... Free Essays on The Flood Of Gilgamesh Free Essays on The Flood Of Gilgamesh Utanapishti & Noah: A Comparative Analysis In the Epic of Gilgamesh the story of Utanapishtim is very similar to the story of Noah in the Holy Bible. In both stories the God(s) saw the wickedness in man and intended to destroy them. The God(s) favored one man in both stories who had similar characteristics. Both were very noble and God(s) fearing men. Utanapishtim and Noah were both given the same instructions by their God(s). In the story of Noah, God saw all that was evil in the world and wanted it destroyed. He however found favor in Noah and warned and ordered him to build a boat (ark). As God observed how bad it was, and saw that all man kind was vicious and depraved, he said to Noah, â€Å"I have decided to destroy all mankind; for the earth is filled with crime because of man. Yes, I will destroy mankind from the earth. Make a boat from resinous wood, sealing it with tar; and construct decks and stalls throughout the ship. (Genesis 6:12-14) In the story of Utanapishtim the Gods were going to destroy the city of Shuruppak and all of mankind. The Gods found favor in Utanapishtim and warned him to build a boat. O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubartutu: Tear down the house and build a boat! Abandon wealth and seek living beings! Spurn possessions and keep alive living beings! Make all living beings go up into the boat. (Tablet XI; Line 23-27) Noah built the boat (ark) exactly as God wanted and did all that God had commanded him to do. (Genesis 6:22). Utanapishtim also did as the Gods had command him and built a boat. (Tablet XI; Line 32-34) When the day came God instructed Noah to take on the boat his family, himself and all that God considered to be righteous. He also told him to bring all animals in pairs, except for the ones he had chosen for food and sacrifice (Genesis 7:1-4). Utanapishtim also took his family and whatever else he had (silver, gold). He also put all animals and the craftsmen. (Tablet XI; Line 76-81)...

Prevention of Medical Errors Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Prevention of Medical Errors - Essay Example At whatever cost, appropriate preventive measures should be prevented to avoid the numerous adverse effects associated with medical errors. Indeed, medical errors have been noted to have adverse effects on the patient, the hospital and community at large. First, medical errors cause what the American Society of Registered Nurses, ASRN (2008) refers to as adverse medical events which basically include death and disability. The institution gives an example of a lawsuit in which Beverly Health Care centre in West Virginia was sued for causing the death of Edward Wilson’s wife through a medical error. It was alleged that the claimant’s wife died as a result of acute pneumonia contracted from multiple bacterial infections which developed because of the poor infection control measures while the patient was under assisted breathing. It was also noted that the nurse ignored routine safety checks conducted during assisted breathing. Other than such adverse effects and reputational damage, medical errors also have adverse economic implications to individuals and the government at large. As documented by Andel, et al . (2012), such errors cost the US government $19.5 billion in 2008. Of these, $17 billion was directly spent on additional medical cost. As such, proper measures should be undertaken to prevent medical errors. Understanding the causes of these medical errors would play a critical role in ensuring that appropriate preventive measures are adopted. A majority of these errors occur because of non-adherence to safety measures at the point of care. As such, ASRN (2008) observes that medical errors occur due to incorrectly computing drug calculations, fatigue, time pressures, understaffing, design deficiencies, inexperience, inadequate equipment and failure to follow or lack of knowledge on established protocol. Such factors cause errors involving infusion of high-risk

COMPARE THE UNITED STATES BILL OF RIGHTS TO THE ENGLISH MAGNA CARTA OF Term Paper

COMPARE THE UNITED STATES BILL OF RIGHTS TO THE ENGLISH MAGNA CARTA OF 1215 - Term Paper Example The second amendment is the right to keep and bear arms. This amendment guarantees citizens the freedom to protect their life against oppression of the government by keeping arms (Burgan 38). The third amendment states the conditions for quarters of soldiers. These conditions state that citizens cannot be forced to have soldiers enter their houses whether during war or during peace (Burgan 39). The fourth amendment is the right of regulated search and seizure. This amendment guarantees citizens the right to have their places and possessions searched or seized only against a warrant issued under due cause (Burgan 39). The Fifth Amendment concerns provisions concerning prosecution. This means that the citizens cannot be prosecuted unless a Grand Jury finds it legitimate to do so. Citizens should also not be compelled to testify against themselves (Burgan 39). The sixth amendment secures citizens the right to a speedy public trial by a jury that is unbiased. The citizen should have the opportunity to see the witness of the prosecution and to present his own witnesses (Burgan 40). The seventh amendment guarantees citizens involved in suits where the value exceeds twenty dollars a trial by a jury (Burgan 41). The eighth amendment protects US citizens against unnecessarily large amounts for bail, expensive fines or cruel punishment (Burgan 41). The ninth amendment protects citizens’ rights against other rights specified in the Constitution (Burgan 41). The tenth amendment protects citizens against the federal government by only giving it rights specifically mentioned in the Constitution (Burgan 41). 2. The Magna Carta of 1215 was an important charter signed by King John of England on 15 June 1215 after barons who had become dissatisfied with the king’s exploitative form of governance and exorbitant taxes had besieged him in his palace at Windsor (Drew 139). The Magna Charter is important because it restricted the absolute powers of the king and helped t o make the parliament more powerful. Primarily, the charter was intended to modify the feudal relationships between the king and the barons in the kingdom but down the centuries the terms of the charter and the freedoms granted to citizens under it have become a cornerstone for citizens’ rights and freedoms around the world. The document became the basis of the constitutional form of government (Drew 139). Originally, the Magna Carta contained 37 laws but most of these have been lost over the centuries. The most important of the laws that is in existence today is the freedom of citizens to be protected against forcible imprisonment or possession of property by the government. Among other freedoms guaranteed by the Magna Carta were the independence of the Church and its protection against interference of any kind from the king. The Magna Carta also transferred the right to impose taxes to the parliament. Citizens were also given the right to due process and protection from arb itrary punishment and seizure (Drew 139). 3. The Magna Carta of 1215 was written by Archbishop Stephen Langton of Canterbury and was signed by King John. It was originally called Articles of the Barons. The document was signed under pressure from the feudal barons who had united against the oppressive governance of the king (Drew 139). The Bill of