Essay on The Influences of Media on Establishing Teenage...

YOUTH CULTURE IN A YOUNG TEENAGE GIRLS LIFE Introduction As teenage girls seek to establish a sense of self, teens may experiment with different roles, activities and behaviors. This is an important process of forming a strong identity and developing a sense of direction through life. Mass media plays an important role in shaping the youth culture. As we all know that in the current modern society, internet, television and magazines has become the inseparable elements of a teenage girl’s life. Internet has become one of the most indispensable components of the youth generation. Visual ID A person develops his/her character depending on the environment that they grew up from. This consists of the place and the people surrounding them as†¦show more content†¦The image to the left is of three of the main teenage role models of 2013 and I feel the specific way they look is the image that teenagers concentrate on to create the perfect image and airbrushed looks, that is able take over a teenagers life, most of these role models have become child stars from an early age and have had a huge amount of followers that are aged from 13-19. The media continue to portray the airbrushed goddesses and muscled perfect hair male, young teenagers believe they should look like and are filled with more than beauty and sex advice, forcing young teenagers to play dual roles in society. Magazines Looking over numerous covers on magazines, especially teenage girl magazines, you will that the majority of the headlines revolve around making yourself look better, how to dress, make-up, perfect hair and the correct style for you. I analysed Seventeen, Cosmo girl and shout magazine and I found that this was the occurring pattern of the content of the magazine, all of these magazine covers featured a cover shot of a celebrity looking their finest with perfect hair, make-up and perfect white smile and all three of these covers featured headlines that proclaimed the various ways teens could make themselves over.Show MoreRelatedAdolescence Sexual Development Essay833 Words   |  4 Pagesadultness. Many factors are matured in the teenage years as an example, one of them is sexuality. Sexuality can be a very important variable in the life of an adolescent, because in this life period the sexual identity is defined. There are three strong circumstances that can define the sexual identit y of an adolescent: The biological characteristic, love and pornography. The biological characteristics are an important fact on the development of sexual identity, a more accurate definition for biologicalRead MoreThe Reality Of Destroying Isis1749 Words   |  7 Pagesworld’s largest terrorist organization? For years, ISIS has targeted young people, particularly teenage girls, to join their organization of terrorism and misleading persuasion in hopes to globalize the spread of Jihadism. The ongoing spread and recruitment of ISIS instills much fear into not only people of the Muslim religion, but the lives of people all around the world. Through various social media tactics, ISIS targets insecure youth in attempts to not only recruit them into their terrorist organizationRead MoreMusic Preferences957 Words   |  4 PagesWhat physiological, psychological and social factors influence our  musical preferences? Music refers to the art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion; however individuals differ in their preference of music. Development studies estimate that the auditory system of a foetus is fully functioning at around 20 weeks of pregnancy; at this point the foetus is able to the mother’s heartbeat and is able to recogniseRead MoreSocial Media s Influence On Gendered Adolescents1506 Words   |  7 Pagesacross the 4 dimensions we have discovered and made the relation on how social media establishes such a significant influence on gendered adolescents. Teens rely heavily on social media in regards to establishing appropriate gendered behaviour. The consequence of this is media withholds a heteronormativity notion, which implies any romantic relationships consisting of opposite sexes are seen as abnormal. Therefore, social media exposes heavily of society’s norms and anything aside from what’s expectedRead MoreExpressing Teen Identity by Using Slang: Attitudes and Opinions Towards the Slang of Teenagers4156 Words   |  17 PagesExpressing teen identity by using slang:attitudes and opinions towards the slang of teenagers Introduction One of the most significant elements which people notice while meeting with someone is the person’s language. As Trudge (2000:2) points out, the manner in which we use our language has a great importance while â€Å"establishing social relationship and while conveying information about the speaker†. Ethnic background, gender, education, social class, age and many other aspects may influence the wayRead MoreWhy It Is Important for Parents to be Media Literate Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pagespeople resume a calm atmosphere, then it should act calm, cool, and collected as well. Sometimes the birds and children can simply be left alone with the television on. Both might mimic what they witness off the TV. Parents must recognize the medias influence on their child before their child’s bad behavior increases. Children grow up with technology all around them. From the day, they turn two years old the infant will beg to play with tablets. Children are asking mommy to get another â€Å"APP† becauseRead More Cultural Images and Adolescent Behavior Essay7480 Words   |  30 Pageshimself/herself through external—rather than intrinsic—stimuli. Accordingly, images from popular culture often provide the external basis from which teenagers will benchmark their thoughts, opinions and associations. Indeed, adolescents will forge their identities largely in conformance with these pop culture images. They perceive such images as the social norm and, thus, as a means to attain the social acceptance that is so vital to their personal maturation. Furthermore, such pop cultural figures asRead MoreEssay on Cinemas Role in Society1719 Words   |  7 Pages Many young people today are learning about their world through electronic means – radio, television, video movies, computer games, virtual reality games and the Internet. In particular the visual environment of the electronic media is greatly attracting the print media in all its forms. How many children read comic books these days? Most would rather watch cartoons, or play arcade games or hand-held video games. We will be focusing on cinema and how it has culturally played a role in society. Read MoreChallenges Of The 21st Century And The Role Of Advertising1281 Words   |  6 Pagesfurther unhealthy lifestyles. Most of the youth are fond of fashion so whatever is being advertised in the television even a small kids copy their style so if there is some unfavorable advertisement showing it is likely to effect the children or teenage. In my opinion advertising industry is a significant source of employment. There are many unemployed person loitering in the town without jobs so advertising helps the unemployed to get a work and earn money for their living. It helps in givingRead MoreMoral Development of an Adolescent1556 Words   |  7 Pagesoften considered to be a negative force in the life of a teen. Indeed, most teens will not choose to engage in negative behaviors such as smoking or premarital sex unless coaxed to do so by her peers. Still, peer pressure often exerts a positive influence on the life of a teen. Often, teens will provide support to one another in times of stress. For example, if a teen is considering committing suicide, her friends will usually be the first to tell her that life is worth living. Impulsiveness 3. Teens

The Powerlessness Of Women In Shakespeares Hamlet

In today’s world, women of all ages are given equal rights and freedom. In Shakespeare’s time, woman’s obligations were to follow the rules of the men and obey the men in their lives’. â€Å"Frailty, thy name is woman;† Hamlet implies the powerlessness of the two women characters in the play. In Hamlet, the roles of Gertrude and Ophelia are very important in that they are the only two female characters in the play. Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark and mother of Hamlet, and Ophelia, the lover of Hamlet, are characterized as controlled and lost in their lives because they are being used by the men throughout the play. Fundamentally, Shakespeare illustrates the nature of Gertrude and Ophelia as powerless victims by the women being subjects of men,†¦show more content†¦[Done in] England† (4.3.66). Gertrude with no control over his decisions agrees to everything Claudius suggests about Hamlet’s exile. Gertrude trusts Claudius which al lows him to control her in the actions and decisions he makes. The lack of lines Gertrude has throughout the play proves her trust for Claudius proving that she has nothing against what he decides. Similarly, Ophelia is controlled by Polonius, her father. Polonius controls Ophelia due to immaturity and her ignorance of her relationship with Hamlet. â€Å"Affection? pooh! you speak like a green girl, / Unsifted in such perilous circumstance, / Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?† (1.3.101-103). Not only Polonius but Laertes, her brother, constantly advise her to avoid Hamlet because he is just counterfeiting love and his intention is to hurt Ophelia: For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour, Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood, A violet in the youth of primy nature, Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting, The perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more. (1.3.5-9) Polonius refuses to allow Ophelia to pursue a relationship with Hamlet nor does he allow her to continue any relationship. â€Å"Tis told me, he hath very oft of late / Given private time to you, and you yourself / Have of your audience been most free and bounteous† (1.3.91-93). Laertes and Polonius justify the importance of the social reputation of their family, and how if something goes wrong with Hamlet,Show MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - The Characterization Of Young Ophelia1681 Words   |  7 PagesToday women all across the globe suffer at the hands of their male counterparts. Faced with discrimination, prejudice, and hate, they are forced into a life of unquestioning obedience and servitude. Unfortunately this concept is not of new occurrence. In fact, it has been the case for hundreds of years. This idea is well demonstrated in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, through the characterization of young Ophelia. As Shakespeare tells the dramatic story of Haml et’s incestuous and corrupt family, OpheliaRead More Hamlet Essay: The Unlike Characters of Gertrude and Ophelia3420 Words   |  14 PagesHamlet -- the Unlike Characters of Gertrude and Ophelia      Ã‚  Ã‚   The Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet features two ladies who are very unlike in character. Queen Gertrude, denounced by the ghost as faithless to King Hamlet, is pictured as evil by many, while Ophelia is seen as pure and obedient and full of good virtues. Let’s explore these two unlike people.    Rebecca Smith in â€Å"Scheming Adulteress or Loving Mother† presents an unusually â€Å"clean† image of the present queen that is not consistentRead More Essay on Hamlet and its Ophelia1968 Words   |  8 PagesHamlet and its Ophelia  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   In Shakespeare’s Hamlet there is an innocent young lady who comes to an undeserved and unbecoming end. She is Ophelia, the subject of this essay.    Bryan N. S. Gooch in Review of The Shapes of Revenge: Victimization, Vengeance, and Vindictiveness in Shakespeare, presents Ophelia as the powerless victim:    Harry Keyishian [. . .] clearly presents in Chapter I, Victimization and Revenge: Renaissance Voices, a useful survey of the problemRead More Shakespeares Hamlet Essay: Observations on Gertrude2572 Words   |  11 PagesAnd What of Gertrude in Hamlet?      Ã‚  Ã‚   To what extent does evil reign in the heart of Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet? This essay will delve into her character, and into the deposit of literary criticism regarding her, in order to analyze her character in depth.    Philip Edwards’ â€Å"The Ghost: Messenger from a Higher Court of Values?† expresses the necessity of the Ghost leaving the guilt of Gertrude to the afterlife:    The final injunction, ‘Leave her to heaven’, mustRead More Shakespeares Hamlet - Gertrude Essay examples2462 Words   |  10 PagesRegarding Hamlet’s Gertrude  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Angela Pitt in â€Å"Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies† comments that Shakespeare’s Gertrude in Hamlet is, first and foremost, a mother:    Gertrude evinces no such need to justify her actions and thereby does not betray any sense of guilt. She is concerned with her present good fortune, and neither lingers over the death of her first husband nor analyses her motives in taking another. . . .She seems a kindly, slow-witted, rather self-indulgentRead MoreEssay on Passionate Gertrude in Shakespeares Hamlet2793 Words   |  12 PagesPassionate Gertrude in Hamlet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Like so many of the characters in Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Gertrude appears to be dominated by passion. This essay will explore this and other aspects of her interesting character.    Lilly B. Campbell comments in â€Å"Grief That Leads to Tragedy† on Queen Gertrude’s sinful state:    Shakespeare’s picture of the Queen is explained to us by Hamlet’s speech to her in her closet. There we see again the picture of sin as evil willed by aRead More Shakespeares Hamlet - The Character of Ophelia Essay3341 Words   |  14 PagesHamlet: The Character of Ophelia  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   Concerning the Ophelia of Shakespeare’s tragic drama Hamlet, is she an innocent type or not? Is she a victim or not? This essay will explore these and other questions related to this character.    Rebecca West in â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption† viciously, and perhaps unfoundedly, attacks the virginity of Ophelia:    There is no more bizarre aspect of the misreading of Hamlet’s character than the assumptionRead MoreRomeo And Juliet Ambition Essay1848 Words   |  8 PagesThe beautiful thing about Shakespeare’s writings is that while they may not be canonically connected, they share similar aspects in terms of central themes or driving forces. This is most notable in many of Shakespeare’s tragedies since he uses many of the same faults of man to create a tragic ending. One of these recurring fatal flaws is ambition, and interestingly enough, Shakespeare crafts his work in such a way that the characters all show their passionate ambition in very different ways dependingRead More Gertrude of Shakespeare’s Hamlet Essay3047 Words   |  13 PagesThe Gertrude of Shakespeare’s Hamlet      Ã‚  Ã‚   Is Gertrude, in the Shakespearean drama Hamlet, a bore? A killer’s accomplice? The perfect queen? A dummy? This paper will answer many questions concerning Claudius’ partner on the Danish throne.    In her essay, â€Å"Acts III and IV: Problems of Text and Staging,† Ruth Nevo explains how the hero’s negative outlook toward Gertrude influences his attitude toward Ophelia:    Whereas it is precisely his total inability to know her [Ophelia]Read More The Impact of Ophelia on Shakespeares Hamlet Essay2746 Words   |  11 PagesThe Impact of Ophelia on Hamlet      Ã‚   Michael Pennington in â€Å"Ophelia: Madness Her Only Safe Haven,† elucidates the character of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet:    This is the woman she might have become – warm, tolerant and imaginative. Instead she becomes jagged, benighted and imaginative. . . .Ophelia is made mad not only by circumstance but by something in herself. A personality forced into such deep hiding that it has seemed almost vacant, has all the time been so painfully

Mercutio is a unique character in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay Example For Students

Mercutio is a unique character in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay Mercutio is a unique character in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. His relationships within the play being a kinsman to the prince and friend of Romeo give him a curious involvement, as he is both concerned with Romeos defence, and yet is detached from it as he is not a Montague and therefore is not actually part of the feud. He is able to stand apart from the conflict and rivalry between the two families and so is allowed overview Romeos life in an unemotional way, giving him sound, wise advice like an elder brother. His other role in the play is to provide vulgar humour and bring the first part of the play to life. So that when Mercutio dies the humour dies as well. His death shows that humour can have no part in the final stages of the play. Although Mercutios character is short lived his role in the play is much bigger, as his protectiveness over Romeo causes the tragedy. His death triggers off a sequence of tragic events, which ends with the death of the lovers. If Mercutio had not been killed then Romeo would not have been forced to avenge his friends death, he would not have been banished and therefore from seeing Juliet. Mercutios other role in the play is to have contrasting ideas than that of the main character, so that Romeos attitudes and behaviour can be emphasised. For example Mercutios bawdy phrases and expressions of love opposes Romeos innocent romantic love. Mercutios essential love of fighting opposes Romeos unwillingness to fight unless his tolerance is pushed, Mercutios lively witty mockery of everything around him opposes Romeos quiet courtesy and consideration and finally Mercutios cynical view of people opposes Romeos innocent belief in others. He is also important as a device for Shakespeare to express his own feelings and views of Elizabethan society. To get the audience to see the wrongs present in the world. Mercutio first appears rather late in the play in Act1 Scene4 when we have already met most of the main characters. He appears with Romeo and friends in a street carrying masks and torches about to gatecrash the Capulets party. His opening words and actions are very revealing of his character and his role in the play, Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance, Here Shakespeare shows Mercutios concern and intense loyalty towards Romeo. He wants Romeo to dance at the party and enjoy himself. Mercutio does not seem to like the melancholy Romeo, and so wishes him to have fun, be merry and in good spirits, he does not want to see his friend sad or unhappy and so shows interest in his well being. We can see his importance as a friend wanting to protect Romeo from unhappiness. We can see from the very first words spoken by Romeo to Mercutio of the type of character he is, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦you have dancing shoes With nimble soles, I have a soul of lead So stakes me to the ground I cannot move. Mercutio is described as being active, agile, and lively. Although Romeo is describing Mercutios soles on shoes as being nimble, he is actually punning and therefore referring to Mercutios spiritual soul and character. Here we also see an antithesis between Romeo and Mercutio. Romeo who has a soul of lead so is heavy and earthbound, and Mercutio, who is light and free-minded. We are also able to see the first contrast between Mercutio and Romeo, as Mercutio is lively and able to dance because he does not have the burden of love, whereas Romeo is moody and miserable. Here Mercutio is used as a device to highlight Romeos feelings. Mercutios attitude to Romeos lovesick infatuation is not very sympathetic, he is teasing and mocking Romeos attitude towards his love for Rosaline, and believes he should part with this infatuation and borrow cupids wings and soar with them. He believes Romeo being a lover should dance with other girls. Here we see that Mercutio cannot understand the full concept of love. He thinks that one girl can be regarded as another. He believes that Romeo should no longer linger on his unreturned love and dance with other girls. This is the first of many references in which Mercutios attitude of love will be essential in highlighting Romeos genuine love. Mercutio bursts onto the scene with lively and bawdy wit, he mocks love with bawdy expressions, therefore continuing the theme of highlighting Romeos attitudes to love, And to sink in it should you burden love; Too great oppression for a tender thing. Mercutio uses rude words with double meanings to express his view of love, as oppression has the meaning of being pressed down. It seems that the concept of romantic love amuses him. He says Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. Here again he uses a bawdy pun on prick and beat love down meaning give love back as good as you get and you will defeat it. Elizabethans admired word play and punning and throughout the play the young men including Mercutio are important, in showing their wit to keep the audience amused. Mercutios sense of humour appeals to us, his jesting about everything even his fatal wound, which kills him. Mercutio acting like an elder brother advises Romeo to take charge in controlling his own life, If love be rough with you, be rough with love. From this speech we see the attitude Mercutio takes to life. He is his own person, and will not let anyone or anything take control of his life; he lives life to the full, is lively and well expressed. His words are important, as it seems that Romeo takes it to heart, because love is rough with Romeo and Juliet. It conquers their minds and will and they can think of nothing but being together. They are hurt and torn apart because of this love and so they are rough back to it, killing themselves to be together. Mercutios importance as an elder brother who advises Romeo is stressed here as Romeo takes charge of death; he controls his life in the end like Mercutio advised. We can also see another characteristic of Mercutio in this scene. He appears to not care about his appearance, Give me a case to put my visage in. A visor for a visor. What care I. He is asking for a mask to put his face in, a visor for a face that is already ugly, therefore saying that his face is already hideous enough not to need a mask. Mercutio does not care what people think of him, he is an individual who does not need people to love him for his beauty but for his wit and so makes fun of himself. He does not believe in external, on the surface appearances but believes real beauty lies in a persons mind. We also see Mercutio commenting on himself on the way to the party, when he says they are wasting their time, come, we burn daylight. This shows that Mercutio never likes to waste time. He lives every second to the full. When Mercutio plunges into the Queen Mab speech we see other characteristics of him; he steals the limelight from Romeo who wants to tell the audience about his dream and dominates the stage with a very long speech made up of colourful, sensual language. It demonstrates his fiery explosiveness and wild imagination, her wagon-spokes made of long spinners legs, he conjures up this nonsensical fantasy, as an example of his love to perform in front of others, have people around him enchanted and enthralled with his words running out in an uncontrollable flow. Once again his imaginative language contrasts that of melancholy Romeo. He loves to hear himself talk as Romeo describes him to the nurse A gentleman nurse, that loves to hear himself talk; and will speak more in a minute than he will stand in a month. Romeo is telling the audience as the Queen Mab speech shows that, Mercutio is a man of words rather than actions. However that is not so, Mercutio through his actions is killed. Another purpose of Mercutios Queen Mab speech is a way for Shakespeare to express his own views upon the selfish, dishonest flaws in human kind. While delivering his speech Mercutio seems angry at his society and through satirical commentary conveys his cynicism of the world. Mercutio describes Queen Mab as the fairies midwife who is responsible for the dreams of humans. As Mercutio puts together the image of Queen Mab flying through the air in a wagon we receive a revolting picture. For example the cover is made from grasshoppers wings, likewise for the riding-whip made of crickets bones. Maybe this is to show the uneasiness and sickening disgust of Mercutio. The disgust he feels towards Queen Mab by describing her carriage as being made up from horrible insect parts. To show how she tears up reality as the animals are torn apart to make her carriage and grants people what they desire when they do not deserve it. Mercutio goes on to criticise societys superstitions, lifestyle and the way they behave towards other people, Pricked from the lazy finger of a maid, He is referring to worms being pricked out, as worms are supposed to breed in the finger ends of lazy maids. Mercutio is saying that these people do not have the right to call anyone lazy especially their servants. For it is they who are lazy, employing people to do their work, they are hypocrites. God gave them hands and legs to use but just because they happen to have the money they do not use them. They live a life of luxury while watching people do their dirty work. From line 71 Mercutio comments sarcastically that most people dream of selfish things, that courtiers dream on curtsies straight so they may get more money by doing insufficient deeds that anyone could do. Lawyers who straight dreams on fees, are not happy with their status, the amount of money they already get. Instead they are greedy and want more. Ladies who dream straight on kisses although their breaths are tainted with unpleasant smells. They should not eat all those sweets and still expect to be kissed. These ladies cannot give up something less sweets for what they desire as they are spoilt. Courtiers who dream of smelling out a suit, once again they are willing to take money off others to do a job that is unnecessary. They are taking advantage of their position to gain more money. Mercutio even goes as far as to criticise parsons who are supposedly devoted to God yet dream of another benefice. Soldiers who dream of cutting foreign throats, and when awake get scared so swear a prayer or two and sleep again. These soldiers dream of killing men, Gods human beings with high quality swords, yet they turn to God when they need help. How Shakespeare presents the treatment of Juliet by Romeo and Capulet EssayWe also see Mercutios disrespect and mockery towards Tybalt because he is shallow, and not genuine. He is a poser who looks down on Romeo because he is a Montague; he is prejudiced, which causes Mercutio to not be able to restrain his feelings and attitude because of sheer hatred towards him. Finally we see again Mercutios quick-witted humour, And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something, make it a word and a blow Here Mercutio is deliberately provocative and aggressive. Everything that Tybalt says he turns around, twists and tears apart. In the opening lines of Act 3 Scene 1 we can see some notification of what will happen later in the scene. The first three lines set the mood of the scene as Benvolio tries to persuade Mercutio to retire as the day is hot, therefore people are likely to be more quarrelsome. He is warning Mercutio that there is bound to be a fight. This tension and apprehension is communicated to the audience as Benvolio prepares us for a brawl. However Mercutio disregards what anyone says or does and embarks on a speech, which is likened to himself rather than Benvolio. This speech is the typical not bothered, spoiling for a fight, reckless Mercutio. He goes off at a tangent and turns on poor, hapless Benvolio. However this speech is ironic as Mercutio is talking more about himself. Mercutio has so much energy that it has to find a release, which he does by selecting a topic to give a lecture on. Because at present he does not have a target, he picks on Benvolio who takes the full blast of his behaviour. He teases Benvolio by inventing a tough, hard man who is ready to fight, who is violent and a show off. He launches into a tirade and accuses Benvolio of quarrelling with someone for no reason because his head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat, this is an ironic statement as Mercutio is the quarrelsome one. Shakespeare uses a simile to get the audience to imagine Mercutio full of words, imagery and humour. He has so much to say, express his feelings and attitudes that his head is crammed, as an egg is crammed with meat. He is the one who is hot tempered and will pick a fight over nothing. Benvolio unintentionally forecasts Mercutios death by saying truly that such a man could not survive as much as an hour and a quarter. This is an example of Mercutios twisted humour; he has nothing better to do so invents a fictitious character of Benvolio. This speech is important in an effort to express Mercutios restlessness and edginess so that the audience can see he will willingly accept a fight. When Tybalt arrives on stage the characteristics of Mercutio that the audience know and love are emphasised as we see the actions and words exchanged with Juliets cousin. Tybalt is stolid, unimaginative, lacking in humour, and stony faced. Mercutio contrasts his character so much, that the audience immediately hate him when he appears on the scene. There is an exchange of insults between Mercutio and Tybalt. The combination of opposing ideas in sentences is an example of Mercutios quick wit, Could you not take some occasion without giving? the antithesis in that sentence being give and take, meaning that can Tybalt not seize the opportunity without one having to give him it. Mercutio is describing himself, his quick wit and intelligence enables himself to mock anything he desires whether words or actions. He therefore seizes the opportunity to mock Tybalt by punning on the word consort, Tybalt tells him that he consortest with Romeo, meaning that he is a friend who goes along with him, like a companion. But then Mercutio twists it around and replies consort? What dost thou make us minstrels? meaning musicians in a band, servants of Romeo, a low life. He then puns on Tybalts words again when Romeo arrives on the scene, when Tybalt says here comes my man, meaning the one he is after. However Mercutio twists it around and replies, But Ill be hanged sir, if he wear your livery. Marry go before to field, hell be your follower; Your worship in that sense may call him man. Mercutio discredits Tybalts words, he is saying that he will be hanged if Romeo would ever wear his livery; therefore Romeo is not his servant. When you would say my man you would be referring to your servant and Mercutio is saying that Romeo never ever in his life would become Tybalts servant, he would rather die. Mercutio then says go ahead to the field where he will fight you or be your servant. He sarcastically refers to Tybalt as your worship. The audience is able to see in this scene Mercutio and Tybalt fencing verbally. We are able to see Mercutio tear Tybalts words and make a mockery of him in front of everyone. Tybalt is so superficial that he has nothing inside of him, he has no words to match Mercutio like Romeo has, he can learn his fancy duelling and manners from a book, but he cannot learn to match anyone like Mercutio verbally. Mercutio challenges Tybalt to fight because he is the only person who is more willing minded to fight than Tybalt. Also because he cannot believe that Romeo would withdraw from a fight and so allow someone like Tybalt who he hates so much, be able to mock his friends cowardice. He can hardly believe that Romeo would do this, as he does not know that Romeo will not fight because Tybalt is now his cousin as he has married Juliet, O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! Mercutio is astonished at the calm way Romeo surrenders to insult, he is disgusted at Romeos shameful yielding and so prepares himself to stand up for his friends honour. So with Alla stoccata he starts defending the Montagues honour. He replies this sarcastically as it is a stroke you would learn in fencing, to show Tybalt that he thinks all this fancy duelling as a travesty, a farce. He answers wittingly to Tybalts challenge, all his insults revolving around the imagery of a cat because of Tybalts name, rat catcher, king of cats, nine lives, this is ironic as Mercutio describes his fatal wound as a scratch from Tybalt. Although physically it was Romeos fault that Mercutio got injured, Mercutio himself is actually to blame for his own death. Shakespeare gives Mercutio these dying speeches to reflect what we know of him, as even though he is in pain, he humours us at a critical moment. Mercutios dying language is full of humour. He tells a series of jokes about death and wounds, even at death he does not show the feelings and emotions that matter like love. He is not dramatic about his own death and does not show that he is scared to die; he does not want his friends to see him behave differently. He puns on grave man saying that he will be grave meaning not happy, as he will be making no more jokes because he will be dead in his grave. This shows his courage and bravery in coping with a wound. His bitterness and cynicism is emphasised when he shouts three times a plague on both your houses. This is a high point of the speech and turns out to be prophetic. We can see there is resentment and anger in his face, his tone changes to a more serious tone as he fences at the feuding families and scolds Romeo for coming between them to allow Tybalt to strike the blow. He cannot believe that a man who learnt fencing by the book won over him, one who fights with passion, emotion and natural skill. Mercutios death is of a piece with the way he lived his life, as it represents his courage and nobleness. His very bitter jokes and loyalty to Romeo gain our admiration, as he is not involved in the feud. However we see an unexpected seriousness in his voice when he curses the two families, a plague on both your houses, and we see his dying wish fulfilled, as in the final scene of the play the prince declares, See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love! Mercutios death fits in with the way he lived his life, as we admire the performance he puts on even at his death. Mercutio can be compared to a shooting star that is hurled in the first part of the play. He lights up the first two acts as a star lights up the night sky, his death portraying the light extinguished as the play and the star go down hill from thereon to a final tragedy, the play becomes biter and no longer light hearted. The death of Mercutios character was important fo r Shakespeare as he distracted the audience from the main plot. If he were still present in the play the audience would be wondering what comical thing he would do or say next. He had to be removed from the play so that the audience would be able to see the clear storyline and feel the cruel, ruthlessness of the lovers deaths. Although Mercutios death is very moving and sad, Shakespeare ensures that Mercutios death does not have the same effect on the audience as the lovers deaths, by adding humour even when Mercutio is dying. Also Shakespeare would have had him carried offstage to die hidden from the audience. Mercutio is the only character within the play Romeo and Juliet who demonstrates the characteristics of being individual. Therefore he is extremely significant in the play as his actions and speeches can be constantly used as a device for Shakespeares views of Elizabethan society, highlighting attitudes and providing amusement for the audience. However Shakespeare uses Mercutio most importantly to point out the moral of the play, the foolishness of the feud.

Work- free essay sample

This list of specific activities is provided only as examples. Any activities involving the preparation of legal documents, giving legal advice, or providing legal services for another constitutes the practice of law. As well it is been state on Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility that: EC-1. 2 (b) a paralegal shall not communicate, or cause another to communicate, with party the paralegal knows to be represented by a lawyer in a depending matter without prior consent of the lawyer representing such other party. Reviewing the facts: Mr. and Mrs. Smith decide to call their friend, Polly who is paralegal; Mr. Smith lives a message by asking if Polly knows if the grounds for divorce in North Carolina include adultery? Then, later on his wife Mrs. Smith did call the same friend Polly and leave a message asking if Mrs. Smith have grounds for divorce in North Carolina? Because she just found that her husband Mr. We will write a custom essay sample on Work- or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Smith committed adultery. Question #1: If Polly Paralegal answers Mr. Smith’s question, will she have engaged in the unauthorized practice of law? For a paralegal is not appropriate to answer any question relating to any case in progress in or out of the office and this scenario Mr. Smith is only asking for a general question, depends on how professional Polly is by responding she may perform UPL. Mr. Smith is not asking for any legal advice, opinion or asking Polly to review a case or perform a new case. However, one thing goes to the other if Polly responds to Mr. Smith she is not performing any UPL if her answer responds only the question asked above, otherwise she does perform UPL. Unfortunately, it is not enough facts but considering only the question then the answer only will not perform UPL. Question # 2: If Polly Paralegal answers Mrs. Smith’s question will she have engaged in the unauthorized practice of law? If Polly answer she does engaged in the unauthorized practice of Law because the scenario is total different from Mr. Smith question. Mrs. Smith question goes directly to Polly, as know she have knowledge of law and by asking directly she is starting a communication: Polly do I have grounds for divorce in North Carolina? then give to Polly details, if Polly answers she does engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, because Polly cannot give any legal advice or advertise or comment or aid anything Polly is not suppose to. By answer the second question Polly can be without notice giving legal advice about divorce proceeding, and answer the ground for a divorce then she will state what can be the consequences, what is the next step, etc. At any moment Polly cannot regret the help and apply the law it is easy for Polly to respond something easy to do without seeing a lawyer. The statutes on unauthorized practice of law in Chapter 84 of the North Carolina General Statutes, Rules 5. 3 and 5. 5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the formal ethics opinions interpreting those rules determine the extent to which law-related tasks may properly be performed by paralegals. 2. A lawyer shall not permit a paralegal to engage in the practice of law. To this end, a lawyer may not delegate the following RESPONSIBILITIES OR ACTIVITIES to a paralegal: establishing a client-lawyer relationship and the terms of the relationship; giving oral or written legal advice or a legal opinion to a client; interpretation of LEGAL DOCUMENTS for A CLIENT; or appearance in any court proceeding unless authorized by law. The last phrase is the one is important no advice or opinions shall be offered. NC is a state in which the girlfriend/boyfriend can be held financially responsible for their contribution to the adultery. And under the North Carolina Statutes, the ground of divorce include The court may grant divorces from bed and board on application of the party injured, made as by law provided, in the following cases if either party: (1) Abandons his or her family. (2) Maliciously turns the other out of doors. (3) By cruel or barbarous treatment endangers the life of the other. In addition, the court may grant the victim of such treatment the remedies available under G. S. 50B-1, et seq. 4) Offers such indignities to the person of the other as to render his or her condition intolerable and life burdensome. (5) Becomes an excessive use of alcohol or drugs so as to render the condition of the other spouse intolerable and the life of that spouse burdensome. (6) Commits adultery. (1871-2, c. 193, s. 36; Code, s. 1286; Rev. , s. 1562; C. S. , s. 1660; 1967, c. 1152, s. 7; 1971, c. 1185, s. 22; 1979, c. 561, s. 5; 1985, c. 574, ss. 1, 2. ) References: http://www. ncbar. com/public/upl. asp http://www. pa ralegals. org/associations/2270/files/Model_Code_of_Ethics_09_06. pdf

7 Reasons You Didnt Get the Job

7 Reasons You Didnt Get the Job If you’re  searching for a new job, you want to be  sure you don’t  make any obvious mistakes that might keep you  from finding work- especially after spending a lot of time on job search sites. Although most people know it is a bad idea to cancel at the last moment or wear a running suit to an interview, smaller mistakes can also keep you from being considered. 1. You didn’t  proofread your resumeWith just one glance, a resume can tell a recruiter a lot about a job applicant. A resume that’s messy and contains bad grammar or typos is not likely to be taken seriously. You can fix problems with your resume by using an online grammar checker and rereading it carefully to look for mistakes. If you have a friend who is a whiz  at grammar and punctuation, ask him or her to look it over for you. Whatever it takes, make your resume as perfect as you can.2. Your resume is unfocusedDid you  write your  resume a year ago and are now just recycling it to apply for jobs? The days of using a general resume are over. Because hiring managers are busy people, they want to interview the best candidates for the job and not waste time on applicants whose qualifications aren’t a good fit. Rewriting your resume to include your qualifications that fit perfectly with the job description can get you that interview.3. You didn’t write a cover letterHiring managers go to the cover letter first before looking at an applicant’s resume. Even when applying for a position by sending your resume via email, you really need to include a cover letter. Many hiring managers won’t consider an application without one. Remember to include the reason you want the job in your cover letter, and don’t make it a mini copy of your resume.4. You went into the interview coldLet’s say you’ve been invited for a job interview. You’re feeling pretty confident at this point. But, overconfidence and lack of preparat ion has cost countless people a job offer. Do your homework. Job interviews normally consist of knowing about the company where you are applying, asking questions that are relevant, telling the recruiter why you are qualified and how you can be an asset in the job, and doing a follow up afterward.5. You cast  your net too wideOne mistake some job seekers make is not focusing on the type of job itself. Think about opportunities, not one particular job, and you can find yourself employed faster. Maybe you have your heart set on a job with the Widget Company, but you would have to start at the bottom and work your way up because there are no openings for someone with your qualifications. Focus clearly on the position you want to fill, and expend your efforts in that direction.6. You weren’t on timeTime matters when it comes to hiring managers. Showing up late for an interview reflects badly, as does showing up too early because it can make you appear anxious and make the inter viewer feel pressured. Do leave early to get to your interview about 10 minutes before it is scheduled, but find a spot to relax if you arrive before that.7. You got too personalMaking a personal connection with a hiring manager can be a good idea, such as sharing an interest in a ball team or certain things about the city. However, going overboard and supplying too many details about your personal life takes up the hiring manager’s time and may not reflect well on you. Rambling on, whether in a resume or during an interview, can leave a bad impression. If you do relate personal information, keep it in context with the job.After spending time searching classified job ads and sending in a resume, common mistakes made by a job applicant can cost that person a job. Just as knowing how to be a successful job applicant and sail through an interview is valuable information, knowing how to conduct a job search in a practical way is also. Instead of looking at countless job ads in di fferent locations, TheJobSearch does the work for you by sending you email alerts when jobs fitting your qualifications become available. Fill out your job interests and qualifications, sign up with TheJobNetwork, and that is all it takes.

10 Tips for Using Research Note Cards

10 Tips for Using Research Note Cards Many teachers require students to use note cards to collect information for their first big term paper assignment. While this practice may seem old fashioned and out of date, it is actually still the best method for collecting research.   You will use research note cards to collect all the information necessary to write your term paperwhich includes the details you need for your bibliography notes. You should take extreme care as you create these note cards, because any time you leave out a single detail, you are creating  more work for yourself. You will have to visit each source again if you leave out essential information the first time around. Remember that citing every source completely and correctly is critical for success. If you dont cite a source, you are guilty of plagiarism! These tips will help you collect research and write  a successful paper. Start with a fresh pack of research note cards. Large, lined cards are probably best, especially if you want to make your own detailed personal notes. Also, consider color coding your cards by topic to keep your paper organized from the start.Devote an entire note card to each idea or note. Dont try to fit two sources (quotes and notes) on one card. No sharing space!Gather more than you need. Use the library and the Internet to find potential sources for your research paper. You should continue to research until you have quite a few potential sources- about three times as many as your teacher recommends.Narrow down your sources. As you read your potential sources, you will find that some are helpful, others are not, and some will repeat the same information you already have. This is how you narrow your list down to include the most solid sources.Record as you go. From each source, write down any notes or quotes that could be useful in your paper. As you take notes, try to paraphras e all the information. This reduces the chances of committing accidental plagiarism. Include everything. For each note you will need to record authors name, the title of reference (book, article, interview, etc.), reference publication information, to include publisher, date, place, year, issue, volume, page number, and your own personal comments.Create your own system and stick to it. For instance, you may want to pre-mark each card with spaces for each category, just to make sure you dont leave anything out.Be exact. If at any time you write down information word for word (to be used as a quote), be sure to include all punctuation marks, capitalizations, and breaks exactly as they appear in the source. Before you leave any source, double-check your notes for accuracy.If you think it might be useful, write it down. Dont ever, ever pass over information because youre just not sure whether it will be useful! This is a very common and costly mistake in research. More often than not, you find that the passed-over tidbit is critical to your paper, and then theres a go od chance  you wont find it again. Avoid using abbreviations and code words as you record notes - especially if you plan to quote. Your own writing can look completely foreign to you later. Its true! You may not be able to understand your own clever codes after a day or two, either.

Contemporary Issues for Business and Society Assignment - 1

Contemporary Issues for Business and Society - Assignment Example In the current era organisations are making charities, voluntary actions, they are also using energy in a sustainable manner (International, 2006). Global organisations are promoting healthy work atmosphere, compensation and reimbursement policy as per the social and environmental factors. Globalised operational structures are demanding flexible strategic development. Global organisations are making social audit to produce the report to meet the demands of the stakeholders. In the current study, ‘Responsible Management audit’ of Nike is done in terms of meeting the above mentioned challenges. Various UN Global Compact Principles are contrasted on behalf of the Nike and annual ‘Communication on Progress’ report is stated to evaluate the topic (About.nike.com, 2015). UN Global Compact can be defined as a set of strategic guidelines scheme that are aligned to the operations and strategies of global firms. Guidelines are developed as per various factors like the human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. These factors are helping organisations to develop sound CSR strategies and maintain the benefits of their stakeholders. These guidelines are developed as per affects of the globalisation (AhÃŒ £mad and Crowther, 2013). Firms are able to maintain increased benefits for their market segment, and business associates. UN Global Compact scheme will increase the use of emerging technologies and feasible investment option in the global market. Henceforth, firms can increase their contribution on the national and international economies and societies. Global organisations like Nike, is facing intense challenge from the diversified social, political and economic factors of the market. Such challenges are restricting profitability and growth in international market (Berliner and Prakash, 2012). In the international footwear and sportswear industry Nike is holding the leading position. The American based multinational manufactures and designs athletic

What Is Going Green Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

What Is Going Green - Essay Example Due to the massive and colossal damage that the global warming is bringing to the universe, going green is one of the solutions through which the human populace can protect and safeguard it. While going green, it means that the humankind is making an effort to sustain, uphold, and preserve the natural resources, organisms and structures, and at the same time creates an equilibrium and natural stability in the atmospheric conditions. Several ethical values of attempts can come under practice in order to survive and reside a green life, which include plowing of plants and trees in every available properties, promote aforestation, and appall deforestation. In addition, they include safeguarding the wildlife creatures, evade all the prospects that contribute to pollution, promote recycling of products that are not eco-friendly and many more (Brainworks, pp. 4-18, 2009). Few of the natural resources of the universe have come under damage, and now the universe is only left with limited and certain amount of natural resources, which if maintained, the future generations would be able to utilize it, therefore, it has become very important to conserve the restricted natural resources that are present to the humanity. Every individual should contribute in making the world a greener place so that the young generation can have a healthy place to live and survive, and his or her future becomes bright (Brainworks, pp. 4-18, 2009). ... Every individual should contribute in making the world a greener place so that the young generation can have a healthy place to live and survive, and his or her future becomes bright (Brainworks, pp. 4-18, 2009). Benefits of Going Green Going green and adding value to the maintenance and protecting the universe leads to several benefits. Going green is one of the finest and superlative attempts that bring a great deal of help in the saving the earth that is like a mother, as the people have already contributed to a great extent in the immense and mammoth destructions through bloodshed, wars, deforestations, and several other reasons (Sleeth, pp. 345-360, 2009). Aforestation that includes cultivation of more and more trees on unused lands and soils, and discourage deforestation from which several products come under production, and preservation of the wildlife are one of the leading and pivotal solutions that augment the environment to go green. This will help the air from pollution a nd provide a more natural atmospheric climate that add more value to the green environment and would eventually benefit the entire populace of the world (Chiras, pp. 229-234, 2010). Numerous people are unacquainted and unconscious about the fact that the widespread and frequently used household products contain dangerous pesticides that may produce harm to their bodies on a constant basis. However, by going green and switching to products that are environmentally safe, it not only saves the world, but the health of the people will also have an optimistic and constructive effect and will lead to a healthier life (Sleeth, pp. 3-15, 2009). In addition, the houses are important and

Indian Automobile Industry Essay Example for Free

Indian Automobile Industry Essay These include passenger cars which are divided into following 6 categories depending upon length: 1. Mini – Car length upto 3400 mm – Maruti 800 and REVA 2. Compact – Length between 3401 and 4000 mm – Maruti Alto, Tata Indica, Hyundai Santro 3. Midsize – Length between 4001 and 4500 mm – Maruti Esteem, Tata Indigo, Hyundai Accent 4. Executive – Length between 4501 and 4700 mm – Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic 5. Premium – Length between 4701 and 5000 mm – Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata 6. Luxury – Length above 5000 mm – Mercedes S-class 2. Utility Vehicles: Tata Sumo and Safari, Toyota Qualis. 3. Multi Utility Vehicles: Maruti Omni and Versa 4. Commercial Vehicles These are divided into 2 categories according to the loads they can carry: 4. 1. Light Commercial Vehicles – Gross vehicle weight limit is 7. 5 tonnes – Cargo, Tempo, Mini Buses, and Mini Trucks etc. Major players are Tata Motors Ltd. , Swaraj Mazda Ltd. , Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. 2. Medium Heavy Commercial Vehicles – Gross vehicle weight limit is above 7. 5 tonnes – Cargo, Trucks, Buses, Trailers. Tata Motors Ltd. and Ashok Leyland Ltd are major players. Scope of Study and Methodology. We begin with an overview of the automobile industry followed by a competitive analysis of the â€Å"Passenger Cars† part of the industry on the following criteria: †¢ Product †¢ Brand †¢ Pricing †¢ Distribution †¢ Marketing Communication In each of these contexts, we try to compare the strategies used by players in different segments: from entry level A segment, to most-competitive B-segment to niche SUVs. We cite examples from cars that have been really successful in any parameter as well as the debacles. Finally, we segment the consumer based on our primary research and discuss their distinctive characteristics. On the basis of our study, we infer the critical factors for success in market and derive insights out of the study. To carry out the above study, we carried out: Secondary research: We scoured the internet including industry data from SIAM and IBEF. We referred to old newspaper and magazine articles as required. This was primarily our basis for competitive analysis. Primary Research: To understand the consumer mindset, we carried out a survey. This survey was conducted online as well as in 14-sector market, Gurgaon. The survey had 94 respondents as below: [pic] We supplemented the survey with interviews Customer Relations Manager at Orion Hyundai and Apra-Motors Maruti showroom. Overview of Indian Passenger Vehicles Industry Indian economy has grown at an average rate of above 8% in the last 5 years and services followed by industrial production have made excellent contributions to this growth. Auto industry has contributed to the GDP to the tune of 5%. The Passenger Vehicles (PV) market grew 14% YoY to 1. 76 million units as against 1. 54 million units sold in last financial year(FY 06-07). It is mainly on account of the impressive growth in the passenger car segment which contributed 80% to the total Passenger Vehicle sales in financial year 2007-08. It (PV) was backed by healthy growth in its domestic sales and exports. Domestic sales grew 12% YoY to 1. 54 million units in financial year 2007-08, whereas the exports increased by 9. 4% YoY to 2. 1 lakhs units in the same time. Over the last five years total PV production has increased at a CAGR of 19. 5%, from 7. 2 lakhs units in 2002-03 to 1. 76 million units in 2007-08. The growth was mainly made possible due to 2 major factors: 1. The continuous improvement in the living standards of the middle class, and subsequent increase in their disposable incomes. 2. the liberalization steps taken by the Indian Government such as relaxation of the foreign exchange and equity regulations, reduction of import tariffs, and refining the banking policies have played an equally important role in bringing the Indian Automobile industry to present level. Add to this the easy availability of components and competence; the global auto companies are looking at India as the manufacturing hub for the next generation models. India is poised to become small car hub, not only in terms of production but also product development. Global car majors like Nissan, Hyundai, General Motors, Mercedes Benz and Renault have made huge investments owing to the positive sentiment in the market. Major Manufacturers in Passenger Cars Industry in India are: †¢ Maruti Udyog Ltd. (45% market share) †¢ Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (16%) †¢ Honda Motors †¢ Tata Motors Ltd. (14%) Overall, there is still just 1 car per 100 people in India as against 74 cars per 100 in US. Thus, Indian market has a huge potential in future. Competitive Analysis Product level Analysis. Here, we study the product strategy of automobile industry from a marketing point of view. We begin with a study of customer-value hierarchy, of which the marketer needs to address each of the five levels while planning product offering. Then in product differentiation we study different factors on which car is differentiated. Customer-Value Hierarchy (Product levels): |Core benefit |It is the service or benefit the customer is really buying. In case of automobiles those benefits are | | |convenience, transportation, speed. | |Basic product |At second level the core benefit is turned into basic product. In the case the product is car. It | | |typically includes an IC engine, mechanism to provide motion and steering, chassis. | |Expected product |At the third level, an expected product is prepared which includes a set of attributes and conditions | | |buyers normally expect when they purchase a product. All car buyers expect comfort, safety and | | |functional characteristics (fuel economy, handling, repair frequency etc). Other expectations differ | | |from one segment of buyers to other. For a middle class buyer value for money is important for e. g. | | | Maruti 800 but for an upper class buyer where money is not an issue, prestige is the criteria for e.g. | | |Hyundai Tucson, Jaguar etc. Other expectations include good sound system, leather upholstery, more | | |seating capacity, more power etc. | |Augmented product |It is a product that exceeds consumer expectations. It is created by inclusion of additional features, | | |benefits, attributes or related services that serve to differentiate the product from its competitors. | | |For automobile industry these features include insurance service, test drive, attractive offers, after | | |sales service, availability of service centres, easy financing options such as EMIs, wide dealer | | |network etc. | |Potential product |It encompasses all the possible augmentations and transformations the product or offering might undergo| | |in the future. These include latest technology, design changes etc for e. g. Design of Maruti 800 has | | |changed consistently over the years. | Product Differentiation: |Features |Cars are often offered with varying features that supplement their basic function. For e. g. Hyundai i10| | |(a compact car) boasts of features similar to a sedan. | |Performance quality |Performance is becoming an increasingly important dimension for differentiation. Car companies invest | | |hugely on RD to come up with new improved engines so that performance can be improved. For e. g. Santro| | |Xing considers its eRLX engine as a differentiator. | |Reliability |It is a measure of the probability that a product will not malfunction or fail within a specified time | | |period. Maruti Omni is one such car; it is differentiated as a ‘faithful workhorse’. | |Style |It describes the product’s look and feel to the buyer. It is very important because even before | | |performance people judge a car by its look. Swift DZire from Maruti stable claims itself as ‘the heart | | |car’ with striking looks. | |Design |Apart from look and feel, this factor takes into account the function of the product as well. Maruti | | |SX4 claims of revolutionary European design. | Brand Maruti 800, the entry level car in the Indian market, has long been positioned as the family car. While it competes against bigger B-segment cars, its sales have been cannibalized recently by Alto whose basic model is priced jus Rs. 30,000 above the basic M800. Through the Alto, Maruti is trying to move the consumer up the value chain. M800 has also been targeting the semi-urban and rural areas where it is positioned as an alternative to two-wheeler. To see how to manage an automobile brand through its product life cycle, we look at Santro Xing and Tata Indica. Both were launched around 10 years ago, and have evolved and repositioned themselves successfully. Santro was launched in 1998 as an upgrade for the entry-level car and positioned as a family car targeted at 35-40 year olds. In 2003, the product was refreshed as Santro Xing. The brand now aimed to appeal to the first time car buyers rather than be an upgrade. To catch the young buyers in 25-30 year age group, the brand was positioned as the â€Å"Sunshine car. † Sunshine was communicating two intangibles: Freshness and youthful attitude. The brand moved to a Change your life positioning. Today, Santro is facing declining phase in maturity stage in its PLC. The sales have stagnated and price war from Maruti and a slew of new launches in compact car segment have hurt the sales of Santro. Santro is banking on price cuts and sales promotions to stay afloat. Hyundai has recently launched a new brand i10 to take the place of Santro. Similarly, Tata Motors recently launched the new generation Indica Vista. This is an update on Indica V2’s seven variants. Over the years, Tata has invested heavily in product and brand development, yet the sales of Indica have recently declined. This is because the product has reached the declining maturity stage. And to counter this, Tata’s have gone in for strategy of product modification. Indica Vista is Tatas entry into the luxury hatchback segment which is dominated by Maruti Swift and has new entrants like Hyundai i10. The original Indica has also been retained in the product line. These two product lines together offer a wide choice to the customers from price points of Rs 2. 80 lakhs to Rs 5 Lakhs. The Indica Vista has a new tagline of â€Å"Changes Everything† is used to communicate that the brand has changed. The ads are also more tuned to attract the new generation. However, the core strength of the brand remains its value proposition. In the C and D segment, the cars are positioned on distinct personalities rather than benefits or attributes. For example, when GM launched Optra against heavy-weights such as Honda City and Sonata, it aimed at an emotional positioning platform. The brand, which was targeted at executives in age 30-45, tried to communicate Love, Care and Warmth as its core values. To convey this, Optra used an apt tagline, â€Å"For a special journey called life. † Niche cars use their own unique appeals e. g. SUVs such as Scorpio position on their size and sense of adventure. Thus, we have seen that while brands manage to differentiate from each other through a unique proposition, there is some commonality in how cars are positioned within each segment. Pricing Pricing decisions are management decisions about what to charge for the products and services that the companies deliver. In car industry, the pricing decisions vary from segment to segment. In entry level cars, the companies price the cars low and give all basic features a car would offer. This segment had a monopoly in India with Maruti 800 being the sole player. Maruti has traditionally been employing promotional schemes to increase the sales of Maruti 800 rather than decreasing its price. In compact car segment, the cars cater to the affluent middle-class people who wish to graduate to cars which provide extra glamour compared to entry level cars. Due to fierce competition in this segment price emerges as an important factor affecting the purchasing decision of consumers. Hence the pricing decision is not only dependent on the perceived value of the customer but also dependent on the competitor’s pricing strategies. Maruti’s aggressive price reduction of Alto has displaced Hyundai’s Santro from No. 1 spot in 2004. In Mid-size segment, as the customers’ aspirations are more inclined towards design, advanced features and luxury the car offers, pricing doesn’t play as big a role as it does in compact segment. In fact, there is a tag of premiumness attached to the price in this segment. As an example, Hyundai Elantra’s sales dropped when its price had been reduced from Rs. 10lakh to Rs. 8 lakh. Distribution This section is explained through the study the supply chain at Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL). Logistics goes beyond mere distribution management. It is improving the quality of the supply chain itself to achieve a cost-effective distribution mechanism. This is the philosophy which drives Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), the countrys biggest passenger car manufacturer. Dependent on over 300 suppliers for some 7,000 components that go into its 9 major models and their 200 variants, the company keeps control over costs at every stage to remain competitive. This is achieved only through close coordination with the vendors. The streamlined state of supply chain at Maruti is achieved through following measures: †¢ It implements innovative material handling solutions which reduces wastage. †¢ It collaborates with its vendors to localize components supply. This not only increases productivity but also removes uncertainties in supply. †¢ The schedule for indenting components is precisely planned so that inventory holding process is optimized. The schedules issued every fortnight are further fine tuned by an online system for replenishment of inventory on an electronic card system. This avoids inventory build up or unanticipated deliveries by vendors as supplies are made only after receipt of the indent card from MUL. This brings inventory management down to the doorsteps of the vendors, who produce only what is indented †¢ The delivery instruction are revised daily and location wise to exactly meet the assembly line requirements. This strategy is adopted to tackle the fluctuating market demand, accentuated by the intense competition in the automobile business now. †¢ Various steps are taken to improve the productivity of operator and machine and reducing and recycling waste. Marketing Communication Hyundai, a Korean car company launched its first car, SANTRO in 1998. They had many challenges as Maruti had a strong hold over the car market, and people were not willing to accept the tall boy car. Moreover the customers were skeptical regarding after sales-service support and spares availability and had limited belief in the Korean car company. Hyundai came up with advertisements which focused on car quality. They had Shahrukh Khan as their brand ambassador. They started with teaser ads but later promoted it as the ‘Sunshine Car indicating freshness and youthful attitude Maruti, on the other hand, concentrated on its wide service network and spare parts availability, Hyundai gave a lot of stress on car features in its advertisement for e. g. Hyundai came up with Zip drive. In 2003 a new trend was seen where in advertisements of Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Santro, women were seen driving the car. Thus targeting the fast growing working women segment. Hyundai has come up with special schemes for working women. They are also offering loans to women at 0. 75% lower rate of interest than the market rate. MSIL and GM India have introduced special financing schemes to attract customers from semi urban and rural areas. In 2007 when Maruti launched SX4, they positioned it as a ‘manly car’ through their ads. Xeta introduced by Tata was aimed at rendering better fuel efficiency at a competitive price and the ads highlighted it. They aimed to create a unique brand identity in petrol segment and promoted it through ads, print media ads, internet and test drive. In 2002 Hyundai topped TV advertising in 2002 but from 2003 Maruti picked up and came to number one slot. About 50% of the advertisement is done during feature films and news bulletin. For the newly launched i10 Hyundai has aggressively advertised it by posters of i10 throughout the showroom and hanging banners. (see examples of print ads of cars in various segments in Annexure 2) Consumer Segments and their Distinctive Characteristics. Instead of developing segment profiles based on secondary research, we categorised consumers based on our interviews with car dealers and the survey we conducted across various consumer categories. Through this primary data, we identified three broad kind of customers based on their distinctive buying behaviours. †¢ Analytical customer: One who buy car after researching internet and other sources. These customers are aware of the various options available in the market and know what car they need to buy even before their first visit to the dealer. This is usually a middle-class price conscious consumer looking to obtain value for his money. †¢ Confused customer: The biggest category of consumers; those who don’t know which car to buy because they have been the target of a lot of promotions and heard Word-of-Mouth from friends, family and other influencers. These customers have a fair amount of idea of the price and other attributes of the car they want to buy but can’t decide on the actual model. These customers buy the car after a proper need analysis has been done at the car dealer’s showroom. †¢ Copy-cat Customer: The last is the category of the customers who buy a car after seeing a similar car with their friends or neighbours. These people want some exact colour and model and cannot be classified as rational consumers. This category is constituted of those customers who do impulse buying. Further, we look at the consumer for each segment. We observe that in the B-segment a customer usually goes for value-for-money proposition. 67% respondents gave a rating of 4 or 5 to price as a critical factors while buying a car while 74. 4% respondents gave mileage same importance. Most of these people preferred cars priced around 4-6 lakhs. The C and D segment cars sell because their various attributes communicate a certain image. Here, the customer looks for attributes like power, newest technology and exclusivity. Out of the 32 people who rated technology as 5 and 19 people who rated power as 5, majority of them considered buying a car in the price range of 6 lakhs and above. Resale value of the car and the number of service stations is crucial deal-maker. Most of the consumers and the company people also say that the ad campaigns and the endorsements don’t play a major role in deciding which car to buy apart from creating awareness about the launch and availability of the new model. Only 6% of people rated endorsements as 5 as a deciding criteria. SUVs are normally the second or third car in the family. These consumers do not buy on the value proposition but rather on the image proposition. Seating capacity, premium image, innovative features and a need to portray an adventurous image are some of the benefits that a customer seeks from the SUV that he is buying. The survey results also depict that consumers are more inclined towards new models launched in the market including new variants of old cars. Maruti SX4, Hyundai i10 and Maruti Swift are the cars that appeal to most of the respondents. Factors Critical for Success. Selling a car is part delivering product and part providing service. So the car manufacturer has to ensure both quality of the product and the experience of using it. However, we must understand that the typical customer for a B-segment car differs significantly from that of an SUV. His lifestyle, his car usage, and his expectations from his vehicle change. In the B segment, there are three factors critical for success: †¢ Value for Money- This is a price-conscious consumer. For a car, price constitutes one time purchase price, as well as the petrol costs reflected in the mileage. In our survey as well as our talk we the Hyundai dealer †¢ After sales service network- When we asked the Hyundai dealer, what was the one thing a new player needed to provide to compete with them or Maruti, we met one word response: service. In fact, the dealer provided the example of Ford saying, while their cars had great engine and quality, they couldnt compete nationally because of poor after sales service network. Ford has now made a tie-up with Tatas to rectify the same. †¢ Product Quality- Since, the car market works essentially through Word-of-Mouth, it is crucial that you product meets the consumer expectation. Else, you run the risk of losing the customer not only from this car, but your company altogether, and taking additional potential customers with him. As we move into C-segment, value for money becomes lower in priority for the customer. He is looking for a status symbol now. These critical factors come in †¢ Prestige- There must be a buzz around your brand and the brand should have a premium image. †¢ Power The cars in this category have more power giving a better pick-up and smoother drive. †¢ Latest technology- The sedans are known for newest innovative technology and the customers are seen to prefer product innovations. †¢ Safety Safety features have often been neglected in the Indian markets. But typically sedans come fitted with the state of the art safety features. Insights derived out of Study †¢ Buying a car is a family decision- this held true across the board in our survey, with majority of respondents owning one family-per-car. However, the women are not much of an influencer while buying a car- in fact, most hesitated to respond to the survey, pushing their accompanying male ahead. †¢ Hyundais strength is technology and product quality, while people look to Maruti for good after sales service and high resale value. †¢ Dealer-manufacturer relationship is crucial- car companies depend on the dealers to tap the nerve of the local consumers. So the relationship between the company and the dealer needs to be good. In most cases the companies allow the dealers to run local promotional schemes and take other such initiatives. †¢ Endorsements and advertisements have minimal influence on customer decision (the B-segment). From the survey, we infer that when a middle class customer is shelling Rs 4-6 Lakhs from his pocket, he normally does considerable research before buying a car. †¢ Safety provisions- Indian car manufacturers do not provide ABS and airbags as standard safety features in entry level and B segment cars, while they do so in models they export. The consumer is also not demanding these yet. †¢ Cars are still a prestige issue in the semi urban and rural areas. Many consumers in these areas buy those cars which their neighbours have bought. †¢ Car awards and launch of a new model boost up the sales overtime. But the real sales happen only because of the quality of the product and not because of promotion.

Rommel Rundstedt Controversy Essay -- War, Invasion of France, Normand

There are significant reasons why Field Marshal Rundstedt’s operational concept to defend against the Allied invasion of France was superior to Field Marshal Rommel’s and could have changed the course of the war. Geographically, Rundstedt’s concept provided the Germans the best chance to defeat the Allied advance. Operationally, he accounted for several military and intelligence assessment considerations that gave his plan the edge. From a strategic and political standpoint, had Hitler been willing to negotiate peace, a major Allied defeat in France offered by Rundstedt’s plan presented Germany its last chance to achieve victory. Had Rommel made a proper assessment of the French coastline and countryside, he would have probably sided with Rundstedt. â€Å"It was clear to von Rundstedt that 2,600 kilometers of coastline could not be made impregnable†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Ose, 8) In Rundstedt’s view, the best strategy to defend the coast â€Å"called for using an offensive defensive by operating behind the coast strong armored divisions, strictly controlled and flexibly led.† (Ose, 9) Obvious geographic challenges along the coast meant that Rommel’s plan to be decisive with armored divisions would have given the German Army little chance of success. The first major problem with Rommel’s plan was the length of coastline which would have been impossible to defend unless he was lucky enough to determine the exact time and location of attack. The long coastline of France had already overextended German forces and their defenses were growing weaker due to commitments elsewhere in the Europ ean theater. (Cubbage, 149) Even with Rommel’s plan for extensive obstacles along the coast, it seems he â€Å"forgot that a concrete and steel barrier with an exploitable wea... ...epts to defeat the Allied invasion of France. Upon examination of each operational concept, it becomes clear that Rundstedt’s plan would have given the German Army the best chance of success. In the summer of 1944, a decisive victory over Allied forces in France could have drawn Great Britain and the United States to the negotiating table. A decisive victory would have also afforded the Germans more forces on the Eastern Front. More forces in the east could have halted the Soviet advance, and could have brought Stalin to the negotiating table as well. Given those possibilities, we know in hindsight that it would have been unlikely for Hitler or the Allies to accept anything less than total victory. In other words, the operational success offered by Rundstedt’s plan would not have translated into strategic victory given the resolve of Hitler and the Allies.

College halls Essay

College halls are being flooded with adults who are returning to school in their mid-life years. Online colleges have also made it easier for adults to further their educations in the midst of their busy lives. They choose to further their educations for various reasons. Perhaps, moms and dads need more education in order to move forward in their career or maybe the kids are older and mom wants to branch out and start a career. These nontraditional college students face different and more complex challenges than the younger student body. Some other areas of difficulty might include juggling multiple responsibilities or feeling academically out-ranked or inferior. Many colleges offer special services catering to the needs of adult students in order to help them achieve their educational goals. Another more recent issue is the state of the economy. Starting college during an economic slump presents it’s out set of challenges. The Economy The sudden nosedive of the economy has actually caused a surge of adults returning to college. The unemployment rate is on the rise and adults lacking a college degree are being left in the white collar dust of the more employable college graduates. Adults are finding that they have no alternative, but to roll with the changing tide of our economy and technology. This includes returning to college and earning a degree in order to find gainful employment. Some choose traditional colleges and many more choose online colleges. A few employers are wary of online colleges. They believe the student is paying for a degree rather than paying for an education. Slowly, the doubt is dwindling and in many cases employers will contribute financially to employees who are choosing to further their education. Employers are beginning to realize the dedication and worth of employees who are willing to go that extra mile. (Armour, 2008) Adults who return to college are faced with many concerns that their younger counterparts are oblivious to. Two major issues are finances and family responsibilities. In many cases, adults have financial obligations such as mortgage payments, care payments, and providing for their families. They must continue to earn a living and allotting time for family commitments while attending college. Sometimes these are single parents and sometimes they aren’t, but either way, if they have families then their lives become a juggling act. There are also other concerns. (Benahoff, 1993) Women with families often experience feelings of guilt in regards to their children. They feel like their shirking their parental responsibilities. They also worry about the cost of childcare and the quality of care that their children are receiving. Women are also concerned about maintaining their roles as wives and mothers while attending college. (Benahoff, 1993) Men tend to be fearful of failing and they doubt their ability to reach their goals. Since men who return to college in order to change careers they experience a great deal of anxiety. They have responsibilities to their family and there is no room for failure since men usually view themselves as the providers. Men also experience frustration in dealing with the loss of time and the increased expense of attending college. (Benahoff, 1993) Attending School with Children It’s common for adult college students to feel uncomfortable in an environment geared towards younger students. Many adult students have children nearing college age or already in college which can increase their feelings of awkwardness. As parents they are used to being in charge rather than on equal ground with young people. College kids usually have active social lives on and off campus while adult’s social lives revolve around their families and coworkers. Adults have limited time for socializing as well because of their responsibilities. These factors can intensify feelings of being out of their comfort zone. (Benahoff, 1993) Adult college students often lack confidence in their learning and study skills. They find that methods of teaching and learning have changed a great deal since they’ve been out of school. That can be an intimidating experience for adults. On a more positive note, adults take their studies seriously. Their choice to attend college mid-life was a huge step. They perceive college as an investment and as such, there is a certain amount of risk involved. As a result they are focused and extremely motivated. (Benahoff, 1993) College students of the younger generation are very social and it’s no different when it comes to their study habits. They often study regularly and work on assignments with their peers. Adults, however, often prefer to work and study independently because of their multiple responsibilities, busy schedules and time restraints. They don’t have time to linger on campus. (Benahoff, 1993) College Access and their Contribution to Success Admissions counselors should be readily available to advise adult students on courses and degrees that might be appropriate for them based on their current careers, areas of interest, or goals for the future. Providing this service would give adult students the reassurance they need that they are making the best choice by returning to college. Colleges that provide financial aid advisors trained specifically to work with adult students provide an enormous service for what can seem like an overwhelming process. Financial concerns are generally a key issue with adult students and they need the guidance and advice of someone knowledgeable about their specific areas of financial concern. Student advisors to offer suggestions regarding such topics as time management, study techniques or any other areas of concern would help to give adult students the confidence they need. Just knowing that there is someone they can turn to for advice when the going gets tough can provide much needed encouragement. Several traditional colleges offer online courses and access to resources such as online libraries. There are also a growing number of online colleges. Online availability provides easier access to adult students who are unable to attend classes on campus. In addition, many traditional colleges offer evening classes or classes in various locations off campus. This makes it easier for adults who may not be able to attend classes during the day and for those who need a closer location. Colleges who work with communities and employers to stress the importance and the benefits of higher education for adults can provide that extra push for those who are considering advancement, but haven’t yet made the commitment. When they join forces with communities and employers, colleges can also learn how to better accommodate adult students. (Lumina, 2008) Academic and Personal Keys to Success There are steps adults can take to ensure that their college experience will be successful and that they will reach the goals they have set for themselves. These keys to success encompass both the academic and personal lives of students. Academically, there are some specific things adults can do to aid them in adjusting to a college environment. It would be wise to take on a light course load for the first semester. This will enable a gradual transition for students. It will allow time for them to settle in to a routine and to find effective ways of managing their time, so they are able to keep up with coursework. Students who balance their course load by limiting the number of difficult courses in each semester and by allowing flexibility in class times find adjusting to college much easier. Students shouldn’t hesitate to seek support or advice from their student advisor if problems arise. Enlist the support of one or two classmates who will give you the assignments if you miss a class and offer to do the same for them. Students should be sure to keep up with their reading and assignments. They should develop good study habits early on. If there’s a problem with a specific class or assignment then ask to meet with the professor in order to clarify things. These steps are no guarantee of success, but they are steps in the right direction. (Office of Student Development and Counseling Center, 2005) On a personal level there are also some steps to success. First and foremost, adult students should have confidence in themselves and their abilities. While they may be lacking in academic experience, adults are ahead of the younger students in life experience. It’s essential that adult students get their priorities in order. They should gather support on the home-front, so they can concentrate on their studies while they’re in school. If need be enlist the help of friends or family to run errands or help with child care. Make sure time is set aside for family. Adult students can even involve their family members in their study time. Younger children can work on a quiet activity like coloring or drawing whiles the parent studies. A spouse or teenage child can quiz mom or dad if they’re studying for a test. Most importantly, adult students should take time out for themselves. Taking time to relax and reflect on the days events is essential. Everyone needs time to unwind and rest mentally as well as physically. (Office of Student Development and Counseling Center, 2006) Returning to college can be an enormous and seemingly impossible undertaking for adults who are in the middle of living their lives. It may not be the right choice for everyone, but for those who do choose to further their education there are wonderful benefits. A college degree may lead to career advancement that could result in a higher standard of living or it could provide a college education for their children. Adult students are role models for their own children as well as younger college students. Achieving one’s goals, regardless of age, is something to be proud of. Works Cited Armour, S. (2008). Classrooms filled with returning adults. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from USA Today: http://www. usatoday. com/money/economy/employment/2003-06-12-backtoschool_x. htm Benahoff, J. M. (1993, November 11). Educational Opportunities, Developmental Challenges, Understanding Nontraditional College Students. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from ERIC Education Resource Information Center: http://eric. ed. gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/13/2e/33. pdf Lumina. (2008). What We Know About Adult Learners. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from Lumina: http://www. luminafoundation. org/research/what_we_know_about_adult_learners. html#dimension1sub3 Office of Student Development and Counseling Center. (2006, January 13). Making the Adjustment School. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from Office of Student Development and Counseling Center: http://www. lsus. edu/sdcc/adults/making. asp Office of Student Development and Counseling Center. (2005, July 21). So, I’m a student again after all these years. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from Office of Student Development and Counseling Center: http://www. lsus. edu/sdcc/adults/so. asp

Philosophy Reflection Essay

This was my first major introduction into the study of philosophy, and I can honestly say that it has had a major impact on my belief system. Many of my views have been changed and my overall view on life is much different than it was five months ago. To me, the two most interesting works were the Tao and The Mind’s I. The Tao describes a really interesting way of life. Of all the philosophies we’ve read, it is the simplest and most beautiful. Instead of scanning for hidden meanings and analyzing all parts of life, Laozi just tells us to live life. Do no more than you have to do, but do everything you have to do. He tells us not to worry about death and just live life. I honestly think very simple and peaceful way of living can bring us much more happiness than we have now in our current society. However, the only way it can be implemented is if everyone follows the Tao, and that is nearly impossible in our current society. We should honestly try to live simpler lives and see the beauty of everyday things. The other work that really impacted me was The Mind’s I. I’m not sure if it qualifies as a single work, but there were several important themes that really interested me and changed some of my views. The section that really interested me the most was the section describing intelligent machines and animals, and their relationship to humans. I had always considered humans superior to animals due to their intelligence and ability to communicate. I never thought too much about the idea of intelligent animals and even machines and their relationship to humans. An intelligent machine or animal that can communicate definitely would be on the same evolutionary level as humans, and thus there could be no way to justify creating an intelligent robotic servant or helper without harkening back to the ideology that prompted slavery. Also, destruction of this machine or animal would be equivalent to murder. However, I still so no moral objection to creating an intelligent robot, as long as we give it its own freedom, just as we would to one of our children. Its may be considered playing God, but if we are his greatest creations, we should have the right to test our limits. Only through a recreation of consciousness done and understood by us can we begin to understand our own consciousness as well as ourselves. I had never really thought about technology in this way and never seriously questioned the origin of my consciousness, so the Mind’s I really forced me to think about life in a different way. Throughout the term, I not only changed and reconsidered many of my views; I discovered things that I subconsciously believed without really thinking about it. My beliefs not only changed, I discovered beliefs that I never knew I had. Some of these views surfaced when reading certain works like The Mysterious Stranger and Nietzsche. Although these two works didn’t change my deep-set views that much, it was interesting to see my instinctual beliefs get challenged. I discovered I was a pretty moderate thinker, but these readings caused many of my views on life to change. However, I still disagreed with many of the views expressed in class discussions with certain works, like the Tao. But then I realized that the Tao is designed to have different meanings to everyone who reads it so they could find their own way of life and thus doesn’t lend itself well to class discussions. I saw that the way philosophy has evolved over the years mirrors the way society has changed throughout history. The older philosophies that we’ve read, like the Tao and Plato’ work, seem to try to tell us how to live our lives to get the most happiness and satisfaction out of it, and how to find the way or see the light. The more modern philosophies seem to disregard the idea of a true path and tell us how to live in the best way, but they don’t guarantee happiness from it. The most interesting pieces for me were a mix of the modern and older philosophies, like Nietzsche and Socrates’ Apology (I guess because he lived in a ancient but modern society). Even though they were completely different and I completely disagreed with one of them, they were much more compelling to me. One important thing that I learned is that I hate reading about something that I agree on, I dislike having my views â€Å"proven†? by another writer and rather read new ideas and opinions. From all the texts read and discussions we’ve had this year, it’s hard to highlight just three things that I learned. One of the most stimulating texts to me was The Circular Ruins. Especially when read right after Is God a Taoist, this simple story made me reconsider all my beliefs on existence and God. Just like the main character was, we are kept in the dark about our condition, where we came from and how we exist. We claim an all-mighty God as our creator, and call ourselves superior beings in his image. However, whose to say that we are not just insignificant nothings, created by another being of no importance. Would that make us less real and important? From this story I learned to stop attaching importance and purpose to everything I do. Maybe there is a reason we don’t know where we come from; perhaps we don’t want to know. Another important lesson came from Reservation Blues. The main characters all had to deal with finding a cultural identity while trying to escape the trap of the white man. The only ones who made it out were the ones who had a strong cultural identity. They knew themselves and identified with their past before they attempted to escape the reservation. Victor and Junior either tried to ignore their past or couldn’t come to terms with their heritage. They tried to escape before they were ready, and couldn’t cope with the failure. The book’s point, despite the suicide and Victor’s destruction, was amazingly positive, it showed that if you come to terms with your past and yourself you can overcome any obstacle set against you, but you must have this understanding or you will destroy yourself. From The Razor’s Edge I learned a lot about the purpose of life from each of the vastly different characters. At first, it seems like the point of the story is that there is a difference between what we want and what makes us happy and fulfilled. Suzanne, Gray and Elliot all got what they wanted yet all seem to live unhappy, unfulfilled lives. Further inspection showed that they all are living the life that they fully wanted and expected to live, and they are perfectly content. Isabel wanted both Larry and high society type of life, and thus is disappointed with her life because she couldn’t have both. Larry didn’t know what he wanted out of life, so he took basically a timeout from the real world, went into seclusion and discovered what he wanted out of life. Now he, knowing full well what he wants, is the most satisfied of all the characters. The lesson to be learned is that happiness is completely relative, and thus you cannot call anyone a failure unless he considers himself one. Also, it’s all right to take some time out of the real world and relax, take a step back and see what you really want to do next. In the end, this class really has changed my views on the best kind of life. I still believe that you need to live the type of life that will make you the happiest and most satisfied, but I don’t think that most people know what type of life that is. If you don’t have a passion, don’t force yourself into any profession. Explore the world and find something that really interests you otherwise you will get forced into a miserable life that you hate. If you have a passion, you have to follow it. You have to come in terms with who you are; understand and remember your past and childhood. We have to examine our lives to discover what we really want, then try to find it. We must simplify our actions, and we have to stop overanalyzing other’s actions and words. We have to lose our ego and sense of shame, and stop caring what people think of you. This is the simplest way to live and live happily, without having to adjust your actions to fit what other people expect from you. We have to stop fearing death and keep on living life in the happiest possible way. This will be the happiest, simplest and best life for everyone.