Financial positioning for a brand of clothing - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2185 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? This assignment is based on a financial position of a very good brand of clothing Gap Inc. in this assignment author want to tell that how company operates, what are the financial analyses? In this assignment every thing is given like companies cash flow, balance sheet from last four years and income statement as well. Author also want to tell that why company is going in loss from last four years? What are the accounts need to maintain and at last what we need to do to make profit or to cover up the loos. Introduction Gap Inc. is one of the worlds biggest especially retailers, operating approx 3,100 stores in the U.S.A, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Japan. We operate four of the most recognized apparel brands in the world -Gap, banana republic, Old Navy, and our newest brand, Piper lime. Organization mission and vision   Gaps mission is stated as: Our purpose? Simply, to make it easy for you to express your personal style throughout your life.    There vision is: Every day, we look for new ways to connect with customers around the world, provide value to our shareholders and make a positive contribution in the communities where we do business.   Main Body Gaps world headquarters are located in San Francisco, product development offices in New York City and distribution operations and offices coordinating outsourcing activities are located throughout the globe. One of the original mottos of the company was Levis for Guys and Gals. The Gap began creating its own private label clothing in 1982 and had stopped carrying other labels altogether by 1991. The name came from the growing differences between children and adults, called the generation gap, which reached its peak with the hippie movement. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Financial positioning for a brand of clothing" essay for you Create order Accounting has been defined as the process of identifying, measuring, recording and communicating economic information to permit informed judgements and economic decisions. The primary purpose of accounting is to help persons make economic decisions. In our society resources must be allocated among and within all kinds of entities. Accounting information provides the basis for making decisions about resource allocation. Accounting information is  financialHYPERLINK https://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_role_does_financial_accounting_play_in_decision_making  HYPERLINK https://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_role_does_financial_accounting_play_in_decision_makinginformation  about economic activities. All economic entities (e.g. businesses, government agencies, families, charitable entities) need such information because it is used for making economic decisions about those business entities. The finance department of a company generates a variety of  financial information  that is helpful in decision making, including: Profit and Loss accounts  providing details of whether the business is making efficient use of financial resources. Balance Sheet information providing details of businesses assets and liabilities, as well as the liquidity of the business. Sales and purchases information setting out particular types of trading and accounts with particular customers and suppliers. Information about the purchase of assets and liabilities. Information about the wages paid out by a business By providing a steady and up-to-date flow of information, a business is able to make appropriate decisions about: how to reduce costs how to increase sales how to raise profitability when to purchase new capital assets the best sources of finance, and duration etc MAIN USERS OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION Owners The owner of a company is a term that only really applies with any meaning to small businesses where the only shareholders are the people at the top of the business, the owner manager. Owner is a slight misnomer because a company, if it is registered as a limited company, is an entity in its own right. The owner just becomes the custodian of it. The owner has strict reporting requirements on what they can do with the business and how they manage its finances. Owners, by the above definition, have an interest in almost all aspects of the company, its profit, sales, expenses, and so on. Shareholders Shareholders are the true owners of any registered business be it a limited company or a public limited company (plc). The shareholders provide one component of the capital needed to create the company and allow it to trade. Shareholders have rights over the finance of the company and, up to a point, the running of the business, although not on a day-to-day basis. Shareholders invest money into companies by buying shares. An investor buys shares, usually, for one of two reasons: Dividend The dividend is to a share what interest is to a loan, a periodic payment for the privilege of has use of the money loaned or invested. So for example if an investor purchases 10,000 1.00 pound shares they are investing 10,000 pounds in the company. In return for this investment they will periodically receive interest payments in the form of dividends. If the dividend is 8% they will receive 800 pounds (8% of 10,000 pounds) Capital growth The other reason for investing in a company is to give it the funds to allow it to grow and become bigger and more profitable. In the longer term this growth should make the initial investment worth more. Managers Managers have the responsibility of make the organisation perform and to achieve the goals it is set. In return they expect security and a monetary return in the form of a salary and whatever perks and performance related rewards that form part of their remuneration package. They have a much greater need for financial information because they are making detailed decisions on a daily basis. Government The government has many different arms and, as such many different needs. A register of all companies is maintained by Companies House. It is to this body that the formal accounts must be submitted every year. Investors Investors are shareholders before they part with their money. As such they are interested in all the things a shareholder is. Employees Employees are seeking security of employment and a return for the work they do. Employees would therefore be looking for indications that the company is doing well enough to continue to trade into the future and is doing well enough to continue to employ them and is able to meet the salary and wages bill each month. If there is any profit or performance related component to the remuneration they will also be interested in the company performance and how close it is to triggering the bonus payments. Customers Customers are the people or organisations that buy products or services from the company. If the customer is using the items purchased as a component of their own product, as a radio manufacturer might buy electronic components from a component manufacturer, continuity of supply and quality at a fair price will be important Mergers and Acquisitions ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢Banana Republic-known for casual luxury, with high-quality apparel for men and women and sophisticated seasonal collections of accessories, shoes, personal care products, intimate apparel and gifts for the home. ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢Old Navy-famous for the best in denim, graphic tees, cargos, Performance Fleece, plus the Old Navy Item of the Week -each and every week, a special item at a special price. ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢Forth Towne-a unique shopping experience and destination for women. Forth Towne will offer fashionable apparel and accessories. ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢In addition, Gap brands include baby Gap, Gap Kids and Gap Maternity. Industrial Organization Contestable Markets Gap began dominating the apparel market as a result of its ability to fill what it perceived as gaps before anyone else could enter. Economies of Scale As an early entrant, Gap was able to take advantage of economies of scale within the industry. Economies of Scope By expanding its market within the apparel industry, Gap was able to reduce its manufacturing costs. Product Differentiation Increased sales have resulted primarily from the Gaps ability to expand into specialty markets, i.e., B Banana Republic, Old Navy, baby Gap, etc. Vertical Integration- Although the Gap began by selling Levis exclusively, its ultimate growth and dominance began once it started to manufacture products under its own label. Vertical integration also allowed Gap to lower transaction costs and reduces supply threats created by Levis. Branding The Gaps multiple brands have become some of the most recognizable labels within the apparel industry. Types of Business Sole proprietors  are unincorporated businesses. They are also called independent contractors, consultants, or freelancers. There are no forms you need to fill out to start this type of business. The only thing you need to do is report your business income and expenses on your Form 1040 Schedule C. This is the easiest form of business to set up, and the easiest to dissolve. (An LLC with only a single shareholder, a so-called single-member LLC, is taxed as a sole proprietor on a Schedule C.) Corporations  are incorporated businesses. Every form of business besides the sole proprietor is considered a separate entity, and this often provides a measure of legal and financial protection for the shareholders. The shareholders of corporations have limited liability protection, and corporations have full discretion over the amount of profits they can distribute or retain. Corporations are presumed to be for-profit entities, and as such they can have an unlimited number of years with losses. Corporations must have at least one shareholder. Partnerships  are unincorporated businesses. Like corporations, partnerships are separate entities from the shareholders. Unlike corporations, partnerships must have at lease one General Partner who assumes unlimited liability for the business. Partnerships must have at least two shareholders. Partnerships distribute all profits and losses to their shareholders without regard for any profits retained by the business for cash flow purposes. https://taxes.about.com/od/taxplanning/a/incorporating_2.htm Financial accounting reports are prepared for the use of external parties such as shareholders and creditors, whereas managerial accounting reports are prepared for managers inside the organization. Emphasis on the Future: Since planning is such an important part of the managers job, managerial accounting has a strong future orientation. In contrast, financial accounting primarily provides summaries of past financial transactions. These summaries may be useful in planning, but only to a point. The future is not simply a reflection of what has happened in the past. Changes are constantly taking place in economic conditions, and so on. All of these changes demand that the managers planning be based in large part on estimates of what will happen rather than on summaries of what has already happened. Relevance of  Data: Financial accounting data are expected to be objective and verifiable. However, for internal use the manager wants information that is relevant even if it is not completely objective or verifiable. By relevant, we mean appropriate for the problem at hand. For example, it is difficult to verify estimated sales volumes for a proposed new store at good Vibrations, Inc., but this is exactly the type of information that is most useful to managers in their decision making. The managerial accounting information system should be flexible enough to provide whatever data are relevant for a particular decision. Segments of an Organization: Financial accounting is primarily concerned with reporting for the company as a whole. By contrast, managerial accounting forces much more on the parts, or segments, of a company. These segments may be product lines, sales territories divisions, departments, or any other categorizations of the companys activities that management finds useful. Financial accounting does require breakdowns of revenues and cost by major segments in external reports, but this is secondary emphasis. In managerial accounting segment reporting is the primary emphasis. Accounting is the means by which information about an enterprise is communicated and, thus, is sometimes called the language of business. Many different users have need for accounting information in order to make important decisions. These users include investors, creditors, management, governmental agencies, labour unions, and others. Because the primary role of accounting information is to provide useful information for decision-making purposes, it is sometimes referred to as a means to an end, with the end being the decision that is helped by the availability of accounting information. The primary objectives of financial accounting are to provide information that is useful in making investment and credit decisions; in assessing the amount, timing, and uncertainty of future cash flows; and in learning about the enterprises economic resources, claims to resources, and changes in claims to resources. Some of the most important characteristics of financial accounting information are it is a means to an end, it is historical in nature, it results from inexact and approximate measures of business activity, and it is based on a general-purpose assumption. Conclusion At the end of the assignment author would like to conclude that according to the data gross and net profit was going down but in the 2008 it was bit up. But if we will talk about the ration which we found at the first of the assignment that is going down because of the liabilities, liabilities are still there but cash is going down. Author would to recommend that by doing more advertisement, to reduce overhead expenses, to reduce the long time liabilities business can grow up.

Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant Essay - 1222 Words

Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant The poem, Thanatopsis, written by William Cullen Bryant, is a wonderful literary work which explores the often controversial questions of death. William Cullen Bryant wrote Thanatopsis when he was seventeen years of age. Thanatopsis was written in blank verse. Within his well written lines Bryant attempts to show the relationship between deaths eternal questions and the ongoing cycle of nature and life. Upon concluding the poem many readers are able to reaffirm their faith of an afterlife, while others are left aimlessly pondering this strange possibility.He uses strong words to describe the feelings and visions one sees when they are in their last hours and even†¦show more content†¦By using this strange metaphor Bryant wishes to suggest his faith in an afterlife. While examining the differences and similarities of death and sleep the reader is left with some very thought provoking questions. The answers to these questions reassure some readers while confusing others. Sleep is a time of rest. It allows preparation for the next day or event, and by relating this definition to death Bryant gives new insight on ones fate after earthly existence. When thoughts of the last bitter hour come like a blight over thy spirit, and sad images of the stern agony, and shroud, and pall, and breathless darkness, and the narrow house, make thee to shudder, and grow sick at heart- Go under the open sky, and list to Natures teachings, while from all around- Earth and her waters, and the depths of air- comes a still voice. Bryant is taking what can be considered the stereotype of what death and dying feels like and putting it in some strong words. He continues to say, as he does in the rest of the poem, that ones eternal resting place could never have been thought of as such a wonderful place that one could love so much. In a way he describes it to be a huge couch which when you lay down upon it you just melt in and never feel like getting up, by saying nor couldst thou wish couch moreShow MoreRelatedEssay on Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant842 Words   |  4 Pages The poem â€Å"Thanatopsis† by William Cullen Bryant reveals a very unusual aspect of nature. While most people think of nature as beauty and full of life, Bryant takes a more interesting approach to nature. He exposes a correlation between nature, life, death, and re-birth. Using nature as a foothold, Bryant exercises methods such as tone, setting, and imagery in a very intriguing way while writing â€Å"Thanatopsis.† First, tone is a very important aspect of the poem â€Å"Thanatopsis.† While reading the poemRead MoreDeath in Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant Essay447 Words   |  2 PagesDeath in Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant When people ponder death they wonder about the unknown with trepidation. 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Vineyards Produces Different Style Of Winesâ€Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Vineyards Produces Different Style Of Wines? Answer: Introduction There are number of style and variants of wine with each variant with its own uniqueness. The two key variants of wine are red wine and white wine. It is believed that environmental conditions have a deep impact on wine. The climate and terroir are two variables that strongly influence the production of wine and taste of wine. Across the globe there are various vineyards that produces different style of wines. The main ingredient for the production of any wine is grape and there could be different types of grapes based on the terroir. The objective of this paper is to discuss the impact of terroir on wine styles. This paper would specifically focus on Chablis region. The terroir has an influence on the production of various style of wine. Some experts argue that terroir has a more profound impact on white wine as compared to red wine (Moulard Babin, 2015). Financial paper would discuss the influence of terroir in general without discussing the intricacies of type of wine like white wine and red wine. Analysis The Chablis region is in Burgundy region in France. The climate of this region is cool as compared to other regions where wine is produced. The warmer climates are the perfect for the wine types Chardonnay. Whereas the winter climate of Chablis does not support the production of wines like Chardonnay. The Chardonnay wines are less acidic and less fruity as compared to the wines produced in Chablis. The wine produced in Chablis is known across the world for its finest quality. There are people that like the wine produced in Chablis due to its unique characteristics (Gonzalez Parga-Dans, 2017). There are various manufactures and wine producers in the Chablis region that would modify the grapes to blend it in the wine. The grapevines around the town of Chablis make a dry white wine renowned for the purity of its aroma and taste. In comparison with the white wines from the rest of Burgundy, Chablis wine has typically much less influence of oak. Chone Leeuwen (2017) argued that wine is a global drink and as such there are various standards that define the global production of wine. At the same time, it is important to mention that there are various regional preferences and local variables that affect the production of wine. For the production of wine, the three key variables that together constitute the terroir can be discussed as: Climate: The climate refers to the climate of the environment. Some climates are moist and some are damp. Based on the climatic conditions the wine variety could be different. It is believed that the climate should be consistent for the perfect quality of wine. The frequent changes in the external temperature can have a negative influence on the production of wine (Chone Leeuwen, 2017). Soil: It would be correct to say that soil is one of the most important parameter that affects the production of wine. The soil directly affects the quality of the grapes and likewise the quality of wine is decided (Moulard Babin, 2015). Grape variety: The raw material or the basic ingredients for the production of wine is grape. In most of the cases, the quality of wine is decided by the quality of grapes. Therefore, it would make sense for wine producers and manufactures to get the best quality grapes from the marketing (Moulard Babin, 2015). Knight Klaere (2015) argued that wine is the end result of number of variables. It can be said that wine is the end result of nature and nurture. The concept and the discussion of wine arise in the nature part. However, the nature or the terroir part is directly linked with the nurture part also. The nature or the nurture alone cannot help to produce the excellent quality of wine. Therefore, it is important to mention that manufacturers and wine producers should focus on both the aspects of nature and nurtre. However, terroir remains one of the most intriguing and perplexing challenges in the world of wine today, largely because what terroir encompasses is not universally understood or accepted. It is also believed that different wine producing regions in the world can have their own interpretation of terroir (Knight Klaere, 2015). For example, the definition of terroir for Chablis region could be different than the definition of terroir for any other region in the world. Skinner (2015 argued that the concepts of nature and nurture are difficult but important to understand. The finest quality of wine in the world depends on the presence of perfect climate or nature and adequate nurture. It is suggested that the wine producers and manufactures should also think beyond terroir. In fact, terroir is important but only one part of wine production. For a perfect wine, the manufacturers should think beyond terroir and try to control various internal and external aspects of wine production (Skinner, 2015). Greenspan (2016) argued that the concept of terroir in the wine production is both science and art. There are various theories around the influence of terroir on the production of wine. Some experts suggest that it is purely an art, as nature cannot be controlled. However, some experts suggest that the influence of terroir should be considered as a science as people can manage the production of wine through scientific algorithm and set standards. It is important to mention that there are various set standards in the production of wine that should be followed. There is no body at the global level that set the standards; however, there are various local standards that should be followed (Greenspan, 2016). For example, the region of Chablis has their own standards when it comes to type of raw materials, the temperature, fermentation, etc. These standards are not the hard guidelines that must be followed. However, these standards should be considered as the soft guidelines that should be followed so that wine production is effective. The terroir can have a great influence on the taste and quality of wine. It is also important to mention that the entire concept of wine can go bad if the terroir is not used to provide a controlled environment. Conclusion The above paper discusses the influence of terroir on wine style. The above paper discusses the impact in general and the paper also discusses the influence for the Chablis region. With the above discussion it can be said that there are various internal and external factors that the wine producers and manufacturers should consider while deciding the types of wine that they want to produce. The above paper also discusses the concept of nature and nurture with respect to wine production. It would be correct to say that focus should be comprehensive on both the aspects of nature and nurture so that excellent variety of wine could be produced. As a bottom-line, it would be correct to say that the terroir should be adjusted so that a controlled environment can be developed for the production of wine. The controlled environment would ensure that wine of tastes the same. It would also ensure that a level of standardization is maintained when the wine is produced. References Chone, X., Van Leeuwen, C., Chery, P. H., Ribreau-Gayon, P. (2017). Terroir influence on water status and nitrogen status of non-irrigated Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera). Vegetative development, must and wine composition (example of a Medoc top estate vineyard, Saint Julien area, Bordeaux, 1997).South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture,22(1), 8-15. Gonzalez, P. A., Parga-Dans, E., Vzquez, A. M. (2017). The political economy of wine: How terroir and intra-sector dynamics affect land use in Spain.Land Use Policy,66, 288-292. Greenspan, M. (2016). Terroir and other myths of winegrowing: Mark Matthews generates some controversy.Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker, (632), 36. Knight, S., Klaere, S., Fedrizzi, B., Goddard, M. R. (2015). Regional microbial signatures positively correlate with differential wine phenotypes: evidence for a microbial aspect to terroir.Scientific reports,5. Moulard, J., Babin, B. J., Griffin, M. (2015). How aspects of a wines place affect consumers authenticity perceptions and purchase intentions: The role of country of origin and technical terroir.International Journal of Wine Business Research,27(1), 61-78. Skinner, W. W. (2015).Fermenting place: wine production and terroir in McLaren Vale, South Australia(Doctoral dissertation).

The Punic Wars Was A Series Of Three Wars Fought Between Rome And Cart

The Punic Wars was a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage for a period of 118 years. Rome, one of the sides of these wars, was a immense empire whose influence covered much of the known world at the time. Carthage, the other player in the Punic Wars, was a city state on the North Coast of Africa which had partial control over Sicily before wars and whose location was ideal for trading ground in the Mediterranean. The first war (264-241 BC) started because a conflict between two different city states on the island of Sicily, Messana and Syracuse, had been going on and eventually both Rome and Carthage stepped in. During their intervention, Carthage began to control more and more of the island of Sicily. So because of Carthage's expanding influence of Sicily, many Romans felt that Carthage's authority in Sicily threatened them and their trading. Romans attacked and quickly gained Sicily back in their control. However, because of Rome's lack of a navy they could not push Carthage back any farther. Rome soon built a navy. After C. Duilius won the first Roman sea battle of the Punic Wars, Rome dominated the sea winning all but one sea battle for the rest of the First Punic War. With Rome's authority on land and at sea, Carthage surrendered after the Roman victory at the Aegates Islands in 241 BC. The peace lasted for twenty-three years before Carthage's resentfulness in losing the first war brought them into a second. The centerstone of the Second Punic War was one man, Hannibal, and his reign on ?one of the great decisive wars of history.?1 Hannibal in 218 BC crosses the Alps into the Po Valley with an elephant baggage train. He got the aid of the Guals, a people who were conquered by the Romans. Hannibal rolled through northern Italy winning every battle along the way. Meanwhile the Romans had control of the Mediterranean Sea and stopped reinforcements from Spain. Scipio, a Roman general, drove the Carthaginian forces back to Spain and then went to North Africa. Hannibal returned to Africa to face Scipio where he was beaten by Scipio at Zama in 202 BC. After this devastating loss, the Carthaginians surrendered, lost important islands, and had to pay large sums of money to Rome. Rome also reduced the Carthage navy to ten ships. The Second Punic War was over in 201 BC. In the third and final war Rome showed its despise and hatred for Carthage. Rome came up with a plan to start a third war where they could destroy Carthage. Rome had Misnissa, king of Numidia, entice Carthage into attacking Numidia. Carthage fell into the trap attacking Misnissa in 149 BC. War was declared and Rome quickly defeated Carthage, though they did fight Rome off for three years. Any remaining Carthaginians were made slaves and Rome burned the city. Thus, with that victory three years after the last war began, and one hundred and eighteen years after the first began, Carthage's grasp in the ?known world? was over for good.

An exploration of the dark elements present in Much Ado About Nothing Essay Example

An exploration of the dark elements present in Much Ado About Nothing Essay Example An exploration of the dark elements present in Much Ado About Nothing Essay An exploration of the dark elements present in Much Ado About Nothing Essay Essay Topic: Literature Much Ado about Nothing Much Ado About Nothing is essentially a romantic comedy. One of the central themes is love and the plot centres on the characters expectations and the way in which they deal with love. Although Much Ado About Nothing is typical of many of Shakespeares romantic comedies there are dark elements, which run throughout the play. As soon as the play begins in the first scene, the reader is introduced to Don Pedro and Don John: two brothers. Don Pedro is an important nobleman from Aragon; he is socially superior to everyone else and is often referred to as Prince. Don John on the other hand is the illegitimate brother; he is often referred to as the Bastard. In Elizabethan times illegitimate children were perceived as evil, they were socially inferior as a result of the circumstances in which they were conceived. They were often seen as a representation and reminder of the sin through which they were created. Shakespeare immediately establishes a strong connection between the negative connotations and attitudes that were present in Elizabethan society at the time regarding illegitimate children and Don Johns character. He does this by ensuring that the reader notes the dark shadow that Don Johns presence casts during the otherwise happy and jovial first scene where everyone gathers to welcome Don Pedro and his men back from the war. At first during Act I Scene I there is no mention of Don John in the conversation, and there is no direct speech addressed to him. Only once Leonato has finished greeting Don Pedro and Beatrice and Benedick have exchanged wry remarks does he eventually turn to greet Don John. This implies that although Don John and Don Pedro are brothers and should be treated as equals, Don John is treated as an inferior simply because he is illegitimate. As a contrast to the jovial exchange between Leonato and Don Pedro, the exchange between Leonato and Don John is short and succinct. Don Johns reply to Leonatos greeting, Act I Scene I Lines 140-41 I thank you. I am not of many words, but I thank you. implies that he is a brooding man, that he has deep-rooted issues and troubles and is very melancholy. His disposition and nature all seem to be a result of his unfortunate background. As a result of his background Don John appears to be extremely resentful. His resentment is manifested through his actions and behaviour. Right from the beginning of the play from when we are introduced to Don John he is presented in a negative light. During Act I Scene III Don John is in the company of one of his followers and companions, Conrade. During this scene Shakespeare reveals Don Johns unpleasant nature. Conrade asks Don John why he is so miserable and dejected. Don John replies There is no measure in the occasion that breeds, therefore the sadness is without limit. Don John is telling Conrade that there is no limit to his misery. Don Johns reply indicates that he is self-indulgent, his anger and frustration at his situation has led him to become embittered. He is so self-absorbed that he refuses to let anyone talk him out of his anger. When Conrade presses him for an answer Don John replies telling him that even if there was a reason it would make no difference. Already Shakespeare is presenting Don John to the audience as an unreasonable and melancholy man who will not change for anyone. Shakespeare emphasises this aspect of Don Johns character through his next speech, where Don John professes his stubborn and insensitive character. I cannot hide what I am. I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no mans jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no mans leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on no mans business; laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in is human Again Shakespeare emphasises Don Johns self-centred nature by the repetitive use of I. Conrade Don John is the antithesis of Don Pedro; he is the opposite of everything the play wants to be about. The dastardly plan to ruin Claudio and Heros wedding is as a result of his hatred for marriage, as well as his resentment towards Don Pedro and anyone who is close to him. It is the ideal of marriage that has caused him to be in his unfortunate position. The fact that he was born out of wedlock may have led him to hold a deep hatred for marriage. If there were no marriage, if marriage did not exist, he would not have to endure the ridicule and degradation that he suffers at this moment. As well as Don Johns plain dealing villain there are other elements of darkness throughout the play. Shakespeare uses the device of deception in different instances to show the reader that all is not as it seems, and often judgements made on observations are wrong. There are two main instances where the plot involves deception and deceit. Firstly there is the plot to bring Beatrice and Benedick together and second there is the more malicious plot, devised by Don John, to ruin Claudios marriage to Hero. The whole farce through which Benedick and Beatrice are eventually brought together and led to reveal their true feelings for one another is carried out using the device of deception. Although there is no malicious intent, the act of deception its self is negative as it is based on playing with peoples feelings.

Encourage your students to learn with Pokémon Go

Encourage your students to learn with Pokà ©mon Go Tricking students into studying with Pokà ©mon Go Have you ever wondered that there can be many teaching ideas around the popular game Pokà ©mon Go? It sounds really strange. But just understand how the game works and find out why it is so popular among the students. So, why not bring some new teaching ideas into your own class? You can easily teach children some important things using Pokà ©mon Go and make everything understandable in such way. There are many beneficial ways that it can be adapted for learning. Let`s find out which learning opportunities this game can generate for your classroom. Develop student`s mapping skills Pokà ©mon Go app can help your students find out more about the area around their school and home. Just ask them to draw a detailed map with route and stops where they are going to collect virtual items. Study iconic spots in your state This game is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the geography of your state. Pokà ©mon goodies are usually placed at significant landmarks, so you can ask your students to find some interesting and relevant information about the history and culture of their chosen spots. Practice metric system Pokà ©mon Go measures distance in kilometers. Give your students a task to convert the hatching distances to miles. Discover the real-life animals As Pokà ©mon Go is played in the real world, it can help students find out more about the animal world in the area you live in. Ask your students to take photos of the real animals and then post them with the tag #PokeBlitz. You can also guide them to research endangered and common species. Let your student become a journalist You can easily cultivate the journalist`s curiosity of your students. Just visit some very popular places in your city in order to find other children who are fond of this game. Ask your pupils to interview other players about their interests and progress in Pokà ©mon Go.   Practice English Your students can enjoy playing Pokà ©mon Go and at the same time practice their English accomplishing various tasks. You can use the game introduction as the material for your reading class. You can ask your pupils to write a story about their experiences of playing. They should describe as many details as possible. Make mathematics interesting with Pokà ©mon Go Ask you students to estimate the amount of time they spent to catch a Pokà ©mon or calculate the probability of Pokà ©mon appearances. They can also calculate distances travelled and total for caught Pokà ©mon. This game is a great opportunity to practice data literacy skills. Use Pokà ©mon Go to explain theory Let your students predict their own evolutionary timeline for a Pokà ©mon. Explore the world around and explain the ecosystem in which Pokà ©mon live. Expand the technological knowledge of your students Explain your students how to stay safe while playing Pokà ©mon Go. Ask your pupils to develop their own soundtrack that could accompany the game using their favorite music program. They can also create an online database with all the important information on all Pokà ©mon characters. Use Pokà ©mon Go for creative writing classes Students can write a newspaper article about their adventures catching Pokà ©mon, a manual in which they can explain how to play, a diary to chronicle their experiences or create a comic strip about Pokà ©mon.

Program capstone DB4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Program capstone DB4 - Essay Example Many mobile users especially in Kenya and other African countries use Google’s Mobile Payment to send money and in daily business transactions. Regulations in the telecommunication industry have also served as an entry barrier to new entrants. The telecommunications license is very expensive and this has made entry into the industry very difficult. Google Wallet has therefore very few competitors. Threats are external forces that are harmful to the organization. A threat is a major unfavorable situation in a firm’s external environment (Tuckwell, K. J. 2007). Google faces two major threats. These are lower telecommunication licenses and competitors adopting low cost technologies. If the license fee for telecommunication firms was to drop, the industries would attract more players. As a result, more competitors would come in and the large market share enjoyed by Google would reduce. Google has adopted high cost technologies for money transfer and network distribution. If competitors would adopt low cost technology, they would be able to offer services at lower prices. In case of a negative impact on Google, the company should adopt differentiation strategy to help it cope up with the competition. According to Porter (1980), differentiation may generate superior profitability because it provides insulation against competitive

The Effects of Reading Skills on Elementary School Students With Research Proposal

The Effects of Reading Skills on Elementary School Students With Program Development - Research Proposal Example This essay stresses that disorders in reading skills are a common problem for students, specifically because of the curricula that are expected to continue to be used by teachers. The persistence of the problem is linked to psychological, behavioral, emotional and developmental associations, making it difficult for students to increase their skills. The teacher responses are also often limited because of expectations with meeting specific standards, pressures associated with the classroom format and links to the expectations with the curricula that are used. The examination of disorders that are specific to reading skills is one which holds specific attributes. This paper makes a conclusion that Tte problem which is associated with reading skills and disorders is based on the gap from teachers and administrators with meeting the need of children. Currently, policies and standards have been put into place that is based on the needs and development of those interested in creating reading skills. This is combined with the need to have more resources and tools for teachers while finding ways to fill the gaps with students who are suffering from reading disorders. The lack of information available, difficulties with those who are working with the policies and the associations that are created from the development which is expected is the main way in which the problem arises with those who are suffering from disabilities with reading. ... This is furthered with the diverse needs which are associated with learning disabilities. This particular study will look at the gaps as well as opportunities that are associated with specific reading disabilities among students. With this study, teachers will be able to develop more opportunities for students to have capacities to learn to read, even with learning disorders. Definition of Terms Reading Disorder: Difficulty in reading based on neurological alterations in the mind. Dyslexia: Decoding of words which is not created in order. Developmental impairments: Psychological factors which link directly to the reading abilities of students, such as ADD or ADHD. Literature Review The examination of disorders that are specific to reading skills is one which holds specific attributes. General learning disorders are now divided according to ways in which individuals react and the associations which are created toward the disorders. When looking at the standards and expectations, it is noted that there are common reading disorders that many children are now focused on. This relates to cognitive and psychological dysfunctions that hinder the learning process. The problem with the disorders furthers with the teacher and administrative standards and expectations as well as the inability to continue to change the curriculum because of these standards. This is furthered with the classification differences for the learning disorders and the expected intervention programs which often don’t have the correct link to solving the disorders. Developing the needed alterations with the learning disorders and understanding how this is continuing to develop creates a firm basis to finding improved solutions to help

Leadership in the Movies Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Leadership in the Movies - Coursework Example This paper presents an analytical paradigm of leadership approaches. A typical illustration of how this paradigm functions is shown in the film Twelve O’Clock High. The 1949 movie is about the Second World War and how an unsuccessful bomber troop was made triumphant by Brigadier General Savage. Plot Summary General Frank Savage, in this narrative of the first phase of bombing attacks over Germany, is ordered to lead a disastrous bomber team after a commanding officer is dismissed. A great deal of the narrative focuses on Savage’s great effort to make the team highly disciplined despite of several and major losses. Real battle footage is included in this vividly told war story. The American 918th Bomber Group has recently accomplished another assignment. The performance of the 918th is depressing. The group is enduring major crew fatalities and aircraft damages. The poor performance of the 918th stands in contrast with the achievements of other bomber units. Consequently , the 918th experiences weak motivation and a status as ‘The Hard Luck Unit† (Lay & Bartlett, 1980, 19); thus starts the archetypal film about the Second World War. Savage, after reaching the 918th Bomber Group, observes that there are weak levels of obedience and discipline. The soldiers show almost no concern for military civility and are frequently intoxicated. Savage promptly evaluates the records of assistant leaders. He finds out that Air Executive Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ben Gately has a good record. But Savage is forced to order an arrest of Gately because he is missing from his position. When Gately is arrested, Savage criticizes him for abandoning his assignment and for being personally accountable for the failure of the prior commanding officer. Savage dismisses Gately from the position but refuses to recommend his reassignment. Rather, Savage proclaims, â€Å"I’m not going to pass the buck†¦ I’m going to keep you right here† (Lay & Bartlett, 1980, 14). Savage afterward relocates all of the nonconformists of the 918th unit. Even though the decisions of Savage may seem to be humiliating, he is going on the right direction. His charismatic leadership style is usually aggressive, drastic, and transformative, often working as a change catalyst. Savage exhibits a supernatural intuition. He recognizes Gately can be a very effective leader, but one who requires motivation. The aspiration of Savage is for Gately to turn out to be a self-actualized individual, to emerge from a self-centered to altruistic character and be instilled with well-formed work principles. Savage displays transformational inclinations of a charismatic leader. By granting Gately the opportunity to regain his good reputation as a leader, Savage finally guides him to a deep empowerment position. Gately in time realizes his decisions and attitudes strongly influence the group’s capacity to effectively complete its assignment. Charismatic Le adership’s Transformational Traits Future leaders will confront numerous circumstances where in they will have to adopt transformational traits of a charismatic leader. Numerous leaders of the future will come to believe that

Recommendations And Justification For Strategic Options Marketing Essay

Recommendations And Justification For Strategic Options Marketing Essay Introduction From the last three decades hospitality business environment is becoming more aggressive and competitive for the businessmen due to the impact of globalization. Therefore, it is mandatory for every businessman to develop and implement a comprehensive and profitable strategic planning for the survival of their business. A strategy indicating the opportunities to propose, specific targets, and the types of competitive advantages those are to be developed. (Dibb et al., 2006) So strategy preparation is the overall preparation that facilitates the goodness of management procedures. Of import provision takes you after-school the day to day activities of your governance or task. It provides you with the big picture of what you are doing and where you are going. Strategical planning gives you lucidity about what you actually want to achieve and how to go astir achieving it rather than a program of activity for day to day operations. (Janet Shapiro et al., 1998). Strategical management is a continuous process that estimates and controls the activities of the organizations in which the organization is involved. It also helps to evaluate its potential competitors keeping in view the organizations set goals and strategies to achieve the organizational overall objectives. The implementations of these strategies are evaluated on regular basis and if these strategies are not working in the business environment to achieve the organizational goals then these are replaced by new strategies. Stephan P. Robbins and Mary Coulter (2009: 180) tell us: Every organization needs a mission-a statement of its purpose. This mission induces the managers to take favorable actions to accomplish this mission. For instance, the mission of Brook Hotels is Brook Hotels is committed to realizing our guests needs. This statement provides clues to what this organization sees as their purpose. They achieve this, by development and providing innovative dare and first-class hospitality products served by devoted attached highly disciplined vibrant people. In so doing, they always strive to create and sustain prominent returns and value and to honor their sociable and biology responsibilities to the fullest. The managers usually observe the two environments in the situation analysis. External analysis of hotel, so the managers know that what the competition is doing and what the labor supply is like in locations where it operates. Therefore, managers examine both the specific and general enviro nment to see the positive and negative trends (opportunities, threats) of the hotel and then create and develop the strategies accordingly. Internal analysis of hotel provides you the important information of the hotel resources (financial, physical, human and intangibles assets) and capabilities (skills and abilities to do the activities). These resources and capabilities give the hotel a competitive edge. Tools that can be in use to evaluate acceptableness include what if analytic thinking neutral functions. After evaluation all the strategies are going to be implemented in a developed organizational structure and design in a way that the company goes towards the profitability. As we know that the hospitality industry is reaching at the maturity due to a large number of competitors and the effect of globalization. Therefore, in order to survive in such a competitive environment, everyone have to work out on the effective strategic formation and implementation. Thus, it is very imp ortant to have a good strategy because organization can only gain the sustainable growth if they have good plans for the consumers as they are the only source of all the revenues help in building a good reputation in the industry. 4. Company Introduction The Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized worldwide in hospitality industry. It owns over 514 hotels worldwide with over 176,257 rooms. According to Forbes, it is ranked as the 43rd largest private company in the United States. It was founded by Conrad Hilton in 1919 in Cisco, Texas. The corporation has highly regarded hotel brands. Their brand portfolio includes: Hilton Conrad Doubletree Embassy Suites Hotels Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn Suites Hilton Garden Inn Homewood Suites by Hilton, and The Waldorf Astoria Collection Hilton is guided by the principles of Conrad Hilton, in which the company strives to: Consistently delight customers invest in team members Be mindful of the environment Deliver innovative products and services Give back to the communities that are served Expand the family of brands Continuously improve performance Provide a healthy, safe environment for team members, guests and customers Create a culture of pride Strengthen the loyalty of constituents Hilton in recent years, have aimed to target those aged between 25 to 55, and therefore to become more appealing to the younger audience. Most of the Hilton brand hotels are franchised to independent companies. 4.1 Vision Hospitality is all about the individual and at Hilton; we pride ourselves on our unique service culture. Yes I Can! Is our company-wide philosophy which promises that each guest will be treated with a positive service attitude at every point of contact? The hotel manager, the waiter, the receptionist, the porter everyone plays a vital role in delivering a memorable guest experience. 4.2 Mission We provide concern and leisure time travellers with a pick of first-class hospitality products that offering good economic value while reassuring good return to owners and shareholders and inspiration to employees. 4.3 Values of Hilton Hotels H Hospitality: The organization is passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences I Integrity: To do the right thing all time L- Leadership: To continue its leadership in the industry and also in its communities T- Team work: To perform the tasks in teams O- Ownership: To be the owners of the actions and decisions taken. N- Now: To operate with a sense of urgency and discipline (Hilton, 2010) 5. PESTEL Analysis PESTEL analysis defines the external factors to business, depending on the market Ecological and Legislative factors are included. PESTEL analysis measures the market capability by indicating the areas of growth. Political factors include legislation, international legislation, regulatory bodies, government policies, government terms and change, funding, grants and initiatives and lobby groups. The economic factors comprise domestic economy, international situations and trends, taxation issues, seasonal issues, market and trade cycles, distribution issues and others. The social factors include lifestyle trends, demographics, consumer attitudes, opinions, media views, brand, company, technology image, consumer purchasing patterns, fashion and role models, competing technology development, associated and dependent technologies, replacement technology solutions, maturity of technology information and communication and others. Political Factors: Considering the political factors Hilton Hotels have faced many political barriers on its way to success. One such incident is the Arab boycott of American companies. Arab countries have boycotted businesses with countries that do businesses with Israel even though the issue was not directly related to America. Most of the American companies like Ford, IBM and Hilton were blacklisted by the Arabs. Hilton Hotels continued to expand its business in Israel and Egypt along with promoting peace in the region. Hilton Hotel received no threat from Israel after opening its hotel in Egypt. Economic Factors: The internet is not severely alive to the efficient economic cycles. However, it is observed that the tourism or hotel sales are dejected due to unnatural economic changes in those countries from which customers are booking and reserving the products. These changes include in economic growth, interest rates, rising prices or currency fluctuations that can eliminate tourism organization s cost advantage and can have an adverse consequence on the margins. Hilton has formed alliances with various organizations and also strategic agreements to continue its prosperity. Social Factors: Sociology changes and changes in customers attitudes towards new technology and internet in particularly will have absolute wallop on internet and hospitality industries respectfully. Time customers are Thomas More experienced and innovative in the use of engineering science. The social system of rules dimension moldiness includes the larger mixer and persuasion processes through with which the interests of the dissimilar social groups interact with one another and with the technology. Hilton has figured its services suitable for all the sectors. It has provisions for theatres, conference rooms for business delegates, U-shaped bedrooms and board rooms, dinner halls social gatherings and other similar activities. Technological Factors: Hilton has implemented electronic marketing as part of its technology drive. The rooms booked over the web for the Hilton hotel accounts for half billion dollars. Hilton has developed its own system of technological department for managing the international operations worldwide. Hilton is among the few hotels that use internet for booking rooms. Hilton has merged with various firms like Starwood for expansion and also for its technologic advantage. Hilton International use computers in their core information physical processing centers of selling and statistical distribution, front office, back-office, and beverages control. Information technologies are dispersing in eight key areas of hotel trading operations like selling, distribution, reservations and gross sales, telecommunications, guest accounting, room management, back-office, food and drinks, control energy management and safety and security. Merchandise distribution is a critically important mathemati cal function of Hilton International. Information technologies, such as computerized reservations systems and video brochures, aid hotels in selling and distributing their bed nights. For Hilton the employment of information technologies to nexus neurotic their front office, back office and beverages departments may be essential for the businesslike and cost-effective bringing of their services. However, it aim not be decent to warranty the sales agreement of hotel bed nights without links to international selling and statistical distribution networks building bed nights cannot be sold. Ecological Factors: Hilton New York has unveiled eco-centric initiatives as part of its two-years of celebration of generating clean power with fuel cell technology. Hilton New York has performed various leading-edge initiatives throughout the hotel. (Organic Fertilizer Waste Vector Decomposition System) This system was set up to reduce the 8 tons of wet rubbish which is approximately equal to 5000 meals produced on an average at the building each day. This system facilitates the employees to dispose of table and kitchen scraps into unit which is a size of chest freezer. This system eliminates nearly 400 bags of garbage per day. (Water Purification System) Hilton New York has deployed an on-site water purification system created by the Natural Water. The Natural water system is connected to the existing water source. This water system of rules has eliminated nearly 12 000 expendable glass and plastic bottles from paper routine change of location in the hotel. Legislative Factors:- The hoteliers in US are about to expect lobbying and assembly action that will feeling travel companionship taxation and card bank check which are important issues to the lodging manufacture according to the American Hotel and Lodging connection. The association believes that this move will certainly bear an impact on the industry. Chris Nassetta the CEO of the Hilton Hotels has same that it is a greater menace than people are giving it credit for. Building companionship executives fearfulness the execution of the this statute law as they would no choice but to brand up what they consider as incomprehensible gross by levying high monetary value onto hotels. 6. SWOT Analysis of Hilton Hotels Hilton hotels corporation is also recovering from the event of September eleven the like all Major building corporations. This tragic homo event also delivered a financially annihilating blow to the traveling industry as a unit and to the building industry in particular. In order to fully recover and thrive in the coming old age Hilton mustiness assess its overall all strengths and weaknesses as it moves forward done the new millennium. The favorable grind analytic thinking sheds any easy on any of the pitfalls and opportunities that await the Hilton Hotels. Strengths Hilton Hotel Corporation is a well-established organization and industry leader in the hospitality industry. It is well diversified across the industry with hotels in the high end, business and mid-priced classes in their product mix. It also possesses solid integration features such as owning the companies that manufacture its furniture and has invested in online reservation travel enterprises Weaknesses It may be two narrowly focused making it exposed to a downturn in the global economy and other world-wide misfortunes that could limit global travel such as the bird-flu and a significant terrorist strike. It may be defenseless to workers strikes and crack down on undocumented workers in the U.S. Most of its holdings are in the U.S. Opportunities It should offer a range of characteristic and expert services to the high end guests and high whitecaps such as wedding planning hosting, spas that specialize in personal services and personal trainers. It should look to expand into or purchase a cruise line. A cruise ship is little more than a hotel that floats this would essentially match what it currently doing with its leased properties Gaming activities would spurt regulation, etc. Take advantage of emerging markets, especially with business class and mid-priced markets. Threats It must be careful not overstretch its labors to mix entertaining and betting The delay of credit and other side effects of betting can slowly but surely chew profits. September 11th was a major blow to the hotel industry. A similar event could result in another down turn. By studying national and regional industry trends Hilton Corporation will be capable to return advantage of opportunities that will enable growth piece identifying threats that may affect profitableness. Growing in the hotel and cordial reception manufacture will include a continuing focusing on gambling International enlargement and exploitation all media to promote its products to potential customers. One advisable strategy for Hilton is to emphasize the grandness of family in all its hotels including the gambling and gambling casino locations. Las Vegas has exhausted millions to attract families by adding childrens attractions as well spring as the conventional casinos for the adults. Most of the hotels rich person at affair a little country devoted to colonnade games. However some hotels have luxuriant arcades plot areas and child attention centers motivated for those traveling with children Hilton Hotels Corporation, 2007. Hilton needs to ensure they are right field in the middl e of this demographic of parents traveling with children. Spell the focusing can stillness be on the senior high school dollars that are tossed around in the casinos by the parents it will be critical that the edifice have the facilities usable that testament attract parents with children to check at the property. Since location is a greater requirement and holiday clip has become one of the few multiplications that families are capable to spend superior clip together, Hilton essential capitalize on this marketplace section. 7. Evaluation of the Strategic Options After analyzing the internal and external environments, it is important for Hilton Hotel Corporation to identify the strategic options that are available. This gives them the opportunity to select the most suitable strategic option for the corporation. The strategic options are evaluated on the following criteria: The required resources The degree to control over future strategies The speed with which a change in the position of SBUs can be achieved Strategic options Environment Competencies Expectation of the company Risk involved Market Penetration Gain market share for advantages Superior resources and skill force to adopt this option Increase return by using the current strategies Low risk Market Development Current market is saturated, opportunity to enter new segment, new geographical areas Current product portfolio can be used. Increase return by using the current strategies Medium risk Demographic Segmentation Focus on age and low income group to get competitive advantage Skilled force to adopt this option using current product portfolio Increase return by using the current strategies High risk Backward Integration Become a furniture manufacturer Skilled force to adopt this option with new product line Increase return developing new strategies Medium risk Joint venture Obtain local management to reduce risk Distinctive skilled force with new and existing product Increase return developing new strategies Low risk Recommendations and Justification for Strategic Options After an internal and external analysis of Hilton Hotel Corporation and evaluation of the strategic options the following growth strategies for the company are recommended. Market Penetration Acquisition of motels Market development Excursionists Demographic segmentation Backpackers:Â  18-28 years, no children. Attracted to adventurous activity, consider themselves travellers not tourists, generally well-educated and cost conscious. Empty Nesters:Â  Parents whose children have flown the family nest, between 43 and 58 of age, well-educated and medium disposable income. Backward Integration Distribution of furniture manufacturer Joint Venture Expansion of businesses other than the western world Strategies Attractiveness Company strengths Level of importance Market Penetration (Acquisition of motels) Very high Highly recognized brand name in the western world High [Company doesnt have motels in US and UK ] Market Development Obtain the market of (Excursionists ) Very high Highly recognized brand name in the western world Very high demographic segmentation (Backpackers and (Empty Nesters) High Highly recognized brand name in the western world high Backward Integration (Supplier of furniture) Moderate Highly recognized brand name in the western world Low Joint Venture (Acquire some assets in Pakistan) Moderate Highly recognized brand name in the western world Moderate Conclusion Marketing is the lifeblood for any business organization which can be defined as the collection and coordination of interrelated activities. The degree and the impact of marketing planning determines the success or failure of a business organization as they help in the analyzing the markets and also the needs of the customers. The founder of Hilton hotels is the Conrad Hilton which was renamed as Capital Hilton in the year 1977. Many celebrated guests have considered Hilton group of hotels as home away from home which was trademark for customer service and hospitality. Hilton group of hotels have been affected by the political controversies in the Middle East but it didnt confine its growth in the region. The organization went on to open its hotels in Egypt and Israel amidst controversies and also promoted peace in the process. Apart from political and legislative factors remaining of the PESTEL factor didnt affect the Hilton hotels business across the world. The marketing planning l ived up to the expectations of the expectations of the Hilton Hotels. The marketing approach used by Hilton is geocentric to a great extent. The hotel chains in the US failed to attract the guests at the beginning of 2002 vacation season later they managed to balance the figures. Therefore it can be concluded that the Hilton group of hotels is performing to standards of its reputation but there is plenty scope for the American based organization to develop further. References Cathy A. Enz, Hospitality Strategic Management Concepts and Cases: 2nd Edition Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, Principles of Management: 10th Edition Philip Kotler, John T. Bowen, James C. Makens, Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism: 5th Edition Gerry Johnson, Kevan Scholes, Exploring Corporate Strategy: 6th Edition Johnson G, Scholes K, Whittington R., 2008, Exploring Corporate Strategy, 8th Edition, FT Prentice Hall, Essex.

Book Report on Little Women by Louisa May Alcott :: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

In 1868, Louisa May Alcott wrote the book Little Women in "response to a publisher's request for a 'girl's book'". Louisa wrote this book by calling upon her own memories of her childhood and putting them down on paper. This is the story of four young girls, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, and how they endure all the trouble and hardships that come along during their lives. They are raised by their mother and by their father, and many interesting characters pop up along the way, such as Laurie, their good-natured next-door neighbor; Laurie later falls in love with Jo but ends up marrying Amy. In the beginning of the story they are all fairly young, the youngest being twelve years old, and their mother, whom they call Marmee, is left to guide them while their father is away fighting in the war. As they grow and mature, they learn many hard lessons about life. For instance, there was the time when Amy, the youngest, suffered her first punishment in school. She carries that anger, humility, and embarrassment with her for the rest of her life. There were also more serious lessons to be learned, like when one of the sisters, Beth, dies. By the end of the book, they really have turned from little women into real women. Jo was the second oldest of the four sisters. Her birth name was Josephine, but she always thought that it sounded too feminine, so she shortened it to Jo. Clearly, Jo was one of the main characters of the story because many of the events centered on her and the audience learned more about who she was. She was a tomboy at heart and hated all the prim and proper ways of the ladies in those days. Jo was very blunt in her speaking and always said exactly what was on her mind. However, most people felt right at ease speaking with her because she had a way of making them feel comfortable, despite her frankness. Jo was the one who first had enough courage to go over to the frightening house next door and talk with the Laurence Boy, whom they knew as Laurie after that, and became the best of friends with him. Despite that one good trait, Jo has an uncontrollable temper that can erupt at any time. This is quite evident one day when Amy burns one of Jo's most precious items-a book that she wrote stories in and had for years.

The Narrative Technique of Poe’s Horror Stories

Angela L. Rhea Professor Mack ENGL-2327-XQ2 American Literature I February 28, 2013 The Narrative Technique of Poe’s Horror Stories Edgar Allan Poe writes â€Å"The Black Cat† (695) and â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart† (691) in a narrative voice. In writing the stories he uses the narrator to tell about what happened and the acts that were involved when he did what he did. When telling the stories in first person as Poe did, it is hard to determine the real from the false in this type of narrative, as it was with Poe too. He told his stories from the mind of a madman, per se.He tells both stories from the mind of a mentally ill person or from a diseased mind as in â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart†. The disease had sharpened my senses, not destroyed, not dulled them. (The Tell Tale Hears, 692)He talks about his disease, referring to his alcoholism being a mental disease. He proves many times throughout the story that he is a mad man. He talks about killing the old man b ecause his eye reminded him of a bird, just the craziness of the human psyche. Poe has a way of showing and defining the human psyche in a demonic fashion.And yet at the same time act like he is not mad and that is what any normal person would do if they are bothered by something or someone. And he shows realism in doing these acts because of how he shows the human emotion in â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart†: â€Å"Yet for some minutes longer, I refrained and kept still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the hear must burst. (The Tell Tale Heart, 693) When he was describing the guilt he had after killing the man. He thought it was his heart beating when in fact; it was his own heart pounding and pounding.These events support the idea that he is mad and confirms the fact that we do not know the reliability of the story at all. Edgar Allan Poe chose to tell his stories the way he did so that he would give the impression that he was not trustworthy. This works towards hi s efforts and would not be the same if told in present tense. Knowing this helps with the message of the story the author is trying to get across as in â€Å"The Black Cat†, â€Å"For the most wild, yet most homely narrative, which I am about to pen, I neither expect nor solicit belief. (The Black Cat, 695) Here at the beginning of the story he leaves you wondering about the credibility of the details and curious if you can trust his story. Edgar Allan Poe wants us to experience the mystery and the climax and surprise that he presents in telling the story. He will start the story with what seems to be a hint of honesty. In â€Å"The Black Cat†, he tells you about his childhood, â€Å"From my infancy I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition. My tenderness of heart was even so conspicuous as to make me the jest of my companions. (695) Then he immediately tells you of his alcoholism in â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart†. Poe does not suggest that any o f this would label him as a mad man. He is all to proud of himself on how he was able to come up with the plot in â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart† when he stated, â€Å"You should have see how wisely I proceeded with what caution, with what foresight, wit what dissimulation I went to work! † Poe uses the narration to build up the suspense of the stories and how his human nature was pushed to the limits with the old man’s eye and with the black cat and the return of the black cat.He builds up the suspense and then leaves you a bit feeling sorry for him and trying to understand why he did what he did. Then he goes on to act like he has no feeling whatsoever about the killings. The he is almost justified, I mean, wouldn’t you be if you were him? And then human again as he narrates the apparent guilt he felt over the acts as being the key that ultimately got him caught. His mind played tricks on him and he didn’t notice it. http://www. sparknotes. com/lit/po estories/section8. rhtml MLA Citation â€Å"The Narrative Technique Of Edgar Allan Poe†. Anti Essays. 28 Feb. 2013

Labour Market Segmentation Theory Example

Labour Market Segmentation Theory Example Labour Market Segmentation Theory – Term Paper Example Labor Market Segmentation Theory Labor market segmentation (Garnsey secondary sector workers are stuck there and the only way to come out is either by getting training or getting higher qualifications. Jobs in a secondary markets are low skilled, easy and quick to learn, as a result under employment and unemployment are key characteristics of secondary market.An Oysterman. Federal Writers Project. London: Springer, 1938.Garnsey, Peter D. A., and ZabÅ‚ocka, Julia. Economy of the Nuclear or Extended Family in Oriental Antiquity. Budapest: AkadeÃŒ mia KiadoÃŒ , 1982.Toft, Christian. International Labour Market and Social Policy Analysis: Essays on Segmentation, Cross National Variation and European Union Regulation. Kassel: Kassel Univ., 2004.

Free Essays on The Things They Carried

In the short story â€Å"The Things They Carried† Tim O’Brien faces Jimmy Cross with the problem of surviving while fighting in Vietnam. While trying to maintain his sanity, Jimmy struggles between his old self and the person he has to become. Jimmy has to make some difficult decisions while in his tour, and most of them come to his attention after his friend Ted Lavender is killed. Jimmy’s main struggle in dealing with his friends death is to figure out a way he can become a better leader. He wants to lead his troop with confidence and preciseness. Before his friend’s death, Jimmy had constructed a bulwark to separate him from the rest of the troop. Jimmy was in his own world, mainly back in New Jersey with Martha, but sometimes in a fantasy world where nothing felt real and he would do amazing things like fly over Vietnam waving the whole madness goodbye. His misconception of fantasy and reality is one of the first things that he changes about himself in order to become a better leader. Making this decision was near impossible, the pictures that he had become inured to seeing everyday were put to flame and Martha was no longer in his thoughts. By burning those pictures he not only breaks free from the fantasy world, but also of Martha. She was a girl back home who he had loved dearly, and had remained in contact with throughout the war. His infatuation with Martha was not a sexual one, but one that had something much greater weight towards his survival. He did not think about Martha day in and day out because she was his only true love of the world; he merely needed something to occupy his mind with. He needed something to keep his thoughts away from the horrible tragedies going on around him. He was trying to maintain his hope. Martha gave him a goal, something to shoot for, a reason not to give up. â€Å"So easy, really. Go limp and tumble to the ground and let the muscles unwind and no... Free Essays on The Things They Carried Free Essays on The Things They Carried In Tim O’Brien’s novel, The Things They Carried, numerous themes are illustrated by the author. Through the portrayal of a number of characters, Tim O’Brien suggests that to adapt to Vietnam is not always more difficult than to revert back to the lives they once knew. Correspondingly the theme of change is omnipresent throughout the novel, specifically in the depiction of numerous characters. Tim O’Brien is drafted one month after graduating from Macalester College to fight a war he hated. Tim O’Brien believed he was above the war, and as a result pursued the alternative of escaping across the border to Canada. This understandable act is what Tim O’Brien considers an embarrassment to himself, and to others. When Tim O’Brien finds accommodation on the border to Canada, he meets Elroy Berdahl who eventually influences Tim O’Brien, to change. Elroy Berdahl acts as a mentor to Tim, a figure that remains detached in the sense that he must provide enough support and understanding without being attached to the results. At the rear of the boat Elroy Berdahl pretended not to notice...I realized that Canada had become a pitiful fantasy. Silly and hopeless. It was no longer a possibility. Right then, with the shore so close, I understood That I would not do what I should do. I would not swim away from my hometown and my country and my life. I would not be brave. That old image of myself as a hero, as a man of conscience and courage, all that was just a threadbare pipe dream. (O’Brien 59,60) Tim O’Brien’s epiphany so close to the Canadian shore, represents the change he went through in the 6 days he was with Elroy Berdahl. Tim O’Brien’s whole life appeared before him and out of cowardice, he went to war. Rat Kiley is the platoon medic who eventually loses his mind in the field. Rat Kiley’s metamorphosis occurs when the platoon switches to a routine of night movement Kalil 2 for 2 weeks. Rat is una... Free Essays on The Things They Carried All too often, literature is misunderstood by a reader due to the simple fact that he or she has no idea what happened in the author’s life to cause him or her to write a particular literary piece and what the author is trying to pass on to the reader. There are many factors that affect the way an author writes his or her literature including experiences that took place in his or her life, occurrences around the world, and values and beliefs he or she has. In order to understand a text, the reader must first have an understanding of the author. By this, I mean that the reader must seek to identify with the author and try to read the text as the author intended. This involves the reader learning some things about the author and determining what assumptions the author made about the reader’s knowledge, beliefs, and previous literary experiences. Peter Rabinowitz, a literary strategist, referred to this sort of perspective as â€Å"authorial† reading and encour aged this view vehemently. As we read a piece of literature, we will try our best to read as â€Å"authorial readers† and relate the author and his world to what he or she wants me to attain. An author named Tim O’Brien wrote about some of the events that took place in the Vietnam War. In his short story, â€Å"The Things They Carried,† O’Brien wrote a sort of autofiction about some of his accounts in the war. This is referred to as an autofiction because it is a story about true occurrences in his life with some fictional incidents intertwined into the story, hence an autobiographical fiction. In order to understand his story, we are going to learn some things about his background and his experiences in the war that influenced his literary style and also try to figure out how we, the readers, are supposed to read this particular text. In other words, we will attempt to become the â€Å"authorial readers† that we talked about earlier in order to better understand his ... Free Essays on The Things They Carried Spilling Your Heart Through a Pen Tim O’Brien utilizes the autobiographical fallacy to vent a guilty war clogged conscience. Since the author is linked to the narrator, the reader must question the factual truths of The Things The Carried. The book is dedicated to Cross, Norman Bowker, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Henry Dobbins, and Kiowa. However, O’Brien states that all the accounts, besides the narrator being a 43-year-old veteran, are fictional. So, the speaker is the author, but his stories cannot be believed as truth. Even though the stories of the narrator’s friends are fiction, the narrator stresses that the realism of these characters is not important. Tim O’Brien is linking himself to the narrator not for the purpose of making the stories more believable. According to the writer, â€Å"Story-truth is truer sometimes than happening-truth.† (179) When a person reads the truer fictional stories, while believing the author is the narrator, it makes one â€Å"†¦fe el what [the narrator] felt.† (179) Tim O’Brien is using the autobiographical fallacy to vent his negative memories in the hope that the reader can relate or sympathize. The narrator strongly opposes the Vietnam War. Internal conflict arises when the draft picks the Tim to fight in the war. He travels toward Canada to avoid Vietnam, but feels â€Å"†¦ashamed of my conscience, ashamed to be doing the right thing.† (52) The reader knows that this particular story is not factual, because the narrator is tormented by images of people from the past and future (i.e. Abe Lincoln and Huck Finn). Many details of the narrator’s trip to Canada are bogus. The narrator goes to the war, survives, and states that, â€Å"†¦it’s not a happy ending. I was a coward. I went to the war.† (61) These words, coupled with Tim O’Brien’s linkage to the narrator, force the reader to understand the author’s guilty conscience. The narrator relays many stories in w... Free Essays on The Things They Carried In the short story â€Å"The Things They Carried† Tim O’Brien faces Jimmy Cross with the problem of surviving while fighting in Vietnam. While trying to maintain his sanity, Jimmy struggles between his old self and the person he has to become. Jimmy has to make some difficult decisions while in his tour, and most of them come to his attention after his friend Ted Lavender is killed. Jimmy’s main struggle in dealing with his friends death is to figure out a way he can become a better leader. He wants to lead his troop with confidence and preciseness. Before his friend’s death, Jimmy had constructed a bulwark to separate him from the rest of the troop. Jimmy was in his own world, mainly back in New Jersey with Martha, but sometimes in a fantasy world where nothing felt real and he would do amazing things like fly over Vietnam waving the whole madness goodbye. His misconception of fantasy and reality is one of the first things that he changes about himself in order to become a better leader. Making this decision was near impossible, the pictures that he had become inured to seeing everyday were put to flame and Martha was no longer in his thoughts. By burning those pictures he not only breaks free from the fantasy world, but also of Martha. She was a girl back home who he had loved dearly, and had remained in contact with throughout the war. His infatuation with Martha was not a sexual one, but one that had something much greater weight towards his survival. He did not think about Martha day in and day out because she was his only true love of the world; he merely needed something to occupy his mind with. He needed something to keep his thoughts away from the horrible tragedies going on around him. He was trying to maintain his hope. Martha gave him a goal, something to shoot for, a reason not to give up. â€Å"So easy, really. Go limp and tumble to the ground and let the muscles unwind and no... Free Essays on The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien Throughout history, every war has great stories that need to be heard. For the Vietnam War those great stories are captured in Tim O’Brien’s story â€Å"The things they carried†. Tim O’Brien was one of the most influential and talented writers of his time, and in his stories he unveils the truth and the facts of war and tells the readers that war is not fun and games it is serious business. Tim O’Brien was born in a small town in Austin Minnesota on October 1,1946.He went to Macalester College and graduated in 1968 with a BA in political science. Though O’Brien was against the war in Vietnam he as forced to enter the armed forces soon after he graduated. After O’Brien got out of Vietnam he went to Harvard University. He eventually left Harvard to become a newspaper reporter which led the way to his brilliantly wrote novels. Besides â€Å"The Things They Carried,† O’Brien wrote many other dazzling novels. Some of those novels are â€Å"If I Die In Combat Zone†, â€Å" Going After Cacciato,† and his most recent novel â€Å"In the Lake of the Woods†(Tim O’Brien’s Biography). In these novels, O’Brien discusses one issue that leads to a discussion of seemingly opposite issues. His novel â€Å"If I Die In Combat Zone† was a memoir of his Vietnam Tour and he describes his trip Vietnam back to Minnesota. In this novel, he emphasizes how casually death can come by describing the period of relative relief after a successful ambush. He says how the soldier may feel relaxed but that fear that death can come is still imbedded in their brain. In his novel â€Å" Going After Cacciato† he begins the story with a list of the dead soldiers in the platoon and has the protagonist of the story working on the order of the list throughout the novel. His intent in this novel was to let the reader make judgments about the morality of the war. He did this by showing the reactions of the soldiers and the innocent victims of the wa... Free Essays on The Things They Carried How does death affect the behavior of people? Although death affects everyone’s behavior differently, knowledge of one’s imminent death is a main force behind behavioral changes. This knowledge causes emotions that motivate people to look for changes, that make them have to adjust. It makes them find different ways to cope with war. This is the reason that causes the characters in a book called, The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien to have to change due to their situation. They are in the Vietnam war and the horror of death is always hanging over their heads. They have to find ways to cope with that incomparable fright. Their knowledge of death and its closeness causes the men in the story to alter their behavior by modifying emotions to relieve guilt, by exhibiting different actions to ease anxiety, and for some by just losing humanity thoroughly to excuse their actions. Guilt is a very strong emotion, and it demands adjustment very rapidly. Guilt makes a person regret how they ignored their values, and ideas, and the demand for adjustment comes from wanting to not repeat the misjudgment of their actions. Some try to substitute the guilt with other emotions, for example, some make jokes. Azar, for instance made fun of a little girl whose whole family had just died, â€Å"..., Azar mocked the girl’s dancing. He did funny jumps and spins. He put his palms of his hands against his ears, and danced sideways for a while, and then backwards, and then did an erotic thing with his hips†(pg.136). For him, the situation grows lighter with laughter. Even though he knows nothing is funny about the situation, he trys to replace the guilt with humor. He even went as far as to make fun of someone’s death, â€Å" â€Å" A classic case,† Azar was saying. â€Å" Biting the dirt, so to speak, that tells the story.† † ( pg.168). He makes jokes, he knows its not funny, but he makes jokes. He makes jokes not for others, b... Free Essays on The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien does not actually come out and write about guilt, death, or love; he describes in vivid detail how he feels. This is how he lets the reader know his feelings, either it be love, guilt, or death. Through his details the reader differentiates Tim O’Brien’s thoughts. As the reader understands O’Brien’s writing in the finial chapter, â€Å"The Lives of the Dead,† he or she finds that guilt, death, and love are all brought together by this one nine year old girl, Linda. In many ways, he describes her as, the love of his life. This was no â€Å"crush or childhood infatuation,†(228,4) as he put it, but â€Å"as deep and rich as love could ever get,†(228,4) like the complexities of mature adult love, and maybe more. In the same way he depicts his love for Linda, he portrays his guilt in the same situation. O’Brien feels helpless as that of a little fourth grader. The little boy who just stood there as the bully picked on the girl he felt something for, but had no real way of showing it. As he describes it â€Å"I stood off to the side, just a spectator, wishing I could do things I couldn’t do†(223,2) O’Brien does not come out and say he felt guilty for doing nothing, but expresses it in so many words, that of his feelings. Now love and guilt are a easier topic to understand, but when it come to death, one may find it hard to understand because fighting in a war is not something everyone has the privilege to participate in, and in war, death is a common aspect. With O’Brien’s detail, the reader can see how, in his situation it would be hard to let a person, one feels so much for go. Too feel that one loves someone so much, but can’t tell him or her. In ways he describes it as â€Å"sitting there, wanting to find some way to let her know how I felt, but instead of doing so, I sat there with my mouth shut†(229,2,4) Feeling guilty for not speaking and standing up for that same person, then to find you will never... Free Essays on The Things They Carried THE THINGS THEY CARRIED I don’t believe that O'Brien is a coward for going to war, but the opposite, that he would be a coward for not going to war. I think the reason why he was going to go to Canada was because he doesn't believe in the cause and he thinks he is too talented a student to be forced into battle. Ultimately, he makes the decision to join the army because of what others will think of him, which is not the best reason why someone should go to war, but this shows he’s not a coward and he wouldn’t run away from his country. In "On the Rainy River," O'Brien thinks of his family, what will they think of him (past, present, future) if he doesn't join the war and he doesn't fight to defend his country. Also if he abandons the country, he will never be able to see them again. When O'Brien is fishing with the old man and he "sees" everyone he has ever known or will ever know "judging" him on his decision, he thinks that he is too much of a coward to go against tradition and go to Canada, but that is the opposite, he would be coward if he went to Canada. He is afraid of his family being ashamed or embarrassed by his flight, despite the fact that he truly seems to believe in his flight. O’Brien would not only let down his family and friends but the whole country. The U.S. needed help from the citizens they chose in the draft to go to Vietnam and help defend there fellow man and country, it doesn’t matter if you don’t believe in the war, you would make more of a difference in the world going to war then skipping out and going to another country. Also in this novel, we can notice that O’Brien does care what people think of him, he would be far more respected if he went to war, then if he didn’t. Also if he died in war, he would have died for our country which he has lived in his whole life. O’Brien believes he is a coward because he is going against his moral convictions (going to war). But that does no... Free Essays on The Things They Carried â€Å"The Things They Carried† is a short story by author Tim O’Brien. It is a fictional account of an American officer, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, and his soldiers serving in Vietnam. The story begins with a description of the equipment the men are required or chose to carry with them as they patrol Vietnam. Interwoven in the story amidst the descriptions of the men’s possessions, fears, attitudes, is the story of how Ted Lavender, one of the men, dies. Jimmy is constantly daydreaming about a girl he loves, who does not love him. The platoon is ordered to go destroy a tunnel system near a village in Than Khe. After the tunnel was cleared, Tom Lavender is shot in the head while returning to the platoon after relieving himself. The central idea of the story is people who neglect their responsibilities often need to experience the results of their failure in order to change. The main character in this story is Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, who is a 22-year-old Army officer from New Jersey. He believes that he should not be leading his men. â€Å"†¦He could not bring himself to worry about matters of security. He was beyond that. He was just a kid at war, in love.† Jimmy is in love with Martha, a girl back home. He carries her letters and a stone she sent him for good luck and he often daydreams to escape the reality of war. â€Å"He carried the pebble in his mouth, turning it with his tongue, tasting the sea salts and moisture.† and â€Å"†¦but then he would slip away into daydreams, just pretending, walking barefoot along the Jersey shore, with Martha carrying nothing.† Jimmy also carries the weight of command and the responsibility for his men’s lives. After one of his men dies the author writes this. â€Å"Lieutenant Cross felt the pain. He blamed himself.† There are two main supporting characters, Martha and Te d Lavender. Martha is a junior a Mount Sebastian College in New Jersey. The lieutenant dated her a few times before he left for V... Free Essays on The Things They Carried The Things They Carried In, The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien drifts away from the trendy war novel in which the author describes actions in an attempt to place the reader in the war. Instead, he focuses on the thoughts of the soldiers, the inner feelings, and small personal nuances in an attempt to place the reader in the men. In addition, he employs the stylistic technique of specific, conscious detail selection and utilizes connotative diction, allowing him to create a new literary art form. The splendor of the novel is in O’Brien’s ability to convey a multitude of ideas in so few pages, which he displays through and ensemble of motifs. One such motif, the â€Å"heart of darkness,† shows how the smoke from the war, both figuratively and literally, blackens the soldiers, burning their hearts to atramentous ash. O’Brien makes apparent the â€Å"heart of darkness† motif in Norman Bowker as he becomes hardened during his sojourn in Vietnam. Norman Bowker, describe d as â€Å"a very gentle person† (13), is inherently very good-natured. However, he â€Å"carried a thumb†¦dark brown, rubbery to the touch†¦cut from a VC corpse† (13). This image evokes a picture of a hard-mannered, emotionally devoid soldier, carrying a severed finger as a trophy, proud of his kill. The ardent imagery describing Bowker’s darkening indicates a psychological and emotional change. The vision of the callow corpse â€Å"badly burned, flies in its mouth† (13) sputters through Bowker, smoldering his soul. O’Brien states that the VC from Delaney 2 whom Bowker takes the thumb is â€Å"just a boy† (13), giving the image of an unfledged person who should not be subjected to the horrors of war. The connotation associated with â€Å"boy† enhances the pathos one feels for the dead soldier, which in turn enunciates Bowker’s ebony heart. Just before Bowker takes his own life, he tells O’Brien in a letter, â €Å"It’s almost like I got killed over in Nam†¦Hard... Free Essays on The Things They Carried It is difficult for the young adults of our generation to grasp the intensity of the mental anguish endured while engaged in militant combat, especially when we refer to the Wars of Korea and Vietnam. Several students rarely even cover the wars in History class. To that end, it is no surprise that cinema is the primary educator on the subject. However, movies are often dramatized or overly fictional and therefore undependable. Literature is the next source, and while it is an accurate depiction, it is simply too boring for the common student. Contradictory, Tim O’brien’s portrayal through metafiction, in the story The Things They Carried offers cinematic appeal and literary precision. The combination presents an illustration of the real human emotions of soldiers in the Vietnam War. In the stories’ beginning, we met Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, a romantic, who longed for his distant love, Martha. He carried (or â€Å"humped† as O’Brien respectively put it) with him letters from her; and while they weren’t love letters he obsessed over them as if they were. In one instance, she had sent him a pebble for good luck. His mind wandered into a dream of Martha walking along a shoreline with her beautiful bare feet exposed in the purest form. He went as far as to put the pebble in his mouth to enhance the dream with the taste of sea salt. â€Å"On occasion he would yell at his men†¦to keep their eyes open, but then he would slip away into daydreams†¦walking barefoot along the Jersey shore, with Martha†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (O’Brien 75) While mentally paralyzed by one of his fits, one of his men, Ted Lavender, was shot in the head. Following the gruesome death of Ted, Lt. Cross realized his negligence as a commander. He decided to extingu ish his foolish love for Martha by burning the letters and thus alleviated his mental malfunction; he was a soldier again. This fictional microcosm of the Vietnam War claims that while the soldiers faced apprehensive dan... Free Essays on The Things They Carried The Things They Carried – Tim O’Brien This story by Tim O’Brien takes you along with the soldiers of First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross’ platoon as they â€Å"hump [†¦] up the hills and through the swamps† (388) of the jungles in Vietnam. Each man carries the weapons of his trade and the equipment to do a soldier’s deed in war. â€Å"They carried all the emotional baggage of men who might die. Grief, terror, love, longing-these were intangibles, but the intangibles had their own mass and specific gravity, they had tangible weight† (O’Brien 396). Their plight, common to most soldiers who have experienced combat, was to endure the daily stresses of combat and all its associated physical and mental fatigues culminating in a flight home on â€Å"[†¦] that big silver freedom bird [†¦];† (O’Brien 397) if you happened to be one of the fortunate ones to make it through your tour without being killed. Not so fortunate was Ted Lavender who is killed while the platoon was on a mission to â€Å"[†¦] search out and destroy the elaborate tunnel complexes in the Than Khe area south of Chu Lai† (O’Brien 391). Among the many things that the typical platoon leader carries: â€Å"[†¦] a compass, maps, code books, binoculars, and a .45-caliber pistol [†¦]† (O’Brien 388), Lieutenant Cross carried the responsibility for Lavender’s death – an intangible and immeasurable weight. This would ultimately be the greatest burden that Lieutenant Cross would carry. Lieutenant Cross felt totally responsible for Lavender’s death and vowed â€Å"[†¦] to perform his duties firmly and without negligence† (O’Brien 398). By discarding the tangible items from his beloved Martha, including her letters and the two photographs, and finally, he would dispose of his good-luck pebble; this would remove some of the emotional burden s, as if to make room for the burden of Lavender’s death. The Things They Carried captures the physical and emotion...