Reading response papers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 8

Reading response papers - Essay Example In the same manner, the individuality of phenomena is not commensurate with the pecuniary  Ã‚  principle. Money is concerned only with what is common to all: it asks for the exchange value,  it reduces all quality and individuality to the question: How much? All intimate emotional relations between persons are founded in their individuality, whereas in rational relations man is reckoned with like a number,like an element which is in itself indifferent. Only the objective measurable achievement is of interest. Thus metropolitan man reckons with his merchants and customers, his domestic servants and often even with persons with whom he is obliged to have social intercourse. These features of intellectuality contrast with the nature of the  small circle  in which the inevitable knowledge of individuality as inevitably produces a warmer tone of behavior, a behavior which is beyond a mere objective balancing of service and return. In the sphere of the economic psychology of the sm all group it is of importance that under primitive conditions production serves the customer who orders the good, so that the producer and the consumer are acquainted. The modern metropolis, however, is supplied almost entirely by production for the market, that is, for entirely unknown purchasers who never personally enter the producers actual field of vision. Through this anonymity the interests of each party acquire an unmerciful matter-of-factness; and the intellectually calculating economic egoisms of both parties need not fear any deflection because of the imponderables of personal relationships. The money economy  Ã‚  dominates the metropolis; it has displaced the last survivals of domestic production and the direct barter of goods; it minimizes, from day to day, the amount of work ordered by customers. The matter-of-fact attitude is obviously so intimately interrelated with the money

Shark Cull Oral Essay Example for Free

Shark Cull Oral Essay Does any of you in the class know the themed music for jaws? of course you do, we all do. Because sharks are really scary arnt they? Sadly Films such as this as well as the media have built up this huge reputation of sharks being threatening, alarming ; Dangerous monsters of the sea. Its a tragedy! Today I will be arguing for the rights of these misrepresented sharks and how this new catch and kill policy is completely wrong. Firstly Id like to inform you on what the catch and kill policy actually is. It was a new policy introduced around January by the Western Australia Premier, Colin Barnett due to 6 fatal attacks by sharks in the past 2 years. Barnets plan to combat this is by killing off any sharks which exceed 3 metres long in the Western Australia waters. He has implemented 2 methods. Setting out â€Å"Drum lines† (baited hooks attached to drums) a kilometer of the busy shores and also paying professional fisherman to hunt down Great whites, Tiger sharks ; Bull sharks in designated â€Å"kill zones†. Pretty appalling isnt it? Especially when the Great White shark is an endangered species. 90% of the worlds great white sharks have been killed, and here we are in a country where we greatly appreciate our beaches and marine life are adding to those statistics. Shark are a predator in the ocean and the potential risks of being attacked by them are known but is killing them really the best solution? Scientist from all over Australia, as well as Marine Life Advocates have been trying to drill in to Barnett that there are better solutions available, and that killing them will have no impact on decreasing the fatal attacks. (Why barrnets doing it, his thoughts behind it) Since 2011 39 people have died in Western Australia due to fatal car incidents, that more then triples the deaths caused by shark. So does this mean that it is to dangerous to be driving on our roads? Is this going to be another up coming law to be made by Barnett? A quick, illogical solution to so called protect the people. Western Australia is a common place for shark sightings. Yet the reasons for this is not because of there growing population but due to the increasing numbers of seals and whales heading in to the shallower waters. Even though this is the case, the chance of a fatal attack is still extremely rare. According to a poll from the UMR research company, 80% of Australians havent changed how often they swim, surf or take part in other recreational actives in the ocean, even though there has been a rise in shark attacks. Australian Citizens and anyone else who decides to go and swim at the beach should be well aware of the potential risks of shark attacks.. The ocean is the home to these species, and us? Where just visitors. People keep getting this thought that the increase of shark attacks are due to the increase in there population, but really its the increase in the human population. Gradually as our population grows, more and more people are going to the beaches and participating in water related activities which leads to an increase in shark encounters. Marine life Activists and others who object to this have stated that it is inhumane, unnecessary and environmentally irresponsible. Throughout Australia there are similar programs that run on the eastern coast that use baited hooks and nets to prevent sharks from entering protected beaches, but the reason why WAs proposal is extra controversial is because theyre targeting great whites. The first shark that was killed since the program began was just after 7am on Australia day. It was a 3m female tiger shark caught in meelup beach. The shark had swallowed a large hook attached to a heavy chain in which caused the animal to become increasingly distressed as it was prevented from swimming. The animal thrashed about in the water in apparent agony until it was shot 4 times in the head at a close range with a .22 calibre rifle. Ever since the laws were passed there has been a lot of backlash from the community. There has been major protests all through out australia as well as internationally in New Zealand ; South Africa. Manly Beach protest organiser Alice Forrest, who is an aquarist at Manly Sea Life Sanctuary has said that the cull is not science based, and rather then helping with tourism all its going to do is give WA a redneck reputation and decrease the amount of tourism there. In the 1960’s and 70’s Hawaii implemented a similar proposal which did more bad then good. The program failed to create any kind of significant decrease in shark attacks but managed to kill over 4000 sharks. The fisherman who has been employed to set and monitor drum lines, and kill and dispose sharks is being paid more then $5,700 a day resulting in over $610,000 for the season. The opposition leader Mark McGowen has stated that the cost is exorbitant and is costing tax payers a lot of money that could have gone towards scientific methods to help save lives. Mr Barnett has said that he gets no enjoyment from seeing these shark dies, but he will put his food forward in trying to protect the people. From saying this, the majority of the Western Australian people are against the laws that Barnett has put in place. The Great White Shark is the top predator of the ocean, meaning that it is not hunted by other animals in the waters. The Great White has been listed as an endangered species due to the over hunting of them for shark teeth and there fins. Fatal snake attacks in Australia have risen from 2 to 5 deaths in 2013. The controversy with this is however is that these particular brown snakes are an Australian protected species so that even though they kill us, We will never kill them. And due to the fact that the great whites roam around waters other then Australians, this makes it okay for us to kill those endangered species. Scientists have estimated that Sharks are pregnant for roughly 18 months causing them to have slow reproduction rates. This means that it is hard for them to recover there over hunted population. What the Government is doing is not saving the people, but killing out an endangered species. There is no evidence that suggests that the killing of these sharks will help to prevent shark attacks. Scientists and shark specialists have been on the governments back about this yet they just dont want to hear it. The reality of this is, that whether you like sharks or they do play a crucial role on this planet. If Shark culling keeps going the way it is then it can begin to tamper with our primary air and food sources. Through out the past 450 million years sharks have kept our seas healthy due to being the apex predator of the ocean. The role of sharks is to keep other marine life in a healthy balance. Sharks also have a major impact on the ecosystem that provides for 1/3 of our worlds food, produces more oxygen than all the rain forests combined, removes half of the atmospheres manmade carbon dioxide and controls our planets temperature and weather. A world without sharks means disastrous effects including the collapse of fisheries and the death of coral reefs. Imagine if sharks do become eliminated from ours waters? Our best natural defence against global warming and the lose of more oxygen then what is produced by all the trees and jungles in the world combined. Going back to Jaws, 2 Australians Ron Valery Taylor who were marine conservationists pioneering cameramen for Spielbergs Jaws have stated that they felt a sense of shame in a way, that they made so many people terrified of sharks ; going in the water. The unfortunate side of the successful movie is how theyve demonised this beautiful majestic creature. So What is it going to take? Thousands of people from WA and all parts of Australia have been coming to together to try and put an end to this absolute disgraceful policy, I think its time for the Government to listen before its to late. We cannot let our shark population being become extinct, We cannot let colin Barnett keep killing these sharks We cannot give up on fighting for the rights of these sharks. Its there water, So stop the slaughter!!!!

Autocratic Style Of Leadership Management Essay

Autocratic Style Of Leadership Management Essay The autocratic leadership style means that the person in charge has the entire control upon all decision making. In addition, in this style of leadership, managers dont take care of the opinions of their staff and ore not open to changes. The communication in the autocratic leadership can be considered as one-way ( the manager say something and staff comply) This leadership style, has some advantages but many disadvantages and is considered as an old way of manage people. One of the advantages of this style of management is the rapidity of decision making. According to Money Zine, in emergency situation, people prefer to be told exactly what to do and where to do it because of the stress. So because of this the autocratic leadership is more effective in stressful situations and military situations because subordinate want be guide. But this kind of leadership has many disadvantages and is criticize by many researchers. The one-way communication of this leadership can be considered as a problem because just one person decide and if this managers does an error event if staff found it they will not be able to tell him. So because of this, autocratic management slows down the progress of the whole organization. Moreover, the autocratic management, because of the high level of control of the managers, gives a high level of stress to the managers and this stress can be a problem. In addition, the characteristic of autocratic leadership can conduct to the decrease of motivation within the whole organization. In fact, people dislike to be ordered what they have to do. To conclude on autocratic leadership, all these disadvantages generally conduct to a high employee turnover. In over word the high turnover of employment is one of the main characteristic of Autocratic style of management. Mrs. Sarah applies a democratic style of management at the Hotel Cote dAmbre. The democratic can be defied as a style of management which delegate authority to staff by the process of delegating responsibility to complete the given task. The big difference between Autocratic and Demographic leadership style is the fact that in democratic style employees take part (give their opinion) in decision making. In contrast of autocratic style, democratic takes more time for decision making because of the participation of all staff. Such as the other leadership style, democratic has advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of democratic style is the motivation of employee within the whole organization. By putting them in the process of decision, employees feel part of the company and at the same time important. Moreover because of the concentration of everybody the initiative are more profitable for the organization. In addition, the relationships in the company are better than in autocratic style of management. In fact, there are less friction at the workplace and the working environment is better. Because of all these characteristic employees are motivate and the turnover level stay low. Employees feel good in their organization. But this management style has also some disadvantages such as the time of decision making. In fact, all employees take part of the decision making and this can make the decision take time. In addition, managers can do as if they follow democratic management style but in reality they are simply doing a disguise autocratic style of management. These two management style is the opposite of the other one. But both are good but they have to be use in the good situation. But generally the democratic style of management is better to motivate and decrease turnover rate in the organization. The democratic style can be useful in emergency domain such as fireman and Army because of the rapidity of decision making due to the situation. 2) The relation approach is the process by which experts want and tries to combine the Sociology and the Psychology in management. Experts find this process useful because they found that an organization is a social system with relationship between groups. The main tenet of this theory is the fact that managers can make work be done by satisfying the social and psychological needs of employees. This process is composed by 8 basics principles: Humans are not only interested by cash they also need appreciation and recognition. Organization has to treat their employees as human and not as machine In an organization it is normal to have formal relation, but informal relation is also very important and managers should encourage it. Job satisfaction is very important and to do this one of the main element is job security Managers should consider their employee as they equal and should not express an superiority complex Managers have to prevent conflict and misunderstand and provide good relationship to increase satisfaction of employee Autocratic leadership style must be avoid to increase freedom. This will increase motivation and satisfaction of employees Make employee participate to decision making can be a good thing to make them feel part of the company (democratic style of leadership) This human relation has advantages such as: Managers see their company as a part of a whole Managers put the emphasis on improving communication and coordination Managers found that a good internal management will help and insure the company survival Managers see that the environment is a important factor of the organization survival But it has also some disadvantages: Long time of decision making Friendship relationship between managers and employees Employees can consider work as granted and make poor performance Low productivity because of a sort of laisser-faire management In contrast we also have the Bureaucratic approach of management. It is a style of management based on the logic, order and the use of formal authority because of this we can say that it can work with the autocratic management style. Generally this approach of management is known as a efficient and fair style of management. The main principals of bureaucratic approach are: Promotion based on skills Strict hierarchy of authority Division of labor Formal rules and procedures The advantages are: Presence of top level managers that operate a great control on the organization Rapidity of decision making Efficient and effective work Standardization The disadvantages are: Discourage creativity and innovation because of the absence of participation of employees Decrease of motivation and satisfaction The rigid structure make the employee feel them jailed High turnover rate Task b) 3) In a company we can found two type of group that operates within the organization, the formal and informal groups. The informal groups can be defined as employees that put themselves into non-officially structured groups. Such as an example, groups of friend, ectà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The formal groups are groups that are formed by the company to do a special task. In contrast of the informal groups these groups are structured for a efficient division of work. In these groups we can also found a sense of identity, loyalty and finally leadership and purpose. 4) Generally, a team is a group of person with complementary necessary skills to complete a specific job. Teamwork can be defined as work done by a group of persons and each person of this team has done a part of the whole work. Working in team brings many advantages to the organization, but generally the main advantage is the increase of productivity and efficiency. In addition, the motivation is better than in a single working. In our case XYZ Ltd want to develop effective teamwork within the organization to decrease competition between employee and increase productivity. To do that the company will have elaborates some things to make possible the apparition of teamwork. So the first step of the apparition and maintains of teamwork in the organization is the organization culture and this come with the appropriate leadership. The leader must have the required skills and in addition must apply the appropriate style of management (democratic) to make a positive culture within the organization. These factors (such as culture and leadership) have an effect on the motivation of employees and bring commitment in their mind and this is very important with no motivation there is no success because of the lack of effort. Secondly, after the leadership and the culture, employees have to improve communication in the organization because teams need communication to operate to share information, opinions, etc. Communication is one of the bases of teamwork. Thirdly, the confidence is also important. All members of the team have to have skills to manage their task. Without this members of team will not trust each over the will not share the necessary information and this will slow down the effectiveness of the team and will be a barrier to success. Moreover management has to act on the opinion of employees. A bad opinion will conduct to the failure of the project. To act on this and on motivation, one of the main arms of managers is the working environment. A good working environment will improve behavior, satisfaction, motivation and opinion of employees. 5) During the past ten years, because of the globalization, the domain of technology and communication has known a crazy increase and improve. This has helped the amelioration of communication around the world. Thus, we can say that telecommunication and technology can improve team functioning by permitting the exchange of information around the world. In fact, it is the Globalization that brings the new technology appears because of the need of exchange information around the world. The main innovation is this domain was the apparition of the internet and by this email (allows communication (exchange of data) around the world). This will facilitate communication between team members of General Electronic and make the progress to the target easier despite the distance between them. More recently we can see the use of skype a program that allow people to do video conference to be more in contact to each over. Computer makes team members more productive and efficient by permitting the carry of several tasks at the same time. Mobile phone permits the exchange of information orally and at real time. Thus, this technology allows team to save time. In addition, phone makes possible the contact of person even if they are not at the office. Moreover we also have 3G device such as blackberry of Android that permit owner to read their mail at any time (save time and thus money). In conclusion, nowadays working in team, despites if the members are not in the same country, is easy than in the past because of these technologies.

Overpopulation Essay -- Earth´s Population

There are 6 billion human beings on the face of the Earth. According to our best estimates, there are somewhere between three and seven times more people than this planet can possibly maintain over a long period of time. Non-renewable resources are being used at an incredible rate, and we are destroying the capability of the planetary ecosystem to renew the supply of renewable resources. The worse however is yet to come. We need to realize the necessity of a population plan which will make our future more optimistic. This plan must be based on the fact that the control of the rapid population growth is necessary globally; otherwise, earth’s environment will be put into greater danger, the overexploitation of natural resources will continue and poverty will rise in most of the world’s countries. Rapid population growth is a huge threat to the environment. We consume materials and energy from earth and then return heat and wastes to earth, but the environment can only handle so much waste before serious effects on humans are seen. As human numbers increase, deterioration of water quality and destruction of animal and plant communities increase too. The serious effects of population growth apply even on the protected locations of this planet. Rapid expansion of human numbers also causes overexploitation of natural resources and provides pressure on food supplies. As a result it will not be long until we observe a remarkable decline in our living standards. Land, forest and wa...

Benefits of rice wine Essay

Louis Pasteur said that wine is the most healthful and the most hygienic of all beverages. It can give the human body 500 calories that are normally taken from fats and carbohydrates. All these energy is completely consumed by the body and will not add an ounce of the body weight (Lichine, et al. 1968). There are several health benefits that can be derived from wine. Aside from being a healthy beverage, it was said that wine can deter food poisoning. It can help wipe out the bacteria that are responsible for food-related stomach problems. In addition, red wine reduces the build-up of fat cells in the arteries, thus it protects those who are wine-drinker against heart disease. Recent studies in medicine show the positive effects of moderate wine consumption to the heart. One of the popular findings is the â€Å"French Paradox.† France is considered both as land of wine-producers and wine-drinkers. It is one of the countries with highest amount of saturated fat intake which is positively correlated with arteroschlerosis, yet there is low incidence of coronary heart disease (Landrault, et al. 2001). Some of the locally produced wines include â€Å"basi† (sugarcane wine), â€Å"laksoy† (nipa wine), â€Å"tapuy† (rice wine) and â€Å"tuba† (coco wine). On the other hand, she discussed the challenges to today’s wine manufacturers such as production of consistent quality products, competitive advantage in terms of product presentation (packaging, label, closure or seal), innovative products, willingness to work hard to establish a thriving business, protecting the natural flavor of the product, identifying functional properties of the product, expand cultivating area for minor but potential fruits for making wine, and utilization of by-products from wine processing. http://www.bar.gov.ph/chronicle-home/archives-list/142-august-2008-issue/2207-learning-about-tropical-fruit-wine-processing This type of wine, when compare to other regular wine, contain a higher level of alcohol content. Regular wine usually contains 10%-20% alcohol but rice wine contains 18%-25%. Unsurprisingly, it has way more alcohol content that beer which only contains about 4%-8% of alcohol. It is natural to think that drinking too much of this wine, or any other alcoholic beverage for that matter, is  bad for the body. It will have side effects such as nausea, hangover, blurry vision, lost balance and lost muscle control. The side effects might be felt earlier when drinking rice wine because of its higher alcohol content. However, there are also other health benefits from wine made from rice. It has been tested to help improve the skin’s protective function and also in skin whitening. In effect, it is concluded that rice wine may be a potential protectant from UV-induced skin aging phenomena. In addition, rice wine has also been linked to promote better blood circulation and enhanced body metabolism. There are citric and lactic acids in rice wine which helps the digestion of the food. When food is properly digested, nutrients are better sorted out and transferred to the proper body organ. There is also research that specially brewed medicinal rice wine can have more beneficial effects than other regular wines. Some consider rice wine to be more healthy than wine from grapes because rice wine contains large amount of protein, sugar and vitamin B2. These factors have been shown to regulate blood sugar, plus vitamin B2 supports the liver giving it more energy to assist with alcohol digestion. The kojic acids in rice wine (sake) decrease your skin’s ability to form the type of melanin found in age spots and freckles. If you put sake on your face or use skincare products containing sake or kojic acid, you’ll also find the rice wine keeps moisture in your skin. Turns out it may just be the most bar-and-body-friendly beverage the country has ever built a national and export marketing strategy around. â€Å"It’s low proof with an alcohol content of 6-7 percent,† notes Sung Ki-wook, a director at the Seoul Rice Wine Manufacturing Association, â€Å"so people with a lower tolerance can enjoy it.† â€Å"It contains lots of lactobacilli and fiber, matching the current ‘well-being’ trend in our society,† adds Kooksoondang Brewery spokesman, Shin Woo-chang. Of course, low alcohol content, gastro-intestinal benefits and a tricky nickname have never buoyed a drink’s popularity all that much even during the best of times. Especially a drink derived from steaming glutinous rice that’s traditionally quaffed from an unwashed wooden bowl. Nutrition Facts Calculated for 1 fl oz Amount Per Serving %DV Calories 14 Calories from Fat 0 (0%) Total Fat 0.0g 0% Saturated Fat 0.0g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0.0g Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g Trans Fat 0.0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 181mg 7% Potassium 25mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 1.8g 0% Dietary Fiber 0.0g 0% Sugars 0.0g Protein 0.1g 0% This wine should be named â€Å"rice beer† because it is fermented from a grain and not a fruit. The Japanese have developed two kinds of rice wine; one being sake and the other a dry one. Red rice wine is a sweet wine, which has low alcohol content. Used in both cooking and drinking. There are three varieties available: Mirin: a sweet wine pronounced MEE-reen. Sake: white wine pronounced SAH-kee. Shaoxing wine: Chinese rice wine. Substitutions; sake or sherry. Chia Fan, Shan Nian and Yen Hung are Chinese rice wines. plural: rice wines Ingredient Season: available year-round How to select: Also sold as â€Å"sweet cooking seasoning† Substitutions: Mirin: 1 tbsp dry sherry +  ½ tsp sugar, OR sherry, OR heat two parts sake and one part sugar, OR white wine and sugar to taste OT white wine. Sake: Shaoxing wine or Vermouth, dry white wine, or dry sherry. Read more: http://www.food.com/library/rice-wine-97?oc=linkback

Pokka Corp

February 1957 Established Nikka Lemon Co. , Ltd. for the production and distribution of lemon beverages. October 1963 Built Nagoya factory in Kitanagoya-city, Aichi Prefecture. April 1966 Changed corporate name to Pokka Lemon Co. , Ltd. May 1972 Commenced production and distribution of canned coffee, POKKA COFFEE. November 1973 Developed and promoted vending machines, separate machines for hot and cold drinks. January 1977 Established Pokka Corporation (Singapore) Ltd. September 1980 Commenced production of canned soup to enter soup business March 1982 Changed corporate name to Pokka Corporation. December 1984 Built central laboratory and Nagoya distribution center in Kitanagoya-city, Aichi prefecture. June 1985 Listed on Second Section of Nagoya Stock Exchange (NSE). July 1987 Listed on Second Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) February 1988 Built Toyota factory, far-infrared roasting factory for coffee, in Nishinakayama-cho, Toyota-city, Aichi Prefecture. April 1988 Listed on First Sections of TSE and NSE. February 1991 Built Gunma factory and distribution center in Isesaki-city, Gunma Prefecture. September 1993 Pokka Corporation(Singapore)Ltd. established Pokka Ace(M)Sdn. Bhd. October 1994 Established Pokka Create Co. Ltd. to start managing coffee shops and restaurants February 1996 Succeeded in developing de-oxygenating method; released first canned coffee produced using the method. December 1996 Acquired Foremost Blue Seal Ltd. in Okinawa December 2005 Implemented MBO and de-listed from TSE and NSE,to achieve further growth of the company and increase its corporate va lue. January 2008 Formed a capital and business alliance with Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd. September 2009 Formed a capital and business alliance with Sapporo Holdings Ltd. ——————————————————————————–

buy custom Information Risk Management Policy essay

buy custom Information Risk Management Policy essay In the modern world, the world is interconnected electronically brought about by the innovative application of the latest technologies. Most corporations face various challenges as it concerns the security of the information system. Hackers have devised methods that they may use to infiltrate into the companys database. The situation is worsened in case of unfaithful employees. This calls for stringent measures to be set about in order to avert such scenarios from occurring. Risk management policy for information system security basically involves, ensuring that everything that pertains to the management as well as mitigation of risks in the information security is considered as noted by . It also provides clear guidelines for the implementation of the policy. The introduction of risk management policy in any given organization is done with an aim of achieving certain goals; such as to give assurance which implies that, the organisation has been able to identify exposures of its high est risks and has taken appropriate steps to manage the problem. Models such as the `Intrusion detection system (IDS) may serve well in detection of any intrusion malfunctioning. It relies on the dennings intrusion detection model in which there are various observable activities, audit records and the network packets. These systems, verifies if the users of the system were hackers or crackers. In addition, the anomaly intrusion develops a statistical profile in which various network activities are recorded. Another goal is to make sure that, the planning processes in an organization include focused areas where risk management is required. The other one is to put in place a process that integrates the various risk control measures that, the organisation already has the risk. This refers to an assessment of the probability or possibility of some adverse event taking place and, the consequences that are likely to come up as a result of this event . On the other hand, risk management involves establishing and systematically applying a process in order to identify, analyse, assess, mitigate and monitor risk so that it is containd and maintained at levels that are acceptable. This paper tries to elucidate mitigation that may be employed to curb scenarios where hackers may interfere with a given system. It also lays measures that guide the employees on the confidentiality of the data that they handle. Firstly, the risk management policy should involves policy description as well as procedures for the safe handling credit card transactions as well as information regarding personal data that are processed through automated systems or manual procedures. Therefore, it targets any individual who transmits or processes credit card transactions in any multinational corporation . Secondly, the policy focuses on any individual who transmits or processes credit card information, such as access to computer hardware and software containing credit card information. Moreover various security models may be implemented such as business continuity planning. This will see business security recovery procedures that would be conducted. The model would comprise of the intelligence feeds that would give a pro active surveillance. This would detect any malfunctions in the system and give urgent security control updates. This policy and procedures are meant to see to it that credit card information is processed and transacted in a manner that satisfies the corporations obligation. There should be a detection process help to determine whether some users tried to access your system to ensure the security of such information to the levels that, either meets or exceeds those standards required by the multinational corporation Card Industry . For purposes of guarding the companys reputation and ensuring public trust remains priority, failure to comply with the policy as is stipulated in this policy document will be treated as a serious matter. As denoted by , the connection of computer to any network or Internet exposes it to malicious programs, stealing of valuable information like passwords by hackers or construction of DOS (Denial of Service) attacks that may limit computer user from access to websites and other services. Such effects would require stringentt mitigation to counteract this effect. In order to comply, it is required that the companies comply with this policy is to be assumed as mandatory for any individual or department that transmits, stores or processes credit card information. This would comprise only individuals who have undergone thorough training and, are certified and authorized may preside over any transaction involving credit card information or personal data information. Moreover, the credit card payments and transfer of personal data information may only be acceptable with the use of methods approved by the security engineers and officers. To enhance this, any individual with access to credit card information or, any personal data information is endowed with the responsibility for protecting the information. This means that personal data information or Credit card information must be immediately destroyed as soon as it becomes no longer necessary. To curb the external hackers, the system has to be integrated in a manner such that it does not allow phishing and spam in its network as noted by. The DNS are more vulnerable to attacks such as DDos and the cache poisoning. This may be achieved by systematic encryption of the content conveyed, and continuous surveillance of any abnormally as suggested by . In conclusion, In order to cut down on losses resulting from credit card as well as, personal information data fraud, the office of the information security engineer shall partner with the relevant authorities to ensure mitigation of risks involved as noted by . This shall include; establishing penalties for noncompliance such as raised transaction fees involved in credit card, suspending privileges enjoyed by credit card holders, and administering fines in situations where an account is compromised. As noted by, employees of a given institutions are obliged to adhere to the set polices to enhance the security of a given firms information. Failure to comply with above principles, as implemented in this Policy, may also lead to the revocation of the ability to process credit card transactions and/or could lead to severe disciplinary action. Buy custom Information Risk Management Policy essay

Obesity essays

Obesity essays Discover A Diet To Fight Midsection Fat-(Overweight This article was featured in the June issue of "Let's Live" Magazine. The article gives a statistic of almost 23% are obese. Midsection fat the reflection of overweight/ obesity has been a problem for decade in our society and has gotten worst over the years.The main causes for overweight/obesity are: poor diet, lack/absence of exercise, and excessive intake of alcohol. The article fails to address/support accurately the difference between obesity vs overweight relative to "midsection fat". My main critique is based on the following information. In the last four decades of obesity research, progress has been made in identifyingcauses and treatments. Research has provided a greater understanding of obesity as a chronic disease caused by a complex interaction of genetic, metabolic, behavioral, psychological and environmental (social and cultural) factors. Despite the advances in research, however, children, adolescents and adults are continuing to become overweight and obese in record high numbers. Due to the complexity of obesity, more research is needed in a variety of areas particularly in prevention to control the spread of this epidimic.(Source:obesity.com) Obesity is a disease that affects nearly one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million). The number of overweight and obese Americans has continued to increase since 1960, a trend that is not slowing down. Today, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are categorized as being overweight or obese. Each year, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the U.S., and healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to approximately $100 billion. Obesity is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths.(Source:obesity.com) Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 m ...

Characteristics and Features of E. Coli gastroenteritis Research Paper

Characteristics and Features of E. Coli gastroenteritis - Research Paper Example From this research it is clear that most of the participants with E. Coli gastroenteritis presented similar symptoms associating them with the disease. For instance, there were increased cases of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramp and bloody stools(Qadri, et al. 2005). Other participants reported having dry mouth and dry skin. The presence of dry mouth among patients with gastroenteritis resulted from a high rate of dehydration associated with increased vomiting and diarrhea(Bielaszewska, et al. 2011). Also, children exposed to conditions that compromise their health status were at a higher risk to be infected with E. Coli. For instance, children who frequent open fields that have poor hygiene were at a higher risk of being infected as well as those who have suffered from malnutrition. E. Coli bacteria are the main cause of gastroenteritis in humans. Although the presence of the bacteria in humans does not always prove to be harmful, there are other strains of E. Coli that been prov ed to cause gastroenteritis. Both the harmless and harmful E. Coli bacteria are found in the human gut. Infection of the gut due to E. Coli bacteria has been identified to present various signs and symptoms among the infected individuals. Most of the individuals suffering from gastroenteritis complained of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, nausea, and dehydration. The condition is prevalent among children exposed to the low hygienic environment. E. Coli is transmitted through many ways including personal contact, drinking contaminated water.

Individual and International Response to Disasters Essay

Individual and International Response to Disasters - Essay Example The response towards major humanitarian disasters such as the deadly tsunami that struck Asia in December 2004 leaving approximately 200,000 people dead, scores of hundreds missing and property worth millions of dollars in damages has, no doubt, been massive (UN/ISDR par 4). From donations to volunteer services outpouring from all corners of the world, the responses with respect to the 21st century humanitarian crises without a sense of denial, have been commendable but not sufficient. Yet, the role of the media, an integral component of communication parameters, appears to be less than equal to the task of coercing the entire process with the right buttons; evidence points to synergies directed in the aftermath rather than in the preventive mechanisms. By definition, a disaster [according to the United Nations] refers to a sudden, adverse, disruptive event to the normal functioning of the society with intolerably widespread losses beyond the ability of the affected using the availab le resources (UN DHA/IDNDR 27). Whether man made or natural, disasters are catastrophic, instantaneous, indiscriminate in character, and more so, occur without warning thereby making adjustments efforts difficult. To be sure, man has known disasters for ages. Human suffering induced by floods and/or famines are but tales that have defied generational with deleterious damages that enjoins precious life in a long list of loses. Though helpful, the technological improvements have more than detached man from nature and made the modern era disaster occurrences even more frequent and perilous with partly irreparable consequences. Individual and international agencies/organizations respond to disasters as a show of care gesture and/or to assist in situations where facilities and resources are genuinely inadequate in addressing the humanitarian needs of the affected populations. The assistance normally ranges from immediate to long-term efforts designed to save lives of those in danger and subsequently lessen or alleviate altogether any form of suffering (â€Å"23 Principles of Humanitarian Donorship† par 3). It is worth mentioning that no single actor can successfully meet the facets of a relief/recovery without help. Indeed from the survivors’ needs spanning from health risks [nutrition and emergency shelters, for instance], to livelihood reconstructions, international disaster responses would be verily incomplete without the combinative effort from various specialized actors beginning with the affected government entities, intergovernmental organizations [the UN agencies, to be precise], nongovernmental organizations [both the domestic and the international], the Red Cross, and more importantly the support of the affected civilian populations. Nonetheless, while these actors respond uniquely in some way to humanitarian disasters, not all stretch their efforts to the ultimate objective, thus making disasters rightly multi-phased emergencies where actor s only make contributions towards a desired end. Coordinated collaboration among actors is thus vital in combining specific knowledge, skills, experiences as well as technologies. While it is almost certain that these resources will ultimately meet towards the course discussed herein, quite a number of factors [argued below] determine their supply. Factors that Influence Individual and International Response to Disasters Extreme events such as the 9/11 attacks, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and the more recent Hurricane Sandy in the United States did produce catastrophic impacts with long-term disruption of socio-economic systems. With the exception

BRL Hardys post-merger success Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

BRL Hardys post-merger success - Term Paper Example They also made similar acquisitions in France and Italy and these acquisitions were particularly targeted as credible organisations. It became relatively easier to effectively operate in the industry since there was a clearly defined network of distribution channels. The main advantage of mergers and acquisitions is that they give the company competitive advantage in that the resources are pulled together and new knowledge is introduced to the company by the people crossing the floor from the other company. The company immensely gained from the wealth of knowledge brought by people who moved from the other companies. On the other hand, it can be noted that acquisitions of reputable companies helped the company to gain a competitive advantage as a result of clearly defined distribution channels that already existed in the market. The other factor that contributed to BRL Hardy’s post merger success is a result of the stance taken towards changing the culture of the organisation. However, the new management which assumed top jobs at the merged companies was comprised of ex-BRL executives and focus was primarily aimed at the Australian market which was believed to be supportive of the company’s quality concerns. However, the company adopted a decentralisation approach whereby the middle managers were given the autonomy to make decisions in their operations as a way of improving the overall operations of their responsible departments. As such, the managers were empowered to make decisions while at the same time holding them accountable to their actions as a way of ensuring that there is conformity with the set organisational goals. By virtue of allowing the managers to make decisions in their operations, the organisation is likely to positively grow given that they will be motivated such that they w ill also develop a sense of belonging to it. Empowering the managers also helped them to be creative which positively contributed to the growth of the organisation. The other factor of BRL Hardy’s post-merger success can be attributed to the stance it took in sourcing the grapes used in wine production. Having realised that there were risks associated with the production of the grapes, the organisation decided to form joint ventures with different farmers in an attempt to ensure consistency in supply of the grapes even during periods of unprecedented events that can negatively affect supply. On the other hand, the company acquired expansive land to grow grapes and this was a good move given that it was always assured of abundant grapes should anything unfavourable occur in the environment. On top of that, the post merger success of the organisation in question can be attributed to the marketing strategies implemented such as the branding and labelling strategies. Whilst it is generally appreciated that branding a product like wine is a bit challenging from a global perspective, the company adopted a labelling approach especially in UK where it witnessed improved sales of different brands that were offered on the market. 2. Basically, the main essence of tensions between Steven Davies and Chris Carson is mainly concerned with the marketing strategies to be implemented. The head office in Australia was particularly concerned with endorsing the Australian brand of wine while Carson who operated in UK was of the opinion that this brand had been eroded especially in UK hence there was need for branding. This was the major source of tension especially with regards to the marketing strategy. Basically, branding is a basic tenet of marketing strategy given that it makes a clear distinction between different brands. Carson is of the view that there is need to relabel, reposition and relaunch the wine brand particularly in UK but this

Establishment of a Public Relations Department within a Holiday Resort Essay - 2

Establishment of a Public Relations Department within a Holiday Resort in the Flinders Ranges Promoting Eco-Tourism - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the goal of PR by a corporation is to persuade the investors, public, employees, partners, and stakeholders to uphold a point of view about public relations, its products, leadership or political decisions. Â  Activities involving public relation include speaking at conferences, working with the press, employee communication and winning industry awards. According to Danish Public Relations Association, PR is a management function that tabulates public attitudes; define the interests, procedures, and policies of a company followed by implementing a program of action to win public acceptance and understanding. An establishment of PR department is critical in building the relationship that advance, benefit and promotes the reputation of the Holiday Resort. Being an eco-tourism sector, gaining the confidence of its clients is key, and this is facilitated through marketing the company’s services and product. Improving reputation is a fundamental objecti ve of most organizations. As such, a PR department creates an industrial partnership and strong community translating to increased productivity. The public relation will be vital in maintaining the Holiday Resort’s image and conveying its information to the general public, investors, and customers. A positive perception of Holiday Resort is likely to increase the number of tourists both locally and internationally as it improves its bottom line. The public Relation professionals will work closely with the CEO to craft an overview of how the Holiday Resort will be perceived and assist in planning to design a positive image. Unlike in marketing, the public relation professionals aim at organizing interviews with clients, writing the press release and providing information on the company’s achievements.

Management accounting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Management accounting - Assignment Example These total overhead costs are then divided by the total number of labour hours to obtain the budgeted factory over head rate. That rate is multiplied by the number of hours to complete one unit of Vivaldehyde and Kathanol in order to determine Factory Overhead Rate per unit of Vivaldehyde and Kathanol. These FOH rates are then multiplied by the total number of units of both Vivaldehyde and Kathanol to obtain Total Factory Overhead costs. Similarly, total number of units produced was then multiplied by direct material cost per unit and direct labour cost per unit in order to calculate total direct material cost and total labour cost respectively. Per unit direct material cost, per unit direct labour cost and per unit factory overhead cost were then added to get the total per unit cost of both products. 40% mark-up was then added on the total per unit costs of both the products in order to arrive at the selling prices for both of the products. Activity Based Costing is the technique that is applied due to the lack of appropriateness of the traditional Absorption Costing. For Activity Based Costing, in the first step the relevant cost drivers and their total activity levels are identified which cause the factory overheads to incur. Total factory overhead costs of every department are then divided by the relevant activity level of each cost drivers to find out the activity rates. Those activity rates are then multiplied by the exact level of activity consumed by each product to obtain the factory overhead cost incurred by the each product. In this way, the factory overhead rate is calculated. Factory overhead rate along with direct material per unit as well as direct labour per unit are then added up to reach at the total cost per unit of both Vivaldehyde and Kathanol. Total Factory Overhead Costs of both products are having different values in Activity Based Costing than those of Absorption Cost due to

Africa and Colonial Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Africa and Colonial - Essay Example Later the British conquered and held for a period, todays Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa to name a few. The French controlled what today is Madagascar, Algeria, and most of West Africa. Belgium controlled the Belgium Congo, which included todays Rwanda. Rwanda is one example of how African colonization is important to understand the study of Africa. Belgium used the Tutsi as servants against the Hutu. The Hutu massacred between half a million to a million Tutsi in 1994 for grudges left over from Belgium rule. Colonization separated, lumped together, and turned African against African. The major colonizers of Africa were France, England, Germany, Belgium, and the Portuguese. The formal colonization of these nations over Africa began at the Berlin Conference 1884-1885 with the debating parties being Germany, England, and France. Although this conference really did not solve anything, the race to colonize Africa begin. With military might, new maps of the interior, the Europeans set up local governments in Africa. For example, the French, Portuguese, Germans, and Belgians set up direct governments. These governments had French, Portuguese, Germans, and Belgians in positions of power in Africa. The English ruled indirectly. They set up local power holders, then made them serve British interests. European powers were able to conquer Africa, because Africa had great travel routes. These routes helped in military and trade ventures for the Africans, but made them weak to the Europeans. Secondly, the thousands of different African tribes made unity impossible. The Europeans used this to their advantage, turning African against African. Especially after the mistreatment, Africans were afraid, but defiant. Their defiance was met by more force. In the end, the Africans submitted to the European colonists. However, their fury never abated. Today in liberated South Africa, white farmers are attacked. Rwanda has been through genocide.

Establishment of a Public Relations Department within a Holiday Resort Essay - 2

Establishment of a Public Relations Department within a Holiday Resort in the Flinders Ranges Promoting Eco-Tourism - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the goal of PR by a corporation is to persuade the investors, public, employees, partners, and stakeholders to uphold a point of view about public relations, its products, leadership or political decisions. Â  Activities involving public relation include speaking at conferences, working with the press, employee communication and winning industry awards. According to Danish Public Relations Association, PR is a management function that tabulates public attitudes; define the interests, procedures, and policies of a company followed by implementing a program of action to win public acceptance and understanding. An establishment of PR department is critical in building the relationship that advance, benefit and promotes the reputation of the Holiday Resort. Being an eco-tourism sector, gaining the confidence of its clients is key, and this is facilitated through marketing the company’s services and product. Improving reputation is a fundamental objecti ve of most organizations. As such, a PR department creates an industrial partnership and strong community translating to increased productivity. The public relation will be vital in maintaining the Holiday Resort’s image and conveying its information to the general public, investors, and customers. A positive perception of Holiday Resort is likely to increase the number of tourists both locally and internationally as it improves its bottom line. The public Relation professionals will work closely with the CEO to craft an overview of how the Holiday Resort will be perceived and assist in planning to design a positive image. Unlike in marketing, the public relation professionals aim at organizing interviews with clients, writing the press release and providing information on the company’s achievements.

Africa and Colonial Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Africa and Colonial - Essay Example Later the British conquered and held for a period, todays Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa to name a few. The French controlled what today is Madagascar, Algeria, and most of West Africa. Belgium controlled the Belgium Congo, which included todays Rwanda. Rwanda is one example of how African colonization is important to understand the study of Africa. Belgium used the Tutsi as servants against the Hutu. The Hutu massacred between half a million to a million Tutsi in 1994 for grudges left over from Belgium rule. Colonization separated, lumped together, and turned African against African. The major colonizers of Africa were France, England, Germany, Belgium, and the Portuguese. The formal colonization of these nations over Africa began at the Berlin Conference 1884-1885 with the debating parties being Germany, England, and France. Although this conference really did not solve anything, the race to colonize Africa begin. With military might, new maps of the interior, the Europeans set up local governments in Africa. For example, the French, Portuguese, Germans, and Belgians set up direct governments. These governments had French, Portuguese, Germans, and Belgians in positions of power in Africa. The English ruled indirectly. They set up local power holders, then made them serve British interests. European powers were able to conquer Africa, because Africa had great travel routes. These routes helped in military and trade ventures for the Africans, but made them weak to the Europeans. Secondly, the thousands of different African tribes made unity impossible. The Europeans used this to their advantage, turning African against African. Especially after the mistreatment, Africans were afraid, but defiant. Their defiance was met by more force. In the end, the Africans submitted to the European colonists. However, their fury never abated. Today in liberated South Africa, white farmers are attacked. Rwanda has been through genocide.

Technology in the Criminal Justice System Essay Example for Free

Technology in the Criminal Justice System Essay Technological advances hold great potential to remediate some of the current weaknesses in the criminal justice system, particularly in the realm of criminal identification, which stands to increase its empirical consistency. This is not to suggest that technology makes criminalization infallible – all tools require that they be applied with a judicious understanding of their strengths and limitations – but rather curtail some of the shortcomings from what is ultimately a field whose foundation rests upon soft science. As The Innocence Project, a national litigation and policy organization devoted to the improvement of the American criminal justice system, notes, wrongful convictions often result from a misunderstanding of the limitations of science. As Alex Steffen (2004) notes, police methodology is fraught with judgment and subjectivity; these two attributes do not necessarily invalidate the entire protocol, but they are frequently left unchecked by careful scrutiny. For example, without proper video or audio documentation of interrogation procedures, it is impossible to review, identify and flag confessions whose results are invalidly obtained through baiting promises, coercive pressure and leading questions. Furthermore, police informants are not measured according to their reputation for providing useful or accurate information. In effect, there is a complete lack of ‘soft science’ consistency in the investigative process. One of the technologies currently under scrutiny is DNA profiling and analysis. Like biometric analysis and surveillance technology, DNA profiling and analysis holds great value in the identification of criminals. It is currently used within the context of law enforcement in order to identify the individual from which genetic material found on a crime scene originates. The results are used to determine, based on the qualities of the genetic matter obtained, whether individuals may be considered suspect. Although DNA sequences among individuals are highly matching, the process of DNA profiling relies on variances which occur on the level of their alleles (National Institute of Justice, 2009). But despite this level of precision, some wrongful convictions occur in spite of DNA profiling and analysis, due mostly in part to a number of confounding variables. Intra-agency databases are crucial to the efficacy of DNA profiling and analysis. In the United States, the COmbined DNA Index System or CODIS, with 5 million records as of 2007, fulfills this role. The CODIS is an electronic database of DNA profiles, quite similar to that of the AFIS or Automated Fingerprint Identification System. It holds the aggregated data of DNA profiles obtained by individual states from those convicted. (FBI, 2009) In effect, it gives law enforcement officers quick access to a nation-wide sample of DNA profiles and assists in identifying possible suspects. However, reliance upon the CODIS and other such DNA databases can be problematic because of their dependence on past convictions. Furthermore, an imperfect application of DNA testing can have disastrous results. In the case of Herman Atkins, who was convicted of robbery, oral and genital rape, was linked to the crime on the basis of the fact that he fit the same genetic demographic of the perpetrator. Even though it could not be proven that Atkins was inarguably the rapist, he was convicted. The prosecution admitted this as much by noting that the evidence â€Å"excludes a large percentage of the people, and does not exclude him, and thats corroboration. While hair samples and semen stains are valuable evidence, it is not without thorough and comprehensive testing that they can be held as inarguable evidence of guilt, as the innocent may sometimes overlap with the perpetrator in these factors. It must be clear that concern should not center solely on wrongful convictions but the shortcomings of techniques. While one should not blithely subscribe to an uncritical confidence in the justice system, it is also not productive to rail against injustices post hoc. Instead, what is needed is broader public education of what DNA profiling and analysis tells us. However, at the very least, DNA profiling and analysis is a step in the right direction in advancing the reliability and validity of criminology: It is most certainly not an infallible solution to the fuzzy qualities which dominate it, but it gives a human face to the statistical probability of error that has always existed within it. REFERENCES Innocence Project: http://www. innocenceproject. org/index. php. Accessed March 5, 2009. Steffen, A. (2004, May 15). â€Å"The Innocence Project. † Worldchanging. Retrieved March 4, 2009 from: http://www. worldchanging. com/archives//000715. html National Institute of Justice. â€Å"What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence. † Retrieved March 6, 2009 from: http://www. ncjrs. gov/pdffiles1/nij/bc000614. pdf Federal Bureau of Investigation. â€Å"CODIS – National DNA Index System. † Retrieved March 4, 2009 from: http://www. fbi. gov/hq/lab/codis/national. htm

Charlotte Haze

Charlotte Haze Literature is not solely a method of entertainment. It is also used to expand a readers mind by allowing them to enter a different world. To do so, a reader will often have to suspend their disbelief. It is very rare that one must question what he/she is reading. Vladimir Nabokovs Lolita is the confession of an erudite European intellectual with an obsessive desire for nymphets-girls between the ages of nine and fourteen who are, as he judges them, sexually aware. In Humbert Humberts confession, he admits to the years of molestation of a young girl referred to as Lolita (Dolores Haze). This confession is written by him while awaiting trial for a seemingly unrelated murder. At the end of the novel, Humbert states that the murder he committed was an act of love and he rationalizes not only his violence but his pedophilia. Although the confession seems free-flowing and a spur of the moment decision on the part of the narrator, how does Nabokov indicate that Humbert Humbert is an unrelia ble narrator through the use of literary devices and linguistic patterns in Lolita? Despite Humbert Humberts horrid crimes, his language and wordplay make for a more pleasant reading experience than one would expect. Through the use of characterization, diction, and comparison and contrast, Nabokov suggests that Humbert is unreliable and knowingly writes a tale that paints himself as a victim of circumstances. Characterization: As Humbert Humbert is the narrator of the novel, he characterizes the individuals in the story. No second opinions are presented; therefore the reader is given a one-dimensional interpretation of each character. There are clues in the novel that suggest Humberts descriptions are biased in his favour, including the rapid changes in the characters personalities and the tone in which they are described. Humberts descriptions of Charlotte Haze, in particular, change significantly as the story progresses. Charlotte, Lolitas mother and Humberts eventual wife in the novel, is a middle-class American housewife who aspires to be sophisticated and cultured. Her relationship with her daughter is strained as she focuses all her attention on accommodating her lodger Humbert Humbert, who finds her intolerable and simply wants access to Lolita (Dolores Haze). During the beginning of the novel and the beginning of their relationship, Humbert refers to Charlotte simply as the Haze woman. His disgust and aggravation is apparent even at the mention of her presence. When first describing Charlotte to the reader, Humbert states: I think I had better describe her right away, to get it over with. She was, obviously, one of those woman whose polished words may reflect a book clubbut never her soul; women who are completely devoid of humour (Nabokov 37). His dislike for Charlotte is made clear from the m oment she is introduced to the reader; however Humbert continues to point out her vulgarity and lack of sophistication. One night, while secretly fondling Lolita on the front porch, Humbert writes: [Lo] fidgeted a good deal so that finally her mother told her sharply to quit it and sent [her] doll flying into the dark (Nabokov 46). Charlottes behaviour seems over-the-top and disdainful. However, it is interesting that whenever Humbert has any inappropriate contact with Lolita, he follows quickly by writing of Charlottes contempt towards her daughter. After his contact with Lolita on the front porch, he quite sarcastically writes the following excerpt: [Lolita] had been spiteful, if you please, at the age of one, when she used to throw her toys out of her crib, so that her poor mother should keep picking them up, the villainous infant. Now, at twelve, she was a regular pest, said Haze. Her grades were poor. Of course, moodiness is a common concomitant of growing up, but Lolita exagerrate[d]. Sullen and evasive. Rude and defiant (Nabokov 46). Although expressing Charlottes frustration with her daughter, the speech is not a direct quote from Charlotte indicating that Humbert is paraphrasing what she has told him. This harsh-toned speech seems to be a convenient ploy on the part of the narrator to distract from the fact that he took advantage of a young girls trust for his own physical gratification. In fact, throughout the novel, Humberts abuse of Lolita is followed by negative dialogues from the other characters. Nabokov seems to suggest that Humberts confession is well thought-out and biased in his favour. It seems the narrator wants to justify his actions. After Lolita tags along to a shopping trip with him and Charlotte, Humbert quotes her mother as saying: It is intolerable that a child should be so ill-manneredwhen she knows she is unwanted (Nabokov 51). While they are driving, Humbert takes advantage of Lolitas proximity to hold, stroke, and squeeze [her] little paw all the way to the store (Nabokov 51). Humbert use s Charlottes contempt towards Lolita to justify his affection towards her. Although this physical contact is outwardly innocent, Humberts intentions are clearly pedophilic. It is by characterizing Charlotte as unmotherly and unkind that Humbert tries to gain the readers sympathy. He portrays himself as a father figure providing a mistreated girl with love. Before her death in the novel, Charlotte is portrayed as a brutal, unloving mother. However, after she is accidently killed, Humbert is free to parent Lolita. After he collects Lolita from the summer camp she was forced to attend, one notices the change in the tone he uses to address Charlotte. Lolita, since returning from camp, has remained troublesome and moody. After Humbert has consummated his relationship with the young girl, they engage on a long road trip including many pit stops and shopping trips. The teenage girl is not particularly enjoying their voyage and is understandably vulgar and upset. Humbert is quoted many times as saying: Charlotte, I begin to understand you! (Nabokov 149). Humbert narrates and characterizes other individuals in a way that will arouse sympathy for himself. Previously, when Humbert would engage in inappropriate contact with Lolita, he would deliberately point out her mothers unaffectionate nature to justify his touching her child. Now that Charlot te, the obstacle, has been overcome and Humbert regularly molests and abuses her daughter, he points out Lolitas insufferable qualities. He now understands Charlotte and points out that she was not as negative a person as she seemed. Humbert does this in order to paint himself as a tired father putting up with his difficult daughters every whim. Humberts descriptions of Lolita also change, removing the characters likeability as the story progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Lolita is described as closely resembling Annabel, Humberts childhood love. Humbert explains that he is instantly captivated by her beauty: When I passed her in my adult disguise, the vacuum of my soul managed to suck in every detail of her bright beauty (Nabokov 39). Although Lolita is a mediocre American child, vulgar and even less polished than her mother, Humbert seems to view the girl through rose-coloured glasses. To him, she is not vulgar, but charming, not aggressive, but misunderstood by her wretched mother. Although Humbert does not appreciate Lolitas idolization of American pop culture, nothing much else is said with regards to her intellect. Interesting to note is Lolitas minimal dialogue in this part of the novel. She does not say much, except for her frequent arguments with Charlotte. In these arguments, Lolita is not portrayed as a de licate child, but rather a strong-willed, aggressive girl. I think you stink and this is a free country are some of the arguments made to her mother during their verbal fights (Nabokov 46). During one particular fight, Humbert writes: Later, I heard a great banging of doors and other sounds coming from quaking caverns where the two rivals were having a ripping row (Nabokov 48). Writing this, Humbert indicates that Lolita is able to hold her own against her mother. She is not the type to be trampled over or forced to do anything. By including dialogues and descriptions such as these, Humbert suggests that Lolita is a strong child who gets what she wants. In addition to describing her bad-temper, the physical contact between Humbert and Lolita is always said to be instigated by the girl. Humbert narrates: Presently an old gray tennis ball bounced over [Charlotte], and Los voice came from the house haughtily: Pardonnez, Mother. I was not aiming at you. Of course not, my hot downy darling (Nabokov 55). What to an average person would seem like a playful act derived from boredom, Humbert tries to illustrate as an act of seduction. Humbert portrays Lolita as a willing participant in his games, as shown in the following excerpt: Humbert Humbert intercepted [her] apple. In a sham effort to retrieve it, [Lo] was all over me. Every movement she made, every shuffle and ripple, helped me to conceal and to improve the secret system of tactile correspondence between beast and beauty-between my gagged, bursting beast and the beauty of her dimpled body in its innocent cotton frock (Nabokov 58-59). Although Humbert sits there almost inert during thi s encounter, and although Lolita comes to him, he instigates the situation by innocently taking her fruit from her. After her stay at a summer camp, Lolitas sexuality has changed drastically as the reader learns she has had her first sexual encounter. In this part of the novel, through direct quotes, Lolita is characterized differently. She is very teasing of Humbert: I did not [miss you]. Fact Ive been revoltingly unfaithful to you, but it does not matter one bit, because youve stopped caring for me anywayyou havent kissed me yet, have you? (Nabokov 112). Humbert then narrates: Lolita positively flowed into my arms (Nabokov 113). This is the first serious encounter the two characters have: a kiss Humbert narrates as having been Lolitas idea. Although Humbert describes the confidence with which Lolita engages in this behaviour, he also reveals that it was but an innocent game on her part, an imitation of fake romance. Having already lost her virginity to a young man at camp, Lolita initiates sexual intercourse with Humbert during their stay at a hotel. However, more than a romantic partner, Nabokov illustrates Lolita as a young girl in search of affection of any kind. Charlotte, not fitting the maternal archetype whatsoever, was jealous of the relationship between Humbert and Lolita. Having not yet learned that her mother is dead, and believing Humbert and Charlotte are still married, Lolitas contact and conversation with Humbert resembles a bitter act of rebellion against her mother who forced her to attend camp (an experience she describes as dirty and naughty despite her cool demeanor). Having sex with Humbert seems like more of a game to Lolita as she does not understand the severity of her actions. However, it is a way of betraying her mother, just as Charlotte betrayed her by sending her to camp. When Humbert reveals in a most insensitive way that Charlotte is dead, Lolita is truly heartbrok en. Humbert writes: At the hotel, we had separate rooms, but in the middle of the night she came sobbing into mine, and we made it up very gently (Nabokov 142). The quotation suggests that the two engaged in sexual relations once again, and although Humbert does not specify why Lolita was crying, it was most certainly due to the death of her mother and not the mild argument she had with him. The statement illustrates a young girl with no one to turn to except for the adult who victimizes her. Having lost her mother, her only remaining parent, Lolita turns to Humbert-her technical father. He uses her need for affection to gain control of the situation for his own physical gratification. Despite frequent dialogues and descriptions in which Lolita is shown to be unhappy and vulnerable, Humbert adds his own biased interpretations of Lolitas behaviour. She is characterized as a manipulative, able girl. If she is not bought certain things, if she is not allowed to go to certain places, Lolita withholds sex from Humbert. This is an unfavourable depiction of the young girl as her body is the only power she possesses. She has no money, and without Humbert, she cannot survive. In order to put herself in a position of power and achieve some sort of reward for her suffering, Lolita uses her sexuality-something Humbert describes as cruel, manipulative promiscuity. Killing Clare Quilty, the man with whom Lolita runs away, Humbert describes as an act of love for having forced Lolita into poverty. His possessiveness in this part of the novel indicates that he is defending his honour rather than hers. Humbert writes his confession in order to convince the reader that though he is g uilty, he was controlled by a force greater than himself. Through his dynamic characterization of the other characters, Humbert inadvertently reveals he is only interested in telling the story from a viewpoint that will allow the reader to sympathize with him. Diction: In addition to character development in Lolita, diction is also suggestive of Humberts unreliable narration. Throughout the novel, the reader is entranced by Humberts fancy prose style. It is the language used that makes the grotesque themes in the novel bearable. However, many recurring words and linguistic patterns used by Humbert betray the persona he wants to create. Although Humbert wants his confession to seem unbiased and unplanned, the first paragraphs of the novel indicate that his confession is directed to a particular audience-[the] ladies and gentlemen of the jury (Nabokov 9). He, himself, titles his work Lolita, as it is essentially the story of the young girl. However, the foreword written by the fictional Dr. John Ray titles it The Confession of a White Widowed Male. It is interesting that it is always during the most grotesque scenes in the novel that Humbert directly acknowledges the presence of the reader. When pondering whether or not to kill Charlotte, Humbert directly engages the reader(s): And, folks, I just couldnt! In silence I turned shorewardand still I could not make myself drown the poor, slippery, big-bodied creature (Nabokov 87). At times during the confession, Humberts writing becomes almost self-reflective-it seems he gets lost in his past experiences. Nonetheless, in the moments where his morals come into question and where his behaviour becomes criminal, he speaks directly to the reader. Humbert almost acts as his own lawyer, and in an eloquent persuasive tone, tries to sway the reader in his favour. Humbert also uses wordplay to foreshadow Clare Quiltys involvement and significance to the story. In the beginning of the novel, Humbert reads a review. Clare Quiltys name appears, alongside others, and plays are listed including The Little Nymph and Fatherly Love. Humbert says that Lolita could have appeared in a play called The Murdered Playwright, alluding to playwright Clare Quiltys murder. Quiltys presence is always felt in Lolita even before his character is introduced. This leads the reader to believe that Humberts narrative is not free-flowing, but rather serves a direct purpose: to gain sympathy from the reader for the murder he committed. In addition to the change in audience, the connotation and tone of the words used change depending on the situation. Besides Humberts descriptions of nymphets, every other character and experience in his confession is described with cynicism and irritation. Nymphets are introduced as fantastical beings: Nine and fourteen [are] the boundaries-the mirrory beaches and rosy rocks-of an enchanted island haunted by those nymphetsand surrounded by a vast, misty sea (Nabokov 16). This description seems out-of-character for Humbert, who otherwise presents himself to be (within reason) rational. Humbert also states that not all girls in this age range are nymphets. It is the slightly feline outline of a cheekbone, the slenderness of a downy limb [which identify] the little deadly demon offantastic power (Nabokov 17). Humbert chooses to coin the term nymphet instead of using the accepted term of underage girl. By stating that he is not attracted to all young girls, Humbert tries to separate him self from regular pedophiles. The magical tone that surrounds these descriptions makes it seem as though Humbert is not in self-control and submits to the powers of these mystical demons who drive him to abnormality. It is interesting to note that Humbert is very scientific and technical in other parts of the book using jargon such as pederosis and pseudolibidoes. The two different methods of speaking represent Humberts ability to change according to circumstance. While trying to explain his helplessness in the presence of Lolita (and other nymphets), Humbert betrays himself through his word choice. Although eloquent, his possessiveness jumps off the page. Whenever speaking of Lolita, seemingly arbitrary descriptions include possessive pronouns. This is demonstrated numerous times in the novel: How smugly would I marvel that she was mine, mine, mine (Nabokov 161). Constantly referring to the girl as my child, my Lo, my pet, Nabokov italicizes the pronouns to place emphasis on Humberts possessiveness. Furthermore, it is interesting to look at the sentence structure. Whenever events take place involving other people, Humbert makes sure to unite Lolita and himself: Last night, we sat on the piazza, the Haze woman, Lolita and I. Even when writing, Humbert must remain close to Lolita, using punctuation to separate Charlotte from the two of them. Humbert tries to label Lolita as the seducer and instigator of their physical relationship: She played with and kept sticking to my lap (Nabokov 45). Descriptions of such scenes are never explicit, but when movements are described, they are always those of Lolita. Humbert leads the reader to believe he is just a pawn in Lolitas game. In another section of the story, he writes that [Lolita] struck Humbert, quite painfully (Nabokov 65). This is yet another example of Humbert purposefully showcasing Lolitas strength and willpower. Surprisingly, he refers to himself in the third person-something he does often when he bribes/seduces Lolita. It is unavoidable for Humbert to implicate himself in the novel, but when he narrates the more disturbing things he does, he never personalizes it, using Humbert instead of I or me. By doing so, Humbert defeats the purpose of a confession, not really acknowledging it was him who did anything wrong. Although Lolita is shown to sometimes be an hasty child, the words used to describe her when shes around Humbert always paint her as bold and aggressive. She is said to make Humbert nervous. When Lolita reproaches him for his lack of kissing skill, Humbert tells her to show [him] wight ray (Nabokov 120). It seems out-of-character for the eloquent Humbert to be so inarticulate. However, through the use of diction and punctuation, Nabokov suggests that Humbert does not directly quote characters in the novel. In one part of the novel, Humbert writes: Look, we need to go, said Lolitaor something along that line (Nabokov 76). Even though Lolita is clearly quoted, Humbert cannot be sure. This allows the reader to create distrust in Humbert, as he clearly changes dialogue. Many of the letters and conversations Humbert includes in the confession, he admits are paraphrased. Therefore, it is quite difficult to completely trust Humberts story as some of his bias has inevitably seeped through. Also interesting are the nicknames given by Humbert to other characters. Charlotte is also known as the Haze woman, cold big Haze and Lady Hum. Humbert reveals his own mercurial nature by changing the connotation of the nicknames depending on his mood. The fact that his opinions of other characters change so rapidly and so often indicate that Humbert is using them to better his image in the eyes of the reader. There are instances where Humbert seems disgusted with himself, describing his attraction to nymphets as a monstrous love(Nabokov 83). Immediately after he reproaches himself, Humbert goes on to support pedophilia: We are not sex fiends! We are unhappy, mild, dog-eyed gentlemen sufficiently well-integrated to control our urge in the presence of adults, but ready to give yearsof life for one chance to touch a nymphet. Emphatically, no killers are we (Nabokov 88). Humbert never apologizes for his behaviour, admitting it is only society that makes him feel deviant. Contrast Comparison: Nabokov uses contrast and comparison in Lolita to indicate Humbert Humberts biased narration. Humbert often defends his pedophilia-reprimanding societys hypocrisy. He compares his relationship with Lolita to many historical couples: American president Abraham Lincoln and his younger wife, Italian scholar Petrarch and 12 year-old Laureen, and poet Dante Alighieri and his 9 year-old companion. Humbert mentions these relationships as if to validate his relationship with Lolita. These men, whose women were often their muse, served great purpose to society. Humbert questions the confines the law puts on his people (pedophiles), as these men of great status improved the world while sharing his love of nymphets. It is important to note Humbert does not dwell on the age of these men or the time period they lived in (hundreds of years ago). In addition to this, Humbert makes a direct comparison between Annabel, his childhood love, and Lolita. Dolores Haze takes on multiple names: Lo, Lola, Dolly, Hot Little Haze, and Lolita. Humbert states that: in [his] arms, she was always Lolita (Nabokov 9). Later on in the novel, one discovers that Lolita is derived from combining Annabels name with the name Dolores. Annabel Lee and Dolores produce Lo-lee-ta. Although Humbert ridicules psychiatrists, he drops many clues (including this wordplay) that suggest that Annabels early death is the reason for his attraction to underage girls. A love taken from him during a fragile age leading to sickness-this image, he hopes, will arouse the readers sympathy. In the novel, Humberts love scenes with Annabel are somewhat explicit; they use many metaphors and symbols: I was ready to offer her everything, my heart, my throat, my entrails, I gave her to hold in her awkward fist the scepter of my passion (Nabokov 15). As he and Annabel are of the same age, Humbert can be more direct with the reader in these scenes. Conversely, Lolitas sexual scenes with Humbert are quick and do not describe any physical interaction. One assumes that Humbert does this to avoid arousing disgust in the reader. This indicates that Humbert formulates his story in a way that keeps the reader on his side. Throughout Lolita, comparisons are made between older women and girls Humbert deems to be nymphets. Older women, no matter their role in Humberts life, are always unattractive, cruel and unintelligent. Valeria, Humberts first wife, is described as fat, dumb and completely inept. Charlotte Haze is also fat, disgusting and irritating. Young girls are always painted as desirable. The most beautiful language is used to convince the reader of the power of these nymphets. They are seductive, physically-tone, and delicate (Nabokov 17). Humbert tries to illustrate older women as revolting, so the reader will be able to empathize with his lifestyle. Younger boys, however, are never described in the same light as young girls. They are dirty, repulsive, and dangerous. Any boy Lolita speaks to, any waiter who comes into contact with her is described negatively. Humbert portrays himself as Lolitas protector, unwilling to let her be tarnished by these lowly creatures. This is how he sees Clare Quilty. He is the man who kidnaps his daughter and then abandons her. Before Humbert discovers that Quilty is the man Lolita runs away with, Humbert sets out on a mission to trace the fugitiveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦to destroy [his] brother (Nabokov 247). In the final scenes where Humbert and Quilty are fighting, Humbert narrates: I rolled over him. We rolled over me. They rolled over him. We rolled over us (Nabokov 299). This is the only time in the novel when Humbert (indirectly) acknowledges his mistakes. Referring to Quilty as his brother, Humbert illustrates that they are one in the same. They both helped in destroying a young girl. This is the only moment of remorse shown in the novel, as Humbert quickly reverts back to condemning Quilty. Conclusion: Although readers often expect the narrator of a novel to be completely truthful, it is important to question the reliability of the narrator. In Lolita, Nabokov indicates that narrator Humbert Humbert has his own personal agenda and tells the story in a very biased way through the use of characterization, diction, and comparison and contrast. Why then is this novel so compelling to read? Why does the reader insist on being lectured by the corrupt Humbert and feeding into his lies? Although the narrator is biased in his assertions, Nabokov makes sure to include several clues to help the reader discover Humberts deception. Lolita is not simply escape literature, as it requires the reader to actively think about the story being told. By placing trust in the reader and stimulating their intelligence, Nabokov has created one of the literary masterpieces of all time.

Energy Efficient Housing Essay -- essays research papers

Energy Efficient Building   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Windows   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Energy efficient windows have multiple layers of glass. The reason for this is because the more layers of glass you have the better it insulates the house. Three or four layers of glass are one of the best because you have more airspace in between layers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A smaller airspace doesn't insulate the building as well as a thicker airspace would. The thickest an airspace should be is 1 inch because any thicker than that will cause the glass of the window to no longer insulate the building.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The air in between the layers of glass should be thick and dense, so that it can save energy. One of the most common airs used in-between glass is argon. When argon is used heat loss is reduced. You could also use carbon dioxide or sulfur hexa-fluoride between glass.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another type of window that is used commonly to keep the home cool is tinted glass. Tinted glass and tinted window films are used on buildings to reduce heat gain through windows. Advancements in tinted glass have now allowed us to make the glass appear just as a regular window that you can see through. The tinted glass solution is also used in many vehicles and private rooms for privacy and to keep them cool in the summer to save on energy costs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When choosing a proper type of window frame, fiber glass is the number one choice. Fiberglass is the strongest material to use for the job and it also involves a smaller amount of maintenance compared to vinyl or wood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Glazes on windows are one of the newest methods for energy efficient windows. Glazing is a way of changed the glass so that the light reflects off the window or absorbs the light and brings it into the building. Photo-chromic is the best product for glazing, as it can be switched so that it both reflects the light and absorbs it. Photo-chromic is a product called a switchable glazing. All switchable glazing products are useful for reducing cooling loads and for minimizing the shine off the sun from coming in the house. It would be most useful is Saskatchewan because it brings heat into the house for the winter, ... ...also save energy by using motion censoring for doors and sinks. The dining rooms and foyers should have dim-able light switches. Another way to save a lot of energy is to make a master switch at the front door that turns off all lights. That way you never leave a light on when you aren't at home. You should use natural gas cook tops and ovens to cut down on electricity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wind Turbines   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wind turbines can be very useful in bringing energy into your home. They are especially useful when solar panels aren't working. They take the wind speed from oceans, lakes, dugouts, or rivers and turn it into energy. To use the wind turbines most efficiently you should set up a wind power system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Energy Efficient Motors   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Energy efficient motors use more copper and iron than regular motors. They also consume less energy than regular motors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Crime And Punishment Dream Ana Essay -- essays research papers

Dreams of Good and Evil   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dreams are windows into peoples sub conscience and their true emotions and gives important clues to emotional disturbances. Sigmund Freud, the first person to systematically study dreams, said that desires are revealed in the form of dreams. Freud said that dreams gratify those desires which that a person would never express while awake. Psychiatrists today tend to view dreams as attempts to solve problems rather than as the fulfillment of unconscious desires. Whatever dreams are, they gratify a physiological and psychological need of humans. In Crime and Punishment, Raskolinov manifests guilt itself in a dream in which Ilya Petrovich mercilessly beats his landlady. This dream is a vision into Raskolinov’s emotional disturbances and signifies resentment and fear.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Raskolinov’s dreams are continual conflicts between his dark and hateful mind and his conscience. His mind drives him to murder and inflates his ego to make him feel as an â€Å"extraordinary man.† On the other hand, his conscience struggles to hinder these violent motives. Raskolinov’s mind is at battle with itself in a conflict of morals and corruption that is manifested into the dream of the mare. Dostoevsky uses the dream as evidence of Raskolinov’s psychic illness. Raskolinov can be identified as all of the characters in his dream: Mikolka, the jeering crowd, the beaten horse, and the innocent child. Raskolinov’s confusion and obvio...

The Development of Jig in “Hills Like White Elephants”

In Hemingway’s â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants,† Jig undergoes a transformation enabling her to realize and declare her own feelings. At the story’s beginning Jig is passive, unaware of her own feelings, and in the habit of looking to the American direction. She soon comes to realize her own desires and struggles to assert herself for the first time. The story is structured around the two sides of the valley, the division symbolizing the opposition between the American’s values and Jig’s. The two sides of the valley of the Ebro represent two ways of life, one a sterile perpetuation of the aimless hedonism the couple have been pursuing, the other a participation in life in its full natural sense† (Renner, 32). On one side are the values associated with abortion, and on the other are the values associated with having the child. â€Å"In this setting, then, Hemingway works out the story’s conflict, which revolves around the development o f his female character† (28).The dialogue between Jig and the American about hills and drinks â€Å"is in actuality an articulated but decisive struggle over whether they continue to live the sterile, self-indulgent, decadent life preferred by [the American] or elect to have the child that Jig is carrying and settle down to a conventional but, in Jig’s view, rewarding, fruitful, and peaceful life† (Holladay, 1).The American argues adamantly for the abortion while Jig, being accustomed to doing what he wants, â€Å"has not yet developed the mechanism to know what she wants, much less to articulate it. Thus she cannot forthrightly contest her companion’s urging, but neither, because of what is at stake in this case, can she stifle her own feelings† (Renner, 29). Up until this point the American has been the leader of the couple’s relationship, managing their life together in a manner consistent with his own desires.At the beginning of the story , the couple is sitting at a table on one side of the station, â€Å"facing out toward the hills on the same side of the valley,† the side â€Å"associated with the barrenness and sterility both of the implications of going through with an abortion and of the current state of the couple’s relationship† (Renner, 30). Jig looks at the hills on this side of the station, noting that they look like white elephants.A white elephant, in a North American cultural context, â€Å"is not only a rare and sacred creature, but also a metaphor for an expensive and burdensome property†¦the burden at issue in this story is the unborn child† (Link, 67). The American responds that he has never seen a white elephant. â€Å"No, you wouldn’t have,† Jig replies. â€Å"To Jig, the unborn child she carries is eminently, painfully real; to the American it is a concept, an abstraction, and too expensive to keep† (Wyche, 59). Jig goes on to say, â€Å"That ’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks? This statement articulates â€Å"an increasing awareness of the emptiness of the couple’s lifestyle to date† (60). Jig stands up and walks to the other end of the station, â€Å"effectively [distancing] herself from the influence of her male companion and [enabling] herself, evidently for the first time, to realize what is in her own mind† (Renner, 32). She is now able to see the other side of the valley, â€Å"the fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro,† and the river, which are representative of the values associated with having the child.Jig rejoins the American at the table, once again facing the â€Å"the hills on the dry side of the valley. † She tries to convince the American that her pregnancy could be meaningful for them, and that they could get along even with a child. The American â€Å"resumes his double talk, assuring her that he will go al ong with what she wants while stubbornly pressuring her to do what he wants† (Renner, 33). Pushed to her breaking point, Jig finally â€Å"explodes with real feeling. Even though she still does not state in direct terms her feeling that there can be more to life than their aimless hedonism, she†¦. vidently for the first time†¦[asserts] herself openly against the American† (33). â€Å"Would you please please please please please please please stop talking? † Jig no longer wants to hear what the American has to say, demonstrating her â€Å"increasing awareness†¦of the man’s self-centered and insecure motivation for pursuing the abortion† (Rankin, 235). She is resisting both â€Å"what he wants for their relationship and the hypocrisy of his efforts to persuade her† (Renner, 33), as she realizes it is the â€Å"unencumbered sexual playhouse† that the American is selfishly trying to reserve. The American takes carries their bags to the other side of the station, and upon his return asks Jig if she feels better. â€Å"I feel fine,† she responds. â€Å"There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine. † â€Å"The absolute straightforwardness of the last line, a line that incidentally coincides with Jig’s own dramatic epiphany† (Rankin, 234) may well â€Å"imply her realization that there is something wrong with her companion† (Renner, 40).By the conclusion of the story, â€Å"the relationship between Jig and the American has been effectively destroyed† (Wyche, 70). However, â€Å"we see the result of her development toward self-realization: the reluctant and still somewhat resentful capitulation of her male companion† (Renner, 28). Once the â€Å"stereotypical passive female, not even knowing her own mind,† Jig finds herself no longer able to â€Å"drift along in mindless accompaniment† (37) and breaks free from her conditioned deference to assert her own feelings to the American.