Media Studies Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Media Studies - Case Study Example Advertising is persuasive and informational and is designed to influence the purchasing behavior and/or thought patterns of the audience. Advertising is a marketing tool and may be used in combination with other marketing tools, such as sales promotions, personal selling tactics, or publicity" (Advertising, p.1). In our everyday lives, we are surrounded by advertisements all over. It is nearly impossible to save ourselves from one or the other kind of advertisements whether it might be the most recent offer put forward by the local supermarket or perhaps even an advertisement on the television even if we stop reading the newspaper, stop watching television or even stride around with our eyes closed. As mentioned previously, the chief rationale of marketing is to advertise and sell products, but if one ponders, we come to realize the fact that the advertisement not only sells the product to people, but it also puts forward an image of our future which is extremely attractive and full of opportunities and advantages. For this particular essay, an advertisement will be analyzed with respect to semiotic terms and techniques and discourse analysis, and discover how denotation is constructed. The methods chosen for the analysis of the advertisement are the most appropriate methods. This is because through the semiotics and discourse analysis, the advertisement of Chrysler 300C chosen can be best analyzed as it contains the language and signs that require appropriate understanding and analysis that can only be done through the use of semiotics and discourse analysis.The next section presents the concepts of semiotics and discourse analysis that is discussed through the analysis of the literature present in different books, journals, periodicals and internet sources. The literature is reviewed through these sources and then discussed and critically analyzed. Semiotic and Discourse Analysis In the course of the method of being advertised, merchandise turns into an illustration of anything and everything that is desirable for the general public or at least the target market. The basic working of an advert basically is to indicate, to correspond to us, the object of our most unavoidable desires. We can therefore argue that the most important aspect of an advertisement is of what is important to us. For an advertisement to be successful it needs to put forward an image of us and to tell us ways by which we can use the product to make ourselves even more tempting, striking etc. In this way the product is given individuality, communicating to the target market not just plain information but also representation. The advert under consideration is the Chrysler 300C advertisement. The methods that have been taken up are known as Semiotics and Discourse Analysis. A commonsensical way to start here would be by defining Semiotics first. Basically, Semiotics was developed in the 1960s and has its roots in English literature and structural linguistics.

AltaPointe Health Systems Company Essay Example for Free

AltaPointe Health Systems Company Essay Define a value chain and the significance of the center of gravity. Please also provide an example of a value chain from your place of work or from a company that you have researched. A value chain is a set of activities that are associated together that start with raw materials from suppliers, then goes to a set of activities in which are involved in marketing a certain product, and then ends with providers developing the final properties to the vital purchaser. Value chains can usually be split into two parts: upstream and downstream. The upstream deals where the company begins, how it develops, and what it produces. Then, downstream starts with where the goods, for example, are being transported and how it distributes to suppliers. A company’s center of gravity is the most important part of the company and what the essential proficiencies are. It is usually where the company began, according to Galbraith. It is also where the company stands the strongest. In other words, whatever may be there strongest suit is what the company’s center of gravity is. My company that I work for, AltaPointe Health Systems, can be used as an example of a value chain. AltaPointe Health Systems is a community based company that provides services of mental health to consumers that are struggling mentally and/or patients that are struggling with substance abuse issues. We have two hospital facilities (for adults and children), many residential homes, and also outpatient services. Since the primary focus of a value chain is to study the company of value-creating events, AltaPointe’s surfaces around one primary vision and that is psychiatry. Our value chain starts with having patients who come in (voluntary or involuntary) who are mentally ill or abusing substances. They tell us what is going on and our psychiatrists make an analysis based on their assumption of the patient’s sickness. They decide whether or not our facility is right for them (especially if they come in voluntary). Our doctors and nurses have daily activities with them; whether it is group sessions or one-on-one with the  social worker and doctor, decide what is causing their problems, and make a decision on what is the best way to treat them. The patients then stay for however long it takes to get the patient stable and on the correct medications, and then send them onto our outpatient facilities where they will see a doctor once a month. In this case, our materials that we need to carry on our facilities would be: beds, medications, and supplies for nurses and staff. Activities that are involved in keeping our services are: having mentally ill patients that need psychiatric help and pay to come see us. Without them, we would not be a company. As far as distributors getting the final goods: in our case, it would be our patients getting better and having our name talked about in an extremely good way to the community and other communities near us. If we have happy patients, we will have a successful business that keeps running. Our CEO also works with Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa, which is another psychiatric inpatient facility. Businesses like these, are what helps us to stay open and help one another out. In what ways may a corporation’s structure and culture be internal strengths or weaknesses? Look at your organization, and analyze its structural and cultural strengths and weaknesses. How can the weaknesses be improved? There are three basic types of organizational structures. They are simple structures, functional structures, and divisional structures. Simple structures don’t have any product categories and is designed for small organizations. Functional structures are for medium-sized companies that have several products. Lastly, divisional structures are for large companies that have many product lines in different industries. A corporation’s structure can be a company’s strength and/or their weakness. If the correct structure is developed correctly, then the business can grow and thrive like it should. If the wrong structure is built, then the company could have problems operating correctly. A corporation’s structure has to get its strength from the foundation, because without the foundation you don’t have anything to build on. Based on these three structures is how you want to choose your foundation for the company/business. However, if you do choose the wrong structure, then the business could fall apart because people will not know what their accurate role is within the organization. It is almost  as if everyone would get confused on what they should be doing. Corporate culture is where the beliefs, expectations of a company, and values come together within members of the organization and is passed on from one group of employees to another. A strength of culture could be the organization’s ability to relate with one another and able to get along and be civil with other employees. It is also to have the respect of values that the CEO and other leadership members have for the company. Weaknesses would be the exact opposite. If employees do not understand what the culture is for the company or do not show respect to it, it could make a company fall really fast. Employees are a huge part of a company and without them, you have absolutely nothing. They have to have the ability and want to have respect for others and the management team. For the company I work for, our organizational structure would be a simple structure, because it is a small organization. Our internal strengths would include having the right management. I believe we have top workers that are our chief officers and are able to make excellent decisions. They are always on top of the issues that need to be worked out and help manage the Board of Directors meetings. Our foundation has always been a good one and they keep our company running in good condition at all times. Our biggest structural weakness is our employees not knowing where they stand within the company. Our top managers have difficulty with relating to our other employees whom are not in top management. We have so many employees that work within the hospitals that include: nurses, behavioral aides, security, etc., and our chief officers or hospital administrators do not take the time to try to see if they have any needs or concerns within the company. This is where our company starts making mistakes. This could be an easy fix by making sure our managers take the time to speak with them. They need to start having meetings with other employees and ask what their ideas are and what needs to be improved. As far as cultural strengths, ours is following expectations. Our employees might not like it sometimes, but they know what our CEO expects out of them. They know they cannot call in sick every time something goes wrong and they know their number one priority is the patients’ needs. Our cultural weakness is definitely communication and feedback. If something  goes wrong within one of our hospitals, it is because there was a lack of communication or someone did not speak up when they needed to. This is when the patients start getting ill and irritated. It is completely unnecessary. If our employees would care a little more about what maybe could go wrong, and communicate more than what they are doing, everything would be a lot different.

Hotel Rwanda Essay -- Film Movies History Historical Essays

I decided to surf the internet in search of inspiration, and I found it on the mediate.com website. Robert Benjamin’s article â€Å"Hotel Rwanda and the Guerrilla Negotiator† definitely caught my eye†¦particularly since I had checked the DVD out from the library last Friday but hadn’t yet watched it. Benjamin’s article piqued my interest enough to do some additional research on Rwanda, and passion was born. While a colony of Belgium, Rwanda was separated into two tribal groups which many say was based on physical characteristics such as the wideness of the nose: the common Tutsi (majority), and the upper-class Hutu (minority). For many years, the Tutsis were powerful and mistreated the Hutus. In 1962, Rwanda gained its independence from Belgium, the power shifted to the Hutus, many of whom wanted to exact their revenge on the enemy Tutsis. In 1993, Canadian General Romeo Dallaire was put in charge of the United Nations Mission to Rwanda to facilitate implementation of the Arusha peace accords after they were signed by the Hutus and the Tutsis. That mission was derailed when the Hutu president’s plane was shot down by Tutsi rebels. The president’s assassination was the precipitating event of what would become known as the genocide in Rwanda. â€Å"When people ask me, good listeners, why do I hate all the Tutsi, I say: read our history. The Tutsi were collaborators for the Belgian colonists, they stole our Hutu land, they whipped us. Now they have come back. We will squash the infestation.† -- ITLM Hutu Power Radio Then, I watched the movie. In a recreation of actual events, we are taken to Kigali, Rwanda’s capitol, shortly before the 100-day genocide began. Ultimately, at least 800,000 – some say over 1,000,000 – were killed. Paul Rusesabagina is the central figure of the story and Benjamin’s designated Guerrilla Negotiator. Rusesabagina managed the exclusive Hotel Des Milles Collines (owned by a Belgian company) and developed a network of powerful allies (including a crooked Hutu army general) – plying them with bribes with the hope they would be available should he ever need a favor. A Hutu married to a Tutsi, and the father of three young children, Rusesabagina initially refused to believe the rumors of increasing hostility and brutality against the Tutsis (routinely called cockroaches by the Hutu rebels). When Rusesabagina can no longe... ...ion has vanished. â€Å"We need the international community to intervene and help us (to do) justice, and then after doing justice, dialogue.† Lobbying the group to invest and volunteer in Africa, Rusesabagina added â€Å"What Africans need as a whole is not only someone who will come and pay their education but it is also to change the systems in Africa. To help us to change, to find lasting solutions. Africa is ruled by dictators. And those dictators should know that one day they also can be brought to justice.† On July 15-17, 2005, the Save Darfur Coalition is promoting a national weekend of prayer and reflection for the people of Darfur to coincide with legislation being introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. Noting that many delayed intervening in Rwanda in 1994 because they weren’t sure the killing was genocide, Rusesabagina has stated â€Å"What is happening in Darfur according to the definition is genocide.† Citing the cry initially associated with the Holocaust and now also with Rwanda of â€Å"never again† as the most abused words, Rusesabagina charges â€Å"When they were saying that in 1994, it was happening again and again and again and again. So, ‘never again’ to me is not enough.†

Physical Fitness and Nutrition Worksheet Essay

In order to obtain optimal health, it is critical to be physically fit and eat a healthy and balanced diet. Becoming knowledgeable about what it means to be physically fit and learning how to evaluate the nutritional value of what you eat may greatly increase your ability to improve your health and wellness. In this three-part worksheet, you identify the five components of health related fitness, critique a recipe for nutritional value, and respond to two short answer questions about nutrition. Completing this assignment is a step towards gaining the knowledge needed to better manage your physical fitness and nutrition. Part 1: Five Components of Health Related Fitness Table Complete the table below. The first row has been filled in for you as an example. Components of Physical FitnessDescriptionHow to Incorporate in Your LifeBenefit(s) Cardiorespiratory FitnessBeing able to exercise at a moderate to high intensity for a long period of timeWalk 2 miles at a brisk pace every day.Reduced the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Muscular StrengthMaximum force able to be exerted by single contraction of a muscle or muscle groupStart out with crunches, lunges and squats.The ability to carry out tasks easier that like yard work. Muscular EnduranceAbility to perform high-intensity muscle contractions repeatedly without fatiguing Do push-ups to build up muscular endurance.Increased metabolism, Reduced fatigue, fewer injuries, and fewer back problems. Flexibility Ability to move joints freely through their full range of motion Start with stretching or yoga to help with flexibility. Being able to keep joints flexible and ability to reach or move. Body CompositionThe amount and relative proportions and distribution of fat mass and fat-free mass in the body By exercising, eating right and managing my time. Living longer and feeling good about one’s self. Part 2: Critique a Meal For this part of the assignment, you critique the nutritional value of a meal. You will select this meal from the USDA website. Follow the instructions below: †¢Access the USDA Recipe Finder search tool at http://recipefinder.nal.usda.gov/ o(either click on or paste the above link in your internet’s address bar) †¢Search for a recipe using one of the available criteria: oType in ingredients; oType in a recipe name, or; oChoose options from the available categories †¢Select a recipe to critique from the generated results. Review the nutritional information provided for the recipe you selected or added and answer the questions below. Each response should be 75 to 125 words. 1.What is the name of the recipe you are evaluating? The name of the recipe that I am evaluating is Baked Chicken with Vegetables. 2.Which essential nutrients—carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals—are included in the recipe? The essential nutrients that are included in this recipe are saturated fats, carbohydrates, Fiber and protein. Also included are Vitamin A that adds carotene and helps with the eyes; Vitamin C which is important for growth and development; Calcium needed for muscle, bones and nerves. Iron helps with distributing oxygen to the body. Vitamin E helps body tissue from damage. Vitamin K makes proteins for bones and tissue also helps with clotting to not bleed too much. 3.Which ingredients are providing each nutrient? Potatoes have vitamin C, potassium, and carbohydrates. Carrots have vitamin A, E, and K. Onions have potassium, Vitamin C and sodium. Chicken there is vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and iron. If the body is missing any vitamins the body will start to deteriorate. 4.Does this recipe include a good balance of essential nutrients? Explain your answer. I believe it does have a good balance but not to the full extent that it could be. Anything could be added to have the extra missing vitamins and minerals that a lot of people do not get on a regular basis. 5.How could the recipe be altered to include more essential nutrients? The recipe could be altered to include more essential nutrients by adding mushrooms, cheese, nuts or eggs. These items would add vitamin D and E. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Vitamin E is similar to vitamin C in helping protect the body from damage and helps with red blood cells. So adding the items in one way or another would add to the nutrients that one’s body. 6.Do you consider this a healthy meal? If not, what is a healthy alternative? Yes I do consider this a healthy meal in the fact that it does have quit a few vitamins and minerals that our bodies need on a regular  basis. It is low in fat and calories and will still fill someone up in one meal. With the chicken, carrots, onions, and potatoes there is not too much more that would be needed to supplement the body.

New job

Grog executive team. Understand that you face the possibility of shutting down operations in Tentacle and I want to lend some help and financial expertise. After much deliberation, I believe it is the best decision to keep the Tentacle plant open and not outsource to China. There are many costs associated with outsourcing to China and I do not believe the positive aspects of outsourcing outweigh the Increase In costs. Cost Analysis Labor Costs Labor is by far the most important factor in this decision. One of the biggest draws to China is their cheap labor.The relevant labor cost in China right now is $0. 91 per hour with an expected increase of 40% in the next 10 years. In comparison, relevant labor cost in Tentacle right now is $16. 25 with an expected increase of 3% per year (Exhibit 4). Assuming each of Tempura's 195 employees works 40 hours per week and 50 weeks per year, that totals a labor cost for this year of $6,337,500 compared to $354,900 in China for the same amount of em ployees. I understand that the cost differential is staggering. However, I would like to point out hat there are many ways to offset these costs without outsourcing to China.One huge factor in this is worker productivity. Workers are much more productive in the united States and perform tasks at a more efficient rate than in China. The new hand spreader used to require six people to assemble it and we have redesigned the components so that only four people need to work on it. With more advancements like this and making your Tentacle plant as automated as possible, you can cut costs In Tentacle by the hundreds of thousands of dollars. By hiring an outside labor force In China, you would be lengthening the company's Information gap.It might take Scoots-Millrace Grog one day to figure out a problem In Tentacle or perform certain testing, when It could take up to two weeks to have that done In China. Keeping your production workers close to your R&D department Is vital for research and product advancement. The only other way Is to have a supply chain manager fly to China frequently to keep up with outsourced operations and make sure they understand the Improvements that need to be made. Supply Chain Costs By looking at Scoots-Miracle Grog's incoming statements and balance sheets, we can e that the company is steadily increasing revenue each year.Scoots-Miracle Grog 0. 35, and a Return on Equity of 0. 12. All of these calculations set the company up for a successful transition into China via outsourcing. However, we must take into account the various supply chain costs that will arise if this decision is made. The biggest changes are freight and operational cost. This is an expense that is essentially $0 in Tentacle. Now, it would be around $8,000,000 each year. Since we would only be saving $5,982,600 in labor costs, this does not Justify acquiring a freight expense of $8,000,000.In addition, Scoots-Miracle Grog would need to hold an additional eight weeks of safe ty stock in Tentacle at a cost of $460,000 and spend much more on quality managers who can assure that the product arrives in the United States in the perfectly desired form. I do not believe Scoots-Miracle Grog outsourcing to China maximizes its capability to be a leader in the three major utilities: time, form, and place. While $2. 7 billion in revenue is admirable, I do not believe Scoots-Miracle Grog has enough need (domestically or internationally) to Justify outsourcing. Loss of KnowledgeMore than anything, I think Scoots-Miracle Grog needs to more fully comprehend the information and knowledge gap that will arise by distancing operations. New production workers will be given the responsibility of understanding Scoots-Miracle Grog products and meet the executive team's exact specifications. In order to do this, managers will need to fly out frequently, train other managers, and constantly monitor quality among shipments. If the company were willing to expand international oper ations and sell to the Chinese people, then the information and knowledge gap would not be so large.However, going there to simply save costs would present an array of new problems and costs. Keeping the company knowledge as close to the domestic market is the safest and smartest thing to do. Conclusion If you are looking to compromise with the executive team, you might consider outsourcing for one year while simultaneously scaling down production and operations in Tentacle. This would, of course, be a short-term plan in order to get the company back on its feet. There would be considerable setup costs for the China production, but the executive team might like this idea in order to save as much as possible now.

Beware the shifting tense

Beware the shifting tense Beware the shifting tense Beware the shifting tense By Erin Many writers, students and professionals alike, struggle with the problem of tense shifting. Your writing will be easier to follow if youre sure to keep your tense consistent. A verbs tense lets the reader know when the action is taking place. Is it in the past (ran), present (run), or future (will run)? Since most of the problems occur in the past and present, well leave future tense out of the conversation for now. In academic writing, the general rule is to use present tense when citing published sources. For example, In her book The Artist’s way, author Julia Cameron writes that†¦. The signal phrase â€Å"author Julia Cameron writes† lets the reader know that information from an outside source is being used. Signal phrases should have present tense verbs. Most fiction and other narrative writing takes place in the past tense. A narrator is telling a story as it happened. Sometimes, though, a writer will accidentally slip into present tense without realizing it: I walked down to the edge of the water and dipped my toe in. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jason grabs my arm and pushes me in the pool! In the second sentence, the author has slipped from past tense (walked/dipped) into present (grabs/pushes). Most of us do this in casual conversation all the time, so its important to be aware of it when were writing. Sometimes, a writer will choose to tell an entire story in the present tense for a sense of immediacy. In any case, its important to stick to the tense youve started with. Any necessary tense changes should have a clear purpose, and should be done smoothly. Otherwise, your reader will be unnecessarily distracted. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Format a UK Business LetterHow to Play HQ Words: Cheats, Tips and TricksList of Prefixes and Suffixes and their Meanings

Analytical Essay Sample on “The Crucible” Different Interpretations

Analytical Essay Sample on â€Å"The Crucible† Different Interpretations Essay: texts can be read in different ways. Choose two readings of The Crucible, and analyse their different interpretations in terms of the focus of their argument, foregrounding of information and language use. Different people interpret things differently. Many things can influence such an interpretation. To understand this concept two different reviews of the film The Crucible will be examined. These two reviews will demonstrate that texts, in this case, The Crucible, can be read differently. Both reviews have distinctive elements of style and focus on different aspects of the text. While both reviews have pragmatic values, commending the actors on their performances, the two reviews focus on separate aspects of the film. The first review, written by Bill Crucie concentrates on the social context of the film, and its entertainment value. It is written informally with extensive colloquial language and Crucie uses exaggeration that boarders on hyperbole. Crucies review disagrees with the second review on the matter of characterization, and how they are represented. Crucies report of the characters is different due to the different angle he takes. The second review, by Greg King, analyses th e film, not from an entertainment angle, like Crucie, but from a context view. King writes a formal piece, from a far more objective angle. The review focuses on the political context of the film. Both reviews differ, and it is this difference that illustrates the ability to contain different meanings, and evoke different readings. The two reviews focus on different aspects, foregrounding what they each think is important. The foregrounding of different ideas illustrates the different interpretations. Both share the notion that the film contains universal themes; however this is the only common thought. The two reviews focus on different aspects, for the reason that they are each aimed at dissimilar audiences. Crucie focuses on the social context of the film, its entertainment value and what he believes to be the main ideas of the film. The social context is discussed in depth, and combined with the use of personal pronoun, colloquial language, and hyperbole, creates a familiar tone, doused with excitement. They chant and dance, wishing for men that they love this line shows the social element of the review. Crucie is able to recreate the film, discussing the social elements. Combined with the tone, the responder is almost able to hear the tone of Crucies voice, and see his face animated as he discusses Abigail s affair. Crucie discusses the entertainment value held by the film. Crucie plays up the love story, elaborating extensively, and creates an unrealistic expectation from the responder, by claiming the film has undercurrents of all genres. is able to combine romance, suspense, comedy, and much more This kind of exaggeration continues throughout the review, adding to the already created tone of excitement. Similar to the exaggeration, this kind of generalization is able to appeal to people of all kinds of, creating the impression that this film falls into all categories, and will be enjoyed by all. The themes of the film are also identified by Crucie. He is able to link the idea of power with the sexual endeavors of the characters. Kings review however focuses on entirely different points. King focuses far more on the historical and political context of the play. This is introduced immediately with comparisons being made between the McCarthy era, and the witch trials. As an indictment of the frenzied mass hysteria of the McCarthy era and the parallels with the poisonous politics and relentless persecution are unmistakable. This instantly provides the review with a more serious tone, enabling it to take a formal, sophisticated approach. Similar to Crucie, King identifies some of the themes present within the film. Paranoia, betrayal, persecution, bigotry King also is able to recognize the unlikely hero in the character of John Proctor. King elaborates on this opinion discussing indirectly the elements of the unlikely hero. Both articles concur that the film contains universal themes, relevant in any context. Themes are very much present in todays society and powerful themes are still relevant forty years later. Quotes from the respective reviews illustrate this. The two reviews focus on different aspects of the film, with Crucies review concentrating on the entertainment values, while King focuses on the historical and political aspects of the film. While the reviews focus on different aspects they also use different techniques to achieve this. Crucie employs a familiar, excited tone, while King uses a more sophisticated style of writing. I remember many classics in high school this is the opening line of Crucies review. Immediately he creates a familiar tone by using the personal pronoun, to create trust, and an anecdote. To compare this with Kings opening line, paranoia, betrayal all important ingredients of this powerful film adaptation it is clear that the initial tone created is different. King creates a formal tone. Crucie initiates an excited tone by using exaggeration bordering on hyperbole. The language that Crucie employs is very informal and extensive colloquial language is utilized. This combines with the exaggeration to create a relaxed piece of writing. Kings word choice varies greatly to that of Crucies. King uses a wider variety of language, with a much better vocabulary. This creates a formal sophisticated piece of writing. King uses constant superlatives to create a favorable review of the actors, magnificent job, superb job. King also chooses strong emotive words to express a subtle opinion. This is shown in the description of Abigail, spiteful, vengeful, and achieves the composers objective of positioning the responder. To add to the formal tone, King utilizes the effect of using historical information, which provides a structured review and an acceptable level of formality. King, in addition provides a slight tonal change, where he slowly begins to include his opinion, this is seen with the addition of emotive words. This allows him to position the reader favorably. King also provides commentary on the story, and the characters, again assisting his positioning of the composer. He comments on the stylistic elements, and this reflect the style of the piece, deftly shifts the emphasis away from its stage origins, focusing the attention on the intense confrontations and the rich characters . This technique is also made use of by Crucie. He provides a running commentary on the development of the love story, and the characters, as the love story evolves paranoid village. Again this mirrors the style of the writing. Along with this commentary, contrasting Kings technique is a very strong opinion, designed to openly position the responder. Another technique Crucie employs is contradiction. The following two lines demonstrate this. Serious suspense provides a heart-pounding climax, and For a film desperately relying on the power of its actors, These lines, and the contradiction present highlights the actors abilities, after continues superlatives praising the entertainment value of the film. The two reviews use different techniques to highlight their desired focuses, and to position the reader in their respective favors. CrucieÐ ¢s review uses simpler language, and a less formal style, while King exhibits his sophisticated, formal style in his article. These techniques ec ho the chosen style, and ultimately their choice of aspects focused upon. The two reviews each focus on different aspects and elements of the film. Crucie identifies the love story, and is able to sympathize with the character of Abigail. King on the other hand, foregrounds the parallels between the film and the McCarthy era. King also discusses Abigails motives, and the hidden hero in proctor. Crucie identifies the evil within Abigail, she realizes she has the power to condemn anyone she wants. But then continues and justifies this evil. Of course, the power is an undeniably strong and almost erotic sensation. Crucie seems to almost sympathize with Abigail. He recognizes that her motives and resultant power are enough to justify her actions. Despite acknowledging that Abigail was the ring leader, Crucie does not extend his sympathy to the girls, and their actions. As all the girls know, if you deny witchcraft, you are hanged. Crucies interpretation of Mary Warren is not as one would expect. In the film, Mary risks her life to tell the truth, so one would expect the description of this to be favorable, yet Crucie uses a monotonous tone to describe Marys actions. Finally Crucie is able to recognize the hidden hero in Proctor. His flawed hero as Crucie describes it, is in fact very flawed. Crucie spotlights Proctors flaws, and mistakes continually throughout the review, who once had an affair with her. Similar to crucie, King points out the unlikely hero that is John Proctor. He however does not necessarily flaunt Proctors flaw, as Crucie did. King uses superlatives to commend the character of Proctor, strength and courage, and appears sensitive with his situation. Contrasting to Crucies views on Abigail are Kings comments on Abigail. King recognizes the evil and horrible character, and dismisses the motives. He describes her as spiteful, vengeful, and then recognizes that her corrupt nature is infecting the whole town. Crucie retells the story, adding overtones of his opinions. He comments on the characters and the events unraveling, the rest of the girls know exactly what she is doing. He also highlights the love story, and identifies other plots occurring simultaneously. Crucie enjoys the concept of a love story thoroughly, and identifies elements common with both The Crucible, and a typical love story. Crucie links this with emotive words, which emphasizes the concept of a love story. Combined with this another parallel plot emerges. This parallel plot is linked with following emotive terms, and takes on its own status as almost a second film. Crucie expands of the elements of the film, discussing extensive use of suspense and its effectiveness. Most suspenseful, and serious suspense, are used to describe depicted scenes. Crucie then commends the actors on their terrific depiction of their respective characters. King does this also. King uses superlatives to commend the actors on their brilliant representations of their characters. Rare depth and emotional range. King also discusses the parallels between the film and events occurring in the McCarthy era. He describes these links as being obvious, and unmistakable. King acknowledges that background knowledge is unnecessary in order to appreciate the film, and describes it as a provocative piece of drama. Similarly to Crucie King provides commentary on the plot unfolding. He adopts a tone of mockery when discussing the events of the town. King provides a more objective tone when discussing the social elements of the film, but a great deal of commentary when discussing the characters. Finally, King comments on the changes occurring when adapted for film. He highly praises the changes, deftly shifts the emphasis away from its stage origins, focusing attention on the intense confrontations and the rich characters that propel the dramatic narrative identifies genre, and focusing on the setting, and brilliant shoots. The two reviews have interpreted the film in different ways. This is shown in their different appreciations of the film, its cha racters and elements typical with the genre. Both reviews have similar focuses. They indentify the universal themes, praise the actor, and comment on the plot. However, this is the extent of their harmony. When different people view a text they will interpret it in different ways, depending on their background. To see this difference an analysis of the focuses, techniques and interpretations is used. As the two reviews did in fact focus on different aspects, and utilize different styles and techniques, it can be understood that Bill Crucie and Greg King interpreted the film in different ways. As well as different focuses and techniques, Crucie and King fore grounded different ideas, and aspects. This confirms the notion that different text can be read in different ways.

Doric Columns - All You Need to Know

Doric Columns - All You Need to Know The Doric column is an architectural element from ancient Greece and represents one of the five orders of classical architecture. Today this simple column can be found supporting many front porches across America. In public and commercial architecture, notably the public architecture in Washington, DC, the Doric column is a defining feature of Neoclassical style buildings. A Doric column has a very plain, straightforward design, much more simple than the later Ionic and Corinthian column styles. A Doric column is also thicker and heavier than an Ionic or Corinthian column. For this reason, the Doric column is sometimes associated with strength and masculinity. Believing that Doric columns could bear the most weight, ancient builders often used them for the lowest level of multi-story buildings, reserving the more slender Ionic and Corinthian columns for the upper levels. Ancient builders developed several Orders, or rules, for the design and proportion of buildings, including the columns. Doric is one of the earliest and most simple of the Classical Orders set down in ancient Greece. An Order includes the vertical column and the horizontal entablature. Doric designs developed in the western Dorian region of Greece in about the 6th century BC. They were used in Greece until about 100 BC. Romans adapted the Greek Doric column but also developed their own simple column, which they called Tuscan. Characteristics of the Doric Column Greek Doric columns share these features: a shaft that is fluted or grooveda shaft that is wider at the bottom than the topno base or pedestal at the bottom, so it is placed directly on the floor or ground levelan  echinus or a smooth, round capital-like flare at the top of the shafta square abacus on top of the round echinus, which disperses and evens the loada lack of ornamentation or carvings of any kind, although sometimes a stone ring called an astragal marks the transition of the shaft to the echinus Doric columns come in two varieties, Greek and Roman. A Roman Doric column is similar to Greek, with two exceptions: Roman Doric columns often have a base on the bottom of the shaft.Roman Doric columns are usually taller than their Greek counterparts, even if the shaft diameters are the same. Architecture Built With Doric Columns Since the Doric column was invented in ancient Greece, it can be found in the ruins of what we call Classical architecture, the buildings of early Greece and Rome. Many buildings in a Classical Greek city would have been constructed with Doric columns. Symmetrical rows of columns were placed with mathematical precision in iconic structures like the Parthenon Temple at the Acropolis in Athens. Constructed between 447 BC and 438 BC., the Parthenon in Greece has become an international symbol of Greek civilization and an iconic example of the Doric column style. Another landmark example of Doric design, with columns surrounding the entire building, is the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. Likewise, the Temple of the Delians, a small, quiet space overlooking a harbor, also reflects the Doric column design. On a walking tour of Olympia, youll find a solitary Doric column at the Temple of Zeus still standing amid the ruins of fallen columns. Column styles evolved over several centuries. The massive Colosseum in Rome has Doric columns on the first level, Ionic columns on the second level, and Corinthian columns on the third level. When Classicism was reborn during the Renaissance, architects such as Andrea Palladio gave the Basilica in Vicenza a 16th-century facelift by combining column types on different levels- Doric columns on the first level, Ionic columns above. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Neoclassical buildings were inspired by the architecture of early Greece and Rome. Neoclassical columns imitate the Classical styles at the 1842 Federal Hall Museum and Memorial at 26 Wall Street in New York City. The 19th-century architects used Doric columns to recreate the grandeur of the site where the first President of the United States was sworn in. Of less grandeur is the World War I Memorial shown on this page. Built in 1931 in Washington, DC, it is a small, circular monument inspired by the architecture of the Doric temple in ancient Greece. A more dominant example of Doric column use in Washington, DC is the creation of architect Henry Bacon, who gave the neoclassical Lincoln Memorial imposing Doric columns, suggesting order and unity. The Lincoln Memorial was built between 1914 and 1922. Finally,  in the years leading up to Americas Civil War, many of the large, elegant antebellum plantations were built in the Neoclassical style with classically-inspired columns. These simple but grand column types are found throughout the world, wherever classic grandeur is required in local architecture. Sources Doric column illustration  © Roman Shcherbakov/iStockPhoto; Parthenon detail photo by Adam Crowley/Photodisc/Getty Images; Lincoln Memorial photo by Allan Baxter/Getty Images; and photo of Federal Hall by Raymond Boyd/Getty Images.

An Organizational Ethical Dilemma of NIKE Essay

An Organizational Ethical Dilemma of NIKE - Essay Example According to the research findings Nike’s supply chain has flaws in contract negotiations and supplier oversight. The company’s dispersed nature of operations has created opportunities as well as posed challenges to the corporate reputation, to the brand and most importantly to the stakeholders at large. The dilemma that arose from Nike’s internationally disbanded manufacturing factories mainly focus on the poor labor practices, child labor, unsafe and inhumane working environment, discriminating wages, environmental hazardous operations and processes etc. All of these issues point towards Nike’s unconcerned social and corporate behavior. This indicates the absence of business ethics at Nike. 1. Nike was negligent towards its own factories and their practices. 2. There was neither established labor employment and working standards nor a code of ethics for conducting business overseas. 3. Nike not only failed to control overseas production activities but it was also failed to provide and maintain compliance of its international operations with the law. The ethical issues at Nike points out the company’s irresponsible business conduct towards its major stakeholders. The employees at Nike’s outsourced Asian factories were confronted with bad working conditions which were not only unsafe but also immoral and unethical to a great extent. These factories were using child labor, withholding due wages, extended working hours, harmful working conditions, no health and environmental concerns. All of this was done to keep the operating cost of Nike products as low as possible which was the primary goal of Nike’s production outsourcing. ... The company was only focusing its own management interest for low cost and profitability; and on the other hand it was ignoring even the basic rights and interests of rest of all its stakeholders. The internal customers i.e. the employees of Nike were confronted with malpractices and substandard working conditions. The company is so irresponsibly uninformed and unconcerned about what is going on in the overseas factories (DeTienne, and Lewis, 2005). Moreover, the company is pioneering the consumer market for its competitive products across the globe but it has no intentions or motivations to serve labor market the same leader’s way. It shows that the company was more concerned about cash inflow resources than about cash outflow sources. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE Nike’s environment unfriendly business practices were responsible for deteriorating surroundings in the localities where Nike’s apparel and textile industries were established. Nike was not taking any notice of these environmental losses to the local community (DeTienne, and Lewis, 2005). In this way Nike became critics’ prime target for unethical business attitude. Relevant Individuals and Groups (Stakeholders) Are Affected By the Dilemma? The main victims of Nike’s unethical business conduct were its own employees. Generally called as human assets; employees were being exploited by Nike. The customers and the consumers were also affected by Nike’s unethical practices, because they had trusted Nike products and the brand has established deep consumer connections (Williams, 2006). The consumer confidence over Nike was shattered. There was disappointment and distrust in consumer imagery for Nike. The community at large was also influenced by the negative externalities

Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Effective ways for their Essay

Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Effective ways for their Educational Practices - Essay Example 25). . Nevertheless, all of the children who are diagnosed with a form of Autistic Spectrum Disorder have commonalities, and this paper explores what they are. Further, there are intervention strategies that can be successful in helping the autistic child negotiate the areas where he or she is most weak, and these are explained as well. What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder? Autistic spectrum disorder encompasses a wide range of the disorder, and there are different diagnostic categories for the syndrome, and these are Asperger’s syndrome, Kanner’s autism (classic autism), and â€Å"atypical† autism (Jordan, 1999, p. 1). The DSM-IV-TR states that the autistic spectrum includes autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, Rett disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (Ozonoff et al. 2003, p. 4). For purposes of expediency, the autistic spectrum will simply be known as â€Å"autism,† although Aspergerâ⠂¬â„¢s will also be delineated as such later in this paper Autism is a continuum, in that there are individuals with pure autism, which means that the symptoms described below are severe, to high-functioning, in which the symptoms are mild (Durig, 1996, p. 98). ... 19). One of the forms of autism is known as Asperger’s syndrome. Asperger’s syndrome is marked by social deficits, such as those seen in autistic individuals, yet language and cognitive abilities, at least early in life, are preserved (Klin et al., 2000, p. 25). While individuals with Asperger’s syndrome may not have impaired language, they will speak differently, such as children speaking like â€Å"little adults† by using a large vocabulary in a pedantic way (Mesibov et al., 2001, p. 12). Individuals with Asperger’s social deficits are less pronounced then autistic individuals, but they still have social difficulties. One reason is because individuals with Aspberger’s are generally unable to have a conversation, because they lack the ability to reciprocate. They will talk, but they will not listen. Because of this, they will have a difficulty making friends, and will often be teased (Atwood, 2007, p. 13). Individuals with Asperger’s also have difficulties with social conventions (Frith, 1991, p. 152), where an individual with Asperger’s has a desire to engage with others, unlike those with autism, but their capacity to engage with others is impaired by their social deficits (Rhode & Klauber, 2004, p. 33). As with autistic individuals, individuals with Asperger’s also have obsessive interests in different things, such as collecting facts and objects. They also tend to be hypersensitive to criticism (Schopler & Mesibov, 1998, pp. 12-13), and have a low tolerance level which leads o frustration easily (Dubin, 2009, p. 44). Not surprisingly, because individual’s with Asperger’s tend to be socially isolated and frustrated, therefore teens with Asperger’s run

Ideology of USA Foreign policy Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Ideology of USA Foreign policy - Term Paper Example He is critically involved in studying, researching, and publishing extensively on U.S foreign policy, mostly focusing on the US foreign ideologies in the Asian continent, particularly regarding major conflicts such as the Cold and Vietnamese war, which critically reflects the nature of US foreign policies in his book. In The making of U.S Foreign Policy, Dumbrell seeks to disapprove such notions regarding a fragmented and chaotic U.S foreign policy, and stresses that U.S foreign policy is logically constructed despite the many contestations from various institutions. Dumbrell presents American foreign ideologies as key policies that led to success or failure of different presidents in American history. In other words, each president has different ideologies; their tenure is mainly measured by how such foreign ideologies were successful, or limited in declaring American interests to the global world. All the same, the American foreign ideology of anti-communism and spreading democratic ideals to other regions resonates across all the presidents, but was more remarkable between the 50s and the 60s due to communism threat particularly across Asian continent. An important aspect that comes out from the American ideology is the competition between presidential ideologies, Congress policies and the pub lic interests. According to Dumbrell, since the American constitution does not address the issue of foreign policy in detail, this issue is left to the discretion of the president and the congress, which results in a power struggle between the two institutions, as different presidents formulate differing ideologies, some without approval of Congress and the public. . Therefore, Dumbrell’s book reflects on the power struggle between presidential ideologies, the policy of the executive, the intelligence body, Congress, and the general public opinion. Throughout the book, Dumbrell

Answer the questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 15

Answer the questions - Essay Example The story is itself based on Oliver Crisp. Crisp serves as the protagonist in the story and he comes across as a highly enthusiastic explorer. Dubai is considered one of the most exotic places in the world which harbors many opportunities for amazing adventures. Kids in Dubai are naturally inclined to themes of exploration and adventure to a great extent which is why this particular children’s story has amassed great critical acclaim in my culture. The use and implementation of organization development (OD) principles and processes at community and national levels has drastically risen over the past years in Dubai. This stands true not only in context of Dubai, but application of OD principles is now seen around the globe in community contexts and also at national levels. The rise of violence in the world has served to challenge the safety and protection of people. In a situation characterized by increased violence, OD principles exercised by experienced professionals serve to increase the possibility of bringing that expertise which is needed to build more robust communities and plummet down the level of violence. Implementation of OD principles has played a very influential role in managing even the most intractable conflicts in the most professional and cost-saving

Organisational Change Management Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Organisational Change Management - Dissertation Example However, the recent economic downturn has had a big impact on demand and the company is struggling to survive. It has formulated a new strategy that focuses on cutting costs as quickly as possible and to this end it has decided to stop producing some components and to concentrate the production of other components at fewer sites in order to benefit from economies of scale. This decision is still to be announced. It is possible that many of the B2 product development engineers may be reluctant to relocate. Employees at the other sites in Spain and France are likely to be worried that this may only be the first of many changes. Definition The primary underlying and the key issues of the case provided are discussed ahead. Before defining the problem, there is a need to have a brief look at the company holistically. D2, a car components manufacturing company has been a well renowned company for years and has been able to remain competitive over years since its establishment. The company has been able to maintain a good ROI that is return on investment and growing shareholder value by producing innovatively, investment in new technology and staff development. ... The company gets reluctant to spend on the marketing side too so cutting these costs may impact any sort of business especially big businesses like D2. There is a possibility that in such a situation the dividends may slump too or may be disappearing of completely. The shareholders may get worried. As the stock of manufacturer starts to falls and the dividends decline, the  institutional investors  that hold the stock are likely to sell it off and reinvest into stocks that are performing better. This will even more depress the stock price of the company (Cascio, 2002). Moreover the company may get bankrupted as the impact of recession can also lead to the slow, partial, late, or may be no return by the accounts receivable. This results in the company failing to pay its bills and meet its other costs and eventually there will be a reduction in the valuation of the company’s bonds and its ability to get the financing. This can have a great impact on the company’s cred it rating also that will prevent borrowing as it fails to pay the interest on the money previously borrowed (Redman and Wilkinson, 2006). The company in this situation like D2 likes to cut the cost buy cutting down the number of employees and increasing the work load of the remaining employees after the lay off. Productivity will be required to increase per employee but the morale of the employee may get lowered under such a situation. Despite of the increased work load the company fails to offer additional bonuses and compensation packages to its remaining employees leading to an even lowered morale level (Gandolfi, 2008). For companies like D2 which is a manufacturing company the company may be forced to close

Answer the questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 15

Answer the questions - Essay Example The story is itself based on Oliver Crisp. Crisp serves as the protagonist in the story and he comes across as a highly enthusiastic explorer. Dubai is considered one of the most exotic places in the world which harbors many opportunities for amazing adventures. Kids in Dubai are naturally inclined to themes of exploration and adventure to a great extent which is why this particular children’s story has amassed great critical acclaim in my culture. The use and implementation of organization development (OD) principles and processes at community and national levels has drastically risen over the past years in Dubai. This stands true not only in context of Dubai, but application of OD principles is now seen around the globe in community contexts and also at national levels. The rise of violence in the world has served to challenge the safety and protection of people. In a situation characterized by increased violence, OD principles exercised by experienced professionals serve to increase the possibility of bringing that expertise which is needed to build more robust communities and plummet down the level of violence. Implementation of OD principles has played a very influential role in managing even the most intractable conflicts in the most professional and cost-saving

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Business Ethics - Essay Example He decides about his behavior in the light of the ethical discussions because he has learned it through a sales training program which was conducted in the past. He came to the understanding that if he commits himself to ethical behaviors, his subordinates would also be ethical within their undertakings. He received instructions in writing within the sales training program and this formed the basis for his comprehension. Mr. James’ company employs a proper code of ethics because he has set his eyes on achieving the very best by remaining clean and transparent within his dealings with the people under him as well as the customers who visit his chain of stores. He maintains a proper relationship with them at all times. He leads his team through difficult situations with consummate ease because he has got a wait and see approach which is based on sound ethical values and principles. Companies in this day and age do have written codes of ethics because it dictates the way the empl oyees should conduct themselves. The punishments or penalties imposed on them for violating the ethical domains include the likes of suspension and other legal procedures, which are managed by the human resources management department within these companies.

DBQ- minorities in world war II Essay Example for Free

DBQ- minorities in world war II Essay The following question requires you to write a coherent essay incorporating your interpretation of the documents and your knowledge of the period specified in the question. To earn a high score you are required to cite key pieces of evidence from the documents and draw on your knowledge of the period. It is often claimed that the major American wars of the last 150 years have resulted in the most important social and political gains of minorities and women. Evaluate this statement with regard to the experience of minorities and women during World War II. Use evidence from the documents and your knowledge of the period from 1941 to 1945 to compose your answer. Brigadier General B. 0. Davis to General Peterson, 9 November 1943 (Brigadier Davis had just completed an inspection of military bases in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Michigan): â€Å"I was deeply impressed with the high morale and attitudes of the colored officers and soldiers stationed in the states visited in the past two months. They were so different from those of the colored officers and soldiers located in the Southern states. While there has been an improvement in general conditions, there is still great dissatisfaction and discouragement on the part of the colored people and the soldiers. They feel that, regardless of how much they strive to meet War Department requirements, there is no change in the attitude of the War Department. The colored officers and soldiers feel that they are denied the protection and rewards that ordinarily result from good behavior and proper performance of duty†¦.. The Press news items and reports of investigations show that there has been little change in the attitudes of civilian communities in Southern states. The colored man in uniform receives nothing but hostility from community officials. The colored man in u niform is expected by the War  Department to develop a high morale in a community that offers him nothing but humiliation and mistreatment. Military training does not develop a spirit of cheerful acceptance of Jim-Crow laws and customs. The War Department has failed to secure to the colored soldier protection against violence on the part of civilian police and to secure justice in the courts in communities near-by to Southern stations. In the areas recently inspected, the colored soldier feels that he can secure justice in the civil courts. He has not been set upon by the civilian police. He has not been denied the privilege of occupying empty seats in public buses, street cars, etc. taxicabs to serve him. This is not so in Southern communities.† President Roosevelt, Executive Order 9066, February 25, 1942: Whereas the successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense material, national-defense premises, and national defense utilities. I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military Commanders whom he may from time to time designate, whenever he or any designated commander deems such action necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion.† Korematsu v. United States, 1944. Mr. Justice Murphy, dissenting: â€Å"This exclusion of `all persons of Japanese ancestry, both alien and non-alien, from the Pacific Coast area on a plea of military necessity in  the absence of martial law ought not to be approved. Such exclusion goes over `the very brink of constitutional power and falls into the ugly abyss of racism. Individuals must not be left impoverished of their constitutional rights on a plea of military necessity that has neither substance nor support. Being an obvious racial discrimination, the order deprives all those within its scope of the equal protection of the laws as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment. It further deprives these individuals of their constitutional rights to live and work where they will, to establish a home where they choose and to move about freely. In excommunicating them without benefit of hearings, this order also deprives them of all their constitutional rights to procedural due process. Yet no reasonable relation to an `immediate, imminent, and impending public danger is evident to support this racial restriction which is one of the most sweeping and complete deprivations of constitutional rights in the history of this nation in the absence of martial law† Congressman Rankin, Mississippi, February 18, 1942: â€Å"I know the Hawaiian Islands. I know the Pacific coast where these Japanese reside. Even though they may be the third or fourth generation of Japanese, we cannot trust them. I know that those areas are teeming with Japanese spies and fifth columnists. Once a Jap always a Jap.You cannot change him. You cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Do not forget that once a Japanese always a Japanese. I say it is of vital importance that we getrid of every Japanese whether in Hawaii or on the mainland. They violate every sacred promise, every canon of honor and decency. This was evidenced in their diplomacy and in their bombing of Hawaii. These Japs who had been there for generations were making signs, if you please, guiding the Japanese planes to the objects of their inequity in  order that they might destroy our naval vessels, murder our soldiers and sailors, and blow to pieces the helpless women and children of Hawaii. Damn them! Let us get rid of them now!† Franklin D. Roosevelt, Fireside Chat on the Home Front, October 12, 1942: â€Å"In order to keep stepping up our production, we have had to add millions of workers to the total labor force of the Nation. And as new factories come into operation, we must find additional millions of workers. This presents a formidable problem in the mobilization of manpower. It is not that we do not have enough people in this country to do the job. The problem is to have the right numbers of people in the right place at the right time. In some communities, employers dislike to employ women. In others they are reluctant to hire Negroes. In still others, older men are not wanted. We can no longer afford to indulge such prejudices or practices. Women are welders [sic] discuss the production of motor mounts and welded parts in a welding booth at the Inglewood, Calif., plant of North American Aviation, Inc. 1942. National Archives and Records Administration. President Roosevelt, Executive Order 8802, June 25, 1941: WHEREAS it is the policy of the United States to encourage full participation in the national defense program by all citizens of the United States, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin, in the firm belief that the democratic way of life within the Nation can be defended successfully only with the help and support of all groups within its borders; WHEREAS there is evidence that available and needed workers have been barred from employment in industries engaged in defense production solely because of considerations of race, creed, color, or national origin, to the detriment of workers morale and of national unity; NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes, and as a prerequisite to the successful conduct of our national defense production effort, I do hereby reaffirm the policy of the United States that there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin, and I do hereby declare that it is the duty of employers and of labor organizations, in furtherance of said policy and of this order, to provide for the full and equitable participation of all workers in defense industries, without discrimination because of race, creed, color, or national origin;

Fashion Essays Fashion Industry

Fashion Essays Fashion Industry For individuals who work in the fashion industry, it is a profession in itself as well as a personal interest. Topic The importance of fashion in our daily lives is a given. For individuals who work in the fashion industry, it is a profession in itself as well as a personal interest. For those outside the industry, fashion still plays a very important role. However, many people do not realize that fashion is also a valuable tool for analyzing culture and for assessing the values of that culture. Our fashion choices tell people who we are and what our standing is in society; in addition, our choices have an impact on our ability to succeed or to fail in certain areas of our lives. The topic of research for this proposal is an analysis of the ways in which clothing functions as a reflection of our culture, as well as a tool that can enhance or hinder our success in life. Rationale People have been using clothing and accessories for centuries. In fact, as ONeil has pointed out, clothing and accessories are not the only items used to decorate the body. Across the globe,   the ways in which people present themselves vary widely. Items commonly used range from body and hair paint to decorative scarring, and from perfume to body deformation (ONeil 2005: n.p.). Clothing is primarily worn, of course, for practical reasons, such as protection from the weather and outdoor elements. It is also worn to cover certain parts of the body, either out of modesty or cultural restrictions. The parts of the body that are covered may be different, depending upon the culture and location Clothing may also be used a sort of talisman to ward off evil, or a type of supernatural protection. In Christian populations, wearing a medal of St. Christopher is thought to protect the wearer from evil (ONeil 2005: n.p.). In a similar vein, carrying a rabbits foot or some other item associated with luck is a way of using supernatural assistance. However, clothing is worn for more than the reasons stated above. ONeil asserts that long before we are physically near enough to talk to people, their appearance announces their gender, age, economic class, and often even intentions (2005: n.p.). Fashion is also a medium by which people communicate messages about gender, occupation, class, and wealth. This is something we learn to recognize when we are very young. We also come to recognize what ONeil refers to as a vocabulary of dress. In other words, in addition to the actual items of clothing we wear, there are other features that we have come to accept as part of dress. Among these are hairstyles, makeup, and accessories such as jewelry. Additionally, body decoration such as tattoos and piercings have come to be considered part of the contemporary vocabulary of dress. According to Joanne Entwistle, in contemporary culture, the body has become the site of identity. We experience our bodies as separate from others and increasingly we identify with our bodies as containers of our identities and places of personal expression (2000: 138). An important aspect of fashion is its relationship to society at large. In recent years, this has become considerably more complex. The way we dress says a great deal more about us than many people realize. What we wear presents a statement to the world. It is another way of revealing certain information about ourselves to others: without saying a word, we give out clues about our social background, our economic status, and our images of ourselves. As Entwistle has suggested,   dress is tied up to social life in more than one way: it is produced out of economic, political, technological conditions as well as shaped by social., cultural, aesthetic ideas (2000: 111). The significance of clothing goes beyond what we wear. A pair of blue jeans is not just a pair of blue jeans. The brand is often just as or more important as the article of clothing. Brand recognition is a crucial factor in the world of fashion, especially for younger generations. Faedda asserts that for young people jeans have become a tool of social and political protest, of adherence and membership, symbol and emblem; for stylists jeans have become a trendy casual product, a refined prà ªt a porter article or quite a high fashion creation (Faedda 2005:4). Not only is clothing a key to who we are it also plays a role in how far we can travel in certain circles. It has been said that the right clothing can grant us access to the right places and the right people (Jones 2002: 21). Some scholars theorize that what we wear affects how we act, as well as how others react to us. According to ONeil, putting on certain types of clothing can change your behavior and the behavior of others towards you (2005:n.p.). He uses the example of uniforms, explaining that the message conveyed simply by wearing the clothing associated with a particular profession is both immediate and strong. One specific example ONeil mentions is that of a study of Spanish policemen. Without their uniforms, they were seen as having little or no effect on people, even though they were in fact identified as policemen. With their uniforms on, however, they acted in a much more aggressive manner. In addition, the people who saw them in uniform were much more responsive to di rections. ONeil also explains that uniforms are designed to elicit this kind of response:   Most uniforms are consciously symbolic so that they can rapidly and conclusively communicate status†¦The ribbons and other insignias on the U.S. sailors uniform can tell even a stranger about his status, authority, and military experience (2005: n.p.). And it is important to note that uniforms can include things beyond clothing, such as specific hairstyles that are commonly associated with certain groups of individuals. The uniform hairstyle of   punkers is one example of this. It is assumed by the wearers that the public will recognize these markers and make the connection to a certain group:  it is necessary to know what these culturally defined symbols mean in the context that they are used in order to understand what is being communicated (ONeil 2005: n.p.). According to Faedda, the uniform as we know it has become a transgressive symbol that is associated with the so-called subcultures o r antifashions, political and social movements, music, mass protests and juvenile cultural phenomena generally (Faedda 2005: 4). In addition to its many other uses, dress is also used as a form of camouflage. According to Faedda, dress covers, frames, hides and masks the body. In this sense it works to distinguish and, in the same time, to link oneself to the others: dress is our filter with the world (2005: 4). This assertion that dress is often used to hide or mask the body suggests that there is something unpleasant, undesirable, or even shameful about the body. This in turn brings up a number of issues about clothing and about that which it disguises. According to some scholars, the role of the body has been evolving: in the affluent West, there is a tendency for the body to be seen as an entity which is in the process of becoming; a project which should be worked at and accomplished as part of an individual’s self-identity (Shilling 1993: 5). The concept of the body as a project suggests a dissociation of the self from the body This point is echoed by Entwistle, who asserts that fashion, dress and consumption provide ways of dealing with the problems of the modern world, characterized by increasing fragmentation and a sense of chaos. Fashion opens up possibilities for framing the self, however temporarily (2000: 139). In this sense, fashion takes on seemingly therapeutic aspects: in response to an increasingly complex and chaotic world, the one thing we may feel we can control is our sense of self. Since that self is often expressed through fashion statements, the role of fashion takes on additional significance. As Gilman has commented, in a world in which we are judged by how we appear, the belief that we can change our appearance is liberating (1999: 3). In fact, as Gilman elaborates, To become someone else or to become a better version of ourselves in the eyes of the world is something we all want. Whether we do it with ornaments such as jewelry or through the wide range of physical alterations from hair dressing to tattoos to body piercing, we respond to the demand of seeing and being seen. (Gilman 1999: 3) Aims and Objectives The primary aim of undertaking this research is to explore the intricate and complex messages that are revealed by the types of dress we choose. Our fashion choices say a great deal about us as individuals; on a broader level, fashion trends reflect important aspects of any given culture during a certain time frame. Questions that are driving the design of the project include: What does fashion indicate about the wearer? How does fashion reflect the values and beliefs of different cultures? What is the significance of fashion trends? By combining information from scholarly research, articles from contemporary fashion magazines, and data from internet sources, the final project will seek to answer the questions above and draw relevant conclusions about the complex relationship between fashion and identity. Proposed Methodology Proposed methodology for this project will consist of a combination of quantitative and qualitative sources. A variety of print sources will be used, including books, scholarly journals, fashion magazines, and newspaper articles. Internet resources will also be an integral part of the research process. Current statistical information as well as the latest information on industry trends is more readily available on the internet. This makes the internet a valuable resource when studying an industry that is characterized by rapid change. Additional methodology in the form of questionnaire administration is also proposed as part of this research project. Specifically, a questionnaire would be designed in order to collect data regarding key points that are speculated upon in the research. This questionnaire will be formulated to elicit a range of attitudes based on a series of multiple-choice questions. Although the target audience will be limited by time and resource constraints, participants will be selected at random. In this way, the data collected will reflect society at large. Questionnaire administration will be executed through email and through direct contact with the public. Data collected from questionnaires will be organized and interpreted in terms of stratified clusters, in keeping with the original project format, and will be analyzed, and presented in conjunction with other findings. If discrepancies are discovered between the anticipated and actual results, possible explanations will be formulated and included in the analysis. As for modes of research: as indicated above, information will come from a variety of sources. This will include scholarly research, articles from contemporary fashion magazines, and data from internet sources. Information about research sources will be listed at the end of the paper in a reference list. The reference list will consist of two parts. The first part of the reference list will include sources that are quoted or otherwise directly used in the body of the paper. The second part of the list will include sources that were consulted but which do not appear in the body of the paper. If a questionnaire is used, a copy will be included in a supplementary appendix, along with all additional relevant information that is not included in the body of the paper. Content The content of the research will be organized in chapters and will include sub-headings within each chapter. A Table of Contents will be included to indicate the chapter divisions, Reference List, and Appendices (if used). References and Bibliography All research sources will be listed at the end of the paper in a reference list. Sources that are quoted or otherwise directly used in the body of the paper will be indicated as part of the primary reference list. Sources that were consulted but which do not appear in the body of the paper will be included in a supplement to the primary reference list. Appendices, if found to be helpful, will also be included at the end of the paper. Critical Path A proposed timetable will be formulated upon approval of topic, and will consist of goals and completion dates for each portion of the project. The timetable will be arranged to allow for research, data collection and interpretation, and writing of the paper itself. Time will be allotted for initial and final drafts, as well as proofreading and final revisions before submission. Reflective Statement The complexity of the fashion industry lends itself to a broad choice of career trajectories. This research project will further elucidate the options available. One of the options that has a great deal of appeal is working as a Fashion Consultant, since preliminary research for this project indicates that this is a challenging and rapidly expanding profession in the industry. In addition, opportunities for further research on a more advanced level will be explored. References Entwistle, J. 2000. The fashioned body: Fashion, dress, and modern social theory. Cambridge: Polity Press. Faedda, Barbara. 2005. Wearing and appearing: An anthropological analysis through the shop windows Retrieved December 23, 2005 from http://www.anthroglobe.ca/docs/WEARING%20AND%20APPEARING.htm Gilman, Sander. 1999. Making the body beautiful: A cultural history of aesthetic surgery.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Jones, S. 2002. Fashion design. London: Laurence King Publishing Ltd. ONeil, Dennis. 2005. Hidden aspects of communication. Retrieved December 23, 2005 from http://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_6.htm Shilling, C. 1993. The body and social theory. London: Sage.

The Diary of an Anne Frank Essay -- Essays Papers

The Diary of an Anne Frank The events recounted in Anne Frank’s Diary took place during World War 11. By 1933, the strongest party in Germany had gained ultimate power with Hitler under their command. Hitler was Germany’s dictator who spread his gospel of racial hatred through politics. While poverty and unemployment were at an all time high he launched a campaign of anti-Semitism. Hitler’s main target was the Jews, claiming that they were â€Å"racially inferior.† He developed an idea of a Master Aryan Race, the need to rid Germany of â€Å"inferior people†, such as Jews and Gypsies, and the need to expand Germany’s borders. In doing this, he caused many Jews to abandoned their homes and go into total isolation. The Frank family was one of many who endured Hitler's wrath. The Diary of Anne Frank is about a little girl who tells her story of struggle and courage through her diary. On Anne’s thirteenth birthday she received various presents, but the present that she cherished the most was her diary that she named â€Å"Kitty†. The Diary of Anne Frank, captures Anne’s feelings, emotions, thoughts, and events that surrounded her. On May 10, 1940 the German Army invaded the Netherlands, where Anne and her family lived. The invasion caused them to go into secret hiding, because of fear of their life. This was the first measure in the campaign of persecution against the Jews of the Netherlands. A short phrase captures Anne’s emotions about this situation; â€Å"Anti-Jewish decrees followed each other in quick succession. Jews must wear yellow star, Jews must hand in their bicycles, Jew are banned from trams and are forbidden to drive. Jews must be indoor by eight o’clock and cannot even sit in their own gardens after hour. Jews may not take part in any public sports. Jews may not visit Christians. Our freedom wa s strictly limited. Yet things were bearable.† Even though things were tough, Anne always tried to look for the good things in situations and make the best of them. After the invasion the Frank family went into hiding in the â€Å"Secret Annexe† with the help of Mr. Franks colleagues. This is where her two-year journey of fear begins for Anne. I am sure that such repression and fear of life would make almost any teenager completely depressed and miserable. However, Anne managed to keep her hope for a better tomorrow and man... ...heerfulness attitude. One person recalls, â€Å" She was very pallid at first, but there was something so intensely attractive about her frailty and her expressive face.† Despite what was going on around her, she tried to keep a joyful attitude at Westerbork. Shortly after Anne’s sister died of typhus, Anne sensed something was wrong with herself and passed away peacefully. If she had survived a few more days she would have been there for the liberation of the concentration camp. The Diary of Anne Frank is wonderfully well presented, not losing the interest of the reader. Each part of the diary helps me understand the terrible hardships that she faced and how she overcame her problems. Even though she was young, she still had a very effective style of writing to inform her readers. This book shows us the ignorance of what Hitler caused thinking that one race is â€Å"racially inferior† to another. The Diary of Anne Frank is a superb book to read to find out about the struggle and hardships that that the Jews had to face during World War 11. It showed me that even the Nazis could not diminish the hope and happiness of a fourteen-year-old girl named Anne Frank.

Field Commander Paper

I would like to try out for a leadership position in the band, also known as field commander. I understand that this requires maximum dedication and hard work throughout the year. It is my responsibility to put that into action and consideration for my fellow band members and staff. Putting everybody first will be my intention in all occasions. I currently play the clarinet all year around as a sophomore. I have been focused on this for five years now, and I know that I will promote and sustain that in being a field commander as well. I try to achieve all that is possible with my talents along with my other activities.I participate in solo and ensemble, all-county band, all-district band, percussion ensemble, and the drama department as activities each year. These activities mold me into an experienced musician and has allowed me to strive for my desires and appreciate the art in life. Not only do I try to accomplish these events in the band, but I am also a leader of the school. Thi s year is my ninth year of being a cheerleader and it has taught me a lot about respect. I understand that people do not consider cheerleading a sport, but they do not take into their consideration the hard work we put into everything we do.This also relates to the band because it is not known as a competitive sport, but we work just as hard in our job and perfecting performances, just as much as any athlete. Nine years of the same activity takes lots of endurance and dedication into a certain passion, and I have learned over the years to have this. Self control is an important role in the job. With being in charge of an extensive group, self control is a key quality to embrace. It will be my job to step up and avoid any difficulties or problems, simply because nobody else will. As a leader, I must make peace among everybody and show no disrespect towards any other student.Everything I do, I remember the simple word, effort. Essentially, if we think of ourselves as naturally smart o r marvelous at particular characteristics, then putting effort into improving will imply that we aren’t particularly strong at it in the first place. As a group, we need to put in the same amount of effort together, to be more like one. It is our goal to become one as a whole and learn to do everything as a â€Å"team†. I will enforce this as being a leader and help the band members in anything they need. I believe that I have the ability to be a leader.I have a vision of where I want to go, along with my plan of success for my band. I’m aware of making difficult decisions that requires confidence along with motivation. Helping others is one of my best traits I have, I can articulate their ideals to others, convincing them of the value. Inspiring people to work toward common goals and to achieve things they never thought they could do is something I know I have the potential to do. I am also aware of my own strengths and weaknesses. I recognize others disadvanta ges, and am able to make changes when necessary. Leaders must be trustworthy before others will follow them.I admit that I am reliable upon most things and will try my hardest to be there for everybody when needed. I want to continue to help others to learn and grow together by having fun. I want us all to be open to new ideas and look beyond our abilities. Last, I have the courage to act in situations where results aren’t assured. I’m willing to risk failure and understand that everything will not go perfectly. By knowing this, I will remain patient and accept that it is a result of learning. Field commanding is a difficult duty. I as a student has went through a thought process about this job, and accepted it.I know that I can help the band form into one, yet remember that I have to take in the most discipline. I’m willing to be told to do anything, and do it. With all of my hard work and effort, I’m ready to be a leader. I have always wanted to be the person in front of the stands conducting with a group of people relying on me. I want to make this year fun and full of memories and the year of 2012-2013 an unforgettable time. This is a job for me, and I know that I’m ready. Thank you for your time and consideration, I appreciate all the attention given. Sincerely,

A strategy for lessening US dependence on foreign oil Essay

One of the important problems faced by the United States of America, which is causing serious threat to its economy, is its growing dependence on imported oil. This oil forms more than 97% of the fuels used in America. Majority of Americans believe that this dependence is to be reduced. This is mainly because it is affecting national security by wasting billions of dollars in Persian Gulf. It is causing pollution and contributing a lot to global warming. An important strategy to cut this oil dependence is to switch over to Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicles (Sandalow 8). The technology is quite feasible and at present there are vehicles that run on electric power on the roads of America. Electricity is cheap and is available in surplus in America. So this surplus energy could be effectively utilized by producing vehicles that run on this power. The problems with electric vehicle are that the battery is too heavy and it has to be recharged more than once in a long run. But now there are hybrid vehicles that can automatically switch over to gasoline, when the electric charge is reduced. Lithium and nickel could be used in the manufacture of such engines, which will reduce its weight to a great extent. It requires $5000 to $6000 to convert a vehicle to electric one. Government can provide this amount as tax benefits or subsidy to the users and can encourage them to do so. The cost from the part of the government will be high initially, but when compared to the savings it is going to make by reduction in oil consumption, these initial costs are too less. Such vehicles travel 3 to 4 miles in one KwH. This means that it is same as getting gasoline for 75 cents per gallon. Above all such vehicle causes no pollution at all and will make America, a paradise on earth. It is believed that by 2025 one third of the vehicles in America will be hybrids, that is 45 billion gallons on oil can be replaced. Thus it could be seen that America’s dependence on oil could be reduced very easily by switching over to hybrid electric vehicles. In this way a considerable amount of money could be saved and at the same time the earth could be protected from global warming. Work cited Sandalow, David. â€Å"Ending Oil Dependence :Protecting National Security, the Environment and the Economy† http://abcnews. go. com/images/Politics/PB_Energy_Sandalow. pdf. 2008 (accessed on 29 November 2008)

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Twelve

Jack did (eventually) find his bedchamber, but even though he knew he'd likely still have been happily asleep if he hadn't been determined to join Grace at breakfast, when he lay down atop his covers, intending to take a restorative nap, he found himself unable to do so. This was profoundly irritating. He had long prided himself on his ability to fall asleep at will. It had come in handy during his years as a soldier. No one ever managed to acquire the correct sleep, either in quality or amount. He would steal his slumber where he could, and his friends had been eternally jealous that he could prop up against a tree, close his eyes, and be asleep within three minutes. But not, apparently, today, even though he'd traded a knobby tree for the finest mattress money could buy. He closed his eyes, took his customary long, slow breaths, and†¦nothing. Nothing but Grace. He'd like to have said she was haunting him, but that would have been a lie. It wasn't her fault that he was a fool. And in truth, it wasn't just that he was completely desperate for her (although he was, and most uncomfortably, too). He couldn't get her out of his mind because he didn't want to get her out of his mind. Because if he stopped thinking about Grace, he would have to start thinking about other things. The possibility of his being the Duke of Wyndham, for one. Possibility†¦Bah. He knew it was true. His parents had been married. All that was needed was to locate the parish register. He closed his eyes, trying to push back the overwhelming feeling of dread that was bearing down on him. He should have just lied and said that his parents had never wed. But blast it, he had not known the consequences when he said that they had. No one had told him he'd be crowned the bloody duke. All he'd known was that he was so damned furious with the dowager for kidnapping him and with Wyndham for staring at him like he was something to be swept under the rug. And then Wyndham had said, in that smarmy, superior voice of his: If indeed your parents were married†¦. Jack had snapped out his reply before he had a chance to consider the consequences of his actions. These people were not better than he was. They had no right to cast aspersions on his parents. It was too late now, though. Even if he tried to lie and recant his words, the dowager would not rest until she'd burned a trail through Ireland in search of the marriage documents. She wanted him to inherit, that much was clear. It was difficult to imagine her caring for anyone, but she had apparently adored her middle son. His father. And even though the dowager had not shown any particular fondness for him – not that he had made much of an effort to impress – she clearly preferred him over her other grandson. Jack had no idea what had transpired between the dowager and the current duke, if anything. But there was little affection between the pair. Jack stood and walked to the window, finally admitting defeat and giving up on the notion of sleep. The morning sun was already bright and high in the sky, and he was suddenly seized by a need to be out of doors, or rather, out of Belgrave. Strange, that one could feel so closed-in in such a massive dwelling. But he did, and he wanted out. Jack strode across the room and snatched up his coat. It was satisfyingly shabby atop the fine apparel of Wyndham's he'd donned that morning. He almost hoped he bumped into the dowager, just so she could see him all dusty and road-worn. Almost. But not quite. With quick, long strides he made his way down to the main hall, just about the only location he knew how to get to. His footsteps were annoyingly loud on the marble as he walked forth. Everything seemed to echo here. It was too big, too impersonal, too – â€Å"Thomas?† He stopped. It was a female voice. Not Grace. Young, though. Unsure of her surroundings. â€Å"Is that – I'm so sorry.† It was indeed a young woman, of medium height, blond, with rather fetching hazel eyes. She was standing near the doorway of the drawing room he had been dragged into the day before. Her cheeks were delightfully pink, with a smattering of freckles he was sure she detested. (All women did, he'd learned.) There was something exceptionally pleasant about her, he decided. If he weren't so obsessed with Grace, he would flirt with her. â€Å"Sorry to disappoint,† he murmured, offering her a roguish smile. This wasn't flirting. This was how he conversed with all ladies. The difference was in the intention. â€Å"No,† she said quickly, â€Å"of course not. It was my mistake. I was just sitting back there.† She motioned behind her to a seating area. â€Å"You looked rather like the duke as you walked by.† This must be the fiancee, Jack realized. How interesting. It was difficult to imagine why Wyndham was dragging his heels on the marriage. He swept into a gracious bow. â€Å"Captain Jack Audley, at your service, ma'am.† It had been some time since he'd introduced himself with his military rank, but somehow it seemed the thing to do. She bobbed a polite curtsy. â€Å"Lady Amelia Willoughby.† â€Å"Wyndham's fiancee.† â€Å"You know him, then? Oh, well, of course you do. You are a guest here. Oh, you must be his fencing partner.† â€Å"He told you about me?† The day grew more interesting by the second. â€Å"Not much,† she admitted. She blinked, staring at a spot that was not his eyes. He realized that she was looking at his cheek, which was still discolored from his altercation with her fiance the day before. â€Å"Ah, this,† he murmured, affecting mild embarrassment. â€Å"It looks much worse than it actually is.† She wanted to ask about it. He could see it in her eyes. He wondered if she'd seen Wyndham's blackened eye. That would certainly set her curiosity on fire. â€Å"Tell me, Lady Amelia,† he said conversationally, â€Å"what color is it today?† â€Å"Your cheek?† she asked with some surprise. â€Å"Indeed. Bruises tend to look worse as they age, have you noticed? Yesterday it was quite purple, almost regally so, with a hint of blue in it. I haven't checked in the mirror lately.† He turned his head to offer her a better view. â€Å"Is it still as attractive?† Her eyes widened, and for a moment she seemed not to know what to say. Jack wondered if she was unused to men flirting with her. Shame on Wyndham. He had done her a great disservice. â€Å"Er, no,† she replied. â€Å"I would not call it attractive.† He laughed. â€Å"No mincing words for you, eh?† â€Å"I'm afraid those blue undertones of which you were so proud have gone a bit green.† He leaned in with a warm smile. â€Å"To match my eyes?† â€Å"No,† she said, seemingly immune to his charms, â€Å"not with the purple overlaying it. It looks quite horrible.† â€Å"Purple mixed with green makes†¦?† â€Å"Quite a mess.† Jack laughed again. â€Å"You are charming, Lady Amelia. But I am sure your fiance tells you that on every possible occasion.† She did not reply. Not that she could; her only possible answers were yes, which would reveal her conceit, or no, which would reveal Wyndham's negligence. Neither was what a lady wished to show to the world. â€Å"Do you await him here?† he asked, thinking to himself that it was time to end the conversation. Lady Amelia was charming, and he could not deny a certain level of entertainment that came from making her acquaintance without Wyndham's knowledge, but he was still a bit wound up inside, and he was looking forward to time out of doors. â€Å"No, I just – † She cleared her throat. â€Å"I am here to see Miss Eversleigh.† Grace? And who was to say that a man could not acquire a bit of fresh air in a drawing room? One had only to crack open a window. â€Å"Have you met Miss Eversleigh?† Lady Amelia asked. â€Å"Indeed I have. She is most lovely.† â€Å"Yes.† There was a pause, just long enough for Jack to wonder at it. â€Å"She is universally admired,† Lady Amelia finished. Jack thought about making trouble for Wyndham. A simple, murmured, It must be difficult for you, with so beautiful a lady in residence here at Belgrave, would go a long way. But it would make equal trouble for Grace, which he was not prepared to do. And so instead he chose the bland and boring: â€Å"Are you and Miss Eversleigh acquaintances?† â€Å"Yes. I mean, no. More than that, I should say. I have known Grace since childhood. She is most friendly with my elder sister.† â€Å"And surely with you, as well.† â€Å"Of course.† Lady Amelia acceded. â€Å"But more so with my sister. They are of an age, you see.† â€Å"Ah, the plight of the younger sibling,† he murmured. â€Å"You share the experience?† â€Å"Not at all,† he said with a grin. â€Å"I was the one ignoring the hangers-on.† He thought back to his days with the Audleys. Edward had been but six months younger, and Arthur a mere eighteen months after that. Poor Arthur had been left out of any number of escapades, and yet wasn't it interesting – it was Arthur with whom he had ultimately formed the strongest bond. Arthur had been uncommonly perceptive. They shared that. Jack had always been good at reading people. He'd had to. Sometimes it was his only means of gathering information. But as a boy he'd viewed Arthur as an annoying little whelp; it wasn't until they were both students at Portora Royal that he realized that Arthur saw everything, too. And although he had never come out and said it, Jack knew that he'd seen everything in him as well. But he refused to grow maudlin. Not right now, not with a charming lady for company and the promise of another at any moment. And so he pushed more happy thoughts of Arthur to the forefront of his mind and said, â€Å"I was the eldest of the brood. A fortuitous position, I think. I should have been most unhappy not to have been in charge.† Lady Amelia smiled at that. â€Å"I am the second of five, so I can appreciate your sentiments as well.† â€Å"Five! All girls?† he guessed. â€Å"How did you know?† â€Å"I have no idea,† he said quite honestly, â€Å"except that it is such a charming image. It would have been a shame to have sullied it with a male.† â€Å"Is your tongue always this silver, Captain Audley?† He gave her one of his best half smiles. â€Å"Except when it's gold.† â€Å"Amelia!† They both turned. Grace had entered the room. â€Å"And Mr. Audley,† she said, looking surprised to see him there. â€Å"Oh, I'm sorry,† Lady Amelia said, turning to him. â€Å"I thought it was Captain Audley.† â€Å"It is,† he said with a very slight shrug. â€Å"Depending upon my mood.† He turned to Grace and bowed. â€Å"It is indeed a privilege to see you again so soon, Miss Eversleigh.† She blushed. He wondered if Lady Amelia noticed. â€Å"I did not realize you were here,† Grace said after bobbing a curtsy. â€Å"There is no reason why you should have done. I was heading outside for a restorative walk when Lady Amelia intercepted me.† â€Å"I thought he was Wyndham,† Lady Amelia said. â€Å"Isn't that the oddest thing?† â€Å"Indeed,† Grace replied, looking acutely uncomfortable. â€Å"Of course I was not paying much attention,† Lady Amelia continued, â€Å"which I am sure explains it. I only caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye as he strode past the open doorway.† Jack turned to Grace. â€Å"It makes so much sense when put that way, does it not?† â€Å"So much sense,† Grace echoed. She glanced over her shoulder. â€Å"Are you waiting for someone, Miss Eversleigh?† Jack inquired. â€Å"No, I was just thinking that his grace might like to join us. Er, since his fiancee is here, of course.† â€Å"Is he returned, then?† Jack murmured. â€Å"I was not aware.† â€Å"That is what I have been told,† Grace said, and he was certain that she was lying, although he could not imagine why. â€Å"I have not seen him myself.† â€Å"Alas,† Jack said, â€Å"he has been absent for some time.† Grace swallowed. â€Å"I think I should get him.† â€Å"But you only just got here.† â€Å"Nonetheless – â€Å" â€Å"We shall ring for him,† Jack said, since he wasn't going to allow her such an easy escape. Not to mention that he was rather looking forward to the duke discovering him here with both Grace and Lady Amelia. He crossed the room and gave the bellpull a yank. â€Å"There,† he said. â€Å"It is done.† Grace smiled uncomfortably and moved to the sofa. â€Å"I believe I will sit down.† â€Å"I will join you,† Lady Amelia said with alacrity. She hurried after Grace and took a seat right beside her. Together they sat, stiff and awkward. â€Å"What a fetching tableau the two of you make,† he said, because really, how could he not tease them? â€Å"And me, without my oils.† â€Å"Do you paint, Mr. Audley?† Lady Amelia inquired. â€Å"Alas, no. But I have been thinking I might take some lessons. It is a noble pursuit for a gentleman, wouldn't you say?† â€Å"Oh, indeed.† Silence, then Lady Amelia nudged Grace. â€Å"Mr. Audley is a great appreciator of art,† Grace blurted out. â€Å"You must be enjoying your stay at Belgrave, then,† Lady Amelia said. Her face was the perfect picture of polite interest. He wondered how long it had taken her to hone the expression. As the daughter of an earl, she would have any number of social obligations. He imagined that the expression – placid and unmoving, yet not unfriendly – was quite useful. â€Å"I look forward to touring the collections,† Jack replied. â€Å"Miss Eversleigh has consented to show them to me.† Lady Amelia turned to Grace as best she could, considering that they were wedged up against one another. â€Å"That was very kind of you, Grace.† Grace grunted something that was probably meant to be a response. â€Å"We plan to avoid cupids,† Jack said. â€Å"Cupids?† Lady Amelia echoed. Grace looked the other way. â€Å"I have discovered that I am not fond of them.† Lady Amelia regarded him with a curious mixture of irritation and disbelief. Jack glanced at Grace to gauge her reaction, then returned his attention to Lady Amelia. â€Å"I can see that you disagree, Lady Amelia.† â€Å"What is there not to like about cupids?† He perched himself on the arm of the opposite sofa. â€Å"You don't find them rather dangerous?† â€Å"Chubby little babies?† â€Å"Carrying deadly weapons,† he reminded her. â€Å"They are not real arrows.† He made another attempt to draw Grace into the conversation. â€Å"What do you think, Miss Eversleigh?† â€Å"I don't often think about cupids,† she said tersely. â€Å"And yet we have already discussed them twice, you and I.† â€Å"Because you brought them up.† Jack turned to Lady Amelia. â€Å"My dressing room is positively awash in them.† Lady Amelia turned to Grace. â€Å"You were in his dressing room?† â€Å"Not with him,† Grace practically snapped. â€Å"But I have certainly seen it before.† Jack smiled to himself, wondering what it said about him that he so liked making trouble. â€Å"Pardon,† Grace muttered, clearly embarrassed by her outburst. â€Å"Mr. Audley,† Lady Amelia said, turning to him with determination. â€Å"Lady Amelia.† â€Å"Would it be rude if Miss Eversleigh and I took a turn about the room?† â€Å"Of course not,† he said, even though he could see in her face that in fact she did think it was rude. But he did not mind. If the ladies wished to share confidences, he was not going to stand in their way. Besides, he enjoyed watching Grace move. â€Å"Thank you for your understanding,† Lady Amelia said, linking her arm through Grace's and pulling them both to their feet. â€Å"I do feel the need to stretch my legs, and I fear that your stride would be far too brisk for a lady.† How she uttered that without choking on her tongue, he did not know. But he merely smiled and watched them as they moved as one to the window, leaving him behind and out of earshot.