Theater Beckett Godot - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1845 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Literature Essay Type Analytical essay Level High school Did you like this example? Assignment 1: Comparative Study How does Ionesco and Becketts dramaturgy in ‘Waiting for Godot and ‘The Bald Soprano express the absurdist and existentialist view that life is essentially meaningless. Ocà ©ane Herpin ‘Waiting for Godot and ‘The Bald Soprano are two of the most classic examples of why life is called the theatre of the absurd. The Theatre of the Absurd came about as a reaction to World War II. It took the basis of existential philosophy and combined it with dramatic elements to create a style of theatre which presented a universe which cannot be logically explained or defined; life is therefore meaningless and lacks purpose. The conventional qualities of traditional theatre: realistic characters and situations, comprehensible dialogues and a clear plot, were abandoned to convey this vision of absurdity. Instead, the characteristics which coincide with many of the plays in this modern absurdist theatre: broad comedy, tragic images, characters in hopeless situations, nonsensical dialogues full of clichà ©s and wordplay; plots that are cyclical or absurdly expansive were adopted and replaced the concept of the well-made play. Of these characteristics, this es say focuses on the dramaturgy, more specifically the cyclical dramaturgy that Beckett and Ionesco adopted in their plays, and how this is effective in expressing the absurdist and existentialist vision that life is inherently without meaning or purpose. As many Absurdist playwrights, Beckett and Ionesco did away with most of the logical structures of traditional theatre. Thus, ‘Waiting for Godot and ‘The Bald Soprano are often described as anti plays; they reject a coherent story-line, deviate from the traditional episodic structure, and seem to move in a circle, ending the same way they began. The plays have a beginning, but the beginning seems in a way arbitrary because what happened before the beginning does not seem important. The plays have an end, but the end somewhat recalls the beginning and thus a sense of circularity is created replacing the sense of closure that conventional stories generally provide. John W. Fiero makes an interesting observation t hat the ‘Ouroboros, a snake devouring its own tail, can serve as the new structural paradigm. It suggests an endless, tedious, and futile cycle. Becketts and Ionescos plays both rely on repetition and looping: in ‘Waiting for Godot the protagonists decide to move and then do not move, over and over again; the two sets of families in ‘The Bald Soprano become interchangeable at the end of the play. This reinforces the absurdist and existentialist idea of life as having no clear purpose and of life being an interminable waiting for a sense of purpose or closure that is unlikely ever to arrive. The seemingly endless waiting that Estragon and Vladimir undertake for the mysterious Godot reflects this idea and to effectively express it, Beckett abandons traditional plot development and creates a circular symmetrical movement throughout ‘Waiting for Godot. The second act parallels the first. Nothing new happens: Godot fails to appear in both acts, Vladimi r and Estragon find themselves caught in these pointless routines and repetitive pantomimes, further emphasizing the ridiculous purposelessness of their lives. In Act 2 the characters engage in ways that closely parallel the first act; the key difference seems to be an increased struggle in the second act to pass the time, which passed quickly in the first act because of Pozzo and Lucky, whose appearance is briefer in the second act. This pointless waiting and boredom makes Estragon more desperate to leave and Vladimir continually reminds him why they mustnt leave because theyre waiting for Godot: VLADIMIR: We cant. ESTRAGON: Why not? VLADIMIR: Were waiting for Godot. ESTRAGON: (despairingly) Ah! (Pause.) Youre sure it was here? Here we are given information that these two men are waiting for someone called Godot and Estragons tone suggests the possibility that it is not the first time and that they have done it before and been disappointed. This adds to the effect that there is no real beginning and their present situation is somewhat static. The characters want to go but feel stuck waiting for Godot. ESTRAGON: What about hanging ourselves? ESTRAGON: Dont lets do anything. VLADIMIR: Lets wait and see what he says. ESTRAGON: Who? VLADIMIR: Godot. They want to commit suicide, but have grown either too lethargic or too helpless to act on their desires, they are too caught up in their routines and habits. In their presence, even Pozzo catches on to this feeling, at the moment of his departure, they have an absurdly repetitive dialogue and Pozzo finds himself unable to leave: VLADIMIR: Adieu. POZZO: Adieu. ESTRAGON: Adieu [silence] POZZO: And thank you. VLADIMIR: Thank you POZZO: Not at all ESTRAGON: Yes yes POZZO: No no. [silence] POZZO: I seem to be unable[Long hesitation]to depart. ESTRAGON: Such is life. Paralysed, immobilised, forced to remain stationary, they must remain passive as well. Unable to act, they are capable only of waiting, waiting for the end they know will never come. But they remain still, in constant hope of being acted upon and remain in the same situation throughout the play, just as nothing really begun, nothing ever finishes. This structure of the play serves to reinforce the timelessness of their situation, thus emphasising on the pointlessness of their lives, that time passes by and nothing changes, but they remain in this static situation helplessly waiting for something, a reason or purpose to live, that they subconsciously know will never come to them. This similar cyclical, repetitive and absurd structure, ending where it first began, is adopted in Ionescos ‘Bald Soprano. In fact the Bald Soprano itself was inspired by the inane sentences Ionesco read again and again in the textbook he used to learn English. Already, Ionesco had acquired this sense of repetition and practical cyclical movement through his learning of a language. ‘The Bald Sopranos cyclical structure suggests that an infinite and tedious replay is possible but is aborted, not because there has to be an ending, but simply for practical necessity. Ionesco had to find a way to bring his play to closure; His first working solution was to end the action abruptly, using a sort of deus ex machina device in which the performance was closed down by the Superintendent of Police and his men, who open fire at the rebellious audience and simply order the theatre vacated. Other possibilities were considered but they were rejected as too problematic. Eventually, it was decided that the play should simply begin again, giving the work its cyclical structure. The final structural refinement was to substitute the Martins for the Smiths in the repeated opening. So the story begins again at the end, but the characters now play new roles. The actor that first played Mrs. Smith now plays Mrs. Martin; the former maid becomes the fire chief; and so on. [The play begins again with the Martins, who say exactly the same lines as the Smiths in the first scene, while the curtain softly falls] In ‘The Bald Soprano, the repetitive structure also parallels the language, one of the main themes in the play. Repetition is the perfect example of the freezing of language; the discussion between Mr. and Mrs. Smith for example. Following a long series of coincidences, told in exhaustive detail and in an irritating repetitive pattern (the same sentence structure, even the same sentences are repeated: How curious! How bizarre! What a coincidence!) The two come to the conclusion that they are married. Similarly to the characters in ‘Waiting for Godot, the characters in ‘The Bald Soprano find themselves caught up in a ridiculous, vicious cycle of repetition, nonsensical yet logically thought through. This also expresses an absurdist and existentialist view on society and its meaningless co nversation between people, words are used to express the most banal facts, but essentially they mean nothing, they express nothing but emptiness. This therefore reflects the meaninglessness of life in general. Also, there is a parallel symbolism between the circular structure of the play and the eminent presence of the clock. Both are a representation of time; Time is not linear, on the contrary it is circular, much like a clock, whose hands constantly turn in a circular motion. In ‘Waiting for Godot, the moon plays a similar role as a symbol which intensifies the passing of time and as an image of circularity. This repetitive cyclical structure also serves as a representation of memory (or lack thereof), a theme expressed in both ‘The Bald Soprano and ‘Waiting for Godot; life is happening to Vladimir and Estragon but they recall little of what is past and Mr and Mrs Smith only find out through a long conversational process that they are in fact married. In ‘Waiting for Godot and ‘The Bald Soprano we see that the [absurdist and existentialist] ideas that inform the plays also dictate their dramaturgy. In both plays there is little dramatic action (in the conventional sense); however the repetitive actions and dialogues serve to highlight that no matter how they try to fill time, nothing happens to change their existence. In Becketts ‘Waiting for Godot, plot is eliminated, and a timeless, circular quality emerges as Estragon and Vladimir spend their days waiting (but without any certainty of whom they are waiting for and whether he, or it, will ever come) In ‘The Bald Soprano this quality parallels language; The characters in ‘The Bald Soprano sit and talk, repeating the obvious until it sounds like nonsense, thus revealing the inadequacies and futility of verbal communication and conversation. The ridiculous, repetitive and purposeless behaviour and talk give the plays a sometimes comic s urface, but there is an underlying philosophical message, the absurdist and existentialist view that life is essentially without meaning or purpose. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Theater Beckett Godot" essay for you Create order Bibliography: Beckett, Samuel, 2006, Waiting for Godot, London, Faber and Faber Limited Ionesco, Eugene, 1958, The Bald Soprano Other Plays, New York, Grove Press Inc. Esslin, M., The Theater of the Absurd. 3rd ed. 2004, Vintage, USA. Graver, L., Beckett: Waiting for Godot: A Student Guide. 2nd ed. 2004 CUP, UK. Schechner, Richard, The Bald Soprano and The Lesson: An Inquiry into Play Structure https://www.drama21c.net/writers/ionesco/schechner1.htm: accessed on 31/08/08 Scope- Archive: Articles, Portals Special Issue, Anti-Theatre on Film https://www.scope.nottingham.ac.uk/article.php?issue=3id=85section=articleq=jean: accessed on 31/08/08 Niehuis, Terry, in an essay for Drama for Students, Gale, 1997 Waiting for Godot (Criticism). https://www.answers.com/topic/waiting-for-godot-play-8: accessed on 28/08/08 WCU- Spring 2006 Analyzing WAITING FOR GODOT. https://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2005/godot-notes-05.html: accessed on 20/08/08 Godot https://samuel-beck ett.net/Penelope/Godot.html: accessed on 20/08/08 Answers.com, The Bald Soprano (Style) https://www.answers.com/topic/the-bald-soprano-play-4: accessed on 31/08/08 Answers.com, Waiting for Godot (Style) www.answers.com/topic/waiting-for-godot-play-5: accessed on 31/08/08 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Theatre of the Absurd www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_the_Absurd: accessed on 20/08/08 Theatre of the Absurd Britannica Online Encyclopedia www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/2002/Theatre-of-the-Absurd: accessed on 28/08/08 Rà ©sumà © de la pià ¨ce En attendant Godot de Samuel Beckett 2006 www.etudes-litteraires.com/forum/sujet-592-resume-piece-attendant-godot-samuel-beckett: accessed on 31/08/08

Effective Communication A Non Injury Claims - 817 Words

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Opportune the future Social Issues Free Essays

Whether your elbows feel offended if they are asked to leave the table, or your fingernails constantly suffer from being the victims of your mouth, bad habits, will always haunt us. It is not easy to totally eliminate or cease continuance of these habits. However, what we need to do to get rid of our habits, is to maintain the ability to weigh the pros and cons of our dreadful practices. We will write a custom essay sample on Opportune the future Social Issues or any similar topic only for you Order Now More importantly, we need to keep our nation, and our people away from the horrid habit of marijuana usage. It is not necessary to say yes. It is not necessary to encourage legalization. As of today, the nation stands behind three basic ideas of what to do with marijuana; legalize it, make it legal for medicinal purposes only, or keep it as it is, illegal. Through the development of society and the advancement of technology, humankind has constructed many ways to make bad habits appear good. Many argue that the legalization of marijuana will improve our economy, and aid those suffering from diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and various cancers. This article is designed to cut through the fog of misinformation and manipulation with cold, hard facts. The proposal of legalization has been approached without carefully considering the negative impingement on a person’s psyche, one’s societal values, the impact on a person’s health, and the detrimental effect on one’s basic ethics and morals. When the issue of legalization is debated, the medical aspects are always the first factor that is brought into the light of day, while other imperative portions of the issue are left to lie in the dust. Though when it is looked upon, there are many aspects concerning marijuana that can be considered harmful. 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Why The Police Don’T Care About Computer Crime Essay Example For Students

Why The Police Don’T Care About Computer Crime Essay The computer has evolved a great deal since its creation over a third of acentury ago. The uses of the computer now seem endless. Unfortunately some ofthose uses include computer crimes. This paper will explore some recent crimesthat have occurred and the laws that apply to them. The first such incident took place in Russia between June and October1994. Six people were arrested in the scheme, in which $10 million wasallegedly shifted from Citibank to accounts in Finland, Russia, Germany, theNetherlands, the United States, Israel, and Switzerland. Of the $10 millionstolen, $400,000 has not been recovered. The clients who lost money have beenreimbursed. The Citibank system allows customers to transfer their money toaccounts at other banks. The hackers found a way to crack the system and madeabout 40 transfers of money totaling more than $10 million. The banks controlsystem provided the tip to the fraudulent transactions. At least one of thehackers, who was arrested about a year ago while in San Francisco openingaccounts to receive the money, is helping investigators. Another personarrested is a Russian computer expert who worked at a Russian software company. Vladimir Levin, head systems operator for AO Saturn, figured out how to getaround Citibanks security system and transfer money out of their accounts. Levin, of St. Petersburg, claims he should not be turned over to Americanauthorities because there is no evidence that any computers in the United Stateswere used in the scheme. The U. S. government says the funds were all routedthrough Citibanks wire transfer department on Wall Street.The JusticeDepartment wants to charge Levin with conspiracy and fraud. (Source: DelawareCounty Daily Times, 8/21/95)If turned over to American authorities, Levin is subject to ordinarytort law governing fraud. The feeding of false information to a computer andthen using the printouts to deceive the victim comes under tort law. TheElectronic Funds Transfer Act could also be applicable in this situation. TheEFTA makes it a crime to use any counterfeit, stolen, or fraudulently obtainedcard, code, or other device to obtain money or goods in excess of a specifiedamount through an electronic fund transfer system. The EFTA also makes it acrime to ship such devices of goods that were obtained in interstate com merce,or knowingly to receive goods that have been obtained by means of the fraudulentuse of the transfer system. (Source: Text book)The next two examples involve software piracy, or unauthorized use,copying or sale of computer programs. John Wolfe, an investigator for theBusiness Software Alliance last June recently uncovered a small business engagedin the unlawful installation of computer programs onto personal computers, andthe sale of those computers. TES Computer, of Fairfax VA. was reported to theBSA by several consumers complaining about problems with preinstalled programson their computers. TES offered very little help with the problems. Wolfeposed as an interested buyer at a local computer show that TES had a stand at. He noticed that TES was offering a standard desktop computer with 63preinstalled programs worth up to $10,000 for a mere $1,395. Also the computerprograms came with no manuals or extra disks, which is a sign that the programswere unregistered. Wolfe later bought a computer from them and examined itclosely, gaining evidence against TES. When confronted by the BSA with alawsuit, TES abruptly emptied its office. (Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer,8/26/95)The following example involves the popular new software program Windows95. The long awaited program hit stores on Aug. 24 but it has been selling instreet markets and shops in Europe and Asia for months. Robin Burton, Europeanspokesman for the anti-piracy group Business Software Alliance said, We foundthousands of copies of pre-release versions around. Burton added that Windows95 was on almost every CD-ROM we saw in Europe and the Far East. ChristineSantucci, a Microsoft spokeswoman in Redmond Wash., said the packages sell verycheap in Hong Kong. Youre basically buying about $20,000 worth of softwarefor $40, she said. (Source: Delaware County Daily Times, 8/23/95)These two incidences involve theft of software. When a thief takessoftware, whether in the form of of a program written on paper or a program on adisk or tape, a situation arises that does not fit into the common lawdefinition of larceny. This is because larceny at common law was confined tothe taking of tangible property. However virtually every state has amended itsdefinition of larceny or theft so that the stealing software is a crime. .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 , .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .postImageUrl , .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 , .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4:hover , .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4:visited , .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4:active { border:0!important; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4:active , .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4 .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua75121e8d58ae32b560997f96152c3f4:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: David hume 2 Essay(Source: Textbook)Category: Law

22 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels For Aspiring Sci-Fi Authors

22 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels For Aspiring Sci-Fi Authors Science fiction is a genre that has evolved in unpredictable and exciting ways. From The Burroughsian Period (named after Edgar Rice Burroughs and beginning in 1901) to todays bestsellers, the genre has moved from hard science to Space Age exploration to a new interest in self-actualization, the dark side of technology, and what it means to be human.If youre an aspiring science fiction writer, here are some novels- both newly published and classic- that you should add to your reading list. In them, youll discover how the genre has evolved and where it is heading, both of which will be invaluable to your writing and planning.Below are some must-read science fiction novels for aspiring sci-fi writers. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.Newly publishedInfinite Detail by Tim Maughan (March 5, 2019)Infinite Detail is a fast-pasted thriller in which an act of cyberterrorism creates a techno-apocalypse and the Internet crashes, shutting everything as we know it down. Seeking answers for how to live , lost, unplugged souls head to the Croft, an area of Bristol where people who have already unplugged live. The Croft is a digital no-mans-land, without surveillance and Big Data dependence. As a center of creative counterculture, a young woman there named Mary claims she has found other ways of connecting with others without the use of technology. Its the end of the world as we know it, but does the world fare better after the Internets demise?Finder by Suzanne Palmer (April 2, 2019)Finder is an action-packed science fiction caper story that won a Hugo Award and is the debut novel from Suzanne Palmer. Its protagonist is Fergus Ferguson, interstellar repo man and professional finder (a name he prefers to con artist or thief). His latest job entails finding the spacecraft Venetias Sword and stealing it back from an ex-nobleman turned power-hungry trade boss. He finds the ship in the farthest corner of space, in a deep space colon called Cernee. There, he learns that the enemy of my e nemy is my friend, and must navigate a field of space mines, a small army of hostile mercenaries, and an alien species he once through to be only myth. He thought it would be a simple job- like the others- but its becoming more apparent that it isnt.The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch (February 6, 2018)Advertised as Inception meets True Detective, The Gone World follows a NCIS special agent on a murder case that involves the fate of mankind. When tasked with uncovering the truth of the murder of a Navy SEAL and the disappearance of his family, Shannon Moss learns that the missing SEAL was an astronaut aboard the spaceship U.S.S. Libra- a ship assumed lost to the currents of Deep Time. In her search, she encounters Terminus, a mysterious world-destroying event discovered by a top-secret team of government time travelers.In her search for the SEALs missing teenage daughter, Moss travels to the future to explore possible versions of what might be in order to solve the present-day case. There, she witnesses the cataclysmic end of humanity itself and is left to determine how to stop it.The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (July 3, 2018)In this alternate history science fiction story, The Calculating Stars imagines an alternate history in which a meteorite falls to Earth in 1952, destroying much of the East Coast, including Washington, D.C. Following the event, space exploration becomes a necessity, as the Earth heads at breakneck speed toward becoming uninhabitable due to the events impact on the planets climate. Enter mathematician and World War II pilot Elma York, who sets her sight on flying into the stars to search for humanitys next great hope.Winner 2018 Nebula for Best Novel, Hugo Finalist for Best Novel, 2019 Campbell Memorial Award Finalist, and 2019 Locus Finalist for Best Science Fiction Novel- The Calculating Stars has a long list of accolades and spots on bestselling lists since it was published in 2018.Emily Eternal by M.G. Wheaton (April 23, 2019)Emily Eternal is about Emily, is an A.I. designed by scientists to help people cope with trauma. She has been designed to solve advanced mathematical problems and unlock the deepest secrets of the human mind, including its capacity for empathy. Her work and purpose take on a deeper meaning when it is discovered that the sun will explode 5 billion years before it was originally expected.With the human race at an existential crossroads, she does the unthinkable and determines a way to solve the problem. However, not everyone trusts her intentions, so her servers are destroyed, leaving Emily and her friends with limited hope- but hope nonetheless- that they can race against time and save humanity.Famous Men who Never Lived by K. Chess (March 5, 2019)Noted as a Most Anticipated Book of 2019 at The Verge, Barnes Noble Sci-Fi Fantasy Blog, and more, K. Chesss debut novel, Famous Men Who Never Lived gives readers a glimpse of an alternate history in which nuclear war sends 156,000 r efugees into modern-day New York City. Among them is Hel, a doctor who has difficulty adapting to the new reality shes facing, so she creates a museum to preserve the memories and stories that would otherwise be forever lost. In the midst of her work to preserve her lost past, she faces anti-immigrant attitudes and hostility. Then, when the only copy of a science fiction story from her world, The Pyronauts, goes missing, she is forced to face what has been lost and determine just how far she should go to recover it.Within a world that is foreign to her, and as she seeks to assimilate while grieving what has been lost, Hels character offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be an immigrant facing the end of ones culture. In this important debut novel, readers will find parallels with todays news in a world that is both different and familiar.Vigilance by Robert Jackson Bennett (January 29, 2019)Robert Jackson Bennetts Vigilance takes readers on a dark and twisting ride in what can only be classified as a science fiction action parable of an America that has accepted gun violence as the norm. Its satire at its best and spins the idea of Hunger Games in an even darker direction.Set in 2030, the story follows the life of executive producer John McDean, who produces Vigilance, a reality game show designed to ensure American citizens remain alert and vigilant to all threats, both foreign and domestic. In the reality game environment, an active shooter is introduced to public spaces and prize money is given to anyone who is armed and ready to take down the shooter. Then, McDean ends up on the other side of the camera, and his whole reasoning for the show is seen through new eyes.Much like the worlds depicted in the stories, the science fiction genre has evolved significantly, from the classics to modern bestsellers. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.The Classics1984 by George OrwellNominated as one of Americas best-loved novels by PBSs The Great American Read, 1984 is a chilling, dystopian tale that will ring strangely familiar in modern times, despite having been written in 1948. It is the story of Winston Smith, who works for the Ministry of Truth and lives in one of the three totalitarian super-states that rule the world. At first, Winston does what hes told and tows the Party line; however, he begins to see through the lies built around government surveillance, controlled narrative, and serious loss of civil rights. Meanwhile, Big Brother is always watching, so he must hide the fact that he is beginning to think for himself.From revised dictionaries attempting to control human thought through language, to the concept of using perpetual war to keep citizens in their place, this story has become a manual of sorts for describing the course of modern political movements getting dangerously close to the dystopian world that Orwell foretold.Altered Carbon by Richard K. MorganAlthough written in 2003, Altered Carbon has already found its place amon g the classics and has been reimagined into a popular Netflix series, created by Laeta Kalogridis. It shows a world in the 25th century, where humankind lives throughout the galaxy and is monitored by the U.N. There is also an expensive procedure available where one can store his or her consciousness in a cortical stack at the base of the brain, which can then be downloaded into a new body (called a sleeve), thus escaping death itself.The main character is ex-U.N. envoy Takeshi Kovacs, who has been dispatched 180 light-years from his home into another body living in Bay City, in what was once San Francisco. In the shady underbelly of the city, in a decidedly cyberpunk world, he discovers how existence can be bought and sold as he attempts to solve a rich mans murder.Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyWritten in the 1930s and influenced by political fascism, Aldous Huxleys Brave New World offers dystopian world that is both prophetic and terrifying. While addressing 21st-century issues such as the domination of mass-entertainment, technology, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and elitism, it offers a glimpse into a future world where humans are genetically bred and indoctrinated into castes chosen for them before birth by an authoritarian government.With heavy references to Shakespeares work, it is sometimes a biting criticism on capitalism, and often a glimpse of the potential horrors that come with the power of genetic engineering getting into the wrong hands. Its a must-read for anyone wanting to see how modern political movements can inspire classic science fiction bestsellers.A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter MillerFirst published in 1959, A Canticle for Leibowitz is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel depicting a planet ravaged by nuclear war razed the Earth, as its survivors return to a type of dark age where science is hated and books are destroyed. In this setting, a small order of Catholic monks seeks to fight against the ignorance and barbarism that n ow faces humanity. Having won the 1961 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel, it explores the themes of religion and church versus state in a world where civilization has severely decayed.The Children of Men by P. D. JamesAlso released as in a film adaptation, The Children of Men is a dystopian novel published in 1992 set in a time of mass infertility. The story takes place in the United Kingdom, which is under autocratic rule, and explores themes of human frailty in a narrative voice that alternates between first and third person points of view.While the beginning is set in the year 2021, the narrator reveals events that occurred in 1995, which is referred to as Year Omega, where the sperm count of males fell to zero and a feminist civil war broke out, threatening the mass extinction of humanity. There is an elite class known as the Omegas, who are young and the last-born humans on earth, but they are both spoiled and violent. They treat their elders, the non-Omegas, with conte mpt, and live in a world where newborn animals are treated like infants, dressed in infant clothing, and pushed around in strollers.Theo, the protagonist, who is known as a dissident, encounters a revolutionary group known as The Five Fishes, who task him with helping to protect a woman who is an anomaly because she is pregnant. Beautifully written with poignant characterization, Children of Men explores themes of politics and power in times when the fate of humanity is grim.Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. DickFirst published in 1968 and the inspiration for the 1982 film Blade Runner, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where nuclear global war has severely damaged the planet and humanitys way of life. Those who are able have already fled the planet, ravaged by war and pollution, and those who remain exist in a world that is nearly uninhabitable.The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is one of the not-so-fortunate. He makes his living as a government-sanctioned bounty hunter destroying renegade androids, which have been built in the dearth of living creatures (along with realistic animals). The androids are so life-like and sophisticated, that they are indistinguishable from real humans, prompting the Earths government to distrust them. However, Ricks interaction with one android in particular forces him to question what it means to be a human.Dune by Frank HerbertPublished in 1965, Frank Herberts Dune tied with Roger Zelaznys This Immortal for the Hugo Award in 1966 and won the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel. It imagines a feudal interstellar society of planetary fiefs controlled by noble houses and tells the story Paul Atreides, whose family are stewards of the planet Arrakis.Despite the planet being a desert wasteland that is mostly inhospitable, it is the only source of mà ©lange, commonly known as the spice- a drug that enhances mental abilities and can extend life. With themes of politics, re ligion, ecology, and technology, Dune explores common topics within a very uncommon place and is often considered to be one of the best and imaginative science fiction books ever written.Foundation by Isaac AsimovFirst published in 1951 and nominated as one of Americas best-loved novels by PBSs The Great American Read, Foundation contains five interrelated short stories and is often considered to be one of the most important works in hard science fiction. Within the five stories- The Psychohistorians, The Encyclopedists, The Mayors, The Traders, and The Merchant Princes- Asimov reimagines the fall of the Roman Empire taking place on a galactic scale. With themes focusing on economics and history, and a notoriously tough read, it is considered to be one of Asimovs best works.Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyPublished in 1823, Frankenstein is one of the earliest examples of science fiction and allegedly was written in a contest of sorts among some of the literary greats of the Romantic per iod to see who could write the most horrific tale. Considered to be a classic in Gothic and Romantic literature, it tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, whose efforts to cheat death lead him to the creation of monstrosities. Its narrative framework consists of letters written by Captain Robert Walton, who details the events taking place at an unspecified time in the 18th century and the story, as told to him by Victor Frankenstein himself.The Handmaids Tale by Margaret AtwoodOriginally published in 1985, The Handmaids Tale is a dystopian novel written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. It won the 1985 Governor Generals Award and the first Arthur C. Clarke Award in 1987, and was nominated for the 1986 Nebula Award, the 1986 Booker Prize, and the 1987 Prometheus Award. It has also been adapted into a film, an opera, and a TV series on Hulu.Set in the near future the Republic of Gilead, a fundamentalist theocratic state with a low birth rate, the men in charge enslave fertile women known as handmaids and force them to have their children. As a seminal work of feminist literature, it explores the subjugation of women in a patriarchal society, and is told through the point of view of Offred, a handmaid for a Commander who is suspected to be infertile.The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsPublished in 1979, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy follows the misadventures of the last surviving man, Arthur Dent, after the Earth has been destroyed by a Vogon constructor fleet to make way for a hyperspace bypass. It was first broadcast as a radio series on BBC radio in 1978, and later became known as a trilogy in five parts.The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is absurdist, bombastic, and a lot of fun. It is a wildly imaginative adventure building off multiple science fiction tropes, but retains enough cynicism to be appreciated as a work that is much deeper than it initially appears on the surface. Simply put, it is a must-read for any science fiction ent husiast, and has been adapted into comic books and stage shows, and earned Douglas Adams a spot as Guest of Honour at the 1979 World Science Fiction Convention, held in Brighton, England.Neuromancer by William GibsonPublished in 1984, Neuromancer, one of the best-known works in the cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction, was written by American-Canadian writer William Gibson as his debut novel. It was the first novel to win the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the Hugo Award.Its protagonist is Henry Case, a washed-up computer hacker and hustler surviving in the dystopian underworld of Chiba City, Japan. The story imagines a world where hackers and cyborgs work together to against massive, nefarious corporations, and is a must-read for fans of the more recent Ready Player One.Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt VonnegutPublished in 1969, Slaughterhouse-Five is a novel containing equal amounts of science fiction and anti-war sentiment. Its protagonist is Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who has become unstuck in time, and bounces back and forth in a nonlinear fashion on his personal timeline in a time-traveling narrative that explores the horrors of war through an unreliable narrator. Billy believes he was held in an alien zoo on the fictional planet Tralfamadore as he experiences post-traumatic stress disorder from his experiences as a soldier. With extensive use of irony, black humor, and didacticism, Vonneguts signature simplistic style of writing makes Slaughterhouse-Five one of his best-loved works.Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. HeinleinWritten in 1961, Stranger in a Strange Land is speculative fiction set in a post-Third World War United States, where organized religions control politics. It tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who was born on the planet Mars and raised by Martians, only to come to Earth as a young adult. He must learn what it means to be a man, while simultaneously teaching Earthlings about Martian concepts such as grokk ing and water-sharing.It won the 1962 Hugo Award for Best Novel and the 1987 Prometheus Hall of Fame Award.The War of the Worlds by H. G. WellsPublished in 1898 and first serialized in 1897 by Pearsons Magazine in the UK and by Cosmopolitan magazine in the US, The War of the Worlds is a classic tale of alien invasion. As one of the earliest stories depicting conflict between humanity and an extraterrestrial race, it is told via first-person narration by an unknown protagonist living in Surrey, and his younger brother living in London as Martians invade the Southern part of England.The War of the Worlds is a seminal work in the science fiction classic canon, and has been reimagined for feature films, radio, comic books, a television series, and sequels or parallel stories written by other authors.

The eNotes Blog The World According to IsaacAsimov

The World According to IsaacAsimov If youre anything like the average employee at headquarters, youre probably still drooling over the forthcoming generation of Apple iPhones. So allow me to ease you out of your reverie with a fun retrospect of how our bright future was predicted near perfectly almost 50 years ago. Image via Cinema Blend Back in 1964, the Jetsons were on television, the lava lamp had just been invented, and the Moon was as yet uncharted territory. Isaac Asimov was also a popular science fiction writer of the time, though it was still six years before he would write his most famous short story I, Robot. Instead, he wrote an essay for the New York Times in which he imagined a trip to the Worlds Fair of 2014, five decades into the future. On the brink of that very event and in the middle of a whirlwind of technological advancement, lets take a look at five of the astounding predictions Asimov made for the 21st century: Image via CUInsight Lighting   Our new world would apparently be designed without windows in mind. One thought that occurs to me is that men will continue to withdraw from nature in order to create an environment that will suit them better. By 2014, electroluminescent panels will be in common use. Ceilings and walls will glow softly, and in a variety of colors that will change at the touch of a push button. Windows need be no more than an archaic touch, and even when present will be polarized to block out the harsh sunlight. The degree of opacity of the glass may even be made to alter automatically in accordance with the intensity of the light falling upon it. Sorry Asimov, but for the most part we still look to good old window dressings to block out the sunlight. We do, however, have polarized transition lenses in our eyewear. Though I believe science is still trying to work out a way that wont leave one with permanently halfway-tinted glasses in your averagely lit room There is an underground house at the fair which is a sign of the future. if its windows are not polarized, they can nevertheless alter the scenery by changes in lighting. Suburban houses underground, with easily controlled temperature, free from the vicissitudes of weather, with air cleaned and light controlled, should be fairly common. Once again weve wasted one of Asimovs completely practical ideas by employing it for needlessly decadent purposes, like having a casino in Vegas thats lit to make you feel like youre walking the streets of Paris but hey, its something. Image via Trend Hunter Food Preparation Gadgetry will continue to relieve mankind of tedious jobs. Kitchen units will be devised that will prepare automeals, heating water and converting it to coffee; toasting bread; frying, poaching or scrambling eggs, grilling bacon, and so on. Breakfasts will be ordered the night before to be ready by a specified hour the next morning. Complete lunches and dinners, with the food semiprepared, will be stored in the freezer until ready for processing. Viva the frozen dinner! Its like he had a crystal ball that stared directly into my life! I suspect, though, that even in 2014 it will still be advisable to have a small corner in the kitchen unit where the more individual meals can be prepared by hand, especially when company is coming. Hmph. Image via Scientell Robots Robots will neither be common nor very good in 2014, but they will be in existence. The I.B.M. exhibit at the present fair has no robots but it is dedicated to computers, which are shown in all their amazing complexity, notably in the task of translating Russian into English. If machines are that smart today, what may not be in the works 50 years hence? It will be such computers, much miniaturized, that will serve as the brains of robots. In fact, the I.B.M. building at the 2014 Worlds Fair may have, as one of its prime exhibits, a robot housemaid *large, clumsy, slow- moving but capable of general picking-up, arranging, cleaning and manipulation of various appliances. It will undoubtedly amuse the fairgoers to scatter debris over the floor in order to see the robot lumberingly remove it and classify it into throw away and set aside. (Robots for gardening work will also have made their appearance.) Actually Isaac, no need for a ticket to the World Fair to see the latest housecleaning robot; your local Bed, Bath, and Beyond will let you play with a Roomba for free. As a side note, I was pleasantly surprised that the author strayed from the cliche expectations that the world would be run by robots by this time. In fact, it actually seems like weve ever so slightly surpassed his visions for technology in this area, for I I have practically all the makings of a robot in a device that fits in the palm of my hand. Although, Im pretty sure were all still using it to translate Russian into English. Image via Techyuga 3D Movies General Electric at the 2014 Worlds Fair will be showing 3-D movies of its Robot of the Future, neat and streamlined, its cleaning appliances built in and performing all tasks briskly. (There will be a three-hour wait in line to see the film, for some things never change.)   As for television, wall screens will have replaced the ordinary set; but transparent cubes will be making their appearance in which three-dimensional viewing will be possible. In fact, one popular exhibit at the 2014 Worlds Fair will be such a 3-D TV, built life-size, in which ballet performances will be seen. The first point may as well be true. As Asimov correctly predicted, both the movie and TV viewers of the early 21st century are bored of 2 meager dimensions, though I still hold out hope that 3D TVs never catch on. Image via Youtube GPS and the Google Car Much effort will be put into the designing of vehicles with Robot-brains*vehicles that can be set for particular destinations and that will then proceed there without interference by the slow reflexes of a human driver. I suspect one of the major attractions of the 2014 fair will be rides on small roboticized cars which will maneuver in crowds at the two-foot level, neatly and automatically avoiding each other. These days, most of us cant walk, ride, or drive anywhere without turning to GPS. I myself am lost without my smart phone and Google maps. Literally. On top of that, the Google driveless car is almost a reality. If you live in Nevada, Florida, or California, you may just see these autonomous cars out and about on public roads. But then Asimov took it a little far thinking wed all be commuting on hovercrafts by now. Jets of compressed air will also lift land vehicles off the highways, which, among other things, will minimize paving problems. Smooth earth or level lawns will do as well as pavements. Bridges will also be of less importance, since cars will be capable of crossing water on their jets, though local ordinances will discourage the practice. Alas, were still made to suffer the pitfalls and potholes of state roads. I couldnt even touch on his ideas for video phone calls, tofurkey, or moon colonies, or indeed his terrifying idea of a vastly over-populated World-Manhattan. Even with what was at most a speculation of life five decades into the future, the writer really pegged us surprisingly well. For while his dark vision of an over-populated society has not come to pass, his closing lines show a somber knowledge of exactly where were headed: Mankind will suffer badly from the disease of boredom, a disease spreading more widely each year and growing in intensity. This will have serious mental, emotional and sociological consequences, and I dare say that psychiatry will be far and away the most important medical specialty in 2014. The lucky few who can be involved in creative work of any sort will be the true elite of mankind, for they alone will do more than serve a machine. Hope you enjoyed this look back as much as I did. Cheers to the new world!

Postmodernism, marketing and the media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Postmodernism, marketing and the media - Essay Example The paper "Postmodernism, Marketing and the Media" discusses profound issues behind the post modern marketing era and its influence on modern media and advertising. In this paper there is the broad plane upon which this question is based a detailed answer to this question would be like trying to lock up the entire ocean in one match box but this is what we as marketers do. We try to lock up happiness in a matchbox and will gladly market that given the chance. This is a big bad world of marketing where the entire marketing profession stands accused of crossing ethical boundaries, enticing children and adults alike and using to technology to the point of abuse. Visionaries were looking ahead when they described the post-modern period as one where there would be a growth of tertiary sector and the services industry would boom in the era of multi nationals and a rise in capitalism. However the booming free market would be unable to boast of free speech and democratic values. For Doherty post modernism as phenomena feared human progress and its realities. Other writers have said that this era is a time of uncertainty and doubt and a melting pot of pluralism, democracy and information and consumerism. The marketers have realised that this age has come with its packages of closeness and aids to overcome the physical barriers/social barriers through the media and information technology. Shorter has identified this with â€Å"anonymous intimacy† as people scramble to find emotional depth ... We try to lock up happiness in a matchbox and will gladly market that given the chance. This is a big bad world of marketing where the entire marketing profession stands accused of crossing ethical boundaries, enticing children and adults alike and using to technology to the point of abuse. Welcome to the post-modern marketing era! In this course we were able to discuss the more profound issues behind the post modern marketing era and its influence on modern media and advertising. Visionaries like C. Wright Mills were looking ahead when they described the post-modern period as one where there would be a growth of tertiary sector and the services industry would boom in the era of multi nationals and a rise in capitalism. However the booming free market would be unable to boast of free speech and democratic values in the guise of political and social turmoil. For Doherty (1991) post modernism as phenomena feared human progress and its realities. Other writers have said that this era is a time of uncertainty and doubt (Stacey 1990) and a melting pot of pluralism, democracy and information and consumerism. (Stacey 1990) The marketers have realised that this age has come with its packages of closeness and aids to overcome the physical barriers/social barriers through the media and information technology. Shorter (19 75) has identified this with "anonymous intimacy" as people scramble to find emotional depth due to family ties becoming more distant through TV talk and advice shows and texting and chatting. Technology has blurred the divide between home and work as the internet brings home the world.So are we "what we know" . This is an age of post-modern relativism and pluralism which has replaced the vials of the generally accepted universal

Differentiation between Customer Relationship Management Essay

Differentiation between Customer Relationship Management - Essay Example In the yester years banks used to invest in maintenance & development of operational systems but now they are considering their marketing campaigns (mainly offline) to boost up their overall earnings. (Rajola, 2003, p.17) Benefits that can be derived through CRM are the reporting tools that enable companies to have strategy in their businesses & also have the opportunity to keep the consumer’s contact. (Sharp, 2003, p.175) On the other hand Customer Experience Management (CEM) is an entire process of accumulating a consumer’s experience with a product or a particular company. The idea of CEM is mainly built on the orientation of the process & hence it tries to relate the relevance of a product or for that matter, the producer firm, to a customer’s life. In CEM the overall motto is not to sale the goods to any particular consumer, instead the idea is to maintain & share the experiences of the product with the consumers even after the sale. By doing this, value is created for the firm & a loyalty is built up among consumers. (Schmitt, 2003, pp 17-18) Customer Experience Management is an approach that focuses mainly on the experience of consumers. It focuses on the consumers’ purchase & usage mannerisms. Thus the customers may feel delighted with newer products while on the contrary Customer Relationship Management rarely focuses on the emotional bond with the customer. In CRM customer’s feedback regarding a product or a service is not considered. (Schmitt, 2003, pp 16-17)

The Effects of M&As in the Furtherance of Strategic Objectives of Dissertation

The Effects of M&As in the Furtherance of Strategic Objectives of Tesco Plc and Wal-Mart - Dissertation Example ................................................................................................................. ... Under the PEST analysis, political, economic, social and technological factors (for PEST) will be discussed. Additionally, legal and environmental factors will also be discussed (completes PESTLE analysis). Under Porters 5 Forces analysis, the 5 forces that influence any given industry will be discussed. These include powers handled by the supplier and the buyer, threat of substitution, competitive rivalry, and threat of new entry. Tesco – Company Overview Tesco Plc is an international retailer with active activities in most parts of the world apart from providing retail banking and Insurance services. Its wide distribution of stores enables customers to pick the products of their choice from various parts of the world. The company delivered a sales growth of 7.4% by the year 2012 and strong international performance with a return of capital employed of 12%. The company is projected to have a weak growth among its peers due to its low operating profit margin compared to the se ctor/industry average of 14.39% hence it is considered underperforming in the industry (Tesco Plc, 2012). Tesco Plc realized its potential in the retail industry and decided in many cases to consolidate its efforts with other businesses. The greatest interest was to establish the effect of these consolidations with its aims and objectives in order to unearth the truth on the possible effects of M&As. PESTEL Analysis Politically, the recession remains one of the main gamut that are currently affecting all the countries resulting to high numbers of unemployment. As one of the major and wildest growing retailers, Tesco will avail more jobs hence reducing levels of unemployment. Economic factors are significant for Tesco because they influence directly the buying behavior of

The Leadership Member Exchange Theory

The Leadership Member Exchange Theory There are different leadership theories that have been proposed. Some of these are the leadership member exchange theory, transformational leadership theory, path-goal theory and situational approach theory. In this paper the above four theories will be studied in seeking to help the students have a deeper insight into the leadership styles and where they are best applied. Leadership-member exchange theory Also known as LMX or vertical dyad linkage theory it seeks to describe how leaders in groups are able to maintain their position by having tacit exchange agreements with their subordinates. Through the special relationship with the leader the in-group members have access to high levels of responsibility, are influential in decision making and are also able to access resources. However, the members of in-group pay for this privilege by working hard, being committed to task objectives and also share more administrative duties. In addition, these members are also expected to show loyalty and commitment to their leader. On the other hand, the members of out-group have little responsibility, have little influence in decision-making and find it hard to access the resources. The LMX process according to House (1971) has three stages and starts when one joins the group. The first one is the role taking where the member joins the teams and the leader examines his or her capabilities. It is then that the leader decides whether to give this member an opportunity or not. Knox and Inkster (1968) argue that during this stage it becomes important for the leader and the member to lay down a foundation on rules of engagement. The tacit agreement takes pace in the second phase where the informal arrangement takes place between the leader and the member. The role is created for this member, which also comes with benefits. In return this member is supposed to pay by being dedicated and being loyal. Linville, Fischer and Salovey (1989) observe that at this stage trust building is pivotal. As such if the leader feels betrayed he or she is likely to demote the member to the out-group. This stage also involves other factors such as relationships and the similarity with the leader. A member who has similarity is likely to have positive relationships according to this theory. Similarly, in the case where the leader and the member are of same gender this relationship is also likely to be positive as this informal arrangement is often built on respect. More over, this relationship is likely to be affected by culture and race. According to Lippman (1982) the third process in LMX theory is routinization. It is in this phase that a continuous social exchange between the two parties is established. This relationship is built on trust and there is a tendency to find a member of senior teams having similarity with their leader. Maas, Ceccarelli and Rudin (1996) add that the members are reasonable, sensitive, empathetic and are able to follow the idea of their leader. On the contrary the members of the out-group have opposite characteristics. In particular, they are likely to be aggressive, sarcastic and egocentric. Lippman (1982) describes the in-group members as having more confidence, more involved, communicative and being more dependable. In addition, these members go beyond their formal job description and as such the leader reciprocates by expanding their role. The members of the outer group are less compatible with the leader and just report to work, carry out the responsibilities given and go back home. Ainslie (1974) is of the opinion that under this theory the member of the in-group is more productive owing to this social exchange with their leader. Indeed, under LMX there is likely to be less workers turnover, more positive performance, more positive performance evaluations, more promotions, greater participation and support for the leaders vision and positive job attitude (Ainslie, 1975). This theory has strength as those who contribute more are able to enjoy more benefits than new members of the out-group. It identifies the dyadic relationship and underlines the importance of effective leader member exchanges. However, the leaders need to be careful on whom they allow in the in-group and should only bed one on the work performance only. This should not be based on race, ethnicity, sex or religion. The critics of this find it unfair as the members are treated unequally. Transformational leadership According to this theory transformational leadership is a process that changes people. It entails dealing with the emotions, values, standards, ethics and long-term goals. The followers motives and needs are satisfied by having a visionary leadership. The two parties are bound together in a transformations process. According to Bass (1990) the leaders transform the followers through: Making them aware of the importance and the value of the task. Making the followers understand the importance of focusing on the organizational goals rather than individual interest Activating their high-order needs In his argument Bass (1990) finds that charisma is necessary as it helps to invoke positive and strong emotions. In addition, it also causes the followers to identify with the leaders. Charisma is defined as a personality characteristic and gives the holder superhuman powers. It is only possessed by a few and is often regarded to have divine origin. The writer further argues that authentic transformational leadership is based on idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, inspirational stimulation and individualized consideration (Ainsworth, 1963). The idealized influence describes the leaders who have strong role models characteristics. The followers are happy to identify and emulate these leaders. Through inspirational motivation the leaders communicate their high expectations to their followers. They followers become inspired and become a part of the organizations goal and vision. On the other hand, through the concept of intellectual stimulation the followers are made to be mo re creative and innovative (Graen Cashman, 1975). This is achieved by the leader giving them the right platform where they challenge their own beliefs and values. The followers are also able to question the values of their leader. By individual consideration the leaders provide an enabling climate in which they listen and address the individual concerns raised by their followers (Granovetter, 1973). This also based on the three moral aspects which include The moral character of the leader The ethical values in the leaders vision. This may either be accepted or rejected by the followers. The level of the morality of social ethical processes that the followers and the leader use. However, Burn (1978) looks at transformational leadership as a prowess in which the leaders and followers are engaged in the mutual process of uplifting, motivating others and lifting up the morality. This theory assumes that a leader who has a high moral position is likely to attract a following. It could also be argued that the leaders appeal to the higher ideals and values which the followers are highly attached to. The followers have a shared background on social values and this encourages them to collaborate rather than each following his or her individual interests. It could be argued that leaders who promote this leadership invoke motivation and instill sense of identity and meaning to the workers. According to a research by Bennis and Nanus the leaders had a clear vision of the future of their establishments (Ainsorth, 1978). In addition, they were social architects and motivated the workers by building trust. This is possible through making a clear position and standing by it. As Bailey (1985) puts it the leaders use creative deployment of self through positive self regard. According to North House (2007) the theory has been well researched since 1970s and shares similar idea with the expectations of the society. Moreover, this theory treats leadership as a process which takes place between the leaders and the followers. A big emphasis is also is put on the followers needs vales and morals. The cons of this theory are that the leader seems to work on his or her own and does not allow input from the followers. It is also elitist and undemocratic and is not likely to work where the decision making is supposed to be a shared responsibility. The four constructs; inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, idealized influence and intellectual stimulation are hard to measure. These constructs are also similar to each other and is hard to make out their difference. A questionnaire ideal for this theory Not at all once in while sometimes Fairly Often Frequently 0 1 2 3 4 Idealized influence (attributes) I go beyond self interest for the good of the group ___ Idealized influence (behaviors) I consider the moral and ethical consequences of decisions ____ Inspirational motivation I talk optimistically about the future ____ Intellectual stimulation I re-examine critical assumptions to question whether they are appropriate ____ Individualized consideration I help others to develop their strengths ____ Situational leadership The leader need not rely on transactional and transformational methods only and the best cause of action that leader has to take depends on situational factors. Some of the factors likely to affect the situational decisions include motivation and the capability of followers. Yukl (1989) identifies six variables. The subordinate effort is concerned with the motivation and the effort put. The subordinate ability and clarity is concerned with followers understanding their role and how to do it. The organization of work is important and looks at how the work is structured and also the utilization of resources. The other variable is the cooperation and the cohesiveness of the group. The availability of resources and support is also important. Finally, Yukl also cites external condition as the sixth variable and defines the need to collaborate with other groups. Tannerbaum and Schmidt (1958) found out that the forces in the situation, in the leader and the followers as the forces leading to the leaders action. Similar sentiments were shared by Maier (1963) who observed that leaders need to look at the possibility of the followers agreeing with certain a decision and also the importance of carrying out that task. As such the leader is encouraged to take a certain action to avoid the implication of failing to do so. According to this style the leader is meant to come up with the style of leadership depending on the willingness and the commitment of the follower in performing a particular task. Directing This becomes necessary where there is low competence and commitment from the follower. The leader is not highly concerned with the relationship between him or her and the follower but makes sure the tasks are carried out. This also becomes necessary as the incompetence is corrected by the role the leader plays. Take for instance a situation where instead of the leader taking a directing role, he or she seeks to find out the reason why the follower is not motivated and why he or she is not capable of carrying out a particular task. This could leave some work undone as the leader will refrain from assigning duties which he feels the follower cannot perform well. The followers also end up having low confidence which affects their output. Coaching This applies when the follower has some competence or is over confident on his or her capabilities. Telling such followers what to do may de-motivate them and resistance is likely to result. This makes the leader to look for an alternative on how to work, clarify and explain decisions. This calls for the leader to spend time listening and advising where he or she feels necessary. The follower is able to refine his or her skills through this coaching. Supporting This is necessary when the follower can do the job but is not putting in enough commitment. This case differs from the above cases as the leader is not concerned with showing the follower what to do. It also becomes important for the leader to engage with the follower to identify the reasons why he or she is refusing to cooperate. Motivation becomes the key to improving the followers performance. The leaders should take time listening and praising the follower whenever he or she makes an achievement. Delegating This according to Hersey and Blanchard (1999) is applicable when the follower is highly competent, is highly committed, is motivated and is able and willing to carry out the various tasks assigned. The follower should be left alone to go on with the delegated duties although a distant eye from the leader is necessary. This is necessary in order to monitor how the follower is progressing. Although the followers do not need support and frequent praise it is recommended for the leader to occasionally recognize their efforts. Normative model According to Vroom and Yetton (1973), decision on acceptance increases commitment and participation increase decision acceptance. The decision quality helps in selecting the best alternative and is applicable when there are several alternatives. This becomes necessary when there are serious consequences for not doing so. The decision acceptance on the other hand is concerned with the acceptance of the decisions the leader makes. Leaders should focus more on decision acceptance than decision quality. Vroom and Yetton (1973) came up with five different decision procedures. The first one is when the leader knows information and then makes the decision alone. The second one is when he or she obtains the information from the followers and then makes the decision alone. These two are autocratic and the followers are sidelined in the decision making. The leader may also opt to share the problem with the followers individually. He or she then listens for their input and makes the decision al one. Alternatively the leader shares the problem with the followers but this time as a group. He then notes down their ideas but makes the decision alone. These two procedures are consultative and the participation of the followers is valued. Finally the leader may shares the problem with the group and the decision is arrived at through consensus. However there are situational factors that are likely to affect these five alternatives. The first two methods are not recommended when the followers possess useful information. In addition, this it is not also recommended when the decision quality is pivotal. When the leader sees decision quality as vital but the members do not then group based decision making should be avoided. This is necessary in avoid the implication of the bad decision making where a consensus solution is arrived at. On the contrary, if the leader feels he or she lacks the right skills and information to handle an unstructured problem a collective a decision arrived through consensus becomes appropriate. Similarly, when the decision acceptance is important and the followers are likely to resist an autocratic decision a leader then the first two methods where the leader sources information from them and then makes the decision are inappropriate. When decision masking is highly valued and the members are unlikely to acceptance each others idea then it is in-appropriate to use the autocratic methods or share the problem with them individually. This is because the differences are unable to be resolved if these methods are used. When the decision quality is not essential but decision acceptance is paramount then a group based decision becomes a must to avoid disgruntled followers. The same case applies when the decision quality is of essence and the followers consent with this. Path-Goal Theory The theory was inspired by Mark G. Evans from the expectancy theory. The perception of the degree to which a particular will result to a certain outcome is important (Dawes, 1996). The leaders behavior should be source of inspiration to the subordinates and should also be able to motivate them. The theory is based on the idea that the leaders should offer encouragement and support to their followers. This is ensured by rewarding the followers. The leader should also clarify the path to the subordinates so they can make a choice on their own. The leader should also remove the hurdles which stand on the followers paths. It is also worthy to point out that the leaders may opt to take a limited or full approach in supporting the members. For instance, the leader may give directions or offer hints. House and Mitchell (1974) argue that under this theory four leadership styles can be found. Directive leadership The leader guides the followers appropriately and directs them what to do. This may also entail offering them time-lines on the duties to be carried out and when. This is also recommended where the task given to the members is unstructured. As such the followers are likely to find it hard understanding the role required Participative leadership The leaders also consult with their followers before arriving at a decision. This becomes even more important when the insight from the members is likely to be invaluable. Supportive leadership In increasing the followers work performance it is necessary to show concern for their welfare. The leader should also create a friendly working environment and this is especially recommended where the work is stressful. Achievement-oriented leadership The leader sets challenging goals in work and for self-improvement. In such an instance, the leader sets high standards which the followers are encouraged to attain. The leader also places a lot of faith in their ability to perform the tasks assigned. When the role is complex this method becomes appropriate. The leaders are meant to show the way which the members are expected to follow. The leadership should have foresight and should be able to see the way of achieving goals in future. The followers depend on the leader for the guidance. It also worth mentioning that this theory assumes that the leaders change their leadership styles according to contextual factors. The theory proposes two contingency variables; environment and follower characteristics (Evans, 1970). These variables affect the behavior outcome relationship. The environmental factors determine the type of leader behavior which is appropriate. This is necessary in order to maximize the follower performance. On the other hand, the follower characteristics are concerned with the locus of control, perceived ability and experience (Deci, 1971). These four styles are receptive to the needs of the followers and adapt towards the prevailing situation making the leader to be more effective.

My Antonia Essay: The Character of Lena Lingard -- My Antonia Essays

The Character of Lena Lingard in My Antonia  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lena Lingard is the best example of a non-domestic central character which appears amidst the domesticity of My à ntonia. Often the sections which feature Lena instead of à ntonia are seen as confusing divergences from the plot line of a novel that purports to be about the woman named in the title. However, since Lena appears in the novel almost as often as à ntonia, and more often than any other character except Jim, she is a central character. Lena is a working woman who refuses to accept the constraints society places upon her. Even when society predicts that by becoming a dressmaker instead of marrying she will fail and become a "loose" woman, she disrupts their expectations and succeeds.    The first image of Lena in the novel is as newly arrived, pseudo-sophisticated country girl who has come to town to learn the trade of dressmaking. However, from the beginning of our knowledge of Lena she is anti-domestic. Lena recognizes that marriage is difficult-- she is never caught up in the "idea" of romance which leads à ntonia to a disastrous relationship and unwed motherhood. à ntonia takes the dances and socializing much more seriously and ends up in trouble, whereas Lena enjoys dancing and kissing but is merely having fun. When asked about her mother, Lena responds, "Oh, mother's never very well; she has too much to do. She'd get away from the farm, too, if she could" (Cather, 104). When Frances Harling teases Lena about a suitor who the town thinks Lena will marry, she responds, "I don't want to marry Nick, or any other man, . . . I've seen a good deal of married life, and I don't care for it" (105). It seems impossible for the town to believe that a beautiful gir... ...c plot" limits and ignores the non-traditional female experience which is just as important to analyze. The Nan Princes, Lena Lingards and Tiny Solderalls of the fictional world deserve and demand critical attention not for what they don't do (the dishes) but for what they are-- working women.    Works Cited Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1995. Gelfant, Blanche H. "The Forgotten Reaping Hook: Sex in My Antonia." Bloom's Modern Critical Views, 103-123. Jewett, Sarah Orne. A Country Doctor. New York: The Penguin Group. 1986. Romines, Ann. The Home Plot: Women, Writing & Domestic Ritual. Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press. 1992. Weiner, Lynn Y. From Working Girl to Working Mother: The Female Labor Force in the United States, 1820-1980. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. 1985.   

Court Observation

Observation of the Court Proceedings in Litigated Cases at District Court Report 20 Submitted to Pubanchal University Chakraworti HaBi College of Law For the Partial Fulfillment as Clinical Works Submitted by Sambal Chaulagain Role No:23 BALLB 1st years Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Objectives and Timeframe of Observation 3. Methods and Limitation 4. Observed Findings 1. Lodging the Case 2. Summoning the Respondents 3. Examination of Witness 4. Hearings 5. Role of lawyers 5. Finding and Recommendations . References and Annexes Observation of the Court Proceedings in Litigated Cases at †¦. Court 1. Introduction †¢ give brief introduction of the report itself (Start as This is a report of the court observation of †¦. court during †¦.. . The purpose of the observation was to gain practical knowledge of the performance of the justice agencies in course of litigation lodged within the given jurisdiction of the court†¦. ) †¢ present a summary of the rem aining chapters 2. Objectives and Timeframe of Observation The main objective of the observation was to gain fresh knowledge on the proceedings of the litigated cases in †¦. Court. More specifically, the observation intended to identify the barriers and lackings in the system that hinders or delays the justice process. †¢ The observation was done during†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. (dates) 3. Methods and Limitation †¢ Mention how you observed, how you asked information with whom †¢ Mention what you did not look for in the course of observation 4. Observed Findings 1. Lodging the Case How the complaints or charge sheets are registered †¢ Who observes the document initially †¢ Who give order to register †¢ What is called the name of registry 2. Summoning the Respondents †¢ How the document is presented to the bench †¢ How the initial hearing takes place and how the respondents are summoned †¢ How the rejoinders are registered 3. Examination of Witne ss †¢ How the cases are presented to bench after receipt of rejoinder †¢ What are the basic examination of evidence (witness, documents) 4. Hearings How the hearing takes place awarding judgment †¢ How the lawyers argue and defend in this course †¢ What are the steps of that lawyers pleading is heard by the judge 5. Role of lawyers †¢ What are the role of lawyers you observed in whole cases (What a lawyer does during whole course, mention the major work of lawyers prior to court room proceeding and court room proceedings. 5. Findings and Recommendations †¢ Give a summary what you found in the process †¢ In your opinion were there any other ways to do the process better ? Suggest your idea to bring changes in law †¢ Suggest your idea bring changes in behavior of the officials 6. References and Annexes †¢ Prepare a list to whom you consulted during the observation †¢ Prepare a list to whom you talked and gathered information by intervi ew †¢ If you had consulted any other person beyond court officials and quoted any factual or opinioned information, make a list †¢ Put a checklist that you prepared for conducting observation process

August, Osage County Essay

The theater darkens, crowd’s light chatter subsides, and stage lights focus our attention on a magnificent structure. It’s a traditional farmhouse, with all your typical nooks and crannies, so big it juts out into the audience as if forcing us into this structure. The farmhouse is big. Three floors of potential activity kind of big. After over 3 hours of incredibly well acted scenes and biting dialogue I found myself contemplating: is the star of this show actually the set itself? August, Osage County is a compelling drama about a family in crisis. They’re dealing with problems from the past and issues from the present. The family has a complex history of intertwining story lines where everyone seems to be unravelling, all in this farmhouse. At the beginning of the story, the characters are reunited for the first time in years due to the death of the family patriarch, Beverly Weston. From the moment everyone is together in the same house (and on the same stage) you get a feel for how divided and disconnected this family actually is. This division is expertly paralleled in the different rooms of the house. Each room seemed to represent a different character or couple of characters. For example, the office den the story’s first scene opens in is representative of the character Beverly Weston: cluttered, old, and now dead. When any of the characters were in that room they seemed to reminisce about good times and old memories, much like Beverly did, who was tormented by a certain significant memory, which becomes the main plot revelation in the third act. The energy of the set could be measured by the house aesthetics. When the lights were on and up, the characters were lively and the dialogue was colorful. Once the lights would dim and characters would scurry off to their sleeping quarters they were confined to their own emotions, setting the mood for their surroundings, or was it the surroundings setting the mood for them? The way the set was â€Å"dressed† also revealed quite a bit about the family. The farmhouse was clustered with rich, atmospheric trinkets and furniture that subconsciously gave us (the audience) more depth into the lives of these people. The storage closet on the top floor, packed to the maximum with items never explored or mentioned in the story, is symbolic of the old, dusty secrets the family is hiding from one another. I found myself  thinking about that storage closet after the play was over. It wasn’t necessary to have for the purpose of acting out the play, but was most definitely included to add a visual aid in telling the story and providing some subtle metaphor. This family was full of secrets, packed to the brim and unexplored. Issues locked tightly behind closed doors. Johnna, the only character outside the family to live in the house, has her personal space where she sleeps up in the attic on the third floor, right next to that previously mentioned storage closet†¦ the one full of secrets. A heavy metaphor for her window into the lives of this family presented itself to me as I thought more about the proximity of her space to that closet. Here she was, a complete outsider with no personal history with this family, yet throughout the story various members of the Weston house would confide in her, even more than they did their own kin. Johnna is front and center in the pivotal final scene. The tormented mother Violet Weston, now all alone in her house after all the family secrets had been revealed and left out in the open to ferment, searches her home for anyone to talk to. Between floors in the farmhouse, which in itself speaks of where the characters might be in life, Johnna recites the haunting words from a T.S. Elliot poem: â€Å"This is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends†. Lights out. The exit lights turn from dim to bright, the audience begins to clap as the cast makes their way to the front of the stage to take their bow, and I take one more look at all the colorful, twisted, complex characters, including the enormously complex and layered—literally—character of the farmhouse, who could unfortunately not bow.