Life of Pi and Religion Essay

The Grapes of Wrath has many Religious parallels to the bible. The characters are paralleled with people from the bible, some easily recognizable. Also the Grapes of Wrath is during the Great Depression which can be an allusion to the horrible treatments and suffering times the Israelist people had to deal with reflects to this time period. The plot of John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, can easily be related to many biblical references as well as it could be applied to the daily struggles of the lives of Christians. Two particular portions of this novel stick out more than any other. Those are the characters of Jim Casey and Pa Joad. Jim Casey reminds me of Moses from the bible because in the bible Moses lead thousands of people out of harsh treatments and slavery and led them to the promises land Canon. Where Steinbeck could be referring the Joad family as the people who followed Moses and Jim is viewed as Moses who tries and lead them to a safe place where they won’t suffer anymore. Throughout The Grapes of Wrath, religious symbols crop up, explaining the significance of the section. One use of symbolism is that when on the road to California, Tom runs in to a snake. Already used in the novel is the fact that to the Joads, California represents a place of great wealth, freedom, and prosperity. It is a Garden of Eden, so to speak. The Garden of Eden had a serpent who brought the Wrath of God upon Adam and Eve. The serpent gave them with the forbidden fruit. California is forbidden to outsiders and migrants. No Okies allowed. The snake represents the Eden Serpent and its betrayal to Adam and Eve. California will betray the Joads.

International Trade

International Trade Trade Most economists believe in free trade – the movement of goods between countries in the absence of harsh restrictions placed upon this exchange. The comparative cost principle is that countries should produce whatever they can make the most cheaply. Countries will raise their living standards and income if they specialize in the production of the goods and services in which they have the highest relative productivity: the amount of output produced per unit of an input (e. g. raw material, labor). Specialization is a situation that occurs when individuals or businesses produce a narrow range of products. Countries can have an absolute advantage – so that they are the cheapest in the world, or a comparative advantage – so that they are only more efficient than some other countries in producing certain goods or services. This can be because they have raw materials, a particular climate, qualified labor (skilled workers), and economies of scale – reduced production costs because of large-scale production. Balance of payments Imports are goods or services bought from a foreign country. Exports are goods or services sold to a foreign country. A country that exports more goods than it imports has a positive balance of trade or a trade surplus. The opposite is a negative balance of trade or a trade deficit. Trade in goods is sometimes called visible trade (AmE: merchandise trade). Services such as banking, insurance and tourism are sometimes called invisible imports and exports. Adding invisibles to the balance of trade gives a country's balance of payments. Protectionism Government, unlike most economists, often wants to protect various areas of the economy. These include agriculture – so that the country is certain to have food – and other strategic industries that would be necessary if there was a war and international trade became impossible. Governments also want to protect other industries that provide a lot of jobs. Many governments impose tariffs or import taxes on goods from abroad, to make them more xpensive and to encourage people to buy local products instead. However, there are an increasing number of free trade areas, without any import tariffs, in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas and blocs such as: †¢The EEA: European Economic Area containing the European Union plus some other countries. †¢NAFTA: North America Free Trade Area: Canada, US and Mexico. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tries to encourage free trade a nd reduce protectionism: restricting imports in order to help local products. According to the WTO agreement, countries have to offer the same conditions to all trading partners. The only way a country is allowed to try to restrict imports is by imposing tariffs. Countries should not use import quotas – limits to the number of products which can be imported – or other restrictive measures. Various international agreement also forbid dumping – selling goods abroad at below cost price in order to destroy or weaken competitors or to earn foreign currency to pay for necessary imports. Globalizing trends The supporters of globalization, the way that the world's economy increasingly functions as one unit, say that it will continue to cause growth and prosperity to spread thanks to: †¢Free movement of capital: money for investment can be easily moved around the world †¢Trade liberalization: obstacles to international trade are gradually being removed. †¢Shipping costs that are ever-declining thanks to the efficiency of containerization. †¢Telecommunications and computing costs that have fallen dramatically. Fair trade The Fairtrade Foundation makes sure that producers and growers are paid a fair price, not just the market price, which can be catastrophically low. For example, prices can fall dramatically when there is overproduction around the world causing a glut in a particular commodity. Economic Crisis Economic crisis is marked by overpowering alarm, in financial or commercial circles, leading to a sudden and drastic restriction of credit and great shrinkage in commodity and property prices. A financial panic usually precipitates a wave of business failures and followed by a period of depression. International Trade International Trade Trade Most economists believe in free trade – the movement of goods between countries in the absence of harsh restrictions placed upon this exchange. The comparative cost principle is that countries should produce whatever they can make the most cheaply. Countries will raise their living standards and income if they specialize in the production of the goods and services in which they have the highest relative productivity: the amount of output produced per unit of an input (e. g. raw material, labor). Specialization is a situation that occurs when individuals or businesses produce a narrow range of products. Countries can have an absolute advantage – so that they are the cheapest in the world, or a comparative advantage – so that they are only more efficient than some other countries in producing certain goods or services. This can be because they have raw materials, a particular climate, qualified labor (skilled workers), and economies of scale – reduced production costs because of large-scale production. Balance of payments Imports are goods or services bought from a foreign country. Exports are goods or services sold to a foreign country. A country that exports more goods than it imports has a positive balance of trade or a trade surplus. The opposite is a negative balance of trade or a trade deficit. Trade in goods is sometimes called visible trade (AmE: merchandise trade). Services such as banking, insurance and tourism are sometimes called invisible imports and exports. Adding invisibles to the balance of trade gives a country's balance of payments. Protectionism Government, unlike most economists, often wants to protect various areas of the economy. These include agriculture – so that the country is certain to have food – and other strategic industries that would be necessary if there was a war and international trade became impossible. Governments also want to protect other industries that provide a lot of jobs. Many governments impose tariffs or import taxes on goods from abroad, to make them more xpensive and to encourage people to buy local products instead. However, there are an increasing number of free trade areas, without any import tariffs, in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas and blocs such as: †¢The EEA: European Economic Area containing the European Union plus some other countries. †¢NAFTA: North America Free Trade Area: Canada, US and Mexico. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tries to encourage free trade a nd reduce protectionism: restricting imports in order to help local products. According to the WTO agreement, countries have to offer the same conditions to all trading partners. The only way a country is allowed to try to restrict imports is by imposing tariffs. Countries should not use import quotas – limits to the number of products which can be imported – or other restrictive measures. Various international agreement also forbid dumping – selling goods abroad at below cost price in order to destroy or weaken competitors or to earn foreign currency to pay for necessary imports. Globalizing trends The supporters of globalization, the way that the world's economy increasingly functions as one unit, say that it will continue to cause growth and prosperity to spread thanks to: †¢Free movement of capital: money for investment can be easily moved around the world †¢Trade liberalization: obstacles to international trade are gradually being removed. †¢Shipping costs that are ever-declining thanks to the efficiency of containerization. †¢Telecommunications and computing costs that have fallen dramatically. Fair trade The Fairtrade Foundation makes sure that producers and growers are paid a fair price, not just the market price, which can be catastrophically low. For example, prices can fall dramatically when there is overproduction around the world causing a glut in a particular commodity. Economic Crisis Economic crisis is marked by overpowering alarm, in financial or commercial circles, leading to a sudden and drastic restriction of credit and great shrinkage in commodity and property prices. A financial panic usually precipitates a wave of business failures and followed by a period of depression.

Holden Australia Essay

1. Management Decision Problem 1.1 Background Holden is an Australian company which is manufacturing and supply of cars, engines and auto parts. With the vehicle market in good times, the sales of Holden continued to drop even though it received a massive financial supplement of approximately $150 million a year from the Australian government (Coorey, 2013). Moreover, Martin (2013) states that the VF model as a new product cannot alleviate the crisis in the market and influence Holden’s decline 12.5% in 2012 (Appendix 1). In 2013, Holden manufacturing plants suddenly announced that it will cease its production line in Australia in 2017. The main reason is that Holden doesn’t have a definite understanding of the consumer preferences and purchase intentions. These problems resulted in the company facing difficulty with their business operation. 1.2 Decision Makers Key Goal Holden should improve their innovation of products to increase their sales volume. 1.3 Management Decision Problem Should Holden is new product be changed? 1.4 Rationale Research Problem The new product of Holden has problems that are different from the real demand of the customer. Successful industrial innovation has three critical factors which are technology push, demand pull, and integrated model (Rothwell, 1992, p. 221).Holden’s innovation developments not only dominate product line but also influence on product sale result. When Holden develops new products, it is not based on the customer feedback instead according to the company’s product categories and competitors’ developed product. It leads to setting a vague plan to develop products. As a consequence, some customers may not purchase the innovation vehicle because the products are not needed. 2. Marketing Research Problem 2.1 Marketing Research Problem statement To determine consumer preferences and purchase intentions for the proposed. 2.2 Rationale Research Problem According to Holden Australia, the outlook of vehicles market is positive, but its market share is in decline, some scholars think that Holden is  inability to build quality in innovation may be the main problem that will influence its market share and change consumer purchase behavior. Therefore, Holden should maintain its competitive advantage through decreasing product life cycles, building quality in innovation and investigating perceptions held by Australia customers. Additionally, Holden can identify different variables which may change consumer decision making based on the MRP in order to increase market share and develop new product. 3. Research Objective Problem 3.1 Research objective one To rank how Holden Australia introduces new attractive offers for the customers to increase the sales of the product. (RO1) 3.2 Research objective two To assess Holden Australia’s new product to satisfy the different customers’ needs. (RO2) 3.3 Research objective three To identify Holden Australia needs to supply target group planning to vehicle market. (RO3) 4. Repertory Test The repertory test is one of the research objectives. It is through the structured qualitative interview (normally one-on-one) that is used to identify the interviewees’ opinion to the test topic and it is trustworthy. Repertory test also known as Kelly’s Triads or Triad sorts (Wilson, A. M., 2006). In today’s society, repertory test analysis is one of the popular techniques for estimating research targets and it is a common method to generate constructs through some targets and participants (Pike, 2005). Furthermore, the repertory test has other benefits which are help researchers to understand the opinion of the respondents more conveniently and effectively and distinguished the detail could be more identify etc.. However, the repertory test also has a couple of disadvantages including taking more time for analysis and lack of standard of test. In this case, Repertory test can be used in research to identify how Holden attracts customers to purchase. There are two key points to help Holden attract clients. First of all, the repertory test will be used on the Ro1. The company can use this test to understand the clients’ psychological state. According to appendix 2, car customers’ ranking shows Holden’s score is -3%. In contrast, Japanese cars with a positive score come out top. Holden really  need to understand the Australian consumer buying behavior or psychological motivations, and which marketing method is the most attractive to Australian consumer. Secondly, it can also use this test on the Ro2. The aim of RO2 is to satisfy the customer different needs, so the test can be used to identify what the customers’ real demand about the existing car or new product is. For example, quality and safety are important factors for Australia consumers buying a new car (Appendix 3). Therefore, Holden can analyze the competitive strengths and weaknesses, and then improve their products. This will improve their sale status. 5. Focus Group The focus group is the mostly widely used in qualitative tools. A focus group discussion is to collect data through a group (8 to 10 participants) interaction and a moderator. The main objective of a focus group is to get in depth answers of consumers, and understand consumer attitudes and behavior on its products (Warren, C. A. B., & Karner, T. X., 2010). The group participants are selected carefully and discussions based on their experiences and views. In addition, researchers or clients can use one –way mirrors to observe participants’ opinions and behaviors. Moreover, focus groups can be an early stage to reduce problem as a filter. The advantages of focus groups are freedom, comfortable, high involvement, and commonality experience. For example, if participants have similar experiences and attitudes as others, they will have higher willingness to discuss the topic with other group members. Therefore, researchers not only can involve participants efficiently, but al so can stimulate discussion of the topic. However, there still are some disadvantages of focus groups, including misuse, misjudge, moderation, messy and misrepresentation. For example, when participants have difficulties in presenting their opinions it will cause the discussion to fail. In this case, the focus groups can be used for research objective three. Researchers of Holden Australia should make up a target group in order to investigate consumer attitudes and behaviors. The main goal is to increase Holden’s market share through consumer trends. There are three main topics to increase market share and maintain competitive advantages. Firstly, Holden should build quality in its new product in order to satisfy consumer demands. For example, safety is very  important for majority consumer (Appendix 3). The second topic is to focus on price, when consumers who focus on cost will change their purchase behavior (Ahmed, M., Zaman, F.& Irfan ,M. S., 2013). For example, Holden can provide promotional program to attract consumers. The last one is that Holden’ sales services are a very important stage to increasing costumer’s willingne ss to purchase again. Reference Colquhoun, S.& Blackbur, B. (2010, August 3). Ford, Holden fail satisfaction survey. Drive. Retrieved from http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/ford-holden-fail-satisfaction-survey-20100803-114hk.html Coorey, P. (2013, December 11). Government’s treatment of Holden was bizarre. Financial Review. Retrieved from http://www.afr.com/p/national/government_treatment_of_holden_was_QwElLu2O3lse6cNIradzzI Martin, T. (2013, November 8). Market Insight: Holden hopes rise with VF sales. Market Insight company news. Retrieved from http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/34C9E821132DC201CA257C1D0005E329#!prettyPhoto Masoom Ahmed, Fazluz Zaman, & Munshi Shamsuzzaman Irfan. (2013). Consumer’s brand choice behavior for car. Kuwait Chapter of the Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 2(5), 198 Pike, S. (2005). The use of repertory grid analysis and importance-performance analysis to identify determinant attributes of universities. Journal of Marketing for Higher Educ ation, 14(2), 1-18. Rothwell, R. (1992). Successful industrial innovation: Critical factors for the 1990s. R&D Management, 22(3), 221-240. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9310.1992.tb00812.x Warren, C. A. B., & Karner, T. X. (2010). Discovering qualitative methods: Field research, interviews, and analysis. New York: Oxford University Press. Wilson, A. M. (2006). Marketing research: An integrated approach. New York: Prentice Hall/Financial Times.

National Gallery of Art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

National Gallery of Art - Research Paper Example Also, I like his idea about the â€Å"15 minutes of fame†. His exhibit is located at the East Upper Level of the National Gallery of Art in DC that will run from September 25, 2011 to January 2, 2012 (National Gallery of Museum and Art, 2011). Andy Warhol’s Headlines: To Whom Does the News Belong features a timely articulation of the artistic perspective of the news industry in America. The news, which is typically a dry reporting of events and people take a new life of its own when Andy Warhol interprets it. In his interpretation about news, Warhol provides the uncanny definition that if somebody is in the news, then the news company should be paying the subject because they are selling the news of a person. The news company will however say that they should not because they are helping the subject of the news. News should be broadcasted and should be owned by everybody because if news does not have any news, then news is not a news. This is an uncanny play of words by Andy Warhol about the news I believe is the gist of the exhibit. In the exhibit, I took special notice about the Andy Warhol’s gift to Sean Penn when she married him in 1985. I am a big Madonna fan so I took a particular notice about the silkscreen gift of Andy Warhol to Madonna where it depicted Madonna’s reaction to show business magazines when they ran an unauthorized nude picture of her. The present had a fictional New York Post headline that reads â€Å"Madonna: I’m Not Ashamed† with hundreds of Keith Haring signature action figures. What used to be a scandalous news suddenly became a piece of art when Andy Warhol touched it. This is a typical example of Andy Warhol’s artistic ingenuity that transcends to everyday mundane subject such as news. What seems to be ordinary became an object of art when it is presented at a different perspective and overlaid with artistic impressions. This makes a typical uninterested party like me to

Panic, Choke and Learn Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Panic, Choke and Learn - Essay Example Evaluators are likely to dismiss or assign scores based on their liking. Third, the success rate of the test is extremely low which raises eye-brows. If only 20% are likely to pass the test then it seems like its serving a totally different purpose other than the intended. 50% success rate would be reasoning enough if the tests were valid and reliable (Gatewood, et al., 2011). Based on the above highlighted problems reported on the selection program, a more motivating program that serves a relevant purpose should be adopted. First, the management team should devise and develop academic/mental interview questions and evaluation criteria that can assess employees on the electronic arena which is relevant to their job descriptions and not ask outrageous questions. To test for practical skills, the panel should ask the employees to perform some relevant operations using electronic equipment and replace the metal peg activity (Gatewood, et al., 2011). Also, much more transparency in the manner in which the procedure is undertaken should be enhanced such as openly printing out the results with the score criteria clearly elaborated. The union has valid arguments that can be backed up by the payment/compensation packages offered by the company. It can compare the kind of work the employees do with the remuneration. As reported, the company seeks to hire inexperienced workers so as to pay them as little as possible. Consequently, the confidentiality of the procedure is a point worth noting. The union can claim that the examinees’ results are tampered with since they are enclosed. Thirdly, the invalidity of the test questions is a strong argument to bring across as the activities asked to be performed are irrelevant with the nature of work. This is an indication that there is a hidden motive (Gatewood, et al., 2011). To ascertain that the aged worker was discriminated against, information about the eliminatory process in the program that sought to

The Neo-Realist Understanding of State Conflict Essay

The Neo-Realist Understanding of State Conflict - Essay Example The study will also take the effects of the Cold War, and making of new contracts at regional, continental and global levels, which have introduced new alliances and rivalries among the nation-states. The study is also interested in exploring the causes behind the establishment of new alliances and rivalries, and consequences of the same on the administrations and subjects of the first and third world countries. The paper will also be supported by the classical and realist approaches of international relations in order to elaborate the topic under analysis. Attributed to the contemporary era US theorist and political thinker Kenneth Waltz, neo-realism approach views the modern age of international relations at the age of the growth and development of independent states system at the international stage (Waltz, 1988, p.617). The perspective is of the opinion that after the emergence of several former Asian and African colonies as independent states during 1945-1965, nation-states have turned out to be the most effective and influential actors of international politics (Baldwin, 1993, pp.26-7). As a result, the balance of power is expected to be shifting from the imperialist states to the poor countries as well. Consequently, the recently emerged nation-states would play a vital role, according to the perspective, in respect of the formation of political policies and strategic schemes by keeping in view the interests of the downtrodden masses belonging to the third world countries. In addition, these nation-states will also embark upon the arduous task of maintaining peace and condemning violence had been being practiced by the powerful states since perhaps the known history of the world at large. It is, therefore, neorealist perspective appeared in order to replace the age-old Realism theory, in the light of which there would be conducted researches in respect of international relationships, and nature and scope of state conflicts from various international plat forms (Powell, 1994, p.318). The claim has partly been articulated by keeping in view the distress, destruction, and damages the previously-subjugated nation had undergone from the eighteenth century onward at the hands of western imperialism (Ihuegbu, 2002, p.22). Since the subjects belonging to these colonised countries have witnessed cruel suppressions and oppressions unjustly inflicted by the foreign invaders upon them, these former colonies of European states must contain the natural tendencies in respect of condemning and protesting of atrocities on the weak nations by the strong and powerful nations at large, which is sure lead to lead the world Fascism, by challenging the Marxist doctrine of equality and democracy (Reich, 1980, pp. 6-7). As a result, the presence of these oppressed nations as the member of international forums and platforms including the United Nations, NATO, NAM and several others, the world would never witness the incidences of exploitations of weak and po or nations by the big powers of the globe. However, the time has turned down the notion supporting the rise of nation-states as completely sovereign and independent ones in such a way that they could be in a position of making policies regarding their internal problems and external affairs without undergoing any pressure or threat from the external powers. Nevertheless, the idea of being set free from the cruel clutches of former masters appears to be just a wild goose chase for the third world.

Olympics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Olympics - Essay Example It has been seen that the countries compete with each other in order to win the chance of hosting the Olympics and in this way as has been seen the countries or the cities who win the chance to host the Olympics are the ones who show off their potential to host the event as well as their true hospitality to the audience who attend the event. These are viewed by billions and this is the one that creates opportunities for the business entities. Thereby the products are the ones that reach billions of people in a matter of minutes and it has been linked with the higher sales within the time period of Olympics (Masteralexis 22). In this case it has been seen that the main disadvantage that has been noticed that the products marketing during the Olympics are not long lived and they are not found to be too effective and thereby it can be said that the advertisements in the Olympics may gain a lot of votes but they are not found to be cost effective. ... Technology can be the way by which the businesses can be run in a smooth manner. There are technologies that can be applied and used in various modes within the businesses as the supply chain management, logistics management which can be done with the help of the latest software that can keep track of the best available suppliers as well as the constant communiqu with these suppliers is made sure. Logistics and the supply chain management are the key parts of a business that can ensure success only if it is managed in a proper manner. In addition this, the technologies can be applied in marketing the products in a best possible manner (Shilbury 22). Innovation is the one main fact that has been realized to be of utmost importance in the market and this is the principle that has been helping the businesses in attaining the greater number of sales and the sales volume in the local as well as the international market. Changes and the innovations can be helpful in defining newer strategies for the product manufacturing as well as the marketing. The pains that are being faced by the businesses being run without any changes is the discarding of the unpopular and stagnant products being produced. Innovations in the products can, initially prove to be costly, but in the long run, these are the innovations that can be providing the success that is needed by the business (Jana 2). Conclusion Olympics are an event in which nations are the ones that compete in a vigorous manner to get a place in the competition. Billions of people are the audience to this events and this is an audience which is reached by the business entities in order to market their product. Works cited Jana, Reena., Balfour, Frederik.,

Food Insecurity Projects Conducted by the Following Organizations Research Paper - 1

Food Insecurity Projects Conducted by the Following Organizations - Research Paper Example FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) is one of the major alliances of United Nations which fundamentally works in the areas of forestry, fishery practices and food or agriculture activities. Under the mission of food safety development FAO have deployed couple of international projects to bring the highest values in food and nutrition for the people of different cultures and communities. FAO has established a Global Information Early Warning System (GIEWS) which take actions in food security situations prevailing in Qatar, Libya, Kuwait, and Morocco etc. The organization has established integrated pest management systems, which prevent pest diseases to come to rural food districts. In 1990s FAO trained Asian farmers to apply advanced pest control methods for the prevention of pest contagion, which eventually saved a lot of food sectors which were exposed to food diseases at that time (FAO). In the origin of G8 summit where world top leaders enjoined to combat food insecurity, GAFSP (Global Agriculture and Food Security Program) came out as a solution for those regions of the world which are in the bad shape of food and agriculture. GAFSP is a global financial mechanism which is to structure and manage Global agriculture and food. It is an international fund raising mechanism which is active to resolve Global food chain problems. The problems of food supply and demand, problems of nutritional insecurities and problems of health and food safety are all important considerations of GAFSP (FAO). Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) is an idea of maximized growth improvised by the Denmark Government which is in direct mission to combat international food insecurities. It is a concept that has brought different countries to align at one major cause and that is to secure water for the coming generations, and for the future Planet Earth’s

Museum Visit Art Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Museum Visit Art Study - Essay Example His last beneficiary (his daughter) died in 1926 at the age of 42 prompting formation of trust for the purchase of art. By the side about the same time a different benefactor, Mary Atkins McAfee left her vast estate to the city to erect a building to be used and maintained as a fine arts museum. Trustees, three presidents of state university from Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri were initially in charge. It's particularly noted for Asian art, counting Ming dynasty furniture and Tang dynasty bowls; a 22-acre outdoor statuette garden with the leading United States collection of Henry Moore bronzes; the biggest public collection of Missouri native Thomas Benton Hart works; and one of the nation’s largest collections of America photography (Poore, 2010). It also has paintings of European origin, from baroque and Romanesque to Impressionist, together with more modern works from pop to expressionism art. The museum includes also works by Caravaggio (his St. John the Baptist at the Wild erness is a treasure in the museum), Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, Andy Warhol Monet, van Gogh, Willem de Kooning, Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, and Picasso. The Rozelle Court Restaurant, put in the 15th-century courtyard style, has comprehensive dinner hours on Friday (Poore, 2010). This museum accommodates art treasures from all periods of time and art styles. At the outset, it was decided that few limits, quality excluded, would not bound the extent of the museum.   Their much familiar and popular art includes Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Olive Orchard’ which seemed to me very much interesting. Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Olive Orchard’ During the latest six 1889 months, Vincent Van Gogh did a minimum of fifteen olive trees paintings, a subject he saw both compelling and demanding. He wrote a letter to Theo, his brother, saying that he was besieged to the olive trees painting. In the letter he claimed that they were â€Å"old silver, occasionally with a more blue, sometimes bronzed, greenish, a fading white above the soil which is pink, yellow, violet tinted orange†¦.very complicated†, (Sparknotes, 2013) in his attempt to present form, in the painting van Gogh knew that color and unity in his work had intrinsic expressive powers besides its descriptive use. In one of the Olive Orchard oil painting reproduction, â€Å"Olive Trees with a Yellow Sky and Sun†, I discovered that the crunch of the olive grove had somewhat very furtive in it, and incalculably old. It is too beautiful for to be talented to imagine it or us to dare paint it. In the ‘olive orchard’, in the animated power of their gnarled and ancient forms, Van Gogh found a portrayal of the devout force he believed exist in all nature, bring about symbolism in his work (Leahy, 2013). His brushstrokes made the soil and the sky seem lively with the same rustling activity as the leaves, enthused to a shimmer of the Mediterranean wind. The use of opposin g, and diversifying elements add interest and variety in the painting. These sturdy individual dashes do not appear painted as much as drawn on the canvas with a deeply loaded brush. The

The Role of the Ghost in Hamlet Essay Example for Free

The Role of the Ghost in Hamlet Essay The ghost is a symbol of instability in Denmark and it is the omen which signifies to Denmark that something is wrong. In Shakespeares play, to Hamlet, the ghost is a symbol of his father whom he has great admiration for, as he numerously refers to his father as a Greek God: Hyperion, and constantly measures the discrepancy between his father and Claudius: Hyperion to Satyr. The greatest juxtaposition of the two opposites serves to emphasis the salient differences between the two characters. * The ghost, who is a very image of Hamlet Senior: a figure like your father is able to take advantage of As a result of Hamlets admiration for his father. It is the ghost who encourages Hamlet to murder Claudius in order to avenge his fathers death: Revenge this foul and most unnatural murder! The pejorative words used to illustrate the ghosts opinion of murder highlight his disapproval of the murder. He dramatizes the moment, saying 0 list, list, 0 list1If thou didst ever thy dear father love. Shakespeare uses various literary elements to add-emFive power to the role of the ghost; for example, the ghost criticizes the murder, referring to ~tas most foul, strahge and unnatural. The groups of three M e r fuel Hamlet to murder the king. Ironically despite of his apparent disapproval of murder, he wants Hamlet to commit the same task. This may cause the audience to question the motives of the ghost, which seem hypocritical. The ghost continues with a battering of mixed messages when he condemns to Queen for her sexual depravity: thy most seeming-virtuous queen loved prey on garbage. However following this, he tells Hamlet to not think badly of his mother, as Heaven will deal with her actions: Taint not thy mind nor let thy soul contrive / Against thy mother aught, leave her to heaven / And to those thorns that her bosom lodge / To prick and sting her. The violent imagery he uses only further heightens Hamlets disgust at his mothers actions. The metaphor of thorns in her bosom is an antithesis because the bosom and rose are symbols of femininity, but the prick and sting2epict the idea of pain (as well as phallic references); and since Hamlet is so influenced by his father (in the fonn of a ghost), his hatred for his mother increases. These conflicting ideas haunt Hamlet later in the play, when he is confused to how he should treat his mother: I will speak daggers to her but use none. His ambivalence between acting violently but not actually using that violence is shownwhen Hamlets procrastinates in killing Claudius. Though he mentions that his thoughts are bloody he never manages to translate these thoughts into action, partly due to the contradicting views the ghost has planted in him. Overall, the role of the ghost is to encourage Hamlets obsessive thoughts about his mothers marriage to his uncle, as well as to foreshadow fateful events to follow.

Relationship Between Politics and Sport

Relationship Between Politics and Sport Throughout history, sporting events have always reflected the political and social events that have surrounded them. Canada is not an exception to this fact. Political events such as the civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement, and various sporting events such as the Olympics have had a large influence on the world of sports. During the civil rights movement, many African athletes began to participate in sports to help transcend racial barriers. Willie O’Ree, the first black player to ever play in the NHL, was one of the figures that could be compared to Martin Luther King Jr. Willie O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins and his career was reflective of the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, â€Å" †¦one night in Chicago, ORee was butt-ended in the mouth by a Blackhawks player, who, as ORee was picking up his teeth from the ice, stood over him uttering a racist remark† (Burnett, 2007). O’Ree took this kind of abuse for his whole career, an d even though he was the first black player to play in the NHL, it took 30 years for the league to invite him to a single All-Star game (Burnett, 2007). The hate he received was immense, and his calm and quiet demeanor allowed him to ignore the derogatory terms was being called and continued to help contribute to the movement. As the movement began to prove successful in the 1960s, black athletes began to flourish as well. Fergus Arthur Jenkins, an African Canadian athlete who played in the MLB throughout the duration of the movement, was the epitome of the effects the movement had on the world. He is one of the greatest pitchers of all time, and one the less known figures during the time period (Fergie Jenkins Foundation). The main reason why I say he is a representative figure of the movement is because his career began right after the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Because of the dates of each event are so close, it can be assumed that Jenkins’ career and the bill symbolized a turning point in history in which people of African descent would begin to be treated as human beings. In addition to Ferguson Jenkins, Harry Jerome was another African Canadian athlete that stood out in his field and was also a symbol of the struggle black people had to go through before receiving proper treatmen t from others. Harry Jerome was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1940 (Barris, 2008). He participated in numerous races throughout his career and set records in the 100m dash and a variety of other events (Barris, 2008). In 1964, he â€Å"participated in the Tokyo Olympics and won a bronze medal in the 100m – dash† (Barris, 2008). This event was very significant as it represented the recent successes of the civil rights movement and his scar symbolized all the hardship that black people had faced as they pursued their dreams to be seen and treated fairly. The civil rights movement produced many athletes of African descent and they in turn represented the world – wide movement. Some of these athletes – Ferguson Jenkins, Willie O’Ree, and Harry Jerome – symbolized the movement and were leaders in their own way. During the women’s rights movement, many of the participants challenged the views of society and changed the world for the better through politics and sports. The Edmonton Grads were a dominant women’s baske tball team and served as a symbol of the progress women have made throughout the movement. â€Å"Beginning as a high-school team, the Grads ruled womensbasketballfrom 1915 to 1940, winning 93% of their games and 49 out of a possible 51 domestic titles† (Macdonald, 2006). The dominance the team had over the sport was relatable to the expansion of women into other fields. For example, as the Grads began to win, women began working and factories and drifting away from the stay-at-home wife stereotype that had held them down for so long. The Grads were also quite relatable to the Famous Five. Since they were playing a sport that was considered to be masculine and trying to challenge that view, the Famous Five were challenging the law that prohibited women from working. After the Dominions Election Act was passed in 1920, women gained the right to vote in federal elections (Massicotte). After this event many women athletes began to truly shine and stand out in their sport. One of the many woman athletes that produced incredible results was Lela Brooks. Brooks won multiple championships in speed skating (Ferguson, 2008). Although she had such a long career, she began to find success in 1923, which was just three years after the passing of the Dominions Election Act. Another successful athlete that flourished after the bill was Ethel Catherwood. She was a member of the 1928 Olympic team and won a gold metal (Barris, 2008). Although, if there was an individual that embodied the women’s rights movement, Fanny Rosenfeld would be that person. Rosenfeld is the most accomplished woman athlete in Canadian history. She was the â€Å"top-ranked female sprinter in Canada, she was also ranked number one in the long jump, shot put, and discus in 1925, and won Canada’s first Olympictrack and fieldmedal (a silver) in 1928† (Marshall, 2013). Throughout the 20s, she challenged the idea that some sports should only be played by men. Many commentators would often say that â€Å"women should stick to sports such as swimming† (Marshall, 2013). To combat this stigma, Rosenfeld played other sports such as hockey and basketball (Rosenberg). To reach the point where women had equal standing with men in terms of sports, many contributions were needed. Some of those major contributions were the Edmonton Grads, the Dominions Election Act, and Fanny Rosenfeld. Without these individuals and events, life would be different for women all over the world. Many sporting events such as the 72 summit series, the 1980 boycott of the Olympics, and the 2014 winter Olympics held in Sochi were all affected by politics. In 1972, Canadian players from the NHL would face off against Russia in an eight game series office hockey (Wilson, 2004). This series mirrored political events occurring at the time as it was not just ice hockey, but a way to decide which political views were more dominant. Russia wanted to prove that communism was superior to democracy, and this opinion was shared by all players on team Russia. On the other hand, Canada believed that they would prevail and prove to Russia that a democratic government was superior. As the games unfolded, Canada won by a single game but realized the threat presented by Russia. In addition, this series was also representative of the war occurring at the time as it took place during the Cold War. These games of hockey would not only decide which country was better at developing talent, but also w hich government was far more effective. In addition, The 1980 Olympics also brought the issues created by Russia out into the forefront. In 1979, Russia invaded Afghanistan, and this did not sit well with President Carter of the United States (Bigelow, 2014). Carter issued a warning to Russia declaring that if they did not leave Afghanistan and return home, the United States would boycott the 1980 Olympics (Bigelow, 2014). Instead of returning, Russia decided to stay and defy the wishes of the US. Because of this, not only did the United States proceed to boycott the event, but so did Canada and a multitude of other countries (Hill, 1999). Later in 1984, Russia decided to boycott the Olympics in Los Angeles (Hill, 1999). The actions taken by both countries were heavily influenced by the Cold War that was occurring at the time. In recent years, the Sochi Winter Olympics were reflective of the views of society and Russia’s out-of-date thinking. In the last decade, society has b ecome more accepting of individuals who do not follow the norm. For example, there have been states in America that have been allowing homosexuals to get married. In Russia, a law recently passed that â€Å"prohibits individuals from promoting homosexuality to minors† (Domi, 2013). This law caused a major uproar in America, and many people wanted a boycott. This desire led to various protests across the United States (Domi, 2013). This outrage also affected athletes as they all insulted the service provided by Russia while they were competing to help support the cause. Many of them took pictures of the dirty conditions they were living in and posted them on the internet, such as dysfunctional toilets. Over the last century, there have been many national sporting events that have influenced and reflected their political surroundings. History and sports go hand-in-hand. Political events such as the Women’s Rights and Civil Rights Movement have all had an effect on Canadi an competition. Even during events such as the Olympics, politics still manage to affect competition. This will continue to be true for the next few years, and the next century. Works Cited Barris, T. (2008, February 18).Ethel catherwood- the canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ethel-catherwood/ Barris, T. (2008, March 24).Harry jerome the canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/harry-jerome/ Bigelow, W. (2014, February 17).The failed u.s. boycott of the 1980 moscow summer olympics. Retrieved from http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-failed-u-s-boycott-of-the-1980-moscow-summer-olympics/5369121 Burnett, T. (2007, December 14).Willie ORee: The first black NHL player. Retrieved from http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2007/12/07/4713520-sun.html Domi, T. (2013, December 18).Obama rightly joins political boycott of winter olympics. Retrieved from http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/12/russia-gay-rightslgbtsochiwinterolympics.html Fergie Jenkins Foundation. (n.d.).Fergie jenkins biography. Retrieved from http://www.fergiejenkins.ca/site/biography Hill, C. R. (1999). The Cold War and the Olympic movement. History Today, 49(1), 19. Macdonald, C. (2006, February 07).Edmonton grads the canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-grads/ Marshall, T. (2013, October 16).The history of canadian women in sport. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-history-of-canadian-women-in-sport/ Massicotte, L. (n.d.).The evolution of the duties to be fulfilled by poll staff with regards to registration and voting on polling day and advance polling days, 1920 to 2012. Retrieved from http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=resdir=cons/comp/evoldocument=introlang=e Rosenberg, D. (n.d.).Fanny bobbie rosenfeld. Retrieved from http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/rosenfeld-fanny Wilson, J. J. (2004). 27 remarkable days: the 1972 summit series of ice hockey between Canada and the Soviet Union. Totalitarian Movements Political Regions, 5(2), 271 280