Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 8

Project Management - Essay Example Some of the cost are administrative, utility bills, etc. this cost are involved in the budget preparation using an agreed rate stating that indirect cost not to exceed a given percentage of the total cost, most project use 15 percent. No, because other costs e.g. taxes and interests that were not involved in execution of the project either directly or indirectly were deducted from the revenue after selling the project. From my point of view the project seems to generate revenue over time as compared to selling it at the completion which will fetch a low price. Average cost of concrete worker per hour (ACW/H) is $ 24.83 (â€Å"Average hourly and weekly earnings of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted†, n.d.). These overhead charges are the costs that will be incur as the pouring of the reinforced concrete is executed, also referred to as indirect cost. The total estimate cost is $ 67,596. According to (Parker & Isola, 1991) overhead charges charge should not exceed 15% It is very important when a construction project or any other project is being implemented the overhead cost ought to be considered and caution to be taken, so as to prevent budget from being in crisis. Steel is one of the vital components required in reinforcing concrete. When the price of steel increases this has a negative impact to the budget of the project. This normally happens due to inflation or other factors that affect prices in the market. An increase in price will force the project manager to reduce the fund allocated to other activities or to source other funds to overcome the deficit. In budget preparation it is advisable that a 20 percent excess of the actual estimate should be added so as to take care of scenario like this one(Parker & Isola, 1991). Whenever hurricanes occur they cause destruction or

Different types of business information Essay Example for Free

Different types of business information Essay Verbal Communication Speaking verbal to someone is speaking out loud. This includes talking face to face, in a meeting or in an interview. The advantages of verbal communication are it is a fast way to reach information but this information can be easily forgotten. Another advantage is that speech is direct and straight to the point. Another advantage is that if you ask a question you get answer straight away no need to wait around. However they are some disadvantages if you are talking to someone it may not be legal to talk to about specific topics. Another disadvantage is they are no proof to say you have spoke to that person. Also if you are speaking to someone who does not speak English it is going to take time and money to get a translator. Also another disadvantage is not everyone is listening. Face to Face Speaking face to face is a good way to communicate because you are they talking to them and you can ask those questions and get a reply straight away, also if you didn’t understand something you could just ask them to repeat themselves. However they are some disadvantages, if the person you’re talking to speaks a different language, words can be misunderstood. Phone Call Making a phone call to someone has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of a phone call is you can tell someone information quick and easy and you would get an answer straight away. Another advantage is that you can get straight to the point and you can make a phone call anywhere. The disadvantages of making a phone call is your words could be misunderstood and your line could break up. Non-Verbal Communication Digital Email Email is very quick and a very easy way of getting in touch with other people. Once you send an email its sends instantly, so they will receive it a lot faster than if you would have sent it by a letter in the post. There are some disadvantages you need a secure internet link to send emails, also you have to type the correct email address in these complications mean many people prefer to make phone calls instead of emails. Non Digital Written Communication This is an old fashion way of communicating with other people, the advantages there is none we have faster and better technology to communicate. The disadvantages are is slow, the postal service takes up to 3 days just to deliver the letter that’s if it even gets to the address because nowadays post can get lost in the system.

Hemingway’s The Green Hills of Africa CRH Essays -- Green Hills of Af

Hemingway’s The Green Hills of Africa CRH The Green Hills of Africa is Hemingway’s second non-fiction work, set in 1933, following the author and his second wife, Pauline, on a big-game safari in Africa. It was first serialized and then published in 1935. The first run was of 10,500 copies selling at $2.75 a piece. While many smaller critics passed their typical glossy review of Hemingway, those at the height of literary criticism bombarded it. Particularly with respect to what Hemingway claimed the novel was. In the foreword of the novel, Ernest Hemingway writes, â€Å"The writer has attempted to write an absolutely true book to see whether the shape of a country and the pattern of a month’s action can, if truly presented, compete with a work of the imagination.†1 Fittingly the critical response to Hemingway’s second non-fiction work examined the novel in that respect, as well as in its achievement as a free-standing novel. The initial responses to the Green Hills of Africa fall into three categories: poor, indifferent, and promising. Starting with the poor reviews, always Hemingway’s favorites, John Chamberlain of the New York Times calls the novel â€Å"simply an overextended book about hunting†, not the â€Å"profound philosophical experience† that the foreword proposes it is. Further, it is â€Å"not one of Hemingway’s major works.†2 Newsweek says, â€Å"He said he wanted to write a novel and earn enough money to go back to Africa to "learn more about lions" and that is all he did.†3 Perhaps the most biting criticism comes from Edmund Wilson: As soon as Hemingway begins speaking in the first person, he seems to lose his bearings, not merely as a critic of life, but even as a craftsman.... Almost the only thing we learn abou... ...al format. 5. http://www.hemingwaysociety.org/virthem.htm This site provides many useful links to all aspects of Hemingway, including his writing, criticism, and other useful links. 1 Foreword, Ernest Hemingway, Green Hills of Africa 2 http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/07/04/specials/hemingway-green2.html 3 Africa: Book Hemingway Wrote So He Could Rejoin the Lions Newsweek, 6, October 26, 1935, 39-40 4 http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/flashbks/hemingway.htm 5 pg. 157, Ernest Hemingway: The Critical Reception, Burt Franklin and Co. 1977 6 pp22, 50, The Literary Reputation of Hemingway in Europe, Leteres Modernes, 1965 7 pg. 157, Ernest Hemingway: The Critical Reception, Burt Franklin and Co. 1977 8 pg. 154, Ernest Hemingway: The Critical Reception, Burt Franklin and Co. 1977 9 152, Ernest Hemingway: The Critical Reception, Burt Franklin and Co. 1977

Detailed Overview of HIV Essay -- Biology AIDS

Since the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic 15 years ago, the virus has infected more than 47 million people in the world. With more than 2.2 million deaths in 1998, HIV/AIDS has now become the fourth leading cause of mortality and its impact is going to increase. Over 95% of all cases and 95% of AIDS deaths occur in the developing world, mostly among young adults and increasingly in women. HIV can be prevented in many ways, but they are not always followed. People die when they don't play it safe. That's why we have to spread the word on prevention. There are three main ways that HIV can be spread: 1. sexual intercourse 2. intravenous drugs 3. blood transfusions (which are very rare now because all blood is tested) HIV is spreading like wild fire among adolescents because they don't believe it can happen to them. Sixty-one percent of 14-21 year olds are engaged in sexual intercourse. The problem we have to deal with is the spreading of this disease among our generation. Scientists are trying to develop a cure for the AIDS virus. There are three parts to finding the cure. The three parts are: 1. To devise a drug that will kill the HIV virus once it enters the body. 2. To create a vaccine that would prevent the disease. 3. To educate people world wide about the dangers of AIDS and how to prevent the HIV infection. In humans, the immune system acts as a line of defense against foreign organisms in the body. Though the immune system functions throughout the body, its production centers from certain key organs in the body. Various specialized cells are produced by these organs and comprise the immune system. For example: * Lymphocytes o B Cells o T Cells * Macropha... ...CR5. The CCR5 demonstrated fusion for all of the macrophages-tropic isolates but hardly at all for the T-tropic isolates, further supporting previous conclusions on the role of CCR5. Finally the researchers took a northern blot of CCR5 to analysis its RNA. CCR5 RNA was not found in the human cell lines that were tested. The human cell lines were chosen with the criteria that they were not susceptible to M-tropic isolates. Their test further supported the fact that Fusin was used as a receptor for T-tropic virus strains, and when the two strains were compared CCR5 and Fusin are the only fusion cofactors for HIV. Understanding these coreceptors is very important in slowing down the progression of the HIV virus. The HIV virus is irreversible and can only be slowed down. If they can learn more about how the virus enters cells they might be able to deter the virus.

Great Northern American Case Study Essay

The textbook defines perception as the process by which the individual selects, organizes, interprets, and responds to information. The Oxford dictionary defines perception as the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses; the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted. Your perception is your reality, therefore statements such as, â€Å"the customer is always right,† hold true to a certain extent. What people perceive is what they believe, based on what they see, hear, and think. Perception affects decision making and the choices people make. This is why it is imperative not only for the salespeople of Great Northern American to understand how people form perceptions, but this is important for any person looking to build business relationships and loyal customers. Customer satisfaction is crucial to create business relationships and repeat customers. To be successful, salespeople must quickly identify opportunities and predict t he changing needs and wants of customers. â€Å"Recent advances in customer equity research have rekindled the importance of understanding how customers form perceptions of satisfaction and quality (Blattberg and Deighton, 1996).† It is also essential for Joe Salatino’s sales force to understand that the drivers of customer satisfaction may shift over time. Things happen gradually and people’s perception may change. Why do consumers choose certain products to purchase over others? According to Don Shapiro, President and Founder of First Concepts Consultants, Inc, â€Å"People say yes because they see a high perceived value in what is offered for sale.† If perceptions of value are high, the more likely the sale will be made. â€Å"Closing the sale is primarily about raising the customers’ perceptions of value as high as possible (Shapiro, 2012).† This is where things like subscribing to prospects’ local newspapers and researching things they value come into play. â€Å"The ave rage experienced and trained sales person does not go far enough in developing these things with their prospects. They do enough to be a good producer but  lose sales they could have closed had they just done a bit more. They simply do not fully understand what is going on inside their prospects’ minds, everything that might affect the prospects’ decisions and what would increase the prospects’ perceptions of value the most (Shapiro, 2012).† Some statistics say the top ten percent of salespeople comprehend what goes on inside a perspective client’s mind, their understanding of how people form perceptions gives them a competitive advantage. Attribution is the method in which people use information to make conclusions about the causes of behavior or events. The ability to determine how people make attributions is a tremendous positive for the salespeople of Great Northern American. This element gives them an opportunity to take the information in order to convince perspective clients to make the purchase. The 30-person sales force of the Great Northern American Telemarketing Company works on commission and bonuses, therefore I believe the expectancy theory would be most appropriate for Joe Salatino to apply. â€Å"In the inquiry of behavioral issues related to sales force compensation, expectancy theory has enjoyed substantial popularity. The expectancy theory suggests that both the desirability of the reward or compensation (referred to as valance) and an individual’s estimate of the likelihood of attaining that reward (referred to as expectancy) are important determinants of a salesperson’s behavior. In the context of sales compensation issues, expectancy theory suggests that any method of compensation should (1) tie reward to performance, and (2) strengthen the salesperson’s perceived connection between performance and the reward received (Chowdhury and Massad, 1997).† Motivational strategies are necessary for the expectancy theory, â€Å"motivation and performance are positively correlated. An increase in the level of motivation should correspond to an increase in the amount of effort expended in selling tasks, which in turn should improve performance (Chowdhury and Massad, 1997).† According to the case study, the Great Northern American salesroom features all kinds of motivational devices such as rotating blues lights along with noise and a fast pace, all which create a perfect environment for the expectancy theory. Executing the expectancy theory can prove to be a challenging, yet purposeful task that goes beyond an annual review. Six implementations Joe Salatino could use to apply the expectancy theory include: 1) to make expectations clear, 2) provide continuous feedback, 3)  use corrective actions privately, 4) believe in your employees, 5) use praise tactics publicly, and 6) make rewards achievable. According to David Burkus, the editor of LDRLB, employees without goals will be naturally aimless. Joe Salatino should provide his sales team with clear achiev able goals and make sure there are measurable standards in place to evaluate their performance. Giving immediate, continuous feedback allows an employee to know that their actions affect not just them, but the company as well. Joe should keep in mind that employees are motivated by setting goals and by receiving continuous feedback on where they stand relative to those goals. Recent research shows how rewarding it can be when employees are aware they are making progress. Most people are discouraged by negative feedback, especially if they feel it’s embarrassing. Therefore, the most adequate place to discuss an ongoing, performance-related issue or correcting a recent, specific error is in an office, with the door closed. Joe should also believe in his employees; the perception of a leaders’ trust is the key factor of revolutionary leadership. Make announcements of praise publicly, make everyone aware when an employee has made a particularly outstanding presentation, sale, or any other notable achievement. Even though competition at Great Northern American is stiff for the sales force due to the internet users, it is still important to make bonuses and rewards achievable. Vary the basis for the awards, for example, top sales might be one category, but other categories can include top research or most diligent. Distinguish that numerous types of merits can motivate your employees to focus on additional areas of their performance. Other ways Mr. Salatino can help improve employees’ performance is by helping employees to experience the mastery of their work and then add challenges as their mastery starts to unfold. Leverage social persuasion by igniting faith in employees while simultaneously arranging situations for their success. Highlight realistic models of engagement. Help employees develop endurance while reducing anxiety and depression so they know they can do what is necessary to produce a certain outcome. Self-efficacy refers to people’s belief in their ability to muster up what is necessary to exercise control over life’s challenges. â€Å"People with stronger self-efficacious beliefs tend to set higher personal goals and remain committed to those goals in the face of adversity. They also view challenges as tasks to be mastered  and recover quickly from setbacks. Self-efficacy is particularly relevant to success in sales where adversities such as rejection, stress, and competition are unavoidable aspects of the profession. When salespeople hold strong self efficacious beliefs, they are better able to adjust to adversity and more likely to remain committed to assisting customers, making sales, and meeting quotas. In contrast, for salespeople who lack confidence in their professional abilities, these adversities increase their sense of helplessness and decrease their commitment toward goal achievement, often leading to withdrawal from clients, the organization, or the profession (Lewin and Sager, 2010).† Joe Salatino can leverage an understanding of the value of self-efficacy to ensure he hires the most successful salespeople in a number of different ways. He needs to be sure not to confuse self-esteem, which is having a good view of yourself with self-efficacy, which is belief about your ability and capacity to accomplish a task or to deal with the challenges of life. By keeping these two things distinct, Joe can choose better qualified candidates for Great Northern American. There is a major variation in the degree to which salespeople perceive job conditions as stressful. Research has shown there are huge differences in the way individual salespeople respond to job stressors and view workloads. Self-efficacy is one of the determining factors. You can give identical sales situations to two people and it will be viewed very differently depending on the level of self-efficacy. A salesperson with low self-efficacy may find the assignment intolerable and extremely stressful, whereas an individual with high self-efficacy may perceive it as practical and not stressful at all. Concluding that low self-efficacy can make people believe that tasks are harder than they actually are; and may view job expectations as contrasting and confusing. Individuals with higher levels of self-efficacy are more capable of dealing with higher job demands and possess the ability to view difficult situations as a challenge rather than seeing them as a threat. Social cognitive theory suggests that individuals form beliefs about what they can and cannot do. Those beliefs are used to set individual goals, to predict consequences of behaviors, and to initiate actions required for goal achievement. Self-efficacy is the central mechanism of self-regulation. People’s beliefs in their efficacy influence the choices they make, their aspirations, how much effort they mobilize in a  given endeavor, how long they persevere in the face of difficulties and setbacks, whether their thought patterns are self-hindering or self-aiding, the amount of stress they experience in coping with taxing environmental demands, and their vulnerability to depression. Sales research views self-efficacy as a critical variable that can influence salespeople’s perceptions and responses to challenges and negative situations on the job. People with higher self-efficacy believe in their ability to handle their work well and are more likely to become successful in their careers. Self-efficacy enhances employees’ willingness to exert effort and master a challenge and thus, plays an important role in increasing work effectiveness, job satisfaction, and productivity. Because salespeople are monitored on their individual performance, experience high rates of rejection, and practice more autonomy, it is imperative for Mr. Salatino to select highly self-efficacious individuals. In addition to searching for individuals with excellent communication skills, those that possess an upbeat attitude and are highly self-motivated, it would be to Great Northern American’s advantage for Joe to search for individuals who also possess conscientiousness and extraversion. Having the knowledge that self-efficacy is derived from mastery experiences, social persuasion, and stress resilience will also aid in selecting the most successful salespeople to help build an even more successful company now and in the years to come. References Chowdhury, J., & Massad, V.J. (1997). An eclectic paradigm of salesperson compensation: toward a comprehensive framework of the determinants of sales compensation modes. Journal of Marketing Management (10711988), 7(1), 61-80. Learning Theories Knowledgebase (2012, November). Attribution Theory (Weiner) at Learning-Theories.com. Retrieved November 1st, 2012 from http://www.learning-theories.com/weiners-attribution-theory.html Lewin, J. E., & Sager, J. K. (2010). The Influence of Personal Characteristics and Coping Strategies on Salespersons’ Turnover Intentions. Journal Of Personal Selling & Sales Management, 30(4), 355-370. Shapiro, D. Why people buy: conclusions from 30 years studying prospects and salespeople. July 30, 2012. Retrieved on November 1, 2012 from http://www.marketingexecutives.biz/why-people-buy-conclusions-30-years-studying-prospects-and-salespeople

Women respected in Afghanistan essays

Women respected in Afghanistan essays WOMEN NEED TO BE RESPECTED IN AFGHANISTAN! Many women in Afghanistan are treated badly, and they dont have many rights. After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, respect for women went downhill from there. They are treated like dirt and not respected, not the way they should be. Many girls dont go to primary school. Primary school is Elementary school; three percent of girls go to primary school, compared to the 39 percent of boys that go to primary school. (Greenwood 12) The average fertility rate in Afghanistan is 6.9 children per each childbearing woman, this is abnormally high for a country, and the US is much lower than that. It isnt per every family; it is per every woman, which means that out of 100 women there are probably around 650 children. Seven out of eight women have no access to getting contraception, meaning that they have no control over there fertility. There are many disorders in Afghanistan for women, but one of the major one is gynecological, which means that many women cannot have babies because t hey have some type of disease or problem, that messed up their fertility, that might have been prevented. Before the Civil war in Afghanistan many women had jobs, and some were even respected. (Facts) Once the civil war started the workplace became very hazardous for the women to work so they were not aloud to keep their job. Although some of them did keep their jobs. After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, women were banned from having jobs. Which meant that the women relied on the men to make money and pay for their children. Women were not allowed to participate in political activities. So a committee of 2020 women participated in Loys Jirga, it was a protest for women that the council organized. In 1964 and Afghani constitution was written which granted women franchise. In September 1996, the way the women were living in Afghanistan came to a halt, since the Taliban Militia t...

The Kite Runner Essay When Guilt Leads to Good Essay Example

The Kite Runner Essay When Guilt Leads to Good Essay Example The Kite Runner Essay When Guilt Leads to Good Essay The Kite Runner Essay When Guilt Leads to Good Essay alone with his thoughts, he begins to feel that guilt is taking over his life. He realizes he is go nag to get away with his sin, yet feels no relief. He desperately needs to be punished, so he an d Hosannas can remain friends. But Hosannas will not give him this punishment, so Emir decides that he must forget his sins. He believes that he can only do this by avoiding Hosannas. L ma e sure our paths crossed as little as possible, planned my day that way. Because when h e was around, the oxygen seeped out of the room (Hussein 77). In his desperation to forget , to be rid of the guilt that he felt around Hosannas, he commits another sin. He frames Hosannas f or stealing. Took a couple of the envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and my watch, an d tiptoed out L lifted Hessians mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghans bills under it L knocked on Abss door and told what hoped would be the last in a long line of shameful lies (Hussein 91). All and Hosannas decide to leave, and Emir finally believes he can move on. However, the burden of remorse does not get lighter. Emir, still haunted by guilt, continues his journey towards atonement in his adult years. Baa and Emir moved to America due to the war in Afghanistan and Emir saw this as a way to forget Hosannas and move on with his life. For me, America was a place to b our my memories. (Hussein 112) Yet long after the last time he sees Hosannas, the me notion Of his name still gives Emir a rush of emotion. A pair of steel hands closed around my windpipe at the sound of Hessians name. I rolled down the window. Waited for the steel h ands to loosen their grip. (Hussein 1 1 6) The simple thought of Hosannas brings back all the GUI It and memories of his wrong doings. Those thorny old barbs of guilt bore into me once more, as if speaking his name had broken a spell, set them free to torment me anew (H session 212). Emir continues with his new life, but his underlying guilt illustrates the first SST pep Of his atonement. The second step to atonement is redemption, which Emir demonstrates as a young boy in Kabul and a man in America. Although Emir never asks for forgiveness he Trier to earn it. Id try to make up for it by giving him one of my old shirts or a broken toy. Wool d tell myself that was amends enough for a harmless prank (Hussein 31). He shows that he AC knowledge that his treatment of Hosannas is wrong. He also displays repentance many time s after Hosannas is raped. He wishes that someone would find out what he has done so he woo old no longer have to live with his lies. l watched Hosannas get raped, said to no one A par t of me was hoping someone would wake up and hear, so wouldnt have to live with this I ii anymore Understood the nature of my new curse: was going to get away with it (Hose seine 75). Deep down, Emir does not want to get away with what he has done. He seeks punish hymen for his sins from Hosannas, in hopes that things will return to how they used to be. Hi lee out with Hosannas, Emir tries to provoke him into throwing pomegranates at him. Hit m e back! I spat L wished he would. Wish ed hed give me the punishment I craved, so maybe l d finally sleep at night. Maybe then things could return to how they used to be between us (Hussein 81). Emir wants to make things right but does not truly attempt to do so. This rep entrance continues as Emir ages. Along with showing repentance as a child, Emir continues to work towards a atonement by showing repentance in adulthood as well. When he decides to go after Sahara he knows that it is what he needs to do in order to make things right. l was afraid Id let the waters carry me away from what had to do. From Hosannas. From the past that had come calling g. And from this one last chance at redemption (Hussein 243). He decides that after finally be inning given the opportunity to put his act of mentally asking for forgiveness into action he will not leave without Sahara. Later, while in the hospital with Sahara, he asks for forgiven as again by praying for the first time in 15 years. There is a God, there has to be, and no w I will pray, I will pray that He forgive that I have neglected Him all of these years, forgive the at have betrayed, lied, and sinned with impunity only to turn to Him now In my hour o f need I will think of Him every day from this day on if He only grants me this one wish: M y hands are stained with Hessians blood; I pray God doesnt let them get stained with the blood of this boy too (Hussein 302). Emir shows repentance throughout his entire life, compel inning the second step towards atonement. Finally, Emir completes the act of atonement by getting what he deserves. When Emir learns that Sahara has been bought by a Taliban soldier he bravely sets a me eating with the soldier. The soldier, however, turns out to be Safes. Hessians rapist of many y ears earlier. Thus offering Emir further opportunity to make up for his bad choices. Emir if gets Safes, and even though he is losing the fight he realizes that he has been freed of his guilt t. Emir receives the punishment he has craved, and despite being beaten up he cannot stop h microfilms laughing. MAHATMAS SO FUNNY? Safes bellowed. Another rib snapped, this time left Lowe r. What was so funny was that, for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace. I gauged because saw that, in some hidden nook in a corner of my mind, Id even been looking forward to this. Remembered the day on the hill I had pelted Hosannas with pomegranates and tried to provoke him. Hed just stood there, doing nothing, red juice soaking through his shirt lie eke blood. Then hed taken the pomegranate from my hand, crushed it against his forehead. Are you satisfied now? Hed hissed. Do you feel better? I hadnt been happy and I hadnt felt better, not at all. But I did now. My body was broken-?just how badly I wouldnt find out until la term-?but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed (Hussein 252253). Emir and Sahara escape safely, a Emir takes him back to Appeaser. Emir believed there was a safe orphanage t here, run by Americans. But, in a twist of fate, he turns out to be wrong. Emir proves his at moment by getting what he has deserved for many years, but now has the path laid out f or him to complete the final stage. The final step to atonement is for Emir to repay Hosannas, to make up for his stakes. Emir is faced with a decision. Leave Sahara in Pakistan, to life of danger and encounter inanity, or bring him to America. Emir knows what the right choice is, brings him to America. T his decision is where Emir finally began to pay back Hosannas. He does everything in his pope r to give Hessians son the life that Hosannas himself deserved. Emir becomes the person for Sahara that Hosannas always was for him. He shows this specifically while flying kites with S Arab, by running a kite as Hosannas would have. You want me to run that kite for you u? For you, a Houston times over, I heard myself say. (Hussein 391 At this moment Aim r knows that he has finally repaid Hosannas, and he is overjoyed. l ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the Valley of Banisher on my lips. I ran. (Hussein 391). Despises tee his initial choice of running from his guilt, Emir has finally made things right. In rescuing g Sahara he repays his debt to Hosannas, and becomes the friend Hosannas would have deserve Veda, and the man his father always wanted him to be. 26 years later, Emirs atonement is p rover by his actions and the relief he feels.

Business Report of Apple and Samsung companies

Business Report of Apple and Samsung companies Executive Summary There are notable impacts of globalization on the performance of companies. Evidently, there is need for adoption of more strategic measures. These are applicable within all business operations. Marketing, organizational leadership and collaborations are important.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Business Report of Apple and Samsung companies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These factors are eminent within this report. Apple and Samsung companies face these challenges. The companies are associated with the contemporary Samsung galaxy s3 and iPhone 4s.The companies have remarkable performance and development history (Murray-Webster Williams, 2010). They also have wide range of trade networks and product portfolio. They produce electronic gadgets that have diverse functional capacities. The report analyses the macro and micro-environmental forces that influence performance of these companies. There are vital lessons drawn from the analysis of these two companies. Introduction This paper analyzes the Apple and Samsung companies. They are renowned global electronic producing corporations. In particular, Samsung Corporation manufactures TVs and mobile phones. Presently, it produces the modern Samsung galaxy s3. On the other hand, Apple Company produces the iPhone 4s. These corporations are notable global competitors. Their products are highly popular and acceptable within various global destinations. Indicatively, the two companies depict a high level of innovative technology (Palmer, 2004). This is notable from the period of their inception. The report examines various business factors influencing competition and success in these two companies. Various strategic tools of analysis are applicable in the process. These include the PESTEL and SWOT methodologies. Consequently, there is an analysis of the market strategies pertinent to each of these companies. The report also provide s important recommendations. Industry Background Electronic industry has shown tremendous growth. This is due to the increased global demand for electronic products. Particularly, this applies for the smart phones and contemporary personal computers. Evidently, the increased demand for electronic items is surpassing supply. That is, there is low supply due to the diminishing supply of raw materials.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These materials are crucial in the production of electronic items. This causes acute imbalances in supply of electronic gadgets and demand (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2011). As noted by researchers, electronic equipments play a fundamental role in transforming individuals’ lifestyle. This is because the items facilitate communication and execution of complex tasks. These require technological support. These items also enhance the d evelopment of social engagement between individuals. There is need to initiate effective communication and social engagement programmes. Programmes should be set with an aim of facilitating social integration and monetary growth. The basic aim is to enhance individuals’ welfare. Indeed, there is untapped potential in the electronic industry. This is evident from the present imbalance between supply of effective electronic gadgets and demand. Aspiring investors must consider this gap. Currently, the renowned companies that operate in this field undergo a lot of strain (Murray-Webster Williams, 2010). These include the Samsung and Apple electronic corporations. They strive to serve the global populace with requisite electronic items of great functional capacity and quality. They have adopted conventional and viable marketing techniques. These initiatives aim at ensuring that the locals acquire the essential electronic items. Such items include the Samsung galaxy s3 and iPhone 4s. These products have transformed basic global technological applications. This paper analyses the Apple and Samsung corporations. These are globally admired electronic manufacturing companies. Company Background Apple Company became operational in 1976. During this time, the core mission was to become the global â€Å"super† consumer product and be the leading distributor of electronic items. The company has immensely grown over the years since its inception in the US. Currently, it has several subsidiaries and business units. These are set to aid its product distribution to satisfy consumer needs (Apple, 2012). The company manufactures and supplies consumer electronic designs. These include computer software’s as well as the personal computers. The products are critical in improving communication and management in institutions.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Business Report of Apple and Samsung companies specifically for you for only $ 16.05 $11/page Learn More The company’s production processes follow strict guidelines. There is an evident application of conventional techniques. These facilitate the quality aspect of the products. It is imperative to note that the company has risen from a small in-house business outsourcing institution to a renowned supplier of electronic items. This was achievable through its noble and development oriented strategies. The strategies have been instrumental in its growth through several ways. For instance, they provide the relevant operating framework with performance ideals (Apple, 2012). The company enjoys a wide market share and plans to expand further to new market segments. Samsung is a high-rank global business organization that produces electronic items. It produces Samsung galaxy s3 that conform to consumer specifications. In addition, this product contributes immensely to people’s advancement. This occurs both socially and economically. The c ompany has had a record of good performance over the years. Particularly, it became the largest IT producer globally in 2009. This has facilitated its strong customer base. It has several assembly plants and sales subsidiaries that are in more than 61 countries. These provide it with a competitive advantage. The company’s growth is due to continuous implementation of transformational development plans (Samsung, 2012). Other products of Samsung are the laptops, electronic enhancers and phones. Product Overview Apple Corporation has a wide product range. These undergo processing and distribution for usage by consumers. The institution’s products are of great quality. They are suitable for use by various personalities. The products such as computer software, the iPhone 4s, as well as personal computers are presently common in the market. This explains their relevance in enhancing individuals’ communication and commercial dealings. Currently, the company has launche d new products. These are more popular and acceptable in the market (Apple, 2012). The iPhone 4s products increase the company’s merchandise portfolio. The electronics are suitable for use by individuals of diverse age groups. The products offer the company a promising business environment.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Samsung enjoys a wider market share due to its quality products. The products are relevant and appealing to consumers. Samsung enjoys a considerable level of customer loyalty within most global destinations. The company has market dominance where it supplies TVs, computers and the most recent Samsung galaxy s3. Apart from its native products, the company has rolled out new LCD systems. These also include efficient smart phones. This is due to high customer demand for high value electronic products (Samsung, 2012). Strategic Marketing Strategic marketing is a systematic product awareness creation. In this process, corporations adopt different strategies for its competitors. The objective is to enable an optimal exploitation of strengths and market opportunities (Palmer, 2004). The process assists in the identification of viable competitive undertakings. Samsung and Apple companies should integrate their strategic marketing systems to advance their performance. The strategy would boos t customer awareness and effective distribution of products. Macro-Environmental Forces Macro-environmental forces are external factors that influence organizational performance. The forces influence decision-making. They are not controllable by the institutions. These forces include political, economic, social, technological, ecological and legal (PESTEL) factors (Palmer, 2004). Principally, political activities influence the stability and formulation of trade policies. Political instability destroys business operations and cause redundancies. Economic issues revolve around monetary complications. Finance is essential in driving business operations and leveraging price tags. Poor economic standards may hinder potential business growth. Social, technological, ecological and legal factors are also significant. The continuous technological changes affect institutional growth. These companies must develop evaluation techniques for the environmental factors. Micro-Environmental Forces M icro environmental forces are institutional or internal factors. They have direct influences on the institutions. Poor planning, resource misallocation, communication and marketing strategies can affect internal operations. Other forces include inferior market segmentation and technological support. These factors may delimit institutional growth (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2011). It is the responsibility of administrators in the diverse institutional setting to formulate viable operating policies. SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis is an assessment technique that is applicable in institutions. It facilitates the identification of the operating strengths and the evident gaps that may hinder exemplary performance. The main aim of executing SWOT analysis is to strengthen the institutional strengths. It also aims to design amicable solutions to the evident gaps within operations. The two companies have major strengths that have steered them to greater heights (Palmer, 2004). Apple Corporation h as strong product brands and qualified personnel. Apart from these, it has effective distribution channels, good infrastructural set up and expansive market share. Its weaknesses and threats include possibility of new entrance, limited network and diminishing raw materials. Samsung’s operating strengths include strong brand name, diversified revenue base, and ability to customize products to the locals (Techunicorn, 2012). Additionally, other strengths include research; focus on emerging economies and booming of the use of smart phones. These opportunities and strengths present the company with lucrative prospect. Its weaknesses and threats include compliance issues, macro-economic factors and the allegations of unethical business. The analysis enables an institution to understand its current position and design viable strategies for improvement and sustainability. Market Segmentation Market segmentation is the process of dividing the market into various categories. This enab les marketers to understand the specific needs of individuals in the diverse categories. Marketers are under obligation to identify the needs of various individuals. Parameters that drive market segmentation include age group, income levels, fashion and product identity (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2011). The parameters are critical since the needs of individuals in terms of product specification vary. Products used by the youth or children may not be appealing to the elderly. Market segmentation variables include geographical, gender, social and economic. The variables also influence institutional marketing activities. These companies have well defined market segments. The companies produce products that conform to the specific needs of the customers in various segments. Both companies segment their customers by age, economic capacity, geography, fashion and gender. Target Markets These are potential individuals with specific product needs. These needs may undergo gradual satisfactio n. They are individuals with high purchasing propensity. Therefore, corporations must recognize their requirements. Marketers must identify and target lucrative segments with potential buyers. Such initiatives ensure that the institution make supplies to target areas. These areas lead to high levels of sales revenues (Techunicorn, 2012). Ideally, attaining a breakeven operating capacity requires proper market identification and distribution of items. Samsung and Apple Corporations in their pursuit for exemplary performance should develop strong market identification guidelines. Targeting Strategy Targeting strategy is the process of identifying viable markets and potential customers. The basic aim is for the company to vend its products successfully. The strategy involves segmentation of the marketplace (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2011). This transpires through the identification of suitable sections of the market where supplies can take place. It also enables the identification of t he merchandise that is dispersible in each section of market appropriately. Positioning Strategy Position strategy appertains to how the company seeks to roll out its product portfolios. The strategy enables institutions to acquire full identity and attract consumer loyalty. Market positioning is a competitive strategy that institutions use to acquire an advantage over its rivals. This is evident since it enhances products’ dominance in certain markets (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2011). This is relative to other competitive items. Various factors influence the positioning strategies of institutions. The factors include the level of product demand, financial status of the locals in the area, prospective opportunities and the need to gain dominance. The strategy is relevant in the present competitive environment. The companies should adopt its ideals to steer their growth. Recommendations Marketing is an integral element. Institutions with growth prospects should develop strong marketing policies and formulate viable product distribution networks. Apple and Samsung corporations should perform detailed evaluation of micro and macro environmental forces. They should also develop strong strategic marketing guidelines and support systems. Strategic marketing involves adoption of unique marketing plans. The companies should evaluate and perform proper market segmentation. References Apple. (2012). Introducing Apple. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/ Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D. Hoskisson, R. E. (2011). Strategic management: Competitiveness globalization. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Murray-Webster, R. Williams, G. (2010). Management of risk: Guidance for practitioners. Norwich, England: The Stationery Office. Palmer, A. (2004). Introduction to Marketing: Theory and Practice.USA, Oxford University Press. Samsung. (2012). About samsung. Retrieved from https://www.samsung.com/pk/#latest-home Techunicorn (2012). Samsung Galaxy S3 exp ected to prove more popular than predecessor. Web.

La Cienaga Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

La Cienaga - Essay Example After attending to Argentinian Film Centre which shut down during economic down fall in 1989 she volunteered in short filming; spent some time in reading Greek philosophy; and watched movies to dig her knowledge in cinematography of filming. Her masterpiece made her script La Cienage won award in 1999. To develop her production the prize was merely used as a capital. Martel's works withstand and become passion to Argentine cinema renewal. She molds every craft and shape with heart and design for artifact of sound. It is like that she's representing herself to the place of spectator and characters intentionally constructed with the touch of her experience. Thus she put characters to serve as vehicle to represent the actual crisis of Argentine emerged to revelation of desire and hope to live indifferently. Martel's works have strong relationship into her experiences. The movement of New Argentina Cinema and the prominent crisis is the astray of diverse screen-play class, its timing helps the not only Martel but the other best-known representatives bring out into the heat of enthusiasm of hallmark cinema art. Looking at the deeper notion of "La Cienaga" the characters are portrait of Argentina's catastrophe in geography and climate. As for the cast of "La Cienaga" human fate is caused by nature and the film is an exceptional autobiographical of many ways. It tells about the story of dysfunctional two related families at their devastating lives. One is on the outcry of declination at middle class family while the other is in the marginalized situation of upper class level.

Insurance Risk Securilization Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Insurance Risk Securilization - Thesis Example The insured part of the contract is to promise to pay an amount of money, known as the premium, either once or regular intervals." "Insurance is a device to share the financial losses which might befall on an individual or his family on the happening of special event" (Kaur n.d. p.4). The event can be death of a bread-winner to the family in the case of life insurance, marine-perils in marine insurance, fire in fire insurance and other certain events in general insurance, e.g, theft in burglary insurance, accident in motor insurance, etc. These events may occur any time within the insured period. The insurer has to provide a fixed amount or indemnify the amount of occurred due to the insured perils. Hence, insurers bear a great risk of paying huge amount of fund at any time if the insured peril is occurred. As large as the insured amount and the probability of happening insured peril, the Insurance Risk for insurers is large. Reinsurance is an arrangement whereby an original insurer who has insured a risk insures a part of that risk again with another insurer, that is to say, reinsures a part of the risk in order to diminish his own liability. ... The policyholder is usually not aware that reinsurance has been arranged as no mention is made of it on the policy." Advantages of Reinsurance 1. The original insurer can accept the risk to the extent of his limit. In absence of reinsurance, a person desiring a large amount of insurance will have to take a number of policies from several insurers. The reinsurance contract makes it possible to purchase only one policy from an insurer. 2. Reinsurance makes it possible to accept each risk for the very amount desired by the proposer and to transfer the excess above the 'retention limit' to another insurer. 3. The reinsurance gives the benefit of the greater stability resulting from a widespread of business. By accepting many risks and scaling down, by reinsurance, all those that are larger than the normal carrying capacity of the insurer justifies, certainly in business is substituted for uncertainty through the better application of the law of average. 4. The insurance makes stability in underwriting and consistency in underwriting results over a period. 5. It provides a safeguard against serious effects of conflagration. 6. The reinsurance has the effect of stabilizing income and losses over a period of years. Capital Market The capital markets consist of the markets in which the intermediate and long-term securities of individuals, business firms, and governmental units are issued and traded. Capital markets are frequently subdivided into three parts-the bond market, the mortgage market, and the stock market. On the other word, capital market is the market where "long-term capital is raised by industry and commerce, the government, and local authorities" (Barclays Capital-Campus Recruitment, n.d.). The Glossary of Capital Market states that

The Eighth Wonder of The World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Eighth Wonder of The World - Essay Example The architecture style of the building is Art Deco (Tauranac, 1975). In 1986 The Empire State Building entered the list of National Historical Monuments and in 2007 the building became the head of the list of the best American Architectural Solutions according to the American Architectural Institute. W&H Properties Company is the owner and the manager of the building. The Tower is situated on the Fifth Avenue, between the  33rd and 34th Street (Tauranac, 1975). As the Skyscraper is surrounded by many offices, it can’t be viewed in full from below. It is accomplished  in modest but very elegant Art Deco style. In contrast to many modern skyscrapers, the front of the tower is fulfilled in classical style. On the grey stone front, there are strips of stainless steel and the upper stores look like three projections. The hall is 30 meters in length. It is decorated with the picture representing Seven Wonders of the World with the eighth added to them – The Empire State B uilding itself. In 1964 the system of floodlights was set on the top of the towel to illuminate the top in different colors. It is interesting that the colors are chosen depending on the season of the year, holiday or event (Tauranac, 1975). In the Empire State Building there is a hall of Guinness  Records there is the information about outstanding records and record-holders. The tower was first shown in the film King Kong in 1933. After that, it was represented in many other famous films such as Love Affair and Empire. The building plays an important role in the sport life of the world because race competitions are held there annually.

Toys Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Toys - Essay Example Industrialization grew exponentially after WWII. Immediate gratification took away the pain many suffered as a result. Our future offspring and what tasks were needed to survive in the 1950's as a functional model of society became a main focus. The start of this revolution wasn't intended to create failures in society; it was to teach our young the importance of the societal rules and what is expected of them as adults. The first 'mini mom' model of a kitchen and the vacuum cleaner came to the market. The idea was new to most households and families wanting to beat the Jones' at being the first to have the finest toys possible. Society says it is acceptable and expected to mimic our parents and their roles they play. This is good training, Right Barthes says, "French toys are based on imitation, they were meant to produce children who are users, not creators" (Barthes, pg. 55). Social acceptance in gender based toys was positive and this increase in popularity enticed engineers to create even more plastic, gender based toys forgetting the roots of what society was made from. Girls cooking on plastic miniature stoves, setting the table for the family, or ironing her husband's clothes before he heads off to work - these roles they play are socially obligated and expected in the future. This tells the girls of our future - it's not our place to engineer or design the tallest building in the world. We must leave it up to the men in our society to construct and design. When I was in high school, I was told not to apply to college. I was to be a housewife and mother; there was no need for me to waste my parent's money by attending college. We are to accept our 'place' in society as shown to us by our parents. These "French Toys" (Barthes, pg. 53) restrict children and condition them for failure. Children look up to their parents for guidance. If they say we should play with these toys they are bringing home, why are we to question their motives Barthes implies the use of simple wooden blocks as a "demiurge" (Barthes, p. 54) rather than just a user of the objects. The Builder creates the foundation of all buildings, bridges, homes, school, and more. Creating the largest building of the physical universe with only the limitations of his/her imagination is a great accomplishment as a child. A little girl smiles wildly, "Mom, look what I built!" just as her brother plows through them. "Mom, Now I have to start all over!" The success of a master piece or the destruction from your brother as he swooshes his arms through your newly constructed bridge builds your knowledge base and your foundation in understanding what it takes to make things stand on their own. Barthes refers to the Vosges Mount ain range (Barthes, pg 55) to bring a personal relationship to the wooden blocks. It's harder to dismiss an object if it has a name. These skills and knowledge are needed for future development to start and complete tasks. The value in learning how to manage a project from start to finish is imperative whether it is building a house out of blankets throughout the living room or building a

Financial management and risk analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial management and risk analysis - Essay Example The new assembly cell requires three cell programmer/operators recruited at a salary of  £20,000 per year each. The cell robots are expected to last for 5 years, after which they can be sold off for an estimated price of  £1,000 each. The company’s cost of capital is currently 10%. This is a two-option financial investment appraisal case which compares the cost of operating an existing sub-assembly line with the cost of a new automated assembly cell. Both options incur costs we could compare to find out which option results in lower expenses over the next five years. Any savings will increase profits, which we can then transform into additional value that would benefit our shareholders. We utilised common investment criteria to analyse this project, and considered other factors that may affect its financial viability. We included our suggested solutions and potential effects on the final decision through a sensitivity analysis, which takes into account: 1. The cost of replacing our eight fitters and with three skilled operators. We included the effect of granting separation pay to each displaced operator and made a recommendation on how much we could afford to pay. The key insight to our problem is to match the cash flows for both options. Option 1 is our existing sub-assembly line, whilst Option 2 would be our proposed investment in new automated machines. Each option has a cash outflow over the next five years. Whilst Option 1 would not require a large cash outflow now, it has the same level of cash flows we are currently spending to maintain the line. In contrast, Option 2 demands a large cash outflow now, but this would result in lower cash flows over the next five years. We compared both cash flow forecasts and arrived at a net cash flow, which is the amount of working capital we would save from the lower cash requirements of Option 2. A basic assumption is that the sub-assembly line’s productivity would be constant, and that

Toys Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Toys - Essay Example Industrialization grew exponentially after WWII. Immediate gratification took away the pain many suffered as a result. Our future offspring and what tasks were needed to survive in the 1950's as a functional model of society became a main focus. The start of this revolution wasn't intended to create failures in society; it was to teach our young the importance of the societal rules and what is expected of them as adults. The first 'mini mom' model of a kitchen and the vacuum cleaner came to the market. The idea was new to most households and families wanting to beat the Jones' at being the first to have the finest toys possible. Society says it is acceptable and expected to mimic our parents and their roles they play. This is good training, Right Barthes says, "French toys are based on imitation, they were meant to produce children who are users, not creators" (Barthes, pg. 55). Social acceptance in gender based toys was positive and this increase in popularity enticed engineers to create even more plastic, gender based toys forgetting the roots of what society was made from. Girls cooking on plastic miniature stoves, setting the table for the family, or ironing her husband's clothes before he heads off to work - these roles they play are socially obligated and expected in the future. This tells the girls of our future - it's not our place to engineer or design the tallest building in the world. We must leave it up to the men in our society to construct and design. When I was in high school, I was told not to apply to college. I was to be a housewife and mother; there was no need for me to waste my parent's money by attending college. We are to accept our 'place' in society as shown to us by our parents. These "French Toys" (Barthes, pg. 53) restrict children and condition them for failure. Children look up to their parents for guidance. If they say we should play with these toys they are bringing home, why are we to question their motives Barthes implies the use of simple wooden blocks as a "demiurge" (Barthes, p. 54) rather than just a user of the objects. The Builder creates the foundation of all buildings, bridges, homes, school, and more. Creating the largest building of the physical universe with only the limitations of his/her imagination is a great accomplishment as a child. A little girl smiles wildly, "Mom, look what I built!" just as her brother plows through them. "Mom, Now I have to start all over!" The success of a master piece or the destruction from your brother as he swooshes his arms through your newly constructed bridge builds your knowledge base and your foundation in understanding what it takes to make things stand on their own. Barthes refers to the Vosges Mount ain range (Barthes, pg 55) to bring a personal relationship to the wooden blocks. It's harder to dismiss an object if it has a name. These skills and knowledge are needed for future development to start and complete tasks. The value in learning how to manage a project from start to finish is imperative whether it is building a house out of blankets throughout the living room or building a

Executive Level Financial Report Research Paper for RenDi Corporation

Executive Level Financial Report for RenDi Corporation - Research Paper Example Results from the analysis of data, shows clearly that Southwest Airlines has made greater strides to becoming a market force in the aviation industry by keeping at par with average industry ratios (Mazzeo, 2003). The fact that the company’s ratios are not so high above industry average however means that entrusting it with a five year long commitment would not be advisable. It can therefore be concluded that the prospects of the company in its current state with effect from the year 2009 is neutral. This means that the performance of the company is neither below average nor above average. Based on this, the major recommendation that is put across is for RenDi Corporation to enter into a short term commitment of a maximum period of three years with Southwest Airlines. 2.0 Overview of Southwest Airline as an aviation company From a humble beginning in 1971 where Southwest Airline operated with only three (3) Boeing 737 aircrafts in Texas, the company has today grown to be a majo r force in the air transport industry. It is refreshing to note that the company currently operates a total of five hundred and fifty (550) Boeing 737 aircrafts with other standby aircrafts for emergency service delivery. By a random and non-itemized evaluation, it would be true to argue that the company has made a lot of important progress that are worth commending. One important area that continues to be a major competitive advantage of the company over key competitors has to do with the corporate attention that the company gives to customers. Such customer satisfaction culture has continued to build a paradigm around the company whereby customers who have tried other competitors become convinced of the quest to keep doing business with Southwest Airlines because of the customer satisfaction they guarantee. Another major area of competitive advantage has to do with the corporate responsibility of the company, which has been directed at keeping a safe and green environment. This pa rticular vision of the company is kept alive by the use of environmental friendly sources of fuel. One of such sources of fuel has been identified to include renewable synthetic diesel fuel, which has lately proven to be very effective and efficient in the air transport business. To RenDi Corporation, the latter is an opportunity to establish firm business lines and linkages with Southwest Airlines and thus this comprehensive research report to test the authenticity of the performance rate of the company. 3.0 An evaluation of Southwest Airline's financial performance for the period 2009, 2010, & 2011 3.1 Profitability Within the period of 2009 to 2011, Southwest Airline has given different and varying indications of its ability to generate income and subsequently maintain growth. First, it can be seen that the company responses sharply to prevailing global economic trend. This is because unlike 2008 where the net income of the company was US$179 million, this dropped to a woeful US$ 99 million by the end of 2009 when the global economic crunch was at its peak (Southwest One Report, 2010, p. 7). In 2010 and 2011, the profit of the company in terms of net income increased steadily over 2009 but not earlier years like 2006 and 2007 mainly because the recessionary recovery were not completely over. In the year 2011 for instance, the profit of th

Globalization of Technology Essay Example for Free

Globalization of Technology Essay Politics Technology enables and even promotes changes in every aspect of our lives. Through the years it has changed what and how we eat (the microwave), how and where we work (the internet), how we are entertained, and even how we keep in touch with friends and family. And though many people may notice these types of quick advances of technology, many may not notice how technological advances have tied into changes in politics and the way they have been run. †¢The power of mass images has really become a major influence on politics as a product of a increasing technology. In the 1960’s, images of wealth in the west eventually exposed the weakness of the communist regime running the old Soviet bloc. There is the story Nikita Khrushchev narrating a film of Harlem in the 1960’s to demonstrate poverty in America. Instead, his poor, struggling citizens focused on the nylons hanging on backyard clothes lines and the number of fine autos in the street, and saw wealth rather than poverty. Today, the pictures from Iran appear in graphic detail on our televisions. The power of the mass media has made it more difficult for the state to wall off the outside world. †¢The television has been used to promote politics through commercial advertisement since the Dwight D. Eisenhower campaign in 1952. That was over 50 years ago. It has been used to broadcast presidential debates since the Kennedy vs Nixon Great Debate in 1960 which was exactly 50 years ago. However, nothing is like the way the television is used today. †¢The most recent Presidential campaign, in 2008, showed how fundraising is being impacted. President Obama raised a record breaking 600 million dollars in contributions during his run up to the election. Of that 600 that Obama received, 500 million came from the internet and through public financing through the internet. He ran as fierce an internet campaign as he did his television and radio campaigns. Later the same young people who followed Obamas every move online, turned out to vote. †¢Is technology damaging politics? †¢For example, you can argue that because there are dozens of news channels. Campaigns are now much more media run. The media decides what is news worthy (which as of the past few years has been whatever gets ratings), interprets the meaning of events for its viewers, and manipulates the decision making process of its viewers. †¢Can technology be damaging to political candidates themselves? †¢Political videos of nearly every 2008 presidential candidates can be found on YouTube. In many of the posted videos, candidates are engaged in old speeches, contradicting their current political positions. †¢Also, since the election, the internet seems to have gone from President Obamas best friend, to his greatest political enemy. Some of the most controversial legislation in US history is being introduced and posted online for all Americans to see, online commentators who once supported Obama are continuously pointing out unfilled promises. Economy and Social Relations Technological progress is the key to offering future populations the potential for improved standards of living. Technical change enables firms to combine inputs in a novel manner to produce existing products more cheaply and to develop new products to meet consumer needs. Economists and other social scientists pretty much agree that technological change is the most important contributor to economic growth in the modern era and it is estimated that more than half of the country’s long-run growth is can be attributed to technological change. †¢A prime example of technology based increases in productivity comes from the field of agriculture. Until at least the 17th century, about 90% of the population was directly involved in agriculture. In the United States, the farm population was 44% of the total population as recently as 1880. Currently, the U.S. farm population is about 2% of the total population. But over that same period, total production from farms has more than doubled. The increase in productivity is correlated with several technological innovations in the field of farming. The innovations include the widespread use of farm chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides), and farming equipment. Thus, the tremendous increase in farm productivity is seen as a direct result of the technological advances that were made in the field. †¢Technological change in production processes like that often reduces the amount of labor and other resources needed to produce a unit of output. This is good on one hand because it reduces the cost of production for products but on the other, it also results in a loss of jobs in the short-r un. The long-run is a different story though. By reducing the cost of production you thereby are lowering the price of a particular good in a competitive market, which then frequently leads to a greater demand for that good. And a greater output demand results in increased production, which requires more labor, and offsets the effects of losing jobs in the short-run. †¢Along with production technology, constant improvements of transportation and communications technologies have also had major impacts on today’s economy. Previously, physical and human resources moved around the world by means of land, sea, and air transportation. Now, with data serving as a basic resource and digital communications the means of transport, financial capital is moving throughout the world at nearly the speed of light. †¢How has technology negatively affected the economy? †¢One challenge that technology has brought about to the new global economy comes from the new wave of outsourcing. As a concept its not new. Companies have chased cheap labor around the globe for decades, making cars in Mexico, plastic toys in Taiwan and shirts in Malaysia. But in the past couple of years, the debate over outsourcing has intensified as technology companies reduce costs by sending technical support, software development, quality assurance and other functions offshore. A few years ago this idea would have been impossible. The world mostly turned to its technology leaders, companies such as Microsoft Corp. for example, when it needed software. But with the growth of broadband Internet connections and e-mail, technical support staff and software developers can respond to questions with the same speed in Bangalore, India, as they do in Bellevue. And they can do it at a fraction of the cost. †¢Of course this comes at the expense of not only lower class and low skilled workers in the U.S., but even in the middle classes, there are plenty of jobs that are now outsourced.. Again, inability to find work means inability to purchase homes, spend money, and profit companies. When people don’t buy, corporations that produce things don’t make money, which can thus â€Å"trickle down† to fewer jobs available and a greater desire to outsource to make things more cheaply so they will be more attractive to consumers. †¢Those supporting outsourcing say that lowering expenses of corporations will create jobs. There are plenty of government agencies that outsource some of their work, saving them millions of dollars, a direct effect on the US economy and on federal spending. A common theory contends that being able to pay people lower wages for work means that companies will be able to produce things with less expense and transfer this saving to consumers. Lower prices may mean more consumer spending, and companies will be able to hire more workers in the US because they’re paying less for workers outside of it. †¢Further, many argue that giving jobs to workers in less developed countries improves those countries economically and increases trade for US products. It also increases a country’s ability to pay back debts to the US, and may promote better political relationships. Companies economically benefit by selling their products in other countries. This means they can hire more people in the US and lower their prices on products for US consumers.

Power Relations In Diego Velazquezs Las Meninas English Literature Essay

Power Relations In Diego Velazquezs Las Meninas English Literature Essay The author of the painting Las Meninas (1656), Diego Velà ¡zquez (1599-1660) worked at the court of Philip IV, thus at the centre of the centralised power structure of one of the original nation-states of Early Modern Europe. Las Meninas has been argued both in Velà ¡zquez time and in ours to be his masterpiece. My purpose in this essay is to argue for an interpretation of this painting and its shaping by an exploration of power relations rather than by perspectival considerations. My interest in the present essay will be to analyse Las Meninas within the perspective of power relations, in an effort to provide an alternative reading to the literature based purely on the technical aspects of the painting. A lot has been written regarding the great unclearness that the painting Las Meninas seals, but, there is a question that we must acknowledge in presence of the visual intricacy of the painting, what indeed did Velà ¡zquez paint? I am not looking to provide the final answer to this question in this essay. However, I believe that by analysing Las Meninas within the perspective of power relations, I can contribute to the scholarship on Velà ¡zquez and provide an approach that can also contribute to the answer of this question. Las Meninas (fig. 1) (Spanish for The Maids of Honour) is an oil on canvas painting with 318 cm ÃÆ'- 276 cm. The setting is a large room and it has long been unclear whether the interior represented in the painting is real or imaginary. F. J. Sà ¡nchez Cantà ³n identified the room by the paintings in it as the main chamber of an apartment in the Alcà ¡zar of Madrid that had been occupied by Prince Baltazar Carlos before its assignment to Velà ¡zquez.  [2]  However, F. Ià ±iguez Almech was unable, when analysing the seventeenth-century plans of Alcà ¡zar, to identify any room that would correspond to the one in the painting, being possible that Velà ¡zquez did not depict any actual room.  [3]   Fig. 1. Diego Velà ¡zquez, Las Meninas, 1656, Museu Nacional del Prado, Madrid. Available from: Museu Nacional del Prado Galerà ­a On-Line (accessed 29 March 2010). The painting presents a composition distributed in well organised spatial structure that provides to the depicted room a sensation of realism, proximity and depth, being the composition concentric, with the Infanta Margarita Marà ­a de Austria as its focal point.  [4]  The depth of the painting is accentuated by the frames on the wall on the right, by the canvas on the left and by the two empty chandeliers on the ceiling. In addition, the painting combines discreet colours, providing harmony to the painting (white, grey and black of the attires with details in red, beige of the canvas, and again tones of black and grey in the non-illuminated parts of the room).  [5]   On the right of the room, one has an oblique view of the wall with apertures which seem to be windows that let light into the room. On the left, the view of the room is cut by a large canvas seen from the back. The painter himself, Diego Velà ¡zquez, is portrayed in front of this canvas with a paintbrush on his hand, who seems to have just stopped working on the canvas for a moment in order to gaze out his models. Velà ¡zquez was fifty-seven years old when he painted Las Meninas and depicted himself in it, but without wrinkles, white hair, or any other sign that could indicate his actual age. The canvas Velà ¡zquez is working on is not visible to the viewer. More or less to the centre of the canvas stands a little girl identified as the Infanta of Spain, Doà ±a Margarita Marà ­a de Austria, who also gazes out in the manner of a portrait, and around who the other figures gravitate . . . like planets of an intricate, subtly ordered system, and reflect her light.  [6]  She is s urrounded on both sides by two young women attendants (the meninas of the title), being the one on the left (Doà ±a Marà ­a Agustina Sarmiento de Sotomayor) kneeling at the feet of the Infanta and offering her a bà ºcaro in a tray, while the other on the right (Doà ±a Isabel de Velasco) inclines a bit to the Infanta and turns her glance outwards the canvas. To the right of this group, in the corner of the canvas, stand two dwarves of distorted appearance, also court attendants. The woman named Marà ­a Barbola gazes outwards, while the midget who steps on the dog is Nicolasico Pertusato. On a more distant plan is Doà ±a Marcela de Ulloa, lady of honour, who turns her head to address a man (escort for ladies of the court), who stands beside her and looks outwards. Some distance behind them is the rear wall of the room, which has a door where stands Don Josà © Nieto Velà ¡zquez, Aposentador of the Queen, also gazing outwards. To the left of Josà © Nieto, the King Philip IV and the Queen Marà ­a Ana de Austria are reflected in a mirror. Some of the figures in the painting present little problem of identification, namely Velà ¡zquez and the Infanta; the others are less obvious. This identification of the figures in the painting is based on Velà ¡zquez earliest biographer, Antonio Palomino, who named the figures in Las Meninas on the basis of the known population of the court in Book III of his Museu Pictà ³rico y Escala Óptica, which was first published in 1724.  [7]  Palomino also identifies the two paintings in the upper part of the back wall with the then current royal holdings: Minerva Punishing Arachne and Apollos Victory over Marsyas, both originally by Peter Paul Rubens.  [8]   The Infanta occupies the centre of the visual focus, together with the King and Queens reflection on the mirror and the painter. The superior half of the painting is occupied with lamps and spots of light that enter trough the openings on the right wall; there are shadows covering the back superior part of the wall. The scene is taken from an angle that closes itself in the right with an opening in the wall. In the left, in another diagonal plan, the painting that is being painted by Velà ¡zquez leaves the figures in second plan and cuts obliquely the space. In the back, the mirror and the door make allusion to unknown spaces, which together with the spatial configuration of the portrayed room open the painting to the exterior and pulls the viewer to inside of the composition. As Madlyn Millner Kahr points out, the mirror in the painting contributes its own special brand of magic. In Las Meninas it directs the observers attention to events going on outside the picture (the presence of the royal couple), which in turn brings the observer within the picture area.  [9]   On her article Velà ¡zquez and Las Meninas, Kahr divides the cast of characters with a wide range of ages and physical types into different groups.  [10]  One of these groups is the dog, the midget and the female dwarf. According to Kahr, these three characters form a group apart due to their position in space and their compositional unity.  [11]  The central group, as Kahr argues, stands behind them, being constituted by the Infanta and the two meninas. The painter, Doà ±a Marcela de Ulloa and the guardadamas forms another group; and the last group is composed by the Aposentador of the Queen standing in the stairs and by King Philip IV and Queen Marà ­a Ana reflected on the mirror.  [12]  Thus, Kahr divides the characters in groups of three. This division provides unity, coherence and structure to the painting, and by placing the group of the Infanta and the two meninas as the central one, Kahrs group division concurs with Palominos consideration that the painting is a portrait of the Infanta.  [13]  The light that enters the room by the right side wall apertures mainly illuminates the Infanta, Doà ±a Maria Agustina Sarmiento and partially the other menina, that are highlighted in relation to the darkness behind them, reinforcing the conception that Las Meninas is a portrait of the Infanta of Spain. Carl Justi also described Las Meninas as a portrait of the Infanta Margarita as the centre of a recurrent scene of the palace life.  [14]   Joel Snyder agrees that considering the painting as the portrait of the Infanta Margarita, as Palomino and Carl Justi do, is a movement in the correct direction, but it fails to explain the presence of all the other figures in it that compete for our attention.  [15]  Jonathan Brown states that the subject of the painting is no one in particular, but that the painting is a claim for the nobility of Velà ¡zquezs art.  [16]  However, Snyder points out: To suggest that Las Meninas is a demonstration of the nobility of painting and of its proper place in the liberal arts, as Jonathan Brown does, is to locate the interest of the painting in the conditions of its origination and in the means employed to produce the demonstration. This is surely interesting and, if correct, revealing; but, again, it does not bring us to terms with the subject of the painting with what the painting is tout ensemble.  [17]   Firstly, the tout ensemble of the painting may be explored individually (considering the power relations between each figure in the painting), in order to then identify the subject of the painting. In approaching this issue, one should agree that one can identify the presence of the centralised power in the painting Las Meninas. The power in this painting may be recognized in several aspects. There is in the painting two distinct social groups: the working class and the one that enjoys the labour of those who work. On the one hand, we have the painter, the maids, the lady of honour, the escort for ladies of the court, the Aposentador of the Queen, and the dwarfs represented; while, on the other hand, we have the aristocracy represented in the Infanta that occupies the centre of the painting and King Philip IV and Queen Marà ­a Ana de Austria reflected on the mirror. When one questions why Velà ¡zquez depicted himself together with all the members of the royal household, the answer may be that he wanted to indicate that he also belonged to this illustrious circle. Sira Dambe states that in Golden Age Spain, the art of painting, still relegated to the rank of craft, had not yet been accorded equal status with the higher arts, such as music or poetry.  [18]  Therefore, this painting may be seen as Velà ¡zquezs proclamation of . . . power and status as a creator.  [19]  The ecclesiastic power is also present in the cross of the Santiagos Order in the chest of the painter, which was not originally painted by Velà ¡zquez, being painted after the artists death by the Kings demand.  [20]  When analysing the Fable of Arachne and Las Meninas, Jonathan Brown states, [Velà ¡zquezs] claim for the nobility of his art are firmly embedded in these multi-layered works, and in Las Meninas the gentleman painter, stands confidently at the easel, bas king in the glory of the monarchs person. And on his breast, the vibrant red cross of Santiago marks the artist as a nobleman.  [21]   In addition, one can also identify the presence of the artistical power of the painter over the remaining figures due to the dominium of the artistic language, but at the same time, the artistic needs to obey to a superior power, and in this case, the kingship. This statement finds support on the royal couple pictured in the mirror that accordingly represent the royal power. On her article Picturing Power: Representation and Las Meninas, Amy M. Schmitter affirms: The Kings representation is a force of power, a manifestation of royal power that embodies, displays, and extends it. It is a representation that acts, that represents by presenting, exhibiting, or exposing titles and qualifications, by figuring them in painting, by being a sign, by bringing to observation, and by playing in public. It thereby constitutes its subject, the royal power and the royal office, by representing it.  [22]   One can agree that the depiction of the King Philip IV and the Queen Marà ­a Ana de Austria on the mirror and of the Infanta Margarita as main focus of the painting represents directly in the painting the royal power it represents those that should be looked with reverence and submission. Furthermore, with the glances one receives and returns in the painting, the represented royal power gazes with control and vigilance over everyone else. Regarding the power relations between the remaining figures of the painting, one can argue that the meninas, the guardadamas and the lady of honour, by their own social condition are subordinates of the kingship. The two dwarfs are also condemned to the royal power and have as their function to entertain the royal household. The dog that is being stepped by the dwarf on the right is condemned to an even lower position (a submissive animal). In this perspective of power relations, the presence of Josà © Nieto Velà ¡zquez becomes enigmatic. Despite being the Aposentador of the Queen and therefore ruled by the royal power, he is portrayed in profile on the stairs of the back door, seemingly indicating an indecision of staying under the gaze of the royal power or leaving. From this analysis, one can agree that all the figures of the painting are entangled in the webs of power. Although the delimitations of power are well defined in the painting, representing the historical, political and economic conditions of seventeenth-century Spain, another way of looking at this issue is through the indirect allusions also present in the painting, such as the dwarf, positioned in perfect diagonal alignment with the painter. The two associate by contrast: the painter as the creator and admirer of what is beautiful, and the dwarf as symbol of deformity. In common, there is the fact that both are represented images of social groups placed aside from power. One should, nevertheless, consider this opposition from another angle. From the contrast itself between what the painter and the dwarf represent, one can obtain an exchange of parts by acknowledging that the arts represent both the sublime as well as the grotesque. Therefore, there is in this aesthetical inscription a subversion of the institutionalised values of power. The power of kingship is also central in Michel Foucaults chapter on Diego Velà ¡zquezs Las Meninas, being this the opening chapter of his book The Order of Things.  [23]  According to Foucault the function of the mirror reflection of the King and the Queen is to bring to the painting what is external to it. In the chapter Las Meninas, Foucault attributes the theme of the painting to the external space and gives the Infanta and her maids (internal space) the function of entertaining the King and Queen that are in front of the representation (outside space) as Và ©lazquezs models.  [24]   Foucaults critical analysis derives from the observation angle of the Infanta, the King and Queen in the mirror and how their gazes define the centre of the picture. The mirror in the back leads to the conclusion, as Foucault states, that it is about a question of what looks and what is looked. From these encounters of gazes and perceptions, the author notes that the notion of double arises from this painting. To Foucault the double reveals itself in the painting from inside the painting itself. The painting that Velà ¡zquez is painting in the portrait will be the representation of the reflexion of the King and Queen in the mirror at the back.  [25]   On the chapter dedicated to Las Meninas, Foucault argues that the Classical age, roughly the period from the seventeenth-century to the eighteenth-century, was a period when the intellectual world focused on the representations of the real. Accordingly, Foucault defines the subject of Las Meninas as the representation itself. To quote from Foucault: Perhaps there exists, in this painting by Velà ¡zquez, the representation as it were of Classical representation, and the definition of space it opens up to us . . . But there, in the midst of this dispersion which is simultaneously grouping together and spreading out before us, indicated compellingly from every side, is an essential void: the necessary disappearance of that which is its foundation of the person it resembles and the person whose eyes it is only a resemblance. This very subject which is the same has been elided. And representation, freed finally from the relation that was impeding it, can offer itself as representation in its pure form.  [26]   Therefore, Foucault argues that in Las Meninas representation tries to interpretate itself. In contemporaneous philosophy, it is the language that is going to establish the relation between the similarities with the world, making possible representation. Thus, one can affirm that the turning point from classic epistà ªmà ª to modern epistà ªmà ª is the passage of language as mediator (in representation) to object of knowledge. In the modern epistà ªmà ª, language does not reveal more directly the identity of the world, but it reveals the relations between things and the Man. It is from here that occurs the questioning of Man as centre around whom all the knowledge is created. Thus, Velà ¡zquez painting represents what is to come. The modern epistà ªmà ª is anticipated in Velà ¡zquezs Las Meninas it is the utopic function of art of anticipating the future. Consequently, to Foucault, Las Meninas is represented in an epistemic system the subject of representation should rema in invisible (the empty space of the kingship is the place that in the modern episteme will be occupied by the Man). Foucault points out: At once object since it is what the artist is copying onto his canvas and subject since what the painter had in front of his eyes, as he represented himself in the course of work, was himself, since the gazes portrayed in the picture are all directed toward the fictitious position occupied by the royal personage, which is also the painters real place, since the occupier of that ambiguous place, in which the painter and the sovereign alternate, in never-ending flicker, as it were, is the spectator, whose gaze transforms the painting into object, the pure representation of that essential absence.  [27]   Moreover, Foucault argues that the mirror portrayed in Las Meninas portrays the confrontation between representation and reflexion, being that a painting is different from a mirror and a representation goes beyond a reflexion. Therefore, the painting is a representation for the observer, and in the painting of Velà ¡zquez one has the painting itself, and inside it one has other represented paintings and also a canvas in first plan viewed from the back. In all, this painting is a representation that has as subject a kind of empty place that we can fill with several models. Foucault argues that instead of instituting a simple relation of mimesis as the main theme of the painting, the figures of the royal couple would be indicated as a kind of essential emptiness.  [28]   According to Foucault, the canvas on the left is the place for a dichotomy between visible/invisible. What the painter looks is doubly invisible, because it is not represented in the painting, and because we cannot see ourselves. The mirror in the back is the only visible representation, but despite that fact, no one looks at it. However, what is there represented, has nothing to do with what the painting presents, it reflects something that is exterior to the painting. In the place occupied by the spectator, are the models of the painter. Therefore, the painting allows to see what is doubly invisible. The characters in the mirror are the less noticed, but it is around them that all the representation happens. It is to them that all the other characters look gazing outwards the painting.  [29]  Thus, there are three looks that meet on the outside of the painting: of the model, in the moment he is being painted, of the spectator that contemplates the scene, and of the painter in the moment he paints the painting (the one in front of us, and not the one represented in the painting). Quoting from Foucaults The Order of Things: Of all the figures represented before us, they [the royals] are also the most ignored, since no one is paying the slightest attention to that reflection [in the mirror] which has slipped into the room behind them all, silently occupying its unsuspected space; in so far as they are visible, they are the frailest and the most distant form of all reality. Inversely, in so far as they stand outside the picture and are therefore withdrawn from it in an essential invisibility, they provide the centre around which the entire representation is ordered: it is they who are being faced, it is towards them that everyone is turned . . . from the canvas with its back to us to the Infanta, and from the Infanta to the dwarf playing on the extreme right, there runs a curve . . . that orders the whole arrangement of the picture to their gaze and thus makes apparent the true centre of the composition, to which the Infantas gaze and the image in the mirror are both finally subject.  [30]   One should note here that Foucaults theory emphasises the interior look it constitutes the interior from the exterior as a device built from the outside to the inside of the webs of power. Las Meninas, in Foucaults interpretation help us see this paradigm. By observing the painting, it is noticeable that the modern subject is constituted by surveillance, by the absent look (but at the same time very present), of a power that determines everything, from the characters clothing, gestures, attention, social position, in sum the ways of feeling and seeing are determined by a power that sees all and controls all. In view of these arguments, Foucault points out: In the profound upheaval of such an archaeological mutation, man appears in his ambiguous position as an object of knowledge and as a subject that knows: enslaved sovereign, observed spectator, he appears in the place belonging to the king, which was assigned to him in advance by Las Meninas, but from which his real presence has for long been excluded.  [31]   On his article Velà ¡zquez Las Meninas, Leo Steinberg presents similar arguments to Foucaults, including the viewers of the painting as part of a sphere which the partitioning picture plane cuts in two.  [32]  As Steinberg points out, if the picture were speaking instead of flashing, it would be saying: I see you seeing me I in you see myself seen see yourself being seen and so on beyond the reaches of the grammar.  [33]  What particularly interests me in Foucaults and Steinbergs approaches is the placing of the modern Man (in Foucaults case), and the observer (in Steinbergs case), as pivotal figures in the interpretation of Las Meninas, being that in their approaches the Man/observer holds the power he occupies the place of the royal power. To conclude, when one considers all these different approaches to Las Meninas, one is presented with a complex web of power relations. Firstly, the painting was produced in seventeenth-century Spain, a original nation-state of Early Modern Europe, and in and with the court of Philip IV the centre of a centralised power structure. Secondly, the painting depicts the royal power interiorly with the portrayal of the Infanta and the King and the Queen in the mirror, and at the same time exteriorly trough the implied presence of the royal couple reflected on the mirror. Thirdly, the painting also portrays all those ruled by the monarchic power, such as the maids of honour, the lady of honour, the guardadamas, the dwarfs, the Aposentador of the Queen, and also the painter. Fourthly, it also depicts Velà ¡zquezs proclamation of power by portraying himself in the royal household as a nobleman, and at the same time it celebrates his artistical power. Finally, the painting invisibly portrays the Man/observer that occupies the same place of the royal couple outside the painting, and that this way holds the power both as subject of representation and holder of knowledge. Therefore, one can conclude that what Velà ¡zquez did indeed paint in Las Meninas was power royal power, artistical power, and intellectual power. The setting and the figures of Las Meninas are merely incorporations of power relations, being the painting on his whole a metaphor of power.

Essay on John Milton’s Paradise Lost - Defense for the Allegory of Sin

Defense for the Allegory of Sin and Death in Paradise Lost Milton claims his epic poem Paradise Lost exceeds the work of his accomplished predecessors. He argues that he tackles the most difficult task of recounting the history of not just one hero, but the entire human race. However, he does not appear to follow the conventional rules of an epic when he introduces an allegory into Paradise Lost through his portrayal of Sin and Death in Book II. Some readers denounce his work for this inconsistency, but others justify his action and uncover extremely important symbolism from this "forbidden" literal device. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines an epic "a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero" ("epic," def. 1) and allegory as "the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence" ("allegory," def. 1). Based on these definitions, it is unclear whether allegories fit into a true epic. From one perspective, such extended symbolism is not appropriate because it relies on "fictional figures" whereas an epic is based on a "historical hero". For this reason, some readers may dislike Milton’s extended symbolism of Sin and Death since it violates the traditional form of an epic. However From another point of view, an allegory is an acceptable literary component to an epic because it is considered an element of "elevated style". Therefore, other readers may see nothing wrong with Milton’s literary decision. Milton’s poetic license entitles him to write as he pleases and therefore justifies his adaptation of an allegory into his epic. It is clearly apparent that Milton recognizes this privilege when... ...ilton relies heavily on the Bible for much of his information. With Milton’s timeframe and era for writing Paradise Lost in mind, we can justify his choice to incorporate an allegory into his epic. Allegories present meanings on two levels, one literal and the other hidden, which often expresses a moral or idea produced by the author. With this in mind, the allegory is key to understanding many parts of Paradise lots since Milton addresses so many issues in this one scene. Within the allegory alone, we discover extensive symbolism and wonder if there are more details to be uncovered each time we study the epic. Milton effectively elicits his readers’ attention by raising such controversy and holds our fascination with his intriguing hidden ideas, meanings, and symbolic relationships. Works Cited Milton, John. Paradise Lost. New York: W.W. Norton, 1993. Â