Virginia Woolfs To The Lighthouse - Portrait of a Real Woman :: To The Lighthouse Essays

To The Lighthouse - Portrait of a Real Woman Until To The Lighthouse, I had never read anything that so perfectly described women: wives, mothers, daughters and artists. I felt like shouting "Eureka!" on every page. These were my thoughts, beautifully written. Virginia Woolf writes of the essential loneliness and aloneness of human beings. In the first passage I am examining Mrs. Ramsay is the heart of the group gathered around the dinner table. It is because of her that they are assembled. She is the wife, the mother. "And the whole of the effort of merging and flowing and creating rested on her." But she feels disconnected, "outside that eddy" that held the others, alone. She views her husband almost as an inanimate object. "She could not understand how she had ever felt any emotion or affection for him." The room has become shabby. Beauty has dissolved. The gathering for which she is responsible is merely a group of strangers sitting at the same table. "Nothing seemed to have merged. They all sat separate." Mrs. Ramsay understands that she must bring these people together. "Again she felt, as a fact without hostility, the sterility of men, for if she did not do it nobody would do it." So she drifts into the eddy to do her duty -- albeit reluctantly. "...she began all this business, as a sailor not without weariness sees the wind fill his sail and yet hardly wants to be off again and thinks how, had the ship sunk he would have whirled round and round and found rest on the floor of the sea." This passage is so true! In a traditional family (my family) there is a man (husband and father), a woman (wife and mother), and children. The woman is claimed by all. She is held responsible, both in the eyes of her family and in her own eyes, for the happiness and well-being of all. She is the glue, the anchor, the spark, the damper. She is lonely but never alone. The idea of drifting to the bottom of the sea can seem inviting Ð to be free and alone! This short passage aptly illustrates a real woman's very complicated feelings about the demands of family and society upon her. I think it is no less valid now then it was in the 1920s when the book was written.

Narration of Chpt 7 Essay

THE NARRATIVE IN THIS CHAPTER OPENS WITH HASSAN’S DREAM, IN WHICH WE SEE A POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OMEN. IN THE DREAM, AMIR AND HASSAN ARE CELEBRATED AS HEROES WHICH IS A POSITIVE FORECAST FOR THE UPCOMING COMPETITION; HOWEVER, THE MONSTER â€Å"SWIMMING AT THE BOTTOM (OF THE LAKE), WAITING† FORESHADOWS THE MONSTROUS EVENT THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE DREAM JUXTAPOSES THE NIGHTMARE AMIR WILL WATCH AND HASSAN WILL EXPERI- ENCE LATER ON IN THE CHAPTER, THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF JUXTAPOSITION IN THIS CHAPTER. THE BEAUTY OF THE DAY IS TARNISHED WITH THE UGLY INCIDENT, WINNING THE COMPETITION IS CONTRASTED WITH LOSING HIS FRIEND, THE SUN SHINING ON THE SNOW-WHITE DAY CLASHES WITH THE DARKNESS OF THE ALLEY, WHICH MEANS THE AUTHOR HERE IS ALSO USING PATHETIC FALLACY TO FURTHER INCREASE THE CONTRAST; ALL THE JUXTAPOSITION MAKES THE EVENT MORE DARK AND DIS- TURBING. WHEN HASSAN IS SHARING HIS DREAM WITH AMIR, AMIR IS ABRUPT TOWARDS HIM AND INTER- RUPTS HIS STORY, HE â€Å"ALMOST APOLOGISED, THEN DIDN’T. HASSAN UNDERSTOOD†, THIS IS AN INDI- CATOR OF THE SOCIETY AND CULTURE THEY LIVED IN, WHERE PASHTUN SUPERIORITY WAS THE AC- CEPTED NORM AND HAZARAS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE AN INFERIOR RACE. HASSAN KNOWS HIS PLACE AS THE SERVANT. LATER ON IN THE CHAPTER HASSAN BECOMES THE â€Å"SACRIFICIAL LAMB†, AMIR SAYS â€Å"I RAN BECAUSE I WAS A COWARD† BUT THEN TRIES TO CONVINCE HIMSELF HASSAN IS THE PRICE HE HAS TO PAY FOR BABA’S LOVE. AMIR’S DISMISSAL OF THE SITUATION IS UNUSUAL AS HE IS TYPICALLY MORE OPEN MINDED ABOUT HASSAN’S RACE, BUT IN THIS SITUATION HE THINKS TO HIMSELF â€Å"HE WAS JUST A HAZARA, WASN’T HE? †, THIS SHOWS HOW DEEP RACISM RUNS IN THE CULTURE. HOWEVER IT IS WORTH NOTING AMIR’S THOUGHTS ARE INTERTWINED WITH HIS NOW ADULT PERSPECTIVE AS HE IS TELLING THE STORY IN RETROSPECT AFTER HE HAS LIVED WITH THE CONSTANT GUILT OF THIS EVENT; THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF POSTMODERNISM AS THE NARRATIVE IS FRAGMENTED AND THERE IS MEANING CREATED IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NARRATIVES, AMIR’S NARRA- TIVE OF HASSAN’S RAPE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS AS THE MEANING OF IT DEEPENS BY ADULT AMIR’S REASONING. AMIR’S ACTIONS HERE MEANS ‘THE KITE RUNNER’ IS A BILDUNGSROMAN, WHERE THE PROTAGONIST OF THE STORY’S ACTIONS ARE NOT HEROIC. DURING THE RAPE, AMIR’S NARRATIVE BREAKS OFF INTO MEMORIES RATHER THAN SPEAKING ABOUT THE EVENTS ACTUALLY TAKING PLACE. HE DIGRESSES INTO PAST MEMORIES AND EVENTS FROM HIS EARLIER CHILDHOOD, THIS INDICATES THE NARRATOR’S DIFFICULTY IN DEALING WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FRONT OF HIM. IT’S ALMOST AS IF THERE ARE GAPS IN HIS ADULT MEMORY AS A RESULT OF HIS CHILDHOOD SELF DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM THE SITUATION. BY HAVING THE EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN AN ALLEY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DARK NATURE OF THE EVENTS AND THE FACT THAT AMIR FAILS TO ENTER THE ALLEY SHOWS HIS UNWILLINGNESS TO DEAL WITH THE DARKER THINGS IN LIFE, IT ALSO AL- LOWS THE RAPE TO BECOME A SIDE EVENT, SOMETHING EASILY IGNORED AND NOT A PART OF MAIN- STREAM LIFE. CHAPTER 7 IS THE CLIMAX THE READER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE NOVEL. HOWEVER WHEN THE EVENT OCCURS WE REALISE IT IS A THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH THE NOVEL AND IT ISN’T THE EVENT ITSELF BUT THE AFTERMATH OF IT THAT HAUNTS AMIR AS THE EVENTS ARE FAR FROM OVER. DESPITE FROM THIS, WE KNOW THAT CHAPTER 7 IS THE PIVOTAL CHAPTER AS Micaela Mossop WITHOUT THE EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE HERE WOULD BE NO STORY TO TELL. THE IDEA THAT THE REPERCUSSION OF AMIR’S ACTIONS WILL AFFECT THE REST OF THE NOVEL IS REINFORCED AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER WHEN HE SOBS IN BABA’S ARMS WHICH INDICATES THE GAIN OF HIS FATHER’S AFFEC- TION WILL BE TAINTED BY HASSAN’S SACRIFICE.

Four Functions of Management Paper Essay

The four functions of management are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The term management has been used since the early twentieth century, and people such as Frederick W. Taylor, Henri Fayol, Max Weber, and A.H. Maslow all contributed to the evolution of management. The four functions of management are as relevant now as they were then. This paper will define and explain each function in today’s organizations. Batman and Snell (2007) define management as â€Å"the process of working with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals.† Managers operate in a dynamic environment where things can change very quickly. A good manager must not only know how to do things right (efficiency), but also how to do the right things (effectiveness). Even when overwhelmed with a task, a manager must continue to focus on effectiveness and efficiency. PlanningThe first function of management is planning. â€Å"Planning is specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals† (Batman and Snell, 2007). Planning should engage all levels of management and improve decision-making. A successful manager should be able to plan effectively. Planning is about looking ahead, identifying a desired end point, and making decisions to reach that end point. Batman and Snell (2007) stated, â€Å"Planning activities include analyzing current situations, anticipating the future, determining objectives, deciding in what type of activities the company will engage, choosing corporate and business strategies, and determining the resources needed to achieve the organization’s goals. â€Å"Part of Company X’s vision is to play a leading role in the nuclear energy renaissance in the United Kingdom while simultaneously improving the long-term reliability of its current power plants. Company X currently owns and operates nine power stations in the United Kingdom and employs 6,000 personnel. Planning plays a significant part in directing such a large organization. The company has developed a mission, vision, company business plan, and annual financial plan. Each department or business unit also has a business plan that is aligned with the company’s business plan. Creating a plan is one step towards success, but it also must be effectively implemented. Organizing†Organizing is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals† (Batman and Snell, 2007). To accomplish an organization’s objectives, individuals are assigned to positions, and they are granted levels of authority and responsibility. People are an organization’s greatest asset, and organizing them to effectively and efficiently complete work positions the organization for success. â€Å"Organizing requires staffing the work division, setting up the training for the employees, acquiring resources, and organizing the work group into a productive team† (Allen, 1998). The organizing function in Company X is strong. During the last five years, significant change has occurred at Company X, as the company has recovered from a position of near bankruptcy and adapted to a rapidly changing electricity market. Already Company X is anticipating the need for additional skilled people to staff new power plants and fill the vacancies at existing power plants caused by the increasing retirements of the aging workforce. Successfully training and organizing these new personnel will be a significant challenge for the company. A recent organizational change occurred which grouped power plants with similar technology together in one business unit to maximize the opportunities to learn and work together. Leading†Leading is stimulating people to be high performers. It includes motivating and communicating with employees, individually and in groups† (Batman and Snell, 2007). Leading is providing direction and influencing people to follow. Individuals can be influenced by directing, delegating, coaching, mentoring, and selling. Leading requires close contact with people and requires that the leader has the right skills to influence people. Company X continuously strives to improve its leadership. In such a complex technical environment, leaders rely heavily on individuals to solve very complex problems. When faced with a significant technical challenge, Company X temporarily assigns an inspirational and technically competent director to lead a recovery team to resolve the issue. In 2006, Company X shut down two nuclear reactors due to emergent technical faults that had never been encountered or anticipated. A director from the engineering function led a  recovery team to analyze the technical issue, develop alternative solutions, and manage the chosen solution. The recovery team was motivated to think in creative ways to develop alternative solutions, and resolution required a company-wide effort to complete. After being shut down for a year, the power plants were re-started, and their performance has helped the company regain a position in the FTSE 100. ControllingThe final function is controlling. â€Å"Controlling monitors performance and implements necessary changes† (Batman and Snell, 2007). This function determines whether plans are being effectively implemented. â€Å"Controlling is the final link in the functional chain of management activities and brings the functions of management cycle full circle† (Allen, 1998). The first step in controlling is establishing a performance standard. Without a performance standard, one has no benchmark from which to compare. After performance is measured, one determines whether that performance meets or exceeds the performance standard. If the performance fails to meet the performance standard, corrective action must be initiated. To conduct work in the plants, Company X requires the use of operating procedures that include technical acceptance criteria. Through review of the operating procedure results versus the technical acceptance criteria, one can determine whether corrective action is necessary. Company X also has company documents that detail the expected behaviors and actions of workers. Leaders periodically observe work in the plant to determine whether worker behaviors meet those expected standards. If not, the leaders help the workers to demonstrate the correct behaviors, usually through coaching. To capture and resolve conditions that do not meet performance standards, Company X uses a corrective action process. This computer based process tracks the conditions from initial identification to resolution. ConclusionThe four functions of management are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Each of these functions were described individually, but  they all work together to ensure the success of an organization. Company X uses all four of these functions to effectively and efficiently supply the United Kingdom with 17% of its electricity. References Allen, G. (1998). In Supervision. Retrieved February 7, 2008, from http://ollie.dcccd.edu/mgmt1374/contents.htmlBateman, T.S.and Snell, S.A. (2007). Management: Leading and Collaborating in a Competitive World (7th ed.). [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-Text]. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Retrieved February 5, 2008, from University of Phoenix, rEsource, MGT330

To What Extent Can Language Shape Our Beliefs?

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN LANGUAGE SHAPE OUR BELIEFS? Language is all around us. We use it for all kinds of things like expressing our feelings, describing things, talking with our friends and family and writing literature. We may think that we know what language really means, but can we really be sure about that? More importantly, to what extent can language actually shape our beliefs? Well I think it depends on different people. With some examples I will try to show that usage of language is more complicated then many of us think. If we look how scientists express themselves. Most of them believe in some kind of facts.They believe that everything on this planet can be explained by facts, with words that we can find in different dictionaries. And this words are not so hard to explain. So if I would be a scientist, I would probably say, that the most important theory of meaning is the definition theory. I would say that, because I would believe that I can explain anything, let’s say mathematics, with words that we found in dictionaries. And definition theory says that meanings are to be found in dictionary. So if we believe in something, that has a meaning in dictionary, can we know what we believe in?But if we look at artists, how can they express themselves? How can they express what they believe in? Definitely, they do not support definition theory. If an actor wants to express love, he cannot look in dictionary and find its definition. He must make some kind of image in his head for which he thinks, it is the best meaning of love. In that case, image theory is the most appropriate one, because this theory says that meanings are found in our minds. He just makes an image and he can tell everybody else, what they believe that love is.But, if we cannot find the exact meaning of word, can we believe in something that we just thought about ourselves? Can we believe in our image without thinking about ideas of other people? In my opinion, you cannot express yours elf completely by definition theory or image theory. You must believe in both of them. If you find a word in a dictionary, you only know what it means and I think that is not enough. You can know its meaning, but sometimes you must make your own image in your head. But in the other hand, if you find meanings mostly in your head, you can make mistakes and change the true meaning of the word.So mathematician shouldn’t just rely on facts, he should also express his own ideas, even if they are not proved. And an artist should know that there are some meanings, that just cannot be changed and he must leave them as they are. I think that everybody in this world is more a scientist or more an artist. We must know that there are certain facts that we must believe in like a scientist does, but there are also a lot of things, which we can give our own meaning and believe in them. Language can’t totally shape our beliefs, but it is up to us, if we stick to language as it is or if we look beyond it. To What Extent Can Language Shape Our Beliefs? TO WHAT EXTENT CAN LANGUAGE SHAPE OUR BELIEFS? Language is all around us. We use it for all kinds of things like expressing our feelings, describing things, talking with our friends and family and writing literature. We may think that we know what language really means, but can we really be sure about that? More importantly, to what extent can language actually shape our beliefs? Well I think it depends on different people. With some examples I will try to show that usage of language is more complicated then many of us think. If we look how scientists express themselves. Most of them believe in some kind of facts.They believe that everything on this planet can be explained by facts, with words that we can find in different dictionaries. And this words are not so hard to explain. So if I would be a scientist, I would probably say, that the most important theory of meaning is the definition theory. I would say that, because I would believe that I can explain anything, let’s say mathematics, with words that we found in dictionaries. And definition theory says that meanings are to be found in dictionary. So if we believe in something, that has a meaning in dictionary, can we know what we believe in?But if we look at artists, how can they express themselves? How can they express what they believe in? Definitely, they do not support definition theory. If an actor wants to express love, he cannot look in dictionary and find its definition. He must make some kind of image in his head for which he thinks, it is the best meaning of love. In that case, image theory is the most appropriate one, because this theory says that meanings are found in our minds. He just makes an image and he can tell everybody else, what they believe that love is.But, if we cannot find the exact meaning of word, can we believe in something that we just thought about ourselves? Can we believe in our image without thinking about ideas of other people? In my opinion, you cannot express yours elf completely by definition theory or image theory. You must believe in both of them. If you find a word in a dictionary, you only know what it means and I think that is not enough. You can know its meaning, but sometimes you must make your own image in your head. But in the other hand, if you find meanings mostly in your head, you can make mistakes and change the true meaning of the word.So mathematician shouldn’t just rely on facts, he should also express his own ideas, even if they are not proved. And an artist should know that there are some meanings, that just cannot be changed and he must leave them as they are. I think that everybody in this world is more a scientist or more an artist. We must know that there are certain facts that we must believe in like a scientist does, but there are also a lot of things, which we can give our own meaning and believe in them. Language can’t totally shape our beliefs, but it is up to us, if we stick to language as it is or if we look beyond it.

Operational Research & the Decision Sciences Essay

Operational Research & the Decision Sciences - Essay Example While this will be based on the latest decision making tools and methods, all available options should be considered as input to the operation research model adopted for a particular case.......................(1) All business organizations would expect their executives to have enhanced decision-making capability to lead the business from the front on a gainful and productive basis. Operation research is the powerful tool to achieve this. While there are many professional tools and software available to help the business leaders for better decision making, Operation research is unique as it considers only the specific inputs and data that is applicable for a particular challenging problem, while considering the best options and information which is most beneficial for the organization. Hence, the operation research professionals customize each solution, that is unique and tailor made for the imposing challenge. When the available choices are many and it is difficult to work on a particular option, the optimization technology is adopted for minimizing the risks involved, eliminating the unworkable options, while finding the best choice available. This relates to the collection of huge data concerned with the imposing challenge; categorize this data into various degrees of risk involving groups, while finding the connected information, about each group. This method helps in comparing the risk management of the data collected and comparing each group This leads to testing of many options and conclusions for reaching the best solution possible...............(2) When a process is not working efficiently due to non decision making ability at the ground level for day to day operations, there is a need to employ operational research techniques for improving the overall efficiency of the effected process, which in turn can result in better functioning of related processes in the operational chain. This will finally help in the improvement

Predicting Seismic Activity with Lunar Cycles Research Paper

Predicting Seismic Activity with Lunar Cycles - Research Paper Example The observations that go against the claim will also be analyzed. Observations or logics by critics against these claims will be taken into account and these will be judged and arguments made as to the strength of these claims. In the end the credibility of the predictions will be based on the evidence collected by forces pointing in favor or against this claim. The paper will be considering the lunar cycles linked with seismic activity. Minor factors used by Jim Berkland will be mentioned but the main focus will be relationship between lunar cycles and seismic activity. Predicting Seismic Activity with Lunar Cycles Introduction The earthquakes have devastating potential. The process is researched upon in detail and various theories and factors are presented over the years. The most accepted model for earthquakes is the theory of plate tectonics. The model, however, needs to be updated and many other factors contributing to earthquake that has been observed over the years needs to be incorporated. Investigations for involvement of new forces possible in earthquake predictions are under process. Some of the new indicators include the changes in ionosphere, radon emissions (radioactive element Rn 86), Earth’s magnetic field displacement and even animal behavior. These are just few indicators. Research over the years has and numbers of facts indicate the involvement of sun and moon in triggering earthquakes. As by (Pasichnyk, 2002) â€Å"In Tome Three, plate tectonics, more commonly known as continental drift, was discussed that brought forth the understanding that electrostatic forces are at work in producing tectonic plates’ dynamics. This understanding correlates solar activity and lunar phases and cycles with the triggering of earthquakes†. The subject of earthquake prediction, however, has been a matter of intense debate. There does not seem to be a general consensus. Different papers by Wyss (1997), Geller (1997), Scholz (1997) demonstra te diversity of the subject. Various seismologists base their predictions on different factors and observations. These predictions as per (Allen, 1976) must â€Å"Specify time window, space window, magnitude window, some indication of author’s confidence in reliability of prediction, indication of chances of earthquake occurring anyway as a random event and must be written and presented in accessible form so that data on failures are as easily obtained as data on success†. Bases of Predictions by Jim Berkland Jim Berkland bases his earthquake predictions mainly on the effects of gravitational tugs of the moon, sun and other planets. He also takes into account animal behavior as an indicator for an upcoming earthquake. Berkland has accurately predicted tremors based on these factors. His logics for the effects of lunar cycles on Earth’s seismic activity are discussed as under and each factor is analyzed in detail. Tides The gravitational pull of the moon is respo nsible for the ocean tides. This pull also acts on the crust; however, the effect is not enough. Recent studies have shown correlation between tides and earthquakes. Study by (Cochran, 2004) describes this relation â€Å"Study using global data hinted at an earthquake-tide correlation, suggesting that reverse and normal earthquakes correlate either with shear stress or the trace of the stress†. This correlation as per studies and observations

Cybersecurity Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Cybersecurity - Coursework Example g to the increasing significance of technology in the daily lives of mankind, many people share their personal information on the internet which can at times prove dangerous due to web hackers who can misuse the data due to immoral practices. Anonymity helps to maintain the secrecy of individual’s identity. This also helps to protect specific actions performed by the individuals. For instance, anonymity helps protecting funds and monetary transfers made by individual over internet. It has often been observed that people feel uncomfortable to share banking or personal information on the internet as it might hamper their personal interests. Anonymity is often regarded as the option which can be useful in such situations as it creates a sense of security and helps to protect privacy by a large extent. There are many negative effects of anonymity on individuals as well. To be illustrated anonymity also helps people who have malicious intentions to hamper the interests of other users and escape without being identified. It also creates misrepresentation about the user’s profile on internet. In the recent phenomenon, the most apparent negative effect of anonymity can be identified as cyber crime. Hence, as it can be observed from the above discussion, to a certain extent, the negative impacts of anonymity tend to be stronger and more effectual than its benefits, which in turn outweigh its advantages. Question: 2 Are non-literate internet users at a higher risk for experiencing identity theft? Explain specifically how end-user tracking and recording technologies may either increase or reduce cyber security risks for non-literate users when using the internet, or when shopping at a brick and mortar establishment The non-literate internet users have a high risk because of the increasing cyber crime, as they tend to share personal information without having proper knowledge of the website. At times, the information of those non-literate users is hacked by the cyber