Corruption of Society Essay

First of all, technologie corrupts society because it does our thinking and increases health problems. According to a New York Times article, the average kid ages 8-18, spends over 7 ? hours a day using technology gadgets which increases the obesity rate, poor grades, impatience, violence and a loss of family interest. Also, cell phones and texting leads to texting and driving which is almost as worse as drinking and driving. You can hurt yourself or people around you while texting and driving. Are generation can’t live without a cell phone, texting or sending emails and this leads to a lack of communication. When somebody can only express their feeling in a text message or an email they are not learning how to communicate with others. Did you also know that technology not only affects our health but it affects our environment too? For example, a normal computer chip takes 600 times its weight in fuel to produce? Bullying has a huge impact on our society! Peer pressure especially because you are forced to do things you don’t want to, you get bad habits and it leads to loss of individual. When somebody is bullied mentally or physically they have depression, anxiety, loss of interest in activities, school and family, shame, fear and low self-esteem. All these side effects of bullying lead’s to suicide. According to the website ‘DoSomething. org’, Approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying! Media can also be a cause of corruption of society because if you look at magazines, ads or watch television, commercial or news, beauty is often the subject. People and especially teenagers are influenced by Medias. All girls look at magazines or whatsoever and wishes to look like people on TV or magazines. Thin slim bodies, perfect face, etc. What teenagers don’t realized is that those people are edited by computers from head to toe. Over 5 million American’s have eating disorders caused by false concept of beauty. Another reason why Medias corrupts our society is because of money. In magazines and ads or television it’s all about buying things to have a better life!

Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation Essay

Subject: Human trafficking is the illegal trade in persons used for reproductive slavery, sexual exploitation, forced labor, organ removal, and other forms of slavery. In Argentina, it is a crime punishable by law, however the country continues to be a source and hub for trafficking. Executive Summary: Human trafficking is an international crime, and a violation of human rights; however, it is a felony that is still committed frequently throughout the international community. The issue stems from a lack of communication between provincial and federal governments, as well as the lack of tri-border control. In order to combat this, government officials and law enforcement officers need to be educated on the red flags of human trafficking. There also needs to be more funding and support for legal systems and organizations advocating to end human trafficking. Additionally, there needs to be more border control on the three borders that surround Argentina. Discussion: According to the  ­Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking, trafficking is defined as â€Å"the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability† (UNODC). Trafficking is not  limited to sexual exploitation; practices include: forced labor or services, slavery, servitude, or the removal of organs. This is an ongoing issue because the United Nations as well as individual countries have laws against these crimes but no one to ensure that the laws are being followed. In Argentina, human trafficking is now part of the political agenda because of its link to organized crime. Official policy in Argentina has made progress in dealing with human trafficking, they have signed and ratified all UN conventions and protocols dealing with human trafficking as a crime. In 2000, Argentina signed the â€Å"Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children†, this supplemented the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNODC). The protocol was later ratified in 2002, however there is still progress to be made because the number of people being trafficked it still high. In 2010, more than 600 women were abducted in 18 months, â€Å"for each known case there are 6 others which remain invisible† (Pichà ©). Argentina is a central point for human trafficking trade; men, women, and children from northern and rural areas are forced into prostitution in urban centers or wealthier provinces in central and southern Argentina. Many of those trafficked through the triple frontier are destined for the illegal labour market in Argentina. However in Argentina, it is estimated that 90 percent of the trafficking victims are sexually exploited women. Additionally, women from Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic are subjected to trafficking in Argentina. According the United States Department of state, â€Å"in 2011 the number of labor trafficking victims identified was over three times the number of sex trafficking victims identified during the year† (Trafficking). Argentina has consistently attracted migrants from Latin American regions seeking better economic opportunities. There are about 2 million immigrants from Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. Illegal immigration fuels the trafficking business because they are smuggled into the country, and they are easy victims for trafficking rings (Project Protection). At the same time, Argentineans from the northern provinces are at high risk for  trafficking because of extreme poverty, lack of education, and access to health services. Police in the northwestern province of Jujuy have received more than 50 reports of missing young women since September 2005. Most of these women have gone to see about jobs and were never seen again (Project Protection). Most end up in major cities and tourist areas Corruption within the police force has also prevented Argentina from decreasing trafficking rates in the country. It has been reported that police officials have participated in criminal activities related to trafficking, which thwarts government efforts to prevent trafficking from happening. According to a report released by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, authorities are currently investigating over 75 federal officials who have been removed from their positions after turning a blind eye to trafficking related problems. However as of 2011, the government did not prosecute or convict any government officials involved in human trafficking. Officers have looked in the other direction when coming across sex and labor trafficking activity, or tipped off brothel owners about raids coming up. The Argentine government has made progress over the past few years collecting data and stopping human trafficking. Over the past year, the government has reported and recorded the number of trafficking victims found, and implemented protocols and guidelines to eliminate trafficking, the country has increased prosecutions and convictions of trafficking. Further, the Argentine government funded five shelters to set up throughout the country as safe-havens. Part of the progress made is due to one of the most well known cases in Argentina, the case involving Marita Veron. Maria de los Angeles Veron (Marita) went missing in 2002, when she was kidnapped. A few days later she was seen escaping from a house, but was taken on to a bus where she was never seen again. Her mother launched a campaign to find her daughter, and soon became a symbol of the fight against human trafficking in Argentina. The Ministry of Security reported identifying about 1,000 victims, most of these victims being brought into Argentina from other countries such as Paraguay and Bolivia. A majority of human trafficking cases reported are reported as forced labor cases however, recently their have been more sex trafficking cases than labor cases. The quality and legal treatment of the victims varies from region to region, and many provinces lacked resources to care for trafficking victims, especially those in forced labor trafficking situations. Once the initial testimony is recorded, it is up to the Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence, and Family (SENAF) of the Ministry of Social Development to provide follow-up care and assistance alongside the provincial authorities. The government officials in each province, as well as SENAF officials should have greater access to resources needed to provide the best care possible to human trafficking victims. According to the NGO, the office’s effectiveness in providing sufficient care for human trafficking victims is consistently questioned based on flawed data reports and the inability to provide service to the victims. Poor coordination among officials in Argentina is preventing the human rights laws from being as effective as they could. The lack of communication between the federal and provincial governments continues to hinder the effectiveness of anti- trafficking efforts. In many provinces, there is limited or no funding for the provincial and local efforts working to combat human trafficking in their area which creates an issue in making sure victims receive the proper care. Authorities reported funding campaigns for public awareness and public service announcements about trafficking. These PSA’s are being shown on long distance buses and aired on television, but until the country receives the proper funding, support for legal systems, the human trafficking problem will continue. In December 2010, the new Ministry of Security attempted to coordinate the  efforts of different federal law entities, create a database system for human trafficking crimes, and establish protocols with other ministries to strength federal-level collaboration. NGO’s also targeted the Ministry of Security, government officials, and federal law officers in order to improve the enforcement of human trafficking laws in Argentina. Specialized services for trafficking victims remain uneven across the country; competing mandates and lack of coordination between federal and provincial authorities caused delays in some investigations, and significant allegations of trafficking-related complicity of government officials at the local and federal level prevented more comprehensive anti-trafficking efforts. With the corrupt police force, and lack of funding, Argentina will never be able to successfully implement the programs. NGOs and some officials asserted that poor coordination among the federal and provincial governments continued to hinder the effectiveness of anti-trafficking efforts, as did limited or nonexistent funding for provincial and local efforts to combat trafficking. The Argentine Government, in collaboration with the International Organization of Migrations, has recently published a report on human trafficking. The report identified crucial gaps in the fight against human trafficking that need to be addressed: 1. The lack of qualification of judiciary personnel and the lack of knowledge concerning the dynamics of human trafficking networks and international and national laws and treaties. 2. The lack of security along the Tri-Border area. 3. The lack of human and material resources to carry out adequate investigations. 4. The absence of programs for the middle and long-term assistance to the victims and lack of protection for the witnesses. The biggest issue for Argentina comes from the Tri-Border area. Along the border between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, young prostituted children and adolescents can be seen on the streets of towns such as Puerto Iguazu,  Argentina; Foz do Iguazu, Brazil; and Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. After years of debate within the Senate in Argentina, a law was passed to â€Å"prevent trafficking in persons, protect victims of trafficking, and punish perpetrators of human trafficking† (Project Protection). Under the new law, prison sentences were established for those convicted of participating in the recruitment, transportation, or reception of people for the purpose of sexual or labor exploitation. The law provides protective measures for victims of trafficking, and gives victims the right to free psychological, medical, and legal assistance, in addition to the right to privacy. The Organization of American State has closely watched Argentina’s anti-trafficking efforts. the Argentine government has partnered with an institute in Buenos Airs to create incentives in urban areas for companies that obey the country’s labor laws. Based on the issues identified above, it is recommended that the Argentine government uses a multilateral approach to stop trafficking. Recommended action : In order for Argentina to successfully combat human trafficking at a national level, the government needs to continue to implement the anti-trafficking law with increased efforts to investigate, prosecute, convict, and punish trafficking offenders, including public and police officials who are involved in trafficking crimes. An increase in funding for victim assistance, particularly through shelters and specialized services, on a local and national level would also be beneficial to stopping internal trafficking. There should be continued education for law enforcement officials, public figures, a judiciary actors to know how to stop a trafficking ring. To prevent trafficking in individual provinces in Argentina, the government must develop and implement protocols for provincial officials to identify and assist trafficking victims. Continued investigations of labor  trafficking in urban and rural areas of Argentina, and holding companies whose supply chains benefit from labor trafficking accountable for their actions. The government needs to have better communication between the federal and provincial officials to develop and national anti-trafficking plan, and continue to raise awareness nationwide. The multilateral approach to educating and preventing trafficking in Argentina involves an agreement between the Defense Ministry, and the Buenos Aires provincial Education Ministry. This partnership would create protection by educating military and law enforcement officials, in addition to students to be aware of the human trafficking issue, and how to prevent and protect themselves. The final solution is better border control across the tri-frontier. The geography already creates an area that is hard to protect. It is hard to monitor traffic coming in and out of three countries, and some people just completely surpass border control and show no identification when passing between one country and the next. This area annually generates over $6 billion of illicit money and is nearly devoid of all governmental control. Most governments among the TBA deny the problem claiming they have not detected activity in the regions, but other countries disagree. It is vital that Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina start paying closer attention to the border in order to stop trafficking among other illicit activity. The Argentine government’s multilateral approach to stopping trafficking by educating, training, raising awareness, and implementing better border control will help to decrease trafficking rates in Argentina, and eventually put a stop to it. Thank you for your time, Melanie Rose Sources: http://www.protectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Argentina.pdf http://www.avijorisch.com/9560/tri-border-region http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2012/192366.htm http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/glotip/Trafficking_in_Persons_2012_web.pdf

(FAR) Quality Assurance Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

(FAR) Quality Assurance - Research Paper Example An implied warranty automatically protects the government upon the sale of an item, unless it is overridden by a disclaimer. An implied warranty of merchantability ensures government purchases items of good (average or above) quality and fit for an ordinary purpose intended for, while an implied warranty of fitness protects the government against unsuitable services or products for a specific purpose, known to the recommending seller of the item. Keywords: Defective Products, Items, Contract, Warranty, Acquisition, FAR, Disclaimer, Liability, Cost Determining Criteria to invoke a Warranty in FAR Contracting officers of the government have a crucial role to play, especially in considering commercial practices in handling contracts between the government and contractors, for a smooth exchange of the commercial items or services. Considering the various defects or gross mistakes that may arise in the provision of the commercial products, even though warranties are not compulsory in thes e contracts, such challenges push for the need of the warranty in specific acquisitions. According to the FAR part (46) section (703), contracting officers assess the nature and use of the services or suppliers, trade practices, administration and enforcement, cost, and reduced requirements to determine the appropriateness of a warranty for an acquisition in a contract. Warranties are an extension of the standing relationship between the contractors and the government, but also extend the liability cost to one of the parties based on the matters that may arise from the contract. Similarly, warranties support inspection and acceptance practices in quality assurance of the contracts. When an analysis of the above factors is conducted and the need for a warranty in a specific acquisition found, then in the best interest of the government, a warranty clause can be used. The government acquires the warranty when it is cost effective. In any case, the government would want to reduce the b urden in maintenance, use or operation, and additional costs that may arise due to potential undetected defects. That is why such factors like difficulty in detecting a fault prior to acceptance, assessing potential harm to the government in case of a defect, complexity and function of a an item or service, end use, degree of development, and state of the art under FAR 46.703 part (a) have to be evaluated. The arising costs coming from the deferred liability on the contractor’s side and warranty enforcement of the government’s side, extended trade practice in the cost of a warranted item to the government, the ability of an assured administrative system to report on discrepancies, and reduced government quality assurance requirement would necessitate the government to include a warranty. Through the procedure, the government would ensure that the non conformance is covered in the warranty clause of the contract. Protection against Defective Services Express Warranties They frequently characterize the majority of the government contracts. Some can be complex, but are often specific to service contracts. These warranties can be oral or written, but for official purposes to the government, a written form is often common as a claim for its existence and avoiding chances of contractor’

Shakespeare's Sonnet 55 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Shakespeare's Sonnet 55 - Essay Example The audience is clearly the beloved, in the first instance, as there is tender intimacy in places, and can be interpreted as a gift used to woo. But the work can be accepted as directed at a universal audience, capable of understanding the messages. This essay will examine the speaker's tone as he applies it to the themes of death and immortality, and his belief in the power of his work to transcend one and create the other. No matter that 'marble' or monuments contain the strength of stone, as the visual imagery alludes, or that 'princes' are powerful, his written word is more lasting than either. With the next two lines, the tone becomes more tender and intimate, directed at the beloved and declaring that because of those words, he too will endure. The metaphorical adjective applied to time signifies his dismissal of it; he can transcend it with love and words. The poet is saying that the beloved will never be tarnished or eroded by time, because of his love and because the verse has made him immortal. There can be little doubt of Shakespeare's intent, for he is praising the object of his love and the poem itself. 'Wasteful wars' and 'broils' (battles), 'Mars his sword', and 'war's quick fires' may destroy the strong stone edifices, but never burn or ruin "The living record of your memory." (l. 8) This 'living record' is metaphorically related to the written word, while 'memory' literally places it alive in the minds of all. The subject again is the poet's lover and his own poem. This tone is so confident, and as history shows, this was not misplaced. The Enduring Love must be included as an apparent motivating creative force. The loved one will never be forgotten, thanks to the love he has engendered, and the place he has been given in posterity by the poet. These assertions contain that tone of certainty again, supported by tenderness. There is no insincere flattery, rather the work can be seen as an honest declaration of love, designed to woo and win the heart. ".your praise shall still find room Even in the eyes of all posterity. (l. 10-11) He is telling the subject, be it the lover or the verse, that he, the speaker has made certain of this through the power of his words. Paper and pen are mightier than any destructive power, and have immortalized the person and the poem. There is tenderness in the use of the possessive pronoun, 'your' but as ever, that belongs to the sonnet and the lover; he is certain he has given eternal life to both. In dealing with death, he is full of exultant self-belief. While he accepts its inevitability, he asserts that he can, and has, overcome its power. "'Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth;" (l. 9-10), In the line that follows "the eyes of all posterity" - "That wear this world out to the ending doom." (l. 12), he is asserting that when the world ends, so long as just one person is left alive with a mind and a memory, both the words of the poet and

Government HRD Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Government HRD Practice - Essay Example Todd discovered that participants reply positively to any adviser effort for acknowledgement of their Culture in evolving and applying programs to evolve human resources (Klass 2007). With The Persevering, And Tolerance for Ambiguity Facing the inescapable tension cross-cultural context is difficult. But the proficiency to reply to the proximity of distinct and unpredictable positions with little evident discomfort or irritation is wholeheartedly essential for HRD professionals worldwide. In numerous heritages, the ambiguity can change for the poorer, in some it's kind that permits you to present a kind of convictions and opinions. In some Culture, believing that only divine power can understand any thing for certain. In Japan, the ambiguity presents a structure inside which agreement can be satisfied. In the Middle East, it permits for negotiating and explaining problems. In Latin America, it was often the ground on which the business and it is improbable political alliances can be developed. In latest years, even in the U.S., where the ambiguity is not highly regarded, he performed a function in household and foreign policy. In periods of his 40 years of human asset development in the world, Len Nadler proposes that endurance was the ambiguity of its most precious connection he has discussed agreements, conceived programs, therapy, and suggested training. Commitment to the Values and Perform of HRD Healthy esteem for the occupation of HRD and anxiety for his expert likeness are significant relationships. They boost the practitioner should be well arranged for all undertakings for human asset development to take individual blame for his efforts, and care about value and improvement (Budhwar Schuler and... In latest years, even in the U.S., where the ambiguity is not highly regarded, he performed a function in household and foreign policy. In periods of his 40 years of human asset development in the world, Len Nadler proposes that endurance was the ambiguity of its most precious connection he has discussed agreements, conceived programs, therapy, and suggested training.Commitment to the Values and Perform of HRDHealthy esteem for the occupation of HRD and anxiety for his expert likeness are significant relationships. They boost the practitioner should be well arranged for all undertakings for human asset development to take individual blame for his efforts, and care about value and improvement (Budhwar Schuler and Sparrow 2009). Global HRD professionals are often inquired to work in tough situation, and odd, and often the things are insufficient and insufficient equipment. These situations are better than the firm promise and conviction in paid work and a good dose of flexibility in ho w work is done.Initiative and ResolveGlobal HR practices may be far from the head agency of support in positions where they require supplying any authority and management. Program participants may not have concern in the work, they desire the adviser can rest, relish the climate, and chat. There are even situations where scholars glimpse the teacher to enforce business standards and demeanour at work (such as administration by objectives and participative management), which contradicts their convictions and Culture practices.

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

PRESENTATION - Essay Example 7 9.What are you doing to ensure the validity of your research? 7 10.What do they anticipate will be gained through your research? 8 References 9 1. Why have you chosen to base your research on this company/facility/organisation/etc? The major objective of the proposed research is to highlight the consequences of staff training programmes in an organisation. The study will focus on staff training programmes that are implemented by McDonald’s in its global business operations. An effective staff training program can be beneficial for McDonald’s in order to avoid the increasing risks and threats that can arise in various phases within the marketplace. Moreover, it can also be considered as one of the major strategic tools for the organisation in order to achieve competitive advantage in global marketplace (Pranicevic & et. al., 2011). ). From the perspective of McDonald’s, the food chain retail organisation significantly implements effective training and learning p rograms for the employees in various regions of socially, culturally as well as linguistically diversified markets. Therefore, the organisation can be recognised as one of the major fast-food chain retailers across the various regions of the world. 2. ... ll as with the increasing number of competitors in the hospitality and food chain industry, employee training and development programs have become an essential step for the modern organisations in order to maintain their sustainability. In the present day context, organisations frequently employ training programs for the employees in order to educate them regarding effective steps that can be followed by them while dealing with the consumers. Therefore, an assessment of the core concepts that are utilised by a globally leading company, McDonald’s in this context can facilitate to recognise the value of staff training in the organisational context in both short and long run (Pranicevic & et. al., 2011). 3. What are your main literature sources and how have you located and accessed these? In the context of this proposed research, the study would be conducted through assessing various numbers of journals and books that are written by different authors. Moreover, in order to incre ase the effectiveness and suitability of this research, the proposed study would be evaluated through collecting information from primary sources including company annual reports, by conducting interviews and through questionnaire survey with the consumers and employees of McDonald’s. 4. What is the overall aim of your proposal and why? Identifying and highlighting the major effects of staff training in McDonald’s in order to develop the experiences of the global customers of the company’s fast-food retail chain segment is the major objective of this research. Moreover, recognizing various types of innovative and exceptional business strategies that are executed by McDonald’s in its effective staff training initiatives is also a major aim of the proposed research. The recognised aims of

English settlement in the Americas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English settlement in the Americas - Essay Example The colonization had made Spain the wealthiest nation, during the later years of the 1500s. The inflow of the English was triggered by the need to colonize and explore the Americas, after they saw that Spain was growing extremely rich during the sixteenth century (Benedict 1996). However, the colonization and the exploration style of England was different from that of Portugal and Spain, as England privatized its exploration, through granting letters of Marquis and charters to the individuals that captured English colonies as economic strongholds. This paper will explore the motives behind the development of English settlements in the Americas, both from the perspective of the settlers and official policy formulations (Starkey 1998). The motives included mercantilism, which is the economic outlook of integrating private and government efforts, towards fostering economic development. The aims of the system included managing all the components of American trade, including transport, pr oduction and retailing – under the control of England. ... There was also the spread of Protestantism, partly due to Henry VIII’s pursuit of getting a male child. After the death of Edward in 1553, Mary I took over, and she started killing Protestants, so that she could restore England to Catholicism. On one occasion, she commanded the execution of 300 Protestants for heresy, and had them burnt. During the time of fleeing England to avoid persecution, and after the reign of Elizabeth, the English settled in the Americas – and in the process realized the goal of expanding their religious coverage (Spielvogel 2000). The English sought to expand the coverage of their religion, as there was the common view that Spanish Catholicism was evil. As a result, the attacks staged on Spanish ships by Sir Francis, while in the American waters were hailed as a heroic act, and not pirate activity. The demolition of the Spanish armada paved way for the English explorers to colonize the Americas, which was also an effort to contain the spread of Catholicism. The development of English settlements in the Americas was also triggered by the population increase of the 1500s. During the time, England passed laws on enclosure, making all land private, which made it very difficult for commoners to feed their animals at public lands. The shift towards privatizing land resulted from the increase in the price of wool. As a result, land owners decided to stop the competition for provision of wool by increasing their farm lands and to increase their wealth through the trade. The shift increased wool production, but also led to an increase in the number of landless people, who has sustained their livelihood by grazing at public lands. Also, between 1530

Domestic Violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Domestic Violence - Essay Example The new policy insists that children be taken from their households even with only two incidences of problematic behavior then the parents will have to undergo treatment, therapy or counseling before the children can be given back to their care. This method actually severs family ties and changes developmental needs of children significantly. Maintaining the family as complete and intact ensures that the children will have the connection and bond with their families, even it may be dysfunctional. It is, then, important to guarantee their safety while protecting the family as a unit. The new policy may protect the children from harm, but it does not protect them from the disadvantages of being disconnected from their families. The new policy should, then, recognize the needs of empowering the parents with problem behaviors to continue correcting their behavior while their children are with them to be able to provide them their developmental needs, as well as, a positive environment.Th e Department of Job and Family Services may have the best in their minds when they created this policy. However, they forgot to take account the importance of family connections and the primary developmental needs of children when they imposed that children should be taken away from their families if there is a case of problematic behavior in the family. Taking children away from their parents should be the last resort unless they are the direct victims of their parent’s abusive behavior.

Of Mice and Men English language Essay Example for Free

Of Mice and Men English language Essay Many of the characters in of Mice and Men are lonely and some have dreams to sustain them. Write about 2-3 of them and explain why we feel sympathetic toward them. The book of Mice and Men was written by an American writer called John Steinbeck. He was born in Salinas, California and wrote this book from the theme The Great Depression. The title of this book got its name from a Scottish poet Rabbi Burns in one of his poems called To a Mouse; which means most plans from man or animal dont work out in the end. When I say the Great Depression, this was a significant world event which started on 29 October 1929, this day was-from then on-nicknamed black Tuesday because on that very same day the stock markets crashed, which meant that the money in there lost its value. Due to this, 9 million banks closed, which meant that about 86,000 businesses failed; for 2 reasons: firstly the businesses didnt have the money to keep them going. Secondly people didnt have the money to buy the things the businesses were selling. Because businesses closed, unemployment rate increased, in 1929, the percentage of unemployment was 3%. However in 1934, the unemployment rate was 26%+. This shows that there was a big rise for people losing jobs. By saying this, you must be honoured to keep your job (most people lost their jobs), although if your job was secure, your wages would decrease by approximately 60%, if you walked out on that job, it would be hard for you to find another job, the employer wouldnt have to worry much since there were lines of people queuing up for jobs. At 1 point, estimates say 34 million people had no income at all, thus meant that people lived in shanty towns. This not only was in the small cities, but developed in the major states such as New York and Washington D.C. People nicknamed these shanty towns as Hoovervilles, because it was nicknamed after the American president at that time, Herbert Hoover. So how would this recession affect people? Some people couldnt cope with it so they committed suicide. Marriages broke down due to the financial pressure. People became itinery/migrant workers. This means travelling round the country looking for work, if they did find work, it would be short term, unskilled, insecure and labouring. Most jobs were in California (farming area), 1000s of families lost their homes due to failing to pay mortgages, so people had to live in shanty towns. So soup kitchens were set up, and there would be queues of 1000s (maybe more) of mixtures of people in dirty clothes to people in business suits. If these people were moving around they wouldnt be able to stay with their families/friends. Because of this, people got lonely because they were looking for jobs, so they wouldnt have any time for relationships, and as George says: we ask no questions on the ranch which means that you keep your self to yourself. No-one knows who you are or where youve come from, or what theyre planning to do next. If you knew these things about a specific person (or any person), they would tell you off for nosing around. All of the things I have mentioned all come in the theme of the Great Depression, which is the thing behind the story that John Steinbeck is trying to tell. For example, most characters in of Mice and Men were migrant workers and before Lennie and George came to the ranch in Soledad. Candy tells Lennie about a blacksmith called Whitey, who came, got his money and left, why he just quit, just wanted to move, didnt give no other reason but the food just say gimme my time, the way any guy would. Although George and Lennie travel around together, it would have been highly unusual for this to happen in a time like this, most men travelled alone. We see this in the novel like Slim, Crooks, and Candy, but I must say it is highly unusual that men travel around together, Slim says this in section 2. This novel is set in California, which is situated in the southern state of the USA. If you were working in a place where Lennie and George were working- your friends and family is miles- maybe further- away. Your only alternative is to make friends otherwise you are walking a lonely road. Also a thing that you would have to take into consideration is the size of the place, the place that they (Lennie and George) were working was on a ranch. A ranch is the equivalent for a farm in England, but however, a ranch is much bigger than a farm that we refer to in England. The distance, as Ive mentioned is pretty far- not to mention being cut off from your family and friends, theyd have to walk miles to the ranch, otherwise youd have to hitch a ride from a passing truck. From the way they live that I learned from chapter 2, firstly I learn that they are violent, I know this from when they let crooks- the black person- come into the bunk house for Christmas, sounds nice doesnt it? Letting the black man come into the bunk house on this festive occasion, but from what I learn they only let him in to batter him black and blue! And enjoy it! Yes sir, we had fun. They let the nigger come in that night. Little skinner the name of smitty took after the nigger. I personally think that its horrible, but its true. Secondly I learn that they have very little privacy and basic living condition. For example, they have straws for mattresses and apple crates for bedside desks. They have little comfort- like the bunk house isnt well presented, no paint on the walls, crates for chairs table in the middle and a deck of cards for daily entertainment, nothing compared to the entertainment that we have today, like PS3s and Xbox 360s etc. also, anonymity, the way people keep themselves to themselves, how people dont know where youre from. Finally, how migrant workers move from place to place- as this is what migrant workers do. We see this in the novel from the beginning when Lennie got in trouble and they had to flee when Lennie sexually harassed a girl in weed. Dreams help people achieve things in life, no matter what scenario you are in. they give people power and confidence. Although I state in the title of this essay and have dreams to sustain them; the dream that they are referring to is the American dream. Before John Steinbeck wrote this book, he was interested in finding out about power, ownership and control and what it did on normal people. Due to the Great Depression, most people didnt have jobs, so they relied on bosses to permit them to a job; but they manage to put all that stress aside towards a dream that they have. Most of who dream of a dream called the American dream. These dreams tell us about the life people are living. Most characters in the novel have dreams to. But Lennie and Georges dream are the most important because they tell us about the culture that has been created. America has always been seen as the land of opportunity, freedom, a place to live and most importantly, a new life. A place for wealth and a place for real possibilities, this was referred to as the American dream. Immigrants moved to over America because they believed in this dream. So how was America founded? In 1607, people from Britain went to America to find gold; these people were known as the Virginia colony. Because the island they first found they named after the Queen Elizabeth, who of course, was a Virgin Queen. But of instead finding gold, they found tobacco (which was known a black gold in Britain-very popular.) and brought it back to England to sell. In 1620 a group of English Protestants who detested against the Church of England moved to America looking for religious freedom, these were known as the Plymouth colony or Pilgrims. In the Harsh Winter of 1620-1621, half of the Plymouth colony died due the coldness of the weather, when they arrived to America, it was full of wilderness and red Indians/Native Americans. In 1630 1000 more arrived to establish more colonies. In 1642, the Plymouth colony had 12000 settlers from Europe, again searching for religious freedom. By 1776, the colonies in America were fed up of the British monarchs ruling them and wanted their own independence, because the monarch of England was the monarch of America, and they had enough of this. In Britain the law was only set up for the landowners, if you wasnt a landowner then you didnt count. So 4th July 1776, the American colonies set up a universal declaration of independence. Here is an extract from it. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by the creator with certain unalienable rights. Rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The statue of liberty was a present from the French man Gustave Eiffel, due to the French revolution happening in France he set up the statue of liberty to symbolise this dream, because the American dream was similar in France. If you were an immigrant coming into America by boat, the statue of liberty would be the first thing that you saw. However, this American dream inspired many people. By 1929, the Great Depression spoilt these dreams for many people since they didnt have the money to live happily. As stated in the novel, George and Lennie- and Candy aim to get a ranch to themselves and Lennie wants to pet the rabbits. Some elements of the dream include: material comforts and financial security- not being in debt and having everything you need. Being in control of your destiny- you making the choices in your own life, not people telling you what to do. Gaining the respect of others- living in a peaceful society. Companionship and sharing good fortune- having friends and keeping each other happy. And last but not least; making your mark-something to be proud of- achieving things in life; getting the best in life. The American dream today isnt all about freedom; its about money and fame. For example, if you look at Hollywood; actors and actresses etc. When an author writes a book, they must make some important choices. For example, whether to base the story involving letters or e-mails or telling the story as a flash back/ flash forward. People write book for various reasons: to inform the reader- this might be something that has happened previously, or presently. Some people write books to persuade or entertain you-it might encourage you to change your life. John Steinbeck written this book to inform-recalling what life was like in the Great Depression for migrant workers. He also creates a description; he lets the action sink in for the reader, also he helps create a physical appearance in your mind, by using a wide range of onomatopoeia and so crisp that a lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among them skittering is the sound that is being made. Another thing that the writer must consider is to select whether to write in 1st or 3rd person. If you wrote in first person, you can fully understand what that person, what goes on in that particular persons mind. But the down side is that you can only see what is happening when that person is present. If John Steinbeck chose to write this novel in the 1st person, we wouldnt see what would happen to George if Lennie wasnt there etc. however if you chose to write in the 3rd person, you can see the minds of all the characters in the book. Unfortunately 3rd person isnt always in the full depths of understanding- meaning that although you can read everybodys mind, it doesnt provide in depth detail. John Steinbeck chose 3rd person; this is a good choice because you can see in everybodys mind and John Steinbeck described the novel in full understanding in 3rd person, also he has put the plot in Great detail and has used a lot of wide range of vocabulary slowly, like a terrier who doesnt want to bring a ball to his master, Lennie approached, drew back, and approached again. Another interesting technique John Steinbeck has chosen to use is starting and ending the story in the same setting. He also set this novel in a rural location (in the countryside) and used adjectives, careful words and descriptions to this novel create an exact physical location. As well as this, the time scale of this novel is described for 1 week- this shows that George and Lennie havent moved very far in their lives, they havent moved forward. Finally one of the things that you need to consider is how much direct speech you use, not too much or you will slow down the plot, too less will not move the plot forward. So it is essential that you use the right amount. In this novel there is a lot of blasphemy Jesus he said hes jes like a kid aint he- and swearing listen here you crazy bastard- and racist comments Jesus how that nigger can pitch shoes- Steinbeck used a wide range of direct speech, thus helps us understand the characters more. This kind of language is found in most aspects of this novel- it is commonly asked why its studied in schools- racism, blasphemy and swearing is the kind of language that was used in the Great Depression, this was because the characters were migrant workers and they were uneducated, manual workers and non intellectual. Some of the characters in of Mice and Men are lonely; I am going to talk about 3 of them. The first character I am going to look at is Candy. Candy is an old swamper living at the ranch George and Lennie worked at. He is an old man with a missing wrist the wooden hatch raised. The door opened and a tall, stoop shouldered man came in. he was dressed in blue jeans and he carried a push broom in his left hand and out of the sleeve came a round stick like wrist , but no hand. Also he has a really old dog that evidently he has had since he was a pup and at is heels there walked a drag footed sheep dog he also has no relatives cause I aint got no relatives or nothing I find that Candy is lonely; he is lonely in several ways. Firstly his disability, he lost his hand I aint much good with ony one hand, I lost my hand right here on this ranch thats why they give me a job swamping an they give me two hundred and fifty dollars cause I los my hand this makes you think that it was their fault that Candy has lost his hand; because if it wasnt then they wouldnt give an old folk money if they could avoid it! Especially in a depression! So he cannot go out to buck barley like the rest of the men because he hasnt got the energy or strength like the other men have which means that he is lonely all day and has to wait for them to come back. He cant go down to Soledad because he is too old after that the guys went down to Soledad and raised hell, I didnt go there, I aint got the poop no more Candy was very close to that dog, he had him since he was a puppy, and so that dog is important to him. Firstly, he spends all of his day with that dog. Also that dog is a link to all the memories he has yeah I had him since he was a pup, god he was a damn good sheep dog when he was younger. When the dog gets shot Candy is desperate to leave the ranch, he hasnt got any body to keep him there (since his dog was his only companion) now the dog has been shot he hasnt got a friend anymore, which is why he is so desperate to leave the ranch. And follow Lennie and George with this dream that they have. Candy has become so desperate to be part of Lennie and Georges dream that he is prepared to give all of his savings to them spose I went in with you guys, thats three hundred and fifty bucks Id put in. that is three hundred and fifty dollars that Candy is prepared to give- $50 a month- so he is prepared to give 7 months wages to two guys that he has met on that very same day! This shows that he is desperate. Candy sees no hope on the ranch when they can me I wisht somebodyd shoot me hed rather be dead than stay on the ranch now his dog has been shot. He desperately wants something to look forward to, something to be happy about, and somewhere to belong to. The idea of this dream gives him hope. He wants to join the dream because his dog has been shot. Lennie and George accept him because he has got the money. Because Lennie and George have accepted Candy into this dream, he begins to change. Firstly Candy has gained the ability to be self critical. He can see that he should have shot his dog himself I ought to have shot that dog myself, George, I shouldnt ought to have let no stranger shoot my dog this shows that he has got over his dog being shot. Secondly Candy has gained the confidence to join in with the other men, like when he joins into the attack with Curley (glove fulla Vaseline Candy said disgustingly). This shows that he isnt scared to join in when everybody is cheeking Candy. He wouldnt have done this before because he would have been sacked, but now he fells more confident and feels more part of the group; he only used to say things behind peoples backs, not to their faces (the swamper stood up from his box know what I think George did not answer well I think hes married a tart) he only used to say things like that behind peoples back. Now he feels more confident, he will say it to their faces. Thirdly, he starts to plan and look forward I tell ya what Lennie, Ive been figuring about them rabbits he knows what his future going to be, he is looking forward to it. He wasnt like this before because he couldnt see any future, he had nothing to look forward to. His future seemed horrible theyll can me purty soon as I cant swamp out no bunk houses theyll put me on the county he tells Lennie and George that hes going to a county, no friends, no family, no entertainment, simple life, horrible experience. Finally I found out that has got more confident when talking to Curleys wife when he backs up Crooks if you was to do that, wed tell wed tell you up about you framing Crooks he wouldnt have done this before because it is the bosses sons wife that he is talking to and he would be sacked- and he cannot afford that to happen because he hasnt got no place else to go, he had to rely on his boss to permit him to work on the ranch and he is quite confident that he his future is going to happen, so now he doesnt care about being sacked, the fear of being sacked has left him. When Lennie kills Curleys wife the dream that Candy was looking forward to have come to an end, Candy was really relying on that dream, its made him more lively, its helped him join in with the other people (glove fulla Vaseline) now Curleys wifes death has caused this dream to fail. I know this from when he says to Curleys wifes corpse you done it dint you? I spose youre glad. Everbody knowed youd mess things up. You wasnt no good, you aint no good now, you lousy tart to say something like this to a dead body is highly disrespectful, like stealing candy from a baby it isnt acceptable because it is impolite. But all of his anger has caused him to strengthen up; become more confident, when he says if they was a circus or a baseball game we would of went to her jus said ta hell with work, an went to her. Never ast nobody say so. An theyd of been a pig and chickens an in the winter the little fat stove an the rain comin and jus us settin there. The dots between his speeches are called ellipses; these indicate that Candy is angry that his dream has been taken from him. And the ellipsis shows that Candy is trying to control his emotions, until he breaks down -his eyes blinded with tears. After this incident , Candy isnt just back to how he was before, I think that he would be more broken than he was because hew has lost his dog. When the dream was mentioned to him-it was like giving a child a sweet and taking it from him- he had his hopes up, now it looked like it was all over as if it had never begun. So his future seems quite dull for an old man. I think that he would be worse off. The next person I would like to observe is Crooks. Crooks is a stable buck who also lives at the ranch where Lennie and George once worked. A stable buck is someone who looks after the horses and the mules; he is also a black man. He lives not in the bunk house where all the other guys live; he lives in a shed of a barn. The job of the stable buck is very important because it is vital for the horses and the mules to be kept in good condition due to that being the only transport, meaning that the horses and the mules must be kept well looked after. The reason why he is called Crooks is because he is disabled; this shows that he cannot work with the other men. He has a permanent Job looking after the mules and horses; this is a semi-skilled job because it requires skill to do this job. There are several reasons why Crooks is lonely. Firstly he is black, the only black on the ranch and now there aint no coloured guy on the ranch he grew up as the only black family in Soledad there wasnt another coloured family for miles around. There is only one coloured family in Soledad an theres jus one family in Soledad. This makes him lonely because he hasnt got anybody like him, nobody black like him. He is the only one. Segregation means separation, separated from the others, this is what happens to Crooks. He isnt allowed in the bunk house, he lives in a little shed led off the barn a little shed led off the barn since he been separated from the others, he feels that white people have no right in his room you got no right to come in my room. This heres my room; nobody got any right in here but me. From this, Crooks feels rejected I cant play cards because Im black. They say I stink, well, I tell you, you stink too Crooks is a victim of institutional racism- this means that the law cannot protect him. I know this from when Curleys wife says to him I can get you strung up so easy it aint even funny The word nigger can be said in two ways-to describe sure, ya see, the stable bucks a nigger this shows ignorance, this shows that people do not know that it is an offensive word- and hurtful then you keep your place then nigger, I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny what she said was true backthen, if a black man looked at a white woman funny then (no matter what personality she is) she can get him strung up and the law cannot protect him. Crooks is isolated, no-one comes into his room except for Slim and the boss guys like you dont come into a coloured mans room very much. Nobody been in here but Slim, Slim and the boss. Experts say that being isolated can affect your mental health, which evidently it has done to Crooks. He is quiet, aloof (keep yourself to yourself) and depressed. He was not always like this. In his youth he was part of a loving family remember when I was a little kid on my old mans chicken ranch. Had two brothers, they was always with me, always there this makes Crooks lonelier than he is now because he had a family, he had a life, he had a future, but now it has been taken from him. America was a far more racist community than it was now. I know this from the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) this was (and still is) a white supremacist organisation, which has an aim of striking fear and intimidation into black people. The KKK believed that blacks were like animals and had little rights due to the fact that they are black-terrible, but true- black people were routinely dragged out of their homes and beaten, raped, castrated (cutting off penis and testicles) or possibly murdered. Slavery was abolished in America; it was very strong in the southern states. This is why Crooks says that he isnt a southern Negro I aint a southern negro this shows that Crooks was born a free black. Crooks (as far as we know) hasnt suffered from the KKK but it could still effect him because he know in theory what will happen to him. Being isolated is not good for people. As Ive said earlier, isolation can affect your mental health. He is also the only character in this novel that knows what loneliness does to you- Steinbecks message has been put into Crookss mouth a guy goes nuts if he aint got nobody. From suffering from isolation Crooks begins to get his own back and scare Lennie want me ta tell ya whatll happen? Theyll take ya to the booby hatch. Theyll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog. From this he has become cynical (this means that you believe things will always go wrong, what ever the scenario) and pessimistic (always looking on the down side of things youll talk abut it a hell of a lot, but you wont get no land. Yet he may be black, but he is brighter than all the other men in the novel And he had a book too; a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905 he hasnt got the right to fulfil his intelligence, this shows what racism was like and what it did. When Lennie and Candy mention the dream to Crooks he offers to join it immediately if youguys would want to work for nothing-just his keep, why Id come an lend a hand. I aint so crippled I cant work like a son-of-a-bitch when I want to. The way he asked it was to hint to them, try not to give them an excuse to punish him. He really wants to be part of the dream, we never hear Crooks speak of his dreams, when Lennie and Candy talk about their dream, Crooks springs up and wants to become part of it. Crooks has the same dream, but he never shows it, because hes black. In the ellipsis he is trying to hint to them for them to accept him. We want Crooks to be accepted because it would be a better life, possibly a better ending. When Crooks wants to be part of Lennie and Candys dream, he has his hopes up, but when Curleys wife enters the scene and threatens him I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny he changes his mind- not as if he wants to- but for protection. What Curleys wife said was true, so Crooks loses all of his confidence, and backs out of this dream. So what will happen to him is that he will be exactly how he was before lonely, aloof, intimidated. We will feel sorry for him because now he has ended up worse than he was before, now he knows that things will always go wrong for him In a Depression everybody suffers. If you were black or disabled you suffer even more because nobody would want to employ you. Employers want white, fit and young workers, if they were fit to get that job, it would be low payed, you would suffer either way, but if you was black or disabled you would be less likely to get that job, Candy only got that job because he lost his hand under their behalf. Crooks only got that job because hes been there a long time and hes got skill. If Crooks and Candy were kicked and had to start again, it wouldnt be easy for them to get another job. The final character I am going to look at is Curleys wife. Curleys wife is the recent bosses sons wife on the ranch lennie and George worked at- so the men on the ranc will look at her as the new kid. whit picked uphis cards and examined them seen the new kid yet. She looks probally 16-17 years old. I know this from when an actor said she could go with them. She says that she is only 15. he says I could gowith him on that show. But my ol lady wouldnt let me. She says because I was ony 15. Also she is pretty but in an artificial way- this means that she pretends to be beautiful a girl was standing there looking in. she had full rouged lips and wide spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her finger nails were red.her hair hung in little rolled clusters like sausages. She wore a cotton house dressand red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquettes of red ostrich feathers back then respectable women didnt wear make up how she does, this is why the men refer her to as a tart I think Curleys married a tart she is never refered to as a name- just an individual. Also she can provokes strong feelings in both readers and characters (sympathy and hostility) to lennie, who thinks shes georgeous- shes purty- and George- who thinks discustingly of her- dont you even take a look at that bitch- the readers feel the same more-or-less. Steinbeck had a more sympathetic view of the character of Curleys wife- I know this from the Miss Luce letter. When Steinbeck adapted this novel into a play, the actor playing Curleys wife wrote to him because he did not know how to play her. So Steinbeck wrote a sympathetic letter back to Miss Luce explaining that her character in more detail. There are a number of reasons why Curleys wife is lonely. A womans role at that time was far different than today. Women those days had to stay in the home; cook meals and look after the kids- Curleys wife cant do this because she is living with Curleys father, she cant cook there is a cook that cooks all the meals on the ranch. Today women own companies, go to work etc. Curleys wife cannot get a job because in a depression, all the jobs would go to the men, plus women werent seen as workers, their job was to stay in the home. Also respectable women didnt wear make up, if you did then the men would think bad of you. Yet also there isnt another woman on the ranch for or nearby-so she hasnt got any support, girls and boys like the company of people their age, girls share make up, clothes, talk to each other, and chat about life. Curleys wife cant chat with other girls since there isnt anybody; Curleys mother seems evidently dead or doesnt live with them, so she cant talk to her. She cannot go into town to meet other girls because she cannot travel alone, if she does then society will disrespect her. She is treated by Curley as a sex object, as a possession- a perfect example of this is when she dies, Curleys reaction to her death, there is no weeping, no remorse, Curley goes straight for revenge Im gonna get him. Im going for my shotgun. Ill kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself. Ill shoot him in the guts. Come on, you guys he only goes for revenge for Lennie because he hates big guys. Curley sees his wife as a sex object from when he brags about his glove fulla Vaseline Curley says this because when the men ask him why he is wearing a glove full of Vaseline, he says he is keeping it soft for his wife. He only says this to make the other guys jealous. As for the other men on the ranch, they see her as someone who is dangerous, she is judged by her first appearance well aint she a looloo? they say this because she doesnt fit into the mens category as normal, respectable women didnt wear make up- she wears make up- respectable women didnt leave the house- shes in their faces. When Whit says I bet she even gives the stable buck the eye when he says this, it is a major insult to a woman. For a woman to sleep with a black man is seen as the taboo, it just wasnt right back then. They refer her to a tart (prostitute); however they talk about the actual tarts at the cathouse with real warmth and pleasure we go to old susys place. Hell of a nice place. Old susys a laugh- always cracking jokes. They talk about tarts as if they like them. But they dont like Curleys wife and call her a tart, when she isnt one. It seems as if she cannot win. When you are a married man, you work and look after your wife. Curley has only been married for two weeks and hes going to the cathouse! Curleys wife hasnt done anything. This does not pass unnoticed; Curleys wife tells Lennie how she feels about it I get lonely she said you can talk to people, but I cant talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. Howd you like not to talk to anybody? So what has loneliness done to her? Its made her desperate; she ignores the voice inside her head that something is wrong. She took Lennies hand and put it on her head. This shows that she is desperate for company. She also has become cruel listen nigger she said you know what I can do to you if you open your trap this shows that she feels as if she can get her own back on them, she feels as if- for the first time in a long time I suppose- she can take control. Eventually it kills her. She got that desperate for company that she stayed in that room with Lennie; and got herself killed. Many people have dreams, Curleys wife has a dream, and this dream means a lot to her. Curleys wife wants to be a movie star; this was because the film industry was just starting. This was a dream for most young girls back then. Like of how girls of 16-17 want to become models. Evidently this was a realistic dream for young girls back then. She got this dream from when she was 15; an actor said that she could be in the movies nother time I met a guy an he was in pitchers. Went out to the riverside dance palace with him. He says he was going to put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soons he got back to Hollywood he was going to write to me about it what this man really wanted to was to sleep with her. I dont think he was in the movies at all, I think he was just claiming, it would be highly unnatural for a Hollywood film producer to turn up in a small place like Soledad, like a famous person turning up in Bloxwitch, it wouldnt happen on an everyday basis. This is why her mother wouldnt let her my ol lady wouldnt let me her mother wouldnt let her go with him because he wanted to protect her. This shows that Curleys wife is shallow- cares about her appearance, gullible- believes everything that she is told, and naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve- meaning that she is too trusting to people. She hasnt got any real talent because we havent really seen her act out before, so the probability of this dream becoming true is highly unlikely. But she doesnt want to be in the movies to act. No, she wants to be famous; she wants to be admired and to wear flashy clothes. The affect of this is that she wants to be like how the actresses are, trying to impress the men- just the sad thing is that the men dont refer her as an actresses, they refer her to as a tart and vow to keep a distance form her. The effect of this is the total opposite of what she wants (of how they look at her as a tart) she doesnt want that, she wants to be respected by them. She wants to make something of herself well I wasnt gonna stay no place where I couldnt get nowhere or make something of myself this ties up with the American Dream. This is great proof that the dream actually exists. When Curleys wife dies, Steinbeck presents her death in a sympathetic and descriptive manner- now her rouged cheeks and her reddened lips made her seem alive and sleeping very lightly when he presents her death, we- us and the characters- see the real woman. We see her no more than a tool to be polished and maimed, never to be respected nor confided in. And when she described her dream beforehand, this is a sympathetic ending to her life. For the final part of this essay I will talk about who I personally think is the loneliest. I think that the loneliest character is Curleys wife because she is the only woman on the ranch and everybody looks down upon her as something disgustingly on a lavatory seat. She is also the loneliest because even her own husband doesnt particularly respect her. I think this text of Mice and Men was an interesting and mind bending book with a gripping and plot. There are some things that I know now that I didnt now before, for instance the Great Depression, I knew roughly what it was but I never knew that this book had the theme of it. Also, loneliness, the other theme, also happens today. Like how it drives people crazy. Like the message John Steinbeck is trying to put out.

A Midsummer Nights Dream Essay Example for Free

A Midsummer Nights Dream Essay The most significant character in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Puck who is quick-witted, fun-loving, lovely, humorous and mischievous. Puck also has an impulsive spirit, suggestive language and supernatural fancy. He appears to depict wild disparities, for instance, the unspoken evaluation of the elegant fairies and the coarse simple craftsmen. Puck is stylish, however, not as saccharine like fellow fairies. As a comedian, Puck displays some coarseness and thuds turns bottom into a fool just for enjoyment. Puck is charitable however he can perform nasty tricks. Despite the fact that majority of the elves are portrayed as ethereal and beautiful, Puck often appears as rather bizarre. One fairy states that Puck is regarded by some as some ‘hobgoblin’; this term connotes less glamour as compared to ‘fairy’. The arrogant weaver character, Nick Bottom’s comedy is amusingly overt. Being the key character within the sub-plot in which Thisbe and pyramids stories are produced by the craftsmen, Bottom controls fellow characters with some strange conviction in own capabilities as well as his humorous incompetence. Bottom regards himself as being ideal for each play part; however, he performs terribly and often makes grammatical and rhetorical speech mistakes. Bottom is humorous because he totally is not aware of his ridiculousness and hence his language is arrogant and. Such foolish pride climaxes following the transformation of Bottom’s skull into an ass’s. Following Titania’s falling in love with Bottom, Bottom Titania’s actions are not ordinary and that he deserves all this treatment. Bottom’s lack of awareness regarding the transformation of his head into an ass’s is similar to his failure to see the irrationality of the notion of Titania falling in love with him (http://www. sparknotes. com/shakespeare/msnd/themes. html). Helena the youthful woman madly smitten by Demetrius is probably the most prominent of the other actors apart from Bottom and Puck. Among Athenian devotees, Helena stands out as the individual who most considers love’s nature. This could be because as the play opens, Helena misses out on Hermia, Demetrius and Lysander’ love affair. She holds that Demetrius has some fantastic idea regarding Hermia’s prettiness that makes him not recognize Helena’s beauty. Although conscious of Demetrius’ shortcomings, and Being very faithful to him, Helena embarks on winning Demetrius’ love by informing him of Hermia and Lysander’s scheme to escape into the woods. Once inside the woods, the confusion brought in by the love portion bring out majority of Helena’s qualities. In comparison with fellow lovers, Helena is very uncertain regarding herself; she is overly concerned of her looks and she regards Lysander as scornful of her after he states that he loves her. The play removed audiences form the characters’ emotions so as to gain excitement form the afflictions and torments lovers go through. The play’s tone is very lighthearted to guarantee audiences that three will be some happy ending. Audiences may thus delight in the comedy and avoid being ensnared within the tension posed by uncertain eventualities. The subject of the complexity of love usually is analyzed through the concept of unbalanced love; romantic instances whereby an inequality or disparity obstructs harmonious relationships. A key example is the 4 youthful Athenians unbalanced love: Hermia and Lysander love each other; Helena adores Demetrius; plus Demetrius adores Hermia as opposed to Helena. This constitutes a basic numeric inequity, whereby 2 men adore a single woman thus one lady has excess lovers while the other has very few. The scheme is mainly geared towards internal equilibrium and thus a conventional happy conclusion will have been reached after the devotee’s tangle unravels into balanced pairings. Similarly, Oberon and Titania’s relationship signifies an imbalance since Oberon covets the Indian lad of Titania more that he loves Titania. Afterwards, Titania’s adoration of Bottom signifies some nature and appearance imbalance. Titania is graceful and beautiful, whereas Bottom is ugly and clumsy (http://www. sparknotes. com/shakespeare/msnd/themes. html). A Midsummer Night’s Dream employs magic to develop a strange world and also to exemplify love’s mystic power (signified by the love portion). Despite the fact that abuse of the supernatural leads to anarchy, like after Puck accidentally administers the love portion to the eyelids of Lysander, magic finally finishes the tension in the play by reinstating love’s balance among the 4 Athenian youngsters. Moreover, Puck’s ease of usage of magic to accomplish his desires, like in reshaping Bottom’s head into an ass’s and recreating Demetrius and Lysander’s voices, contrasts with the craftsmen’s gracefulness and laboriousness as they act their part. Dreams comprise a vital subject within A Midsummer Night’s Dream; the magical, bizarre events in the woods are related to dreams. Hyppolyta’s initial words signify dreams’ prevalence in the play; different other characters refer to dreams. Dreaming theme predominantly repeats itself when actors try to analyze bizarre occurrences that affect them. Bottom states that his inability to understand the supernatural occurrences affecting him is due to slumber. Shakespeare as well is concerned with dreams’ real workings; the occurrence of events with no explanation, lose of time’s usual flow sense, and the happening of the impractical. He attempts to reconstruct such an environment by fairy intervention within the magical woods. At the play’s conclusion, pluck broadens the dream theme to audiences, by informing them in case the play upsets them, they ought to bear in mind that this is nothing but some dream. Such an illusion sense plus delicate fragility proves vital to A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s atmosphere since it helps in making the play some fantastical encounter as opposed to heavy performance (http://www. sparknotes. com/shakespeare/msnd/themes. html). References SparkNotes: A midsummer night’s dream: themes, symbols, motifs. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from http://www. sparknotes. com/shakespeare/msnd/themes. html

George the 3rds Reign: Public Perceptions

George the 3rds Reign: Public Perceptions Discuss the public perception of George III in the first half of his reign. The sixty year reign of George III from 1760 to 1820 is the second longest of any British monarch save Victoria, his granddaughter. It endured the as yet unrivalled Gordon Riots of 1780, in which 10,000 troops were deployed and some  £100,000 of damage caused, the independence of America after years of expensive war and witnessed the French Revolution of 1789 and the horrors and war that followed. When George III died in 1820 he was well mourned: 30,000 people attended the supposedly private funeral, despite the fact that the king had been out of the public eye since 1810; shops were shut and laudatory sermons penned (Colley 1984, 94). Yet the public perception of George in the first half of his reign is somewhat more ambiguous and controversial: Samuel Romilly wrote that ‘from the beginning of his reign to the close of the American War, he was one of the most unpopular princes that ever sat on he throne’ (quoted in Colley 2005, 208). Picard (2000, 288), on the other hand, notes that the accession of George III was greeted by the people with ‘delirious enthusiasm’. On his coronation at the age of 22, George may indeed have seemed an attractive prospect, in particular because, unlike his two predecessors on the throne, he had been born and educated in England and spoke English as his first language. The stigma of being foreign did not apply to him and his attachment to Hanover, regularly preferred by George II, was not great, in fact he described it as that ‘horrid electorate’ (Ditchfield 2002, 23). In his first speech before parliament, George emphasised this, ‘born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Britain’ (Shapiro 1972, 30). As for his character, Horace Walpole noted, the king seemed good-natured, walking about and talking to everybody as well as occupying the throne with dignity and grace and answering addresses well (Long 1962, 67). Even so, Colley has noted that while the new king may have been better received than the previous Georges, he received less public acclaim than William Pitt the Elder, whom he had rebuffed upon the death of George II (Colley 2005, 401 n.28; Colley 1984, 94; Long 1962, 64-65). Despite what might have been an optimistic beginning, the popularity of George seems to have waned, at least in certain quarters, during the 1760s. Early cartoons undermine him, showing him under the control of his mother and Lord Bute (Colley 2005, 209). A cartoon of 1770 vividly compares the reception of the king in 1760 and 1770 (Clarke 1972, 75). In contrast to the crowded street of celebrants in 1760, in 1770 the king’s procession proceeds alone through London as the driver comments ‘we are no longer plagued with the acclamation of the people’. Clarke (1972, 74) comments that this visible discontent was caused by rising population and deteriorating living standards. Other prints from the late 1760s show George as a blind, pliable child, in 1773 and 1780 he was portrayed as a drain on Britannia, in 1779 and 1784 he was shown as an oriental tyrant and (Colley 1984, 102). Perhaps due to his friendship with members of the Catholic elite and his sponsorship of the sons of Catholic ‘gentlemen of reputable character’ as well as his support for measured Catholic relief and suppression of the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots of 1780, he was even represented as a closet Catholic (Ditchfield 2002, 100-101, 106). It was during the early 1760s that John Wilkes rose to public prominence and popularity, often at the expense of the king and Bute. Wilkes, an English MP, had begun to publish a paper, The North Briton, in opposition to the Scottish Bute’s paper The Briton, which supported peace with France, (Shapiro 1972, 37). Wilkes was, amongst other things, anti-Scottish and pro-English, a womaniser and a member of the Hell Fire club (Colley 2005, 106). As such, he stood in stark contrast to the king, and seems to have been a more popular figure with the public. In response to George’s speech proposing peace with France, he published number 45 of The North Briton, in which he notoriously criticised the king and his new minister Grenville, causing his arrest under a general warrant (Clarke 1972, 42). He then capitalised on the unpopular use of general warrants, presenting himself as a champion of liberty against tyranny, and they were later declared illegal (Shapiro 1972, 47). George’s early unpopularity seems to have been due to his break with the Whigs and his promotion of his former tutor and relative political outsider Bute and their policy of peace with France (Clarke 1972, 38). He was suspected of trying to increase royal power and acting unconstitutionally, leading to accusations of tyranny, although it is only natural that Whigs and the excluded would respond in such a way after their years of prominence. His early proclamation of Britishness, while inclusive in spirit, rankled with sections of the majority English, as did his choice of the Scottish Bute, a Stuart, who was also reputedly the lover of the king’s mother and a Tory (Shapiro 1972, 32-33). His unpopularity may also have owed something to the king’s perceived dullness and ordinariness and a lack of ceremony and majesty to promote the royal image (Colley 2005, 202). For example, the royal couple were brought to their coronation in sedan chairs and Samuel Johnson comme nted that the crown was too often ‘worn out of sight of the people’ (Colley 2005, 203). In the 1770s and early 1780s, with Lord North as his minister, it was the loss of the American colonies and defeat by them that became a real public humiliation for George, as well as a political crisis (Cannon 2004). In 1775, John Wesley commented that most people ‘heartily despise his majesty, and hate him with a perfect hatred’ (quoted in Colley 2005, 208). Even so, public opinion on the war was ‘seriously fractured’ on both sides and Colley notes that the experience of this particular war, against a colony perceived as the mirror of Britain and without allies in Europe, ‘seems actually to have resolved some of the uncertainties and divisions of the 1760s and early 1770s’, although North was forced to resign in 1782 (Colley 2005, 137, 143). Indeed, North absorbed much of the responsibility and images of George himself tend to become more positive, often portraying him as St George, John Bull or later as the guardian of the nation (Colley 1984 , 102). This is especially the case following the king’s illness in 1788, which showed his vulnerability and aroused great pity (Colley 2005, 212). A more conscious fostering of royalism and its link with nationalism in second half of George’s reign inevitably casts a shadow back over his public perception in the first half. For example, the first royal jubilee was held on 25 Oct 1809 and celebrated around the empire as well as in 650 locations around England (Colley 2005, 218). While George’s famed domesticity may have been unexciting in a young king, his morality and example perhaps influenced the shifting virtues of the late eighteenth century towards an idea of the family and sensitivity and away from indecency, especially popular amongst the developing middle classes (Porter 1990, 305-307). There was also an increasing sentimental female attachment to royalty (Colley 2005, 218-19). Through his long life he became a symbol of continuity and stability in Britain against the anarchy that had overtaken much of Europe (Colley 2005, 223-24). Public ceremony and pomp also was taken more seriously with some 27,000 vol unteers displaying in Hyde Park in 1803 (Colley 2005, 225). Inevitably, the public perception of George III varied from person to person and it is imprudent to overgeneralise; there is evidence for both popularity and approval and their opposites and there is undoubtedly much that is partisan in popular publications (Colley 2005, 208, 228). However, the increasing popularity of George in the latter half of his reign does seem to highlight his more ambiguous public status in the first half, but should be taken in the context of increasing concern for fostering the royal image. Insofar as it is possible to gauge public perceptions, he was viewed in the first half of his reign with a mixture of optimism, suspicion, ridicule, love and hatred. He may have offended Wilkes, the Whigs and the old elite and seemed weak and under the control of his mother and Bute, but his loyalty to his country, delight in family, home and farm and sheer longevity eventually offered a unifying factor in a changing country and a changed world. Through the loss of Ameri ca, and his very public illness and confinement, George, rather than becoming less popular, could be seen to embody a more national feeling, and indeed this changing image, rather than power, of royalty has been developed by monarchs ever since. Thus Colley (2005, 401 n.28) observes that it was from the 1780s that there was a sustainable rise in his popularity and patriotic significance. Bibliography: Cannon, J. 2004. George III and History’s Poisoned Well. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/monarchs_leaders/george_iii_poisoned_well_01.shtml (22/10/5) Clarke, J. 1972. The Life and Times of George III. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. Colley, L. 1984. The Apotheosis of George III: Loyalty, Royalty and the British Nation 1760-1820. Past and Present 102 (February), 94-129. Colley, L. 2005. Britons: Forging the Nation 1707-1837. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. Ditchfield, G.M. 2002. George III: An Essay in Monarchy. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Long, J.C. 1962. George III: A Biography. London: Macmillan. Picard, L. 2000. Dr Johnson’s London: Everyday Life in London 1740-1770. London: Phoenix. Porter, R. 1990. English Society in the Eighteenth Century. Revised edition. London: Penguin. Shapiro, H. 1972. John Wilkes and Parliament. London: Longman. GIS Basics: Spatial Data Structure and Module GIS Basics: Spatial Data Structure and Module GIS Basics: Spatial Data Structure and Module Introduction The forth chapter of the book, GIS Basics, deals with spatial data structures and models. The author organizes this chapter in a way that gives a breakdown of different elements that comprise the topic and creates the relationship between them, thus forming a background with which to understand the differences between data structures and models as well as their application in geography. The essence behind such elaborate explanations is to allow for entry and application of various data types and information into computer applications and programs that allow the utilization of the same in the form of useful information. Spatial data comprises data mostly applicable in the field of geography concerning physical elements and features from the earth and human interaction and relation to such features and structures. Data and information There exists several differences between data and information. The main difference between the two is that data serves as a source of information, but information does not necessarily entail data. The presumption in this statement is that data is an ingredient of information. Data undergoes processing to create a transformation that results in a form with more meaning to the recipient, especially in terms of understanding the various aspects that prove important in making a decision. The usefulness of data in creating useful information depends on the application of such information after the conversion process. In establishing the usefulness of information, several principles apply. These principles include relevance, reliability, timeliness, intelligibility, consistency, completeness, and convenience among others. The relevance of useful information depends on the intention of such information and the appropriate level of detail. Reliability means that the user of the information h as to ensure that it is accurate and it emanates from a verifiable source, which is often acquirable via independent means. The principle of timeliness requires information to remain useful depending on the purpose for the conversion of the data. The principle of consistency incorporates the need to check with other sources while convenience means that information should be easy to handle for the user and obtain protection form malware and unsupervised access. An information system changes data into information through various processes. The first process, viz. conversion, involves the transformation of data from one format, unit of measurement, or feature of classification to another in order to match the usage. Organization of data forms the second process, which often involves arrangement of data according to database management rules and procedure for easy access and use. Structuring means that data has to undergo formatting or reformatting so that it is acceptable to a certain software application. On the other hand, modeling involves the inclusion of spatial analysis and visualization of data so that it is useful to the user in terms of understanding and decision-making. Organization and structuring are elements of crucial importance to the proper functioning of information systems as their absence makes turning data to information impossible. Information organization The data perspective of information organization People understand information organization from four main perspectives, viz. data, relationship, operating system, and application architecture. In the data perspective, people consider the organization of data in terms of their descriptive and graphical elements. Therefore, the two elements possess distinctive features necessitating different storage requirements as well as storage options. A person thus needs to understand the correct sequence in which entities occur and build up until they eventually form a data file. A data item that falls under descriptive data is one of the most basic elements in the organization of information. It is the smallest unit of storage in a database and it goes by the term ‘stored field’ in the database terminology. It may appear in the form of a number, date, an expression, or character string. A group of related data items forms a record and often appears in the form of different characteristics pertaining to the same entity. A set of related record forms a data file. The element of relation often occurs in terms of different occurrences of the same type or class of entities, regardless of whether the said entities are people, things, events, or phenomena. A collection of data items of the same type and size goes by the term ‘array’ and it can occur either in one dimension or two. When the organization of data takes the form or arrangement of entries in rows and columns, the final product is a table, which often applies to relational databases. A list, on the other hand, is a finite sequence of data items and it may follow a specific arrangement or lack any sort of order. A tree constitutes yet another form of data arrangement that falls under relational data in which each data item has an attachment to one or more data items and often takes the shape of an inverted tree. The concept of a database is one that has developed due to the introduction of computers as media for data storage. Essentially, a database and a data file contain very similar information with slight differences. The main differences that set the two apart are the type of information and medium of storage they demand. A data file contains records with the same data type and format description. A database, on the other hand, contains a group of related records organized in one or more data files with similar or different data types or formats. The type of storage for a data file is flexible enough to be manual or digital while that of the database relies strictly on computers. These differences occur due to the capacity of a computer to process more information at a time than a person does, the ability to process different data files, create a relationship between them, and store the data files within the shortest time possible. The creation of data files often occurs manually, thus limiting the amount of processing that is applicable to a particular data type or format description at any one time. Secondly, the aim for data file processing usually touches on the creation of a particular solution and often stops after the establishment of the solution. Database processing often aims at a myriad of solutions for the different data files, the creation of relations between such data files and sometimes the formulation of predictable variables that aid organizations in the decision-making process. Thirdly, a database often complies with the central control of data in order to ease the redistribution of the same within different departments in an organization. Through computer networking, this characteristic ensures that different departments within an organization receive the same information, depending on the need for such information. Databases are classifiable into relational table like, network have pointers linking them to associated files, hierarchical data tree like relationship, and object-oriented data, which are associated with specific objects. Graphical data, which is the second organization of information in the data perspective, has its most basic element known as basic graphical element. There exist three basic graphical elements, viz. point, line, and polygon or area. These elements can be employed to represent geographical features as single entities or collectively to form complex geographical features. The use of these basic graphical elements to represent geographical data yields vector data. The vector data is conventionally organized into layers of related themes, which yield entities such as base maps, vegetation, soil, and political boundaries among many others. Several themes of vector data about a specific geographical region constitute the spatial component of a geographical database. This method of representation is based on the object view of the real world. Graphical data yielded by imaging devices gives another form of graphical data known as raster data. This form of data comes from the representation of geographical data in the form of picture elements (pixels). Thus, raster pixels capture a generalized representation of a given area. This form of data can also be arranged into themes, which eventually give information such as vegetation cover and land use among others. This method of representation is based on the field view of the real world. The relationship perspective of information organization Relationships are important in information organization and they can be either categorical or spatial based on what they describe. Categorical relationships are concerned with how individual features in a classification system are linked. Classification follows the concept of scales of measurement of which there are four distinct types, viz. the nominal scale (qualitative, non-ranking, non-numerical), ordinal scale (nominal, with ranking), interval scale (ordinal, with ranking, numerical values based on arbitrary data), and ratio scale (interval scale with numerical values based on absolute data). Categorical relationships that use measurement scales, which involve ranking, have their data sorted into varying levels of detail. At the highest level of classification, data is broadly classified, but this aspect changes down the classification hierarchy. Descriptive data follows this system of classification. On the other hand, spatial relationships are concerned with how different features in space are linked to one another. In graphical data, one can effortlessly make out spatial relationships, but transferring these graphical spatial relationships into a database remains a challenge. Implicitly capturing spatial relationships into databases is characterized by the need for large storage and slow data computation. Yet spatial relationships are very important in geographical data handling. Thus, the aim of information organization and data structure in this context is to establish ways of handling spatial relationships with the least possible storage or computation thresholds. Operating system perspective of information organization In this perspective, information is arranged in the form of directories, which are special computer files that arrange other files into a hierarchy. With reference to systems that employ graphical user interfaces, directories are also known as folders. Directories fall into different levels such as root directories (top most), sub-directory (under another), and parent directory (above another). Usually, files of similar characteristics are placed in one directory such that the path that leads to a file comprises the directory name and the file name. Geographical information systems borrow the same concept, but they refer to it as the workspace. This aspect implies that in geographical information system terms, a workspace is a directory that contains files relating to a given project. The application architecture perspective of information organization Today, computer software replicates a client/server system in their architecture. This system denotes a relationship among computers on telecommunication network, or several processes within a single computer. A client thus denotes a process that seeks services from one or many servers simultaneously. A server, on the other hand, is a process that provides the requested services to one or many computers at once. Information systems have many ways by which they can replicate the client/server. However, there are five commonly used ways, viz. database, file, web, groupware, and transaction servers. The aim of information organization from this perspective is to come up with means of easing the transfer of resources between clients and servers. This goal is achievable by ensuring that data is strategically placed at the appropriate location alongside similar data to ease access to the data. Data Fundamental concepts Data conventionally refers to facts. Some are meaningful the users while others are not. The data that users consider as important is protected in arrangements known as databases. Data can be spatial or non-spatial. Spatial data is concerned with location, orientation, size, and shape. The relationship between these elements leads to spatial relationships, which is typical of spatial data. Non-spatial data, on the other hand, is conventionally linear and autonomous. The difference between spatial and non-spatial data is so pronounced that their storage and management differs. The complex nature of spatial data and its numerous relationships necessitated the development of databases. Databases underscore the information itself, not the storage medium that holds the information. GIS is in a position to be developed and managed due to databases for they form the building blocks for GIS. This aspect is made possible by the concept of database management systems (DBMS). A larger system of information organization and management is the repository. A repository is an arrangement developed with the aim of storing and protecting data. It could consist of several databases, which possibly contain related information or sometimes the databases can be completely unrelated. A repository is developed such that it supports the addition, retrieval, and deletion of the information contained therein. Some allow the changing or updating of data. Repositories are comparable to bank vaults since their primary purpose is to protect their content from theft or destruction. Repositories are known for two key features, viz. security and robustness. Mostly, there is a need for a password in order to access the contents of a repository. The robustness feature also ensures that accidental destruction of data in a repository is minimized. This goal is achieved through the transactional mechanism, whereby a series of database manipulations are designed such that incase of a ny interruption, the database restores itself to the pre-transactional state. Database management systems (DBMS) This system is a type of repository, which allows for the manipulation of a database and whose user interface allows for the administration of the database. A phonebook is the best example of a DBMS. While a repository was likened to a bank vault, a DBMS can be liked to a full-fledged bank with all its services. Thus, they provide comprehensive database manipulation functionalities. Discussion Points The distinction between data and information evades many people. They often find themselves using these two terms interchangeably, that is, one in place of the other. However, it is apparent that the two terms denote very distinct concepts such that using one instead of the other is incorrect and misleading. In the light of this observation, what are the fundamental elements of information that clearly set it apart from data? In highlighting these elements, it is necessary to outline the relationship between the two concepts as well. The advent of computers has revolutionized every field of study including geography. It is now easier to manage data, files and databases because of the improved functionality provided by computer applications that have been developed to enhance these functionalities. In the field of geography, this improvement can be seen in the development of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). With this development in mind, what are the key additions that computers have brought to the field of geography, without which, they would be considered inconsequential to this field? In the current age, information access, sharing and transfer has become easy due technological advancement. This has led to this age being termed as the information explosion age. Thus, the development of information organization systems can be seen as an attempt at making meaningful use of the information at the disposal of humanity. The three information organization perspectives discussed in this chapter all have some relevance to geography. In your assessment, is there a particular information organization perspective that can be considered more appropriate to the field of geography? What evidence supports your answer? Balanced Scorecard Case Study: Tesco Balanced Scorecard Case Study: Tesco Competitive Environment of Tesco Tesco is the largest food retailer in the UK and one of the leading grocery retailers in the world. It supplies 30% of the food purchases made in the UK. More than 550,000 employees service the companys customers in nearly 5,000 locations spread across 14 countries in Europe, Asia and North America (Tesco plc, 2010, p 1-3). The companys operations in the British retailing space, coupled with its steady overseas expansion, have opened it to numerous competitive challenges and threats. In the UK, the company faces strong and increasing competition from its heavyweight rivals like ASDA-Walmart, Sainsburys and Morrison (Finch Wood, 2010, p 1-2). Each of these organisations is constantly trying to improve its market share through various customer focused and efficiency oriented strategies (Finch Wood, 2010, p 1-2). Whilst Tesco continues to lead in market share, sales and profitability in the UK, it remains under constant competitive pressure and any strategic or market place error could have adverse results (Finch Wood, 2010, p 1-2). The economic environment in the UK is possibly going through its worst turmoil since the 1980s. Increasing unemployment, thousands of job losses and a very slowly reviving economy have dampened the enthusiasm of supermarket shoppers and created difficult market conditions fo r market participants (Kollewe, 2010, p 1-2). Sharp reduction in government spending, the proposed elimination of thousands of public sector jobs by the present coalition government and the three-fold increase in academic fees have already led to widespread protests and are expected to affect the economic climate further (ABC Inc, 2010, p 1). Whilst the company is steadily increasing its global footprint, the UK continues to be its overwhelmingly large market and accounts for practically 67 % of its total sales and 71 % of its profits (Tesco plc, 2010, p 1-3). The economic and social turmoil in the country, along with increased competitive pressure from its main competitors will certainly intensify environmental and competitive challenges for the company intense in the coming years (Tesco plc, 2010, p 1-3). Tesco has in recent years been working at steadily expanding its global operations. Its global presence is however less than that of Walmart, Carrefour and Metro and its position in the global retail market, whilst strong and increasing, do not mirror its dominant position in the United Kingdom and it is the grocery leader in only two overseas markets, Malaysia and Thailand (Finch Wood, 2010, p 1-2). Tesco, like other major firms expanding strongly into international markets often faces different and difficult environmental and competitive conditions in its various operational regions. Much of the competition in its overseas markets comes from numerous local competitors who not only operate with far lesser overheads but also understand local tastes and preferences much better. Tesco is combating competition in its overseas markets and trying to establish its presence with the help of well established local firms and different store formats (Tesco plc, 2010, p 1-3). However the globa l experiences of various supermarket majors like Walmart and Carrefour reveal that global expansion is not easy and significant market failures can occur from incomplete understanding of market requirements and choice of market strategies (Sarkar, 2009, p 1-3). Tescos Corporate and Marketing Strategy Tescos rapid growth in recent decades has been driven by its carefully planned and sustained customer focused strategy. The company is possibly the only retailer to appeal to different market segments, upmarket, midrange and low price. It constantly focuses on improvement of customer value and services with focused action in areas like supply chain management, pricing, quality, product range and in-store as well as on-line customer convenience. The company initiated a major strategic change in the mid 1990s with the adoption and customisation of the balanced scorecard approach, soon after it was first advanced by Robert Kaplan and David Norton. Balanced Scorecard Approach The balanced scorecard approach was developed by Kaplan and Norton to provide businesses with a holistic tool for performance measurement in different critical areas of business firms. Whilst much of performance measurement in the past focused on the financial aspects of the business, the balanced scorecard approached performance measurement from four viewpoints, namely the financial perspective, the customer perspective , the business process perspective and the learning and growth perspective (Kaplan Norton, 1996, p 7-13). The balanced score card whilst originally constructed for measurement of performance is now used for formulation and implementation of strategy by business firms. Organisations adopting the balanced scorecard set objectives in each of these areas and thereafter formulate targets and initiatives for meeting such objectives, as well as measures to assess actual progress in meeting them (Kaplan Norton, 1996, p 7-13). Its use enables firms to clarify strategy in terms of the different dimensions outlined by the balanced scorecard tool, communicate strategic objectives in different areas, plan set targets and align strategic initiatives, and implement systems for achievement of feedback and engagement of double loop learning (Kaplan Norton, 1996, p 7-13). Adoption of Balanced Scorecard by Tesco Tesco adopted the balanced scorecard method in the mid 1990s to drive its strategy and operations. Tescos adoption of the balanced scorecard method led to the development of the famous Tesco Steering Wheel, which was originally divided into four quadrants, namely Customers, People, Operations and Financials (Kaplan, 2008, p 1-2). The Tesco Steering Wheel (TSW) originates from the companys core purpose and long term objective, namely the creation of value for customers in order to earn their constant loyalty. The company added a fifth dimension to the TSW in 2007, namely community, in order to encourage employees to become excellent citizens and improve their communities. A diagram of the new Tesco Steering Wheel with five quadrants is provided as under (Kaplan, 2008, p 1-2). (Source: Kaplan, 2008, p 1) Tescos steering wheel helps in ensuring that its 550,000 employees in multiple countries work towards delivering distinctive and unswerving buying experiences to consumers in each and every store. The concept of the TSW came about from the adoption of the balanced scorecard in the early 1990s when Tesco engaged in a process to elucidate its mission and strategy to ensure the realization of this objective. Tesco, (in the words of Sir Terry Leahy, CEO) doesnt want one leader. We want thousands of leaders who take initiative to execute the strategy. (Kaplan, 2008, p 1) Tesco used the steering wheel, a clear symbol for a tool to drive performance and assist employees find the way into the future, to communicate to its employees. The original TSW has had four equal arcs, representing the four areas of balance scorecard focus, namely financials, customers, operations, and employees. The company added another dimension, community, to the TSW in 2004 to encourage and support workers to participate in and help the communities where they work and live (Tesco plc, 2010, p 1-3). Tescos steering wheel is not easy to implement. Extensive efforts are required by way of consumer research, collection of data, and analytics to ensure that objectives and metrics continue to remain appropriate, even as consumer tastes and preferences change and competition intensifies (Kaplan, 2008, p 1-2). All Tesco stores get monthly updates on the steering wheel, summaries of metrics of the five arcs four arcs, so that Tesco employees in different regions and multiple formats get appropriate performance feedback. Tesco adds to the effectiveness of its steering wheel report with small lists that explain important strategic key elements simply so that employees can pursue in their routine functions. The TSW has assisted the company in focusing on its strategy during its rapid growth in the 1990s and the 2000s (Kaplan, 2008, p 1-2). Tescos Strategic Map in the Coming Years Tesco has an established and steady growth strategy that is based upon broadening business scope in order to achieve sustainable long-term growth by pursuing customers into large and growing markets at home and new markets overseas (Kaplan, 2008, p 1-2). The companys growth strategy has five main components, namely (a) to achieve success in international retailing, (b) to increase the core UK business, (c) to achieve equal strength in non-food businesses, (d) develop retailing services and (e) place the community at the centre of all operations. Tescos business strategy has been based on diversification during the last decade and the company intense to strengthen its various businesses across multiple countries and formats during the next two years (Kaplan, 2008, p 1-2). The companys strategic objectives for the coming two years are indicated in the BSC chart provided below. These objectives have been based essentially on increasing and maintaining the important thrust areas of the company. Financials Improve group sales by more than 10% Reduce start-up losses in the US and make US operations profitable Improve international sales by more than 25% Improve return on capital employee to 15% Improve UK market share by 1% Customers Focus on customers having to spend less in the UK Gove customers health choices Improve customer choice Improve range of clothing Improve range and quality of general merchandise Increase product range of Tesco bank Make FF a global fashion brand Processes Improve health and safety processes Improve capabilities of people Improve processes for product safety Improve controls for fraud and compliance People Create 20,000 new jobs each year Reward our employees for their work and support their development Develop leaders with greater intensity Improve the effectiveness of whistle blowing policy Improve diversity and inclusivity Improve employee retention to 95% Apart from the above quadrant, Tesco also has the following strategic objectives in Community Care. Tesco has undertaken numerous initiatives in labeling of products, reduction of carbon footprint, diverting store waste directly to landfill and reduction of carbon emission from stores and distribution centers. The strategic objectives for the next two years in this area have been formed on the basis of Tescos commitment in specific areas of community care. Reduce carbon emission from stores and distribution centers by 10% each year. Support causes in local communities. By and sell products responsive.