Hca Teamwork Assignment Essay

Jennifer Planz As a delegated leader I am asked to solve an issue that is currently affecting the billing department of the facility I work in. The billing department need codes and important that they are not receiving. The doctor needs to be reimbursed for medical care on a patient. The facility I work in needs me to get this done in order to speed up production. This leaves me in charge of picking a team and promoting effective teamwork in order to resolve the current conflict. I will choose the members of my eam by finding individuals who are all trying to achieve the same objective. In this case, it would be the billing specialist, the doctor, myself and a communication specialist to make it go more smoothly. All of us are involved in this conflict on one way or another and need to participate together in order for all parties to be satisfied. I will promote effective teamwork by having the communication specialist involved. Teamwork can also be promoted by establishing ground rules for all team players. Making sure all players knew the nature, importance and cause of the conflict problem. Making sure everyone was aware that conflict is a natural part of life is a way to promote effective teamwork. Also offering social support, workshops, and providing leadership training. Offering social support can help soothe feelings and encourage more social support. It also reduces the risks and causes of caregivers being stressed, burned-out, and feelings of isolation. Offering workshops to employees for building their skills and help them to assume new roles in organization and managing conflict that is involved in with change and teamwork. Leadership training can vary on a range of topics. The ones I like that I would use are managing conflict, handling complaints, hospitality, and writing effective memo and releases. I feel this would be good starting training sessions for soon to be leaders or those already in leadership positions. Communication skills are important because they affect the performance of every employee and not Just leaders. The basic communication skills are both essential and necessary to effectively care for someone. Training and sessions are a great way to enhance or upgrade those skills in order to perfect these skills and become a better professional.

Investigation of Failed States & Democratic Intervention Essay

Failed states have been an issue in human society for many years. Today there are a total of 177 failed states, which is an all-time high. (Haken) Failed states are not only a terrible situation for the country itself, but for its neighboring countries as well. Some situations are worse than others, but for the most part they all share several factors that classify them as failed states. These factors include a severe economic decline, lack of formal government, deterioration of public services, social disorder, and more. (Haken) Once a country becomes classified as a failed state it is quite difficult for them to fully recover. For this to happen, assistance from allies and neighboring countries is usually necessary. Obviously nobody wants to see a country’s government overrun and its citizens forced into turmoil, but that is unfortunately the way our society operates with radical militant groups such as Al-Qaeda in existence. It has become a global problem and the day may never come when there are no failed states. However, if groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) can be eliminated then these failed states can begin to rebuild themselves and give their citizens the chance to live free, happy lives. An example of a failed state that is making headlines these days is the country of Mali, which is located in Northern Africa. The situation in Mali began over a year ago and has developed into a very serious matter. Much like Libya in 2011, Mali’s government has been overthrown by Islamic militant groups that will do whatever it takes to spread their influence and power. (Larison) The major group behind this invasion is known as Al-Qaeda. As Al-Qaeda forces moved in on Bamako, Mali’s capital, a French military invasion halted them in their tracks. French and Malian forces have now teamed up against â€Å"Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb† (AQIM), which is Al-Qaeda’s militant organization based in Mali. (Larison) The two sides are both ready to battle one another and the situation looks to be headed towards a full-on war. AQIM forces are invading towns and villages while torturing and killing citizens in their path. They are a strong force to be reckoned with and outside help will be needed if Mali is to rid itself of these radicals. This is where neighboring countries become involved. Countries close to Mali, such as Niger, Mauritania, and Algeria, are all looked upon to intervene and to offer aid and/or assistance to the Malians. On top of that, they are forced to live under constant fear and uncertainty of AQIM’s next move(s). Although the United States has no vital economic ties to Mali, some Americans feel obligated to intervene and offer assistance to the French, much like we did in Libya. (Larison) However, the majority of American politicians are against issuing an invasion because all signs point towards an ongoing war similar to those in Iraq and Afghanistan. These two countries experienced this type of situation during the 2000s and Libya did as well in 2011. Libya’s situation was very similar to that of Mali’s current one. Islamic forces invaded and took control and outside help was needed from either neighboring countries or Western forces. Whatever the case may be, many parties were/are involved and too many unnecessary deaths have been recorded already. Going forward we can only hope that the situation in Mali ends up like the ones in Iraq and Libya. The only way this can happen is if the Islamic militant forces are driven out and the country has the opportunity to once again govern itself and eventually prosper. Western intervention has been a major component of global warfare for the last 100 years. From World War I all the way through the Cold War, the United States has always been looked upon to give military assistance to its allies and anyone who holds great importance to our economy. Most recently we’ve gone to war to protect Israel in the Middle East and to aid France in Libya. (Traub) The United States has been involved economically in the Middle East since the late 1980s but became active militarily in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. We were involved in warfare with Iraq for over a decade and are still at war with Afghanistan. (Traub) Other notable instances of Western military intervention include our involvement in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and many other smaller wars. The United States has clearly played a crucial role in global warfare for a very long time. One major reason for this amount of military activity is the fact that the U.S. is a democracy. Non-democracy governments typically have less involvement in warfare than democratic governments do. This is because autocracies operate under the discretion of less than 20 people and often times only 1 person. Also, under a democracy a presidential order can be overturned by either the citizens or another branch of the government. A democratic leader would most likely order a military invasion if there is an immediate threat to his/her country’s national security or if there is a very significant amount of economic importance involved in the situation. Giving assistance to allies is also a common reason for entering into a war. These have been the main reasons for American involvement in global warfare over the years. America is undoubtedly a military superpower in the eyes of the world and will most likely remain that way for many more years to come. Works Cited Haken, Nate. â€Å"Interpreting the Arab Spring and Its Effects.† Fundforpeace.org. The Fund for Peace, 28 June 2012. Web. 22 Jan. 2013. . Larison, Daniel. â€Å"In Mali the Domino Theory Is Real.† Theamericanconservative.com. The American Conservative, 23 Jan. 2013. Web. 24 Jan. 2013. . Traub, James. â€Å"Think Again: Failed States.† Foreign Policy Magazine, Aug. 2011. Web. 22 Jan. 2013. .

Leap, Bryan Doyle Essay

Before the Leap In 2002, Brian Doyle, an editor for the Portland Magazine, wrote the critically acclaimed poem, â€Å"Leap†, in remembrance of the victims September 11th, 2001. Brian has also authored ten major books including The Grail, The Wet Engine, and the novel, Mink River. Doyle has written numerous essays and poems since 1999 including Credo, Saints Passionate & Peculiar, and Two Voices. Additionally, Doyle’s books have been finalists four times for the coveted Oregon Book Award and his essays have been featured in publications like The American Scholar, Harpers, and The Atlantic Monthly. Upon reading the title of the poem, â€Å"Leap†, by hailed author, Brian Doyle, and considering the title of the section in the text book, â€Å"Faith and Doubt†, I was thinking the poem would, more or less, concern taking the proverbial â€Å"leap of faith†. I was wrong. The poem revolves around the actual physical action of one leaping out into the air, more specifically, those â€Å"jumpers† who consciously made the incredible decision to leap from the blazing conditions in the Twin Towers to their deaths on September 11th, 2001. Doyle used a fair amount of imagery to add an incredible level of depth and to provide readers with a terrifying mental picture of that horrific day in America. Consider one of the opening lines describing the sight, â€Å"Many People Jumped. Perhaps hundreds. No one knows. They struck the pavement with such force that there was a pink mist in the air. † (1168). Doyle effectively implemented figurative language throughout the poem to provide the full effect of being a shell-shocked, stunned bystander at the sight of 9/11. Additionally, Doyle told of â€Å"A kindergarten boy who saw people falling in flames told his teacher that the birds were on fire. † (1168). This use of imagery made me feel as though I was there. I believe the author used the â€Å"couple† in the poem to symbolize the strength of human resolve. As readers, we are unclear as to who they were, where they came from, or whether they even knew each other before they grasped each other’s hands as they leaped to their deaths far below, to escape the intense heat, toxic gases, and engulfing flames. Doyle also made reference to different onlookers witnessing the â€Å"couple† as they leaped together, hand in hand. This was symbolic of the intense, far reaching, familiar pain shared by so many around the world as they watched the towers fall to rubble. Doyle also mentioned the couple’s hands quite a few times throughout the poem. I believe he intended the couple’s hands to be symbolic of the strength of the human bond, as well as, the courage that we gain, as humans, through our bonds. But he reached for her hand and she reached for his hand and they leaped out the window holding hands. † (1169). The author successfully makes use of the first person point of view to place himself right there, as a witness of the tragic event, along with the others mentioned in the poem. Again, while he is in the first person, Doyle focuses on the clinched hands. He recalls, â€Å"but I kept coming back to his hand and her hand nestled in each other with such extraordin ary ordinary succinct ancient naked stunning perfect simple ferocious love. † (1169). However, he too is unsure who the couple really is but he is intrigued by their hands, their bond, their strength, their agreement, and their courage to do, together, what has to be done. He mentions that, â€Å"Their hands reaching and joining are the most powerful prayer I can imagine. † (1169). At the end of the poem, Doyle writes, â€Å"Jennifer Brickhouse saw them holding hands, and Stuart DeHann saw them holding hands, and I hold onto that. † (1169). The author feels a sense of peace in knowing that the couple was witnessed by others. Their moment in time, their raw emotion, their true human characteristics took over and they leaped, together. Doyle makes use of a powerful simile towards the end of the poem that compares humankind finding and accessing their inner greatness to, â€Å"seeds that open only under great fires†. (1169). He continues to describe our lives as they almost instantly decay into an unknown state, our most powerful, instinctive human traits surface and are focused with an extreme intensity, enabling us to overcome our fears and do what is required. Doyle writes, â€Å"to believe that some unimaginable essence of who we are persists past the dissolution of what we were, to believe against such evil hourly evidence that love is why we are here. † (1169). As a reader, my emotion compels me to believe the couple, possibly nothing more than strangers, at the brink of their inevitable dissolution, experienced the miracle of love, compassion, and bravery that are all intertwined throughout the complexity of our human nature. I think that the author used the simile, â€Å"like seeds that open only under great fires†, to describe the epic effect that our human spirit is able achieve in even the worst possible scenarios. After reading the through the entire poem more than a few times, I realize that the title, â€Å"Leap†, truly is about realizing the power of the bonds we share as human beings. Even as our lives, in a complete state of disarray and chaos, are forced to come to an end, we are able to harness the miraculous strength of our bonds, and focus it in a way that allows us to achieve a sense of peace during our final moments. I believe the author intended for his readers to hope that the couple, in their final moments before they leaped into the â€Å"smoking canyon†, were able to experience this miracle and find that peace before they took the leap, together, into the unknown.

Cultural anthropology and the Higaonon Tribe of Mindanao Essay

Cultural anthropology and the Higaonon Tribe of Mindanao - Essay Example Cultural anthropology refers to ‘the study of human society and culture,the sub-field that describes,explains social and cultural similarities and differences’.In order to study and interpret cultural diversity, Keesing highlights that cultural anthropologists must engage in ethnographic activity Ethnography therefore provides an account of a particular community, society and culture, and allows researchers to study local behavior beliefs, customs, social life, economic activities, politics and religion according to Kottak (2009). Introduction and Location of the Higaonon Tribe of Mindanao The Higaonon tribal population currently stands at an estimated 350, 000, and largely reside over five distinct provinces – Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte. They are traditionally a nomadic tribe, traveling from one mountain to another, looking for fertile soil for a fruitful harvest. The name Higaonon is derived from the words â €˜higa’ meaning   living, the word ‘goan’, which   means mountains and the word ‘onon’ meaning people. The Higaonon tribe has thus become known as ‘people of the living mountains’. Since ‘creation times’ the Higaonon are said to have lived in their forest home, undisturbed, managing the forest in a natural and harmonious way. Higaonon Tribe Dynamics The tribe consists of eight clans centred around the eight main rivers of the Higaonon’s ‘Ancestral Domain’. These clans are divided into the warrior and peaceful clans. However, both clans now exist in peace with one another. They follow a Datuship system of government, in which each Datu (generally an elder) is trained in distinct areas of expertise, e.g. in education or spirituality. However, the Datu always leads as an administrator, and never as a ruler. Social and Cultural Customary Laws and Sacred Teachings of the Higaonon The social and cultural dynamics of the Higaonon tribal people are governed by the customary laws of Bunkatol Ha Bulawan Daw Nang Ka Tasa ha Lana, which means ‘treasured unity’ or code of conduct. It is a sacred bond that unites the entire Higaonon people, who share a common root language, history and culture (Jong, 2010). These sacred teachings include; Don't go against the law Don't disobey the sacred orders Don't be an egotistic or self-centred person Don't compare yourself to others Don't be envious of others Asking and Giving is the greatest gift of Creation Love one another Live in Peace Equality among Men Listen to everyone Religious Teaching In The Higaonon Tribe The Higaonon tribes are very spiritual and believe that every living thing has a spirit that guides or animates its behavior. The forest is viewed as the Higaonon people’s ‘church’, in which they believe that their ancestor’s spirits live in the mother trees, watching over the land. Prayer rituals a re offered to deities over sacrifices of blood, in which chickens and pigs are usually scarified to ‘the forest spirits’. Human sacrifice does not form a part of Higaonon tribal religion. Tribal burials consist of a ritual washing and cleansing of the corpse in which jewellery and face and body painting decorates the dead body to allow the spirits to identify the dead person in question. This is followed by the cremation of the body, in which the smoke and fire is believed to release the spirit of the deceased. The Higaonon tribe are also true peace loving people, and have been given the name ‘weavers of peace’ (The United Association of Higaonon Tribes, 2011) This is because their strive for peace is expressed in their traditional woven fabric, the Hinabol. The

World Religions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

World Religions - Essay Example Swami Vivekananda was a very charismatic representative for Hinduism in America. Even though he died only a few years after first coming to America, he was able to establish many societies dedicated to Advaita Vedanta, which is based on the teachings of Ramakrishna, an Indian saint. These various societies developed into several formal movements including the Self-realization Fellowship and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, more commonly known as the "Hare Krishnas". As immigration from India has increased over the years, Hindu temples have added to the varied architectural landscape of America. These temples are constructed in the style of temples from northern and southern India. They are blessed by Hindu priests and offer a safe have for believers to escape the materialistic impulses that rule so much of American life. Hindu temples stand as a symbol of cultural acceptance and tolerance, adding to the cultural mosaic that makes up America. Orthodox Hindus, those conducting serious investigations of the Hindu religion with an eye on converting, as well as the simply curious are all welcome to visit the temple. This reality shows that in some ways, Hinduism and American culture are a good fit. Hinduisms tolerance for other religions has also affected culture in America. Aside from influencing authors and artists, Adivaita Vedantas universalism has affected certain liberal leaning Christian churches. The "New Age " movement also can link directly to the tenets of Hinduism in regards to acceptance of other religious beliefs, the belief in a plurality of paths to enlightenment and a commitment to non-violence and pacifism. While Hinduism has not grown to be a major religion in America in numbers of actual adherents, it has nonetheless had substantial influence. From art to architecture to the melding of

Reading Responses to a Poem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Reading Responses to a Poem - Essay Example The poem also takes a look at systems and structures of the human institution and how self made rules and principles made by humans are expected to be adhered to without fail. There are specific elements of literature that the writer used to bring out the nature of the poem better and these elements are discussed below. Form The form of a poem is supposed to give a generalized structure about the poem. It is supposed to show the poem is organized and the manner in which a reader is expected to carry out the reading pulses (Gabrielle, 2009). In this very regard, a lot can be said about the poem, â€Å"I’m Nobody! Who are you?† first, it is seen that the poem is written in just two stanzas. The response I had from this was the writer’s ability to lay his intensions and thoughts clear in a very brief manner. As the African proverb goes, if a medicine will save you, you only need a pill of it. The writer therefore conveyed all her message clearly in only two stanzas. Within the two stanzas, there are spreads of loose iambic trimester with a number of fourth stresses. This gives the poem ABCB rhyme scheme. Some kind of fall out from the norm was however noted with the ABCB rhyme scheme. ... In â€Å"I’m Nobody! Who are you?†, the writer chooses the concept of human relationship and talks on the theme of essence in humble social status. The writer tactfully expresses her opinion on the need for a person to live in quite humility rather than open pride. The writer employs the terms â€Å"no body† and â€Å"somebody† to show the differences between two people; one of who are regarded as poor and having nothing. To this people, the writer appreciates their position as an enviable one because it is free from public pressure. She however subjects the high class in society to the need to think carefully about the responsibilities that their status in life brings to them. In essence, the writer is advising all people to live in humility rather than wanting to be the topic of social discussion and yet having a lot of herculean responsibilities that they may eventually find as stressful. The response I had from the theme was very striking and left me t hinking about how important it is for me to appreciate what I have as a person. Language One of the only ways the writer could make her poem meaningful despite the fact that there were only few stanzas was to use thought provoking and highly insightful language and this is exactly what the writer of â€Å"I’m Nobody! Who are you?† did (Gabrielle, 2009). This notwithstanding, the writer was able to make the content of the poem highly understandable. The understanding of the poem was first vested in the title of the poem, which was more or less a summation of the theme of the poem, asking that â€Å"I’m nobody! Who are you?† Subsequent to this title, the writer uses language that further justifies

Educational Standards and Leadership Traits Assignment

Educational Standards and Leadership Traits - Assignment Example The essay will also analyze the traits possessed by the writer of this work and evaluate them against ISLLC standards. School culture is a collection of behavioral attributes that determine the day-to-day activities in educational institutions. School culture is a vital factor in the success of any educational institution. This is because of its contribution to the principles, outlook, and behaviors of students, the teaching staff, and non-teaching staff. In some cases, school managers leave school culture to develop on their own. However, this can be highly ineffective due to the students’ psychological immaturity. This is the reason as to why leaders in educational institution would prefer molding the culture in a way that it would help the schools attain their intended purposes. Leadership traits like persistence, honesty, being knowledgeable, punctuality and self-discipline play a big role in establishing and supporting a positive school community and culture (Owings, Kapl an, & Nunnery, 2005). Having patience when dealing with both the students and members of staff can help in bringing out the best of them. This is because with the patient, they are likely to be aware of their capability to improve. This will also enable a leader in an educational institution to be able to treat all the students fairly, given that some students might take longer to grasp some concepts. Punctuality and self-discipline can also help the leaders set a good example to the students. This is because giving the students theoretical teaching on ethical issues like self-discipline and punctuality might be meaningless if they do not see the institutional leaders practicing it (Waters, & Kingston, 2005). The students might turn out to be highly unethical because they will lack faith in the values and importance of being ethical. Absolute honesty and fairness is a vital trait in school leadership. This is because it helps in enhancing peaceful coexistence amongst the institution s’ communities. This can be associated to the saying, â€Å"honest leaders make honest subjects.† The students will also be able to have a conducive learning environment because they will have to worry less about being subjected to unfair situations (Bryant, Hessel, & Isernhagen, 2002). Honesty and fairness will also increase the level of trust that the students would have on the institution leadership. This type of trust would limit the possibility of dissatisfaction of the school’s management by the students. This will hence prevent occurrences like students’ strikes, which will promote smooth operation of the learning institution. With the smooth operation, the students are likely to benefit highly from the saved time and economical resources. A good sense of humor can also be beneficial to a school leader. Applying humor when interacting with the students will reduce the tension brought by either the generational gap or the gap brought by the differen ce in their status in the learning institution. An environment such as this one, a good sense of humor will enhance the learning process and interaction in the school in general (Waters, & Kingston, 2005). A relaxed environment will also enhance maximum participation of the students in the learning process. This participation increases the quality of education, as it will give room for better communication in the learning i

Research on the effects of water pollution Paper

On the effects of water pollution - Research Paper Example by Calhoun and Seideman (2005, p 23), they described environmental pollution as â€Å"the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, which normally results to an adverse negative change on the natural environment.† In these two studies, it was collectively noted that pollutants comprise of chemical substances, wastewater, garbage, and various forms of energy such as noise, light, and heat. Goel (2006) in his writings stated that certain pollutants normally cause an harmful effect if they are used in excess, for example, a small discharge of noise, light, or heat into the environment is not likely to cause an harmful effect or rather it is not likely to pollute the environment. This research study will focus on water pollution and in particular, it seeks to investigate the effects of water pollution from a broader perspective that comprises of the eco-system and even the living organisms. Because of the essential use of water in everyday life by all living organisms, Villers (2001) argued that water pollution tends to have the most detrimental effects amongst all other forms of pollution. Water pollution occurs when toxic substances either in liquid or solid form are discharged into water bodies and there is no effective treatment plan that has been put in place to remove the toxic substances. Because of it wide use by all living organisms, water pollution tend to have the most detrimental effect on the entire population, individual species and the natural biological community. This fact is supported by the argument that was given by Calhoun and Seideman (2005), who deemed water pollution as a major global problem that is the root cause of many diseases and deaths that in the society. In particular, a report released by the United Nations in the year 2011 under the title ‘Water Factsheet’ noted that water pollution accounts for over fourteen thousand deaths that occur on a daily basis across the World. This report further noted that water

The Relationship Between Lobbying, Businesses And Political Decisions Essay

The Relationship Between Lobbying, Businesses And Political Decisions - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that lobbying is the process of trying to influence the decisions made by an administration, for example, the government especially the members of legislative assemblies of regulatory agencies. Economic lobbyists represent, educate and advocate on the behalf of their business clients’ interests. Politics and economics affect each other in complex sometimes inexplicable ways. The aim is to make the people in the administrative capacity to look favorably on the side of the business. Politics and economics are tied together with some scholars even arguing that politics is merely an extension of economics. Political economists strongly speak out on the proactive position of governments in economic policy and for their ability to regulate the business cycle. Regulation of the business cycle involves putting in place fiscal and monetary measures in order to mitigate or avoid adverse effects of economic depressions and recessions. These mea sures also pertain to economic policies such as taxation, economic barriers, price fixation et cetera. The aim of the economic lobbyists is to make sure that the policies the government makes favor them and provide a conducive business environment for the success of their businesses. The lobbying involves delivery of data or opinions to a government decision maker at local or national level. They do this by presenting the interest of their company or client in the context of public interests.

Family Law and the various areas that are involved in the legal Essay

Family Law and the various areas that are involved in the legal processes - Essay Example Another very detrimental part of this research is in the concept of domestic violence and how it is perceived in society. This is an issue that often goes unreported and therefore many cases are left with unanswered questions as to how and why it happens. The laws surrounding it are also included in this research. The main goal is to provide more insight into what laws are set up to assist families and protect their rights in various situations. Also, what new reforms are taking place and how they are being implemented and carried out to improve the quality of life for families The Family Law Act that was approved and passed in 1996 radically changed the way a lot of legal issues involving family related areas were previously handled. It has had a tremendous impact on specific views of divorce proceedings, consultations for marital breakdowns, the welfare of children, marriages that are of the same sex; and a mass variety of other family related areas. ... king a divorce are especially affected by the new legislation as instead of granting a quick divorce to a couple, the legalities have become stricter and now function in a slow and systematic process to allow for time to consider the well being of the children involved and the effect the divorce proceeding might have on both parties with consideration to finances and living accommodations. Now, more than ever before within the UK, marriage is being considered as a top priority. This specific area that unites a family is considered to be deserving of extra attention and efforts to maintain it and keep it from becoming a problem that disintegrates and deteriorates the whole family structure. Therefore, a good variety of legal implementations are being made in the family courts that have already been introduced to persuade couples from divorcing but rather seek counsel and evaluate their relationships thoroughly before opting to dissolve of them altogether. Marriage is a highly valued principle of life so there are certain steps that have to be taken before a petition for divorce will even be looked upon by the court system and achieve any form of consideration. Some of these phases of the family legal process have been placed in the following outline: The institute of marriage should be supported more so than divorce Any and all applicable steps to save the marriage should be utilized by the couple whether it be marriage counseling or by alternative means such as living apart for a specified period of time If the marriage is found to be unsalvageable it should be absolved with the least amount of stress possible to both parties and with respect for the children's welfare Consideration should be given to the children's needs and wants as well as their rights entitle

Commercialized Buddhism in modern China Research Paper

Commercialized Buddhism in modern China - Research Paper Example Shaolin temples are ideal examples of commercialized Buddhism in modern China because of how they apply business values and models to their management philosophy and various monastery and outside activities. Shaolin Temple, in Songshan Mountain, Henan Province, is the oldest and most important of all Buddhist temples, though there are now 10 Shaolin temples in China. In this paper, â€Å"Shaolin Temple† refers to the oldest temple, while Shaolin temples refer to all temples. It analyzes how the commercialization of Buddhism in China affects Buddhism’s image, principles, and practices. Buddhism’s modern acculturation process, primarily through the commercial management of Shaolin temples in Chinas, paradoxically extends and damages its identity because of the growing importance of capitalism in its mindset and the increasing centrality of profits and political interests as its ends, although the same capitalistic mindset does allow for it to exploit modern devices for its goal of educating the public about Buddhism and Shaolin cultures. Shaolin temples are the houses of worship for Buddhists that have become thriving business communities too. The management of Shaolin temples still occurs through abbots. Abbots nowadays work with commercial interests in mind. Ming Xu describes how abbots earn profits through absorbing the capitalism model in the running of their temples. For instance, temples charge for admission to pay for monastery expanses and for supporting its various activities that spread Shaolin and Buddhism cultures all over the world (Xu). This is part of the many money-making efforts of temples, which abbots justify as necessary to the spreading of Buddhism because Buddhism cannot be taught without having food and resources for its teachers and students. Furthermore, Shaolin Temple also actively organizes Shaolin festivals to promote Buddhism. It is now

Sherlock Cannot be Taken Seriously in Brazil Essay Example for Free

Sherlock Cannot be Taken Seriously in Brazil Essay Amelia Simpson’s introduction to Detective Fiction from Latin America argues that Latin American culture, including its citizens’ pervasive distrust of law and authority, has inhibited its authors from creating a large body of original detective novels. Though these detective works are quite popular with Latinos, the novels must usually be set in countries with strong democratic values and justice systems for them to seem authentic. The people of Brazil, Cuba and other autocratic countries, where authority is feared from birth and laws and police are harsh tools of oppression, are skeptical of fair, justice-minded detectives thwarting criminals. If a detective novel follows the traditional, rigid, classical form, it will seem unrealistic to Latinos. The more contemporary â€Å"hard-boiled† detective novel, with its harsher portrayal of societies that are deeply flawed and teeming with injustice and evil, is a much better fit into the world view of Latin Americans. Within these increasingly popular works, imperfect societies and behaviors can be revealed, examined and utilized within the detective novel template. The classical detective genre, with its â€Å"reassuring view of society,† its â€Å"detached, gentlemanly† sleuths, and its clear, fair delineation between good and evil begs skepticism from Latin American readers who find those concepts foreign and unrealistic. These oppressed citizens of â€Å"predatory hegemonies† can only accept the democratic precepts of law and order and justice when the classical detective work is set in a plausible setting like America. These relatively simple, predictable, rigid â€Å"whodunits† have been read and enjoyed by Latino masses, but ironically, Latino authors have not reflexively rushed to quench the market for more classical detective novels. The evolution of the classical version to the â€Å"hard-boiled† detective novel that often â€Å"reveals a corrupt and violent society,† is more logically embraced by Latin American mystery readers. The â€Å"hard-boiled† model incorporates â€Å"distrust of institutions and its view of crime as all-pervasive. † If viewed as a continuum, the classical version is simple and predictable while the hard-boiled is chaotic and more difficult to predict. The classical version uses traditional, stable values of fair justice, while the â€Å"hard-boiled† relies on environments filled with turmoil and corruption. The classical genre is rigid, and it’s accepted that â€Å"laws are laws. † Therefore, boundaries are abundant, and good is expected to prevail over evil. Conversely, the â€Å"hard-boiled† version removes most societal boundaries and its setting is likely to be â€Å"a model of skepticism and failure, of a lost utopia. † This harsh worldview melds more realistically into the somewhat bleak, dictatorial environment that many Latinos encounter from birth. Thus, Latinos are predisposed to accept the more contemporary, â€Å"hard-boiled,† detective novel. Feelings and portrayals of optimism versus pessimism also set the classical detective genre apart from the â€Å"hard-boiled† type. America, with its history of freedom and stability and its strong sense of law and order, provides a stable, hopeful environment for the gentlemanly detective. He is free to ply his trade, systematically and fairly plodding to a just resolution of the crime. A predictable, step-by step, picture can be portrayed with a â€Å"mechanistic crime-to-solution sequence. † On the other hand, Latin Americans are better able to grasp the â€Å"hard-boiled† genre where chaos, evil, oppression and injustice thrive. For many Latinos, â€Å"the law is feared and, whenever possible, violated. † They live in a police state and they â€Å"breathe and sweat repression. † This way of life, with fear and suspicion as mainstays, allows â€Å"hard-boiled† detective authors to insert hazier motives for oppressed perpetrators who may become criminals out of necessity. The dark, pessimistic â€Å"triumph of the criminal over society’s laws† can seem natural in a hard-boiled work, but would certainly not fit in the classical detective novel template that relies on optimism, justice and sure punishment for the criminal who is pursued and captured by the persistent, reasonable sleuth. The advent of the â€Å"hard-boiled† detective novel seems to open the field for Latin American authors to give their countrymen the mysteries that they enjoy and desire. This change has not come quickly. As recently as 1983 the Brazilian author, Correa, observed that â€Å"Brazilian detective literature†¦with its own, national characteristics, doesn’t exist. † In the same vein, it took more than half a century for the 1929 â€Å"hard-boiled† novel, The Maltese Falcon, to become the best-selling detective novel of 1984 in Brazil. The conservative, rigid classic has finally given way to the contemporary detective novels with their critical societal views that play realistically and believably in Latin America. Sherlock Holmes, while somewhat entertaining and quite competent, is a relic who cannot fit into the world view of Latin Americans. This classical detective has his limitations and his setting must have boundaries of law and order and benevolent justice. But Latinos can readily embrace and believe flawed, even malevolent sleuths who track criminals in settings where lawlessness and evil are the norm. Thus, Latin American authors have much more latitude and potential for success with their native audiences when they compose â€Å"hard-boiled† detective novels. This multi-faceted, contemporary detective genre allows societal flaws to be acknowledged and exploited for the entertainment and intrigue of Latin American readers.

Maxis Market Opportunity

Maxis Market Opportunity Maxis communications company, is Malaysias largest mobile service provider, or about forty percent of the Malaysian mobile phone market. The company providing a wide range of innovative mobile, fixed and international network services to their customers. Besides that, Maxis was first telecommunication company who launched the 3G services, such as 3G connect Card, PC Webmail, Video Mail and 3G prepaid. It is founded in year 1993. Maxis Mobile Sdn Bhd , which the founder is Ananda Krishnan who are one of the richest man in Malaysia. In 1999, Maxis create the popular prepaid brand Hotlink, which currently has 10 Million customers. In 2002, Maxis purchased from Timecel, a competitor mobile service provider. Before the purchase, Maxis offered phone numbers beginning with 012, and TimeCell 017. Now, user can choose between the two. In 2007, The company in preparation for expansions into the Indonesian and Indian markets. In 2009, The initial public issue and which constitute 30% of the com pany under the close supervision of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. STRATEGY Maxis believe that its extensive customers based strong hold in the high value segments, high quality network and services, effective distribution, recognize brands equity and resulting strong cash flow generation will allow it to consolidate its position as the market leader. Firstly, Maxis focused on conducting business responsibly in the marketplace .Secondly, nurturing talents and developing their potential in the workplace and contributing towards the communities. Lastly, doing their part to mitigate the impact of Maxis operations on the environment. OBJECTIVE Become the leading provider of convergence solutions for enterprises in Malaysia.   Become leading mobile communication service provider in Malaysia. MISSION Today -Malaysias leading mobile communications service provider. Tomorrow -The nations premier integrated communications service provider. VISION To bring the future to our customers lives and business, in a manner that is simple, personalised and enriching, by efficiently and creatively harnessing leading-edge technology and delivering a brand of service experience that is reliable and enchanting. TARGET MARKET However it is found that most student range from 7-18 are using Digi. While the user range of 19-35 are using Maxis. Maxis company involved in a wide range, suitable for businessmen. Product Maxis provide a variety of products and services in mobile communication flied, such as prepaid  call plans, monthly subscription plans,  global roaming,  MMS,  WAP  (over both  GSM  and  GPRS), Residential Fixed Line services,  Broadband  Internet plans. It was the first to launch 3G services to both prepaid and postpaid subscription customers. Besides that, they offer  VSAT  services (satellite based communications) and  BlackBerry  based mobile services besides regular services. Maxis also provide an online Music store for its customers to use it. Maxis most popular service is its prepaid brand Hotlink and focus on the segment of students, family and friend, working adults and business field. Thus, its branding was set up year by year. So far, Maxis is well-known. Product Life Cycle 2.jpg When a product reaches maturity, sales growth slows and sales volume eventually peaks and stability. This is the stage during which the market as a whole makes the most profit. A companys primary objective at this point is to defend market share while maximize profit. In this stage, prices tend to drop due to increased competition. Maxiss fixed costs are low because it is has well established production and distribution. Since the brand of maxis awareness is strong, marketing expenditure might be reduced, although increased marketing expenditure might be needed to retain market share and fight increasing competition. Expenditure on research and development is likely to be restricted to product modification and improvement, and perhaps research into improved production efficiency and product quality. Promotion The main Maxis promotion is through the promoter to help us push up the Maxiss market share. Those promoters will go into Maxis use the sponsor to let the brand to be more awareness such as: Maxis is official telco sponsor for badminton association of Malaysia. Maxis sponsorship will contribute to Badminton Association of Malaysias development program and create opportunities for new talent to be nurtured and be prepared for competition at the various international badminton circuits. Maxis is pleased to play a part in achieving Badminton Association of Malaysias objectives and goals as well as sustaining success on the court. As a sponsor, Maxis will be supporting Badminton Association of Malaysia in its development program such as running of the training facilities, payment for coaches as well as running costs for the association in participating in various tournaments. Maxis also provide scholarship for the brightest graduate student to pursue their courses in every University in order to promote their company. Maxis also trying to find celebrities to help us increase their brand awareness such as, Datos Lee Chong Wei, Frank Lampard and Lionel Messi. Maxis also focus on planning, they always launch a lot of package for customer, such as Value Plus 50, Value Internet Plus 50. It can increase the awareness of customer, and let the customers to become their users. Besides that, Maxis also use the social media to promote their new product for the youngsters, such as Internet, Radio and Television Advertisement. For the odd, they will give them some handbook which clearly list out the latest product for them. Community event is one of the promotions, such as the Maxis Cyberkids Camp 2010. In this camp, the Maxis featured its broadband products and educational programmes. Distribution Channels In a competitive and complex communications industry, the variety change of technological innovation is no any single one company can survive if it operates alone. And Maxis has known about the need to work with a range of different partners locally and globally to broaden out range of offerings and to enhance our capabilities as the preferred communications solutions provide. According to Maxis website, it has 250 outlets in Malaysia to serve their customer. The main distributions channels of Maxis are ZyXEL communications Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, ZyXEL will help Maxis to provide a value-added service in order to succeed in broadband market and bring out the outstanding performance solutions at the most competitive price. Advanced Broadband Communications Sdn Bhd, they help Maxis to provide total telecommunication solutions and services for both conventional IP Systems. They also will develop the all IP-based solutions and services are targeted at business and personal users at any levels. Techscience Consultants Services Sdn Bhd, they provide multi dimensional business solution. The Maxis Partner including application providers, content providers and system Integrators. The application providers provide solution, application and tools to customer propositions. The content providers enhance the valuable information to business by providing information anywhere, anytime and on any device. The System Integrators have industry, domain and application specific-expertise backed up to integrate business solutions. They are including DynaFront, OPTEGRA, QuickNet com and so on. The Maxis Alliances including technology partner, device hardware partner and consulting partner. The technology partner provides base functionality and interoperability of software, infrastructure and development tool. The device hardware partner provide the ever changing device and hardware necessary. The consulting partner provides the specialized and consulting service in specific field and specific knowledge. They are including HP, IBM, Microsoft and so on. Price The objective of pricing strategy is based on firm earning and needs of market. Meanwhile, it is also foundation of the pricing strategy. The Maxiss pricing objectives including profitability objective, its purpose is to maximize the profit and target return. The volume objective, its purpose is to maximize quantity and become market share leader. Thus, the psychological pricing strategy is most being used by Maxis. Psychological pricing is designed to appeal to customers who use emotional rather than rational responses to pricing messages. For Example, Maxis sell the mobile phone at RM999, RM1199. It will make customer to believe the price is cheaper and attract them to buy it. Besides that, it allows Maxis to influence customers view a product without the need to actually the product. Maxis is considered as a dominant company, thus, they also use high pricing strategy to sell their product in order to make more profit to the Maxis. Market opportunity of maxis Market opportunity means that newly identified need, want, or demand trend that a firm can exploit because it is not being addressed by the competitors.There are two market opportunity for Maxis in order to increase their company revenue and profit. Now days, Maxis had launch many device promotion and plan to attract and also increase their customers. Such as Maxis company is launching some Apples company product and also some latest android smart phone. Although the product are not manufacturing by them, but they use this opportunity to attract customer because in days right now, smart phone is playing an important role among the people, it helps people a lot in their daily life such as reading mail in everywhere at any time, and also can access to internet for information easily. But the problem is the price for a smart phone is expensive and are not affordable by many people, so Maxis company had launch the package for purchasing the smart phone in a low price and also at the same time their customer can enjoy the internet which are include in the package. So this attract many people who decide to take the package that Maxis offer because it is useless with a smart phone without internet, if a people buy a smart phone, he wil l also need to sign up a internet package but in this case, Maxis had launch a two in one package to convenience their customer. Besides that, Maxis Company is also up to trend. Because they are not just launching Apples product but they are also launching others smart phone such as Blackberry and also Samsungs smart phone. Others than smart phone, Maxis is launching tablet device in different package such as Samsung tab and also Ipad. This will attract many people especially the generation youth and the generation x to purchase and sign up their package. The second market opportunity that Maxis created is the 3G wireless broadband plans. This wireless broadband is actually for laptop or computer to access to internet at home or everywhere because the broadband need not to charge battery before use and also it also can function without putting a switch to the wall to have electric. It just only needs to plug in to the laptop USB drive to work. This wills convenience people who are travelling to other state in Malaysia and also are very suitable for business and personal use. The package is cheap comparing to others company and the coverage of Maxis is Malaysia is very strong. Maxis is also launching the fourth generation mobile phone communication standard which we called it 4G in the year 2013. With the latest technology of 4G, it will be faster to download and also access to internet comparing to 3G. So Maxis also grasp this opportunity in market and they are also starting their Research and development in order to launching the latest 4G in the market to increase their customer, their sales volume, their revenue and also the most important is to compete with their competitors such as Tm Unifi, Digi broadband, P1 Wimax, Celcom Broadband and others company that exist in the Market. Recommendation for maxis First of all, it is recommended that Maxis take immediate measures to launch smartphone plan in its call plan or internet plan. In fact, according to a March 2010 Nielson survey, more than 50 percent of Americans own smartphones. The smartphone offered in market are mainly from two major players which is Googles Android and Apples iPhone.Salodow, K. (2012). Approximately half of all respondents had a smartphone at the time of the ABI survey. Projections for market penetration indicate that by 2015, three-quarters of business  users will be toting smartphones.Barnes, N., Barnes, F. (2012).Besides, Blackberry smartphone also can take into account. The growth of mobile smartphone is pretty amazing. By offering these smartphone in low priced together with Maxis plan package, this would attract a lot more new customer to subscribe to Maxis plan. After they started to use Maxis service, they might find the service is affordable and continue to use Maxis service in a long term. Due to th e interpersonal determinants of consumer behavior, when everyone has a smartphone, this would influence one another to own a smartphone too. If Maxis offer an affordable price for these smartphone together with a package plan, there would be a lot of customer will consider subscribing the package. Well, smartphone will always introducing the new series of its model. The result of that are smartphone model and package plan must be always up to date in order to catch customer attention. The growth of users of Maxis would be huge and this might leads to a profitable outcome. Other than launching smartphone plans, it is also recommended that Maxis should focus on its 3G wireless broadband plans. Internet has fundamentally altered the way the world interacts and communicates. Internet use has grown up not only in total numbers, but also in terms of per capita usage. Maxis also signs up Siemens for 3G expansion.Maxis had invested US$108m on a controlled roll-out of its 3G network following service launch in July.Dennis, W. (2005).This shows that the network coverage of Maxis is improving rapidly. The purpose of doing this is to extend its maxis 3G coverage to more areas in the country. Maxis CEO, Jamaludin Ibrahim says the company will first focus on the states of Johor, Penang and the Klang valley before going nationwide over a period of two to five years, depending on the success rate in the initial key areas. Dennis, W. (2005). With the proper improvement done by Maxis, the 3G service that offered by Maxis would meet customer expectation in the future. Rapid advances in mobile Internet technologies now allow consumers to interact, create, and share content based on physical location. Such ubiquitous access tothe mobile Internet also provides companies with new marketing opportunities. Ghose, A., Sang Pil H. (2011).Therefore, Maxis should offer more different kind of quota package in order to satisfy their customer needs. With a higher internet quota package, it might cost a little bit more. It leads to a better profit. Furthermore, Maxis is looking to launch its 4G service early next year in 2013. This is a good market opportunity for Maxis to attract more customers with this brand new service. Therefore, Maxis should spend a little more on their advertisement in order to promote this upcoming service. The purpose of these advertisement made is not just for promoting the service, but also to explain how 4G works and the benefits of using it. In  telecommunications,  4G  is the fourth generation of  mobile phone  mobile communications  standards. With hold, Maxis has entered into an infrastructure and spectrum sharing agreement which will enable customers to speed up the development of their 4G LTE mobile networks. Once it built, its 4G LTE will be able to deliver the fastest mobile data connectivity not just in Malaysia, but the region with transmission rates up to 150mbps. LTE networks can handle twice the traffic of most 3G  networks, the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and video-streaming and cloud-computing services will drive up demand for mobile data eighteenfold through 2016, according to Cisco.Burrows, P. (2012).It is an advance service which could meet heavy internet users expectation. It is a successor of the  third generation  (3G) standards. Therefore, the charges will be cost slightly higher than 3G service. Above all mentioned are the recommendation that suits Maxis to increase their profit and also attract more customers. The basic objective of business is to develop, produce and supply goods and services to customers. This has to be done in such a way as to allow companies to make a profit. In conclusion, Maxis must always come out with new ideas and practice it different ways in order to sustained in the market.Only profitable companies are sustainable in the long term and capable of creating goods, services, processes, return on capital, work opportunities and a tax base. Conclusion At last, we know that the Maxis SDN BHD is a very good company by its use the strategic to all the customer. And control their worker to give the customer the best, let the customer satisfied to its company. And the manager monitor their worker to accomplish the mission. Maxis always do the promotion to let the goodwill of maxis is increasing. The product of maxis is always up to date let the customer can change the plan and to change the mobile phone such as iphone 5 and the data plan of maxis. Maxis also manage the distribution channel to meet the customer demand. The Maxiss pricing objectives including profitability objective, its purpose is to maximize the profit and target return. The volume objective, its purpose is to maximize quantity and become market share leader. Thus, the psychological pricing strategy is most being used by Maxis. And we recommendation to maxis, that are our people need and want by now. So if the maxis can do that, we think maxis is the leader of the mobi le communications service provider. References Bibliography MAXIS IS OFFICIAL TELCO SPONSOR FOR BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA. (2012, November 5). Retrieved november 13, 2012, from Maxis: http://www.maxis.com.my/mmc/index.asp?fuseaction=press.viewrecID=621 Product Life Cycle model. (2009, january 25). Retrieved november 13, 2012, from tomspencer: http://www.tomspencer.com.au/2009/01/25/product-life-cycle-model/ Vison Value. (2012). Retrieved november 13, 2012, from Maxis: http://www.maxis.com.my/personal/about_us/profile/vision.asp?iStruct=0:0:0 Arumugam, T. (2012, March 04). Marketing plan for maxis. Retrieved November 13, 2012, from slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/TanuArumugam/marketing-plan-for-maxis MANUFACTURING STRATEGY. (2012, February 29). Retrieved November 11, 2012 , from manustrategy: http://manustrategy.blogspot.com/2012/02/maxis-strategy-and-swot-analysis.html Pricing Setting Prices Pricing Objectives. (2012, October 24). Retrieved November 13, 2012, from tutor2u: http://www.tutor2u.net/business/gcse/marketing_pricing_objectives.html Maxis Communications. (2012, November 15). Retrieved November 16, 2012 , from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxis_Communications Dennis, W. (2005). HYNIX BACK ON TRACK. lEE Review , 1. The iPhone/Android Hits the DR Market. (2012). responsemagazine , 1-6. Smartphone Technologies. (2012). INFORMATIONMANAGEMENT , 1-7. An Empirical Analysis of User Content Generation. (2011). MANAGEMENT SCIENCE , 1-22.

In Love and War Essay -- essays research papers fc

â€Å"In Love and War† Abstract: Women of Afghanistan are forced to live under oppressive regulations set forth for them by the men of their societies. Women have virtually no rights to do anything for themselves. There entire lives are controlled by and lived for someone else. Through their songs, they lament the conditions of their lives and are able to convey a beauty in their verses that all people can identity with. (67 words) Key Words: Pashtun, women, honor, oppression, songs Love and war, two concepts that are so contradictory it is hard to believe they could ever coexist simultaneously in one society. War is a state of conflict, hostility and chaos which reeks havoc on civilizations as opposing forces struggle to defend their cause not matter what the price. Throughout history the world has seen the devastation such conflict can bring; from the gory conquests of the ancient Romans, to the horrific Nazi Holocaust in World War II, to the bloody battles between government forces that raged in Afghanistan. It is in this world of mayhem and cruelty that Pashtun women must carry on their lives. They attempt in whatever possible to find and salvage any kind of love and beauty amidst the turmoil of their warring nation. These women must find ways to stay strong and resist the oppression forced upon them by their patriarchal society which coerces them into hard physical labor as well as demeans their humanity as their status is reduced to nothing more than prope rty (Majrouh XIII, XIV). The song of the Pashtun woman is her escape, her release, and her joy as she unites with other women in her community and sings out against her oppression. Through these landays, or songs, one sees another dimension to the lives of Pashtun women as they transform the misery and grief of their everyday lives into a spirit of beauty as they lament against their oppressors and find ways to love even in a time of war.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to fully appreciate and understand what is conveyed through the songs of these women, one must understand the historical, social and political context in which they are living. Afghan women have lived and continue to live in an oppressive patriarchal society where they are not even regarded as full fledged citizens, and where men control all political, social and economic powers. In the Saur Revolution in April 1978, civil war in... ...xists in the lives of Pashtun women, their songs live on to communicate a spirit of beauty amidst their helpless plight. Through careful analysis of her songs, we are able to see behind the veil and reach the rich heart of the Afghan woman. There is a joy in her songs that illustrates the perseverance of the human spirit. No matter how demoralized one’s life may be, there is a spirit within us all to survive; a spirit that cannot be crushed even in the bloodiest of wars or the most hostile of oppressions. It is this universal desire the endure and find quench the thirst for human happiness that connects us all the Pashtun women and their beautiful songs. (1915 words) Works Cited Majrouh, Sayd Bahodine, ed. Songs of Love and War Afghan Women’s Poetry. Paris:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Editions Gallimard, 1994. Moghadam, Valentine M. Revolution, Islamist Reaction, and Women in Afghanistan.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ed. Mary Ann Tetreault. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1994. Works Consulted Moghadam, Valentine M, ed. Gender and National Identity Women and Politics in Muslim Societies. London: Oxford University Press, 1994.

Koala Essay -- essays research papers

Marsupials The Koala Among the many different marsupials in the world, there is one that stands out and is recognized, not only for its looks, but also for the hardships that it deals with in being a koala. The koala originated in Australia, and was discovered by trappers around the time of 1798. Many rare and exotic animals have been found in Australia, because of its remoteness and isolation from most of the civilized world. Australia has been described as a huge ark, a giant lifeboat, cut off from contact with the rest of the world and carrying with it a group of unique creatures (Serventy 1975). The creatures that inhabit Australia are made up of many different classifications of animal groups that have found themselves all living together on one continent. The koala is a very unique looking animal, which has a very interesting face and color structure. It has a very large nose, with small eyes, and very ears. The fur of the koala is dense and wooly; it has gray on the upper part and lighter colored below it. The koalas living in the southern regions of Australia, which tend to be colder, are larger and have a shaggier coat then those in the north. The arms of the koala have three fingers on each hand that are separated from the other two, which make it easy for the koala to grasp on to branches. On the koala’s feet there are only two out of the five toes on each foot that are made for climbing. The other toes are used for grasping and combing the hair of the animal. Both the arms and legs of the koala are very powerful. The koala is a nocturnal animal, which begins its feeding process in the late afternoon, when it awakes from its daily sleep. It ventures high up in the treetops to begin feeding on the leaves of gum trees located in the jungles of Australia. It uses its strong feet for climbing up the steep gum trees, and its heavy body, weighing more than thirty pounds, to support it in the tree branches while eating. When eating up in the trees the koala uses its powerful jaw and razor sharp teeth to tear apart the gum leaves. All movements made by the koala are slow and careful, when a fall from the tree would mean sudden death for the creature. It spends mainly all of its life up in the trees. The koala sleeps, eats, and takes care of its young all up in the high gum trees in Australia. The koala can run on land, but in the event of an attack the n... ... In New South Wales there are more than twenty species of gum trees that were found to be used as food for the koalas. One koala was even seen eating the leaves of the introduced weeping willow. There is a huge variety of plant life that the koala will feed on, but it all depends on the location in which the koala lives. There are vary dangerous plant life for the koalas, some leaves in the area have special enzymes which control koala feeding habits (Sarre 1999). These leaves are part of the dangers that koalas face in the wild. Koalas are a threatened species, even though they are so isolated in the Australian jungles. Wildlife surveys show that human interruption has caused a severe decline in koala population. Among the factors that caused this decline are the building of highways and pollutants. As sad as it is poaching of koalas is also a huge problem in Australia. Even though koala population is at an up rise, the ideas of hunting koalas still disturb many people. There are many conservation groups across the country who are starting programs and save the koalas from death (Payne 1995). Hopefully with everyone’s help the koalas will be around for many generations to enjoy.

Abortion is a Necessary Alternative Essay -- pro choice abortion

Abortion is not as harmful as its opponents claim it to be. Instead of viewing abortion as "murder," society as a whole must consider abortion as a necessary alternative. Abortion can save a woman's life, physically, mentally, and emotionally. In today's society, the following reasons clearly impact the abortion dilemma. First, the definition of "life" the anti-abortionists provide us with is self-contradictory. Second, abortions are safer than ever in the past. Third, abortions help society avoid the challenges caused by unwanted children. Fourth, abortions benefit the mother's emotional life. Finally, abortion has its consent from the Bible. Therefore, abortion in the United States of America should remain legal. The anti-abortionist argument can be very well refuted because many professionals say that the "biological" or "life" argument the anti-abortionists use is wrong. According to embryologist Charles Gardner (Podell 64), "the Ôbiological' argument that a human being is created at fertilization contradicts all that we have learned in the past few decades." Another embryologist, C. R., Austin notes (Kamm 212), "fertilization does not confer genetic uniqueness -- this is achieved as a consequence of the first meiotic division, which takes place just before ovulation." Although necessary DNA unequivocally exists for the first time at conception, C. R. Austin informs us that (Kamm 231), "the information required to make an eye or finger does not exist in the fertilized egg. It exists in the positions and interactions of cells and molecules that will be formed only at a later time." Besides, if anti-abortionists are claiming that ensoulment takes place at conception, then what happens whe n twins are born? They grow from the ... ... was introduced to man, man had morals : these morals helped man distinguish what was right from wrong. America was built on morals based on Judeo-Christianity, thus, we were all created equal. America is a country where everyone has the same rights. And one right, regarding bearing children, effect women. But for the anti-abortionists, who will hopefully be a little less narrow-minded and a little more compassionate, perhaps the argument provided in this thesis can help to provide a bridge or two across the gap between "pro-choice" and "pro-life." Every woman deserves a right to choose an abortion. Works Cited Patricia Lunneborg, Abortion: A Positive Decision (New York: Bergin & Garvey, 1992) Kamm, F. M. Creation and Abortion: A Study in Moral and Legal Philosophy. Oxford University Press, 1992. Janet Podell, Abortion (Reference Shelf, Vol 62, No 4)

The Components of an Information System

The Components of an Information System A system is a group of components that work together to achieve a purpose. There are five components that make up an information system. The five components are Hardware, Software, Data, Procedures, and People. These five components make up every information system from the smallest system to the most complex system. The first component is the hardware, which are electronic components and related gadgetry that input, process, output, store, and communicate data according to the instructions encoded in computer programs or software.The second component is the software, which are the instructions for computers. The third component is Data, which are recorded facts or figures. The fourth components are procedures, which are instructions for humans to follow when working within an information system. The last components are the people that are involved. This includes those who operate and service the computers, those who maintain the data, those wh o support the networks, and those who use the system.All of these components make up an Information System. These five components together make up the Five Component framework, which are the five fundamental components of an information system. First you will need the hardware in order to start off your system. Then you must use the software in order to run you hardware. After you have set up your hardware and loaded up the software to run it, you will need data to input into your hardware.Once you have your data ready you will need procedures set in play to properly store your data within the system, and last you will need people in order to put in the data and keep the system up and running properly at all times. As you can see, you will need every component in order to ensure that you have a functional running information system Reference: Kroenke, D. M. (2013). Using MIS (5th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Product Team Cialis Getting Ready to Market Essay

Q1. In 2002, Viagra was the only clinically proven, FDA approved medication for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) on the market (Cialis – Dec 2003, Levitra – Sept 2003). Viagra had the highest brand recognition of any pharmaceutical product on the market. It had generated over one billion dollars in annual sales for 3 consecutive years since its introduction in 1998. In 2002, Viagra accounted for 5.3% ($1.73 billion) in sales of Pfizer’s annual Revenue of $32.37 billion, compared to 4.3% ($1.3 billion) of total revenue ($29.5 billion) in 2000. Viagra was expected to continue to lead the ED market due to its unsurpassed medical profile. Future Viagra sales growth was expected to come from increased patient presentation and physician diagnosis. Direct-to-consumer advertising has been effective in encouraging more customers to see a physician about ED. Even though Lilly ICOS and Bayer were in the process of bringing their products to market, Viagra was the front-runner and expected to retain its advantage in the ED market. A short half-life of approximately 4 hours, interactions with fatty foods, blue visions, and interactions with other medications like nitrates, are considered some of the weaknesses of Viagra. Q2. Our strategic Market segmentation for ED treatment is based on the types of population, by age and sex (socio demographic segmentation). The options available for market segmentation are: the concentration strategy, multi segment strategy, usage segmentation, and cohort segmentation. We believe Cialis should target the following segments: Usage segmentation – Lilly ICOS has the advantage of knowing which group is using ED medications (data from PCP’s, urologists and pharmacies). By using this data readily available, they can not only target the current users, but also the dropouts and dissatisfied customers. A large percentage of Viagra users did not refill the prescription. A significant number of them were not happy with the end-result after taking the medication, since duration of the effect was shorter than expected. Baby boomers (cohort segmentation) – because of increased prevalence of up to 60% of ED within this age group. Psychographic segmentation – age specific (40 – 60+) – as ED is increasingly more common in this age group, varying 20% to 60 %.  Spouse or partners (during their physician office visits) – 80% of the men using ED medication are married or living together. Q3. Cialis could either position itself as a â€Å"Market Challenger† or â€Å"Market Niche.† As a â€Å"Market Challenger,† the introduction of Cialis to the marketplace means that the dominance of Viagra is confronted, having alternatives to treat erectile dysfunction. However, the Lily ICOS team could not ride on this wave alone and would need to create brand recognition and loyalty. For doing so, they would need to ensure that consumers recognized Cialis as the solution to ED and not only as an alternative. The pro for Cialis is that they have a superior product; however, they are up against Viagra, with the reputation as pioneer of ED management in the marketplace. However, as a â€Å"Market Niche,† Cialis could segment their market to incorporate the emotional aspect of the product and its positive social implications in relationships, an aspect which the Viagra marketing team did not address. Therefore, to successfully create this concept, Lily ICOS involved its marketing team early into the development of Cialis, as this would enable them to better understand the core product, its benefits and how it affected the overall psychosocial perception of erectile dysfunction. One of the pitfalls of this approach would be that Cialis, a new product with little or no credibility in the market, would take extensive time and focused marketing effort to build a loyal consumer base. Based on their knowledge of the product, they would create more directed marketing research focusing on the needs, expectations and loyalty of the consumer. In addition, the marketing representatives would approach physicians regularly and remind them to offer Cialis as a potential solution to their patient’s condition and the overall benefits it could have on their social outlook and relationship. Basically, the Lily ICOS team would need to study the reasons why Viagra users were not repeat customers and bridge the gap from an initial user to loyal repeat business. Q4. The goal of the communication plan would be to ensure that Cialis gains credibility as superior product and consumers are pleased with its effect, both immediate and long lasting. Cialis need to demonstrate its potential to stand as an ideal solution to erectile dysfunction, not as an ‘Me too Viagra like’ alternative. Decreased side effects and the extended half-life of Cialis are the major marketing points to communicate (when positioned as â€Å"Market Challenger†); however, the positive social ramifications and increased self-confidence hence forth would add another level of emotional credibility to Cialis (when positioned as â€Å"Market Niche†). Q5. Our goal is to educate married couples and physicians. Patients will play a critical role for this drug to be successful, we need to be focus on their education with Direct to Consumer marketing, choosing programs that are watched by our target age group men who are married or with partners. This includes Television programs, evening news, and leisure sports programming, such as; Golf, fishing, or talk shows like Oprah, which is watched mostly by partners. There should also be emphasis on web-based marketing, including direct email to potential users, AARP sponsored Programs, etc. Advertisement should include magazines that cater to partners, such as; good housekeeping, cooking magazine, etc. Q6. Viagra was priced at $10 per pill. Since we are promoting Cialis as a better product, with its long-lasting effect and less side-effects – no blue vision or issues with meals, we would price it slightly higher. It is important for consumers to know the benefits of Cialis and create the awareness of a superior product. We would not want to price it significantly higher, since it would be difficult for consumers to switch to a new product from a product with a proven track record and marketed by one of the best companies in the Pharmaceutical industry. It is important for consumers to try Cialis, risk-free and feel the difference. This could be accomplished by providing free product samples, once satisfied; they would be the first customers. Q7. Pfizer has a number of options available at its disposal. It could wager the legal challenge stating the significant similarities between the products – a patent infringement lawsuit could be filed. However, Lilly ICOS could argue that there are significant differences in terms of onset, duration of action and food interaction, making Cialis different from Viagra. Pfizer could increase switching costs by incentivizing customers to return to their product. This could be achieved by offering one out of five prescriptions free, or a similar offer. Lowering the price of the prescription could also be considered a preemptive strategy. Lilly ICOS could offer free samples to practitioners during their advertising campaign and possibly offer a similar program later, for the frequent users. Pfizer could consider attracting new customers while using the increased customer awareness triggered by the Cialis marketing campaign. It could present Viagra as a trusted product with a long track record and safety. Pfizer could introduce new educational material about ED. Lilly ICOS could highlight the major differences between Viagra and Cialis, during their physician and DTC campaign. Lilly ICOS could target a specific segment instead of going head-to-head with the power of Viagra’s blockbuster title. Cialis could target couples, with a strong message towards intimacy and strong, durable relationships. This could result in increased marketing efficiency, as both partners would be targeted – avoiding the head-on competition with Viagra, which primarily targeted males.

Broken Promises

Broken Promises, Reparations there is a renewed willingness on the part of both governments and corporations to provide compensation for injustices in other contexts. Often it has taken the form of cash payments or other benefits to victims of Nazi and Japanese atrocities during World War II. Some have sought to return land to native peoples, while others have simply offered apologies. Apologies have been offered for a wide range of past injustices done to Jews, Korean women, Native Americans, and South African blacks. The U. S. government apologized for its role in overthrowing the native government in Hawaii and the elected government in Guatemala. † (Arthur, 2007) In appearing to act in the interest of former slaves government raised reparations as a subject and passed laws directing compensatory payment after the Civil War. Former slaves needed footing to function on an economic and social level in this nation. Laws stipulating compensation be disbursed in the form of lives tock, monies, lands etc. were passed. In 1865, the original reparations package, the so-called â€Å"40 Acres and a Mule,† was issued.Each black family was supposed to receive 40 acres and later was offered the loan of Army mules. The same year, Congress established the Freedmen's Bureau, which was created to oversee the transition of slaves to freedom. The goal of the Freedmen's Bureau was to distribute 850,000 abandoned and confiscated acres of land to former slaves. But the distribution never happened. Former Confederates were allowed to reclaim the property. † http://www. alternet. org/story/11000 Broken Promises, Reparations 3 At its root reparations was an idea government pretended to embrace.This appears to be evident in taking the axiom â€Å"Actions speak louder than words† into account. The legal mandates for reparations that were voluntarily passed by government were not empowered to transform the law from writing to realities the former slaves would e xperience. 136 years having passed without a blade of grass, a single dollar, mule or apology does not reckon favorably in African American’s minds, especially when government is noted to have apologized to other ethnic groups and disbursed funds and resources as a part of those apologies.â€Å"Under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, the U. S. government apologized for Japanese American internment during World War II and provided reparations of $20,000 to each survivor, to compensate for loss of property and liberty during that period. For many years, Native American tribes have received compensation for lands ceded to the United States by them in various treaties. Other countries have also opted to pay reparations for past grievances, (see Holocaust reparations)†,(http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Reparations_for_slavery).Anti-reparation activists decry the idea that African Americans living today should receive compensation for experiences they did not endure. Descendants of slave owners who had nothing to do with slavery should be exempt from any responsibility for debts incurred by their ancestors is another anti-reparation argument. While there may be merit to the idea that public policy should not function like a curse a legal basis for the call for Broken Promises, Reparations 4 reparations were passed.The failure to perform to meet the purpose of the law for 136 years does not nullify the nation’s duty to meet the duties it has already legislated. is was objectively The problem is there were laws passed that would have settled the call for reparations a century later if they’d been enforced. The idea of a mass of property and money going to African Americans is exacerbated by the fact that African Americans weren’t the only ethnic group that’s been discriminated against in America.Blacks were the only group enslaved under the authorities of legislation. When bringing the holocaust associated with slave trading to mind African Americans justification for compensation are all the more strengthened by the weight of conscience. The number of slaves lost in transporting, some to mass killings draws spiritual and legal issues into the debate. The killings of slaves to appease economic concerns of slave traders is an embarrassment to arguments seeking to deny reparations. â€Å"Heading for Jamaica in 1781, the ship Zong was nearing the end of its voyage.It had been twelve weeks since it had sailed from the west African coast with its cargo of 417 slaves. Water was running out. Then, compounding the problem, there was an outbreak of disease. The ship's captain, reasoning that the slaves were going to die anyway, made a decision. In order to reduce the owner's losses he would throw overboard the slaves thought to be too sick to recover. The voyage was insured, but the insurance would not pay for sick slaves or even those killed by illness. However, it would cover slaves lost Broken Promises, Reparations 5 through drowning.The captain gave the order; 54 Africans were chained together, then thrown overboard. Another 78 were drowned over the next two days. By the time the ship had reached the Caribbean,132 persons had been murdered. (http://www. alternet. org/story/11000/) The abolition of slavery, laws authorizing reparations that were not enforced, mass murders of large numbers of slaves and the government’s perpetuating injustice against Blacks through legalized segregation and discrimination expand the scope of what was originally â€Å"purposed† to address those who were directly affected by slavery.The government’s failing to enforce reparation laws it instituted over 100 years ago gives African Americans pause to reason the nation must be forced to meet its obligation. The lack of a single conciliatory act, including a lack of an apology has direct bearing on African American’s being reconciled to Ameri ca. The arguments for and against reparations may impress some as having equal weight along moral, ethical and legal lines. As time has passed benign neglect of what reparation laws has given place to arguments anti-reparation activists use in their efforts to frustrate the campaign.The claim that the current generation of African Americans should not be compensated for what they did not suffer was made possible by the government’s purposefully ignoring its own legislation for over a century. This is an enhancement of moral grounds to campaign for reparations today. Having made accommodations for Japanese internees, funding billions to ameliorate injustice for others Broken Promises, Reparations 6 in foreign lands, etc. magnifies the call for government to fulfill obligations imposed by laws stipulating reparations.Randall Robinson has joined the fray with his book, â€Å"The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks† (Dutton, 200) Robinson writes: â€Å"No race, no ethnic or religious group, has suffered so much over so long a span as blacks have, and do still, at the hands of those who benefitted, with the connivance of the United States government, from slavery and the century of legalized American racial hostility that followed it. It is a miracle that the victims — weary dark souls long shorn of a venerable and ancient identity — have survived at all, stymied as they are by this blocked road to economic equality. † http://www. alternet. org/story/11000/†.The blocked road for African American reparation is the ever growing cacophony of reasons why there is no plausible means to reason from whence the compensation should be drawn. There is a web of issues too complex to hope to resolve in this argument. â€Å"One additional problem is that the governments in power in the 1600s and 1700s in Europe are not still in power now. †¦.. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to hold the current French government liable for the enslavement of Africans that previous governments encouraged and benefited from between the 1600s up to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. † http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Reparations_for_slavery†.The point counterpoint of the argument is gnarly and complex complicating the call for reparations. â€Å"One additional problem is that the governments in power in the 1600s and 1700s in Europe are not still in power now. †¦.. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to hold the current French government liable for the enslavement of Africans that previous governments encouraged and benefited from between the 1600s up to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. † http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Reparations_for_slavery†.The point counterpoint of the argument is gnarly and complex complicating the call for reparations. Broken Promises, Reparations 1 Broken Promises, Reparations For African Americans Customer’s name Course name Professor’s Name Date Broken Promises, Reparations 7REFERENCEShttp://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Reparations_for_slaveryhttp://www. alternet. org/story/11000/ Arthur John (2007) Race, Equality, and the Burdens of History, State University of New York, Binghamton

How does Thomas Hardy delelop suspense Essay

Suspense is the creation of excitement at the approach of the climax, whether of the whole novel, or just a particular chapter or scene. Tension is the feeling of uneasiness or stress caused by suspense, not knowing what will transpire next. It is clear that the two are very closely interrelated, and when they are employed in a text they have significant effects on the reader. Suspense and tension keep the reader guessing about what will ensue, therefore drawing the reader into the story and, crucially, maintaining their interest so that they want to read on. Thomas Hardy uses not only his own writing techniques and description to create suspense and tension in his novels, but also the behaviour and development of his characters. At the beginning, we are presented with the four characters of Rhoda Brook, her son, Farmer Lodge and Gertrude. We are unsure how their relationships will develop. This uncertainty creates tension, and right from the start, the reader’s interest is evoked. When Hardy wrote The Withered Arm in the late 1800’s, a belief in magic was common among all people of the time. This is embodied in the story by the characters Rhoda Brook and Conjuror Trendle, who are described as being a witch and a white wizard respectively. The inclusion of a magical and supernatural theme in the story is a good way of interesting the reader and creating tension, because as witchcraft and magic are subjects most people in a modern audience know little about, they add to the reader’s unawareness and curiosity about events in the story. Suspense and tension are created in chapter two, when Gertrude arrives with farmer Lodge. We learn that Rhoda has an illegitimate son with farmer Lodge, and therefore understand her jealous interest in his new bride. She tells her son to â€Å"give her a look, and tell me what she’s like†¦ If she’s dark or fair, and if she’s tall – as tall as I†. When her son returns from his reconnaissance Rhoda interrogates him – it is clear she is desperate for every detail. The boy couldn’t see how tall she was, because she was sitting down, and Rhoda tells him to watch her at the church the next day; â€Å"Go early and notice her walking in, and come home and tell me if she’s taller than I†. When he comes back with the information – ‘†She is not tall. She is rather short. † – It is clear that Rhoda is delighted: â€Å"Ah! † said his mother with satisfaction’. This scene creates tension and suspense because the reader is wondering how Rhoda Brook’s obsession with Gertrude will manifest itself later on in the story? The reader is left guessing until the onset of Chapter three, where the consequence of Rhoda’s constant psychological fixation on Gertrude is revealed. It is mentioned at the end of chapter two that â€Å"from her boy’s description and the casual words of the other milkers, Rhoda Brook could raise a mental image of the unconscious Mrs Lodge that was realistic as a photograph. † In chapter three Rhoda has a vision while she sleeps. Gertrude appears as a spirit, looking old and wrinkled, seats herself heavily on Rhoda’s chest and thrusts her wedding ring into Rhoda’s face. Rhoda struggled and then â€Å"In a last desperate effort, swung out her right hand, seized the confronting spectre by its obtrusive left arm, and whirled it backward to the floor. † The dream is extremely real and frightening for Rhoda, and it changes the story completely for the reader. Whereas before it was a story about rural life, now it’s an altogether darker tale that incorporates magic and superstition. The change of atmosphere adds tension, as do Rhoda’s violent actions. The reader is in suspense, as there are a lot of unanswered questions; what will happen now? Where will the story go from this crucial event? What will happen to Gertrude? The latter question is answered later in the chapter, when Gertrude turns up at Rhoda’s door unexpectedly, with a gift for her son. Gertrude reveals that a strange ailment has afflicted her arm and when she reveals it and is questioned about it, it becomes clear to Rhoda that it was made at the same time as she had her vision and Rhoda’s handprint can be seen upon it. When Gertrude becomes a regular visitor to the cottage, the reader’s intrigue is increased again, as once again they do not know what will happen next – the suspense remains as there are important questions; will Gertrude cure her arm? When, in the last paragraph of chapter three, Rhoda mentions that she has been â€Å"slyly called a witch† since she had farmer Lodges child, suspense is increased because both the reader and Rhoda are unsure whether she is a witch or not. Another example of the creation of suspense and tension can be found in chapter four when Gertrude and Rhoda visit conjuror Trendle. Gertrude hopes that the White Wizard will cure her withering arm, whilst Rhoda fears that she will be revealed as the witch who performed the curse. When they arrive at the house, Conjuror Trendle sends Rhoda out of the room; this has the effect of unnerving Rhoda and simultaneously adding to the reader’s intrigue. He then reveals a face to Gertrude in the egg white, but neither the reader nor Rhoda are told who Gertrude sees – â€Å"[Gertrude] murmured a reply in tones so low as to be inaudible to Rhoda†. On the way home the conversation is stilted, and it becomes clear from her responses and manner that she has discovered Rhoda’s secret; â€Å"Was it you who first proposed coming here? † â€Å"How very odd, if you did! † Hardy creates suspense and tension in this scene by allowing the reader to form their own opinion as to what Gertrude saw. This scene is very tense, because Rhoda is left, literally, in suspense as she waits to find out if she has been revealed. The suspense is drawn out right up until the journey home, as Gertrude says nothing when she comes out of Trendle’s house – â€Å"What did you see? † â€Å"Nothing I – care to speak of. † In the last sentence of chapter four it is bluntly told that Rhoda left the village. â€Å"†¦ her face grew sadder and thinner; and in the spring she and her boy disappeared from the neighbourhood of Holmstoke†. This one-line dismissal of a major character completely changes the story. By this point in the story, the reader’s suspense is beginning to wane as they would have formed possible outcomes and plot developments to do with Rhoda and her son, and about her becoming a witch, but by having them leave unexpectedly, the reader is forced to create fresh predictions, thus renewing the suspense and tension. The shortness of the exit, and the lack of Hardy’s trademark description, adds to the reader’s shock, because they were not built up to or prepared for Rhoda’s leaving; it is a surprise. As the condition of Gertrude’s afflicted arm deteriorates, so too does her marriage. For Farmer Lodge, the withered arm is an anaphrodisiac and he becomes â€Å"gloomy and silent†. Gertrude grows increasingly lonely and forlorn, and this impels her to seek out remedies of all types in the hope of regaining some of her beauty, and winning back her husbands love – â€Å"If I could only again be as I was when he first saw me! † Complying with her husbands wishes, she destroys her medicines, but her yearning for a cure does not diminish. She wishes to try another type of cure entirely, and so she travels to Conjuror Trendle once again. As Gertrude’s initial natural wish to cure her arm becomes darker and obsessive, suspense and tension are created once again. Similarly to the curse itself, this appearance of a darker theme in the story creates tension. The reader can also tell that the obsession is heading to a climax, but as the outcome is not known, the reader is left in suspense. The obsession progresses after chapter 7, when Gertrude meets with Conjuror Trendle and he informs her of a possible cure: to rub her afflicted arm on the neck of freshly-hanged person. It is here that the story grows even darker, once again prompting questions from the reader: Will she go through with the cure? Gertrude is hesitant about it, and the task seems so revolting that it is not clear whether her need for a cure is strong enough to overcome her fears – â€Å"Of all the remedies that the white wizard could have suggested there was not one which would have filled her with as much aversion as this†. This doubt creates tension, because the reader is again left in suspense, and the closer to the climax we get, the tenser it becomes, especially as Gertrude’s desire to complete her task increases. She â€Å"longed for the death of a fellow creature† and at night â€Å"her unconscious prayer was ‘O Lord, hang some guilty or innocent person soon! ‘†. This huge change of character, from sweet and gentle, to sinister and morbid, praying for death, shows just how obsessed with curing her arm Gertrude is, and this gradual development of her character also helps to create suspense because the reader wants to see if her character finds a hanging soon, or she goes mad, or changes her behaviour again. This uncertainty creates more suspense and tension because the reader is not sure what will happen, we can not easily predict the outcome. Eventually, Gertrude hears of the hanging of a young boy taking place in a nearby village and, with her husband away on business, she sets off on a cart horse. When she reaches the village she proceeds to locate the Hangman, and explains to him about her arm. He agrees to help her to sneak in after the hanging. When she is waiting below the gallows, Hardy excellently describes the feelings of Gertrude and this increases the tension. He shows just how terrified she is – â€Å"she could scarcely discern anything; it was as though she had nearly died†, and this emotion and fear acts as a build-up to the climax; we are held in suspense until the end, just after Gertrude’s arm is finally cured, she hears Rhoda’s Brook shriek from behind her – Rhoda is standing there with Farmer Lodge at her side. The deceased boy is their son. The double shock of the restoration of her arm and the revelation of Farmer Lodge and Rhoda is too much for Gertrude, and she collapses, and dies before she gets home. The long and intricate description that Hardy uses throughout the book is key to the creation of suspense and tension within the story. He often describes the setting in great detail which, as well as increasing the reader’s interest and giving them a clear mental image, creates an atmosphere and gives the scene a palpable sense of tension. To take an example from chapter five; â€Å"thick clouds made the atmosphere dark, though it was as yet only early afternoon, and the wind howled dismally over the slopes of the heath†. The dense description sets the scene perfectly and by taking the reader into the setting he ensures that events within the story have more effect on them. Because the description of the characters feelings is so good we relate to them better, and consequently we feel the tension and suspense more. I have shown that Hardy develops the suspense and tension in a variety of ways in The Withered Arm. He is able to maintain the reader’s interest through the developing plot, the themes and language techniques employed in the story – the magic and superstition underpinning the story, compelling the reader to read on, the extensive description that creates tension and a sense of place, as well as the emotions of the characters as they develop; all these things stimulate the reader’s interest. The whole story builds to a climax; at the start Rhoda finds out about Farmer Lodge’s marriage to Gertrude, then as the characters develop, many things change, and by the end Gertrude is alone and Rhoda and Farmer Lodge are there together, at the climax. The suspense is held right until the end. I believe that the section where Rhoda leaves creates the most tension and increases the suspense. In this example, ironically, it is the lack of Hardy’s description that affects the reader – it is uncharacteristic and therefore amplifies the sense of change. It changes the story dramatically, because the reader believes Rhoda to be the main character; the one that we are relating to, and suddenly she is gone, leaving us with little relationship in the story again. We then follow Gertrude until the climax whereupon we are reintroduced to Rhoda. Hardy’s way of making us see the plot from both sides is a great way to increase tension, especially when Rhoda disappeared and we did not know what she was doing or feeling.