John Steinbecks East of Eden - Good Versus Evil Essay

Good Versus Evil in East of Eden The idea of good versus evil is illustrated in several ways in John Steinbecks East of Eden. This is seen through the external conflicts in the novel, the internal conflicts of the characters, and a universal understanding of the battle between good and evil. External conflicts between the main characters, Cathy and Adam, reflect the idea of good versus evil in their relationship. Cathy, who is much like Satan, creates a huge fight between Adam and his brother Charles with her manipulations. Later, she ruins Adams dreams and breaks his heart when she shoots him and leaves, sending Adam into a deep depression. After twelve years, Adam snaps out of his dream world and confronts Cathy.†¦show more content†¦(Lee is Adams Chinese servant, who really is a main character in this novel). Lees mother dies as a result of a rape by railway workers who she had hidden her gender and later her pregnancy from. The same men who raped Lees mother help take care of him as he grows up. The taking care of the infant Lee is seen as a light in a very dark world. Another way the idea of good versus evil is expressed is by the internal conflicts of the characters. Cathy is good example of a character that has an inner conflict of good versus evil. Cathy, the most evil of all in this novel, kills her parents, manipulates Adam and Charles, attempts to abort her children, shoots Adam, abandons her twin sons once they are born, and murders Faye, her friend and boss. However, the good in Cathy overcomes the bad. By the end of the novel she becomes religious and she leaves all of her fortune to her son. Charles is also a good example of a character struggling with inner conflict. Whenever Adam beats him in a game, Charles becomes very abusive towards him; once he almost kills Adam. However, Charles also protects Adam from others and he does, in fact, love him. He fought any boy who ... slurred Adam and ... protected Adam from his fathers harshness (Steinbeck 491). Adam is forced to join the service and is sent to war, Charles tries to keep in touch with him by writing letters. InShow MoreRelatedThe Significance of Sibling Rivalry in Steinbecks East of Eden1400 Words   |  6 Pages East of Eden The struggle of sibling rivalry over ability and temperament has taken East of Eden in a whole new perspective. Steinbeck’s portrait on sibling rivalry shows the good vs. evil of each character in the story. The nature of good vs. evil as natural selection is also seen in siblings, as a compete for something physical, mental, or something emotional. The sibling rivalry from the biblical characters embraced Steinbeck’s characters throughout every conceptRead MoreThe Conflict Between Good And Bad1345 Words   |  6 PagesIn my research paper on Steinbeck’s East of Eden, I will be discussing the conflict between good and bad. The main argument within East of Eden is that each human being has evil inherent within him or her. Many different themes are well written throughout the novel, including family, jealousy, love, sex, innocence and the past. The overall main element would be that humans need to feel love and are fearful of not being loved. To show that man is surrounded by good and evil no matter where they areRead MoreSetting in John Steinbeck ´s East of Eden1083 Words   |  4 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s, East of Eden, is set in the Salinas Valley, a secluded area of Northern California. The Salinas River runs through this beautiful, yet unforgiving land and provides fertility to the dry land. While the valley has a rich geographical history spanning from sea, to forest, and then to the present day valley, it is a difficult destination to find prosperity. Two dramatic mountain ranges form the landscape of the valley that the author uses to exemplify the idea of good and evil. ThisRead MoreEssay on Good vs. Evil in Steinbecks East of Eden1169 Words   |  5 Pagesunifying or dominant idea in a literary work. Steinbeck described the competition of good versus evil as the story of mankind itself. He believes that every generation to come since Adam and Eve will now be immersed with the struggle of good and evil du e to Eve’s curiosity that led to sin, eventually banning both her and Adam from the Garden of Eden. In East of Eden, Steinbeck makes the contest of good versus evil apparent through his contrasting description of the setting, the characters’ opposingRead MoreEast of Eden2492 Words   |  10 PagesLiterary Analysis of East of Eden The Author and His/ Her Times: The author of East of Eden is John Steinbeck. Steinbeck was born in Salinas California, one of the settings in East of Eden. His mother, a former school teacher, and helped him build his passion for reading and the written word. He speaks of her and her family in his book. They play a vital role in the progression of the book. Many of Steinbeck’s novels could be classified as social novels. His novels usually deal with economic problemsRead MoreInsidious Flowers Attract the Greatest Beauty 1023 Words   |  4 Pages John Steinbeck’s East of Eden tells the story of the lives of many people, each chapter focusing on a different person or group. The proponents of the novel trail along the characters and displays a contrast between them. The characters struggle between evil and good not only with themselves, but with each other. In his story, East of Eden, Steinbeck places Cathy’s demonic and deceiving personality together with Adam’s pure-hearted temperament to demonstrate contradictions in nature. SteinbeckRead More The Power of Words Essay2225 Words   |  9 Pagesthis trend and use powerful sayings or words to intensify their plot and to evoke specific emotions from their audience. â€Å"Timshel† or â€Å"thou mayest† was a reoccurring word in John Steinbeck’s fictional novel East of Eden, their was a struggle or contemplation of the exact translation that was parallel to the theme of good vs. evil found throughout the three generations of brothers (Steinbeck np). This one word meant redemption, forgiveness, and liberation all at once. Another example of the power ofRead MoreEast Of Eden By John Steinbeck2495 Words   |  10 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s novel, â€Å"East of Eden†, discloses the answer of right and wrong, good versus evil and overcoming sin with a simple Hebrew word â€Å"Timshel†, meaning thou mayest, allowing us the freedom to make our individual decisions or choose our path in life; it’s actually God’s p erfect gift to everyone. In the beginning, God grants us free will so that we have the ability to love and accept him or not. However, had God not chosen to grant us free will, we would not be human as we know it today,

People Allow Adversity To Rid Them Of Hope....

People allow adversity to rid them of hope. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut highlights the pitfalls of mankind in their perception of love, death, war, and societal norms through the unusually clear lenses of Billy Pilgrim. Pilgrim’s acceptance towards life relieves him of the weight of the world; however, even Pilgrim is unable to remain indifferent about war. Billy Pilgrim encounter with the Tralfamadorians granted him an extraterrestrial way of thinking. Billy Pilgrim’s profession as an optometrist symbolizes his awareness to the corruption in the world he lives in. Pilgrim’s ability to see to the corruption in the world correlates on how he relinquishes his knowledge to his patients, to the reader. Billy Pilgrim went to Ilium†¦show more content†¦Granville Hicks notes how war leaves soldiers disillusioned and, â€Å"The terrible destruction of Dresden is... an example of the way the military mind operates† (Hicks 602-603). Pilgrim sees th e trivialities of war, while exhibiting disdain for other aspects in life; this demonstrates the effect war had on him. In Novels for Students, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. speaks about how the bombing of Dresden made the terrain look like the moon, Pilgrim noticed that â€Å"Nobody talked much as the expedition crossed the moon. There was nothing appropriate to say. One thing was clear: Absolutely everybody in the city was supposed to be dead, regardless of what they were, and that anybody that moved in it represented a flaw in the design† (Vonnegut 260). The soldiers, left speechless at the carnage, Pilgrim states that â€Å"We had been foolish virgins in the war, right at the end of childhood... you’ll be played in the movies by Frank Sinatra and John Wayne or some of those other glamorous, war-loving, dirty old men. And war will look just wonderful, so we’ll have a lot more of them† (Vonnegut 18). War lost all glamourous appeals; the monotonous task of fighting in the military wore on Billy Pilgrim and made him question his participation in the war. The alienating experience of war separates soldiers from everyday people; civilians never see the horrors of war, they never see the casualties and deaths, they never suffer from the traumas of war.

The Host Chapter 17 Visited Free Essays

string(159) " person would be invisible as long as they could hold their breath†¦ I hurried through the slender crack at the back of the room to escape my imaginings\." The heat hit me first-like a wall of steam, the moist, thick air rolled over me and dewed on my skin. My mouth opened automatically as I tried to pull a breath from the abruptly denser air. The smell was stronger than before-that same metallic tang that clung in my throat and flavored the water here. We will write a custom essay sample on The Host Chapter 17: Visited or any similar topic only for you Order Now The murmuring babble of bass and soprano voices seemed to issue from every side, echoing off the walls. I squinted anxiously through the swirling cloud of moisture, trying to make out where the voices came from. It was bright here-the ceiling was dazzling, like in the big room but much closer. The light danced off the vapor, creating a shimmering curtain that almost blinded me. My eyes struggled to adjust, and I clutched at Jeb’s hand in panic. I was surprised that the strangely fluid babble did not respond in any way to our entrance. Perhaps they couldn’t see us yet, either. â€Å"It’s a bit close in here,† Jeb said apologetically, fanning at the steam in front of his face. His voice was relaxed, conversational in tone, and loud enough to make me jump. He spoke as if we were not surrounded. And the babble continued, oblivious to his voice. â€Å"Not that I’m complaining,† he continued. â€Å"I’d be dead several times over if this place didn’t exist. The very first time I got stuck in the caves, of course. And now, we’d never be able to hide out here without it. With no hiding place, we’re all dead, right?† He nudged me with his elbow, a conspiratorial gesture. â€Å"Mighty convenient, how it’s laid out. Couldn’t have planned it much better if I’d sculpted it myself out of play dough.† His laugh cleared a section of mist, and I saw the room for the first time. Two rivers flowed through the dank, high-domed space. This was the chatter that filled my ears-the water gushing over and under the purple volcanic rock. Jeb spoke as if we were alone because we were. It was really only one river and one small stream. The stream was closest; a shallow braided ribbon of silver in the light from above, coursing between low stone banks that it seemed constantly in danger of overrunning. A feminine, high-pitched murmur purred from its gentle ripples. The male, bass gurgle came from the river, as did the thick clouds of vapor that rose from the gaping holes in the ground by the far wall. The river was black, submerged under the floor of the cavern, exposed by wide, round erosions along the length of the room. The holes looked dark and dangerous, the river barely visible as it rushed powerfully toward an invisible and unfathomable destination. The water seemed to simmer, such was the heat and steam it produced. The sound of it, too, was like that of boiling water. From the ceiling hung a few long, narrow stalactites, dripping toward the stalagmites beneath each one. Three of them had met, forming thin black pillars between the two bodies of flowing water. â€Å"Got to be careful in here,† Jeb said. â€Å"Quite a current in the hot spring. If you fall in, you’re gone. Happened once before.† He bowed his head at the memory, his face sober. The swift black eddies of the subterranean river were suddenly horrible to me. I imagined being caught in their scalding current and shuddered. Jeb put his hand lightly on my shoulder. â€Å"Don’t worry. Just watch your step and you’ll be fine. Now,† he said, pointing to the far end of the cavern, where the shallow stream ran into a dark cave, â€Å"the first cave back there is the bathing room. We’ve dug the floor out to make a nice, deep tub. There’s a schedule for taking baths, but privacy’s not usually an issue-it’s black as pitch. The room’s nice and warm so close to the steam, but the water won’t burn you like the hot spring here. There’s another cave just past that one, through a crevice. We’ve widened the entrance up to a comfortable size. That room is the farthest we can follow the stream-it drops underground there. So we’ve got that room fixed up as the latrine. Convenient and sanitary.† His voice had assumed a complacent tone, as if he felt credit was due to him for nature’s creations. Well, he had discovered and impr oved the place-I supposed some pride was justified. â€Å"We don’t like to waste batteries, and most of us know the floor here by heart, but since it’s your first time, you can find your way with this.† Jeb pulled a flashlight from his pocket and held it out. The sight of it reminded me of the moment he’d found me dying in the desert, when he’d checked my eyes and known what I was. I didn’t know why the memory made me sad. â€Å"Don’t get any crazy ideas about maybe the river taking you out of here or something. Once that water goes underground, it doesn’t come back up,† he cautioned me. Since he seemed to be waiting for some acknowledgment of his warning, I nodded once. I took the flashlight from his hand slowly, being careful not to make any quick movements that might startle him. He smiled in encouragement. I followed his directions quickly-the sound of the rushing water was not making my discomfort any easier to bear. It felt very strange to be out of his sight. What if someone had hidden in these caves, guessing I would have to come here eventually? Would Jeb hear the struggle over the cacophony of the rivers? I shone the flashlight all around the bathing room, looking for any sign of an ambush. The odd flickering shadows it made were not comforting, but I found no substance to my fears. Jeb’s tub was more the size of a small swimming pool and black as ink. Under the surface, a person would be invisible as long as they could hold their breath†¦ I hurried through the slender crack at the back of the room to escape my imaginings. You read "The Host Chapter 17: Visited" in category "Essay examples" Away from Jeb, I was nearly overwhelmed with panic-I couldn’t breathe normally; I could barely hear over the sound of my pulse racing behind my ears. I was more running than walking when I made my way back to the room with the rivers. To find Jeb standing there, still in the same pose, still alone, was like a balm to my splintered nerves. My breathing and my heartbeat slowed. Why this crazy human should be such a comfort to me, I couldn’t understand. I supposed it was like Melanie had said, desperate times. â€Å"Not too shabby, eh?† he asked, a grin of pride on his face. I nodded once again and returned the flashlight. â€Å"These caves are a great gift,† he said as we started back toward the dark passageway. â€Å"We wouldn’t be able to survive in a group like this without them. Magnolia and Sharon were getting along real well-shockingly well-up there in Chicago, but they were pushing their luck hiding two. It’s mighty nice to have a community again. Makes me feel downright human.† He took my elbow once more as we climbed the rough stair-case out. â€Å"I’m sorry about the, um, accommodations we’ve got you in. It was the safest place I could think of. I’m surprised those boys found you as quick as they did.† Jeb sighed. â€Å"Well, Kyle gets real†¦ motivated. But I suppose it’s all for the best. Might as well get used to how things are going to be. Maybe we can find something more hospitable for you. I’ll think on it†¦ While I’m with you, at least, you don’t really have to cram yourself into that little hole. You can sit in the hall with me if you prefer. Though with Jared†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He trailed off. I listened to his apologetic words in wonder; this was so much more kindness than I’d hoped for, more compassion than I’d thought this species was capable of giving their enemies. I patted the hand on my elbow lightly, hesitantly, trying to convey that I understood and wouldn’t cause a problem. I was sure Jared much preferred to have me out of sight. Jeb had no trouble translating my wordless communication. â€Å"That’s a good girl,† he said. â€Å"We’ll figure this all out somehow. Doc can just concentrate on healin’ human folks. You’re much more interesting alive, I think.† Our bodies were close enough that he was able to feel me tremble. â€Å"Don’t worry. Doc’s not going to bother you now.† I couldn’t stop shivering. Jeb could only promise me now. There was no guarantee that Jared would not decide my secret was more important than protecting Melanie’s body. I knew that such a fate would make me wish Ian had succeeded last night. I swallowed, feeling the bruising that seemed to go all the way through my neck to the inside walls of my throat. You never know how much time you’ll have, Melanie had said so many days ago, when my world was still under control. Her words echoed in my head as we reentered the big room, the main plaza of Jeb’s human community. It was full, like the first night, everyone there to glare at us with eyes that blazed anger and betrayal when they looked at him and murder when they looked at me. I kept my gaze down on the rock under my feet. From the corner of my eye, I could see that Jeb held his gun ready again. It was only a matter of time, indeed. I could feel it in the atmosphere of hate and fear. Jeb could not protect me long. It was a relief to scrape back through the narrow crevice, to look forward to the winding black labyrinth and my cramped hiding place; I could hope to be alone there. Behind me, a furious hissing, like a nest of goaded snakes, echoed in the big cavern. The sound made me wish Jeb would lead me through the labyrinth at a quicker pace. Jeb chuckled under his breath. He seemed to get stranger the longer I was around him. His sense of humor mystified me as much as his motivations did. â€Å"It gets a bit tedious down here sometimes, you know,† he murmured to me, or to himself. With Jeb, it was hard to tell. â€Å"Maybe when they get over being cheesed off at me, they’ll realize they appreciate all the excitement I’m providing.† Our path through the dark twisted in a serpentine fashion. It didn’t feel at all familiar. Perhaps he took a different route to keep me lost. It seemed to take more time than before, but finally I could see the dim blue light of the lamp shining from around the next curve. I braced myself, wondering if Jared would be there again. If he was, I knew he would be angry. I was sure he wouldn’t approve of Jeb taking me for a field trip, no matter how necessary it might have been. As soon as we rounded the corner, I could see that there was a figure slumped against the wall beside the lamp, casting a long shadow toward us, but it was obviously not Jared. My hand clutched at Jeb’s arm, an automatic spasm of fear. And then I really looked at the waiting figure. It was smaller than me-that was how I’d known it was not Jared-and thin. Small, but also too tall and too wiry. Even in the dim light of the blue lamp, I could see that his skin was dyed to a deep brown by the sun, and that his silky black hair now fell unkempt past his chin. My knees buckled. My hand, grasping Jeb’s arm in panic, held on for support. â€Å"Well, for Pete’s sake!† Jeb exclaimed, obviously irritated. â€Å"Can’t nobody keep a secret around this place for more’n twenty-four hours? Gol’ durn, this burns me up! Bunch of gossipmongers†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He trailed off into a grumble. I didn’t even try to understand the words Jeb was saying; I was locked in the fiercest battle of my life-of every life I’d ever lived. I could feel Melanie in each cell of my body. My nerve endings tingled in recognition of her familiar presence. My muscles twitched in anticipation of her direction. My lips trembled, trying to open. I leaned forward toward the boy in the hall, my body reaching because my arms would not. Melanie had learned many things the few times I’d ceded or lost my command to her, and I truly had to struggle against her-so hard that fresh sweat beaded on my brow. But I was not dying in the desert now. Nor was I weak and dizzy and taken off guard by the appearance of someone I’d given up for lost; I’d known this moment might come. My body was resilient, quick to heal-I was strong again. The strength of my body gave strength to my control, to my determination. I drove her from my limbs, chased her from every hold she’d found, thrust her back into the recesses of my mind, and chained her there. Her surrender was sudden and total. Aaah, she sighed, and it was almost a moan of pain. I felt strangely guilty as soon as I’d won. I’d already known that she was more to me than a resistant host who made life unnecessarily difficult. We’d become companions, even confidantes during our past weeks together-ever since the Seeker had united us against a common enemy. In the desert, with Kyle’s knife over my head, I’d been glad that if I had to die I would not be the one to kill Melanie; even then, she was more than a body to me. But now it seemed like something beyond that. I regretted causing her pain. It was necessary, though, and she didn’t seem to grasp that. Any word we said wrong, any poorly considered action would mean a quick execution. Her reactions were too wild and emotional. She would get us into trouble. You have to trust me now, I told her. I’m just trying to keep us alive. I know you don’t want to believe your humans could hurt us†¦ But it’s Jamie, she whispered. She yearned for the boy with an emotion so strong that it weakened my knees again. I tried to look at him impartially-this sullen-faced teenager slumped against the tunnel wall with his arms folded tightly across his chest. I tried to see him as a stranger and plan my response, or lack of response, accordingly. I tried, but I failed. He was Jamie, he was beautiful, and my arms-mine, not Melanie’s-longed to hold him. Tears filled my eyes and trickled down my face. I could only hope they were invisible in the dim light. â€Å"Jeb,† Jamie said-a gruff greeting. His eyes passed swiftly over me and away. His voice was so deep! Could he really be so old? I realized with a double pang of guilt that I’d just missed his fourteenth birthday. Melanie showed me the day, and I saw that it was the same day as the first dream with Jamie. She’d struggled so hard all through the waking hours to keep her pain to herself, to cloud her memories in order to protect the boy, that he’d come out in her dream. And I’d e-mailed the Seeker. I shuddered now in disbelief that I’d ever been so callous. â€Å"Whatcha doing here, kid?† Jeb demanded. â€Å"Why didn’t you tell me?† Jamie demanded back. Jeb went silent. â€Å"Was that Jared’s idea?† Jamie pressed. Jeb sighed. â€Å"Okay, so you know. What good does that do you, eh? We only wanted to -â€Å" â€Å"To protect me?† he interrupted, surly. When did he get so bitter? Was it my fault? Of course it was. Melanie began sobbing in my head. It was distracting, loud-it made Jeb and Jamie’s voices sound farther away. â€Å"Fine, Jamie. So you don’t need protecting. What do you want?† This quick capitulation seemed to throw Jamie off. His eyes darted between Jeb’s face and mine while he struggled to come up with a request. â€Å"I-I want to talk with her†¦ with it,† he finally said. His voice was higher when he was unsure. â€Å"She doesn’t say much,† Jeb told him, â€Å"but you’re welcome to try, kid.† Jeb pried my fingers off his arm. When he was free, he turned his back to the nearest wall, leaning into it as he eased himself to the floor. He settled in there, fidgeting until he found a comfortable position. The gun stayed balanced in the cradle of his lap. Jeb’s head lolled back against the wall, and his eyes closed. In seconds, he looked like he was asleep. I stood where he’d left me, trying to keep my eyes off Jamie’s face and failing. Jamie was surprised again by Jeb’s easy acquiescence. He watched the old man recline on the floor with wide eyes that made him look younger. After a few minutes of perfect stillness from Jeb, Jamie looked back up at me, and his eyes tightened. The way he stared at me-angry, trying hard to be brave and grown-up, but also showing the fear and pain so clearly in his dark eyes-had Melanie sobbing louder and my knees shaking. Rather than take a chance with another collapse, I moved slowly to the tunnel wall across from Jeb and slid down to the floor. I curled up around my bent legs, trying to be as small as possible. Jamie watched me with cautious eyes and then took four slow steps forward until he stood over me. His glance flitted to Jeb, who hadn’t moved or opened his eyes, and then Jamie knelt down at my side. His face was suddenly intense, and it made him look more adult than any expression yet. My heart throbbed for the sad man in the little boy’s face. â€Å"You’re not Melanie,† he said in a low voice. It was harder not to speak to him because I was the one who wanted to speak. Instead, after a brief hesitation, I shook my head. â€Å"You’re inside her body, though.† Another pause, and I nodded. â€Å"What happened to your†¦ to her face?† I shrugged. I didn’t know what my face looked like, but I could imagine. â€Å"Who did this to you?† he pressed. With a hesitant finger, he almost touched the side of my neck. I held still, feeling no urge to cringe away from this hand. â€Å"Aunt Maggie, Jared, and Ian,† Jeb listed off in a bored voice. We both jumped at the sound. Jeb hadn’t moved, and his eyes were still closed. He looked so peaceful, as if he had answered Jamie’s question in his sleep. Jamie waited for a moment, then turned back to me with the same intense expression. â€Å"You’re not Melanie, but you know all her memories and stuff, right?† I nodded again. â€Å"Do you know who I am?† I tried to swallow the words, but they slipped through my lips. â€Å"You’re Jamie.† I couldn’t help how my voice wrapped around the name like a caress. He blinked, startled that I had broken my silence. Then he nodded. â€Å"Right,† he whispered back. We both looked at Jeb, who remained still, and back at each other. â€Å"Then you remember what happened to her?† he asked. I winced, and then nodded slowly. â€Å"I want to know,† he whispered. I shook my head. â€Å"I want to know,† Jamie repeated. His lips trembled. â€Å"I’m not a kid. Tell me.† â€Å"It’s not†¦ pleasant,† I breathed, unable to stop myself. It was very hard to deny this boy what he wanted. His straight black eyebrows pulled together and up in the middle over his wide eyes. â€Å"Please,† he whispered. I glanced at Jeb. I thought that maybe he was peeking from between his lashes now, but I couldn’t be sure. My voice was soft as breathing. â€Å"Someone saw her go into a place that was off-limits. They knew something was wrong. They called the Seekers.† He flinched at the title. â€Å"The Seekers tried to get her to surrender. She ran from them. When they had her cornered, she jumped into an open elevator shaft.† I recoiled from the memory of pain, and Jamie’s face went white under his tan. â€Å"She didn’t die?† he whispered. â€Å"No. We have very skilled Healers. They mended her quickly. Then they put me in her. They hoped I would be able to tell them how she had survived so long.† I had not meant to say so much; my mouth snapped shut. Jamie didn’t seem to notice my slip, but Jeb’s eyes opened slowly and fixed on my face. No other part of him moved, and Jamie didn’t see the change. â€Å"Why didn’t you let her die?† he asked. He had to swallow hard; a sob was threatening in his voice. This was all the more painful to hear because it was not the sound a child makes, frightened of the unknown, but the fully comprehending agony of an adult. It was so hard not to reach out and put my hand on his cheek. I wanted to hug him to me and beg him not to be sad. I curled my hands into fists and tried to concentrate on his question. Jeb’s eyes flickered to my hands and back to my face. â€Å"I wasn’t in on the decision,† I murmured. â€Å"I was still in a hibernation tank in deep space when that happened.† Jamie blinked again in surprise. My answer was nothing he’d expected, and I could see him struggling with some new emotion. I glanced at Jeb; his eyes were bright with curiosity. The same curiosity, though more wary, won out with Jamie. â€Å"Where were you coming from?† he asked. In spite of myself, I smiled at his unwilling interest. â€Å"Far away. Another planet.† â€Å"What was -† he started to ask, but he was interrupted by another question. â€Å"What the hell?† Jared shouted at us, frozen with fury in the act of rounding the corner at the end of the tunnel. â€Å"Damn it, Jeb! We agreed not to -â€Å" Jamie wrenched himself upright. â€Å"Jeb didn’t bring me here. But you should have.† Jeb sighed and got slowly to his feet. As he did so, the gun rolled from his lap onto the floor. It stopped only a few inches from me. I scooted away, uncomfortable. Jared had a different reaction. He lunged toward me, closing the length of the hallway in a few running strides. I cowered into the wall and covered my face with my arms. Peeking around my elbow, I watched him jerk the gun up from the floor. â€Å"Are you trying to get us killed?† he almost screamed at Jeb, shoving the gun into the old man’s chest. â€Å"Calm down, Jared,† Jeb said in a tired voice. He took the gun in one hand. â€Å"She wouldn’t touch this thing if I left it down here alone with her all night. Can’t you see that?† He stabbed the barrel of the gun toward me, and I cringed away. â€Å"She’s no Seeker, this one.† â€Å"Shut up, Jeb, just shut up!† â€Å"Leave him alone,† Jamie shouted. â€Å"He didn’t do anything wrong.† â€Å"You!† Jared shouted back, turning on the slim, angry figure. â€Å"You get out of here now, or so help me!† Jamie balled his fists and stood his ground. Jared’s fists came up, too. I was rooted in place with shock. How could they scream at each other this way? They were family, the bonds between them stronger than any blood tie. Jared wouldn’t hit Jamie-he couldn’t! I wanted to do something, but I didn’t know what to do. Anything that brought me to their attention would only make them angrier. For once, Melanie was calmer than I was. He can’t hurt Jamie, she thought confidently. It’s not possible. I looked at them, facing off like enemies, and panicked. We should never have come here. See how unhappy we’ve made them, I moaned. â€Å"You shouldn’t have tried to keep this a secret from me,† Jamie said between his teeth. â€Å"And you shouldn’t have hurt her.† One of his hands unclenched and flew out to point at my face. Jared spit on the floor. â€Å"That’s not Melanie. She’s never coming back, Jamie.† â€Å"That’s her face,† Jamie insisted. â€Å"And her neck. Don’t the bruises there bother you?† Jared dropped his hands. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. â€Å"You will either leave right now, Jamie, and give me some space, or I will make you leave. I am not bluffing. I can’t deal with any more right now, okay? I’m at my limit. So can we please have this conversation later?† He opened his eyes again; they were full of pain. Jamie looked at him, and the anger drained slowly from his face. â€Å"Sorry,† he muttered after a moment. â€Å"I’ll go†¦ but I’m not promising that I won’t come back.† â€Å"I can’t think about that now. Go. Please.† Jamie shrugged. He threw one more searching look at me, and then he left, his quick, long stride making me ache again for the time I’d missed. Jared looked at Jeb. â€Å"You, too,† he said in a flat voice. Jeb rolled his eyes. â€Å"I don’t think you’ve had a long enough break, to be honest. I’ll keep an eye on -â€Å" â€Å"Go.† Jeb frowned thoughtfully. â€Å"Okay. Sure.† He started down the hall. â€Å"Jeb?† Jared called after him. â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"If I asked you to shoot it right now, would you do it?† Jeb kept walking slowly, not looking at us, but his words were clear. â€Å"I’d have to. I follow my own rules. So don’t ask me unless you really mean it.† He disappeared into the dark. Jared watched him go. Before he could turn his glower on me, I ducked into my uncomfortable sanctuary and curled up in the back corner. How to cite The Host Chapter 17: Visited, Essay examples

Microsoft (1139 words) Essay Example For Students

Microsoft (1139 words) Essay MicrosoftThe current Microsoft antitrust case, still in progress as this review is being written, has been both hailed and condemned as the most important antitrust action of the coming century. Its potential significance has been compared to that of the Supreme Courts 1911 Standard Oil decision, which not only applied for the first time the trust-busting power latent in the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to break up John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil Company, but of at least equal importance enunciated the rule of reason on which judicial interpretation of the Sherman Act continues to be based. While none of this conference volumes contributors develops this comparison, readers may come away from the book feeling that it is apt.; As noted in Lenards introduction and overview, there was general agreement among the conferees that the Microsoft case did not indicate any need for revision of existing antitrust laws. Yet the book identifies a paradox. Todays computer industry has so many elements of natural monopolynotably network effects and first-mover advantagesthat the market will not work well if left to itself, yet it is far too complicated and fast moving to be regulated effectively. Antitrust is the only feasible policy option, but unless applied with skill and discretion, it may do more harm than good. In particular, consumer welfare is more likely to be enhanced by policy initiatives aimed at keeping the industry open to the introduction of major new technologies that might challenge the dominance of incumbents than by policies seeking to promote price competition among existing firms employing established technologies. ; The paper by Michael L. Katz and Carl Shapiro discusses the fundamental economics of software markets, focusing, not surprisingly, on network effects, but also identifying and discussing the effects of the high set-up costs and loweven zeromarginal costs of software, the durability of software systems, and their rapid technological change. This papers treatment of network effects is sharply challenged in Timothy J. Muris comment, which argues that network effects comprise a model for which very few, if any, valid empirical examples exist. ; Janusz A. Ordover and Robert D. Willig confront the basic question of whether or not there is any role for antitrust in high-tech markets. After reviewing competing arguments, they conclude that antitrust may be crucial in protecting long-run competition in innovation and that this should be its primary objective. Their particular concern is with bottlenecks such as Microsofts monopoly control of the operating system market, which is a crucial component of a broader system of computer use, including applications such as word processing and access to the Internet via browsers. They propose a three-pronged test to ascertain whether monopoly control of such a bottleneck exists and if so whether it is being used to exclude or restrain potential competitors from other markets in the system: i.e., are short-run profits being sacrificed by exclusionary tactics in the hope of long-run recoupment through expansion of the initial monopoly to systemically related markets. In his comment, Lawrence J. White maintains that the antitrust problems raised by Microsofts tactics are neither as new nor complex as Ordover and Willig suggest, but rather mirror one of the earliest issues in antitrust historysingle railroad ownership and control of a bottleneck facility such as a monopolized stretch of track within a networked system of rail transportation.; Timothy F. Bresnahan utilizes an intriguing life cycle punctuated equilibrium model to analyze the nature of technological competition in the computer market. Monopolies such as Microsofts monopoly of microcomputer operating systems and Intels of microprocessor chips may arise from first mover advantages in introducing a major new innovation, from patenting of such a system, or from network dynamic economies of scale. Whatever its source, the monopoly may persist for over a decadeaeons in the PC business (p. 158) in Bresnahans words. The monopolist will constantly be challenged by potential entrants and must keep abreast of minor technological improvements, but has overwhelming advantages in maintaining its position, including strategic entry barriers. .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c , .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .postImageUrl , .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c , .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c:hover , .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c:visited , .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c:active { border:0!important; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c:active , .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uef1bb91486e1a8a45e260bb4d1b4923c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Gun Control1 Essay This should not be of great concern to antitrust enforcers, as users switching costs are likely to outweigh the advantages of adopting new products incompatible with previous ones. However, occasionally these periods of stability will be shattered by quantum improvements in technology, and in these periods of epochal competition (p. 163) a new dominant firm may arise. Bresnahan is highly skeptical that any sort of antitrust intervention can improve the industrys performance, in large part due to powerful network forces creating and sustaining monopolistic positions and to the high switching costs that could be imposed on users by a policy artificially ea sing entry. ; Benjamin Klein elaborates on one of the characteristics of industry structure identified by Katz and Shapiro: the very low marginal costs of software. He notes that the marginal cost of Microsofts browser is not only low, but negative, since a browser steers Internet users to specific web sites which can generate fee revenue. Thus, Microsofts willingness to provide its Explorer browser free of charge to original equipment manufacturers, or to bundle it with sales of Windows 95 and charge OEMs for permission to remove its icon, was not entirely motivated by a desire to exclude Navigator, as alleged by the Antitrust Division.; Utilizing an extremely interesting set of time series price data for semiconductors, computers, software and services, telecommunications equipment, and telecommunications services, Kenneth Flamm explores the feasibility and implications of the convergence of telephone, television, and computer access via the Internet (the network computer). On the basis of changes in relative prices of software, computer hardware, and communications hardware, he concludes that the short-run future of the network computer is in doubt, but convergence is quite possible. The threat to Microsofts monopoly of the PC operating system is dire. If network computing is the next major technological breakthrough, the operating system will move from the desktop to the network, and Microsofts market power therein will become irrelevant.; A nagging question remains. Given the pace of technological development in the digital marketplace, should one bother to read this book now? The answer is yes- The appropriate role of antitrust in markets where the greatest welfare gains are expected to come from technological rather than price competition, and where product market boundaries are ephemeral, remains at least as pertinent and thought-provoking as it was in early 1998. Already biotechnology promises to be at least as economically significant as information technology. Standard Oil Company v. United States of America addressed the underlying antitrust issues facing the transition to an industrialized economy: United States of America v. Microsoft Corporation is dealing with an equally fundamental transformation. Those concerned with this transformation will be stimulated and challenged by the informed and perceptive papers and comments found in this book.Bibliographyno bib neededEconomics

Why I Love Pakistan free essay sample

Man is a social animal. He is afraid of living alone. He is bound up in a thousand ways with the people around him. He lives with others in a society. It is but natural that he loves the place where he and his family and the people he loves live. The country is his home and he loves it more than anything else. I love Pakistan because it is my country. It is not only my motherland but also my birthplace. I am born and brought up on this sacred land. I walk on its soil, breathe in its air, eat from the food produced in its fields, wear the clothes made from its cotton, and live in a house made from its mud and clay.The fair land has become flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. I love it more than my life. I love Pakistan because it is an Islamic state. We will write a custom essay sample on Why I Love Pakistan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The name of my country is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. We have got it in the name of Islam. I am a Muslim and like to live with Muslims. There is no check on me to worship my God in this sacred land of Pakistan. I am free to go to the mosque or to keep fast. I am free to recite the Holy Quran. I love my country for its ancient civilization. It is the land of the Indus Valley Civilization. The ruins of ancient civilization at Taxila, Harappa and Mohenjo Daro are a matter of great pride for all the countrymen. Its historical buildings like the great Badshahi Mosque, Shahi Fort, Shalimar Gardens, Minar-i-Pakistan, Tomb of Jehangir, Mahabat Khan Mosque and Hyderabad Fort etc. are worth seeing. The beautiful scenery of different health resorts like Murree, Gilgat, Swat, Kaghan, Dir and Chitral etc. attract thousands of foreigners ever year.I love Pakistan because it is the land of our national heroes. My country is the result of their long period of strife and struggle. Among them Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal are worth mentioning. The brave and courageous soldiers of Pakistan fought so bravely that every inch of its soil is rich with their sweat and blood. The names of Major Aziz Bhatti, Brigadier Shami, Major Tufail, Rashid Minhas, Sarwar Shaheed, Naik Mehfooz and Colonel Sher Khan have become immortal. I am really proud of them.

Coservative Revolution essays

Coservative Revolution essays The American Revolution was not a true revolution as it is revealed to be, but more of a gradual change in American life. Instead of a radical change, it was a result of evolutionary changes that evolved to their way of life. This statement is evident, with political, economic, and social considerations. Within these different ranges of human interest, change had occurred gradually and for some unnoticed. Politically, the governments already had a certain degree of independence, but wanted to be completely free from the oppressive ties of England. Economically, the country was developing strategies for trading with other countries, although it was forbidden, and had also developed a small amount of self-sufficiency to some degree. Social changes were only a progression through time, and a gradual change in what was considered to be socially acceptable and normal behavior in the colonies. Before, throughout and after the American Revolution, there was a noticeable evolution in the political standpoint in the colonies. Starting with the First Continental Congress, progressing to the Second Continental Congress, and finally leading to the Articles of the Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. After some men were killed at Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress came together to form a semblance of a "temporary" national government. This evolution of a congress is clear as it eventually formed the Articles of Confederation after the war. Even though the monarchy of England left a hatred for a strong centralized government, this type of government was necessary to control and aid the nation. The Revolution set in the minds of people, a love for democracy and the expectation of equal rights. There was never an abrupt change in the government, just a gradual change into a progressively stronger government. However, these changes still contained the principa ...

The Future of Nigerian Advertising Industry Essay

The Future of Nigerian Advertising Industry - Essay Example Therefore, current researches and studies in the field of advertising are focused on different strategies and tactics of advertising campaigns. It can be said that in the future brands of Nigeria will look in a different manner. Why? Of course, because of globalization! Such phenomenon as globalization caused many changes even in the most developed and powerful countries. That is why the economy of the countries, which were not considered the powerful players on the global market before, was influenced much and this influence is considered as positive as it brought many new opportunities. The dynamic world of development and rapid changes and outcomes in the world of marketing can lead to shifted paradigms in Nigerian advertising. Thus, it was relevant for the advertising company in the past to develop brand promising name, to provide the process of advertising with control, stability and monopoly; to unite customers and markets etc. All these strategies of advertising could have bee n realized by means of printed media, TV or radio broadcasting. Now, look around and you will see outside billboards, sms informing, Tweet updates and other forms of instantaneous ads! Therefore, nowadays brand values should be considered from another perspective: brand fulfillment, interactivity and transparency, as well as trust, innovations and creative execution. There are different key issues in the concept of brand value. Modern Nigerian advertising companies find it necessary to offer new products and services as the only possible option for brand advancing. Moreover, their primary means of advertising is Internet, online media, social networks etc. Actually, these global innovative and technological changes are caused by an abundant excess of information technologies. Brand people and customers should realize numerous perspectives for outstanding rights for ownership new clothes, goods and services. Online media is a helpful tool to do this. Current strategies of advertising in Nigeria Social media of Nigeria do not provide the customers with relevant information about their firms and products. There is no total transparency and brands often need control. There are different aspects and possible solutions for the market changes in Nigeria. Democratization of technology is a favorable background for technological advancements and innovations realization in the context of advertising. Nigerian advertising market goes global and that is why, it is evident that this market has included some changes. Different technologies are well correlated with CD sales or YouTube promo video ads. Ethical concerns of Nigerian advertising have always meant much. A human-centered approach is one of the most important issues for the Nigerian advertising market. It can be claimed that branding of new services and products in the market of Nigeria are evoking numerous controversies for the products and services’ presentation both locally and internationally (Ekwelem, O kafor, Ukwoma, 2009). According to Jimi Awosika, "no matter what trends potters may have assigned to the shape of the future, the basic fabric of advertising will not change†¦" (Latest news, breaking news, business, finance analysis, comments and views from Nigeria). Brand distribution should be properly analyzed with respect to the current trends and tendencies. Moreover, many things depend on the users of the production themselves.

IT Project Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

IT Project Management - Assignment Example Three cells on top, a full width cell in the middle showing Activity name and three cells on bottom. Each of these cells represents important information about the activity as shown below in the picture:- Calculation of Early Start and Early Finish time: Early start time in the first activity is set to 1 whereas duration is given in the requirements. Early finish time is calculated by adding duration in early start time. Early start time of the next sequential activity is set to the previous activity’s early finish time. Adding duration, Early Finish time is found. All activities are traversed in the forward direction and their early start, duration and early finish time is found in this way and written in their respective cells. Early start time of activity that is approached by two or more activities is set to the highest time. For example Activity 14 is approached by Activity 8 which has early finish time as 76 and Activity 12 which has early finish time as 39. The highest early finish time is 76 so early start time of Activity 14 is set to 76. Calculation of Late Start and Late Finish time: Reaching to the end of the activity or finish traversing is restarted in the backward direction. The last activity’s early finish time is set to its late finish time. Deducting duration, late start time is set. Traversing backward previous activity’s late finish time is set to the late start time of the current activity. Then deducting duration, late start time of previous activity is found. All activities are traversed in the backward direction and their late finish, float/slack and late start time is found in this way and written in their respective cells until the start is reached. Late finish time of activity that is approached by two or more activities is set to the lowest time. For example Activity 5 is approached in backward direction by Activity 6 which has late start time as 22 and Activity 7 which has late start time as 65. The lowest early finish time is 22 so late finish time of Activity 5 is set to 22. Calculation of Float or Slack time: The Float or Slack time is the difference between late finish and early finish time. It is same as the difference between early start and late start time. All the activities that have float/slack as zero is critical activity and must be part of the Critical Path. Start and Finish Activity box: Each diagram begins with the start box having values of zero for early start, duration, early finish, late start, float and late finish. Each diagram ends with the finish box having values of maximum days needed to complete for the project. It is set in all the cells of early start, duration, early finish, late start, float late finish. Directional Arrow: Each activity is linked with a directional arrow to show the sequential flow of the activities. The arrow can be in the forward direction to show the progress of work flow or up and down direction to show the parallel works. No backward dire ction is allowed in the network diagram because the time once passed never returns. Task 3: Constraints of Days and Amount Applying constraint of completing project within 70 days has forced to break up two of the activities. Activity 6 of 15 days which has been now changed to Activity 6(a) and Activity 6(b) each of 10 days duration calculated by 2/3*15 formula given in constraints. Similarly Activity 8 of 39 days is now

Development during Middle Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Development during Middle Age - Essay Example As middle age is considered as the age of wisdom, emotional stability and social acceptance of an individual, the theories possess ample importance on human psychology and physiology. Here, an attempt is to assess the validity of foretold theories by analyzing the findings related to an interview with two middle-aged individuals. As it is not fair to disclose the identity of interviewees who co-operated with the interview, imaginary names and professions are used. The first person is George Thomas, my friend, a doctor and the second person is John Mackenzie, my relative, a professor of English Language & Literature. Louise Simmers makes clear that middle age shows emotional change and it may be either a period of satisfaction or crisis (Simmers, 2003, p. 197). Related to the theories of Erikson, Vaillant, Levinson, and Peck, which deals with the socio-emotional, physical, and cognitive development of middle-aged people, a questionnaire (see appendix-1) was prepared including fifteen questions that can be answered as yes /no. Then I informed them that they do have the right to refuse to answer any question posed to them. This helped the respondents to have a clear idea about the aim of the interview. The following part deals with the data manipulation and findings derived from the foretold interview. According to Erikson, there exist a conflict between generativity and stagnation among the middle-aged individuals. Neil J. Smelser & Erik H. Erikson concludes that: â€Å"Speaking of middle age, Erikson describes even generativity in terms of ego.† (Smelser & Erikson, 1980, p. 161)Erikson deals with problems of middle-aged people and describes generativity by relating it to the ego. The response to the first question proves that both the respondents are generative in their career but feel stagnant in their family life. Bernice Levin Neugarten reflects that middle-aged people possess different perceptions, related to their male/female role in the family (Neugarten, 1968, p. 4).

Marketing Strategy: McDonalds | SWOT

Marketing Strategy: McDonalds | SWOT McDonald was introduced by Dick and McDonald of Manchester, New Hampshire in San Bernardino, California. It was further expanded by business partner, Ray Kroc, of Illinois, who then together found the concept of McDonalds Corporation. The McDonald brothers had been in the restaurant business since 1937. It was the idea of Kroc to franchise their restaurants throughout the world. In 1956 McDonalds brothers had licensed the franchise rights for cook country. In 1959, Kroc opened 67 new restaurants, over new 101 locations in various countries. Like this they started expanding their business all over the world and proved to be best fast food restaurant. McDonald Corporation is one of the largest chains of fast food restaurant with 500,000 of employees serving nearly millions of customers daily. After a very careful study McDonald has given its company the trademark of happy clown character known as Ronald MacDonald. McDonald put great emphasizes is always on youngsters and childrens. They are following the analyzer type of business strategy with bureaucratic nature. McDonald success is hiding in its simplicity and strategic formulation of being strictly quality control, more hygienic and making cost effective production by hiring cheap and young workers trained properly under high supervision of managers. Human resource policies of McDonald are tightly and strictly under control The McDonalds Corporation is the largest worldwide franchised food service organization. In the 1960s, Ray Kroc franchised restaurants for the low sum of $950, demanding 1.9% of sales. McDonalds are able to overcome cultural barriers that have previously hindered other organizations. Because the local people immediately translate both the product and service, there is little hint of what may be construed as US brand culture. McDonalds is simultaneously global and local. Clearly, an increase in the number of franchised restaurants leads to the direct effect of an increase in McDonalds revenues. McDonalds can also boast that it is the largest retail property owner in the world. Task 1a Organizational structure gives a relationship between the tasks performed by the members of the company in the form of different department, following rules and regulation, and coordination and control mechanism. The structure either at the corporate level or at the franchising level, both have a great effect on business strategy followed by the McDonalds. McDonalds has mechanistic structure because tasks performed in the organization are highly repetitive at every local shop. There is a extreme division of labor, with relatively simple and small work activities. McDonalds has rigid and hierarchical management structure. They possess vertical communication within the organization flowing from top to bottom. Decision-making is highly centralized with the top management. So strategy planning could take place within this structure but it has to effectively communicate with the members to have its affectivity. Task 1b McDonalds SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis helps in understanding the internal and external factors affecting to the company. For identifying strategic option of a company it is compulsory to know the various strength and weaknesses. (S)trengths Mcdonald is socially responsible, community oriented company. They have easily adapted themselves to the global restaurant with different culture. Approximately 80% restaurant of McDonald are owned and operated by franchisees. The world wide restaurant of McDonald are provided with duplicate and systematic food preparation process. Macdonald are very serious about their consumers health, and there is proper checking of food and moreover all food items are bought from certified suppliers only. They are playing a great role socially by introducing Ronald McDonald house for the children. Mcdonald was the first food restaurant to provide the information to its customers about nutritional facts. (W)eaknesses Considering the weakness of the McDonald, it has got high-turn over employee. The main weakness they are having is lack of innovation in the industry. The main target of Mcdonald over advertisement is the children. (O)pportunities: There are many opportunities in front of McDonald by creating new product offerings. They can be more socially responsible by the use of sustainable packaging and use of green energy. At the same time they can open some of its franchises at the luxurious places to attract the major customers in the market. (T)hreats: The major competitors of McDonald are burger king and KFC which has included a variety of foods in their menu with fewer prices as compared to McDonald which has become a threat to the company. As the McDonald has largest part of their menu as fast food so the health awareness of the people has been also a issue to the McDonald. This recession period has also let down the revenue of the McDonald to a great extent. So considering the major threats and opportunities of the McDonald the strategic option for this organization could be: Emphasis on Local Management Environmental Friendliness Have to be flexible As some years back McDonald had already gone through a loss in brand image due to the issues related to the health problems by consuming food of the MacDonald. So today also there is some perception in peoples mind about that issues which could affect a lot to McDonald. So they need to make more of the positive reputation nationally or internationally, and tried to give environmental friendly services. Mcdonald has gained the global acceptance by hiring local management. Their main emphasises is to think globally and act local. Mcdonald should try to adapt itself to the constantly changing market. The market is dynamic. They have to make themselves much flexible so that they can adapt more better to the changing scenario. Task 1 c For adapting themselves to the changing environment McDonald need to focus on optimizing their speed, maximize service, minimize the cost of the product and emphasize reliability. They need to focus more geographically and psycho graphically research so as to find out the actual customers of the McDonald. As McDonald has already established them globally so they should focus on product development to stay in the market. They should introduce more of the healthier product to their menu in order to attract more of the health-conscious people. To do this they need to adapt strategies to gain competitors customers by giving more good options than others, including discount, introducing more packages to their menu, and lowering down the price of some of the food to make it affordable for the general consumer also. Task 2a For the implementation of the strategy part it is necessary to keep the various social responsibilities of McDonald in mind. They are highly focusing on reducing the weight of the packaging by not affecting the quality and quantity of food. They have added healthier food to their menu. McDonald is doing reusable material to maintain the sustainability. They pay a great attention towards the happy meal toy used by the millions of children, not to be made by lead. They have also involved in various charities doing social working. Task 2b MISSION STATEMENT McDonalds mission is to serve people with best quick service, good quality food at low cost. VISION STATEMENT Its vision is to dominate the global food-service industry in order to become the customers favorite place to eat. They want the Global dominance in sense of setting the performance standard for customer satisfaction and increases share in the market and profitability through successfully implementing our convenience, value and execution strategies. Most of all the greatest advantage is the vision or the dream with which the company was started. Sustaining this dream over the years is any companies greatest advantage. A brand usually revolves around this vision sustaining this vision and working in lieu with it is a great SCA. McDonalds was started out to help people who had very little time to cook or was too busy to get into a proper restaurant. The vision was to provide quick service, cheap products and quality satisfaction. Keeping this vision in mind the company which slackened a bit because of incompetent franchise holders is being weeded and new and better people are put in this place as the torch bearers of the company sustaining and living the vision. Task 2c For the implementation part of the strategy first of all there should be a clear picture of the strategy to be adopted in the mind of every person in the organization. As there is a change in culture need to bring in McDonald so three points have to keep in mind which is: leadership style, turning strategy into action and performance management. In any organization for the implication of any strategy a real leadership is always required which bring the effective growth. Leadership is the main thread to run the entire process of the translation of strategy into results. To start the strategy plan there should be a proper chart made consisting of all the various activities to be done during the project. During this work several questions need to be answered like what is the intent behind the strategy, what important issues need to be solved during the project, how that will be done and how much time will it take. Lastly how they will be succeeded. The work of performance management is to align the whole organization and make them work better to reach the highest point. They make sure that the strategy is communicated properly, measures the performance at every step, and always make an emotional contracting with the staff members to keep them motivated for the work to be done. Task 3a Project management techniques are the process used to gather the information, and get the work done more efficiently and effectively. There are many tools for the implementation of the plan like critical path flow analysis diagram, Gantt chart, brain storming method. I will be using Gantt chart so as to design the time table for the implementation of the strategy. Gantt chart is extremely useful for communication, budgeting, scheduling of the plan. It keeps all the record of task taking place. According to this scheduled plan the strategy will be completed in 2013 by going through all the necessary stages. Task 3b For the implementation of the strategy it is compulsory for all the members of the organization to coordinate. The top level of management makes all the relevant decision of giving work to the staff members and making sure to give them a timeline for the end of the work. In the organization first of all a board meeting is held to make the strategic planning and decide how to achieve it. Then specific goal and objectives are set according to the strategy planned. For the start of the project budget is made looking at the financial position of the company and all resources are being taken required for the completion. The manager should see that the strategic plan is simple, clear, based on real current situation, have enough time to settle. A time table is made to note the various roles and responsibilities of the members and making the time line for the responsible person. Task 3c Monitoring and controlling are the major portion as it assures the efforts made for the plan. It helps in keeping a regular check over the accomplishment of the task. It helps in measuring the corrective action. If something is going in a wrong way it could help in recognizing that and improving that .for example if there is change in environment so there has to bring a change in forecasting. There should be a continuous monitoring of performance of the project because that helps in predetermining targets and representing most important aspect of that. So the top management should make sure in doing the sales or market share analysis during the project time period. References http://www.mcdonalds.ca/en/community/rmcc.aspx Marketing as strategy, Nirmalya Kumar Applied strategic planning , Leonard David Goodstein, Timothy M. Nolan, J. William Pfeiff Strategic planning and management , Delmar W. Karger http://www.mcdonalds.com Peter, J. P., Donnelly, J. H.Jr. (2007). Marketing Management (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin Jolly , A. (1998) GROWING APPETITE CBI news march pp.20-1 Fifiled,P. And Gilligan, C,(1996), strategic marketing management, butterworth- Heinemann Vignalli, C.et al. (1999), various, british food journal, volume 101no.5/6

Industrial Robots and Manufacturing Automation :: essays research papers

Since early 2003 the Electrical Inspectorate has been working to raise public awareness of Residual Current Devices (RCDs), with the aim of eventually enforcing the use of these devices as recommended by the standard adopted by the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards for wiring of buildings SLNS/BS 7671: 2001- Requirements for Electrical Installations  ¡V IEE Wiring Regulations  ¡V Sixteenth Edition. These Regulations though only recently adopted by the Bureau of Standards is the Regulations referred to by the St. Lucia Electricity regulations of 1973 as the standard of wiring of buildings. For a very long time the cost of these devices had proven prohibitive for the enforcement of the requirement. However, it is now believed that safety concerns as it relates to electrical hazards such as fire and electrocution far outweigh the cost of these devices What is an RCD? An RCD is an electrical safety device specially designed to save life from Electrocution by immediately switching the electricity off when electricity  ¡Ã‚ §Leaking  ¡Ã‚ ¨ to earth is detected at a level that maybe harmful to a person using electrical equipment. How Electricity Kills Electrocution occurs when a small, specific amount of electrical current flows through the heart for 1 to 3 seconds. 0.006-0.2 Amps (i.e. 6-200 milliamps) of current flowing through the heart disrupts the normal coordination of heart muscles. These muscles lose their vital rhythm and begin a process known as ventricular fibrillation. Death soon follows. 0.25 Amps/250mA is equal to the current flowing through a 60W Bulb. What is ventricular fibrillation? The heart beats when electrical signals move through it. Ventricular fibrillation is a condition in which the heart's electrical activity becomes disordered. When this happens, the heart's lower (pumping) chambers contract in a rapid, unsynchronized way. (The ventricles "flutter" rather than beat.) The heart pumps little or no blood therefore the probability of death is high. What is the advantage of RCDs over Breakers and Fuses? Fuses or over current circuit breakers protect wires from damage not human beings and lifestock. On the other hand RCD with a maximum tripping current of 30mA provide protection from electrical shock. Circuit breakers and fuses provide equipment and installation protection and operate only in response to an electrical overload or short circuit. Hence these devices cannot detect earth fault currents below their operating current. If they are the only means of protection, it is possible for sufficient earth fault current to flow undetected to constitute an electrical hazard (fire and electrocution).

Masculinity in “A View from the Bridge” Essay

Arthur Miller wrote this play in 1955. He has written many other plays including All My Sons, which was a success at Broadway. Miller was born in 1915, in New York City, but both his parent had emigrated to the US. This play revolves around emigration, so Miller has had a lot of personal experience. This play is based in the late 1940’s, just after the Second World War, when many people were emigrating to the US, looking for a better life. In the play, which is located in Brooklyn, which is a community full of dockworkers, we have a picture of Eddie, Beatrice and Catherine’s lives when Rodolfo and Marco illegally emigrate to the US from Italy. When Catherine (Eddie’s niece) falls in love with Rodolfo, Eddie loses his cool, and reports Marco and Rodolfo to immigration. The drama ends with the death of Eddie, as he tried to kill Marco; Marco turned the knife, and stabbed Eddie. There are three leading male characters in the play; Eddie, Rodolfo and Marco, and each of them play different roles and have different types of roles. The first of these men we meet is Eddie. The first impression of any character is very important, and the first impression we get of Eddie is that he is a real family person. He talks very complimentarily towards Catherine, â€Å"Beautiful! Turn, around, lemme see in the back. Oh if your mother was alive to see you now! She wouldn’t believe it.† This gives the reader the impression that he is a family person, who is close to his niece. Then when he hears that Beatrice (his wife) is cousins have arrived he tells her â€Å"Don’t worry about it B., there’s nothin’ to it. Couple of hours and they’ll be here.† This gives us the impression that he is also very caring towards B’s family, even though they come in illegally. This also enhances the impression that he is a family man. We are made to believe generally that he’s a good man, who values his family very high. When we hear that Catherine has got a job, she wanted to ask Eddie if it was all right with him if she took it. This shows us that he has a lot of status in the house. If he hadn’t any status, Catherine would have gone  behind his back, and wouldn’t have asked permission. Eddie then replied by saying â€Å"Sure she’s the best.† This shows us that he cares for his family and wants the best for his niece. A little later we hear from a lawyer called Alfieri. We are believed to trust him because of his wisdom, and position in the community. He is the voice of the community. He then tells his thoughts towards Eddie. â€Å"He was a good man as he had to be in a life that was hard and even.† The important word here is â€Å"was†, this shows us that Eddie’s personality is on the verge of changing. When we are introduced to Rodolfo and Marco, there is a huge difference between them, first there is their appearance. The impression that we get of Marco is that he’s a strong man, and is focused, because Miller describes him as â€Å"Square-built peasant of thirty-two, suspicious, tender and quiet voiced.† when he is first introduced. This gives us the impression that he is a very quiet person, but his awareness is very good, he is very alert of what’s around him. During the first scene where he’s introduced, when he talks it’s usually very short answers, e.g. â€Å"Thank you† and â€Å"Are you my cousin?† On the other hand, Rodolfo’s manliness is totally different to Eddie’s and Marco’s. Rodolfo is an extremely attractive young man, who is very sensitive. Where Eddie and Marco are much more macho than Rodolfo, unlike Eddie and Marco, Rodolfo sees sewing, cooking and singing as manly. We are made to believe that Rodolfo is quiet intelligent, because the language he uses is very flowery, â€Å"The horses in our town are skinnier than goats.† One of the most notable features that Rodolfo has is his â€Å"so blond† hair. Immediately Eddie goes on the defence, and say’s that is hair is like a â€Å"chorus girl or sump’m.† Then Eddie goes on to imply that he dyes his hair, which in Eddie’s eyes is unacceptable. Without ever saying it, Eddie’s implying that Rodolfo is gay. Another factor that goes against Rodolfo is that he is a very keen singer, and we hear his version of â€Å"Paper Doll†, and in Eddie’s eyes, only homosexuals sing. Due to the difference in physique between both characters, it was inevitable that they wouldn’t be able to work effectively. Marco is full of muscle, so he is adapted very well to work in a shipyard, but because of his slight physique, Rodolfo is not as well adapted. In my view, he would have been much better in the entertainment business, because he is a natural joke teller. However, Eddie tells Rodolfo that â€Å"But as long as you owe them money, they’ll get you plenty of work† that tells us that there are plenty of work in the docks, and Rodolfo is very clever and takes the work just to get some money in. This shows us that Rodolfo has a good brain, and is more concerned so he can get some money in to establish himself as an American. After coming home from work, Eddie goes on the attack, and undermines Rodolfo’s work rate, because he hasn’t taken at all to Rodolfo, He doesn’t see things like sewing, cooking and singing as manly. First of all he complains that â€Å"he sings.† Eddie is very embarrassed of this, because many of his friend e.g. Louis work there, and knowing that Eddie gives a roof to the â€Å"Canary† might under mind his street cred, because it’s like Rodolfo’s giving out â€Å"regular free shows†. Even at home Rodolfo sings, and this really goes under Eddie’s skin, as he says â€Å"if you came in the house and you didn’t †¦ know who was singin’, you wouldn’t be lookin for him you be lookin’ for her.† This shows us that Rodolfo isn’t shy about singing. He wants to make the most of his magical voice. Nevertheless, Eddie realises if someone was to come to the house, to ask, â€Å"who was singing?† he would be extremely embarrassed to say it was a man’s voice. This is extremely ironic, because most of the famous Italian singers are tenors. Although by now a man singing tenor is totally acceptable, back in the time that this play was written, people were less sophisticated, and in my opinion much more prepared to stereotype people. Although Eddie isn’t the biggest fan of Rodolfo, we learn at the end of the first act that Rodolfo is the kind of man that Beatrice and Catherine are looking for. When Marco says that â€Å"everybody gets fat† when Rodolfo’s cooking, Eddie tries to make this count against Rodolfo, but the girls see  through this. Catherine then goes on to glorify the fact that he could cook, and say’s that â€Å"all the big hotels (chefs) are men†. This shows that she thinks that there’s different ways to be a man, either through cooking or dancing. Straight afterwards, in my opinion Eddie feels very vulnerable because two men have arrived, and he’s afraid he would be toppled as king of the castle. So Eddie goes out to win some honour back, and tries to humiliate Rodolfo and Marco. His first target was Rodolfo. He went for one of Rodolfo’s weaknesses, in his opinion his manliness; he isn’t strong enough in Eddie’s view so he decides to teach Rodolfo how to box. Eddie encouraged Rodolfo to â€Å"put sump’m behind it, you can’t hurt me.† and â€Å"Come on show me! What’re you gonna be? Show me!† In my view, Eddie is trying to show that he’s a better and stronger man than Rodolfo; he wants to prove to Beatrice and Catherine, that Rodolfo isn’t the man they think he is. Just to rub the salt into the wound, Eddie â€Å"feints with his right and lands with his right.† Afterwards he asks Rodolfo â€Å"Did I hurt you?† In my opinion, Eddie is waiting for Rodolfo to reply â€Å"Yes†, so Catherine and Beatrice sees such a weak person he is, but Rodolfo replies â€Å"No, no.† This shows the toughness that belongs to Rodolfo that we haven’t seen before in the play. This shows the reader that Eddie hasn’t succeeded in humiliating Rodolfo, but rather he succeeded to humiliate himself. Just to make the situation worse for Eddie, Rodolfo and Catherine continue with their lives and go to dance, they didn’t dwindle on the situation. After seeing his younger brother being treated so horrid by Eddie, Marco decides to challenge Eddie’s masculinity, and bring him back down to earth with a bang. All Marco asked is â€Å"can you lift this chair?† It sounds like a pretty easy thing to do. When Eddie went down on his knees to pick it up, he fails. â€Å"He tries again, and again fails.† Then when Marco goes down to pick it up, he â€Å"raises the chair over his head.† He raised the chair as it was a weapon, and as a word of warning to Eddie. This shows us that Marco is looking after his close family, and wants to make sure that nobody gets the better of them. This lift was more of a warning to Eddie not to mess with Rodolfo, than anything else in my opinion. He did this as his felt  quite a strong responsibility towards Rodolfo. This is a clear sign that Marco is looking for justice, and he isn’t as quiet a character as Miller first portrays him. This is a clear similarity between Marco and Eddie, because both want to protect their families. Although Mike does portray him as a â€Å"regular bull†, that shows that Marco’s strength has been seen through out the community. Catherine is extremely important to the whole plot of the drama, because it’s because of her that the entire feud between Eddie and Rodolfo has erupted. At the beginning of the play we get the idea that Eddie’s extremely protective towards Catherine because he says â€Å"I promised your mother in her deathbed. I’m responsible for you.† At this point we get the idea that Eddie’s like any other caring uncle, but as the drama unfolds, we are made to think that Eddie’s is becoming overly attached to Catherine. When Eddie learns that Rodolfo has extremely strong feelings towards Catherine, he quickly tries to distance Catherine away from him, by saying that â€Å"He don’t respect you.† This is a cry of a desperate man, it’s as if he doesn’t want her to grow up, this is a very strong weakness of Eddies. We learn earlier on in the play that Eddie isn’t a good husband, because Beatrice asks, â€Å"When am I gonna be a wife again, Eddie?† I think that Eddie is confused with the state of his relationship with Catherine as she’s growing up, and because of this it’s stopping him from completing his duties with Beatrice. When Rodolfo sing or dances with Catherine, the song â€Å"Paper Doll† is often used e.g. When Rodolfo tells Catherine to â€Å"Dance† the phonograph â€Å"plays ‘Paper Doll’†. In my opinion this is a very clever use of song because it describes the nature of Rodolfo, he like a news paper. First of all Rodolfo isn’t extremely strong, nor is paper. One of the similarities between Marco and Eddie’s that they’re both very strong. Also you can read Rodolfo’s thoughts by looking at his face, just as if you’re reading a newspaper. One of the differences between Eddie and Marco is that Marco cares for his wife. In my opinion, to be a good man you must look after your wife. Where Eddie forgets to do his duties in bed, Marco sends some of the money he has  won back to his family in Italy, so they can have a better life. As I’ve said, both men want to look after their families, but both do this is different ways. Marco is prepared to leave his family to earn money, whereas Eddie hangs on to his family too tight in my opinion. One of the turning points is the drama, is when Eddie goes around kissing everybody. When Eddie sees Rodolfo and Catherine together, Eddie â€Å"suddenly, draws her to him, and as she strives to free herself he kisses her on the lips.† This is Eddie getting what he wants, that is Catherine, because we know that Eddie doesn’t want Beatrice. Although Eddie gets Catherine in a very brutal way, it shows his dominance in the house. Not just content with this, â€Å"Eddie pins (Rodolfo’s) arms, laughing, and suddenly kisses him.† This is a rather odd gesture, because many times during the play Eddie describes Rodolfo as â€Å"The guy ain’t right.† He uses it many times either because he feels that this is true, or even because he is trying to convince himself that this is right. This kiss doesn’t follow with Eddie’s behaviour during the rest of the play, because by kissing him, he brings himself down to the same masculinity as gays. During the end we learn a lot about the characters real thoughts and feelings, and what sort of men they really are. There is a lot of discussion during the play, asking is Rodolfo just looking after himself, by wanting to marry an American. This is thrown more into doubt when Catherine asks him telling him â€Å"Suppose I wanted to live in Italy. At first he tries to push away the idea by replying â€Å"Forever?† At this point you start to believe that he’s a selfish little Italian that just wants to be an American. But then he goes on and says that â€Å"there’s nothing†¦I would be a criminal stealing your face†. This tells us that he’s as caring as Marco, he only wants the best for Catherine, and that all of Eddie’s doubts seem wrong. As the plot unfolds, Eddie’s masculinity seems to grow weaker and weaker. He has finally cracked when he â€Å"wants to report something†. Illegal immigrants. Two of them.† This shows us that Eddie has finally gone for  the big one. He isn’t enough of a man to throw Rodolpho and Marco on to the street; he phones to get others to do his dirty work. This is a sign of a coward. Although he thinks it’s the right thing to do, because he is protecting Catherine. After two officials catch the illegal immigrants, â€Å"Marco suddenly breaks from the group and dashes into the room and faces Eddie†. This shows us that Marco is a growing threat during this play. He’s becoming more and more important as the plot unfolds. By standing up to Eddie it shows that he’s ready to match him. But instead of attacking him verbally or physically, he â€Å"spits into Eddie’s face†. This is the point where Eddie loses all his dignity and manliness. The Italian community in Brooklyn is extremely close together, and they watch out for each other, and having one of their own betraying them is a sin, so Eddie will be looked down at now by the rest of the community. Not even Louis, one of Eddie’s close friends turn around to look at him when Eddie shouts, â€Å"Louis! Louis!† Even Catherine his own niece says that â€Å"he bites people when they sleep!† This shows us now that nobody will ever be able to trust him again, not even his own family. Just to rub the salt into the wound, Marco shouts, â€Å"That one! He killed my children! That one stole the food from my children!† This shows that the relationship between Eddie and Marco has hit an all time low. This also throws away the scraps of dignity that Eddie had left. It also enhances the fact that Marco is a loving father, who’s desperate to help his family back in Italy. In the very last scene, we start by seeing Catherine one again stealing his manliness away from him, by saying that â€Å"he’s a rat! He belongs in the sewers!† This shows us by now, not even his closest family can bear to be close to him after the unforgivable sin that he’s done. Only one character keeps faith in Eddie, and that’s Beatrice. She ironically stands by him all the time. But when Eddie sees Marco, he loses his mind, and starts to attack him verbally and physically. Eddie is blind to the fact that he is wrong, he isn’t enough of a man to face up to the fact, so he Marco to tell the people  that â€Å"what a liar you are!† This shows that Eddie is confident that he can have one successful blow at Marco, but he is wrong. Marco attacks back by calling Eddie an â€Å"†Animal! You go on your knees to me!†!† And he does this twice. This is one of the worst insults that a man in that time could call another. It shows us that Eddie is below the level of dignity shown by human beings, and is down there in the dumps, and by going on his knees shows that he’s at the same level as animals. Then both of them get ready to fight. Eddie at this point has nothing to lose, so he takes out a knife and at this point and â€Å"Louis (Eddie’s friend) halts and steps back from trying to stop the fight. This shows the power and status Eddie has just won by cheating. But in the end, Eddie had no chance of beating Marco, due to his strength. Marco managed to turn the blade around and stabbed Eddie. Eddie died, as a cheat, but he regains some dignity as he dies in Beatrice’s arms. This shows although all the horrid remarks and actions Eddie has made, Beatrice is there until the very end. Marco’s manliness during the play just grows and grows until this climax. Without a doubt, Miller has many different views on masculinity. You have Eddie and Marco, who are two extremely strong men, and you have Rodolfo, who is extremely keen on more feminine activates. In my opinion, there isn’t a lot of difference between these. All three are men in their different ways, but one thing in my view is a must is respect. And Eddie had lost it, all of it by the end. He used to be the king of the household before Marco and Rodolfo came along, and during that time, he was losing his respect due to the treatment he gave them, an example of this is when Eddie phoned the immigration office. In my opinion, Eddie knew he was losing respect from Beatrice because he demanded her â€Å"I want my respect, Beatrice.† This shows us that he worries what people think of him.

OCD treatment Essay

OCD treatment Essay OCD treatment Essay Prior to the 1970s and 1980s there was little hope for treatment regarding OCD because clinicians of that era believed that the disorder was an unmanageable condition with a poor prognosis. The prognostic picture for OCD had drastically improved in the 20th century when behaviourally oriented clinicians and researchers looked back to important animal-based research conducted in the 1950s to search for an animal analogue of OCD from which they could conceptualize and develop behaviourally based therapies. In the animal studies, a dog had acquired an obsessive-compulsive habit which was exposure to light which meant an electric shock was coming and jumping across a hurdle to avoid the shock which reduced his conditioned fear of shock and thus was maintained by negative reinforcement. This experiment serves as an animal analogue to human OCD, where compulsive behaviour is triggered by fear associated with situation or stimuli such as toilets, floors, or obsessional thoughts that pose li ttle or no actual risk of harm. (Abramowitz) This fear is then reduced by avoidance and compulsive rituals (for example, washing) that serve as an escape from distress and, in doing so, are negatively reinforced (that is, they become habitual). The entire emotional response was extinguished after several extinction trials in which the height of the hurdle made it impossible to jump over and the light was exposed. When the light was turned on and the dog realized he couldn’t jump over he displayed strong signs of a fear response until he finally calmed down without the slightest hint of distress. This experiment influenced behaviourally oriented researchers in adapting similar treatment to human beings with OCD. They were expected to confront for 2 hours each day situations and stimuli they usually avoided. The purpose of this confrontation was to induce obsessional fears and urges to ritualize. Patients were also asked to refrain from performing compulsive rituals such as washing, for example, after exposure. (Abramowitz ) Contemporary ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) entails therapist-guided, systematic, repeated and prolonged exposure to situations that provoke obsessional fear, along with abstinence from compulsive behaviours. This can occur in the form of actual exposure or imaginal exposure. Refraining from compulsive rituals is a vital component of treatment because the performance of such rituals to reduce obsessional anxiety would prematurely discontinue exposure and rob the patient of learning two things. First, that the disorder is not truly dangerous and second that anxiety subsides on its own even if the ritual is not performed. Thus successful ERP requires the patient to remain in the exposure situation until the obsessional distress decreases spontaneously without attempting to reduce distress by withdrawing from the situation or by performing compulsive rituals or neutralizing strategies. (Abramowitz) ERP is generally considered the treatment of choice for OCD with approximately 75-85% of patients experiencing a considerable reduction after taking on this type of treatment. There are two types of ways for administering ERP for OCD. Therapist-controlled ERP, as mentioned previously, is used if the response sought is prevention and it is administered by the patient being coached by the therapist, usually in his own home. The second type of ERP is self-controlled ERP which are sessions that are carried out as homework assignments in between therapy sessions. Data on which one of these two are the most effective have not yielded a clear-cut answer. (van Oppen) A more detailed example of therapist-controlled ERP format follows a few hours of assessment and treatment planning followed by 16 twice-weekly treatment sessions lasting about 90 to 120 minutes each and spaced over about 8 weeks. Generally, the therapist supervises the exposure sessions and assigns self-exposure practice to be completed by the patient between sessions.

MSW vs. Ph.D. vs. DSW for a Career in Social Work

MSW vs. Ph.D. vs. DSW for a Career in Social Work Unlike many fields, social work has several graduate degree options. Many applicants considering careers in social work wonder which degree is right for them.   MSW Careers While bachelors degree holders in social work are employed in social work settings and work alongside social workers in many therapeutic roles, they must be supervised by MSW-level supervisors.   In this sense, the MSW is the standard entry requirement for most social work positions. Advancement to supervisor, program manager, assistant director, or executive director of a social service agency or department requires a graduate degree, at minimum an MSW, and experience. With an MSW a social worker may engage research, advocacy, and consulting. Social workers who go into private practice require, at a minimum, an MSW, supervised work experience, and state certification. MSW Programs Master’s degree programs in social work prepare graduates for work in a specialized field, such as with children and families, adolescents, or the elderly. MSW students learn how to perform clinical assessments, supervise others, and manage large caseloads. Master’s programs generally require 2 years of study and include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction or internship. A part-time program may take 4 years. Seek programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to ensure that the graduate program you choose will provide an appropriate education and meet state requirements for licensure and certification. The Council on Social Work Education accredits over 180 master’s programs. Doctoral Social Work Programs Social work applicants have two choices of doctoral degrees: the DSW and the Ph.D. A doctorate in social work (DSW) prepares graduates for the most advanced jobs, such as administration, supervision, and staff training positions. Generally speaking, the DSW is an applied degree in the sense that it prepares DSW holders for roles in practice settings as administrators, trainers, and evaluators. The Ph.D. in social work is a research degree. In other words, similar to the PsyD and   Ph.D. (degrees in psychology), the DSW and Ph.D. differ with regard to an emphasis on practice vs research. The DSW emphasizes training in practice, so graduates become expert practitioners, whereas the Ph.D. emphasizes research, training graduates for careers in research and teaching. College and university teaching positions and most research appointments generally require a Ph.D. and sometimes a DSW degree. Licensure and Certification All States and the District of Columbia have licensing, certification, or registration requirements regarding social work practice and the use of professional titles. Although standards for licensing vary by State, most require completion of an exam plus 2 years (3,000 hours) of supervised clinical experience for licensure of clinical social workers.   The Association of Social Work Boards  provides information about licensure for all states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the National Association of Social Workers offers voluntary credentials to MSW holders, such as the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), the Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW), or the Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) credential, based on their professional experience. Certification is a marker of experience, and is particularly important for social workers in private practice; some health insurance providers require certification for reimbursement.