Scarlet Letter Essays (1136 words) - English-language Films

Scarlet Letter In the novel The Scarlet Letter, the scarlet letter ?A? has several meanings throughout the novel. For each character the scarlet letter stands for something different. Each of the main characters interprets the letter in different forms. The townspeople observe the letter as a form of shame and embarrassment. For Hester the letter takes on several different forms. Arthur Dimmesdale, the Reverend, sees the letter on Hester's breast as a constant torture of his sin and secrete. He goes through terrible ordeals throughout the novel. For Roger Chillingworth (Hester's husband), the letter stands for power. The Townspeople see the scarlet letter ?A? as a form of embarrassment for Hester and a way of keeping order and peace within the colony. The story begins with Hester having to go on the scaffold and stand there for three hours with her two shameful sins, the letter A (which stands for Adulteress) and her illegitimate child. The magistrates feel as though constant public embarrassment will disclose the secret of the child's father. On the scaffold Hester experiences harsh words. A group of women are having a discussion in the crowd and one-woman states, ?At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne's forehead. She may cover it with a brooch, or such like heathenish adornment, and so walk the streets as brave as ever? (1332). This statement shows that it was not enough that the townspeople knew she committed a sin, but they wanted to see the sin on her chest constantly. This letter somehow gave them power over Hester and made them feel more superior. Without them seeing the letter they felt that her sin was not being seen. Even after Hester moves away from the town, into the forest, children go there to get a glimpse of her; this continues the embarrassment for Hester. Also, the ministers of the town use Hester's sin in their sermons. Another way in which the town punishes Hester and tries to have some type of power over her is when they try to take her child. As the novel progresses and Hester becomes a helpful person in the community, people begin to accept her in society again but the scarlet letter is never overseen. The Scarlet letter means something entirely different to Hester. At first the letter means the same for Hester as it does for the townspeople, shame. However, as the novel progresses, the letter changes in significance. The letter on Hester's breast begins to break her down. She loses her femininity due to the letter. The letter is a constant reminder of what she has done. One women states in the beginning of the novel, ?let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart? (1333). This explains that no matter what Hester does the pain that she will endure will always be with her. As the illegitimate child Pearl gets older, Hester becomes worried because the child has a funny way about her. Hester explains how Pearl has a ?fiend? way about her. She believes this is because of how Pearl was conceived, through the Scarlet letter. Although Pearl is her great gift, she is also a reminder of her sin, the adultery. Pearl is also a constant reminder because Hester lives through Pearl. Hester does not wear bright clothing but dresses Pearl in bright ravishing dresses. Also, the children of the town treat Pearl the same way the adults treat Hester. Hester believes that Pearl has a cleansed soul. Hawthorne also shows that Hester is a tortured soul because he explains how the sun does not touch Hester. Pearl makes the comment, ?the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom? (1404-1405). After Hester meets Dimmesdale in the forest and reveals Chillingworth's true identity as her husband, they become close and both Hester and Dimmesdale feel some type of relief. Hester even removes the Scarlet letter, her femininity flows back into her, and the sunlight touches her once again. At the end of the story the Scarlet Letter takes on a different significance for

American Beautys Comments on Society essays

American Beauty's Comments on Society essays What Comments is American Beauty Making About Modern Society? American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes, is simply a study of a dysfunctional American Family which reveals the nature of modern suburbia with wit, precision, and invention. Allan Balls script continually explores ideas about what constitutes ordinariness in our lives and what beauty truly is, and why people who have everything, live lives of desperation. Far more importantly, though, is what the film has to say about the American Dream or rather the American Nightmare. American modern society (not too different from New Zealands own society), is constructed around the notion that happiness is found through material success: a lucrative job, a nice house in a quiet neighbourhood, fancy cars etc. American Beauty doesnt expose this lie it shows how hideous this lie could be. Screenwriter Alan Ball, says On of the movies themes is how we have preconceived notions of things, but the truth often turns out to be something we never even considered where you find beauty might be in the place you least expect it. Kevin Spacey (Lester) and Annette Benning (Carolyn) play a couple who, on the surface, seem to have it all. A Perky real estate agent, Benning drives around in a Mercedes, and clips their rose garden using sequesters that match her shoes which Lester comments is no mistake. Lester pulls in sixty grand a year working in marketing, and the couple have a seemingly harmless, typically disaffected teen, Jane, played by Thora Birch. Lester, is a typical suburban husband whose life seems to have slipped into a rut. He tells us, In less than a year Ill be dead. Of course, I dont know that yet. In a way, Im dead already. He says ...

My previous personal statement needs to be rewritten a bit and there Essay

My previous personal statement needs to be rewritten a bit and there are some things that should be added to it - Essay Example I am particularly interested in integrating my knowledge of the Russian-speaking world with my studies, as Russia is one of the worlds most exciting emerging markets. I am enthusiastic about expanding my knowledge in the current affairs, more so in the context of business and economy. In several occasions I try my level best to secure some little time off my academics and just read some periodic publications such as The Economist. Steve Jobs, the Apple Inc. co-founder, is one person that has greatly shaped my business perspective and attitude towards life. After reading his story in one of the Economist publications, I have come to develop an interest of reading biographies, autobiographies, and stories about remarkable innovators and business leaders of our time. The time I have spent reading through these publication has been beneficial as it has served to complement the theoretical knowledge acquired in class. For instance, I was fascinated when a story about the current dispute involving Tesco’s and Sainsbury over price comparison promotions. This dispute helped me appreciate the role of ethics in business operations. Other activities that I enjoy doing are mingling with people and just get to understand their perspective about various issues in life. I love sports such as football and skiing. Engaging in these activities have not only taught me the beauty of hard work, perseverance, and practice, but have also taught me how to work within a team as well as lead a team. Knowledge and experience are two things I most treasure in career advancement. It is because of this reason that I am currently furthering my studies to at least bolster my understanding of various issues in business. Previously, I have worked at Technoservice, Moscow, alongside strategists who at that time were investigating ideas on how to introduce off patent car

Business Management Assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Management Assignment - Coursework Example The supervisor refuted the rumor and claimed the job vacancy was not filled and they she would never choose a candidate based on pressures associated with preferential treatment. She lied to all of us as the cousin was the person chosen for the job and he did not even have to take an interview. I got very discouraged with the company and decided to quit after this incident. I was only making minimum wage at the time, but a job is a job and after I quit I face some financial troubles for a few months. If my emotional intelligence would have been higher I probably would not have quit that job. 2. A communication barrier mentioned in the textbook that can affect effective communication is language barriers. Language barriers often occur when companies have operations internationally. For instance a company may have a subsidiary in Mexico. In Mexico the native population speaks Spanish as a first language. An American executive that does not speak Spanish that is given a project to perfo rm process improvements at the Mexican plant may encounter language barriers. In order to resolve this barrier the executive should hire an interpreter for the longevity of the project. Another communication barrier that I often encounter in the workplace is when others are not willing to listen to what you have to say. â€Å"Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding† (Colorado, 1998). 3. A tool that can be used to achieve effective communication in the workplace is communication channels. Communication channels are the pathways through which messages are communicated which may include devices such as smartphones, intranets, email communication, or written memos. The use of smartphones can help workers achieve more effective communication especially when working on the field. Smartphones such as the iPhone 4 have the capability to connect to the internet which enables the user to send or receive files. Memos are a simple and effective way for a manager to transmit a message to the staff (Houp & Pearsall & Tebeaux, 1995). 4. I am motivated by a variety of factors. First and foremost my professionalism and pride in my work motivates to perform at the highest possible level. As any person in the workplace financial incentives motivate me. If I was not getting paid a pay check my motivation would not be as high towards work. I am also motivated by the nature of the job task I am given. When my supervisor gives me challenging work that helps me develop my skills and abilities I get motivated. As a student the knowledge that I can obtain from a course motivates me to work harder. If a course is boring and does not interest me my motivation to learn will be low. 5. The equity theory of motivation was developed by Stacy Adams in 1963 (Businessballs, 2010). This theory states that people compare their salary and rewards with the salary and rewards of people in similar positions. If their salary is under value the employees’ motivation will decrease because of the felt inequity. As a manager I would use the equity theory to motivate my employees. I would contact the human resource department and look at the compensation of my employees. If any employee was getting less than they are worth I

Products and Services Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Products and Services - Essay Example China for instance has a long list of turbocharger manufacturers but according to research studies, there is still a room for competition. Target markets are U.S. suppliers like Honeywell International, Inc., Borgwagner, Inc, Mitsubishi Corp, IHI of Japan and other car making companies worldwide. According to a news of Bloomberg on July 27, 2010, the market for turbo charger auto part is fairly conservative, and the demand for turbochargers for cars grow from â€Å"50 percent to a range from 28 million and 30 million units by 2015, with a value of 4 billion euros ($5.2 billion) to 5 billion euros† because of the emission rules and fuel savings (Central turbos, com. Aug. 10, 2010). This news further cited that car makers are looking for suppliers of turbochargers and are willing to go into a joint venture with suppliers. Distribution system Getting this product into the market requires distribution, which could be direct or indirect, and a multi-channel system. According to Ger th, David, an author who compiled lengthy notes on marketing distribution, a distribution system is â€Å"a set of interdependent organizations that help make the product available to consumers or for further use in other business.† Some companies completely develop an alliance with its distribution channel because of the nature of its products. A channel of distribution and an alliance is needed by the turbo charger because they will perform a function here which could not be eliminated like integrating the turbo charger into the performance system of the car. It only requires a short channel length because the nature of turbocharger does not involve frequent purchases, and the product entails concentration. . For this reason, the manufacturer and supplier need to have a harmonious relationship that is called for. An indirect distribution is recommended in this kind of product since the company will not sell directly to the consumers and customers. This is a common practice of distribution when a product is in an assembly line, and being used to supply manufacturers (Tutors,net). Under this arrangement, the company will get an intermediary to his distribution chain. These intermediaries take responsibility of the product and makes sure that it reaches the customer. Conversely, direct distribution is the process of selling goods directly to consumers. Since the product is a car part, it will form part of the car package that will be sold to customer. A multi channel system of distribution is not appropriate for marketing the turbo charger as the product is not displayed in grocery or supermarket stores. A multiple channel system is commonly used when there are more than one distribution design or product brands. Channel members The turbocharger auto part is a type of product that requires a dependent channel arrangement because in this form of setup, channel members are â€Å"bound together† to work on a common goal (tutors.net), such that they f orm a stable relationship. This arrangement is also referred to as a â€Å"Horizontal Marketing Arrangement† wherein two or more companies join together to follow a marketing opportunity† (Gerth, David).For example, the XYZ company works together with Toyota Motors to produce a turbocharged car to be sold to customers. It does not need a multi-channel distribution to reach customers. Another approach of channel

Bengal Renaissance And The 19th Century History Essay

Bengal Renaissance And The 19th Century History Essay The 19th century Bangla literature is not a product of the continuous on-going literary tradition of the land, if we for a moment not consider the socio-political changes of the 19th century and the conquest of Bengal in the late 18th century by the British East India Company. It is neither a product of a sudden upsurge of literary geniuses who started to excel in isolation. The changes that characterise the Bangla literary tradition of the 19th century is deeply and thoroughly influenced by the social reform movement known as the Bengal Renaissance. With the advent of the British East India Companys rule over Bengal, the mainstream literary tradition of the land was transported from its rural base to a highly sophisticated urban elite society. The roots from which Bangla literature had evolved for hundreds of years was soon sidelined and termed as folk-lore ( ­m ¡L-Lb ¡) and remote (fË ¡Ã‚ ¢Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ¹L) and the rural storytellers whose narratives revolved around a specific religious or social aspect was soon substituted by the elite, educated and intellectual Bengali babus of Calcutta, the then capital of the East India Companys dominion. The educational system of Bengal, as a whole, underwent a drastic change in the early 19th century. From a conventional learning of the Bangla, Sanskrit and Arabic languages, the holy Vedas or the Bangla folk-lore and ballads (N £Ã‚ ¢aL ¡) in the traditional makeshift schools (f ¡Wn ¡m ¡ or  ­V ¡m), the educational reforms in the late 18th century and the early 19th century saw the establishment of institutions like the Asiatic Society (1784), Fort William College (1800), Serampore College (1817), Hindu College (1817), Sanskrit College (1824) and others which were exclusively meant for the elite Bengalis in order to educate them according to the European idea of education, learning and value judgement. This socio-political change in the educational scenario of Bengal quite naturally gave birth to a new intellectual class of Bengalis who perceived the idea of European education as the ideal form of learning and who would later give birth to the Bengal Renaissance and in turn change the scenario of the literary tradition of the 19th century Bangla literature. According to historian Romesh Chunder Dutt, The conquest of Bengal by the English was not only a political revolution, but ushered in a greater revolution in thoughts and ideas, in religion and society From the stories of gods and goddesses, kings and queens, princes and princesses, we have learnt to descend to the humble walks of life, to sympathise with the common citizen or even common peasantà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Every revolution is attended with vigour, and the present one is no exception to the rule. Nowhere in the annals of Bengali literature are so many and so bright names found crowded together in the limited space of one century as those of Ram Mohan Roy, Akshay Kumar Datta, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Hem Chandra Banerjee, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Dina Bandhu Mitra. Within the three quarters of the present century, prose, blank verse, historical fiction and drama have been introduced for the first time in the Bengali literature (Dutt, 1877). It is tr ue what R.C. Dutt has tried to convey. Possibly very few literary traditions have had to deal with so many literary geniuses at one point of time. Cultural dominance was a major part of the idea of European colonisation of the Indian subcontinent. Along with the ruthless prowess of the Empire came the vaults filled with literature. And it is quite natural for the average Bengali intellectual elite to be mesmerised by the heroic epics of Homer and Virgil, the tragedies of Sophocles and Marlow, the blank verses of Milton and Shakespeare, the journey of Dante, the tantalising poetry of Petrarch and Sappho and the revolutionary ideas of Plato, Aristotle and Machiavelli, not only because of their literary expertise but more evidently because the colonised elite had to deal with the wide timeline of several literary genres at one point of time. Literary personnel like Romesh Chunder Dutt, Michael Madhusudan Dutt and others were so mesmerised with European culture and the English language in particular that they considered all non-European literatures to be of a little value as compared to the valour of the former; they even wrote let ters addressed to their Bengali friends in English. Like the European colonisers, it was easy for the intellectual elite, who were under the grasp of European education, to divide the history of Sanskrit or Bangla literature, which can be categorised as Hindu literature  [1]  , into three distinctive periods, the ancient, the medieval and the renaissance. The Occidentals believed that Hindu literature was little of value before the advent of the Europeans. It was the colonisers who educated the colonised and in turn helped the native intellectuals of Bengal to revolutionise their literary tradition. The Orientalists, like Michael Madhusudan Dutta, Ram Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and others, too were of a similar notion over the historiography of Bangla literature. However they, unlike the Occidentals, believed that there was a Golden Age of Hindu literature, followed by a Dark Age under the Islamic rulers and finally the coming of the Anglo-Saxons or the East India Company, in simpler words, who regenerated, revived and re novated Hindu literature and more in particular Bangla literature bringing about a Renaissance in the literary tradition of the land. This submission of the intellectual class of Bengal to the dominance of the British or in a larger frame the European notion of education, art and culture brought about the changes in Bangla literature in the 19th century. Bengali writers and authors started to explore and later imitate and improvise the different genres of European literature. Meghnadbadh Kavya ( ­jOe ¡c hd L ¡hÉ), the first Bangla secondary epic was written by Michael Madhusudan Dutta in 1861, which follows the poetic tradition of Miltons Paradise Lost intricately. Sonnets were also introduced into Bangla literary tradition by Madhusudan. Novel as a genre found its way into the urban literary culture of Bengal with Hannah Mullens Karuna O Phulmanir Bibaran (Ll ¦Z ¡ J g ¥mj ¢Zl  ¢hhlZ) in 1852 followed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadyays Durgeshnandini (c ¤Ã‚ ­NÑne ¢Ã‚ ¾ce £) in 1865. Just for the records, both Madhusudan and Bankim Chandra had started their literary careers with pieces of literature written in English. Madhusudan began as a composer of English poetry and Bankim Chandras first publication was Rajmohans wife. Bengal renaissance in literature came along with the changes in the socio-political and religious outlook of the Bengali elite. It was an incident in the history of Bengal which widened the perspective of the orthodox Hindu-Bengalis. The advent of the Brahmo Samaj; the banning of Satidaha (pa £c ¡q)  [2]  , child marriage and pursuing women literacy and widow-remarriage along with the acceptance of the new wave of Bangla literature were all frames of the same picture, the Bengal renaissance. Bengal renaissance did show the authors and the poets of Bengal, the way out from the orthodoxy of the Hindu religion and the conventional mind-set of the literary personnel of the earlier periods. As a matter of fact, in literary texts, women attained a new and a great importance due to this new wave in Bangla literature. In Bankim Chandras Durgeshnandini (1865), though it is set in a historical locale discussing the conflict of the Pathans and the Rajputs, the three female characters, Ayesha, Tillotama and Bimala are portrayed under the main spotlight. All the three characters represent the free-woman spirit; Ayesha, the brave; Tilottama, the beautiful and Bimala, the courageous. Bankims Kapalkundala (1866), Mrinalini (1869) and Debi Choudhurani (1884) also deal with female protagonists in a male chauvinist society. In most of Rabindranath Tagores novels the plot revolves around the female characters. The role of Charu in Nastanirh (1901); Bimala in Ghare-Baire (1916) and Damini an d Nanibala in Chaturanga (1916) is revolutionary and is the most important in the ongoing storyline of the respective novels. Sarat Chandra Chattopadyay, though has dealt with the more inner part of the household as the subject of his literary works has shown the importance of women in the society. He has portrayed women as the main protagonist of the existing social order in his novels, for instance, Baradidi (1907), Parineeta (1914), Debdas (1917), Choritrohin (1917), Srikanto (1917-1933), Nishkriti (1917) and others. The Bengal renaissance saw authors who were actually politically sound and was particularly sensitive to the cause of women in the society and in turn the authors actually contradicts the conventional and orthodox perception of the male dominated society. For the first time in Bangla urban literature, women have been given the importance that she deserves. It was as if the rebirth of Mahua  [3]  as Kapalkundala, Mrinalini, Nanibala of Chaturanga, Charu of Nashtan ir or Rajlakhhi of Srikanto. Bengali authors, poets and intellectuals of the 19th century for instance Bankim Chandra Chattopahyay, Ram Mohan Roy and others had projected the rise of the middle class Bengali Hindus in their literary works and they are the same literary personnel who have paved the way for the later writers like Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay who have brought the middle class of the Bengali society in the limelight of their works of literature. Bangla literature was no longer written exclusively for the elite audience and with the rise of the printing press in Bengal, Bangla literature entered a new paradigm. Free thinking and the authors points of view were the ruling characteristics of Bangla literature in the mid and the late 19th century. The projection of the daily struggle became an integral part of the literary tradition. According to Nitish Sengupta, The Bengal renaissance can be said to have started with Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1775-1833) and ended with Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), although there have been many stalwarts thereafter embodying particular aspects of the unique intellectual and creative output. (Sengupta, 2001). He has emphasised that Bengal renaissance also incorporated a very vital aspect; the concept of the Swadeshi (nationalist freedom movement) and it is in the works of Madhusudan, Bankim Chandra and Rabindranath that we actually find its great importance. Madhusudans Meghnadbadh Kavya (1861) though is based upon a part of the Valmiki Ramayana, yet it is through the authors style and perspective that the point of view of the storyline shifts from Ayodhya to Lanka. In this version of the story of Rama, Ravana is the tragic hero who loses the battle in the end. This shift in the perspective of the plot can be compared to Miltons Paradise Lost where the audience sees the story of Heav en and Hell from the other point of view, the point of view of Satan. Madhusudan has brought in the point of the other in his version of Ramas story, where Meghnad and Ravana are the protagonists and Rama is just a successful conqueror. Meghnadbadh Kavya may well have depicted the conquest of Bengal by the East-India Company. It was published in 1861 only four years after the first war for independence and Madhusudan wrote it in a state when he had already faced the failure of pursuing a European dream. Bankims Anandamath (1882) starts with the horrors of the Bengal famine in a colonised Bengal. He describes the famine as, People sold their belongings, then their house, then their land, then their wives, then their children even then the famine has no end. Everyone wants to sell, theres no buyer. (Chattopadyay, 1882). Set in the background of the Sannyasi Rebellion in the late 18th century, it is considered one of the most important novels in the history of Bangla literature. Its i mportance is heightened by the fact that it is closely related with the struggle for Indian independence from the Anglo-Saxons. Bankims Debi Choudhurani (1884) which followed closely after Anandamath renewed the call for a resurgent India that fights against oppression of the British Empire with strength from within the common people, based on traditional Indian values of austerity, dedication and selflessness. Since it fuelled the patriotic struggle for Indian independence from the British Empire, the novel just like Anandamath was banned by the colonisers. In this novel, Bankim Chandra also reinforced his belief that an armed and face-to-face conflict with the Royal Army is the only way to win independence. Neel Darpan (The Indigo Planting Mirror) (1859) a play written by Dinabandhu Mitra was essential to Nilbidroha (Indigo Revolt). Mitra wrote in the preface of the English translation I present The Indigo Planting Mirror to the Indigo Planters hands; now, let every one of them, h aving observed his face, erase the freckle of the stain of selfishness from his forehead, and, in its stead, place on it the sandal powder of beneficence, then shall I think my labour success. (Mitra, 1859). The play was all about the differences between the old and beautiful culture of Bengal which is being eradicated by the new and advanced perspective of the mass. It is about the upheaval between the Indigo planters and Indian Rioters in different parts of Bengal, Bihar and U.P. This conflict gave rise to the rift and division between the different classes of the society and between the different sections of the Government as well. Later, Rabindranaths novels also do refer to the Swadeshi movement which sweeps over Bengal due to the impact of the Renaissance. Chaturanga, Shesher Kobita, Ghare-Baire, Noukadubi and others reflect the vibrant Bengali society. Ghare-Baire in particular illustrates the conflicting tendencies between the Moderate and the Extremist ideals, terrorism and religious zeal which were a part of the pre-independent Bengali community. Bengal renaissance in simpler words have brought the society a step closer to the middle-class readership, who would find it hard to escape the reality of the existing community. Before the advent of the Bengal renaissance in Bangla literature, a literary work was confined to a single belief, a single community and a single mind-set. The mid-nineteenth century saw the inter-mixing of different sections of the society, different religious beliefs or contradictions and different ways of life, all inter-mingled in the same sphere of the literary work. Bankims Durgeshnandini deals with the contradictions and later the interactions between the Pathans and the Rajputs; Rabindranaths Chaturanga immortalises the idea of atheism of Jyathamoshai who crosses the barrier of religion and social structure to help the lower strata of the society and the needy; Sarat Chandra in Srikanto has depicted Rajlakkhi as a prostitute but yet dearly loved by the protagonist, Srikanto. Another form of literature which took its birth in the mid 19th century in Bengal was essays (fËhà ¥). Akshay Kumar Boral, Ramendra Sundar Tribedi, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rabindranath Tagore and others of the mid and the late 19th century are the pioneers of Bangla essays of that period. Finally, in order to conclude, it is very important to understand that though Bengal renaissance was a product of the Bengali elite intellectuals under the deep-rooted influence of western education, which in a way has sidelined the indigenous literary tradition of Bengal, yet it has opened the minds of the audience forcing him to face the reality of the state of things. The changes that it characterised in the 19th century Bangla literature are great and inevitable and it is because of the renaissance in Bengal that Bangla literature has crossed all its barriers of religious and socio-political orthodoxy and closed-mindedness.

Top 10 Commercial :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Top 10 Commercials Introduction We are said to spend two years of our lifetime watching commercials on television. If we spend that much time on watching something, that something better be very good and worthwhile. The video Top 10 Commercials ranks ten America’s favorite commercials of all time based on the commercial’s creativity, originality, inventiveness and style. Commercial clips are one genre of art form with a very different objective from any other art—to sell goods. These commercials are very successful achieving their AIDA, and they do so in various forms; the commercial clips amused me very much, and they just did what they are supposed to on me. Video Contents— Categorizing the ranked commercials It was a very interesting learning experience to see how different commercials have different ways of achieving the same goal of â€Å"selling†Ã¢â‚¬â€some of them spot their target market and focused only on the TM, where others may want to be â€Å"catchy† to any potential viewers or to be a pure attention grabber. Commercials Focused on Their TM Bartles and Jaymes Wine Cooler commercial and Life Cereal commercial can be categorized in this type. Mr. Bartles speaks in Southern accent in a very calm tone and tells us how their wine cooler can be so soothing after working hard for a day with his non-speaking buddy Mr. Jaymes. This commercial intentionally picked these two Mid West guys to represent the product for its TM to relate to these men—very genuine, somebody just like themselves. Life Cereal had overlooked who its real target market was until the company realized that the children were the ones who eat the product. Again, Life Cereal also used characters the TM children would relate to in the commercial, and let them speak their â€Å"own language† just like Bartles and Jaymes spoke good old American Southern English—â€Å"Mikey likes it!† The Noxzema Shaving Cream can be also sorted into this category, as well as being a great attention-getter, because the woman is not â€Å"seducing† the wives or the girlfriends who have to buy shaving cream for their men, but the user themselves. She wanted men in America to â€Å"take it all off†, and the guys didn’t feel too bad about it either. â€Å"Catchy, Catchy, What a Cutie Speedy is!† Jingle, characters and animated icons and catch phrases make the commercials stick to consumers’ heads and they keep doing their jobs outside of their airtime.

Khalifa Ali

IntroductionAli was born to Abu Talib himself a renowned Quraish chief and custodian of the Holy Kaaba. Abu Talib’s father, Abdul Muttalib was the son of the great Hashim. Ali’s mother was Fatima, daughter of Asad who too was a son of Hashim. Fatima was a cousin of Abu Talib. Thus both of Ali’s parents were Hashemite, which was considered quite prestigious.Ancestry of AliThe Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was Abdul Muttalib’s grandson. His father Abdullah was Abu Talib’s brother, which therefore made Abu Talib the prophet’s uncle and Ali his first cousin.Birth of AliAlthough his exact date of birth is not confirmed tradition says, Ali was born on the thirteenth of â€Å"Rajab† in the 28th year of the Elephant Era (whose commencement is marked by Yemen’s ruler Abraha’s failed attempt to invade Makkah and destroy the Kaaba) The Holy Prophet of Islam was born in the Year of the Elephant which according to scholars corresponds to the year 571 A.D. If we calculate then, Ali must have been born around 599 or 600 C.E.His birth was quite an unusual one. That day, his mother Fatima visited the Kaaba for pilgrimage. It was during her pilgrimage that she felt maternal pains and retired to a corner of the Kaaba and that is where Ali was born. Thus, Ali had the unparalleled honor of being born in the House of Allah bestowed upon him.The NameLegend goes that when Ali was born the Holy prophet and his wife Khadija came to see the infant. That the little boy had not yet opened his eyes was a matter of great worry for everyone. But when the prophet Muhammad held him in his hands young Ali opened his eyes, making the prophet the first person he saw after birth. The Holy Prophet named him ‘Ali’ the derivative of Allah, since he was born the Ka’aba.Physical AppearanceAli was of a moderate height. He held a gracious face which reflected his personality. His facial features were striking wi th a straight nose and a beautifully formed mouth. He possessed commanding eyes, full of light and luster.   It was as if rays of spirituality   beamed through him , and there was a certain sense of personal magnetism that attracted people towards him. As a young man, Ali was handsome, while in his later age, he became bulky with his gray hair of the head giving way to baldness. His beard, which was often dyed red, remained thick and luxuriant.Marriage of AliInitially when the Holy Prophet migrated to Yathrib he went alone but later Yathrib was named ‘Medina’ in his honor and he called his family and other Muslims there as well. At that time the prophet’s beloved wife Khadija had expired and he had married a woman called Sauda. A year later, he married Abu Bakr’s ( Islam’s first Caliph’s)daughter Ayesha. The Holy Prophet’s youngest daughter Fatima was also old enough to be married by that time. Abu Bakr and Omar both asked for her hand in marriage but there was no answer on the part of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.In those simpler times, age differences were not a concern in marriage. Khadija had been fifteen years older to Muhammad and he himself was much older to Ayesha at the time of marriage. It is thus important to note that this was not the reason the Prophet Muhammad remained silent to these proposals but it is reasonable to conclude that he was waiting for God’s approval and guidance in making this decision. After the Battle of Badr, it was Ali’s turn to ask for Fatima’s hand in marriage and he did so. The Holy Prophet replied that he needed Fatima’s consent. When he consulted Fatima she remained silent, a   sign of approval. The prophet also received a revelation signifying Allah’s approval of the marriage. Both families also mutually agreed.The marriage of Ali and Fatima is said to be the perfect one. Indeed two pure and blessed souls unified and bonded together. Ha fsa, a daughter of Omar and later a wife of the Holy Prophet described Fatima as an exemplary woman, one who’s face shone like the moon and who married a man with a superior personality.Induction of Ali as a member of the family of the Holy ProphetWhen Ali visited the Holy Prophet from the desert where he had been living, the occasion was also attended by a close few including Abu Talib and his family. The Holy Prophet loved Ali very much so much so that he requested Abu Talib to place Ali under his care. Abu Talib agreed to entrust Ali with the prophet because he knew he would care for him better than anyone else could.It is believed that the Holy Prophet did this to relieve Abu Talib’s increasing financial worries. However, this view seems to be untrue because Abu Talib was a Quraish chief and a trader. And had he been in any financial trouble the trouble he prophet would surely have helped him. Therefore it seems that it was because of the prophet’s fondness of Ali that he took him under his responsibility. Abu Talib would often visit and Ali would meet his parents everyday. The Holy Prophet kept Ali as a younger brother with much affection.Companionship of the Holy Prophet:The period of Ali's life which was spent with the Holy Prophet can be termed as the period of education and action. It was during these 32 years, from Ali's birth till the demise of the Holy Prophet, that Ali received his education under the loving care of the Last Prophet of Allah; embedded in himself the values of Islam; and acquired all the attributes that contribute to greatness. After the migration to Medina, he came to be known as a valiant soldier. His spoils in the battles of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch and his awe inspiring success at Khyber earned him the title of â€Å"Lion of God†.   He acted as the Governor of Yemen, and acquired good deal of experience as an administrator and judge, acquiring fame for his wise and well reasoned judgments.The First Three Caliphs and Ali:At the time of the demise of the Holy Prophet, Ali was a young enlightened, experienced, wise and valiant man. Despite all his qualities, Ali was passed over in the election for a caliph, as Abu Bakr took the state of affairs under his control. Ali would have to wait for 24 years before he could hold the office of caliph. During these years, Ali acted as an adviser to the caliphs in office. This was a period of inaction and contemplation, inaction on the political front as Ali kept aloof from politics and contemplation on the spiritual front as this period of Ali’s life was spent mostly in seeking spiritual perfection through prayer and remembrance of God.The Caliphate of Ali:Following Uthman's assassination, Ali took office as the next caliph of the Islamic empire. His term was a short one, marred by political upheaval, defections of close aides and civil war.   Ali was accused of involvement in the assassination of Uthman by Amer Muawiya, who mounte d an anti Ali campaign. The results were the Battles of the Camel, Siffin and Nahrawan. During the course of these battles, many of his closest aides betrayed him and defected. The list of betrayals is long and includes Ali's brother, cousins, mother in law and the whole cities of Medina and Basra. The Kharijites who had originally supported Ali also seceded and Ali was finally martyred by a Kharijite.Ali's concept of GodIn his various sermons, Ali has dwelt upon on the various attributes of God in a skillful way. Extracts from some of his sermons are as follows:   Ã¢â‚¬Å"All praise is due to the creator of the world whose wisdom is hidden. The various subjects of nature openly confirm his existence. He is not surpassed in strength and superiority. He is the nearest to us. No one can be nearer to us than He.His distance height has not segregated Him from His creation, and His nearness has not established His equality with His creation. He is that sublime and matchless Being in com prehending when the intellect cannot reach the bottom of His attributes, yet nothing prevents a person from comprehending Him. He is that being whose existence even an atheist feels in His heart of hearts. Undoubtedly God is free and sublime and bears no comparison with anyone, then how can anyone have the audacity to deny Him.†Father of SufismAli's religious devotion and nearness to God has earned him the title of â€Å"Father of Sufism†. Most of the Sufi orders claim their descent from Ali, and according to Ali Hajjweri, Ali is ranked very high in the line of Sufism.   Ali is considered the Shaykh as regards the principles and practices of Sufism, as stated by Junayd of Baghdad.Communion with GodAt times, Ali would pray the whole night sobbing out of love and fear of God. For Ali, the purpose of knowledge was to awaken the spiritual faculties that every man possesses which in turn enable man to find his true and inner self.   Ali observed that man could only enjoy communion with God if he would stop being proud, embody discipline, overcome his lust and submit to the Will of God.He stressed on the people in his various sermons to lead a simple and pious life and not to indulge blindly in the pleasures of the world as the case was before Islam.. Ali said, â€Å"Man is a wave in the boundless Sea of God. As long as man's vision is clouded by ignorance and sensuality he will consider himself a separate entity, different from God. But when the veil between him and God is lifted, he will then know what he really is, the wave will then merge with the ocean†.Ali on the Spiritual Front:Ali was a wealth of knowledge. Several of the traditions (Ahadith) of the Holy Prophet are narrated by him. He was one of those companions of the Holy Prophet who used to learn the verses of the Quran as they were revealed. Later, after the death of the Holy Prophet, Ali also used to give sermons. In one such sermon, he explains the attributes of God with skillf ul oratory. Excerpts â€Å"All praise is due to the creator of the world whose wisdom is hidden. The various subjects of nature openly confirm his existence. He is not surpassed in strength and superiority. He is the nearest to us.No one can be nearer to us than He. His distance height has not segregated Him from His creation, and His nearness has not established His equality with His creation. He is that sublime and matchless Being in comprehending when the intellect cannot reach the bottom of His attributes, yet nothing prevents a person from comprehending Him. He is that being whose existence even an atheist feels in His heart of hearts. Undoubtedly God is free and sublime and bears no comparison with anyone, then how can anyone have the audacity to deny Him.†In another sermon, he reflected on the transitory stature of this world by remarking â€Å"For the wise, the world is a shadow, which may appear at one moment, and soon disappear.† In another sermon he makes pr ofound remarks by stating â€Å"Many men buy clothes, which instead of being worn by them are used in their coffin. Many persons build houses that instead of becoming abodes become their graves. No one has lived forever in this world, and no one has invented such a medicine which may make men immune from the clutches of death†. In another sermon, he discusses heaven and hell, stating his anxiety on man's subservience to lust, the excess of his longings. In yet another sermon, he termed the world as superficial, mortal and perishable.ConclusionShakespeare once remarked â€Å"Some people are born great, some achieve greatness while some have greatness thrust upon them†. As far as Ali goes, he achieved greatness through his excellent education under the watchful eye of the Holy Prophet, his absorption of Islamic teachings and virtues, his thirst for knowledge, bravery on the battlefield and the spiritual perfection that he embodied. Greatness need not be confused with suc cess. From the political point of view Ali may seem like a failure that was unable to quell the civil strife that raged his people and was eventually slay Ed. Instead Ali's greatness is of an unworldly nature for he set out to spiritually perfect those around him, in times of affluence and wealth.Ali was a man of remarkable qualities and principles. His personality embodied an unusual mix of spiritual perfection, bravery, knowledge and humbleness. He was one of those few people of his time, who could stare in the eyes of death so much that even death would start fearing of him He was an administrator, a judge, a philosopher, a statesman, a general and above all an exemplary for those seeking spiritual perfection.

How To Get Started With Historical Reenacting

How To Get Started With Historical Reenacting Have you often wondered what it might have been like to actually live in the past? Historical reenacting gives you that chance. Becoming a historical re-enactor requires an unquenchable thirst for history and abiding patience with uncomfortable accommodations and ridiculous outfits. Short of actually traveling back in time, however, there is no better way to learn about history than by living it first-hand as a reenactor. What Is a Reenactor? Reenactors recreate history by portraying the look, actions, and lives of a person from a particular time period of history. Who Can Become a Reenactor? Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Children can usually even participate, although most reenactment groups have a minimum age (12 or 13 is common) for children to be allowed in more dangerous roles, such as on the battlefield. Most reenactment organizations also wont allow children under 16 to bear arms. If you choose an active reenactment role, youll need to be in good health, capable of the physical activity and lack of everyday comforts that are inherent in reenacting. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. What to Expect From Reenacting Reenacting for many is a serious, but fun, event. Most people take their roles seriously and pride themselves on representing history as accurately as possible. Some people do take the authenticity to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. Reenactment, appropriately called living history, also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. Reenactment also takes time, but this can be as little as a 2-3 hour event once or twice a year, to a half-dozen three-day weekend encampments. How to Get Started With Reenacting Youve probably thought to yourself that reenacting sounds like fun, but youre just not sure about committing yourself due to time, money, and lack of know-how. Dont let that stop you! Most reenactment groups are very welcoming to new people and will show you the ropes and even outfit you until you can gradually acquire your own kit. In other words, you can try it out and see how you like it. Choose a Time Period and Location What period of history most grabs your interest? Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? Find a Reenactment Group Time and place generally work together, so while youre picking your time period, you will generally have a certain location in mind as well. Most people choose a reenactment group that operates fairly close to home - at least within a days drive. Reenactment groups and societies can be found all over the world, although they are especially active in the U.S., UK, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. Most large re-enactment events take place outdoors, so spring through fall are very active times of the year for the majority of these groups. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. Choose a Persona In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. The persona is sometimes referred to as an impression. Depending upon your reenactment scenario, this may be a real individual or a fictional one who could have lived during your time period of interest. Think about who you are in real life,  or the person you secretly want to be, and translate that to an individual who lived during your time period of interest. The majority of reenactors choose to be soldiers, but even in a military reenactment group, there are other characters, such as wives, camp followers, surgeons, tinkers and sutlers (merchants). The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. Research Your Persona Once youve chosen a time period and character, you need to learn everything you can,  from the way they dressed and ate, to their manner of speech, cultural beliefs, and social interactions. Immerse yourself in the time period by reading books and primary source documents related to the area, and the type of person youve chosen to portray. Assemble Your Kit Reenactors refer to their clothing and equipment as their  kit. Whether youve chosen to be a fur trapper, a soldier or a medieval princess, this clothing and accessories you select for your kit should match your persona. If youre portraying a poor farmer during the Revolutionary War, then dont purchase a fancy rifle that would have been out of his financial grasp. Take the time to fully research your character and period, considering where your  persona  lives, his age, his  occupation, and his social status, before purchasing items which may or may not be authentic or appropriate. If you have the time, it can even be fun to learn to make some of your clothing or items yourself, just as it was done in the past. Final Tips   Most reenactment groups have extra clothing, uniforms,  costumes, and props that they are willing to loan to newcomers. By joining such a society, youll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit.

Capital Punishment Essays - American Revolution, Salutary Neglect

Capital Punishment Essays - American Revolution, Salutary Neglect Capital Punishment From 1763, throughout the mid-1770s an ideology of revolution began to evolve throughout the thirteen American colonies. Many factors contributed to the formation of this ideology including Salutary Neglect, the Boston Massacre, and the British tax policy. In the early 1700s the British neglected the colonists because neglect served the British economic interests better than strict enforcement. The colonies prospered as did their trade with Britain, without much government interference. But, at the end of the French and Indian war, British leaders reevaluated their relationship with the colonies; because of conflicts between Great Britain and the colonies during the war, ending the policy of salutary neglect and proposing reforms and new taxes. The war had left Great Britain deeply in debt and the British viewed American prosperity as a resource and taxing the colonies as a means to relieve British debt. More and more Americans were convinced that British politicians were deliberately robbing them of their personal independence through taxation. The Stamp Act of 1765 which required the colonists to buy and place revenue stamps on all official legal documents, deeds, newspapers, pamphlets, dice, and playing cards, left the colonists alarmed and the educated colonists mounted an ideological attack on the new British policies. The colonists believed that the Stamp Act was an attempt by Britain to seize control of taxation from the representative colonial assemblies and to tax the colonists without giving them representation in government; taxation without representation. While confrontations over taxes and reforms were serious, the bonds uniting the colonies and Britain were still strong. An American diplomat declared in 1769 that the British ministry should Repeal the laws, Renounce the Right, Recall the troops, Refund the money, and return to the old method of requisition. This solution would have required parliament to renounce its claims to sovereign power in America and was almost unthinkable given its quest for authority. Moreover, violent acts such as the Boston Massacre, in which soldiers fired at colonists after some boys threw ice at a sentry guarding the Customs House; killing an African American named Crispus Attucks and four other colonists, showed how difficult it would be to achieve any peaceful constitutional compromise. These main factors as well as many others, played into the hands of those Americans who wanted independence. They saw the British as corrupt, immoral, and power hungry and they felt they needed to take a stand against the pattern of enslavement they saw in these actions. They did not see themselves as radicals or revolutionaries; they were simply protecting their way of life, their land, and their households. Thus brought about the formation of the ideology for a revolution.

Understanding the Implications of Finance as a Resource Within a Assignment

Understanding the Implications of Finance as a Resource Within a Business - Assignment Example Understanding the Implications of Finance as a Resource Within a Business The banks and the individuals willing to start the start will move in a contract where the individuals agree to pay installments on monthly basis. The bank will also charge interests for the loan amount. The source of finance with the usual payment period of more than 15 years is regarded as the long term loan. This kind of loan is generally required for the expansion processes or buying a fixed asset. This kind of loan can be achieved from financial intermediaries. A fixed interest rate generally higher than the interest rate on bank loan is accrued in this type of loan. It is required to pay monthly instalments as well as the fixed interest rate. Another source of finance is the short term loan. This type of loan comprises of loan for short periods usually within 5 years. The financial intermediaries have the ability to provide such kind of loans and the contract requires the one taking the loan to pay the principle along with the agreed interest within the specific time period. Ba nks provides overdrafts and charge for its services (Hennessy and Whited, 2007, p. 1). The bank of England sets the rate of interest at which it provides loan to the financial institutions. The interest rate has the potential to affect the interest rates of the commercial banks, the prices of the financial assets and the rate of exchange which can affect the consumer as well as the business demand. Another mode of raising finance is retained earnings. The retained earnings can be increased by generating increased sales which will shed its impact on the profit level and can also be reinvested into the operations of the business (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, n.d.). Explanation of the importance of financial planning Financial planning can be studied from both, individual point of view or from the point of view of a company. From the point of view of the individual, financial planning can be thought of as an integrated approach to ensure the well being of th e individual under consideration (Diatax, n.d.). The importance of financial planning lies in the success of a business. For a company, financial plan refers to primarily to three financial statements i.e. balance sheet, income statement as well as the cash flow statement. The financial plan is created with the plan of the business and it can also refer to the projected income or expenditure for a division of a company or the company itself. The decision regarding the processes of cash flow and the estimation of total cash requirements is also taken into account in the financial plan. Financial planning acts as the backbone of a business and if any company operates without any financial planning it is likely to end up in financial distress or financial grip. If the company runs of the roadmap of solid financial foundation it is assumed that the organization will be able to provide a good act in the realm of payable accounts. The financial planning is helpful for the financial analys ts to withstand the harder times and take advantage of the good times. A good and proper financial planning paves the way for the company when to deal with the outstanding debt as well as the rise in the operating costs. Every company should have a planned financial plan in order to anticipate the conditions of the future. The financial pla

Economics of the Forex Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Economics of the Forex - Essay Example Starting from the year 1979, the Exchange Rate Mechanism -- ERM of the European Monetary System -- EMS has played a vital role in developing the foundation of the Monetary policy strategies in Europe and it has been a very striving research in the international monetary and exchange rate cooperation of the post-Breton Woods times. There has been a radical change in the nature of ERM, which is from a very fixed exchange rate with a limited mobility of the international capital to the 'hard' exchange rate mechanism which was approved by the Basle-Nyborg agreement in 1987 (Financial Markets and European Monetary Cooperation: The Lessons of the 1992-1993 ERM Crisis)During the end of the 1980's the gratified performance of this 'hard' exchange rate mechanism earned the confidence and increased the general appeal of a more total transformation of the system which was expected to result in agreement and a happening of unification. However, during 1992 a downfall on the past achievements occ urred and also undermined the process towards European Monetary Union. Thus an ERM crisis occurred between 1992 and 1993 are said to be the most historical events in the then monetary history of Europe. Thus their source, effects and inferences are one of the most important events in the current academic and political debates through out the world.The European monetary system was formulated with two major components: namely the European Currency Unit and a fixed exchange rate system known as the Exchange Rate Mechanism. ... as to whether the 1992 Exchange Rate Mechanism crisis in UK occurred due to the European monetary system being predictable, or whether it was caused due to the rising of the international financial markets May be the answers for these questions are in relevance to debates about the international financial and economic policies through out the world. These answers could also reveal the overall economic policy and the exchange rate regimes and there role on the 1992 ERM crisis. Considering a bipolar array where the hard exchange regimes on one side which involved pegged exchange rates, currency boards, taking in of another country's currency are more demanding than the flexible rate regimes. Another major point is that there cannot be any regime that can predict and offer a complete solution to the financial and economic changes that the country will undergo. (Truman, 2002) The ERM crisis was the first of its kind in the current century in terms of both private and official monetary circulation both during the crisis and also before the crisis. It could also be said as the first kind of crisis that occurred in terms of market and financial securities, derivative instruments and the financial market dynamics in the wake of building up the crisis. In view of the ERM crisis the European exchange rate regimes continued strongly support the view of pegged exchange rate mechanism. During the crisis countries and its investors were bailed out with exceptional amounts of official financing. But after the crisis the European government followed a very stringer way of its official financial management in the years that followed. (Truman, 2002) There is always a tension that reflects in every ongoing debate on the relative roles of economic fundamentals and the behaviour of