Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Performance Expectation and Evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Performance Expectation and Evaluation - Essay Example 2. Be well versed with Prudential Regulating and credit environment of the market. Prudential Regulations are issued by the supervisors of the banks in order to make prudent lending decisions. The incumbent is expected to have a sound knowledge of the regulatory environment besides having a good knowledge of the credit environment of the market. This would also mean that the employee is expected to know about the market trends, economic conditions as well as general political environment of the terroritries within which we work and from where we receive lending requests. Thus the incumbent of the job is therefore expected to have a sound knowledge of the regulatory environment. 3. Can attend to Bank’s internal significant issues, queries from Regulatory bodies. This requires that the incumbent should have sound communication skills especially written skills should be exceptional. Since this job requires the employee to have interaction not only with our borrowers but with other regulatory bodies also therefore communication skills are necessary requirement of the job. Further, since employee is also expected to write credit memorandums therefore the written comprehension capabilities of the employee should be above average. 4. Be able to analyze MIS statements and their follow-up for limit allocations, disbursement & outstanding position etc. This job expectation requires that the incumbent must have the ability to interpret information. Since the employee would be reviewing MIS statements therefore the expectations are that the employee must have the good computer skills especially MS Excel based skills as the data will be analyzed, monitored through this software. 5. Should be a self starter and can work independently. This is probably the biggest expectation from the incumbent. He or she must be a self starter meaning less training and development opportunities would be provided initially. 6. Be well versed with

Sunday, October 27, 2019

School Delinquency And Rising Problems Young People Essay

School Delinquency And Rising Problems Young People Essay School delinquency is a rising problem in our schools today. There are a large number of youth who are participating in youth delinquency in our schools. What are some of the problems that cause delinquency in our school? There are a number of reasons for this type of behavior. Poor parenting , children who are in poverty. School bullying plays a role in school delinquency. There has been large scale of gang activity in our school. There are many problems due to delinquency in our schools but it is everyones job to correct the problem. In our society we are faced with different forms of behavior, some good and some bad. The are many different view points, when it comes to how we are suppose to act. What is right and what is wrong is determined by what society except. What society dont except is wrong acts that are also called acts of deviance. Deviance is something we look at as a act that violates our social norm. To understand what is not norm you have to understand the culture of which you live in. Murder, for instance is an act of taking someones life purposely. This is an example of delinquency. An act of such is not excepted by society. In society we have laws, they are design to govern and protect us. These rules give us a guideline to how we must act. The society that we live in is full of law abiding citizens and ones who break laws regular. In our society these law breakers are not only breaking laws in the community but they are introduced to our school system Delinquent acts in our schools are committed by youth. Juvenile delinquency in our schools today has become a major problem. Our schools are not the same safe place to focus on education anymore. Some youth come to school everyday focus on education , ready to become what they are design to be in society. There are some youth who come to school just to participate in delinquent activities. There are many different reason children come to school but the problem occurs when the delinquent juvenile brings his delinquent behavior here. There are many reason that causes kids to become delinquent in our schools. Most reasons start from home. Poverty, a major influence towards delinquent behavior. Poverty is when a family lacks the basic resources that normal families use to survive. Other kids who are furnished with nicer clothes and shoes may appear to be more important to youth who dont have. Kids with more may even tease or down put youth who are not furnished with the basic goods. This type of behavior puts kids in a stressful mind frame. They deal with stress and eventually began to participate in deviant acts to try fitting in with the crowd. Kids who live in poverty are more exposed to crime. They are normally around violence and different crimes. They are exposed to law enforcement in a bad way at early ages. They grow up not trusting law enforcement or even respecting their authority figure. They suffer from bad living conditions, so their main focus is not school but basic survival. It can truly be devastat ing challenge for youth to conduct themselves in a school environment when they have this type of negative exposure. These kids suffer from many health problems , they dont have resources for good medical treatment so school cant possibly be their strong points. Social disorganization is another reason that youth act out in schools. For instance, children who were involved in a house hold with mother and father, who ended up getting a divorce is faced with a major change. Where as both parents being there and they have to adjust to just one causes great stress. These kids normally feel that it is their fault. They go to school and their grades drop, they began to feel like a failure. This attitude can easily give a youth , the I dont care attitude. With this attitude, kids began to act out in school. They may start by simple little deviant acts to fighting in school to express their anger. In households with both parent, a child is more prong to listen to one parent more or even favor one more than the other. In this case if that parent who they favor is the one who leaves, that child is deffinately gonna at out in school. Another factor that can arouse from a broken home is that single parent will most likely have to work. This may even be long hours, taking away social time and time for help with home work. This means poor grades and more time to participate in deviant acts. While these deviant acts are occurring children are spending more time watching tv. A study at Columbia University showed kids that watch at least a hour of tv everyday commit robberies and fights. There are a lot of violent shows on television today. Youth are watching these violent shows and thinking that this behavior is excepted in society. The acts that they see on tv are taken to school where they find themselves in trouble. It can be a devastating things for parents not be able monitor their children properly. Child abuse can lead to delinquency in schools. Parents who abuse their children are not only breaking the law but they are damaging their childs future and well being. Child abuse can be anything from striking your kids to neglecting them. Physical child abuse can be hitting, burning, shaking a baby to hard. This is truly something that teaches a child that violence works. Kids are sent to school who are victims of abuse. They are in pain sometimes and dont know where to turn. The are always stressed out and cant take it out on that parent so the act violently towards their peers at school. They often take on the role as being a bully. They began to tease other kids and called them names. The parents who abuse their kids are taking advantage of someone who the perceive as weaker than them. This same principle applied when their kids take on their role towards kids at school. They pry on children who they perceive as weaker than them. This type of behavior labels kids as school bulli es. This type of behavior leads kids in to believing they can go around an violently do what they want to who they want. Becoming a school bully is not only bad for the child who is doing the bullying but it is bad for the victim. This behavior causes the person who is being bullied to retaliate against bullies creating another violent act in our schools. Alcohol and drugs cause a major effect of delinquency in our schools. Drugs do not have a rightful place but definitely not in our schools. Drugs can be any illegal substance not prescribed by a doctor. The main drug of choice for youth is alcohol. Seventy three percent youth say they have tried it at one point of time in their lives. Youth who use alcohol says , it relaxes them and reduces tension. There are many bad sides to alcohol and youth activity. Most youth who drink alcohol are not properly supervised. They normally hang out late at night and miss school on a regular basis. They performance in school falls shorter and shorter. When they drink larger amounts they act the alcohol act as a depressor. Youth whole attitude changes in school , they may even come to school while under the influence. A youth under the influence of alcohol in schools can cause major problems. Another drug that youth like to take is , marijuana. This drug is a green leafy substance known as pot. This drug contains (THC). To much marijuana can be a major effect to youth react in school. This substance is illegal and should not be around schools. This substance can cause youth to act different in school and bring it on school grounds, definitely an act of delinquency. Steroids are another drug found in our schools today . They are used by school athletes to try and bulk up. These drugs cause youth to gain large amount of muscle mass, but it also causes a great risk. This drug can change the way youth act, they may become aggressive. An aggressive youth in our schools can be hard for staff to manage. Crack is a really dangerous drug. Crack is a substance that is cheap and highly addictive. It can be smoked. A youth who comes into contact with this drug is pretty much damaged for life. This drug actually transform youth into a dying person. Youth who come into contact with it will most likely quit school . In the beginning stages they may be able to go to school but they are guaranteed to steal and commit all sorts of crimes to support their habit. Gangs is another reason for delinquency in our schools. There are different type of gangs .There are social gangs in school who will participate in delinquents acts but their main goal is to get drunk and high. These type gangs in our school are still deviant because they are participating illegal act but there are more serious gangs in our schools. The gangs who dont normally worry about getting high but focus on violence. These gangs dont care who they harm. It could be detrimental for youth to get involved with this type of gang. These gangs in school use there power in school to get what they want. They will threaten other students and dare them to tell. These gangs are controlling the schools because it also offers protection. The old saying, if you cant beat um join um applies. Our school system is full of all sorts of acts of delinquency. There are a number of programs design to make our schools better. D.A.R.E is program design to teach kids and let the know about the dangers of drugs. This program has truly been a success. After school programs have been in effect to aid against delinquency in our schools. There are many approached to helping with this problem of delinquency in our schools. Not everyone household is the same, but we all should have the same goal when it comes to making our schools a place for education not a place for delinquent acts. One major problem to the solution is for everyone to take a good look ourselves and find out what we can do to help this situation. Spending time with your kids and finding out how their days are going. By starting this you can start a trend by letting that child know you care about them. Taking time with your kids, walking in the park and playing with your kids shows them that attention. You must disciplin e them when they are in need. Never let your children be the parent. Our youth need that extra attention in the society we live in. It is very important for us to give them that attention because some drug dealer is standing at the schools playground fence or bus stop waiting to show them that attention that leads to school delinquency. It is not only the schools job, law enforcement, after school program but it is all of jobs when it come to dealing with school delinquency. When I focus on correcting my childs action and making sure they are doing what they are suppose to do, then that is one less problem child in our schools. The correcting of our children in our school system creates a safer environment for us all. Larry Siegel Brandon Welsh Juvenile Delinquency Salynn Boyles Health and parenting , http://www.md.com/parenting/news/20100820 Tim Field, Bully at play time revealed Neil Marr, Bullying News Michele Borba, The Facts Of Bullying

Friday, October 25, 2019

Womens Roles During Times of War Essay -- American History Females Ro

Women's Roles During Times of War Despite the prevalence of war goddesses in most traditions from China to Greece to Ireland, women have been separated from the front lines of war for centuries. Western tradition claims that women are not made for war, but for household work: sewing, cleaning, cooking, and looking after children. Society told women to carry brooms in lieu of swords; to collect firewood instead of ammunition, and to keep house rather than protect a nation. Yet, for centuries, women have fought their peoples' wars, even if they never lifted a sword or fired a rifle. We rarely hear of these women, though, because they were not on the front line. The AAS Online Exhibitions claims, "The term "war hero" usually refers to a man who unselfishly risks his life to fight1." In many ways this is true. War heroes, especially of wars that were fought earlier than the twentieth century, are almost invariably men. In schools throughout the United States, primary school students learn the names of heroes of various American wars: George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, and Robert E. Lee; but rarely do they learn about the women who helped these heroes: Molly Pitcher, Belle Boyd, and Elizabeth van Lew. Women learned to sacrifice their husbands, sons, brothers, and fathers for the same causes for which these men sacrificed their lives. The first United States war in which women fought was the American Revolution: the war that allowed their country to be formed. While their husbands cleaned their hunting rifles and readied their clothing, American women fought the British in their own way. The most prominent form of battle, especially in Boston and New England, was the boycott on tea. It sounds like a simple thing, boycotting... ..."Women of the American Revolution." http://ws.web.arizona.edu/ws200/fall97/grp11/part7.htm 4. "Molly Pitcher (Valley Forge Frequently Asked Questions)." Â © 1998 – 2004. http://www.ushistorty.org/valleyforge/youasked/070.htm 5. Zarro. "Women of the American Revolution." 6. Zarro. "Women of the American Revolution." 7. Zarro. "Women of the American Revolution." 8. Zarro. "Women of the American Revolution." 9. "AAS Online Exhibitions: A Woman's Work is Never Done." 10. "AAS Online Exhibitions: A Woman's Work is Never Done." 11. "Hearts at Home: Spies." Â © 1997. Cited 22 November 2004. 12. "Hearts at Home: Spies." 13. "Rose O'Neal Greenhow Papers." Â © May 1996. http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/greenhow 14. "Female Spies for the Union." http://womenshistory.about.com/library/misc/cw/bl_cw_spies_union.htm 15. "Female Spies for the Union."

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Student Debt in College

1 name Professor English date To Debt or Not to Debt: Why College is Worth the Investment When most people think about college they generally have the same mind set. You are taught from a young age that college is the only way to go but is that true? With recent tuition risings and the â€Å"American dream† seeming to vanish, college doesn’t seem to be worth its value anymore. Others believe that its college or you will be working at a fast food joint for the rest of your life. Most people in-between believe that money is the determining factor but with the amount of options should people even worry about this?Even though college might seem like a stretch with tuition rising, college is something more people should take part in because there are so many answers to get past the money and just enjoy the full college experience. For most students applying for colleges is all they have thought about since starting kindergarten. For others it’s been a lifelong dread a bout how do they even begin to try and 2 afford it essay writers online. With all the horror stories about finishing college with such enormous debts it can really turn student s away from college.Although the prices may have gone up the investment is still something to pursue. â€Å"Even in this economy, college graduates are much better off than high-school graduates. Yes, white-collar employees are losing their jobs. But the unemployment rate for people over twenty five years old who hold at least a bachelor’s degree is 4. 4 percent, compared with 9. 3 percent for the people that age who hold only a high-school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,† as put by Robin Wilson in A Lifetime of Student Debt, Not likely.Students complain about the large debts they can conjure up during these college years you truly are better off with it. It’s not just about the piece of paper; it’s about the opportunities that it creates. For most people coll ege can be the best time of their lives. You just got to be smart with what you have. Sara M. Harrington (A Lifetime of Student Debt, Not likely) wanted to be smart and looked ahead. She didn’t want to borrow any money that she knew she couldn’t pay back.Some students just want to not worry about any costs and just be done with college and get into the working world not thinking of any consequences. Although some might argue that you shouldn’t think about the future just think about today, you really need to be logical when borrowing money. You shouldn’t let money run your life but it usually does. Another thing to consider is that some of the students coming out with such enormous debts are because they go to private colleges. For some it’s too far out of reach and they choose 3 ommunity colleges and are most of the time they are better off. For me I chose the community college way because I knew my parents could not afford to help me if I went aw ay. Without my parents I wouldn’t be able to go to school, but I know even the payments for school now are hard enough. I could never imagine the burden of private or even state college tuition on my parents. Loans never go away so just be smart with your money and borrow less. When growing up teachers, parents, and counselers have always drilled college into your head but did they ever explain why?If asked it was to get a better job or to give your self a better furture than what they have. But maybe college isn’t always about learning but its about finding your self. â€Å"†¦College is not only about learning how to earn a living, .. , but also about learing how to live: how to be an informed and involved citizen, how to communicate effectively, how to understand other cultures and peoples, how to think and reflect† (Ch 14 opening statement). Most people seem to overlook these simple things. College might have the large goal of getting that diploma but it s about the experience.You are not only sitting in a classroom but you are figuring out new ways to do the things you love. Not only can you make life long friends but you can learn different backgrounds, try new things, and take any class imaginable. College may seem like a lot of work in the big picture but you can make it fun and worth the experience. Overall College might seem like a lot of work, stress, and debt but it is something that you should enjoy. Not only for the sake of saying â€Å"I went to college† but for bettering 4 yourself. You can come out with so much more life skills just from competing this life step.Every ones ecperience is going to be different, but you are only bettering your self in the end. 5 Works Cited Birkenstein, Cathy, and Russel Durst. â€Å"Chapter 14 Introduction: Is Higher Education Worth the Price? † They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. By Gerald Graff. 2nd ed. N. p. : W. W. Norton &, 2012. 256-73. Print. W ilson, Robin. â€Å"A Lifetime of Student Debt, Not Likey. † They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. 2nd ed. N. p. : W. W. Norton &, 2012. 256-73. Print

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Self Directed

Summary on Self-directed Learning and Culture: a study on Malay adult learners. This journal talks about the relationship between SDL and the learning culture focusing on the Malay adult learners. The element of culture plays an important role in adult learning and it has been noted that self-directed learning is the central concept in the study and practice of adult education.Self-directed learning is related to the learners’ culture, learning style personality traits motivation and readiness to accept responsibility and these characteristics emphasis on the individuality of the learners in any learning environment will come to consideration. The present study intends to investigate the influence of the Malay culture on self-directed learning among Malay adult learners which could bridge the gap between the Malay culture and self-directed learning by providing breakthrough into Malay adult learners.Thus add to the knowledge regarding adult learners, and also help to generate better understanding of the Malay adult learners and the influence culture has in their learning process. Developing self-directed learning readiness will help to escalate the process of becoming life-long learners among adult learners. Cultural influences on the different levels of self-directed learning readiness on Malay adult learners were discussed. Does culture have any influence on self-directed learning of the Malay adult learners? Does culture have any impact on the self-directed learning of the Malay adult learners?Self-directed learning is part and parcel of the psychological and social development of adulthood. Self-directed learners are said to demonstrate greater awareness of their responsibility in making learning meaningful and monitoring them, thus making them more effective learners and social beings. Self-directed learning is an approach where learners are motivated to assume personal responsibility and collaborative control of the cognitive and contextual process in constructing meaningful and worthwhile learning outcomes.One of the findings indicated that self directed learning readiness appears to be positively associated with work experience and postulated that this could be due to the fact that respondents have learned to become more self-directed as they accumulate work experience. A study on the relationship between personality traits and self directed learning of undergraduates indicated that there is a positive and strong correlation between personality traits and self-directed learning. Finally, the findings from the study have indicated that culture has a role in the self-directed learning readiness of adult learners.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on Argument Against Abortion

Reflection Paper – Abortion The word abortion by definition means the induced expulsion of a fetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently. Abortion is an extremely controversial issue because while some people are completely against it, others believe that a woman should have the right to choose. I believe that abortion is morally and ethically wrong. In my opinion, when a woman chooses to have sex, she is taking a chance. She does this of her own free will, and is in control over what she is doing. If a person decides to have sex, whether it is done with protection or not, the result is her responsibility and she must be willing to deal with the consequences. One such consequence is getting pregnant. When a woman gets pregnant, it is usually a result of her own choices, even if the pregnancy is unwanted or unplanned. The most obvious reason why I think that abortion is immoral is because it is the intentional killing of a human being. It is a well-known fact that life begins at the moment of conception. If it is murder to kill a human being in any stage of life, then abortion, the murder of the fetus, is obviously wrong, because murder is one of the ethical absolutes. When we perform an abortion, we take the life of an innocent child. We deny the unborn child its right to live and experience the world. No one has thee right to take the life of another person, even an unborn child. Furthermore, abortion denies the mother the joy and opportunity to raise the baby, and in the long run, usually ends up hurting the mother as the emotional effects become worse and worse. This problem is even more common when there is pressure by others on the woman to have the abortion, and she does so reluctantly. Another reason why I do not believe abortions should be done is because of the many risks involved for the woman undergoing the abortion. The risks involved are both medical and emotional. The medical risks when perfo... Free Essays on Argument Against Abortion Free Essays on Argument Against Abortion Reflection Paper – Abortion The word abortion by definition means the induced expulsion of a fetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently. Abortion is an extremely controversial issue because while some people are completely against it, others believe that a woman should have the right to choose. I believe that abortion is morally and ethically wrong. In my opinion, when a woman chooses to have sex, she is taking a chance. She does this of her own free will, and is in control over what she is doing. If a person decides to have sex, whether it is done with protection or not, the result is her responsibility and she must be willing to deal with the consequences. One such consequence is getting pregnant. When a woman gets pregnant, it is usually a result of her own choices, even if the pregnancy is unwanted or unplanned. The most obvious reason why I think that abortion is immoral is because it is the intentional killing of a human being. It is a well-known fact that life begins at the moment of conception. If it is murder to kill a human being in any stage of life, then abortion, the murder of the fetus, is obviously wrong, because murder is one of the ethical absolutes. When we perform an abortion, we take the life of an innocent child. We deny the unborn child its right to live and experience the world. No one has thee right to take the life of another person, even an unborn child. Furthermore, abortion denies the mother the joy and opportunity to raise the baby, and in the long run, usually ends up hurting the mother as the emotional effects become worse and worse. This problem is even more common when there is pressure by others on the woman to have the abortion, and she does so reluctantly. Another reason why I do not believe abortions should be done is because of the many risks involved for the woman undergoing the abortion. The risks involved are both medical and emotional. The medical risks when perfo...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Training Evaluation Designs

Training Evaluation Designs Abstract This paper involves the use of training evaluation designs. Various training evaluation designs are used in evaluating learners in a given training. The paper is discussing the posttest design, the pretest-posttest design, time series design, and the four Solomon designs. In the introduction, the term evaluation is defined. What is looked at during choosing an evaluation design is also listed.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Training Evaluation Designs specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is further elaborated by discussing how one can construct an evaluation form. Four types of training evaluation designs are discussed in this paper. These are posttest only design, pretest-posttest design, time series design, and Solomon four- group design. The characteristics of these designs are also stated. The advantages and disadvantages of these designs are also discussed where applicable. The posttest only design is the simplest one. Also, we have realized that the pretest –posttest design was developed from the posttest only design. The Solomon four- group was an improvement of both the posttest only design and the pretest- posttest design. These four designs are also discussed from the cheapest to the most expensive. This has enabled the understanding of the posttest only design as the cheapest design. The four group design is highly expensive. The reason why the Solomon four-group design is the most expensive is that it is complex and requires a lot of resources. It is evident that the pretest –posttest design is widely discussed than the other three training evaluation designs. This design is discussed in two perspectives. They are the pretest-post with comparison and the pretest-posttest with the control group. This design is widely discussed since it is used widely in organizations. Introduction Evaluation is the organized recognition of the advantages and importan ce of education. This is achieved through using a certain criteria against given standards. Evaluation process, in training, has the principal aim of ensuring that the learning process meets the stated objectives. Normally evaluation is conducted in four phases. These include; Analysis, Design, Development, and Implementation. Issues to consider when selecting an evaluation design There are several issues that can be thought of when selecting an evaluation design. These include evaluation that is complicated are expensive. Thus, they portray a strong sense of confidence. Secondly, evaluation designs that are complex require people who are specialized in research methods. This is because they are hard to implement. Interventions work differently in all settings and types of friends.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How to design training evaluation forms To design training evaluation forms, one has to use open- ended questions. Moreover, one must use closed-ended questions. Closed ended questions have multiple questions. On the other hand, open- ended questions help assist the learners give a detailed answer, in spaces, provided. The evaluation forms should have the name of the evaluation instructor and the course before it is given to the learners. There are two key factors that guide a trainer in making the choice of the design to use. These include cost and certainty. If the trainer is highly certain on the results of the program, it will be highly expensive (Wisher, 1999). Types of evaluation designs There are many designs that are used in evaluations. The training evaluation designs discussed are; post-test only design, pre-test and post-test design, pre-test and post test with comparison group design and pretest and post test with the control group design, time series design and the Solomon four group design. Posttest only design In this design, a post- test is given to the trainee after the intervention has been administered. This post-test could be a survey or even a questionnaire. This posttest only design has several characteristics. Participants and non participants of the program are not compared. This design is extremely easy and straightforward. Pretest and Posttest design This design was advanced from the posttest only design. The pretest and posttest design has a lot of information. This is because it gives the changes in the behavior and attitudes of the trainees in the program. This design also provides evidence that the alterations were produced after the interventions. This design is not able to illustrate this. The reason is that the changes may have occurred due to the participants’ exposure to other interventions. The pretest and posttest design is associated with two major problems. One it does improve the external validity. This means that it is difficult to judge the results broug ht about by the pre-test. This is because the two groups used are treated using different measures.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Training Evaluation Designs specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Pretest and posttest with comparison design In training evaluations, using this design, the pretest and posttest are administered differently. They are given to two different groups. A group that participated in the program and another one that did not take place in the learning of the given the tests. This assists in determining whether the changes in behavior are brought about by the interventions. Similarities detected in the two groups show that the changes detected are brought about by the interventions. These results are well defined if the two groups are of the same socioeconomic status, race, and education. In addition, this design has the following characteristics. It is more expensive and complex. The design opens a chance for other explanations. This helps in identifying the differences between the intervention group and the control group (Preskill, 2005). Pretest and Posttest with the control group design In this design, individuals are assigned randomly to the intervention or the control group. Thus, all members have the same opportunity of becoming a member of the two groups. This design is the most expensive of the three. In this design, it is also certain that the changes noticed in the evaluation were brought by the interventions. Time series design Time series design is presented in four variations. These are; interrupted time series with follow-up, replicated time series, step-wise time series, and time series with reversal patterns. This design involves the use of interrupted time series experiments used in community research. In this design, two communities are assessed repeatedly. The interventions are administered to each community at their own time. In this design, the co mmunity interventions and policies are normally refined after the study. Solomon four group design This design has two extra control groups. This makes the researcher know if the pretest contains an influence on the subjects. This design is hard to set up and analyze.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The statistics involved is also very complex. This design solves the problem of internal validity associated with the pretest-posttest design. The Solomon four designs are an improvement of the pretest- posttest two group designs and the post test only design (Okey, 1972). Conclusion The Solomon four group designs help in solving all the problems of internal and external validity experienced in other designs. A trainer using this design should have the requirements and the time to include the four control groups. The statistics used is very complex. Therefore, if, the researcher is aware of the issues of external validity the Solomon four groups are not required. Also, most experiments are simple and could be solved using the pretest-posttest research designs. References Okey, J. R., Ciesla, J. L. (1972). Designs for the evaluation of teacher training materials. Bloomington: National Center for the Development of Training Materials in Teacher Education, School of Education, Indiana University. Preskill, H. S., Eft, D. F. (2005). Building evaluation capacity: 72 activities for teaching and training. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. Wisher, R. A. (1999). Training through distance learning: an assessment of research findings. Alexandria, Va.: U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

The John Peter Zenger Trial

The John Peter Zenger Trial John Peter Zenger was born in Germany in 1697. He immigrated to New York with his family in 1710. His father died during the voyage, and his mother, Joanna, was left to support him and his two siblings. At the age of 13, Zenger was apprenticed for eight years to the prominent printer William Bradford who is known as the pioneer printer of the middle colonies. They would form a brief partnership after the apprenticeship before Zenger decided to open his own printing shop in 1726. When Zenger would be later brought to trial, Bradford would remain neutral in the case.   Zenger Approached by Former Chief Justice Zenger was approached by Lewis Morris, a chief justice who had been removed from the bench by Governor William Cosby after he ruled against him. Morris and his associates created the â€Å"Popular Party† in opposition to Governor Cosby and needed a newspaper to help them spread the word. Zenger agreed to print their paper as the New York Weekly Journal. Zenger Arrested for Seditious Libel At first, the governor ignored the newspaper which made claims against the governor including his having arbitrarily removed and appointed judges without consulting the legislature. However, once the paper began to grow in popularity, he decided to put  a stop to it.  Zenger was arrested and a formal charge of seditious libel was made against him on November 17, 1734. Unlike today where libel is only proven when the published information is not only false but intended to harm the individual, libel at this time was defined as holding the king or his agents up to public ridicule. It did not matter how true the printed information was. Despite the charge, the governor was unable to sway a grand jury. Instead, Zenger was arrested based on prosecutors’ â€Å"information,† a way to circumvent the grand jury. Zengers case was taken before a jury. Zenger Defended by Andrew Hamilton Zenger was defended by Andrew Hamilton, a Scottish lawyer who would eventually settle in Pennsylvania. He was not related to Alexander Hamilton. However, he was important in later Pennsylvania history, having helped design Independence Hall. Hamilton took the case on pro bono. Zengers original lawyers had been stricken from the attorneys list due to the corruption that surrounded the case. Hamilton was able to successfully argue to the jury that Zenger was allowed to print things as long as they were true. In fact, when he was not allowed to prove that the claims were true through evidence, he was able to eloquently argue to the jury that they saw the evidence in their everyday lives and therefore didnt need additional proof. Results of the Zenger Case The result of the case did not create a legal precedent because a jury’s verdict does not change the law. However, it had a huge impact on the colonists who saw the importance of a free press to hold the government power in check. Hamilton was lauded by New York colonial leaders for his successful defense of Zenger. Nonetheless, individuals would continue to be punished for publishing information harmful to the government until state constitutions and later the US Constitution in the Bill of Rights would guarantee a free press. Zenger continued to publish the New York Weekly Journal until his death in 1746. His wife continued to publish the paper after his death. When his eldest son, John, took over the business he only continued to publish the paper for three more years.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - Essay Example Cloon Kleen is trying to look for cost effective ways in which it can efficiently market itself and gain competitive advantage. Differentiation has immensely helped the company in retaining its customers due to the uniqueness of their products’ scent. Cloon Kleen’s has had high number of loyal customers, which is approximately 80% due to the uniqueness of their products to their customers who are majorly women of age between 25 and 50. The company has also adopted their own line of body care products due to high differentiation strategy they employee in their products. Cloon Keen uses three different perfumes to create fragrances which are of very high quality and do have authentic aroma that do not smell strange. The company uses print media which shows colored picture of their products thus promoting the products. A fashion magazine which adds value to the products by associating it with other fashion designs advertised in the same magazine. The company has adopted br anding and packaging of its kind that is very attractive to their customers. The branding is unique and very beautiful thus attracting many customers especially women who are greatly attracted by colors. The company also believes in verbal interaction with their customers that help them improve on the quality of their products through their customers’ suggestion. ... How it should Be Positioned Relative to Pertinent Competitors The company should further diversify in manufacturing more products with variety of attractive fragrance combined with beautiful packaging and marketing to gain competitive advantage. Changes Required For a Better Positioning The company should embark on thorough marketing, promotion and slightly lower the prices of their products to gain competitive advantage. The company may as well use application or use strategy by manufacturing different products for different occasions and times such as romantic scented candles for lovebirds’ gifts and cool scented products for summer seasons. Another great strategy is connecting the products with the users such as classic scented products for the rich. It is also important to design products that are consumer friendly by having consumer in mind. What Is Lifestyle Brand? A lifestyle brand is a brand that tends to symbolize itself with a particular grouping or society for marke ting purposes. This strategy should not be adopted since it may hinder other potential consumers who are not incorporated in the group shun from buying the products. Electronic Media in Promotion Electronic media such as website blogging and other social media should be used to promote and market both the company and the products due to their ability to reach many people at the shortest time possible. The firm should be able to communicate with its customers freely and persuade them to buy their products, which should be well displayed on the firm’s electronic sites. The will further receive feedback from their customers via the electronic media which they will use in improving

Friday, October 18, 2019

The Ethics of living Jim Crow and Euripides Essay

The Ethics of living Jim Crow and Euripides - Essay Example They fought with weapons such as cedar poles while hiding behind trees. That war was taken a notch higher when the white boys started using broken bottles in their warfare, which resulted in Wright getting an injury on the head (Wright 289). As Wright becomes elderly, he is forced to look for a job and the only place he can get one is from white people. His whole experience of working for white people is not smooth since he comes across hostile white people. In some jobs, he is forced to leave since he is tortured and in others he adapts by applying tactics from past experiences (Wright 292). The point of this autobiography is the exemplification of the various survival skills Wright employed as a Negron in a Whiteman environment. Wright learnt how to get what he wanted from a hostile environment and people by applying tactics and strategies which he had learnt the hard way (Wright 298). Medea is a play by Euripides, and its context is based in Corinth. Medea got married to Jason after betraying his father, and they ended up getting two children. The initial stages of the play depict that Jason has changed his mind and wants to marry Creon’s daughter named Glause. At the same time, Jason has intentions of exiling his wife and two children from Corinth. Medea is to be thrown put of Corinth reason being that she is a sorcerer. Creon and Jason see Medea as someone who is clever and capable of fighting against oppression. They decide to exile her from the country, reason being, she is a sorcerer which means she is cleverer that men (Luschnig 10). The play is about Medea, a clever woman who is hated by most people around her. The play’s sole theme is on the issue of women oppression. In particular, Medea goes through injustice when Jason and Creon conspire to banish her out of the country. In the play, women are subjected to subjugation by their male counterparts. The play further shows that women are limited in terms of socializing

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 35

Case Study Example First of all, the condition of the two mothers when their children became sick has to be given the first priority i.e. were they breast-feeding their children? Could they have been infected by the disease? Where they live and what type of food they eat when breast-feeding. In addition, it would be prudent to determine the age of the children, when they became sick for instance: Did they fall sick at the same age? Consequently, various environmental factors would be taken into consideration for example: The environment of the working place; where they come from; and the people they interact with at the work place. The second step would involve undertaking scientific tests on the factors identified to determine if they could cause diseases with similar symptoms. However, specific consideration would be given to the composition of the mother’s milk and if possible compared to the laboratory results of the breast milk of the co-worker: This is only possible if the laboratory results indicating the chemical component of the co-worker’s breast milk is available. Research indicates that there is a high sense of relationship between certain diseases and industries (Handley 2001). This is mostly evident when there is one family member working in an industry or when there is an industry next to a residential place. In this regard, there would be a case for the woman in the court (Handley 2001). However, such allegations would require proper proof/ medical evidence for the woman to win. On the other hand, there are various occupational health and safety laws that are applied in industries to not only protect the lives of the workers and the environment, but also their family members (Hartnett 2008). The woman win the case in the event that the court finds out that such rules are not properly followed by the company as

Professional Identity of Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Professional Identity of Nursing - Essay Example The professional image can be recognized as the insights, feelings, beliefs, and ideas that people tend to possess regarding the nurses and the nursing. In the last ten years, it has been observed that there have been major alterations in the images of the nurses. Media has been largely responsible for creating a somewhat derogatory image (Andrew, 2012).     It will also highlight upon the impact of professional regulations and the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the protection of the public. Value of Modern Nursing In the nineteenth century, nursing was not considered as an identity as well as self-conscious occupation. Until the year 1923, one was free to describe him/herself as a nurse. A sick person was generally provided care at home by the members of the family or he/she was assisted by one or two paid workers. Nursing was regarded as a duty which was an extended part of a woman’s domestic roles (Mortimer, 2005). ... Nursing essentially involves providing care to the vulnerable, needy and weak patients. However, the works of the nurses are often taken for granted and thus they go under-compensated (Stockwell, 2010). The value of nursing is often impacted by cultural alterations and factors associated with globalization, progresses made in the fields of technology as well as medicine (Braxter & Bramfitt, 2008). These factors are crucial in offering a structured as well as evaluated view regarding what nursing is, which will lead to greater job satisfaction among the nurses, better nurse maintenance as well as improved patient care within a supportive as well as the peasant organization (Horton & et. al., 2007). It can be observed that since the mid-1970s, nursing commentators have become highly conscious of the images of the nurses with regard to professional identity by moving in the mass media, claiming the fact that nursing is distorted and poorly comprehended by producers, writers as well as v isual image makers (Horton & et. al., 2007). The modern dilemma faced by the nursing profession has been related to the gendered identity of healthcare professionals. Most of the people have the wrong perception that nurses are generally female. However, the fact is that nurses may either be male or female (NursingTimes, 2010). Social, Cultural and Political Values Physical and emotional closeness along with intimacy are considered to be values that are stimulated by modern nursing feeling in the nurse-patient relationship. They are administered through a form of knowing the patient thereby creating a feeling of proximity (Charles-Jones & et. al., 2003).  Ã‚  

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Does Free Trade Exist in Reality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Does Free Trade Exist in Reality - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that as the world rotates, the flow of trade among nations also circles around those that are involved in it. Basically, these nations engage in trade for the benefit of the economy and the establishment of alliances. The common perception of many regarding the concept of free trade based on the word itself is that it is a free form of trade and that anybody or any nation may enter any marketplace without having to deal with any complexities because certainly, it is free. This conventional idea of free trade is to some degree justifiable; however, the non-vulnerability of free trade to any complexities is something that needs a more concise explanation. Because if one will consider free trade as trade without complexities, then the entrance of illegal objects from one nation to another is possible, but if a free trade will become subject to a particular number of restrictions, then its administration becomes less complicated. According to C olton, free trade is an influential phrase. It leads many people to believe that commerce means freedom, that ports are open to all traders, and trade can be done anywhere to anyone. He further argued that these notions may seem reasonable enough with reference to the meaning of the word free, but the enchanting character of these phrases is actually misleading. Because of the true definition behind the phrase â€Å"free trade,† lies in the opposite of the obvious meaning that it expresses. Therefore, Colton justifies the idea that free trade is not inherently free; that it is subject to laws and regulations, which impedes the assumption of its being free. Rather than formulate a concise definition of free trade, scholars opted to assume that free trade has an understandable (yet vague) definition. Driesen has stated that in academic writings and in the interpreted decisions of the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GAAT), vague terms such as trade barriers and trade res trictions are being used to exemplify the things that trade must become the free form of. However, the presence of these terms still does not help in the formulation of an exact definition of free trade. It goes to show that, in spite of free trade’s long existence, its concept has remained broad and ill-defined. Baggini and Fost have taken as an example "the justice of free trade." They have stated that when it comes to providing a definition of free trade, many do consider it as trade, which is not disrupted by any local or international trade restrictions. This meaning according to some philosophers refers to a fixed definition of free trade based on the thought of the words itself; however, with this definition, many people will argue that they have a precise or more appropriate definition of the term. These arguments will eventually result in varied justifications of free trade leading to contrasting conclusions in due regard to its justice. Creating clear definitions of difficult concepts as claimed by Baggini and Fost is crucial to refrain from having further discussions with its definition. The development of a single definition of free trade is still at the stage of discussions; therefore, its definition may vary and is still unfixed. Thus, a clear definition of free trade has to be developed not based on the term itself but based on its application in the world of trade, to put an end to this confusion. Hence, it can be said that "free trade refers to" the omission "of barriers to international trade", barriers that hinder its smooth sailing entrance to the international market.

Individual business report Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Individual business report - Coursework Example In this regard, the report intends to delineate an effective business plan for Oblako to successfully establish its own independent airline service. The proposed business plan incorporates a number of effective steps and strategies that can enable the organisation to establish its sustainable position in the competitive industry. The proposed plan outlines major aims and objectives of the venture with respect to the current environment of the Ukrainian airline business industry. In order to facilitate to achieve the desired aims and objectives, the proposed plan also explores the current industry environment through the help of competitor analysis framework. Moreover, it also demonstrates an effective marketing plan along with coherent financial information that has been estimated to help in establishing long-term sustainability of Oblako Airlines in the Ukrainian aviation industry. Oblako Airlines (Oblako) has positioned itself as one of the major new players in the competitive airline industry of Ukraine. The Ukrainian airline industry is driven by a rising competitive pace as it is witnessed that there are a number of vital competitors operating in and around Ukraine which are from neighbouring countries such as Belarus, Russia, Romania, Moldova, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. The competition has raised due to the rising trend of the demographics especially their increasing income level. Therefore, it is highly essential for Oblako to execute a competitive strategy to cope with the rising pace in the Ukrainian airline industry. In terms of legal structure of the venture, it will be a partnership between two individuals wherein the risk and profit would be shared by both of them. The proposed business plan for Oblako would be highly focused on building a strong brand position with the aim of maintaining a competitive pricing strategy. Moreover, providing highest level of airline services along with improving

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Does Free Trade Exist in Reality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Does Free Trade Exist in Reality - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that as the world rotates, the flow of trade among nations also circles around those that are involved in it. Basically, these nations engage in trade for the benefit of the economy and the establishment of alliances. The common perception of many regarding the concept of free trade based on the word itself is that it is a free form of trade and that anybody or any nation may enter any marketplace without having to deal with any complexities because certainly, it is free. This conventional idea of free trade is to some degree justifiable; however, the non-vulnerability of free trade to any complexities is something that needs a more concise explanation. Because if one will consider free trade as trade without complexities, then the entrance of illegal objects from one nation to another is possible, but if a free trade will become subject to a particular number of restrictions, then its administration becomes less complicated. According to C olton, free trade is an influential phrase. It leads many people to believe that commerce means freedom, that ports are open to all traders, and trade can be done anywhere to anyone. He further argued that these notions may seem reasonable enough with reference to the meaning of the word free, but the enchanting character of these phrases is actually misleading. Because of the true definition behind the phrase â€Å"free trade,† lies in the opposite of the obvious meaning that it expresses. Therefore, Colton justifies the idea that free trade is not inherently free; that it is subject to laws and regulations, which impedes the assumption of its being free. Rather than formulate a concise definition of free trade, scholars opted to assume that free trade has an understandable (yet vague) definition. Driesen has stated that in academic writings and in the interpreted decisions of the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GAAT), vague terms such as trade barriers and trade res trictions are being used to exemplify the things that trade must become the free form of. However, the presence of these terms still does not help in the formulation of an exact definition of free trade. It goes to show that, in spite of free trade’s long existence, its concept has remained broad and ill-defined. Baggini and Fost have taken as an example "the justice of free trade." They have stated that when it comes to providing a definition of free trade, many do consider it as trade, which is not disrupted by any local or international trade restrictions. This meaning according to some philosophers refers to a fixed definition of free trade based on the thought of the words itself; however, with this definition, many people will argue that they have a precise or more appropriate definition of the term. These arguments will eventually result in varied justifications of free trade leading to contrasting conclusions in due regard to its justice. Creating clear definitions of difficult concepts as claimed by Baggini and Fost is crucial to refrain from having further discussions with its definition. The development of a single definition of free trade is still at the stage of discussions; therefore, its definition may vary and is still unfixed. Thus, a clear definition of free trade has to be developed not based on the term itself but based on its application in the world of trade, to put an end to this confusion. Hence, it can be said that "free trade refers to" the omission "of barriers to international trade", barriers that hinder its smooth sailing entrance to the international market.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Bill of Rights Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Bill of Rights - Coursework Example There is also the danger that individual rights of speech and assembly and redressal of grievances can be used by canny citizens to trouble others, for example, the encouragement of an intrusive media, and unnecessary litigation in courts of law. While such a clause may have been necessary for the security of the individual in pioneering days (this is also debatable, as these arms were often trained on the original inhabitants-the Red Indians-who have today been unjustly herded into settlements, in their own land) now, it has led to lawlessness: shooting sprees in malls and schools, for instance. Fourth: This amendment was enacted to ensure privacy as well as protection against unlawful or malicious action against citizens by the agents of the state, which may also be seen as the benefit accruing to a citizen from it. There are circumstances when exceptions to the amendment become justified for the sake of the security of the state and citizenry. These exceptions are, for example, detainment and search of a person who behaves in a suspicious manner, or searching of persons in sensitive areas like airports/ border areas. As a matter of fact, the 9/11 incident possibly happened because of adhering strictly to the spirit of this amendment, whereby travellers at airports were not checked thoroughly. The advantage to the citizen was that it was fair to him. ... Fifth: This amendment was enacted to ensure fair treatment of the individual who is charged with a crime. The advantage to the citizen was that it was fair to him. Even a citizen charged for a crime has a right to be fairly treated, especially in the event that he is wrongly charged. The disadvantage is that a canny lawyer could use the amendment to subvert the justice system. Eg, in the OJ Simpson case, the criminal case against Simpson absolved him of the murder of his wife, Nicole, while civil proceedings held him culpable! Sixth: The amendment like the fifth was enacted to prevent arbitrary treatment of an accused, and to ensure justice for all. This is an excellent provision governing the justice system, to safeguard a citizen's rights, and to ensure speedy disposal of cases. Any negative feature of this could come about not because of the amendment per se, but because of the way the system could be perverted by those seeking to take advantage of it. (eg perverting the law by canny lawyers to adhere to the letter of it minus the spirit.) Seventh: England had courts of common law, which gave legal (monetary) relief, and courts for equity which decided non-monetarily (an injunction, for instance) This amendment sought to combine both the jurisdictions. The advantage or disadvantage of the amendment depends totally on the complications involved in a case-especially where both equity and common law elements are involved. Complexity in the actual application of the amendment is inevitable, not because of anything contained within it, but because judicial disaputes are essentially complicated. Eighth: This amendment was enacted to ensure humane treatment of a crimininal, and herein lay its strong point. But a habitual

Monday, October 14, 2019

The Bible: An Eternal Canon

The Bible: An Eternal Canon When one thinks of the word Bible, it evokes images of revelation at Sinai, full of lightning and thunder, where an awestruck nation received the ten commandments. It conjures images of Isaiahs soaring prophecies, the anguish of Esther, and the courage of Daniel. However, despite the history within it, the Bible is not a history book. One who turns the pages and reads the ancient words will find promises of the rewards that await those who do good and the punishments that come in the wake of evil. The Bible is a roadmap to living life wisely; it gives advice and guidance, comforts the aggrieved and inspires the crestfallen. It illuminates events and helps place them in perspective. It is not an old storybook and not just a book of law but rather a compilation of the periods and people whose actions hold relevant lessons to be learned, even thousands of years later. When they compiled and finalized which books would be included in the biblical canon, it was understood by the ancient Jewish authorities that it was to be a guide for generations on how to live life. A central part of Judaism is the study of Torah in order to learn and adhere to the laws and way of life that is expected by God, as it says in the book of Joshua this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success[1], meaning that one who studied the Bible would glean from it what the correct thing to do in their own life was and therefore, would find success. As such, while there were likely other books written, and certainly there were many other prophets and prophecies experienced, before the redaction of the biblical canon began, not everything was worthy of eternal inclusion. A crite rion for inclusion was that each book chosen by the ancient Jewish authorities was a selection which provided teachings, be they ethical or moral, that would be applicable and relevant for all future generations, regardless of time and place. If the Jewish authorities did not feel that it would still be relevant to be studied by future generations, regardless of how interesting it may have been, they did not include it. The biblical canon is meant to shape people. It is logical to believe that the Creator of the Universe provided man with a code of conduct, as it says God insist[s] that His worshippers live up to strict standards of ethics and morality[2]. God, through His actions, displayed the moral and ethical path that one should strive to emulate. When the ancient Jewish authorities compiled the biblical canon, it was clear that they were including the books that presented examples of upright and holy behaviour that future generations should strive to emulate. The biblical canon also endeavours to bring people who read its ancient pages closer to God. The books included in the biblical canon were selected with the intention that these timeless words would have an impact on all future generations and would still create a framework for a relationship with God, even thousands of years later. Another of the criteria for being included in the bible was that the works be composed during the era of prophetic revelation; that is, no later than the time of the building of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the returned exiles from Babylonia[3]. Books and prophecies that emerged after this cut-off date were not included in the biblical canon. It is for this reason that the Books of the Maccabees were not considered for biblical inclusion, since they were written after the period of prophetic revelation had ended. An opinion as to why this was the cut-off date for inclusions is that it was believed that no addition would be on the holy level of the books originally included in the bible. This is because the era of divine prophecy had concluded. There was also a feeling of being post-biblical Jews, meaning they felt that no matter how good a proposed new book for the Bible was, it did not matter since the Bible was closed for new additions. However, there is evidence that as late as the second century CE there was an ongoing debate occurring regarding certain books that had originally been included in the biblical canon that some rabbis believed should be removed. This debate is displayed in a Mishnah where the books Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs are discussed with the concept of ones hands becoming impure following contact with these holy books.[4] A difficult concept to understand, the essence of the idea is that if holy books make ones hands impure, they would be handled more delicately, and the very few hand-written copies in circulation at the time would be protected from too much use. An additional explanation for this idea, is that there was holy bread that people would place next to the holy books, thinking that since both were considered holy it was an appropriate thing to do. However, it was found that rodents nibbling on the food would also gnaw on the scrolls, thereby damaging them. Therefore, the rule was put in place to prevent damage to the books. The debate regarding this rule with respect to Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs in this Mishnah is whether the two books mentioned render ones hands impure, meaning are they considered holy like the other books that compile the biblical canon. The Mishnah brings several differing opinions on the subject, and it is clear that while both books remain in the Biblical Canon and are considered holy like all the others, there was, at some point, a debate about whether they should have continued to be included. It is evident that the ancient Jewish authorities recognized the centrality of the biblical canon to Judaism and took the task of compiling which books were appropriate for inclusion very seriously. Working with an understanding that the collection of books they were putting together would be studied intimately and thoroughly for thousands of years, they made the decision that only those books whose stories had applicable lessons for future generations would be included. Potential volumes that told of times where no lasting life instruction could be gleaned were dismissed. Materials that did not help to further ones relationship with God were also dismissed, since a key component of the biblical canon is to bring individuals closer to God as well as to teach individuals what God expects from them, ethically and morally, through Gods actions in the bible. A final criterion for inclusion in the biblical canon was the time in which an event happened. If the book was written after the er a of revelation had stopped, it was automatically disregarded since the biblical canon was closed to new additions that were not divinely inspired. The ancient Jewish authorities and their rabbinic heirs did not subscribe to the New Testament or the Koran because they did not agree with the belief that those books were of divine inspiration. Thus, their criteria for inclusion was intended as a protection against future man-made and human-inspired works that potentially negated or contradicted the precepts of the Torah. In sum, the ancient Jewish authorities were aware of the tremendous responsibility of compiling a canon of books that would be relevant for future generations and would hold strong the ideal of emulating Gods ways with fealty and steadfast allegiance. With that in mind, they established detailed criteria to follow to ensure that even thousands of years later, an individual could open these books to look in the creased pages of time to reveal eternal knowledge and wisdom of how one can transform their experience of life today. References Segal, Eliezer. Introducing Judaism. Vol. 4. Routledge, 2009 [1] Joshua 1:8 Bible RSV [2]Segal, Eliezer. Introducing Judaism. Vol. 4. Routledge, 2009, 147. [3] Ibid. 15 [4] Mishnah Yadayim 3:5

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Earth Faces a Sixth Mass Extinction Essay -- Exploratory Essays Resear

Earth Faces a Sixth Mass Extinction Scientists in Great Britain have been studying the distribution of birds, butterflies and plants for the past 40 years and the results from these studies suggest that the Earth is heading towards another mass extinction, and this one may have its roots in human activity. Within the four billion years that Earth has been around, it has already experienced five mass extinctions. The most recent, and most well known occurred 65 million years ago and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. While that my have been caused by a meteor colliding with the earth, if scientists are correct, our actions, both past and present, are harming many species of organisms and we may even be causing our own demise. The ongoing studies in Great Britain covered the biodiversity (that is the amount of species of an organism within a given area) and the amount of land the plants, birds, and butterflies each occupied. It covered 1254 species of plants studied from 1954 to 1960 and again from 1987 to 1999, 201 bird species studied between 1968 and 1971 and again from 1988 to 1989, and 58 butterfly species studied between 1970 and 1982 and again between 1995 and 1999 (Thomas et al. 2004). Before this study there was only speculation into the possible population decline of insects. Since they are so abundant it had been hard to get any grasp on their actual number or the effect humans were having on them (Pennisi 2004). Over the time they were studied 3.4% of the species of butterflies went extinct compared to only .4% of the plant species. None of the species of birds that were studied went extinct during the time of the research. The extinctions that occurred were evenly spread throughout Great... ...xtinction just yet, a short period of time from a geological point of view can be hundreds of thousands of years. References Ananthaswamy, Anil. â€Å"Earth faces sixth mass extinction† NewScientist.com News Service. March 18, 2004 http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994797 Pennisi, Elizabeth. 2004 â€Å"Naturalists' Surveys Show That British Butterflies Are Going, Going ...† Science v. 303, p. 1747 Recer, Paul. â€Å"Humans blamed for march toward 6th mass extinction† Star Ledger Online. March 19, 2004 http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1079682723291630.xml Rincon, Paul. â€Å"UK wildlife 'heading into crisis'† BBC News Online. March 18, 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3520372.stm Thomas, J. A. et al., 2004 â€Å"Comparative Losses of British Butterflies, Birds, and Plants and the Global Extinction Crisis† Science v. 303, p. 1879

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Is anything really being done? :: Essays Papers

Is anything really being done? In April 2001, Timothy Thomas, age 19, was shot and killed by Cincinnati Police Officer, Stephen Roach. Thomas ran from the officer while Roach was trying to arrest him for violations that were brought against him in the past. Timothy Thomas was wanted for 14 various minor misdemeanors for driving without a driver’s license and two of those misdemeanors were for not wearing a seat belt. However, Roach had said that his life was in danger that dark April night, when Thomas ran to the threatening alley, so Officer Roach’s instincts told him to shoot the gun. Riots broke out and â€Å"Mayor Charlie Luken declares a state of emergency† (Goetz). This led to countless arrest among many young citizens of Cincinnati. â€Å"Small groups of vandals roamed several neighborhoods†¦ breaking windows, looting stores and assaulting at least one white motorist who was dragged from her car, police said† (The Associated Press). The Enquirer states, â€Å"Protest er’s overturn planters and hot dog stands† as well (Goetz). This vandalism persisted for three days and it was getting out of hand so there was a â€Å"citywide curfew beginning at 8 p.m† (Goetz). The curfews ended in four nights. Mayor Charlie Luken said, â€Å"We may call in the National Guard to help quell the violent protest† (The Associated Press). Thomas’ mother spoke out in grief; however, she did not want this conflict between the city to continue. Nonetheless, since the April riots, the community has not been the same for Cincinnati. Everything is a race issue, for African Americans, they feel things aren’t going their way. As for Whites, they feel everything is now going the African Americans way. However, Mayor Charlie Luken is creating ideas to get this city back on its feet. Things are being done to help Cincinnati. Since these out breaks have happened in Cincinnati in April, many citizens are scared to go downtown. One woman said, â€Å"One of the most unusual effects of the discord was that it kept on going, seemingly without end† (Enquirer). Another youth says that he was â€Å"effected by all of the riots, curfews, the disruption on the businesses, effects on race relations, and has heard all kinds of reactions† (Kuley).

Friday, October 11, 2019

Eugene Onegin Comparison

Eugene Onegin The transformation from a novel in verse to an opera Although written in the early 1800s, Eugene Onegin, a novel in verse written by Alexander Pushkin, is still regarded as one of the most influential and beautifully written pieces of work to this day. As it shifted cultural norms, opened new discussions, gave way to new forms of writing, and introduced novel approaches that envisioned life in a different light, Eugene Onegin was revolutionary.With its central theme revolving around the conflict between dreams and reality, the novel in verse caught the attention of readers all over the world, with over thirteen translations written. As well, other artists have adapted the work and interpreted it through their own art forms, including a ballet by John Cranko in 1965, and the famous opera by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, which opened in 1879.Tchaikovsky’s interpretation in particular gathered much success and worldwide recognition, arguably more than that of Pushkinâ⠂¬â„¢s novel. While the characters and the storyline are mainly preserved, Pushkin’s main characters – Lensky, Onegin, and Tatyana – become more multi-dimensional and relatable in Tchaikovsky’s opera. Because he was an artist in the romanticism era, Tchaikovsky adds his own inspiration to the novel when changing it to an opera, creating many noticeable distinctions between the two.Compared to the novel in verse, the operatic version of Eugene Onegin has various deviations due to Tchaikovsky’s romanticism and character bias, which include changes in the duel scene, the increased favouritism of certain characters by Tchaikovsky, and the absence of a narrator. Throughout the course of Pushkin’s novel in verse, there are four main parts of the storyline that grab the attention of the reader and create the plot. One of the four scenes is a duel between Onegin and his best friend Vladimir Lensky, after Lensky caught Onegin flirting shamelessly wit h his fiancee.This scene was considerably altered between both artworks, as there was a very strong difference in the portrayal of Onegin’s guilt in the novel and in the opera. In Pushkin’s novel Onegin is very remorseful and heartbroken after killing his best friend. The narrator notes: Deluged with instant cold, Onegin hastens to the youth, Looks, calls him†¦ vainly: He is no more. The youthful bard Has met with an untimely end! †¦ In the ache of the heart’s remorse, His hand squeezing the pistol, At Lensky Eugene looks. â€Å"well, what – he’s dead,† pronounced the neighbor [Zaretsky] Dead!†¦With this dreadful interjection Smitten, Onegin with a shudder Walks hence and calls his men. In this piece, it is evident that Onegin is deeply conflicted with the crime he had committed. Dealing with the death of his friend, Onegin leaves town to find peace of mind. In the opera, however, Tchaikovsky leaves little time for Onegin†™s mourning. In the novel, Zaretsky, a friend of Lensky who attended the duel, is the first to speak after the fight finishes. Contrary to the novel, instead of Zaretsky being the first to speak of the death, it is Onegin who brusquely asks â€Å"Is he dead? In most stagings of this opera, Onegin simply walks to Lenksy’s body as if to double-check his passing. As scholar Julia Torgovitskaya states, â€Å"Because in an opera it would be difficult to convey a considerable length of time passing [i. e. for Onegin to mourn Lensky’s death], Tchaikovsky allows the scene to end right after Lensky has fallen. † The result of this change of scene from the novel to the opera is highly profound. In Pushkin’s story, readers are able to sympathize with Onegin in understanding his regret.Readers turn to Onegin and Tatyana’s communion as the happy ending they yearn for in the face of Lenksy’s tragic death. In the opera, on the other hand, the audience b egins to demonize Onegin, and there is a negative incline and desire for Onegin and Tatyana to be together. This single scene, being different between the two art forms, changes the entire mood of the story and the attitudes the audience would have towards its characters. The changes of certain scenes also come from Tchaikovsky’s bias towards specific characters, which result in a different presentation of their personalities on stage.Tchaikovsky, being an advocate of romanticism, presents the characters of Tatyana and Lensky in a more compassionate and sensitive manner. The opera differs from the novel as certain characters are viewed in a much stronger light, and their prominence has shifted. For instance, the character of Tatyana, a young, shy but passionate woman, was highly recognized and loved by Tchaikovsky. Due to this, the letter scene, where Tatyana spends an entire night writing and confessing her love for Onegin, was more emphasized and intimate, leaving the audie nce touched by Tatyana’s courageousness.With the addition of music, this scene was the longest and most complex solo section of the opera, further establishing the deep bond Tchaikovsky had for the character of Tatyana. After working on the writing of the letter scene, Tchaikovsky wrote â€Å"Being completely immersed in composition, I so thoroughly identified myself with the image of Tatyana that she became for me like a living person, together with everything that surrounded her. I loved Tatyana, and was furiously indignant with Onegin who seemed to me a cold, heartless fop. † With this magnetism, there was a shift in directive depiction between the main characters.It is important to note that in this opera, much of Pushkin’s text is cut out due to length (for it takes longer to sing a verse than utter written words or phrases), but the scenes with Tatyana and Lensky remained largely unchanged. For example, the night before the duel, Lensky writes to his wife a love letter pouring his heart out, knowing he is to die the next day. In the opera, Tchaikovsky has Lensky sing the contents of this letter in a heartfelt aria. Although it is very moving and beautiful, it is very far from Pushkin’s character of Lensky.In Pushkin’s work, instead of praising Lensky for his poetic nature and optimism, the narrator indicates that his romantic idealism stands as the result of his lack of world experience and naivete: He did his best to hold back the cynical comments that came to his lips, reflecting to himself, ‘It’s stupid for me to spoil his momentary bliss – it’ll vanish soon enough without my help. Meanwhile let him live on the belief that the world’s a perfect place. Youth is a kind of fever, and we must forgive the young their fire and their delirium.Although the narrator in Pushkin’s novel ridiculed this youthful euphoria, Tchaikovsky encourages and emphasizes the tenderness radiating from Lenksy. Thus, there is a considerable amount of romanticism added to both plot and character in Tchaikovsky’s opera in comparison to Pushkin’s novel. Finally, the most controversial deviation of the opera from the novel in verse is the absence of a narrator. This results in a critical difference between the two art forms, as the narrator’s input, digressions and lessons are not present in the opera, thereby changing the story’s defining attributes.In the novel, the narrator serves many roles, one being a voice of sarcasm and ridicule towards the characters, showing them the irony in which they live their lives. When reading the novel, readers were unsure of whether to be sympathetic to some characters, for it was possible that the narrator would interrupt with sarcasm or mockery revealing that the characters were undeserving of compassion. In the opera, the role of the narrator is removed, resulting in a more straightforward version of Pushkin’s ta le, where the characters clearly either deserve sympathy in their troubles or do not.In the novel, there was no need for characters to introduce themselves, due to the presence of a narrator, but in the opera, there are characters that have to introduce themselves to the audience. This happens, for instance, in the dueling scene (scene 5) where Zaretsky introduces himself: I am a pedant where the class duel is concerned, And I am naturally methodical. I do not allow a man to be stretched out Any old way†¦ In this scene, Zaretsky has to speak of himself to Onegin before the duel, explaining who he is and why he is there.This is completely different from the novel, where the narrator explains everything without awkward dialogue: Zaretsky, once a reprobate, Gambler-in-chief, an intimate And sage of inns, a philanderer; Kind and sober, now, instead, Father of many, still unwed†¦ Many scholars, such as Richard Taruskin, argue that in this opera, â€Å"the music, quite simply, is the narrator. From the very first sung notes†¦ the music acts as a very busy and detached mediator of situations and feelings. † This can be seen through the different musical pieces that play for each character, which in turn contribute to the audience’s interpretation of the character.For instance, Tatyana received the most colourful and lyrically driven music, while Onegin sings less memorable lines with simpler orchestral accompaniment. Although, one should note that the musical accompaniment of the characters’ actions are also biased, as the music that plays is the music that reflects how Tchaikovsky views them. Tchaikovsky, in one way, creates a new narrator by deciding how the characters will appeal to the audience, using music as his tool. For example, Tchaikovsky views Onegin as incapable of having genuine feelings, and so the music attributed to him is less inspired than that attributed to Lensky.In addition, the narrator in Pushkin’s nov el constantly interrupts the progression of the novel, which creates a storyline where two things occur simultaneously. In the opera this effect is achieved in a less destructive manner, because as novelists must arrange things in a sequential order, â€Å"musicians can simultaneously present and comment without recourse to digression. † When an event or conversation is happening on its own, it can be accompanied by music that tells a different story; consequently, two conversations can take place at the same time.The music plays, in this way, a role similar to a narrator, as it feeds information to the reader as events unfold, and gives insight on the situations through melodic remedies. Therefore, in the transition from novel in verse to opera, Tchaikovsky dropped the character of the narrator, and used music as a tool of explaining the story. In conclusion, the conversion of Eugene Onegin from a novel in verse to an opera includes many various deviations from the overall p lot and character emphasis in the story. With Tchaikovsky’s affinity and bond with the characters of Tatyana and Lensky, he portrays Onegin as demonic and insignificant.With this affinity, he manipulates the original storyline with romanticism to fool the audience into sympathizing with Tatyana and Lensky, whereas Pushkin’s narrator is notorious for ridiculed them. Furthermore, Tchaikovsky takes advantage of the absence of a narrator, and uses music’s capacity for emotional influence to further implement his bias for Tatyana, Lensky and Onegin. The narrator in Pushkin’s novel serves as a source of information to provide the readers with context concerning the setting, characters and story line where as Tchaikovsky uses character dialogue to provide such information.Overall the changes between Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin and Tchaikovsky’s operatic telling of the story were controversial but allowed for two different expressions of the same story. These deviations can be attributed to Tchaikovsky’s affinity for romanticism and his preference for Tatyanna and Lensky in comparison to his strong dislike for Onegin. Nevertheless, both versions of Eugene Onegin are still regarded as powerful pieces of artwork. Despite their differences, however, both tales leaves their audiences craving for answers to their questions: what happens next? Bibliography Brown, David.Tchaikovsky, The Crisis Years, W. W Norton; New York and London, 1983 Debreczeny, Paul. Social Functions of Literature: Alexander Pushkin and Russian Culture. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1997. Doran, Molly. The Transformation of Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin into Tchaikovsky’s Opera. Bowling Green State University, Ohio. 2012. Eugene Onegin. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. 2013. < http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Eugene_Onegin>. Pushkin, Alexandr. Translated by Vladimir Nabokov. Eugene Onegin. Princeton University Press: Princeton, 1990. Pushkin , Alexandr. Translated by A. S. Kline. Eugene Onegin. 2009.Pushkin, Alexandr. Eugene Onegin & Other Stories, Wordsworth Editions Limited; London, 2005 Taruskin, Richard. Defining Russia Musically. Princeton University Press: Princeton, 1997. Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyitch. Eugene Onegin in full score. Dover Publications, Inc. : New York, 1997. Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyitch. Eugene Onegin. Decca Recording with Royal Opera House; Coven Garen. Torgovitskaya, Julia. Eugene Onegin’s Journey Through Time: An Analysis of the Meanin and Effect of Major Themes in Pushkin’s Novel In Verse, Tchaikovsky’s Opera, and Other Adaptations of the Work and Their Relevance to Today’s World.Tuft’s University. 2009. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Torgovitskaya, Julia. Eugene Onegin’s Journey Through Time; Tufts University, 2009, page 5 [ 2 ]. Pushkin, Alexandr. Eugene Onegin & Other Stories, Wordsworth Editions Limited; London, 2005, page XXXVI [ 3 ]. Torgovitskaya, Julia. Eugene Onegin’s Journey Through Time; Tufts University, 2009, page 5 [ 4 ]. Pushkin, Alexandr. Translated by Vladimir Nabokov. Eugene Onegin, 241, [Chapter 6, Part XXXI]. [ 5 ]. Pushkin, Alexandr. Translated by Vladimir Nabokov. Eugene Onegin. 43. [Chapter 6, Part XXXV]. [ 6 ]. Torgovitskaya, J. Eugene Onegin’s Journey Through Time; Tufts University, 2009, page 27 [ 7 ]. Doran, Molly. The Transformation of Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin into Tchaikovsky’s Opera, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, 2012, page 23 [ 8 ]. Doran, Molly. The Transformation of Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin into Tchaikovsky’s Opera, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, 2012, page 43 [ 9 ]. Quoted in David Brown, Tchaikovsky, The Crisis Years, W. W Norton; New York and London, 1983, 143 [ 10 ]. Torgovitskaya, Julia.Eugene Onegin’s Journey Through Time; Tufts University, 2009, page 24 [ 11 ]. Pushkin, Alexandr. Eugene Onegin & Other Stories, Wordsworth Editions Limited; London, 2005, page 25(10-15) [ 12 ]. Tchaikovsky, P. Decca recording of Eugene Onegin, Royal Opera House, Coven Garden, scene 5 [ 13 ]. Pushkin, Alexandr. Eugene Onegin, translated by A. S. Kline, 2009, 128 [Chapter 6, stanza 4] [ 14 ]. Taruskin, Richard. Defining Russia Musically, Princeton University Press; Princeton, 1997, 53-54 [ 15 ]. Taruskin, Richard. Defining Russia Musically, Princeton University Press; Princeton, 1997, 54

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Darwinian Theory and the ‘Life of Pi’ Essay

Darwinian Theory may be used to explain Yann Martel’s novel ‘Life of Pi. ’ While the novel is an aesthetic portrayal of spirituality, purity, and practicality, it is nonetheless not immune to the issues of scientific validity, materiality, and determinism. In this paper, the author will explore the relationship of Darwinian Theory with the core concepts in the novel. These core concepts are, in general, assumed to be in conflict with the principles of Darwinian Theory. However, this assumption may be relaxed as the author sees fit. Novel Summary Piscine ‘Pi’ Molitor Patel lives in Pondicherry, India – a boy described as ‘curious, jolly, and deep-seated with learning. ’ His father is the owner of the Pondicherry Zoo. His mother is an avid reader of various literary works. Much of the protagonist’s learning experience came from school. Hi school is filled with amazing teachers – many of whom became personal mentors of Pi. Although he grew up as a Hindu, he discovered the Catholic faith at the age of 14 from a priest named Father Martin. However, upon meeting Mr. Kumar, a Muslim, he changes his religious orientation by practicing Islam. Pi openly defies the custom of religious conservatism by advocating liberalism in worship – he regards Catholicism, Islam, and Hinduism as legitimate religions. At the age of 16, Pi’s father decides to abandon Prime Minister’s Gandhi due to some political and ethical issues. The family is forced to move to Toronto, Canada. The animals in the zoo are dispersed to various zoos in the United States. On their way to Canada, the boat unexpectedly sinks. Only Pi survives – stuck with a dying hyena and a zebra. While struggling in the shark-infested water, he saves Richard Parker, a Bengal tiger. In the boat, predatory animals prey on herbivores and the carcasses of dead animals. For seven months, Pi hides on a raft behind the boat. He is able to tame Parker using a whistle. Parker seems to develop affection with Pi – Parker becomes the close partner of Pi. While at sea, Pi learns to eat from the sea. However, because the nutrition derived from the sea is insufficient to feed the two, both Pi and Parker become ill. As the health of both Pi and Parker deteriorate, the former loses his sight. Then, they come across another blind man – a person stranded in his lifeboat on the Pacific. The blind man intends to kill and eat Pi. However, the tiger (Parker) attacks and eats the blind man. Pi, however, sheds tears for the blind man, clearing his sight as a consequence. For a long period of time, the two suffered from the scourges of the seas. Then, they come across an island made of algae and populated with the so-called Meerkats. Pi begins to eat algae and gradually regains his strength. Parker also regains his strength by eating Meerkats. For several weeks both Pi and Parker live on the island. Both are very happy and almost optimistic of life. Eventually, Pi finds several sets of corroded human teeth wrapped in tree leaves. Pi is horrified. Pi realizes that during the night the algae become acidic. The island becomes carnivorous – one indicator of which is the sleeping habit of the Meerkats. Meerkats sleep at night to avoid danger. His discovery sends shivers on his body – a feeling of hopelessness and despair run in his mind. The next day, he leaves the island with Parker. After spending so much time in the ocean, Pi finally lands in Mexico. Parker runs off into the woods. Pi is eventually recovered by villagers who immediately take him to a nearby hospital. The shipping company which owned the ship interviewed Pi. Pi narrates his story to the representatives of the company – his 227-day journey on the boat and the fantastic tales of his experiences with Parker, the Bengal tiger, and of course, the ‘dangerous’ island. The representatives of the company do not believe Pi’s story and therefore ask Pi to relate another story. Pi narrates a second story. In the story, the cook of the boat kills both his mother and a sailor with a broken leg. Pi kills the cook. The company representatives realize that Pi’s second story parallels the first. Pi asks the representatives which story they like the most. The representatives agree they like the first story and the one they will use in their report. Darwinian Theory in the Novel In the first part of the novel, Darwinian Theory seems to be contradictory with the core concepts of the story. The story advocates the concepts of spirituality, freedom of conscience, purity, and spiritual origin of humanity as the main determinants of man’s journey in life. In the beginning, Pi’s life is governed by these principles, as evident by his deep-seated commitment to the precepts of spiritual living. Pi believes that the future of humanity depends on man’s commitment to his spiritual origin. Humanity is above materialism, prejudice, and the natural laws of selection, adaptation, and struggle. Hence, humanity is defined not by the peculiarities of deterministic living but by choice and freedom. If one uses Darwinian Theory, one can clearly see the contradictions. Darwinian Theory suggests: We have seen that man incessantly presents individual differences in all parts of his body and in his mental faculties. These differences or variations seem to be induced by the same general causes, and to obey the same laws as with the lower animals. In both cases similar laws of inheritance prevail. Man tends to increase at a greater rate than his means of subsistence; consequently he is occasionally subjected to a severe struggle for existence, and natural selection will have effected whatever lies within its scope (On the Origin of Species, 147). In short, the future of humanity is governed by the principles of struggle, variation, and adaptation. To deny the material origin of man is to deny his nature. The peculiarities of man’s existence, is therefore, clouded by lies which perpetuate in the human psyche. Darwinian Theory presents man in the most material form – man originated from lower forms through a perpetually long periods of time. In his book ‘The Descent of Man,’ Darwin clearly defined the nature of man. According to Darwin, man is an ubiquitous species selected by nature to perpetuate in the world. His main tool for survival is knowledge or technological advancement. However, this ‘advantage’ is not a departure from natural selection, struggle, or adaptation. Rather, it is part of nature – ungoverned by either choice or freedom – and subservient to the logic of evolution. In short, man is related to other species in one way or another. In the novel, Pi’s ingenuous anticipation of problems and its eventual resolution are presented as natural and instinctual. With this, one is forced to refer again to Darwin’s assertion which states: He who is not content to look, like a savage, at the phenomena of nature as disconnected, cannot any longer believe that man is the work of a separate act of creation. He will be forced to admit that the close resemblance of the embryo of man to that, for instance, of a dog- the construction of his skull, limbs and whole frame on the same plan with that of other mammals, independently of the uses to which the parts may be put- the occasional re-appearance of various structures, for instance of several muscles, which man does not normally possess, but which are common to the Quadrumana- and a crowd of analogous facts- all point in the plainest manner to the conclusion that man is the co-descendant with other mammals of a common progenitor (The Descent of Man, 74). Darwinian Theory begins to manifest itself in the second part of the novel. Pi’s struggles in the boat present three concrete principles of Darwinism: struggle, adaptation, and competition. Pi’s struggles are generally linked with the actions of other forms of living organisms – the zebras, hyena, the snake, and the orangutan. The boat represents a small world where the laws of Darwinism govern everything. According to Darwin, it is impossible for a human being to be separated from the discretion of nature, from the actions of other organisms, and the vagrant reality of materialism (On the Origin of Species, 59). The formal rule of human existence is no more different from the formal rule which governs nature. According to Darwin, struggle is the formal rule of existence: As the missletoe is disseminated by birds, its existence depends on birds; and it may metaphorically be said to struggle with other fruit-bearing plants, in order to tempt birds to devour and disseminate its seeds rather than those of other plants. In these several sense, which pass into each other, I use for convenience sake the general term of struggle for existence. A struggle for existence inevitably follows from the high rate at which organic beings tend to increase †¦ for only struggle can ensure the survival of every living organism (On the Origin of Species, 32-33). In short, Pi’s struggles in the boat are not an isolated form of adaptation but a real manifestation of the laws of nature (which Darwin established in his book ‘On the Origin of Species’). Natural selection is likewise manifested in Pi’s adventures in the island. The sleeping habit of the Meerkats is congruent with the environment of the island. Note that during nighttime, the island becomes ‘carnivorous’ and the algae turns into a colony of acidic organisms. In order for the Meerkats to thrive in the island, they must adapt to their environment. Their adaptation will serve as a medium for natural selection – a species capable of reproducing. As Darwin noted: But in the case of an island, or of a country partly surrounded by barriers, into which new and better adapted forms could not freely enter, we should then have places in the economy of nature which would assuredly be better filled up, if some of the original inhabitants were in some manner modified; for, had the area been open to immigration, these same places would have been seized on by intruders. In such case, every slight modification, which in the course of ages chanced to arise, and which in any way favoured the individuals of any of the species, by better adapting them to their altered conditions, would tend to be preserved; and natural selection would thus have free scope for the work of improvement (On the Origin of Species, 42). Note the similarity of Darwin’s assertions to the plot of the story. The propensity of survival depends first and foremost on the ability of organisms to adapt to their environment. Adaptation serves as a medium for natural selection (as in the case of the Meerkats in the novel). Conclusion The novel can be analyzed through the lens of Darwinism. It is clear that the novel contains elements of Darwinism. However, one should note that this form of interpretation is neither deterministic nor perpetual. Other types of interpretation may be used to analyze the novel (such as realism, deconstructionism, structuralism, etc. ) Works Cited Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species. London: London Publishing House, 1870/1992. Darwin, Charles. The Descent of Man. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, 1882/2001. Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2001.