CALL Use in the ESL/EFL Classroom

There has been much debate over the use of computer assisted language learning (CALL) in the ESL/EFL classroom over the past decade. As you are reading this feature via the Internet (and I am writing this using a computer), I will assume that you feel that CALL is useful to your teaching and/or learning experience. There are many uses of the computer in the classroom. As a teacher, I find that CALL can be successfully employed not only for grammar practice and correction, but also for communicative activities. As most of you are familiar with the programs that offer help with grammar, I would like to focus on the use of CALL for communicative activities. Successful communication learning is dependent on the students desire to participate. Im sure most teachers are familiar with students who complain about poor speaking and communication skills, who, however, when asked to communicate, are often reluctant to do so. In my opinion, this lack of participation is often caused by the artificial nature of the classroom. When asked to communicate about various situations, students should also be involved in the actual situation. Decision making, asking for advice, agreeing and disagreeing, and compromising with fellow students are all tasks that cry out for authentic settings. It is in these settings that I feel CALL can be used to great advantage. By using the computer as a tool to create student projects, research information and provide context, teachers can employ the computer to help students become more involved in the task at hand, thereby facilitating the necessity of effective communication within a group setting. Exercise 1: Focus on Passive Voice Generally, students coming from around the world are more than happy to speak about their native country. Obviously, when speaking about a country (city, state etc.) the passive voice is required. I have found the following activity using the computer to be of great assistance in helping students focus on the correct use of the passive voice for communication and reading and writing skills. Inductively review the passive structures in class (or introduce the passive structures)Provide a text example, focusing on a specific location, that includes many passive voice structuresHave students read through the textAs a follow-up, have students separate passive voice and active voice examplesUsing a program such as Microsoft Encarta or any other multimedia encyclopedia, (or the Internet) have students working in small groups find information about their own nation (or any city, state etc.)Based on the information they have found, students then write a short report together at the computer (using a spell check, communicating about formatting etc.)Students then report back to the class presenting their report created at the computer This exercise is a perfect example of involving students in an authentic activity that focuses on communication skills while at the same time including a grammar focus, and uses the computer as a tool. Students have fun together, communicate in English and are proud of the results they achieve - all ingredients for successful inductive learning of the passive voice in a communicative manner. Exercise 2: Strategy Games For younger learners of English, strategy games can be one of the most effective ways to get students to communicate, agree and disagree, ask for opinions and generally use their English in an authentic setting. Students are asked to focus on the successful completion of a task such as solving riddles (Myst, Riven) and developing strategies (SIM City). Choose a strategy game such as a SIM or mysteryHave students divide into teamsCreate a specific task in the game itself, such as the completion of a certain level, the creation of a certain type of environment, the solving of a specific riddle. This is important for providing a framework and specific language needs/goals for a common ground in the classroom.Have students complete the task.Have students come together in the classroom and compare strategies. Once again, students who find it difficult to participate in a classroom setting (Describe your favorite holiday? Where did you go? What did you do? etc.) generally become involved. The focus is not on their completing a task which can be judged as correct or incorrect, but rather on the enjoyable atmosphere of teamwork which a computer strategy game provides.

The Decline Of The Industrial Revolution - 1554 Words

The industrial revolution is a rapid development of industry that happened in Britain in the late 18th and 19th centuries. It was characterized by the development of machinery, the growth of factories and the large production of manufactured goods. Between the end of the Civil War and the early twentieth century, the United States experienced one of the most significant economic technologies from Britain to the United States and founded the first U.S cotton mill in Beverly, Massachusetts. In addition, Federal government actively promoted to industrial and agricultural development. Consequently, rapid growth of factory production, mining and railroad construction was the outcome of the economic growth. America’s economy grew so fast that it†¦show more content†¦The workers labored 10 to 12 hours per day or 60 to 72 hours per week without pensions, compensation for injuries and protections against unemployment. American workers experienced dangerous working conditions. The work environment was not safe and each year many workers died because of factory and mine accidents. In addition, workers felt alienated and not a part of what was going on in the workplace. In response of changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution workers organized strikes and unions. In 1877, workers organized â€Å"Great Upheaval† railroad Strike because the company had reduced workers’ wages twice over the previous year. The strikers stopped rail traffic until the most recent pay cut was returned to the employees. Haymarket Affair was another strike which took place in 1886 in support of the 8-hour workday. On May 1, 350,000 native-born and immigrant workers gathered together to fight for their working conditions. The day became significant as an international Workers’ day. In 1892, the â€Å"Homestead Lockout† strike occurred between the Carnegie steel company many of its workers for the right to keep the steel Union alive. Also in 1894, workers of Pullman town where railroad cars were manufacturing organize a strike known as â€Å"Pullman Railroad Strike† to protest a reduction of wages for 28%. Workers also organized unions, such as Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor, and IndustrialShow MoreRelatedThe Decline Of The Industrial Revolution1646 Words   |  7 Pageschanged the way americans lived their day to day life.All of these revolutionary changes that impacted millions of people s lives are thanks to the industrial revolution. This enormous movement known as the industrial revolution first started out in Great Britain later on spreading to the western world in the following decade. The Industrial revolution is considered a great change in human history due to the many positives it has brung to the western society in particular. For example these changesRead MoreThe Decline Of The Industrial Revolution1462 Words   |  6 Pagesbeing due to Britain s culture, institutions or just luck. This essay will argue for the abundance of cheap coal and a ready workforce and industrial capitalism as major factors in the industrial revolution. The industrial revolutio n was characterised by a slow and steady continuous economic growth which has begun in the 15th century. The industrial revolution did not see a sudden rise in Britain s GDP, in fact there were large growths in only some sectors, but it was a period marked by profoundRead MoreThe Decline Of The Industrial Revolution971 Words   |  4 Pagesthings independently had no effect on the world but when all these things occur at the same time together simultaneously its influence is so strong that it changed the world and shaped in to the greatest impactful time in all of history, the Industrial Revolution. Britain started to see a huge increase in population progression throughout the years of 1750 to 1850 going from a population of roughly six mullion to twenty million individuals.(Judge 610) This population upsurge caused Britain to improveRead MoreThe Decline Of The Industrial Revolution Essay2234 Words   |  9 PagesDuring the end of the eighteenth century a revolution unlike any seen by American swept America introducing the civilization to modern machinery and transition to a new manufacturing process. The Industrial Revolution is a â€Å"name given to movement in which machines changed people’s way of life as well as their methods.† The origin of the movement started from The Great Britain which affected the entire manufacturing process and life of American. The revolution did not only bring changes to manufacturingRead MoreEffects of the Industrial Revolution on Slavery Essays957 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of the Industrial Revolution on Slavery The Industrial Revolution started in Britain, where population was sky rocketing and demand for goods was increasing. This higher demand forced innovators and scientists to invent machines that would make production much faster than their old ways. Before the push for new technology, goods were being produced through the putting-out system: one where a manufacturer would make part of the product, send it out for someone to finish it, then put it onRead MoreThe Difference Of Interpretation On Coal Industry865 Words   |  4 Pagesgreat era could bring the honor of history for people. Especially for the industrial past, it is easier to motivate the nostalgic impulse. In Britain, coal resource not only influenced the development of industry and technology, but also improved people’s daily life and their working life in the past. According to research the history of Britain, there are three vital periods about coal industry including industrial revolution in Britain, Victorian Britain and de-industrialization in the UK that mightRead MoreThe Positives And Cons Of The Industrial Revolution835 Words   |  4 PagesIs the Industrial Revolution as Good as We Think It Is? Bill Gates once said, â€Å"If you go back to 1800, everybody was poor. I mean everybody. The Industrial Revolution kicked in, and a lot of countries benefited, but by no means everyone.† The Industrial Revolution was a period in the 18th century led by Great Britain that had a major influence in agriculture, scientific studies, manufacturing, and transportation. As said by Bill Gates, even though the Industrial Revolution benefited many partiesRead MoreOver the decades, enclosures had been occurring in England and eventually became common in the1100 Words   |  5 Pagestried to make innovations that would benefit them and their families. However, these landowners knew they couldn’t be prejudice against the poor. Peasants worked on the common lands so the landowners knew it would affect them greatly. Population decline was the main concern that landlords had. Despite their concerns, they still proceeded with enclosures because they believed that the benefits would outweigh the problems. According to Lacey Baldwin Smith, peasants held their land â€Å"either by copyholdRead More The Industrial Revolution Essay example985 Words   |  4 PagesPeter Stearns claims that the industrial revolution was an intensely human experience. What initially arose as scientific advancements in metallurgy and machine building, the industrial revolution period saw a redefinition of life as a whole. As industry changed, human life began to adapt. Work life was drastically changed which, in turn, resulted in family life being affected. As is human nature, major change was met with great resistant. Ultimately, the most successful people during the transitionRead MoreIndustrial Revolution1094 Words   |  5 Pages The Industrial Revolution began in England during the 1700s and spread across Europe then North America, and eventually the world. This revolution assisted life but also made life more difficult as well. Gender roles were changed, products were made more efficiently and many jobs were created. This also meant that people lived in cramped houses, air pollution levels were high and people died of or suffered illnesses from working in factories. This essay will be discussing whether the Industrial

The Alchemist free essay sample

The Alchemist A Fable About Following Your Dreams. By Paulo Coelho l. Life of the Author Paulo Coelho was born on 1947, Brazilian writer, best known for mystical fables told in simple yet symbolic language. He has received wide popular acclaim both in Brazil and internationally for his work about spiritual quests of self-discovery. Written in Portuguese, Coelhos books have been translated into many languages. Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Concerned with his teenage rebelliousness and desire to be a writer, his parents sent him to a mental institution, where he received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In 1970 Coelho dropped out of law school and traveled around South America, North America, and Europe. He returned to Brazil in 1972 and wrote lyrics for several songs that became popular in that country. Two years later he was arrested by the military for alleged antigovernment activity. Following his release Coelho became a recording executive for CBS Records in Brazil, but after losing his Job in 1980 he resumed his nomadic lifestyle. (79). Through Santiagos mentally quick and motivational ways, he can achieve any challenge given to him. 3. A minor character in The Alchemist, Melchizedek, plays a huge role in Santiagos journey. Melchizedek, a King from Salem, inspires Santiago to pursue in his legend and to not quit. He is a smart and wise King who made Santiago realize that he should never forget the small things in life. Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you, said the wisest of wise men. The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon. (55). Melchizedek wants to teach Santiago to always focus on the smaller things in life because they are just as important than the bigger things in life. The Englishman, a man from Europe, came to Egypt to locate an alchemist who knows the Universal language. He loves to read, and is very smart. Santiago meets the Englishman as they both headed to a place in Egypt, Al-Foyum. The Shopkeeper is a very generous Muslim merchant who owns a small crystal shop up the hill from a small market. The shopkeeper, a hardworking man, does not like change and has dreams but does not pursue in them.  He uses the dreams to keep him motivated and live strong. 4. The glass shop in Africa is a major setting in this novel because it helps Santiago get back on his feet and realize that he is going to find his personal legend. The point of this setting is to do explore something new in life and that the old adventures will always be there to fall back on if he ever failed. The desert plays a huge role in the setting of this book because it reveals the difficulty of conquering your personal legend. The desert is an endless area that is everlasting. The desert is also a place where a lot of journeys begin and end. For example, Santiago traveled through the desert to get to the pyramids where as the Englishman stopped his journey to stay in the desert to learn the ways of Alchemy. The oasis, or safe place is where Santiago meets the Alchemist and Fatima, the woman he wants to spend his eternal life with. The oasis is considered neutral territory because many women and children live there. This is where Santiago learns the language of the world. 5. First, one important symbol is alchemy. Alchemy is relevant to Santiago because it is the idea of a base metal finding its personal legend and to convert itself into gold.  Santiago goes through the same process of the Alchemy. Santiago is the base metal finding its personal legend and after he finds it he will become a very rich man just like the metal became rich gold. In addition, another key symbol is Santiagos sheep. The sheep symbolizes the idea of the story and how some people do not find their personal legend. The sheep only cares about eating and drinking and their approval in the world, they do not care about exploring the world or pursuing into new things. 6. The dominant theme in The Alchemist is the center of all personal legends.  In the book, The Alchemist, personal legend is the way of living a prosperous life and that you can be successful if you put your mind, body, and heart into it. The idea that Paulo Coelho wants the readers to learn from his book is to follow your heart, wherever it may take you, and conquer all your dreams even if you come across a challenging obstacle in life you should never quit on what you want to accomplish. For example, Santiagos parents wanted him to be a priest but he didnt want to, instead he became a Shepard so he could travel the world and experience new things in life. Though Santiago faced many obstacles along the way, he was still very humble and never gave up his hope. This applies in todays life because there are billions and billions in the world today who have bright dreams, but cant pursue them because of illness, low income, they are afraid that they will fail or their physical disabilities may effect them. If people would just be confident and relentless enough then they would be able to find their personal legend. 7. First, I understand sheep; they are no longer a problem, and they can be good friends.  On the other hand, I dont know if the desert can be a good friend, and its in the desert that I have to search for my treasure. If I dont find it, I can always go home. I finally have enough money, and all the time I need why not? (95). This quote is said by Santiago. This quote built the novel of the whole story because this quote its what gave Santiago the motivation to keep finding his legend. Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time. (209). This quote is important to the scene because the Alchemist knew Santiago would be robbed. So he gave him extra helping of gold. â€Å"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. † (42). King Melchizedek said this quote. Its important to this novel as a whole because many people guided Santiago on his journey: The crystal merchant, The Alchemist, and Fatima. 8. I strongly believe Santiagos most difficult obstacle on his journey to achieving his personal legend is when he was robbed in Tangier by a man that agreed to assist him to Egypt. Santiago went from being a wealthy man after selling his flock, to a very poor man in a heartbeat. The reader knows this happens when the narrator explains, He was no longer a Shepard, and he had nothing, not even the money to return and start everything over. (63). Santiago, however, was able to conquer this challenge when he took Urim and Thummim, the two rocks that King Melchizedek took out of his golden breast plates. â€Å"They’re called Urim and Thummim, and they can help you to read the omens. † (65). These rocks gave him the confidence to continue his adventure and seek his personal legend.

Symbolism in William Blake’s Poetry an Example of the Topic Literature Essays by

Symbolism in William Blake’s Poetry William Blake belongs to the most famous English poets, though his poetry was recognized only after his death. Firstly, the term romanticism was used in the middle of the 18th century and it caused popularity of symbolism. William Blake re-shapes English poetry due to his symbolic world outlook and his desire to show the real world through hidden and concealed meanings of the words. Blakes symbolism is based primarily on personal feelings and emotions and he paid little attention to fact because symbolism promoted individuality, creativity, imagination and rejecting of values. Through symbolic poetry William Blake tends to express new values, new political ideas in order to promote the ideal brotherhood, equality and fairness in the country. Moreover, Blakes symbolism is very lyrical and his poems are filled with passion, though Blake tends to use subversion of symbols. (Appelbaum 1996) Need essay sample on "Symbolism in William Blakes Poetry" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Actually, all William Blakes poems are very symbolic, though it is necessary to underline that The Garden of Love and London both seem to be the most expressive and touching because the author wanted to protect his original and unique perception of the society and the world in them. Blake is strongly interested in symbolism and, therefore, he is not simply a poet, but rather an artist who wants to show aggressive, repressive and cold nature of religious and political regimes. Symbolism is used to underline the end of traditions and desire to fight against oppressors. His poetry isnt correct; instead, he seems to be rather concerned with imagination and experience being the most important for him. Blakes poems illustrate that the real meanings are symbolic ones. The purpose of London and The Garden of Love is to awaken inactive imagination, to show hell and paradise, to stimulate new vision and to prove that the world can be changed and improved. Students Frequently Tell Us: Who wants to write essay for me? Essay writer professionals advise: London by William Blake is a poem telling about society being troubled by the mistakes of the previous generation. The poem describes dirty streets of London, its social environment and political events. Actually, the language of the poem is rather expressive and vivid, because the author tends to provide common words with new fresh meanings in order to achieve the desired expression. The author uses spoken observations of a symbolic character to narrate and to refresh the political and social problems endangering citys residents in the beginning of the 19th century. (Appelbaum 1996) Throughout the poem William Blake uses the symbols and images to convey the message directly to readers. For example, first two stanzas are characterized by word choice because the author wants to set the mournful atmosphere. Interestingly, the reader is introduced as a wander through the charted society. In such a way the author shows that every person is marks of weakness, marks of woe. The words cry and every are the symbols of depression afflicting the whole society. The phrase mind-forged manacles assumes that the narrator is mentally instable. (Appelbaum 1996) The third stanza represents the use of religious and destructive symbols. For example, chimney-sweepers cry symbolizes that society is trying to cope with the causes of depression. Religious imagery blackning church symbolizes the loss of innocence and, possible, represents societys abandonment of religion. The hapless soldiers sigh symbolizes the war and men who have no choice but to serve in the army. Thus, Black uses the sense of destruction stating that people are forced to cope with weakness. The last stanza of the poem reveals the most complex meaning. For example, youthful harlots curse shows that next generation will be affected by the sinful deeds of the youth. Plagues are the symbols of curse, whereas marriage hearse aims at confusing death and eternity. The poem is very symbolic representing vividly the sorrows and weaknesses of the society. Futher, symbols in the poem are used to show the evil effect of the revolution in the city. Through symbols the author shows the dirty streets of the city stating that the city is dying. Also he makes people see what London had become. However, symbolism in the poem is very dark and melancholic aimed at highlighting horrible environment and people who are forced to live in it. Symbols are images of shame, despair and death, though they are rather colorless and have nothing to do with the themes of the poem. Other symbols are the symbol of Christianity to show that power is strongly abused: How the chimney sweepers cry, Every blackning Church appals. Thus, this chimney sweeper symbolizes the child who is lost and is forced to work in the dirtiness of the church being in its turn the symbol of punitive crime and absolute power. (Appelbaum 1996)Industrial revolution was a time when it was difficult for women to find job and they were forced to become prostitutes to survive in difficult times. Evil effects of the revolution are emphasized through symbols as well: How the youthful Harlots curse, Blasts the new born infants fear, and blights with plagues the marriage hearse. This phrase symbolizes womens despair because the city was killing itself when forcing women to sell themselves for money. Women become ill and men, consequently, get disease from prostitutes and bring disease home to their wives who are bearing children and, thus, children are born with disparities. In such a way the city is self-murderer. The carriage of the married is the symbols of the inevitable death and funeral. The Garden of Love is also filled with symbolic and concealed meanings. The poem tells that life and happiness should be pursued. And in order to achieve the desire effect that author refers to religious symbols to show that love and negative can be on a par. However, negativity is strongly concealed by symbols. Central problem of the poem is conflict between individual and organized religion. Thus, William Blake states that he doesnt support the church as an institution and through symbols shows that religion can be destroyed along with creator: thou shalt not writ over the door. This negative phrase symbolizes destruction and limitations. Actually, symbols in the poem are both positive and negative. The words green, love, bore sweet flowers are the symbols of breath and life and the eternal desire to seek for creativity and individuality. (Appelbaum 1996) The church is represented through negative symbols conveying pessimism and positive meanings. Blake shows symbolically that negativity has power over positive things. The garden of love itself is the garden of death and the church is viewed as evil because it doesnt allow poor people to come in: And the gates of this Chapel were shut. The church symbolizes inequality and power of the rich over the poor. Flowers in their turn are compared with tombstones. The author uses new buildings, graves, black gowns as the symbols of darkness and negativity. The positive symbols are seen only in the first stanza, whereas others are overflowing with negative meanings: And I saw it was filled with graves, And tomb-stones where flowers should be: And Priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds, And binding with briars, my joys and desires. (Appelbaum 1996) The next moment to mention is that the voice in the poem is the symbol of time and inevitable changes. In the first stanza the voice is exploring, pure and innocent: I went to the Garden of Love, and saw what I never had seenWhere I used to play on the green. Nevertheless, with poem progression the voice is constantly changing because the church possesses more power over environment: And Priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds, And binding with briars, my joys and desires. Religious symbols are used to show that love is dined. The only environment in the poem that symbolizes positivity is refugees who are willing to find shelter. They support love, whereas the priests deny it because they have to follow celibacy. (Appelbaum 1996) In conclusion it is necessary to admit that both poem London and The Garden of Love brilliantly enters readers into the inner world of William Blakes personal feelings, emotions and thoughts. Blakes symbolic poetry is very creative and amazing because it encourages, stimulates and inspires others in the world. Blakes poems make people think that world should be seen from fresh point of view and things can be another than they are though to be. Works Cited Appelbaum, Stanley. English Romantic Poetry: An Anthology. New York: Dover Publications, 1996.

Introducing Social Video From CoSchedule - CoSchedule Blog

Introducing Social Video From Blog Getting your followers attention on social media isn’t exactly easy. People’s feeds are busy  with cat memes, status updates, and notifications galore. And when you’re one  out of 100 folks vying for their attention†¦ Every social message you create needs to be a thumb-stopper. Every social message you create needs to be a thumb-stopper.Which is why we’ve added another weapon to your social scheduling repertoire: Introducing: Social Video From   With Social Video you can: Schedule, share, and manage all of your social media videos (directly in ) Connect with your audience in a more engaging  way Stand out in busy news feeds (with stellar video and a little Best Time Scheduling science) And start taking advantage of the 8 billion+ views social videos get every day! How Does Social Video Work? Schedule, Share, And Manage All Your Social Videos In One Place Manage your social promotion directly in the calendar you already love. No more bouncing from one account to the next- upload your video once and share to all your favorite networks. Simply upload your video one time  and share it to all your social networks. Add copy/text to accompany your social videos, and easily preview messages before  they go live. Never worry if a video will display correctly or if it meets a specific social network requirement. has all those deets right in the calendar, and we’ll let you know if you need to make an edit. Add A Lil Life To Your Social Strategy Connect with your audience by adding some spunk, personality, and humor with social videos. Nearly 76% of Facebook  users and 82% of Twitter users watch one video a day (or more). So, why not optimize your videos for better results? Heres a few tips for making stellar social videos: Keep videos short and  grab your viewers attention early: 30-60 seconds videos get the most attention And add your hooks  early on- according to Facebook research, nearly 50% of a videos value is delivered within the first 10  seconds (or less). Heres an example of a  short video (18 seconds long) with a mouth-watering  hook: Art of Birthday Cake Posted by Tasty on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 Don’t rely on sound: Your videos need to be engaging without  turning up the volume. Use captions and visual story-telling (think old silent film style). Most  videos  are  viewed from a mobile device- thus,  your viewers could be anywhere a waiting room, on the subway, in a library, etc.  Be kind and  give them the option for sound. Use autoplay to draw attention with MOTION  in your followers news feeds: Its the easy button for your viewers. Your video is already playing, so they might as well stop and watch it. ;) Adding bright colors, quick transitions, and people in the first few seconds is also a great way to catch their eye and increase engagement. Heres an example  of a video with no sound and quick transitions. Tide Pods provide a great clean in an easy-to-use form. Posted by Target on Friday, August 26, 2016 Recommended Reading: Wistia:  Crafting a Social Video Strategy Twitter: 5 Best Practices for Promoting Social Video Stand out in busy news feeds: Upload your show-stopping videos into , mix in some  Best Time Scheduling magic, and you’ve got one sick game plan. Now not only can you  add eye-catching videos to combat busy  news feeds, but you’ll be sending them out at the best time possible (double whammy). There’s no need to guess when  it comes to scheduling your social videos. Use best time scheduling to share your messages at the best times for each network  every time you post. You can rest assured that ALL your social promotion (videos included)  will be sent at great times and that they’ll be seen by the right people.

Thylacoleo (Marsupial Lion) - Facts and Figures

Thylacoleo (Marsupial Lion) - Facts and Figures Name: Thylacoleo (Greek for marsupial lion); pronounced THIGH-lah-co-LEE-oh Habitat: Plains of Australia Historical Epoch: Pleistocene-Modern (2 million-40,000 years ago) Size and Weight: About five feet long and 200 pounds Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Leopard-like body; powerful jaws with sharp teeth About Thylacoleo (the Marsupial Lion) Its a commonly held misconception that that the giant wombats, kangaroos and koala bears of Pleistocene Australia were only able to prosper thanks to the lack of any natural predators. However, a quick glance at Thylacoleo (also known as the Marsupial Lion) puts the lie to this myth; this nimble, large-fanged, heavily built carnivore was every bit as dangerous as a modern lion or leopard, and pound-for-pound it possessed the most powerful bite of any animal in its weigh classwhether bird, dinosaur, crocodile or mammal. (By the way, Thylacoleo occupied a different evolutionary branch from saber-toothed cats, exemplified by the North American Smilodon.) See a slideshow of 10 Recently Extinct Lions and Tigers As the largest mammalian predator in an Australian landscape teeming with oversized, plant-eating marsupials, the 200-pound Marsupial Lion must have lived high on the hog (if youll forgive the mixed metaphor). Some paleontologists believe that Thylacoleos unique anatomyincluding its long, retractable claws, semi-opposable thumbs and heavily muscled forelimbsenabled it to pounce on its victims, quickly disembowel them, and then drag their bloody carcasses high up into the branches of trees, where it could feast at its leisure unmolested by smaller, peskier scavengers. One odd feature of Thylacoleo, albeit one that makes perfect sense given its Australian habitat, was its unusually powerful tail, as evidenced by the shape and arrangement of its caudal vertebrae (and, presumably, the muscles attached to them). The ancestral kangaroos that coexisted with the Marsupial Lion also possessed strong tails, which they could use to balance themselves on their hind feet while warding off predatorsso its not inconceivable that Thylacoleo could tussle for short periods on its two hind feet, like an oversized tabby cat, especially if a tasty dinner was at stake. As intimidating as it was, Thylacoleo may not have been the apex predator of Pleistocene Australiasome paleontologists claim that honor belongs to Megalania, the Giant Monitor Lizard, or even the plus-sized crocodile Quinkana, both of which may have occasionally hunted (or been hunted by) the Marsupial Lion. In any case, Thylacoleo exited the history books about 40,000 years ago, when the earliest human settlers of Australia hunted its gentle, unsuspecting, herbivorous prey to extinction, and even sometimes targeted this powerful predator directly when they were especially hungry or aggravated (a scenario attested to by recently discovered cave paintings).

Self-Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Self-Assessment - Essay Example Understanding people and their culture help people to appreciate the culture. The book provides the history of the Latin Americans, their landscapes, migration and cities, and the current condition of that region (Sanabria 12). The information provided by the book is essential to compare Latin America’s past and current life. As a student, the book will help me know the successes and challenges the Latin Americans encountered, and how to face the future. The history of America is very long. What America is now is very different from the America of a century ago. The modern America is very developed. The book paints a picture of Latin America from the past to the modern picture. The book helps to trace the history of the Latin Americans, the development it has made, and the expectation of the future. The information provided opens people’s eyes concerning Latin Americans. The book offers some good lessons on what countries or individuals ought to do in order to face their challenges. As an individual, I learn that challenges exist in order to be conquered by people and countries. When an individual or country has planned well, when a country has a clear vision, it is a matter of time before the realization of the goals and objectives. The Latin America has developed since it values its culture and appreciates good leadership. Great leadership is a necessary ingredient if a country is to spur development (Sanabria 120). The people must be ready to work hard in order to ensure that the country grows in terms of social, economic and political facets. The Europeans played an important role in the process of civilization of the Latin Americans. The Latin Americans borrowed some cultures from the Europeans, and so did the Europeans. It might explain why Latin Americans have a good relationship with the Europeans. The book describes the impact of globalization in Latin America. Latin America has obtained many benefits from

Cubism period Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cubism period - Essay Example The ‘three musicians’ by Picasso was made of intensely colored, flat and abstract geometry in a superficial boxlike enclosure. A clarinet player can be seen on the left, a guitar player in the middle and on the right hand side there is a singer with sheets of music in his hands. They are all dressed similarly. Pierrot with a white suit and blue suit, Harlequin in a costume that has diamond patterns, and on the right there is a friar wearing a black robe. At the faà §ade of the Pierrot, there is a table on it a pipe and a number of things too, while under him is a dog whose tail is peeping out at the back of the musician’s legs. All aspects of this painting comprise of flat shapes and geometry. The painting is characterized by the use diverse textures, planes, collage rudiments, papier Mache. It was a pioneer of collage elements to be implemented as key components of a work of art. After World War I, Pablo Picasso painted one of his renowned and popular paintings of all time called â€Å"Bombing of Guernica†. This was a painting to interpret what the war was really like, because it was about how an innocent family was brutally caught in the heart of the war. One could look at this painting and perceive different meanings each time. It was a painting of accepted size on canvas of about eleven feet. This movement appeals because it was a rebellion of the contemporary artistic methods of painting. These contemporary methods followed stiff rules and regulations tying the imaginative nature of an artist.

Humanistic Theories of Organizations Essay Example for Free

Humanistic Theories of Organizations Essay The relationship between the â€Å"boss† and the employee is an important one indeed. It is a relationship that can make or brake an organization. While classical theorist such as Fredrick Taylor (Scientific Management Theory), Henri Fayol (Administrative Theory) and Max Weber (Theory of Bureaucracy) (Modaff, Butler, Dewine 2012 p26.) emphasized the literal structure of an organization; i.e. worker productivity, chain of command and preserving organizational authority, they were not too concerned with an organizations social structure. However, â€Å"Human Relations Theory† (Modaff, Butler, Dewine 2012 p43. ) builds more on an organizations social structure suggesting that an organization can benefit greatly from a positive social relationship between its supervisors and its employees. It is clear that there is a positive connection between â€Å"authentic leadership and employee voice behavior† (Hsin-Hua Hsiung 2012). Authentic Leadership, Employee Voice Behavior the Hawthorne Studies Hsin-Hua Hsiung (2012) quoting Walumbwa et al. 2008, p. 94 writes that â€Å"Authentic Leadership† refers to ‘‘a pattern of leader behavior that draws upon and promotes both positive psychological capacities and a positive ethical climate, to foster greater self-awareness, an internalized moral perspective, balanced processing of information, and relational transparency on the part of leaders working with followers, fostering positive self-development’’. In the referred to article Authentic Leadership and Employee Voice Behavior: A Multi-Level Psychological Process (Hsin-Hua Hsiung 2012) the author discusses an investigative study of the â€Å"psychological process of how authentic leadership affects employee voice†. He suggests that the â€Å"theoretical model† of the study proposes that positive mood of the employees and, what he terms, the â€Å"leader–member exchange† or LMX quality mediate the relationship between authentic leadership and voice behavior, while the procedural justice climate moderates the mediation effects of positive mood and LMX quality (Hsin-Hua Hsiung 2012). This study ultimately revealed â€Å"the cross-level effects of authentic leadership†, and provided practical suggestions to assist employees expressing themselves and their opinions in the organization (Hsin-Hua Hsiung 2012). Ironically, the Hawthorne Studies (Mayo, Roethlisberger Dickson 1939) in human relations had a similar conclusion. Among other implications these studies (Illumination, Relay Assembly Test Room, the Interviewing Program and Wiring Room Studies) collectively proposed that supervisors â€Å"pay attention to your workers to increase their satisfaction and productivityà ¢â‚¬  (Modaff, Butler, Dewine 2012 p). Conclusion, Strengths and Weaknesses In conclusion, the article in my opinion was a fair explanation of a study that concluded that there are positive implications for social interaction between supervisors and employees. The strength and weakness of the article is the authors supporting research material. While he quotes several researchers and documents to validate his findings and his theory is supported by what the author terms â€Å"multi-level data from 70 workgroups of a real estate agent company in Taiwan†, he failed to research or mention the Human Relation Theory or the Hawthorne Studies (Mayo, Roethlisberger Dickson 1939) which in my opinion would have further strengthened theory. References: Hsiung, H. H. (2012). Authentic leadership and employee voice behavior: A multi-level psychological process. . Journal of business ethics, 107 (3), 349-361. doi: 10.1007/s10551-011-1043-2 Modaff, D. P., Butler, J. A., Dewine, S. (2012). Organizational communication: foundations, challenges, and misunderstandings. (3rd ed.). Glenview Illinois: Pearson

Can Power Corrupt You? :: essays research papers fc

The power of language is indisputable. Being unable to ‘fit in’ because you cannot communicate effectively with the dominant discourse puts you at an enormous disadvantage. Those who know how to use the dominant discourse effectively and to their own advantage will be more powerful. People use their knowledge of the power, inherent in the mastery of discourses, to manipulate others. Many texts show evidence of this. In fact, some texts actively criticise those, who less than ethically utilise their mastery of discourses to achieve their own ends. The media actively utilise their understanding of the dominant discourse to support many agendas. Novelists over the years have shown the ill-effects on individuals who might suffer through not mastering the dominant discourse. Those who know how to use a variety of discourses will become more powerful. Those who have difficulty with discourses will end up being alienated. Alienation is the result of being unable to use other discourses or refusing to engage in the dominant discourse. One can gain power by preventing alienation of oneself and sublimating others via the use of alienation. Alienation is represented in all texts and films to effectively manipulate the minds of readers, so that they can compare their experiences with the characters in the narrative. This is clearly represented in the novel, â€Å"1984† by George Orwell, when the character Winston, challenges the dominant discourse. Another example can be seen in â€Å"Frankenstein†, by Mary Shelly where Victor is alienated because he disobeyed ‘the rules’ of the dominant discourse. The media however, uses a variety of discourses to manipulate the reader’s mind. Foregrounding certain topics and purposely leaving out certain information (silencing) are also techniques to use ‘the power of language’ to their own advantage. These techniques are used to convince the pubic, of a particular issue. To many people, this is like ‘brainwashing’ society. Novelists express the abuse of power, such as ‘brain washing’. â€Å"Brave New World† by Aldous Huxley, gives an excellent example of this. He wrote: â€Å"To make them love it, is the task assigned in present day totalitarian states, to ministries of propaganda...†. thus, through hynopeadic teaching (brain washing), essential attendance to community gatherings and the use of drugs to control emotion. This was the dominant discourse of the characters. From this, it can be noticed that the ones in power can abuse their authority and lead to corruption. A great representation of abuse of authority and corruption, is seen in â€Å"1984† and â€Å"Brave New World†.

Critical Analysis of Shakespeare’s Macbeth Essay

When you hear the name: William Shakespeare, you usually think of elaborately written plays with a good main character and a bad minor character, battling it out in the name of good and evil, or even a tale of â€Å"star crossed† lovers; but in the case of his play, â€Å"Macbeth,† none of those are completely true, for the main character in the play is the evil one. â€Å"Macbeth† is a twisted story where you learn many of the characters view points, and you can almost see inside the head of evil Macbeth, and the events that take place in part of his lifetime. The story begins with Duncan, the king of Scotland, finding out that the thane of Cawdor had betrayed him, and later hears of one of his noblemen’s, Macbeth, loyalty to the throne, so declares him the new thane. Meanwhile, Macbeth and another nobleman, Banquo, meet three witches that give Macbeth three predictions: That he will become the thane of Glamis, the thane of Cawdor, and then shall become king. Since Macbeth already had the title of thane of Glamis passed down to him from his father, and Ross tells him that he is the new thane of Cawdor, Macbeth believes that all of the prophecies are coming true. When Macbeth informs his wife, Lady Macbeth, of this, she wishes to become queen so much, that she presses Macbeth to plot and murder King Duncan while he sleeps in their castle. After his murder, Duncan’s sons fear a plot on the royal family and flee, therefore making Macbeth the king of Scotland. Throughout the rest of the play, Macbeth is slowly overwhelmed by greed, while Lady Macbeth slowly goes crazy from guilt and kills herself. Finally, in an upheaval of revenge for Macbeth killing his family, another nobleman named Macduff kills Macbeth in a duel and Duncan’s son, Malcom rightfully takes the throne. The story of â€Å"Macbeth† elaborates and is based on four major themes: Greed for power compels and blinds you, what goes around, comes around, guilt is overwhelming, and evil tends to come from a masculine figure. The most major theme, I’d say, is that greed for power drives one to do unnatural things, and even blinds you from seeing what is right. This is evident throughout the whole play. One of the first examples of this is in act one, scene three, when Macbeth is speaking aside and thinking of murder to become king; he says, â€Å"My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, /  Shakes so my single state of man that function / Is smothered in surmise, and nothing is / But what is not.† Another example of this is again in act I, scene five when Lady Macbeth reads a letter written by Macbeth telling her of the witches predictions, and instantly thinks of killing king Duncan so she would become queen. Macbeth is slightly hesitant at first, realizing the situation, but goes along with the idea once Lady Macbeth threatens him and calls him a coward. Lady Macbeth draws up a plan to make it appear as the guards outside of Duncan’s room murdered him, and the once loyal Macbeth, commits treason and murderers his king in cold blood. Macbeth had wanted kingdom so much that he was willing to kill for it, as was his wife. This proves also true in act III when Macbeth remembers that the witches also gave a prediction to his friend, Banquo: â€Å"Thou shall get kings, though thou be none.† (I, iii), but he believes that his descendants should be the ones who inherit the throne, not Banquo’s. Remembering this, he hires three murderers to kill him and his son, Fleance, so only Macbeth’s children shall rein after him. Macbeth is overrun by greed throughout the whole play, and in Act IV, he goes to see the witches again, to get more predictions. He learns from three apparitions that he should beware of Macduff, he can’t be killed by one born of a woman, and he won’t be killed until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Macduff is so blinded by his greed and glory as king, that he doesn’t fully think over the last three predictions and believes himself to be unstoppable. He doesn’t see the true meaning of them, which leads to his downfall and death when Macduff, who was born C-sectioned, raises an army who disguise themselves with branches from Birnam Wood, attack and eventually kill him. Another theme from â€Å"Macbeth† is the theory that what goes around, comes around. Usually when one commits a crime or even does good, it comes back and repeats itself in some way, which occurs throughout the length of the play. Macbeth plans and commits many murders during the course of the story: Duncan, the two guards, Banquo, Macduff’s family, and Young Siward, without any immediate punishment. However, murder eventually makes it’s way back to him through revenge by Malcom and Macduff, and even Banquo. Malcom, trying to reclaim the throne for the good of Scotland, and his late father, raises an army in England to try and take back over his rightful kingdom, he states, â€Å"Let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge, / To cure this deadly grief.† (IV, iii). Banquo’s ghost even tries to get revenge on Macbeth by haunting him in act III. However, Macduff is the one who gets true revenge. Macbeth had his family murdered because he feared that Macduff suspected him of treason, and when Macduff hears of this, he wants immediate compensation. He goes with Malcom and the English forces to Dunsinane and murders Macbeth in a duel, therefore showing that since Macbeth committed murder, someone came back and murdered him, or â€Å"What goes around, comes around.† Guilt, usually in all senses, is always overwhelming. Many people can not commit a crime or lie without feeling the wrath of their own guilt afterward, and that is also true throughout â€Å"Macbeth.† You want to believe that someone is normal if they have a wave of guilt after doing something wrong, and you see this through Macbeth during the first scene. Macbeth wants to be king, so he thinks of murdering Duncan, but then chastises himself afterward for thinking of it, because of his guilt. However, Lady Macbeth calls him a coward and talks him into doing it; she is basically the spark that begins all of his greed. You see another example of Macbeth feeling guilty after the murder of Duncan when he says that he could not even utter the word â€Å"amen† after a prayer. Lady Macbeth also receives her share of guilt in the story, and probably the worst dose of it. First of all, she can’t murder king Duncan herself because â€Å"Had he not resembled / [Her] father as he slept, [she] had done’t.† (II, ii). Obviously guilt had overtaken her because Duncan reminded her of her father, and she couldn’t kill him. However, she did plan it, and that guilt was overbearing enough for her. It made her have hallucinations in her sleep, which caused her to sleepwalk and talk to herself. Eventually, it got the best of her and she ended up committing suicide because the amount of guilt bottled up inside of her was too much to handle. One of the final, less noticeable themes to Macbeth happens to be the fact that evil seems to come mostly from a masculine figure. You see this in many cases involving Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. For example, Lady Macbeth is trying to get the courage to kill Duncan and she says, â€Å"Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full / Of direst cruelty!† (I, v), which means that she wishes to be able to be cruel and kill like a man would, almost showing that women were not capable of having such evil thoughts in those times. Lady Macbeth also criticizes Macbeth when he doesn’t want to kill Duncan, and makes fun of him by calling him a coward and unmanly. Both of those statements made by Lady Macbeth show that at least Shakespeare believed that most people thought that evil usually comes from a masculine figure. Even though he made Lady Macbeth the woman who planned it, she was asking to become more masculi ne to do the deed. Another fact that supports that theme was after Macduff found out about the murder, and is speaking to Lady Macbeth about the it he says, â€Å"O gentle lady, / ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak: / The repetition, in a woman’s ear, / Would murder as it fell.† (II, iii). Macduff basically tells Lady Macbeth that the gruesome details shouldn’t be heard by a woman because women are so â€Å"delicate,† meaning that one couldn’t even begin to commit and evil deed such as murder. As you can see, Shakespeare created his play, â€Å"Macbeth† a little bit out of the norm by making the main character evil, and incorporating many everyday themes into it that can still be recognized and applied to life today. Those major themes were that greed for power is compelling and blinding, which is displayed by Macbeth killing for what he wants; what goes around, comes around, which is showed by Macduff and Malcom getting revenge on Macbeth; guilt is overpowering, which is incorporated into the story by Lady Macbeth feeling so guilty, she kills herself; and finally, evil tends to be seen as coming from a masculine figure, which is proven through quotes said by Lady Macbeth. All in all, Shakespeare’s masterpiece, â€Å"Macbeth,† allows it’s readers to easily see the effects of guilt, greed, and it’s other themes, which contribute to it’s greatness and even it’s simplicity.

ACT Writing Prompt Essay

When you were in school have you ever came back from vacation and forgot what you have learned? Most kids when they come back from summer vacation they forgot most of the material they had just learned. Or during school students complain â€Å"I want more time off†. No one gets excited about school but if kids were used to getting no summer break then they wouldn’t have the need to want more time off. The traditional three-summer vacation should not be maintained because over summer students forget what they learned, the holiday breaks will be longer, and the students will be able to learn more. See more: The Issues Concerning Identity Theft Essay The three-month summer vacation should not be maintained. Other opponents may argue that students need the summer break to get away from all of the stress of school and that students need more breaks. However, if the three-month vacation was not maintained there would be less stressful situations because there would be more time to do work. Also students would get longer holiday breaks and more half days. Doesn’t it make more sense to have multiple vacation time then one chunk of it? The three-month summer vacation clearly should not be maintained. For instance, during summer vacation students are not thinking about school, the students are thinking about having fun. For example when the students come back to school they do not remember most of the material they have learned. There are many kids out there that hate coming back to school, so they never want to learn or they do not care. But for every new school year in the first few weeks teachers have to review what material was previously taught so the students well remember. That is a waste of time. If there was no summer vacation then the first two or three weeks wouldn’t be wasted on review. In addition, with no three- month vacation the students would be able to soak in a lot more knowledge and actually remember it for college. The students would be able to be better prepared for the feature, since they would be taught with multiple vacation time. For example in college students need to be prepared because college students do not get as much vacation time as high school students do. Also if the students in high school pay attention then college will be easier for them to understand because the professors do not help as much as public school teachers do. In the future the students will not get as much vacation time in their work career. When students come back from summer vacation the kids do not remember what they have learned. That is why school should be year round with no three-month summer vacation because the students forget the material, the holiday breaks would be longer, and the students would be able to learn more. There would be no more complaining about breaks and no more homework every day.

Truffaut and the New Cinema

Truffaut and the New Cinema FranÂÆ'Â §ois Truffaut Rides In On The New WaveSince films inception in the late 19th century, film has gone through many changes. What started out as short exhibitionist films and scenics grew into the full feature films that today's population is accustomed to. This, however, was not a fluid progression. The classic hollywood style took an early dominant role in the history of film, with the majority of films following this classical style. They were appealing to the masses, and were very profitable. This style did not appeal to all filmmakers and directors. Since the creation of the cinema, and the classic full feature there have been many movements that have rebelled against the classic style of Hollywood and the commercial cinema. Such movements usually coincided with the intellectual, social, economical and artistic movement of the time. For example, after World War I the Avant-Garde movement begun. It was based off that generations feeling that after the devastation of the w ar nothing could be the same as before.Image taken from page 107 of 'The History and Trad...The movement was inclusive of the theatre, art, poetry and film. The Avant-Garde movement was heavily influenced by African art, and the movement was not contained to one nation, it was a large and expansive international movement. Another post-WWI movement in film was the Soviet Montage, a smaller movement mainly influenced by the economical and political strains in Soviet Russia.Unfortunately the world would soon bear the devastation of another world war. The travesty of the war was reflected in the eyes of the new generation of artists. The world around them was rapidly changing. The massive colonial empires were diminishing, though wars still raged in many of the previous colonies, especially on the African continent. Filmmakers at this time in France felt that the heavily commercialized and large, over the top...

Cubic Feet to Cubic Inches Conversion

Cubic Feet to Cubic Inches Conversion Converting cubic feet  to cubic inches  is a common English units conversion  problem. Here is the conversion factor and a worked example. Conversion Factor 1 cubic foot   1728 cubic inches 1 cubic inch 0.000578704 cubic feet Simple Example Convert 3.5 cubic feet into cubic inches.  When using a conversion factor, be sure the unit you are changing from gets canceled out. You can multiply by the conversion factor: 3.5 cubic feet x 1728 cubic inches per cubic foot 6048 cubic inches Worked Example You measure a box and find it is 2 foot  long, 1 foot  high, and 0.5 feet deep. The first step is to calculate the volume in cubic feet.  The volume of the box is length x width x height so the volume of the box is: 2 x 1 x 0.5   volume in cubic feet 1 cubic foot Now, to convert this to cubic inches, you know there are 1728 cubic inches in 1 cubic foot: 1 cubic foot x (1728 cubic inches / 1 cubic foot) volume in cubic inches 1 cubic foot x 1728 cubic inches/foot   volume in cubic inches 1728 cubic inches

Is Immigration a Cause of Crime or is the Fear Media Based Research Paper

Is Immigration a Cause of Crime or is the Fear Media Based - Research Paper Example Those who support the idea that immigration is a cause of crime suggest that illegal immigrants are more likely to cause an increase in crime since the mere fact that they are in the country illegally suggests that have no respect for law and order. However, States (such as Arizona), which claim to be responding to this assumption by enforcing strict immigration laws and policies are often just responding to fear of immigrants that is spread by the media. In fact, contrary to the perception that illegal immigrants are a cause of crime, some studies have shown that it is extreme immigration policies and laws that are more likely to lead to an increase in crime (Fisher). This is because such laws cause fear and resentment among immigrants and this leads to lack of co-operation between immigrants and law enforcement officers. Because of this, law enforcement officers are less likely to detect crime and protect the victims of crime who live within immigrant communities since such victims do not come forward. Laws like Arizona’s are therefore counterproductive (Fisher). According to studies that have been conducted by various sociologists, people are generally afraid of the things/people that they do not understand. Since immigrants are foreigners, it is easy for people to believe most of the information found in the media which suggests that the presence immigrants is a major cause of crime. However, such information is often not based on any solid facts or proper research of crime patterns in various regions. Actually, some sociologists even suggest that the minimal research that has been conducted on this matter has proven that contrary to popular belief, native citizens are more likely to commit crimes than immigrants (McDonald). Studies of the common immigration patterns show that a large percentage of the people who migrate to the US (either legally or illegally) are young men who in most cases have little or no education. Because of this, such immigran ts are easily stereotyped as being likely to commit crimes since their lack of formal education means they are not likely to get jobs (Rumbaut). Based on this, the media creates the perception that immigrants cause crime. This incorrect perception causes fear and ignorance among policy makers and the public. As such, it is accurate to say that immigration does not cause crime and any claims to the contrary are often not based on reason. Since stereotypes are created out fear, they are rarely based on facts and hence those who claim that immigration causes crime based on stereotypes are mistaken. Over the past decade, the number of Hispanics who have been imprisoned has risen substantially. Some media organizations have wrongly concluded that this means that immigrants cause crime and this is the message they spread to their audience/readers. Contrary to this viewpoint, most of the convicted Hispanics are in most cases native born and are not immigrants. Therefore, the perception by the public that immigrants cause crime is at best a myth. As such, when policy makers respond

Privacy and Digital Investigations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Privacy and Digital Investigations - Essay Example Therefore, upon the detection of suspicious computer incidents, the organization immediately launches a forensics/digital investigation which is fully compliant with a policy which has been jointly drawn up by both the legal and the IT departments. This report will begin with a brief overview of privacy considerations, following which it will describe the organization's policy and highlight both its strengths and weaknesses. According to federal employment laws, employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Aftab (2006) notes that the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 explicitly prohibits employer monitoring of employee private electronic communications, even if the medium of communication was owned by the employer, occurred in the workplace and on the employer's own time. Employees should reasonably expect that the electronic equipment assigned to their use, whether computers or telephones, are not going to be used for the purposes of monitoring their activities and private communiqus. At the same time, Aftab (2006) notes that it has become increasingly important for employers to monitor employee use of these equipments, especially in instances of investigation. Therefore, to overcome the strictures placed on employers by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, organizations typically have employees sign an organization-specific Electronic and Communication Equipment policy. This p olicy, according to Merkow and Breithaupt (2002) and Aftab (2006), clearly specifies that that the employee has the right to review all documents and materials which were created, sent or received via corporate equipment and, indeed, to subject the equipment to forensic investigations which would expose employee use of the equipment. In other words, employees are often required to legally waive their legal right to privacy. According to our Legal Director, our organization has such a policy in place and all employees are required to sign it. 2.2 Patient Privacy Patient privacy is protected by federal legislature. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, clearly outlines the inviolability of patient confidentiality. Jacobs (2005) explains that it is contingent upon companies in the healthcare sector to ensure that patient data is protected against unauthorised access and, of course, public dissemination. If violations occur and investigations reveal that the organization did not do all that was possible to securitize patient data, it could be held liable for negligence and subsequently sued by patients. Therefore, the priority for ant healthcare organisation should be the securitization of patient data (Jacob, 2005). 3 Investigation Policy The organization's investigation policy, as explained by the Legal Department Director is simultaneously informed and enabled by the privacy considerations outlined in the above. Investigation policy is driven by the objective of identifying ant possible violations of patient privacy and the identity of the violator and the forensics investigations which are integral to the fulfilment of the stated objectives are enabled by employee waiver of their right

Egyptian god Osiris Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Egyptian god Osiris - Essay Example Also remarkable about Osiris, he once took on a human form and existed on earth (Hill). In addition, as a mythological deity, he was characterized as a bearded man with white mummy wrappings bearing the Atef crown and the Flial and Crook at hand; these two symbolized supreme power. His supreme power was recognition as the representation of resurrection and eternal life. In addition, in his representations, he had green or red skin to signify vegetation or earth respectively. Another attribute he was associated with is the source of wealth and fertility (Deurer). In some legends, Horus is recognized as his son who took vengeance for his death by casting Set away to the desert. Part of this legend states that after Set had chopped Osiris’ body to pieces, Isis found the pieces and pleaded with the god, Re to bring him back to life. Since he was already dead, Osiris’ body was put back together in a mummy, and he was made god of the dead; therefore, his responsibility was as judge of the souls of the dead. The living pharaoh is materialized by Horus while the dead pharaoh is materialized by Osiris. This divine kinship arises from his two separate roles as king of the dead and provider of fertility (Wigington). Horus came about from the coming together of Osiris and Isis who were twins. He was looked to for advice on agricultural matters as the flooding of the Nile, which added nutrients to the soil making it fertile, was ascribed to him. The annual cycle of flooding, planting and harvesting was attributed to him, as it was believed he had life-giving powers. There exists a folklore, which points the changing of ancient Egyptians from cannibalism to Osiris, as his wisdom and advice brought about agricultural practices. This made him be accredited for the evolution of Egyptians to a civilized way of life (â€Å"Osiris- God of Fertility and Renewal†). Further civilizations ascribed to him include ways of worshipping the gods and instituting of laws. During

The Uk Budget Hotel Sector Literature Review Tourism Essay

The Uk Budget Hotel Sector Literature Review Tourism Essay The negative connotation, which camped in the thoughts of regulars of small-sized commercial hotels, also known as budget hotels, is being substituted by a perceptual experience of affordability, proficiency and decency (Parsons, G., 2008). The swift shifting market changing aspects has positively affected the budget hotels fragment. This can be observed from the elation amongst local and international hospitality operators of budget hotels. There is a well-defined shape of evolving European vacationer over the direction the hospitality industry is taking (Solomon, M. R., 1992). Budget hotels are in the progression of being redefined with novel models, innovations as well as strategies. With converting mentality of customers and operators, modern-day budget hotels have fully taken a U-turn with unhesitating contrast. Being at a time when mini-full service hotels are acknowledged as business class, budget hotels have a healthy future. Budget hotels are compacted with simple facilities for apprehensive business travelers, hence targeting a precise market division of middle-rank business executives and price-sensitive corporate. Competitive hospitality entities are sensibly priced while having good service, style, and ambiance, and they manifest professionalism (Deloitte, 2004). A very high growth for budget hotels is envisioned, however the situation would be shrank due to deficit in supply of professional human capital. Nevertheless the encounters lay ahead need to be assumed as the spirit to test and the zeal to outshine continue. The UK Budget Hotel Sector In the UK, the budget hotel sector is at a point of exponential growth (McCaskey D., 2000).The branded budget hotel market remains to be controlled by hardly two heavy players. This is in reference to a new study by TRI Hospitality Consulting. Table 1 below from Budget Hotels 2010 UK show that the leading brand, Premier Inn, owned 41,511 rooms by the end of 2009, earning it a market share of about 38%; The closest contender to Premier Inn was Travelodge, having 27,010 rooms by the close of 2009, earning Travelodge a market share of almost 25%. Premier Inn and Travelodge therefore control over two thirds of the budget hotel brands market in the United Kingdom. Table 1 UK Leading Budget Hotels Operators Source: Budget Hotels 2010 UK Brand Number of Hotels Number of rooms Premier Inn 582 41 511 Travelodge 377 27 010 Holiday Inn Express 109 12 464 Ibis 53 7 173 Jurys Inn 23 5 828 Innkeepers Lodge 91 2 652 Etap 17 2 212 Ramada Encore 16 1 947 Days In 30 1 834 Day Hotel 12 1 562 The branded budget sector in the United Kingdom is centered in just a couple of companies. However, the competition keeps on to fly high in the general hotel industry as the budget hotels take over the mid-market hotels and boardinghouses. Jonathan Langston, the managing director of TRI Hospitality Consulting agrees with this observation (Parsons, G. 2008). After 1993, the count of rooms in budget hotel in the United Kingdom has risen by more than 10 times from 10,555 rooms in 1993 to 109,528 rooms at the close of 2009. Although Premier Inn and Travelodge control the branded budget market, many new brands have been coming up into the sector (Tri Hospitality Consulting, 2010).The most fortunate competitor to Premier Inn and Travelodge has been Holiday Inn Express which currently runs 109 hotels having 12,464 rooms (Tri Hospitality Consulting, 2010). However, this is less than 50% of the Travelodges number of rooms, and less than 30% of Premier Inn. Recession Impacts on the Budget Hotel Sector The new study, done by HotStats and issued by industry newsletter Hotel Analyst, as well makes it clear that while robust, the budget hotel sector has not remained unhurt by the economic downturn. Throughout 2009, returns per available room went down by 9.1%, with tenancy falling by 5.9% points to 67.8% and rate holding up better with a decline of 1.1% to  £50.97. The effect of recession on the budget hotel sector was confirmed by Jonathan Langston when he said, The budget hotel market has truly been the hotel industrys success story of the last decade. While trading has suffered in the recession, new hotels are continuing to open, reflecting the long term viability of the segment, (TRI Hospitality Consulting, 2010, Pp. 1). The Budget Hotel Market Environment The UK Budget hotel sphere began in 1985 with the inaugural of the Ibis at Heathrow, as well as Little Chef Travel Lodge. Ten years later, there were about 400 budget hotels having 28,500 rooms in total. As already mentioned in this paper, the budget hotel sector is exponentially growing, becoming increasingly swift; Merrill Lynch forecast the budget hotel rooms to increase from 40,000 in 1999 to 80,000 in 2003 taking a 20% share of the UK hotel market (Deloitte, 2004). An exploration study by the Henley Centre (2000) Leisure in the New Millennium staged to the Joint Hospitality Industry Congress (JHIC) demonstrated that development in real disposable income was increasing demand. This unrestricted spend had been arising at 2.6% since 1995 and was visualized to speed up its rate of growth to 3.7% Compound Annual Growth Rate by 2005. Leisure consumption was shifting from being looked upon as a luxury to becoming a necessity, in fact, almost an elementary human right. The effect of individuals seeing leisure as part of their run-of-the-mill running expenses should be to cut down the industrys cyclicality. Afore the budget hotel industrys historical perspective as suffering from a hyperbolized cycle, the realism is that this industry has developed at a similar rate as the GDP since 1993 (McCaskey D., 2000). There is a lot of evidence to demonstrate that every night budget hotels in the UK growingly affranchise the population into budget hotel use. This must be a wanted shift from the 1960s the time at which fewer than 5% of the population in the UK stayed in UK hotels, to the rates experienced today 21st Century, when more that 50% of the UKs population are active hotel users. Arguably, McDonalds was a chief accelerator in stimulating the development of the UK eating-out market. McDonalds got rid of many of the roadblocks or inhibitions to hotel usage. Several strategic success reasons behind McDonaldss QSCV (Quality, Service, Cleanliness and Value) are very relevant to budget hotels. To protect its name that could be taken advantage of, McDonaldss attorneys had to deter one business from brand-marking its hotel product McSleep (McCaskey D., 2000). With 80,000 rooms and 80% tenancy rate, approximations point that, budget hotels will accommodate more than 23,000,000 room-nights per year; in other words over 55% of an entire UK PLC demand. Kleinwort, B. (1996) figures demonstrate that back in 1995, UK PLC hotels gave 31.35 million room nights on sale. Accordingly, these newly lodge formats having low cost base have become a major challenge to two-thirds of the star conventional hotels which incline to having comparatively high costs reinforced into their operations and per se, lack the plasticity to elevate their operation to four-star levels, or to reduce costs to empower them to tie lodge prices. McCaskey, D. (2000) depicted budget hotels as a more and more hungry Pac Man as they cut a strip through the current industry. Similar volatile increase in lodge facility in the United States from the mid 60s to the late 70s left many of the USs distracted mid-market hotels in confusion. In the air, Governmental deregulation engendered the development of low cost airlines, a move that served to give rise to the speedy end of Pan Am and TWA. Deregulation is at present in full spate in the United Kingdom and Europe with a radical diminishing effect on costs and subsequent revenues in both airline and hotel industries. In the United States, the waysides and conurbation are now full of supererogatory and peripheral lodge properties constructed all through their boom years while some companies such as Red Roof Inns and La Quinta still record continuing success every year (McCaskey, D., 2000). The Battle for Market Share The budget hotel market has all the features of the growth phase in the product/service life cycle, making it an apotheosis. The marketing processes commonly associated with the growth phase are: The approaches which promote resilient brand loyalty; The approaches which reinforce market share: The approaches which improve a competitive status and underline the differentiated benefits. The marketing activities of Travel Inn brand, owned by Whitbread Hotel Company, stand out to clearly exemplify the above three. Travel Inn brand has been so orchestrated to cut down the risk of a negative client experience and has built a lasting value. Travel Inn conforms to all the standards for classification as a Leadership Brand, ranked beside other brands including Coca-Cola, Volvo, Disney, as well as Tesco. In other words, Travel Inn and the other four live a sort of Total Brand Management lacking in other organizations. Other budget hotels also need to pursue similar status. The exemplified companies and Travel Inn have a tenacity that communicates all that they do for everybody to know what they can best do for the brand. To affirm this take, Travel Inn competitive advantages have been examined using the Seven Characteristics of Leadership Brands model (Tilley, C., 1999). The Seven are the common elements to be found in all leading brands; they are the ways by which brands r egularly and consistently bear their promise. Travel Inn is the prominent market leader in the mushrooming budget hotel industry; attaining 86% room tenancy, across its 250 outlets, noting that every newly opened Travel Inn operates for about three years before it gains about maximum penetration in its home-grown area. This dilutes Travel Inns general mean group occupancy. This budget hotel takes another three years to build its regular clientele base. Accordingly, Alan Parkers, Hotel Companys M.D. (Parker, A., 2000) argument that a great number of Travel Inns invariably performed at mid-90% tenancy, can be said of being bold as well as true. It is evident that Travel Inn is doing what others are not doing in order to successfully remain competent. For instance in 1999, Travel Inn recorded a staggering 78% repeat occupation. Further analysis of Travel Inns figures staged that 77% of its customers stayed doubly or more throughout a year. In the meantime, 33% of the budget hotels customers stayed over 21 nights per annum year while more than 15,000 stayed every single night (Tri Hospitality Consulting, 2010). In contrast to other UK budget hotels, Travel Inn finds another competitive advantage on booking; Travel Inn has a system by which its regular customers are able to book further and further beforehand to secure their spaces. Competitive Advantage Success factors held by one budget hotel can be adopted by another. Travel Inn does a number of things that place it at a better place to successfully compete in the market. In reference to Travel Inn, the following strategies have been found to help budget hotels in competing successfully for market share: 1. Competitive budget hotels influence the conducts of their clients instead of following conventions and markets; they create customers. It is a practice and tradition in the hotel sector to come up a sophisticated rate of discounts. These discounts may be related to the volume of business and booking period among others. This strategy is meant to maintain and generate demand to make the most of tenancy and price. However, some budget hotels run without these incentives abs they still make it in competitive business. This could imply that there are factors other than this that place such brands on a competitive edge. For instance, Travel Inn does not offer such discounts; it neither pays travel agent commissions. As much as these are revolutionary departures from the budget hotel industry norm, Travel Inn still out-performs the occupation averages for the budget hotel sector. Travel Inns AARR (average achieved room rate) without discounts is the chains rack rate. 2. Competitive budget hotels efficaciously make a meaning that is more than just a function of the product or service. The best meanings are grounded on profoundly felt human needs. A research report on June 29, 2009 by Guy Parson, the Director of Marketing at Travel Inn, indicated that Travel Inn was more welcoming compared to Holiday Inn Express or Travel Lodge. The report also confirmed the speculations that Travel Inn was the first option in cheap accommodation. Very encouraging client gratification surveys as well as mystery shopping rates were being attained throughout Travel Inn and were invariably supervised. From this quantitative and qualitative research it was learnt that clients truly enjoyed their Travel Inn rooms that were new and lively (Parsons, G., 1999). Travel Inn has a compulsory total renovation after every three years, up to and including the bed. Evidently, there are other budget hotels which are riding on a similar competitive edge. For instance, on September 10, 2009, David Michels (2000) gave a brief biography in which he stated that among his first undertakings immediately after taking over as Chief Executive of the tumultuous Stakis Hotel Group was to make a request to a bank to enable him to buy 4,000 new beds for the hotel. Michels, D., (2000) acknowledged that the move helped Stakis recuperate. Michels said, We are after all in the sleep business, it would seem that one of the major components in making this a pleasurable experience is frequently ignored (Michels, D., Pp. 3). From this proceeding, Paul Slatterys (1995) analysis established that the gap between UK hotels PLC and unquoted firms is daily broadening while the tormenting multitudes of independent budget hotels deteriorate into slums. How Budget Hotels Achieve Competitive Advantage Still using Travel Inn as an example, this paper now focuses on how the most successful budget hotels in the UK have achieve a competitive edge. 1. Leadership budget hotel brands stand for meaning everything that they do According to McCaskey, D. (1999), the Travel Inn line of attack in relation to pricing is totally ethical. Leadership budget hotel brands take a pluralist line, such as an impression that a companys performance ought to be looked at in a much more pluralistic manner than just by the bottom line. Such budget hotels frequently go beyond the minimal demands of Corporate Governance. These budget hotels policy is an example of good practice. Given tenancy figures and the significant amount or deflected demand, Whitbread could maximize its price easily. Notwithstanding, Whitbread stands for the prices which are conventional, competitive, widespread, logical and fair, which makes it to easily communicate the prices throughout its affiliates. There are only three classes of prices in the UK budget hotel industry; Roadside, Metro (in City Centre) and Capital (in London). However, leadership budget hotel brands carry out price research to insure that the prices are in line with customer value. It is believed that many of Whitbreads contenders simply follow Whitbreads lead. Though the pricing warfare has for a long time successfully invaded the unjust pricing in retail banking, super-marketing and automobile distribution, there are however too many doubtful practices in the UKs budget hotel industry (McCaskey, D., 1999). These questionable traditions comprise of: Hyperbolic rack rates; Bait and Switch publicizing promotions; Single-room supplements, and; Over-Riding Commissions (kick-backs given to agents/ middlemen and their staff. Given the present-day consumer rights desired order of business, the four questionable practices will unavoidably be disclosed. 2. Leadership budget hotel brands are steady and expressive in every facet of their communication This strategy ensures understanding. Whitbreads recent innovational TV promotion fully conforms to this approach. A reexamination study staged in April 2000 affirmed that the purposes set for this TV commercial were outmatched. The researchs outcomes demonstrated that: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Spontaneous awareness had risen from 12% in April 1999 to 26% in May 2000. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Prompted awareness had risen from 67% in April 1999 to 82% in May 2000. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ New logo recognition rose from 17% in April 1999 to 51% in May 2000. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Over the campaign period, there was a 16.5% increase in Central Reservation calls à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Over the year there had been a 99% increase in e-mail requests and a 900% increase in Web Site visitors. The site should take interactive bookings shortly. (Whitbread Marketing Department August, 2000, Pp. 12) The Whitbreads staff handbook on the other hand captures the effect of the brand which is apportioned among team players. These foreshortened extracts from Whitbreads staff handbook are a model of what ought to be carried out by other UK budget hotels. The book states: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Dare to care; Budget hotel staffs need to show considerateness, regard client as special so as to ensure that the brand transcends what is expected. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Keep it simple; Budget hotel staffs should not over-complicate matters; Whitbreads staff are informed that being informal helps them to communicate crush barriers. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Right first time; Budget hotel staffs ought to be passionate about the industry standards. The then Whitbreads CEO David Thomas (2000) got this Right First Time attribute right with an instance serving as a lesson for the budget hotel sector. Mr. Thomas said that Most of the budget hotel sector needs continuous investment in people. He said, This is an area where I believe we most frequently shoot ourselves in the foot. Putting a raw recruit with little or no training and, no experience, in front of a customer is unforgivable. In the end this is the most expensive option to take because we then have to find more raw recruits and more customers, because the experience demeans them both, (Thomas, D., 2000, Pp. 7). Thomas (2000) continued to say that by the budget hotels industry standards, Whitbread had comparatively a low staff turnover. According to Mr. Thomas, the investment of budget hotels in training and improvement, and competitive pay and considerations, are critical factors in the future of the budget hotel industry. These tools of the trade, Mr. Thomas said, shape the future of this industry. 3. Leadership budget hotel brands are dynamic, invariably adopting to meet new demands and remain pertinent In a 1998 brand re-launch, Project Catapult, Guy Parsons (1999) clearly redefined the brand proposition. In his speech, Parsons suggested a number of things that ought to be done by UK budget hotels that wish to have a sharp competitive edge. Parsons proposed that UK budget hotels need to have a constant duologue between the hotel and its customers. A succeeding UK budget hotel in terms of competitive edge should have the following characteristics: It should fit its general mission statement; It is should be grounded in fact, and there should prove to support it; It should have a good tonal fit in line with the most recent research findings; It should suggest the audaciousness and confidence of being a market leader It should state its attention for internal motivation It should state its clear focus concerning communication It should bear in mind that price is not the center though value should still be The UK budget hotel according to Parsons, G. (1999) should use the above measures to draw their competitive strategies. Budget Hotels Societal Roles to Achieve Competitive Advantage Leadership Budget Hotel brands have social responsibilities According to Whitbreads Chief Executive, David Thomas (2000), during The Joint Hospitality Industry Congress at the Gloucester Millennium Hotel, leadership brands hold beliefs, positions and, conduct which earn the respect of the people outside the brand. A few years before 2000, Travel Inn had been criticized by some players in the budget hotel industry, and by a good number of city market analysts, for missing the chance of making short-term profits in Travel Inn. The analysts attributed the cause to having one national price that Travel Inn applied each throughout the week. After Travel Inn sharpened its strategies, Travel Inn it has since developed to become among the UKs biggest branded hotel chains having 250 hotels and 12,500 rooms. As tabled earlier on this paper, Travel Inns tenancy is increasing across the brand relative to its returns. Thomas bases Travel Inns success on a win-win approach between the brand and its clients. 2. Budget Hotel brands leadership is earned not given Leadership budget hotel brands percolate the whole establishment; they are not merely the organizations label. Leadership budget hotel brands serve as a living model of how well to carry on, what activity to do to achieve the best, and how to perform into the future. Other UK budget hotel brands need to realize the groundbreaking and innovative strategies developed by Whitbread. In its inauguration, Travel Inn yipped that it was set to start up a totally innovational and path-breaking scheme which would play a role in further differentiating it, give its brand the first mover status as well as maintain its intention as The UKs Favorite place to Stay. Successfully, Travel Inn has lived to live its initiation dream. This thus serves as an example to other UK budget hotel brands; they should set their own societal goals, live by them so as to place them in a better competitive position (Parsons, G., 1999). The Future for the UK Budget Hotel Sector Mr. Robert C. Hazard, President Choice Hotels, in the year 1994 was quoted saying, the period 2000-2010 will be the most competitive in the history of the UK Budget Hotel industry..every lodge must become more market driven, improving its product to create a unique, sustainable competitive advantage and a perception of greater value amongst its guests (Porter, M., 1996, Pp. 61). Porter argued that strategic advantage may be earned via uniqueness. He said, A company can only outperform rivals if it can establish a difference that it can preserve. It must deliver greater value to customers or create comparable value at lower cost or do both (Porter, M., 1996, Pp. 67). Porter also acknowledges that through differentiation, arithmetical productivity leads to superior measure and lets a company to charge even higher normal prices per units. It also makes a company get more efficient results even in lower than normal costs per unit and all this enable a company to achieve a virtuous circle . Today, the quick development stage in lodging services decelerates as the market attains full development and becomes concentrated. Predictions place this development at an infiltration that is approximately between 20% and 25% in the hotel market in United Kingdom. The predictions have mentioned important presence in the developments at the waysides, in the outskirts, in inner-cities and also in London. The hotel market in UK will be noticeably defined by price and quality groupings, from the super- budget to upper-market economic systems. Most hotels that will be the mid-market contributors in the current cluster include, Holiday Inn Express, Premier Lodge, Travel Inn and Travel Lodge. These hotels are expected to have realized their strategic and network aspirations and to have also settled most present matters such as the telephone facilities in the hotel bedrooms, the extra conference and meeting rooms. These improvements should be carefully examined so as to meet the actual cus tomer prerequisites. Increment in competition is expected over the years and growth in supply is also expected to surpass the growth in demand. The stronger players are gradually expected to battle one another instead of just taking business from the lesser participants as presently (Pricewaterhouse, 2010). In 1998, the Vice President of Holiday Inn Express, Mr. Shane Harris remarked that, The budget sector is over supplied with non-branded, poor quality, inconsistent hotels. These will be overtaken by the branded budgets which are currently undersupplied, (Harris, S., 1998, Pp. 21). The renowned betting and control organization, Pricewaterhouse Coopers recognize Brands as the large components of an organizations incorporeal worth (July 2000). Pricewaterhouse Coopers also influence brands capability to improve stakeholder worth with trademark tactics in formulating competitive benefit. The trademarking idea has changed from product advertising to service advertising. Corporate brands should steadily mirr or the capabilities of the particular organization. Table 2 Literature Review Matrix Author/Focus Industry Recession Environ Share Advantage Strategy Social Future Deloitte Kleinwort, B McCaskey Michels Parker, A. Parsons, G. Porter, M. Pricewaterhouse Slattery, P. Solomon, M Tilley, C. THC Whitbread

Pesticide Essay -- Environment, Contamination

It is known that amphibian populations are declining at alarming rates worldwide. Their population decline has been linked to various factors such as UV radiation, emerging diseases and pesticide exposure. Pesticide exposure however, is of particular importance due to their high potential for toxicity and widespread environmental contamination. They are commonly introduced into local water systems through runoff from agricultural fields. According to the National Water Quality Inventory, agricultural runoff is the leading cause of water pollution in rivers and lakes in the United States. Because many species of amphibians have habitats that coincide with agricultural areas, there is a heightened probability for contamination of their habitat through runoff. While pesticides increase agricultural profits, they also lead to high amphibian mortality and should have improved regulations. All amphibians have high skin permeability, which is a key factor in connecting pesticides to their decline. This physiological feature can be linked to the ways in which gas exchanges occur within their circulatory system. Oxygen molecules first diffuse onto the moist surface of the integument. The oxygen molecules are then picked up by red blood cells within capillaries, which run close to the skins surface. The oxygen-saturated blood is then circulated throughout the body before being expelled similarly to how it was absorbed. Because of this high skin permeability, it is also much easier for toxins, such as pesticides, to enter and accumulate within the amphibian’s body (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Once pesticides have been integrated into the amphibian, they may lead to malformation, decreased fitness even death depending on the kind... ...sticides, it is not, to require better regulations and enforcement. It however does not go without saying that pesticides do generate better agricultural products for our consumption and power the economy. But, populations of amphibians continue to dwindle and nothing has changed in the EPAs regulation of pesticides, including those mentioned. The world is quickly loosing vast amounts of biodiversity in the name of secular bureaucratic processes. The perspective of ecologists and biologists continue to be ignored even in the wake of possible extinctions. If new rules are not put into effect and done so soon, there will undoubtedly be great consequences not seen since the days of the passenger pigeon. Once the world looses a species, no form of legislation can bring them back, which is why passing new regulations now is imperative for the present and future.

Understanding Poetry

Understanding and Appreciating Poetry 1 Note to Teachers Set Poems 2012-2014 Teachers have been speaking about the lack of critical material on some of the literature set pieces (particularly the poems) selected for study at the Caribbean O’Level. Diverse interpretations make an exploration of literary material interesting and expansive. This guide to the study of ‘set’ poems is a response to those who wish to be expansive in their analysis and appreciation. It is not intended to be a model commentary but an analysis or interpretation that will stimulate further discussion and analysis. Some poems are treated with questions.This approach helps to elucidate the central themes or ideas in the poems. This is a cost free publication offered to teachers. Prepared by Clifford Narinesingh co – author of A Comprehensive English Course , Books 1-3 and CXC English A. and author of Developing Language Skills Books 1,2,3, and CSEC Exam Book 4 A Royards Publishing Compa ny Project This is a free publication and not intended for resale 2 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATING POETRY DULCE et DECORUM EST Theme: The theme of the poem is the subject with which the poet deals. It is the central idea around which the event or experiences revolve.In this poem, the central idea is the â€Å"horrors of war†. The ghastly image of war, the torture to which soldiers are subjected, reflect the theme – â€Å"the haunting flares†, â€Å"gas shells dropping† â€Å"froth corrupted lungs† are evidence of the atrocities of war. INTENTION OF THE POET What does the poet hope to achieve? The poet here, wishes to convey a universal message to the reader, that one should not believe that it is noble to die for one’s country, because of the untold miseries which soldiers experience. To the poet, neither fame nor glory can compensate for the immense suffering that war inflicts on humanity.MOOD The mood conveyed in the poem is one of anger, revulsion and disgust. The impact of the incident in which the soldier is caught in an explosion and the agony he suffers is one of loathing and revulsion. â€Å"I saw him drowning† â€Å"guttering, choking, drowning† shows the immense suffering of a dying soldier. This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understanding and Appreciating Poetry THE MAIN INCIDENT The traumatic experience of a soldier who is caught in a sudden explosion while returning to his camp. 3 IMAGERY The poet achieves his purpose or intention through his use of intense language and vivid imagery.These are the similes used by the poet to make the images interesting and meaningful. 1. â€Å"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks. † Here the soldiers returning from the battle field look like old beggars, bent with age and exhaustion, carrying their sacks on their backs. The comparison is appropriate as it appeals to the visual sense and bri ngs the readers face to face with the exhausted soldiers. 2. â€Å"knock-kneed, coughing like hags† The image of the knock-kneed soldiers coughing like hags, shows the terrible effect of the smell of gun powder, and gun shots.It appeals to the auditory sense and reminds the reader of the sounds of old people coughing. 3. â€Å"And floundering like a man in fire or lime† The image presents the soldier in a state of panic, unable to move in any fixed direction as he is trapped in the fire. The reader can see the movements of the soldier, like a blind man floundering and fumbling to find his way. 4. His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin† The comparison vividly describes the look of the soldier in agony and pain during the final moments of his death.LANGUAGE OF THE POEM These are some examples of the poet’s use of emotive and intense language â€Å"We cursed through sludge† â€Å"limped on blood-shod This is a free publication and not int ended for resale 4 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry â€Å"Drunk with fatigue† â€Å"He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning† â€Å"White eyes writhing in his face† â€Å"Froth-corrupted lungs† The language used is both appropriate and effective and evokes the sympathy of the reader. THIS IS THE DARK TIME, MY LOVE The theme of this poem is about a people whose dreams of a better life have been threatened by the destructive power of the ‘strange invader’.The atmosphere of the poem is one of tension, fear, anxiety. â€Å"Everywhere the faces of men are strained and anxious. † This is because of the presence of soldiers: â€Å"all around the land brown beetles crawl about. † Even nature is sympathetic to the cause of the people as expressed in the line â€Å"red flowers bend their heads in awful sorrow. † The poet’s mood is one of lamentation for the misery of his people, the instability and sorrow brought about by the strange invader. Imagery: The images appeal to the sense of sight and sound.They present visual pictures that are striking. The picture of the soldiers, â€Å"all around the land brown beetles crawl about†, in their thick armoury, the hard covering on their backs is like beetles. Here you hear the tramping of soldiers â€Å"whose boots of steel tramp down the slender grass†. You can also see the slender grass trampled upon and looking withered. This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understanding and Appreciating Poetry Figurative Language Metaphor: All around the land brown beetles crawl about. † 5 The soldiers are compared to brown beetles.Personification: â€Å"Red flowers bend their heads in awful sorrow. † The poet gives the flower qualities of a human being – the emotion of sorrow. Irony: â€Å"It is the festival of guns, the carnival of misery. † The words â€Å"festival† and â€Å"carnival† a re indicative of joyous celebrations but what the country is really experiencing is sorrow, not joy. The Woman Speaks to the Man who has employed Her Son In this poem, a mother expresses her deep affection for her son. She reflects on the unfortunate circumstances of her life as a single parent. She is now concerned about the welfare of her son.This woman is seen as one, whose deep devotion and dedication to her son make her transcend her difficulties. Her responsibility to her son takes priority. But what shatters her now, is the fact that her son is employed by someone who appears to be engaged in shady activities. To her, the gun he carries is a symbol of destructiveness and criminal activities. The conversational style of the poem makes the reader empathize with the thoughts and feelings of the mother. The reader discerns in the mother, fortitude, resilience and spiritual strength which inform her actions. 1. What is the theme of the poem? . The mood of the poem is one of (a) di sgust and anger (b) optimism and hope (c) sadness and despair This is a free publication and not intended for resale 6 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry 3. Which of these words describe the tone of the poem? formal, conversational, angry, serious? 4. What do the lines â€Å"a metallic tide, rising in her mouth each morning† suggest about the mother? 5. â€Å"He treated all his children With equal and unbiased indifference. † What do the above lines suggest about the father? 6. Why do you think that the mother is upset about the job her son has taken? 7.What do the â€Å"black cloth† and â€Å"veiled hat† symbolize? 8. Select the line which expresses the mother’s helplessness. 9. Why does she allude to the â€Å"thief on the left side of the cross†? 10. How do you feel as you read the poem? GOD’S GRANDEUR The poem is expressive of God’s presence in the natural world even though man’s exploits have served to destroy na ture and its freshness and purity. To the poet, God’s grandeur is ever pervasive, revealing itself like ‘flame from shook foil’. The word ‘flame’ is significant as it conveys the brilliance of God as the shining light the foil gives off.The poet employs the image of an electric charge, which develops into a flame or a light suggesting the power of His greatness. God’s light assumes a richness like the ‘ooze of oil crushed’ or pressed to it finest quality. As the oil gathers strength to richness so too does God’s greatness. The images are all interwoven and expanded to express the grandeur of God. In stanza 2, though man is aware of God’s greatness, he still exploits it through commerce and industrialization, blemishing the earth and destroying the freshness of nature.The repetition, ‘generations have trod, have trod, have trod’ conveys man’s persistence in his ruthless exploitation. The persistent repetition of the words ‘have trod’ leading to ‘smeared and bleared’, tells of the poet’s resentment and This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understanding and Appreciating Poetry disgust at man’s actions. ‘Man’s smudge’ and ‘smell’ are expressive of a polluted and squalid environment, all due to man’s uncaring attitude. Unthinking man cares not about the destruction he leaves; he seems not aware of what he has done to nature as expressed in the words ‘nor can foot feel being shod. The natural sensation of walking barefooted is lost. The language of stanza one (1) lines 5-8, reveals a protest against man’s ruthlessness. The poet reacts to man’s inhumanity and indignity with reasoned calmness, a protest without rage or anger for he is consoled by nature’s presence as described in stanza two (2). In stanza two(2), the poet tells that God’s presence or po wer through nature is renewable and invigorating in spite of man’s destructive nature. Nature is described as indestructible or inexhaustible. â€Å"For all this, nature is never spent There lives a dearest freshness deep down things. The poem ends on a positive note, an assurance that springs from the poet’s faith as he is convinced of the Holy Ghost’s presence with vitality and life and all that is luminous, â€Å"warm breath and bright wings† 7 GOD’S GRANDEUR 1. Using your own words, express in about two to three lines the theme of the poem. 2. State the central contrast which this poem presents between God and man. Explain it fully with reference to specific details. 3. Select one metaphor used in the poem and show how it is expanded. 4. Explain in your own words the meaning of the following lines. (a) Why do men now not reck his rod? b) And for all this, nature is never spent. 5. The poet uses the following devices. Select one example of each and comment on its effectiveness: (a) simile (b) alliteration (c) compression (d) repetition This is a free publication and not intended for resale 8 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry ORCHIDS In this poem, the writer is about to relocate and is sending her material belongings â€Å"to fill the empty spaces of her future life†. One thing that cannot be boxed is the sentiment she feels for the orchids. The orchids belong to her emotional and spiritual world. The purple colour is a symbol of the blood of Christ on the Cross.What is evident in the poem is that some experiences in life can never be forgotten. Even though you may wish to suppress them, like a stubborn orchid, they bloom and blossom. For the poet, the orchid is an inspiration to the creative instinct. It sends a message, tells a story that reaches poetic dimensions. Even though the pressed orchids become â€Å"thin and dried transparency†, she believes that they still are a stimulus for poetic thought. I n the poem, the material world is pitted against the world of nature. The world of nature is constant and eternal. 1. What is the theme of the poem? a) relocating to a new home (b) nurturing a spray of orchids (c) the poet’s impression of the orchids 2. What is the mood of the poem? 3. From where did the poet get the orchids? 4. What effect have the purple petals on the poet? 6. What was peculiar about the orchids? 7. (a) Explain the meaning of â€Å"their thin dried transparency†. (b) Of what value is the â€Å"thin dried transparency† to the poet? This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understanding and Appreciating Poetry 9 SOUTH Motivated by a deep sense of longing to return to the islands, the poet recaptures in his memory delightful scenes of his native land.He recalls the bright beaches, the fishermen’s houses and the sound of the sea which heralded his birth. The poet has journeyed from the islands to distant lands where his experi ences have been different from those in the islands. He has visited stormy cities, felt the sharp slanting sleet and hail and the oppressive shadows of the forest. These are opposed to the warmth of the islands, and the salty brine of the sea. To the poet, the ocean that surrounds the islands is a symbol of adventure, the freedom of the spirit and the limitless possibilities which reside in its vastness.In his view, the rivers that form part of his present environs remind him of a life that lacks purpose – he feels resentment for the rivers. He recalls the refreshing memories of the sea which reflect the harmony between man and nature. He sees the shells, the fishermen’s houses, the pebbled path, the fish and the gulls and the white sails. These are the treasures of the islands which he recaptures in the poem. These are the treasures which make him forget the pains, the sorrows and the hatred. 1. 2. 3. State briefly what the poem is about. Where is the experience takin g place?Select two images in the poem. To which sense does each appeal? 4. 5. Select those expressions which show the poet’s experiences of hardship. Which literary device does the poet use in each of the following? ‘bright beaches blue’ ‘sharp slanting sleet’ ‘their flowing runs on like our longing’ ‘splash’ ‘white sails slanted seaward’ 6. What is the mood or feeling of the poet? This is a free publication and not intended for resale 10 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry EPITAPH, DREAMING BLACK BOY, THEME for ENGLISH B. The poems ‘Epitaph’, ‘Dreaming Black Boy’ and ‘Theme for English B’ have similar themes.They express discrimination and intolerance in human relationships and reflect the denial of the basic human rights of recognition, justice, equality and freedom. The three poems are treated differently. You will observe that in the poem â€Å"Epitaph† the ima ge is vivid, stark and gruesome. Amidst the beauty of the â€Å"falling sunlight† and the swaying cane†, the dead body of the slave hung. The image evokes in the reader anger against human brutality and compassion for the fate of the slave. Through the sad tale, the poet achieves his intention of giving the reader insights into the brutality meted out to slaves in their days of enslavement.The poem is a tribute to the dead slave, and is melancholic in mood and tone. Epitaph 1. Describe the image presented in stanza one of the poem. 2. Which of the following best defines the feelings evoked by the image? (a) elation and despair (b) compassion and anger (c) hatred and defeat (d) disappointment and disbelief 3. Identify words and expressions which describe the morning’s atmosphere. 4. The poet compares the swinging body to â€Å"a black apostrophe to pain†, most likely because â€Å"the swung body† (a) resembled an apostrophe mark. (b) was prominently positioned as a mark symbolizing pain. c) was at the heart of two elements. (d) was the cause of much agony and pain. This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understanding and Appreciating Poetry 5. Explain the meaning of each of the following expressions: (a) punctuate our island tale (b) brutal sentences (c) anger pauses till they pass away 6. Do you think that the title of the poem is appropriate? Give a reason to support your answer. 7. Which of the following best expresses the theme of the poem? (a) a sorrowful tale (b) man’s inhumanity to man (c) victory and defeat (d) a blot on our history 8.What is the mood experienced throughout the poem? 11 Dreaming Black Boy In the poem ‘Dreaming Black Boy’, the boy expresses his thoughts and emotions in abstract images. He dreams and wishes for the rights that should be accorded to all human beings – recognition and love, and the freedom of movement and speech. These images appeal to the emotions and the reader empathizes with the boy who is being denied these rights. The poem is written in blank verse. This makes the tone of the poem conversational. 1. What is the theme of the poem? (a) disappointment (b) relationships (c) alienation (d) injustice . Why do you think the â€Å"black boy† has dreams and wishes? 3. What does the boy wish according to stanza one (1) of the poem? (a) opportunity to compete (b) recognition and warmth This is a free publication and not intended for resale 12 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry (c) freedom to play (d) to forget his ancestors 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Why does the boy wish for an opportunity to be educated? Identify two pieces of evidence which show the boy’s feeling of rejection. Identify the lines in which the boy feels that his freedom of movement and speech have been suppressed.Who are the â€Å"torch throwers† and the â€Å"plotters in pyjamas† alluded to in stanza four (4)? What do you think is the tone of the poem? (a) What terrible burden does the boy suffer? (b) What is his attitude to suffering? Theme for English B In the poem â€Å"Theme for English B† the poet deals with a student’s feeling of frustration and disappointment in the society. The thoughts which he expresses on the â€Å"page† echo the issues that confront him in an environment of whites. The mind of the student is confused. Though he was born and bred in a society of white people, and educated in a school among whites, yet he feels a sense of alienation.In the page that he writes, he is justifying his right to acceptance and equality, on the basis that all people share a common natural heritage of instincts, emotions and tastes. He firmly believes that each race impacts on the other and learns from each other. Perhaps he is questioning whether discrimination should give way to harmony among the races. 1. What does the word â€Å"true† in line four (4) -â€Å"Then, it will be trueâ₠¬ , imply? (a) authenticity 2. (b) reality (c) credibility (d) integrity Identify the aspects of the student’s life which seem to make the assignment difficult. This is a free publication and not intended for resaleUnderstanding and Appreciating Poetry 3. The student’s page would be based on (a) life at the college (b) his instincts and emotions (c) a resolution of the conflicts in his mind (d) the Harlem experience 4. What does the student wish to say by listing the things he likes? 5. What makes the student and the instructor part of each other? 6. According to the student’s page, which of the following statements are True? (a) The page on which the student writes is coloured. (b) Feelings, natural instincts and tastes are manifested by all people. (c) Sometimes whites and coloured cannot tolerate each other. d) All people are not born equal. (e) Each race impacts on the other and learns from each other. 7. Which words best describe the character of the stude nt? impulsive, rational, obstinate, compromising, intelligent, outspoken, unbalanced. The poem is written in Blank Verse form. What does this lend to the style and tone of the poem? 13 8. Test Match Sabina Park 1. What is the theme of the poem? (a) Fall from glory (b) An exciting cricket match (c) Reflections of a spectator (d) Failed batsmen 2. Which line in the poem tells that the crowd lacked the spirited response to the match? 3. The speaker is critical of the English batting.This is a free publication and not intended for resale 14 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry Quote the lines in support of the criticism. 4. Why is the poet’s rationale for a dull game not convincing even to himself? 5. What is the â€Å"tarnished rosette† which the writer mentions in the last stanza? Why is it tarnished? 6. The tone of the poem is (a) sarcastic (b) formal (c) conversational (d) harsh 7. What does the native language of the folk lend to the poem? 8. In this poem you hear tw o voices. Whose voices are they? 9. What is meant by the line â€Å"Proudly wearing the rosette of my skin†? 0. What insights do you get of the relationship between the English and the native folk from the expression, â€Å"Eh white bwoy†? Ol’ Higue and Le Loupgarou Many stories of strange supernatural characters derive from the cultural tradition of the folk. These characters form an important part of the folklore brought by the Africans to the West Indies. Some of these have been preserved in narratives and poems. The character to which this poem ‘Ol’ Higue’ alludes is the ‘Soucouyant’ whose mission is to draw blood from human beings. Read the poem. Discuss the following questions. 1.What image of Ol’ Higue does the poet present in stanza one (1)? 2. What complaint does Ol’ Higue make in stanza one (1)? Quote the expressions which support your answer. This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understa nding and Appreciating Poetry 3. (a) Why would Ol’ Higue be â€Å"Burning like cane fire†? (b) Why does she have to count a thousand grains? 4. Why is the blood of babies attractive to Ol’ Higue? 5. How and when does she perform her â€Å"blood-sucking† task? 6. Give one reason why Ol’ Higue would love women giving birth. 7. Do you consider Ol’ Higue a mysterious character? . What feeling does Ol’ Higue evoke in you as you read the poem? 15 Le loupgarou Read the poem and discuss the following questions based on it. 1. (a) (b) What is the â€Å"curious talk† alluded to in line one (1) of the poem? What does the word â€Å"curious† suggest? 2. Who are the â€Å"greying women†? 3. Why, do you think, Le Brun was â€Å"greeted by slowly shutting jalousies†? 4. Which word describes Le Brun’s dress? 5. What, do you think, is the bargain Le Brun made with the fiends? 6. What was responsible for Le Brunâ€⠄¢s ruin? 7. How did people know that le Brun had changed himself into a dog? 8.What literary device is used in line one(1)? â€Å"A curious tale that threaded through the town†. 9. .How do you feel as you read the last two lines of the poem? You will observe that both poems deal with the supernatural. The Soucouyant is the counterpart of the Le Loupgarou. They both make a pact with the devil to engage in mysterious and fiendish dealings. This is a free publication and not intended for resale 16 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry They both are greedy and are ruined through their greed. They both evoke fear in the people around them. Once upon a Time Read the poem and discuss the questions based on it. . What do you think is the theme of the poem? (a) Behavioural patterns in human relationships. (b) Attitudes of people in a modern age. (c) Loss of culture founded on love, sincerity and goodwill. (d) How people lived long ago. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What difference is there in how p eople laughed long ago and how they laugh now? Give one piece of evidence that shows how people deceive others. Why, do you think, that the poet wears different faces in different contexts? Provide evidence to show that the poet is influenced by the behaviour and attitudes of the new age. Does the poet like the changes in behaviour?Give reasons to support your answer. 7. Which of the following best expresses the mood of the poet? (a) melancholy (b) disappointment (c) anger (d) reflection 8. 9. What can you infer about the character of the poet? Which of the following lessons can one learn from this poem? (a) Pattern your lives to please others (b) Appearances are often deceptive This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understanding and Appreciating Poetry (c) Values should change to suit modern living. (d) Be yourself at all times. (e) Honesty, love and consideration should guide your actions. 7 Forgive my Guilt 1. What is the theme of the poem? a) An accident b) A pl ea for forgiveness c) Two injured birds d) A confused mind 2. 3. 4. 5. What incident is the poet recalling? Where and when did the incident take place? Identify two contrasting images of the birds, before and after the incident occurred. Select images that appeal to the sense of (a) sight (b) sound Explain each and say whether it is appropriate or not. 6. Identify two similes in the poem. Explain each and say whether it is appropriate or not. 7. 8. 9. What mood does the poem evoke in the reader?What are your feelings towards the poet? State the qualities of the poet which you discern in the poem. To An Athlete Dying Young 1. 2. What is the theme of the poem? What is the intention of the poet? This is a free publication and not intended for resale 18 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Find two expressions in stanza one (1) which indicate the spectator’s response to the athlete’s victory. What does the line â€Å"Townsman of a stiller town† sugge st about the athlete? Quote two expressions in stanza three (3) which show the poet’s view on â€Å"glory and laurels†.Why would â€Å"silence† and â€Å"cheers sound the same to the dying athlete? Write T next to the statements that are true. By dying young the athlete’s glory a. died with him. b. is unchallenged on the field. c. does not gain wide acclaim. d. is not worn down by time. e. is suppressed by other runners. 8. The poem best exemplifies a. reflections on the transience of fame and glory. b. a tribute on the demise of a young successful athlete. c. ovation on the victory of a young adult. d. thoughts on life after death. It is the Constant Image of Your Face In this poem, the poet experiences a deep feeling of guilt and remorse.The poet has framed an image of his beloved whose face is constantly before him, while he is engrossed in a world of his own; a world in which thoughts are like knives, hurling accusations at him. These accusations cut deeply into the poet’s consciousness and remind him of his treachery to his native country. Apparently, the poet has left his native home, having been captivated by the beauty and assurances of his beloved. However, deep in his heart he knows that no other love can lay claim to his loyalty but his homeland which is above This is a free publication and not intended for resaleUnderstanding and Appreciating Poetry all other loves. Feelings of remorse and guilt plague the thoughts of the poet. To him, leaving his country is like an act of treason and treachery. Although he prizes his beloved, he pleads for forgiveness from his country whose tenderness matches or surpasses that of the beloved. 1. What do you think is the theme of the poem? (a) The guilt and remorse of a poet (b) Alienation from one’s own country (c) The poet’s love and loyalty for his native country 2. Describe the mood which the poet experiences throughout the poem. Give suitable quotations in supp ort of your answer. a) Select one image in the poem. (b) To which sense does it appeal? (c) Explain its importance in the poem. 4. (a) What is the meaning of â€Å"my world of knives†? (b) What effect does this world have on the poet? 5. 6. Quote two expressions which show that the poet’s love for his country surpasses all other loves. What qualities of the poet’s character are revealed in the poem? 19 3. West Indies, U. S. A. In this poem, the poet records his impressions of the Islands from a view, thirty thousand feet above. He sees some of the islands as more prominent than others.Some are more culturally and economically developed as can be seen in his impression of Puerto Rico, with â€Å"silver linings in the clouds† and the glitter of San Juan. But to him, each country has its own distinctive features and characteristics, which are highlighted at its terminal. Against these islands, the poet sees the influence of the United States on Puerto Rico: he sees Puerto Rico as a representation of the United States – â€Å"America’s backyard†. Stringent laws are enforced at its terminal to prevent passengers This is a free publication and not intended for resale 20Understanding and Appreciating Poetry from entering without legal documentation. The fear of foreigners who sneak into the island and tarnish the image of the land is well noted by the poet. He notes the influence of American culture and lifestyle in Puerto Rico. The glitter of the cities pulsating with life is well captured in the â€Å"polished Cadillacs† and â€Å"Micro chips†. 1. What is the theme of the poem? 2. (a) Select the simile in the first two lines of the poem. (b) Explain why the poet makes the comparison, (c) Do you find it interesting and original? Why? 3. What is the distinctive feature of each of the following terminals? a) Port au Prince (b) Piarco (c) Vere Bird 4. Why are all passengers other than those embarking at San Juan, required to stay on the plane? 5. What do you think is â€Å"that vaunted sanctuary†? Why is it considered a vaunted sanctuary? 6. Select three pieces of evidence which show America’s influence on the lifestyle of Puerto Rico. 7. What do you think is the mood of the poem? 8. What is the tone of the poet? Composed Upon Westminster Bridge The poet records his impressions of the scene at early dawn when no mechanized activity is going on and the air is clean and devoid of smoke.He is touched by the beauty and splendour of the city. Only those whose souls are dull would not be touched by the awe-inspiring scene; the greatness is majestic. All objects natural or otherwise are now visible because of the glitter of the morning sun which spreads over the landscape. Never before has the poet witnessed such beauty which the splendour of the sun radiates over valley, rock or hills. Not only is the beauty enchanting, but also the peace and calm which the scene has on the mi nd of the poet: In such an atmosphere even the houses seem asleep and all is still.In the scene there is no activity. The air is smokeless because the truckers have This is a free publication and not intended for resale Understanding and Appreciating Poetry not started to pour their emissions into the atmosphere. The poet is deeply impressed and stunned at the calm and beauty of the morning. His exclamation, â€Å"Dear God! † tells us that his response has reached spiritual and divine dimension. 21 1. What is the theme of the poem? 2. Where and when is the experience taking place? 3. What is the mood of the poet? 4. Select the figure of speech in the first five lines of the poem.With what does the poet compare the city? 5. Why is the air smokeless? 6. Select lines which show that there is an absence of noise in the scene. 7. What does the poet mean by â€Å"the very houses seem asleep†? 8. From the poet’s impressions of the scene, what can you tell of his charac ter? 9. Do you like the poem? Give reasons to support your answer. A Contemplation Upon Flowers The poet sees in the flowers a calm and willing acceptance of death – brave and harmless, humble and modest, the flowers are born of the earth and to the earth they return with no resistance.Unlike the poet, the flowers subject themselves to the natural order and pattern of the universe. They bloom in a particular season and then fall to earth. The poet wishes his life to be perpetually in spring for he fears the winter, the harbinger of death. His pride, vanity and fear make him unwilling to succumb to death. However, the poet longs to be like the flowers, to smile and look cheerfully at death. He needs to accept death without fear and to make peace with the inevitable. The wreaths of flowers brighten and sweeten the atmosphere in times of death.The poet wishes to be like the flowers, that his breath will sweeten and perfume his death. Enslaved by pride, vanity and fear, the poet struggles to come to terms with the experience of death. This is a free publication and not intended for resale 22 Understanding and Appreciating Poetry The poet represents humanity in his fear of death. The flowers represent Nature and its willing acceptance of death. 1. What do you think is the theme of the poem? 1. Select the qualities in the flowers that the poet admires. 3. What does the expression â€Å"that I could gallant it like you† mean? . â€Å"Embroidered garments† suggest (a) the flowers are very beautiful (b) even the most beautiful are subject to death (c) Nature produces colorful things (d) the petals of the flowers are adorned with a pattern 5. Why does the poet wish his life would be always spring? 6. What two lessons can the flowers teach the poet? 7. What makes it difficult for the poet to accept death? 8. The word which best describes the mood of the poet is (a) joyful (b) sorrowful (c) pensive (d) angry This is a free publication and not intended for resale