William Faulkner s As I Lay Dying Essay - 1672 Words

Technically Significant â€Å"It takes two people to make you, and one people to die. That’s how the world is going to end† (Faulkner 35). In As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner captures the reader with reality in a perplexing and unequivocal portrayal of a Mississippi family. Born in Mississippi, Faulkner’s expertise in innovative techniques of language qualified him for his accomplishments in the Nobel Prize for Literature (1949), the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1955 1963), and the National Book Award (1951 1955) (William Faulkner Biography). Although referred to by some critics as a simple novel, Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying uses technical innovations that are compelling and captivating. The novel is not just a story about family, but a story that shows how people within the same family grieve differently. As I Lay Dying is a novel I enjoy not because it is regarded as a great work of literature, but because the novel is blunt and captured me with its simplicity, yet perplexity. While reading the first section of the novel I became intrigued by the details Darl was describing as he set the scene (Faulkner 3). The details help me step into the world being narrated. The language used by the characters is simple, but it is useful in portraying the story, as well as, allowing the reader to get lost in the novel. Although the dialogue of the characters is written based on southern pronunciation, it intrigues me as a reader (Bleikasten 23). The intriguing part is while I am readingShow MoreRelatedWilliam Faulkner s As I Lay Dying1105 Words   |  5 Pages William Faulkner: As I Lay Dying Rose For Emily William Faulkner is one of the most prominent American writers best known for his diverse skills and a number of novels, short stories, essays and screenplays that he wrote during his entire life. William showed his expertise within the field of literature by the use of valuable literary styles, well connected thematic concerns, moral lessons combined with little humor within his entire work. He effectively utilised the moments he spent togetherRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s As I Lay Dying953 Words   |  4 PagesThe truth cannot be revealed from one perspective. In As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner uses a myriad of people to tell the story of the Bundren family as they journey to the town of Jefferson to bury the mother of the family, Addie. The Bundren s low social class inhibits their ability to cope with the situation of Addie’s death and properly function as a family. Cash, the oldest of the Bundren children, must work to provide for family and therefore cannot even reflect on the death of his motherRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s As I Lay Dying1671 Words   |  7 PagesNoncommunication in As I Lay Dying William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying is a novel originally published in 1930 depicting a rural family of seven from Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, who are awaiting the impending death of the mother figure, Addie Bundren. She has procured a promise from her husband, Anse, to take her body to her hometown of Jefferson, Mississippi for burial, a forty-mile distance. Upon her death, the family places her body into a homemade coffin, loads it onto a mule-pulled farmRead MoreAnalysis Of William Faulkner s I Lay Dying 1713 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Faulkner confessed â€Å"It’s much more fun to try to write about women because I think women are marvelous, they’re wonderful, and I know very little about them.† He did not attempt to disguise this amusement considering many of his works involve the presence of women who serve to be pivotal characters. Faulkner is known as one of the most prominent writers in the literary world. Faulkner is from the southern Un ited States- Oxford, Mississippi, to be exact. His expertise was the Southern GothicRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s As I Lay Dying1525 Words   |  7 PagesIsolation of Characters in As I Lay Dying As I Lay Dying was an extremely successful novel written by an American author named William Faulkner in 1930. Each of the characters in the novel are given traits that are expressed throughout the story to reveal their true identities. Faulkner utilizes first person point of view that shifts from one character to another to allow the reader to enter the mind of each character and experience their inner thoughts. All the characters live very similar livesRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s As I Lay Dying1606 Words   |  7 PagesFeminist Despair in As I Lay Dying The modern world is in the midst of reconstructing gender roles; debates about contraception, reproductive freedom, and female inequality are contentious and common. The majority now challenges the long established assertion that women’s bodies are the eminent domain of patriarchal control. In the past, a woman’s inability to control her reproductive choices could come with ruinous consequences. Proponents of patriarchal control argue against reproductive independenceRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s As I Lay Dying1999 Words   |  8 Pagesloved the ones who died. It changes a person by making them deal with their own mortality, morality, and grief. However that is not the case in As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. The effects of the death of Addie Bundren are very evident in the Bundren family through their actions and thoughts throughout the book. Though they love Addie, they use her dying wish to be buried in Jefferson as an excuse to head into town to fulfill their own agendas. This love and selfishness show the two sided natureRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s As I Lay Dying1406 Words   |  6 PagesExploring the Layers of Maternity and Southern Womanhood in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying She becomes a wife and a mother. She loves her children and they adore her. When she grows old they will take of her, and when she dies, they long for her the rest of their days. The concept of such a desired and completed journey of motherhood and womanhood is dismantled in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. On a spectrum of maternity, characters Cora Tull, Addie Bundren and her daughter Dewey Dell eachRead MoreAnalysis Of William Faulkner s I Lay Dying 1486 Words   |  6 PagesOn the back of my edition of As I Lay Dying there is a quote from William Faulkner on the subject of his novel. The quote says: I set out deliberately to write a tour-de-force. Before I even put pen to paper and set down the first word I knew what the last word would be and almost where the last period would fall. The end result is a work of precision and care. Each word has been carefully chosen and carefully ordered to create his â€Å"tour-de-force†. This can be both a comfort and a frustr ation toRead MoreThe Reactions to the Death of Addie Bundren through William Faulkner ´s As I Lay Dying1389 Words   |  6 PagesThe Reactions to the Death of Addie Bundren through William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. The author of As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner, really contributes to the aspects of literature through his ability to tell a seemingly incredible story through only the â€Å"stream-of-consciousness† technique. Faulkner takes his insight beyond the piece, through other’s views and thoughts. Although the characters might be acting differently upon each subject or handling each action in opposite ways, the tone and

Time Management, Leadership Handbook - 694 Words

Time Management Before analyzing time management need to know how time is currently being used. Two questions to ask: First, the amount of time I have? Secondly, how is my time being used? The first question is easier to answer as most people work eight hours day that may vary times and locations depending on type of work. The second question can be more challenging to identify where time is being used. For example, is most of one’s time speaking on the phone, answering e-mails, writing reports, or waiting for others to finish their job before starting their task? To assist with identifying these it is recommended to keep a time log that details where the hours in the workday are used. Below is a sample of a time log that can be used†¦show more content†¦Some common time wasters are: doing a wrong task, underestimating the time it takes to do a task, not delegating tasks appropriately, delaying/procrastinating, and letting conversations go too long. Improving Time Management Habits We know time is very valuable and there is a lot to be done in limited hours. The first exercise discussed above involved using a time log and identifying how time is currently being used. Once certain tasks are identified as time wasters, there are three steps one can do to improve his or her time management: 1. Controlling environment, which includes physical items surrounding as well as mental environment with things we watch and think about. 2. Using technology when practical to be more efficient. For example, e-mail allows responding to many more people at once than phone or mailing; however, it can be less personable and have less of a response than other communication methods. 3. Avoid time stealers, which include time wasters, television, and social networking websites. While some jobs can benefit from social networking, majority of the time people find time passing by when utilizing social media. Finally, managing paperwork is another area where time management habits can be improved. One tip is to not keep any hard copies of digital documents such as pdf’s and e-mails. Since these are readily accessible and backed up in cloud-computing, it is unnecessary to keepShow MoreRelatedAnnotated Bibliography On Effects Of Diversity On Business And Communications Essay858 Words   |  4 PagesAnnotated Bibliography: Effects of diversity on business and communications Bilimoria, D. (2007). Handbook on women in business and management. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. This complete Handbook specifically presents commissioned unique essays on the communal roles and contexts women face in management and business, women’s role as leaders in management and business, procedures of the organization influencing women, work-life issues and particular career women’s issues in the fields. These essaysRead MoreCompare and Contrast Two Theories of Leadership. Do These Theories Offer Practical Guidance for Managers?1414 Words   |  6 PagesCompare and contrast two theories of leadership. Do these theories offer practical guidance for managers? Practice in management There has been a long debate about the functions of leadership and management. Kotter (1990) argued the goal of leadership is to pursue the adaptive and constructive changes and the purpose of management is to acquire stability and consistency. In addition, he suggested that the process of leadership is to influence others and management is to maintain operations and accomplishRead MoreThe Hotel And Owned And Operated By The Mitchell Family1650 Words   |  7 Pagesresponsibilities with his wife Cindy Mitchell, who is also the hotel’s Director of Human Resources. Cindy expresses her concerns about the hotel’s management structure, especially now that Jeff wants to expand and open more Georges Hotels within the next few years. â€Å" I remember when we built the first hotel. He got so caught up in the building process he forgot about the management structure needed to successfully operate the facility after it was completed† (Gusdorf, 2013, p.6). As a result, the hotel is facingRead MoreFunctions of Management Paper1472 Words   |  6 PagesRunning Head: FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT Functions of Management Paper University of Phoenix Management: Theory, Practice, Application MGT/330 October 20, 2007 Introduction The following paper is a definition of Management and its functions as well as an explanation on how these functions relate to my organization. Read MoreDirector Of Public Relations And Communications833 Words   |  4 Pagesserves as a key member of the organization’s leadership team. The primary purpose of this role is to serve as the chief ambassador of the organization, while also overseeing all communication streams to ensure a cohesive message and image. The incumbent will support the development and sustainability of the community, religious, business, and media relationships through the development of a strategic communications and public relations program. At the same time this role will cultivate government andRead MoreWorkplace Bullying And Its Effects On Professional Status, Personal Standing, Isolation, Overwork, And Destabilization1084 Words   |  5 Pages Workplace Bullying David Kryger Bus 600 Management James Zeigler April 23, 2015 â€Æ' Abstract Workplace bullying is type of pervasive practice that an employee experiences from individuals who seeks out supremacy. Bullying can involve verbal, nonverbal, physical abuse and humiliation. This abuse can affect businesses with inefficient way of working that is both costly and preventable (Wiedmar, 2011, p. 35). There are many types of workplace bullying: threats to professional status, personalRead MoreCase Study : Valve The No Manager Company1324 Words   |  6 Pagesthis report is to outline the management issues of Valve by analysing the case study â€Å"Valve The No Manager Company†. Valve is an entrancing sample of an organisation trying different things with another method for working – one in which there are no customary chiefs, and where workers are urged to take direct obligation regarding picking their own particular tasks and finishing them in a proficient manner. 86% Unique 2. Problem Identification The two (2) management issues that this report will beRead MoreEffectiveness Of Bill Gates As A Managerial Leader1120 Words   |  5 PagesEffectiveness of Bill Gates as a managerial leader Blake and Mouton’s managerial grid is a behavioural leadership grid that is based on four elements, namely, leadership style, motivation, concern for people and concern for production. It resulted in five managerial styles on the basis of the priority the leader placed on the people and product (Koc et al, 2013). They are Team Leader, Country Club, Middle of the Road, Produce or Perish and Impoverished (Ledlow and Coppola, 2011). In the Blake andRead MoreSummary Of Chapter 1 : Stop Creating Handbooks980 Words   |  4 Pages Chapter 1: Stop Creating Handbooks Policies do not produce results; behavior produces results â€Å"If we just had a new handbook, this wouldn’t be a problem,† Phil complained to me when I first began working with his organization. He was a supervisor and couldn’t seem to get his direct reports to respond to company initiatives. He was desperately looking for a new policy that would correct his problems. He thought if he could establish new rules, people would automatically obey. He had justRead MoreHow To Be A Military Leader Essay927 Words   |  4 PagesLeadership is defined as the ability to accomplish a set goal(s) due to the act of inspiring and motivating a group of your peers. Former United States president Dwight D. Eisenhower made famous a quote that stated, â€Å"Leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well.† (Notable-quotes.com). One of the most important aspects of the work area is leadership. Without leadership, there wi ll be no guidance

The Glass Ceiling Is Cracking Essay Research free essay sample

The Glass Ceiling Is Cracking Essay, Research Paper The glass ceiling is an unseeable barrier in organisations that prevents many adult females and minorities from accomplishing top-level direction places. In 1995, the Glass Ceiling Commission released its first study and found that merely 5 per centum of the senior-level directors in Fortune 1000 companies are adult females. This study identified three barriers to the promotion of adult females and minorities: 1. Social barriers exist that are likely outside the control of concern. 2. Internal structural barriers are present that are under the direct control of concern, including recruitment policies and corporate civilizations. 3. There are governmental barriers such as deficient monitoring and enforcement Taking attention of the household is a major ground why adult females don # 8217 ; t progress every bit fast as work forces. # 8220 ; We don # 8217 ; t play golf on Saturday mornings # 8221 ; ( Diana Bennett, president of D.L. Bennett A ; Associates ) . Whereas work forces may informally travel up the ladder during a golf game, adult females are likely to be making house jobs and disbursement clip with the childs. Bennett suggests that alternatively of playing golf on Saturdays, adult females should fall in civic, charitable, and concern boards in order to work their manner up. # 8220 ; But if you # 8217 ; re traveling to fall in a board, be involved, ( Business Journal ) . Avery little figure of adult females believe that the alleged glass ceiling can be broken. One of them is Carly Fiorina who took over Hewlett-Packard, going the first adult females CEO of a Dow 30 house. She prefers that the focal point be on her considerable accomplishments as an executive with AT A ; T and non because of her sex. Harmonizing to an industry panel, the glass ceiling for adult females in banking remains, but is weakening. Indeed # 8220 ; there is a glass ceiling in a batch of companies still # 8221 ; , said Judith Dunn Fisher, who broke through April 1 when she was promoted to main fiscal officer at Huntington Bancshares Inc. The fact is that merely late the value of adult females and their ability to lend to a company is being recognized. A survey discovered that for adult females, package technology is one of the best Fieldss to be in, as the demand greatly outweighs the supply. So if one has the ability to plan and maintain up with engineering, # 8220 ; there # 8217 ; s no glass ceiling, # 8221 ; said Huey-shin Yuan, a chief applied scientist in the package development at Mountain View-based Consilium Inc. The survey besides stated that adult females in technology earn somewhat more than their male co-workers, but adult females make merely approximately 5 to 6 per centum of all employed eng ineers. KeyCorp executive Karen R. Haefling agrees that there is a glass ceiling, but urges adult females to be more self-asserting in seeking out chances to construct their sketchs. # 8220 ; I would promote ( adult females ) to inquire for places. Let everybody cognize that you have aspirations and that you want to hold chances to nm a line of concern # 8221 ; ( Business First ) . The grounds clearly shows that the glass ceiling is still present in many companies. But there are occasions that show it can be broken through, such as with Bennett, Fiorina, Fisher, and Haefling. These adult females say that it # 8217 ; s really possible to interrupt through the glass ceiling and into higher-level direction as they did. They provide marks of encouragement to other adult females and strongly propose taking opportunities, being noticed, and acquiring involved. It takes clip and forfeit to win into upper degree direction. # 8220 ; Peoples have to see if you can make it before they take a opportunity with you # 8221 ; , says Haefling. ( Business First ) Possibly most adult females don # 8217 ; t interrupt through the ceiling because they don # 8217 ; t want to play by the regulations and be like work forces. This is likely because they # 8217 ; rhenium programmed otherwise. Business Journal offers some guidelines that may assist interrupt through the ceiling. 1. Develop lucidity about yourself and your ends. This lucidity will assist put realistic outlooks and remain on the class when it gets bouldery. 2. Work on the bent of being different from the group around you while remaining portion of the group. 3. Learn to stay unagitated and comforting while those around you are dying and fring their cool. 4. Take hazards whenever it seems appropriate and embrace alteration. 5. Make determinations rapidly and pass on them clearly. 6. Be competent, knowing and within ground, achievement-oriented. It will certainly take some clip before the glass ceiling is gone. It takes clip for people to set, but there are certain marks that # 8220 ; # 8230 ; the glass ceiling has some clefts in it # 8230 ; # 8221 ; says Judith Fisher. Today companies are altering their ways of concern to extinguish glass ceilings. This measure is a reactive 1. Companies have realized that know aparting against the publicity of adult females and minorities can be highly dearly-won, as tribunal instances have shown, and really unethical. The value of adult females and their parts to their companies has merely late been recognized. Change is decidedly fetching topographic point. The glass ceiling is checking as more and more adult females are promoted to occupations that otherwise would hold been filled by work forces

Treaty of Versailles Essays (1304 words) - , Term Papers

Treaty of Versailles The end of World War I was finalized by the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. It was signed by Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan but not the United States, as the U.S. drafted its own treaty with Germany in 1921. Many historians argue that the Treaty of Versailles was the major cause of World War II which occurred twenty years later. On the Treatys most superficial level, the extreme punishment and fines that were levied by the Allied Powers on the Germans were causes enough for war. Historians argue that this and the international fallout that resulted most notably with the United States were simply too powerful to avoid war at all. The ramification of the Treaty sent the German economy into a severe depression and planted the seeds needed to sprout revenge and uprising such as the world had never seen before. Estimates for the costs of the war for the Allied Powers fluctuated between ten billion and one hundred billion dollars. Ultimately, the Allied Powers settled on the astronomical sum of thirty-three billion dollars which the German government was mandated to pay but simply did not have the funds to do so. In addition to paying reparations, Germany had to severely limit military spending and personnel, relinquish land previously gained in the World War, and was barred from having any air force at all. The lack of American involvement, which was sorely needed at this time, had significant impacts on the actions of other key states. Sudden American withdrawal from the Treaty of Versailles sent France into a panic and their subsequent occupation of the Ruhr Valley in Germany. This action dealt a harsh blow to the Germany and British-French relations. The former came into economic conflict with France, creating hyper-inflation, and throwing Germany into a severe depression. Wheelbarrows o f money were necessary to buy loaves of bread until the Deutsche Mark became so devalued that the bills were burned to provide heat to those living in poverty. Following this collapse in German currency, a desperate and vulnerable Germany capitalized on the breakdown of relations between Britain and France and United States isolationism to begin rebuilding. This included rearmament that was in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. The dictator behind this proposed revitalization in economic and military strength was Adolf Hitler. Current economic hardship made Germany ripe for the rise of a dictator. Hitlers timing was impeccable and he perhaps never would have gained such prominence in the German government if it was not for his propaganda that the weary and desperate German people needed so badly to recover from their depression. The depression however, was not contained within German borders. The politics of the era, most notably Americas isolationist policy contributed to world wide economic collapse. This was the result of then President Woodrow Wilsons inability to persuade Congress to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and becom e a co-signer with the other Allied Powers. The major failure in Wilsons pitch came in his proposal of the Fourteen Point Plan. The Fourteen Point Plan outlined Wilsons view of what the post-WWI world should look like, providing for the liberation of certain peoples and territories. Presented to Congress on January 8, 1918, strong debate ensued over the proposal of the fourteenth and final provision; a general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike. Congress voted against what Wilson dubbed the League of Nations, the failed basis of todays United Nations. Although the U.S. proposed the League, they were the most notable nation that failed to join. The U.S. subsequently retreated to a policy of isolationism and combined with a rebuilding and weakened Europe, there was little opposition to Hitlers rise to power and continued violation of the Treaty of Versailles. The rest of the world exercised a policy of appeasement, allowing Hitler to make small advances in Europe hoping that he would be satisfied with what he was given. He became emboldened as each of his new advances into Europe met little to no opposition in the international

Global Economic Crisis Research Paper Essay Example

Global Economic Crisis Research Paper Essay Introduction The global economic crisis, a simultaneous occurrence of several economic catastrophes since the summer of 2007, is arguably the most significant global economic slowdown since the fall of the communist bloc. As discussed below, the current crisis should not be categorized as a normal recessionary phase along the business cycle, but rather as a turning point in more than a few economic processes and lines of thought. Furthermore, several sectors and regions were struck much severely than the average. Needless to say that every specific economic situation differs from the other, and thus it is imperative to separate the aggregated numbers and the global actions from the conditions, which should bring about a positive change in the near future. We will write a custom essay sample on Global Economic Crisis Research Paper specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Global Economic Crisis Research Paper specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Global Economic Crisis Research Paper specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Although many economists praise the actions taken by US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and report that the world’s largest economy is about to end its recession (Izzo), and other major European markets (such as Germany and France) are recovering as well (Herbst), many economies around the world are far from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Some of the best known examples are Russia and other Eastern European countries (most notably Ukraine), whose economies have shown a gradual recovery from the financial crisis that struck the region in 1998. This paper analyzes recent trends and prospective of the Russian port industry, while paying special attention to Russia’s major port on the Black Sea, namely the port of Novorossiysk in the south-western territory of Krasnodar Krai. The Contemporary Economic Crisis The course of economic events throughout the past two years has already received more than a few nicknames. Some call it â€Å"financial crisis† or the â€Å"credit crunch,† while others use economic terminology such as â€Å"recession,† â€Å"slowdown† â€Å"subprime crisis† and so on. In fact, as indicated in the introduction, the definition of a crisis would arguably best fit this situation, as it comprises negative aspects from all the economic concepts described above. The Reasons for the Economic Crisis It is widely agreed to link the current crisis, which is defined by leading economists as the worst since the â€Å"great depression† of the late 1920s (Business Wire), to several main causes: First, as observed by Richard Freeman already in 2002, the US housing market experienced long years of overbuilding, which exceeded not only the ability of people to buy houses, but also the population natural growth rate. This has led to two major results – devaluation of houses and, as described next, loose credit policies that ignited the burst of the so-called â€Å"housing bubble† (ibid.). Second, in order to encourage purchase of houses, financial institutions increased their share in the so-called subprime mortgage market, which is simply lending activities with borrowers whose ability to pay back the loan is questionable. The underlying assets, namely the purchased houses, served as collateral for the loan. Moreover, these asset-backed loans were sold and resold as debt in the bond markets, creating a paradoxical situation, in which houses were leveraged many times more than the original value of the asset. Third, due to the devaluation of houses and widespread default among borrowers, all those financial institutions, which took part in the lending chain, suffered heavy losses and many of them collapsed one after the other. These events, which became highly noticeable in late 2007 and throughout the first half of 2008, trembled the financial markets, bringing about a slowdown in most sectors of the economy, first in the US, and shortly afterwards in the rest of the world. The Global Recession 2008-2009Without going too deeply into macroeconomic principles, it is clear that difficulties in the financial markets have vast direct and indirect effect on the rest of the economy. Such effects can be observed, for example, by looking at consumption patterns, national product and income of individuals, companies and whole countries. A state of recession, which is formally defined as â€Å"a six-months fall in gross domestic product† (Rutherford, 492) and thus serves as an important marker for an economic slowdown, was declared in the US b y the National Bureau of Economic Research in December 2007. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which declared global recession in 2008, expects the world economy to contract by 1.3% in 2009, although it should start a slow recovery process in 2010 (xii). But beyond all these figures and many others, the most important issue is the effect on individuals in developing as well as developed countries. Lower income, higher unemployment and other difficulties such as higher risk and more expensive credit for businesses are the facts, which build together the aggregated growth and income figures. Unlike the â€Å"great depression† of the 1920s-1930s, governments and international economic institutions have engaged in actions to improve market conditions and to encourage growth. These actions included, among others, government guarantees for bonds, open market operations (e.g. buying General Motors stocks), low- to zero interest rates and financial support plans for extremely weak economies such as Ukraine and Iceland. All these actions and others seem effective, and justify the optimistic perditions given above. The Impact of the Global Crisis on the Port Business Seaports provide transition services for imported and exported goods. The improvement of global transport; the opening of the former members of the USSR (together known as the Commonwealth of Independent States) to the west; and the removal of many trades and barriers on international trade, have all contributed to the development of the port business in Russia. In addition, years of positive growth in Russia brought about growing demand for Western imports, as well as demand for Russian minerals and energy products, many of which are transported through the Black sea to or from Western Russia. Under the same logic, every change in one or more of the factors discussed above leads to a contraction in the port business. Equally problematic is the inability of clients to pay their debts to the ports, leaving the latter with considerable amounts of bad debts. Finally, the rivalry among the different seaports in the region and the rivalry between seaports and other transportation services (air, rail and trucks) force price competition, which may decrease revenues and profitability. Before discussing the specific areas in which the global economic crisis can affect the port business, it should be also noted that the seaport activities are not limited to the port itself. In fact, not only the port’s employees and its shareholders are affected, but also many other people and businesses. These secondary effects influence many other activities, including the land transportation from and to the port, fuel for ships and trucks, state customs and so on. Moreover, due to decrease in port-related income, port cities (especially those cities whose residents’ main source of income is the port) should suffer greatly from people’s inability to spend on products and service, to pay local and national taxes and to provide decent living for their families. Finally, unemployment in such cities is expected to rise, putting additional pressure on the public welfare services. Case Study: The Port of Novorossiysk, Russia General Company InformationNovorossiysk Commercial Sea Port (NCSP) is a supplier of stevedore and port services, which operates 97% of the services in the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. The company, whose shares are traded at the London Stock Exchange as well at the Russian Trading System, is rated â€Å"BB+† and â€Å"ruAA+† by Standard Poor’s and â€Å"Ba1† by Moody’s. The port is the biggest in Russia and the fifth in Europe in terms of cargo turnover (NCSP, â€Å"Annual Report 2008† 3). Despite its focus on port services, the company has built a wide array of technical abilities, which allowed NCSP to be a rather diversified company within the port services sector: according to The Winthrop Corporation, NCSP offers â€Å"shipment of oil and oil products, other liquid cargo, dry bulk cargo and general cargo, [†¦] tug, towing and mooring services for vessels in and around the port, and also provides emergency, hazardous materials response and waste management services at the Port.† As of 2008, NCSP reported it has 7,382 employees, with an average monthly wage of USD 1,183. The Implications of the Economic Crisis on the PortAs expected, the sea transportation business and port services experience significant slowdown in terms of volumes and revenues. A recent report by AXS Alphaliner, an information platform for the shipping business, sheds light on the negative trends within the industry. The low operational results, which the source links to both overcapacity and reduction of demand for shipping, can be demonstrated through several facts: The number of idle (i.e. unused) container carriers is 2.2 times higher than in 2008, and accounts to 6.5% of the entire global container capacity. As of February 2009, total orders for shipping was accounted for only 43.6% of the existing capacity. As opposed to their forecasts before the outbreak of the crisis, JP Morgan analysts forecast the growth of demand for container transportation by only 2.6% in 2009 against earlier forecast at 7.6%. All of NCSP’s major competitors within the Black Sea Region, such as the current market leader portConstanta from Romania and several ports in Ukraine, have seen a decrease in container transshipment from the end of 2008. Interestingly, both AXS Alphaliner and NCSP (â€Å"Press-Centre†) report an increase in the port of Novorossiysk, which raised its monthly throughput by 67.6% compared to January 2008) and reported a total turnover increase of 8.4% between January-July 2009 compared to the same period one year ago. Nevertheless, as can be seen in Table 1, the growth in tonnage is not equal among all sectors of the business. Perhaps the most important decrease was registered for the container turnover, which declines sharply by 58% within a year. Furthermore, the implications of these mixed results are not clear yet; for example, despite a growth in its oil and petroleum cargo turnover, the recent fall of oil prices may also imply lower surcharges for this cargo, which may reduce the revenues compared to last year or even show a negative figure. In conclusion, although the company shows relatively good operating results so far, the future is not necessary so bright for NCSP. The reasons for making some changes in the company are twofold: First, as discussed above, the overall economic environment is unclear, whereas the situation in Russia is still rather difficult. Hence, there are many reasons to believe that NCSP’s business volumes will decline and/or will not grow enough to employ its immense capacities. Second, the company’s individual risk is still high. For example, its net debt in 2008 was almost USD 400 million, which accounts for more than 100% of NCSP’s EBITA (NCSP, â€Å"Annual Report† 5). Moreover, the company’s workforce in 2008 was smaller by 500 employees, or about 6%, compared to 2007 (ibid., 49). It would rather sound to assume that more layoffs are expected in the future. Recommendations The port business is complicated, large-scale and highly responsive for external events. In order to remain competitive and to thrive, NCSP executives should consider several managerial steps: First, the company should aspire to cut its overhead costs as much as possible. This includes, among others, revaluation of all administrative and managerial positions, termination of unnecessary business units and unification of others. For example, functions such as security, accounting and engineering can be outsourced to specialized suppliers. Second, due to the current reduction in container transport, which accounts to about a half of the port’s turnover, the company should consider temporary shutdown of at least one of the terminals at the port. If the management will be flexible enough, it will be able to use the current excess capacities of the terminal only as a response to short- or long-term increase in demand. Third, NCSP should continue to diversify its portfolio. Prospective services, which can be developed and/or expanded in the near future, are to be found in the current capacities of the port. For example, the port can offer highly competitive prices for the shipyard services (which convince shipping companies to fix their ships in this port); it can sell towing services to other ports; and it can use its proven managerial abilities (as can be seen from the port’s strong position against its competitors on the Black Sea) to offer consulting and/or management services. Conclusion After long years of growth, Russia struggles to break free of the recession in the country, which came as a direct result of the global economic crisis. The sea transport sector in general, and the ports along the shores of the Black Sea in particular, suffer from drastic decrease in volumes, revenues and profits. Under these circumstances, NCSP shows fairly good operational results, at least for the time being. Although many economists believe that the world is about to recover from the recession, it is imperative to reexamine the port’s current operations and to look for ways to improve its efficiency. Using maritime terminology, the crisis should be referred to as a storm. It will end sooner or later, but when it will, the shores may look very different from what they were earlier. Therefore, the port should follow the recommendations described earlier, which focus on its ability to remain flexible, to use its capacities wisely and to outsource its current unnecessary units and operations.

German Immigrants and America essays

German Immigrants and America essays The 19th century was a time of rapid growth and change in America. It was a century of Westward expansion, and the building up of new cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. It was a time where people from far off places packed up their belongings and sought out new opportunities as they immigrated to the United States. Immigrants brought with them their cultural backgrounds, traditions, and traits to their newly adopted land. The Irish, Italian, German, Polish, British, and Jewish were just a few of the different cultures that dominated the United States in the 19th century. The largest group of immigrants that came to the United States in all but three of the years between 1854 and 1894 were the Germans. By the end of the 1800s over five million Germans arrived and during the 1900s another two million came. The German immigrants came from a wide geographic area and for several different reasons (19th Century, 1998, para. 1). German immigration into the United States was a big movement during the 18th and 19th centuries and the Germans left their native land for several reasons. Upon their arrival into the United State they faced difficult challenges and had obstacles to overcome. Once the Germans arrived in the United States they moved westward, toward the Mississippi River. Many of them settled in several large midwestern cities, including Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis, and Chicago. There they established ethnically homogeneous neighborhoods-called kleindeutschlands, or Little Germanys-that continued to grow with the arrival of new immig rants (Marger, 2003). By the late nineteenth century, Germans were the second largest ethnic group in the society, exceeded only by the British (Marger, 2003). Immigration to the United States was happening from several European countries during the nineteenth century. These immigrants came to United States for several reasons. The largest number of German imm...

Introduction to film 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to film 2 - Essay Example Compared with other media, the distinctness of film is verisimilitude (Metz, quoted in Lechte 1994: 78) – creating a definite kind of credible resemblance or similarity to the real world (Kuhn 1985: 269). Unlike theatre, which is too real, film obtains its real power from its ability to produce reality by crossing unreality. Ironically, it is on this basis – creating an illusion of reality – that film achieves its realism, because it is this capacity of film, that the attitude of the spectator of ‘suspension of disbelief’ is achieved and where the power of film depends (Lechte 1994: 78). This â€Å"experience of realism in cinema is intricately tied to the impression, that the events and persons depicted are somehow real† (Riis 2002: 93). Here also lies the paradox of films: despite the knowledge that films are only screened, spectators still genuinely felt the portrayed events are genuinely happening (Riis 2002: 93; Kuhn 1985: 268). Also, thi s ‘impression of reality’ – the film’s defining mark, gives film the privilege to challenge analysis (Lechte 1994: 78). Films usually use three different styles in screenwriting: narrative/linear – tells the story chronologically, non-linear – defies chronology for example Quentin Tarantino’s â€Å"Pulp Fiction† (1994) and documentary – presenting reality in real-time (Niche Express.net 2009: 1-2). Fiction usually utilises linear and non-linear, while documentary film the documentary. Although realism principally characterises both fiction and documentary film (Kuhn 1985: 269), they still differ in their notion of representation, verisimilitude, realism, and reality, distinguishing them from each other. Documentary films are â€Å"strictly speaking †¦ non-fictional, ‘slice of life’ factual works of art †¦ [also] known as cinema verite† (Dirks 2009: 1) – in French means ‘cinema truth’ (Niche