Friday, November 29, 2019

Worker Bees Essays - Beekeeping, Bees, Insect Reproduction

Worker Bees THE BEE ESSAY The worker bees live a very short life. Their average life span is about six weeks. The worker bees are the sterile females of the bee population. They feed honey and pollen to the queen of the hive. The worker bees are called nurse bees when they enter into this stage. They produce a jelly called royal jelly which is high in protein. They give this royal jelly to the queen bee and she feeds it to her young ones. Then worker bees start to produce a honeycomb from the wax that they secrete. During this stage they can also fan their wings to circulate fresh air. The house bee is a young worker be about 2 weeks old bee who only works in the hive. The queen bee is the head honcho of the whole hive. The queen really doesn't do much. She sits in the hive and has the babies. The queen secretes a substance called queen factor which keeps all of the other female bees from becoming sexually mature. The queen is fed royal jelly to further her development as she becomes a grown bee. The queen's number one priority is to reproduce. Once she successfully does that, her job is pretty much done with. The queen is very special because she can do all of her mating in the air. The queen only mates once in her life, but in that one mating session she can produce as many as a million eggs a year. When the queen feels that the hive is getting crowded, she ventures off into the wilderness with a few of her worker bees to search for a new beginning (a new hive). Then, when the queen dies another queen will take her place and start the whole thing all over again. The drones are also placed on this earth for one main reason. That reason is to satisfy the queen. Drones are unfertilized eggs whose jobs consist of supplying the queen bee with the sperm when she is ready. Then the drones are either eaten by the queen or stung by the workers and evicted from their home. They live a very tragic life. The drone's structure is also kind of odd because the drone does not possess a stinger. So, they cannot really protect themselves when they need to. The queen bee releases a substance called queen factor which is a pheromone. When she releases this substance, the other bee's behavior is affected. They act as if they were under the influence. They really are because the queen factor acts as a drug in that it affects the way that their body functions. The queen also causes the bees to march in a line as if they were in a marching band. What they are doing is following the queen factor. Bees communicate by special dances that they perform for special occasions. This may seem kind of odd, but this is actually true. German biologist Karl von Frisch first discovered these special dances after 25 years of hard research. The bees do the dance according to their food source and it's position. They also involve the sun in their communicative dances. The scout would go out and find some food and then return and do a dance like motion. He would circle once to the left and then once to the right, and that is where we got the name of the round dance. Another dance was also discovered. This dance was called the waggle dance. The bee would go in a straight forward motion and waggle their little abdomens. Later, we discovered that the round dance was a dance done for food sources closest to the hive, but the waggle dance was performed for food sources closest to the sun.. They do these dances to communicate to the other bees and tell them if the food source is either close to the hive or closer to the sun. Science Essays

Monday, November 25, 2019

Take A Wife, Make Sure Shes White Professor Ramos Blog

Take A Wife, Make Sure Shes White When you finally take a wife, make sure she’s white, my father told me. Go to college, become a professional, take a wife, and make sure she’s white. Even though my mother had been white and she still ran off with the ranch hand. The one whose Spanish was better than his English even though he’d lived in America since before I was born. My father raised me by himself in a small Texas town where there was nothing to do except ride horses, go to church, or study. And our horses didn’t trust me much. They whinnied and whined every time I tried to fit them with the brown saddle I’d gotten for Christmas. It was sleek, smooth, and shone brilliantly after being oiled and conditioned, but it didn’t get much use aside from being admired. Instead, I spent Sunday mornings in church and the rest of the week I would study. I needed to go to college, become a professional, take a wife, and make sure she was white. Moving into my dorm at university, I mistook my roommate for one of the movers. Back home, my father taught me that America was the land of opportunity. Opportunity for Mexicans to come, not pay taxes, and use up all our resources. And yet, all of our ranch hands were Mexican because he could pay them so little and work them as hard as the horses. My father must have also seen opportunity. My roommate corrected me, helped me build my bed anyway, and then I helped him unbox his things into drawers. He didn’t have a lot of things, so it went by quickly. We walked down to a cafe nearby and drank lemonade to cool down. I told him how hard I worked to get here. â€Å"That’s nice,† he said, â€Å"but I probably worked harder.† ~ I had been teaching for many years before you walked into my classroom, your dark skin and dark eyes that immediately drew me to you. You were different than those before you. Your skin the color of freshly oiled leather and smelling sweet as a flower. But just as one must let a dog come to you, otherwise it becomes all frightened eyes and snapping teeth, I waited. Finally, you approached me half way through the school year for extra credit. It wasn’t extra credit you wanted, was it, Clemencia? I took you under my wing, I showed you what could be possible when you saw yourself the way I did. You were my Malinalli, my Malinche and you loved it. Do you remember? How much you loved being tangled together in my white sheets, your brown skin glowing more and more the harder I kissed you? I kissed you like you’d never been kissed and I loved you like you’d never been loved. A girl your age didn’t know love, what it meant or how it felt. Someone had to teach you. And wasn’t I was your teacher? ~ I was married when you and I met. We were married in a church, said our vows under the watchful eyes of God, and signed our prenuptial agreement under the watchful eyes of our lawyers. It was just a precaution, because I loved her. Did I? I loved parts of her. She was as pale as the milk from her father’s dairy farm and her hands were soft with pink-painted nails that never chipped. She was a porcelain doll and she was mine.   But I did not like to touch her like I touch you for fear of her breaking. You, my Malinalli, I was never afraid of breaking. Not you, who would call my home at ungodly hours of the night and my wife next to me would answer. Excuse me, honey, it’s for you. And I put the phone to my ear and you were just laughing like that was the funniest thing you’d ever heard. I couldn’t break you, I realized, because you were already broken. ~ And now you see, that’s why I had to marry her and not you. Because she understood the importance of image just like my father did. I was up for a position on the school board. â€Å"What would they say,† I asked of you, â€Å"If I had a young, wild brown girl for a wife?† You said nothing. You must have known I was right. You said nothing as you took me in your arms, held me close enough I could hear your heartbeat, and drew me in deeper under your spell. I was trapped under your spell that day, too. That day my son was born. I’d gotten the call, your wife is at the hospital. She’s going into labor early. It was shocking for everybody, but inconvenient for me. I didn’t want that child, she did. You did. And now they both think they can interrupt my day? They wanted me to come running, but stayed here, with you. You were the only one I’d loved amongst the others before you and the few after. It was you, only you. ~ My surprise when I saw you at the museum. She was with me, but you were the most beautiful work of art in that whole exhibit. Even the students with you watched with admiration while you spoke to them about one of the photographs. Briefly, I wondered which among them you’d taken into your bed to teach the way I taught you. I knew it was a bad idea, but I needed to speak to you. Not even the strongest of conquistadors could resist the allure of your golden skin. Greedy bastard, I was, but some men really can have it all, only if they’re willing to take it and make it theirs. â€Å"This is Megan,† I said as my hand rested on the small of her back. She was all skin and bone and some plastic. Nothing like you at all, my Malinalli. ~ I invited you over that week she was gone. She took the boy to her family’s for Christmas and a part of me hoped she would never come back. What a gift that would be! But she would and that’s why it would be best if we made this the last time. Surely you understood? You’d told me to give her a baby so I wouldn’t be tempted to leave her. But this day, I told you about my responsibilities as superintendent, as father, as husband. I could never marry you then. I could never now. Still, we spent one of the holiest days of the year together. Oh God, you cried out, but it was me, not God, picking you apart, putting you back together, and watching you sleep after. I suspect it was that last night together when you’d vandalized Megan’s things. Am I right? The gummy candy? She was finding them for two weeks after, victim to such a childish prank. I bought her new things because a red lipstick is easy to replace, blood red, rose red, ruby. But you vandalized her life, as well. You left your mark on her and she was never happy again after that. Even after the last gummy bear was found, she was afraid there was always one more lurking, where she couldn’t see it just yet. ~ When you asked me, son, if you could go to your friend’s house, I knew. Right away, I knew. You were in high school, you said your band was getting together to practice. You lied. I didn’t even have to ask her to know that’s where you were. It was no coincidence I sent you that school, knowing the art program would catch your eye, just like she caught my eye all those years ago. I gave her her job. I gave her my love. I gave her you. Your mother needn’t know. She’s happiest living her life wrapped in ignorance like it’s that silky Italian robe she loves so much. She loves her things, you most of all. So I won’t tell her. ~ Sometimes, I lie awake at 2 a.m. and wonder if we can’t see God because he’s afraid of us. He looks down upon the Earth, upon the streets we roam, upon the sheets we lie in. And he sees what he created and is afraid. Or maybe, he’s proud of us that we can leave so deep an imprint that others can stand at the edge, look too closely, and fall in.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Bullying in Schools Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions Assignment

Bullying in Schools Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions - Assignment Example It is reported that around 14% of the victims of bullying report poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as a result of bullying. In addition, there is the stunning revelation that most of the bullying occurs on school grounds (Olweus, 2013). Scholars have identified so many reasons behind bullying and none of these reasons exhibits considerable supremacy. The first cause as identified by people like Rigby (2007) is the family background of the bullies. It is found that the students who belong to families which are dysfunctional have three times more chance to be a bully at school. In addition is the finding that when the children belong to families where there is good parent-child relationship, the chance of becoming a bully is considerably reduced. Moreover, people like Olweus (2013) have observed a link between media and bullying. The children who watch violence in the media for long hours are more likely to exhibit violent behavior and aggression at school. It seems that when children watch violence in media, they fail to learn the socially acceptable ways of behavior and start dealing with day-to-day life in the way they watch in media. In other words, children learn what they observe, and when there is a lot of violence in media, children fail to distinguish between fiction and reality and resort to violence in real life. In the opinion of Olweus (2013), some students are more likely to be bullies because of certain individual characteristics. To illustrate, the ones who are bullies generally have above average physical strength. In addition, they are more aggressive in their behavior and exhibit little compassion towards the sufferings of others. Thus, Olweus (2013) reaches the conclusion that bullying behavior is considerably linked to individual traits. Thus, as the bullies share certain similarities in their physical and psychological makeup, the victims of bullying too exhibit certain common characteristics. For

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

20th-Century Genius Award Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

20th-Century Genius Award Paper - Essay Example While most of you are cursorily familiar with Sigmund Freud, the extent and influence of his work is truly staggering. Through numerous published texts and consultation work Freud has influenced not just psychology, but nearly all disciplines within the liberal arts, and become a cornerstone of the modern vernacular. This essay considers Freud’s significant scientific and cultural contributions, in demonstrating why he was chosen for this prestigious award. Life Sigmund Freud was born in 1857 in the Moravian town of Pribor. At the time this region was part of the Austrian Empire, but has since become part of the Czech Republic. While Freud’s parent experienced significant poverty because of the economic climate, Freud was still able to attain a quality education. Freud excelled as a student and would go on to study under Darwinist Professor Karl Claus. During this period Freud widely read philosophy and came to understand many theoretical aspects that would later be inc orporated into his own work. While Freud was initially interested in law, this concern would soon shift to philosophy, and ultimately the emerging field of psychology. In 1885 Freud would begin his study of psychology in Paris under Jean-Martin Charcot. After completing his study he would go on to open his own medical practice. A year later he would marry Martha Bernays. Through Freud’s medical practice, he made great gains in terms of developing his psychological theories that would ultimately become articulated into psychoanalysis. Previously the main approach to psychological challenges had been hypnosis. Freud would begin his practice by implementing hypnosis, but would later abandon this for an approach he referred to as the talking cure. As Freud’s practice further developed he would begin to write a substantial variety of texts that would eventually form into a comprehensive psychological approach known as psychoanalysis. After a truly outstanding life, that inc luded bouts with cancer and an escape from Nazi Germany, Freud died in 1939. Survey of Contributions Sigmund Freud made a tremendous amount of contributions to the study of psychology. Freud developed a series of psychosexual stages of development that characterize the human development process from birth. As the child is born they enter the oral phase of development, and then subsequently progress into the anal, phallic, latency, and genital phases. The stages functioned to develop the sexuality of the individual, from one of polymorphous perversity to heterosexuality. It was Freud’s theoretical understanding that if difficulties were encountered in any of these stages that they would cause unconscious psychic dysfunctions later in life. At birth the child begins the oral stage of psychosexual development. This stage lasts until the individual is approximately two years old. As the moniker suggests, this stage of development is characterized by infantile fixation with the mo uth. Examples of this include thumb sucking, breast-feeding, and the placement of other various objects in the mouth. Freud’s concept of the Id is notable here, as he believed that the child in the oral stage is Id driven, as the ego and superego have not entirely developed; furthermore, as the child’s self-concept has not emerged, they are driven by the pleasure principle. It is during this stage that the child’s self-concept forms, as they recognize that they are a distinct entity the rest of their environment. The child also notably experiences weaning – that is, their first sense of abandonment – as their mother or parental guardian leaves them alone. Freud believed that this experience greatly contributed to ego formation. The next psychosexual stage is the anal

Monday, November 18, 2019

Principles of Advertising(Mini Campaign) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Principles of Advertising(Mini Campaign) - Essay Example Having its foundations rooted in sustainable agriculture, which produces exceptional food product quality, the farm-organization is family owned. This history is traceable to humble beginnings, where a family was able to organize its farm into the present entity it is. The presence of an on-farm processing plant, which aids in the freezing and pureeing of produce immediately after hours, aids in enhancing overall freshness, quality and nutritional value. This is best exemplified by the farm’s certification of sustainability, by the Food Alliance. Initial business venturing was on fruits and vegetables that were sustainably grown and subsequently individually quick-frozen. It is these produce that were first marketed under the brand name – Stahlbush Island Farms, in their characteristic Kraft paper packaging. It is this background, which provided for the later entry of canned, organic gourmet purees, under Trademark Farmers. Successful launch of these products provides an avenue of diversification, as later on showcased by the unveiling of pumpkin based pet food supplements. Environmentally conscious, the family-owned business later ventures into biogas production, through construction of a biogas plant. The target market for the farm would be drawn from different sectors, discussing the unveiling of organic foods and farm produce. Of primary importance are local community members of the State, which is primarily an agricultural setting. The audience present would include women group members, representative, and farmers, especially those practicing large-scale farming. In addition would be government agency representatives, who stand for different agencies and institutions concerned with farming, product quality assurance and environmental management. There would also be the likely possibility of academic minds, keen on engaging further on the overall

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Effects of Employee Empowerment on Project Success

Effects of Employee Empowerment on Project Success Introduction: Employee empowerment is not a new innovative word its being used from many decades but employee empowerment has now become a buzz word in recent management treads in both private and public sectors (pits 2005). Employee empowerment received a wide recognition as an important subject in management circles mainly because it seen as one of the fundamental elements of managerial and organisational effectiveness that increases when power and control are shared in organization (serenely et al 2007). thus employee empowerment hailed as management technique which can be applied universally across all organisations a means of dealing with the modern global business(demitrades 2005) . Generally employee empowerment comprises of an innovative approach with people and a shift of power from the top management to lower level of an organization (tzafrir et al 2005). researches and leaders worldwide aver advocated for empowerment of employees to ell organisations compete successfully in highly compe titive market place (tjosvold and sun 2005). Therefore org that are committed to employee empowerment are in a position to motivate and retain their employees (angora 2007). Employee empower mint is seen as motivational technique if designed and nurtured properly in organisations. Thus employee empowerment leads to improvement of performance of the org through increased level of employee participation and self determination (greasily et al 200). Tzafrir (2004) says basically employee empowerment is mainly y concerned with trust, motivation, decision making and breaking he inner boundaries between management and employees. Literature review: Definitions: Employee participation is defined as ‘a process of employee involvement designed to provide employees with the opportunity to influence and where appropriate, take part in decision making on matters which affect them. According to Farnham (1997) Employee Participation is one of four policy choices for managing the employment relationship. Cited in Rose (2001, p380) Farnham states:‘†¦an employee has the right to question and influence organization decision making and ‘†¦. this may involve representative workplace democracy. The common dictionary definition of empowerment, to give official authority to: delegate legal power to: commission, authorize (Grove, 1971, p. 744) is the one most understood by most people. As an example, Gandz (1990) writes, Empowerment means that management vests decision-making or approval authority in employees where, traditionally, such authority was a managerial prerogative. (p. 75) However, this is not the definition of what is usually called employee empowerment. One author notes empowerment is, easy to define in its absence—alienation, powerless, helplessness—but difficult to define positively because it takes on a different form in different people and contexts' (Zimmerman, 1990, p.169) Employee empowerment is a process whereby: a culture of empowerment is developed; information in the form of a shared vision, clear goals, boundaries for decision making, and the results of efforts and their impact on the whole is shared; competency in the form of training and experience is developed; resources, or the competency to obtain them when needed to be effective in their jobs, are provided; and support in the form of mentoring, cultural support, and encouragement of risk-taking is provided Current research in employee empowerment: There is lot of research going on empowerment with respect to different entities of business like empowerment and total quality management, empowerment and sales, empowerment and customer satisfaction in tourism industry. Most of the research is concentrated on the relation between empowerment and employee motivation. Even though there is a vast literature review on my topic of interest .I am mentioning very few concepts here. In the most comprehensive, long-term study of empowerment-oriented practices, (Lawler, Mohr man, Benson, 2001) has empirically demonstrated the positive growth of empowerment practices in the last 15 years. Today, more than 70 percent of organizations surveyed have adopted some kind of empowerment initiative for some portion of their workforce. Why the tremendous growth in employee empowerment? Faced with competitive demands for lower costs, higher performance, and more flexibility, organizations have increasingly turned to employee empowerment to enhance their performance. Empowerment practices are often implemented with the hopes of overcoming worker dissatisfaction and reducing the costs of absenteeism, turnover, poor quality work, and sabotage (Klein, Ralls, Smith-Major, Douglas, 1998). Their focus is aimed at overcoming the debilitating psychological effects of traditional bureaucracies through the creation of high-involvement organizations. Empowerment enables employees to participate in decision making, helping them to break out of stagnant mindsets to take a risk and try something new. Empowering practices allow employees to decide on their own how they will recover from a service problem and surprise-and-delight customers by exceeding their expectations rather than waiting for approval from a supervisor (Bowen La wler, 1995). And perhaps most importantly, empowerment is viewed as critical in the process of organizational change. Rather than forcing or pushing people to change, empowerment provides a way of attracting them to want to change because they have ownership in the change process. Yet, in spite of this positive growth, more than 25% of the surveyed companies in Lawler et al.s (2001) study still report no significant empowerment-oriented practices anywhere in their organizations. And even those that do introduce empowerment practices often find it difficult to build genuine employee empowerment (Spreitzer Quinn, 2001). Some dont have the courage In order to understand the aims and implications of empowerment, it is necessary to understand the origins of the concept within the intellectual and political history of the West. While its modern form was derived principally from the civil and womens rights social movements of the 1960s, its philosophical lineage can be traced to the beginnings of modern political philosophy. While often regarded as a revolutionary development in thinking even in contemporary times, empowerments theoretical roots point to a longer progression than is commonly assumed. In myriad ways, empowerment theory is principally concerned with elucidating and applying the answers to the timeless questions of political philosophy itself namely the nature of power, the role of the citizen in the polis, and the achievement of justice in civic life. From this vantage point, empowerment is a continuation of this theoretical search for elusive, but critical, answers to timeless human questions. Sir Francis Bacon, b est known for his work new Atlantis, is intrinsically bound to the study of empowerment due to his crucial contribution to the development of the Western democratic system (White, 1987). According to Bacon, humanitys existence in a world of scarcity will continually result in human deprivation and hostility without the conquest of nature. He argued that only by the ‘release of mans estate, namely the rational and scientific generation of greater goods from nature, could this cycle of constant political animosity and privation be ended. Freedom, enfranchisement, and harmony among citizens cannot be achieved without overcoming the aggression that is inherent to scarcity and issues of survival. By uniting people behind the common goal of creating better lives via reason and human invention, the common good is finally able to triumph over sectarian divisions. At the most fundamental level, liberal democracy and the concept of constant progress require the emancipation of workers a nd their empowerment. Without empowerment, the manual labourer (or serf or slave) is utilized to provide the inputs that political life necessitates, and the stratification of power is perpetuated. Although Bacon helped to form the foundations of the modern commercial republic, he could not have foreseen many of the developments that this polity engendered. One only has to peruse the works of Dickens, Marx, or Sinclair to be made aware of some of the obstacles of this political order. The sublimation of economic efficiency and science may liberate humankind from the bounds of scarcity, but it also can transform man into a servant of power. Moreover, it often leads to a form of consumerism that seems ill suited for providing citizens with meaning outside the bounds of the acquisition of material possessions, as well as elevates labour itself into the focal point for personal significance. From this perspective, our economic and political order may be required to bear more weight and significance than it can bear. Modern empowerment literature, with its emphases on theory, results, and meaning is focused upon improving this state of affairs through a variety of different approaches and applications. As a discipline, it embraces modern methodologies in order to answer ancient and familiar questions with the intention of elevating both the individual and the organization (political or otherwise) simultaneously. During recent years, workplace empowerment has increasingly become part and parcel of the lexicon of organizational research and practice. The meaning of the term empowerment has evolved over the years from its more radical beginnings in the civil and womens rights movements to its current manifestations focused on organizational performance (Bartunek Spreitzer, 1999). In this section of the chapter, we look across the most recent decades of writing on empowerment and highlight three contemporary theoretical perspectives. Research purpose: TO EVALUATE THE ROLE OF Employee Empowerment IN PROJECT SUCCESS. I want to know to what extent the empowerment is being employed in the projects. If so, to what extent the empowerment aids in success of the project. Research objectives Question 1 .TO WHAT EXTENT Employee Empowerment IS BEING EMPLOYED IN PROJECTS AT MANGERIAL AND TEAM LEADER LEVEL Question 2. TO WHAT EXTENT Employee Empowerment CONTRUBUTES TO PROJECT SUCCESS Research rationale: Research mainly has economical and social benefits My research will find the cause and effect of empowerment and project success at two different hierarchal levels of project , i.e. managerial and team leader. I believe that my research will provide a new perspective of empowerment in projects. Research scope: Scope of my research is restricted to a Construction Company. I am doing a case study on ksheeraabd constructions private ltd (KPCL), Hyderabad, India I will take 8 to 10 interviews and will also distribute Questionnaires among 20 people. I will consider both employee and employer perspective. In depth interviews will be taken from the project managers and lower level team leaders Research methodology: The analysis of the research will be largely quantitative, however qualitative analysis will be used to highlight patterns and make the analysis more robust. The findings will be compared to theory in context in order to describe the patterns which exist. An deductive approach will be used in order to evaluate a theory as a result of the research findings .The research strategy will be case study of a construction company( KCPL ,Hyderabad India) for which I have already gained access . The company chosen is a construction company which is at present working on a road construction project at a place called Madurai in India. In the case study the interviews will be conducted for project manager level and questionnaires will be given for team leader level employees The aim is to evaluate the effects of employee empowerment in an organisation. The questionnaire will have structured questions with set responses in order to quantify the empowerment employed in the organisation. There will also be open questions for participants to make comments on the various aspects empowerment in their organisation. I will do cross sectional study as I will collect all the data at same time Sampling procedures: My research involves data collection from two different levels of organisation like project managers and from team leader level. As the project managers are very few we wanted to consider the entire sample and for the team leaders I will use simple random sampling. Data collection and analysis: I will take interviews from the project managers. I will take ablest 8 to almost 10 interviews. I will distribute the questioners to the team leaders who are selected by simple random sampling. I will make sure that at least 20 employee from team leader level will participate in this procedure. Using the deductive approach, the analysis of the interviews will be mostly quantitative I will ask questions that have rating of the responses ranging from 0 to 5. The main purpose of the interviews is to avoid any bias of information from the questionnaires. The questioners are designed in such a way that each response is quantified like the interviews. By this method I can make quantitative analysis of both types of information. Validity and reliability Internal validity Increased through use of multiple sources of evidence, structured interviews and questionnaires (both closed and open questions). The design of questions and survey will be based on understanding of the theory from the literature and pilot testing of the interview and questionnaire will be used to make sure questions are understood as intended. External validity Multiple cases considered to examine whether findings can be generalised over a number of organisations. There is no requirement to make a statistical analysis of the results for generalisation here as the approach chosen examines practices and their effectiveness. The aim is to explain the findings and explore generalisability through a comparison of findings with theory. Reliability Structured interviews with questions derived from literature in order to examine cases in same way. Surveys to back up the interviews and obtain views from a wider group. Questionnaires all administered at the same time and in controlled manner, explanation to ensure participants all understand research in same way. Instrumentation : I am planning to collect information through questionnaires in single batch . Which will not pose any validity problems with respect to instrumentation? Mortality: with respect to this threat I ill make sure that there will be no dropouts of participants at the time of data collection Access to the company (consent): I have already spoken with the subject of interest (KCPL pvt ltd, Hyderabad) and gained access to the company. I have explained the total procedure and outcome of the dissertation. I have promised them that the information collected will be kept confidential so finally the company has given access to obtain information from their employees. The organisation is also looking forward to help me in this research. They felt grateful to me for taking their company as a case study. For reference I am enclosing a copy of the access grant letter

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Affirmative Action Essay -- Discrimination Race Racism Essays

Affirmative Action Because economic, social, gender and racial inequalities exist within the American population, it is in the best interest of its people and government to take action to amend these problems. Since the U.S has a capitalistic based economy, there is little that the government can do to completely end all inequalities. However, it can try to remedy racial and gender discrimination. The most realistic and supported program is Affirmative Action, which has many key issues: does the government have the right to enforce â€Å"reverse discrimination† or is it right to take race or gender into account for purposes of diversity and equality when evaluating college or job applications? The United States has a history of treating minorities, women and immigrants like 2nd-class citizens while favoring affluent white males (Schrag). In 1857, the Scott vs. Sanford decision stated that blacks have â€Å"no rights which the white man is bound to respect† (Davis). However, changes were made in the legal treatment of women and minorities with the 1866 Civil Rights Act that guaranteed every citizen â€Å"the same right to make and enforce contracts†¦as enjoyed by white citizens† (Sykes) and the 14th Amendment, which â€Å"grants citizenship to everyone born in the US, forbids states from denying ‘life, liberty, or property’ without due process of law, and guarantees equal protection under the laws† (DCLU). Despite such legislation, a major setback took place in the 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson court decision upholding that â€Å"separate but equal† accommodations were constitutional (DCLU). Because of this forced inequality, many et hnicities were kept out of upper levels of American businesses and educational institutions (Hudson). The mid-20th cent... ...parently credible} The Hopwood Aftermath. University of Texas. 1 May 1997. . {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} Wydick, Bruce. â€Å"Affirmative Action in college admissions: Examining labor market effects of four alternative policies.† Contemporary Economic Policy. 20.1 (Jan 2003): 12-25. {primary scholarly; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2001 and 2002.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 1: Income in the United States: 2002† pg. 3. {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 2: Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by occupation and sex, 1983 and 2002 annual averages.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} Affirmative Action Essay -- Discrimination Race Racism Essays Affirmative Action Because economic, social, gender and racial inequalities exist within the American population, it is in the best interest of its people and government to take action to amend these problems. Since the U.S has a capitalistic based economy, there is little that the government can do to completely end all inequalities. However, it can try to remedy racial and gender discrimination. The most realistic and supported program is Affirmative Action, which has many key issues: does the government have the right to enforce â€Å"reverse discrimination† or is it right to take race or gender into account for purposes of diversity and equality when evaluating college or job applications? The United States has a history of treating minorities, women and immigrants like 2nd-class citizens while favoring affluent white males (Schrag). In 1857, the Scott vs. Sanford decision stated that blacks have â€Å"no rights which the white man is bound to respect† (Davis). However, changes were made in the legal treatment of women and minorities with the 1866 Civil Rights Act that guaranteed every citizen â€Å"the same right to make and enforce contracts†¦as enjoyed by white citizens† (Sykes) and the 14th Amendment, which â€Å"grants citizenship to everyone born in the US, forbids states from denying ‘life, liberty, or property’ without due process of law, and guarantees equal protection under the laws† (DCLU). Despite such legislation, a major setback took place in the 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson court decision upholding that â€Å"separate but equal† accommodations were constitutional (DCLU). Because of this forced inequality, many et hnicities were kept out of upper levels of American businesses and educational institutions (Hudson). The mid-20th cent... ...parently credible} The Hopwood Aftermath. University of Texas. 1 May 1997. . {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} Wydick, Bruce. â€Å"Affirmative Action in college admissions: Examining labor market effects of four alternative policies.† Contemporary Economic Policy. 20.1 (Jan 2003): 12-25. {primary scholarly; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2001 and 2002.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 1: Income in the United States: 2002† pg. 3. {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 2: Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by occupation and sex, 1983 and 2002 annual averages.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable}

Monday, November 11, 2019

Assess Hume’s Reasons for Rejecting Miracles

Assess Hume’s reasons for rejecting miracles Hume defined miracles as a â€Å"violation of the laws of nature† and consequently rejected their occurrence as both improbable and impractical. This view has been supported by modern scientists and philosophers such as Atkins, Dawkins and Wiles to a certain extent. However Aquinas, Tillich and Holland and Swinburne to a certain extent reject Hume’s reasons, instead arguing that miracles have a divine cause and that Hume’s arguments are weak.This essay will argue that Hume’s reasons for rejecting miracles are not valid and in doing so consider his two main arguments; lack of probability and Hume’s practical argument. Hume’s first reason for rejecting miracles was a lack of probability. He argued that evidence from people’s experience of observing the world showed the laws of nature to be fixed and unvarying. However to suggest a miracle occurred was to say that the laws of nature had been violated, hence his definition of miracles being a â€Å"violation of the laws of nature. Miracles were reported has having occurred by eyewitnesses, as is stated in the Bible in the case of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. However for Hume it was far more likely that the eyewitnesses were mistaken in what they witnessed, than for Jesus to have actually raised Lazarus from the dead and in doing so violated fixed laws of nature. A violation of the laws of nature was therefore an improbable occurrence. Wiles’ agrees with Hume’s point that it is more likely the eyewitness was wrong than a miracle occurred, in doing so raising the problem of evil.It was illogical to suggest God was omnipotent and good if he showed clear favouritism through creating miracles whilst at the same time many people were suffering. It would be more likely that a witness made a mistake or did not understand what they saw than an ominbenevolant and omnipotent God showed clear signs of bia s and favouritism through miracles therefore Hume’s first argument is valid. Swinburne supports Hume’s view that laws of nature are defined by the experiences of people observing the world, as he believes that people’s observations are the basis for all natural laws.Additionally Hume’s argument that miracles are improbable is supported by Dawkin’s view that it would be highly unlikely that someone could simply learn to walk again after being paralysed as a result of a miracle, as this would constitute a violation of the laws of nature. This also supports the idea that Hume’s argument is valid. However he rejects Hume’s concept of the laws of nature being fixed and unvarying, as he believed them to be â€Å"corrigible† due the possibility new discoveries and observations about the world could result in them being altered in some way.Additionally Swinburne disagrees with Hume’s idea of what an improbable event is. Whilst f or Hume this means an event which it would be foolish to suggest occurs at all, such as the sun staying the sky, Swinburne argues that miracles are more â€Å"probalistic† such as picking out a red grain of sand, highly unlikely but not totally impossible therefore the validity of Hume’s first argument can be questioned.Additionally Swinburne criticises Hume’s definition of miracles as a â€Å"violation of the laws of nature† as he believes that whilst a miracle such as that of Jesus’ resurrection clearly does not fit in with the laws of nature, on it’s own it is not enough to prove the laws of nature have been violated, a view supported by Aquinas who suggests miracles have a divine origin. The contingency argument, supported by Holland and Tillich also criticises Hume’s definition of miracles as a â€Å"violation of the laws of nature. It uses evidence from the Bible, such as Jesus feeding the five thousand, to highlight that Godâ €™s aim with miracles is not to fit in with the framework of modern concepts but to for God to reveal Himself to the people. Tillich himself argues that miracles do not have to involve the violation of nature as they can be possible events, such as a train stopping just in front of a child on a crossing, which hold religious significance for some people. Therefore a miracle does not have to be an improbable event, suggesting that Hume’s argument is not significant.Hume’s second reason for rejecting miracles is presented in his practical argument. He considered levels of education to be a significant factor as miracles were only reported to have occurred by those who were not educated enough to understand the scientific explanation of an event. The stories these people reported were usually circulated and exaggerated, altering them significantly as is the case with urban myths, such as that after Hurricane Katrina stating that law and order had broken down.Hume also considered the general level of education of the country as a whole to be important. He highlighted how the early history of countries is full of miracles and visions due to the ignorant and barbarous populations, such as the very long life of Adam. However as the country becomes more developed and the populations better educated such stories disappear. Therefore for Hume, Adam living to 930 was simply a story made up by the uneducated, as living so long would suggest the laws of nature to be false.Additionally Hume believes that miracles used by religions to prove their religion true would be cancelled out, as not every religion could be true. Dawkins presents a key strength of Hume’s second argument, by supporting his belief that miracles are only reported by the uneducated, as he believes there is a scientific explanation for the effects, such as Jeanne Fretel being cured at Lourdes.The miracles of people being cured at Lourdes, as well as those reported in the Bible simp ly show that miracles were used to cover up a lack of understanding of a way the world worked and to increase people’s faith in God, something which is no longer necessary as most people no longer rely on God for guidance therefore Hume presents a relevant argument rejecting miracles. Atkins supports Hume’s argument that the typical educated person would not be inclined to report the occurrence of a miracle as they would know better.According to Atkins it is only the publicity seeker or someone deluded or hallucinating who would claim to have witnessed such an event as they may lack the scientific level of understanding of their peers, therefore Hume’s argument is relevant. However this view has been criticised by Swinburne as it raises questions about how to define terms Hume raises. It is unclear at what stage a person becomes â€Å"educated† sufficiently to reject miracles. It is also unfair to assume that a person believes in miracles simply because t hey do not know any better, as it is possible to both have a strong belief in God and a good understanding of Science.Further to this it is unclear what constitutes being â€Å"ignorant and barbarous† as whilst earlier nations may now seem uneducated compared to modern times, the nation may have been highly educated for the time as the standards change. Therefore the relevance of Hume’s second argument can be questioned. In conclusion Hume believes that miracles are â€Å"violations of the laws of nature† which are fixed and unvarying, and that they are only experienced by uneducated people who do not understand Science.This view rejected by Aquinas, Swinburne Holland and Tillich. Swinburne believes the laws of nature to be â€Å"corrigible† whilst Holland and Tillich argue that miracles are not violations of the laws of nature but sign events revealing God to the people. However Dawkins and Atkins support Hume’s view that miracles are only experie nced by the uneducated. Overall Hume’s reasons for rejecting miracles are valid to only a minimal extent, as he does not consider the different definitions of a miracle, and does not define what constitutes ignorant and barbarous.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 3 THE END

I FELT ABSOLUTELY HIDEOUS IN THE MORNING. I HADN'T slept well; my arm burned and my head ached. It didn't help my outlook that Edward's face was smooth and remote as he kissed my forehead quickly and ducked out my window. I was afraid of the time I'd spent unconscious, afraid that he might have been thinking about right and wrong again while he watched me sleep. The anxiety seemed to ratchet up the intensity of the pounding in my head. Edward was waiting for me at school, as usual, but his face was still wrong. There was something buried in his eyes that I couldn't be sure ofand it scared me. I didn't want to bring up last night, but I wasn't sure if avoiding the subject would be worse. He opened my door for me. â€Å"How do you feel?† â€Å"Perfect,† I lied, cringing as the sound of the slamming door echoed in my head. We walked in silence, he shortening his stride to match mine. There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but most of those questions would have to wait, because chey were for Alice: How was Jasper this morning? What had they said when I was gone? What had Rosalie said? And most importantly, what could she see happening now in her strange, imperfect visions of the future? Could she guess what Edward was thinking, why he was so gloomy? Was there a foundation for the tenuous, instinctive fears that I couldn't seem to shake? The morning passed slowly. I was impatient to see Alice, though I wouldn't be able to really talk to her with Edward there. Edward remained aloof. Occasionally he would ask about my arm, and I would lie. Alice usually beat us to lunch; she didn't have to keep pace with a sloth like me. But she wasn't at the table, waiting with a tray of food she wouldn't eat. Edward didn't say anything about her absence. I wondered to myself if her class was running lateuntil I saw Conner and Ben, who were in her fourth hour French class. â€Å"Where's Alice?† I asked Edward anxiously. He looked at the granola bar he was slowly pulverizing between his fingertips while he answered. â€Å"She's with Jasper.† â€Å"Is he okay?† â€Å"He's gone away for a while.† â€Å"What? Where?† Edward shrugged. â€Å"Nowhere in particular.† â€Å"And Alice, too,† I said with quiet desperation. Of course, if Jasper needed her, she would go. â€Å"Yes. She'll be gone for a while. She was trying to convince him to go to Denali.† Denali was where the one other band of unique vampiresgood ones like the Cullenslived. Tanya and her family. I'd heard of them now and again. Edward had run to them last winter when my arrival had made Forks difficult for him. Laurent, the most civilized member of James's little coven, had gone there rather than siding with James against the Cullens. It made sense for Alice to encourage Jasper to go there. I swallowed, trying to dislodge the sudden lump in my throat. The guilt made my head bow and my shoulders slump. I'd run them out of their home, just like Rosalie and Emmett. I was a plague. â€Å"Is your arm bothering you?† he asked solicitously. â€Å"Who cares about my stupid arm?† I muttered in disgust. He didn't answer, and I put my head down on the table. By the end of the day, the silence was becoming ridiculous. I didn't want to be the one to break it, but apparently that was my only choice if I ever wanted him to talk to me again. â€Å"You'll come over later tonight?† I asked as he walked mesilentlyto my truck. He always came over. â€Å"Later?† It pleased me that he seemed surprised. â€Å"I have to work. I had to trade with Mrs. Newton to get yesterday off.† â€Å"Oh,† he murmured. â€Å"So you'll come over when I'm home, though, right?† I hated that I felt suddenly unsure about this. â€Å"If you want me to.† â€Å"I always want you,† I reminded him, with perhaps a little more intensity than the conversation required. I expected he would laugh, or smile, or react somehow to my words. â€Å"All right, then,† he said indifferently. He kissed my forehead again before he shut the door on me. Then he turned his back and loped gracefully toward his car. I was able to drive out of the parking lot before the panic really hit, but I was hyperventilating by the time I got to Newton's. He just needed time, I told myself. He would get over this. Maybe he was sad because his family was disappearing. But Alice and Jasper would come back soon, and Rosalie and Emmett, too. If it would help, I would stay away from the big white house on the riverI'd never set foot there again. That didn't matter. I'd still see Alice at school. She would have to come back for school, right? And she was at my place all the time anyway. She wouldn't want to hurt Charlie's feelings by staying away. No doubt I would also run into Carlisle with regularityin the emergency room. After all, what had happened last night was nothing. Nothing had happened. So I fell downthat was the story of my life. Compared to last spring, it seemed especially unimportant. James had left me broken and nearly dead from loss of bloodand yet Edward had handled the interminable weeks in the hospital much better than this. Was it because, this time, it wasn't an enemy he'd had to protect me from? Because it was his brother? Maybe it would be better if he took me away, rather than his family being scattered. I grew slightly less depressed as I considered all the uninterrupted alone time. If he could just last through the school year, Charlie wouldn't be able to object. We could go away to college, or pretend that's what we were doing, like Rosalie and Emmett this year. Surely Edward could wait a year. What was a year to an immortal? It didn't even seem like that much to me. I was able to talk myself into enough composure to handle getting out of the truck and walking to the store. Mike Newton had beaten me here today, and he smiled and waved when I came in. I grabbed my vest, nodding vaguely in his direction. I was still imagining pleasant scenarios that consisted of me running away with Edward to various exotic locales. Mike interrupted my fantasy. â€Å"How was your birthday?† â€Å"Ugh,† I mumbled. â€Å"I'm glad it's over.† Mike looked at me from the corners of his eyes like I was crazy. Work dragged. I wanted to see Edward again, praying that he would be past the worst of this, whatever it was exactly, by the time I saw him again. It's nothing, I told myself over and over again. Everything will go back to normal. The relief I felt when I turned onto my street and saw Edward's silver car parked in front of my house was an overwhelming, heady thing. And it bothered me deeply that it should be that way. I hurried through the front door, calling out before I was completely inside. â€Å"Dad? Edward?† As I spoke, I could hear the distinctive theme music from ESPN's SportsCenter coming from the living room. â€Å"In here,† Charlie called. I hung my raincoat on its peg and hurried around the corner. Edward was in the armchair, my father on the sofa. Both had their eyes trained on the TV. The focus was normal for my father. Not so much for Edward. â€Å"Hi,† I said weakly. â€Å"Hey, Bella,† my father answered, eyes never moving. â€Å"We just had cold pizza. I think it's still on the table.† â€Å"Okay.† I waited in the doorway. Finally, Edward looked over at me with a polite smile. â€Å"I'll be right behind you,† he promised. His eyes strayed back to the TV. I stared for another minute, shocked. Neither one seemed to notice. I could feel something, panic maybe, building up in my chest. I escaped to the kitchen. The pizza held no interest for me. I sat in my chair, pulled my knees up, and wrapped my arms around them. Something was very wrong, maybe more wrong than I'd realized. The sounds of male bonding and banter continued from the TV set. I tried to get control of myself, to reason with myself. What's the worst that can happen? I flinched. That was definitely the wrong question to ask. I was having a hard time breathing right. Okay, I thought again, what's the worst I can live through? I didn't like that question so much, either. But I thought through the possibilities I'd considered today. Staying away from Edward's family. Of course, he wouldn't expect Alice to be part of that. But if Jasper was off limits, that would lessen the time I could have with her. I nodded to myselfI could live with that. Or going away. Maybe he wouldn't want to wait till the end of the school year, maybe it would have to be now. In front of me, on the table, my presents from Charlie and Renee were where I had left them, the camera I hadn't had the chance to use at the Cullens' sitting beside the album. I touched the pretty cover of the scrapbook my mother had given me, and sighed, thinking of Renee. Somehow, living without her for as long as I had did not make the idea of a more permanent separation easier. And Charlie would be left all alone here, abandoned. They would both be so hurt But we'd come back, right? We'd visit, of course, wouldn't we? I couldn't be certain about the answer to that. I leaned my cheek against my knee, staring at the physical tokens of my parents' love. I'd known this path I'd chosen was going to be hard. And, after all, I was thinking about the worst-case scenariothe very worst I could live through. I touched the scrapbook again, flipping the front cover over. Little metal corners were already in place to hold the first picture. It wasn't a half-bad idea, to make some record of my life here. I felt a strange urge to get started. Maybe I didn't have that long left in Forks. I toyed with the wrist strap on the camera, wondering about the first picture on the roll. Could it possibly turn out anything close to the original? I doubted it. But he didn't seem worried that it would be blank. I chuckled to myself, thinking of his carefree laughter last night. The chuckle died away. So much had changed, and so abruptly. It made me feel a little bit dizzy, like I was standing on an edge, a precipice somewhere much too high. I didn't want to think about that anymore. I grabbed the camera and headed up the stairs. My room hadn't really changed all that much in the seventeen years since my mother had been here. The walls were still light blue, the same yellowed lace curtains hung in front of the window. There was a bed, rather than a crib, but she would recognize the quilt draped untidily over the topit had been a gift ROM Gran. Regardless, I snapped a picture of my room. There wasn't much else I could do tonightit was too dark outsideand the feeling was growing stronger, it was almost a compulsion now. I would record everything about Forks before I had to leave it. Change was coming. I could feel it. It wasn't a pleasant prospect, not when life was perfect the way it was. I took my time coming back down the stairs, camera in hand, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach as I thought of the strange distance I didn't want to see in Edward's eyes. He would get over this. Probably he was worried that I would be upset when he asked me to leave. I would let him work through it without meddling. And I would be prepared when he asked. I had the camera ready as I leaned around the corner, being sneaky. I was sure there was no chance that I had caught Edward by surprise, but he didn't look up. I felt a brief shiver as something icy twisted in my stomach; I ignored that and took the picture. They both looked at me then. Charlie frowned. Edward's face was empty, expressionless. â€Å"What are you doing, Bella?† Charlie complained. â€Å"Oh, come on.† I pretended to smile as I went to sit on the floor in front of the sofa where Charlie lounged. â€Å"You know Mom will be calling soon to ask if I'm using my presents. I have to get to work before she can get her feelings hurt.† â€Å"Why are you taking pictures of me, though?† he grumbled. â€Å"Because you're so handsome,† I replied, keeping it light. â€Å"And because, since you bought the camera, you're obligated to be one of my subjects.† He mumbled something unintelligible. â€Å"Hey, Edward,† I said with admirable indifference. â€Å"Take one of me and my dad together.† I threw the camera toward him, carefully avoiding his eyes, and knelt beside the arm of the sofa where Charlie's face was. Charlie sighed. â€Å"You need to smile, Bella,† Edward murmured. I did my best, and the camera flashed. â€Å"Let me take one of you kids,† Charlie suggested. I knew he was just trying to shift the camera's focus fromhimself. Edward stood and lightly tossed him the camera. I went to stand beside Edward, and the arrangement felt formal and strange to me. He put one hand lightly on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm more securely around his waist. I wanted to look at his face, but I was afraid to. â€Å"Smile, Bella,† Charlie reminded me again. I took a deep breath and smiled. The flash blinded me. â€Å"Enough pictures for tonight,† Charlie said then, shoving the camera into a crevice of the sofa cushions and rolling over it. â€Å"You don't have to use the whole roll now.† Edward dropped his hand from my shoulder and twisted casually out of my arm. He sat back down in the armchair. I hesitated, and then went to sit against the sofa again. I was suddenly so frightened that my hands were shaking. I pressed them into my stomach to hide them, put my chin on my knees and stared at the TV screen in front of me, seeing nothing. When the show ended, I hadn't moved an inch. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Edward stand. â€Å"I'd better get home,† he said. Charlie didn't look up from the commercial. â€Å"See ya.† I got awkwardly to my feetI was stiff from sitting so stilland followed Edward out the front door. He went straight to his car. â€Å"Will you stay?† I asked, no hope in my voice. I expected his answer, so it didn't hurt as much. â€Å"Not tonight.† I didn't ask for a reason. He got in his car and drove away while I stood there, unmoving. I barely noticed that it was raining. I waited, without knowing what I waited for, until the door opened behind me. â€Å"Bella, what are you doing?† Charlie asked, surprised to see me standing there alone and dripping. â€Å"Nothing.† I turned and trudged back to the house. It was a long night, with little in the way of rest. I got up as soon as there was a faint light outside my window. I dressed for school mechanically, waiting for the clouds to brighten. When I had eaten a bowl of cereal, I decided that it was light enough for pictures. I took one of my truck, and then the front of the house. I turned and snapped a few of the forest by Charlie's house. Funny how it didn't seem sinister like it used to. I realized I would miss thisthe green, the timelessness, the mystery of the woods. All of it. I put the camera in my school bag before I left. I tried to concentrate on my new project rather than the fact that Edward apparently hadn't gotten over things during the night. Along with the fear, I was beginning to feel impatience. How long could this last? It lasted through the morning. He walked silently beside me, never seeming to actually look at me. I tried to concentrate on my classes, but not even English could hold my attention. Mr. Berty had to repeat his question about Lady Capulet twice before I realized he was talking to me. Edward whispered the correct answer under his breath and then went back to ignoring me. At lunch, the silence continued. I felt like I was going to start screaming at any moment, so, to distract myself, I leaned across the table's invisible line and spoke to Jessica. â€Å"Hey, Jess?† â€Å"What's up, Bella?† â€Å"Could you do me a favor?† I asked, reaching into my bag. â€Å"My mom wants me to get some pictures of my friends for a scrapbook. So, take some pictures of everybody, okay?† I handed her the camera. â€Å"Sure,† she said, grinning, and turned to snap a candid shot of Mike with his mouth full. A predictable picture war ensued. I watched them hand the camera around the table, giggling and flirting and complaining about being on film. It seemed strangely childish. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for normal human behavior today. â€Å"Uh-oh,† Jessica said apologetically as she returned the camera. â€Å"I think we used all your film.† â€Å"That's okay. I think I already got pictures of everything else I needed.† After school, Edward walked me back to the parking lot in silence. I had to work again, and for once, I was glad. Time with me obviously wasn't helping things. Maybe time alone would be better. I dropped my film off at the Thriftway on my way to Newton's, and then picked up the developed pictures after work. At home, I said a brief hi to Charlie, grabbed a granola bar from the kitchen, and hurried up to my room with the envelope of photographs tucked under my arm. I sat in the middle of my bed and opened the envelope with wary curiosity. Ridiculously, I still half expected the first print to be a blank. When I pulled it out, I gasped aloud. Edward looked just as beautiful as he did in real life, staring at me out of the picture with the warm eyes I'd missed for the past few days. It was almost uncanny that anyone could look so so beyond description. No thousand words could equal this picture. I flipped through the rest of the stack quickly once, and then laid three of them out on the bed side by side. The first was the picture of Edward in the kitchen, his warm eyes touched with tolerant amusement. The second was Edward and Charlie, watching ESPN. The difference in Edward's expression was severe. His eyes were careful here, reserved. Still breathtakingly beautiful, but his face was colder, more like a sculpture, less alive. The last was the picture of Edward and me standing awkwardly side by side. Edward's face was the same as the last, cold and statue-like. But that wasn't the most troubling part of this photograph. The contrast between the two of us was painful. He looked like a god. I looked very average, even for a human, almost shamefully plain. I flipped the picture over with a feeling of disgust. Instead of doing my homework, I stayed up to put my pictures into the album. With a ballpoint pen I scrawled captions under all the pictures, the names and the dates. I got to the picture of Edward and me, and, without looking at it too long, I folded it in half and stuck it under the metal tab, Edward-side up. When I was done, I stuffed the second set of prints in a fresh envelope and penned a long thank-you letter to Renee. Edward still hadn't come over. I didn't want to admit that he was the reason I'd stayed up so late, but of course he was. I tried to remember the last time he'd stayed away like this, without an excuse, a phone call He never had. Again, I didn't sleep well. School followed the silent, frustrating, terrifying pattern of the last two days. I felt relief when I saw Edward waiting for me in the parking lot, but it faded quickly. He was no different, unless maybe more remote. It was hard to even remember the reason for all this mess. My birthday already felt like the distant past. If only Alice would come back. Soon. Before this got any more out of hand. But I couldn't count on that. I decided that, if I couldn't talk to him today, really talk, then I was going to see Carlisle tomorrow. I had to do something. After school, Edward and I were going to talk it out, I promised myself. I wasn't accepting any excuses. He walked me to my truck, and I steeled myself to make my demands. â€Å"Do you mind if I come over today?† he asked before we got to the truck, beating me to the punch. â€Å"Of course not.† â€Å"Now?† he asked again, opening my door for me. â€Å"Sure,† I kept my voice even, though I didn't like the urgency in his tone. â€Å"I was just going to drop a letter for Renee in the mailbox on the way. I'll meet you there.† He looked at the fat envelope on the passenger seat. Suddenly, he reached over me and snagged it. â€Å"I'll do it,† he said quietly. â€Å"And I'll still beat you there.† He smiled my favorite crooked smile, but it was wrong. It didn't reach his eyes. â€Å"Okay,† I agreed, unable to smile back. He shut the door, and headed toward his car. He did beat me home. He was parked in Charlie's spot when I pulled up in front of the house. That was a bad sign. He didn't plan to stay, then. I shook my head and took a deep breath, trying to locate some courage. He got out of his car when I stepped out of the truck, and came to meet me. He reached to take my book bag from me. That was normal. But he shoved it back onto the seat. That was not normal. â€Å"Come for a walk with me,† he suggested in an unemotional voice, taking my hand. I didn't answer. I couldn't think of a way to protest, but I instantly knew that I wanted to. I didn't like this. This is bad, this is very bad, the voice in my head repeated again and again. But he didn't wait for an answer. He pulled me along toward the east side of the yard, where the forest encroached. I followed unwillingly, trying to think through the panic. It was what I wanted, I reminded myself. The chance to talk it all through. So why was the panic choking me? We'd gone only a few steps into the trees when he stopped. We were barely on the trailI could still see the house. Some walk. Edward leaned against a tree and stared at me, his expression unreadable. â€Å"Okay, let's talk,† I said. It sounded braver than it felt. He took a deep breath. â€Å"Bella, we're leaving.† I took a deep breath, too. This was an acceptable option. I thought I was prepared. But I still had to ask. â€Å"Why now? Another year† â€Å"Bella, it's time. How much longer could we stay in Forks, after all? Carlisle can barely pass for thirty, and he's claiming thirty-three now. We'd have to start over soon regardless.† His answer confused me. I thought the point of leaving was to let his family live in peace. Why did we have to leave if they were going? I stared at him, trying to understand what he meant. He stared back coldly. With a roll of nausea, I realized I'd misunderstood. â€Å"When you say we,† I whispered. â€Å"I mean my family and myself.† Each word separate and distinct. I shook my head back and forth mechanically, trying to clear it. He waited without any sign of impatience. It took a few minutes before I could speak. â€Å"Okay,† I said. â€Å"I'll come with you.† â€Å"You can't, Bella. Where we're going It's not the right place for you.† â€Å"Where you are is the right place for me.† â€Å"I'm no good for you, Bella.† â€Å"Don't be ridiculous.† I wanted to sound angry, but it just sounded like I was begging. â€Å"You're the very best part of my life.† â€Å"My world is not for you,† he said grimly. â€Å"What happened with Jasperthat was nothing, Edward! Nothing!† â€Å"You're right,† he agreed. â€Å"It was exactly what was to be expected.† â€Å"You promised! In Phoenix, you promised that you would stay† â€Å"As long as that was best for you,† he interrupted to correct me. â€Å"No! This is about my soul, isn't it?† I shouted, furious, the words exploding out of mesomehow it still sounded like a plea. â€Å"Carlisle told me about that, and I don't care, Edward. I don't care! You can have my soul. I don't want it without youit's yours already!† He took a deep breath and stared, unseeingly, at the ground for a long moment. His mouth twisted the tiniest bit. When he finally looked up, his eyes were different, harderlike the liquid gold had frozen solid. â€Å"Bella, I don't want you to come with me.† He spoke the words slowly and precisely, his cold eyes on my face, watching as I absorbed what he was really saying. There was a pause as I repeated the words in my head a few times, sifting through them for their real intent. â€Å"You don't want me?† I tried out the words, confused by the way they sounded, placed in that order. â€Å"No.† I stared, uncomprehending, into his eyes. He stared back without apology. His eyes were like topazhard and clear and very deep. I felt like I could see into them for miles and miles, yet nowhere in rheir bottomless depths could I see a contradiction to the word he'd spoken. â€Å"Well, that changes things.† I was surprised by how calm and reasonable my voice sounded. It must be because I was so numb. I couldn't realize what he was telling me. It still didn't make any sense. He looked away into the trees as he spoke again. â€Å"Of course, I'll always love you in a way. But what happened the other night made me realize that it's time for a change. Because I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not, Bella. I am not human.† He looked back, and the icy planes of his perfect face were not human. â€Å"I've let this go on much too long, and I'm sorry for that.† â€Å"Don't.† My voice was just a whisper now; awareness was beginning to seep through me, trickling like acid through my veins. â€Å"Don't do this.† He just stared at me, and I could see from his eyes that my words were far too late. He already had. â€Å"You're not good for me, Bella.† He turned his earlier words around, and so I had no argument. How well I knew that I wasn't good enough for him. I opened my mouth to say something, and then closed it again. He waited patiently, his face wiped clean of all emotion. I tried again. â€Å"If that's what you want.† He nodded once. My whole body went numb. I couldn't feel anything below the neck. â€Å"I would like to ask one favor, though, if that's not too much,† he said. I wonder what he saw on my face, because something flickered across his own face in response. But, before I could identify it, he'd composed his features into the same serene mask. â€Å"Anything,† I vowed, my voice faintly stronger. As I watched, his frozen eyes melted. The gold became liquid again, molten, burning down into mine with an intensity that was overwhelming. â€Å"Don't do anything reckless or stupid,† he ordered, no longer detached. â€Å"Do you understand what I'm saying?† I nodded helplessly. His eyes cooled, the distance returned. â€Å"I'm thinking of Charlie, of course. He needs you. Take care of yourselffor him.† I nodded again. â€Å"I will,† I whispered. He seemed to relax just a little. â€Å"And I'll make you a promise in return,† he said. â€Å"I promise that this will be the last time you'll see me. I won't come back. I won't put you through anything like this again. You can go on with your life without any more interference from me. It will be as if I'd never existed.† My knees must have started to shake, because the trees were suddenly wobbling. I could hear the blood pounding faster than normal behind my ears. His voice sounded farther away. He smiled gently. â€Å"Don't worry. You're humanyour memory is no more than a sieve. Time heals all wounds for your kind.† â€Å"And your memories?† I asked. It sounded like there was something stuck in my throat, like I was choking. â€Å"Well†he hesitated for a short second†I won't forget. But my kind we're very easily distracted.† He smiled; the smile was tranquil and it did not touch his eyes. He took a step away from me. â€Å"That's everything, I suppose. We won't bother you again.† The plural caught my attention. That surprised me; I would have thought I was beyond noticing anything. â€Å"Alice isn't coming back,† I realized. I don't know how he heard methe words made no soundbut he seemed to understand. He shook his head slowly, always watching my face. â€Å"No. They're all gone. I staved behind to tell you goodbye.† â€Å"Alice is gone?† My voice was blank with disbelief. â€Å"She wanted to say goodbye, but I convinced her that a clean break would be better for you.† I was dizzy; it was hard to concentrate. His words swirled around in my head, and I heard the doctor at the hospital in Phoenix, last spring, as he showed me the X-rays. You can see it's a clean break, his finger traced along the picture of my severed bone. That's good. It will heal more easily, more quickly . I tried to breathe normally. I needed to concentrate, to find a way out of this nightmare. â€Å"Goodbye, Bella,† he said in the same quiet, peaceful voice. â€Å"Wait!† I choked out the word, reaching for him, willing my deadened legs to carry me forward. I thought he was reaching for me, too. But his cold hands locked around my wrists and pinned them to my sides. He leaned down, and pressed his lips very lightly to my forehead for the briefest instant. My eyes closed. â€Å"Take care of yourself,† he breathed, cool against my skin. There was a light, unnatural breeze. My eyes flashed open. The leaves on a small vine maple shuddered with the gentle wind of his passage. He was gone. With shaky legs, ignoring the fact that my action was useless, I followed him into the forest. The evidence of his path had disappeared instantly. There were no footprints, the leaves were still again, but I walked forward without thinking. I could not do anything else. I had to keep moving. If I stopped looking for him, it was over. Love, life, meaning over. I walked and walked. Time made no sense as I pushed slowly through the thick undergrowth. It was hours passing, but also only seconds. Maybe it felt like time had frozen because the forest looked the same no matter how far I went. I started to worry that I was traveling in a circle, a very small circle at that, but I kept going. I stumbled often, and, as it grew darker and darker, I fell often, too. Finally, I tripped over somethingit was black now, I had no idea what caught my footand I stayed down. I rolled onto my side, so that I could breathe, and curled up on the wet bracken. As I lay there, I had a feeling that more time was passing than I realized. I couldn't remember how long it had been since nightfall. Was it always so dark here at night? Surely, as a rule, some little bit of moonlight would filter down through the clouds, through the chinks in the canopy of trees, and find the ground. Not tonight. Tonight the sky was utterly black. Perhaps there was no moon tonighta lunar eclipse, a new moon. A new moon. I shivered, though I wasn't cold. It was black for a long time before I heard them calling. Someone was shouting my name. It was muted, muffled by the wet growth that surrounded me, but it was definitely my name. I didn't recognize the voice. I thought about answering, but I was dazed, and it took a long time to come to the conclusion that I should answer. By then, the calling had stopped. Sometime later, the rain woke me up. I don't think I'd really fallen asleep; I was just lost in an unthinking stupor, holding with all my strength to the numbness that kept me from realizing what I didn't want to know. The rain bothered me a little. It was cold. I unwrapped my arms from around my legs to cover my face. It was then that I heard the calling again. It was farther away this time, and sometimes it sounded like several voices were calling at once. I tried to breathe deeply. I remembered that I should answer, but I didn't think they would be able to hear me. Would I be able to shout loud enough? Suddenly, there was another sound, startlingly close. A kind of snuffling, an animal sound. It sounded big. I wondered if I should feel afraid. I didn'tjust numb. It didn't matter. The snuffling went away. The rain continued, and I could feel the water pooling up against my cheek. I was trying to gather the strength to turn my head when I saw the light. At first it was just a dim glow reflecting off the bushes in the distance. It grew brighter and brighter, illuminating a large space unlike the focused beam of a flashlight. The light broke through the closest brush, and I could see that it was a propane lantern, but that was all I could seethe brightness blinded me for a moment. â€Å"Bella.† The voice was deep and unfamiliar, but full of recognition. He wasn't calling my name to search, he was acknowledging that I was found. I stared upimpossibly high it seemedat the dark face that I could now see above me. I was vaguely aware that the stranger probably only looked so tall because my head was still on the ground. â€Å"Have you been hurt?† I knew the words meant something, but I could only stare, bewildered. How could the meaning matter at this point? â€Å"Bella, my name is Sam Uley.† There was nothing familiar about his name. â€Å"Charlie sent me to look for you.† Charlie? That struck a chord, and I tried to pay more attention to what he was saying. Charlie mattered, if nothing else did. The tall man held out a hand. I gazed at it, not sure what I was supposed to do. His black eyes appraised me for a second, and then he shrugged. In a quick and supple notion, he pulled me up from the ground and into his arms. I hung there, limp, as he loped swiftly through the wet forest. Some part of me knew this should upset mebeing carried away by a stranger. But there was nothing left in me to upset. It didn't seem like too much time passed before there were lights and the deep babble of many male voices. Sam Uley slowed as he approached the commotion. â€Å"I've got her!† he called in a booming voice. The babble ceased, and then picked up again with more intensity. A confusing swirl of faces moved over me. Sam's voice was the only one that made sense in the chaos, perhaps because my ear was against his chest. â€Å"No, I don't think she's hurt,† he told someone. â€Å"She just keeps saying ‘He's gone.' â€Å" Was I saying that out loud? I bit down on my lip. â€Å"Bella, honey, are you all right?† That was one voice I would know anywhereeven distorted, as it was now, with worry. â€Å"Charlie?† My voice sounded strange and small. â€Å"I'm right here, baby.† There was a shifting under me, followed by the leathery smell of my dad's sheriff jacket. Charlie staggered under my weight. â€Å"Maybe I should hold on to her,† Sam Uley suggested. â€Å"I've got her,† Charlie said, a little breathless. He walked slowly, struggling. I wished I could tell him to put me down and let me walk, but I couldn't find my voice. There were lights everywhere, held by the crowd walking with him. It felt like a parade. Or a funeral procession. I closed my eyes. â€Å"We're almost home now, honey,† Charlie mumbled now and then. I opened my eyes again when I heard the door unlock. We were on the porch of our house, and the tall dark man named Sam was holding the door for Charlie, one arm extended toward us, as if he was preparing to catch me when Charlie's arms failed. But Charlie managed to get me through the door and to the couch in the living room. â€Å"Dad, I'm all wet,† I objected feebly. â€Å"That doesn't matter.† His voice was gruff. And then he was talking to someone else. â€Å"Blankets are in the cupboard at the top of the stairs.† â€Å"Bella?† a new voice asked. I looked at the gray-haired man leaning over me, and recognition came after a few slow seconds. â€Å"Dr. Gerandy?† I mumbled. â€Å"That's right, dear,† he said. â€Å"Are you hurt, Bella?† It took me a minute to think that through. I was confused by the memory of Sam Uley's similar question in the woods. Only Sam had asked something else: Have you been hurt? he'd said. The difference seemed significant somehow. Dr. Gerandy was waiting. One grizzled eyebrow rose, and the wrinkles on his forehead deepened. â€Å"I'm not hurt,† I lied. The words, were true enough for what he'd asked. His warm hand touched my forehead, and his fingers pressed against the inside of my wrist. I watched his lips as he counted to himself, his eyes on his watch. â€Å"What happened to you?† he asked casually. I froze under his hand, tasting panic in the back of my throat. â€Å"Did you get lost in the woods?† he prodded. I was aware of several other people listening. Three tall men with dark facesfrom La Push, the Quileute Indian reservation down on the coastline, I guessedSam Uley among them, were standing very close together and staring at me. Mr. Newton was there with Mike and Mr. Weber, Angela's father; they all were watching me more surreptitiously than the strangers. Other deep voices rumbled from the kitchen and outside the front door. Half the town must have been looking for me. Charlie was the closest. He leaned in to hear my answer. â€Å"Yes,† I whispered. â€Å"I got lost.† The doctor nodded, thoughtful, his fingers probing gently against the glands under my jaw. Charlie's face hardened. â€Å"Do you feel tired?† Dr. Gerandy asked. I nodded and closed my eyes obediently. â€Å"I don't think there's anything wrong with her,† I heard the doctor mutter to Charlie after a moment. â€Å"Just exhaustion. Let her sleep it off, and I'll come check on her tomorrow,† he paused. He must have looked at his watch, because he added, â€Å"Well, later today actually.† There was a creaking sound as they both pushed off from the couch to get to their feet. â€Å"Is it true?† Charlie whispered. Their voices were farther away now. I strained to hear. â€Å"Did they leave?† â€Å"Dr. Cullen asked us not to say anything,† Dr. Gerandy answered. â€Å"The offer was very sudden; they had to choose immediately. Carlisle didn't want to make a big production out of leaving.† â€Å"A little warning might have been nice,† Charlie grumbled. Dr. Gerandy sounded uncomfortable when he replied. â€Å"Yes, well, in this situation, some warning might have been called for.† I didn't want to listen anymore. I felt around for the edge of the quilt someone had laid on top of me, and pulled it over my ear. I drifted in and out of alertness. I heard Charlie whisper thanks to the volunteers as, one by one, they left. I felt his fingers on my forehead, and then the weight of another blanket. The phone rang a few times, and he hurried to catch it before it could wake me. He muttered reassurances in a low voice to the callers. â€Å"Yeah, we found her. She's okay. She got lost. She's fine now,† he said again and again. I heard the springs in the armchair groan when he settled himself in for the night. A few minutes later, the phone rang again. Charlie moaned as he struggled to his feet, and then he rushed, stumbling, to the kitchen I pulled my head deeper under the blankets, not wanting to listen to the same conversation again. â€Å"Yeah,† Charlie said, and yawned. His voice changed, it was much more alert when he spoke again. â€Å"Where?'† There was a pause. â€Å"You're sure it's outside the reservation?† Another short pause. â€Å"But what could be burning out there?† He sounded both worried and mystified. â€Å"Look, I'll call down there and check it out.† I listened with more interest as he punched in a number. â€Å"Hey, Billy, it's Charliesorry I'm calling so early no, she's fine. She's sleeping Thanks, but that's not why I called. I just got a call from Mrs. Stanley, and she says that from her second-story window she can see fires out on the sea cliffs, but I didn't really Oh!† Suddenly there was an edge in his voiceirritation or anger. â€Å"And why are they doing that? Uh huh. Really?† He said it sarcastically. â€Å"Well, don't apologize to me. Yeah, yeah. Just make sure the flames don't spread I know, I know, I'm surprised they got them lit at all in this weather.† Charlie hesitated, and then added grudgingly. â€Å"Thanks for sending Sam and the other boys up. You were rightthey do know the forest better than we do. It was Sam who found her, so I owe you one Yeah, I'll talk to you later,† he agreed, still sour, before hanging up. Charlie muttered something incoherent as he shuffled back to the living room. â€Å"What's wrong?† I asked. He hurried to my side. â€Å"I'm sorry I woke you, honey.† â€Å"Is something burning?† â€Å"It's nothing,† he assured me. â€Å"Just some bonfires out on the cliffs.† â€Å"Bonfires?† I asked. My voice didn't sound curious. It sounded dead. Charlie frowned. â€Å"Some of the kids from the reservation being rowdy,† he explained. â€Å"Why?† I wondered dully. I could tell he didn't want to answer. He looked at the floor under his knees. â€Å"They're celebrating the news.† His tone was bitter. There was only one piece of news I could think of, try as I might not to. And then the pieces snapped together. â€Å"Because the Cullens left,† I whispered. â€Å"They don't like the Cullens in La PushI'd forgotten about that.† The Quileutes had their superstitions about the â€Å"cold ones,† the blood-drinkers that were enemies to their tribe, just like they had their legends of the great flood and wolf-men ancestors. Just stories, folklore, to most of them. Then there were the few that believed. Charlie's good friend Billy Black believed, though even Jacob, his own son, thought he was full of stupid superstitions. Billy had warned me to stay away from the Cullens The name stirred something inside me, something that began to claw its way toward the surface, something I knew I didn't want to face. â€Å"It's ridiculous,† Charlie spluttered. We sat in silence for a moment. The sky was no longer black outside the window. Somewhere behind the rain, the sun was beginning to rise. â€Å"Bella?† Charlie asked. I looked at him uneasily. â€Å"He left you alone in the woods?† Charlie guessed. I deflected his question. â€Å"How did you know where to find me?† My mind shied away from the inevitable awareness that was coming, coming quickly now. â€Å"Your note,† Charlie answered. surprised. He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a much-abused piece of paper. It was dirty and damp, with multiple creases from being opened and refolded many times. He unfolded it again, and held it up as evidence. The messy handwriting was remarkably close to my own. Going for a walk with Edward, up the path, it said. Back soon, B. â€Å"When you didn't come back, I called the Cullens, and no one answered,† Charlie said in a low voice. â€Å"Then I called the hospital, and Dr. Gerandy told me that Carlisle was gone.† â€Å"Where did they go?† I mumbled. He stared at me. â€Å"Didn't Edward tell you?† I shook my head, recoiling. The sound of his name unleashed the thing that was clawing inside of mea pain that knocked me breathless, astonished me with its force. Charlie eyed me doubtfully as he answered. â€Å"Carlisle took a job with a big hospital in Los Angeles. I guess they threw a lot of money at him.† Sunny L.A. The last place they would really go. I remembered my nightmare with the mirror the bright sunlight shimmering off of his skin Agony ripped through me with the memory of his face. â€Å"I want to know if Edward left you alone out there in the middle of the woods,† Charlie insisted. His name sent another wave of torture through me. I shook my head, frantic, desperate to escape the pain. â€Å"It was my fault. He left me right here on the trail, in sight of the house but I tried to follow him.† Charlie started to say something; childishly, I covered my ears. â€Å"I can't talk about this anymore, Dad. I want to go to my room.† Before he could answer, I scrambled up from the couch and lurched my way up the stairs. Someone had been in the house to leave a note for Charlie, a note that would lead him to find me. From the minute that I'd realized this, a horrible suspicion began to grow in my head. I rushed to my room, shutting and locking the door behind me before I ran to the CD player by my bed. Everything looked exactly the same as I'd left it. I pressed down on the top of the CD player. The latch unhooked, and the lid slowly swung open. It was empty. The album Renee had given me sat on the floor beside the bed, just where I'd put it last. I lifted the cover with a shaking hand. I didn't have to flip any farther than the first page. The little metal corners no longer held a picture in place. The page was blank except for my own handwriting scrawled across the bottom: Edward Cullen, Charlie's kitchen, Sept. 13th. I stopped there. I was sure that he would have been very thorough. It will be as if I'd never existed, he'd promised me. I felt the smooth wooden floor beneath my knees, and then the palms of my hands, and then it was pressed against the skin of my cheek. I hoped that I was fainting, but, to my disappointment, I didn't lose consciousness. The waves of pain that had only lapped at me before now reared high up and washed over my head, pulling me under. I did not resurface.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Story Analysis of Popular Mechanics by Raymond Carver

Story Analysis of Popular Mechanics by Raymond Carver Popular Mechanics, a very short story by Raymond Carver, first appeared in Playgirl in 1978. The story was included in Carvers 1981 collection, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, and later appeared under the title Little Things in his 1988 collection, Where Im Calling From. The story describes an argument between a man and a woman that rapidly escalates into a physical struggle over their baby. Meaning of the Title The title of the story refers to the long-running magazine for technology and engineering enthusiasts, Popular Mechanics. The implication is that the way the man and the woman handle their differences is widespread or typical that is, popular. The man, woman, and baby dont even have names, which emphasizes their role as universal archetypes. They could be anyone; they are everyone. The word mechanics shows that this is a story about the process of disagreeing more than it is about the outcome of those disagreements. Nowhere is this more evident than in the final line of the story: In this manner, the issue was decided. Were never told explicitly what happens to the baby, so its possible there is a chance that one parent managed to wrest the baby successfully from the other. However, the parents have already knocked down a flowerpot, a bit of foreshadowing that doesnt bode well for the baby. The last thing we the audience see is the parents tightening their grip on the baby and pulling back hard in opposite directions.   The parents actions couldnt have failed to injure him, and if the issue has been decided, it suggests that the struggle is over. It seems most likely, then, that the baby was killed. The use of passive voice is chilling here, as it fails to assign any responsibility for the outcome. The words manner, issue, and was decided have a clinical, impersonal feel, focusing again on the mechanics of the situation rather than the humans involved. But the reader wont be able to avoid noticing that if these are the mechanics we choose to employ, real people do get hurt. After all, issue can also be a synonym for offspring. Because of the mechanics the parents choose to engage in, this child is decided. The Wisdom of Solomon The struggle over a baby echoes the story of the Judgment of Solomon in the book of Kings in the Bible. In this story, two women arguing over a baby bring their case to King Solomon for resolution. Solomon offers to cut the baby in half for them. The false mother agrees, but the real mother says shed rather see her baby go to the wrong person than see it killed. By her selflessness, Solomon recognizes who the real mother is and awards her custody of the child. But there is no selfless parent in Carvers story. At first, it appears the father wants only a photo of the baby, but when the mother sees it, she takes it away. She doesnt want him to have it. Angered by her taking the photo, he escalates his demands and insists on taking the actual baby. Again, he doesnt really seem to want it; he just doesnt want the mother to have it. They even argue about whether theyre hurting the baby, but they seem less concerned with the truth of their statements than with the opportunity to hurl accusations at each other. During the story, the baby changes from a person referred to as him to an object referred to as it. Just before the parents make their final pull on the baby, Carver writes: She would have it, this baby. The parents want only to win, and their definition of winning hinges entirely on their opponents losing.  Its a grim view of human nature, and one may wonder how King Solomon would have dealt with these two parents.

Monday, November 4, 2019

E-Marketplace Business to Business Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

E-Marketplace Business to Business - Coursework Example For Volkswagen, the company reduces its marketing costs. In addition, it manages to incorporate the resources of suppliers in the improvement of the product. This gradually leads to the company gaining competitive advantage in the global markets. 3. The relation between the suppliers and the company makes it a vertical e-market place. The horizontal structure occurs through the suppliers, Volkswagen, and the suppliers of the MRO materials. The company needs to combine the e-marketplaces to minimize the bureaucracy involved in the supply of the materials. The creation of two distinct e marketplaces could increase the costs of maintenance incurred by the company. 4. The iPAD tracks business events and sends information back to the purchasing agents. It attaches relevant information about suppliers that aid the purchasing agents in the determination of potential suppliers. Such information is completed by iPAD electronically. The iPAD could provide business intelligence on low cost tools for operating an e marketplace. Moreover is could provide reports on viable sources of information for an efficient decision making process. 5. IPad provides relevant information to the purchasing agent. This includes the identification of potential suppliers in addition to the inventory they supply and at the stated cost. The steps involved are firstly, the presentation of a business event. Secondly, the process involves the provision of information relating to the events to the purchasing agents. Finally, it involves the sending of the information to the purchasing agents