What Factors Contribute to Job Satisfaction Essay Example

What Factors Contribute to Job Satisfaction? Essay Topic: As most people spend a major part of their adult life at word, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers? Since work constitutes an important part in people’s life, job satisfaction will, to a great extent, affects the degree of individual sense of happiness. To the best of my knowledge, three major factors may be contributive to job satisfaction, including salary, working environment and company culture, and promotion possibilities. The most obvious one is the salary, which guarantees our standard of material life and is the direct indicator of our own value. In other words, salary is the foundation of job satisfaction for the majority. Another important factor is the working environment and the company culture. The soft power of the company begins to emerge as an increasingly essential element of employees’ job satisfaction. A positive working environment and company culture may help individuals adapt themselves to the job in the shortest time and generate a sense of belonging. Apart from that, an individual be willing work in a company with loyalty provided that the company will offer abundant promotion possibilities. By contrast, the company can keep few employees with potentials provided that their prospect is not promising enough. We will write a custom essay sample on What Factors Contribute to Job Satisfaction? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What Factors Contribute to Job Satisfaction? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What Factors Contribute to Job Satisfaction? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer As for the job satisfaction for all workers, personally, I find it a lovely dream that remains to be realized. People tend to vary among themselves in terms of the standard and requirements of the concept of job satisfaction. However, to certain extent, it can be enhanced with appropriate measures. In sum, I hold the view that not everyone can achieve the job satisfaction. Whereas, the employment of the three above-mentioned factors in a sensible way will improve the situation.

Essay Sample on Media with a Critical Political Economy Approach

Essay Sample on Media with a Critical Political Economy Approach Analyzing the News Current Affairs Sector of Media with a Critical, Political, Economy Approach This essay introduces an approach to studying media, which deals with the interplay of economic, political, social and cultural life. The political economy approach we are outlining here is clearly critical and its focus will mainly comprise of the fundamental political and economic aspects of media in the news and current affairs sector. The historical development of current structures of ownership and production practices will also be exemplified in this essay, confining the main emphasis on four historical processes. A detailed argument of the advantages and disadvantages of analysing media with a critical political economy approach will also be discussed in this essay. Definitions of terms and several substantiating examples will be included to support the arguments mentioned. Golding and Murdock (1991) in their article draw several terms and concepts used in ‘critical political economy’. The detailed definition and explanation of the term points out that social relations and the exercise of power play an impacting role in shifting cultural perspective in society observing how the making and taking of meaning in productions are shaped at every level of social relations. Analysing the nature and source of regulation limits in media is also an essential point to study the way meaning is made and re-made through the concrete activities of producers and consumers. As highlighted by Golding and Murdock (1991), four historical processes mentioned are especially central to the critical political economy of culture the growth of media, the extension of corporate reach, commodification and the changing role of state and government intervention. These processes will subsequently lead us to expand into the advantages and disadvantages of the critical political economy approach. The growth of media as explained by Golding and Murdock speaks of how society views the media industries as the logical place to begin an analysis of contemporary culture hence resulting in an increase in media production. This process has in return brought about a rise in large corporations, which increasingly move towards privatization. Corporations are dominating the industry to a point of moulding media productions to their interests and strategies. One major setback that will arise from such domination is that producers and other related industries can exercise considerable control over the direction of cultural activity of society. And this does not only limit the range to newspapers and magazines, but further affects the cultural production in television and radio for updates in news and current affairs. The extension of corporate reach intensifies a third process namely the commodification of cultural life. According to Golding and Murdock (1991), corporations in commodity production initially produced commodities that can be directly consumed several examples would be newspapers, magazines or novels. However technology has led to further advancement in domestic communication such as the radio, television, computers and the Internet. Hence cultural consumption now requires consumers to purchase the appropriate equipment or hardware as a condition of access. The effects that such a resultant had now rely more on the ability of consumers to pay in order for communicative activity to actually take place. A good example to illustrate this sort of dependence before a person could tune in to the latest updates on current affairs or news at home, he or she would at least need to own the essential hardware. Golding and Murdock (1991) also pointed out that the higher a household’s income, the more probable that the household would own key pieces of equipment like a telephone, a video recorder or a computer consequentially, this brings about a greater choice in communicative activities. This line of reasoning takes us to examine a fourth process whereby corporations face a heavy dose of political pressure particularly in the areas of news and current affairs. Examples that were drawn by Golding and Murdock (1991) related well publicized attacks on the impartiality of news coverage to police seizures of film, or government bans on live interviews with members of political parties. Such attempts are undeniably to narrow public discourse on the part of capitalist economic systems, as they assume a greater role in managing communicative activity. The changing role of state and government intervention in accordance to Golding and Murdock (1991) refer to two main forms the production regulation in the public interest to ensure a diversity of cultural production. And regulatory functions extending to both the structure of media industries and the range of permissible public expression, for example in the usage of obscenities, portraying racial hatred and threatening the n ational security. Hence to draw the conclusion that only a ‘critical political economy’ approach can adequately explain how the media work today may be a biased viewpoint as several pros and cons may be drawn from this approach. A research done by Chandler (2000) interprets mass media research as culture industries in terms of their economic determination. According to his analysis, the economic base of the organizations in which they are produced primarily determines the contents of the media and the meanings carried by their messages. Hence commercial media organizations then cater to the needs of advertisers and produce audience-maximizing products for advertising revenue. While specific media institutions whose revenues are controlled by the dominant political institutions or by the state tend to reproduce interpretations which serve the interest of the ruling class. The media aspects of news and current affairs perform a crucial role in defining events globally and also in reinforcing a consensual viewpoint by elevating the public opinion. Chandler (2000) also stresses that the base and structure applied to the mass media is associated with issues of the ownership and control of the media. The strengths of a critical political economy approach draws our attention to the issues of political and economic interest in the mass media and highlights social inequalities in media representations. As cited by Chandler (2000) in his analysis, ideological analysis helps us to distinguish reality offered in media text. The approach comparatively emphasizes the importance of social class in relation to both media ownership and audience interpretation of media texts, which remains an important factor in media analysis. Furthermore, it underlines the material conditions of media production and reception through the study of ownership and control of the media and the influence of ownership on its content. Besides these factors, the critical political economy approach also challenges us to consider issues such as differential access and modes of interpretation, which are shaped by socio-economic groupings. Representations in the mass media (e.g. political coverage or social groups) often need to undergo analysis in order to reveal underlying ideologies as audience interpretations continue to be affected by such content. Because of the distribution of power in society, some versions of reality have more influence than others, hence leading to structured variations in audience responses as highlighted by Golding and Murdock (1991). This further expands us to another point brought up in their article on how the critical political economy approach allows us to trace relations between the financing and cultural production organization. Commodification as a concern in the critical political economy approach has help to establish a self-perpetuating advantage in the market, which would avoid gross imbalances of power and price. Because the virtue of the market is such that there is compliance to the price laws of supply and demand, there is therefore always automatic pressure to reduce any temporary imbalances. Another advantage of this approach can be seen in government regulation on production and consumption of cultural representations. Because media content affects the construction of society’s identity, there is hence an emphasis on the vitality to preserve national identity and security. Consequently, this brings about changes in public discourse and representation which challenges us to realise the need for analyses in textual organisations. However Chandler (2000) also expressed arguments against the strengths of the critical political economy approach. Although the approach employed empirical methods in particular that included close studies of specific texts on the analyses of media representations. One such limitation referred to the approach shunning away from how audiences and consumers use the mass media. In support of this limitation, Golding and Murdock (1991) similarly mention that critical economy seeks to relate variations in people’s responses to their overall location in the economic system. Critical political economy takes this line of reasoning to media corporations being regarded as potential abuses of owner power thus dominating institutions in society. Reproductions of the medias viewpoint of dominant institutions largely gravitate towards a central and most obvious perspective rather than one which provides alternative representations. According to Chandler (2000) in his analysis, political economy in the mass media has a tendency to avoid the unpopular and unconventional, and alternately to depict on the beliefs and ideology which are most favourable and most widely legitimated. One excellent example drawn by Chandler (2000) was the media portrayals of elections composing the power structure in liberal democracies voting was then seen as an ideological practice that helps to sustain the myth of democracy and political equality. The impact of election coverage was thus conceived in terms of reinforcing political values that were widely shared in Western democracie s and were actively endorsed by the education system, the principal political organizations and the apparatus of the state. The limitation brought up by Lehman also suggested that the powerful dominance of media production corporations only satisfied the needs of a narrowly construed range of consumers which takes place at the expense of the needs of the majority of the population. In the analysis of the critical political economy approach, we have learnt that power lies in the hands of capitalists, which demand increasing financial returns. In searching for increasing levels of revenue, the needs of many that do not have power to monitor corporate effects on the local community have therefore been ignored. Here, Lehman’s analysis on the power structure can be extended to consider the effects such an approach has on culture. This is especially crucial in the news and current affairs area of media, as proprietors would likely use their property rights to restrict the flow of valuable information on which the vitality of democracy depended on. An important supporting example illustrated by Golding an d Murdock (1991) portrayed evidence of the Bertelsmann company of Germany which had control of RCA records and Doubleday books having control over a major chain of newspapers and magazines. Therefore the minimising modes of dominion ranging from government regulation to privatised control is crucial in shaping audiences mindsets. In conclusion, we have analysed the political and economic forces that shape the media industries, and the forms of regulation government production practices and media output. The focal point of argument in the approach of critical political economy in communications arrays the exercise of control over cultural production and distribution, limiting or liberating the public sphere. We have seen in this essay the liberating aspects and the limitations imposed on the news and current affairs sector of media. Useful insights and examples be it in the positive or negative sense have been gleaned to support the important processes encompassing critical political economy approach – extension of corporate reach, commodification and state or government intervention. Although a detailed analysis of pros and cons were covered, it still leaves us room to consider other cultural and historical impacts on how society thinks before we can claim to adequately explain how the media work today .

Garbology Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Garbology Assignment - Essay Example ermined person with a strong belief in my cause, which is why I have managed to stick to what I think is right despite the many temptations that I may see or even smell in daily life. Considering all that, it would not be a big step to assume that I have a soft spot for animals and may be an animal rights activist, that I may be the type to be following organizations such as PETA which help out the creatures. This may also lead one to think that I do not own any products for which an animal may have been sacrificed. These could be minks or anything made of leather like jackets, boots and bags. The next thing that one may notice are the white, disposable cups, plates and even the cutlery: forks and spoons. This could either mean that I do order take out despite the vegetable and fruit peels seen earlier perhaps when I am, supposedly, too tired to cook. Or it could also mean that I do not like washing dishes which is why I have bought the disposable items. Maybe I am allergic to the contents of the washing liquids. One may even assume that I have enough money to be doing that on a daily purpose. Buying and throwing away paper utensils when I could have just spent some money on some china, which would be durable and save me money in the long run and is just so much more sensible. Next, there are lots of empty wrappers of some kinds of candies and even chocolates. But, one cannot see any packets of crisps or any other savory eatable, which are usually so very popular, particularly amongst the youngsters. This is a dead giveaway about me having a sweet tooth and not caring much about the salty or spicy food that is available is such abundance everywhere. Most of the wrappers are red and yellow colored, which shows how much of a fan I am of Reese’s in particular. There are also several crumpled balls of paper – all stained with blue ink – peeping out from under the rest of the rubbish. One can see tiny writing on some of them instead of the black, printed text,

Paraphrasing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Paraphrasing - Essay Example The purpose of the loans could be for activities that generate income and to establish microenterprises. The delimiting factor for microcredit is its focus mainly on the creation of credit without regard for alleviating poverty and assistance to improve the plight of the poor. The service offered from microcredit puts clients from the low income group to be more apprehensive in availing of this option due to lack of sources for repayment and perceived risk in debt. Having identified the evolution of microcredit programs from the early 1970s, their success have resulted in increased schemes until the mid 1990s. Providers of this type of credit have offered this particular financial assistance concurrent with development agencies with the strategy of alleviating poverty for the marginalized poor. Eventually, large organizations in Bangladesh that offered microfinance schemes were recognized internationally and provided the impetus for the first international summit to be organized and globally presented. Advantage of Microfinance In a discourse written by Remenyi that necessitated the review of thirty independent studies from diverse institutions offering microfinance programs, a significant increase averaging 20% in borrowers’ income was reflected.3 Likewise, the author indicated that the presence of common variables that influence the borrowers’ ability to improve their income, to wit: taking into account their target market, the level of skills, gender, marital status, and available support from external sources. In a related research, there has been a reported positive impact on security perceived by borrowers when there is ongoing access to loans. The experience from Grameen Bank indicates that borrowers who continued to avail of microfinance credit eventually achieved sustainability in food and assets such as livestock and rickshaws. An improvement in economic status of the borrowers was tantamount to an overall improvement in living condition s and the ability to purchase real properties. Thereby, successful microfinance borrowers were proven to have gained substantial security that prevented them to liquidate assets in times of emergencies and disasters. 4 Likewise, amongst successful borrower households in several countries, expanding employment opportunities and increasing hours of employment per week have also been noted. Accordingly, some of the social changes in Grameen Bank villages impact positively on the community as a whole, particularly the increased visibility and mobility of women. One study found that a significant change in household and community status could be derived by women who maintained control of their loans. There were evidences that indicate women manifesting direct correlation between having money and increased status and recognition. There were trends towards resourceful women who learn to use the loans â€Å"to empower themselves†.5 However, some studies reveal that â€Å"†¦It c annot be assumed that disbursing loans to women means either that they use them or are empowered.† 6 Disadvantage of Microfinance In many countries, diverse studies show that targeting women in microfinance schemes is a direct challenge to cultural norms. Without parallel programmes which address gender issues, this has resulted in increased intra- and inter-household tension. There had been reported cases of

Cosmetic mutilation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cosmetic mutilation - Research Paper Example This is contrary of things since a good number of people have tattooed their bodies. They are not afraid of the reparations during the judgment day. Also they are not into the teachings of the Bible. All they want is to live their own life that they feel satisfied with regardless of the Christian teachings and morals. This clearly shows that people have parted Christianity and fallen into paganism. It might be true that paganism has highly boosted cosmetic mutilation but when it comes to America, it is the contrary of things. American people engaged themselves into cosmetic mutilation so as to look different from one another. Others could tattoo their bodies because they didn’t like the way they were looking (Spangler 98). Since a lot of people in America considered tattoos as beautiful drawings of art, they could do anything to make their bodies more attractive than before and most probably, they could tattoo their bodies. According to LDS research, about 64% of women and 50% of men in the United States were not pleased or rather were not satisfied with their own bodies. They had a negative perspective of their bodies. This forces them to do some art drawings on their bodies. Something that makes them feels so attractive than before. Consequently, this hot trend has become so common in the United States. It implies that, cosmetic mutilation has become a cultural habit within the people of America. Cosmetic mutilation started a long time ago. Almost 12000 years before the birth of Christ. It had so many significances in different societies both before and after the deathof Christ. United States military used to tattoo their inmates so as to differentiate them from others. Before they adopted this idea of practicing cosmetic mutilation, in the earlier 1720’s, the military used to chop off ears and noses from the criminals as a sign of physical punishment. This was

Small Business Data Structures

Small Business Data Structures Summary This report covers the authoritative functionalities and knowledge into the working of a wholesale flower maker and wholesaler organization Floras Flowers Limited. This report covers the historical backdrop of the organization; the purpose behind its presence furthermore concentrates on the inside and out working of the same. The report likewise portrays the organization structure and culture and the assignments designated to every official of the organization. It likewise depicts the present day advances the organization is utilizing and the impediments they confront in the same. Accordingly, we give the most ideal answers for the issues that the organization is confronting. 1. Introduction This document assembles data with respect to an organization called Floras Flowers Limited. It expresses the functionalities in regards to associations data frameworks, history of the framework and the organization and viability of the organization. Purpose The motivation behind this record is to introduce a point by point portrayal of significance of data structures for an association. It likewise lays accentuation on the associations history, the organization structure, the explanation behind presence of the organization, the utilization of PC frameworks for systems administration, better methodologies for administration of PC operations and change of its data frameworks. Vision Floras Flowers Limited is an organization that goes about as a wholesale maker of flowers and after that business sectors the newly produced flowers to different flower specialists and shops in the North Island. They have extended their business effectively in the North Island and now have a dream of growing the organization toward the South Island too. Mission The organization proprietor, Flora Forest is going for extending the operations of the organization to abroad markets in the coming two years. She likewise goes for improving the nearness of the organization in the South Island, for the most part in Nelson and Dunedin. Overview The owners Flora Forest and her husband Symonds Forest originally grew flowers as a hobby. As they realize that this hobby of theirs has a vast future in the business world, they thought of expanding it on large scale with a view of having good profits. Eventually they invested a capital and started Floras Flowers Limited in the year 2002. Last year the company had a turnover of $10 million with more than 200 customers in the North Island and about 50 customers in Christchurch area. The company then expanded to Christchurch (South Island) in the year 2005 after a study carried out by Coopers Lybrand showed their results. The office in Christchurch was originally a small distribution center, which mainly dealt with prepackaged bouquets. After the business was successful there, they opened a regional office and distribution center in June, 2006. It consisted of a small room where they received bulk flowers and packaged their own bouquets. 2. Information Systems of the organization Here, we shall discuss the information systems of an organization, Floras Flowers Limited, which manages its operations out of Auckland in an office next to the cool store. 2.1 Core Business Activities This organization was set up after the owners of this organization- Flora Forest and her husband Symonds Forest realized the potential in growing flowers and selling them could give them good profits. They grew flowers originally as a hobby, but, after seeing the future prospects and the growth in this sector; they decided to expand it using a venture capital in 2002. 2.2 Company Structure Like any other organization, Floras Flowers also has a company structure that helps them to maintain their operations going out smoothly and in an effective manner. Ranging from the General Manager to Office Manager, this organization has the executives of the following expertise: Position held Name of the Executive General Manager Flora Forest (owner) HR Manager for permanent staff Flora Forest (owner) Manager of Finances Symonds Forest (owner) Marketing Manager Lucy Corban North Island Distribution Manager Joe Simich Cool store and Packing Shed Manager Paul Murphy HR Manager for casual Auckland staff Paul Murphy Garden Manager Luke Gardener Christchurch Manager Michelle Street IS Support/ Office Manager Maria Vodafone 2.3 Types of Information Systems In order to execute all the operations successfully and meet the needs of their customers, this organization has amended the information systems over the years and came up with better and upgraded systems every time. The very first Floras Flowers Information Systems was paper based, which ultimately became difficult to deal with. Then they came up with an Excel spreadsheet, later with ACCPAC (accounting software), etc. As the needs and demands of the organization changed, they also paved way for the change in the Information Systems. Talking about the information systems that are currently in use, Floras Flowers present order entry system is an in-house developed system that dates back 4 years and replaces an older version of the COTS package, as that never worked quite well. This order entry system, being currently used for raw materials that make up bouquets, has been made in such a way that it is capable of working with ACCPAC. Although the information systems have been updated from time to time until the latest one, there are still many problems with the last one that the staff members have to work around until someone has time to sort them out. 2.4 Main units of the System We will now look at the main units of the system and the tasks allocated to each one of them: The General Manager and HR Manager: Flora Forest basically looks over the production of flowers by estimating sales and designing planting schedules since the starting of the organization.   She also negotiates with seed and fertilizer suppliers for the best possible deals. For the above work, she uses MS Office 2003 to use computing applications such as Excel. She also uses a simple HR system based on an MS Office Access 2003 database. The Financial Manager: Symonds Forest is responsible for managing the funds- general ledger, A/P, A/R, payroll and cash flow from the beginning; presenting budgets; looking after the billing and invoice to customers and suppliers. To accomplish these tasks, he uses ACCPAC (customized accounting software that basically serves small and medium sized company markets). He also works on MS Office 2003. The Marketing Manager: Lucy Corban has been working with the organization for 3 years. She looks after acquiring new clientele; providing the best product at the least cost and on the estimated time; promoting the company-advertising and personal selling; order processing. In order to complete these tasks, he uses ACCPAC Sales Module; Goldmine CRM (software for increasing productivity, sales leads, etc.) and MS Office 2003. The North Island Distribution Manager: Joe Simich has been associated with the company for 4 years. He schedules, maintains and coordinates vehicles for dispersing best product; managing inventory (list of items such as property, goods in stock, etc.) and maintaining it; managing the suppliers; shipments to customers and to the Christchurch branch. For all these operations he uses a simple Distribution System that he built himself using a Paradox database; a simple Inventory System written by him which integrates with the Distribution System but which has limited functionality; ACCPAC Inventory System which has good functionality and MS Office 2003. The Cool Store and Packing Shed Manager/ HR Manager for casual Auckland staff: Paul Murphy is Mr. and Mrs. Floras youngest son. He is the person responsible for ensuring that the stock in the cold store stays there for the least time; ensuring that right products are given in the right order; monitoring the cooling system; production of delivery and barcode labels; overseeing the bouquet production; overseeing the packaging; maintaining packaging supplies and employing casual staff. For doing these tasks, he uses Order Entry system; The Distribution System; The HR System and MS Office 2003. The Garden Manager: Luke Gardener has a family background in growing fruits and vegetables. He is highly capable in his field, but is not a computer literate. He ensures that planting is done according to timetables; cares for all plants in the fields and greenhouses; maintains greenhouses and watering systems; maintains the correct level of soils, compost, fertilizers, seeds, etc. employs casual staff. For doing the above tasks, he is given all instructions on paper. He does not use computer at all, but is being encouraged to learn basic data entry using simple applications. The Christchurch Manager: Michelle Street is looking after the following processes. She is responsible for the delivery of bulk flowers to the Christchurch office; the acquisition of new customers; increasing orders from existing customers; ensuring that the bouquets meet the high standards; maintaining all account records which are done in Auckland. In order to complete the above tasks, she uses the HR system; the Order system; ACCPAC Sales Module; Goldmine CRM. The IS Support/Office Manager: Maria Vodafone has been associated with the company for 2 years. She looks after the LAN; support; assets- hardware and software; the system architecture. To accomplish these tasks, she uses NT Network Node Manager and other Administration Tools; ACCPAC Asset Module and MS Office 2003. 2.5 Usage of Hardware, Software, Operating System(s), Networks Now, we shall discuss the system architecture i.e. the hardware, software, operating  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   system(s) and networks that are involved for the smooth functioning of this organization. These are as follows: The system architecture consists of a combination of hardware, software and a basic star topology network: Pentium Vs with 512MB RAM running on NT 1 laser printer at each location Fiber optic lines and modems Basic star topology with the switch located at Auckland office. There are PCs in the packing shed (2), cool store (1) and the forest home (2), as well as 3 in the office.   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   All PCs have the following software installed on them: MS Office 2003 Other job specific packages   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   The PC system uses NT as its basic operating system and that manages office automation. 3. History of the System Alongside help in basic decision making, the organization data structure serves as support to manager when deciding. Decisions are as often as possible made in the buy data framework, in view of data from the account information framework. As a general rule, relevant data required in the purchase process are collected financial reports. In this case study, Floras Flowers Limited were using paper based information systems which was not easy to manage and they were accessing this information system in their different departments to run their business smoothly these systems were: An exceed expectations spreadsheet was created to help with outlining the conveyance however was not the best device for the job. This prompted the development of a distribution application which utilized a paradox database, which enormously enhanced efficiency. This development was conveyed by Joe Simich, who then went ahead to develop an inventory system which was connected to the appropriation system. However, a number of the other part frameworks were still primarily paper based systems. In HR department, Floras Flowers Limited use MS office 2003 to keep the record about their worker and this system is developed by the flora and it does not incorporate with whatever another data framework. Finance department of Floras Flower Ltd used ACCPAC (A customized off the shelf (COTS) Accounting): ACCPAC Accounting and Financial Management software unite your sales, develop financial reporting and supply better business and Floras Flowers Limited Finance Manager, Symonds Forest developed this system to managing the company finances top to bottom. It includes a sales module, and stock module, an accounts module and asset management module and also uses CRM (customer relationship management) (accounting, 2015).It is about placing you in control of your business with the goal so that you can maintain track of sales. In this case study Symonds is using this CRM system to forecasting the sale of flowers and budgeting (Rouse, 2014). Current order entry system in the organization is an in house developed system it was developed 4 years ago and changed with COTS package that never worked particularly well and this information system is accessed for the raw materials that design the bouquets, has been made to work with ACCPAC. Marketing Manager of Floras Flower Ltd, Lucy Corban has developed ACCPAC sales module, Goldmine CRM and MS Office 2003 for gaining potential clientele, advertising and personal selling and serving of orders. Business management software: Handle your business with money related, reporting and assist you to run your small business (index, 2013). 3.1 Development of the System Joe Simich the distribution manager of the North Island has been with the company for  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   four years. He is exceptionally needy upon figures and measurements from his frameworks which at present are giving the essentials of his logistics investigation. Initially he used to excel spreadsheet inscriptive an easy application in Delphi using a Paradox database but it has moderate functionality to work. Joe established a distribution system using paradox database. 3.2 Procedures to develop the system In the distribution they used a paradox data base which greatly advanced efficiency. After that developer build up an inventory system that was connected to the distribution system. The acquisition in 2003 of ACCPAC an off the self-bundle that was tweaked for FFIS (Foundation Financial Information System) was key for the feasibility of the organization. It contains a business module, a stock module, a records module and a benefit administration module. In HR department, developed by the flora does not incorporated with another data framework. Developers build up order entry system to replace an earlier COTS package that never worked well, this entry system is used for raw materials that make up the bouquets. Floras Flower Company used the above mention tools to improve the company productivity and efficiency. 4. Administration and Effectiveness of the System Maria Vodafone administers and maintains the system on call 247. Minor problems are solved by staff themselves, so there are only few callouts. If sometimes she isnt available, she arranges an alternative of her cousin. 4.1 Disciplined and systematic approaches: Demands for changes are dealt with as issues. Issues with the framework are recorded on a load up and concurred a need rating, yet time requirements imply that frequently a basic non-pressing occupation is settled before a complex earnest employment. There are techniques for presenting fixes before they are put into generation, yet they are frequently avoided, with just intermittent fiascos. Reinforcements for each of the part frameworks are done nightly and reinforcement tapes are put away off-site. Since the last calamity, a duplicate of the earlier nights reinforcement has been continued site. There are methodology manuals that are about exceptional, yet a great many people simply request that other individuals how do things. 4.2 Issues Encountered: Logistics: The enormous increments in fuel and running expenses for the vehicle are cutting into benefits and the applications and frameworks being used are by and large seriously pushed. Orders have expanded to where every client more often than not puts in no less than one request for each week containing somewhere around 20 and 80 items. Numerous clients are putting in various requests with various conveyance addresses. Systems: The staff are thinking that it`s hard to adapt to the different frameworks and the issues that should be worked around. In addition to, everybody needs speedy reacting framework and discovering current framework is hard to interact with each other, so necessity of completely utilitarian framework is must. Communication Gap: Correspondence is working simply because of the nearby bonds between the staff. The greater part of them see each other at any rate once per week for family social occasions. 4.3 Improvement of Organization: The company totally depends on its ERP (Enterprise Resource planning) system and the Flower flora is using ACCPAC system which is basically known as Sage 300 ERP (Sage_300_ERP, 2016). The System is good with its functionality of accounting, Inventory, sales module, CRM, Supply chain and Maintenance. But the Human Resource and marketing system arent available with the system. Above mentioned that staff found the difficulty with integration and complexity of this system. I would like to suggest the company to adapt new system with all functionality. Initially it may cost high to company and will take some time whist adapting. We have seen the vision of company to make a place in international market and achieving that goals the company need to choose suitable ERP system for the company. In Simple words Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is just integrated system which contains product planning, purchase, manufacturing or service delivery, marketing and sales, inventory management, shipping and payment, finance (Enterprise_resource_planning, 2016). The best and suitable ERP system for company is SAP ERP. SAP ERP incorporates the key business functions of an organization.   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Figure 1 ERP System According to a blog (Arabia, 2015), There are 2 Types of SAP ERP Modules. Number one is Functional Modules and second one is Technical Modules. All SAP Modules integrated with each other with functionality and provide us best solution for Business. Most important SAP Modules that Bunnies implement for their business are SAP FICO (Financial Accounting and Controlling) module MM (Material Management) Module SD (Sales and Distribution) module HR (Human Resource) module PP (Production Planning) module PS (Project System) module Basis module security module ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) module But Flora Flowers SAP Business Suite Applications is the best option as per their current usage of modules and problems with integration. SAP Business All-in-One is a suite intended for medium sized organizations that need the refinement of SAPs Business Suite, however require a quicker usage and lower all out expense of proprietorship (businesssuite, 2015). The item is the same code base as the Business Suite, yet comes out of the case with designs which speed up the execution procedure for medium sized associations. SAP Business All-in-One addresses the necessities of various ventures and claims more than 700 industry-particular programming arrangements. The usefulness of SAP Business All-in-One is complete and incorporates applications for big business asset arranging, client relationship administration, supplier relationship administration and business knowledge. For developing organizations, the framework gives a clear movement way to the SAP Enterprise item. SAP Business All-in-One can coordinate with desktop devices, for example, IBM Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Excel. SAP Business All-in-One works on an extensive variety of databases and working frameworks. SAP Business All-in-One is controlled by the SAP NetWeaver innovation stage, permitting it to be incorporated with non-SAP programming as requirements change. Usage time intended to be as short as eight to 16 weeks (SAP Business All-in-One Software, 2016). Now watching out the solution for flora flower; by using SAP, the company need to provide training for the staff so that it will be easy for everyone to work on new framework and by doing so the staff will interact to each other and shall get close to each other. The module of Supply chain management (SCM) manages the flows of goods and services. SCM means identification of demand through to its delivery to point of use (Supply_chain_management, 2016). Below is the flow of supply chain management how it works. The underlying phase of the store network procedure is the arranging stage. We have to build up an arrangement with a specific end goal to address how the items and administrations will fulfill the requests and necessities of the clients. Subsequent to arranging, the following stride includes sourcing. After that assembling of items are separated by clients request, the items are conveyed to the client at the foreordained area by the supplier. In the last stride, the organizations need to manage client questions and respond to their complaints (supply_chain_management,2016).For better understanding look at the diagram below. Figure 2 Supply Chain Management 5. Conclusion and future scope This report gives the overall information about an Auckland based wholesale flower producer and supplier company Floras Flowers Limited. This report carries us to the history of the organization. It also lays stress on the networking capabilities that are involved in the same and the problems they are facing with it. In this report we came to know about their all future plans and also gave suggestions on how to overcome those problems. The knowledge we gained from this IT infrastructure helps us to know more technologies, software and how they are applied. From this project we learnt how an organization networks work and how important it is to upgrade them from time to time, keeping in line with the business world. SAP is the best innovation supplier to help us with our arrangements to incorporate the majority of our product needs into a solitary stage, giving us the visibility required to proficiently deal with our business end-to-end. Thus, if the organization uses SAP business suite, their dream of running their company in the international marketing without any obstacles would be successful. accounting. (2015). Retrieved from accpacnet: https://www.accpacnet.com/accounting.htm Arabia, R. S. (2015, July 2). SOlution Dots. Retrieved from Solution Dots: https://solutiondots.com/blog/sap-erp-modules.html businesssuite. (2015). Retrieved from websmp201.sap-ag.de: https://websmp201.sap-ag.de/public/businesssuite Enterprise_resource_planning. (2016, August ). Retrieved from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_resource_planning index. (2013, December). Retrieved from managemore: http://www.managemore.com/index.htm Rouse, M. (2014, November). CRM. Retrieved from techtarget: http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/definition/CRM Sage_300_ERP. (2016, March). Retrieved from wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sage_300_ERP SAP Business All-in-One Software. (2016, July). Retrieved from Software Advice: http://www.softwareadvice.com/nz/erp/sap-business-all-in-one-profile/ Ã…Â  imoviĆ¡, V. (24/jan/2012). A case study :an information system model. An information system management model, 1. supply_chain_management. (2016). Retrieved from tutorialspoint: http://www.tutorialspoint.com/management_concepts/supply_chain_management.htm Supply_chain_management. (2016, August). Retrieved from wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_chain_management

Russian-japanese War :: essays research papers

The Russian-Japanese war of 1904 was a European conflict that was fought because one country was becoming too strong. The conflict was mainly fought because two separate countries had their own special interests in far east countries like Korea, China, and Manchuria. Britain and Japan recognized the independance of China and Korea, but at the same time authorized each other to intervene in either territory if their own "special interests" were threatened by another power or by internal disorder. That power was now Russia. There was already a rivalry going on between Britain and Russia because of the Trans-Siberian railway but now there was another dimension. Russia now had access to the pacific. Her presence in Asia threatened already established Britain interests. China leased the ice-free Port Arthur to Russia and allowed them to store their war ships there. The two empires were set on a collision course. Britain was very reluctant to commit herself to a distant threat of war so she took a step to allying herself with the growing industrial power of Japan. In doing so, Britain found her soldiers in the east. At this time Russia failed to realize how powerful Britain and Japan had made themselves. Russia was unable to take Japan seriously even though they had many reports on how large the Japanese naval and military forces were. Unfortunately, Russia's constant penetration into Korea and Manchuria continued unabated despite the presence of numbers of Japanese immagrants and traders. Russia had succeeded in replacing the now defunct Chinese influence with her own. Russia now began taking over the administrative departments and had their officers train the Korean army to fight on their side. In April, May, and June of 1903, Russian's had told the Japanese that they would move out of China. They did not and continued to occupy the land. In July of the that same year, the Japanese Ambassador proposed that Russia and Japan were to recognize the independance of China and Korea. Both nations were to rcognize preponderance, the Japanese in Korea balanced by russians in Manchuria. They were to recall their troops from their respective area as soon as possible. In return, the Russians would protect the railways in Manchuria and the Japanese would do the same in Korea. It came to the attention of the Japanese that the Russians were building up their naval and military forces in the far east. They were also moving troops not only into Manchuria, but also into North Korea. It now became obvious to the Japnese that the Russians had no intention of releasing their hold on Manchuria and Korea. Nevertheless, the negotiations went on. On February 10th, 1904, both nations produced formal declarations of war. On February 8th, a large part of the Russian Pacific squadron lat anchor in

Fat Chance for the “Fat Tax”

Fat Chance for the â€Å"Fat Tax† Our bodies and what we put into them is our own business unless someone else is harmed in the process. I can understand a tax on drinkers and smokers because drinkers can harm others when they get behind the wheel of a car, and secondhand smoke is a killer of many, but a tax on what people eat is preposterous. People are still going to eat junk food no matter what the cost is; look at smoking, the price of cigarettes keeps going up but people continue to buy them.People already know that junk food is bad for them, but again and again they resort back to it because of the taste. We cannot depend on our government to help us with everything, we need to be independent and learn from our own mistakes, it’s the only way we will grow as a society. The fat tax would not work because it would make the poor spend more of their already limited income, people would still go back to junk food time after time, and obesity is a dilemma that would not be solved by a simple tax. Obesity and poverty go hand in hand; junk foods are cheap so the poor continue to buy them.By placing this tax we would be taxing the people who couldn’t afford it. Even people that are not obese would be affected by the tax, people like the taste of junk foods whether they are overweight or not. The poor would only end up poorer if the tax was set because even if they did stop buying junk foods, they would still have to pay more money for a healthy alternative. The tax could possibly end up making us a healthier nation†¦ possibly; but one thing for sure is it would definitely make us a poorer nation.Alan Maryon-Davis, President of the UK Faculty of Public Health stated that, â€Å"The downside of the tax is that it’s regressive in terms of it would hit the poorest hardest, and in the current climate when people are struggling to make a living, it’s a difficult balance. † Establishing this tax could also lead to job cuts a t corporations that have popular products that are considered unhealthy. To set a tax during a time when the economy is not up doesn’t seem to be a good idea any way you look at it; we will be taking more money out of people’s pockets.People prefer chips, fast food burgers, and fries over healthier things such as fruits, vegetables, and organic foods; so paying an extra . 20 or . 30 cents is not going to change their mind on what they like to eat. People might grumble about paying the extra money, but they will still dish it out in the end. If it were a four or five dollar tax then it would probably change their mind, but there would be some very angry citizens. Fatty foods will still be less expensive then healthier foods even if the tax was imposed.People are still going to do what they like to; cigarettes and alcohol are already taxed but people continue to smoke and drink, so how people think a tax on junk foods will change the way people eat is beyond me. Citizens should not look to the government to tell them what they should eat; they should be able to choose by themselves. The tax will either be too large for citizens to accept and they will get angry, or it will be too small for people to really care; there doesn’t really seem to be a happy medium. The June 2005 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition describes this in the article. ‘Overweight or obesity (BMI 25) was 29% among both semivegetarians and vegans, and 25% among lactovegetarians. For them, vegetarian and vegan foods are fattening. Should they be taxed? † (Satin). This seems to raise a very good question. Should people that are eating healthy but still seem to not be able to keep the weight off be taxed also? We should start using our time to spread healthy eating habits throughout the country instead of taxing things when they get out of hand.Obesity it not a problem that can be solved by a simple tax; just like smoking and drinking were not solv ed by taxes. If you take this matter as far as the Prohibition went then there would be people hiding out in places sneaking junk food around. William Saletan makes a good point in saying, â€Å"If you want to tax the hell out of soda, you need to make people think it’s a drug, not a beverage – that downing a Coke is like puffing on a cigarette† (Engber). If you want people to stop eating junk foods then you need to show them how bad they are, taxing them won’t help.Education on healthy eating habits and exercise would help the obesity epidemic more the tax would. Starting a fat tax would also form the opinion that the U. S. society is against overweight people, which could form insecurities for overweight people, and possibly be considered discrimination. The enabling of the tax might show a decline in obesity, while it could also possibly show a rise in diseases such as anorexia and bulimia. People would get uncomfortable about being overweight, maybe e ven to the point of depression.The tax could show a decline in obesity over many years, and the money generated from the tax could also help stimulate some of the anti-obesity organizations. The money could also be used to cover health care, medical research, or any other number of beneficial things. It might stimulate some people to start eating healthier and exercising more. Children might be fed healthier and down the road, in a couple generations, the obesity rate would drop. Even though people would still mostly likely buy junk foods it still might cut down on the over-eating of them.Denmark has already started to impose the fat tax and it will be fully done so in 2019. I still don’t buy it. The fat tax is a concept that should be thrown out the window. There are many other ways we can try to rid obesity; we could make companies state (in larger print) clearly what the shopper is buying when they look at the product, make healthy eating habits and exercise a bigger part of our children’s schooling, and inform citizens on the better choice of eating healthy and what it can do to help you. These are easy ways to help obesity prevention without taking money out of the pockets of our citizens. America is a free country and citizens should have a right to choose what they can and cannot eat.Works Cited Engber, Daniel. â€Å"Let Them Drink Water! What a fat tax really means for America. † Slate. 21 September 2009. Article. 19 November 2010. Satin, Mort. â€Å"Fat tax falls flat. † saltinstitute. Salt Institute. 29 July 2009. Web. 20 November 2010. Wilkins, Rebecca. â€Å"Danes impose 25% tax increases on ice cream, chocolate, and sweets to curb disease. † bmj. BMJ. 6 July 2010. Web. 20 November 2010.

Victory Dance of the Lotha Nagas

VICTORY DANCE Rhanthungo Kikon INTRODUCTION: LOTHAS of TSUNGIKI village performed this dance in the days of old when young warriors from a CHUMPO (popularly known as MORUNG) visited other CHUMPOS in the different KHELS of the village. For the young warriors, this Victory Dance acted both as a fit reminder of the great victories their forefathers had over their enemies and also as an inspiration for them to replicate in the future. It was a time to take pride from their past achievements and to encourage and dare each other for the days to come. It prepared them for the future. Those were the days†¦ THE DANCE: Now, the present generation performs the Victory Dance on all occasions. But the spirit and zeal of the warriors performing this dance remain as spirited and as full of fervour since times immemorial. Behold! All the young warriors are out of the CHUMPOS bedecked in all their ornamental fineries. Among them include the round black head-wigs made of the long hair from the neck and shoulders of the Himalayan black bear, or of the fur of the arms of the male gibbon. On the head-wigs, as warriors of proven valours, are stuck in the feathers of the great bird, the Hornbill. On their arms, they have wristlets, bracelets and elbow armlets made of parts of sawn-off tubes of elephants’ tusks. Across their shoulders are thrown over colourful baldric-like woven strips of cloths. Joined to the end of the baldrics at the waist are the spikes’ holders – the spikes were used during raids over enemy camps. Kneecaps, the LENGTA and the colourfully decorated daos and spears complete their attire. Now the young warriors will go around dancing in two rows to finally make a circle. Singing along and shouting loud cries as they stamp their feet, twirl their daos and spears, they make the circle – an indication of having surrounded their enemies. When they have their enemies surrounded, they thrust up their spears and dare each other not to let any enemy warrior escape from their individual posts or positions. THE SHANTHA: An exciting, and perhaps the most important, part of the Victory dance is the SHANTHA. The name ‘Victory Dance’ rightly belongs to this part-dance within the dance. The SHANTHA is performed by four of the most-abled warriors. This group acts as the Escort of the warriors. It also is the rearguard and flanks protection of the warriors. The SHANTHA warriors are also wont to perform many skills and antics. Among them is the biting and holding of their daos on the blunt sides as they hop along – it is actually an oath-taking pledge not to die in enemies’ hands. They will also take a stance and hop forwards and backwards challenging their enemies making it clear what they will do to them with their daos and spears.

American beauty Essays

American beauty Essays American beauty Essay American beauty Essay Essay Topic: American Beauty Lester Burn is 42. Working in a corporation, he is Just a cog in the wheel, having completely lost the Joy of life. He doesnt get on well neither with his wife Caroline, nor with his daughter Jenny. The former- an energetic business woman, but really a woman on the verge ofa nervous breakdown- has an affair with her boss. The daughter despises of her father. Both of them consider Lester a looser. Meeting Angela, Jennys best friend, changes the life of a frustrated 40-year-old. The man falls n love with the sexy teenager and it is like a breath of fresh air for him. He suddenly sees the lies and sick system he had been entangled in. Lester decides to leave it all behind: he quits his Job and starts to take care of only himself, which comes down to practicing weightlifting, looking back at the time of his youth in the decay of flower power and smoking pot bought from Ricky, the boy next door. And, of course, dreaming about Angela. It is another time of the day when the social life prospers. The Milanaise have supper t home, with their families, or at a restaurant in the neighborhood. In the evenings they party in a typically Italian spirit. Bars and clubs are overcrowded. Milan is the city of international fairs. Almost every week the theme changes: starting with fashion, through computer electronics to end with gastronomy. Some fairs are open to public, for example alimentary fairs. Having bought a ticket for about 7 euro, one can wander from stand to stand all day long and try culinary specialties from all around the world to one hearts content. Cutting into the back of the car, Carolyn shuts the hatchback aggressively, showing her anger or possibly busyness. This creates darkness on the whole scene. Fading into the following scene, we view Carolyn opening up the house, and saying what could only appear what to be her daily mantra I will sell this house today This suggests she has possibly seaked therapy, and has been told to boost her confidence by doing it. Arranging her desk, almost frantically making everything look perfect and putting the house details onto the desk. The camera cuts to behind her, where she is seen to be wriggling out of her Business dress, into a more sexy red satin negligee, possibly showing a more passionate side to herself. From this scene, quiet background music is added; it seems fast, possibly to show how fast she is working. Impelling forward, Carolyn is seen to be singing, while rhythmically cleaning the windows. Once again she repeats her mantra of I will sell this house today to boost her confidence and show determination. Next she is seen to be boisterously cleaning the kitchen in a low angle scene, from the floor to the table, this shows her obsessiveness to get the house clean. Opening the doors to the house, Carolyn enthusiastically Hello! Im Carolyn Burnham while putting on a phoney Air hostess type smile at the same time. Walking quickly by the hallway, Carolyn says, This is the big room, its very dramatic indicating the overly gaudy wallpaper. A voice off scene from Carolyn says Wait till you see the native stone fireplace. While the clients look overwhelmed and unimpressed. Focusing on the wall and stone fireplace, shows a extremely dull and depressing massive slab of grey rocks stuck on a wall, yet Carolyn still trys to put a lighter approach on it by saying A simple cream could really lighten things up. You could even put in a skylight! This shows she is lying and is putting on a massive phoney smile to possibly brighten the place up. The scene then finishes by cutting to the clients extremely dull unimpressed and unconvinced reaction. Cutting into the next scene shows Carolyn walking into a dark, kitchen, completely bare and uninteresting, Carolyn exclaims Its a dream come true for any cook, its full of energy, huh? The next low angle show focuses on a plain empty room with a bright orange wall, and Carolyn pulling on a ceiling fan rope saying Youll be surprised how much a ceiling fan cuts down on energy costs She then does another phoney smile, with the two clients looking once again unimpressed. Shifting into the next scene, which is located in the back garden by a pool, Carolyn proclaims you know, you could have some really fun backyard get together out here but only gets a cocky response of The ad says the pool was lagoon-like. Theres nothing lagoon-like about it. Carolyn is obviously starting to get stressed now, but is still being persuasive even though the client is unimpressed and sarcastic towards her. Viewing a long shot of the pool, a client says There arent even any plants out here The camera then goes to a close up on the infuriated Carolyn, she replies with What dya call this? Is this not a plant? If you have a problem with the plants, I can always call my landscape architect, solved. Her voice is starting to show her frustration, and her anger is breaking through the faked smile. Fading back into the house, Carolyn closes the patio doors and pulls the vertical blinds across, she looks almost in control, until she turns around, with the camera closed up on her face, she starts to cry loudly, banging her head against the glass, she slaps her own face and screams SHUT UP, Stop it, you weak, you baby, just shut up, shut up, shut up! I believe this shows how stressed and frustrated she has been throughout the whole day, and is letting it out now, also I think that she says SHUT UP, Stop it, you weak, you baby, just shut up, shut up, shut up! because she has been advised by a therapist to do so, to possibly control herself. In conclusion we learn about Caroline, her aspirations, disappointment and obsessions via the use of language, presentation and structure

Personal Development Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Development Plan - Essay Example is goal is going to develop my skills during the transition period and enable me to make the right career decision by helping me develop intellectual and emotional ability and helping me overcome my anxiety of entering into the professional world from the academic world. The goal is relevant and attainable because I intend to develop my career in a field whereby I’d require confidence and excellent public speaking skills to excel. Thus, I realize that not only do I have to be successful in my academic life but also in my professional career. I have the ambition and conviction to attain it and also have ample time before I enter into my professional life. Part 3) Goal 4: The action I’d take is to book a hall for my presentations at Community Club in my neighborhood by 15th November, 2011. The resources required shall include around $300 for books, another $250 for online classes and Joe, my mentor. These resources shall pinpoint the areas of improvement for me. I might have to collect more pocket money from my parents and earn from a part-time job which is a challenge. If I do well, however, I shall reward myself by hosting an event at my school. Goal 5: The action I’d take is calling the Yoga centre to enroll for the Yoga classes by 13th November. The resources I shall require include a yoga mat costing around $30, $300 for the Yoga classes. I’d do Yoga for 2 hours a day for 6 weeks and I’d also take along my friend Harry for the Yoga. I shall mark my attendance everyday and mark my stress each day on a scale of 10, a higher number indicating higher stress. If I succeed I shall reward myself by buying myself a videotape of the world’s best Yoga experts. Part 4) I developed a PDP where my goals were to create an effective PDP that results in my getting at least 18/20 points of a length of roughly 2 pages using MLA referencing style. The action required was writing a draft and researching on the essentials of a PDP. The resources required were 2-3

Author Richard Wilbur Poem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Author Richard Wilbur Poem - Essay Example We need to appreciate too that the earlier quotation continues to note that the "beautiful things" "if they had not been in you would have had no being at all." and The charms of the material world are the work of God too, and this is what Wilbur explores in the poem. It amounts, as the critic Paul Cummin says, to "a civilized man quietly and honestly acknowledging the beauty of the world and of the human spirit" (Cummin, 39). The situation posed at the beginning of the poem is a bewildering mixture of the comic and the exalted. We are asked to imagine someone waking in the morning, and in the half-conscious state seeing the washing on the line as a flight of angels. The "pulley" which hoists the washing line also drags open the eyes of the sleeper, whose soul would prefer to remain in the unsullied world of dreams. This is the first example of Wilbur's subtle use of words both literally (the pulley on the washing line) and metaphorically (suggesting the effort involved in bringing the eyes to focus on the material world rather than the spiritual). ... Yet laughter is denied by the solemnity and serenity of the diction. The sleeper is "spirited from sleep", as if awakening is a metaphysical experience. The soul is "astounded", perhaps by the abruptness of things and the sudden confrontation with the heavenly. It stands outside the body for a moment, literally in ecstasy, "bodiless and simple", facing the awe-inspiring, and beginning to delight in its freedom from the merely physical. It is a moment of exaltation; the morning is "awash" with angels - a pun, surely, which again puzzles our responses. Nor is the comic/serious collision brought to a quick and safe end. The angels now appear dressed in "bed-sheets blouses smocks" as the washing flaps on the line. The surging motion makes it appear that "they are rising together in calm swells", ecstatic and miraculous movements, appropriate to celestial beings "of halcyon feeling", hinting at the miraculous bird of myth which could charm the winds and the waters. The motion looks as if they are expressing "the deep joy of their impersonal breathing", the joy of those who live in Elysium, whose personalities no longer plague them, and whose breathing reminds us of the origins of the word "spirit". The metaphorical/literal balance continues even further, as the "angels" who are "really" washing seem, as angels should, to be "flying in space", moving at "terrible speed" and being "omnipresent". Their miraculous ability to move at great speed and yet remain in the same place is like "white water". And finally the wind dies and they "swo on down", and the illusion (if that is what it was) is gone. "The soul shrinks", as it realizes that the physical cannot really be ignored or escaped. The critic Peter