Evading Loneliness Essay

In A Streetcar Named Desire, the author Tennessee Williams chooses to depict the downfall of Blanche through her desire to evade loneliness. Throughout the text, Blanche faces loneliness, yet she cannot fill her desire. After the loss of her family estate referred to as, Belle Reve, is officially rendered without family. Having lost her wealth and all her family, she develops the inability to be honest with anyone interested in her. Blanches true desire to evade loneliness causes her downfall. The story develops when Blanche loses Belle Reve. She had been living there with her young husband, Allan. Her desire to evade loneliness develops when her husband commits suicide. In scene 9 Blanche is talking to Mitch when she suddenly reminisces about the tragic night. She says, â€Å"’The ‘’’Varsouviana’†! The polka tune they were playing when Allan—Wait! [A distant revolver shout is heard. Blanche is relieved.] There now the shot! It always tops after that†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Norton 1853). Blanche is obviously still tenderhearted about the loss and the relief that it stopped allows readers to see that she wants Mitch to be her barrier from loneliness. If they were to marry Blanche would not fear being alone. Along with Allan, Blanche suffers the loss of multiple family members. To deal with her losses, as well as, gain company she leaves Belle Reve for New Orleans to stay with her sister, Stella. Blanche’s desire to evade loneliness is clearly shown when she is given directions to her sister’s townhome, â€Å"†¦take a street—car named Desire, and then transfer to one named Cemeteries†¦.† (Norton1805.) Williams offers the reader a chance to foreshadow that her desire will lead to her downfall. Blanche is very quick, when she sees her sister, to ask,† What are you doing in a place like this?† (Norton 1808), with a patronizing tone that does not fit the situation considering she is planning to stay with Stella. Clearly indentifying Blanche’s reasoning behind her visit is for the company of her sister. Furthermore, with the inability to be truthful Blanche rejects any hopes of filling her desire. Clearly stated by Mitch,† Lies, lies, inside and out, all lies.† (Norton 1855), this showing that the man that was on the verge of her rescue was pushed by lies. Death is the opposite of desire to sum up Blanche DuBois. Downfall is brought upon herself when she losses the family estate and she chooses to lie about herself to others. Tennessee Williams craftily depicts Blanche’s downfall through her desire to evade loneliness. Work Cited Williams, Tennessee A Streetcar Named Desire. The Norton Introduction to Literature. ED Booth and Mays 10th edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2010. Print.

CMR Enterprise Essay

This particular case depicts the history and issues faced by a relatively small company active in the custom architectural millwork industry for the past 25 years. The new owners wanted the newly-acquired company to grow even further. The first few months seems to have been a success – Marcus spent a lot of his time with employees and customers, learning the field since he was, as mentioned in the text, an â€Å"outsider†. However, keeping the company’s integrity and image intact was a priority. However, the problems outlined in the case seems to start – or at least have been worsened – with what will become CMR’s largest account, Blackstone Homes. Problem Identification After reviewing the text in question, three major problems stand out: 1) Customers change requests: When Blackstone Homes sell a house, it does – of course! – come with a pre-finished and installed kitchen, included in the price. However, if the customer wishes, he or she would visit CMR’s showroom and they would build these woodwork according to their new specifications. The added cost will then be charged to the contractor, which will later add it to their bills. This takes time and lead to price increases. This is, in part, what contributed to the clash with Blackstone Homes. 2) IT solution not adapted: InfoCentral, the software implemented by Marcus, does not work out as intended and do not fit the business needs. It is not always updated as required by the employees. According to the text, it may be helpful for the commercial and financial/accounting side, but is lacking several features for its residential counterpart to be really as useful as it can be. 3) Deteriorating business relationship The business relations between the two companies started well and was fulfilling for both part. When the business expended, so did the problems. The root cause seems to be the change requests made by the homeowners. This lead to late delivery, poorly reviewed performance and then the 7% price increase. Future homeowners started considering the prices charged by CMR to be too high. We could therefore expect lower level of sales and revenues in the future. Alternatives generation While we will mostly concentrate our alternatives on the three points mentioned above, we will also include other alternatives, even if they may not be realistic or feasible in the short/medium term. 1) Review customers change requests: We obviously cannot stop change requests and modifications made by the customers. The company and its employees pride themselves by offering flexibility and higher customers’ satisfaction. It would be therefore self-destructive for CMR to put a term to these showrooms. Any person also deserve to have reasonable alternative options when they are buying an object, a home more than anything. However, there is a clear misunderstanding between CMR and Blackstone Homes regarding the fixed allowances for kitchen ($6,000) and the final cost of the installation. In order to solve this issue, it may be a good thing to review the billing part: Instead of having the installation costs â€Å"forwarded† to the contractor, all expenses over $6,000 (parts + labor) should be charged to the homeowners themselves; customers can have access to all options made available by CMR, whilst eliminating cost forwarding and the said related disagreements. 2) Software adaptation It seems clear from the text that the whole issue also come in part from InfoCentral. In order to remediate this issue, we would suggest that all account managers from CMR and employees involved with this software should meet and discuss its performance. What should be changed, what must be kept, or what should be included in order to fit everyone’s needs. However, for any IT solution to bring tangible additional value, it must be easy to use and should not impose additional work. It is supposed to simplify the work, not making it more complicated. 3) The right people on the right place Again, according to the text, there was a clear misunderstanding between both parties; it was even referred as a â€Å"shouting contest†, which is far from being a normal and healthy business relationship. The Key Account Managers (from both sides) could not agree on contract terms and conditions. It could therefore be a good thing to change points of contact and see if the situation can be resolved; a stronger relation, transparency, honesty and â€Å"business awareness† between the two companies might also help straighten things out. 4) Additional ideas The solution to increase profit may not be by simply increasing selling price. We would suggest CMR to run an audit on their Supply Chain, Logistics and Selling, General & Administrative Expenses to see if cost reductions are possible. Could modern machinery help cut their production costs? Could they outsource some of their non-core business or reduce raw material costs by creating a joint-venture with a competitor? Chasing down inefficiencies in the production line can be even more effective than a price increase. Recommendations Using the previous points, we would suggest the three following recommendations: 1) Change the billing process: If possible, all additional costs over $6,000 should be charged to the homeowner directly. In order to make this easier for the customers, offering various financing options may be a good idea. 2) Adapt InfoCentral: Review, correct and revamp the software in order to meet real business needs. May be a good thing to check what competitors are using. 3) Organize recurrent meetings: The situation with Blackstone did not get bad in one day. It may be a good idea to set up weekly or monthly operational reviews; meetings lasting no longer than 30 minutes, where all potential issues can be discussed among stakeholders and managers. The idea is not to let such situation worsen and take the correct actions as soon as possible.

Barriers to Effective Communication in the Workplace Essay

Barriers to Effective Communication in the Workplace - Essay Example Communication in this context includes friendly and supportive staff, supportive and effective management, job satisfaction, and staff development including oppurtunities for new challenges (McCabe, 2005). In the healthcare facility of our concern, it was widely felt among the junior enlisted staff and the officers that they were not provided with sufficient advise as to what it takes to be competetive and acheive promotions in order to improve career advancement. The efforts of the senior management to assess officer demographics to determine the number and type of specialities was deemed insufficient. Wallis and Wolff (1988) had documented that the workload of the staff in public hospitals is not well differentiated and the various tasks such as rotation is not flexible. Private hospitals as well as speciality hospitals impart technical training to their staff helping them in their career enhancement. Also, the present generation of healthcare workers report opportunities for skill building and learning as key motivators in deciding to stay or leave an organization, reflecting their perceived commitment to continuing development and learning. Investment in mentoring programs and training and development programs can be an efective response to these needs (Curran, 2003). Much of the issues related to healthcare communication are related to the nature of micromanagement exercised in these institutions. For the success of any institution, the staff must be treated as unique individuals who can make unique contributions (McCabe, 2005). A decentralized decision making and shared governance system can make a huge difference in the way staff incorporate themselves into the organization. Autonomy to make decisions is necessary for job satisfaction (Upneiks, 2003). The senior management must make it their priority to provide a "climate free of miromanagement with equal and fair treatment for all" - implying an absence of favoritism as well as linguistic discrimination.

Discuss the contributions of iron technology to the process of state Essay

Discuss the contributions of iron technology to the process of state formation in Bantu Africa - Essay Example Generally, the highlight of the state formation process in Bantu Africa was in the rate of growth, where within a very short time frame, the people had occupied a very wide area of land. Starting from Cross River region around Nigeria and Cameroon border, the people had by 1000 B.C expanded into Lake Victoria and later to southwest and south (Dubrulle, 2002). Wagner (2006) has explained that one important factor that could be accounted for the rapid process of state formation is the social and economic changes that involved other tribes tying up with the Bantu people as they moved along through interracial marriages. Regardless of the argument made for the social and economic changes that made the process of state formation possible and rapid, one aspect of growth factor that cannot be overlooked is the role of iron technology. Iron technology can be explained as the smelting of iron through the use of advantaged mechanisms in ensuring that the irons are refined into usable tools and equipment (Dubrulle, 2002). Generally, iron technology did not develop among Bantu Africa as an isolated trade. Rather, it came as a necessity to help in the boost of agricultural growth, which was identified as a major economic viability for the people. Agricultural growth in itself was also dependent on the fact that population was growing at a rate that was very high. Due to this high rate of population growth, it was necessary for the people to find a means of feeding themselves. But the old forms of tools made from stones, bones and woods were found not to be durable and strong enough to help them achieve this purpose. To this end, the people fell on iron technology for the production of various farm tools that were deemed to be more durable. Examples of such tools are axes, arrows, knifes, spears and hoes. Though the original intent was not iron technology as a trade, iron technology would eventually become the catalyst behind which Bantu Africa would

Analyzing The F Word Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analyzing The F Word - Essay Example The F-word, Jesse Sheidlower, editor at large of the Oxford English Dictionary and editor of the 1995 book â€Å"The F-Word†, reveals that the word has been first printed in a â€Å"text around 1475, in a poem that more or less said the monks of Cambridge did not go to heaven because of their sexual dalliances with women† (Achenbach). Its etymology is traced to words such as the Middle Dutch fokken, Germanic term ficken, English firk and Scottish fukkit, all associated with sex. The original definition of the F-word is â€Å"sex with violence and pleasure with pain† (Stephey). Although the word implies pleasure which should not be an embarrassing experience, it actually is a private affair where the pleasure is achieved by exposing private parts- something that no one would definitely want to perform in public. Understandably, the F-word has a sexual connotation that it makes people stare at or get offended by those who use it. Some intelligent people who did not want to use the word directly used it in acrostics such as â€Å"Fornication under consent of the king† and the popularly known Irish police blotter inscription â€Å"for unlawful carnal knowledge† (Stephey). ‘Fornication’ and ‘carnal’ clearly imply sexual acts which for generations has been a subject matter that remained closed to discussion. As sex is to be performed in private places at private moments, the word should also be treated with such respect and privacy. Nevertheless, with the prevalence of movies, songs and other literary works and artists uttering the word in public, the F-word has become a common word pronounced by almost every individual from different walks of life, regardless of where they are. The word perhaps got into the limelight when highly respected political figures used the word repeatedly as opposed to what was expected from them. George Bush is known to have used the word openly before he was elected president an d his vice president, Dick Cheney, also used it on the senate floor. â€Å"No one is shocked that these people use such language but as statesmanship, it’s not exactly Lincolnesque† (Achenbach). This declaration shows tolerance to the verbal pronunciation of the word by anybody, whether popular or ordinary figures however, there is also the recognition of a line that should be drawn when saying the word. First and foremost, the aforementioned politicians are educated people who are expected to act and talk as well-mannered individuals. Thus, Achenbach coined his word â€Å"Linconesque†, pointing to the revered statesman, Lincoln and mentions that the actions of the two politicians mentioned earlier are not in line with the example the former showed. On the other hand, the statement that no one is shocked with their use of the word shows that it is well-understood because it is a human word uttered by human beings. Although Bush and Cheney are politicians, they a re also human beings who have similar needs as other people. Therefore, it does not come as a shock when they are heard saying the F-word however, they should have been more careful in their utterances because it still is considered a private word, having an explicit sexual connotation (Achenbach). Nevertheless, there is also the consideration that â€Å"the reason why it is used so often is because it has escaped the bonds of its sexual origin† (Achenbach). When Cheney told a Democratic senator to F_ _ _ himself, he

Charity and charitable purposes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Charity and charitable purposes - Essay Example In Incorporated Council of Law reporting for the State of Queensland v Federal Commissioner of Taxation , the judge had the following observation with what amounts to a charity: â€Å"The benefit should be charitable in the Elizabeth sense†. Understanding from the context of the judge, we arrive at the conclusion that any activity which amounts to the benefit of the public, or a section of the public amounts to a charitable purpose. A trust which carries out the duties of helping the needy and the poor sections of the society amounts to charity.This definition of charity encompasses all the above definitions mentioned: "The relief of aided, impotent and poor people, the maintenance of sick and maimed soldiers and mariners, schools of learning, free schools and scholars in universities, the repair of bridges, ports, havens, causeways, churches, sea-banks and highways, the education and preferment of orphans, the relief, stock or maintenance for houses of correction, the marriag e of poor maids, the support, aid and help of young tradesmen, handicraftsmen and persons decayed, the relief or redemption of prisoners or captives,   the aid or ease of any poor inhabitants concerning payment of fifteens, setting out of soldiers and other taxes†Understanding the Ambit of Charitable TrustA charitable trust is a trust which provides charity services to a particular section of the society, and such services should be for charitable purposes only. Relief from poverty:The main question that was sought to ask was how poverty.... This definition of charity encompasses all the above definitions mentioned: "The relief of aided, impotent and poor people, the maintenance of sick and maimed soldiers and mariners, schools of learning, free schools and scholars in universities, the repair of bridges, ports, havens, causeways, churches, sea-banks and highways, the education and preferment of orphans, the relief, stock or maintenance for houses of correction, the marriage of poor maids, the support, aid and help of young tradesmen, handicraftsmen and persons decayed, the relief or redemption of prisoners or captives, the aid or ease of any poor inhabitants concerning payment of fifteens, setting out of soldiers and other taxes†4 Understanding the Ambit of Charitable Trust A charitable trust is a trust which provides charity services to a particular section of the society, and such services should be for charitable purposes only.5 Relief from poverty: The main question that was sought to ask was how poverty could be defined, and within the definition, which kind of people needed to be brought in to given relief to. Poverty is a very relative concept and thus includes people who are not able to provide a lifestyle for themselves that include the basic necessities like shelter, food and clothing. As found in a number of cases, only showing kindness or generosity to someone is not enough to come under a charitable trust or purpose because a factor of poverty must be defined so that it also serves the purpose of having benefit to the public in a way that it is useful to a certain community and helps to fight the problems that those people face with regard to poverty. In the case of Oppenhiem, we understand that

Critically Evaluate the Importance of Working With Professionals and Essay

Critically Evaluate the Importance of Working With Professionals and Families in Schools - Essay Example ortant if families and professionals can be involved in after-school programs and activities in order to enable their children to collaborate well with all including leaders and other important people in the community. Role of Interdisciplinary Teams, Nature of Multi-Agency, Families, and Professionals As long as the school leadership recognizes other community members, families and professionals in the school activities and development, positive results will be achieved. According to Cheminais (2009, p.8), multi-agency collaboration is advantageous to children as it allows integration of skills and expertise in school programs, thus enhancing value addition and preventing barriers to learning process. The teachers and the school leadership should consider moral leaders and other role models in the community to ensure that their students develop morally, and to promote strong connections between the students and the larger community. Besides, corporate members and government leaders should be considered for partnership with the school to provide more external support to the students. When this is done, the students will feel well secured and valued, hence promoting the value of education in the school and in the community or society in general (Cummings, Todd, and Dyson, 2007). For school to develop faster, the leadership must ensure that there is improvement in the education standards in the school and ensure that the students welfare is catered for; this can only be achieved through involving community resources in learning. Therefore, including professionals and families will enable the students to understand properly the social, political, and economic environments that surround the school, thus giving them more knowledge and proper awareness of their surroundings.... This report approves that involvement of families and professionals in the learning process is important, as it results into positive benefits including improvement in students general performance. Again, the discussion above has detailed the importance of community involvement in learning process as well as how to promote community involvement for maximum benefits in the learning process. The discussion has elaborated that parental attachment and students’ needs assessment is very important in the provision of better learning and performance of students with special needs. Therefore, it is important that all these be put in consideration while teaching and learning in the context of students with special needs, including involvement of proper communication and negotiation. The partnership of schools, professionals, and families will enhance support, guidance, and motivation, thereby allowing students to improve their performance. This will promote learning to all the students including those with special needs. Again, multi-agency in the community should be involved to give more support to the students where necessary. These multi-agencies can also help in providing guidance and health solutions to students. Furthermore, interdisciplinary teams can also be involved to provide for the students’ needs where necessary, thereby producing all-round students. This essay makes a conclusion that the parenting practice and child-rearing styles adopted by families have a great influence on the child’s learning behaviour later on in life. Indeed, parenting practices tend to is more objective in that, it is geared towards molding a child’s behaviour towards a certain goal. Therefore, a parent would be aiming for excellence in a child’s school performance and in such a case, provide an atmosphere for achievement of that goal.