Americans and Cinema Essay Example for Free

Americans and Cinema Essay Despite America as a country encompassing by different cultures and ethnic background, the historical significance of the American Indians are still unfelt and given recognition in the modern times. (Martin) In the United States and in Canada, the term Indians has established a connotation of some hegemonic designation which implies a culture that is very different from the perspective of the American Indians. In modern times, Native Americans are depicted as a culture with savage and barbaric background, implying an image of the Native Americans as dangerous and unacceptable to behavior of European decent. (Drinnon) American Indians today are struggling to correct the misconception about their culture, they seek to achieve a balanced and truthful portrayal of the people who were first to call America as their home. In the media, the Indians were portrayed as mostly villains with unacceptable behavior. The availability of the casting roles for Native Americans has been prioritized for the Westerns and has this stereotyped image that is always shown in films and movies. In the movies, there are four distinct tribes of native Americans used to be portrayed, the Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche and Sioux. During the 1950’s and through the 1960’s however, there were more sympathetic native characters that even American Indians get to act by themselves. Jeff Chandler is one who won the Academy Award for his portrayal of an Apache leader in the movie Broken Arrow. (Singer) During the 1970’s when the Vietnam War erupted, the country was greatly divided by social opinions by the war and this has seen the opportunity for the movie industry to highlight a more culturally inclined film. Little Big Man produced in 1970 featured Dan George as a Native American chief as a main character. (Singer) However, it was Dustin Hoffman who received the most attention for his role as the lead protagonist. The movie became a breakthrough film as it features a Native American as a lead character. During the 1960’s on the other hand, when the U. S has many upheavals form antiwar protests and civil rights issues, the Native Americans saw this as an opportunity to raise awareness of the people regarding destructive colonial policies that in their own culture brought harm. A group called the American Indian Movement (AIM) led the protests in front of theaters which depicted the Native Americans wrongly. Commercialized films mentioned are A Man Called Horse and Soldier Blue (both in1970) and Billy Jack in 1971. (Bataille) Another breakthrough portrayal of Native Americans came forth in the release of Dances with Wolves in 1990. (Singer) The movie starred Kevin Costner and included many actors and props to make the setting early western looking. There include buffalos, Indians and horses in the plains of South Dakota, the homeland of the Sioux. The film upheld original Native American tradition, from the language, features of the actors, behavior and others. Dances with Wolves has repeated the painful endurance of the Native Americans, as once again, the culture and tradition of the native settlers were resigned in defeat from the colonial powers. (Singer) Modern society today are confined with knowing what almost everybody knows about the Native Indians; barbaric and unusual. There are many accounts of growing children that has suffered the misconception of cowboys chasing the Indians. (Freeman) There are many stereotypes for the American Indians; from costumes, head dress, dances and chants. However, there lies the failure to realize that the message to children who has this misconception is an implicit disagreement to the real culture and background of the Native Americans. Most of what children today know about the American Indians is brought about by history books and other things they learn about in history that is why there are many stereotypes attached to the culture. Two predominant stereotypes of Native Americans is their physical appearance; moccasin-wearing people with feathers on their head, and second; powerless cultures defeated by the white man’s weapon. (Freeman) With regards to personal traits, Native Americans are viewed by non-natives as savage or wild, lazy, gets drunk quickly or drinks a lot, very soft spoken or quiet, and has no sense of humor. Other misconceptions also entails Native Americans having no money sense, makes little effort to get education, close to nature, adheres strictly to Indian time, and do handcrafts all the time. More over, in terms of how they view society, Native Americans are often misunderstood as a culture who wants their land back badly, always asks for handouts, ostracize themselves by avoiding the society, lack of unity and tribal factionalism and worship pagans as a consequence to being very close to nature. (nativeamericans) The Native Americans has endured a lot during the past years. As they continue to struggles against discrimination and the stereotypes attached to their name, it is very important for the modern society to also do the needed research and understanding of the real Native Americans. It is not enough that we rely on the portrayal of the Native Americans in movies or history books; we must get to know them as a culture, as a community who has always struggled to maintain and uphold their own identity in a nation that has truly forgotten their significance. Works Cited: Bataille, Gretchen M. and Charles Silet. The Pretend Indians: Images of Native Americans in the Movies. Ames: Iowa State UP 1980. Berkhofers, Robert. The White Mans Indian: Images of the American Indian from Columbus to the Present New York: Vintage, 1979.Drinnon, Richard. Facing West: The Metaphysics of Indian-Hating and Empire Building. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1980. Freeman, Andrea. Representing Native Cultures: Stereotypes and Inaccuracies in First Nations and American Indian Children’s Literature. Term Paper. Vancouver, BC Canada. Martin, Calvin, ed. The American Indian and the Problem of History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987. Native America: Portrait of the People. (1994). nativeamericans. American Indians. (2007). January 25 http://www. nativeamericans. com/index. htm. Singer, Beverly R. Native Americans and Cinema: Native Americans in Movies. (2007). January 24 http://www. filmreference. com/encyclopedia/Independent-Film-Road-Movies/Native-Americans-and-Cinema-NATIVE-AMERICANS-IN-MOVIES. html. Thomas, Jeffrey. American Indians Seek Greater Understanding, Recognition. USINFO. 18 October ed: U. S Department of States Bureau of International Informational Programs, 2007.

Mahindra and Mahindra: External Environment Analysis

Mahindra and Mahindra: External Environment Analysis A business cannot function in a shell. In order to exist and function effectively, a business has to act and react to what happens in the external environment. The aggregates of all conditions, events, and influences that surround and affect it says Keith Davis (Saleem Shaikh, Business Environment, 2010) The external environment of a business refers to all those factor that directly influence the working of a business. These factors are not in control of businesses, but it is extremely important for a business because they shape the kind of business activity one can have. The factors which influence the external environment of a business are: Political factors This means how the changes in the government policies, political systems and the approach and philosophy of the political party in existence influences the working of a business enterprise. Economic factors This means how a business is affected by the economy in terms of government spending, interest rates, taxation, exchange rates, global economic factors, infrastructure development, capital formation, etc. Social factors Every business organization operates in according to the norms of the society and to satisfy their needs. This means how the culture, values, beliefs, tastes, preferences and behavior of the consumers, households and communities affects the working of a business. Technological factors Technology is considered to be one of the most important factors which affect the business environment. It means how the rapid change and innovation in technologies affect the production process and help businesses to produce innovative products. Ecological factors Ecology is the study of environment which includes plants, animals, water, air, sunlight etc. These factors affect the working of a business organization considerably in a way that government has taken some legislative measures for the protection and control of pollution in the environment like The Water Act, 1974, The Air Act, 1981, The Environment Protection Act, 1986. Legal factors The legal environment plays a very important role in business. Every aspect of business is regulated by the law of the country. These include the laws related to industrial licensing, factory administration, payment of wages, company laws, import and export laws etc. In order to stay and survive successfully in the market for long term a business has to take in consideration all the above mentioned factors and change accordingly. These factors have affected the performance and long term sustainability of Mahindra and Mahindra to a large extent. Mahindra and Mahindra Mahindra Mahindra Limited is part of  Mahindra Group which is based in  Mumbai. The company was started in 1945 in  Ludhiana  as Mahindra Mohammed by the brothers K.C. Mahindra and J.C. Mahindra along with  Malik Ghulam Mohammed.It was changed to Mahindra Mahindra in 1948 and is currently headed by Anand Mahindra. It is now a US $7.1 billion Indian multinational. Mahindra is the only Indian company which manufactures top tractor brands in the world. Today it has its presence in almost every segment of the automobile industry, from two-wheelers to SUVS, CVS and UVS. Recently Mahindra acquired a majority stake in REVA Electric Car Co Ltd. (now called Mahindra REVA). The Mahindra Group expanded its IT portfolio when Tech Mahindra acquired the leading global business and information technology services company, Satyam Computer Services. The company is now known as Mahindra Satyam. Mahindra Mahindra has diversified its businesses into various sectors which are: Automotive sector Two wheeler sector Farm equipment sector Hospitality sector Information technology sector Factors influencing Mahindra and Mahindra in its various business sectors (P)olitical factors Automotive, Two wheeler and farm equipment sectors In 2002, the government of India formulated an auto policy that aimed at promoting integrated, enduring and self-sustained growth of the Indian automotive industry. The approval for foreign equity investment up to 100% in the automotive sector was allowed and minimum investment criteria disallowed. The government promoted establishments of international companies for manufacturing small, affordable passenger cars as well as tractor and two wheelers. The government assisted the development of vehicle propelled by alternate energy source. The government formulated plans to have a terminal life policy for Commercial Vehicles along with incentives for replacement for such vehicles. It also promoted multi-model transportation and the implementation of mass rapid transportation system. These political influences have lead Mahindra and Mahindra to increase production of its vehicles and inflow of foreign investments. Also the development of alternate energy source vehicles has led Mahindra to acquire majority stake in REVA electric car co ltd. Hospitality sector It includes the central governments legal issues and regulations. This includes various Laws and Acts passed out by the government in Hospitality sector some of which are as follows: The influences of these political acts has led to the commencement of Mahindra holidays and resorts limited in 1996, offering family holidays in India and abroad. This has helped the company to grow immensely. Information technology sector The IT industry of India suffered political instability for a few years but it has been stable since 1999. The Indian government has decided to contract IT job to Indian IT companies creating more opportunities for the company and the industry at large. Consumer protection laws, competitive regulations and terrorist attacks are other factors to be considered. The Indian it sector does not much influence of political stability, so if the government changes it has little effect on the industry. These political forces have led Tech Mahindra in the leaders category with a hugely successful public issue in 2006. Changes in the political conditions have allowed many companies to enter IT sector like Mahindra Mahindra. This has lead to establishment of tech Mahindra by the Mahindra group and acquisition of Satyam. (E)conomical factors Automotive, two wheeler and farm equipment sector The automobile companies are reorganizing their sales process due to economic pressure on the industry. The government has granted concessions, by reducing the interest rates for export financing. The growth of Indian economy at the rate of 8.5% per annum has had a great influence on the automotive sector in India. Also the growth in the manufacturing sector at the rate of 8-10 % per annum in the last few years has influenced the growth of this sector. The globalization of India economy has led to the participation of several Indian firms with global players.  While some have formed joint ventures with equity participation, other also has entered into technology tie-ups. These changes have allowed Mahindra to expand its market and grow rapidly in India as well as abroad. Hospitality sector The economic factors have a direct influence on the hospitality sector of a business this is because if there is inflation then the rates will rise quickly, keeping in mind there are two sides to it. The hospitality sector is directly linked with tourism industry. Tourism has become the number one export earner for India and this is only possible due to diversification of the economy. The economic growth of the country has led to the expansion of Mahindra into this sector by establishment of Mahindra holidays and resorts. Information technology sector The IT industry is being affected by lots of economic factors ranging from rising working pay, global recession, competition, contract availability and fee. In 2009 the domestic IT spending grew by 20 % and reached $20 billion. During the last global recession currency fluctuation caused devaluation of dollar which has affected the industry. The recession has also led to decline in jobs which has affected this sector. With the decline of banking and financial sectors, the revenue from them is expected to decline hurting the IT industry which has had its impact on tech Mahindra as well. (S)ocial factors Automotive, two wheeler and farm equipment sector The changed lifestyle of people has led to increased purchase of automobiles, so automobile sector have a large customer base to serve. The increase in the income level of consumer as increased the buying power of people. In India, today 85% of cars are financed in India. Indian customers are highly educated and well informed. They are price sensitive as well and put lot of importance on value for money .Preference for small and compact cars in the Indian market has also increased. They are socially acceptable even amongst the well off. People these days prefer fuel efficient cars with low running costs which Mahindra has ventured into like Mahindra Renault, Scorpio, Xylo etc. Hospitality sector This includes all the social and cultural trends which have been affecting the industry. The changing expectation of consumers towards the hospitality experience. The consumers expect to be catered for their hospitality needs. The consumers want to feel that they are in control of their hospitality experience. Social networking plays an important part in the growth of this sector for a firm which helps the companies the companies to relate in a better way with the consumers. The increase in wealth of consumes due to increase in their income has led to change in their taste towards luxurious living and travelling which creates more business for firms operating n this sector due to which Mahindra has grown. Information technology There are lots of social factors affecting the IT sector which ranges from language barriers, employee rights and race rationality of the company and other issues. The IT industry is also affected by the change in consumer behavior which is supported by the fact that different consumers have different taste. The social issues like global warming are also concern for this industry and the shift of society towards education which includes opening up of universities and institutes in India offering IT education which produces large number of students joining IT industry which is also benefiting Mahindra and Mahindra. (T)echnological factors Automotive, two wheeler and farm equipment sector There are more emphasis laid on research and development in terms of technology in this sector which has contributed to innovation. The government of India is also promoting National Automotive testing and research and development infrastructure project. Technological solution helps in integrating the supply chain, hence reduce losses and increase profitability. With the development and evolution of alternate fuels, hybrid cars have made entry into the market also global companies like Audi, BMW, Hyundai have setup their manufacturing units in India. Mahindra and Mahindra is providing customized solutions and designer cars with new technology Hospitality sector Advancing technology has contributed a lot for the growth of firms in hospitality sector due to which the hotel receive reservations in advance through the net. People get all the information about the hotels through agents online. With the advent of computer the airlines allow the travel agents to view their flight inventories and rates in real time. Soon the airlines also added hotels and car rental companies to their computes so that agents could book the entire guest travel through their computer. Today more than 70% of hotel reservations are done electronically from which Mahindra and Mahindra has taken advantage. Information technology The changes in technological sector have impacted the growth and development of various companies. It has also forced other companies whose core business is not in IT sector to venture in this sector for example Mahindra and Tata. The present conditions are mainly due to the result that the masses have become techno savvy and there is a lot of potential in this sector. (L)egal factors Automotive sector The legal angle to the automotive sector has undergone a sea change during the last 50 years and Mahindra and Mahindra has been able to cope up with the same. As more and more stricter norms regarding environmental pollution has come into effect so Mahindra and Mahindra has brought new technology into their products to address to the legal applications and this constant endeavor of the Mahindra group has enabled it to constantly abide by the laws and rules and regulations of India and the worlds over. Hospitality sector The rules and regulations regarding the hospitality industry have also changed and as a result Mahindra and Mahindra have to adjust themselves according to the same and they have tried to adjust to the same also Information technology Sector Government of India has opened up the IT sector in India and has made the laws very lenient so that the business community can benefit from the same. This has led the Mahindra and Mahindra to launch Tech Mahindra as their Brand and acquisition of Satyam co (E)cological factors Automotive sector, two wheeler and farm equipment sector The physical infrastructure of country such as bridges and roads affect the use of automobiles. If there are smooth roads available then it will affect the use of automobiles. The environment and weather conditions also affect the use of automobiles in the country. If the environment is pleasant then the use of automobiles will be more. The entry of global companies in the Indian environment has led to advancement in the products and the production process of Mahindra and Mahindra. Hospitality sector The environmental factors gained prominence because of deteriorating environmental balance which is threatening the sustainability of environment and nature. Hospitality sector is very much responsible for releasing out chemical effluence drained out in water making it unfit for use and also the draining out non bio degradable recourses such as polythene in the environment affecting the chain adversely. There has been many rules and act passed for this sector which the companies have to work accordingly. This industry is directly influenced by tourism. The natural and cultural sites led to attraction of tourists and also the natural landforms and environmental conditions influence the choice of destination of Mahindra hotels which has led to its growth. Information technology sector The ecological environment has affects and influence in IT sector in various ways. For this there have been conservation and protection issues because of deteriorating environmental balance. Largely, businesses are also held responsible for such situations as emissions from these industries pollute water, air and effect bio chain adversely and expose people to hazardous radiations bringing their lives in danger. These have implications for various firms in this sector and how the manufacturing process takes place in Tech Mahindra. Conclusion: Mahindra and Mahindra has grown steadily in size and structure and has evolved into a huge group and occupies a premium position in various key sectors of the economy. It has gained a substantial and a sustainable growth in the industry by coping up with various changes in the environment it exists in. The above mentioned factors has impacted its various business sectors and led to the formation of a highly successful company. The above analysis leads us to the conclusion that Mahindra and Mahindra have transformed themselves into a very successful business enterprise and have evolved themselves as a very important constituent of the Indian and the global economy. Mahindra and Mahindra have expanded themselves into various industrial sectors like defence, automobile, hospitality etc. and have diversified at the same time. Mahindra and Mahindra has shown that how the various changes in the business environment can be explored and exploited by any business for its own gain and the gain of the economy as a whole.

Selfishness of Second Hand Smoke :: essays research papers

Smoking is an age-old art that many partake in regularly. Smoking is a very expensive habit that can cause long-term problems for only a short-term gain of comfort. The surrounding non-smoking socialites must witness, experience, and live with the smoke day in and day out. According to the American Heart Foundation, 43.3 percent of American men and women indulge in tobacco consumption through smoke. The negative effects of the habit-forming substance crush the positive effects. This is on the borderline of an illegal addicting drug, but publicly allowed. Everyone has a right to smoke, but everyone should respect others as well. In cases I have witnessed in my life, the smoker seems to care less about a non-smoker?s wishes before lighting the cancer stick. I am tired of it and I do not like the fact that surrounding smokers change the course of my life. Second hand smoke, often called passive smoking, is more dangerous than actually performing the act personally. Stated by the American Lung Association, ?Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke. Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic, including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide?, and further states, ?Secondhand smoke has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).? This is a proven carcinogen that can kill! I personally am not a gambler and I really wish smokers would wise up to consider how many non-smokers dislike their fate controlled by a selfish addict. Your blood and breathing characteristics become unstable and uncomfortable with exposure to smoke. The smoke is an absence of oxygen, which last I recall, allows us to live. Research from the most current Surgeon General's Report concluded, ?Short exposures to second hand smoke can cause blood platelets to become stickier, damage the lining of blood vessels, decrease coronary flow velocity reserves, and reduce heart rate variability, potentially increasing the risk of heart attack.? The European Respiratory Society performed a study and found, ?Recent research from Finland has shown that passive smoking plays a role in the development of adult asthma. Researchers found that subjects exposed to tobacco smoke in the workplace were twice as likely to develop asthma as those who were not exposed.

Plate Tectonics Explained Essay -- essays research papers fc

The interior structure of Earth is chemically divided into an outer solid crust, the mantle, a liquid outer core, and a solid inner core. The core is largely composed of iron, along with nickel and silicon. Other lighter elements are usually in the crust. The core is divided into two parts, the solid inner core and the liquid outer core. The inner core is thought to be solid and primarily made up of iron and some nickel. The outer core is all around the inner core and is believed to be made up of liquid iron mixed with liquid nickel. The outer core is about 2890 to 5100km. The inner core is 5100 to 6378km. Earths mantle is mainly composed of substances high in iron and magnesium. The melting point of every substance depends on the pressure and the deeper we go the higher the pressure becomes. Because of this the upper mantle is said to be semi-molten and the lower mantle solid. The upper mantle iron-substances are semi-molten because it is hot and they are under little pressure, lower mantles iron-substances are solid because they are under a lot of pressure. The mantle is 35 to 2890km. Earths crust ranges from 5 to 70 km in depth. The thinnest parts are the oceanic crust made of dense iron magnesium silicate rocks and underlie the ocean basins. The thicker crust is continental crust, composed of sodium potassium aluminum silicate rocks. The crust varies from 0 to 35 km or 5 to 70km. Convection currents occur because the density of a fluid is related to its temperature. Hot rocks lower in the mantle are less dense than the cooler rocks above. The hot rocks rise and the cooler rocks sink because of gravity. Convection currents are thought to be the driving mechanism of plate movement. Convection currents cause convergent and divergent movements. When the rising part of the convection current rises it causes the upper mantle to move upward and in a lateral direction. This causes the mantle to split and new material to rise creating new ocean crust. The downward motion of the convection current pulls the mantle crust downward at convergent boundaries. When part of the mantle crust is uplifted the weight of the lifted part, pushes the sinking mantle down, causing motion in the tectonic plates. A convergent boundary is where two tectonic plates move towards each other. And when they collide they form either a subduction zone with its associated island arc or an... ...ld Ocean. They are somewhat divided by the continents into the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic. The World Ocean is 361 million km ² in area, the volume is 1370 million km ³, and its average depth is 3790 m. The landmasses are divided into seven continents. They are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, North America, South America and Europe. But before there were seven it was said to be just one giant landmass called Pangaea. Supposedly this super continent began to break up about 225-200 million years ago, eventually coming into the position the continents are today. Similar fossils of several different animals and plants that once lived on land had been found widely separated on the continents. There would be no way that these could have gotten where they were found if the continents were then as they are now. Works cited 1.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  History of Plate Tectonics -http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/tectonics.html 2.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Earth Structure http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Earths_layers/Earths_layears4.html 3.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Earth Science Book -copyright 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Atomic Bomb :: essays research papers

Atomic Bomb On August 2, 1939 Albert Einstein wrote to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was right before the start of World War 2. In this letter Einstein and several other scientists told Roosevelt of the efforts Hitler was making to purify U-235 in which he hoped to make an atomic bomb. This is when the United States started the Manhattan Project. This was the project of making an atomic bomb. In the project many brilliant minds were used. The most famous of these people is Robert Oppenheimer. He was the major person behind this project. He basically ran the operation and oversaw the hole project from start to completion. Other great people like H.C. Urey, Ernest Lawrence, Isidor Rabi, and Ken Bainbridge also worked on the project and put just as much into it. The most complicated process was the process of getting enough uranium to sustain a chain reaction. In that time it was very hard to extract U-235. The ration of Uranium ore to the Uranium metal is 500:1. Then out of this Uranium metal 99% of it is U-238 which is non-fissionable. Finding a process to refining the Uranium was the first step in developing the atomic bomb. A massive enrichment laboratory/plant was built in Oak ridge, Tennessee. H.C. Urey and other associates at Columbia University devised a system that separated the Uranium using the principle of gaseous diffusion. Ernest Lawrence shortly following this invention came up with a process using magnetic separation. This process was quicker then the first. After the Uranium metal was separated form the Uranium ore it is put into a gas centrifuge to separate the U-235 and U-238. The first step of building an atomic bomb was completed. They now had the U-235 to build a bomb. Over the course of six years, 1939-1945, scientist worked on equations to make the U-235 into a bomb. It took some of the greatest minds to make these formulas. At the end of the six years and after spending $2 billion they had what they thought was a working bomb or a very expensive dud. At 5:29:45 (Mountain War Time) on July the 16th, 1945 the "Gadget", the code name for the bomb, was tested in the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico. This was the first atomic bomb ever detonated. The Gadget caused a white blaze to stretch across the skies of New Mexico.

Commentary on Sonnet Bright Star by John Keats Essay

â€Å"Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art† is a sonnet by John Keats. Although this poem has the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, it is also thematically divided into an octave followed by a sestet, like an Italian sonnet. In the first octave, imagery and figurative language are used to depict the persona’s desire to be as eternal and steadfast as the star without being isolated and distant from the world. In the following sestet, the isolation yet permanence of nature is contrasted with the intimacy between the persona and his sleeping lover. Through the structure of the Italian sonnet, the steady rhythm of the Shakespearean sonnet and myriad literary techniques, Keats explores the internal conflict of the persona as he wishes to have the best of both worlds: the steadfastness of nature and the warmth and intimacy of being human. In the first octave, figurative language is used to depict the persona’s admiration of the star’s steadfastness and illustrate the cold, isolated quality of the star and all of nature. This steadfastness is emphasized through the use of the iambic pentameter and the ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives the poem a slow, steady rhythm, just like the steadiness of the star. The persona’s admiration of this steadfastness is shown through the first line, which is an example of an apostrophe as the persona addresses the star; this technique also initiates a contemplative mood through the use of the subjunctive â€Å"would†. The personification of the star â€Å"gazing† and â€Å"watching, with eternal lids apart† makes the star seem like a lone contemplative being. The star’s loneliness is emphasized as it is â€Å"hung aloft† in â€Å"lone splendor†, giving the image of a star floating high above from earth. The fact that the star is â€Å"gazing on the new soft-fallen mask/of snow† also suggests its large distance from earth, as the star is unable to see the real earth, and is so far away that it can only see a â€Å"mask†, a word which becomes emphasized when reading the poem due to the rhyme scheme. The mention of the snow also makes the tone seem cold and peaceful. The simile and allusion as the star is compared to a â€Å"patient, sleepless Eremite†, which is a religious hermit, serves to further enhance our image of the star as an everlasting, steadfast creation patiently observing earth from high above. This role of the star is similar to the role of the persona in the final sestet as he quietly observes his sleeping â€Å"fair love†, but the crucial difference is that while the persona is desirably close to his lover, the star is alone and â€Å"aloft†, which is what the persona does not want to be. The last line of the octave ends with an em dash, and there is a volta, or a change in tone and thought as the poem shifts from describing the star and the quiet nature to depicting the intimacy between the persona and his lover as the persona expresses his desire to stay in this sweet moment forever, as eternal as the star. The volta between the octave and sestet, serves to contrast the cold, distant quality of star with the warm, intimate quality of human relationships. In the first line of the final sestet, the tone changes from contemplative to more conversational as the personal declares â€Å"No†. In the following lines, the alliteration in â€Å"still stedfast, still† and â€Å"soft fall and swell† make the tone soothing and comfortable. In line 13, the repetition of â€Å"still† and the alliteration of â€Å"hear her† and â€Å"tender-taken† tends to force the reader to say the whole line in one breath, so that his/her breath becomes â€Å"†tender-taken† as well, and emphasizes the content, sensual and intimate tone. The intimacy of the lovers is shown through the imagery: â€Å"Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast†, which reflects the closeness that persona values but that the star lacks. However, there is also an undertone of conflict and tension beneath this comfort as the persona struggles with his unfulfillable desire to be as steadfast as the star while having the intimacy that only humans can achieve. This tension is reflected though the repetition of â€Å"still† in line 9 and then later in line 13, and the repetition of â€Å"for ever† in lines 11 and 12. Through the repetition of these phrases, the desperation with which the persona desires to be with his lover for eternity is suggested, but because the reader knows that the persona’s life is ephemeral, there is tension as the persona longs for an impossible wish. This tension is increased by the oxymoron of â€Å"sweet unrest† and by the climactic last line of the poem: â€Å"And so live ever-or else swoon to death.† The use of the phrase â€Å"or else† seems ominous, especially because we know that in reality, he will not be able to become as steadfast as the star, so he will eventually die. However, the tone becomes less gloomy through the use of the word â€Å"swoon†, the positive connotation of which suggests that the persona accepts a death in love. This implies that although he deeply wishes he could be eternal like the star, he realizes that this is not possible and thus embraces his status as a ephemeral human gifted with intimacy by accepting death as long as he experiences love in his life. The significance of the last two lines of the poem is emphasized, as they are a rhyming couplet. Ultimately, Keats’ masterful use of figurative language results in a deeply meaningful sonnet that contrasts the eternal but isolated qualities of nature with the ephemeral but intimate qualities humans. Although this sonnet is short, its scope is large as it explores the inner desires of the persona to have the best of both worlds. Through the many literary techniques, the poet reveals the conflict between the impossible desires and the possible, and the natural world and human world.

HR Strategic aspects of the labour market and Managing organisational performance Essay

The economic events occurring during the last two decades provide indications and evidences that the area of human resourcing has significantly changed in response to the emerging complexities of the discipline. Perhaps, among the primary components of corporate organization, the dynamics of human resourcing appear to be the most challenging as well as complex. Experts in the area of Human Resource Management (HRM) invariably agree that the surging demand for a new organizational role for the human capital. Even the usually common terminologies used to describe the HRM processes, such as labor contracting, training and development, performance evaluation, have been recycled to outsourcing, learning and growth or performance management systems. Many even replaced, such as personnel to human resource to human capital, to describe in more sophisticated way, the new character of human resourcing. Still, HRM practitioners are of the opinion that changes will continue to pervade the HR area and may soon take or evolve into new competencies again. Torrington’s Views: The HRM discipline and the Labour market Torrington presents the burgeoning labour issues confronting many organizations as propounded by theorists and practitioners. Indeed, the complexities of human resourcing are invariably revealed in the documented HR practices compiled by the author, who has been keenly observing that the area of human resource management is beginning to undergo a form of transformative process where the task s, positions and the organization virtually mutates into its more sophisticated form. Based on data provided by the author and taken from a report, there is a general shortage of workers especially the young sector. In the area of healthcare, the National Health Service (NHS) is spending ? 1bn annually on temporary, agency and locum staff. According to Laing and Buisson, well known heathcare analysts, the demand for agency staff is expected to increase across public and private healthcare sector in response to the long-standing manpower shortages in practically every healthcare occupation. The author adds that the size of the market for manpower has risen by more than four times during the two decades commencing from 1992. Even the NHS had to triple their budget expenditures during the same period. Torrington estimates this sector is worth ? 2. 4bn in the market. However, the core of the problem has shifted to the quality of care that many temporary staff provide, thus the decision to reduce manpower outsourcing, Here, the need to get better deals from agencies is becoming paramount as new alternatives of human resourcing in this sector is being addressed. The author concludes by proposing an appropriate response system through flexible staffing solutions. Torrington highlights the strategic aspects of resourcing to respond effectively to the critical messages demanded and manifested by the labor market trends. Here, he analyzes the need to adopt certain flexible resourcing choices that will focus attention either to the ready-made or home grown human capital. The labor market trends bespeak of the dilemma faced by the human resourcing industry in general. A number of recommendations are provided to address this set of HR issues – the retention strategy. The retention indicators point to a disturbing trend at the charts. The issue of retention and its corresponding techniques and strategies has been brought into the open as a result of the need to assuage the cost of transfers, job and even career shifts. The author brings the issue of turnover rates and trends as indicative of HR instability in many sectors while exacting some forms of costs on the organization as a result of new rounds of resourcing and the need to adopt staff retention strategies. Torrington insists that organization strategies versus HR strategy issues not only should be HR-driven but primarily must mutually provide a perfect fit. The author discloses the strategic aspects of performance how these are driven by HR policies and processes as practiced. This is implied to mean that a change in perspective be made in the human resourcing function: from taking control of the employment processes to a more significant HR function of managing performance. True enough, this shift in focus may have been long wanted to smoothen human capital transitions to work excellence. This further suggests that efforts are better spent on ensuring that performance management becomes the primary driver of the HR function. A number of firms have found better insights into this form of HR shift considering that the new HR performance processes adds relevance and more meaningful roles for HR theorists and practitioners rather than just the documentary and aspect legalese of human resourcing. The author proposes the adoption of a performance management system that translates into organizational performance anchored on the knowledge and learning processes as HR initiatives. Here, the proactive roles expected of the HR practitioners are deemed directed towards gradually converting the company into a learning organization where the human capital competencies are planned, managed and nurtured. Performance management system indeed is a critical need as with the 360 degree feedback system. Conclusion Torrington proposes a two-dimensional performance appraisal system based on individual and team perspectives. He emphasizes management of employee performance guided towards organizational and personal goals and objectives and an objective appraisal system to measure extent of accomplishment based on target setting. A sequential and step-by-step approach is propounded with a component critique system based on an overarching 260 degree feedback system. A comparison and contrasting view of performance management system (PMS) and its environment of procedures indicate that the PMS has and is being widely used in organizations out to harness the potentials of its people. The degree of effectiveness indicates the variability of conceptualization and implementation, but nonetheless removes the major irritants in people management that ultimately affect the relationship as well as the performance dimensions of each of the component of the human capital sponsored primarily by senior management. Thus, the proactive nature of the PMS approach entitles it to wider adoption and desirability among organizations aiming to address many of its human resourcing issues. Subject 2 Performance Management System: Linking Organizational Goals Torrington outlines the essential factors in managing organisational performance showing how a Performance Management System (PMS)links to organisational goals. Concrete and abstract benefits and disincentives are identified and benchmarked with industry practices guided by the universal principles and theories of performance management. As practiced, performance management systems commence from the goal and target setting based on the requirements of the job. Here, employees and workers are clarified in the objectives of their positions, the requisite competence, and the learning and growth perspectives if the job as well as the compensation based on how the organization assesses the relative important of the task. The use of the PMS has been tested widely and has proven to be more effective than the traditional evaluation system. This is because of the inclusion of a compendium of measures that ensures that organizational goals are aligned with the specific tasks assigned to the employee. From the targets, agreements on the degree and how these targets are achieved under quality processes are laid down and the PMS target setting contract is accomplished. Thus, the use of the PMS allows the following benefits to accrued to both the worker and the organization: among others, expectations are clear and scope and limitations of the jobs are understood by both sectors; employees can clearly predict and manage their own levels of performance based on targets as well as the needed support to accomplish the tasks; there is an objective system of evaluation and appraisal that removes subjectivity and abstract judgments; when provided with an incentive and reward systems, PMS becomes effective as a tool and basis of rewards and incentives; and, there is a better working relationship between the worker and his superior based on earlier agreements and covenants. Likewise, PMS considers possible constraints and limitations on both sides, thus alternative measures are agreed for the degree of performance resulting from the occurrences of such constraints and impediments. For the organization, the benefits are clear in terms of stronger motivation on the worker; budgeting can be integrated into the system through measurable and appropriate inventive and rewards system; the subsequent appraisal and evaluation system allows for an ideal atmosphere for the discussion of the evaluation and appraisal results to encourage future performance based on areas that additionally needed reinforcement and support. In addition, PMS encourages both individuals and teams to be evaluated based on targets that are aligned with the organizational goals. On the other hand, the disadvantages of adopting a Performance Management System (PMS) includes the requirement for a more detailed procedures and measurement system that may prove to be too elaborate and complex for the worker to understand and appreciate. Likewise, the process of documentation in support of the performance is considered difficult and tedious. Further there is no assurance that performance can indeed by achieved as there may be unforeseen circumstances not considered during the target setting completed before the start of the performance period. (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, & Wright, 2008) Nonetheless, there is a need to study the organizational culture on whether the latter would help the system or otherwise. Conclusion Taking into account the benefits and disadvantages of Performance Management Systems (PMS), the absence of a more measurable, objective and comprehensive system of measuring and evaluating performance is non-existence despite the presence and utilization of good measuring tools and instruments. This is the complexity of the new HResourcing strategy that allows greater flexibility and uniqueness in the approach to managing performance. On the overall, the rationale for adopting PMS far outweighs the need to ignore the benefits provided by this new system. Often, the major constraint in adopting PMS is whether the organizational culture would allow such a change in the system. Thus, the efforts may indeed be tedious, but nonetheless, there is strong desirability in the system that will be more advantageous to every stakeholder in the PMS environment system.