“Futility” by Wilfred Owen Essay

The poem titled â€Å"Futility† meaning uselessness or pointlessness. Owen is trying to say this war is the pointless war. The soldiers are useless that they’re dead. No matter how much the soldier work, it doesn’t worth it. The poem is written in fourteen lines and divided into two verses. The two verses are contrast each other. The first verse’s atmosphere is quite, soft, tender and peaceful and the second verse’s atmosphere sounds more desperate, frustrate, ridiculous and demanding for something to happen. In the first verse, three verbs that describe the action of the Sun, move, gently, and touch are quite soft and tender. These verbs describe that the sun move softly, gently and touch the soldier to wake him up. The sun here means the sun that shines everyday to wake the man and at the same time it may symbolize religious. The sun that used to wake him up and care for him. It’s metaphor that the sun moves the man into the light. The third line of verse one, it mentioned that the soldier was once a farmer. The word whispering is onomatopoeia meaning the sun is whispering to the man about the memories the man used to have on the farm. It’s a soft and tender plus pleading together. â€Å"Unsown† means that the field has not seeded but yet the sun is shining now to tell the man that it’s the beginning of the planting season now. In other meaning, the word unsown is metaphor that the soldier is still too young for them to join the war, as they haven’t start their adult life yet. The fourth and fifth lines, ‘Always it awoke him, even in France, until this morning and this snow.’ The sun symbolizes the warmth of life and the snow symbolizes the coldness of death. The sun always arouses him everywhere even he’s in France but this morning is different because snow has partially block the man so the man wasn’t able to wake up. The word morning has two different meaning. One is the everyday morning, which is the beginning of the day and the second meaning referring to the word mourning. Owen is mourning for the man who has die. The last two line of the last two line, Owen is pleading to god, please please if anything can rouse him now please do it and in this case only god who can do it. Only the old sun that used to be very kind can wake him up now. The sun here is personified by referring the sun as old and kind. Through the whole verse Owen create the sound by using assonance of the repetition of â€Å"ow† sound in woke, unsown, snow, rouse, now and know. Owen used an imperative verb, think, at the beginning of the second verse. It’s order the reader to think and at the same time Owen also make it sound more desperate. He is desperate to think on how the sun will wake the seeds. The seeds here give the image of growth and nature and it symbolized the beginning of life. He is desperate to ask how god wakes the soldier that is already died on the ground. The third line of the second verse mention the word â€Å"limbs†, it has two meaning. First a limb is a branch of a tree, which fit in with the nature. Second meaning means the pair of legs, arms and wings. Owen means that god create these nature and mankind. The line after this said â€Å"full-nerved, –still warm, — too hard to stir?† Owen means that he still don’t understand how the sun gives life to seeds, but not the warmness to these soldier. The fifth line â€Å"Was it for this the clay grew tall?† this refer to the war. Clay is mud and mud comes from Earth. The clay grew tall; in this case the clay symbolized man. In this line Owen was asked what was this war for? Do we do all this to kill? Is this why we put him on this Earth? So what is the point of life? The last two lines â€Å"—O what made fatuous sunbeams toil to break Earth’s sleep at all?† Owen ask this question starting with what made, he means what is the point of sending these men these men to the war and died there? It’s seems so silly that the sun create life for these him and then let them died with regret. The first verse focuses upon a dead soldier and second verse asked why the sun is shining at all. Why there is life when there is such a suffering, Owen is trying to say if the sun can wake up life on Earth but why can’t it wake up his soldier because what he thinks is that if anything could make the soldier it must be the sun.

An Acting Critique of Legally Blonde the Musical Essay

An Acting Critique of Legally Blonde the Musical On Friday night, May 3rd at & p.m., my mother and I attended the opening night of Legally Blonde in the Buena P.A.C. I must begin by saying that I am slightly biased towards one of the actors who just so happens to be my sister, so the roles of Chutney, the girl who accidentally murdered her father, and a Delta Nu sister have never been played more perfectly in my eyes. While I found the play both amusing and enjoyable, there were some big issues as far as opening night goes. Things like lack of projection (on top of some serious microphone issues, which I cannot blame the actors for), actors forgetting lines, and sloppy blocking, especially in many of the dances during the musical numbers, all took away from the overall experience of the show. However, there were definitely some things I absolutely loved, which were mostly specific characters. Also, the quality of the singing in all the musical numbers was very high, which is something you don’t see often in a high school mus ical production. That being said, I thought it was worth my five dollars, and a great way for Buena to end its 2012-13 season. Like I said before, technical aspects such as microphone malfunctions cannot be blamed on the actors. It is the job of the technicians to ensure all of the equipment functions properly. However, I believe that actors should not rely on such technical aspects alone to ensure that they are effectively heard by every member of the audience. Call me old fashioned, but I am a firm believer in projection; making your voice bounce off the walls of the theater. After all, theaters are geometrically designed to do just that. But I guess not everyone feels that way, and it was apparent Friday night when every time an actor’s microphone went out, it was as if they were whispering. This is often detrimental to the plot because if actors cannot be heard, vital pieces of information are lost upon the audience. This issue could have been non-existent if the actors had practiced their projection. Luckily, I saw the movie first, so I knew the plot before I even watched the play. Along with not always being able to hear the actors, line memorization seemed to cause a few problems on stage Friday night as well. I will admit, it was not as apparent of a problem as was the lack of audibility at times, but I did notice it quite a few times. The example that stood out to me most was the character of Paulette, the owner of Elle’s favorite salon and close friend to Elle. She was in the middle of a solo on stage and completely dropped almost an entire verse of her song. I will not judge her too harshly because I fully understand the pressures of opening night, and I am sure the pressure of a solo is equally as heavy. I am simply using it as an example. Any other line slips I noticed were fairly minor, and when they happened, the actors did a pretty good job of covering it up and going with the flow. The last big problem I had with Legally Blonde the Musical was the blocking. Call me crazy, but it seemed to me towards the end of the play that either the actors got extremely lazy with their blocking during the dances, or they simply did not rehearse the scenes enough. Either way, it was very obvious. Actors were off tempo, bumping into one another, and were also completely out of sync when they should not have been. The actors most guilty of that were the Delta Nu sorority sisters (except my sister, of course). I also noticed that it was not only the dance scenes that lacked blocking, but so did many of the conversational scenes. I love watching actors’ faces more than anything because I believe that’s where most acting is done. I wanted so badly to do that Friday night, but I spent the whole time craning my neck to try and get glimpses. Quite irritating, considering the fact that my mother and I showed up almost a half hour early to get seats in the center of the ho use. Acting is all about action, and action cannot be understood if it cannot be seen. Now that I have ranted and raved about what I really did not enjoy about the Friday night showing of Legally Blonde the Musical, I should probably talk about the things that I really enjoyed, which definitely outweighed the bad. My absolute favorite character (besides the ones played by my sister) was Enid Hoopes, played by senior Aubrie Bouchard. She was a women’s rights activist, as well as a full-blooded lesbian, your average tough girl with a lot to prove to the world. She was absolutely hilarious; her timing was great, her character development was awesome, and her projection was wonderful. She had me rolling with all of her perfectly timed quips, especially when her inner lesbian showed. My other favorite group of  characters was Elle’s three best friends from Malibu: Pilar, Margot, and Serena, who also came to be known as the Greek chorus. This was an extremely appropriate nickname because they served the same purpose as the original Greek choruses in the first plays. They always showed up in Elle’s times of need to provide her with support, and to provide the audience with information. They also happened to be hilarious and bubbly, as Delta Nu sisters should be. They also had wonderful projection, especially Serena, played by Jansen Morgen. I also enjoyed Professor Callahan’s character, played by Braxton Olgetree. He was not a very likable character as far as the plot of the play went, but I could tell the actor put a lot of work into his character, especially on the voice. He was drab and monotone, just like a law professor at Harvard should be, and his character work really shone through. I also must mention the most adorable and well-behav ed character of the entire show, the part of Rufus, Paulette’s dog, played by an American bulldog named Sarge. He was both cute and flawless. The other thing I loved about this play was the overall quality of the singing. I was very pleased with all the musical numbers; all the songs were cute and catchy, no one made my ears bleed, and I could hear everyone fairly well even with all of the microphone issues. Usually, from my personal experience, most high school musicals consist of two groups of people: choir kids and theater kids. Not all choir kids can act, and not all theater kids can sing, but I am pleased to say that this musical was not that way. Everyone was able to sing and act quite effectively. My favorite musical number was the song â€Å"Gay or European†, which was performed in the courtroom scene when they were trying to figure out whether or not the pool boy, who claimed to be Brooke Windam’s lover, was gay. It was very light-humored and entertaining. I also enjoyed the opening number, â€Å"Ohmigod†, which was performed by Elle and her Delta Nu sisters in the very beginning. Like I said from the start, I was a little biased towards this play from the beginning simply because my little sister was in it. However, even when I put my bias aside, I can honestly say I was thoroughly pleased with my experience as an audience member as a whole. While I must admit there were various issues with things like actor projection, lack of proper blocking,  and lack of line memorization, the overall quality of acting was quite enjoyable. The character work done by most of the actors was very apparent and applaudable. I loved all of the main characters, as well as the minor ones. The singing was also fantastic; I did not find myself cringing at any of the musical numbers. Instead, I actually found myself tapping my feet and sometimes even singing along with the catchy songs. I know the showings of Legally Blonde the Musical are all over now, but I would recommend it to anyone to go and see that show. It was definitely an â€Å"A† performance.

Part One Sunday

6.11 A casual vacancy is deemed to have occurred: (a) when a local councillor fails to make his declaration of acceptance of office within the proper time; or (b) when his notice of resignation is received; or (c) on the day of his death †¦ Charles Arnold-Baker Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition Barry Fairbrother did not want to go out to dinner. He had endured a thumping headache for most of the weekend and was struggling to make a deadline for the local newspaper. However, his wife had been a little stiff and uncommunicative over lunch, and Barry deduced that his anniversary card had not mitigated the crime of shutting himself away in the study all morning. It did not help that he had been writing about Krystal, whom Mary disliked, although she pretended otherwise. ‘Mary, I want to take you out to dinner,' he had lied, to break the frost. ‘Nineteen years, kids! Nineteen years, and your mother's never looked lovelier.' Mary had softened and smiled, so Barry had telephoned the golf club, because it was nearby and they were sure of getting a table. He tried to give his wife pleasure in little ways, because he had come to realize, after nearly two decades together, how often he disappointed her in the big things. It was never intentional. They simply had very different notions of what ought to take up most space in life. Barry and Mary's four children were past the age of needing a babysitter. They were watching television when he said goodbye to them for the last time, and only Declan, the youngest, turned to look at him, and raised his hand in farewell. Barry's headache continued to thump behind his ear as he reversed out of the drive and set off through the pretty little town of Pagford, where they had lived as long as they had been married. They drove down Church Row, the steeply sloping street where the most expensive houses stood in all their Victorian extravagance and solidity, around the corner by the mock-Gothic church, where he had once watched his twin girls perform Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and across the Square, where they had a clear view of the dark skeleton of the ruined abbey that dominated the town's skyline, set high on a hill, melding with the violet sky. All Barry could think of as he twiddled the steering wheel, navigating the familiar turns, were the mistakes he was sure he had made, rushing to finish the article he had just emailed to the Yarvil and District Gazette. Garrulous and engaging in person, he found it difficult to carry his personality onto paper. The golf club lay a mere four minutes away from the Square, a little beyond the point where the town petered out in a final wheeze of old cottages. Barry parked the people-carrier outside the club restaurant, the Birdie, and stood for a moment beside the car, while Mary reapplied her lipstick. The cool evening air was pleasant on his face. As he watched the contours of the golf course disintegrating into the dusk, Barry wondered why he kept up his membership. He was a bad golfer: his swing was erratic and his handicap was high. He had so many other calls on his time. His head throbbed worse than ever. Mary switched off the mirror light and closed the passenger side door. Barry pressed the auto-lock on the key-ring in his hand; his wife's high heels clacked on the tarmac, the car's locking system beeped, and Barry wondered whether his nausea might abate once he had eaten. Then pain such as he had never experienced sliced through his brain like a demolition ball. He barely noticed the smarting of his knees as they smacked onto the cold tarmac; his skull was awash with fire and blood; the agony was excruciating beyond endurance, except that endure it he must, for oblivion was still a minute away. Mary screamed – and kept screaming. Several men came running from the bar. One of them sprinted back inside the building to see whether either of the club's retired doctors was present. A married couple, acquaintances of Barry and Mary's, heard the commotion from the restaurant, abandoned their starters and hurried outside to see what they could do. The husband called 999 on his mobile. The ambulance had to come from the neighbouring city of Yarvil, and it took twenty-five minutes to reach them. By the time the pulsing blue light slid over the scene, Barry was lying motionless and unresponsive on the ground in a pool of his own vomit; Mary was crouching beside him, the knees of her tights ripped, clutching his hand, sobbing and whispering his name.

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Strategic Management - Essay Example This resulted into deforestation. In Autocratic or Authoritative management style, the senior managers take all the important decisions without considering the involvement of workers. Senior managers do not trust their workers; they simply give orders to them. The disadvantage of Autocratic style of management style is that there is only one way communication, and this creates â€Å"them and us† attitude in between managers and workers. In FC, the organizational structure was hierarchical too. So, there was a wide gap between top to bottom order. Due to this kind of command and control system, workers just did only what they were told to do because of fear. Centralization is a system in which the concentration of decision making lies in few hands only. All the important decisions are subjects to the approval of top-level management and other levels can implement these decisions as per the directions of top level managers. On the other hand, decentralization means systematic de legation of authority to all levels of management and to all departments of an organization. In 1995, David Bills was appointed as the Director General of FC. One notable point about him is that he is an outsider from Australia. Environmental concern is one of the big issues in front of FC. Few groups raised environmental issues against FC; they accused FC of lack of awareness in various environmental and animal right issues. It became very crucial to FC’s economic survival. Nowadays, the term 'corporate social responsibility' is much closer to all organizations. Corporate social responsibility refers to the way companies integrate environmental, social and economic concerns into their values and operations in an accountable and transparent manner. It is related to long term growth and success of the organization. It plays an important role to contribute to the sustainable growth of communities. It became a responsibility of any organization to foster and promote corporate so cial responsibility. Another problem in front of David Bill is to change the FC’s culture. It is more difficult to change the existing culture than create a new culture in a new organization. When an organizational culture is already there, it is difficult for people to forget their old behavior, beliefs and assumptions and to adapt a new behavioral pattern. In business world, one thing can be least assured, which is change. If any organization experiences changes, resistance among employees is common. Executive support and training are most important elements to create a cultural change. When David Bill joined the organization, he found a very challenging task in the organization and that was to boost the morale of employees, who had a very low morale and they considered the organization to be a ‘sinking ship’. For him, the most important task was to raise the morale of the employees and to employ them as profitably as he could in the organization. The main aim of the FC was to rebuild and maintain the timber reserves. But the organizational structure was highly influenced by the â€Å"hierarchical military systems of the time and the use of military language† (McCann 2004, p. 949). Hierarchical system in an organization allows for understanding the direct line of authority. There should be a line of authority.

Interview a leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Interview a leader - Essay Example This whole idea of him providing an innovative style of freedom to his employees has resulted in a fine rapport between the employees and their superior heads as well as ranking the Admiral Group 4th in the top 40 companies of the United Kingdom (Frobes, 2011). Henry Engelhardt, is the most encouraging CEO in whom the employees have a great deal of conviction and faith, he meets all the newly hired staff, takes initiative in being available for live online chats and is usually found communicating with his staff at all levels when he is at the Cardiff headquarters. He also believes that an organization should not only give the employees a good working environment but should also give them a pack of activities to keep them fresh, that’s why he has set annual competitions for his staff. All in all Henry Engelhart is an innovative leader with a vibrant spirit to keep his employees motivated, he gives them a sense of free will while also keeping certain authorities to himself only. This new leadership style and charisma which he has attracted me towards taking his opinions on the new divergent leadership styles and the dynamism a leader needs in this new business world. The questions asked are in the appendix section of this paper. The interview responses made it clear to me that leadership is now all about adapting to new roles and ideas and is no longer a set of rigid traits and thinking capabilities, like it was many years ago. Most of the questions dealt with the acquisition of information regarding the many roles that Mr. Henry has played during his career, the conclusion to which, derived by the responses of him, determined that even staying in only one department for a couple of years requires many interpersonal and professional leadership roles to be entertained by a leader (Rothwell et al, 2001). There was more information possessed when Mr. Henry was asked about the leadership strengths that he has developed in the so far tenure of his career, and i t was surprising to know that his leadership strength came from the attainment of these different leadership roles. He explained them as an observational journey in the world of leadership, making him earn strength at each and every check post he crossed. He also added that the journey was not easy as there were many nerve wrecking times when he thought he would not be able to deliver as required but he managed to overcome all such obstacles through the use of an open mind. Open mind, he added, is the basic criteria to transform you into the many diversified roles of leadership required at different stages of one’s leadership career. Motivation of employees, as explained by him, is all a matter of making a need assessment of all employees at different organizational levels and stages as the need patterns are often the product of an unsatisfactory working environment which takes employees away from attaining job satisfaction. Employee needs are loosely satisfied at the bottom of organization and the satisfaction meter moves up as we travel upwards in the chain of command of an organization; this makes the upper management attain job satisfaction, leaving the labor class away from this fruitful accomplishment, leaving them unsatisfied. An unsatisfied workforce, he said, leads to slower growing organizations, this is where leadership roles need changes

Customer Relationship Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Customer Relationship Management - Essay Example CRM thus involves efficient handling at all stages. The role of the customer relationship manager begins even before the company purchases the software. The manager should be well conversant with the technology, the process, its benefits and application. This would enable him to derive the maximum benefit from the implementation of the CRM system. Merely knowing how to use the system and be able to generate information is again insufficient. Utilization of data is equally important or rather the most critical part of the system. Dissemination and analysis of information about the customer helps an organization to take effective steps in segmentation. This segmentation is valuable because the company knows where to lay its focus and how to maximize benefits. The customer relationship manager also has a role in empowering and keeping the key personnel motivated because it is the team work and cohesion that matters. The organizational environment is important for the success of the CRM system. Customer information helps to apportion the budgets when the key areas have been identified. Consistent flow of information has to be maintained from the point of origin to the point of action. The manager acts as the bridge between the IT and the marketing department and on him depends the success of the system. It is his responsibility to ensure that all operations with the organization are integrated and functional boundaries do not become barriers to implementation.

Mobile commerce Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Mobile commerce - Research Paper Example There is more to be done and areas to be covered so as to realize the potential benefits of global of M-commerce. Its constrains and threats should also be dealt with. The first M-commerce was conducted in 1997 in Helsinki, Finland. Two vending machines for Coca Cola that are mobile enabled were installed. Payments could be made through Short Message Service (SMS). The same year, Merita bank of Finland launched the first banking service that is done through SMS. The sale of digital content started when Radiolinja launched the first commercially downloadable ringtones in 1998. Two great milestones were launched in 1999. These are, Smart money in Philipines and NTT DoCoMos i-Mode in Japan. This is an internet service which offered a revenue-sharing plan between NTT DoCoMos i-Mode and the content owner. M-mobile spread rapidly in 2000. Payments for parking were made through mobile in Norway. This was extended to train ticketing in Australia and purchase of airline tickets in Japan. The potentiality of including medical applications to M-mobile was demonstrated by peter Bentley and UCL Computer Science in 2008 (Venkatesh et al, 2003). The basis for M-commerce is high speed internet connectivity. This is well provided by mobile phones and other mobile devices. Tarasewich (2003) points out that in M-commerce, there are websites called Wandering Atrial Pacemaker (WAP) that are developed specifically for mobile devices and mobile phones. Websites that are enabled by WAP display catalogs of products available for users of mobile phones worldwide. M-commerce has overtaken E-commerce and E-business because mobile devices are easy to use, easily available, user friendly and lightweight. Therefore, M-commerce is simply E-commerce conducted over a mobile phone or other mobile device. M-commerce is more under the control of the customer because customization is possible. Customers can personalize their devices like mobile phones to receive what they want, how and when. It

The smartest guys in the room(movie&book) essay

The smartest guys in the room(movie&book) - Essay Example Another form of malpractice that the company participated in is loaning money to itself in order to conceal debts. They also manipulated California’s’ energy supply using its electricity market. The movie elaborates how thousands of Enron employees lost their job in the scandal albeit their loyalty, while their bosses maintained their wealth. In reality, this movie is a criminal documentary that reveals how the executives of Enron, which was America’s seventh largest company, participated in a pansy scheme and got away. Their investors and employees succumbed to great losses while they walked away with billions of dollars (Sterling 22). An ethical consideration is the rights and duties of an entity to its employees, customers and their fiduciary responsibility towards their investors. These considerations assist in maintaining the integrity of a profession by setting out standards. Professionals found in violation of ethical responsibility are subject to sanctions, withdrawal of licenses and charges by law. It is unfortunate that the pioneers of the pansy scheme involving Enron walked away scot free with billions of dollars while their employees and investors made huge losses. The underlying principle in ethics is choosing the right irrespective of the foreseen or unforeseen consequence. Ultimately, unconditional responsibility that surpasses belief and interest is essential for harmony in human interactions. After watching this film, it important to recognize that community support does not determine ethical standing. A company may donate or fund other projects generously but the behaviors that take place behind t he scenes are the most crucial. Enron was the leading financier of George W. Bush 2000 election campaign but they had many hidden issues (Sterling 63). I believe that justice was served in the Enron scandal. The executives associated with the issue faced

Book report; schlesinger, The Distinguishing of America Term Paper

Book report; schlesinger, The Distinguishing of America - Term Paper Example he thesis that the emphasis on ethnic awareness, especially among public school, is a mistake; that instead of students studying the history that will unite America, they would be studying the history of his or her ethnic origin that is not even a historical fact. According to him, â€Å"the purpose of history is to promote not group self-esteem, but understanding of the world and the past, dispassionate analysis, judgment, and perspective, respect for divergent cultures and traditions, and unflinching protection for those unifying ideas of tolerance, democracy, and human rights that make free historical inquiry possible† (Schlesinger 104). In pushing for his thesis, Schlesinger argued that it is really not beneficial for Afro-Americans to study the history of an ethnic group or country which they have no cultural ties. He used the example of W.E.B. Du Bois to illustrate the detachment of the present generation of Afro-Americans to Africa as saying that â€Å"neither my father nor my father’s father ever saw Africa, or knew its meaning or cared overmuch for it† (Schlesinger 88). Even quoting the great Afro-American civil rights activist Martin Luther King as â€Å"we know nothing of Africa† (Schlesinger 89). In Schlesinger assertion, this can even lead to a distorted sense of history and cultural crisis as students would tend to study the essays written by the likes of Afrocentric writers such as Asa Hilliard and John Henrik Clarke, whose assertion that Africa is the â€Å"mother of Western civilization† has no historical basis, that is grounded more on fiction than documented fact. While it is agreeable that it is very important to study the history and the traditional canon of one’s country of birth (America), the tragedies that molded it, or the nuances of its cultural orientation, the assertion of Schlesinger that extending the historical study to other ethnic roots could distort one’s cultural image or sense of history is rather simplistic. It

Improving Participation of the Staff Meeting in a University Essay

Improving Participation of the Staff Meeting in a University - Essay Example As I noted in my earlier Action Research Project Plan, which basically became the manual for this research, Hill defines management as â€Å"getting things done through and with other people† (Hill, ibid.). As the time has elapsed between writing that plan and concluding this research, I have become even more convinced that co-operation (the â€Å"through and with other people† of Hill’s notion) is an essential behaviour if the work of our group is to prosper.It will be recalled from that project plan that I have chosen to pursue this work through the qualitative paradigm of Action Research as a practitioner- researcher. I hoped during the research to improving my own skills in facilitating meetings and to improve practice through the implementation of change in the way meetings are run in my workplace. To be a successful practitioner- researcher, I understood that I must achieve what Ritchie and Spencer (1994: 173) have called â€Å"actionable outcomes† i n order to bring about the organisational change that I seek but that I must also maintain the academic rigour of the work. I found guidance for my approach to keeping this balance in the research in the work in Argyris' (1999: 432) who has made the social scientist's dilemma of choosing between rigour and relevance central to the way in which he has adapted Lewin's Action Research heritage. He concludes that: From the action researcher's perspective, the challenge is to define and meet standards of appropriate rigor without sacrificing relevance. (Italics in the original) Thus in mid November 2005 I began, with some confidence, to apply the wide range of data gathering techniques (including, collection of documentary evidence, observation, questionnaire, group discussion and analysis of my own reflective research journal) that I had planned earlier. I expected to do this within a highly practitioner centred approach that ensured academic appropriateness, rigour and relevance within the research as a whole. 2. An account of the situation and action to improve it I began the research by applying the data gathering methods that had been foreseen in the Action Research Project Plan. In this section I will report on the usage of these methods and demonstrate how they helped in the data collection process. Whilst each of these tools was used throughout the work, the emphasis and importance of each changed as the programme evolved and moved through the various cycles of the research from Reconnaissance to Review and Reflection. The programme of Reconnaissance data collection took place between the 1st November 2005 and Christmas of the same year with the data being analysed during the Christmas/New Year break. 2.1 Reflective research diary Firstly, I began to write my reflective research journal. This was quite a difficult task to maintain because although the early enthusiasm ensured that I sat down regularly at my computer I found that it was difficult to make the writing "reflective". I began to ask myself "what is it that makes this document a reflective journal and not just a diary" As a result of this difficulty I adopted an approach whereby I first wrote down a record of events and made notes of things that people had said or done during the period that I was recording. This was the diary phase of journal writing and was quite easy. I then got into the habit of going over the work and using the automatic highlighter, would colour code things that struck me as relevant to the ongoing research. It was through this routine that I developed my reflective skills and, for example, identified for myself the fact that one of my co-researchers had tendency to support

To Hang or Not to Hang Essay Example for Free

To Hang or Not to Hang Essay The debate and controversy surrounding the issue of death penalty has been revisited numerous times.   Bohm (1991) rightly concludes that â€Å"over the last decade and a half, few issues have received greater attention in criminology and criminal justice than the proper role of capital punishment in this society.†[1](p.4)   And like most social debates, the battle has been fought beyond the legislative halls and into the everyday grind of daily life.   Opinions are abundant as individuals passionately make the cases in support of or in opposition to the penalty of death.    And through the written word, this writer wishes to contribute to the debate. Thesis   It is this writer’s view that the death penalty should be abolished.   However, it must be clearly stated that this opinion is not primarily founded on the usual moral or religious reasons.   Rather, abolishment of the death penalty should be had as it is a waste of potentially productive human life and is contrary to the interests of the state.   This paper, in the latter sections, will also introduce an alternative model to death penalty that will reconcile the points-of-view of those in favor and those opposed to the penalty. In order to sufficiently discuss the arguments for the abolition, it is necessary that the movement, dubbed the ‘Abolitionist Movement’, be traced to its roots.   According to Schabas (1997), â€Å"the abolitionist movement finds its roots in the writings of European theorists Montesquieu, Voltaire and Bentham, and English Quakers John Bellers and John Howard. However, it was Cesare Beccarias 1767 essay, On Crimes and Punishment that had an especially strong impact throughout the world. In the essay, Beccaria theorized that there was no justification for the states taking of a life.†[2] (p.13)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Those in favor of abolishing the death penalty usually present a case founded on the following arguments that the death penalty (1) is a cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment, (2) does not serve as an effective deterrent to crime and (3) is morally reprehensible as only the Supreme Power has the right to take a human life, especially considering that the courts’ pronouncement of guilt may be subject to error.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first argument is reiterated by Amnesty International (AI), the leading international non-governmental Human Rights organization calling for the abolition.   According to AI, â€Å"[a]n execution, just like torture, involves a deliberate assault on a prisoner. Even so-called humane methods such as lethal injection can entail excruciating suffering.†[3]   In Why Abolish the Death Penalty? (2007), the same organization called on the United Nations to abolish the penalty by likening it to torture: â€Å"[l]ike torture, an execution constitutes an extreme physical and mental assault on a person already rendered helpless by government authorities.†[4] If tortuous acts are now found to be universally reprehensible, there is no logical argument why capital punishment could not be considered in the same light.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Secondly, the statistics with regard to the relationship between capital punishment and crime rates are contradictory and inconsistent.   Many factors affect criminality in the society: socio-economic conditions, poverty rates, levels of education etc.   By saying that the institution of capital punishment will ensure a crime-free society, or atleast lessen the incidences of criminality, is misleading and uncorroborated by statistical data.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thirdly, there is a question of morality involved in this debate. Does the state have the moral ascendancy to take away a person’s life?   There are obviously religious issues that are interlocked within this debate. However, even despite whatever religious arguments there may be, there is still the great issue of the court’s fallibility.   There have been many cases, well-documented at that, wherein a pronouncement of guilt has been overturned. How then could one ensure that we are not killing innocents? Upon closer examination, â€Å"the practice of the death penalty reveals that no criminal justice system is, or conceivably could be, capable of deciding fairly, consistently and infallibly†¦ criminal justice systems are vulnerable to discrimination and error. Expediency, discretionary decisions and prevailing public opinion may influence the proceedings.†[5] Anti-Thesis Those who support the continued application or the reinstitution of the death penalty use the issue of deterrence as their main argument.   It is the first and foremost duty of the state to protect its citizens from dangers to their persons and property.   The death penalty is one way of accomplishing this task. In Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Best Case (2004), Bedau writes that â€Å"[p]erhaps the most straightforward argument for the death penalty is that it saves innocent lives by preventing convicted murderers from killing again.†[6](187) This conclusion is rooted in the logic that for those of reasonable intelligence and unimpaired faculties, there is usually a thought-process (even if short-lived) that precedes the commission of an act; a thought process that weighs the pros, cons and possible consequences. In the above quoted work by Bedau, Professor James Q. Wilson explains that     Ã¢â‚¬Å"[p]eople are governed in their daily lives by rewards and penalties of every sort. We shop for bargain prices, praise our children for good behavior and scold them for bad, expect lower interest rates to stimulate home building and fear that higher ones will depress it, and conduct ourselves in public in ways that lead our friends and neighbors to form good opinions of us. To assert that ‘deterrence doesnt work’ is tantamount to either denying the plainest facts of everyday life or claiming that would-be criminals are utterly different from the rest of us.†[7] (189) â€Å"In order to understand the complex question of capital punishment as a deterrent,† writes Bedau in The Death Penalty in America: An Anthology (1964), â€Å"it is necessary to place it within the context of the nature and purposes of punishments in general. Punishments under law are usually framed with a two-fold purpose—retribution and prevention.†[8](258) A punishment serves to incapacitate the offender in order that he or she will no longer to able to commit more crimes.   This may be done relatively (through incarceration) or absolutely (through capital punishment).   â€Å"But by far the most common way to employ a punishment as a preventative of crime is to adopt a sufficiently severe penalty so as to compel general obedience out of fear of the consequences of disobedience—the classic doctrine of deterrence.†[9] (260) It must be noted that the State is not a gleeful party in this debate that revels with each death of a wayward citizen.   The death of a citizen is a tragic event; tragic but necessary with the view of safeguarding the rest of the unerring population.   Not only will it ensure that rapists and murderers will feel the full brunt of the law’s retribution, it will discourage others with similar deviant tendencies. Those who cry for abolition, twist Sacred Scripture to suit their needs.   An example of how misleading abolitionists’ arguments can be is reflected in this passage from Bedau (1964)[10]: Many who oppose capital punishment make a strong argument out of the Sixth Commandment: Thou shalt not kill ( Exod. 20:13). But they fail to note the commentary on that Commandment which follows: Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. If a man willfully attacks another to kill him treacherously, you shall take him from my altar that he may die ( Exod. 21:12,14). It is faulty exegesis to take a verse of Scripture out of its context and interpret it without regard to its qualifying words. (124)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Capital Punishment, therefore, is a necessary measure to ensure that the state has sufficient leverage against those who commit heinous crimes.   Its modern application is spared for those individuals who have insurmountable evidence against them.   Supporting the death penalty does not mean that there are some people who deserve to die.   Rather, it means that every individual in society deserve to have safe streets for themselves and for their children. Synthesis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Like the proponents for each faction in this debate, I too have a passionate argument for the abolition of capital punishment.   However, I oppose it not merely on the bases of the conventional arguments, outline in the first section.   Personally, I am not wholly convinced with the arguments and rationale of either side. To clarify my claim, I cannot in good conscience support capital punishment because it is a waste of a potentially productive human life.   Furthermore, on some level, I feel that death is not the ultimate retribution.   For heinous crimes like the rape of a minor or the murder of a child, as a citizen, I would expect nothing less than the full wrath of the law unto a person. If the death penalty were abolished from systems entirely, the remaining ‘heavy’ retributive method left for the state would be lifetime imprisonment without the possibility of parole.   This would, and is probably already, straining the resources of the states by having to build more prisons with money that could have otherwise gone into other areas of society that need rehabilitation: healthcare, education, etc. Therefore, I see another model as an alternative: Death Penalty should be the choice of the condemned person.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the thought of death is unpalatable to the inmate, as it could understandably be, there should be a system of Death row livelihood put into place.   But instead of the inmates getting the revenues or even a portion of it, the money created should either be put back into the government system, using the funds to benefit causes like education that are definitely of more societal worth than expending money on killing these people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are many non-threatening jobs that could be done by inmates from the safety of their own prison cells, like sorting mail or doing laundry.   This would create an entire labour force that supports itself.   Unlike slavery or involuntary servitude, these inmates have been found guilty of heinous crimes, none of which (ideally) would be of having the wrong skin-tone.   One of the main reasons for the existence of a penitentiary system is not merely to punish but also to rehabilitate those who have been found of being a danger to the rest of civilized society. How then does killing them or keeping them incarcerated accomplish that? We would be making more animals than saving human beings.   By putting them to work, it would not only make the abolitionists happy but also the coffers of the state would get healthier. And more importantly, it cannot be involuntary servitude should the inmate opt to work instead of being injected with a deadly cocktail, or being electrocuted, hung or shot by a firing squad.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Surely after years of human evolution, we can find a better, more intelligent way of punishing those that dare to wreak havoc and endanger the rest of civil society. Reference Page Amnesty International.   Death Penalty. Retrieved from www.amnesty.org on 22 July, 2008 Amnesty International. Why Abolish the Death Penalty (2007). Retrieved from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   www.amnesty.org on 22 July, 2008 Bedau, A. (2004). Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Best Case. Oxford University Press. New York. Bedau, A. (1964) The Death Penalty in America: An Anthology. Aldine Publishing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chicago. Bohm, R. ed. (1991) The Death Penalty in America: Current Research. Anderson   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Publishing Co. Schabas, W. (1997). The Abolition of the Death Penalty in International Law. Cambridge University Press, second edition    [1] Bohm, R. ed. (1991) The Death Penalty in America: Current Research. Anderson Publishing Co. [2] Schabas, W. (1997). The Abolition of the Death Penalty in International Law. Cambridge University Press, second edition [3] Amnesty International.   Death Penalty. Retrieved from www.amnesty.org on 22 July, 2008 [4] Amnesty International. Why Abolish the Death Penalty (2007). Retrieved from www.amnesty.org on 22 July, 2008 [5] ibid. [6] Bedau, A. (2004). Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Best Case. Oxford University Press. New York. [7] Ibid. [8] Bedau, A. (1964) The Death Penalty in America: An Anthology. Aldine Publishing. Chicago. [9] Ibid. [10] Ibid.

Use of Imagery in Oliver Parkers Othello Essay Example for Free

Use of Imagery in Oliver Parkers Othello Essay The symbolism with the chess pieces is very relevant to the issues of the play. It is used to symbolize Iagos control over the main characters. Othello, Desdemona and Cassio and represented by a black king, white queen and white knight respectively. When Iago has finished his soliloquy, he drops the pieces into water. This is done to symbolize the inevitable demise of all 3 characters. The first time we see the chess pieces they are alone on the middle of chessboard with Iago looking over them. This symbolizes Iagos control over the situation and how he is the instigator of the tragedy. This is the major event of symbolism in the movie, however, there are some other examples: The scene with Iago and Othello on the beach is another subtler example of symbolism. The camera shot shows Iago in the lead being followed by Othello. This is symbolic of the way that Iago is leading Othello along, only letting him know so much that he desires more so he hangs on every word Iago says. Camera shots are also used effectively in Othellos return to Venice scene, where he is riding on his horse, fully clad in his battle armor. This is when Othello is at his most noble, his most heroic. The camera shot makes him appear higher than everybody else; giving the impression that he is above them. From this scene on, Othello falls further and further into Iagos trap. The director Oliver Parker uses sexual imagery effectively. It is most prevalent in the scene where Othello is imagining Desdemona and Cassio making love. The scene shows Othello looking helpless and then it quickly flashes to Desdemona and Cassio and then back to Othello. The speed at which the pictures change increases to such a point that it symbolizes the madness Othello is slipping into. At the end, the camera focuses on Desdemona and Cassio as they look into the camera and laugh, as if mocking Othello. Othello falls into an epileptic fit soon after. Before Othello begins having his visions, Iago is once again whispering into his ear. Whenever Iago is lying to Othello, he whispers in his ear. This symbolizes Iago as a devil-like being. Colour and lighting imagery also symbolize the issues of the play. Before  Othello begins to go mad, he generally wears black clothing. When he is about to kill Desdemona, he is wearing a white cape. This is imagery symbolizes a death shroud. Lighting is also used in the scene where Othello kills Desdemona. When Othello is walking down the hallway to Desdemonas bedroom, he is standing in the shadows, blowing out the candles along the way. This symbolizes his transition from: light to darkness, good to evil or sanity to insanity.

Cronbachs Alpha Reliability Analysis Psychology Essay

Cronbachs Alpha Reliability Analysis Psychology Essay Scale measurement is an important element in survey. The survey in this study involved 3 sections, which are section A, section B and section C. Nominal scale was used in survey section A, and ordinal scale was used in survey section B and C. Nominal scale is scale that labels the items rather than scales it (Howell, 2009). It includes male or female and yes or no. Normally it brings no meaning. Ordinal scale is simple rank model. The objects, individuals or events are categorized. It is known as ranked data as the ranking is ordered from highest to lowest or smallest to biggest (Jackson, 2011). Section A was created to gather the socio-demographic characteristics of respondent such as gender, ages, location of study in the UTAR and education level. Figure 3.1 Select your Gender: Male Female There were five dimensions in Section B which contained 20 statements to measure the independent variables. The sequence of these dimensions was social influence, environmental concern, environmental attitude and self-image. In the Section C are contained 5 statements to measure the dependent variable which was green purchasing behavior. In this research, 5-point likert scale is used (5=strongly agree, 4=agree, 3=neutral, 2=disagree and 1= strongly disagree). A 5-point Likert scale is good enough as increase in scale may confuse respondents (Hair, Bush Ortinau, 2003). Likert scale can achieve high degree of validity and reliability (Sarantakos, 1993; cited by Kronberg, 2011). Figure 3.2 3.7 Data Processing After all data had been collected from a sample of the target respondents, data processing is the next step to ensure the data in the standard of quality and complete. 3.7.1 Checking The first step of data processing is to check on questionnaire before it has been distributed. Hence it can reduce the unqualified data such as typing error, inconsistent questions and incomplete content. Therefore, the mistakes can be detected and corrected in advance. In addition, the questionnaire has been passed to our supervisor to double check. Collected data needs to be checked whether the feedback from target respondents are valid for the research. Pilot test has been used to test the reliability and accuracy of the questionnaires. The objective of data checking is to ensure the questionnaires are in quality and completeness. In this stage the grammar error corrections will be done. 3.7.2 Editing Editing is a process of examining the collected raw data to detect errors and omissions in the information returned by the respondents of the research, and to correct the data when possible. 3.7.3 Coding The next process is data coding which involves assigning a number to the participants response so that the data can be entered into a database. The code includes an indication of the column position (field) and data record. For example, the five point likert scale of variable, strongly disagree codes as 1 and strongly agree codes as 5. This coding is simplifying storage of data with digit codes and easier for categorizing when used SPSS software. 3.7.4 Transcribing Transcribing data is a process that transferring coded data from questionnaires or coding sheet into disks or computers for analyzing purpose. The data will pre-check to ensure the data is error free. When the data is transferred in SPSS software, it can be used for the research and generate the accuracy analysis from the questionnaire. 3.8 Data Analysis The raw data collected in research will be further analyzed by statistical method. After the questionnaires were returned to the researcher, the data were recorded and entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which was uploaded into Predictive Analysis Software (PASW, previously known as The Statistical Package for Social Sciences, SPSS) for more detailed statistical analysis. PASW is a good first statistical package for people who want to perform quantitative research in social science because it is easy to use (Cheah, 2009). In this study, the analysis utilized were descriptive statistics which included frequency distribution, measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion, Cronbachs Alpha Reliability Analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. 3.8.1 Descriptive Analysis Descriptive analysis is used in the research to transform the raw data to a way that is meaningful (Zikmund, 2002). It may include graph, bar, pie chart, or any number that use to describe that raw data. It helps the researchers to summarize the study variables (Parasuraman, Grewal Krishnan, 2004). So that researchers can get to know the results and make interpretation based on descriptive statistics. 3.8.1.1 Reliability Test Reliability refers to dependency or consistency, which indicates that the same things is repeated or recurs under the identical conditions. The reliability of a measure shows the degree to which the measure is without bias (error free) and hence offers consistent measurement across time and across different items in the instrument (Sekaran, 2000). A reliable measure would show the stability and consistency with which the instrument measures the concept and help to access the goodness of a measure. According to Sekaran (2000), a measure with reliability less than 0.6 is considered poor, it should be at least 0.70 or above. The most widely used method to measure reliability is Cronbachs alpha. Cronbachs alpha is used for multipoint-scaled items (items in the scale are at least internal in nature). Generally, Cronbachs alpha will increase when the correlations between the items increase. Alpha value can take values between negative infinity and 1, although only positive values make sense (Cheah, 2009). The value of Cronbachs alpha should be at least 0.6 to be accepted, and the ideal value is 0.7 or above. 3.8.2 Descriptive statistics Descriptive studies are quite frequently undertaken in education institutions to learn about and describe the characteristics of a group of students, such examples as the age and years of education in an education institution. There are three types of measures used in descriptive statistics: frequency distribution and measures of central of tendency and measures of dispersion or variability. Researcher was able to find the frequencies, percentages and determine the mean and standard deviation for the variables in the questionnaires by using descriptive statistics. To understand the use of measurement terms, frequency distribution plays a critical role. According to Leech et al. (2005), frequency distribution is a tally or count of the number of times each score on a single variable occurs. The use of frequency distribution is to show the number of responses to each value of a variable. Normally, variable name, frequency counts for each value of the variable and cumulative percentages for each value related to a variable are shown by a frequency distribution. The distribution is said to be approximately normally distributed when there are small numbers of scores for the low and high values and most scores are for the middle values. The mean is the arithmetic average of a set of data. Typically, the data shows some degree of central tendency with the most responses distributed close to the mean value (Hair, Money, Samouel and Page, 2007). The mean is said to be a robust measure of central tendency as in most instances, it is not sensitive to data values being added or deleted (Hair et al., 2007). According to Joseph et al. (2007), standard deviation describes the spread or variability of the sample distribution values from the mean, and is perhaps the most valuable index of dispersion. 3.8.3 Cronbachs alpha reliability analysis As mentioned earlier, the most commonly type of measurement of internal consistency reliability used is Cronbachs coefficient alpha. When there are several Likert-type items that are summed, alpha is used to make a composite score or summated scale. According to Leech et al. (2005), alpha is based on the mean or average correlation of each item in the scale with every other item. 3.8.2 Inferential Analysis Inferential analysis refers to data analysis which is used to test specific hypothesis (Parasuraman et al., 2004). According to Greer Kolbe (2003), inferential statistics include drawing conclusions from information obtained in the data. 3.8.4 Pearson correlation analysis Sekaran (2003) stated that when the researcher interested in defines the important variables associated with the problem, the study is called correlation study. For example, correlation studies can be undertaken to find out whether any relationship between gender and income level exists? If yes, positive or negative relationship? The index ranges in value from -1 to +1, with zero indicating absolutely no relation between two variables. This coefficient indicates the degree that low or high scores on one variable tend to go to with low or high scores on another variable. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between the independent variables (social influence, environmental concern, environmental attitude and concern for self-image in environmental protection) and dependent variable (green purchasing behavior). 3.8.5 Multiple regression analysis Multiple regression is a widely used statistical technique in sociology. The result of multiple regression can generate two things (Neuman, 2009). First, a measure called R-squared (R2) in the result can tell how well a set of variables explain a dependent variable. In other word, it shows the accuracy of predicting the dependent variable based on the information about the independent variables. For example, an R2 of .50 means that knowing the independent variables improve the accuracy of predicting the dependent variable by 50 percent (Neuman, 2009). The second thing generated by multiple regression is the measurement of the direction and size of the effect of each independent variable on a dependent variable (Neuman, 2009). For instance, the way how five independent or controlling variables simultaneously affect a dependent variable, with all the variables controlling the effects of one another can be seen by researcher. According to Neuman (2009), a standardized regression coefficient is used to measure the effect on the dependent variable. It is similar to a correlation coefficient (Neuman, 2009). A high standardized regression coefficient indicates a strong relationship between an independent variable and dependent variable. 3.9 Chapter Summary Research methodology is important as it can help researcher to systematically resolve the research problem. In this chapter, research framework and hypotheses are clarified. The other sections of this chapter include data sources, sampling design, data collection and data analysis.

Microsoft vs. DOJ :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Microsoft vs. DOJ Arguments of the DoJ (the white paper) 1. Microsoft and it ´s Monopoly Power MS monopoly power is in personal computer operating systems. A PC operating system as you all know controls the interaction of the different parts of the computer. It creates files, organizes the computer ´s memory and creates a platform for applications. The operating system is indispensible to the computer for this reason. Maybe that changes as technology evolves but right now a computer without an OS is nothing but a box of inert hardware. MS today ships 97% of PC OS that are installed by computer manufacturers. Case law defines monopoly as beginning at about a 70% share of the market. But this alone isn ´t illegal in respect to superior products, service or mere luck. Nor does market share alone necessarily imply monopoly power. For example a manufacturer might make 100% of knickers on the market. But if there are other pants manufacturers who are able to turn their production into knickers, the one and only knickers producer wouldn ´t be able to charge more than a competitive price or exclude rivals from his market. Speaking of this little example it ´s now clear what monopoly power means: it is the power to control prices and exclude competition. MS has and still exercises, both form of monopoly power. It charges above competitive prices and use tactics that eliminate rivals. And not because MS are superior to others and more beneficial to the consumers. No, not at all, MS uses predatory tactics whose sole purpose is to destroy it ´s rivals. MS often has denied that it posesses monopoly power but their arguments are quite feeble. A MS spokesman stated that the market is highly dynamic and that there are only low barriers to enter the market, especially for fringe firms. But this is untrue for the means of competition. There might be a lot of new technology but the barriers MS deliberately put up made it impossible for new market entry. The result is that MS can charge higher than competitive prices without a loss of market share. Another argument of MS is that it ´s monopoly power is defeated by ist need to compete against it ´s own installed base meaning that MS has eg now to compete against win 95. But this is another partly untrue argument because most consumers think of a new OS only when they want to buy a new computer and replace their old one.

Developing a Therapeutic Counseling Relationship Essay -- Counseling

Introduction Understanding the counseling session from the client’s perspective is a very important aspect in the development of a therapeutic relationship. A clinician must be an excellent listener, while being to pay attention to the client’s body language, affect and tone. The dynamics in the counseling session that is beneficial to the client include the recognition of the pain that the client is feeling. The detrimental part of this includes a misunderstanding of the real issues, a lack of consideration of the cultural aspects of the client, and a lack of clinical experience or listening skills. In this presentation, we will discuss the positive and negative aspects of the counseling session from the client’s perspective which includes the client’s attitudes, feelings, and emotions of the counseling session. We will next examine the propensity of the client to reveal or not reveal information to the counselor, and how transference, and counter-transference can h ave an effect on the counselor-client relationship. Positive Aspects For clients who express their experiences for the first time in counseling, it can be a powerful force to help them heal. It is important for the counselor to pay close attention to the person’s body language, affect and tone. The counselor must consider the possible scenarios that may occur in the first session. Cultural aspects of the client must be considered. From the client’s perspective, the first session is an important session, even if the first session is mostly an information gathering session. The client may have experiences much trauma in their life, never being able to trust a person with their closest feelings. This is why it is very important to establish rapport and trust in... ...confidential information is shared without their permission, this situation can be detrimental to the client. The client may stop treatment or be passive-aggressive towards the therapist by being late of cancelling appointments with the clinician. References State University (2011). Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Web site: http://angel04.gcu.edu/section/default.asp?id=551591 Sherwood, T. (2001, September). Client experience in psychotherapy: What heals and what harms? Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 1(2), 1-16. Retrieved August 27, 2009, from http://www.ipjp.org/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&Itemid=25&task=view. download&cid=111 Transference and Countertransference, (2011). Kathi’s Mental Health Review. Retrieved May 7, 2011 from http://www.toddlertime.com/mh/terms/countertransference-transference-3.htm#Countertransference

Free Essay - Nora in Act 1 in Ibsens A Dolls House :: Dolls House essays

The Character of Nora in Act 1 of A Doll's House The character of Nora, of Isben's A Doll's House, is particularly difficult to interpret. Her character is constructed by the combination of a number of varying traits.  Ã‚   Throughout Act 1 her ambiguity is particularly prominent. Her frivolous, playful moments are readily followed by moments of practicality and astuteness. It is not surprising that Nora is such a changeable character for she is constantly interchanging between three main roles: a supporting wife, fundamental mother and sexual being. Ibsen uses the metaphor of a doll inside a doll house to portray Nora's attempt to become an individual while confined inside a male dominated world. Her wish to become self motivated is obstructed by Torvald's power over her.   Nora's home is the realization of domestic bliss, preserved and presented like "A Doll's House." Lacking experience of life in the real world and oblivious to the outdoor hardships, Nora is vulnerable. She enters muffled in protection from the outside, portrayed symbolically through her coat, scarf etc. Immediately, Nora appears childlike and coquettish. She orders Helene in an excitable tone to hide the Christmas tree as the children "mustn't see it till tonight." Nora's secretiveness   in wanting to hide the tree, extends further, and is a constant theme. Following Torvald's light- hearted interrogation with regard to whether she has had any macaroons, she becomes nervous and lies, "No Torvald, I promise...No No...Torvald I swear." Of course, this is particularly important as the entire play rotates around Nora's "big secret."   With the entrance of Krogstad, Nora's sense of fun abandons her. Her attempt to enforce her social superiority over him is genuinely intimidated. In her ambitious attempt to be superior she states "one isn't without influence". However, within moments she is forced into pleading "Mr. Krogstad, I don't have any influence." Nora's stereotyped roll as a doll confined to a doll's house constantly being fathered by Torvald encourages her childlike manner. However an entirely different contradicting side to Nora's character is revealed when Nora explains exactly what she did "for Helmer".   Although Nora is a woman who shirks or is probably unaware of her responsibilities (particularly with regard to her children who are under permanent care of Ann- Marie) here she has, apparently, fulfilled something of her duty as a wife.   Her personal attitude to her action, which in her mind saved "Torvald's life" is very childlike.

A Review of the Role of Entrepreneurship in Stimulating Economic Growth Essay

They also further states that entrepreneurs have been responsible for growth and development over the centuries and are identified as the key role players in the economy of every country. The paper identifies the different definitions of an entrepreneur which are identified as the different channels in which entrepreneurship lead to economic growth, reduced unemployment and increased levels of income among countries. As a result of the role of entrepreneurship in any country, most countries emphasises on integrating entrepreneurial activity in its economic policy. A discussion is made on developing economies mainly South Africa, China, Brazil and Russia comparing the entrepreneurial activity within the economies. Economic growth is best defined as a long-term expansion of the productive potential of the economy. It is measured by the comparing the difference between the Gross National Product (GNP) in a year with the GNP of the previous year. A growing economy is when the difference is positive. The term simply refers to an increase in the ability to produce goods and services. It is easier to define unemployment when there is an understanding of the term economic growth. Unemployment refers to when a person who is actively searching for employment cannot find work to do. This is an instrument used to determine the healthiness of an economy. After knowing the levels of unemployment in an economy, determining the level of income distribution becomes a bit projected. The level of income in an economy refers to the way in which in money is distributed among the population in an economy. The above three defined terms has a link to each other. The level of economic growth have a direct proportional influence on the possible jobs available in the economy while a reciprocal relationship exist between the level of income in the particular economy and levels of unemployment. The level of income is directly proportional to economic growth. Also, the level of unemployment is directly proportional to the level of income in an economy. However, all the above aspects are influenced by the level of entrepreneurship in the particular economy. An economy with high activity of entrepreneurship is more likely to be characterized by high economic growth, reducing levels of unemployment and increasing levels of income while an economy with low entrepreneurial activity on the other hand can be characterized by low economic growth, high levels of unemployment and low levels of income. Entrepreneurship cannot be separated from the following terms â€Å"economic growth†, â€Å"employment† and â€Å"country income level distribution† as all the entrepreneurial activities contribute largely to economic growth, levels of employment and income distribution. Different nature of entrepreneurs stimulates the growth of an economy in different ways. In any country with high levels of entrepreneurial activities or which experienced high entrepreneurial activity, the economy tends to be of middle to high income and the unemployment levels tend to be decreasing if not low. However, economies with low income distribution are characterised by low entrepreneurial activities and mostly, there are significant levels of unemployment. Such low income economies have high records of poverty which leads them to seek donors. Different authors made contributions on this topic and this paper compares and links the information obtained into a comprehensive review. The term entrepreneurship has been defined by Schumpeter (1934) as lying in the perceptions and exploration of new opportunities in the realm of business. He further states that it always has to do with bringing about a different use of resources in that they are withdrawn from their traditional employ and subjected to new combinations. Schumpeter relates entrepreneurship to be influenced by entrepreneurs who are innovative and hese people have to be extra-ordinary as they have to come up with extra-ordinary events. They come up with new technological possibilities hence are able to establish large businesses from these. Carland etal. (1984) confirms that an entrepreneur is someone innovative and further says that he or she employs strategic management practices in the business. Timmons (2000) believes entrepreneurship as the process of creating a nd seizing an opportunity and pursuing it, regardless of resources currently controlled. Nieman and Nieuwenhuizen (2009) define an entrepreneur as the person who sees an opportunity in the market, gathers resources and creates and grows a business venture to meet these needs. They also further states that he or she bears risk of the venture and is rewarded with profit if it succeed. With different definitions of entrepreneurship defined by different authors through the way they define an entrepreneur, the researcher generally defines entrepreneurship as the act of being an entrepreneur who establishes business through the organisation of resources taking risk with the aim of realising profit. The Schumpeterian entrepreneur as defined above is innovative. In support for this, Curran and Stanworth (1989) defines entrepreneurship as the creation of new economic entity centred on a novel product or service or, or at the very least, one which differs significantly from products or services offered elsewhere in the market. Such entrepreneurs play a very crucial role in stimulating economic growth. They come up with huge organisations which can be monopolies in the economy. With the nature of big businesses, they would be more likely to produce large volumes of product increasing the GNP thereby contributing significantly to economic growth. With their capacity to produce large volumes, such organisation would take considerable number of employees hence reducing unemployment. By employing people, such entrepreneurs contribute to the increased levels of income in an economy. Another author Kirzner presents a different way in which entrepreneurship can be influenced by an entrepreneur through the way he defines an entrepreneur. According to Kirzner, the entrepreneur is someone who is alert to profitable opportunities for exchange. Such an entrepreneur believes in gathering the needed information, refining and providing it to those in need of it. Such entrepreneurs act as intermediaries for example between suppliers and customers. They are also very important in the growth of an economy as they facilitate inception, incubation of businesses through the provision of supportive information. The information they provide acts as a catalyst into venturing into business and builds confidence to emerging businesses. Emerging businesses require business support for them to have high chances of success hence the Kirzner entrepreneur makes the perfect match for such new businesses whose success lies on business support services. Such an entrepreneur can offer business support services such as business counselling, business mentoring and business incubation.

A study of existing disciplines in an organization Essay

There exists a situation that is a bit difficult to understand that is usually faced by information system management professionals. Since they are always specialized in the areas their clients seek professional advice, it becomes difficult for them to design prescriptions unlike some other professionals like doctors. Another major reason for difficulties experienced is that professionals fail to distinguish the actual needs of users from their wishes and desires. Therefore these professionals have to get prepared such that they create confidence in users in relationship to their capabilities. There is high need that there is achieved success during the period of investigating information needs. And therefore the person assigned the duties of a system identifier must be acceptable at all levels of users. They are also required to have credibility. An information system identifier has to adopt a procedural guideline for identification of needs. (Malcolm Pettu. Information resources management, 1989, Blackwell NCC) A study of existing disciplines in an organization. It is the duty of information needs identifier to find out the various departments in an organization and establish a relationship with the users. He is eligible to identify the major supporting areas within an organization’s handbook will be the output of this study that will offer guidance to further works of identifying the information needs. (E. Joel Ross. management by information system, 1970, Prentice hall. ) A study of the organization and its environment. After this exercise the identifier should be able to prepare a profile for the organization. He should be able to identify of what type the organization is in order to identify the different forms of management system and decision making processes that pose a bearing on the information needs. There is also need to analyze the environment in which the organization works. A study of the environment of the user. It is vital to identify in an orderly manner, the category of users and their respective information needs. The work of the identifier is to get a wide study of the users department before engaging in any interviews with the users. This helps him/her easily identify the needs. Several sources that need to be studied in the users department include; annual reports on the departments and their respective functions, Minutes of meetings, project reports, progress reports, and investigative reports est. It is necessary that the information identifier fully acquaints him/her of the full working of the department. This will make him fully understand the situations in which the user operates in. True needs however are identified from wide understanding of the user since they tend to place their wants and needs in fragments. Users are individuals, so the identifier should try as much as possible to address holistically perceive these needs. A user however might be playing a different role in an organization. An example is a wide variety of roles assumed by managers. It may include being. †¢ A disseminator spokesman †¢ A team leader †¢ A liaison †¢ A controller †¢ A decision maker. Resource allocator Broadly a user may form a node that pertains the following three different perspective of information flow in an organization: Communicating in a bird’s eye view perspective: †¢ Includes giving job instructions and directives to specific tasks. †¢ The basis information of the job information designated for production of good understanding of relative tasks in an organization. †¢ Organizational practices and procedures providing timely feedbacks about performance to the subordinate. †¢ Communicating upwardly: †¢ People will talk about; †¢ Their problems and their performance. †¢ Their organizational policies and practices. †¢ Others and their problems. †¢ The needs to be done. Communicating in a horizontal manner with colleagues in the same level of hierarchy. A user may interact with: his culture which sets for him policies and other influences and attitude, formal organizations such as employing organization invisible colleges, gate keepers etc, his work team which is a distinguished subsystem in an organization because of interpersonal characteristics. Users caught up in complex situations need to be studied from two different perspectives: Including direct methods which include Direct methods of user study include: A close observation of the users during discussions with their colleagues. Engagement in a dialogue with the user when offering information services to them performing a detailed survey by use of questionnaires. Visiting the various departments where the users work and observing them. Some of the indirect methods are listed below: †¢ Studying the events maintained by users which are included in diaries. †¢ Having a thorough analysis of the reference queries received from users. †¢ Analyzing responses from users after rendering services to them. †¢ Taking users designs and analyzing them. †¢ Studying the user’s job description. †¢ Taking the publications of users and studying them. †¢ Studying the documents used by users. †¢ Scanning reports and correspondences received and prepared by users. An advantage of the direct observation is that there is personal contact of the identifier with the users. This provides an excellent opportunity for observation of users in their normal environment. A downfall of the method of direct observation is that there is overdependence on the observers’ capability. It is necessary to note that there may result incidence of subjective element of the observer as a result of the observations made. The records of users’ are adequate in providing a reliable indication of the users subjects of interest. It is them subjected to extrapolation to a dynamic changing situation. Since users are developing human beings, and work in a system that is also subjected to constant change, it calls for keen study of the users. Some of the few methods of studying users are as below: Studying the work diary of users; In an organization users are always encouraged to maintain work related diaries. Recorded in the diary includes critical events and incidents, filed license applications, comments in regards to how improvement could be achieved in an organization, meetings and discussions held and their solutions etc. the consultants/ consultancy organizations preferred To some organizations it is a must for its employees to keep and maintain such diaries. It is also necessary for them to record the events in their order of occurrence such that it may act as a vital source of information to address the specific needs of the users. Sometimes it may give information about who associates with them both inside and outside the organization. Surveying the information sources used The objective here is to bring frequency and relevance of the different types of sources, their availability and accessibility and the different priorities assigned to them. There is emphasis on keeping records for respective departments. Formal interview The information need identifier after carefully analyzing the above steps should be able to design questions, set up the clarifications to be made and similar points for discussion with the users. He is to design this depending on the user’s environment, category, and specific roles he plays in performing his responsibilities among other things. An information need identifier has to design a specific document for each user before carrying out a formal interview. The document should have. Available sources and services that are not in use Required types of information and services. Present sources of information and services in the organization. A draft estimate of needs anticipated by users. The intention of the gathered information is of a greater bearing on the real information required. And therefore the information need identifier is supposed to find out by appropriate questioning the following aspects: What information is needed, in what form, for what need, when needed and to perform which role. In what digestible form, table, original document, and executive summary etc. In what media print visual presentation or audio? The kind of information facts, is it technical detailed, opinions? To what coverage extent, is it exhaustive or selective? The identifier should be able to identify favorable products of information services to the users to enable them extensively express their needs. He/she should have the capability of identifying true needs. In relation to specific functions the user should identify specific functions related to the value needs. A need has values attached to act as determinants of priorities to be assigned. For satisfaction of the need, its information cost could be correlated to its consequences Also it maybe a necessity to attend meetings in areas under areas where the functions and responsibilities of users are addressed. Occasionally it is good to invite users for group discussions to shade light on future changes and even the changes that are taking place. This ensures free exchange of ideas within a system and therefore is preferred that there is an arrangement to having appointments with the users at those times they are free from important work. When conducting interviews it is important to ensure efficiency by: providing several examples with relevant information services and aided in how he can meet his information needs. The examples should be relevant in the sense that they must be from the subject field of the user. It includes using the following criteria; By presenting the actual problems that are likely to be faced by users in their daily activities. Providing appropriate communication language that can be easily understood by users so that they will express their needs unambiguously. Help the users pinpoint his subjects precisely by using the subject profile of the organization that has been prepared by the information need identifier. Illustration of a few services that the user has already contemplated and seeking their own ideas as to which services they prefer. A show off of the different information so as to gather more sources and identify new users. Acquainting the users of present communication channels used in the organization. Refining the information needs It is an important idea of an information need identifier to periodically invite small groups of persons of the same composition e. g. all technicians for discussions. End users are also members of the information system therefore they should be asked to mention their current activities and whatever problems they are facing. They should be able to talk about the information interests of their likes. They should talk of how the current system may be improved to match their respective information needs. It may occur that if the discussion is properly done then some details from the survey could be combined. This will help in updating and modification of information needs that are of best use to the members and end users Conclusion To identify a thing is one thing and to satisfy it is another. It is my hope that the above study will be easily translated into practice. It implies that identification of information needs in this way will render the best services that will be able to satisfy the users’ needs. In the end the, users will be able to have a better outlook of the company. The creation of an information and communication technology within an organization will not only be an effective tool for communication but also ensures that an organization realizes higher productivity with low input costs. If a company is undergoing re-engineering process then it may need to employ a systems manager to work with the changed management. It calls for a well picture of the constraints and capabilities of technology. (P. R Sundarray, Joseph Sams. Implementation management of an E-commerce enabled enterprise information, 2002. ) .

Class Test on Micro Economics Essay

i) All questions in this section are compulsory ii) Marks for questions are indicated against each iii) Answers for very short answer questions carrying 1 mark must be answered in ONE sentence each iv) Answers for short answer questions carrying 3 marks each should not normally exceed 60 words v) Answers for short answer questions carrying 4 marks each should normally not exceed 70 words vi) Answers for long answer questions carrying 6 marks each should not normally exceed 100 words each. vii) Answers should be brief and to the point – The above word limits should be adhered to as far as possible. 1. Name the characteristic which make monopolistic competition different from perfect competition[1] 2. Why is demand for water inelastic?[1] 3. State one feature of oligopoly[1] 4. In which market form is the demand perfectly inelastic?[1] 5. Distinguish between increase in demand and increase in quantity demanded[3] 6. Goods X and Y are substitutes. Explain the effect of a fall in price of Y on the demand for X.[3] 7. At a price of Rs. 5 per unit of a commodity A, total revenue is Rs 800. When its price rises by 20%, total revenue increases by Rs. 400. Calculate its rice elasticity of demand[3] 8. Explain the implication of freedom to entry and exit of firms under perfect competition[3] 9. Given below is the cost schedule of a firm. Its average fixed cost is Rs 20 When it is producing 3 units. |Output |1 |2 |3 | |Average Variable cost (Rs.) |30 |28 |32 | Calculate its marginal cost and average total cost at each given level of output.[3] 10 Explain the features of â€Å"What to produce† OR Explain any two main features of centrally planned economy.[4] 12. When the price of a commodity falls by Rs. 2 per unit, its quantity demanded increases by 10 units. Its price elasticity is (-)1. Calculate its quantity demanded on its equilibrium price.[4] 13. Explain the effect of increase in income of buyers of a normal commodity on its equilibrium price.[4] 14. State whether the following statements are true or false: Give reasons for your answer (a) When total revenue is constant, average revenue will be constant. (b) Average variable cost can fall even when marginal product is rising (c) When marginal product falls, average product will also fall.[6] 15. Explain the law of variable proportions with the help of total and marginal product curves. [6] 16 Explain producers equilibrium with the help of a marginal cost and marginal revenue schedule [6]

Persecution in the Early Church

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that one of the factors that the early church grew was because of persecution. However, this was not the only factor. The faith of those who followed Jesus Christ transcended the state of Christianity and helped it grow exponentially in the first centuries. Introduction Christianity today has millions of followers. In the early stages of Christianity, this wasn't always the case. How and why did it spread? Nowadays, many convert to Christianity for various reasons. Following the death of Jesus Christ, the persecution of Christians in the early church did not hinder or eliminate the growth of Christianity, on the contrary, there is a direct correlation between the persecution and growth of Christianity in the early church. However, persecution was only one reason, of all the many reasons that helped the early church grow. It was the apostle Paul who said, â€Å"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for is the power of God unto salvation . . . to the Jew first and also to the Greek† (Rom. 1:16). There was no power or empire on earth that was going to stop the growth of Christianity. In as little as three centuries, Christianity became the religion of preference and eventually the official religion of the Roman Empire. According to K. S. Latourette, â€Å"The complete story of the spread of Christianity in the first couple of centuries cannot be entirely told, for there is not sufficient data to write it.† Moreover, what can be told is that within the first five centuries Christianity became the dominant religion. Christianity began in the Roman Empire and became one of the major systems of belief. The irony of the intolerance of Christianity was that most cultures of the time accepted all sorts of deities. When the Apostle Paul stood before the Aeropagus he makes mention that the people of Athens were religious people in the sense that they had many Gods. The author F. F. Bruce states, â€Å"Paul was brought and invited to expound his teaching.† The Apostle Paul said, â€Å"As I was walking through your city and observing your objects of worship I found an altar bearing the inscription: â€Å"to an Unknown God† (Act 17:23). The number of gods and objects that were worshiped was so vast, that the people of Athens even had an altar made to someone who was unknown, just to make sure they hadn't forgotten anyone. Even with the vastness of religions, somehow Christianity was an outcast in the middle of a plurality of religions. Century after century of persecution, which in some cases occurred in isolated areas, and other times was empire driven, the Roman Empire was bent on eradicating Christianity. How is it that Christianity continued to grow in spite of the onslaught of persecution that occurred? According to Phillip Schaff, there are at least ten major persecutions that stand out in the early church. Here are the ten Roman Emperors who initiated those persecutions:Nero (64-68) PersecutionDomitian (81-96)Trajan (112-117)Marcus Aurelius (161-180)Septimus Severus (202-210)Decius (250-251)Valerian (257-59).Maximinus (235-38)Aurelian (r. 270–275)Diocletian and Galerius (303-324)A Brief Summary of Some of the Notable Roman Emperor Driven Persecutions (Nero 64-68AD).According to Everett Ferguson, the apostles Paul, Peter, and James were all killed within five years of one another in the m id-sixties. James was killed by the Jerusalem authorities while Peter and Paul were executed in Rome under Nero (64-68 AD). After Nero's persecution of Christians (64 AD), Paul is never heard of again. James â€Å"the brother of the Lord†, as the leader of the Jerusalem church and was respected by his followers, however, in 62 AD, he was assassinated under the authority of the Jewish high priest. In the year 66, the Jews rebelled against the Roman authority and â€Å"refused to perform the daily sacrifice for the emperor.† Four years later, the Emperor Vespasian's forces, led by Titus, completely plundered and destroyed Jerusalem. At this point, the leadership of Christianity was seemingly wiped out. There would be no logical reason for Christianity to grow now that the leadership was dead. Millard J. Erickson writes that Christians knew, â€Å"one salient dimension of God's preservation is that the believer is not spared from danger or trial, but is preserved within it. There is no promise that suffering or persecution will not come, but rather that they would not prevail against them.† The Apostle Paul affirms this reasoning when he states, â€Å"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ† (Rom. 8:35). â€Å"Persecution† is assumed in his statement following this verse, and he ends with this summary, â€Å"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord† (Rom. 38-39). Approximately, five centuries before this, the same faithful stance resonated in Daniel's three friends before King Nebuchadnezzar in the face of a fiery furnace. It is here that one begins to grasp the starting point of why Christians would not compromise their faith even through persecution. Ekeke observes, â€Å"The persecution under Nero was confined to Rome, but this action set the tone for what would occur elsewhere in the Roman Empire.† Before killing the Christians, Nero would dress them in furs to be killed as animals while others were crucified. Christians were seen as mere animals in the eyes of Nero. The Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons According to Ferguson, this letter is considered one of the most important letters of second-century martyr literature. â€Å"The persecution at Lyons is notable (1) for the first-hand account of the rage of the populace that resulted in exceedingly brutal experiences for Christians and (2) for a large number of martyrs, the Roman citizens beheaded and the rest condemned to the wild beast contests in the area.† Decius and Valerian The Roman empire fell on economic hard times, and in the fall of 249 A. D. Caius Messius Decius became head of the Roman Empire. Decius concluded that Roman gods had been neglected. He affirmed that the solution the Empire needed, was that all Roman temples should be reopened, and that all citizens needed to show their allegiance to the gods of Rome by worshiping at the shrines. The Christians refused to worship at the shrines, and their refusal was seen as an act of treason. Christianity, in the view of the emperor, had become a detriment to Roman society. When Valerian superseded Decius, within time it was clear that his agenda â€Å"was to destroy Christianity.† However, both Valerian and Decius true motives for wanting to get rid of Christianity were based seemingly on economic principles on the basis of trying to avoid further economic ruin. The suppression strengthened rather than weaken Christianity at the hands of Decius and Valerian. â€Å"For public opinion condemned the government's violence and applauded the passive resistance of the Christian.† Once again, the relentless efforts of the Emperors failed at destroying Christianity. At this time many Christians defied the Roman government and the bishops of Antioch, Jerusalem, and Rome were executed. Diocletian and Galerius (303-324)Diocletian is considered by historians to be one of the most brutal persecutors of Christians. Although he helped restore efficiency in government processes, such as but not limited to the economy, military, and administration, he also gave the order to eliminate Christianity from the Roman Empire (the irony of this is that his wife, Prisca, and his daughter, Valeria, were considered Christians), burn scriptures, ban Christian gatherings, and tear down church buildings. Diocletian also ordered the leaders of the church to be tortured, imprisoned and put to death. Galerius, the son-in-law of Diocletian (married to Valeria), and the Caesar who ruled the eastern part of the empire, was the one who convinced Diocletian to begin the persecution. By the year 311, Galerius came to finally realize the ineffectiveness of his attempt to wipe out Christianity. Although there were many Christians who recanted their faith in Christianity in the middle of facing martyrdom, thousands did not recant, and paid the ultimate price for the faith in Christ with their own blood. In effect, as persecution persisted, more and more Christians died for their faith. Diocletian's reign is considered one of the â€Å"last great persecution of the Christian church.† Some of the Reasons for PersecutionOne of the main reasons for hostility towards Christians was that the Christian ethic in itself was a criticism of pagan life. The Roman persecutions many times were in part, dependent on the political atmosphere. Moreover, â€Å"Out of the fifty-four emperors who ruled from 30 and 311, only about a twelve, persecuted Christians. . . It has been calculated that between the first persecution under Nero in 64 to the Edit of Milan in 313, Christians went through almost 130 years of persecution.† The Christian ethic went against all the pagan and immoral way of living propagated by the Roman Empire. Fundamental to the Christian lifestyle was the rejection of pagan gods. Both the Greeks and Romans had gods for all the natural and man-made elements. The denial of these elements â€Å"marked the followers of Jesus as â€Å"enemies of the human race.† Amongst other things, â€Å"Christians were accused of sexual sins and cannibalism.† Ferguson writes, â€Å"The presence of Christians had been the occasion of disturbance in Rome. Christian teaching threatened pagan society during the reign of Claudius. . . Under Nero, and in response to other blaming him for the great fire that destroyed much of Rome (64 AD), Nero blamed and punished Christians for the fire.† After Nero, Domitian was remembered in Christian writing as the next persecuting emperor. Correspondence between Pliny the Younger (governor of Bithynia the emperor, Trajan, states that Pliny executed those Christians who did not deny their Christian faith. In spite of all the efforts to eliminate and suppress Christianity, it remained a peaceful and powerful group in the Roman Empire. The author Alannis Nobbs states, â€Å"It is attested by the growing number of fragments of earlier Christian literary papyri, and it confirms the rapid spread of Christian activity.† One by one the persecutors of the Christians passed away, yet, Christianity kept growing. William Tabbernne writes of Eusebius, â€Å"God's restraining hand can always be replaced once God's purposes have been served, forcing evil tyrants, such as Maximinus II, to stop persecuting. More importantly, God can also raised up pro Christian Emperors, such as Constantine, who will protect, rather than persecute the church.† The push of Christianity was so powerful that its converts included Roman Emperors. Reasons why Christianity Spread in the First Couple of Centuries after Christ's DeathAgainst all logic, the spread of Christianity should have been stopped by the immoral belief systems of many Roman Emperors and the waves of persecution that bombarded the early church. Phillip Schaff writes: The chief positive cause of the rapid spread and ultimate triumph of Christianity is to be found in its own absolute intrinsic worth, as the universal religion of salvation, and in the perfect teaching and example of its divine-human Founder, who proves himself to every believing heart a Savior from sin and a giver of eternal life. Christianity is adapted to all classes, conditions, and relations among men, to all nationalities and races, to all grades of culture, to every soul that longs for redemption from sin, and for holiness of life. Its value could be seen in the truth and self-evidencing power of its doctrines; in the purity and sublimity of its precepts; in its regenerating and sanctifying effects on heart and life; in the elevation of woman and of home life over which she presides; in the amelioration of the condition of the poor and suffering; in the faith, the brotherly love, the beneficence, and the triumphant death of its confessors. With or without persecution, Christianity would have continued to spread throughout the world. Persecution either affirmed the early church in what they stood for or it drove them away. The moral teachings and power of the gospel brought hope to an empire that was on a downward spiral into immorality and economic ruin. People in general grew weary of the evil that was associated with the pagan gods, their own personal struggles, and the decline and cruelties of the Roman Emperors. What Christianity had to offer back then, as it does now, is hope. Not hope, for hope's sake, but hope in the very person for whom they were being persecuted. A hope not just for this physical life but for the eternal life offered by Christ. Christianity condemned the immoral practices of the Roman culture. The Christian appeal was one of loving your neighbor and your enemy. This ethic stood in stern contrast to the ideal or philosophy of that time. It was one of preserving not only the unity of marriage but the unity of the family. Most of the apostolic leadership lost their lives for the type of life that Christ offered. However, being a follower of Christ came at a cost. The apostle Paul wrote, â€Å"everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted† (2 Tim. 3:12). The apostle John wrote that Jesus said, if they persecuted Him, they will also persecute His followers (John 15:20). The Roman empire was one bent on the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, sensuality, and self-gain and self-interest. If truth is said, modern society has not changed much. Jesus said, â€Å"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you† (John 15:18-19). It is these types of enduring words that were etched in the hearts of those who were persecuted in the early church. Christians subscribed to a different lifestyle than what Roman society offered. What did Roman society offer? The apostle Peter says, â€Å"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you† (1 Pet. 4:3-4). Peter depicts the current state of affairs of Roman society, and the reasons why Christians were hated and persecuted. For these and many other reasons the early church grew and multiplied until Rome could no longer ignore, suppress, kill off, the faith of those who were followers of Christ. Conclusion The early church grew for many reasons. Although persecution was not a willfully invited reason but rather one that was forced upon them, it is clear that despite hostility and persecution, Christianity continued to grow exponentially across the Roman Empire. An almost unwilling fact and the irony of the persecution is that the more the early church was persecuted, it continues to multiply. Terullian, was on point in saying â€Å"the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.† This same seed is being planted today in many countries who are both tolerant and intolerant to Christianity. The modern church just like the early church can continue to grow if their faith is anchored in Christ. It was true of then as is today. Christians who are faithful did not and will not compromise their faith anyone or anything. The Roman Empire could not sustain its decline and offered no answers to the question of salvation. The intolerance of Christianity helped it spread more because every time Christians rejected what the pagan driven culture offered, they had the opportunity to proclaim their faith in the risen Savior. It is important to also not that most of the early Christian converts were not only Jews but mostly Gentiles. These Gentiles were tired of the pagan religions of Rome and did not want to convert to Judaism (mainly because of its male circumcision and various laws on personal diet). Unlike most religions, Christianity offered something most didn't at the time, and this was Salvation. Salvation was maintained through accepting and remaining faithful to Christ. The light of many shined through faithfulness and was highlighted even more during their persecution.