Mark Twain And Carol Sandburg Essays - Lecturers, Mark Twain

Mark Twain And Carol Sandburg There have been a number of influences that have shaped American literature. From the time that Western Europeans founded the country to the inclusion of Native American lore to the contributions of such literary giants as Mark Twain and Carol Sandburg, the composition of American Literature has been both constant and ever changing. In deed as much as America, itself, is a melting pot of diversity within a cultural concern, so too is this considerable diversity a significant aspect of its emerging literature. Grantland S. Rice, author of The Transformation of Authorship in America, contends that the ultimate composition of American literature is fundamentally based upon a combination of efforts involving gender, class, period and application. What is particualy, interesting about Rice's observations is the manner in which he applies his theories to literary considerations. According to Rice, there were a great many influences that constructed American literature up through modern times; as much as writers were ?increasingly forced by social, political and economic changes? (Rice 159), it was because of these modifications that the literary experience gained in substance. In their attempts to uphold civic virtue, early writers ?no doubt turned to the audience through whom they felt they could still effect significant cultural changes? (Rice 159). It is this very determination and knowledge of craft that eventually aided in the efforts of countless writers -- both men and women -- to establish American literature as it has come to be known: The story I till here is thus far from the usual one of the ?progress' or ?rise' of American literature, an account which has come from an almost exclusive on the continuity of literary forms and the influence of the aesthetic heritage of Romanticism. (Rice 12) Inasmuch as Rice attributes life's influences as an integral component of American literature, so too does one of America's greatest authors: Mark Twain. His Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, thought to be too racy for its own period, has always been received with mixed acceptance even in contemporary times. Capturing the American soul at its utmost depths, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn touches upon a number of unprecedented issues because of the shock value such a book portrays, it has been both embraced and banned for its content. However, it is this very content that has made it one of the most essential aspects of American Literature, as Twain was not afraid to depict America without rose-colored glasses. It has been called offensive, unpatriotic, racist and a whole host of other uncomplimentary terms; however, it has been ? and continues to be ? instrumental in describing the sometimes unsavory truth, As the author so eloquently stated to America: ?This is how you are, like it or not? (Smith). As difficult as it has been for Americans to accept the fact that Twain's account mirrors a harsh reality, the implications of such social atrocities as racism are painfully clear both in written representation as will as in real life. In fact, it can be argued that Adventures of Huckleberry Finn not only symbolizes what it means to be part of the American literary framework, but it also exemplifies the manner in which art truly imitates life. As essential as Twain was in establishing the very basis of American literature, he was also instrumental in addressing issues which were ? and are still ? considered to be beyond the realm of acceptance. Although Adventures of Huckleberry Finn makes free use of the word nigger, it is not utilized in the same context it is today; by comparison, the author meant it only as a description, as opposed to contemporary usage that focuses solely upon the words disgracing aspect. Inasmuch as Mark Twain weaved his literary magic in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to depict American truisms, Carl Sandburg was just as much a fundamental part of the same patchwork. Sandburg's writing addresses many of the same concepts as does Twain's with regard to the human condition, even encouraging people to recognize themselves within his prose. Characteristic of Sandburg's style is his approach to everyday existence as though it were a matter of life and death. In a way it was just that, as the astute author wrote of

Costco Keeps Formula as It Expands

Costco Keeps Formula as It Expands Introduction The retail business sector showed its flexibility regardless of hard economic times, enhanced rivalry and repositioning goes ahead of its key competitors last year. Monetary outcome was a blend of desirable and undesirable, but the warehouse industry continues to grow. The article reviews the formula used by Costco in order to remain the leader in the retail sector.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Costco Keeps Formula as It Expands specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From the article it is vivid that Costco’s sales increased by 2%, but the financial analysis section needs farther discussion because the information provided is uncertain, and the model applied by Costco is perplexing (Debbie 2). Basically, this paper presents summary of the article, additional research on Costco’s operations, relevance, contribution to knowledge and lastly presents issues that the author could have discussed so as to farther reinforce his analysis. Summary After a decade of growing into emerging markets originally dominated by industry competitors, Costco appears to be operating keenly in spite of the ongoing headship as the retail business generating the largest revenue. Of the 27 warehouse outlets organized in 2011, approximately 45% were based on emerging markets, different from the average of 65% during 2010 and 80% during 2009. The economic slowdown and instituted rivalry have resulted to decreasing revenue for Costco in emerging markets (â€Å"Costco Keeps† 1). The author asserts that Costco is still broadening its share and drawing nearer to Sam stores in number of outlets, with 423 outlets globally currently, of which 315 are based in the U.S. Also, revenue from sales rose by 8% to $414,200 million. Costco’s winning method is proving hard for Sam and BJ stores in regions where the competitors continuously overlap (Debbie 2). With total warehouse revenue the largest wi thin the retail sector, at $114,000 thousand in the U.S compared to $57,000 thousand at Sam stores and $40,000 thousand for BJ stores, Costco struggles towards fine-tuning a good formula established by providing goods at low price with a prominence on prime products. In foodstuff, this is evident as this offering is provided as pure wine (â€Å"Costco Keeps† 2). Background Costco’s equivalent-unit sales volume increased, shifting to 6 percent from 4 percent. For both BJ’s and Sam’s stores, sales volume was at 2% and discouraging, the two wholesale stores experienced a decrease from 2010 outcomes. The disappointing situation encouraged BJ and Sam stores to adopt emerging formulas to increase revenue from sales and minimize operational costs, a setback evident also in Costco due to its high expenses. Consequently, growth efforts declined a bit last year, with increased attention to expanding current outlets and merchandise. On average each of the two stores added 19 fresh outlets in the U.S in 2010, while Costco added more than 27 stores. Sam stores started 21 units whereas BJ stores introduced 17, including merchandise presence in Atlanta (Debbie 3).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In 2010, the three stores had approximately 964 local stores in operation producing $70,000 million in sales. At approximately 1,050 units, the problem of concentration emerged, yet all retailers were able to successfully increase revenue and membership, regardless of many players in the retail industry. With shifts toward warehouse outlets increasing to the disadvantage of conventional supermarket stores, it seems warehouses will keep on growing food market and membership share. Costco management has opened stores in regions with about 120,000 people, a lesser population for the approach than initially held (Debbie 4). Discussion Costco has changed from â€Å"generating low revenues† to â€Å"making large cash† in cities. Its business and marketing strategy has proved hard for competitors especially in emerging markets. As Costco penetrates market that has been dominated by Sam and BJ stores, it is going to reduce their business share because of Costco’s excellent products (â€Å"Costco Keeps† 1). Fresh foodstuffs remain one of the highest-functioning sectors for Costco group, with revenues amounting to 9% in 2010 and 9.5% in 2011, particularly from meat and meat products. Foodstuff sundries led to the ultimate margin of 6.2%, whereas soft drinks have declined recently. Approximately 60% of Costco revenue is from supermarket-based goods and Costco benefits from cost-sensitive client’s retail stores as a substitute formula (Debbie 2). Personally the author is well versed with the winning formula applied by Costco. From the article, private labeling technique has been successfully a pplied in foodstuff to increase revenues at Costco and has also earned client trust especially for the Kirkland products. The concepts presented in the article regarding selection of an appealing formula in the retail industry are great addition to literature. The marketing model utilized by Costco locks out other rivalries from the limited market and when applied nicely can open up great opportunities for retail businesses still struggling to break through. Ideally, the article is relevant since it has effectively explained the previous, current and expected future position of Costco in the retail sector, with high emphasis on market segmentation (â€Å"Costco Keeps† 2). In conclusion, even with increased focus on merchandise needs, foodstuffs continue as major portion of the mix. Foodstuff and sundry represent about 60% of revenue.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Costco Keeps Formula as It Expands specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More â€Å"Costco Keeps Formula as It Expands.† Retail Features. Print, 30 January 2012: 1-2. Debbie, Howell. Clubs Expand Despite each other: Major players push Differentiation Special Report warehouse clubs. DSN Retailing Today. Web. 1-5.

CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A NURSING QUANTITATIVE STUDY Research Paper

CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A NURSING QUANTITATIVE STUDY - Research Paper Example In the case of NSCLC patients, receipt of radiotherapy or chemotherapy at the time of interview and significant airflow obstruction was considered to be exclusion criteria (Gore et al., 2000). The participants were identified from the outpatient records and the database of the radiotherapy department. The benefits identified by the authors are not direct in nature as far the participants of the study are concerned. However, the sample population of the study is the representative sample of the larger population of COPD patients and NSCLC patients (Gore et al., 2000). The results of the study expect to identify the gaps in the nursing and social care that the sample population receives. Thus the indirect and longer term benefit addressed by the study is that it would come up research findings which would further aid as background data for advanced research in the area. The authors have clearly mentioned that the study was approved by the Hull and East Riding Research ethics committee. Thus it can be assumed that risks of participation addressed by the study. It has been mentioned in the article that the authors obtained written informed consent from all participants. The subjects were identified from the outpatient records and the database of the radiotherapy department. COPD patients were identified from the outpatient records of patients attending for follow up at Hull chest clinic. In the NSCLC group about one third were attending Hull chest clinic and the rest were identified from the database of the department of radiotherapy (Gore et al., 2000). Thus the participation does not appear to be of complete voluntary nature. However as the study has followed the ethical practices as set by Hull and East Riding Research ethics committee and as it has been mentioned that written consents were collected from the patients, possibility of forceful or uniformed inclusion is minimal. It should also be noted here that the study and its design were approved by Hull and E ast Riding Research ethics committee. The major independent variables were COPD and NSCLC. The dependent variables included parameters to measure quality of medical care and quality of social and community life. These parameters included General Health; Vitality; Mental; Pain; Role Emotional; Role Physical; Social functioning and Physical functioning. The dependent parameters on quality of social and community life included access to Counselor; Community Social Worker; Hospital Social Worker; Palliative Services; RSN; District Nurse and Home Help (Gore et al., 2000). The methodology used to collect data included semi- structured interviews, review of documentation and measurement against standardized quality of life tools. The study followed a multi-method design which includes both qualitative and quantitative approaches(Gore et al., 2000). The interdisciplinary nature of the study extending from health sciences to social sciences justifies the design. The authors claim to be of th e first of its kind to have used such a methodology. . The time period of for data collection of the study has not been specifically mentioned. Patients were interviewed in their own homes by a single interviewer (JG). At the time of interview patients performed spirometric tests The data derived from the interview were coded and, with the QoL data and was

Jazz Concert Report CA Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Jazz Concert Report CA - Assignment Example The audience consisted of people from all walks of life and cut across all age-groups. Nevertheless, the appeal of jazz on young people like was intriguing. Many students and youth who were already out of college were in attendance. From the yells and screams they were producing, it was clear they were enjoying every second of the show. The concert featured one of the most popular jazz musicians in New York, Ari Hoenig. Ari Hoenig has a small super jazz band. It did not take long for the small band to work the audience into frenzy. The group’s performing forces are both instruments and voices. Drums, violins, guitars among other instruments combined with the band’s voices to produce compelling music. The first song of the night was Lines of Oppression. Hoenig brought it out powerfully by amazingly working on his drums in a manner that took drumming to the next level. He almost made the drums sound like horns before settling down into a loose swing groove (Kelman n.p.). The song started off in a pianissimo but somewhere in the middle rose to a crescendo before leveling out. The reason for this arrangement was to bring out the intended mood of restlessness which often results from oppression. The texture of the song is basically polyphonic with the effect of heightening the musicality of the performance. The voices of the singers blend beautifully with the various instruments used. The tempo, however, keeps changing throughout the rendition. This is in keeping with the song’s expressionistic sonority because Lines of Oppression is largely emotional. Consequently, the artiste was able to grip the audience throughout the performance. Generally, Ari Hoenig was able to reach out to the hearts of his audience throughout the performance. The second performance of the night was Wedding song. The song dispels the impression that Hoenig is

Free

Free Trade and American Clothing Industry Essay A representative of the American clothing industry recently made the following statement: â€Å"Workers in Asia often work in sweatshop conditions earning only pennies an hour. American workers are more productive and as a result earn higher wages. In order to preserve the dignity of the American workplace, the government should enact legislation banning imports of low-wage Asian clothing. † Answer the following: (10 points) a. Which parts of this quote are positive statements? Which parts are normative statements? . Would such a policy make some Americans better off without making any other Americans worse off? Explain who and why. c. Would low-wage Asian workers benefit from or be hurt by such a policy and why? . Referring to the same situation in question 1, but instead of legislation banning the imports, assume that the government enacts a special tax on imported clothing that is so high that the selling price of the imports would be equal to the selling price of the same clothing made in America.  This kind of tax is called a tariff and is enacted to protect domestic producers of the same items that can be imported at much lower costs. Answer the following: (10 points) a. What would shoppers see when they shopped in Wal-Mart and the other â€Å"big box† stores that sell so many imported items? b. Would this tax policy have a better effect, worse effect, or no different effect on American workers than the legislation banning the imports discussed in question 1? What kind of effect would the tax have on the Asian workers? A growing economy means that the economy is producing more and more â€Å"stuff†, either because it has more resources (workers), or uses those resources more productively (smarter, better workers, working with better machines and systems). A growing economy that produces more and more â€Å"stuff† normally means that the people have a higher and higher standard of living. If the government adopts a â€Å"free trade† policy towards all imports, including the low cost clothing of question 1 and 2, in which it places no barriers to importing items, can that action help the economy to grow? Explain your answer.

Dulce et decorum est Essay -- English Literature

Dulce et decorum est is a well known battlefield poem written by Wilfred Owen. Critical Analysis Dulce et decorum est is a well known battlefield poem written by Wilfred Owen. It has been written in the first person and the present tense to make the reader feel as if they are actually there. It is in three clear sections, which are eight-line stanzas, rhyming ABABCDCD. It has an extra four lines in the last stanza to incorporate the main message of the poem. It uses many similes and metaphors, which add drama and make it more effective. The first stanza creates the impression of the men being tired and wounded. It describes many afflictions which are normally associated with old age, it is as though the war has aged them prematurely for example, they are now 'knock-kneed' and 'bent double' . It is about the men's journey to a distant rest place away from the battlefield 'til on haunting flares we turned our backs'. 'Cursed through sludge' tells the audience that the conditions are awful and that the language being used to drive them forwards is harsh. The poem...

3 Idiots Essay

3 Idiots is a bollywood film that released worldwide on 25th December 2009. It was produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The film has three actors playing the lead roles, hence the film is named 3 Idiots. The three lead actors are: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan. These three are the brilliant students of their respective high schools. While Boman Irani portrays the role of the college director of the college which these three students join after graduating from their high schools. Also, there is a small role played by Kareena Kapoor. She is the leading lady of the film and plays the role of the director’s daughter. The film displays the importance of learning and education in our lives. The film deals with the education system in India and how the students are unable to cope up to the pressure because of the excessive amounts of exams and assignments. 3 Idiots is a story of three bright students who have acquired a GPA of 10.00 (on a scale of 10.00) in their high schools. They enter the most prestigious college for engineering in India: The Imperial College of Engineering. Rancho is a character played by Aamir Khan. He loves machines and that is the reason he wants to pursue mechanical engineering. Raju, the character played by Sharman Joshi doesn’t live life to the fullest. He is scared of the assignments and exams. He wants to work very hard and get a good job as he comes from a poor family and he is the only one to support his family. Farhan is the name of the character played by R Madhavan. Farhan wants to be a wildlife photographer but he joins the college of engineering because his father wants him to be a mechanical engineering as he has very good grades in his school. While Viru Sahastrabuddhe is the director of the college which is played by Boman Irani. Viru is a very strict professor and maintains his pressure upon his students. There is an incident in the film which shows that a student commits suicide because he doesn’t provide sufficient time to him for completing the project. The students are unable to take such pressure and they believe that it’s time for them to end their life. This is a true situation and such pressure exists in most of the colleges in India. Rancho loves engineering so he doesn’t have problems with the exams and assignments. While Raju and Farhan are unable to get good grades as they feel the pressure of the education system. Rancho asks Farhan to change his field of study from engineering to wildlife photography as Farhan always wanted to become a wildlife photographer. He advises Raju to  put away his fear and it would help him to succeed in his exams. In the third year of engineering recruiters hire students. Viru says that Raju and Farhan would only be able to get the jobs only when they pass with good grades in the final exam. To purposely fail them he sets the paper himself, increasing the difficulty level. Viru’s daughter Pia comes to know about this, so she informs Rancho. Rancho tries to steal the paper and is caught by the director. He decided to rusticate all the three for their act. Pia informs his father about the real reason that took her brother’s life. Viru thought that his son had died in a car accident but later he comes to know that he committed suicide as he didn’t want to pursue engineering. He was forced by his father to become an engineer while he wanted to study literature. This is the reason why he committed suicide. Knowing this truth he decides not to rusticate the three students. This film is based on a novel by Chetan Bhagat titled Five Point Someone- What Not To Do At IIT. Bhagat’s novel also involves the same three lead characters but with different names. The title of the novel â€Å"Five Point Someone† is based on the five point scale which is used to calculate the GPA at the Indian Institute of Technology. Chetan Bhagat is being regarded as the ‘biggest selling English author in India’s history’ (Chandrakar). Chetan Bhagat feels very proud t hat his book and his message have received a wider audience because of the film. People nowadays are less likely to read a book. So, the message of the author is spread throughout the world where the film would be released. Chetan Bhagat is a prominent Indian writer who has written several other bestselling novels such as 2 States, One Night at a Call Center and 3 Mistakes of My Life. All of these are being made into different movies. The film 3 Idiots finely portrays the education system of India by showing exactly what happens with the students of a particular engineering college. Students have to cope up with high amounts of pressure to pass the exams. Committing suicide is not a solution to the problem, but fighting against the system to improve it can solve the problem to a certain extent. This film shows that Rancho argues with the director to make him understand that the way of teaching is incorrect and he blames the system for this. During an academic year students have several exams to take which involves vast syllabuses and also projects need to be completed within a short span of time. The film also motivates people to study what they like and not what  their parents would ask them to. The director of the film makes an effort to display the critical condition of the education system of India in the form of a brilliant movie which is entertaining and a lso sends an important message out to the viewers.