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The purpose of this lab was to observe fermentation in yeast with different carbohydrates at different temperatures and cellular respiration of lima beans with different quantities of the necessary reactants. It was observed that fermentation reacted at a slower rate than cellular respiration. Also it was observed that fermentation was most efficient with glucose at a temperature of 37°C. It was determined that respiration was most efficient 150µL of DPIP, 150µL mitochondrial suspension and 200µL of succinate. The slower rate of fermentation is caused by it lacking the electron transport chain that is present in cellular respiration.
Get original essayCellular respiration is the process cells use to convert and breakdown organic substances, such as glucose, to release energy that the cell can use to function. Glucose is an important part of this reaction because it is what all of the products are derived from, without it there would be no respiration; it also the most efficient carbohydrate to use. Cellular respiration has multiple parts in which redox reactions are utilized to create ATP. Respiration occurs in different parts of the cell at certain parts in the process. The reaction begins in the cytoplasm but will eventually move to the mitochondria. These pathways allow the ATP to be produced in the cell where it is needed and therefore will not need to be transported elsewhere in the cell. Oxygen is necessary in cellular respiration making this an aerobic reaction. Oxygen is necessary to “pull” electrons down the electron transport chain at the end of respiration. This results in H2O molecules being formed as well as ATP. The following equation describes the full reaction of cellular respiration C6H12O6 + 6O2 è 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (approx. 36 ATP). It is clear to see that oxygen is an important part of this process, this I why most organisms need a steady supply of oxygen (Upadhyaya).
When oxygen is not available respiration is still necessary so that an organism has energy to function. This type of respiration is called fermentation. Organisms that do not have access to oxygen must utilize fermentation. Fermentation begins as one part of cellular respiration called glycolysis. This part of cellular respiration does not use oxygen but uses redox reactions to create small amount of ATP. Yeast is an example of an organism that can switch between respiration and fermentation. The fermentation of yeast is observed in this lab. The type of fermentation utilized by yeast is called alcohol fermentation because one of the products of this process is alcohol. This process is described by the following equation. C6H12O6 è 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + energy (2 ATP) (Upadhyaya). Another type of fermentation is lactic acid fermentation where the by-product is lactic acid. This reaction often happens in muscle cells that need to generate energy much faster, like during exercise. Animals generally use cellular respiration but will use fermentation if they need to, while only organisms without access to oxygen will use fermentation all of the time. This lab was conducted in two separate parts, the first observing fermentation in east and the second observing cellular respiration in lima bean mitochondria (Upadhyaya). It is important to understand these two processes so that we know how organisms acquire and use the energy necessary for them to live. The two parts of this lab this lab observed these two types of metabolic reactions under different conditions with different quantities of reactants. The different quantities of reactants were expected to change the reaction rates in some way. With the fermentation reactions the lower temperature was expected to slow or hinder the reaction while the higher temperature was expected to speed up the reaction. Also the fermentation reaction was observed with three different carbohydrates in an attempt to determine which is the best for fermentation of yeast. The respiration portion of this lab observed the rates of respiration for different quantities of the reactants. The rate of reaction was determined by using a spectrophotometer. The reactant DPIP is blue before respiration takes place. However, during the reaction DPIP acts as an oxidizing agent and accepts an electron from succinate during a redox reaction. A redox reaction is when one molecule gives up and electron to another molecule thus reducing it and oxidizing itself. As this reduction of DPIP occurs the chemical changes from to colorless. Using the spectrophotometer the absorbance of DPIP can be measured thus determining how much of the reaction has taken place.
It can be hypothesized that for part 1 the glucose at 37 degrees will be the most efficient because glucose is the best carbohydrate for respiration and 37 degrees is very close to optimum temperature. For part 2 it is hypothesized that the sample with the higher amount of succinate will be the most efficient because it will have the highest number of electrons to give to DPIP.
Three different solutions and a control (water) were used for this part of the lab, all of the solutions were each kept at three different temperatures, 4°C, ~25°C (room temperature) and 37°C. The researchers used a pipette to place 15mL of each solution into 50mL beakers. The researchers then measured out .5 grams of yeast and mixed with each solution. After the yeast was thoroughly mixed in the solutions the mixture was quickly transferred into the fermentation tube. The tube was then inverted to be sure all of the air had escaped. The 4°C tubes were placed in the refrigerator while the 37°C tubes were placed in an incubator. Every five minutes for forty minutes the amount of CO2 formed in the tube was measured.
The spectrophotometer was turned on and set to read % transmittance at 600nm. 6 test tubes were labeled B1, B2, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The researchers prepared the two blanks, B1 and B2, according to the table below. After the blanks were prepared the spectrophotometer was blanked with B1 and the other four test tubes were prepared according the table, adding the succinate last. After the succinate was added parafilm was placed over the four test tubes and they were shaken more two seconds. Test tubes 1, 2 and 3 were placed into the spectrophotometer after it was blanked with B1. The spectrophotometer was then blanked with B2 and test tube four placed in the spectrophotometer. This process of testing the test tubes was repeated every five minutes for thirty minutes.
Figure 1- This figure shows how each of the 6 test tubes was prepared for the cellular respiration reactions.
Figure 2 (Effect of Food Source and Temperature on CO2 Production)- This table shows the results of the fermentation reactions.
Figure 3- This graph shows the results of the reaction for each food course at 37 degrees Celsius.
Figure 4- This graph shows the results of the reaction for each food course at 25 degrees Celsius.
Figure 5- This graph shows the results of the reaction for each food course at 4 degrees Celsius.
These four figures represent the same information only in different forms. Figure 2 shows that by far the most efficient conditions for the yeast fermentation was with glucose at 37 degrees. The figure also shows that the control samples with only water did not have any kind of reaction. Also it is clear that the colder samples did not ferment very well either.
Figure 6 (Results of Cellular Respiration Reactions)- This table shows each sample’s % transmittance at wavelength 600nm for forty minutes.
Figure 7- This graph shows % transmittance for each sample (1, 2, 3 and 4) over the forty minutes that the reactions took place.
Figure 8 (Initial Reaction Rates of Cellular Respiration)- This figure shows the initial rates of reaction by finding the slope of the lines on the graph.
The first two figures show that the contents of sample 3 produced the most efficient reaction given it had the highest % transmittance. Also it is clear that sample 4 had almost no continuing reaction.
Based on the results of part 1 of this lab it easy to see that the most efficient condition for fermentation of yeast is glucose at 37 degrees. This result happened because glucose is the main fuel source for respiration. Glycolysis, which is utilized by fermentation, works best and most efficiently with the sugar glucose. Starch and sucrose, although they do work for fermentation, do not ferment as well resulting in far less ATP or CO2 being produced. The temperature the reaction takes place at also plays a major role in the amount of reaction. Fermentation often occurs inside in the body of an organism, which is generally a warmer environment; therefore the optimum conditions for any kind of respiration would be in warmer environments. The reaction simply did not take place at the near freezing level because chemical reactions generally need heat energy to take place efficiently (Clark).
In the cellular respiration part of this lab samples 1, 2 and 3 all contained equal parts mitochondrial suspension and DPIP. However, samples 3 and 2 were much more successful in their reactions with 3 being the most successful. The difference between these three samples was their level of succinate, with 3 having the highest, 2 having the second highest and 1 having the least. This proves that the amount of succinate is very important in the reaction of cellular respiration. This supports the hypothesis because it was hypothesized that the sample with the highest succinate would react the most because it would have the most ability to be oxidized and give up electrons to DPIP. The fourth sample was by far the least reactive. This is due to the fact that sample 4 contained no mitochondrial suspension meaning there was no strong environment for the reaction to take place. Overall it can be concluded that for yeast fermentation warmer temperatures with glucose are the most efficient and larger amount of succinate are useful for cellular respiration.
The addition of succinate was crucial in the reduction of DPIP. Without it, as in sample 1, there was very little reaction compared to samples 2 and 3, which contained large amounts of succinate.
It is evident that the mitochondria were respiring. If the mitochondria were not respiring then the DPIP would not have undergone reduction. DPIP only changes in color when it undergoes reduction. Therefore, if DPIP were not being reduced the % transmittances readings would not have changed. So, the fact that the transmittance readings continually changed means that the DPIP must have been reduced meaning a reaction was taking place.
Succinate was being oxidized because it was giving up and electron to DPIP. Redox reactions occur when one particle gives up an electron to another particle. The particle that gives up the electron is oxidized and is called the reducing agent while the particle that accepts the electron is reduced and is called the oxidizing agent (Tro).
Had rat mitochondria from rat muscle been used instead on lima beans the results for the reaction would be much higher. This is because muscle cells are required to produce a lot more energy than lima beans.
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Get custom essayPossible errors could have occurred in the form of human error during measuring or transferring chemicals from on place to another. Also contamination of the carbohydrate samples, or any other chemicals, could have occurred by improper pipette usage. Error may have occurred when inverting the fermentation tube and not allowing all of the air to escape. For future experiments it may be useful to include higher temperatures for the fermentation part in order to find the optimum temperature for fermentation. Also higher levels of succinate could be used to create the absolute most efficient cellular respiration.
In Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, Tom tells the story of his young adult years, when he cared for his mother, Amanda, and his sister, Laura. Because his father left when he was young, Tom was thrust into the position of having to support his family by circumstance rather than by his own choice. Because of this, Tom only sees the negatives of his current life and dreams of the freedom of abandoning his family like his father did. However, once he finally acts on his desires and escapes, he can’t shake his memories of his sister and guilt for those he left behind. Because Tom uses the past and future to distract himself from the confines of his subjective reality, he is never able to find peace of mind, demonstrating that a fulfilling life lies in living in the present moment.
Get original essayThrough allowing dreams for the future to cloud his judgment, Tom loses sight of the value of supporting loved ones and providing for his family. Because of his father leaving him, Tom has to support the entire family financially through a back-breaking job at the warehouse. He feels stifled by his family, exclaiming to his mother 'Look! I’ve got no thing, no single thing … in my life that I can call my OWN! … Yesterday you confiscated my books!'. He shares his living space with his family, shares his money from his job with his jobless sister and mother, and never receives much credit for the effort he puts in. That is not to say that Tom’s contribution is not important, but because this story is told from Tom’s perspective, it shows that he does not feel he receives just credit for the work he puts in.
While his role as the narrator might put into doubt the validity of the events that he is retelling, his desire for free will remains a constant motivator for his actions as they occurred and in retrospect. He exclaims, “You think that I want to spend fifty-five years down there in that – Celotex interior! With — fluorescent — tubes! Look! I’d rather somebody packed up a crowbar and battered out my brains — than go back mornings!” He feels attacked from all sides, with his warehouse job sucking away his life force and his mother taking away every ounce of freedom he has, whether it be raunchy novels or trying to deny him the luxury of leaving the house at night. For Tom, these past times represent his dreams of a more exciting life, as “adventure is something he don’t have much of at work, so he goes to the movies.' The thrill of the lives he sees in the movies serves as inspiration for the life he wants to live. This inspiration makes it clear that the main obstacle for Tom in living this life is his family. But, these past times most likely seem like a dangerous influence from Amanda’s perspective and she is most likely only trying to help her son.
However, it is especially apparent from his memories of the events that Tom never takes time to consider this and only considers his mom’s actions from a more negative perspective. As the play goes on, Tom becomes more and more disillusioned with the life he lives and the lack of gratitude for his efforts, leading him to “the point of committing himself to a future that doesn’t include the warehouse and Mr. Mendoza or even a night-school course in public speaking.' He has no idea what his future is or what it will entail for him, but at the time he feels that anything is preferable to enduring at home with his family anymore. This view of the future as an indistinct positive experience full of adventure is not only a fallacy but underlies the harm that it will cause the family that Tom no longer supports. He does not evaluate the risks of his actions and only focuses on the positives, leading to the expected consequences. Through abandoning his family, Tom hopes to finally achieve his dreams but finds himself confronted with the consequences of those actions.
Disillusioned with his job and social life, Tom contemplates leaving his family, telling his sister 'You know it don’t take much intelligence to get yourself into a nailed-up coffin, Laura. But who the hell ever got himself out of one without removing one nail?'. He compares his living situation to a nailed-up coffin, implying that he can’t escape without removing nails, or can’t leave without affecting those he supports. He especially focuses on the consequences of leaving Laura defenseless, as she was already fragile and shy due to her illnesses. But he eventually decides to leave, “descending the steps of the fire escape for a last time and following, from then on, in his father's footsteps, attempting to find in motion what was lost in space.' He goes looking for meaning in his life in the imaginations of his future. He doesn’t know what he wants, but he can’t stand being in his current situation. He takes for granted everything that is good and leaves behind his obligation to those that supported him his entire life. He leaves behind him a wake of negative effects and hopes to focus on his future without the dead weight.
Once he finally decides to escape, Tom can’t put the past behind him. He is filled with guilt, saying “Oh, Laura, Laura, I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than I intended to be! I reach for a cigarette, I cross the street, I run into the movies or a bar, I buy a drink, I speak to the nearest anything-anything that can blow your candles out!”. He hoped to shake the deadweight of supporting others but instead inherited the weight of the guilt of leaving those he loved. He looked to the future and saw his dreams, but in his chase, he couldn’t shake the memories of the family he left behind to fend for themselves. He chased an idea that wasn’t real, a figment of his imagination of what his life could be, and left behind everything that his life actually was. Everything that gave his life meaning, like his mom Amanda and his sister Laura, to chase the thrill of freedom. But the thrill wasn’t enough to forget, and now Tom uses anything to distract himself from the fact that he left his sister defenseless. He reached for the future, but couldn’t shake the past, leading to the unsatisfactory life he describes. He never reached peace of mind and never lived in the present moment, always finding a reason to focus on what were essentially faded memories or imaginary scenarios concocted in his head.
Through Tom’s experience, as narrated by Tom himself, the necessity of living in the present moment is highlighted. In Tom’s recollection of the events, the moments that stood out consisted of moments with his family, instead of the moments at the movies. He didn’t tell the stories of the nights he left the apartment, only of the moments he spent with his family. Even when he broke Laura’s glass statues while fighting with his mother and was left with Laura, he remembers “Laura clinging weakly to the mantel with her face averted” and “then crossing to the shelf” and “dropping awkwardly on his knees to collect the fallen glass, glancing at Laura as if he would speak but couldn’t. He can’t shake the memories of when he let down his family and loved ones, with his selfish actions. By focusing on the arguments and conflicts with his mom, Tom appears to be trying to justify leaving, but this, in fact, reveals that he can’t leave behind these memories. He doesn’t retell the stories of the nights spent drinking alcohol, but the nights he spent with his family, whether it be arguing or bonding over the shared hardships. He retells the nights where he felt sure in his values and what mattered most to him. The nights where he connected with the present moment and put aside the imaginations of another time or another place. He always supported Laura throughout his life, helping her up when she slipped and keeping her safe, and that was clearly one of his driving motivations.
Once he abandons his main motivation in life, he is understandably lost and without direction, looking back on a time when he understood his purpose, supporting his family. When talking to his mother, he says 'Laura seems all those things to you and me because she's ours and we love her. We don't even notice she's crippled anymore.' He already knew before he left that he needed Laura just as much as she needed him. Yet, by losing sight of this at the time, Tom can only look back in hindsight on life when he wasn’t so confused and filled with guilt. Through not living in the present moment, Tom fails to find a purpose in life and ends up chasing dreams only to be dragged down by guilt for past actions. When he was living with his family, he only dreamed of the future and failed to appreciate his mom and sister’s presence. When he left his family, he only reminisced on the sister he left behind defenseless with her non-working mother. He never appreciated the moment he was in and focused on everything that was wrong with his life instead of everything that was going right. This play serves as a reminder of the dangers of pining for what one doesn’t have and instead extolls the virtues of appreciating what you do have before it’s gone forever.
Although Margaret Hale and John Thornton do not fall in love ‘at first sight,’ sight, or gazing, plays an important role in the asymmetrical power relations implicit in the courtship of the protagonists in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South. Laura Mulvey’s 1975 essay, “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema,” introduced the now-familiar concept of the gaze. Taking the work of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan as the basis for her theory, Mulvey argues that “in a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female” (39). The voyeuristic gaze, traditionally wielded by a male, has the ability to reduce a woman – that is, fetishize or objectify her – in a way that renders her passive. Mulvey explicates Freud’s concept of scopophilia, or pleasure in looking, and asserts that in “their traditional exhibitionist role women are simultaneously looked at and displayed, with their appearance coded for strong visual and erotic impact” (40). While Mulvey’s theory is based in film studies, Nalini Paul suggests that “the phenomenon of gazing in literature strikes relevant parallels with gazing in film theory” (1). Thus, the application of this theory to North and South sheds light on the exchange of power within the courtship of Margaret and John. To be sure, while John finds erotic pleasure in seeing Margaret, his gaze upon her does not reduce her or render her passive; in fact, Margaret’s attractive physical appearance and ability to appropriate the gaze endows her with authority over John, and leads to a constant and reciprocal exchange of power that culminates in their marriage.
Get original essayThe power dynamics of the relationship between Margaret and John are immediately established in their first meeting in Milton. Gaskell writes: “Mr. Thornton was a good deal more surprised and discomfited than [Margaret]” at meeting “a young lady of a different type to most of those he was in the habit of seeing” (58). His bewilderment is compounded when she returns his gaze with a “simple, straight, unabashed look” (58). Upon seeing Margaret, John realizes she is different from most of the women he has encountered before, and more specifically, those he commonly “sees” or looks upon. John’s expectations are further troubled when she blatantly stares back as him. Her stare is “simple,” supposedly because she does not realize the socially awkward or perhaps inappropriate nature of the look she returns. Of course, at this point in the narrative Margaret has had little social interaction with possible suitors (with the exception of Mr. Lennox, whom she never considers as such) and is unaware of the implications of her stare. The initial looks exchanged between the two characters are figured overtly in relation to authority and power. Gaskell notes: “Mr. Thornton was in habits of authority himself, but she seemed to assume some kind of rule over him at once” (58). Margaret is unpredictable for she returns John’s gaze, and in so doing figures herself as an equal – not inferior – individual. From the outset Margaret exerts personal sway over John, albeit unconsciously, through her gaze. Contrary to Mulvey’s expectations, Margaret is not rendered passive but rather wields power through her own gaze.
In the same initial scene, John’s gaze upon Margaret becomes scopophilic; her continuing return of the gaze, however, further undercuts the power - in the possessive sense - typically associated with the voyeuristic male gaze. Gaskell writes of Margaret and John:
She sat facing him and facing the light; her full beauty met his eye; her round flexible throat rising out of the full, yet lithe figure; her lips, moving so lightly as she spoke…her eyes, with their soft gloom, meeting his with quiet maiden freedom. He almost said to himself he did not like her…to compensate for that mortified feeling, that while he looked upon her with an admiration he could not repress, she looked at him with proud indifference… (59)
Margaret’s physical description is decidedly erotic and highly sexualized. The narrative sketch focuses on her bare throat, her limber physique, and her lips. John looks curiously at Margaret’s body, which Mulvey emphasizes is a “function of sexual instinct” (39). This objectifying process, for John, is a positive one; his “admiration” of her suggests pleasure, approval or agreeable surprise in beholding her attractive appearance. The pleasing feeling of looking upon Margaret is disturbed, however, by the gaze she once again returns. Her eyes have “maiden freedom”; she is naïve and fails to recognize the sexually charged nature of their glances. Interestingly, while Margaret is unaware of the power dynamics aligned with the gaze, John is uncomfortably aware – he is embarrassed to feel so much pleasure in looking at her and resents her effortless ability to make him question his own feelings. Consequently, while John’s scopophilic gaze figures Margaret as a sexual and erotic spectacle, her unfettered return of the gaze prevents her from simply becoming a passive object.
As the romance plot continues to develop throughout North and South, John’s erotic gaze upon Margaret begins to determine his actions and thoughts. Even after she rejects his marriage offer, John, more than ever, feels the need to gaze upon Margaret. To justify visiting the Hales, John brings the ailing Mrs. Hale a second basket of fruit. He tells himself that “he would not – say rather, he could not – deny himself the pleasure of seeing Margaret. He had no end in it but the present gratification” (217). His gaze is overtly scopophilic – he yearns only for the pleasure he gets in gazing upon Margaret. To John, Margaret is continues to be a sexual and pleasing object to behold. Yet while he finds pleasure in seeing her, this urge actually controls his actions more than it controls Margaret’s. He is, in a sense, possessed by the need to see her. The need is so great that he questions if he is “bewitched by those beautiful eyes” (192), further strengthening the connection between sight and sexual attraction. John’s desire to gaze upon Margaret reaches self-abusive heights. Upon hearing of Mrs. Hales death, John thinks of Margaret: “For all his pain, he wished to see the author of it. Although he hated Margaret at times, when of thought of that gentle familiar attitude and all the attendant circumstances, he had a resting desire to renew her picture in his mind” (247). Margaret causes John extreme emotional distress, and yet he continually feels the urge to see her again. To counter his growing preoccupation with his unrequited love, John vows to “see as little of her as possible – since the very sight of that face and form…had such power to move him from balance” (306). Indeed, the sight of Margaret does less to control her than it does to control John. His obsessive need to gaze upon her actually dominates his consciousness, and has an irresistible “power” over him.
Critics E. Ann Kaplan and Mary Ann Doane argue that men are not the exclusive bearer of the look, but even when a female appropriates the gaze she fails to inherit its agency (121, 1). This is not true of Margaret. Margaret is a notably active heroine in North and South, and this characteristic unquestionably plays into her courtship with John. Margaret is the object of John’s gaze, and yet Margaret reverses this formation by studying John and therefore becoming the subject of the gaze. She tells her father that John is “the first specimen of a manufacturer – of a person engaged in trade – that I ever had the opportunity of studying, papa. I know he is good of his kind, and by and by I shall like the kind” (152). Margaret figures herself as the observer, the studier, and the scientist, while John becomes the object of study, the “specimen.” Her dehumanizing and condescending rhetoric places her in a superior position to her object of study – John. Later in the novel, after the two have been separated for over a year, she still plays the role of the scientist inspecting her specimen. Gaskell writes: “Margaret was watching Mr. Thornton’s face. He never looked at her; so she might study him unobserved, and note the changes which even this short time had wrought in him…” (389) This passage also focuses on sight and observation, and places Margaret in the dominant position as the studier and subject of the gaze.
The agency aligned with Margaret’s gaze is more overtly demonstrated in the scene in which John comes to propose after Margaret shields him from his violent and disgruntled workers. Margaret is thoroughly offended that John would think her actions were based in love and not womanly duty. “’You had nothing to be grateful for,’ said she, raising her eyes and looking full and straight at him…her very eyes…fell not nevertheless from their grave and steady look” (176). She denies having romantic feelings for John, and bluntly rejects his marriage offer. Her glaring eyes reflect her outright defiance of John’s intentions. No longer is her gaze “maiden” and “simple,” but it is rather deliberately severe and threatening. Margaret’s rejection of a well-off suitor is a bold move considering the particular social and historical milieu, and her fiery gaze is reflective of this audacious decision. In essence, Margaret’s appropriation of the gaze, and the authority therein, allows her an active role in the narrative and a strong degree of power over the male protagonist.
In the end, both Margaret and John willingly submit themselves to the other’s gaze; in so doing, they allow their relationship to culminate in a mutually satisfying marriage. After a year apart, the two meet once again. Gaskell writes that Margaret looked “up straight into his face with her speaking eyes” and then dropped “them under his eloquent glance. He gazed back at her for a minute” (392). Margaret returns the gaze at first, but eventually submits to John’s. Taking into account the idea of the gaze and power as closely aligned, it is clear that Margaret’s downward glance forfeits the agency and power she has wielded with her gaze throughout the previous sections of the novel. Furthermore, while she looks away John continues to gaze upon her. In this way he becomes the dominant actor in the interaction. The exchange of power between the protagonists becomes most significant in the final passages of North and South. Gaskell writes:
For an instant she looked up; and then sought to veil her luminous eyes by dropping her forehead onto her hands…still lower the head; more closely hidden was the face…after a minute or two, he gently disengaged her hands from her face, and laid her arms as they had once before been placed to protect him from the rioters…she slowly faced him, glowing with beautiful shame. (394-5)
Margaret, once again, begins by returning John’s gaze, but physically conceals her gaze with her own hands. John, in disengaging her hands, invites her to return the gaze. As she faces him, we can assume that he, too, is looking at her. The exchange of the gaze in this scene attests to the changed power dynamic between the two characters. Both Margaret and John are now the subject and object of their lover’s gaze, submitting themselves to each other through the reciprocal exchange of power. It is only through this exchange of power that the two lovers can come together in marriage. Gaskell writes that “so much was understood through the eyes that cannot be put into words” (235), and indeed, their exchange of looks signals their commitment to one another in matrimony.
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Get custom essayContrary to Mulvey’s central argument, John is not the exclusive bearer of the gaze in North and South. The gaze he directs towards Margaret is scopophilic, to be sure, and yet the gaze she returns – a gaze aligned power and agency – allows her to reject the objectifying gaze that would render her passive. In taking Laura Mulvey’s gaze theory as an apparatus with which to understand the dynamics of the courtship plot, one is better able to investigate the complex and unique approach to romance that Gaskell takes in North and South.
Throughout my college years I had always felt like I was missing something in my life. The first year of collage started with my extremely optimistic expectations because of the stories I had heard in my high school years. Once I realized those stories weren’t the case here and I wouldn’t have somewhat of a wild collage life here, I was disappointed. Now that I think about it, my obsession about filling my collage years with extreme, fun, adventurous moments might have been the reason I was so unsatisfied with what I really had.
Get original essayIt was my second year and I still hadn’t had any experience that made me feel excited, scared or anything close to that. My college life was as dull as it could be, that was until I met someone in my science class. Devin and I had never spoken before because I wasn’t exactly a social butterfly back then, but our teacher assigned us a group project so that’s how we met. Devin was a girl with such a unique personality that you couldn’t help but spend time with her. We luckily stayed in touch after our project was over, so I got to know her better. Where I’m going at with this is that out of her many interests I was really drawn into one. She loved the wild, so she occasionally went to forests to have walks or sometimes even camp. About the end of our second year we had finally decided to go camping, Devin wanted to go somewhere she has never been to before to make it more exciting so after an hour long trip we found a large forest with areas to camp and have walks.
Long story short Devin had an idea to leave the main trail and go off somewhere on our own and the plan was to find a camping area eventually. After walking for two hours straight I was sure we were lost. I asked Devin what to do and she said she didn’t know either so that got me so scared and paranoid that every voice I heard sounded like a danger to me. I was so on edge the whole time that the moment I had heard a weird groaning, I thought it was a bear and started crying. That’s when Devin told me she knew where we were for the last hour and just made me go around a camping area to see how long I could stay calm. She said maybe that’d help me see how wrong I was about believing that I needed to have scary adventures to enjoy my collage life.
That had been the most surprising and eye opening thing that had ever happened to me, and probably ever would.
This essay is about the description and development of a new product that is yet to be introduced to the market. My idea is creating a potless water heater which will be a convenient and quick way of heating water. I argue that my idea creates unique value for whom because this product does not exist in the market. I propose to develop my idea by first creating the value proposition, then conduct PESTEL analysis, create the design and name the product. My theories are entrepreneurial alertness theory and economic and finance theory of entrepreneurship.
Get original essayMy idea is to create a potless water heater which will be simply although intelligently designed to heat water directly while cutting down excessive water and energy loss. Other than heating water, the product may heat any liquid including milk, soup, a cup of coffee or any drink in the vessel. The design of this product is straightforward and works with non-ferrous vessels such as cups, bowls, glass, and teapots. Using it involves filling the container with the desired amount of water to heat and placing it onto the induction base. A heating rod is then immersed into the water and 2-3 minutes allowed for the water to boil.
I argue that my idea creates unique value for whom because there is no such product in the market. The common method for heating water is placing the pot filled with water on the burner and waiting for it to boil. The water may also be heated using electric kettles. Unlike pots, electric kettles heat water faster, and some even have an adjustable temperature to ensure water is just right for the desired purpose. However, issues associated with the current water heating methods such as can lead to excessive water heating instead of heating the desired amount of water was behind looking for a product that can address these problems. The solution is potless water heaters which will be new in the market.
I will develop my idea by first creating the value proposition, then conduct PESTEL analysis, create the design and name the product. The value proposition has been included to tell the audience what the product is all about, what they should expect and why they should buy the product from my business and not from competitors (Anderson, et al., 2006). Conducting PESTEL analysis will help me to decide whether or not introducing the product into the prevailing market will be profitable. Any market has the potential for good and bad things, and PESTEL analysis will help to weigh things and decide the way forward (Sharma, 2016). Creating the design is a critical phase in product development. The product will be used to heat water in vessels therefore what will only be designed is the rod and the induction base to hold the vessels. The product will be given the name potless water heater which suggests it is innovative.
My theories are entrepreneurial alertness theory and economic and finance theory of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial alertness is a theory of opportunity identification in entrepreneurship. The theory was developed by Israel Kirzner in 1979 and defines entrepreneurial alertness as the ability to recognize competitive imperfections within the market (Kirzner, 1979). This theory helped me to come up with the idea of the product by observing the current water heating products and thought of the economic profits that can be gained if an alternative is introduced into the market. To help to develop the product, the economic and finance theory of entrepreneurship will be used. The theory argues that the basis of entrepreneurship is observing unnoticed profit opportunities that have not been exploited before (Kirzner, 1979). Thus, from the value proposition to the product name, the focus will be making the product as unique as possible to tap profits which previously have not been gained from any similar product in the market.
The type of product I intend to develop is a potless water heater. A pot is the most used gadget for boiling water for various purposes. Suppose one needs hot water for tea, then he should place the pot containing water on the burner and then cover it with a lid to keep the heat. Alternatively, hot water can be obtained by heating it using an electric kettle. The product I will develop will provide hot water without a teapot. With the potless water heater, there will be no need to heat up excess water. What will only be done is placing water in any available cup and then immersing the rod into the water. The cup with these contents is then placed on the induction base, and within a short while, there is hot water! Other than heating water for tea, the rod may also be used to reheat tea, coffee or any other drink. Figure 1 shows the proposed product
The reason for picking this opportunity is because there is no such product in the market. Pots and kettles are the only known equipment for boiling water in the kitchen, and no other approach has been invented beyond these tools. The energy lost in a day by overfilling electric kettles is well enough to power all streetlights in England for a night! This opportunity has been selected to provide a modern way of heating water instead of using traditional kettles that are wasteful. For instance, when one needs to make a cup of tea, he may end up overfilling the kettle. The practice leads to water and energy loss, and one may have to wait for long hours for the water to heat up. This opportunity sets out to change this by eliminating the pots and electric kettles and replacing them with potless water heaters. The potless water heater will be a game changer that surpasses the ordinary kettle needs. The users will only heat the amount of water they prefer.
In a simple definition, a business opportunity is a packaged business investment through which a person can start a business. Finding an opportunity is the toughest parts of entrepreneurship. There may be several opportunities, but the role of an entrepreneur is to distinguish between the good and bad opportunities (Errigo, 2012). An entrepreneur should then make right decisions that will set him or his business ahead in the long run. The best way to be ahead of the competitors is to differentiate from them by having different unique products (Kuratko, 2013). There is still an opportunity in the market for unique products, and my idea fits this opportunity since it's a new idea that has not been yet exploited by any person.
An entrepreneur is a person who discovers, evaluates and exploits an opportunity to come up with a new product, services, market, process or raw materials. He organizes efforts that previously were not existing (Kuratko, 2017). One of the essential traits of a good entrepreneur is alertness. The idea to introduce potless water heaters was thought through the entrepreneurial alertness theory. Developed by Kirzner (1979), the theory defines entrepreneurial alertness as the ability to notice an opportunity without actively seeking for information. The theory bases its roots on entrepreneurial awareness where an individual is sensitive to information about products, circumstances or reacts to behaviors in the environment. As a result, an individual may easily identify markets or user problems (Kirzner, 1979). According to the entrepreneurial alertness theory, an entrepreneur can find an opportunity because of his previous knowledge which can through work related skills, interests or hobbies (Kirzner, 1979). I have a strong interest in heating gadgets, and over the years, I have dedicated most of my time studying the principles behind working of these equipment. I am well conversant with electric kettles, and by studying the way they work, this triggered me to think of an alternative way of heating water without necessarily placing it in the kettle. This is in line with the entrepreneurial alertness theory which mentions that people tend to observe circumstances in which they have previous knowledge, and their knowledge helps them to recognize and value the new-found information.
Entrepreneurial alertness is also defined as the ability to recognize competitive imperfections within the market (Malerba, 2015). Competitive market imperfections result when businesses in the same industry do not comprehensively understand the information about technology, demand or various determinants of competition within the industry. Whenever there are competitive imperfections in the market, there is a high likelihood for some economic factors in the market to gain economic profits. Therefore, entrepreneurial alertness is the ability of a person to recognize opportunities that can be translated to economic profits (Malerba, 2015). Owing that there is nothing like potless water heaters in the market, I thought of the economic profits that can be gained if they are made, and that is the reason I opted to come up with these products.
Kirzner (1979) explains that entrepreneurial alertness does not mean systematically and rationally looking for an environment for competitive imperfections. However, one discovers competitive imperfections through his daily activities. In fact, an entrepreneur is shocked to realize that no one has taken a move to exploit such competitive imperfections. Several kitchen water heating gadgets have been invented ranging from kettles to pots, and no engineering has previously exploited ways to make tea minus a teapot. Therefore, I thought coming up with the product that would exploit these imperfections.
Other than the potless water heater, another pre-emptive alternative idea is developing a self-stirring pot. Making foods such as porridge requires constant stirring. One will realize that endless whirring can sometimes be hard for his forearms. There is no person who has previously exploited this imperfection. Therefore, it is also another perfect area to look. The idea will be developing an automated cooking machine that can whip up delicious dishes with zero help from human beings. The machine can even add the ingredients to make the food just like a normal person. Thus, as an alternative to making a potless water heater, I can develop an automated cooking machine.
The value proposition is a statement that gives a picture of what the brand offers for prospects (Anderson, et al., 2006). It tells the audience how the product solves the current problem, the benefits customers can anticipate and why the product should be purchased from the business and not its competitors. The value proposition also introduces a business to potential buyers and helps a firm to make a strong first impression (Anderson, et al., 2006). Therefore, it is vital to have a powerful value proposition.
My motivation is to create a product that does not exist in the market. The focus will be having an innovative way of heating water easily and quickly without using an electric kettle or pot. Developing the value proposition will be the most crucial part of idea development because it concludes who the product targets, how it improves/solves the problem and how the product will be presented (Anderson, et al., 2006). Much emphasis will be on the customers, the market, competitors and other external forces (PESTEL analysis). After conducting PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal) analysis, the next step will be creating the design and focus will be on the product name. The product will be given the name “potless water heater “which by itself shows innovation and creativity. These steps are meant to ensure the product is original and does not have replicas in the market. The product has been selected to be developed using these steps to earn unnoticed economic profits.
According to economic and finance theory of entrepreneurship, an entrepreneur can recognize opportunities because of economic return (Hayek, 1945). Entrepreneurship starts by observing unnoticed profit opportunities that have not been exploited before. However, a profit opportunity is not just waiting for an ordinary individual to observe and act upon. When one creates an opportunity, other people especially those near the opportunity will ordinarily act on it quickly (Kirzner, 1979). For instance, the people working in the technology industry will be the first most likely to observe an opportunity in the industry. People have knowledge that is relevant to their activities, and there could be higher economic productivity when the economic system allows every person to act on specific knowledge he/she possesses. According to Hayek (1945), the benefits of a market economy allows one to act on his specific knowledge of time and place. The market economy also provides incentives in the form of economic profits which can be gained entrepreneurially. Entrepreneurship bases its roots on giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to keep profits generated from their ventures. Entrepreneurs also respond to the available entrepreneurial opportunities. When there are several opportunities in the market, an entrepreneur will be more alert towards finding them (Kirzner, 1979).
The basis of entrepreneurship is observing previously unnoticed profit opportunities. According to Kirzner (1979), entrepreneurship is all about recognizing unnoticed profit opportunities. Kirzner (1979) also emphasizes, in contrast to Schumpeter (1934), the equilibrating characteristics of entrepreneurship. Kirzner (1979) studied how entrepreneurship takes advantage of previously unnoticed economic profits to ensure the economy attains an equilibrium state. He also studied ways to create these profit opportunities and reasons they had gone unrecognized. Kirzner (1979) discovered that the majority of profit opportunities had not been previously recognized because they were new. However, once the profit opportunities were created, they were quickly exploited. Owing that this will be a new product, the owner will enjoy the profits before other businesses may study the technology and produce similar products. As part of developing the product, the PESTEL analysis has been included to discover whether there are other similar products in the market and to recognize other external forces that may undermine the success of this product.
The other way of developing the idea could be defining the audience, analyzing the idea, performing PESTEL analysis, creating the mockup and testing it (Errigo, 2012). Irrespective of the greatness of the idea, it may not correspond to the market needs. That is the reason it will be important first to define the target audience (those who will buy and use the product). Once they are defined, they will be listened and observed.
In the next step (analyzing the idea), the idea will be scrutinized based on various perspectives. The first perspective will be the customers (those who will buy the product and influencers who may determine how the product will be situated on the market). The second perspective will be examining the idea for the business; what will the business known for. The third perspective is competition. Even though this product is unique and new in the market, there are electric kettles which act as alternatives to heating of water. The competitors will be defined to know the kind of messages to fashion when competing with them.
After analyzing the idea, a PESTEL analysis will be conducted. This analysis helps to see external factors that may undermine the success of the product. Consequently, the analysis will help to spot challenges and look for ways to address them before the product is released to the market (Errigo, 2012).
Lastly, a mockup will be created and tested. Once a clear idea of the product has been obtained, the prototype will be created and given to potential customers for testing. For instance, a market survey will be created whose aim will be to obtain feedback from key figures in the industry. The survey will also involve building a focus group (people will be invited from various demographics to talk about the product to guide me in the right directions). Developing an idea into a product is a long and difficult process, although I believe if I succeed through it, there will be high chances of my product becoming the next big thing in the market.
By completing this essay, I have learned invaluable things about the conception and development of an idea to business. Although the methods of identifying an opportunity and developing an idea covered in this paper are specific to a potless water heater, they can be used for any other product. For instance, entrepreneurial alertness is not entrepreneur-specific, but every entrepreneur needs to be alert to opportunities within his environment. The economic and finance theory also apply to every entrepreneur, and they can use these theories to develop their ideas into “something” great in the market.
Any idea cannot be picked and used to start a business. One needs to figure out a good idea that does not exist in the market. A good way of getting an idea is looking for competitive imperfections in the key players in the industry and think of a venture that can fill the gaps. Developing an innovative product will help to tap unnoticed profits and eliminate competition from other businesses.
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Get custom essayThe potless water heater is an example of products in the technology industry. If given more time and resources, I could have developed different products though in the tech industry. Some of these products are a dishwasher or an automatic cooking machine. Although dishwashers are in the market, their price is high ranging from 600 USD to 1,000 USD which is not affordable for many, especially in developing countries. I could like to create an alternative that costs as low as 200 USD for many to afford. Sometimes one gets tired to do ordinary kitchen tasks such as cooking. Creating an automatic cooking machine will help many to cook relieving them to do other house tasks. An automated cooking machine, just like the potless water heater are some of the areas that the current engineering has not exploited thus there is a high likelihood of fetching huge profits if these products are created.
From a modern context, Conrad's representation of Africans in Heart of Darkness are often read as racist. This essay is an assessment of such representations in Heart of Darkness.
Get original essayJoseph Conrad's frame narrative about Charles Marlow's journey down the Congo River in Central Africa has been labelled by literary scholars as one of most seminal short stories of all time indeed, the Modern Library ranked Heart of Darkness as one of the hundred greatest novels of the twentieth century . Despite this immense literary standing, Conrad's novella has been subject to intense debate – of particular controversy were the allegations made by post-colonial scholars of racism within Heart of Darkness. Chief among these allegations were those made by respected African literary scholar Chinua Achebe in a lecture he gave in 1975 (subsequently published as 'An Image of Africa') in which he delivered a scathing report on the book – referring at one point to Conrad's novella as 'an offensive and totally deplorable book that dehumanised Africans.'
For the purposes of this essay, I shall focus primarily upon the allegations of racism that Achebe made in 1975 – and how Achebe misread Heart of Darkness and misrepresented Conrad's views of indigenous Africans. Although Achebe was the most famous alleger of racism within Heart of Darkness, in this essay I will also address more contemporary debate regarding Conrad's alleged racism and his depiction of Africans in his famous novella. Finally, here I will define racism so as to enable one to evaluate the claims made by critics of Conrad more precisely; Oxford defines racism as 'the belief or practice that discriminates against someone of a different race based upon the belief that one's own race is superior.'
Upon first impression, it must be acknowledged that Conrad does portray the African natives in Heart of Darkness as very different from the educated Europeans that Charles Marlow the protagonist of Heart of Darkness – travels with. Conrad frequently describes them based solely upon their appearances describing them as “howling, leaping, and spinning, making horrid faces,” and because of these descriptions the Africans certainly do appear as an alien group something Achebe is quick to point out. However, the fundamental mistake Achebe makes is that he gives no consideration of Conrad's context as a man of the 19th/20th century.
This context is crucial in understanding Conrad's depiction of the native Africans in his novella; by modern day standards of political correctness, perhaps Conrad might be labelled as a racist. However, Conrad wrote Heart of Darkness during one of the most politically and socially racist eras of all time - the late 19th century gave rise to political and social movements such as 'ethnic' nationalism, 'pan-germanism,' 'pan-zionism' and other racially motivated discourses.
Given this background, Conrad's depiction of Africans must be viewed in a substantially different light; when Conrad's writes phrases such as 'but what thrilled you was the thought of their humanity – like yours, ugly,' Conrad displays sentiments in complete opposition to popular societal views – the mere acknowledgement of their similar 'humanity' displays a recognition not commonly seen in Conrad's time period. Interestingly, Chinua Achebe considers this line of Conrad's to be one of the most racist throughout the book, referring to this line as 'the meaning' of Heart of Darkness. Somewhat ironically, here Achebe is completely correct – although his explanation of this meaning is open to interpretation.
Achebe draws attention to the use of the word 'ugly,' and attributes this to a depiction of the entire of Africa as ugly, and holding 'fascination' of the 'western mind.' However, Conrad's use of the word ugly is, in my opinion, linked to his previous words – explicitly referring to the western civilisation when he writes 'like yours.' The inclusion of 'like yours' is crucial as it demonstrates Conrad's comparison of the African civilisation to western civilisation – yes, Conrad may consider them ugly, but crucially, he considers them both ugly; Conrad is drawing similarities between the two humanities instead of alienating the African one. A few pages later, Conrad offers a description of the African boiler crew member who works upon the steamboat Marlow steers down the Congo. Conrad here writes that 'he ought to have been clapping his hands and stamping his feet on the bank, instead of which he was hard at work, a thrall to strange witchcraft, full of improved knowledge.'
Unsurprisingly, Achebe is highly critical of this phrase, declaring Conrad to be 'a romantic, and, although he might not exactly admire the savages clapping their hands and stomping their feet, (Conrad is satisfied) that they at least have the merit of being in their place, unlike this dog' (the African boiler crew member.) However, once again Achebe appears to have missed key phrases that Conrad (assumingly) deliberately adds – in this case, 'a thrall to strange witchcraft.' Other critics who acknowledge this phrase simply attribute this to Conrad mocking the lack of education that the natives have, however, this also is subject to debate.
Perhaps, instead of simply mocking the natives, Conrad is implying that the African crew member is 'slave' to the western way – hence the use of 'thrall' – and thereby is criticising the western 'imperialist' way – a theme that underlies the entire novella. Once again, this becomes increasingly convincing when one examines Conrad's context and history – Conrad himself once captained a trade ship (after the captain became sick), and during his time as captain reportedly became disillusioned with western imperialism after witnessing acts of cruelty and – perhaps even more relevant – acts of slavery.
One particular African in Heart of Darkness serves as a powerful insight into Conrad's overall depiction of Africans – Chinua Achebe devotes entire pages in his An Image of Africa to an analysis of the 'savage and superb' African female who emerges as Kurtz's lover. Conrad's characterisation of this native is undeniably one approaching awe – Conrad talks of her being 'wild and magnificent,' and 'standing, looking over us without a stir, like the wilderness itself.' Despite this, Achebe suggests that the role of this woman is to 'fulfil a structural requirement; a savage counterpart to the refined, European woman who will step forth at the end of the story.' The intended comparison between these two characters is undeniable; the 'intended' bride and the African mistress are, excluding a brief mention of 'the Aunt' in the exposition of the novella, the only two female characters discussed by Conrad.
However, what a reader should make of this comparison between the two is contentious – according to Achebe, the natives role is, as mentioned, to contrast with the educated, 'refined' woman that emerges at the conclusion of the novella. However, this view seems hard to defend – indeed, when one examines the two female characters closely it appears that if anything, Conrad presents a more positive view of the African, not the European. To consider this notion, it is worth comparing Conrad's descriptions of these women in particular scenes. Of the African, Conrad writes 'she was savage and superb with an air of inscrutable purpose.' This description contrasts starkly with Conrad's description of the Intended in the final scene of the novella; 'She put out her arms as if after a retreating figure, stretching them black and with clasped pale hands across the fading and narrow sheen of the window.' Conrad's depiction of the Intended here is not a particularly negative one; however, it must be noticed that when compared with the African, the Intended appears weaker and considerably unstable – it is well noted amongst literary critics of Conrad that his portrayal of the African mistress is one of strength and elegance.
Conrad compares the defined and 'magnificent' character with one at pains to control her grief more than a year since her partner's death. Conrad's emphasis upon these characters is perhaps over-analysed, however it is clear that if Conrad did intend for the African mistress's characterisation to reflect racist thoughts on his behalf, then he was ineffective in doing so (of course, I would argue this was never his intention.) The comparison the reader draws between the two females is inextricably linked with Conrad's choice of the bestowal of human expression within the novella – Achebe correctly highlights the fact that, unlike the Intended, the African mistress is incapable of communicating with the crew members.
Achebe declares this characterisation to be immensely racist - according to Achebe, it is 'clearly not part of Conrad's purpose to confer language upon the “rudimentary” souls of Africa.' However, from my understanding of the plot of Heart of Darkness, it seems only expected that the African mistress (and, as Achebe duly notes, the entire native population) would lack the ability to communicate with the crew; after all, the Company crew are the ones who have entered the natives' homes and lands. If anything, one would expect the crew to have attempted to learn to communicate with the natives – again, it seems conceivable that here Conrad is once again highlighting the arrogance of the imperialist way.
The setting that Conrad chooses to construct within his novella is also an element of Conrad's work that provokes much literary debate. Crucial to this debate is how important the setting within Heart of Darkness actually is – some argue that Conrad chose Africa as the physical setting in an attempt to paint Africa (and, crucially, the native Africans) as a parallel to the 'darkness within' that is explored in the story. A critic of Conrad once pointed out that “Africa per se is not the theme of Heart of Darkness, but it is used as a locale symbol for the very core of an 'accursed inheritance'. Indeed, Chinua Achebe reflects this view, writing that 'It is not the differentness that worries Conrad but the lurking hint of kinship, and common ancestry between the two lands... if the Thames were to visit its primordial relative, the Congo, it would run the terrible risk of hearing grotesque, suggestive echoes... of death.' After examining Heart of Darkness, it is difficult to even take Achebe's views of the setting here seriously – even at the mouth of the Congo, Conrad pointedly highlights that western Imperialism has begun to destroy the land in and around the river Congo.
As Conrad's character Marlow observes the mouth of the Congo, he comments upon the natives that had been enslaved by trade companies: 'Black shapes crouched, lay, sat between the trees they were dying slowly – it was very clear. They were not enemies, nor were they criminals. Brought from all the recesses of the coast in all the legality of time contracts, lost in uncongenial surroundings and company, fed on unfamiliar food, they sickened, became inefficient and were then allowed to crawl away.' Conrad here creates an almost tragic picture of the effect of western civilisation upon the natives of Africa, talking of how western food and practice had all but wasted the natives lives and brought them to the edge of death. Surely, Conrad here is presenting a scathing view of the practices of imperialist companies, even describing the surroundings as uncongenial to the natives – important given that the actual physical surroundings would have been nothing but usual for the native Africans.
Critics also frequently quote phrases in Heart of Darkness that suggest Conrad thought of the Congo as a place 'cursed with darkness,' although little consideration if given to Conrad's portrayal of London – as being shrouded in a 'mournful gloom.' Perhaps Conrad does describe the settings throughout Heart of Darkness with an emphasis upon their 'darkness,' however this can be attributed to Conrad's writing style, not a predisposition of prejudice against the African people and the land they live on. Conrad himself has always been described as an 'evoker of atmospheres' and this should be considered when reading this novella; Conrad's style is to manipulate the surroundings within his writings – it is not to prejudice against one particular surrounding or its inhabitants.
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Get custom essayHeart of Darkness is a novella that details a sombre journey that ends with the tragic realisation of the darkness within mankind's hearts. Along this journey, Joseph Conrad delivers a scathing attack on Colonialism – one will always remember the skulls stuck upon the poles outside Kurtz's house as the most powerful indictment of such ways. It is true that Conrad writes in a way that suggests an ambivalence towards the plight of individuals, however this element of Conrad's writing should not be confused with racist intent. One must always remember the time in which Conrad wrote Heart of Darkness – he may not have been completely immune to the beliefs and attitudes of his age, but he certainly was ahead of the majority in his attempt to break free.
Ask anyone and they will tell you their mom made them participate in some sort of sport or extra-curricular when they were younger. When I was younger those sports were gymnastics and ballet. Sometimes people take those sports and run with them and sometimes they decide those sports just aren’t for them. In the case of Melanie, a freshman majoring in nursing, that sport was dance. Unlike many others, she took dance and ran with it, turning it into a passion.
Get original essayI sat Melanie down and asked her to think back on her experiences of being a dancer- how dancing made her feel, what drew her to dance, what made it spark. Instantly her eyes lit up and a smile widened across her face. I told her I had a few brief questions about her dancing career and her memory flashed back. “I started dancing when I was about four years old”, she told me. Often times that’s when moms start getting their kids involved in sports or the arts. In fact, that is exactly what she told me. “Personally I got involved because my mom thought it was a good way for me to get exercise while being young and teach me discipline, teamwork, and raise my self-esteem at a very young age”.
That is how many of these things start out, but some people learn to love it. Some people dive right in. Melanie went on to say “Later on I personally learned to enjoy it because I was able to make friends easily because of teamwork and the satisfaction I felt after memorizing choreography to dance raised my self-esteem”. Once she got acquainted with the other kids and became more confident in her abilities, she danced with it- so to speak. Now that the door was open she learned to really enjoy it. She even started going to dance recitals and performances in her spare time to appreciate its beauty. As she grew more familiar with dance and its various types, she became more interested in trying them out herself. Throughout her years as a dancer, she incorporated different genres into her dance routine. This included everything from classical ballet to modern hip-hop. “I did all sorts”, she said when asked about the different categories, “I did tap, jazz, ballet, point, hip-hop, and contemporary”. In each genre she learned something new from their energies. Each kind of music and dance spoke its own stories. Each one had a feel to it. Of course, through these different classes she was able to make more friends and become more involved in the environment. As her confidence and experience levels grew, so did her opportunities.
Throughout her dance career, Melanie has been a part of several different dance productions. This includes everything from casual, low-key recitals to full on mass productions. Each production had its own experience. Each production she learned from. When asked what productions she had been a part of over the years she reached back in her memory to recall each one. “I’ve been a part of ten annual recitals and Christmas productions along with showings at the county fair back home in Maryland. I also went on to perform at the Orange Bowl during my freshman year of high school”. Through hard work, dedication, and years of practice, Melanie was able to make it big. She started out doing little recitals with her peers throughout her childhood and eventually rose high enough through the ranks to make it to a widely recognized performance. Not only was it impressive that she was able to perform in the Orange Bowl, but she was able to perform at a relatively young age. “Most of the people I performed with were juniors and seniors in high school. I was one of the youngest people performing out there”. We have all seen various football Bowls and we all know how selective they are when picking out schools and dance teams to perform. “Not only was my dance team selected, but a number of different high schools from around the country were performing with us”, she mentioned. Melanie had been practicing her entire life but once she got into her senior year of high school she had to make a choice.
Going off to college, many kids do not get to continue perusing their passions such as dance and arts. When she decided to attend the University of Alabama, she made the choice to drop dance and focus on her schoolwork. Being a nursing major does not leave you with much spare time. In fact, Melanie said she is aspiring to be a trauma surgeon, which means her love for dance had to fall to the wayside. She simply did not have time for both. But she still loves the art of dance and thinks about it often. “I don’t dance anymore. I do however attend different dance performances at the University and back home when I get the chance. In fact, I am going to see my sister’s performance when I get back home for break”. Even though she is unable to live dance herself, she is able to live it through someone else.
Her days of dance are over, at least for now, but she continues to long for it. When asked if she still wishes she could go back to dance she answered with an immediate “Yes because it was always a fun way to work out. It allowed me to make friends with people that I normally wouldn’t have made in the community and to showcase a passion of mine”. Through her experience as a dancer, she was able to learn more than just dance moves. She was able to master confidence, charisma, and bravery. These traits have passed over into other arenas of her life. It is noticeable just talking to her that these are qualities that she was not only just born with, but also acquired through being around such a fun and supportive environment most of her life.
There are many forms of expression. There are many ways to tell a story. Art has made its through and progressed through the history of human kind but dance has stood out as something unusual. With just one dance, a hundred stories can be told. It all lies in the eyes of the beholder. Dance leaves the story up for interpretation. This is part of what makes it so beautiful. When Melanie took dance and incorporated it into her own life, she learned some things about depth and beauty. Sometimes the most beautiful stories are the ones with no words. Sometimes things that we do, such as dance, can change our lives. Perhaps that is why our mothers push us toward these activities.
Everyone in his or her life will have an employer of some kind that will either be a fantastic blessing or a horrible curse. Now the second one may sound unbearable, but it is still possible for one to endure such an authority figure and still be able to strive for greatness in the work place. It all depends on the outlook of the employee, not the employer. The mindset of what all bosses want from their workers is the key in finding the path to success. All bosses expect loyalty and handwork, as well as a drive from workers to improve themselves. Accepting these expectations with an open mind has led many towards their goals of greatness whether they have a good boss or a bad one. It is employees who are in charge of their destinies, not the employer.
Get original essayIt is a guarantee that every authority figure of some kind require some form of loyalty from their followers. This can be quite easy if somebody has a wonderful boss, but this is not always the case from a mean superior. There are still ways to show a sense of loyalty to either kind of person.
To give control over to a kind boss can become almost too easy. One might ask, “Hay, what’s wrong with giving complete control to a boss?”. There are several ways to look at this. One way is knowing that this good person is easy to like may help in motivating workers. The other mindset is a bit dangerous; the idea that this leader is your friend. It’s great to like an employer, but friendship is a bond between equals. A good boss may be easy to like, but they expect loyalty not friendship. There is room for this kindness, but it is not reserved for the work place. Good bosses are also loyal to their employees not just vice versa. They do this through kindness, rewards, and positive leadership in order to earn the respect of those below them. None of this is simple, but these executives are willing to go the extra mile in order to create an efficient work force.
The big issue that a lot of people have around the world is submitting loyalty to what they would consider a bad boss. Simply put, how can someone be loyal to a higher power when that higher power does not respect them back? This can be quiet challenging and has proven to be the down fall for many since lacking loyalty means a lack to of a drive to work for the one demanding this form of submission. A bad boss cannot do more harm than to use power to ask for something and not give anything in return. This atmosphere can turn the workplace into a battle ground where the leader punishes and the underlings find ways to revolt against the high command. Those who are found in this situation must look at doing good for their co-workers and for themselves. This mindset can look like loyalty to the boss and also allows workers to not fully summit themselves to this horrific executive. These problems seem may not seem as bad as good boss, but both parties have their issues. At the end of the day, the fate of employees is in their own hands.
Another key behavior a worker must deploy in tribute to his or her superior is admirable hard work. Doing the minimum is tempting for many and most pursue such easy tasks. However, putting extra time and energy is beneficial for both parties and looks great for both kind of boss; even if the bad one does not voice appreciation.
People tend to have different ideas for the perfect boss, but most of these fantasies revolve around the idea of being receiving small, simple tasks. This is a trap that a lot of people fall into that may lead to their termination from their current position. It does not matter how nice a boss may be, they still have the ability and willingness to fire those who don’t do their jobs. People are even denied bonuses, raises, or promotion for not putting in extra labor into their work. The right thing to do in these situations is to find weaknesses in that business and to spend time on fixing these flaws. A good boss will notice and reward this person. Even if there is no reward, this act of kindness will allow the sustainability of the business which keeps money flowing. Money flowing means jobs are kept from high ranking officials to those working up from the bottom.
Putting in extra work may seem to be a little challenging for a caring boss, but it is defiantly more difficult for those under an unappreciative leadership. Motivation is at a minimum when an official is not willing to use extra cash to reward those who increase in positive work ethic. This is a major challenge for those caught up in this situation who cannot even find a reason to do better. Just remember that keeping the business afloat keeps all workers afloat. These leaders may not give out positive motivation, so it is up to employees to motivate one another in the pursuit of sustainable funds to finance their lives.
One of the most important outlooks for a worker in any field is to strive towards improving. Now it’s crucial to have this mindset in order to move forward in working, but this ideology looks diverse when placed under these two different managements. It’s easy to believe in being better; it’s another level hardship in actually acting upon this belief.
There are some people who find it simple to improve themselves under a merciful employer while others find it quiet tasking. Those who look at this task with ease understand that their boss gives them plenty of opportunities to do extra work for the business and they know that they will be appreciated for it. The ones who have a harder time are those who do not think they have to do extra work. They don’t think they have to do more labor because their bosses are forgiving and they don’t think they have to do anything beyond expectations. Going the extra mile in an environment that is made to be positive by high ranking officials is still seen as an amazing act and is much appreciated. This does not only improve the reputation of the individual, but also reflects a professional look of the company and enhances the reputation of the boss for the better.
Going down the road of growing and improving can become much more tasking under an unappreciative boss with no remorse. This shrewd kind of leader will most likely already expect his or her underlings to already be the best. Those who are not the best are terminated at some point because they are found to not be unique with little to no reason for them to already be on the task force. Such a situation can be very challenging and can even cause mass anxiety throughout the team. This pressure should be used as a sign to show worth and to upgrade ones work ethic. One might as well quit if he or she looks inside under this boss and finds that their efforts are not used. The goal is to be a better worker and person even if the boss adds extra weight on someone’s plate.
Following a leadership is a common feature that can be found in all of mankind. Those who we call “boss” vary between good and bad. Both ask for loyalty, hard work, and a sense of improvement no matter which characteristic they fall under. It’s up to us how we follow these employers as employees. We end the day facing ourselves, not our bosses.
The prime aim of every business owner is to generate more sales and earn more. And in order to achieve this, they create best quality product, identify their audience, and much more. When he fulfills the basic elements of the production, they carry their product to the targeted market. Here, there is variety of means which can be used to promote your business awareness. But, the best and most effective tool is worth a lot in order to create and maintain your brand’s credibility.
Get original essayBookmark is a fast responsive and cheap marketing tool that creates your unusual image. By using it, when your brand enters in the market, it showcases your services in a different and unique way. Furthermore, these bookmarks are perfect tiny tools that boost your brand’s status. These bookmarks are such tools that let you brand stand apart from the competition. These remarkable bookmarks designs with best printing results create a professional image for your clients. Bookmarks containing creative deigns and rare pictures leave a lasting and memorable impression on your client’s minds.
Wecustomboxes.com is aiming to provide you an eye-catching bookmarks templates with exception printing results. We know the importance of this tiny tool that’s why we use wonderful shielding material. Our created designs have the enough capability to create and maintain the credibility of your brand. These bookmarks can create permanent perception in your consumer’s mind. We’re providing risk-free services our clients at very affordable prices.
Bookmarks are considered the ideal way to converse with your consumers. Tangibly, they are small tool, but by quality they are very effective marketing tool. By using these bookmarks, you can communicate with your clients. Unlike high-priced marketing and advertising campaigns, they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to create, deliver and carry. These creative bookmarks with exceptional designs need only moments to hold attention of your potential customers. Holding that attention and create a positive response. Let’s have a look at the benefits for variety of purposes:
Why print bookmarks?
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution:
Bookmark develops a relation. They capture the reader’s attention. And can convert them into your potential buyers. Below we focused on a few pros how they promote your business:
Bag stuffers
Shopkeepers use attractive bookmark as bag stuffers. They also use them as advertisements for upcoming new services and products. And also event organizers use them as bag stuffers for attendees.
Bookmarks enhance your integrity
By handing out two bookmarks to your customers made them able to share one along with a friend. New readers would get something new to consider for his next purchase.
Event Bookmarks
Usually, event organizers fill bags or baskets for attendance prizes. They aim to donate book, bookmarks or many things. Offering bookmarks to go in attendance prizes is really inexpensive. In this way, you can deliver new of your services to even more potential readers.
Build Relation
You can send few bookmarks to group leaders in order to help spread your services. If you owned a business that manufactures bag, you might send amazing bookmarks to homeschools leaders and school educators. Fun bookmarks can offer layer of advertising and build a bridge between author and readers.
Familiar Use
Bookmark templates are the great resource to accomplish the marketing requirements. This ensures that those customers who have received it will continuously be reminded of product you’re providing.
Quality Relationship
It creates obvious connection with education and learning. When you create a bookmark for your business, you’re associating it with intelligence, experience, and competence.
There are several ways to try to instill life lessons to today’s society, whether it be in the form of films, books or perhaps even songs. Television is the most common way we seem to learn the lessons of life today. We can see these valuable lessons being endorsed by television series such as ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Friends.’ It is television series like these where life lessons such as individuality and respect for others come into play. The American version of ‘The Office’ is example of one of the numerous television series out there. The show follows the whimsical office workers of Dunder-Mifflin, a paper supplier in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The mockumentary format with the one on one discussions with the employees and awkward/peculiar yet relatable plotlines have actually made this series wildly popular. The crew of the show portray the most difficult/awkward situations in life, to not only make their audience relate and laugh, but to teach valuable lessons in life. I specifically chose to deconstruct the unforgettable ‘Goodbye, Michael’ episode from season seven of ‘The Office.’ The episode follows the main character, Michael during his last day of work in the office. Through symbolism, narration, and extreme close ups Michael demonstrates the intended theme of the episode that sometimes goodbyes could be hard, even for the toughest people out there.
Get original essayThroughout the whole series one of the factors that distinguish The Office from other shows is that there is not one designated narrator. The show is often narrated by all of the employees of Dunder-Mifflin. Since there isn’t one specific narrator it allows audience members to see the point of views of characters and how they feel when it comes to certain situations they’re put in. In this specific episode Michael is a key perspective to the plot. Through one of his one on one discussion it was revealed on his phone call with Holly that he was actually flying out later that day. Whereas throughout his whole shift at work he continuously tells everyone in the office that he doesn’t leave until the following day. By lying to all his employees about what day he actually leaves Michael is avoiding the final goodbyes that he knew would become too emotional for him. As a result, throughout the whole episode he plans out all his goodbyes individually. Some goodbyes in a form of a gift and others with advice. Some of the employees were given gag gifts like the cheap scarecrow doll received by Oscar, while other characters were given awkwardly sincere gifts like the letter of recommendation for Dwight. Instead of revealing the truth to his employees Michael uses these gifts because to him they feel like a goodbye without having to be so emotional. With only the audience and Michael even aware that these are goodbyes, we get a real sense of who these characters are and what their relationship with Michael has developed into throughout the series. Although Michael plays an obnoxious goofball, he learns to accept that he is using his humor as a defense mechanism which is normal when it comes to individuals going through difficult situations. As discussed by Sovereign Health, “Humor can be a helpful defense mechanism used to cope with unpleasant circumstances or past trauma. However, this habit can turn destructive when used to hurt others or conceal an individual’s insecurities or anxiety.”
Essentially in Michael’s case he is acting tough and humorous around his employees but behind the scenes the audience is able to see how these goodbyes are negatively affecting Michael as the day goes by through his one on one discussions. As the episode continues there are many forms of symbolism being displaced in which depict just how difficult of a process this all is for Michael. One of the many including his new trophy for Worlds Best Boss. Throughout all 7 seasons of The Office, Michael had a mug with the words “World’s Best Boss” that he had to go out of his way to buy himself. However, in this episode he reveals in the beginning how everyone in the office contributed to buy him a trophy which awards him as “World’s Best Boss 2011.” After receiving such an award, he throws away his beloved mug which is a huge deal in the show. Before this episode the mug was a symbolism of Michael’s dedication and love for his employees and his job. But after finally receiving a trophy from all of them, Michael steps into a new realm where his employees finally appreciate him like he has always appreciated them. This alone creates things so much worse for Michael as he has finally achieved what he has always wanted in his career, to be appreciated and loved by his employees. As the goodbyes start to get too surreal and harder Michael is asked a simple question by Oscar which is, “What address should we sent out your last paycheck out to?” This simple question sends Michael into a breakdown as Michael is quite unsure where his house in Colorado is. For many years the office was a place he felt safe in and according to Allumniportal, “Home can give us orientation and serve as a safe anchor in these fast-moving times. But there are many people who feel homeless because they have had to leave their homes.” Essentially to many people like Michael a home symbolizes stability, strength, ownership and shelter. Because he didn’t know where his new home was located, he felt very vulnerable. For so long his home was the office and his employees were his family and at that point he came to realization that his “home” is no longer his home.
Lastly, a significant factor to many of the episodes in The Office are the extreme closeups of the employees to emphasize their reaction or emotion to something. In this specific episode there are many close ups of Michael. In a specific scene where Michael is sitting down eating alone in the break room the camera man zooms into Michaels emotionless face. Instead of sitting with everyone he sits in the background analyzing and taking in everything one last time. Although throughout this episode Michael is trying to act strong and say he isn’t emotional this scene says otherwise. They somehow manage to express this simply by zooming into Michaels face as everyone is just minding their own business eating. Through his facial expression and presence, the audience sees that he will miss the environment and being with everyone although he is trying really hard not to express such emotions.
In summary, The Office is more than just a sitcom. The show is a work of art. Because the show is a mockumentary it really stands out from other shows as it makes the show feel so much realer. The characters often ask the audience questions and speak to the camera about their issues which makes it very easy to forget you’re watching a TV show. The show demonstrates many relatable issues that people face in real life which gives many people the chance to learn from the characters experiences. Little things that often go unnoticed like the narration, symbolism, and close ups tell so much more about the story of Michael leaving than the audience may have thought. Through key factors like these the plot of the episode unravels beautifully and is what make the show so unique.