Sunday, January 19, 2020

How Does Sir Arthur Conan Doyle create atmosphere in chapter 6? Essay

In â€Å"the Hound of the Baskervilles†, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle describes the atmosphere in depth frequently; usually the atmosphere reflects the mood of the chapter. Also he cleverly uses the atmosphere to show a comparison between good and evil, for example in chapter 6, between the Devonshire Moors and Baskerville Hall. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduces atmosphere in key events throughout the book, this is used to provide suspense and set the tone. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle uses comparisons such as the lush countryside as opposed the gloomy moor to create an atmosphere and set the scene. As Sherlock Holmes, Dr Mortimer and Dr Watson travel through the county on the train the author describes the immediate changes. â€Å"Brown earth had become ruddy†, this is used to show how the earth had become fresher and red. This also shows that the Devonshire countryside is a good/safe place. â€Å"Lush grasses†¦ luxuriant vegetation† is used to describe the richness and the quality of the Devonshire land. It also creates an image that Devonshire is safe as shows no evil, unlike Baskerville Hall. â€Å"Lush† and â€Å"luxuriant† are very descriptive words, and show the reader that everything is all right and creates a good, calm atmosphere. As the reader can compare â€Å"lush grasses† to summer green fields, this sets a homely atmosphere. Young Baskerville shows the reader that the countryside is easy on the eyes, as it states, â€Å"Young Baskerville stared eagerly†, and gives the impression that he is ecstatic to be there. â€Å"Stared† shows he is admiring the scenery while â€Å"eagerly† puts emphasis on how he wants to see more and is keen to take everything in of the Devonshire countryside. As they travel through and beyond the countryside the mood of the passengers begin to change as Young Baskerville starts explaining â€Å"his fathers death†, this sets a depressive mood/atmosphere which is later matched up with the outside scenery. â€Å"His father† sets a chilling mood, as the readers know that his father carried a curse, also â€Å"death† sets a depressing mood and reminds everyone of the case and takes them away from the lush countryside. â€Å"Green squares. †¦ Distance a grey† this is a major comparison between the countryside and moor. The countryside is green and safe while the moor is grey and evil. The introduction of â€Å"Melancholy Hill† sets an atmosphere, as melancholy shows a depressive and a gloomy state of mind. This shows the atmosphere and mood for the moor, which is opposite to the lush green one of the countryside. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle uses the word ‘melancholy’ to describe the hill not direct to the atmosphere; this is used throughout the book to let the reader decide upon the atmosphere. â€Å"Strange jagged summit† is used to demonstrate that the moor in itself is strange but â€Å"jagged summit† shows a weird unclear thing possibly hostile and uninviting. This â€Å"jagged summit† may represent the hound, as we are unclear of the truth or it could represent a strange unnerving atmosphere on the moor. As they travel through the moor they spot a man with a â€Å"dark and expressive face†, dark shows an element of evil, as a dark atmosphere is often seen as a negative evil one. â€Å"Expressive face† shows the feeling that the man is in, and as it is linked with dark it shows an angry, depressing face which links to the Melancholy Hill.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

News article analysis Organizational theory

The article by Dr. Kathy Iversen- a business consultant- provides a lot of insight into practical application of organizational theories in management. The article features Starbucks an American based company coffeehouse company which has over 15,000 chain stores in more than 40 countries. The article focuses on Starbucks rehiring of former CEO after a downward trend due to what he terms as â€Å"†¦myopic focus on operational effectiveness led by new, post-founder management began to negatively impact the customer experience.† (Iversen, 2008,  ¶3). The author compares Starbucks fate with Apple, Swarbs and Dell transformation after the later companies effectively applied tools and systems in the organization that boosted innovation and profitability. The following are three fundamental issues focused in the report in relation to implementation of a good and effective organizational structure that could transform Starbuck’s trend to a profitable path. The organizational structure should apply systems and models that are dynamic thus are able to change with the corporate world for the business to remain profitable. A good organizational model should have effective channel of communication, feedback mechanism and facilitate good response and decision making process. The organizational culture and work environment models should facilitate optimal performance by ensuring that employee capabilities are properly utilized and encourage responsibility and innovation in the workplace. Dynamism in the corporate world. The corporate sector in modern times is subject to perpetual change therefore, organizational models adopted should accommodate this change in their organization by putting in place relevant tools to prepare it for this eventuality. External environment analysis focusing on customer, competitors changing trends and adoption of new marketing strategies are vital to ensure that the company remains relevant thus profitable. The author gives an example of Apple which changed to music enjoyment instead of computing to recapture its market and future profitability (Iversen, 2008). This shows how effective a good which focuses on investing in new fields can help a company reinvent itself into profitability path. Bureaucratic organizational model tend to focus on cost cutting rather than adoption to the innovation, for a company such as Starbucks given its level of maturity, implementing models that focus on new ideas would be the most appropriate in a move to reclaim its lost glory (Daft, 2001 pg. 107) Effective communication in Organizational Models. Effective communication is one of the most important elements in establishing an organizational model. There are two main distinction namely formal communications which is utilized in big established diverse companies and informal communication channels which lead to open interactive dialogue both horizontally and vertically in the organization. The advantages of the later is that it will help facilitate free flow of information thus for analysis of the market, an element which is essential for most businesses. In addition informal means of communication works best in volatile and uncertain environments such as the one which Starbuck’s is facing thus if correctly implemented can lead to quick response and decision making (Daft, 2001, pg.14). Organizational culture. According to Daft (2001, pg 30) scholars have pointed out that corporate culture and sound internal processes are key elements in good organizational models to the extent that they promote effective running of the organization. A fluid and flexible structure will encourage constant experimenting and learning thus ensuring better policies, procedures are adopted to ensure dynamism and innovation in the organization. For instance, given the fact that Starbucks is a service oriented company, employee training and empowerment can lead to certain beneficial attributes such as, smoothing the progress of change since they directly interact with the customer thus can be able to get the information needed by management to effect change and enhanced customer relation and satisfaction thus building of clientele and profitability (Iversen, 2008). Conclusion. Though, the author did not explore on the organizational approach and design, the best design proposed in this paper would be a decentralized approach with emphasis on organic systems of organization as opposed to mechanistic/ bureaucratic approach. Firstly, given that Starbucks is a multi national company with coffee houses all over the world. A centralized system will fundamentally inhibit flexibility and restrict decision making process and timely response to customer needs. On the other hand a decentralized approach will encourage each store to make decision based on customer needs, create diversity and promote dynamism and innovation factors that are vital for profitability. However, this approach might lead to loss of control and direction by top management thus leadership skills are essential to ensure that while chains are flexible, the company’s vision, brand name and direction is uniform to ensure sustainability and balanced growth. Secondly, good organic structures ensure that communication is free-flowing, employees are empowered and well motivated and generally the internal processes lead to optimal production hence growth (Daft, 2001, pg 64). There should be both formal and informal channels of communication that are strong and consistent to ensure that management is in control and allow timely information flow in the organization. REFERENCES: Daft, R. (2001) Essentials of Organization Theory and Design. South-Western. Iversen, K. (January, 15th 2008). Brewing a fresh pot at Starbucks. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved March 11th 2008 from http://www.forbes.com/personalfinance/2008/01/15/starbucks-schultz-apple-pf-ii-in_ki_0115soapbox_inl.html   

Friday, January 3, 2020

Essay about The Illegal Body Parts Trade - 2539 Words

The Illegal Body Parts Trade With a world wide shortage of organs, the black market organ and tissue trade has grown out of control due to the rising demand from the sick and dying. This shortage of organs is fueling an illicit business of buying and selling all sorts of organs and tissues, often through involuntary donation. While it would be nice to have an ample supply of organs and tissues for sick people that desperately need them, the black market organ and tissue trade needs more enforcement in order to cease the profiteering of immoral and unethical transplanting of organs from human to human. The number of people requiring a life-saving transplant continues to rise faster than the number of available donors. In the United†¦show more content†¦Others donate simply because they can. The act of voluntary donation can be done while alive or after deceased, although donors who are still alive are limited as to what can be donated. For instance, someone can donate a kidne y or part of their liver while they’re still alive, but it would be hard to survive having donated a heart. If more people would voluntarily donate their body parts without jeopardizing their health, the world wide organ shortage would be drastically reduced. It would also help if more people agreed to donate after death. The donation of whole cadavers is the most beneficial. Just one cadaver can yield over a dozen transplantable organs and tissues (Shanteau). The illegal sale of organs and tissues from the dead is a substantial area of supply for the black market body parts trade. The fact that a whole cadaver can be dissected and sold for parts for over $200,000 makes the practice all too appealing for some, no matter the risk (Carreon). The horror stories of doctors, funeral homes, prisons, and organized crime outfits essentially stealing organs have been documented. Even in the United States this has happened. A couple of men involved with the Willed Body Program at UCLA, a program that provides cadavers donated to science for medical students, used the medical center as a front for over six years to traffic body parts to the blackShow MoreRelatedOrgan Trafficking : A Vital Part Of Our Survival Essay1179 Words   |  5 PagesDenison Design 2110 12 October 2016 Organ Trafficking Throughout much of human history, trade has been a vital part of our survival. Trades take place continuously today; whether they’re in-person with a friend, or across the ocean with a complete stranger. There are many forms of trade, most including the buying and selling of goods and services to benefit us in some way. When we think about trade, body parts aren’t typically the first thing to pop into our heads. It is not in the foreseeable futureRead More Illegal Killing and Trafficking of Black Bears Essay1115 Words   |  5 PagesIllegal Killing and Trafficking of Black Bears The illegal killing and trafficking of animal parts has long been a global concern. With trading at an estimated 6 billion dollars annually, poaching has become the world’s second most profitable crime activity behind illegal drug trade. In its prevalence, poaching has driven many species to the point of extinction. Animals around the world are killed each day for their body parts. In Africa, elephant tusks are a valuable source of ivory usedRead MoreThe Underground Economy Concerning The Illicit Sales Of Organ Retrieval Services Essay1658 Words   |  7 Pages Every Action comes with a Price in Life In recent years, there been discussions about the underground economy concerning the illicit sales of organ retrieval services. Either by trade, sale or illegal stealing of organs the effects is widespread in foreign countries making way to the United States. The effects of this practice deeply affect many people who give into the hype of sacrificing self or others for payoffs, with the benefit not equaling to the value or the accommodations promised. TheRead MoreIllegal Animal Trade Essay890 Words   |  4 PagesIllegal trading of animals is a big issue in todays society. More and more animals are going extinct, in part because of the acts committed while trying to buy or sell an animal for profit. In the past 400 years, 350 species of animals have gone extinct (Ryder, 214). Illegal trade generates billions of dollars and is therefore highly popular. There have been many regulations placed upon this trading. Some have been successful and others have not. Governments across the wo rld have placed regulationsRead MoreConsent Is A Vital Part Of Human Socialization1593 Words   |  7 PagesConsent. It is a vital part of human socialization. It means one’s voice, choice, agreement, and participation. Consent is a concept that some just do not understand. It is tremendously important when engaging in multiple affairs like intimacy, business agreements, legal contracts, etc. But consent could also translate to small activities like attending a party, making a drink for someone else, or agreeing on a film to watch. There are also some crimes that people consent to taking part in. In the eyesRead MoreIllegal Drugs And The Affects Of Drugs1564 Words   |  7 Pagespurpose of the essay is to explain what is illegal drugs and the affects of drugs and evaluate attempts to control it. Any chemical you take that can affect the way your body works is all can be called drugs. For example, caffeine, aspirin and nicotine are all drugs. It must be able to pass from you r body into your brain. Once the drugs are inside your brain, it can change the messages your brain cells are sending to each other, and to the rest of your body. By doing this, they interfering with yourRead MoreOrgan Trafficking : A Large Problem1446 Words   |  6 PagesIllegal organ trafficking has become a large problem all over the world. The traffickers are commonly attacking the poor and promising them money but it never ends up being the correct amount. Commonly doctors and pharmaceutical companies overlook the illegal trade of the organs because they receiving money from the transplants. Organ trafficking takes place in three broad categories. The first one is organ traffickers will force or trick the individual into giving up an organ. Secondly the victimRead MoreConservation And Law Enforcement Communities1177 Words   |  5 PagesIvory trade only becomes harder to stop the longer it continues. While more time passes, newer technologies are being built that make poachi ng easier and more effective. Thanks to technology such as helicopters, radios, transmitters, night goggles, etc, poachers are able to more easily reach and kill their targets. With highly sophisticated and quickly changing techniques, poachers and illegal traders are able to avoid detection much more easily. However, new technologies have also been built toRead MoreThe Laws Of Sex Trafficking1286 Words   |  6 Pageswithin their plants, there are people working for cheaper rates, which, result in higher acceptance rates. In 2001, when Germany legalized prostitution, illegal traffic decreased by 10%. (Reisenwitz, Cathy) Therefore, the laws of sex trafficking should be fortified because traffickers manipulate laws and legalization of prosecution dropped illegal trafficking rates, we should focus on helping all victims rather than focusing on sex trafficking. Granted that traffickers avoid punishment, they areRead MoreThe Legalization of Organ Sales1450 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The legalization of organ sales has been proposed as a solution to two distinct problems. The first is the problem of illegal organ trafficking and the second is the problem of inadequate supplies of organs available for transplants. Gregory (2011) outlined the case for legalizing organ sales by arguing that the current shortage of organs fuels a black market trade that benefits nobody except criminals. He further argues that such a move would add organs to the market, thereby saving the lives

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Ancient Olmec Trade and Economy

The Olmec culture thrived in the humid lowlands of Mexicos Gulf coast during the Early and Middle Formative periods of Mesoamerica, from about 1200–400 BCE. They were great artists and talented engineers who had a complex religion and worldview. Although much information about the Olmecs has been lost to time, archaeologists have succeeded in learning much about their culture from excavations in and around the Olmec homeland. Among the interesting things they have learned is the fact that the Olmec were diligent traders who had many contacts with contemporary Mesoamerican civilizations. Mesoamerican Trade Before the Olmec By 1200 BCE, the people of Mesoamerica—present-day Mexico and Central America—were developing a series of complex societies. Trade with neighboring clans and tribes was common, but these societies did not have long-distance trade routes, a merchant class, or a universally accepted form of currency, so they were limited to a down-the-line sort of trade network. Prized items, such as Guatemalan jadeite or a sharp obsidian knife, might well wind up far from where it was mined or created, but only after it had passed through the hands of several isolated cultures, traded from one to the next. The Dawn of the Olmec One of the accomplishments of Olmec culture was the use of trade to enrich their society. Around 1200 BCE, the great Olmec city of San Lorenzo (its original name is unknown) began creating long-distance trade networks with other parts of Mesoamerica. The Olmec were skilled artisans, whose pottery, stone tools, statues, and figurines proved popular for commerce. The Olmecs, in turn, were interested in many things that were not native to their part of the world. Their merchants traded for many things, including raw stone material such as basalt, obsidian, serpentine and jadeite, commodities such as salt, and animal products such as pelts, bright feathers, and seashells. When San Lorenzo declined after 900 BCE, it was replaced in importance by La Venta, whose merchants used many of the same trade routes followed by their forebears. Olmec Economy The Olmec needed basic goods, such as food and pottery, and luxury items such as jadeite and feathers for making ornaments for rulers or religious rituals. Most common Olmec â€Å"citizens† were involved in food production, tending fields of basic crops such as maize, beans, and squash, or fishing the rivers that flowed through the Olmec homelands. There is no clear evidence that the Olmecs traded for food, as no remains of foodstuffs not native to the region have been found at Olmec sites. The exceptions to this are salt and cacao, which were possibly obtained through trade. There appears to have been a brisk trade in luxury items such as obsidian, serpentine and animal skins, however. The Gulf Coast Olmec blossomed at a time when there were at least four other islands of expanding civilization in Mesoamerica: the Soconusco, the Basin of Mexico, the Copan Valley, and the Valley of Oaxaca. The Olmec trading practices, traced through the movement of goods produced or mined elsewhere, are key to understanding the Early and Middle Formative histories of Mesoamerica. Characteristics of the Olmec trading network include: baby-faced figurines (essentially, portable versions of the Olmec stone heads);distinctive white-rimmed blackware pottery and Calzadas Carved wares;abstract iconography, especially that of the Olmec dragon; andEl Chayal obsidian, a translucent to transparent banded black volcanic stone. Olmec Trading Partners The Mokaya civilization of the Soconusco region (Pacific coast Chiapas state in present-day Mexico) was nearly as advanced as the Olmec. The Mokaya had developed Mesoamericas first known chiefdoms and established the first permanent villages. The Mokaya and Olmec cultures were not too far apart geographically and were not separated by any insurmountable obstacles (such as an extremely high mountain range), so they made natural trade partners. The Mokaya adopted Olmec artistic styles in sculpture and pottery. Olmec ornaments were popular in Mokaya towns. By trading with their Mokaya partners, the Olmec had access to cacao, salt, feathers, crocodile skins, jaguar pelts and desirable stones from Guatemala such as jadeite and serpentine. Olmec commerce extended well into present-day Central America: there is evidence of local societies having contact with the Olmec in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. In Guatemala, the excavated village of El Mezak yielded many Olmec-style pieces, including jadeite axes, pottery with Olmec designs and motifs and figurines with the distinctive ferocious Olmec baby-face. There is even a piece of pottery with an Olmec were-jaguar design. In El Salvador, many Olmec-style knick-knacks have been found and at least one local site erected a man-made pyramid mound similar to Complex C of La Venta. In the Copan valley of Honduras, the first settlers of what would become the great Maya city-state of Copà ¡n showed signs of Olmec influence in their pottery. In the basin of Mexico, the Tlatilco culture began to develop about the same time as the Olmec, in the area occupied by Mexico City today. The Olmec and Tlatilco cultures evidently were in contact with one another, most likely through some sort of trade, and the Tlatilco culture adopted many aspects of Olmec art and culture. This may have even included some of the Olmec gods, as images of the Olmec Dragon and Banded-eye God appear on Tlatilco objects. The ancient city of Chalcatzingo, in present-day Morelos of central Mexico, had extensive contact with La Venta-era Olmecs. Located in a hilly region in the Amatzinac River valley, Chalcatzingo may have been considered a sacred place by the Olmec. From about 700–500 BCE, Chalcatzingo was a developing, influential culture with connections with other cultures from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The raised mounds and platforms show Olmec influence, but the most important connection is in the 30 or so carvings that are found on the cliffs that surround the city. These show a distinct Olmec influence in style and content. Importance of Olmec Trade The Olmec were the most advanced civilization of their time, developing an early writing system, advanced stonework and complicated religious concepts before other contemporary societies. For this reason, the Olmec had a great influence on other developing Mesoamerican cultures with which they came into contact. One of the reasons the Olmec were so important and influential—some archaeologists, but not all, consider the Olmec the mother culture of Mesoamerica—was the fact that they had extensive trade contact with other civilizations from the valley of Mexico well into Central America. The significance of the trade is that the Olmec cities of San Lorenzo and La Venta were the epicenter of the trade: in other words, goods such as Guatemalan and Mexican obsidian came into Olmec centers but were not traded directly to other growing centers. While the Olmec declined between 900–400 BCE, its former trading partners dropped the Olmec characteristics and grew more powerful on their own. Olmec contact with other groups, even if they did not all embrace the Olmec culture, gave many disparate and widespread civilizations a common cultural reference and a first taste of what complex societies might offer. Sources Cheetham, David. Cultural Imperatives in Clay: Early Olmec Carved Pottery from San Lorenzo and Cantà ³n Corralito. Ancient Mesoamerica 21.1 (2010): 165–86. Print.Coe, Michael D, and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. 6th Edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2008Diehl, Richard A. The Olmecs: Americas First Civilization. London: Thames and Hudson, 2004.Rosenswig, Robert M. Olmec Globalization: A Mesoamerican Archipelago of Complexity. The Routledge Handbook of Archaeology and Globalization. Ed. Hodos, Tamar: Taylor Francis, 2016. 177–193. Print.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

The Effects of Old Age on the Body - 1697 Words

Tim Cramer Aging: What to expect as you get older This article is all about physical effects on the body as a person gets older. For my essay, most of these facts will be important to catch the attention of my reader, and define the problem to my thesis. It seems that age affects every system of the body. The heart will become less efficient and must work harder. Bones, joints and muscles will become thinner, less dense, and weaker. Constipation and loss of bladder control will become more common. The eyes will be less able to produce tears and seeing things up close will be difficult. There will be less saliva in your mouth, which makes it harder to wash away bacteria, and the teeth will be easier to break. Skin will become less elastic†¦show more content†¦In 1940 programs for the aged came under England’s welfare state system. In the 1880s Otto von Bismarck in Germany introduced old-age pensions whose model was followed by most other western European countries. Today more than 100 nations have some form of social security program for the aged. The United States was one of the last countries to institute such programs. Not until the Social Security Act of 1935 was formulated to relieve hardships caused by the Great Depression were the elderly granted old-age pensions. For the most part, these state programs, while alleviating some burdens of aging, still do not bring older people to a level of income comparable to that of younger people. Physiological effects The physiological effects of aging differ widely among individuals. However, chronic ailments, especially aches and pains, are more prevalent than acute ailments, requiring older people to spend more time and money on medical problems than younger people. The rising cost of medical care has caused a growing concern among older people and societies, in general resulting in constant reevaluation and reform of institutions and programs designed to aid the elderly with these expenses. In ancient Rome and medieval Europe the average life span is estimated to have been between 20 and 30 years. Life expectancy today has expanded in historically unprecedented proportions, greatly increasing the numbers of peopleShow MoreRelatedAging And Its Effects On The Aging1360 Words   |  6 PagesAlso spelled as ageing, this is generally the process of becoming old. It is the in a way the opposite of immortality. In a broader aspect, it may occur to single cells in an organism also called cellular senescence or the population of a species, known as population ageing. This process primarily affects human beings and fungi. In humans, it signifies the accumulation of various changes which occur over time. The changes include physical, social and psychological changes. Causes of aging are veryRead MoreEffects Of Aging On Aging And Aging1343 Words   |  6 Pages Introduction Also spelled as ageing, this is generally the process of becoming old. It is the in a way the opposite of immortality. In a broader aspect, it may occur to single cells in an organism also called cellular senescence or the population of a species, known as population ageing. This process primarily affects human beings and fungi. In humans, it signifies the accumulation of various changes which occur over time. The changes include physical, social and psychological changes. CausesRead MoreLegal Drinking Age : Should It Be Altered?1408 Words   |  6 Pages Legal Drinking Age: Should It Be Altered? The legal drinking age has been an ongoing controversy for decades, consisting of people who are for lowering, raising, or keeping the age with multiple reasons behind each side. It is commonly known that consuming alcohol can have life-threatening effects on the human body, but these effects can be much harsher at a younger age. Reducing the age for eighteen year olds may result in senseless acts from the drug. Statistics prove that maintainingRead MoreAlcohol is a very popular drink for those that are of legal drinking age. The legal drinking age600 Words   |  3 PagesAlcohol is a very popular drink for those that are of legal drinking age. The legal drinking age in the United States is currently 21. Sadly, many teens that are not of legal drinking age consume alcohol while being under age. They believe that they are old enough to handle its effects, and that it is the cool thing to do. The legal drinking age should not be lowered because many teens cannot handle t he effects of alcohol or the responsibility that come with the consumption of alcohol. It couldRead MoreWhy The Legal Drinking Age Should Be Lowered1582 Words   |  7 PagesWhy the Legal Drinking Age should Be Lowered Ever since its creation in ancient times, alcohol has been used for many reasons and purposes. Since then, controversies have risen on the topic of alcohol consumption and production. 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Parents make a big difference and can prevent this from happening and I have to agree 100% that the drinking age has saved hundreds ofRead MoreStatistical Analysis : T Tests1228 Words   |  5 PagesStatistical analysis T-tests were used to compare TUNEL indices, the number of muscle fibers per unit area between each age group, and body weights between age groups. Body weights were significantly greater in the old rat group (t14=-9.82, p0.001; Figs. 4 and 2c) than in the young adult rat group. That is, with increasing age there was a significant increase in the index of cell death for all muscles studied in the extrinsic tongue. Muscle Morphology Muscle fiber CSA and the minimum Feret’s

Monday, December 9, 2019

The Postmaster -Summary free essay sample

Summary of â€Å"The Postmaster†1: Rabindranath Tagore’s short story, â€Å"The Postmaster† centers around a young postmaster named Dadababu. Dadababu has been transferred from Calcutta to a small Indian village, Ulapur, for a position as postmaster. He finds himself feeling very lonely and unable to relate to the factory workers around him. Conversation and companionship comes to Dadababu in the form of a young servant girl names Ratan. In an attempt to appease his loneliness Dadababu tells the girl stories about his distant family and even begins teaching her to read.Ratan quickly becomes attached to Dadababu and develops strong, seemingly romantic feelings for him. When Dadababu unexpectedly falls ill Ratan does not leave his bedside. However, Dadababu does not view Ratan in the same way. As soon as he recovers from sickness, Dadababu requests a transfer out of Ulapur. When his petition is denied, Dadababu simply resigns and informs Ratan of his departure. Ratan is extremely upset and asks Dadababu to take her with him. He finds her question absurd and denies her request. Ratan is left depressed and grieving.With only a passing thought of Ratan’s grief, Dadababu boards a ship and is quickly engrossed in thoughts of business. Tagore’s â€Å"The Postmaster†: Exploring Cultural Miscommunication Within A Society Growing up in the midst of Britain’s colonization of India, Rabindranath Tagore experienced the rapid pace at which a society can change. Much of Tagore’s writing deals with the issue of a changing society and its political, economic, and cultural implications. The introduction of Western ideals within India resulted in a blending of Indian and British cultures. This cultural intermingling often caused a miscommunication between not only the British and Indian people, but amongst Indians themselves. The influx of a non-native people brought an entirely new culture to India. While some Indians only partially assimilated Western tradition into their culture, others completely adopted the British’s ideals. There were also many Indians who adamantly resisted any British influence, thus creating divisions within Indian society. The concept of tradition became varied; while some strictly adhered to ancient rules and customs, others found it beneficial to reform or even rid of certain cultural practices.Many of Tagore’s stories reflect the miscommunication that occurred between those within the rapidly transforming society of India. In his short story, â€Å"The Postmaster,† Tagore’s main focus is the misunderstanding that often existed between Indians due to the various ways in which they were affected by their changing environment. While the story takes place within a colonial context, its main function is not as an allegory for colonialism. Britain’s colonization, and the subsequent introduction of Western ideals, simply enhanced or expedited the country’s transformation.The mention of a â€Å"British manager† within the story’s setting of the small, Indian village of Ulapur, immediately sets the story within colonized India (Tagore 42). The British have successfully moved into the country and set up factories with which to expand their economy, and consequently, their culture. It is the â€Å"British manager [who] had†¦established a new post office,† and therefore supplied the job that brought Dadababu to Ulapur. This simply positions colonialism as the source of the change that launches the story into action.It places the piece within a colonial context, yet does not introduce any significant claim for or against colonialism. In â€Å"The Postmaster,† Tagore is specifically concerned with India’s traditional marriage customs. The interaction of the characters Dadababu and Ratan exhibits the misunderstanding that often arose between native Indians as a result of divergent views on tradition. It is the difference in the emotions that Dadababu and Ratan have for each other that presents the central point of the story. Throughout the story, the two exhibit a misreading of each other’s emotions.Their misunderstanding is a direct result of their environment. At the age of â€Å"about twelve or thirteen,† Ratan has reached the appropriate age for marriage. During the time of Tagore and his writings, child marriage was a prevalent Indian custom. However, as an â€Å"orphaned village-girl,† Ratan lacks any type of parental figure and consequently is somewhat naive regarding its associated customs (42). Generally, the parents of a young Indian girl like Ratan would actively search for the perfect spouse for their daughter.The fathers of the potential couple would meet and discuss the match as well as critical factors such as dowry (the traditional offering of money and goods to made by the prospective bride’s family as an incentive for the marriage). Due to the absence of a caretaker, Ratan does not have anyone to find her a suitable spouse. Rather than pursuing marriage for financial security, Ratan’s desire to marry is almost entirely based on emotion. She expects Dadababu to marry her because she loves him. Ratan’s actions often reveal her feelings of romantic love for Dadababu. However, the postmaster continuously fails to recognize or reciprocate such emotions. When Dadababu asks Ratan to tell him of her family, she is more than happy to oblige. Ratan finds great significance in their nightly chats. She soaks in every tale about Dadababu’s family and believes the stories bring them closer together. She begins to â€Å"allude to the postmaster’s family – his mother, sister and brother – as if they were her own† (43). This relates to the traditional practice of marriage within India. After marriage, a young girl loses much of her contact with her own family and essentially adopts her spouse’s family. She moves into her husband’s home and takes on her role as housewife, leaving her little time or contact with her own relatives. Aware of this aspect of marriage, Ratan expects such to occur. She wholeheartedly believes that she will marry Dadababu and therefore expects to take on his family as her own. In contrast, Dadababu listens to the girl’s stories yet does not express any significant reaction or emotion to them. He simply views them as an opportunity for conversation. Finding himself unable to relate to his coworkers and peers, Dadababu often feels â€Å"alone and exiled† and Ratan provides him with a means of conversation (43).As his stories prove, Dadababu has a family. They would have taught him about the factors that should be considered when contemplating marriage. This differs from Ratan’s situation. Although both acknowledge the tradition, the values and factors they associate with deciding to marry differ. While Ratan considers love to be the driving force behind marriage, Dadababu would have been educated on the importance of securing a dowry and stable situation when considering marriage. In fact, as â€Å"a Calcutta boy,† Dadababu may have experienced an even greater sense of stress on the financial issue.As one of the larger cities of India, Calcutta was a greater industrial region. Offering more job and living opportunities, it attracted more people and thus, would have had a much greater cultural blending than the small village of Ulapur. With such an awareness of the importance of finances and dowry, Dadababu does not view Ratan as a potential spouse. He refers to her as an â€Å"orphaned girl,† and is therefore aware of her poor financial status. Without a family, she has little or no money to offer and thus, is viewed as nothing more than a servant girl by Dadababu (46).In fact, he feels as though there is no one he can convey such feelings for and imagines â€Å"how it would be to have a close companion†¦, a human object for the heart’s most intimate affections† (44). Dadababu’s silent request for a lover further cements his lack of romantic sentiment for Ratan and subsequently, reveals his misunderstanding or ignorance of her emotions. Ratan’s devotion to Dadababu goes above and beyond her role as a servant. With almost every action, Ratan aims to portray her love as well as prove herself ready and able for marriage. She does everything she can to prove herself a valuable companion. Ratan regards Dadababu’s reading lessons as yet another opportunity to demonstrate her qualifications. She considers the postmaster’s teachings as his way of preparing her for her future role as his wife. She pores over the lessons. She dedicates her free time to studying them, â€Å"terrified that if he suddenly summoned her again one day, the conjunct consonants would all be muddled up in her mind† (45). She cannot fathom failing him, for she fears that if she does, Dadababu would find her unworthy of marriage.Ratan is willing to take on any role necessary to prove her love and ability to Dadababu. Immediately after Dadababu falls ill, she â€Å"took on the role of a mother,† never leaving his bedside (44). She nurses the postmaster back to health and stays â€Å"awake at his bedside all night long† (44). However, Ratan’s attempts to convince Dadababu of her love prove futile. Even after Ratan spends days at Dadababu’s bedside, nursing him back to health, Dadababu remains oblivious to Ratan’s love-fueled actions and emotions.When he announces his transfer, Ratan becomes extremely distressed. She asks â€Å"Dadababu, will you take me home with you? † (45). Ratan’s request has cultural significance. Still believing marriage to Dadababu is an option, Ratan expects to live with the postmaster and therefore, has no reason to find her question unreasonable. However, while Ratan cannot contemplate living without Dadababu, the postmaster laughs and finds the idea â€Å"impossible† (45). Again the reader is subjected to the miscommunication present between the two characters.Due to his stricter adherence to the traditions surrounding marriage, Dadababu recognizes that Ratan does not qualify as an ideal spouse. Consequently, he finds the idea of his bringing her home ridiculous. Dadababu never truly recognizes Ratan’s emotions. In fact, he stops only once to consider her feelings. As he does in many of his pieces, Tagore presents the reader with an ironic twist at the end of the story. While on the boat leaving Ulapur, Dadababu reflects on Ratan’s strong reaction to his departure. It seems as if he may finally recognize Ratan’s love for him and finally understand her thoughts and emotions.However, just as quickly as he presents the possibility, Tagore takes it away. Despite taking the time to consider Ratan’s emotions, Dadababu fails to reconcile their misunderstanding of each other. He takes her broken heart for nothing more than grief, describing Ratan as â€Å"the grief-stricken village girl† (46). He still views her as just a â€Å"village-girl† and continues to hold a kind of indifference towards her (46). His â€Å"sharp desire to go back† for Ratan is only passing and thoughts of her are quickly replaced with business matters (46).This displays society’s move to put an even greater emphasis on economic concerns, which only strengthens the reasoning behind Dadababu’s lack of consideration for Ratan as a wife. Through the story of Dadababu and Ratan and his description of their misunderstanding, it seems as though Tagore is warning the reader of the dangers of dowry and its implication on the tradition of marriage. Although he does not explicitly condemn the tradition, there are hints that if two people lack the same understanding of the associated customs, negative effects can ensue.As we see in â€Å"The Postmaster,† unfavorable repercussions occur because Dadababu and Ratan do not share the same concepts regarding the tradition of marriage. Ratan faces the most unfortunate results. Her dream of an attachment to Dada is crushed and she experiences humilia tion and heartbreak. She suffers the endless pain of â€Å"false hope,† and its â€Å"ripping [of the] veins and draining [of the] heart’s blood† (47). Even within the same culture, Dadababu and Ratan possess disparate backgrounds that only continue to diverge as time and society develop.A common theme throughout many of Tagore’s stories is the idea of attachment. He often explores the bond between parent and child, siblings, or even lovers and the strain that economic, political, and cultural issues have on such relationships. It is the disparity that exists between Ratan and Dadababu that Tagore is concerned with, seeming to allude to the fact that tragedies such as the dissolution or prevention of attachment occur when rapid and usually unforeseen changes in the environment separate people even within the same country.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Web Quests and Task

The phrase English as a foreign language or English as a second language means the language that has been mastered after the vernacular (or mother tongue). It could mean an intentionally learned language or one more language, the learning of which takes place in a multilingual environment with no special training.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Web Quests and Task-Based Learning in EFL Classrooms specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to Mike Long, the learners and their purposes of learning a second language can be divided into the two groups: those who learn the second language voluntarily (â€Å"school children required to ‘pass’ a foreign language, college students satisfying a language requirement or working toward a BA in literature, young adults headed overseas for university courses, as missionaries or to serve as volunteers, or adults needing a L2 for vocational training or occupational purposes† (2014, p. 98)) and the involuntary language learners whom the circumstances forced to soak up the language, which includes people of all ages. In our case, we are talking about learning English as a foreign language, which means learning it in non-English-speaking countries. As regards to the methods of teaching, the most widely used approach in the leading language schools all over the world today is the communicative approach. As the name implies, in the communicative method a crucial part is assigned to the communication practice. Its main purpose is helping students overcome the language barrier and relieve them from the fear of speaking in the foreign language, while simultaneously developing the language skills from writing and speaking to reading and listening (listening comprehension). Grammar is studied in the process of communication; at first, students develop and remember the words, phrases, and language formulas, and then they begin to disas semble them in terms of grammar. No reproducing exercises or drills are used in the classrooms with communicative approach; instead, task-based learning in the form of web quests is applied. During the task-based learning the student must be exposed to the foreign language to the extent possible in order to monitor its use, build its hypothesis, and as a result, experiment with it. One of the main objectives when selecting the type of task-based learning is the increase in the students’ activity; it is the targeted activity of the student, not the teacher; the teacher should set the specific tasks before the student, enabling him/her to conduct a spontaneous, individual and original experiment with the foreign language. As a result of fulfilling each of these tasks, the student will develop the extensive personal experience of using the foreign language; at this stage, the instructor plays a significant role. The teacher should help the student to come to the realization of t he activities, which follow the experiment. According to Nunan (2002), there are five main characteristics of the task-based learning:Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More the emphasis is made on teaching students to communicate in the target language; introduction of authentic texts (educational materials) to the learning situation; providing students with the opportunity to focus not only on language but on the process of learning; and increasing the individual experience of students as an important element contributing to training. The scope of the task-based learning has substantially increased, since today students may use online sources to search for the information required to fulfill the tasks; it resulted in the creation of web quests. The WebQuest technique was developed by Bernie Dodge and Tom March at San Diego State University â€Å"as a type of computer-based to ol for teachers to enhance students’ understanding of complex topics† (Schumm 2006). In other words, it is a problematic task with role-playing game elements, for the fulfillment of which the Internet information resources are used. Compared with other tasks based on the Internet resources such as Hotlist, Multimedia Scrapbook, Treasure/Scavenger Hunt, and Subject Sampler (Mongan-Rallis Hughes n.d.), web quests are more challenging both for students and teachers. It aims to develop students’ skills of analytical and creative thinking; the instructor who creates a web quest must possess a high level of the subject, methodical and informational communication competency. Web quests may be dedicated to diverse topics; the degree of problematic tasks complexity may vary. Depending on the materials being studied, the results of a fulfilled task can be presented as an oral presentation, computer presentation, essay, web pages, etc. According to Bernie Dodge’s We bQuest model, there are the following types of web quest tasks: retelling, compilation, mystery, journalistic task, design, creative product, consensus building, persuasion, self-knowledge, analytical, judgment, and scientific tasks (Dodge 2002). Let us take a more detailed look at each task. The retelling task includes demonstrating the understanding of the subject on the basis of materials from various sources submitted in a new format, such as a presentation, poster or a story. Some examples of retelling web quest are as follows: Will That Volcano Spoil Our Party, Tropical Travelers, and Deserts of the World (College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, n.d.). Compilation task is aimed at transforming the format of the information obtained from the various sources; for example, â€Å"a cookbook compiled from recipes solicited from relatives, a virtual exhibition or a time capsule† (Dodge 2002).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Web Quests and Task-Based Learning in EFL Classrooms specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More When solving a mystery, students draw conclusions based on the contradictory facts. The journalistic task involves the objective presentation of information (dividing the opinions and facts). The design task includes the development of a plan or project on the basis of predetermined conditions. For example, in the Travel Japan web quest, students need to complete the introductory sheet about Japan using the Internet (Travel Japan n.d.). The creative product task involves making a creative work in a particular genre, such as a play, poem, song or video. According to Bernie Dodge, there are some limits put on this task, as it requires â€Å"historical accuracy, adherence to a particular artistic style, use of the conventions of a particular format, internal consistency, limitations on length, size, or scope† (2002). Consensus building task i s aimed at the elaboration of an attitude to a sensitive issue, such as a controversial political event. The goal of persuasion web quests is winning over an opponent or a neutral-minded individual, while the self-knowledge tasks are developed around â€Å"long term goals, ethical and moral issues, self-improvement, art appreciation, personal responses to literature†, meaning those issues related to the personality aspects (Dodge 2002). When it comes to the analysis-based web quests, the analytical tasks teach students how to search and systematize all kinds of information. The examples include Poe Webquest (Literary Criticism and Poe Webquest n.d.). Dodge’s two remaining web quest types, the judgment and scientific task, are dedicated to justifying a certain point of view and examining various phenomena, discoveries, and facts on the basis of unique online sources, respectively. The use of web quests and other tasks based on the Internet resources in language learning requires students to have the appropriate level of language proficiency in order to work with the authentic resources of the Internet. In this regard, the effective integration of web quests in the process of learning of foreign languages is possible in the cases where the web quest is a creative task in completing the study of any subject and is accompanied by the lexical and grammatical exercises on the basis of linguistic material of the authentic resources used in the web quest. Implementation of such exercises may either precede the work on the quest or run in parallel with it. Web quests consist of the following sections: Introduction, Task, Order of Work on the Task and the Necessary Resources, Assessment, Conclusion, Used Materials and the Instructor’s Comments. The task formulates a problem and describes a presentation form for the final result. The order of work and the necessary resources include the sequence of actions, the roles assigned, and the resources neces sary to perform the task (links to the websites or any other sources of information), as well as the auxiliary materials (examples, templates, tables, forms, instructions, etc.) allowing a more efficient organization of work on the web quest.Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The assessment is a description of the criteria and parameters for assessing the web quest, which is represented as an evaluation form. The evaluation criteria depend on the type of the learning tasks that are completed as part of the web quest. The conclusion summarizes the new abilities developed by the students while solving this quest. The materials used are links to the resources that have been used for the creation of the web quest. To conclude, it should be emphasized that the communicative approach is one the most effective ways of teaching EFL students with a high level of competence. The communicative approach can take the form of online task-based learning, which includes hotlist, multimedia scrapbook, treasure hunt, subject sampler, and web quest. Reference List College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Why do the humanities matter? n.d., Digital Desert Library. Web. Dodge, B 2002, WebQuest Taskonomy: A Taxonomy of Tasks. Web. Literary Criticism and P oe Webquest n.d. Web. Long, M 2014, Second language acquisition and task-based language teaching, John Wiley Sons, Hoboken. Mongan-Rallis H Hughes T n.d., Teaching Strategies: Using the Web as a Teaching Learning Resource, WebQuests. Web. Nunan, D 2002, Second Language Teaching and Learning. Heinle and Heinle Publishers, Boston. Schumm, J 2006, Reading assessment and instruction for all learners, Guilford Press, New York. Travel Japan n.d., WebQuest Template. Web. This critical writing on Web Quests and Task-Based Learning in EFL Classrooms was written and submitted by user Asher Sheppard to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.