Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Lost Soul Essays - Rhyme, Rhyme Scheme, W. H. Auden,

The Lost Soul The subject of W.H. Audens ?Unknown Citizen? not just has to do with one specific keeps an eye on life, however could apply to the life of pretty much anybody. The topic of the sonnet is that the man being examined in this area , is an inside and out typical person. A large number of his qualities take after the common individual. W.H. Auden enhances this sonnet by having a verifiable topic as well as using such components of verse, for example, rhyme, speaker, setting, and circumstance. This sonnet was written in the mid 1900's. This determination was recorded on a marble landmark, which was raised by the state. This recommends the speaker is the individuals of the state. In this manner, the speaker is tending to the peruser of the landmark. It is an anecdote about a man who was best portrayed as a holy person. He served his locale as well as could be expected during those years. ? When there was harmony, he was for harmony; when there was war he went ( 939).? He was a run of the mill American man who worked for a similar organization until the day he resigned. He was hitched and carried five kids into the world. By having a protection plan, a phonograph, radio, vehicle and a cooler he was said to have all things required to the advanced man. During that specific time it was said this was the normal lifestyle. Which thus, made this man even more typical. The components that the sonnet uses, for example, rhyme, speaker, setting, and circumstance make the sonnet all the all the more fascinating. It not just takes one perusing of the sonnet to comprehend it's profundity however a few. I for one found that when I read it so anyone might hear it appeared to take on significantly all the more importance. In this sonnet W.H. Auden utilizes the rhyme conspire. Pretty much every other line rhymes with the one just before it. By doing this it gives the sonnet some what of a mood. Having rhyme what's more, beat in a sonnet certainly makes it all the more diverting to peruse. The setting depicted in the sonnet is significant. Since in the mid 1900's Americans had just finished the war and individuals were beginning to financially recover. By having this sonnet engraved on a landmark it represented all the ?Unknown Citizens? that had invested an energy to support their nation. Like the landmark known as ?The Unknown Solider.? This engraving gave credit where credit was expected. The landmark was there for all the individuals of the state to peruse. Taking everything into account, the last line says everything, ?Was sans he? Is it safe to say that he was glad? The inquiry is ludicrous: Had anything been off-base, we ought to absolutely have heard (939).? The significance of this line speaks to the way that we don't have the foggiest idea whether this man was free or glad. In any case, he carried on with an actual existence that was the customary American way. Consider the possibility that he had done some unjustified thing in his life, he would. not be recollected on a marble landmark. What's more, he in all likelihood would not have been be thought of to be a holy person. English Essays

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Astronomy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Cosmology - Essay Example b. what is the hugeness or significance of examples or cycles in nature to the advancement of science? Examples or cycles help science by anticipating conduct of seasons, planet development, and different parts of our condition. The forecast of these seasons were crucial to the endurance of old individuals, and still assistance ranchers today. Without these expectations people would have no food. Cosmology helped antiquated civic establishments anticipate the seasons, make sanctuaries, develop space science and even make divine beings out of the sky. The useful uses were the creation of a schedule to anticipate seasons. This assisted with collecting food, plan for unforgiving atmospheres, and gave antiquated civic establishments an approach to record time. 5. depict the obvious movements of the planets in the sky. The planets appear to have the obvious movements of to and fro relying upon their circle and the earth’s position. This demonstrates all the planets have their own circles around the sun. 7. how did kepler first attempt to relate the dividing of the circles of the planets? For what reason did kepler discover this methodology rationally fulfilling? Kepler felt that the dividing of the planet circles was otherworldly. The universe was worked in God’s picture. The sun was God the Father, the Earth the Son, and everything in the middle of the Holy Spirit. Kepler felt science and religion could praise one another. On February 4, 1600, Kepler met Tycho Brahe at Benã ¡tky nad Jizerou in Poland. This is the place Tychos new observatory was being developed. This observatory was for Tycho’s concentrates on Mars. Kepler’s political and strict difficulties in Poland tormented the common work of Kepler and Tycho. Since the celestial altruism has vouchsafed us Tycho Brahe, a most steady spectator, from whose perceptions the 8 mistake in this Ptolemaic calculation is appeared, it is fitting that we with grateful brain both recognize and respect this advantage of God... For on the off chance that I had figured I could overlook

Friday, August 21, 2020

What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits

What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits Theories Personality Psychology Print The Big Five Personality Traits By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on May 11, 2017 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on October 14, 2019 More in Theories Personality Psychology Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Openness Conscientiousness Extraversion Agreeableness Neuroticism Universality Influential Factors View All Back To Top Many contemporary personality psychologists believe that there are five basic dimensions of personality, often referred to as the  Big 5 personality traits. The five broad personality traits described by the theory are extraversion (also often spelled extroversion), agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Trait theories of personality have long attempted to pin down exactly how many personality traits exist. Earlier theories have suggested a various number of possible traits, including  Gordon Allports  list of 4,000  personality traits,  Raymond Cattells 16 personality factors, and Hans Eysencks three-factor theory. However, many researchers felt that Cattells theory was too complicated and Eysencks was too limited in scope. As a result, the five-factor theory emerged to describe the essential traits that serve as the building blocks of personality. Verywell / Joshua Seong What Are the Big Five Dimensions of Personality? Today, many researchers believe that they are five core personality traits.?? Evidence of this theory has been growing for many years, beginning with the research of D. W. Fiske (1949) and later expanded upon by other researchers including Norman (1967), Smith (1967), Goldberg (1981), and McCrae Costa (1987). The big five are broad categories of personality traits. While there is a significant body of literature supporting this five-factor model of personality, researchers dont always agree on the exact labels for each dimension. You might find it helpful to use the acronym OCEAN (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) when trying to remember the big five traits. CANOE (for conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion) is another commonly used acronym. It is important to note that each of the five personality factors represents a range between two extremes. For example, extraversion represents a continuum between extreme extraversion and extreme  introversion. In the real world, most people lie somewhere in between the two polar ends of each dimension. These five categories are usually described as follows. Openness This trait features characteristics such as imagination and insight.?? People who are high in this trait also tend to have a broad range of interests. They are curious about the world and other people and eager to learn new things and enjoy new experiences. People who are high in this trait tend to be more adventurous and  creative. People low in this trait are often much more traditional and may struggle with abstract thinking. High Very creative Open to trying new things Focused on tackling new challenges Happy to think about abstract concepts Low Dislikes change Does not enjoy new things Resists new ideas Not very imaginative Dislikes abstract or theoretical concepts Conscientiousness Standard features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors.?? Highly  conscientious people tend to be organized and mindful of details. They plan ahead, think about how their behavior affects others, and are mindful of deadlines. High Spends time preparing Finishes important tasks right away Pays attention to detail Enjoys having a set schedule Low Dislikes structure and schedules Makes messes and doesnt take care of things Fails to return things or put them back where they belong Procrastinates  important tasks Fails to complete necessary or assigned tasks Extraversion Extraversion (or extroversion)  is characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness.?? People who are high in extraversion are outgoing and tend to gain energy in social situations. Being around other people helps them feel energized and excited. People who are low in extraversion (or introverted) tend to be more reserved and have less energy to expend in social settings. Social events can feel draining and introverts often require a period of solitude and quiet in order to recharge. High Enjoys being the center of attention Likes to start conversations Enjoys meeting new people Has a wide social circle of friends and acquaintances Finds it easy to make new friends Feels energized when around other people Say things before thinking about them Low Prefers solitude Feels exhausted when having to socialize a lot Finds it difficult to start conversations Dislikes making small talk Carefully thinks things through before speaking Dislikes being the center of attention How Extroversion in Personality Influences Behavior Agreeableness This personality dimension includes attributes such as trust,  altruism, kindness, affection, and other  prosocial behaviors.?? People who are high in agreeableness tend to be more cooperative while those low in this trait tend to be more competitive and sometimes even manipulative. High Has a great deal of interest in other people Cares about others Feels empathy and concern for other people Enjoys helping and contributing to the happiness of other people Assists others who are in need of help Low Takes little interest in others Doesnt care about how other people feel Has little interest in other peoples problems Insults and belittles others Manipulates others to get what they want Neuroticism Neuroticism is a trait characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability.?? Individuals who are high in this trait tend to experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Those low in this trait tend to be more stable and emotionally resilient. High Experiences a lot of stress Worries about many different things Gets upset easily Experiences dramatic shifts in mood Feels anxious Struggles to bounce back after stressful events Low Emotionally stable Deals well with stress Rarely feels sad or depressed Doesnt worry much Is very relaxed Are the Big Five Traits Universal? McCrae and his colleagues have also found that the big five traits are also remarkably universal. One study that looked at people from more than 50 different cultures found that the five dimensions could be accurately used to describe personality. Based on this research, many psychologists now believe that the five personality dimensions are not only universal; they also have biological origins. Psychologist David Buss has proposed that an evolutionary explanation for these five core personality traits, suggesting that these personality traits represent the most important qualities that shape our social landscape. What Factors Influence the Big Five Traits? Research suggests that both biological and environmental influences play a role in shaping our personalities. Twin studies suggest that both nature and nurture play a role in the development of each of the five personality factors.?? One study of the genetic and environmental underpinnings of the five traits looked at 123 pairs of identical twins and 127 pairs of fraternal twins. The findings suggested that the heritability of each trait was 53 percent for extraversion, 41 percent for agreeableness, 44 percent for conscientiousness, 41 percent for neuroticism, and 61 for openness.   Longitudinal studies also suggest that these big five personality traits tend to be relatively stable over the course of adulthood. One study of working-age adults found that personality tended to be stable over a four-year period and displayed little change as a result of adverse life events. Studies have shown that maturation may have an impact on the five traits. As people age, they tend to become less extraverted, less neurotic, and less open to the experience. Agreeableness and conscientiousness, on the other hand, tend to increase as people grow older. A Word From Verywell Always remember that behavior involves an interaction between a persons underlying personality and situational variables. The situation that a person finds himself or herself plays a major role in how the person reacts. However, in most cases, people offer responses that are consistent with their underlying personality traits. These dimensions represent broad areas of personality. Research has demonstrated that these groupings of characteristics tend to occur together in many people. For example, individuals who are sociable tend to be talkative. However, these traits do not always occur together.  Personality  is complex and varied and each person may display behaviors across several of these dimensions.

What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits

What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits Theories Personality Psychology Print The Big Five Personality Traits By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on May 11, 2017 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on October 14, 2019 More in Theories Personality Psychology Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Openness Conscientiousness Extraversion Agreeableness Neuroticism Universality Influential Factors View All Back To Top Many contemporary personality psychologists believe that there are five basic dimensions of personality, often referred to as the  Big 5 personality traits. The five broad personality traits described by the theory are extraversion (also often spelled extroversion), agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Trait theories of personality have long attempted to pin down exactly how many personality traits exist. Earlier theories have suggested a various number of possible traits, including  Gordon Allports  list of 4,000  personality traits,  Raymond Cattells 16 personality factors, and Hans Eysencks three-factor theory. However, many researchers felt that Cattells theory was too complicated and Eysencks was too limited in scope. As a result, the five-factor theory emerged to describe the essential traits that serve as the building blocks of personality. Verywell / Joshua Seong What Are the Big Five Dimensions of Personality? Today, many researchers believe that they are five core personality traits.?? Evidence of this theory has been growing for many years, beginning with the research of D. W. Fiske (1949) and later expanded upon by other researchers including Norman (1967), Smith (1967), Goldberg (1981), and McCrae Costa (1987). The big five are broad categories of personality traits. While there is a significant body of literature supporting this five-factor model of personality, researchers dont always agree on the exact labels for each dimension. You might find it helpful to use the acronym OCEAN (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) when trying to remember the big five traits. CANOE (for conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion) is another commonly used acronym. It is important to note that each of the five personality factors represents a range between two extremes. For example, extraversion represents a continuum between extreme extraversion and extreme  introversion. In the real world, most people lie somewhere in between the two polar ends of each dimension. These five categories are usually described as follows. Openness This trait features characteristics such as imagination and insight.?? People who are high in this trait also tend to have a broad range of interests. They are curious about the world and other people and eager to learn new things and enjoy new experiences. People who are high in this trait tend to be more adventurous and  creative. People low in this trait are often much more traditional and may struggle with abstract thinking. High Very creative Open to trying new things Focused on tackling new challenges Happy to think about abstract concepts Low Dislikes change Does not enjoy new things Resists new ideas Not very imaginative Dislikes abstract or theoretical concepts Conscientiousness Standard features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors.?? Highly  conscientious people tend to be organized and mindful of details. They plan ahead, think about how their behavior affects others, and are mindful of deadlines. High Spends time preparing Finishes important tasks right away Pays attention to detail Enjoys having a set schedule Low Dislikes structure and schedules Makes messes and doesnt take care of things Fails to return things or put them back where they belong Procrastinates  important tasks Fails to complete necessary or assigned tasks Extraversion Extraversion (or extroversion)  is characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness.?? People who are high in extraversion are outgoing and tend to gain energy in social situations. Being around other people helps them feel energized and excited. People who are low in extraversion (or introverted) tend to be more reserved and have less energy to expend in social settings. Social events can feel draining and introverts often require a period of solitude and quiet in order to recharge. High Enjoys being the center of attention Likes to start conversations Enjoys meeting new people Has a wide social circle of friends and acquaintances Finds it easy to make new friends Feels energized when around other people Say things before thinking about them Low Prefers solitude Feels exhausted when having to socialize a lot Finds it difficult to start conversations Dislikes making small talk Carefully thinks things through before speaking Dislikes being the center of attention How Extroversion in Personality Influences Behavior Agreeableness This personality dimension includes attributes such as trust,  altruism, kindness, affection, and other  prosocial behaviors.?? People who are high in agreeableness tend to be more cooperative while those low in this trait tend to be more competitive and sometimes even manipulative. High Has a great deal of interest in other people Cares about others Feels empathy and concern for other people Enjoys helping and contributing to the happiness of other people Assists others who are in need of help Low Takes little interest in others Doesnt care about how other people feel Has little interest in other peoples problems Insults and belittles others Manipulates others to get what they want Neuroticism Neuroticism is a trait characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability.?? Individuals who are high in this trait tend to experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Those low in this trait tend to be more stable and emotionally resilient. High Experiences a lot of stress Worries about many different things Gets upset easily Experiences dramatic shifts in mood Feels anxious Struggles to bounce back after stressful events Low Emotionally stable Deals well with stress Rarely feels sad or depressed Doesnt worry much Is very relaxed Are the Big Five Traits Universal? McCrae and his colleagues have also found that the big five traits are also remarkably universal. One study that looked at people from more than 50 different cultures found that the five dimensions could be accurately used to describe personality. Based on this research, many psychologists now believe that the five personality dimensions are not only universal; they also have biological origins. Psychologist David Buss has proposed that an evolutionary explanation for these five core personality traits, suggesting that these personality traits represent the most important qualities that shape our social landscape. What Factors Influence the Big Five Traits? Research suggests that both biological and environmental influences play a role in shaping our personalities. Twin studies suggest that both nature and nurture play a role in the development of each of the five personality factors.?? One study of the genetic and environmental underpinnings of the five traits looked at 123 pairs of identical twins and 127 pairs of fraternal twins. The findings suggested that the heritability of each trait was 53 percent for extraversion, 41 percent for agreeableness, 44 percent for conscientiousness, 41 percent for neuroticism, and 61 for openness.   Longitudinal studies also suggest that these big five personality traits tend to be relatively stable over the course of adulthood. One study of working-age adults found that personality tended to be stable over a four-year period and displayed little change as a result of adverse life events. Studies have shown that maturation may have an impact on the five traits. As people age, they tend to become less extraverted, less neurotic, and less open to the experience. Agreeableness and conscientiousness, on the other hand, tend to increase as people grow older. A Word From Verywell Always remember that behavior involves an interaction between a persons underlying personality and situational variables. The situation that a person finds himself or herself plays a major role in how the person reacts. However, in most cases, people offer responses that are consistent with their underlying personality traits. These dimensions represent broad areas of personality. Research has demonstrated that these groupings of characteristics tend to occur together in many people. For example, individuals who are sociable tend to be talkative. However, these traits do not always occur together.  Personality  is complex and varied and each person may display behaviors across several of these dimensions.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Traditional Views Of The Antebellum South - 986 Words

Traditional views of the Antebellum South oftentimes ignore class divides within the American South. African-Americans and Whites are oftentimes viewed as being divided by race with all Whites and African-Americans being equal. However these ideals ignore the seventy-five percent of southerners which did not own slaves and the steep divides between African-American slaves with different roles. Primary sources from authors who experienced the Antebellum South, the American Civil War, and, or Reconstruction alert their audiences to societal divides which existed within each perceived race. Following the abolishment of slavery, economic class divides among whites were mitigated and whites view of African-Americans became standardized. Whites began to only recognize African-American as a rival to their power in all capacities, and as such vilified all African-Americans. In Mary Norcott Bryan’s A Grandmothers Recollection of Dixie, the author included a quote which demonstrated th e progressive nature of her family in terms of racial relations. The quote was a will from her grandfather which staggered out the release of his slaves. â€Å"I will that Owen and Lillie be made free the first court after January†¦the year 1847; then I most earnestly wish that all shall be free.†1 In this fashion Bryan attempts to distinguish herself and family above other whites. This reflects Bryan’s Antebellum upbringing which held more pronounced ideas of what it meant to be a white southerner from aShow MoreRelatedA Rose For Emily By William Faulkner986 Words   |  4 PagesThe history of the South could arguably be split into two sections: The Old South and the New South. The Old South is associated to the life Scarlett O’Hara at the beginning of the Gone with Wind, complete with the antebellum dresses and plantation houses. The New South is commonly associated with the era of Reconstruction and continues on into modern history. What many people fai l to contemplate is the transition from one southern era to another, the change wasn t a smooth one. A Rose for EmilyRead More A Rose for Emily Essay example1102 Words   |  5 Pages A Rose for Emily: Antebellum South vs. Modern South nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;William Faulkner wrote, â€Å"A Rose for Emily.† In the gothic, short story he contrasted the lives of the people of a small Southern town during the late 1800’s, and he compared their ability and inability to change with the time. The old or â€Å"Antebellum South† was represented by the characters Miss Emily, Colonel Sartoris, the Board of Aldermen, and the Negro servant. The new or â€Å"Modern South† was expressed through theRead MoreEssay A Rose for Emily: Antebellum South vs. Modern South1115 Words   |  5 PagesA Rose for Emily: Antebellum South vs. Modern South William Faulkner wrote, A Rose for Emily. In the gothic, short story he contrasted the lives of the people of a small Southern town during the late 1800s, and he compared their ability and inability to change with the time. The old or Antebellum South was represented by the characters Miss Emily, Colonel Sartoris, the Board of Aldermen, and the Negro servant. The new or Modern South was expressed through the words of the unnamed narratorRead MoreThe Battle Of The Civil War1627 Words   |  7 PagesThere is a long-standing debate over the causes of the Civil War in which one popular view is that it was a war waged to end slavery, while the other view, usually more sympathetic to the South, is that the contention was over states rights (in the interest of self-determination instead of subservience to the federal government). This is an interesting disagreement, because it implies a disagreement regarding which of the two sides was actually fighting for freedom. Despite the impl icit oppositionRead MoreThe Modern Identity Of The United States Of America1878 Words   |  8 Pagesframers, â€Å"all men† were white landowners. The dichotomy of equality for â€Å"all men† and the third estate was a feature of democracy in America for centuries and a defining characteristic of the American South in particular. The belief in race based dichotomy was perpetuated by the landed gentry of the South, the political elite, to the masses, establishing the rise of a conservative base in the latter half of nineteenth century which hindered black civil rights for decades and defines the enduring qualitiesRead MoreA Rose For Emily Literary Analysis957 Words   |  4 Pageswill kill herself’†, and talk about Emily’s life from an outside point of view represents society’s judgments and the importance of social status in the 1930s when â€Å"A Rose for Emily† was written (Faulkner 6). Faulkner takes the influence of the townspeo ple and their gossip even further by using a plural, first person point of view in the narration of the story. The audience reads the story through the townspeople’s point of view, as someone would hear it, if they were told as gossip. In doing so, FaulknerRead MoreSlave Religion Research Paper3126 Words   |  13 PagesWell soon be free, When de Lord will call us home. For almost eight decades, enslaved African-Americans living in the Antebellum South, achieved their freedom in various ways—one being religion—before the demise of the institution of slavery. It was â€Å"freedom, rather than slavery, [that] proved the greatest force for conversion among African Americans in the South† (94). Starting with the Great Awakening and continuing long after the abolition of slavery, after decades of debate, scholarsRead MoreThe Scarcity Of Land During Virginia Made Planters Or Male Members With Their Families1741 Words   |  7 Pagesplanters, after land investment. This scale of trade and costs invested into it inevitably led to desire to protect the business at any price. Entahat elmuqaddima Although the economic vitality of the domestic slave trade to the slave system in antebellum South to thrive, develop, and expand is evident. However, historians are still debating whether the domestic slave trade supported the economic viability of the slave economy. Moreover, though the domestic slave trade had a major part in the SouthernRead MoreAmerican Slavery in 1600s 2755 Words   |  11 Pagesawakening period for the slaves during that time. The revolutionary war, was in itself a revolution to the slaves. By 1784 for instance, several states in the North had already passed emancipation laws that freed slaves through a gradual process. In the South however, the easing of the laws that made it possible to free slaves was slower. This was steered by the invention of the cotton gin, which made white plantation owners work towards growing economically through exporting cotton. The production of cottonRead MoreThe Dynamic Between Blacks And Blacks By Booker T. Washington Essay16 01 Words   |  7 Pagesstruggled to come to terms with thea major alterationchange in the way that their homes, businesses, and lives were runoperated. With the roles of whites and blacks alteredreoriented, the ways in which the two groups interacted changed as well – the South was truly â€Å"reconstructed†. Booker T. Washington lived through this time, becoming famousrenowned for his conservative navigation of the evolving racial climate and hisremembered for his historic and became famous for a number of achievements. Among

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

How Technology Has Changed Our Lives - 1657 Words

In an ever-changing society, there is always pressure to accomplish tasks faster. People every day seek to make their lives simpler, live more efficiently, and in turn get more out of the day. Such emerging technologies have helped us make things easier on us in everyday life. When is the last time you saw an infomercial and thought hey I could use that? Consequently, communication has changed and is constantly changing, accelerating the world around us. Just think about how far we have come, and has ever-changed our pace of life. Technology is fueling our way of life, making everyday tasks faster and easier to do. In turn, this gives us more time to do more with the time in the day. Pace of life studies have been used to analyze groups of people. In some form, people’s lives are measured by how quickly they move in society. For example, Professor Richard Wiseman, along with the British council, conducted an experiment where they measure the walking speed of people. This was performed in various areas around the globe to give an accurate portrayal for the pace of life in a city. The study showed that from the 1990s to today, some cities have increased their pace of walking by a substantial margin. Singapore being at the top with a 30% increase. The fastest pace of life in the study was Japan and western countries of Europe. In other words, the more developed the country, the faster their pace of life is going to be. As a result, the slowest was found in underdevelopedShow MoreRelatedHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives910 Words   |  4 PagesIt is amazing how everyone’s life is changing by using technology. Technology by definition means, the bran ch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.(web). Now a days people use different kinds of technology that brings it to our life like cellphone, iPod, laptop, mp3, and all of the devices create a convenientRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1481 Words   |  6 PagesTechnology, as we know, has completely changed the way every American goes about their daily activities. Today we are able to communicate globally with anyone from any part of the world within seconds, making business and our social lives a million times easier. Look to your left and you will find your cell phone buzzing with missed calls, texts, and social notifications. Look to your right and you will see your emails filling up with the newest offers on fashion or your boss giving you this weeksRead MoreHow Technology Has C hanged Our Lives1698 Words   |  7 PagesTechnology Technology is defined as machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge. Its original use was meant solely for the service of humans, however overtime it has evolved into something much different. What was originally meant to be an assisting piece of machinery has changed almost every aspect of our culture. The way we think, communicate, lie, and even love has been impacted by the use of technology, and all of this is has made for interesting pieces ofRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1559 Words   |  7 PagesThe friendship with technology today can be called a â€Å"Time Hog† Technology is our friend. That is a statement that could be addressed with many questions. How we used technology today has really affected our lives. People are connected every moment of the day. Everywhere we look there are people talking on their cell phones; at every stop light you see people texting on their device. The same people can be seen checking their phone or browsing the web at every chance they get. People are wastingRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1593 Words   |  7 Pagesfor their food. It used to be that only the rich and noble could read and write. Times have changed, the world has changed, humans have changed. Humans have come a long way since the days of sticks and stone. Today, many people utilize technology as a way to live their life. Almost everyone carries around a smartphone and they rely on it. It is believed that smartphones give more control over their lives. The phone can be used call whoever they want, can be used to listen to whatever they want,Read MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1667 Words   |  7 PagesLeon Zhu Professor Harwood English 1101 8 December 2014 Research Paper One item that has flourished through the decades, and has come to substantially impact our lives is the phone. The first telephone was created in 1876, and as decades passed by, it was replaced by the cellphone, which incorporated the addition of many useful new features. Additional features such as text messaging, a built-in camera, and internet access transformed the people’s perceptions because the add-ons presented more purposeRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1625 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of Technology in Healthcare â€Å"Without a doubt, technology is amazing and what will we do without it†. These are the exact words of my husband while changing and playing the lights of our swimming pool through his cell phone. It is a fact that technology has changed our lives in many ways and it is constantly changing. A computer is a great illustration of how technology keeps evolving. About two weeks ago, I was looking for a laptop because my desktop is about to give up on me. The salesRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1606 Words   |  7 PagesA few centuries ago, before technology was underdeveloped due to limited resources and knowledge, communication between countries on the opposite end of the world was extremely slow or not possible. Most people did not know much about other lands, people, and cultures. What people thought they knew about the world was often wrong or inaccurate. However, within the past hundred years, the pace of our technology has accelerated rapidly. Nowadays tr aveling across the globe in less than 24 hours is notRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives900 Words   |  4 PagesTechnology has adapted a lot within our daily lives making it essential to our daily lives! There isn’t a time will technology will end, because there are always ways to adjust old things and keep improving from there, nothing is perfect. Toilets has increased water pressure for a better flush, but before there wasn’t a toilet, toilet paper even! Communication has also changed from verbal to written communication. Vintage phones that connects to a wire, transitioned to wireless with an antenna, andRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1984 Words   |  8 PagesAuthenticity in Medical Technology Stepping in to the 21st century, technology is said to have taken over many of our lives. Technology is now part of our daily routine and without it, our lives won’t be as convenient and easy as it is. In this story Alone Together by Sherry Turkle, technology is seen to have built a relationship between humans and robots. Turkle goes on explaining how dependent humans are towards technology. Turkle questions the substitution of technology towards humans and how this substitution

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Traditional Method Of Costing Has The Essence Of Dealing With Overheads By Accounting Essay Example For Students

Traditional Method Of Costing Has The Essence Of Dealing With Overheads By Accounting Essay Outline1 Abstraction2 Introduction3 Keywords4 Literature Review5 Methodology6 Findingss7 Decision Abstraction In recent old ages the universe of bing systems have shown major developments in bing techniques, specifically a major part of activity-based costing ( ABC ) in fabrication and services organisations. This survey aims to place the grounds why activity-based costing is preferred to traditional costing tools in modern fabrication environment ; why directors are demoing their involvements in the acceptance of ABC to better their fiscal public presentation, managerial and production efficiency ; how ABC helps directors to extinguish production inefficiencies ; how ABC facilitates adaptative and productive acquisition in organisations and the utility of ABC in seller choice, service sector and SME s. Traditional measurement methods of cost accounting proved deficient on these issues, which leads to the innovation of activity-based costing. Introduction Traditional method of costing has the kernel of covering with operating expenses by dividing them into variable operating expenses and fixed operating expenses. If we are utilizing soaking up costing, we will foremost make up ones mind the suited footing for soaking up ( e.g. machine hours or labour hours ) , so we will absorb all the operating expenses on that footing. The traditional costing methods were designed around 1870-1920. In those yearss industry was labour intensive, there was no mechanization, merchandise assortment was little and overhead costs in organisations were by and large really low as compared to today. However, it changed quickly from 1960 s peculiarly 1980 s due to the job of increased deficiency of relevancy of traditional cost accounting methods. Activity Based Costing ( ABC ) is based on the penetration that activities create costs, while merchandises consume activities. ABC is a costing technique that first identifies the major activities that give rise to overhead costs, so groups activities holding same cost drivers into cost pools and eventually assigns entire operating expense costs to each merchandise or service by ciphering soaking up rate for each cost pool. So we can state that ABC is a costing technique in which multiple operating expense cost pools are created on the footing of one or more non-volume related factors. There is a construct of cost pool and cost driver that distinguishes ABC from traditional costing. Cost driver can be any factor that causes alteration in the cost of an activity. Under ABC operating expense costs are assigned to merchandises on the footing of cause and consequence relationship. Traditional systems frequently rely on unpredictable allotments of indirect costs ; peculiarly they rely extensively on volume-based allotments. Volume based activities are those which have high correlativity with figure of units produced. Most of the indirect costs are non volume-based. If volume-based allotments are used high volume merchandises are likely to be assigned with greater proportion of indirect costs than they have consumed, whereas low volume merchandises will be assigned lower proportion. It will take to over costing of high volume merchandises and under bing of low volume merchandises, which will further supply misdirecting information. So, traditional systems fail to acknowledge the relationship between costs, activities and merchandises by using volume-related overhead soaking up rates merely. For Example, a company produced two merchandises merchandise A and merchandise B. Merchandise A which is a low volume point is produced harmonizing to client specifications that may demand certain activities such as particular technology, extra testing and any machine apparatuss, whereas merchandise B which is a high volume point demands small attending, no particular activities and running continuously. If this company is utilizing traditional costing technique it will apportion all of its operating expenses to merchandises based on figure of machine hours, which will ensue in the allotment of small overhead cost to merchandise A because it did non hold many machine hours but retrieve it demanded tonss of technology, proving and setup activities and costs of these activities have been ignored by traditional system. In contrast, merchandise B will hold tremendous sum of operating expenses due to all those machine hours, but in world it demanded small overhead activity. It will take to misreckoning of each merchandises true entire cost of fabrication. ABC overcomes this job by delegating operating expenses on more than one activity. It recognizes that particular technology, proving and machine apparatuss are besides activities which consume resources of company, so costs of resources used in those activities should besides be calculated and included in entire overhead costs of merely those merchandises that demanded and consumed those activities. So if you want to command your costs, you have to first command the activities that cause the costs to be incurred. ABC may assist to place value added activities and non-value added activities, which will assist directors to command their costs by extinguishing non-value added activities or at least cut downing figure of cost drivers of non-value added activities. The beauty of ABC is that it reveals fresh capacity and aid directors to extinguish those capacities so that there would be no merchandise cost deformation. There are two stages of activity accounting. First stage is called Activity-Based Accounting ( ABC ) where it tells us how we can better our fight by pull offing our resources more expeditiously. It does non merely supply accurate costs but it is a mechanism for pull offing costs. Second stage is called Activity-Based Management ( ABM ) which is an of import tool for accomplishing uninterrupted betterment. In ABM, we use information obtained from ABC to do strategic be tterments in organisations. Directors by and large achieve betterments by pull offing activities in four ways: Activity decrease by cut downing the clip required to execute activity. Activity riddance by extinguishing the full activity. Activity choice by choosing the low-priced activity from set of activity options. Activity sharing here directors make such alterations that allow them to portion activities with other merchandises to accomplish economic systems of graduated table. It depend on director s ability that how he will utilize all these four ways expeditiously and efficaciously to accomplish strategic betterments in organisations. The most accurate costs under ABC allow direction to be after more efficaciously, better quality of cost control and eventually evaluate director s public presentation on meaningful footing. To implement ABC in any organisation is non an easy undertaking, you have to update your activity systems as merchandises and procedures diversify. This survey aims to show that ABC is preferred to traditional soaking up costing in the modern fabrication environment because now indirect costs constitute greater proportion of entire merchandise costs due to merchandise s complex specifications, widespread usage of computing machine control and mechanization and increased usage of just-in-time ( JIT ) production methods which will finally better the fiscal public presentation of organisations. The usage of ABC with strategic attacks like entire quality direction ( TQM ) , JIT methods etc, can do it more utile. ABC is non merely following by fabricating companies but now many services organisations are demoing their involvement in the importance of costs for determination devising intent. When you implement ABC in your organisation a alteration in the direction construction should happen, directors can accommodate ABM by utilizing the information provided by ABC to accomplish required net incomes. Application of ABC is a squad work and requires a batch of manpower preparation. Teachers vs. coaches EssayGunasekaran, Marri, Grieve ( 1999 ) suggests the usage of ABC in SME s. The execution of ABC in SME s can assist them in bettering their fiscal and non-financial public presentation. It will assist to cut down direct labor constituents, uninterrupted accomplishment development, reengineering ( P, 390 ) and developing positive attitude of workers that contributes toward successful execution of operations ( Sage and Fox 1989 ) . Chan, Keung and Chung ( 2000 ) conducted a survey to raise an empirical attack with the aid of which we can plan an ABC templet to utilize it as a tool for easy integrating in an SME environment. No uncertainty ABC was foremost designed to carry through the cost direction demands of fabrication and industrial organisations but researches shortly realized that they can besides use this system in services sector. Kaplan ( 1994 ) paperss that since 1980 s many houses working in services sector e.g. Bankss, infirmaries and logistic companies had already developed their costing system similar to ABC. It means there was besides a demand for ABC like system in services organisation which tells true and accurate costs. By implementing activity-based costing technique in English infirmaries and British National Health system ( King et. Al, 1994 ) , to rational and concern activities of university scene ( Granof, E. Platt, Vaysman, 2000 ) , libraries ( Snyder and Davenport, 1997 ; Ellis-Newman 2003 ) , sport organisations ( Dimitropoulos, 2007 ) and for planning and commanding twenty-four hours surgery unit activities of infirmaries ( Antikainen, Roivainen, Hyvarinen, Toivonen, Karr, 2 005 ) , houses can easy accomplish strategic aims. ABC is likely to be adopted by larger houses than smaller 1s because of holding diverse mix merchandises or services ( Roztocki and M. Schultz, ) . If organisations with diverse merchandises and services use individual cost driver to absorb high operating expenses, may falsify its cost estimations ( Cooper and Kaplan, 1988 ) . Initially ABC was used merely by fabricating companies and industries and many research workers discusses it s usefulness in selling determinations. Stevenson et al. , ( 1993 ) introduces ABC as a powerful toll for concern selling determination shapers with accents on the consequence of ABC on productiveness steps. John C. Lere ( 2000 ) states the importance of fabrication costs in sing monetary value dialogues The information provided by ABC captures the differences among client s orders and helps industrial selling determination shapers to understand the influence of possible alterations in client s specification on fabrication cost. Feature of ABC is its acknowledgment that cost does non merely vary with volume but it can besides change with some other activities i.e. unit-level activities, Batch-level activities and Product-level activities ( Cooper, 1990 ) . Steve R. Letza and Ken Gadd ( 1994 ) examines the usage of ABM with TQM in entire quality organisations to place their common characteristics and compatibility as direction tools. They stated that by utilizing the accounting information generated by ABC, TQM can measure costs efficaciously. Charles Praker ( 2000 ) remarks on the usage of ABC and balanced scorecard as the more modern attacks to public presentation measuring as it helps a batch in doing judgements and determinations. We use ABC informations every bit input to mensurate public presentations. Methodology This survey is based on documental analysis and based on secondary degree. Extensive literature has been reviewed to get at the decision with respect to the significance and application of ABC in different organisational scenes. Work of different researches helped us to garner information sing utility of activity-based costing in fabrication and services organisations. For that purpose a figure of 36 research articles written by assorted writers and published in assorted research channels in different states were studied. These writers belong to assorted states. The common findings are generalized henceforth. Finally a decision was drawn. Findingss Cagwin A ; Bouwman ( 2000 ) reported that there is a positive association between activity-based costing and betterment in fiscal public presentation when we use ABC with new fabricating techniques and methods such as entire quality direction ( TQM ) attack, just-in-time ( JIT ) fabrication methods, flexible fabrication systems ( FMS ) etc. Gunasekaran, Marri, Grieve ( 1999 ) besides supported this fact. Gunasekaran, Marri, Grieve ( 1999 ) presented the fact that there is a positive relationship between utility of ABC and edification of engineering, if u do non upgrade your technological resources you have to bear immense costs of informations aggregation and processing. Sohal A ; W.C. Chung ( 1998 ) and Cagwin A ; Bouwman ( 2000 ) supported this fact. Horngren ( 1977 ) argued that there are some concealed factors that influence the industrial and fabrication disbursals, if u want to increase managerial and production efficiency you have to cover with those factors really carefully. Traditional costing technique has failed in covering with those factors. Activity-Based costing is a technique which helps us in happening the manner to uncover those factors. Miller A ; Vollman ( 1985 ) , Johnson A ; Kaplan ( 1987 ) and Johnson, H. T. ( 1990 ) supported this statement. Driver ( 2001 ) reported that ABC facilitates adaptative and productive acquisition by continuously bettering bing cognition of single employees and troughs in organisations and developing learning civilization within organisations. Argyris ( 1977 ) , March ( 1991 ) , Appelbaum and Goransson ( 1997 ) , Cooper et Al. ( 1992 ) , and Michelman et Al. ( 1999 ) supported this fact. Now troughs are taking involvement in the usage of ABC in seller choice procedure. By carefully taking provider with the aid of ABC can minimise entire extra costs which relate to buy determinations. Dogan and Sahin ( 2003 ) , de Boer et Al. ( 2001 ) , Swift Owens ( 1995 ) and Brown ( 1998 ) support this fact. Because of the utility of activity-based costing, many services organisations such as infirmaries, universities, libraries, athletics organisations, Bankss, logistic companies etc. and SME s are following this new costing technique to better their fiscal and non-financial public presentation by cut downing direct labor constituents, uninterrupted accomplishment development and reengineering. Kaplan ( 1994 ) , King et. Al ( 1994 ) , Antikainen, Roivainen, Hyvarinen, Toivonen, Karr ( 2005 ) , Granof, E. Platt, Vaysman ( 2000 ) , Snyder and Davenport ( 1997 ) , Ellis-Newman ( 2003 ) , Gunasekaran, Marri, Grieve ( 1999 ) and Sage and Fox ( 1989 ) support this fact. Utility of ABC in selling determinations, importance of fabrication costs information provided by ABC in sing monetary value dialogues, usage of ABC and balanced scorecard as the more modern attacks to public presentation measuring, usage of ABM with TQM in entire quality organisations as direction tool and utility of ABC in houses holding diverse merchandises, services and processes Lashkar-e-Taiba directors think that activity-based costing is the most appropriate costing technique in modern fabrication and services environment than traditional bing techniques. Stevenson et Al. ( 1993 ) , John C. Lere ( 2000 ) , Charles Praker ( 2000 ) , Steve R. Letza and Ken Gadd ( 1994 ) and Cooper and Kaplan ( 1988 ) support this fact. So all the writers irrespective of civilization are of one position that activity-based costing is from hurting to joy. Decision From all of the above treatment and findings, it is concluded that there are many issues which can non be dealt comprehensively and meaningfully with the aid of conventional accounting techniques. Traditional accounting has failed to turn to these issues in deepness and in conformity with modern fabricating which lead to the innovation of a more improved and progressive accounting attack i.e. ACTIVITY-BASED COSTING. Many fabrication and services organisations are progressively following this new technique to better their fiscal and non-financial public presentation, pricing determinations, selling determinations and purchase determinations because of the turning importance of costs in determination devising intent.

Saturday, April 4, 2020

The Power of Pictures An Analysis of Anthony Brownes Picture Books

British children’s picture book author and illustrator Anthony Browne has established himself as an innovative force in the canon of children’s literature through such works as Gorilla and Piggybook. The author has published nearly 40 titles since the 1970s and enjoys international acclaim.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The Power of Pictures: An Analysis of Anthony Browne’s Picture Books specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Anthony Browne’s works have been hailed as penetrating social critiques that encourage the modern children’s picture book to expand its reach and touch upon uncomfortable social issues such as restrictive gender roles and narrow minded class limitations. Anthony Browne’s eccentric, provocative books are distinctive in the sense that each one refuses to condescend to its young readers, and his works consistently defy assumptions surrounding the suitable subject matter for children’s picture books that require them to be safe, staid and non confrontational. Anthony Browne regularly employs the children’s picture book as a tool to critically analyze and evaluate cultural assumptions in a playful yet trenchant way. This essay will analyze several of Anthony Browne’s works from the period between 1976 and 1986, with particular emphasis on how Anthony Browne portrays specific social issues in his works. These works include Anthony Browne’s first published work Through the Magic Mirror from 1976, Gorilla from 1983, Willy the Wimp from 1984, and Piggybook from 1986. From the educational standpoint, each of these picture books provide children with keen psychological insights into the often unspoken social rules and roles implicit in the world they are entering as they age and progress through higher levels of learning. The essay will also demonstrate the influence of post modern theory on Anthony Brow ne’s works, as well as the impact of postmodernism on children’s picture books in general. Anthony Browne’s frugal usage of text and language and the deeply layered symbolism of his children’s picture books combine finely wrought and keenly observed surrealistic features with an amusing and clever vision. Anthony Browne’s themes are consistently serious and cover the gamut of human experience and behavior.Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He is neither afraid to confront the failure of certain conventional interpersonal relationships, nor challenge the efficacy of the traditional nuclear family model of child rearing. Anthony Browne’s works also play with the distinction between fantasy, perception and reality. Artistically speaking Anthony Browne’s work tends toward surrealism and echoes the work of such surrealist giants as Salvador Dali, Edvard Munch, and Renà © Magritte. Anthony Browne’s works also frequently refer to these artists in a wry and self referential way. His books present his deeply personal and idiosyncratic visual approach through a seamless integration of the extraordinary with the mundane. Anthony Browne’s representational imagery remains simultaneously fantastic yet exact, with painstaking attention to detail and tremendous technical prowess. Anthony Browne’s trademark watercolor illustrations are noteworthy for their signature use of brash colors. Anthony Browne’s use of animals to represent humans, especially gorillas and chimpanzees, also imbues animals with human traits, emotions, fears, problems and concerns. His texts include elements from the fairy tale tradition, folk tales, allegories, and figurative warning tales as the underpinning structure for subtle yet powerful stories. A common plot line of Anthony Browne’s works sees his characters , both human and anthropomorphized animals, delve into their own internal pool of strength to overcome issues of solitude and social isolation, parental neglect, ennui, envy and resentment, bullying and social derision. As a rule Anthony Browne’s works contains strong messages to children to honor themselves above all, regardless of the social costs. In a recent Guardian interview, Flood (2009) drew attention to Anthony Browne’s â€Å"reputation as a sharp social observer. Several of his books skewer contemporary adult behavior†¦especially that of males†¦by showing how foolishness, cruelty, and self-absorption bring out the baseness of our animal natures. In 2000, he became the first UK children’s author to win the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the highest international honour in children’s literature† (Flood, 2009: n.p.). In 2009 Anthony Browne achieved the prestigious honor of being named the children’s laureate in the United Ki ngdom, joining the ranks of such literary illuminati as Ted Hughes.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The Power of Pictures: An Analysis of Anthony Browne’s Picture Books specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Anthony Browne was quoted as saying â€Å"he would use his two-year stint as laureate to focus on the appreciation of picture books, and the reading of both pictures and words. Picture books are for everybody at any age, not books to be left behind as we grow older. The best ones leave a tantalising gap between the pictures and the words, a gap that is filled by the reader’s imagination, adding so much to the excitement of reading a book,† he said. â€Å"Sometimes I hear parents encouraging their children to read what they call proper books†¦books without pictures†¦at an earlier and earlier age. This makes me sad, as picture books are perfect for sharing, and not just wit h the youngest children† (Flood, 2009: n.p.). This brings up a valid point and highlights the driving force behind Anthony Browne’s work. Its enduring significance for educators remains Anthony Browne’s â€Å"desire to â€Å"make â€Å"Art,† with a capital A, more accessible to children. I believe we undervalue the visual as a society. Too often I see children’s education mean that they grow out of pictures – away from picture books into words – as though that’s part of the development of a child’s education [and the development of a child into an adult†¦I want children to realize that fine art doesn’t have to be serious and heavy or even part of the educational process. We can just lose ourselves and see ourselves in a painting that was painted 500 years ago† (Hateley, 2001: p. 324). The Power of Pictures Picture books represent one of the earliest and most important tools available to help children m ake sense of their environment, yet cultural and socio economic influences manifest extremely early in children, as Appleyard (1991) highlights in this description of two working class communities: â€Å"Both were in their own way literate communities where reading and writing functioned significantly in the daily lives of the people. But where families did not read to children, ask them the names of things in picture books, use printed stories to help them make sense of their environment, [and] encourage them to write†¦children had difficulty in school and as adult readers [did] not advance beyond magazines and newspapers, the Bible, and the literacy requirements of their work and social lives† (p. 198). The socio economic environment of the child mediates the essential learning value of the children’s picture books, and â€Å"the kinds and levels of literacy can be correlated with the social structure of the community, its history and traditions, the quality of its schools, and the economic opportunities of its people† (Appleyard, 1991: p. 198).Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Children’s picture books hold a deeper meaning when considered in the light of how we learn about ourselves in relation to others and this learning begins almost the instant children begin perceiving images. In fact Peter Hunt (1999) points to a common and somewhat dangerous misconception regarding the deeper impact of children’s picture books when he states that â€Å"picture books are commonly assumed to be the province of the very young, or pre-literate child, a simple form that is beneath serious critical notice† (p. 128). On the contrary, children’s picture books represent a core component in an extremely complex socialization process that begins at birth. Society begins to shape children the moment they are out of the womb. Picture books impart visual meaning to children well before they have developed the critical skills to accurately judge what they are being shown and how it is influencing them cognitively, psychologically, and emotionally. While this may seem an obvious deduction, the power of the picture in the social and psychological development of children simply cannot be overstated. In Hunt’s (1999) words, children’s picture books represent â€Å"one genuinely original contribution to literature in general; they are a polyphonic form that embodies many codes, styles, textual devices and intertextual references† (p. 128). At the risk of sounding cynical, picture books instill core social assumptions and biases about the multiple hidden strata of the culture to which a given picture book ascribes: gender roles, class distinctions, family make up, racial differences, and religious affiliations. As Nodelman (1999) states, children â€Å"must have a pre-existing knowledge of actual objects to understand which qualities of [visual] representations†¦resemble those of the represented objects and which†¦are merely features of the medium or style of representation and therefore to be ignoredâ₠¬  (p. 129) More importantly, â€Å"children must learn these prejudices before they can make sense of [a] picture† (Nodelman, 1999: p. 129). The gender stamp provides one example. Because children’s pictures books show partiality towards a particular point of view – the point of view of the viewer – they possess the power to circumscribe the child viewer into identifying exclusively with what can be seen from that limited perspective. Depending on the gender of the child viewer, he or she then takes on this imposed perspective in his or her subjective life, and begins to observe and value events and other people as the pictorial narrative presents them from this gender specific point of view. The power of visual images stays with us for our entire lives. We need only consider the impact of marketing to understand how swayed we are by pictorial representations of gender, beauty and racial differences in the wider media. The power of Anthony Browneâ€℠¢s picture books lies in their ability to illustrate the emotional discrepancy that many children feel. Anthony Browne’s works highlight the tacit understanding that many children learn very early in life – the sense that their parents are there in body only. As a teaching tool Anthony Browne’s work serves to offer children a means to make contact with an emotional reality that they do not yet have the cognitive skills to name. Post Modern Children’s Picture Books Post modern theory targets and calls attention to the essentially meaningless quality of representation that orders language, thought, and the social world that we humans inhabit, and argues that nothing in language truly â€Å"is† what it claims to represent. Words are merely symbols, and all printed books are black marks on a white page. As such, language resembles more of an agreement than an absolute, an implied understanding between literate folk that an arbitrary sound and image com bination embodies or â€Å"stands for† an equally arbitrary definition. Meaning then becomes socially conferred and as such, subject to infinite change. No representation enjoys purity of meaning. Barry (2009) refers to this concept as the absence of the real, and points out that â€Å"in contemporary life the pervasive images from film, TV, and advertising has led to a loss of distinction between real and imagined, reality and illusion, surface and depth† (p. 87). Barry (2009) explains the post modern era as an era wherein â€Å"a sign is not an index of an underlying reality, but merely [an indication] of other signs† (p. 87). The system of language and the ensuing assemblage of cognitive thought built upon that language then becomes a â€Å"simulacrum† that replaces the concept of the fixed representation of reality understood by previous eras, and â€Å"the sign reaches its present stage of emptiness† (Barry, 209: p. 87). Goldstone (2001) under stands the impact of postmodernism on children’s picture books as creating a generation of children’s picture books in the last 30 years that lack â€Å"clear, traditional, linear story structure [and] a sweet and innocent tone†¦[and that] mock†¦rather than model†¦oral tradition† (p. 362). Nonetheless, Goldstone (2001) quickly tempers this description by highlighting the fact that present day children’s picture books still â€Å"remain true to the classic definition of picture books. Picture books are categorized not by content but by format, which is an interdependence of the illustration and the text. The words and the art reflect and expand each other’s meaning† (p. 362). The aspect that has changed, according to Goldstone (2001), is â€Å"the underlying organization, which has created new linguistic codes. Traditional picture books are certainly not losing their appeal, and no one illustrative or writing style is better t han another. Rather, the boundaries of what is understood as a successful picture book are broadening† (Goldstone, 2001: p. 362). Postmodernism largely defines digital media culture, in that the theory underscores values of playfulness and interactivity. Swaggerty (2009) distinguishes the so-called digital native generation’s cultural make up as â€Å"characterized by connectivity, interactivity, nonlinearity, and instantaneous access to information and social networks† (p. 24). Digital natives tend to have higher standards for their media, as they â€Å"typically have the ability to control information flow, and they prefer to be in control of what they engage in†¦school is not the focal point of their lives; rather it is one of many† (Swaggerty, 2009: p. 24). Given that children gain access to digital media culture as infants, the essential nature of the post modern theory underscores their understanding of the world. Post modern children’s p icture books anticipate this by utilizing the same interactive tools and mischievous disregard for standard literary conventions integral to digital media. For example, post modern children’s picture books may â€Å"feature characters that speak directly to the reader. Some books require readers to make choices about how they will navigate the text by presenting multiple texts. Some children are drawn to the absurdity and humor often found in post modern picture books, or they may enjoy stories that poke fun at fairy tales with which they are familiar†¦post modern picture books are surfacing in bookstores and libraries and in the hands of children, justifying the attention of educators† (Swaggerty, 2009: p. 25). Anthony Browne’s picture books contain significant post modern elements, the most notable being the self referential nature of many of his works. Goldstone (2001) explains that Anthony Browne’s works can easily fit into the category of the â €Å"new breed of picture book has its own commonly held set of structural characteristics. These texts do not follow a linear pattern, are self-referential†¦the characters of a story may refer to the physical presence of the book or the process of making a book, are cynical or sarcastic in tone, and actively invite the reader to co-author the text†¦Not all of these characteristics are always found in one story, but the presence of even one will significantly change the reader/viewer’s way of interpreting the text† (p. 363). Post modern children’s picture books intentionally thwart the traditional book’s ability to enchant the reader. As Swaggerty notes, â€Å"many readers can relate to the feeling of inhabiting a book, or losing themselves in a story. When readers are really â€Å"into† a story, they sometimes forget that they are reading a book† (p. 25). Conversely, post modern children’s picture books consistently remind t he reader that the book is a book, therefore affirming the post modern understanding that meaning is not only a created fiction but also a shared one. Goldstone (2001) states that in post modern children’s picture books the â€Å"characters and the narrator may use the physical pages of the book for props or describe the book’s creation† (p. 366). This activity embodies the self-referential text (Goldstone, 2001: p. 366). Essentially the children’s picture book continually and playfully demands a response from the reader. In Goldstone’s (2001) words, the book â€Å"asks the reader, â€Å"What is real? The story? The page? The book itself?† (p. 366). Post modern texts like Anthony Browne’s implicate the reader in their construction. Anthony Browne’s love of surrealism and the presence of surrealist painters’ influences in his illustrations becomes a consistent post modern element in his children’s picture books, a visual motif that began with his first published book Through the Magic Mirror, in which the work of the eminent surrealist painter Renà © Magritte figures prominently (Browne, 1976). Anthony Browne’s visual citations of Magritte’s work highlight the magical element of Through the Magic Mirror, which depicts a young boy who suffers from ennui and premature world weariness until he gains access to an alternate universe via an enchanted mirror (Browne, 1976). As Hateley (2009) has shown, Anthony Browne’s illustrations present obvious references to the Surrealist master’s paintings, and although Through the Magic Mirror â€Å"offered the possibility of readerly recognition and acculturation, [the book] did not necessarily depend on such recognition in order for the texts to function† (p. 340). A successful post modern children’s picture book by definition must operate on both these levels simultaneously, as most young children will have no co ncept of painting, let alone individual and historically significant painters. The educational delight that Through the Magic Mirror offers harkens back to Anthony Browne’s desire to have art be a natural component of young children’s reading experience (Browne, 1976). In Hateley’s (2009) understanding, Anthony Browne’s self referential use of Magritte â€Å"describes Browne’s deployment of Magritte, but Browne is â€Å"marketing† cultural capital. In circulating Magritte as a collection of visual referents, Browne seems to be producing a Surrealist visual epistemology, but is actually offering up Surrealism as something to be consumed† by child readers (p. 324). Through the Magic Mirror established Anthony Browne as a purveyor of â€Å"high-quality, aesthetically and diegetically pleasurable picture books that often include citations of Magritte, but do not necessarily explicitly explain to readers why they should pay attention to s uch citations. The Surrealist flourishes of the other realm are in keeping with the book’s obvious thematic and titular homage to that favorite of the Surrealists, Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Browne makes direct visual references to the accoutrements of the bowler-hatted men found in several of Magritte’s works including Golconda (1953) and Decalcomania (1966); one of the illustrations reproduces Magritte’s well-known treatments of the mise-en-abyme effect combining easels bearing paintings with the environments such paintings are notionally reproducing, as in The Human Condition (1934) or Euclidean Walks (1955)† (Hateley, 2009: p. 325). Anthony Browne successfully employs the post modern self referential element within his work not only to poke fun at the institution of high art and its intrinsic sense of exclusivity, but also to provide children with a playful and imaginative introduction to some of the most pivotal and grou nd breaking surrealist painters and their works. Another example of Anthony Browne’s usage of post modern elements occurs in his later work Piggyback, published in 1986. Piggyback tells the story of the Piggott family, Mr. Piggott, Simon, Patrick, and Mrs. Piggott (Browne, 1986). The male Piggotts consistently left all of the housework for Mrs. Piggott to take care of and refused to clean up after themselves (Browne, 1986). This led to building resentment in Mrs. Piggott, until the day Mrs. Piggott vanishes from the Piggott household, leaving behind nothing but a note that says â€Å"You are pigs† (Browne, 1986). Then, Mr. Piggott and his sons actually do undergo a metamorphosis into pigs (Browne, 1986). With no conception of how to look after a home, the Piggott household degenerates into a literal pig sty at the hands of the remaining Piggotts (Browne, 1986).The story ends with the male Piggotts gaining appreciation for the work of Mrs. Piggott and when she returns t he family agrees to share the housework together (Browne, 1986). In Piggybook, Beckett (2001) shows how Anthony Browne often integrates explicit pre existing works of art into his children’s picture book illustrations as a simultaneous form of homage and post modern self referentiality (p. 180). An example of this occurs in Piggyback. Beckett (2001) calls attention to the â€Å"portrait hanging in the Piggots’ living room†¦an unmistakable rendition of Franz Hals’s The Laughing Cavalier. Although it is the Dutch master’s most famous painting, it is nonetheless unfamiliar to the majority of children and even many adult readers†¦.In Piggybook, the portrait hangs above Mr. Piggott, who is sprawled on the couch watching television with his two sons while Mrs. Piggott attends to all the domestic tasks by herself. Not only is there a suggestive resemblance between the cavalier and Mr. Piggott†¦notably the round shape of the head†¦but the fat her and one of the sons could easily pass as Dutch. For readers who are at all familiar with Hals’s work, the portrait will evoke guild-hall paintings of Dutch merchants engaged in endless communal banquets† Beckett, 2001: p. 180). In this example Anthony Browne’s illustration performs four functions simultaneously: it visually cites his own personal influences, affirms the post modern intention to parody the staunch â€Å"museum† representation of high art, pokes fun at his own characters, the male Piggotts, and offers children access to a master painter in a fun and playful manner. This example perfectly exemplifies the multi layered and multi tasking ability of effective post modern children’s picture books. Use of Primates Published in 1983, Anthony Browne’s Gorilla launched the author and illustrator into the forefront of children’s literature. Gorilla presents the dilemma of a neglected, despondent little girl let down by the rea lity of her father’s unresponsiveness. Atkinson (2006) calls Hannah’s dilemma â€Å"a recurring theme: two worlds existing together – the absurd and the ordinary. But by the end, a transformation has occurred and the world seems less frightening. It’s also an example of how emotionally powerful [Browne’s] stories can be when he uses primate characters instead of human† (Atkinson, 2006: n.p.) Gorilla recounts the story of Hannah, a lonely little girl whose father seems perennially preoccupied by his work (Browne, 1983). Hannah desperately wants to visit the zoo, yet her father continually puts her off, explaining that he is too busy (Browne, 1983). Instead, Hannah’s father buys her a toy gorilla (Browne, 1983). When the gorilla comes to life and takes Hannah to the zoo, she finally receives â€Å"the kind of companionship that has so far been unavailable from her unusually preoccupied father† (Silvey, 1995: p. 98). The theme of loneliness central to Gorilla repeats in many of Anthony Browne’s works. Indeed, Anthony Browne’s heroes and heroines often confront decidedly adult situations such as loneliness, abandonment, neglect and disappointment. In Silvey’s words, the illustrations in Gorilla set the standard for Anthony Browne’s later works through their â€Å"forceful, strongly narrative watercolors that blend near photographic realism with fantastical touches and that exert a strong emotional, often unconscious pull; the skillful use of color, pattern and background detail to convey mood and meaning; ingenious visual puns and surprises that frequently point to serious, often disturbing underlying themes; and an exquisite empathy for the concerns of lonely sensitive children† (Silvey, 1995: p. 98). Gorilla also cemented Anthony Browne’s use of primate characters in his books. For Anthony Browne, gorillas are regularly substituted for humans. In the author’s words, â€Å"I am fascinated by them and the contrast they represent – their huge strength and gentleness. They’re thought of as being very fierce creatures and they’re not† (Flood, 2006: n.p.) Anthony Browne’s protagonists, simian or human are often social outcasts that encounter neglect, or whose sensitive nature allows them an outsider’s glimpse of the social hierarchy, as exemplified by Willy the chimpanzee that appears in a series of works beginning with Willy the Wimp. Lewis (2001) points to the sparseness of Anthony Browne’s text and the deceivingly simple yet highly effective way that the author illustrates controversial content in Gorilla, namely child neglect and the failure of parenting (Lewis, 2001: p. 4). Anthony Browne’s text states simply that Hannah’s father â€Å"didn’t have time to take her† to the zoo, while the accompanying image â€Å"coolly [illustrates] a picture of Hannah’s father, separated from his daughter by the newspaper that he is holding up and reading at the breakfast table† (Lewis, 2001: p. 4). In Gorilla Anthony Browne tackles a difficult and painful subject for many children, namely the awareness that their parents may be indifferent to their emotional needs. Anthony Browne’s illustration essentially contradicts and disproves the narrative in a subtle yet forceful way. Hannah’s father is not â€Å"too busy† to take her to the zoo; Hannah’s father does not want to take his daughter to the zoo. He would rather read the paper. Hannah’s father represents the reality of many parent child relationships: the parental figure is physically present yet emotionally absent. Social Issues in Children’s Literature Children’s picture books form an integral element of very young children’s understanding of gender roles. Pre-verbal children nonetheless derive implicit meaning from how men and wome n appear in visual representations, what they wear, how they behave physically, their facial expressions, their spatial relationship to each other within the image, and the focal point within the image, typically the point of power, because it is the point of view. In Piggyback for example, Anthony Browne’s illustration that evokes Franz Hals’s The Laughing Cavalier shows Mr. Piggott in the position of power similar to the Dutch merchants it parodies. As Beckett (2001) states, â€Å"Piggott, who seems to be eating or thinking about eating when he is not at his â€Å"very important job,† is certainly a worthy modern descendant of that patriarchal society. The significance that Browne attaches to the portrait is made obvious by the fact that he has added other signs to assist the viewer in interpreting the parody. He humorously suggests the nationality of the Dutch master by choosing Holland’s characteristic symbol, the tulip, to decorate the room† ( p. 180) In Piggyback, Anthony Browne parodies the obvious gender inequities of the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Piggott and the inherent favoritism shown to males in the Piggott’s world, a reference to male privilege (Browne, 1986). As Beckett (2001) states, â€Å"Piggott and his sons, who by now have been transparently identified as male chauvinist pigs, have been transformed into â€Å"real† pigs, and the metamorphosis is reflected in the painting, which replaces the laughing cavalier with a pig in the same dignified pose. The Laughing Pig is a parody â€Å"in the second degree,† to borrow Gà ©rard Genette’s term†¦because it parodies Browne’s earlier version of The Laughing Cavalier, itself an ironic recontextualization of the original masterpiece (p. 183). Spitz (1994) argues that â€Å"illustrations in picture books for young children frequently carry and challenge prevailing gender role paradigms† (p. 311). Gender itself can often assume a problematic stance in children’s picture books, given that it is â€Å"volatile and confusing even to adults† and adults often lack awareness of their own internalized sexism (p. 308). In Spitz’s mind, children’s picture books in general â€Å"assume†¦that children are influenced for better or worse by the surrounding culture as well as by their familial identifications† and for Spitz, it is imperative that parents and educators alike take an active role in deconstructing children’s literature, as children are â€Å"best served by being actively and selectively introduced to that culture by adults, rather than left to assimilate it on their own†¦particularly†¦[in] the field of gender† (p. 308). In Anthony Browne’s Willy the Wimp, Willy the chimpanzee begins the story as a somewhat emasculated male afraid to assert himself even against a fly (Browne, 1984). Anthony Browne believes that â€Å"child ren relate to Willy because often everyone and everything is bigger than they are and that their world is run by parents, teachers and older siblings† (Atkinson, 2006: n.p.). Anthony Browne’s Willy the Wimp highlights the struggle that young sensitive males encounter when attempting to find their place in the masculine construction of gender, characterized by physical power, might, aggression and violence (Browne, 1984). None of these qualities are inherent to Willy’s character, and he suffers bullying as a result (Browne, 1984). Spitz (1994) understands that the â€Å"operative agenda of many works is not to extend the range of possibility and give concrete form to vaguely subversive wishes but rather to promulgate and reinforce prevailing social codes that resist diversity†¦diversity especially in the arena of gender† (p. 311). Works such as Anthony Browne’s Willy the Wimp, Spitz contends, â€Å"curiously†¦often blends these opposing mo tives† (p. 311). Willy’s predicament is more or less solved by the appearance of a female, who effectively replaces him as the victim and allows Willy to reclaim some of his manhood (Browne, 1984). Spitz (1994) states that â€Å"in an uncanny repeat scene of the gorillas’ attack on Willy, the place of the helpless, victimized little boy is taken by a girl. Instead of Willy, little Milly is held now in a viselike grip by the gorilla gang leader who also grabs her purse. The visual equation is patent: the passive, helpless, vulnerable position is gendered feminine: wimp = girl† (p. 321). Traditional masculinity carries a heavy burden for sensitive little boys, and as Anthony Browne asserts, much of life as a young boy growing up, especially with older brothers, is characterized by competition (Atkinson, 2006: n.p.). As Spitz (1994) points out, â€Å"by being able to scare, Willy has changed from a wimp into a hero. Big, strong, and alarming now, he attracts the girl, and, on the next page, we see Milly cover his face with lipstick kisses in gratitude for her rescue† (p. 321). Here we see the reward for proper masculine behavior: male respect, and female affection. As Spitz (1994) astutely observes, â€Å"our culture continues to perpetuate the notion that to be worthwhile, lovable, and effective as a human being, a man must have prodigious physical strength and a frightening demeanor†¦ Although much depends on the way the book is read, its casual, even brazen presentation of wide-spread masculine stereotypes can scarcely be evaded. Little Willy, despite his concerted efforts, fails in the end to achieve this goal. His outside changed, but his inside did not. He is therefore portrayed as sympathetic but ridiculous† (p. 321). In conclusion, Anthony Browne’s children’s picture books bravely tackle difficult and thorny social issues with charm, compassion and wit. The works covered in this essay demonstrate that Anthony Browne’s playful approach to art and literature masks a penetrating and insightful critique of the social assumptions and biases implicit in the Western culture. References Appleyard, J. A. (1991).  Becoming a reader: The Experience of Fiction from Childhood to Adulthood. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Atkinson, F. (2006). Monkey business. The Age. Web. Barry, P. (2009).  Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Critical Theory. 3rd edition. Manchester, Manchester University Press. Beckett, Sandra. â€Å"Parodic Play with Paintings in Picture Books.† Children’s Literature 29 (2001): 175-195. Rpt. in Children’s Literature Review. Ed. Dana Ferguson. Vol. 156. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Literature Resource Center. Web. Brown, A. (1976).  Through the Magic Mirror. New York, Greenwillow Books. Brown, A. (1984).  Willy the Wimp. New York, Alfred A. Knopf. Brown, A. (1983).  Gorilla. London, Julia MacRae Books. Brown, A. (1986) .  Piggybook. New York, Alfred A. Knopf. Flood, A. (2009). Gorilla artist Anthony Browne becomes children’s laureate. Guardian.   Goldstone, B. P. (2001). Whaz up with our books? Changing picture book codes and teaching implications: children’s books change with the culture around them. Understanding postmodern picture books helps children make sense of a complex world. The Reading Teacher, 55 (4). Web. Hateley, E. (2009). Magritte and Cultural Capital: The Surreal World of Anthony Browne. Lion and the Unicorn,  33 (3). Web. Lewis, D. (2001).  Reading Contemporary Picturebooks: Picturing Text. London, Routledge Falmer. Nodelman, P. (1999). Decoding the images: how picture books works. In: Hunt, P. (ed) Understanding Children’s Literature. London, Routledge. p. 128-138. Silvey, A. (ed) (1995).  Children’s books and their creators. New York, Houghton Mifflin. Spitz, E. H. (1994). Good and naughty/boys and girls: reflections on the impact of cultur e on young minds. American Imago, 51 (3). Web. Swaggerty, E. A. (2009). Using Postmodern Picturebooks in the Classroom. In: Wooten, D. A. (ed) Children’s Literature in the Reading Program: An Invitation to Read. Washington, International Reading Association. This critical writing on The Power of Pictures: An Analysis of Anthony Browne’s Picture Books was written and submitted by user Damarion U. 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.

Sunday, March 8, 2020

The eNotes Blog National Book Award FinalistsAnnounced

National Book Award FinalistsAnnounced For book geeks, October is a month of thrills. First, on October 7,   the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa. The Swiss Academy praised the author â€Å"for his cartography of the structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt and defeat.† On October 12, the Man Booker  Prize was presented to British author Howard Jacobson for The Finkler Question, a comic  novel about anti-semitism. You can read a review of the work here. And now, the National Book Award Finalists have been revealed. On October 13, author Pat Conroy (The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini) announced the nominess from Flannery OConnors childhood home in Savannah, Georgia. Peter Carey, whose novel Parrot and Oliver in America was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, is also a nominee for the National Book Award. Among the non-fiction contenders is Patti Smith, often called the Godmother of Punk, for her work Just Kids, a memoir of her life on the punk scene in the 1970s and her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. You can listen to a fascinating interview with Smith on NPRs Fresh Air With Terry Gross here. Poets nominated include C.D. Wright for  One with Others and Terrance Hayes for Lighthead. Young-adult fiction authors include well-known names like Walter Dean Myers (for his novel Lockdown) as well as lesser-known authors such as Laura McNeal (for Dark Water). You can check out the full list of all twenty nominees here.   Happy reading!

Friday, February 21, 2020

Employee Relation - disciplinary & grievance procedures Outline

Employee Relation - disciplinary & grievance procedures - Outline Example Such a procedure enables the employees to have a formal means of complaint about their terms and conditions, working environment, and related issues. Just like grievance procedure, disciplinary action is also meant to resolve issues that are deemed to be in violation of the organisation’s code of conduct in order to improve their performance. If such issues are unresolved, they may lead to conflicts among the members of the organisation and these are counterproductive. Therefore, the role of the disciplinary and grievances procedure is to set the benchmarks that can guide the behaviour of the members in an organisation. Hawkins (1979) posits to the effect that these procedures in an organisation are meant to influence the behaviour of management, employees and trade union representatives in a defined situation to abide by a certain code of conduct. In short, the main purpose of procedures is to have an agreed set of rules which can be used to channel any discussion with regards to issues reflecting discontent through appropriate mechanisms towards finding a resolution. In most cases, matters pertaining to disciplinary and grievance issues are expected to be resolved informally at lower levels in an organisation. However, it must be noted that these procedures are hierarchical in nature. Such issues are first dealt with by the line manager. If the matter has not been resolved, then mediation is considered as a viable option. If there is no solution in sight to the contentious issues, then the matter is raised formally through the disciplinary and grievance procedures for consideration by the top management. Such procedures have been designed in a way to delineate a proper channel that can be followed by a complainant to have his or her issue solved in a formal way. Likewise, every organisation is structured in a particular way and this structure helps to shape the behaviour as

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Short story analiysis- Hills Like White Elephants,by Ernest Hemingway Essay

Short story analiysis- Hills Like White Elephants,by Ernest Hemingway - Essay Example On this side there was no shade and no trees...It was very hot and the express from Barcelona would come in forty minutes†(Hemingway). The imagery of this hot and humid setting creates the idea of a large expanse with nowhere to run or hide from the heat. This creates a feeling of uneasiness, discomfort, and even slight claustrophobia for both the reader and the characters. Additionally, the hills are introduced here which proves to be an important point later on in the story. The hills are not only apart of the imagery that occurs within the story, but also are an important symbol as well. The female character, referred to as Jig, notices these hills: They were white in the sun and the country was brown and dry. ‘They look like white elephants,’ she said†(Hemingway). The hills come to symbolize the ultimate issue that lies between the man and woman within the story. It is inferred that the woman is pregnant and that the man is taking her to get an abortion. The hills are a symbol of this conflict. The female character brings up the hills and how they look like white elephants; however, later on in the story, she changes her tune about them: ‘They’re lovely hills,’ she said. ‘They don’t really look like white elephants. I just meant the colouring of their skin through the trees’†(Hemingway). Ultimately, these comments about the hills are symbolic of the female’s feelings about the abo rtion. With her first comment about the hills, it appears that she is not really in control of her life, simply making observations as life passes her by. However, when she takes back this comment about the hills at the end, it represents the doubts that she is having about having this abortion and represents her desire to ponder her options, instead of acting hastily. The alcohol is also an important symbol within the story. Both the male