Endangered Animals

Endangered Animals Humans are destructive. Not a lot of us think about how what we do affects the world around us. We almost act like we are the only ones on this planet. We go around polluting and destroying our world with no regard for our actions. The things that live out in the wild are paying the price for it. Every day that passes there is another animal or plant that is placed on an endangered list. This is happening at an alarming rate.Because of man’s desire to expand and conquer their surroundings, there are animals and plants that are on the brink of extinction that will not be around for our kids and future generations to enjoy if something is not done about it now. This problem has been going on for hundreds of years. There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. It is because of our early ancestors that we have this problem today and we have to do more to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing forever. So what is an endangered species? What is an extinct species?What has happened to cause them to become endangered or extinct? What needs to be done in order to save the endangered species from becoming extinct? Can anything be done to save them? The answer to most of these questions is not known by everyone. With all the attention that this subject gets from the government or groups that fight for the environment, it gets the same amount of disregard from the public. Many people want to help or donate but very few of those actually follow through. This is a very important subject that needs to be taken serious by the public.It needs their full attention because they are the ones that can truly make a change. People really don’t understand the concept of extinction. If something becomes extinct, there is no coming back, no reset button. It is gone forever. So it is imperative that things are done to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing. The best thing to happen as of yet to advocate for preservation of our nature's beautiful things is The Endangered Species Act. First enacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is one of the most critical laws that have been put in place to protect our environment and the organisms that live in it.It protects more than the threatened and endangered animals, in fact. When restrictions are placed on certain activities because of their potential to affect threatened or endangered organisms, those same restrictions serve to a degree to protect the non-threatened, non-endangered organisms that live in association with them. Entire ecosystems are often protected. Some, however, are more critical of the Endangered Species Act than they are complimentary. They contend it should either be abolished or greatly paired down. Supporters of the Act, in turn, often argue that the Act should be strengthened.The intent of this paper is to explore both sides of this argument and to try and reach a conclusion as to exactly what should happen to the Endangered Species Act. The effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act is hard to argue. The US Fish and Wildlife Service Reports (2009) that twenty-two species that are at one time listed as endangered have now been taken off the list as they are no longer endangered. Only two species that were ever put on the list prior to their actual extinction have now become extinct (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009).Additionally, twenty-three other species that were once classified as endangered have now recovered to the point that they are considered threatened, a less critical status (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Less encouraging, however, is that far too many species actually go extinct while they are being considered for listing (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Ironically, many critics of the Endangered Species Act argue that the fact that key animals have recovered justifies abolishing the Act in its entirety!Conversely, it is argued by proponents of the En dangered Species Act that the need for the Endangered Species Act obviously does not end when any one animal is taken off the list. Consider, for example, the case history of the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The gray wolf is not only one of the most impressive of the large North American mammals it is also one of the most misunderstood. The history of the gray wolf since the arrival of the European peoples who indiscriminately displaced both indigenous human populations and indigenous animal and plant populations has been interlaced with attempts at extermination and, more recently, conservation.The species was almost reduced to the point of extinction before public sentiment would sway to the point where it would receive some protection. First listed as an endangered species in 1973, the gray wolf (thanks to the conservation efforts and severe legal penalties for harming this species that are attributable to the Endangered Species Act) is one of the success stories of the Endangered Sp ecies Act. With the upswing in the gray wolf population, however, there has been a consequent increase once again in the same public resentment which almost obliterated the gray wolf from the face of the earth just a few decades ago.This resentment, and the loss of habitat which seems to characterize so many indigenous species of the Americas, translate to a continuation of the rocky road which the gray wolf has traveled for so long. The plight of the gray wolf can be directly related to the fact that the wolf is considered a threat to man and livestock alike. Although wolf behavior makes them little threat to man the general, the public regards the wolf as a menace waiting in the woods to consume babies and to slaughter livestock. While the former concern is preposterous, the latter does have some basis in fact.Indeed, wolves have been documented as preying on livestock. There are, however, reasons behind the changes we are noting in the gray wolf’s traditional prey regime. Current management efforts for the gray wolf must, in fact, address the many changes confronting the wolf today. These changes include the impact of humans, impacts such as habitat loss, the reduction of prey numbers, and the consequent increase of wolf to prey ratio. In many areas where the wolves natural prey has decreased they have retreated to island like enclaves, some of which are in unfortunate association with livestock interests.In other cases, however, the wolves still enjoy some habitat that is protected in the name of other organisms that are still on the endangered species list. Proponents of the Endangered Species Act use the fact that the wolf population or any other delisted organism's populations could once again begin a downward spiral. The obvious conclusion is that the Endangered Species Act is anything but obsolete. It is just as needed today as it was when it was first implemented. Another common criticism on the Endangered Species Act is that too many organism s are listed.Many of the species on the Endangered Species list, for example, are subspecies. Critics of the Act argue that sub categorizing a species and identifying some of those categorizations as either threatened or endangered is unjust because the species as a whole is doing just fine. Ecologically, however, subspecies are important. It is important to remember when considering subspecies that they sometimes occupy a completely different ecological niche than do other members of their species.Furthermore, they are unique enough physiologically that that uniqueness itself justifies the added protection being included on the endangered or threatened list provides. Another argument that is lodged against the Endangered Species Act is that some of the species have no real value in today's world. Some, in fact, are commonly looked on with disdain by many. Consider, for example, the plight of bats, several of which like the Indiana Bat are included on the endangered species list.The se bats have not only endured significant threats in the past, they are currently dealing with yet another threat. That threat is a disease called white-nosed syndrome, a disease that currently is affecting a potentially serious number of bats in the northeastern United States and possibly in Canada and even Europe. any thousands of bats have already died and others are sure to suffer a similar fate. The US Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center estimates that as of August 30, 2008 some 100,000 have died in the northeastern US in association with this mysterious condition.Some estimates of bat mortality associated with white nose syndrome, however, are considerably higher. Cohn (2009), for example, estimates that some 500,000 bats have died in just the last two winters alone. Cohn (2009) reveals that some populations have been reduced by ninety percent. To understand the full impact that white nose syndrome might have one needs to consider not just how the diseas e is impacting bats but also how decreased bat populations could impact other aspects of our world.Bats are one of the primary natural controls of insects that we have. One estimate is that the total number of bats that have already died in association with white nose syndrome will result in a minimum of 2. 4 million pounds of insects not being consumed by those bats (The Economist, 2008). As one article summarizes, the impacts will extend beyond â€Å"an itchy evening in the garden. Without bats, farmers may have to use more insecticide, raising environmental worries and pushing up grocery prices† (The Economist, 2008, 49). Another considerations is that if we llow bat populations to continually flounder then potentially dangerous insects will undoubtedly increase in numbers. Many of these insects carry diseases like encephalitis and malaria, diseases that directly impact human beings. In addition to their importance in controlling insect populations, bats are an integral co mponent of their ecosystem in other respects. Many invertebrates and microbes depend on them in one respect or another in their own life cycles. Consider, for example, the importance of guano deposits in the cave ecosystem.Without those deposits countless number of other organisms would be deprived the habitat they need to survive. Those organisms, in turn, are eaten by other organisms. The impact caused by depletions in their numbers could reverberate all through the ecosystem. So too could the impact of not listing a species like bats on the endangered species list because of perceptions about their value as an organism! We are, in fact, fortunate as a country because we have the resources to sub categorize our natural world and to delve into the subtle ecological distinctions that sometimes characterize it.Poorer countries are not that fortunate and one result is that subspecies are not typically found on their lists of threatened and endangered species despite the fact that subs pecies are an important ecological element there (Birder's World, 2010). Neither are some of the species that are perceived as less important or desirable. Birder's World (2010) cautions that there is a fine line between too much sub categorization and too little because â€Å"defining too many taxes can create excessive administrative costs and dilute conservation dollars . . But defining too few taxes can hinder the effective conservation of imperiled biodiversity† (11). Having considered both sides of the argument surrounding the Endangered Species Act, it seems logical to conclude that, despite the fact that they Endangered Species Act could stand some improvement in terms of the speed of the bureaucracy that governs it, the Act itself is quite sufficient as is as long as it is administered to the full extent of its power.There is a growing tendency in government, however, to undermine the strength of the Endangered Species Act by making decisions on when and where to app ly it a political matter rather than an ecological matter (Munro, 2010). To do this is to insure that ultimately it will not just be the environment and the wile organisms that live in it that will lose, it will be mankind as well. Endangered Animals Endangered animals are one of the most issues that are affecting the earth today. Endangered animals are any species of animals that is at significant risk of extinction due to the dramatic decline in its population and habitat destruction. The endangerment caused by poaching, global warming and human activities. All life on earth is part of a nature balanced, and all species are dependent on each other to maintain the planet's ecosystem.Removing one species from the system will have some effects.  (Endangered species) claims that there is inconceivable calamity when species disappeared; calamity that cannot expect it. This essay will discuss some information about endangered animals around the world. Trade of Animals The animals are becoming sort of trades in poor places around the world, where no local markets to deter the hunters. In addition, those animals could be a kind of luxury food in rich countries. That is to say illegal hunting refers to how it is important is the money today even if at the expense of animals.Duffy writes that †The size of even legal international wildlife trade is staggering; worth approximately US$160 billion per year, it is one of the most valuable businesses in the world† (Duffy, 2010, p. 17). Species Donnellan points out that â€Å"Today there about 5,000 endangered animals and at least one species die out every year† (Donnellan, 2000, p. 9). One of the most endangered animals is a Siberian tiger. There are only 200 Siberian tigers in the wild, and almost of them are in nature reserves. However, elephants go side by side with Siberian tigers.There are two species of elephant, the African elephant and the Asian elephant. Elephant is an amazing creature that can lives in all major habitats. Furthermore, elephant has an important role on their habitat. They allow the grassland to regenerate again by fall the trees. Certainly when they walk they create paths for other creatures and also water hole. Donnellan (2 000) states that Care for the Wild International support elephant conservation by provides items like vehicles for many places in Africa. Causes of Endangerment Poaching The picture of poaching is complicated, because it covers a wide range of activities.Poaching actually is illegal hunting of any creatures, whether banned by every government in the earth of wildlife. Furthermore, Poaching take of us unique species of animals, such as elephants and tigers. In order, Duffy (2010) argues that the wildlife agencies faced many task of tackling poaching. For instance, conservation practice has been progressively to stop the poachers. Duffy provides information about poaching, †In 1988 president Moi in Kenya gave permission for the Kenya wildlife service to use a shoot-on-sight policy against suspected poachers† (Duffy, 2010. p. 82). Global Warming EffectNational Geographic (2012) insists that the Global warming is a long term change effective the average of weather occurs to a particular region. Similarly, changes may happen due to human activities which include the combustion of fossil fuels in cars. With reference to emitted from cars that are the most dangerous types of gases that called by carbon dioxide. So what the impacts of the global warming have been on wildlife? Only increasing one degree could melt the ice which involve Arctic sea ice, ice sheets that cover Greenland and mountain glaciers where are habitats for many species of animals.National Geographic shows that †Polar bear, Arctic wolf, Arctic fox and Seals are threatened now† (National Geographic, 2012). Moreover, the increase of sea level laid the marine mammals in a serious situation that depend on the ice to survive. Solution Extinct is to be gone forever, so how to protect the endangered animals? Animal needs three essential things to live; fresh air, pure water, food and place to live. People try to help endangered animals from extinction in many different ways.(Endange red species) notes that the Conversation Organisations work to aware people from the consequences of extinction. However, they scream to protect the animals habitat and building nature reserves. Also, captive breeding is another solution which is the breeding of animals in zoos to preserve endangered animals. So what we can do to help the endangered animals in the world. Certainly reduce the amount of paper could survive the habitats while all people know that the papers comes from trees. Conclusion The plant produces things that are important to save the human life.Conserve animals may lead to protect the plant where all of the humans live. Donnellan suggests that †Roughly 99 percent of threatened species are at risk because of human activities alone† (Donnellan, 2000, p. 63). Scientists try to reduce the influence of human activities as much as possible, and recover the habitats. Conservation Organisations present the solutions for the governments that protect endanger ed species from extinct while the governments able to Impose strict laws in the face of offenders. Endangered Animals Endangered Animals Humans are destructive. Not a lot of us think about how what we do affects the world around us. We almost act like we are the only ones on this planet. We go around polluting and destroying our world with no regard for our actions. The things that live out in the wild are paying the price for it. Every day that passes there is another animal or plant that is placed on an endangered list. This is happening at an alarming rate.Because of man’s desire to expand and conquer their surroundings, there are animals and plants that are on the brink of extinction that will not be around for our kids and future generations to enjoy if something is not done about it now. This problem has been going on for hundreds of years. There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. It is because of our early ancestors that we have this problem today and we have to do more to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing forever. So what is an endangered species? What is an extinct species?What has happened to cause them to become endangered or extinct? What needs to be done in order to save the endangered species from becoming extinct? Can anything be done to save them? The answer to most of these questions is not known by everyone. With all the attention that this subject gets from the government or groups that fight for the environment, it gets the same amount of disregard from the public. Many people want to help or donate but very few of those actually follow through. This is a very important subject that needs to be taken serious by the public.It needs their full attention because they are the ones that can truly make a change. People really don’t understand the concept of extinction. If something becomes extinct, there is no coming back, no reset button. It is gone forever. So it is imperative that things are done to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing. The best thing to happen as of yet to advocate for preservation of our nature's beautiful things is The Endangered Species Act. First enacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is one of the most critical laws that have been put in place to protect our environment and the organisms that live in it.It protects more than the threatened and endangered animals, in fact. When restrictions are placed on certain activities because of their potential to affect threatened or endangered organisms, those same restrictions serve to a degree to protect the non-threatened, non-endangered organisms that live in association with them. Entire ecosystems are often protected. Some, however, are more critical of the Endangered Species Act than they are complimentary. They contend it should either be abolished or greatly paired down. Supporters of the Act, in turn, often argue that the Act should be strengthened.The intent of this paper is to explore both sides of this argument and to try and reach a conclusion as to exactly what should happen to the Endangered Species Act. The effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act is hard to argue. The US Fish and Wildlife Service Reports (2009) that twenty-two species that are at one time listed as endangered have now been taken off the list as they are no longer endangered. Only two species that were ever put on the list prior to their actual extinction have now become extinct (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009).Additionally, twenty-three other species that were once classified as endangered have now recovered to the point that they are considered threatened, a less critical status (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Less encouraging, however, is that far too many species actually go extinct while they are being considered for listing (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2009). Ironically, many critics of the Endangered Species Act argue that the fact that key animals have recovered justifies abolishing the Act in its entirety!Conversely, it is argued by proponents of the En dangered Species Act that the need for the Endangered Species Act obviously does not end when any one animal is taken off the list. Consider, for example, the case history of the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The gray wolf is not only one of the most impressive of the large North American mammals it is also one of the most misunderstood. The history of the gray wolf since the arrival of the European peoples who indiscriminately displaced both indigenous human populations and indigenous animal and plant populations has been interlaced with attempts at extermination and, more recently, conservation.The species was almost reduced to the point of extinction before public sentiment would sway to the point where it would receive some protection. First listed as an endangered species in 1973, the gray wolf (thanks to the conservation efforts and severe legal penalties for harming this species that are attributable to the Endangered Species Act) is one of the success stories of the Endangered Sp ecies Act. With the upswing in the gray wolf population, however, there has been a consequent increase once again in the same public resentment which almost obliterated the gray wolf from the face of the earth just a few decades ago.This resentment, and the loss of habitat which seems to characterize so many indigenous species of the Americas, translate to a continuation of the rocky road which the gray wolf has traveled for so long. The plight of the gray wolf can be directly related to the fact that the wolf is considered a threat to man and livestock alike. Although wolf behavior makes them little threat to man the general, the public regards the wolf as a menace waiting in the woods to consume babies and to slaughter livestock. While the former concern is preposterous, the latter does have some basis in fact.Indeed, wolves have been documented as preying on livestock. There are, however, reasons behind the changes we are noting in the gray wolf’s traditional prey regime. Current management efforts for the gray wolf must, in fact, address the many changes confronting the wolf today. These changes include the impact of humans, impacts such as habitat loss, the reduction of prey numbers, and the consequent increase of wolf to prey ratio. In many areas where the wolves natural prey has decreased they have retreated to island like enclaves, some of which are in unfortunate association with livestock interests.In other cases, however, the wolves still enjoy some habitat that is protected in the name of other organisms that are still on the endangered species list. Proponents of the Endangered Species Act use the fact that the wolf population or any other delisted organism's populations could once again begin a downward spiral. The obvious conclusion is that the Endangered Species Act is anything but obsolete. It is just as needed today as it was when it was first implemented. Another common criticism on the Endangered Species Act is that too many organism s are listed.Many of the species on the Endangered Species list, for example, are subspecies. Critics of the Act argue that sub categorizing a species and identifying some of those categorizations as either threatened or endangered is unjust because the species as a whole is doing just fine. Ecologically, however, subspecies are important. It is important to remember when considering subspecies that they sometimes occupy a completely different ecological niche than do other members of their species.Furthermore, they are unique enough physiologically that that uniqueness itself justifies the added protection being included on the endangered or threatened list provides. Another argument that is lodged against the Endangered Species Act is that some of the species have no real value in today's world. Some, in fact, are commonly looked on with disdain by many. Consider, for example, the plight of bats, several of which like the Indiana Bat are included on the endangered species list.The se bats have not only endured significant threats in the past, they are currently dealing with yet another threat. That threat is a disease called white-nosed syndrome, a disease that currently is affecting a potentially serious number of bats in the northeastern United States and possibly in Canada and even Europe. any thousands of bats have already died and others are sure to suffer a similar fate. The US Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center estimates that as of August 30, 2008 some 100,000 have died in the northeastern US in association with this mysterious condition.Some estimates of bat mortality associated with white nose syndrome, however, are considerably higher. Cohn (2009), for example, estimates that some 500,000 bats have died in just the last two winters alone. Cohn (2009) reveals that some populations have been reduced by ninety percent. To understand the full impact that white nose syndrome might have one needs to consider not just how the diseas e is impacting bats but also how decreased bat populations could impact other aspects of our world.Bats are one of the primary natural controls of insects that we have. One estimate is that the total number of bats that have already died in association with white nose syndrome will result in a minimum of 2. 4 million pounds of insects not being consumed by those bats (The Economist, 2008). As one article summarizes, the impacts will extend beyond â€Å"an itchy evening in the garden. Without bats, farmers may have to use more insecticide, raising environmental worries and pushing up grocery prices† (The Economist, 2008, 49). Another considerations is that if we llow bat populations to continually flounder then potentially dangerous insects will undoubtedly increase in numbers. Many of these insects carry diseases like encephalitis and malaria, diseases that directly impact human beings. In addition to their importance in controlling insect populations, bats are an integral co mponent of their ecosystem in other respects. Many invertebrates and microbes depend on them in one respect or another in their own life cycles. Consider, for example, the importance of guano deposits in the cave ecosystem.Without those deposits countless number of other organisms would be deprived the habitat they need to survive. Those organisms, in turn, are eaten by other organisms. The impact caused by depletions in their numbers could reverberate all through the ecosystem. So too could the impact of not listing a species like bats on the endangered species list because of perceptions about their value as an organism! We are, in fact, fortunate as a country because we have the resources to sub categorize our natural world and to delve into the subtle ecological distinctions that sometimes characterize it.Poorer countries are not that fortunate and one result is that subspecies are not typically found on their lists of threatened and endangered species despite the fact that subs pecies are an important ecological element there (Birder's World, 2010). Neither are some of the species that are perceived as less important or desirable. Birder's World (2010) cautions that there is a fine line between too much sub categorization and too little because â€Å"defining too many taxes can create excessive administrative costs and dilute conservation dollars . . But defining too few taxes can hinder the effective conservation of imperiled biodiversity† (11). Having considered both sides of the argument surrounding the Endangered Species Act, it seems logical to conclude that, despite the fact that they Endangered Species Act could stand some improvement in terms of the speed of the bureaucracy that governs it, the Act itself is quite sufficient as is as long as it is administered to the full extent of its power.There is a growing tendency in government, however, to undermine the strength of the Endangered Species Act by making decisions on when and where to app ly it a political matter rather than an ecological matter (Munro, 2010). To do this is to insure that ultimately it will not just be the environment and the wile organisms that live in it that will lose, it will be mankind as well.

Case study ‘Elite Hotel’ Essay

INTRODUCTION: In this case, the operating environment for Elite Hotel run in Azerbaijan is like that it is a newly independent republic country which formerly part of the Soviet Union and situated between Iran and Turkey. It is a lowly economic developed country but recently Western oil companies are looking for inward investment in the development of its oil and gas industry in this country. Therefore, there are plenty number of clients for the hotel and the local hotel can’t service these high level clientele. Thus it is worth to open an Elite Hotel in Azerbaijan. The hotel industry heavily utilizes labor for its daily operations. It is people-centric and thus HR practices are crucial to organizational success. Coupled with new regulations on labor, the hotel industry is a useful example to learn from, due to its high dependency on manpower. This answer aims to solve some of the key issues faced by the industry and specifically Elite Hotel, through which insights are derived from Elite Ho tel’s HRM strategies. THE MACRO OPERATING ENVIRONMENT: LOCATION: The hotel will locate at the capital city Baku in Azerbaijan. This city has a cosmopolitan reputation in an overtly Muslim country which can be defined as a traditional male dominance society. Therefore, the hotel needs to take care and show the respect to the local culture. Moreover, this city often loss its power such as gas, water, electricity during daily living. In order to maintain the high quality service and seeking to expand, the hotel need to solve this power issue at first. 2. DOMESTIC LABOR MARKET AND EVOLVING EXPECTATIONS According to the Trading Economics (2014), Azerbaijan has a high rate of unemployment at 5.2% in 2013. Hence, there are lots of well-educated people willing to do any kinds of jobs. Due to the strong competition for labor, hotels face difficulties in recruitment and retention, especially when hotel jobs are viewed as a high level wage payment. Therefore, to hire the local employees, the hotel must consider very carefully. Furthermore, this country also enforced a curfew, so if the hotel is seeking to expand, they must obey the laws and consider about the risk about the political instability. HR CHALLENGES: 1. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT The issue of productivity has never been more pertinent than now. Elite Hotel will have to enhance productivity from a smaller pool of labor without compromising on service quality due to challenges in employment. Training therefore is needed to boost productivity and standards of service to meet customers’ expectations. In departments with peak and trough periods, training can be mixed- the waiters in the F&B Division can be trained as lobby hosts or even wine sommeliers. Another problem is that the employee may not be reluctant to be training and spend off-work hours on job-related  tasks (i.e. lessons) THE IMPORTANCE OF KEY HIRES The importance of the first one or two hires is also a challenge. ‘I have long endorsed and applied the approach of finding the one or two key candidates. These are leaders who are respected in their present positions in the market, or who may have previously worked there, relocated for career opportunities or unrelated personal reasons in another market and who may desire to return or are willing to return for the ‘right’ opportunity’, according to Owen Dorsey(2011). 3. LOCAL VS. EXPAT Some local candidates should be recruited since hotel may be influenced by its ownership structure which includes political or governmental factors geographically. Increasing governmental pressures have been witnessed to create more jobs for local people so as to eliminate the dependence on foreign employees. In this case, Elite Hotel is planning to employs a total of 300 full-time staff across 7 departments for locals are cheaper than their foreign counterparts. It is good news to the hotel owners and also forces hotel management companies to think carefully when staffing a hotel. As Tim Williams (2013) addressed, â€Å"Do not hire expats as Resident Manager, Rooms or F&B Director unless you think they have the potential to push through to GM.† 4. THE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT Elite Hotel faces other HR challenge pertaining to the local culture workplace environment and because of the culture in Azerbaijan is a traditional male dominance society. Therefore, how to balance the relationship between female and male employees is very important. Q2. WHAT STEPS COULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPANY MEETS THESE  CHALLENGES AND WHAT PEOPLE CAN THE COMPANY DRAW ON TO UNDERTAKE THESE TASKS? 1. EVALUATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT It is of vital importance to ensure that employees are provided with knowledge and skills which aims to achieve a high standard of customer service. Elite Hotel needs to examine its 1) Training Needs Assessment, 2) Training Design and 3) Training Delivery. Under assessment of training needs, it is crucial to identify the training objectives and priorities – what KSAs (Knowledge, Skill and Ability) are needed in which department? How will task-specific KSAs evolve in the future as job descriptions change? In tackling the problem of unreceptiveness, Elite Hotel should focus on Training Design by analyzing Learning Readiness, Learning Styles and Learning Transfer, these which will eventually lead to effective learning. Managers need to find ways to boost their employees’ self – efficacy and motivation to learn before effective learning can occur. As part of job-site learning, Elite Hotel can introduce job rotations. This broadens one’s experiences and knowledge of overall hotel operations. E.g. in the Front Office Department, an employee can be rotated to the roles of concierge, front desk, porter. This is effective in teaching employees the technicalities of various roles, and in the event of manpower shortage, productivity will not be compromised. However, an employee might also be rotated away from a position that he excels in, resulting in underperformance in the new position. To mitigate this, Elite Hotel has to ensure that managers know the strengths and weaknesses of their staff. This aligns with its belief to â€Å"spend more time on people, educate them, counsel them [and] invest in our people†. 2. EVALUATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF KEY HIRES In this case, if the Elite Hotel wants to set up a new hotel of international five-star quality, they have to look for experts to improve their network. Hiring an experienced GM or HR Director in the market would be the decisive factor especially when they are in place the whole thing unlocks. After  their join, the hotel could take advantage of their network to find out who they have worked with, who impressed them. That’s to say, the hotel may find potential clients. Nowadays typically a new brand in a new market may establish an executive committee which includes half internal hires and half external from the local market respectively. 3. EVALUATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR LOCAL VS. EXPAT With a very limited hotel supply, now the owners of hotel have to concentrate more on training. Michael Farrell, an Elite Hotel senior manager, argue that in some markets we are entering there is no local talent full stop, so we have to develop it. We put in a General Manager and HR Director with very strong training focus and put a lot into people development. Over time we can then export and develop that local talent further in our older hotels back in Europe so that they eventually return back home with a raft of best practices to share.† 4. EVALUATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT Enforcing that only the English language is spoken during work hours can address part of this problem. Elite Hotel also needs to manage relationships with NTUC, especially when active union members try to lobby for increased welfare and in particular, increased salaries. The hotel mavens, say, HR, need to study in the latest legislation and regulations, for instance, Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, Trade Unions Act and Work Injury Compensation Act etc. Moreover they have to keep learning professional knowledge through programs, courses and seminars. REFERENCE LIST: Trading Economics, 2014, http://www.tradingeconomics.com/azerbaijan/unemployment-rate Owen Dorsey. 2011, Tourism student perceptions of a travel agency career. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 1 (4), 295 – 312.

The House of Mango Tree Sandra Cisneros Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The House of Mango Tree Sandra Cisneros - Essay Example Interpretations by different readers mainly depend on the cultures of different readers and obviously their preformed perception or mentality about particular subjects. This being a literature book,it cogently utilizes several literary features that readers have to comprehend to come up with substantial conclusion based on the book. Cisnero’s book has certain unavoidable appealing features that not only make it an interesting book to read but also a research tool on literature analysis. The author has poetic, keen insights and stream of consciousness that makes the book easily readable and memorable. The chapters are almost self-contained, lyrical and dense like poetry. In essence, the book has a poetic appeal in the way it uses imagery such as the small home. Despite her not liking the place, it remains the only place bringing the members of his family together. Her dream is about something that is common in anyone(Cisneros 23). She wants to own a good home and a better life in future. She dreams of hope as her name means. In one part of the story, the narrator informs the reader how she was reminded of different houses they had lived in. They included gray houses in Alaska, which were in dilapidated condition. She also talks of her current spacious condo in Austin. From a normal reader’s point of view, it is automatic from the several illustrations in the book that where we live in really shapes the kind of life we live later in life.

Pizza Hut Trainee Operations Manager 12 month plan Essay

Pizza Hut Trainee Operations Manager 12 month plan - Essay Example The company has more than 6,000 outlets in the US alone and operates in more than 90 countries across the world. Over the past years, the company has attained customer loyalty due to relentless innovation, high quality product and excellent customer service. The mission of Pizza Hut is to provide courteous services. The company offers a safe working environment, rewarding careers that have both growth and development opportunities (Mishra 2009). The operations manager will be tasked with ensuring all the activities of the outlet operations manager designate will be required to meet the customer expectations through ensuring all activities related to the preparation and serving of prepared foods meet the established standards. The operations manager must be able to achieve high customer satisfaction, meet the sales and profitability goals and also ensure high motivated workforce (Storey 2007). The manager will also be expected to coach the subordinates and ensure the health and safety procedures are followed in the workplace (Blyton and Turnbull 1992). Job advertising Job title: operations manager designate Reporting to: General Manager Company: Pizza Hut Industry: Restaurant chain Salary: Negotiable Role: The jobholder will oversee the day to day operations of the restaurant and work closely with stakeholders in order to ensure high quality services, excellent customer service and innovative dining concept for the target market. The operations manager must have hands on skills in order to effective meet the performance benchmarks and ensure continuous improvement in operations. Job responsibilities Manage day to day operations including ordering of stock, portion allocations, procurement of raw materials and ensure accountability of utilization of the stocks. Prepare daily, weekly, monthly and annual operation reports including the staff plans, stock control plans and sales reports. Ensuring that the restaurant meet key performance indicators such as sales leve l, profitability and cost control indicators. Work closely with the management in planning advertising and marketing plans for the restaurant. Work with subordinates such as chefs to plan menus that are popular with loyal customers. Ensure that all the subordinates follow and adhere to Pizza Hut health and safety standards and policies in the workplace. Manage and direct teams in order to ensure the efficient flow of work processes and activities in the company. Handle customer complaints in a timely manager and deals with suppliers to ensure no stock outs in the company. Train, develop, and motivate the subordinates towards attainment of the performance targets. Supervision of employee shifts such as kitchen staff, waiting staff, food preparation staff and cleaning staff. perform any other duties as assigned by the General Manager. Qualifications and experience A minimum of a Bachelors degree in operations management. Minimum of 1 year work experience in similar position or relevan t sector. Attentive to fine details. Courteous and excellent communication skills. Strong leadership skills and interpersonal skills. Strong understanding and skills in cost control, menu planning, and inventory management. Candidate interviewing The company will recruit both from the internal and external market. All subordinates interested in the position will be notified about the job opening through e-mails and a post in the company website. In addition, in order to encourage new talent in the company, a job advert will be placed in the daily newspapers so that external candidates can apply for the job. The interested applicants will be required to apply the job by sending an application letter to the manager in charge

Cross-Cultural Perspective - McDonald's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cross-Cultural Perspective - McDonald's - Essay Example During recent years, the company faced severe competition the United States of America (considered to be the home market for the organization. This severe competition led the company to focus on revenue being gathered from international market. Internationally, fifty percent of the company’s retail outlets are franchised to local people of that particular market/country in which the company operates. Hence the main revenue generated is from Royalties, Rents, etc. McDonald’s has followed a brilliant strategy by focusing on the smallest of details within the international market. This includes McDonald’s focus towards social, religious and cross cultural issues that the company faces in all the different countries in which it operates. One of the major cultural issues that the company has faced over the years of its operation is the fact that it is hugely criticized for adversely affecting local customs of eating and lifestyle in the area in which it operates e.g. the replacement of traditional teahouses in Japan by American fast food franchises. The company has expanded so much that it can be found in more than 120 countries around the globe. Individuals find McDonald’s retail store very easily because of the increased number of retail stores within any particular city e.g. Rome has more than 33 McDonald’s retail stores and it is because of such reason that people may get tempted to try out the products offered by the restaurant because of abundant retail stores at every corner. People who might not be fond of such food may opt for it because of the cleanliness and the environment that the offer within their different restaurants. McDonald’s offers different products so as to suit the differing cultural and religious perspective e.g. Hamburgers are not offered in Muslim countries because of a Muslim religious restriction towards eating Pork. To cater to the demand of these Muslim customers, McDonald’s have setup o utlets which offer food termed as â€Å"Halal†. In India, the scenario is totally different, the country is known for its vegetarian eating habit and it is because of this reason that the Indian market is served with totally different products such as the sandwich known as the â€Å"McAloo Tikki† (sandwich with a fried breaded potato and pea’s patty). These cross cultural differences do not restrict themselves to product only, the website being created for the different countries too have cross-cultural aspects addressed in them. The company has to focus on many ethical issues in order to maintain their standard of being a global organization. The company has taken many steps in order to prove to the world that the organization’s social responsibility towards the environment is properly dealt with. McDonald’s has completed a comprehensive sustainable land management commitment in order to ensure that the sustainability of the organization’s supply chain is maintained and improved. The company clearly shows that it cares for its customers and its environment by acquiring their unprocessed or minimally processed raw materials from legal and sustainable managed sources. McDonald’s care for the environment can be easily witnessed from their packaging

Business Ethics and SRI Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Ethics and SRI - Literature review Example This emerging phenomenon is known as Socially Responsible Investment (Hicks,2003; Schueth, 2003) Socially Responsible Investment (SRI), also known as ethical investment, is an investment discipline that in addition to the risk and returns issues in investment, takes into account social or environmental issues. The difference between SRI and conventional investment is the employment of specific investment strategies. The purpose of such strategies is to select or exclude certain assets from investment portfolio. (Renneboog et al., 2008,p. 1723). It simply means that conventional investment strategies are considered natural—having financial return on investment at the core. However, SRI strategies are either socially sensitive or socially dictating(Hicks,2003; Schueth, 2003) SRI has three major distinctive techniques, which may overlap or follow one another. These are screening, activism, and cause-based investment( Spark and Cowton,2004; Vivers, 2007) . Further, SRI may be carr ied out at individual as well as institutional level. Individuals normally develop mutual funds whereas institutions execute it through charitable foundations and pension funds. Since its modern emergence, SRI, its strategies, its terminology and its definition have been under strong debates ( Spark and Cowton,2004; Schueth, 2003 Hicks,2003). ... At the end of this review , I shall present the growing importance of SRI at international level. 2. Definition and basic terminology 2.1. Business Ethics In current literature of business ethics, there are two major streams. One expects that business shall not be immoral enterprise and the second that consider the morality and self-interest at certain point sometime are opposite. ( Hicks,2003). The first group assume that business is amoral whereas second argue that if it is amoral it is immoral ( Hicks,2003).In current stream of business ethics literature second group is becoming dominant and either calls for the practice of personal values or even urges the investors to play an active role for the implementation of those values into the businesses.( Hicks,2003; Schueth, 2003, Vivers, 2007). 2.2. SRI and Other Terms There are various terms representing the concepts of business ethics. For instance, "Socially Responsible Investing" , "social investing," "socially aware investing," " ethical investing," "mission-based investing," and "double-bottom line investing.". These terms has been used interchangeably in literature (Pan and Mardfin ,2001; Schueth, 2003;Spark and Cowton,2004). However the two most common terms are â€Å"ethical investing† and â€Å"Socially Responsible Investment† (Spark and Cowton,2004, p 46). Term â€Å"ethical investment† is relatively older one and it reflects the fact that the movement was initially religiously motivated and churches played a vital role in the development of earliest ethical funds in UK, USA and Australia(Schueth, 2003; Spark and Cowton,2004). Later on, the term has gradually been replaced by Socially Responsible Investment (SRI). Many people have reservation on the use of

The Netflix Approach to Compensation. Case Study Analysis from a Essay

The Netflix Approach to Compensation. Case Study Analysis from a managing people for competitive advantage perspective - Essay Example The Netflix employed compensation programs that enable them to retain employees. The founder of the organization, Reed Hastings discovered that compensation program is one of the significant management practices that will enable them to retain their employees. Thus, he introduced compensation programs of paying workers cash salaries. This was a significant idea behind the successful organizational performance. Thus, Hastings introduced varied compensation programs with different main components as indicated below; The Netflix compensation policy allowed employees to make their own decisions on compensation system in every year. This system allowed employees to allocate and divide their basic salary with the total compensation as they wished. For instance, an employee earning 200 000 dollars was allowed to divide the salary; thus taking some cash amount and leaving others as a remaining stock. This compensation policy offered employees opportunities for altering their allocation for every year. Therefore, by the year 2009, about 500 employees have already joined the program and non- exempt employees working in the shipping centers were too paid in cash basis per hourly manner. The company makes option grants in a monthly basis with one-twelfth of the total annual allocation, which are granted and priced in the first day of every month. For instance, an employee who earns 24,000 dollars receives a total cash of 2000 dollars in the first day of every month. The company employs the formula of calculating the monthly allocation. This is through dividing the monthly allocation with the stock price. This is through multiplying by 25 percent to get the total number of shares. The aim of using this formula is to offer employees a generous pricing of 50% discount. This will enable the expected value of employees to increase by a certain amount of value. For instance, an

Writing issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Writing issues - Essay Example Even if I understand that a written message should be coherent and properly organized, I have realized that my essays always lack this quality. After a careful evaluation of my written works, I found out that I am not well organized, creative and thoughtful (Chandler 26). My efforts to communicate through my writings do not bear fruit since my messages are not arranged in a flowing, interesting and convincing manner. Most of the times, my points are left hanging without being justified. Besides, I find it difficult to use comma. As one of the punctuation marks, comma should always be properly used. It has a lot of uses that vary from time to time and from article to article. For the message to be delivered to the readers, it needs to be appropriately used. However, because I do not know how to use it, my writings have been confusing. At times, they even lose meaning as they are misinterpreted by the readers. In order to appeal to my audience, I need to be more organized in my writings. Meaning, I should be keen on the way I use words and phrases. A part from using conjunctions to make my work coherent, I need to properly structure my writings. They should always start from the introduction and end with the conclusion (Rogers 40). If this is done, the writings will be readable and understandable to anyone who gets an opportunity to access them. Besides, I need to learn to be thoughtful, imaginative and creative. Writing should not just be done for the sake of it. It should be a means of communicating to others. However, if it bores, no one would waste their time reading them. In this regard, I will have to ensure that I improve on these areas. They can make my writings to get the approval of the readers. Otherwise, I will be writing for myself (Boltz 722). On the other hand, I need to look for ways through which I can improve the use of comma. First, I should spend adequate time at the Writing Centre. Here, I

Vietnam War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vietnam War - Essay Example Between the years 1950 to 1965, a series of steps were taken by the United States, which resulted in the incremental entrance of the United States in the Vietnam War. ** A number of efforts have been made to understand and evaluate the causes and grounds of the commencement of Vietnam War, which has yet not been clearly defined. One of the reasons of this confusion is the numerous starting dates of the Vietnam War, which perplex the exact entrance of the United States into the war, and thus, the basic cause of the Vietnam War, which engulfed millions of lives and deteriorated thousands of homes in the country. (Friedman, pp. 49-56) Mainly, it has been observed that Vietnam confronted the opposition of every president that came on the seat in the United States, which has not allow the soothing of war conditions in the Vietnam. Secondly, the communism was not accepted by any of the presidency. In other words, the political leaders of the foreign powers considered the communism as the enemy of everything, and thus, Vietnam confronted a lot of criticism and opposition from the United States government. At some places, an infectious ailment was related w ith the communism by some of the major political leaders of that time. In the year 1949, when the China was influenced with the power of the Communist Party, it was felt by the American leaders that the next Asian domino would be the Vietnam. Thus, one of the causes of the American assistance to the French administration and the French Corps was the fear that was felt by the American leaders, and especially, the American President at that time. (Friedman, pp. 23-27) The Vietnam conflict was encouraged and supported by most of the U.S. presidents, but in bits. This results in the creation of a disinterest against the withdrawal from the conflict region. It was believed by the

Arthur Millers A View from the Bridge Essay Example for Free

Arthur Millers A View from the Bridge Essay In Arthur Millers A View from the Bridge, the character of Alfieri can be described as the hidden leading role. He bears several roles, most of them more significant than assumed by the casual reader. His dual-role onstage as a character who interacts both with other characters and the audience provides him with the responsibility of bringing about some understanding to the events of the play, while his background makes him the vital link between two conflicting cultures. Alfieri is the symbolic bridge between American constitutional law and Italian social law. The son of a Sicilian, he was raised in America and pursued an education in American law, providing him with a suitable dose of both backgrounds. Like a bridge, Alfieri connects with both shores. Like a bridge, Alfieri leans on the solid foundations of both cultures. But also like a bridge, Alfieri is elevated above, and therefore watches more often than he interferes. Hence the title A View from the Bridge. The whole play is Alfieris perception of the events that took place. It is almost a secondary source that is, a collection of primary sources with his personal interpretation mixed in at relevant moments but it isnt a complete secondary source, because there are significant times during the play when Alfieri himself is involved. Alfieri provides vital continuity at points in the play when the story cannot be told in any way other than narration. One example is on page 31, once the cousins have arrived and all the characters have been introduced, Eddie visits him for legal advice, for a legal way to prevent a Catherine/Rodolfo marriage. Alfieri provides literal descriptions of a storyline which, up until now, has been conveyed only through physical actions and behaviour. His eyes were like tunnels, describes Eddies single, unchangeable aim, whereas but soon I saw it was only a passion that had moved into his body, like a stranger describes how clear it was to Alfieri that Eddie was possessed by his motive. There is also an element of foreshadowing in my first though was that he had committed a crime this phrase also reiterates that the events of the play have already taken place. There are further examples of continuity to promote understanding, provided by Alfieri, throughout the play. Give some of these. As mentioned earlier, the play is Alfieris story, told by Alfieri. As such, and based on the important bridge position he maintains, he has attempted to present the story from a reasonable, objective point a view, a point of view that would suit his position. However, he is awestruck by the events that played out, and tells much of the story as a legend. On page 4, every few years there is still a case, andthe flat air in my office suddenly washes in with the green scent of the sea, the dust in this air is blown away and the thought comes thatanother lawyersat there as powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course is reflective of this. Alfieri considers the Eddie Carbone case to be a case of exception, one that triggers the romantic feelings he describes in the quotation. As a result, even though one of Alfieris roles in the play is to bring about some form of understanding to a potentially incomprehensible storyline, this quotation shows that the character of Alfieri is not an emotionless, robot-like narrator, but a real human, with a natural tendency to tell magnificent stories with an element of excitement. This can also be seen in his closing remarks on page 64, where he admits to mourning Eddie. Hes only human, and hes torn between sympathy and pity. He is a bridge between two cultures, and he cannot make a choice to devote himself completely to one side. It is the job of a bridge to link two sides together. Similarly, it is his job to maintain a link between the American and Italian cultures, yet he is torn between the two. Here we truly see Alfieris dual-character, making him both a narrator and a character.

Applications of Social Pedagogy

Applications of Social Pedagogy In continental Europe the idea of social pedagogy has evolved as a form of social work practice (Midgley, 1997). But the idea of social pedagogy has a quite unfamiliar meaning to those from the UK. As a result its contents can be initially hard to understand. Starting at the broadest level, pedagogy refers to the study of education, methods of teaching and related fields. At the highest level, Moss and Petrie (2002) describe pedagogy as being fundamentally composed of four aspects. The first is the development of theory, the second involves policy, the third the education and training of workers and finally what children actually do on a daily basis. Two of the most important levels are those of training and theory. Pedagogy theory at an academic level takes in a variety of different disciplines such as criminology, social history, sociology and psychology (Moss Petrie, 2002). At the level of training, those undertaking training in pedagogy take courses in a variety of different courses including drama, art, music and a range of other practical subjects (Moss Petrie, 2002). At the lower level of everyday training and practice, pedagogy can be seen to operate in different ways across European countries. For example in Belgium there is a five year course which is ultimately focussed on academic work and further study. In Denmark there is a single profession who are trained to work with all children up to the age of 18. In France, however, pedagogues are trained for children of different age-groups, for example one group is from 18 months to 6 years old. Despite these differences, European countries still mostly have the idea that there is some overarching theory and framework behind their practice, something that is missing in the UK. This is because pedagogy is backed up by the body of knowledge known as pedagogics and practitioners are aware that they are drawing from a common pool of ideas (Moss Petrie, 2002). Across all these different European countries, however, some commonalities can be drawn out. One of the most important is the holistic approach that is central to European pedagogical practice (Hill, 1991; Tuggener, 1993). It is a reflective approach that aims to bring into practice aspects of the whole child. What this means is that the childs emotional state, their history, their thoughts and feelings all of these are taken into account by the social pedagogue. The second aspect of social pedagogy which is extremely important is that the interaction with the child is seen as relational (Moss Petrie, 2002). The social pedagogue is not just carrying out actions on the child, but is engaging in a dialectic process with them. There is a cross-over here from the professional to the personal. These factors provide quite a contrast to the situation in the UK. Here the profession of social work is very fragmented, with an underlying assumption that working with children can be little more than child-minding. As a result the working conditions and pay are relatively low (Cameron, 2004). Similarly levels of training are much lower than in the European context. It is useful to examine the idea of reflective practice in greater detail to see how it can be applied to everyday practice. Pedagogy sees every incident that occurs as having the potential for learning (Moss Petrie, 2002). A pedagogue will, therefore, analyse a particular incident to search for ways in which learning can be extracted. If the outcome was not ideal, then other ways of dealing with the situation will be explored. In the same way, children are encouraged to have the same attitude towards incidents that occur as the pedagogue does. They should be encouraged to think how they might have acted differently and what the incident means to them. The pedagogue, therefore, needs to provide a comfortable space in which this type of reflective questioning can occur. Two major aspects that have emerged from the study of continental European social pedagogical practice are a holistic approach to children and youths along with engaging in reflective practice. A holistic approach taps directly into many of the key roles of the social worker as identified by TOPPS (2004) in the national occupational standards. For example Key Role 1 of preparing for work with individuals and families will involve finding out about a persons background, a vital step in understanding them holistically. A second example is Key Role 3 which is supporting individuals and representing their needs. Without a holistic understanding of individuals wider psychosocial circumstances, it is not possible to carry this out effectively. The second major aspect important in European social pedagogy is the use of reflective practice. Again, this ties in with many of the key roles. For example Key Role 6 is to demonstrate professional competence, as part of this critical reflection on the social workers own practice is an important component (TOPPS, 2004). Further, as part of Key Role 6 it is recommended that the social worker reflects on outcomes. As a central part of social pedagogical practice this will be directly relevant to this Key Role. Also, Key Role 1 requires the social worker to reflect on their own background and how that will affect the relationship (TOPPS, 2004). Clearly the use of reflective practice will be important in this context. Further, Key Role 4 requires that the social worker evaluate their own practice effectively. As part of this they are required to reflect on their own decisions and whether these resulted in the desired outcomes. Again, reflective practice in a social pedagogical form will address this Key Role. In conclusion, it is clear that many aspects of continental European social pedagogy can be used in the British context. In particular both reflective practice and a holistic approach are congruent with the national occupational standards for social workers. References Cameron, C. (2004a) Building an integrated workforce for a long-term vision of universal early education and care, Policy Paper 3, Leading the Vision series. London: Daycare Trust/Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Hill, M. (1991). Social work and the European Community: the social policy and practice contexts. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Midgley, J. (1997). Social welfare in global context. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Moss, P., Petrie, P. (2002). From childrens services to childrens spaces: public policy, children and childhood. London: Routledge Falmer. TOPPS (2004). National Occupational standards for social work. Leeds: Topss England. Tuggener, H. (1993) The role of the social pedagogue: An outline of a European model. Child and Youth Care Forum, 22(2), 153-157.

Gatsby :: essays research papers

"The Great Gatsby ", besides being a great literary piece, is a metaphor for a whole society, the American society. "The party was over" (Fitzgerald), which signifies a level of prophetic vision within the American society and its history. An essential part of this American characteristic of the novel, and its historicity, is about the American Dream. At the center of how Gatsby is a metaphor for a whole society, is the relationship between Europe, the already settled, which caused unsatisfaction and thus led to America, in which mercantilism and idealism are born and are a very important part of American History. In other words in American History, the human faculty of wonder is on the one hand, and the power and beauty of things is on the other. The book dramatizes this, directly in the life of Gatsby, how he changed his name and life from the already settled (Europe), for his dream (America). Gatsby's dream is the American Dream, that one can acquire happiness through wealth and power. Jay Gatsby had a love affair with the affluent Daisy, and knowing he couldn't marry her because of the difference on their social status, he leaves her in order to create wealth and reach her economic standards. When he achieve this wealth, Gatsby buys a house that is across the bay to Daisy's house, and throws immense and lavish parties, with the hope that Daisy would come to one of them. When he realizes this is very improbable, he starts asking various people from time to time if they know her. In this inquiry, he meets Jordan Baker, who tells him that Nick Carraway his neighbor is Daisy's cousin. Nick agrees to invite Daisy to his house one afternoon, and then let him over. Later, in the Buchanans house, when Gatsby is determined to watch and protect Daisy: "How long are you going to wait? "All night if necessary"" (Fitzgerald 152) Jay shows that he cannot accept that the past is the past and he is sure that he can capture his dream with wealth and influe nce and that Daisy has loved only him for all this time. Gatsby doesn't rest until his American dream is finally fulfilled, until Daisy is his. However it never becomes true and he ends dying because of it at the end. The dream both Gatsby and America had, was so unutterable that to a certain extent it was necessarily corruptible.

The Systematic Destruction of Womens Agency in Juárez, Mexico :: Gender Culture Murder Womens Agency Papers

The Systematic Destruction of Women's Agency in Juà ¡rez, Mexico As citizens, people rely on the state as an agent that acts on their behalf, by providing them with benefits such as basic protection. However, the state itself derives its power (or agency) from the fact that its citizens give up some of their individual agency in exchange for the benefits that belonging to a state provides. People are, thus, both the creators and the subjects of the state. In Juà ¡rez, Mexico the state has been shaped by a patriarchy that is very oppressive to women. The women are then subjects to this very oppressive state. Virginia Woolf claims that these women can gain agency and freedom by obtaining economic independence. But, in the case of Juà ¡rez, Mexico this economic freedom has deadly effects. Woolf's argument is very limiting and applied to a much more ideal situation. In this essay I will explore the climate in Juà ¡rez that seems to prove Woolf's theory wrong. I will also look at how her claims can offer hope to the women of Juà ¡rez so that they c an alter the climate so that everyone has agency not just the men and the state. Mexican culture has always placed the women in the home. Placement in the private sphere without the opportunity to earn money has always limited women's agency and freedom. Men have typically held the position of power because of their economic independence. As the holders of power in the public sphere, men have created a patriarchy in which the opinions have governed the laws that are passed within Mexico. Before the murders in Juà ¡rez began, and even still, women were offered very little protection by the government especially when it came to violence and rape. The machismo culture in Mexico sets up a climate in which young women can be beaten raped and murdered with little to no consequences. Domestic abuse laws in Mexico, state that a woman may not file domestic abuse charges if her wounds heal before the end of 15 days. Women are constricted to the private sphere according to Mexican culture. The women give up their rights to be in the public sphere with the hope and understa nding that they will be protected in the private sphere. They, however, do not receive this protection. Men can essentially beat their wives with no consequence. Additionally, rape laws are very lax.

A Look At Cheap Amusements Essay -- essays research papers

An extremely interesting, but ever-contradictory sociological study of sexual relationsis presented in the Kathy Peiss book Cheap Amusements . The reason I say that it is ever-contradictory is that the arguments are presented for both the benefit of cheap amusements for a woman s place in society and for the reinforcement of her place. In one breath, Peiss says that mixed-sex fun could be a source of autonomy and pleasure as well as a cause of [a woman s] continuing oppression. The following arguments will show that, based on the events and circumstances described in Cheap Amusements , the changes in the ways that leisure time is spent by women has indeed benefited them in both the workplace and at home. This position requires a closer look at specific leisure activities; where and with whom they are spent, and the ultimate effect that these activities had on society and gender roles. More significantly however, is how the establishment of leisure activities for women came about, rather than the simple change in availability of such activities. First let s look at Peiss s position on the matter of how cheap amusements challenged gender traditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What does Peiss have to say about women s roles at the turn of the century? Peiss argues initially that young women experimented with new cultural forms in terms of sexual expressiveness and social interaction with men, linking heterosocial culture to a sense of modern individuality and personal style. Creating this style was an assertion of self. Peiss quickly discounts these assertions by saying that without economic independence, such freedoms are hollow. Peiss s essay claims to focus on the role of working women in fostering change from a homosocial to a heterosocial culture, but as we can see from the earlier quote, there is still what seems to be a hint of male dominance in preventing the experience of true leisure. By this we can see that Peiss believes women were challenging gender norms, but doing so under the implied watchful eye of the male-dominated culture.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One very interesting point that Peiss makes is that there is now a market for leisure time. This market included such activities as attending shows at a nickelodeon, riding the trolley, and, especially in Manhattan, spending the day at Coney Islan... ...not explicitly challenging the social conditions of the day, but implicitly doing so. I agree with Peiss s statement that women were expressing the aspiration for selfhood and fulfillment but that this did not attempt to transform the web of gender and class relations in which [they] were situated. Women did not attempt to challenge their situation explicitly, nor did they even realize they were challenging their social condition. At the same time, attendance at particular popular dance halls and club events served to reinforce the notions of female submission and some Old Word traditions. Overall, however, we can see that the changes in society over this period of 1880-1920 benefited women. Look at how family life changed because of the movie theater experience. It brought families together; husbands and wives would attend with their children. Also, we can see that clubs and dances were safe places to meet those of the opposite sex, whereas previously, you may have had a husband chosen for you. It can be said with confidence then that the challenges implicitly mounted by women s search for leisure has indeed benefited their position in the late 19th and early 20th centurysociety.

How to Write a Critical Essay on Film Essay

1. The introduction includes the name of the movie and the director’s name. 2. The introduction identifies the thesis, or focus, of the analysis. 3. The Ideas presented are supported with details from the movie. 4. Supporting materials are smoothly incorporated into the sentences. 5. In writing this critical analysis, the writer has considered purpose and audience. 6. The conclusion brings the essay to a definite close. 7. The paragraph is relatively free of errors in spelling, grammar, usage, mechanics, and manuscript form. Sample Outline for a Critical Essay The following is a basic outline of a critical essay, the kind that might be written in a composition, literature, or film class. in this case, the writer is analyzing the meaning of particular symbols in a short story and film. Keep in mind that this is only one kind of possible organization; there are several ways to structure an essay effectively. Outlines can also vary in the amount of detail. Always check with your instructor if you are unsure about the organization of your essay. Title: Symbols of Freedom in Stephen King’s story â€Å"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption† and Frank Darabont’s film The Shawshank Redemption. Thesis Statement: In their different version of Shawshank Redemption, author Stephen King and director Frank Darabont make distinctions between freedom and captivity using a bird, a library, and a poster as symbols of freedom and justice. I. Introduction †¢The theme of freedom †¢Contrast freedom with the idea of unfair imprisonment †¢A bird, a library, and a poster as symbols of the human spirit, longing for community, and rebirth II. The bird as the struggle of Andy Dufesne’s human spirit †¢Bird as a universal symbol of freedom †¢Ã¢â‚¬ Caging† the bird is a metaphor for Andy’s false imprisonment †¢Jake’s different fates in the book and the film: warning and hope III. The  library as a symbol for community †¢The library as a place of freedom within the prison †¢Represents Andy’s connection with his own intellectual society †¢The library as a connection between Andy and the other prisoners IV. The poster as a symbol of rebirth †¢The women on the posters represent the â€Å"outside† †¢The posters guard and protect Andy’s struggle for freedom †¢Andy must go through the poster to escape †¢The sewage pipe Andy crawls through is like a birth canal †¢Rita Hayworth is like a â€Å"mother† to Andy’s new life V. Conclusion †¢Andy’s freedom was stolen †¢Andy â€Å"steals† his freedom back †¢Andy’s escape is the ultimate triumph of the human spirit over injustice and inhumanity

Last Sacrifice Chapter Twelve

DIMITRI AND I BOTH FROZE as the shock of that name hit us. Sydney, glancing between our faces, gave us a dry smile. â€Å"I take it you know who that is?' â€Å"Of course,' I exclaimed. â€Å"She was my teacher. She went crazy and turned Strigoi.' Sydney nodded. â€Å"I know.' My eyes widened further. â€Å"Shes not †¦ she's not the one who had an affair with Lissa's dad, is she?' Oh dear God. That would be one of the most unexpected developments in the rollercoaster that was my life. I couldn't even begin to process the effects of that. â€Å"Not likely,' she said. â€Å"The account was opened several years before she was added as the beneficiary–which was right when she turned eighteen. So, if we're assuming the account was created around the time the baby was born, then she would have been way too young. Sonya's probably a relative.' My earlier astonishment was giving way to excitement, and I could see the same thing happening to Dimitri. â€Å"You must have records about her family,' he said. â€Å"Or if not, some Moroi probably does. Who's close to Sonya? Does she have a sister?' Sydney shook her head. â€Å"No. That'd be an obvious choice, though. Unfortunately, she has other family–tons of it. Her parents both came from giant families, so she has lots of cousins. Even some of her aunts are the right age.' â€Å"We can look them up, right?' I asked. A thrill of anticipation was running through me. I honestly hadn't expected this much information. True, it was small, but it was something. If Sonya Karp was related to Eric's mistress, that had to be something we could track. â€Å"There's a lot of them.' Sydney shrugged. â€Å"I mean, yeah, we could. It'd take a long time to find everyone's life history, and even then–especially if this was covered up enough–we'd have a hard time finding out if any of them is the woman we're looking for. Or even if any of them know who she is.' Dimitri's voice was low and thoughtful when he spoke. â€Å"One person knows who Jane Doe is.' Sydney and I both looked at him expectantly. â€Å"Sonya Karp,' he replied. I threw up my hands. â€Å"Yeah, but we can't talk to her. She's a lost cause. Mikhail Tanner spent over a year hunting her and couldn't find her. If he can't, then we're not going to be able to.' Dimitri turned away from me and stared out the window. His brown eyes filled with sorrow, his thoughts momentarily far away from us. I didn't entirely understand what was happening, but that peaceful moment in the library–where Dimitri had smiled and shared in the daydream of an ordinary life–had vanished. And not just the moment. That Dimitri had vanished. He was back in his fierce mode, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders again. At last, he sighed and looked back at me. â€Å"That's because Mikhail didn't have the right connections.' â€Å"Mikhail was her boyfriend,' I pointed out. â€Å"He had more connections than anyone else.' Dimitri didn't acknowledge my comment. Instead, he grew pensive again. I could see turmoil behind his eyes, some inner war. At last, it must have been decided. â€Å"Does your phone have reception out here?' he asked her. She nodded, reaching into her purse and handing him her phone. He held it a moment, looking like it caused him total agony to touch it. At last, with another sigh, he stood up and headed for the door. Sydney and I exchanged questioning looks and then both followed him. She lagged behind me, having to toss cash on the table and grab her laptop. I emerged outside just as Dimitri finished dialing a number and put the phone to his ear. Sydney joined us, and a moment later, the person on the other end of the line must have answered. â€Å"Boris?' asked Dimitri. That was all I understood because the rest was a string of rapid Russian. A strange sensation spread over me as he spoke. I was confused, lost because of the language †¦ but there was more than that. I felt chilled. My pulse raced with fear. That voice †¦ I knew that voice. It was his voice and yet not his voice. It was the voice of my nightmares, a voice of coldness and cruelty. Dimitri was playing Strigoi. Well, â€Å"playing' was really too gentle of a word. Pretending was a better way to describe it. Whatever it was, it was pretty damned convincing. Beside me, Sydney frowned, but I didn't think she was experiencing what I was. She had never known him as Strigoi. She didn't have those horrible memories. His change in demeanor had to be obvious, but as I glanced at her face, I realized she was focused on following the conversation. I'd forgotten she knew Russian. â€Å"What's he saying?' I whispered. Her frowned deepened, either from the conversation or me distracting her. â€Å"He †¦ he sounds like he's talking to someone he hasn't spoken to in a while. Dimitri's accusing this person of slacking off while he's been away.' She fell silent, continuing her own mental translation. At one point, Dimitri's voice rose in anger, and both Sydney and I flinched. I turned to her questioningly. â€Å"He's mad about having his authority questioned. I can't tell, but now †¦ it sounds like the other person's groveling.' I wanted to know every word, but it had to be hard for her to translate to me and listen at the same time. Dimitri's voice returned to normal levels–though still filled with that terrible menace–and among the flurry of words, I heard â€Å"Sonya Karp' and â€Å"Montana.' â€Å"He's asking about Ms. Kar–Sonya?' I murmured. She hadn't been my teacher for a long time. I might as well call her Sonya now. â€Å"Yeah,' said Sydney, eyes still on Dimitri. â€Å"He's asking–er, telling–this person to locate someone else and see if he can find Sonya. This person †¦' She paused to listen again. â€Å"This person he's asking about sounds like he knows a lot of people in the area she was last seen in.' I knew â€Å"people' in this context meant â€Å"Strigoi.' Dimitri had risen quickly in their ranks, asserting his will and power over others. Most Strigoi operated solo, rarely working in groups, but even the lone ones recognized threats and more dominant Strigoi. Dimitri was working his contacts, just as he'd said earlier. If any Strigoi had heard about his transformation–and believed it–they wouldn't have been able to pass the news quickly, not with their disorganization. As it was, Dimitri was already having to play leapfrog to find sources who knew other sources who might know Sonya's location. Dimitri grew loud and angry again, his voice becoming–if possible–more sinister. I suddenly felt trapped, and even Sydney looked scared now. She swallowed. â€Å"He's telling this guy that if he doesn't get answers by tomorrow night, Dimitri's going to find him and rip him apart and †¦' Sydney didn't bother finishing. Her eyes were wide. â€Å"Use your imagination. It's pretty terrible.' I decided then that I was kind of glad I hadn't heard all of the conversation in English. When Dimitri finished the call and returned Sydney's phone, that mask of malice melted from his face. Once again, he was my Dimitri, Dimitri the dhampir. Dejection and despair radiated off him, and he slumped against the cafe's wall, staring upward into the sky. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to calm himself, seize control of the emotions that had to be warring within him. He'd just done something that might give us clues we needed †¦ but it had been at a terrible cost to himself. My fingers twitched. I wanted to put a comforting arm around him or at least pat his shoulder so he'd know he wasn't alone. But, I held back, suspecting he wouldn't like it. At last, he turned his gaze back to us. He'd regained his control–at least on the outside. â€Å"I've sent someone to ask about her,' he said wearily. â€Å"It might not work out. Strigoi are hardly the type to keep a database. But they do occasionally keep an eye on one another, if only for their own self-preservation. We'll find out soon if there are any hits.' â€Å"I †¦ wow. Thank you,'I said, fumbling at the words. I knew he needed no thanks, but it felt necessary to me. He nodded. â€Å"We should get back to the Keepers †¦ unless you think this is a safe place to stay?' â€Å"I'd rather stay off civilized radar,' said Sydney, moving toward the truck. â€Å"Besides, I want my car keys back.' The ride back felt ten times longer. Dimitri's mood filled up the whole cabin, almost suffocating us with its despair. Even Sydney could feel it. She'd let him drive again, and I couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. Would the road distract him from his Strigoi torment? Or would his agony distract him from the road and put us off in a ditch? Fortunately, we made it back safe and sound and found two of the Keepers waiting for us in the lot, a Moroi woman and a human guy who both looked fierce. I still couldn't shake the strangeness of both races being battle-ready. I wondered if these two were a couple. Back in the camp, we found the communal bonfire ablaze and people sitting out around it, some eating and some just socializing. I'd learned at breakfast that the fire was always there for those who wanted to bond but that plenty of families kept to their own households as well. We went back to Raymond's house, but only Sarah and Joshua were there. She was cleaning up dishes, and he sat restlessly in a chair. As soon as he caught sight of me at the door, he sprang up, radiant smile on high-beam again. â€Å"Rose! You're back. We were starting to worry †¦ I mean, not that anything had happened to you–not with your skills–but that maybe you'd just left us.' â€Å"Not without our car,' said Sydney, placing the truck keys on the table. The CR-Vs were sitting there already, and relief flooded her face as she snatched them up. Sarah offered us leftovers, which we declined, having stocked up on snack food at Rubysville's gas station. â€Å"Well,' she said, â€Å"if you're not going to eat, you might as well join the others out at the fire. Jess McHale might sing tonight if they can get her to drink enough, and drunk or sober, that woman has the finest voice I've ever heard.' I briefly met Dimitri and Sydney's eyes. I admit, I was a little curious to see how this wilderness group partied it up, even though moonshine and folk songs weren't really my first choice of entertainment. Dimitri still wore that haunted look from the phone call. I had a suspicion he would have been content to isolate himself in our room, but when Sydney said she'd go to the fire, his response came automatically: â€Å"I'll go too.' I knew instantly what he was doing. His Strigoi days tormented him. Talking to Strigoi tormented him. And maybe–no, certainly–he wanted to hide away and try to block it all out, but he was Dimitri. Dimitri protected those who needed it, and even if listening to fireside songs wasn't exactly life-threatening, it was still a semi-dangerous situation for a civilian like Sydney. He couldn't allow that. Plus, he knew Sydney would feel safer with both of us nearby. I started to say I'd join them, but Joshua spoke before I could. â€Å"Do you still want to see my cave? There's a little light left outside. You'll get a better view that way than if we have to use a torch.' I'd forgotten about my last conversation with Joshua and started to decline his offer. But then, something flashed in Dimitri's eyes, something disapproving. So. He didn't want me going off with some young, good-looking guy. Was it legitimate concern about the Keepers? Was it jealousy? No, surely not the latter. We'd established–many, many times–that Dimitri wanted no romantic connection with me. He'd even stood up for Adrian earlier. Was this some kind of ex-boyfriend thing? Back in Rubysville, I'd believed Dimitri and I could be friends, but that wouldn't happen if he thought he could control me and my love life. I'd known girls with exes like that. I wouldn't be one. I could hang out with whomever I wanted. â€Å"Sure,' I said. Dimitri's expression darkened. â€Å"I'd love to.' Joshua and I headed off, leaving the others behind. I knew part of my decision was to prove my independence. Dimitri had said we were equals, yet he'd made an awful lot of decisions in this escape plan without me. It was nice to feel like I had the upper hand for a change, and besides, I liked Joshua and was kind of curious to learn more about how his people lived. I don't think Sydney wanted me to leave, but Dimitri would look after her. As Joshua and I walked, we passed plenty of Keepers out and about. Just like earlier, I received a fair amount of stares. Rather than lead us down the road to where his father lived, Joshua took me around the small mountain. It was still good-sized, but after living near the Rockies, everything in the Appalachians seemed â€Å"small' to me. I guess I was a mountain snob. Still, the mountain extended quite a ways, and we moved farther and farther from the Keepers' main settlement. The forest grew thicker, the light growing scarce as the sun finally began sinking into the horizon. â€Å"I'm kind of on the outskirts,' Joshua said apologetically. â€Å"We keep growing and growing, and there's not much room in the town's center.' I thought â€Å"town' was an optimistic term but didn't say so. Yeah. I was definitely a snob. â€Å"But the caves keep going, so there's still space.' â€Å"Are they natural?' I asked. â€Å"Some are. Some are abandoned mining caves.' â€Å"It's pretty out here,' I said. I liked all the deciduous trees. I might be homesick for Montana, but the wide leaves here were a neat contrast to pine needles. â€Å"And hey, at least you get lots of privacy, right?' â€Å"True.' He smiled. â€Å"I figured you'd think it was †¦ I don't know. Too rustic. Or savage. You probably think we all are.' His observation startled me. Most of the Keepers had been so fiercely defensive of their way of life that I hadn't thought anyone would even think an outsider would question it–or that any Keeper would care if we did. â€Å"It's just different,' I said diplomatically. â€Å"A lot different from what I'm used to.' I felt a flash of homesickness for all the people and places I was now cut off from. Lissa. Adrian. Our other friends. Court. St. Vladimir's. I shook the feeling off quickly. I had no time to mope and could at least check on Lissa later. â€Å"I've been to human towns,' continued Joshua. â€Å"And other places the Tainted live. I can see why you'd like them.' He turned a bit sheepish. â€Å"I wouldn't mind electricity.' â€Å"Why don't you guys use it?' â€Å"We would if we could. We're just too far out, and no one really knows we're here anyway. The lily-people say it's better for hiding us.' It hadn't occurred to me that they simply endured these conditions because they were forced to in order to conceal themselves. I wondered how many of their choices came from clinging to the so-called old ways †¦ and how much was influenced by the Alchemists. â€Å"Here we are,' said Joshua, pulling me from my musings. He gestured to a dark hole at ground level. The opening was big enough for an adult to enter. â€Å"Nice,' I said. I'd noticed earlier that some of the caves were set higher into the mountains and had watched their residents either climb the rock bare-handed or use homemade ladders. An easy-access doorway seemed luxurious. Joshua looked surprised at my praise. â€Å"Really?' â€Å"Really.' We'd ended up losing too much daylight. He paused to light a torch, and then I followed him inside. We had to duck a little at first, but as we went deeper into the cave, the ceiling slowly expanded and opened up into a wide, rounded space. The floor was hard-packed dirt, the stone walls rough and jagged. This was a natural cave, but I could pick out the efforts made to civilize it. The floor had been cleaned and leveled, and I saw some stones and rocks in a corner that looked like they'd been gathered up to clear space. A couple pieces of furniture had already been moved in: a narrow wooden chair and a mattress that looked like it could barely hold one person. â€Å"You probably think it's small,' said Joshua. It was true, but it was actually bigger than my dorm room at St. Vladimir's. â€Å"Well †¦ yeah, but I mean, how old are you?' â€Å"Eighteen.' â€Å"Same as me,' I said. This seemed to make him pretty happy. â€Å"Having your own, um, cave at eighteen is pretty cool.' It would have been cooler still with electricity, Internet, and plumbing, but there was no need to bring that up. His blue eyes practically shone. I couldn't help but notice what a pretty contrast they made against his tanned skin. I dismissed the thought immediately. I wasn't here for a boyfriend. But apparently, I was the only one who believed that. Joshua suddenly took a step forward. â€Å"You can stay if you want,' he said. â€Å"The other Tainted would never find you here. We could get married, and then when we had kids, we could build a loft like my parents' and–‘ The word married had me moving toward the entrance as shocked and panicked as I would be by a Strigoi attack. Except, I usually had fair warning before those. â€Å"Whoa, whoa, slow down.' No. I hadn't seen a proposal coming. â€Å"We just met!' Thankfully, he didn't come closer. â€Å"I know, but sometimes that's how it is.' â€Å"What, marriages between people who hardly know each other?' I asked incredulously. â€Å"Sure. Happens all the time. And seriously, just in this short of time, I already know I like you. You're amazing. You're beautiful and obviously a good fighter. And the way you carry yourself †¦' He shook his head, awe on his face. â€Å"I've never seen anything like it.' I wished he wasn't so cute and nice. Having creepy guys profess their adoration was a lot easier to deal with than one you liked. I remembered Sydney saying I was a hot commodity here. Scorching was more like it, apparently. â€Å"Joshua, I really like you, but,' I added hastily, seeing hope fill his features, â€Å"I'm too young to get married.' He frowned. â€Å"Didn't you say you were eighteen?' Okay. Age was probably not a good argument around here. I'd seen how young people had kids back in Dimitri's home-town. In a place like this, they probably had child marriages. I tried another angle. â€Å"I don't even know if I want to get married.' This didn't faze him. He nodded in understanding. â€Å"That's smart. We could live together first, see how we get along.' His serious expression turned back into a smile. â€Å"But I'm pretty easygoing. I'd let you win every argument.' I couldn't help it. I laughed. â€Å"Well, then, I'm going to have to win this one and tell you I'm just not ready for †¦ any of it. Besides, I'm already involved with someone.' â€Å"Dimitri?' â€Å"No. Another guy. He's back at the Tainted Court.' I couldn't even believe I was saying that. Joshua frowned. â€Å"Why isn't he here protecting you then?' â€Å"Because †¦ that's not how he is. And I can take care of myself.' I'd never liked the assumption that I needed rescuing. â€Å"And look, even if he wasn't in the picture, I'm leaving soon anyway. It would never work out between you and me.' â€Å"I understand.' Joshua looked disappointed but seemed to be taking the rejection okay. â€Å"Maybe when you've got everything sorted out, you'll come back.' I started to tell him not to wait for me and that he should just marry someone else (despite how ridiculous it was at his age), but then I realized that was a pointless comment. In Joshua's fantasies, he could probably marry someone else now and then add me on to his harem later, like Sarah and Paulette. So, I just simply said, â€Å"Maybe.' Groping for a change in subject, I searched for anything to distract us. My eyes fell on the chair and a leafy pattern carved into it. â€Å"That's really neat.' â€Å"Thanks,' he said, walking over. To my relief, he didn't pursue the earlier topic. He ran his hand lovingly over the ornately carved wood. The design looked like braided leaves. â€Å"I did it myself.' â€Å"Really?' I asked in true surprise. â€Å"That †¦ that's amazing.' â€Å"If you like it †¦' His hand moved, and I feared there was a kiss or embrace coming. Instead, he reached into his shirt pocket and produced a finely carved wooden bracelet. It was a simple, sinuous design, the true marvel being how narrow and delicate it was to all be one piece. The wood had been polished to brilliance. â€Å"Here.' He handed me the bracelet. â€Å"This is for me?' I ran my finger along the smooth edge. â€Å"If you want it. I made it while you were out today. So you'll remember me after you leave.' I hesitated, wondering if accepting this would be encouraging him. No, I decided. I'd made my views on teenage marriage clear, and anyway, he looked so nervous, I couldn't stand the thought of hurting his feelings. I slipped it onto my wrist. â€Å"Of course I'll remember. Thank you.' From the happy look on his face, taking the bracelet made up for my earlier refusal. He showed me a few more details around the cave and then followed my suggestion to join the others at the fire. We could hear the music echoing through the trees long before we made it back, and while it was hardly my style, there was something warm and friendly about this community's way of life. I'd never been to summer camp, but I imagined this was what it'd be like. Sydney and Dimitri sat near the group's edge. They were quiet and watchful, but everyone else sang, clapped, and talked. Again, I was stunned at how easily dhampirs, humans, and Moroi could all be involved with one another. Mixed couples were everywhere, and one–a human and Moroi–were openly making out. Every so often, when he kissed her neck, he'd also bite and take some blood. I had to glance away. I turned back toward my friends. Sydney noticed me and looked relieved. Dimitri's expression was unreadable. Like always, the others' eyes followed my movement, and to my surprise, I saw open jealousy on some of the guys' faces. I hoped they didn't think Joshua and I had been off getting naked in the cave. That was hardly the reputation I wanted to leave behind. â€Å"I have to talk to Sydney,' I told him over the noise. I decided it'd be best to keep my distance before any rumors started, and truthfully, Sydney looked like she wanted me by her side. Joshua nodded, and I turned away. I'd taken two steps when a fist suddenly came right toward my face. I'd had no defenses up and just barely had the presence of mind to turn my head and catch the blow on my cheek, rather than end up with a broken nose. After the initial surprise, all my training kicked in. I quickly sidestepped out of the line of attack and put my body into a fighter's stance. The music and singing stopped, and I turned to face my attacker. Angeline. She stood in a way similar to my own, fists clenched and eyes completely honed in on me. â€Å"Okay,' she said. â€Å"It's time to find out how tough you really are.' What it was time for was someone–say, like, a parent–to come and drag her off and punish her for punching guests. Amazingly, no one moved or tried to stop her. No–that wasn't quite true. One person stood up. Dimitri had sprung to action the instant he saw me in danger. I expected him to come pull Angeline away, but a group of Keepers hastily moved to his side, saying something to him that I couldn't hear. They didn't try to physically restrain him, but whatever they said, it kept him where he stood. I would have demanded to know what they'd told him, but Angeline was coming at me again. It looked like I was on my own. Angeline was short, even for a dhampir, but her whole body was packed with strength. She was pretty fast too, though not fast enough to get that second hit in on me. I neatly dodged it and kept my distance, not wanting to go on the offensive with this girl. She could probably do a fair amount of damage in a fight, but there was a sloppy– no, more like rough–edge to it. She was a scrapper, someone who'd done a lot of brawling but without any formal training. â€Å"Are you insane?' I exclaimed, moving out of the way of another assault. â€Å"Stop this. I don't want to hurt you.' â€Å"Sure,' she said. â€Å"That's what you want everyone to think, right? If you don't actually have to fight, then they'll all go on believing those marks are real.' â€Å"They are real!' The insinuation that I'd faked my tattoos sparked my temper, but I refused to get drawn into this ridiculous scuffle. â€Å"Prove it,' she said, coming at me again. â€Å"Prove you're who you say you are.' It was like a dance, keeping away from her. I could have done it all night, and a few dismayed cries from the crowd demanded we â€Å"get on with it.' â€Å"I don't have to prove anything,' I told her. â€Å"It's a lie then.' Her breathing was heavy now. She was working a lot harder than me. â€Å"Everything you Tainted do is a lie.' â€Å"Not true,' I said. Why was Dimitri letting this go on? Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of him, and so help me, he was smiling. Meanwhile, Angeline was still continuing her tirade as she tried to hit me. â€Å"You all lie. You're all weak. Especially your â€Å"royals.' They're the worst of all.' â€Å"You don't know them at all. You don't know anything about them.' She might be able to carry on a conversation, but I could see her growing increasingly frustrated. If not for the fact I was pretty sure she'd hit me in the back, I would have taken the noble approach and simply walked away. â€Å"I know enough,' she said. â€Å"I know they're selfish and spoiled and don't do anything for themselves. They don't care about anyone else. They're all the same.' I actually agreed with Angeline about some royals but didn't like the generalization. â€Å"Don't talk about things you don't understand,' I snapped. â€Å"They're not all like that.' â€Å"They are,' she said, pleased to see me angry. â€Å"I wish they were all dead.' It was hardly enough to push me into offense mode, but the comment did cloud my thoughts enough that I let her get through my guard, just a little. I never would have let that happen with a Strigoi, but I'd underestimated this wild girl. Her leg snaked out just enough to hit my knee, and it was like tossing a spark into gasoline. Everything exploded. With that hit, I stumbled slightly, and she pushed her advantage. My battle instincts took over, and I had no choice but to strike back before she could hit me. People began cheering now that the fight was â€Å"really going.' I was on offense, trying to subdue her, meaning the physical contact had jumped up exponentially. I was still better than her, no doubt, but in trying to get to her, I put myself in her range. She landed a few blows on me, nothing serious, before I was able to tackle her to the ground. I expected that to be the end, but she pushed back against me before I could fully restrain her. We rolled over, and she tried to take the dominant position. I couldn't allow that and managed a punch on the side of her face that was a lot harder than the earlier one. I thought that would be the end of the fight. My hit had knocked her off me, and I started to stand, but then that little bitch grabbed my hair and jerked me back down. I twisted out of her hold–though I'm pretty sure she took some hair away with her–and this time managed to fully pin her, throwing all my weight and strength into it as I pressed down. I knew it had to be painful but didn't really care. She'd started it. Besides, this skirmish had gone beyond defense. Pulling someone's hair was just playing dirty. Angeline made a few more attempts to break away, but when it became clear she couldn't, those around us began whistling and cheering. A few moments later, that dark and furious look vanished from Angeline's face, replaced by resignation. I eyed her warily, not about to let down my guard. â€Å"Fine,' she said. â€Å"I guess it's okay. Go ahead.' â€Å"Huh? What's okay?' I demanded. â€Å"It's okay if you marry my brother.'