Library Information System Improvement

Table of Contents Executive Overview Analysis of the current system Needs of the new system Proposed configuration and specifications Justification for new system Installation / Implementation Plan References Executive Overview The current situation in business across the globe indicates a major relationship between performance and communication. In this regard it has been observed that to improve business performance there is a major need to improve communication and access to services. The current information system within the institution library is computerized but falls short of requirements of students and staff due to delays in upgrading the service. The current service is supported by a database stored on the library server.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Library Information System Improvement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This database is used to locate, book and keep records related to the b ooks in the inventory. However, the system can only be accessed at one point, which is making it especially difficult for students and staff of campus to access books. In addition to that, the books are only in one format which limits the number of users who can access the books. It has been suggested that if changes were made to allow additional formats of books to be stored on the system, and an increase in access to the library system major both staff and students can benefit significantly from the resources provided by the system. It is for these reasons that this proposal will provide a suitable alternative to the current library system. Analysis of the current system As it has already been mentioned earlier in the report this proposal seeks to improve the current system in use within the library. The current system used in the library is computer based and serves both students and staff within the library. The system allows information to be stored on various database relation s and uses this information to manage the borrowing of books and resources from the library. The records pertaining to students and staff are entered into the system by accessing the main registration database. When new books arrive they are scanned and entered into the system. The system is also used to identify appropriate rows within the library to arrange the books. When a student/staff comes to the library they can either locate the books on the shelves using the information on the bulletin board or ask the library assistant to help them locate the books. Once they have the books they go to the counter where a library assistant uses their identity card to enter the details of the transaction into the system. Upon return of the book or other resource to the library the student/staff must visit the library assistant’s counter. The library assistant will use the student/staff identity to enter the completion of the transaction into the system. The system has a mechanism to print out a list of books that are overdue. However, this list is not very useful as the existing system does not allow the library department to communicate with the borrower. The current system also has a mechanism that is used to calculate fines and penalties for lateness after the due dates have passed. This facility allows the library assistant calculate what payments should be made by students/staff who have over stayed with books or other resources. However, it has again been noted that this facility does not serve the student/staff well as it does not allow for communication between the library and the student/staff in question.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It has also been noted that the need to make a physical visit to the library to borrow a book is not very favorable for students and staff who reside off campus. The current system does not allow the users to query the database to find out if the resource they require is available. As a result of this it has been observed that students and staff off campus are forced to make trips to the library sometimes while unsure if the books they need are available. Based on the above shortcomings it has been observed that the institution could greatly benefit from improvements to its existing library system. Needs of the new system Information technology has been defined as the use of a combination of hardware, software and services for the management, communication and sharing of information (Shelly Rosenblatt 2011). It has been observed that effective use of information technology has been seen as a major driving force for business in the future. Based on this premise and the shortcomings of the current system this proposal seeks to identify and satisfy the needs arising within the institutions library system. It was observed during an analysis of the current system that one shortcoming of the current system can be attributed to poor accessibility to the data on the system. This is due to the fact that the system can only be accessed within the library and users outside the library have no access to the information stored on the system. The issue of accessibility is a major issue and it is believed that the proposed system will properly address this shortcoming. The proposed system will provide access to data on the system from various locations thus improving decision making capacity of the users. Another issue that was identified with the current system was with regard to the formats of resources available on the system. It has been observed that the library only offers books and digital media such as CD’s and DVD’s. However, it has been noted that due to recent advances in technology there have emerged several new approaches to presentation of information. For example, a lot of books and reading material are accessible on the internet due to the use o f PDF formatted files. These files can be used on various devices including computers and other hand held devices. The proposed system suggests some of the material in the library especially books with high demand be converted into several formats to allow increased access to the resources.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Library Information System Improvement specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On observation of the current system it was noted that there were existing mechanisms to handle calculation of penalties and to identify overdue books. It was also noted that it would be beneficial to communicate with the individuals to alert them on the situation to facilitate speedy return of the books or resources to the library. Using technology such as mail merge it is possible to make mailing lists from the lists produced and communicate with the defaulters to facilitate speedy collection of books and reduce pena lties incurred. In addition to the above needs it has also been observed that the current system does not have a mechanism to alert the library assistant on inventory levels. As a result a book or other resource may go out of stock due to loss or other means and the library assistant is unaware of the situation. It has therefore been suggested that the proposed system provide a mechanism to keep track of suitable stocking levels for the resources held on the system. This mechanism should be triggered periodically to identify resources that need to be restocked within the library. The last need identified with regard to the current system is that relating to efficiency of operations within the institution. From observation of the system it can be seen that the system is to some extent cumbersome and inefficient. This point arises due to the fact that the system is not being applied to its maximum potential. A computerized solution is often designed to improve the efficiency of perfor ming specific operations. It is possible that such a situation arose from poor analysis of the previous system during the development of the previous system. Due to this the solution created did not fully cater for the needs of the users of the system. It is hoped that through a more thorough analysis of the needs of the users this proposed system will improve efficiency of operations and performance. Proposed configuration and specifications Based on the financial constraints within the institution it was suggested that a suitable solution will need to be cheap. In line with the proposed system was meant to be delivered with expenditure below $2000. It was believed that if the investment costs were kept low, it would be easier to sell the proposal to the institution. In keeping with the budget constraints the proposed system requires the purchase of a few essential hardware components (See Appendix B). The first item on the list is a new faster and more powerful computer to be used by the library assistant. This is crucial for the success of the proposed system as the processor handles most of the instructions between a user and the computer system (Andrews 2009).The computer selected was found to be both cheap and capable of delivering the processing power required to handle the new system.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition to the computer the proposed system will require two wireless routers in addition to the current LAN connection. The current LAN connection will allow the system to extract information stored on the registration database. It will also channel requests to and from the library system to the various locations served by the routers. It has been suggested that one router be placed in the cafeteria to allow staff/students access the system from this location. Another router should be placed within the student hostels. This will provide students access from their hostels. The final component will be the web based library software. This software will be accessible via the institution website and will allow users to check the availability of resources from several locations. It will also allow students to reserve books and resources, access and download resources, communicate with the library staff and deal with inventory and communication issues. Justification for new system The main reason that the system has been deemed useful within the institution stems from the improved efficiency it aims to create. This is due to reports that indicate it is not possible for a company/organization to be successful in the current environment without the appropriate computer systems to sustain and improve business efficiency (Stein 2006). This statement suggests that aside from the improved efficiency it promises the proposed system is also a key ingredient useful to the success of the institution. It has also been observed that though start ups and smaller organizations can initially do without computer systems, as the organization grows the existence of such a system is essential to create efficiency and convergence within the organization (Stein 2006). In addition to the improved efficiency it has also been noted that one way for an organization to improve product quality and customer service is through the introduction of appropriate computer systems (Stein 2006). I n relating this case to the institution in question it is clear that with a better library system the quality of the education product being offered may improve significantly. It is for these reasons therefore that it has been suggested that improvements be made on the current system. Installation / Implementation Plan It has been observed that one of the main reasons behind failure of software projects can be attributed to poor planning (McConnell 1997). With this consideration in mind the proposed project suggests planning of the production process in advance to avoid failure or unnecessary delays in completion of the software project (See Appendix C and D). The plan to be followed in undertaking the project will be reviewed by all members of the team to ensure it is suitable. In addition to that there will be regular updates on progress and delays to help steer the team to successful completion. In addition to planning during the design and development stages it has also been not ed that the approach used in implementation is crucial to overall success of a project. This is due to the fact that complete replacement may interfere with existing systems (Fowler 1999). Due to the implications of this suggestion therefore the project will be implemented in phases. This is aimed at reducing the interference caused by the introduction of a new system within the institution. It is assumed that upon completion each user will be able to access the library database using a web browser from any location. References Andrews, J. (2009). A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining your PC. Boston, MA: Course Technology Cengage Learning. Computer Shopper. (2011). No Nonsense Buying Advice Since 1979. Web. Fowler, D. (1999). Virtual Private Networks: making the right connection. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers Inc. McConnell, S. (1997). Software Project Survival Guide. USA: Microsoft Press. Shelly, G. B., Rosenblatt, H. J. (2011). Systems Analysis and Design. Boston, MA: Course Technology Cengage Learning. Stein, R. T. (2006). The Computer System Risk Management and Validation Life Cycle. Chico, CA: Paton Press LLC. This assessment on Library Information System Improvement was written and submitted by user Edith Martin to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Economic Data Example

Economic Data Example Economic Data – Coursework Example Economic data A 7.2% unemployment rate in Bell-Land is not a good rate. This rate surpasses the normal rate of 5%, and thehigh rate of unemployment indicates that the economy is underperforming, or it has a failing gross domestic product. Before giving an answer to the Bell-land leader, I need to think about the chnages in labour force participation that may have taken place in the country as it may be the cause of high unemployment rate. A decline in labour participation would result in an increase in the unemployment rate, which would indicate serious trouble within the economy. Labour force participation in the US has fallen over the past decade and more in the recent years, and this is because fewer Americans have been searching for work. Labour force participation in the US has been falling since the beginning of the recession in December 2007. It is important to study the change in labour force participation as any decline in labour force participation should be a concern for t he economy as whenever few people are willing work, then it means that production will be less. It is also important to understand the change in labour force participation as it helps to understand the reasons behind it and devise ways of dealing with it.Of the three estimates for quarterly GDP growth rates, the most accurate one is the advance estimate where the estimate of the first quarter consisting of Jan, Feb and March would be released in April. This would allow DGP estimates for the next quarter to begin. The U3, U6 nd labour force particpation rate for December 2014 was 5.8%, 11% and 62.8% respectivley.International Labour Office. Key Indicators of the Labour Market. International Labour Organization, 2003

Frank Sinatra As An Italian American Term Paper

Frank Sinatra As An Italian American - Term Paper Example A midwife reportedly injured him during the birth process and he was born without breathing until his grandmother held him under water to force him to come to life. (RatPack, 2011) While Sinatra recovered well enough to live a long and successful life, the story of his birth illustrates how different life was in the early 20th century. In 1915, the farmhouse and log cabin were still the predominant form of community habitation in America, and most people lacked basic education and health care for their families. The public safety net taken for granted now in social security and other benefits programs did not exist, nor did modern medicine, making survival difficult for the poor immigrants like Sinatra’s family who came to America. While infant mortality rates in birth were very high at that time in relation to now, it can also be said that most early Americans experienced the same threats of disease, nutrition, poverty, and livelihood as Sinatra’s family, but something made him different to stand out from the crowd. Frank Sinatra allegedly won a talent contest in order to earn his big break into show business at age 23 in the New York area. (RatPack, 2011) In this regard, his upbringing in New Jersey inevitably led him to New York which was the center of entertainment as well as industry, finance, and business. Sinatra’s official biography tells of him being inspired by the music of Bing Crosby when he was a youth, and this â€Å"big band† sound of white jazz would become his musical trademark. Sinatra’s early career was made through singing at dinner lounges, and he began to find some work on local radio programs in New Jersey. The jazz and big band musician Harry James discovered and signed Sinatra to a... Frank Sinatra was a controversial Italian American who was one of the greatest role models of his generation. His life and public activity helped define what it is to be a pop star and celebrity in America. While his music was not groundbreaking or innovative technically, it reached a wide audience drawn together by the events of WWII and helped them define their feelings as a nation. Sinatra was one of the earliest stars on radio, TV, and motion pictures, which gave him a larger than life appearance and influence on his generation. Whether or not he used his power, wealth, and fame for the most socially beneficial or progressive causes is really not an issue of history, for he represented himself according to a dynamic that was self –determined as he expressed so vividly in the song, â€Å"My Way†. Whether or not he was just, fair, honest, friendly, and kind to others would seem to be a minor issue, because he seized the path to fame, wealth, power, and affluence that most all of his contemporaries only dreamed about. Nevertheless, as a role model of rugged individualism as symbolized by the post-war American culture, and as an Italian American celebrity of the 20th Century, there are few who can compare to Sinatra in stature and influence.

Role and responsiblity of newly qualified nurse Essay

Role and responsiblity of newly qualified nurse - Essay Example By fulfilling such functions, her transition into actual clinical practice can be eased. The newly qualified nurse has to establish what roles and responsibilities she is expected to play in the actual practice. This paper shall now present a critical discussion on the roles and responsibilities of newly qualified nurses. It shall also critically discuss in detail two of these roles, with one of these roles focusing on patient group directions. Critical discussion on the roles of the newly qualified nurse The newly qualified nurse has the following professional roles: leading in care management and care delivery situations; maintaining standards of care; making ethical and legal decisions; being accountable; working in teams; and teaching others (Burton and Ormrod, n.d, pp. 1-2). The responsibility of taking the lead in care management and care delivery situations involves goal setting and self regulation (NHS, n.d). In effect, it also involves the process of group learning and probl em solving, as well as taking a more active role in applying appropriate and vigilant nursing care skills (O’Connor, 2002, p. 69). The newly qualified nurses’ role is also to maintain standards of care. ... The legal standards of care are based on the standards as set by the Nurse Practice Act which governs each state; it is also governed by the Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice published by the American Nurses Association (Smith, 2009). The newly qualified nurses’ role is to follow these provisions and to ensure that other nurses also follow said standards. The newly qualified nurses must also base their ethical decisions on the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice (Robertson, 1996, p. 292). The nurse must respect the patient’s right to autonomy and self determination in terms of making his decisions about his care (Silverman, et.al., 1995, p. 502). She must also implement such decisions based on what would best benefit the patient in terms of health care services (Melia, 1994, p. 7). The principle of non-maleficence also calls for the nursing decisions to not be harmful to the patient – to bring him ‘no harm’ (Black, 2002, p. 423). Finally, the principle of justice – that of giving the patient his due – must also be observed by the newly qualified nurse in order to help ensure that the patient would be receiving what he is entitled in terms of services and nursing care (Bishop and Scudder, 2001, p. 24). The newly qualified nurses’ role is also to be accountable for her actions or inaction. As soon as she takes oath and she practices her profession, the newly qualified nurse is as accountable for her actions as other nurses and health professionals (Smith, 2009). This accountability stems from the expected legal and ethical actions which she is supposed to carry out during her practice. Her accountability is also personal, in effect, she must be capable of making her decisions after

Immigration Reform Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Immigration Reform - Essay Example This paper is aimed at providing a critical thoughtful process of the immigration reform that has been conducted in the United States of America, mainly after the incident of the 9/11 attack on the country. Comparative and Analysis: The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has implemented reformatory policies aimed at providing anti-immigrant movements in the country. The most important mission of these policies is to achieve the aim of zero level of immigration in the country. These reformatory policies have blamed immigrants as the main cause of economic as well as environmental problems of the country. Immigrants are also blamed in regard to these policies as putting greater amount of pressure on the population of the country. The first policy in the context of immigration reform was implemented in 1979 by the chairman of the FAIR, John Tanton, who was also known as the "father of the anti-immigration movement" in the country. During this time policies related to immi gration reform have been developed for the purpose of providing greater amount of economic and environmental supports to the country and also to reduce the growing level of population of the country (FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM, 1). Classical liberalism Classical liberalism has been playing an important role in the process of social, cultural as well as economic development in the country since a long time. The country has been highly liberal regarding migration of people from other countries into their country. Large number of people who came into this country from countries across the globe is living temporarily or permanently in this country. They have become an integral part of this country. Political, economic, social, cultural, educational – all these aspects did not (do not and will not) match with these immigrants. However, these people are increasingly becoming citizens of the United States of America. But the debate regarding increase in the amount of migrated people in the country occurred after the 9/11 attack of 2001 on the World Trade Center. After this attack, politicians and American people started to raise their voice against immigrations and the need for immigration reform has been realized during this time by politicians of the country (Fitz and Kelley, 4). Factions (Pluralism) Political leaders and people of the country have started to raise their voice against the immigration and different policies have started to be proposed during this time. These policies have been put forward by several groups of people who have argued that the level of safety of resources and lives of general people of the country to a great extent if these policies are implemented. In these reformatory policies mainly specifies groups or factions were targeted. These groups have been constructed including, mainly, immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and people of other middle-east countries. Mainly people who belong to the Muslim religion have been included in this group. â€Å"The House of Representatives preempted anticipated Senate action in late 2005 by passing an extreme enforcement measure (H.R. 4437) sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). That bill, which would have felonized the undocumented population and many who interact with them, triggered an enormous backlash

History of Riots of Los Angeles

History of Riots of Los Angeles For years, Los Angeles, California has been the home of social mayhem. From gang rivalry and racial injustice to job discrimination and police brutality, L.A. has earned one of the most menacing reputations on the West Coast. As a result of racial injustices, poor education, and high unemployment rates, riots are not strangers of L.A. Two of the most well known riots of L.A. are the Watts Riot and the Rodney King Uprising. Both riots were immediate reactions to police brutality. Now, when I hear the word riot, I think of a duration of about two days, three at the most. These two riots, however, lasted five and six days, respectively. Lets take a trip back in time. First, to 1965, which was the year of the Watts Riot. Then, well travel forward in time to 1992, the year of the Rodney King Uprising. The following events are recounted from a nurse, Ms. Robbie Wroten, who provided medical care to residents during these events. It was around 7:15 pm on August 11, and Ms. Wroten was preparing dinner for her three children. On the stove was a pot of green beans, a pot of mashed potatoes, and a frying pan with hot grease, ready to fry chicken. Theres a frantic knock at the door. It was Eli, one of Ms. Wrotens neighbors, coming to tell her that Mark, Marquette Frye, had been arrested. And it wasnt just Mark. It was also Marks brother, Ron, and their mother. The isles that warmed the mashed potatoes and the green beans now provided no heat. The grease that was prepared for the chicken was quickly poured back into its container. In a house coat and worn out bedroom shoes, Ms. Wroten rushed down to the corner of the street, just in time to see a mother and her two sons put in police cars. Surrounding the many police cars were angry residents of Watts, who had no problem expressing their disapproval of the family arrests. Its only cuz they black, Ms. Wroten recalled hearing. They didnt do nothing wrong, another per son yelled. And then, it started. A young African-American male picked up the largest rock he could find and hauled it at one of the police cars driving away. As more and more onlookers began to throw objects, Ms. Wroten ran back to her home and locked her doors. Praying for an end to the actions outside, Ms. Wroten continued to cook her dinner. The next morning, Ms. Wroten woke up to advisories to stay indoors. She kept her children home from school. Later that day, Ms. Wroten had learned, from sources in the community, that what had happened the night before was only the beginning. News reports that night made residents of Watts aware that armed forces had been alerted and would be called into action immediately. Ms. Wroten called her younger sister to advise her to stay indoors. As she explained to her children what was going on, she prepared herself for what was about to happen. By the third day, August 13th, residents were rioting all over Watts. Stores were vandalized, buildings were burned, and citizens were injured. Ms. Wroten was called to provide medical attention to residents. As she immersed herself into the crowded chaos, she found it hard to move from one place to another without witnessing glass bottles with fire-burning paper inside thrown into store windows. She looked to the left of her, and she saw people stealing whatever they could get their hands on. To her right, policemen were struggling to sustain one of the looters caught trying to steal a radio from an appliance store. There were mostly privately owned businesses that were burned. The rioters sought out to aim at white business owners and those who they felt had personally discriminated against them. All around her, there was smoke from the burning buildings, soot from the fire extinguishers, and injured people lying on the ground. Equipped with a first aid kit from the hospital, Ms. Wroten began to help those that she could. She wrapped gauze around gushing wounds, applied sterile bandages to first degree burns, and applied antibiotics to surface cuts. Running back and forth between the hospital and the streets of Watts, she bought oxygen masks for those who were too weak to breathe and carried children to safe homes. Then, she went around from house to house, making sure that the women and children were doing fine. She recalled having to console one woman who thought that her son might have taken part in the rioting and the vandalism of one of the stores. Going to check on her own children, whom she had taken to her sisters house, Ms. Wroten witnessed residents fighting police, residents attacking white motorists, and residents who were preventing firefighters from putting out some of the fires. These, and similar, events continued throughout the day. At one point, Ms. Wroten recalls being unable to recognize herself when she looked in one of the few glass windows that had not been broken. Soot covered her entire body, from her hair to her shoes. She thought to herself, Its hard enough just trying to survive out here. How in the world could someone be concerned with stealing things from a store? As the night came, more and more armed forces appeared on the scene, attempting to control the rioters. Fire brigades were trying to put out fires, while guardsmen attempted to restore order in the streets. By the fourth day of the riots, officials were everywhere. The government had established a curfew to keep people from coming outside. Ms. Wroten recalls government officials standing in front of houses to ensure that no one disobeyed the rules of the curfew. It worked. By Sunday, August 15, the officials had finally gotten the riots under control. Fires, vandalism, and looting had all ceased. Millions of dollars worth of damage were left as a result. Five years after the Watts Riots, Ms. Wroten recalls that the neighborhood was still scarred from the events of 1965. Burned buildings that were once prosperous before the riots remained bleak. Lots remained empty, and hope of restoration subsided. Many people left Watts, either in search of better living conditions, or afraid of a reoccurrence. Ultimately it was identified that the arrest of the Frye family was not the solitary reason of the Watts Riots. Some underlying reasons were high unemployment, inferior living conditions, and poor schooling. Little efforts were made to change these attributes, and therefore, Watts still has many of these issues today. In 1992, Ms. Wroten witnessed another riot in South Central, L.A., the Rodney King Uprising. Rodney King, an African-American male, had been violently attacked by four white police officers shortly after he led police on a high speed chase. The beating had been caught on tape. Charged with assault and use of excessive force, a jury, which was predominantly white, acquitted the police officers. The riots began shortly after the verdict was passed. Ms. Wroten remembered being on her way to work when the riots began. She described the scene as a war zone. She noted that, contrary to reports and popular belief, African- Americans were not the only participants of the riots. She said that there were many Hispanics causing upheaval as an outcry of the discrimination they were subjected to. As is the case with the Watts Riots, there was not solitary reason for this uprising. The once all African-American community was threatened by the newly inhabitant Hispanic population. Residents were fu ll of anger and it was as if everyone felt discriminated against. Ms. Wroten also remembered the attack on Reginald Denny, which occurred about three hours after the riots began. In the words of Ms. Wroten, Reginald Denny was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was a truck driver who was making a delivery a few blocks away from where he was dragged out of his truck and attacked by a gang of residents. He was hit in the head with concrete and cinder block until he was unconscious. This attack happened as a result of the hatred toward the White population in Los Angeles. Though she did not witness the Fidel Lopez beating, she was told about it. Lopez was attacked minutes after Denny had been rescued. He was also pulled from his truck and attacked. He was robbed of a substantial amount of money. His head had been cracked open by a car stereo, and one of his ears was partially cut off. Then, the whole front side of his body was spray painted black, including his genitals. Ms. Wroten believes this attack was geared towards the Hispanic community. Similar to the Watts Riots, she witnessed looting, vandalism, and stores being set afire. She recalled the military coming into the community to restore order. They established curfews and prevented residents from travelling at will. For a while, no one could leave or enter South Central, Los Angeles, for fear that another riot would ensue. She comments that unlike the Watts Riots, the community rebounded quickly. Within about a day of military authority, the riots were over and the angered community began to return to a peaceful one. She and most of her family attended the peace rally that was held on that Saturday. She said she was very glad to see how many people were in attendance. She described it is a whole bunch of people. Though the riots were declared over by the sixth day, there were still a few random acts of violence and threatening incidents that occur a couple days after. For this reason, the National Guard remained present in South Central for another two weeks. Historically, Los Angeles, California has suffered from poor education, high unemployment, racial injustices, and police brutality. Even today, some of those conditions have not changed. Los Angeles is still attempting to recover from the tragedies that happened years ago. They say that history repeats itself, but this is one instance in which I really hope it doesnt. I hope that twenty years from now, when I assign my students this project, they will be able to report that Los Angeles has made a complete turnaround, and that the things of the past, stay in the past.

Feminism in M. Butterfly Essay -- David Henry Hwang

Feminism in M. Butterfly In the 1989 drama M. Butterfly, the masterwork of contemporary American playwright David Henry Hwang, the topic of sexual politics underlies all other themes, and creates a tension between the genders that pervades throughout the text; moreover, Hwang subverts traditional thematic aspects of sexual politics by questioning the most fundamental unit of sex by considering the very nature of gender and what defines a male or a female. These elements unite and develop a penetrating examination of feminism, and an inspection of the role of females in both Western and Eastern societies as they relate to males, and an exposà © of the inequalities of gender which are present, perhaps fundamental, in both cultures. The tug-of-war for control, both sexual and intellectual, between male and female characters, especially Rene Gallimard and Song Liling, is ubiquitous throughout the text, and culminates in the final scene where Rene commits seppuku, or Japanese ritual suicide. In M. Butterfly, Hwang views feminism from a variety of unusual lenses by looking at both genders, and serving to draw attention to the traits and qualities of both using dialogue, character study, and clever dramatic techniques. Any discussion of feminism in M. Butterfly must be chronological, and show the development of the characters over time; this allows the reader and audience to mark the character study of the selves over duration of the drama. In the opening act the reader is introduced to a very feminine Song Liling, the character who first assumes the function of the female. Hwang acquaints the reader with Song dancing, and in female garb, in the stage directions of the first act; yet the audience can guess as early as two page... ...ruitless and impossible way to establish a productive, working relationship between men and women. From the three gossipers to Gallimard and Marc, from Gallimard and Renee to Gallimard and Song, Hwang inspects feminism using a new and unusual viewpoint throughout the play, which he asserts in various ways. Hwang states that only as equals can male and female coexist in harmony; revealing underlying sexism in both the cultures of East and West, Hwang shows there is much room for improvement, and that education of gender would be a valuable thing. M. Butterfly is a strong and creative drama driven by strong and creative ideas, but none are as clear or as forceful as the inequalities between men (the errant need to control) and women (submitting to these controls) and their sources (male insecurities, fear of vulnerability), which he discloses, and ultimately, condemns.

Compare miss Havisham and Lady Macbeth Essay

?Compare the presentation of Lady Macbeth and Miss Havisham. Explore how Shakespeare and Dickens present them as disturbed women. Disturbed is a definition of someone who has emotional or mental problems; both Lady Macbeth and Miss Havisham are presented as disturbed characters in one way or another. These two leading women both have characteristics that were not stereotypical of woman at the time periods that the play and the novel were set in; making them immediately appear strange to the audience or reader of that time. Shakespeare and Dickens both present their leading women in very different ways; however some aspects of their characters show similarities. The play Macbeth was set in Elizabethan times, where there was a patriarchal society in which men were superior to women. Women were known by their husbands’ names and were seen more as their husbands’ property than their partners. Elizabethan women were treated badly and disobedience on their behalf was a crime against religion as the society of that time believed that women were made to serve men. However, it was also believed that women were incapable of having evil thoughts or committing devilish crimes. The character of Lady Macbeth goes entirely against the typical Elizabethan woman as she is portrayed as strong and controlling over her husband Macbeth, and is the one to persuade him to commit an act of regicide. This would be shocking to an Elizabethan audience as regicide was known as the worst possible thing you could do, as they believed that their monarchs were sent from God. Miss Havisham is also the opposite of what women in her society were like; she was a spinster. This meant she was seen as a failure as in Victorian times, a woman’s proper purpose was to suitably marry; it was what they were born for. In most of Charles Dickens’ novels, the spinsters and old maids who appear are usually mad, desiccated, boring or secluded. Miss Havisham in Great Expectations is an example, a woman who fell in love and was jilted on the day of her wedding. She lived for the rest of life in her wedding dress, with one shoe on, a wedding cake uneaten on the table, and the clock stopped at the time she found out that her husband-to-be had deserted her. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is first introduced in Act 1 Scene 5. She is reading a letter from her husband, immediately the audience see her as a determined and power-hungry character. In her soliloquy she reveals that Macbeth ‘shalt be what thou art promised’ her ambition for her husband to be king and indeed perhaps for herself to be queen is evident here. Shakespeare’s use of the imperative ‘shalt’ displays her controlling nature, showing her strength and masculinity which would appear unusual to the audience of that time. Although at first Lady M/acbeth would seem to be a rather queer character, the audience would not immediately class her as disturbed. Miss Havisham, however, is portrayed as a disturbed character right from when we first meet her in Chapter 8. Dickens first describes Miss Havisham through Pips eyes as he first sets foot in Satis House. The way the house and the room in which Miss Havisham sits is described, ‘no glimpse of daylight was to be seen in it’ immediately lets the reader know that she is extremely disturbed’ the whole house is stopped, including the clocks at the exact time she turned into a spinster. The idea of showing Miss Havisham first through Pip, allows the reader to see what is wrong, however, not fully understand why this is. Miss Havisham appears to be a much weaker character when she is first introduced as Pip describes her as ‘a skeleton in the ashes of a rich dress’. Dickens use of death imagery gives the reader an impression that Miss Havisham’s life is already over and she is just waiting to die. This makes the reader feel somewhat sorry for her at first and wonder why she is living in such a way. Although it is soon evident that Miss Havisham is not as weak as she first appears when she speaks to Pip for the first time; ‘â€Å"Come nearer; let me look at you. Come close. †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Dickens also uses imperatives in Miss Havisham’s speech ‘come’ showing that although regarded by all in that era as a failure she still has power to make others do whatever she wants. Both Lady Macbeth and Miss Havisham are both portrayed as evil characters throughout the play and the novel. Some people may argue that Miss Havisham is less evil as she does not murder anyone, however, she does ruin the lives of others, using Estella to break the hearts of men the way hers was once broken. Lady Macbeth does come across as more wicked than Miss Havisham most of the time however she might not be as evil and sinister as we are lead to believe. We realise this when she says ‘stop up the access and passage to remorse’. This shows the audience that maybe she does have some conscience because she knows she will feel guilty. However, another way to look at it is that she just wants to stop this from happening so that she can live happily as queen without guilt pulsing through her. This makes the reader think of her as a selfish woman who is used to getting exactly what she wants without any of the bad consequences that come along side it. The use of the modal verb ‘stop’ is strong and commanding and it doesn’t give the person she is talking to an option to say no. The idea of not being able to say no is repeated at the end of Act 1 Scene 5 where she tells Macbeth to ‘Leave all the rest to me’. Lady Macbeth is saying that no matter what anyone says no one will persuade her to change her mind about the murder of King Duncan. The language shows that she feels like she has the upper hand over Macbeth. Lady Macbeth uses her power to manipulate Macbeth into committing an act of regicide. Miss Havisham also manipulates people into doing things that they do not wish to do. She brings Estella up to get revenge on mankind and at the same time makes it impossible for Estella to love. Miss Havisham uses Pip for Estella to practice on and is delighted when Pip falls in love with her. ‘Well you can break his heart’ she tells Estella when she does not want to play cards with a ‘common labouring boy’. Miss Havisham says this in such a calm way that it seems to the reader that breaking someone’s heart is not a big deal to her, which it isn’t since she just wants revenge on all men. Although both of these women are ‘horribly cruel’ towards the end of the play and the novel they do realise what they have done wrong and feel guilty about it. Although the way they react to the guilt differs hugely. Miss Havisham becomes more normal with guilt and tries to put her wrongs right. ‘†Oh† she cried despairingly. â€Å"What have I done? What have I done? †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ she becomes a weak, pitiable creature who begs Pip for forgiveness ‘on her knees and is desperate to do something ‘useful and good’ Her regret makes the reader feel sorry for her rather than blame her. Lady Macbeth becomes more and more disturbed with guilt, up until a point where she cannot take it anymore and commits suicide. Her grief must have been extremely bad for her to do this since she would know that she would be going to hell.

growth into a republic essays

growth into a republic essays How and under what social and economic conditions did the colonists of the new world evolve into a uniquely American Nation by the eve of the American Revolution? I feel that it is the very conflicts that plagued and on multiple occasions threatened to kill the Colonists dreams of a new free nation that enabled them to develop this uniquely American Nation and in effect win their freedom. The great trials that this new society faced molded the colonists into a group of people that above all other desires had a passion for freedom. From its earliest beginnings exploration of the Americas proved to be a dangerous and daunting task. The complete and utter failure of the settlement on Roanoke Island showed that trying to settle in the Americas would certainly be no walk in the park. It took a group of people who were completely consumed with their conquest of freedom to produce the first permanent colony in the Americas, Jamestown. The Pilgrims who settled Jamestown were essentially a desperate crowd who felt that they had no choice but to pursue a new life on a new continent. The political and religious climate in England prior to 1600 left this group of reformists in the cold so to speak in relation to their religious freedom at home. Despite Henry the Eighths defiance of the Roman Catholic Church in the early 1500s the tide in England again began to shift back toward its roots in Catholicism nearing the end of the century. Along with Queen Marys accession to power came the reuniting of formal ties between the government and Catholicism which left the Pilgrims with no other choice in their minds but to find a new home. The first settlement at Jamestown was plagued with all sorts of trouble, among these poor housing and inadequate food. To make matters worse, the settlement was located in a marshy area where salt water mixed with the coloni...

Free Essays on Delegation Paper

Delegation Paper The managers in my organization delegate responsibilities as part of their job requirements to ensure that orders are being met and that the quality in those products continues to be within standards for the customer. My operations manager sends vital information on to shift supervisors about our customer order situation so they can plan ahead of time when and what action to take on the manufacturing floor. All of this leads to delegation of orders down the chain of command, for example if we have a short lead-time for a product for a more important customer or higher profiting product, they then relay to their shift leaders what to look ahead for in production. The shift supervisors make sure that we have the correct amount of personnel to cover the orders and that there is adequate tools to perform the task at hand. The shift leads then performs the wishes of the supervisors by relaying pertinent information to those employee who have the specific tasks to make the adjustments in their area, the leads also fill in at weak points in production to maintain a continuous flow in the production lines. Delegation is a skill of which we have to use at one point or another, but which few understand. It can be used either as an excuse for dumping failure onto the shoulders of subordinates, or as a dynamic tool for motivating and training our team to realize their full potential. One important step in becoming more productive is to not have everything done by one person. The shift supervisors cant be everywhere at once so he has the shift leads help in the delegation of work to be performed. Delegation allows them to achieve more through the proper selection, assignment, and coordination of tasks and resources. Delegation gives the supervisors and leads an opportunity to handle aspects of the job that no one else can do. These activities might include project planning and project team involvement, coaching and monitori... Free Essays on Delegation Paper Free Essays on Delegation Paper Delegation Paper The managers in my organization delegate responsibilities as part of their job requirements to ensure that orders are being met and that the quality in those products continues to be within standards for the customer. My operations manager sends vital information on to shift supervisors about our customer order situation so they can plan ahead of time when and what action to take on the manufacturing floor. All of this leads to delegation of orders down the chain of command, for example if we have a short lead-time for a product for a more important customer or higher profiting product, they then relay to their shift leaders what to look ahead for in production. The shift supervisors make sure that we have the correct amount of personnel to cover the orders and that there is adequate tools to perform the task at hand. The shift leads then performs the wishes of the supervisors by relaying pertinent information to those employee who have the specific tasks to make the adjustments in their area, the leads also fill in at weak points in production to maintain a continuous flow in the production lines. Delegation is a skill of which we have to use at one point or another, but which few understand. It can be used either as an excuse for dumping failure onto the shoulders of subordinates, or as a dynamic tool for motivating and training our team to realize their full potential. One important step in becoming more productive is to not have everything done by one person. The shift supervisors cant be everywhere at once so he has the shift leads help in the delegation of work to be performed. Delegation allows them to achieve more through the proper selection, assignment, and coordination of tasks and resources. Delegation gives the supervisors and leads an opportunity to handle aspects of the job that no one else can do. These activities might include project planning and project team involvement, coaching and monitori...

NoTopic Needed Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

NoTopic Needed - Essay Example The first factor is culture. Culture has been termed as a people’s way of life comprising of people’s beliefs, values and norms. Culture affects consumption habits, people’s lifestyles and even access to information. Obesity educators in order to solve this barrier have to understand a community culture before they can propose any strategy to deal with obesity. A cultural assessment must be done to elicit beliefs, values, norms and language in order to design effective obesity education programs (Tripp-Reimer, Skemp, Choi, & Enslein, 2001). The second barrier is the content of the programs such that these provide too much detail on the pathophysiology and too little regarding the daily management of the illness. To solve this, educators must engage with the community in focus groups before initiating programs to address those areas of greatest concern (Tripp-Reimer, Skemp, Choi, & Enslein, 2001). Third is learning styles such that different communities and people require different learning styles. Some cultures have a strong oral tradition and therefore patient education should be centered on metaphors, storytelling etc. to convey health messages (Tripp-Reimer, Skemp, Choi, & Enslein, 2001). Obesity can be prevented with through the use of effective strategies. The best approach or strategies that can be used in the prevention of obesity are the primary prevention strategies. These aim at addressing the root cause of the problem, reducing the likelihood of development of a disease or disorder. Disease prevention aims at reducing the likelihood that a disease will affect a community or individual, interrupting or slowing its progress or the reduction of disability (Dehghan, Akhtar-Danesh, & Merchant, 2005). The first of such strategies is the activity. Physical activity has been found to be one of the best strategies to prevent obesity. Running, jogging and walking, engaging in sporting activities all help in burning access calories

The Prophecy of the Witches and the Plot to murder a King Essay

The Prophecy of the Witches and the Plot to murder a King - Essay Example The groundlings, who have paid a penny each, a day's wage for some of them, to stand at the pit under the open portion of the Globe, are totally thrilled. The middle class who can afford to pay a penny more to sit in the galleries jostle with each other taking care not to crush their best clothes. Having paid a penny more than them to sit on a cushion in the gallery, at a separate door, I settle down to watch the play. The rich and the titled sit at the Lords' rooms and Ladies rooms in the covered galleries, having paid as much as half a crown each and enjoying the privilege of being spotted by their peers at the theatre. The groundlings are largely from the working class and you can see butchers and tanners, millers and iron workers, seamen and servants, glovers and shopkeepers, bakers and wig-makers- in short tradesmen of every description along with their families. So boisterous is their conduct that you anticipate their throaty shouting, smiling and winking in scenes that cater to their taste. The shoving and fighting amongst them even as the play is staged form another interesting sight from the higher level at which I sit, having paid twice as much as they have done. The hissing and mewing noise from the groundlings at totally unpredictable moments of the play add colour to the atmosphere.