The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) is one of the best films ever made as it teaches several important lessons about life. It also teaches a lot about business. The movie tells a story about a successful banker who is accused of murder. He is sentenced to two life imprisonments. He becomes an inmate in the Shawshank prison, where his persistence and wits help him survive and become free.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Shawshank Redemption specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is necessary to note that the prison is a very specific place where the right and the wrong are somewhat distorted. Therefore, entrepreneurship is manifested in a very specific form. Nonetheless, it is still possible to identify at least three archetypal entrepreneurs in the movie. In the first place, this is the protagonist, Andy Dufresne, who is a successful banker. He is a well-educated professional who can make money. He sees a lot of bus iness opportunities in many situations. He assists the chief guard to avoid paying much in taxes. He also develops a business scheme for the warden. Andy can be characterized by such qualities as resourcefulness, persistence and ability to analyze risks. Andy is resourceful as he has loads of ideas. He is persistent as he continues working on his major project, i.e. his escape from the prison. He also can analyze situations properly and he understands which risks should be avoided. Another entrepreneur in the film is the warden, Samuel Norton. Of course, it is necessary to note that only the general idea of entrepreneurship is used. Norton decides to start up a business and take some risks in order to gain profit. His business is illegal since he uses inmates as workforce and gets kickbacks from his clients. Remarkably, Norton can be regarded as an example of a bad entrepreneur. Apart from starting up an illegal business, he has qualities which make him unsuccessful. Norton is able to see business opportunities. Thus, he uses Andy as his tool to make money as Andy generates business ideas. However, Norton is not quick-witted enough. He has to rely on his subordinate. At the same time, he does not understand that he puts too much pressure on the subordinate and forces him to start up his own business. Norton also fails to analyze risks properly. All these factors lead to his total failure. His illegal activity is revealed and he kills himself to avoid imprisonment. One more entrepreneur is Brooks who is a well-educated man who can manage specific operations. He manages the prison’s library and he is able to live quite a good and peaceful life in the prison. Nonetheless, he is absolutely unable to adjust to new circumstances. When he is freed on parole, he cannot start living a new life in the world which has significantly changed. He commits suicide.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper w ith 15% OFF Learn More These three archetypal entrepreneurs can help people to learn more about successful entrepreneurship. Thus, if one has to rely on somebody, it is necessary to be sure that there is loyalty and transparency. It is also important to analyze risks properly. It is essential to adjust to the changing environment as it is vital in the contemporary business world. Finally, it is necessary to be persistent and never give up working on projects. Basically, Andy Dufresne can be regarded as a model entrepreneur who is resourceful, well-educated and persistent. This essay on The Shawshank Redemption was written and submitted by user Johanna Roth 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.

The Effects of Computers to the Students Essays

The Effects of Computers to the Students Essays The Effects of Computers to the Students Essay The Effects of Computers to the Students Essay TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Importance of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . 2 Statement of the problem . . . . . . . . . . 3 Hypothesis . . . . . . . . . . 4 Scope and Delimitation of the study . . . . . . . . . . 5 Definition of terms. . . . . . . . . . 6 Chapter II Review of Related Literature Chapter III Research Mythology Sources of Data Chapter IV Introduction, Analysis, Interpretation of Data Tabulation Chapter V Conclusion and recommendation Sample Questionnaire ABSTRACT This Paper Reviews Aims to introduce computer games and what This topic is all about. For parents, teachers and specially students who is Graduating to understand the reality effect of this in our daily life and to our Studies. There’s a review being conducted based on some sub question From a certain respondent and observation to determined the amount of Population being involved on computer games that will give us figure of 60-70 percent of the totally population in specific area of Habay bacoor has Been into computer games and some of them get engaged or addicted on it Those person can’t live a day without playing that certain games. In this Studies show as well the negative and positive side of this topic will Help us to know. Negative of this love games more than anything else, Like study forget about family, being so much engaged that end into a not So much good result. On the other hand of positive is giving more Information that will be really helpful in hand of knowledge. CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Computer games in the information systems industry account for over seven billion dollars in sales in 2003 and are a pivotal component in driving both the software and hardware portions of the industry. Entertainment Software Association, 2003). Computer games are quickly taking a chuck of total dollars in the entertainment industry and some say will emerge with Hollywood to create a more interactive entertaining experience for the consumer. In this paper we will be discussion some brief history of games, how they are currently being developed in regards to software, where games are heading in the future, and how the y currently are being used today in other aspects of life. A History of Games The beginning According to many sources, the idea of the video game came about between 1949 and 951, From Space war to Tournament The history of computer games mistakenly termed videogames probably started in 1962. The early programmers and game designers came up with ideas which have been taken over by the industry and have nowadays become cultural stereotypes. Game types like combat games, strategy, simulation or dungeons and dragons were early 60ies inventions but they are still alive today and probably more vital than ever. Having a look at the old predecessors of todays Play station and Dreamcast games might explain why certain stereotypes are so persistent. Comparing early games with todays programmers also shows the technological progress achieved during the last 4 decades. It seems that the gaming industry and game technology nowadays challenges the complete computer industry in becoming the key industrial branch. Also check the webpages referring to computer games and computer games development: A Short Survey on the History of Computer Games Autumn 1961 Â   Â   Â   Digital Equipment Corp. delivers a PDP-1 computer to the MIT in Cambridge, Mass. This was the first computer equipped with a cathode ray tube monitor and a keyboard. DEC expected the MIT scientists to develop scientific programmes with the machine they donated, yet two scientists programmed an application which is said to have been the first computer game ever. 1962 Â   Â   Â   Â   Â   Stephen Russell, Peter Samson, Dan Edwards, and Martin Grates realized SPACEWAR, a shoot-up game with animated spaceship icons on a black and white monitor. Two users could shoot the other players spaceships in IMPORTANT OF THE STUDY Computer games is have a good benefits and effect to the Benefits of Computer Games Recently, in this modern world that we live in, through the course of the improvement of echnology, computer games became very popular among the youth. Whether we like it or not, computer games greatly influences our society today. Computer games become a part of peoples lives. Almost everyone has been exposed to some kind of computer game – be it role playing games, puzzle games, action games played on a console, a personal computer, or a h andheld device. Because of this sudden interest in computer games, concerns about its effects, may it be positive or negative, arise. Being in a modern world, we naturally question these things. Is it a safe practice to play these games? Will it bring any good? Although many people think that it is unhealthy to play computer games, I believe that, in moderation, computer games can be beneficial in many ways such as in leisure and experience, learning, as well as improving our cognitive, logical, and managerial skills. First of all, video games can be considered as naturally alluring because of its aesthetic images and the realistic experiences that comes with it. As Poole said, video games, especially in these modern times, have very detailed audio-visual effects, usually presenting a simulated fantasy orld that appears to be close to reality (qtd. in Mitchel and Savill-Smith 17). Truly, computer games improved visually and became more realistic these past few years. These fantasy worlds are commonly found in simulation games, which is very useful for learning because it allows players to experience things that might be impossible or too expensive (Mitchell and Seville-Smith 20). Because of this, video games can be l iberating by allowing people to do things they cannot normally do. Effects of Computer Games Experts fear computer consoles such as the Nintendo Way harm child development Children should be banned from playing computer games until the age of seven because the technology is rewiring their brains, it is claimed. Bombardment of the senses with fast-pace action games is said to be causing a shortening of attention span, harming the ability to learn. The concerns emerged as technology industry experts gathered at a special summit discussing the development of children, held yesterday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Educational psychologist Jane Healy said research indicated that computer games fuelled he development of basic flight or fight instincts rather than considered reasoning. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM A. Reasons for undertaking Research. It is known that we are living in technological era. The computers became irreplaceable tool in everyday life of almost each person. The adult users generally use it for business purposes while youngsters for computer games. Computers became the part of our life and very important component in many sp heres of modern life. So it is somehow influences on people. One of the spheres of the life is leisure. And nowadays majority of young people pend their leisure playing computer games, surfing through the internet. Computer games have become one of the favorite time-spending of young people all ages, and even some adults. With permanent development of computer technology the quantity of people using computer either for working purposes or entertainment purposes is increasing speedily. One of the reasons of acquiring computers and computer games by busy parents for their children is providing playing leisure for them. But some parents don’t realize that computer games not only develop child’s mind, logic (what is positive influence) but has negative affects. Computer games industry is evaluated in two ways. On the one hand it is associated with admiration of computers abilities, on the other hand with dangerous influence on teenagers’ psychology and health. HYPOTHESIS In my opinion Computer games grows aggressively and somehow Good for some of people but Sometimes not good for some because if were looking on the Negative side of this topic it will be So addicting for some that will be really negative if you consider Our self / your self to be addiction This on the brighter side of this topic computer games can be Helpful and educational if you know ow to select the right computer games that you know it can help You there’s a lot of educational Games that has been established by a lot wonderful people who Really wants to make computer games Games a worth do can give pleasure and at the same time can Educate you somehow. SCOPE AND DELIMITION OF THE STUDY This study is directly for young individuals especially students like Us who has the priority too study extensively to finish our studies And yet getting pleasure from playing computer games especially On our lazy days specifically weekends. Most of us now days Knows a lot of computer games and we often play specifically In front of a computer, most of us have their computers at home But some of us don’t so it’s a tend to play outside what we usually Call it a computer shop admit it or not relieve us from some stress That we got from a 5 days studies of different subject 8 hours a day And doing homework and project as well I take day of observation On our own computer shop and most of our clients us really Spending a lot of time for games specially male client. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter discuss the result of the review of the prevents Literatures that has been written regarding the impact of computer games in graduating students. Various observation and theoretical activities has been done for this review which will be related to the main research of the topic. The Purpose of this review is for us to discover the conclusions were of prior to some effects of computer games to specific students. That falls on teenagers and adolescent category CHAPTER III RESEARCH AND METHOLOGY SOURCE OF DATA In this study I used my very own source in doing my research for my parents Have a computer shop where in can do my observation and ask some few Question with out regular clients which will be really helpful in making Helpful making this study and I also visit some other computer shop to also Observe population composition of that computer shop that visited and I can Say that we have the same population Males are most fond on computer Games there also females but it doesn’t reach to the count of males who Are really into computer games. And I also conduct a little survey to some Unrelated individuals make this study a worth to discuss and be realized By most of us specially were students in this way that did we can specially Determined the effects of computer games us where if it’s Negative or Positive CHAPTER IV INTRODUCTION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION OF DATA TABULATION INTRODUCTION The research finding on computer games will discussed in the research Conclusion And recommendation for future research will also discussed In this section out of 40 male respondents, 80% ( 20 respondent) use the Computer for more 20 hours a week ( more than 4 hours per day ) this Percentage bigger compared to those who use the computer for least 2 hours Per day ( 15% of the respondents ) and at least 3 hours per day (30% of pic] Blue 80% more than 20 hrs Red 20% 7 hrs- 20 White 1 hrs – 7 hrs COMPUTER GAMES All The respondents use the computer for computer games . the Following Graph show the respondent distribution based on the hours The speed on using computer for games Graph 2. distribution of respondent on the computer use For games per week [pic] Blue 1 hrs – 7 Red 7 hrs – 14 hrs White more th an 20 hrs Now the larger faction of the respondents are inclined to Computer games and spend more than 20 hours of computer use per week ANALYSIS The research was conducted form two computer shop here Is bacoor under observation from those 2 different computer shop 60 to 70 % of the total population of those computer shop were Studies probably from school and most of them were males on the Same age as I have or earlier age [pic] Red 75 % Blue 60% CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION CONCLUSION Learners are among individual specifically graduating students Youngsters or teenagers who play computer games mostly on a daily Basis. This shows that the impact of computer games becomes more board Base on the studies and observation been conducted where in revealed Who are the most computer players how long do they speed to play Computer games the effect. In this study it also highlight the impact of the Computer game in life of each individual involved in this study RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE STUDY / RESEARCH This study been researched by means of question and observation For this topic. This research has has been limited in bacoor area (Habay) you Can also do further research and observation by visiting some other place and See if they also have the same situation. I recommend to the same Methology that I did for more effective realization of the topic

Family Medical Leave Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Family Medical Leave Act - Essay Example Abuse of Family Medical Leave Act has in turn resulted to morale problems in work places particularly among employees who are called to pick up the tasks of the absent employees. Negative effects of Family Medical Leave Act on employers Workplaces are significant places to study how institutions shape the way Family Medical Leave Act operates in practice (Galinski et al, 2005). Family Medical Leave Act is cited as an external factor that affects employee availability in any organization. Though the Family Medical Leave Act’s aim is upbeat and constructive for most occasions, many organizations’ management trust that it presents an employee with a chance to stay out of their places of work if they have low interest in the job (Burtless, 1995). According to a research done on 36 organizations, it was apparent that Family Medical Leave Act affects employee availability. Ten of the organizations expressed extreme concern with the Family Medical Leave Act impacts, terming th e act a nightmare (Galinsky et al. 2005). Needless to say, this act does not permit managers to punish the employees through relegations or corrective actions. Organizations account that the players have leant how to play the game well. Most of the organizations have claimed that employee unions coach their members to file under Family Medical Leave Act when taking leave to shun nonattendances that may amount to termination of employment or demotion (Burtless, 1995). Most organizations have no dilemma with the act’s stipulations for workers to be given leave to attend to ill relative or a new born child, or to recuperate from a verifiably somber health condition. The primary point of disputation is with the Family Medical Leave Act stipulation that allows workers to be granted irregular leave due to severe illness. The aggravation comes from attempting to apprehend the delineation of severe health condition. Burtless (1995) denotes that it is challenging to verify the effects of particular illnesses such as headaches, gout, aggravation and soft tissue injuries. For this reason, most of the doctors do not decline signing the Family Medical Leave paper for fear of being sued by the worker. In reference to the United States Labor Department, a severe illness refers to a health condition or injury that involves inpatient medical attention or ongoing medical treatment (Irwin & Ralph, 1993). Most of the employers find it challenging in determining a qualifying serious health problem for the worker or worker’s next of kin. Some of the illnesses are difficult to track, and employers must resolve whether to award Family Medical Leave Act’s benefits to workers who report the inception of signs. Though, in some occasions employees abuse Family Medical Leave Act’s benefits, the employer may face federal investigations for failing to grant the worker leave (Armour, 2005). Research has shown that Family Medical Leave Act affects business performa nce and productivity (Burtless, 1995). Most of the employees take leave and thus lead to low labor input that in turn leads to declined productivity. Employers find it challenging in tracking worker’s leave period while getting Family Medical Leave Act’s benefits. Arguably, if the worker takes scheduled leave under the act, there is no minimum leave period needed, thus making it challenging to follow

Discussion Board 3-2 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board 3-2 - Research Paper Example This is usually observable even to layman and does not require deep thinking or analysis of the criteria or the process. A test may have low face validity if the structure or outward organization fails to relate to the intended purpose of the test. Face validity is very important since it gives test takers and test users substantial confidence over and increase reliability of a test. Cohen, Swerdlik and Sturnam (2013) reassure that lack of face validity in a test does not discredit relevance or usefulness of the given test. Content validity describes the extent or adequacy of a test covers or samples behaviours or elements that represent a collection of behaviours that the design of a test intended to measure. For a test to have content validity, it must prove to sample or cover part of elements or characteristics of a given item under test. Cohen, Swerdlik and Sturnam (2013) report that content validity is widely important in employment. Test to determine content validity of a given employee analyzes and evaluates skills and behaviour of a given employee with relation to the skills and knowledge desired for a given job

Customer Relationship Management in Bahrain Investment Banking Arena Essay Example for Free

Customer Relationship Management in Bahrain Investment Banking Arena Essay The banking industry has undergone widespread changes within the operating environment and this involves globalization of markets and technological improvements. These two factors have influenced and encouraged innovative practices within the banking industry that has served to enhance its operational efficiency. The introduction of ATMs and e-banking facilities are some of the major milestones in the banking industry that have revolutionized business operations. The global markets have intensified the competitive environment of the banking industry that has created the need for increased efficiency in operations and increasing customer satisfaction. Customers are the lifeblood of any organization and the banking business too depends on the acquisition and retention of consumers for its profitability. Customer relationship management forms a vital aspect of business strategy driving the company’s market shares and market leadership position. Customer relationship management (CRM) has been defined as a business strategy that â€Å"is a fusion of a series of functions, skills, processes, and technologies which together allow companies to more profitably manage (acquire and retain) customers as tangible assets† (Shanmugasundaram, 2008:98). It is viewed as an interactive process that creates a balance between corporate objectives and customer satisfaction to increase the profitability of the business. Acquisition and retention of customers is one of the vital requirements of business and the effectiveness of strategies driven towards this goal determines the success of business enterprises. The past few years have witnessed growing application of CRM in retail banking and investment banking sectors. The key objective behind such initiatives is to ensure the delivery of superior customer service and to fulfil the needs of consumers. Such practices are effective in enabling organizations to meet the needs of the consumers and provide improved services in comparison to other players in the industry. Competitive advantage and business gains are driven by a proactive approach that focuses on consumer needs and expectations, provision of consistently high quality service, looking into consumer convenience and an effective follow up service to ensure consumer loyalty. A vital aspect of investment banking and any other financial services is the changing consumer mindsets. Owing to the abundance of information easily accessible over the Internet the consumers today are more knowledgeable of the wide range of choices and alternatives available to them. The consumers are equipped with more knowledge related to the banking options available and hence their banking decisions are guided by their well-researched study. This fact holds true for all economic sectors and business operations but forms a critical aspect of banking industries since it caters to a diverse segment of consumers. In nearly all business to business markets in which clients are as large as, or as in this case, often much larger than their suppliers, the latter must respond quickly to pressures from their clients to improve client management processes and systems† (Foss Stone, 2002: 211). CRM in Investment banking sector The short term objective of the marketing department is to acquire customers while the long term objective translates to retaining the old customers through effective customer relationship management (CRM) strategies. Reaching and acquiring a new customer is one thing, keeping the relationship healthy and strong over a long period of time is the mark of the true marketing professional concerned with long term health of the organization† (Dolak, 2009). The increasing competitive market makes it difficult to retain customers over a longer period of time owing to the constant influx of new and substitute alternatives invading the shelf spaces at the local retail shop. This makes the task of CRM increasingly challenging and organizations adopt various strategies to attract old customers back. Retention strategies often employ measures such as consumer behaviour research and product surveys that enable the organizations to assess the needs and expectations of the consumer and enable them to serve better. Customers always appreciate the personal touch that results in building strong relationships. The net today provides numerous effective communication channels that are being used to keep the customer happy. Web based customer relationship management has effectively integrated all modes of communication – web, email, chat, video, voice to serve and support the customers to enhance the total customer experience. Investment banking differs from other forms of banking in the role a few major clients play on the bank’s performance and productivity (Foss Stone, 2002). This form of banking targets a fixed client segment that drives the sales of investment products and services. The efficiency of the banking sector is determined by the types of products and services sold to customers in response to their investment needs and expectations. Customization of products and services are the key to deriving client satisfaction. Identification of the client segment is a vital factor in targeting and reaching out to the desired client population and this process is driven by market research. The changing demographics and intense competitive pressures from global industry players have however made a significant impact on the business strategies of investment banks worldwide. The challenges faced by investment bankers lie in reaching out to target consumers and providing them with increased ease of banking services that serve to retain clients over a longer period of time. Moreover, the increasing demands of consumers and growing expectations have driven the banking sector to adopt technology based innovative applications for meeting consumer needs and expectations. Online banking services and mobile banking applications are some of the innovative means that are being used by investment bankers to reach out to their target consumers. Such applications have served to improve banking services and efficiencies in resolving customer queries and needs promptly through the click of the mouse button. The anytime and anywhere access to banking services have defined new trends in serving consumers. â€Å"Online customization is one useful customer relationship management strategy adopted by e-business to add value and improve sales of their products and services using the Internet† (Khosla et al. , 2003). Investment banking in Bahrain The banking sector in Bahrain is one of the key sectors influencing economic growth and development in the region. The contribution of the financial services and banking sector is second only to the oil and natural gas industry in the country. The country has experienced an economic boom and an upward trend in economic growth and development over the past few decades on account of globalisation influences and opening of trade channels. The banking sector has also opened to multinational corporations establishing their operations in the country to tap the growing number of high net worth individuals in the country. Despite the globalisation of banking operations and increased de-regulation of the financial services sector in the area the country continues to have a significant control and supervision over the regulatory environment. The Central Bank of Bahrain continues to be monitor and control the banking environment in the country. The modernisation of banking services and strategic approaches made by investment bankers in other parts of the globe have not produced much impact in this region owing to the constraints applied by the existing cultural influence. The retail banking scenario in Bahrain is to a considerable extent driven by the culture of the country. The cultural impacts are realised in the conservative approach of consumers towards banking and investment. Various research studies have concluded that while the region is an emerging market for technology applications and innovative practices, user attitudes have limited the scope of technology based business models in the banking sector. The conservative market environment and user attitudes towards the CRM strategies adopted by investment bankers in Bahrain forms the focal point of the research study. The research study will analyse the various perspectives involved in CRM approach by investment bankers through the study of Unicorn Investment Bank in Bahrain. The bank was founded in the year 2004 and has its headquarters in Bahrain. It is an Islamic financial services group that has an international presence in various locations such as Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and United States. The bank currently has six distinctive business service categories that include asset management and real estate, capital markets, corporate finance, private equity, strategic mergers and acquisitions and treasury. Among the various services offered by the bank the key approach is to deliver the customers with a comprehensive range of investment solutions that are customised to meet client needs and expectations. Unicorn’s integrated product offering and financial engineering skills are closely intertwined with a strong capacity to distribute the Bank’s products and services to a broad client base across the GCC region, the wider Middle East region, Southeast Asia, the USA and the Europe† (Unicorn, 2010). The target customers of the bank include high net worth individuals, business enterprises, financial institutions, corporations, and government agencies and departments. The products offered by the bank are Shari’ah compliant and conforms to the international financial practices (Unicorn, 2010). Issues and challenges â€Å"All major banks have invested heavily in technology and infrastructure over the last 5 and 10 years in this area, but hardly any of them have been successful in actually getting it effective† (Infosys, 2009). The failure of CRM initiatives within the investment banking sector have provided a new ground for research into increasing the effectiveness of CRM applications. There are many strategic implications related to the application of CRM within investment banking sector. This involves the adaptation of normal banking processes and systems to integrate with innovative use of technology based applications and automated query processing systems that require efficient management and handling of issues. Such issues pertain to the efficient use of CRM systems to meet operational goals and integrating the different banking functions to provide a structured application that can be used easily by consumers. Ease of use and convenience are some of the key parameters involved in the development of CRM based banking system. A key challenge facing these areas involves the security and privacy issues that form a major source of concern for consumers using the technology based applications. Technology based business models and CRM strategies enable investment bankers to provide the customers with efficiency in delivery of services, access to relevant information, product details and ease of transactions. Mobile banking and e-banking facilitates the customers of investment banking to a host of facilities that range from product enquiry; access updated rates of interest and market values of the investment products chosen and conducts investment transactions online. Investment portfolios can also be accessed and manipulated according to user convenience from the comforts of their home or office. However, widespread usage of such systems has been restricted on account of user reservations related to security issues and privacy of vital user data and information. Mobile banking and online transactions raise security and privacy concerns among most of the consumers (Barati Mohammadi, 2009). The transfer of sensitive financial and personal information across mobile networks is found to be the prime reason behind the psychological barriers created among potential mobile banking customers (Laukkanen, 2007).

What it Means to be an Athlete :: Sports Swimming Teamwork Essays

What it Means to be an Athlete A group of high school girls who have all joined a crew team for various reasons. Some are athletes, some want scholarships, some are the right body types, some have never been athletes, some have friends on the team, and some are being made to by their parents. The team is small and no cut and always in need of more rowers. As they row they come together as a team, they all gain in confidence and learn what it is to be an athlete both on and off the water. The protagonists are a novice four, that means five girls who have never competed in crew before racing a boat with four rowers and a coxswain (cox for short). The coxswain is normally small, in High School women's rowing they try to get as close to 110 pounds as possible, who yells out commands, steers the boat, and encourages her rowers. She is the only one facing forward and is generally sitting in the back of the boat. The four rowers in a four face backwards. The stroke is the rower closest to the cox and faces her. Behind th e stroke are 3 and 2 and bow is in the front or bow. Although the novice four is not the entire team, the boats practice in shifts so they don't spend much time with the rest of the team. The five girls are all there for different reasons. The cox, Hannah, is actually the only one who had been involved in sports before, but she is the smallest, loudest, and most of a leader. Stroke is Amanda, who is tall and has the "ideal" build for crewing and decided to start in hopes of getting a scholarship when she goes to college. Lauren, the three seats, is being forced to participate in a sport by her mother and heard that you wouldn't have to run for crew. Diana, two seats, is Amanda's best friend, and decided to tag along, and Jessie who thought she'd join for kicks is bow. Once they are set into boats, they have their first water practice as a team. Their coach, Molly, grew up having to fight for the right to participate in a sport other than cheerleading or dance, and feels that the girls have to live up to her legacy. They should be proud and see themselves exclusively as athletes, especially when they don their uniforms.

Death of a Salesman- Essay-Reflection Essay

In Death of Salesman, the conflicts that the characters face through out in the play, can be interpreted as reflections of the problems in America’s society today. The majority, if not all of these problems can be traced back to Willy Loman as the source. Willy Loman’s longing to be successful (either actually through himself or through his sons) was the origin of all the other problems, and was the reason he could not control himself and he ruined his life and his family. The most obvious societal problem face in the play is greed. Willy’s obsession with having money is a perfect symbol of the larges part of society, the part whose lives revolve around acquiring money, and having â€Å"the best†. The people have unrealistic expectations just like Willy. In Act 1, Willy is hallucinating about his brother Ben and he says, â€Å"The man knew what he wanted and went out and got it! Walked into a jungle, and comes out, the age of twenty-one, and he’s rich!† (41). Willy and countless people in today’s society, have unrealistic expectations, and are never honestly satisfied. They are willing to do anything to get to the top, even if it means hurting others, and most of the time they are left with nothing. Just like Willy in the garden, muttering, â€Å"Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground†; because they have done nothing substantial with their lives and have not â€Å"planted† anything (122). They used all their time concerned with money and neglected to invest in anything concrete, like real love, and having a family. They have no real lives outside of materialistic things, just like Willy. Willy’s constant disregard for others and their lives is another example of a problem America’s society faces being represented in the play. In today’s society, it is seen as expectable to push others down, and put your self first. In Death of a Salesman, Willy does this constantly when it comes time to be honest and care for his family. Willy’s actions greatly affected his family, and were the reason for many of Biff, Happy and Linda’s problems. When he was fired, Willy said, â€Å"I was fired and I am looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and suffered†(107). Willy, like many people with any sort of conscience today, feels bad and wants to tell Linda that he was fired (something that will  drastically effect his entire family, especially considering their already pending financial problems), but this want is smothered by his need to have â€Å"good news†. This want is essentially just a ploy to make him feel better about himself, so once again Willy puts Linda second to his own needs, which is really the reason for all the waiting and suffering she had to do. This disregard, is also obvious in today’s society, one person’s actions can affect the whole community. Like in the case of all the terrible decisions George Bush. George Bush made decisions for the country, that were not for the common good, but his good, and now America is left picking up the pieces now that he’s gone. Many people argue that a major problem with the order of today’s society is that people no longer respect their elders. Arthur Miller, obviously saw this occurring even in the 1950 when he wrote the book. Willy raised Biff and Happy, putting all in hopes, dreams and inhabitations into them. But when they were old enough no to have to depend on them anymore, they walked away from him. Linda even acknowledges it and says, â€Å"It sounds old fashioned and silly but I tell you he put his whole life into you and you’ve turned your backs on him†(60). Biff and Happy used their father to become who they were, but when he needed them to live, they walked away from him. This is even more obvious of the problems faced today when looked at as if Willy represents all the older people in our society. The elderly are looked down upon, are thought to be crazy, and have their jobs, license and overall most real concessions, taken away for no reason other than age. We discriminat e against people who should be our equals and treated with respect. Peer pressure, is not just something that effects school aged children on the playground. Adults are pressured every day by, family, friends, co-workers into doing things that do not necessarily want to do. This is a tremendous problem in society because most of the time when people are doing something they do not want to do they are going to be upset. This feeling of being upset, usually leads to emotions that are more drastic such as being stressed and just completely lost and unhappy. Willy’s pressure on the Biff and Happy is the perfect example of this pressure to do things you normally would not do. Willy constantly says through out the play, â€Å"the man who makes  an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want†, this pressure to be well liked is what pushed Biff to neglect his school work and Happy to only care about pleasing woman and his father (30). Willy always pushed the boys to have and to be the greatest at everything they did. But in the end Willy’s pressure pushed the boys to make reckless decisions and made them feel like they could never do enough to please their father. Biff took to stealing and even admits that his father’s pressure got to him in Act 2 when he says, â€Å"I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody!† (131). Pressure can sometimes be positive, like when it pressure pushes you to give your best effort, and sometimes negative, like when it causes you to conform excessively. As in the case of Happy, who by the end of the play, even after his father kills himself is determined to follow in Willy’s foot steps and even says, â€Å"It’s the only dream you can have – to come out number-one man. He fought it out here, and this is where I’m gonna win it for him† (139). The biggest complaint that is heard from adults about today’s youth is the constant feeling of entitlement. Even when unjustified. Willy’s outlook on his life is a perfect example on teen’s unjustified feelings of entitlement in today’s culture. In the scene where he goes to talk to Howard about his job, Willy says, â€Å"You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away-a man is not a piece of fruit.† (82). Willy feels that Howard (the son of the father who had formerly promised Willy that he would be rewarded for his service to the company) has gone back on the word of his father by forgetting the salesman in his golden years, throwing away the peel after eating the orange, so to speak. But what Willy does not realize is that Howard owes him nothing, and neither did his father. Anything people do out of kindness is simply that, kindness. Students sometimes think that just because they received a good mark in a class that it will automatically be the same the next quarter, and aren’t always willing to do the work needed to earn the grade. But what Willy and countless others don’t realize is that no one is owed anything. During and argument Willy has with his son, Biff makes the comment, â€Å"Pop! I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!† This infuriates Willy who counterattacks, â€Å"I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are  Biff Loman!† (132). Seen through Willy and people thought the world, entitlement is an illusion that blinds our work/life ethic and us. Death of a Salesman shows both family and societiatal conflicts; however, these conflicts are definitely more powerful when looked at as societal problems .It forces you to evaluate the ethics and principles of the culture we live in. and how they eventually reflect the things we truly hold important. However the reflection is not just the problems, but also all the damage that results from making those the most valued things. Death of a Salesman is a disheartening play but it is an honest reflection of our society. Bibliography: Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: 1949. Print.