Saturday, May 23, 2020

Analysis Of Julius Caesar s The Spring Of 58 Bc Caesar

In the spring of 58 BC Caesar took up his duties as a governor of Cisalpine and Narbonese Gaul, in an effort to launch a successful political career. Caesar could not choose a better moment in history to execute his undertaking; the whole of Gaul were about to be plunged into a savage war. â€Å"If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.† Julius Caesar Caesar knew that he needed a prestige of military conquest if he was ever to consolidate his hold on power; he risked his own life, and his family fortune, by raising four new legions at his own expense, and against the categorical wishes of the senate, but in the end the risk will pay off. Caesar took it for granted that the liberation of Gaul from the tribes invading from the north, was also a conquest of it. He wasted no time, and reorganized it under Roman authority, with the pretext that in no other way it could be protected. (Durant, 1972). When the smoke and dust started to settle down over the conquered Gaul town of Alesia (52BC), Gaius Julius Caesar couldn’t yet possibly know, that he just added to the Roman Empire, a country twice the size of Italy, and opened the markets of 5.000,000 people to the Roman trade. (Durant, 1972). Conquering foreign lands, and incorporating them into the Rome will become a way for the patrician families to ensure the immortality of their names, and the growth ofShow MoreRelatedContemporary Issues in Management Accounting211377 Words   |  846 Pagesproviding a voice of reason amidst all the consultancy excitement of seemingly new ways of costing the business world. He has played a similar role in the area of accounting standard setting, both taking forward the British tradition of the economic analysis of financial accounting and, of possibly greater significance, providing some very original analyses of the possibilities for meaningful accounting standardization. With an agenda as rich as this, it is all the more praiseworthy that Michael maintained

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Essay about Harry Potter and the Holy Grail - 1122 Words

Two of the best things in the world, â€Å"Monty Python and the Holy Grail† and â€Å"Harry Potter,† have a good deal in common. Other than the vast amount of space reserved in my brain for storing quotes and random facts from these two stories, both tales share many similar objects, plot devices, character attributes, and themes. Even though Pythons â€Å"Holy Grail† is an exact historical representation of the Arthurian Grail legend, some might argue that the â€Å"Harry Potter† story is more reflective of the actual ancient texts than the 1974 film. Harry has many things in common with King Arthur. Both characters were orphans raised with their cousins, and mentored by wise men with large beards. Neither knew of his importance until it was revealed†¦show more content†¦Sir Percival, for instance, was at first deemed unworthy of obtaining the Holy Grail due to his lack of inquiry regarding the wounded Fisher King. (Mahoney, 205) The second rather important cup in the fourth â€Å"Harry Potter† novel is the Triwizard Cup. This is the Holy Grail of the Triwizard Tournament, and the object that all of the contestants are seeking. The Triwizard Cup fits the more traditional, somewhat less educated views of the Holy Grail—jeweled, flashy, made of a precious metal, and quite obviously worth a lot of money. It is interesting to note that when Harry and Cedric touch it, they are whisked away to the graveyard where Voldemort and Wormtail are plotting their nefarious deeds. Galahad, after seeing the Holy Grail, is also whisked away, except he goes to heaven, while Harry ends up getting tortured for a bit, and barely escapes with his life. The Grail quest of Arthurian legend shares a few thematic similarities with the quest for the Triwizard Cup. According to the Matthews book, â€Å"The Grail Tradition,† there were three somewhat successful seekers of the Grail: Galahad, Percival, and Bors. This holds nicely with the three wizards who are supposed to take part in the Triwizard Tournament. The first task that Harry must complete consists of somehow thwarting a dragons attempts to keep him from stealing its golden egg.Show MoreRelatedA Global Cinema Industry? Essay example1112 Words   |  5 Pagespersistently tried to emulate the Hollywood model’ (Stokes, J, 1999: 80) to secure success for the films, but the sad truth is we lack so much of the factors that make Hollywood successful. For example many British films that are popular in the US ( Harry Potter, Slumdog Millionaire) have been co produced with American companies so cannot be define as purely British films. Britain lacks the funding required to make large scale movies, as British distribution companies are a rarity so they turn to the AmericanRead MorePostmodernism, By Jean Francois Lyotard2006 Words   |  9 Pagesdisplayed is. At face value, this text presents itself to be a remaking of the most famous Arthurian myth, bridging from the Lady of the Lake to the Holy Grail. This first layer of The Hero’s Journey is the fact that this text is presented almost as a remastering but parodies the entire plot, and still follows the same style of story of the Holy Grail. In a sense, this text seeks to prove how all the epics are the same by doing the absurd while following the exact same pattern as them all, questioningRead MoreReady Player One Is Made By Ernest Cline1776 Words   |  8 Pagesissue, Wade hacks into the IOI network and destroys the artifact. Everyone charges to attack, after some close calls Wade gets to the gate and solves the puzzle. This gate has him playing classic arcade games and re-enacting Monty Python and the Holy Grail. As soon as he gets in Nolan is right behind him trying to catch up. He ends with plenty of time, after beating the Easter Egg a copy of Halliday greets him. Ha lliday says that Wade has full power over all OASIS and wishes him good luck. AfterRead MoreThe Fiction of Literature: Folk Tales, Fan Fiction, and Oral Tradition in the Internet Age2388 Words   |  10 Pagesat first only in fan magazines, fan fiction has reached its apotheosis in internet-based fandom, that is, a group of fans dedicated to a particular topic such as a book or a television show. The term may refer to a specific fandom, such as the Harry Potter fandom, which very often have their own special names (â€Å"Potterheads†), or to fandom more generally, denoting collectively all people who consider themselves to be part of any fandom at all. Members of this more general sort of fandom tend to beRead MoreA Strategic Management Case Study on the Walt Disney Company8543 Words   |  35 Pagestheme parks or retail stores worldwide. Their level of customer service takes those who know to look for it back. Former customer service experts and teachers for Disney have w ritten very successful books on the topic and their experiences from the â€Å"holy grail† of customer satisfaction. Acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios In 2006, The Walt Disney Company made an acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios. Until 2006, Pixar had collaborated with Disney on multiple occasions to produce such award winningRead MoreExploring Corporate Strategy - Case164366 Words   |  658 Pagesconsistently high levels of RD spending and productivity became industry leaders. For this reason, stock market valuations place as much importance on the RD ‘pipeline’ (that is, the products in development) as on the currently marketed products. The holy grail of pharmaceutical RD used to be the ‘blockbuster’. Like ‘killer applications’ in the software market, blockbuster drugs are genuine advances that achieve rapid, deep market penetration. Because of their superlative market performance, blockbustersRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 Pages COMPANY: WARNER BROTHERS Project: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and Part II The Harry Potter film franchise is the second highest grossing film franchise of all time, with the five films released to date only slightly behind the 22 James Bond films. The adaption of the final novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be split into two films, with Part I scheduled to be released in 2010 and Part II in 2011. The Harry Potter franchise is seen by movie insidersRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesand brain activity were measured made generalizations difficult. These results do not discourage all neuropsychologists. One neuroscientist, Oshin Vartanian, summed up the literature as follows: â€Å"Initially, a lot of people were looking for the holy grail. They were searching for the creativity module in the brain. Now we know it is more complicated.† Sources: A. Dietrich and R. Kanso, â€Å"A Review of EEG, ERP, and Neuroimaging Studies of Creativity and Insight,† Psychological Bulletin 136, no. 5

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Business Plan for The Consumer Robots Store - 2605 Words

Business Plan for CRS: The Consumer Robots Store, Inc. 1. Executive Summary Consumer robots are becoming increasingly commonplace for a number of reasons, including increased applications, capabilities and affordability. Some countries have set national goals to have consumer robots in every household in the near future. Consumer robots are already capable of various housecleaning functions, watchdog and receptionist activities. Some consumer robots have even been used to serve meals and beverages to dignitaries and their uses continue to expand. The business model envisioned herein could easily be adapted to include franchising opportunities as well. Many consumers may be unaware of the wide range of consumer robots that are already on the market. Finally, the consumer robot industry is expected to enjoy significant growth in the future as a result of an aging population that requires in-home support and companionship for quality of life considerations. 2. Proposal Section The business enterprise envisioned by this proposal involves establishing a consumer robot retail store, preferably in a high-traffic mall, where customers can see the latest technologies in action and select the robot or robots that best suit their needs. This type of outlet would appeal to a broad range of consumers. For example, younger consumers with busy schedules may be more interested in moderately priced robots that vacuum or mop floors and take care of other time-consumingShow MoreRelatedAmazon s Distribution Of Distribution Essay1262 Words   |  6 PagesAmazon divides its channel into two groups professional and individual. Professional is the plan for who sells more than 40 items a month such as retailers and wholesalers like Apple, Target, and Nordstrom. Individual is the plan for 3rd party sellers who sell less than 40 items a month. 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Stefan’s Diaries The Craving Chapter 16 Free Essays

string(69) " any conversation I felt like listening to with my enhanced hearing\." November 12, 1864 Life with Damon is like playing chess with a mad person. I can think of a thousand different possibilities to defend against, a thousand different moves he could make, and then he goes and changes the rules of the game. It’s just his newfound predilection for casual violence that makes him so incalculable, but the way he revels in it. We will write a custom essay sample on Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Though blood is our diet, we as vampires at least have a modicum of self-will. Damon doesn’t have to let his dark side win, and yet he embraces it. I view this change in him with horror and guilt, as I was the one who set him down the path of the vampire. Katherine was the one who changed him, but I force-fed him his first human. After seeing his message to me I can’t consider leaving the Sutherlands until I have figured out a way to keep them all safe. What my brother did to Callie†¦ it obviously isn’t beyond him to just dispose of the entire family once they serve their purpose. But when will he take action? At the wedding? After the wedding? After the honeymoon? Next year? Could I spirit the girls away somewhere? Could I convince them to hide? Could I compel them to? Damon managed to find me here, could he find me – or them – anywhere? I have to come up with a plan, in case Damon doesn’t just leave town with his newfound fortune. Of course, the simplest solution would be to kill Damon. Voil – one maniacal, insane, unpredictable, murderous vampire gone, the world, and myself, a thousand times safer. That’s assuming I could do it. I am so much weaker than he is, it would have to be done by surprise or guile or something equally underhanded, like a knife in the back. Like he killed Callie. There isn’t any point in thinking that way. I will not stoop to his level. He is my brother. And as awful as he is, he is the only relative left to me. The next day, time flew by as if it had nothing better to do than gallop me toward matrimony. Before I knew it, I’d been stuffed into my suit, force-fed pancakes, and spirited over one hundred blocks north to the altar, where I stood awaiting my fate, as the Sutherlands unknowingly awaited their own. Damon and I stood side by side in Woodcliff Manor’s great hall – the pretty family chapel nearby was far too small for Bridget’s tastes. The Richards were kind enough to let her use their home at the tip of Manhattan Island. It was really more of a castle than a home, with gray towers, parapets, and decorative portcullises, all made from the gray rock that jutted seamlessly out of the rocky promontory on which it sat. Not so far from there, outside the arched gothic windows, were the remains of Fort Tryon, the site of a sad defeat of Continental forces under George Washington by the British. My thoughts drifted as I imagined redcoats and scrappy American soldiers and puffs of gunpowder†¦ and then something occurred to me. Katherine could have witnessed such a battle. I never asked how old she was – perhaps Damon did – but she was far older than her appearance suggested. She had probably witnessed events I only read about in history books. I shivered at the thought, but the chill was instantly dispelled by the incredible heat in the room. Damon and I stood in front of a crowd of more than two hundred of New York’s finest socialites, all sitting uncomfortably in hastily pulled together pews. They had no idea how dangerous it was for them to be there. I pulled at my collar and tie, which suddenly felt too tight, my vision blurring. The room shifted and morphed, and for just a second, the finery and skin of every wedding attendee melted off as though they’d been caught up in a blaze. Skin flaked off like corn husks, leaving behind pure-white bone and twisted tendons. â€Å"Stefan!† Damon hissed, elbowing me. I realized then that I was clutching his arm. â€Å"Do I need to call a medic for you?† he asked sarcastically. I shook my head, wondering what illness had overcome me. The crowd came back into focus, alive, happy, laughing, and fanning themselves discreetly. Even I had to admit that Mrs. Sutherland had done a fantastic job working with Mrs. Richards and her housekeepers. A rich red carpet had been laid out, and it was scattered with so many rose petals you could scarcely see the fabric beneath. Pink, white, and deep, deep red, it looked like a beautiful trail through a magnificent rose garden. Garlands of expensive and exotic flowers hung along the pews, and the scent of orange and lemon was heavy in the air. Overhead hung giant balls of flowers like fireworks in petals. Vases in every gothic arched nook and cranny held elegant arrangements of grasses and blooming branches of quince, enhancing the woodland effect. Everyone wore full formal regalia, tailcoats for the men, some with diplomatic sashes. Heavy moire silks for the older women, lighter for the young women, yards and yards of fabric swirled around their feet like more rose petals. Hats were decked out in plumes and gems and sometimes entire birds. And the real heirloom jewelry had been pulled out for this occasion, pearls and diamonds and rubies on every neck and wrist, some gems the size of my thumb. All the women had fans, of course, made from silk and painted in Japan or England, and they tried to flutter them delicately, but most wound up just flapping them as fast as they could. The ladies’ countenances remained stubbornly rosy despite their efforts to keep pale. Everyone whispered and talked excitedly, and of course I could tune in to any conversation I felt like listening to with my enhanced hearing. You read "Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16" in category "Essay examples" I almost didn’t mean to, because it was the same in every seat: â€Å"†¦ so quick. Only met a month ago. Did you hear the story? He was so chivalrous†¦.† â€Å"†¦ lucky girl. I hope my Lucretia marries as well†¦.† â€Å"Apparently, the youngest Beaumont threw herself at DeSangue, but he only had eyes for Lydia†¦.† â€Å"†¦ such a handsome man! And a count!†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"†¦ yes, but who’s that other one again? Marrying Bridget?† I closed my eyes, wishing I could close my ears. How I longed to be back in my grotto in the park. â€Å"Seems like old times, doesn’t it, brother?† Damon sighed, adjusting one of his cuffs. â€Å"In another life, you and Rosalyn would be married already.† â€Å"Shut up,† I said. He was right, though. If Katherine hadn’t killed my childhood playmate, I would have married her. Back then, I thought a forced marriage with someone I didn’t love was the worst fate imaginable. How innocent I was†¦. I continued smiling, although it must have looked forced by that point. My eyes darted over the crowd, seeking out anyone in a badly matched scarf. That morning I had managed to grab and drain a pair of white doves, initially intended to be released as a romantic gesture after the wedding ceremony. But when was the last time Damon had fed? Or did he have a big, bloody feast planned? â€Å"Look at us, together,† Damon whispered, nodding at someone in the crowd and smiling. â€Å"We make quite a handsome pair.† â€Å"I’m doing this,† I whispered, â€Å"to save lives. Now be quiet.† Damon rolled his eyes. â€Å"You’re no fun, brother. I hope you develop a sense of humor soon, or it’s going to be a loooooong eternity.† The wedding march began, saving me from having to respond. Margaret’s husband and Bram, ushers, came down the aisle first. The remaining ushers were callow youths who flirted outrageously with the bridesmaids they escorted. The girls wore pretty matching peach gowns and absolutely giant hats†¦ but I noticed that one had a slightly different accessory from the rest. Hilda wore a hastily tied kerchief around her neck. I glared at Damon. He shrugged. â€Å"I got a little peckish waiting around.† In truth, I was a little relieved – it meant he wasn’t starving himself in anticipation of something later. Finally came Winfield, proudly striding down the aisle with a daughter on each arm. Lydia walked regally and easily. She wore a simple white gown of heavy material whose folds rustled with her movements. It went to the top of her neck and the bottom of her wrists, and its only ornamentation was a line of pearl buttons down the front. A net veil hung behind her, floating down her back. She looked like a fairy-tale queen, and smiled with a secretive look that only added to her beauty. On Winfield’s left arm was Bridget, wearing her brocade and satin. She actually looked quite beautiful, if a bit overdone. An enormous lace veil perched on top of her head like a crown. It was hard to imagine, now, that I’d ever seen anything of Callie in her. Where Bridget was frilly and immature, Callie had been independent and practical. Thinking of Callie now was a bad idea. Time slowed down. Bridget’s foot rose and fell, bringing her a few inches closer to me. Her skirts drew forward, as if of their own accord. Her mouth opened and closed in a giggle that sounded far-off and distorted. And then came the distinctive scent of lemon and ginger. Everything blurred – Katherine? Suddenly, instead of Bridget coming toward me dressed as a bride was the woman who had brought me to this place. Her thick black hair was caught up in a lace veil, revealing her perfect shoulders and neck. The blue cameo gleamed on her neck. She lowered her head demurely, but beneath her long lashes her eyes danced mischievously in my direction. She pursed her lips and I felt my knees weaken. Did Damon see her, too? I looked askance at my brother, to see if he was thinking or seeing the same thing I was. Whatever compelled me to feel the way I did about Katherine, true love or a vampire’s Power, I was still under her spell, haunted by her. But Damon’s face was a perfect mask of happiness and love. Time started back up again. Bridget resumed her place in my sight, smiling excitedly up at me. And then the girls were before us, and the priest was there, and rings were in our hands. It was, thankfully, a fairly short ceremony. The priest gave a speech about love and read several nice passages from the Bible that I would have liked in any other circumstance. I wasn’t sure whether to pray that the priest go on, and on, and on, and give me as much time as possible before the inevitable, or if he should just hurry up and get it over with. â€Å"If anyone here knows of any impediment why these two couples may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it.† I looked around the room, hoping someone would stand up and object. Maybe Margaret would speak out, with some sort of proof that Damon DeSangue wasn’t who he said he was, or that I was some sort of Confederate spy, or†¦ The oldest sister shook her head and gritted her teeth, but kept silent. I may have imagined it, but I think her mother’s hand had an iron grip on her knee. Damon went first, marrying the elder bride. I wasn’t listening; there seemed to be a dull roar in my ears that was so loud I was surprised no one else could hear it. What was going to happen when it was over? Would the Sutherlands make it through this night? Would I be forced, on my wedding day, to fight my own brother to the death? â€Å"Repeat after me,† the priest finally said. I did as I was told. â€Å"I, Stefan Salvatore, take thee, Bridget Lynn Cupbert Sutherland, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till†¦ death us do part.† I almost choked, and could only hope that the audience thought I was overwhelmed with emotion. â€Å"I, Bridget Lynn Cupbert Sutherland, take thee, Stefan, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.† She forgot my surname, and from the look in her eyes it was because she was thinking about the night before. And then there was a ring in my hand. A simple gold band with my and Bridget’s initials inscribed on the inside. Precious metal binding me to my fate. I took Bridget’s hand. My voice came out surprisingly clear and calm. â€Å"With this ring, I thee wed, and with my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.† I slipped it on her finger. She squealed in joy. I kissed her. It was hard and quick, hopefully long enough for the audience to appreciate. Bridget clung to me, trying to make the moment last. She tasted of mint. I felt terrible. And just like that, I was a married vampire. How to cite Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16, Essay examples

Stefan’s Diaries The Craving Chapter 16 Free Essays

string(69) " any conversation I felt like listening to with my enhanced hearing\." November 12, 1864 Life with Damon is like playing chess with a mad person. I can think of a thousand different possibilities to defend against, a thousand different moves he could make, and then he goes and changes the rules of the game. It’s just his newfound predilection for casual violence that makes him so incalculable, but the way he revels in it. We will write a custom essay sample on Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Though blood is our diet, we as vampires at least have a modicum of self-will. Damon doesn’t have to let his dark side win, and yet he embraces it. I view this change in him with horror and guilt, as I was the one who set him down the path of the vampire. Katherine was the one who changed him, but I force-fed him his first human. After seeing his message to me I can’t consider leaving the Sutherlands until I have figured out a way to keep them all safe. What my brother did to Callie†¦ it obviously isn’t beyond him to just dispose of the entire family once they serve their purpose. But when will he take action? At the wedding? After the wedding? After the honeymoon? Next year? Could I spirit the girls away somewhere? Could I convince them to hide? Could I compel them to? Damon managed to find me here, could he find me – or them – anywhere? I have to come up with a plan, in case Damon doesn’t just leave town with his newfound fortune. Of course, the simplest solution would be to kill Damon. Voil – one maniacal, insane, unpredictable, murderous vampire gone, the world, and myself, a thousand times safer. That’s assuming I could do it. I am so much weaker than he is, it would have to be done by surprise or guile or something equally underhanded, like a knife in the back. Like he killed Callie. There isn’t any point in thinking that way. I will not stoop to his level. He is my brother. And as awful as he is, he is the only relative left to me. The next day, time flew by as if it had nothing better to do than gallop me toward matrimony. Before I knew it, I’d been stuffed into my suit, force-fed pancakes, and spirited over one hundred blocks north to the altar, where I stood awaiting my fate, as the Sutherlands unknowingly awaited their own. Damon and I stood side by side in Woodcliff Manor’s great hall – the pretty family chapel nearby was far too small for Bridget’s tastes. The Richards were kind enough to let her use their home at the tip of Manhattan Island. It was really more of a castle than a home, with gray towers, parapets, and decorative portcullises, all made from the gray rock that jutted seamlessly out of the rocky promontory on which it sat. Not so far from there, outside the arched gothic windows, were the remains of Fort Tryon, the site of a sad defeat of Continental forces under George Washington by the British. My thoughts drifted as I imagined redcoats and scrappy American soldiers and puffs of gunpowder†¦ and then something occurred to me. Katherine could have witnessed such a battle. I never asked how old she was – perhaps Damon did – but she was far older than her appearance suggested. She had probably witnessed events I only read about in history books. I shivered at the thought, but the chill was instantly dispelled by the incredible heat in the room. Damon and I stood in front of a crowd of more than two hundred of New York’s finest socialites, all sitting uncomfortably in hastily pulled together pews. They had no idea how dangerous it was for them to be there. I pulled at my collar and tie, which suddenly felt too tight, my vision blurring. The room shifted and morphed, and for just a second, the finery and skin of every wedding attendee melted off as though they’d been caught up in a blaze. Skin flaked off like corn husks, leaving behind pure-white bone and twisted tendons. â€Å"Stefan!† Damon hissed, elbowing me. I realized then that I was clutching his arm. â€Å"Do I need to call a medic for you?† he asked sarcastically. I shook my head, wondering what illness had overcome me. The crowd came back into focus, alive, happy, laughing, and fanning themselves discreetly. Even I had to admit that Mrs. Sutherland had done a fantastic job working with Mrs. Richards and her housekeepers. A rich red carpet had been laid out, and it was scattered with so many rose petals you could scarcely see the fabric beneath. Pink, white, and deep, deep red, it looked like a beautiful trail through a magnificent rose garden. Garlands of expensive and exotic flowers hung along the pews, and the scent of orange and lemon was heavy in the air. Overhead hung giant balls of flowers like fireworks in petals. Vases in every gothic arched nook and cranny held elegant arrangements of grasses and blooming branches of quince, enhancing the woodland effect. Everyone wore full formal regalia, tailcoats for the men, some with diplomatic sashes. Heavy moire silks for the older women, lighter for the young women, yards and yards of fabric swirled around their feet like more rose petals. Hats were decked out in plumes and gems and sometimes entire birds. And the real heirloom jewelry had been pulled out for this occasion, pearls and diamonds and rubies on every neck and wrist, some gems the size of my thumb. All the women had fans, of course, made from silk and painted in Japan or England, and they tried to flutter them delicately, but most wound up just flapping them as fast as they could. The ladies’ countenances remained stubbornly rosy despite their efforts to keep pale. Everyone whispered and talked excitedly, and of course I could tune in to any conversation I felt like listening to with my enhanced hearing. You read "Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16" in category "Essay examples" I almost didn’t mean to, because it was the same in every seat: â€Å"†¦ so quick. Only met a month ago. Did you hear the story? He was so chivalrous†¦.† â€Å"†¦ lucky girl. I hope my Lucretia marries as well†¦.† â€Å"Apparently, the youngest Beaumont threw herself at DeSangue, but he only had eyes for Lydia†¦.† â€Å"†¦ such a handsome man! And a count!†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"†¦ yes, but who’s that other one again? Marrying Bridget?† I closed my eyes, wishing I could close my ears. How I longed to be back in my grotto in the park. â€Å"Seems like old times, doesn’t it, brother?† Damon sighed, adjusting one of his cuffs. â€Å"In another life, you and Rosalyn would be married already.† â€Å"Shut up,† I said. He was right, though. If Katherine hadn’t killed my childhood playmate, I would have married her. Back then, I thought a forced marriage with someone I didn’t love was the worst fate imaginable. How innocent I was†¦. I continued smiling, although it must have looked forced by that point. My eyes darted over the crowd, seeking out anyone in a badly matched scarf. That morning I had managed to grab and drain a pair of white doves, initially intended to be released as a romantic gesture after the wedding ceremony. But when was the last time Damon had fed? Or did he have a big, bloody feast planned? â€Å"Look at us, together,† Damon whispered, nodding at someone in the crowd and smiling. â€Å"We make quite a handsome pair.† â€Å"I’m doing this,† I whispered, â€Å"to save lives. Now be quiet.† Damon rolled his eyes. â€Å"You’re no fun, brother. I hope you develop a sense of humor soon, or it’s going to be a loooooong eternity.† The wedding march began, saving me from having to respond. Margaret’s husband and Bram, ushers, came down the aisle first. The remaining ushers were callow youths who flirted outrageously with the bridesmaids they escorted. The girls wore pretty matching peach gowns and absolutely giant hats†¦ but I noticed that one had a slightly different accessory from the rest. Hilda wore a hastily tied kerchief around her neck. I glared at Damon. He shrugged. â€Å"I got a little peckish waiting around.† In truth, I was a little relieved – it meant he wasn’t starving himself in anticipation of something later. Finally came Winfield, proudly striding down the aisle with a daughter on each arm. Lydia walked regally and easily. She wore a simple white gown of heavy material whose folds rustled with her movements. It went to the top of her neck and the bottom of her wrists, and its only ornamentation was a line of pearl buttons down the front. A net veil hung behind her, floating down her back. She looked like a fairy-tale queen, and smiled with a secretive look that only added to her beauty. On Winfield’s left arm was Bridget, wearing her brocade and satin. She actually looked quite beautiful, if a bit overdone. An enormous lace veil perched on top of her head like a crown. It was hard to imagine, now, that I’d ever seen anything of Callie in her. Where Bridget was frilly and immature, Callie had been independent and practical. Thinking of Callie now was a bad idea. Time slowed down. Bridget’s foot rose and fell, bringing her a few inches closer to me. Her skirts drew forward, as if of their own accord. Her mouth opened and closed in a giggle that sounded far-off and distorted. And then came the distinctive scent of lemon and ginger. Everything blurred – Katherine? Suddenly, instead of Bridget coming toward me dressed as a bride was the woman who had brought me to this place. Her thick black hair was caught up in a lace veil, revealing her perfect shoulders and neck. The blue cameo gleamed on her neck. She lowered her head demurely, but beneath her long lashes her eyes danced mischievously in my direction. She pursed her lips and I felt my knees weaken. Did Damon see her, too? I looked askance at my brother, to see if he was thinking or seeing the same thing I was. Whatever compelled me to feel the way I did about Katherine, true love or a vampire’s Power, I was still under her spell, haunted by her. But Damon’s face was a perfect mask of happiness and love. Time started back up again. Bridget resumed her place in my sight, smiling excitedly up at me. And then the girls were before us, and the priest was there, and rings were in our hands. It was, thankfully, a fairly short ceremony. The priest gave a speech about love and read several nice passages from the Bible that I would have liked in any other circumstance. I wasn’t sure whether to pray that the priest go on, and on, and on, and give me as much time as possible before the inevitable, or if he should just hurry up and get it over with. â€Å"If anyone here knows of any impediment why these two couples may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it.† I looked around the room, hoping someone would stand up and object. Maybe Margaret would speak out, with some sort of proof that Damon DeSangue wasn’t who he said he was, or that I was some sort of Confederate spy, or†¦ The oldest sister shook her head and gritted her teeth, but kept silent. I may have imagined it, but I think her mother’s hand had an iron grip on her knee. Damon went first, marrying the elder bride. I wasn’t listening; there seemed to be a dull roar in my ears that was so loud I was surprised no one else could hear it. What was going to happen when it was over? Would the Sutherlands make it through this night? Would I be forced, on my wedding day, to fight my own brother to the death? â€Å"Repeat after me,† the priest finally said. I did as I was told. â€Å"I, Stefan Salvatore, take thee, Bridget Lynn Cupbert Sutherland, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till†¦ death us do part.† I almost choked, and could only hope that the audience thought I was overwhelmed with emotion. â€Å"I, Bridget Lynn Cupbert Sutherland, take thee, Stefan, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.† She forgot my surname, and from the look in her eyes it was because she was thinking about the night before. And then there was a ring in my hand. A simple gold band with my and Bridget’s initials inscribed on the inside. Precious metal binding me to my fate. I took Bridget’s hand. My voice came out surprisingly clear and calm. â€Å"With this ring, I thee wed, and with my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.† I slipped it on her finger. She squealed in joy. I kissed her. It was hard and quick, hopefully long enough for the audience to appreciate. Bridget clung to me, trying to make the moment last. She tasted of mint. I felt terrible. And just like that, I was a married vampire. How to cite Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 16, Essay examples

Principles of Financial Markets Rex Airlines and Qantas - Solution

Question: Describe about the Principles of Financial Markets for Airlines and Qantas. Answer: Introduction This report is based on the top-down and bottom up analysis of Rex Airlines and Qantas. The top down analysis stands for the analysis of industry, company and economy analysis. The economic analysis focuses on various types of economic factors such as inflation, GDP, exchange rate and currency value of the Australia their impact on the profitability of Qantas and regional express (i.e. Rex) (Lasher, 2013). This all factors help to predict the sales and profit for the both companies. The bottom-up analysis covers the financial performance analysis of Rex Airlines and Qantas. The analysis of financial performance of both the companies will be done on basis of ratio analyses technique. Industry profile Companys history and mission statement: Rex Airlines: Regional express was found in the year 2002. The company is headquartered at in Mascot, New South Wales. Rex Airlines came into existence, when Australia-wide Airlines Consortium acquired Kendell Airlines and Hazelton Airlines. These companies were merged and converted into a new airline company, which is known as Regional express (Regional Express, 2016). The Rex provides the facility of air transportation in various countries. The total sales of Rex Airlines in the year 2016 are recorded as 258,063($000). Regional expresss has more than 1500 weekly flights across the 58 destination of globe. The mission statement of the company is We are committed that we provide our customers with safe and reliable air transportation with heartfelt hospitality. As a regional carrier, we constantly strive to keep fares low through our commitment to simplicity, effectiveness, and good value. We treat our customers as individuals and will respond to all their comments and complaints. Qantas airlines: Qantas Airlines was founded in the year 1920. Its first aircraft was Avro 504k. It is the largest airline company (in both domestic and international facilities) of the Australia. Qantas Airlines is headquartered at Winton city of Australia. Qantas Airlines was nationalized in the 1947 by the Australian government after that its first services were started outside the Australia the British empire to Tokyo (QANTAS, 2016). The total number of employee working at Qantas is around 32,500. It provides the air travel services across 44 nations with total number of 182 destinations in the world. Along with this, the company provides facility of air transportation in various countries. Shareholders of Australia own Qantass 51% shares. The total sales of Qantas in the year 2016 were $15,784,000. The mission statement of Qantas Airlines is We are Australias leading airline company and we want to be the best airline in the world. Our goal is to fulfill every customers expectations every time. F urthermore, we consistent invest capital in our business and will always-great efforts to provide qualitative services. Industry analysis: Porters Five Forces Analysis of the Airlines Industry of Australia: Porters Five Force Analysis model is very helpful in measuring industrys strength, opportunity and weakness. This model is helpful in understanding structure of airline industry of Australia. Porters five forces can be used to measure that which service and products can maximize profit and generate sales in the market. It also helps to understand about strength, weakness and financial position of competitors in the market. On the basis of SWOT Analysis an airline company can design and implement an effective strategy in the market to get competitive advantage over competitors. Bargaining power of buyers: The bargaining power of buyers will be high in a market, if the customers or buyers have many alternatives to fulfill their need. In contrast to this, if the customers would not have any options instead of single option in market for fulfilling their need then bargaining power will be low in market. Airline industry of Australia is very competitive and every company competes for the same customers and tries to make them switch through low cost of air travel tickets and other facility of transportation. There are many choices available for the customers in the Australian airlines industry. Along with this, it can be said that the buyer power is very high in Australian airline industry. Moreover, some airline companies are focusing on the low cost air travel, while other companies are focusing on the facilities and features. Bargaining power of suppliers: Main factors which measure the bargaining power of suppliers are switching cost, fuel, and labor, suppliers, substitute and supplier concentration. There are mainly two suppliers in airline industry of Australia including Boing and the Airbus. Along with this, fuel price is fluctuated according to global market and economical factors. Therefore, airlines do not have more alternative option to choose. Due to this reason company depends on supplier. So, it can be said that the bargaining power of suppliers is high in the airline industry of Australia. Threat of Entry and exit: The cost of entry is very high in the airline industry, because the huge capital is required to enter in the airline industry and whenever if they want to exit from this industry, they have to tolerate high losses from their airline business. Along with this, it can be said that entry and exit both are barriers in airline industry. And its cost is very high to buying and hiring aircraft including with safety, customer services and security. These all make this industry one of the most expensive industries. Existing airlines companies can run their business without any fear of threat of new entrants. The threat of substitute: The threat of substitute is limited in international airline traveling in Australia. Mainly the threats of substitute towards airline companies of Australia come from bus transport, car and train transport that are determiner of money, preferences and time of the traveler. People use these substitutes for domestic tours, but cannot use to travel out of country. It can be said that the flying is a normal traveling phenomenon in the Australia. The substitutes train, buses and cars do not affect on airlines industry at international level. The rivalry among existing competitors: An Airlines industry has to face competition within the airline industry in Australia just because of the reason of lowing cost carriers, strict rules and regulations of the industry wherein safety becomes the high priority. Along with this, demand side is lesser than supply side. Therefore competitive company has to do unique things to get the competitive advantages and to attract the customers. Due to high competition, an airline firm has to reduce their cost and provides best services with safety and security. Company analysis: Company analysis presents the strengths and weakness of the organization. It is also the analysis of the companys internal environment. The regional expresss brand image and market share is good in the Australia. Apart from this, regional express is capable to reduce the cost of the services according to customers level of demand. It is expanding its business through the determining of new profitable routes for air travel. Qantas also has strong and trustworthy name in airline industry of Australia. It is the second largest old company in airline industry of Australia (QANTAS, 2016). It has alliance with one world alliance. Qantas has latest aircrafts in its air travel vehicles like Boeing 787 dream-liner and A380. Furthermore, it has an excellent brand image in the market. Regional express airline has some weaknesses that affect the performance of the company. The regional express is not capable to maintain operating cost such as jet fuel prices and airport cost that adversely affects the profitability of the company. However, Qantas is capable to maintain operating cost, weather it is jet fuel prices or airport cost (Michael and petty, 2016). Along with this, Qantas is dependent on the business and first class customers for profits, while Rex is not dependent only first class customers for profit. Qantas profit and sales revenues are higher than regional express. Bottom Up Analysis of Rex and Qantas: Name of ratio Qantas (2016) $ m REX(2016)$ m Industry average Efficiency Ratio: inventory turnover ratio= cost of goods sold/ average inventory at cost 20.09726444 21.82763905 cost of goods sold 6,612,000 384,603 average inventory 329000 17620 Sale revenue to capital employed = sales revenue / capital employed 1.631084014 4.458971922 sales revenue 15,784,000 258,063 capital employed 9677000 57875 trade receivable turnover ratio=average trade receivable/ revenue *365 48.41273442 11.34618291 18.465 average trade rec. 877000 8,022 cost of sale 6,612,000 258,063 Capital structure ratio: Debt to equity ratio = total liabilities / total equity * 100 413.2104455 45.34 183.76 Total liabilities 13,450,000 84,814 Total equity 3,255,000 187,053 solvency ratio = total liabilities/ total assets* 100 0.80 0.31 Total liabilities 13,450,000 84,814 Total assets 16,705,000 271,867 Investment analysis ratio: Earnings per share= net income available to shareholder/weighted average share outstanding*100 0.49399904 4.406299852 39.53 net income available to shareholder 1,029,000 9,557 weighted average share outstanding 2,083,000 216,894 Price earnings ratio= MPS/EPS 4.693877551 4.222222222 5.94% Market price per share 2.3 0.76 Earning price per share 0.49 0.18 liquidity ratio: current ratio = Current assets / current liabilities 0.492031873 1.034249385 Current Assets 3458000 60,516 0.59 Current Liabilities 7028000 58,512 Quick ratio = current assets - inventories/ current liabilities 0.444223108 0.311320755 0.54 Current Assets 3458000 60,516 Current Liabilities 7028000 58,512 Inventory 336,000 42,300 Profitability ratio: Net profit margin= net profit / revenue * 100 6.51926001 3.703359257 5.35% Net profit 1,029,000 9,557 Revenue 15,784,000 258,063 Operating profit margin ratio = Operating profit / revenue * 100 7.773694881 10.87137637 Operating profit 1,227,000 28,055 Revenue 15,784,000 258,063 Gross profit margin = gross profit/ revenue * 100 58.10947795 35.29641987 Gross profit 9,172,000 91,087 Revenue 15,784,000 258,063 Efficiency ratio: Owners of the company invest capital in various assets for generating the sales and profit in market (Charles, 2012). Efficiency ratio indicates the effectiveness of the assets that which assets can give more profit and sales. This ratio also measures the efficient utilization of assets in the organization. Inventory turnover ratio: This ratio shows the degree of efficiency of an organization in terms of management of inventories as compared to cost of goods sold within a specific time (Gibson, 2012). The inventory turnover ratio of the Qantas is 20.09726444 and regional express is 21.87. Rexs inventory turnover ratio is higher than Qantas, therefore it can be said that inventory of Rex are more effectively managed than Qantas. So, the inventory of Rex Airlines will take less time than Qantas to give profit and generate sales. Trade receivable turnover ratio: It measures the efficiency of a company in terms of collection of its credit sales or due payment of sales. In other words, this ratio shows the effectiveness of an organization in the collection from debtors. A high trade receivables turnover ratio is good for the company, because high ratio shows that a company collects credits sales in a very short time (Martin and Alvarez, 2011). The trade receivable turnover ratio of Qantas is 48.11, which is high than trade receivable ratio of Rex (i.e. 11.34) in year 2016. The trade receivable ratio of Qantas is higher than Rex, so it can be said that Rex is collected its credit sales sooner than Qantas. Sale revenue to capital employed: The sales to capital employed ratio shows the capability of the organization in making profit and generating sales by well utilization of assets. A High ratio indicates that assets are well utilized to make profits and sales (Drake and Fabozzi, 2012). The revenue to capital employed ratio of Qantas is 1.63 and the same ratio of regional express is 4.45 in the year 2016. The sales revenue to capital employed ratio of Rex is higher than qantas. So, it can be said that assets of Qantas are utilized in better than Rex to make profit and sales. Capital Structure Ratio: Capital structure ratios are used to judge evaluate creditworthiness of the company. This ratio provides the information about debt and equity elements in overall capital of company (Lasher, 2013). Capital structure ratios are also used by organizations while taking decisions related to payment of interest and dividends. Debt to Equity Ratio: Debt-to-equity ratio is calculated to know about an organizations financial leverage. This ratio plays important role in the company for analyzing the long-term paying capacity. It shows the solvency of the debts in the company (Charles, 2012). High ratio is not good for the company. Furthermore, it indicates the financial risk in the organization. The debt equity ratio of Qantas is 413.2104455, which is very high than debt to equity ratio of Rex (i.e. 45.342). On basis of this, it can be interpreted that Qantas has greater financial risk than Rex in the eyes of banks and other financial institutions (Regional express, 2016). Solvency or debt to total assets ratio: This ratio is used to know about the long-term solvency of company. It measures the part of total assets, which are provided by creditors of the company (Drake and Fabozzi, 2012). On the basis of above the table, the solvency ratio of the Qantas and Rex is 0.80 and 0.30 respectively. The Qantas solvency ratio is higher than Rex. Therefore, it can be said that, the percentage of total assets that are financed by creditors is higher in Qantas, which shows higher debt obligations to company. This can affect the profit position of company negatively. Investment Analysis Ratios: These ratios help to measure the financial perform of business entities in terms of revenue generation and profitability. By using this ratio, an investor can compare different investment opportunities in capital market. Earnings per Share (i.e. EPS) Ratio: The EPS ratio is used to measure the profitability in the company from the standpoint of owners. The higher value of EPS indicates that companys ability to offer potentially higher dividends to shareholders (Peterson and Frank, 2012). The Earning per share ratio of the Rex is 4.406299852, which is very high than Qantas (i.e. 0.49399904). It indicates that Rex can raise investment capital more than Qantas due to attractiveness of its shares in market. Investors face lower risk in investing capital of Rex than Qantas airline. Price Earnings Ratio or P-E ratio: P-E ratio is used to know the fair value of the share market. This ratio is also used widely by investors in stock selection for investment purpose in capital market. It is calculated by dividing market price per share from earning per share. It is also helpful to companies to measure the amount that its investors are ready to pay for each of its stock. Higher value of P-E ratio shows the higher profitability in the company. On the basis of above table, P-E ratio of the Qantas is 4.69, which is slightly high than P-E ratio of Rex (viz. 4.22). On basis of this, it can be said that the company stock of both Qantas and Rex are attractive for investors. But investors are ready to pay slightly more for the shares of Qantas. Liquidity Ratio: These ratios play very import role to analyze the short-term financial position of the company. Liquidity ratio helps to measure companies ability to meet its short term financial debts. Furthermore, it shows that how well a company utilizes its working capital. Current Ratio: Current ratio calculates short term paying capacity or reflects the ability of the company to meet short-term debts when debts are due. Higher current ratio is good from the stand point of creditors but from the stand point of the management is not good (Martin, and Alvarez, 2011). The current ratio is 0.49 of the Qantas and 1.03 for Rex Airlines. Current ratio of Rex Airlines is higher than Qantas, therefore, it can be said that regional express paying capacity to meet short-term obligation is better as compared to Qantas. But, still it is below standard current ratio of 2. Quick ratio: Quick ratio also indicates the ability of the company to instant pay obligation. It shows the liquidity position of the company. It is the relationship between the quick assets and current liabilities (Charles, 2012). The standard quick ratio is 1, which depicts the liquidity position of company good. The quick ratio of Qantas and Rex is 0.44 and 0.31 respectively. On the basis of quick ratio, it can be said the instant paying capacity of both organizations is not good. But if comparison is made between both companies, then Qantass liquid paying capacity is better to meet short term obligation as compared to Rex. Profitability Ratio: Generally, the profitability ratios reflect ability of companies to earn profit by utilization of available resources (Michael and petty, 2016). Profitability depends of sales, use of financial resources and cost of goods sold. So, it also indicates managerial efficiency of the company. Net Profit Ratio: The net profit ratio shows the efficiency and overall profitability of the organization. A high value of net profitability ratio reflects adequate return to the companys owners (Peterson, and Frank, 2012). On the basis of above table, the net profit ratio of Qantas and Rex is 6.51 and 3.70 respectively. On basis of this, it can be said that profitability of Qantas is more adequate as compared to Rex. Operating Profit Ratio: This ratio is used to measure efficiency of company to manage the operating expenses. The higher operating ratio is better for the company (Tracy, 2012). It shows the companys ability to cut its operating expenses. Operating profit ratio of Qantas and Rex for 2016 is 7.70 and 10.87 respectively. It shows that Rex is more able to cut down its operating expenses as compared to Qantas. Gross Profit Margin: Gross profit margin ratio is used to measure a companys financial position. It also reflects the trading efficiency and profit earning of a company (Charles, 2012). On the basis of above table, the gross profit margin of Rex and Qantas for 2016 is 35.58 and 58.10 respectively. On basis of this, profit-earning efficiency of Qantas is higher than Rex. Recommendations: Both Rex Airlines and Qantas should monitor operating activities to reduce their business cost. Along with this, companies should make strategy according to the economic factors and government rules/regulation. It can be said from the above analysis the profitability of Qantas is better than Rex. Along with this its liquidity is also higher than Rex. Therefore, Rex should focus on cost control techniques to improve its profitability. Rex has collected its due payment in a short time in compare to Qantas. Therefore, Qantas needs to collect its due payment as soon as possible. For this purpose, Qantas may opt for debt factoring technique. Qantas has financed more assets through use of debt capital in comparison to equity, which has increased companys debt obligations. Company needs to improve its capital structure by more focus on equity capital than bank loans. This way, the profit earning capability of organization can be improved. Conclusion On the basis of above analysis, it can be concluded there are different economic factors that affect the profitability of airline companies such as inflation, exchange rate, interest rates, and GDP of Australia. Increasing and decreasing of these factors affect the profit and loss of the company. Rise in inflation leads to increase in cost of business of the company. Similarly, change in rate of interest of Australian government affects the companys ability to avail cheap bank loan. From the analysis of financial statements of Rex and Qantas airlines, it is identified that net profitability position of Qantas is better than Rex. Besides this, on basis of calculation of efficiency and liquidity ratio, it can be analyzed that ability to meet short term debt obligation of Qantas is better. References Morning star (2016). Qantaas airways limited. [Online]. Available at: https://financials.morningstar.com/balance-sheet/bs.html?t=QANregion=ausculture=en-US (accessed: 18 sep. 2016). Morning star (2016) REGIONAL EXPRESS HOLDING LIMITED. [Online]. Available at: https://financials.morningstar.com/ratios/r.html?t=REXregion=ausculture=en-US (Accessed: 18 sep. 2016). QANTAS (2016) the Qantas Story. [Online]. Available at: https://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/history/global/en (Accessed: 18 September 2016). Gibson, C. (2012) Financial Reporting and Analysis. USA: Cengage Learning. Lasher, W. (2013) Practical Financial Management . USA: Cengage Learning Moreno, L., Ramon, A. and Pedreno, A. (2015) The Development of Low-cost Airlines and Tourism as a Competitiveness Complement or: Effects, Evolution and Strategies. Journal of Spatial and Organizational Dynamics,3(4), pp.262-274. Drake, P. and Fabozzi, F. (2012) Analysis of Financial Statements. USA: John Wiley Sons. Tracy, A. (2012) Ratio analysis fundamental: how 17 financial ratio can allow you to analyse any business on the planet. Autralia: Ratio analysis. Net. Reserve bank of Australia (2016) Interest rate decision 2016. [Online]. Available at: https://www.rba.gov.au/monetary-policy/int-rate-decisions/ (Accessed: 18 September 2016). Qantas Annual Review (2015) Reportonline. [Online]. Available at:https://qantas2015.reportonline.com.au/ (Accessed: 18 September 2016). Trading Economics (2016) Australia GDP Growth Rate. [Online]. Available at: https://www.tradingeconomics.com/australia/gdp-growth (Accessed: 18 September 2016). Qantas Airways Ltd (2016) Investing.com. [Online]. Available at:https://www.investing.com/equities/qantas-airways-limited-ratios (Accessed: 18 September 2016). Michael, j. and petty, j. (2016) Australia's Competitiveness: From Lucky Country to Competitive country. UK: John Wiley and sons. Morrison, S. and Winston, C. (2010) the Evolution of the Airline. USA: Institution press. Charles, H. (2012) Finance reporting and Analysis. USA: Cengage learning. Vasigh, B. and Fleming, K. (2016) Introduction to air transport economics: From theory to application. UK: Routledge. Peterson, P, and Frank, J. (2012) Analysis of financial Statements. USA: John wiley and sons. Martin, S. and Alvarez, F. (2011) Financial statement analysis. USA: John Wiley and sons.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Children Being Exploited in Dickensian Times Essay Example For Students

Children Being Exploited in Dickensian Times Essay All through the ages children have been exploited. Children are easy prey they are innocent, feeble and trustworthy. Charles Dickens portrays children in a vivid and descriptive manner of hardship and death in Dickensian times.  Dickens felt strongly that industrial life in the cities was creating unfair class divisions which would lead in the end to violence. Other novels such as Great Expectations, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickelby, ( the novels I shall be exploring ) in particular show how keenly Dickens felt the wrongs done by adults to children. In the 1840s and 50s there was a fashion for looking at everything as if it was part of one logical system, where children were seen as imperfect adults and childhood itself a process called upbringing or schooling. Behind this attitude lay a philosophy called utilitarianism which stresses the practical usefulness of things. This meant that art and imagination, play and entertainment were not valued because they had no practical use. Dickens feared that all those things which made human beings diverse and interesting, free and creative, happy and warm hearted, were being driven out by the values of a factory system geared to only productivity and profit.  This leads me to the first novel I shall explore as the basis of how Dickens portrays the difficult lives of children in 19th Century England Nicholas Nickelby. I chose this novel as it shows how the abuse of children extended into the school system. The Principal of the school to which Nicholas attended was a man called Mr. Squeers. I believe that Mr. Squeers managed the school on the principle and philosophy that cost must be avoided. We see this with the condition of the school, bare windows, dirty rooms, long old rickety desks, inked and damaged in every possible way.  Dickens really comes into his own when he describes the condition of the children with such passion and graphic detail Pale, haggard, lank, bony, facial expressions of old men, deformities, stunted, meagre, stooping bodies, bleary-eyed, hare-lipped and every ugliness or distortion from their horrible endurance of cruelty. Mr. Squeers was teaching the children on what he called the practical mode of teaching, This means when a boy has learnt how to spell clean and winder, ( Mr. Squeers spelling of window), the boy goes and cleans the window! This is clearly exploiting children and as they are too weak or powerless they cannot object. Also, we see by Squeers ability to spell that children are receiving a bad education from this man. Dickens makes known, in no uncertain terms, his feelings on the matter of children and how the school system that Mr. Squeers runs is exploiting and cheating the children through Nicholas Nickelbys final paragraph. It uses such emotive language that you can clearly empathise with children. Led him ( Nicholas ) to be the aider and abettor of a system which filled him with honest disgust and indignation, he loathed himself and felt for the moment as though the mere consciousness of his present situation must, through all time come, prevent his raising his head in Society again.  The second novel I shall deal with is probably one of Dickens most famous novels, Oliver Twist. It is the tale of a young boy who is left in a workhouse as an orphan, without a friend in the world. He quickly finds himself in the middle of the seedy underworld of crime in London. The main ways in which children are exploited in this novel are by their being uneducated and innocent as Oliver has no idea of the outside world. The workhouse is where Oliver encounters Mr. Bumble, a cruel and evil task master who forces the children to work. Before this, Oliver was brought up unhappily in a foster home, run by a woman who cares more for the money she gets than for the children she looks after. When aged nine he was sent to live in the poorhouse. Dickens shows us how officials like Mr. Bumble had no feelings for children but only love for the power that they brought them. .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 , .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .postImageUrl , .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 , .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9:hover , .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9:visited , .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9:active { border:0!important; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9:active , .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9 .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u69862fef12a01199c337f042190a1ea9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Literary Techniques Poetry Analysis EssayI think when Mr. Bumble goes and collects Oliver to bring him to the poorhouse, he says, Will you go along with me, Oliver?  Oliver replies, Will she go with me ? indicating to the woman who looked after him. He was hoping she would not as he disliked her and he wanted to go to the workhouse, unknowing what this entailed.  Dickens yet again shows his true cynical feelings on exploitation of the poor and helpless by using great descriptions to show how underfed the boys were. The bowls never wanted washing, as the boys polished them with their spoons till they shone again. They looked at the copper with such eager eyes as if t hey could have devoured the very bricks of which it was composed. This gives us a good idea of how children were treated. The novel gives us no real indication of how hard Oliver worked or what his work involved except when it said, So, youll begin to pick oakum tomorrow morning at six oclock. Apart from being an early start, from investigation I found out that pick oakum meant pull old rope apart for recycling a dirty, laborious job given usually to convicts.  Oliver runs away to London and is befriended by The Artful Dodger, who sees Olivers naivety and brings him to a villainous old man named Fagin.   I know a spectable old gentleman as lives in London, wotll give you lodgings for nothink, and never ask for the change. Oliver is yet again taken advantage of as he has never met this kind of friendship where someone such as the Dodger and Fagin are friends with Oliver because they can use him to further their own gains. Oliver is oblivious to the fact that what Fagin and his gang are doing is wrong. He is laughed at but doesnt see it, like when he makes innocent comments about wanting to learn the trade of making hankerchiefs.