Struggles in Society free essay sample

Struggles in Society In the short story, The Golden Kite and Silver Wind by Ray Bradbury, we are exposed to the issues concerning competition between mankind. When locked in deadly competition, we feel the need to always be one step ahead. As people, we want to win and out show our enemies, which can create more issues. In reality, it is usually much more efficient to combine forces and work together to eliminate the problem. This concept is demonstrated perfectly in The Golden Kite and Silver Wind. The two rulers of each village are constantly trying to build a better city wall than each other. By doing so, the citizens and builders are faced with poverty, hunger, and overall weakness. The production is slower, people more hungry, supplies more limited, and the conflict of having a better wall is still alive. When one analyzes this situation, one realizes neither force is stronger nor winning and both are actually creating more of a difficulty. We will write a custom essay sample on Struggles in Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page By uniting forces, it improves both civilizations quality of life and ceases the need to always fght. The mandarins daughter realizes this and decides to teach the rulers of both villages to apply this to their ongoing quarrel of city-walls. Instead of competing, she has one village be a silver wind and another village be golden kite. Both symbols complement each other and help solve the problems. By coming together, the walls no longer need to be habitually remodeled in order to stay ahead. This tale is Bradburys way of hinting at the faults of the human need of being selfish and always needing to win. We feel the need to overlook reasonability and do anything to go ahead. More often than not, this results in a dilemma and more troubles arise. The daughter stops and thinks, which is what society needs to do more often. The rulers symbolize societies in history fighting for power. Bradburys tale signifies to us that winning isnt always beating competition, but sometimes, winning is working together on a common obstacle.

Free Essays on Chaucer, And Authority

â€Å"The Canterbury Tales† & Authority In Chaucer’s â€Å"Canterbury Tales† the authority handed down from The Wife of Bath is a guideline for authority in all relationships. The Wife of Bath tells of her vast experience with relationships, and the manipulation of her husbands. She expresses her last husband was firm, but fair. The Wife of Bath also acknowledges her own stubbornness â€Å"Stubborn I was as is a lioness,/ And with my tongue a very jay, I guess...† (pg. 118) and that she did not always act as she should towards her husband. In The Wife of Bath’s tale, The Old Women is a model wife. She wishes to please her new husband, and offers him the ultimatum to have her has an ugly, but faithful wife, or to have a beautiful wife who would make him a cuckold. Her heart is in the right place, and she holds no grudge against a man who obviously does not like her appearance, and has not yet shown respect to her or other women. When the Knight submits to his wife, she becomes the best of both worlds. The Wife of Bath uses this to stress her moral â€Å"And I pray to Jesus to cut short the lives/ Of those who’ll not be governed by their wives;† (pg. 135) which shames men who will not oblige their wives. Although The Wife of Bath’s tale advocates men to be obedient and submissive, The Wife of Bath does not intend for women to be the dominant figure in the household. She talks often in her prologue of what a wise women would do, and implies that wicked women need to be kept in line by their husbands. The Wife of Bath explains why she is not like many women, and has no need to subject to her husband; â€Å"A wise women will strive continually To get herself loved, when she’s not, you see. But since I had them wholly in my hand, And since to me they’d given all their land, Why should I take heed, then, that I should please, Save it were for my profit or for my ease?† because she can provide for herself, and... Free Essays on Chaucer, And Authority Free Essays on Chaucer, And Authority â€Å"The Canterbury Tales† & Authority In Chaucer’s â€Å"Canterbury Tales† the authority handed down from The Wife of Bath is a guideline for authority in all relationships. The Wife of Bath tells of her vast experience with relationships, and the manipulation of her husbands. She expresses her last husband was firm, but fair. The Wife of Bath also acknowledges her own stubbornness â€Å"Stubborn I was as is a lioness,/ And with my tongue a very jay, I guess...† (pg. 118) and that she did not always act as she should towards her husband. In The Wife of Bath’s tale, The Old Women is a model wife. She wishes to please her new husband, and offers him the ultimatum to have her has an ugly, but faithful wife, or to have a beautiful wife who would make him a cuckold. Her heart is in the right place, and she holds no grudge against a man who obviously does not like her appearance, and has not yet shown respect to her or other women. When the Knight submits to his wife, she becomes the best of both worlds. The Wife of Bath uses this to stress her moral â€Å"And I pray to Jesus to cut short the lives/ Of those who’ll not be governed by their wives;† (pg. 135) which shames men who will not oblige their wives. Although The Wife of Bath’s tale advocates men to be obedient and submissive, The Wife of Bath does not intend for women to be the dominant figure in the household. She talks often in her prologue of what a wise women would do, and implies that wicked women need to be kept in line by their husbands. The Wife of Bath explains why she is not like many women, and has no need to subject to her husband; â€Å"A wise women will strive continually To get herself loved, when she’s not, you see. But since I had them wholly in my hand, And since to me they’d given all their land, Why should I take heed, then, that I should please, Save it were for my profit or for my ease?† because she can provide for herself, and...

35 Literary Devices and Literary Terms (with Definitions and Examples)

35 Literary Devices and Literary Terms (with Definitions and Examples) 35 Literary Devices and Literary Terms (with Definitions and Examples) A clear list of literary devices is a good resource for any writer to have on hand. Strong device usage can help elevate a book from a story people forget, to a piece of literature that stays with them long after they've turned the final page.After all, in  As You Like It, Shakespeare could have simply written, "Everyone has a role in life." But instead, he used a literary device and penned one of the famous metaphors of all time:All the world’s a stage And all the men and women merely playersAnd the rest is history. 35+ literary devices to turn you into Shakespeare What are literary devices?Literary devices are tools writers use to express their ideas with artistic depth. These devices can clarify and emphasize concepts, create resonance within a narrative, and invite readers to dig a little deeper into the story’s themes.While all of the tools below fall under the umbrella of â€Å"literary devices,† the purpose and impact of them varies wildly. Some might underscore a narrative and work on an intellectual level, while others have more of a subtle, visceral, or emotional effect. Finally, they might also work to simply enhance the flow and pacing of your writing. No matter what, if you're looking to inject something special into your prose, literary devices are a great place to start. You can also check out our list of 30 rhetorical devices right here!List of literary devices1. AllegoryThe Tortoise and the Hare is about more than just a turtle, a rabbit, and a race. It also aims to teach the lesson: slow and steady wins the race. That’s what an allegory does  - it’s a type of narrative that uses characters and plot to exemplify abstract ideas and themes, such as patience. In an allegorical story, events and characters tend to represent more than they appear on the surface.Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell. This dystopian novella is one of modern literature’s best-known allegories. A commentary on the events leading up to Stalin's rise and the formation of the Soviet Union, the pigs at the heart of the novel blatantly represent figures such as Stalin, Trotsky, and Molotov. Litotes (pronounced lie-toe-teez) is the signature literary device of the double negative. Writers use litotes to express certain sentiments through their opposites, by saying that that opposite is not the case. Don’t worry, it makes more sense with the examples. Example: â€Å"You won’t be sorry† (meaning you’ll be happy); â€Å"you’re not wrong† (meaning you’re right); â€Å"I didn’t not like it† (meaning I did)21. MalapropismIf Shakespeare is the king of metaphors, Michael Scott is the king of malapropisms. This is when similar-sounding words replace their appropriate counterparts, typically to comic effect - one of the most commonly cited is â€Å"dance a flamingo,† rather than a â€Å"flamenco.† Malapropisms are usually employed in dialogue when a character flubs up their speech.Example: â€Å"I am not to be truffled with.† Similar term: metonymy 35+ literary devices to lend resonance to your writing Readers and writers alike can get a lot out of understanding literary devices and how they're commonly used. If you’re a reader, you can use this knowledge to your advantage, as you pore over fiction and gain insight into the author’s intended meaning and motivation behind their work. Meanwhile, writers can use literary devices to connect with readers, giving their words a boosted opportunity of providing audiences with lasting meaning.Have you ever struggled to use a literary device in your writing? Let's get technical - share your questions or thoughts in the comments below!

Low-risk 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Low-risk 3 - Essay Example Their rights were even taken off their own property. If married, men would have the right to take the decision about the divorce any time. They were not even provided with proper standard of living, no matter which status they belonged to, they were always treated cruelly with no luxuries of life, and in some cases, not even complete necessities of life until in 1848, a number of 30 men and more than 150 women gathered at Seneca Falls, New York, in order to protest for the rights of women. It was after that, that the women were given their rights. Seneca Falls declaration proposed that all such laws should be abolished which are against the rights of the women. These laws included the laws of happiness of women, it said at first, that any such law that is stated against the comfort, pleasure, luxuries and happiness of women shall not exist. Further, no authority shall force women to against her will or conscience. Women are equal to men, as this message is of the Creator of all human beings. Therefore, any woman should not, in any case, be treated wickedly and forced to declare that she is happy and contented with her life. Moreover, women shall be provided with all the necessities of life, including freedom to proper education and anything else that she wishes to do. Women shall be treated delicately and shall not be made fun of. Finally, women are equal to men in every sense, bearing same responsibilities and same capabilities; therefore it is the right of every wom an to promote any noble cause for the welfare of the society. (Martin

How military was the medieval castle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

How military was the medieval castle - Essay Example However, its main purpose was to house the private residence of its owner, family and dependents. The first castles were built around 1066 and were a product of medieval history during the Age of Feudalism. Feudalism refers to the military society that was created in Europe during the 9th and 10th centuries AD. The structure of feudalism resembled a pyramid. At the top was the king, who owned all the land in his kingdom. Immediately below the king was a group of major landholders that held their land directly from him, his tenants-in-chief.1 These were the lords and magnates of the kingdom. They swore to give the king military service in return for their land. They would fight for the king when and where he chose. The tenants-in-chief rented the land to their tenants, the barons and lords. This process repeated itself all the way down the pyramid to the knights, who were the local lords of the manor. The amount of land held was directly related to the amount of military service he co uld give the king. The first castles, called motte and bailey castles, were built of wood in the 10th and 11th centuries. They consisted of an enclosed yard called a â€Å"bailey.† Right next to that was a man made mound of dirt called a â€Å"motte.† A ditch protected the bailey and a wooden fence called a palisade.2 The palisade contained stables, workshops, and sometimes even a chapel. This was connected to the motte by a bridge. The motte was a 15 to 30 foot high structure and the main tower was built on top of it. The tower was the residence of the lord’s family, and served as a strong hold and lookout during an attack. Some early Norman castles had never been motte-and-baileys but were formidable stone castles from the start. The Tower of London and Colchester Castle are early examples, dating from the 1070s, which were conceived as defensive palaces. The Crown and the greater barons spent an enormous amount of money on castles during the third quarter of the 12th century.3 As well as being a defensive structure, castles were also offensive tools, which could be used as a base for military operations in enemy territory. Norman invaders of England established Castles for both purposes. Toward the end of the Middle Ages castles tended to lose their military significance due to modern innovations in medieval warfare. A castle could be seen as a stronghold and prison but it was also a place where the knights and lords could entertain their peers. The castles began to be designed to reflect the prestige and power of its occupants. Comfortable homes were established within the fortified walls. As time went on, castles were replaced with country houses as high status residences. However, castles were still used to provide low level protection in later periods. The first castles were constructed of timber and wood but they were very susceptible to fire, which came as a disadvantage when attacked. The main defense of a castle was its numerous walls. The walls were usually thick stone and very tall, depending on who and how it was built. The towers were built with slits so that archers could easily shoot arrows at the enemy. From the towers and alleys archers became the main defenders of the castles. Later on fire weapons were the most effective forms of castle defense. The height benefit and battlements allowed archers to fire up to 12 arrows per minute, and then take cover while the enemy fired back. Many castles also had other counter-offensive weapons such as

Whistle Blowing Essay Example for Free

Whistle Blowing Essay The challenger disaster that took place in January 28 has led to the explosion of the shuttle itself and the death of all the crew members including the chosen teacher. A real disaster that occurred due to some wrong decisions and overriding some important information from professional employees within the company is considered a real catastrophe. Applying pressure on senior management team of the company that has developed the rocket in order to change their opinion about launching can be considered to be another catastrophe. All these misjudgment actions from the NASA team and the Morton Thiokol team have lead to the challenger real crisis. Whistle blowing A whistle blower is a person who reveals some wrong actions done by his employer or the company he works for in an investigation or to some authority and in some cases to public and press. This is mainly the case of Boisjoly who reveled during the commission investigation all the information he had regarding the problems that they discovered within the shuttle and the way the NASA reacted towards the problem and the way Morton Thiokol ignored the problem and refused to scrub the launch and went with the launch that caused the explosion of the challenger and the death of the seven crew members. Whistle blowers are heroes in the eyes of some people and they are betrayers in the eyes of other. From here rises the conflict of whistle blowers. Looking at the whole idea of whistle blowing we can easily say that this act has its harms and its benefits. Concerning benefits this would be the end of the any wrongdoing by any employer, management team or employees and this means consequences of wrong acts would be eliminated. As for the weakness or the harm of such practice it would cause terminations for the employee who performed the whistle blowing act, the work environment if he continued would be hard because the employer and the fellow employees will always think of him as the betrayer who took the secrets of the company publicly. Conclusion Challenger exploded 73 seconds after its launch and this means that the problem was massive and it needed to be addressed. People watching the launch and families who lost beloved ones needed to know what really happened and who was responsible for their great loss. Children who were watching their teacher joining the crew needed to know what the reason that this person died was. From all what preceded the truth should have appeared and the company should not treated Boisjoly a whistle blower because he showed the world what really happened and didn’t take into consideration the image of the company in the eyes of people and government. Failing to produce quality products and putting lives on the edge is not something that can be ignored and from here we can easily say that whistle blowers are heroes and not betrayers. Question 1:Do you regard Boisjoly as a disloyal employee or a heroic whistle blower? Why? Boisjoly in my opinion is not a disloyal employee. Although I agree to the saying that secrets of work should not be announced to anybody outside the company but is mainly when there is something regarding progress and success key elements and not wrongdoings that causes problems. In the case of challenger, seven people died from the explosion. The company was aware of the problem and they decided to ignore it and go on with the launch of the challenger. Boisjoly reported the problem and tried to convince the Morton Thiokol to scrub the launch but NASA had their way to convince the management to ignore everything and launch challenger. This led to the crisis. Families of the crew who died on challenger had the right to know what happened and this is what Boisjoly did and this is not betrayal but showing the truth behind a crisis. What he did also will definitely help the company make sure not ignore problems and solve them first in order not to reach this situation again. Question 2: Did Morton Thiokol treat Boisjoly fairly? Why or why not?  Explain We can easily say that the company was not fair in the way they treated Boisjoly after what happened and they have blamed him for the situation the company was facing. The environment they made him work within where he was looked at as a betrayal who took the secrets of the company out to the public and press was hard for him. They did not feel that what they did caused a disaster and they need to take responsibility for their actions. They only felt betrayed by Boisjoly and this is unfair by all means. They have treated him in a way that led to his resignation at the end because the work environment was no longer acceptable for him. Question 3: what if anything, ought Morton Thiokol managers have done differently? Explain Looking at the problem and the disaster that occurred due to some wrongdoing from the management team of Morton Thiokol we can say that they should have considered their engineers report, they should have scrub the launch of the challenger and not accept the pressure that NASA performed on the management team to ignore the report and go on with launching. If they have done so they would have been able to overcome the disaster, solve the problem and launch challenger on latter date. The management team failed to take the right decision.

A Comparison Between ?Traveling through the dark? and ?A Noiseless, Pa

A Comparison Between â€Å"Traveling through the dark† and â€Å"A Noiseless, Patient Spider† William Stafford’s "Traveling through the dark" is beautifully written poem that expresses one of life’s most challenging aspects. It is the story of a man’s solitary struggle to deal with a tragic event that he encounters. Driving down a narrow mountain road, â€Å"Traveling through the dark,† the narrator of the poem encounters a deer. This line might fool the reader into believing the poem has a happy theme however, the first word of the second line reverses this belief. The deer is actually â€Å"dead on the edge of the Wilson River Road† (2, 911). The traveler decides to send the deer over the edge of the canyon, because â€Å"to swerve might make more dead† (4, 911). This line indicates that if he fails or â€Å"swerves† in his decision, the deer could cause an accident on the narrow road that might cost more lives. The narrator proceeds with his unfortunate task. He approaches the deer and observes that it is a recent killing. He drags her off to the side of the road, noting that she is â€Å"large in the belly† (8, 911). The narrator soon discovers that the deer is pregnant, and that her fawn is still alive. At this moment he hesitates, distraught over the decision he knows he must make. Faced by the implications of this decision, the narrator considers his surroundings: his car stares ahead into the darkness with its lowered parking lights, purring its steady engine; he stands â€Å"in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red,† (15, 912) and can â€Å"hear the wilderness listen† (16, 911). All of these describe the anxiety he feels about his responsibility. The personified car is expectantly awaiting his decision, eager to get moving again. The wilderness takes on human abilities also, silently witnessing the outcome it knows must be, but wishing it was otherwise. As the narrator ponders all of this, the taillights of the car illuminate him in their red light. This is reflective of the heightened emotions he is experiencing, but also brings to mind the bloody fate of the deer and her unborn fawn. The narrator thinks â€Å"hard for us all† (17,912) and proceeds with the task he had committed to since the beginning. He pushes the deer and her unb orn fawn over the edge into the river. There is much more to â€Å"Traveling through the dark† than its literal story. The ... ... wishes to underline this point by making the thread that the spider will use to launch itself into the air drawn out to an extreme. The spider is tireless in its quest, and so too is the soul. The soul, like the spider, is flinging out a "gossamer thread to catch somewhere" (10, 810). And like the spider, the soul is willing and able to wait until the moment shall arrive that is just right to begin its travels. However, like the spider's fragile silk, this bridge is also frail and prone to breakage from a careless act or an unheeding nature. So, in spite of the careful and deliberate act of flinging out a filament to catch on some unknown "sphere", it is possible that the soul may never reach its destination. For Whitman, that is both the excitement and the scariness of it all. Perhaps he is communicating to the reader the idea that though one may never get to where one is going, still, the journey is very important. Although by the language and the elements within these two poems seem very different, the interpretation suggests that they both discuss man’s journey through life. The physical in one, and the spiritual in the other.

Compare the Roles That Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams Play in The Crucible Essay

A mother, a wife, a friend: Abigail wanted to share a family with John Proctor. In some aspects she was jealous of Elizabeth, as she had the one thing in the world that Abigail desperately yearned for. â€Å"Oh, I marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be† We can see here that Abigail is being sarcastic to manipulate Proctor in falling for her. â€Å"Oh† shows she is taking a calm and subtle approach to get what she wants. Though Abigail is pretending to be angry at Elizabeth for being the cause of Proctors rejection towards her, we can clearly see that the empowering emotion over here is envy, towards Elizabeth and Proctors marriage. Abigail resorts to name calling to cast doubt in Proctors mind and she attempts to compliment Proctor to try and get a taste of everyday life as Elizabeth. The Status’s and reputation’s of the people in Salem were shockingly important to them. Labels and stereotypes were incredibly common and the people tried their utmost best to protect their prominence. To the locals Abigail Williams was an innocent orphan and the niece of the reverend, other than this they did not think much of her. So when she went out of her way to accuse the respected people and it became public gossip about the truth of her affair, Abigail’s cherished esteem in the community was suddenly questioned. â€Å"(In a temper): My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar! † Arthur Miller has used short sentences to show the reader that Abigail is extremely angry; this is a quote from act 1, therefore it gives the reader an impression of Abigail’s character. Miller wanted to show the true colours of Abigail’s persona and he was successful in this. The exclamation marks shows the emphasise of her words, Abigail is fuming at this point and concentrates all that irritation at Elizabeth. From a orphanage, it was obviously hard for her to compose a â€Å"good name† for herself; however Abigail’s determination had driven her to demand a better life for herself. She did not want all her accomplishments to be shattered by â€Å"Elizabeth’s lies†, so tried to criticise her by calling her a â€Å"liar†. This challenges her character as the readers are perfectly aware of Abigail’s dishonest nature, we all know that she is the one who is deceitful and craves vengeance, and Elizabeth is the direct opposite. From the beginning of the play Abigail’s intentions were clear, she obviously wanted to develop her relationship with John Proctor and gain his respect. Abigail was a young, naive and narrow-minded maid who did anything to save herself, no matter who she disappointed along the way. Elizabeth was a totally different person. Elizabeth’s motivation came from the passion of raising her family; she wanted to restore the trust in her marriage to Proctor, for the benefit of her children. She was much older, wiser and she devoted her life to her religion. I wake and walk about the house as though I’d find you comin’ through some door† Miller gives a childish effect to this quote and makes Abigail sound like a love struck puppy, this reminds the reader that she is only a teenager. This quote illustrates that her love towards Proctor is enduring and it also demonstrates her repulsion towards Elizabeth. The witch trials were an obvious case of McCarthyism, the court of Salem did not require much evidence for prosecution. It was simply unjust! The people at the bottom of the social hierarchy system had an even inferior chance for survival. Although the people were given a chance to avoid death by â€Å"confessing to their sins†, this was an excessive act and showed that the people were deprived of rights. Elizabeth is understood to be extremely pious; she controls her emotions and buries her feelings of anger towards Abigail to avoid any uncontrollable outbursts of extreme emotions and frustration. However Abigail takes pride in her hysteria. This highlights the fact that the age difference between these 2 women is phenomenal. â€Å"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him! Elizabeth is much more composed than Abigail, even though she is losing her husband she is happy for him, as she believes he is now at peace. Throughout the play John struggles with his feelings that he was not a good man. Hale tried his best to save John from being hanged to death but Elizabeth believes that he is finally going to be cleansed of his sins, as he has finally come out the dark about his affair. She loves him so much that she is willing to let him go. She feels that he is doing the right thing. She takes the name of God to justify herself. A Selfish, stubborn and shameless stray: Abigail was not the forgiving type. Once someone had double crossed her, she did not take it lightly; Abigail created fear in the hearts of her peers. She even turns against her friends to make her story more convincing. Due to the fact that her parents were shot in front of her, she has never learnt to accept this and this has limited her well- being, so she blames every one else. On the other hand Elizabeth was selfless and even though her â€Å"loyal† husband betrayed her integrity, she learnt to overcome this and forgave him. (in agony): My husband-is a goodly man, sir. † Unlike Abigail, Elizabeth has never told a lie in her life, however the one time it would save her life, she tried to save her husbands reputation. This may be an act to show forgiveness to Proctor as she may have thought it was her last opportunity to see him. She dedicated her life to being a good Puritan so wanted Proctor to live a peaceful and guilt- free life without her. However she may have felt that it was her duty to conceal the truth for her husband’s case, as she has been the one who has been more interested in preserving appearances. If they put aside their detestation towards each other, then they would actually have more in common than they let on. Firstly, they are in love with the same man, they are both religious and they both aspire to fulfil their motives (whatever they may be). Although they have extremely different intensions that drive them, they are both very ambitious and stubborn. They both try to exert influence on society as they want to be remembered after their deaths. Also, in the end they both lie, although for alternating reasons.

A Look at Loblaws Companies

In 1919 the first Loblaw grocery store opened in Toronto. Theodore Pringle Loblaw and J. Milton Cork had a new idea of a grocery store, one which would be fully self- serve and would offer better quality foods at lower prices. In 1978, ‘No Name’ products were introduced into Loblaw stores. These products had distinct yellow packaging, and Loblaw stores experienced an outstanding customer feedback. In 1984, ‘President’s Choice’, one of Loblaw’s own brands made its first debut in stores. Consumer feedback and satisfaction for President’s Choice products was superb and â€Å"everything from toasters to train sets† were made. Loblaw Companies has now grown to over seventy locations in Ontario alone. (Loblaw Website, Main Page) The years 2005 to 2008 were very important for Loblaw, the company underwent expansion to ultimately ensure their mission to be â€Å"Canada’s best food, (Loblaw: First Store) health and home retailer by exceeding customer expectations through innovative products at great prices. † These expansions are still taking place today. â€Å"In 2005, Loblaw Companies Limited moved closer to completing one of the largest transformations in its history. They were challenged by the size and impact of the short term costs associated with executing certain elements of the transformation. † Working facilities merged, and there were major store renovations. A new head office and Store Support Centre was established in Brampton, Ontario; which now employs 2,000 Ontarians. However, these expansions caused some setbacks. Loblaw made changes to their national systems platform and supply chain. This change disrupted the flow of its inventory and had an overall negative effect on the sales and earnings for 2005. This simplified their distribution network which made the movement of inventory much less time consuming and lead to lower costs. A capital investment program exceeding $1 billion was used to continue the expansion of â€Å"The Real Canadian Superstore† in Ontario. This money was also used to convert specific conventional stores into much larger superstores, strategically choosing the stores that reflected a growing market. A new general merchandise warehouse and distribution centre for Eastern Canada was also established. This improved the overall speed of inventory and stock from the warehouse to grocery stores. As of 2005, the Company â€Å"believe that [they] are taking the significant steps required to ensure that Loblaw continue to grow, to succeed and to provide sustainable value in a changing landscape† (Annual Report 2005, pp. 5-6). The year 2008 was not as eventful as 2005. They struggled with more setbacks, and had the ideal thought of â€Å"Making Loblaw the Best Again†. As stated in their Annual Report, â€Å"[They] continue [their] efforts to simplify and sharpen Loblaw, fix the basics that matter to customers, restore innovation, and grow Loblaw through [their] ‘Formula for Growth’†. Strategies for success continued to be built upon from the past, including finding ways to make employees’ jobs easier. This implemented more cost-effective decisions, allowing Loblaw to introduce a more diverse product line, and ultimately managed their cash more effectively. However, Loblaw underwent some new expansions in 2008, such as revamping their supply chain and IT infrastructure. They also opened four new distribution centres which made service levels greater than the past. Loblaw had noticed this new IT infrastructure system cut-down and simplified high workloads and many errors. Loblaw adopted a new and improved pricing index management system, which is currently an important component of the organization. Overall, Loblaw is having a hard time being a consistent high performing company, however they have challenged themselves and are still â€Å"making Loblaw worth switching supermarkets for† (Annual Report 2008, pp. 3-8). Structure The above diagram represents the corporate structure of Loblaw Companies Limited. It demonstrates how each specific section of the Board of Directors and Officers communicate to one another through the company. This system is used because it is unreasonable to expect that all levels of employees are able to communicate easily with every other employee and this hierarchy of labor is what allows better communication through employees. Location When analyzing the 2008 Annual Report for Loblaw Companies it is noted that across Canada there are: -609 corporate and -427 franchised stores in every province and territory in Canada -21 banners across the country -21 company and -5 third-party-operated distribution centers services their stores These numbers are constantly on the rise and have only increased steadily over the years. (Annual Report 2008, p. ) Product, Price, Promotion, and Distribution Strategies In 2005, Loblaw’s main focus was on food, health, and nutrition. They introduced a large number of new No Name and President’s Choice products, including PC Blue Menu and PC Organics, to satisfy health-conscious customers. Additionally, they introduced new lines, such as PC Mobile and Joe Fresh Style. Their key strategy was to provide â€Å"innovation, quality, value, and focus on the consumer† (Annual Report 2005, pp. 5). To reach different markets, they had four store formats to cater to customers’ needs; hard discount, warehouse clubs, conventional stores, and superstores. Loblaw had been working on remodeling the store exterior, reformatting banners, updating decor, and changing signage to give the stores a new look that will attract more consumers. In their Annual Report, it is stated that â€Å"Loblaw has a proven ability to anticipate and respond to changing consumer preferences in an increasingly competitive landscape and is committed to meeting more of the food and everyday household needs of consumers from coast to coast (Annual Report 2005, p. 11)†. Through the strategy of relationship marketing, they hope to be able to keep the customer base they have built by meeting their needs (Annual Report 2005, pp. -11) By 2008, they had brought back their slogan: ‘Worth switching supermarkets for’. They hoped to meet the expectation in their slogan through quality, value, and innovation. Loblaw wanted to make (Loblaw Cashier) the stores already in place better, instead of building new ones. They also had a focus on freshness and style. Loblaw introduced and redesigned almost 2000 products during this year, including bringing back the yellow and black colours on No Name items. While increasing their products for the health-conscious consumer, they also have products and labels for those who are eco-friendly. They want their customers to have a choice on the type of store they shop at, so they still have the four store formats. One of their strategies was to â€Å"re-establish the value advantage in the minds of consumers, and providing products and services customers can’t find anywhere else† (Annual Report 2008, p. 9) They have changed food presentations, improved the quality of their sourcing, and have over 1000 price checks weekly. A television campaign for apple crisp was able to increase its sales by 1500%. Loblaw held marketing events, a program bringing back past foods, drastically increased the amount of clothing in Joe Fresh Style, and they began a Home section. In almost 400 stores, they had a program that guaranteed certain items to always be available. Eighteen stores in Toronto had an event called ‘Back to Best’, in which they had chefs with recipe demonstrations, more meat, seafood, and produce, and they also added new signage and displays (Annual Report 2008, pp. 8 – 14) As the market became more competitive, Loblaw reached for more strategies to improve their company. In 2005 they introduced various lines, whereas in 2008 it was their strategy to focus on improving what they already had. Much of their ideas in 2005 were related to creating a new image, whereas in 2008 they brought back many ideas that were once in place decades ago, such as the slogan, past foods, and black and white packaging for the No Name brand. Still focused on low prices, innovation, quality, and the consumers, what they want is still the same, although between 2005 and 2008 they have used different strategies to meet this goal. Target Customers â€Å"Loblaw’s mission is to be Canada’s best food, health and home retailer by exceeding customer expectations through innovative products at great prices. To reach our goal, we must become a centralized, market-led organization with an unrelenting focus on our customers, our products and our stores†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Annual Report 2008, p. 3). Loblaw Companies does not specifically target an age or sex. Their target customer would involve individuals of all ages as well as those individuals with particular preference of product. Loblaw is a superstore full of products that appeal to every person and their needs. However, it may be appropriate to say that this company would not seek out approval of young children living at home, there is still advertising that is created to capture the attention of the young and in turn manipulate them into thinking that what Loblaw’s sell is the best choice for their guardians to supply for them. Although Loblaw sells the average product for the typical consumer, they also supply the general population with specialized products which draw people to their store. Some of these products may include: â€Å"Green Products† for those who are environmentally friendly, â€Å"Organic† products for those who prefer chemical free and naturally grown, â€Å"Blue Menu† products for those who are health food conscience or perhaps have health problems, and finally the standard â€Å"Club Pack† size for those who buy in bulk. Overall, Loblaw seeks out to target the general population and not one specific type of individual. Loblaw’s mission statement makes it obvious as to what their goals are, which ultimately always benefits the customer. Financial Situation Loblaw Companies Limited enjoyed a healthy year of operations back in 2005. Sales were $27 801 (all figures in millions unless otherwise stated) and operating expenses totaled to $26 400. There were two new operating expense items that were included in the 2005 figures. First, a Restructuring and Other Charges of $86 (Annual Report 2005, p. 47), after completion of detailed assessment of the Loblaw supply chain network, management approved a comprehensive plan to restructure its supply chain operations nationally. This plan is expected to reduce future operating costs, provide a smoother flow of products, better service levels to stores, and further enable the company to achieve its target operating efficiencies. Second, a proposed assessment of $40 from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) related to GST on certain products was made (Annual Report 2005, p. 48). Approximately $15 was settled in the fourth quarter, with the remainder representing management’s best estimate for potential liabilities. After interest and tax calculations, net earnings were a very respectable $746 or $2. 72 per share (Annual Report 2005, p. 38). Retained earnings increased in 2005 by $472 to $4 694. Loblaw also ended the year with a higher inventory than in previous years; this is in line with growth of sales. Loblaw engaged in corporate expansion during 2005. This reflects their increased fixed assets on their balance sheet for the year ended. Land, Building, Equipment and fixtures were primarily the assets that contributed to this growth. It should be noted Other Assets account decreased in value by a significant amount of $104 (Annual Report 2005, p. 39), most of the difference can be accounted for in the specific account labeled Franchise investments and other receivables. Loblaw Companies Limited continued their growth through 2008. With a sales figure of $30 802 (Annual Report 2008, p. 82), it is evident the management team is focused on their long term strategy of sustainability and continued growth. Loblaw is not a company to make drastic changes to their business plan and they focus on their customers and their shareholders when considering growth opportunities. They also do a tremendous job communicating their action plans in their annual reports and provide in-depth calculations through their use graphs and charts. This helps shareholders visualize Loblaw’s efforts as well as provide comparability. Growth between 2005 and 2008 was planned and consistent. Sales increased from $27 627 to $30 802 and operational costs from $26 226 to $29 756. Net earnings were respectable at $545 in 2008, lower than the 2005 figure of $746. This is because between these years Loblaw has taken on capital investment projects that required effected net earnings for the shareholder on a per share basis, including a loss of $219 in 2006 (Annual Report 2008, p. 82). Net earnings are continuing to rise in large increments from year to year. This truly indicates management at Loblaw is well established in their industry and are making calculated, well thought out investments as well increasing company value and recognition. After examining the five year summary, Working capital stood out the most. In 2005 working capital account was $210 but in 2008 the number increased significantly to $730 (Annual Report 2008, p. 82). It should be noted dividends have remained constant at 84 cents per share between 2005 and 2008. Total assets have increased during this time period, and net debt has decreased again indicating better business management. Only one figure seems to go against all the positives that the company has experienced. However, the market price had dropped from $56. 37 to $ 35. 23 which seems to be the only noticeable decline. (Annual Report 2008, pp. 82) (Loblaw Co. Ltd. Stock price over the past 5 years) Management and Human Resources Loblaw’s management board had remained quite consistent from 2005 to 2008. However, a couple of prominent changes occurred within this timeframe. In April 2008, three major positions occurred in Loblaw’s management board. These changes were implemented to benefit the company and eventually achieve greater success. A new President, a new Chief Merchandising Officer, and new Chief Financial Officer were appointed, Allan Leighton, Dalton Philips, and Robert Vaux respectively. (Loblaw Website, Management) These changes â€Å"†¦ streamlined [Loblaw’s] reporting structure and provided greater clarity and focus to roles and accountabilities throughout the Company† (Annual Report 2008, p. 5). The Human Resources Department is lead by Judy McCrie, who holds the position as Executive Vice President of Human Resources in the company. Employees are considered the ‘greatest resource’ to Loblaw. Loblaw continues to strengthen and expand its own in-store programs, including ‘The Leadership Means Business’ program and ‘The Store Managers’ Council’. These programs breed and encourage in-store leadership through the improvement of communication, leadership development, and training courses for store workers. The Leadership Means Business program focuses on â€Å"†¦ eading and engaging the men and women on the Company’s front line. † Loblaw looks to its in-store employees before looking elsewhere to hire for management positions. The Store Managers’ Council attends the Company’s management conferences every year, as senior management from many regions come together and give feedback and recommendations through consulting fellow employees. Many other off-site leadership programs are offered to store personnel that will â€Å"†¦ provide a common approach to leadership coaching, program execution and business development at the store level. † (Annual Report 2005, p. ) Ethical and Corporate Social Responsibility Practices In 2005, Loblaw Companies Limited was passionate about their social responsibilities, both ethical and corporate. They have a President’s Choice Children’s Charity, which (President’s Choice Children’s Charity) helped hundreds of disabled children in 2005. Loblaw also supports the Imagine Campaign, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Food Banks, and more. In addition to helping people, they do their best to preserve our environment through efforts in packaging, energy efficiency, environmental awareness, waste management, and management. An example of this is their use of refrigerators and lighting that are energy efficient, and they are partners with multiple agencies to have better conservation of energy. Loblaw trained and educated the staff on environmental risks. According to the company’s Code of Business Conduct, they hold â€Å"high standards of ethical conduct and business practices† (Annual Report 2005, p. 18). Loblaw has a committee to ensure this code is put into practice, and they are continually finding ways to make it better (Annual Report 2005, pp. 6-18) By 2008, Loblaw had adopted the five pillars to achieving ethical and corporate social responsibility. These are, â€Å"respect the environment, source with integrity, make a positive difference in our community, reflect our nation’s diversity, and be a great place to work† (Annual Report 2008, p. 17) During this year, they opened their first environment-friendly store, dramatically reduced the number of plastic bags used, and introduced seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. Loblaw continued to have success in its President’s Choice Children’s Charity, where they also participated in KidFest. Post-secondary scholarships were given out to employees, and there was a decline in injuries. There are now surveys for employees which allows staff to give feedback on their job, manager, and the company (Annual Report 2008, pp. 16-19) Between 2005 and 2008, Loblaw has continued to expand on their efforts toward their ethical and corporate social responsibilities. They simplified and organized their goals with the five pillars, and as society becomes increasingly more aware about protecting the environment, this is reflected in the changes from 2005 to 2008. It is apparent that they are expanding on the ideas of going green, helping society, and satisfying employees. Recent Developments Recently in 2009 Loblaw Companies Limited has been on the news for several creative and initiation reasons. Reported in a press release in September 14th 2009, Loblaw â€Å"†¦is combing the country for recent graduates with a passion for food to join the Company's grad (at) Loblaw program. This national program provides recent graduates with the opportunity to kick-start their careers in a structured and supportive environment† (Yahoo Finance, September 14th). Loblaw based this initiative effort based on information from Statistic Canada, which indicate teenagers and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 experienced an unemployment rate of 16. 8% during August 2009 (Yahoo Finance, September 14th). This is highest rate of unemployment for Canadians in that age bracket since the statistics have been kept starting in 1977. The program is 18 months in length, and during this time graduates will rotate through three areas of the company; in the first stage they will be for working at a store location for six months; second step is working with the merchandising operations department for another 6 months, then in the final stage for nine months the â€Å"†¦graduate was hired for at the onset of the program, such as store management, marketing, merchandising, supply chain, information technology, human resources or finance, where the graduates are able to apply the information and experience gained in the previous rotations† (Yahoo Finance, September 14th). In October 2009, Loblaw was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This prestigious recognition was granted for Loblaws â€Å"†¦efforts to attract and retain employees and create a great workplace environment. Loblaw is the only grocery retailer on the 2010 list†. Canada’s Top 100 Employers is an annual competition entering its 10th year. The competition determines which employers lead their industries in offering top work places for their employees, some of the criteria use during the evaluation process are; (1) Physical workplace, (2) Work and Atmosphere & Social, (3) Vacation & Time Off, (4) Performance (Canada’s Top 100 Employers) Management, (5)Training Skills & Development and a few others. (Yahoo Finance, October 9th). Recommendation and Conclusion Loblaw Companies Limited has received well deserved attention for their â€Å"Green† initiatives; this is a direct result of management’s effort to be perceived as a corporation that focuses on socially responsible causes. It would be very profitable for them in the long-term to maintain this. Loblaw has also been very success with the President’s Choice product’s advertisement campaign; they should definitely consider adding more product lines to their commercials. Loblaw carries a very diverse product mix, they organize their stores with many in store departments. They can reduce their costs for the short-term by opting against expansion on these. Loblaw identifies their most important resource as their employees, implementing new programs that enable them to grow their knowledge of products and company initiatives will make employees feel more connected to the Corporation and lead them to believe they have chosen the right place to work. Loblaw has grown in terms of their brand name and operational capabilities between 2005 and 2008. They are one of the leaders in their industry and continue to operate as a standard setter for customer satisfaction. A short trip to Loblaw will give any consumer the feeling that Loblaw operates very effectively and efficient, their employees are willing and able to meet customer questions and expectations and there is a sense of loyalty to the customers from management and employees. There is no doubt that Loblaw will continue its business well into the future and they will be looking to grow their business and further strengthen their influence in making the industry better as a whole.

Free Essays on The Tempest

Conspiracies and Treason is The Tempest Prospero’s power and magic are dominant throughout the play yet he really has no power. The Tempest consists of a series of rebellion, treacheries, mutinies and conspiracies against Prospero but the overall view of the dramatic action is much more complex. Many other aspects and themes such as illusion and magic also play a very important role in shaping the plot against Prospero. Power struggles are evident from the beginning, when Prospero’s brother, Antonio, seized his status as Duke of Milan and banished him to a bleak place and left him for dead. Sebastian remarks, â€Å"I remember/You did supplant your brother Prospero.† And Antonio replies, â€Å"True;/ And look how well my garment sit upon me,† (2.1.257-59). Antonio betrayed Prospero, and yet he feels no remorse for his treacherous act. His conscience is not bothered by what he did to Prospero. Another sibling conspiracy that would ultimately cause a down fall of Prospero came in Act II, in this scene Sebastian is encouraged by Antonio to kill his brother, Alonso, which would put him next in line for the throne. They first attempted to kill Gonzalo, Alonso’s faithful advisor. â€Å"Draw together,/and when I rear my hand do you the like/TO fall it on Gonzalo† (2.1.281-83). Their evil plot is interrupted and plans ruined as Ariel wakes the sleeping party (Alonso and Gonzalo). Perhaps the most famous resistance against authority comes from Caliban, the slave of Prospero, who feels that the island is rightfully his, â€Å"The Island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,†. He goes on to state that Prospero â€Å"tak’st from me† (3.2.46-49). In order to gain or regain his rulership, Caliban plots with Trinculo and Stephano to kill Prospero and take over the island. â€Å"Why, as I told thee, ‘tis a custom with him I’ th’ af ternoon to sleep. There thou mayst brain him having first seized his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch ... Free Essays on The Tempest Free Essays on The Tempest Freedom, people fight wars for it, some would rather die than live without it, and others claim freedom does not need obtaining because we always had it. Shakespeare, aware of man’s desire for freedom includes this theme in the play, The Tempest. Seeing how hard the characters work to obtain freedom suggests its importance. This theme of freedom frequently shows itself throughout the play. Freedom, one of the bigger themes in the play, due to its easy identification and numerous references. Prospero and Miranda’s imprisonment, the first example of confinement, something one must have in order for the need of freedom. Prospero’s brother exiled Prospero and Miranda to that island 12 years ago in order that he may obtain Prospero’s position. â€Å"In few, they hurried us aboard a bark, bore us some leagues to sea† (I.ii.172-173). Upon this island Prospero makes plans on how to get revenge and free themselves from the island. Prospero conjures up a fake storm and goes through elaborate plans just for freedom. â€Å"If by your art, my dearest father, you have put the wild waters in this roar† (I.ii.1-2). Prospero also faces his imprisonment to the black arts. These controlled him so much; he gave up his dukedom for it. â€Å"Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me from my own library with volumes that I prize above my own dukedom† (I.ii.198-200). Prospero eventually realizes that his magic imprisoned him and in result gives it up to obtain freedom. â€Å"Now my charms are all o’erthrown, and what strength I have ‘s mine own.† (epilogue.1-2). Unfortunately, while imprisoned on the island, Prospero does not learn anything and proceeds to imprison others. Prospero enslaves Caliban, the former owner of the island, upon arriving on the island. â€Å"We’ll visit Caliban, my slave† (I.ii.368). Caliban performs tasks for Prospero, and grows angrier and angrier at Prospero. He decides to join Stephano and Trinculo to obt... Free Essays on The Tempest Conspiracies and Treason is The Tempest Prospero’s power and magic are dominant throughout the play yet he really has no power. The Tempest consists of a series of rebellion, treacheries, mutinies and conspiracies against Prospero but the overall view of the dramatic action is much more complex. Many other aspects and themes such as illusion and magic also play a very important role in shaping the plot against Prospero. Power struggles are evident from the beginning, when Prospero’s brother, Antonio, seized his status as Duke of Milan and banished him to a bleak place and left him for dead. Sebastian remarks, â€Å"I remember/You did supplant your brother Prospero.† And Antonio replies, â€Å"True;/ And look how well my garment sit upon me,† (2.1.257-59). Antonio betrayed Prospero, and yet he feels no remorse for his treacherous act. His conscience is not bothered by what he did to Prospero. Another sibling conspiracy that would ultimately cause a down fall of Prospero came in Act II, in this scene Sebastian is encouraged by Antonio to kill his brother, Alonso, which would put him next in line for the throne. They first attempted to kill Gonzalo, Alonso’s faithful advisor. â€Å"Draw together,/and when I rear my hand do you the like/TO fall it on Gonzalo† (2.1.281-83). Their evil plot is interrupted and plans ruined as Ariel wakes the sleeping party (Alonso and Gonzalo). Perhaps the most famous resistance against authority comes from Caliban, the slave of Prospero, who feels that the island is rightfully his, â€Å"The Island’s mine by Sycorax my mother,†. He goes on to state that Prospero â€Å"tak’st from me† (3.2.46-49). In order to gain or regain his rulership, Caliban plots with Trinculo and Stephano to kill Prospero and take over the island. â€Å"Why, as I told thee, ‘tis a custom with him I’ th’ af ternoon to sleep. There thou mayst brain him having first seized his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch ... Free Essays on The Tempest William Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, reveals several characteristics that define the humanist movement in English literature. It is during the humanist movement that a tendency to emphasize man- his status, importance, powers, achievements and authority-gave rise to man as a center of interest rather than God. This shift from God to man encouraged the study of science, knowledge, and the universe in conjunction with government, religion, individuality, and language. As Shakespeare wrote The Tempest in the backdrop of such intense social change he illuminated these humanistic ideas into his piece. The Tempest is a celebration of human life. It celebrates man’s spiritual and emotional depth, diversity, and ability to possess knowledge and purity. Yet Shakespeare also reveals the dark side of mankind as all characters are flawed. Prospero is in every way the most intricate character as he plays many roles in The Tempest. Prospero is a ruler, scientist, victim, sorcerer, father, master, politician, and slave throughout the play. His complexity is the core of humanism’s appreciation for man. In the final Act of the play Miranda, Prospero’s daughter explains spellbound, â€Å"O! Wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world that has such people in’t.† Miranda speaks as an innocent girl who has not lived to see the true wickedness man is capable of. She sees mankind for its potential-human nature without fault. Shakespeare revealed earlier to readers the cruelty and foolishness of Alonso, Tri nculo, and Stefano. They are far from being good yet, that no longer seems to matter. Shakespeare seems to celebrate what man has the potential to be- not what it sometimes is. This celebration is an element of humanism. Knowledge, learning, and individual development are other aspects of humanism that mold The Tempest. Knowledge is symbolized through Prospero’s use of magic, ...

Biography of Porfirio Diaz of Mexico, Ruler of Mexico

Biography of Porfirio Diaz of Mexico, Ruler of Mexico Porfirio Dà ­az (September 15, 1830–July 2, 1915,) was a Mexican general, president, politician, and dictator. He ruled Mexico with an iron fist for 35 years, from 1876 to 1911. His period of rule, referred to as the Porfiriato, was marked by great progress and modernization, and the Mexican economy boomed. The benefits were felt by very few, however, as millions of peons labored in virtual slavery. He lost power in 1910–1911 after rigging an election against Francisco Madero, which brought about the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920). Fast Facts: Porfirio Diaz Known For: Ruler of Mexico for 35 yearsAlso Known As: Josà © de la Cruz Porfirio Dà ­az MoriBorn: September 15, 1830 in Oaxaca, MexicoParents: Josà © Faustino Dà ­az Orozco, Marà ­a Petrona Mori Cà ³rtà ©sDied: July 2, 1915 in Paris, FranceAwards and Honors: Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Order of St. Stephen, First Class Condecoration of the Imperial Order of the Double Dragon, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands LionSpouse(s): Delfina Ortega Dà ­az (m.  April 7, 1867–April 8, 1880), Carmen Romero Rubio (m.  November 5, 1881–July 2, 1915)Children: Porfirio Dà ­az Ortega, Luz Victoria Dà ­az  Notable Quote: It was better that a little blood should be shed that much blood should be saved. The blood that was shed was bad blood; the blood that was saved was good blood. Early Military Career Porfirio Dà ­az was born a mestizo, or of mixed Indian-European heritage, in the state of Oaxaca on September 15, 1830. He was born into extreme poverty and never even reached complete literacy. He dabbled in law, but in 1855 he joined a band of liberal guerrillas who were fighting a resurgent Antonio Là ³pez de Santa Anna. He soon found that the military was his true vocation and he stayed in the army, fighting against the French and in the civil wars that wracked Mexico in the mid-to-late 19th century. He found himself aligned with the liberal politician and rising star Benito Jurez, although they were never personally friendly. The Battle of Puebla On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces under General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated a much larger and better-equipped force of invading French outside the city of Puebla. This battle is commemorated every year by Mexicans on Cinco de Mayo. One of the key players in the battle was young general Porfirio Dà ­az, who led a cavalry unit. Although the Battle of Puebla only delayed the inevitable French march into Mexico City, it did make Dà ­az famous and cemented his reputation as one of the best military minds serving under Juarez. Dà ­az and Jurez Dà ­az continued to fight for the liberal side during the brief rule of Maximilian of Austria (1864–1867) and was instrumental in reinstating Juarez as President. Their relationship was still cool, however, and Dà ­az ran against Juarez in 1871. When he lost, Dà ­az rebelled, and it took Juarez four months to put the insurrection down. Amnestied in 1872 after Juarez died suddenly, Dà ­az began plotting his return to power. With the support of the United States and the Catholic Church, he brought an army into Mexico City in 1876, removing President Sebastin Lerdo de Tejada and seizing power in a dubious â€Å"election.† Don Porfirio in Power Don Porfirio would remain in power until 1911. He served as president the entire time except for the period of 1880–1884 when he ruled through his puppet Manuel Gonzlez. After 1884, he dispensed with the farce of ruling through someone else and re-elected himself several times, occasionally needing his hand-picked Congress to amend the Constitution to allow him to do so. He stayed in power through deft manipulation of the powerful elements of Mexican society, giving each just enough of the pie to keep them happy. Only the poor were excluded entirely. The Economy Under Dà ­az Dà ­az created an economic boom by allowing foreign investment to develop Mexicos vast resources. Money flowed in from the United States and Europe, and soon mines, plantations, and factories were built and humming with production. The Americans and British invested heavily in mines and oil, the French had large textile factories, and the Germans controlled the drug and hardware industries. Many Spanish came to Mexico to work as merchants and on the plantations, where they were despised by the poor laborers. The economy boomed and many miles of railway track was laid to connect all of the important cities and ports. The Beginning of the End Cracks began appearing in the Porfiriato in the first years of the 20th century. The economy went into a recession and miners went on strike. Although no voices of dissent were tolerated in Mexico, exiles living abroad, primarily in the southern United States, began organizing newspapers, writing editorials against the powerful and crooked regime. Even many of Dà ­az supporters were growing uneasy because he had picked no heir to his throne. They worried about what would happen if he left or died suddenly. Madero and the 1910 Election In 1910, Dà ­az announced that he would allow fair and free elections. Isolated from reality, he believed he would win any fair contest. Francisco I. Madero, a writer and spiritualist from a wealthy family, decided to run against Dà ­az. Madero didnt really have any great, visionary ideas for Mexico; he just naively felt that the time had come for Dà ­az to step aside, and he was as good as anyone to take his place. Dà ­az had Madero arrested and stole the election when it became apparent that Madero would win. Madero was freed, fled to the United States, declared himself the winner, and called for an armed revolution. Revolution and Death Many heeded Maderos call. In Morelos, Emiliano Zapata had been fighting the powerful landowners for a year or so already and quickly backed Madero. In the north, bandit leaders-turned-warlords Pancho Villa and Pascual Orozco took to the field with their powerful armies. The Mexican army had decent officers, as Dà ­az had paid them well, but the foot soldiers were underpaid, sickly, and poorly trained. Villa and Orozco routed the Federals on several occasions, growing ever closer to Mexico City with Madero in tow. In May 1911, Dà ­az knew he had been defeated and was allowed to go into exile. Diaz died just four years later, on July 2, 1915, in Paris, France. Legacy Porfirio Dà ­az left a mixed legacy in his homeland. His influence is undeniable: with the possible exception of the dashing, brilliant madman Santa Anna, no one has been more important to the history of Mexico since the countrys independence. On the positive side of the Dà ­az ledger must be his accomplishments in the areas of the economy, safety, and stability. When he took over in 1876, Mexico was in ruins after years of disastrous civil and international wars. The treasury was empty, there were a mere 500 miles of train track in the whole nation, and the country was essentially in the hands of a few powerful men who ruled sections of the nation like royalty. Dà ­az unified the country by paying off or crushing these regional warlords, encouraged foreign investment to restart the economy, built thousands of miles of train tracks, and encouraged mining and other industries. His policies were wildly successful and the nation he left in 1911 was completely different from the one he inherited. This success came at a high cost for Mexicos poor, however. Dà ­az did very little for the lower classes: he did not improve education, and health was only improved as a side effect of improved infrastructure primarily meant for business. Dissent was not tolerated and many of Mexicos leading thinkers were forced into exile. Wealthy friends of Dà ­az were given powerful positions in government and were allowed to steal land from Indian villages without any fear of punishment. The poor despised Dà ­az with a passion, which exploded into the Mexican Revolution. The Revolution, too, must be added to Dà ­az balance sheet. His policies and mistakes ignited it, even if his early exit from the fracas can excuse him from some of the later atrocities that took place. Most modern Mexicans view Dà ­az more positively and tend to forget his shortcomings and see the Porfiriato as a time of prosperity and stability, albeit somewhat unenlightened. As the Mexican middle class has grown, it has forgotten the plight of the poor under Dà ­az. Most Mexicans today know the era only through the numerous telenovelas- Mexican soap operas- that use the dramatic time of the Porfiriato and Revolution as a backdrop for their characters. Sources Herring, Hubert. A History of Latin America From the Beginnings to the Present. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962.McLynn, Frank. Villa and Zapata: A History of the Mexican Revolution. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2000.â€Å"Quotes by Porfirio Diaz.†Ã‚  AZ Quotes.

Positive Effects of Media Exposure to Children PowerPoint Presentation

Positive Effects of Media Exposure to Children - PowerPoint Presentation Example Children’s exposure to media criticized at different levels for inculcating negative attitudes, behavior, and virtues in children. Among these negative effects include; Children’s exposure to scary programs like Harry Porter invoke long-term fear and anxiety on these children with recent studies supporting that these children are at risk of suffering post-traumatic stress. (Bushman & Gibson, 2010). Other studies by Bryant et al (1981) also support that long-term exposure of children to media promotes perpetual fear, which impairs children’s concept of social reality especially through programs that advance violence related themes. Uncontrolled media content progressively aired on media gives children an opportunity to access adult restricted films with sexual themes through marketing and advertising efforts decay the moral concept of children. (Association, 2012); (Pediatrics, 2010) Children also acquire aggressive behavior as they are exposed to violent programs by adopting antisocial behavior. (Halberstaadt, Denham, & Dunsmore, 2001) Bushman, B. J., & Gibson, B. (2010, August 11).