Sophocles Antigone Essay - 1702 Words

Sophocles’ play â€Å"Antigone† illustrates the conflict between obeying human and divine law. The play opens after Oedipus’ two sons Eteocles and Polyneices have killed each other in a civil war for the throne of Thebes. Oedipus’ brother in law Creon then assumes the throne. He dictates that Eteocles shall receive a state funeral and honors, while Polyneices shall be left in the streets to rot away. Creon believes that Polyneices’ body shall be condemned to this because of his civil disobedience and treachery against the city. Polyneices’ sister, Antigone, upon hearing this exclaims that an improper burial for Polyneices would be an insult to the Gods. She vows that Polyneices’ body will be buried, and Creon declares that anyone who†¦show more content†¦Creon has no toleration for people who place personal beliefs over the common good. He believes that government and law is the supreme authority, and civil disobedience is wor st form of sin. The problem with Creon’s argument is he approaches He approaches every dilemma that requires judgement through descriptive generalizations. In contrast to the morality defined by Aristotle in his Nicomachaean Ethics, Creon shows that he is deaf to the knowledge of particulars--of place, time, manner, and persons, which is essential for moral reasoning. In short, he does not effectively bring together general principles and specific situations Creon does not acknowledge that emotion, and perception are as critical to proper moral consideration as reason. This explains why he does not respond accordingly with the reasoning of the guard, Tiresias the prophet, Antigone, her sister Ismene, or even his own son Haemon. Throughout the whole play, Creon emphasizes the importance of practical judgement over a sick, illogical mind, when in fact it is him who has the sick, illogical mind. He too exhibits pride in his argument. To Antigone and most of the Athenians, posses sing a wise and logical mind means acknowledging human limitations and behaving piously towards the gods. Humans must take a humble attitude towards fate and the power of the gods, yet Creon mocks death throughout the play. He doest not learn his lesson until the end of the play when he speaks respectfully ofShow MoreRelatedAntigone By Sophocles Antigone1478 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout Antigone, Antigone is a presented as a strong woman who is both dedicated to her family and her community. That said, there is much conflict between these two dedications. In this paper, I will give examples of Antigone’s different individual responsibilities and her philosophies and explain how those conflict with the commitment that she is to have to her community and indirectly, her king. Ultimately, I will argue that Sophocles demonstrated his values of family, the way of the godsRead MoreSophocles Antigone By Sophocles Essay1869 Words   |  8 PagesIn Sophocles’ play Antigo ne, two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices fight for the thrown of Thebes. The war comes to an end when both brothers die fighting for the honor, and their uncle Creon becomes the king of Thebes. Upon his coronation, Creon issues a decree that Eteocles, the former king of Thebes, will be honored with a traditional military burial, while his brother Polynices will be â€Å"left unwept, unburied, a lovely treasure for birds that scan the field and feast to their heart’s content† (SophoclesRead MoreSophocles Antigone By Sophocles964 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Antigone† by Sophocles, a famous ancient Greek tragedian, the main character, Antigone, demonstrates a prohibited action in a strict, male-dominated society. Greek civilization upheld strong values and rules that were designed to enforce orderly behavior among its people. There were state laws created by the King, Creon, and divine laws created by the Gods. Divine law was superior to the king laws, and if t hat rule was disrupted, eternal consequences could ruin an individual. In this societyRead MoreSophocles Antigone By Sophocles1892 Words   |  8 PagesAntigone †¢ Title: Antigone by Sophocles †¢ Genre: Play; Tragic drama †¢ Historical context: Written circa, 442 B.C.E. in Athens Greece. Performed circa, 441 B.C.A. Its literary period was classical. While Antigone was the first written of Sophocles’ three Theban plays, it was the last of the trilogy. It was performed during a time of national unrest. Sophocles was appointed to serve as a general in a military crusade against Samos. The significance of the historical events during that timeRead MoreAntigone, by Sophocles1997 Words   |  8 PagesThe death of Antigone is truly a tragic episode in the Theban Plays, where she hung herself with a woven linen of her dress. By convention, her death would be characterized with feminine quality. However, Antigone, one of the few female characters in the book, possessed distinguishable female characteristics that are as remarkable as a male hero. Antigone was determined when she made up her mind to bury her brother. She was an agent of her words and took up the risks that accompanied to her dee dsRead MoreAntigone By Sophocles Antigone1525 Words   |  7 Pagesneglect nothing that the gods demand† (1349-1350). Sophocles’ Antigone takes place in a trying time for the city of Thebes, when Oedipus, their king, and most of the royal family have died, and Creon has just been appointed the new king. Throughout the play, Creon tries on his power as the new ruler, and seems to believe that the gods will not be angry with some of his choices as king, even though they directly violate the divine law. However, in Antigone, when there is a conflict between the divine lawRead MoreSophocles Antigone By Sophocles1495 Words   |  6 PagesAs one of the most famous tragedies ever written, Antigone, by the Greek playwright Sophocles, has received much notoriety as well as much speculation. Set in the city of Thebes after a devastating civil war between the brothers Polyneices and Eteocles, the play begins after the brothers’ deadly struggle for the throne. Polyneices and Eteocles have already caused the undue deaths of one another, and without another man in their immediate family available, their uncle Creon travels to Thebes to seizeRead MoreAntigone By Sophocles Antigone912 Words   |  4 PagesIn Sophocles, â€Å"Antigone† begins with the stages of grief as Antigone mourns the loss of her two brothers, Polyneikes and Eteokles, who die simultaneously in face-to-face combat in Thebes. Eteokles dies with honor fighting for the Thebesians and is honored with rituals and a proper burial. The body of Polyneikes, who attempted to burn the city of Thebes, is left for the dogs and birds to savage. Thesbesian’s law forbids anyone giving a traitor, like Polyneikes, a proper burial, for that itself isRead MoreAntigone by Sophocles622 Words   |  3 PagesIn the playwright Antigone by Sophocles, the characters reveal their values while exposing a life lessons through their actions, dialogue, thoughts ,and effects on others. Antigone st arts with two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, being killed at battle. Creon, the king of Thebes, declares that Eteocles’ death will be honored and Polyneices’ dishonored. He instead will lay unburied to become the food of animals. When the play opens, Antigone takes Ismene, Antigone and Ismene are sisters of the deadRead MoreSophocles Antigone By Sophocles967 Words   |  4 PagesTragedy in Antigone Antigone is one of the greatest Greek tragic plays by Sophocles. The play portrays two main characters, Antigone and Creon, who undergo tragedy in the play. Various arguments have been put forth regarding who amongst the two characters is the actual tragic hero in Sophocles’ Antigone. A number of people are for the idea that Creon qualifies since he does possess the real characteristics of what tragedy is all about, while numerous others believe that Antigone is the actual hero

The Changes in Police and Crime Drama Over Time Essay

The Changes in Police and Crime Drama Over Time Crime drama has always been featured as one of the most popular genres of our society. However over the year’s crime drama has been changed and adapted to fit into different times. Many aspects of crime drama have been changed such as camera shots, seriousness of crimes and police language/jargon in order for crime drama to change with the times, become more realistic and retain its former popularity. Throughout time many crime programmes featured on T.V have changed through Media language (Iconography, editing, camerawork and music). The Bill, first created in 1984 featured a lot of Iconography. At the start of the title sequence the camera focuses†¦show more content†¦Camera shots and editing have also changed. Older title sequences of the Bill used long camera shots, which were not varied and were focused on a particular person. However over the years as technology has improved the title sequences have become faster paced and use shorter and varied camera shots that create feelings of excitement and tension for the viewer. Music has also changed. The original title sequence (1984) featured reggae style music and used off beat instruments. This suggested that the programme was based in a multi-cultural area. The music in the late 80’s was more upbeat and faster paced, however it featured the same theme tune. The music in the mid 90’s was jazzy and sophisticated. Music has become more upbeat due to changes of personalities in society. However the theme tune has remained the same in order for people of different times to identify the programme as a long remaining classic. The storylines of each title sequence have also changed over time. In the original title sequence we do not see the police’s face. This indicates that the main emphasis of the programme is on the job of the police rather than their characters. The slow moving music and camera shots convey the sense that the programme does not feature dangerous crimes but simple crimes such as theft or burglary. However the late 80’s title sequence shows clips ofShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Crime Drama Genre1663 Words   |  7 Pagesthat television genres continue to develop over time in response to changes in audience tastes and original creative ideas. Indeed, television genres will keep on developing to meet the expectations and satisfaction of the audience. Crime drama series have become one of the most popular television genres within our society. It attracts the audience by dealing with themes and issues relating to the news and current affairs that the viewers are aware of. Cr ime fiction has various sub-genres includingRead MoreThe Godfather Is A 1972 American Crime Drama Directed By Francis Coppola919 Words   |  4 Pages1972 American crime drama directed by Francis Coppola based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. The film stars Marlin Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of a powerful family business of crime. The story is centred on Michael Corleone, and how he grows from a young man wanting nothing to do with the family business to a ruthless Don who will stop at nothing to exact his revenge. The movie grossed around 286 million dollars and is touted as one of the most successful films of all time, and in 1990 itRead MoreForensic Science And The Scientific Examination Of Evidence1644 Words   |  7 Pagesin a crime scene is called forensic science. Forensic scientists use the same technology, tools and methods used by other scientists doing other types of research, including microscopes, computers, and lasers. As forensic science has advanced over th e years, so has the ability to gather evidence and solve crimes. At crime scenes, lasers provide lighting to track blood sample that not visible to the naked eye. Forensic imaging technology is technology that lets the first responding local police departmentRead MoreIs The Technology Behind Forensics Reliable?1654 Words   |  7 Pagesin a crime scene is called forensic science. Forensic scientists use the same technology, tools and methods used by other scientists doing other types of research, including microscopes, computers, and lasers. As forensic science has advanced over the years, so has the ability to gather evidence and solve crimes. At crime scenes, lasers provide lighting to track blood sample that not visible to the naked eye. Forensic imaging technology is technology that lets the first responding local police departmentRead MoreThe Perception Of The Police Officer1287 Words   |  6 Pagestoday involves the perception of the police? What is the perception of how we look at our officials in law enforcement? Is this something that’s based on personal experiences? Is it media driven? Over the last year, we’ve had to examples in the media that pertains to this discussion. In Ferguson, MO there was the Michael Brown case involving the shooting of an unarmed man by police officer Darrin Wilson. There was the death of Eric Garner involving the New York Police Department. Depending on what mediaRead MorePhilosophical Analysis of Gone Baby Gone Essay1744 Words   |  7 PagesAffleck’s drama Gone Baby Gone, two very notable philosophies collide head on, and the protagonist must choose between the two to find the solution that he feels is ‘right.’ In Affleck’s brilliantly rendered drama Gone Baby Gone, a young girl is abducted from her mother, in a blue collar area of Boston, Massachusetts. Patrick Kenzie and his girlfriend are private investigators who are called in by the sister-in-law of the abducted childs mother. The neighborhoods in Boston where this crime took placeRead MoreBlack Lives Matter By Karin Kamp1645 Words   |  7 PagesPeople are calling this crime the â€Å"Black Lives Matter Kidnapping†. The videos show horrible and gruesome things that were done to the man, including forcing the man drink toilet water. While this is happening the attackers were saying hurtful words to the man, Donald Trump and many others. The police suggest this event has no link to the Black Lives Matter Movement, but the videos say otherwise. People also infer that this isn’t just a attempted murder, but also a hate crime. Wail Qasim wrote, â€Å"TheRead MoreAnalysis Of Rio De Janeiro s Most Infamous Favela1590 Words   |  7 Pagesbrutality and crime rate among the residents. The quality of life in the Brazilian favelas has in a way improved and also worsened. As Brazil is set to hold the Summer Olympic Games this year in 2016, the government has been intervening with the history of Rio’s violent crime rates; it was something the government had never done before, considering the severe corruption and risks of diseases in the favelas. Due to this intervention, many residents have been either kicked out or killed by police in the favelasRead MoreEssay on The Crime Drama Genre 1948 Words   |  8 PagesThe crime drama genre has endured many changes since the days of Dickson of Dock Green (1955-1976) in the UK along with Dick Tracy (1950-1952) in the USA. The natural progression within the crime drama genre saw them eventually displaying police procedurals. This was a first for television, the audience not only saw the crime and the apprehension of the criminal, but for the first time, the whole crime solving system was opened for the audience to see. Forensics and legal bureaucracy whereRead MoreChanging Nature of Television Crime Drama Essay2783 Words   |  12 Pagesthe diversity of concepts and setting of crime dramas currently being produced this comment may or may not seem as convincing as it may have been when authored. Take one crime drama series and investigate the respects in which it both: 1) reworks established crime drama formula and conventions; and 2) offers novelty in terms of such aspects as concept, characterisations, episode structure and visual style. In 1997, Senior Commissioning Editor for Drama on channel four in Britain, Peter Ansorges

Immigration Free Essays

Imagine being thirteen years old, living â€Å"the dream† and enjoying your life until your father says, â€Å"pack up we are moving to a different country. † Any person would be In shock after hearing someone say that to them against their will, let alone a teenage girl. Gloria Jugular was told this by her father in the year 1962 that she would be moving to the United States of America from Calico, Mexico. We will write a custom essay sample on Immigration or any similar topic only for you Order Now She was living a very luxurious, middle class lifestyle with all her family. She had lots of friends and family who loved her. She lived in a fairly nice house and went to a good school. Glorious father had obtained a workers permit to work the fields for himself, Gloria, and her older brother. Gloria, her brother, and her father came by car across the border traveling for seven days. When Gloria Jugular leafstalk’s, Mexico In 1962 at the age of thirteen, she was leaving behind a great life, family, and friends. Her expectations were to find â€Å"The American Dream† of a better education, become better off financially, and for her experience to be â€Å"like heaven†. When Gloria reflects on her journey she believes she has overcame a lot and met her expectation of the American Dream. Gloria was expecting to live a better life than she was living when she arrived to California. She soon came to realize she would not have that option. Gloria had to work the olive trees climbing up and down daily to meet her daily quota. In 1963, there was a letter to Congress which basically stated in order for immigrants to obtain citizenship they must first be looked at for â€Å"(1) the skills of the immigrant and their relationship to our needs [United Stated]; (2) the family relationship between immigrants to the person already here† (Kennedy). This helped Immigrants who were miming Into the united States to make the process faster. For Glorious family, It was the fact that they were coming to be farm workers. Gloria spent SIX to nine months out of the year traveling back and forth to Mexico and Woodland, CA. Gloria, her brother and her father took these long exhausting trips from Mexico to the United States until she turned 18 years old. Although the scenery was Just as perfect as she pictured it would be, her daily life was not. Glorious father no longer allowed her to get an education. She was always constantly working to make ends meet. There was o telephone to communicate with her friends and family. In the home she was staying in there was a television to help the time go by. Gloria also had a radio to help with the passing of time. â€Å"Kennedy’s domestic efforts were in their infancy when an assassin’s bullets struck him down November 22, 1963† (Understanding the American Promise). Kennedy died before he could fulfill the many promises he made to Americans of economic growth. The radio was the way Gloria and her family learned of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This was a major concern for her and her fellow Mexican Immigrants because John F. Kennedy was an advocate to bettering the immigration systems. â€Å"While Jiff’s right legacy is widely recognized, less attention has been paid to his record championing reform that ended an era of deeply discriminatory immigration laws† (Doris). President Kennedy had a power and great had a great vision for immigration that could change the face of America forever. She was in shock and In utter sadness when she learned of the news. The eliminated ancestry, race, or the national origin as a basis for immigrants. It created many fundamentals that still stand in today’s system for legal immigration into the United States. Not speaking English and not having anyone to teach her made life harder for Gloria. The lack of understanding English kept her from having American friends. This made her feel very isolated and like she was in a â€Å"deep hole†. The feeling of being isolated was not a feeling Gloria was used to. It wasn’t until she was a little over eighteen when she learned how to speak English. At the age of eighteen, she married off to get out of her father’s house and reside in the United States permanently. After she had her first son, Random, her husband had tried to kill her so she fled once again. She eventually found a live-in babysitting Job with a family who had two children. She learned English through the children, who at the time were both toddlers who were trying to learn English as well. Gloria also paid very close attention to the English television and radio stations to help her with her English language. Her life had improved from the first time she arrived in the United States. When Gloria looks back at her initial reaction to the United States she feels she has come a long way because she has achieved her â€Å"American Dream†. Her â€Å"American Dream† is defined as having a wonderful life that includes a child or hillier, owning your own home, a great Job and career, the right to vote, health care and freedom to make your own choices. Gloria is very upset and concerned for those still in Mexico dealing with the corruptions, such as the Mexican cartel. One of the most recognized and quoted opening sentence in the starter to â€Å"Uprooted,† Dry. Handling engraved: â€Å"Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history. Americans have come from many different backgrounds to make the â€Å"American† culture we know today. Gloria is extremely pleased with living in the United States. She remarried and had three beautiful children. She now owns three homes in California. She also has a very giving and caring position as a care giver to the sick and elderly. She has great healthcare to cover her and her family well- being. She enjoys the right to have a say in her government. Gloria believes America is the land of freedom and opportunity. Gloria is very pleased to be able to allow her children to have these opportunities of â€Å"The American Dream†. According to the article, â€Å"Reform Immigration FOR America† Obama has opted to pursue an administrative immigration policy. Therefore this causes conflict with the Republican critics by boosting his immigration and border enforcement authorizations. Also according to the article, â€Å"Reform Immigration FOR America† Obama has prioritize dealing with health care reform rather than immigration. During his election much of the work in swing districts were spent simply convincing the legislators that their vote would make the immigration reform happen. Obama is not making immigration a priority like he persuaded the people to believe he was. According to â€Å"Immigration Reform† the extent that the public-spirited issues of improvement enters the debates. The suggestions for â€Å"legalizing† undocumented workers attempts to respond to the question of what the government should do with people who are living in the United States? This funding has tremendous effect to the economy. But yet they are still being deprived of basic process would rank the considerate â€Å"good immigrant† also known as Dreamers. This term refers to young people who came to the United States as children. They are now seeking citizenship, along with the many others in demand framework’s and tech worker. They are also set to be â€Å"fast tracked† on the path to citizenship. They are more likely to have a significant shorter time than the decade-plus those other migrants can anticipate. This setting would create on an earlier organizational command issued by President Obama. It would also definitely stop deportations for the young generations meeting the background requirements. Gloria says for those who are in America they should be grateful. Gloria also says that it may take a lot of different situations testing your patience but, â€Å"Do NOT give up on your dream of bettering yourself. Gloria believes that those in Mexico should so their hardest to try ND come to America for more opportunities. Gloria also says that â€Å"America has more to offer when it comes to many things. † She believes the education is better in the United States and having this education allows you better career opportunities. Although she says the process has definitely become harder by the increasing costs and rules, Gloria advises anyone trying to immigrate to the United States to continue to have faith in God, pray, and to not give up until your goals are achieved. Many people would say Gloria Jugular is a role model to achieve their American dream. People would say this because when Gloria reflects on her Journey she believes she has overcame a lot and met her expectation of the American Dream. How to cite Immigration, Papers Immigration Free Essays Immigration is a really big topic that is being discussed by our president and all of our citizens which people have two different views on but,I believe, immigration is a great cause for the United States. Due, to the fact that the United States was built upon immigration from many other countries. I believe that it can create a lot of good if we keep allowing immigrants to become citizens to a certain extent and we should keep it regulated. We will write a custom essay sample on Immigration or any similar topic only for you Order Now Immigration has been a part of the United States for years now. According to U.S. Immigration Before 1965 (U.S. Immigration Before 1965),more than two million immigrants have entered the United States in the years of 1880 through 1920.This helped populate the U.S during its beginning years when it was trying to expand and grow as a country. The immigrants who came from other counties in that time came to find religious freedom and find a better life for their families. Our current president wants to build a wall to keep Immigrants out of the US. he does not want immigration to be apart of the US because he believes that they would take our jobs and he believes that most of the people who come to the united states from mexico are all of the felons or people who come to the US to break the US apart and kill people when in reality they all have the same believes that the first immigrants had who came to the US they are coming to the US to start over try and provide for there families and look out for their future kids. Other people in the US believe that they will just come to the US to take our jobs and our money that we can be making when Usually they take jobs that no one would ever take here in the US they take the jobs that most people in the us think is to hard like working in the fields and in factories and other jobs. They also get paid less than minimum wage for doing jobs that people should get paid more for because they are producing our for economy by creating jobs and our produce of fruit and vegetables or anything that is made in a farm is usually grow and picked by these people who are really hard working and are just trying to make a living for there family and themselves. Another reason i believe that immigration would be great for the US is because our economy can benefit greatly if we allow immigrants to become citizens they can generate about 832 billion dollars to our economy in the next ten years which would help the us greatly the US this can help create over 203,000 jobs a year which would help the economy out a lot it would give us more jobs and it would also help the US with the economy because more money would be generated after all those jobs are created. Most immigrants have wanted to come to the US to follow their dreams and do what they can to to support their family and give them a better future in life and just most of the immigrants who came over from mexico are coming from a place where the drug cartel is reigning over there city or state and they are trying to get away from the bad that comes along with it they are trying to stop there kids from getting kidnaped and sold for money those people who are trying to get away from that believe that the US can provide that for them and they believe that they can provide something for the economy too. I am a first generation and have watched my family struggle through all the hardship that they have come across due to the fact that they never had any help from the government when all they are trying to do is help the american government and provide for their kids. In the US there are so many people who are for the legalization of immigration. â€Å"80% of americans surveyed said that they support the pathway to citizenship†(Most Americans support the path to citizenship for illegal immigration) this shows that most people would allow immigrants to become citizens. If 80 % of the people are for it then why does the US not allow them to become citizens. â€Å"72% of these who backed president Trump also support the issue† (Most Americans support the path to citizenship for illegal immigration) Its know that president trump doesn’t want to allow immigrants to become citizens but most of his voters have spoken up saying they have no problem with it at all and would allow them to become citizens. Its scary to see that there is a lot of criminals and violence in this world and you as an american would not want that for your country. Yes, the mexican drug cartel has spilled over the us border according to the article (illegal Alien criminals should be removed from the country) and it is scary but not all mexican people are drug dealers or people from the cartel. â€Å"They are families and workers, taking the jobs nobody else wants, staying out of trouble,†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (the realities about illegal immigrants in the united states) Most of the immigrants who came to the us came to help support their family in hopes to find a job to help get out of all the dangers in mexico.They left everything behind to risk it all for the american dream to have a good family and have enough money to better there kids futers and get them ready for life. I believe that if we still allow immigration to the United states it can benefit the US a lot im not saying fully legalized but if we monitor it a lot more and and only let a select few people migrate over to the US we wouldn’t have to deal with some of the downfalls of the immigration like tax increasing and other things like crime rate going up in the united states because there are some people who are criminals but most of the people who come to the us don’t come here for that reason they come to help there family witch i really emphasis because not all immigrants are bad. How to cite Immigration, Papers

Victoria Hubble February 8, 2000 Reconstruction Th Essay Example For Students

Victoria Hubble February 8, 2000 Reconstruction Th Essay e Reconstruction, a time most people would call a rebirth, succeeded in few of the goals that it had set out to achieve within the 12 years it was in progress. It was the reconstructions failure in its objectives, that brought forth the inevitable success in changing the South, as well as the countless African Americans living in it as well as the countless African Americans living in it at the time. There were three goals the reconstruction set, and failed to achieve, as well as emphasizing the profound effect it had on the south, and an entire race. In the South the Reconstruction period was a time of readjustment accompanied by disorder. Southern whites wished to keep blacks in a condition of quasi-servitude, extending few civil rights and firmly rejecting social equality. Blacks, on the other hand, wanted full freedom and, above all, land of their own. Inevitably, there were frequent clashes. Some erupted into race riots, but acts of terrorism against individual black leaders were more common. During this turmoil, Southern whites and blacks began to work out ways of getting their farms back into operation and of making a living. Indeed, the most important developments of the Reconstruction era were not the highly publicized political contests but the slow, almost imperceptible changes that occurred in southern society. Blacks could now legally marry, and they set up conventional and usually stable family units; they quietly seceded from the white churches and formed their own religious organizations, which became a central point for the black community. Without land or money, most freedmen had to continue working for white masters; but they were now unwilling to labor in gangs or to live in the old slave quarters under the eye of the plantation owner. The governments set up in the Southern states under the congressional program of Reconstruction were, contrary to traditional cliches, fairly honest and effective. Though the period has sometimes been labeled Black Reconstruction, the Radical governments in the south were never dominated by blacks. There were no black governors, only two black senators and a handful of congressmen, and only one legislature controlled by blacks. Those black who did hold office appear to have been about equal in competence and honesty to the whites. it is true that these Radical governments were expensive, but large state expenditures were necessary to rebuild after the war and to establishfor the first time on most southern statesa system of common schools. Corruption there certainly was, though nowhere on the scale of the Tweed Ring, which at that time was busily looting New York City; but it is not possible to show that Republicans were more guilty than Democrats, or blacks than whites, in the scandals that did occur. If the Civil War was fought to set black slaves free, then Reconstruction proved to be a fight to limit their freedom. Political power was gained by former slaves during the late 1860s, but any power gained was all but gone by the end of the 1880s. Blacks were given liberty in name only for the most part. They were not allowed to develop nor use the skills necessary to take advantage of that liberty in Americas unique system of democracy and capitalism. For most African Americans living in the south during the Reconstruction era, life changed dramatically from enslavement, to a life of limited rights. Even though the reconstruction offered them a few unreliable rights, it failed to offer them the equal amount of social, economic, and political freedoms. It was these three contributing factors that participated in changing the south. The Reconstruction was started by the freed slaves who rallied and protested for civil rights as well as justice. In addition to this, Radical Republicans from 1865 to 1877 temporarily wiped out each state in the Souths system of government. All of the black codes, a series of laws that forced blacks to sign labor contracts requiring them to work at a job for a full year, laws that permitted employers to whip black workers, and laws that allowed states to jail unemployed blacks and hire out their children, that violated or contradicted the equality .

Ravi B. Lucas Essays - Adam And Eve, Satan, Young Goodman Brown

Ravi B. Lucas April 11, 2000 The Young GoodMan Brown Young Goodman Brown, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a story that is rich in metaphors which ultimately question the very morals and ethics of his religious society. In Young Goodman Brown, Goodman Brown is a proud Puritan who meets with the devil that causes him to become aware of the society he lives in. The story about Goodman Brown centers on a proud man who thinks that a meeting with the Devil can't alter his faith in religion. He also desires to find more about his inner domains, but eventually finds out how hypocritical his community is. The story's crux is based upon religious metaphors of Hawthorne's town of Salem during their religious conflict. The beginning of the story mentions the Goodman's wife, Faith who has a double meaning to her name. Goodman's name also should not be overlooked because it is a double-edged sword as well. Hawthorne plays with Faith's name in that it symbolizes religious faith. Faith- Goodman's wife- is seen as a pious woman who like Goodman, is deep into her religious beliefs. She is innocent like her religion. To indicate Faith's innocence, Hawthorne gave her pink ribbons to wear. These ribbons are important, because they expose Faith's character. Pink is seen as a pleasant color that promotes no tension. Pink is not as violent as red, or gloomy as black. In addition, there is Goodman." His name represents what his society thought of him. He was a religious good person, who came from a long linage of prominent Puritans. Young Goodman Brown begins when Faith, Brown's wife, pleads with him not to go on his errand." Goodman Brown says to his love and my Faith (passage 5) that this one night I must tarry away from thee (passage 5). When he says his love and his Faith," he is talking to his wife, but he is also talking to his faith in God. He is venturing into the woods to meet with the Devil, and by doing so; he leaves his unquestionable faith in God with his wife. He resolves that he will cling to her skirts and follow her to Heaven (passage 5). This is an example of his excessive pride. He feels that he can meet with the Devil because of the promise that he made to himself. There is tremendous irony to this promise because when Goodman Brown comes back at dawn; he can no longer look at his wife with the same faith he had in her before. Throughout literature, authors continue to use metaphors like darkness, sunsets, colors, paths, and nature to help illustrate their hidden thoughts. This tool is supposed to give the reader the feeling of something evil, or negative commencing. Goodman's errand sends him off into the wild forest during the sunset where he is walking on a narrow dark path that is easy to lose. The forest is a place where there are no rules to life, and a place where nature can turn against civilized humans. When Goodman Brown finally meets with the Devil, he declares that his reason for being late was because Faith kept me back awhile (passage 10). This statement has a double meaning because his wife physically prevented him from being on time for his meeting with the devil, but his faith to God psychologically delayed his meeting with the devil. The Devil had with him a staff that bore the likeness of a great black snake" (passage 10). The staff is a reference to the snake in the story of Adam and Eve. The snake led Adam and Eve to their destruction by leading them to the Tree of Knowledge. The Adam and Eve story is similar to Goodman Brown in that they are both seeking immeasurable amounts of knowledge. Once Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, they were exiled from paradise. The Devil's staff eventually leads Goodman Brown to the Devil's ceremony, which destroys Goodman Brown's faith in his fellow man, therefore expelling him from his utopia. Goodman Brown almost immediately declares that he kept his meeting with the Devil and no longer wishes to continue on his errand with the Devil. He says that he comes from

Microsoft Marketing Management

Microsoft Marketing Management Introduction: Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Corporation is based in the US and deals with manufacturing and development of software products applied in computers. The company develops variety of software which include; operating systems, server applications, business solution applications, information worker applications, high-performance computing applications, software development tools as well as MSN network which is an internet provider.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Microsoft Marketing Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Microsoft’s operating system which has unique qualities in the market forms the major strength of the Company. The system provides dependable link between the computer and the user. In addition the Company also ventures into manufacturing application software as well multimedia market (Aaarkstores, 2010). Microsoft Corporation is known to be technologically oriented compa ny with most of its core processes operated electronically through avenues such as e-shops. The company heavily utilizes the use of online services and web-based information systems. Such services as e-marketing provides the company with integrated means of reaching consumers hence allowing possible means of projecting current and future customer requirements within the market (Johnson et al, 2008, 51-59). Figure 1: Microsoft and its competitors Description of Customer Perceived value for the CompanyAdvertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Consumers are believed to always engage in internal and external processes of information search before attaching value to product or company. Internal information search involves the process through which consumer identifies all alternatives to the product/company from memory. Such actions require companies to engage in aggressive programs which enable their various brands to become memorable to consumers and are mostly applicable to low involvement products or companies (Payne and Holt, 2001). While external search is applicable to high involving firms such as Microsoft as well as Apple amongst others. In such a case organizations are advised to make available their product information through web sites. Consumers at the same time could use compensatory decisions which requires the consumers to critically analyze all the attributes of a company before pledging loyalty to them (Eggert and Ulaga, 2002). Value should be examined from the customer point of view since expressions towards a product vary depending on the customer segment served. Within the various market segments, some customers tend to value more, certain product attributes compared to others. High prices of products might represent high value to particular customer segment since the benefits are considered higher than money value attached to the product. In this case Microsoft’s operating system provides the customers with more useful ways of operating their computers (Barnes et al, 2009). There is realization of increased productivity owing to easy communication through the integrated system which enables instant sharing of information. There is faster and instant means of information sharing through the use of desktop applications as well as line of business which eliminates the essence of spending a lot of time in locating and communicating with partners. There is also sufficient access for customers whether travelling or at home and at the same time enables remote users to access directly security-enhanced presence without the use of Virtual Private Networking (VPN).Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Microsoft Marketing Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The operating system together with other Microsoft services enables business col laborations between organizations easier with a guarantee of protecting sensitive business information. Microsoft services provide organization with connections through public IM data centres and Live Communications Server Internal users which enables effective connection between information workers and public IM services (Holbrook, 2003, pp 45-61). Microsoft ensures the possibility of customers extending their current infrastructure investments by incorporating new technologies into the existing computing environments. For instance, the provision of Live Communications Server 2005 which forms part of Microsoft Windows server system which improves the functions of the collaboration infrastructure. The software enables customers to share Ms Office and other applications from working station with other collaborative sessions such as encrypted IM. Microsoft Office System integration grants customers uninterrupted workflow system and at the same time enable Real-time communication with familiar Ms Office programs (Ahmed and Rafiq, 2002). Consumers value Microsoft’s ability to eliminate communication delays within the business cycles with business partners through their advanced technology in Live Communications Server 2005. There is provision of instant access to business partners across organizational and geographical boundaries. This has accelerated improvement in business efficiency through familiar security enhancement. Increased manageability, scalability and security are possible through development of Enterprise-Grade Real-time communications. Customers are as well provided with NT LAN Manager Capabilities which increases the control as well as the security of the supposed network through consolidating the necessary resources with Microsoft Windows Active Directory. Companies benefit from real-time collaboration solutions enabling growth through easy scaling-up opportunities. This means that the up-time for enterprise communications is upgraded and a t the same time the Microsoft SQL servers enables data recovery preventing further time and data loss.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The use of SQL-based Logging in Microsoft’s communication server makes it possible for internal auditing of the available IM transactions (Dubois, 2007). Organizations at the same time are capable of enhancing the efficiency of their internal operations through application of various Microsoft services for the right duties. These include working together across departments with experts through contact centres. The process presence is enhanced through leveraging of knowledge and ideas hence enabling healthy advancement within entire enterprises. At the same time there is the provision of building stronger customer relationships owing to the development in the unified customer touch points which reinforces relationships. The possibility of connecting to customers using appropriate tools is made possible through servers live communication links which has also made it possible what is referred to as agent-initiated cross-selling (Holbrook, 2003, pp 45-61). The provision of famili ar and modern Windows-Based management tools has assisted in simplifying the management and administrative tasks. Organizations are able to operate within timely schedules through new deployment tools. The other value added to organizations apart from time management is that they can now save on training expenses through the use of soft wares such as Windows graphical user interface, which enables easy management of users, servers as well as global settings. When integrated together with Live Communications Server 2005, windows-based management tools reduce server management and training costs (Woodruff, 1997). Microsoft’s idea of rolling out new technologies within the market has met mixed reactions from the consumers. The company’s venture in developing Internet Explorer with Windows 98 and other integrated products has been at the centre of the antitrust suits. This is seen as a direct assault on the company’s strategy on software development which is known t o be innovatively involved in unveiling more features, technology and other products into their key components such as Windows NT, SQL server database, and E-mail Server Exchange. The strategies on all these innovations focuses on promoting functions and at the same time reduce prices. The consumer reaction is generally mixed concerning the various practices involved since some view the advantages of the software bundles in terms of pricing as well as product integration while others view the processes as short-term applications (Holbrook, 1999). The company is also prepared to roll out its man flagship development tools as well as emerging middleware. Microsoft at the same time plans to integrate developer’s toolkit systems which comprise AS/400, Oracle, DB2 and VSAM; in addition there is also bundling of Microsoft’s SNA Server. These soft wares would enable easy operations by large scale developers. Microsoft’s automated and well organized system gives custome rs easy time when transacting their businesses and activities through the computers. Their operating system has enabled easy access to required websites enabling consumers to indicate every detail they require through websites hence making majority of work to be efficiently done. The use of electronic sites provides the various steps necessary for completion of any business transactions between suppliers and consumers. The company also offer customers free trial version of their software’s on sale hence enabling buyer confidence after buying the product. The company at the same time grants protection to its customers from fraudulent activities which may occur in the process business transactions. It operating system and software program enables application of all these activities (Ulaga and Eggert, 2005). Microsoft Corporation designs programs which enable consumers to browse through products as fast as possible. The firm utilizes its strong brand for the purposes of driving sales of their software programs and other related services. The brand name at the same time is used for attraction purposes within the new market segments. This is also utilized for the purposes of enhancing partnership between related companies operating within the same industry. The partnerships prove healthy towards market competition since they enable the process of co-branding of the new sites hence granting Microsoft a good market base for sale of its related products and services. There is easier incorporation of activities and use of network systems such as MSN provided by Microsoft Corporation. Partnership with service providers enables the offer of enough space capable of handling new inventions for both small and established businesses (Piercy, 2009). Evaluation of Existing Value Proposition Clear definition of Company’s value proposition gives the required customer base. The value proposition helps in identifying the customers within the chosen market segments wh ere the value seems most attractive. Microsoft has been able to face market competition owing to their simplicity of Integration between vendors and their systems. Such a strategy has not yet been adopted by other competitors such as Apple or Linux. Microsoft servers are capable of running on Windows Platform making it easier for use by consumers. This has granted the Microsoft an advantage over their prime competitors since each contributor has to understand operations of Linux for easy working within the environment. Microsoft’s business model is different from other competitors within the market despite derivation of revenue as well as profit from the sales from the PC’s. The difference comes from the selling of applications and also upgrades software’s to the base of PC’s. The company focuses on investing in new generation operating system and upgraded application software prices. The growth of the already installed base makes it impossible for compet itors to match Microsoft’s current level of operation. The company has got incentives for setting low prices to deal with the growth in the installed base. And at the same time set high prices for the productivity applications enabling the creation of stable financial base from the PC’s installed. The operation of Microsoft’s business models affects such elements as pricing, investment and time of release of new operating systems (Aaarkstores, 2010). Good brand image forms a good basis for company’s future development and progress within the market. This has contributed to Microsoft being one of the sole leaders in computer software manufacturing. The Company utilizes the use of modern and upgraded technology in providing consumers with fine software and services associated with the preferred system. Microsoft makes use of the available resources to provide and win considerable customer base hence an outstanding brand name. The company has supplied the ma rket with high quality software products besides their operating system. At the same time their work environment contributes to the good image since they accord their staff considerable benefits and at the same time everybody treated as equal partners. Strengthening its coverage requires the company to consider reinforcing its relationship with consumers and other potential partners within the marketplace. Microsoft’s level of creativity and innovative ability has been outstanding granting them competitive advantage over other players within the industry. This acts as a source of motivation to various companies willing to emulate their marketing strategies (Johnson et al, 2008, 51-59). There is focus in providing efficiency through Microsoft’s products and services with the aim of capturing organizations. Generally Microsoft has upgraded most of their equipments from computers, websites, operating system and their software programs. The appearing of their brand name on their products provides customers with the assurance of the products and services they are supplied with making the company enjoy global support from loyal clients. Their software engineers are professionally trained hence understands better market needs from professional point of view. This makes it difficult for pirates who are always in the process of selling counterfeit products (Aaarkstores, 2010). Microsoft Corporation’s attribute of participating in corporate social responsibilities such as offering donations to institutions as well as not-for-profit organizations reinforces its good image. The company is greatly involved in organizing seminars within various regions of the world and at the same time indulge in infrastructural development. Their services involve thorough training programs to customers through the company’s website and at the same time provide consumers with enough warrant time regarding some of their highly prized software (Aaarkstores, 2010). Microsoft promotes its image in such manner as being actively involved in environmental issues. Research reveals that majority of consumers in America and other parts of the world are very conscious in buying products from companies which are environmentally conscious. Microsoft participates in community clean-ups besides donating their computers to schools and other institutions. This has helped in improving and developing the image of the company amongst potential clients. Their interest in the well being of the community they serve earns the company greater value and favour amongst the population. They also advance as far as partnering with the various environmental organizations in creating environmental awareness through their websites advising on the importance of conserving available natural resources (Johnson et al, 2008, 51-59). Company’s business model is always dependant on array of players such as; competitors, substitutes, complementary organization, customers as well as suppliers. Microsoft for example complemented so well with Intel to provide the market with valuable products. However, much focus has been given to interdependences between competitors and at the same time between buyers and sellers. Business models have the capability of either reinforcing each other or detracting through competition. Microsoft is currently present in various business sectors such as videogame systems as well as operating systems for the PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance) (Johnson et al, 2008, 51-59). Microsoft Server has the capability of delivering instant messages providing scalable enterprise-grade solution. The system offers enhanced security, seamless integration alongside other Microsoft products and services. The company also offers necessary extensions in their industry-standard development platform. Such upgraded services have enabled organizations to save on costs as well as gaining ground on improved business efficiencies, increased productivi ty, and improved security on Intellectual property through provision of easily managed and available solutions (Aaarkstores, 2010). Microsoft bases their services in the presence of devices which enables instant messaging and at the same time revealing other devices readiness for communication. The devices provide complete picture concerning the user’s status and the nature of their alleged environment made possible through the use of Microsoft CRM. Customers are capable of predicting before time if their devices are ready and available for use. The presence of groups enable point-and-click access initiating instant sharing hence decisions becomes easy to create through Microsoft office programs enabling easy team-centric communications (Aaarkstores, 2010). The company has organized plans based on the available resources such as capital. Microsoft has stable capital base generated from great deal of cash on hand enabling them to capture available opportunities within the mark et. This gives them considerable advantage over small software firms having limited capital from cash on hand, hence forces the small firms to forego great investment opportunities. Microsoft tends to make its strategic plans from corporate level concerning issues on providing high quality software and services to customers. Such plans always involve heavy and aggressive capital investment. At the same time the company makes plans at business unit level making it possible for the business to include additional services besides operating systems and applications software. Such services include provision of internet services as well as video games. This means that the management team gets involved at different capacities making all decisions central to the assigned areas which make accountability easier (Zeithaml, 1988). Microsoft at the same time makes plans at the functional level allowing the specialization and accountability easier. Such strategy is applicable especially in market ing where prices of Microsoft software requires adjustment based on the increasing demand. The company’s scope needs reasonable definition for the purposes of capturing the existing market opportunities. Therefore, Microsoft needs not to identify itself only as Computer Company since such definition may limit the nature of services provided. The mission of the company incorporates in broad terms the different groups of consumer segments served with appropriate technology involved (Frow and Payne, 2008). Figure 2: Diagram showing the processes for on-line sale of an Item Compare and contrast the value proposition with that of the leading competitor in your sector Both Microsoft and Apple Inc aim at satisfying the needs of their respective customers. This is since potential customers differ in their satisfaction levels and at the same time not all customers have the same needs. Different kinds of customers have got different types of preferences and needs more than that which organizations can handle. Different segments carry varied weights based on the kind of needs demanded hence require change in marketing mix used. However, both companies apply the use of differentiation methods for the purposes of reaching their targeted customers. They all fine-tune the elements of their respective marketing mix for the sale of computer products and services. The volume of sales made on the PC’s at particular times depends on the nature of customer value attached to the microprocessor as well as the operating system. The other low values are captured through OS pricing which also determines the coordination between microprocessor and operating system. Previously Apple’s iPod dominated the market as it was seen to be portable as well as its capability to handle digital player segment. The device made Apple Inc to hold over 75% of the US market share since the year 2001. However, the device got a big challenge when Microsoft launched similar device refe rred to as Zune in the iPod segment. Zune attracted more interest and attention compared to Apple’s ipod in terms of features and pricing forcing Apple to reduce its prices by $ 50 in the year 2006. At the same time Microsoft launched a competitive browser to match Mozilla’s Firefox, the browser referred to as Internet Explorer 7 assisted the company in recovering the market segment lost since the year 2004. The software incorporated various features adopted from Mozilla such as integrated search window, tab browsing as well as pop-up window blocker. Such development was countered by Mozilla through release of Firefox 2 which was much up-graded. The strategy sparkled war between the two entities since they each wanted to dominate the market (Fifield, 2007). In conclusion, Microsoft Corporation stands as one of the most successful firms having great deal of technology alongside experienced staff capable of designing software. Their image value wins them considerable mar ket share and respected brand name. However, some units of Microsoft records losses making MSN incapable of achieving desired targets within the market. Besides, the company is faced by various threats which include rapid development from other sectors owing to high economic growth and economic downturn which has affected normal operations owing to high energy costs. Despite all these, Microsoft always takes the opportunity of having strong brand name within the market, hence enabling them to venture into the hardware market. Strong brand name has enabled the company to become trusted source of consumer services in spite of the low sales recorded during recession. Few weaknesses experienced within the company calls for wise decisions in the area of resource allocations. Microsoft is capable of promoting this by pumping enough resources into MSN owing to their good financial base (Andreson et al, 2006). Implementation of new value proposition that will match the value criteria of cus tomers The firm should fulfil its social responsibilities by participating in environmental programs. This has so far enabled Microsoft to win consumer loyalty and at the same time improve its public policies. At the same time the company’s public relations helps in the process of reinforcing their marketing techniques through the internet search engines. The process assist in improvement of sales owing to the fact majority of the customers are capable of applying the use of internet technology. Integration of marketing communication software within Microsoft business system prove vital to the organization since it assists in coordination of strategic transactions within the firm. Public relations have since helped the firm in effective communication since they are able to link directly to customers giving right information about their various products and services. This provides uniqueness of products within the market giving the company ability to attract consumers through their captivating information displays. At the same time it is possible for the firm to earn political goodwill through its social and charitable actions. Microsoft is also capable of foregoing temporary profits through temporal reduction in prices for the purposes of attracting attention hence increasing the demand. Specific actions such as increasing the market share through gaining more distribution stores are of concern to Microsoft. Appropriateness as one of the attributes of Microsoft’s resources should be considered, since it determines the level of financial performance which ultimately leads to attraction of investors. The attribute ensures full utilization of research and development which assist the firm in financing of innovative activities and production of new devices. The nature of financial base also largely determines the various profitable activities guaranteeing the company’s sales. In the same line sustainability also represents one of the most cruc ial attribute of the business models. This is since the uniqueness of the product determines the duration of sustained earnings from the sales of the product (Kotler et al, 2009). Major achievement is enablement of First-Contact resolution where presence of employees is determined through real-time. This reinforces communication since availability of clients is easily detected through available media. There are always frustrations on the side of consumers especially when they are unable to reach their correspondents with right information at the right time (Ulaga and Chacour, 2001). Products and services provided by the company are currently selling hence having value for the market. This should make the Company to involve provision of other related services enabling the sale of computers hence acting as rich sources of the company’s revenue. Microsoft Company should at the same time cooperate with vendors within the supply chain to enable extension of their additional servic es for the convenience of their clients. At the same time the firm offers training facilities to clients hence helping them improve on their online application skills. Microsoft has also created several sites which assists in the sale of consumer based goods like used cars providing their price information and quality details (Lindgreen and Finn, 2005). Internal and external Plan for Microsoft Corporation Microsoft’s goals focus on different aspects of the organization’s management. Their planning basically focuses on impacting the four functions of management. The internal planning incorporates directions in the product processing, human resource management as well as efficient utilization of assets. These include good financial management, creation of conducive working environment to all employees. On the other hand their external plan incorporates such issues as partnerships with other potential companies, political and legislative influences, technological innovati ons as well as environmental concerns. Partnerships and collaborations incorporate demographical changes within the workforce. The company plans to be accountable towards laws and at the same time offer equal opportunities to all its employees. The Company tend to improve on the nature of their service delivery mechanisms and information set-up through new inventions. This would require radical change in the management team for the purposes of matching external competition on quality workforce. Making the environment safe for habitation forms one of the top priorities for the company since they consider following strict legislative rules in the process of product and service distribution. Conclusion Microsoft utilizes public relations effectively since they use all the media channels including websites to provide necessary information to customers. The services are also provided locally through linkages with their main servers at cheaper and affordable prices. The use of company loc al sites in marketing has enabled consumers to quickly locate their various much needed products saving on time and money. The company has expanded its services equally throughout the world within every region some of which include; North and South America, European Countries, Africa as well as Far East countries connected through internet. Microsoft Corporation offers customers products within wholesale markets, there is also services available at retail options and structural efficiencies. The Company offers clients free listing services as well as intensive sales promotion services. Reference List Aaarkstores.2010.Microsoft Corporation; Aaarkstore enterprise market research  Report. Web. Ahmed, K. P. Rafiq, M. 2002. Internal Marketing tools and concepts for customer  Focused management. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier Andreson, J.C., Narus, A.J. van Rossum, W., 2006. Customer Value Propositions In Business Markets. Harvard Business Review, (March), pp.91-99. Barnes, C., Blake, H. Pinder, D. 2009. Creating Delivering your Value  Proposition. London: Kogan Page Dubois, P., Jolibert, A., Muhlbacher, H. 2007. Marketing Management a Value  Creation Process. Palgrave; Macmillan Basingstoke Eggert, A. Ulaga, W. 2002. Customer-perceived value: a substitute for satisfaction In business markets? Journal of Business Industrial Marketing, 3 (17), pp. 107-125 Fifield. P., 2007. Marketing Strategy: The Difference between Marketing and  Markets. (3rd Ed). Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann Flint, D. J., Woodruff, R.B. Fisher G. S. 2002. Exploring the phenomenon of Customers’ desired value change in a business-to-business context. Journal of Marketing, 4 (66), pp 102-17 Frow, P. Payne, A. 2008. The Value Proposition Concept: Evolution, Development  And Application in Marketing Academy of Marketing conference Reflective Marketing in a Material World. Academy of Marketing; Helensborough Holbrook, M., B. 1999. Consumer Value a framework f or analysis and research. Abingdon: Routledge Holbrook M., B. 2003. Customer value and auto-ethnography: subjective personal Introspection and the meanings of a photograph collection. Journal of Business Research, (58), pp 45 – 61 Johnson, M.W., Christensen, C.M. Kagermann, H., 2008. Reinventing your Business Model. Harvard Business Review, (December), pp.51-59. Kotler, P., Keller, K. L., Brady, M., Goodman. M., Hansen, T. 2009. Marketing  Management. 1st European edition Harlow: Prentice Hall Lindgreen, A. Finn, W., 2005. Value in business markets: What do we know? Where are we going? Industrial Marketing Management. (34), pp.732- 748. Payne, A. Holt, S., 2001. Diagnosing Customer Value: Integrating the Value Process and Relationship Marketing. British Journal of Management. 2 (12), pp 159 182. Piercy, N. F. 2009. Market-Led Strategic Change. (4th Ed.) Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann Ulaga, W. Chacour, S. 2001. Measuring customer-perceived value in business Markets: a p rerequisite for marketing strategy development and implementation. Industrial Marketing Management, 6 (30), pp. 525 – 540 Ulaga, W. Eggert, A. 2005. Relationship value in business markets: the construct And its dimensions. Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, 1 (12), pp. 73-99. Woodruff, R.B., 1997. Customer Value: The Next Source for Competitive Advantage.  Journal of the Academy of Marketing Sciences. 2(25), pp.139-154. Zeithaml, V.A.1988. Consumer Perceptions of Price, Quality, and Value: A Means End Model and Synthesis of Evidence. Journal of Marketing, 52 (July), pp 2-22

Rights and Obligations of Ship Owner under the Bill Of Lading Essay

Rights and Obligations of Ship Owner under the Bill Of Lading - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the central role played by the bill of lading in international trade cannot be underestimated. The history of this document dates back to the 14th century where it was merely a receipt showing that the shipowner had received a certain quantity of goods shipped. Later the bill of lading developed in status from the mere receipt it used to be to the level of becoming a document of title. This is in terms of the carriage were progressively incorporated into the bill of lading. In effect, the bill of lading implied possession. For instance, a buyer of goods in port A could not transfer the goods to a third party until the physical goods in the high seas arrived. With the developments in international and the elevation of the bill of lading to a document of the title then a buyer of goods could transfer or resell them to a third party without the physical possession of the goods. This was made possible by the bill of lading which puts an im plied obligation the shipowner to deliver the goods to the holder of the original bill of lading in the agreed port. The duty to ensure delivery of the goods shipped to the holder of the original bill of lading is central to trade and as a result of this duty, being in possession of the original bill of lading impliedly had the same effect as being in possession of the goods in transit. From the above short overview, there are several duties imposed on the shipowner by the bill of lading. Key among these being the duty to deliver the cargo to the holder of the original bill of lading, failure to do so makes the carrier liable both in contract and tort. The following essay explores the duties and rights of the shipowner under the bill of lading in details.

Practical Life Activities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Practical Life Activities - Essay Example The same rules stand for child development. Practical life activities provide an integrated approach towards intelligence and movement while depending on logic and will (Montessori, 108a). The very feeling of love and care becomes the guiding path in motivating the will. The result has a very fascinating with children found to be helpful while participating in lunch and snacks preparation; and also keeping themselves busy on the dining table; spreading bread and also adding a bouquet of flowers. The other type of learning that must get into the part of practical activity is that of good manners along with the movement that suits the culture and proper behavior which includes closing the doors quietly, greeting others with smile and not interrupting in a conversation. Practical activities help in developing these etiquettes in a sequence of steps thereby keeping the child aware of orderly living laced with logical activity (Montessori, 201a). The basic Reference Mo

Improve the Quality of Public Education Research Paper

Improve the Quality of Public Education - Research Paper Example It is feasible that, the child students and young graduates are finding difficult to understand what the social or family value is. Divide of joint family into the small parts can create negative mentality. Therefore, young generation cannot understand the proper family tradition and values. Several political issues and individualism is another reason behind the decline of public education system in America (Sexton, 2012). Privatization and high corruption level regarding the fund distribution is creating barriers for the development of schools. In the year 1996, the federal government of America has provided 10 percent of total funding to the public schools. Moreover, the remainder comes from the local and state sources, but it was evidenced that the poll did not organize any kind of inquiry commission to about the decrease or increase in local or state investment (Peltzmen, 1992). Since 2000, the government of America used to focus on the private educational institute. The people o f middle income level find it very much difficult to admit their child in this expensive private educational institution due to low disposable income. The economic downturn is the only reason for this low disposable income of people. Moreover, the government did not take appropriate initiatives for these kinds of issues. Slowly and gradually, the quality of education in the public schools has decreased. Responsibility of Teachers The public education of America is in a declining stage. Teachers and administrators have become very much incompetent and have been biased by the inadequate regulatory system. Low academic preparation is another issue... This paper approves that train the trainer is one of the key leadership developments. The federal government of America should focus on educating members, volunteers and other coalition partners in order to train the teachers properly. Confidence building is necessary for the teachers in order to teach the students appropriately. Presently, the public education system is lacking the quality and several aspects. Government of America should make and manage commitments in order to develop the public education system. Last but not the least; government should look forward to overcome the problematic economic and social situation. Presently, the crime rate is rapidly increasing in America. On the other hand, the low disposable income of middle class people is creating barrier for the parents to admit their child in the expensive private graduate schools. This paper makes a conclusion that some effective recommendation plans have been provided in order to overcome the challenges linked with the public education system in America. As it is feasible from the study is that, several economical, social and political factors and government’s negligence is affecting the public education structure. Moreover, teachers’ inadequate teaching process is creating difficulty for the students. The economic recession, low disposable income of people and political corruption has decreased the quality of education in the public schools. Moreover, teacher’s partiality while evaluating the exam papers is restricting the deserved students to perform effectively. Therefore, it is necessary for government to look after these issues and challenges in order to bring the light of education within the whole American Society.

The Effects Of Carbon Dioxide Environmental Sciences Essay

The Effects Of Carbon Dioxide Environmental Sciences Essay Carbon dioxide is a simple mixture of exactly what it sounds like; one part carbon with two oxygen atoms attached to it. Carbon dioxide is in a gaseous state at normal temperatures and its chemical equation is stated as CO2. The gas originates from many different sources around the globe. Some of the most common and highest producers of CO2 are: fossil fuel combustion, iron and steel production, natural gas refinery systems, and the manufacturing of cement. The burning of fossil fuels is the largest single producer of CO2 gas. Many people associate this with the internal combustion engine which powers the modern automobile. In fact, the largest producer of carbon dioxide, in the United States, within the fossil fuel combustion group is the generation of electricity (EPA). Transportation comes in second place in the United States for CO2 production levels. This includes the burning of gasoline, diesel fuel, and many other petroleum based fuels. Although the burning of fossil fuels hap pens to be the largest source of CO2 there are also natural causes of the gas within the atmosphere. The breathing of animals, volcanic eruptions, and release of CO2 from the ocean, which happens to be a large carbon sink (meaning that it stores mass amounts of carbon), are all natural causes of carbon dioxide. One of the great parts about our Earth is the natural way it can clean itself. Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas within our atmosphere. Due to this naturally occurring substance there is a natural way for decreasing the levels of CO2. The processes that absorb and consume carbon dioxide consist of the natural photosynthesis process in which plants/trees use the suns energy and convert it into food. During this process carbon dioxide is drawn in through the leaves and stored within the main mass of the plant/tree. The carbon is then drawn into the soil through the roots of the agricultural crop or tree. This is natures way of drawing the carbon dioxide out of the air and into the ground where it can be stored. Although the plants have temporarily removed the CO2 from the atmosphere the substance still exists and can be re-released into the atmosphere through a tilling process of the ground or digging up the soil. Even though the carbon dioxide is being released into the air again this is how nature self regulates the CO2 on its own. With naturally occurring carbon dioxide levels this process works great. However, it cant completely compensate for human generated carbon dioxide levels which are produced today. The CO2 emissions today are higher than natural amounts due to the burning of fossil fuels as previously mentioned. These increased emissions due to fossil fuels burning can be reduced and battled in order to try and keep the CO2 levels at a manageable amount instead of becoming out of control as the current trend is currently working toward. Technology will help us to develop machines and devices to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. However, currently we do not have the technology to completely eliminate the gas from our emission list. In order to reduce CO2 emission levels action must be taken to enhance a device in the exhaust of modern machinery. New technologies could also be introduced to various other parts of the combustion process in order to make it more efficient. The more efficient a combustion process is, less fuel will be needed and therefore less CO2 will be produced from that running engine. A great way of reducing the carbon diox ide levels would be to switch over to a different type of fuel energy in order to receive the same amount of work time, or more, with less maintenance. One method of reducing CO2 levels is to use Carbon sequestration. This process involves capturing the exiting carbon dioxide and storing it underwater or underground in order to reduce the CO2 levels in the air. It is a very costly process but it is an option available for reduction of carbon dioxide (Zactruba). The industrial revolution was a major improvement for the world. During this time there werent any regulations on carbon dioxide levels emitted from production plants. Therefore plants back then were producing large amounts of CO2 and nobody thought anything of it until testing was done at a later date. Cars built during this time period were not fitted with emissions sensors and parts due to the lack of requirements for the emissions gasses and the lack of technology during the time. Levels of various different gasses are tested every so often and in 2005 the CO2 levels were tested and the results showed an increase of 35% over the levels tested before the industrial revolution hit. This proves that the industrial revolution along with current fossil fuel burning has produced mass quantities of CO2 and placed the gas into the atmosphere (EPA). The increase in carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is said to have been a contributing factor to the global warming effect. CO2 is named a greenhouse gas along with other gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. These retain heat and emit it at the same time. This causes a long term warming effect with increases in concentrations of the gases. Major increases in the amount of carbon dioxide will lead to this heating effect. With no mass effective way to decrease the amount of CO2 in the air it will be hard to reverse this effect unless a different form of combustion and transportation is developed. With new and emerging technologies it can seem feasible to create a device or vehicle that doesnt emit carbon dioxide through the exhaust of the vehicle or the process of creating the fuel needed to move the vehicle. This technology sounds amazing and revolutionizing. However, it has not yet been fully developed and no promises have been made toward it either.

Value Added Tax :: Economy, Government

Value Added Tax or VAT as it is called is the most common alternative strategy implemented by many countries to deal with inefficiencies within the tax system. VAT provides an opportunity to modernize the indirect tax system, to make it more efficient, appropriate and simpler. Value added tax (VAT), is a final consumption tax levied on value added or mark up on a good or service, at each and every stage of the production and distribution chain. Value Added is the value that a business adds to its raw materials or purchases before selling the good/service. It is the mark up on that cost price. Vat is a modern tax. It was first introduced in France in 1948. Currently it is implemented in over 100 countries around the world including the Caribbean. In 1948, France implemented it at the manufacturing level only. In 1967, Brazil implemented it at all levels and by the 1970/80s, VAT was implemented in 63 countries. According to information gathered from the VAT implementation office, in the Caribbean, VAT is currently in operation in: Haiti(1982), Dominican Republic(1983), Trinidad and Tobago(1990), Jamaica(1991), Barbados(1997), Belize(2006), Dominica(2006), Guyana(2007), Antigua and Barbuda(2007) and St. Vincent(2007). VAT is currently being introduced/considered in St. Lucia and St. Kitts. It is being re-introduced in Grenada. Discussions on a VAT system, in St. Lucia, started as far back as 2003, from the recommendations of the Tax Reform and Administration Commission of the ECCU, as a strategy to manage the various indirect taxes. This was followed in the 2007 budget address by the late Sir John Compton where he indicated the intention to introduce a Value Added Tax system in St. Lucia. According to information gathered from the VAT Implementation Project office: VAT will not be an additional Tax. VAT is a replacement tax for some of the indirect taxes, currently being collected by the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs and Excise Department. Thus, VAT will not change the direct taxation system. It will, however, replace or reduce a number of indirect taxes. Since VAT and Consumption Tax cannot operate together, VAT will replace Consumption Tax. In order to charge VAT, a business must meet a Threshold. The threshold will be the minimum annual sales amount ($) for a business. These businesses must register with the VAT Office. Under VAT, registered businesses are called taxpayers. With VAT, business entities are categorized into two groups; registered businesses and unregistered businesses. Registered businesses includes individuals, partnership, companies or other entities who supply goods and services in the courses of business- they pay VAT on purchases charge VAT on sales and can claim input tax credit.

History of Nursing Research Worksheet Essay

Nursing Research covers key issues, including health promotion, human responses to illness, acute care nursing research, symptom management, cost-effectiveness, vulnerable populations, health services, and community-based nursing studies† (Henly, 2013). Sigma Theta Tau Journal published by this organization is now called Image—The Journal of Nursing ScholarshipFirst published: 1967 Importance: â€Å"This widely read and respected journal features peer-reviewed, thought-provoking articles representing research by some of the world’s leading nurse researchers. Reaching health professionals, faculty and students in 90 countries, the Journal of Nursing Scholarship is focused on the health of people throughout the world. It reflects the society’s dedication to providing the tools necessary to improve nursing care around the world† (Hegyvary, 2011). Research in Nursing and Health First published: 1978 Importance: â€Å"a general peer-reviewed research journal devoted to publication of a wide range of research and theory that will inform the practice of nursing and other health disciplines. It has influenced on nursing education administration, health issues related to nursing, and testing research in practice† (â€Å"Research In Nursing & Health â€Å", n. d. ). Western Journal of Nursing Research First published: 1979 Importance: â€Å"The dissemination of research studies, book reviews, discussion and debate, and meeting calendars, all directed to a general nursing audience. It has risen to the challenges of the ever-changing nursing research field, providing an innovative forum for nurse researchers, students and clinical practitioners to participate in ongoing scholarly debate† (Conn, 2013). Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing PracticeFirst published: 1987 Importance: â€Å"Research and Theory for Nursing Practice (former named Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice) focuses on issues relevant to improving nursing practice, education, and patient care. The articles strive to discuss knowledge development in its broadest sense, reflect research using a variety of methodological approaches, and combine several methods and strategies in a single study. Because of the journal’s international emphasis, article contributors address the implications of their studies for an international audience† (â€Å"Springer Publish Company†, 2013). Applied Nursing ResearchFirst published: 1988 Importance: â€Å"To present original, peer-reviewed research findings clearly and directly for clinical applications in all nursing specialties. Regular features include ‘Ask the Experts,’ research briefs, clinical methods, book reviews, news and announcements, and an editorial section. Applied Nursing Research covers such areas as pain management, patient education, discharge planning, nursing diagnosis, job stress in nursing, nursing influence on length of hospital stay, and nurse/physician collaboration† (â€Å"Applied Nursing Research†, 2013). Nursing Science QuarterlyFirst published: 1988 Importance: â€Å"Nursing Science Quarterly (NSQ) is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal publishing original manuscripts focusing on nursing theory development, nursing theory-based practice and quantitative and qualitative research related to existing nursing frameworks, contributed by the leading theorists, researchers and nurse executives† (â€Å"Nursing Science Quarterly†, 2013). Conduct and Utilization of Research in NursingFirst published: 1982-1983 Importance: â€Å"The Conduct and Utilization of Research in Nursing (CURN) project, an organizational approach, was designed to develop and test a model for using research-based knowledge in clinical practice settings† (Morse, 2006). Annual Review of Nursing ResearchFirst published: 1983 Importance: â€Å"The purpose of this annual review is to critically examine the full gamut of literature on key topics in nursing practice, including nursing theory, care delivery, nursing education, and the professional aspects of nursing. ARNR has brought together internationally recognized experts in the fields of nursing, and continues to deliver the highest standards of content and authoritative reviews of research for students, researchers, and clinicians† (â€Å"Springer Publishing Company†, 2013). AgenciesEstablishment date and goal or function: American Nurses’ Association (ANA) Council of Nurse Researchers Established: 1972 Goal: â€Å"The Council of Nurse Researchers helped with the development of research endeavors, gave credit to meritorious research, and facilitated the discussion of research ideas† (Burns ; Grove, 2009). National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR)Established: 1993 Goal: â€Å"NINR is to promote and improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations. NINR supports and conducts clinical and basic research and research training on health and illness across the lifespan to build the scientific foundation for clinical practice, prevent disease and disability, manage and eliminate symptoms caused by illness, and improve palliative and end-of-life care† (â€Å"National Institute Of Nursing Research†,

The Stupidest Angel Chapter 21

Chapter 21 AVENGING ANGEL Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, Theo thought. He twisted his ankle when he hit the ground; pain shot up his leg like liquid fire. He fell and rolled onto his back in the mud. He'd pushed the remote button that unlocked the Range Rover too soon the vehicle had chirped and the lights had blinked, alerting the undead. He'd made the jump blind, and missed. They were coming for him. He pushed himself up and started hopping toward the Range Rover the car key ready in his right hand, his flashlight lost behind him in the mud. Grab him, you rotting fucks,† screamed Dale Pearson. Theo fell forward as his good foot slipped out from under him, but he rolled back to his feet, a bolt of pain shooting white-hot across his shin. He caught himself on the back window of the black Range Rover, snatching at the rear wiper for balance. He risked a glance back toward his pursuers and heard a loud thump by his head followed by a deafening screech. He turned just in time to see a skeletal woman sliding across the roof of the Range Rover, leading with her teeth. He ducked, but not before he felt fingernails raking his neck, teeth thumping into his scalp. She rode him to the ground and he could feel a grating pain in his head as the zombie tried to bite through his skull. His face was pushed into the mud. His nostrils and mouth filled with water, and amid a flashing whiteness of terror he thought, I'm so sorry, Molly. â€Å"Yuck! That's hideous!† said Bess Leander, spitting a couple of teeth on the back of Theo's head. Marty in the Morning grabbed Theo by the head and licked the teeth marks that Bess had left. â€Å"That's horrible. He's stoned. I'm not eating stoned brains.† The undead moaned in disappointment. â€Å"Get him up,† said Dale. Theo inhaled a great spray of mud along with his first breath and he went into a coughing fit as the undead lifted him up and held him against the back window of the Range Rover. Someone wiped the mud out of his eyes, and a stench that made him gag filled his nostrils. He could see the dead but animated face of Dale Pearson only inches from his own. The corpse's foul breath overwhelmed him. Theo tried to twist away from the evil Santa, but decaying hands held his head fast. â€Å"Hey, hippie,† said Dale. He held Theo's flashlight down by his Santa beard to illuminate his face from below. There were two stripes of bloody drool running down either side of the beard. â€Å"You're not thinking that your pot-smoking ways are going to save you, are you? Don't.† He pulled a snub-nose revolver out of the pocket of his red coat and shoved it under Theo's chin. â€Å"We'll have plenty to eat. We can afford to waste you.† Dale ripped open the Velcro fasteners of Theo's jacket and started feeling around his waist. â€Å"No gun? You suck as a lawman, hippie.† He went to the pockets of Theo's cop shirt. â€Å"But this! The one thing you can be depended on for.† Dale held up Theo's lighter, then reached in, tore the whole pocket off the cop shirt, and wrapped the dry fabric around the lighter. â€Å"Marty, try this. Keep it dry.† Dale gave the lighter to a rotting guy with a wet Ziggy Stardust red mullet, who slogged back to the pile of debris at the side of the chapel. Theo watched as Marty in the Morning bent over the pile of plywood, pine branches, two-by-fours, cardboard, and the torn-up body of Ben Miller. The wind was still whipping, the rain less intense now, but even so the drops stung Theo's face when they hit. Don't light, don't light, don't light, Theo chanted in his head, but then his hope drained away when he saw the orange flame catch on the debris, and Marty in the Morning pull away with his sleeve on fire. Dale Pearson stepped aside so Theo could see the fire whipping up the side of the building, then put the .38 against Theo's temple. â€Å"Take a good look at our little barbecue fire, hippie. It's the last thing you're going to see. We're gonna eat your crazy wife's brains char-broiled.† Theo smiled, happy that Molly wasn't inside, wouldn't be part of the massacre. â€Å"I didn't hear ‘Shave and a Haircut, † said Ignacio Nunez. â€Å"Did you hear ‘Shave and a Haircut'?† Tuck panned his flashlight across a dozen frightened faces, then one whole side of the chapel went orange with the light from the fire outside the windows. One woman screamed, others stared in horror as smoke started to snake in around the window frames. â€Å"Change of plan,† Tuck said. â€Å"We go now. Guys in front of your groups. Give the car keys to the next person back.† â€Å"They'll be waiting for us,† said Val Riordan. â€Å"Fine, you burn up,† Tuck said. â€Å"Guys, knock over whatever gets in your way, everyone behind just keep going for the cars.† All the barricades and braces had been removed from the chapel doors. Tuck put his shoulder against one door, Gabe Fenton was on the other. â€Å"Ready. One, two, three!† They threw their shoulders against the doors and bounced back into the others. The doors had only opened a couple of inches. Someone shone a flashlight through the gap to reveal a huge pine-tree trunk braced against one of the doors. â€Å"New plan,† shouted Tuck. Theo tried to look at the fire, but he couldn't see beyond the undead eyes of Dale Pearson. Thought had fled. There was just fear and anger and the pressure of the gun barrel against his temple. He heard a whooshing sound and a thump by his ear and the gun barrel was gone. Dale Pearson was stepping away from him, holding a dark stump where his gun hand had just been. Dale opened his mouth to shout something, but in that second a thin line appeared across his face at nostril level and half of his head slid to the ground. He slumped in a pile at Theo's feet. The hands that were holding Theo let go. â€Å"Brains!† screamed one of the undead. â€Å"Crazy-woman brains!† Theo fell on top of Dale's rekilled body, then spun around to see what was happening. â€Å"Hi, honey,† Molly said. She stood on the roof of the Range Rover, grinning, wearing a leather jacket, sweatpants, and her red Converse All Stars, holding the ancient Japanese sword in Hasso No Kamae before her, the blade gleaming orange in the light from the burning church. There was a dark swath across the blade where it had hewn the head of the zombie Santa. Theo had never been a religious man, but he thought in that instant that this must be what it was like to look on the face of an avenging angel. The zombies who had been holding Theo reached for Molly's legs, and in a single motion she stepped back and brought the sword around in a low arc that sent a rain of severed hands flying into the mud. The undead wailed around her, and tried to claw their way onto the SUV with their stumps. Bess Leander tried to replicate the move she had used on Theo, stepping up the hood behind Molly and diving across the roof of the Range Rover. Molly spun and sidestepped, making a low swing with her sword that would have not looked out of place on a golf course. Bess's head rolled off the top of the Land Rover into Theo's lap. He pushed it aside and got to his feet. â€Å"Honey, you might want to go let everyone out of the chapel before they burn up,† said Molly. â€Å"I'm not sure you want to watch this.† † ‘Kay,† said Theo. The undead had left their stations at the front and back doors of the chapel, where they had been waiting to ambush the escaping partyers, and charged Molly. Three fell headless while Molly stood on the Land Rover, but as they surrounded her, she ran and leaped over the heads of the mob, landing behind them. Theo ran for the front doors of the chapel, his vision blurred from the rain and the blood running into his eyes from the bite wound on his head. He looked back for a second and saw Molly sailing over the top of her attackers. He nearly ran into two great pine logs that had been braced against the chapel doors. He looked back a second and caught a glimpse of Molly mowing down two more zombies, one split down the middle from the crown of his head to his sternum, then he turned and tried to get his back under one of the logs. â€Å"Theo, is that you?† Gabe Fenton had his face pressed in an inch-wide gap between the doors. â€Å"Yeah. There are logs against the doors,† Theo said. â€Å"I'm going to try to move them.† Theo took three deep breaths and lifted for all he was worth, feeling as if veins would explode in his temples. The wound on his head throbbed with every heartbeat. But the tree trunk moved a couple of inches. He could do this. â€Å"Is it working?† yelled Gabe. â€Å"Yeah, yeah,† said Theo. â€Å"Give me a second.† â€Å"It's filling up with smoke in here, Theo.† â€Å"Right.† Theo strained again and the log moved another two inches to the right. Another foot and they'd be able to get the door open. â€Å"Hurry, Theo,† said Jenny Masterson. â€Å"It's – † She went into a coughing fit and couldn't finish what she was saying. Theo could hear everyone coughing inside. Wails of rage and pain were coming from the side of the chapel where Molly was fighting. She must be okay, they were still yelling about eating her brain. Another lift, another two inches. Gray smoke was streaming out the crack between the doors. Theo fell to his knees with the effort and almost passed out. He shook himself back into consciousness, and as he prepared to put his back into another effort, hoping it wouldn't be his last, he noticed that the screaming had stopped at the side of the chapel. Rain, wind, the coughing of the trapped, and the crackle of the fire. That was all he heard. â€Å"Oh my God. Molly!† he screamed. A hand on his cheek, a voice at his ear. â€Å"Hey, sailor, need a little hand getting your church door open, if you know what I mean?† Sirens sounded in the distance. Someone had seen the burning chapel through the storm and had somehow gotten through to the volunteer fire department. The Lonesome Christmas survivors were gathered in the middle of the parking lot, illuminated by headlights. The heat from the fire had driven them nearly seventy-five yards to the street. Even this far away, Theo could feel the heat on his cheek from the fire as Lena Marquez bandaged his head. Others sat in the open hatchbacks of SUVs, trying to catch their breath after being exposed to the smoke, drinking bottled water or just lying there dazed. Around the burning chapel the wet pine forest steamed, a great white cloud rising into the sky. Down the left side of the chapel: carnage – a rekilling ground of the undead, where Molly had hacked them into submission, even chasing down the last few in the woods and decapitating them after she and Theo had let the partyers out of the chapel. Molly sat beside Theo, under the open hatchback of someone's Expedition. â€Å"How did you know?† he asked. â€Å"How could you possibly have known?† â€Å"The bat told me,† Molly said. â€Å"You mean he showed up and you said, ‘What's wrong, boy, is Timmy trapped down a well? and he barked to tell you that's what was wrong? Like that?† â€Å"No,† Molly said. â€Å"It was like, ‘Your husband and a bunch of other people have barricaded themselves in the chapel against a horde of brain-eating zombies and you need to go save them. Like that. He has some kind of accent. Sounds Spanish.† â€Å"I for one am glad that you went off your meds,† said Tucker Case, who was standing next to Lena as she bandaged Theo's head. â€Å"A few hallucinations are a small price to pay, if you ask me.† Molly held up her hand for him to be quiet. She stood and brushed the pilot aside, looking back toward the burning church. A tall dark figure in a long coat was coming toward them through the killing field. â€Å"Oh no,† said Theo. â€Å"Everyone get in the cars and lock them.† â€Å"No,† Molly said, dismissing Theo's instructions with a distracted backward wave. â€Å"We're okay.† She met the angel in the middle of the parking lot. â€Å"Merry Christmas,† said the angel. â€Å"Yeah, you, too,† said Molly. â€Å"Have you seen the child? Joshua?† asked Raziel. â€Å"There's a kid over there with the others,† said Molly. â€Å"That's probably him.† â€Å"Take me to him.† â€Å"That's him,† Theo said. â€Å"That's the robot guy.† â€Å"Shhhhhh,† Molly shushed. Raziel walked to where Emily Barker was holding her son, Joshua, sitting on the back of Molly's Honda. â€Å"Mom,† wailed Joshua. He hid his face in his mother's chest. But Emily was still stunned by witnessing her mate's death, and she didn't react at all except to hold the boy tighter. Raziel put his hand on the boy's head. â€Å"Fear not,† he said. â€Å"For I bring you tidings of great joy. Behold, your Christmas wish has been granted.† The angel waved toward the fire and the carnage and the exhausted and terrified survivors as if he were a game-show hostess presenting a washer/dryer set. â€Å"Not what I would have wished for,† the angel said, â€Å"but I am but a lowly messenger.† Josh rolled in his mother's arms and faced the angel. â€Å"I didn't ask for this. This isn't what I wished for.† â€Å"Sure it is,† said Raziel. â€Å"You wished that the Santa you saw killed be brought back to life.† â€Å"No, I didn't.† â€Å"That's what you said. You said you wanted him brought back to life.† â€Å"That's not what I meant,† said Joshua. â€Å"I'm a kid. I don't always get stuff right.† â€Å"I'll vouch for that,† said Tucker Case, stepping up behind the angel. â€Å"He is a kid, and he is wrong most of the time.† â€Å"We still should cut your head off,† said Josh. â€Å"See,† said Tuck. â€Å"Always wrong.† â€Å"Well, if you didn't mean you wanted him brought back to life, what did you mean?† asked Raziel. â€Å"I didn't mean I wanted Santa to be a zombie and kill big, dumb Brian and everything. I wanted everything to be okay. Like it never happened. So it would be a good Christmas.† â€Å"That's not what you said,† said Raziel. â€Å"That's what I wanted,† said Joshua. â€Å"Oh,† said the angel. â€Å"Sorry.† â€Å"So he's an angel?† Theo said to Molly. â€Å"Like a real angel?† Molly nodded, smiling. â€Å"Not a killer robot?† Molly shook her head. â€Å"He's here to grant a Christmas wish, to one child.† â€Å"Like it never happened?† the angel asked Joshua. â€Å"Yeah!† said Josh. â€Å"Oops,† said the angel. Molly stepped over and put her hand on the angel's shoulder. â€Å"Raziel, you fucked up. Fix it?† The angel looked at her and grinned. Perfect teeth, if a little sharp. â€Å"So be it,† he said. â€Å"Glory to God in the highest, peace on Earth, goodwill toward men.†