Jane Austen said of Emma ‘she is a character who no-one but myself will much like.’ Examine the idea of Emma as a likeable character

Jane Austen said of Emma ‘she is a character who no-one but myself will much like.' Examine the idea of Emma as a likeable character. On deciding my opinion of Emma from what I have perceived of her, I took into account the different influences when reading it. In the period when the book was written, the character of Emma would have been disliked by the audience whoever read it in Austen's time would have felt she is headstrong and could have been seen as a woman who rebels against society. This is shown in the novel when she is speaking to Mr. Elton and refusing his proposal, â€Å"believe me, sir, I am far, very far, from gratified in being the object of such professions.† In this time women were influenced by society to marry for wealth in order to secure their future. The author's opinion on Emma is â€Å"she is a character who no-one but myself will much like.† However these very same characteristics would be viewed by the modern world as acceptable because more women in today's society are found to be more independent and are headstrong. Reading through the book at different points, we can see the many flaws and strengths Emma has a character. As a reader we notice how she is a loyal friend and considerate both towards Harriet and her father Mr. woodhouse. But we also see how she can be manipulative to Harriet and thoughtless to miss bates â€Å"it was as much as Emma could bare without being impolite.† The idea of the author describing the situation by using the bare would suggest to us that the predicament she is in; to her is something very bad and difficult to get out. The reason the author chose this was to get the readers to understand what Emma's feelings are at that point, being there and listening to miss bates, at this point I empathize with Emma, she is being patronizing but polite towards miss bates. It's in this chapter 43 where she finds miss bates dull, but to say those things in her society would be frowned upon. However in certain times of the book I find Emma to be too full of her and should learn how to respect others. Although generally my opinion of Emma would be that I like her and the character she is, is believable as her characteristics are found in all of us. Even if the book may portray the other characters in another way not showing the reader what they are truly like so we cant judge Emma's actions against theirs. I find Emma to be a typical human by the way she acts. Emma has her own opinions and voices them out if what others are saying or doing her is against. This shows Emma as a strong minded individual and doesn't believe in the way society is governed, to me as a reader, it seems that Emma is restrained and held back by society. When studying at the character of Emma in the period of Austen, the readers may approach Emma differently. Their views and opinions of her may change due to the way the society of their time worked. The fact that Emma was rude publicly to miss bates where she voiced out her opinions of her, â€Å"ah ma'am, but there maybe a difficulty. Pardon me – but you will be limited as to number – only three at once.† in this sentence you can see that when Emma says this, there is hardly a pause and that the thoughts come easily to her but what she says is not justified for in the period this was written if certain members did not cooperate with each other they were taught to refrain themselves from speaking nastily about them out loud. People in Austen's society, when reading this book, would disapprove of Emma when she talks about her feelings towards marriage. At this point, us the audience can now see Emma at a different perspective, we now see how selfish she is capable of being when she declares that she will marry Mr. knightly for love and not wealth but advises her friend Harriet to marry for social status on page 48. This links to when Harriet tells Emma that she plans to marry Mr. Martin for love but Emma dismisses this idea and encourages Harriet to find someone else and marry them for wealth. However Emma's feelings change yet again when Harriet confides in her and tells Emma that she believes to be in love with Mr. knightly, here we see Emma change moods and projects Harriet to be beneath Mr. knightly and that she does meet the expectations. This is where Emma clings to established idea only when it suits her, but does turn against them, to the readers it would suggest to them that Emma is confused about where she stands and what she wants to believe in. she seems as though her character is rather fickle. At the time when this book was written women were expected to marry mainly for wealth and social status in order to secure their future and well being. But in the 19th century at the time when this was being written, there had been a huge change in the social structures because of heightened industry. New money had been introduced and began to make its mark; Austen satirizes this least confident, most pompous part of society such as the Coles. Rank was determined by family history and not current wealth. Mr. Weston is of good family but is not a historical landowner. This is where Emma clings to established ideas only when it suits her but does go against them. People reading Emma in Austen's time would find Emma too headstrong and seems to have no respect. This also links to when Harriet wishes to marry Mr. martin for love but is persuaded by Emma to refuse him and marry someone else who is financially secure, however when Emma finds out about Harriet's feelings towards Mr. knightly, Emma's mood switches and makes Harriet sound as though she is beneath him and not good enough. One incident in the book where Emma shows this is when Mr. Weston marries Miss Taylor â€Å"a portion less governess.† Emma also illustrates her changing attitudes in society as well when Emma is distasteful of the Coles and Mrs. Elton who have come into money only recently and here Emma refers to that by commenting â€Å"she bought no name, no blood†¦Ã¢â‚¬  in this quote Emma uses blood in a very personal context about people now becoming wealthy, she sticks to old hierarchical values which shows she lacks forward thinking. In Austen's period men were allowed to make matches with no money and social security if the woman was pretty and accomplished. With this attitude in today's society because woman now have a near equal status, the idea wouldn't be welcomed and maybe frowned upon by us. Also both partners are expected to have some money and had an education. In chapter 8 it backs up my point as Mr. knightly is arguing with Emma about influencing Harriet's decision in marrying Mr. martin because Harriet's background is unknown and its because of this that none of the characters can make a true judgment as who will be best suited to Harriet. Here it shows one of Emma's faults as she is quick to judge without knowing all the facts. We would perceive her as more of the type of person we would associate with our modern society, as well as looking at the people around us in our world and comparing it to the time the book was written; over the years women have grown more independent and it is seems clearly in our society. Women are seen to be more head strong and focused for what they are aiming for in life, and the character of Emma enforces this. She had formed her own opinions of people and had admitted that she is quite happy to match make even if others disapprove. â€Å"I have none of the usual inducements of wanting to marry†¦fortune I do not want, employment I do not want†. Emma's thoughts of marriage and love is put to the reader she also refuses to acknowledge about the qualities men look for in a wife, such as security and for the women to be pretty and accomplished. Her refusal to these codes, caused problems between men, and relationships. This idea could be linked to when she refuses Mr. Elton as she does not love him and is also not prepared to commit herself to him. Mr. Elton is a wealthy character and in Austin's time Emma would have been expected to marry him. In today's society, many young single women take an interest in their friend's future and also match make, but in our time it is very much welcomed. Also in our modern environment people of become less shallow about wealth and appearance, and when they marry, they marry for love and not wealth, compared to Austin's era. Touching on the idea that Emma is more ahead of her time in the opinions of love and marriage, we ourselves look back and see her character as normal for most of her actions are exactly what we today would feel, such as being honest about our feelings of other people, whether we like them or not. As well as advising or helping our friends, choose partners. When Emma is helping her friend Harriet by introducing her to gentlemen, people in Aust in's time as well as our society would approve of her doing that. At the period of time, the author was writing, she was at that point single and un-married. She had strong feelings against loveless marriages and with these emotions Jane Austin has established her characters, for instance she herself is written as Emma, Miss Taylor's role is idealized and Jane Fairfax; her position is more realistic as her outcome/marriage to Frank Churchill is looked upon as unlikely. She focuses on Emma's character to put across to the readers, her views on marrying for love as the outcome for Emma is that she marries Mr. Knightly for love. With Austin's female characters she removes them from actual society and romanticizes. The readers expectations of a happy ending is marriage, Emma is shown to have learnt that marriage is good. Could Austin be shown to be ironic? I think that at the time Austin was writing most, if not, all stories finish with a happy ending and it was unusual if they did not. I also, have the idea that the reason why she chose Emma to fall in love and then marry, is that she probably wanted to show people in her society that it is possible to stop caring so much about money and to marry someone you care about. However, when I contemplate this idea I begin to wonder, why, if my theory is correct in some way, that she chooses Emma to act peculiar and show her clinging onto establish ideas when it suits her. Most women in Austin's period would not have been troubled or confused about their feelings towards their marriages and the gentlemen they married, where as Emma at one point asks herself for a clear answer about what she feels for Mr. Churchill. â€Å"I will certainly not persuade myself to feel more then I do†¦he is undoubtedly very much in love everything denotes it very much in love indeed†. By ending the story happily its suggests to the reader as well as taking into account Austin's views, that perhaps Austin is wanting this in her own life, such as to find a gentleman she loves and marry. There are two explanations as to why Austin is doing this, it could in away be that the author feels threatened in someway, that she may never marry as she is turned against society for promising to marry for love and with this idea she uses Emma to portray what she wishes. The other explanation is taken from a modern point of view that Austin is looking at the realistic side of marriages, such as love and not the materialistic side, for readers of today would respect Austin and the character of Emma for feeling this way. By Austin making this promise to her she is in a way making a statement to her society by using Emma's character to mould Austin's emotions. By ending the story with Emma marrying, Austin in turn hopes that she will find a gentleman, that she loves and will eventual ly marry him. The position of Emma's character in the social hierarchy is that she is a daughter from a father who is a substantial land owner. She has been brought up in a well to do family, who has a history of wealth which they are flourishing in. It is from this situation that Emma has formed her opinions, on the ‘old' times and is distasteful to people who have recently come into money, due to the society shake up. When a woman, such as Emma is born into high society, she is expected to help the less fortunate, by attending to them and giving them food, which improves her character and it, is thought by doing this, it will help her have a better profile when marrying. Readers in Austin's period would agree with Emma helping the less fortunate, however in our society we would respect this charitable act. Although, the mentioning of the poor and needy, conditions in their time were largely missed out of the novel. But Austin writes of one visit to the poor, which is to heighten Emma's charity due to her command of the narrative. This is shown when Emma and Harriet pay a visit to Miss Bates house and offer help, also the topical issues such as social structures are held to irony and exaggeration. Because Emma is expected to be charitable she is also predicted to be nice to those lower in the social status such as Miss Bates. However, because of Emma's view on the resent monies and the people who h ave reaped the benefits and become rich, Emma acts pleasantly towards them, but in our society we would class that as an insult and snobbery. â€Å"With the father who is affectionate and indulgent† towards Emma. Would help us to understand Emma's view on certain things; possibly it is the father who has enforced the established ideas on Emma. From studying the characters of Jane Fairfax, Emma and Mrs. Elton, it gives me the impression that Jane Fairfax illustrates the positive side of Emma's character whereas Mrs. Elton is seen as the negative side of Emma's character. At the beginning of Chapter (20) the readers are introduced too Jane Fairfax â€Å"Jane Fairfax was an orphan† this setting makes you as a reader sympathetic towards Jane Fairfax. Continuing to read the chapter, readers learn of Jane's background and become aware of a more positive description of her character as opposed to Emma's character. As well as that Emma tolerates Jane and she accepts Jane into society but not the Coles who have recently become rich. The readers begin to get the idea that Emma recognizes Jane's attractiveness and becomes jealous of her, in chapter 20 â€Å"Jane Fairfax is elegant†¦Ã¢â‚¬  However when reading the description we seem to side rather with Emma and look upon Jane as too much of a good character and feel she is too superficial, this is my opinion from a reader of today. The reason the readers feel like this towards Jane is probably because the narrative style as Austen uses a narrative style that is omniscient, she writes in third per son so she is observing the action and development of the plot from the point of view of a central character and privy to her thoughts and feelings alone. The character of Emma is more believable as she has many faults like a proper human which are revealed through her actions and conversation. Picking out certain key quotes, I notice that maybe Emma is acting a bit harsh towards Jane â€Å"why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a difficult question to answer.† Personally I don't think she is aware of how harsh she can be but needs to take control of feelings. In Austen's society, the readers would favor Jane over Emma as she would be seen as a better wife to look at but knowing Jane's background it would affect her chances for she was not born with money. Why readers of Austen's period would also like Jane's character more, is that the author doesn't write from Jane's point of view but only Emma's, so we cant understand any of Jane's feelings towards certain characters, whether she thinks nastily of them or highly. Another fault of Emma shown in this chapter is that we as the readers perceive Emma to be lazy â€Å"always d oing more then she wished and less then she ought.† To help us understand Mrs. Elton's character, we can look at the conversations between her and the other characters. I noticed that she is very tedious to talk to. â€Å"It was as much fun as Emma could bear without being impolite.† This once again illustrates Emma's character in a bad light; it's when Emma's shows the reader her capability of being rude to characters when its unprovoked makes me wonder if I do like Emma. Maybe Emma is nasty to Mrs. Elton; I don't think that both Austen's and modern society would disapprove as much for Mrs. Elton is shown not to be a likeable character. But with Jane the readers of Austen's society would feel it's unnecessary for she is a likeable person. The readers make their judgment of the characters from what they have been shown or given hints to by the author and from this we get the idea that both Jane Fairfax and Mrs. Elton seem like (2) exaggerated characters of Emma's personality. Emma's relationship with the male members of society differs from the personality of the male; for example when she is in the presence of Frank Churchill, Emma tends to act flirtatious and possessive therefore gives an immediate impression that she feels insecure and thinks that Frank is only there for her amusement (reference to this is in Chapter 43, page 361) As we read more about the different occasions Emma spends with Frank we assume Emma to fall in love with Frank and marry â€Å"if I find him conversable, I shall be glad of his acquaintance; but if he is only chattering coxcombi he will not occupy much of my time or thoughts.† After being around Frank Churchill Emma develops a judgmental streak in her personality as she becomes almost fanatical with looks and appearance (Chapter 18) the similarities between Frank and Emma is that they are both appearing to be critical on appearance because at a degree Frank also cares about looks (Chapter 23) Frank is flirting with Emma and flattering her. Emma likes to be around Frank when he is flattering her as it is more adult, (Chapter 43). At this point we sort of like Frank but wonder if he is false. The remarks he makes when complimenting characters does he truly mean them or is he just saying them to improve him-self and to make others like him. â€Å"Miss Woodhouse you have the art of giving pictures in a few words. Exquisite quite exquisite.† By giving the readers these certain hints it means that Austin can help trick the readers into believing that Frank is Emma's match for they are socially equal it is a far gone conclusion before he even enters the novel. (I.e. they are both socially and financially equal as well as being at a similar age). The conversation's between Emma and Frank shows Emma to be slightly immature and prone to speak her mind as opposed to when she is in the company of Mr. Knightly. Frank Churchill is a â€Å"dashing young hero† this makes him sounds a bit ruthless and insubstantial. However, Emma's relationship with Mr. Knightly is different the impression of Mr. Knightly is that he is a perfect hero, The two quotes that have been mentioned above clearly states that Frank Churchill is shown to be vain, whereas Mr. Knightly comes across as not. Mr. Knightly is virtually never wrong, as he shows clarity and insight in judging Emma as well as other characters. To us as a reader we feel we can trust and respect him for his thoughts and opinions. In (Chapter 8) we see Emma to be showing her faults as she takes criticism from Mr. Knightly. From my opinion by Emma becoming aware of her faults she can rectify them and therefore become a better person. But in Chapter 43 we see Mr. Knightly giving opinions and not criticism he is honest and admits to not liking Frank Churchill to which the readers of Austin and today's society would respect, however when Emma admitted to not liking Miss Bates, she was frowned upon because Miss Bates character was portrayed as old and pathetic. When Mr. knightly is dancing with Harriet, he is trying to almost prove to Emma that he would do any thing for her but I doubt the readers would pick this little hint up as they fell its an act of kindness. We also read a different persons opinion of frank Churchill's character â€Å"Mr. knightly who for some reason had taken an early dislike to Mr. Churchill.† It's as if by reading this quote that the author is patronizing and suggests that frank is harmless for the way which he shows kindness is through flattery. Austen is demonstrating irony. The irony in Emma's belief that she is the centre of everyone's intrigues when she is in fact blind to her own feelings she has of Mr. knightly. I think as a reader I would say I much rather prefer Emma's character when she is in the presence of Mr. knightly as she more grown up by realising her mistakes and able to take criticism in chapter 8 but when in the company of frank Churchill Emma is somewhat childish and more prone to speak her mind in chapter 43, she is inclined to feel jealous as she is of Jane Fairfax when invited to the Coles party in chapter 25. Emma's relationship with her father, he is overprotective of her â€Å"affectionate and indulgent father.† But they are very close to one another for when the readers are told about the proposal of Mr knightly to Emma she has trouble to say yes as she wishes to remain near to her father and live near to him in chapter 50. Emma is selfless in relation to her father. The connection with Emma and miss bates the harmless spinster who is the aunt of Jane Fairfax. She is sweet and tempered but tedious due to incessant chatter. In chapter 43 the readers see another side to Emma as she acts unkindly towards miss bates. It illustrates to us that Emma doesn't think before acting but later regrets the things which she has said. Yet the reader can't clarify whether Emma apologises for herself of Mr knightly. We are shown the extent of Emma being headstrong we therefore feel sympathy for miss bates but can see how she can be intensively annoying because of the narrative style. Although in Austen's period when women were not allowed to speak out of tone publicly but the character of Emma is shown otherwise, I feel in a way that I respect Emma more and she is presented to the readers that she is ahead of her time. Emma reflects the values of Augustan society which was written 100 years before the novel was written. In the 19th century at the time when Austen was writing there had been a huge change in social structures. New money was beginning to make its mark and more people were becoming rich. It's this that Austen satirises this least confident and most pompous part of society. Mr knightly and Mr Woodhouse are substantial landowners. The ‘new rich people' now associate themselves with the historical landowners and its because they have only just come into money that Emma is distasteful towards them but Emma clings to established ideas as and when it suits her; She accepts Harriet of whom a financial background is a mystery where as she isn't fond of the Coles. â€Å"The Coles were respectable in their way, but they ought to be taught that it was not for them to arrange the terms on which the superior families would visit them.† From a modern perspective I would see this as snobbery and for me puts Emma in a bad light whereas in Austen's point in time it may have the opposite effect for they would see Emma as obeying the society rules. I gather that Emma would have the satisfaction in dismissing the invitation but hearing of others going and wanting to be the centre of attention she partakes, this idea relates to my point I made about clinging to traditional designs when it suits her. Harriet smith is seen as Emma's project and a â€Å"lady of unknown birth.† She is more in charge of her heart then Emma. Throughout the novel the readers can clearly see that both Emma and Harriet are close friends; Emma is very considerate of Harriet and loyal. In chapter 7 Emma influences Harriet on rejecting Mr Martin's proposal because Emma fears for Harriet's financial situation when marrying Mr Martin. This could be seen in two different ways as it shows emma trying to good friend as she thinks of Harriet's future however some readers may think this hypocritical of Emma; after reading the book and looking back at this point once Emma has declared she will marry for love and not money but advises Harriet to marry for money and not love. Austen is trying to comment on a society interested in social structures not values and personality. With mrs Elton she marries for money even though she is quite wealthy whereas mr martin who doesn't seem to care about the social structu res or the social statuses involved he wishes to marry for love. Emma has many flaws and weaknesses and suffers from humility (chapter 43, criticism from mr knightly) and self knowledge both of which she lacks at first but through the novel she gains in her journey in adulthood. One of her weaknesses is that she manipulative in chapter 7 on influencing harriets decision but could be seen as caring for harriets future. She is shown to be thoughtless towards miss bates but might be turned into emma being headstrong and not following a trend with others. I generally think emmas character means well in what she does throughout the novel. I see emma as a genuine character because she has flaws in her personality which are resolved but because they are I don't find her as interesting in towards the end of the novel. From a person of 100 years ago when the book was written I would say that they would've have liked emmas character because of her flaws and the way they are displayed to the reader.

Anne Aylor. Inc Essay

Different users for different purposes to use financial information. Not all parts of the financial statements are equally relevant to all users. For instance, stockholders are more concerned with profit growth and revenue than creditors. Materiality is a relative rather than an absolute concept. Based on different operation environment, the materiality threshold will vary to influence users of the financial statement. For example, the magnitude of a misstatement that will influence users of the financial statement will change based on how the entity is performing in the industry. Most misstatements affect both a balance sheet an income statement account due to the dual entry method. So, auditors must design a audit plan to detect the smallest misstatement that will influence users of the financial statement. A risk of management fraud will affect directly the accounting amount, such as net income. For example, asset accounts will be overstated and liability accounts will be understated. The objective of setting tolerable misstatement is to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects at the lowest cost. So, auditors may design a higher tolerable misstatement to  minimize cost for the less evidence that will be needed. Conversely, the lower the tolerable misstatement the more evidence that will be needed. We cannot expect every account that will be misstated by an amount equal to its tolerable misstatement. In the fact, it is more likely that most accounts will be misstated by an amount greater then its tolerable misstatement while others may be misstated by an amount less than its tolerable misstatement. Planning for an audit helps the auditor fast and effectively perform the audit before starting an audit. Auditors are required to design an audit program because auditors must consider the risk of material misstatement. Thus, Auditors should have trial balance amounts to establish materiality thresholds for the current year audit.

Bruno Mars And The Objectification Of Women

Although singer-songwriter Bruno Mars perpetuates many stereotypes about women and money in his music videos, he also challenges traditional views with pro-social messages. Both Mars’s perpetuation of sexual and financial stereotypes and his way of breaking with tradition can be seen particularly clearly in the song 24k Magic.Background Keys writes, that â€Å"In traditional African societies, the bard is a storyteller-singer and above all a historian who chronicles the nation’s history and transmits cultural traditions and mores through performance.† Mars, as a singer-songwriter, fulfills this kind of role today, transmitting cultural messages and mores through his performances to both black and white communities. While some of the messages he conveys may have negative effects on society, others may be beneficial – especially to the black community. Main Song: 24k Magic In the music video for the sing, Mars dances through glitzy areas – most of them casinos with a posse of men. From time to time, women join them. All of these women are skinny and scantily clad. Their hair is straightened. These styles are in keeping with electropop tradition. In the electropop scene, according to Jiminez, â€Å"There was a preference for tight clothing, hair products and even makeup. Photographs reveal Prince’s influence on the style of the time as an effeminate masculinity comes to the forefront.† In Mars’s videos, tight clothing and effeminate masculinity are featured heavily. The tightly clad women are not a part of Mars’s main posse, but instead, dance behind an effeminately masculine Mars and his boys much of the time. Mars and his boys are heavily clad, in pants, jackets, hats, and jewelry. The women are in bathing suits. While Mars and his posse do dance, the women dance more sensually, with barely anything covering their b ottoms as they shake them. They sway their hips provocatively. The video is set in a hotel dripping with gold. The boys drive fancy cars, play the slot machines and drive through the ritzy area without a care. They stack chips on the roulette table as the girls look on admiringly. They drive past lit up casinos. They dance through the halls in luxurious robes. They jet-ski through fountains. Mars sits back in a patio chair outside as women shake their bottoms beside his face. He doesn’t even look at them. Everyone smiles and dances. The way in which Mars objectifies women in his songs supports traditional, negative stereotypes of women in art. Klein writers that â€Å"Visual images throughout art history have revealed the status of women by their appearances and bodily attributes.† She further notes that traditional images of ideal women showed them as available and passive – displayed to appeal to male voyeurs. Women were shown as objects for men’s viewing pleasure. Women’s sexuality in comics and advertisements is often dependent on their ability to attract men.† The same is true of women in music. According to Flynn, â€Å"Women are the most frequent targets of objectification within music lyrics.† Indeed, in one recent study, of billboard hits â€Å"the authors found common themes regarding the objectification of women (women were viewed as objects for men to comment on, look at, even touch, hit, and eat) and sex as a top priority for men (wanting, needing, and experiencing sex).† This is exactly how Mars treats the women in his videos. They are there to show how cool and attractive Mars and his posse are. They are available and largely passive. Their bodies, rather than their minds or desires are what Mars’s video displays. We see more evidence that Mars views women as objects in the lyrics to 24k Magic. In them, he glorifies â€Å"players†, men who play around with a lot of women, and treats them much in the same way he treats other objects like rings and links. For instance, he sings, â€Å"Players, put yo pinky rings up to the moon.† Mars, in this song, is completely obsessed with money and material things and girls are among these materials. â€Å"Twenty-four karat magic in the air,† he sings, glorifying the pursuit of wealth. â€Å"I bet they know soon as we walk in (showin up) Wearing Cuban links designer minks Inglewoods finest shoes.† Here, he tells his listeners that possessing things like Cuban links and designer minks will grant them status. Possessing these things will make people know who they are. Not only that, but possessing money and wealth will help them obtain women. â€Å"Oh shit, Im a dangerous man with some money in my pocket,† he boasts,  "So many pretty girls around me and they waking up the rocket.† Mars further emphasizes that it is his ability to win women and to spend money that win him recognition as he sings, â€Å"Everywhere I go they be like oh, so player!† and â€Å"Spend your money like money ain’t shit.† He objectifies women once more in the end, singing, â€Å"I gotta show em how a pimp can get it in.† Here, he glorifies men who sell women and, once again, portrays women as mere sexual objects. 24k Magic is not the only song in which Mars treats women like objects. In songs like Uptown Funk he sings about living it up in the city and praises girls like Michelle Pfeiffer for being â€Å"straight masterpieces.† And in â€Å"That’s what I like,† he sings almost exclusively about money and sex with lyrics like, â€Å"Go pop it for a pimp, pop-pop it for me† and â€Å"â€Å"Sex by the fire at night Silk sheets and diamonds all white.† While it is clearly true that Mars objectifies women, what is less clear is whether this objectification is harmful to them. Some argue that it is. Nussbaum, for instance notes that â€Å"Feminist thought, moreover, has typically represented mens sexual objectification of women as not a trivial but a central problem in womens lives, and the opposition to it as at the very heart of feminist politics.† On the other hand, some argue that objectification can be a good thing. Cass Sunstein writes, â€Å"Peoples imaginations are unruly It may be possible to argue, as some people do, that objectification and a form of use are substantial parts of sexual life, or wonderful parts of sexual life, or ineradicable parts of sexual life.† Furthermore, by rejecting the norms of a society which suggests the objectification is bad, Mars may be championing an idea of sexual freedom that society represses. Green writes â€Å"There’s an agent of subversive reversal of negative stereotypes and portrayals of African-Americans embedded within the prosocial text of some rap lyrics.† In spite of the fact that videos those made by like Mars and his counterparts objectify women and black women in particular, â€Å"Black females generally reported more satisfaction with the shapes of their bodies [than white women] and less susceptibility to the negative effects of media.† Perhaps, then, there is something gratifying about Mars’s prosocial messages and his rejection of white mores. Gracyk suggests that we analyze art to help us understand human behavior. Perhaps Mars’s songs give us some insight into why black women have higher esteem than their white counterparts. And perhaps his rejection of society’s rules leads to greater positivity.

Sustainability and Global Warming Research Paper

Sustainability and Global Warming - Research Paper Example The consequences are varied and many. Global warming is world phenomenon that has a number of effects on the universal level. Global warming has a number of effects that range from the effects to the economy, atmosphere, environment and the health of the human beings. There are varied effects to the atmosphere and nature. One of the most serious effects of the global warming is its effects on human beings in relation to health of the individual, civilizations and nations. There is need to integrate global warming risks and their impact in the risk management and strategic planning activities in the private and public sector organizations (Dincer, Hepbasil and Midilli 424). Sustainable expansion and growth entails a wide range of knowledge with guiding issues and principles that are beyond the understanding of the economic and scientific certainty (Corricut 1). Global warming is taken to be a kind of sustainability factor and it should be considered during the sustainability managemen t concept. Sustainability management is so useful when it comes to managing the global warming based factors and events. The Link between Global Warming and Sustainability The global warming events can either have negative impacts and positive impacts or both at the same time. Risks are always represented by events that have negative impacts; these risks (can) prevent the value of creation or even grind down the existing values. Events that are associated with the positive impacts sometimes offset the negative impacts or rather represent more opportunities. These opportunities are considered to be possibilities, the possibilities of events occurring and positively affecting the achievements of objectives that are in support of value creation or even preservation (Karakoc and Yilmaz 3). The assessment of global warming is quite difficult because of the uncertainty it possesses. The intensity of global warming and its impact is not well known. Uncertainty also comes in among the decis ion makers because they do not know the extent of the impact of global warming at a certain level for their organization. The sustainability management is taken to be not a development (or a onetime event). As the sustainability management (SM) is embedded in the culture it is the necessity of the effective threat to the management performance. The holistic sustainability management (SM) in the basis of environmental, Safety functions and health is considered important to any institution (organization) but more important to the sustainability of the world. The global warming threats more the sustainability of the world. The global warming impacts create very important negative results to the economic, social and environmental systems. Its (global warming) risk is controlled by the holistic management that provides sustainability. The risk management is considered to be a major factor between the global warming and sustainability. Threat Global warming sustainability Global warming r isk management sustainability Sustainability Management Sustainability is based more on the recognition that resources are consumed faster more than they are produced/ manufactured. The resources are depleted and in the end get used up. The societies demand on nature is always in balance with the nature’s capacity of meeting the demand in a sustainable world.

Student debt and bondage Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Student debt and bondage - Coursework Example The increase is attributed to the high cost of education and that more and more students secure loan because they cannot afford it. This is also aggravated by the length of term of loans and the additional consolidation and refinancing that occur in the span of amortization. The author is of the opinion that this phenomenon defeats the purpose of education, especially the kind that the United States has. There is an implication that the American higher educational system is supposedly the ideal model because it is decentralized, has liberal admission requirements, low tuition and subject to freedom of expression. He supported this by citing that the higher education has opened to an expanding body of students. The author then proceeded on explaining how the growth of student debt is analogous to the creation of a system of bondage and indentured servitude not unlike the system that permeated during the colonial period, when slaves toiled for their freedom. He argued that this is the case, owing to several important points. First, the sheer number of indebted students (two-thirds of the college student population) would mean that majority of the new generation would be tied to paying off their debts, sacrificing their desires and opportunities to better their lives in the process. The prevalence typifies the old bondage regime. However valid or reasonable the reasons given by Williams on the issue on student debt, I would have to say that calling it bondage or tantamount to slavery is not fair, or, at least, premature considering the reasons that he was able to provide. Academic institutions in the US operate within the capitalistic system and that they are able to provide high quality of instruction because of their capability to do so. Criticizing the manner by which students were made to work longer hours for their tuition fees is a legitimate position. However, the option to get a loan is their choice. They are aware of the terms and this does not involve ba d faith on the part of academic institutions. It is not like they were coerced to get a loan or the school unilaterally modified the loan in the middle of the term for its own benefit. Students have numerous options available to them. For instance, if they cannot afford it or that they think they would not be able to bear the work that comes with the education they want, then, they could go elsewhere where the tuition is cheaper. Or that if they do not want to invest time and effort for education they could simply opt out of college. It is not right to just dole out a scholarship as if it is a privilege just because of one’s status in life. It is not, hence, indentured servitude because the relationship is economically legitimate and involves freedom of choices. What Williams want is a case of socialism that would reward non-performance. It is a case of reverse class privilege. In the US, we thrive and excel in the merit-based value wherein individuals are responsible for the ir own fates. To get something that one did not earn is un-American. The government cannot subsidize higher education for all. In this case, schools provide the opportunity for individuals to better their lives and earn higher income in the future. By allowing students to avail of debts and work to pay for it, an option is offered to those who cannot afford the tuition fees. In this issue, I would

Home Depot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Home Depot - Essay Example Home Depot operates with contracts, establishes credits with the bank, which provides it opportunities to work effectively in the long run (Magretta). In home improvement industry, it is prior for companies to anticipate with the changing market trends and knowledge (Harrison and John). Home Depot is effective to anticipate with the changing trends in the market and retains their customer. For the new entrant lack of knowledge and experience in the field makes it difficult to maintain its supply chains and customer retention. In addition; Home Depot has maintained an absolute cost advantage in the industry (Harrison and John). The pricing offered by the company is low cost pricing which makes the competition tough in the in the industry. Home Depot has maintained an exclusive control on the costing by developing strong relations with its exclusive sellers and suppliers. One of the major advantages Home Depot experience is the brand image, as customers are more inclined to approach co mpanies having strong brand names (Harrison and John). Home Depot has served over years, it is known as for the best quality and service provider in the industry. This eventually declines the dilemma for the existing companies like Home Depot and Lowies from the new entrants. Constantly, it can be concluded that Home Depot has an edge in the market and has restrained others from entering as new threats. 3.3.2 – Bargaining Power of Suppliers The bargaining power of suppliers in the home improvement industry is a low force. Home Depot’s expense controls and cost initiatives are its core competencies. Prominent companies in the industry like Home Depot and Lowe’s are dependent on well recognized brand name suppliers (Harrison and John). These firms maintain strategic alliances and exclusive relationship with certain suppliers; they maintain their market image in the industry, which eventually secures the bargaining power of suppliers. Home Depot maintains exclusive relationship with its suppliers, as it is depend upon products that are well recognized and brand suppliers. This is because of the reason that if these firms are unable to maintain strong relationship with its suppliers the may lose their product variety and quality (Harrison and John). Furthermore Home Depot eliminates the reliance upon third parties and middle man; this is because of the reason that if these third parties run into financial or regulatory difficulties it may caste negative impacts on the company in the industry (Harrison and John). Therefore, home depot has centralized its purchases operations through making direct purchases (Harrison and John). The online centers of the company aid company to minimize the control of suppliers. Home Depot also maintains websites to maintain and to strengthening the relationship with its suppliers, these measures limits supplier’s bargaining power to a low force. 3.3.3 – Threat Of Substitute Products or Services The threat of substitution in the home retailing industry is relatively low, because the substitution for the home product like hammers, nails, and paint etc. can be the similar products bought within the industry which are also sold by the same vendors (Harrison and John). It is true that the demand of products, their supplies and prices are interrelated in a market, which

Strategic Management Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Strategic Management Analysis - Essay Example The selection of this company is largely based upon the well known Thomas Cook brand, which is practically synonymous with packaged vacations as well as specific vacation related financial services and products. Additionally the company’s publicized commitment to a sustainable approach both to and within the tourism sector and destinations deserves the due recognition and is furthermore one of the factors for the selection of the Thomas Cook Group. The Thomas Cook Group, as a company per se, was established in 1841 by Thomas Cook who at the time was a providing excursions for fellow temperance members and campaigners and is credited with marketing the first private excursion train (Williamson 1998). This therefore makes the company almost 170 years old, which can certainly be seen as an asset in the view of competing travel related companies and service providers within the broader tourism industry. According to the latest annual report (Thomas Cook 2009) provided by the company the staff compliment is in excess of 31,000 people, catering to over 22 million customers, and in turn generating revenue in 2009 of  £9.3 billion. In addition to offering travel, travel related, packaged travel, and financial services in the broader travel sector, the company operates 95 aircraft, predominantly operating within and from the country of Germany in Europe. In so far as geographic location and representation is concerned, the group is r epresented by company owned and franchised stores in 5 geographic regions, within 21 different countries. The Thomas Cook Group has certainly grown over the years, and it appears that sound strategic management has been at the center of this growth, based largely upon acquisitions and mergers to access specific sectors of the tourism market. The analysis of the business’ history and timeline so to speak provides valuable insight into specific strategically related process, and management decisions within the group as it in turn allows us

Sony Corporation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sony Corporation - Case Study Example However, in 1942 he modified his theory stating that innovation can no longer be the realm of individual entrepreneurs due to the gradually building capitalism; rather shall be the forte of innovation professionals & laboratories controlled by management of large companies [Dejardin, Marcus. 2000]. This theory applies to Sony considerably given that the organization spends heavily in R&D across all the product lines. As per statement released in 2003 by Nobuyuki Idei, Chairman & CEO of Sony Corporation, the organization planned to spend 500 billion Yens (about 5.1 billion US Dollars as per current rate) in three years to develop competitive key electronic devices through internal innovations although the organization invested 502 billion Yens (about 5.12 billion US Dollars) in 2005 itself. [Sony Corporation, 2003; Sony Corporation, 2005] Sony has been practicing creative destruction by forcing the old available products towards obsolescence by virtue of their innovations. One excellent example is the "style" innovation of Sony latest Pocket Style VAIO P that is expected to yet again create a new niche segment for Sony that may force laptops to obsolescence especially in applications like Internet usage, word processing, multi-media & entertainment, messaging, Internet based telephony, etc. [Prokaza, Julian. 2009] Sony practices the strategy of Differentiation Strategy thus targeting niche markets where products are unique and sold at premium rates. They tend to develop unique market segments where there aren't any competitions and the pricing strategies are totally in their own control. Walkman, Play Station, and now the Pocket Style Vaio P are examples of product uniqueness that Sony brings to the market. In these markets Sony is not bogged down by competition that practice Cost Leadership strategy. Sony's strategies against Porter's Five Competitive Forces Following is the model of Porter's Five Competitive Forces [Harvard Business Review, 2008; Cliff, Bowman. 2008; Ankli, Robert E. 1992]: Sony practices product uniqueness (differentiation) and achieves the same by virtue of huge investments in Innovation and R&D. This strategy ensures that Sony is well placed when mapped against the Porter's five competitive forces model as presented below: Threat of new entrants and substitute products & services: Sony's strategy of continuously developing unique products and market segments keeps them shielded from new entrants in the market given that the level of R&D required to develop such products is huge and not easy for competition to introduce substitute products. Rivalry among existing competitors: Sony hardly has any rivalry with competitors because their products are already priced at premium rates even in the market segments that are not unique to them. In

Genetic diseases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Genetic diseases - Essay Example The latter mode of inheritance entails involvement of environmental factors besides multiple genes’ alterations in an individual’s body. For illustration, different genes that cause breast cancer where researchers have unveiled the presence of 6, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 22 chromosomes besides environmental factors (Doak 10). Other multifactorial inheritance disorders include diabetes, obesity, cancer and arthritis (Doak 29). Single gene inheritance mainly emanates from mutation changes, which take place in the DNA sequence (Doak 10). Presently, there are no effective methods meant for the treatment of many genetic diseases affecting humanity globally, though medical practitioners can advocate for various prevention methods (Doak 29). This is due to their diverse complexities once they reach at an advanced stage. For example, breast cancer and diabetes where after they have reached at advanced stages, medical practitioners normally result to the application of their respective management practices. This is to length the patient’s lifespan, and it entails occasional gene therapies coupled with doctors advising relatives to offer the ailing person both the necessary material and moral assistance (Chantal & Farndon 550). Most of the gene therapies advocated by medical practitioners; their core purpose entails alleviating the patients’ severe pain. This is a short-term resolution meant to give patients the necessary comfort while still