The Innumerable Meanings of Moby Dick Essay -- Moby Dick Essays

The Innumerable Meanings of Moby Dick Call me Ishmael. The first line of this story begins with an assertion of self-identity. Before the second page is reached, it becomes quite clear to me that within this assertion of self-identity lay an enticing universality. Ishmael represents every man somehow and no man entirely. He is an individual in his own right, while personifying a basic human desire for something more, something extraordinary. As his name implies, "he is an outcast from a great family" (p.18). Although we all share Ishmael's yearning for adventure (however deeply hidden it may be), to throw aside our civilization (despite its discontents ) could mean societal suicide. So, we look through his eyes, we cling to his desire, we dream of his escape. This world of ours in all its absurdity is seemingly as vast as an ocean beyond its horizon. Yet with all its opportunity, with all its splendor, we somehow manage to spoil the prospects it so generously offers. We pack ourselves into overcrowded spaces; we cram our brains with bits and pieces of irrelevancy; we herd ourselves along a well-beaten path; we cloud our souls with a veil of conformity. And yet there still remains, somewhere deep inside every one of us, the desire to cast aside restraint and venture into whatever indulgence tugs at our heartstrings and innermost fantasy. For Ishmael this was the sea: "Whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses...then I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can" (p. 18). For Ishmael to remain on shore would mean to "grow hazy about the eyes" and lose sight of what makes him happy, the drive that makes him human- his love of the sea. ... ...story of stories . However, its greatness does not lay in the particular formulation of particular words in particular sentences into particular paragraphs and so forth. As with any great story, Moby Dick is comprised of infinite, multifaceted, and often allusive levels of meaning. What makes a novel great is its interaction with its readers. The degree to which a story remains unguarded and flexible while simultaneously enticing and provoking its readers, is what makes it great. The meanings I find hidden within the text of Moby Dick are unlike any others. Yet, they are mine and mine alone. As in Moby Dick, the innumerable meanings that lie dormant within stories are like ungraspable phantoms. With Moby Dick representing an epitome, the beckoning ungraspable phantoms concealed in stories, are the key to their command. Works Cited: Melville, H. Moby Dick.

Stereotypes Essay -- essays research papers

RaStereotyping is a way of thinking about groups of people. It ignores the differences of the group, while emphasizing its similarity. One belief, that is a stereotype, is that red-haired people are hot tempered. Another belief is that Scottish people are stingy. Such thinking ignores many even-tempered redheads and generous Scottish people. Stereotyping emphasizes many differences between groups while ignoring their similarities to other people. It ignores that many blond and brown-haired people also lose their tempers. Stereotyping overlooks the fact that many American, Brazilians and French people are stingy. Stereotyping redheads or Scottish people usually does little harm. It typically leads to friendly kidding and good-natured jokes. Simple-minded stereotyping can be dangerous. The danger lies in exaggeration of differences in color, nationality, religion and language. We exaggerate the differences, ignoring what we share as human beings and become prejudiced. Prejudice is nourished by fear as it grows out of exaggeration. It is a profoundly negative emotion bearing the fruit of hatred. Racism is a form of extreme prejudice that leads to physical and psychological violence. Racists can be any color: white, black, brown, red or yellow. A white racist thinks all blacks are alike, while a black racist thinks all Hispanics are alike. In addition, a Hispanic racist may think all Native Americans are alike. The ethnic boundaries of racism "pigeon hole" anoth...

Freudian Analysis of Woman on the Edge of Time Essay -- Woman on the e

Freudian Analysis of Woman on the Edge of Time One can use the psychoanalytical approach to successfully decipher some of the complexities in Marge Piercy's novel, "A woman on the Edge of Time". The psychoanalytical approach stems from Freud and his belief that "... Most of our actions are motivated by psychological forces over which we have very limited control"(127 handbook). The two aspects of Freud's approach that relate to this story are the Oedipus complex and the struggle between the id, ego, and superego. The Oedipus complex of according to Freud is turned upside down in this novel, because there is no father, yet there are three mothers. The Oedipus complex believes that as a child grows up, he starts out loving both parents equally. As the child grows older he starts to lust after his mother. He then finds that his father is in the way of his goal, and so he decides to try and get rid of the father. In this story, however, there is no father. "Father?" Luciente raised her wrist, but Connie stopped her. "Dad. Papa. You know. Male parent." "Ah? No, not Bee or Jackrabbit. Comothers are seldom sweet friends if we can manage. So the child will not get caught in love misunderstandings."(68 novel) The child can't feel any rivalry because he has three mothers to satisfy his desires, and no father to compete with. The child obviously has very little to be upset about. This change in the balance of power, and the obvious love that a child gets from the three mothers also opens up a new realm to the people that are born to this age. The children feel more attuned to what they wa... ...int of changing the language so that it isn't sexist. The differences between the two sexes are so minimal that people can get along. The novel takes Freud's ideas on how the human conscious works and tries to change the world so that there is less conflict. The idea of creating humans that are less sexually dimorphic could definitely be beneficial to humans. The idea of having three mothers and no father is also an interesting idea that could prove helpful. The only concern that I have is that with everyone being so similar, won't our individuality be challenged so that we feel the same as every one else. Individuality is a characteristic that humans pride themselves on. If it is taken away, then people wouldn't feel as good about themselves, and most people would lose their drive to do anything constructive or inventive.

American Islam Female Converts Essay

Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion by number of conversions each year. Despite’s Islam beginnings in Arabia, today more than 80% of all Muslim believers life outside the Arab world (Records, 2009). Surprisingly, many of this new converts are women who despite Islam’s numerous female restrictions, many have affirmed a new found joy and harmony in their lives. Islam laws for women are seen by many as coercive because they regulate important aspects of women’s life such as clothing, social relationships, marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. I would be examining the different reasons why this western women converts decided to make such a radical change to their lives. To achieve my goal successfully I would like to use various qualitative and quantitative methods to identify eligible individuals to interrogate further and to measure multiple variables that might be interconnected. I will be examining different factors such as age, education, time living in the US, time they have been a Muslim, marital status, religion of their significant other, religion of their parents, and degree of religiosity while growing up. Many of these new converts are fellow Americans who have found multiple benefits practicing their new religion. I therefore think my research is important because it portrays what Islam teacher and has to offer to its believers from people that we can easily relate to. Literature review Many people claim that Muslim women are restricted by their religion because of the immense amount of rules that it is imposed to them. One particular research conducted by Zaidi and Shuraydi (2002: 507) interviewed 20 Pakistani women in the United States in an attempt to study the different perceptions of arranged marriage among women living in western society. The study concluded that â€Å"Muslim feminist have to cope with a prevalent double standard governing the behavior of males and females†. This means that while the Koran claims that men and women are the same, in reality they are treated with fewer privileges than men. To support their claim they presented that while women are prohibited from courting potential mates, men are given tacit approval. Despite the many claims against Islam, new women converts often argue that the Islamic religion and the Arab culture are sometimes confused. Researchers Maslim and Bjorck (2009: 98) claim that many times â€Å"the culture rules try to oppress women while the religion in turn promotes positive cultural views of gender roles and ethnic diversity†. Their research mainly focused on the reasons why so many women were switching to Islam. To study this topic, the authors to contact the editors of a North American Magazine to get the sample group and then posted an online surveys that the participants could answer. The results showed that while there are a variety of reasons why women switch their religion to Islam, the most common ones included dissatisfaction with their previous faith, marriage requirement, and because of Islam’s significance and meaning. To understand further their point of view we have to compare Islam to other religion practices at the time Islam was instituted. One study performed by J Sechze (2004, 263-274) tried to evaluate different religious practices against women at the time Islam was created. The research found that many practices such as female infanticide, traditionally common in Christian communities, was ruled out when Islam was implemented. Additionally, it is suggested that polygamy was instituted in Islam to protect Muslim widows, whose husbands were killed during wars. This historical comparison makes us understand that Islam does support some feminist principals that lacked in other religions at the time. Methodology My study will use a quantitative and a qualitative method to gather the data necessary to answer the research question presented on the introduction part. I have organized a short ten question essay that will allow me to collect quantitative information. The survey will ask for variables age, education level, time living in the US, time they have been a Muslim, marital status, religion of their significant other, religion of their parents, and degree of religiosity while growing up. All of these questions will try to find different correlations among the different variables that might be important to consider when creating interview questions. The interview will be based of the survey taken by the individuals here. The idea is to contact people that took the survey that might be interested on meeting with the researcher and let us learn more about them. Interview will hopefully provide insight information about the survey answers that will further help us identify patterns that might answer why they switch to Islam. The interview place will be up to the participant, they will sign release paperwork and the interview will be recorded for further analysis. I would like to base my research question entirely on the survey correlations and therefore I do not have the interview questions pre- prepared. However, I will provide a list of possible interview questions that will be pose to change with the survey answers. Conclusion This paper is a proposed research study of the different reasons why western non –Muslim born women change their religion to Islam in their adulthood years. This is a fairly controversial topic since many people see Islam as oppressive to women because of its countless provisions regarding women’s clothing, marriage and other social affairs. While many previous researches support this notion and further give evidence of Islam women having to live in a double standard, other numerous studies suggest that Islam religion does not support such a thing and instead argue that it actually protects women that have help many women find faith and peace in their lives. To be able to conduct my study I will be using surveys and interviews that will provide me with quantitative and qualitative data to analyses and further interpret.

Human Resource Management Policies and Practices That Can Support Business Strategies and Contribute to Improved Performance of the Organization

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT CAN SUPPORT BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION PREPARED BY: ROLAND GBENGA STUDENT NUMBER: 0075DSDS1011 MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINITRATION CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY MARKETING MANAGEMENT DR. GEORGE KOSHY 6TH DECEMBER, 2011 Table of Contents Table of Figures4 1. 0. INTRODUCTION4 2. 0. LITERATURE REVIEW6 2. 1. Recruitment and Selection (Toyota)6 2. 2.Training and Professional Development (Singapore Airlines)15 2. 3. Performance Management (Quantum)18 2. 4. Employee Benefits and Compensation ExxonMobil19 2. 4. 1. Salary & Compensation:20 2. 4. 2. Additional Benefits21 3. 0. RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION21 Bibliography23 Table of Figures Figure 1 Recruitment and Selection Process7 Figure 2 Job Analysis Model9 Figure 3 Toyota Sales Result 201012 Figure 4 Toyota Recruitment Process for Graduate13 Figure 5 Toyota Recruitment Process for Graduate14Figure 6 Singapore Airline Organizational Hier archy16 Figure 7 Performance Management Model18 Figure 8 Performance Management Process19 Figure 9 Benefits and Compensation Model20 1. 0. INTRODUCTION Gilmore & Williams (2009) said â€Å"People are the most valuable asset†, it is a cliche resounds over and again in the heart of the Human Resource department of an organization. The height of completion in recent years does not leave room for simple executive standard of practices [ (Agawarwala, 2003) ].Different companies inculcates different range of human resource practices and policies because some of them employ certain interwoven practices which has become their attributes and are known to be the root of their achievement through the way the company manage people [ (Pfeffer, 1996) ]. The religious policies imbibed by businesses provides them with the techniques to manage human resource error or risk by keeping up to date with trending things happening in employment standards and required legislation.Business Management Study GuideThis research work seeks to examine different companies who have achieved success through certain characterized human resource practices, a broad overview and a comprehensive analysis into the functions performed by the selected companies as regards maintaining a competitive advantage through concentrated human resource activities. There is difficulty in identifying a company who does all the human resource practices correctly [ (Pfeffer, 1996) ], however there are some companies who have been sustained over the years and are still able to maintain their workforce and also keep them happy and motivated.Organization success and performance are popularly measured assessed by the outlook of the financial statement; the structure behind the system are neglected meanwhile it is the one of the most important aspect of an organization and its harnesses to optimum performance. We neglect the contributions of Human Resources and the various practices put into play in the organizat ions’ success. It is as simple as to say that consumers as happy because there are happy employees who take care of their needs for the company.Why are some employees happy with and are ready to stick with the organization while there are some who wishes for a quick change. The answer to the question above is far fetched but can be streamlined; some organization knows how to take good care of their staffs by creating an enabling and conducive environment them thereby retaining their identity, know-how loyalty while they continue to grow and prove their selves with time. This paper seeks to explore different organization and heir Human Resource practices and how it has helped them to in the establishment of a motivated and highly satisfied workforce which has been a contributor to their performance and their sustainability. It is believed that some company’s strategies and or practices are their strength because the ability to attract, manage and retain vast knowledge a nd experiences are in their best practices. * Performance Management * Employment Security * High wages * Incentive Pay * Employee Ownership * Information Sharing * Participation and Empowerment * Selectivity in Recruiting * Participation Employment Information Sharing * Wage Compression 2. 0. LITERATURE REVIEW 3. 1. Recruitment and Selection (Toyota) [ (recruitment. toyotauk. com, 2011) ] Hiring the best people is paramount to the success of any organization more so is the ability to retain a high quality workforce; if there is a vacant position in an organization there should not be panic because it provides the organization with the opportunity to examine the position, set the description and determine the qualifications. [ (hr. uoregon. edu, 2010) ] Recruitment is the preceding step in the selection method in an organization. Read also Analyze the Ways in Which British Imperial PoliciesIt is seen as an activity directed to earn suitable workforces whose qualifications and skills match roles of the pertinent posts in the Organization. While it is defined also as â€Å"the process of identifying that the organization needs to employ someone up to the point at which application forms for the past have arrived at the organization† [ (businesscasestudies. co. uk, 2010) ]. The success of a business is subjected to the skills and competencies of its workforce [ (Gilmore & Williams, 2009) ], it does not stop once it commences, and it gives the rganization the opportunity to pick from a pool of qualified candidates. Among the purpose of recruit to an organization, it ensures a decrease in an organization and individual effectiveness; it even aligns the selection rate by limiting the number of evidently over qualified otherwise under qualified applicants. [ (Bliss, 2012) ] Figure [ 1 ] Recruitment and Select ion Process [ (lyonsshers. com, 2012) ] Man Power Planning The planning of staff of an organization need that the present and future situation of the organization be assessed and compared to the present and the future forecasted resources.Proper steps would then be put in place so as to bring the demand and supply in equality. Hence the first step is doing a review of the whole existing workforce and their profile which include the total number, gender, age, sex, experience, flexibility, forecast capabilities and characters of the existing staff of the organization and plans are made ahead for like a period of like 3, 5, 10 years as the case may be taken into consideration normal staff turnover, retirements and planned staff movements along with company plans for the same time frame. accel-team. com, 2012 ) The Human Resource manager is faced with the obligation to scrutinize and modify other mangers crude predictions in accordance with the organizational need and forecast along wit h the organizations future demands as regards workforce.Below are the scenarios the Human Resource Manager must take into consideration, forecast of sale and production; the effects of technological change on task needs, variations in the efficiency, productivity, flexibility of labor as a result of training, work study, organizational change, new motivations; changes in employment practices ( for instance Toyota outsourced the recruitment and selection to Kentucky Department of Employment in 2007); differences, which respond to new legislation, for instance the payroll taxes, safety requirements and new health; the changes in Government policies (investment incentives, regional or trade grants, etc. ) Job Analysis Job analysis is concerned with the formal process of determining the characteristics and what a job entails and the specific qualities or attributes required to perform the job. (Gilmore & Williams, 2009) Job analysis is the primary tool in human resource management (www. managementstudyguide. com, 2012); it is also defined as the procedure required to obtain information regarding the responsibilities, duties, results, essential skills, and the working environment of that particular job.The human resource manager requires a lot of data to gather up job description which is the eventual result of job analysis. (Dessler, 2012) Figure [ 2 ] Job Analysis Model [ (www. managementstudyguide. com, 2012) ] Job Description Job description is based on information gathered from job analysis; it is a list that can be used for general tasks, or functions, and responsibilities of a position. Sometimes it includes to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications or skills needed by the person in the job, or a salary range; it helps employees understand their responsibilities Job Specification It is also known as employee specification [ (www. managementstudyguide. com, 2012) ].It is further explained to be a clearly stated level of experienc e, educational qualifications, specific qualities, techniques, communication skills, physical and emotional state needed to perform the job, another responsibility involved in executing the job and other uncommon demands. They comprise of general health, intelligence aptitude, memory, leadership skills adaptability skills mental health, manner, creativity ethics and values and many more as the case may be. Other processes are as follows: Sources of Selection Advertising Short listing Interview Health Examination Induction [ (Murthy, 2010) ] Every company has their well-defined employment and recruitment policies and hiring procedures among which gives them a competitive edge while searching for quality skills.Toyota Motor Company is renowned for their recruitment process, and generally its management philosophy. Being the largest car manufacturer [ (www. theweek. co. uk, 2011) ] the company sold 8. 42 million vehicles in 2010 has a total employee of 300,734 all over the world. The s uccess the Toyota Motor Corporation can also be attributed to their recruitment and selection programme which is designed to fetch the best people. The Toyota recruitment and selection procedure helps to illustrate how the process itself can interpret into better performance for the whole organization. Toyota Motor Corporation is searching for foremost interpersonal skills, due to the company’s importance on the interaction of the team.In addition the company’s whole process is to advance job processes through employee dedication to quality, and reasoning and problem solving skills are also vital manpower requirements. [ (Piatkowski, 2004) ] Furthermore since quality is the Toyota Company’s central value and so it is also seeking a history of quality commitment to the people it employs. The Toyota production system is based on consensus flexible career path decision making and Job rotation. [ (recruitment. toyotauk. com, 2011) ] Figure [ 3 ] Toyota Sales Result 2010 [ (www2. toyota. co. jp, 2011) ] Figure [ 4 ] Toyota Recruitment Process for Graduate [ (recruitment. toyotauk. com, 2011) ] Figure [ 5 ] Toyota Recruitment Process for Graduate Table [ 1 ] Toyota Selection Process Phases| | Objective| Conducted |Phase IApplication/Orientation | The phase includes filling of application forms and a 1 hour video showing the selection system process and Toyota work environment | To familiarized potential employees about the company while collection information about work experience and skills| Kentucky Department of Employment Services| Phase IITechnical Skills Assessment | Paper and Pencil Test General knowledge assessment (2hrs)Tool and Die general assessment (6hrs)| To test general Knowledge and potentials | Kentucky Department of Employment Services| Phase IIIInterpersonal Skills Assessment | Individual problem solving ability test (4hrs)Production assembly simulation (5hrs)| Assess decision making and interpersonal skills| HR Toyota Motor Ma nufacturing | Phase IV Toyota Assessment | A general Interview and evaluation (1hr)| Discussion of achievements and accomplishments| HR Toyota Motor Manufacturing| Phase VHealth Assessment | Physical test and drug or alcohol test (2. 5hrs) | To ascertain the physical condition | Scot County and General Hospital & HR Toyota Motor Manufacturing| Phase VIOn-the-Job observation | Guidance and coaching on the job after being employed | Assessment of Job performance and development skills | HR Toyota Motor Manufacturing| 3. 2. Training and Professional Development (Singapore Airlines) Organizations see training and development and as a vital human resources activity as they consider it as a motivator for employees to do their job better and consequently contributes to their career development.Improvement of an employee’s capabilities plus their professional development as well as the organizations is part of the purposes of training and development Types of training: Aviation remai ns a large and growing industry. It facilitates economic growth, world trade, international investment and tourism and is therefore central to the globalization taking place in many other industries (syl. com, 2006). In the past decades Air travel has grown by 7% per year, travel for both business and leisure purposes grew strongly worldwide; the large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 (Boeing , 2012 ) made it convenient and affordable for people to travel further to new and exotic destinations.The airline industry in Asia Pacific Region is highly competitive and price wars are a common occurrence. (Chan, 2000) There is constant fighting for territory and expansion which has led to the merger of Air Asia and Malaysian Airline, a merger which was fronted based on being a major player in the industry   along with Qatar Airline, Emirate Airline and more who have concentrated on lowering their costs and improving service to customers thereby posing as a strong competitor. However Singap ore Airline has risen to the challenges and are therefore one of the biggest players in the airline industries by going extra miles in their strategies and they are basically the trend setter of the airline industry.SIA has employed many innovative strategies since it began. These strategies have been supported and strengthen over the years, and have led to the success, the company enjoys today. To be successful in the airline industry you have to employ superior efficiency, quality, innovation and customer responsiveness. Figure 6 Singapore Airline Organizational Hierarchy [ (singaporeair. com, 2012 ) ] Human Resource Management in Singapore Airline inculcated a system that helps their worker achieve the best they can be, the culture of the company ensures that their employees have full opportunity of extensive learning and development which enhances their personal and professional development.Joining the company gives the employees to be open to experience a full experience rangin g the normal orientation programs, visiting of the company sites and attachments so they can exposure to the company and the industry as well, further also the company would embark on leadership and general management programs on the average each employee receives eleven days of training each year. Some employees may be assigned to a mentor in their first year who might be their line manager who plays the role in imitating training relating to job skills, a system in place to help the employees adapt to the working life and adjust to the Company’s culture.The company is committed to helping its employees develop into â€Å"true airline professionals†. The company thrive in the business due to the diverse nature of the business require a different scope for development. SIA involves its employees in job rotation schemes which ensure that employees perform their duties in their field of specialization or across functional areas. It is so planned that throughout the caree r stages and advancement employees will have to interact with his/her colleagues as well as senior management staffs across the whole organization and globally, through involvement in the committees and task forces. Even opportunities for overseas duties are available to Employees of Singapore Airline.Employees after working for a period of experience years can apply to join the company’s Overseas Manager Scheme. This is a good career development as they have the opportunity to become one of the Airline's General Managers oversees. Such manager would be in charge of the company’s overseas business interest which ranges from sales and marketing, Human Resource, finance, management and government relations. As a graduate entry at Singapore Airline would start from the junior management level but can rise to the senior management positions such as vice-presidents and above with experiences, training, exposures, and stellar performance as they case may be. [ (singaporeair. com, 2012 ) ] 3. 3. Performance Management (Quantum)Figure [ 7 ] Performance Management Model [ (hr. cornell. edu, 2012 ) ] Performance Management, according to Dessler, (2012) is a â€Å"continuous process of identifying, measuring, and developing the performance of individuals and teams and aligning their performance with organizational goals† some schools of thought still refers to performance management as performance appraisal while some say it is just a branch of performance management that deals with reward for performance (Dessler, 2012). Quantum Corporation manufactures and renders services of recovery, and archive solutions for customers ranging from small businesses to multinational enterprises (investing. businessweek. om, 2012); it came into computing business as a supplier of hardware to manufacturers and end users in 1980. The activities below are the regular practices of Quantum Corporation that seemly infer they are practicing performance management. * Maint aining a result Focus * Decision Making with the best interest of the Company in mind * Working together Collaboratively * Finding problem Troubleshooting and fixing them * Setting high standards * Being open, honest and direct * Staying flexible and adaptable * Taking initiative for one’s own development * Resolving issues in an objective manner Figure [ 8 ] Performance Management Process [ (Office of Personnel Management, 1999) ] 3. 4.Employee Benefits and Compensation ExxonMobil ExxonMobil a multinational oil and gas corporation was formed from the 1999 merger Exxon and Mobil, the corporation was rated as one of the largest publicly traded company by market capitalization. In 2011 the company recorded a revenue of 354,674,000 and a sale of 30,460,000 [ (money. cnn. com, 2011) ] and recently ExxonMobil was rated by Forbes as the number 1 largest company among 200 [ (DeCarlo, 2012) ]. The amount of employee in the company is 102,700 [ (CNN, 2010) ] happened to be the second after Wal-Mart. The Human Resource Department of ExxonMobil places high emphasis on the benefit and compensation of its employees.It stresses the fact that that to stay at the top the corporation has to attract retain and develop the best man power that would meet their business needs, hence the strategy the company is to stay aloof in their HRM activities is the attractive and competitive compensation and benefits. Figure [ 9 ] Benefits and Compensation Model [ (trueinfos. com, 2012 ) ] ExxonMobil is aware of the effect of reward is, in terms of remuneration and benefits which they are given to employees for their intelligence, passion and ingenuity in performing their duties to the company. The company feels there should be satisfying balance in what the employees seeks in their career and personal pursuits while outside work; hence the company provided necessary resources that would meet their various needs. At ExxonMobil there is this believe that employees should be properly re warded because of their hard work. 3. 5. 1. Salary ; Compensation:A very competitive salary (including 13th ; 14th month) – regular salary for staffs are paid with concrete research into salaries paid by other competing companies in their various positions all over and a benchmark is set. Further in that extra months pay to workers. A Pension Savings Plan – The Company contributes to the pension saving plan of each employee which would be added to the government pension payout. Commuting Allowance – Every mileage used from home to work every day are reimbursed by the company. Even on business trips, travel cost are burn by the company no matter the time duration. 3. 5. 2. Additional Benefits ExxonMobil adds some tokens as benefits on top of the interest and their competitive salaries paid to their employees.They range from savings plan, pension plan, medical plan, dental and vision plans, disability plan, life insurance plan and other programmes such as vacation , global fit discount program, product discount, flexible work arrangements and leaves of absence: Medical Coverage (for you and your dependents) – this is an insurance plan in place for medical cost not provided for the employees basic policy (BE) or medical cost contribution. Accident ; Disability Insurance – Insurance plan in place for employee accident both during worry and outside work area, industrial accident insurance police Product discounts – Rebates of 10% (excluding taxes) given off to employees for using ‘Esso Card’, rebates on heating oil, and many more Savings Plan- ExxonMobil employees are provided with a saving scheme where they contribute a certain percentage of their pay and receive the return even with interest.Disability Plan- the programme is in place for employees who are absent from work for both short-term and long-term due to illness or injuries that happened on or off the job. Dental and Vision Plans – dental servic es and vision service are done for both preventive and corrective ones. The cost of incurred would be shared between the company and staff. Employees are eligible for this programme once you start working with ExxonMobil. Pre- Tax Spending Plan – All the staff of the company that participated in the dental and a vision plans are all involved in pre-tax spending plan. Holidays – ExxonMobil pays for 8 designated holidays and each employee is eligible to go for 2 paid ones. Scheduling of holidaying varies for company paid for some locations.Global Fit Discount Program – the scheme paves way for the company employees and retiree and their families to join top rated health club at a discount rate. 3. 0. RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION A careful look at the companies best practices and policies in human resource management as discussed in the previous section, it is observed that there are many practices and policies a company can decide to use to strengthen the organiz ation with its success only depends on their contribution to organizational performance. It has assumed that one of these practices is the sole contributor to organization performance however all the functions of human resource cannot be neglected considering their roles collectively as none of the practices can even function without the other.The competitiveness and success of an organization can not only be determined by human resource activities, the fact cannot be ignored that without human effort an organization can function but so far the companies have been singled out as successful through their revenue, sales, market share and market growth. ExxonMobil is an oil and gas company and they happen to be the number largest company dues because of their revenue. My 3 years experience has given an idea in which human resource practice that has proven to be successful; it is evident in success of Quantum corporation even ExxonMobil. I have had a good performance because at every cl osing hour of the day there is always a review and report writing where the Executive director would sit and redress every variances and also set a target for the next day.Furthermore all the practices of human resource management are applicable it only depends on the human resource executive to choose know which one is best suited for the company and its employees. Bibliography accel-team. com, 2012 . ACCEL. [Online] Available at: http://www. accel-team. com/human_resources/hrm_01. html [Accessed 11 August 2012 ]. Agawarwala, T. , 2003. Innovative Human Resource and Organization Commitment: an Empirical Investigation. The International Journal of Human Resource, 14(2), pp. 174-197. Bliss, R. , 2012. How to Pitch a Campaign (Watching AMC's The Pitch Doesn't Count! ). The Washington Times, 2 June. Boeing , 2012 . Boeing. 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Kindergarten Chats – Architecture

This reading has introduced me to various factors in architecture regarding what it represents and should be in society through Louis Sullivan words. A Terminal Station: The Masculine Implies forceful, direct, clear and straightforward, The Feminine Implies intuitive sympathy, suavity, grace, and qualities of soothe, elevate, and refined. Should be easy to get in and out (efficiency) Outward aspect of the style takes on the ambulance of architecture. I agree, a terminal station should be able to tell us what it is and from the outside, where are the entrances, exists, etc†¦This is a public figure and needs to be clear. The Key: Each buildings external aspect represents character and it's up to us to unlock the architecture behind the building. The Architect represents or misrepresents society at large; what his plain duty is, if any what society has demanded and expect. There is a particular trust between the society and the Architects. Whichever way our architecture goes, so wi ll our country go However the architecture is rotten to the core, according to Sullivan, the illusion of American architecture.I agree how the public in large is not heavily involved in how their architecture is designed, thus we are putting trust on architect's hands. Nature: Is visible, objective forms, contains aspects of beauty of form and color. The elements of earth and air shaped by delicate hand of time A creative impulse of origin In conclusion, buildings are made of materials, but the elements of the earth are removed from the matrix of nature, and reorganized and reshaped by force; mechanical, muscular, mental, emotional, moral, and spiritual.Character: Not confined to the individual, it is also defined by the municipality, the nation, rent trends, and qualities that we the people are demanding in the marketplace. Values: We recognize values in medals, diplomas, or monuments. Brings a sense of community Curtain values in which money cannot measure. Take for example a buil ding, any builder can tell you the estimated value of the property in money terms. However, the value of the building is based on subjective value and Dollar value.Sullivan recommends that both come into play. Human nature determines the subjective value, which is more permanent, but money value is inseparable from the a Roman temple: affairs of life. Sullivan talked about how roman temples are place in great modern cities, at the same time having a strenuous sight, sound, that remind the people of their god. Such a holy precinct shall be doubly sacred to us in our reverence for this union of old and new. An example of how a building can be highly subjective, take for example a bank.Just as we discussed in class, a Bank wants their building to seem powerful with strong values. Sullivan disagrees that banks in America should not resemble a Roman Temple. He believes that it should belong to ancient Romans and that banks an make as much money in any kind of bank. Thus no need for imita tions . It was a part of Roman life and their culture, and that goes along with the Roman glory, thus building temples all over resemble a roman death. Taste: It expresses a familiarity with current persons of the culture, or trends. Ђ When an architect loses trust from the people at large, this is called weak taste. I always consider taste as what the market demands, for example having garages in suburban houses because of the demand for car and storage area. A Department Store: Sullivan describes a department stores as a structure that is logical, though, and states directly its purpose, and unmistakable though not wholly gratifying index of the business conducted within its walls. It's directness of statement is its chief virtue.Expanse of glass and light and displays In other words, it stands to reason that a thing looks like what it is and outward appearances resemble inner purposes. This is a great example of Function and Form. Function and Form: Every form we see there is a vital something or other which we do not see, which makes itself visible to us in that very form. A state of nature the form exists because of the function and behind the form is neither more nor less than a manifestation of what you call the infinite creative spirit, called God. Ђ A building is properly designed when you are able to read through and know the reason for that building. The details are not the same as the parts and the mass. Logical vs.. Organic growth Logical is scholarship, or taste, or all of them combined, cannot make organic architecture Logical is common sense, a thoroughly disciplined mind, a perfect quinine, and a gracious gift of expression. Logical can not deal with creativity process, for the creating function is vital, as its name is pure-reason. Ђ Organic correlates to organism, structure, growth, development, and form. Organic implies the pressure of a living force and a resultant structure or mechanism. The pressure is Function and the result ant is Form. Ornaments in Architecture: Sullivan explains ornaments as a decorative application of enhanced beauty of our structures. It's what gives charm to a building. I agree with Sullivan that it's a luxury, to a necessary, because of the great value of the masses.Take for example a garage; to me it does not need ornaments, because Just the building itself provides the required beauty. However I agree that a certain type of ornaments mixes well with certain buildings, examples: retail, industrial, residential, office, etc. Beautiful building may be designed that shall bear no ornaments A decorated structure, harmoniously conceived, well considered, cannot be stripped of its system of ornament without destroying its individuality. The luxury of this inquiry becomes necessary; our architecture shall have neared its final development. Ђ Ornament design will be more beautiful if it seems a part of the surface or substance that receives it than if it looks â€Å"struck on. â₠¬  Both the structure and ornament obviously benefit by this sympathy; each enhancing the value of the other. Also a curtain kind of ornament should appear on a certain kind of structure. Buildings should posses an individuality as marked as that which exists among men, making them distinctly separable from each other, however a strong the racial or family semblance may be.If I stare at my house, I will see all types of Ornaments that have been chosen because of my Hispanic culture, Ecuadorian family, sports, hobbies, and each room has a certain type of style. Thoughts about this Reading I personally did not like this reading as a narrative, because there were many parts filled with a lot of fluff. I prefer to read a reading that is more straightforward and provides real examples and has pictures. Overall, my favorite parts talking about we the people have trust and give total control to developers and architects of designing our lives.

Viewing Mrs. Dalloway Through the Lens of “Modern Fiction”

In â€Å"Modern Fiction,† Virginia Woolf comments on the flaws of modernist writers such as Wells, Bennett, and Galsworthy.   Their narrow focus on the material and lack of affinity for the spiritual or realistic, is evidence enough that they have fallen short in the literary sense.   In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf explores connections with truth, reality, and that which is above the material through her narrative techniques, complex imagery, and provoking themes, thus emphasizing through Mrs. Dalloway what she has so adamantly called for in â€Å"Modern Fiction.†Woolf possesses the ability to create a work of fiction that evokes a pleasant reading experience for the reader without utilizing a central plot.   In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf chooses to explore the narrative possibilities of bringing several characters through one single day in time.   This narrative technique works well in a text that mainly focuses on Mrs. Dalloway’s world view, her inner workings, and her exploration and sensory experience of the world surrounding her.The organizational structure of the novel challenges Woolf to create characters that are deep enough to be realistic while dealing with only one day of their lives.   Woolf creates within the character of Clarissa the inherent sense of the magnanimity of living one day in time.   Clarissa â€Å"had a perpetual sense, as she watched the taxi cabs, of being out, out, far out to sea and alone; she always had the feeling that it was very, very dangerous to live even one day† (16).Through Clarissa, Woolf creates a sense of the complexity each day is capable of bringing to individual characters, thus calling her readers to â€Å"look within life†¦examine for a moment an ordinary mind on an ordinary day.   The mind receives a myriad impressions—trivial, fanstastic, evanescent, or engraved with the sharpness of steel† (3).   Clarissa, through her sensory perception of the world around her, feels the danger of living even one day.Woolf’s embrace of the realistic and spiritual aspects of the world, asserted in â€Å"Modern Fiction,† are set up within this novel so that those views will be challenged.   Through the character of Clarissa, struggling through one day in time, Woolf compels the reader to consider the possibilities beyond the material world.   This narrative technique moves the action forward, and simultaneously delves into the life and inner workings of Clarissa, baring her soul to the reader and opening up the possibilities and realities of the spiritual world.Woolf also employs imagery that similarly challenges the reader to explore the possibilities of what lies beyond the material.   The imagery of death is quite prevalent in the text, and these images are mainly viewed through Clarissa, as she makes sense of her life.   Critic Jacob Littleton, in his article, â€Å"Portrait of the Artist as Middle-Aged Woman,† asserts that b ecause Clarissa possesses a â€Å"heightened view of existence,† she always possesses a â€Å"preternaturally vivid awareness and fear of the termination of the existence she loves so much† (38).Clarissa’s â€Å"fear of termination† resonates most clearly in her isolated attic bedroom.   The image of her bedroom symbolizes loneliness and death, and serves as a place where Clarissa frequently contemplates these subjects.   Her bed, â€Å"no longer the marriage bed symbolizing fertility, is symbolized by her fertile mind as shrinking into her world in a way that other outlooks available to her do not† (40).   She has no one but herself in which to rely, and this is evidenced through her continual fascination with the concept of death and the end of existence.Clarissa’s transcendental theory, which she uses as a reference to inform herself of the realities of the spiritual realm, causes her to surmise that â€Å"since our apparitions, th e part of us which appears, are so momentarily compared with the other, the unseen part of us, which spreads wide, the unseen might survive, be recovered somehow attached to this person or that, or even haunting certain places after death†¦perhaps—perhaps† (79). The image of the spiritual transcending death through means of apparitions is another powerful image within the text, and interlocks with the image of death and presents itself simultaneously.In the case of Septimus, Clarissa is able to feel a connection with him after he has died that seems to transcend death.   She assimilates herself with him after he took his life.   She knows that â€Å"she felt glad that he had done it; thrown it away†¦He made her feel beauty; made her feel the fun.   But she must go back.   She must assemble† (185).   Mrs. Dalloway sees herself in Septimus, even though she has never encountered him face-to-face; she sees something in Septimus that she desires fo r herself.Woolf, through Clarissa’s transcendental theory and interactions with the image of Septimus, uses Clarissa’s experience to assert her own views on the spiritual aspect of reality.   There is something far above the material that causes Clarissa to feel this affinity with Septimus.   There is something beyond herself that calls her to him, thus causing her to desire his fate for her own.   The power of the imagery of death and the ability to transcend it is fully realized in the doubling of Clarissa and Septimus.Lastly, Woolf uses themes that connect reality with the spiritual realm in an attempt to further her thesis in â€Å"Modern Fiction,† for fiction to be modern and worth reading, it must explore that which is above the material world.   Woolf’s main concern in the novel seems to be the inner workings of Mrs. Dalloway, her thought processes, and how she engages with the world surrounding her.   Woolf juxtaposes Clarissa’s i nternal self with her external world, thus setting up one of the most prevalent, resonant themes within the text, and it is â€Å"against this system that Woolf places a world of private significance whose meaning is wholly irreducible to facts of the external world† (37).This struggle between the internal and external surrounds not only Clarissa, but her double, Septimus, and thus permeates the novel.   Personality, according to Ellen Bayuk Rosenmann, in her article, â€Å"The Invisible Presence,† seems to be a â€Å"private fact,† which is far â€Å"alienated from public and political culture† (77).   Society at large is able to neither appreciate nor understand the inner workings of the soul, and thus stands at a distance.Woolf asserts in â€Å"Modern Fiction,† that â€Å"Whether we call it life or spirit, truth or reality, this, the essential thing, has moved off, or on, and refuses to be contained any longer is such ill-fitting vestments as we provide† (3).   In essence, the separation between the internal (soul) and the external (material world) is not navigable.   Mrs. Dalloway is forced to break down the material barriers that bar her from knowing herself, and delve into the depths of her soul to find the spiritual, the truth.Another fascinating theme within the text is the intriguing concept of human interaction.   Characters within the novel are being continually merged together through their experiences and through their own imaginations and memories as well (Littleton 39).   One of the most interesting examples of this is the relationship between Mrs. Dalloway and Septimus.   Clarissa never visually sees Septimus, yet he is the most significant part of her day.   Clearly, Woolf is merging the two characters together, yet she blurs the lines a bit, thus furthering her assertions in â€Å"Modern Fiction,† that â€Å"life is not a series of gig lamps symmetrically arranged; life is a lu minous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end† (4).Septimus is a part of Clarissa’s consciousness, even though she does not realize it.   His life has a large impact of Clarissa, and he is the sole character that compels her to remain true to her soul. Critic J. Hillis Miller, in his article, â€Å"Repetition as Raising the Dead,† explains that â€Å"no man or woman is limited to him or herself, but each is joined to the others†¦diffused like a mist among all the people and places he or she has encountered† (173).   The characters are connected on various levels, and Woolf shows this connection quite acutely through the lens of Lady Bruton as she muses about the way in which Hugh and Richard remain with her after they leave, â€Å"as if one’s friends were attached to one’s body, after lunching with them, by a thin thread, which†¦became hazy with the sound of bells, striki ng the hour† (112).This statement furthers Woolf’s ideal that there is an inherent spiritual connection within human beings, a â€Å"thin thread† which connects humanity.   The interaction between the characters is remarkable, as Woolf continues to assert that there is a spiritual connection between human beings that surpasses any material, physical connection (8).Through means of narrative technique, fascinating imagery, and compelling themes, Woolf continues to assert her thesis in â€Å"Modern Fiction,† that fiction must be concerned with the reality of life, its inherent truth and spirituality.   If fiction is only willing to explore the material, it will do a disservice to humanity, for there is a world beyond the material that begs to be explored.   In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf explore this other world, and brings to light fascinating possibilities that lie far beyond that realms of the material.Works CitedLittleton, Jacob. â€Å"Mrs. Dalloway: Por trait of the Artist as a Middle-Aged Woman.† Twentieth Century Literature. Hempstead: Spring 1995. 41:1, 36-48.Miller, J. Hillis. â€Å"Repetition as Raising the Dead.† Virginia Woolf. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea, 1986.Rosenmann, Ellen Bayuk. â€Å"The Invisible Presence: Virginia Woolf and the Mother Daughter Relationship.† Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 1986.Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway. New York: Harcourt, 1925.Woolf, Virginia. The Common Reader. 1st edition. 1925.