Last Sacrifice Chapter Nine

FORTUNATELY, THEY WERE MOROI FACES. That didn't stop me from raising my stake and moving closer to Sydney. No one was attacking us, so I held my position–not that it probably mattered. As I took in more and more of the setting, I saw that we were completely surrounded by about ten people. We'd told Sydney we were good, and it was true: Dimitri and I could probably take out a group like this, though the poor fighting quarters would make it difficult. I also realized the group wasn't entirely Moroi. The ones closest to us were, but around them were dhampirs. And the light I'd thought had come from torches or flashlights was actually coming from a ball of flame held in one of the Moroi's hands. One Moroi man stepped forward, about Abe's age, with a bushy brown beard and a silver stake in his hand. Some part of me noted the stake was crudely made compared to mine, but the point held the same threat. The man's gaze passed over me and Dimitri, and the stake lowered. Sydney became the object of the guy's scrutiny, and he suddenly reached out for her. Dimitri and I moved to stop him, but other hands reached out to stop us. I could have fought them but froze when Sydney let out a strangled, â€Å"Wait.' The bearded Moroi gripped her chin and turned her head so that the light fell on her cheek, lighting up the golden tattoo. He released his hold and stepped back. â€Å"Lily-girl,' he grunted. The others relaxed very slightly, though they kept their stakes poised and still looked ready to attack if provoked. The Moroi leader turned his attention from Sydney to Dimitri and me. â€Å"You're here to join us?' he asked warily. â€Å"We need shelter,' said Sydney, lightly touching her throat. â€Å"They're being chased by–by the Tainted.' The woman holding the flame looked skeptical. â€Å"More like spies for the Tainted.' â€Å"The Tainted Queen is dead,' said Sydney. She nodded toward me. â€Å"They think she did it.' The inquisitive part of me started to speak but promptly shut up, wise enough to know this bizarre turn of events was best left in Sydney's hands. I didn't understand what she was saying. When she'd said Tainted were pursuing us, I thought she was trying to make this group think we had Strigoi after us. Now, after she'd mentioned the queen, I wasn't so sure. I also wasn't so sure identifying me as a potential murderer was that smart. For all I knew, Brown Beard would turn me in and try to score a reward. From the looks of his clothes, he could have used one. To my surprise, this brought a smile to his face. â€Å"And so, another usurper passes on. Is there a new one yet?' â€Å"No,' said Sydney. â€Å"They'll have elections soon and choose.' The group's smiles were replaced by looks of disdain and disapproving mutters about elections. I couldn't help myself. â€Å"How else would they choose a new king or queen?' â€Å"In the true way,' said a nearby dhampir. â€Å"The way it used to be, long ago. In a battle to the death.' I waited for the punch line, but the guy was clearly serious. I wanted to ask Sydney what she'd gotten us into, but by this point, we'd apparently passed inspection. Their leader turned and began walking down the path. The group followed, moving us along as they did. Listening to their conversation, I couldn't help a small frown–and not just because our lives might be on the line. I was intrigued by their accents. The motel's desk clerk had had a thick southern accent, exactly like you'd expect in this part of the country. These guys, while sounding similar, had a few other pronunciations mixed in. It almost reminded me a little of Dimitri's accent. I was so tense and anxious that I could hardly focus on how long we walked. Eventually, the path led us to what seemed like a well-hidden campground. A huge bonfire blazed in a clearing with people sitting around. Yet, there were structures scattered off to one side, stretching into the woods along the now widened path. It wasn't quite a road yet, but it gave the illusion of a town, or at least a village. The buildings were small and shabby but appeared permanent. On the other side of the fire, the land rose sharply into the Appalachians, blocking out the stars. In the flickering light, I could see a mountain's face that was textured with rough stone and scattered trees, dotted here and there with dark holes. My attention moved back to the living. The crowd gathered around the fire–a couple dozen or so–fell silent as our escort led us in. At first, all I saw were numbers. That was the warrior in me, counting opponents and planning for attack. Then, just like I had earlier, I truly took in the faces. More Moroi mixed with dhampirs. And–I was shocked to discover–humans. These weren't feeders either. Well, not in the sense that I knew feeders. Even in the dark, I could see glimpses of bite marks along some of the humans' necks, but judging by their curious expressions, I could tell these people didn't give blood regularly. They weren't high. They were mixed in among the Moroi and dhampirs, sitting, standing, talking, engaging–the whole group clearly unified in some kind of community. I wondered if these humans were like the Alchemists. Maybe they had some sort of a business relationship with my kind. The tight formation around us began to spread out, and I moved closer to Sydney. â€Å"What in God's name is all this?' â€Å"The Keepers,' she said in a low voice. â€Å"Keepers? What does that mean?' â€Å"It means,' said the bearded Moroi, â€Å"that unlike your people, we still keep the old ways, the way we truly should.' I eyed these â€Å"Keepers' in their worn clothes and the dirty, barefoot children. Reflecting upon how far we were from civilization–and based on how dark it was away from the fire–I was willing to bet they didn't have electricity. I was on the verge of saying that I didn't think this was how anyone should truly be living. Then, remembering the casual way these people had spoken about fights to the death, I decided to keep my views to myself. â€Å"Why are they here, Raymond?' asked a woman sitting by the fire. She was human but spoke to the bearded Moroi in a perfectly ordinary and familiar way. It wasn't the dreamy manner a feeder usually used with a Moroi. It wasn't even like the stilted conversations my kind had with the Alchemists. â€Å"Are they joining us?' Raymond shook his head. â€Å"No. The Tainted are after them for killing their queen.' Sydney elbowed me before I could deny the claim. I clenched my teeth, waiting to be mobbed. Instead, I was surprised to find the crowd looking at me with a mix of awe and admiration, just as our welcoming party had. â€Å"We're giving them refuge,' explained Raymond. He beamed at us, though I didn't know if his approval came from us being murderers or if he simply liked the attention he was getting. â€Å"Although, you are welcome to join us and live here. We have room in the caves.' Caves? I jerked my head toward the cliffs beyond the fire, realizing now what those black holes were. Even as I watched, a few people retiring for the night crawled off and disappeared into the dark depths of the mountain. Sydney answered while I worked to keep a look of horror off my face. â€Å"We only need to stay here †¦' She faltered, not surprising considering how sketchy our plans had become. â€Å"A couple days, probably.' â€Å"You can stay with my family,' said Raymond. â€Å"Even you.' That was directed toward Sydney, and he made it sound like quite the favor. â€Å"Thank you,' she said. â€Å"We'd be grateful to spend the night at your house.' The emphasis on the last word was for me, I realized. The wooden structures along the dusty path didn't look luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, but I'd take one over a cave any day. The village or commune or whatever was getting increasingly excited as our novelty sank in. They bombarded us with a flurry of questions, starting with ordinary things like our names but moving quickly on to specific details about how exactly I'd killed Tatiana. I was saved from having to answer when the human woman who had spoken to Raymond earlier jumped up and steered my threesome away. â€Å"Enough,' she said, chastising the others. â€Å"It's getting late, and I'm sure our guests are hungry.' I was starving, actually, but didn't know if I was in dire enough straits to eat opossum stew or whatever passed as food around here. The woman's proclamation was met with some disappointment, but she assured the others they could talk to us tomorrow. Glancing around, I saw a faint purpling of what must have been the eastern sky. Sunrise. A group of Moroi clinging to â€Å"traditional' ways would most certainly run on a nocturnal schedule, meaning these people probably only had a few more hours before bedtime. The woman said her name was Sarah and led us down the dusty path. Raymond called that he'd see us soon. As we walked, we saw other people wandering near scattered, ramshackle homes, on their way to bed or possibly woken up with all the commotion. Sarah glanced over at Sydney. â€Å"Did you bring us anything?' â€Å"No,' said Sydney. â€Å"I'm just here to escort them.' Sarah looked disappointed but nodded. â€Å"An important task.' Sydney frowned and appeared even more uneasy. â€Å"How long has it been since my people brought you anything?' â€Å"A few months,' said Sarah after a moment's thought. Sydney's expression darkened at this, but she said no more. Sarah finally took us inside one of the larger and nicer looking of the houses, though it was still plain and made of unpainted wooden boards. The inside was pitch black, and we waited as Sarah lit old-fashioned lanterns. I'd been right. No electricity. This suddenly made me wonder about plumbing. The floors were hardwood like the walls and covered in large, brightly patterned rugs. We appeared to be in some hybrid kitchen-living-dining room. There was a large fireplace in the center, a wooden table and chairs on one side, and large cushions on the other that I presumed served as sofas. Racks of drying herbs hung near the fireplace, filling the room with a spicy scent that mingled with the smell of burnt wood. There were three doors in the back wall, and Sarah nodded to one. â€Å"You can sleep in the girls' room,' she said. â€Å"Thanks,' I said, not sure I really wanted to see what our guest accommodations were like. I was already missing the MOTEL. I studied Sarah curiously. She looked to be about Raymond's age and wore a plain, knee-length blue dress. Her blond hair was pulled back and tied at her neck, and she seemed short to me the way all humans did. â€Å"Are you Raymond's housekeeper?' It was the only role I could deduce for her. She had a few bite marks but obviously wasn't a feeder. At least not a full-time one. Maybe around here, feeders doubled as household help. She smiled. â€Å"I'm his wife.' It was a mark of my self-control that I managed any sort of response. â€Å"Oh.' Sydney's sharp eyes fell on me, a warning in them: Let it go. I again clenched my jaw shut and gave her a brief nod to let her know I understood. Except, I didn't understand. Dhampirs and Moroi hooked up all the time. Dhampirs had to. More permanent liaisons were scandalous–but not completely out of the realm of possibility. But Moroi and humans? That was beyond comprehension. Those races hadn't gotten together in centuries. They'd produced dhampirs long ago, but as the modern world progressed, Moroi had completely withdrawn from intermingling (in an intimate way) with humans. We lived among them, sure. Moroi and dhampirs worked alongside humans out in the world, bought houses in their neighborhoods, and apparently had bizarre arrangements with secret societies like the Alchemists. And, of course, Moroi fed from humans–and that was the thing. If you kept a human close to you, it was because they were a feeder. That was your level of intimacy. Feeders were food, pure and simple. Well-treated food, yes, but not food you became friends with. A Moroi having sex with a dhampir? Racy. A Moroi having sex with a dhampir and drinking blood? Dirty and humiliating. A Moroi having sex with a human–with or without blood drinking? Incomprehensible. There were few things that shocked me or gave me offense. I was pretty liberal in my views when it came to romance, but the idea of human and Moroi marriage blew me away. It didn't matter if the human was a type of feeder–as Sarah appeared to be–or someone â€Å"above' that like Sydney. Humans and Moroi didn't get together. It was primitive and wrong, which was why it was no longer done. Well, at least not where I came from. Unlike your people, we still follow the old ways. The funny thing was that no matter how wrong I thought all this was, Sydney had to feel even more strongly about it with her vampire hang-ups. I supposed she'd been prepared, however, which is why she could manage that cool expression of hers. She hadn't been blindsided like Dimitri and me, because I felt with some certainty that he shared my feelings. He was just better at hiding surprise. A commotion at the door startled me out of my shock. Raymond had arrived and wasn't alone. A dhampir boy of about eight or so sat on his shoulders, and a Moroi girl about the same age scurried alongside them. A pretty Moroi woman who looked to be in her twenties followed, and behind her was a cute dhampir guy who couldn't have been more than a couple years older than me, if not exactly my age. Introductions followed. The children were Phil and Molly, and the Moroi woman was named Paulette. They all appeared to live there, but I couldn't exactly figure out the relationships, except for the guy my age. He was Raymond and Sarah's son, Joshua. He had a ready smile for all of us–especially me and Sydney–and eyes that reminded me of the piercing, crystalline blue of the Ozeras. Only, whereas Christian's family tended to have dark hair, Joshua's was a sandy blond with lighter gold highlights. I had to admit, it was an attractive combination, but that stunned part of my brain reminded me again that he'd been born from a human-Moroi hookup, not a dhampir and Moroi like me. The end product was the same, but the means were bizarre. â€Å"I'm putting them in your room,' Sarah told Paulette. â€Å"The rest of you can share the loft.' It took me a moment to realize â€Å"the rest of you' meant Paulette, Joshua, Molly, and Phil. Glancing up, I saw there was indeed what looked like a loft space covering half the house's width. It didn't look big enough for four people. â€Å"We don't want to inconvenience you,' said Dimitri, sharing my thoughts. He'd been silent for almost all of this wood-land adventure, saving his energy for actions, not words. â€Å"We'll be fine out here.' â€Å"Don't worry about it,' said Joshua, again giving me that pretty smile. â€Å"We don't mind. Angeline won't either.' â€Å"Who?' I asked. â€Å"My sister.' I repressed a grimace. Five of them crammed up there so that we could have a room. â€Å"Thank you,' said Sydney. â€Å"We appreciate it. And we really won't be staying long.' Their dislike of the vampire world aside, Alchemists could be polite and charming when they chose. â€Å"Too bad,' said Joshua. â€Å"Stop flirting, Josh,' said Sarah. â€Å"Do you three want something to eat before bed? I could warm up some stew. We had it earlier with some of Paulette's bread.' At the word stew, all my opossum fears came racing back. â€Å"No need,' I said hastily. â€Å"I'd just be fine with bread.' â€Å"Me too,' said Dimitri. I wondered if he was trying to reduce their work or if he shared my food fears. Probably not the latter. Dimitri seemed like the kind of guy you could throw into the wilderness and he would survive off anything. Paulette had apparently baked a lot of bread, and they let us have a picnic in our small little room with a full loaf and a bowl of butter that Sarah had probably churned herself. The room was about the size of my dorm room at St. Vladimir's, with two down stuffed mattresses on the floor. Quilts neatly covered them, quilts that probably hadn't been used in months with these temperatures. Munching on a piece of bread that was surprisingly good, I ran my hand over one of the quilts. â€Å"It reminds me of some of the designs I saw in Russia,' I said. Dimitri studied the pattern too. â€Å"Similar. But not quite the same.' â€Å"It's the evolution of the culture,' said Sydney. She was tired but not enough to abandon textbook mode. â€Å"Traditional Russian patterns brought over and eventually fused with a typical Americana patchwork quilt form.' Whoa. â€Å"Um, good to know.' The family had left us alone while they got ready for bed, and I eyed our cracked door warily. With the noise and activity out there, it seemed unlikely we'd be overheard, but I lowered my voice anyway. â€Å"Are you ready to explain who the hell these people are?' She shrugged. â€Å"The Keepers.' â€Å"Yeah, I got that. And we're the Tainted. Sounds like a better name for Strigoi.' â€Å"No.' Sydney leaned back against the wooden wall. â€Å"Strigoi are the Lost. You're Tainted because you joined the modern world and left behind their backward ways for your own messed up customs.' â€Å"Hey,' I retorted. â€Å"We're not the ones with overalls and banjos.' â€Å"Rose,' chastised Dimitri, with a pointed look at the door. â€Å"Be careful. And besides, we only saw one person in overalls.' â€Å"If it makes you feel better,' said Sydney, â€Å"I think your ways are better. Seeing humans mixing with all this †¦' The pleasant and professional face she had shown to the Keepers was gone. Her blunt nature was back. â€Å"It's disgusting. No offense.' â€Å"None taken,' I said with a shiver. â€Å"Trust me, I feel the same way. I can't believe †¦ I can't believe they live like that.' She nodded, seeming grateful I shared her view. â€Å"I like you guys sticking with your own kind better. Except †¦' â€Å"Except what?' I prodded. She looked sheepish. â€Å"Even if the people you come from don't marry humans, you do still interact with them and live in their cities. These guys don't.' â€Å"Which Alchemists prefer,' guessed Dimitri. â€Å"You don't approve of this group's customs, but you do like having them conveniently stashed out of mainstream society.' Sydney nodded. â€Å"The more vampires who stay off on their own in the woods, the better–even if their lifestyle is crazy. These guys keep to themselves–and keep others out.' â€Å"Through hostile means?' I asked. We'd been met by a war party, and she'd expected it. All of them had been ready to fight: Moroi, dhampir, and human. â€Å"Hopefully not too hostile,' she said evasively. â€Å"They let you through,' said Dimitri. â€Å"They know the Alchemists. Why did Sarah ask about you bringing them things?' â€Å"Because that's what we do,' she said. â€Å"Every so often for groups like these, we drop off supplies–food for everyone, medicine for the humans.' Again, I heard that derision in her voice, but then she turned uneasy. â€Å"The thing is, if Sarah's right, they could be due for an Alchemist visit. That would just be our luck to be here when that happens.' I was going to reassure her that we only needed to lie low a couple days when an earlier phrase tugged at me. â€Å"Wait. You said â€Å"groups like these.' How many of these commune things are out there?' I turned to Dimitri. â€Å"This isn't like the Alchemists, is it? Something only some of you know about that you're keeping from the rest of us?' He shook his head. â€Å"I'm as astonished by all of this as you are.' â€Å"Some of your leaders probably know about the Keepers in a vague way,' said Sydney. â€Å"But no details. No locations. These guys hide themselves pretty well and can move on a moment's notice. They stay away from your people. They don't like your people.' I sighed. â€Å"Which is why they won't turn us in. And why they're so excited I might have killed Tatiana. Thanks for that, by the way.' Sydney wasn't apologetic in the least. â€Å"It gets us protection. Such as it is.' She stifled a yawn. â€Å"But for now? I'm exhausted. I'm not going to be able to follow anyone's crazy plans–yours or Abe's–if I don't get some sleep.' I'd known she was tired, but only now did the extent of it hit me. Sydney wasn't like us. We needed sleep but had the endurance to put it off if needed. She'd been up all night and forced into some situations that were definitely outside of her comfort zone. She looked like she could fall asleep against the wall then and there. I turned to Dimitri. He was already looking at me. â€Å"Shifts?' I asked. I knew neither one of us would allow our group to stay unguarded in this place, even if we were allegedly queen-killing heroes. He nodded. â€Å"You go first, and I'll–‘ The door was flung open, and both Dimitri and I nearly leapt up to attack. A dhampir girl stood there, glaring at all of us. She was a couple years younger than me, about the age of my friend Jill Mastrano, a student back at St. Vladimir's who wanted to be a Moroi fighter. This girl looked like she did too, just by her stance alone. She possessed the strong, lean build most dhampirs had, her whole body braced like it might tackle any one of us. Her hair was stick-straight to her waist, a dark auburn that had picked up gold and copper highlights from the sun. She had the same blue eyes as Joshua. â€Å"So,' she said. â€Å"You're the big heroes taking my room.' â€Å"Angeline?' I guessed, remembering Joshua mentioning his sister. She narrowed her eyes, not liking that I knew who she was. â€Å"Yes.' She studied me unflinchingly and didn't seem to approve of what she found. That sharp gaze flicked to Dimitri next. I expected a softening, expected her to fall prey to his good looks the way most women did. But, no. He received suspicion as well. Her attention turned back to me. â€Å"I don't believe it,' she declared. â€Å"You're too soft. Too prim.' Prim? Really? I didn't feel that way, not in my battle-scarred jeans and T-shirt. Looking at her attire, I could maybe understand the attitude, though. Her clothes were clean, but her jeans had been around a while, both knees worn to threads. The shirt was a plain, off-white tank top that had a homemade feel. I didn't know if it had originally been white. Maybe I was prim by comparison. Of course, if anyone deserved the title of prim, it would be Sydney. Her clothes would've passed at a business meeting, and she hadn't been in any fights or jail-breaks recently. Angeline hadn't even given her a second glance, though. I was getting the feeling Alchemists were in a strange category around here, a different type of human from the ones who intermarried with the Keepers. Alchemists brought supplies and left. They were almost a type of feeder to these people, really, which boggled the mind. The Keepers had more respect for the types of humans my culture looked down on. Regardless, I didn't know what to say to Angeline. I didn't like being called soft or having my battle prowess called into question. A spark of my temper flared, but I refused to cause trouble by getting in a fight with our host's daughter, nor was I going to start making up details about Tatiana's murder. I simply shrugged. â€Å"Looks are deceiving,' I said. â€Å"Yes,' Angeline said coolly. â€Å"They are.' She stalked over to a small chest in the corner and pulled out what looked like a nightgown. â€Å"You better not mess up my bed,' she warned me. She glanced over at Sydney, sitting on the other mattress. â€Å"I don't care what you do to Paulette's.' â€Å"Is Paulette your sister?' I asked, still trying to put this family together. There didn't seem to be anything I could say that wouldn't offend this girl. â€Å"Of course not,' Angeline snapped, slamming the door as she left. I stared at it in astonishment. Sydney yawned and stretched out on her bed. â€Å"Paulette is probably Raymond's †¦ eh, I don't know. Mistress. Concubine.' â€Å"What?' I exclaimed. A Moroi married to a human and having an affair with a Moroi. I wasn't sure how much more I could take. â€Å"Living with his family?' â€Å"Don't ask me to explain it. I don't want to know any more about your twisted ways than I have to.' â€Å"It's not my way,' I retorted. Sarah came shortly thereafter to apologize for Angeline and see if we needed anything else. We assured her we were fine and thanked her profusely for her hospitality. Once she was gone, Dimitri and I set up sleeping shifts. I would have rather we both stayed on alert, particularly since I felt pretty sure Angeline would slit someone's throat in their sleep. But, we needed rest and knew we'd both react promptly if anyone came busting down our door. So, I let Dimitri take the first watch while I snuggled into Angeline's bed and tried not to â€Å"mess it up.' It was surprisingly comfortable. Or, maybe I was just that tired. I was able to let go of my worries about execution, lost siblings, and vampire hillbillies. Deep sleep wrapped around me, and I began to dream †¦ but not just any dream. It was a shifting of my inner world, the sense of being both in and out of reality. I was being pulled into a spirit-induced dream. Adrian! The thought excited me. I'd missed him and was eager to talk to someone directly after all that had happened at Court. There hadn't been much time to talk during my escape, and after this bizarre backwoods world I'd stumbled into, I really needed some piece of normality and civilization around me. The dream's world began to form around me, growing clearer and clearer. It was a location I'd never seen, a formal parlor with chairs and couches covered in lavender paisley cushions. Oil paintings lined the walls, and there was a large harp in the corner. I'd learned long ago that there was no predicting where Adrian would send me–or what he'd make me wear. Fortunately, I was in jeans and a T-shirt, my blue nazar hanging around my neck. I turned around anxiously, looking for him so that I could give him a giant hug. Yet, as my eyes searched the room, it wasn't Adrian's face I suddenly found myself looking into. It was Robert Doru's. And Victor Dashkov was with him.

The Lincoln Electric Company

Headquartered in Euclid, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, The Lincoln Electric Company is a world leader in welding and cutting products, as well as a premier manufacturer of electric motors. The company is well known for its dedicated, talented workforce and its superior technology. Lincoln Electric Company gives its customers total solutions along with a commitment to quality. Lincoln Electric Company is also well known for its incentive management system. Many companies strive to duplicate the success that Lincoln has enjoyed over the years. John C. Lincoln founded Lincoln Electric Company in 1895 with a capital investment of $200. At first he only designed electric motors, but in 1909, he began to build welding machines. In 1814, he hired his brother James to be the VP and manager of his company. In 1934, the famous Lincoln bonus plan was instated as employees enjoyed bonuses of 25% of their base pay. By 1940, Lincoln employees enjoyed two times the average pay and productivity of similar Cleveland workers. Lincoln has built a very profitable company. This by way of treating all of its stakeholders with the utmost importance. Lincoln always kept its prices very fair, if not too fair for the customers. In many cases, the price of an item or service provided by Lincoln had gone down over the years. At the same time, employee†s salaries actually went up. This is just one example why Lincoln has flourished. Why are the employees at Lincoln Electric Company so pleased as well as so productive? Why were Lincoln employees willing to work overtime during an August vacation time in 1994? The following benefits are some of the main reasons why Lincoln employees will do almost anything to help its employer: an employee stock purchase plan company-paid life insurance piece rates adjusted for inflation a practice of lifetime employment Since its inception in 1895, Lincoln Electric Company was privately owned. This allowed for the protection of the processes that has kept Lincoln in the lead. However, after two years of losses in 1992 and 1993 due to a harsh foreign market, Lincoln Electric Company had to go public. With multi-million dollar, domestic updates and acquisitions in such countries as Italy, China, and Indonesia, Lincoln Electric Company wasted no time by dwelling on its first losses in Lincoln†s history. Lincoln is back on track as the world leader in arc welding, after faltering for only two years. Lincoln is committed to providing substantial value to all of its stakeholders. Very satisfied, dedicated and talented employees Incentive performance system Customer†s interests were held as more important than the stockholder†s Low prices kept customers pleased Exceptional quality (one Lincoln distributor said he sold hundreds of Lincoln welders without even one return Good relationships with unions Lincoln would guarantee a price quote in writing Having to go public after nearly 100 years The incentive pay scheme needs some updates Try to regain the its long-time standing as a privately owned company Stockholders could threaten with the need for a traditional pay scheme and this could interfere with the excellent relationship that Lincoln Electric has with its employees There is really nothing that Lincoln Electric Company can do that has not already been done. Lincoln Electric Company never had a loss until it†s over sea operations began to suffer in 1992. During the global organization, Lincoln†s employees voluntarily postponed their vacations in order to meet customer demand. Sales records have been set for every quarter since mid 1993. The only area that I see that could be changed is the way that the employees are compensated.

Nuisance ( torts law) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Nuisance ( torts law) - Essay Example hurt or annoyance of the lands, tenements, or hereditaments of another." The forms of private nuisances are almost countless, thus resulting in the impossibility of any kind of classification (Putney, 1908). A person who owns a proprietorship interest in the land in which nuisance is inflicted can sue and succeed to claims. For instance the person must be an owner or a party, or be in special custody or occupation of it like tenant or under a licence to reside. Exceptions to the above rule may also be present as in the case of Hunter v Canary Wharf.1 The case of Malone v Laskey2 is an exception of the rule that a licensee can sue. In the mentioned case when the wife of the licensee used the toilet a cistern fell on her head due to the trembling of machinery in the nearby property and she was hurt. But when she claimed it failed because her husband was only a licensee and so it could not be proved that she held a proprietary interest in the land herself. But had this case been occurred now she would have succeeded under negligence. But an exception to this is that the wife of a home owner can sue since she also has a beneficial interest in the matrimonial home Hunter v Canary Wharf. Actually according to law jus tertii meaning right of a third person, is not a good defence to sue in a private nuisance. But if a person is in exclusive possession of the land can sue even if title to it cannot be proved Foster v Warblington.3 Till very lately it was resolved, that the complainant must have an interest in the land so that he could sue in private nuisance. But then in the case of Khorasandijian v. Bush4 it was in particular affirmed that it was no longer suitable to restrict the right to sue by indication to proprietary interest in the land. In this case Lord Dillon said the following†¦Ã¢â‚¬ it is ridiculous if in this present age the law that is the making of deliberately harassing and pestering phone calls to a person is only actionable in the civil courts if a

Discuss the impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal and Essay

Discuss the impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal and professional experiences prior to 1932 on his political, social, and - Essay Example Nonetheless, the individuals whose personal experiences played an immense role in obtaining the appropriate outcomes achieved heroic status with history classes filled with lessons about these personalities. One such personality is Franklin Delano Roosevelt whose experiences contributed to his political, social, and economic views, which were instrumental in defining the approach that he used to handle the Great Depression. Roosevelt was born as the only child of Sara and James in Hyde Park, New York on the January 30, 1882 (â€Å"Franklin D. Roosevelt†). Hyde Park used to be an estate for farmers who lived a rural life in the Hudson Valley, which played an immense role in the life of young Roosevelt who developed a lifelong passion for forestry, which was instrumental in shaping some of his political, social, and economic views. In addition, his love for the rural life and people contributed to some of the policies that were immense in his career. Roosevelt went to school in various places and he joined Harvard Law School in 1900. However, he focused more on his social life and extracurricular activities, failed to complete his LL.B. degree, and only joined Columbia University Law School although he did not complete the courses required to get a degree although he gained admittance to the bar. Nonetheless, Roosevelt ventured into law practice, which effectively made him venture into politics and started his rise on the political ladder of the United States. In this case, he became a freshman senator for the State of New York in 1990 and the first legislation that he introduced was a legislation that was meant to protect farmers (â€Å"Franklin D. Roosevelt†). In line with this, it is important to point out that this first legislation was a result of his personal upbringing among the rural people and his love for these people. In addition, Roosevelt headed the Senate Committee on Forest, Fish, and Game and this role helped him emerge as a leading conservationist. However, his conservation efforts did not emerge from his role in this Senate committee, but it was due to his background and his personal life in the rural setup. Following the election of Woodrow Wilson, Roosevelt was appointed to the position of assistant secretary of the navy for seven years. This role was instrumental since he was able to thrust the navy into the limelight with the navy participating in the First World War. Importantly, Roosevelt advocated for a strong military that played an influential role in the war despite the then president advocating for a lesser military role. Consequently, Roosevelt played an instrumental role in absorbing the president from the war and he consequently gained a combination of idealistic and realistic ideas that helped him during the formation of the United Nations (â€Å"Franklin D. Roosevelt†). Roosevelt suffered the effects of polio at the age of 39 years, which paralyzed his lower part of the body starting at the waist region going down to the legs (â€Å"Franklin D. Roosevelt†). In effect, he could not walk again although he knew â€Å"with characteristic energy, optimism, ingenuity, and determination† that he would regain his strength (â€Å"Franklin D. Roosevelt†). Consequently, he was able to start exercise regimens that helped him regain his

Banned Condom Ads Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Banned Condom Ads - Coursework Example Though this advert is obviously humorous, the interested parties banned it from the television for the obvious, serious message it is passing across (ZaZoo condoms). The message the commercial seems to be wear condoms to prevent these kinds of tantrums. The message also seems to be advising parents to wear condoms if they do not want these kinds of kids (Allyn & Westheimer, & Lopater, 2002). It is likely that the commercial was banned for this message. Instead of the ad passing the right message, for example, condoms are ways of preventing unnecessary pregnancies and STDs, the commercial seems to be threatening customers to buy their products or end up like this frustrated parent (Banned commercials). The other commercial in question is the one by Durex, which has a mass of sperms following their owner as he goes to talk to his girl. Her boyfriend’s sperms, which have been personified, rush the girl and a giant condom later rescues her (Banned commercials- Durex). The message the commercial seems to be passing is that the Durex condom can eat up sperm/ men and prevent pregnancy (Miracle, Miracle & Baumeister, 2003). The commercial is obviously funny and does not use explicit message or pictures, and that is the reason that leads one to wonder why it was banned. It is possible that the commercial was banned for its utilization of man/ sperm eating condom, and the utilization of man- looking sperm (Andersen,

Analysis of Breastfeeding Baby Advertisement Essay - 15

Analysis of Breastfeeding Baby Advertisement - Essay Example This research is being carried out to evaluate and present the advertisement in which the image composed of a baby being nursed by his or her mother.   The image was originally used to advertise Oreo cookies but the attention was instead drawn to the baby and the mother’s breast.     Due to the powerful image showed during the awards gathering event, the ad was leaked to the public albeit it was never intended to be shown to the public’s eyes.   The ad which was originally intended to sell Oreo cookies also became an advocacy material for breastfeeding mothers.   This evidences the powerful emotional appeal of the ad that it transcended from a mere commercial device to an advocacy material. The image of a baby sucking his or her mother’s breast is so compelling and raw that we cannot help but be drawn to it because it touches the humanity in us. Especially when the baby seemed to be looking at us making the image to appear interactive. The emotional app eal of the image is so powerful that the cookie is ignored by the audience. There may be a lot of people who may find the image disturbing or even obscene and improper but one cannot readily dismiss it because it is made by advertising professionals. At the onset, one may be revolted or find the image inappropriate but when one looks closely and notice that the image is created by a reputable advertising agency, the audience tends to look for its meaning. They will inadvertently assure themselves that the professionals who made this did not only use the image to stir a controversy but they must have a message to tell. The credibility of the creators as professionals shielded the ad from dismissal and even undue judgment and instead take it in a positive light. Had this been created by an unknown person, the picture may have been dismissed as disrespectful to the breastfeeding mothers. But since it is created by an advertising agency, it was taken seriously to the point of being used as an advocacy material. People may disagree with the image but the creator used logical approach or logos to convey a straightforward message that this how babies should be fed. People may not like it but one cannot deny it. It cannot be dismissed as inappropriate because there is no other way to feed a baby. The image only showed how babies are fed which is logical.

The Roar of the Tiger Mom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Roar of the Tiger Mom - Essay Example These activities included watching the television, getting below â€Å"A† grades, playing computer and video games, and to attend sleepovers at friends’ places. The article also stipulates Chua using unsound methods of ensuring that her children were properly motivated in order to ensure their excellence. For example, she indicates that she often refers to one child as garbage with aim of trying to make the child work harder. She also rejects a birthday card that has been crafted amateurish referring it as unworthy. Finally, with aim of motivating her children, she condemns her child who is only seven years old for her inability to play a piano piece, which is complex despite her practicing it several times. A story that appeared on the time magazine indicated that Meredith Viera who is usually joyful when hosting her program was unable to hide her content towards Chua as she read some of the comments posted by viewers when she had hosted Chua in her show. Comments ranged from regarding Chua as a monster to questioning whether she really loves her children. Despite this, ideas proposed by Chua were received well by some readers. This was especially with regard to a study that had ranked United States of America students as 17th when it came to reading, 23rd in sciences and 31st in mathematics in the entire world. Such readers associated with Chuo’s piece since they felt that the United States of America should not accept academic failure if they expect to compete with other superpower countries such as China which had topped the Students rankings. Thus the question of whether protecting the children’s self-esteem is more important than ensuring the academic excellence of American children which will later result in their economic success is raised. In short, which consequences are worse to bear with?  

Descarte's Philosophy of Calling Mind as a Thinking Thing Essay

Descarte's Philosophy of Calling Mind as a Thinking Thing - Essay Example Hence the essence of the existence of human beings is their mind or soul, not their bodies. Descartes’ philosophy of calling mind as a thinking thing Rene Descartes is a French mathematician come philosopher of seventeenth century who is unanimously called as 'Father of Modern Philosophy'. Born in the year 1596 & died in 1650 due to pneumonia, Descartes produced lots of useful philosophical ideas which definitely make the basis for a modern anti-scholastic philosophy. The most famous & most controversial philosophical statement given by Descartes' was "I think, therefore I am" in his publication â€Å"the discourse on the method† in the year 1637, in which he explains that the essence of our mind is thought. If we do not think about things around us & about ourselves, we don’t make enough use of our brain & thus we remain insignificant. In the year 1639, he started his work on Meditations & wrote a book named â€Å"Meditations on First Philosophy†, which w as highly criticized by most learned people of that time & by the cathedral too, as according to them Descartes gave such ideas which contradict with religion & Christian faith. Most of his publications regarding meditations contain the answers to the objections of his previously defined ideas & he tried to clarify himself about the misunderstandings which arose about his method. In his first meditation, he discussed all the way that our sensory beliefs are not always trustworthy or reliable & mind is the only thing which can be termed as reliable as it thinks. In his second meditation, he argued that the mind takes the liberty of supposing everything to be nonexistent of which it has the least doubt of existing. However, during the process, as mind is the thing which is thinking the whole situation, so it must exist itself .This is among one of the greatest use of our mind (Descartes. 1641). Descartes formally presented a theory of mind-body dualism in which he argues that our body is composed of different organs & parts & our mind has no connection with it. As in his first meditation, he says that sensory organs are doubtful thus the body itself has no particular reliability. This absolutely does not mean that in this perspective, a human does not exist or is insignificant. But as compared to mind, body is nothing but a combination of solid joints. The concept of being deceived by someone or convinced on any point directly relates through mind, not from body. Hence for such things to happen, I must exist & I am a not a rational animal but a thinking thing that doubts, understands, affirms, denies, is willing, is unwilling, and also imagines and has sensory perceptions (Descartes. 1641). The point that our mind only considers those things to be existent, which show their existence, like the mind itself, was explained by thinking of something that has a very least chance to exist. If the existence is proved, Descartes happily conclude that as the particular th ing exists so it proves itself. However, if the supposed image or thing was not found existed by him, he was more than happy to say that anything on the world can be found if it exists, like human mind about which there is no doubt of existence. Mind is a creation of god which exists & thinks all the time about the existence or non-existence of other things. Hence â€Å"I† am not simply a combination of

Negotiation paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Negotiation paper - Essay Example The main agenda of this tactic was to ensure the agent could not undermine me. My silence did not give the agent a clue of what I really wanted and the amount I was willing to pay for the property. I adopted the trick so that the seller felt bullied, which made him easily give in to my demands. The buildings were well built, insured and the surrounding environment aesthetically preserved. Early, survey was conducted where the buildings were examined and all documents verified for their validity. Following this, the agent had placed a value of $ 100,000 on the property. My plan was to spend between $ 60,000 and $ 80,000 although I was hoping that my tactics would play a greater role in ensuring that I bargain for lesser pay. It was time for negotiation, but the agent was not himself; he was full of fear and lacked composure. We took a few minutes staring at each other, but I took advantage of the situation and asked him the much he was willing to sell the property. I was focused on ensuring that I stay within my price range. I did not want to be the first person to make the offer because I was certain of its impact on the counter offer. He stated that he was offering the property at $ 85,000. Because the price was within my range, I did not behave in a manner to suggest the offer was favorable to me. I knew that initial offers are considerably unsuccessful as compared to the counter offer individual. The advantage of a first offer occurs when negotiating with an individual with no or less experience; because I have more than four years experience in the sector, I was very confident I would win. To react to my seller’s offer, I gave him a long silent look which in some way threatened him. I asked him if he was certain about the offer,, but in reply he asked me the much I was willing to part with, to be on the safe side, I did not say anything. After a short silence, the agent told me that he was willing to lowers the price from

How to minimise the chance of project failing Essay Example for Free

How to minimise the chance of project failing Essay Introduction Here I am going to explain using examples many different kinds of ways that can be prevented from projects failing. In order for a project manager to detect something wrong happening in a project, they have to always double check it and also see if it works just the way the client wants it to work. Project managers always need some kinds of backup, if a project all of a sudden goes horribly wrong, they need some kinds of backup which can include extra members of staff or maybe working long hours to achieve their goal. Lack of staff expertise. When hiring new members of staff, a project manager has to always be careful when checking whether they have the right qualifications or not, by giving a new member a small test to see if they are worthy of using different kinds of tools can help to decide whether to hire them or not. Going over the budget If the project goes over the budget and more money is being wasted on different kinds of things such as tools etc, then the project manager will have to work harder over the time that they are paid; they may be then awarded a bonus if the project succeeds. To minimise this there are softwares that can be used such as Microsoft Office Project to keep track on the budget so that it can be easier to avoid going over the budget. Insufficient details from client or Poor or No Requirements If there is simply not enough details from the client, then as a result the project would most likely be unsatisfactory for the client, in order to avoid this it would be very important if the mangers warns the client if any further requirements are needed, otherwise the client will be warned that no changes will be carried out during the process of the project. Not enough proper time to research and plan Before starting any project, planning is extremely important to be taken out so that simply managers will know and have an idea of what to do. If no planning has been taken out then if would be essential to ask the client for a later deadline, if the client refuses then they will need to be warned that errors may occur and the project may arrive late anyway. Using the wrong kind of tools In order to stop confusion from ordering the wrong kind of tools, managers will have to explain clearly to members of staff what exactly is needed, the tools will then have to be researched and studied in order to find out if it has the requirements to create the project they are working on. They can over-run (passed the deadline) In order to minimise project from passing their deadline, manager will need to carry out plans before the project even starts. Managers will also need to hire extra members of staff if there is enough money in order to complete the project early. Members of staff could also learn how to fully use the potential of product such as software to help the project by being less time-consuming. Poor communication Project mangers will always have to make sure that member of staff are properly communicating with each other, there are many methods that can be used for communication, and these can include email, word of mouth, and mobile phone and maybe even by post. Members of staff will need to speak to each other once in a while in order to understand and learn what is going on in the project in order to prevent any errors from occurring. Lack of User Involvement Staff should be informed that if they are not truly involved with the project then they will automatically be given a warning or maybe even fired from their job because they are simply not working up to the standard as they should be working. What is also very important is the managers should be doing walk around which involves checking whether members of staff are working properly and doing things correctly and is truly involved in the project. Changes in the requirements As you know clients may all of a sudden change the details in the requirements of the product. In any of these cases a project manager has to decline those extra details because it can lead to missing out deadlines which can result in a loss of money and also time. A manager will have to warn their client that there cannot be any changes during the operation of the project, clients should also be advised to carefully give the requirements specification for their product that they are expecting to come out of a project. Long or Unrealistic Time periods A manager will also have to make sure and to double check to see if the time given to the project is realistic and achievable, otherwise the project will be known to fail and could have an impact on the organisation because they may need it desperately. Projects should normally take months to create or even years, if a big project was given and the deadline was only for a short time period, managers have to then immediately decline the project or warn the client that they will need more time. Scope Creep In order to minimise this, project managers will have to check and double check the project to see if it is working fully and if there isnt any problems that may be growing or might happen. For example if an error is found during the production of a product and not treated, could result in the product not working completely and permanently and therefore the project may need to be restarted, so to prevent this if an error is found that the mangers should straight away stop the product or pause it and treat the error as soon as possible. Poor Testing Normally testing is not done properly simply because either the client or manager is probably does not have the time to do it, another reason as to why testing may not be carried out because project managers may be too confident and therefore assume that everything will go well. Testing may also be poorly done because there of Insufficient details from the client or Poor or No Requirements, in order to avoid or minimise or prevent this, project managers should train users that do not know the purpose of the system, always give plenty of time to plan and ask the client for better requirements. Bad decisions being made Every single little decision that is made by the manager has to be carefully planned out and thought out, a manager will also have to consider the consequences and also plan for back-ups just in case the idea or plan back-fires.

The Factors Influencing The Built Environment

The Factors Influencing The Built Environment Introduction The proposal assumes the role of a developer presenting to the client. This will help the client to understand the factors influencing the Built Environment (Moxon Street) site. The site would be developed for a Student Accommodation. Though details of the site are not given in the report but an overview of all the factors that would affect the site development, the techniques used, the precautions ought to be taken, etc. It is a general description of how a site will be developed keeping in mind the health, safety welfare and the environmental implications from the development of the site. Section 3 In a built environment it is necessary for the Designer to reduce the health risks that occur from the construction work and also to provide for the safety and welfare to the workers. So Health, Safety and Welfare play an important in the design process. It can be further divided into stages. The Design process which is a benchmark to identify the health risks that arises from the design as well as eliminate the hazardous to a reasonable extent. An onsite register can also be maintained in this regard to show that we have to consider the onsite risks. It would be mandatory for the chemicals contained in the product to be registered under REACH. For Health Hazard the services of a CDM coordinator will be hired and certain components would be assembled off site which would reduce the health hazard on site. The project risk review gateways will be linked to RIBA at the plan of works stages. There is a need for systematic risk assessment and solution will be assessed on the basis of risk control hierarchy. There would be a Red-Amber-Green list which can help the designer to identify and also to negate the hazards and to control risks as far as possible. The Development will have a negative impact on the environment. The Council stipulates that necessary Environment Impact Assessment and Environmental Performance Statement should be part of the development plans. The design should have provisions for natural sunlight, ventilation of air, energy consumption, etc. This should be able to reduce air and noise pollution. This will help the developer to create goodwill for himself as well. There will be ultra low flush toilet which would reduce the use of water. There are certain Risks Assessments which are to be carried out for the health and safety of the employees on site. They would be in respect of- As per the Control of Substance hazardous to health regulation precaution would be taken by a systematic approach. The services of an Agency would be hired for workplace monitoring for harmful dust, vapours, fumes and gases. This would be done as per the Workplace Exposure Limits given by E40. European Union Noise at work regulation would also be considered as per the guidelines- The 1st and 2nd Action Levels are 80dB(A) and 85dB(A) respectively. 1st and 2nd Peak Action Levels of 135dB(C) and 137dB(C) Peak respectively. A Maximum Exposure Level Limit of 87dB(A) and 140dB(C) Peak at the ear will be introduced which includes any hearing protection. There would be due consideration given to Fire Risk assessment of Catering Extract Systems with regards to the guidelines- BSRIA Fire Risk Assessment Catering Extract Ventilation Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RRFSO) 2005 HVCA DW172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems. Indoor Air Quality Sick Building Syndrome would be identified as this will affect the health of the occupants of the building. This complains could arise from a particular room or floor but could have a lasting impact on all the occupants. Odour Threshold analysis would also be conducted. This is relating to the strange smell i.e., presence of volatile organic compounds in the building that could affect the health to the occupants. The majority of these volatile organic compounds are present in very low concentrations i.e. 0.1-1ppb (parts per billion). Legionella risk Assessments and Asbestos Identification Surveys would be conducted as well. This would be in accordance with the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8, Legionnaires disease Approach There would be a Multi discipline approach taken in the risk management in the design process. This will be fruitful because of the vast experience of the Architect, Consultant, Engineer; etc would be integrated right from the design process. Design Implication This all will help us to have a safe and a sound design which would eliminate the hazards to the health and safety of the workers as well as of the occupants. This will also help us to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment. Primary Services Utilities It is necessary to accommodate these services in the early stages of the design process. There should be early checking of availability of these services Early decision on intended location of such services on the site This will ensure that there is a proper plan in place and will also help us to avoid complications in the future. Provisions should be made for- Telecommunications Gas Water Electricity Sewage services If there are issues with the availability of any of these services than a decision can be taken at the early stages of the design process. The Location of these services would be depended as per the acceptable framework provided by RIBA Plan of Work 2007. This will assist the design team to plan, coordinate and also to have a definite approach to the various services. Entry to the building would be given from all the four sides with the main entrance from the front of the building. There can also be distribution and scaling down of different services done by the Designers to meet the needs of our development. The provisions for accessibility and the maintenance of these services would be done at the early stages of the design process. We would hire competent staff which would look after the maintenance of these services with an access given to them on each floor for easy maintenance and repair. The environmental implications of these services would be- Create a sustainable environment for the communities Protect public health by giving safe drinking water, effective sanitation services, etc Safely recycling waste Comply fully with all the environmental legislation These above precautions and approaches will help us to achieve effective management of services with regular maintenance and also providing with a safe environment for the community. The Water extraction will be done by the he liquid ring vacuum pump contains a twin start helical rotor mounted eccentrically in a cylindrical pump casing and is designed to pump liquids or combinations of liquid, air and fine solids through long suction lines, generating suction lifts to up to 8.5m. For the waste Disposal there will be a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) in line with the DTI Code of Practice and associated good practice guidance. On completion the new building should be subject to Post Occupancy evaluation. Global Warning The building designs will be based on the UKCIP medium high emission scenario rather than that which is based on historical data. UKCIP predicted that the average temperature in UK will rise by 3.5 degree by 2080, therefore a mixed mode ventilation stems incorporating the passive and mechanical ventilation coupled with high thermal mass and complete solar shading are likely to cope with the effects of the climate change. Mayor of London commissioned a report stating that London is the most susceptible to flooding than any other urban area in the UK. The site is not in the Zone 3 established by the Westminster Council that specifies areas the areas affected during floods. In order to minimise the energy demand of the building we must increase the efficiency in the building envelope, using high efficiency windows, insulation in walls, ceilings and floors will be used. Passive solar building design could also be used. This will minimise energy demand. In order to control emission to water point of water treatment would be used. This improves the quality of water and also reduces the amount of water in circulation. Non-sewage would be used on site which would minimize demand on the local authority. There would be a good thermal insulation system in place this would minimise the emission to air. The ex filtration of warm air would result for 30% of the heat loss through a buildings envelope. A air leakage test would be carried out as well. Renewable Energy Issues Technical- The site will have a- Solar energy technology Heat pumps Energy from waste Co-generation This will help to reduce the impact on the environment. Economic- Initially the cost of the machines would be higher than the conventional equipments but over a period of time there would be a lot of savings due to a decrease in the bills. Social- This will have a positive impact on the occupants and the community. The carbon and the fuel emission would be quiet low. This would sub dued the hazards caused to the health and safety of the people. Range of Sustainable construction technique includes- Wind Solar Wave Biogas Landfill gas Hydro Waste to Energy 84 KW wind generator Double exterior walls with foam insulation Radiant slab heat for excess energy storage Section 4 The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 describes the risks associated with the construction industry and narrates the specific provision which ought to be taken to negate the danger. The CDM regulation 2007 encourages co ordination and co-operation among the various parties of the project. It works towards making health and safety an integral part of designing and construction. It recognises the hazards in the planning and construction stage of the project and helps to take corrective steps. The construction health, safety and welfare regulation 1996 are a set of rules to protect the health and safety of the people engaged on the site and the people who may be affected by the work. It is a leaflet which describes the regulation and precautions to be taken by the people on the site. The main focus of the Management of the Health and safety at works regulation 1999 is to reduce the damage on the site and to create a action plan for the emergencies. There is a need to comply with the specific regulation of the industry. Works at Heights Regulations 2005 is concerned with the injury that could occur to a employee as a result of a fall. It covers both the internal and the external areas of the building. There is present no height limit. It places duties on the persons who control the work on the site to take necessary care and precaution. Method Statement Site Foundation The site has a mixed structure type up to 30 metres. So mechanical handling is essential. There should be no public access until the construction work is complete. Adequate security is to be provided to see there is no theft or damage to the site. The site will be developed in two phases. Loading/Unloading of materials As the project is conducted in two phases here is sufficient space at the corner of the site for the loading and unloading of materials. This would also give rise to some risks but it would be handled by the experienced staff that operates the machines. Machines Non-maintenance of machine will pose a great threat to the workers engaged in site development. So a good maintenance schedule is needed to reduce the need of replacement. All machines should have the current safety inspection certificate and the person operating it should also be certified. Electrical Equipment There is a need to keep a check on the conditions of the equipments. Weather Condition When there are unsafe a situation arising from the weather conditions the authority is given to the site foreman to take the precaution which is deemed necessary. Individual Safety Clothing Individual safety clothing will be provided on site and it is necessary to wear them at all times. Safety Systems of Work It is divided into three parts It analyses the task at hand Hazards caused to health, safety and welfare Precautions to be taken to eliminate the hazards It is an extension of the Risk assessments and the method statement All this should take place from the planning stage, the design and also on the construction stage. (Example included in the appendix) Site Induction and Training It is the legal responsibility of the employer to provide induction and training relating to the hazards and risk associated to the health and safety of the employees and the contractors. It includes- The scope of work Amenities on the site such as toilet, water, etc Safety rules in place Safety procedures for high risk construction activity PPE required to be worn First aid arrangements on the site Good Site management It is necessary to hire Project Manager for a good site management. They coordinate all design and construction process. They assist the site from the development stage to the actual completion of the site. As the size of the project is reasonable there is a need to hire a Project Manager. Health and Safety Signage site safety signconstruction multi sign 1 Personal Protective Equipment Safety footwear Hard hats High visibility waist coats Goggles Life jackets Safety harness Insulated clothing for adverse climatic condition Mitts Gaiters Checklists is required for the safety of the employees on site It is necessary for-; Scaffolding Powered Access equipments Roof Work Hoists Cranes Fire Hazardous substance Noise, etc. Roles and Responsibility of the various parties under CDM 2007 Clients Competence of the contractors Suitable arrangements for the welfare facilities Provide pre construction information to the designers and contractors Planning Supervisor Assist the client Notify HSE Co ordinate health and safety in regards to design Ensure good communication on the site Prepare and update health and safety file Designers Reduce risk during design To check whether the CDM co coordinator is been appointed Make client aware of his duty Contractor Prepare and develop a written plan Site rules Ensure suitable welfare facilities are provided Ensure proper induction and training is provided to the workers Sub-contractor Manage and monitor own work and also of his workers Train own employees Provide them information Comply with the requirements of the part 4 of the regulations Users Report risks Check competence Co-operate with each other Health and safety Officer Check that health and safety arrangements are made Report any risks Impose fine if there are inadequate arrangements Supply Chain The materials are available in the free market however there are some materials which would be procured locally and some internationally through Wholesale Agency for Environmental friendly materials. International Procurement Reflective coatings and non structures Phase change material High efficiency insulation system Solar heaters Local Procurement Bricks Cement Concrete Pre cast structures Steel Electrical Fittings Elevators Furniture Wood for Flooring, etc. The access of the truck and the delivery of the material would be from the front entrance of the site with a possible provision at the back end of the site for the exit. A temporary warehouse would be constructed at the corner of the site depending on the construction phase. The handling of the material would be done by the employees who are trained beforehand. The eight rules of handling are included in the appendix Sustainability of resources Recycling facilities would be provided for paper and glass and with textile and plastics. Waste minimisation techniques will also be used to reduce waste and it will bifurcate into clean rubble, timber, general chemical waste, etc. Recycled and Eco friendly materials list is provided in the appendix Embodied energy issues We will try to include more renewable materials in the project which has lower embodied energy than non renewable materials. http://www.canadianarchitect.com/asf/perspectives_sustainibility/measures_of_sustainablity/images/images_optimized/eecontent.jpg Concrete produces 1 tonne of carbon dioxide for every tonne manufactured. Waste treatment and management techniques are important for bio degradability of materials at the end of their useful life. The techniques used are- Combustion or gasification Anaerobic digestion Mechanical treatment Biological treatment Modern Method of Construction It includes ready- made walls, floor and roof which are transported and then assembled on the site. They make construction faster. It also includes modular Kitchen, Bathroom, Furniture, etc which are factory fitted and help in reduction of project duration and also on site environmental hazards. The MMC houses are also energy efficient. Because only assembling is done on the site there are fewer accidents and produces less noise and dust. It also has a less impact on the local residents. References (The mentioned sites were accessed on 21st and 22nd of December 2009) Building a Better Quality of Life: a strategy for sustainable construction. DETR (2000) Sustainable Development Action Plan for Education and Skills. Department for Education and Skills (2003). Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). US Green Building Council (2001). Environmental Performance Indicators for Sustainable Construction The Movement for Innovation (M4I) Sustainable Construction. Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (HEPS). (2002) Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Building Research Establishment (2002). http://www.cskills.org/supportbusiness/healthsafety/cdmregs/index.aspx http://www.btinternet.com/~kendalhang/hands/INDG220_HS_Construction.pdf http://www.netlawman.co.uk/info/health-safety-work-management.php http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/safety/0505.shtml http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Sectors/Construction/Safe_System_of_Work_Plan_SSWP/ http://www.hydrostatic-testing-consultants.co.uk/Health%20and%20Safety%20Management%20System/ssp5wacg.htm http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos005.htm http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising-workplace-risks/ppe.aspx#what http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/sitesafchecklist.html http://www.processingtalk.com/news/tol/tol102.html http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/summary.htm http://earth2tech.com/2009/11/02/venture-firm-nth-power-names-5-next-gen-green-building-materials-to-watch/ http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn209.pdf http://www.slrconsulting.com/slr_waste_management.pdf http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising-workplace-risks/occupational-health-surveillance.aspx http://www.futuregate.co.uk/Written_Health_Safety_Policies.html http://www.chas.gov.uk/downloads/appendix2.doc http://www.hcibib.org/bibtoc.cgi?file=bibdata/CHI99-2.bibabstracts=true http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/environment/guidance/building.html http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=633292.633466 http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=632919 http://www.hcibib.org/bibtoc.cgi?file=bibdata/CHI00-2.bibabstracts=true http://www.noiseatwork.info/occupational_hygiene.html http://www.healthandsafetytips.co.uk/News%20Archive/April%202004%20News%20Archive/April%202004%20Consultation%20on%20New%20Noise%20at%20Work%20Regulations.htm http://www.eckeleurope.co.uk/ http://www.noiseatwork.info/monitoring_the_built_environment.html http://www.lda.gov.uk/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.2445viewPage=6 http://www.lda.gov.uk/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.2445setPaginate=No http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070705090343AAtqBfl http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/environment/guidance/building.html http://www.noiseatwork.info/monitoring_the_built_environment.html http://www.processingtalk.com/news/tol/tol102.html http://community.benchmarkemail.com/users/simonreed/newsletter/Civic-09-14-Editors-Newsletter-30th-July http://www.fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=advice.displayadviceid=2E4DDB61-FA29-ACC7-48F889880B70CA8D http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/resources/index.aspx http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising-workplace-risks/occupational-health-surveillance.aspx http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising-workplace-risks/occupational-health-surveillance.aspx http://www.healthscotland.com/advancedsearch/index.aspx http://chas.gov.uk/Downloads/Appendix2.dox http://www.worldpumps.com/view/3626/seaquarium-choose-liquivac-liquid-ring-pump/ http://www.filtsep.com/view/3626/seaquarium-choose-liquivac-liquid-ring-pump/ http://news.hse.gov.uk/lau/2009/09/17/health-risks-at-work-do-you-know-yours/ http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising-workplace-risks/HRatW.aspx http://www.masterytech.com/productpage.php?product_id=spmtlmpg http://www.mastery.com/productpage.php?product_id=spmtlmpg_htm http://www.training-classes.com/programs/00/19/1917_material_handling_safe_material_handling.php http://www.futuregate.co.uk/Written_Health_Safety_Policies.html

History Of What Is Crime Criminology Essay

History Of What Is Crime Criminology Essay What is crime. Many people when asked this question assume its a common sense answer, something that is seemed wrong or illegal and results in punishment of some form. However there is no simple answer to this question. According to the Oxford dictionary crime is defined as an action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law, therefore in its simplest form crime is a punishable act of which breaks the rules of the law. However the concept of crime is surrounded by constantly changing ideas and perceptions of what constitutes criminal behaviour. Crime is always socially defined leading to competing views and extensive debate. In this essay I will be focusing on defining crime in terms of legal definitions and also defining crimes in terms of sociological definitions, which can be argued to be the main to focuses when attempting to answer this question. Blackburn (1993) defines crime as acts attracting legal punishment, [they] are offences against the community. Crimes result with consequences that are damaging in some way to the community or one of more people within it. These consequences can range from trivial to severe. Blackburn recognizes that crimes are, in theory, generally disapproved by the entire of society as they often involve violating moral rules held by those members of society, he also notes some of the difficulties and limitations of this way of defining crime. For example, personal opinion will impact the definition of crime. Not all crimes are disapproved by all people, e.g. speeding. This is a criminal act but does not have a wide-spread social disapproval. Secondly, whilst the vast majority of criminal acts such as murder violate societies moral rules, acts that are part of a bigger picture do not such as possession of a banned drug for personal use, these crimes can be termed victimless crimes. These crimes ar e illegal in the UK but there is not a clear understanding of which, if any, moral codes they violate. This leads me on to the question of whether crime, although its primarily defined by the law, is it not also based on social and cultural factors (social and cultural norms and values)? In our society it is the legal system that defines which acts are criminal and which are not. A crime cannot be committed unless the act violates the law. In the UK the legal system follows a tradition of a crime has not been committed unless there is a guilty act, an act that is voluntarily carried out with a guilty mind and an intention to commit the act. Therefore in theory if the act has not been intentionally chosen then it is not a crime. It can be argued that there is an assumption that criminal acts are systematically arranged in law; the law has been created, policed and enforced by the UK state. Crime in terms of the legal system is acts which break the law of the land, as demonstrated by the Oxford English Dictionary definition. The legal definition of crime is a very weighted argument, however many also argue that in order to define crime we rely on existing social and cultural norms which are accepted in society. The definition of crime is dependent on it as it effects our own interpretation of what crime is. Social and cultural factors are constantly evolving and changing. They are not static and this therefore makes them susceptible to changes which inevitably affect the definition of crime. For example, the 1604 Witchcraft Act. This law stated that those who had been accused of witchcraft were burnt at the stake if the cases were petty treason, however with the majority of cases resulting in hanging or a year in prison if the individual committed only a minor offence. This act was repealed in 1951 in Britain. However, a clear example of how social and cultural factors impact the law is the fact that in Africa, the witchcraft ban in Zimbabwe only ended in 2006. Therefore, on the one hand crimes are acts that break the law, and on the other, they are acts which can offend against a set of norms like a moral code, this is also known as the normative definition of crime. Cultures change and the political environment changes with that which means societies may criminalise or decriminalise certain behaviours. This will also have an impact on crime rates which will then also inevitably influence the general public opinion of crime. In the UK rape is a definite Invasion of our social norms, values and rights as an individual. Rape is not accepted in any case. However in South Africa a survey by CIET found that 60% of both boys and girls, aged 10 to 19 years old, thought it was not violent to force sex upon someone they knew, while around 11% of boys and 4% of girls admitted to forcing someone else to have sex with them. The study also found that 12.7% of the students believed in the virgin cleansing myth (an HIV/AIDS positive male believing that having sex with a virgin girl will cure him of his disease). In the culture these children have been socialised into, these are their own social norms and opinions that are accepted in their society, in the UK and in fact in the majority of other countries and cultures around the world this behaviour would be seen as illegal, horrific and completely wrong. A final impact on our norms and behaviour is religious traditions that may promote these norms. The may, in turn clash or fit with perceived interests of a state. Many socially accepted or even imposed religious morality has influences on issues that may otherwise only have concerned each individuals conscience. There are many activities that are sometimes criminalized on religious grounds, for example alcohol-consumption and abortion. However although these may be beliefs of certain religious followers, in societies where religion has less power and impact on the legal system both these acts are legal and widely accepted. So what a crime is depends on whether you view it from a legal or a normative perspective. There is no simple, fixed, objective definition of crime it is not a simple matter. Crimes are defined by societies and by culture and the time that we live in. For example, it would not have been a crime one hundred years ago to not pay your TV licence in the UK, because there was no TV. In Victorian pharmacies, cocaine was sold, but today this would be considered illegal in most countries. So what we view as a crime depends on how crime is viewed, time, particular society and the culture. Society is constantly evolving and changing along with social values, beliefs and norms. This process will inevitably have an impact on what constitutes a crime and how crime is in general defined. Although there are many problems with defining crime, this shouldnt overshadow the fact that the purpose of the law to reinforce the punishment of crime is clear, it is there to protect the public, this could in i tself contribute to defining crime.

Misrepresented Cultures :: Essays Papers

Misrepresented Cultures Horace Mitchell Miner spent much of his life educating himself on anthropology before writing his confusing but brilliant article on American culture. He was born in Minnesota and then moved to Kentucky, where he became a museum curator before becoming an associate professor of anthropology and sociology at the University of Michigan at one point in his career. Although he was a member of the Executive Committee of the Sociology Department he was not very active due to the fact that his work was mostly field based. For this reason many of his peers did not utilize his expertise. (website) It is also evident that he was an expert in his field by his history in the anthropology field. It is quite possible Miner was offended at the fact no one cared to consult him on issues or discuss things with him, and he wanted to show them that his opinions were worth hearing. This is probably the reason he proceeded to write the article â€Å"Body Rituals Among the Nacirema.† He was quite brilliant in his writing of this article. In it, Miner writes about the people who take human behavior to an extreme, The Nacirema, who present many unusual aspects but yet they are poorly understood. Though their origin is unknown they are a North American group who is devoted to economic pursuits whose days are spent mostly in ritual activity. According to Miner, these activities are towards the human body. â€Å"They believe it is ugly and its natural tendency is to debility and disease.†(Miner) Each home contains at least one or more shrine. The shrines are accompanied in particular rites. The focus of the shrine is a charm box in the wall which contains all the medical potions. Each day every member in the family at different times must bow and perform a rite to this shrine. Since, they believe the mouth has a supernatural influence and a daily mouth-rite must be performed. Once or twice a year the people seek out the holy-mouth-man. When people get sick the visit a medicine man at their temples called latispos. Many temples will not accept people if they do not give a rich enough gift. Most will not even allow a person to leave if they do not give another gift. The ceremonies involve much discomfort and torture. Another type of person in the culture is called a â€Å"listener,† who exorcises devils from children. Misrepresented Cultures :: Essays Papers Misrepresented Cultures Horace Mitchell Miner spent much of his life educating himself on anthropology before writing his confusing but brilliant article on American culture. He was born in Minnesota and then moved to Kentucky, where he became a museum curator before becoming an associate professor of anthropology and sociology at the University of Michigan at one point in his career. Although he was a member of the Executive Committee of the Sociology Department he was not very active due to the fact that his work was mostly field based. For this reason many of his peers did not utilize his expertise. (website) It is also evident that he was an expert in his field by his history in the anthropology field. It is quite possible Miner was offended at the fact no one cared to consult him on issues or discuss things with him, and he wanted to show them that his opinions were worth hearing. This is probably the reason he proceeded to write the article â€Å"Body Rituals Among the Nacirema.† He was quite brilliant in his writing of this article. In it, Miner writes about the people who take human behavior to an extreme, The Nacirema, who present many unusual aspects but yet they are poorly understood. Though their origin is unknown they are a North American group who is devoted to economic pursuits whose days are spent mostly in ritual activity. According to Miner, these activities are towards the human body. â€Å"They believe it is ugly and its natural tendency is to debility and disease.†(Miner) Each home contains at least one or more shrine. The shrines are accompanied in particular rites. The focus of the shrine is a charm box in the wall which contains all the medical potions. Each day every member in the family at different times must bow and perform a rite to this shrine. Since, they believe the mouth has a supernatural influence and a daily mouth-rite must be performed. Once or twice a year the people seek out the holy-mouth-man. When people get sick the visit a medicine man at their temples called latispos. Many temples will not accept people if they do not give a rich enough gift. Most will not even allow a person to leave if they do not give another gift. The ceremonies involve much discomfort and torture. Another type of person in the culture is called a â€Å"listener,† who exorcises devils from children.

Bilibgual education Essay -- essays papers

Bilibgual education The Detrimental Effect of an Education in a Foreign Language California passed a proposition in 1997 that ended funding for teaching children solely in their native language. Instead of these programs, opulent citizens will provide funding for the English as a Second Language (ESL) program in California's public schools. These ESL classes will have non-native speakers learn subjects in English and their native language simultaneously. Even though the proposition passed, the issue of which plan is more beneficial continues to spark debate. On the one hand, ethnic groups say the law is unjust because their children cannot understand English. They argue that their children need to be taught in their native tongue. Most tax-paying residents of California endorse the new standard because their tax money is being used for their child's education, and not being used for teaching children in another language. Results are evident even though the ESL program has been used for only two years. T he ESL method is more effective because of the removal of flaws such as unnecessary costs to the taxpayer, slower advancement in grade level, and the detrimental effect to education in California. The primary fault of the old system was that California taxpayers were not receiving fair representation. In general, most taxpayers were English speaking, and Heda 2 consequently wanted English to be the language that was used in their schools. Most of the immigrant parents were in California legally but not paying taxes. Even though they were not paying for services such as a police force or fire protection, they still felt entitled to send their children to public school. Since their children did not speak English, they want... ...e their educational goals. It will boost their performance, because standardized tests and college application essays are in English. Attending a good college would now become possible for most students a result of a strong background in English. ESL will increase performance on standards that are used to evaluate an educational system. Heda 4 After only two years of being in effect in California, the ESL plan has shown dramatic corrections of the flaws of the old plan, which entailed educating non-native speakers in their native language. This old plan was deteriorating in entire scope of education in California. The ESL plan has eliminated a tax burden for the citizens, helped the development of the individual education, and has improved the California educational system. Over time this plan will enhance these effects and possibly create other positive by-products.

Life and Death :: essays research papers

Throughout history man has made many journeys, far and wide, Moses great march though the Red Sea and Columbus’ crossing of the Atlantic Ocean are only a few of mans greatest voyages. Even today great journeys are being made. In every instances people have had to rise above themselves and over come emence odds. The Joads did just that by traveling to California to find work. Steinbeck shows one aspect of this real life journey by displaying it by a turtle and it’s struggle to reach the other side of a road. As the turtle is about to reach his goal, it is returned to it’s original location, but it does not waver in it’s determination, and continues across the road until it reaches the other side. The Joad family and Casy identify with this the most because the undergo tremendous heartache, yet they stay true to their plans and never give up. They are faced with death and sickness, but they never give up. Steinbeck wrote â€Å"In the evening a strange thin g happened: twenty families became one family, the children were the children of all the loss of home became one loss, and the golden time in the West was one dream† This was what the Joads were searching for they wanted to feel like they belonged. Ma was the one who was mostly searching for this. This is her journey to keep the family together. Her belief that a broken-family will not be able to accomplish anything. This is displayed by her not allowing the two cars to split and arrive at California at different times, when one of the cars breaks down, as they are leaving Oklahoma. Ma says â€Å"I ain’t a-gonna go.† The only way she’ll let the family break up is if pa whips her and makes her go. Pa’s journey is displayed by his trying to fit in and make a difference. He does not handle this move very well, and throughout their journey, he is confused, and not as headstrong as Ma. He realizes this also, he knows that he can’t help the family the way he use to. So he searches for anyway he can help. When the rain was coming it was this idea to dig a ditch. It was a good idea but it failed and it reflected on him. Tom Joad is a very complicated individual, who is a tremendous asset and at the same time a tremendous burden.

Outcomes of divorce on children Essay

Divorce, while lengthy and sometimes hurtful, can be beneficial to the children and spouses. Children coming from situations of abuse and neglect actually benefit from the separation of parents. These parents may remain single or remarry, still studies have shown that the children have and are thriving in a way they were unable to before the separation. While there are exceptions to every rule, the divorce has become a positive alternative in some families. Children coming from homes where violence and abuse is an ordinary occurrence, are not only victims in their childhood, but are continually affected as adults. According to the Traumatogentic model, proposed by Dr. Finkelor (1987), the abused child produces a number of different psychological effects and long term behavioral changes. Leaving a child in such a situation would not only cause continual physical harm, but also the long term psychological problems. In such cases divorce is encouraged for the benefit of both the spouse being abused and the child involved. After divorce children have been shown to thrive in the new, abuse-free environment; showing improvements in their education, attitude, and overall social development. Another factor of positive divorce is the presence of neglect in the household. Accumulating information from the Attachment Theory proposed by John Bowlby in 1980, researchers have compiled evidence of the side effects of the lack of a secure attachment to caregivers at an early age. Because of rejection and inconsistent attention, among other forms of neglect, these children have â€Å"developed anxious, insecure or disorganized/disoriented attachments with their primary care providers† (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services). With two parents this neglect from one or both can turn to a feeling of hatred for one or both parents from the child. â€Å"This lack of secure attachment relationship then hinders the infant’s or toddler’s ability to explore his/her environment and develop feelings of competence† (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services). Divorce here is an apparent necessity to the children involved. Based on the long term effects of neglect from numerous studies, children are better with one parent that cares for them or a non-biological parent than two that do not accurately care for the child’s needs. While being exposed to the process of divorce, children have become aware that struggle is a normal part of marriage and have been able to use their parents as examples. In a study done by â€Å"Psychology Today†, twenty-eight college students were interviewed to see how their parents divorce influenced their own current and past relationships. The group was divided into three different groups according to their responses. The first group were named the â€Å"Modelers†. This group mimicked their parents relationship, continuing to be dysfunctional. The second group were the â€Å"Strugglers†, this group showed a cautiousness in trusting others and hesitancy in opening up to others. The third were the â€Å"Reconcilers†. These students strove to learn from their parents mistakes and the problems they witnessed, to create more successful relationships in their own lives. The group that the students fell into also had to do with the type of relationship they had with their parents before the breakup and after. It was found that the â€Å"modeler† group had â€Å"limited insight† to the problems that their parents were going through. The â€Å"strugglers† lost touch with their parents and received little support after the divorce. In contrast, â€Å"reconcilers† kept touch with their parents and were given positive reinforcement† (H. Parker). In these cases the students learned from their parents divorce by example. Neither regretting their parent’s decision nor harboring ill feelings toward them for the separation. Good communication between parents and children was key to a happy outcome post-divorce. In an interview done by Dr.  Joyce Arditti of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, fifty-eight young women who were raised by only their mother were asked their feelings on the situation. The women all agreed that the relationship between themselves and their mothers could never be closer. The relationships evolved into that of a best friendship rather than an authority figure and child. Although they are not the traditional mother-daughter relationships, they still provide support for the child in all the ways that a typical mother could and even go beyond that to the type of support that only a friend could provide. Growing up in a family with both parents present, was somewhat less than picture perfect in my own experiences. As a child, hearing constant arguing from both parents caused me to have a bias opinion on the parent doing the least amount of yelling or the parent that was fighting for my cause. This fighting being a constant in my life, made me wish that they would divorce, but because of personal religious reasons they have not. This, in turn, causes me to have apprehensions about marriage and doubt some of the stipulations that I was raised to associate with marriage. Divorce in my case would benefit my relationship with both parents and ease my own apprehensions about marriage. Divorce will always be a tough situation for the parents and children involved, but that does not mean that it has to be a negative one. The term divorce has been, in recent years, coined with a negative connotation. This however, is out-dated and one sided. With the recent studies and the help of psychologists, the term divorce has become somewhat less than taboo in our society today.

A Literary Analysis of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

This paper analyzes   the novel Frankenstein. It is subdivided into two parts. The first part is a thematic analysis of the novel and the second part is a discourse analysis of the novel. Specifically it seeks to answer the following: what are the major themes of the novel; what are the discourses contained in and articulated by the novel?Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus is a famous novel by Mary Shelley. It was completed on May 1817, when Mary was just nineteen years of   age. It was made while she and her husband Percey Bysshe Shelley were on their summer vacation with Lord Byron in the Alps (â€Å"Frankenstein† ). With the best writers in England, Mary offered her contribution to the literary classics, the famous Frankenstein novel, which became famous in two genres: Science Fiction and horror (Milner, p.149).Thematic Analysis of FrankensteinThe novel Frankenstein is centered on four major themes: ignorance versus knowledge, injustice in world, in a feminist viewp oint—equality of men and women, and murders explained from the viewpoint of the murderers. Among many other themes, these four, in my opinion, are the major themes and therefore should be expounded.The novel was written in the early phase of the industrial revolution (â€Å"Analysis of Frankenstein†), that is, when science and technology was initially progressing. From this premise I can say that the novel is an attempt to criticize the existing social condition, that is to say, the novel criticizes the progress of science and the acquisition of knowledge. Shelley’s  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   use of the character Victor Frankenstein, the medical doctor who created a being more superior to the present race of men, explains my point. Even though Victor is knowledgeable enough to create life, he is still bounded by his imperfections. He created a killing monster instead—The Frankenstein Monster. This suggests that science could unravel the m ysteries of nature, but knowledge is still too dangerous for man to acquire. The novel suggests that knowledge is dangerous like when Victor discovered the mystery of life. knowledge is a monster.Furthermore, the novel suggests that some knowledge should be kept secret from men. Some knowledge do more evil than good, as the novel suggests. It says that ignorance is good. Knowledge is evil (â€Å"Remarks on Frankenstein†).The other title for Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, is suggestive of the theme of this novel. Prometheus is a mythological character who gave fire to men to keep them warm (â€Å"Prometheus gave fire to Men†). But Zeus punished Prometheus for doing so. Prometheus received an eternal punishment. In connection, the fire symbolizes knowledge. In the myth, knowledge is forbidden to men just like in the novel Frankenstein. The fire can warm, but it can also kill just as knowledge can. The novel criticizes the scientist most especially, in their empiric al quest for knowledge.The character of the Monster serves dual purpose in the novel, as far my first and second themes are concerned. First, the character is a concrete articulation of knowledge. It is the product of Victor’s study and experimentation. And so, it symbolizes the fruit of knowledge. In the novel, the monster was depicted as ‘ugly, abhorred, and disgusting’ and a killer. What does it say about knowledge? It suggests that knowledge is also ugly, abhorred and disgusting—a killer, too—a monster.The second function of the Monster character in the novel points at the second theme of the novel—injustice in the world. First instance is when Victor created a lone monster, without a companion. It lamented saying that â€Å"†¦Even Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred† (Shelley, p. 130). This points out that there is injustice committed to the Monster. Secondly, V ictor denied the monster a companion when the monster pleads for it. It pleads:My vices are the children of a forced solitude that I abhor, and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal. I shall feel the affections of a sensitive   being, and become linked to a chain of existence and events, which I am now excluded.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   (Shelley, 147)Instead of creating a lady monster, Victor destroyed every little chance that the monster have of waiting for his lady companion by destroying the monster he was about to give life to.Third, there is injustice in the world when the monster experienced ostracism because of its appearance. It was drawn by villagers away and was forced to live alone, and excluded from humanity (â€Å"Frankenstein†).The theme on equality between sexes, in my opinion, is evident in the novel when the Monster pleads Victor to create a lady monster. There was no hint in the novel that the monster will dominate the la dy monster because all it wanted was to have a companion whom ‘it shall feel affection to’ (p.147). The novel did not hint at the superiority of men over women, as far as the character of the monster is concerned.Lastly, the most obvious theme of the novel is murder. But in this case, there was no negative presentation of crime because the murders were explained from the viewpoint of the murderers. The murderers were presented to have logical reasons for committing the crimes [this is unique] (my emphasis). Let us take for instance the first murder case—the murder of   Victor’s brother.Although the novel may have presented a ‘shallow’ reason why the monster murdered Victor’s brother, that is, victor’s brother recited a litany of epithets to the monster, it somehow explained the reason behind the murder. The monster was too sensitive with its appearance that’s why it has over reacted to the epithets.Another murder was com mitted when Victor destroyed the lady monster he was about to give life to. Victor is also a murderer. His reason was that if he let the lady monster live, he will bring tragedy to the world by ‘producing a race of devils’. Victor’s course of action was paid for by the monster’s killing of Victor’s fiancà ©e—Elizabeth. It was the price Victor has to pay for his murderous act.One good point about this novel was that it has presented murder from the viewpoint of the murderer. Shelley has produced characters with realistic motives, that is, the characters were driven by logical reasons for committing the crimes. This is something good about this novel.In conclusion, the novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus was centered on four major themes: ignorance is good and knowledge is evil; injustice in the world; equality of men and women; and murders as explained from the viewpoint of the murderers.A Discourse Analysis of the novelDiscourse theo ry of Foucault can be applied to the Frankenstein Story. Foucault defines discourse as a way of thinking shared by a particular group of people at a particular place and time producing truth and power and controlling actions. It is a lived way of thinking deeply inculcated into individuals. Individuals become the subjects of discourses (Foucault, pp 21-30 ).Applying the theory of discourse, let us examine the discourses or ways of thinking which the story of Frankenstein articulate. What kinds of discourse are inculcated into individuals by the novel Frankenstein?Man as God and the Dawn of Scientific RevolutionThe story exemplifies man as a God. The giving of a life to an inanimate object is an act only reserved toa God. Yet in the story, man created life through Victor’s creation. It suggests an era where science has triumphed. It suggests that science could be a god, in this respect. It suggests that Science can offer man the impossible– that man can be a god.Just li ke in the literary text, the movie Shelley’s Frankenstein (dir. Branagh) explicates the dawn of scientific revolution. Below is an excerpt of the conversation between Clerval and Victor:Frankenstein:   Sooner or later, the best way to cheat death will be to create life.Clerval: Now, you’ve gone too far. There’s only one God, victor.Frankenstein: No, leave God out of this. Listen, if you love someone, they have a sick   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   heart, wouldn’t you give them a healthy one?Clerval: impossible.Frankenstein: No it’s not impossible, we can do it, we’re steps away. And if we can do   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   that, if we can replace one part of a human being, we can replace every part. If we can do   Ã‚  Ã‚   that, we can design life. We can create a being that will not grow old or sicken. One that   Ã‚   will be stronger than us, better than us, one that will be more intelligent than us, more civilized.†From the above, we can see that what was ‘impossible’ like a giving of a healthy heart, has become a possibility in the contemporary times. Heart transplant is a commonly practiced surgery these days. And it was made possible by science. The Frankenstein novel provides this transition.Even the creation of the monster symbolizes the triumph of Science. From this story of Frankenstein, we see that Science is like a God. Science can give life, too.Imperfect Beings and Unjust WorldIt is said that we can never be perfect like God. Whatever we do, we are still incomplete and imperfect. It is only God who is perfect. This way of thinking is also exemplified by the story of Frankenstein.Victor, a medical doctor and the creator of the monster, abhorred his very creation. In his attempt to create a being superior to human race, he had created a monster instead. This suggests that man, in his efforts, cannot create a being more superior to him. Victor has labored days and nights to create a being , yet a monster, instead, breathed to life. Even the monster itself abhorred his condition.Hateful the day when I received life! I exclaimed in agony. â€Å"Accursed Creator! Why did you ever form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?†¦Satan had his companion, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am   solitary and    abhorred. (Shelley, p.130)Similarly, God created men in his own image and likeness, but then we are not like God who is perfect. More over, with imperfect beings came the imperfect and unjust world.Because of the grotesque appearance of the monster, the villagers attacked him. Everyone was disgusted by mere seeing the monster. Because of this, the monster too became malevolent to humans. It experienced injustice from the world.Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen    angel whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Every where I see bliss, from which I alone   am irrevocabl y excluded. I was benevolent and   good; misery made me a fiend.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Make me happy, and I shall again   be virtuous (Shelley, p.100)Another form of injustice made on the monster is thru Victor’s destruction of the lady monster. The monster had promised to live in peace and live in wilderness with his wife, the lady monster. The monster said:My vices are the children of a forced solitude that I abhor, and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal. I shall feel the affections of a sensitive   being, and become linked to a chain of existence and events, from which I am now   Ã‚   excluded (Shelley, p.147).It was injustice to give life to a being, and let it suffer without even a friend, a loved one,not even anybody.In conclusion, the novel Frankenstein articulates the following discourses: man can be a God through Science; man is always imperfect; and the world is unjust.ConclusionThe horror science fiction of Shelley entitled Frankenstein, as my arguments pointed out, is a critique of the existing social condition of Shelley’s time—that is—the onset of industrial and scientific revolution.The novel is centered on the four major themes, namely; ignorance is good and knowledge is evil; injustice in the world; equality of men and women; and murders as explained from the viewpoint of the murderers.Frankenstein also articulates the following discourses or ways of thinking: that man can be a god through Science, and that man is always imperfect just as the world is always imperfect.Indeed, the novel has shown us that knowledge and science can bring chaos to man.Works CitedFoucault, Michel. Archeology of Knowledge and the discourse on Language. Trans. Smith,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sheridan A.M. USA: Tavistock Publication Limited. 1972Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, dir. K. Branagh (Tristar, 1994, 118 mins)Milner, Andrews. Literature, Culture and Society . London: UCL press, 1996Prometheus gave Fire to Men. No date published. A Hand-out in Mythology Class.Remarks on Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus; A Novel. No date published. April 21,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2007.Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. M.K. Joseph (ed) Oxford: Oxford   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   University Press, 1980