Research Topic Literature Exploration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research Topic Literature Exploration - Essay Example Other than that working outside in long hour jobs, pursuing other interests, sibling rivalry and lack of interest on the parts of parents to take keen interest in children’s school work results in dropouts (Ash, Katie). What should be: There is need to mark future dropouts. Building an early warning data system and a two-fold agenda of high standards and high graduation rates can help in decreasing high school dropouts. Schools should provide a pleasant experience to students through their operational activities to obstruct the speed of dropouts. Data collection on high school dropouts is very important and should not be skipped. Checklist approach to know the students at risk of dropping out of school should not be the only alterative method to know future dropouts, as it has its own drawbacks. An alternative checklist should be prepared to analyze the data on comparison between two groups -- dropouts and graduates, called â€Å"regression analysis† to develop a â€Å"statistically generated prediction formula.† Longitudinal data helps in assessing risk factors; On track indicators used by preventive programs should be used to bring down dropout rates (Craig D. Jerald). What should be? Research on instructional and structural strategies to inculcate reading and writing skills among students suggests that motivational and self-directed learning can be an easy and effective way by allowing them freedom of reading time and providing range in reading besides giving them freedom to select research and writing topics (Biancarosa, Gina). Strategic tutoring -- It also helps students not only in completing particular tasks but helps them in writing independently. Strategic tutoring provides customized help to students – identifying and focusing their weak areas such as poor writing skills (Biancarosa, Gina). Intensive writing – It requires integration of writing with reading comprehension for which reading instructions should be clear and specific

Corporate Ethics and Governance Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Corporate Ethics and Governance - Case Study Example Greenpeace has alleged that the soybean producers have not adhered to the environmental requirements that 80 percent of the rainforest area should be kept in their natural format. This act can be considered as a violation of the legal provisions. Another complaint by Greenpeace is that there is an increasing incidence of 'bonded-labour' in the region by using a debt-bondage. The poorly paid workers are lured by the ranchers and are bound under "conditions analogous to slavery". It may be noted that in the year 2005 there were 4133 slaves who were freed from bonded-labour. It may be noted that Amazon is the most diverse expanse of intact forest in the world and that already 15 to 20 percent of the total area of 4.1 million square kilometers of forest are already destroyed. It is also feared that further areas would be put to danger by the change in the climate. According to the libertarian theory, the role of the government is paramount in protecting the life, liberty, and property of citizens against any interference by the fellow citizens. Any rational person in order to ensure this protection out of self interest would join hands with fellow citizens for securing this protection. In fact the quality of rational self interest compels a person to join any association which has as its purpose securing the protection of life, liberty, and property. "In a few words, they believe that individual freedom is the fundamental value that must underlie all social relations, economic exchanges and the political system." (Martin Masse) Considering the principles evolved in the libertarian theory, the action of Greenpeace in opposing to the action of McDonald's indulging indirectly in destroying the rainforests of Amazon for growing soy-based animal feed used by these chains for fattening the chicken can be considered as pushing the protection under the libertarianism. However libertarians would expect the respective governments to promulgate environmental regulations to protect the Amazon rainforests. Egalitarianism: Egalitarianism while acknowledging the claim of rights by libertarianism valid, goes a step further in extending the terms of the social contract to include certain rights which are termed as 'opportunity rights'. The assumptions under Egalitarianism claim that the rational persons would choose a social contract with terms that not only provide for libertarian protection but also would ensure that individuals are provided with a share of primary goods, where primary goods includes food, shelter, security and some discretionary income. The purpose of such share of primary goods is to provide for a decent life. When the principles of egalitarianism are considered in this case of McDonald's involving itself

American Home Products Corporation Essay Example for Free

American Home Products Corporation Essay American Home Product Corporation (AHP), a highly growing American company, has four business lines: prescription drugs, packaged drugs, food products, house wares and household products. Its policies include: -A tight financial control and maintained an aggressive capital structure policy. Make money for its stockholders and to maximize profits by minimizing cost. It has been able to finance internally its growth while paying a very high portion of its earning to its shareholders (60%). Currently, AHP seems to have no business risk but may face a certain risk in the long run. Based on the ratios shown on the attached sheet, AHP should not worry about business risk since its working capital is very healthy ($1472.8 million) and cash excess $233 million. The high ROA, high profit margin, low current-to-asset ratio and 49.71 collection days show that AHP can generate cash quickly, thus it can maintain current high growth rate. However, it’s decreasing annual sales growth from 14.1% in 1978 to 8.8% in 1981 (exhibit 1) shows that it faces future risk of losing market shares in all its business lines if it does not foresee competition and continues to focus on increasing stockholders’ value. AHP’s current financial performance is very good since it has high ROE (30.3), high quick ratio (42.68), low debt-to-equity ratio (0.09) and low debt-to-asset ratio (0.01). However, an analysis of different debt ratios shows that if AHP increases debt ratio, it will face a financial risk of increased debt-to-equity and debt-to-asset ratios. In other words, it will face solvency problems in long terms. AHP also face liquidity problems since the quick ratios decrease when the debt ratios increase. 2 The proposed mechanism follows a dual mechanism of leveraging:- (a) Increase the Debt Equity Ratio. (b) Buy back the shares. This also results in the following:- (i) Improves EPS as the amount gets shared by lesser number of shares. (ii)Improves Price / earnings ratio (iii) The excess capital gets utilized. (iv)Sends a +ve signal to the market and share prices likely to increase. (v) Improves Return on Equity ratio. The calculations enclosed indicate that the best option in accordance with the company stated policy would be to have Debt-Equity Ratio of 70%. Shareholders’ value increases when debt ratios increase. EPS increases from $3.18 to $3.49. The dividend payout ratio also increases from 0.597 to 0.602. Similarly, the dividend yield from 0.063 to 0.070. It means that the company can increase shareholders’ value by increasing debt ratios. However the following needs to be considered:- (i) The valued net worth of the firm which decreases may not convey the correct picture to the investor and thus negating the positive signals of buy back of shares. (ii) The firm has no strategy related to RD in new products and focuses on me-too products thus constituting a large business risk. (iii) The firm would reduce the cash to debt ratio substantially exposing itself to financial risk. The closest competitor has Debt – Equity Ratio of 30% which if taken as a benchmark gives a conservative method of deciding the proposed leveraging, however this does not maximize the shareholder value, but is in line with the strong conservatism philosophy of the firm. It also gives a better Return on Assets ratio and has a safer Debt to Cash ratio. Even though AHP has a very good current financial performance, it should change the financial policy to increase debt ratio at a certain level. To meet the goal of increasing shareholders’ value, AHP should not use its excess cash flow to repurchase its stocks because this is only a temporary solution and may generate serious financial problems in the long run. Instead, AHP should use this excess cash to invest in profitable projects to improve its current products and launch new products that meet current market demands. By doing so, AHP can minimize the business risk, prepare itself for competition and increase sales growth. On the other hands, AHP should increase debt ratio to a certain level that is suitable for its  business to increase shareholders’ value. Also it should continue to exercise tight monetary policies as earlier to pay off the debt in a disciplined manner This solution does not bring financial risk to AHP but enable it to minimize business risk. If AHP remains only concerned about how to increase shareholders’ value and ignores market threats, it might lose its business to its competitors.

Musical Cabaret Overview And Analysis Theatre Essay

Musical Cabaret Overview And Analysis Theatre Essay I choose the musical Cabaret as it is a very powerful story, set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis were rising to power; it focuses on different controversial issues of its time period. A number of issues are explored throughout the unfolding story of the cabaret such as sexual freedom, politics and anti-semitism I feel audiences will be attracted to this Musical because of its powerful lyrics and storyline, in particular, the two love stories: Cliff Bradshaw and Sally Bowles; Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, and the way the different characters are portrayed in the musical. 2. Text: What are the ideas the playwright/ librettist is trying to express? What is the relevance of the musical to contemporary Australian audiences? The romantic love stories of two couples and the impact society has on their relationships: the story of a young English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with the young American writer Cliff Bradshaw; and the other story of a German boarding house owner Fraulein Schneider and her elderly suitor Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit vendor. Both relationships are doomed to failure. The musical is very relevant to contemporary Australian audiences Audience will want to see this production, not only does it have excellent music but it portrays some very strong controversial issue of the time period. These issues are still present in our time. It is also important that we as Australians are reminded of the historical past and what we can learn to fight intolerance. 3. Costume, Sets and Props: What requirements are there in each of these areas? Costume Emcee wearing a long black leather coat and boots, eyes highlighted with blue eye shadow, lips coloured blood red, bowtie attached to parachute harness Each cabaret girl to portray a distinct personality need to sing, dance, act and play musical instrument, they do not have to look spectacular, look like scanky low class girls. Cabaret girls wear scant lacy undergarments with holes and ladders in the stockings. The figures onstage look ghoulish. Sally Bowles various refer to photograph images below: Ernst Ludwig dressed in trench coat in Act 1, Scene 2, and brown suite, etc. Cliff Bradshaw dressed in woollen suit and vest + tie. Herr Schultz -see photograph images below Fraulein Schneider -see photograph images below Fraulein Kost -see photograph images below Sets Act 1 Scene 1: Cabaret Scene Broken light bulbs surrounding stage see model. Act 1 Scene 2: Train Carriage Front of stage Act 1 Scene 3: Fraulein Schneider Boarding House Backdrop of 3 doors with light fixture dropped from ceiling, see model. Act 1 Scene 4: Cabaret Scene Kit Kat Klub full stage Act 1 Scene 5: Cabaret Scene Kit Kat Klub near spiral staircase Sallys dressing room Act 1 Scene 6: Cliffs room -backdrop of 3 doors left side of stage Act 1 Scene 7: Cabaret Scene full stage again, focus on kit kat klub Act 1 Scene 8: Living Room of Fraulein Schneiders boarding house right side of stage Act 1 Scene 9: Front of Stage Act 1 Scene 10: Cliffs room -backdrop of 3 doors left side of stage Act 1 Scene 11: Living Room of Fraulein Schneiders boarding house right side of stage Act 1 Scene 12: The Fruit Shop window suspended Act 2 Scene 1: Cabaret Scene Act 2 Scene 2: The Fruit Shop Act 2 Scene 3: Front of Stage Act 2 Scene 4: Cliffs room -backdrop of 3 doors left side of stage Act 2 Scene 5: Cabaret Scene Kit Kat Klub Act 2 Scene 6: Cliffs room -backdrop of 3 doors left side of stage Act 2 Scene 7: Railway Station / Cabaret Scene Props Optional 6 tables with telephones in cabaret scene Train carriage bench seat or 3 chairs Brown suitcase x 2 Black briefcase Typewriter and case Newspaper Table or large trunk and 2 chairs Optional dressing table, mirror to one side near stage left spiral staircase front of stage Suitcase (Sally) + 3 more Sally wearing fur coat 6 chairs. Girls dance on them for caberet scene Brown paper bag containing pineapple Small wind-up gramophone Table and 2 chairs Bottle of Gin + 2 glass Large gift-wrapped package Envelope with money Box containing fruit bowl Suitcase (Schultz) 4. Briefly outline how lighting and sound will contribute to your production. Prepare a list of the sound and light effects you would like and indicate when they occur in the production. Lighting Design A single normal house bayonet light hanging down in the centre of stage, this would be used for a symbolism of inside a room and the lighting which would normally illuminate the room. For this musical, the lighting design will have to be very carefully planned, in terms of position such as, angles and thrust distance. As well as fixture selection taking into consideration the physical characteristics such as beam size, wattage, luminosity, fixture type, etc. To light this stage effectively the stage will be broken up into a grid and each part of the stage will be illuminated I would like to use intelligent fixtures with conventional fixtures. The intelligent fixtures would be great for scenes like the Kit Kat Club as this scene depends on colours and shadows to give the audience the right illusion of a seedy night club. Also, the beam of an intelligent fixture is quite sharp and doesnt really produce much spill on stage so it would be fantastic for solo spots. I would incorporate the use of follow spots, as I would like to keep the show in its traditional form and in keeping with the historical context. Follow spots are good for things like the Emcee as he moves around the stage. For the cabaret scenes, use of deep blues, purples and pinks colours silhouetting the Kit Kat Club girls on stage. Lightings surrounding the stage and suspended window, door arches (e.g. I have included photos from previous shows I have designed to illustrate my ideas see at the end of this report), and the second stage level floor will be bordered with festoon lights. These lights can then be chased. I want to portray a very dingy, run down club where some of the globes will be broken or missing, at the same time as the girls on stage will look sexy, as well as giving the set a very seedy appearance. There are three main different sets common in this production: train scene, inside Fraulein Schneiders boarding house, and inside the Kit Kat Klub. Each one of these different sets has a different appearance where the lighting is used to highlight and mark the difference to the set. For the train scenes, the lighting on stage will be focused mainly in front of the proscenium line with the rest of the stage in darkness. The colours used for this particular scene will consist of open white, fixtures will not be at full intensity as I want to achieve a dull Tuscan amber appearance. Lighting in the train carriage is not really bright and the majority of the light source will be coming from windows letting in the outside light from outside lights. The second set scene is inside Fraulein Schneiders boarding house the lighting will be very much the same as in the first scene inside the train carriage. However, more of the stage will be lit, up to the back walls revealing three doors. Top level of the set remains in darkness as it is for the cabaret scenes for the Kit Kat Klub. There will be at least 3 hot spots for the boarding house scene where both Cliff and Fraulein Schneider move in most of the scenes. These hot spots will be located along the front proscenium line along the edge of the stage, and 3 lighting hotspots along in front of each door. Colours used will remain dim; most of the light on stage will look like its coming from the one hanging lighting batten as a light fixture which is incorporated into the set. The lighting will aim to show an old run-down boarding house where maintenance has been neglected. The final set is inside the Kit Kat Klub, the entire stage will be washed in purples, pinks, reds, blues and a bit of white thrusters to illuminate faces. The scene is set in a seedy and dirty-looking night club. For the lighting of this scene I want the lighting to cast a silhouette effect on the girls dancing for the cabaret numbers. As the music changes and different scenes are set in different parts of the Kit Kat Klub the lighting changes with the mood. The majority of the lighting for these scenes will be coming from sources side, top, and behind of stage. The lighting creates a powerful perspective illustrating the emotions portrayed on stage. An effect only seen when we are inside the Kit Kat Klub is the festoon lights surrounding the edges of the stage and the suspended mirror in the backdrop of the set. When inside the Kit Kat Klub these lights are just on still, but when during song numbers these lights will be chasing forward, the classic Broadway lighting effect. Main actors will be lit with use of the follow spot, the rest will remain in silhouette. Sound Design All the music for the songs would be performed live by the band/orchestra which I intend to incorporate into the production by having them seen by the audience and positioned in acting blocked areas framed upstairs in the suspended picture frame. Various sound effects will be used to help portray to the audience realism. For Act 1 Scene 2 Cliff is on a train to Berlin a screeching sound effect of a steam train travelling is used as background sound as if they are actually in a train carriage. To mark the opening of scene 2, a train whistle sound effect is used. Another effect used is of a crashing symbol to mark the change of scene. A sound effect used for act one scene 9, is of a voice of a young boy singing beautifully and the sound of a steam train in the background. Another sound effect is of a window shattering to mark the end of Act 2 scene 2. 5. Characters and actors: what kind of people are the characters of the musical? In what kind of world do they exist? If you had complete freedom of choice, what actors would you cast in your production? Emcee Sally Bowles Cliff Bradshaw Fraulein Schneider Herr Schultz Fraulein Kost Ernst Ludwig is a member of the Nazi Party and befriends Cliff Cabaret Girls Cabaret Boys are homosexual and work at the Kit Kat Klub 6. How many production crew/ staff are required to stage this production (during the season ignore pre-production)? Draw up a running crew list, with a description of what each person will be responsible for. Title Quantity Description of responsibility S7tage manager 1 Production week ensure all set building, lighting equipment, props, costumes, furniture and equipment ready. Do cue sheets, prop settings and running order Prepare assistant stage managers running plot Do lighting and sound synopsis Organise time fro technical rehearsal and dress rehearsal At technical rehearsal, make all final checks and discuss all effects with Director Time cues and calls in prompt book Finalize all elements of prompt book Attend dress rehearsal and note any problems. First night and performance run Check everything Remain calm Reset play after performances Give calls and check all actors and crew present Liaise with front of house staff Note any alterations or repairs necessary. Lighting Designer 1 Rehearsal: Go though the musical scene-by-scene with the Director to plan precise lighting details. Work out presets and cues and help stage manager to mark the prompt book Buy or hire equipment as needed Work out a lighting synopsis with the stage manager Production week: Rig and focus lighting fixtures Attend technical rehearsal and test lighting and solve problems Make final adjustments and prepare controls Lighting Operator 1 Program lighting cues as discussed during rehearsals with stage manager and director. Attend technical and dress rehearsals. Fix any problems with lighting designer. Assist with lighting designer with making final adjustments. Makes sure has all cues written in script Operate the lighting console for the session Sound Engineer/ operator 2 Attend Production meetings and rehearsals Research, planning and purchasing sound effects recordings, equipment, supplies Met with Director Hire and rig sound equipment Sound plot, mark in script with Director Attend final dress and technical rehearsals Operate the sound console for the session Orchestra 8 12 Rehearsal all music parts from the score with all members of the orchestra Conductor meets with director, stage manager and sound engineer to discuss cues for lead in and out. Organise the running of the show Attend all shows of the session, Stage Hands 4-6 Assist the stage manager. Move props and set pieces around the stage for each scene change. Organise the actors and escort and cues actors to when to come onto stage and off. Director 1 Is to organise and meet with every department to ensure that everyone is ready for the upcoming session week leading up to the opening night Polish final rehearsals. Make sure all problems have been solved before show commences. Attend light and sound plotting sessions Attend all rehearsal leading up to the show discuss notes. Set Designer 2 Attend Dress And Technical Rehearsals Make minor alterations Load in the set and help with the construction Supervise the Set Builders. Organise props Make notes of any problems in the last rehearsals leading up to opening night Make sure all props and sets have been finished been built and ready to be put in place on stage Transport set from work shop to theatre venue Costume Designer And makeup artist 6 Check all costumes are finished Make sure any last minute orders have arrived ready in time for opening night, eg wigs Attend all rehearsals leading up to show opening Have all actors in costume for the dress rehearsals Check make up, and add suggestions to individual makeup artist, check how all actors look on stage. Administration 10-12 Organise the box office Sell tickets Work in FOH; sales, bar, ushering Organise and arrange FOH displays, Print Programs Look after the audience. Organise the theatre ready for the audience members Attend final rehearsals Set Builder 6 Install the set Repair any wear and tear damagers Fix all the minor details and finishing touches to the set. Paint the set Assist the set designer 7. Design: How would you describe the imaginative world of the musical? What is its Location? What is the period of your production? The period of this production is set in Pre-World War Two 1930s in Berlin, the capital city of Germany. This should be a minimum of 300 words, and rather than giving a synopsis of the productions. Should give an understanding of what you liked about it why it inspired you. It should be a personal response to the production, and should at least touch on how the technical elements of the production supported the narrative. Wicked My experience in theatre has been with amateur productions it was exciting to see a professional show of the magnitude of Wicked. The stage for Wicked was imaginative and impressive. The lighting in Wicked was particularly inspiring and I could easily make connections to my past lighting experience such as in Wizard of Oz, an amateur production I was involved in with a similar storyline. I can see how aspects of Wicked could be incorporated into the Wizard of Oz production to make it more professional. Special effects were projected throughout the production to add to the set and properties, to portray illusions into the audience. The image of Glinda opening entrance when she descended in a bubble onto the stage was fabulous. Another example was seen in the creating of rain. I was awed by the lighting effects produced by the projectors to create the backdrop of the magical green sparkle on the backdrop of the map of Oz which was seen as the opening and closing of the production. In the final scene in Act one during the song Defining Gravity, Glinda is singing about her feelings of being scared, after she was tricked by the wizard to use her magical powers to turn the talking monkey into an evil flying monkey unable to talk. She uses her flying broom stick to escape, I was inspired by the lighting as it was used in a dramatic way as she rises into the air, use of prism scattered gobos in all 5 intelligent fixtures focuses on her as she ascended into the sky, creating a powerful silhouette of colour and rays of light in all directions, ending in a quick blackout to end the song a very powerful ending using the lighting. The use of lighting elements such as colours to create mood, gobos to add patterns and shapes allows the audience to move from reality to the imaginary world of Oz. In Wicked the attention to detail was very obvious. The use of fairy lights built into the set and the use of tracks to move sets on and off stage was amazing and resulted in an impressive production. My goal is to produce theatre as amazing and as professional as what I saw in this production especially in lighting and sound.

Computer Addiction :: Computers Technology Addictions Essays

Computer Addiction Have you ever thought how much time do you spend using on a computer in a day/week? Computers are as common in numerous households around the world. People from all age groups are learning to operate computers and anyone who has worked with computers for long periods of time knows that computers can be just as addicting as drinking every night of the week. Take further, Computer addiction can have a number of physical, social, and psychological effects on a person, and it is to be taken as seriously as any other addiction that a person is against, but what are those possible effects of spending too much time on the computer, and what are the causes. There are many causes for people are addicting on the computer. First of all, students have free access to the Internet and easily available at most schools’ computer lab. Because it is free and most school provide an e-mail account and have no limit the amount of time for student to log on. Second, anyone who addicts to Internet has a bigger problem with social life; especially, people who are easily bored, lonely, shy, relationship problem, lake of self-confidence and low self-esteem. They may rely on the computer screen to solve personal problems or meet their needs for companionship. However to ignore what cause people to addict on the computers, the endless new connections are that draws addicts to all of us. The effect of students addict on the computer not only can they lose their schoolwork or jobs but also would become withdrawn from the community. As they become unable to limit their time spent online often for many hours; therefore, students are to minimize the time communication with others. In addition, as they spent every night of the week on computer, consequently, they get fail from the school. On the other hands, people who have trouble with their social life not only can they get worse but also can lead to seriousness psychological problems. As they more likely to meet their needs for companionship form the Internet the more they become escape from the reality and become personality disorder. It has met from the article â€Å"Internet addiction: genuine diagnosis or not?

Evolution of the Modern Woman in Virginia Woolfs To the Lighthouse Ess

Evolution of the Modern Woman in Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse examines the role of women or more specifically, the evolution of the modern woman. The two main female characters in the novel, Mrs Ramsay and Lily Briscoe, both represent different views on life and follow different paths on their search for meaning. Lily Briscoe transcends the traditional female gender roles embodied by Mrs Ramsay; by coming into her own as an independent and modern woman, she symbolises the advent of modernism and rejection of traditional Victorian values. The traditional female gender roles of passivity and submission are first reinforced by Mrs Ramsay's attitude and behaviour towards her husband and the guests at her house. Mrs Ramsay is not a helpless woman but she is not independent in the way that Lily Briscoe is. While she is perfectly capable of being the boss of trivial and "womanly" things such as dinner, the higher level decisions are always made by her husband. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Mrs Ramsay tells her son, James, that, weather permitting, they would go to the lighthouse the next day. Mr Ramsay insists that, "it won't be fine" (9). They do not go to the lighthouse. Mrs Ramsay submits to her husband's decision. Mrs Ramsay has the ability to "arrange people", both literally at the dinner table, and figuratively, as she plays match maker with her guests. However, her actions are either domestic and/or maternal. But what have I done with my life? thought Mrs Ramsay, taking her place at the head of the table . . . 'William, sit by me,' she said. 'Lily,' she said, wearily, 'over there.' . . . she [had] only this - an infinitely long table and plates and knives. At ... ...it is irrelevant because she is dead. By Lily's completion of her painting of Mrs Ramsay and the arrival at the lighthouse, Mrs Ramsay can also be "ended", in a sense. James, having forgiven his father, no longer has to Freudianly prefer his mother. Lily, having finished her painting, can now reject Mrs Ramsay as a model, both for the portrait and for her life. Lily is the embodiment of art in the novel; she strives for meaning in art. Mrs Ramsay, however, finds meaning in less abstract terms, she is fulfilled by her children and hopes to see them married. Lily finishes her painting but Mrs Ramsay does not live to see her children married. This is a statement on the validity of art and abstraction, as embodied by Lily Briscoe, and a negation of realist thought. Works Cited Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1989. Evolution of the Modern Woman in Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse Ess Evolution of the Modern Woman in Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse examines the role of women or more specifically, the evolution of the modern woman. The two main female characters in the novel, Mrs Ramsay and Lily Briscoe, both represent different views on life and follow different paths on their search for meaning. Lily Briscoe transcends the traditional female gender roles embodied by Mrs Ramsay; by coming into her own as an independent and modern woman, she symbolises the advent of modernism and rejection of traditional Victorian values. The traditional female gender roles of passivity and submission are first reinforced by Mrs Ramsay's attitude and behaviour towards her husband and the guests at her house. Mrs Ramsay is not a helpless woman but she is not independent in the way that Lily Briscoe is. While she is perfectly capable of being the boss of trivial and "womanly" things such as dinner, the higher level decisions are always made by her husband. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Mrs Ramsay tells her son, James, that, weather permitting, they would go to the lighthouse the next day. Mr Ramsay insists that, "it won't be fine" (9). They do not go to the lighthouse. Mrs Ramsay submits to her husband's decision. Mrs Ramsay has the ability to "arrange people", both literally at the dinner table, and figuratively, as she plays match maker with her guests. However, her actions are either domestic and/or maternal. But what have I done with my life? thought Mrs Ramsay, taking her place at the head of the table . . . 'William, sit by me,' she said. 'Lily,' she said, wearily, 'over there.' . . . she [had] only this - an infinitely long table and plates and knives. At ... ...it is irrelevant because she is dead. By Lily's completion of her painting of Mrs Ramsay and the arrival at the lighthouse, Mrs Ramsay can also be "ended", in a sense. James, having forgiven his father, no longer has to Freudianly prefer his mother. Lily, having finished her painting, can now reject Mrs Ramsay as a model, both for the portrait and for her life. Lily is the embodiment of art in the novel; she strives for meaning in art. Mrs Ramsay, however, finds meaning in less abstract terms, she is fulfilled by her children and hopes to see them married. Lily finishes her painting but Mrs Ramsay does not live to see her children married. This is a statement on the validity of art and abstraction, as embodied by Lily Briscoe, and a negation of realist thought. Works Cited Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1989.

A Cultural Analysis Of “Little Selves” Essay

Every story that has ever been written has some aspect that is relevant to the time period the story was written in. Published in 1916, â€Å"Little Selves† is entwined with the past issues pertaining to the surge in immigration, namely the Irish immigrant life. The cultural issue of the importance of one’s heritage manifests itself throughout the story and drives the story in the end. Although the issue isn’t entirely unique for the time period, the story remains to be a good reflection of the Irish culture during the early 20th Century. The early 1900’s were a time of change for most Irish folk. Many of them were immigrating over to America in search of a better life, but for many of the immigrants, there was a lingering feeling of loss. Many Irish-Americans felt that their heritage was on the brink of extinction since those few who could remember their homeland were slowly perishing as the days went on. Their cultural heritage gained more and more importance after it started to fade from the memories of all with Irish blood. This cultural aspect is portrayed in the character Margaret O’Brien, the elderly woman lying on her deathbed in the hospital. See more: Recruitment and selection process essay She too is worried about the fading memories, for there’s â€Å"nobody but me left to remember, and soon there’ll not even be that† (16). All of her friends come to pay their last respects, but end up leaving troubled for they don’t understand her murmuring dilemma. Margaret never explains her predicament to her new American friends for they are all â€Å"outside the magic circle of comprehension† (17), that is until her niece Anna shows up and vows to remember all events of Margaret’s past. Finally, the old lady could die peacefully knowing that her heritage remains in the mind of her kin, just as every Irish immigrant had probably wished for. The culture issue is the main, dominating subject of the story, but that isn’t to say it drives the entire story. In the beginnings of â€Å"Little Selves†, the reader is left wondering what the old woman is yearning for under her breath, for â€Å"her attention wandered; her replies became cryptic† (7). It is this uncertainty that drives the story and the reader towards the end, but once the niece finds out about Margaret’s story of the red coat, the attention of the reader is geared towards the relevance of the story. At  this point in â€Å"Little Selves†, the driving force is shifted to the dilemma of the fading memories of the Irish heritage, or the memory of the red coat, which was just another piece to the puzzle that was Margaret’s life in Ireland. This cultural topic is unique for its time only because it was more prevalent to many Irish-Americans in the early 1900’s than it is today. There are not as many Irish immigrants today as there was during the early 20th Century, and for those Americans with Irish ancestors, there has been almost an entire century to adapt and adjust to the separation from the homeland heritage. Still, many fathers and mothers of Irish blood probably get around to telling their sons and daughters about the stories of Ireland that were handed down by their fathers, and all the way back to the first family members that came over from Ireland, just as Margaret described her own memories to her niece.