American Heros in Tom Wolfes The Right Stuff Essay examples -- Righ

American Heros in Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff portrays the lives of a portion of America's most sizzling pilots and its first space explorers. These men incorporate Pete Conrad, Chuck Yeager, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Shirra, Alan Shepard, Gordon Cooper, Scott Carpenter and Deke Sleyton. A portion of these men were superstar aircraft testers at Edwards Air Force Base, and some flew payload planes. Some had perfect help records, while others hadn't flown in a genuine pooch battle for even a second. In spite of these distinctions in foundations and qualifications, Tom Wolfe transforms every one of these nine men into a different and individualized saint. Toss Yeager and John Glenn are presumably the most noteworthy of the nine pilots in The Right Stuff. Toss Yeager was a hillbilly from West Virginia, who by the age of 22 had 13 1/2 murders in World War II. Yeager became well known by being the primary man to arrive at Mach 1, the speed of sound. John Glenn was an all-American Marine pilot. Glenn was a strict family man who was prepared to do anything he could for his nation. He turned into the banner kid for America's Mercury Project. Yeager and Glenn are two fine instances of American legends of the 1950's and 1960's. In The Right Stuff, Wolfe presents these men so that the fervor they began is revived. Wolfe utilizes numerous devices in his diversion of these genuine saints, including engaging tales, the characters' own words and musings, and the assessments of others. In a few examples, Wolfe utilizes accounts to uncover portions of a's character or to show his impact upon others. One case of this happens when Wolfe specifies that the voices of carrier pilots are designed according to the voice of Chuck Yeager. Wo... ...nks to himself, What the heck was he discussing. I don't consider any us could truly go on with something like this...What conceivable contrast could a spouse's disposition make about the open door for a monster step up the incredible ziggurat (95). This idea again shows the other six space travelers' impression of Glenn as an untouchable. He didn't keep the guidelines of the individuals who had the secret sauce; he was getting everyone's attention and coordinating the consideration away from them. Tom Wolfe is an ace of reproducing the individuals and occasions of the Mercury Project. In The Right Stuff he draws out all the energy that every space traveler delivered during the period. He utilizes tales, the characters' own words, and the assessments of others to isolate the characters and present each as an individual saint. Works Cited: Wolfe, Tom. The Right Stuff. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1979.

The Religious Teachings and Rituals of the Faith Essay

The Religious Teachings and Rituals of the Faith - Essay Example in its immense overlay. The Mass fills in as the social event of the Christian people group at the congregation on Sunday morning, in memory of Holy Jesus (Baldovin 2003), so as to take an interest in all the customs going to happen in chapel as indicated by the Christian conviction framework and conventions related with this consecrated assembling, plan to appeal to God and show their faithfulness and commitment to the Holy Christ. The Mass contains the starting psalms (performed with instruments), lesson delineating the holy life and respectable lessons of Jesus Christ, recitation and translation of certain refrains from the Gospel, aggregate petition in the light of Christian conviction, introduction of endowments and supplications to special stepped area, the priest’s address at the raised area, explaining the honorable motivation behind the incredible and praiseworthy penance made by Christ for mankind, favoring the bread and wine, as per the orders made by Christ at the night before his Last Supper, trailed by the aggregate Great Amen and getting of Jesus in Holy Communion, and the last gifts toward the end (Chadwick 106). Therefore, the Mass is really the finishing of the considerable number of ceremonies related with Eucharist from get-together to the support in the last gifts. The inquiry appropriately ascends in the brains of the Christian people group that since they could offer their petitions and can watch reflection and recitation while remaining at their homes, at that point for what reason should they continue to chapel and invest energy at there as they are to perform nearly the equivalent at home, which they are going to complete by visiting the congregation. In any case, right now they overlook the very reality that the supplication doesn't mean simple conveying of certain words from the mouth or doing some particular demonstrations at a room in the home; in actuality, revere represents an exhaustive and sorted out action, to be seen i n the organization of the individual individuals of a similar confidence so as to join the petition meeting by and large, and to understand with the genuine message of Jesus Christ that the Christians are answerable for passing on his message to the whole mankind with no segregation of class, standing, network, race, ethnicity and financial status (Latourette 295). It is, along these lines, at that point each Christian is invited at the congregation without taking his position, appearance, riches and assets into scarcest thought even. Thus, choice of Sunday by the holy people for fellowship is really for commending the day of Christ’s restoration (Baldovin 2-3), on the third of his execution on account of the brutal leader of his time. Another significant issue identified with the Mass incorporates the reason behind it. Since Eucharist represents Thanksgiving, it is really the declaration of appreciation to Christ for his penance and love, which ought to be made in the assemb ly by visiting the congregation as opposed to sending the equivalent by remaining at home.â

SWOT analysis In Elken Essay Example

SWOT examination In Elken Paper One factor that drives Elken Company to be achievement in the firm is a direct result of its qualities. Qualities are those upper hands that make the advantages to accomplish the necessities of its objective markets. One of the qualities of Elken is that Elken Company has a solid system of wholesaler and it has a wide system of business in Asia-Pacific. These included Asia-Pacific nations are Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Hong Kong and India. Elken is extending the business all inclusive. So as to contend with the contenders, Elken can grow the business to the entire Asia nations and Europe-nations, for example, United Stated of America. The more grounded system of merchant Elken has, it will be more advantages to Elken on the grounds that it will be more enthusiastically for the contenders and new contestants to rival Elken. Another quality of Elken is that Elkens workers are agreeable and very much taught. They are generally prepared to help the clients by giving them praiseworthy. So as to fulfill the clients needs and requests, the Customer Services Department staffs are prepared to offer quick and quality types of assistance. Elken Company had prepared proficient experts to give the RO Water Purification administrations to its clients. These expert professionals can give fast establishments and administrations to the clients. Other than that, the Elkens wholesalers and individuals are certain reasoning and they are moving towards a similar heading to accomplish the Elkens objectives. To gather the riches and prizes that Elken offers, the merchants and individuals put in endeavors in the occupations and contribute themselves to the organization. They are happy to confront trouble and challenges, and acknowledge changes. They are happy to make improvement and aptitudes advancement, with the goal that they can build their activity execution. We will compose a custom paper test on SWOT examination In Elken explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on SWOT investigation In Elken explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on SWOT examination In Elken explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer Elken Company had a great deal of innovative work exercises on the Elken items. It generally overhauls and grows the scope of items with the point of constantly improving the lives of customers. So as to improve the nature of the items, Elken can has the RD focus with a wide range of sorts of advanced apparatuses and advances, and enlist increasingly imaginative specialists for the items advancement. What's more, Elken Company had built up Narisia Sdn.Bhd and its own assembling plant, Elepac Sdn.Bhd. Narisia Sdn.Bhd set up to fabricate the Reverse Osmosis innovation since 1998 to guarantee the ideal nature of items. The Bio Pure R.O Water Purification System utilized the segment parts delivered by the universes driving makers. With these industrial facilities, Elken spared loads of working expense in its business. Elken Company sells assortment of items and administrations. It permits diverse range clients with the boundless items and administrations. A large number of the Elken items have been given esteemed honors by semi government bodies and affiliations; confirmed by global accreditation association; and clinically demonstrated by respectable foundations. Elken had an online site. This online site permits clients to peruse and get data about Elken. It shared the organization vision, achievements of progress with the consure through the Internet. It likewise advances its items through the site. Incidentally, it additionally included data about advantages of joining Elken, and the profession openings offer by Elken. To improve the adequacy of client administrations, Elken had incorporated the work locales and the contact numbers into the site, with the goal that it permits the buyers to have simpler referencing, and it lets the buyers to discover the Elkens Head Office in their nations. Shortcomings Shortcomings are the limitations of Elken may look in the turn of events or execution of the promoting system. Elken needs to recognize the shortcomings and handle it without hesitation. One of the shortcomings of Elken is that a portion of the results of Elken are costly. The significant expense of Elken item may make the customer buy different items from the contenders. To defeat this issue, Elken ought to have better promoting arranging, and decrease the expenses for item improvement however similarly keeping up the items quality. To permit the clients to buy the items in a lower value, Elken can urge the client to join and become Elkens individuals, therefore, advise them that there is extraordinary proposal for Elkens individuals, and Elkens individuals are permit to buy Elkens with a markdown. Additionally, Elken doesn't completely use its own site landing page. It does exclude some significant client administrations into its online framework. The online site just permits the purchasers to get the organization foundation data, items subtleties, and a portion of the organization news. It should incorporated some internet buying administration into the online site. Contenders are urging individuals to join their immediate deals business as well. They offer a wide range of sorts of remunerations and advantages to their individuals. Contenders can offer comparable advantages as Elken offers to its workers and individuals. To contend with the contenders, Elken ought to consistently improve its pay and motivating force procedures. Elken can generally illuminate all the individuals around the globe about the advantages of joining into Elken. Elken can inspire and motivating force the workers by offering various sorts of remuneration and advantages. Other than that, Elken ought to have a few courses to let the representatives to share their encounters and how they prevail in their occupations in Elken with the new workers and clients. Openings Openings are the good and valuable conditions that could produce awards for Elken. Elken needs to locate the potential open doors so as to keep on developing inside the commercial center. One of the chances of Elken is that they can improve its online clients benefits by incorporated a few highlights, for example, online indexes, web based buying administration, online interviews, web based applying Elkens enrollment, online arrangements setting up for the establishment and support administrations for RO Water Purification System, and online focuses checking. With every one of these highlights, it can build the adequacy of current client administrations. By enrolling greater quality, expert and potential workers, Elken can permits web based enlisting framework. With this internet enlisting framework it permits Elken to enroll specialists and quality individuals from better places and nations. Since the individuals and shoppers are concerning the medicinal services issues these days, Elken can have opportunity to create and sell more human services items. They can have RD to investigate and discover the requirements and requests of the customers todays. For example, Elken can present and sells some back rub and spa items since the purchasers these days are worry about pressure and torment decrease issues. With this possibility, Elken can likewise deliver and offer items to various classification of buyers. They can deliver items for youngsters, adolescents, grown-ups and the elderly people. Since Elken is a notable direct selling organization in Malaysia, it permits Elken to takes this risk to open more outlets and stores in Malaysia. Other than the administrative center in Kuala Lumpur, outlets in Johor, Sarawak and Sabah, it likewise can open stores and outlets at various areas, for example, Pahang, Kedah, Penang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Perak, Melacca, and Negeri Sembilan. It can grow its business all over in Malaysia. Innovations patterns are continue evolving. This had lead Elken to take the risk to improve its IS and IT in the organization regularly. It drives Elken to utilize the modernized database and stock framework to monitor items, stocks, workers and its individuals subtleties. By utilizing electronic database and stock framework, it permits Elken to have simpler referencing on the items data, items stocks, and representatives and individuals subtleties. It additionally spares costs for putting away the subtleties. In addition, the changing of innovation inclines additionally had caused Elken to know about utilizing new innovation to deliver the items. The utilizing of new innovations helps Elken in creating and creating of items. With this chance, it permits Elken to expand the creation and profitability and delivering better quality items. Dangers Dangers are the conditions or obstructions that may forestall Elken from arriving at its goals or mischief to it. The Threats are, for example, the populace shifts, changes in buying inclinations, new advancements, changes in legislative or natural guidelines, or an expansion in rivalry. One of the dangers of Elken is that there are numerous rivals in the business. The quantity of contenders are continue expanding. The contenders of Elken are, for example, Amway and Cosway. To increase upper hand in this industry, Elken needs to improve the quality and assortment of items by utilizing cutting edge innovation devices in item advancement and have more RD for the improvement of increasingly imaginative and more excellent items. With the more assortment of great items, it will permit shoppers to buy the items dependent on their own inclinations. Contenders sell the items with lower costs. These may impact the customer purchasing practices. Elken should make their items value increasingly sensible, and have advancements to the customers. Other than that, Elken can teach the buyers that when buying the items, other than consider of items costs, they ought to consider of the item quality too. Elken can teach the buyers on picking the reasonable

The Division Of Labor An Important Topic For Any Social...

The division of labor is an important topic for any social theory to explore for a number of reasons. One being that the division of labor affects society wholly. It is strongly linked to the rise of capitalism and industrial production along with new innovations. The division of labor has given people more time to experiment and try new things. By studying the how and why the division of labor came about, it could help figure out what will happen next. And, maybe most important and overlooked is the fact that it is fundamental yet today. So many things involve such lengthy processes and so many people that we couldn’t have without the division of labor. The division of labor is defined as the parceling out or specialization of work among different people into smaller and more specific circumscribed tasks. (Lecture Notes, Module 3, p.1) Rational Choice Theorist Adam Smith said that the division of labor came from people’s tendency to â€Å"truck, barter, and exchange† things and that it did not come about as a planned idea, but rather something that happened slowly. â€Å"It is the necessary, though very slow and gradual, consequence of a certain propensity in human nature which has in view no such extensive utility; the propensity to truck, barter, and exchange one thing for another. â€Å" (Smith, Wealth of Nations p.6) Marx’s theory on the other hand thought that the division of labor came about from the desire for private property and as a means for one class of people toShow MoreRelatedSocial Stratification Of A Modern Day Society1224 Words   |  5 PagesApart from being a social institution in its ow n way, it also forms the social superstructure such as educational, administrative, religious, and legal organization. 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Abraham Lincoln Reputation Essay Example For Students

Abraham Lincoln: Reputation Essay Character is a like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it the tree is the real thing, Abraham Lincoln. Reputation is a huge part of our day to day lives as human beings. A persons reputation is the profile others have of that person pieced together from information they have received about the persons behaviours. Reputation is equally as important now as it has been throughout all human history. However the concept has changed significantly as now it has many different dimensions, it is more flexible yet it is inescapable due to social media. Fundamentally though our reputation still determines the way our lives turn out and who we become the same as it did for all of human existence. In todays society a persons reputation has many different aspects. In past centuries how a person was respected was completely based on whether they abided by the strict moral codes and fitted the stereotypes of society. The close knit communities meant all aspects of their reputation were viewed together. Now however due to our wider communities and social circles different parts of who we are possess different importance depending on the nature of the relationship. Our larger communities also mean that everyone only knows particular aspects of who we are, and professional life can be separate from personal life. These days different aspects of reputation possess different importance for different parts of our lives, however generally society puts more emphasis on professional reputation as in the large world we live in this is the main way we can be recognised. As there is not such a strict stereotype we must abide by our reputations are more flexible. We have developed a culture that acknowledges people make mistakes, and learn from them this means there is less secrecy and more acceptance. An example is Judith Collins, who got pregnant as a teenager, was on the benefit and in previous centuries would have been turned her back on, but nowadays even with her past reputation is now a minister in parliament. The different aspects and in a sense deposable state of our reputation means it is more flexible though it still defines us in the same way it did centuries ago. If anything the different aspects give us more power to create a positive reputation, giving the whole concept more weight. On the contrary while reputation has gained has become more flexible it has also become much more fragile. Social media and worldwide communication has meant when a person gains a reputation it is impossible to escape it. In past times by leaving a town a person could escape what they had done and what they were known for. Yet now everything a person has done is stored or documented for the world to access. What people do when they are a teenager, they can be judged on for the rest of their lives. This is a very concerning concept especially considering that as a teenager or young adult people want others to think of them very differently than a person does when they are forty. A photo that was once an attempt at popularity could come back and haunt us and limit our opportunities. In a matter of seconds we can add a dimension to peoples picture of us, this gives us power to change our reputation but also the power to blacken it very quickly. Social medias impact on the spreading of our reputation can have fatal consequences. Charlotte Dawson, a famous celebrity television personality is a key example after receiving abuse from the media and on her twitter decided to leave Australia and fled to New Zealand. However her negative publicity meant people already had their minds made up about her. .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 , .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .postImageUrl , .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 , .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4:hover , .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4:visited , .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4:active { border:0!important; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4:active , .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4 .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u937cdee300a93d047e361e910559a5b4:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Another Salem Witch Trials EssayAfter retreating back to Australia and receiving more abuse she eventually killed herself because of the mindset people had formed about her. The interconnected society and social media in place in this day in age means reputation is more fragile and possesses more importance than ever. The impact of losing our reputations is still as damaging as it was fifty years ago. Our reputation determines the opportunities we receive, how people treat us and consequently how we treat and feel about ourselves. By committing acts that damage our reputation we significantly alter what jobs we can receive. For example by getting arrested a person limits where they can work, if they have a dream of becoming a police officer but have been arrested they cannot fulfil this dream. How we feel about ourselves is essentially one of the most important parts of our existence, our self belief and self esteem alone decides whether we will succeed. Other peoples perception of us is probably the biggest deciding factor in how we feel towards ourselves, and this is determined solely on our reputation. In this country particularly in teenagers our reputation among the people we care about means everything to us. Imagine wandering through a school where the only thing anyone sees is slut or freak, it is easy to believe when you dont know who you are yourself. When a person does something that shocks, that dimension of their picture dominates everything else, and it is all people see. An example of this is Rolf Harris, he spent a lifetime building a reputation as a family entertainer but after being accused of molesting children that is all he will be associated with and remembered for whether he is found guilty or not his reputation will be forever tarnished. In past centuries such as the puritan days in early America reputation was a life or death affair, if you didnt have a good name you would be accused of dealing with the devil and hung. Although in this country we cannot be killed due to our reputation it can still ruin our lives, dim our own self respect and in extreme examples even kill us. Reputation is an important part of how we as humans interact, feel and how we define ourselves. Over generations reputation has evolved, has different emphasis on different aspects and is in the hands of social media. However ultimately reputation still possesses the same importance in our lives as it ever has. The same idea still remains that it takes a lifetime to build a reputation and a moment to lose it. The only way to get rid of a reputation is by changing the significance of various aspects by building different pictures in peoples minds, but essentially people dont forget. Reputation is one of the few things that will always possess huge importance in who we are no matter how much our society evolves, we are humans and we will always have a picture built up of other people in our minds. Reputation has and always will be a huge aspect in our lives.

Social Media Marketing in Sports free essay sample

The article that I found was on how to market a sports team using twitter. I thought that this was an interesting article first because of the title The Twitter Sports Marketing Guide, Five Tips From the Leading Pro Teams. It starts by saying that marketing a sports team is very similar to marketing a product or yourself, the goal is to separate your object from the rest of the crowd. The teams with the most fans use strategies that make them stand out and attract the most followers. Most of this comes breaking the stereotypical mold. The first example is the LA Lakers with the theory of When in Doubt, Tweet Although the platform of Twitter success is already set up for the Lakers, the Lakers social media marketing managers found a way to gain followers. They found that Lakers fans are information hungry and want updated information as often as every minute. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Media Marketing in Sports or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When anything that is related to Lakers happens they tweet about it, and they put up context that does not make other media outlets. They also use Twitters Picture capability to give behind the scene shots that give followers a unique iew not on TV. They do everything that they can to makes fans feel they are a part of the organization. The second example is the Orlando Magic with the theory of Respect the Fan The Orlando Magic is a medium-sized sports market and does not compare to the Lakers. However, they are the second most followed sports team on Twitter. They uses the superstars on the team to promote their twitter. They understand the importance of their fans, and the Magic hold give-away contests for fans. When they had Dwight Howard they gave his one-millionth fan an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando to watch a game and meet him. They found a balance between promotions for fans and team updates. The third example is combined teams with examples of Using the Resources You Have Real Madrid have fans that bleed soccer and twitter gives an ultimate for fans to get news. They stay active by keeping up with all their players in the World Cup events. They stay active with video updates, highlights, interviews and articles. Real Madrid keeps it simple by goes beyond Just their team to their players for their own country. Cleveland Cavaliers do not tweet as often as the Lakers or Magic and are not a major market with only 50,000 followers. Most of the followers came when they had superstar Lebron James and used him to gain followers on twitter. They also offer promotions, but they need to improve their number of tweets. The fourth example is from the San Diego Chargers of Follow Back and Listen With only 38,000 followers they are one of the lowest NFL teams, even though they do tweet relevant information on the teams info they still have a lack of followers. However, they have adapted a strategy that no other team is using. The Chargers followers over 31,000 twitter accounts most of which are random fans that follow them. This creates a sense of community for the Charger fans, and opened the door for the Chargers to attract a lot more followers. The fifth example is from the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies and relevant retweets are their main post. The teams success and locations in large market cities make them popular teams and therefore need little help to gain ollowers. So they Just stay active on twitter with the basic formula that seems to keep their fans happy and feeling involved. Overall while many teams use different strategies on twitter to gain followers and recognition. The ultimate goal of each team is to use twitter to close the gap between the team and fan interaction. This allows fans to not feel distant from the day to day activities of the team. Each team is trying to find a way to distance themselves and make their twitter stand out to fans.

The Golden Age essays

The Golden Age essays In the essay "The Myth of the Golden Age" by Mary Beth Norton, Mary did not agree with historians that is was a "Golden Age" for women during the colonial period. She feels that women's lives outside the home were severely limited. Mary felt women never achieved a status later to be lost. The colonial period, even comparatively speaking, was not a golden age for women. During the colonial period most white women were expected to devote their chief energies to housekeeping and to the care of the children. As husbands where expected to support them by raising crops or working for wages. Women also did some outside chores such as gathering fruits and vegetables. They also made clothes for their family. Only the wealthiest women who had servants escaped some of these labors. Native American women had similar work roles. They did not do the spinning of wool or weaving but they did make clothes by tanning and processing the hides of the animals their husbands killed. Like their white counterparts the Native American also drew a division between the domestic labors of women to the public realm of men. Black women were more inclined to work both in field and in house. More often black women engaged in labor out of doors then the whites. Contact with persons outside their immediate family for both white and black females was rare. So many women would take advantage of social interaction by attending church. Important information was passes on by person to person mostly at the local taverns of the county courthouse, both of which were male bastions. Urban women where not so isolated. Their housing where closer then those in the farm and plantation area. They could visit friends and family. They also had the opportunity to attend school. Plus their household tasks was less demanding they had time to take up some of the amenities of the urban setting. Faced with a paucity of alternatives, colonial women made the best of their situation...

Case Study The Vermont Teddy Bear Co Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Case Study The Vermont Teddy Bear Co - Essay Example This study will carry out an environmental scanning basically to assess the elements having profound bearing on the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. Accordingly, a SWOT analysis has been conducted to identify the strategic factors (external and internal both) which will determine the future of the company (Wheelen, 2006, p. 9). While considering opportunities in external factors, on top of the list is the bear grams. Despite the huge toy market, Vermont Teddy Bear Company has remained a front runner in this field. As pointed out by the Wheelen and Hunger "Bear-Grams were personalized teddy bears that were delivered directly to recipients as gifts for holidays and special occasions. Bear-Grams were gift-boxed in unique containers complete with air holes for the bear"(2006, Case 22-9). This reflects the exclusivity and distinctiveness of the product. The second factor considered is the distribution method. After having experimented various methods, the company concluded that the direct marketing strategy of Bear-Grams was the most profitable. Methods of distribution used were the company owned retail stores, direct mail catalogs, and licensing and wholesale agreements. In order to expand its product line and cut costs, the company went into offshore sourcing.

The Advertising Effect on Adolescents in Saudi Arabia and United Essay

The Advertising Effect on Adolescents in Saudi Arabia and United States - Essay Example This essay looks at historical and contemporary examples to research the gap in generational identity patterns and the conflict between traditional and modern values in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, widely considered to be one of the most conservative governments and political societies in the world. The availability and effect of modern media, particularly from Western sources of production, such as television, movies, and music in Saudi Arabia will be reviewed from contemporary reports and placed in the context of wider social change movements such as the â€Å"Arab Spring†, democratization, and reform that seemingly threaten traditional values and identities in the Kingdom. The introduction of Western and modern values or identity constructs through commercial advertizing will also be analyzed with reference to youth movements and new developments in the Saudi economy resulting from lifestyle pattern changes. The economic and social results of this process will be further re lated in context to the issues of globalization, democratization, and modernization as they portend a change in values in Saudi Arabian culture. The emphasis of this study will be in analyzing the effect of advertising on Saudi adolescents particularly, as this is psychologically when the most important aspects of personal character definition are formed, and socially this represents the time period when human individuals are most open to experimentation with patterns of identity, character, and personality formation. The research methodology of this essay will include a comparison of research into adolescent identity structures and behavior in the U.S. and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to determine the similarities and differences between the two experiences both subjectively and objectively. Rather than assuming that Saudi and American youth culture will develop on the same patterns of expression, the essay will instead look to build an understanding of the similarities and differences between the two adolescent experiences referencing the mainstream national culture and its values as the main social variable to which individual experience reacts, conforms, or rebels personally. The essay concludes with a review of the ways that both local and global mass-media values influence adolescent identity patterns in Saudi Arabia, and the way that these expressions differ fundamentally from adolescent experience in the USA due to the different constitutional historical and religious beliefs of both cultures. Modernity and Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most traditional countries on earth currently due to the combined effects of the political monarchy and royal system which rules as a protector of the religious and cultural values of Islam, represented in the most sacred holy places of the religion. The yearly travel of millions of Muslims to Saudi Arabia annually for the Hajj pilgrimage and to visit the holy places of Islam has made th e country the traditional center for international Arabic learning. The protection of the holy places and Islam is arguably the highest duty that the Saudi

Genetically modified organism Essay Example for Free

Genetically modified organism Essay The controversy over genetically modified (GM) food, also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is viewed in diverse manners worldwide. Some individuals believe that GM food is more beneficial to society than not, while others bear strong beliefs that they may cause negative and harmful effects in the future. There are several reasons that could lead a person to believe that GM foods have a variety of advantages. However, there are various factors that could lead a person to believe otherwise as well. In the article entitled, â€Å"Counterpoint: Genetically Modified Foods Should be Carefully Regulated,† Sally Driscoll and David Morley discuss their opinions regarding GM food. Genetically modified foods are produced and sold nationwide. However, the United States government does not require GM food to be labeled as such. Therefore, when Americans purchase food, they are predominantly unaware of what they are buying and consuming. Everyone has their own opinion regarding this matter and whether or not the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) should regulate and identify GM food from the rest. Many argue that consumers should have the right to decide whether or not to purchase GM food as well. In order to do so, GM food would have to be regulated and labeled accordingly before placed on store shelves and sold to consumers (Driscoll Morley, 2011, p. 1). In the article entitled, â€Å"Genetically Modified Foods: An Overview,† written by Alex Rich and Tom Warhol, 92 percent of Americans feel GM ingredients in food products should be labeled. However, members of the FDA argue that GM food is indeed very similar to non- GM food and bears no potential risk. In other words, they feel labels are an unnecessary part of GM marketing (Rich Warhol, 2011, p. 2). Europe eventually made it illegal to sell GM food without labeling it. When labeling became mandatory, the sales of genetically modified food dropped drastically. Many Americans believe if this were to become mandated in the United States as well, many consumers (when afforded the opportunity to have a choice between the two) would chose food that does not contain GM ingredients. Since there is no way to differentiate between GM food and unaltered food, consumers that wish to steer clear of GM food purchase organic food (Driscoll Morley, 2011, p. 3). Research showed that several Americans do not have a side in the issue regarding GM foods. Studies showed the majority was actually â€Å"unaware of, an unconcerned about† GM cropping and marketing (Rich Warhol, 2011, p. 3). Critics of genetically modified food view this situation differently. They believe the primary reason Americans are so laid back with this issue is due to the fact that they are uninformed as to which products they purchase have been genetically modified (Rich Warhol, 2011, p. 4). In other words, how can Americans have an opinion on a topic they know nothing about and have never been educated on? Food is an essential and significant part of everyday life. For thousands of years, humans have been consuming the same types of food. However, genetics have become more advanced throughout the years, allowing scientists to alter plants and animals. Traditionally, animals are the subject of scientific research â€Å"but it is now humans who are being treated as guinea pigs, every time they are subjected to GM meats and other products. † In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed it safe for humans to consume cloned animals, while the USDA recommended that GM foods stay off the market indefinitely. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that GM food will bear any negative long-term effects (Driscoll Morley, 2011, p. 2). Environmentally, some farmers believe herbicide and insecticide-engineered plants are not as beneficial to the environment as they are made out to be. This method discontinues weeds and/or insects temperamentally because it allows them to become immune to crops. However, because they build up a resistance to crops, additional pesticide spraying is needed regardless (Driscoll Morley, 2011, p. 4). Cross pollination is an area of major concern as well. For crops being grown outdoors, cross pollination can occur from the wind or insects. Because cross pollination is an event in which farmers have little or no control over, those who attempt to grow organic food should reconsider their techniques and produce their crops strictly indoors (Driscoll Morley, 2011, p. 3). This is the only true way to prevent these unwanted mishaps. In the essay entitled, â€Å"A Cure for World Hunger or ‘Frankenfood,’† Justin Petersen discusses the benefits and negative aspects of GM food. His argument solely depends upon the situation given at hand. If GM food can prevent malnourishment in some countries, why not produce mass amounts of GM food? However, why are Americans not demanding stricter regulations and research studies so they may decide for themselves whether or not they want to put these types of food into their bodies? These are some of the questions he attempts to answer and he also tries to inform his readers of both the negative and positive outlooks on GM food (Veit Gould, 2011, p. 519). For nearly twenty years, scientists have argued that GM crops can assist in the prevention and elimination of citizens starving in countries where the majority of the population is in poverty. Because GM food can withstand pests, diseases, and droughts, costs can be reduced and larger yields of crops can be harvested. This is one way to alleviate the amount of malnourished people residing in less fortunate countries. According to Petersen, in the year 2000, â€Å"more than 800 million people throughout the world were starving or malnourished, while five million children died each year as a direct result. † Although it is not guaranteed to end world hunger completely and indefinitely, GM technology is continuing to grow and advance (Veit Gould, 2011, p. 510). If utilized properly in underdeveloped countries for people in great need, GM food would terminate a significant amount of starving and suffering families throughout the world. The FDA does not test food for safety before it is placed on store shelves. Instead, they allow the companies themselves to test their own products. Many companies, however, voluntarily test their products before placing them on the market. There are allergens that are introduced into some genetically modified foods in certain companies but since they are not tested by the FDA, they cannot be placed on the labels. Therefore, buyers of the products are uninformed of the ingredients in their food, making those with allergies more susceptible to allergic reactions. As Petersen said, â€Å"That just underscores why it’s so important that the government require companies to test genetically engineered foods for new allergens (Veit Gould, 2011, p. 515). † Several people must consume certain specific GM products in order for a company to be absolutely certain of which proteins will and will not result in an allergic reaction. A recommendation made for the FDA is to â€Å"require companies to test every newly introduced protein to see if it resembles known food allergens (Veit Gould, 2011, p. 516). † Whether or not society is for or against GM food, it will always be an issue of growing concern. As advances in technology progress and people become more open minded about the situation, laws will either be created to provide certain regulations or people will just have to accept the fact that GM food is not labeled. If it is that much of a concern to an individual, organic food is always an option. While fortunate countries may be primarily concerned with government regulations, it would overall, as in Petersen’s essay, be a very beneficial idea for the less fortunate countries since they literally have people starving to death. Petersen’s essay best depicted the overall views of both sides. Several factors made it possible to decipher for oneself what is adequate. References Driscoll, S. , Morley, D. C. (2011). Counterpoint: Genetically Modified Foods Should be Carefully Regulated, 1-4. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Database. Rich, A. K. , Warhol, T. (2011). Genetically Modified Foods: An Overview, 1-4. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Database. Veit, R. , Gould, C. (2010). Argument: Reading, Writing, and Research. Writing, Reading, Research. Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

What is the role of the river in The adventures of Huckleberry Finn? :: essays research papers fc

What is the role of the river in The adventures of Huckleberry Finn? The Mississippi river seems to control the form of the story. In Mark Twain’s The adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck’s adventure is affected by the river in three parts; These parts are before the river, on the river and after the river. Huck’s adventure is steered by the river to show that, in any story, the beginning and end are undefined.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before the river, Huck and all of his friends are introduced, and he is in civilization, which Huck despises. Eventually, Huck his to escape. Huck eventually gets to the river, when his real adventure begins. Huck meets Jim on the island where he is hiding for the time being. This is when the river seems to start to influence them. They both decide to go on the raft, and travel down the river, unknowing of what could happen. T.S. Eliot says â€Å"What we call its headwaters is only a selection from among the innumerable sources which flow together to compose it† (154.) This beginning of the story starts in the middle, which reflects the river; One does not see the beginning of the river, only all of its sources moving together. Huck’s story is just like this. The story also develops and progresses while on the river.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Huck and Jim continue on the river as it guides them and forms the story. The river â€Å"cannot tolerate any design, to a story which is its story, that might interfere with its nce. Things must merely happen, here and there, to the people who live along its shores or commit themselves to its current† (154). The river surely seems to do this in Huck’s adventure, casting them into unsuspected adventures, introducing them to odd new people. Huck and Jim also come across problems that they need to figure out on the fly, problems that seemingly come from nowhere. The river also seems a sanctuary to Huck and Jim. These things are undefined especially because they seem random, or unpredictable. Of course, the river has these paths that it steers Huck and Jim on, and they accept them and go with the flow, no pun intended. Huck and Jim also finish the story with something that doesn’t seem to end their story- merely a continuation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A continuation, like the river always displays because â€Å"at the end it merely disappears among its deltas: it is no longer there, but it is still where it was, hundreds of miles to the North† (154).

Shadow Kiss Chapter 29

Twenty-nine NEARLY A WEEK LATER, I showed up at Adrian's door. We hadn't had classes since the attack, but our normal curfew hours were still in effect, and it was almost bedtime. Adrian's face registered complete and total shock when he saw me. It was the first time I'd ever sought him out, rather than vice versa. â€Å"Little dhampir,† he said, stepping aside. â€Å"Come in.† I did, and was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of alcohol as I passed him. The Academy's guest housing was nice, but he clearly hadn't done much to keep his suite clean. I had a feeling he'd probably been drinking nonstop since the attack. The TV was on, and a small table by the couch held a half-empty bottle of vodka. I picked it up and read the label. It was in Russian. â€Å"Bad time?† I asked, setting it back down. â€Å"Never a bad time for you,† he told me gallantly. His face looked haggard. He was still as good-looking as ever, but there were dark circles under his eyes like he hadn't been sleeping well. He waved me toward an armchair and sat down on the couch. â€Å"Haven't seen much of you.† I leaned back. â€Å"I haven't wanted to be seen,† I admitted. I'd hardly spoken to anyone since the attack. I'd spent a lot of time by myself or with Lissa. I took comfort from being around her, but we hadn't said much. She understood that I needed to process things and had simply been there for me, not pushing me on things I didn't want to talk about – even though there were a dozen things she wanted to ask. The Academy's dead had been honored in one group memorial service, although their families had made arrangements for each person's respective funeral. I'd gone to the larger service. The chapel had been packed, with standing room only. Father Andrew had read the names of the dead, listing Dimitri and Molly among them. No one was talking about what had really happened to them. There was too much other grief anyway. We were drowning in it. No one even knew how the Academy would pick up the pieces and start running again. â€Å"You look worse than I do,† I told Adrian. â€Å"I didn't think that was possible.† He brought the bottle to his lips and took a long drink. â€Å"Nah, you always look good. As for me †¦ well, it's hard to explain. The auras are getting to me. There's so much sorrow around here. You can't even begin to understand. It radiates from everyone on a spiritual level. It's overwhelming. It makes your dark aura downright cheerful.† â€Å"Is that why you're drinking?† â€Å"Yup. It's shut my aura-vision right off, thankfully, so I can't give you a report today.† He offered me the bottle, and I shook my head. He shrugged and took another drink. â€Å"So what can I do for you, Rose? I have a feeling you aren't here to check on me.† He was right, and I only felt a little bad about what I was here for. I'd done a lot of thinking this last week. Processing my grief for Mason had been hard. In fact, I hadn't even really quite resolved it when the ghost business had started. Now I had to mourn all over again. After all, more than Dimitri had been lost. Teachers had died, guardians and Moroi alike. None of my close friends had died, but people I knew from classes had. They'd been students at the Academy as long as I had, and it was weird to think I'd never see them again. That was a lot of loss to deal with, a lot of people to say goodbye to. But†¦ Dimitri. He was a different case. After all, how did you say goodbye to someone who wasn't exactly gone? That was the problem. â€Å"I need money,† I told Adrian, not bothering with pretense. He arched an eyebrow. â€Å"Unexpected. From you, at least. I get that kind of request a lot from others. Pray tell, what would I be funding?† I glanced away from him, focusing on the television. It was a commercial for some kind of deodorant. â€Å"I'm leaving the Academy,† I said finally. â€Å"Also unexpected. You're only a few months out from graduation.† I met his eyes. â€Å"It doesn't matter. I have things to do now.† â€Å"I never figured you'd be one of the dropout guardians. You going to join the blood whores?† â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"Of course not.† â€Å"Don't act so offended. That's not an unreasonable assumption. If you're not going to be a guardian, what else are you going to do?† â€Å"I told you. I have things I have to take care of.† He arched an eyebrow. â€Å"Things that are going to get you into trouble?† I shrugged. He laughed. â€Å"Stupid question, huh? Everything you do gets you in trouble.† He propped his elbow up on the couch's arm and rested his chin in his hand. â€Å"Why'd you come to me for money?† â€Å"Because you have it.† This also made him laugh. â€Å"And why do you think I'll give it to you?† I didn't say anything. I just looked at him, forcing as much womanly charm as I could into my expression. His smile went away, and his green eyes narrowed in frustration. He jerked his gaze away. â€Å"Damn it, Rose. Don't do that. Not now. You're playing on how I feel about you. That's not fair.† He gulped more vodka. He was right. I'd come to him because I thought I could use his crush to get what I wanted. It was low, but I had no choice. Getting up, I moved over and sat beside him. I held his hand. â€Å"Please, Adrian,† I said. â€Å"Please help me. You're the only one I can go to.† â€Å"That's not fair,† he repeated, slurring his words a little. â€Å"You're using those come-hither eyes on me, but it's not me you want. It's never been me. It's always been Belikov, and God only knows what you'll do now that he's gone.† He was right about that too. â€Å"Will you help me?† I asked, still playing up the charisma. â€Å"You're the only one I could talk to †¦ the only one who really understands me†¦.† â€Å"Are you coming back?† he countered. â€Å"Eventually.† Tipping his head back, he exhaled a heavy breath. His hair, which I'd always thought looked stylishly messy, simply looked messy today. â€Å"Maybe it's for the best if you leave. Maybe you'll get over him faster if you go away for a while. Wouldn't hurt to be away from Lissa's aura either. It might slow yours from darkening – stop this rage you always seem to be in. You need to be happier. And stop seeing ghosts.† My seduction faltered for a moment. â€Å"Lissa isn't why I'm seeing ghosts. Well, she is, but not in the way you think. I see the ghosts because I'm shadow-kissed. I'm tied to the world of the dead, and the more I kill, the stronger that connection becomes. It's why I see the dead and why I feel weird when Strigoi are near. I can sense them now. They're tied to that world too.† He frowned. â€Å"You're saying the auras mean nothing? That you aren't taking away the effects of spirit?† â€Å"No. That's happening too. That's why this has all been so confusing. I thought there was just one thing going on, but there've been two. I see the ghosts because of being shadow-kissed. I'm getting†¦ upset and angry†¦ bad, even†¦ because I'm taking away Lissa's dark side. That's why my aura's darkening, why I'm getting so enraged lately. Right now, it just sort of plays out as a really bad temper†¦.† I frowned, thinking of the night Dimitri had stopped me from going after Jesse. â€Å"But I don't know what it'll turn into next.† Adrian sighed. â€Å"Why is everything so complicated with you?† â€Å"Will you help me? Please, Adrian?† I ran my fingers along his hand. â€Å"Please help me.† Low, low. This was so low of me, but it didn't matter. Only Dimitri did. Finally, Adrian looked back at me. For the first time ever, he looked vulnerable. â€Å"When you come back, will you give me a fair shot?† I hid my surprise. â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"It's like I said. You've never wanted me, never even considered me. The flowers, the flirting †¦ it rolled right off you. You were so gone for him, and nobody noticed. If you go do your thing, will you take me seriously? Will you give me a chance when you return?† I stared. I definitely hadn't expected this. My initial instinct was to say no, that I could never love anybody again, that my heart had been shattered along with that piece of my soul that Dimitri held. But Adrian was looking at me so earnestly, and there was none of his joking nature. He meant what he said, and I realized all the affection for me he'd always teased about hadn't been a joke either. Lissa had been right about his feelings. â€Å"Will you?† he repeated. God only knows what you'll do now that he's gone. â€Å"Of course.† Not an honest answer, but a necessary one. Adrian looked away and drank more vodka. There wasn't much left. â€Å"When are you leaving?† â€Å"Tomorrow.† Setting the bottle down, he stood up and walked off into the bedroom. He returned with a large stack of cash. I wondered if he kept it under his bed or something. He handed it to me wordlessly and then picked up the phone and made some calls. The sun was up, and the human world, which handled most Moroi money, was also up and awake. I tried to watch TV while he talked, but I couldn't concentrate. I kept wanting to scratch the back of my neck. Because there was no way of knowing exactly how many Strigoi I and the others had killed, we'd all been given a different kind of tattoo instead of the usual set of molnija marks. I'd forgotten its name, but this tattoo looked like a little star. It meant that the bearer had been in a battle and killed many Strigoi. When he finally finished his calls, Adrian handed me a piece of paper. It had the name and address of a bank in Missoula. â€Å"Go there,† he said. â€Å"I'm guessing you have to go to Missoula first anyway if you're actually going on to anywhere civilized. There's an account set up for you with †¦ a lot of money in it. Talk to them, and they'll finish the paperwork with you.† I stood up and stuffed the bills in my jacket. â€Å"Thank you,† I said. Without hesitating, I reached out and hugged him. The scent of vodka was overpowering, but I felt I owed him. I was taking advantage of his feelings for me in order to further my own devices. He put his arms around me and held me for several seconds before letting go. I brushed my lips against his cheek as we broke apart, and I thought he might stop breathing. â€Å"I won't forget this,† I murmured in his ear. â€Å"I don't suppose you'll tell me where you're going?† he asked. â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"I'm sorry.† â€Å"Just keep your promise and come back.† â€Å"I didn't actually use the word promise,† I pointed out. He smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead. â€Å"You're right. I'm going to miss you, little dhampir. Be careful. If you ever need anything, let me know. I'll be waiting for you.† I thanked him again and left, not bothering to tell him he might be waiting a long time. There was a very real possibility that I might not be coming back. The next day, I got up early, long before most of campus was awake. I'd hardly slept. I slung a bag over my shoulder and walked over to the main office in the administrative building. The office wasn't open yet either, so I sat down on the floor in the hallway outside of it. Studying my hands as I waited, I noticed two tiny flecks of gold on my thumbnail. They were the only remnants of my manicure. About twenty minutes later, the secretary showed up with the keys and let me in. â€Å"What can I do for you?† she asked, once she was seated at her desk. I handed her a stack of papers I'd been holding. â€Å"I'm withdrawing.† Her eyes widened to impossible size. â€Å"But†¦what†¦you can't†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I tapped the stack. â€Å"I can. It's all filled out.† Still gaping, she muttered something to me about waiting, and then scurried out of the room. A few minutes later, she returned with Headmistress Kirova. Kirova had apparently been briefed and was looking at me very disapprovingly down her beaklike nose. â€Å"Miss Hathaway, what's the meaning of this?† â€Å"I'm leaving,† I said. â€Å"Quitting. Dropping out. Whatever.† â€Å"You can't do that,† she said. â€Å"Well, obviously I can, since you guys keep withdrawal paperwork in the library. It's all filled out the way it needs to be.† Her anger changed into something sadder and more anxious. â€Å"I know a lot has gone on lately – we're all having trouble adjusting – but that's no reason to make a hasty decision. If anything, we need you more than ever.† She was almost pleading. Hard to believe she'd wanted to expel me six months ago. â€Å"This wasn't hasty,† I said. â€Å"I thought a lot about it.† â€Å"Let me at least get your mother so we can talk this out.† â€Å"She left for Europe three days ago. Not that it matters anyway.† I pointed to the line on the top form that said date of birth. â€Å"I'm eighteen today. She can't do anything anymore. This is my choice. Now, will you stamp the form, or are you actually going to try to restrain me? Pretty sure I could take you in a fight, Kirova.† They stamped my packet, not happily. The secretary made a copy of the official paper that declared I was no longer a student at St. Vladimir's Academy. I'd need it to get out the main gate. It was a long walk to the front of the school, and the western sky was red as the sun slipped over the horizon. The weather had warmed up, even at night. Spring had finally come. It made for good walking weather since I had a ways to go before I made it to the highway. From there, I'd hitchhike to Missoula. Hitchhiking wasn't safe, but the silver stake in my coat pocket made me feel pretty secure about anything I'd face. No one had taken it away from me after the raid, and it would work just as well against creepy humans as it did with Strigoi. I could just make out the gates when I sensed her. Lissa. I stopped walking and turned toward a cluster of bud-covered trees. She'd been standing in them, perfectly still, and had managed to hide her thoughts so well that I hadn't realized she was practically right next to me. Her hair and eyes glowed in the sunset, and she seemed too beautiful and too ethereal to be part of this dreary landscape. â€Å"Hey,† I said. â€Å"Hey.† She wrapped her arms around herself, cold even in her coat. Moroi didn't have the same resistance to temperature changes that dhampirs did. What I found warm and springlike was still chilly to her. â€Å"I knew it,† she said. â€Å"Ever since that day they said his body was gone. Something told me you'd do this. I was just waiting.† â€Å"Can you read my mind now?† I asked ruefully. â€Å"No, I can just read you. Finally. I can't believe how blind I was. I can't believe I never noticed. Victor's comment†¦ he was right.† She glanced off at the sunset, then turned her gaze back on me. A flash of anger, both in her feelings and her eyes, hit me. â€Å"Why didn't you tell me?† she cried. â€Å"Why didn't you tell me you loved Dimitri?† I stared. I couldn't remember the last time Lissa had yelled at anyone. Maybe last fall, when all the Victor insanity had gone down. Loud outbursts were my thing, not hers. Even when torturing Jesse, her voice had been deadly quiet. â€Å"I couldn't tell anyone,† I said. â€Å"I'm your best friend, Rose. We've been through everything together. Do you really think I would have told? I would have kept it secret.† I looked at the ground. â€Å"I know you would have. I just†¦ I don't know. I couldn't talk about it. Not even to you. I can't explain it.† â€Å"How†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She groped for the question her mind had already formed. â€Å"How serious was it? Was it just you or – ?† â€Å"It was both of us,† I told her. â€Å"He felt the same. But we knew we couldn't be together, not with our age†¦and, well, not when we were supposed to be protecting you.† Lissa frowned. â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"Dimitri always said that if we were involved, we'd worry more about protecting each other than you. We couldn't do that.† Guilt coursed through her at the thought that she'd been responsible for keeping us apart. â€Å"It's not your fault,† I said quickly. â€Å"Surely†¦there must have been a way. †¦ It wouldn't have been a problem†¦.† I shrugged, unwilling to think about or mention our last kiss in the forest, back when Dimitri and I had thought we'd figured out a solution to all of our problems. â€Å"I don't know,† I said. â€Å"We just tried to stay apart. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't.† Her mind was a tumble of emotions. She felt sorry for me, but at the same time, she was mad. â€Å"You should have told me,† she repeated. â€Å"I feel like you don't trust me.† â€Å"Of course I trust you.† â€Å"Is that why you're sneaking off?† â€Å"That has nothing to do with trust,† I admitted. â€Å"It's me†¦well, I didn't want to tell you. I couldn't bear to tell you I was leaving or explain why.† â€Å"I already know,† she said. â€Å"I figured it out.† â€Å"How?† I asked. Lissa was full of surprises today. â€Å"I was there. Last fall when we took that van into Missoula. The shopping trip? You and Dimitri were talking about Strigoi, about how becoming one makes you something twisted and evil†¦how it destroys the person you used to be and makes you do horrible things. And I heard †¦Ã¢â‚¬  She had trouble saying it. I had trouble hearing it, and my eyes grew wet. The memory was too harsh, thinking of sitting with him that day, back when we were first falling in love. Lissa swallowed and continued. â€Å"I heard you both say you'd rather die than become a monster like that.† Silence fell between us. The wind picked up and blew our hair around, dark and light. â€Å"I have to do this, Liss. I have to do it for him.† â€Å"No,† she said firmly. â€Å"You don't have to. You didn't promise him anything.† â€Å"Not in words, no. But you †¦ you don't understand.† â€Å"I understand that you're trying to cope and that this is as good a way as any. You need to find another way to let him go.† I shook my head. â€Å"I have to do this.† â€Å"Even if it means leaving me?† The way she said it, the way she looked at me †¦ oh God. A flood of memories flitted through my mind. We'd been together since childhood. Inseparable. Bound. And yet†¦Dimitri and I had been connected too. Damn it. I'd never wanted to have to choose between them. â€Å"I have to do this,† I said yet again. â€Å"I'm sorry.† â€Å"You're supposed to be my guardian and go with me to college,† she argued. â€Å"You're shadow-kissed. We're supposed to be together. If you leave me †¦Ã¢â‚¬  The ugly coil of darkness was starting to raise its head in my chest. My voice was tight when I spoke. â€Å"If I leave you, they'll get you another guardian. Two of them. You're the last Dragomir. They'll keep you safe.† â€Å"But they won't be you, Rose,† she said. Those luminous green eyes held mine, and the anger in me cooled. She was so beautiful, so sweet†¦ and she seemed so reasonable. She was right. I owed it to her. I needed to – â€Å"Stop it!† I yelled, turning away. She'd been using her magic. â€Å"Do not use compulsion on me. You're my friend. Friends don't use their powers on each other.† â€Å"Friends don't abandon each other,† she snapped back. â€Å"If you were my friend, you wouldn't do it.† I spun back toward her, careful not to look too closely into her eyes, in case she tried compulsion on me again. The rage in me exploded. â€Å"It's not about you, okay? This time, it's about me. Not you. All my life, Lissa †¦ all my life, it's been the same. They come first. I've lived my life for you. I've trained to be your shadow, but you know what? I want to come first. I need to take care of myself for once. I'm tired of looking out for everyone else and having to put aside what I want. Dimitri and I did that, and look what happened. He's gone. I will never hold him again. Now I owe it to him to do this. I'm sorry if it hurts you, but it's my choice!† I'd shouted the words, not even pausing for a breath, and I hoped my voice hadn't carried to the guardians on duty at the gate. Lissa was staring at me, shocked and hurt. Tears ran down her cheeks, and part of me shriveled up at hurting the person I'd sworn to protect. â€Å"You love him more than me,† she said in a small voice, sounding very young. â€Å"He needs me right now.† â€Å"I need you. He's gone, Rose.† â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"But he will be soon.† I reached up my sleeve and took off the chotki she'd given me for Christmas. I held it out to her. She hesitated and then took it. â€Å"What's this for?† she asked. â€Å"I can't wear it. It's for a Dragomir guardian. I'll take it again when I †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I had almost said if, not when. I think she knew that. â€Å"When I get back.† Her hands closed around the beads. â€Å"Please, Rose. Please don't leave me.† â€Å"I'm sorry,† I said. There were no other words to offer up. â€Å"I'm sorry.† I left her there crying as I walked toward the gate. A piece of my soul had died when Dimitri had fallen. Turning my back on her now, I felt another piece die as well. Soon there wouldn't be anything left inside of me. The guardians at the gate were as shocked as the secretary and Kirova had been, but there was nothing they could do. Happy birthday to me, I thought bitterly. Eighteen at last. It was nothing like I had expected. They opened the gates and I stepped through, outside of the school's grounds and over the wards. The lines were invisible, but I felt strangely vulnerable and exposed, as if I'd leapt a great chasm. And yet, at the same time, I felt free and in control. I started walking down the narrow road. The sun was nearly gone; I'd have to rely on moonlight soon. When I was out of earshot of the guardians, I stopped and spoke. â€Å"Mason.† I had to wait a long time. When he appeared, I could barely see him at all. He was almost completely transparent. â€Å"It's time, isn't it? You're going†¦you're finally moving on to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Well, I had no clue where he was moving on to. I didn't know anymore what lay beyond, whether it was the realms Father Andrew believed in or some entirely different world that I'd visited. Nonetheless, Mason understood and nodded. â€Å"It's been more than forty days,† I mused. â€Å"So I guess you're overdue. I'm glad †¦ I mean, I hope you find peace. Although I kind of hoped you'd be able to lead me to him.† Mason shook his head, and he didn't need to say a word for me to understand what he wanted to tell me. You're on your own now, Rose. â€Å"It's okay. You deserve your rest. Besides, I think I know where to start looking.† I'd thought about this constantly over the last week. If Dimitri was where I believed he was, I had a lot of work ahead of me. Mason's help would have been nice, but I didn't want to keep bothering him. It seemed like he had enough to deal with. â€Å"Goodbye,† I told him. â€Å"Thanks for your help I †¦ I'll miss you.† His form grew fainter and fainter, and just before it went altogether, I saw the hint of a smile, that laughing and mischievous smile I'd loved so much. For the first time since his death, thinking about Mason no longer devastated me. I was sad and I really would miss him, but I knew he'd moved on to something good – something really good. I no longer felt guilty. Turning away, I stared at the long road winding off ahead of me. I sighed. This trip might take awhile. â€Å"Then start walking, Rose,† I muttered to myself. I set off, off to kill the man I loved. As always, I can never express enough gratitude to the friends and family who hang with me through the ups and downs that go along with writing a book – let alone one as powerful as this. Many thanks to David and Christina for their speedy beta reading; to LA. Gordon and Sherry Kirk for their help with Russian; to Synde Korman for her help with Romanian; to my agent Jim McCarthy who is wise and does all the hard stuff for me; to editors Jessica Rothenberg and Ben Schrank for all of their guidance; to the Team Seattle authors for their distraction and good cheer; and to Jay for being infinitely patient†¦and even making a good joke once in a while.

A Profound Southern American Catholic Novelist, By...

A profound Southern American Catholic novelist, Flannery O’Connor concealed her true spiritual intentions into many of her grotesque stories. Many of her writings involve a tale of a displaced person that is eventually lead to redemption and mercy from God. Through plenty of hardships and mistakes, her protagonists endure a spiritual transformation that leads her characters into enlightenment. O’Connor weaves blatant instances of sacramentality, mediation, communion, mercy, and human dignity into the development of each of her stories. O’Conner revealed sacramentality in thousands of examples throughout her literary marks of genius. In â€Å"Wise Blood,† Hazel’s car exposed sacramentality as a symbol of himself. The car’s beat-up, rugged state and unreliable features mirrored Hazel’s own broken-down spirituality. When the car broke down on the side of the road, Hazel proclaimed, â€Å"This is a good car, Mister! This car can take me a nywhere I wanna go!† (film). He argued that the â€Å"well-built† car could not break down due to its prime initial quality. His connection with the car resembled a part of himself. The car served as Hazel’s longed-for home, podium, and sanctuary; the vehicle even provided him a place to sleep. Also, he found a homebased security atop of his car when he preached about the â€Å"Church Without Christ.† Hazel even declared, â€Å"Nobody with a good car needs to be justified† (film). He used his car to steer himself, literally, away from the truth of God. Hazel tried to