Life Lesson Essay

Up until that day, I swear I thought I was invincible. I guess this is the same with all twelve year old girls who think they know all that there is to know about life. I was never one to be a follower but I must admit my friends were a major influence in my early life. As a matter of fact this day was not only the day I realized how wrong and little I knew about life but it also became the reason I changed my life and circle of friends around. It all started when I got sent to a different school than my friends my freshman year; first day of school I was feeling as cool as the other side of the pillow when reality gently slapped me in the face and I realized; I was no longer Rosa but instead â€Å"the freshman†, the girl no one else other than other freshman cared to get to know, the girl who went unnoticed all day. All of a sudden it wasn’t so refreshing and exciting to see so many new faces, different races and ages all gathered in the same place. The urge to get up and walk away from that place came over me and all I wanted more than anything in the world was to see a familiar face. I decided I wasn’t going to let it get to me so I became friends with Melissa; she was the coolest girl I had ever met in my life. Her personality was as contagious as a cold and as destructive as a tornado. For months, we hung out and even though I knew she was trouble, I just could not get passed how liberal and expressive she always was. She dressed how she wanted and came about as she pleased. Together we thought we ruled the world. One day, Melissa approached me and said â€Å"hey lets go for a ride†. I said â€Å"of course†. Not caring where we were going, I got in her car and we drove off. She drove up into a dark neighborhood, at this point my heart sta6rts pounding harder than ever before. I ask her, â€Å"What are we doing here?† She said â€Å"oph we are just getting some weed.† Thinking this was cool, I played along as If this was a normal thing for me. As she is making her â€Å"transaction†, the man who she is buying it from pulled out a gun and pointed it at us. He said, â€Å"Give me whatever else you have of money in your purse or I am going to shoot both of you†. This was the moment it all became real, I could not believe we were going through that, I felt so powerless. Thankfully she acted on reaction and drove off so quickly, I bet the tire marks are still marked on the pavement of that street. That day I realized how much of nothing we both knew and parted our ways.

The Broken Spears by Miguel Leon-Portilla

In the book originally written by Miguel Leon-Portilla, mirroring the event way back in 1519 when Hernan Cortes sailed from Cuba to Mexico and entered the capital of the Aztecs, there were accounts that he gathered from the basic viewpoint of the Aztec tribe. ‘The Broken Spears’ talks about the conquest of Cortes, although it dates back ten years before his arrival in the east coast of Mexico, in a place called Tenochtitlan. From the voices of the tribes, there was defeat and destruction with the arrival of the Spaniards†¦ years after they saw eight omens that, for them, were warnings by the gods on the end of the world.Main Body They first heard the invasion from a common man who reported to King Motecuhzoma: â€Å"Our lord and king, forgive my boldness. When I went to the shores of the great sea, there was a mountain or small mountain floating in the midst of the water, moving here and there without touching the shore† (13). Moctezuma, then, sent people to inspect, and when he received word on the beings that appeared on the shores of his land, he was terrified and was sure that this was the god Quetzalcoatl, who had come back from his journey.Thus, he sent gifts of turquoise and gold to the Spaniards to pay homage to the returning gods. When Cortes recognized this, he frightened the messengers by firing off a canon, and then ordered them to fight in combat to prove their bravery. Cortes announced that he wanted to see Moctezuma. When Cortes, together with hundreds of soldiers, arrived at Tenochtitlan, King Motecuhzoma told Cortes: â€Å"Our lord, you are weary / The journey has tired you, but now you have arrived on the earth / You have come to your city, Mexico / You have come here to sit on your throne, to sit under its canopy† (63).Motecuhzoma was frightened and even thought of escaping, which led him to offer human sacrifices with the coming of the gods, against the advice of his counselors, and to the disdain of the Spani ards. He held a meeting with his nephew Cacama, his brother Cuitlahuac, as well as the other lords and leaders of the tribes on whether or not they should open their doors to the new arrivals in their land. In the end, Motecuhzoma decided to make friends with the Spaniards, and it led to the destruction of his throne, land, wealth, and his people.It is evident that this book should be required for Latin-American Studies, since it gives a very detailed description of the events. Most of the materials used are on the side of the Spaniards. To present a material that would reveal the side of the Aztecs, and how they viewed the event, would be very helpful because it will dramatize how the Aztecs took the invasion in the light of their beliefs, their culture, and their tradition. The style of writing is not really biased.In fact, more of the negatives could be drawn on the description of their king, Motecuhzoma—what his weaknesses were, and which mistakes made him lose his throne and his land. The Spaniards, however, were taken as greed, ruthless men who craved for gold and treasures. It would be best to include this book in Latin-American Studies, but together with the other versions that were written on the side of the Spaniards. This would paint the picture from all sides†¦ for a good sense of balance. Conclusion The story is presented more as a work of literature, with the use of imagery and figures of speech.Having been arranged in chronological order, it presents history from the side and beliefs of the ancient Aztecs. It is well written and easy to understand, which ends up being really fascinating because of the descriptions of things that would relay how ancient human beings view things and people, which they have not seen in the past. Having used a constricted point of view, though, it should be regarded more as literature than as history. Works Cited Leon-Portilla, Miguel. The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico. Bosto n, MA: Beacon Press.

The Yellow Wallpaper Essay English Literature Essay

During the nineteenth century, adult females sought to asseverate themselves in an effort to get the better of the position quo of male domination, which forbade them from political assignment and rational indulgence. Furthermore, experts in the kingdom of medical specialty and scientific discipline sought to qualm the idea of feminine upward mobility, by observing the comparative failing of females in an effort to warrant inequality ( Bed Rest 4 ) . â€Å" The Yellow Wallpaper † by Charlotte Perkins Gilman represents an flight from society ‘s functions of adult females and recovering the freedom they have lost. The storyteller, endeavoring for female individualism is invariably hindered by male domination derived from the 19th century which drives her to perpetrate self-destruction.In the articleWoman Sphere and Public Squarewritten by Karen Fisher Younger, she states:Americans from this clip period defined adult female ‘s function as domestic and private, separat e from the universe of public life. More than this, it was thought adult female was morally and spiritually purer exactly because she stayed off from the perverting public sphere. It was during this clip adult females ‘s traditional domestic functions at place as married womans and female parents took on a sacred quality. And this separate domains ideology one private for adult females and the other public for work forces were perceived as changeless jurisprudence from God. ( 43 ) Ironically plenty, the political orientation of separate domains helped magnify adult females ‘s influence in the populace, harmonizing to historiographers. Womans were viewed as more moral and spiritually sound than work forces, touting the belief that adult females were better equipped to lend to the overall morality of society. The storyteller, a adult female prescribed to rest remedy by her physician/husband John, is confined to her sleeping room, a kid ‘s baby's room with bad xanthous pigment and bars on the Windowss. The two Windowss that she looks out of, represents the possibilities of adult females if seen as peers by the opposite sex. The words she uses to depict her position through the first window are â€Å" I can see the garden, those cryptic deep-shaded arbor, the exuberant antique flowers, and shrubs and gnarled trees † ( 328 ) . The word picture of â€Å" the garden † represents society. The word â€Å" cryptic † show that adult females ‘s ability has n't been brought away into the visible radiation. The 2nd 1 shows â€Å" the lovely position of the bay † and â€Å" a small private pier, belonging to the estate † ( 328 ) . The bay shows that society was unfamiliar with the abilities of adult females and the private pier shows that adult females ar e excluded from things in society. Following is the xanthous wallpaper. The colour yellow is looked at as mark of illness or failing. â€Å" The colour is rebarbative, about revolting: a smouldering dirty yellow, queerly faded by the slow-turning sunshine, It is a dull yet lurid orange in some topographic points, a sallow sulfur shade in others † ( 327 ) . This implies that adult females are the weaker of the two sexes. The storyteller ‘s hubby tells her to acquire over her disfavor of the xanthous wall paper in the room. â€Å" He laughs at me so about this wallpaper! At foremost he intend to repaper the room, but subsequently he said that I was allowing it acquire the better of me, and that nil was worse for a nervous patient than to give manner to such illusions † ( 327 ) . This shows that when adult females try to liberate themselves from the restrictive bonds of society, work forces oppress them and implement the thought that they are inferior. The want of the storyteller ‘s individualism drives her to perpetrate self-destruction. She wants to leap out the window but â€Å" the bars are excessively strong even to seek † ( 335 ) . The bars symbolize the restrictive clasp that her hubby or all work forces have on her, or all adult females in society. â€Å" I ‘ve got a rope up here that even Jennie did non happen † ( 335 ) , the rope symbolizes the manner she is traveling to manage her state of affairs. As John comes to the door and tells the storyteller to open it, she had already locked it from the interior. â€Å" In the soft voice † she tells him, â€Å" I ca n't, † and that â€Å" the key is down by the front stairss under the plantain foliage † ( 335 ) . At this minute in clip she is â€Å" firmly fastened † by the â€Å" well-hidden rope † and is already strung up like â€Å" all those strangled caputs † behind the wallpaper ( 335 ) . John goes to reco ver the key, he comes back to open the door and to his surprise he faints. The horror behind all this was he put her in that room where she became imprisoned by the wallpaper. In decision, you could state that hanging herself was her signifier of flight. In a male dominated society adult females during this period were suppose to be seen and non heard, and their occupation chiefly was to hold kids and take attention of the house. The storyteller had things she loved to make, but because of the clip in which she lived, those things were non what the regulations of society wanted. â€Å" There comes John, and I must set this off – he hates to hold me compose a word † ( 327 ) . She has her ain thoughts and ideas that she would wish to show. â€Å" I think sometimes that if I were merely good plenty to compose a small, it would alleviate the imperativeness of thoughts, and rest me † ( 328 ) . The manner adult females were treated so â€Å" It is so detering non to hold any advice ; and companionship about their work † ( 328 ) . The storyteller ‘s state of affairs could hold been avoided, if her hubby had listened to the warnin g marks and allowed her the little pleasances she delighted in. The parturiency of the xanthous wallpapered room allowed the mute subjugation of her life to attest and subsequently lead to her self-destruction.Plants Citedâ€Å" Bed Rest Would n't Make for Pioneering Feminist. †USA Today Magazine139.2777 ( 2010 ) : 4-5. Print. Fisher Younger, Karen. â€Å" Women ‘s Sphere and the Public Square: The Beecher Sisters ‘ Dilemma Over Slavery. †International Congressional Journal8.2 ( 2009 ) : 43-51. Print. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. â€Å" The Yellow Wallpaper. † Kennedy and Gioia 325-336. Kennedy, X.J. , and Dana Gioia, eds.Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing.6th Compact erectile dysfunction. New York: Longman, 2010. Print

Cringe Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cringe Story - Essay Example As I was heading towards the restaurant to grab a cup of coffee I saw someone gazing at me from distance. He had a persona like none other, a very charming and a good looking guy was consistently trying to establish eye contact with me and I was consistently pretending as though I had a decision to make but it was a fairly easy one. I went straight to him and introduced myself; he was taken aback initially but settled down like a duck takes to water. He had a very strong personality and a very impressive one too, he was very good at conversing and this was something I was looking for in my ideal man. I knew this was a match made in heaven and this was certainly not the first time I thought so, fickle minded people get carried away very quickly but deep down I knew he was the one. We had a very interesting conversation about the purpose of our trips, he had come there to attend a wedding and also to catch up with a few other friends while I had also come there for the very same purpose, everything seem to be in accord. I was completely blown away with his charm; he was not like the usual guys I had met earlier. He was something special and the way he carried himself was splendid. We inevitably ended up exchanging numbers and I got a call from him the very same night, we spoke for hours without realizing it, the time just flew past. He was never shy of offering his helping hand when I needed it the most, I remember him bailing me out of trouble many a time. Likewise, I tried to help him as much as I possibly could. We also started going out together more often than not, I got to know him better and he also had several opportunities to know me better. Upon looking back I realize that mundane day was not mundane after all and we were destined to meet on that particular day. Today we have taken our friendship one step forward, we have decided to get engaged and the future

The Relationship Between Sharia Law and International Commercial Dissertation

The Relationship Between Sharia Law and International Commercial Arbitration - Dissertation Example ration. Procedural issues, such as: access to justice, service of process, standards of fair trial, evidence, independence and impartiality of arbitrators, joinder, intervention and consolidation, confidentiality of the arbitral proceedings, arbitral interim measures, requirements for an arbitral award. Substantial issues involving the merits of the dispute, such as the application of uniform law and mandatory rules. Acceptance of prior or intervening court judgments/ arbitral awards that may be recognized as res judicata and similar issues.4 Overall, the central debate in resolving issues about the merits of a dispute revolves about whether arbitrators can or should rely upon the general principles of law instead of the legal system of any one State. The debate gains significance when the issue is addressed differently by the general principles of law and the legal system of the state, and controversy exists in the degree to which the clashing principles of sovereignty and pacta sun t servanda should apply. b) Source of general principles of law in international commercial arbitration The phrase ‘general principles of law’ conveys the impression of a set of rules spontaneously arrived at by international businessmen; the truth, however, is that they are rules grounded in national legal systems. It must be clarified that the general principles of international law are not always applicable in all situations. In those instances that the parties have stipulated in their agreement their choice of law or rules of law that is to govern their relationship, there is no instance when general principles of law shall apply. Arbitrators are bound to respect the choice of the parties. The following are the more popular ICA rules according to institution: i) International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Convention, Regulations and Rules ii) ICSID Additional Facility Rules iii) London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) Arbitration Rule s iv) International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Dispute Resolution Rules v) (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Arbitration Rules vi) Permanent Court of Arbitration Rules vii) American Arbitration Association (AAA) International Arbitration Rules viii) International Bar Association (IBA) Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration 2) Islam and its Legal System a) Overview of Sharia The word â€Å"Shari’a† is Arabic for â€Å"the path† or â€Å"the way,†5 or more descriptively, â€Å"a path or way to a water hole in the desert.†6 The more figurative meaning would be the path Allah or God had designated for humankind to follow in

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Research paper - Essay Example Even in the process of delivery, the female is worried whether she will have a normal or a cesarean delivery involving surgical procedures. The typical cesarean delivery leaves the mother weak and she has to take time and effort to recuperate from her labors. Apart from that, the pain of the surgical procedure makes women dread the prospect of a normal delivery and they would like to do anything to avoid it. This paper focuses on the usefulness and value of parent craft classes in reducing the fears of the females awaiting delivery, by arming them with the required knowledge and confidence in going through even a cesarean delivery. A sample of 30 females awaiting delivery were surveyed and interviewed at a local hospital to get an idea of how much attending parent craft classes helped in assuaging their fears of even a normal delivery. Background The process of childbirth is still one of the world’s scientific miracles. Though medical science has progressed in great strides al ong this path, we still marvel at the intricacies of fertilization, conception and delivery. There are so many different variables and intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can affect the entire process that it is a wonder nevertheless how the whole process goes from start to finish. We have managed feats like invitro-fertilization, test tube babies, cloning, surrogate parenthood and what not, yet there is no disputing the fact that the process of pregnancy is still one of nature’s modern miracles. Medical science may take all the wait and wonder out of the process, even regarding the sex of the child, and reduce it to mechanical principles, but that does in no way reduce its importance. The delivery of a new born child after nine months in its mother’s womb is no less of an event- in fact it is the culmination of the entire process of pregnancy and the result is a healthy breathing baby that is ready to add its voice to the world. Deliveries can be touch and go, from t he simple to the complex, and that is why doctors, surgeons and gynaecologists spend months preparing the would-be mothers in all aspects from diet to exercise and rest, to noting the signs that delivery is imminent. As midwives, we are part and parcel of the delivery process and clients even confide some of their personal feelings and apprehensions regarding delivery and its complications to the surgeon or the midwife as delivery time comes near. Many are concerned about the chances of a normal delivery as compared to a caesarean one, and this remains one of their chief concerns. This paper will show the importance of parent craft classes in reducing the fears and apprehensions of the would–be mother and helping her manage the delivery process in a much more knowledgeable and ready manner. In recent decades, as medical science progressed and customer service and care took on an increasingly important role, involving one or both parents in the process of delivery and pre-nata l and post-natal care also became more important. In fact you would be hard pressed to find a hospital in the UK these days that does not impress upon first time parents, the need for Lamaze and Parent Craft classes. The importance in the nuclear family is all the more accentuated, as the new parents have less help and almost no experience to fall back on in case of issues regarding infant care and health. At the

Mass Media Areas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mass Media Areas - Essay Example It also helps me build and improve my interpersonal skills in regards to communication. Announcers’ roles encompass different activities both in and outside the media houses such as conducting interviews, presenting music and news. They also act as commentators in sports such as football. They conduct major activities like parties and weddings as masters of ceremony in addition to working in clubs as disc jockeys (Dominick). For one to qualify as an announcer, he or she ought to attain relevant education credentials. It is necessary to have a bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism or broadcasting. One should also take up courses in voice and diction in order to improve their vocal qualities. These programs are essential because they help one to work well relevant computer software and hardware used in studios (Dominick). What attracts me to this job is because it helps me incorporate my skills and hobbies in a professional manner as I find the opportunity to interact with different people with the profession through interviews (Dominick). These individuals include comedians, professional businesspersons, and sportspersons. I think the interpersonal skills that make me qualify for the job in addition to academic requirement. These skills include the ability to talk to people appropriately and with understandable brevity thus encouraging them to talk. As a result, this will facilitate the announcers’ work such as conducting interviews.  

Organizational Communication Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Organizational Communication - Assignment Example He encouraged them to ask questions or complaints either directly or through a fishbowl kept in the companys cafeteria. He displayed great willingness and enthusiasm to answer questions quickly and on the spot (p. 85). These changes proved to be highly effective because of various factors such as effective leadership headed by the new CEO Jim Sims; a significant boost in employee morale and in the words of one of the technical directors at CTP, development of â€Å"a critical mass of committed people† (p. 86). There is ample evidence which suggests a direct relationship between effective leadership and employee productivity as well as between employee morale and productivity. Furthermore the manner in which a leader behaves and communicates with the followers during challenging periods directly affects their relationship with the employees resulting in improved performance and commitment on the part of the employees (Kasper-Fuehrer and Ashkanasy, 2001; Connell et al., 2003; Costa, 2003; Dirks and Ferrin, 2002; Corbitt and Martz, 2003, Conrad and Poole, 2012). The effectiveness of the new leadership could be observed from the fact that immediately after the new policy (the three rules) was implemented a significant and apparent change in there was a marked improvement in the employee morale, the company was able to hire more employees, secure more contracts, and stabilize the financial position of the company through improved performance (p.

Defining Beauty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Defining Beauty - Essay Example While beauty might have once been truly ‘in the eye of the beholder’, today’s society has beauty defined for it by the overwhelming challenges of the mass media. These messages of the media are so consistent they overwhelm any natural sense of beauty, which is important to our sense of identity and social value. Throughout the history of mankind, humans have projected who and what they are, including their relative social position, through their outward appearance. Study after study has demonstrated people dress a certain way and strive to acquire specific items as a means of signifying that they belong to a particular desirable subset of individuals who also embody their individual ideals (Gilman, 1999). Regardless of whether one has always been a part of this subset or not, it is presumed that an outer appearance in keeping with this group will automatically purchase the coveted membership. In the past few centuries, however, the standard definition for female beauty has had detrimental effects on the feminine identity. â€Å"Women view their bodies as ‘objects of work’ requiring attention and upkeep in order to operate well and promote the desired effect† (Gillen, 2001). ... â€Å"Research in the UK suggests that the wealthier we are, the more likely we are to dislike our body. Experts think there’s more pressure on the wealthy to achieve the thin 'ideal' because they have the money to do so and are more exposed to media images† (Rebecca, 2006). Because the wealthy are expected to be able to achieve this ideal, those who are not so wealthy often struggle to attain the beauty ideal as a means of signifying that they belong within the ranks of the wealthy. Within the past few years, televisions have been inundated with so-called ‘make-over’ shows in which the focus is precisely for the media to inform the public regarding what is considered beautiful or desirable. These shows promise an improved exterior facade to participants’ bodies, fashion sense, faces, homes, lifestyles, etc. that will bring the individual into closer similarity to the ideal image and thus make it possible for them to achieve a higher level of happine ss. This ‘ideal’ image is usually envisioned as someone in their mid-20s, slender almost to the point of skeletal, with specific body measurements at the bust and hips and a specific ‘good-looking’ charm that usually includes blonde hair and a friendly demeanor. This limited view of the ideal obviously eliminates anyone who might have been born with larger bones or other ‘defects’ that resist the reshaping of the plastic surgeon’s scalpel from being accepted into the socially acceptable. Makeovers on TV illustrate the unacceptable qualities of the average individual and emphasize the importance of bringing the individual image more in line with a perceived social ideal that is communicated through the same media channel. It is thus perceived that the only way for individuals to find

Writing Poetry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Writing Poetry - Essay Example Understanding its meaning and rich undertones can be a challenging task for the reader. Several readings and a careful, systematic analysis is called for, in order to fully comprehend its significance. But in the long run the effort is worthwhile as â€Å"The Snow Man† is a remarkable poem and reading it can be an enriching and rewarding experience. The poem begins by introducing the reader to a human, and it is through the eyes of this person that the paradoxical nature of winter, with its cold beauty and innate harshness is revealed. Initially the poet emphasizes the importance of being finely attuned to the nuances of winter at a mental level. Further by dint of prolonged exposure one must be inured to the hardships brought on by the wintry winds. Only then will it be possible for the process of metamorphosis to take place, transforming one into a snowman, which is truly integrated with the magnificent landscape. One evolves into â€Å"†¦the listener, who listens in the snow, / And, nothing himself, beholds/ Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is† (Stevens 9). Speculation as to the events that led to the shaping of the poem may help the reader to better grasp its import. It would appear that Stevens had written this poem, while merely gazing at a wintry landscape and studying its nature. Or, on a more profound note the poem may be his way of giving expression to the realization that the winter of his own life had approached, bringing with it a curious mixture of despondency and hope and the need to shed the unnecessary trappings of civilization, in order to become one with nature, and thereby achieve a purer state of being. This probably explains the sheer intensity of the poem and its theme of learning to let go - giving up everything and thereby acquiring everything which may just turn out to be nothing. From looking at the poem’s antecedents, the reader may divide it into its structural parts for purposes of comprehension. The

Asian Financial Crises 1997 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Asian Financial Crises 1997 - Essay Example Some of the worst suffering economies like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand were the one's that were successfully integrated into the world economy at that time. Therefore, a shift started taking place in economist's opinion on 'globalization' (Piasecki & Wolnicki, 2004). Globalization started in this region by early 1990s and by the mid-1990s, the success appeared to have entered deep into the economies. Openness through 'globalization' and 'regional integration' came to be known as the factors affecting development and economy. But suddenly there were indications from Japan that in order to defend the yen, it might raise the interest rates. The statement itself to this effect set off a chain reaction amongst the foreign investors in the South-East Asian region. They started offloading the local currencies, 'before it was too late'. USA, had a big stake in this region, therefore US also joined Japan in the campaign to save Yen from falling further and started buying yen to stop the precipitous fall (Sanger, 1998). But the Yen kept falling with even some Japanese investors preferring to convert their Yen into other currencies because of liberalized financial rules. Subsequently, there were two rounds of currency depreciation. Thai baht, Malaysian ringgit, Philippine peso, and Indonesian rupiah felt the heat in the first round while the Taiwanese dollar, South Korean won, Singaporean dollar, and Hong Kong dollar were devalued in the second round. The respective governments tried to pump in all their foreign currency reserves into the local market in order to save their own currencies, but to no avail. The stock markets kept hitting rock bottom. South-east Asian nations then tried to raise interest rates, which, in turn, slowed down the economic growth. This crises was being termed as Asia's second biggest event1 since World War II, resulting in seriously affecting the domestic social, political, and economic environment with equally damaging impact o n intra- and extra-regional international relations The banking system was the worst affected, for example at that most of the 240 Indonesian banks turned insolvent, while some other well-run banks like Bali were trapped in bad debt (Landler, 1998). Banks were the worst affected with the crisis. With the excess of local currency in the local markets its value was bound to head southwards. And that's exactly what happened. Stock market too went in a bearish mode and stock prices started tumbling down. Nanto (1998) points out that the reasons which brought about this crisis included four basic problems or issues: i. A shortage of foreign exchange that caused the value of currencies and equities in Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea and other Asian countries to fall dramatically ii. Inadequately developed financial sectors and mechanisms for allocating capital in the troubled Asian economies, iii. Effects of the crisis on both the United States and the world, and iv. The role, operations, and replenishment of funds of the International Monetary Fund. On the other hand the Secretary General of UNCTAD, states (Piaseck & Wolnicki, 2004) that the two main causes of the South East Asian crises were: i. Excessive openness to the world economy, and ii. Inability to manage this openness, on

Morality is timeless Essay Example for Free

Morality is timeless Essay Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird highlights examples of heroism and courage in a small Alabama town plagued with racism and poverty. The novel focuses on the experiences of the Finch family which consists of Atticus, Jem, and Scout. Scout serves as the narrator of the book; her story is based on her recollections of the events leading up to, during, and after her father’s defense of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping Mayell Ewell, a white woman. To Kill a Mockingbird is not only a critique of racism, but teaches valuable life lessons about moral courage and standing up for what is right. The protagonist, Atticus, displays both moral and physical courage throughout the novel. He is committed to instilling in his children the importance of living an ethical lifestyle regardless of the circumstances. For example, he explains to Scout that he accepted the Tom Robinson case because it is a moral obligation for equal representation. Specifically, he clarifies to Scout that the primary reason is if I didnt I couldnt hold up my head in town, I couldnt represent this county in the legislature, I couldnt even tell you or Jem not to do something again (Lee 83). Atticus believes that it is only fair to judge one in terms of that individual’s moral caliber not by the color of their skin. Furthermore, he does not condone retaliation. Even though Mrs. Dubose, a morphine addict, is prejudice and unkind, Atticus reprimands Jem for behaving heartlessly towards her. Atticus never loses his composure even when Bob Ewell maliciously spits in his face. He rationally explains, â€Å"He had to take it out on somebody and Id rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand? (Lee 218). Harper Lee’s lesson is that a person’s morals should not be affected by other’s behaviors or beliefs. Honor Above All 1 Steiner 2 Harper Lee creates the narrator, Scout, to demonstrate that morality is not necessarily instinctive but can be taught. As the novel progresses, Scout realizes that moral courage is more difficult to carry out than physical courage. No one in the community wants to associate with Boo Radley; however, Scout comes to recognize his compassion and returns it with civility. Although initially fearful, Scout welcomes Boo’s gifts and embraces his differences. Again, Scout demonstrates that morality can be learned when a potentially violent situation arises at playground with another classmate; she refrains from using force. Her calmer nature proves effective at the courthouse. She harmlessly inquires about Mr. Cunningham’s family, â€Å"Hey Mr. Cunningham. I know your son, Walter he is a nice kid. We go to school together†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lee 81). Her kindness results in the scattering of the angry townspeople. Scout witnesses that kindness is effective tool to avert violence. The minor characters of Calpurnia, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley are symbols of decency and respect regardless of their backgrounds. Calpurnia chastises Scout for mocking Walter’s unsophisticated eating habits. Hush your mouth! Dont matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this houses yo compny, and dont you let me catch you remarkin on their ways like you was so high and mighty†¦! † (Lee 33). Calpurnia is a maternal figure for the Finch children as she too, similarly to Atticus, helps them to differentiate right from wrong. Tom Robinson exhibits courage when he volunteers to help Mayella Ewell with household chores even though he is aware of his inferior social standing. His decision to speak only the truth in court by stating, I felt right sorry for her; she seemed to try moren the rest of em. ,(Lee 197) further demonstrates his caring demeanor and commitment to behave courteously. Lee includes the character of Boo to Honor Above All 2 Steiner 3 depict another type of prejudice: social discrimination. Despite his social alienation, Boo courageously abandons the safety of his home to help ‘his kids. ’ Boo is guided by his sense of what is right and puts aside society’s rejection. Calpurnia, Tom Robinson, and Boo are guided by morality. Courage can be defined as the ability to face fear, pain, uncertainty, and the unknown. Harper Lee effectively uses her characters to demonstrate moral and immoral choices and consequences. Atticus and Scout respond to the town’s racism with a resolute sense of purpose. Through her father’s and Calpurnia’s guidance she becomes more refined and tolerant. She averts physical confrontations at school and understands that morality should not change with each situation. The character of Tom Robinson symbolizes what it truly means to be a caring human being. Regardless of the racism that he endures, he is honest and compassionate. While racism plays a significant role in Lee’s novel; the importance of moral courage cannot be understated. As Atticus profoundly advises, â€Å"You’ll never know really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view † (Lee 65). Harper Lee conveys that since justice is blind to race, gender, and differences a moral code is the only hope for equality. Unfortunately, as exhibited in the novel, adhering to one’s moral code does not always guarantee the desired or just outcome. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. London: Vintage Classics, 2007. Print. Honor Above All 3.

External Environment: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

External Environment: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Globalisation refers to the growing economic integration of the world, as trade, investment and money increasingly cross international borders (which may or may not have political or cultural implications) (Schifferes, 2007). Over the past years, there has been a great increase in globalisation. The aim of this study is to analyse the international business environment of an organisation and the impact of globalisation on business organisations. The organisation chosen for this study is PwC. PricewaterhouseCoopers (trading as PwC) is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the worlds largest professional services firm and the largest of the Big Four accountancy firms measured by 2012 revenues (Wikipedia, 2012). The Big Four firms are PwC, Deloitte, Ernst Young and KPMG. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The business environment can be divided mainly into two groups: internal and external. The external environment can be either micro or macro. There are several tools that can be used to analyse these environments. Internal Environment: Consists of the strengths, weaknesses and core competencies of an organisation. It can be analysed using SWOT analysis, Value Chain analysis and Three Circles analysis. SWOT analysis is the main tool used in analysing the internal environment. It is an acronym for Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Value Chain analysis attempts to understand how a business creates customer value by examining the contributions of different activities within the business to that value. Three Circles analysis involves examining customers needs, company offerings, and competitors offerings in order to clearly articulate what the companys competitive advantage is and how it differs from those of its competitors. External Environment: It refers to the business environment that an organisation has little or no control over but directly affects its operations. The following tools can be used to analyse the external environment: PEST Analysis. This tool used in analysing the forces affecting the macro environment of an organisation. It is an acronym for the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal forces. Porters Five Forces Analysis. It is used to analyse the attractiveness of an industry by considering five forces within the market. Stakeholder Mapping. It is used to identify stakeholders and their level of power and interest in an organisation. This enables the company relate with each stakeholder. 1.1 ANALYSIS OF THE MICRO-ENVIRONMENT (PwC) Threat of new entrants: To succeed in the professional services industry, some requirements include: Huge capital investment Years of experience Brand loyalty The industry is already dominated by strong firms with these qualities doing well both locally and internationally; new entrants are not a threat. Bargaining power of suppliers is high. They are big, rich and their alumni are  everywhere, throughout institutes, regulatory bodies, government, their clients boards and even within almost every other accountancy firm (Prizeman, 2011). Bargaining power of buyers is low. To obtain the best in professional services, there are very few options to choose from. Threat of substitute products No substitute; professional services (especially auditing) are required by law. Except when smaller firms offer the same services at cheaper prices, which is not a major threat. Rivalry The industry is highly competitive especially among the Big Four accountancy firms. 1.2 ANALYSIS OF THE MACRO-ENVIRONMENT The PEST analysis of PWC is given below: Political There are several laws that govern the firms activities. PwC offers services such as tax advisory and assurance services which are a very sensitive part of business. They should be treated with utmost care else face severe penalties. For example, they were recently fined  £1.4 million for failures concerning reports on client-money accounts at JPMorgan Chase Co. (JPM)s London securities unit (Moshinsky, 2012). Also, these regulations are changed or updated from time to time; therefore, PwC has to ensure they are always in compliance with the law. Furthermore, regulations on payment of taxes, financial statements and auditing make PwC continuously relevant in the market. Economic The recession in UK and other countries has affected the sales, profit and growth of several companies, including PwC. Therefore, some companies hire other firms which provide the same services as PwC but charge less, so as to reduce costs. This has also affected PwCs profits. Socio-Cultural Due to the highly professional services the organisation offers, it requires several highly skilled employees. Finding such individuals and retaining them is not an easy task, especially when other companies keep trying to win them over; offering them better employment packages. Technological This could act as a threat or opportunity to the organisation. New inventions, changes and advancement in technology provide an avenue for PwC to improve its operations and stay ahead of the competition. Computers, software, phones, internet, intranet etc are important resources to the firm. But keeping up with the rapid changes in technology is almost impossible. 1.3 IMPACTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Political Regulations governing PwCs activities differ from country to country and these are updated from time to time. These include employment laws, tax policies and competition laws. As an international organisation, this affects the firms operations because PwC has to ensure that all its operations including strategies and values are in line with the laws in the several countries it operates in. For examples, in most countries, the law requires that accounting firms to be locally owned and independent. This has affected how PwC is structured. Economic The global recession cuts across the several countries PwC operates in; this has generally affected the firms operations and flow of income. The industry, professional services, is a highly competitive one with other members of the Big Four (top four countries offering professional services) striving to be the market leader and several other firms seeking growth in the same industry. Also, the rise in unemployment as a result of the global recession has made it difficult to obtain employees with the necessary skills and experience required in the firm. Lastly, the increase in free trade among nations of the world makes it possible for PwC to continue to expand and increase in several foreign countries. Socio-Cultural There are several ethics that govern how people and organisations operate. These ethics differ from country to country. PwC believes in excellence and integrity. This could be difficult to uphold because in certain countries. For example, bribery has become generally accepted in some African countries even though they know it is wrong. PwC employees could get involved in this, which would affect their ability to judge fairly, be excellent and uphold integrity. Technological Some countries are not as technologically advanced as others. This can slow down PwCs operations in some of these countries. For example, internet connection is not as stable and fast in Nigeria as it is in the UK. Fluctuations and temporary breakdown of internet service can have adverse effects on the companys activities. A team in Nigeria might not be able to meet up the deadline of making a certain presentation, if there is no internet service needed to carry out research and development on that topic. 2 IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION ON ORGANISATIONS 2.1 EXTENT OF GLOBALISATION The Industrial Revolution led to the globalisation of today. It started in UK and spread to other parts of the world. Changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation and technology had great effects on the world economy. Globalisation began to grow as a result of the increase in world trade in the 1940s. When it became evident that the Great Depression in the early 1930s was due to the restrictions and barriers to free trade in the world, countries began to lift and/or reduce restrictions to trade. This led to the development of several trade agreements among countries. Furthermore, the continuous advancement in technology has also led to the constant increase in globalisation. PwC is one of the many firms that has benefitted from the increase in globalisation. It has a network of firms that spread across 771 cities in 158 countries. Free trade between UK and these other countries has made it possible for PwC to move its resources (especially capital and manpower) to these countries, blend in with diverse cultures and set up a network of firms that has made PwC become the global market leader in professional services. 2.2 EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION The benefits and opportunities that globalisation brings to organisations especially PwC are: Larger markets: Globalisation has made it possible for PwC to expand not only within UK but to other countries as well, enabling the organisation to emerge as the worlds market leader in its industry. Foreign investments: Globalisation provides an avenue for PwC to increase its investments by investing internationally, which also leads to increase in returns. Increase in profits: Access to larger markets and increase in investments has lead and will continue to lead to increase in returns, revenue and profits for PwC. Movement of labour: Globalisation allows for free movement of human resources among countries. This provides an opportunity for PwC to hire professionals from one country to work in another country. Thereby enabling firms to have access to skilled workers regardless of where they are located. Exchange in culture: The world is full of diverse cultures. An international firm like PwC has access to inputs from people of different cultures, beliefs, customs and backgrounds. This enables the firm to learn more and be versatile. Competitive advantage: Operating in the international market gives PwC an advantage over other similar companies operating locally. Larger markets, increased investment, increase Employment opportunities: Globalisation enables PwC to provide employment opportunities in several countries especially the underdeveloped and developing countries it operates in. This is a great way to be socially responsible and impact the communities. Globalisation also has a number of challenges that affect organisations. Some have been explained in 1.2 and 1.3, others include: Less developed countries: Operating in countries that are underdeveloped or developing can be difficult sometimes. This is because they might not always have the resources available to make the business as productive as it should be. Exposure to the international market: Globalisation means the firm would be exposed not only to local forces but international ones as well. The firm has to deal with competitors, markets, trends, political, economical, socio-cultural, environmental and legal issues at the international level. Cultural differences: Operating internationally exposes the firm to diverse cultures. To be effective in these countries, PwC would have to adapt to their cultures, rather than impose its own, yet without losing its unique touch. This is quite tasking. Criticisms: Critics have pointed out negative effects of globalisation; PwC has to avoid being part of the problem. Criticisms include: loss of culture to stronger ones, exploitation of less developed countries and increase in unemployment in developed countries. 2.3 STRUCTURES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS Organisational structure consists of activities such as task allocation, coordination and supervision, which are directed towards the achievement of organisational aims (Pugh, 1990). It could be functional, divisional or matrix depending on the type that best suits a companys operations. An organisation that operates internationally must carefully select a structure that would accommodate its operations both at home and abroad. Structures of some international organisations include: Walmart Stores: Walmart is a multinational retailer corporation headquartered in the US. It has a divisional structure with three main divisions; Walmart Stores (U.S.) Sams Club (U.S.) and International stores (Hitt, 2008). This structure helps Walmart to focus better on each division. Narrowing the focus really allows the company to perform more effectively because they are allowed to pinpoint specific areas needing change and adjust appropriately (George and Jones, 2005). Starbucks: It is a coffee company headquartered in the US. It has a matrix structure combining divisional and functional structures. Divisions are based on the regions the company operates in; China and Asia Pacific, Americas and EMEA (Europe, U.K., Middle East, Russia and Africa) (Starbucks, 2011). The functions are designed to consolidate functional activities into teams that have a shared vision and goals to support the business (Shultz, 2008). An advantage of having this kind of organisational structure is maximized communication channels (George and Jones, 2005). Unilever: It is a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company. It has a matrix structure, divided based on product segments (2), functions and the regions it operates in. Unilever developed and implemented this organisational structure for their company to improve communication and to take advantage of resources that are available to them (Hitt, 2008). PwC: PwC runs as a network of firms rather than a multinational company due to laws in different countries requiring accounting firms are to be locally owned and independent. Each firm runs its own structure but all report to PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwCIL) that coordinates the activities of all partner firms. 2.4 INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS OF PWC Networking: All PwC firms operate as a separate legal entity; thereby allowing them to operate independently. Although not to be referred to as a multinational company, its operations are not different from multinationals except that, PwC firms have autonomy to operate and do not send money to the Global Headquarters. Support from other members: All firms in the network count on each other when they lack necessary information or expertise for a project. Internet: Free access to information to all members via PwCs global portal network; employees in different countries can relate with and gain from each other. Same methodology: PwC firms all over the globe have the same approach to work from pre-project planning to post-project assessment. Charges: Whenever someone from a firm helps another firm in a different country, the person is per hour spent. Quality Assurance: To ensure that member firms are committed to quality and strictly abide by standards /policies, PwCIL quality assurance team constantly conducts a PwC-wide quality control check. CONCLUSION Globalisation is here to stay. As the world continues to encourage free trade, organisations will continue to expand internationally. Therefore, in order to thrive in the international market, organisations have to make the most of the international business environment. Environmental analysis enables the organisation to understand its strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats to the company. This enables the firm to understand the impact the international environment has on its operations and adjust accordingly. Criticisms to globalisation should not prevent free trade, but educate organisations on the better ways to operate internationally. Important to note is the organisational structures of a number of multinationals: matrix and divisional structures. TASK 2 CLASS PRESENTATION INTRODUCTION Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a process with the aim to embrace responsibility for the companys actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere who may also be considered as stakeholders (Wood, 1991). IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY According to Von Tunzelmann (1996), corporate social responsibility is important in business because: It is a way of motivating and building pride in employees and managers. It contributes to the development of a healthier community (e.g. through a better qualified workforce or a reduction in the level of crime), thus creating a more favourable business environment. It assists in identifying new markets and anticipating societal and consumer preferences. It allows differentiation from competitors. It leads to an enhanced reputation helping the company to be well-liked in the community. It encourages a climate of trust and goodwill, facilitative of business. It helps in overcoming problems associated with the implementation of operational plans. It helps in maintaining public confidence in the legitimacy of business operations. It minimises the prospects of future regulation. MORAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES Ethics refer to the moral principles that guide or influence peoples actions and behaviours. The most important resources in any organisation are the people in it; therefore, it is necessary pay attention to the principles that guide peoples conducts. Organisations that operate internationally are faced with several moral and ethical issues, described by Mehalu (2011): Utilitarianism in this view you approach an ethical problem using the question, Which course of action will do the most good and the least harm? This view is based on the ideas of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill (18th and 19th Century). Actions are considered good or bad depending on the extent to which they make the greatest number of people happy. So suffering of a few is okay as long as it maximises the overall good. Rights view in this view you ask the question, Which alternative best serves others rights? This view is based on the ideas of Thomas Jeffersons Declaration of Independence (USA) and John Locke and Immanuel Kant. Actions here are judged according to whether peoples rights have been served and may be seen in terms of keeping within the Law. (E.g. shareholders rights are written in Law). Theory of justice view in this view you ask the question, What plan can I live with which is consistent with the basic values and commitments of the community in which I live? This view is based on the ideas of John Rawls and Alasdair MacIntyre (late 20th century). Actions are judged according to the enforcement of widely-held views of justice and virtue. (E.g. protecting the needy; looking after the community). Integrative social contracts theory in this view you would ask the question, What course of action is possible in the world as it is now? This view is based on the ideas of Machiavelli in which actions are judged according to pragmatic consideration and practicalities. Decisions are made according to the current situation and with reference to what ought to be done. So you would be both pragmatic and idealistic as the need arose. CORPORATE STRATEGY AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES Although corporate social responsibility is important and beneficial to organisations, sometimes there are conflicts between corporate strategy and ethic and social responsibilities: Profit Sharing: The aim of most organisations is to maximise profit; shareholders want maximum returns on their investment. But focusing on moral and ethical activities can reduce the extent to which profits can be maximised. This can create a conflict when deciding how to draw a line between profit sharing and contributing towards CSR. Corruption: Sometimes, managers or employees are faced with unethical issues that could help in achieving corporate strategy. For example, falsifying or hiding sensitive parts of a financial report to make company records look good. Or giving bribes to get vital information about competitors. Being morally or ethical may seem to have negative impact on a firm in the short-run, but in the long-run, it is still the best option. Competition: PwC is the market leader in the professional services industry; the company strives to maintain that position for as long as forever. The industry has a very high level of rivalry; therefore, in order to maintain that position, PwC has to constantly be ahead of the competition. In implementing this strategy, PwC has to ensure that ethical, moral and legal steps are taken. This is not always easy because it yields slower results. For example, PwC could decide to directly or indirectly bad-mouth other firms to their clients so as to win them over. Or release private information regarding its clients to prospective ones in order to win them over. Recruitment: Finding a balance between the organisations commitment to improving the society by reducing unemployment and achieving corporate strategy by employing high quality staff is not always easy. PwCs has a rigorous recruitment process which does not leave room for private interest as everything is done right. But it also seeks to improve the society by hiring and training. LEGISLATION AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is guided by a number of laws, regulations, standards and principles: The Global Compact: The Ten Principles: CSR in PwC is based on a set of principles listed by USB (2012): Human Rights Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights within their sphere of influence; and Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses. Labour Standards Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour; Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and Principle 6: eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. Environment Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges; Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies Anti-Corruption Principle 10: Businesses should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery. CSR in PwC is also governed by a number of national and international norms and standards. Four pre-dominant ones explained by Stanislavska et al (2010) are: SA 8000 SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY Social Responsibility: It is a certification norm which sets requirements in the area of child labour, forced labour, BOZP, discrimination, work hours, right to congregation and evaluation. It was created by Social Accountability International (SAI), a non beneficial non-governmental organisation in the US. The SA8000 specifies the requirements for corporate social responsibility in 9 areas: Child Labour, Forced and Compulsory Labour, Health and Safety, Freedom of Association Right to Collective Bargaining, Discrimination, Disciplinary Practices, Working Hours, Remuneration and Management Systems (SA 8000, 2012). AA 1000 ASSURANCE STANDARD: AccountAbilitys AA1000 series are principles based standards to help organisations become more accountable, responsible and sustainable. They address issues affecting governance, business models and organisational strategy, as well as providing operational guidance on sustainability assurance and stakeholder engagement (AA1000, 2008). It also includes: constructing socially responsible strategies; methods of communication with involved parties; ethical audit; choice of indicators and CSR reporting etc. ISO 26000: International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) is an independent organisation concerned with the creation of international standards for industry. ISO standards are voluntary mechanisms managed by market and as such they can be realized by private economic organisations. ISO 26000 aims to assist organisations and their network in addressing their social responsibilities and providing practical guidance related to SR, identifying and engaging with stakeholders and enhancing credibility of reports and claims made about SR. Furthermore, the standard aims to: emphasize performance results and improvements; increase customer satisfaction and confidence; promote common terminology in the SR field; be consistent, and not in conflict, with existing documents; treaties, conventions and other ISO standards (Castka and Balzarova, 2008). Some PwC firms have been accredited with a number of other ISOs including ISO 14001 environmental management systems and ISO 27001 information security management system. OECD GUIDELINES FOR MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISES: The Guidelines are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises. They provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct consistent with applicable laws. The Guidelines aim to ensure that the operations of these enterprises are in harmony with government policies, to strengthen the basis of mutual confidence between enterprises and the societies in which they operate, to help improve the foreign investment climate and to enhance the contribution to sustainable development made by multinational enterprises (OECD, 2011). Code of Conduct (PwC, 2011): PwC also has a code of conduct based on its core values (excellence, teamwork and leadership) that govern corporate social responsibilities in all its firms around the world. It covers topics such as behaving professionally, respecting others and corporate citizenship. It also includes a summary of ethical questions that should guide employees: Is it against PwC or professional standards? Does it feel right? Is it legal? Will it reflect negatively on you or PwC? Who else could be affected by this (others in PwC, clients, you, etc.)? Would you be embarrassed if others knew you took this course of action? Is there an alternative action that does not pose an ethical conflict? How would it look in the newspapers? What would a reasonable person think? Can you sleep at night? CONCLUSION No firm operating either locally or internationally should ignore the importance of corporate social responsibility. Although sometimes it may seem to be in conflict with corporate strategy, in the long run, it is of great benefit to any firm. Proper attention should be paid to the laws and regulations that govern CSR. There are many of them; as much as possible, organisations should seek to abide by all of them. Also, companies can develop their own code of conduct based on these laws and its mission, vision and values. This would make it much easier to abide by.

The impact of WTO in India

The impact of WTO in India Impact of WTO on India India is a founder member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 and its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO), which came into effect in 1995 after the conclusion of the Uruguay Round (UR) of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. Indias participation in an increasingly rule based system in the governance of international trade is to ensure more stability and predictability, which ultimately would lead to more trade and prosperity for itself and the 134 other nations which now comprise the WTO. India also automatically avails of MFN and national treatment for its exports to all WTO Members. Ministerial Conferences of WTO The first Ministerial Conference held in 1996 in Singapore saw the commencement of pressures to enlarge the agenda of WTO. Pressures were generated to introduce new Agreements on Investment, Competition Policy, Transparency in Government Procurement and Trade Facilitation. The concept of Core Labor Standards was also sought to be introduced. India and the developing countries, who were already under the burden of fulfilling the commitments undertaken through the Uruguay Round Agreements, and who also perceived many of the new issues to be non-trade issues, resisted the introduction of these new subjects into WTO. They were partly successful. The Singapore Ministerial Conference (SMC) set up open ended Work Program to study the relationship between Trade and Investment; Trade and Competition Policy; to conduct a study on Transparency in Government Procurement practices; and do analytical work on simplification of trade procedures (Trade Facilitation). Most importantly the SMC clearly declared on the Trade- Labor linkage as follows: We reject the use of labor standards for protectionist purposes, and agree that the comparative advantage of countries, particularly low-wage developing countries, must in no way be put into question. In this regard we note that the WTO and ILO Secretariat will continue their existing collaboration. The Second Ministerial Conference of WTO, held at Geneva in May 1998, established a process to prepare for the Third Ministerial Conference and to submit recommendations regarding the WTOs future work program, which would enable Members to take decisions at the Third Ministerial Conference at Seattle. The Geneva Ministerial Conference (GMC) Declaration had identified the following issues for the General Councils work, paragraphs 9(a) to 9(b) of the Declaration: Issues, including those brought forward by Members, relating to implementation of existing agreements and decisions; The negotiations already mandated at Marrakesh (Agriculture and Services) and to ensure that such negotiations begin on schedule; Mandated reviews already provided for under other existing agreements and decisions taken at Marrakesh; Recommendations concerning other possible future work on the basis of the work program initiated at Singapore Ministerial Conference consisting of: Trade and Investment; Trade and Competition Policy; Transparency in Government Procurement; Trade Facilitation. Recommendations on the follow-up to the High-Level Meeting on Least-Developed countries; Recommendations arising from consideration of other matters proposed and agreed to by Members concerning their multilateral trade relations. The 3rd Ministerial Conference held in Seattle during 30th November-3rd December, 1999 was being looked up by many, specially in the developing countries, as a launching pad for a comprehensive round of negotiations. In the preparatory process in the General Council of the WTO (September 1998 to September 1999), new issues which were proposed for the negotiating agenda by some Members under paragraph 9(d) are as follows: Industrial Tariffs Global Electronic Commerce Trade and Labour Standards Trade and Environment Coherence in the interaction of WTO and other international organizations. Outcome of the Seattle Ministerial Conference of WTO The Indian delegation to the Third Ministerial Conference of the WTO was led by the Union Minister of Commerce Industry, Mr. Murasoli Maran. The delegation also included Members of Parliament, senior officials from different Ministries and representatives from the apex Chambers of commerce and industry. The Seattle Conference attracted wide attention because of proposals by some countries to press for the launching of a comprehensive round of negotiations covering subjects as wide ranging as labour issues, coherence in global economic architecture, agriculture etc. Even before the commencement of the Conference there were widespread protests and demonstrations in Seattle by a number of anti-WTO groups ranging from environmental activists to labour unions. The inaugural session which was to be held in the forenoon of 30th November, 1999 had to be abandoned because of disturbances. The plenary which was to start in the afternoon on the same day had to be held under heavy police protection. The Chairmen of various Working Groups tried to narrow down the differences in their respective groups with a view to arriving at a consensus in the draft Ministerial text that had been transmitted from the Geneva preparatory process. However, in view of the wide divergence of views, no group could present draft texts for inclusion in the Ministerial declaration acceptable to all the members. As there was no prospect of reaching a conclusion on a large number of issues, it was decided after consultation among key members that it would not be practicable to adopt any Ministerial declaration. The Chairperson of the Conference made only a brief statement on 3rd December followed by brief reports by the Chairmen of the various groups. The Chairperson observed that divergences of opinion remained that would take time to be narrowed down. It was therefore, decided to suspend the work of the Seattle Ministerial Conference. While the above constituted the overall outcome, the deliberations and consultations which took place on several of the important issues are briefly outlined below subject-wise (these positions are indicative and not definitive since a number of delegations, including ourselves, made it clear that nothing was agreed until everything was agreed). Implementation issues : A good deal of discussions took place on this subject in Seattle, further to the extensive consultations held in Geneva earlier. The Working Group Chairman (Canada) came up with a final proposal (similar to what was mooted by the Secretariat) that meant a few immediate decisions at Seattle and establishment of a special mechanism to examine and make recommendations within one year, and in any case by the Fourth Ministerial Session, on other implementation issues. The Chairmans text also proposed negotiations in respect of Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Agreements. While India and most other countries were prepared to go along with the Chairmans text, the US had reservations and was opposed to any negotiations on anti-dumping and subsidies and could, at the most, agree to a few (not all) of the issues raised by the Committee on Anti-Dumping and Subsidies respectively. No consensus could, therefore, emerge. Agriculture : Mandated negotiations have to commence on 1.1.2000 on Agriculture. In the run-up to Seattle,however, the Cairns Group of countries supported by US sought to secure a more rigorous negotiating mandate that would speed up elimination/ reduction of their export/domestic subsidies. EC, Japan, Norway etc., resisted this to the very end. While EC appeared to display some flexibility on this issue, Japan put up stiff opposition on further inroads into elimination of domestic subsidies.As for India, our concerns relating to food security were adequately reflected. Services: No substantive negotiation took place in Seattle as there was hardly any divergence of views on the draft text which adequately takes into account Indias concerns. Investment and Competition Policy: India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Pakistan proposed the continuation of the study process launched at Singapore. EC and others stubbornly argued that they wanted negotiations to be launched right away. Given this, the talks broke off but a bridge proposal which aimed at carrying forward the study process to prepare for negotiations to be launched by the Fourth Ministerial Conference began to take shape. While India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Pakistan continued to oppose even the bridge proposal, a number of other developing countries (including countries such as Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Egypt) showed inclination to agree to launch negotiations or to agree to the compromise proposal. Market Access for non-agricultural items: There was virtually no opposition for the launching of negotiations in this area except that a number of developing countries including ourselves pointed out the priority that we attached to the implementation issues and made it clear that agreeing to any text on this issue depended on progress in other areas. The text which evolved during the Green Room consultations left open the modalities to be followed for the tariff reduction exercise although the APEC countries wanted a specific reference to their Accelerated Tariff Liberalisation (ATL) initiative. EU wanted a common tariff reduction method to be adopted for all countries while certain others preferred a formula approach to be the main methodology. While our concerns were largely met in the draft text, the US insisted on avoiding any reference to peak-tariffs saying it was a politically sensitive issue. Several developing countries, including us, however, firmly opposed the substitutio n of peak tariffs by any other phraseology. This matter still needs to be resolved. Transparency in Government Procurement: There were broadly three proposals on this subject at the Seattle Ministerial. First, that the Working Group should continue its work until the fourth Ministerial session. India and number of developing countries supported this proposal. Second, that the Seattle Ministerial should mandate commencement of negotiations based on the elements that had formed the basis of discussion in the Working Group with the objective of concluding an Agreement at the latest by the Fourth Ministerial session. A number of developed and developing countries such as Brazil and South Africa supported this proposal. Third, that the Ministers adopt at Seattle an Agreement on Transparency in Government Procurement based on the formulation proposed by the United States and the European Communities. After further discussions in the open-ended Seattle Working Group on Singapore issues and other issues, its Chairman gave his understanding that there was virtual consensus a mong Members present on the second proposal. He noted that India was the only Member present that stated that it could not join such a consensus and urged India to reconsider its position. India had stated that it could only support further work in the Working Group aimed at arriving at a consensus on the elements of a Transparency agreement. Trade and Environment: Developed countries, particularly EU, were very keen on negotiations on environment related issues to accommodate concerns of their civil society. They wanted environmental considerations integrated throughout the negotiations in the new Round (mainstreaming) which will also dilute the focussed mandate of the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE ) to that extent. USA was further keen that Members right to set high environmental standards was not undermined by trade rules. US and CAIRNS Group countries also called for the removal of environmentally damaging subsidies such as agricultural subsidies and fishery subsidies that contributed to over capacity. Developing countries sought adjustments in the TRIPS Agreement for preservation of biological diversity and reward for traditional knowledge. The proposal to mainstream environment and dilute the role of CTE and the US proposal regarding environmental standards were opposed by some developing countries includi ng India while there was considerable support for removal of environment- related subsidies. The TRIPS related proposals were supported by some, but there was no consensus. Intellectual Property: Many members were willing to complete the negotiations on the establishment of a multilateral system of notification and registration of geographical indications for wines and possibly spirits, while there was an emerging consensus for an early decision on the ongoing discussions on inclusion of other products for the higher level of protection as has been provided to wines under Art 23 of TRIPS. Other work programmes proposed to be launched at Seattle included a proposal to make recommendations to the Fourth Ministerial Conference on the scope for protection for traditional knowledge and folkfore under the TRIPS Agreement, and review of Article 71.1, including enhancing the Agreement to respond to its objectives and principles as well as new developments elsewhere, and of Article 27.3(b) relating to life forms and plant varieties. Other issues: There were a few other issues which were less controversial. Subjects belonging to this category included E-commerce and trade facilitation. A proposal to set up a working group on transfer of Technology, supported by India also found wide support but was opposed by USA, while EC and some others preferred discussions on this issue within the Committee on Trade and Development. On the other hand, the proposed Working Group on Bio-technology, pursued by USA was hardly discussed because of strong opposition from many members, including India. Regarding transparency in the functioning of WTO, US and EU were keen for some kind of mechanism whereby civil society could participate in the WTO functioning, inter alia, through amicus curiae briefs in the trade dispute settlement mechanism. But this was sharply opposed by India and many other developing countries. Conclusion : Thus WTO has been playing a very important role in Indias foreign trade. And India will be much more benefited if the present DOHA round gets completed. Pascal Lamy has projected that it will be completed in the year of 2012.

NASCAR: Not Just for Rednecks Essay -- Racing Entertainment Sports Ess

NASCAR: Not Just for Rednecks Generally when someone mentions NASCAR, one perceives a stereotypical image of mullets, beer bellies, or in easier terms a â€Å"redneck.† Societies’ general perception of a redneck is low income, rowdy, no civic interest, and someone who is not very intelligent. Little do they know this image is not exactly what you see at a NASCAR race. NASCAR includes a very wide variety of people. This is not fair for NASCAR fans to be put in this banal category. NASCAR has several non-redneck attributes. NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) was born in 1948. Bill France, the creator, had a dream. His dream was to create such a race that people for all over would come to see. In the beginning, they would have races on Daytona Beach and on other small tracks located throughout the south. Eventually, people became interested and the audience grew. Now, there are over twenty racetracks located all across the United States NASCAR fans are unlike any other enthusiast you will see. On average, a ticket to the Bristol Motor Speedway will cost you well over eighty dollars. Then you must consider the added expenses such as gas, lodging, food, souvenirs, and for some a few alcoholic beverages. Also, for your avid race buff you may invest in a scanner. This will cost you on average about one hundred and fifty dollars. With this scanner you can listen to the drivers and crewmembers communicate throughout the race. Personally, for a one day or weekend event this can get extremely expensive. Not, just anyone can afford a weekend at the races. Most people do not realize that NASCAR is a family oriented event. The pre-race activities are generally directed towards children. Se... ...ns, there always needs to be a villain. This is what keeps your audience satisfied. We have our good guys and bad guys in just about every organization such as professional sports teams or even our own government. I want people to realize it is not fair to bash something before you try it. Yes, NASCAR has their rednecks but there is also a non-redneck category. Lets think about our other professional sporting events, do we not have rednecks here too? Yes, I believe we do. So next time you hear about a NASCAR event check it out, it just may be worth your time. Works Cited Camncho, Ron, and Helton, Max.†Earnhardt’s the Man.† From the Heart of Racing. Walnut grove Press, 2000. Smith, Marty. Earnhardt Jr. Radio Spot Supports Jeb Bush.† Turner Sports Interactive.5 Nov. 2002 http://www.nascar.com/2002/news/headlines/wc/11/05/dearnhardtjr_jeb/

embalming fluid the new high :: essays research papers

A chemical used to preserve the dead is becoming an increasingly popular drug for teenagers and young adults looking for a new and different high. Amp, clickem, crazy eddie, drank, fry, illy, purple rain, wack, wet, and wet daddy known to the average person as embalming fluid is the newest drug craze that is hitting the streets in the United States.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Embalming fluid’s main purpose is to slow the decomposition of the dead. Mainly found in morgues and funeral homes. The fluid involves the injection of chemicals into the body through the blood vessels for preservation of the body. The following compounds are found in embalming fluid, formaldehyde, methanol, and ethanol or ethyl alcohol. In embalming fluid products, the percentage of formaldehyde can range from 5 to 29 percent; ethyl alcohol content can vary from 9 to 56 percent. Ethyl alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The drug can be sold on the street from twenty dollars to thirty-five dollars. Users are buying the fluid and dipping their marijuana joints or blunts in the fluid, letting the joint or blunt dry then smoking it . Most of the users don’t know that somewhere along the dealing process that the embalming fluid is being laced with PCP. So while most users think they are smoking marijuana dipped in embalming fluid they are getting an extra high from the unknown PCP. It is important to note that the PCP is not a normal compound in embalming fluid. Embalming fluid is generally consumed in small groups of three to five and smoked. The embalming fluid may enhance absorption by slowing the rate at which the marijuana burns.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It has been reported that the actual smoking of embalming fluid is not very pleasant. It has been said that it taste like rubbing alcohol and smells like gasoline. The high last between six hours to thirty hours and the acute symptoms of intoxication usually subside in twenty-four to thirty-six hours depending of the half-lives of the drugs used in a particular mixture. The drug can be stored in fats and then released, causing recurrence of symptoms .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The short term effects of using embalming fluid are as follows; blurred vision or impaired vision which is a symptom that begins at the high and endures into the next day. Headache that follows the day after consumption. Increased forgetfulness, vomiting, depression or sadness, facial or bodily edema, anger, frustration, hallucinations, delusions, increase in women’s sexual appetites, paranoia, physical violence and sleepiness.

Promote Child and Young Person Development Essay

1. Explain the factors that need to be taken into account when assessing development When assessing a child/young person we must be careful to take in to account confidentiality before carrying out any observations. Within my setting, we have an Welcome pack (aka Induction Pack) with lots of forms for the parents to sign which gives us permission to observe them and the child/children with in the assessment centre. All of the confidential material surrounding the parents and children are locked away in a secure cabinet in the office so no unauthorised access is allowed. The only time confidential is breached is if the child is at risk and we only share this information with other authorised professionals. When carrying out observations either in the room or via camera we have to take the Childs wishes and feelings in to consideration, if the child is at real risk we stay present but if they child clearly doesn’t want you there we must leave the room. For example, we had a family with a toddler and baby and during the night when mum fed the baby we were present in the room, but often having this person in the room woke the toddler and caused him unnecessary upset so instead watched intensely via the CCTV. When we assess a child we must take account of their ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds as these can play an important role in how the child acts and the understanding of the words being used. Disability or specific requirements need to be taken in to account when carrying out any assessment/observation of a child can be underestimated and the observations will be unreliable. In my setting we receive all the information of each family from the Local Authority who have referred them to us, its vital we receive relevant and up to date information so we know exactly what the concerns are and get an accurate picture of the Childs development, if this information was incorrect it could harm the child’s  development. Avoiding bias is important in my role, we must remain completely objective, we are not here to judge our families, we observe and document facts of every aspect of their day to day lives they live out with in the assessment centre, our focus is the child and our main responsibility is there safety. We have a large staff team who all individually work with each family and we each document what we see, then once social workers and assistants have read the ass essment forms, patterns can emerge.

Robert Frost Selected Poems – ‘The Road Not Taken’ and ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening’ – Analysis and Appreciation

Robert Frost was born in San Francisco on the 26th March 1874 and died on the 29th January 1963 in Boston. He was one of America's leading twentieth century poets and won many awards and honours, including four Pulitzer Prizes. When Frost was eleven, he moved to New England, where his interest in poetry came during his high school years at Lawrence, Massachusetts. He studied at Harvard from 1897 to 1899, although he did not get a formal degree. During his life, he went through many occupations such as working as a teacher and cobbler. He also managed a farm that his grandfather had bought him, but when this failed he decided to sell it and used the money to take his family to England, where he could devote his time to writing poetry. By the time he returned to the United States in 1915, he had written and published a number of collections and became one of America's most celebrated poets. With each new book – including ‘Mountain Interval' (1916), ‘New Hampshire' (1923) and ‘Steeple Bush' (1947) – fame and publicity amplified. I do not read much poetry, although I particularly favour the writings of Robert Frost. Many of his poems including ‘The Road Not Taken' and ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening' focus on images and descriptions of the natural world. However, they mainly concentrate on conveying a much deeper, more intense message. The teachings of Robert Frost are often very emotional. I very much enjoy reading his poems and trying to interpret their true meanings. I found that writing this essay made me understand the poems that I had already read many times even more clearly. ‘The Road Not Taken' is a very thoughtful and meaningful poem. The traditional but experimental and unique verses attract readers to the poem, as they are different from other poems. When first read, ‘The Road Not Taken' comes across as a simple poem based on intricacies of nature. It is clear from the first stanza that it is a poem that aims to paint a detailed picture of a peaceful road that leads into a yellow wood. However, with further readings and analysis, one can easily see that there is a much stronger, deeper meaning behind the smoothly woven words, common in many of Frost's poems. The poem's appeal lies in the extended metaphor and extended imagery, devices used very strongly to convey an important message about the twists and turns of life. ‘The Road Not Taken' is Frost's portrayal of the challenging choices that one is forced to make in life. I believe that every reader can relate to the poem and although the message is very strong, it is quite easy to interpret as it's readers can compare the poem to their own experiences. As the narrator is walking, he encounters a fork in the road. Both the roads ahead diverge â€Å"in a yellow wood†. The uninvited predicament causes him to pause and carefully ponder over his choices – â€Å"long I stood†. He has no desire to quickly rush into a decision and wants to be sure as to which road he takes. He â€Å"looked down one as far as† he could, to help him make his decision as to which road he will take, but both bend away into the undergrowth. If the reader compares this stanza to real life, they can see that the narrator has come to a point in his life when he has to make a very important decision. He has two choices in front of him that, at a glance seem very much alike (both diverge in a yellow wood). He calmly gathers his previous experiences and resources, showing that he is very much a perfectionist. However, he is unable to find any help that will give him an insight into the future. In life, we try to determine the outcome of ou r choices but it is very unlikely that we will be able to say exactly what will happen to us – we can only depend on assumptions based on our previous experiences and any insight we may have on other people's experiences. After looking down the second road and finding that it was â€Å"just as fair†, the narrator decides to travel through it because it was â€Å"grassy and wanted wear†. Once he had taken the road and begun travelling, he realised that the â€Å"passing there had worn them really about the same.† Taking the road less travelled by describes his personality. He seems to be an individualist and does not wish to take the more commonly used path and be influenced by other travellers' experiences. By taking the less commonly used road, the traveller sums himself up as being adventurous and daring, he is not afraid to try new things and likes to take risks and gambles. However, when he realised that other people had also been bold enough to take the less-travelled road, he may have felt a bit let down. Every reader can relate to this sort of situation. We all want to be unique, and want to boast about being brave enough to try something new. However, most probably there w ill be someone who has tried it before us. In stanza 3, it is clear that both roads â€Å"equally lay† and that there was not a less-trodden road. However, the man tries to convince himself that there is a difference in the two roads. He wavers slightly as he realises that his initial interpretation of the two roads was somewhat inaccurate, but retrieves his confidence by saying that he will return to the fork sometime in the future – â€Å"Oh, I kept the first for another day† – to see where the first road will lead him. At this point, the reader is introduced to the traveller's ego as he shoos away the truth that he could be wrong, by saying that it doesn't matter†¦he can always come back if things do not go to plan. â€Å"Yet knowing how way leads on to way/I doubted if I should ever come back†. Here, he acknowledges the harsh realities of life, which do not allow one to trace their footsteps back to the origin. All people when making a choice, say that they can always try the other option later on if need be. Frost teaches in lines 14 and 15 that, in life and the journey through the woods, there will be many other forks where new choices will have to be made. There will almost certainly never be time to return to the same spot again. The narrator is walking through ‘the road not taken' and looks into the future â€Å"with a sigh†. He wonders what it will bring – will he be successful and reach his destination or not? There is an element of doubt in his mind – what if? What if he had taken the more common road, what would have happened? When people make choices in life, they always question the future. They hope that what they are doing will result in victory. If one succeeds in their goals, the chances are that they will never look back. On the other hand, if one does not attain their goal, they remember the other options they had and wish that they had chosen one of those, even though that may have also not worked. The traveller continues to think about the future as he walks and meets other forks (challenges), and considers what he will tell people about his choice†¦ â€Å"Two roads diverged in to a yellow wood, and I – I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference† ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening' comes across as very pensive and serene, describing, as many of Frost's poems do, tranquil images of nature. Although the poem does not have any direct metaphors and similes, there is a clear use of extended imagery which is the main poetic device in the poem although it takes a couple of reads before one can see it, unlike the subject of nature which can be seen in the first few lines. It is a beautiful poem with a very strong message about life and how it forces people to work and strive away until there is nothing left to fight for. The first stanza enlightens the reader of the setting and mood of the poem. A man is travelling through woods when he stops to observe the natural world around him. He knows the person â€Å"whose woods these are† and knows that â€Å"his house is in the village†. The poet's tone and mood appears dismal as he states that the person in the village â€Å"will not see me stopping here/To watch his woods fill up with snow†, although he does not hint why this could be. From this verse, the reader can gather that the narrator is trying to reach a destination, his tone and mood suggesting that maybe he does not wish to go there. The woods are obviously special to him as it causes him to pause at such a desolate place on a snowy evening. The line, â€Å"His house is in the village, though†, indicates that the woods are away from the village and any civilisation. The woods are lovely and peaceful, but they are isolated too. In stanza 2, the reader can identify some examples of extended imagery. The coldness of the night (â€Å"frozen lake†) and description of it being â€Å"the darkest evening of the year† may describe the way he feels as well as his surroundings. â€Å"My little horse may think it queer/To stop without a farmhouse near† indicates that the poet is aware that he does not have time to stop and stare at the woods filled with snow, even though he does not want to leave. In life, people are always busy doing things. They often wish to stop and reflect, yet the demanding circumstances around them forbid them to do this, and they are forced to battle away with the day-to-day chores. ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening' seems to give this sort of message. In stanza 3, the man has still not moved on and his horse is becoming more and more confused as to where they are. He â€Å"gives his harness bells a shake/To ask if there is some mistake†. The horse keeps hurrying Frost by shaking his bells, upsetting the narrator's thoughts and short break. Even in such a beautiful, soothing place, where the â€Å"only other sound's the sweep/Of easy wind and downy flake†, the traveller is not free from interruption and disturbance. One can easily relate to this – when people try to relax for a little while, away from all the work, others around them seem to think that he or she is being lazy and hurry them along. In the same way, the horse cannot understand as to why Frost is not doing anything, even though it is so cold and dark. The traveller conveys his feelings towards the woods, saying that they are â€Å"lovely, dark and deep†. However, he sadly sighs, admitting that he cannot stay as he has â€Å"promises to keep/And miles to go before I sleep†. Maybe the journey that the traveller is travelling through is the journey of life, the one common journey that all human beings have to travel. He has made many promises and has many goals that he wants to achieve in life. Frost implies that it will be a long time before he sleeps, sleep maybe being a metaphor for death as this is really the only time when one is free from the daily circle of work and unrest. In ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening' the description of the night being cold and dark emphasises the fact that even in the most impossible situation, one has to struggle on and on until the end. The poem shows that even an animal like the traveller's horse will hurry you if the work is not done. Also, the choices that one makes in life have to be achieved if success is to be met. No matter what happens, humans have to keep on fighting all the problems and distractions until everything is done. In life, people find rest and freedom very late in life. By the time they have finished all the work and attained all their goals, they are very old and probably cannot enjoy the good things life has to offer. True happiness and rest comes only with death. I think that Frost tries to convey all these messages through the profound images in the poem. I like ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening' very much, as the multi-layered and poignant messages, in my mind, hold a lot of tru th. The emotional and passion-arousing teachings give the poem a very strong identity and cause me to stop and reflect, while comparing them to my own experiences. When comparing ‘The Road Not Taken' and ‘Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening', I find that they are very similar in a number of ways. In both the poems, the woods encountered are travelled into unintentionally. For example, in ‘The Road Not Taken' the man is walking when he suddenly faces a fork in the road that leads into yellow woods. In ‘Stopping By Woods†¦' the traveller is travelling on horseback on a snowy, dark evening as he passes peaceful, wild woods that belong to someone in the village. This could be a metaphor for unknown, unfamiliar circumstances. Even though one would think that the narrator is a different person each time, both travellers seem very similar. The traveller that takes ‘the road not taken' is different from others. He seems to be a cool, level-headed, unbiased man who likes to take risks and try new challenges. The man who encounters the woods on a snowy evening is also different from others. Despite the cold and darkness, he insists on staying in the woods for some time. He loves the sense of desertion and loneliness and wants a break from the hustle and bustle of work. The dark and deep woods seem to reflect on him, revealing his dark emotion and depth of character. Both men are peculiar in their actions and views when compared with the majority of people, their deep thinking much the opposite to most of the impulsive minds of today. Both of the poems written by Frost have the use of extended imagery, giving them the ‘Robert Frost's poetry' stamp straight away. Although the poems themselves are simplistic, plain and candid, they have very deep, significant and emotional messages, which teach readers the harsh realities of life. The poems provoke and challenge one's existence, bringing the true meaning of his words home to the reader, making them so beautiful and unique in their way.