Shaving by Leslie Norris free essay sample

The short story â€Å"Shaving† is a coming-of-age piece that stresses the need for a family to have a strong and responsible leader. In the short story Barry, the main character, is in a position where his father is dying and he has the responsibility of taking care of him. One day after school Barry comes home to shave his father because he is too sick to do it himself. Through this the reader is able to comprehend the idea that Barry is ready to take over his fathers spot in the family. Leslie Norris illustrates that Barry is ready to become patriarch of the family through direct characterization, contrast with weather and symbolism. In â€Å"Shaving† Leslie Norris portrays that Barry is ready to become the leader of the family through direct characterization. Barry is mature and strong, yet his father is weak and now has to rely on Barry for everything. We will write a custom essay sample on Shaving by Leslie Norris or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Norris begins implementing this message by describing Barry as how â€Å"He walked solidly now and often alone. He was tall, strongly made; his hands and feet were adult and heavy. The room in which all his life he’d grown had become to small for him† (Norris 1). This promotes the idea that Barry is not just mentally but physically ready to become patriarch of the family. He has grown up and is able to function without depending on someone such as his father. As the story progresses the reader then gets characteristics of â€Å"His father’s face was fine-skin and pallid carried a dark stubble of beard† (Norris 2) that needed to be shaved. The reader can infer that Barry’s father is weak and he is ready to let Barry take over his position in the family. This is justified when Barry’s father lets him shave his face. His father is letting go of himself and is relying on Barry to pick up where he is leaving off. Leslie Norris uses contrast with weather to portray that Barry is ready to become the head of the family. Norris begins indicating this message when the end of the story approaches with â€Å"An overnight frost had still been thick on the roads, but the brisk April sun had soon dispersed it and now he could feel the spring warmth on his back through the thick tweed of his coat† (Norris 1). This demonstrates a change in season but also has the more  profound meaning of a change from boy to man. Manhood is approaching quickly and is hanging over Barry, as it will soon engulf him once his father passes away. As the story reaches its conclusion Barry’s by the window in his parents bathroom when â€Å"The window was full in the beam of dying sunlight and Barry stood there illuminated in its golden warmth for a whole minute, knowing it would soon be gone† (Norris 1). The idea of golden warmth helps emphasize that his dad is present and Barry’s standing looking out knowing that the end will soon come for his father’s life. This exhibits that Barry is mentally mature enough for his dad to soon pass away. Leslie Norris uses symbolism often throughout the short story â€Å"Shaving†, to represent that Barry is ready to become the patriarch of the family. She uses symbolism to bring out important ideas and points throughout the text. When Barry is in his parent’s bathroom preparing a tray of tools to help him shave his father, there is a cup sitting there that he notices. Since â€Å"The cup was much older than Barry. A pattern of fine translucent cracks fine as a web had work itself haphazardly, invisible almost through the white glaze† (Norris 2). This cup represents Barry’s father and how old and decrepit he is becoming. The cracks symbolize the weakness and defeat that his father is feeling and experiencing as he deteriorates himself. As Barry continues to assemble the tray â€Å"His father’s razor was in a blue leather case, hinged at the broad edge was one hinge broken† (Norris 2). The blue leather case symbolizes Barry’s father being sick. The broken hinge also represents the same meaning. This supports the idea that Barry’s father is breaking down and dwindling. He continues to get worse as time goes on and needs Barry to help put back together the pieces. Through direct characterization, contrast with weather and symbolism Leslie Norris illustrates that Barry is ready to become the patriarch of the family. Barry isn’t just mentally but physically ready to take over his father’s position. His father is weak and is ready to let Barry occupy his spot in the family. Norris portrays this through direct characterization of Barry and his father. The use of contrasting with weather also amplifies the idea that his father is willing to relinquish his position in the family to Barry. He is mentally able to conquer the tasks that his father’s position entails. Finally Norris uses symbolism to express the idea that Barry’s father is deteriorating and Barry’s job is to pick up where his father is leaving off. It’s a parent’s job to look after their child but in some cases it’s the child’s job to look after the parent.

NBA Lockout essays

NBA Lockout essays The National Basketball Players Association lockout greatly affected the United States economy. Greedy team owners and greedy players fighting over large amounts of money caused the lockout. In March of 1998, team owners felt that they were paying players too much money, causing clubs to lose money, so they voted to reopen discussions on the collective bargaining agreement. The players on the other hand felt that any team financial problems were the owners doing, not how much money players were being paid. When the two sides could not settle their differences and the collective bargaining agreement expired, the owners decided to lockout the players until they reached an equal agreement. Lasting six months and into the NBA season, the lockout had a huge effect on those businesses or people associated with the games. First of all, since the games were not taking place this meant that employees were not able to work in the stadiums. Those employees who are usually hired to work the concession stands or sell food, drinks, and souvenirs around the stadium were out of work while the lockout persisted. Lack of work meant less income for the old stadium employees, thus lowering the demand for other goods that these people would normally buy. Lower incomes make people purchase fewer amounts of goods from stores, restaurants, and other recreational activities. In an article entitled "Playing With Fire: A NBA Lockout Could Leave Fans Out in the Cold," a Phoenix Suns fan, Phil Lester, discusses the NBA lockout and how much money he spends on game nights. Phil says that "he can easily spend between $50-$100 on a night when the Suns are in town, counting dinner before the game, then some snacks and a couple of adult beverages during it. And that doesn't include the money spent on the tickets." Without the NBA, the money usually spent by fans will go unspent, greatly affecting businesses, workers, and the economy as a whole. Restau...

Market Solution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Market Solution - Essay Example Recently, the organization experienced a drop in the share prices by 10%. The organization is said to be suffering from low employee satisfaction as reported by popular media such as the Wall Street. The organization has even started experiencing a decrease in customer loyalty as the organization has seen a decline in the enrollment of the customers in the Reward program of the organization. The airlines witnessed a 20% decline in the customers enrolling in the reward program and they have started shifting towards the competitors of the airlines. The airline is even suffering from the issue of an increase in the operating costs due to increased labor and fuel cost. The organization can alter its problematic situation and can earn higher profits. Its problems can help it grow and attain success; they need to carefully handle the entire problematic situation. While dealing with the issue of decline in customers, the airline needs to distinguish between its essential customers and every day customers. They need to provide more personalized services to certain customers which will help the airlines to gain attention in the market. The customers will further help the airline in increasing their customer base. Satisfied customers will pass on satisfactory messages to other consumers which will result in an increase in the customers for the airline and will further help in decreasing the overall marketing costs. One of the major changes that the airline needs to make is to change its current reward program. They can enhance their reward program by creating a program or changing their current program after analyzing the programs that are created by their competitors. Altering the current reward program of the airlines will enhance customer satisfaction and consumers will start giving preference to the airline’s reward program. The airline even needs to focus on how to decrease their operational costs. One such method is the introduction of winglet which will resu lt in decreased consumption of fuels by the aircrafts. Several problems related to the airline have been identified by the different stakeholders of the company. Stakeholder issues need to be considered while solving the issues of the company because these stakeholders lead to the success and failure of the organization. The stockholders of the organization are of the opinion that the share prices of the organization have declined very sharply and this is hampering their investments. They believe that the share prices of the organization can be increased if the organization starts satisfying customers and customer loyalty is one of the essential things that need to be created in the market for the success of the company. The management is of the idea that the organization is not completely fulfilling the needs of the consumers and once these needs are fulfilled, consumers will start becoming loyal to the organization. Employees of the organization are mainly concerned about the nega tive reviews of the organization in the popular media. The employee union of the organization is concerned about job losses, decrease in salaries of the workers, dissatisfied workforce and they want to ensure that workers are compensated equally according to their hard work and performance. Similarly, the government and the officials

Criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 3

Criminology - Essay Example They include shop lifting and disorderly conduct. Some offenses called wobbler can be classified as felonies or misdemeanor depending on circumstance. Petty offenses or infractions are insignificant crimes involving very minor misconducts classified as violations of public welfare, an example is traffic violations. They are not punishable by incarceration but through monetary fines or community service (Fletcher 31). The basis for proving criminal liability the accused is that, the defendant is proved to have committed a guilty act with a guilty state of mind. The physical elements of such a case are called actus reus while the corresponding mental state is called mens rea. It is the prosecutions duty to prove those elements of the offense to the contentment of the jury beyond reasonable doubt, otherwise the defendant is acquitted. Criminal law formulates that individuals should be punished based on the retribution they deserve as such, they are culpable if they demonstrate insufficient concern for others by choosing to cause risk or harm to others for insufficient reason and does it voluntarily (Fletcher 46). Actus reus is the physical action one takes in order to be culpable of a criminal offense, though it is possible for one to commit a crime by omission rather than an affirmative act. For example, voluntary failure to perform the legally required act of filing and paying tax. To be responsible for a crime, one must perform the legally required act for that crime. For example, the actus reus for burglary is that one must break into a roofed structure or vehicle. The voluntary action provision in actus reus recognizes that people are not responsible for actions over, which they have no control. For example, an epileptic person may have a seizure at a mall causing damage to property. Such a person is not criminally responsible (Norrie 111). Conversely, if such an individual is

Descartes Meditation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Descartes Meditation - Essay Example Despite the fact that Descartes does recognize him to be a being that is imperfect, he has an ability to entertain God’s idea as a perfect existence. The fact that he is not able to form such an idea by himself, there has to be the idea’s greater course. This argument basis itself on a scholastic belief that there has to be as much reality within the cause same as within the effect (Rene, p.70). Therefore, any perfection ideas require their perfect causes. To respond to the argument, one can deny the principle as well as claim not to have God’s perfect Idea. Rather, an individual can claim to have an approximation only, of the perfect idea. Due to the fact that individuals’ idea of God would not be perfect then, it would not need a perfect course, as well as the conclusion, would not follow. It is in the fifth meditation that the second argument of God’s existence occurs. Despite the fact the there is different wording, it recalls the ontological argument of Anselm in the 11th century. Descartes’ consideration here is the perfect being idea as well as what is contained in such an idea. If the being happens to perfect truly, then it would not lack anything. Consequently, there is no chance that it would lack existence. Therefore, the essence of God does contain his existence (Rene, p.89). God’s existence argument following essentially from his essence has implications as well for the thought of the evil deceiver that is mentioned within the 1st meditation. If god happens to be perfect, there is no way he can be a deceiver. In addition, there is no way he can lead an individual into error. Deceit, as well as an induced error, would not be consistent with an imperfect being’s character. Due to the fact that he cannot lead an individual into error, the individual will be able to obtain knowledge on all the matters he doubted within the 1st meditation, particularly the truth on material objects. Descartes claimed that error does not  arise within the ideas of individuals, which are within individuals’ conscious states themselves, however, in judgments that individuals make, there exists something distinct from individuals’ conscious ideas, which cause such ideas to exist within the conscious minds of individuals.  

Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility

Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility CSR can be defined as an organization taking responsibility for the results of its activities upon employees, customers, the community and the environment. Usually organizations voluntarily exercise their improvements, commitments and performance reporting. CSR is the need for organizations to consider the greater good of their actions and the effect on all those around the organization from within, local community and globally. Often the effects must be thought of in terms of the economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic impact or basically business decision of cost to implement versus return on investment. CSR is the process that guides company decision making and implementation activities in the areas of human rights, environmental standards, and compliance with legal requirements within its operations. PRACTICE: CSR can be thought of as the challenge organizations face to balance their social responsibilities with that of increased earnings and concerns according to shareholder and stakeholder expectations. CSR is generally applied to wherever firms operate encompassing both domestic and global economy. CSR applies to both the private sector commitments and activities then stretches beyond the just compliance with laws. Many organizations believe that focusing on new opportunities in interrelated economic, societal, or environmental demands in the marketplace provides a competitive advantage and stimulates creative solutions. PARTICULARS: CSR activities usually address many aspects of a firms behavior and key elements like health and safety, environmental community development, human rights, human resource management, community development, consumer protection, labor protection, supplier relations, business ethics, and stakeholder rights. Organizations are motivated to have stakeholders involved in their decision making process. A CSR approach is to promises the following. Improved financial performance. Improved accountability to investors. Improved employee commitment. Improved community relationships. Improved product branding. PERSONS: Bristol-Myers CEO Peter Dolan- His company has emerged from recent trouble due to issues stemming from the drug Plavix which is a blood thinner. Because of these and other past mistakes, Bristol-Myers has emerged a stronger company. An example is in the area of its environmental impact on the world, Bristol-Myers has reduced their greenhouse emission by 10% and worked towards obtaining a U.S. Green Building Council certified facility. Merck CEO Richard Clark- his company had problems with Vioxx, but has managed to solve those problems with programs that include a Corporate Responsibility Council that works to increase the number of employees involved. Transparency has been the major improvement within his company. HIP Investor CEO Paul Herman- is a corporate social responsibility consultant who believes grass roots produce the best solutions. One method is reaching out to the employees through an intranet that will give them a chance to express what improvements can be made and what community programs they will volunteer for. Korn-Ferry CEO Jay Millen- recommends a social; responsibility is not just a policy, it is a philosophy. A corporation should have a top-down strategy for CSR; if the philosophy and values are correct the rules will follow. PERIOD: Time period 1800s- CSR first started during this time period where companies that operated in rural areas build company towns. These towns including housing, stores, schools, and playground for children of their employees. Time period of 1930s- As part of President Franklin Roosevelts New Deal program, companies received tax breaks for donating money to charities. Time period of 1960s- Government steps in to regulate business with the formation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(EEOC), and the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). This has compelled some companies to become more politically involved by contributing time and money to non-profits. Time period 2005- Surveys show that 98% of large corporations apply CSR in their strategic planning and 84% have seen their profits increase because of their actions. PLACES: Australia Established human rights laws that mandated the corporations must practice proper ethical behavior and human rights principals within their country and overseas. United States Environmental Protection Agency has enforced the standards established by the federal government for corporations in protection of the environment. United Nations This global organization has established policy for human rights throughout the world. PHRASES: CSR key terms- Charity principle- The principle that the riches people in the world should donate to the less fortunate. Stewardship Principle- mangers have an obligation to ensure benefits from their actions in society. Reputation- The essential characteristics that a corporation that influence their relations with the stakeholders. Enlightened self interest- The view that a company can be socially aware without losing its own objectives. Corporate citizenship- Apply CSR into practice. Legal obligation- The laws a company must follow established by the government. Iron law of responsibility- In the long run, those that do not use their authority in actions that society consider proper will lose it. PICTURES: Paul Hawken quote- If they (companies) believe they are in business to serve people, to help solve problems, to use and employ the ingenuity of their workers to improve the lives of people around them by learning from the nature that gives us life, we have a chance (Amaeshi, Osuji Nnodin, 2008, p.223). Karl-Henrik Robert quote- Business is the economic engine of our Western culture, and if it could be transformed to truly serve nature as well as ourselves, it could become essential to our rescue (Iankova, 2008, p.77). Mikhail Gorbachev quote We need a new system of values, a system of the organic between humankind and nature and the ethic of global responsibility (Amaeshi, Osuji Nnodin, 2008, p.223). Robert F. Kennedy quote- The future is not completely beyond our control. It is the work of our own hands (Pava, 2008, p.807). David Korten quote- to achieve true sustainability, we must reduce our garbage index that which we permanently throw away into the environment that will not be naturally recycled for reuse to near zero. Productive activities must be organized as closed systems. Minerals and other nonbiodegradeable, resources once taken from the ground, must become a part of societys permanent capital stock and be recycled in perpetuity, organic materials may be disposed into the natural ecosystems, but only in ways that assure that they are absorbed back into the natural production system (Amaeshi, Osuji Nnodin, 2008, p.223). Martin Luther King, Jr. quote- Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter (Iankova, 2008, p.77). PROSPECTS: The European Commission list of benefits for companies that adopt CSR criteria: Business ethics, the personal commitment of the companys directors, improve competitive, strengthen the companys image, prevent negative publicity, lawsuits or campaigns against the company, increase customer loyalty, stand out from the competition, improve human resources management, strengthen the loyalty of management staff, attract new employees, improve adaptation to change, cost reduction, tax breaks, less worker strikes (Fuentes-Garcia, F., Nunez-Tables, J. Veroz-Herradon, R., 2008). Research conduct my recent surveys have concluded the companies that practice CSR have increase financial success. A confirm fact from a recent customer survey the 70 % of customers indicated that they were more likely to buy from a socially responsible firm, in turn 50 % indicated that they not buy from a firm that was not socially responsible. PROBLEMS: Multinational corporations using operate outside the control of international laws. There is no international forum in which they could be prosecuted. CSR has limitations. The major limitation is that most ethical behaviors or charities which come under CSR require financial contributions. Some mangers feel their propriety should be making a profit for the stakeholders instead of giving money away to charities. PERFORMANCE: Examples of corporation that practice CSR principles. Nike has improved working conditions in their operations overseas. FedEx has begun to use hybrid trucks. General Electric has built health care centers in Africa. Employees are a key for CSR; they volunteer for community projects, are loyal to the company which results in increased profits. An organizations reputation has an effect on CSR; the impact can affect financial performance positively. Philanthropy by CSRs is interpreted positively by the public and organizations are often given the benefit of the doubt resulting steady stock prices. Sales increase CSR for corporations; cause-related marketing initiatives generates money through increased product sales and at the same time benefit charities. Poor CSR can negatively affect earnings and stock prices because of potential lawsuits and fines. PUBLICATIONS: Amaeshi, K., Osuji, O. Nnodim, P. (2008). Corporate social responsibility in supply chains of global brands: a boundaryless responsibility? Clarifications, expectations and implications. Journal of Business Ethics, 81 (1), 223-234. Fuentes-Garcia, F., Nunez-Tables, J. Veroz-Herradon, R. (2008). Applicability of corporate social responsibility to human resources management: perspective from Spain. Journal of Business Ethics, 82 (1), 27-44. Iankova, E. (2008). From corporate paternalism to corporate social responsibility in post communist Europe. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 29 (1), 75-89. Iyer, A. (2009). Corporate social responsibility and farmer suicides: a case for benign paternalism? Journal of Business Ethics, 85 (4), 429-443. Lawrence, A. Weber, J. (2008). Business Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy (12 ed.). New York, New York, United States of America: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Pava, M. (2008). Why corporations should not abandon social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 83 (4), 805-812. Pfau, M., Haigh, M., Sims, J. Wigley, S. (2008). The influence of corporate social responsibility campaigns on public opinion. Corporate Reputation Review, 11 (2), 145-154. Ubius, U. Alas, R. (2009). Organizational culture types as predictors of corporate social responsibility. Engineering Economics, 61 (1), 90-99. Valentine, S. Fleischman, G. (2008). Professional ethical standards, corporate social responsibility, and the perceived role of ethics and social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 82 (3), 657-666. National Directory of Corporate Giving. Directories Table HV80.N26. Columbia University Libraries database. http://www.columbia.edu/web/indiv/ business / refservices.html Web Sites and Internet Resources: http://search.ebscohost.com/ http://treehugger.com http://word.world-citizenship.org http://www.columbia.edu/ http://www.depauw.edu http://www.emeraldinsight.com http://www.google.com http://www.ineedmotivation.com / http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/ http://www.robertfkennedylinks.com

The Beach Essay -- essays research papers

The Beach Brothers and sisters grow up arguing, screaming, and fighting from dusk until dawn. The arguments range from talking on the telephone, sharing the bathroom, to who gets dibs on the car. These confrontations appear to be the norm between siblings. In reality, when one comes face to face with losing a sister, all the arguing, screaming, and fighting seem of little importance. I realized this during a blistering hot July afternoon sojourn at the beach. The long drive felt like a never-ending adventure. Instead of cool air, the air conditioner blew air from the gates of Hell. My sister and I sat in the back seat of the ever-shrinking Toyota Camry arguing and hitting each other until dad threatened us yelling, â€Å"Don’t make me drive this car into a telephone pole!† Mom sat on the other side with only two jobs, control the radio and navigate us to the beach. Both were done very poorly, giving us static from the radio and forty-five minutes on a road with no name. After hours of driving, which felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at the beach. Running toward the ocean, I felt the cool sand squish between my toes. The water was clear and inviting, seashells cover the bottom, and rolling waves punctuate the surface. My sister and I went into the ocean, diving through the waves and swimming as quickly as we could. We rode enormous waves into the shore on our raft and then swam back to catch more. We enjoyed ourselves for hours until I was totally exhausted and hea...