Realism as portrayed in the plays An Enemy of the People and A Taste of Honey

Introduction Henry James in 1884 stated that, the supreme virtue of fiction is to produce an â€Å"air of reality† or an â€Å"illusion of life† James like many other writers valued and embraced an aesthetic of realism (Wharton 3). This form of art valued accurate representation of the psychological and material realities of life. Realism came about as a reaction against Romanticism.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Realism as portrayed in the plays An Enemy of the People and A Taste of Honey specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Realism presents things as they happen in real life; they often deal with social problems (Seino 4). In contrast to romanticism, where plays are based on emotions and feelings, realism allows the mind to rule over emotions. The first major realistic play Wright was Henric Ibsen; Ibsen earned the title â€Å"the father of realism.† His plays were often controversial as he w rote on subjects that had not been touched before and considered scandalous, for example, in his play Ghosts, he wrote about the indecent topic(at that time)on syphilis this earned him a lot of criticism leading him to respond by writing the play An enemy of the People(Twain para 2). Some of these realism writers were interested in exploring problems of inequality within the society they were referred to as â€Å"social realists.† This paper discusses the different styles of a realism play or drama. Discussion One main characteristic of a realistic play is that they do not have happy endings. In Realistic dramas, the characters employ the use of approximate everyday speech. This style is issued by most modern plays, television shows and movies (Twain para 5). The realistic play Wrights are not afraid of being a little unrealistic. In the play, An Enemy of the People, Ibsen uses a realistic framework to articulate his ideas on the stage. His character hyper-articulate their id eas to a slightly unrealistic tone, they talk for a very long time about â€Å"high minded† ideas in a generally conversational way. Ibsen’s play An Enemy of the People exemplifies the definition of realism by portraying the irrational tendencies carried by the masses. This play portrays Dr. Stockman, who is the protagonist, as a brave man who tries to do the right thing amid extreme social intolerance (Ibsen).Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This play shows the realistic nature of the society we live in; it does not only paint the good pictures in our midst but also shows the negative that the society carries. On its part, A Taste of Honey is set in the 1950s British society. It tells a story of a 17-year old working class girl. Helen, her mother, is presented as a semi prostitute, who leaves her daughter to go and stay with her younger rich boyfriend Peter. Critic s have argued that the play is roughly set on her experience. Many similarities exist between the play An Enemy of the People and Delaney’s play The Taste of Honey. First of all, both plays portray the challenges faced by the society in tackling day to day situations affecting them. Furthermore, the endings in both plays are tragic as expected of most realism plays. In A Taste of Honey, the play ends by Helen being thrown out by Peter and moves back to stay with Jo her daughter, While Josephine is pregnant with a sailor’s baby who has gone to sea for six months. She is in labor pains but there is no one to help her as Geoff, her gay friend who came to stay with her when her mother moved, has left after being gotten rid by Helen. Helen cannot help her as she has gone drinking. Similarly, in An Enemy of the People, the play ends with Dr. Stockman claim being refused by his friends and allies. He is taunted as being a lunatic and â€Å"an enemy of the people.† The exposition of the play, An Enemy of the People, informs us that Dr. Stockman is often on the verge of extreme poverty but has been provided with a nice post by his brother who is the burgomaster in the new bath in town. However, it should be noted that the original idea of the Baths was Dr. Stockman’s. It should also be noted that, the two brothers share very little in common in the sense that while Dr. Stockman adheres to modernism and has liberal views while his brother is a traditionalist.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Realism as portrayed in the plays An Enemy of the People and A Taste of Honey specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This two plays can be contrasted in the sense that one of them is a realism while the other is realism or social realism. The two styles should not be confused with each other even though they are slightly similar to each other. In addition, they were formed around the same ti me. Social realism depicts racial, social and economic injustices. This kind of movement portrayed the impoverished working class society. In a social realism play, the audiences witness a movement from the objective towards the subjective representation (Seino 4). The play A Taste of Honey is a representation of a Kitchen Sink realism play, this type of play developed in Britain in the late 1950s and the early 1960s. In this form of art, the protagonists were mostly described as â€Å"angry young men,† their works expressed disillusionment and bitterness with post war English society. Delaney’s play was viewed as belonging to this group, especially after its production. The characters in social realism /kitchen-sink plays are often depicted as the working class, who spend their time drinking and live in rented houses in a northern Britain setting. The play Wright used this to explore social and political issues affecting the post-war Britain; this genre revolutionized the British theatre. The theme of alienation has been brought out clearly in both this plays. In A Taste of Honey, essentially, Jo has been abandoned by his mother who moves to a new house just before Christmas and lives with his boyfriend (Delaney Act I scene I). This loneliness leads to Josephine getting pregnant. While in the play, an Enemy of the People, Dr. Stockman is alienated by his allies and friends for taking a different position on the danger caused by the bath from that taken by the town. In thinking that the community is behind him and proud of him for his discovery, Doctor Stockman is portrayed as being naà ¯ve (An Enemy of the People: Analysis and Summary para 5). He overlooks other factors such as the inconvenience and expenses that will be caused to the town by his discovery. The play Wright, Ibsen, lays his point at the end of the play without any fear.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Doctor Stockman says, â€Å"I am the strongest in this town† (Ibsen Act v scene 1, 33), he goes further and says, â€Å"I am the strongest man in the world† (Ibsen Act v scene 1 34). One might ask what the meaning of being strong is. He then further explains the meaning of being strong, that â€Å"the strongest man in the world is who stands most alone.† His refusal to be silenced in the bath issue makes the entire town to go against him. He calls them, â€Å"the most dangerous enemy of the truth and freedom among us.† Dr. Stockman is in a weak position, but he has gained an individual identity a trait that many of us fail to acquire. He establishes himself in a world full of fools. Most of Ibsen’s protagonists fail to achieve this same thing. Conclusion The goal of the play Wright in An Enemy of the People is to criticize the principles of democracy. He argues that, in matters of right and wrong individual superiority matters more than that of the masses which is mostly guided by the self-advancing demagogues. One fundamental principle of our democratic culture holds that the majority of the people will make the right decision when confronted with a choice. The popularity of music, movies, fashion, etc. is evaluated based on what the majority of people decide to like. Political issues, from a motion at a school board meeting to a presidential election, are guided by decisions on the majority. Dr. Stockman denounces his community by stating, â€Å"The strongest man in the world is the man who stands most alone† sums up his claim (Ibsen Act v, scene 1, 35). In A Taste of Honey, the play Wright’s aim is to comment on everyday issues relating to race, class and sexual orientation in the 1950s Britain. She successfully uses her characters to highlight these themes. Her work was mostly viewed as a protest against poverty among the working class youth in Britain. Works Cited An Enemy of the People: Summary and Analysi s. Web. Delaney, Shelagh. A Taste of Honey, Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 1959. Print. Ibsen, H. An Enemy of the People,  2000. Web. Seino, T. Realism and Representation of the Working Class in Contemporary British  Cinema,  2010. Web. Twain, M.  Theater Through the Ages: Romantism and Realism. Web. Wharton, E. 2010, Social Realism Class Consciousness in America 1875 –  1920. Web. This essay on Realism as portrayed in the plays An Enemy of the People and A Taste of Honey was written and submitted by user Emilia Z. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Avocado History, Domestication, and Spread

Avocado History, Domestication, and Spread Avocado (Persea americana) is one of the earliest fruits consumed in Mesoamerica and one of the first trees domesticated in the Neotropics. The word avocado derives from the language spoken by the Aztecs (Nahuatl)  who called the tree ahoacaquahuitl  and its fruit ahuacatl; the Spanish called it aguacate. The oldest evidence for avocado consumption dates back almost 10,000 years in Puebla state of central Mexico, at the site of Coxcatlan. There, and in other cave environments in the Tehuacan and Oaxaca valleys, archaeologists found that over time, avocado seeds grew larger. Based on that, the avocado is considered to have been domesticated in the region by between 4000-2800 BC. Avocado Biology The Persea genus has twelve species, most of which produce inedible fruits: P. americana is the best known of the edible species. In its natural habitat, P. americana grows to between 10-12 meters (33-40 feet) high, and it has lateral roots; smooth leathery, deep green leaves; and symmetrical yellow-green flowers. The fruits are variously shaped, from pear-shaped through oval to globular or elliptic-oblong. The peel color of the ripe fruit varies from green to dark purple to black. The wild progenitor of all three varieties was a polymorphic tree species that spanned a broad geographical area from the eastern and central highlands of Mexico through Guatemala to the Pacific coast of Central America. The avocado should really be considered as semi-domesticated: Mesoamericans didnt construct orchards but rather brought a few wild trees into residential garden plots and tended them there. Ancient Varieties Three varieties of avocado were created separately in three different locations in Central America. They were recognized and reported in surviving Mesoamerican codexes, with the most detail appearing in the Aztec Florentine Codex. Some scholars believe these varieties of avocados were all created in the 16th century: but the evidence is inconclusive at best. Mexican avocados (P. americana var. drymifolia, called the ​aoacatl in the Aztec language), originated in central Mexico and are adapted to the tropical highlands, with relatively good tolerance to cold and small fruits that are covered by a thin, purple-black skin.Guatemalan avocados, (P. americana var. guatemalensis, quilaoacatl) are from southern Mexico or Guatemala. They are similar in shape and size to the Mexican but have a more ovoid and lighter-colored seed. Guatemalan avocados are adapted to medium elevations in the tropics, are somewhat cold-tolerant, and have a thick, tough skin.West Indian avocados (P. americana var. americana, tlacacolaocatl), despite their name, are not from the West Indies at all, but rather were developed in the Maya lowlands of central America. They are the largest of the avocado varieties and are adapted to lowland humid tropics and tolerant of high levels of salt and chlorosis (plant nutrient deficiencies). The West Indian avocado fruit is r ound to pear shape, has a smooth easy-to-peel light green skin and abundant flesh with a slightly sweet taste. Modern Varieties There are about 30 main cultivars (and many others) of avocados in our modern markets, of which the best known include the Anaheim and Bacon (which are derived almost entirely from Guatemalan avocados); Fuerte (from Mexican avocados); and Hass and Zutano (which are hybrids of Mexican and Guatemalan). Hass has the highest volume of production and Mexico is the major producer of exported avocados, nearly 34% of the entire global market. The major importer is the United States. Modern health measures suggest that eaten fresh, avocados are a rich source of soluble B vitamins, and of about 20 other essential vitamins and minerals. The Florentine codex reported avocados are good for a variety of ailments including dandruff, scabies, and headaches. Cultural Significance The few surviving books (codices) of the Maya and Aztec cultures, as well as oral histories from their descendants, indicate that avocados held a spiritual significance in some Mesoamerican cultures. The fourteenth month in the classic Mayan calendar is represented by the avocado glyph, pronounced Kankin. Avocados are part of the name glyph of the classic Maya city of Pusilh in Belize, known as the Kingdom of the Avocado. Avocado trees are illustrated on the Maya ruler Pacals sarcophagus at Palenque. According to Aztec myth, since avocados are shaped like testicles (the word ahuacatl also means testicle), they can transfer strength to its consumers. Ahuacatlan is an Aztec city whose name means place where the avocado abounds. Sources This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Plant Domestication, and the Dictionary of Archaeology. Chen H, Morrell PL, Ashworth VETM, de la Cruz M, and Clegg MT. 2009. Tracing the Geographic Origins of Major Avocado Cultivars. Journal of Heredity 100(1):56-65. Galindo-Tovar, Marà ­a Elena. Some aspects of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) diversity and domestication in Mesoamerica. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, Volume 55, Issue 3, SpringerLink, May 2008. Galindo-Tovar ME, and Arzate-Fernndez A. 2010. West Indian avocado: where did it originate? Phyton: Revista Internacional de Botnica Experimental 79:203-207. Galindo-Tovar ME, Arzate-Fernndez AM, Ogata-Aguilar N, and Landero-Torres I. 2007. The Avocado (Persea Americana, Lauraceae) Crop in Mesoamerica: 10,000 Years of History. Harvard Papers in Botany 12(2):325-334. Landon AJ. 2009. Domestication and Significance of Persea americana, the Avocado, in Mesoamerica. Nebraska Anthropologist 24:62-79. Martinez Pacheco MM, Lopez Gomez R, Salgado Garciglia R, Raya Calderon M, and Martinez Muà ±oz RE. 2011. Folates and Persea americana Mill. (Avocado). Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 23(3):204-213.

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

Poetry Explication - Essay Example Thomas used words as a brick layer may use mortar, the words served to hold the meaning in place, â€Å"what the words stood for, symbolized, or meant, was of very secondary importance; what mattered was the sound of them as I heard them for the first time†(Ferris, pp. 25). It was not uncommon for Thomas to discuss the idea of death in his work. In one such poem, A Refusal to Mourn the Death, By Fire, of a Child in London, Thomas deals directly with the death of a child and the emotions that follow, â€Å"The majesty and burning of the childs death./I shall not murder† (Thomas, lines 13-14). Thomas seems to pull the idea of challenging the finality of death into this piece just as he does in Do Not Go Gently into that Good Night. Thomas deals with the reoccurring theme of death in several of his works in such a way as to challenge death itself and the aftermath felt by people who lose loved ones. This is an essential way in which to deal with the natural reality of deat h and Thomas does so through the use of language. Ultimately, Thomas wrote the piece entitled A Refusal to Mourn the Death of a Child, By Fire, in London as a way of illustrating his detest for the Nazi’s and their actions in World War II. Thomas was very in favor of the allied forces, and though he loved love intrinsically and saw the death of a child as the ultimate horror, he was not going to acknowledge the actions of the German forces in any way. This poem was his way of embracing life and refusing to be defeated by the hatred of the Nazi forces and what they stood for. The very first line of Thomas’ poem Do Not GO Gently into that Good Night, imposes instructions to the reader, â€Å"Do not go gently into that good night† (Thomas, line 1). This is the heart of the poem in that Thomas is essentially illustrating that there is an inevitable journey to be made but that one should not make this journey without resistance. The next line establishes the

Organizational Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Organizational Communication - Essay Example About Toyota Motors Inc Toyota Motors Inc. is one of the top-selling automobile manufacturing companies in the United States providing breakthrough products that cater to a wide range of consumers, and promoting quality, dependability and reliability for over fifty years (Toyota Inc., 2013). A significant proportion of the company's success can be attributed to its almost flawless communication strategies. The company has successfully managed to communicate its visions and ideas concerning its environmental approach, its emphasis on recycling, and providing top quality products to its customers. The effectiveness of the communication strategies adopted by the company is apparent from the unprecedented success of its green environmentally friendly products such as the Prius, which managed to become a revolutionary product idea and a leader in the automobile industry. For the purpose of this study, the concept of organizational communication will be probed with respect to the following management theories: Classical Scientific Management, Human Resources, Systems and Contingency, and Culture with reference to Toyota Inc. Theoretical analysis: Classical Scientific Management: The classical theories of management primarily focus on establishing the most effective job performance functions. The key aim of scientific management is to ensure enhanced job efficiency by developing technical skills, implementing strict rules for compliance, and effectively managing the organizational structure. The Scientific management theory also alternatively referred to as Taylorism, was pioneered by Fredrick Winslow Taylor, for scientifically analyzing jobs and redesigning them in order to improve their efficiency (Daft, 2009). The key elements of this theory include (Lussier, 2011: 40): Development of a systematic procedure that entailed a detailed description of each specific job assigned to the workers Promote job specialization Implement scientific methods of training and develo pment across the organization to improve worker efficiency Establish a systematic work schedule Introduce standardized methods and times for accomplishing each task Offer piece rates and bonuses to employees as positive incentives to encourage improved performance. The production management system employed by Japanese firms such Toyota, for instance, which introduced the just-in-time systems, can be classified as scientific management method. Since this system was introduced by engineers it is most aptly effective in manufacturing industries (Besser, 1996; Price, 2011). The large scale production processes implemented by Toyota were highly scientific in approach and focused on detailed planning. Key emphasis was given on division of labor, effective allocation of jobs, and introducing innovative techniques to enhance worker coordination to minimize the risk of errors and avoid wastage. Such scientific management approach adopted by Toyota ultimately helped the company in catapulting to instant fame, making them the industry leaders in automobile manufacturing, customer service, and product innovation. The key

Australian Security in the New Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Australian Security in the New Century - Essay Example Although the attacks were targeted America, they proved that no nation and no people, were safe from this new threat. The tactics used were often suicidal in nature and thus, the attacks are extremely hard to control, once they have been initiated. The funding mechanisms and training cells for organizations that launch and support such terrorist activities are spread throughout the world and can not be routed out in a day. To deal with this threat in a comprehensive manner, vast and sweeping changes were required in the security policies of most nations that considered themselves at threat. The following areas that pose a threat to the security of the Australian nation and it's people can be identified: 1. Environmental Security: Though the global war on terrorism still dominates as the main security issue, Australia is currently analyzing and addressing its environmental security issues namely climate change and global warming. In addition, environmental security threats can be classified under two broad categories, firstly, natural threats such as volcanoes, earth quakes, tsunamis and bush fires and secondly, threats posed due to human activities, such as ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect. Australia's rising awareness of and commitment to combating environmental threats can be gauged from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2007) summit, which was held in Sydney, Australia on 8-9 September, 2007, where the Sydney APEC Leaders' jointly declared that they would be committed to taking wide-ranging and ambitious actions to address the issue of environmental quality and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Military focused security issues: After the year 2000, the focus of Australia's strategic policy was enhanced to look beyond the erstwhile narrow emphasis on the defense of the continent based on a reliance on US support to preserve a stable power balance in Asia. This carried two main implication for the Australian defence infrastructure, namely, the increase in land force capabilities for regional cooperation and a sustained investment in high-tech air and naval capabilities. The three main factors which influenced the Australian defense policy after 200 are : i.) The operations in Iraq raised questions about the balance between the size and weight of the Australian land forces. ii) Instability in the pacific raised the need to develop the capacity to

General motors company

General motors company The overwhelming topic of this paper is without a doubt internationalisation; this process can be described as, the gradual increase in international market involvement a firm engages in within a framework of business and economic factors. Within this document I will describe the different theories and models surrounding internationalisation as a process, and how they can be applied to MNEs. The literature will provide a direct link to the actual processes the chosen company has gone through in order to internationalise. The chosen theories and models will be picked depending on their direct similarity and emphasis they hold, in comparison to the business methods that have allowed the company to expand to the level it is at today. A Bit About General Motors Company The United States (U.S) MNE General Motors Company (GM). Is one of the worlds largest automakers, tracing its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 235,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Golden, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, Opel Vauxhall and Saab. In 2006 it sold over 9 million cars and trucks globally in 5 continents with a global market share of 13.5 %. Outlined below, are the main theories that I have found explain and express the best, the pattern and path my chosen firm has followed in order to well and truly be considered a MNE. Dunnings Eclectic paradigm which sets out to explain that foreign direct investment as a theory can be unified as long as the firms applying it consider the ownership, location and internalisation of the process that will produce substantial benefits if applied accordingly. This is also the case if the extent, the form and pattern of international production is founded on the juxtaposition of the ownership to specific advantages that a firms posses when contemplating foreign production. This is reflected in GMs move to manufacture most of its China-market vehicles locally, through its Shanghai GM joint venture. The eclectic paradigm has always recognized the importance of the locational advantages of countries as a key determinant of the foreign production of MNEs (Dunning, J.H., 1998. Location and the multinational enterprise: a neglected factor. Journal of International Business Studies 29 1, pp. 45-66. Full Text via CrossRef | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (223)Dunnin g, 1998). This is reflected by the locational advantages that the area posses but it also offers GM a market seeking investment prospect. There are also plans to create a research facility in Shanghai for $250m to develop hybrid cars and alternative energy vehicles. Therefore GM follows a path suggested by Dunning to gain advantage in terms of competitiveness and cost by ownership in foreign market and aims to expand based on the initial success it has encountered. Initially, too, the eclectic paradigm primarily addressed static and efficiency related issues (Dunning, 1977), but more recently has given attention to the dynamic competitiveness and locational strategy of firms, and particularly the path dependency of the upgrading of their core competencies (Dunning). The Network Approach emphasises the industry as a system of networks, each firm within a network has relationships with customers, suppliers and other actors within their overall business circle. These relations are important competitive advantages which the network model also suggests the firm needs to take into account and evaluate. But not only its own position in the market in relation to its customers, but also the environment of that market in relation to others such as competitors, new entrants etc†¦ In order to study the internationalisation of a firm we need to understand the context in which it operates, such as, environmental conditions and the firms relationships (Madsen Servais, 1997). GM and Fiat formed a strategic alliance, with GM owning a 20% share in Fiat and Fiat SpA receiving 5.1% of GMs shares in exchange. Production and ownership have both been improved when a recent alliance took place under the form of two joint ventures (owned 50% by Fiat and 50% by GM) . The first will conduct purchasing activities, while the second will produce engines and gear equipment which is mainly aimed at cutting expenses. Hence GM has followed the network model to some degree as their joint venture come in terms of relations with Fiat. By collaborating they have reduced the cost and the innovation has resulted in new production techniques. Which gave both of them some degree of competitiveness as they have gained purchasing power as well as reduced cost in terms of purchasing from the suppliers. Firm-specific location advantages and high complementarities make the use of strategic alliances or joint ventures beneficial, whereas country-specific advantages point, in the case of market failure, towards inter-industry trade or wholly owned subsidiary (Moon 1997) Porters Competitive Advantage is the ability gained through attributes and resources to perform at a higher level than others in the same industry or market (Christensen and Fahey 1984, Kay 1994, Porter 1980). By producing goods of a higher standard whilst still using the resources attributed to the location, this results in a superior performance in that sector and yields a higher profit at no extra cost, ensuring survival and a prominent placing within the market. This is perfectly demonstrated by GM in their production of alternative-technology vehicles that include: hybrid vehicles, all electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles. All of the models mentioned target a premium price in the automobile market and due to the adaptability and the manipulation of already acquired resources and facilities, the profitability even in a market that has many competitors will override the associated costs of production. This process was based on an already successful business strategy that has be en tried, altered and integrated by the company in the past on similar types of innovative projects. A firms capabilities are a complex pattern of relationships between staff and resources that over time accumulate creating an in house knowledge database that is accessible on multiple levels and makes objectives such as innovation and market superiority a key element that maintains the firm at a high level within its market. Anything that can be moved or sourced from a distance is no longer a competitive advantage† (Porter, M. E. (1998). Location, clusters and the new microeconomies of competition. Journal of Business Economics (in press)..Porter, 1998p. 29). Uppsala Model is the theory that a company gradually expands its operations within its domestic market, firstly gaining knowledge and practical information before deciding on wherever to enlarge their initial operations a little further. These activities will in turn influence market knowledge and market commitment at later stages (Johanson Vahlne, 1977, in Johanson Associates, 1994). Knowledge is the key ingredient to internationalisation in this case, either objective knowledge that can be thought or experiential knowledge that can only be learnt through personal experience. After this acquired the expansion process will continue, overlapping into a foreign market preferably of a close geographic location with also similar cultural understanding. Before again, repeating the process until the optimal market placement for the firm is achieved. This particular internationalisation theory is probably the best suited theory for explaining the internationalisation process that resulted in the creation of General Motors Europe, that was created in 1908 only three years after the companys creation. Early starters can, if they are willing, directly enter large markets not necessarily neighbouring markets but markets culturally close to the home market (Hollensen, 2001). This leap frog effect, going from country to country either setting up joint ventures and strategic partnerships before moving onto more serious operations such as the acquisitions of Vauxhall and Opel in the space of nine years. Today they operate 11 production and assembly facilities in 8 countries, and employ around 64,500 people. Why I Chose GM As A Company To Demonstrate Internationalization For me GM was a perfect candidate to fulfil this assignment not only because it is situated within an industry that is represent well and truly on a global level but also due to the nature of the automobile industry and the pattern and high level of collaboration that takes place within it. There is also a historic background to the company, spanning over a century of knowledge in automobile producing that is rooted back in the industrial manufacturing sector for automobiles in the U.S Detroit Michigan. The brand recognition is still very strong in the U.S representing one of the big American corporations that has lasted for the good part of a century, which represents the spirit of capitalism that the country adores. This also obviously happens to be the main market that they have relentlessly continued to supply resulting in it being their prime customer. The rich history behind GM can be understood by the large amount of collaborations it has gone through over time. Internationalisation Within The Industry The American automobile industry is the biggest in the world in terms of number of cars manufactured and sold. The U.S. automobile market is saturated with the global car manufacturing companies however; the majority of the market share is occupied by domestic and Japanese companies. The outcome of this is a drop in the level of consumption as there are too many entrants competing in the same industry. Because of this decrease in consumption, the automobile industry leaders have been offering attractive incentives and lower prices leading to a loss in profitability. The world-class automakers are gradually expanding into foreign markets, as new emerging markets in China, South East Asia and South America are showing signs of sustainable economic growth. GM overseas operations were a method of diversifying themselves against the risks and uncertainties in their domestic market life cycle, by setting up new operations abroad multinationals can diminish adverse economic downturns. Most MNEs also follow a pattern that has often been laid out in front of them by competitors or similar sized companies that have adopted or mimicked behaviour that has been tested and proven to be success, if the right measures are taken when adopting it. For instance, it has been argued that organizations tend to imitate actions that have been taken by large numbers of organizations, because such practices are legitimized or their success is taken for granted (Fligstein; Haunschild; Haveman; Kraatz; Lewitt). This can also have an adverse affect on an MNE when entering a new market, leaving them less cautious and with a diminished aspiration towards growth, knowing that the chances of that market already being saturated and that the first come first served knowledge is already guaranteed not to be in their possession. This often happens when the specific market they enter does not suit their domain of expertise and experience, resulting in them investing much faster and with a lesser de gree of uncertainty that they would have usually applied. What Processes Lead To The Internationalization Of GM? GM has been involved in a range of global ventures aimed at extending their penetration and shares in the carmakers market and also increased its share of the sales. GM uses exports, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances to enter foreign markets based on business considerations. GM has also expanded its capabilities in manufacturing through technological competences. This was achieved by forming subsidiaries, strategic alliances and joint ventures with other automobile companies in different parts of the world. According to (GM Press Release, 2006), the company has been involved in a range of global ventures throughout its history, each of which has aimed at extending its market penetration. Partnering enables GM to rapidly expand its technical fields and brings that knowledge in-house transferring it to multiple levels within the business, even extending it sometimes to corporate issues. Through the various stages of internationalisation, GM was able to enlarge its distribution and provide access to essential materials. Additionally, the company developed and improved its operations, facilities and processes all of which have provided access to new technologies and a rich database of knowledge and new capabilities. GMs move to internationalise was mainly to reduce costs, attract a larger market and the creation of strategic alliances. The company strategically allied with Fiat in 2000 by acquiring 20 percent of Fiats equity to establish a joint procurement venture. With a split of 50 percent of the capital each, giving them a concentrated purchasing power of about $32 billion per annum, this alliance has the capacity to strengthen their bargaining power as well as reducing the supplier management cost. GM also moved production overseas, as the number of internal competitors grew too high in most of the emerging country home markets. GM needed to find a new incentive to manage a new market while remaining at low cost. A Typical MNEs Move Towards Internationalisation GM is a good example of an MNE which underwent internationalization whilst maintaining its position as one of the leading carmakers. It has also followed the theories laid out about internationalisation such as the typical way a company proceeds to penetrate and enter a foreign market. Firstly the firm will look at the options available and analyse what will be best suited for them considering the high degree of uncertainty and risk associated with entering an unknown market. One such option available to it is licensing, but it has to be assessed in a precautious way, due to the fact that they might be risking firm specific advantages by engaging in premature licensing agreements, this is also the least preferred of all three options due to the fact that there is a risk of knowledge dissipation. The only instance when licensing will be considered as a viable option is if the revenue generated from the licensee exceeds the cost of policing it. But also, if they do choose go for an ear ly licensing agreement it may be because their firms specific advantage is hard to duplicate or they have a tight control over the licensee, meaning that they would find it very hard and potentially dangerous to resell any kind of sensitive material to any potential competitor or a third party of any kind. The second option is the possibility that the MNE might only be willing to export at first if the demand of the local market is not high enough for them to want to engage in foreign direct investment and set up an overseas subsidiary, or they may also consider this as a possibly a bit longer down the line depending on the potential growth generated from initial sale patterns and the profitability a larger scale operation would yield. The exporting option also depends on the trade agreements, tariff barriers, taxes, transportation costs and quotas between the two countries involved which sub sequentially determine if the operation will be profitable or maybe another option should b e considered. GM Case Studies Below are two strong examples of how internationaisation has been reproduced by GM in two separate continents. The first is the case of General Motors do Brasil, which is GMs third largest operation outside of the U.S after being recently overtaken by China. In the beginning, the activities were in the assembly of vehicles imported from the United States. After five years, GMB officially opened its first plant in 1930 in Sà £o Paulo. Here we can see that exporting lead to the full scale creation of a production facility which was so successful a second one was opened 28 years later, thus resulting in Brasil being the main exporter of GM automobiles in the whole of South America. Breaking out of their domestic market and becoming an exporter themselves in a very short space of time and for such a large operation really does provide evidence that internationalisation does not spread from one point outwards with only one epicentre at its core but rather creates and distributes smaller nodes that in time expand themselves and repeat the process so on, just as how it is described in the network a pproach. Once the firm has passed the cultural barriers and had its first experience of foreign operations, it is generally willing to conquer one market after another (Carlson, 1966. S. Carlson , Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, International business research, Uppsala (1966).CarlCCarlson, 1966). The second example is when the Cadillac brand was introduced to China in 2004, starting with imports from the U.S, which then lead to the Chevrolet making its first appearance on the Chinese market one year later. They were then able to move production operations to their Shanghai GM plant which opened as a joint venture with SAIC in 1997, initially created for the Buick brand that is especially strong in China. In this case exporting was clearly used as a testing method for foreign products penetrating the Chinese domestic market, market-specific knowledge and general knowledge are important for a firms internationalization (Johanson and Vahlne, 1977). This also clearly outlines the typical way a company like GM would proceed in its internationalisation process, firstly by exporting a product that clearly had success amongst the local population which lead to the joint venture being formed and being able to produce the product on location for the domestic market. In 2007 the sales v olume for the Buick brand over took the sales in their original market the U.S, selling approximately 330, 000 making up 35% of the total automobile sales in the whole of China. The advantages that market opened up for them are truly extraordinary, when the Chinese started to manufacture smaller engines for their domestically made Buicks, the U.S saw the profitability and started importing them for a different model in their own market thus reducing the costs on both sites which really proves to be the sign of a mutual beneficial venture for both of them. Conclusion Internationalisation goes hand in hand with globalisation and they are both forever expanding concepts that due to their nature will continue to push from market to market to country to country feeding off the capitalist lifestyle we live under. The businesses that start to see internationalisation on the horizon will become smaller and more local as time goes by as all areas of business and trading will be linked some way or another. The number of small to medium enterprises will diminish and will start to become part of a wider group of companies belonging to a conglomerate which will in turn be associated with a number of other conglomerates. Internationalisation is fast becoming the process a company follows if it encounters any kind of success and is norm amongst businesses that expand their horizons.

The Protagonist and Antagonist of Crime and Punishment :: Crime Punishment Essays

The Protagonist and Antagonist of Crime and Punishment      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Crime and Punishment is considered by many to be the first of Fyodor Dostoevsky's great books.   Crime and Punishment is a psychological account of a crime.   The crime is double murder.   A book about such a broad subject can be made powerful and appealing to our intellectual interests if there is a link between the reader, the action, and the characters. Doestoevsky makes all these links at the right places.   The action takes place between the protagonists and the antagonists.   The protagonists include Dounia, the Marmeladovs, Sonia, Razumhin, Porfiry Petrovich, and Nastaya.   The antagonists of the story are Luzhin, Ilya Petrovich, and the landlady.   Raskolnikov could be considered to be the primary protagonist, while Svidrigailov could be thought of as the primary antagonist.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In every story the protagonist is the character that the reader cares most about.   In Crime and Punishment the reader cares about Rodion Raskolnikov.   He is the primary and most significant character in the novel. We are introduced to this complex character in Part 1.   We get to know the poverty stricken condition that he resides in, and we get to know his family situation as we read the long letter from Raskolnikov's mother. Then we witness the murder as it is graphically described by Doestoevsky. After reading this graphic description of the murder, how can the reader be sympathetic towards Raskolnikov?   How can the reader believe that a murderer is the protagonist?   It is, in fact,   not hard to accept this murderer as the protagonist.   Raskolnikov believed that by murdering the pawnbroker, he rid society of a pest.   We realize that if the victim would have been someone other than an evil old pawnbroker the crime would never had taken place.   He could never have found the courage to kill an innocent person.   It would not prove anything to him.   So, Raskolnikov was not a criminal. He does not repent because he does not feel that he had sinned. All he did was violate laws that were made by society.   Raskolnikov definition of crime was evil will in action.   Raskolnikov knows that he possesses no evil will, and so he does not consider himself a criminal.   He is capable of justifying his crime.