Forecasts of Demand Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Forecasts of Demand - Assignment Example So, how do companies prepare for growth while still acknowledging that this forecast might not materialise? How do these estimates, which are a rough estimate of the actual demand or sometimes the mirror image of the market conditions, affect human resource, capacity, and the supply-chain management? How does this forecast influence the flexibility of these three important factors in manufacturing whether weekly, monthly or annually? The paper discusses the role of Operations Management, its framework and concepts while developing an appreciation for the operational processes, techniques, planning, and control systems. It also demonstrates the application of appropriate measures and the techniques for planning and production control. It is further classified under the three items for discussion for precision and clarity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the residential statistics for June 2013 showed that privately-owned housing units were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 911,000. This was 7.5% below the May rate of 985,000 but stood at 16.1% above the June 2012 estimate of 78500. The single-family authorisations were at 624,000, which was a 1.2 percent increase from the 620,000 in May. The industry is a replica of other organisations in terms of the forecasts from previous years to current times, and from current years to the future. In Ontario Canada, the houses were trending at 184,514 units in June compared to 184,087 in May. This is according to statistics from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). According to Mathieu Laberge, the Deputy Chief Economist at CMHC, they use this trend to measure as a complement to the monthly SAAR of housing to account for considerable swings in monthly estimates and obtain a more comple te picture of the state of the housing market. In some situations, however, Mathieu acknowledges that the data or projections

Interest groups in the U.S. politics Essay Example for Free

Interest groups in the U.S. politics Essay The United States is a democratic country, which supports non-violent political and social movements, seeking different improvements in the U. S. domestic and international policies. That is to say, the requirements of interest groups are not always met, because whereas various types of interest groups are acknowledged, there still exist those factions, which have narrow social base and whose political presentation is limited in scope, as a rule, to financial interests of their members. For instance, the sugar lobbies (such as SIG) represent the opinion of 10, 000 -15,000 farmers, who call for the restriction of import of sugar and for the special social programs for sugar farmers. Such factions are usually intended as those with narrow interests and their founders and members lobby these interests in special moments and periods, when the atmosphere becomes more conductive for promotion –for instance, when they find out that the imported sugar does not fir into the international quality standards, or before the elections (Elhauge, 2002). Special interest groups are usually distinguished from â€Å"constituency-representing organizations, which have a broad social base, address a wide range of issues, and balance members’ interests with a strong commitment to the commonwealth† (Etzioni, 1990, p. 172). These organizations might pursue such non-financial interests as those related to social status, value issues in addition to financial ones, for instance the Urban League represents the interests of urban residents and seek environmental, social and political changes in large cities. â€Å"While the public views interest groups as threatening pluralistic democracy, the conventional wisdom of political science has seen them as beneficial† (ibid). In fact, it is possible to assume from the present situation, that the most beneficial activity is related to the constituency-representation. Furthermore, special interest groups are likely to bring problems to larger factions, due to dynamic interactions between political parties, movements and non-profit organizations. Small factions pursuing narrow goals are also more likely to use ‘black PR’ technologies, directed to changing public attitudes towards certain political parties and either to increase or to decrease loyalty rates. On the other hand, the eradication of small ‘narrowly-specialized’ factions is neither possible nor useful, as the statement that competing factions (Mcwilliams, 1988) are likely to reduce each other, is valid only for small groups, whose interests are temporary. On the contrary, constituency-representing organizations are more likely to produce long-term programs including political, economic, social and cultural dimensions of human life. â€Å"The balance between interest groups and the shared polity is maintained most effectively when the pro-community forces rise up, but not higher than, the level they are able to contain but not suppress interest groups† (Mcwilliams, 1988, A9). Moreover, the role of factions is viewed in the context of the historical development of the United States. Over the last three decades, the American political institutions have become less integrated, and the power of factions has increased. On the other hand, due to the growth of their number, it is much more difficult nowadays to maintain the balance between the main political course and the consent between the state and narrower interest groups (Etzioni, 1990). It would be also important to mention the functions of interest groups. First of all they serve as a supplementary force that intensifies the public opinion representation, especially during the electoral process. Moreover, they make the political process more receptive comparing to the electoral process, which is intended as a domination of majorities, while factions are more likely to have goals, which are cohesive with the main wishes of social and national minorities; and thus they serve as a mediating force standing between the person and the state. Interest groups are known to improve the disproportionate separation of the legislative and the executive branches, because their propositions of legislative changes are logically supplemented by similar propositions for the executive branch. Another important cultural function is associated with the growth of political consciousness and political culture as well as the amount of political information in media, which represents a number of standpoints. At all times interest groups and political parties served an indicator of public consciousness and diversity as well as intensified political antagonism, especially in the most critical periods: for instance, during the Vietnamese military invasion, Carter’s position were actually weakened by interest groups, including the most peaceful youth movements, dissatisfied with the resolution of Iranian hostage crisis. As a rule, interest groups arise in the most conductive atmosphere (liberal or democratic regime), in which human rights and freedoms are declared. Political, economic and social factions can originate from professional unions or leagues (like social workers’ professional organization), which seek to represent the opinions of their professional group or their customers’ viewpoint (for instance, social workers nowadays initiate law enforcement and the adoption of certain legal acts as well as get directly involved in lobbyist activities). The discontent with government policies is another important recondition for the arousal of an interest group: political activity is actually determined by the existing economic and social policies, so it’s easy to predict, for instance, the activation of industrial unions, when under the pressure of ecological groups, the U. S. government or certain local authorities put additional taxation on enterprises, dealing with toxic substances or with oil and natural gas. It is also important to note that interest groups will exist as long as the democratic system exists, because it is impossible to satisfy the needs of the whole society with respect to its diversity. Consequently, those concerns, which have already been satisfied, are likely to be replaced by new demands. This means, human needs are immeasurable and never-ending, whereas material resources are limited, so the U. S. government today can provide only partial gratification of political claims. Furthermore, the issue of representation is also quite contradictory: on the one hand, the growth of diversity among political parties signifies positive dynamics in this sense, on the other hand, due to the increase of public consciousness, the diversity in worldviews has grown disproportionably to the number of existing factions, so that even small groups (families, local communities) seek social or economic support, but in this case we cannot speak about true representation, since their influence is insufficient to initiate the changes at legislative or executive levels. The representation of each citizen’s interests is a utopia, as at the present time only large (more than 100,000 members) interest groups can achieve representation, can be heard, if speaking figuratively. Furthermore, it is important to note that the complete representation is inhibited by the demands of the epoch, to which self-respecting factions are supposed to adjust. For instance, the ISN movement, whose leaders several years ago (in 2000-2001) called for the changes in the U. S.immigration policy and were representing the viewpoints of national and ethnic minorities, who live and work in the country (Elhauge, 2002), has changed its directions and now are trying to create more constructive basis for the U. S. foreign policy. On the one hand, it is associated with the events of September 11, which were close followed by the violations of Muslim minorities’ human rights. On the other hand, political changes forced this faction to make a more profound inquiry into the current state of affairs and to find the most acute concerns of the society. Similar dynamics can be noticed in a number of special and constituency-representing interest groups which removed irrelevant concerns and posed new questions, such as those related to women’s rights, ethnic minorities’ human rights, social security and intellectual property. As one can assume, certain interests remain overlooked or underrepresented, whereas the most ‘fashionable’ sociopolitical trends (gender equality) are overstated and therefore prioritized. Works cited 1) Elhauge, E. Does interest group theory justify more intrusive judicial review? Yale Law Journal, 2002, Vol. 110 2) Etzioni, A. Special interest groups versus constituency representation: Research in social movements. Conflict and Change, 1990, Vol. 8. 3) Mcwilliams, R. The best and the worst of public interest groups; from lifting up the poor to shaking down the elderly, Washington Monthly, March 1988, Vol. 20.

James Baldwins Narration and Analysis in Notes of a Native Son Essay

Experiences There is a very thin line between love and hate in James Baldwin’s essay â€Å"Notes of a Native Son.† Throughout this essay James Baldwin continually makes references to life and death, blacks and whites, and love and hate. He uses his small experiences to explain a much larger, more complicated picture of life. From the first paragraph of the essay to the last paragraph, Baldwin continually makes connections on his point of view on life; beginning with the day his father died, to the time that his father was buried. James Baldwin is an outstanding author, who creatively displays his ability to weave narration and analysis throughout his essays. The binaries between life and death play a huge role in Baldwin’s â€Å"Notes of a Native Son.† The day that James Baldwin’s father died, his mother had borne her last child. Although the day his father died was extremely upsetting, a new child coming into the world is exciting. This brings hope to the reader that eventually through all the trials and tribulations Baldwin goes through, that eventually he might find a state of peace. Baldwin’s father’s funeral happens to fall on Baldwin’s nineteenth birthday, which brings up another way Baldwin is able to show how life and death affect this essay. Instead of trying to deal with his father’s death with his family, Baldwin decides to celebrate his birthday with a bottle of whiskey and a girl that he knew. Baldwin is unsure of what to do now that his father is gone. He says, â€Å"I imagine I decided it, since, as the funeral hour approached, it became clearer and clearer to me that I would not know what to do with myself when it was over† (Baldwin 77). Baldwin figures that if he gets drunk enoug... ...ne to them and they would not tolerate it. So instead of cowering to the white girl’s â€Å"white power† they stood up for themselves; and showed this girl that she was not better than them just because of her skin color. It is these girls that help to diminish the â€Å"separate but equal† facilities. James Baldwin is an incredible essayist. He skillfully intertwines his own experiences growing up, into a more universal theory. Using binaries, Baldwin explains the hatred between whites and blacks and his desire for a change. His point of view on life is slightly different from the beginning of the essay to the last. However, he creatively shows these changes through narration and analysis. Works Cited Baldwin, James. â€Å"Notes of a Native Son.† 1955. James Baldwin: Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York, New York, Library of America, 1998. 70-84.

Benefits of being a Vegetarian

Why does one become a vegetarian? Is it because of the health benefits, animal rights, or maybe something else? Although animal activists, religious reasons, and money reasons are a large reason why people choose to become a vegetarian, health factors are also a large reason why people chose this lifestyle. Today, six to eight million adults in the United States do not eat meat, fish, or poultry, according to a Harris Interactive poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, a nonprofit organization that disseminates information about vegetarianism (Harvard, 2009).Everyone has it in their mind that vegetarians are so much healthier than meat-eaters, but is it really true? Why would cutting meat out of one's diet really make that much of a difference? Vegetarians do tend to lead a healthier lifestyle, because they plan meals intently, making sure their meals contain all of the vitamins and nutrients they need.According to Betty Kovacs, a registered dietitian, â€Å"Most America ns of all ages eat fewer than the recommended number of servings of grain products, vegetables, and fruits, even though consumption of these foods is associated with a substantially lower risk for many chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer† (Kovacs, 2009). Vegetarians take greater care into planning meals to make sure they are getting the correct amount of vitamins and nutrients.However, is that the only perk? Digesting all of the vitamins and nutrients one needs? No, it's not. Research shows that becoming a vegetarian has many health benefits such as lower cancer rates, lower obesity rates, and lower heart disease rates. Documentation shows many different studies that have been conducted that prove people who do not eat meat are much less susceptible to get cancer, have heart disease or high blood pressure and they are much less likely to be overweight.Harvard Health Publications states, â€Å"Hundreds of studies suggest that eating lots of fruits and vegetable s can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, and there's evidence that vegetarians have a lower incidence of cancer than non vegetarians do† (Harvard, 2009). While this is true, it is much more likely these statistics be true if one eats the right amount of vegetables and fruit and do not only eat junk food. What a person eats is everything. These statistics won't be true if the diet consists of candy, cheese pizza, or any other junk food.This is also considered â€Å"vegetarian,† but it's not healthy. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle if one chooses to become a vegetarian or not. Almost all cancers, can be prevented with regular consumption of fruits and vegetables. Foods such as calciferous vegetables (cabbage family), herbs, and fruits have cancer-protective photochemicals such as flavonoids, carotenoids, ellagic acid, sulfide compounds, isoflavones, isothiocyanates glucarates, phenolic acids, phthalides, phytosterols, saponins, and terpenoids among others.These chemicals work as antioxidants that help rid the body of harmful cancer-causing molecules (Benefits of Vegetarianism, 2006). Eating the right amount of fruits and vegetables will definitely lessen chances of cancer, but strictly cutting meat out of the diet will do wonders as well. According to a study published by the British Journal of Cancer Research, â€Å"A study was done of 61,566 people who scientists followed over 12 years.During this time, it was found that 6. 8% of meat eaters (2,204 of 32,403), and 4.0% of vegetarians developed cancer (829 of 20,601)† (McVeigh, 2009). They found that 180 meat eaters developed blood cancers, while only 49 vegetarians developed the diseases. They found the risk of being diagnosed with cancers of the stomach, bladder and blood was significantly lower in vegetarians than in meat eaters as well (McVeigh, 2009). These numbers tell it all! 1,375 less people developed cancer because they cut meat out of their diet. Even if on e cannot cut meat from their diet completely, eating a significantly less amount will still help one's health.According to The Guardian, â€Å"Two years ago, the World Cancer Research Fund found a link between red and processed meat and bowel cancer and recommended that the average amount of meat eaten should be no more than 300g a week. In Britain, the current meat intake is about 970g a week for men and about 550g a week for women† (McVeigh, 2009). So many people are eating way too much meat. People have it in their mind that eating so much meat is good because it's packed full of protein. That is most certainly not the case. These types of stereotypes about eating meat are what cause statistics like the ones stated.Protein and other nutrients can be absorbed by eating many other things other that meat. â€Å"In 2005, the Epic study, funded by the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, concluded that eating just tw o portions of meat a day – the equivalent of a bacon sandwich and a fillet steak – increased the risk of bowel cancer by 35%† (McVeigh, 2009). Most people eat at least two portions of meat a day, some even eat three! People are not educated in the sense of meat portions and the consequences one can face after making the same mistake over and over by eating too much meat.On a diet free of meat, one of perhaps the greatest health benefits can happen, which would be reduced heart disease risks. Cholesterol levels are greatly increased by the digestion of meat. â€Å"'Fatty red meats and many processed meats are high in saturated fat, which raises LDL (bad) cholesterol and increases risk of coronary heart disease,' says Dr. Rachel K. Johnson, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association and professor of Nutrition and Medicine at the University of Vermont† (Deusen, 2012).Vegetarian diets are also low in saturated fats, which are common in meat. Cholesterol and saturated fats are the major causes of heart disease. This is because they clog the inside of the blood vessels over time. This leads to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. â€Å"Vegetarian diets that have abundant sources of fiber, such as the ones found in carrots, beans, and apples, can help in lowering cholesterol levels that might have been built up over the years, adding years back on to lives† (Shanti, 2009).According to Seven Common Vegetarian Health Benefits, â€Å"Fruits, nuts, whole grains, and vegetables have flavonoids that have some biological properties and other vegetarian health benefits that are responsible for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. They are antioxidants and they protect LDL (bad) cholesterol from undergoing oxidation, effectively inhibiting formation of blood clots in the arteries and other blood vessels. The flavonoids also have a hypolipidemic effect and an anti-inflammatory effect† (Benefits of Ve getarianism, 2012).So by eating more fruits and vegetables and cutting meat out of the diet, chances of  heart disease are greatly reduced. Many studies have shown how much eating meat can increase one's chances of getting any type of heart disease. One study in particular published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that eating large amounts of meat (e. g. a small steak every day) also increased the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (Deusen, 2012). In another large study, â€Å"a combined analysis of data from five prospective studies involving more than 76,000 participants published several years ago — vegetarians were, on average, 25% less likely to die of heart disease† (Harvard, 2009).Another vegetarian health benefit is that vegetarians have lower blood pressure compared to those who eat meat, especially red meat. This is because vegetarian diets are low in salt. Meat has high amounts of cholesterol, saturated fat, and salt. Salt has been iden tified as the main cause of high blood pressure and hypertension. High blood pressure also occurs when blood tries to flow faster due to obstructed blood vessels. The obstruction is usually caused by a build up of cholesterol ingested from eating meat (Benefits of Vegetarianism, 2006).Cholesterol is only found in animal foods, so vegetarian diets are completely cholesterol free, reducing the chances of high blood pressure, strokes, and heart disease tremendously (Thompson, 2011). Adults and children who follow a vegetarian diet are generally leaner than non vegetarians. This may be because a vegetarian diet typically includes less saturated fat and adds more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are foods that are more filling and less calorie dense (Zeratsky, 2007). According to Brown University, â€Å"Vegetarian diets are usually lower in fat and higher in fiber† (Brown, 2010).Fiber fills you up more quickly than fat and it keeps you feeling fuller longer. Vegetarians are more likely to eat less and better food. According to a study conducted from 1986 to 1992 by Dean Ornish, MD, president and director of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California, found that overweight people who followed a low-fat, vegetarian diet lost an average of 24 pounds in the first year and kept off that weight 5 years later. They lost the weight without counting calories or carbohydrates and without measuring portions or feeling hungry (Vegetarian Times, 2012).Why do people lose so much weight by cutting meat out of their diet? Meat is full of saturated fat, which is not good for a person. It is also full of sodium (salt), and preservatives. These things can make one bloat and gain weight like crazy. According to Woman's Health Magazine, â€Å"A large-scale 2010 study from Imperial College London found that those who ate about 250 grams a day (the size of one half-pound steak) of red meat, poultry, or processed meat gained more weight over fiv e years than those who ate less meat, even if they consumed the same amount of calories overall† (Deusen, 2012).Eating meat has been proven to increase chances on developing a few unpleasant health factors or diseases. Research shows that eating meat does increase the chances of cancer. Statistics have shown that vegetarians are less likely to develop any type of cancer, especially blood cancer, breast cancer, and bowel cancer. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables have also shown that the risk of developing cancer is less likely to happen if one is ingesting these. Fruits and vegetables contain cancer-protective chemicals that help prevent cancer.These chemicals work as antioxidants that help rid the body of harmful cancer-causing molecules (Benefits of Vegetarianism, 2006). It has also been shown that eating less or no meat reduces the chances of developing any type of heart disease. It also lessens chances of having high blood pressure or a stroke. Meat is full of saturated fat, salt, and cholesterol. Cholesterol is the number one reason why people have heart disease or a heart attack. Cholesterol blocks arteries to the heart, causing a heart attack.By not eating meat, one will not be ingesting cholesterol, saving yourself from heart disease. Obesity rates drop when it comes to vegetarians. Vegetarians plan meals accordingly, so all of the nutrients and vitamins are accounted for. Meat is also full of saturated fat and salt. These both are well-known for making people gain weight. Many studies have shown how much more likely someone is to be overweight if they eat meat versus if they do not eat meat. Scientists have done many studies proving these claims to be true.The documentation that has been provided does show that eating meat does increase chances of cancer and heart disease and obesity rates are higher. If everyone cut meat out of their diet, not even all the way, these disease statistics would drop dramatically. Diets actually improve when mea t has been cut out because it forces one to think about nutrition choices. Fruits and vegetables are more thought about and the body gets the nutrients and vitamins it needs and deserves. The body will no longer be punished by trying to digest the fat, sodium, and cholesterol that has been forced into it.

Doll Wife

A Doll’s House Play written by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen on 1879 (Britannica) brings up various social topics into questions especially during the early 20th century. The topics or themes revolve on gender roles particularly that of women, women’s self fulfillment vs. their constructed roles only limited as a mother and wife and love in marriage.The writer of this play displays many facets of realisms about how women are being treated at times in a male dominated society, which was often illustrated during the early times. Here Ibsen presented the characters’ individuality and how they approach the different facets of societal realisms to illustrate the early dilemmas not just towards women’s position in the society but of human injustices.The play’s story is domestic in scope, primarily because two of the main characters are husband and wife.   Nonetheless, the play did include broader issues.   It showed how society in the 1800s vi ew marriage, the functions assigned to man and wife, and the limitations it gave to women in general.   It is also climactic in structure.The whole play takes place in one setting: in a particular room inside the house which is dominated by Nora’s character. Nora is the main protagonist of the story who initially enjoys being trapped in domestic comfort. She cheerfully goes with the flow on how Torvald, her husband, treats her. But rising events in the play made sudden transformation on Nora’s personality she was changed from a rebellious housewife to an independent woman of society.Nora is forced to pretend to be someone she is not in order to fulfill the role that her father, her husband and the society at large have expected of her. Her unjust conformity though is only realized during her climactic confrontation with Torvald at the end of the play. She eventually admits that she needs to detach herself from things and people that force her to follow societal stand ards.Taking into consideration the social and political attitude of Europe during Ibsen’s time towards women, Nora made a courageous decision to leave her family and walk into an uncertain future examining her life even though she’s aware that the society may not going to support her. The consequences of her decision are very uncertain whether she will succeed or fail as a person after gaining her independence.  However the question whether is it right for Nora to leave her children for the sake of her independence may seem a selfish act for a mother to do. Nora’s clear and impassioned declaration of her bitterness as well as her decision to leave her family seems inappropriate that made the play extremely controversial. Ibsen himself made an alternate ending â€Å"in which Torvald makes Nora takes a last look at their children before leaving and, seeing them, she loses her will to go† (â€Å"A Doll’s House Review†).This manifest that perh aps Ibsen is not advocating radical change the way others would want to believe it but he is just presenting mere realities that is truly apparent during his time. A Doll’s House is not a feminist literature. As a matter of fact Ibsen, the writer, believes in the importance of domestic roles and motherhood but also recognize the significance of exercising individual freedom.Most people may well say that that a woman’s first responsibility is her family and children more importantly, but a woman’s ultimate responsibility as well is herself. Ibsen in this play successfully demonstrates the message that wives and mothers should not stop and be trapped by their domestic roles but should continually discover their true selves, their true strengths and potentials.Women must experience true freedom. Nora in this play represent woman in the midst of society where males often oppresses females, reducing them to mere objects of playthings. That oppression often enslaved t hem restricting them to fully enjoy their individual freedom and eventually their God given potentials.Reference:â€Å"A Doll’s House Review online†. Retrieved on 12 May 2009 from:

Reading the Secret Signs The Art of Finding Symbols

Reading the Secret Signs The Art of Finding Symbols Introduction: On Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality Though in the modern world, all people are considered free and possessing equal rights, it has not always been this way. The road to the existing society where people enjoy equal rights and freedoms has been long and exhausting. Although there is a considerable gap between the Ancient Greece and the XIX-century world, the problem of liberty, not only physical, but also moral, intertwines these two epochs. That is why there is so much in common between Antigone, Sophocles’s drama, and Doll’s House, the creation of Henrik Ibsen.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Reading the Secret Signs: The Art of Finding Symbols specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To some extent, it must be admitted, each of the books suggests the ideas of feminism – in their embryo, of course, yet there can be no doubt that Doll House is one of the books that were the first heralds o f the feminist epoch coming on. However, it must be admitted that the feminist ideas are shifted into the background of watch story, whereas in the center the demand for recognizing human rights is placed. Indeed, it would be rather unreasonable to interpret the play only as an anthem for feminist movement. In comparison to this story, Antigone, the drama by Sophocles, offers another idea of liberty, yet it aims at the same effect – the recognition of people’s rights, namely, the right to be self-sufficient and do the things that one considers right. However, despite the common ideas, each author chooses his own symbols to convey these ideas to the public. Comparing the methods of the Ancient Greek philosopher and the XIX-century playwright, one can see the distinct difference between the methods that the two utilize, and at the same time trace the similarities between their approaches. Burying Secrets: Antigone. Behind the Shadow of Death The rich symbolism of the Gr eek tragedy offers a plethora of food for speculations. One of the most thought-provoking creations, the drama by Sophocles is saturated with metaphors, using the symbols that leave the most vivid and memorable impressions. Considering the drama, one can notice instantly that the key symbol of Antigone is the death itself. Interpreted in a number of ways, this name makes the essence of the afterlife, the mysterious Hereafter – the world of the dead. The world of the dead in Sophocles’s drama is considered as the place where one can be completely free – in constant to the life on earth, where each of the mere mortals is bound by the restrictions cats either by the gender issues, or by the political ideas, or any other ideas that prevent people to live their full life. Calling this place in a number of ways, Sophocles still leaves the basic idea of the mysterious afterlife interwoven into the drama. Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Travelling down the land of the dead, Antigone claims: â€Å"Who did the deed the underworld knows well: A friend in word is never friend of mine† (Sophocles 53) Thus, exposing the underworld as the place where people obtain their freedom and where nothing can be concealed from the watchful eye of Hades, Sophocles raises the topic of freedom on earth. Another peculiar recurrent symbol in the drama is birds – a large variety of birds that the reader can spot on the book pages. Describing the ease of their flight, Sophocles makes the reader compare these free creatures to people and realize how despicable the freedom of the humankind is. Living in a Dollhouse: Ibsen and His Protest Depicting the same idea of obtaining the needed liberty, Ibsen uses quite different means. Let along the striking difference of the lead characters in the two stories, the determined and decisive Antigon e and the cowardice, chicken-hearted Nora, the books differ in the symbols they use. Considering the symbolic means that were at Ibsen’s disposal, one can claim with certainty that Ibsen created a masterpiece of refinement and sad sarcasm. If there is anything that can symbolize the lack of responsibility, self-sufficiency and liberty better than Nora herself, that is the Christmas tree used to decorate the Doll’s, that is, Nora’s, house. Indeed, the beautiful and at the same time helpless, completely useless attribute of the holiday, the tree is much like the hostess of the house – just as weak and dependent on the support: †The Christmas Tree is in the corner by the piano, stripped of its ornaments and with burnt-down candle-ends on its disheveled branches. Nora’s cloak and hat lying on the sofa† (Ibsen 39). Such quick is the transition from the tree to Nora’s clothes – and, in fact, Nora herself – that the par allels drawn between the hostess and the article of the house decoration that it becomes obvious: Nora has never been a human being in its full sense – she has always led the life of complete dependence.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Reading the Secret Signs: The Art of Finding Symbols specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, it would be erroneous to think that the symbols in Antigone and Doll’s House have nothing in common – at certain point they coincide, depicting the same things. A good example of such coincidence is the symbol of death that is also present in Doll’s House. However, in this drama, a black cross (Ibsen 48) serves as a symbol of passing away. The last, but not the least is the name of the play – Doll’s House as a symbol of the state of dependence that Nora used to be in and that she escaped from so painfully. Though she is filled with the intense grief, Nora is still willing to get rid of the humiliating environment that she has been living in for so long. Thus, freeing herself, she comes close to the character of Sophocles drama, Antigone. Conclusion: The Jailbreak Despite the time gap between the two dramas, there is the common idea that intertwines them, making each story closer to the other. However, each of the authors reaches the highest level of expressivity with different means. Resorting to the use of symbolism in their stories, the two writers create a range of metaphors that serve as the clues for the reader to follow. Triggering a number of associations and creating the vision of the epoch, these tiny details reveal what used to be hidden under the cover of the storyline. It cannot be doubted that the symbols used by the writers are strikingly different, yet each of the metaphor used serves the same purpose, namely, emphasizing women’s dependence. It is quite remarkable that, despite the years passed since the times of Sophocles, the problem remains topical. Perhaps, even with Ibsen’s attempts to free those that lack liberty in their own life, the issue still needs solution. No matter how hard it might be to admit it, this is the hard truth the humankind has to live with – or fight it until every single person can feel freed. Ibsen, Henric. A Doll’s House: Unabridged. Clayton, DE: Prestwick House, Inc., 2005. Print.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sophocles. Antigone. New York City, NY: ReadHowYouWant, 2008. Print.

Snowboarding vs Skateboarding Essay Example

Snowboarding vs Skateboarding Essay Example Snowboarding vs Skateboarding Essay Snowboarding vs Skateboarding Essay Skateboarding vs. Snowboarding By Santiago Durr ENG 1111 Brenda Phegley 9/20/2012 Durr ii Outline Thesis: Skateboarding and snowboarding, they are two sports that could look similar, but they differ in several ways which are: terrain, tricks, cost and pain. I. Introduction II. Background A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding III. Terrain and season A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding IV. Tricks A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding V. Cost A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding VI. Pain A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding VII. Conclusion Durr 1 Skateboarding vs. Snowboarding One of the things that has had the greatest impact on my life has been skateboarding, and now there is a new similar passion coming into my life which is snowboarding. I used to think that the two sports would be similar; but as the time went on, I found out that this was not the case at all. The two sports differ in several ways: terrain, tricks, pain, and cost. Skateboarding was the first board sport to come into my life and I must give it the most credit for molding me into the boy I am today. It is not the board or the tricks, but the whole attitude that comes with it: The adrenaline pumping through your body as you outrun some overweight police officers and the excitement of learning something new every day. The best thing, I think skateboarding gave me was friendships; and although I am not good friends with some of the people I used to skate with, I have been able to build some wonderful friendships that I love and consider my family. Snowboarding has done good things for me as well, even though I have only been practicing it a year. I got into snowboarding when I came to the US. I was not able to practice it in my country because we do not have a winter season. Even though I hate to say this, I think snowboarding is more fun than skateboarding. The terrain for skateboarding is pretty much wherever there is concrete. However, skateboarding is illegal in most spots which make it difficult to stay in one place for a prolonged period of time. Snowboarding takes a mountain and lots of snow, and it is not illegal, so the last thing that crosses your mind is picking up your board and running from the police. The biggest and most frustrating difference is that skateboarding can be done during the whole year, while snowboarding is a seasonal sport. Durr 2 The tricks involved in the two sports are the second biggest difference. On a skateboard your feet are free to move around and off the board. Being detached from the board enables you to do such tricks as the â€Å"kickflip† or the â€Å"shuvit†. The â€Å"kickflip† requires the individual to jump above the board as the board spins underneath them. The â€Å"shuvit† is done by jumping above the board, while it turns 180 degrees and then landing on the board as if nothing happened. Snowboarding has an entirely different tactic for tricks. An individual is attached to the board, so jumping above the board is completely out of the question. Most of the tricks involve spins in which one turns 180, 360, or 540 degrees with the board. The tricks done in snowboarding also require a lot more height and speed than those in skateboarding which is why is have taken such affection for the sport in this short time. The cost for practicing skateboarding is not as high as the cost for practicing snowboarding. One just needs a board that costs around sixty dollars and it can be done just about anywhere with pavement and is usually for free. In snowboarding not only the gear necessary is way more expensive than needed in skateboarding, but there is also added cost of getting somewhere to do it. The pain that comes with the two sports is somewhat similar. After all, a bruise is a bruise and a cut is a cut. Skateboarding is the sport in which one would suffer from gashes and bloody wounds. Snowboarding is mostly sprained wrists and really bad bruises. Take it from me, falling on a solid sheet of ice hurts a lot more than any pavement. In the end, I have chosen to stick with snowboarding because of its faster pace and the height one can get off a well-made jump, but I will always have a special place in my heart for skateboarding.