The Book of the Dead free essay sample

Why are Annie and her father in Florida? 2. Where does Annie’s father go when he leaves the motel, and what does he do? 3. What surprising information does Annie’s father give her about his past? 4. Why does Annie hold back from promising to make another statue for Gabrielle Fonteneau? Thinking Critically 5. How does a particular historical period shape the events of this story? Could you imagine similar events happening in the lives of people who lived in another period of history, even in the present? Explain your response. 6. What basic irony is at the heart of this story—how is Annie’s father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired? 7. At the beginning of the story, what does the sculpture symbolize for Annie? What does the same sculpture symbolize for Gabrielle Fonteneau? 8. Explain the dramatic irony that builds during the luncheon at the Fonteneau’s house. In other words, what do we know that the Fonteneaus do not know? 9. We will write a custom essay sample on The Book of the Dead or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page What conclusion can you draw about Annie’s father from his throwing the statue away? What is the significance of his rubbing the scars on his face after the luncheon? 10. In the story, Annie first loses her father and then her sculpture. What deeper loss does Annie experience? Discussion Questions: The Book of the Dead 1. Why are Annie and her father in Florida? 2. Where does Annie’s father go when he leaves the motel, and what does he do? 3. What surprising information does Annie’s father give her about his past? 4. Why does Annie hold back from promising to make another statue for Gabrielle Fonteneau? Thinking Critically . How does a particular historical period shape the events of this story? Could you imagine similar events happening in the lives of people who lived in another period of history, even in the present? Explain your response. 6. What basic irony is at the heart of this story—how is Annie’s father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired? 7. At the beginning of the story, what does the sculpture symbolize for Annie? What does the same sculpture symbolize for Gabrielle Fonteneau? 8. Explain the dramatic irony that builds uring the luncheon at the Fonteneau’s house. In other words, what do we know that the Fonteneaus do not know? 9. What conclusion can you draw about Annie’s father from his throwing the statue away? What is the significance of his rubbing the scars on his face after the luncheon? 10. In the story, Annie first loses her father and then her sculpture. What deeper loss does Annie experience? Discussion Questions: The Book of the Dead 1. Why are Annie and her father in Florida? 2. Where does Annie’s father go when he leaves the motel, and what does he do? . What surprising information does Annie’s father give her about his past? 4. Why does Annie hold back from promising to make another statue for Gabrielle Fonteneau? Thinking Critically 5. How does a particular historical period shape the events of this story? Could you imagine similar events happening in the lives of people who lived in another period of history, even in the present? Explain your response. 6. What basic irony is at the heart of this story—how is Annie’s father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired? 7. At the beginning of the story, what does the sculpture symbolize for Annie? What does the same sculpture symbolize for Gabrielle Fonteneau? 8. Explain the dramatic irony that builds during the luncheon at the Fonteneau’s house. In other words, what do we know that the Fonteneaus do not know? 9. What conclusion can you draw about Annie’s father from his throwing the statue away? What is the significance of his rubbing the scars on his face after the luncheon? 10. In the story, Annie first loses her father and then her sculpture. What deeper loss does Annie experience?

The Botany of the Tobacco Plant

The Botany of the Tobacco Plant There are few activities more controversial than smoking tobacco. Smoking is clearly detrimental to human health, but there is little doubt that tobacco is a highly profitable plant species. Lets learn more about the plant itself, including its history, anatomy and physiology, growth habit plant types, and other potential uses. History and Background of Tobacco Nicotiana tabacum is the Latin name for tobacco. It belongs to the plant family Solanaceae, so, perhaps surprisingly, tobacco is botanically related to potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant! Tobacco is native to the Americas, and cultivation was thought to have begun as early as 6000 BCE. It is believed that leaf blades were wilted, dried, and rolled to make primitive cigars. Columbus noted Cuban natives smoking cigars when he discovered America, and in 1560, Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal, brought tobacco to England and France. Nicot made a fortune selling the plant to Europeans. Nicot also reportedly gifted tobacco to the queen of France to cure her headaches. (Did you notice that the Latin genus name for tobacco, Nicotiana, was named after Jean Nicot?) Anatomy and Physiology The cultivated tobacco plant normally grows to one or two feet high. The five flower petals are contained within a Corolla and can be colored white, yellow, pink, or red. The tobacco fruit (yes, tobacco bears fruit!) measures at 1.5 - 2 mm, and consists of a capsule containing two seeds. With the tobacco plant, however, it is the leaves that are the most economically important. The leaf blades are enormous, often growing to 20 inches long and 10 inches wide. The leaf shape can be ovate (egg-shaped), obcordate (heart-shaped) or elliptic (oval, but with a small point at one end). The leaves grow toward the base of the plant, and can be lobed or unlobed but are not separated into leaflets. On the stem, the leaves appear alternately, with one leaf per node along the stem. The leaves possess a distinct petiole. The underside of the leaf is fuzzy or hairy. Why are the tobacco leaves important? The leaves are the plant part containing the nicotine. However, the nicotine is manufactured in the plant roots, not the leaves! The nicotine is transported to the leaves via the xylem. Some species of Nicotiana are very high in nicotine content; Nicotiana rustica leaves, for example, can contain up to 18% nicotine. Growing Tobacco Plants Tobacco, a plant that is cultivated as an annual but is actually a perennial, is propagated by seed. The seeds are sown in beds; one ounce of seed in 100 square yards of soil can produce up to four acres of flue-cured tobacco, or up to three acres of burley tobacco. The plants grow for between six and ten weeks before the seedlings are transplanted into the fields. The plants are topped (their heads are cut off!) before the seed head develops, except for those plants that are used to produce next years seed. The reason the plant tops are removed when flowering begins is so all the plants energy goes to increase the size and the thickness of the leaves. The tobacco suckers (the flowering stalks and branches, which appear in response to the plant being topped) are removed so that only the large leaves are produced on the main stem. Because growers want the leaves to be large and lush, the tobacco plants are fertilized very heavily with nitrogen fertilizer. Cigar-wrapper tobacco, a staple of Connecticut agriculture, is produced under partial shade- resulting in thinner and less damaged leaves. Plants grow in the field for three to five months until harvest. The leaves are removed and purposely wilted in drying barns, and fermentation takes place during curing. Tobacco Types Several types of tobacco are grown, depending on their use: Fire-cured, used for snuff and chewing tobacco.Dark air-cured, used for chewing tobacco.Air-cured (Maryland) tobacco, used for cigarettes.Air-cured cigar tobaccos, used for cigar wrappers and fillers.Flue-cured, used for cigarette, pipe, and chewing tobacco.Burley (air-cured), used for cigarette, pipe, and chewing tobacco. Fire curing is basically what the name suggests; open fires are used so that the smoke can reach the leaves. The smoke makes the leaves darker colored and more distinctly flavored. No heat is used in air curing except to prevent mold. In flue curing, heat is applied in such a way that no smoke reaches the leaves hung in racks. Other Potential Uses What other possibilities are there for tobacco, as smoking rates have been vastly reduced over the last 20 years? Believe it or not, there is a possibility that tobacco oils can be used in biofuels. Also, researchers in India have patented an extract from tobacco called solansole, for use in several drug types.

Cultural Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural Anthropology - Essay Example Therefore, this essay is going to understand and appreciate the legacy of Tom Harrison who is credited for bringing transformations to the study of cultural anthropology. Additionally, this paper delves into the numerous studies conducted by Tom Harrison and his team and succeeding publications and monographs (Bodley 43). Furthermore, the discussion analyzes his videos in terms of scientific and empirical input in producing objective works that have interested people in the field of cultural anthropology. In the field of cultural anthropology, Tom Harrison is a revered figure who transformed the field until his demise in 1976. With many publications that include papers and monographs in respected scientific journals, the anthropologist loved for walking barefoot during his researches is an indelible mark in anthropology. For instance, the videos detail many of his groundbreaking academic researches that range from studying people, cultures, traditions and customs among others in orde r to understand the link between culture and existence. However, his studies on the inhabitants of Melakula in the New Hebrides propelled him into his seminal book: Savage Civilization that was generated from the study. Another endearing trait that makes him an icon in the cultural anthropology was his ability to integrate both scientific and empirical methods of research (Bodley 48).

Starbucks Service Marketing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Starbucks Service Marketing - Case Study Example Starbucks is one of the most-known names in the industry of coffee marketing services. The creation of a unique taste that carries the trademark of the business has made it possible for the owner of the organization to make a great name in the face of global market. Undeniably, this strategy of making everything unique while continuously developing has helped the entire business to make it possible for every plan to get along with the aims of the business. In this study, an understanding on how Starbucks operates as a part of the modern industry of commerce and servicing businesses in the world making it possible to make a great name known to many markets around the globe. Primarily, this paper shall focus on how much the business is able to create effective marketing strategies that are noted to have a great impact on the global recognition of the business' trademark. In the aspect of providing specific services to the public in exchange of personal gains mainly the profit, marketing plays an important role. Using effective marketing strategies, one can actually publicly discuss their intentions and the nature of their services to the society attracting prospective clients willingly to avail it as an answer to their respective needs. One of the most important elements to be considered in marketing services in the public is the aspect of pricing. Pricing basically identify one's offered services apart from the others. This concept, if used properly, can be a significant advantage of the one offering or a detrimental factor to the public identity of the person or corporation offering the service. Thus, the important elements regarding pricing must always be considered in effectively applying this approach. In the aspect of pricing, one must always consider competition with the general group and with the other entities offering the same service. The established price must be competitive to that of the others with an attractive nature with the general public to convert them to prospective clients. The price must cater to the public giving them the capability to acknowledge and utilize the service being offered by that of the specific servicing entity. Another element is the quality wherein the price can significantly stand as a marketing agent for the quality of the service. The price should be established not too low to be viewed as a low quality service but not too high to become an expansive mean of acquiring the said service. The price must be determined in the middle signifying that it is commensurable to a high-quality service in the cheapest possible approach. In addition, the price must also be established as appropriately synchronize with the present economic condition and pref erence of the society making it highly noticeable in the present market. In determining the effective price in the aspect of marketing services in the public, one must critically consider the important elements such as economic competition, quality identity, current market trends, and the public preferences regarding the service being offered. With a significant consideration of the said concept, servicing companies can establish an

Q and Answers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Q and Answers - Essay Example Answer: There is a release of stress hormones within the body when a person in under stress. These include cortisol and catecholamines. These hormones are mobilizers of glucose. Under stress the glucose is released and this leads to insulin release. The insulin causes the glucose to move inside cells because of the increased levels of hormone. This can lead to hypoglycemia. This is the reason why it is a good idea to have a meal before going to the dentist so that the blood glucose level can be maintained. Answer: During trauma there is damage to the cells of the body. The energy requirement of the body increases. This increase is due to many reasons. The cell turnover rate increases hence there is increased requirement for proteins for making new cells as well as the energy requirement increases because of the additional energy required. This leads to a depletion of the body energy stores. Glycogen stored in the liver is utilized first. Gluconeogenesis also ensues to overcome the energy requirement. Hence the lipids and proteins of the body are also utilized. This accounts for the weight loss seen in trauma. Answer: Diet is very important in people who are recovering from illness. This is because during illness there is breakdown of cells in the body. When a person is recovering there is greater cell differentiation of cells and utilization of not only proteins, carbohydrates, lipids but also vitamins and minerals which are required by the body. If the diet of these patients is not monitored they can suffer from deficiency conditions of these essential nutrients. This can also compromise the immunity of the patient hence making him susceptible to infections. Therefore the diet of convalescent patients is important. Answer: Exercise is important in weight loss programs because during exercise the body utilizes initially the carbohydrate stores of the body for energy and then it also starts using the

The Impact Of Leadership Styles

The Impact Of Leadership Styles Leadership styles Leaders have their own style, which is fine if they can find a situation that requires that style of leadership. Being able to adapt the leadership style according to the situation and the state of the grope or team are flexible leadership example: taking charge when a team is forming but playing the role of coach when a team is managing itself well. One the fundamental principle of leadership style is to change according to the circumstances such as Situational Leadership (develop by Blanchard and Hersey in the late 1960s). According to Hersey and Blanchard, a leader is concerned with the task to be performed and with building relations with his employees. A leader may focus on work, building a team or building relationship with his or her employees, according to a combination of all these concerns Hersey and Blanchard proposed four leadership styles. Style 1 Indicating high concern for the task and low concern for people. Style 2 Showing High Concern for Task and People. Style 3 Having high concern for people and low for the task. Style 4 Indicating Low Concern for the task and Low Concern for people. According to them all the classified four styles are functional; it is according to their relevance situation that is important. Leadership styles in the situational model can be classified according to the amount of task and relationship behavior the leader engages in. Task related behavior also known as Regulating behavior since a leaders behavior revolves on regulating his or her group members and their task completion, other leaders concentrate on building personal relationship, which is called nurturing behavior. Regulating Behavior A Leader engages in one-way communication , who gives clear instructions of group roles and informs the group members what to do, where to do, and how to do, and closely supervises their activities and performance. Structure, Control, Supervise are the regular behavior of the leaders. Nurturing Behavior A Leader who engages in dual communication he who listens, provides support and encouragement, facilitates, interaction and involves the group in decision making. Praise, Listen, and Facilitate these are the regular behavior of the leaders Source (Pareek, 2007). Transformational versus Transactional leadership Achieving the current objectives efficiently by helping the organization by clarifying the needs and desires of the employee is known as transactional leadership. This type of leadership behavior improves employees performance and satisfaction. The transactional leaders focus on running the organization smoothly and efficiently. The transactional leader creates a clear structure and clear instructions to his or her subordinates regarding their work and rewards subsequently. Punishment is understood since it is not mentioned .The discipline system is usually in place. This type of leadership is a popular approach with the most of the managers. Transformational leadership have the ability to change the vision, strategy and culture of the organization based on personal values, beliefs, and qualities, Transformational leadership enable the followers to become leaders. Transformational leadership go beyond the immediate task that is the functions build the competencies of individuals and group and enable them to achieve targets that the organization or the individual would have not expected to achieve. Transformational leadership change the organizations strategies and culture so they are successful with the surrounding environment, they are the changed agents who show the direction to the employees to a new set of organizational values and behaviors. Empowering, risk taking clarity of mission, team building, equanimity, and evolving trust are few of the characteristics of transformational leaders Source (Theory of Transformational LeadershipRedux, Winter 1995). Transformational versus charismatic leadership Many researches do indicate that the two types of leadership as essentially equivalent, some others theorists say they are distinct and few other scholars say charismatic leadership is an ingredient of transformational leadership or charismatic leadership is the highest degree of transformational leadership. The third group of scholars separate charismatic leadership from transformational leadership. They say charisma is a personal trait referent power over followers, whereas transformational leadership is a set of behaviors that people use to lead the change process. Transformational leadership enables the followers to become leaders. Charismatic leaders are also known as heroic leaders by some of the research; they build allegiance in followers but do not necessarily change the organization. They use the power to serve others, they consider and learn from criticism and also they encourage followers to question leaders view. In many theories the leadership behaviors of charismatic a nd transformational leadership appear to be similar with very few important differences is evident as well. Transformational leaders will be doing lots of work which will make the employees more dependent on the leaders such as developing followers skill and self-confident, giving information to sensitive information and decentralizing the authorities. Transformational leaders at any level in any organization can easily be determined according to Bass since this type of leadership is globally relevant for very situation. Charismatic leaders are more proactive, do more things that creates an image of extraordinary competence for the leaders such as restricting information, risk taking and unconventional behavior. Charismatic leaders are rare, and appear to be more dependent only on favorable conditions in an organization and these leaders are very common for new organizations as visionary entrepreneurs or reformers. Charismatic leaders are usually more extreme Source (House, et al., 1994), (Avolio, et al., 1985). Distinguishing characteristics of charismatic and Non charismatic Leaders Non Charismatic Leaders Charismatic Leaders Likableness Likable leaders have shared perspective Idealized Vision and an honorable hero makes leader liable. Trustworthiness Disinterested advocacy in persuasion attempts. Leaders are passionate advocacy by taking personal risk. Relation to status quo Status quo is being maintained. Change of atmosphere is being created. Future Goals Goals are limited with very few discrepant from status quo. Vision of Idea which is highly discrepant from status quo. Articulation Articulation is weak in goals and motivation to lead. Motivation to lead and articulation of vision is very strong. Competence To achieve goals within framework of existing order with available means. Unconventional means is used to transcend the existing order. Behavior Conventional Unconventional Source: Conger, et al., 1998 Characteristics of Three Styles of Leadership Authoritarian or Autocratic This style is used when leaders take decisions from their position, control of rewards and coercion. The autocratic leaders group performance is almost good since they are characterized by positive feelings. This type of style can be used when you have all the information to solve problem, you are short on time, and your employees are well motivated. From the experiments of Lewis et al. it was found that this style resulted in very high level of discontent. Some leaders tend to think of this style as a tool for abusing, using unprofessional language, and leading by threats and abusing their power. This is not the authoritarian style, bossing people around. It has no place in a leaders repertoire. The authoritarian style should only be used occasions Source (Patterns of Aggressive Behavior in Experimentally Created Social Climates, 1939). Participative (Democratic) Democratic leader involve their people (one or more employees) in decision making (determining what to do and how to do it) encourages participation and depends on subordinates respect for influence, this style of leadership partly explains the reason for empowerment of employees. The group members of a democratic leader perform well even when the leader is absent. However, the leader maintains the final decision making authority. Employees usually like democratic decision making, it is a sign of strength that your employees will respect. Democratic leadership however will find it difficult when options differ and it will difficult to arrive at a final decision. By this style is of mutual understanding it allows the employees to become part of the team and allows the leader to make better decisions Source (Field Theory and Experiment in Social Psychology Concepts and Method, 1939). Laissez-faire In this style, the leader has a minimum involvement in decision making; the leader allows the employees to make the decisions. However, the leader is still responsible for the decisions that are made. This is successful when the employees are able to analyze the situation and determine what needs to be done and how to do it, and where there is no requirement for a centralized coordination. This is not a style to use so that you can blame others when things go wrong, rather this is a style to be used when you fully trust and confidence in the people below you. It was discovered by Lewin et al. that the democratic style was the most effective style of leadership. A good leader uses all three styles, depending on what forces are involved between the followers, the leader, and the situation. Some examples include, using an authoritarian style on a new employee who is just learning the job. The leader is competent and a good coach. The employee is motivated to learn a new skill. The situa tion is a new environment for the employee. The leader knows the problem, but does not have all the information. The employees know their jobs and want to become part of the team. You cannot do everything and the employee needs to take ownership of her job! In addition, this allows you to be at other places, doing other things Source (Pareek, 2007). The Impact of Leadership in Organizations The leadership has the ability to motivate and influence other leaders and the employees to achieve organizational goals through process of change. So are all the leaders are good and effective? Should all the organizations adopt a single approach to leadership? To analysis this leadership there is three types, which are individual leadership, group leadership and organizational leadership. Each of these types of leadership has a tremendous impact on how leaders are classified and viewed. The leadership theories revolve around describing traits of a leader, however, however the modern theories have tried to explain the impact through behavioral approaches. Motivation and process theories were later developed to determine the relationship and affect a leader had on the individual and group within an organization. Training has development has been a prominent development in the world of Organizational Behavior (OB) as organizations sought innovative methods for feedback and to regenerate their culture. This type of practiced has positively affected many organizations, the short-term results of coaching has given insight view of level 3 leadership which has been incorporated by both transactional and transformational leadership styles, however for organizations to achieve prominence and market share in their respective industry further development of leaders to a Level 5 leadership style was required. As the hierarchy in leadership position, power, control and achievement grew with the leaders success, some well known companies such as GE under the leadership of Jack Welch found themselves in the search of true leaders. It will be demonstrated that although such a leader may be detrimental to the organization, narcissistic leaders have also proven vital to the revival of these same organizations. Future planning is very important in the long-term growth of an organization in order to retain and attract the new leaders of tomorrow. Organizations need to be constant in terms of direction and control an effective leader has influenced in the past, and effective planning for the future leaders to continue the successful organization. The ever growing challenges that leaders face in the changing environment and coping with such difficult tasks such as interface management, change management, knowledge management and group dynamics within projects has been a task to balance and overcome. An effective leader increases the positive emotions within their organizations, they choose to do so a clear and compelling vision, but also have deep personal humility and an intense professional will Source (Sturek, 2005). Conclusions Leadership is a complex concept that has clearly demonstrated that developmental style is the most desirable style and it is associated with creation of empowerment, growth, learning, morale and satisfaction on the part of the employees. In Common terms this style creates resonance while the critical climate creates dissonance. In future the leadership programs should concentrate on the developmental style as a desirable style. This results in indicating the potential of all the situations chosen in predicting the leadership style. The style of leadership gets noticed consistently in most of the situation. Leadership style based feedback should perhaps focus on this in future.

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

I stand before you tonight because of love — love that was given to me and displayed in its purest, sacrificial form. This evening, I would like to share with you how that love has changed my life. When my parents enrolled me at Milkins Academy 13 years ago, they recognized the fact that the value of a Christian education is far greater than a new house or car. The material possessions that they have forfeited through the years have allowed me to remain in an environment in which I can see Christ lived out every day. For the sacrificial love that my parents have displayed, together with the parents of all my class members, I am exceedingly grateful. The teachers here at Milkins display love to us students as well. Whether in getting a little extra math help before a test or receiving a needed hug after English class, we experience the love our teachers have for us. Thank you, teachers — all of you. We know that you constantly pray for us, encourage us and reprimand us when we need it. Your love, humility and desire to know Christ have been a brilliant example of what you long to see demonstrated in our lives. God is at work in you, and we pray that everyone here is able to see Christ in us as well. However, although the love of our parents and teachers has greatly influenced our lives, their love is insignificant compared to the love of the One who first loved us. He is the source of all true love and is the ultimate example of sacrifice. One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Romans 5:1-8, which states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in th... ...blameless died, And through it all was tested, shunned, and tried. His life on earth, as all, was but a breath, Yet lived he true until his awful death And after, for although he was but man, He was held in God’s almighty plan, And was truly God in human form; By his death the temple veil was torn. And he calls us all to follow him, Turning from a life of vile sin To perfection by a God all pure; His grace is that of which we can be sure. Blameless Jesus lived and blameless died, And he can be forevermore our Guide. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Thank you all for coming tonight, and have a lovely evening.