Gift Of Magi By Henry Essays - Irony, The Gift Of The Magi

Gift Of Magi By Henry In the short story The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry, the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Dillingham Young sacrificed their most prized possessions for one another. They did this in order to buy each other nice Christmas presents. Dellas most prized possession was her beautiful hair that she cut off and sold for the money. Jims was his gold watch which he also sold so that he could buy Della a gift. Della and Jim both sold their favorite things to buy each other something special. Della bought Jim a platinum chain for his watch. Jim bought Della tortoise shell clips for her hair. Since both had given up their most prized possessions for each other, the gifts were worthless, but very special in their eyes. In this short story the author presents a wonderful example of a true love story. It paints a picture of how true love should be and the sacrifices required to have a relationship like these two people had. The author O. Henry tells the story of this couple from a narrators perspective. The narrator of the short story is the observer of the events that are occurring between the couple. The author of this story chose to not reveal in words the feelings between the couple. The words however, are spoken in the couples actions. The love between them is shown by them giving up something they love to be able to buy something special for their partner. To understand the true love between the couple, the reader must look deeper then what is just on the surface. Along with the narrator in the story explaining the love between them it is also shown through the characters. The characters in this particular short story are very realistic and many people can relate to them in some way or another. For example, almost anyone can relate to them in the way that around Christmas time people like to buy nice things for their loved ones. Both characters in this short story were very loving and caring people. They showed how caring they really were when they looked past their own wants and looked to their partners. Along with the Christmas gift Della showed other characteristics of being a very caring and loving person. Della worked very hard in making sure that Jim had dinner ready for him when he came home. At 7 oclock the coffee was made and the frying -pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops (Henry). Jim on the other hand worked very hard to try and provide for Della. The little things the two would do for each other shows the enormous amount of love they have for each other inside. The characters actions and the narrator narrating the story are two ways to show the love between this couple. Another way is in the theme of the story and as to what the author is trying to get across to the reader. The theme or main point of the short story is presented through the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Dillingham Young. Their lives are what makes the story and the theme come about. The theme of the short story is love conquers all. Meaning that no matter what the situation and what a couple goes through as long as the love is there, they can make it through. When in a relationship there are many sacrifices that each party involved must understand. This couple sacrificed their favorite things for each other. Proving and showing one another their true feelings. In The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry the couple makes a major sacrifice for each other. From these sacrifices the enormous amount of love is shown between them. Even though the words, I love you. are not said it is shown in the action of the two characters. The gifts they gave to each other were very wise and thought out gifts. They were gifts from the heart, and those are the best gifts a person can give.

To what extent was Austria guilty of causing world war one essays

To what extent was Austria guilty of causing world war one essays To What Extent was Austria-Hungary Guilty of Causing the First World War Austria-Hungary had been established by a compromise between the Hungarian nobility and the Habsburg monarchy in an attempt to maintain the old Austrian Empire. It was a multi-national Empire, and its political life was dominated by disputes between the eleven principal national groups, in an era of national awakening. Although the Empire was frequently upset by quarrelling between the groups. This internal turmoil was translated into an aggressive foreign outlook which culminated in the fuse of the assasination of the arch duke being lit in 1914. However is it fair to say that Austria also placed the powder kegs which this fuse led to or was the keg placed by a number of interwoven reason such as the alliances system, Great Power politics and the more traditional view of guilty laying at the door of the Germans. The Austrian Empire consisted of a number of differnet nationalitys, such as Serbs,Croats, Czechs, Italians, Germans and Slovaks. It was this great clash of cultures and religions which lead to the huge internal strife which envelopted the Austrian Empire. This internal strife was also key to the direction of Austrias foreign policy. Indeed the very existance of the Empire depended on its international relations and the ability of its leaders to convince the great powers that the preservation of the empire was vital for maintaining the stability of the international system. Thus it should come as no surprise that it was Austrias internal problems which lead to the adoption of a foreign policy which althought cannot be used soley to apply guilt to Austria can when commbined with other actions taken by Austria form a solid bedrock on which to build a case for Austrian guilt. At the start of the twentieth century the Turkish Empire was in decline. Thus there was a large power vacume in the Balkans one upon which Austrai being the largest Imperial power i...

History of African Americans Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

History of African Americans - Research Paper Example Jim Crow Law was the name given to anti black laws in USA. These laws were discriminatory and racist in nature clearly defining white superiority over African Americans. It was basically a racial caste system followed in southern states after American civil war, till mid of 1960s. It was a complete social system based on injustice, inequality, prejudice, race and hate against African Americans. The Jim Crow laws badly affected social, economic and moral fiber of African Americans society especially in southern states. The African Americans were treated inhumanly since they were not allowed to share churches, hospitals, buses, rail wagons, schools, housing and even burial places. American Government implemented these laws and Supreme Court supported the Government. Common beliefs spread by whites were that whites were made superior by God and African Americans are meant to serve them. Till this day racism against African Americans has affected this community since African Americans ar e unable to compete with whites as a community, although exceptions are there.Plessy V.Furgoson decision by Supreme Court in May 1896 set the stage for legitimization of anti black laws in southern states like Louisiana. The court supported the theme that â€Å"equal but separate† public facilities for African Americans and whites can be maintained within jurisdiction of states and racial segregation is not the violation of US constitution. Basis of case was traveling of African Americans and whites in the same wagons of railway. Implication of this decision has been a long term white-black segregation and more anti black legislations in USA. On the contrary US Supreme Court gave a decision in 1954 setting stage to eliminate anti black laws. The court decided that state laws which allow separate public schools for African Americans and whites are unconstitutional. Both decisions of court were historic in nature where first decision helped to establish racism while the second helped to abolish racism.Besides Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, Grace Towns Hamilton was a great black leader who struggled tirelessly for civil liberties in America. She was the first black woman elected to Georgia General Assembly (Georgiaencyclopedia.org 2004). She represented her district for 18 Years continuously in Atlanta. She was an African American woman born on 10th February 1907 and died in 1992.  

TOXOPLASNOSIS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

TOXOPLASNOSIS - Essay Example The disease is caused by the protozoan parasites known as Toxoplasma gondii (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2013). The parasite has been found in various parts of the world, in many species. Most of the species includes carnivorous and herbivorous mammals and birds. Moreover, the disease is prevalent in all human population. However, the carrier of the parasite is usually the cat and is primarily associated with the transmission of parasites in all human population (David et al., n.d.). The infection is usually reported having spread in human by eating contaminated meat especially pork and lamb (David et al., n.d.). On the other hand, the parasite has been shown to be prevalent in women of childbearing age usually 15 to 44 years of age (David et al., n.d.). As a result, the parasite has attracted attention of healthcare provider in pregnant women. The parasite is transmitted in various ways. The major form of transmission is through food (Centres for Disease Contr ol and Prevention (CDC), 2013). Most, the tissue form of parasites is transmitted to human through the food. The transmission occurs through eating undercooked or contaminated meat, failure to wash hand after handling contaminated meat, and eating food on utensils that had contact with raw contaminated meat (CDC, 2013). Secondly, transmission may occur from animal to human. Usually cats are infected by eating infected animals (CDC, 2013). Consequently, the parasite is shed in cat faeces as oocyst. As a result, people are infected in various ways. The infection may occur through ingestion of oocyst after cleaning a cat’s litter box, ingestion of oocyst after touching or ingesting anything in proximity with cats faeces, or drinking water that have parasites from a cat’s faeces (CDC, 2013). Moreover, infection can be passed from mother to unborn child. The infection occurs during pregnancy where parasites pass to the unborn child (CDC, 2013). Additionally, the parasites m ay be passed through organ transplant. The recipient may get parasites if the donor has already been infected by the parasite (CDC, 2013). However, it is rare for the parasite to be passed through blood donation. In most cases, the parasite affects people without being noticed. In fact, the infection is asymptomatic in 80% of people (Department of Health, 2007). However, the most common sign in individuals infected with the parasite is enlarged lymph nodes usually around the neck (Department of Health, 2007). The other symptoms include muscle pain, intermittent fever and malaise (Department of Health, 2007). The infection arising after birth mostly leads to mild illness. On the other hand, dominant infection may occur in a lifetime. However, the symptoms may reactivate once an individual immune system is compromised. In immune suppressed patients, the disease may develop with serious complications such as in the heart, brain, and pneumonia (Department of Health, 2007). Most of the c omplications lead to death. In individuals with AIDS, cerebral toxoplasmosis is frequent form of complication (Department of Health, 2007). On the other hand, severe toxoplasmosis during pregnancy may affect the unborn child (Department of Health, 2007). The infection leads to serious complications such as brain damage, liver damage, and spleen and eye disorders. Moreover, infection during pregnancy leads to severe complications for the foetus. The

Childhood Sexual Abuse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Childhood Sexual Abuse - Essay Example The paper will seek to answer the question whether our client Marya, was sexually victimized as a child or adolescent in relation to her behavior in adulthood. To find out whether this thesis is true or false we have to analyze the book titled Madness, which describes Marya’s experience, and support our finding with knowledge from journal articles, as well as other literature containing information related to child sexual abuse. From the analysis of the book, it is clearly seen that Marya’s behavior is different from that of other children since her childhood. She had nightmares about a goat man coming to attack her at night and, in most cases, she asked her mother questions that expressed her fear (Hornbacher, 2008). This is believed to have been caused by a disorder she was born with. However, her condition in childhood is again very different from the conditions she is in as an adult. As an adult, she suffers both sex and drug addiction; she always have thoughts of c ommitting suicide. This is indicated by how she cuts herself and the way she is being frequently involved into having sex with boys due to lack of self-control (Hornbacher, 2008). Most of these effects are believed to have come out of post-traumatic stress disorder. This disorder is a result of sexual events that exposes a victim to great threats of injury or even death (Shiromani, LeDoux & Keane, 2009). As a result, she might be traumatized and thereafter might suffer from post-traumatic disorder. This kind of disorder can affect a person in different ways even in his/her adulthood. This trauma can affect a child in many ways, one of them being making the child unable to interact with other children regardless of gender and social status. This is an immediate effect where the difficulty in interaction is based on low self-esteem and self-confidence. Through this, a child’s social life gets affected negatively which can go to adulthood. Another immediate effect that this trau ma might have on a child is affecting his academic life. This trauma can make a child unable to concentrate in her academics and thus affecting her education negatively. The trauma can also affect the health and growth of the child. Research has shown that most children who have been sexually abused usually have nightmares that cause them lack of sleep and in most cases, lack of appetite (Warner, 2009). Various things trigger this kind of a disorder especially when it comes from childhood sexual abuse. One of the triggers of this disorder is loss of trust in the person that victimized the victim. The victim may also lack trust in other people of the same gender. Another trigger of this disorder is low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence that results from childhood sexual abuse. This disorder can also be triggered by self-denial that comes when one is continuously sexually abused. It is important to note that the magnitude of the disorder depend on its trigger, which can be one o r several of the mentioned in relation to the personality of the victim. Post-traumatic stress disorder developed from childhood sexual abuse, does not only affect children in their childhood, the effects are carried up to adulthood. The adult survivors of child sexual abuse exhibit behaviors that are not common in other individuals. This kind of people in most cases fails to be interactive and might fail to trust people of the opposite gender. Another

The Business Strategies Of Tesco And Asda Marketing Essay

The Business Strategies Of Tesco And Asda Marketing Essay Porters Five Forces: Named after Michael E. Porter this model identifies and analyses five competitive forces that helps in determination of an organisations strengths and weaknesses. These forces include According to classical economics rivalries between companies must drive profits to zero because of the threat of substitutes. General substitution is able to reduce demand for a particular product, as there is a threat of consumers switching to the alternatives (Porter M. 1980). For example, if Tescos competitor ASDA provides substitutes for their goods then this will drive the price of groceries down for customers of both companies. Buyer power forces prices down. Fortunately the market is disciplined and they have a disciplined approach to price setting which prevents them from destroying each other in a profit war. Bargaining power of supplier may have implications for Tesco and ASDA. Supplier power is demonstrated by suppliers demand that they are paid a certain price for their goods. If retailers dont agree they dont get the goods to sell. But large supermarkets like Tesco and ASDA have an overwhelming advantage over the small shopkeeper. These supermarkets can dictate the price they pay the supplier. If the supplier does not agree they will be left with a much smaller market for their products. The new competitor factor of porter model also does not have much adverse implications on already established supermarket chains like Tesco and ASDA In fact they put up a lot of barriers to entry either implicitly or explicitly. For instance, Tesco may have cornered the market for some specific goods which the new supermarket will not be able to find cheap, reliable suppliers. Tesco and ASDA also has the advantage of economies of scale. They buy goods in bulk or in large volumes thereby considerably lowering the price they pay to suppliers per-item. A new small supermarket chain not well established can only buy a relatively small volume of goods and that will be at much higher rates. Porter theorized that the more products that become standardized or undifferentiated, the lower the switching cost, and hence, more power is yielded to buyers (Porter M. 1980). Tescos Clubcard remains the most successful tool in customer retention strategy and is highly effective in dealing with this problem of bargaining power of customers. PEST ANALYSIS FOR TESCO Political Factors Tesco with its massive operations on global scale is highly influenced by the political and legal conditions of host countries. For employment legislations, the government encourages retailers to provide a mix of job opportunities from flexible, lower-paid and locally-based jobs to highly-skilled, higher-paid and centrally-located jobs (Balchin, 1994). Economic Factors These factors mostly affect demands, cost, and profits and thus have implications for Tesco. They are largely beyond the control of Tesco, but their effects can be profound. Tesco is expected to do well internationally but is highly dependent on UK markets and any slowdown may have adverse affect on Tescos performance. Social Factors Changing shopping trends indicate shift towards one-stop and bulk buying to accommodate this Tesco has increased the number of non-food items available. Changes in population demographic and eating habits means retailers are focusing on products with added-value. Technological Factors The launch of the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) initiative provided the shift that is now apparent in the management of food supply chains (Datamonitor Report, 2003). Tesco has fully integrated new technologies like intelligent scale, electronic labelling, self check-out machine with its operations. The use of Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS), Electronic Funds Transfer Systems (EFTPoS) and electronic scanners have greatly improved the efficiency of distribution and stocking activities, with needs being communicated almost in real time to the supplier (Finch, 2004). SWOT ANALYSIS FOR TESCO Strengths 1. Increased market share: Tesco already holds major share in the world market and because of strong fundamentals and multi-format will continue to do so. Their main strategy of attracting more customers through various methods like Tesco Clubcard has been very affective in winning customers long term loyalty. 2. Insurance: In fiscal 2003 Tesco Personal Finance became the fastest growing motor insurance provider by crossing the important mark of one million motor insurance policies. 3. Tesco online is the worlds biggest online supermarket with operations in more than 270 stores throughout the country. 4. Brand value: Tesco has a strong brand image, associated with its good quality, trustworthy goods representing excellent value. 5. Tesco has continued to develop a successful strategy to maintain its market leadership position. Weaknesses 1. Tescos high dependence on the UK market may be of concern in future for example, the Morrisons groups takeover of Safeway chain may alter the power balance. 2. Debt reduction: Tesco has aggressive expansion plan which leaves little free cash for any other operations. Opportunities 1. Expansion in non-food retail: Tescos telecom is the latest example of how it can expand in non-food retail industry. 2. Expansion into health and beauty; Tesco currently operates 19 stores with opticians and nearly 200 stores with pharmacies. 3. Tescos massive buying power gives it added advantage of economies of scale. 4. Tesco can further develop its revenue stream of online operation. Threats 1. Lower profit margins because of rising raw material costs for food and non food. 2. Structural changes in domestic markets may trigger price war. 3. Wal-Mart/ASDA challenge: Wal-Marts takeover of ASDA threatened Tescos rank as the top UK supermarket. 4. International expansion is good but is expensive and requires heavy investment. PEST ANALYSIS FOR ASDA Political Factors Like any other supermarket ASDA will also be affected by political factors whether they are new legislation regarding taxes or new employment laws. Thus EU enlargement, the euro etc all may have some implications for ASDA. Economic Factors Factors such as national income, recession, inflation may have some adverse affect on the performance of ASDA. Unemployment is the most influential factor on the economy. It lowers the demand for many goods thereby affecting the demand required for production of such goods. Social Factors The type of goods demanded by consumers reflects their social conditioning. One important factor applicable especially in the UK is increasing ageing population which has increased the costs for firms who are committed to pension payments for their employees because of their staff are living longer. ASDA has started to recruit older employees to tap into this growing labour pool. Technological Factors Technology is a major environmental variable which can help in development of many various beneficial processes and methods for cost reduction like improved efficiency in stock control due to bar coding, self scanning products etc. SWOT FOR ASDA Strengths 1. ASDA after its takeover by world giant Wal-Mart has increased its market share considerably and at present is just behind Tesco in UK markets. 2. Major employer in UK markets thus it has a major pool of talented and experienced work force. It has a focused strategy in place for human resource management and development. 3. Well established brand name with strong social image. 4. ASDAs strategies of smart price, price guarantee offer and ASDA direct have really changed the way customers look at them. Weaknesses 1. In comparisons to its competitors ASDA has low market penetration. 2. Lack of smaller superstores to compete with Tesco express, metro etc. 3. Product recalls which not only affects the business financially but also adversely affects the brand name. OPPORTUNITIES 1. ASDA can widen its product range especially non-food retail. 2. Expansion into European markets. With well established management strategies and strong parent firm like Wal-Mart this is the area where it should focus. THREATS 1. Major threat to ASDA is from its competitors especially Tesco mainly being the threat of substitute products available through the competitor stores at lower prices. 2. ASDAs major market is still in UK, so any slowdown or downturn in UK economy may affect ASDA very badly. 3. Consumer tastes and shopping trends are continuously changing. It is important for ASDA to continuously accommodate those changes if they want to keep their competitive edge. 4. Rising labour cost can also cut into ASDAs profits. SCENARIO PLANNING AND GAME THEORY Every organisation in order to develop strategic options and be future prepared needs to anticipate and think through how different options will impact them. Most organisations therefore use scenario planning and game theory to be future prepared. Tesco and ASDA Scenario 1: My way The conditions: Customers have do it yourself attitude. The society and economy is dynamic with consumers requiring more product information therefore the companies would have to continuously invent new methods to maintain their competitive edge. Products and services have undergone major changes with advanced technology like smart packaging that refrigerates individual packaging, fuelled by cells that automatically turn off on the use-by date. (The grocer, 2007). Consumers no longer trust big brands and do business through network of friends causing major change in retail structure with power balance shifting to individuals with high level of consumer trust. Large supermarkets chains like Tesco and ASDA will have to become logistics expert at local level. Scenario two: Sell it to me Customers have do it for me attitude In this scenario there is high customer confidence, good economy and customers trusting big brands and expecting organisations to solve problems for them. Large supermarkets like ASDA and Tesco do not undergo major changes and still dominate. The only major change that comes is the more personalised touch they give to their businesses like customised products based on the customers nutritional or personal requirements. Scenario three: from me to you. Here we have uncertain economy, less prosperity, environmental disasters, climate change. Consumers have do it yourself attitude as they dont trust the government and large organisations. Brand loyalty is almost nonexistent and customers prefer home grown cheaper solutions. Retail structure is badly affected with high street struggling. Scenario four: Im in your hands The economy is shaky, slow growth, debt crisis, with do it for me attitude of customer. Only trusted brands have survived. Development of new technologies is at much slower pace. It is the most favourable situation for Tesco and ASDA with smaller units struggling to survive with them dominating high streets. They enjoy strong customer trust with compulsory loyalty card schemes. (The grocer, 2007). PORTERS DIAMOND We now with the help of Porters diamond try to identify which of Tesco or ASDA is more competitive. Factors Conditions Tesco gained competitive advantage over ASDA through advanced factors mainly by successful technological integration into their business. Tesco has been successful in using these factors to make themselves more attractive to the customers. It was the first to diversify into various other nonretail sectors like mobile phones, insurance, digital entertainment. ASDA although has embraced these changes but by being first Tesco has gained an upper hand over ASDA. Demand Conditions Tesco was the first one to start own-label products. These are highly appreciated and in demand among the main middle class target group of these supermarkets because of low prices and good quality. Unlike ASDA Tesco stores are differentiated into various formats on basis of sizes and location like Tesco extra, Tesco metro, Tesco express making them easily accessible to everyone locally. Related And Supporting Industries Tesco gained advantage in this third attribute by mainly developing new products and selling it to existing customers. Strategy, Structure And Rivalry Tescos cost leadership strategy has given it a competitive edge over ASDA. Tesco is still continuing with its initial approach of pile it high, sell it cheap. Tesco stores in UK are divided into 6 classes depending upon their size, structure and range of products they sold. These size based structure helps it to serve their main target middle class group more effectively than ASDA. VISION MISSION AND GOALS Tesco Mission statement: Creating value for customers, to earn their lifetime loyalty.(Tesco PLC, our values, 2010). Tescos people centred value, our success depends on people both people who shop with us and people who work with us, explains how they would go an extra mile to win the loyalty of their customers and employees. Their Clubcard initiative has been their most successful customer retention strategy by gaining customers loyalty. ASDA Mission statement: To be Britains best value retailer exceeding customers needs.. always Statement of purpose: To save everyone money, everyday. (ASDA, all about us,2008) Thus according to the mission statement they want to become best retailer with priority on the customer satisfaction. ASDA has been working relentlessly towards this aim laying down various strategies to become market leader. One of these strategies as discussed in SWOT analysis is of price guarantee where the customers can easily do an online comparison with other supermarkets and if they are not cheapest then customer gets a printable voucher redeemable at ASDA stores. This along with ASDA smart price strategy shows their commitment towards their mission statement.

Nike: A Strange and Terrbile Saga :: Company Business

Nike: A Strange and Terrbile Saga Image is a vital to the success of the giant international sports footwear and apparel corporation Nike. Endorsements by sports superstars like basketballer Michael Jordan, soccer maestro Eric Cantona and sprinting ace Cathy Freeman -- to name just a very few -- have made the company's "Swoosh" logo synonymous with "cool" for millions of young people worldwide. That image would be badly tarnished if it became widely known that the Nike empire is built on cheap Third World labour (including child labour), denial of trade union rights and collaboration with repressive regimes, most notably the Suharto regime in Indonesia. Nike Australia's public relations spokesperson, Megan Ryan, was coy about how much the company spends on marketing and sponsorship when Green Left Weekly spoke to her recently. She refused to disclose how much it pays top athletes to endorse its products. She said Nike sought to sponsor, and be endorsed by, the "best athletes possible" as a recognition of their achievements. The only image Nike sought from association with sports mega-heroes was to be recognised as an "authentic" sports brand. "Nike is not a fashion brand", she insisted. Perhaps Ryan hasn't stood on a city street corner, or in a suburban shopping centre, to see just how much Nike gear has become part of youth culture. This is in large part due to the "street cred" that comes from being associated with the likes of the larger-than-life Michael Jordan and the outrageous "dunk-punk" Dennis Rodman, US NBA basketball -- according to one poll, the most popular sport among Australian young people -- and, indirectly, African-American fashion and music. Okay, Ryan finally conceded, there is "some flow-through effect". In fact, more than 60% of Nike sales are to non-athletes. To achieve this "flow-through effect" Nike pays Jordan, the jewel in its endorsement crown, an estimated US$20 million a year to have a sandshoe named after him. In 1992, the company forked out $250 million on its advertising and promotion budget alone. Nike advertisements appear in magazines not noted for their sports content, such as Rolling Stone and the Source, the premier US hip hop magazine. Nike billboards have featured the Swoosh symbol painted by street graffiti artists, and flying basketballers letting loose with technical sports terms like: "I'm gonna dunk on your ass". And, of course, Nike has a home page on the World Wide Web where athletic Web surfers are urged to "hear Spike Lee talk about the Air Jordan XI, call 1-800-645-6031" (perhaps Spike jogs?