Abstract The paper considers Irving's "Rip Van Winkle" as an exercise in nostalgia. The paper answers the question: What is the price of social progress?
From the Paper ""Rip Van Winkle" The Price of Social Progress. Washington Irving's short story "Rip Van Winkle" is often considered the first truly American folk tale. Indeed while Irving borrows elements from the German tradition, the setting and historical context are so distinctly American that the reader is given a glimpse into the early cultural landscape of the nation. Even within the story itself the idea of the past is central as Rip's slumbers allows for a comparison between the pre and post-Revolutionary worlds."
Tags:rip van winkle, irving, social progress, change, revolutionary war, nostalgia
Abstract This paper focuses on the rise of big business in the U.S. and examines what allows this to happen. It concentrates on demand related factors as well as the supply side factors.
From the Paper "In a laisse-faire economy it is strictly hands off for the government. It is an economy in which, there is free trade with no government intervention. In this economy firms share knowledge thusly creating a highly competitive market where no firm has "economic power". At least this is the thinking behind Adam Smith's classical economic theory which was the accepted theory in the U.S. This seems self explanatory for a people with a history of tyrannous rule and people whose main reasons for coming to America were for economic freedom. It is what these people fought for against England during the Revolutionary War. "
Abstract This paper analyzes Chester Finn's article "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Test?", which concerns national education testing. It explores Finn's view that national educational testing is the solution to the problems confronting education today.
From the Paper "Chester E Finn Jr has written an article that supports establishing national testing standards for schools. This is not a balanced article that considers the advantages and disadvantages of the issue and ..."
Tags: education, big bad test, finn, national, education, testing
Abstract This paper reviews Daniel Wallace's novel "Big Fish: A novel of Mythic Proportions" and highlights the elements of fantasy that are found in the work. The role of the fantastic is analyzed and it's impact is contrasted with the concrete and realistic outlooks of other characters in the novel. In particular, the paper focuses on the protagonist William and the depiction of his expedition to unravel the truth. The reviewer concludes that Wallace proves that words have the power to transform reality into a group of ideas that leave an impression that does not disappear.
From the Paper "William's desire to understand his father through a staunch reality is never met in the novel, and there is a reason for this. Edward, even in his last days is trying to compel William to see the world through the eyes of fantasy, to make everything more meaningful. William wishes that Edward would speak the truth, rather than what he, as a boy and as an adult believes are his father's attempts to spin his life into fantasy to impress him, despite his long absence form his son's life. William gives the impression that he believes his father's stories are a fabrication that he has concocted, during long hours in lonely hotel rooms, while he traveled the south as a salesman. He seems not to believe, at first in any truth in the fantasy. "
Tags: Daniel, Wallace, Big, Fish, a, Novel, of, Mythic, Proportions
Abstract This paper examines how in her essay "An American Dream: Rip Van Winkle" Judith Fetterly states that Rip Van Winkle is a character who established the pattern followed by all other heroes in American literature. It attempts to evaluate Winkle's qualities and compare him to other heroes in American literature to clarify whether or not Rip really has served as an example to all other "great men" in the country's fictional world.
From the Paper "It is not hard to notice that the most appealing, the most popular character in American books would be some gruff, terrible fellow with a horrid reputation and no friends. A perfect example would be Rhett Butler from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. He is by no means a well-liked or kind man; on the contrary, he is everything that we would usually be expected to dislike. However, what makes us fond of him is the fact that underneath all that nastiness lies something genuinely beautiful. This beauty we see in his undying love for Scarlett and his few brilliant years of fatherhood. The same can be seen in the wild cowboys of the West who shoot people right and left and are usually on a bloody quest for some long-lost treasure. All of these qualities point to ruthless hunger for wealth and an absolute disregard for those around them."
Abstract In the classic tale "Rip van Winkle" by Washington Irving, the story of a man that sleeps through the American Revolutionary War is presented. Yet while the story is intended to be a work of humor, Irving also works to present the war of the sexes as manifest in the conflict between the character of Rip van Winkle and the various female characters that van Winkle encounters within the story. This paper investigates the gender roles in this story.
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the short story 'Rip van Winkle', written by Washington Irving. According to the paper, the story of 'Rip van Winkle' features comic tension and interplay between the chronological, and political, present and past.
From the Paper " Irving comically implies, considering the circumstances of Dame van Winkle's death, that it is unhealthy to live filled with pique; anger, and anxiety (often the stuff of human drive and "progress"): she "broke a blood-vessel in a fit of passion at a New England pedlar sic]" (Irving, "Rip van Winkle", 1819). In contrast, Rip takes life as it comes; lives long, and gains respect and affection from the next generation, having now reached "that happy age when a man can do nothing with impunity" (Irving). Therefore, Rip now "took his place once more on the bench, at the inn door, and was reverenced as one of the patriarchs of the village, and a chronicle of the old times "before the war." ("Rip Van Winkle"). "
Tags: ambition, Dame, van, Winkle, misery, protracted, sleep, respect
Abstract This paper discusses how Rip Van Winkle is essentially a passive character who does not take action but who has actions taken toward him. It shows how at the beginning of the story, he withdraws from a meddlesome domestic situation and goes into the wilderness where he is acted upon by supernatural forces. When he returns home, he finds everything changed not through any action of his own but simply through the passage of time.
From the Paper "Critic Josh Ozersky notes that Rip Van Winkle is a character well-remembered, though primarily for his long nap and not for any strength of character development in the story: Van Winkle is no Sherlock Holmes; there really is not that much to know about his character, other than a few very important characteristics. But those characteristics are so essential to America, and are presented by Irving in such a powerfully allegorical way, that every American, however illiterate, grows up knowing the myth of Rip Van Winkle (Ozersky). Those characteristics help explain the story and show a change in nature over time. Van Winkle begins the story as the amiable townsman with a shrewish wife, and he ends the story "an emancipated widower and ultimately, the village patriarch" (Catalano 114)."
Abstract The paper shows how the Big Wave Cruise organization must make some significant changes to their human resources strategies in order to become more competitive in an increasingly competitive industry. The paper discusses how the organization does not have the level of employee commitment to the organization that is so critical to its success. The paper contends that Big Wave Cruise must address the training issue currently plaguing the company, the perception and/or reality of an excessive workload on employees and the unacceptable compensation plan.
Outline:
Introduction
Division of Labor at Big Wave Cruise
The Perception of Lack of Skills by Big Wave Employees
The Perception of Excessive Workload by Big Wave Employees
Inadequate Compensation Received by Big Wave Cruise Employees
Conclusion
From the Paper "The cruise industry is a hyper-competitive industry, as the Big Wave Cruise organization has discovered. Even with the phenomenal growth rate of the industry, Big Wave has felt the increased competition as competitors enter the market with newer ships, better technology, and more exotic destinations. Add to this challenge the increased demand from customers for higher levels of customer service, including 24-hour entertainment options and catering, and it becomes clear that even a well positioned cruise line is bound to feel the strains from increased threats in the industry. For Big Wave Cruise, these threats are compounded by internal weaknesses specifically within their human resource strategies."
Tags: employee, compensation, competition, training
Abstract This paper is about the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. It examines what kinds of children need mentors, what kind of activities mentors do with children and what effect this interaction has on the children and the volunteers.
Abstract This paper examines how the Dude from the film "The Big Lebowski" betrays the traditional image of the hero with his less-than-perfect physique and substandard ambition. It explores the Dude's role as mediator between the oppressive, zealous Walter and the passive, naive Donnie as well as his heroic role as he blunders through his misinformed attempt to rescue Bunny on behalf of the Big Lebowski from the apathetic German nihilists. The paper also delves into the buffering role the Dude plays between the aggressive Jackie Treehorn and the ostensible victim Bunny. Finally, the paper explores the Dude's fulfillment of Maude's odd wishes in spite of the Big Lebowski's oppositions, who adopts the role of the aggressor in this situation.
From the Paper "In what may appear to be a common friendship between three men, the Dude actually plays a critical role in mediating the conflicting natures of his two closest friends. Walter, an eccentric, outspoken, Vietnam veteran relentlessly chides Donnie, whose absentmindedness is a ready fuel source for Walter's self-righteous anger. Essentially, Walter and Donnie respectively personify an opposition between defilement and naivety, which casts Walter as the strong and Donnie as the weak. Though the Dude forgoes active intervention between the two in most circumstances, his mere presence reconciles Walter's hostility with Donnie's passiveness, a presence that prevents, and even rescues Donnie from becoming entirely subjugated by Walter's dominating personality. "
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses Big Byte Computers, Inc., which is a manufacturer of personal computers, with annual sales of $5 billion. The writer maintains that due to the competitive pressures of the marketplace, Big Byte must identify and implement cost savings in its production and distribution processes designed to contain price-to-customer and improve profitability. The writer notes that currently, Big Byte is considering revamping its logistics processes, in order to pursue a more comprehensive approach to supply chain management. Such a move could entail changing its partnership with current logistics provider, CBL Logistics. In order to determine the most appropriate path, a SWOT analysis is needed to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that exist from moving from its current situation to one in which a trusted partner is potentially dropped and an existing system is potentially altered. This report provides such an analysis.
From the Paper "There are a number of strengths evident in the current BBC situation. First, a simple process for inbound and outbound shipping and centralized logistics management has been established. This fact facilitates comparison with any new approach suggested. If, at this point, it is argued that BBC's costs are too high it is likely due to transportation and production process costs. Unnecessary redundancies have been eliminated, as have accounting uncertainties. In order to lower costs, therefore, it becomes clear that the company must change the processes. The choice before the company, in other words, is a stark one. Such clarity of choice can be beneficial when deciding a way forward to improve return on investment because it facilitates analysis and saves time."
Abstract This paper discusses the portrayal of big business in the mass media. It discusses why films and books about big business are gaining widespread attention, when they appear to have less entertainment value than traditional films and novels. The paper argues that popular media that attack big businesses are making a valid point and serving a useful purpose as globalization spreads.
From the Paper "Unfortunately, another aspect of all this is that many fast food companies actively promote unhealthy eating habits, despite the fact that there is a growing obesity epidemic in North America. This was highlighted by another movie that enjoyed widespread viewing, Super Size Me. This film made the point that McDonald's penchant for encouraging us to super size our meals is contributing to gluttony, and to an epidemic of obesity and ill health - but it is making McDonald's shareholders very, very wealthy. Independent US filmmaker Morgan Spurlock proved the point by eating nothing but McDonald's food for thirty days. The film records how his health deteriorated under this regime - he put on 25 pounds of fat, he became moody and sexually inadequate, and he almost destroyed his liver. This film performs a very valuable function in highlighting the selfish greed of corporations such as McDonald's, which makes its money by aggressively encouraging people to become unhealthy."
Abstract The paper reviews the literature in the area of small business and its competition against the 'big box' retailers such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart. The paper identifies various strategies for small businesses to compete with the 'big box' companies, such as location, use of the Internet and customer service. The paper concludes that consumers greatly desire small business competition to return to their hometown, but the small business must provide something more than the 'big box' while remaining competitively priced, retaining quality products and providing customer service.
Outline:
Introduction
Management, Marketing and Service
Summary
Conclusion
From the Paper "Bannock (2003) states that "the vulnerability of small firms arises virtually by definition from the small scale of their human and financial resources." Bannock states that The Committee of Inquiry on Small Firms, chaired by the late John Bolton identified three characteristics in itS economic definition of small firm as follows: (1) A small market share, that is not large enough to influence national prices or quantities; (2) 2. Managed in a personalized way; and (3) Independence or the exercise of ultimate management responsibility. (Bannock, 2003) Bannock states that these three characteristics "are to be founding the vast majority of all businesses, but the economic definition is of no use for statistical purposes since business statistics are not classified in terms of market share, owner-management and employment dimension, a threshold that seems appropriate to define a 'small firm' in one activity may not be appropriate for another." (Bannock, 2003)"
Tags: customer, service, competition, prices, management, marketing, service
Abstract This paper examines the Big Bang theory, and how the planet Earth is thought to have come about. The author discusses how if life on Earth was created via the Big Bang, could not humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, created in the same manner? The paper looks at whether humans have the technology to discover possible extraterrestrial life.
From the Paper "Should we as humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? There are many reasons for and against this concept, but first we should trace just how our terrestrial life started. The beginning of time and the universe began with the Big Bang. This was an explosion that started the expansion of the universe. In the most basic sense, the standard model is simply the idea that every bit of the matter and energy in the universe was once compressed to an unimaginable density. In the big bang, the material exploded outward into the formation of matter that we see today."
