A Dirty Job Chapter 9

9 THE DRAGON, THE BEAR, AND THE FISH In the hallway of the third floor of Charlie's building, a meeting was going on between the great powers of Asia: Mrs. Ling and Mrs. Korjev. Mrs. Ling, by holding Sophie, had the strategic advantage, while Mrs. Korjev, who was fully twice the size of Mrs. Ling, possessed the threat of massive retaliatory force. What they had in common, besides being widows and immigrants, was a deep love for little Sophie, a precarious grasp on the English language, and a passionate lack of confidence in Charlie Asher's ability to raise his daughter alone. â€Å"He is angry when he leave today. Like bear,† said Mrs. Korjev, who was possessed of an atavistic compulsion toward ursine simile. â€Å"He say no poke,† said Mrs. Ling, who limited herself to English verbs in the present tense only, as a devotion to her Chan Buddhist beliefs, or so she claimed. â€Å"Who give poke to baby?† â€Å"Pork is good for child. Make her grow strong,† said Mrs. Korjev, who then quickly added, â€Å"like bear.† â€Å"He say it turn her into shih tzu. Shih tzu is dog. What kind father think little girl turn into dog?† Mrs. Ling was especially protective of little girls, as she had grown up in a province of China where each morning a man with a cart came around to collect the bodies of baby girls who had been born during the night and hurled into the street. She was lucky that her own mother had spirited her away to the fields and refused to come home until the new daughter was accepted as part of the family. â€Å"Not shih tzu,† corrected Mrs. Korjev. â€Å"Shiksa.† â€Å"Okay, shiksa. Dog is dog,† said Mrs. Ling. â€Å"Is irresponsible.† Not once was the letter r heard in Mrs. Ling's pronunciation of irresponsible. â€Å"Is Yiddish word for not a Jew girl. Rachel is Jew, you know.† Mrs. Korjev, unlike most of the Russian immigrants left in the neighborhood, was not a Jew. Her people had come from the steppes of Russia, and she was, in fact, descended from Cossacks – not generally considered a Hebrew-friendly race. She atoned for the sins of her ancestors by being ferociously protective (not unlike a mother bear) of Rachel, and now Sophie. â€Å"The flowers need water today,† said Mrs. Korjev. At the end of the hallway was a large bay window that looked out on the building across the street and a window box full of red geraniums. On afternoons, the two great Asian powers would stand in the hallway, admire the flowers, talk of the cost of things, and complain about the increasing discomfort of their shoes. Neither dared start her own window box of geraniums, lest it appear that she had stolen the idea from across the street, and in the process set off an escalating window-box competition that could ultimately end in bloodshed. They agreed, tacitly, to admire – but not covet – the red flowers. Mrs. Korjev liked the very redness of them. She had always been angry that the Communists had co-opted that color, for otherwise it would have evoked an unbridled happiness in her. Then again, the Russian soul, conditioned by a thousand years of angst, really wasn't equipped for unbridled happiness, so it was probably for the best. Mrs. Ling was also taken with the red of the geraniums, for in her cosmology that color represented good fortune, prosperity, and long life. The very gates of the temples were painted that same color red, and so the red flowers represented one of the many paths to wu – eternity, enlightenment – essentially, the universe in a flower. She also thought that they would taste pretty good in soup. Sophie had only recently discovered color, and the red splashes against the gray shiplap was enough to put a toothless smile on her little face. So the three were staring into the joy of red flowers when the black bird hit the window, throwing a great spiderweb crack around it. But rather than fall away, the bird seemed to leak into the very crack, and spread, like black ink, across the window and in, onto the walls of the hallway. And the great powers of Asia fled to the stairway. Charlie was rubbing his left wrist where the plastic bag had been tied around it. â€Å"What, did your mother name you after a mouthwash ad?† Mr. Fresh, looking somewhat vulnerable for a man of his size, said, â€Å"Toothpaste, actually.† â€Å"Really?† â€Å"Yeah.† â€Å"Sorry, I didn't know,† Charlie said. â€Å"You could have changed it, right?† â€Å"Mr. Asher, you can resist who you are for only so long. Finally you decide to just go with fate. For me that has involved being black, being seven feet tall – yet not in the NBA – being named Minty Fresh, and being recruited as a Death Merchant.† He raised an eyebrow as if accusing Charlie. â€Å"I have learned to accept and embrace all of those things.† â€Å"I thought you were going to say gay,† Charlie said. â€Å"What? A man doesn't have to be gay to dress in mint green.† Charlie considered Mr. Fresh's mint-green suit – made from seersucker and entirely too light for the season – and felt a strange affinity for the refreshingly-named Death Merchant. Although he didn't know it, Charlie was recognizing the signs of another Beta Male. (Of course there are gay Betas: the Beta Male boyfriend is highly prized in the gay community because you can teach him how to dress yet you can remain relatively certain that he will never develop a fashion sense or be more fabulous than you.) Charlie said, â€Å"I suppose you're right, Mr. Fresh. I'm sorry if I made assumptions. My apologies.† â€Å"That's okay,† said Mr. Fresh. â€Å"But you really should go.† â€Å"No, I still don't understand, how do I know who the souls go to? I mean, after this happened, there were all kinds of soul vessels in my store I hadn't even known about. How do I know I didn't sell them to someone who already had one? What if someone has a set?† â€Å"That can't happen. At least as far as we know. Look, you'll just know. Take my word for it. When people are ready to receive the soul, they get it. Have you ever studied any of the Eastern religions?† â€Å"I live in Chinatown,† said Charlie, and although that was technically kinda-sorta true, he knew how to say exactly three things in Mandarin: Good day; light starch, please; and I am an ignorant white devil, all taught to him by Mrs. Ling. He believed the last to translate to â€Å"top of the morning to you.† â€Å"Let me rephrase that, then,† said Mr. Fresh. â€Å"Have you ever studied any of the Eastern religions?† â€Å"Oh, Eastern religions,† Charlie said, pretending he had just misinterpreted the question before. â€Å"Just Discovery Channel stuff – you know, Buddha, Shiva, Gandalf – the biggies.† â€Å"You understand the concept of karma? How unresolved lessons are re-presented to you in another life.† â€Å"Yes, of course. Duh.† Charlie rolled his eyes. â€Å"Well, think of yourself as a soul reassignment agent. We are agents of karma.† â€Å"Secret agents,† Charlie said wistfully. â€Å"Well, I hope it goes without saying,† said Mr. Fresh, â€Å"that you can't tell anyone what you are, so yes, I suppose we are secret agents of karma. We hold a soul until a person is ready to receive it.† Charlie shook his head as if trying to clear water from his ears. â€Å"So if someone walks into my store and buys a soul vessel, until then they've been going through life without a soul? That's awful.† â€Å"Really?† said Minty Fresh. â€Å"Do you know if you have a soul?† â€Å"Of course I do.† â€Å"Why do you say that?† â€Å"Because I'm me.† Charlie tapped his chest. â€Å"Here I am.† â€Å"That's just a personality,† said Minty, â€Å"and barely one. You could be an empty vessel, and you'd never know the difference. You may not have reached a point in life where you are ready to receive your soul.† â€Å"Huh?† â€Å"Your soul may be more evolved than you are right now. If a kid fails tenth grade, do you make him repeat grades K through nine?† â€Å"No, I guess not.† â€Å"No, you just make him start over at the beginning of tenth grade. Well, it's the same with souls. They only ascend. A person gets a soul when they can carry it to the next level, when they are ready to learn the next lesson.† â€Å"So if I sell one of those glowing objects to someone, they've been going through life without a soul?† â€Å"That's my theory,† said Minty Fresh. â€Å"I've read a lot on this subject over the years. Texts from every culture and religion, and this explains it better than anything else I can come up with.† â€Å"Then it's not all in the book you sent.† â€Å"That's just the practical instructions. There's no explanations. It's Dick-and-Jane simple. It says to get a calendar and put it next to your bed and the names will come to you. It doesn't tell you how you will find them, or what the object is, just that you have to find them. Get a day planner. That's what I use.† â€Å"But what about the number? When I would find a name written next to the bed, there was always a number next to it.† Mr. Fresh nodded and grinned a little sheepishly. â€Å"That's how many days you'll have to retrieve the soul vessel.† â€Å"You mean it's how long before the person dies? I don't want to know that.† â€Å"No, not how long before the person dies, how long you have to retrieve the vessel, how many days are left. I've been looking at this for a long time, and the number is never above forty-nine. I thought that might be significant, so I started looking for it in literature about death and dying. Forty-nine days just happens to be the number of days of bardo, the term used in the Tibetan Book of the Dead for the transition between life and death. Somehow, we Death Merchants are the medium for moving these souls, but we have to get there within the forty-nine days, that's my theory, anyway. Don't be surprised sometimes if the person has been dead for weeks before you get his name. You still have the number of days left in bardo to get the soul vessel.† â€Å"And if I don't make it in time?† Charlie asked. Minty Fresh shook his head dolefully. â€Å"Shades, ravens, dark shit rising from the Underworld – who knows? Thing is, you have to find it in time. And you will.† â€Å"How, if there's no address or instructions, like ‘it's under the mat.'† â€Å"Sometimes – most of the time, in fact – they come to you. Circumstances line up.† Charlie thought about the stunning redhead bringing him the silver cigarette case. â€Å"You said sometimes?† Fresh shrugged. â€Å"Sometimes you have to really search, find the person, go to their house – once I even hired a detective to help me find someone, but that started to bring the voices. You can tell if you're getting close by checking to see if people notice you.† â€Å"But I have to make a living. I have a kid – â€Å" â€Å"You'll do that, too, Charlie. The money comes as part of the job. You'll see.† Charlie did see. He had seen already: the Mainheart estate clothing – he'd make tens of thousands on it if he got it. â€Å"Now you have to go,† said Minty Fresh. He held out his hand to shake and a grin cut his face like a crescent moon in the night sky. Charlie took the tall man's hand, his own hand disappearing into the Death Merchant's grip. â€Å"I'm still sure I have questions. Can I call you?† â€Å"No,† said the mint one. â€Å"Okay, then, I'm going now,† Charlie said, not really moving. â€Å"Completely at the mercy of forces of the Underworld and stuff.† â€Å"You take care,† said Minty Fresh. â€Å"No idea what the hell I'm doing,† Charlie went on, taking tentative baby steps toward the door. â€Å"The weight of all of humanity on my shoulders.† â€Å"Yeah, make sure you stretch in the morning,† said the big man. â€Å"By the way,† Charlie said, out of rhythm with his whining, â€Å"are you gay?† â€Å"What I am,† said Minty Fresh, â€Å"is alone. Completely and entirely.† â€Å"Okay,† Charlie said. â€Å"I'm sorry.† â€Å"It's okay. I'm sorry I smacked you in the head.† Charlie nodded, grabbed his sword-cane from behind the counter, and walked out of Fresh Music into an overcast San Francisco day. Well, he wasn't exactly Death, but he wasn't Santa's helper, either. It didn't really matter that no one would believe him even if he told them. Death Merchant seemed a little dire, but he liked the idea of being a secret agent. An agent of KARMA – Karma Assessment Reassignment Murder and Ass – okay, he could work on the acronym later, but a secret agent nevertheless. Actually, although he didn't know it, Charlie was well suited to be a secret agent. Because they function below the radar, Beta Males make excellent spies. Not the â€Å"James Bond, Aston Martin with missiles, boning the beautiful Russian rocket scientist on an ermineskin bedspread† sort of spy – more the â€Å"bad comb-over, deep-cover bureaucrat fishing coffee-sodden documents out of a Dumpster† spy. His overt nonthreateningness allows him access to places and people that are closed to the Alpha Male, wearing his testosterone on his sleeve. The Beta male can, in fact, be dangerous, not so much in the â€Å"Jet Li entire body is a deadly weapon† way but more in the â€Å"drunk on the riding mower making a Luke Skywalker assault on the toolshed† sort of way. So, as Charlie headed for the streetcar stop on Market Street, he mentally tried on his new persona as a secret agent, and was feeling pretty good about it, when, as he passed a storm drain, he heard a female voice whisper harshly, â€Å"We'll get the little one. You'll see, fresh Meat. We'll have her soon.† As soon as Charlie walked into his store from the alley, Lily bolted into the back room to meet him. â€Å"That cop was here again. That guy died. Did you kill him?† To the machine-gun update she added, â€Å"Uh, sir?† Then she saluted, curtsied, then did a praying-hands Japanese bow thing. Charlie was thrown by all of it, coming as it did when he was in a panic about his daughter and had just driven across town like a madman. He was sure the gestures of respect were just some dark cover-up for a favor or a misdeed, or, as often was the case, the teenager was messing with him. So he sat down on one of the high hardwood stools near the desk and said, â€Å"Cop? Guy? ‘Splain, please. And I didn't kill anyone.† Lily took a deep breath. â€Å"That cop that was by here the other day came back. Turns out that guy you went up to see in Pacific Heights last week† – she looked at something she had written on her arm in red ink – â€Å"Michael Mainheart, killed himself. And he left a note to you. Saying that you were to take his and his wife's clothes and sell them at the market rate. And then he wrote† – and here she again referred to her ink-stained arm – â€Å"‘What about â€Å"I just want to die† did you not understand?'† Lily looked up. â€Å"That's what he said after I gave him CPR the other day,† Charlie said. â€Å"So, did you kill him? Or whatever you call it. You can tell me.† She curtsied again, which disturbed Charlie more than somewhat. He'd long ago defined his relationship with Lily as being built on a strong base of affectionate contempt, and this was throwing everything off. â€Å"No, I did not kill him. What kind of question is that?† â€Å"Did you kill the guy with the cigarette case?† â€Å"No! I never even saw that guy.† â€Å"You realize that I am your trusted minion,† Lily said, this time adding another bow. â€Å"Lily, what the hell is wrong with you?† â€Å"Nothing. There's nothing wrong at all, Mr. Asher – uh, Charles. Do you prefer Charles or Charlie?† â€Å"You're asking now? What else did the cop say?† â€Å"He wanted to talk to you. I guess they found that Mainheart guy dressed in his wife's clothing. He hadn't been home from the hospital for an hour before he sent the nurse away, got all cross-dressed up, then took a handful of painkillers.† Charlie nodded, thinking about how adamant Mainheart had been about having his wife's clothes out of the house. He was using any way he could to feel close to her, and it wasn't working. And when wearing her clothes didn't put him closer, he'd gone after her the only way he knew how, by joining her in death. Charlie understood. If it hadn't been for Sophie, he might have tried to join Rachel. â€Å"Pretty kinky, huh?† Lily said. â€Å"No!† Charlie barked. â€Å"No it's not, Lily. It's not like that at all. Don't even think that. Mr. Mainheart died of grief. It might look like something else, but that's what it was.† â€Å"Sorry,† Lily said. â€Å"You're the expert.† Charlie was staring at the floor, trying to put some sense to it all, wondering if his losing the fur coat that was Mrs. Mainheart's soul vessel meant that the couple would never be together again. Because of him. â€Å"Oh yeah,† Lily added. â€Å"Mrs. Ling called down all freaked out and yelling all Chinesey about a black bird smashing the window – â€Å" Charlie was off the stool and taking the stairs two at a time. â€Å"She's in your apartment,† Lily called after him. There was an orange slick of TV attorneys floating on the top of the fishbowl when Charlie got to his apartment. The Asian powers were standing in his kitchen, Mrs. Korjev was holding Sophie tight to her chest, and the infant was virtually swimming, trying to escape the giant marshmallowy canyon of protection between the massive Cossack fun bags. Charlie snatched his daughter as she was sinking into the cleavage for the third time and held her tight. â€Å"What happened?† he asked. There followed a barrage of Chinese and Russian mixed with the odd English word: bird, window, broken, black, and make shit on myself. â€Å"Stop!† Charlie held up a free hand. â€Å"Mrs. Ling, what happened?† Mrs. Ling had recovered from the bird hitting the window and the mad dash down the steps, but she was now showing an uncharacteristic shyness, afraid that Charlie might notice the damp spot in the pocket of her frock where the recently deceased Barnaby Jones lay orangely awaiting introduction to some wonton, green onions, a pinch of five spices, and her soup pot. â€Å"Fish is fish,† she said to herself when she squirreled that rascal away. There were, after all, five more dead attorneys in the bowl, who would miss one? â€Å"Oh, nothing,† said Mrs. Ling. â€Å"Bird break window and scare us. Not so bad now.† Charlie looked to Mrs. Korjev. â€Å"Where?† â€Å"On our floor. We are talking in hall. Speaking of what is best for Sophie, when boom, bird hits window and black ink run through window. We run here and lock door.† Both the widows had keys to Charlie's apartment. â€Å"I'll have it fixed tomorrow,† Charlie said. â€Å"But that's all. Nothing – no one came in?† â€Å"Is third floor, Charlie. No one comes in.† Charlie looked to the fishbowl. â€Å"What happened there?† Mrs. Ling's eyes went wide. â€Å"I have to go. Mah-jongg night at temple.† â€Å"We come in, lock door,† explained Mrs. Korjev. â€Å"Fish are fine. Put Sophie in car seat like always we are doing, then go look in hallway for coast to be clear. When Mrs. Ling look back, fish are dead.† â€Å"Not me! Is Russian who see dead fish,† said Mrs. Ling. â€Å"It's okay,† Charlie said. â€Å"Did you see any birds, anything dark in the apartment?† The two women shook their heads. â€Å"Only upstairs,† Mrs. Ling said. â€Å"Let's go look,† Charlie said, moving Sophie to his hip and picking up his sword-cane. He led the two women to the little elevator, did a quick assessment of Mrs. Korjev's size versus the cubic footage, and led them up the stairs. When he saw the broken bay window he felt a little weak in the knees. It wasn't so much the window, it was what was on the roof across the street. Refracted a thousand times in the spiderwebbed safety glass was the shadow of a woman that was cast on the building. He handed the baby to Mrs. Korjev, approached the window, and knocked a hole in the glass to see better. As he did, the shadow slid down the side of the building, across the sidewalk, and into the storm drain next to where a dozen tourists had just disembarked from a cable car. None of them appeared to have seen anything. It was just past one and the sun was casting shadows nearly straight down. He looked back at the two windows. â€Å"Did you see that?† â€Å"You mean break window?† Mrs. Ling said, slowly approaching the window and peering through the hole Charlie had made. â€Å"Oh no.† â€Å"What? What?† Mrs. Ling looked back at Mrs. Korjev. â€Å"You are right. Flowers need water.† Charlie looked through the hole in the window and saw that Mrs. Ling was referring to a window box full of dead, black geraniums. â€Å"Safety bars on all the windows. Tomorrow,† Charlie said. Not far away, as the crow flies, under Columbus Avenue, in a wide pipe junction where several storm sewers met, Orcus, the Ancient One, paced, bent over like a hunchback, the heavy spikes that jutted from his shoulders scraping the sides of the pipe, throwing off sparks and the smell of smoldering peat. â€Å"You're going to fuck up your spikes if you keep pacing like that,† said Babd. She was crouched in one of the smaller pipes to the side, next to her sisters, Nemain and Macha. Except for Nemain, who was beginning to show a gunmetal relief of bird feathers over her body, they were devoid of depth; flat absences of light, absolute black even in the gloom filtering down through the storm grates – shadows, silhouettes, really – the darker ancestors of the modern mud-flap girls. Shades: delicate and female and fierce. â€Å"Sit. Have a snack. What good to take the Above if you look like hell in the end?† Orcus growled and spun on the Morrigan, the three. â€Å"Too long out of the air! Too long.† From the basket on his belt he hooked a human skull on one of his claws, popped it in his mouth, and crunched down on it. The Morrigan laughed, sounding like wind through the pipes, pleased that he was enjoying their gift. They'd spent much of the day under San Francisco's graveyards digging out the skulls (Orcus liked them decoffinated) and polishing off the dirt and detritus until they shone like bone china. â€Å"We flew,† said Nemain. She took a moment to admire the blue-black feather shapes on her surface. â€Å"Above,† she added unnecessarily. â€Å"They are everywhere, like cherries waiting to be stolen.† â€Å"Not stolen,† said Orcus. â€Å"You think like a crow. They are ours for the taking.† â€Å"Oh yeah, well, where were you? I got these.† The shade held up William Creek's umbrella in one hand and the fur jacket she'd ripped away from Charlie Asher in the other. They still glowed red, but were rapidly dimming. â€Å"Because of these, I was Above. I flew.† When no one reacted, Nemain added, â€Å"Above.† â€Å"I flew, too,† said Babd timidly. â€Å"A little.† She was a tad self-conscious that she'd manifested no feather patterns or dimension. Orcus hung his great head. The Morrigan moved to his side and began stroking the long spikes that had once been wings. â€Å"We will all be Above, soon,† said Macha. â€Å"This new one doesn't know what he is doing. He will make it so we can all be Above. Look how far we've come – and we are so close now. Two Above in such a short time. This New Meat, this ignorant one, he may be all we need.† Orcus lifted his bull-like head and grinned, revealing a sawmill of teeth. â€Å"They will be like fruit for the picking.† â€Å"See,† said Nemain. â€Å"Like I said. Did you know that Above you can see really far? Miles. And the wonderful smells. I never realized how damp and musty it is down here. Is there any reason that we can't have a window?† â€Å"Shut up!† growled Orcus. â€Å"Jeez, bite my head off, why don't you.† â€Å"Don't tease,† said the bullheaded Death. He rose and led the other Deaths, the Morrigan, down the pipe toward the financial district, to the buried Gold Rush ship where they made their home.

Enemy Mine Fiction or Reality? Essay

Description Enemy mine is an excellent movie of scientific fiction made in 1985 in which two involved warriors in a wild future war between the Earth and the Dracon planet, where in a middle of a spaceship fight they are forced to land in a desolate and inhospitable planet. The principle, the human being (Dennis Quaid) and its enemy, a foreign reptile (Louis Gosset, Jr) are determined to mutual destruction. But after face the forces of nature and one to the other, the two lost pilots gradually perceive that the only way to remain alive is surpassing the mortal hatred. The Plot In the 21 century human and Dracs fight for the right of universe, a Dracon (Jeriba) and the human (Davidge) while battling both crash-landing in Fyrine IV. After initial hostilities, the two eventually learn to cooperate to be able to survive. They work together to construct a shelter for protection, and to satisfy its necessities for the food, the water, and the heat. They learn to surpass their differences, they become friends, and they learn each other languages, cultures and religion which have similar words. Later, Jeriba facing death while giving birth teaches Davidge its full ancestry, a necessity of its child (Zammis) must be accepted in the society of Drac. Davidge raises Zammis as its own child. On the years, Davidge and Zammis have a special connection, as Zammis relates to Davidge as his uncle. Davidge realize there are humans mining the planet to gather minerals called ore, and knows that they use Dracs as slaves, and Davidge tried to protect Zammis to be captured or killed. Zammis however, does not realize the danger and go to look the spaceship, and he is captured by the miners and Davidge is injured in the attempt to save the Child Drac. Davidge is left in planet surface, a ship of B. T. A patrol finds Davidge unconscious, and takes him to the space station where he was living before disappear in Fyrine IV. In the station, Davidge confused to be dead, but awakes when one of the engineers tries to steal the small book that Jeriba had given years to Davidge when he whished to learn the language of Drac. The patrol and doctors discovered that Davidge speaks fluent the Dracon language. Some day later, Davidge is reestablished to the duty, and steals a fighter and goes back to Fyrine IV where the miners kept Zammis. Davidge manages to find the ship and the slaves of Drac where they helped Davidge to surpass the human and eventually find Zammis. Davidge helps also take all the slaves of Drac in return to their planet and a ceremony of introduction of Zammis in way that can be accepted in the society of Drac. The Conclusion This history shows us an uniformity between two different races, a human and alien, both races hate them selves without knowing their history, culture, religion and language. But because they were trapped in a hostile planet they were force to work together in order to survive, they learned each other, language, culture and religion and the human realize that even a Alien has something alike the bible. They become friends and even show an event where the Alien gives a birth and die after and the human raises the child alien as if was his own child. This history seems very alike with our actual society where the hatred is spread around the world, people hate each other just because their differences, culture, religion and sometimes even the language. As in the movie shows how humans can be terrible, as our society used to slavery innocent people just because their differences and forced them to work in our own benefit, this practice should be banned many years ago, but as we know in some places the slavery still in practice and some people just ignore the facts. But like in the movie it shows also when our society face difficulties make us to recognize that this world does not belong to only one specific race, religion, culture or language and we need to work together in order to survive. We can forget that we are in the same planet, sharing and facing issues, not matter what the belief, culture or language is. To survive we need to work together, tried to understand the difference between other races and not neglect them. The humans might take few more hundreds of years to change, but I believe that one day we will have peace among our world.

Herman Melville Research Paper

Herman Melville stands among America’s greatest authors. Most people recognize Melville as the author of Moby Dick, one of the most well known American novels, one that he did not receive appreciation for until many years after his death. Almost all of Melville’s masterpieces included blends of symbolism, adventure, fact, and fiction. He based many novels on past experiences (primarily long sea explorations) and personal adventures. Not only did he capture the reader with his intense, vivid imagination, but he also conveyed his own philosophies and beliefs through quotes from the Bible and exceptional symbolism.Although Melville is widely known as an extraordinary author today, he was not considered to be as exceptional back then. He was born into a middle class family in New York City on August 1, 1819 (South). Herman’s father was a merchant from New England while his mother came from an old New York Dutch family. A little over ten years into his life, Melvilleà ¢â‚¬â„¢s father died shortly after experiencing financial and mental breakdowns. Now the â€Å"man of the house,† Melville had to take on the challenge of providing the family with a stable income to keep them healthy.He took on a variety of jobs for the next nine years, including being a clerk for his brother’s hat store, working in his uncle’s bank, teaching school in Massachusetts, and, perhaps the most impactful job in his early life, sailing to England as the cabin boy on a merchant ship. Instantly falling in love with the sea, Melville wrote about his voyage as a cabin boy in his novel Redburn. This â€Å"adventure† inspired Melville to continue his career at sea. When he returned to America, he joined the crew of â€Å"Acushnet,† a brand new whaling ship, soon to set sail in the Pacific Ocean (South).This voyage was perhaps the most influential expedition Melville ever took part in. Using the experiences, newly learned whaling knowledge, and stories from this specific adventure, Melville created several novels that were published later on in his life, including the world-famous Moby Dick. In all of his works, Melville reveals his own life in his creative writing style. His passion for whaling and sea voyages is presented in many of his novels, along with his internal desire to â€Å"unfold† himself and his whaling experiences, and also the portrayal of the man he wishes to be, through the descriptions of the major characters in his novels.Perhaps the most influential experiences in Melville’s life occurred on whaling ships. Ever since he was young, he was fascinated with sea life, and he eventually found â€Å"his way onto the whaling ship Acushnet in 1841 that would provide the experiences detailed in most of Melville’s repertoire† (â€Å"Melville†). He â€Å"spent a considerable amount of time on the seas as a sailor, and much of it in the South Seas’ whaling industry. Hence Melville’s favorite stories had that maritime orientation† (â€Å"Herman†).He spent many years of his life on ships traveling to and from several different countries; thus, his extensive experiences as a seaman was certainly brought out in his novels. Melville often wrote about his own journeys, like his â€Å"second book entitled, â€Å"Omoo, A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas†, published in 1847 which was based on another whaling journey Melville took part in† (â€Å"Herman†). Melville, on another adventure, â€Å"was captured and held for several months by the Typees; when he returned unscathed, friends encouraged Melville to write the escapade down† (â€Å"Herman†).On several of these expeditions, Melville had many near-death incidents that almost cost him his life, but inspired him to record them first-hand in his novels using dramatic sentence structure that captures the reader’s attention. Melville was th e type of writer that wrote whatever came to his mind, â€Å"however, it was his adventures as a seaman in 1845 that inspired Melville to write† (â€Å"Herman†). His â€Å"experience on the island as a prisoner of the Typees caused Melville to write his first novel based on that experience† (â€Å"Melville†).Melville loved to entertain his readers with exhilarating stories about his struggles at sea, and also the near-death encounters he experienced on his journeys. Overall, Melville was greatly inspired by his sea voyages throughout his life, and based most of his novels around his passion, whaling. On the other hand, Melville also had the desire to â€Å"open† and examine himself, and perhaps the human race itself, in writing his novels. Melville was highly impacted by his courageous adventures aboard ships, but ultimately â€Å"it was his desire to â€Å"unfold† himself that drove him to a writing vocation† (â€Å"Melville†) .Nathaniel Hawthorn, the author of The Scarlet Letter, aided Melville in his writing and â€Å"was very taken with Melville’s ability to delve deep into the human psyche and find what lay there and was very supportive in Melville’s continual unfolding†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (â€Å"Melville†). Not only did Melville capture the reader with intense drama, but he also grabbed the reader’s attention by â€Å"unfolding† his own opinions and beliefs in his writing so as to challenge the reader’s previous views on issues in life. Melville was so extensive in â€Å"the use of mythic figures, stories, and analogues, that his novels are inevitably interpreted as allegories† (â€Å"Billy†).He frequently â€Å"made the stories allegories instead of strict whaling adventures† (â€Å"Melville†). One specific goal that Melville deeply valued was to make readers examine themselves and question concepts people commonly do not consider, by secretly placing a hidden meaning, usually a moral, in his novels. Melville believed that â€Å"crucial to the structure and meaning was symbol. Melville, a thorough and serious Bible reader, dwells on biblical symbolism† (â€Å"Billy†). In Billy Budd, one of Melville’s most popular novels, the main character, Billy, was sent to be executed, but just before he dies, he utters his last words, â€Å"God bless Captain Vere!† (Melville).This is meant to symbolize Christ’s cry of forgiveness in the book of Luke – â€Å"Father forgive them for they know not what they do. † Religion played a major role in Melville’s life, and he dedicated several excerpts from his novels to reveal biblical themes or stories. All in all, Melville’s writing was not meant to just entertain the reader, but also to challenge the reader’s own views by â€Å"unfolding† his own philosophies through the use of symbolism and rhetorical devi ces.Lastly, the life of Melville shows up in his own writing through the descriptions and analyses of the major characters in his novels. He was thought to bring out his own ideas in the major characters from his stories and also to be â€Å"absorbing character traits from some of those visitors which later took life in his fiction† (L’Etoile). The major characters that Melville brought to life caused critics to speculate the he â€Å"adopted the â€Å"poignant, special† power in the narrator’s voice from another source† (L’Etoile).Melville was in many ways similar to the major characters he brought to life in his novels, primarily because he aspired to be like them, and thus shared comparable qualities. People have gone â€Å"a long way toward explaining the â€Å"special† character of the narrative voice as well as the compelling quality of the story that, to so many, has seemed so elusive† (L’Etoile). Melville’ s â€Å"artificial sentence construction parallels the narrator’s style of indirect communication† (Kemp).Through his unique sentence structure and characterization of important individuals in his stories, Melville alludes to the type of person he is and also the being he wants to become using indirect communication within his characters’ actions and words. Basing the majority of his masterpieces on sea life, Melville could easily express his inner self and philosophies through the creations of the characters in his novels. Throughout his life, Melville created many masterpieces and brought to life many characters. His own life is noticeably brought out in his works through his repeated ocean oriented novels.His novels like Moby Dick and Billy Budd challenged the ways people thought back then and today by relaying hidden morals to the audience. His analyses and descriptions of major individuals in his stories are indications of how Melville thought and who he wa s/wanted to be as a person. His desire to share his beliefs with the world led him to expand his writing career and create some of the most well known pieces today using exceptional symbolism, allusions, and plots. Melville changed American literature with his famous books and continues to be studied by students around the world today.

Traits of a successful Byzantine emperor from the perspective of Research Paper

Traits of a successful Byzantine emperor from the perspective of Michael Psellus - Research Paper Example In his historical works, he describes the attributes of the various emperors (it is notable that he had shifted his political alignment numerous times during his lifetime, thus implying that he had assessed Emperors and shifted allegiances when he perceived that an Emperor was weak). Thus, one can make the argument that Psellus was a pragmatists and a proto-Machiavellian figure, as evidenced by his political career, and the standards by which he assessed politicians and emperors. From reading Psellus’ Chronographia, one can arrive to the conclusion that Psellus’ ideas on what constituted a successful emperor were derived from the earlier Byzantine history (since the notorious â€Å"dirty power politics† that one can observe throughout the late Byzantine history can be traced to the earlier Roman times). Therefore, the traits that would make one a good Byzantine emperor were theorized by Psellus at a time when the Byzantine Empire was enjoying a century of success , stability and expansion (while also going through difficult times later on). Thus, Psellus himself was a high-class Byzantine political figure who was actively involved with the court politics of the Byzantine Emperors . Since Psellus had specialized in court politics, his perspective is inseparable from the Constantinopolitan political culture. Various political events that took place in Psellus’ time and the reigns of various emperors that greatly differed from each other provided Psellus with a wide-range of political experience to derive his assessment model from, since he always had the opportunity to observe how the imperial court had functioned under different emperors. Michael Psellus Traits of a Successful Byzantine Emperor In his book, the Fourteen Byzantine Rulers, Psellus provides a first-hand account that includes observations of blatant mismanagement, unethical political practices, incompetence, as well as successful or exemplary incidents that he attributes t o various Byzantine emperors and politicians. Since Psellus was a member of the Byzantine court for nearly a quarter century, he was able to not only observe but also interact with various emperors. This enabled him to better comprehend the various traits and ruling-styles of different emperors and thus form connections between the traits of a particular emperor and how those traits related to economic growth, military success, or the general well-being of the Empire at different instances throughout his career3. It should be noted though, that Psellus’ views were undoubtedly influenced by the norms of his time. Thus, Psellus’ political assessments also have a historical touch to it, apart from only concerning the discipline of political science. From the first to the last of the fourteen emperors, Psellus provides the following traits as being necessary for Byzantine Emperor to be a successful ruler4. Alertness, thoughtfulness and Intelligence The notion that these se ries of traits are necessary for an emperor to be successful is evidenced by the after-math of the demise of John Tzimisces. The legible heirs to the throne were Basil and Constantine, and both of them had been gaining political power prior to the death of Tzimisces. Michael Psellus explains that the two heirs had different political

Strategic Operations for Business Development Literature review

Strategic Operations for Business Development - Literature review Example The processes involved within the food retail and service industry are complex and the amount of waste produced presents a sustainability challenge because of the environmental impact which is has. There is need for the operators within the industry to adopt sustainable operations in order to meet the existing regulatory and sustainability objectives. The sustainability of operations within the food retail and services industry in the UK has been increasingly becoming necessary as the industry continues to grow and expand. The diminishing resources like energy have necessitated the adoption of sustainable sources of energy within the industry in order to cope with the every growing demand. With the introduction of technological processes within the industry, the consumption of energy continues to become an issues of concern. Various aspects of the business operations have become affected and the sustainability challenge ought to focus efforts to the most affected areas. This should mainly be undertaken through the establishment of regulations and control within many business processes involved within the industry in the effort of implementing sustainable operation. Despite the adoption and implementation of different sustainability approaches, the pressure upon the entire industry continues to increase as a growing world population increases demand for the products within the industry. Increased production becomes necessary and this results in the industry exerting pressure upon the existing resources, while generating more waste and consuming more of the limited resources. Disposal challenges for the generated wastes have become imminent within the industry with the increased environmental concerns, the regulations existing in the waste disposal aspect of the environment continues to increase the need for the industry to become accustomed to sustainable business operations. The sustainability challenge in the food industry ought to focus on meeting

Service recovery in consumer banking in China Dissertation - 1

Service recovery in consumer banking in China - Dissertation Example Moreover, the study also showed that the effectiveness of the same positively influenced the intention of the customers to stay with the banks (CUSTOMER LOYALTY). The importance of service recovery is usually taken into consideration when something in a service delivery goes wrong, Segelstrom and Howard (n.d.) discusses. Basically, the concept of service recovery is based on the fact that a company must take action to ensure that their customers or clients get the desired outcome notwithstanding the fact that the prior delivery has already failed. In addition thereto, it is through service recovery that the company in question rectifies their own processes in order to avoid the same mistake (Segelstrom and Howard n.d.). The importance of service recovery is usually the focus of researches within service management and service marketing (Bell and Zemke 1987; Bitner, Booms and Mohr 1994; Bitner, Booms and Tetreault 1990; Hart, Hesskett and Sasser Jr. 2000). According to the studies con ducted with respect to the said matter, service recovery is of paramount importance to the companies as the cost of attracting a new customer is significantly larger than retaining a new one (Bell and Zemke 1987; Hart, Heskett and Sasser Jr. 2000; Segelstorm and Howard n.d.). In addition thereto, researches conducted also pointed out that service failure and subsequent recovery positively affects the loyalty of the customers toward a certain company providing them with different kinds of services. The importance of service recovery was also discovered to be of paramount importance in financial institutions such as banks. In view of the same, this paper focuses on the analysis of service recovery and how it influences customer loyalty in banks.

Epidemiology and communicable disease Assignment - 1

Epidemiology and communicable disease - Assignment Example The first case of Ebola outbreak was recorded in Sudan and Zaire in 1976 with a mortality of more than 200. In 2000, another outbreak of the disease occurred in Uganda with an incidence of 425 and a mortality of 224. In 2014 March, the WHO made a report of Ebola outbreak in West Africa, originally in Guinea, but rapidly spreading to Sierra Leon and Liberia. In Europe, 24 cases of Ebola infection have been treated with most of the cases being aid workers who have a history of traveling to West Africa. In November 2014, the latest case of Ebola in US was recorded with the victim dying within three days during the treatment process at Omaha biocontainment center (Muyembe-Tamfum et al., 2012). Ebola epidemic increases the disease burden in the health care system not only to the affected country but also to other states, which must take contingency measures to prevent the spread of the disease within their regions. Nevertheless, management of Ebola virus demands a collaboration in the health care system at international level. This ensures that different countries coordinate efforts to conduct research and surveillance on how the disease can be treated and prevented. Collaboration at a global stage can be achieved through harmonization of funds and human resource from different countries to engage the disease at the Centers of outbreak before it is transmitted to other regions (Preston,

Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 33

Personal Statement - Essay Example Therefore, I have decided to take a step to pursue the next level of education in order to continue acquiring more knowledge that is beneficial to the society and me. In this case, in order to realize my full potential, I had to apply in one of the best institutions offering the PhD program that I need to proceed with pursuing of my academic goals. After identifying this institution, I had to apply hoping that I stand a chance to be one of your students, having met all the requirements for pursuing the program. Knowledge  acquired from my degree and master’s program has facilitated interaction with different people and sharing of relevant ideas with them. After graduating in 2002, I worked as an English teacher under the ministry of education until 2006. Later in 2009, I joined the Arab Open University, where I became a part-time lecture until 2010. During the same year, I worked with the Training center of public security as a part time English Instructor. I later joined Taif University under the ministry of higher education working as English lecturer. Therefore, throughout this career path, I have faced challenges, which serve as a source of inspiration to acquire more knowledge in the field, in order to develop other ways of dealing with the problems in my field. In this case, I believe that by pursuing the PhD program, I will be able to acquire more knowledge that will benefit others people and me. I have spent a significant part of my life acquiring knowledge, and spending time and energy on gaining experience in the field of linguistics. I had set objectives such as laying a good foundation of knowledge by acquiring basics from the degree program, which facilitated achievement my long-term goals to pursue my PhD program. Therefore, through this way, I have been able to learn and cope with the rate of changes occurring in this field. In this case, my perception towards achievement of career objective is not about making a good living, but has

You Tube as a Cultural Form Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

You Tube as a Cultural Form - Essay Example Understanding effects of media in the changing world and engaging in media study require â€Å"illustrating the dynamic symmetries† of various media like the press, radio, or television. (McLuhan 172). It is relevant to understand the repercussions of the Internet as a new form of a public sphere and to understand how the networked future might be different from what we have known about the new mode of public interaction and opinion making. YouTube remains an interesting study in marketing a consumer internet service in the changing scenario of mass media. Its reach, ubiquity, and sheer volume of content, everything from dumb home movies to glossy commercial calling cards, make it â€Å"easily dismissible as merely the latest purveyor of trivial, banal, repetitious distractions for an eagerly narcotized booboisie† (Cloud). In this context, it is essential to examine whether YouTube, as a socio-cultural medium, appropriates and exploits other media or not. All social changes contain elements of continuity and assertion of novelty is always a tricky enterprise. Our speech, print, and audio-visual media have always constituted the structures and frameworks for the objective of social setup, as these media act as a powerful instrument capable of imposing its assumptions on our modes of perception. In the electronic age understanding the effect of media in social change involve shaping and transfer of opinion and illustrating the dynamic symmetries of their operation on man and society.

Article 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Article 2 - Essay Example Mesenchymal cells can be induced into allocated tissues such as ischemic tissues found in the cortex. It is also significant to note that placenta, a small temporary organ, comprises of chorion and amnion where amniotic Mesenchymal and chorionic Mesenchymal cells are obtained (Miao and Yun-Yun 682). It was discovered that when Mesenchymal stem cells were implanted into Ischemic tissues, they produced therapeutic benefit since the cells had neuron-like cell transplantation that is used in treating cerebral ischemia. It was interesting to note that when Mesenchymal stem cells were applied, morphological changes such as condensed body cells were seen in some cells with majority of these cells revealing neural-like changes. More so, morphological changes showed differentiated or multiplied cells with a marker for astorcytes and neural progenitor cells that treated cerebral Ischemia (Miao and Yun-Yun 688-9). This is a clear indication that cell replacement medication is being developed as an attempt to cure central nervous system damage and illness. For instance, when Mesenchymal cells were implanted in a rats’ cortex, it showed cell survival and multiplication thus leading to recovery of normal functioning of central nervous system. The cells were injected in the rats’ ischemic tissues and enhanced neurological performance and balance. Miao, Zhung and Yun-Yun, Zu. Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Placenta: Comparison of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal stem cells. Cell Biology, 30:680-690,

Plans for Managers & You Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Plans for Managers & You - Essay Example The benefits accrued by successful business owners attract many potential investors. My focus as a potential business owner is to understand all the concepts applicable for a successful business. Studies show that the owner sets the attitude of any successful organization (Smith, et al 42). This means that if the owner does not have substantial personal characteristics, the employees will not be motivated to work hard, making it hard for the business to achieve its objectives. Therefore, my focus is to have a sound mind full of innovative techniques to instill the ideas to my employees. Strategic planning is a key to any business success (Smith, et al 44). This is possible by emphasizing on accountability in every stage of production. It is vital to follow exact business objectives to the letter and planning for all the business activities. Implementation of the business proposals and following timelines for the various activities is crucial. Another strategy is to keep on updating the business objectives upon realization of the old ones. This is occurring because of changes in the worldwide trade. In observing all the above strategies, my future career, as an investor, in the communication industry will be a success. Larry D. Smith, et al. "Successful Outcomes Of Teaching Minority Undergraduate Students Entrepreneurial Business Planning Concepts Using Andragogy And Service Learning." Journal Of Entrepreneurship Education 13.(2010): 37-44.

Hamlet and Othello Essay Example for Free

Hamlet and Othello Essay The two plays by William Shakespeare, Hamlet and Othello, reflect the Renaissance philosophy, with its most important schools- Platonism, Aristotelianism and Humanism, especially in their treatment of human nature and human condition. The works of the two philosophers – Plato and Aristotle, which formed the basis of the two movements that took the names of their initiators, were reinterpreted by many scholars of the Medieval and Renaissance period, and of the later periods. Platonism and Aristotelianism were opposed philosophies in their first articulation. The Platonists believed that there is a world of abstractions, the pure world of ideas. The characteristics of the material objects, formed an abstract world, which was moreover, the true word. For example, the Platonist school of thought implied that the material world was only a reflection of the perfect world of ideas, that is, a beautiful object is only the reflection of the idea of beauty. Aristotle revised these ideas that Plato had first initiated, and proposed an opposed view, which was based on an empirical way of knowing the world, and which constituted the first step towards natural science. The two doctrines referred obviously to both ontological and epistemological facts about the world. On the other hand, the Renaissance humanism which was actually the most characteristic philosophy for this period, emphasized the nobility of human nature, and the powers of human intellect and spirit, while joining the two main philosophies – Platonism and Aristotelianism. As Brian Copenhaver and Charles Schmitt observed in their Renaissance Philosophy, both Platonism and Aristotelianism presented many problems for the humanists and for the theologians as well, like, for instance the transmigration of souls and other beliefs which seemed incompatible with Christianity: â€Å"Why should an upwardly mobile scholar or bureaucrat sympathize with Platos elitism? Were humanists not troubled by his scorn for poets and rhetoricians? Platos advocacy of communism and advertisement of homosexuality invited political and social complaint. Even his renowned piety seemed out of tune with a philosophy that made matter eternal, the human soul preexistent and migratory, and the gods and demons many, powerful, and worthy of worship. As the Renaissance came to know Plato better, discussion of his thought could not have been other than complex and divided, and the controversy had been prepared by an anti-Platonic tradition long sustained by pagans and Christians alike. As early modern thinkers developed new modes of reading unknown to antiquity and the Middle Ages, Platos compatibility with Christianity remained the leading question. â€Å"(Copenhaver, 129) However, many of the ideas of the two philosophies were either kept or reinterpreted as the main philosophical views at the time of Renaissance, and this is very well reflected in the plays of William Shakespeare. In Hamlet, which is one of Shakespeare’s plays that most approaches a metaphysical view of human nature seems to waver in its essential purport upon the edge separating Platonism from Aristotelianism. One of the greatest dilemmas in Hamlet is that of individual action. Shakespeare’s prince of Denmark is called upon to revenge the murder of his father. As critics have observed repeatedly, on of the most essential and telling things in the play is Hamlet hesitation when he has to take definite action against the murderer. One of the essential differences between the humanists who advocated Plato’s theory and the ones who adopted Aristotelianism, was that between the contemplative life that was characteristic of the Platonic movement and that of active life as presented by Aristotle. Various philosophers of the Renaissance took up one or the other of the two doctrines, and encouraged either contemplation or action: â€Å"Ficinos work () also glorified the contemplative life and professed an ascetic contempt for the material world not in keeping with the pragmatic interests of the civic humanists. But to see the Aristotelian Argyropoulos as champion of the active life and the Platonist Ficino as prophet of contemplative quietism is too simple. For one thing, Argyropoulos seems to have intended no activist propaganda in his teaching, and, even more important, Ficinos theory of the contemplative life kept his philosophy attractive to the politically and economically vigorous Florentines who supported him. Always urging the ascent of the soul, Ficino presented the contemplative life as the final step in a hierarchy of human action that led people to surpass the active life without utterly denying it; lived well, the active life becomes a step on the way to escaping matter and uniting with God. It was the genius of Neoplatonism to open channels between the divine and the mundane that transcended the world while preserving it as a platform for ascent to the godhead.† (Copenhaver, 144) Hamlet seems to be a contemplative character altogether, for whom the ideal world of abstract moral values constitutes the guiding principle. When he is faced with the baseness of the many crimes that occur in his own family, he postpones taking action and revenging his father. Moreover, the revenge takes place almost accidentally at the end of the play.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   His hesitation in front of these â€Å"material† problems is relevant for his Neo- Platonic frame of thought:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"How all occasions do inform against me,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   And spur my dull revenge. What is a man   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If his chief good and market if his time   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sure he that made us with such large discourse,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Looking before and after, gave us not   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That capability and godlike reason   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To fust in us unus’d. []† (Ham. IV. 4. 32-39) It becomes obvious from Hamlet’s speech that his reflections regarding human condition and human nature are based on main principles of both Humanism and Platonic thinking: man is seen alternately by Hamlet as a superior being endowed with â€Å"godlike reason† and a beast, whose main concerns are its primary needs. That is, Hamlet’s own ideas about the world and about man, which are essentially idealistic and Platonist, meet with an obvious obstacle in the material world, where he sees the baseness of character of both his uncle and his mother. An even more poignant example of how he is repelled by the idea of a purely material world in which the spiritual realities he believes in are hardly perceptible is his unjust condemnation of Ophelia, whom he blames without proof for the frailty he sees in his own mother. Hamlet ponders himself on his own hesitation in when he is supposed to take action, and realizes that his wavering comes from what he calls â€Å"thinking too precisely on the event† ( Ham. IV. 4. 41), that is to say, his own contemplative nature and the need to understand first and meditate on the event, as well as to judge it, prevent him from taking action. At the end of the monologue however, he determines that his â€Å"thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth†( Ham. IV. 4. 66), that is, he chooses action over contemplation, as he feels he is compelled by the events to mend things and do justice to his father’s death. Thus, it can be said that Hamlet has to take action and reestablish the ethical order in the world, which had been so terribly disturbed by the crimes which took place in his family. This structuring of the events reflects the Renaissance philosophical context, which blended Platonism with Aristotelianism and Humanism. First of all, according to the Platonists man should tend to contemplation of the ideal world, and live in the purer world of the spirit, not be limited to the material one. The protagonists in Hamlet, that is the king and the queen, have sinned against these precepts by giving in to desire of power and to lust. The fact that Hamlet feels that he needs to take action is in tuning with the humanist idea that man can reestablish the divine order and that, in order to do that, he must play the part that is required of him in the material world. Thus, the two worlds- the material and transcendental are not completely separate, and the Renaissance man believed that the spiritual perfection can be reached through action as well, insofar as this would imply reestablishing the divine order. In Othello, similar ideas appear about individual action. Othello too is called upon to take action against what he believes was the betrayal of his wife Desdemona. However, the first significant difference between Hamlet and Othello is that the latter is a moor, that is a colored man, of a different race and religion. The Renaissance views on the subject of race are very significant in the context of the play, and are reflected especially in Othello’s character, which appears to be the very opposite of that of Hamlet. If Hamlet is of a contemplative nature, given to musings about the nature of man and his place in the world, Othello is a rough, impulsive man who acts without hesitation, but also, acts when he shouldn’t. He is easily deceived by Iago and therefore he believes him when he tries to inflict him with false ideas about Desdemona’s love. Thus, Othello, who like Hamlet, can be said to perform an act of revenge, actually does something which is useless and, moreover, unjust. Othello’s character is also evident at the end of the play, after he kills Desdemona and confesses the manner in which he loved her: one that loved not wisely, but too well (V.2.340). Thus, his own statement reveals the nature of his impulsive and tempestuous character and emotions: he was capable of true and strong love, although he did not love â€Å"wisely†. This proves essentially that Hamlet and Othello are two opposite characters, both acting in the name of revenge, although for different reasons, Hamlet in his attempt at reestablishing the moral order and Othello in the name of love. However, if Hamlet hesitates to take action for most of the play, and moreover, chooses the device of the staged play to commence his revenge, that is, another intellectual, contemplative device, Othello takes action without judging the events for himself, but being merely influenced by what Iago was telling him. Othello is a military character in a way, who is prone to take action and fight:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content! Farewell the plumed troops, and the big wars That makes ambition virtue! 0, farewell![] The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war! And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats Th immortal Joves dread clamors counterfeit, Farewell! Othellos occupations gone. ( Othello, 3.3.347-57) It is interesting to notice that both Othello and Hamlet may be paralleled to Cervantes’ Don Quixote. Hamlet lives interiorly in a Platonic world, which could be likened to Don Quixote’s confusion of the books of romance with actual reality. Don Quixote lives in the world of the stories he has read, and moreover, those stories are chivalric romances, that is stories of quest and exemplary deeds which aim at mending the world and which are always fraught with symbolic meaning. But, he needs to accomplish the deeds that fill his fantasy, and although it can’t be said that he does so, he does act. In Don Quixote thus, action is itself unreal, since his chivalric deeds are not what he believes they are: â€Å"Were those mud walls in thy fantasy, Sancho,’ quoth Don Quixote, ‘where or thorough which thou sawest that never-enough-praised gentleness and beauty? They were not so, but galleries, walks, or goodly stone pavements—or how call ye ‘em?—of rich and royal palaces.† (Cervantes II, 489) The chivalric romances which are Don Quixote’s faith are also that of Othello in a way, because of the latter’s military character, and his search for adventures. Othello’s love for Desdemona also has something of the chivalric about it. Thus, all the three characters, Hamlet, Othello and Don Quixote evince the same Platonist and Aristotelian dilemmas of contemplation and the spiritual versus action and the material.

Traditional Views Of Corporate Social Responsibility

Traditional Views Of Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility is when companies control the business processes to create an overall positive effect on society. Corporate Social Responsibility is the progressing obligation by business to conduct oneself ethically and donate to economic growth while improving the standards of the societys workforce and as well as of the local community and society. (www.mallenbaker.net) The need of corporate social responsibility is that it helps in building the brand image of the company which will in turn invite plenty of investors there by increases sales and profit of the company or firm. It is also a duty of every firm to give something in return to the society. CSR acts like a bridge between the firm and society and through this both sides are benefited. Corporate social responsibility can be further explained with Carrolls four part model of corporate social responsibility which includes Philanthropic responsibilities, Ethical responsibilities, Legal responsibilities and Economic responsibilities. Carrolls four-part model of corporate social responsibility Source: Carroll 1991 Philanthropic responsibilities are tasks that are the needs of the society. Philanthropy encompasses those corporate behaviour that are related to societys want that businesses be fine corporate citizens. This incorporates keenly involving in actions or programs to encourage human wellbeing or benevolence. Examples of philanthropy include business aid of monetary resources or exclusive period, such as contributions to the arts, education, or the community. A loaned-executive program that offers headship for a communitys United Way campaign is one illustration of philanthropy. (www.findarticles.com) Ethical responsibilities are responsibilities that are awaited by the society. Ethics deals with good behaviour of persons and good living. It distinguishes between right and wrong and encourages the notion of good life that is fulfilling and according to moral conduct. Ethical Responsibility is such a kind of responsibility that is a boundary to the concepts of Ethics. These responsibilities are not only to encourage a good living standard for oneself but also for the whole society. Ethical Responsibility is imposed by the moral and social values of a society and not by regulation. (www.blurit.com) Legal responsibilities are those responsibilities which are a necessitate of the society. Society has not only authorized business to function according to the turnover motive, at the same time business is likely to obey with the laws and regulations promulgated by federal, state, and local governments as the ground rules under which business must function. As a incomplete fulfilment of the social contract between business and society, firms are likely to follow their fiscal missions within the structure of the law. Legal responsibilities replicate a vision of codified ethics in the sense that they embody basic ideas of reasonable operations as established by lawmakers. They are depicted as the next level on the pyramid to describe their historical improvement, but they are suitably seen as co existing wit economic tasks as basic precepts of the liberated venture scheme. (www.findarticles.com) Economic responsibilities are those responsibilities which are demanded by the society. Business firms were formed as economic entities intended to offer goods and services to societal members. The profit motive was recognized as the key incentive for private enterprise. The business organization was the basic economic unit in our society. As such, its prime role was to manufacture goods and services that clients required and desired and to build a satisfactory profit in the progression. At some point the idea of the profit motive got transformed into a notion of maximum profits, and this has been an enduring value ever since. All other business tasks are predicated upon the economic liability of the firm, because without it the others become doubtful considerations. (www.findarticles.com) Stakeholder theory of the firm traditional management mode includes shareholders, customers, firm, suppliers, and employees. The stakeholders may be divided into categories of internal and external stakeholders. The internal stakeholders include employees, owners, and manager. And the external stakeholders include shareholders, society, suppliers, government, customers and creditors. The above question is mainly based on the external stakeholders which emphasis on shareholders and society. Case study of Shell refining company in relation to CSR both traditional and new view Shell Refining Company Shell Company offers to the principle of sustainable development that sees to the requirements of the current situation without compromising the ability of future situation to encounter their own desires. Being part of Shell, this Company offers to the same principle of sustainable development. Shells practices are associated with the systematic approach adopted by Royal Dutch Shell plc in their own pains to employ strength, security and environmental management practices. Their behaviour are governed by the desire to make business decisions that give weight age to their sense of economic, social and environmental responsibilities and by which our stakeholders and society can hold us answerable. Shell refining company are dedicated to serving its stakeholders in order to advance their quality of existence whereas concurrently contributing to Malaysias progression and its Vision 2020 goals and aims. (www.shell.com) The role of shareholders and society in a traditional point of view was mainly associated with mere business ethics. It is the first hit on an offshore provision, formerly thought secure in spite of a wave of inshore attacks. The emergency shutdown might have damaged equipment, which would have to be repaired. The raid took place on the Bonga oil platform about 120km (75 miles) off the coast of the Niger Delta. Shell has also been blamed for an oil spill in the Ogoni region of the Delta. Oil is gushing from disused pipes deserted by the company when it left the region nearly 15 years ago, following local protests. Attacks on the inshore Niger Delta have helped drive up world oil prices and previously cut Nigerias output by about 20%. (www.bbc.co.uk). Shareholders made sure that every action of theirs will be ethical which would be fair, moral, principled and decent decisions towards the company. Shell companys shareholders in the traditional point of view were ethical as in they told their directors not to let the oil wastages in the river at Nigeria as there were wastes being dumped in the river which in turn were affecting the people of Nigeria. The society in turn defended itself. The Shareholders offer its customers with solutions and a diversity of energy products, materials and services, which get together their requirements. Cost-effectively and does not cause damage to the environment. They work to convince them that their performance and society holds up for us, do not direct to untenable social differences but create prosperity, which paybacks society as a whole. They also work to persuade them that there is a clear path for the future expansion of their industry, which will gain the next generation. Shareholders fabricate and sustain a culture of knowledge and modernism in which employees can fulfil their potential and meet the most demanding of goals meanwhile enjoying what is being done. It is a culture where the leaders are being motivated to instigate others through personal example, and where the values of honesty, integrity, respect for people, trust, openness, teamwork and professionalism, can flourish. The companies forces meets the challenges of the new millennium with a view to serving people build a enhanced globe. Therefore, they will persist to invest in projects that exploit superlative equipment, research and expansion within the highest Health, Safety, Security and Environmental (HSSE) standards. (www.shell.com). Traditional view of Shell Company Finance Enduring productivity is necessary to achieve business objectives and to sustained development. It is a measure, both of effectiveness and of the worth that customers position on Shell products and services. It provides the essential business funds for the progressing investment that is necessary to extend and create future energy supplies to convene customer wants. Only through profits and a well-built financial base, it would be possible to fulfil tasks. Rivalry Free enterprise is being supported by Shell companies. They look for fair competence and ethics and within the framework of applicable competition laws and they will not avoid others from competing freely with them. Trade veracity Shell companies persist on sincerity, integrity and justice in all aspects of their business and with whomever they deal with. Any kind of direct or indirect form of bribes where there is an offer, payment and acceptance of them is not acceptable. Payments with regards to facilitation are also bribes and are not granted. Every business dealings on behalf of a Shell company must be reflected precisely and moderately in the accounts of the company in accordance with established procedures and are subject to audit and disclosure. Political actions Shell companies operate in a communally accountable manner within the laws of the countries in which we operate in pursuit of our legitimate commercial objectives. No payments are made to political parties, organizations or their representatives by Shell company. They do not participate in party politics. However, when associated with governments, Shell companies have the right and the conscientiousness to make our position known on any matters which affect us, our employees, our customers, our shareholders or local communities in a manner which is in accord with our standards and the business values. Safety, Health, Security and the Environment Shell companies have an orderly approach to health, safety, security and environmental management so that incessant performance development can be achieved. Shell companies also handle these issues as significant business actions, set principles and goals for development, and compute, assess and report performance outwardly. There is a constant check to reduce the environmental collision of our operations, goods and services. Local Communities Shell companies aspire to be excellent neighbours by constantly recovering the traditions in which they donate directly or indirectly to the universal happiness of the communities within which they work. Management of social effects of business activities in a cautious manner and work with others to improve the reimbursements to local communities, and to mitigate any negative effects from their activities. Shell companies also take a productive concern in societal matters, directly or indirectly related to their business. Communication and commitment Shell companies distinguish that usually conversation and commitment with stakeholders is essential. They are dedicated to reporting of performance by providing full relevant data to lawfully involved parties, subject to any overruling considerations of business privacy. In interactions with employees, business partners and local communities, they look for to listening and responding with sincerity and dedication. Observance Shell Company complies with all applicable laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate with. (www.shell.com) New view of Shell Company No damage to people Shell Company are truly dedicated to pursuing the aim of no damage to people or property as an outcome of their actions. They make sure that there will no one victimised from their operations. Business for Safety Shell Company persistently believes that a well-built safety society is necessary for business. So, they continue to motivate a customs of ownership and individual accountability for safety and health at the workplace all through the firm. Throughout 2006, they sustained to take on the ordered functioning of HSSE Management Systems with specific improvements reflected via key performance indicators (KPIs). Behaviour-Based Safety Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) was initiated to all refinery workers as well as the in-house contractor by an exterior adviser. The programme began in November 2004 and all workforces were trained by 2005. A group of BBS Observers were educated to conduct observations and offer reports to the focal safety manager. A web based checklist for the BBS observers was launched and the conclusion are being analysed to ensure continuous improvements in safety behaviour. Overall, there are many positive indications that the BBS programme will offer additional marked improvement in our safety performance. In 2006, the observations contained in BBS observers database are being analysed by a specialist to give earning basis in preparing HSSE programmes and drives. Environment Protection They are dedicated to shielding the environment. Company minimises the effect of its actions to the environment by setting extremely demanding development targets to increasingly diminish emissions and discharges. These efforts all fall in line with Malaysian legislations, Shell Group Strategic Objectives and other connected global conventions. Complaints from public It is the right of all citizens to find fault if and when any actions bother any citizens daily livelihood. They take all complaints acutely and each is recognized and filed to make sure timely action and response is assured. Usually, all complaints will be responded right away and stopped within 48 hours. If this is not possible, the complainant will be provided a cause for the hold-up and will be advised as to when to wait for a response. In 2006, your company recorded seven public complaints, compared to five recorded in 2005. The complaints were mainly related to odour and noise, which duty officers punctually responded to and the suitable remedial activities taken. Complaints are also discussed at the Community Dialogue sessions that take place frequently. (www.shell.com) The following are some activities conducted by Shell Company towards the new view of CSR. They are as follows SOCIAL PERFORMANCE PLAN Social Performance (SP) in Shell Group is the word used to explain how one manages the effect of business on the communities and societies in which they function. As part of the Shell Group guidelines, Company has developed and executed its SP Plan, which aims to boost social performance levels in a prearranged approach. Company and its stakeholders rise to gain from practical commitment on evidently drawn-up matters. BENEFITS COMMUNITIES Shell Company is a key associate of Port Dickson community. They are continuously looking for suitable ways to give to the social well being of the neighbourhood and to the wider public, which grant your Company its licence to function and nurture. BIODIVERSITY All Companies including Shell Company play an important when it comes with societal aspect as they have a role to play in shielding and supporting biodiversity. As an dynamic contributing member of society, Shell takes this task very sincerely. (www.shell.com) Multiplicity and completeness of Shell Company An organisation with a forward thinking motive, Shell Company appreciates that the whole is forever more than the sum of its parts. They also know the significance of accommodating differences and distinguish people for who they are while acknowledging the significance of their offerings. Merely by recognising and considerating the differences inbuilt in individuals, one can want to plug the various talents of pool of diverse people. Besides accommodating multiplicity in the workplace, one can optimise human resource ability and sharpen the dormant talents and skills of cosmopolitan labour force. Multiplicity encompasses noticeable dissimilarities in conditions of gender, age, nationality and physical ability; as well as delicate fundamental differences in terms of education, experience, religion, work styles, way of thoughts and communications. Completeness, on the other hand, refers to a place of work where diversity, both noticeable and delicate, is appreciated and where individuals are given the chance to expand skills and talents unfailing with organisational values and business objectives. Their recognition of diversity and inclusiveness means that the Company today has a diverse and multi-talented labour force comprising 300 employees of five nationalities, of which 89% are male and 11% female. Among the management team, the ratio is more unbiased with the male composition at 56% and the female composition at 44%. They are also glad to account that the Companys labour force now possess its first female plant manager. (www.shell.com) Growing together, people matter to the Company. Their sense of economic, social and environmental responsibility is reflected in devotion to meeting todays needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their requirements. Conclusion CSR communication in Switzerland is a well-established exercise amongst top companies. Its prospect lies on a concrete foundation. In fact, top companies are regarded as by a mainly Anglo-Saxon approach that is active and optimistic. Three major areas of development have been recognized. Firstly, companies can increase from a more decisive assortment of the social issues to be communicated. Secondly, a key periphery of upgrading can take place by managing key publics, such as customers, shareholders, and the financial community mainly by investing in the precise channels to arrive at them. Finally, top companies in Switzerland may benefit from adopting international coverage values. This examination has also shown the importance of understanding the cultural determinants of CSR. In this regard, more research is certainly required, especially to better comprehend differences in behaviours concerning CSR communication that may come up in multicultural contexts, a appropriate feature i n the European context, and for cosmopolitan companies functioning in diverse enlightening environments. (Birth, Illia, Lurati and Zamparini, 2008). CSR is also concluded that expertises essential by CSR managers do differ due to the assorted disciplines concerned and also the intricacy of the roles and tasks of a CSR plan. There are no precise credentials necessary for this ground. As the ground is recent, convertible skills and facts from other associated specializations such as environmental administration, business morals, transmit of equipment, human resource management and community growth are appreciated. Thereby the skills necessary by CSR managers are known as business skills, people skills and technical skills; and the precise skills necessary are further determined by the mission and vision of the organizations where the CSR managers hand round. CSR organizations in many budding countries including Malaysia consist of local and international firms. Per se, this examination advices that relative studies should be conducted on the differences between strategies adopted by the two firms in terms of emphases and point of r eferences in CSR, the precise roles of CSR programs to community and society at large, and specific business, people as well as technical skills that the CSR managers should own. It is also advised that studies on how CSR firms struggle during the nearby economic disaster are valuable to get on. On the other hand, they have to be conscious of the reality that moving in the direction of achieving firms economic objectives ought to be devoid of jeopardizing the social objectives. ( Ismail, 2009).

Maori and New Zealander Access to Healthcare

Maori and New Zealander Access to Healthcare Harry C. Abellana Jr Access To Healthcare†¦The Difference between Maoris and New Zealanders Abstract This paper will discuss and open up about the reality of cultural diversity and equality. There are different factors in which equality can be quantified but this work will focus mainly on the healthcare system of New Zealand. It would show why there are still differences on how to access it even though all people living in this land should have equal rights in benefiting from it. My work would give a little background about the history of New Zealand and its people and would slowly focus to the main topic to be discussed. Introduction The Maoris or Polynesians were one of the first settlers in New Zealand. It was a vast land mass which was rich in natural resources, may it be land or aquatic. The Maori people were strong and brave people. They would put their life on the line to protect their land. They protect it with pride as it was their own child. Different international explorer and crusaders were pretty much common during that era. They would explore new land for commerce, colonize or spread their words. New Zealand was not exempted from these explorers and due to extensive circumnavigating the world, the first Europeans set foot on this land. The Europeans would introduce a different culture and practices. They brought in goods and knowledge. They not only presented new technologies but introduced different type of diseases as well. As years passed by, New Zealand became more advanced and fortunately became a first-world country. New Zealand might be one of the best places to live in but it has its own set of problems as well because of the diverse culture that makes it especially between the Maoris and European settlers. Traditional Maori Culture and Health Problems The Maori have a very strong culture involving their traditional way of healing or the Rongoa Maori. This traditional way of healing involves different aspects. They believe in traditional herbal concoctions to be used to cure diseases. They also believe in different massage strokes and strong prayers as other ways in treating ailments. These may not have the detailed scientific background or studies to prove that their methods are effective but this is their culture. This is the way that their ancestors used to overcome their health problems. Their culture should be respected and not to be criticized. The Maori group of people also believe in their cultural safety or in the local language called Kawa Whararuruhau. This would also be a problem into the access of healthcare because they are sensitive to their life experiences. If one of their family members had a negative experience in the hospital or other healthcare facility, this would leave a stigma to their community. They would be hesitant to approach the healthcare providers and healthcare facilities. That is why healthcare providers should be sensitive to the different cultures that they encounter in their day-to-day activities. Another Maori concept that would contribute to the problem of fair access to healthcare is Tino Rangatiratanga. This is basically a social concept that they can practice their traditional culture and inculcate it to the local norms. There are certain procedures or practices that healthcare facilities cannot practice because modern hospitals are now following international health standards. Some of the Maoris cannot grasp to accept this and would like to upheave that their customs should be followed because again of the Tino Rangatiratanga social concept. Healthcare providers would have their hands tied regarding this issue because health standards should be followed and this would cause a problem to the traditional Maori culture. Toanga in the Maori culture means a highly valuable possession. This may be a physical thing or immaterial in nature. This would be a potential problem because the Toanga could be a hinder in the treatment regimen. This could cause a dilemma to the healthcare provider because the culture should be respected while giving the care necessary to the patient. Now the issue about the access to healthcare will come to play because the Maori people may be hesitant to reach out to the healthcare benefits because their culture might be encroached. There is also a Maori culture that I believe is a positive side to help alleviate the discrepancy to the access of healthcare and that is Manaakitanga. It is basically showing your kindness and hospitality to other people. The healthcare industry should inculcate this into their practice because it will lead to a positive outcome. Even though the majority of their clients are sick or ill, they should show their patients that they are welcome. This will make the patient more comfortable and this would lead to tendency that people are more motived to visit the hospital or healthcare institution to seek for help. Maoris are genetically big in nature. They have a big and strong physique. Their diet usually consists of meat and vegetables but due to the introduction and increasing popularity of junk food, health problems has been an issues. There are cases of obesity, joint pains and certain heart conditions. Smoking is also a habit that is trying to be prevented as smoking can lead to various kinds of health problems. There are also dental problems with the Maori people. They fail or rarely seek the help of dentist for their dental care. Access to Healthcare Problems New Zealand has a good healthcare system. The government divided the whole country into different District Health Boards. I believe that they have done this so that the people can easily access the hospitals in case of emergency and health concerns. Most of the costs of hospitalization are highly subsidized by the government so that it would lessen the burden to the public and promote good health. I have been in New Zealand working as a healthcare assistant in different hospitals and rest homes. I have been in the front row of being a witness on how the people can access the healthcare benefits provided by the government. I would like to start off by describing the positive and negative side of Maoris and the rest of the New Zealanders from my observation. The majority of the New Zealanders that I have met are well educated and well mannered. They are hard-working group of people and most of them have stable jobs. Their jobs would help them sustain the basic things needed in life like food, clothing and shelter. These people pay taxes that are used by the government to run the country and provide benefits to the people like healthcare. They can also afford different kind of insurances which serves as an assurance that whenever they face a health problem, someone will take care of it for them. The higher earning society can also afford private hospitals and expensive general pr actitioners or doctors. They can also afford to buy the different medications that are being prescribed to them. The negative side of having all of these much more comfortable accesses to healthcare are the biases and looking down to other sectors of the society. If you have the right resources, you will get the best healthcare services and procedures to keep your body healthy. The Maori people are good people. Don’t get me wrong but there are also Maoris that have done well for themselves in this country. They are earning good and have a very comfortable life. Again, they are brave and very proud of their culture and family. These are good traits but I would like to point out to the bad traits that some are showing. They believe that they own this land and the rest are just visitors. They are very well supported by the government but they feel that it is still not enough. We can see some on the streets begging for something even though we can observe that they are very capable of doing manual labour. I believe this is what we call of being lazy and proud. There are free services like free education to get a better life but they tend not to use it and just rely on other for their needs. Some Maoris have a job but the pay is not that high. Their income is just enough to survive on a day-to-day basis. This is where the access to healthcare becomes diff erent. While other New Zealanders have an easier access not only to government-funded hospitals but also private ones, some of the Maori people can only depend on the free ones. Money can be a factor to this problem but I also believe that culture also plays a very important part of the problem. Their culture believes in the traditional way of things and this could hold them back from seeking modern day science-based healthcare system. Their attitude also plays its part. They have a tendency of being stubborn and feel that they can do whatever they want. Now when a health condition occurs and which could not be corrected or improved by the traditional way, money plays a very important role. Yes, they have free benefits from being hospitalized but the maintenance would be a problem for them. The cost of medication can be one of the problems. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also be an issue like for example healthier foods are much more expensive. Also their ability to accept change should be given a thought. The government is doing their part to give and promote health to everyone. They are developing programs to reach out to people and try to inform them about how to be healthy. The resources are out there but it is up to the people if they want to benefit from this. If they really want to be healthy, the person itself should be responsible for his or her own actions on how to be healthy. The Barriers Involved For me, the problem in resolving the issues on the access to healthcare is basically due to the fault of the people themselves. New Zealand’s history also plays a part. Basically, the Maoris think that the Europeans invaded them and that they are trying to get the country from them. They think that the Europeans should provide them everything that they need because they own the land. On the other hand, the government is saying that all are provided and it is up to you to grab the opportunity to benefit from it. The differences in culture, attitudes and beliefs are aspects that I believe are the causes to these problems. If these elements can be resolved and straightened out, the problem can be easily resolved. Best Practices We are now living in a modern world. Most of the people are now educated and understands more about the different cultures in the society. New Zealand is giving opportunities to other citizens of the world to come into the country and try to succeed. This move will greatly benefit the country. It will open the doors to understand different culture, religions and practices. It will be a good basis on how to implement future plans for the country that would benefit all of the people. The decisions of the country and its people will be more diplomatic and sensible that everyone can enjoy and benefit from thus preventing disputes not only in the healthcare setting but the total setting of the country. Conclusion I therefore conclude that there are different factors that affect the problem about the access to healthcare between the Maori people and other people that occupies New Zealand. Some of the factors may be education, psychosocial, physiologic or socio-economic factors. There are times that these factors cannot be mended but all the efforts are being made to make a country of different cultures work. The Maoris might feel deprived from their rights because of the feeling that their land was taken away from them. It should be explained or to make clear to them that laws are being mandated so that not only their culture is protected but all of the cultures that forms New Zealand. The key thing to resolving problems is learning to understand and compromise. Recommendation I would recommend that proper information dissemination should be promoted. Educating the people will help understand the situation of the country’s intention to help its people. This would help the government to set laws and people to understand these laws and how they can benefit from it. â€Å"References Jungersen, K. (2002). Cultural safety: Kawa Whakaruruhau – An occupational therapy perspective. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 49(1), 4-9 Ministry of Health – Manatu Hauora (2014). Rongoa Maori: Traditional Maori Healing. Retrieved from http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/rongoa-maori-traditional-maori-healing Ministry of Health – Manatu Hauora (2014). The Health of Maori Adults and Children. Retrieved from http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/health-maori-adults-and-children Moorfield, J. (2003-2015). Te Aka Online Maori Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=phrase=proverb=loan=keywords=manaakitangasearch= Newzealand.govt.nz. Story: Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi – nga matapono o te tiriti. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/principles-of-the-treaty-of-waitangi-nga-matapono-o-te-tiriti/page-1 Social Justice Commission of the Anglican Church (2015). Tino Rangatiratanga. Retrieved from http://www.justice.net.nz/justwiki/tino-rangatiratanga/† 1 | Page