Investigate software application Essay

How does Nolan’s the dark night use MELCS to good effect and what does this indicate regarding the films genre? Are there any social criticisms present? In this essay I will be explaining the way that different techniques are used, and what these show about the Dark Knight. I will be looking throughout the film at how Nolan uses various effects such as, colour, editing, lighting, camera, and sound. And how these things aren’t really what you might expect for the typical super hero film, but also how he uses them to subtlety criticize human nature. First of all I will talk about the colour used Nolan uses. Throughout the film the colour scheme always seems to be very dark but as well as this the things that are happening usually contrast this. A good example of this is at one point when the Joker is being questioned, all the lights go out and everything is pitch-black except the jokers white face. This is very effective as it really makes the joker stand out and means you can see every little detail of his face and facial expressions but don’t know what else is happening in the room. It therefore creates a whole lot of suspense about what’s going to happen next and where it’s going to come from whilst at the same time letting you see every detail of the jokers face and almost making you really understand what he’s thinking. Another point in which this contrast is shown is in Bat-mans hide away place. In there the floor is a dark dull grey/black, and the ceiling is all white lights. This is good because it makes the room seem endless and gives anything in it airs of importance and cleanliness like trophy shelves that are lit from above like the room or a dentist. This is good because in the room he keeps all his high-tech gadgets witch seem incredibly expensive and valuable when they are in the room, but then when Bat-man is using them he acts as though they are something that are disposable. Another way Nolan uses colour is in the costumes. The Joker is an especially good example of this as he wears a purple jacket, green hair, Green top, and bright red giant red lips. This shows us a lot about his character for example, purple stands for royalty and the joker becomes almost like a king by making everyone scared of him. Secondly the green stands for jealousy, and the Joker is very good at making people feel jealous and spiteful about other people. As well as maybe feeling slightly jealous at not being normal, and being unhappy himself. Lastly the joker is just completely crazy, and all his colours clashing certainly do emphasize this. Overall it is a brilliant way of showing his character and showing how different he is to everyone. I mean, you’d never miss him would you!? On the other hand the dark knight is completely the opposite of the Joker, and their clothing really shows this. As the knight is completely black it seems to show how he represents reality and order, but the joker stands for everything mad and chaotic as that is what he loves. As for the props Nolan uses, really they are quite simple. Even the high-tech gadgets batman uses all seem possible and there are no out of this world, impossible things. I think this is actually quite a good thing, as it means that it makes the whole play seem more realistic, and like something that could actually happen. Therefore it is all scarier in a slightly surreal way. Next I will look at how Nolan uses editing in the film and what effects this creates. When a lot of action is happening at the same time Nolan uses lots of quick shots of the action quickly cutting from one to the other. This is very clever as you think you’re just about to find out what’s going to happen when it cuts to the next scene which is also really tense and you want to know what’s going to happen there but it goes back to the one before. This creates lots of tension in the film and it is a bit like its flashing from scene to scene like your heart beat getting faster and faster. It also gives the sense of chaos and panic and shows you how every thing is happening at the same time. This is good as it makes you realise how hard it must be for the cops and detectives. Another similar thing he does is when two people and talking to each other about something in which one of them might react in a certain way he will keep cutting from one face to the other as you wait for the reaction to happen. This also creates tension and makes you wonder if they will react the way you think their about or not, then when it does its more of a shock. The lighting in the film is another very important element in the film. I have already explained some of it in the colour part. As with the colour most of the film is set in dark, low key lighting, with lots of shadows creating a spooky kind of atmosphere. Once again though like the colour, often he uses contrast. A place where this is very effective is when some people are looking for Bat-man and it is very dark so they all have very bright torches. All you can see is the torch light getting closer and closer towards you but nothing out of the light. This makes it seem very scary as all you can do is wait until he is in the torch light but by that time you know it will already be too late because they are too close. Another scene in witch the lighting used is very effective is in the bank robbery scene. It is once again very dark in the bank, but because this time it is lighter outside, and the room has very big windows, you get some patches of the bank where it is much lighter. This is really good because he then makes it so that when the action happens, it happens in the lighter places. This means you can clearly see what is happening in the light when something happens out of it your attention is not so focused on it so it is a surprise. Also the dim light coming from just the one side of the building creates big long spooky shadows to, witch adds nicely to the tense atmosphere. Nolan also uses camera techniques in an interesting way to create good effects. For example right at the beginning of the play there is an extreme long shot of a sky scraper. This is then slowly zoomed in; right up to one window and into an extreme close-up, then the glass in the window suddenly shatters. Nolan uses this a lot in the film with other things too, like some one face that once zoomed in you see their shocked facial expression. This creates the element of surprise means you know that something is going to happen to do with what they are zooming in on but not what exactly until your right there. It also creates tension on what that’s going to be. Another camera technique used is when something is happening the camera circles the action. This happens a lot and is good because it means you can see everything that is happening and all the reactions of people around it. In addition to this it can create serious tension and fear. A great example of this is when the Joker is about to slit the black mans mouth. The camera circles his head so that sometimes you can see his face with the knife in and sometimes just the back of his head and the Jokers facial expression. Every time the camera shows his face you wince and think, Oh no, is it going to happen now whilst I can see it. This happens over and over until eventually he slits his mouth when you can only see the Jokers expression but you know it’s been done because his face and its kind of a relief because at least you haven’t have had to watch. Lastly Nolan uses another successful effect by turning the camera around. He does this near the end when the Joker is hanging upside-down off a building. The camera is turned so that you see the Joker as if he was standing upright and it looks very strange as his hair is all over the place and his hand are waving about, but for some reason it kind of fits the Jokers. This is because the Jokers personality is all over and mad and it seems like that is where he belongs, in an upside-down world. It’s slightly ironic really. Moreover, it made it seem like the right place, and way for him to die. Another method Nolan uses to brilliant effect is sound, digetic, and non digetic. For instance throughout the film, when ever tension is building up the same music starts. It sets of quietly and slowly, building up, getting faster and louder until the pinnacle of the excitement then stops. This is very effective as it creates the feeling of panic and makes your heart start to race as you know that something’s about to happen. Sometime when this happens the non digetic sound is on its own building up until its apex when a sudden digetic noise will puncture it. This not only makes tension but also shock and fear. A good example of this is at the beginning when a window breaks. This is a great opening scene as the sound and the camera skill create loads of tension and anticipation. Nolan does another very clever thing with the sound at one point. Just after a massive explosion has happened he cuts the sound altogether, and although you can tell that really there would be loads of noise going on its silent. This is because after an incredibly loud explosion you often become deaf for a while. This is a very clever thing to do, and makes you feel like you really are part of the film. Further more without the sound you concentrate more on what you can see and all the facial expressions and whatever’s going on around. Another interesting point to think about in the dark knight is weather or not it is a normal film in the super hero genre. There are many things for and against this argument and I will look at them in this paragraph. First of all there is of course the super hero, and super villain, in this case, bat-man and the Joker. Both whom have very typical features of the super-hero genre but also some not so typical ones. To start with I will concentrate on Bat-man. Like most super heroes he is; quite wealthy, but has had a hard background and has had to build up that wealth from not very much. Is young and good looking with lots of strength and high tech gadgets. Has a different identity during the daytime, and fights crime at night, wearing a costume so no one knows who he is. Also, like a lot of super hero’s e.g. spider man he is based on some sort of animal. Lastly he has a very strong sense of right and wrong, for example his one rule never to kill anyone witch a lot of super heroes seem to have. On the other hand, although he seems to be a reasonably normal super hero, there are some things witch are slightly different. For example, a lot of the public don’t particularly like him, at one point they even try to send him to jail. Also unlike most super heroes, he doesn’t really have any sub natural powers, he just like a normal human in most ways. Also, a very big twist in the play is when the heroine dies, so like most super heroes bat-man does have heroine who he can’t really have yet. But, whereas usually at the end of the play they would get together, In Bat-man, about half way through she dies. Now as for the joker, is a bit different. Although like most super villains he is bad and has had a hard life. His attitude to life and Bat-man is quite different. Unlike most super villains, he does not really seem to hate Bat-man. Instead he sees him as game, and even when he has the chance to kill him says he is too fun to kill. This is very unusual and very different to how the baddy usually feels towards the hero. Furthermore, the reasons for the Joker to do what he does is rather strange too, because most villains do it for money or wealth or power, but the Joker doesn’t care about any of this, and just does it for fun. Overall I think that although The Dark Knight isn’t exactly what you would expect from a typical super hero movie, all in all its more that than anything else. I think that really Nolan has taken the super hero genre and added aspects from other things like horror to create a very successful, far more adult movie which will appeal to people who love all the super hero kind of movies, but also to those who usually find them a bit too childish and unrealistic.

IKEA †Case Study Essay

Synopsis of the situation IKEA (Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd) is a privately held, international home products company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances and home accessories. The company is now the world’s largest furniture retailer. IKEA was founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden, named as an acronym comprising the initials of the founder’s name (Ingvar Kamprad), the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd), and his home parish. Kamprad started the company at his home as a mail order company. He sold goods which he purchased from low priced sources and then advertized in a newsletter to local shopkeepers. In 1948 he added in his catalogue furniture. Furniture was a success so he gave up the small items and focused only on furniture. In 1951 he opened the first display store in nearby Almhult where the customers could preview and inspect products and then order from the catalogue. This was also an immediate success as people travelled even from Stockholm to visit the store. This led IKEA to stop accepting mail orders. Now, the IKEA strategy is to publish a yearly catalogue, distribute it to the clients and encourage them to visit the store name (Barlett, Ghoshal, & Beamish, 2008). The sales take off in the late 50s led IKEA to look abroad for new sources of supply as the local industry could not respond to the demand. In 1961, IKEA outsourced production to furniture factories in Poland. Poland became IKEAs largest source and lowered significantly the production costs. This allowed IKEA to reduce its prices even more. The success in Poland led IKEA to adopt a general principle that it should mot own its means of production but should look for suppliers with whom it should develop close long term relationships. Building on the first store’s success, the first store in Stockholm opened in 1965. Even before that, in 1963, IKEA operated a store in Oslo. Other  countries followed and today IKEA operates 313 stores in 38 countries, most of them in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (IKEA, 2010). Some of IKEAs competitive advantages are that the brand is associated with simple, low cost,  stylish products. The concept was furnishing products and house-wares that had wide appeal to a variety of markets and segments, both consumer and the business market exclusively. Both markets were looking for well styled, high quality furniture that reasonably priced and readily available. Also, IKEA developed a model for the business, where it was able to keep costs low. From the customer point of view, they were able to buy low cost furniture, even though they had to assemble and collect the flat-packed furniture from stores. IKEA to was able to reduce costs, as this costly part of the value chain was carried out by the customer. Adding to that, IKEA promoted the Swedish lifestyle. Many people associate Sweden with a fresh, healthy way of life. This Swedish lifestyle is reflected in the IKEA product range. The freshness of the open air is reflected in the colors and materials used and the sense of space they create: blond woods, natural textiles and untreated surfaces. Also IKEA stores promote Swedish food and products. IKEAs low-priced restaurant and grocery shop have made IKEA Sweden’s leading food exporter. However, global expansion was not without problems for IKEA. During the 1980’s environmental problems arose with some of IKEAs products and during the 1990’s IKEA was accused that its suppliers were using child labor. In the 1980’s the formaldehyde regulations passed in Denmark caused problems to IKEA. After the discovery that some of its products emitted more formaldehyde than the legislation allowed the company was fined. The company responded and established stringent requirements regarding formaldehyde emissions. Even though, the problem did not vanish as in 1992 a German investigation team found that an IKEA bookcase had higher emissions that the ones allowed by the German law. Since then, IKEA has improved its procedures to evaluate the environmental impact of its products. Currently, IKEA uses a tool called the ‘e-Wheel’ to evaluate the environmental impact of its products. The e-Wheel  helps IKEA to analyze the four stages within the life of a product. This also helps suppliers improve their understanding of the environmental impact of the products they are supplying (The Times 100). Next, the issue with child labor arose in 1994 when a Swedish television documentary showed children in Pakistan working at weaving looms. IKEA was one of the several Swedish companies that were mentioned as importers of carpets from Pakistan. IKEA was unaware of the problem and tried to respond by sending a legal team to Geneva  for input and advice from the International Labor. Association(ILO). IKEA discovered that child labor was not illegal in these countries so the only way to handle the problem was by adding a clause for child labor in their contracts and outsource the monitoring of this clause to a third party company. But it seems that this measure was not effective enough, as in 2007, Anders Dahlvig, the multi-national’s Chief Executive Officer, admitted that some of the company’s products were still produced using child labor (Wadsworth, 2007). Key Issues and Players The key players in this case are the IKEA company and its suppliers. In order to keep its competitive advantage IKEA outsources its product manufacturing to third party suppliers throughout the world. But, this practice is often the source of many issues. Many times the legislation in these countries does not match the standards and the ethical values of the western developed countries which are the main customer base of the company. This fact can cause issues like weak environmental policies or child labor that hurt the public image of the company. This has direct effect on the company’s sales. Problem The main problem that IKEA faces nowadays is the uncontrolled child labor in countries which supply the company with carpets. Child labor in countries like India and Pakistan is a common phenomenon. The company lacks effective ways to control its suppliers in these countries. At the same time, child  labor is socially acceptable in these places as poverty pushes people to find ways to survive. So the company cannot rely on the local authorities for help. Also, any attempts on behalf of IKEA to control this issue didn’t seem to succeed. Alternative Solutions A possible solution for controlling the child labor for IKEA is to cancel any contracts with suppliers in countries that do not adopt the convention 138 of ILO, that deals with the child labor issues. This way IKEA will be able to get assistance for child labor issues from local authorities since it will be prohibited by local laws. Another solution would be to come to more strict agreements with the suppliers and launch intensive controls for the effectuation of the agreement. Selected Solution The selected solution is IKEA to enhance its agreements with the suppliers and intensify its controls against child labor. The company should appoint inspectors in these countries that would inspect the suppliers and report the situation on frequent basis Results and Rationale of the Solution The cancelation of the contracts does not seem a rational choice at the moment because it will have a big cost for the company. The company will need to find new suppliers in other countries with higher labor cost and doubtable product quality. This is a move with higher risk and cost that the selected solution. Positive and Negative Results The positive results of the selected solution are that the child labor issues will decrease and the company’s profile will be protected. The negative results are that the company’s cost will increase as inspection staff will be hired to perform the inspections and some contracts will need to be canceled due to failure to adhere to the conditions of the contract by the suppliers References Barlett, C., Ghoshal, S., & Beamish, P. (2008). Transnational Management. Singapore: McGraw-Hill. Building a sustainable supply chain. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2010, from The Times 100: http://www.thetimes100.co.uk/case-study–building-a-sustainable-supply-chain–110-279-3.php IKEA. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2010, from IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/ms/sv_SE/about_ikea/facts_and_figures/ikea_group_stores/index.html Wadsworth, M. (2007, May 22). IKEA exposed over ‘child Labour’ and green issues. Retrieved November 27, 2010, from The Latest: http://www.the-latest.com/ikea-slammed-over-child-labour-andgreen-issues

Personal Ethics Statement

My Personal Ethics Statement My personal ethics have been formed through family influence, religious beliefs, life experiences, my internal reflection and the culture in which I was raised. Family instilled a strong work ethic in me as a child. My parents never missed a day of work. I was taught that if you want something, you must work for it. According to my ethical lens inventory, this supports my classical value of temperance. I seek to satisfy my duties. My strong desire to succeed and lead a fruitful life also comes from the influence of my family.It is important to me to be a good role model for my husband and my children. Actions speak much louder than words ever can. My key phrase according to the ethical lends inventory is, â€Å"I am responsible. † I am guided by my religious beliefs. I try to live by the Golden Rule when dealing with others. It is important to me to do the right thing even if it is not the popular thing. My definition of ethical behavior is fulfill ing duties while balancing fairness. I believe that we should all practice religious tolerance. Each person was created uniquely and therefore each person should be able to worship in his or her own way.My ethical blind spot according to the ethical lens is that I tend to believe that motive justifies method. I trust that each person should be ethical and that ethics are a set of universal rules that we should all be held to. Life experiences have been a big influence in forming my ethics. Setting a good example is one of the most important values you can have. A person is only as good as their word. My ethical lens inventory states that my gift is self-knowledge. I follow through with my duties when I make a commitment. When faced with a challenge you should always do your best.Trying and failing is better than never trying. Because of this sense of duty, I tend to come across as bossy, which is my ethical lens risk. Internal reflection has helped me to develop my personal ethics. I have learned to rely on my gut feelings when faced with a difficult situation. If something feels wrong, there is a strong possibility it is. My ethical lens states that in order for me to see clearly I should listen to my heart. Making hasty decisions does not tend to serve me well. Thinking about my decisions with regard to how the outcome will affect others is important to me.I use reason to analyze problems according to my ethical lens inventory. I have been raised in the culture of Southern hospitality. In the South, manners are taught and expected. I find that I assume that others will mind their manners and I am offended if they choose not to do so. It makes sense that my ethical lens vice is becoming judgmental and legalistic. The female nature is to be the caregiver and nurturer of the family. I fall into this behavior and try to meet the needs of others before I take care of myself.My crisis, according to the ethical lens inventory, is becoming exhausted. My ethics have been formed over a lifetime of experiences. Because of these experiences and my personal beliefs, I use my rationality to decide what my duties are. I believe that each individual is independently responsible for their own morals. This corresponds with my personal preferred lens which is rights and responsibility. When faced with adversity, I use my practical nature to determine the best course of action. I want to ensure I have examined all angles and outcomes prior to making a decision. Personal Ethics Statement Personal Ethics Statement Jessica Dockery GEN/195 February 28, 2012 Jennifer Meunier Personal Ethics Statement To be ethical means to do the right thing and to be the best person one knows how without being judgmental of others, especially if their intentions are honorable. One should get in the habit of displaying good values and morals at all times. When thinking of a personal ethics statement, the Ten Commandments come to mind.The Ten Commandments state that thou shall have no other gods, no graven images or likenesses, not take the Lord’s name in vain, remember the Sabbath day, honor thy father and thy mother, thou shall not kill, thou shall not commit adultery, thou shall not steal, thou shall not bear false witness, and thou shall not covet. These things were taught and practiced even in the bible days and have been passed on from generation to generation. Although these commandments are not taken into consideration at all times, it is known that this is the way one shou ld try living their life daily.The ethics game helped to determine the level of morals, values, and standards a person has. It also explained how one might deal or reason in certain situations. After completing the ethical lens inventory, no ethical lens was determined. This means that the preferred lens was neither periscope nor paralysis. A person that is neither periscope nor paralysis sees the gifts and weaknesses of both and is able to adapt to different situations and get the best results possible. This type of person is non judgmental and considers all things before coming to a conclusion.According to the ethical lens inventory, autonomy and equality are valued equally. Their belief is that everyone has a valid point. No blind spot was determined. The maturity of this person sees both strengths and weaknesses and is able to bring together the four core values of autonomy, equality, rationality, and sensibility. There is a downside to being able to see everyone’s perspe ctive. This may cause confusion with one’s self. Listen to the heart, do not ignore the head, and act with confidence. Exhibiting good personal ethics is something one may want to make habit of.People are often put in situations where those morals and values must come in to play. No one wants to be a called a snitch, but sometimes one must put personal feelings aside. If a person is working alongside another coworker, and they see this coworker pocketing money from the register, the ethical thing to do would be to report this to higher management. This person is obviously untrustworthy and bad news. Everyone has a personal responsibility to ensure the safety and upkeep of their community, work environment, and school. Personal ethics, simply put, means to do the right thing.

Car Park Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Car Park Design - Essay Example This essay stresses that highway is designed after a careful study of various areas to ensure complete safety and smooth traveling of different vehicles. Speed restraints are especially designed to ensure safety and to discourage high speeds. Developers can ensure smooth traffic if designed a highway properly. Moreover, nearby places are carefully designed to reduce crime rate. Mostly it happens that people completely overlook their surroundings. It is better option to design in clusters of small dwellings that further encourage neighbor hood. Land with unobstructed access should be walled or fenced carefully. Footpaths must be designed in ways that discourages hiding places. Car parking must be lighted properly whether practiced in private areas or communal entities. This paper makes a conclusion that autocad has brought revolutionary variations in the field of engineering and designing. In this system designers can make different designs without using paper. They work on screen that further increases efficiency and reduced the efforts of paper works that were once used by many designers. So, if a designer wants to plan a building or roadwork then he can easily go with this technology. However, remember that professionals and highly skilled engineers are always required to run this system. With the help of this system a designer or developer can satisfy more complex needs. This drafting system is used for electrical, architectural, mechanical, electronic and structural designs.

Essay on Consumer Behavior Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

On Consumer Behavior - Essay Example The quality of the car manufactured by Volkswagen principally targets the metropolitan areas on the basis of the consumption power possessed by the locales (Buck, Gajdecki, Heng, Kam, Pudlas and Horne). The targeted consumers of the organisation are the individuals aged from 20 years to 34 years, signifying the young generation group who are considered to be highly energetic and passionate regarding car models (Volkswagen, â€Å"Company Information†). The risk taking ability, irrespective of their income level, can also be regarded as a fundamental criterion of the targeted consumers which in turn make them the potential buyers of the brand. Price The personality traits of the customers indicate them to be more inclined towards quality and features of the car models rather than its price. In the similar context, personality can be defined as the responsive character traits of an individual which include their behaviours, emotions and psychology. Hence, it can be affirmed that according to the theory, the psychology traits possessed by an individual reveals his/her response toward the products and/or services served by the company (New Age Publishers, â€Å"Consumer Behaviour†). ... urbanised areas, state that they are ready to pay high price in return of better quality assurance and comfort which indicates that the individuals decipher positive feedbacks to the products and the services delivered by the brand (Pride, William and Ferrell 402). Place Based on the assumptions of consumer culture theory, the targeted place to market the newly launched product should be selected emphasising on the individualist beliefs which would reward higher degree of decision-making liberty to the young people, i.e. the targeted consumers. According to the theory, consumer behaviours are largely influenced by the cultural beliefs perceived within a community (Sassatelli 9). Furthermore, the theory assumes that social doings and behaviours are tied up with developing a desire for the respective products and/or services which again implies the distinct character of consumers (Hovland & Wolburg 16). It is in this context that in a few of the regions, it is often witnessed that the consumers behave in a consistent manner with great similarity with their peers’ choices being based on identical beliefs and preferences which should be considered by Volkswagen while deciding upon its targeted market place. Product The product must be offered with greater value towards its features and quality assurance factors owing to the personality traits of the consumers. Contextually, consumer personality is described as the behaviour which is presented on behalf of particular products as well as services which is further specified as a demand (Azevedo). Concerning the personality traits of the targeted consumers, it can be noted that consumer behaviour which might be witnessed by Volkswagen’s new launched model is likely to be much more inclined towards the attractive features

Contract law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Contract law - Essay Example Consideration refers to something of value which is provided for a promise and must be provided to enforce the contract. An agreement not supported by a consideration is not binding An offer portrays a will to contract on the basis of the specified terms and once accepted by the other party, the offeror is bound if through the offer, the contracting party is convinced that the offeror intends to transact as per specified terms. For instance in the case of Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Company [1893] 2 QB 256, a medical firm placed an advert for its new drug called carbolic smoke ball would cure flu. The advert further stated that buyers of this drug would be paid ?100 if the drug did not cure as provided. The court held that the advertisement was actually an offer which was biding. The following section is an advice to Cleanaway Limited as to whether they are contractually bound to provide cleaning services to the Council. Evidently, Cleanaway made an offer to the Council by agreeing to provide a quotation for their service on Monday 21 September. Initially, Cleanaway had made an offer for house cleaning services on hourly basis which was placed at ?40 per hour. However, the Council seemed not satisfied with initial offer that was made on their standard form. On Monday 28th September, the Council sent a fax asking for another quote now on per unit basis, to which Cleanaway Limited responded via fax the following day at ?200 per house. The second offer stipulated that both the standard terms and conditions applied. Based on this, Cleanaway Limited had made two offers to the Council and on the part of acceptance; Cleanaway expressly stated that the council must do it in writing by Friday 2 October. This is a clear indication that the offer had a stipulate period after which it could no longer apply. According to MARSHALL (2012), acceptance to an offer represents unqualified and final expression of assent to the terms of an offer. It represents a manifestation by the recipient to be bound by the terms of the offer. Ideally, an offer has to be accepted precisely to form an agreement. Such an offer must be accepted and all terms complied with. According to ZYWICKI (2008), acceptance has no legal effect until it is communicated to the offeror since it is important for the offeror to know that his offer has been accepted. In this vein, the common law provides that postal acceptance becomes effective when the acceptance letter is posted regardless of whether the letter is delayed, destroyed on misplaced when in transit. However, the postal rule fails to apply when the offer excludes such provisions expressly. Communication via post creates some practical difficulties considering that an offeror can withdraw an acceptance before it reaches the offeree. In this regard, there is an exception to the mode of communication. In Adams v Lindsell (1818) and Household Fire Insurance v Grant (1879), the court held that the decision to treat postage as a sig n of completion of an acceptance can be risky due to problems of loss and delays. As such, postal acceptance rule can only apply in circumstances where use of postage was reasonably contemplated by both transacting parties or was indeed stipulated by the offeror in the offer. Having said that and by considering technology advancement, the court is presently trying to confine the scope of postal acceptance principle. In Holwell

ANIMAL FARM RESEARCH PAPER Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

ANIMAL FARM - Research Paper Example His regime mistreated people especially those who disagreed with his way of doing things, later adopted ruthless and cruelty to be a method within the Russian Monarchical government before the revolution. By 1944 Orwell was through with his book but majority of individual especially in the larger United States and Western Europe were not willing to hear the dark side history, apart from Stalin being their ally, to many politically, he was a hero as well as role model In 1945 when German was defeated, the real relationship that existed between her previous allies during the WW2, for instance Britain and USA drastically changed. The Soviets who were viewed as heroes, they were no more, instead, they were looked at as oppressor especially those countries they invaded and finally occupied in part of Eastern Europe, by 1948 the Soviet army went ahead and blocked the roads leading to Germany capital city Berlin by then, the city was surrounded by the troops from Soviet that were controlling the East Germany. The city had no option but to divide into two, western under Allies as the Eastern part of Soviets, the supplies were flown by air and other necessities. A well known British politician by the name Winston Churchill said, Europe now is divided by one thing. â€Å"Iron curtain† this kind of state was known as a cold war, this is a term said to have been used first by Orwell. But in late 1989 the wall that was constructed by the Soviets was smashed to the ground by the Germans as the Soviet Union disintegrated down in 1991. The Soviet system used not to be very powerful or rather long lasting as it is suggested by Orwell (Kort 35) Animal farm is classified both as a fable and an Allegory. This story fits the description of allegory due to its use of fictional characters and even events that are representative of people and events of the real world. Therefore, the Animal Farm has not lost its relevance as a political

A business's only responsibility is to produce profit. To what Essay

A business's only responsibility is to produce profit. To what extent do you agree with this statement - Essay Example 15). A business should maximize on value rather than profits as explained by Blodget (2012). Involvement in CRS is expensive but it has a high long-term advantage to the business. Providing incentives to employees is not a waste of resources by the management. Considering the workers welfare is important to boost the morale of employees. Employees, if well motivate, perform high-quality tasks that can attract more customers, rewarding to the stakeholders and so make the business sustainable. It may even draw new employees with a high level of skills. On the other hand, failure to consider employees’ welfare results to unique situations that may scare other stakeholders from associating with the business. Besides, it is important for the business to consider environmental obligations as they do production. Environment conservation policies benefit humans. For instance, the regulations aim to reduce pollutants to the environment. Every country or trade region has it set regulations on environmental factors that businesses should consider in its operations. Failure to consider the rules in its operations, the business is likely to face criticism. Further, it may influence smooth functioning of the business and its profitability. An example is the case of Coca-Cola Company’s failure to ensure standards set by the America’s Environment Protection Agency. Early in the 2000’s, failure to consider strict environmental policy threatened the Coca-Cola Company. The company used non-environmental friendly plastic bottles, for a long time the company was on poor terms with the government or the U.S.A. Though it may be expensive for the business to adhere to the regulations, they are very critical for the sustainability of the enterprise and survival of other sectors of the economy. Adhering to the CSR is important to keep a good relationship with the stakeholders and so for the

Statistical Methods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Statistical Methods - Assignment Example It is also important to note that gender and level of satisfaction may have things that cannot be deemed as job orientated or appear to divulge applicants inner feelings and thoughts. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the management to ensure that every employee feel appreciated and important in the place of work. Several studies have revealed a positive relationship between gender and the extent to which they feel their work is interesting. Most employees want to enjoy their work hence they will prefer to work on firms where they feel comfortable. However, the level at which an employee enjoy his or her work depends on the gender of the employee. Some jobs are better enjoyed by female employees as compared to male employees; and vice versa. In this regard, this study tries to understand the relationship between gender and extent to which respondents feel their work is interesting. The study uses 200 respondents from three employers- Smith Ltd, Jones Plc and Farmhouse. The variables used for the study gender, employer, enjoying the work, services, food, professional and many more. The number of respondents of the study was 200 with three employers-that is Smiths Ltd, Jones Plc. and Farmhouse. The number of respondents that participated in the survey in terms of gender was 96 and 104 for male and female respectively. This represents 47.8% and 51.7% respectively. As mentioned above, the employers were Smiths Ltd, Jones Plc. and Farmhouse. In this regard, 72 of the respondents were from Smiths Ltd while 70 and 58 of the respondents were from Jones Plc. and Farmhouse respectively. The number of male and female respondents from Smiths Ltd is 36 and 36 respectively. The number of male and female respondents from Jones Plc. is 37 and 33 respectively. On the other hand, the number of male and female respondents from Farmhouse is 23 and 35 respectively. The average weekly wage considering the three companies was 353.9990 with the highest paying company

How video game effect our live Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How video game effect our live - Research Paper Example I went through different books, searched online for information and finally ended up with something I think is important from both sociological and cultural point of views. The topic I have chosen for my research project is ‘How video games affect our lives’. This research would be useful for all kinds of people, those who are addicted to video games, those who play video games occasionally and those who don’t play video games at all. The structure of my research project would be simple, clear and linear. Starting from a historical point of view, I would first describe some of the pioneers and early days of video games. Then I would move on to their development, an era in which video games started to gain some fame but only in the elite class of the society and they were a big attraction for the kids in that class (Weiss). Moving on to the invention of some video games of the late 20th century for example, Atari, Nintendo, Sega and home computer which were the only gaming devices at that time and many games such as Sonic, Mario bros, Contra 4, the helicopter and fighting jet games, Street fighter and tekken were introduced on these gaming stations. The modern 21st century video games have taken the level of video games to a next level. The inventions of Playstation and Xbox360 with PSP (playstation portable) have opened the doors for a totally new generation of games such as GTA, Call of Duty, Prince of Persia, Assassins and millions of other games. These games are both graphically and technologically advance and take the gamer inside the characters they are playing with and Now to increase the experience 3D games are being introduced (Rowlands). After the history and development, I would choose a social and psychological perspective of gaming. I would describe the affects that they have on our mind and body. Starting with the main affect, playing too many games has led our children to stick inside their homes and decreased their outdoor physical

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â€Å"Eveline† and â€Å"The Dead† Essay Similarities between James Joyces short stories, â€Å"Eveline† and â€Å"The Dead† James Joyces short stories â€Å"Eveline† and â€Å"The Dead† basically share a lot of similarities in multiple aspects. Although they are thematically different, the main characters in both stories share nearly similar experiences that basically changed their views, beliefs, and decisions in life. The first notable similarity is between Gabriel Conroy, the main character of â€Å"The Dead† and Eveline, the principal character in â€Å"Eveline. † In â€Å"The Dead,† Gabriel Conroy views himself as a person who is in control of his life and, most especially his wife, Gretta. However, when Gretta suddenly cries because she remembered her past lover through a song being played in piano, Gabriel realizes that he has not in control of her since she evidently still has some past attachments that havent been settled. This incident basically changed Gabriels perception of his life and general as he laid down on his bed. Similarly, Eveline was already convinced that she wanted to escape the cruelty of his father by going away with her lover Frank but when she hears the organs that was played during her mothers death, she suddenly had a change of heart and remained in her home town. In addition, Evelines experience is also similar with Gretta as they both heard music that reminded them of their pasts. In short, the similarity between â€Å"Eveline† and â€Å"The Dead† is that both stories contained characters who suddenly stopped pursuing their desires and dreams due to a single yet significant experience. Moreover, both stories involves acknowledging and reconciling with the past and using past experiences to make decisions for the future.

Adultery and Society Essay Example for Free

Adultery and Society Essay Much has already been said about Couples – John Updike’s controversial 1968 novel about the lives and indiscretions of well-off couples living in the suburban town of Tarbox, Boston. At first glance, the novel may seem like a run of the mill erotic novel – tawdry and titillating, but nothing more. This was, in fact, the common perception that greeted the novel on its debut in 1968, hence its notoriety as a â€Å"controversial† novel. Much of its hype, however, is not lost, considering the amount of sex – illicit and otherwise – that graces the pages of the novel, as well as the forthright manner with which Updike boldly discusses these activities. Scandal and notoriety prevented a proper and contextual understanding of Updike’s novel, leaving it languishing in literary purgatory. In time, however, with the changes in society and modern views on sex, Updike’s Couples has, to some degree, been resurrected and reevaluated with a different perspective and point of view. Though still shocking in its extensive discussion of adultery and lecherous behavior in general, the novel has finally emerged from under its tag as a bawdy piece of B-rated literature to become one of Updike’s signature novels. No longer viewed as eroticized sensationalism, the novel is now seen as a representation of Updike’s most striking leitmotif: suburban adultery. If not erotica for eroticism’s sake, what then is the central thought in Updike’s Couples? Such is the question that this paper now intends to answer. This paper posits that John Updike’s Couples reflects the collapse of traditional values in the face of modernity particularly in the early 1960s. With the parameters of sexuality shattered by the advent of birth control, wealthy men and women living the â€Å"perfect† life are actually morally in disarray. Society, despite its beautiful and urbane facade, is in reality rotting away and slowly experiencing a moral decay. The beauty of suburbia and its polished citizens stand in sharp contrast to the breakdown of social norms and propriety. Such is the theme of John Updike’s Couples. To prove so, it is necessary to first look into the writer himself, John Updike. Much of his writings reflect his personal opinions, of course, and understanding the writer will most certainly provide a better contextual understanding of the novel. Moreover, it is necessary that a discussion of the era (early 1960s, under the Kennedy administration) be conducted in order to fully relay the circumstances that give way to the morally reprehensible â€Å"system† established by the titular couples. Lastly, this paper shall look into the juxtaposition of aesthetics (the beauty of both the people and the suburban town they inhabit) and the rotten structure of banality they willingly cling to. These are the significant aspects of John Updike’s Couples that shall be discussed. First of all, who was John Updike? Little is known about Updikes childhood, except that he was born to a middle class Pennsylvania family in 1932. John Updikes interest in writing began with his mothers instructions, herself a prolific writer. His mothers influence proved intense and enduring, giving him the strength and courage to continue with writing. Despite the lack of sufficient funds for his education, Updikes talents received recognition and earned him a full scholarship at Harvard University, where he joined the Harvard Lampoon. Upon graduation, he joined the New Yorker, which published his first story, Friends from Philadelphia, in 1954. The story would soon be followed by several more of his writings, all published through the New Yorker. By the end of the 1950s, Updike was reaping the fruits of a successful literary career (Pritchard 2000, p. 2). It was not, however, his writing technique that caught the fancy of critics. Though fluid and never boring, it is not his efficient style that gained support for John Updike. Unfortunately, his choice of subject matter overshadowed his style of writing, essentially giving way to the â€Å"controversial† tag. Couples is just one example of his unique point of view and manner of describing even the most intimate of details (Amidon 2005, p. 51). The mention and overt discussion of sex remained quite touchy, if not entirely taboo, even as society during the 1960s had significantly modernized. The effect of his controversial topics, however, had led to a period wherein his writings were shunned, to a certain degree, and remained misclassified as bawdy erotica. â€Å"Suburban adultery†, a topic most associated with John Updike, is born of his own experiences in grappling with the temptations of sex and desire. The writing of the novel Couples came at a time when he was completely confused in his personal life, particularly with regards to his marriage. Updike was in the middle of a passionate love affair and was, in fact, contemplating filing for a divorce. In the end, he decided not to push through with the plan for divorce (Pritchard 2000, p. 119). The topic, therefore, is described vividly in every scene of the novel, reflecting Updikes own struggle with his inner demons and the destruction of the institution of marriage before his very eyes. The crumbling of his own marriage proved to be the very basis of Couples. To Updike, a certain degree of the story of a failed marriage is â€Å"sad magic† (Pritchard 2000, p. 124). Extramarital relations for Updike are not erotic, despite the manner with which he describes the sexual activities of his characters in the novel. Rather than titillating, the goal of Updikes prose is to portray the emptiness that these affairs and illicit relationships cause. There is no desire to eroticize or sexualize the characters; the idea is to present the weaknesses of their personalities and the ramifications of unbridled desire. It is not specifically aiming for preaching either, focusing only on the emotional hollowness that gives birth to the seed of lust and temptations in the first place. As Updike himself explains, his idea of sex in his literary achievements is far from intentionally erotic. Rather, the idea is to create a portrait wherein sex is a tool; it is a means by which Updike indicts the weaknesses of societys moral fiber. As he said of sex in his writings in an interview with CNN, â€Å"Ive seen it said of my work that its anti-aphrodisiac, that it doesnt – that my descriptions of sex doesnt turn you on. But theyre not really meant to do that. I mean, sex described in detail is not a turn-on† (Austin 1998). Updike is far from a prude, true, yet his writings are not erotic for eroticism’s sake. The goal is to present moral weaknesses, not join banality. Unlike the earlier accusation of critics, the story of Couples is far from erotic, despite its routine use of sexual scenes and explicit activities. The story revolves around the lives of several couples living in an upscale community in Tarbox – a fictional suburb located in Boston. These young couples live wealthy lifestyles and have enough time on their hands to fool around. Piet Hanema, for example, is a serial adulterer. He has trysts with Foxy, as well as with several more of the novels women. His decadence is merely one of the morally bankrupt scenes in the story. It is not just Piet, though, who experiences a life of immorality and lack of a moral center. The couples engage in â€Å"wife-swapping† activities, such as in the case of the Applebys and the Little-smiths. None of the members of the community are entirely above the erotic rondalla, sending everyone in the community into a moral tailspin. In the end, however, it is Piet and his mistress Foxy who are cast out from the lot. Piet, since the beginning of the novel, is insistent on gaining freedom from his marriage. Though initially not bent towards the destruction of his own marriage, in the end, Piet divorces his wife Angela and his thrown out of the apartment with his mistress. As Greiner (1984) points out, â€Å"lovers are drawn as much to what destroys marriage as to what supports it† (p. 146). They are far from completely beyond the trappings of love, hence its effect as a double-edged sword. While it is love that bound two souls together under the sacrament of marriage in the first place, it is also â€Å"love† or whatever passes for it that successfully questions the sacrament and stands as a threat to its stability. Despite accepting the sacrament of marriage and his chained life, Piet needs and wants room, seeking sex and love from elsewhere despite his wifes presence. There is a need to hone his skills as an illicit lover, and the adrenaline rush of such relationships do exist. And yet despite their illicit activities and immoral actions, Updike refuses to view his characters as villains. They are far from perfect, given their morally unstable relationships, and they are all tottering over the edge of hell with their hypocritical Presybterian lives. None of them truly lives up to the Christian ideals, and they can be described as having their own religion – the religion of sex and lust. Despite these errors and flaws, however, the characters are not evil per se. They are, rather, personifications of Updikes understanding of suburbia and the moral decay that goes on behind the facade of wealth and propriety. They are weak, not evil, and are merely caught in the struggle to keep up with the liberal times even with the significant changes in society during this period (Greiner 1984, p. 148). Unfortunately, the highlighting of adulterous Tarbox soon became news across every home in the United States. Rather than view the sublime veins incorporated in Updikes novel, it was soon branded sensationalized and controversial. Protests emerged, decrying Updikes use of explicit words and graphic portrayal of sex. Perhaps most important of these criticisms, however, may be Anatole Broyards criticism of Piet Hanema, noting that there could be no sympathy for a â€Å"fornicator† (Greiner 1984, p. 149). In this the critics see the point of Updikes novel, yet completely miss it as well To classify Updikes novel as no more than a potboiler is to ignore its finer and less prominent points. To many, the adulterous activities and their graphic descriptions are the core of the novel. Looking past beyond such however, is the only way to find the true meaning of Updikes Couples. In the world of Tarbox, sex is just another ordinary day. Despite their preoccupation with it, sex is not the core of the community. It is, of course, an ironic glue that brings various couples together and inevitably unhinges them when the time comes. The characters are simply wandering from one relationship to another, in search not of true love, but of companionship and momentary beauty. Rather than portray the couples as treacherous villains determined to subvert the values of the day, Updike presents them as brats unwilling to succumb to the demands of married life. The central concept of their lives is â€Å"fun†, and with the end of each day, beyond the trappings of the suburban community, husband and wife find themselves alone with the bills, the children, the leftover food and the dishes to wash. To a certain degree, such a relationship is less exciting and not quite as desirable as spending time with the equally bored neighbors (Grenier, 1984, p. 151). The couples, therefore, are far from total villains and much easier to understand as adults with the minds of young children, unwilling accept responsibility yet entirely willing to pursue the cult of fun. To say that they are the product of a determinedly lost generation is to heap unnecessary blame on the characters. It is not that they preeminently wished for the structure of such a morally reprehensible situation. The issues in the novel are, in fact, the product of the times. The characters are merely swept up in the current, following the changing values and transitional problems that occur when modernity clashes with traditional values. There are changes in society, with growing wealth and scientific advances, and it is simply not possible to ignore the changes; the characters succumb to the call of the â€Å"wild† despite their surface urbanity. As mentioned earlier, it is not an innate â€Å"evilness† that Updike wishes to uncover in his Couples. The underlying core is less sinister than what critics and censors of his day had easily assumed. In truth, the story of Updikes novel is no more a potboiler than a thriller. It is simply a portrayal of Updikes own nostalgic view of the changes in society, including the slow deconstruction of a small town similar to the one he grew up in. Throughout the novel, the tone is largely wistful, reminiscent of a different past. There is something in the manner with which Updike contrasts the beautiful town and the rotting away of its core; a resounding sigh seems to escape Updikes lips with every word. Much of the storys very core is essentially reliant on the time frame of the novel. Updike pegs it on the early 1960s, under the Kennedy administration. As he himself pointed out, there is no way that the plot couldve existed in a different era. He noted that the action â€Å"could have taken place only under Kennedy; the social currents it traces are as specific to those years as flowers in a meadow are to their moment of summer† (Neary 1992, p. 144). There is something specific in the era that Updike particularly takes note of: the introduction of the bill and the liberation of women from the yokes of pregnancy. Without fear of pregnancy hanging over their heads, sex outside of marriage becomes a much more realistic possibility. It is what Updike calls the â€Å"post-pill paradise† (Sheed 1968), a world wherein the problem of unwanted pregnancy no longer exists. Updike describes his characters as wealthier than their predecessors, having been born into an era of relative prosperity. There is no limit to their desire for fulfillment, regardless of the price. They are driven by the id, raised in a culture of â€Å"me† and supported by the changing society. It is not just Tarbox which is changing. It is far from a microcosm entirely separate from the rest of society. Updike does not portray the suburb as a cancer entirely separate and different from the rest of the country. Rather, the suburb of Tarbox is a representative of many. The characters, themselves generic, are easily interchangeable and quite possibly recognizable in any town across the United States. In this world of change, not omly the couples of Tarbox are transformed. They are part of a larger social transformation, and Updikes focus on their interactions and illicit affairs present his understanding of society (not just suburbia) in general. The couples, though seemingly too deviant and unbelievable to be considered general stereotypes, are in fact Updikes definition of the moral breakdown of society. It is not an indictment of suburban life (despite the use of the term â€Å"suburban adultery†). The location of his subjects is more of a realistic portrayal than an unfair indictment. His judgment is not one of localization. Rather, Updike is presenting the class most affected by the changes in the Kennedy administration, primarily due to their wealth and social status. It is also in this level that the reality of class versus crass becomes most realize. Behind the beautiful homes and educated facades, there is darkness. The players randomly select their next partner, playing a grand, elaborate and ritualistic game of musical chairs with their neighbors. Play, again, is a significant theme in Updikes novel, being the central concept that drives the couples to pursue sexual adventures again and again. The significance of the time period should not be ignored. Updike describes his characters as the products of national tribulations. Following the Great Depression and World War II, these young couples find themselves thrust into a new America, one that struggles to keep up the facade of decency while slowly eroded away by modernity and the vulgarity of the new world order. These characters are far from intentionally indecent, however. Their initial goal was to be enveloped in beauty, separate from the staleness of the rest of the nation and the vulgarity that threatens to creep up the morality ladder (Sheed 1968). In the end, however, they find themselves in a vulgarity of their own making, hidden under the sheen of decency and beauty that the suburbs signify. Quoting Updike, â€Å"the ultimate influence of a government whose taxes and commissions and appetite for armaments set limits everywhere, introduced into a nation whose leadership allowed a toothless moralism [sic] to dissemble a certain practiced cunning, into a culture where adolescent passions and homosexual philosophies were not quite yet triumphant, a climate still furtively hedonist† (Neary 1992, p. 146). The passage describes Updikes view of the world in which the couples were molded. For all their failures and flaws, these characters were but the products of a bigger problem. Society itself, led by the government, was far from the pristine, moral structure it once was. The Applebys, the Little-smiths, the Guerins, the Constantines, the Hanemas etc. are merely the by-products of a flawed era. The destruction of society, therefore, does not begin and end with suburban adultery. It is merely a microcosm of a larger decay – one that goes beyond the wife-swapping activities of the inhabitants of Tarbox, Boston. In part, Updike’s focus is on the period and the circumstances that give rise to the opportunities for suburban adultery. One significant detail that Updike notes is the introduction of birth control. Whereas the novels of the 1950s focused on the â€Å"everyone is pregnant† motif, in Updike’s novel it is more of an â€Å"everyone is guilty† narrative (Greiner 1984, p. 145). Previously, pregnancy outside of marriage was the biggest obstacle for illicit lovers. Physical consummation, after all, could always leave an undeniable proof in the woman’s womb. With the introduction of the pill, however, a new â€Å"paradise† is opened to the people, with the characters of Updike’s Couples taking full advantage of the situation. These new methods of birth control had, to some effect, liberated the characters from the burdens of pregnancy. Now as long as his mistresses would remain on the pill, Piet would have no problems keeping his affairs in order. No longer would the characters of Updike’s novel fear the repercussions of sex outside of marriage, hence the ease with which they gradually fall into the abyss of sexual debauchery and adultery. And yet it seems as if this is just the tip of Updike’s metaphorical discussion. More than an indictment of the potentially â€Å"evil† consequences of birth control (such as the encouragement of promiscuity, perhaps), Updike’s inclusion of the pill is less of a reproach and more of a symbolism. It is not the pill per se that drives the characters into the arms of others. It is the slow break-down of society, particularly religion. The pill is merely a tool by which society slowly presents its disintegration. In itself, it cannot be identified as the cause of social decay. Rather, it is a sign of the changing times – a symbol of the struggle of the old traditional values to keep up with the changes in the modern world. In Updike’s own point of view, the concept of the novel is not really adultery. It is a discussion of the disintegration of society through the disintegration of church. Marriage, after all, is a sacrament. The destruction of marriage, therefore, does not signify the end of a union alone. It is a metaphor for the slow destruction of the church and its foundations. Sex is the new religion (Greiner 1984, p. 149). With the church crumbling and religion not as reliable as it once was, the characters of Updike’s Couples seek comfort and solace from another source. Marriage is not enough to provide the human warmth the characters require. They are not villains, just people trapped by circumstances and incapable of escaping from the needs of the flesh. It is a religion in itself, this search for fun. Quoting from the jacket blurb of Couples, Sheed (1968) notes how one character is supposed to be a priest and the other a scapegoat. In some ways, the idea of a spiritual leader leading the empty towards greater hypocrisy and shallowness is apt for the story. Fred Thorne is identified as the priest, the leader who organizes parties and games for the bored couples. His party on the night of Kennedy’s assassination is telling; the couples swear to be solemn yet soon revert to their partying ways. In a sense, this invokes a feeling of emptiness, of floating through space. These characters have nothing else but their physical selves to cling to. The government’s leader is assassinated, God strikes his own church with lightning and society is giving way underground to new bores. In essence, they are free of religious and political encumbrances, only to realize that without these structures there is almost nothing to hold on to at all. In the end, there is nothing but the warmth that sex provides – be it illicit or otherwise – giving a physical reality to the world. Without this physical connection, they are lost. The couples move around, shuffle in their beautiful clothing and beautiful homes. Beyond the facade however, are emptiness and a world of gradual moral decay. Works Cited Amidon, Stephen. â€Å"Unzipped: John Updike’s Prose is as Supple as Ever in This Chronicle of a Lifetime’s Erotic Exploits. † New Statesman, 134. 4724(2005): 51 Austin, Jonathan. â€Å"His Characters Allow Updike to be ‘Free’. † CNN. Com, 16 November 1998. Available 27 April 2008, from http://edition. cnn. com/books/news/9811/16/updike/index. html Greiner, Donald. John Updike’s Novels. Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 1984 Neary, John. Something and Nothingness: The Fiction of John Updike and John Fowles. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1992 Pritchard, William. Updike: America’s Man of Letters. South Royalton, VT: Steerforth Press, 2000 Sheed, Wilfrid. â€Å"Couples. † The New York Times, 7 April 1968. Available 27 April 2008, from http://www. nytimes. com/1968/04/07/books/updike-couples. html? pagewanted=1 Updike, John. Couples. NY: Ballantine Books, 1999

Second Languages Harder To Learn In Adulthood English Language Essay

Second Languages Harder To Learn In Adulthood English Language Essay This topic can be very useful for adult students who are learning a second language. It shows from a scientific prospective, the explanation of why adult s can not keep a fluently conversation in the second language when they are learning it. The technologies presented give rich data that explains this phenomenon. In addition to this, it also gives another explanation from a pedagogical prospective differencing the way children learn from adults. Finally, this topic can make students and teachers reflect on the way how they are learning and teaching the second language. Outline Introduction of why to speak a second language is difficult in adulthood. Importance of learning a second language Why is so difficult to learn a second language later in life? The brain The methodology Background of brain research technique using technologies Language centers Functions of Wernickes area Functions of Brocas area Research techniques Positron emission tomography (PET), 1995. Findings Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 1997. Findings by Dr. Joy Hirsch Intracranial Electrophysiology (ICE), 2009. Findings by Dr. Ned T. Sahin Language learning vs. language acquisition by Julio Foppoli. Literature Review Controversy in positions of language centers in the brain. Positron emission tomography (PET). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Controversy in functions of language centers in the brain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Intracranial Electrophysiology (ICE). Controversy in methodology of teaching the second language. Language Acquisition Language Learning Arguments of why to speak a second language is difficult when you learn it in adulthood. Functions of the Brocas area Receptive language Expressive language Methodology used to teach the second language. Conclusion Restatement of why to speak a language is difficult when you learn it in childhood. Biological reasons Pedagogical reasons Recommendation Why to Speak a Second Language Is Difficult When You Learn It in Adulthood Nowadays, people are more interested in learning a second language. They can be children, teenagers or adults. But , at the time to look for a job, to study abroad, to do tourism, to make business or just to have access to new cultures, adult people realize the importance to learn a second or maybe a third language. This is the moment when they want to learn it as soon as possible like magic. As a result, this originates frustration and disappointment at the moment to learn and acquire a new language. Therefore, when adults try to learn a second language, they must be informed of the biological processes that their brains undergo. So, adults must ask themselves, why is so difficult to learn a second language later in life? Maybe the answer is in the brain. A part of our brain has to get accustomed to new patterns that did not exist in the past. It is like learning to ride a bike. You, as an amateur, fall down and fall down, until the moment that you can pedal and have the balance. Th en, you do it, and you will never forget it. Thus, learning a second language is the same; however, the key is in the practice that you frequently do. According to this research, there are two possible complex answers why to learn a second language is difficult in adulthood. First, results provided by technologies studying the bilingual brain. Secondly, the methodology and strategy used to teach the second language. These two answers can be connected to each other, but it gives a clear explanation to the question. In order to make evidences clear, there will be comparisons between early and late bilinguals. Also, we will see the difference between learning and acquiring a second language. While it maybe true all the arguments presented, there are some other factors that we have to consider such as motivation, personality, critical period and style of learning among others. Bilingualism and second language acquisition are very broad topics that can be interpreted in different ways, but they all coincide in the same that children and adults learn differently. Background In our brain, the part in charge of language is in the left hemisphere of the brain. This applies for those who are right-handed. Those who are left-handed this part can be in the right hemisphere or in both sides of the brain. No matters how, in this part of the brain there are the language centers. These are the Wernickes area and the Brocas area. The Wernickes area (WA) is in charge of the understanding or meaning of the language; in contrast, the Brocas area (BA) is in charge of the speech production. This notion is still taught in many text books according to ScienceDaily (2009). But nowadays, recent research says that it also manages word identity (lexicon and grammar), and phonology (identify pronunciation), ScienceDaily (2009) Steele (2010). These two language centers differ in position in early and late bilinguals. Early bilinguals the first language (L1) and second language (L2) are in the same position in the Wernickes and Brocas area. Nevertheless, in late bilinguals is different. The L1 and L2 are in the same position in the Wernickes, but they are not in the Brocas area. The L1 and L2 are spatially separated in this language center, according to Dr. Joy Hirschs research (1997). There has been different research using different technologies to prove this. First, in 1995 a technique named non-invasive brain imaging using computer-aided tomography, also known as positron emission tomography (PET), suggested that L1and L2 are centered in the same part in the BA. But, the point here is that the sample used were participants of seven years old, which was the Hirschs description of an early bilingual (1997). Later, in 1997 the head of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospitals functional M.R.I. Laboratory, Dr. Joy Hirsch and her graduate student Karl Kim, used the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the cognitive tasks in the brain, Blakeslee (1997). They recruited as sample 12 healthy bilinguals. Six learnt the second language in infancy, and the other half around 11 and 19 years old. Hirsch (1997) discovered that People who learned a second language as children used the same region in Brocas area for both languages. But those who learned a second langu age later in life made use of a distinct region in Brocas area for their second languagenear the one activated for their native tongue. Finally, a new study carried out by Ned T. Sahin, PhD, post-doctoral fellow in the University of California, San Diego, Department of Radiology and Harvard University Department of Psychology, reported two more functions of the BA that are word identity (grammar), and pronunciation. This was thanks to the research technique named Intracranial Electrophysiology (ICE), which provides data of very high spatial and temporal resolution, Steele (2010). But, the sample used was different from the others. In this research, scientists used patients who were undergoing brain surgery, Steele (2010). All in all, it is also important to highlight the difference between language acquisition and language learning. According to Julio Foppoli, a teacher of English and Spanish as a second language, he says that acquisition comes naturally and meaningfully; in contrast, language learning is imposed, not meaningful and not communicative. So according to him, these could be important factors to success or fail in speaking and understanding a second language. Literature Review Dr. Hirschs research found evidence that children and adults do not use the same parts of the brain when learning a second language. People who learned a second language as children used the same region in Brocas area for both languages. But those who learned a second language later in life made use of a distinct region in Brocas area for their second languagenear the one activated for their native tongue, Discovermagazine, (1997). But, the only function described of the Brocas area was the execution of speech (Blakeslee, 1997). In contrast, Steele (2010) reports that a newest research demonstrates that besides the execution for speech production, the Brocas area is involved in other types of linguistics processing such as lexical (helping to identify forms, such as plurals or past tenses), and phonological (helping to identify pronunciations). In addition to this, Sahim (2009) adds, we showed that distinct linguistic processes are computed within small regions of Brocas area, separa ted in time and partially overlapping in space Specifically, the researchers found patterns of neuronal activity indicating lexical, grammatical and articulatory computations at roughly 200, 320 and 450 milliseconds after the target word was presented, ScienceDaily, (2009). The authors coincide with the nature of Broca ´s area as a mysterious brain function. The problem is with late or adult learners of second language. They have to build a new system for the second language, as Hirsch (1997) tries to explain it saying that when language is being hard-wired during development, the brain may intertwine sounds and structures from all languages into the same area. But once that wiring is complete, the management of a new language, with new sounds and structures, must be taken over by a different part of the brain. For that reason, it needs to change the methodology for adult learners toward a communicative and meaningful classes rather than grammar oriented classes, as Julio Foppoli suggests. This is supported by Hirsch comparing the way how children acquire the second language with the way adults do. Because the parents and family members teach the infant to speak the second language in a very tactile, auditory and visual way, children easily acquire it. In contrast, adults only sit down in high schools in classes that revolve around grammar, patterns, repetitions, drillings and rote memorization without even a human interlocutor to interact with, they can not acquire it, Discovermagazine, (1997) Julio Foppoli. So this is a good example that Julio Foppoli remarks in the difference of language acquisition and language learning. Language acquisition is meaningful and communicative; in contrast, the language learning is not communicative and not meaningful, Julio Foppoly adds. Arguments Obviously, learning a second language is habituating our body and mind to new patterns. This is supported by Hirsch adding that We can see the body building in the brain as a result of this. The answer to the interrogative of this paper, why is difficult to learn a second language in adulthood, it could be divided in two. First of all, in 1997 with Hirsch, we only noticed that the mainly function in the BA was the speech production. Somehow or other, this could explain why second language learners could not produce sounds exactly as a native speaker. However, the new research by Sahin (2009) found that aspects of word identity, grammar and pronunciation are all computed within the BA. Before, it was believed that WA was in charge of the receptive language, namely reading (word identity and grammar), and the understanding of that. In contrast, the BA was in charge of the expressive language that is speech production (vocal tract). Due to this, it means that the BA is responsible for b oth receptive and expressive language, ScienceDaily (2009). Evidence of this, it is when you see adults trying to speak the second language. Their speed fluency is very slow, because they take time to form sentences, to verify if it is grammatical correct, and finally, if it is well pronounced. More complex the idea is, more time they take. This means that the BA is working in processing all these linguistics processes at once. All this situations make sense, but they make things more difficult to adult second language learners. (Well, depending on the way those adult second language learners see it, because this could be the perfect excuse to explain their mispronunciations and grammatical mistakes). No matters how, if these linguistics aspects are separated from the first language, it means that they have to start from zero and build up new morphological, syntactical, grammatical and phonological patterns in their brains. The strategy to teach the second language must definitely b e equal as children do. So this leads us to the second explanation of our question, which is the difference between learning and acquiring a second language. As Foppoli said, adults must acquire the second language naturally as children do. Parents do not have to explain children the grammar and phonology of the language. Contrarily, parents teach their children through a very auditory, visual and tactile way letting children make mistakes and learn from them. Children acquire the language communicatively through real meaningful conversations that make sense to talk about. On the other hand, adults do not acquire the second language; they learn the second language. Adults have knowledge of the second language and can demonstrate it in a grammar test or even, in a TOEFL. But, research has shown that knowing grammar rules of language do not necessarily result in good speaking or writing, adds Foppoli. So the methodology used by teachers and professors must be changed to a very meaning ful and communicative strategy. Instead of teaching grammar-oriented lessons or follow the instructions of an audio CD in order to repeat words and phrases as parrots, students must be encourage to use the language in real context. This means to form classes that promote communication, speaking and the key word, practice. In order to acquire the language adult second language learners must practice the language and learn from their mistakes as children do. They have to dare to speak with native speakers and get involved to the different aspects of the new language such reading newspaper, novels; listening to radio, music; watching TV, movies; writing essays, letters or anything. As the saying says, practice makes perfect. Conclusion In conclusion, learning a second language after childhood is definitely hard to acquire for biological and pedagogical reasons. Thanks to the technologies presented in the last fifteen years, it can confirm that the L1 and L2 will be always separated in the Brocas area for an adult learner. Children until the age of 9 or 10 will have the L1and L2 in the same place in the Wernickes area and Brocas area. This fact makes things complicated for adults because this means, they have to build up new patterns for grammar, syntax, morphology and phonology for the new language. Besides, it is erroneous the way that adults are learning and acquiring the second language. Consequently, we see how adult learners fail and get frustrated in second language classes for the methodology taught. In order to overcome these obstacles, it is really important that adults be aware of the functions of the brain and the right methodology to teach the second language. Meaningful and communicative lessons are the best tools to acquire it; in addition, attitude and motivation determine the success of these tools. But most important, it is the time and practice that adult must dedicate to learn, acquire and use the second language in real context.

Admissions Essay - I Dont Want to Be a Doctor :: Medicine College Admissions Essays

Admissions Essay - I Don't Want to Be a Doctor I was talking to my sister on the phone, the little one, and she said, "I don't think I want to be a doctor." And I thought, "Oh, no." Now, you gotta understand, we're Asian. South Asian, actually. Sri Lankan, specifically. And the thing about Asians is, we're *all* supposed to be doctors. We all *are* doctors. My dad's friends are doctors. my mom's friends are doctors, my dad's *friends'* friends are doctors. and all of their kids are in med school right now, planning to be doctors. My middle sister is planning to be a doctor, fourth year Johns Hopkins, pre-med, volunteering at a local hospital, studying for the MCAT's. And I had thought the youngest was safely on the track, a few years behind, a freshman in college, pre-med, taking Biology, Chemistry, studying all the damned time, going to be just what the world needs, another Asian doctor. And you gotta understand -- I was happy about this. They'll be successful. They'll have money; they won't have to worry, They'll be able to pay the rent on time unlike their big sister who's dumb enough to try to make a living as a writer, but best of all it'll make the parents happy. After all -- *someone* had to to do it. Someone had to make the parents happy, and it certainly wasn't going to be me: black sheep, dater of white boys writer of pornography, destroyer of her parents' happiness. So the little one says to me, "I don't think I want to be a doctor." And I panic. And I ask why. And she says, this sweet kid says that she wants to make a difference in the world, do something good, unselfish, help people. I get the impression that she has vague ideas of working in a soup kitchen somewhere. She's eighteen, remember? Remember eighteen? And I want to cheer I want to stand up and say, "You go, girl!"

Vocational Education Vs. Standardized Testing Essay -- Vocational Cour

Plenty of schools focus on the scores that come from standardized testing. Though standardized testing is not going to help a student get to where they need to be in order to gain their career. In fact, standardized tests are mainly being used to measure a teacher’s ability to teach (Manalo 1). Why are schools basing their curriculum on standardized test scores rather than teaching vocational education courses that will help students later on in their lives? There are many different vocational courses which include; nursing, food ethics, computer solving, office management, and even cosmetology. Give high school students vocational classes or let the school system crumble. Vocational courses better prepare students for the years to come. Vocational courses prepare and teach and create leaders and are well rounded. Every student deserves to have an opportunity at success and vocational classes will organize them in the manner they need to be prepared. These classes narrow oneâ €™s focus so they are able to discover what they want to pursue for a living. (Ziliak 1). Vocational classes open up â€Å"doors of opportunity.† Cannot use the excuse that teaching vocational education in schools would lower the chances of getting into college because college credits can be earned through these courses. In 2012 students engaging in the Kokomo career center earned 834 credits from Ivy Tech Community College (Ziliak 2). Apparently vocational classes prepare students for real life situations and put them on the right track towards their dream career. As many schools use standardized testing to measure their student’s growth they do not realize that standardized tests do not reflect the character of children which will definitely not encourage succe... ...re a type of authentic learning. Vocational education adds: variety, relevance, and purpose. â€Æ' Works Cited James, Howlett. "Industrial Arts: Call It What You Want, the Need Still Exists." Industrial Arts: Call It What You Want, the Need Still Exists. N.p., Mar. 2008. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Manalo, Taylor. "Civic Issues." Civic Issues Site Wide Activity RSS. Civic Issues, 1 Apr. 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Watkins, Bill. "Do Standardized Tests Raise Dropout Rates?" Newgeography.com. New Geography, 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Jorgenson, Olaf. â€Å"What We Lose In Winning The Test Score Race.† Principal 91.5 (2012): 12-15. Education Research Complete. Web. 7 Feb. 2014. Ziliak, Lindsey. â€Å"In Vocational Courses, Ind. Students Get Early Glimpse Of Careers.† Community College Week 25.14 (2013): 11. Education Research Complete. Web. 7 Feb. 2014.

Wis :: essays research papers

. What I Know My first introduction to Islam was when I heard that a new movie would be coming out called Malcolm X. I heard it was supposed to be really good once the filming was finished. So I decided to read the book before I watched the movie so that it would be easier for me to understand it when I see it on the big screen. I borrowed the book from the library and I was really enjoying the book until I got half way through, to the point where the Nation of Islam teaches that white people are devils. I was so disgusted, I didn't finish the book. Finally, the movie was about to be released and I saw the previews on television, plus the reviews in the paper. It looked appealing, and I heard that Malcolm X later dropped out of the NOI and realized that white people are not devils. So I decided to read the book again, and I was very pleased that I finished it this time. However, I did not pursue more knowledge on the subject at this time. Then when I entered Gallaudet, I met a lot of people who were Muslim and I spent quite some time with them. I learned bits and pieces about Islam through socializing with them. I never really asked questions, maybe occasionally I would. I know a little bit about women in general and even less about women's roles. My knowledge about Islam is superficial, but I want to know more in depth; the soul of the Muslim Woman. I know that women must dress modestly and cover their hair. Only their face and hands can show. I also know that many men prefer or consider the main role of women is to stay home and take care of their husbands, children, and protect the home. That practice is stronger in Eastern societies than in America. I understand that many non-Muslims stereotypically think that the way Muslim women are treated is derogatory, because of the way they dress, the roles they play in their community, the limits that society bestows upon them, and that they have few rights. My main goal i s to see why most women choose to stay in Islam and what is really behind the Islamic stereotypes. II. What I Want to Find Out I chose to pick Women in Islam as my topic because I have many Muslim friends and I think they are very interesting.

To Be of Use

According to Confucius, â€Å"You should treat others the way you want to be treated. † Resembling Confucius’ golden rule, Harold Kushner’s â€Å"Shalom: The Quest for Integrity† talks about a man who did something good, when people didn’t think he would. While Marge Piercy isn’t writing about treating others a certain way, she is instead writing about being of good use. Harold Kushner’s text parallels Marge Piercy’s poem in the topic of being of good use. Due to the length of the poem, she talks about people being of use. Harold Kushner’s text talks about people who were useful.On Monday night December 11, 1995, the fire at the textile mill changed a city. Many people of Lawrence, Massachusetts, were worried about the economic impact from losing the textile mill due to the fire. However, the owner Aaron Feuerstein surprised everyone. People expected he would take advantage of the fire to move to a more profitable locatio n. Feuerstein announced that not only was he going to rebuild the factory, but also workers would receive three months of payroll, even though there was no work. â€Å"Feuerstein is a special person, a man of integrity†, are there few people with integrity?Maybe is the reason Blanchard co-author the book called The Power of Ethical Management, â€Å"there’s no right way to do a wrong thing,† using the book as a plea to the business world. Directed to the people who do things to benefit themselves, but hurt others. Confucius states: treat others the way you want to be treated; ask yourself if you do harm to others, would you like it if someone did harm to you in the same way? No because many of us wouldn’t; many don’t think about the consequences, or if it happened to themselves, before they do something. People commit wrong doing, to benefit themselves.When I hear politicians and preachers condemning the sinful ways of society around them, I often agree with their criticisms, but I don’t hear the pain in their voices. † As stated in the text by Kushner, many people lead with falsehood, tricking others to believing that they are useful people of integrity, when in the end they really are not. Marge Piercy’s poem gives her opinion of people who are useful. In the first verse, she has a high regard for people who throw enthusiasm into the work they do. She compares the people who throw enthusiasm into their work, to water buffalo.That people who enjoy their work, with patience, will in the end receive good rewards. Rewards of satisfaction, the results of their hard work, are what they receive in return for tireless hard work. To Piercy, work is as common as mud; work like mud smears the hand. â€Å"But the thing worth doing well done, has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident,† says Piercy in her poem. Piercy’s poem is more of a collection of opinions, the things that make a person useful. W hat she thinks useful people are like. Piercy has high regard for people who give care into their work.In past experience, and previous knowledge, people who work hard are reward, they move up in life. However people who don’t have integrity, who do harm eventually fail from life. Many people, who are successful, love their work; they enjoy what they are doing with enthusiasm. Treating other with respect should gain you respect. Kushner discusses more about people who had integrity, who gave back, when no one expected them to. People who made themselves useful People who try to encourage people to be ethically positive. To change their tactics to help people not harm people. The benefits, and why people did the things they did.Then also the people who are false or true prophets. The people who speak true, but don’t adhere to what they preach. Piercy, on the other had in contrast, expresses her opinion, on the factor of people being of use, having high regard for people who love working, being useful and enjoy their work. That their hard work would reward them. Piercy’s poem contrast’s Kushner’s text, in terms of the directions they go. Kushner is indirectly talking about being of use but on the topic of people with integrity, and ethical standards. Piercy directly relates to the topic of to be use. The opinion of what she thinks people who are useful.

My Ride Along Essay

My ride along wasn’t at all that exciting. It had a boring officer who seemed to not really want to have someone with him at the time. I did make the most of the time I had while I was there. I was very observant of the things that I saw around Polk county. For instance, the north side of Lakeland was more ghetto than the south side. It was completely noticeable just by how the business were kept and the type of stores that they have. We drove around a few times just to make sure nothing crazy was going on and kept it moving. I’m not one to force the issue of trying to start conversation. I can continue to sit in silence with is pretty much what was happening unless there was a call on the radio dispatch. One thing I can say is that if I ever became a cop and I was doing patrol I would need to have a partner, because I know I would go insane by myself for all types of hours of the night. I like having company and I know that I am more prone to being more aware when I ha ve someone to talk with, yet they also know we have a job to do. I’m a very sociable person when it comes to meeting people and doing things so for it to have been as quiet as it was, I felt awkward. I want to be able to talk and get to know a person, I just wouldn’t do that by myself. I liked the experience though to be able to patrol the city. I just wish it had more action in it. I got the boring ride it seems like compared to what everyone else in my class was talking about with their ride along. The way I thought my ride along was going to go was completely different. I thought I would show up like I was supposed to and I would get a patrol officer who was actually excited about having a student around for a ride along. I wanted to be able to watch the officer have to chase someone on foot and I just stand by and watch as he arrest the person and confiscate the drugs or whatever it is that they found on the person. After that, I figured we would drive around some more and stop and get coffee,we did that, and do some more patrolling. The later the night got I thought we would find some young kids out smoking or drinking underage and we would call in backup to get the group of kids off the streets and stop them from doing the nonsense that they thought was cool. After riding around I figured I would be able to talk about what I was getting my degree in criminal justice for. The talk would have gone pretty good and I would get a good insight as to what goes through  a patrol officers mind as to who they want to arrest and who they don’t want to arrest due to the significance of the situation. After all that, we would stop and get a bite to eat somewhere talk with some of the people wherever we decided to stop and get food just to have some random conversation and make everyone feel safer and confident in what their law enforcement was doing that night. I would get dropped off and go home. If that was the way my ride along would have went I would have felt a lot better and been able to be more enthusiastic about my ride along, but as you can see none of the even happened for me.

Digital Fortress Chapter 127-128

Chapter 127 There was a sudden and reverent silence among the group on the podium. It was as if they were watching an eclipse or volcanic eruption-an incredible chain of events over which they had no control. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. â€Å"We're losing it!† a technician cried. â€Å"Tie-ins! All lines!† On the far-left screen, David and Agents Smith and Coliander stared blankly into their camera. On the VR, the final fire wall was only a sliver. A mass of blackness surrounded it, hundreds of lines waiting to tie in. To the right of that was Tankado. The stilted clips of his final moments ran by in an endless loop. The look of desperation-fingers stretched outward, the ring glistening in the sun. Susan watched the clip as it went in and out of focus. She stared at Tankado's eyes-they seemed filled with regret. He never wanted it to go this far, she told herself. He wanted to save us. And yet, over and over, Tankado held his fingers outward, forcing the ring in front of people's eyes. He was trying to speak but could not. He just kept thrusting his fingers forward. In Seville, Becker's mind still turned it over and over. He mumbled to himself, â€Å"What did they say those two isotopes were? U238 and U†¦?† He sighed heavily-it didn't matter. He was a language teacher, not a physicist. â€Å"Incoming lines preparing to authenticate!† â€Å"Jesus!† Jabba bellowed in frustration. â€Å"How do the damn isotopes differ? Nobody knows how the hell they're different?!† There was no response. The room full of technicians stood helplessly watching the VR. Jabba spun back to the monitor and threw up his arms. â€Å"Where's a nuclear fucking physicist when you need one!† Susan stared up at the QuickTime clip on the wall screen and knew it was over. In slow motion, she watched Tankado dying over and over. He was trying to speak, choking on his words, holding out his deformed hand†¦ trying to communicate something. He was trying to save the databank, Susan told herself. But we'll never know how. â€Å"Company at the door!† Jabba stared at the screen. â€Å"Here we go!† Sweat poured down his face. On the center screen, the final wisp of the last firewall had all but disappeared. The black mass of lines surrounding the core was opaque and pulsating. Midge turned away. Fontaine stood rigid, eyes front. Brinkerhoff looked like he was about to get sick. â€Å"Ten seconds!† Susan's eyes never left Tankado's image. The desperation. The regret. His hand reached out, over and over, ring glistening, deformed fingers arched crookedly in stranger's faces. He's telling them something. What is it? On the screen overhead, David looked deep in thought. â€Å"Difference,† he kept muttering to himself. â€Å"Difference between U238 and U235. It's got to be something simple.† A technician began the countdown. â€Å"Five! Four! Three!† The word made it to Spain in just under a tenth of a second. Three†¦ three. It was as if David Becker had been hit by the stun gun all over again. His world slowed to stop. Three†¦ three†¦ three. 238 minus 235! The difference is three! In slow motion, he reached for the microphone†¦ At that very instant, Susan was staring at Tankado's outstretched hand. Suddenly, she saw past the ring†¦ past the engraved gold to the flesh beneath†¦ to his fingers. Three fingers. It was not the ring at all. It was the flesh. Tankado was not telling them, he was showing them. He was telling his secret, revealing the kill-code-begging someone to understand†¦ praying his secret would find its way to the NSA in time. â€Å"Three,† Susan whispered, stunned. â€Å"Three!† Becker yelled from Spain. But in the chaos, no one seemed to hear. â€Å"We're down!† a technician yelled. The VR began flashing wildly as the core succumbed to a deluge. Sirens erupted overhead. â€Å"Outbound data!† â€Å"High-speed tie-ins in all sectors!† Susan moved as if through a dream. She spun toward Jabba's keyboard. As she turned, her gaze fixed on her fiance, David Becker. Again his voice exploded overhead. â€Å"Three! The difference between 235 and 238 is three!† Everyone in the room looked up. â€Å"Three!† Susan shouted over the deafening cacophony of sirens and technicians. She pointed to the screen. All eyes followed, to Tankado's hand, outstretched, three fingers waving desperately in the Sevillian sun. Jabba went rigid. â€Å"Oh my God!† He suddenly realized the crippled genius had been giving them the answer all the time. â€Å"Three's prime!† Soshi blurted. â€Å"Three's a prime number!† Fontaine looked dazed. â€Å"Can it be that simple?† â€Å"Outbound data!† a technician cried. â€Å"It's going fast!† Everyone on the podium dove for the terminal at the same instant-a mass of outstretched hands. But through the crowd, Susan, like a shortstop stabbing a line drive, connected with her target. She typed the number 3. Everyone wheeled to the wall screen. Above the chaos, it simply read. ENTER PASS-KEY? 3 â€Å"Yes!† Fontaine commanded. â€Å"Do it now!† Susan held her breath and lowered her finger on the ENTER key. The computer beeped once. Nobody moved. Three agonizing seconds later, nothing had happened. The sirens kept going. Five seconds. Six seconds. â€Å"Outbound data!† â€Å"No change!† Suddenly Midge began pointing wildly to the screen above. â€Å"Look!† On it, a message had materialized. KILL CODE CONFIRMED. â€Å"Upload the firewalls!† Jabba ordered. But Soshi was a step ahead of him. She had already sent the command. â€Å"Outbound interrupt!† a technician yelled. â€Å"Tie-ins severed!† On the VR overhead, the first of the five firewalls began reappearing. The black lines attacking the core were instantly severed. â€Å"Reinstating!† Jabba cried. â€Å"The damn thing's reinstating!† There was a moment of tentative disbelief, as if at any instant, everything would fall apart. But then the second firewall began reappearing†¦ and then the third. Moments later the entire series of filters reappeared. The databank was secure. The room erupted. Pandemonium. Technicians hugged, tossing computer printouts in the air in celebration. Sirens wound down. Brinkerhoff grabbed Midge and held on. Soshi burst into tears. â€Å"Jabba,† Fontaine demanded. â€Å"How much did they get?† â€Å"Very little,† Jabba said, studying his monitor. â€Å"Very little. And nothing complete.† Fontaine nodded slowly, a wry smile forming in the corner of his mouth. He looked around for Susan Fletcher, but she was already walking toward the front of the room. On the wall before her, David Becker's face filled the screen. â€Å"David?† â€Å"Hey, gorgeous.† He smiled. â€Å"Come home,† she said. â€Å"Come home, right now.† â€Å"Meet you at Stone Manor?† he asked. She nodded, the tears welling. â€Å"Deal.† â€Å"Agent Smith?† Fontaine called. Smith appeared onscreen behind Becker. â€Å"Yes, sir?† â€Å"It appears Mr. Becker has a date. Could you see that he gets home immediately?† Smith nodded. â€Å"Our jet's in Malaga.† He patted Becker on the back. â€Å"You're in for a treat, Professor. Ever flown in a Learjet 60?† Becker chuckled. â€Å"Not since yesterday.† Chapter 128 When Susan awoke, the sun was shining. the soft rays sifted through the curtains and filtered across her goosedown feather bed. She reached for David. Am I dreaming? Her body remained motionless, spent, still dizzy from the night before. â€Å"David?† She moaned. There was no reply. She opened her eyes, her skin still tingling. The mattress on the other side of the bed was cold. David was gone. I'm dreaming, Susan thought. She sat up. The room was Victorian, all lace and antiques-Stone Manor's finest suite. Her overnight bag was in the middle of the hardwood floor†¦ her lingerie on a Queen Anne chair beside the bed. Had David really arrived? She had memories-his body against hers, his waking her with soft kisses. Had she dreamed it all? She turned to the bedside table. There was an empty bottle of champagne, two glasses†¦ and a note. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Susan drew the comforter around her naked body and read the message. Dearest Susan, I love you. Without wax, David. She beamed and pulled the note to her chest. It was David, all right. Without wax†¦ it was the one code she had yet to break. Something stirred in the corner, and Susan looked up. On a plush divan, basking in the morning sun, wrapped in thick bathrobe, David Becker sat quietly watching her. She reached out, beckoning him to come to her. â€Å"Without wax?† she cooed, taking him in her arms. â€Å"Without wax.† He smiled. She kissed him deeply. â€Å"Tell me what it means.† â€Å"No chance.† He laughed. â€Å"A couple needs secrets-it keeps things interesting.† Susan smiled coyly. â€Å"Any more interesting than last night and I'll never walk again.† David took her in his arms. He felt weightless. He had almost died yesterday, and yet here he was, as alive as he had ever felt in his life. Susan lay with her head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. She couldn't believe that she had thought he was gone forever. â€Å"David.† She sighed, eyeing the note beside the table. â€Å"Tell me about ‘without wax.' You know I hate codes I can't break.† David was silent. â€Å"Tell me.† Susan pouted. â€Å"Or you'll never have me again.† â€Å"Liar.† Susan hit him with a pillow. â€Å"Tell me! Now!† But David knew he would never tell. The secret behind â€Å"without wax† was too sweet. Its origins were ancient. During the Renaissance, Spanish sculptors who made mistakes while carving expensive marble often patched their flaws with cera-â€Å"wax.† A statue that had no flaws and required no patching was hailed as a â€Å"sculpture sincera† or a â€Å"sculpture without wax.† The phrase eventually came to mean anything honest or true. The English word â€Å"sincere† evolved from the Spanish sincera-â€Å"without wax.† David's secret code was no great mystery-he was simply signing his letters â€Å"Sincerely.† Somehow he suspected Susan would not be amused. â€Å"You'll be pleased to know,† David said, attempting to change the subject, â€Å"that during the flight home, I called the president of the university.† Susan looked up, hopeful. â€Å"Tell me you resigned as department chair.† David nodded. â€Å"I'll be back in the classroom next semester.† She sighed in relief. â€Å"Right where you belonged in the first place.† David smiled softly. â€Å"Yeah, I guess Spain reminded me what's important.† â€Å"Back to breaking coeds' hearts?† Susan kissed his cheek. â€Å"Well, at least you'll have time to help me edit my manuscript.† â€Å"Manuscript?† â€Å"Yes. I've decided to publish.† â€Å"Publish?† David looked doubtful. â€Å"Publish what?† â€Å"Some ideas I have on variant filter protocols and quadratic residues.† He groaned. â€Å"Sounds like a real best-seller.† She laughed. â€Å"You'd be surprised.† David fished inside the pocket of his bathrobe and pulled out a small object. â€Å"Close your eyes. I have something for you.† Susan closed her eyes. â€Å"Let me guess-a gaudy gold ring with Latin all over it?† â€Å"No.† David chuckled. â€Å"I had Fontaine return that to Ensei Tankado's estate.† He took Susan's hand and slipped something onto her finger. â€Å"Liar.† Susan laughed, opening her eyes. â€Å"I knew-â€Å" But Susan stopped short. The ring on her finger was not Tankado's at all. It was a platinum setting that held a glittering diamond solitaire. Susan gasped. David looked her in the eye. â€Å"Will you marry me?† Susan's breath caught in her throat. She looked at him and then back to the ring. Her eyes suddenly welled up. â€Å"Oh, David†¦ I don't know what to say.† â€Å"Say yes.† Susan turned away and didn't say a word. David waited. â€Å"Susan Fletcher, I love you. Marry me.† Susan lifted her head. Her eyes were filled with tears. â€Å"I'm sorry, David,† she whispered. â€Å"I†¦ I can't.† David stared in shock. He searched her eyes for the playful glimmer he'd come to expect from her. It wasn't there. â€Å"S-Susan,† he stammered. â€Å"I-I don't understand.† â€Å"I can't,† she repeated. â€Å"I can't marry you.† She turned away. Her shoulders started trembling. She covered her face with her hands. David was bewildered. â€Å"But, Susan†¦ I thought†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He held her trembling shoulders and turned her body toward him. It was then that he understood. Susan Fletcher was not crying at all; she was in hysterics. â€Å"I won't marry you!† She laughed, attacking again with the pillow. â€Å"Not until you explain ‘without wax'! You're driving me crazy!†