Business Model Case Study

Table of Contents Pricing Customer Value Product Differentiation Works Cited Pricing The Pricing component is a marketing strategy that organizations put to their advantage in a competitive business environment (Afuah 200). The case study identifies a market invested with rivals such as Vodafone and new entrants offering the same mobile products and services. DoCoMo had identified the pricing component and inherently priced its products tailored at capturing a large market share resulting in the business organization gaining a strategic position in the market. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Business Model Case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This strategic component is uniquely identified in the pricing mechanisms adapted by the organization in the Japanese market. With attractive monthly access charges of 300 yen (US $ 2.48) in addition to the varying access fees ranging from 0.3 yen for a data pack et of 128 bytes to 60 yen for funds transfer, loyalty to the company’s products had been created. Strategically tailored fee ranging from 100 yen (US $ 0.83) to 300 yen (US $2.48) was evident form the above case study (Porter 346). This unique pricing mechanism brought the company to a strategic level ahead of its competitors. New entrants found slim chances of survival in the competitive environment. With tailor made prices blended with competitive knowledge on target market needs, the business executives saw the company rake in profits. This helped it sustain marketing activities leading to higher revenue generations, a larger market share, and improved market strength. That characterized KPN mobile and its subsidiary companies. Product differentiation and unique pricing mechanisms integrated in the Japanese market saw increased usage and bigger profit margins. The marketing strategy had worked well for DoCoMo. A strategic market position characterized KPN, NTT DoCoMo, in addition to other subsidiaries. Pricing, value addition and product differentiation were unique marketing elements which strategically placed the mobile company in a leadership position in the market. Customer Value Customers determine a business organization’s market share, profitability, product and service image, acceptability, and customer buying behavio.This is applicable in a market strewn with competitors who know well what they want. The competitors wage business wars to gain higher profits, a bigger market share and leadership position. DoCoMo and its subsidiary companies had conducted research in the target market quite well. This unique undertaking can be clearly illustrated in the way DoCoMo had designed mobile sets with different features. The prices offered were very attractive and were tailored for different markets (Porter 6). These in addition to other devised mechanisms propelled the company to success. Features integrated in the mobile phones included larg er screens for the i-mode with target markets including Germany and the Netherlands. Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition, good quality display characteristics, improved service capabilities were features found in the i-mode technology. Other mobile set incorporated features such the capacity to send and receive 1000 emails with a 160 character capacity. This is clearly illustrated in the case study According to the case study on (Porter 350) with entertainment features particularly for the Japanese market incorporated. Product Differentiation The need to differentiate KPN’s products and services to suit identified target market steered the company to success. This was illustrated in the company’s ability to tailor products as competitive substitutes. In addition they could substitute services offered by other companies such as Vodafone. The companyâ₠¬â„¢s 3G mobiles were competitively ahead of FOMA’s 2GHT bandwidth capacity offered by competitors (Porter 350). According to the article on Porte (350), the company placed emphasis on its strengths identifying its market position with strength and profitability. The supply chain was identified with capable and reliable marketers and suppliers. Subsidiaries companies were important components. They were integrated, making the company see succees in a wider market share for its differentiated products. Substitutes such as different versions of web browsers for mobile phones, hybrid technologies such as WAP and e-HTML, and a range of others were also integrated. Works Cited Afuah, A. Business Models: A strategic Management Approach. University of Michigan  ® McGraw-Hill Irwin Boston Burr Ridge, 2003. Porter, Michael. E. Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. 1st ed. Free Press, 1998. This essay on Business Model Case Study was written and submitted by user Aaden Z. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Reflexiones Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers, Research Papers

Reflexiones Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers, Research Papers Reflexiones Repaso 1.Indemnizacion: 2.Armisticio: cese provicional a las hostilidades, alto al fuego. 3.Ultimatun: Advertencia Final 4.Jutlandia: Es una peninsula de la europa noroccidental. 5.Neutralidad: Aptitud que asume un pais o varios de inmiscuirse ni ser involucrado. 6.Colonialismo: 7.Material Belico: Pertrechos (proteger) proviciones de guera como lo son las armas, municiones y tecnologia. 8. Imperialismo: Son potencias mundiales con sed de poder. 9. Paz armada: Al periodo de 1885 a 1914 no hubo guerras entre las potencias pero todas se preparaban para ellas. 10.Mano negra: Un grupo de terroristas. 11.Triple entrente: Formada por gran bretaa, Francia y Rusia. 12.Triple Alianza: Alemania, Austria-Hungria e Itallia Reflexiones: 1."Mientras mas negra la noche mas cerca el amanecer" 2."Como un iman invisible los pensmientos positivosse alcanzan y atraen frente a nosotros los resultados que deseamos intenssmente conseguir" 3"Desesperarse porque, hoy fue un dia difici, pero maana un nuevo dia lleno de esperanzad comenzara" 4."Confianza en si mismo, llega por medio del conocimiento que proviene de la imformacion y las experencias" 5."lucha por tu sueos ser perserverante y diciplnado son las claves hacia el exito"

Effects of the iPhone on the Americans Assignment

Effects of the iPhone on the Americans - Assignment Example In the words of Steve Jobs, he said, â€Å"Today we introduce three innovative products. The first is a widescreen iPod with touch controls. The second is a revolutionary phone and finally a breakthrough internet communication device (VoIP). An iPod, phone, this device will be called the iPhone. Apple will reinvent the phone.† (Seven Years Ago Today, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone). Apple’s iPhone has reinvented mobile phone technology. iPhone is compatible to integrate with the modified Apple TV that allows for wireless connectivity to the screen. The iPhone offers the best email mobile messaging phone; it offers a full-screen browsing with a multi-touch screen. Any smartphone manufacturer may NIL the revolutionary and innovative screens and the technology with which it is made. iPhone possesses some of the best and amazing features and has easier user adaptability. The iPhone has a smooth, elegant metallic finish, which makes it long lasting and light. In addition, the software features are user-friendly, compatible with other Apple products such as the Mac, iPad and iMac and well-guarded against virus attacks. The iPhone has incorporated advanced technology; 3G enabled, high processing power thus increasing the speed, Wi-Fi support, high-resolution camera and Bluetooth technology (Boudreaux T., Programming the iPhone User Experience. O’Reilly, 2 009 Pp 10-11). People have adapted to the use of iPhone because they are guaranteed of the quality and technology that iPhone possesses. Its multi-functionality is only of the many features that have made people adore the phone. For the first time, consumers had the experience of mobile browsing as if it was web browsing, especially with the pinching and zooming experience. Their mobile safari was a distinct feature of the smartphones. iPhone has advanced innovations appellant to the clientele; use of oft-lost stylus, accelerometers and auto-correcting software keyboard (The iPhone turns Four: How it has Changed us, Jeffrey Sass).  

European human rights law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

European human rights law - Essay Example It is an individual's most essential political right and the essence of democracy. Freedom of expression is what makes it possible for even the most ordinary of citizens to make a political expression, even if that expression is against the state itself. It is this right that makes it possible for such an individual to hold an opinion that is different from the opinion of the majority. It is this freedom that gives people the power to protest inequality and oppression. From this freedom emanate all the other freedoms. In a democracy, probably the most important consequence of the freedom of expression is to compel governments to the dialogue table, and it is because of this that governments are forced to consider the opinions of people in its decision making. This works to the advantage of both people and the government - if indeed one can make a distinction between the two. People have the advantage of ensuring that all or most governmental decisions consider their opinion. In Europe freedom of expression is protected by article 10 (1) of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). "Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers" ("The European Convention on Human Rights"). Contrary to what some... And this freedom relates to the freedom of opinion, freedom of information, and the freedom to criticize. Freedom of Opinion and Information The first paragraph of Article 10 of the ECHR elucidates that freedom of expression shall include the "freedom to hold opinions and to receive information" ("The European Convention on Human Rights"). There is more to this freedom than one initially realizes. The freedom to hold opinions, among other things, also means spiritual freedom. This freedom includes the freedom to hold and report a belief. This belief can be critical or appreciative or merely judgmental. These beliefs or opinions can relate to philosophy, science, literature, politics, ethics and several such other aspects. This freedom applies as much to giving an opinion, as to receiving one. 3 Freedom of expression includes the freedom to information. This freedom applies to receiving information, as it does to the dissemination of information. This freedom is an offshoot of the freedom to opinion. Yet another off-shoot of the freedom to express opinions is the freedom of criticism. This is a significant aspect of the freedom of expression as it gives even people in the minority the right to hold and express views that are not in consonance with the majority. This Freedom is Not Unconditional The freedom of expression is however not a platform for unfettered individual and institutional will. There are conditions. The freedoms guaranteed under Article 10 of the ECHR carry with them "certain duties and responsibilities". Exercise of this freedom must be within the parameters of certain procedures, conditions, controls and rules of infraction. These parameters are laid down by law in the wider interests of the

Health Program Evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Health Program Evaluation - Essay Example The questions will be as follows: For collection of data and information regarding the HIV/AIDS control, quantitative methodology will be employed by making use of questionnaire, in which there will be questions concerning HIV/AIDS and the control strategies that are considered much acceptable and resulting by people. Along with employing quantitative methodology, qualitative methodology will also be effective in getting information and answers to the asked questions, in which the research work and other written content by authorized writers will be assessed in order to get answers for the asked questions. Many research questions are the result of issues that are highlighted by the hypothesis. They also reveal experientially resulting constructs from initial experience (Hair, 1998). These questions support in recognizing the data, which is required and are able to serve as a foundation for the thorough analysis required establishing a model (Dillman, 1978). Altogether, the research questionnaire resolves different aspects of both propositions and is planned to assist the de-construction of system into its specific elements for establishing the normal nature of multi-cultural system (Dillman, 1978). The order of different questions can support to define the approach of evaluation and structure. It is suggested by the social theory that actions of individuals are in fact inspired by the response of actions expected to bring (Hair, 1998). Respondents are inspired to complete and thereafter, return questionnaire if benefits, cost and confidence are appropriate (Dillman, 1978). It should be ensured that respondents are properly rewarded for completion and thereafter returning the questionnaire. These rewards can depict positive regard such as offering thanks, seeking advice, providing tangible benefits, making the format of questionnaire interesting and offering social validation (Dillman, 1978). It is further suggested that the

Multipurpose Legumes Classification Study

Multipurpose Legumes Classification Study Participatory evaluation of multipurpose legumes in integrated crop-livestock production systems in selected districts of Ethiopia and Kenya: Farmer’s preferences and decision making Chala Merera Erge (Assistant Professor) PhD Proposal Abstract In developing countries, the agricultural sector plays a central role in the economic and social life of the nation and is a cornerstone of the economy. Crop and livestock production is mainly influenced by low soil fertility and by low quality and quantity of feed resources, respectively. Multipurpose legumes are known to perform multiple functions like grain legumes provide food, feed and facilitate soil nutrient management; herbaceous and tree legumes can restore soil fertility and prevent land degradation while improving crop and livestock productivity on a more sustainable basis. Therefore, the adoption of such multipurpose legumes, which enhance agricultural productivity while conserving the natural resource base, might be instrumental for achieving income, food security and for reversing land degradation. The integration of legumes to cereal-based systems could provide services such as high quantity and quality fodder production, soil erosion prevention and soil fertility rest oration. In Ethiopia and Kenya, realizing the underexploited potential of multi-purpose legumes towards improved livelihoods and a better environment in crop-livestock systems has significant contribution to improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and enhance the production environment of smallholder farmers and rural populations. Therefore, the objectives of this project are to develop a classification of legume types like food legumes, tree legumes, forage legumes, cover legumes through literature review, consultation with key informants and farm-level surveys; assess and identify contribution of each type of multipurpose legumes to farm family objectives (provision of food, forage, soil nitrogen, fuel and others) through farm-level surveys; understand farmer perceptions of legumes and their functions through focus group discussions (participatory rural appraisal/PRA tool) at community level and assess how different farmer typology demands alters the optimal choice of legume types through simple modelling approaches. INTRODUCTION Ethiopia has total human population of 96.5 million in 2014 (CSA, 2014). If Ethiopia follows its current rate of growth (3.02%), its population will double in the next 20 years and cross 300 million by 2050 (World Population Prospects: the 2012 Revision). The agricultural sector plays a central role in the economic and social life of the nation and is a cornerstone of the economy (Alemayehu, 2008) and it accounts for 48.76% to GDP (World Fact Book, 2015). The contribution of livestock to the total GDP is limited because of many factors. One the major factor is the scarcity of feed resources both in quantity and quality (Alemayehu Mengistu, 2008). In Ethiopia highlands, crop and livestock production is mainly influenced by low soil fertility and by low quality and quantity of feed resources, respectively (Kruseman et al. 2002; Tangka et al. 2002). Feed shortages both in quality and quantity can be attributed to factors. On the other hand, escalating prices, access and price uncertainty, and unavailability at the crucial moment limit the use of inorganic fertilizers in improving soil fertility (Lakew et al., 2000; Ahmed et al., 2003). In developing countries, the use of forage legumes integrated with food crops and livestock is often advocated to minimise external inputs as well as to improve the productivity and sustainability of crop-livestock production (Humphreys 1994; Peters and Lascano, 2003). Over the past two decades several forages have been tested in different ecological zones, and considerable efforts have been made to test the adaptability of different species of pasture and forage crops under varying agro-ecological conditions. As a result, quite a number of useful forages have been selected for different zones. Improved pasture and forages have been grown and used in government ranches, state farms, farmers’ demonstration plots and dairy and fattening areas. Forage. Production of forage seed by contracting smallholders has shown potential as a way of improving seed supply (Alemayehu Mengistu, 2002; 2006). Menale (2011) reported that declining soil fertility and increasing soil erosion continue to limit crop yields in the Ethiopian highlands while poor quality and quantity of feed limit livestock production. Adoption of forage legumes has been proposed as a strategy that can help alleviate these problems. However, despite their proposed potential in dealing with these challenges, adoption of forage legumes by smallholder farmers is still limited. The adoption rate for improved forage crops has been very low and less sustainable. The area occupied by improved forage crops is insignificant and little contribution to the annual feed budget (Alemayehu Mengistu, 2002). Multipurpose legumes are known to perform multiple functions like grain legumes provide food, feed and facilitate soil nutrient management; herbaceous and tree legumes can restore soil fertility and prevent land degradation while improving crop and livestock productivity on a more sustainable basis. Therefore, the adoption of such multipurpose legumes, which enhance agricultural productivity while conserving the natural resource base, might be instrumental for achieving income, food security and for reversing land degradation. The integration of legumes to cereal-based systems could provide services such as high quantity and quality fodder production, soil erosion prevention and soil fertility restoration. Enhanced availability of livestock feed can reduce degradation of grazing lands. The demand for forage and the opportunities for diffusion of forage technology might be high where livestock response to improved feed technology and profitability from livestock enterprise is high. Mu ltipurpose legumes research throughout the developing world have shown the benefits of different kinds of legumes (Khalili et al., 1994; Humphreys 1994; Omiti 1995; Umunna et al., 1995; Peters et al., 2001; Mpairwe et al., 2003). Cultivation of forage is not widely adopted and commercial feed production is not developed (Alemayehu Mengistu, 2006; 2008) If farmers have to adopt a technology, they must be able to clearly see the benefits. Sometimes beneficial technologies are not adopted because the benefits cannot be clearly demonstrated or are long term. The major benefits of forage legumes include higher DM yields (Alemayehu Mengistu, 2008; Shehu and Akinola 1995;Mwangi 1999), biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) (Thomas and Sumberg 1995;Mwangi 1999), improved soil fertility and better animal performance due to the improved N supply in the diet (Alemayehu Mengistu, 2002; 2006 and Kariuki et al., 1998a). In developing countries, despite these multiple benefits of legumes, the adoption of legumes especially for feed and soil management is very poor (Saka et al., 1994; Thomas and Sumberg, 1995; Zewdu et al., 2000; Ahmed et al., 2003). Despite these and many other attempts to introduce shrubby and herbaceous legumes on smallholder farms, adoption has been low (Paterson et al., 1996a). Several attempts have been made to introduce herbaceous legumes on smallholder farms in Central Kenya (Wandera, 1995). The key challenges in forage development are as follows: First, forage has a low adoption rate in Ethiopia (Duncan, 2009). Second, apart from forage innovation, limits in institutional structures have also hindered forage innovation (Hall et al., 2007). Third, there is scarcity in the quantity and quality of animal fodder (Tadesse, 1998 and Yeshitila, 2008). Lastly, the rise in fodder price and inefficacy in the feed market is another set of problems (Gebremedhin et al., 2009). There is very good opportunity to produce best adapted improved multipurpose legumes to improve the crop – livestock productivity in Ethiopia and Kenya. To address the problem of inadequate food, feed and soil fertility, the need for improved multipurpose legumes multiplication and distribution are paramount. In Ethiopia and Kenya, realizing the underexploited potential of multi-purpose legumes towards improved livelihoods and a better environment in crop-livestock systems has significant contribution to improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and enhance the production environment of smallholder farmers and rural populations through facilitation of the smart integration and use of multi-purpose legumes, providing food, protein, feed, fuel, and/or organic matter in crop-livestock systems. It has also a vital purpose to provide knowledge and tools to farmers and development partners facilitating farmers to make rational decisions for enhancing short and long-term contributions of multi-purpose legumes to farmer livelihoods including aspects of legume production, input supply systems, and markets. The objectives of this project are: To develop a classification of legume types like food legumes, tree legumes, forage legumes, cover legumes through literature review, consultation with key informants and farm-level surveys. To assess and identify contribution of each type of multipurpose legumes to farm family objectives (provision of food, forage, soil nitrogen, fuel and others) through farm-level surveys in Kenya and Ethiopia To understand farmer perceptions of legumes and their functions through focus group discussions (participatory rural appraisal/PRA tool) at community level. To assess how different farmer typology demands alters the optimal choice of legume types through simple modelling approaches. Material and methods The participatory evaluation of the multipurpose legumes will be conducted in different agro-ecology of the crop-livestock production systems of the project sites of Ethiopia and Kenya. The project members of the farmers will be purposively identified and oriented about the objectives of the project. Multi-stage, purposive or random sampling methods will be utilized during data collection through surveys, individual interview, consultation with key informants and focus group discussions using participatory rural appraisal/PRA tool based on the type of the data to be collected. Multipurpose legume types like food legumes, tree legumes, forage legumes, cover legumes will be identified and classified through detail literature review, consultation with key informants and farm-level surveys by using semi structured questionnaire. The contribution of each type of multipurpose legumes to farm family objectives (provision of food, forage, soil nitrogen, fuel and others) will be assessed and identified through detail farm-level surveys in Kenya and Ethiopia. Farmer perceptions of legumes and their functions will be understood through focus group discussions (participatory rural appraisal/PRA tool) at community level. The way different farmer typology demands alters the optimal choice of legume types will be assessed through simple modelling approaches in Kenya and Ethiopia. Respective stakeholders, through farmers group visit, field days, study tours and workshops will be conducted during monitoring and evaluation of the project at different phases. Finally, all data will be analyzed by using the appropriate statistical latest version of SPSS or STATA. The results will be communicated to the beneficiaries through publications, reports, workshops, formal and informal meetings. Work Plan Estimated Budget break dawn References Ahmed M.A.M, S. Ehui, and Y. Assefa. 2003. â€Å"Dairy development in Ethiopia.† Paper presented at the In Went, IFPRI, NEPAD, CTA conference â€Å"Successes in African Agriculture†, Pretoria, South Africa, December 1-3. Alemayehu Mengistu. 2006. Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles ETHIOPIA, FAO Alemayehu Mengistu. 2008. Feed resource base of Ethiopia: Status, Limitations, and Opportunities for integrated Development. Pp 24-32. Alemayehu, M. 2001. Forage and Seed Production. MoA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Alemayehu, M. 2002. Forage Production in Ethiopia: A case study with implications for livestock production. Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Humphreys, L.R. 1994. Tropical Forages: Their role in sustainable agriculture. Australia: The University of Queens land. Kariuki J.N., Boer H., Tamminga S., Gitau G.K., Gachuiri C.K. and Muia J.M. 1998a. Rumen degradation and intestinal digestion of protein in Napier grass and other Kenyan forages.Animal Feed Science and Technology(in press). Khalili, H., P. Varvikko, and S. Crosse. 1994. â€Å"The effects of forage type and level of Concentrate Supplementation on food intake, diet apparent digestibility and milk production of Crossbred Cows (Bos taurus Ãâ€" Bos indicus).† Animal Production 54: 183-189. Kruseman, G., R, G. Ruben, and G. Tesfay. 2002. Diversity and Development Domains in the Ethiopian Highlands. IFPRI-WUR project Policies for Sustainable Land Management in the Ethiopian Highlands. Working Paper 2002-04. Lakew D., M. Kassie, S. Benin, and J. Pender. 2000. Land degradation and strategies for Menale Kassie. 2011. Economic and Environmental Benefits of Forage Legume-Cereal Intercropping in the Mixed Farming System: A Case Study in West Gojam, Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: EDRI Mwangi D.M. 1999.Integration of herbaceous legumes into Napier grass fodder systems in Central Kenya: constraints and potential.PhD thesis, University of London, London, UK. Paterson R.T., Kiruiro E. and Arimi H.K. 1996a.The use of Calliandra calothyrsus for milk production.NARP (National Agro-forestry Research Project), Embu, Kenya. Peters, M., and E.C. Lascano. 2003. â€Å"Forage technology adoption: linking on-station research with participatory methods.† Tropical Grasslands 37: 197-203. Saka A.R., Haque I., Said A.N., Lupwayi N.Z. and El-Wakeel A. 1994.Forage legumes in crop–livestock systems of sub-Saharan Africa.Environmental Sciences Working Document 24. ILCA (International Livestock Centre for Africa), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 82 pp. Shehu Y. and Akinola J.O. 1995. The productivity of pure and mixed grass-legume pastures in the northern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria.Tropical Grasslands29:115–121. Tangka F.K., R.D. Emerson, and M.A. Jabbar. 2002. Food security effects of intensified dairying—Evidence from the Ethiopian highlands. Socio-economic and Policy Research Working Paper 44. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute. Thomas, D., and E.J. Sumberg. 1995. â€Å"A review of the evaluation and use of tropical forage legumes in Sub-Saharan Africa.† Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 54: 151-163. Umunna, N.N., P.O. Osuji, H. Khalili, I.V. Nsahlai, and S. Crosse. 1995. â€Å"Comparative Feeding Value of Forage from Two Cereal Legume-based Cropping Systems for Beef Production from Crossbred (Bos taurus Ãâ€" Bos indicus) Steers and Subsequent performance of Underfed and Realimented Steers.† Animal Science 61: 35-42. Wandera J.L. 1995.Pasture/Fodder Research Program. National Agricultural Research Centre, KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute), Kitale, Kenya. World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency 2015: Ethiopia Economy 2015 Yeshitila Admassu. 2008. Assessment of livestock feed resources utilization in alaba woreda, southern Ethiopia, Haramaya University, m.sc. Thesis

Dreams in Invisible Man Essay -- Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

   There are many types of dreams and many interpretations of those dreams. Dreams of power... of glory... of the past and the present... but none are as vivid as those that are found in Ralph Ellison's novel, Invisible Man. The dreams start occurring in the very beginning of Invisible Man. In the infamous "Reefer Dream", IM talks about a dream he had after he used narcotics. In this bizarre dream, IM hears a speech on "the blackness of black", is assaulted by the son of a former slave, and is run over by a speeding machine. All of this occurs while listening to "What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue?"(pgs 9-12). This is one of the most significant dreams in the book. In another important dream, IM's deceased grandfather gives him a letter that says," To Whom It May Concern, Keep this Nigger-Boy Running (Ellison 33)." At the time IM had no insight to its meaning, but this dream would constantly be used as a reference throughout the story. Trueblood has a dream about his home, Mobile, Alabama, that directly affects IM's future. At the same time, Trueblood was having sex ...

Bread Givers and The Bluest Eye Families in Crisis: An Analysis

Both novels The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska are about families from the early twentieth century who face enormous problems of living in a patriarchal home that is obviously not working. Both books focus on the daughters of the families and the hardships that they must endure. The Bluest Eye, and Bread Givers are about characters who do not belong to mainstream America in a time period before tolerance and civil rights. Pecola Bleedlove is the protagonist of The Bluest Eye.She is an eleven year old African American girl who believes that she is extremely ugly and she believes that the ultimate beauty of a person would be to have blue eyes. She measures beauty by white American standards of her day which is just after the Great Depression and she struggles with her race not only with whites, but with other lighter African Americans. The line between colored and nigger was not always clear; subtle and telltale signs threatened to erode it, and the wat ch had to be constant. (Morrison, 87) Sara Smolinski is the protagonist of Bread Givers.She is the youngest daughter in a Jewish family who have immigrated to the United States from Poland in the 1910’s and 20’s. The Smolinski family live in New York City while the Breedloves live in a small town in Ohio. However, the setting makes little difference when it comes to the problems that each family faces. They are both looked down upon because of their race and their socioeconomic positions in society because both families live in poverty. The early part of the twentieth century in the United States was a patriarchal society and all classes lived by those rules. The father controlled the family especially the wives and daughters.While sons were strictly guided by their fathers as well, they did gain freedom at the legal age of maturity and they would hen become the leaders of their own families. Daughters were totally ruled by their fathers and wives knew that they were n ot to question their husband. They would not gain the freedom that a son knew that he would someday obtain. The young woman went straight from her father’s rule to that of her husband. In both novels, the male head of the household, Cholly Breedlove, and Reb Smolinski do not make any money, but depend on the females for their living.In the true patriarchal society, the male head of the house did have responsibilities, and the most important one was to provide for his family. In both these homes the men want to totally control the women, but they are not the providers. Instead they do nothing by take from the women. Cholly is an alcoholic and an abuser, while Reb has devoted his life to studying the Jewish religion and the Torah. This would not have been a bad thing for him to do except that he does not use this to make a living.In the true patriarchal family, the father is also to provide guidance and security to his family so that he is worthy of their respect and loyalty. C holly Breedlove totally perverts his duty as the head of his household. He has done nothing for his wife’s self esteem. She is convinced that she is ugly, and that her deformed foot has made her a cast off of society. Instead of reassuring her that he is attracted to her and that he appreciates the work she does and the money that she brings to the family, he berates her, has adulterous relationships on her, and he constantly battles her.The worse perverse action that he takes is when he rapes his preteen daughter, Pecola. If a father is to have control of his daughters in a patriarchal society, then society expects his to lover her, protect her and guide her. Cholly Breedlove breaks all the rules of society by taking away the innocence of his child, and violating rather than protecting her. He impregnates her so which means that he will rob her of her respectable place in society. Even though today’s society understands that the child is the victim, it was not that wa y in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.Pecola is impregnated by her father and the baby dies. Certain seeds it will not nurture, certain fruit it will not bear and when the land kills of its own volition, we acquiesce and say the victim had no right to live. (Morrison, 206) She then goes insane and therefore, he has completely ruined her life. . [Pecola beat] the air, a winged but grounded bird, intent on the blue void it could not reach – could not even see – but which filled the valleys of the mind. (Morrison, 204) Reb Smolinski also takes from his wife, Shena.She is in awe of her husband’s intellect and devotion to his religion. She works very hard to support him and make him comfortable even though they live in extreme poverty. Unlike Cholly, Reb does not physically abuse his wife. Reb’s daughter fare for worse than their mother does when it comes to his treatment of them. While he does not violate the girl’s virtue, he is still cr uel to them psychologically. He has each girl work very hard outside of the home even though he does not do this himself.He convinces each girl that it is a father’s duty to take their wages and to use it toward the providential care of the family. Like the Old Testament men, Reb rules every aspect of his daughter’s lives. He truly believes that It says in the Torah: What’s a woman without a man? Less than nothing—a blotted out existence. No life on earth and no hope in heaven. (Yezierska, 205) He too, like Cholly, does not do this for the ultimate benefit of the girls, but for his own selfish reasons. This is evident when we first see Bessie bring home a young man that she has an interest.The young man is a good man, is not living in poverty, and seems to love Bessie enough to want to take good care of her. He is also willing to take no dowry, something that was unheard of in that culture, just so that he could spend the rest of his life with her. Instea d of being overjoyed that his daughter would have a wonderful life full of love ahead of her, he ruins the relationship between them. Bessie resigns herself to her father when she tells her lover I know I’m a fool. But I cannot help it. I haven’t the courage to live for myself. My own life is knocked out of me.No wonder Father called me the burden bearer. (Yezierska, 50) He does the same thing to his other daughters except for Sarah and instead, arranges poor marriages for them and their lives are completely ruined. Sarah stands up to her father and runs away. She becomes a teacher, and continues to live a life of poverty until she has finished her schooling, and begins to make a good living for herself. Her father has disowned her for no other reason except that she has not obeyed him completely and has made life better for herself. This has taken away his power over her.Because of the underhanded workings of his second wife, apparently he could not control her as he did the Shena, Sarah becomes close to the principal at the school where she works. After they have established a relationship, Sarah and Hugo, the principal revert back to the mindset of the patriarchal society in which they had both been reared, and the book ends with the assumption that Reb will move in with them and they will take care of him the way that he should have taken care of Sarah when she was a child and a young woman. I felt the shadow still there, over me.It wasn’t just my father, but the generations who made my father whose weight was still upon me. (Yezierska, 297) Both of the novels Bread Givers and The Bluest Eye concentrate on the negatives of the patriarchal society. Society has now moved far away from that mind set, however remnants of it can still be seen. They both portray the powerlessness of women, even though one, Sarah, rises above it and takes charge of her own life. Works Cited Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. 1970. London: Chatto and Windus, Ltd. 1979. Yezierska, Anzia. Bread Givers. 1925. Ne

America - Post Depression essays

America - Post Depression essays By 1900, the farmers of the West and the South were struggling financially due to the new urban economy. This was due to troubles with the strikes, a large surplus, and tariffs. Besides the farmers, workers were also having problems at the turn of the century. Due to the Depression of 1893 and the "let nature-take-its-course" philosophy of the federal government, the majority of the American middle-class suffered in the late 1800's. The federal government was both directly and indirectly involved with almost all of the people's troubles as they were bias against farmers and workers during this time period. Many working class Americans found themselves at a difference with the national government. With different views on issues, the average working man was at a loss when trying to understand the government's mentality concerning various topics. One of these controversial issues was the proper usage of striking. Workers believed that the strike remained the only option of defense against the dominating trusts and other industrial companies. The government, on the other hand, believed that strikes accomplished no goals, and were simply a burden to the country's progress. One example of this discrepancy of views was the Pullman strike. At the time, Pullman deemed it necessary to cut back on the workers wages to benefit the overall income of the company. With this action, Pullman decreased a workers salary to approximately one third of a workers original wage. Outraged by such a steep salary cut, workers of his company went on strike. News of the strike spread to other cities, and as a r esult, Pullman cars were denied service and repairs. This widespread strike prevented the mail from efficiently circulating. Taking offensive measures Cleveland called in troops to break the amounting crowds. As a result to these actions, the working Americans were shown that a peaceful protest could achieve nothing. To see that their one counteracti...

Free Essays on Sense Of Touch

Touch is the first of the senses to develop in the womb. By as early as eight weeks, embryos respond to a gentle touch on the cheek, and by thirty-two weeks, every part of their body is sensitive to touch, pain, and temperature. At twelve weeks or so, babies may begin sucking their thumbs, and soon they will be exploring their world through touch. Your other four senses: sight, hearing, smell, and taste are located in specific parts of the body, but your sense of touch is found all over, and your skin is the largest sensory organ of your body. While there are about one hundred touch receptors in each of your fingertips alone, the sense of touch is essential for every square inch of your body. It involves sensory terminals that are dispersed over the outside and inside of the body. This system encodes a variety of sensations in addition to touch, such as pain, vibration, pressure, stretch, itch, texture, and temperature. The system is sensitive to certain chemical states like painful tissue acidity, the result of inflammation or infection. Each receptor in your skin is located in the dermis. Through the dermis the receptors send the information though nerve fibers to the spinal cord which then send the information directly to the brain, where the sensations are identified and their origin on the body pinpointed. Pain receptors are probably the most important of the receptors for your safety because they can protect you by warning your brain that your body is getting hurt. For us touch is rarely thought of to be important and sometimes taken for granted, however, this sense is highly refined. No special skill is needed to feel the difference between a smooth pane of glass and one etched with grooves 1/2500 of an inch deep. More often than not, we take note of a surface we touch, we then establishing its hardness, softness and its smoothness or roughness, and whether it is dry, wet, slippery or sticky. Between fingers and thumb we get ind... Free Essays on Sense Of Touch Free Essays on Sense Of Touch Touch is the first of the senses to develop in the womb. By as early as eight weeks, embryos respond to a gentle touch on the cheek, and by thirty-two weeks, every part of their body is sensitive to touch, pain, and temperature. At twelve weeks or so, babies may begin sucking their thumbs, and soon they will be exploring their world through touch. Your other four senses: sight, hearing, smell, and taste are located in specific parts of the body, but your sense of touch is found all over, and your skin is the largest sensory organ of your body. While there are about one hundred touch receptors in each of your fingertips alone, the sense of touch is essential for every square inch of your body. It involves sensory terminals that are dispersed over the outside and inside of the body. This system encodes a variety of sensations in addition to touch, such as pain, vibration, pressure, stretch, itch, texture, and temperature. The system is sensitive to certain chemical states like painful tissue acidity, the result of inflammation or infection. Each receptor in your skin is located in the dermis. Through the dermis the receptors send the information though nerve fibers to the spinal cord which then send the information directly to the brain, where the sensations are identified and their origin on the body pinpointed. Pain receptors are probably the most important of the receptors for your safety because they can protect you by warning your brain that your body is getting hurt. For us touch is rarely thought of to be important and sometimes taken for granted, however, this sense is highly refined. No special skill is needed to feel the difference between a smooth pane of glass and one etched with grooves 1/2500 of an inch deep. More often than not, we take note of a surface we touch, we then establishing its hardness, softness and its smoothness or roughness, and whether it is dry, wet, slippery or sticky. Between fingers and thumb we get ind...

The Main Causes of a Major Problem in Our Society Essay

The Main Causes of a Major Problem in Our Society - Essay Example The human society comprises of many deep-rooted problems that need to be understood and tackled. The solving of problems makes it essential to understand the underlying causes of these issues. Many societal problems can be managed if their causes are known and targeted for proper solutions. Teen pregnancy is a major problem that exists in our society and it results in many negative effects. These include social and economic problems as well as health issues for the teen mothers. This may also be accompanied with psychological stress for the young teenage mothers. Furthermore, these young girls are also unable to complete their education. Therefore, it is important that the reasons of teen pregnancy should be known and solved. A low socioeconomic status as the well lower level of education and societal forces are responsible for the rise in the number of teen pregnancies (Donaldson et al 2003; Miller 2006; Thomas 2009). Teenagers who belong to lower socioeconomic groups have a higher tendency for becoming pregnant through their young ages. This is because people belonging to low socioeconomic groups thrive in poor living conditions which result in stress and disturbed households. This provides for the teenagers to opt for sexual behaviors for the attainment of pleasure. Furthermore, mostly the parents of these children are lowly paid and they stay away from home for work for extended periods of time.

Forensics- Narcotic Drugs Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Forensics- Narcotic Drugs - Research Paper Example In addition, the paper will examine the process of presentation of exhibit in a law court, especially in cases that involve drug abuse. Further, the paper will analyze the use of evidence to facilitate prosecution or acquittal of individuals with criminal charges. The detection of drug abuse in body fluids, blood, tissues, and corpses is a common procedure done in forensic laboratories. Agencies that perform forensic examination of evidences in law enforcement include the FBI, the NIDA, and the DEA and Justice departments (Lowney, 1994). These agencies control, regulate and classify drugs that are commonly abused and investigate cases that relate to drug abuse. Narcotics are drugs that occur naturally in poppy seeds or opioid substances that are semi-synthetic; the medical purpose of these drugs is to relieve pain in patients  suffering from terminal ailments like cancer (Lowney, 1994). The concept narcotic means a state of sluggishness or lethargy and these drugs are significantly essential in the medical field when used as per the physician’s directions. However, these drugs may find their way into the black market where they mix with a wide range of drugs, which could be poisonous (Lowney, 1994). The ills associated with drug use make the concept of narcotics lose social acceptability. As a result, the legislature has criminalized the use of narcotic drugs. Drug users experience confrontations from various laws and law enforcement agencies, which strive to stop the use of drugs and avoid the criminal cases associated with drugs use and abuse (Brickey, 1995). Drugs and crime share an intimate relationship, as most criminals are drug dealers while others use drugs for courage that helps to commit crimes comfortably. Drug addicts can kill people and rob them off their money to buy drugs. Therefore, crime results from drugs and crime causes drugs use while both crime and drugs have strong connections to social forces. Drugs are classified into three