Benchmarking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Benchmarking - Essay Example Performance benchmarking provides a way in which organizations compare its performances with set performance metrics. Performance benchmarking takes the form of reviewing the company’s income statements and balance sheet to ensure they are made in accordance with the required standards. The performance gaps identified can be prioritized, corrected and follow-up can be made to ensure improvement in performance. Strategic benchmarking ideally is the comparison of companies to the long-term goals and objectives. It additionally involves identifying the winning strategies employed by top organizations and adopting them to the organizational strategies. Strategic benchmarking is majorly utilized by the top level management. Importance of benchmarking There are several key advantages of benchmarking. One major advantage is that it leads to cost-cutting for the businesses. Benchmarking lower the labor costs as a company can identify that a top company is used technology instead of la bor. Based on this review the company can adopt the technology has aided in cost-cutting. Benchmarking boosts a company’s product quality. A company can decide to purchase a rival company’s products for review. The information that will be acquired may utilize in developing a product whose quality is similar or even better compared to that of the competitors. Benchmarking can aid in increasing a company’s sales and profits. A company that is involved in benchmarking tends to improve its products, services, and even processes.

Policing Trends and Issues Essay Example for Free

Policing Trends and Issues Essay * History and roles of law enforcement in society. During the history of Law Enforcement the duty of police is to maintain order, dealing with lawbreakers. At the same time, citizens were responsible for protecting themselves and maintaining an orderly society. With the pass of the time, throughout the Law Enforcement field, organized police department have change dramatically. In addition, the modern style police departments did not appear until the fourteenth century in France and nineteenth century in England. Moreover, the first police officers were Praetorian Guard, who was a select group of highly qualified members of the military established by the Roman emperor Augustus to protect him and his palace. During the 1829, Sir Robert Peel credited with establishing the first English police department which was the London Metropolitan Police. At the same time, during the seventeenth century English policing system also used a form of individual, private police known them also like the Thief-takers. The Thief-Takers were private English citizens with no official status who were paid by the king for every criminal they arrested. The roles of law enforcement in society are criminal apprehension, conviction, and crime prevention. Throughout the history and roles of law enforcement many things have changed for example the treatment and punishments for offenders. In the past offenders were treat as animals and slaves, because while in prison they cannot communicate each other, during meal, and work. Moreover, during that time they have very strict rules, such as silent obedience, discipline, and labor, which they have to follow, and many offenders died inside of the prison as a result of brutal treatment. Now, offenders receive a different treatments and punishments, they are able to have communication with their inmates, and they do not receive brutal treatment like animals. They also form their gang members and sells drugs  while in prison. Then, during the 1980’s and 1990’s included the development of a computer revolution in policing involving communications, record keeping, fingerprinting, and criminal investigations. * Levels of jurisdiction. Police has jurisdiction and their city sheriff has jurisdiction over the county. * Distinction among the multiple functions of modern law enforcement agencies. * Analysis of historical events that have shaped modern policing practices. Past II – Scenario 1. Throughout the history of police agencies, there have been different traditions surrounding how to handle DUI stops. If you were on routine patrol and stopped a vehicle on reasonable suspicion of driving while intoxicated, and discovered that the passenger was your next door neighbor, what would you do? Historically, how would law enforcement handle this type of situation versus today? First at all, I will not care if he/she is my next door neighbor or even a family member, because I choose to become a police officer to protect and help my community without being corrupt. Then, I would do the right thing, without caring who is committing a DUI stop because my job is serving as a police officer and treat all people equal. I will handle this type of situation by asking for their license, insurance, and registration. In my opinion I think that law enforcement in the past should act violent, with the people. On the other hand, comparing it with today police officers should just ask for their license, insurance and registration, without any aggression against people. 2. You are on foot patrol and a citizen who is known to be a drug dealer walks up to you and complains that another officer is talking money from him. He is afraid of retaliation and is unsure how to handle this. What is the ethical and professional response to this, and why? 3. You are on duty and having lunch. While you are eating, a citizen walks up to you and tells you that the bank across the street is being robbed. How do you respond? Who has jurisdiction and why? 4. You have recently completed field training and are on routine patrol when you receive a call to a disturbance in a home, when you arrive, you realize that one of the individuals involved is threatening suicide. You have not been trained to deal with suicide threats. How do you respond? 5. You are on routine patrol and you notice two individuals on the street looking inside of jewelry store. It is 85 degrees out in the middle of July and they are both wearing heavy winter coats. Explain which Supreme Court case would apply and what you would do in this situation. 6. You are recruit that has just graduated from the academy. It is your first week being trained on the street. You and your Field Training Officer walk into a department store and you observe him taking an item without paying for it. You leave that store and on your way out he tells you that if you are questioned by anyone, you did not see anything. What do you do in this situation? Part III – summary Reactions * How do ethical decisions tie into the profession of policing? Ethical decisions tie into the profession of policing by doing the right thing. In other words, ethical decisions are a set of standards that tell us how we should behave at all times. In addition, no one stands without a code of ethics; everyone has to follow their code of ethics based on their positions. For example, ethics are more than what we must do its doing what we should do following a code of ethics which requires self control at all times. Moreover, ethical decisions tie into the profession of policing by doing the right thing and seeing the difference between the right and wrong thing. These ethical decisions are very significant in the field of policing because each ethical decision has consequences. For example, when you do the right thing you can gain sacrifice, pride, integrity, reputation, honor, respect, caring, responsibility and satisfaction than doing an unethical decision and having bad consequences for your career. * In the scenarios above, and in general, why do you think it is important to maintain ethical and professional behavior in the workplace at all times. It is important to  maintain ethical and professional behavior in the workplace at all time, because it help you to have self-control, give fairness for all, and because it affects our workplace or business. Another reason of why ethical and professional behavior is important in the workplace at all times is important is because having a good conduct helps maintain a high level of respect not only for people but for the profession you have. In other words, as a professional, you need to know the things you should not do because each workplace has a different ethical code of behavior that has to be follow and not to be violate. On the other hand, being honest, having respect and telling the truth all times at work is an ethical thing to do. Maintaining an ethical and professional behavior in the workplace at all times, have benefits, which are helpful such as respect, integrity, and honor. Also each professional behavior has a result of progress, and success. Then, having an ethical and professional behavior is important because if you chose a career in criminal justice you have to serve and protect people from criminals by doing the right thing not by being corrupt. * Describe why it is important to understand the function of law enforcement within the criminal justice and how understanding this can better prepare you for a career within the criminal justice field. For example, if you chosen career function is corrections, how does law enforcement work with the correctional system in ensuring justice is served?

Examining methods for allocating overhead costs

Examining methods for allocating overhead costs Overhead cost is an ongoing  expense  of operating a business and is usually used to group expenses that are necessary to the continued functioning of the business, but cannot be immediately associated with the products/services being offered as in the costs do not directly generate  profits. Overhead cost includes indirect product cost or indirect cost of responsibility centre. Indirect product cost is known as manufacturing overhead whereas indirect cost of responsibility centre is known as non-manufacturing cost. Manufacturing overhead is those manufacturing costs that are incurred to a variety of products. It cannot be traced to individual products like depreciation and insurance of manufacturing equipment, cost of occupying, managing and maintaining a production facility. Manufacturing overhead is the cost that could be traced to individual product but it is not worth the trouble to like cost of lubricants and glue used. Manufacturing overhead also include cost that is more appropriately to be treated as cost of all outputs like overtime premium, cost of idle time, utilities cost. Non-manufacturing cost includes customer service, marketing and research development cost. ALLOCATING OVERHEAD COSTS Normally, only manufacturing overhead is allocated to products. However, depending on the industry the business is in and to obtain more comprehensive estimates of product cost, management accountant may allocate non-manufacturing cost to products. One example is Apple Co. with high research development cost, to obtain accurate product costing, they allocate part of the research development cost to product cost. ABSORPTION COSTING Production overhead, or usually refer to as manufacturing overhead, is recovered by absorbing them into the cost of a product. This process is known as absorption costing. Absorption costing means that all of the manufacturing costs are  absorbed  by the units produced. In other words, the cost of a finished unit in inventory will include direct materials, direct labor, and both variable  and  fixed manufacturing overhead. As a result, absorption costing is also referred to as full costing or the full absorption method. Absorption costing is often contrasted with variable costing or direct costing. The fixed manufacturing overhead costs are not allocated or assigned to (not absorbed by) the products manufactured under variable or direct costing. Variable costing is often useful for managements decision-making. However, absorption costing is often required for external financial reporting and for income tax reporting. Absorption costing includes 3 stages, namely apportionment of overheads, reapportionment or allocation of service (non-production) cost centre overheads and also absorption of overhead. For apportionment of overheads, there are no hard and fast rules for which basis of apportionment to use except that whichever method is used to apportion overheads, it must be fair. Unlike direct cost, indirect cost is usually allocated to cost objects and is not directly traced to cost objects. Cost object is defined as item that is assigned separate measure of cost. To facilitate allocation of overhead cost, overhead cost that have common allocation base is pooled together and is known as cost pool. For each cost pool, bases of apportionment are chosen. Bases of apportionment are some factors or variables that allow us to allocate costs in a cost pool to cost objects. The selection of the base of apportionment should be on causal-and-effects grounds, which mean it should be a cost driver. Some examples of bases of apportionment include floor area, net book value of fixed assets and number of employees. Floor area is usually used for rent and rates overhead. It is assumed that the greater the floor space occupied by the production centers, the more rent, cleaning and electricity usage are consumed. Net book value of fixed assets is used for depreciation and insurance of machinery. It is based on the assumption that Number of employees is used for canteen cost. The assumption is when the number of employees increases, the canteen cost will increase. Example: ABC Ltd has two production departments (Assembly and Finishing) and two service departments (Maintenance and Canteen). The following are budgeted costs for the next period: The second stage of absorption costing is reapportionment or allocation of service cost centre costs overhead to production cost centers. Service cost centers (departments) are not directly involved in making products. Therefore the fixed production overheads of service cost centers must be shared out between the production cost centers using suitable basis. Examples of service cost centers or also referred to as support department cost centers include maintenance department, payroll department, stores and canteen. In contrast to operating or production department which engages in production of the products and directly adds value to a product or service, support or service department provides the service that assist and complements the smooth functioning of the production departments in the company. Methods of allocating support or service department cost to production department include direct method, step-down method and reciprocal method. DIRECT METHOD The  direct method  is the most widely-used method where it allocates each service departments total costs directly to the production departments. It ignores the fact that service departments may also provide services to other service departments. Under this method, there is no interaction between service departments prior to allocation. Example: Machining and Assembly are the only production departments that used the services of the Human Resources Department in March. Costs from Human Resources are allocated based on the number of new hires. Machining hired seven employees in March and Assembly hired three employees. Human Resources incurred total costs of RM93, 000 in March. Allocation of H.R. Department costs to Machining:70% of RM 93,000 = RM 65,100 Allocation of H.R. Department costs to Assembly:30% of RM 93,000 = RM 27,900 No information is necessary about whether any service departments utilized services of the Human Resources Department is the characteristic feature of the direct method. It does not take account whether no other service department hired anybody, or whether three other service departments each hired five employees (implying that more than 50% of the hiring occurred in the service departments). Service department to service department services are ignored, and no costs are allocated from one service department to another when using the direct method. STEP-DOWN METHOD Thestep-down methodor known as sequential method allocates the costs of some service departments to other service departments. However, once a service departments costs have been allocated, no subsequent costs are allocated back to it. The choice of which department to start with is very important. The sequence in which the service departments are allocated usually effects the ultimate allocation of costs to the production departments, in that some production departments gain and some lose when the sequence is changed. Hence, production department managers usually prefer over the sequence. The most defensible sequence is to start with the service department that provides the highest percentage of its total services to other service departments, or the service department with the highest costs, or the service department that provides services to the most number of service departments, or some similar criterion. Example: Human Resources (H.R.), Data Processing (D.P.), and Risk Management (R.M.) provide services to the Machining and Assembly production departments, and in some cases, the service departments also provide services to each other: The amounts in the far left column are the costs incurred by each service department. Any services that a department provides to itself are ignored, so the intersection of the row and column for each service department shows zero. The rows sum to 100%, so that all services provided by each service department are charged out. The company decides to allocate the costs of Human Resources first, because it provides services to two other service departments, and provides a greater percentage of its services to other service departments. However, a case could be made to allocate Data Processing first, because it has greater total costs than either of the other two service departments. In any case, the company decides to allocate Data Processing second. In the table below, the row for each service department allocates the total costs in that department (the original costs incurred by the department plus any costs allocated to it from the previous allocation of other service departments) to the production departments as well as to any service departments that have not yet been allocated. After the first service department has been allocated, in order to derive the percentages to apply to the production departments and any remaining service departments, it is necessary to normalize these percentages so that they sum to 100%. For example, after H.R. has been allocated, no costs from D.P. can be allocated back to H.R. The percentages for the remaining service and production departments sum to 92% (7% + 30% + 55%), not 100%. Therefore, these percentages are normalized as follows: For example, in the table above, 59.78% of RM136,000 (= RM 81,304) is allocated to Assembly, not 55%. The characteristic feature of the step-down method is that once the costs of a service department have been allocated, no costs are allocated back to that service department. As can be seen by adding RM 105,522 and RM 134,478, all RM 240,000 incurred by the service departments are ultimately allocated to the two production departments. The intermediate allocations from service department to service department improve the accuracy of those final allocations. RECIPROCAL METHOD Thereciprocal method is the most accurate among the three methods for allocating service department costs. It is because it recognizes reciprocal services among service departments. However, it is also the most complicated method, because it requires solving a set of simultaneous linear equations. Using the data from the step-down method example, the simultaneous equations are: H.R. =RM80,000 + (0.08 x D.P.) D.P. =RM 120,000 + (0.20 x H.R.) R.M. = RM40,000 + (0.10 x H.R.) + (0.07 x D.P.) Where the variables H.R., D.P. and R.M. represent the total costs to allocate from each of these service departments. For example, Human Resources receive services from Data Processing, but not from Risk Management. 8% of the services that Data Processing provides, it provides to Human Resources. Therefore, the total costs allocated from Human Resources should include not only the RM 80,000 incurred in that department, but also 8% of the costs incurred by Data Processing. Solving for the three unknowns (which can be performed using spreadsheet software): To illustrate the derivation of the amounts in this table, the RM36,423 that is allocated from Human Resources to Machining is 40% of H.R.s total cost of RM 91,057. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN METHODS AND PROBLEMS USING THE METHODS Direct method allocates support cost only to operational departments and there in no interaction between support departments prior to allocation. On the other hand, step down method allocates support costs to other support departments and to operating departments that partially recognizes the mutual services provided among all support departments. Under this method, there is one-way interaction between support departments prior to allocation. Reciprocal method allocates support department costs to operating departments by fully recognizing the mutual services provided among all support departments. It is full two-way Interaction between support departments prior to allocation. Direct, step-down and reciprocal methods of support department cost allocation gave slightly different total overhead cost and overhead rates for each production department. It is because of the different recognition that each method gives to support relationships. The direct method does not recognize any relationships that exist between support departments whereas step-down method gives only partial recognition to these relationships. Reciprocal method gives the most accurate results when allocating of multiple service departments costs to operating departments. The power of reciprocal method over other methods (direct method, step-down method) lies in its considering the mutual services provided among all service departments which means the costs of service departments are allocated to each service department (except the service provider) besides operating departments. However the application of this more powerful method is rare. It is because it is more complicated than other methods and it requires sophisticated computer aid. Some firms that use ERP software since this method requires additional modification in coding. Therefore most of the companies prefer employing either of direct or step down methods. Reciprocal method considers mutual services provided among all service departments, direct method and step-down method ignore this point. Moreover service department cost used by other service departments are also ignored in direct method. The drawback of direct method is partially reduced by step-down method by following a hierarchy among service departments while considering cost allocation. There is a ranking among service departments as to which department to begin allocation according to different rules which in turn yields different allocation figures. The drawback of step-down method to reciprocal method is that once the cost accumulated in the first in ranking service department is allocated, that department does not take any share from other service departments. Two main rules determine the raking. The first approach considers the number of departments served by the service departments to judge on which service department to begin allocation and which ones to move on. The service department that serves to the highest number of departments is the first department to begin allocation. In case of more than one department serve the highest number of departments, the department with highest accumulated costs is the first in the ranking and so on. The second approach adopts the percentage of service in determining the ranking of service department to begin with and to carry on. The service department with highest percentage of service to other departments is the first in the ranking and so on. In case of more than one department with equal the highest service percentage, the one with higher accumulated costs is set as the first and so on. Lastly reciprocal method or algebraic allocation method (REC) considers all served departments including service departments and operating departments by a service department except the one whose costs are allocated. There is a two way interaction among service departments unlike step-down method. The method yields equations with multiple unknowns which are equal to the number of service departments since the method considers all the costs of the service departments to be allocated. As the number of service departments increase the number of equations with multiple unknowns increase and hence a computer aid is required to solve the equations simultaneously. CONCLUSION Out of the 3 allocation methods to allocate service/ support department cost to production department cost, reciprocal method is said to be the most precise method. It is also the most complicated method as it requires solving a set of simultaneous linear equations. However, direct and step-down methods are simple to compute and easy to understand. Nonetheless, direct method is the most widely used in industry. Direct method allocates each service departments total costs directly to the production departments, and ignores the fact that service departments may also provide services to other service departments. The direct method and step-down method have no advantages over the reciprocal method except for their simplicity, and the step-down method is sometimes not very simple. Nevertheless, the reciprocal method is not widely used. Given advances in computing power, the reciprocal method would seem to be accessible to many companies that are not using it. Presumably, these companies b elieve that the benefits obtained from more accurate service department cost allocations do not justify the costs required to implement the reciprocal method.

Physics of Tsunamis Essay -- Tsunamis Weather Essays

Physics of Tsunamis This paper will discuss the physics and warning systems of tsunamis, a destructive wave force that researchers have been studying for many years. Tsunamis are different than tides or surface waves because undersea earthquakes, instead of winds or the gravitational pull of the moon or sun, generate them. They can reach speeds of up to 700 kilometers per hour but can be undetected until they reach shallow water, then unexpectedly arise as deadly waves. Tsunamis evolve from three physical processes, which are generation, propagation, and inundation of dry land. The propagation phase is the most understood, whereas generation and inundation are more difficult to model with computer simulations. Researchers apply a linear wave theory to the propagation phase, which assumes that the small height of the wave compared with the wavelength does not affect the wave’s behavior. Their theory predicts that the deeper the water and longer the wave, the faster the tsunami. Upon inundation, the wave height is so high that the linear wave theory fails to describe the interaction between the water and shoreline. Emergency planners have struggled with getting reliable confirmation of the existence of tsunamis. This has snowballed into a seventy-five percent false alarm rate since the 1950’s. There are plans being put into place to upgrade the warning systems, but the success of improved safety will also depend on the people’s response. The education of coastal communities on evacuation routes and procedures is crucial to improvement of the current tsunami emergency evacuation plans. Physics of Tsunamis To fully understand tsunamis, it will be helpful to first distinguish them from wind generated waves or tides. Ocean breezes can crinkle the surface into relatively short waves that create currents that are restricted to a shallow layer. Strong winds are able to whip up waves that are 30 meters or higher but even these do not move deep water as the tsunamis do. Tides, which sweep around the globe twice a day, also do not produce currents that reach the ocean bottom. Unlike true tidal waves, however, tsunamis are not generated by the gravitational pull of the moon or sun. A tsunami is produced by an undersea earthquake, or much less frequently, volcanic eruptions, meteorite impacts, or underwater landslides. Even though tsunamis can reach speed... ... better evacuation routes. With the combination of technology and community awareness, coastal residents will have a much better chance at avoiding the destructive forces of these killer waves. Conclusion Tsunamis have been a major threat to coastal areas for many years. The challenge in the past has been early detection; due to the way they speed towards the coastline hidden in deep waters, only to surface close to the shore as a powerful, destructive wave. However, with recent advances in technology and a better understanding of nature’s ways, we may be able to protect property and people by educating them on these powerful waves. People in the tsunami’s path must use the current warning system improvements in conjunction with a timely response to avoid future catastrophes. Community education programs would seem to be a good starting point. If researchers, emergency planners, and community leaders will work together in a team effort, I believe the death toll and property damage will be kept to minimal figures. References Gonzales, Frank. â€Å"Tsunami† Scientific American 280, no. 5 (May 1999): 56-65. Describes the physics of tsunamis and early warning systems.

Global Strategy and ENtering Foreign Markets Essay

Table of Contents Executive Summary Often when a company is looking to expand its operations to foreign markets they have an overall goal to create revenue and increase profit. Entering new markets can be an excellent opportunity for companies to utilize core competencies and increase value to the company. This paper will define global strategy and research the best strategies to use when expanding operations to international markets. Recommendations and conclusions will also be defined for when entering a foreign market, thus expanding operations. Because of the increased competition in international markets global strategies are more important then ever. When developing a strategy not only does a company deal with lower cost pressures, but also pressures for local responsiveness, and a need to adapt to differences in consumer preferences. This also can change the way the business on a whole is carried out. A company must choose a strategy that will help it best adapt to those pressures, as well as one that stays aligned with its overall strategic goals. Entering into a new international market seems like a good idea for most businesses, but requires lots of research and planning to be successful. The first decision to be made is what market to enter. New emerging markets with large populations allow for continued economic growth and an opportunity to add value to a product. The timing and scale of entry into a market can be also very important, for many companies in a new market the first mover advantage is one that comes with lots of benefits, including capture of market share. If the company penetrates the market with a significant presence they are likely to send a message to consumers that they are in the market for the long-term. Selecting a mode of entry into a new market heavily relies on the company’s core competencies, and how much control is desired. For some companies, creating a strategic alliance with a competitor is the best entry method into a new market. By creating an alliance with a competitor allows a company to enter a new market with less risk, and also gives the opportunity to learn about the new market from the alliance partner. Introduction International markets have become increasingly competitive recently because of liberalization of trade and investment environments. Due to this, companies entering the global marketplace must be more strategic to make a profit. â€Å"A company must have a strategy to reduce costs and create value as well as to differentiate its products from others, in order to be profitable in today’s foreign markets.† It is highly important for a company to work to reduce costs while, at the same time increase the perceived value of its products and differentiate product offerings, in comparison to its competitors. By creating more value on a company’s products, the more its customers will be willing to spend. By creating a product that is more appealing to the consumer through design, functionality, and quality, as well as lowering costs to produce the product, a company can create value in the eyes of the consumer. The primary activities involved in creating value for a product are research and development, production of products, marketing and sales, and the service and support being provided to the customers. Because of differences between the markets in various countries it is potentially beneficial â€Å"for each value creation activity to be based where factor conditions are most conclusive to the performance of that activity,† otherwise know as location economies. By doing this, the company is working towards a low cost strategy for value creation. When a firm is considering entering a market in a foreign country, it must carefully decide what market to enter, when to enter, and at what scale it should enter. These decisions should be heavily based on long-run growth and profit potential within the market. A firm will often expand into international markets in an attempt to earn greater return from their technological or manager know-how; also know as a firm’s core competenc y. As well as being faced with many cost reduction pressures, a company expanding globally is also likely to be faced with pressures for local responsiveness. When doing business in another country there will likely be a difference in customer preferences that will need to be met, differences in infrastructure, and the way of doing business such as distribution channels. Lastly, any demands that may be made by the host government (regulations) must be taken into consideration as well. These are all factors that need to be considered when a company is contemplating expanding to foreign markets, and choosing a proper global strategy. Global Strategy Strategy is defined as any actions a manager takes to attain the company’s goals. The main goal for a company’s strategy is generally to maximize their profit. Due to increased competition in many foreign markets, companies are forced to look at all of these strategies and see which are best for them when moving forward in the global marketplace, to be most successful. Strategic Choices A firm will generally use one of four basic strategies to enter and compete within the global marketplace. They are as follows: International Strategy, Multi-domestic Strategy, Global Strategy, or a Transnational Strategy. The strategy a company chooses can depend upon how much it needs to cut costs, and the differences it must adapt to within the new market. A company choosing an International Strategy works to create value by bringing valuable skills and products to global markets where competitors don’t employ the same skills. The company will transfer successful products to foreign markets, while also creating some local customization. For a company following an international strategy, many decisions including manufacturing and marketing decisions, will be localized to the country that they are doing business in. An example of a company using an international strategy is McDonald’s. In Japan they offer old favorites as well as the Korean KBQ Burger. When a company chooses a Multi-domestic strategy many key responsibilities and decisions become localized. The product offerings, marketing strategy and business strategy are customized to be successful in each market. Along with this strategy comes a mentality where management sees all foreign operations as independent businesses within the firms’ portfolio. A drawback of this strategy is because new value creation activities are employed within each market. A company may not get advantage from the experience curve benefits, and end up with a high cost structure. Companies pursuing a Global Strategy are generally also pursuing a low-cost strategy. Because of this, the company generally will not customize the product offerings between different foreign markets. A global firm will prefer a standard set of products offered through all of its markets where  they can use the cost advantage to allow for aggressive pricing tactics in foreign marketplaces. Because of the competitive nature of many marketplaces around the world many companies have no choice but to employ a transnational strategy. For a company that employs this strategy, it involves focus on reducing costs, transferring skills and products to new markets, and increasing local responsiveness. Because of all of the pressures that are involved with a transnational strategy, they can be difficult and complex to implement. Strategic Alliances â€Å"As opposed to a firm entering a foreign market on it’s own, they may form a strategic alliance with a potential or actual competitor.† A strategic alliance is defined as a cooperative agreement among competitors from different countries. By creating a strategic alliance with a competitor, a company can more easily enter a new foreign market. Within a strategic alliance a company will share many fixed costs with the alliance partner company, which can also potentially reduce operational costs such as training and purchasing costs. Because of these factors a strategic alliance can be beneficial for a company striving for an overall goal of lowering costs. â€Å"The alliance is cooperation or collaboration, which aims for a synergy where each partner hopes that the benefits from the alliance, will be greater than those from individual efforts.† Although a strategic alliance has many benefits for a firm that is entering a market they have never competed in befo re, there are also risks that should be considered. There’s the possibility of giving competitors low-cost access to new technology and markets, which they may not have had access to before. It is also important for a company to choose the right partner to ensure they are benefiting equally from the alliance. The proper partner for a firm will help achieve its own strategic goals, but will also have a shared vision for the purpose of the alliance. Any company that is looking to enter a strategic alliance with a competing company should do a proper background checks with public sources, and anyone that has maybe worked with the other firm in the past. It is also important to get to know the potential partner before immediately creating an alliance to ensure the chemistry is right between the management teams. Once an alliance has been created it is important for it to be managed properly, in order to be successful in its  overall strategic goals. It is vital for the once competing companies involved in the strategic alliance, to build trust with one another. If there isn’t mutual trust built within the relationship it â€Å"†¦can lead to competition rather than cooperation, to loss of competitive knowledge, to conflicts resulting from incompatible cultures and objectives, and to reduced management control.† Sometimes building personal friendships between members of each partner can help to create stronger trust within the business relationship as well. Entering a Foreign Market Although there is no clear-cut choice on how a company should enter a new market there are guidelines of things that should be considered and done before entering into a new market. A firm must first decide which market they should enter, then how it will enter the market, and finally at what scale and time it should make its entry. Not only is it important to research whether or not a specific business has viability within the market, you also need to assess the value that will be added to the market you are looking into entering. â€Å"Greater value translates into an ability to charge higher prices and/or build sales volume more rapidly.† Choosing A Market When a firm is researching different countries and their marketplaces to determine what market to enter, the appeal of a certain country will depend on balancing benefits, costs and risks that come with doing business in that particular country. â€Å"The largest compiler of data about foreign markets in the world is the U.S. Department of Commerce. Some of this information is available free and some involves paying a small fee. Other federal agencies also provide significant amounts of data that is available on their websites.† There are also many private agencies that can help a company find information regarding a new market. â€Å"Such groups as industry & trade organizations, local chambers of commerce and other business development groups provide a wealth of information about foreign markets.† When searching for a new or emerging market to enter it is important for a company to look at nations which are politically stable, and that have free market systems. These qualities are more likely to provide long-term economic growth and a larger capacity for such growth. Many companies that have expanded operations globally have gone to China and India in order to  lower costs, as well to take advantage of the availability of growth, due to the large populations. Entry Timing Once a company has done its research and chosen a market to enter they must then decide an appropriate time to enter the said market. A major advantage for a firm is when they are the first foreign firm to enter an emerging market, also know as first mover advantage. When a company is the first to enter a market, it is given the opportunity to capture demand within the market, and establish a strong brand name and recognition, before any of its competitors move in. â€Å"The firm gains the opportunity to build up sales volume and ride down the experience curve before rivals have a chance, giving the firm a cost advantage that later entrants into the market wont have.† This will enable the firm to cut prices and increase profits. Emerging Markets For a business looking to move into an international market, an emerging economy within a large market could be a favorable option as there is likely to be more growth potential for companies that are early movers. Emerging markets often provide benefits to the company such as lower costs, and the opportunity to become industry specialists. It can be a major advantage for companies to enter countries with large emerging markets, such as China and India in an effort to reduce costs and in turn generate more profit. Although being an early mover within an emerging market comes with these advantages; there can also be the disadvantage of pioneering costs. If business in the foreign country is done differently then in the home country the firm will need to spend time, energy and money on learning the rules of doing business within the host country. A firm that enters later into a market can avoid some of these costs by learning from what other companies have done, implement stronger strategies. Scale of Entry Once it has been determined which market to enter, and when is the best time to enter, a company must decide whether to enter the market and slowly expand its operations, or enter in a big way, at one time. To make this decision the firm must examine any strategic commitments that may be involved when entering the market, as it could have long-term impact that  can’t be easily reversed. Entering a market in a big way can mean major strategic commitment and can be hard to reverse but could pay off. If a company is entering a market on a significant scale customers and distributors are more likely to believe the company will remain in the market long term and will in turn attract more customers. However if a company invests too much to enter one market at a significant scale it could mean not being able to expand to other markets. By entering small-scale to a foreign market, the firm has more opportunity to learn more about the market before creating any major risks to it. This will limit potential losses but could cause the company to miss out on all of the advantages reaped by the first movers. Modes of Entry to Foreign Markets â€Å"The mode of entry is a fundamental decision a firm makes when it enters a new market because the choice of entry automatically constrains the firm’s marketing and production strategy. The mode of entry also affects how a firm faces the challenges of entering a new country and deploying new skills to market its product successfully.† A company has many different modes of entry to choose from, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. Modes of Entry Alternatives Exporting – A company choosing to export will produce a good or service within the home country and sell it in the new market. Exporting can be low cost for the company as well as can be beneficial for the company to get experience doing business within the new market. Although the company may save money on manufacturing, they are also likely to be paying higher transportation costs to export the product to the new market. Manufacturing firms often begin with exporting products to enter a foreign market, before switching to another mode. Turkey projects – A company that chooses to develop a turnkey project will hire a contractor, who will handle all of the details on setting up a firm within the new market. Once the contract is complete the firm is handed the key to the business, which will be ready and full operational for the company to take over and begin work in the new market. When choosing a turnkey project the company should ensure that the new market is within a country with stable political and economic conditions, to make the investment less risky. Licensing – â€Å"A company  which chooses a licensing agreement will enter into an arrangement where a licensor grants the rights to intangible property to the company for a certain period of time. During this period the licensor receives a royalty fee from the company for the use of the property.† Licensing can be a good option for a firm with manager know-how as there is little control over technology, and also comes with little risk. Franchising – Franchising is a specialized form of licensing where the firm paying the royalty fee to use the property, must also follow a set of rules on how to run the business. This can be good for firms with management know-how. Joint venture – â€Å"A joint venture entails establishing a firm that is jointly owned by two or more otherwise independent firms.† Joint ventures can be beneficial as there is often the opportunity to learn from your partner as well, as any risks are shared between the partners. Wholly owned subsidiaries – â€Å"Wholly owned subsidiaries occur when a firm owns 100 percent of its stock.† When establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in a new foreign market the company has the choice of setting up an entirely new business in the new market (Greenfield Venture), or it can acquire and already running business within the knew market and use its resources to promote the companies product line. Choosing an Entry Mode All modes of entry a company can chose from have both advantages and disadvantages. When attempting to choose the proper mode of entry a company will be forced to make a decision based on pressures of cost reductions, however the best entry mode for a company will depend mainly on that firms competitive advantage, whether it is technological know-how or management know-how. If a firm has a competitive advantage that is based on technological know-how, generally a wholly owned subsidiary is preferred, as control over technology is very necessary. By owning the whole subsidiary the company is giving up no aspect of control over their core competency. â€Å"The main competitive advantage of many service firms is that of the managers know how to run the business.† When this is the case, foreign franchises tend to be the preferred method of entry. By franchising the company has control over how the quality of the product or service. When choosing a mode of entry it could often depend on the amount a company gives control over its resources. Exporting offers the least amount of control,  and a wholly owned subsidiary offers the most control. Conclusion Although entering a new market and expanding a company globally can provide numerous benefits, it is something that needs to be done with proper strategic planning. Trade liberalization has caused heavy competition in many foreign markets and if proper research and planning isn’t flowed through, a company could fail in an international market. When choosing a new market, the company should loo at locations that will provide some benefit such as lower costs for manufacturing a product. â€Å"Create value for customers by lowering production costs and making products more attractive through superior design, functionality and quality.† Value creation is measure by the difference between what values a customer puts on a specific product, and the actual cost to make the product. The higher the value creation the more profit the business will make on that product. By reducing costs to increase revenue, the company is also increasing the value of the product, known as low cost strategy. Another way to increase value of a product value is through a differentiation strategy. By differentiating products from that of a company’s competitor, they are increasing the consumers perceived value of the product based, on its different features. When choosing an overall strategy it is important that it align with the company’s main goals and values, as well as with the host countries preferences. Generally a transnational global strategy provides companies with the most benefits, it is also the hardest and most complex strategy to implement. Once a strategy is chosen for the expansion across borders, the company then needs to research and choose which market to enter, when to enter the market, and at what scale to enter the market at. All three of these decisions are very important to the success of the business in the new market. The company should choose a market that will provide some cost benefit to it, such as cost savings manufacturing. Once a market is chosen, a time and scale need to be established for entry. The company needs to decide if it will enter with a large presence or if it will enter with limited exposure to better adapt to the new market. The company will pick between six modes of entry, mainly based on their core competencies. If the company has a lot of technological know- how they will likely chose a mode that offers more control such as a wholly owned subsidiary. If t is a  managerial know-how based competency, it will likely choose a mode with less control such as a franchise. It is important to consider every advantage weighed against the disadvantages when choosing a mode of entry. Works Cited Anca Gheorghiu, A. G. (2010). Entering New Markets – a Challenge in Times of Crisis. Retrieved June 2013, from Cornell University Library: http://arxiv.org/abs/1010.6050 Arnold, D. (2003, October 17). Strategies for Entering and Developing International Markets. Retrieved July 2013, from Financial Times Press: http://www.ftpress.com/articles/article.aspx?p=101588 Burher Business. (2011, October 20). Korean KBQ Burger is from McDonald’s, Not Food Truck. Retrieved July 2013, from Burger Business: http://www.burgerbusiness.com/?p=8303 Cebuc, G. (2007). The Role of Strategic Alliances in International Businesses. Romanian Economic and Business Review , 2 (4), 27-34. Charles W.L. Hill, T. M. (2009). Global Business Today. McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Cheong-A Lee, H.-Y. B. (2009). Culture and Foreign Market Entry into Korean Firms. International Journal of Business Strategy , 9 (2), 192-200. Enderwick, P. (2009). Large Emerging Markets (LEMs) and International Strategy. Internationa l Marketing Review , 26 (1), 7-16. Graham, J. P. (2004). Analyzing foreign Markets. (JPG Consulting) Retrieved July 2013, from Going Global: http://www.going-global.com/articles/analyzing_foreign_markets.htm Joseph Johnson, a. G. (2008). Drivers of Success for Market Entry into China and India. Journal of Marketing , 72, 1-13. Kate Gillespie, J.-P. J. (2007). Global Marketing (2nd Edition ed.). Boston, MA, USA: Houghton Mifflin.

40 Idioms with First

40 Idioms with First 40 Idioms with First 40 Idioms with First By Mark Nichol Many expressions include the word first, often referring to beginnings or initial experiences. Here is a list of idiomatic phrases featuring the word, and their meanings. 1. First aid: medical care for minor injuries such as mild abrasions, cuts, bruises, and burns 2. First among equals: the sentiment that a leader is merely the premier person among his or her colleagues 3. First base: the first step or stage in a process or procedure, from baseball terminology 4. First blood: referring to the rite of passage of a hunter making a first kill 5. (At) first blush: referring to reconsideration of one’s initial thought 6. First call: the right to priority in use of something 7. First cause: the philosophical concept of the original self-created cause of which all other causes are by-products 8. First chair: the lead musician among those playing a particular instrument in an orchestra (such as first violin) 9. First class: the best category of travel accommodations, or the best in terms of performance or quality 10. First come, first served: the principle that the customer who arrives first is given priority 11. First cousin: a son or daughter of one’s aunt or uncle 12. First crack: the earliest chance or opportunity 13. First dance: the tradition of the guests of honor being the first couple on the dance floor to start a ball or other dance event 14. First dibs: see â€Å"first call† 15. First down: the first in a series of plays in American football after one team takes possession of the ball from the other team 16. First edition: the initial publication of a book 17. First estate: the clergy as the highest of the three orders of society in the Middle Ages and for some time afterward (the others were the nobility and the common people) 18. First floor: the ground floor (in American English usage) or the second floor (in British English usage) 19. First flush (of success): an initial period of achievement (the term is also used technically to refer to the initial runoff of rainwater after a storm) 20. First glance: a superficial examination or review 21. (At) first hand: with direct experience (as an adjective, firsthand) 22. First impression: the initial evaluation of information or an experience, generally before having time to consider or ponder 23. First lady: the wife of a government’s leader 24. First leg: the first part of a journey 25. First light: the earliest part of day 26. First night: the evening of a premiere performance, or the premiere performance itself 27. (In the) first place: in the beginning, or as an initial consideration 28. (Right of) first refusal: the privilege of being able to accept or reject an offer or proposal before anyone else is given consideration 29. (Love at) first sight: the sentiment of an instant romantic connection 30. (The) first step (is always the hardest): the notion that starting a task is the most difficult part 31. (Cast the) first stone: used to refer to hypocritical behavior akin to throwing a stone at someone as punishment for a crime when the thrower may be culpable for the same crime or another one 32. First string: the group of athletes who participate from the beginning an athletic competition, as opposed to players who may substitute for first-string teammates at some point; by extension, the best among any group 33. (Don’t) know the first thing about: the model for an expression stating that someone is unacquainted with even the basics of a certain procedure or topic 34. First things first: refers to the importance of considering the relative priority of steps 35. First-timer: someone engaging or participating in some activity the person has not done before 36. First water: the highest quality, especially in gems but also said figuratively of people of high character 37. First world: the developed, industrialized nations 38. (If at) first you don’t succeed (try again): the sentiment that one should persist after initial failure 39. Ladies first: a sentiment that, according to proper etiquette, females should have priority in passing through a doorway or into another area 40. Shoot first (and ask questions later): referring to the supposed wisdom, in a confrontation, of disabling a potential adversary first and then ascertaining whether the person is in fact a foe Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Words with More Than One Spelling20 Words Meaning "Being or Existing in the Past"Quiet or Quite?

Frankenstein Journal Notes Essays

Frankenstein Journal Notes Essays Frankenstein Journal Notes Essay Frankenstein Journal Notes Essay Essay Topic: Catching Fire Frankenstein Invisible Monsters Frankenstein Journal Characters Victor Frankenstein- The main character of the story. He builds the monster. He is scared of his creation forgets about it. The monster kills his whole family and sends Frankenstein to his doom. He is never able to stop the monster. The Monster- The creation of Frankenstein. The monster is very intelligent; it learns language by observation. He is sad that nobody wants to accept him. He goes on a rampage and kills many people. Henry Clerval- A friend of Frankenstein. He accompanies Victor to Ingolstadt. He goes with Frankenstein on a trip and is killed by the monster. Elizabeth- The sister of Frankenstein. She was adopted by the Frankenstein family at a young age. Later in the book, she and Victor get married. Robert Walton- He saves Frankenstein from the ice and tries to help him find the monster. He is the one who recorded the whole tale. Alphonse Frankenstein- The father of Victor. He tries to make Victor feel better when Victor is sad about the deaths of those close to him. He dies late in the novel. William Frankenstein- The younger brother of Victor. He is the first victim of the monster. Victor is very sad over his death. : Justine- She was adopted into the Frankenstein family. She is claimed to be guilty of Williams death, and is executed for it. Caroline- She marries Alphonse Frankenstein. She dies of a fever when Victor is very young. M. Waldman- He is a chemistry professor at Ingolstadt. He is one of Victors influences (for pursing a chemistry related profession). Plot Notes Pg. 15-29: These are the opening letters of Waldon. He talks to his sister with a very optimistic tone, assuring her of his safety. He explains his personal thoughts, his loneliness and need of a friend. He explains that his ship will soon be leaving. They find a man out on some ice and pick him up. This is his story. Pg. 31-40: The narrator tells us about himself and his background. He tells of his fathers friend, who died, leaving his daughter an orphan. The narrators father then married her. They traveled around a lot. The narrator was an only child. On one visit, they adopted a child named Elizabeth, who became the narrators sister. They were brought up together. Another son was born. The narrator loved learning, especially about the natural sciences. He looks at outdated books on the topic. He also sees a lighting storm. He learns to absolutely love the subject. Pg. 41-50: Victor (the narrator) is bout to leave his family to attend a University called Ingolstadt. His sister, Elizabeth, gets scarlet fever. She does not die because her mother nurses her back to health. But the mother dies. He then goes to the university. He meets a professor, M. Krempe. Krempe offends him by saying his studies have been wasted thus far. He then meets another professor named M. Waldman, who convinces him to study chemistry. Pg. 51-60: Victors studies became his sole occupation. He neglected his family for his studies. He was very interested in the human body, and began constructing a human life form. He hoped to make many new forms. He even started to neglec t nls stuales to work on tnls. HIS work comes to IITe, ana ne Is Olsgustea Dy It He runs from it. He goes into town and finds his friend Henry Clerval. Clerval goes back with him to his apartment, where the beast no longer resides. Victor falls ill, and Clerval nurses him for the following months. Clerval tells him about a letter from Elizabeth. He has not been in very good contact with his family, and they worry about him. Pg. 1-70: Elizabeths letter begs Victor to write back to them. She also tells of a girl named Justine that now lives with them. Victor introduces Clerval to the professors, though anything dealing with chemistry pains Victor. He decides that he will soon return to Geneva. They explore the country. Pg. 71-80: Victor finds a letter from his father that tells of Williams death. He was murdered. Victor returns to Geneva to comf ort his family. On the way, he sees the monster he created, and decides that it must have killed William. When he meets his family, they say that Justine has been accused. He assures them that she is not guilty, that he knows the murderer, but she is to be tried later that day. Pg. 81-90: They all go to Justines trial, here she is convicted. They visit her, and she is happy to know that Victor thinks her innocent. She is executed, and Victor feels very guilty. Victor is very sad. He takes a trip to a nearby valley called Chamounix. Pg. 91-100: Victor goes to the summit of a beautiful mountain. He sees the monster coming towards him, and then tries to fght him off. The monster avoids him, and then argues to listen to his side of the story. Victor complies, and follows him back to his hut. The monster tells his story. He tells how frightened he was when he first came around. He was fixated on the moon. He learned about fire. He met various people, but they were scared of him. Pg. 101-110: One day, he found a cottage with an old man and a young man and woman. He learns language from them. He realizes that he is causing them sadness when he steals their food. For this, he brings them wood. They are very happy about this. He spends much time watching them, for he wants to learn their language and try to have them accept him. Pg. 1 11-120: A woman arrives and makes the man very happy at the cottage. She is Arabian. The man teaches her his language, and the monster learns as well. The monster learns about human history as well. He reflects on his oneliness. The monster learns about how the family in the cottage came to be. They were originally from Paris. Sanes father was put in Jail. The man fell in love with Sane and saved the man. They all fled. The girl and older man were put in prison for what they young boy did. The father tried to keep Sane, but she fled. The young boy saved the girl and old man from Jail. Sane came to their cottage. Pg. 121-130: The monster finds books in the woods and learns more from them. He also finds notes from Victor (whom he gives them to) which tell him about his creation. He notices that the cottage people are happier. He decides to try and Join them. He talks to the old man, who is blind. The man is accepting of him. But when the young man, who was on a walk with the other two, returns, he attacks the monster, who then leaves. Pg. 131-140: The monster sees the De Lacy family leave their residence; he will never see them again. He burns the cottage. He then goes to Geneva. On the way, he saves a girl from a stream and is shot by a man. His wound heals. He also tells how he strangled William and put the picture on Justines person. The monster tells Victor that he must create a mate for him, for nobody else will accept him. He assures Victor that they will move to a savage area in South America where they will never be seen Dy Vlctor or nls Tamlly agaln. Victor Is nesl n . g ta t P . 141-150: Victor consents. In monster says that he will watch him. Victor goes back to his family at Geneva. His father wants him to marry Elizabeth. He decides to go on a trip to England first. He is accompanied by Clerval. Clerval is happy to learn about nature. He plans on building the other monster while on the trip. Pg. 151-160: Clerval and Victor travel to many different beautiful places, such as London, Oxford, and other places in Europe. They go to Scotland to visit a friend. Victor leaves Clerval with the Scots while he travels away for a month to finish his work. He finds an old shack and gets a lot done. Victor thinks about what he is doing, how he may cause pain for future generations if the monsters have children. The monster visits him, and he destroys the female monster he is working on. The monster is angry and lectures him. Victor says that he withdraws his promise. Pg. 161-172: The monster says that he will be with Victor on his wedding night. The monster leaves, and Clerval wants Victor to return. Before he eaves, he cleans the laboratory. He goes out to sea to dispose of the monsters remains that he was working on, but he gets lost at sea. He ends up on some shore, and people greet him rudely. He is taken to court, for he is seen as guilty of a murder. A body was found nights before, and a man was seen in a boat. He sees the body, and it is Clerval. The monster has killed him. He is thrown into Jail. Months later, the magistrate meets him and seems to be more understanding. His father comes to see him. Pg. 173-182: Victor is released. His father comes to get him. Victor is very scared or his family, and wants to go back to Geneva so that he can protect them and kill the monster when he comes. Victor and his father arrived in Paris. Victor tells his father many times that he killed everyone, and his father is confused. Victor gets a letter from Elizabeth asking if he loves another, for, if so, they shouldnt marry. He says he loves her. They arrive in Geneva. He carries weapons with him to defend if the monster attacks. Pg. 183-192: Victor and Elizabeth get married. They retire to a cottage by boat. Victor walks around the house at night, looking for the monster. The monster kills Elizabeth. Victor and many others look for the murderer, but to no avail. When Victor returns to tell his father, his father dies soon after. Victor decides to tell a magistrate the truth, and, though the magistrate initially seems convinced, he decides not to believe him. Victor wants to kill the monster. Pg. 193-202: Victor leaves Geneva to follow and kill the beast. He chases him very far north, and, when chasing him across a body of water, almost dies, but is saved by a vessel. The story is continued by Walton. He and Walton talk a lot. Walton sends letters to his sister telling her about Frankenstein. Pg. 03-211 : Victor, still on the Journey with Walton, appears close to death. The crew wants to go south. Victor lectures them on courage, and they stay their course. Victor says a few things, and then dies. He gives a final speech. Walton finds the monster over Victors body. The monster says that he will now go and die. He gives a speech where he acknowledges that he is indeed a wretch. He leaves the boat. Style Notes: 1. The story was told through letters: The opening of the story, as well as the end, is told through letters by Walton. He is the man who commanded the ship that picked Victor up off of the ice. He was Victors friend before he died. This point of view is important because it allows the whole narrative to be occurring within a different time than perceived. It is like a narrative set within a narrative. This point of view is the only way to capture some of the attltuaes communlcatea tnrougnout tne novel. 2 l naa aamlrea tne perTect Torms 0T my cottagerstheir grace, beauty, and delicate complexions: but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool! At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully onvinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity. (108) This is a characterization through description. Here, the monster tells of the time when he observed his hideous facial features. He compares himself with the perfect beauty of his fellow humans, and is very angry about it. This explains where a lot of the monsters need for revenge comes from-he is angry that his creator made him so ugly. 3. There is also characterization through attitude. The monster kills person after person, victim after victim. All along, he seems to not really care about the ramifications of what he is doing (other than it hurts Frankenstein). Through this, we can see that the monster really is that, a heartless monster. 4. There is characterization through dialogue. When the monster is made, he is not taught any language. By the time Frankenstein meets him again, a whole slurry of advanced vocabulary is coming out of his mouth. This shows how intelligent the monster is. Through simply observing people and reading a few books, the monster was able to develop a very large vocabulary. 5. The eactions that characters have to each other is another method used to characterize the monster. Every time the monster meets a human or group of humans, they are very frightened and try to get away. A few times, he Just kills them. This emphasizes the horrid appearance that the creature must have and explains that he really will not be accepted into human society. Questions: 1. Did you feel bad for the monster? 2. What happened to Ernest? . Did it ever say how Frankenstein actually gave the monster life? 4. What do you think would have happened had Frankenstein gone on with the creation of a new monster and not destroyed it? . How was the marriage between Frankenstein and Elizabeth not considered incestuous/disgusting (even though she was adopted)? 6. Do you think the old man would have accepted Frankenstein had he not bee n blind? 7. Do you think Walton actually wanted to find the monster? 8. How did Victors father die? Was he Just so depressed that he Just died? 9. How is suspense built throughout the novel? 10. Do you think Victor was sympathetic towards the monster? Quotes: 1. l had admired the perfect forms of my cottagerstheir grace, beauty, and delicate complexions: but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool! At irst I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity. (108) This quote was also used in style notes, but it is important. The monster tells of his discovery of his hideous facial features. As the monster stunk in his ugliness, his anger grew. His ugly features also kept him away from humans. He had every right to be angry. 2. My mode of life in my hovel was uniform. During the morning, I attended the motions of the cottagers; and when they were dispersed in various occupations I s ept tne remalnaer 0T tne clay was spent In ooservlng my Trlenas. wnen tney naa retired to rest, if there was any moon, or the night was star-light, I went into the woods, and collected my own food and fuel for the cottage. When I returned, as often as it was necessary, I cleared their path from the snow, and performed those offices that I had seen done by Felix. I afterwards found that these labours, performed by an invisible hand, greatly astonished them; and once or twice I heard them, on these ccasions, utter the words good spirit, wonderful; but I did not then understand the signification of these terms. (109) Here, the monster explains how he lived outside of the Felixs cottage. He would greatly help Felixs family by bringing them wood and clearing their paths of snow. The monster was sincere. He really wanted to become part of society, and performed kind deeds to do so. It is unfortunate that the people couldnt see past his ugly features. 3. But where were my friends and relations? No father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and aresses; or if they had, all my past life was now a blot, a blind vacancy in which I distinguished nothing. From my earliest remembrance I had been as I then was in height and proportion. I had never yet seen a being resembling me, or who claimed any intercourse with me. What was l? The question again recurred, to be answered only with groans. (115) The monster is angry that he never had loved ones to look after him. He is Jealous of his human counterparts. This gives him more reason to be angry. If they wont accept him, and he cant have the things they have, why should he be kind to them? This is all part of the monsters search for the meaning in his life. 4. Clerval! beloved friend! even now it delights me to recor d your words, and to dwell on the praise of which you are so eminently deserving. He was a being formed in the very poetry of nature. His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart. His soul overflowed with ardent affections, and his friendship was of that devoted and wondrous nature that the worldly-minded teach us to look for only in the imagination. But even human sympathies were not sufficient to satisfy his eager mind. The scenery of external nature, which others regard only with admiration, he loved with ardour (149) Here, Clerval is described as being a very kind and happy person. He contrasts with Frankenstein, who always seems to be down in the dumps. Clervals presence lightens the mood. It is all the more striking when he is killed. 5. Food, however, became scarce; and I often spent the whole day searching in vain for a few acorns to assuage the pangs of hunger. When I found this, I resolved to quit the place that I had hitherto inhabited, to seek for one where the few wants I experienced would be more easily satisfied. In this emigration, I exceedingly lamented the loss of the fire which I had obtained through accident, and knew not how to reproduce i t. I gave several hours to the serious consideration of this difficulty; but I was obliged to relinquish all attempt to supply it; and, wrapping myself up in my cloak, I struck across the wood towards the setting sun. I passed three days in these rambles, and at length discovered the open country. A great fall of snow had taken place the night before, and the fields were of one uniform white; the appearance was disconsolate, and I found my feet chilled by the cold damp ubstance that covered the ground. (100) The monster is not the carnivorous animal that youd think he would be from his description. Instead, he only eats plants and vegetative material. He even tells Frankenstein that vegetables will be the only part of nls alet IT ne makes nvm a partner. He deserves to De Incorporated Into numan society. He is not destructive at all; he only helps. . Elizabeth observed my agitation for some time in timid and fearful silence; but there was something in my glance which communicated terror to her, and trembling she asked, What is it that agitates you, my dear Victor? What is it you fear? Oh! peace, peace, my love, replied l; this night and all will be safe: but this night is dreadful, very dreadful. I passed an hour in this state of mind, when suddenly I reflected how fearful the combat which I momentarily expected would be to my wife, and I earnestly entreated her to retire, resolving not to Join her until I had obtained some knowledge as to the situation of my enemy. (185) Here, Elizabeth and Victor are in the cottage after their marriage. The monster really has taken a toll on Victor. Though he doesnt attack him directly, the constant fear of an attack eats away at Victors mind. This fear could be worse than a physical attack. 7. Great God! exclaimed the old man, who are you? At that instant the cottage door was opened, and Felix, Sane, and Agatha entered. Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me? Agatha fainted; and Safle, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cottage. Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung: in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick. I could have torn him limb from limb, as the lion rends the antelope. But my eart sunk within me as with bitter sickness, and I refrained. I saw him on the point of repeating his blow, when, overcome by pain and anguish, I quitted the cottage and in the general tumult escaped unperceived to my hovel. (129) The monster is trying to become accepted by the old man in the cottage. The only reason the man converses with the monster is the man is blind. It is sad that the monster, though hideous, is so kind, and, will not be accepted by anyone. 8. We entered the gloomy prison-chamber, and beheld Justine sitting on some straw at the farther end; her hands were manacled, and her head rested on her knees. She rose on seeing us enter; and when we were left alone with her, she threw herself at the feet of Elizabeth, weeping bitterly. My cousin wept also. Oh, Justine! said she, why did you rob me of my last consolation? I relied on your innocence; and although I was then very wretched, I was not so miserable as I am now. Here, Victor visits Justine in prison. She will soon be executed. This is important because it conveys the pain that the monster is able to bring. Justine is one of his first victims. She is claimed to be guilty of a murder he committed, and for that she dies. 9. I am happy, said M. Waldman, to have gained a disciple; and if your application equals your ability, I have no doubt of your success. Chemistry is that branch of natural philosophy in which the greatest improvements have been and may be made: it is on that account that I have made it my peculiar study; but at the same time I have not neglected the other branches of science. A man would make but a very sorry chemist if he attended to that department of human knowledge alone. If your wish is to become really a man of science, and not merely a petty experimentalist, I should advise you to apply to every branch of natural philosophy, including mathematics. He then took me into his laboratory, and explained to me the uses of his various machines; instructing me as to what I ought to procure, and promising me the use of his own when I should have advanced far enough in the science not to derange their mechanism. He also gave me tne list 0T DooKs wnlcn I naa requested; ana I took my leave. I nus enaea a clay memorable to me: it decided my future destiny. (48) Here, Frankenstein talks with M. Waldman. He is going to learn about chemistry under Walmans teaching. It is important that we note his fascination with chemistry, for if he hadnt had such a ascination, he would have never made the monster. 10. When I was about fifteen years old we had retired to our house near Belrive, when we witnessed a most violent and terrible thunderstorm. It advanced from behind the mountains of Jura; and the thunder burst at once with frightful loudness from various quarters of the heavens. I remained, while the storm lasted, watching its progress with curiosity and delight. As I stood at the door, on a sudden I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak which stood about twenty yards from our house; and so soon as the azzling light vanished the oak had disappeared, and nothing remained but a blasted stump. When we visited it the next morning, we found the tree shattered in a singular manner. It was not splintered by the shock, but entirely reduced to thin ribands of wood. I never beheld anything so utterly destroyed. Before this I was not unacquainted with the more obvious laws of electricity. On this occasion a man of great research in natural philosophy was with us, and, excited by this catastrophe, he entered on the explanation of a theory which he had formed on the subject of electricity and galvanism, which was at once new and astonishing to me. All that he said threw greatly into the shade Cornelius Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelsus, the lords of my imagination; but by some fatality the overthrow of these men disinclined me to pursue my accustomed studies. It seemed to me as if nothing would or could ever be known. All that had so long engaged my attention suddenly grew despicable. By one of those caprices of the mind, which we are perhaps most subject to in early youth, I at once gave up my former occupations; set down natural history and all its progeny as a deformed and abortive creation; and entertained the reatest disdain for a would-be science, which could never even step within the threshold of real knowledge. In this mood of mind I betook myself to the mathematics, and the branches of study appertaining to that science, as being built upon secure foundations, and so worthy of my consideration. (40) This is very important, for it could reveal how the monster was brought to life. Frankensteins early interest in electricity is revealed. The knowledge around this time period led many to believe that electricity brought life, and could even reanimate things. Electricity could have been what Frankenstein used to bring his monster to life. Symbols 1 . The monster- The monster, who was created by Frankenstein, is symbolic of the dangers of science. He was brought to life, and ended up killing many people. He cause Frankenstein lots of grief, and Frankenstein Just wanted him dead. Many people worry about how science advances. Scientists may try to do things that are not morally correct (in the general view of society) without knowing if any good will come of it. 2. Water- Usually, water is associated with cleansing, but, in this novel, it is associated with delivering the truth. The monster finally sees his hideous reflection in he water. Once he knows the truth about his appearance, he goes over the edge. He understands why society rejects him. This is part of the reason he goes ballistic and kills people. 3. Lightning- It is symbolic of life. Victor has a fascination with lightning in the beginning of the novel, when he retells a story of a youth encounter with llgntnlng. It Is very posslDle tnat ne usea electrlclty (Oerlvea Trom llgntlng) to orlng the monster to life. There was an idea in that time period that electricity caused life. 4. Fire- Fire represents knowledge. When the monster is in the woods, he discovers fire. Along with this discovery, he learns language. The monster became very intelligent as he learned. Fire was one of the first things he learned about, kind of like cavemen, who, upon discovering fire, became more advanced. . The mountains- The mountains symbolize safety. When the monster is rejected by all of society, he has nowhere to go. He retreats into the wilderness, and more specifically, the mountains. They are a perfect hiding spot for him. When Frankenstein wants to kill him, it is difficult to track him in the mountains. He is safe there. Setting: Frankenstein takes place in the 18th century. Th e setting varies between Geneva, Ingolstadt, and the rest of England. Part of the story also takes place far North, where there is ice. This is important; at this point in the story, Frankenstein is pursuing his creation North, trying to kill him. Victor almost dies on the ice, where the weather is very harsh, and is picked up by a sailor named Walton. The fact that the monster is able to avoid Frankenstein for so long, and by such a vast expanse of ice, in such a harsh place, emphasizes his superhuman qualities. At many times in the story, he is able to do this; travel anywhere to avoid Frankenstein. At one point on the ice, Frankenstein is very close to catching him, but then he Just somehow speeds forward. The monsters superhuman traits explain why Frankenstein is never able to kill him. Every time he gets close to him, the monster Just runs off. Ingolstadt is where Frankenstein conducts his studies and learns about the sciences. What he learned at the university helped fuel his interest in the life sciences. Also, if he had not been armed with the knowledge he gained at the University, he would have never had the capability to create the monster, and the rest of the story wouldnt have occurred. In addition, he builds his friendship with Clerval at the university. While working with his over the years, he connects with him all the better. When Clerval is killed by his creation, the impact is all the more devastating to Frankenstein. The fact that the story takes place in the 18th century is important. At that time, the sciences were much less explored. There was an idea that life was derived from electricity. It was what caused life. This is important, as there is a strong parallel in the creation of the monster. Frankenstein seems to have a very strong interest in electricity, according to is retelling of his encounter with lightening as a child. Electricity could have been what he used to bring the monster to life. Themes: I think Mary Shelly tries to teach readers about the power of guilt. You should avoid situations where you will feel guilt at all costs. After Frankenstein creates the monster, he is frightened by the horrid beast and runs off, forgetting about it. After much time (in which Frankenstein thinks nothing of the abomination he has created), the monster comes back to haunt him. The fiend kills Frankensteins brother, then, in short, subsequently kills every erson that is close to Frankenstein. Also, after the death of William, Justine, an innocent girl, is claimed to be the murderer. Frankenstein does almost nothing (though he cant really do much, for people would Just think he were crazy if he told them what actually happened). In the end, Justine is executed for an act that she did not commit. The guilt that Frankenstein must have felt after this incident would have been mind-boggling. Also, after that, throughout the novel, when the rest of his loved ones are Klllea; I cant even explaln In words now ne must nave Telt. I nls gullt or ves im to bring an end to the monster. At the end of the novel, he pushes through the harsh northern ices to catch up to and kill the monster. Though he does not succeed, he is relentless in his pursuit. He never gives up, and eventually Just dies, after he is picked up by Walton. At one point, he could have avoided all of this and created a companion for the monster. The monster says that if he creates a partner for him, he will stop terrorizing Frankensteins family. If Frankenstein had done this, he would have saved the lives of those he loved, aside from the ones that had already been killed. What especially would have been a drive for him to create this partner would have been that he would have saved his future wife (probably one of the most devastating blows) (of course had he known). Instead, he partially created the partner. Then, driven by the knowledge of the guilt he would carry (what if the monsters terrorized the world together), he destroyed the partner. If Frankenstein had avoided creating the monster in the first place, he would have not had to suffer through so much guilt. The guilt he obtained through his actions drove him to great lengths as he tried to avenge those lost.

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Edna Pontellier is a respectable woman of the late 1800s who not only acknowledges her sexual desires, but also has the strength and courage to act on them. Breaking through the role appointed to her by society, she discovers her own identity independent of her husband and children. Many of Kate Chopin’s other stories feature passionate, unconventional female protagonists, but none presents a heroine as openly rebellious as Edna. The details and specifics of Edna’s character are key to understanding the novel and its impact on generations of readers. At the beginning of the novel, Edna exists in a sort of semi-conscious state. She is comfortable in her marriage to LÃ ©once and unaware of her own feelings and ambitions. Edna has always been a romantic, enamored with a cavalry officer at a very young age, in love with a man visiting a neighboring plantation in her teens, and infatuated with a tragedian as a young woman. But she saw her marriage to LÃ ©once as the end to her life of passion and the beginning of a life of responsibility. Although she expected her dreams of romance to disappear along with her youth, her fantasies and yearnings only remain latent, re-emerging on Grand Isle in the form of her passion for Robert Lebrun. The people Edna meets and the experiences she has on Grand Isle awaken desires and urges for music, sexual satisfaction, art, and freedom that she can no longer bear to keep hidden. Like a child, Edna begins to see the world around her with a fresh perspective, forgetting the behavior expected of her and ignoring the effects of her unconventional actions. Yet Edna is often childish as well as childlike: she harbors unrealistic dreams about the possibilities of a wild adulterous romance without consequences, and she fails to consider the needs and desires of anyone but herself. Her flagrant disregard of reality is revealed when she mocks Robert’s apprehensions about adultery, and when she leaves her chi... Free Essays on Edna Free Essays on Edna Edna Pontellier is a respectable woman of the late 1800s who not only acknowledges her sexual desires, but also has the strength and courage to act on them. Breaking through the role appointed to her by society, she discovers her own identity independent of her husband and children. Many of Kate Chopin’s other stories feature passionate, unconventional female protagonists, but none presents a heroine as openly rebellious as Edna. The details and specifics of Edna’s character are key to understanding the novel and its impact on generations of readers. At the beginning of the novel, Edna exists in a sort of semi-conscious state. She is comfortable in her marriage to LÃ ©once and unaware of her own feelings and ambitions. Edna has always been a romantic, enamored with a cavalry officer at a very young age, in love with a man visiting a neighboring plantation in her teens, and infatuated with a tragedian as a young woman. But she saw her marriage to LÃ ©once as the end to her life of passion and the beginning of a life of responsibility. Although she expected her dreams of romance to disappear along with her youth, her fantasies and yearnings only remain latent, re-emerging on Grand Isle in the form of her passion for Robert Lebrun. The people Edna meets and the experiences she has on Grand Isle awaken desires and urges for music, sexual satisfaction, art, and freedom that she can no longer bear to keep hidden. Like a child, Edna begins to see the world around her with a fresh perspective, forgetting the behavior expected of her and ignoring the effects of her unconventional actions. Yet Edna is often childish as well as childlike: she harbors unrealistic dreams about the possibilities of a wild adulterous romance without consequences, and she fails to consider the needs and desires of anyone but herself. Her flagrant disregard of reality is revealed when she mocks Robert’s apprehensions about adultery, and when she leaves her chi...

Google Stock Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

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