Romantic Poetry Essay Example for Free

Romantic Poetry Essay Romanticism was an artistic movement that originated in the late 18th century. It helped people express strong emotions and rebel against the industrial revolution in Britain. This caused poor living conditions and unhappiness among the people at the time. People therefore, looked to nature for beauty and improvement in society. Another factor that contributed to the development of this movement was the French Revolution, which celebrated individualism and freedom of expression. Romantic poetry was concerned with ordinary people in everyday locations, therefore the majority of society could relate to it. It focused on imagination, and relates to the Power of God, and philosophy. The poets were able to catch a moment in time and elaborate on it with imaginative words and phrases. Of the several poems I have studied, the two Romantic poems I have chosen to represent a typical Romantic style are, The Daffodils by William Wordsworth and I am by John Clare. Firstly, I will look at the titles of the poems. In both poems the writer has used a simple title, indicating directly what the poem is about. This enables a larger audience to be engaged to the poem, as less literate people could find the title easier to understand. Both poems are mostly similar because of their links to the Romantic genre, in their theme and style although still continue to have an individual account. William Wordsworth and John Clare both focus on their emotions and solitude, John Clare, And een the dearest-that I loved the best-Are strange-nay, rather stranger than the rest and William Wordsworth, I wandered lonely as a cloud. The theme of William Wordsworths The Daffodils focuses on nature and his recognition of a moment in time. He uses the Power of imagination and memories to project his thoughts onto paper through poetry, we see this in his language and mood. His theme is as a result, cheerful and full of life. He also celebrates the beauty of nature and what man can gain from it. The theme of John Clares I am focuses on himself and memories of past deeds. He takes another perspective on the typical Romantic poetry theme, he talks of, nothingness of scorn and noise, and a memory lost. he creates a sad, lonely tone with this. The mood is therefore different to The Daffodils as I get the impression that Clare is talking about the oppression at the time of its writing. The first two stanzas describe his lonely and depressed situation. He describes that even in a world surrounded by people, he still feels isolated and alone, as if he hates the world he lives in and wishes for something uncontaminated by mans corruption, I long for scenes where man has never trod. He uses words such as oblivious and oblivion to describe the emptiness he feels. I will now look at the language and style of the two poems. Both poems have simple language, which as the titles accomplish, make the poem more available to a less literate lower class reader. The rhyme schemes are regular throughout the poems, The Daffodils, ABABCC and I am, ABABBB. The punctuation is also similar, as they both create a slow pace by using a small amount of punctuation. The Daffodils has eight syllables in each line, whereas I am does not have a precise amount. The Daffodils uses similes, as a cloud and as the stars that shine. by using these he enables the reader to compare what he sees to something they see. In his language he uses onomatopoeia, such as fluttering and twinkle, this enables the reader to almost hear the sounds as they are reading the words. He also uses personification; this makes the flowers seem to be. He also uses words such as, jocund company and continuous as the stars that shine. This relates to his everlasting memory of these beautiful daffodils that no one can take away from him. The two poems have different structures; The Daffodils has four sestet stanzas and I am has three sestet stanzas, John Clare uses enjambment, making the first and second verse flow into each other. In his last stanza he wishes to go to an untouched place, were man has never trod. He wishes for beauty and tranquillity not for what he sees in the world at that moment in time. He uses a metaphor, But the vast shipwreck of my lifes, this lets the reader picture how troubled he is in this world and wishes for a better place.

Organisation And Behaviour Report Management Essay

Organisation And Behaviour Report Management Essay This report will discuss the impact that different leadership styles may have on motivation in organisations in periods of change, it compare the application of different motivation a theories within the workplace and the usefulness of a motivation theory for managers. However, this report also explains the nature of groups and group behaviour within organisations; the factors that may promote or inhibit the development of effective teamwork in organisations and evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within an organisation. The organisations that this report will focus are Tesco and Asda. Discuss the impact that different leadership styles may have on motivation in organisations in periods of change Leadership is an association through which one person influences the behaviours of other persons in an organisation. Motivation is the process by which the behaviour of an individual is influenced by others, through their power to offer or withhold satisfaction of the individuals needs and goals. (BPP Learning Media, 2010) Leadership styles and their impacts on motivation: Leadership is about influencing, motivating and inspiring people. The essential job of management is the well-organised and effective use of human resources for the attainment of organisational targets. Effective using of human resource cannot be achievable without motivate the employees of the organisation. Therefore, to motivate the employees, leadership styles play a significant role because they make the company culture that influences the organisation and its performance. There are different types of leadership styles and each type has its own impact on motivation in work organisations and those are autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire leadership. Autocratic leadership: The autocratic leadership style is one which leaders have absolute power over their workers or team. They tell people what to do instead of asking for employees opinions or suggestions. For example, Tesco use autocratic leadership because the company needs too or the tasks won not be approved out inside the business. Tescos autocratic leaders give employees their role and responsibilities. This can give their business clear route but it may also guide managers to overlook input from their teams. It is important when Tescos business faces a critical situation or when an immediate problem occurs that requires an urgent reaction. Autocratic leadership style allows Tescos managers to make most functioning decisions. For example, if an accident happens in the store, manager might take control to ensure a quick and co-ordinated reply, and they have the right to make the last decision. However, Tescos managers are attempting to convince their teams to accept their opinion. Also their manage rs get the opinions of the lower staff before taking a decision. So if they did not use autocratic then Tescos wouldnt be run sufficiently. Democratic leadership: Although democratic leaders make the last decisions, they call other members of the team to add to the decision-making process. For example, Tesco accepts democratic leadership to boost job contentment by involving team members, and helps to develop peoples skills. Under this leadership style, Tescos staffs feel esteemed, that is why staffs are encouraged to work hard by more than a monetary remuneration. Tesco chooses leadership roles to staffs in the organisation so that everyone is clear about their responsibilities, to implement the strategic decisions through efficient communication and doing a follow up on the employees to ensure that they providing quality services. This increases team motivation and encourages creativity. Laissez-faire leadership: Is a style where the manager observes that members of the group are working well on their own (Mullins, 2005). Tescos managers adopted laissez-faire leadership, where they give all authority and power to the employees and they must determine goals, make decisions, and resolve problems on their own. Working under laissez-faire leadership style, employees can improve their communication skills, teamwork skills as well as enhance loyalty and responsibility. See Tescos all leadership styles in (Appendix 1) Compare the application of different motivational theories within the workplace Motivation theories can be classified extensively into two different viewpoints. See content and process theories of motivation in (Appendix 2). Content theories emphasis on what motivates individual and process theories emphasis on the real process of motivation. Motivation is complex. Its influenced by withdrawals and reinforced by multiple factors. According to classic motivational theorists such as Maslow and Herzberg, human beings have a set of needs or desired outcomes and will act in such a way to fulfil them while other motivational theorists such as Victor and Locke argued that the informed expectations and particular targets will become motivator factors that lead humans to act and work in order to reach desirable goals. Maslow puts forward a theory that there are five levels of human needs which employees need to have fulfilled at work, see (Appendix 3). There are two things to remember about Maslows model. First, employee must satisfy lower level needs before they seek to satisfy higher level needs. Second, once they have satisfied a need, it no longer motivates them; the next higher need takes its place. In other hand, Herzberg theory suggests that there are two basic needs of individuals such as hygiene factors (environmental factors) and motivation factors, see (Appendix 4). Herzberg outlines the main issues concerning motivation: those factor that motivation employee in the workplace (motivation factors) and those factors that prevented job dissatisfaction (hygiene factors). Herzberg encouraged leaders to study the job itself rather than conditions of work. Porter and Lawler argues that human act according to their conscious expectations that a particular behavior will lead to specific desirable goals, see (Appendix 5). Three component of expectancy t theory are: E P (Expectancy): The employee believes that his/her efforts will result in acceptable performance. P R (Instrumentality): the employee believes that acceptable performance will lead to the desired outcome or reward. R (Valence): the employee values the reward. P 494 Comparing to other theories, Locke theory suggests that motivation and performance will be high if individuals are put specific objectives which are difficult, but accepted and where comment is given on performance. See (Appendix 6). Practical implication for the manager of goal theory include: the need for systematic identification of specific performance goals. The need for goals to be challenging but realistic; the importance of complete and accurate feedback on results and the need for goals to be determined either by a superior or by the individuals themselves. However, according to McGregor theory, manager of organisation posses two different assumptions about the human nature and s/he explained these two assumptions in two different theories: Theory X and Theory Y. According to theory X, the human being has always being inherited for the disliking of the work. They always try to avoid the work either they can do or not. According to him, managers always think that their employees are lazy. Manager has to forced, direct and controlled his people to do work. For example: Tesco use two motivation hierarchies (Maslow and Herzberg), see both hierarch in (Appendix 7 and 8). Tesco use Maslow theory because it suggested them if they achieve one level then it motivates them to achieve the next. Also Tesco aims to motivate its staffs both by paying interest to hygiene factors and by enabling satisfiers. For example, it motivates and empowers its staffs by suitable and opportune communication, by giving responsibility and involving employees in decision making. They forums this in which staff can be part of the discussions on pay rises. This shows credit of the work that staffs do and rewards them. Tesco staff can even control what food goes onto its restaurant menus. Employees consequently become motivated to make choices that will increase their use of the restaurants. In other hand ASDA believe in McGregor theory y. They completely have a positive approach towards their employee handling. They create awareness between their employees to gather information about different fields. The employees working as ASDA either individually or working as a team learn to face challenges. The different method adopted by ASDA is that they make different teams and make them competitor between themselves by providing the same task and hence see their performance by the results gained for the improvement of the company. Theory X does also apply to ASDA, especially where staffs are concerned. The emphasis is on the use of money and control to encourage employees to perform in the correct manner. In addition to this, ASDA give time and a half pay to employees on Sunday as a motivation. Evaluate the usefulness of a motivation theory for managers. Motivation is to encourage people to work, independently or in teams in the ways such as to create best results. It is the desire to apply high levels of attempted towards organisational aims, conditioned by the attempts and capability to satisfy some individual need. Motivation is apply to the whole class of drives, desires, needs and wishes. Managers motivate their subordinates is to say that they do those things which they hope will satisfy these desires and compel the subordinates to perform in a desired method. The most important task of management is to motivate others. It comprises the abilities to communicate, to set an example, to challenge, encourage, getting feedback, to develop and train, to inform and to provide a just reward. See motivation process on (Appendix 9). Employees have to be treated with diligence. The manager has to stay friendly as well as maintain a level of distance with his/her staff. It is a tricky ground to tread. The staffs look up on the manager as their leader. They expect maturity, rationality and understanding from their superiors. Simple things like calling people by their first name, chatting or even a general inquiry about their well-being, brings in a feeling of belongingness. All the employees in the organisation vibrate to a different place. A treatment that motivates one may not motivate the other. Understanding the difference in character and temperament in between the individuals is important. Managers set reasonable goals. Planning too high task creates a feeling of non-achievement, right from the beginning itself. The goals set should be such which looks feasible to the staffs to be achieved. A slightly higher target than expected provides a challenge. Explain the nature of groups and group behavior within organisations The term group can be defined as two or more persons interacting and working together for a common purpose. When people work in groups rather than as individuals, the goals of the organisation can be easily achieved. However, working in a group is a complex task. Group dynamics refers to the interactions among the members of a group. A work group of an organisation is the most important base for the social identity of employees in that organisation. Therefore, performance at work and relationships outside the organisation are influenced by the nature of groups in the organisation. Nature of Groups: Different kinds of groups are created to get specific results in organisations. The members accept a common task, become mutually dependent in their performance, and interact with each other to promote its achievement. There are three views on the nature of interaction between members of a group. The first view is the normative view, which describes how to carry out activities and manage a group. According to the second view, group dynamics includes of a set of techniques which include, role play, team building, sensitivity training and self-managed teams. The third view explains group dynamics from the point of view of the internal nature of the groups. The structure of groups and performance are discussed in this view along with the effect of groups on individuals, other groups, and the complete organisation. Dynamics of Group Formation: Organisations form groups for a variety of reasons. Different classical theories of groups attempt to explain why managers form groups. The theory of proximity suggests employees closeness as the reason because individuals who working at places located close to one another tend to form groups. According to balance theory, group formation results from the resemblance of attitudes and values between members. Individuals with common interests sustain their relationship by an equal balance between their attitudes and common interests. Another theory of group formation is the exchange theory. It suggests reward-cost outcomes of interaction as the reason. By becoming members of a group, individuals complete their need for association. Formal Groups: A group formed by the organisation to achieve a specific task is termed as a formal group. The organisation structure a formal group and gives tasks and responsibilities to different members with the intent of reaching organisational aims. Command groups and task groups are examples of formal groups. A command group is relatively permanent in nature and finds representation in the organisation chart. Task groups, on the other hand, are formed for a specific task and are temporary in nature. Informal Groups: Informal groups are formed by the staffs themselves. The reasons for the formation of informal groups can be the need for closeness, ordinary interests, growth or support. There are two types of informal groups: friendship groups and interest groups. Members of friendship groups have a friendly relationship with each other, common interests and are similar in age and view, but interest groups are formed to manage an activity and are temporary. The Five-Stage Model: According to the five-stage model of group development, all groups pass through the forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning stages. Forming: This is the first stage of group formation where members aim to identify acceptable behaviour in a group. The members try to format their behaviour so as be a part of the group. Storming: In this stage, disagreements about leadership between members might give leads to other involvements. By the end of this stage, a comparatively clear structure of positions in the group emerges. Norming: This stage of group increases a sense of comradeship in members through the development of close relationships. Performing: In this stage, members of the group show committed performance to achieve aims defined in the norming stage. Adjourning: This is the last stage for provisional groups such as task groups or committees formed to do some tasks. After this stage, the groups stop to exist. While some of the members may feel happy about the achievements, others may be unhappy that they will lose friends after the group disperses. The effectiveness of groups is supposed to increase through the stages. Discuss factors that may promote or inhibit the development of effective teamwork in organisations An effective team is one that achieves high level of task performance, member satisfaction, and team viability. There are a number of factors that are required to develop effective teamwork, and those factors are: good leadership, effective communication, diversity and plan for disagreement resolution. Leadership is one of the most important parts of teamwork. This means that the team leader have the ability to create and sustain a working culture that is positive, which in turn will help to motivate. For example, Tesco have good leadership and this helps them to motivate and even inspire the team members to get involved in creating a positive working environment, along with high levels of obligation. Tescos team leader not only focuses on their own aim and direction of the team, but also makes sure that the other members of the team share this focus. Also they are capable to promote a high level of morale between the team members so that they feel supported and valued. Tesco train their employees to have good and effective communication because communication is a very important factor of interpersonal interaction. Therefore, one of the key facets of teamwork is open communication, wherein it enables members of the team to expressive their feelings, plans and shares their ideas, and understands each others viewpoints. Also in case of poor communication observed Tescos leaders work around the aspect and make way for effective communication between the team members. Diversity also promotes creativity, innovation, and raises Tescos awareness and respect for differences, which will support effective teamwork. However, team members have a way of saying their opinions without fear of causing offense to anyone. In fact, it is recommendable for the team leader to actually sit with the parties in disagreement and work out the differences between them. However, teamwork can only come about when the team leader sets a task, which can be following by the team members. Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within a given organisation New technology has been introduced into the workplaces. Many organisations see new technology as the means to increase profit and to stay competitive in a marketplace. For example, at Tesco, IT is at the heart of everything they do to make shopping better for customers. New technologies can free up Tescos staff capacity, increase job satisfaction through better communication and improve role responsibilities, by giving different grades of staff an opportunity to take part in new tasks. On the positive side, new technologies have an impact on how staff can be trained and updated. Examples include simulation technology, accessing information via handheld devices, interactive DVDs and online training. Tesco use online technologies because it is easier for staff to access information, share good practice and keep up to date with new research. The use of new technologies can improve and in some cases hinder team functioning. As technology changes teams must update and maintain their knowledge in order to function effectively. E-mail, Mobile phones, groupware and computers are technologies which have improved team functions within an organisation. Tesco use these technologies to improve team functions. Email allows staffs to communication with each other from different place which means that Tesco team members do not need to be in the same place at the same time in order to communicate effectively. They use mobile phones because it allow teams to communicate even when team members are out of the office or otherwise unavailable. However, Tesco use personal computers because it allows their team members to carry out different tasks and communicate more effectively. IT systems play a key role in helping Tescos deliver strong profits and they improved scanners, better self service tills, and checkout cameras were helping it reduce queues. Self-service checkouts now account for a fifth of all of Tesco transactions. Recommendation: This recommendation allowing British Airways and Coca Cola Conclusion: After studying and a analysing the results of this report show that there are

Product Strategy Brief :: essays research papers

PRODUCT STRATEGY BRIEF COMPANY Overview Company’s mission is to revolutionize the way growing businesses communicate. We are a new class of Internet service providing intuitive business Internet management software, Web, and access solutions that require no MIS resources or up front capital expenditures. Everything you need to get your business live on the Internet in about an hour is provided via a monthly service that you never outgrow and is never obsolete. We achieve these objectives by 3 product strategy pillars: Internet Guardian Chief Internet Officer Internet Business Class Situation Review COMPANY realizes that small businesses face a dizzying array of Internet point products, technologies, and purchase options - yet they have no MIS staff to help them develop an Internet strategy or evaluate these options in the level of detail that is necessary. What is worse, is that the rate of technological innovation is increasing! So, many small businesses adopt technology later rather than sooner, and lose competitive advantage, employee productivity, and profits in the meantime. This â€Å"technology paralysis† is exhibited in many different areas - from PCs, to LANs, to operating systems, and to communication technologies like modems. As modems advanced from 300 - 1200 - 2400 - 9600 - 14.4 - 28.8KBS, new applications were possible to increase the productivity of users who in turn used the technology more than ever before - which in turn led to new applications and faster, more secure modem speeds. The recent PRODUCT announcements from COMPANY, COMPANY, COMPANY are the next step in this speed/application/speed progression series aforementioned. However, there are several problems that the media has failed to report on: The ITU has not developed a standard for this new speed class and is not expected to for 12 to 18 months. Each of the modems is incompatible with each other. Therefore, if the user has a different PRODUCT than the ISP, no communication will occur. Many local loop phone infrastructures will not support speed higher than 21KBS - so these modems will not provide any additional speed. Further, there is no way to know this until you get the modem and try it. Ramping up on the technical support side of the equation will take time - which means users are on their own until the ISPs sort this out. Lastly, the battle between the manufacturers addresses a deeper technology issue - namely - modem architecture. COMPANY wants to upgrade modems via PRODUCT while the other suppliers want to continue making PRODUCT sets that can do it all - but can not be upgraded without additional effort - if at all.

Cinderella In Therapy Essay -- essays research papers

Cinderella in Therapy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the movie â€Å"Cinderella,† Cinderella is a maid to an evil stepmother and two very heartless and obnoxious stepsisters. The only reason that Cinderella still puts up with their orders is an example of the Behavioral perspective. The Behavioral Perspective puts emphasis on learning by experience with rewards and punishments. She knows that if she does not do the chores, she will be punished or thrown out of the household. She does not have anywhere to go because her mother and father have passed away. Because Cinderella is a genuinely kind human being who wishes to please, she usually does not stick up for herself against the others in the household. She is used to taking on the brunt of the housework and doesn’t complain of her unfair and lowly position as maid of her own house.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cinderella is a dreamer and dreams about being rescued from the unhappy confinement she is stuck in, and living happily ever after with her prince charming. She believes that the treatment she receives can only get better, so she is still hopeful day after day, through all the severe treatment the house members put her through. The movie does not give much information about her childhood or past memories, so there is not much that we can derive from those aspects of the cognitive perspective. The cognitive perspective puts emphasis on individual potential for growth and the role of unique perceptions in guiding behavi...

Essay --

â€Å"I was crying and all, I don’t know why, but I guess it was because I was feeling so damn depressed and lonesome† (53), Holden says. As humans, we have a hard time belonging in society. This is the same case for Holden Caulfield, the main character from the Catcher in the Rye. The Catcher in the rye, a novel by J.D Salinger, is about Holden, a lost boy in desperate need of help. Throughout the novel, Holden seems to be excluded by the world around him. He continually attempts to try and belong in a world in which he is isolating from. In this novel, Salinger uses symbols such as the red hunting hat, the ducks and Allie’s glove to support the theme, belonging and isolation. In the beginning of the novel, Holden says to Mr. Spencer he feels trapped on the â€Å"other side of life.† This clearly demonstrates how Holden doesn’t feel that he belongs in the world he lives in. Holden has his hunting hat as a source of protection. Holden buys a red hunting hat in New York for a dollar. The hat has a very long peak, and Holden wears it backwards with the peak aiming behind him. â€Å"†¦I swung the old peak way around to the back-very corny, I’ll admit, but I liked it that way† (17), Holden explains. Holden puts his hat on when he’s under a lot of stress. The hunting hat not only symbolizes protection, but it also symbolizes Holden’s uniqueness and individuality. Holden doesn’t wear his hat because it’s fashionable, but only to keep his individuality and to feel safe. In the cab Holden put his hat on and says, â€Å"I’d put my red hunting hat when I was in the cab, just for the hell of it, but I took it off before I checked in† (61). This quote illustrates how Holden thinks it’s necessary to wear the hat in order to feel safe. But at the same time, Holde... ...ing stays frozen and everyone belongs in society. Therefore, during the winter time, the ducks are isolated as once, but they still belong together. Holden is isolated from the people around him and he is more protected within himself. Holden doesn’t know how he is going to make it through his own winter, just like he doesn’t where the ducks will end up during winter. Throughout the end of the novel, Holden isn’t lost anymore. His younger sister, Phoebe helps pick himself right up from isolating. The red hunting helps Holden from isolating. Allies mitt helps Holden bring back all the old memories of his younger brother, Allie. Holden compares himself to the ducks because he feels like he will isolate away from society just like the ducks do during the winter time. Thus, the ducks, Allie’s mitt and the red hunting hat relates to the theme, belonging and isolation.

Iron Crowned Chapter 1

Don't confuse fairy queens with fairy princesses. Where I come from, girls who want to be fairy princesses usually dream about gossamer wings and frilly dresses. Pink dresses, at that. I'm pretty sure rhinestones are part of being a fairy princess too, as are cute wands with stars on top that grant wishes. Fairy princesses expect lovely lives of luxury and lounging, ones that involve small woodland creatures waiting on their every need. As a fairy queen, I can admit that there is a bit more involvement with woodland creatures than one might expect. But the rest? A total joke. Fairies – the kind I deal with, at least – rarely have wings. My wand is made of rough gemstones bound together, and I use it to blast Otherworldly creatures out of existence. I've also whacked a few people in the head with it. My life is dirty, harsh, and deadly, the kind of life no frilly dress could withstand. I wear jeans. Most important, I look horrible in pink. I'm also pretty sure that fairy princesses don't have to deal with this kind of shit first thing in the morning. â€Å"I have killed †¦ Eugenie Markham.† The words rang out loud and clear through a dining room filled with about thirty people eating at round wooden tables. The ceilings were vaulted, and the rough stone walls made it look like part of a medieval castle because †¦ well, it kind of was. Most of the morning diners were soldiers and guards, but a few were officials and high-ranking servants who lived and worked within the castle. Dorian, King of the Oak Land and my bondage-loving Otherworldly boyfriend, sat at the head table and looked up from his breakfast to see who had made such a bold statement. â€Å"I'm sorry, did you say something?† The speaker, standing on the other side of the table, turned as red as the uniform he wore. He looked about twenty-something in human years, meaning he was probably a hundred or so in fairy – or gentry, the name I preferred – years. The guy bit his lip and straightened his posture, making another attempt at dignity as he glared at Dorian. â€Å"I said I killed Eugenie Markham.† The man – a soldier, it appeared – looked around at the faces, no doubt hoping his message would inspire horrified reactions. Mostly his words brought about good-natured confusion, largely because half of the people gathered in the room could see me standing in the hall outside. â€Å"I have killed your queen, and now your armies will crumble. Surrender immediately, and Her Royal Majesty, Queen Katrice of the Rowan Land, will be merciful.† Dorian didn't answer right away and didn't look very concerned. He delicately patted his mouth with a brocade napkin and then returned it to his lap. â€Å"Dead? Are you sure?† He glanced over at a dark-haired woman sitting beside him. â€Å"Shaya, didn't we just see her yesterday?† â€Å"Yes, sire,† replied Shaya, pouring cream into her tea. Dorian brushed autumn-red hair out of his face and returned to cutting up the sugary, almond-coated pastry that was serving as his most important meal of the day. â€Å"Well, there you have it. She can't be dead.† The Rowan soldier stared in disbelief, growing more and more incredulous as people continued to either regard him curiously or simply ignore him altogether. The only person who seemed mildly concerned was an elderly gentry woman sitting on the other side of Dorian. Her name was Ranelle, and she was an ambassador from the Linden Land. She'd only arrived yesterday and clearly wasn't used to the wacky mishaps around here. The soldier turned his attention back to Dorian. â€Å"Are you as insane as they say you are? I killed the Thorn Queen! Look.† He threw down a silver and moonstone necklace. It clattered against the hard, tiled floor, and the pale, iridescent stones just barely picked up some of the morning light. â€Å"I cut this off of her corpse. Now do you believe me?† That brought some silence to the room, and even Dorian paused. It was indeed my necklace, and seeing it made me absentmindedly touch the bare spot on my throat. Dorian wore his perpetually bored expression, but I knew him well enough to guess at the maelstrom of thoughts swirling behind his green eyes. â€Å"If that's true,† Dorian replied at last, â€Å"then why didn't you actually bring us her corpse?† â€Å"It's with my queen,† said the soldier smugly, thinking he'd finally gained ground. â€Å"She kept it as a trophy. If you cooperate, she might release it to you.† â€Å"I don't believe it.† Dorian peered down the table. â€Å"Rurik, will you pass the salt? Ah, thank you.† â€Å"King Dorian,† said Ranelle uneasily, â€Å"perhaps you should pay more attention to what this man has to say. If the queen is dead – â€Å" â€Å"She's not,† said Dorian bluntly. â€Å"And this sauce is delicious.† â€Å"Why don't you believe me?† exclaimed the soldier, sounding oddly childlike. â€Å"Did you think she was invincible? Did you think no one could kill her?† â€Å"No,† admitted Dorian. â€Å"I just don't think you could kill her.† Ranelle tried again. â€Å"My lord, how do you know that the queen isn't – â€Å" â€Å"Because she's standing right there. Will you all shut up now so I can eat in peace?† The interruption – and end to this farce – came from Jasmine, my teenage sister. Like me, she was half human. Unlike me, she was totally unstable and was consequently eating her breakfast while wearing loose but magic-stunting handcuffs. She also had headphones on, and the breakfast debate must have been overpowering her current playlist. Thirty faces turned toward where I stood near the doorway, and there was a mad scramble as almost everyone shoved back their chairs and tried to rise for a hasty bow. I sighed. I'd been comfortable leaning against the wall, resting from a hard night's journey as I watched this absurdity unfolding in my Otherworldly home. The gig was up now. I threw back my shoulders and strode into the dining room, putting on all the queenly airs I could. â€Å"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated,† I announced. I had a feeling I'd messed up the Mark Twain quote, but in this crowd, nobody knew the reference anyway. Most thought I was simply stating the facts. Which, really, I was. The Rowan soldier's flushed face suddenly turned white, his eyes bugging out. He took a few steps backward and glanced uneasily around. There was really nowhere else he could go. I gestured for those who were standing and bowing to sit down as I walked up to my necklace. Picking it up from the floor, I eyed it critically. â€Å"You broke the clasp.† I studied it for a few more moments and then turned my glare on him. â€Å"You broke it when you ripped it off my neck while we were fighting – not when you killed me. Obviously.† I just barely recalled grappling with this guy last night. He'd been one among many. I'd lost him in the midst of the chaos, but apparently, Katrice had decided to send him here with a story after he'd captured this â€Å"evidence.† â€Å"You look amazing for being dead, my dear,† called Dorian. â€Å"You should really come join us and try this sauce that Ranelle brought.† I ignored Dorian, both because he expected me to and because I knew I didn't look so amazing. My clothes were ripped and dirty, and I'd accrued a few cuts in last night's battle. Judging from the haze of red I kept seeing out of the corners of my eyes, I had a feeling my hair was frizzy and sticking up in about a hundred different directions. It was already turning into a hot day, and my stuffy castle was making me sweat profusely. â€Å"No,† gasped the Rowan soldier. â€Å"You can't be alive. Balor swore he saw you fall – he told the queen – â€Å" â€Å"Will you guys stop this already?† I demanded, leaning in close to his face. This made a few of my own guards step nearer, but I wasn't worried. This loser wouldn't try anything, and besides, I could defend myself. â€Å"When is your fucking queen going to stop turning every rumor about Dorian or me dying into some huge proclamation? Haven't you ever heard of habeas corpus? Never mind. Of course you haven't.† â€Å"Actually,† piped in Dorian. â€Å"I know Latin.† â€Å"It won't work anyway,† I growled to the Rowan guy. â€Å"Even if I were dead, it's not going to stop our kingdoms from trampling yours.† That pulled him out of his stupefied state. Fury lit his features – fury spiked with a little bit of insane zeal. â€Å"You half-breed bitch! You're the one who's going to be blighted from existence! You, the Oak King, and everyone else who lives in your cursed lands. Our queen is mighty and great! Already she's in negotiations with the Aspen and Willow Lands to unite against you! She will grind you with her foot and take this land, take it and – â€Å" â€Å"Can I kill him? Please?† This was Jasmine. Her gray eyes looked at me pleadingly, and she'd taken the headphones off. What should have been teenage sarcasm was actually deadly seriousness. It was days like these I regretted keeping her in the Otherworld, rather than sending her back to live with humans. Surely it wasn't too late for reform school. â€Å"I haven't killed any of your people, Eugenie. You know I haven't. Let me do something to him. Please.† â€Å"He's under a truce flag,† replied Shaya automatically. Protocol was her specialty. Dorian turned toward her. â€Å"Blast it, woman! I've told you to stop letting them in with immunity. Wartime rules be damned.† Shaya only smiled, unconcerned by his mock outrage. â€Å"But he is protected,† I said, suddenly feeling exhausted. Last's night battle – more of a skirmish, really – had ended in a draw between my armies and Katrice's. It was incredibly frustrating, making the loss of life on both sides seem totally pointless. I beckoned some of my guards forward. â€Å"Get him out of here. Put him on a horse, and don't send him with any water. Let's hope the roads are kind to him today.† The guards bowed obediently, and I turned back to Katrice's man. â€Å"And you can let Katrice know that she's wasting her time, no matter how often she wants to claim she's killed me – or even if she manages it. We're still going to see this war through, and she's the one who's going to lose. She's outnumbered and out-resourced. She started this over a personal fight, and no one else is going to help her with it. Tell her that if she surrenders immediately, then maybe we'll be merciful.† The Rowan soldier glared at me, his malice palpable, but offered no response. The best he could manage was to spit on the ground before the guards dragged him off. With another sigh, I turned away and looked at the breakfast table. They'd already brought up a chair for me. â€Å"Is there any toast?† I asked, sitting down wearily. Toast was not a common item on the gentry menu, but the servants here had gotten used to my human preferences. They still couldn't make decent tequila, and Pop-Tarts were totally out of the question. But toast? Toast was within their skill set. Someone handed a basket of it to me, and everyone continued eating peacefully. Well, almost everyone. Ranelle was staring at all of us like we were crazy, which I could understand. â€Å"How can you be so calm?† she exclaimed. â€Å"After that man just – just – and you †¦Ã¢â‚¬  She looked me over in amazement. â€Å"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but your attire †¦ You've clearly been in battle. Yet, here you are, sitting as though this is all perfectly ordinary.† I gave her a cheerful look, not wanting to offend our guest or project a weak image. I'd just arrogantly told the Rowan soldier that his queen would never gain any allies, but his comment about her negotiating with the Aspen and Willow Lands hadn't been lost on me. Katrice and I were both scrambling for allies in this war. Dorian was mine, giving me the edge in numbers right now, and I didn't want to risk any chance of that changing. Dorian caught my eye and gave me one of his small, laconic smiles. It warmed me up, easing a little of the frustration I felt. Some days, it seemed like he was all that was going to get me through this war I'd inadvertently stumbled into. I'd never wanted it. I'd never wanted to be queen of a fey kingdom either, forcing me to split my time between here and my human life in Tucson. I certainly hadn't wanted to be at the center of a prophecy that claimed I'd give birth to humanity's conqueror, a prophecy that had driven Katrice's son to rape me. Dorian had killed him for it, something I still didn't regret, even though I hated every day of the war that had followed in the killing's wake. I couldn't tell Ranelle any of that, of course. I wanted to send her back to her land with an image of confidence and power, so that her king would think allying with us was a smart move. A brilliant move, even. I couldn't tell Ranelle my fears. I couldn't tell her how much it hurt me to see refugees showing up at my castle, poor petitioners whose homes had been destroyed by the war. I couldn't tell her that Dorian and I took turns visiting the armies and fighting with them – and how on those nights, the one who wasn't fighting never got any sleep. Despite his flippancy, I knew Dorian had felt a spark of fear at the Rowan soldier's initial claim. Katrice was always trying to demoralize us. Both Dorian and I feared that someday, one of her heralds would show up telling the truth. It made me want to run away with him right now, run away from all of this and just wrap myself up in his arms. But again, I reminded myself that I had to brush those thoughts away. Leaning over, I gave Dorian a soft kiss on his cheek. The smile I offered Ranelle was as winning and upbeat as one he might produce. â€Å"Actually,† I told her. â€Å"This is a pretty ordinary day for us.† The sad part? It was true.

Microsoft vs Red Hat Linux Essay

As a customer, I’d prefer the system of Red Hat (despite how the program look and operate) because obviously, it’s free of charge. Also because it releases the updated version every 4-6 months as the article mentioned. However, in my opinion, in term of business model, Microsoft, the monopoly, has a more sustainable business plan. The traditional way of employing high skilled programmers is certainly ensure the persistent development of the company. Moreover, from the customer’s point of view, even though, they have to pay a fixed software package in the beginning, but there’re no other expenses such as consulting like Red Hat. Moreover, the free technical support also make Microsoft has a higher position in the market. In addition, statistically, Microsoft has outstanding profit-making revenue for the past years. Linux, on the other hand, has a possibility of getting bigger in terms of revenue. Still, as I have said, volunteer programmers are not very reliable. Not only the success is terms of revenue, Microsoft has a better brand image because it has been in the market for so long and has so many loyal customers globally. Even though, Red Hat is trying to differentiate by focusing more on the small business, but Microsoft’s strategy is still ahead of it because it provided its service/product to a larger based customers. I’m sure that Red Hat isn’t the first competitor Microsoft has ever had, but it has overcome all of them. Because of all the reason mentioned above, Microsoft will remain the Monopoly in the market for still quite a long while. Michael E. Porter Michael E. Porter is a leading strategist who has a comprehensive understanding about economy and economic development of a nation. He invented the Competitive Strategy called â€Å"Porter’s Five Forces Model†. He is now currently the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor, based at Harvard Business School. Professor Porter is generally known as the father of modern strategy field, and also identified as the world’s most influential thinker on management and competitiveness. His works included 18 books and over 125 articles published in leading newspaper and business magazine. Professor Porter was actually graduated with high honors in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Princeton University, and continued with M. B. A with George F. Baker Scholar from Harvard Business School, also a Ph. D. in Business Economics from Harvard University as well. Porter’s Five Forces Model As I have mentioned, it’s a model about the competitiveness of a company by Michael E. Porter. It is a very well-known model in order to find the environment of a firm and also factors that influence the uncertainty. It states not only to win over your competitors but also to unite and work together between firms in term of partnership. One of the reasons why this model is well recognized is that it works from small to large company. The Five Forces in the model are Rivalry among current competitors, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of customers, threat of substitute products or services, and threat of new entrants.