Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Supply chain management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supply chain management - Essay Example Carter and Rogers (2008) define Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) as the strategic, transparent integration and achievement of an organization’s social, environmental, and economic goals in the systematic coordination of key interoganziational business processes for improving the long-term economic performance of the individual company and its supply chains (cited in Panayiotou & Aravosis, 2011; p.59). Two supply chain types have been identified such as supply-chains driven by lean, cost, and efficiency and supply chains driven by agility, pace and service (Cetinkaya et al, 2011). In order for companies to stay competitive in their SCM, it is important that they customize their supply chains according to the need and competition. The most widely recognized SSCM approach is the triple-bottom line approach which consider the economic, environmental and social contributions or impact that supply chains can make. The best known example of such a SSCM is that followed by S tarbucks Corporation. Starbucks’ purchasing philosophy has brought a complete shift in the way supply chain operated. Their purchasing philosophy considers their farmers, their customers and their business through their Coffee And Farmer Equity Practices (C.A.F.E).

Monday, July 22, 2019

Single Unemployed Mothers (Demographic Paper) Essay Example for Free

Single Unemployed Mothers (Demographic Paper) Essay A mother is a tough job at hand, but thinks for a second about a mother who is unemployed as well as a mother with an absent parent; the issue is many within one. The state of Michigan is experiencing an all-time high increase of unemployed people, suffering in poverty. The question at hand is how the demographic issue is affecting the society, relatively the health care market. Identify target population The demographics of the topic; single unemployed mothers within our nation as of 2008 were 84. 5 million and 9.9million were single moms with no help from the absent parent, according to the 2008 Census Bureau. However a single unemployed mother in Michigan has been, and is currently a huge growing issue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the highest unemployed mothers are the minority, African Americans women, and Hispanic women. The report stated which single unemployed African American mothers increase within June till July from 11.8 percent to 12.9 percent; whereas the statistics for single unemployed Hispanics were 11 percent to 12.1 percent. The following statistics is based within the demographic population of the state of Michigan. However when you break the statistics down to a city, the numbers seems closer to reality. In saying you’re able to comprehend the issue at hand a bit more Maternal and Infant Well-Being Michigan. (2011, July 8). Gathered Information about the Population Statistics on single unemployed mothers within in the city of Grand Rapids Michigan reports, from the Institute for Research on Poverty states that the increase of poverty is rising extremely high in Grand Rapids. The League of Human Services states that 40% of births in Grand Rapids are to unwed mothers researched in 2010. However the percentage has increased from 2010 to 2012 by 20 percent. This goes into explaining the demographics further, in which reports out of every 3 births, 2 of which are to an unwed moms aging in her early 20’s Mothers by the Numbers. (2012, September 17). Demographics effects the HealthCare market According to the Kids Count of Michigan, unmarried woman are more likely to give birth into poverty, born in poverty may lead to health problems as well as educational problems. Living within poverty affects the person enduring the process as well as others. Being poor and less unfortunate affects the healthcare economy, by increasing the dollar amount for healthcare coverage. Not only does it increase the dollar amount for covering services/ treatments for those that are not able to afford, but it also puts a demand on the services, the physicians, and providers. The increase of Medicaid is looking as if we may enter a debt that no one is ready for. The demand for healthcare is vital, the government is doing the best to their ability, and however it is making younger people with a job work harder. As a result of them working harder, the taxes they pay into is going to those that are less fortunate. In my opinion to this topic, I’m fearful that the government is paying close a ttention to our debt and healthcare needs, and am totally excluding the attention our education needs. Overall the general effect of single unemployed mothers have on the healthcare market is that, because of the current demographics of the population the healthcare market has to work harder to stay out of debt. Changes in the population may help the healthcare market In 2009 Obama stated that he wanted to set up a plan to target the Department of Education to increase the financial aid packages for unemployed people so that they can get ahead, while still unemployed. The plan was to increase the pell-grant, so that the people that qualify can have extra funds to care for other things such as medical and housing expenses. The pell-grant was to increase from $500 to $5,350 as of May 2009. It three years later and Obama kept his word, however it has not drastically made a difference in Michigan. Michigan has made changes far as programs reaching out to help single unemployed mothers, such as Michigan Works/educational programs, food assistance programs, housing assistance, and also funding to cover child care expenses. Michigan Works is an education program that provides educational job trainings, skill building, it is an overall resource center. The food assistant program provided by the Human Services grant, is a program in which provides an additional funds to those that qualify for more food funding for their child within the school year, as well as the summer. Housing assistant is a program that provides housing expense vouchers, to cover the funding of rent to those that qualify. However this particular program is tedious, the waiting list to receive such a voucher is extremely high, the wait on some list are years behind. So in saying the changes that have been made are not helping the healthcare market by much. Identify HealthCare Related Changes Some changes that have been identified within Grand Rapids due to the issue of single unemployed mothers are longer lines in the emergency rooms, the increase amount of citizens on Medicaid, the increase amount of discrimination from providers because of Medicaid, and lastly the cost of them both. The increase of emergency room visits is due to the fact that so many people lack healthcare coverage, in a result of the E.R visit is due to having no family physician. The second healthcare related change that has been identified is, the increasing amount of citizens applying for Medicaid. The demand of Medicaid is so high, that the government is screening everyone to figure out who needs the assistant the most. Can you imagine someone getting declined for coverage, due to the fact that the government may assume that he or she can afford to pay other healthcare insurance rather than governmental assistance? What if this person is overlooked and their assistance went to an illegal immigrant, but in actuality they really needed the help, but were overlooked! Providers are now discriminating against those that have Medicaid. Providers are screening the intake of those that have governmental funding due to the fact that the expenses the government is willing to pay, is far from the rate they charge. So in saying when they accept a patient who has Medicaid they are losing money Michigan State Medical Society Legislative Meeting (2013, February 13). A Chronic Disease Wellness Program Conducting a chronic disease wellness program may affect the demographic cost, in a positive way. Most wellness programs are free of charge, so it would not hurt for a single unemployed mom to attend a program of such. The program of educating mothers of such a thing may bring the healthcare cost down. Practicing good eating and exercising habits may bring the emergency visits down, in which will bring the demand of services down. Not only is this programming an incentive for the economy, but it is also a networking incentive for employment. When people gather together you may not know who is among you that can help the next person. Marketing Needs Dealing with such a demographic as this, marketing to this type of population tells us that it would have to be creative. Marketing by telephone or the internet may be tricking, due to the fact that the population is a single unemployed parent. Having a telephone and or the internet is not at the top of the priority list, so in saying many may not posse these things. So advertising and marketing should be by mail, on the news, and visual billboards. Addressing Challenges to the population The society could continue to express the issues about single unemployed mothers. Not only to continue to get the word out about the struggle their enduring but stressing the fact that employment is needed in this area of Grand Rapids Michigan. In conclusion, it is noble to help those in need. Being a mother is a tough job at hand, but think for a second about a mother that is unemployed as well as a mother with an absent parent; the issue is many within one. The state of Michigan is experiencing an all-time high increase of unemployed people, suffering in poverty. The question at hand is how the demographic issue is affecting the society, relatively the healthcare market. The moral of the reading is how can you play a part or how can u be a servant of God and help those who are less fortunate than you? Reference Page Unemployment hits single mothers, minority women hardest. (2010, August 24). Retrieved from MLIVE Grand Rapids Press website: http://www.mlive.com/news/grandrapids/index.ssf/2010/08/unemployment_hits_single_mothe.html Michigan State Medical Society Legislative Meeting. (2013, February 13). Retrieved from Kent County Medical Society Allience website: http://www.kcmsalliance.org/legislative.html Mothers by the Numbers. (2012, September 17). Retrieved from Info Please website: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/momcensus1.html Maternal and Infant Well-Being Michigan. (2011, July 8). Retrieved from Institute of Research Poverty website: http://www.irp.wisc.edu/dispatch/2011/07/08/maternal-and-infant-well-being-michigan

Quantitative Risk Assessment Essay Example for Free

Quantitative Risk Assessment Essay For the project of redesigning packing for the Canadian market, quantitative risk assessment plays an important role. Quantitative risk assessment is, â€Å"A process for assigning a numeric value to the probability of loss based on known risks and available, objective data†¦ used to determine potential direct and indirect costs to the company based on values assigned to company assets and their exposure to risk† (InvestorWords.com, 2014). For this particular project, quantitative risk assessment will be useful in determining not only which are areas of potential risk, but also to what degree these risks may affect the overall integrity of the project. Revised Project Background The project of the redesign of packaging for the Canadian market currently consists of four different product lines including Dial, Tone, Right Guard, and Dry Idea, and consists of over 50 variants spanning the four lines. Each new packaging design is independent of every other thus there exists no interdependency from design to the next. Each design observes a similar path consisting of initial review of changes, alterations, and additions by management, marketing, and the design team, initial layout of established changes by the design team followed by a first round review of changes by marketing, legal, management and compliance. If additional changes are required, a second round of design and review is implemented up to two additional rounds as needed. Upon successful acknowledgement of new designs, the artwork is then sent to our preproduction team for development to printer-ready artwork. Once completed, the artwork is sent to a third party production house for mockups to be created to be sent to the parent  company in Germany for final approval. If any designs are rejected (and they never are), commentary from Germany is implemented into further redesign and the process is restarted. Upon approval from Germany, artwork is submitted to the printer. Printer will then submit print-ready, color-calibrated proofs for final approval. Proofs are reviewed by management for final approval before actual printing. Once printed, packaging is sent to a fulfillment house to have labels applied to containers and filled with product or have wraps applied to soap bars. Upon completion of fulfillment, finished product is shipped to various holding facilities in Canada for final disposition. As previously stated, project will span eight months from inception to final delivery. Risk Identification Framework Management Delays: As the majority of the work for this project involves objective changes and adjustments to existing packaging, the first phase, initial review by management, involves nominal risk. Management will evaluate and select which products will receive updated treatment for inclusion into the Canadian market. Once the products are selected, management has no further involvement outside of potential cancellations of various packaging designs or their requested involvement during a particular phase of completion. Design Delays: As this project includes approximately 50 variants of packaging including labels and wraps, production must be coordinated to allow for enough time for completion of initial layouts and any necessary revisions, while taking into consideration the design needs and time constrains on the design team from other departments and for other projects running concurrently. While the project has a timeline of eight months, final design layouts must be approved and ready for preproduction within the first four months of the project. The in-house design team will complete the bulk of the design phase of the project, though external design agencies may be utilized if time constraints are threatened. It should be noted that the use of external design agencies would incur additional costs. Also, the design process will require an initial review before being released to the review team for official review, to ensure all parameters have been incorporated. Review Delays: This area constitutes the bulk of all potential delays. While each packaging component is independent of one  another, the review process for each component must be completed sequentially among the review team. There are five departments that will review each design layout and either approve or denote changes. Some of these potential changes are subject to additional changes or cancellations by other departments, meaning the first team may indicate several changes that the third team can then override if the indicated changes are deemed unnecessary. Also, the number of rounds of review may add potential delays to the overall project. Another potential area of delay exists with the timely completion of review by the required departments. Certain key staff may be unavailable to review a packaging design during a given time period. To circumvent potential risks, each member of the review staff will have two alternative staff members capable of reviewing each package design. Should no staff members be available to review, the particular review component is submitted to the manager of the appropriate department for their review. This becomes a last-resort scenario in that traditionally, managers indicate changes that exist outside the scope of the project. Review delays present unique difficulties in that not every team member provides feedback as to their daily availability. Pre-Production and Printing Delays: The preproduction team will transition the artwork from its final design to printer-ready artwork. There is typically no risk for delay in this area. The printer will then produce a final round of art proofs calibrated to their individual presses. One round of revisions is already assumed and build into this process. Additional revisions are not typical though can present a nominal risk. Corporate Delays: While exceeding unusual, corporate can play a small role in delaying a project by canceling one or more packaging designs, adding addition package designs above and beyond what management has previously approved, or by simply delaying the provision of final approval on all finished designed submitted. While these scenarios are unlikely, they do represent the extreme limit of delay-related risk in that they can affect the project for an indeterminate amount of time. Qualified and Quantified Risk Matrix Review Delays Reduce Risk Consistent communication with key reviewers. Engage alternate reviews if primary reviews are unavailable. Enlist managers is alternate reviewers are unavailable. Greater than two days review time by each responsible team member. Project Manager Pre-Production and Printing Delays Reduce Risk Constant communication with pre-production team and printer will reduce or eliminate risks. Buffers in timing are already built into production times. Delays indicated by pre-production team or printer. References Cooper, D. F., Grey, S., Raymond, G., Walker, P. (2005). Project risk management guidelines: Managing risk in large projects and complex procurements. West Sussex, England: John Wiley Sons. InvestorWords.com. (2014). quantitative risk assessment. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.investorwords.com/19179/quantitative_risk_assessment.html Loch, C. H., DeMeyer, A., Pich, M. T. (2006). Managing the unknown: A new approach to managing high uncertainty and risk in projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Android-based English Grammar Checker with Voice Recognition

Android-based English Grammar Checker with Voice Recognition ABSTRACT In this paper, the Researchers describe an Android-based Voice Recognition system that acts as a grammar checker specifically geared to the needs of non-native speakers who are willing to learn and be familiarized with English language. This paper also examines how wrong usage of grammar can affect the communication of people both orally and in writing. Most commercial grammar checkers on the market today are meant to be used by native speakers of a language who have good intuitions about their own language competence. These tools were made to help native speakers who were not fluent in other language, thus making their outputs grammatically correct. However, these errors vary from one another, the reason why different grammar checkers are designed for different specific needs. The grammar checking component uses island processing rather than a full parse. This approach is both rapid and appropriate when a text contains many errors. In this research, it aims to develop a complete voi ce-based English grammar checker application that will help non-native speakers that want to learn and to speak English fluently. The focus of this paper is the grammar checking component. This approach is both useful and more efficient, since it directly corrects the grammar by translating the voice into text. The system also used Internet Search Engines that will provide examples of how the content of the voice into text segment can be expressed in a grammatically correct and idiomatic way. This application can help people having a hard time in expressing themselves using the English Language. KEYWORDS Voice Recognition, Grammar Checker, Android, Natural Language Processing, Mobile, Application, Vocabulary, Grammar INTRODUCTION One of the common reasons of miscommunication is due to wrong choice of words, resulting to poor grammar. Poor grammar later results of miscommunication or worse, someone with bad grammar was often insulted or shamed by people. To avoid these, word-processing systems are developed at the present time already include grammar checkers that are used to locate different grammatical errors in a text. These tools were made to help native speakers who were not fluent in another language, thus making their outputs grammatically correct. It is also intended to help its researchers to write texts in English, which is not their language. Although their command of the language is generally acceptable, most of them do not feel confident about their correctness and the expressiveness of their writing. However, these errors vary from one another, the reason why different grammar checkers are designed for different specific needs. Internet provides a boundless number of documents in English so the main function of the checker is the use of an Internet search engine that detects the text segments that are not found on any web pages. But most of these tools were aimed to help native speakers to check their English grammar, but what about Filipino and other citizens who are not fluent in speaking in English Language? How can one point out his or her grammar mistakes when they are trying to write a paper in our language? We designed an Android application for grammar-checking in English Language by using voice recognition. This android application aims to help the users that wants to learn English Language fluently and at the same time, it can help to improve their English vocabulary and grammar. The system will require the user to record a voice message. After the recording, the system will translate the message into text. There will be two buttons, the record again and go. If the text output is wrong, the user should press the record again button and if the text output is correct, the user can proceed. The system will now check the grammar. For example, the user recorded â€Å"Matt like Fish†. The text output was correct, so the user pressed go. The system will now process the grammar checking and after a few seconds, the system will give the corrected result via text output which is â€Å"Matt likes Fish.† In order to find out the common errors usually done by users, we conducted a survey among potential users around the New Era University, specifically some Filipino students who are a bit struggling when it comes to speaking English fluently. We ranked the results by percentage so that we know what we should be focusing on. A total of 30 respondents participated in the survey. DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPONENTS Internet search engine Grammar Checker Internet Search engine The checker used the Wordnet 3.0 engine, a lexical database for the English Language. It arranges English words into sets of synonyms called synsets. The engines used to find the search results for a text segment are Google and Yahoo. Grammar Checker Part of a system that verify written text for grammatical correctness. The implementation of a grammar checker makes use of Natural Language Processing. Once the grammar checker has been active, the text which is based on the voice recorded by the user will undergo a number of stages. It is separated into sentences and words. The individual words are then looked up in the internet. It includes all the words that occur in the system with all its possible usage. METHODOLOGY The table shows the results of the survey. With this table, we are now informed about the common mistakes that the potential users might commit. This table will help us to distinguish and to focus more on the most common error to help the users more efficiently. The common error that had the highest percentage is the improper structure of English sentences. Next is the improper use of verbs. Third is an improper classification of Noun. Fourth is the improper combinations of certain words, fifth is incorrect use of Adjectives and lastly, is improper use of Adverbs. This application will help the users construct English sentences which are grammatically correct. In this way, the users will learn their mistakes and at the same time, learn how to speak and write in English fluently. The following table gives the percentages of errors found in the surveys conducted. Table 1. Error Percentage SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE Figure 1 Grammar Checker Architecture Figure 1 shows the architecture of the system. It shows the flow of the system and how the system works and also how to gain and give a possible output of the application. Figure 1.2 Voice Recognition In this picture, it shows the stress of the user’s recorded voice and translates it into text. The system will recognize the voice and checks its grammar in the process. After that, the user will now find out his/her mistakes and the system will provide the correct grammar. METHODOLOGY RELATED WORKS Automatic voice recognition has a long history speech processing. Automatic speech recognitioncan bedefinedas the independent, computer-driven transcription of spoken language into readable text in real time (Stuckless, 1994). There is a lot of research has been done for Android applications including Speech Analysis and Natural Language Processing. Voice Recognition today is still improving as additional uses for the technology are developed. The applied voice analysis to conclude activities happened around a user. Voice Recognition Technology can set up to depend on tools known as grammar models that help minimize the data required to recognize the signals. DESIGN AND ALGORITHM ANALYSIS The eCheck: An Android-based English Grammar Checker Using Voice Recognition is designed to guide and help not only Filipino citizens, but also other people that want to learn English fluently and at the same time, improve their English vocabulary and grammar skills. SYSTEM OVERVIEW As stated in this study, the Researchers applied the same basic principles as they have adopted before, however, the Researchers considered a chart to show the flow of the system and to show how our application work. The Researchers also tried to measure the connection of each sentence in the message of the set of categories in our study. Once the grammar checker has been activated, the text which is based on the voice recorded by the user will undergo a number of stages. It is separated into sentences and words. The individual words are then looked up in the dictionary (see Burnage 1990). It includes all the words that occur in the system with all its possible usage. There are some words that are the same, but has a different meaning. In this sense our dictionary is not a simplified type. It is vast but simply a shorter version. CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATIONS The capability and reliability of the Voice Recognition technology have been ever-growing. With more attention and implementation into the world’s most common operating devices, this technology will continue to develop. The Overall evaluation of this application is very helpful, especially to the Filipino citizens. This application can generate data that can give answers to their grammar and speaking concerns, With the advancement of technology, doing a grammar check and spelling is easier than you think. It no longer requires hitting the books and having lots of thesauruses or dictionaries at hand. The Researchers recommend this application for non-native speakers having a hard time in expressing themselves using the English Language.This application can be used for the business and transactions that requires them to speak in English. Because this application can help them to learn more about the English Language by just speaking and by knowing the grammar proper and the right pronunciation of it. There are many features of English that make it fun and interesting to learn. The Researchers also recommend this application to Everyone who wants to learn the proper grammar in English, for them to improve, to gain more knowledge and to fully develop their speaking and also grammar concerns in their own language. By using this application, they are just like having a tutor and a grammar book. The Researchers also recommend that if this study continues to improve, it is needed to be developed and implemented because these tools were made to help native speakers who were not fluent in English language and to discover more about it.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Primary Education in Uganda - A Policy Analysis Essay -- A Level Essays

Primary Education in Uganda - A Policy Analysis Over the past five years, Uganda’s education system has proved both effective and successful. Although in the process of further development, it has nonetheless served as a model for many developing African countries. The Ugandan government, with President Yoweri Museveni at its forefront, has determined primary education to be one of the major channels toward poverty eradication and as a vital resource for economic and social development. The Ugandan government has made a national commitment to eradicate illiteracy and educate its citizens through the 1997 initiative, Universal Primary Education (UPE). All levels of government, the private sector, grass-root organizations, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), community and church leaders, international aid agencies, and international governments have been major players in Uganda’s universal primary education policy and continue to structure the policy in ways to benefit Ugandans, whi le simultaneously protecting their own interests. Unfortunately with such an enormous national commitment and the underlying interests of the many contributors, there were many shortages in the realistic policy as experienced by Ugandans. I argue that these shortages, which ultimately affect the quality of primary education, can be linked to inadequacies in the deliberations, monitoring, evaluation, and feedback of Ugandan education policy; once these areas are reformed, a more comprehensive education system can be re-established. Rapid educational expansion has taken place in Uganda since its independence in 1962. Following independence, education was regarded as a means through which individuals could advance in society... ...ducation Network Newsletter No.4: United Kingdom www.eenet.org.uk/newsletters/new4/p7.shtml 11. Robert, Kakooza. â€Å"Education in Uganda.† 21st Century Schoolhouse Online. www.21cs.org/magazine/uganeduc.htm 12. Short, Claire. â€Å"Claire Short Announces  £67 Million for Education in Uganda.† UK Department of International Development Press Release 54/98 – 10/1998 www.dfid.gov.uk/PressRelease/files/pr1oct.htm 13. Teskey, Graham and Richard Hooper. â€Å"Uganda Education Strategies Investment Programme: Case Study,† Department for International Development: Nairobi, 8/1999 14. Three Years After Jomtien: EFA in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region. Ed. Wright, C. and Rangacher Govinda. UNESCO: International Institute for Educational Planning: Paris, 1994 15. â€Å"Uganda – Education.† http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/NEH/u-edu.htmlAppendix Primary Education in Uganda - A Policy Analysis Essay -- A Level Essays Primary Education in Uganda - A Policy Analysis Over the past five years, Uganda’s education system has proved both effective and successful. Although in the process of further development, it has nonetheless served as a model for many developing African countries. The Ugandan government, with President Yoweri Museveni at its forefront, has determined primary education to be one of the major channels toward poverty eradication and as a vital resource for economic and social development. The Ugandan government has made a national commitment to eradicate illiteracy and educate its citizens through the 1997 initiative, Universal Primary Education (UPE). All levels of government, the private sector, grass-root organizations, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), community and church leaders, international aid agencies, and international governments have been major players in Uganda’s universal primary education policy and continue to structure the policy in ways to benefit Ugandans, whi le simultaneously protecting their own interests. Unfortunately with such an enormous national commitment and the underlying interests of the many contributors, there were many shortages in the realistic policy as experienced by Ugandans. I argue that these shortages, which ultimately affect the quality of primary education, can be linked to inadequacies in the deliberations, monitoring, evaluation, and feedback of Ugandan education policy; once these areas are reformed, a more comprehensive education system can be re-established. Rapid educational expansion has taken place in Uganda since its independence in 1962. Following independence, education was regarded as a means through which individuals could advance in society... ...ducation Network Newsletter No.4: United Kingdom www.eenet.org.uk/newsletters/new4/p7.shtml 11. Robert, Kakooza. â€Å"Education in Uganda.† 21st Century Schoolhouse Online. www.21cs.org/magazine/uganeduc.htm 12. Short, Claire. â€Å"Claire Short Announces  £67 Million for Education in Uganda.† UK Department of International Development Press Release 54/98 – 10/1998 www.dfid.gov.uk/PressRelease/files/pr1oct.htm 13. Teskey, Graham and Richard Hooper. â€Å"Uganda Education Strategies Investment Programme: Case Study,† Department for International Development: Nairobi, 8/1999 14. Three Years After Jomtien: EFA in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region. Ed. Wright, C. and Rangacher Govinda. UNESCO: International Institute for Educational Planning: Paris, 1994 15. â€Å"Uganda – Education.† http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/NEH/u-edu.htmlAppendix

Friday, July 19, 2019

Analysis of Shawshank Redemption Essay -- Essays on Film, Movies

The movie of the Shawshank Redemption is based on a short story by Steven King. The movie shows how prison life affects prisoners during their sentence in jail and after when they are released. The director concentrates mostly on the personal cost of adapting to prison life and how some convicts, once they conform, lose the ability to survive beyond the barbed wire and iron bars. As a character puts it, ‘These [prison] walls are funny. First you hate them, then you get used to them, then you start to depend on them.’ The director shows us to what extent prisoners can be made to ‘depend on them’. The two episodes that I will analyse are examples of two different ‘paths’ prisoners can take once released from prison. One is to survive and live their life, another is to give up and end it. In the movie Red, a prisoner at Shawshank says, ‘get busy living or get busy dying’. This quote plays an important role in the movie because Red and Brooks, two important characters who get out of jail have to make the choice to either ‘get busy living or get busy dying’. Red and Brooks are characters with many similar traits and have gone through many of the same circumstances. Both entered the confines of Shawshank Prison youths but left its walls as old men. They have seen many prisoners come in and out. They spent decades behind the dull enclosure and got used to it. They have adapted themselves to the concepts of routine, forced conformity, power abuse and have lost all elements of individuality within themselves. Red says â€Å"you come here for your life and that’s exactly what they take from you†. The episodes of the release of both men contri... ...ds hug, the camera pulls back, revealing the wide, distant horizon of the blue Pacific with no end in sight. No longer are the Red and Andy confined by walls and iron bars nor watched on by guards. Both are free. Brooks had attained the limits at prison, he had become institutionalised and once released had found the only way out was death. Red, on the other hand, had hoped, and hope had led him to freedom, to happiness, to redemption. Through the themes and the cinematic decisions applied in these two episodes the director has made these vital to the understanding of the movie. He has given two examples of the extreme situations to which prisoners go depending on their emotions. One of the emotions is yet one of the main themes of the movie, hope, and in my opinion it has been brought up extremely effectively.

The Story of Medusa :: essays research papers

There are many variations of the story of Medusa. Yet, I find this one more detailed and precise. Medusa is apart of the chain of Greek Mythology, these stories, or legends are not real and usually said to get a point across, or entertainment. Medusa also shows the relationship the society had with women at that time. Medusa was a Gorgon, The Gorgon's where three sisters, daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. Their names where Stethno, Euryale, and Medusa. Stethno and Euryale where immortal, however Medusa was a mortal. The three sisters where known to be so ugly, if anyone looked at them they would be killed instantly. Medusa was a Queen who reigned in the land around Tritons in Libya. She used to be a beautiful Maiden and Triton fell in love with her. Medusa, after her encounter with Triton, Athena, turned into an ugly woman with snakes as hair, and anyone that looked upon her would turn into stone. Medusa had this spell cast upon her by Athena because, Medusa and Poseidon where caught sleeping together in one of Athena's temples. Athena then became very angry and in her rage, turned Medusa into an ugly woman. Thus, as the story goes Perseus (the son of Andromeda and Zeus), is assigned to assassinate Medusa. He kills her by coming to her in her sleep, then using a mirror looks to see her face, careful not to look at her, he cuts her head off. The blood that splurged from her neck made the country of Libya infested, because her blood turned into snakes. It is also said that Heracles is said to have obtained a lock of Medusa's hair, which possessed the same power as her head, from Athena. He gave it to Sterope, the daughter of Cepheus, as protection for the town of Tegea against attack. When exposed to view, the lock was supposed to bring on a storm, which put the enemy to flight. In my mind Medusa has many different symbolic qualities.