Project Management Essay Example for Free

Project Management Essay 1. Executive Summary This business plan for R.E.A.L. Girlz Clothing Store has been created by an ESN to secure additional funding for growth and to inform retailers and consumers of the current status and direction. R.E.A.L. Girlz Clothing Store is a new company that is launching in Houston, Texas. The company anticipates great demand for its product, and research shows that the target market of families and plus size girls would like to buy the product line that R. E.A.L. Girlz Clothing Store offers. R.E.A.L. Girlz Clothing Store is also interested in extending their product line with new creative additions and plans to explore opportunities for online selling. The marketing environment has been very receptive to the company’s high quality products. In the future, R.E.A.L. Girlz Clothing Store looks to increase its distribution, offer new products, and win new customers. Goals Definition Statement Goal Definition This proposal design project will be the first major strategic design that we will apply to our original concept and designs. The design will consist of girls plus size designs, accessories of all colors and patterns to match clothing. Our goal is to create trendy designs of clothing and accessories that will consist of tops, pants, outerwear, active wear, shoes, under garments, purses, and accessories. R.E.A.L. Girlz Clothing Store fashions will provide a high quality product where the image is recognizable among the young fashion conscience consumers. It will create a sense of community among plus size girls and their families who purchase the product. Goals that address our mission: The major focus of this project is to seek to be the leading brand of quality clothing for plus size girls by offering clothing designed with them in mind. * Provide plus size girls with the most dynamic clothing line where styles are contemporary, trendy and just as fashionable as their counterparts. * Clothing creating a boost of self-esteem and an opportunity to show how proud they are to be plus size girls. Goals that address self-sustainment: With this project in place we expect to: * To gain maximum market share over the first five years * To track cost and find ways of lowering them to make our product more competitive in the market place * To analyze the advertising dollars spent * Develop a successful Internet site, while maintaining strong relationships with retailers * Introduce two new product lines—customized logo clothing and accessories Objective Definition * Performance: Looking forward at our five year plan, we expect this new design to provide revenue. The expected amount of revenue the company wishes to make annually is $80,000. A market survey will be conducted so that we will see how our product will place values with our consumers. * Cost Estimate: Designing plans include, materials, manufacturers, distribution, which expected estimate could be $120,000 on an annual basis. * Total Project Cost: $400,000.00 * Schedule: Project duration expected to be five years PROJECT OBJECTIVES * To have a plus size girls clothing store, within 9 months and at a start up cost not to exceed $400,000.00. DELIVERABLES Plus size girls clothing pattern accessories that will be available at the R.E.A.L. Girlz Stores and through the company website are expected to include: * Purses * Cell Phone Covers * Tablet Covers Scope Statement Project Name:R.E.A.L. Girlz Clothing Store Project Manager:Ella Curl Project Objective: To have a plus size girls clothing store, within 9 months and at a start up cost not to exceed $400,000.00. Deliverables:The store will have: * Inventory * POS system * Fixtures * Security cameras * Mannequins * Package that will provide backup process for POS Systems * Package that will provide backup process for IT TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS POS systems will have the capabilities to ring up sales even before adding inventory, barcode scanning, customer reward options, and customer mass email options. It will also allow for employees to sign in and show inventory management, purchasing/receiving and reports. LIMITS AND EXCLUSIONS Manufacturers reserve the right to contract the R.E.A.L. Girlz Store and are responsible for work done by sub contractors. Distributors reserve the right and are responsible for all shipments of product through third party shipping companies. R.E.A.L. Girlz Store website is accessible from Sunday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. EST to 10:00 p.m. EST. The POS systems will have access to QuickBooks Accounting but not QuickBooks Pro. GiftLogic software is sold separately. Work Breakdown Structure The following Work Breakdown Structure or WBS Gantt Chart provides a snapshot of the project and indicates that the project objectives will be performed by both internal and external project team members. It is important that it is understood and agreed upon by all stakeholders that this is considered a time-constrained project. The risks that could affect this time-constrained structure will be discussed in the following section. Net Diagram The following chart is the Net Diagram of the project task. This diagram shows all the relationship between the tasks, and the critical path. It shows any changes of the tasks and the outcome of the project. Risk Management Plan The following are a list of risks that might cause the project delays or failures with their respective outcomes (see numerical list below). The four risks that are in orange bold are key risks that appear in the Risk Assessment Table. 1) Getting approved business loan: This could cause a delay if the owner is unable to get an approved loan to establish the business. 2) Meeting criteria to get business license: This could delay the project if the owner doesn’t have the proper documents to get license for the business. 3) Lack of Infrastructure Availability: This is the lack of having a designated building within the city’s own infrastructure, whereas, the product will have to be produced in a different area leaving the risk of increase in the cost and project completion time. 4) Natural Disaster: This risk could cause the project to be hault due to any unexpected weather conditions such as hurricane, tornado, etc. that may occur. 5) Incorrect Product Design: This could delay the product if the product is not designed according to the requested specifications of the customers. 6) Website Crash: In dealing with internet based customers if the website were to have technical difficulties, this risk could delay the product from customers who shop solely by website ordering. 7) Manufacturers Delay: This risk includes the possibility of the manufacturer being able to produce the product on time, which could delay the production time by way of any issues incurring at the manufacturer center. Such as lack of employees to help get the product produce. 8) Distributers untimely shipment: The risk here is found if the distribution center is unable to or there is a delay in shipment arrival by required date, due to time disruption of some sort by way of backorder, etc. 9) Project Manager has personal matter: This could delay the project if the manager has a personal matter such as death of an immediate family member. 10) Product misplacement: This risk can occur due to shipping agency shipping the product to the wrong address, or address information is miscommunicated. Risk Assessment The following is an assessment of these risks in terms of the probability of project occurrence and the negative cost impact of project outcomes. Risk analysis attempts to quantify the severity of the impact of an identified risk event. The probability is subject to change. Risk Response For each risk, we have determined the action that will be taken in an event this risk should occur. The following will take place, either accept, reduce or transfer the risk. The Risk Response Table identifies a brief contingency plan for the risks that have been identified.

Link Between Oil Prices And Rubber Prices Economics Essay

Link Between Oil Prices And Rubber Prices Economics Essay Abstract It goes without saying that in contemporary world rubber has become very popular material due to its eco-friendly technology. The environmental question has become more and more significant and it increases the popularity of natural rubber en mass. It should be noted that synthetic rubber, which is made from oil won its popularity much earlier than the natural rubber, due to its cheap price. It wont be a secret that the oil is used for manufacturing the synthetic rubber: synthetic rubber, a replacement for natural rubber, depends on the price of crude oil (CommodityOnline, 2010). This research would reveal what relationship exist between rubber market and what factors determine the price of the rubber and their correlation with the oil market prices. With the help of different research methodologies it was revealed that the natural rubber prices have direct dependence on the oil price due the fact that synthetic rubber is manufactured from the crude oil, thus it could hardly avoid th e impact on the rubber market. This research uses Thailand as the major platform for investigation the rubber market. It would also reveal the methods of rubber manufacturing (as synthetic, as well as the natural) describing how the price is formed, which factors determine it and what are the major global impact provided on the rubber market Thailand Introduction As it was mentioned earlier the rubber (especially natural rubber) is becoming more and more popular due to increased disturbance about environmental problems and it is one of the most burning questions in the contemporary world. Factories and plant of Thailand nowadays are involved in production huge amounts of rubber (natural) and working on the suggestion effective solutions that will assist sustainability. But there also exist synthetic rubber, which also impacts the rubber market. That is why the hypothesis for this report would be the following statement. The final rubber price is determined not only by the purchasing power, but by the commodity price, in particular oil This research would contain several parts. Abstract, briefly describing the research; introduction, providing hypothesis; methodology, revealing the means of research process; literature review, investigating the sources used for the research discussion, showing the peculiarities of the research process; results dealing with the findings of this report; and conclusion would provide summary of the report findings Methodology The theme was chosen because it is one of the most acute economical questions in Thailand, Asian region and the whole worlds, as the formation of the purchase powers involve the different region, but the price on the rubber is formed locally in Thailand. Speaking about the participants of the research it would be essential to note that there was made no significant division on evaluating on the manufacturing the rubber, which are to be implemented on the factories. Hence it should be noted that the economical aspects as well as details of manufacturing, as well as vision of contemporary investigators on this case provided significant impact on this research process of this investigation. According to the different investigators rubber, which is manufactured in Thailand is exported all over the world and is considered to be quite valuable commodity: Rubber is one part of life of the people of the South, related both to the culture and economy of the last 108 years. The monoculture pro duction system has replaced a traditional system of rubber forests, where rubber used to be grown in amongst fruit orchards and natural forests known as a suan somrom or integrated garden. Rubber plantations have been promoted through the governments Welfare Fund for Rubber Plantations (Sayamol Kaiyoorawong, p. 2). The qualitative and quantitative methods alongside with the peer review of the other researches works became the basis of her investigation. It is essential that such a theme as evaluation how the oil price impacts the formation of the rubber price needs various issues of data collection that would help to illustrate the statistical data from different point of view. Among the suggested ones there are could be observed: Using available information. Academic literature peer review would help to make a historical observation of the set problem. How it was related to by the governmental forces and what were the results. Observing. Observation of statistical data on governmental web sites and forums, alongside different statistical data provided on the criminal justice archives. Would provide evident statistics which either prove or confute the local data and would help to provide comparative analysis in different areas. Every of this methods used for the data collection are very important for this research, as it would make certain contribution in the whole research process, characterizing local achievements and drawbacks on the background of the global ones and providing comparison of different factors impact on the formation of the price. It would be essential to take into account the fact that there would be one single source, which requires critical examination The suggested research design alongside with the applied methods made the bases of the research, held by the author. As the core materials used different statistical information and investigations that date back to the different stages of the question investigation. The author reviewed the problem from the different sides and this let the reader to get the full information about the observed case. The structural division and various ideas upon the discussed question make this report easy readable and well structured, presenting all the necessary information for those who are interested in this question. Literature Review Academic literary sources such as magazine articles and books benefit a lot to the understanding of the approaches used to investigate the economical situation on Thai rubber market, the globalization impact, local political factors (in particular Thai government activity), correlation between rubber and oil pricing and aspects of rubber manufacturing process. They benefited a lot to the understanding raised issue in the particular area and place, as from the historical perspective as rubber is valuable export commodity in Thailand for more than 100 years (Sayamol Kaiyoorawong, p. 2), as well within the contemporary economical situation. It would be important to note that there were used sources, that date back to the different historical periods and it helped to evaluate the raised social issue and observe the difference between the military and civilians in different historical perspectives. Economic Change in Thailand, 1850-1970 by James C. Ingram provided really important informa tive data dealing with the historical development of rubber manufacturing in Thailand, the formation of the industry and the formation of the price on natural rubber. The author made a significant stress on the fact that the rubber manufacturing is strongly important for the economical development of Thailand: An estimate of the Department of Agriculture for 1937 put the area in fruits at 1,900,000 rai, mostly in the Central and Southern regions; and the area in vegetables at 105,000 rai, mostly in the Central region. The third crop is rubber. Accurate statistics of acreage are difficult to obtain, but a recent estimate put the area in rubber as high as 2,000,000 rai in 1950. More will be said of the rubber industry when we discuss other exports. Rubber and rice are the only agricultural crops which are important exports, and rubber is a relative newcomer. (James C. Ingram, 1971, p. 51). It goes without saying that being so valuable commodity for the whole country rubber economical position is quite high, as rubber plants provide a number of workplaces in agricultural region of the country for more than 100 years and increasing during the last 20 years a lot. It would be important to note that there was used information from non-academic sources, which tell more about the state of things in the most recent times, describing the current situation on the rubber market, examining the facts that impact formation of the price and discusses economical value of this commodity for the country, region and the whole world. The magazine and newspaper articles giver relevant informational data about rubber market, rubber production and examine the factors impacting the price of the commodity globally and locally. Evaluating the rubber market and the process of manufacturing the investigators reveal close connection other commodity has to people, who have already become the participants of the manufacturing processes (as for synthetic as well as for the natural rubber). Political Decentralisation and the Resurgence of Regional Identities in Thailand by Patrick Jory, published in Australian Journal of Social Issues is one of the best illustrative examp les how does the rubber manufacturing industry and the commodity itself impacted by the local Thai government, how the governmental changes could impact the rubber market, determining the price of the commodity. The article tells about participation of governmental and political institutions in the life of rubber industry and how this could affect the industry and the people working there: One of the targets of the attack on the Democrats-led government was its support for the ailing rubber industry, a major industry in the Democrats heartland of southern Thailand. So gradually, regionalism is beginning to influence alignments on the Thai political scene. (Patrick Jory, 1999, p. 337). The peculiar organization of rubber manufacturing attracts a number of investigators, as in the present day realities, numerous ecological catastrophes this eco-friendly material is winning more popularity. What is more important about the natural rubber manufacturing process is the fact that it is man ufactured in eco-friendly ways. Thus is the sustainable waste recycling the natural rubber increase its domination over the synthetic analogue and is highly appreciated by the representatives of constructional industry, who promote sustainable solutions for bioclimatic architecture and it is actually not surprising. It should be noted that bioclimatic architecture and eco-design are not just a modern trend. People, who work at the factories and use the tools that correspond to the norms of sustainable waste recycling ideas consider that the increased interest and quick development of sustainable vision within the different life aspects is the sharpening of the environmental question and awareness and understanding of the scrutinized situation by the different people. It should be noted that the idea of bioclimatic architecture is also supported by the government forces (such as European Commission), this also characterize design vision as a rapidly developed environmental solution. Thus the purchasing powers increase The authors focus on the importance of such collaborative programs between manufacturers and constructional and design industries who deal with the eco-friendly solutions as the ecological situation in present day realities is really significant problem and it is possible to avoid the following situation described by the organization World Rainforest Movement, Sayamol Kaiyoorawong: The promotion of the expansion of the rubber area by the Rubber Welfare Fund Office, an increasing price for rubber, and the strong global market demand for natural rubber for industrial processing into a variety of industrial rubber goods has led to the expansion of the rubber plantations area and an encroachment into the forests of the South and also into the woodlots of the North Eastern region which make up a large part of the natural forest of the East. Rubber is a non-native species which the government has promoted, and both the Royal Forest Department and the Forest Industry Organization aim to gen erate economic income to the organization from commercial plantations of rubber (Sayamol Kaiyoorawong 2008). The society understand the core importance of the importance and potential of rubber for development of Thailand, but the same time local newspapers and magazines consider that rubber price could hardly be significantly impacted by the local officials, government etc. The major countries, which determine the price on the commodity are those who export it from Thailand Japan and the United States of America: The international market, complete control over the supply of natural rubber in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia the hands of a few countries. The use of natural rubber big country the United States, Japan, not the production of natural rubber, demand depends entirely on imports, its natural rubber price support are also evident. China is also the worlds second largest importer of natural rubber on international Jiaojia more direct influence (Industry News, 2010). Thus im pacting the rubber formation price exterior forces, which do not depend on the local factors, the same time include oil price in the formation of the price on natural rubber, as synthetic rubber is manufactured from oil and the average price on both commodities is formed accordingly: Similarly, prices of crude oil would also leave its imprint on rubber prices. Prices of natural rubber and crude oil have a co-relation as synthetic rubber, a replacement for natural rubber, depends on the price of crude oil. Crude oil prices have risen to around $90 a barrel, and are expected to remain firm as demand expands (CommodityOnline, 2010) Discussion Manufacturing Process As it was mentioned earlier natural rubber price increased due its eco friendly manufacturing. The major components of rubber either natural or synthetic caoutchouc, filled in with sulfur and other additives to make the rubber have certain qualities, which are necessary for further manufacturing. If you make a hole in heve a tree, then latex would be pouring from it and after the latex is dried in the sun then we get natural caoutchouc or rubber. What is interesting about rubber that syntactic rubber vail to the natural by its qualities but their cost is almost the same there exist different recipes of rubber and due to its natural qualities and ecology friendly manufacturing its further manufacturing process deals with different environment friendly solutions. HARBEC Plastics, Inc in their Every Day Is Earth Day at HARBEC (2009) claims that they have found effective technology that could assist in development of sustainable design solutions and benefit to the waste recycling: Enviro nmentally responsible manufacturers find ways to reduce their impact on the environment. Often a single solution will have a positive effect on several aspects. The goal is to manage manufacturing processes to conserve resources and prevent pollution (HARBEC Plastics, Inc., 2009). Injection molding is a type of manufacturing process used for producing parts from both: as thermoplastic as well as thermosetting plastic materials. They are poured into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity where they cool and hardens to the configuration of the mold cavity. After a product is designed, usually by an industrial designer or an engineer, the molds are made by a moldmaker (or toolmaker) from metal, usually either steel or aluminum. And finally by precision-machine method the features of the desired part are formed. Injection molding is widely used for manufacturing of different things: from the smallest component to entire body panels of cars, for example. Extrusion molding is a manufacturing process used to make pipes, hoses, drinking straws, curtain tracks, rods, and fibers. The machine is used to extrude materials and this method is very similar to injection molding machine. A motor turns a screw, which pours granules of plastic through a heater. The granules melt into a liquid, which is forced through a die, forming a long tube like shape. The shape of the die determines the shape of the tube. The extrusions are then cooled and form a solid shape. The tube may be printed upon and cut at equal intervals if necessary. The pieces may be rolled for storage or packed together. Shapes produced from extrusion could be T-sections, U-sections, square sections, I-sections, L-sections and circular sections. One of the most famous products of extrusion molding is the fiber optic. Thus there is a huge row of sustainable materials, which are recyclable, and could benefit to the development of the sustainable design, for example natural rubber. The production of tin and rubber was undertaken because of the stimulus of a favorable world-market price and to satisfy an external demand. Virtually the entire output of tin and rubber has always been exported. Domestic consumption is a negligible part of the total product, and the small amount consumed is usually embodied in imported manufactured products rather than processed domestically (James C. Ingram1971, p. 51). Rubber Price Formation and Its Economical Value Speaking about historical perspective of rubber price formation it should be noted that in the 19th century rubber was not the central exporting commodity in Thailand, but 100 years passed and the situation changed: Tin and teak have long been important export commodities, while rubber is a relative newcomer. Exports in 1850 were quite varied and no single product accounted for a very large part of the total. After 1850, rice and tin became the first products to dominate the export list. Teak became important in the latter part of the nineteenth century, while rubber has become a major export only in recent decades (James C. Ingram, 1971, p. 93). The twentieth century technological revolution let the manufacturers to develop synthetic rubber, which is made from the crude oil: Natural Rubber and Synthetic in certain products can replace the use of each other, so when the supply of natural rubber price trend tension or high tide, Synthetic rubber consumption will rise, the market position of both the existence complementary. In addition, as Synthetic yes petrochemical products, oil prices will affect the price level. Synthetic rubber can be transformed into changes in the price level affect the demand for natural rubber, this is also not be ignored (Industry News, 2011). As it was mentioned earlier both rubbers as synthetic as well as natural have almost the same price and oil impacts the formation of natural rubber price as its synthetic analogue and the same time competitor also impacts the overall rubber market. The observers note that every day could bring a record on the rubber price: Another day, another record price for rubber. Two years ago south-east Asian producers were talking about grubbing up rubber trees in an attempt to bolster the price of latex. They didnt do it, and just as well growing demand and tight supply have driven prices up into previously uncharted territory. On Wednesday, Thai rubber (RSS3) was up 5c at $4.95/kilo, more than four times its December 2008 price of $1.10/kg (Tim Johnston, 2010). The price are growing tremendously for the recent years and Thialand, which is one the leaders in exporting rubber increase the prices due to the growing demands in commodity. The major rubber consumers (approximately 60%) need natural late for production of different vehicle tires. The global popularity on the hybrid cars and the investigators consider that such a booming increase is the result of global interest towards the global commodities. The same time some investigators and economical analysts consider that that now formation of the price on rubber market seems to lose its traditi onal connection to the oil prices and now is formed due the connection to the other products (Tim Johnston, 2010). The same time analysts could not avoid ageing that the price still is also depending by the other traditional pressures. Returning again to the historical background, it would be important to note that rubber was exported to Japan and United States since the times of WWII: In 1940-41 there was an increase in rubber exports through Bangkok to Japan and the United States. Japan alone took 12 percent and 50 percent of Thai rubber exports in 1940 and 1941. Since the war, direct shipments of both tin and rubber to the United States have greatly increased. In 1947 and 1948 about 75 percent of tin exports (metallic content) went to the United States, but in 1949 and 1950 the amount dropped to 41 percent and 29 percent (James C. Ingram1971, p. 97). These exporting traditions could be observed even now. But in the present day realities, when the vast majority of manufacturing po wers are removed from the well developed countries to the countries of the third world there was made a significant shift in the market demands . In particular the current boom in Chinese automotive market and even sluggish recovery in the western countries, the final consumers are still buying the new tires, which determine the development of the market. The statistical data tells us that Thailand is worlds largest producer of the rubber exporting 10m tones a year (Tim Johnston, 2010). Among the relevant factors that could impact the development of the industry is the weather. The first half of 2010 was signified by significant dry in Thailand and it negatively reflected on the harvest, and in the second part of the year in major productive areas there was observed floods, which also could hardly avoid the impact. Demand is growing faster than supply, said Chayo Trangadisaikul, the president of the Federation of Thai Industries Rubber-based Industries Club, but he says there is als o a technical element. Towards the end of the year, the statistics come out and they show were not going to have enough rubber, he said. (Tim Johnston, 2010). The popularity of the synthetic rubber is undoubtedly resulted by these natural disasters, and it is a well known fact that price formation of the synthetic rubber directly depends on the price of oil. The results chapter would provide the foundlings made during the discussion. Governmental Impact on Formation the Price The investigators consider that even now the dependence on the oil price is still present, even the commodity is gaining such a correlation, becoming more and more independent. This occurs due the governmental programs, which are aimed on the development of the industry and expanding manufacturing powers. Thai government understand how important export commodity rubber is and for the recent years the governmental programs and changes provide only positive impact on the development of the industry, benefiting to the expanding not only in Thailand but in the whole region of South East Asia. As it was mentioned earlier expanding of the manufacturing powers does not lower the price as the recent powers are much lower than the customers need, thus governmental programs benefit not only to the infrastructure development, but also contributing a lot to the natural rubber popularity and ousting of the synthetic analogue. Some green activists consider that Thai government damage local environ ment, but it should be noted that governmental programs support planting of the trees for manufacturing purpose, again influencing on the formation of the rubber price Results As it was mentioned earlier the price formation depends on numerous factors. The following graph demonstrates rubber price in Singapore since 1960 to 2005 Rubber price, Singapore RSS 1 fob in bales, 1960 2005 And now it is increasing significantly. It goes without saying that such local factors as natural disasters, political reforms and changes of government in Thailand could hardly avoid impacting the formation of price and the economical value of the natural rubber. The major competitor synthetic rubber, despite the number of disadvantages is still very popular too, as due to the mentioned negative impact (especially weather and natural conditions) the needed natural rubber is replaced by the synthetic analogue. But there is observed mutual dependence: Natural rubber is particularly exposed to developments in the automotive industry, itself highly sensitive to economic rebound or recession. Also, and although technical requirements might constrain the ease of substituting SR for NR, the share of NR in rubber consumption is likely to be affected by the price of its synthetic rubber (SR) substitutes, which is in turn strongly influenced by development in oil prices. The higher oil price s are, the more attractive natural rubber is (UNCTAD, 2010). The international analysts consider that such mutual dependence have developed since the beginning of the 21st century and not the least role there played not only increase of oil price but the environmental issues raising and sharpening: Thus, since the early 2000s, it appears that NR prices have been gaining additional support from high and rising oil prices, via synthetic rubber prices (which rose in response to the strength of feedstock prices). Besides changes at the fundamental level, currency movements may play a part in rubber price developments (UNCTAD, 2010). Conclusion In the end it would be essential to return to the very beginning. The hypothesis set was to reveal whether The final rubber price is determined not only by the purchasing power, but by the commodity price, in particular oil or not. The different sources of the research argued that this connected in the recent times could be referred as doubtful. But still the vast majority of investigators recognize that the oil price impacts the formation of final rubber price, equally with natural and governmental factors. International analysts made quite an optimistic prognosis for the recent future for the commodity, stressing on the fact that the impact of oil price is lowering and possibly could be vanished soon, replaced by the more essential and traditional factors (local government and nature) as well as purchasing demands of the final customer

Shirley Jacksons The Lottery Essay -- The Lottery Essays

â€Å"The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it† (Twain). The Lottery begins during the summer. A small, seemingly normal, town is gathering to throw the annual â€Å"Lottery†. In the end, the townspeople—children included—gather around and stone the winner to death, simply because it was tradition. The story reveals how traditions can become outdated and ineffective. â€Å"I suppose, I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal ancient rite in the present and in my own village to shock the story's readers with a graphic dramatization of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives† (Jackson). As humans develop as a race, their practices should develop with them. Shirley Jackson develops the theme that blindly following traditions is dangerous in her short story â€Å"The Lottery† through the use of symbolism, foreshadowing, and irony. Symbolism is used heavily in â€Å"The Lottery†. One of the first symbols revealed in the short story is the Black Box, used by the townspeople as the raffle box. â€Å"The black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner . . .was born. Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box† (Jackson). The Black Box stands as a symbol for the lottery itself and tradition of all types. Although it may be difficult to â€Å"upset† or change parts of traditions that have been practiced for ages, it is necessary to do so to grow as people. â€Å"Another symbol in the story is the black box. Although it is old and shabby, the villagers are unwilling or unable to replace it, just as they are unwilling to stop participating in the lottery† (Wilson). The... ...n.p., 1986. N. pag. Print. Jackson, Shirley. â€Å"The Lottery.† Masterplots, Fourth Edition (2010): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. â€Å"â€Å"The Lottery†.† Literature and Its Times: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them. Joyce Moss and George Wilson. Vol. 4: World War II to the Affluent Fifties (1940-1950s). Detroit: Gale, 1997. 235-239. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. â€Å"The Lottery.† Short Stories for Students. Ed. Kathleen Wilson. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 139-154. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. Mazzeno, Laurence W. â€Å"The Lottery.† Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition (2004): 1-2. Literary Reference Center. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Nelles, William. â€Å"The Lottery.† Masterplots II: Women’S Literature Series (1995): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.

The Chrysanthemums Essay -- essays research papers

Most women have a sense of freedom and independence from their male counterparts, but they will not reach out away from their sheltered lives with a male to a new challenge or a new life. Women whom breakout of the their molds made by their significant other take a chance with life and try to become the independent woman others dream about at night. On the Allen’s farm, chrysanthemums flourish, but does Elisa Allen flourish with them? With tender care, the flowers grow heartily and healthily, though the one who tends them is not so satisfied with her rooting in life. In â€Å"Chrysanthemums,† John Steinbeck portrays Elisa Allen as a stereotypical female, yearning to bloom like the flowers she harvests.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An extremely capable women, Elisa Allen, armed with her scissors, clodhopper shoes, corduroy apron, and a man’s hat, seems to be anything but a demure, timid women. However, her husband, Henry, views her in a stereotypical way, seeing her as a helpless woman who is disinterested in practical concepts. Though he acknowledges she has â€Å"got a gift with things,† he limits her gifts to things that deal with a typical woman’s job: gardening. In addition, Henry jokes, â€Å"I wish you’d work in the orchard and raise some apples that big,† though he does not really except, or desire, her to leave the hobby of her flowers to perform â€Å"real† labor around the farm. Furthermore, after Henry decides to treat her to dinner, he playfully jokes with her about going to a boxi...

The Causes of World War II Essay -- American History, World War Two, p

From the Treaty of Versailles, to the rise of Hitler, and the failure of the League of Nations, there were many causes that lead up to World War II. World War I left Germany with many shortfalls, thus leaving them in the hands of the Treaty of Versailles. Rather unfair of a Treaty, this left Germany once again looking for another way out. A country resented by many had no other choice but to feel optimistic toward Adolph Hitlers empty promises†¦ making it substantially simple for him to gain power so quick. Throw in the Great Depression, and you have a vastly unstable world, which the Germans believed Hitler would lead them out of. After World War One, Germany was thrown into downward spiral. They were left with a monstrous amount of unemployed people, and they were still unhappy about being the scapegoat of World War One, thus according to the Treaty of Versailles. Looking for a way to rebuild, Hitler came in at a perfect time. Adolph Hitler made them many promises, ensuring them that in believing in him, Germany would be great once again. One of his many promises was that he would stimulate employment. To do this, he promised that he would employ the unemployed, by giving them jobs building roads, stadiums, etc. Hitler promised the middle class he would reinstate small business profits, and communist threat. He also promises farmers the reimbursement for their losses during the Great Depression, by raising the prices of their produce. Another one of Hitlers many promises was that he would destroy the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles basically blamed Germany for everything, stating that Germany accepted the guilt in causing the war. Germany signed under protest. It stated that Germany was to pay for the reparat... ... They weren't allowed any more than 100,000 men in their army, they were only entitled to keep six battleships, they were not to create and kind of powerful aircraft. The Germans believed this was only to keep them weak. Enter Hitler, and his obliterating the Treaty of Versailles. He led Germany in rearming in 1933, and Hitler proclaimed they would be ready for war by 1940. Hitler basically destroyed the Treaty of Versailles by 1939, and thus World War II began with the invasion of Poland. All in all, there were many events and a vast amount of problems that ignited World War II. It's amazing how so many different aspects can all snowball into having the same motive of causing a world war. With so many powerful individuals all wanting something different (peace, power), it was just a recipe for disaster. Evidently, a nation under stress isn't a sound nation at all.

Plato Thought on Education Essay

â€Å"The object of education is to turn the eye which the soul already possesses to the light. The whole function of education is not to put knowledge into the soul, but to bring out the best things that are latent in the soul, and to do so by directing it to the right objects. The problem of education, then, is to give it the right surrounding. † (Plato) In the fifth century B. C. E Plato was born into an aristocratic Greek family. As a youngster his intention was to be engaged in politics. However in his twenties his thoughts were change after coming into the circle of Socrates, who was to be the lasting influence on his thought. Hence, following the execution of Socrates on accusations of the corruption of youth Plato abandoned direct involvement in politics and turned to writing and education. Plato was well known for his works which were all written in the form of dialogues. In the Republic, written about 385 B. C. E and in the Laws, his last work, on which he was still at work at the end of his life Plato addresses childhood in the context of education. Plato saw education as â€Å"the one great thing†, no scheme of human life was so important to him, since he rejected birth as a criterion for distributing the function of education. He believes that the aim of education was the harmonious development of human personality with the central purpose was to produce the right type of individualities in the state. Therefore, Plato saw the state primarily as an educational entity. His scheme of education was greatly influenced by Spartan system of education. In the Spartan system the family had no control over the education of its members. The state was controlling all aspects of education. In the Republic, Plato devotes much attention to the education of the child as a future citizen. He believes that the child belongs to the state and its education is the responsibility of the state in addition education must be compulsory for all. Furthermore, Plato was not concerned with training children for a trade but rather with giving them an education in virtue, which is to produce â€Å"a keen desire to become a perfect citizen who knows how to rule and be ruled† in turn. Education was seen as the correct channelling of pains and pleasures, aiming at establishing â€Å"a nature in which goodness of character has been well and truly established† so as to breed a familiarity with reason, since Plato saw reason as man’s true nature, therefore it has to be nurtured from childhood by irrational means. In Plato views education was to begin before birth therefore he recommends that the care of the soul and body of the child begin with prescribed walks for the pregnant woman before birth. For the first two years of life children should be kept well wrapped up, even though they should be taken to the country or on visits. Also, they should be carried until they are old enough to stand on their own to prevent subjecting their limbs to too much pressure. This was necessary since the main importance of movement lies in its influence on the early development of a well-balanced soul and the cultivation of the body is mainly for the soul’s sake. Another aspect of education was the formation of character. Plato saw storytelling as the main tool in the development of character. Since stories should provide models for children to imitate, seeing that as ideas taken in at an early age become indelibly fixed. Moreover storytelling must begin at an earlier age than physical training. â€Å"Physical training may take two or three years, during which nothing else can be done; since weariness and sleep are unfavourable to study. Physical training was vital as the exercises were an important test of character. Additionally a child’s character will also be formed while he or she plays Plato attached much importance to children’s games. Even though the sexes are to be separated at the age of six, he believes that children are to be brought together for games. Teachers must provide children with miniature tools of the different trades, so that they can use the children’s games to channel their pleasures and desires toward the activities they will engage in when they are adults. However, children and adults should not imitate base characters when playing or acting, for fear of forming a habit that will become second nature. In addition to storytelling and play, reading, writing, music and arithmetic were an integral part of Plato’s educational system. Beginning at the age of ten a child is required to spend three years on reading, writing, and the poets, and another three learning the lyre. Then they would study elementary mathematics up to the age of seventeen or eighteen. He thought that all of this was to be done with as little compulsion as possible in, order to for them to learn â€Å"enough to fight a war and run a house and administer a state† (Republic, bk.7, 535-541). This period of education could not be extend or curtail neither by the child nor father either out of enthusiasm or distaste. Children were expected to work on their letters until they are able to read and write, but any whose natural abilities have not developed sufficiently by the end of the prescribed time to make them into quick or polished performers should not be pressed. Enforced exercise does no harm to the body, but enforced learning will not stay in the mind (Laws, bk. 7, 536). Plato also felt the necessity of moral education. The members of a society should learn that they are the members of one society and that they should live in the spirit of harmony and co-operation. Plato realizes that the better way of imparting moral instructions, is the sanction of supernatural authority. Plato also believes with conviction that a nation cannot be strong unless it believes in God. Certainly, Plato’s views on education have significantly influenced educational thought to this day and have become the basis of many educational policies His system of education includes instructions for the training of body, mind and soul. Plato also believed that an ideal state, embodying the highest and best capabilities of human social life, can really be achieved, if the right people are put in charge. Since the key to the success of the whole is the wisdom of the rulers who make decisions for the entire city, His view of philosophy as an educational activity and of education as the development of reason, the responsibility of which lies squarely with the state, is still a living educational challenge.

Benefits After the Russian Revolution

15-Minute Oreo Pie * 1 package Oreos * 1/2 stick butter (or margarine) * 1 1/2 cups cold milk * 2 packages (4-serving size) vanilla-flavored instant pudding * 1 8-oz. tub Cool Whip, thawed Crush 24 to 30 cookies (I’d recommend doing this in a blender or food processor. I tried using a rolling pin and zip top bag and it was a bit more time-consuming than it likely would be in a blender. ) Mix with melted butter and pressed onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Beat milk and pudding together until thick (approximately 1 to 2 minutes). Carefully stir in whipped topping and blend well.Crush or chop at least 12 Oreo cookies and fold into the pudding mixture. Spoon onto crust. Garnish with Oreos and refrigerate for at least four hours. OREO ICE CREAM PIE| | Read more about it at www. cooks. com/rec/view/0,1937,150160-228199,00. html Content Copyright  © 2012 Cooks. com – All rights reserved. 1 pkg. Oreo cookies (lg. ) 5 tbsp. melted butter 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened 1/2 tbsp. vanilla 1 (13 oz. ) container Cool Whip 1/2 c. chopped nuts Chocolate syrupCrush Oreo cookies with rolling pin. Combine with melted butter and press into a greased 9 by 13 inch pan.Combine ice cream, vanilla and 1/2 of Cool Whip. Place on top of crust and freeze until firm. After frozen, spread rest of Cool Whip on top. Sprinkle with nuts and drizzle chocolate syrup over the entire surface of pie in a lacy pattern. Keep frozen. Serves 15. | * 32 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided * 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted * 2 cups cold milk * 2 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling * 1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided Directions 1. Finely crush 24 of the cookies; mix with butter.Press firmly onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate. 2. Pour milk into large bowl. Add pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. (Mixture will be thick. ) 3. Spoon 1-1/2 cups of the puddin g into crust. Gently stir 1/2 of the whipped topping into remaining pudding; spread over pudding layer in crust. Chop remaining 8 cookies; stir into remaining whipped topping. Spread over pie. 4. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. One package of Oreo cookies One stick of butter or margarine Two eight ounce packages of cream cheese, softenedThree one ounce packages of instant vanilla pudding Four cups of milk ? tub of whipped cream Directions Before getting started, it is very important to take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator and let it soften for at least an hour. If the cream cheese is cold, it will not blend into a smooth mixture. Step 1 Place the Oreo cookies in a gallon size plastic bag, removing all the air before sealing it. Crush the Oreo cookies with a rolling pin or mallet. The Oreos do not need to be crushed into a fine powder, make sure and leave some chunks. Step 2Melt the butter. Mix the melted butter with about half the crushed Oreos. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan to for the pie crust. You can also use a regular pie plate if you prefer. Step 3 Mix the cream cheese, vanilla pudding, milk, and whipped cream. It is best to use an electric hand mixer on medium speed to get a smooth texture. Taste the mixture, you may want to add some sugar if you would prefer a sweeter flavor. Pour the mixture over the crust. Step 4 Pour the remaining crushed Oreos on top. Refrigerate for an hour or until cool. INGREDIENTS: (9-inch size) graham or cookie pie crust 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 8 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix 16 ounces Cool Whip 1 1/2 cup milk 20 Oreo cookies, crushed 1 teaspoon vanilla extract DIRECTIONS: Beat cream cheese and sugar together. In another bowl, beat pudding and milk until thick. Add cool whip and vanilla to pudding. Add cream cheese mixture to pudding mixture, stirring well. Layer the cookies crumbs and the pudding mixture into crust beginning with a layer of cookie crumbs and res erving enough cookie crumbs to cover the top.