Irony in The Cask of Amontillado, a Story by Edgar Allan Poe

In his short story â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† Edgar Allan Poe tells a tale of murder through the protagonist of the story, Montresor. He is recalling the event years after it happened. Fortunato, the man who gave Montresor a â€Å"thousand injuries . . . [and] ventured upon insult† is walled up in Montresor’s wine cellar. The details of the injuries and insult are never disclosed to the reader, all that is known is that the narrator—Montresor—is angered to the point of homicide. Irony is the key factor in creating an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. Poe uses the setting along with the victim’s name to ultimately enhance the irony in this tale of revenge. The backdrop is one of fun and frivolity, yet the story is bound for a dark and deadly turn. While many people are having a wonderful time at the carnival, Montresor has been plotting murder. Fortunato’s name itself is an ironic aspect of this short story. The name of the victim is more than just a name. The creator of Behind the Name, Mike Campbell writes that Fortunato is a name in Italian, Portuguese and Spanish; Campbell notes that Fortunato stems from â€Å"the Late Latin name Fortunatus meaning ‘fortunate, blessed, happy’† (Campbell); this choice of name is ironic because Fortunato the character turns out to be extremely unfortunate. Both of these ironic aspects help to create suspense in the story. Montresor’s words throughout this story are steeped in irony. When they first meet Montresor says, â€Å"My dear Fortunato, you areShow MoreRelatedFor the Love of God, Poe! Essay1359 Words   |  6 PagesIt is not at all surprising that so many of Edgar Allan Poe’s works explore such themes as death, eyes, the power of the dead over the power of the living, retribution, the human conscience, and especially death and murder. From his disturbingly morbid short story â€Å"The Telltale Heart† to the mysteriously supernatural poem â€Å"The Raven†, Poe’s tales are a direct byproduct of the mayhem experienced in his life, as well as his (arguably) psychologically-tormented mind. Though all of this author’s piecesRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe s The Cask Of Amontillado1232 Words   |  5 PagesPoe’s Irony To develop the analytical paper about the text â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allan Poe, some sources will be used to support the thesis statement, which is â€Å"The author uses irony in the text to illustrate the murder of Fortunado by Montresor, who seeks salvation through death†. Also, there is going to be an analysis on the irony found in the text in relation with the story. To support this thesis, I am going to use some examples from some sources such as â€Å"Literary analysis: IronyRead MoreEdgar Allan Poes The Cask of the Amontillado Essay1520 Words   |  7 PagesSomething Unexpected Poe has written a several different stories relating to being buried alive, â€Å"The Premature Burial† and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† being the most popular. Edgar Allan Poe â€Å"was one of the seminal American poets and short story writers of the nineteenth century† he was an influencer for writers like Charles Baudelaire and Jules Verne. Poe lost both of his parents as a child and was raised with a foster family and lost his foster mom early, too. He lost many of his loved onesRead MoreThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe888 Words   |  4 PagesThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe In ?The Cask of Amontillado?, Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a trip into the mind of a mad man. Poe uses certain elements to convey an emotional impact. He utilizes irony, descriptive detail of setting, and dark character traits to create the search of sinful deceit. Poe also uses first person, where the narrator is the protagonist who is deeply involved. The purpose is to get the reader to no longer be the observer. He wants them to see with MontressorRead MoreTheme Of Young Goodman Brown And The Cask Of Amontillado970 Words   |  4 PagesHawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe compliment and counteract this goal in their works â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†, respectively, is with irony. Their masterful use of irony engages the reader in the work and invites them to consider the story and the characters’ intentions. The irony presented in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† by Nathaniel Hawthorne and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edg ar Allan Poe allows us to understand the emotions of the characters and the mood of the work, however, Poe utilizesRead MoreThe Theme of Revenge in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† Essay1629 Words   |  7 PagesEdgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is a frightening and entertaining short story about the severe consequences that result from persistent mockery and an unforgiving heart. Poe’s excellent use of Gothicism within the story sets the perfect tone for a dark and sinister plot of murder to unfold. â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† simply overflows with various themes and other literary elements that result from Poe’s Gothic style of writing. Of these various themes, one that tends to dominant the storyRead MoreAnalysis Of Edgar Allan Poe s The Cask Of Amontillado 945 Words   |  4 Pages2014 Revenge and Irony A friendship is based on trust, but do we truly know anyone in the way we think? In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† written by Edgar Allan Poe, a man named Fortunato is about to find out what kind of ‘friend’ Montresor really is. Montresor shows himself to be friendly with Fortunato, but deep down he feels nothing but hate for him. In different ways, both of these men are proud and appear upper class, yet both have faults which will be there undoing. Edgar Allan Poe uses languageRead MoreCask of Amontillado Thesis Theme1058 Words   |  5 PagesIn The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allen Poe displays the theme of revenge. In the story, Montressor narrates the story and feels he has been wronged by Fortunado and vows for vengeance against him. Montressor attempts to justify his future crime to the reader. â€Å"A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.† (Poe 101) Fortunado is unaware of the wrong he caused MontressorRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe1575 Words   |  7 Pagestale, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† Montresor plots and kills an unwary friend/foe during carnival time for motives that are unclear. The author of this tale, Edgar Allan Poe, influenced by his somewhat tragic life and one of the most influential Gothic writers, uses symbolism and irony to show the multitude of complicated motives of the narrator in his famous horror story. Upon examining Edgar Allan Poe’s life, one is not surprised that he chooses to write such gloomy and sinister stories. Poe’s lifeRead MoreHow The Cask of Amontillado Uses Symbolism and Irony1291 Words   |  6 Pagesstop, yellow means slow down, and the green means to proceed. Another technique used in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†is irony. Irony, (in literature), is when the writer uses words to emit a meaning that is usually the opposite of its literal meaning. It is used to catch the reader’s attention and to give the text more depth. In the short story, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†, there is verbal and dramatic irony. Irony is important because it allows the reader to transmit an intense meaning without having to

The Human Body s Immune System - 1969 Words

(a) Any Significant difficulties : Many people are urgently needed a transplanting of an organ, therefore it is necessary to find a matching organ for the recipient; the organ will not cause any rejection. The body can reject the transplanted organ; as a result the body’s immune system will not accept the organ which has been transplanted; therefore it can have an effect on the organ that has been transplanted which is possible. The immunosuppressant drug is needed if the organ does reject the human body; the immunosuppressant drugs acts as an anti-rejection drug which is needed to protect the body from the organ that has been transplanted to reduce the chances of rejection and to preserve the heart functions. As a result, the†¦show more content†¦The new heart that has been donated can fail, if the human body can reject the donated heart if the cardiac allograft vasculopathy develops in the human body system. The primary graft dysfunction can cause death during the first 30 days after the transplantation of a donated new heart is unable to function; as a result the donor heart fails. It can cause trauma to the donated heart and can even narrow the blood vessel in the patient’s lungs which can cause serious primary graft dysfunction. The rejection can cause death after transplanting the heart as the patient’s body immune system realizes the new transplanted heart organ as a foreign object and attacks the heart organ. The cardiac allograft vasulopathy can result in the walls of the coronary arteries in the donated heart which has become less stretchy and hard; therefore it can destroy the blood circulation and cause serious heart failure, it can cause to serious damage and death after the new heart is transplanted. Daily medicine can cause the immune system to stop from attacking the donated heart and other medicines such as cyclosporine can cause damage to the kidneys after the transplanting procedure; it this causes risk of serious infection due to the immune system attacking the donated heart . The weaken immune system can cause a risk of cancer which can lead the recipient which can led to death in heart patients. The lifelong care plan

Factors and Hazards of Infant Development free essay sample

Factors and Hazards of Infant Development By Miranda Brueggeman EC100/EEC1700 Section 05 Foundations of Child Development Winter 2013 There are many factors and hazards that influence the development of babies before they are even born. In this essay I will only be discussing three that I feel are essential for parents to understand. The three I will be talking about are as follows: Limiting exposure to any and all teratogens such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and environmental chemicals; Consuming a nutritious diet; and The importance of obtaining early prenatal care. Women should avoid unnecessary contact with known teratogens when they are thinking about getting pregnant or already are pregnant. Several factors can influence a teratogen’s harmful effect on fetal development, including the amount of exposure, fetal age, and genetic makeup of the mother and fetus (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. We will write a custom essay sample on Factors and Hazards of Infant Development or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 80). Mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, premature infants, and low birth weight infants (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 80). No amount of alcohol is considered safe to consume during pregnancy (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 1). Mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to experience miscarriage, premature births, stillborn infants, and low birth weight infants (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 81). Substances known to have a negative effect on the developing fetus range from prescription and nonprescription medications to pesticides, fertilizers, and street drugs. It is very important that both parents are fully aware of these facts and that they do their best to avoid any and all teratogens before, during, and after pregnancy. Depending what the mother eats before and during pregnancy has a significant effect on her health as well as the developing fetus. Consuming a healthy diet lessens the risk of having a low birth weight or premature infant (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 75). During the Live Lecture this week I heard that it is a good idea to take Folic Acid three months prior to getting pregnant because it can help prevent certain birth defects. Nutrition is definitely very important for the mother and baby. In China both mother and father will cleanse their bodies for an entire year before even trying to get pregnant! Another thing to remember is that babies need a lot of the essential vitamins and minerals and the mother should take some sort of prenatal vitamins to have enough nutrients for her own body to stay healthy. Medically supervised prenatal care is critical for ensuring the development of a healthy infant (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 74). A lack of prenatal care is often associated with an increased rate of medical complications, preterm births, low birth weight infants, fetal death, and disabilities (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 74). Parents who have pre-existing diseases or are on medications of any kind need to speak with their doctor before trying to get pregnant. Some medications are very bad for fetal development. I myself have rheumatoid arthritis along with anxiety and depression and I will need to seek a medical professional for advice before trying to get pregnant. Another reason why you should see a doctor before/during pregnancy is because they can give you a list of certain things you need to avoid or things you should and should not do for a safe and healthy pregnancy/baby. In conclusion, even though there are other factors and hazards to consider before/during pregnancy these three are a great start to having a healthy baby. The best thing you can do for your future baby is seek out a medical professional right away because they can tell you all about the do’s and don’ts and help you along your journey into parenthood. Reference Page Marotz, Lynn R. , Allen, Eileen K. (2012) Developmental Profiles: pre-birth through adolescence 7th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Retrieved from http://www. coursesmart. com/bookshelf.

Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte Essays (1515 words) -

Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre would have only found bad, she now also finds good. Also, du The novel, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte is a thought provoking book that deals with the heroine, Jane, trying to break free of the social orders of the nineteenth century, in order to free herself from the restraints of the "class" system of the time and to free her heart from her inner self. In order to express this theme, Bronte creates five places that represent the emotion of her heart: Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Moor End and Ferndean. By creating these five settings, Bronte leads us on a Journey, with Jane narrating, away from the concrete situation into a world of symbolism. On this journey Bronte uses Jane to show the proper relationship between private feelings and moral order. Her struggle with this relationship is a searching process from depth to even deeper depth in her own heart to reveal the nature of her ultimate self (Weekes, 77). In order to finally win this struggle, she has to break through the social restraints so that her buries heart can flower. The first setting of Jane's heart that the reader comes to know is Gateshead. This place is the estate of Jane's Aunt Reed, a lady who resents Jane because she has to take care of her. Also, residing with Jane at the estate are her three very indulged cousins, who pick on Jane even, resulting in physical violence: "She lay reclined on a sofa by the fireside, and with her darlings about her (for the time neither quarrelling nor crying) looked perfectly happy. Me, she had dispensed from the group" (Bronte, 1). This quote shows how unfair and unhappy daily life was for Jane. Even the setting outside the house reflected the mood: "The cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so somber, and a rain so penetrating ..." (Bronte, 1). The cold represents the frozen heartedness of the Reeds' and the wind represents the torrent of emotions within the household (Weekes, 8). This reflection of the weather shows how throughout the book, the settings symbolize Jane's predicaments. A devastating part of her stay at Gateshead was when she was locked in the "Red Room" for defending herself against an attack from he cousin, John. This room was all red, and was supposedly haunted by the ghost of Mr. Reed. Jane entered this room a quiet, placid girl, but she exited a defiant girl. As a result of this defiance, Mrs. Reed got the excuse she was looking for to send her away, so Jane was sent to live at Lowood. At Lowood, a corrupt Orphan home, the setting of injustice that was seen at Gateshead takes place again, but this time it is intensified with starvation, disease and humiliation. Ironically, even though this new "home" was worse than the old one, this is the time when Jane's heart starts its slow process of thawing out. At this school, Jane was finally a part of a community, and one person in particular in this community who helped change her life was Helen Burns (Weekes, 79): "While disease had thus become an inhabitant of Lowood, and death its frequent visitor; while there was gloom and fear within its walls; while its rooms and passages steamed with hospital smells ... that bright May shone unclouded over the bold hills and beautiful woodland out of doors" (Bronte, 69). This quote shows how Jane's heart is starting to flower. In a situation where once she ring this time another change began to develop within Jane's soul. She began to develop an inner-conscience and a faith connected to God. This house is also the place where a very important factor comes into play. Jane learns to paint. Painting is one of the main symbols of Jane trying to break free from restraint (Weekes, 79). Her paintings, which were usually dark, show us that Jane's psyche is still bleak and very much concerned with somber thoughts. This image, on first look, leads us to believe that her heart is not free, but on closer analysis we see that in order to express herself in this way, her heart must be opening up enough to let emotion come through. The next setting that the reader finds Jane in is Thornfield Hall. Thornfield Hall is not necessarily as much a metaphor for Jane's heart as it is for Edward Rochester's heart. It is a representation for the tropical half-life that he tried to escape, but

Theory Change And Scientific Realism Example

Theory Change And Scientific Realism Example Theory Change And Scientific Realism – Coursework Example Scientific Realism of Why it is difficult to precisely define the idea of approximate truth As some scientists define scientific realism in terms of the truth or approximate truth of the theories of science, some give it a definition in terms of the successful references of the theoretical terms of something in the world which is both observable and unobservable. In addition other scientists also do not look at the scientific realism in terms of the truth or reference, but in terms of a belief in the ontology of the theories of science and therefore making it very difficult to define precisely.Whether historical cases against scientific realism give a good ground for antirealismof scienceThe arguments about the scientific realism is at the centre and it is connected to almost everything else that is found within the philosophy of science since they mostly concern the nature of scientific knowledge. Scientific realism may be described as the positive epistemic attitude that is focused towards the composition of our best theories and models. It gives a recommendation of a belief in both observable and unobservable aspects of the whole world as described by the finding of the science. This epistemic attitude is characterized by both metaphysical and semantic dimensions that cover various commitments that are hotly contested by a number of competing epistemologies of science commonly known as the scientific antirealism.Whether it is a plausible that theoretical term can refer even if the theories on which they are part of is radically mistaken Despite the underlying idiosyncratic qualifications and position variants, there are still very many cores of underlying ideas that are typified by the positive attitude of the epistemic towards the results of the scientific investigations. The distinction between the observables and the unobservable mainly reflects the capabilities of the human sensory. Under favourable condition observable can be perceived using the unaided senses, for example the planets. On the other hand the unobservable cannot be identified in this manner, for example the proteins.

A Sample of Amateur Writing

A Sample of Amateur Writing A Sample of Amateur Writing A Sample of Amateur Writing By Maeve Maddox At a recent writers’ conference I heard a successful self-published author say, â€Å"Readers are not looking for great writing; they’re looking for a great story.† Does that mean that taking pains over grammar, diction, and syntax is a waste of time? Certainly not! Just because readers are not looking for â€Å"great writing† doesn’t mean that novelists shouldn’t be expected to produce good writing. Few writers have what it takes to produce â€Å"great writing,† but even a great storyteller requires professional writing skills to get the story across to the reader. The difference between amateur writing and professional writing is rewriting. Here is an extract from a self-published work. The fact that the book was self-published is not so important as the fact that the author published it before it was ready. Here the author describes a church interior: It had hat shelves and coat racks along both sides. There were double doors leading into the sanctuary, which was plain but neat. There was a carpeted main aisle that ran from the doors to the altar. There were neat rows of oak pews on both sides of the aisle. Secondary aisles ran along both sides of the church between the pews and the windows. On the raised platform in front, there was an altar, a lectern, and behind that were two rows of chairs for the choir. There was a fairly new piano on the left side of the platform The excerpt contains ten clauses, eight of which have was or were for the main verb. It contains 101 words, eight of them repeated at least once: aisle/s (3), pew/s (2), altar (2), rows (2), doors (2), platform (2), sides (3), neat (2). Of the seven sentences, four begin with There and one begins with It. The sentence that begins, â€Å"It had hat shelves,† produces a double take in the reader because the â€Å"had hat† looks like a typographical error. One paragraph like this every hundred pages might not trouble a reader, but this sample is typical of the book. Word choice is unimaginative, and passages abound that contain nothing to connect the scene to the story. Here is a description written by a professional novelist (P.D. James). The setting is the interior of a clinic for mental patients in a building that used to be a Georgian mansion: Behind the reception kiosk and with windows facing the square was the general office, part of which had been partitioned to form a small filing-room for the current medical records. Next to the general office was Miss Bolam’s room and, beyond that, the E.C.T. suite with its treatment-room, nurses’ duty-room and male and female recovery bays. This suite was separated by a hallway from the medical staff cloakroom, clerical staff lavatories and the domestic assistant’s pantry. At the end of the hallway was the locked side door, seldom used except by members of the staff who had been working late and who did not want to give Nagle the trouble of undoing the more complicated locks, bolts and chains on the front door. I’m not holding the second passage up as â€Å"great writing.† It resembles the previous passage in some ways. The word room–alone and in compounds–occurs five times; door and hallway occur twice each; was is used four times. But what James does that the other writer doesn’t do is vary language and syntax and relate the description to the story and the characters. The first writer could have done the same thing. Whether readers are looking for it or not, few novelists are capable of producing great writing. Anyone who aspires to publication, however, should know the difference between amateur writing and professional writing. It’s revision. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Whimsical WordsDifference between "Pressing" and "Ironing"January 1 Doesn't Need an "st"

History of berlin and reflection Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History of berlin and reflection - Assignment Example to be followed subsequently by its role between the years 1871-1918 A.D., in the German Empire. Between 1919 and 1933, it served as the Weimar Republic’s capital, later on serving the Third Reich between the years 1933-1945. While the entity had held the position of 3rd largest municipality globally, WWII brought about major changes, which were to impact fundamentally, on its overall standing and role-play; not only in terms of German history, but also global geo-politics. Hence, the critical place it holds in history, and the need for its reflection on contemporary society (Gill 13). The Kreuzberg neighborhood, part of the larger Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough, remains one of the prime locations, within the greater Berlin municipality. Colloquially referred to as X-Berg, the area consists primarily of two distinct areas i.e. the SO 36 and SW 61. SO 36 mainly is home to various immigrant populations, thus the divergent cultural and religious identities present. History dealt a heavy blow to this area, especially during the ‘Cold War’ Era thereby isolating the section of the former West Berlin territory. However, later it emerged as one of the city’s core cultural centers. This is critically influenced by the fact that it is in the middle of the contemporary re-unified city. This also influences the trendy nature of the neighborhood, primarily influenced by Turkish culture. This is as a result of the populace present in the borough, with a large percentage of its populace, being second-generation individuals of Turkish ancestry. Importantly so, the neighborhood continues being an attractive area to visit, thriving on its diverse culture; with the counter-culture tradition symbolically present until this very day. Moreover, while having a shorter history than most of Berlin, the neighborhood is uniquely the most populous;

Managing Projects Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing Projects - Essay Example The organizational structure for the new building is going to be exactly like the existing one, which comprises of: 1 Project Manager (myself); 1 Assistant Project Manager; 2 Administration Staff; 4 Sales staff; 3 Warehouse Staff; the transportation to and from the building will be contracted to an outside company. The recruitment of the staff will be conducted in a way that only serious and experienced professionals/employees will be finally accepted to become the member of the Computer Section’s team. The essence of this is to prevent a situation of redundancy often caused by unqualified personnel (Levine, 2002). Hence, hiring and coordinating with the appropriately qualified employees would make this project stay within budget and also make it to be successfully executed within any specified time frame. The life cycle of this business, that is, procuring and selling computers by Jones Ltd will be carried out within a year; and with the hope that the expenses on recruiting, management and employees’ motivation would not exceed the allotted budget for the project by the Chief Executive Officer of Jones Ltd. In order to achieve this, the following processes must be carefully executed. (a) Market Research: This is the very first step in all the procedures—it is essential to investigate the kinds of computers that are currently selling well in the markets (Morris & Pinto, 2007). It is also helpful to determine the cost of each computing unit, its functionalities, how useful is it in the market, and how many prospective buyers will be interested in a particular brand that Jones Ltd wishes to market? Or should the company concentrate on all the brands of computers. What sales strategy will be appropriate, and how could the employees be motivated to contribute their best in the project? All these issues will be seriously considered during the research process (Morris & Pinto, 2007). The market research will shed more light on

Overseas empire Essay Example for Free

Overseas empire Essay Suppression of the Muslim threat in North Africa was less successful though. The area was one of important economic and commercial advantage to Aragon and so seizure of large areas would have been of significance. Perhaps the key reason behind the policy though was the increasing Turkish influence in Naples and Sicily. Ferdinands failure came in an expensive garrisoning project, which held little authority and merely contained the problem. Perhaps the reason behind the lacklustre campaign was his preoccupation with Italy. In 1485 he successfully defended Naples from France and then the Holy Roman Empire. Despite careless disengaging of troops during the illness of Louis XII the policy in Italy was on the whole regarded as a success. Taking advantage of French involvement in the North, Ferdinand reclaimed Rousillon and Cerdagne. Then in 1512 following the death of Germaine de Foixs father, Ferdinand annexed Navarre. Isabellas fortuitous support of Christopher Columbus and hence the involvement in the New World had an increasingly significant impact on the economies of Castile and Aragon. Columbuss discovery opened new trade links and resources. In particular the trade of gold and slavery were of great economic benefit in future years. Furthermore Pope Alexander VI settled the rivalry with Portugal without conflict and expense with the division of the Americas. Isabellas piety determined that the extensive period of convivencia, which existed prior to her reign, would end. Since the pogrom of 1391 there had been sporadic anti-Semitic outbreaks largely born out of a resentment of rich Jewish families. For Isabella however the growing trend of conversos practising Judaism in private was of the greatest concern. Therefore in 1478 an Inquisition into conversos was established in Castile and then one in Aragon in 1481. As a result Jews became confined to ghettos and forced to wear yellow badges. Those suspected of heresy were put on trial and punished. In 1492 conversion was then made compulsory with emigration the only other alternative. Whilst only around 3% of the total population actually emigrated a significant social and economic impact was felt. The commercial welfare of the two Kingdoms was severely damaged and perhaps more crucially the policy disillusioned much of the wider population. The assessment of Isabella and Ferdinands social, economic, religious and foreign success reveals that the period in Spanish history is not as clear cut as contemporary chroniclers have suggested. They failed to curtail the nobility, failed in implementing economic growth and embarked on unwise foreign conquests. In saying this however they also achieved numerous successes such as securing the throne, conquering Granada and increasing the overseas empire.

Garden for the Blind :: Architecture Design Essays

Garden for the Blind Richard Florida’s The Rise of the Creative Class is a book with extremely high ambitions. Its aim is nothing less than to identify the newest social class, promote consciousness of its own identity, and inspire it to use its immense resources reshape society as a whole. This new â€Å"Creative Class,† according to Florida, is composed of members of any profession that are paid to exercise their creativity. Florida traces the development of this class from the 1980’s to its definitive emergence in the mid-1990’s, and notes how it has assumed an increasingly dominant role economically and culturally. It is an inspiring and daunting realization: that as many as thirty-eight million Americans make their living through creativity, and that so much of our prosperity or failure depends on their most minute actions. Furthermore, Florida asserts that the esoteric habits of the members of this new class, their collective likes and dislikes, directly shape the values and norms of our culture. Thus, if it were made conscious of its own existence, the Creative Class could remake society along intelligent, rational lines. It is a heartening thought that by simply fostering creativity among all people, mankind could peacefully and effectively recreate the mold of its own existence. According to this model, education and communication could replace warfare and violence, making human civilization something far more peaceful and validating. It is an enormously difficult goal, but one well worth seeking. An example of this creativity in action is the adaptive environment of Dans le Noir. Seeing visitors are plunged into a situation utterly unfamiliar to them, forcing them to cope to the best of their ability while helping them to identify with those who live without sight. Yet darkness is no obstacle for the visually impaired, who have long since learned to overcome this barrier to normal functionality. Without being dependent on the single faculty of sight, they are able to rely on the other senses and are in effect more fully cognizant of themselves and their surroundings than many sighted people. Contemporary movies like At First Sight do justice to this fact, as do older films like Wait Until Dark, in which the protagonist loses her sight in adulthood and is forced to cope with the loss.

Defining Humanity Through the Depiction of Loss and Suffering in Epic Poems

Defining Humanity through the Depiction of Loss and Suffering in Epic Poems Casey Dalton 10/8/2010 Forms and Expressions in World Literature Though epic poems, such as Homer’s The Iliad, or Beowulf, were meant to entertain, spread religion and culture, and perhaps even to preserve historical truths, they also have a rarely noticed, possibly accidental agenda; defining humanity. Even tales such as The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam have a mutual theme, though they come from completely different cultures and time frames.That theme is that what makes us mortal; what makes us human is the aspect of loss and suffering in our lives. This is true throughout all epic poems, whether subtle or not. The Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian story of a king and his brotherly bond, is a fairly obvious representation of the theme connecting humanity to loss and sorrow. This story dates back to one thousand B. C. E. and â€Å"can rightly be called the first true work of world literature. † (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume A 57-97) According to the epic, Gilgamesh was a great warrior and king of the city-state Uruk.He was described as almost god-like. This idea is embodied by now popular stories such as the story of Hercules, who is half-man, half-god. He is both praised and feared for his power. The epic reads, â€Å"Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance, he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull. † (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume A 57-97) Gilgamesh wields all of this power, yet he cannot control himself as a god would. He kills the locals’ sons, and rapes their women; possibly out of sheer boredom. He has been given more power than he can handle.In order to correct the problem, the god Anu convinces the goddess Aruru that Gilgamesh requires a counterpart to keep him occupied. Aruru creates Enkidu, an equivalent to Gilgamesh in size and strength, and t hey become loyal companions. Enkidu has a dream that he is attacked and killed by â€Å"a man of dark visage† (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume A 57-97) and soon after, dies. Gilgamesh cannot handle the loss of his dear friend and companion. He stays with the body until it is a host to maggots, and then wanders in the wilderness by himself, mourning.Then, realizing that he is mortal as well as his beloved Enkidu, Gilgamesh sets off on a quest to find his â€Å"ancestor Utanapishtim, who joined the Assembly of the Gods, and was given eternal life. † (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume A 57-97) The story of Utanapishtim’s gift was Noah’s Ark-esque. In which, he was given immortality for building a boat to save humanity and all other living things from a flood. Utanapishtim give Gilgamesh a plant that is said to reverse age. Gilgamesh tells a ferryman, â€Å"†¦this plant is a plant against decay by which a man can attain his survival.I will bring it to Uruk-Haven, and have an old man eat the plant to test. The plant’s name is ‘The Old Man Becomes a Young Man. ’ Then I will eat it and return to my youth. † (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume A 57-97) The plant is stolen by a snake, being a literal representation of a loss of immortality; making him human. Though, it is also a representation of a rebirth; of the realization that comes to Gilgamesh. After all these events, Gilgamesh realizes that though physically he will die, he can live on through the legacy he leaves behind.And so, he returns to Uruk and becomes a leader, a hero, and a proper king. The theme of loss causing expression of humanity is proven through this passage, â€Å"Over his friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh cried bitterly, roaming the wilderness. ‘I am going to die! – am I not like Enkidu?! Deep sadness penetrates my core, I fear death, and now roam the wilderness - I will set out to the region of Utanapishtim, son of Ubartutu, and will go with utmost dispatch! ’† (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume A 57-97) Before Gilgamesh’s loss of his companion, mentally, nothing separated him from being a god.He had the strength and ability to conquer anything or anyone. After Enkidu’s death, he realizes that no matter how powerful he may be, he is still a mortal and a human. Gilgamesh succumbs to a symptom of being human, mourning his loss. Previously, he had taken many lives carelessly, but when his companion’s life was taken, he becomes deeply emotional. He becomes irrational and wanders through the wilderness, becoming nomadic, like an animal. It’s as if he is attempting to avoid being human; to avoid being mortal.On Gilgamesh’s return to Uruk, the epic reads, â€Å"A snake smelled the fragrance of the plant, silently came up and carried off the plant. While going back it sloughed off its casing. At that point Gilgamesh sat down, weeping, his tears streaming over the side of his nose. † (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume A 57-97) The death of his friend caused him to realize that he, too, was mortal, but the loss of his only possible source of immortality caused him to realize that he will never be more than human.Though, the human life he lives is his opportunity to become ‘immortal’ to his people. The tale of The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam is a part of the Shah-nama or, The Book of Kings. Though it is a Persian epic, and was originally written around the year nine-hundred eighty-one, it has many strong similarities to The Epic of Gilgamesh. This epic starts off with a hero by the name of Rostam whose cherished horse wanders off and is captured. In search of the horse he comes across the fairest of maidens, Tahmine, who was well aware of his heroic reputation and wished to bear his son.They conceived a son. Rostam leaves his seal with Tahmine, to give to their child and they proceeded to live separate lives. The son is named Sohrab and is born Turkish, opposing the Iranian Rostam, due to political issues. The father and son are unaware of their relation, and meet each other in the battle field. Rostam mortally wounded Sohrab, and with his dying breaths, still unaware of their relation, Sohrab vows that his heroic father will avenge his death, and reveals the seal given to him upon leaving home for battle.Rostam had â€Å"slain the one he held most dear. † (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume B 509-18) He is then overcome with grief for the rest of his existence. This is the tragedy; the loss of a son, one’s attempt at becoming ‘immortal’, a legacy. Had Rostam not mistakenly slain his own son, and they had joined forces, they would have been an unstoppable force. Secrecy and bad politics kept the son from his father, thus keeping the son from be ing identified with his father, which is where the deeper meaning lies in the epic poem.Though god-like, Rostam was a mortal, and incidentally had destroyed his only son, who had not yet become identified with his father. As in Gilgamesh, the only hope for one to become near immortal is through one’s legacy, being another common theme spanning across the spectrum of epic poems. Rostam had destroyed his only physical possibility of creating a legacy with his own hands, there lies the tragedy. Though, Rostam lost his link to everlasting life, it created one for Sohrab. Never knowing the sorrow of a substantial loss, Sohrab was killed in perfection; he died in a god-like image.Addressing Rostam, a man says, â€Å"Once from afar I saw his arms and neck, His lofty stature and his massive chest. The times impelled him and his martial host to come here now and perish by your hand. † (â€Å"Longman Anthology: World Literature† Volume B 509-18) Sohrab’s image will be preserved as a god’s, as unflawed, never knowing the feeling of suffering; the feeling of loss. Epic poems are not unlike other genres of literature in that they all share common themes and ideas, no matter how conflicting the cultures of which they are tied to.All epics, especially tragedies, remind us of what it means to be human. Whether intentional or not, these poems directly connect humanity to, through our mortality, the loss of what one holds dear. Though, it is taken one step further and is connected to pity, sorrow, and grief. Without these emotions, one is not human.Works Cited The Longman Anthology: World Literature. 2nd ed. Volume B. Pearson Longman, 2008. 509-18. Print. The Longman Anthology: World Literature. 2nd ed. Volume A. Pearson Longman, 2008. 57-97. Print.

Iron Crowned Chapter 18

It really felt like that, like I was killing a living thing. And in a way, I was. I was destroying the land's connection to Katrice. The land and its monarch are one. Kind of an esoteric concept †¦ but, well, the truth. I'd certainly felt it in the Thorn Land. It was why I couldn't ever stay away from that kingdom for very long. It called to me. It was part of me. And so, I was essentially cutting a living thing in two. White-hot power burned through me as I did, the crown's magic connecting with my own and pouring into the dirt below. I had little sense of my surroundings, save Katrice screaming. Below me, in a spiritual sort of way, I could feel the land resisting at first. It didn't want to break its ties. In the end, it had no choice. The crown's magic was too strong. Seconds, minutes, hours †¦ I don't know how long it took, probably hardly any time at all. But suddenly, it was done. The crown's power faded from me, and the land lay there open and unclaimed. Raw and wounded. As the magic's haze wore off, the rest of the world slowly shifted back into focus for me. I stared around at the gaping faces and at Katrice, huddled and sobbing. I thought she'd aged before, but it was nothing compared to now. Being ripped from the land had devastated her. Her dark hair was almost all gray now, her face gaunt and lined. And all around †¦ all around, the land was restless. I could feel its energy, calling out †¦ reaching out †¦ yearning for a new master. Hardly any of the people gathered showed any recognition of this. They were still watching the drama of me and Katrice. A few spectators had puzzled looks on their faces, as though they too could hear the land. It was because they were powerful enough to take it, I realized. The land was already seeking those who possessed the strength to join with it, and looking up, I saw from Cassius's face that he could sense that. Katrice's son hadn't had the power to claim a kingdom, but her nephew did. So, for my next impulsive act of the day, I stuck my free hand into the ground. Just like the last time, soil that started off hard and ungiving soon grew soft and warm. My hand sank into the earth, and I was welcomed, as though someone were clasping my hand in return. Warmth filled my body, a comforting warmth very different from the crown's searing heat. I closed my eyes, striving to stay with that connection, to show I was worthy. Part of me was already given over to the Thorn Land. I had to fight to claim this land as well. Then, I felt it†¦. I felt the land accept me. And as it did, the ground began to shake. At first, I thought it was just some aftereffect of the magic, but then I remembered what had happened when the Thorn Land had bound itself to me. The land took on the form that spoke to my soul, that was natural and right to me. Aeson's former kingdom had shaped itself into the Sonora Desert, the land of my birth. The Rowan Land was trying to do the same thing. No, no! Not again. A semi-tropical kingdom transforming into a desert had wreaked havoc on its residents. We'd faced starvation, drought, poverty†¦. It was only recently that the kingdom had gotten on its feet again, becoming prosperous and self-sustaining. I wouldn't go through that again. Frantically, I tried to think of some other form. But what? I hardly ever left the southwestern United States. A quick image of the Catalina mountains flashed into my mind, the slopes snowy and pine-covered like the day Kiyo and I had fought the demon. I could feel the land start to grip that picture, and I yanked it away. This kingdom had some small mountains, but that was a tiny percentage of its terrain. I couldn't turn this place into Switzerland or Nepal. Stay the same, stay the same, I begged the land. For the sake of its occupants, I needed the landscape to remain unchanged. It was difficult, though. The land wanted to bond to me, to what was ingrained within my soul. Thinking back to the journey here, I tried to picture the rows and rows of cherry trees along the road. I remembered the sun shining through other deciduous trees and flowers growing in clusters. I thought about the stretch of rowan trees. Stay the same, stay the same. Gradually, the earth around me began to slow its shaking and finally stop – except for one spot. Not far from where I rested my hand, the ground cracked open and leaves and branches burst through. I scurried back, watching in as much awe as I had the first time a magical tree burst forth, growing and unfurling its leaves to full-size in seconds. I held my breath, wondering what it would be, this tree that dictated my new kingdom's nature. It was †¦ a rowan tree. I wasn't the only one who thought this was weird. â€Å"Didn't you claim it?† asked Jasmine, puzzled. I rose to my feet beside her, brushing dust off of my jeans. â€Å"I †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Had I? That was a rowan tree, making this – by all Otherworldly reasoning – the Rowan Land. Which is what it had been already. Maybe it hadn't worked. Maybe the crown hadn't done what I expected it to. Maybe Katrice had won it back somehow. But, no. There it was. I felt it. The land. The earth. The rocks. Every leaf and flower. The scents, the colors †¦ they were all sharper and more intense. If I opened myself up, I could feel every single piece of this land. It hummed. It buzzed. The energy was dizzying, and I forced myself to shut it out for a moment. â€Å"No,† I told Jasmine, wonderingly. â€Å"It's mine.† I stared at the rowan tree, more perfect than any real one could be, its orange-colored berries bright against green leaves swaying in the breeze. I reached out and stroked one of the leaves, vaguely aware of Katrice still sobbing. A tingle of power ran through me. â€Å"It's still the Rowan Land †¦ except, it's my Rowan Land.† Things were a little awkward after that. The soldiers were no longer trying to imprison me, but they also weren't ready to jump at my every order. My companions were of little use. Imanuelle, per her nature, was content to sit back and watch the mess I'd stumbled into. Kiyo wore a disapproving look on his face, and I feared I'd have a lecture coming later. Jasmine still seemed to be in shock. The only time she came to life was when I debated what to do with Katrice and Cassius. Unsurprisingly, Jasmine's suggestion was to kill them. â€Å"Confine them to her rooms,† I ordered, hoping someone would obey me. â€Å"Guard them with †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I was kind of at a loss. Theoretically, gentry knew how this worked. Whoever controlled the land ruled, but I wasn't entirely sure the guards around here would be so keen about imprisoning the woman who had ruled them ten minutes ago. Volusian, I thought. Now that I was in control, I could summon him without fear. Then, I realized I needed him for more important things. I looked pleadingly at Kiyo, needing no words. He nodded. â€Å"I'll watch them.† He turned abruptly, urging the former royalty inside with a couple of guards who'd decided to get on board with me right away. Kiyo being on guard served two purposes. I could trust him to do a good job – and, the longer he did, the longer I was safe from his disapproval. I then spoke the words to bring Volusian to me, the sight of him further frightening those who already watched me with terror. I'd let the storm dissipate, but darkness still seemed to wrap around my minion as his red eyes assessed me, the Iron Crown, and the tree. â€Å"Unexpected,† he said. â€Å"Go to Rurik,† I told him. â€Å"Explain what happened and have him bring an occupying force here immediately.† I didn't know what that meant exactly, but I did know military control took precedence here if we were going to secure the land. Rurik would know what to do. Governing would come later. â€Å"And then †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Now I hesitated. â€Å"Have Shaya contact Dorian about what happened. Then return to me.† Volusian paused, waiting for anything else I might add. When nothing more came, he vanished, and the sun seemed to shine a little brighter. It was all a waiting game now, and I glanced around at the Rowan Land's still-stunned residents. â€Å"Well †¦ that's it. Carry on as usual. Guard the gates. No one leaves. And you †¦ go get your soup or †¦ whatever you're eating.† That was for the civilians. When no one moved, I hardened my expression and repeated my orders more loudly. Fear flashed across the Rowan citizens' faces, and they sprang into action. This inner courtyard was huge, and I spotted an unoccupied spot near some carts that must have delivered supplies earlier. I walked over to them, Jasmine following, and sat on the ground. It was a weird spot for a queen, I supposed, but I wanted to rest while waiting for Rurik. Plus, it still let me keep an eye on this delicate and dangerous situation. The bulk of the guards were out here, and I didn't think mutiny was out of the question yet. People were moving after my commands, but it was mostly to gather in anxious clusters and discuss what had happened. Jasmine sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. â€Å"I want to go home,† she said. â€Å"We will. As soon as Rurik gets here, we'll head back to the castle and let him deal with this.† â€Å"No.† Her voice was small. â€Å"My other home. The human world.† I turned to her in astonishment, dragging my gaze from some peasants who were begging the guards to let them out. â€Å"What? But you hate that world. You always said this is where you fit in.† â€Å"It is,† she agreed. â€Å"But I just want †¦ I want to get away from all this for a little while. From magic. And castles. And †¦ whatever. I want to watch TV. I maybe want to see Wil. I want to charge my iPod. And my playlist doesn't suck.† I couldn't help a laugh. â€Å"I kind of want all those things too. We'll go soon. We'll †¦ we'll cut those chains. I-I'm sorry I don't have the key with me.† She shrugged. â€Å"It's fine.† â€Å"Kiyo's going to be upset about all this,† I murmured, surprised to be confiding in her. â€Å"You did the right thing,† Jasmine said. â€Å"I mean, aside from not killing Katrice and Cassius. But you can still do that.† Any residual smile left on my lips vanished. â€Å"Cassius †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"They were lying,† she said bluntly. â€Å"He didn't do anything.† â€Å"Jasmine †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'm serious.† She looked at me, her blue-gray gaze level and steady. â€Å"He talked a lot of talk when he came to see me †¦ touched me a little. But that was it. I think they just wanted to scare me.† She didn't elaborate on the touching. I didn't ask. I was just relieved she hadn't gone through what I had. â€Å"I'm sorry,† I told her. â€Å"I'm sorry I didn't protect you better.† Now she smiled. â€Å"You did fine. And hey, you ended the war, right? You won.† I turned away, staring off into space. â€Å"I guess I did.† We didn't talk much after that. I was tired, exhausted from all the magic. Apparently, using an ancient, powerful artifact wasn't as easy as it seemed. Neither was proving your dominance over a large piece of land. I'd felt wiped out last time but had gotten out of the Thorn Land as quickly as possible. Now, sitting here, I was stuck in the Rowan Land, still acutely aware of its every sensation. That intensity would fade, just as it had with the Thorn Land, but for now, it was like a hammer banging inside my head, demanding attention. I practically flew to the gate when Rurik arrived. Once admitted, he and the force behind him paused. Studying the situation, he had a reaction similar to Volusian's. â€Å"Really?† â€Å"Things happened kind of fast,† I admitted. â€Å"It was well done. Possessing this land was a much better idea than simply defeating Katrice in battle.† I scowled. â€Å"Well, can you possess it for now?† He grinned. â€Å"Gladly.† Turning from me, he fixed a hard gaze on those gathered. â€Å"You're all now subjects of Queen Eugenie, daughter of Tirigan Storm King,† he barked. â€Å"Kneel.† I looked on imperiously as they obeyed. I knew this was necessary to establish our control. No weakness, no hesitation. We were conquerors. I'd long since taken off the Iron Crown but wished I'd brought my normal one of authority. Oh, well. It wasn't like I could've foreseen this when packing. Everyone in the keep fell to their knees, heads bowed. We let them stay like that for several seconds while my stomach sank. Finally, they were allowed to rise, and Rurik kicked into full martial law mode, demanding an assessment of all soldiers and issuing rules for servants and refugees. He had a few tasks for me – more actions that made me seem queenly – before finally declaring I could leave. â€Å"I'll sort out the immediate problems,† he told me in a low voice. My own soldiers were now out and about, establishing order. â€Å"We'll lock this place down, start scouting the immediate area, sifting out those who can be trusted.† He paused eloquently. â€Å"I'll probably have to throw a large part of their military into the dungeon.† â€Å"Do what you have to do,† I said. I had a feeling he'd eventually want to talk executions but was holding back for now. I imagined I looked as tired as I felt. â€Å"And you simply want to imprison the former queen for now?† he asked. â€Å"For now.† Jasmine scoffed beside me, and Rurik's expression showed he shared her opinion. â€Å"Well, don't stay away long,† he said. â€Å"You need to make your presence felt. And you need to connect with the land.† â€Å"I know, I know,† I grumbled. I'd avoided the Thorn Land before, but it had kept calling me back. â€Å"I know how this works.† He arched an eyebrow, that sardonic smile of his returning. â€Å"Do you? Do you know what's happened?† I threw my hands up, gesturing around. â€Å"I got stuck with another kingdom.† â€Å"Do you know how many other monarchs control more than one kingdom?† I shook my head, presuming whoever did must live far from me. â€Å"No one,† said Rurik. â€Å"I †¦ What? No.† Dorian had mentioned conquering more than one land, making me think it must happen now and then. The Iron Crown's purpose suggested as much. â€Å"There must be someone else.† â€Å"No one,† Rurik repeated. â€Å"You're the only one. The only one in ages †¦ well, except for Storm King.† The world swayed around me again. I once more just wanted to go somewhere and lie down. My reaction brought a bigger smile to Rurik's face, but I swore there was a little sympathy in his eyes too. â€Å"Congratulations,† he said. â€Å"Congratulations, Eugenie – Queen of Rowan and Thorn.†

History of Electric Christmas Lights

History of Electric Christmas Lights Like so many things electrical, the history of electric Christmas lights begins with Thomas Edison. During the Christmas season of 1880, Edison, who had invented the incandescent bulb the previous year, hung strings of electric lights outside his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. An article in the New York Times  on December 21, 1880, described a visit by officials from the New York City government to Edisons laboratory in Menlo Park. The walk from the train station to Edisons building was lined with electric lamps was illuminated with 290 light bulbs which cast a soft and mellow light on all sides. Did You Know? The first use of electric Christmas lighting was by Thomas Edison in 1880.The first illuminated Christmas tree was shown off by one of Edisons employees to reporters who visited his Manhattan house in 1882.Electric lights were very costly at first and required the services of a trained electrician.When the cost of electric lights became affordable, their use quickly spread as they were much safer than candles. It doesnt appear from the article that Edison intended the lights to be associated with Christmas. But he was hosting a holiday dinner for the delegation from New York, and the novel lighting seemed to fit in with the holiday mood. Up to that time, it was common to illuminate Christmas trees with small candles, which could, of course, be dangerous. In 1882, an employee of Edison put on a show with electric lights that was fully intended to establish the practical application of electricity to the celebration of Christmas. Edward H. Johnson, a close friend of Edison and the president of the company Edison formed to provide illumination in New York City, used electric lights for the first time to illuminate a Christmas tree. The First Electric Christmas Tree Lights Johnson rigged up a Christmas tree with electrical lights, and, in typical style for the Edison companies, he solicited coverage in the press. An 1882 dispatch in the Detroit Post and Tribune about a visit to Johnson’s house in New York City may have been the first news coverage of electric Christmas lights. A month later, a magazine of the time, Electrical World, also reported on Johnson’s tree. Their item called it â€Å"the handsomest Christmas tree in the United States.† Two years later, the New York Times sent a reporter to Johnson’s house on the East Side of Manhattan, and an astoundingly detailed story appeared in the edition of December 27, 1884. Headlined, A Brilliant Christmas Tree: How an Electrician Amused His Children, the article began: A pretty as well as novel Christmas tree was shown to a few friends by Mr. E.H. Johnson, President of the Edison Company for Electric Lighting, last evening in his residence, No. 136 East Thirty-sixth Street. The tree was lighted by electricity, and children never beheld a brighter tree or one more highly colored than the children of Mr. Johnson when the current was turned and the tree began to revolve. Mr. Johnson has been experimenting with house lighting by electricity for some time past, and he determined that his children should have a novel Christmas tree. It stood about six feet high, in an upper room, last evening, and dazzled persons entering the room. There were 120 lights on the tree, with globes of different colors, while the light tinsel work and usual adornment of Christmas trees appeared to their best advantage in illuminating the tree. An Edison Dynamo Rotated the Tree Johnson’s tree, as the article went on to explain, was quite elaborate, and it rotated thanks to his clever use of Edison dynamos: Mr. Johnson had placed a little Edison dynamo at the foot of the tree, which by passing a current through from the large dynamo in the cellar of the house, converted it into a motor. By means of this motor, the tree was made to revolve with a steady, regular motion. The lights were divided into six sets, one set of which was lighted at a time in front as the tree went round. By a simple devise of breaking and making connection through copper bands around the tree with corresponding buttons, the sets of lights were turned out and on at regular intervals as the tree turned around. The first combination was of pure white light, then, as the revolving tree severed the connection of the current that supplied it and made connection with a second set, red and white lights appeared. Then came yellow and white and other colors. Even combinations of the colors were made. By dividing the current from the large dynamo Mr. Johnson could stop the motion of the tree without putting out the lights. The New York Times provided two more paragraphs containing even more technical detail about the Johnson familys astounding Christmas tree. Reading the article more than 120 years later, it’s obvious that the reporter considered the electric Christmas lights to be a serious invention. The First Electric Christmas Lights Were Costly While Johnson’s tree was considered a marvel, and Edison’s company tried to market electric Christmas lights, they did not become immediately popular. The cost of the lights and the services of an electrician to install them was out of the reach of the general public. However, wealthy people would hold Christmas tree parties to show off electric lighting. Grover Cleveland reportedly ordered a White House Christmas tree that was lit with Edison bulbs in 1895. (The first White House Christmas tree belonged to Benjamin Harrison, in 1889, and was lit by candles.) The use of small candles, despite their inherent danger, remained the popular method of illuminating household Christmas trees until well into the 20th century. Electric Christmas Tree Lights Made Safe A popular legend is that a teenager named Albert Sadacca, after reading about a tragic New York City fire in 1917 caused by candles lighting a Christmas tree, urged his family, which was in the novelty business, to begin manufacturing affordable strings of lights. The Sadacca family tried marketing electric Christmas lights but sales were slow at first. As people became more attuned to household electricity, strings of electric bulbs became increasing common on Christmas trees. Albert Sadacca, incidentally, became the head of a lighting company worth millions of dollars. Other companies, including most notably General Electric, entered the Christmas light business, and by the 1930s electric Christmas lights had become a standard part of holiday decorating. Early in the 20th century the tradition began of having public tree lighting. One of the most famous, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., began in 1923. A tree, place on the ellipse, at the southern end of the White House grounds, was first illuminated on December 24, 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge. A newspaper report the following day described the scene: As the sun sank below the Potomac the President touched a button which lighted up the nations Christmas tree. The giant fir from his native Vermont instantly blazed with myriad electrics which shone through tinsels and reds, while those who surrounded this community tree, children and grown-ups, cheered and sang. The crowds on foot were augmented by thousands who came in motor cars, and to the music of the singers was added the discord of horns. For hours the people thronged to the ellipse, which was dark except in the spot where the tree stood, its brilliancy heightened by a searchlight which shed its rays from the Washington Monument overlooking it. Another prominent tree lighting, at Rockefeller Center in New York City, began modestly in 1931 when construction workers decorated a tree. When the office complex officially opened two years later, the tree lighting became an official event. In the modern era the Rockefeller Center tree lighting has become a yearly event carried live on national television.

How to Do Well on ACT Science for Non-Science People

How to Do Well on ACT Science for Non-Science People SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips ACT Science is really a misnomer.The test should be called the â€Å"reading with very confusing big words and tricky visuals† section.The reason ACT Science does not force you to memorize AP level Bio or complete IB Physics HL problems is that not everyone takes all of that math in high school. For ACT Science to be a fair standardized test for all high school students, the test asks you about basic science concepts in tricky or confusing ways. If you're one of those people who runs away from Math and Science Questions or considers themselves a writer or artistrather than a scientist or mathematician, do not fear! You can still get a 36 on ACT Science. The keys to success on ACT Science for non-science people are: Focusing only on what you need to know and practicing those skills, specifically: Scientific Method The 13 topics the ACT Science section expects you to know Reading visuals Avoiding the science terms Focusing on the reading aspect I'll delve into these three topics below. Focusing Only on What You Need to Know and Practicing Those Skills As I mentioned above, there is very, very little actual science you need to understand for ACT Science. However, you do need to have a basic understanding of these three categories. Scientific Method This is the basis for all of the passages in the ACT Science section.I will give you a basic summary of the scientific method, and you can read more about it in my Experimental Design question article.Scientists use the scientific method for all experiments. Scientists begin by observing something they want to study such as the freezing point of water. They notice water freezes somewhere between -5 and 5 degrees Celsius and want to know at exactly what temperature it will happen.Scientists then make a prediction or a hypothesis about what will happen. These scientists predict that the water will freeze at 1 degree Celsius. Scientists then conduct an experiment to test this hypothesis. To conduct an experiment, scientists use independent variables and dependent variable.The variables that the scientists actively change are the independent variables. The variables that they then observe are the dependent variables.In this case, the scientists put 5 g of water into freezers. Each freezer is set to a different measurement: -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 degrees Celsius. The freezer temperature is the independent variable.After 2 hours, the scientists check each freezer and note whether the water in the freezer is solid or liquid. Liquid or solid is the dependent variable. Scientists then draw a conclusion from the results.The scientists find that all water at or below 0 degrees Celsius froze while all water at or above 1 degree Celsius remained a liquid.So, their hypothesis was incorrect. Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius. ACT Science Tip: You do not need to memorize the steps of the scientific method to ace the ACT Science section.You just need to understand that Scientists are looking to see how a change in one thing affects the outcome. How a change in the independent variable affects the dependent variable.You need to be able to distinguish between these variables on the test.Check out our Experimental Design article for more practice on this topic. The 13 Topics ACT Science Expect You to Know There are 13 science topics that the ACT Science section expects you to know, ranging from basic cell biology to how gravity works.There will only be 4 questions per test on these topics (out of 40 questions), and the ACT will not give you information on these topics in the passage.Check out this previous knowledge question below: In order to answer this question, you need to use the information from the passage, that â€Å"A pre-MS star becomes an MS star when the star produces the majority of its energy by fusing hydrogen nuclei (protons) at its center to make helium nuclei.†On top of this information, you need to know that protons are positively charged and like charges repel each other.So, the answer is G. I wrote an entire article covering all13 topics: check it out here.Make flashcards for each topic and drill them until you know them.If you are looking to score a 30 or below on ACT Science, do not stress too much about memorizing these topics as you could get all 4 questions wrong and still score around a 30. Instead, focuson the next skill covered, as it is the most tested: Reading Visuals This is the key to success on all ACT Science Passages.This is the most tested skill on the ACT Science section.Learn the basics of reading graphs and other visuals through our article on Factual Questions: How to Read Graphs, Tables and Data.Continue to practice this skill by taking ACT Science Practice Tests: check out our article on where to find the best practice tests. Avoiding the Science Terms As I said before, ACT Science is really a misnomer.You DO NOT need to comprehend the large science terms used in the passages.If you do need to know it to answer a question, the passage will explain what it means. See the example below: You can see in this passage they give you definitions for most of the terms: refracted, seismograph, focus, shadowzone, the types of seismic waves, the difference between p and s waves. When the ACT Science section doesn’t give you the definition of a word, don’t sweat it.Think of ACT Science questions as a matching game.You see a word you don’t understand in the question like average change in AGTB, and you match the word to its partner in the visuals: You never actually have to explain what it means. DO NOT stress over these big terms.Think of them as placeholders. Focus on the Reading Aspect As I’ve said many times, ACT Science is not really a science test; it is a reading test.So if you are a writer/artist, who loves to read, focus on that aspect.Think of it as reading section #2 where you happen to read about science experiments or studies.Read our article on The Best Strategies for Reading ACT Science Passages to make sure you are getting the most out of your reading skills. Recap Do not worry about your dislike of science; you can still get a 36 on the Science section.Study the material you need to know: Make sure you understand the scientific method. Check out our article on Experimental Design for more information. Study the only actual science material you need to know. Make flashcards using our other article The Only Actual Science You Need to Know for ACT Science Practice reading visuals as it is the most tested skill on the ACT Science section. Check out our article on Factual Questions: How to Read Graphs, Tables, and Data for more information. Do not get caught up in the big, scary science terms. Instead, think of the section as a matching game.Focus on the reading aspect if you enjoy reading! What’s Next? Keep practicing by learningabout the different types of ACT Science questions suchasfactual questions,interpreting trends questions, experimental design questions, and interpreting experiments questions. In a hurry to study for the ACT? Learnhow to cram. Not sure where you want to go to college? We can help you pick your target school and figure out what should be your target ACT score. Like this article? Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Sciencelesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial: Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Dora Seigel About the Author As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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Wal-Mart at the New York Stock Exchange Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Wal-Mart at the New York Stock Exchange - Essay Example The company is one of the biggest retailers in the world and deals in various products ranging from food items and clothing to electronics and pharmaceuticals. It operates in three business segments – Walmart US, Walmart International and Sam’s club. The company has operations in all states of the US besides 11 other countries including the developing economies like China and India (50). Ernst and Young LLP are Wal-Mart’s independent auditors. The auditors in their report have stated that the internal controls over the financial reporting are satisfactory and as per accounting principles as of January 31, 2011, and that the statements presented in the annual report provide the fair financial position of the company as a whole for both the years 2010 and 2011. Industry outlook The retail industry is one of the most competitive and unpredictable industries. With the world becoming a global village, it has become imperative that organizations in this sector reach ou t to unexplored geographical locations earlier than their competitors to take advantage of the new markets. For this, they need to be quick to adapt to the new cultures of these markets. This sector also has competition from technological innovations in communication. Since it has now become easier to get in touch with the customer through the internet, companies need to utilize these facilities to the fullest and at the earliest. Environmental concerns are also the issues which the companies in this sector cannot ignore. Future plans As per the CEO, Duke â€Å"the company has five-point priorities – growth by adding customers†¦..expanding the company sustainability effort† (D’Innocenzio and Bartels). Expansion within the US remains his top priority as well. The company plans to increase its Sam’s Club membership by improving the customer experience for its members. They also plan to increase transparency is the price. Wal-Mart is also planning to ex pand web presence to more geographical locations. Wal-Mart US is experimenting with new formats and is planning to launch Walmart Express to start with. Walmart international is targeting to increase new space by 23 to 24 million square feet in emerging markets this year. Income Statement analysis The company uses multi-step income statement. The company’s gross margin was at 25.26% in 2011 as against 25.4% in 2010. This shows that the gross profit did not show much change as a percentage of sales over the two years. In absolute numbers, the gross profits for 2011 and 2010 (in millions) were $106,562 and $103, 641respectively. Income from operations before income tax (in millions) was $23,538 in 2011 and $22,118 in 2010. The increase in both these incomes is attributable to increased sales due to its expansion into new markets and increase in the number of stores. The company increased its floor space by 3.4% during the financial year 2011 (Annual Report 17). The favorable ex change rate also helped the sales figure to increase (17). One more reason for this increase is the reduction of the effect of the financial crisis in US markets. Cash Flow statement analysis Cash Flow statement shows that the net cash (in millions) provided by the operating activities for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $23,643, $26,249 and $23,147 respectively.

The Proponents of the Monument to Forrest Research Paper

The Proponents of the Monument to Forrest - Research Paper Example Courts of law have held that it is up to the judicial system to decide if certain acts carried out in private capacity under the First Amendment are publicly acceptable. Court rulings provide that private acts under the First Amendment are acceptable as long as they do not encroach on the rights of other citizens (Mitchell). For example, a person can decide to shed their clothes in private, but this behaviour cannot take place in public since it leads to obscene behaviour. Under the First Amendment and the right to public expression, a person could theoretically shed their clothes and go public, but under court rulings, this has been exposed as public indecency (Mitchell). In the current situation, the monument to Forrest is being erected on private land, but this private land is publicly exposed to the town centre. The monument to Forrest would be clearly visible from the town centre, and so it would become a public affair. If Nathan Bedford Forrest was recognized as a hero by membe rs of all communities living in Selma, it would be acceptable to erect such a monument to pay homage. However, Forrest is a disputed personality in terms of his historical acceptability to various communities and may provoke outrage in African Americans living in the town. Erecting such a monument in Selma may lead to racial strife between black and anti-black groups, which may trigger violent outcomes. In order to prevent violence and racial friction, it would be pertinent to ensure that the monument to Forrest is not erected near major public centres.

Netscape IPO Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Netscape IPO - Essay Example That Netscape would now be in the dustbin of history, having been demolished by Microsoft during the browser war when it buckled under the killer strategy of Bill Gates’ bundled Windows operating system with the its browser, Internet Explorer and having bought by AOL in March 1999 – many questions still abound on what went wrong, and what could have been avoided. The company was led by both the talented (Marc Andreessen and the experienced manager (Jim Clark) and had the backing of the well-known venture capitalists in Silicon Valley. No less than Morgan Stanley would be the lead underwriters for its IPO. In the end, the dilemma faced by the board of directors of whether to give in its Wall Street underwriters’ proposal of raising the initial stock price form $14 to $28 and increasing the number of shares to 5 million due to favorable response to the investment roadshow or risk a public verdict of opportunism for doing so (Backstrand 7)– was rendered moot and academic. Netscape opened to an overwhelming response from investors who took the stock price to as much as $75 after a delayed opening of $71 per share. On the other hand, the question of whether the investors made a good decision in paying so much for the stock an untested company had to place it in the context of the condition of the industry, Netscape’s company strategy and how IPOs in general fare as investments. ... Condition of the industry: In the mid-nineties, the Internet industry was at the start of its boom period. There were no clear indicators where it would be headed - a condition that had been comparably described when the PC was thought of in the early 1980s when the IPO of Apple Computers mirrored the wildly exuberant public reception of Netscape's IPO (Blodget n.p.). There were various theories of what the Internet would be - some thought that it would be like glamorized surfing of TV shows and those who would be winners in the era would those sites that would offer great design and content (Blodget n.p.). Fast forward to a decade later - the winners would be a search engine called Google, a book seller now an around retailer, Amazon.com and an on-line community of buyers and sellers called ebay.com. Netscape was proclaimed a winner too soon in the game, like Apple was. Though Apple Computers remains as a company today, the big winners of the IPO era of the PC industry were those who entered it later in the phase - as could be seen in Microsoft IPO in 1986 and Dell in 1988 (Blodget n.p.). The Internet community more than ten years ago was miniscule (57 million users according to the International Data Corporation) compared to what it is today, but even by then, it was growing by leaps and bounds. The web browser market in 1994 was dominated by the Mosaic web browser program that was created by Netscape co-founder, the 23-year old Marc Andreessen (Backstrand 3). When Andreesen teamed up with middle-aged Jim Clark, the founder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape successfully set a new industry standard through its Netscape Navigator program and wrestled market leadership from Mosaic. Netscape's share of the market by 2005 was at 75% while Mosaic,

Market Analysis for Male Condom Product

Market Analysis for Male Condom Product Introduction This report aims to explore the possible business opportunity of condom manufacturing of a Novelty Condom (Lolly), with particular emphasis on the public and private sector markets for the male condom. In considering the market for male condoms in South Africa, it is prudent to separate the discussion into public sector and private sector markets, and within these markets to consider procurement, distribution and sale of the products. Executive Summary Market / Industry/ Description (Makro) South African condom manufacturers are not competitive in the global market. This has led to their reliance on the governments condom procurement contract, which they are awarded on a preferential basis. It is as yet unclear whether government will continue to show preference to local manufacturers. If it does, this may further negatively impact the manufacturers competitiveness, and limit their market to the local public sector. If government decides to award future contracts to the most competitive bidders, some local manufacturers may go out of business. Socio Cultural There is no other product on the market apart from condoms that gives dual protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, as well as protection against unplanned pregnancy. In South Africa, the burden of STIs and HIV is enormous. The Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA), (source: www.actuarialsociety.org.za) has developed a demographic and AIDS model (latest ASSA 2003) that makes use of data from several sources to project the potential course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the demographic impact that it is having. According to the latest version of the model, some 5.4 million South Africans were infected with HIV in mid-2006. The has escalated to 5, 934, 183 in 2007 (source: Quantec Database and ECSSEC Analysis, 2009). The model further indicates that prevalence is higher for women in the 15-34 age groups, while it is higher for men in the older ages. Furthermore, the ASSA model predicts that the number of people infected will continue to rise, to exceed 6 million by 2015. Accumulated AIDS deaths will be close to 5.4 million by the same year. In terms of incidence, i.e. the number of new infections occurring, the 15-24 year age group, and particularly women, contributes the highest numbers of new infections. Biology, gender roles, sexual norms and inequalities in access to resources and decision-making power put women and girls at greater risk of infection. Many women have insufficient information about sexual and reproductive health and do not understand the risks associated with their own or their partners sexual behaviour. Many of those who do recognise their vulnerability are powerless to protect themselves. Other STIs also take their toll. In South Africa, the prevalence of STIs is estimated to range from 5% to over 30% in various population sub-groups and localities depending on the type of STI (source: ASSA and Quantec Database). It is important to note that, in addition to the disease and disability STIs themselves cause, they also increase the risk of acquiring HIV during intercourse as a result of inflammation and ulceration. Male condoms are widely available in South Africa, both through public sector condom distribution programmes as well as for sale through retail outlets. The range of products available in the private sector is broad, catering for various user sizes, as well as other novel user preferences such as taste, colour and texture (Our target market: Novel Condom User). The availability of female condoms is much more limited. And finally, although this is a practice and not a product, male circumcision has recently received a lot of attention as research has shown that the practice can reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Although this method cannot be used on its own to prevent HIV transmission, there are concerns in some quarters that miscommunication about the link between male circumcision and HIV transmission could potentially result in the practice being used as a substitute for condom use. Adapted from: Outlook, May 2006 Economic Employment potential Condom manufacturing is both capital and labour intensive. In particular, the sampling and testing of batches of condoms, which is a critical component of the manufacturing process, is facilitated by hand. In Thailand, which is one of the worlds leading exporters of condoms, it has been found that young women are best suited to this work as it is repetitive, precise and requires a high degree of speed and dexterity. The incumbent local manufacturers employ an average of 100 people. A new condom manufacturing facility could thus potentially provide employment for up to 100 semi-skilled young women.The following inputs are required to set up a male condom manufacturing facility. Legal In South Africa there are no compulsory regulations governing the manufacturing and testing of condoms. The Department of Health, as the primary purchaser of locally manufactured condoms, acts as an indirect regulator of the industry by requiring that all public sector male condoms be designed and manufactured according to technical specifications set by the World Health Organisation. These specifications include design, performance and packaging requirements, as well as general requirements that specify the safety of constituent materials and other characteristics, such as shelf life. In addition public sector condoms, irrespective of whether they are made locally or imported from overseas, need to be tested to the same quality standards and approved by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). Outside of the public sector, manufacturers may apply to the SABS for a â€Å"standardization mark† to illustrate that their product complies with the SABS requirements. Compliance with the standard is however voluntary and not compulsory. Technological Political Competitor Review The South African condom manufacturing industry is an oligopoly made up of four companies, whose main customer is the Department of Health. The manufacturing facilities operate at or below their total production capacity, and further capacity will be created by the end of 2007. This points to a saturated industry that would not welcome a new entrant. Table 5 below is a summary of the operations of the four manufacturers. Table 3: Local manufacturers of male condoms Company Rrt Medcon Zalatex Karex Wupro Date established 2001 1990 2001 1999 Location Kwazulu-Natal Gauteng Mpumalanga Kwazulu-Natal Products manufactured Male condom Male condom Examination gloves Surgical gloves Male condom Male condom Linen savers Diapers Choice condom (pieces per year) 63,750 000 38,250 000 72,250 000 38,250 000 Own brand condom (pieces per year) Viva (â€Å"small Positions African Skin (â€Å"very small quantities†) Carex (1,200 000) Socially marketed condoms (pieces per year) Lovers Plus Trust (10,000 000) Export (pieces per year) Carex (1,000 000) Ad hoc Total manufacturing capacity (pieces per year) 180,000 000 72,000 000 150,000 000 40,000 000 Employees 106 110 160 60 Competing products: There are currently no other products that have been developed for men to protect against STIs, HIV and pregnancy. The male condom remains the primary prevention tool for men. Newer forms of male condoms include synthetic non-latex condoms made from materials such as polyurethane and styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), which have a longer shelf life, can be used with oil-based lubricants, and can be used by men who have latex sensitivity/allergy. These products are however not readily available in South Africa. Foreign manufacturers In addition to competition from other local manufacturers, foreign manufacturers of male condoms are also important role-players in the South African market. A review of data from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) of all the foreign manufactured condoms available in South Africa shows that India, China and Malaysia are the key competing countries. Table 7 below illustrates the share of the total Rand value of imported condoms for the key competing countries. Table 5: Percentage share of imports by country 2006 Country Rand value of imports % of total imports China 21,045 189 35.94 Malaysia 13,948 863 23.82 India 5,192 677 8.87 Source: SA Customs Excise The key competitive advantages of the foreign manufacturers include: * Proximity to raw material (natural rubber latex) * Competitive labour costs * Output typically greater that 450 million pieces per year, so can benefit from economies of scale. Product Price Expected margins: A manufacturer in the industry can expect to realise profit margins between 5% and 20% (General Manager, Karex). Below is an illustration of the estimated revenues for Karex. Table 4: Case study Karex Condom type Number of pieces sold Selling price (R/piece) Revenue Choice 72,250 000 R0.20 R14,659 525 Lovers Plus + Trust 10,000 000 R0.50 R5,000 000 Carex (export) 1,000 000 R0.90 R900 000 Carex (retail) 1,200 000 R1,00 R1,200 000 Total revenue R21,759 525 Given that all male latex condoms are essentially similar in terms of their manufacturing process, it stands to reason that volumes are a major determinant of the margins that a manufacturer can realise. Therefore in the current market, a manufacturer would need to have Government as a client in order for their operation to be viable. Table 2: Average price charged per 3-pack of condoms Condom Brand Average price per 3-pack Lovers Plus R7.20 Trust R5.33 Durex R24.99 Lifestyle R9.95 Distribution Promotion Company Image /Brand Suppliers Management Skills and Resources Larry Davin CEO – PHD in Nothing Khuthele Bovu Director – PHD in business science marketing and Finance ECT ECT Core Competencies SWOT Analysis The above analysis should enable us to determine what variables will have an effect on the success or failure of the business. Potential Internal strengths and weaknesses have been looked at as well as external opportunities and threats. Ansoff Market Matrix Key Issues and New Opportunities. 5 Points to be determined from the Ansoff Matrix MARKETING OBJECTIVES (Must be SMART) PMS objectives Marketing objectives Objectives from new opportunities and key issues. 3.3.1 Male condom manufacturing A new entrant into the male condom manufacturing industry in South Africa would face a saturated industry in which a handful of companies operate. Furthermore a new entrant would need to compete with foreign manufacturers who are able to achieve cost-competitiveness through scale, cheaper labour and ready access to raw material. As government is the most significant customer in the market, failure to secure a contract with the DoH would jeopardise the viability of any operation. In addition, the requirement for a manufacturer to demonstrate existing capacity would mean setting up a facility at risk, with no certainty of securing the major customer. In the retail environment, the manufacturer would need to compete with well established brands such as Durex and Lifestyle. South Africa is a net importer of male and female condoms. Import s from the three primary source countries of latex condoms are shown in the table below. South Africa also imports from other countries such as the UK, Thailand, Germany and Korea. Table 9: Imports to South Africa of rubber sheath contraceptives (Rand value) Import source 2004 2005 2006 Total imports 79,023,113 59,044,723 58,556,392 China 43,002,818 29,602,084 21,045,189 Malaysia 16,101,512 12,468,383 13,948,863 India 2,606,106 6,604,586 5,192,677 Source: SA Customs Excise The Rand value of exports of condoms from South Africa is very small in comparison. Local manufacturers export primarily to other African countries. Table 10: South African exports of rubber sheath contraceptives (Rand value) Export market 2004 2005 2006 Total exports 1,826,715 2,789,604 3,111,135 Mozambique 1,456,616 1,379,926 1,646,028 Malawi 0 666 940,000 Angola 12,085 995,291 360,514 Congo 0 104,244 145,826 Source: SA Customs Excise It is important to note that these s do not only reflect the value of South African manufactured condom exports, but also those foreign manufactured condoms that are packaged in South Africa and then exported. Possible reasons for the poor export performance of South African manufacturers are discussed earlier in this report. It remains to be seen whether local manufacturers will become more competitive in the future, or whether the proposed preferential procurement of local condoms by the DoH and the degree of protection that provides to local manufacturers will further jeopardise the success of local condom products in the global market. Table 9: Inputs required – male condom factory Input required Components Infrastructure Land Construction and civil works Machinery Automatic dipping line High voltage dry electronic testing machine Condom foil sealing machine Automatic burst tester Electrolyte water test machine Tensile tester Length measuring gauge Miscellaneous condom testing laboratory equipment Other equipment and accessories Motor vehicles Generator Office equipment and accessories Materials Rubber latex Lubricant Packaging material Human resources Factory labour Management team: must have financial, production and marketing know-how. Target Market Identification Segmentation South African Market for Condoms In South Africa public sector condoms constitute the bulk of the condoms available. In 2006 approximately 428 million male condoms were distributed through public sector channels, against 36 million units sold in retail outlets. Source: Society for Family Health, 2007 With a crippled economy forcing millions of cash-strapped Americans to entertain themselves at home, its not surprising that one particular product is seeing a sales increase — condoms. (Source: www.usatoday.com). While car purchases plummeted and designer clothes mostly stayed on the racks, sales of condoms in the U.S. rose 5% in the fourth quarter of 2008, and 6% in January vs. the same time periods the previous year. (Source: The Nielsen Co). South Africans could not be outdone by their American counterparts. According to the research conducted by the IOL (www.iol.co.za), it has also been a boom time for South Africas leading condom manufacturers, with sales up 55 percent on last year. â€Å"There has been a 50-percent increase in sales, which is probably a combination of marketing activities together with the Aids message finally filtering through to consumers, said Dave Glass, general manager of Adcock, which distributes the Lifestyles and up-market Contempo brand condoms. Competitor Durex SA reported a 35-percent growth in its condom sales in the same period, according to its spokesperson J Giles. While a three-pack of Contempo condoms will cost anywhere from about R20 to R27, Glass said increased sales in the lower-priced Lifestyles brand (about R10 for 3) may have been a sign that people were willing to pay for protection in the wake of last years recall of government condoms. Government, through the Department of Health, is the key role-player in the public sector. Private sector condoms are those that are available at commercial prices from retail outlets as well as those sold at subsidized prices through social marketing programmes. The dominance of the public sector market is likely to continue into the future, given the priority and resources that government has made available towards the fight against HIV/AIDS, and also considering that the targeted end-user (mainly Black youth) generally cannot afford to pay retail prices for condoms. If a new manufacturer is to enter the South African condom market, five segments of the market will need to be assessed to determine which hold the greatest potential for future sales. Positioning and strategy Key ingredients for success The most critical ingredient for the success of a new condom manufacturer is securing the Department of Health contract. Without this, none of the other potential market segments would be sufficient to render the operation viable. innovation is important (novelty), so that a good quality product is developed which can be sold at a reasonable price. In addition, generating demand for the product is important, so substantial effort will need to be devoted to creating and promoting the appropriate marketing message for the product. Other factors that will contribute to a successful operation are: A project management team to ensure sound operations, marketing and financial control. Close co-operation with national and international organisations working in the area of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. Furthermore, a manufacturer who is bidding for a portion of the government contract needs to show existing production capacity. This will require considerable set-up costs to be incurred, without the certainty of securing the major client. POSITIONING STRATEGY Government HIV prevention is the backbone of governments National HIV AIDS and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa 2007-2011. The primary aims of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) are to: Reduce the rate of new infections by 50% by 2011. Reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS by expanding treatment, care and support to 80% of all HIV positive people and their families by 2011. An important intervention to reduce the rate of new infections is the distribution of male and female condoms. The Department of Health (DoH) is responsible for the management of quality control and related logistics for public sector condoms. Male and female condoms are distributed free of charge to various sites. The distribution of male condoms includes hospitals and clinics as primary distribution sites, with secondary distribution extending to non-governmental organisations, workplaces, and other locations. Female condoms are distributed to selected sites and require one-on-one counselling on their use. Governments male condom distribution pattern and the projected future distribution are illustrated in the table below. The DoH procures condoms through a tender process. The current two year contract, which started in October 2005, has been extended and will expire in February 2008. The Department currently procures male condoms from all four of the local manufacturers as well as from foreign manufacturers. Table 1: Government male condom suppliers Contractor % allocated Type Unit price per 200 pieces (R) Maximum contract quantities ( ‘000 p/a) Karex 17% Local 40.58 72 250 Wupro 9% Local 43.03 38 250 rrtMedcon 15% Local 47.31 63 750 Zalatex 9% Local 41.01 38 250 Equity Distributor 17% Imported (China) 39.58 72 250 Khusela 17% Imported (Malaysia) 39.58 72 250 Supex International 16% Imported (China) 40.00 68 000 Source: Department of Health, July 2007 In the current contract, all four local manufacturers were allocated a portion of the contract, despite a wide variation between the lowest and highest prices, and despite the fact that all the locally manufactured condoms were more expensive than the imported product. Discussions with National Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) give conflicting views of how future tenders will be adjudicated. In Treasurys view, future tenders should be more stringently governed by cost-competitiveness, where the price per unit is limited to a specified range which is benchmarked against international prices. The DTI however believes that preference should be given to local manufacturers, in particular small and medium sized companies (value of assets less than R200 million). Discussions are on-going between the DoH, Treasury and the DTI. It is unlikely, though, that an agreement will be finalised before the awarding of the government condom tender in the first quarter of 2008, a nd the current preferential treatment of South African manufacturers will remain. A new manufacturer will need to show existing manufacturing capability, although there will be no minimum level of capacity that be required. The South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector is not a significant segment in the condom market, as many of the organisations active in the HIV/AIDS and reproductive health space form part of governments condom distribution channel and do not themselves procure condoms directly from suppliers. An important exception to this rule is the Society for Family Health (SFH), the South African affiliate of the international NGO network, Population Services International (PSI). PSI was founded in 1970 in Washington DC, with the intention to improve reproductive health using commercial marketing strategies. With programs in malaria, reproductive health, child survival and HIV, PSI promotes products, services and healthy behaviour that enable low-income and vulnerable people to lead healthier lives. PSI has a presence in over 60 countries around the world. In South Africa, PSI concentrates on issues related to HIV/AIDS. The organisation, through SFH, uses social marketing to motivate behaviour change with respect to consistent condom use, HIV testing, and other safer behaviours. SFH promotes consistent condom use through its own two male condom brands, Lovers Plus and Trust. The organisation procures 24 million male condoms per year from local and foreign suppliers. In addition, SFH obtains free female condoms from the DoH, which are then marketed under the Care brand and sold at retail outlets. SFH sells approximately 6000 female condoms per month. SFH also assists the DoH with the distribution of its free condoms. The organisation distributes approximately 8 million public sector male condoms per month in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Retail The retail sector accounts for 7.8% of the male condom market in South Africa. Male condoms are widely available for sale in retail outlets. The most widely available condoms are the socially marketed brands, Lovers Plus and Trust. A study carried out by PSI in November 2006 looking at coverage of Lovers Plus and Trust condoms in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg found that most areas of the three cities met the minimum standards for coverage, where coverage was defined as the number of geographically defined areas where at least 30% of outlets stock Lovers Plus and Trust. These outlets included traditional outlets such as pharmacies, top-end retailers and general dealers, as well as non-traditional outlets such as garage forecourts, hair salons and shebeens. Approximately 36 million male condoms are sold in South Africa per year, with approximately 70% of those sales being of Lovers Plus and Trust condoms. (Senior Marketing Manager, SFH). The balance of the sales is made up by Durex, Lifestyle, Contempo, and various other locally manufactured and imported condoms. Corporate The corporate sector in South Africa has woken up to the reality of the HIV epidemic. Many companies have HIV awareness and management programmes for their employees. However, although corporate HIV programmes include condom distribution as a key element, the majority of companies distribute free government condoms to their employees. A snap survey of 10 corporate members of the South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA) found that all but one company, Chevron South Africa, distribute free Government male condoms to their employees. The companies indicated that they saw no need to buy condoms directly from suppliers when free public sector condoms were easily available. The companies do not normally distribute female condoms. Some have bought female condoms in the past for training purposes. Export South Africas export of male condoms to date has been erratic, and local manufacturers have found it difficult to find a market for their products. The global condom market is dominated by low-cost manufacturers from Thailand, Malaysia, India and China, who are located in close proximity to natural rubber latex plantations. Local manufacturers have not been able to compete. Although all four of the local manufacturers have at some point exported their product, particularly to Mozambique, Malawi, Angola and Congo Brazzaville, at present only Karex exports condoms, about 1 million pieces per year, to Congo Brazzaville. Market Mix Strategy Target Market Strategies Global market for condoms The global condom market is estimated to be worth $3 billion, (source: www.marketresearch.com). The public sector is an important market segment globally, with between 6 and 9 billion male condom units consumed by that segment annually Though the prevention of pregnancy is still an important function of condoms, the driving force for growth is the prevention of STIs, in particular HIV/AIDS. Given the rapid spread of HIV in China, India and recently South Africa (in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa), and the large sizes of their respective populations, it is expected that annual public sector demand for condoms, both male and female, will reach 19 billion units by 2015. (Source: Female Health Company, 2007).