Great Gatsbys Report :: essays research papers

CHAPTER 1: Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota who recently moved to New York to learn about the bond business, opens his story by describing himself. He is tolerant, slow to judge, and a good listener. As a result, people tend to share their secrets with him, including someone named Gatsby. Gatsby, Nick says, had a beautiful dream, but the people surrounding him ruined that dream. Nick is so disgusted with these people and their New York lifestyle that he has left New York and returned to Minnesota. In the summer of 1922, however, Nick had just arrived in New York and rented a house on a part of Long Island called West Egg. Unlike the conservative, aristocratic East Egg, West Egg is home to the "new rich," those who, having made their fortunes recently, have neither the social connections nor the refinement to move among the East Egg set. West Egg is characterized by lavish displays of wealth and garish poor taste. Nick's West Egg house is next to Gatsby's mansion, a sprawling Gothic monstrosity. Nick is unlike his West Egg neighbors--he graduated from Yale and has social connections on East Egg. One night, he drives out to East Egg to have dinner with his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan, a former member of Nick's social club at Yale. Tom, a powerful figure dressed in riding clothes, meets Nick on the porch. Inside, Daisy lounges on a couch with her friend Jordan Baker, a competitive golfer who yawns as though bored by her surroundings. Tom tries to interest the others in a racist book called The Rise of the Colored Empires, by a man named Goddard. Daisy teases Tom about the book, but is interrupted when Tom leaves the room to take a phone call. Daisy follows him, and Jordan tells Nick that the call is from Tom's lover in New York. After an awkward dinner, the party breaks up; Jordan wants to go to bed because she has a golf tournament the next day. As Nick leaves, Tom and Daisy hint that they would like him to take a romantic interest in Jordan. When Nick arrives home, he sees Gatsby for the first time, standing on the lawn with his arms reaching out toward the dark water. Nick looks out at the water, but all he can see is a distant green light that might mark the end of a dock.

World Flight Essay -- Theology

Throughout life, culture implicitly and explicitly communicates ideas to people. Explicit statements are found in songs and art that clearly exhibit a perspective about life. Implicit messages from culture are discovered when compared to the key tenets of worldviews. An example of this implicit communication is found in the song â€Å"Clocks† by the band Coldplay. Based on analysis of the lyrics, the song â€Å"Clocks† expresses the World Flight worldview. To begin with, the lyrics of â€Å"Clocks† illustrate the World Flight perspective of God. A primary example of this idea is found in the chorus of the song. Specifically, the ancient worldview argues that God can be defined as Forms of ultimate perfection from which the earth was made. Additionally, the perspective’s main philosopher, Plato, argued that all of life must be focused on the world of the Forms. These beliefs are found in the song â€Å"Clocks† when singer Chris Martin announces, â€Å"You are and nothing else compares† (2002). Initially, this lyric seems to be a simple statement of perfection; however, the lyric reflects the worldview’s beliefs about God when compared to the World Flight perspective. The lyric becomes a cry to the world of the Forms and to the seeking of that world. The singer’s words are transformed from a mere emotional rant to a spiritual affirmation that nothing in this world compares to the Forms of the next world, expressing the World Flight perspective. Another expression of the World Flight perspective of God is found in the ending measures of the song. As the instruments cease playing, the singer states, â€Å"You are home, home, where I wanted to go† (2002). Based the ancient perspective of God, this lyric reflects the lifelong search for the world of ... ...ion of the World Flight solution to the song reveals the expression of the worldview through a musical format. Overall, the presentation of humanity’s problem and solution in â€Å"Clocks† allows one to conclude that the work embodies the World Flight perspective. In conclusion, the World Flight worldview is expounded in the Coldplay song â€Å"Clocks.† An analysis of the song illustrates the definition of God and humanity that is characteristic of the World Flight perspective. In addition, the worldview’s problem and solution for humanity are presented through the lyrics of the song. While songs often have simplistic meanings of love or loss, a deep examination of music reveals profound philosophical perspectives that have the power to shape thought and action. Works Cited Coldplay (2002). Clocks. On A Rush of Blood to the Head [CD]. Nashville: Capitol Records.

Comparing Hamlet by William Shakespeare and The Killings by Andre Dubus

Comparing Hamlet by William Shakespeare and The Killings by Andre Dubus Losing a loved one to tragedy, especially two most brutal and malicious tragedies as these, will torture the minds of any and all men. Terrifying thoughts, even carefully planned acts of revenge will plow themselves into your brain. It is how we react to these situations that can and will forever define that man, his life, and his actions. In these two stories, Hamlet's father and Matt Fowler's son are murdered with jealous motives of romance, ambition, betrayal and rage. Revenge captures the hearts of both characters, but in different forms. Hamlet sees his fathers ghost and is told if he ever loved his father he is to ?[revenge his foul and most unnatural murder]?. The brutal slayer of Fowler?s son is out on bail and faces minimal jail time for the life of Frank Fowler, Matt?s youngest son. Matt decides to take the law into his own hands and with the help of a friend, plans and executes the murder of Richard Strout. With the killer of his son bar-hopping around town and his wife broken apart with grief, Matt Fowler loses himself in revenge. He begins to carry an unregistered gun hoping to confront Strout and kill him in ?self-defense?. He is defeated in his professional life, losing his nerve as a hard-working bank manager, unable to look his customers in the eye without shying away in fear and grief. Finally confessing himself to a poker buddy, his murderous intentions rush out onto the table. His friend, who?s sympothy and loyalty may be excessive, agrees to help Matt take his revenge on Strout. Hamlet, instead, seeks his revenge alone. When Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo take Hamlet to see the ghost of his father, he follows the ghost... ...n a dish served cold. Though he found the nerve to seek his revenge, I doubt he ever stopped replaying the events of that night in his head, wondering if he did the right thing, and if the pricetag for it was going to be hell or prison. Neither Hamlet nor Fowler forgive the men who wronged them, and their lives, consumed with the idea of injustice, were ruined along with almost everyone else?s. For Fowler, the answer was easy: Kill and don?t get caught. He thought only of the best way to get away with it, forgetting his morals and judgement. I question how hard he thought if he should do it or not. His instincts told him to kill, and that is what he did. Hamlet, on the other hand, fought with himself over and over about how to appropriatly handle his revenge, and opportunity presented itself, as it always does, with time. Regretfully, he was mortally wounded.

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services Essay

There are many misconceptions about how to help a drug addict. Some people believe conquering a drug addiction is a matter of will power, and an addict who truly wants to end the dependency on drugs can easily turn away from the narcotic. However, drug addiction is much more complex than simply altering behavior. In order to help a drug addict, one must understand that addiction is a chronic brain disease and the battle to overcome it will most certainly be hard fought. 1: Know the signs and symptoms of drug dependency. A radical change in personality may indicate an individual is abusing drugs. Personality changes are a common sign of all types of drug addiction, including alcoholism, a dependency on prescription drugs and opiate abuse. Needle marks may be evident on the arms of someone who is abusing opiates, although many addicts become skilled at hiding evidence of intravenous drug use by injecting the drugs in unseen areas, such as between the toes. Opiate abusers may appear unusually thirsty or sweaty. The pupils of opiate abusers often appear as pinpoints. The frequent smell of alcohol is a red flag of alcoholism. Alcoholics may exhibit irritable behavior, slurred speech, unusually bright or glassy eyes and difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas in a logical manner. Alcoholics often try to hide the physical evidence of their addiction, including empty bottles and cans. Individuals abusing prescription drugs may exhibit sings of intoxication, including clumsiness and slurred speech. Someone with a dependency on prescription drugs may appear droopy eyed. 2: Consider staging an intervention so the addict’s loved ones can demonstrate how the drug abuse is affecting them. An intervention may also include the addict’s colleagues and church representatives. While an intervention will likely be overwhelming to the addict, the intent is not to put the addict on the defensive, and you should carefully select intervention participants. Prior to the intervention, develop at least one treatment plan to offer to the addict. The intervention will mean little if the addict does not know how to get help and does not have the support of loved ones. The loved ones staging the intervention may consider enrolling the addict in a treatment program prior to the intervention without the addict’s knowledge. Participants should prepare specific examples of how their loved one’s drug abuse has hurt them. Often, those staging an intervention choose to write letters to the addict. An addict may not care about self-destructive behaviors, but seeing the pain drug abuse inflicts on others can be a powerful motivator for seeking help. Do not wait until the addict’s behavior has spiraled so far out of control that relationships and situations cannot be repaired. Ideally, the addict should seek help for addiction before consequences, such as job loss, abuse and neglect of loved ones and financial ruin, occur. Be prepared to offer specific consequences if the addict rejects seeking treatment. These consequences must not be empty threats, so the addict’s loved ones should consider the consequences they will impose if the addict does not seek treatment and be willing to follow through with them. 3: Find an appropriate drug rehabilitation program. If the addict is going to be escorted to the drug treatment center directly from the intervention, arrangements must be made beforehand. If an intervention is not necessary, assist the addict in researching both the addiction and recommended drug treatment plans. Be supportive and allow the addict to feel in control of the impending rehabilitation. Contact several rehabilitation clinics and inquire about their services. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions about their daily schedules and how they handle relapses. Ask if you may tour the facility, and keep in mind that the more receptive the addict is of the treatment plan, the better the chances of overcoming the addiction. 4: Expect relapses. Because drug addiction is a chronic disease, it can be managed, but not cured. Relapses will most likely happen, and the addict should not consider a relapse a failure. However, treatment will be needed following each relapse. 5: Be the best friend you can be. Be there for them (text, call, see them, do fun activities, play sports, hang out, and support their hobbies and interests often. This means you should also hang out with them or suggest a favorite activity of theirs (no matter how much you don’t like it) when they try to shrug off or are offered their substance. Try to remain positive in your outings with them. They need to know that there will be people to support them on the road to recovery. : Encourage and suggest the potential freedoms of new, healthier lifestyles, when the addict recovers. Edit Tips Being that addiction is a physical, mental, and spiritual disease; this too, as well, should be the goal (in this order) to overcoming/meeting the disease head on. Howie I am doing this to help u out because I love u so much and I want u to read this. I have also read this to help me understand. Idk if u understand or not but I love u so much that I want u to get help†¦I love u with all my heart baby please get help. I love you†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦love always Cassandra rose dutcher

Ford Motor Co. Case Report

r [Type the company name]| Ford Motor Company: Supply Chain Strategy | [Type the document subtitle]| NICOLE | Table of Contents Page 3. Executive Summary Page 4. Identification Issues Page 5. Identification Issues, Environmental and Root Cause Analysis Page 6. Alternatives Page 7. Recommendation, Implementation, Control Page 8. Conclusions, References Executive Summary This case report addresses the challenges to implement virtual integration in Ford Motor Company, one of the largest automobile manufacturing companies in the world. It focuses on the viability of implementing a supply chain strategy following Dell’s â€Å"Direct Business model† Dell’s direct business model used information and technology to revolutionize the PC industry; it focused on developing effective supplier partnerships and JIT manufacturing becoming a highly horizontal or â€Å"virtual integrated† company. Dell skipped the intermediate retailers, selling to customers directly eliminating the reseller’s markup and the cost and risk associated with carrying large inventories. All this combined gave Dell a leading position in a very competitive market in only a 13 year period time. In 1970’s Ford’s main competition was with General Motors and Chrysler. However with the entry of Japanese companies like Honda, Toyota and Nissan the American firm faced a harder competition. In order to maintain its leading position, in 1995 Ford initiated the Ford 2000 plan; aimed to restructure many of their key processes like Order to Delivery (OTD) and Ford Production System (FPS). They wanted to reduce the OTD from 60 or more to 15 or less days. FPS was created to convert the supply chain from a push type to a pull type basing their forecast, production and inventory decisions on real market demands. The decision to radically redesign Ford’s supply chain infrastructure may significantly affect in a positive way the growth and competitiveness of Ford Motor Company in a short, mid and long term period. I strongly support the implementation of virtual integration and a pulled based system in Ford’s supply chain. It has been proven by Dell’s KPI’s that producing based on actual customer requirements using information technologies for the efficient information flow from the consumers all the way down to suppliers will directly improve the supply chain by reducing inventory levels and the related cost, reducing lead times, making your suppliers, the production systems and the overall SC more responsive and efficient. This new strategy will include the creation of an IT platform which its objective is to support an online operation, it will establish procedures to enable customization and ordering by customers via advanced EDI, this platform will be integrated to the physical dealerships as well so they can transmit in real time customer’s requirements. All customer orders would be taken either via Ford's web site or by phone and then produce. A pull system would be implemented completely. This Platform will also virtually integrated Ford’s supply chain where Ford and all its suppliers would share information by an intranet and Internet to coordinate in real time the flow of materials and production. Issues Identification Industries Differences One major issue is the differences between the auto business and the computer business were compared to Dell’s; Ford’s supplier network had many more layers and many more companies making Ford’s supply chain more complex than Dell’s. Change Management (short term issue) For the reasons above some Ford’s SC staff thought that the Dell’s direct business model will not deliver the same results for Ford. Ford’s staff never faced with the challenge of modifying work flow processes and standard operating procedures, this can result in employees being uncomfortable, dissatisfied and challenged by this new system, therefore they may fall back to their original habits. The adaptation of this new initiative at staff level will be a major challenge for Ford. Purchasing (short term issue, potentially long term issue) Different from Dell’s were purchasing activities reported to product development, Ford’s purchasing division is separate from product development, this is another source of disconnect in the supply chain. The efficient roll-out of new products may be impacted negatively due to lack of communication between these two key departments. Also suppliers were picked based on cost, and little regard was given to the overall supply chain cost. At this level of the supply chain restructuring may be difficult due to corporate history and politics. Information Technologies (short term issue, potentially long term issue) An important issue is the lack of technological knowledge and application throughout Ford’s supply chain, were first tier suppliers well developed IT capabilities interacting with Ford via EDI, but they were not able to invest in new technologies at the same rate as Ford did. The understanding of modernity technology rapidly decreased in the lower tiers of the supply chain. This situation was different to Dell’s supply chain, were by using new technologies Dell shared information in a real time fashion with its suppliers, helping them know Dell’s daily production requirements making the supplier more responsive to Dell’s needs. Also Dell only kept suppliers that maintained their leadership in technology and quality making the overall supply chain more competitive. Lead Times/Production Process (short term issue, potentially long term issue) The production at Ford is based on a predetermined schedule making its production system push based, creating high inventory levels with low turnover, in addition to this; bottlenecks were an issue in the material planning and vehicle production processes. So far this production system created a lead time of 65 days from the time a customer placed an order until the product was delivered, making the overall supply chain inefficient. Environmental and Root Cause Analysis Ford, as any other corporation is looking to achieve the ultimate goal; increase profit margins. The OTD and FPS initiatives established an aggressive goal to reduce lead times from over forty five days to fifteen days. To do this, it is necessary to improve the flow of information throughout the supplier network and reduce manufacturing time. The challenges faced include the unavailability of accurate demand information, poor supplier communication at every level, lack of interaction between product development and purchasing, and resistance to change within the organization. Ford’s current OTD time requires production to guess the real demands. Consumer demand is therefore met through a push rather than a pull manufacturing process. To move to a pull system and to improve demand forecasting, Ford must implement a process that will provide earlier demand notification to the supplier network. They must also be able to immediately link the actual orders to the manufacturing schedule at any of their almost two hundred manufacturing locations. Purchasing must also play an integral role in this process to insure the correct suppliers are receiving the information. Another important step for Ford is to coordinate thousands dealerships to transmit data sales efficiently, Dell’s business model involves direct manufacturer contact with the consumer, this greatly reduces order time by removing middle-man interference and inventory requirements. But for the automobile industry without the distribution channels will be impossible for a potential customer to decide to buy a car without testing it, seeing it and feeling it. For this reason the auto industry lacks this ability. Considering all the issues above and their associated challenges, would be fair to say that Ford’s multi-layered supply chain is in great need of a technological solution to its information sharing and communication needs. Alternatives 1. Keep Ford’s existing supply chain and initiatives of improvement without investing in a new IT platform: The existing initiatives such as FPS and OTD and their overall objectives and their supply management goals are a step in the right direction for providing the necessary data sharing with suppliers and therefore achieve the goals of Ford’s initiatives. Ford will have to rely on the actual technology (EDI) such as phone or email in some cases depending if it is a tier 1 suppliers can depend in a more sophisticated tools such as the FRN or the extranet created to connect ford with its suppliers in the B2B initiative. The advantage of this is that there will not be major changes and additional cost involved besides the ones related to the overall SC efficiency, the disadvantages of this is that it has been proven that any enterprise which is not up to date with the newest information technologies will not stay competitive and in a leadership position within mid and long terms, facing the chance of getting behind in a such competitive market. 2. Support Ford’s FPS and OTD initiatives by creating a specialized IT frame that will help to achieve the virtual integration in Ford’s SC. The initiatives above must now incorporate an advanced IT solution to be linked to the outside groups, tier-2 suppliers and upstream to the distribution network. The IT system will focus on developing the open sharing of real time demand information between the distribution network and the supplier pool. Further development of long-term supply contracts with key vendors and a continued focus on the sub-systems supply format will improve confidence while simplifying and speeding the entire process. Building linkages from the dealerships (Also is necessary to invest in the E-business infrastructure) all the way down to the lowest tiers, so the right people get the necessary data in the fashion and time that is needed to improve the SC. The disadvantage of this will be in the short term and probably midterm period, due to all the effort and extraordinary monetary investment that an initiative like this requires. If the system is poorly chosen, the entire initiative will fail. Technology costs, if not monitored and controlled, can escalate uncontrollably. Also while the platform is operational there may be unexpected issues which the staff and suppliers will not be able to solve causing inefficiencies in the supply chain, affecting Ford’s and its suppliers revenue directly. The advantage is that with an infrastructure like this Ford will virtually have automated its supply chain translating in achieving Ford’s initiatives and therefore their ultimate goal â€Å"Be more profitable and a leader automobile manufacturing company† Recommendation I strongly support the implementation of alternative number 2. Dell’s direct business model will be the guideline to follow when applying this model in Ford’s organization. Although there are several major differences between the companies, Dell’s direct business approach can be applied to every facet of Ford’s operation. The decision to support virtual integration will help redefine Ford as a competitive, cost effective and profitable company. Instead of remaining static, Ford must pursue continually evolve along with the new technologies trends, failure to incorporate the latest information technologies will result in continued inefficiencies and eventually Ford will be displaced from the automobile manufacturing leading positions. Implementation Stage 1 Accurate and timely information should be the primary focus of the IT implementation. For this stage, the existing FPS initiative should be combined more extensively with the existing intranet and extranet. Ford should leverage the B2B capabilities to incorporate upstream ordering information from the distribution network. To minimize risk, stage 1 should be applied on a specific product line and only with key suppliers (pilot projects). Initially, the information sharing may be a simple as providing real time demand to suppliers on a secured web site. Stage 2 Once this first stage has achieved quantitative results the IT objective will be to automate the order-to-scheduling process to adapt processes that would notify suppliers of orders and their manufacturing locations based upon every day orders from the dealerships. The objective is to develop information flow upstream from the suppliers. Ford will need to know on an accurate and real time fashion the suppliers individual daily capacities, only then Ford will be able to effectively allocate orders. Control Understanding this challenge, implementation plans will require phasing and adequate training, with follow through at all levels to ensure a predictable and comfortable transition. This stage should be split into manageable groups, action plans should be in place for addressing specific challenge areas, such as technically issues. The control will focus in monitoring the KPI’s within Ford and its suppliers, by this stage the refined IT solution will help to achieve FPS goals such as lower inventories, faster inventory turnovers, leaner manufacturing process, making the overall supply chain more cost effective and responsive, achieving the 15 days lead-time established by ODT. Conclusion Ford is an example of a company who can evolve at any stage of its existence; it is committed to be leader in the automobile market. They decision to implement major changes within the organization shows the determination to do anything to stay competitive, Ford knows that if they don’t keep up with the new trends, they will lose ground easily over the time. Once again I realize how the â€Å"information† plays the most important role within any organization, the effective and efficient manage of it will smooth any operation helping to achieve the expected results. Whether your company is vertical, horizontal or virtual integrated a key issue is to build based on real requirements delivered in real time. If everything starts with the right step, all of the following levels of the SC will enjoy a more organized and efficient process. Supporting these basic ideas with and efficient IT infrastructure will give the ultimate competitive advantage to any company it is applied. In conclusion if the recommended strategy is implemented successfully and in a timely manner, Ford will be positioned to become a dominant player in the automotive market enjoying great growth and larger profit margins. References Ford Motor Company: SC Strategy Case Study Harvard Business School by Robert D. Austin The Power of Virtual Integration: An Interview with Dell Computer’s Michael Dell by Joan Magretta.

Causes of Rural-Urban Migration

Rural-urban migration is the movement of people from rural areas to urban centers in search of employment and better living conditions among others. Rural-urban migration is most prevalent in developing countries. Rural-urban migration is facilitated by pull and push factors that forces people influx from countryside to cities. Push factors includes; drought, famine, natural disaster, poor living conditions like housing, healthcare and education, agricultural change, unemployment, war and conflict.Pull factors includes; employment, higher incomes, better healthcare and education, urban facilities and way of life and protection from war and conflict. Although rural-urban migration is an integral part of development it is significant for people to understand its causes and consequence for formulation and implementation of effective policies to encourage economic growth. Rural urban migration being flexible and dynamic phenomena cause diversification with a certain degree of commitment. People migration links people transferring them from low opportunities to high opportunities.CAUSES OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATIONIntroductionRural-urban migration is the movement of people from rural areas to urban centers in search of employment and better living conditions among others. Rural-urban migration is prevalent in developing countries with its degree varying from country to country. Rural-urban migration influences urban growth with expansion of cities and towns covering greater land. As a result of rural-urban migration there is urbanization referring to increase in proportion of people’s living in cities and towns.Rural-urban migration is facilitated by pull and push factors that forces people influx from countryside to cities. Push factors may include drought, famine, natural disaster, poor living conditions like housing, healthcare and education, agricultural change, unemployment, war and conflict. Pull factors include employment, higher incomes, better healthcare and education, urban facilities and way of life and protection from war and conflict (Goldscheider, 19). Cause of Rural-Urban Migration Costs of rural-urban migration outweigh benefits resulting in expansion of cities and towns thus excessive urbanization.Urban planners and decision makers are more concerned with causes and consequences of rural-urban migration and their relationship with economic growth and urbanization. Although rural-urban migration is an integral part of development it is significant for people to understand its causes and consequence for formulation and implementation of effective policies to encourage economic growth. Issues faced in rural areas trigger people’s migration to urban areas. Those people living in rural areas are willingly and unwillingly part of the economic system.Movement of people from rural areas to urban center is triggered by voluntary and involuntary forces. Involuntary are the factors that force people to migrate with no choice bu t to move this are the push factors. Voluntary forces covers all people’s migration by will, this are the pull factors (McCatty, 5). Migration Forces People may involuntary move from rural to urban areas as a result of family disagreements, wars, conflicts, draught, famine and political strife. This factors forces people to seek refuge in urban areas where they can have access to security, food and far from political strife.Voluntary factors such as better employment opportunities force people to move to urban areas. The quality of employment in urban areas is better than in rural. In rural areas people have little education and their payment is low. Those who have migrated to urban areas have gained incentives through better and well paying jobs. Housing conditions in rural areas is worse compared with urban areas; people may voluntarily decide to move to urban areas to have access to better living conditions such as better healthcares, better education and housing (McCatty, 8).Rural land tenure and pattern of inheritance is another factor resulting in voluntary rural urban migration. This cause problem if land tenure is communal whereby you find that land is owned by group of people thus individual having no authority to protect or own the land. This cause conflict during land sharing forcing many people to be landless thus opting to move to urban centers. Rural social structure and cultural values may cause conflict among rural population forcing some people to move to urban areas.Different ethnic communities have different cultural values and social structures which may differ resulting to cultural conflicts thus people’s migration to urban areas where they can’t experience cultural conflicts. Rural people when offered with better options of earning living which are not demanding like rural farming and which is more financially rewarding, they are likely to accept. Depending on the country, farming gives seasonal employment with no eno ugh income to sustain rural people thus being forced to move to urban areas in search for better and well paying jobs (McCatty, 9).Issues faced in Rural Areas – Changes in educational system as a result of what is being taught in school vary from their traditional norms. In rural areas, cultural values and norms undergo changes due to influence from foreign entities and missionaries. In rural areas people experience low and high global economy due to drop of prices thus their sustainability being influenced. During economic recession they are the first people to be affected. This triggers their movement from rural to urban for search of better opportunities.People in rural areas are exposed to films, radio programs and recent television series from cities. When exposed to this urban life, their living conditions decline due to exploitation of resource in need of living like those in urban areas. Many people are not able to cope with this situation in rural areas and they opt for urban areas where they can have better life with access to all these facilities. Living condition for most rural people have changed for better with improved medical care, improved health and longevity which has contributed to increase in population in rural areas thus pressure on the limited resources.These forces some people especially young incase the land ownership in the rural was communal they move to urban centers where they can be accommodate without congestion (McCatty, 7). Influence by outside developed world on people’s culture and way of life contributes to people’s movement to urban areas. Media influence has made people recognize their state of poverty. This has made people think of change and they think the only option to move to urban center for white collar jobs and better living conditions.People’s perception of better life changes their success in rural areas; people have changed their notions about educations and holding higher positions. This has facilitated people movement from rural area to urban in search of better education which can lead to higher incomes thus increasing their future income. Increase in income increases people’s consumption. People believe that by having firsthand accounts their living conditions will be improved in urban areas (Agesa and Sunwoong, 60). Poverty Poverty is experienced globally in third world nations especially by rural population.Developmental policies in various countries are more concerned with poverty alleviation resulting to economic growth. Most people in developing nation live under poverty with urban poverty being constant with majority living in rural areas. In those countries with agricultural based economy, those residents who are poor lack access to resources thus high level of inequitable and inequality distribution of resources. Most people living in rural areas are women and children who practices subsistence farming.Poverty contributes to people‘s mo vement from rural to urban areas in search of better and well paying jobs to alleviate poverty (McCatty, 9).. Urban Informal Sector Unlike the formal counterpart of urban informal sector, there are activities of all kind which are unregulated and small scale in nature. Most people in urban areas create their own employments, start their businesses and even work as a small-scale family enterprise. These jobs includes, street vending, hustling, sharpening of knife, drug trafficking, maize roasting and even prostitution.Others find better jobs like artisans, mechanics, carpenters, barbers, personal servants and maids. Some becomes successful business people with several employees thus earning more income. Those people venturing in informal work are mostly rural migrants who have little skills and they earn enough income just to sustain them. Informal sector has a link with formal sector and offers employment opportunities to those people who can’t access jobs in formal sectors. Informal sector acts as a safety net for those rural people who fall back if things don’t work out for them.Informal sector has been categorized among those factors causing rural urban migration since it reduces individual risk of being unemployed once they migrate to cities (McCatty, 12). Government policies to some extent cause rural urban migration. Those policies supporting disproportionate increase employment opportunities and in wage rate in urban centers leads to imbalances in rural urban landscape. Rural urban migration contributes to increased rate of unemployment in urban areas.As a result of difference in wages there are urban bias encouraging people to move from rural to urban thus urban bias resulting to rural-urban migrations (Agesa and Sunwoong, 72). Modernization of Agriculture Agricultural modernization contributes a lot toward rural urban migration especially in developing countries. Agricultural modernization involves use of machines and artificial fertiliz ers for agriculture. This result to need of few workers in the farms and farmers doesn’t require farm manure but use fertilizers. This reduces employment opportunities for rural people especially youths and men.Those farmers who used to keep livestock lose market for their products like manure thus being forced to look for alternatives in urban areas (Goldscheider, 27). Natural Disasters Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes and landslide contribute toward rural urban migration. These natural disasters destroy people’s properties and crops leading to poverty and insecurity. To seek for safety and alternatives people prefer moving to urban areas where they can have guaranteed safety from such disasters (Agesa and Sunwoong, 68).Other Factors Other factors like primitive conditions in rural areas forces people seek civilized ways of living in urban areas. Bullying, death threats and disown from society as a result of certain offense may force one seek refuge in urban areas where there is no cultural or community rules to be followed. Slavery in rural areas may force people to move to urban areas mostly children and youth who finds it difficult to put up with work they are given by parents or in plantations.Poor chances of finding courtship may be a contributing factor in that; one may think that in urban areas there are many people where s/he can have chance of choosing from different people (Goldscheider, 41). Conclusion Not only rural people but people in general are attracted to urban areas because they think that urban areas have better and greater opportunities than rural. For many who move to urban they end up in poverty. Rural urban migration being flexible and dynamic phenomena cause diversification with a certain degree of commitment. Migration helps in linking people and transferring them from low opportunities to high opportunities.Rural urban migration contributes nearly to 60 percent of urban growth and it occurs at a particular se tting which is marked by limited industrial but quick commerce centered growth in cities.Works CitedAgesa, Richard & Sunwoong Kim, â€Å"Rural To Urban Migration as A Household Decision: Evidence From Kenya, â€Å"Review of Development Economics, Vol. 5, 2001, pp. 60-75 Goldscheider, Calvin, Rural Migration in Developing Nations, Boulder and London: Westview P, 2003 McCatty Machel, the Process of Rural-Urban Migration in Developing Countries, Ottawa: Ontario, Carleton University, 2004

From Bondage to Freedom (Fredrick Douglass)

From Bondage to Freedom In the early days of slavery, Frederick Douglass published a narrative that will be forever remembered in history. â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass† is a recount of the harsh life on the plantations before his escape to New York. He describes the senseless acts of cruelty on the part of the masters, as well as the degraded lives of the slaves. This narrative provides a powerful description how ignorance was used as a tool for slavery, the damaging effects on slaves and slave owners, and the knowledge to the path of freedom for African Americans.Although the journey that Douglass suffered through was hard and extensive, he made his mark in the world and it is still appreciated today. Frederick Douglass was born in a slave cabin, in February, 1818, close to the town of Easton, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Frederick Douglass, whose full name is Frederick Augustus Washington Baily, was abandoned by his mother when he was just a baby an d then was raised by his grandparents. Douglass never knew his father and according to him and nearly everyone, â€Å"†¦opinion was also whispered that my master was my father† his father figure was a white man ( NLOFD, 1).When Douglass was around the age of six, his grandmother took him to the plantation of his master and left him there. He stayed there with his master for about two years then he was relocated around the age of eight where he was sent to Baltimore to live as a Page 2 houseboy with Hugh and Sophia Auld, relatives of his master. Not long after his arrival his new mistress taught him the alphabet. The lessons soon came to a cease when Hugh said â€Å"learning will spoil the best nigger in the world† (Chapter 6).When her husband forbade her to continue her instruction, because it was unlawful to teach slaves how to read, Frederick took it upon himself to learn. This marked the turning point when Frederick Douglass started to become a man. Frederick D ouglass’ narrative was written to expose how ignorance was used as a tool for slavery. He shows how white slaveholders maintain slavery by keeping their slaves ignorant and oblivious to society. At the time Douglass was writing, many people believed that slavery was a natural state of being.They believed that blacks were incapable of participating in civil society and thus should be kept as workers for whites. Mr. Auld, Douglass’ master, makes this evident by stating† A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master-to do as he is told to do. † Slave owners would keep slaves unaware of simple things such as birth names and birth dates. Douglass shares his grief of not knowing his age by stating â€Å"A want of information concerning my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood. The white children could tell their ages.I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege. I was not allowed to make any inquiries of my master concerning it. †(Chapter 1) The master withheld this information because things like birthdays give a person self-identity. Self-identity leads to self-worth, and this was not a desirable quality to have in a slave if you're a slaveholder. They also controlled the language of the slaves by annihilating the mother tongue. This limited the Page 3 communication between slaves and controlled interaction also kept uprising and revolt to a minimum.Literacy and formal education of slaves was not allowed . The more a slave knew about the language of another country the more he is able to move through all levels of that society. Slave owners believed that their captives would learn their secrets, and would be slaves no more. Slave owners could not fool a slave that knew their language, and being a fool is one of the basic ingredients to the conservation of the slavery system. Douglass reveals the damaging effects on slaves through various angles. He describes Aunt Hester’s brut al beating by Mr.Plummer most vividly stating â€Å"He then said to her, â€Å"Now, you d——d b—-h, I'll learn you how to disobey my orders! † and after rolling up his sleeves, he commenced to lay on the heavy cow skin, and soon the warm, red blood came dripping to the floor. † The treatment of slaves as property is another subject the author focuses on. He highlights that slave owners believed that their captives were not human and were not treated as such. He also describes how slaves were often passed between owners, and how family separation severed bonds. Douglass’ describes his own pain by expressing â€Å"I eceived the tidings of [my mother’s] death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger† (Chapter 1). Slaveholding was destructive not only to slaves but to slave owners as well since the corrupt power that the slave owner enjoyed over their slaves had a harmful effect on the slave owners moral health. Before slavery corrupts Sophia Auld’s good nature, she is a kind, affectionate person. She is corrupted by slaveholding when her husband said to her â€Å"if you teach Page 4 that nigger how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave.He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master† (Chapter 6). This treatment of slave led the slave masters down a path to destructive moral health that would not be accepted in today’s society. Just as slave owners deny slaves of knowledge and education, slaves must seek education and knowledge in order to chase freedom. Douglass gains this knowledge by reading a book called The Columbian Orator, which contains a philosophical discussion between a master and a slave. In the dialogue, the master lays out the argument for slavery, and the slave disproves each point, eventually convincing the master to free him.After Frederick Douglass reads The Colombian Orator, he realizes the truth about ignorance, freedom, and knowledge. Douglass writes, â€Å"It was this everlasting thinking of my condition that tormented me. There was no getting rid of it. [†¦] The silver trump of freedom had roused my soul to eternal wakefulness† (Chapter 7). Douglass also describes his path to freedom. He clarifies, however, that this section of the book does not describe the exact means of his escape. He does not want to give slave owners any information that would help them prevent other slaves from fleeing to the North.Though he does not give a physical description of how to escape from slavery, he does inspire slaves to gain the knowledge to one day seek the path to freedom. The â€Å"Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass† shows how white slaveholders perpetuate slavery by keeping their slaves ignorant, the damaging effect of slaves, and also how slaves must seek knowledge and education in order to pursue freedom. The novel lets t he readers Page 5 feel the cruelty and hardship of Douglass’ life. Douglass’ writing reminds people of the harsh reality of slavery, and what it takes to overcome the circumstances.