Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Catcher In The Rye Essay Example for Free

Catcher In The Rye Essay A journey is more than a physical movement from one place to another. All journeys no matter how arduous entail setbacks and barriers that must be met. In doing so the traveller experiences a more significant inner journey of self growth. This is evident in the journey from adolescence to adulthood during which setbacks and barriers may entail a loss of innocence. J. D Salinger’s novel the Catcher in the rye explores this concept through various literary techniques. ( thesis) Loss of innocence as a major issue within the concept of a rites of passage is explored by J. D Salinger through the protagonist Holden Caulfield. His journey appears to be one self destructive act after another. This adult world into which Holden is forced into disturbs him profoundly. In his view, the adults who dwell this world, seem to be filled with phoniness, pretence and social compromise. He finds it almost intolerable to communicate with most adults and peers. This is prevalent throughout the book when he constantly brings up the question of what happens to the ducks in winter. The adults’ response to this recurring question is of contemn and expectation to know the answer, therefore never giving him an adequate explanation. This clearly demonstrates how his innocent mind conflicts with this phony adult world, and his response, is to rebel against this whole society. â€Å" quote† Holden expresses his rebellion through his inability to progress in life and his hatred of people. It is really only in children that he sees the true simplicity of honesty- and that is his escape from this adult phony world. Salinger portrays the transition from adolescence to adulthood as a quest for self identity and self discovery. For Holden however, his journey is a bombardment of obstacles in his search for connection with others, thus highlighting the angst of growing up. Holden finally breaks down with the constant disappointments and let downs he encounters. â€Å"quote ans technique† From his fight with Stradlater to Maurice’s exploitation of a prostitute, to Mr Antolini’s behaviour, Holden just cannot handle any more letdowns so his odyssey is one of loneliness and cynicism. An example of this is when Holden abruptly gives Sally an ultimatum to leave their current lives behind and build a future without the promise of stability. Sally’s refusal to this proposal results in Holden lashing out at her hence elucidating Holden’s naivety. And, just like a kid, he thinks that everyone is to blame except for him. The inability to meet setbacks and barriers and accept a loss of innocence within the jouney from adolescence to adulthood will inevitably lead to ones downfall. The deliberate irony is that Holden strives to act as a grown up but constantly acts like a child is seen in his provocation of his peers and his irrational thinking. â€Å"quote † The title of the book, â€Å"Catcher in the Rye,† is more than just a pretty ditty. It is Holden’s dream to be the catcher in the rye, thus save little children from falling off the cliff into adulthood. Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobodys aroundnobody big, I meanexcept me. And Im standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliffI mean if theyre running and they dont look where theyre going. I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. Thats all Id do all day. Id just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know its crazy, but thats the only thing Id really like to be. Holden is adamant on playing the adult role of protecting children and their innocence that gets lost in the adult phony world. He envisions protecting and shielding children from the evils of society, when he himself is one who is in a state of conflict between adolescence and adulthood. However, it is through the telling of his story that Holden eventually gains control of his disturbed past. His search for self identity and discovery can be seen as a search for tolerance, acceptance and understanding- something that he finally experiences in the final scene with Phoebe riding the carrousel. When he see’s Phoebe on the carrousel, he accepts that he is not a child anymore indicating that he is perhaps more accepting of change. Towards the end, Holden has found some wisdom when he claims to â€Å"sort of miss everyone. † There was some light for him at the end of the tunnel- and that light is hope and acceptance that he doesn’t live in such an evil world that he made out to be. Holden wants desperately to protect this idealistic life but perhaps he realises at the end that it is not possible and that maturity is a means of accepting what life throws at one. How he deals with obstacles along the way conveys Holden’s journey from adolescence into adulthood.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Loyset Compère Motets (Orlando Consort) :: Composer Music Musical Musician Essays

Loyset Compà ¨re Motets (Orlando Consort) Loyset Compere, an accomplished yet not very well-known composer of the 15th century, has been neglected as a figure in musical history. Historians through the ages have somehow left him out of most of their writings. Therefore, as modern researchers and discoverers, we have very little resources from which to gather information about Compere. In fact, even his date and place of birth are argued upon by historians. Thus, our study is limited to what we see on the pages of his music and what we glean from the music we hear (MCD 1490, Carapetyan). It is believed that Compere wrote some motets for the French Royal court during his years there. Among these motets was the canon Asperges me Domine, a beautiful four-part canon in 4ths. It was written sometime between 1500-1505, although the exact date is not known for sure. This was towards the end of Compere's life when his experience as a composer was at its peak (Carapetyan and Finscher 255). The canon was a popular musical form of this period; however, a canon in 4ths was not. There are many aspects of this piece that make listening to it fascinating. The following pages will explore the intrigues of Aperges me Domine including its structure and its ties between music and text. Asperges me Domine is broken up into three sections, each section starting with a solo chant from the superius voice. After the chant, each section then continues with a canon starting in one of the four voice parts. The first section, which we will call section I, starts with the opening chant and ends with a strong cadence on measure 18. It uses six overlapping phrases to express the first sentence of text. The first canon starts with the bassus voice, but the starting voice changes throughout the piece. However, each canon, throughout, is sung at the fourth. There are four strong cadences, m. 2, m. 5, m.10, and m. 18, each marking the end of a thought in the text. There are also many other places that exhibit a kind of pseudo-cadence where the modern ear expects to hear a resolution, and the resolution is reached; however, movement among the middle parts nullifies the effect of the cadence. For example, in m. 12, the superius and the bassus parts seem to reach a cadence point, but the tenor and alto parts continue to move catching the listeners attention away from the cadence point.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Unity Bank

Oct-Nov 2006: Smaller company acquires a market leader June 2007: major integration: systems & operations Unity’s integration goals: †¢ Save $60 million worth of IT expenses within 3 years on staff and infrastructure †¢ Wants to be the world’s #1 provider of share registry services †¢ Maximize shareholder wealth CIO, Stuart Irving worries: †¢ Lack of due diligence because of legal problems †¢ Hart Scott Rodino Act prevented proper communications †¢ Unknown bugs within Delta’s operations might affect the integration’s timeline & budgetary goals †¢ Present a short and efficient integration to the investors †¢ OVERVIEWUNITY Strengths †¢ †¢ Very efficient technologically Professional and experienced staff members Good incentives, innovative projects: keeps staff motivated and stimulated Remarkable ability to attract talented professionals Family oriented work environment †¢ †¢ Weaknesses Small player in US market Difficulty hiring entry level programmers because BLAIR uses COBOL †¢ Strengths Delta has more clients and is a bigger brand in the US LEADER: uses object-oriented programming language †¢ †¢ †¢ DELTA Weaknesses Technological challenges Limited capabilities Duplication of resources due to systems’ limitations Failed integrations in the past Clients can’t view portfolio of investments †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ PROBLEM STATEMENT A. Determine the enterprise platform? B. Staff motivation issues C. Create a new organizational structure? D. Attract star performers? E. Start building the infrastructure for the new organization? DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES A. Determining the enterprise platform Delta has 4 different systems Clients/Employees on different systems No consistency in user experience Leader: Delta’s attempt to consolidate all of its systems Unity has one system: BLAIR Written in COBOL (hard to find employees /training costs) Issue: What is the best way to integrate the two organizations?Clients can’t view their investments as a portfolio Clients experience differences in services because of the different systems Inefficient Staff and infrastructure is costly/Creates wasted resources A. Determining the enterprise platform SCENARIO 1: US Demand increases SCENARIO 2: Stock decreases because of previous integration failures NEGATIVE: Integration is too timely to show investors that it’s a successful integration SCENARIO 3: Increase in Delta star-performer resignation POSITIVE: Easier to hire entry level programmers, develop new features and customize system SCENARIO 4: US Demand Decreases ALTERNATIVE 1: Upgrade Leader to BLAIR’s capabilities: $45 million POSITIVE: Ability to easily hire entry level programmers.NEGATIVE: Less funds to test and develop Leader. Taking a risk of using a new system with remaining users. NEGATIVE: Leader hasn’t been tested in the field ALTERNATIVE 2: Use BLAIR to provide services under Delta’s brand POSITIVE: BLAIR has been tested in the field and proved to be efficient POSITIVE: The use of BLAIR will shorten the integration time. NO EFFECT NEGATIVE: BLAIR is proven to be inefficient in US market NEGATIVE: Difficulty hiring entry level programmers and developing new features. ALTERNATIVE 3: Keep both systems temporarily POSITITVE: Both systems are tested in their fields and employees are experienced NEGATIVE: Costly. Inefficient.NEGATIVE: The goal of the acquisition is not achieved POSITIVE: Allow Unity to retain star performers and evaluate them further NEGATIVE: Less funds to maintain both systems and infrastructures DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES B. Delta’s staff – motivation issues Staff is not unified No effective communication Lack of information flow from Delta to Unity Decreased team work Feeling of â€Å"Unity vs. Delta† among employees Fence sitters Skeptical about new managementâ €™s promises Fear of uncertainty DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES C. Creating a new IT Organizational Structure Issue: How to create an efficient integration team? Unity or Delta? Who should be in control?Delta employees knew their systems Unity is the acquirer If things are left as they are: Cost inefficient/Timely Trainings Duplicated jobs/salaries Affected by disengaged staff Can’t be sure who is a star performer DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES D. Attracting star performers Limitations of due diligence Unity is only familiar with upper management of Delta’s staff Disengaged/demoralized employees Unclear who is a top performer Not sure how to motivate a staff until their services are no longer needed B. Staff motivation C. Organizational structure D. Attracting star performers ALTERNATIVE 1: Create team-oriented incentive programs/ competitive environment ALTERNATIVE 2: Integration task force 50/50 staff SCENARIO 1: Demand increases SCENARIO 2: Stock decreases because of previo us integration failuresSCENARIO 3: Increase in Delta star-performer resignation SCENARIO 4: Sales decrease POSITIVE: Funds available to support programs POSITIVE: Competitive environment will speed up the process of integration POSITIVE: Staff is no longer demoralized and disengaged – able to assist with a speedy integration NEGATIVE: Staff is demoralized and disengaged – unable to assist with a speedy integration NEGATIVE: Increase in employee apathy and willingness to accept severance and look for employment elsewhere. POSITIVE: Allows to identify remaining star performers and retaining them NEGATIVE: Difficult to create and maintain a strong integration task forceNEGATIVE: Decrease in funds to support programs. POSITIVE: Staff is no longer demoralized and disengaged – able to meet demand NEGATIVE: Delta staff demoralized and unable to meet demand POSITIVE: People eager to keep jobs, demand met NO EFFECT ALTERNATIVE 3: Keep it Unity: all supervisors NEGATIVE: More Delta employees disengaged and looking to resign NEGATIVE: More Delta employees disengaged and looking to resign NEGATIVE: Trust in Unity decreases ALTERNATIVE 4: Issue contract expirations depending on deadlines NEGATIVE: People eager to keep jobs – unethical conduct increases – no longer family oriented environment DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES E.Starting to build the infrastructure for the new organization Unity and Delta ran completely different phone systems, networking hardware, office servers, and PC systems Hardware changes were imperative in order for the organization to operate as a single unit How to decrease duplication of expenses on resources? Buildings/Hardware/Maintenance expenses must decrease Organization has to operate as a single unit Reductions = Savings Building the infrastructure for the new organization ALTERNATIVE 1: Create an expense evaluation team: Delta and Unity 50/50 SCENARIO 1: Demand increases SCENARIO 2: Stock decreases because of prev ious integration failures SCENARIO 3: Increase in Delta star-performer resignation SCENARIO 4: Sales decrease POSITIVE: Staff is able to evaluate and determine the best use of resource allocation NEGATIVE: Resources consolidated/ difficulty meeting demand POSITIVE: Assist in decreasing duplicated expenses thus amplifying earningsPOSITIVE: Ability to hire entry level replacements will decrease company’s wage expense NEGATIVE: More Delta employees disengaged and looking to resign POSITIVE: Assist in decreasing duplicated expenses thus amplifying earnings ALTERNATIVE 2: Geographic integrations: Keep Unity supervisors POSITIVE: Getting rid of redundant assets could increase earnings temporarily NEGATIVE: Unclear if this integration strategy will be successful NEGATIVE: Unclear if this integration strategy will be successful NEGATIVE: Trust in Unity decreases ALTERNATIVE 3: Close down all Delta buildings NEGATIVE: Resources consolidated/ difficulty meeting demand NEGATIVE: More De lta employees disengaged and looking to resign NEGATIVE: Trust in Unity decreases

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Illegal Immigration And Illegal Immigrants - 1793 Words

In recent discussion s of illegal immigration, a controversial issue has been whether or not to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants in the U.S. On the one hand, some argue that amnesty shouldn’t be granted to illegal criminals. From this perspective, there are downfalls that many ignore and is unjust and stereotypical that all illegals are dangerous criminals. On the other hand, however, others argue that amnesty should be granted to illegal immigrants and how all of us are immigrants. In the words of one of this view’s main supporters,† Our country is strong because of generation after generation of immigrants†¦ were all immigrants† (We Are All Immigrants.). According to this view, Obama’s saying immigrants have a huge impact economically within the U.S that makes it stronger and how we are all immigrants in this country. In sum, then the issue is whether amnesty should be dismissed and deportation take place or pardon illegals with amnesty and recognizes basic, simple fact that immigrants are a benefit to the U.S. My own view is that Amnesty should be passed. Though I concede that many are against this and there are some illegals that are criminals escaping into the U.S. I still maintain that amnesty should be given because it’s what keeps the United States strong and should apply to what the United States stands for and how we are all immigrants. Illegal immigration what is it? To many it’s a problem the United States claims it has. Illegal immigration is the migrationShow MoreRelatedIllegal Immigration : Illegal Immigrants955 Words   |  4 PagesIllegal Immigration Problems In the United States, there are roughly eleven million people who can be classified as illegal immigrants, which is by far way too many. When it comes to the history of illegal immigrants, most United States citizens could be considered as an illegal immigrant. In the early years of American history, our ancestors fled into this country for better life styles and to start their own families. During this time there were not laws dealing with who could and could not enterRead MoreIllegal Immigrants : Illegal Immigration1627 Words   |  7 PagesIllegal Immigration in the US What does illegal immigration mean to a hard working, middle class worker providing for a family of four? What does illegal immigration mean to someone who is getting jobs taken right underneath them from illegal immigrants that are willing to work the same job for a lower paycheck? What does illegal immigration mean to someone who is in need for a job? Illegal immigration is an epidemic occurring in the United States of America, the land of the free (to the legal citizens)Read MoreIllegal Immigration : Illegal Immigrants949 Words   |  4 PagesIllegal immigrants have been a hot topic lately due to the popularity of this topic amongst the Republican Presidential Nominees, especially Donald Trump. These illegal immigrants bring various things to this country when they come. Some things are positive, such as a family simply seeking to find a better life, while some things are harmful to the United States, such as the amount of crime among illegal immigrants. In July 2015, the most re cent estimate of illegal immigrants was 11.2 million. ThisRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration1100 Words   |  5 PagesIllegal immigration Over the past few years illegal immigration has become a bigger problem. Statistics reveal that more and more immigrants are entering the country illegally by crossing the borders. If something is not done soon, this may get out of hand and be to gone far not to handle. The number of illegal immigrants have gone up over the past years drastically In 2011, there were 40 million immigrants in the U.S. Of that 11.1 million were illegal. Although the number of illegalRead MoreIllegal Immigrants : Illegal Immigration1155 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Illegal Immigration is a huge topic especially in 2017, bringing in different aspects about illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants are told to be killers, drug dealers, job stealers and whom also hurt the U.S. economy. Is this true? Could it possibly be that they do all of this to hurt the United States? Or could it be that they truly come here for the American Dream? On one side of people’s perspectives illegal immigrants come here to help provide for their family and don’t takeRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration1902 Words   |  8 PagesSince the 1980s, the US government has undertaken initiatives to make its borders more non-porous to illegal immigration from its neighboring countries. The menace of illegal immigrants seeking better opportunities in the USA started reflecting in the 1970s. The migrating people are motivated by the better non-skilled or semi-skilled employment opportunities in the USA and the relatively higher remuneration for se rvices rendered in the USA than in the neighbor countries especially Mexico (HansonRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration1286 Words   |  6 Pages Undocumented Immigration An analysis of illegal immigration in the United States reveals one challenge facing the banks and other institutions: whether to provide banking and other services to the illegal immigrants or to treat them as criminals because they are illegal and therefore, not to provide them with banking and other services. The articles, â€Å"Crossing the Line† by Stein and â€Å"Illegal Immigrants – They’re Money,† by Rodriguez discuss the impact of illegal immigration in the United StatesRead MoreIllegal Immigration And Illegal Immigrants1335 Words   |  6 PagesIllegal immigration has been one of the main topics during the last three presidential election. Many bills and laws have been passed in order to keep them out but is it really necessary to neglect illegal immigrant? Most Americans believe that illegal immigrants are only people of Mexicans or Latin American descent but illegal immigrants can be from any race or country. Illegal immigration is defined by United States Department of Homeland Security as â€Å"†¦ all foreign-born non-citizens who are notRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration964 Words   |  4 Pages Attention Step (quotation, question, or story) About four months ago in government class, we had a class discussion. The topic was illegal immigration. One student said that America should send the illegal immigrants back to their country because they are taking American’s jobs. He stated that he would send his dad back to Mexico because he is an illegal immigrant. Going around the circle that we created, everyone gave their opinions, most disagreed, but some agreed with the student. When it wasRead MoreIllegal Immigrants And Illegal Immigration1044 Words   |  5 Pagesmany Americans take for granted. Many of the illegal immigrants come to America where they hope to obtain the freedom that is not given in their country. There is a serious problem with the immigration policy: it is very difficult for immigrants to become an actual U.S. citizen. If the policy were to be readjusted, and the length of time the immigrant has to live in the United States before they can become a citizen were to be shortened, illegal immigratio n could be slowed or even stopped. According