In pursuit of the American dream an analysis of Willa Cathers O Pioneers

O Pioneers, by Willa Cather, is set about a decade to the 19th century – 1880-1900. O Pioneers depicts the lives of the Bergsons – Joe and his wife, their daughter, Alexandra, and their sons, Lou, Oscar, and Emil, as they explore their lives and the vast Nebraskan land over a couple of decade s.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on In pursuit of the American dream: an analysis of Willa Cather’s O Pioneers specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The settlers into Nebraska, for instance, the Bergsons, mainly originated from European countries such as Sweden and Norway. The immigrants were farmers and ranchers whose aim was to obtain food for themselves and their families, as well as to rear animals in the farms for economic purposes. John Bergson’s struggle for survival as he endeavors to raise his family captures the life story of most of the early immigrants. He strives to establish himself econom ically in a tough and unforgiving environment: â€Å"In eleven years, John Bergson had made but little impression upon the land he had come to tame† (Cather 6). The early immigrants, as illustrated by the Bergson’s case, were in an invariant struggle for survival. Therefore, the immigrant experience was one of struggle and hardship in an effort to tame the wild Nebraskan land for their farming and habitation. The weather patterns were also a contributing factor in making the immigrants’ early experiences tough. John Bergson loses his entire flock in one winter as he tries to settle in Nebraska (Cather 6). Even after his death, his children have to contend with famines that make the life for the early immigrants almost unbearable. Sixteen years after John Bergson’s death, â€Å"†¦Came the hard times that brought everyone on the divide to the Brink of despair; three years of drought and failure†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Cather 28). Therefore, the early immigrant s were in a constant battle for survival against the vagaries of a harsh climate that usually dealt a heavy blow on their best-laid plans and actions. The experiences of the characters in the novel portray the endeavors of the early immigrants’ pursuit of the American dream. Primarily, the immigrants left their native countries to seek a better life (Veracini 110).Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The instinct to forgo the comforts, which a home country offers by default and then sail across the oceans to a then wild and untamed America, was indicative of the immigrants’ spirit of adventure and the search for a better life. At the time when O Pioneers is set (1890-1900), many immigrants from Europe were still moving to America in numbers. The Bergson family is originally from Sweden, and The Divide – the location in Nebraska where the novel is set, has ma ny other Swedes, Norwegians, Russians, and natives from other European countries. At the very core, these immigrants sought a better life for themselves and their families. The very act of moving such vast distances in search of a better life signifies the immigrant’s pursuit of the American dream. The experiences of these immigrants, for instance, John Bergson, speak a lot about the hard times they were willing to endure: â€Å"Bergson had spent his first five years on the Divide getting into debt, and the last six getting out† (Cather 34). The early immigrants, in their pursuit of the American dream, gave their all; the harsh climate and the extreme hard work involved in taming the wild lands of Nebraska took a toll on their health and even lives. Most of the early immigrants died early or were plagued by diseases in their middle ages; for instance, Bergson dies at a comparatively young age of forty-six years, having spent his entire life trying to better it. Ivar, o nce a prosperous farmer on the Divide, eventually loses his farm and stock due to the harsh and unpredictable weather conditions, leaving out his last days as a helper at Alexandra’s home. Therefore, for some characters like John Bergson and Ivar, the American dream is hardly realized in their lifetime; John Bergson’s children are the ones who eventually get to live the stable and prosperous lifestyle that their father might have envisioned. The American dream is also realized by the acts of various characters in the novel. The American dream encompasses acts of benevolence and humanity that make society better and Alexandra’s actions portray this. From a young age, she shows a desire to make the lives of those around her better. She takes care of her younger brother, Emil, in the beginning of the novel and exhibits a leadership streak at an early age. When their father dies, she is designated as the head of the family ahead of her brothers, Lou and Oscar. Subse quently, for nearly two decades, she leads the Bergson family towards prosperity. She is friendly and offers food and shelter to some members of the community at the Divide for whom the famine and draught has taken a huge toll.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on In pursuit of the American dream: an analysis of Willa Cather’s O Pioneers specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Alexandra practices modern farming techniques that make her farm prosperous and she shares her fortunes with the less fortunate members of the society. Emil, her younger brother, also displays selfless attitudes by refusing to pursue a romantic interest in Marie Shabata. Actually, Emil moves away from the Divide in order to give Marie’s marriage the respect that it deserves. Although Marie’s husband, Frank, in a fit of jealousy later shoots him, Emil does not fall into the temptation of courting another man’s wife even thou gh both he and Marie had a deep affection for each other. Furthermore, Alexandra’s benevolence appears again when she pardons Frank even after he murders her brother, Emil. Amongst the many reasons that immigrants had for immigrating to the US in the 1800s, the quest for a new life experience; a new start, was prominent. By themselves, the immigrants were adventurers, ready for the challenge that new lands and climate offered. For instance, Alexandra describes her own mother’s willingness and readiness for challenge aptly. She states that, if her mother â€Å"were cast upon a desert Island, she (the mother) would thank God for her deliverance, make a garden, and find something to preserve† (Cather 58). Almost as an innate characteristic, most of the immigrants were adventurous and were always ready to take up any challenge that settlement in a new environment brought. Even in the settled lands of America, many of the immigrants were always moving from one locali ty to another in search of better land for farming, better jobs, and better weather conditions (Post 460). For instance, Carl Linstrum and his family move from the Divide when his father secures a better job at a cigar factory, and this almost nomadic nature of the early settlers drove them initially to move away from their European countries. In conclusion, O Pioneers by Willa Cather is a fitting tribute to the adventurous spirit that immigrants to the US have always had. In search of a better life, many immigrants, as shown in the novel, made huge sacrifices in an attempt to live the American dream. One is tempted to believe that, the sense of adventure, sacrifice, and benevolence captured in the novel have run through the generations to this day, bequeathing to the US a characteristic that makes it the great nation that it is today.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Cather, Willa. O Pioneers. New York: Vintage Books, 1992 Post, Charles. â€Å"Agrarian Class Structure and Economic Development in Colonial British North America: The Place of the American Revolution in the Origins of US Capitalism.† Journal of Agrarian Change 9.4 (2009): 453-483. Veracini, Lorenzo. â€Å"The Settler-Colonial Situation.† Native Studies Review 19.1 (2010): 101-118. This essay on In pursuit of the American dream: an analysis of Willa Cather’s O Pioneers was written and submitted by user Jasmin Finch to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Desperate Measures essays

Desperate Measures essays Desperate Measures Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often stood up for something that is not popular, but an issue that is morally right. Some of his ideas included moderation and extremity. He practiced non-violence and peaceful protest. In his letter from a Birmingham jail he states, "In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps. The first is to determine whether there are injustices alive. The second is negotiation between the two-arguing parties. The third and fourth step is self-purification and direct action."# I believe in the saying, "Desperate times call for desperate measures." I do not believe that Dr. King would disagree with me, but his approach to a situation would be different from mine. I have used nonviolence to solve problems, but sometimes that always does not work. Sometimes one has to use alternative measures to get a point across. Many people remember the case of Rodney King. Rodney King became a reluctant symbol of police brutality a decade ago when amateur photographer George Holliday provided evidence that was hard to ignore. The videotape Holliday shot showed several white Los Angeles police officers using their batons to beat King, who had led them on a car chase after they tried to stop him for speeding, was broadcast around the world. The public and the media supported Rodney King and felt the police officers were wrong. But a Los Angeles jury seemed to ignore the video evidence. And when the four policemen charged with the beating were acquitted, it set off the worst riot in U.S. history. The King beating was followed by criticism of how police handled the 1992 riots and later the O.J. Simpson murder case. And now, the department is struggling with a corruption scandal in its Rampart Division that has led to charges against five officers, dismissal of more than 30 others and more than 100 convictions being overturned.# ...

Cultural Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Cultural Anthropology - Essay Example Sir Edward Taylor gave one of the earliest definitions of anthropology as â€Å"A culture or a civilization is a complicated package which includes knowledge, ideas, beliefs, morals, values, style of living and any other capabilities acquired by a human being when he becomes a member of any society.† Cultural Anthropology is supported by ethnography (Ethno meaning people graphy meaning writing). Whatever data is collected by anthropologists through observations, interviews, questionnaires; it is captured by â€Å"writing† it. This â€Å"writing† is very similar to the field studies or case reports which we make these days. These â€Å"writings† are used to describe the human societies, their cultures, their style of living, customs, languages, food, marriages etc. Ethnography is the backbone of cultural anthropology. Without the written descriptions of civilizations and human societies, it would be impossible for the future generations to learn of a particular cultural/nation or society that existed in the past. There are various ways through which an anthropologist can collect data for ethnography. The most common and the easiest way to collect data is by observing the participants. Anthropologists often study different human societies by living with the participants and observing them. Another common method often used by anthropologists is by interviewing the people of a society. Interviews can vary between small peep talks with the citizens or can involve long detailed conversation covering various topics.The third method is by asking the participants to fill in the questionnaires.

About indentifying the most significant issues facing cities in the Essay

About indentifying the most significant issues facing cities in the 21st century and discuss some possible solutions .. 600 word - Essay Example Some of the major causes of air pollution include fossil fuels from power-generating stations, factories, release of hydrocarbons from petroleum refineries, radioactive fallout, pesticides and insecticides, and mining operations. Pimentel states, â€Å"Air pollution from smoke and various chemicals kills 3 million people a year†. Some of the effects of air pollution on heath include eyes and throat infections, pneumonia, heart diseases, lung cancer, and skin problems. Air pollution can be reduced using some effective ways. Some of those ways include using electric heaters instead of coal heaters, using solar cars instead of fuel-powered cars, and closing the doors for almost half an hour after using pesticides and insecticides. Water pollution is another type of environmental pollution that causes adverse effects on the health of humans, plants, and animals if not treated properly. Some of the major sources of water pollution include industrial waste, inorganic substances like chemical waste, water storage tanks, and hazardous waste sites. If the concerned authorities take no proper sanitation measures, water contamination can put adverse effects on the health of marine and human life. Some of the effects on humans include different kinds of bacterial, viral, and protozoal infections. Some diseases like typhoid, paratyphoid fever, Cholera, dental carries, and hepatitis are closely associated with water pollution. Water pollution can be treated using many ways. Some of those ways include creating awareness among people regarding harms associated with water pollution and developing proper sanitary systems. Soil pollution is the third type of environmental pollution, which causes adverse effects on the health of living creatures. One of the major sources of soil pollution is the chemical processes, which are used to take out the minerals

Critque essay Essay Example for Free

Critque essay Essay In the story â€Å"The Operation,† by Pensri Kiengsiri , a story that has a third persons’ point of view. The reader learns that Kamjorn, the father of the kid, don’t have much affection to Danu because Danu is a victim of polio which made Danu a crippled kid. Its conspiracy leads the reader into having a feeling of sympathy for the boy. And the story’s setting, contributes well to the growing sympathy of the readers to Danu, as Kiengsiri’s treatment of timing cause the readers to anticipate a shocking things that’s to unfold. The time at which â€Å"The Operation† is set introduces an element of tension between the parents. Kamjorn informed the readers that when he taught about going to Bangkok he first wanted to see his best friend, rather to go to the hospital which is his main reason of going to Bangkok; it is â€Å"his mind strayed to other days in Bangkok, student days and to the old school mates, he would have a chance to look up. † As the reader already knows that Kamjorn intends to catch up with his old friends, the very mention of â€Å"strayed to other days† evokes the sense of a plan that will certainly make sadness to the boy’s feelings. The added suggestion of â€Å"chance to look up† introduces an atmosphere of uncertainty: that planted to the reader’s mind is the notion that all is not normal and right to the world. The sense of uncertainty to Kamjorn that he will not go to his son and doesn’t show to his son it is a big factor to his son operation. Just as the time in which â€Å"The Operation† is set infuses the story with an atmosphere of sadness, so do the physical surrounding in which the bulk of plot unfolds. â€Å"When Kamjorn reached Bangkok, he went to meet his friend and to actually catch up with them. When his daughter haven’t seen any sign that either one of their parents arrived, she was worried and called to their house and somehow convinced her mother to travel. † Both things added to the reader’s sense that there’s something is not right and that something imminent is about to occur. This atmosphere of imminence increases as their mother went to the train and hasn’t heard anything from her until the operation is almost finished â€Å"an accident on an express train†¦fatalities†Ã‚  that’s the only words Kamjorn’s mind ever digested before he fainted. For it is only in the final conversation of the story. The imminence that happened to Kamjorn’s wife that caused him to faint. It has successfully concealed the true sense of Kamjorn tears last before he fainted. Hence, the manner Kiengsiri described the time and setting of â€Å"The Operation† serves to greatly enhance the effect of this tale upon the reader. In accompanying the story’s characters into a world thet grows steadily more gruesome at every turn, the reader’s feeling of sadness and foreboding increases, the reader is doubly troubled the disturbing revelation made in the story’s final conversation. Kiengsiri’s use of setting and timing in this story mirrors the special effects employed in dramatic movies-effects that have the viewers wiping their tears, totally absorbed in plot and atmosphere. It is good that a 6 page short story can evoke with words the same response that movie makers use millions of dollars, efforts and truckloads of technology to create.

Essay --

PET/ PETE: Polyethylene Terephthalate 1. Thermoplastic polymer in polyester family, with â€Å"C10H8O4† as empirical formula for its monomer. 2. It exists in two forms: fiber (synthetic) and resin. 3. PET is converted into fiber form by permanent press fabric and bottles by blow molding. 4. Recycling Code: #1 5. PET is not biodegradable and its incineration produces harmful gases which have high potency to air pollution. That’s why recycling it for further use. Properties [1] Density 1.38 g/cc (20 â„Æ') Young's Modulus 2800-3100 MPa Tensile Strength 55-75 MPa Elastic Limit 50-100% Glass Transition Temperature 67-81 â„Æ' Table 1: Properties of Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate. 6. Strength and stiffness of PET exists because of the presence of large aromatic rings in the long chains which results in high resistant to deformation too [2]. 7. PET (waste) used as construction materials: Based on available research in the literature, waste PET (mainly bottles) is recycled in four major ways: I. Waste PET bottles depolymerized into unsaturated polyester resin to produce polymer mortar and polymer concrete [3]. Advantages: †¢ Higher compressive and flexural strength than normal Portland cement. †¢ Modified concrete achieves 80% of its ultimate strength within 1 day. Disadvantages: †¢ Properties of modified cement sensitive to temperature. †¢ Cost for producing this modified concrete is high. II. PET Fiber to reinforce concrete [4]. Advantage: †¢ Enhances the ductility of quasi-brittle concrete. †¢ Reduce the cracking by plastic shrinkage. Disadvantage: †¢ Water Repellent and low surface energy of plastic which result in weak mechanical bonding b/w fiber and concrete. †¢ Poor mechanical bond strength causes internal micro-cracks in the interfacial mechanical... ...s Composites, 21(17): 1597–1607, 2002. 16. A. B. Inceoglu and U. Yilmazer. Synthesis and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester based nanocomposites. Polym. Eng. Sci., 43(3): 661–669, March 2003. 17. M. S. Devi, V. Murugesan, K. Rengaraj, and P. Anand. Utilization of flyash as filler for unsaturated polyester resin. J. Appl. Polymer Sciences, 69(7): 1385–1391, August 1998. 18. A. B. Cherian and E. T. Thachil. Blends of unsaturated polyester resin with functional elastomers. J. Elastomer Plastics, 35(4):367–380, October 2003. 19. Y. Xu, M. L. Li, Y. Guo, and F. J. Lu. Structure and properties of modified unsaturated polyester resin by nano-TiO2. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 19(6): 578–580, November 2003. 20. E. Kicko-Walczak. New ecological polyester resins with reduced flammability and smoke evolution capacity. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 74(2):379–382, October 1999.

Change Management Plan

This document will cover Riordan Manufacturing’s current management plan and the new proposed plan. It will also cover how the management plans on changing this plan over the next 12 months. Change Management Plan Riordan Manufacturing is a company which operates its official system like a bureaucracy. Every division has a manager and that manager responds to their manager who then reports to the president and CEO Dr. Michael Riordan. The bureaucracy is established like a matrix system. Every division consists of those who perform specific jobs. Every division has their own informal systems. These informal systems are created by building working associations collectively. Riordan motivates every worker to report any problems that they may have directly to their supervisor. This lets every worker, as stated in Riordan Manufacturing’s Worker Handbook, â€Å"Our experience has demonstrated that when workers deal openly and directly with administration, the work atmosphere can be fantastic, interactions can be obvious and attitudes can be optimistic. † By opening up the door to open interaction with all administration it improves worker behavior since they are capable to convey their values and problems. When workers are motivated to express themselves freely it increases the dedication to the organization and increases job satisfaction. Although Riordan Manufacturing desires to apply a fresh client administration method, Riordan Manufacturing must continue to adopt the matrix structure which they presently have set up. By setting up a fresh client administration system it will let every place be capable to assess the info for every client regardless of what place they would be at. Maintaining the existing matrix system will let and continue to improve team attempts to develop the complete work which is expected from every division. Riordan Manufacturing is a plastics production organization which employees more than 500 individuals. They have organizations in Albany, Georgia, Pontiac Michigan, Hangzhou, China, and San Jose, California where their company head office is located. Riordan items contain plastic drinks cans, customized plastic components, and plastic fan components. Their major clients are auto and plane component producers, soft drink producers, Department of Defense, and appliance producers. Worker conduct affects how they work and react to their work, managers, and clients. The company tradition at Riordan contains equity, confidence, commitment, have an inventive and team work atmosphere, impairment accommodations, performance assessments, worker rewards for example 401K, academic help, health and life insurance, respect vacations, honor vacations, assistance with day care, and employees compensation insurance coverage. Riordan seems to be a production organization which tries to become a choice for their clients rather than being a problem to their clients. Although this organization might be a great organization they just like any other producer have issues that must be tackled together with modifications which might influence the organization for the organization to remain in the loop with present economy problems. Some workers can't cope with modification and they may become unwilling. Some workers avoid modification is because of the lack of knowledge regarding the modification, comfort, personal private views, lack of confidence. However, even though the workers are being resistive, the administrators are intending to cope with the opposition and assist workers cope with the modification more efficiently. Administrators may apply the modification by conveying clearly, being straightforward, and acknowledging their worries together with acknowledging and respecting the workers. Administrators may rovide reinforces and support by letting workers to meet with them face to face with regards to the modification or the worker could benefit from some additional coaching. Administrators might place the resistive workers with somebody who is already using the modification, therefore the worker that is not adjusting will see a confident and administrators may make certain they have set some objectives to make sure the success of the modification was worthwhile and advantag eous. Modification is a part that needs constant and continuous quality of improvements. During the months administrators must be sure that the modification they put in place keep growing and continue to remain effective. Administrators can perform this by applying reaction to areas which are in danger, continue to make contact with their workers whether it is through phone, email, individual to individual, text messaging, or memo. Safety precautions will also continue to be managed and improve, and when the economy changes medical care in the organization might accommodate employee’s requirements. Staff and administration attitudes will remain optimistic, involve your workers, care for their views, ideas, thoughts, continue to provide training sessions, set objectives and goals (praising the workers might be a plus), and encourage inspiration in which this will let the workers to be more devoted. Administrators may assess achievement by viewing how the organization modifies that went into effect is up and running, organization numbers/sales haven't decreased, and workers are producing good results. To assess failure it would be the total reverse, however what would it be to assess. In case the organization is failing or haven't seen any growth then they must put forth one more change. Communication Plan When modification is introduced in the office it may also bring opposition from workers. This opposition arises from a modification in routines, anxiety about the unfamiliar, a reduction in a sense of safety, or even a danger to associations to name a few. While developing an interaction to workers, administration must try to train regarding the modification as well as contact as many employees as is possible. Doing so will likely reduce the opposition from workers and let approval of the modification. Administration must pick a type of interaction to convey administration modification at Riordan Manufacturing which will reach all workers with the same information. In this situation the best way to contact the most workers is to utilize a mix of a memo and e-mail. In these types of interactions, administrators must express why the modification is essential, what the modification will bring to the company, and develop a fresh mission. Describing the modification to workers will train them on why the modification must be made and provide them insight into the unfamiliar. The new administration mission will assist create company tradition that workers can buy into. Using a memo and e-mail is the most efficient way to convey the modification to the workers. This technique additionally permits the identical information to be sent. The information being sent is vital in order that workers aren't getting different info regarding the modification. While transmitting the message to workers, some hurdles might come up. Some workers might not read the message that will lead them to be unaware. Administrators must contact front line supervisors to make sure that all workers have read the message. A read receipt may also be linked to the e-mail to make sure that workers are getting the email. The information found in the message must also help the modification in a positive manner. Some workers might take the information as a bad modification that will enhance opposition. Team conferences must take place in order that supervisors can go over the content in the memo and e-mail. These conferences will let supervisors to deal with any queries regarding the modification and put the workers relaxed. Conveying modification is a vital method utilized to permit the change to be finished properly and keep worker spirit. Conveying modification in the office is essential to reduce opposition among employees. This interaction must try to train workers regarding the modification to assist put the employees relaxed. This information must be created in a manner to reach all workers with the same message in order that all workers are receiving the same info. Conveying modification in an efficient manner will probably enhance approval of modification and maintain the company tradition unchanged. Valued Employees of Riordan Manufacturing: The organization has made a decision to apply a client administration method which will permit you to easily monitor our clients. Administration knows that we have put great accountability on you to manage client info and wish to provide you the methods to do this job more efficiently. This info might be better more effective when we keep it in a uniformed style and saved in a convenient location. By applying this method we are allowing the info to be easily available to all workers and will get rid of any requirement for substantial searching. We know that info, if not saved correctly will get lost, and we don't want to endanger the client associations which you have worked so carefully to maintain. Formalized training will be given to all workers prior to execution. Our objective is to ensure that you are happy using the latest program before it's put into use. We have created a formalized coaching agenda for following week to make sure everybody has had time to see, work, and know the program. Administration knows that knowing latest method is a difficult job, however we are assured you will notice the advantage of this latest program. We thank you all for your persistence and assistance. Please contact your immediate supervisor with any queries or problems. Thank You, Riordan Manufacturing Management This document has successfully explained the new management plan and a plan on how the management is going to convey that message to their employees. After reading everything the reader should have a better grasp on what the management is doing and when the changes are going to be implemented. References Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2011).Organizational behavior (14th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/CIST/VOP/Business/Riordan/index.asp