Chinese Language and thoughts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chinese Language and thoughts - Essay Example It was not that English language did not have the required word in it; instead, it was that I had forgot that word because of my poor memory and small vocabulary. He was at least 20 years older to me, so I did not express my disagreement overtly out of respect for him, but deep inside, I did not feel good about what he had said and I also disagreed with him on the matter. I still disagree with him that our thinking ability depends upon the language we speak. An argument that I found most appealing on one side of the debate was lack of empirical support â€Å"for the view that language determines the basic categories of thought or that it ‘closes doors’† (Wolff and Holmes, 2011, p. 261). Lack of explicit encoding of an ability in a language does not, in any way, deprive people of the ability to make conceptual distinctions. This is elaborated as the English speakers’ ability to tell loose fit from tight even though their spatial preposition system does not encode this distinction. In other words, people are not dependent upon words to understand and describe reality (Pinker, 2007, p. 124). On the contrary, the least convincing argument I found on the other side of the debate was that speakers of a language other than English may be remarkably good at staying oriented â€Å"and perform feats of navigation that seem superhuma n to English speakers† (Boroditsky, 2010) simply because instead of saying â€Å"left† or â€Å"right†, they use phrases like â€Å"theres an ant on your south-west leg† (Boroditsky, 2010) because they do not have words similar to â€Å"left† and â€Å"right† in their language. This sounds unappealing to me because a language that lacks simple and straight-forward substitutes to â€Å"left† and â€Å"right† would confuse its speakers way too much to be rightly guided in complex scenarios where directional guidance is

Thy Womb Essay Example for Free

Thy Womb Essay A charming and majestic chain of islands straddling peacefully between Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea in the southwestern Philippines is the exotic Tawi-Tawi province. It is one of the southernmost parts of Philippines, which have become infamous for being the site of warring government and the Muslims terrorists. The people are peace-loving and they live there harmoniously. Their houses are built on silts near the seashore. The place is surrounding with families who are lack of needs, and they are surviving in the rain or shine weather in their everyday lives. Their culture was also shown in the movie. The wedding celebration there is very different as we celebrate the wedding here. Giving dowry to the family they want to marry and hospitality is part of their culture. The man is negotiating to the family of the woman they want to marry, not only once, but anytime they want to get married as long as they have dowry that they will give to the family of they want to get married. Although the woman, doesn’t love the man, the man can marry her as long as her family approved the wedding. Shaleha, the character portrayed by Nora Aunor is indeed the most interesting for me. It’s very unusual to see a wife go searching for another lady to be his husband’s second wife. Shaleha truly shown that her love for her husband, Bangas-An, was fascinating. She has gone to some hardships just by knowing that her husband might really turn his back to her. As I seen in the movie, there are some problems that the government should focus to improve their place. Some problems are the people have not enough clothings and their houses which reside in the sea is not safe for them especially to the children; and also they are lack in the terms of security and medical because when Bangas-an shoot a gun, there’s no justice occur and his wife, Shaleha cure it with leaves. The government should took action these problem for the sake of the people. The government should also enhance the infrastructure base of the province and improve accessibility, and generate more jobs for the people. Thy Womb is a movie that is worth watching for. This movie indeed tells the reality of living. The reality in which people do have different cultures as well as their way of living that was affected by the things or events in their surroundings. This reality is also experienced by us in our lives but in different circumstances. Upon watching it, it shown in the movie the goodness of the people in South. I was amazed in the people there how they approach each and every one. Eventhough they all suffer in poverty, they managed to give help with the other people. Also, my heart felt pity to the some olds are undressed and working despite of their ages. After I watched it, I conclude some values that were essentially portrayed, like the undying love of Shaleha to her husband Bangas-An, the couple’s faith and persistence to really make it up to the dowry required by the other family is strongly portrayed as the couple willingly sell their things and asked help from the other communities. I greatly admired Director Mendoza for bringing great honor to the people and for showing the beauty of Tawi-Tawi. I hope that the other Filipinos will appreciate his efforts as well.

Balanced Scorecard In Hsbc Bank Accounting Essay

Balanced Scorecard In Hsbc Bank Accounting Essay CHAPTER 1 In the past decades, many organizations were facing intensive pressures for changes in strategies and structures without a proper human resource management and performance management model (Weng, 2011). It has been a challenge to many managers to measure and appraise their human capital with an increasing and constantly changing volume of employees across the organization at different levels as well as across different geographic locations with high consistency and standards. Therefore, it is crucial that organizations have a strategic management tool. Much debate has been taken to find the most effective way of measuring not only a companys financial performance but also how the company satisfies its customers and employees (Kocakulah and Austill, 2007). Then in 1992, Kaplan and Norton introduced a BSC model. Their concept of BSC has opened a new field in the literature of management control (Franco and Bourne, 2003). Since then, BSC has been an interesting topic that many academic authors choose to write. The reasons why the researcher is interested to write about BSC are as following. First, it is essential that performance measurement be of great significance to an organization, playing as a tool in conveying the companys strategies to individuals objectives (Smith and Kim, 2005). Drucker (1954) also highlighted that all employees, from a big boss to a junior clerk, should have personal performance objectives that aligns strongly to the companys strategy. Therefore, the application of BSC really helps organizations to depict such objectives evidently. According to Kocakulah and Austill (2007), when structural changes and job specifications become more complex, it is required to develop a methodology and formula that can align the organizational strategies and main principles with performance measurement and management indicators. Kaplan and Norton (1992, cited in Kaplan, 2010) recognized that any comprehensive measurement and management system has to link operational performance improvements to customer and financial performance. Second, BSC was presented as the most practical and comprehensive performance measurement model and has then become a popular strategic tool amongst managers all over the world (Sanayei et al., 2011). In recent years, the BSC has been a comprehensive model when looking at management issues for financial and non-financial purposes and has been very popular as it attracts a lot of attention (Norreklit, 2000). It has been widely used by many companies and has gained worldwide acceptance as a useful tool for management. From 1992 to 2000, more than 200 companies adopted the BSC method (Kaplan and Norton, 2001 cited in Kocakulah and Austill, 2007). In 2001, David Norton estimated that about 50 percent of large organizations in the United States were using the BSC, about 45 percent in Europe; and about a third of the large organizations in Australia used the BSC (Weber et al., 2001 cited in Kocakulah and Austill, 2007). Another recent study by Bain Company indicated that 57 percent of fir ms worldwide use the balanced scorecard, including 75 percent of large firms and 64 percent of firms in North America (Rigby and Bilodeau, 2005). The Harvard Business Review in 1997 listed it as one of the 75 most influential ideas of the 20th century (Bible et al., 2006). Apparently, BSC  has become the leading strategic management system of the 21st century. Organizations use the scorecard to create an entirely new performance management framework that puts strategy at the centre of key management processes and systems (Kaplan and Norton, 2001). Third, BSC has been chosen by many financial and banking institutions as a key to achieving a successful execution of their strategic plans (Frigo et al., 2000), whereas Aranda and Arellano (2010) stated that it is for strategic development and performance measurement. As a result, BSC was chosen by HSBC Bank to put into use in its early stage of starting business in Vietnam. Throughout all these stages, BSC has always been used at all levels as (i) a strategic tool to connect organizational goals with 1500-employees targets and (ii) a standard performance measurement system to drive individual performance, evaluate their achievements and create values (HSBC Vietnam, 2011). HSBC Bank, a member of HSBC Holdings Group, is one of the worlds largest financial institutions and the biggest foreign bank in Vietnam. It established the first full-service branch in Ho Chi Minh City in 1995 and then expanded to 17 branches and offices across the nation. It strategically focuses on Premier Centers with a purpose of delivering world-class international services to high-profile customers. Currently there are one Premier Centre in Hanoi (the North) and one in Ho Chi Minh City (the South) (HSBC Vietnam, 2012) serving a number of 6,000 Premier customers. Forth, the role of BSC in HSBC has been strongly recognized by either employees or managers at all levels. At Group and business level, it supports the implementation of the business strategy, ensuring that all aspects that contribute to its success are taken into account. At a team level, it helps managers align their objectives with those of the business and focus their efforts and resources on what is most relevant. Individually, it helps an employee understand how her/his work links with and affects the success of the organization (HSBC Vietnam, 2011). The effects of performance measurement and management at HSBC Vietnam have been evaluated through surveys conducted bank-wide to collect employees feedback and response. Such surveys then supported managements strategic analysis and improvement plan (HSBC Vietnam, 2011). However, there has been little empirical research into whether the balanced scorecard actually works in practice (Neely, 2008). Moreover, as pointed out by Hung-Yi Wu (2012), most of the BSC-related studies have focused mainly on performance measures rather than the causal relationships between key performance indicators for the purpose of strategy implementation. This is the first time a research is conducted in HSBC (Vietnam) Ltd. at a more focused level with specific attributes directly related to individual BSCs perspectives and potential relationships as well as their impacts. Accordingly, the author chooses to study on the below topic: BALANCED SCORECARD IN HSBC BANK (VIETNAM) LTD. PREMIER CENTERS: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS 1.2. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY The initial purpose of this study is to gain further understanding of BSC and its role as a performance management tool in an organization. Many studies by Gates (1999), Lingle and Schiemann (1996) suggested that organizations managed through balanced performance measurement systems perform better than those that are not. Therefore, the research can help figure out positive results on a specific organization using the scorecard to support those ideas. Besides, it will serve as a guide to business strategy planning. According to Davis and Albright (2004) and Littler et al. (2000), banks can save an enormous amount of time and money if they understand which measures, financial or non-financial, are best suited to their needs. As such, it is expected that the study can indicate whether the current BSC applied in HSBC is ideal in a way that an appropriate mix of performance drivers and outcome measures has been tailored to the business units strategy (Frigo et al., 2000). In addition, the study reemphasizes the important role and positive effects of BSC on an organizations strategy implementation. As mentioned by Hung-Yi Wu in his 2012 work, banking institutions must develop an effective way to align their strategies with corporate goals based on performance analyses if they are to sustain their competitive advantages. Such effective way is recommended to be the BSC model, which is proved to be a useful and efficient tool in communicating organizations goals and targets to all bank staff and in performance measurement (Bible, et al., 2006). Moreover, the research is to identify good points related to BSC in both academic publications and real-world experiences of an organization. Apart from that, the research helps the author and readers analyze the difference of BSC from theoretical to practical perspectives based upon feedback of surveyed employees. Accordingly, it is good to understand how BSC has been adapted and implemented in the context of HSBC in Vietnam, which is, as pointed out by Burney and Swanson (2010), integral to the development of systems that will effectively obtain organizational goals. The research will definitely give more insights of the banks BSC implementation process and effectiveness. Furthermore, the research will reveal HSBC employees satisfaction level and specific feedback on the banks BSC system and increase understanding of its strategic link and potential relationships between BSC measures in practice. It allows the business to stay competitive and profitable (Zeng and Zhao, 2005) in sustainable development. However, apart from the positive effects of BSC on HSBCs execution of strategy, the research also helps to figure out some gaps and areas for attention and improvement that will be analyzed in the following chapters. In case its results are appreciated and draw the attention of higher management then it can make further contribution to the development and acknowledged effectiveness of BSC in HSBC Vietnam. This article may help the management to focus on the need to complete the implementation of BSC system to maximize its benefits and minimize the negative effects. The disclosure of the shortcomings, if any, is crucial as it will entice organizations to search for measurement systems that support them better in the challenging business environment (de Waal and Counet, 2009). With these above reasons, the author strongly believes that the topic Balanced Scorecard in HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. Premier Centers: positive and negative effects will help the readers get more into the research. 1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND QUESTIONS According to Varkevisser, Pathmanathan Brownlee (2003), the objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study. It is advised by Ababa (2005) that if specific objectives are properly formulated, they will facilitate the development of research methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of data. Therefore, these objectives should be closely related to the research problem (Saunders et al., 2009). Furthermore, objectives should be logical, coherent, feasible, realistic and considering local conditions as well as being defined in operational terms that can be measured and phrased to clearly meet the purpose of the study (Ababa, 2005). With the topic: Balanced Scorecard in HSBC Vietnam Ltd. Premier Centers: positive and negative effects, six objectives of the study are determined as following. To understand the concept of BSC and its perspectives as a performance measurement tool, To identify positive and negative effects of BSC in HSBC Vietnam, To measure if HSBC BSC model is different compared to an ideal model, To evaluate the relationship between employee understanding of the organizations objectives with a well-performing organization, To analyze the causal relationships (if any) amongst four perspectives of BSC, and To identify the weakest one of the four perspectives to improve. With these research objectives, the study is to be conducted to clearly answer the questions relevant to the topic as below. What is the Balanced Scorecard and its four components? What are HSBC BSC positive and negative effects? What is an ideal BSC model and what is HSBC BSC compared to it? How do HSBC employees understand the organizations objectives and its relationship with a well performing organization? Are there any relationships amongst four perspectives? Which one among the four perspectives needs more focus? 1.4 BOUNDARY OF THE STUDY Due to the limitation of time and scope of work, this research only focuses on a small group of employees, hereinafter mentioned as those working at two Premier Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but not extended to the entire number of about 1500 employees bank-wide. Two Premier Centers have a number of 60 staff including Premier Center Managers, Sales Managers, Relationship Officers, Services Managers, Services Assistants, Counter Officers and tellers. As such, the findings and results are only representative of part of the real figures and possibly not completely accurate. In addition, the research is only conducted at employees level or a single group of employees point of view rather than on the senior managements stand point, then there will be some imbalanced justifications and explanation after the survey. It is hoped that once the research methodology is proved to be trustworthy enough to the representative sample, it will be supported to apply to the whole bank with full participation of employees at all levels including senior managers to get a broader view and more precise results. 1.5 OUTLINE STRUCTURE This paper consists of five main chapters. Chapter 1: Introduction This 2389-word section is an introduction to the research, serving as an explanatory background to what leads the author to the chosen topic and why to choose the topic. In addition, it is followed by a brief summary of significance of the study and key issues that the research work intends to address. The scope of study is also included in the first chapter in order to narrow the boundary and put the focus on the research area. Chapter 2: Literature Review This 4836-word chapter is the theoretical background of the study focusing on the relevant literature and theories on performance measurement, balanced scorecard and its perspectives. It helps to demonstrate an understanding of the research topic and its surrounding content. At this stage, it is important to critically review many academic authors points of view on the research topic and related issues. From those literatures, specific hypotheses are developed as a foundation to start the research. Chapter 3: Methodology In this part, the research philosophy, strategy, method and approach used in this study are described. It also presents the process of gathering data, sampling method, implementation of questionnaires and techniques of analysis. Some ethical issues when conducting this research in a banking organization like HSBC are also mentioned. 3836 is the number of words in this chapter. Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Discussion This section outlines the findings and results of information collection at HSBC as conducted in chapter 3. Feedback from its employees will be revealed through a list of figures and tables. The proposed hypotheses will be further discussed based on the results. There are 3897 words for this chapter. Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations This is a summary of the main conclusions of this research and feasible recommendations to the research issues. Some limitations and suggestions for next researches are also included. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction This chapter will cover the literature on performance measurement, strategy map, balance scorecard and its role in aligning organizational goals to the strategy. By studying related literature on BSC, it is seen that BSC really plays a significant role in the success of an organization and that it helps to measure the success of the strategy (Kaplan and Norton, 2001). Schneiderman (1999) stated that balanced scorecards that did not have a sound foundation would fail. Therefore, this chapter will summarize the positive and negative effects of BSC collected from many studies and elaborate hypotheses to predict the effects of BSC in practice of a specific organization. Additionally, it is learnt from this chapter that the four perspectives of BSC are inter-related, and that even though financial results are very important, delivering long term value and success will require a focus on non-financial factors including high performing people, efficient processes and effective customer serv ices (Kaplan and Norton, 1996). The following part is related conceptualization on the research content. 2.2 Performance Measurement 2.2.1 Definition Performance measurement is defined by Lebas (1995) as a system by which a company monitors its daily operations and evaluates whether it is attaining its objectives. Meanwhile, Lichiello and Turnock (1999) define it as the selection and use of quantitative measures of capacities, processes, and outcomes to develop information about critical aspects of activities, including their effect on the public. Basically, it is considered part of a performance management system (Sanayei et al., 2011) and is set aligned with the organizations strategy. According to Hronec (1993), performance measurement system is a tool for balancing multiple measures (cost, quality, and time) across multiple levels (organization, processes and people). While it was suggested by Green et al. (1991) to target the value-added activities of the company, Kaplan (1991) suggested that an effective performance measurement system should provide timely, accurate feedback on the efficiency and effectiveness of operations. In fact, organizations always plan to build an effective tool to help them manage the performance and well achieve the targets. 2.2.2 The role of performance measurement According to Christian C. Johnson (2007), it is important to understand why measuring an organizations performance is both necessary and vital. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ An organization operating without a performance measurement system is like an airplane flying without a compass, a Formula One race car driver guiding his car blindfolded, or a CEO operating a company without a strategic planà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The purpose of measuring performance is not only to know how a business is performing but also to enable it to perform better. The ultimate aim of implementing a performance measurement system is to improve the performance of an organization so that it may better serve its customers, employees, owners, and stakeholders. Basically, a performance measurement system enables an enterprise to plan, measure, and control its performance according to a pre-defined strategy (Johnson, 2007). Many authors including Atkinson and McCrindell (1997), De Toni and Tonchia (2001), as cited in Pongatichat and Johnston (2008), have identified its benefits as a tool to (i) communicate the organizations strategic direction, strategic priorities, (ii) create a shared understanding, (iii) monitor and track the implementation of strategy, (iv) align short-term actions with long-term strategy, (v) make clear the links between performance of individuals and sub-units, and sub-units and overall organizational performance, (vi) promote integration among various organizational processes, (vii) focus change efforts, and (viii) facilitate organizational learning. 2.2.3 Different performance measurement models Many researches on banking performance measurement used traditional measures like statistical analysis (Arshadi Lawrence, 1987; Devlin Gerrard, 2005), structural equation models (SEM) (Collier, 1995), multi-criteria classification methodology (PARCLAS) (Kosmidou et al., 2006) and DEA (Giokas, 2008). In the meantime, Wu et al. (2011), Chen et al. (2008), and Meyer and Markiewicz (1997) chose to adopt the four BSC perspectives, including both financial and non-financial indicators. In their 1992 work, Kaplan and Norton also described performance measurement as a way to review an organizations financial and non-financial goals. Figure 2.1 summarizes the selection indicators of banking performance measurement that have been investigated in several important studies, along with their main analytical methods (Wu et al., 2011). According to Weber et al. (2001) and Bible et al. (2006), traditional measures no longer worked effectively because those measures relied so strongly on financial indicators and did not sufficiently cover other critical factors like skills, competencies, and motivation of employees; customer and supplier relationships; innovative product development; databases and information technologies; efficient and responsive operating processes; innovation in products and services; customer loyalty and relationships; and political, regulatory, and societal approval. Meanwhile, the BSC can cover all these measures in a more specific and appropriate way that supports management in implementing organizational goals.

Images of Roots, Rock, Reggae… :: essays papers

Images of Roots, Rock, Reggae†¦ "This small space became my canvas and window to introduce reggae visually to the world." -Neville Garrick, a reggae album cover artist. In my opinion (and what I’ve learned from this class), is that art is a great means of self-expression. To me, art is a visual stimulator, an educator, and the source of a deeper meaning that the artist only truly knows. Artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Van Goh have provided us with masterpieces to interpret and enjoy, although, as I’ve also learned, you don’t have to be a renowned artist in order to make a statement. From the most minute of sketches, blossom pieces of artwork. Thus, as Charles Biederman states in his book, Art as the Evolution of Visual Knowledge: Many great artists and art cultures have been born, have lived and died, but art has been born only once and as yet has never died. Thus we consider it as a single organism many thousands of years old, and the result of efforts of untold millions of artists; an organism which has been developing in some arbitrary fashion, but in a definite and specific direction, as specific as the operation of the organisms that produced the art. It is necessary that we become coherently conscious of the particular stage of this development as it exists in our century, if progress in art is to be continued. (Biederman 20) Here, Mr. Biederman is relating to the efforts of artists to produce development and change, or consciousness there of. Many artists go "untold"; meaning, from the largest of cities to the smallest of islands, art lives. Therefore, as my main focus for this paper, I chose to rely on art (and Jah!) to be my guide and to provide me with an understanding as to what Jamaica, Rastafarianism, and Reggae are all about. In particular, I took a look at reggae album cover-art as a means of study. Reggae music defines a particular identity for the Rastas and/or Jamaicans. It is a means of communication, thus, reggae album cover art adds more to the music and together, both the art and the lyrics, and make a bold statement. Art, it should be understood, produced the first forms of recorded language, a language just as reliable for making investigations of human development as is that with which we are familiar in the remains of Egyptian cultures, etc.

Survival of the Marine Corps Essay -- essays research papers fc

SURVIVAL OF THE MARINE CORPS The Marine Corps historical characteristics after the Civil War could be based in part on survivability and the need for the Marine Corps to prove its worth to the United States as a Military Force. The Marine Corps part in the Civil War had been small and not altogether impressive. Both the Army and the Navy did not regard the Marine Corps as useful. This paper will in effect touch on the Marine Corps history from after the Civil War to World War I. It will then converge on a discussion with regards to the fight against the disestablishment of the Marine Corps. (Simmons/Moskin 1998) The Marine Corps found its mission in the amphibious landings of several countries â€Å"to protect American lives and property". Some of these countries included China, Formosa, Japan, Korea, Samoa, Hawaii, Panama, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Haiti, and Egypt. The United States, having conquered much of North America, was expanding overseas. Marines made small-scale landings in response to real or perceived affronts to U.S. diplomatic or economic interests. (Simmons/Moskin 1998) In 1883 the motto of the Marine Corps, "Semper Fidelis" (â€Å"always faithful†), was adopted as the official motto of the Marine Corps. Since 1812 the motto, although unofficial, had been "Fortitudine" ("with courage"). The Marine Corps adopted this motto in part because of the fact that there has never been a mutiny, or even the thought of one, among U.S. Marines. (Website For Young Marines, Online) When America became involved in the â€Å"splendid little war† against Spain when they landed in Cuba. The Marine Corps involvement was again modest with their major feat being the taking of a coaling station for the Navy. (Simmons/Moskin 1998) The day after the war with Spain ended, August 12, American troops began the occupation of Manila. Two battalions of Marines were involved in the attacking the fortified town of Novaleta. After a third battalion arrived in December the pacification of the Philippines continued. (Simmons/Moskin 1998) The Marine Corps continued to justify its means through World War I. The Marine Corps was involved in the Boxer Rebellion in China, Columbia, Cuba, Nicaragua and once again in the Philippines. Although most were minor scuffles, Marines were about to make their first significant mark in World Wa... ...me. (Warfighting Planning Course Online) It seems from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the Korean War, there were always certain affiliations that did not see a need for a Marine Corps. In theory this would be correct as even today you can make that argument. Aviation we have the Air Force, for Naval Power we have the Navy and for ground assaults we have the Army. Being a Marine myself I am a bit sensitive on the subject. Although I think there are a multitude of reasons I believe there will always be a Marine Corps, but only one reason makes all the others seem mute. There will always be a Marine Corps because the American People want a Marine Corps. BIBLIOGRAPHY Millett, Allan R., Semper Fidelis: A History of the United States Marine Corps (New York: The Free Press, 1991). Simmons, Edwin Howard, ed. and Moskin, J. Robert, ed. The Marines: The Marine Heritage Foundation, Levin Associates, 1998. Sturkey, Marion F., Warrior Culture. Heritage Press International, 2nd Ed., 2003. wanaki@infi.net, RE:Macauthor, Online. Warfighting Planning Course: USMC in National Military Strategy Website for Young Marines: Common Sayings and Quotations, Chadduck Enterprises. 1999

Nike strategy :: essays research papers

After Nike’s success in the US is inarguable, its intent to focus on the international markets. The company wants to generate more than half of its revenue from overseas. In my opinion, Nike’s strategies and tactics are to seek on the opportunity to do the marketing on its radical, rebellious and anti-establishment images to the international markets and to benefit from its use of overseas factories to outsource manufacturing processes. For example, †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A Nike ad in Soccer America magazine that delivered the massage to Europe, Asia and Latin America. Part of its message mentioned to their local investors to better invest in some deodorant. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A TV commercial featured a Manchester United player explaining how spitting at a fan and insulting a coach won him a Nike contract. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A Nike advertising campaign at the Atlanta Olympic Games with the slogan â€Å"You don’t win silver, you lose gold.† †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A Nike’s factories in Vietnam, China and Indonesian. For those marketing efforts, Nike does successful to promote itself with its not-quite-nice images and also generate some criticism that I think they are irresponsible as we can see from their ad that they does not create any positive effects to the society. For its use of overseas factories, it is great opportunity to expand the production base to the lower cost of labor, but it is totally irresponsible and unethical when labor practice does not meet the standard. In my point of view, the most unethical Nike’s decision is not to take the responsibility to ensure at least minimum and humane standards that it should offer to its work force. For example, in Vietnam, Nike paid its workers less than the cost of three meals of rice and vegetables and tofu. It treated workers no better than in sweatshops with only two drinks of water and one bathroom break in an eight hour shift. Also Nike let its contractors in developing countries to use child labor under sub-standard conditions. On the other hand, the least unethical Nike’s decision is to have a TV commercial featured a Manchester United player explaining how spitting at a fan and insulting a coach won him a Nike contract.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The reason that I reach these judgments, for the most unethical decision, Nike lacks of social responsibilities in term of both legal and ethical responsibilities. Although, there were some people agree with sweatshops because it was better than the firm leaves the workers, it was the best of the workers’ only bad options or it was a path from poverty to greater wealth, but if at least Nike improved their workers working standards, it would help to better increase their quality of lives.

Of Mice and Men English language Essay

Many of the characters in ‘of Mice and Men’ are lonely and some have dreams to sustain them. Write about 2-3 of them and explain why we feel sympathetic toward them. The book of Mice and Men was written by an American writer called John Steinbeck. He was born in Salinas, California and wrote this book from the theme ‘The Great Depression’. The title of this book got its name from a Scottish poet Rabbi Burns in one of his poems called â€Å"To a Mouse†; which means most plans from man or animal don’t work out in the end. When I say the Great Depression, this was a significant world event which started on 29 October 1929, this day was-from then on-nicknamed black Tuesday because on that very same day the stock markets crashed, which meant that the money in there lost its value. Due to this, 9 million banks closed, which meant that about 86,000 businesses failed; for 2 reasons: firstly the businesses didn’t have the money to keep them going. Secondly people didn’t have the money to buy the things the businesses were selling. Because businesses closed, unemployment rate increased, in 1929, the percentage of unemployment was 3%. However in 1934, the unemployment rate was 26%+. This shows that there was a big rise for people losing jobs. By saying this, you must be honoured to keep your job (most people lost their jobs), although if your job was secure, your wages would decrease by approximately 60%, if you walked out on that job, it would be hard for you to find another job, the employer wouldn’t have to worry much since there were lines of people queuing up for jobs. At 1 point, estimates say 34 million people had no income at all, thus meant that people lived in shanty towns. This not only was in the small cities, but developed in the major states such as New York and Washington D.C. People nicknamed these shanty towns as Hoovervilles, because it was nicknamed after the American president at that time, Herbert Hoover. So how would this recession affect people? Some people couldn’t cope with it so they committed suicide. Marriages broke down due to the financial pressure. People became itinery/migrant workers. This means travelling round the country looking for work, if they did find work, it would be short term, unskilled, insecure and labouring. Most jobs were in California (farming area), 1000s of families lost their homes due to failing to pay mortgages, so people had to live in shanty towns. So soup kitchens were set up, and there would be queues of 1000s (maybe more) of mixtures of people in dirty clothes to people in business suits. If these people were moving around they wouldn’t be able to stay with their families/friends. Because of this, people got lonely because they were looking for jobs, so they wouldn’t have any time for relationships, and as George says: â€Å"we ask no questions on the ranch† which means that you keep your self to yourself. No-one knows who you are or where you’ve come from, or what they’re planning to do next. If you knew these things about a specific person (or any person), they would tell you off for nosing around. All of the things I have mentioned all come in the theme of the Great Depression, which is the thing behind the story that John Steinbeck is trying to tell. For example, most characters in of Mice and Men were migrant workers and before Lennie and George came to the ranch in Soledad. Candy tells Lennie about a blacksmith called Whitey, who came, got his money and left, â€Å"why he just quit, just wanted to move, didn’t give no other reason but the food just say gimme my time, the way any guy would†. Although George and Lennie travel around together, it would have been highly unusual for this to happen in a time like this, most men travelled alone. We see this in the novel like Slim, Crooks, and Candy, but I must say it is highly unusual that men travel around together, Slim says this in section 2. This novel is set in California, which is situated in the southern state of the USA. If you were working in a place where Lennie and George were working- your friends and family is miles- maybe further- away. Your only alternative is to make friends otherwise you are walking a lonely road. Also a thing that you would have to take into consideration is the size of the place, the place that they (Lennie and George) were working was on a ranch. A ranch is the equivalent for a farm in England, but however, a ranch is much bigger than a farm that we refer to in England. The distance, as I’ve mentioned is pretty far- not to mention being cut off from your family and friends, they’d have to walk miles to the ranch, otherwise you’d have to hitch a ride from a passing truck. From the way they live that I learned from chapter 2, firstly I learn that they are violent, I know this from when they let crooks- the black person- come into the bunk house for Christmas, sounds nice doesn’t it? Letting the black man come into the bunk house on this festive occasion, but from what I learn they only let him in to batter him black and blue! And enjoy it! â€Å"Yes sir, we had fun. They let the nigger come in that night. Little skinner the name of smitty took after the nigger.† I personally think that it’s horrible, but it’s true. Secondly I learn that they have very little privacy and basic living condition. For example, they have straws for mattresses and apple crates for bedside desks. They have little comfort- like the bunk house isn’t well presented, no paint on the walls, crates for chairs table in the middle and a deck of cards for daily entertainment, nothing compared to the entertainment that we have today, like PS3s and Xbox 360s etc. also, anonymity, the way people keep themselves to themselves, how people don’t know where you’re from. Finally, how migrant workers move from place to place- as this is what migrant workers do. We see this in the novel from the beginning when Lennie got in trouble and they had to flee when Lennie sexually harassed a girl in weed. Dreams help people achieve things in life, no matter what scenario you are in. they give people power and confidence. Although I state in the title of this essay â€Å"†¦ and have dreams to sustain them†; the dream that they are referring to is the American dream. Before John Steinbeck wrote this book, he was interested in finding out about power, ownership and control and what it did on normal people. Due to the Great Depression, most people didn’t have jobs, so they relied on bosses to permit them to a job; but they manage to put all that stress aside towards a dream that they have. Most of who dream of a dream called the American dream. These dreams tell us about the life people are living. Most characters in the novel have dreams to. But Lennie and George’s dream are the most important because they tell us about the culture that has been created. America has always been seen as the land of opportunity, freedom, a place to live and most importantly, a new life. A place for wealth and a place for real possibilities, this was referred to as the American dream. Immigrants moved to over America because they believed in this dream. So how was America founded? In 1607, people from Britain went to America to find gold; these people were known as the Virginia colony. Because the island they first found they named after the Queen Elizabeth, who of course, was a Virgin Queen. But of instead finding gold, they found tobacco (which was known a â€Å"black gold† in Britain-very popular.) and brought it back to England to sell. In 1620 a group of English Protestants who detested against the Church of England moved to America looking for religious freedom, these were known as the Plymouth colony or Pilgrims. In the ‘Harsh Winter’ of 1620-1621, half of the Plymouth colony died due the coldness of the weather, when they arrived to America, it was full of wilderness and red Indians/Native Americans. In 1630 1000 more arrived to establish more colonies. In 1642, the Plymouth colony had 12000 settlers from Europe, again searching for religious freedom. By 1776, the colonies in America were fed up of the British monarchs ruling them and wanted their own independence, because the monarch of England was the monarch of America, and they had enough of this. In Britain the law was only set up for the landowners, if you wasn’t a landowner then you didn’t count. So 4th July 1776, the American colonies set up a universal declaration of independence. Here is an extract from it. â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by the creator with certain unalienable rights. Rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.† The statue of liberty was a present from the French man Gustave Eiffel, due to the French revolution happening in France he set up the statue of liberty to symbolise this dream, because the American dream was similar in France. If you were an immigrant coming into America by boat, the statue of liberty would be the first thing that you saw. However, this American dream inspired many people. By 1929, the Great Depression spoilt these dreams for many people since they didn’t have the money to live happily. As stated in the novel, George and Lennie- and Candy aim to get a ranch to themselves and Lennie wants to pet the rabbits. Some elements of the dream include: material comforts and financial security- not being in debt and having everything you need. Being in control of your destiny- you making the choices in your own life, not people telling you what to do. Gaining the respect of others- living in a peaceful society. Companionship and sharing good fortune- having friends and keeping each other happy. And last but not least; making your mark-something to be proud of- achieving things in life; getting the best in life. The American dream today isn’t all about freedom; it’s about money and fame. For example, if you look at Hollywood; actors and actresses etc. When an author writes a book, they must make some important choices. For example, whether to base the story involving letters or e-mails or telling the story as a flash back/ flash forward. People write book for various reasons: to inform the reader- this might be something that has happened previously, or presently. Some people write books to persuade or entertain you-it might encourage you to change your life. John Steinbeck written this book to inform-recalling what life was like in the Great Depression for migrant workers. He also creates a description; he lets the action sink in for the reader, also he helps create a physical appearance in your mind, by using a wide range of onomatopoeia â€Å"and so crisp that a lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among them† skittering is the sound that is being made. Another thing that the writer must consider is to select whether to write in 1st or 3rd person. If you wrote in first person, you can fully understand what that person, what goes on in that particular persons mind. But the down side is that you can only see what is happening when that person is present. If John Steinbeck chose to write this novel in the 1st person, we wouldn’t see what would happen to George if Lennie wasn’t there etc. however if you chose to write in the 3rd person, you can see the minds of all the characters in the book. Unfortunately 3rd person isn’t always in the full depths of understanding- meaning that although you can read everybody’s mind, it doesn’t provide in depth detail. John Steinbeck chose 3rd person; this is a good choice because you can see in everybody’s mind and John Steinbeck described the novel in full understanding in 3rd person, also he has put the plot in Great detail and has used a lot of wide range of vocabulary â€Å"slowly, like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to his master, Lennie approached, drew back, and approached again.† Another interesting technique John Steinbeck has chosen to use is starting and ending the story in the same setting. He also set this novel in a rural location (in the countryside) and used adjectives, careful words and descriptions to this novel create an exact physical location. As well as this, the time scale of this novel is described for 1 week- this shows that George and Lennie haven’t moved very far in their lives, they haven’t moved forward. Finally one of the things that you need to consider is how much direct speech you use, not too much or you will slow down the plot, too less will not move the plot forward. So it is essential that you use the right amount. In this novel there is a lot of blasphemy â€Å"‘Jesus’ he said ‘he’s jes like a kid aint he†- and swearing â€Å"listen here you crazy bastard†- and racist comments â€Å"Jesus how that nigger can pitch shoes†- Steinbeck used a wide range of direct speech, thus helps us understand the characters more. This kind of language is found in most aspects of this novel- it is commonly asked why it’s studied in schools- racism, blasphemy and swearing is the kind of language that was used in the Great Depression, this was because the characters were migrant workers and they were uneducated, manual workers and non intellectual. Some of the characters in of Mice and Men are lonely; I am going to talk about 3 of them. The first character I am going to look at is Candy. Candy is an old swamper living at the ranch George and Lennie worked at. He is an old man with a missing wrist â€Å"the wooden hatch raised. The door opened and a tall, stoop shouldered man came in. he was dressed in blue jeans and he carried a push broom in his left hand and out of the sleeve came a round stick like wrist , but no hand.† Also he has a really old dog that evidently he has had since he was a pup â€Å"and at is heels there walked a drag footed sheep dog† he also has no relatives â€Å"cause I aint got no relatives or nothing† I find that Candy is lonely; he is lonely in several ways. Firstly his disability, he lost his hand â€Å"I aint much good with on’y one hand, I lost my hand right here on this ranch that’s why they give me a job swamping an’ they give me two hundred and fifty dollars ’cause I los’ my hand† this makes you think that it was their fault that Candy has lost his hand; because if it wasn’t then they wouldn’t give an old folk money if they could avoid it! Especially in a depression! So he cannot go out to ‘buck barley’ like the rest of the men because he hasn’t got the energy or strength like the other men have which means that he is lonely all day and has to wait for them to come back. He can’t go down to Soledad because he is too old â€Å"after that the guys went down to Soledad and raised hell, I didn’t go there, I aint got the poop no more† Candy was very close to that dog, he had him since he was a puppy, and so that dog is important to him. Firstly, he spends all of his day with that dog. Also that dog is a link to all the memories he has â€Å"yeah I had him since he was a pup, god he was a damn good sheep dog when he was younger. When the dog gets shot Candy is desperate to leave the ranch, he hasn’t got any body to keep him there (since his dog was his only companion) now the dog has been shot he hasn’t got a friend anymore, which is why he is so desperate to leave the ranch. And follow Lennie and George with this dream that they have. Candy has become so desperate to be part of Lennie and Georges’ dream that he is prepared to give all of his savings to them â€Å"s’pose I went in with you guys, that’s three hundred and fifty bucks I’d put in.† that is three hundred and fifty dollars that Candy is prepared to give- $50 a month- so he is prepared to give 7 months wages to two guys that he has met on that very same day! This shows that he is desperate. Candy sees no hope on the ranch â€Å"when they can me I wisht somebody’d shoot me† he’d rather be dead than stay on the ranch now his dog has been shot. He desperately wants something to look forward to, something to be happy about, and somewhere to belong to. The idea of this dream gives him hope. He wants to join the dream because his dog has been shot. Lennie and George accept him because he has got the money. Because Lennie and George have accepted Candy into this dream, he begins to change. Firstly Candy has gained the ability to be self critical. He can see that he should have shot his dog himself â€Å"I ought to have shot that dog myself, George, I shouldn’t ought to have let no stranger shoot my dog† this shows that he has got over his dog being shot. Secondly Candy has gained the confidence to join in with the other men, like when he joins into the attack with Curley (â€Å"glove fulla Vaseline† Candy said disgustingly). This shows that he isn’t scared to join in when everybody is cheeking Candy. He wouldn’t have done this before because he would have been sacked, but now he fells more confident and feels more part of the group; he only used to say things behind peoples backs, not to their faces (the swamper stood up from his box â€Å"know what I think† George did not answer â€Å"well I think he’s married a tart†) he only used to say things like that behind peoples back. Now he feels more confident, he will say it to their faces. Thirdly, he starts to plan and look forward â€Å"I tell ya what Lennie, I’ve been figuring about them rabbits† he knows what his future going to be, he is looking forward to it. He wasn’t like this before because he couldn’t see any future, he had nothing to look forward to. His future seemed horrible â€Å"they’ll can me purty soon as I can’t swamp out no bunk houses they’ll put me on the county† he tells Lennie and George that he’s going to a county, no friends, no family, no entertainment, simple life, horrible experience. Finally I found out that has got more confident when talking to Curleys’ wife when he backs up Crooks â€Å"if you was to do that, we’d tell† â€Å"we’d tell you up about you framing Crooks† he wouldn’t have done this before because it is the bosses sons wife that he is talking to and he would be sacked- and he cannot afford that to happen because he hasn’t got no place else to go, he had to rely on his boss to permit him to work on the ranch and he is quite confident that he his future is going to happen, so now he doesn’t care about being sacked, the fear of being sacked has left him. When Lennie kills Curleys’ wife the dream that Candy was looking forward to have come to an end, Candy was really relying on that dream, it’s made him more lively, it’s helped him join in with the other people (â€Å"glove fulla Vaseline†) now Curleys’ wife’s death has caused this dream to fail. I know this from when he says to Curleys’ wife’s corpse â€Å"you done it di’nt you? I s’pose you’re glad. Ever’body knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good, you ain’t no good now, you lousy tart† to say something like this to a dead body is highly disrespectful, like stealing candy from a baby it isn’t acceptable because it is impolite. But all of his anger has caused him to strengthen up; become more confident, when he says â€Å"if they was a circus or a baseball game†¦ we would of went to her†¦ jus’ said ta hell with work, an’ went to her. Never ast nobody say so. An’ they’d of been a pig and chickens†¦ an’ in the winter†¦ the little fat stove†¦ an’ the rain comin’†¦ and jus’ us settin’ there.† The dots between his speeches are called ellipses; these indicate that Candy is angry that his dream has been taken from him. And the ellipsis shows that Candy is trying to control his emotions, until he breaks down -â€Å"his eyes blinded with tears†. After this incident , Candy isn’t just back to how he was before, I think that he would be more broken than he was because hew has lost his dog. When the dream was mentioned to him-it was like giving a child a sweet and taking it from him- he had his hopes up, now it looked like it was all over as if it had never begun. So his future seems quite dull for an old man. I think that he would be worse off. The next person I would like to observe is Crooks. Crooks is a stable buck who also lives at the ranch where Lennie and George once worked. A stable buck is someone who looks after the horses and the mules; he is also a black man. He lives not in the bunk house where all the other guys live; he lives in a shed of a barn. The job of the stable buck is very important because it is vital for the horses and the mules to be kept in good condition due to that being the only transport, meaning that the horses and the mules must be kept well looked after. The reason why he is called Crooks is because he is disabled; this shows that he cannot work with the other men. He has a permanent Job looking after the mules and horses; this is a semi-skilled job because it requires skill to do this job. There are several reasons why Crooks is lonely. Firstly he is black, the only black on the ranch â€Å"and now there aint no coloured guy on the ranch† he grew up as the only black family in Soledad â€Å"there wasn’t another coloured family for miles around.† There is only one coloured family in Soledad â€Å"an’ there’s jus’ one family in Soledad†. This makes him lonely because he hasn’t got anybody like him, nobody black like him. He is the only one. Segregation means separation, separated from the others, this is what happens to Crooks. He isn’t allowed in the bunk house, he lives in a little shed led off the barn â€Å"a little shed led off the barn† since he been separated from the others, he feels that white people have no right in his room â€Å"you got no right to come in my room. This here’s my room; nobody got any right in here but me.† From this, Crooks feels rejected â€Å"I can’t play cards because I’m black. They say I stink, well, I tell you, you stink too† Crooks is a victim of institutional racism- this means that the law cannot protect him. I know this from when Curleys’ wife says to him â€Å"I can get you strung up so easy it ain’t even funny† The word â€Å"nigger† can be said in two ways-to describe â€Å"sure, ya see, the stable bucks a nigger† this shows ignorance, this shows that people do not know that it is an offensive word- and hurtful â€Å"then you keep your place then nigger, I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny† what she said was true backthen, if a black man looked at a white woman funny then (no matter what personality she is) she can get him strung up and the law cannot protect him. Crooks is isolated, no-one comes into his room except for Slim and the boss â€Å"guys like you don’t come into a coloured mans room very much. Nobody been in here but Slim, Slim and the boss.† Experts say that being isolated can affect your mental health, which evidently it has done to Crooks. He is quiet, aloof (keep yourself to yourself) and depressed. He was not always like this. In his youth he was part of a loving family â€Å"remember when I was a little kid on my old mans chicken ranch. Had two brothers, they was always with me, always there† this makes Crooks lonelier than he is now because he had a family, he had a life, he had a future, but now it has been taken from him. America was a far more racist community than it was now. I know this from the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) this was (and still is) a white supremacist organisation, which has an aim of striking fear and intimidation into black people. The KKK believed that blacks were like animals and had little rights due to the fact that they are black-terrible, but true- black people were routinely dragged out of their homes and beaten, raped, castrated (cutting off penis and testicles) or possibly murdered. Slavery was abolished in America; it was very strong in the southern states. This is why Crooks says that he isn’t a southern Negro â€Å"I ain’t a southern negro† this shows that Crooks was born a free black. Crooks (as far as we know) hasn’t suffered from the KKK but it could still effect him because he know in theory what will happen to him. Being isolated is not good for people. As I’ve said earlier, isolation can affect your mental health. He is also the only character in this novel that knows what loneliness does to you- Steinbeck’s message has been put into Crooks’s mouth â€Å"a guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody†. From suffering from isolation Crooks begins to get his own back and scare Lennie â€Å"want me ta tell ya what’ll happen? They’ll take ya to the booby hatch. They’ll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog†. From this he has become cynical (this means that you believe things will always go wrong, what ever the scenario) and pessimistic (always looking on the down side of things â€Å"you’ll talk abut it a hell of a lot, but you won’t get no land†. Yet he may be black, but he is brighter than all the other men in the novel â€Å"And he had a book too; a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905† he hasn’t got the right to fulfil his intelligence, this shows what racism was like and what it did. When Lennie and Candy mention the dream to Crooks he offers to join it immediately â€Å"if you†¦guys would want to work for nothing-just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch when I want to†. The way he asked it was to hint to them, try not to give them an excuse to punish him. He really wants to be part of the dream, we never hear Crooks speak of his dreams, when Lennie and Candy talk about their dream, Crooks springs up and wants to become part of it. Crooks has the same dream, but he never shows it, because he’s black. In the ellipsis he is trying to hint to them for them to accept him. We want Crooks to be accepted because it would be a better life, possibly a better ending. When Crooks wants to be part of Lennie and Candy’s dream, he has his hopes up, but when Curleys’ wife enters the scene and threatens him â€Å"I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny† he changes his mind- not as if he wants to- but for protection. What Curleys’ wife said was true, so Crooks loses all of his confidence, and backs out of this dream. So what will happen to him is that he will be exactly how he was before lonely, aloof, intimidated. We will feel sorry for him because now he has ended up worse than he was before, now he knows that things will always go wrong for him In a Depression everybody suffers. If you were black or disabled you suffer even more because nobody would want to employ you. Employers want white, fit and young workers, if they were fit to get that job, it would be low payed, you would suffer either way, but if you was black or disabled you would be less likely to get that job, Candy only got that job because he lost his hand under their behalf. Crooks only got that job because he’s been there a long time and he’s got skill. If Crooks and Candy were kicked and had to start again, it wouldn’t be easy for them to get another job. The final character I am going to look at is Curleys’ wife. Curleys’ wife is the recent bosses sons wife on the ranch lennie and George worked at- so the men on the ranc will look at her as the â€Å"new kid†. â€Å"whit picked uphis cards and examined them â€Å"seen the new kid yet†. She looks probally 16-17 years old. I know this from when an actor said she could go with them. She says that she is only 15. â€Å"he says I could gowith him on that show. But my ol’ lady wouldn’t let me. She says because I was on’y 15†. Also she is pretty but in an artificial way- this means that she pretends to be beautiful â€Å"a girl was standing there looking in. she had full rouged lips and wide spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her finger nails were red.her hair hung in little rolled clusters like sausages. She wore a cotton house dressand red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquettes of red ostrich feathers† back then respectable women didn’t wear make up how she does, this is why the men refer her to as a tart â€Å"I think Curley’s married†¦ a tart† she is never refered to as a name- just an individual. Also she can provokes strong feelings in both readers and characters (sympathy and hostility) to lennie, who thinks she’s georgeous- â€Å"she’s purty†- and George- who thinks discustingly of her- â€Å"don’t you even take a look at that bitch†- the readers feel the same more-or-less. Steinbeck had a more sympathetic view of the character of Curleys’ wife- I know this from the Miss Luce letter. When Steinbeck adapted this novel into a play, the actor playing Curleys’ wife wrote to him because he did not know how to play her. So Steinbeck wrote a sympathetic letter back to Miss Luce explaining that her character in more detail. There are a number of reasons why Curleys’ wife is lonely. A womans role at that time was far different than today. Women those days had to stay in the home; cook meals and look after the kids- Curleys’ wife can’t do this because she is living with Curleys’ father, she can’t cook there is a cook that cooks all the meals on the ranch. Today women own companies, go to work etc. Curleys’ wife cannot get a job because in a depression, all the jobs would go to the men, plus women weren’t seen as workers, their job was to stay in the home. Also respectable women didn’t wear make up, if you did then the men would think bad of you. Yet also there isn’t another woman on the ranch for or nearby-so she hasn’t got any support, girls and boys like the company of people their age, girls share make up, clothes, talk to each other, and chat about life. Curleys’ wife can’t chat with other girls since there isn’t anybody; Curleys’ mother seems evidently dead or doesn’t live with them, so she can’t talk to her. She cannot go into town to meet other girls because she cannot travel alone, if she does then society will disrespect her. She is treated by Curley as a sex object, as a possession- a perfect example of this is when she dies, Curleys’ reaction to her death, there is no weeping, no remorse, Curley goes straight for revenge â€Å"I’m gonna get him. I’m going for my shotgun. I’ll kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself. I’ll shoot him in the guts. Come on, you guys† he only goes for revenge for Lennie because he hates big guys. Curley sees his wife as a sex object from when he brags about his ‘glove fulla Vaseline’ Curley says this because when the men ask him why he is wearing a glove full of Vaseline, he says he is keeping it soft for his wife. He only says this to make the other guys jealous. As for the other men on the ranch, they see her as someone who is dangerous, she is judged by her first appearance â€Å"well ain’t she a looloo?† they say this because she doesn’t fit into the men’s category as normal, respectable women didn’t wear make up- she wears make up- respectable women didn’t leave the house- she’s in their faces. When Whit says â€Å"I bet she even gives the stable buck the eye† when he says this, it is a major insult to a woman. For a woman to sleep with a black man is seen as the taboo, it just wasn’t right back then. They refer her to a tart (prostitute); however they talk about the actual tarts at the cathouse with real warmth and pleasure â€Å"we go to old susy’s place. Hell of a nice place. Old susy’s a laugh- always cracking jokes.† They talk about tarts as if they like them. But they don’t like Curleys’ wife and call her a tart, when she isn’t o ne. It seems as if she cannot win. When you are a married man, you work and look after your wife. Curley has only been married for two weeks and he’s going to the cathouse! Curleys’ wife hasn’t done anything. This does not pass unnoticed; Curleys’ wife tells Lennie how she feels about it â€Å"I get lonely† she said â€Å"you can talk to people, but I can’t talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How’d you like not to talk to anybody?† So what has loneliness done to her? It’s made her desperate; she ignores the voice inside her head that something is wrong. â€Å"She took Lennie’s hand and put it on her head†. This shows that she is desperate for company. She also has become cruel â€Å"listen nigger† she said â€Å"you know what I can do to you if you open your trap† this shows that she feels as if she can get her own back on them, she feels as if- for the first time in a long time I suppose- she can take control. Eventually it kills her. She got that desperate for company that she stayed in that room with Lennie; and got herself killed. Many people have dreams, Curleys’ wife has a dream, and this dream means a lot to her. Curleys’ wife wants to be a movie star; this was because the film industry was just starting. This was a dream for most young girls back then. Like of how girls of 16-17 want to become models. Evidently this was a realistic dream for young girls back then. She got this dream from when she was 15; an actor said that she could be in the movies â€Å"‘nother time I met a guy an’ he was in pitchers. Went out to the riverside dance palace with him. He says he was going to put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon’s he got back to Hollywood he was going to write to me about it† what this man really wanted to was to sleep with her. I don’t think he was in the movies at all, I think he was just claiming, it would be highly unnatural for a Hollywood film producer to turn up in a small place like Soledad, like a famous person turning up in Bloxwitch, it wouldn’t happen on an everyday basis. This is why her mother wouldn’t let her â€Å"my ol’ lady wouldn’t let me† her mother wouldn’t let her go with him because he wanted to protect her. This shows that Curleys’ wife is shallow- cares about her appearance, gullible- believes everything that she is told, and naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve- meaning that she is too trusting to people. She hasn’t got any real talent because we haven’t really seen her act out before, so the probability of this dream becoming true is highly unlikely. But she doesn’t want to be in the movies to act. No, she wants to be famous; she wants to be admired and to wear flashy clothes. The affect of this is that she wants to be like how the actresses are, trying to impress the men- just the sad thing is that the men don’t refer her as an actresses, they refer her to as a tart and vow to keep a distance form her. The effect of this is the total opposite of what she wants (of how they look at her as a tart) she doesn’t want that, she wants to be respected by them. She wants to make something of herself â€Å"well I wasn’t gonna stay no place where I couldn’t get nowhere or make something of myself† this ties up with the American Dream. This is great proof that the dream actually exists. When Curleys’ wife dies, Steinbeck presents her death in a sympathetic and descriptive manner- â€Å"now her rouged cheeks and her reddened lips made her seem alive and sleeping very lightly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  when he presents her death, we- us and the characters- see the real woman. We see her no more than a tool to be polished and maimed, never to be respected nor confided in. And when she described her dream beforehand, this is a sympathetic ending to her life. For the final part of this essay I will talk about who I personally think is the loneliest. I think that the loneliest character is Curleys’ wife because she is the only woman on the ranch and everybody looks down upon her as something disgustingly on a lavatory seat. She is also the loneliest because even her own husband doesn’t particularly respect her. I think this text of Mice and Men was an interesting and mind bending book with a gripping and plot. There are some things that I know now that I didn’t now before, for instance the Great Depression, I knew roughly what it was but I never knew that this book had the theme of it. Also, loneliness, the other theme, also happens today. Like how it drives people crazy. Like the message John Steinbeck is trying to put out.