No Longer at Ease Essay Example for Free

No Longer at Ease Essay From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia No Longer at Ease is a 1960 novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It is the story of an Igbo (also spelled Ibo) man, Obi Okonkwo, who leaves his village for a British education and a Job in the Nigerian colonial civil service, but who struggles to adapt to a Western lifestyle and ends up taking a bribe. The novel is the sequel to Achebes Things Fall Apart, which concerned the struggle of Obi Okonkwos grandfather Okonkwo against the changes brought by the English. Novels title The books title comes from the closing lines of T. S. Eliots poem, The Journey of the Magi: We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, With an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death. Plot summary The novel opens with the trial of Obi Okonkwo on a charge of accepting a bribe. It then Jumps back in time to a point before his departure for England and works its way forward to describe how Obi ended up on trial. The members of the Umuofia Progressive Union (UPIJ), a group of Ibo men who have left their villages to live in ajor Nigerian cities, have taken up a collection to send Obi to England to study law, in the hope that he will return to help his people navigate British colonial society. But once there, Obi switches his major to English and meets Clara Okeke for the first time during a dance. Obi returns to Nigeria after four years of studies and lives in Lagos with his friend Joseph. He takes a Job with the Scholarship Board and is almost immediately offered a bribe by a man who is trying to obtain a scholarship for his little sister. When Obi indignantly rejects the offer, he is visited by the girl herself ho implies that she will bribe him with sexual favors for the scholarship, another offer Obi rejects. At the same time, Obi is developing a romantic relationship with Clara Okeke, a Nigerian woman who eventually reveals that she is an osu, an outcast by her descendants, meaning that Obi can not marry her under the traditional ways of the Igbo people of Nigeria. While he remains intent on marrying Clara, even his Christian father opposes it, although reluctantly due to his desire to progress and eschew the heathen customs of pre-colonial Nigeria. His mother begs him on her eathbed not to marry Clara until after her death, threatening to kill herself if Obi disobeys. When Obi informs Clara of these events, Clara breaks the engagement and intimates that she is pregnant. Obi arranges an abortion, which Clara reluctantly undergoes, but she suffers complications and refuses to see Obi afterwards. All the while, Obi sinks deeper into financial trouble, in part due to poor planning on his end, in part due to the need to repay his loan to the I-JPLJ and to pay for his siblings educations, and in part due to the cost of the illegal abortion. After hearing of his mothers death, Obi sinks into a deep depression, and refuses to go home for the funeral. When he recovers, he begins to accept bribes in a reluctant acknowledgement that it is the way of his world. The novel closes as Obi takes a bribe and tells himselt that it is the last one ne will take, only to discover that the bribe was part of a sting operation. He is arrested, bringing us up to the events that opened the story. Themes Though set several decades after Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease continues any of the themes from Achebes first novel. Here, the clash between European culture and traditional culture has become entrenched during the long period of colonial rule. Obi struggles to balance the demands of his family and village for monetary support while simultaneously keeping up with the materialism of Western culture. Furthermore, Achebe depicts a family continuity between Ogbuefi Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart and his grandson Obi Okonkwo in No Longer at Ease. Both men are confrontational, speak their minds, and have some self-destructive endencies. However, this aggressive streak manifests itself in different ways.

My Personal Faith Essay Example for Free

My Personal Faith Essay My personal faith and beliefs contribute to every aspect of my life. I come from a Christian family and a congregation of baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. My parents have always given me unconditional love and dedication, while teaching me healthy boundaries pertaining to life. Such as always putting the Lord first, being more concerned about the pain of consequences for irresponsibility, the rights and wrongs of my behavior, and what pain any of my actions may cause for others and God. My faith has enabled me to handle life challenges from my past and present. Some of these challenges have been series of events that I could hardly believe were happening, while others came with great joy. At five years old, my younger brother, Chandler, died unexpectedly. This was a tough challenge for my whole family to face. This challenge could have easily torn my family apart but together, as a team with God, we worked hard at picking up the pieces and moving forward even when there were days that seemed to be impossible. In the fifth grade, I was diagnosed with a common learning disability known as Attention Deficit Disorder. I am faced with this challenge on a daily basis. I have learned to cope with this disorder over the years by making prayer and patience priorities in helping me conquer this challenge. This challenge was especially difficult during my SAT and ACT tests. Certain scores on these tests were required to get into college and play NCAA football. The stress and pressure of taking these tests felt unbearable at times. While studying and before and during each test, I would remind myself that, through God, all things are possible. With God by my side, I was able to achieve the scores needed to reach my college and athletic goals. Varsity football has had an enormous impact on me during high school because it taught me how dedication and determination would help me succeed in academics as well as in extracurricular activities. Being part of a team helped me develop leadership skills within myself. Each time I step on the field, I put forth an effort to play my best. For me, each game started with a prayer that God would help me make good decisions and keep me and my team safe, win or lose. I earned many Regional and State awards for my achievements in football. All District First Team Defense 2011 and All Region Second Team Defense 2011 were two of my greatest achievements. Again, through God, all things are possible. Strong faith, good character and determination to succeed and live â€Å"a life that matters† can help anyone overcome any challenging situation that they are faced with in their lifetime. They also produce hope within oneself and set the foundation for an integral person to build on their morals and values. I plan to influence others to live â€Å"a life that matters† by staying true to my faith and hope within myself and allowing patience and perseverance to always be a strong characteristic of my character. I am going into the nursing program at Shepherd University in the fall. I plan to further my education into physical therapy. After my education is finished and I enter the working world, I want my greatest accomplishments to be encountering someone daily that I can portray my faith and integrity to that will make a difference in both our lives. I want to be able to reflect back on myself as a person who lived my entire life as one that mattered regardless of what stage of life or challenge that I am faced with at that time. As Christians, we are called and obligated to serve God with our time, talents, and material possessions but we must also recognize these areas as being entrusted to us to be used for the glory of God and helping others. God wants us to seek to bring others under the sway of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love.

Critical Issues Faces By Low Cost Airlines Management Essay

Critical Issues Faces By Low Cost Airlines Management Essay Ryanair started its operation in 1985. In the first year more than 5,000 passengers traveled between South Eastern Ireland and London. The company expanded continuously and by 1989 the company had 14 aircrafts over 600,000 passengers traveled per year. Over the four years the costs increased considerably and ends up with lpss of  £20 million In 1990 the current CEO Mr.Michael OLeary took over the management and conducted major changes in the company. Ryanair followed the the low cost-low frills concept and reduces the routes from 19 to 5 by 1991. The company increased the fleet to 21 over the next 6 years and remarkable increase in passenger traveled in Ryanair due to its low pricing policy. Ryanair unable to increase unto the market due to strict regulation imposed on European airlines. Ryanair took full advantage in 1997 open new routes in Continental Europe due to deregulation of European Union air transportation regulation. Over 160 routes have been established by 2001 and hubs have been set up all around the continent in London, Glasgow, Brussels, Frankfort, Milan, Now Ryanair is the key players within the European budget airline industry and perhaps the most profitable airline Identifying critical issues and core problem faces by low cost airline Regulation by domestic and EU European airline industry is always subject to regulation from both domestic and European Union. Before 1980 heavy restriction imposed by the individual countries to protect their national careers. Towards deregulating industry Ireland and UK signed bilateral agreement. In 1997 EU also deregulate the industry and any European airline can operate anywhere within the Europe. Ryanair benefited by this move. Subsequently EU introduces competition law which it prevent taking state aid and commission. Also any airline having dominant position in the market should not abuse the dominant position. Ryanair affected by this rule Charter carriers and Franchises of major airlines Charter flight operators have taken significant market share in Europe. Major charter operators are owned by the major travel agents or major commercial airlines operators. Small carriers such as Virgin Express have become franchise of major flag carriers. The flag carriers use these independent airlines as franchises to compete with low cost budget carriers such as Ryaniar and easyjet. Budget carriers cost base doesnt allow them to compete effectively on short-haul routes. Customer service satisfaction Ryanair has eliminated traditional in-flight services such as seat allocation, complementary meals and drink and news papers. Instead Ryanair earn profit from such secondary services by charging customers for in-flight services and other travel expenses such as travel insurance, car hire, Internet. Ryanair is extremely sensitive in changing the fare value. Recently it was widely on the media that Ryanair considering to charging fee for them for using the lavatory. Meanwhile Ryanair recently announced that its raising its checked luggage fee from à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬15 to à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 20 per bag. (Appendix 10). Although the Ryanair has remarkable track record for punctuality, flight completion the perception of the softer side of its customer service has not always been good with much bad media. Ryanairs objectives and long term vision Ryanair objective to operate the largest amount of routes with lowest fare compare to any European Airline without compromising low cost carrier business model including quality of service. (Appendix 1 ) Purpose of this assignment Purpose of this assignment is to analyze Ryanairs long term vision of the business model and submit a report to the management in order for them for the future planning for the success of the company and to avoid any future threats. This report demonstrate Detailed study of Ryanairs current strategy and the management approach which impact on business operations and functions towards carriers customer relation. and the steps management has to focus in order to stay in strong position in the low cost market. It evaluate Ryanairs current strategy and the action plan to be carried out by the management in the future to avoid any future threats by the company. It also gives brief evaluation of Ryanairs financial analysis and how the environmental factors affect the European airline low cost industry. Method and theory used The strategies and theory put forward in this analysis are industry analysis, environmental analysis, and financial analysis Strategic factors and capabilities 6.1.0 External environment The PESTEL analysis Michael Porters five forces analysis clearly talk about external factors on Ryanair function and the strategies which are adapted by the organisation. Hence, a good perceptive of Ryanair external environment will identify the opportunities and avoid threats (Refer appendix diagram) An airline industry includes well established key players and to compete with each and other but rynair has high potential of attracting the market. Thus, the PESTEL variables in macro environment have major force on the performance of Ryanair . Internal environment. This environment analyses about the strengths and weaknesses of Ryanair. This aspect talks about Ryanair internal factors like skills, competitors and capabilities. Its measures the Rynairs efficiency and effectiveness to acquire competitive advantage (Refer appendix diagram) According to the value chain analysis it is mainly rely on Ryanairs primary and supporting activities. Value chain analysis creates a value for Ryanair. However, through this analysis it is clearly focus on quality of Ryanair. Industry analysis Before arrival of low-cost airline, major company such as British Airways dominated the Europium airline industry. Until 1997 one member nation could not fly passengers within another nations domestic market. The Ryanair enter in the low-cost market with grate obstacle to overcome. Nevertheless Ryanair able to bust the market with operating low cost while maintain the profit. As a result Ryanair has become the largest low cost carrier in Europe. In 1990 Ryanair operates with 74 aircraft including 41 Boeing 737-800, 21 Boeing737-200, 06 Boeing 737-300 and 6 BAE 146. The company offers approximately 475 short-haul flights per day serving 84 locations in the UK, Ireland and Europe. 2004 was the best year for Ryanair overtaking low-cost airline Easyjet became largest airline in terms of passenger in Europe carrying more than 23 million passengers brought in revenues of US $ 1.32 billion, an increase of 43% from the previous year. It crates strong Ryanair brand name and became Britain favorite low cost airline. Ryainair having all Boeing aircraft, hence it has grater bargaining power from the supplier. In 2002 Ryaniar placed half of its order towards increase its aircraft by 112 in the next 10 years. (Appendix 1). Also it planed to purchases technology more advance and environmental friendly Boeing 737-800 and retiring old Boeing 737-200. Boeing737-800 reduces fuel burn and CO2 emission per passenger kilometer by 45% All of the Boeing 737-800 that Ryanair has bought or committed to buy is certified for category IIIA landings (automatic landing with minimum horizontal visibility of 300 metros and no vertical visibility). Also Ryanair has installed Operational Flight Data Monitoring (OFDM) system on each of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The purpose of the system is to monitor operational trends and inform the management. By analyzing this report management able to identify potential area of risk to rectify any deviation from the normal operating procedure, thereby ensuring Ryanairs flight safety standard. During its past 24 year operation history Ryanair has not had any single incident involving injury to passengers or member of its flight crew. Positioning Ryanair is the very competitive low cost airline in the Europe. Towards lower its cost Ryanair uses secondary airports whereas the closest competitor Easyjet does not. (Appendix 4) Ryanair became no 1s in many areas. passenger traffic -over 23m for 2004 over take Easyjet passenger growth European routes (149) and bases (11) Customer service delivery punctuality, flight completion, and fewest lost baggage. Process of strategic management followed by Ryanair The Low cost carrier business model is highly competitive and the model enhances the development of strategy formulation skill by guiding business model systematic and comprehensive study of each business situation (Appendix 2) External factors sharpening competitive positioning the Ryanair There are not one but many factors which determine the strength of competition, the level of profitability of low cost carrier market. New entrance brings competition to the industry and risk of fall of market share and profitability. Environmental analysis European Union Regulations: The European airline always subject to regulation from European Union. The introduction of the competition law by European Union it prevents getting state aid, beneficial relationship with airport operators. EU expects by introducing this regulation there will be healthy competition among flight operators. The well discussed fact that Ryanair had more favorable relationship with airport operators has benefited the carrier in a tine industry growth and aggressive pricing. EU commission in February 2004 which ruled that Ryanair had been receiving illegal state subsidy for its base airport at publically owned by Charleroi Airport Appendix 8 Competition: After introduction of the competition law, competition in the airline industry increases dramatically. This creates an environment for new entrants in to the market. Due to the price competitions many of them could not lasted long. The main competition among the players in the industry dived into four main categories. The four categories are flag carriers, Independent airline, franchises of major airlines and charter operators. The independent carriers include low fare carriers such as Ryanair, easyjet. These low cost carriers slightly lower fare than flag carriers. Flag carriers uses independent carriers such as Virgin Express as franchises to compete effectively the low cost airlines in the short-haul routes. External forces. Airline industry has always subject to changes in the world. Especially outbreak of foot and mouth in the UK, the SARS epidemic in Asia, Terrorist attack on 9/11, Gulf war, Economic downturn and recent volcano eruption in Island. Financial analysis After Ryanair introduces low fare business model every year the number of passengers travelling increased. From 2002 the company starts to purchases Boeing 737-800

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace :: Workplace Harassment Essays

Each year many people first become aware of sexual harassment when they are harassed in the workplace. Today in the United States there still seems to be a need for general information about sexual harassment. Many people are unaware of exactly what sexual harassment is, how it affects its victims, where it happens, and what to do if it happens to them. There are many laws that protect people from sexual harassment and provide them with information about what to do if you should ever be in this situation (Wyatt, 2000). Harassment of a sexual nature, typically in the workplace or other setting where raising objections or refusing may have negative consequences is considered sexual harassment. In American employment law, it is any unwelcome sexual advance on the job that creates intimidation in the workplace. Sexual harassment is considered a form of illegal discrimination. Unfortunately, the definition of sexual harassment is very controversial; it is truly based on what ones personal opinion is. Typical sexual harassment behavior usually includes unwanted touching of a co-worker, lewd comments, talk about gender superiority, or sexual jokes (Sandler, 1997). Sexual harassment is any sexual advance or conduct on the job that is unwanted. It can happen to men and women, gay or straight. Unsolicited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other conduct of a sexual nature directed toward an individual are considered to be sexual harassment. Occasional comments like "Hey, baby" or "honey" will not likely be considered sexual harassment without more offensive or more frequent episodes. However, if the offensive behavior is extremely severe, such as a sexual assault, a single incident could be enough to be considered sexual harassment (The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2005). Sexual harassment affects victims in many ways, often not noticeable to others. Victims feel powerless to stop the situation. They often fear retaliation, for example with grades or recommendations. They fear that their complaints will not be taken seriously, or that they will be perceived as causing trouble. Victims often blame themselves, and fear that others will also blame them, even though it is the harassing person's authority or influence that has been misused. Victims often have physical symptoms of stress, such as stomach problems or headaches. They can also become depressed, moody, or irritable without knowing why. Victims often suffer lower self-esteem, self-respect and self-confidence.

Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton :: Cry, The Beloved Country Essays

Social Protest Cry the Beloved Country was a book written to bring about change. Through out the book Alan Paton reveal the social injustices of South Africa. This whole book, although a fictional stories, is to protest of the ways of South Africa. Paton brings up the inequity of the natives’ verses the whites; he makes points about education, superiority, and separation. Paton clearly showed that the white man is superiority to the black, he gives numerous examples throughout the novel. The white man had more money, a better job, a nicer house†¦ With James Jarvis, Paton showed that he was superior by making him live on high place, because he was so much superior than the natives that lived below him. At the end of the book James Jarvis (even though he had changed) could not get off his horse to talk to Steven Kumalo. He could have easily gotten off but "such a thing is not lightly done" (307). Paton includes this part in the novel to show that the white man can be amicable with the natives, but they will always have to come out on top. The whites needed to feel like they were on a higher level than the natives. If this country ever wants to be as one the whites are going to have to give up there need for superiority. Many times in the novel Paton showed there was a problem without even saying it. One of the major examples of that would be when he gave the scene of people asking "Have you a room to let?" and the response would always be "no I have no room to let"(85). Paton dosent outright say that its horrible that there is not even enough housing for the natives and they have to cram together in shared houses with no privicy at all. He just tells us the story and the reader recognize that there is a problem. Paton offten leves it up to the reader to figure out the social injustices of South Africa. When Kumalo was talking about his son Absolam he said "he is in prison for the most terrible deed a man can do, He k illed a white man" (144). Here Paton shows, again, how whites were considered to be superior to blacks. It could have been said the worst thing to do is kill a man, but in South Africa’s society it was not the same if a black man was murdered as compared to a white man.

A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams :: A Streetcar Named Desire Essays

Tennessee Williams is known for his powerfully written psychological dramas. Most of his works are set in the southern United States and they usually portray neurotic people who are victims of their own passions, frustrations, and loneliness. The play represents the conflict between the sensitive, neurotic Blanche DuBois and the crude, animalistic Stanley Kowalski. Blanche visits the home of her sister, Stella, in New Orleans and that is when Stanley started picking at her, almost testing her. Before she had met Stanley, she told her sister of how their plantation had been lost due to the costs of paying for the funerals of many family members. There was not enough money for her to keep the plantation. While Blanche bathed after her arrival, Stanley came home. Stella had told him what had happened and he immediately insisted that Blanche was swindling them. He hinted that Blanche had sold the plantation in order to buy beautiful furs and jewelry. He went through Blanche's trunk while she bathed, Stella insisted he stop. He was looking for sale papers from the plantation. After Blanche was finished bathing, Stella was outside, so Stanley started questioning Blanche. She insisted that she had nothing to hide from him and let him go through all historical papers from Belle Reve, the plantation. While living with Stella and Stanley, Blanche had met a man named Mitch, who she started dating. She liked him a lot but she hid many things from him. Firstly, she hid secrets of her first lover, her husband Allan Grey. Every time she thought of him, she thought of how he killed himself and she heard the polka which played in the background. She did not want to speak of this to Mitch. After Allan's death, Blanche used to go to the Tarantula Arms hotel where she would have intimacies with strangers. She did it because she felt it would fill her empty heart. She did not want to tell Mitch because she wanted him to respect her.Blanche was very careful to hide her looks too. She felt that she was old looking and tried to avoid bright lights from glaring down on her. She covered a light in Stella's house with a Chinese paper lamp to keep it from being so bright she hid her looks from Mitch, he never saw her in the day. Finally, one day, Stanley tried to find out many of Blanche's secrets and told them to Mitch so he would not fall for her, even though he was considering marrying her.

John Locke and the Un-Equal Distribution of Wealth Essay

It is stated by John Locke that in the state of nature no man may take more then he can consume. â€Å"? make use of any advantage of life before it spoils? whatever is beyond this is more than his share and belongs to others. Nothing was made by God for man to spoil or destroy. (Locke 14)† Locke then goes on to say, â€Å"God gave the world to man ? for their benefit and the greatest conveniences of life they were capable to draw from it, it cannot be supposed he meant it should always remain common and uncultivated. He gave it to the use of the industrious and rational- and labor was to be his title? (Lock 15)† Both of statements can stand alone, each could be argued. For starters, it is not only selfish to take more then you ever will be able to use, it is just stupid, and if you make it with your sweat, why shouldn’t it be yours to keep or profit from. The only problem is, that one of these statements is the head of a starving serpent, and the other its delicious tale. It is hard to believe the head could stay alive without devouring the tale. We should start this argument at the head and work our way down. If John Locke were alive today he would be a lawyer. Not just any lawyer though, a big business lawyer working for a company like Enron. He would try to justify the destruction caused by overly rich, overly powerful people, with statements such as ones that will follow. When first reading Locke you might think, † Hey, this guy sounds like a lawyer. † but soon you would realize, lawyers sound like this guy. Because anyone claiming God is a capitalist with a straight face has to be a bit slippery. Which brings us to the head of the serpent. In Locke’s opinion the idea of fair unequal distribution of wealth came about with the creation of money. Before money, things could not be saved fairly. Over stocking by some would lead to spoilage, and leave others with nothing. Once money was introduced though, this allowed the accumulation of wealth, without waste, so Locke says â€Å"? thus came in the use of money- some lasting thing that men might keep without spoiling, and that by mutual consent men would take in exchange for the truly useful but perishable supports of life. (Locke 20). † Now one man could have, † ? a disproportionate and unequal possession of the earth? (And) ? fairly possess more land than he himself can use the product of? (Locke 22)†. The word â€Å"fairly† in that last statement should jump off the page. When speaking on the state of nature Locke’s main concern is spoilage or waste of commodities, but with the introduction of money he sees this problem solved. When in fact a floodgate for spoilage and waste is opened. Today the market is flooded with products, and products supposed to be better then the other product, the leading brand, and the other leading brand. Combine this with the introduction of digital property such as television and the Internet, all other forms of mass media marketing, and we have a whole new concept of hoarding and spoilage. Today we have companies taking up more then their â€Å"fair† share of the world, and practically forcing their goods down our throats. It’s not that we need or actually think Doritos are the best. It is just the fact that they are practically spilling off the shelves of every single store across the globe, and if they were actually made from biodegradable ingredients, they would spoil by the boatload. Just because these companies’ do not let the products go to waste in their possession, does not mean that they are not fully aware that a large portion of everything produce will end up in the garbage. Then we have to think of the environment, Martha Stewart, and wars over oil. Is it not waste and spoilage when a one hundred pound woman drives her six-ton S.U. V to K-Mart for yet another useless ceramic kitten, while someone’s family member is pumped full of shrapnel while trying to secure her next tank full over seas? All the while burning enough fuel to heat a small home, as she passes by a man without one. The God sent industrious producers of this vehicle is to blame. They know what is at stake, and what is to gain. But more importantly, they know what to waste and just how to waste it. How could they be wrong, â€Å"He gave it to the use of the industrious and rational? â€Å"? Didn’t He?