Benefit of Life Balance

Home-based Telecommuting This refers to employees working at home on a regular basis, though not necessarily every day. Some employees choose to work from home several days in a week. To support the work of the home-based worker, some employers would provide them with the necessary equipment. For an example, computers and fax machines. Satellite Offices Instead of the conventional office, employees work at a location convenient to themselves and their customers. A satellite office houses only employees from a single firm.In some sense, it is a branch office whose purpose is to alleviate employees' commute. The satellite office is equipped with office furniture and equipment provided by the firm. Neighborhood Work Centre This is essentially similar to the satellite office with one difference which a neighborhood work centre houses more than one company's employees. In other words, several companies may share the lease on an office building but maintain separate office areas within the building. Office suites may be furnished by the site owner or by the respective renting firm.Mobile Working In contrast to telecommuters who work from one designated location outside the office, mobile workers are frequently on the road, using telecommunications equipment to work from an assortment of locations such as home, car, plane or hotel business centre. This mode of arrangement is most suited to employees who need to be constantly on the move to get their Jobs done, like salesperson, investment bankers and investigative reporters. 2. 3 BENEFITS Savings from Absenteeism Teleporting allows workers to better combine their work and personal responsibilities.This results in a reduction in absenteeism as employees have less tendency to take personal leave, sick leave or leave work early to meet personal deeds. According to the 1999 Telethon America Research Survey by Joanne Pratt Associates, teleporting results in a 63% savings in the cost of absenteeism per teleporting employee per year. Higher Productivity Teleporting helps to increase productivity as workers are not susceptible to distractions such as office politics and gossips.Employees also have higher energy levels due to the reduction in traveling to and from work; Savings in Cost of Office Space Teleporting enables companies to save on office space and associated costs. According to the 1999 Telethon America Research Survey, IBM saved IIS$75 million in al estate expenses as a result of telecommuting while AT & T saved IIS$80 million in real estate and office overheads from having employees telecommute; Attraction 54% of the employees covered in the survey said that the ability to work at home was important or extremely important to them in considering a new Job.Companies with flexible work practices are cited as â€Å"best practice† employers, and this helps to attract and retain employees; Option for Disability Telethon is a suitable employment option for employees with disability. 2. 4 PRO BLEMS/CHALLENGES Inability to Constantly Monitor A major challenge for managers is their inability to physically observe their employees' performance. This may pose a concern especially for Jobs where the employees' performance is not easily measurable.Reduced Social Networking Teleporting may negatively affect social networking in the workplace by: – disrupting teamwork. – fragmenting the social network. – creating possible resentment among employees not chosen to telecommute. Lack of Resource and Technical Support Telemarketers face the challenge of gaining access to resources (documents, database) which they may need in performing their work but which may not be available on- nine. In addition, telemarketers need to be more technically savvy then their office peers as support services may not be readily available at remote offices. 2. KEY IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS Telecommuting Arrangement May be most suitable for employees whose nature of work does not r equire close supervision or interaction with other employees, and whose work performance or output can be easily measured and assessed. Communication Essential for the successful implementation of teleporting. Before the implementation of teleporting, both managers and employees should discuss and agree on the key issue. The key issues, including the terms and conditions of employment, should be documented in the form of policy guidelines which would serve as a basis for implementing teleporting.The key issue as follow: – performance goals and measurements – career paths – training and development opportunities – occupational safety and health considerations and work injury compensation – provision of work equipment and reimbursement of work-related expenses – need for reporting at the workplace at regular intervals – safeguarding the security and confidentiality of information Managers Would Need o be Trained on Remote Supervision an d Management Managers would also have to learn to address issues such as employee isolation and the concern about transmitting the organization's culture to employees who are working remotely. . JOB SHARING The term â€Å"Job sharing† was first coined in mid-asses. This option was devised as a way to create more part-time opportunities in positions which could not be reduced in hours or split into two part-time Jobs. The Job sharing arrangement enables employers to preserve Jobs in their full-time form while tapping on the expertise of two or more people.

Project Quality and Risk Management

Phase 5-DB Project Quality and Risk Management PM610-Project Management, Execution, and Closure Risk is best defined basically as the potential to suffer a loss of some sort. Risk analysis is the process of defining and analyzing the dangers to individuals, businesses and government agencies posed by potential natural and human-caused adverse events. In IT, a risk analysis report can be used to align technology-related objectives with a company's business objectives.A risk analysis report can be either quantitative or qualitative. (Search Mid-Market Security 2010). Now that we understand what risk analysis is, ley us examine the two types: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative risk analysis is the most popular and does not involve any numerical probabilities or predictions of loss. The qualitative method certainly does involve defining the various threats, determining the extent of vulnerabilities and devising countermeasures should an attack occur.Quantitative risk analysis atte mpts to numerically determine the probabilities of various adverse events to the likelihood of the losses if it is a particular event that takes place. Qualitative risk analysis is appropriate to use when you need to determine which risk are important enough to manage. On way is to identify the severity of the impact to the project in terms of high, medium, or low. Also when you want to estimate the probability of the risk occurring in terms of high, medium, or low.So getting a quick estimate, not so much as counting them, will help to gauge how the project is doing in the project life cycle. Quantitative risk analysis is appropriate to use when your objective is to calculate the numeric values for each component of the data gathered during the risk assessment and the cost benefit analysis. For example, the true value of each business asset in terms is estimated in terms of what it would cost to replace it, what it would cost in terms of lost productivity, what it would cost in term s of brand reputation, and other direct and indirect business values.The process requires the user to attempt to use the same objectivity when computing asset exposure, cost of controls, and all of the other values that are identified during the risk management process. (Information Network and Security, 2013) For the IRTC customer service system project, I think I will use both the qualitative and quantitative risk analysis methods to some degree. Using the qualitative risk method will take into consideration the additional funds and resources needed as well as the extra hours it will take to complete the add-on to the project.The quantitative method will help manage the risk factor whether high, medium, or low to show the vendors, the project team and management what to tackle first. This will be especially helpful as the change request is going through appropriations. References Rouse, Margaret (2010). Definition Risk Analysis Retrieved on 19 March 2013, from www. searchmidmarket security. techtarget/com The Security Practitioner (2013). An Introduction to Information, Network and Security. Quantitative Risk Assessment. Retrieved on 20 March 2013, from www. security. practitioner. com

The Sykesâ€Picot Agreement of 1916

The Sykes–Picot Agreement of 1916 was a secret agreement between the governments of the UK and France, with the assent of Imperial Russia, defining their respective spheres of influence and control in Western Asia after the expected downfall of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. On the night of April 9, 1948, the Irgun Zvei Leumi surrounded the village of Deir Yasin, located on the outskirts of Jerusalem. After giving the sleeping residents a 15 minute warning to evacuated, Menachem Begin's terrorists attacked the village of 700 people, killing 254 mostly old men, women and children and wounding 300 others. Begin's terrorists tossed many of the bodies in the village well, and paraded 150 captured women and children through the Jewish sectors of Jerusalem. 1948 – First Arab-Israeli War The Arabs failed to prevent establishment of a Jewish state, and the war ended with four UN-arranged armistice agreements between Israel and Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The frontiers defined in the armistice agreements remained until they were altered by Israel's conquests during the Six-Day War in 1967. Suez campaign , 29 Oct – 4 Nov 1956 During the 1950s there was considerable tension between Israel and Egypt, which, under President Nasser, had become a leader in the Arab world. His nationalization of the Suez Canal 1956 provided an opportunity for Israel with Britain and France, to attack Egypt and occupy a part of Palestine that Egypt had controlled since 1949, the Gaza Strip , from which Israel was forced by UN and US pressure to withdraw 1957 . 1973. The two Arab states struck unexpectedly on October 6. After crossing the suez channel the Arab forces gain a lot of advanced positions in Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights and manage to defeat the Israeli forces for more then three weeks. Israeli forces with a massive U. S. economic and military assistance managed to stop the arab forces after a three-week struggle. The Arab oil-producing states cut off petroleum exports to the United States and other Western nations in retaliation for their aid to Israel. But this treaty didn’t make any different or let the Israeli occupation withdrew from East Jerusalem. The net result of the treaty: Increase tension in the Middle East which shows in an increase in Israeli intransigence in the occupied territories and the isolation of Egypt from the Arab world. The Arab countries were opposed the separate treaty because it failed to achieve a permanent and comprehensive peace.

Tromp Loeil &the Interior (Renaissance) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Tromp Loeil &the Interior (Renaissance) - Essay Example Their creation was art and architecture whose sole motive was to deceive the eye on the reality of a painting. This was to be known as Trompe l’oeil, which in French is literally â€Å"to deceive the eye† (Damisch, 1984)1. This trompe l’oeil paintings and architecture have existed since then and are a crucial part of modern art and architecture. Trompe l’oeil is a style of art that was developed and popularized in the Renaissance era (Kristeller, 1965)2. The main technique used by these ancient artists was using perspective manipulations to achieve paintings that were self-reflective. The second crucial technique was in using art to develop deception through double wonderment (Damisch, 1984)3. The principle of double wonderment focused on two perspectives. The first perspective was to make the viewers of these images whether the paintings were real. Second wonder aroused by the painting was the question of just how the artist achieved such an effect The us e of oils was another prominent technique used in the renaissance paintings. Oils enhanced representation of distance using a gradation of tones. Light colored oils were used in the foreground picture flame. One of the main techniques of trompe l’oeil was linear perspective. This was a means of representing far away objects to scale with the close objects. Shading was also an indispensable technique for trompe l’oeil. ... Artists in the Renaissance era used techniques in painting that created a perception of depth. To achieve depth they had to employ a three dimensional perspective. One of the main techniques used by these artists was to overlap objects. When an object is drawn in front of another and overlapping it, the first object appears to be in front. In the Renaissance paintings, overlapping was the strongest indication of distance, and as objects are overridden continually, the perceived distance increases. Another technique used in the trompe l’oeil interiors of the renaissance era was use of diminishing scale. Objects were drawn into scale of size using this technique. Where two objects of the known same size are drawn one bigger than the other one, the bigger image is perceived to be closer. This was used extensively in the renaissance era especially with the Trompe l’oeil interiors (Tzonis, 1986)5. The artists in the renaissance era also used technique of diagonal lines to ac hieve diminishing scale. Where lines are drawn to narrow as they go further away, they create an illusion of depth. This is perhaps the most used technique in the Trompe l’oeil paintings. Diagonal lines were painted as they moved towards each other creating a perception of depth and diminishing scale. Another technique was the use of colors. A common assumption in art and architecture is that people see bright colors as being close. Such colors such as red and yellow are deemed to be close. The most commonly application of this technique in the renaissance was in drawing and painting of landscapes. For landscapes, to achieve depth, blue is used to haze far away objects giving an illusion of

Globalisation as the Enhanced Cooperation Assignment

Globalisation as the Enhanced Cooperation - Assignment Example Intergovernmental agencies act as a watchdog that promotes peace and human rights. Contentious issues are not military solved but dealt with in amicably in summits. Economic trade organizations encourage multilateral and bilateral interactions. Introduction of subsidies and wavering on tariffs results to lowered priced goods which curbs inflation. Controlled inflation finally is what normally improves the living standards benefitting both the states involved in the trade. Economic integration also protects members from exploitation as their union reinforce the bargaining power in the international markets. Such symbiotic relationships foster peace and unity in a region (Pande & Weide, 2012). Citizens moving across borders of countries also undergo fewer restrictions. Interurban and the interurban trades have greatly promoted cultural interaction and appreciation among between these regions. Migration is never an easy task in as much as it can bring happiness to a person. A young male Mexican with little attachments, if unmarried can find it easy to move from a place to the next. This young individual might possess little baggage to carry around and is flexible enough to adapt everywhere. Movement for the retired mid-western farm couple is quite challenging. The movement for the aged is quite difficult reason being getting adapted to a new culture which is not simple. An old couple might find it difficult to move after already stabilizing a family in a place. Lastly on the unemployed heavy machine operator will face the hurdle of mobility in terms of machinery. Moving heavy machinery is expensive and can lead to breakage while in transit. Security in where he will be moving is also important for both his/her equipment and family. Acclimatising and adapting to a new area could have been easier if the heavy equipment operator could have been of a tender age. Migration is irredeemably an agent of diffusion. As people move from one place to the next they  bring in cultural exchange. America was referred to as the new world by the Europeans as they a vast culture that was so alien to theirs.

Different fallacies in the news Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Different fallacies in the news - Essay Example But before finding fallacies in the news, one should be aware of the different forms of fallacies being used. A common type of fallacy is a slippery slope fallacy in which the writer suspects that they need to continue the topic which they don’t like if they have once opened it. That is why, in slippery slope fallacy, the results of actions specified are overstressed in order to alarm the reader of the message. It is called slippery slope fallacy because once the writer has taken a step in a certain direction, he cannot then stop and close the topic simply. So, the writer exaggerates the arguments in order to pave way to close the topic. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican Congressman, giving interview to Fox News said â€Å"the people are not interested in starting new businesses because they are not certain that they will gain access to the capital funds that they will require for their businesses. Moreover, there is also doubt about the tax rates. So, the people are not much in clined towards businesses.† However, the premise was just a fallacy as where the taxes that worth 700 billion dollars are being utilized by the banks if they are not lending monies to businesses. He also exaggerated the uncertainty and doubts about the tax rates which are not doubtful to this level and also not much fluctuating. Another form of fallacies is hasty generalization fallacy. Sometimes, the writer is incapable of obtaining complete information about the subject of his interest. He, despite of bothering himself to obtain complete information, makes haste and write about the topic on the basis of information he contains. The scenario becomes worse when the writer also makes conclusions on the basis of insufficient and limited evidence he holds. The hasty generalization fallacy is very common in the sense that in many cases, some people in a group are observed and then it is assumed that all the members of that particular group will behave in the manner as observed. Th e third, and rather worse, type of fallacy is ad hominem fallacy. The writer when disagreeing with the argument of an individual criticizes and pinpoints the character of the writer in spite of the argument presented by him. The intention behind this fallacy is to destroy the writer’s credibility. Once the credibility is lost, how stronger the argument is, it will lose its importance and significance. The main problem with this fallacy is that it sometimes weakens the correct argument also. A classic example of ad hominem fallacy is the discussion that took place between Michael Moore and Bill O’Reilly, a television reporter. The topic of the discussion was the necessity of war against Iraq. Moore did not discuss the topic clearly. However, he pointed out that the President Bush lied to the nation. He also said that it did not suit to the president to lie. By saying this, Moore did not specify his point of view. He only attacked the honesty and integrity of the preside nt Bush. Thus, Moore indirectly opposed the war of Iraq but did not say this directly. Another type of fallacy is the fallacy of relevance which causes flaws in the interrelation of premises and information with the conclusions. This is same to some extent to ad hominem fallacy. In ad hominem fallacy, the integrity f the person is attacked falsely while in fallacy of relevance the information and conclusions are interrelated wrongly. So, both these fallacies include the interrelation of information and c

The Role of External Auditors in Accounting Assignment

The Role of External Auditors in Accounting - Assignment Example In most cases, a fraudulent act exists when one or more auditors approve inaccurate accounting on behalf of a company for the reason of tax evasion or to strategically register for an Initial Public Offering (IPO). To prevent moral hazards associated with the auditors’ liability, the British Serious Fraud Office has imposed heavy penalties for swindlers and white-collar criminals to shut down or suspend a suspicious business (Country Updates, 1997). On the other hand, auditors who are found guilty of professional negligence may end up facing a monetary loss or penalty through punitive fines and/or the confiscation of their license to practice auditing in the United Kingdom. As stated by Michael Power of London School of Economics, â€Å"it may not be reasonable to expect that auditors would be challenging business models directly and raising strategic issues with finance directors, that is not their job and if we want it to be their job then things would have to change quite substantially †¦ The direction of my comment is that we might be expecting too much from this black box [External Audit] in terms of what it actually delivers† (Priddy, 2011, p. 59). In response to the statement made by Power, this report will first discuss the role and responsibilities of external auditors followed by providing a brief overview with regards to the corporate governance. In line with this, there is a strong need to go through business theories and concepts that will enable the readers to have a better understanding of how businesses in a corporate world function. Based on the individual roles and responsibilities of shareholders, internal and external auditors, the board of directors, and the CEO, this report will explain the limits in the role and responsibilities of external auditors when it comes to detecting and controlling fraud activities in business.

Theory and models of peace operations in terms of its legitimacy Research Paper

Theory and models of peace operations in terms of its legitimacy - Research Paper Example The ICC was established as an independent institution that is bound to be independent of other institutions such as the United Nations. With the major view of providing justice across the board the institutions set up has faced abundant challenges1. Major Challenges The challenges regarding the implementation of justice at the international level can well be discussed by analyzing those institutions mandated to carry the foresaid tasks. There exist major problems faced by these institutions of justice that curtail them in carrying out its important tasks. In this regard any staff working at the International Criminal Court from the senior level staff to the junior staff have queried on the priorities they ought to put in place to make the institution workable. Moreover the court has put question forward on how it will be able to deal with the emerging challenges.The greatest limitations faced by the implementers of justice are inadequate reach of jurisdictionand permissibility regime . The Rome statute recognizes the sovereignty of global states. Thus for Rome statute to be exercised to sovereign state the state in question must be a member to the Rome statute. Meaning that institution of the court must be able to exercise express jurisdiction in that particular state.The founders of the Rome statute and the international criminal court innovated two systems of operations2. ... or else unwilling to carry out prosecution or investigation.Another major challenge faced these institution is the principle of cooperation that must be derived from the member state. As stated above this institution as stipulated by the statute have to recognize and respect the sovereignty of the member states. The institutions lack major facility to carry out its own investigations and hence has solely rely with the member state to furnish them with the required set of materials. In this context the institutions continue to reveal majorweakness and are not able to carry out crucial investigations. In addition it not warranted that thestate affected will provide evidence or materials required another grave challenge faced by these institutions is the fact that the member states are widely spread in terms of geographical distance. This fact hampers investigators carry out proper investigation to the impending cases. Many member states countries are rural based and situated making it unsafe and dangerous to carry investigation in the reserve localities. Role of the International Actors in Solving Conflicts The role played by these institutions is important. In a bid to gain confidence from the world citizenry, the actors must consolidate their development to efficient and credible institution that will act across international board. It is also paramount that such institutions must show impartiality in the conduct of their mandate. For instance the international criminal court has to proof to the world in conduct it work that it’s free from political biasness neutral and objective. The most important role that can be played by the actors is giving express powers to the arms of the institution in order to carry out its function with utmost authority. For instance the

How are the principles that underlie the process of motivational Essay

How are the principles that underlie the process of motivational interviewing relate to social change and community development - Essay Example ient that the interviewer is attentive, empathetic and genuinely desires to be a facilitator of attitudinal and behavioural change to improve the socio-psychological adjustment of the client and improve their general lifestyle. Hence, the interviewer becomes, essentially, a positive change agent for the client (Miller, Yahne and Tonigan 2003). Individuals, within a social context, that have maladaptive or unhealthy behaviours detract from the development of a cohesive and well-functioning community. This is why enacting long-term behaviour change and improving socio-psychological adjustment is so critical, as deviant behaviours, anti-social attitude, or other negative behaviours can pose risk or danger to a broader community population. In an idealistic society, the goal is to ensure that all society members within a community have an attitude that promotes teamwork, alliance and partnership, though this is not a tangible reality in many societies throughout the world. This essay explores the processes of motivational interviewing and its potential benefits or contributions to achieving social change and developing positive communities with an emphasis on how MI is properly facilitated to achieve these desirable and encouraging advantages. The main premise of MI is to maintain a non-adversarial attitude with the client, be completely without confrontational stance and illustrate complete non-judgmental behaviours (Miller and Rollnick 2002). The premise of MI is to break-down the barriers which are driving client uncertainty and ambivalence that allow for continuation of unhealthy or maladapted behaviours. In motivational interviewing, the mentor serves as a resource for assisting the client in resolving the factors that drive ambivalence without being directly persuasive. The interviewer serves only as a director that facilitates discussion about what is revealed within the client’s inner world and provides therapeutic discourse to nurture the client’s

Song of Myself Essay Example for Free

Song of Myself Essay Walt Whitman’s poetry often relies on lists to convey multiple aspects of the world. Indeed, through the catalogues of people, places and things that he uses in his poetry, Whitman is able to display and touch on a breadth of aspects of life that make his poetry applicable to more people and also demonstrate his commitment to showcasing different perspectives. Because he’s able to include so many different things, cataloguing becomes important in not limiting the scope of his poems, and it also provides a unique rhythm to Whitman’s poems that few poets effectively replicate. This cataloguing system is significantly present in his â€Å"Song of Myself,† which features numerous lists and tackles significant themes such as individuality and how people navigate living in the world. Because the nature of the cataloguing poetic device allows the speaker to use multiple things to explain a phenomenon, lists in â€Å"Song of Myself† allow Whitman to explore the complexity of identity and how individuals are formed from social forces and from within. Indeed, the list that I will explore demonstrates that both the body and the soul are important factors for identity development, and that any â€Å"Song of Myself† relies on a variety of things to truly demonstrate identity: influences from others, physicality, spirituality, and a holistic collection of factors from all aspects of the world. It is quite common for Whitman to use the listing poetic device, and he uses it effectively to demonstrate a breadth of subject. For example, in his poem â€Å"I Hear America Singing,† he discusses the â€Å"varied carols I hear; / Those of mechanics – each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong; / The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam / The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work† (lines 1-4). The poem goes on to include the shoemaker, the mother, and other people who live in America and how exactly each one sings. Indeed, in this poem, Whitman lists numerous different experiences that different faces of the American workforce might have, using their job titles and the common theme of music to illuminate different aspects of American life. Whitman demonstrates how â€Å"Each [is] singing what belongs to her, and to none else; / The day what belongs to the day—At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, / Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs† (lines 8-10), showing that everyone in this list of people each has their own stake on identity and their own voice in the song of America, allowing this list to demonstrate a multifaceted perspective on what identity means and what the actual makeup of a community is. Indeed, this poem is the perfect representation of the Whitman list: not only does it use this list of individuals to make a point about America and individuality at the same time, but the poem relies on the repetitive but varied rhythm that the list provides through its consistent use of a pattern of listing people. This rhythm demonstrates the broader purpose of the list – it provides a consistency and pattern for the poem to base itself off of, thereby showing the interconnectedness of the people discussed in the poem, but also allows each person a large amount of individuality through the poem as well. In particular, Whitman’s â€Å"Song of Myself† is emblematic both of his work in general, especially his most famous Leaves of Grass, and the way in which he uses lists as a poetic device. â€Å"Song of Myself† explores individuality simply through its title, and looks at the numerous ways in which an individual is able to define oneself. Obviously, one can pick oneself apart as an individual and start there: â€Å"My tongue, every atom of my blood, formd from this soil, this air, / Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same, / I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, / Hoping to cease not till death† (Section I). Here, we see the atoms of the speaker of this poem, their origins, and their age, clearly placing an individual at the center of the identity of this speaker. Other forces are at play in this poem, however: Whitman also uses lists to show other forces on identity. He states, â€Å"Trippers and askers surround me, / People I meet, the effect upon me of my early life or the ward and city I live in, or the nation, / The latest dates, discoveries, inventions, societies, authors old and new, / My dinner, dress, associates, looks, compliments, dues, / The real or fancied indifference of some man or woman I love,† (Section IV), demonstrating how a variety of others have also impacted the speaker’s identity and show that any â€Å"Song of Myself† also necessarily includes the voices of others. This poem embodies why Whitman uses lists because it allows him to send a variety of messages that all point back to the individuality of the speaker, even though the lists themselves may or may not be about him. Because of this, Whitman is able to demonstrate a more complicated perspective on identity and also show a number of different factors that can affect it. Indeed, the lists in â€Å"Song of Myself† demonstrate a broad interpretation of identity and the depth of which different identities are connected to one another. Section five of the poem explores the speaker’s relationship with his soul, saying, â€Å"I believe in you my soul, the other I am must not abase itself to you, / And you must not be abased to the other† (Section V). This section of the poem deals directly with the self’s relationship with the soul, and how this aspect of identity is closely related to a larger spiritual realm. The speaker asks the other to â€Å"Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that pass all the argument of the earth,† demonstrating a much broader connection to the world through the soul. Indeed, as the rest of the poem has shown, identity is connected to many different factors such as other people and internal thoughts, but in this section of the poem, Whitman clearly separates the soul from the body and demonstrates that identity is connected to both. The lists in â€Å"Song of Myself† and other Whitman poems allow the poet to depict the interconnectedness of various aspects of identity and life, and also the complexity with which identity is formed. The list itself in Section V also shows how complex the relationship between the body and the soul. Whitman states that the speaker knows â€Å"that the hand of God is the promise of my own, / And I know that the spirit of God is the brother of my own, / And that all the men ever born are also my brothers, and the women my sisters and lovers, / And that a kelson of the creation is love,† (Section V), showing that identity is wrapped up in many different forces. Indeed, the soul is clearly a part of identity, as well as the hand and spirit of God, â€Å"all the men and women ever† are to be considered siblings, and that creation as a larger concept is essential to this speaker and his identity. The list itself continues to compound upon these complexities as the speaker states, â€Å"And limitless are leaves stiff or drooping in the fields, / And brown ants in the little wells beneath them, / And mossy scabs of the worm fence, heapd stones, elder, mullein and poke-weed† (Section V). This natural imagery demonstrates yet another complex relationship with the self’s identity: here, the conversation that the self has with the soul is complicated through its connection with the physical earth and nature, showing yet another aspect of identity that the speaker and â€Å"Song of Myself† must grapple with. This list shows the essential mind/body disconnect present in identity, and also the widespread influences that the world and other people have on oneself. In addition to this one, many of the lists in this poem show how complex identity can be and show how many things constantly affect it. For example, the speaker states, â€Å"The big doors of the country barn stand open and ready, / The dried grass of the harvest-time loads the slow-drawn wagon, / The clear light plays on the brown gray and green intertinged, / The armfuls are packd to the sagging mow. / I am there,† (Section IX), again showing a broad connection to the world and the self’s constant and close relationship with the earth. Not only does this show the world’s relationship with the self, but also the self’s relationship with the natural and the soul. Again, though, it’s not simply spiritual and personal selfhood that dominates the speaker’s mind. Whitman shows other members of society, stating, â€Å"The married and unmarried children ride home to their Thanksgiving dinner, / The pilot seizes the king-pin, he heaves down with a strong arm, / The mate stands braced in the whale-boat, lance and harpoon are ready, / The duck-shooter walks by silent and cautious stretches, / The deacons are ordaind with crossd hands at the altar,† (Section XV), showcasing other ordinary members of society’s interaction with the world. Lists in â€Å"Song of Myself† consistently demonstrate the multiple communities that individuals are involved with. Walt Whitman uses the poetic device of cataloguing consistently in his poetry to demonstrate the multifaceted forces that influence identity formation and the complicated realities of life in the real world. Indeed, throughout all of his different poems, Whitman uses the list to show different perspectives on the world, different types of people, and the many different things that can affect a person’s self. In his â€Å"Song of Myself,† Whitman demonstrates just how complicated a person’s identity is, and how it interacts with the rest of society. Through his lists, he reinforces exactly this: by being able to give notice to many different people, places, things and ideas, Whitman is able to more aptly describe the complexity of the world and, moreover, the difficulty in pinning down identity. These lists show just how difficult it can be to â€Å"sing oneself,† and just how much can go into it – not only do other people, one’s own soul, a connection to nature and the more psychological aspects of selfhood affect someone’s identity, but the holistic aspects of the world and its interactions with people further complicate the speaker’s identity in this poem. Indeed, in a poem all about identity and one’s interactions with the world, lists serve a great role to shed light on the complexities of identity and the ways in which multiple factors influence people.

Marketing Strategies Of Tomato Farmers

Marketing Strategies Of Tomato Farmers He got the Teachers Certificate at Mount Mary Training College; Somanya in 1998. He successfully earned a Diploma in French Studies Diplome Universitaire dEtudes Franà §aises DUEF at, University of Abomey; Calavi, Bà ©nin in 2007. He further studied at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi and attained B.A. (Honours), French and Sociology and Social Work in 2008. He enrolled again in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Business School and studied Master of Business Administration (MBA) Marketing 2011. He has taught in many schools including Botokrom D/C JSS, Grace D/C JSS both in the Brong Ahafo Region, Infant Jesus at Ayeduase, Kumasi. He served as a Research and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Modern Languages of KNUST. He is currently teaching French and English at Jachie Pramso SHS. Keywords: Marketing strategies, Tomato farmers, Liberalized economy. Abstract This study was conducted in connection with the Master of Business Administration (MBA) dissertation at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-Kumasi, Ghana. Purpose: In the mist of intense trade liberalization and globalization when localization and protectionist policies are discouraged, this study sought to find out the role of formal marketing strategies and technology in sustaining increased profitability of tomato farmers in Ghana. Methodology/Approach: Empirical research was conducted by collecting both primary and secondary information from a sample of 450 tomato farmers, traders and tomato factory personnel. The data from tomato farmers, traders and the tomato factory were accessed through questionnaires and an in-depth interview. Findings: Formal marketing strategies and technology are complementary factors in the determination of the profitability level of tomato farmers. Farmers who well combine formal marketing strategies with technology are successful. Technology without formal marketing strategies or the vice versa negatively affect tomato farmers profitability. Tomato farmers should adopt formal marketing strategies and apply the latest technology. Introduction There is a plethora of literature on marketing strategies that accentuates the imperativeness of marketing functions in organizations. As a result, marketing practices of Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs), Large and Multinational Companies as well as Not-for-profit Organizations have interested researchers in our recent era. In recent years there have been signs of substantial research interest in marketing practices of SMEs (Sengupta, 2006). Most of these studies have indicated the role of marketing to be critical in the sustainability of the small firms (Sengupta, 2006). Marketing strategies are extremely vital to organisations corporate goals of achieving high revenue. Given that a firms survival depends on its capacity to create value, and value is defined by customers (Day, 1990), marketing makes a fundamental contribution to long-term business success. However, businesses that concern themselves with rigorous evaluation of marketing results are in the minority (Ambler, 2000). Researchers widely agree that marketing in small firms differ from that of their larger counterparts (Fillis, 2002; Gilmore et al., 2001; Hill, 2001a; Coviello et al., 2000). Small firm marketing has been characterised as haphazard, informal, loose, unstructured, spontaneous, reactive, as well as conforming to industry norms (Gilmore et al., 2001). Stokes (2000) adds that in small firms, marketing is used for the needs of the moment and only little attention is paid to plans, strategies and analysis. However, this is in contrast of marketing in large firms, which is seen as formal, planned and well structured. One reason for this difference is that small firms have certain limitations. Compared to their larger counterparts, small enterprises have limited resources related to finance, time and marketing knowledge (Gilmore et al., 2001). Consequently, complex theories and sophisticated processes seem to be inappropriate in small enterprises (Hogarth-Scott et al., 1996). Despite the differences, it has been noted that the basic marketing concepts, such as segmentation, customer orientation, targeting, positioning and seeking for competitive advantage apply to small as well as to large enterprises (Hogarth-Scott et al., 1996). According to Rolle (2006), in the light of the incidence of huge post harvest losses in Africa and new challenges faced under trade liberalization and globalization, serious efforts are needed to reduce post harvest losses, especially of fruits and vegetables. This would include linking operations and actors involved more closely and systematically, modernizing marketing infrastructure and technologies, capacity building of individual actors, and strengthening the policy or institutional settings for better marketing. Obviously, post harvest management determines food quality and safety, competitiveness in the market, and the profits earned by producers. The post harvest management of fruits and vegetables in most developing countries in the sub-region is however, far from satisfactory. The major constraints include inefficient handling and transportation; poor technologies for storage, processing, and packaging; involvement of too many diverse actors; and poor infrastructure (Rolle, 2006). Definition Most scholars on the theme of marketing strategy attempt defining it with broad encompassing concepts and statements. Baker (1978) considers it as being a broad means of achieving given aims. While Luck and Ferrell (1979) simply define it as being fundamental means and schemes. Kotler (1976) thinks it is the grand design to achieve objectives. Some of the definitions of marketing strategy by some scholars are based on marketing concepts such as the marketing mix, the product life cycle, market share and competition and positioning. Foxall (1981) defines marketing strategy as being an indication of how each element of the marketing mix will be used to achieve the marketing objectives. Chang and Campo-Flores (1980) proposed product strategy, the distribution strategy, sales promotion strategy and pricing strategy. While Jain (1981) agrees with them, Udell (1968) simplifies marketing strategy as price and non-price strategies. Kotler (1965) and Baker (1978) outline that; the marketing s trategy for a particular product needs should be modified as the product moves through the various stages of its PLC. Bloom and Kotler (1975) explain the issues involved in marketing strategy to be linked to the market share base. They suggest that a company can identify its optimal market share given a particular set of conditions. Once identified, it needs a strategy to achieve the optimum. In line with Buzzell, Gale and Sultan (1979), they agree that a company can choose to build, maintain or even reduce market share alternatively labelled as building, holding and harvesting. Another approach from the literature in the explanation of marketing strategy is the utilisation of the concept of positioning. Wind and Claycamp (1976) explain a products position as its overall situation in the market relative to its sales, market share and profitability. Positioning is the selection of a marketing from a range of alternatives (Cravens, 1975 ). Segmentation as a Marketing Strategy Some researchers consider skilful segmentation as marketing strategies and as such convince marketers to apply them. The goal is to find several homogeneous groups that differ maximally across one another. They suggest segmentation options and techniques. Dickson and Ginter (1987) convincingly argue that the demand functions should be the theoretical basis for segment definition. They add that other bases for identifying or defining segments will be useful only to the extent that they correspond empirically to these demand functions and lead to identification of the true market segments. Thus, the choice of segmentation variables and the relationship of these variables to the differences in demand functions determine how successfully distinct segments are found. Relationship Marketing as a Marketing Strategy Grà ¶nroos (1983 and 1980) develops the customer relationship life-cycle model, originally called the marketing circle, to cover the long-term nature of the establishment and evolution of the relationship between a firm and its customers. According to Grà ¶nroos (1989 and1990), to establish, maintain, and enhance relationships with customers and other partners at a profit, so that the objectives of the parties involved are met is relationship marketing. This is achieved by a mutual exchange and fulfilment of promises. Such relationships are usually but not necessarily always long-term. Establishing a relationship, for example with a customer, can be divided into two parts: to attract the customer and to build the relationship with that customer so that the economic goals of that relationship are achieved. Berry and Parasuraman (1991) propose that: Relationship marketing concerns attracting, developing, and retaining customer relationships. Gummesson (1994) proposes that: Relationship marketing (RM) is marketing seen as relationships, networks, and interaction. Sheth (1994) defines relationship marketing as: The understanding, explanation, and management of the ongoing collaborative business relationship between suppliers and customers. Sheth and Parvatiyar (1995) view relationship marketing as: Attempts to involve and integrate customers, suppliers, and other infrastructural partners into a firms developmental and marketing activities. An integral element of the relationship marketing approach is the promise concept which has been strongly emphasized by Calonius (1988). According to him, the responsibilities of marketing do not only, or predominantly, include giving promises and thus persuading customers as passive counterparts in the marketplace to act in a given way. A firm that is preoccupied with giving promises may attract new customers and initially build relationships. However, if promises are not kept, the evolving relationship cannot be maintained and enhanced. Fulfilling promises that have been given is equally important as a means of achieving customer satisfaction, retention of the customer base, and long-term profitability. However, some of the scholars have a different perspective of marketing strategy extending its boundaries to affect departments and units of the business. For instance, marketing strategy is viewed as a mechanism that not only guides the SBU in its relationships with its environment, but also influences and shapes its internal structures, processes, and operations (Hambrick, 1980; Miles and Snow, 1978). The Business Dictionary defines marketing strategy as a written plan (usually a part of the overall corporate plan) which combines product development, promotion, distribution, and pricing approach, identifies the firms marketing goals, and explains how they will be achieved within a stated timeframe. Various articles analyze marketing strategies of organisations (e.g. Shaw and Wong 1996; McBurnie and Clutterbuck 1987; Hooley and Lynch 1985; Lai et al. 1992; Siu 2000; and Siu and Liu 2005). Nonetheless, the majority of research concentrates on large firms and few on farmers especially tomato farmers. There are some pertinent questions that need further research. Our investigation sets out to analyze the marketing strategies of tomato farmers in the liberalized economy of Ghana. The specific objectives of study of our study are to: assess the marketing strategies of tomato farmers; establish the viability of the tomato farming; evaluate the impact of technology on profitability in tomato farming. The research also attempts to seek answers to the following questions. What marketing strategies are pursued by tomato farmers? How viable and is tomato farming? What is the impact of technology on profitability in tomato farming? The article is grouped into four main parts. The first part contains introduction including background of the study, the problem statement, objectives of the study and research questions. The relevant literature review and hypotheses are shown in the next section. Method adopted for the study, data and hypotheses testing are found in the third portion of the article. The last segment of the article covers findings, conclusions, and implications for business marketing practice. Literature and hypothesis Least successful Most successful Formal Marketing strategies without technology Formal Marketing strategies with technology Informal marketing strategies and lack of Technology Technology without formal marketing strategies Least successful Figure 1 Conceptual framework marketing strategy and technology diamond Figure 1 above describes a model of marketing skills with technology being complementary variables for the success of marketing tomatoes. Thus, H1 Formal Marketing strategies with technology will positively affect tomato farmers profitability. H2 Technology without formal marketing strategies will negatively affect tomato farmers profitability. H3 Informal marketing strategies (head vending, open market display vocal announcement etc.) and lack of Technology will negatively affect tomato farmers profitability. H4 Formal Marketing strategies without technology will negatively affect tomato farmers profitability. In part as a consequence of structural adjustment, import quotas in Ghana were abolished in 1992 and tariffs for imported agricultural produce have been reduced to 20 percent. As a result, tomato paste imports into Ghana amounted to over 78,000 tons of paste per year of which 12,000 tons were exported after they were repackaged. This suggests domestic tomato paste consumption in Ghana of around 66,000 tons in 2007. Available figures indicate that from 1991 to 2002 the quantity of imported tomato paste rose from 3,600 tonnes to 24,077 tonnes. In addition the value of tomato paste imports also rose from US$5.3 million to US$17.5 million over the same period (Meenakshi, 2006). (Trusty Foods Limited) TFL has alleged that importers use under-invoicing to compete in the Ghanaian tomato paste market and this enables them to command a larger market share. Available evidence suggests that so dramatic has this rise been that Ghana currently ranks second as a destination for imported tomato pas te (Meenakshi, 2006). The import surge has been such that trigger volumes were breached in 2000 and 2002. Major exporters of tomato paste to Ghana from 1999 to 2003 have been Italy (36%), China (16%), USA (8%), Spain (7%), Turkey (7%), Greece (6%), Portugal (5%) and Chile (5%). The quantity of imported tomato paste rose from 3,209 tonnes in 1998 to 24,077 tonnes in 2002. As a result, the potential growth of the domestic tomato sector has been hampered. Elizabeth and Shashi (2010) however think the local industry cannot satisfy the demand for tomatoes. At current market prices for tomato, domestically produced paste typically will not be competitive with imported paste from the EU and China (Elizabeth and Shashi 2010). They find out that Ghana has neither sufficient supply of fresh tomatoes, nor sufficient processing capacity even if production of fresh tomato increased, to supply the market at current demand. Ghana has a total processing capacity of 1200 tons of fresh tomato per day (500 tons at Trusty Foods and Northern Star, and 200 tons at Afrique Link Ltd in Wenchi). They conclude that Ghana would not be able to produce locally all the tomato paste that is currently imported for domestic consumption, using the three existing large processors. Boateng (2011) finds that Ghanas tomato industry has expressed concern about developments in the import of tomatoes and tomato paste. The National Tomato Traders Association (NTTA) has alleged tomato imports from neighbouring Burkina Faso in particular pose a threat to their livelihoods. Morris and Brady (2004) found that many small farmers, increasing profitability may result from the development of non-traditional agricultural enterprises, non-traditional crops, markets, and/or adding value to products may be the key in todays agriculture. Thus the production of different crops, and/or improving some foods, from simply marketing them raw to preparing them in different forms, and therefore adding value to them, appears to be a promising alternative for many growers. In the agricultural sector adding value can contribute to farmers maximisation of their produce, both in quantitative as well as in qualitative terms, while at the same time they benefit commercially. Not agreeing entirely with earlier researchers, Born and Bachmann (2006), realise that adding value to farm produce, while not a panacea to cure existing food-related challenges, can provide some relief, either directly or indirectly to many farmers. In commercial terms, adding value can take place at farmers markets, where farm operators can avoid middlemen and maximise their sales (Kirwan, 2004 and Abel et al., 1999). In this regard, Brunori and Rossi (2000,) found that in some communities, selling directly to consumers allows farmers to employ more family labour and increase the value-added on the farm. Along these lines, Born and Bachmann (2006) indicate that there has been a tremendous growth in adding value to raw agricultural products, and that value-added products can make a positive contribution to the community (Born and Bachmann, 2006). The process of adding-value to foods can be as simple as packaging lettuce or other foods, however, many other forms exist: food processing and marketing (Falk, 2002), distributing, cooking, combining, churning, culturing, grinding, or labelling (Born and Bachmann, 2006). Adding value to foods can increase food variety, as well as food availability, particularly when fruit, vegetables and other food leftovers that otherwise would be discarded are further processed into conserves, pickles, sauces and many other varieties of food products. Fulton (2003) explains that increasingly, farmers are creating producer alliances with other growers and investing in value-added business activities as a marketing strategy. In the study of Hee and Jae-Eun (2011) they found that organic food retailers develop effective marketing strategies emphasizing ecological beauty or product safety to satisfy the values of potential consumers. The study also suggests that these retailers try to change consumers perceptions of higher prices to affordable prices using marketing strategies (e.g. discount, advertisement, new product development), which make consumers believe that they are capable to buy organic personal care products. Organic personal care product retailers attract potential consumers by displaying their products near the organic food sections at a grocery store. Organic personal care product retailers develop combine management activities called co-marketing with organic food product retailers. In addition, food networks is another strategy. Renting et al (2003), realise that some UK supermarkets buy and add value to fresh produce bought from farmers, including in the preparations of fresh salads and pies (Fearne and Hughes, 1999). In this process, consumers are introduced to local produce and presented with the products transformation into meals for their convenience and delight. Despite these proactive efforts by some supermarkets, such as in improving quality and safety standards, or in purchase integration and consolidation (Reardon et al., 2003; Weatherspoon and Reardon, 2003), large supermarkets have also contributed to major negative impacts among small, independent food growers. For example, in some cases supermarkets presence has resulted in the exclusion of small farms (Reardon et al., 2003; Weatherspoon and Reardon, 2003), squeezing and threatening the very existence of this group of food producers. With regard to promotion, print media like teen magazines as well as magazines dealing with sports or animals, represent an appropriate communication channel for directly addressing juveniles (Angelika and Ulrich, 2011). In comparison to the communication channel; television, print media mainly have the advantage of being more affordable (Dammler et al., 2000) for producers of organic products as many of these are small- or medium-sized companies. In general, print media only reach smaller groups of people and their stimulus is less intensive. However, it can be applied efficiently to systematically address target groups with high involvement for particular topics (Dammler et al., 2000). In order to enhance a positive image of organic products furthermore, testimonials, such as celebrities from music, movies, television or sports represent relevant persons of identification were utilized in ads (Blackwell et al., 2006). Communication measures should increasingly encompass those channels that attract customers: chat rooms, weblogs and podcasts. Communication with juveniles is seen as one of the most promising and challenging marketing measures of the future in order to increase their involvement in organic food (Niessen, 2010). In countries with successful domestic tomato processing, the fresh and processed markets may be fully integrated or fully or partially separate. In the US, the fresh and processed markets are completely separate and so tomatoes for each can be considered as separate commodities (Allen 2008). Tomatoes for processing typically have a higher percentage of soluble solids and are grown under contract between growers and processors. This market can be characterised by extremely high yields and low prices. In contrast, fresh tomatoes are sold on the open market and prices are higher (USDA 2009). For example, in 2007, farmers in California were paid as little as 3 cents per pound of processing tomatoes, while nearby heirloom tomatoes were selling for $2.50 per pound at the farm gate (Allen 2008). However, in most developed tomato sectors, tomatoes for processing and the fresh market are somewhat integrated (USDA 2009). For example, in Turkey, tomatoes for processing tend to be grown on small farms with 80% involving contracts between the farmer and the processor prior to planting. In Mexico, most of the countrys processing tomato production is in Sinaloa and so is spatially separated. However, product moves between fresh and processed markets according to relative prices (Cook and Calvin 2005). Pricing Strategies According to Pitt et al. (1997) price management includes a large number of decisions. Firms make decisions regarding price objectives, overall price strategy, structural questions regarding product line and market segment price differentials, the employment of various types of price promotions and discounts, and the establishment of specific price levels for individual products and services. An observation of pricing decisions in many companies in markets and countries around the world suggests that a firms pricing actions have at least four key underlying dimensions. The first of these is the extent to which pricing decisions are cost-based versus market-based. Cost-based pricing finds management placing far more emphasis on covering its own costs than on other determinants of price (e.g. demand conditions, competitive market structures, company marketing strategy, etc.). It typically involves a reliance on some sort of cost-plus, keystone, or target return formula. Market-based pricing is more customer-centred; wherein the principal purpose of price is to reflect the amount of value the customer is getting from the firms total product and/or service offering (Pitt et al, 1997). The second component is concerned with whether pricing is more risk-averse or risk-assumptive. Risk-averse pricing represents a conservative approach. Prices are modified only when absolutely necessary, price levels are kept in close proximity to those of competitors, and the price structure is kept as simple as possible. The main characteristic of the pricing strategy is a reluctance to rock the boat. Risk-assumptive pricing finds managers employing pricing schemes that are more novel, untested, and that have the potential of producing losses in revenue to the firm. However, there is a calculable probability of greater payoff should they succeed (Pitt et al, 1997). Again according to Pitt et al. (1997) the third component emphasizes whether a firms pricing is done in a more reactive or proactive manner. Reactive pricing involves mimicking the price moves of competitors, adjusting prices only after a change in regulations or a new technological breakthrough that radically affects costs, and so forth. Proactive pricing describes the firm that takes a leadership role not only in changing price, but in being the first to introduce new pricing structures and payment schemes. It also reflects more aggressiveness in pricing, as well as speed or quickness in adjusting prices to reflect new opportunities. The fourth underlying component is the extent to which management emphasizes standardization versus flexibility in pricing. Standardization is reflected in a tendency to charge a universal price for ones product or service regardless of the user, the buying situation, or environmental (including competitive) contingencies. Flexibility, alternatively, finds the company varying prices based on segment or user elasticity, time and place of purchase, as well as in response to opportunities for product or service unbundling or bundling, and anticipated or actual moves by competitors, among other factors (Pitt et al, 1997). There may well be other underlying dimensions which characterize a firms pricing behaviour, (e.g. an ethical dimension, although ethics in pricing are not all that well-defined). These dimensions above clearly interact with each other. Thus, being more proactive with ones pricing actions may entail greater risk. The success of firms in virtually all industries is increasingly dependent on their ability to engage in pricing that is market-based, risk-assumptive, proactive, and flexible. We refer to this combination of elements as entrepreneurial pricing (Pitt et al, 1997). Methods The descriptive study was adopted for the purpose of this research. Empirical data in the form of both quantitative and qualitative data was gathered. Tomato farmers whether large scale or subsistence farmers were the target because they produce the tomatoes for consumers and supply the industry with the chief raw material, (tomatoes). Their marketing tactics and level of technology were assessed through questionnaires. Wholesale buyers and sellers (the market queens) form part of the tomato industry because they purchase from the farmers (production unit) and sell to retailers who are in contact with individual consumers. Data from them made the study complete. The Northern Star Tomato Company Limited (NSTC) has a stake in the industry because it also buys tomatoes from the farmers to process them into paste. Information from them also made the findings of the study complete and unbiased. Though very difficult to estimate as the 2010 population and housing census were inaccessible at the time of this research, according to the 2000 census, the region had a population of 920, 089 making it the ninth most populous region in Ghana (Ghana Statistical Service 2000). The major occupations in the region were; agriculture and related workers (66.4%), production and transport equipment workers (14.7%), sales workers, (9.6%), service workers (4.0%) and professional, technical and related workers (3.8%). In all the districts, agriculture and related workers are the single largest occupation. Approximately 611,000 people were farmers. It was difficult to determine the number of tomato farmers from this population. The researchers sampled 260 tomato farmers, 60 tomato traders and 10 workers at the Northern Star Tomato Company Limited (NSTC). Convenience sampling was appropriate for the tomato farmers, wholesale buyers and sellers (the market queens) and the retailers while both convenience and purposive sampling was adopted for the top management of Northern Star Tomato Company Limited (NSTC). Purposive sampling provided us with in-dept information sought after. Thus the top management of the Northern Star Tomato Company Limited (NSTC) was targeted with purposive sampling while the workers sampled conveniently. Research Instruments Apart from questionnaires that gathered data from the tomato farmers, wholesale buyers and seller (the market queens) and retailers, semi-structured in-depth interview was suitable for the workers of Northern Star Tomato Company Limited (NSTC). Literature review also deeply explored into the marketing strategies of the tomato industry in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Both open and closed ended questions form the questionnaires. There were two different sets of questionnaires for the farmers, the wholesale buyers and sellers. The first part of the questions generally boarded on demographics of tomato farmers and traders. The last two sections sought to measure the marketing skills and level of technology of the farmers. These were interviewer administered because many of the respondents were illiterates. Questions were even interpreted in to the language understood by the respondents. On the other hand, those who were able to read and answer the questions were self-administered. Likert scale was adapted to measure opinions on Marketing strategies and level of technology of tomato farmers. Thus opinions were measured with 5-point scales ranging from 1 (total disagreement) to 5 (total agreement). For the management of the Northern Star Tomato Company Limited (NSTC), an in-depth interview was appropriate as this enabled the researchers to probe deep for rich data. With an interview guide and the 5-point scales ranging from 1 (total disagreement) to 5 (total agreement), data collected with this tool was effective and successful. The target population was served with introductory letters from the Department marketing and Corporate Strategy Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). This and the professional approach by the researchers, assured respondents of their confidentiality. Averagely, detail data was willingly given for the success of the study. Marketing strategies- market research, segmentation, targeting, positioning, relationship marketing IMC tools: advertising, promotion, public relations, internet marketing etc. Technology- modern farming implements and practices (fertilizers, weed killers irrigation facilities etc), haulage, processing and storage. Explanation of Measurement Item Marketing strategies: MS1: Conducting marketing research periodically increases profitability. MS2: Segmentation, targeting and positioning are successful marketing strategies. MS3: Relationship marketing everlasting business relationship with customers. MS4: International marketing strategies increase market share. The four Ps in marketing: 4Ps 1: Enhanced product quality has preferential advantage. 4Ps 2: Pricing policies determine the purch

Colonialism Heart Of Darkness And Chinua Achebes English Literature Essay

Colonialism Heart Of Darkness And Chinua Achebes English Literature Essay Joseph Conrads novella, Heart of Darkness is considered to be a great work of art not only because it painfully portrays how brutally and unjustly the natives are treated in the African wilderness, but also because its treatment of colonialism is considered a cornerstone in the history of western fiction. Colonialism refers to the enterprise by which a nation extends its authority over other territories; it is characterized by an unequal relationship between the colonists and the natives of a country. Colonists usually think that they are doing the country good by bringing civilization and enlightenment; however the result is atrocity and death. This is clearly portrayed in Heart of Darkness. One of the characters who exercises colonialism is Kurtz whose main purpose is extracting ivory from the land in whatever way he can. He is treated as a supernatural authority by the Africans who always seem to obey and listen to him carefully. Marlow indicates the Africans obedience to Kurtz when he tells us, He was not afraid of the natives; they would not stir till Mr. Kurtz gave the word. His ascendancy was extraordinary. The camps of these people surrounded the place, and the chiefs came every day to see him. They would crawl. (p. 131) Kurtz believes that everything in the wilderness belongs to him, as Marlow hears him say, My Intended, my ivory, my station, my river, myà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (p. 116) Moreover, he thinks that there is nothing wrong with what hes doing; on the contrary, Kurtz believes that hes doing the right thing. His civilization mission and his philosophy regarding the natives are expressed in his report of which Marlow tells: But it was a beautiful piece of writing. The opening paragraph, however, in the light of later information, strikes me now as ominous. He began with the argument that we whites, from the point of development we had arrived at, must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beingswe approach them with the might as of a deity, and so on, and so on. By the simple exercise of our will we can exert a power for good practically unbounded, etc., etc. (p. 118) Although Marlow is not a native, he finds himself obliged to be treated like one. In other words, he finds himself reacting in the very same way as the natives themselves to Kurtzs authority. I did not betray Mr. Kurtz it was ordered I should never betray him it was written I should be loyal to the nightmare of my choice. (p. 141) It is interesting that Marlow refers to Kurtz as the nightmare; it seems as if he is hypnotized by him and has no choice but to do as he is told. Moreover, the phrase, it was ordered adds to the ambiguity of what Marlow is trying to say. He could have said, I was ordered but he does not. It is worth mentioning here that Heart of Darkness is a novel that is partially biographical. Conrad was obliged to seek employment with a Belgian company in Africa due to difficult labor conditions in 1889. Although he stayed for a short while in Africa, it was an experience that shattered his health and changed his world-view, while the moral degradation he witnessed in the Congos economic exploitation disgusted him. A decade after this, he wrote Heart of Darkness, which is about his experience in Africa. What is really ironic is that in the book Joseph Conrad in Context, it is mentioned more than once that Conrad never got over his experience in Africa, as if other people in his place would not feel the same thing! So basically, Marlow seems to echo Conrads own opinions in his novel. Colonists are driven to exploit ivory at an insatiable rate without even bothering to think about the devastating effects on the natives. This is very clearly shown in the following quote: Marlow refers to the ivory merchants as a devoted band calling themselves the Eldorado Exploring Expedition. He says they were sworn to secrecy. They spoke the language of sordid buccaneers: it was reckless without hardihood, greedy without audacity, and cruel without courage; there was not an atom of foresight or of serious intention in the whole batch of them, and they did not seem aware these things are wanted for the work of the world. To tear treasure out of the bowels of the land was their desire, with no more moral purpose at the back of it than there is in burglars breaking into a safe. (p. 87) In brief, what these colonizers were doing was purposeless, which in turn means that the consequences which were brought about as a result of their actions were also useless. Furthermore, the colonists had a quasi divine authority to do as they pleased in the colonies; this is portrayed by the conversation between the uncle and the nephew, which was overheard by Marlow, Certainly, grunted the other; get him hanged! Why not? Anythinganything can be done in this country. Thats what I say; nobody here, you understand, here, can endanger your position. And why? You stand the climateyou outlast them all.' (p. 91) Here, they are talking about hanging Kurtzs assistant and probably Kurtz himself, so that they can get Kurtzs possessions, including his ivory. Colonialism is also explored in other parts of the novella, where the reader can see just how mercilessly and brutally the natives are treated by the colonizers. When Marlow is on a steamer with a Swedish captain, he describes how the natives, whom he sees on his way to the station, are being exploited and treated as mere beasts. All the natives are represented as being naked and horribly thin; they are never referred to as humans. They are forced to work under hard conditions, are given no clothes, and are left to starve: A continuous noise of the rapids above hovered over this scene of inhabited devastation. A lot of people, mostly black and naked, moved about like ants. A jetty projected into the river. A blinding sunlight drowned all this at times in a sudden recrudescence of glare. (p. 63) When Marlow finally arrives at the station, he sees yet another traumatizing scene, A slight clinking behind me made me turn my head. Six black men advanced in a file, toiling up the path. They walked erect and slow, balancing small baskets full of earth on their heads, and the clink kept time with their footsteps. Black rags were wound round their loins, and the short ends behind waggled to and fro like tails. I could see every rib, the joints of their limbs were like knots in a rope; each had an iron collar on his neck, and all were connected together with a chain whose bights swung between them, rhythmically clinkingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ but these men could by no stretch of imagination be called enemies. They were called criminals, and the outraged law, like the bursting shells, had come to them, an insoluble mystery from the sea. All their meagre breasts panted together, the violently dilated nostrils quivered, the eyes stared stonily uphill. They passed me within six inches, without a glance, with that complete, deathlike indifference of unhappy savages. Behind this raw matter one of the reclaimed, the product of the new forces at work, strolled despondently, carrying a rifle by its middle. He had a uniform jacket with one button off. (p. 64) When reading this passage, one cannot help but wonder, how could these poor natives possibly be criminals? They do every single thing they are told to do, without the least bit of complaining and yet, they are called criminals. The words tails, collar, breasts panted, and dilated nostrils immediately bring to the mind the image of dogs. And of course, we should not forget the colonizer, who is right behind them with a rifle, making sure that these men walk in a file, without glancing at Marlow, and only staring stonily uphill. So not only are they compared to animals, but they are also expected to work like machines! This is the main reason why Achebe does not accept Heart of Darkness, it is because he does not like the way African people are portrayed in it. Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian poet and novelist, was attracted to Conrads Heart of Darkness as a child. However, in the 1970s, he changed his mind about it and until today, he continues to dismiss the novel. In his essay on Conrads novel, Achebe attempts to explain why. He says that what Conrad is terribly worried about is the idea of kinship between him and the blacks, which is why he dehumanizes them. Contrasting with this is Edward Saids opinion that Conrad is exaggerating the imperialistic and the dehumanizing discrepancies so that we, as readers, are outraged at its injustice and therefore work out solutions for ourselves. In other words, Heart of Darkness is, according to Said, a self-referential novel. But still, Achebe has a strong point in saying that Conrad has dehumanized the Africans because Conrad seems to be obsessed with the words black and darkness since he associates them with the Africans and uses these words numerous times throughout his novel. Convincingly Achebe believes that the most revealing passages in the novel are about people. He says that the following quote contains the meaning of Heart of Darkness, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ but what thrilled you was just the thought of your remote kinship with this wild and passionate uproar. Ugly. Yes, it was ugly enough à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ If only the thought was thrilling, then what would knowing do to us?! It is this remote kinship that seems to terrorize Conrad and is implied throughout the novel several times. However, his passages about the natives or savages, as Conrad refers to them, seem a mere description of what they are and what they are going to do. His personal sentiments are never revealed. But the vocabulary he chooses and the way he describes the Africans force the reader to sympathize with them. However, there are parts in the novel where we can infer that Conrad, although not showing sympathy towards the savages, cannot bear looking at them. For example, when he sees the six men tied to each other with chains around their necks, he says, My idea was to let that chain-gang get out of sight before I climbed the hill. And in another incident, he says, The hurt nigger moaned feebly somewhere nearby, and then fetched a deep sigh that made me mend my pace away from there. Clearly, he was not strong enough to neither hear nor see these savages being treated mercilessly. When Marlow arrives at the Central Station, he witnesses more of these atrocities towards the niggers. The manager of the station is apparently an uncivilized person who is there only because he hasnt been ill, as Marlow tells us, He had no genius for organizing, for initiative, or for order even. That was evident in such things as the deplorable state of the station. He had no learning, and no intelligence. His position had come to himwhy? Perhaps because he was never ill . . . He had served three terms of three years out thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦He was neither civil nor uncivil. He was quiet. He allowed his boyan overfed young negro from the coastto treat the white men, under his very eyes, with provoking insolence. (p. 74) One of Conrads greatest fears that is implied in the novel is the possibility of the whites having distant kinship with the blacks, and this is mentioned by Achebe. This explains why Marlow wasnt able to forget his African helmsmans look on his face just before he died, And the intimate profundity of that look he gave me when he received his hurt remains to this day in my memory like a claim of distant kinship affirmed in a supreme moment. Conrads careful word choice of distant kinship rather than brother, for example, is cautiously observed by Achebe. He understands that Conrad is trying, as much as possible, to create layers between himself and the natives. Also, the words remains to this day in my memory, are understood by Achebe as a negative connotation, as if this memory continues to torture him to this very day. Achebe concludes from this that Conrad is a racist. Moreover, Achebe states that Conrad has dehumanized Africans. But I do not agree with him on this point. My evidence to this can be seen in this quote, when Marlow who can be considered Conrads mouthpiece at this instance says, The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. We can infer from this quote that Conrad was actually against the idea of Africans being treated the way they were. Also, according to Edward Said, Conrad, being a creature of his time, could not grant the natives their freedom, despite his severe critique of the imperialism that enslaved them. In other words, Conrad was against this imperialism and he criticized it as well, but the era that he lived in made it impossible for him to do anything about it. In my opinion, it might be that Conrad never meant to dehumanize the Africans; it might be that the experie nce he was going through during his stay in Africa was so overwhelming to him that he could not or was not able to reveal his sympathy. Maybe he did not want to reveal anything at all in order to emphasize it being a part of its darkness. After all, it is Conrad himself who chose to write his novel in an ambiguous and subtle way which leaves the reader with puzzled thoughts about what exactly Conrad is trying to say. Almost everything in Heart of Darkness seems; everything is not is. In conclusion, as we can see, examples of colonial acts are displayed throughout Heart of Darkness. Colonists take over the wilderness and practice exploitation only to acquire ivory. But at the same, the colonists actions are purposeless, such as when they order the natives to aimlessly blast the railway when there is actually nothing to blast. This brings about the failure of their exploitation and civilizing mission. Works cited: Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. London: J.M. Dent and Sons Ltd, 1967 Achebe, Chinua. An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrads Heart of Darkness' Massachusetts Review. 18. 1977. Rpt. in Heart of Darkness, An Authoritative Text, background and Sources Criticism. 1961. 3rd ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough, London: W. W Norton and Co., 1988, pp.251-261 http://kirbyk.net/hod/image.of.africa.html Said, Edward. Two Visions in Heart of Darkness Culture and Imperialism, (1993) pp. 22-31 http://www.ecfs.org/Projects/EastWest/Readings/SaidConrad.pdf Feminism in To the Lighthouse Mrs. Ramsay vs. Lily Briscoe During Virginia Woolfs time, women were deprived of numerous rights which men had access to, including education. Women were only expected to get married, give birth to children, raise them, and take care of the household. However, towards the end of the 19th century, a series of feminist movements began, whose concern was to give equality to women in terms of education, employment, and marriage laws. These movements are known as the three waves of feminism. The First Wave occurred in the late 19th century and ended in the early 20th century, during Woolfs time; its primary gains were to acquire the right to vote and the right to practice birth control. Virginia Woolf, among other female writers, had to fight for her rights as a woman. In the novel, To the Lighthouse, Woolf presents two female characters, Mrs. Ramsay and Lily Briscoe, as complete opposites. Mrs. Ramsay is depicted as a subservient Victorian woman, whose main mission is not only to take care of her family, but also of others around her. This was very typical of Victorian women, who basically spent their time at home, making sure that everything was tidy and fine. However, Lily Briscoe on the other hand, is the total opposite of Mrs. Ramsay. The fact that she achieves her vision and completes her picture at the end of the novel is because she has asserted her rights as an independent individual and has rejected Victorian morality. Throughout the novel, it is clearly understood that Mrs. Ramsay is an uneducated woman. Her lack of education is presented in several quotes: What did it all mean? To this day she had no notion. A square root? What was that? Her sons knew. (p. 123) Woolfs deliberate use of sons instead of sons and daughters or children is to show that Mrs. Ramsays daughters, just like Mrs. Ramsay herself, are uneducated. Her husband spoke. He was repeating something, and she knew it was poetry from the rhythm and the ring of exaltation and melancholy in his voice. (p. 129) This again shows her lack of education, for she recognizes that her husband is speaking poetry because of the rhythm and tone, not because she knows the poet Charles Elton. Even while reading a book, she has no notion of what she is reading, for she feels that she is climbing backwards, upwards, shoving her way up under petals that curved over her, so that she only knew that this is white, or this is red. She did not know at first what the words meant at all. (p. 139) Also, when Charles Tansley talks to her about his dissertation, she is not able to quite catch the meaning, only the words, here and thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ dissertationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ fellowshipà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ readershipà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ lectureship. She could not follow the ugly academic jargon. (p. 13) Although this may seem exaggerated, it was very true of the condition of women during that time. Women being uneducated was a privilege to men for this gave them superiority and complete control over women. While looking at his wife reading, Mr. Ramsay wondered what she was reading and exaggerated her ignorance, her simplicity, for he liked to think that she was not clever, not book-learned at all. He wondered if she understood what she was reading. Probably not, he thought. She was astonishingly beautiful. (p. 141) Not only does he seem to enjoy that his wife is uneducated, but he also mocks at her for not being able to understand what she is readi ng. The only thing that he praises about her is her beauty. In his critical essay, John Hardy presents the metaphor of Mrs. Ramsay as a queen. He claims that she is constantly queen like during dinner; while sitting at the head of the table, she carefully observes, one by one, each and every person sitting round the table. Hardy furthermore says that Mrs. Ramsay is enabled to triumph over her husband, because during dinner and even afterwards when dinner is over, she is able to read his mind. These two qualities, again, elevate the female, i.e. Mrs. Ramsay, over the male, i.e. Mr. Ramsay. However, although being uneducated, Mrs. Ramsay seems to have supernatural powers, such as having premonitions and casting spells. They must come now, Mrs. Ramsay thought, looking at the door, and at that instant, Minta Doyle, Paul Rayley, and a maid carrying a great dish in her hands came in together. (p. 114) Always she got her own way in the end, Lily thoughtà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ She put a spell on them all, by wishing, so simply, so directly. (p. 118) These are powers that none of the male characters in the novel have; in fact they do not even seem to understand such things. Woolf, by giving Mrs. Ramsay such powers, has elevated the female figure to a higher status. Will you not tell me just for once that you love me? But she could not do it; she could not say ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ For she had triumphed again. (p. 144) Mrs. Ramsay, by not saying the thing that her husband very desperately wants her to say, has triumphed over him. According to John Hardy, in this scene, what may seem to us as Mrs. Ramsays surrendering to her husband is in fact the inverse. By admitting that he was right and that they would not be able to go to the lighthouse, she has surrendered to her husband. But because, while doing so, she has lost her self, i.e. her personality as a Victorian woman, the surrender becomes a triumph. In other words, her being able to say that she was wrong places her, Hardy says, on another and higher plane which is undoubtedly right. Hardy, furthermore, views Lilys final painting of Mrs. Ramsay as an admiration of her, in triumph over her husband. Even more important than her powers and intuitions is the fact that she not only takes care of her family, but also of others around her, as we learn that she knits a stocking for the lighthouse keepers ill boy. (p. 5) It is Mrs. Ramsay who prepares dinner for her entire family as well as the guests and tries her best, during dinner, to make sure everything goes fine. This again is another characteristic of a typical Victorian woman. After all, it was not knowledge but unity that she desired. (p. 59) Interestingly, Hardy argues it is Mrs. Ramsay who holds everything together and hence is the central figure of the novel. After all, it is only after Mrs. Ramsays death that the characters feel an unbearable silence with undertones of panic. Since Mrs. Ramsay is gone, her power has also gone. Moreover, we are left with the thought that if it wasnt for her, there never would have been a trip to the lighthouse. And Lily too, is able to complete her painting only after Mrs. Ramsays death. Berenice A. Carroll, however, in her essay, To Crush him in our own Country, has opposed this view. According to her, it is Lily who is the heroine of the novel. But the fact that she is persistently associated with being little and insignificant and also that she paints as she sees, not as the dominant artist of the time makes her anti-heroine. By creating the character of Lily Briscoe, Woolf presents the absolute opposite of Mrs. Ramsay. Although faced by many obstacles, namely Charles Tansley, who tells her women cant paint, women cant write (p. 56) and whose voice seems to haunt her for the rest of her life, Lily Briscoe overcomes them and succeeds in asserting her rights and achieving her vision. It is this exact thing that has shocked many readers in the Modernist Era a woman breaking away from Victorian beliefs and customs. Every time Lily hears Charles words women cant paint, women cant write (pp. 100, 106, 183, 184, 228) in her head, she is greatly disturbed and struggles, yet does not give up. Aside from saying that women can neither paint nor write, Charles also believes that It was the womens fault. Women mad civilization impossible with all their charm, all their silliness. (p. 99) Women, according to him, are charming and silly, nothing more. Yet, what is ironic is that while everybody is having dinner together, it is Lily who comes to Charles rescue after he goes through great pains in order to state his opinions. Lily Briscoe knew all that. Sitting opposite him could she not see, as in an X-ray photograph, the ribs and thigh bones of the young mans desire to impress himself lying dark in the mist of his flesh that thin mist which convention had laid over his burning desire to break into the conversation? But she thought, screwing up her Chinese eyes, and remembering how he sneered at women, cant paint, cant write, why should I help him to relieve himself? (pp. 105-106) Lily can very clearly see that Charles is suffering for not being able to join the conversation, yet she does not help and enjoys watching, rather she sits there smiling. Of course for the hundred and fiftieth time Lily Briscoe had to renounce the experiment what happens if one is not nice to that young man there and be nice. (p. 107) It is only after Mrs. Ramsays request that Lily finally helps Charles and he is relieved. Again, it is women who seem more powerful than men and come to the rescue. Mrs. Ramsay also functions as a match maker in the novel. In fact, this is the only thing she seems to be thinking of most of the time. She was driven on, too quickly she knew, almost as if it were an escape for her too, to say that people must marry; people must have children. (p. 70) Mrs. Ramsays belief that people must get married actually seems to come out of her spontaneously. The word driven shows that she cannot help but think this way. Of Paul and Minta, Mrs. Ramsay keeps insisting that they must marry. (p. 57) In fact, Paul is driven to propose to Minta because of Mrs. Ramsays ceaseless insistence. (p. 136) This shows that Mrs. Ramsay is only concerned with making the match, but completely indifferent of its outcomes, as what happens to Paul and Minta. This is exactly why Hardy argues that Mrs. Ramsay is a colossal egotist the fact that she matches up couples and arranges walks for them by the beach but at the same time is irresponsible of their outcomes does in truth show her as egotistical. Ah, but was not that Lily Briscoe strolling along with William Bankes? Yes, indeed it was. Did that not mean that they would marry? Yes, it must! What an admirable idea! They must marry! (p. 83) Another clear instance where we see Mrs. Ramsay being obsessed with matching up people for them to get married. However, Lily is the only woman in the novel to assert her independence as an individual. By doing this, she becomes Mrs. Ramsays foil. Lily, in fact looks at marriage, as degradation and dilution. She need not marry, thank Heaven: she need not undergo that degradation. She was saved from that dilution. (p. 119) In his essay, Hardy points out that Lily goes as far as to describe Mrs. Ramsays matchmaking mission as mania of hers for marriage. After ten years, when Lily does in fact not get married, she feels she has triumphed over Mrs. Ramsay. (p. 202) I must move the tree to the middle; that matters nothing else. (p. 100) For Lily, her art is more important to her than anything els e, including marriage. Even while having dinner, while everybody is engaged in conversation, all Lily can think about is how to improve her painting. During Woolfs time, it was very difficult for women to get educated and even if they were educated secretly, it was difficult for them to publish their writing. Therefore, they had to hide their work and Woolf shows this in her novel through the character of Lily. She kept a feeler of her surroundings lest someone should creep up, and suddenly she should find her picture looked at. (p. 20) and so to clasp some miserable remnant of her vision to her breast, which a thousand forces did their best to pluck from her. (p. 22) These two parts are where Virginia Woolf has very skillfully portrayed the difficulty women had to go through in order to do what men could without facing any hardships. Mrs. Ramsays daughters, in a sense, resemble Lily, though not completely, in that they too dream of a life, where they do not always have to take care of some man or other. (p. 7) However, this is not what Mrs. Ramsay believes. During dinner, she looks at Prue, her eldest daughter who is watching Minta, and says to herself, You will be as happy as she is one of these days. You will be much happier, she added, because you are my daughter, (p. 128) referring that she will get married. Mrs. Ramsay believes that women, only through marriage, will find true happiness. According to her, an unmarried woman has missed the best of life. (p. 58) Ironically, those who do get married in the novel end up in a tragic life. After Paul and Mintas marriage, not even a year passes and Paul leaves Minta for another woman. As for Prue Ramsay, she dies in childbirth. Even Mrs. Ramsay dies. It is as if these women are taught a lesson for following Victorian conventions. Lily, on the other hand, does not get married and is rewarded by being able to complete her painting that she had started ten years ago. Hardy points out that Woolf has deliberately chosen to end her novel with Lily and her painting, nothing else. We never get to know about the work of Augustus Carmichael, the only other artist in the novel. This again, is done intentionally by Woolf, her purpose was to reinforce Lilys, and in turn the females work over that of the male.

Merchant of Venice - Portia was No Feminist :: Merchant Venice Essays

Merchant of Venice: Portia was No Feminist The question has been proposed whether Portia was her own woman, and if after she married Bassanio would she still be the protector of her fortune. I researched for evidence to the theory that Portia was not her own, her fortune was not her own, and she was bound financially to her husband after marriage. There is nothing out of the ordinary about this particular arrangement, and I don't feel that the relationship should continue to be hailed as a progressive, feminist relationship. The best evidence I could find were the words which were spoken out of Portia's own mouth, One half of me is yours, the other half yours-- Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, And so all yours. III.ii.16-18. There you have it. Portia is Bassanio's. This may be idle lover's talk; however, it does signify the beginning of a possessive relationship in which Bassanio is the possessor! Directly after Portia is "won" by Bassanio's correct choice in caskets she states, Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit Commits itself to yours to be directed, As from her lord, her governor, her king. Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours Is now converted. . . . I was the lord of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now This house, these servants, and this same myself Are yours. . . . III.ii.163-171 I struggle to see how the relationship between Portia and Bassanio is worthy of feminist hurrahs. I believe Portia is a woman worthy of feminist scholarship, but not the relationship to her husband.