Bartleby the Scrivener A Strange Relationship :: essays papers

Bartleby the Scrivener A Strange Relationship The Webster's New World Dictionary defines "folie a deux" as "A condition in which symptoms of a mental disorder, such as delusive beliefs or ideas, occur simultaneously in two individuals who share a close relationship or association." (231) In Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener" this concept of coinciding peculiarity, or obsession is demonstrated quite vividly throughout three different stages. The first, Bartleby's unwavering preoccupation with his employment, followed by his decision to do no work whatsoever, and finally Bartleby's determination to accomplish nothing at all, not even partaking of the basic functions required to sustain life. During each of these phases, Bartleby's actions are met with limited efforts on the part of the narrating lawyer, who endeavors to 'help' his odd employee. It is this interaction which poses the question of how much responsibility a human should have for his or her fellow man. Bartleby's focus passes through three main stages before his death, the first of which is his obsession with performing a single action to the exclusion of everything else. Initially, Bartleby works day and night, "as if famished for something to copy." (Melville paragraph 18) His goal, it seems, is to single-mindedly to accomplish as much copying as is humanly possible. The first few attempts on the part of the narrator to tell Bartleby to do something else, no matter how moderate the task, are met with the simple refusal, "I'd prefer not to." (Melville paragraph 21) The narrator reasonably chooses not to punish this insubordination because of both the quality, and the quantity of Bartleby's regular work. After a series of requests from the narrator that all end in noncompliance, Bartleby shifts his focus from the intensive copying of documents to simply doing nothing at all. This, of course, is a kind of obsession that is not acceptable in the modern work force, and can not feasibly be tolerated by the narrator. As the agent of punishment, the narrator is at this point stuck with making the decision to either sympathize with Bartleby, or lose his professional reputation. In a final attempt to clear his conscience, the lawyer proffers both alternate employment options, and temporary housing arrangements. Once again, all efforts on the part of the narrator to offer genuine help are rebuffed, and the narrator at last "proposes to remove his offices next week. Bartleby the Scrivener A Strange Relationship :: essays papers Bartleby the Scrivener A Strange Relationship The Webster's New World Dictionary defines "folie a deux" as "A condition in which symptoms of a mental disorder, such as delusive beliefs or ideas, occur simultaneously in two individuals who share a close relationship or association." (231) In Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener" this concept of coinciding peculiarity, or obsession is demonstrated quite vividly throughout three different stages. The first, Bartleby's unwavering preoccupation with his employment, followed by his decision to do no work whatsoever, and finally Bartleby's determination to accomplish nothing at all, not even partaking of the basic functions required to sustain life. During each of these phases, Bartleby's actions are met with limited efforts on the part of the narrating lawyer, who endeavors to 'help' his odd employee. It is this interaction which poses the question of how much responsibility a human should have for his or her fellow man. Bartleby's focus passes through three main stages before his death, the first of which is his obsession with performing a single action to the exclusion of everything else. Initially, Bartleby works day and night, "as if famished for something to copy." (Melville paragraph 18) His goal, it seems, is to single-mindedly to accomplish as much copying as is humanly possible. The first few attempts on the part of the narrator to tell Bartleby to do something else, no matter how moderate the task, are met with the simple refusal, "I'd prefer not to." (Melville paragraph 21) The narrator reasonably chooses not to punish this insubordination because of both the quality, and the quantity of Bartleby's regular work. After a series of requests from the narrator that all end in noncompliance, Bartleby shifts his focus from the intensive copying of documents to simply doing nothing at all. This, of course, is a kind of obsession that is not acceptable in the modern work force, and can not feasibly be tolerated by the narrator. As the agent of punishment, the narrator is at this point stuck with making the decision to either sympathize with Bartleby, or lose his professional reputation. In a final attempt to clear his conscience, the lawyer proffers both alternate employment options, and temporary housing arrangements. Once again, all efforts on the part of the narrator to offer genuine help are rebuffed, and the narrator at last "proposes to remove his offices next week.

Free College Essays - Rip Van Winkle as Fairy Tale :: Rip Van Winkle Essays

Rip Van Winkle - A Fairy Tale In the short story "Rip Van Winkle" , Washington Irving tells a story of a man who sleeps through the revolution. This story demonstrates two ways of looking at Revlutionary history, one of myth and one of fact. The mythical representation wins out, through popularity, over the factual representation. In the story, Rip Van Winkle wanders off to the mountains and runs across some small men who are rolling bowling balls and drinking. Rip witnesses all this and joins them in their drinking until he passes out. When he wakes up, everything has changed the people, the town, and himself. After he tells his story, he becomes very popular among the townspeople, whereas before he was seen as lazy. The two characters that mainly represent the opposing sides are Rip and the man with the cocked hat. The man in the cocked hat represents the factual representation. Upon Rip's entrance into the town, the man asks him very direct question and expects very direct answers. If someone were to ask the man where he had been for the past twenty years he probably would would have told the story of the revolution and specific battles. He is not interested in tales, only the facts. From his description, "the man with the cocked hat," cocked can also mean leadership. The man was a leader, or at least an authority at the time Rip returned. Rip on the other hand, tells a tale that is reminiscent of a fairy tale. He talks of little men and drinking. He uses symbols to represent the story of the revolution. The community perfers the fairy tale version over fact. This is evident through Rip's gain in popularity and the commn knowledge of his story. Irving writes, "and not a man, woman, or child in the neighbourhood, but knew it by heart" while "the self-important man in the cocked hat...screwed down the corners of his mouth, and shook his head - upon which there was a general shaking of the head throughout the assemblage." This demonstrates that the community wants the revolution to look a certain way; they want it to be fun and symbolic, so Rip's version fits better. The townspeople in the story may prefer a fairy tale but this can be problematic. The symbols in Rip's story become so far removed from the actual occurances that it is hard to tell what some of the symbols represent.

The Status of Single Mothers Essay -- Sociology

There is a stigma associated with women that are supported by government aid, especially single mothers. The women on welfare are often treated poorly because people think they are ‘working the system’. Tax payers feel as if the single mothers on welfare perpetuated their own poverty by having children that they cannot support, just for a bigger welfare check. They often assume that these women do not work and just live off government handouts. I know of mothers that fit this stereotype; adults still living in their parents houses, rent free, with several children from multiple fathers. The women I know do not work and they are hardly good parents. They fit the description of the stereotypically single mother on welfare; they are lazy and selfish and trying to get more aid than they actually qualify for. There are experts who have extensively studied the relationship between women and welfare. These experts have educational backgrounds in political science, economics, sociology, women and gender studies and law and policy. The authors that most effectively deal with the problem of societies condemnation of women on welfare have studied in the fields of women’s studies and sociology; Joanne Goodwin, Diane Purvin and Kathleen Mullan Harris, Charles Reich, respectively. Joanne Goodwin’s research and teaching interests are in 20th century U.S. history with a specialization in women and gender history. Her major publications include: Gender and the Politics of Welfare Reform the Encyclopedia of Women in American History, 3 vols. which she co-edited. Goodwin earned her Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of Michigan (Goodwin). Kathleen Mullan Harris is an Associate Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of N... ...c.edu. Aug. 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. . Harris, Kathleen Mullan. "Work and Welfare Among Single Mothers in Poverty." American Journal of Sociology 99.2 (1993): 317-52. JSTOR. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. . Purvin, Diane M. "At the Crossroads and in the Crosshairs: Social Welfare Policy and Low-Income Women's Vulnerability to Domestic Violence." Social Problems 54.2 (2007): 188-210. JSTOR. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. . Purvin, Diane M. "Diane M. Purvin." LinkedIn. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. . Reich, Charles A. "Individual Rights and Social Welfare: The Emerging Legal Issues." The Yale Law Journal 74.7 (1965): 1245-257. JSTOR. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. .

Psoriasis

Yes, psoriasis can be treated This six-part KULIT article series by the Persatuan Dermatologi Malaysia aims to raise awareness of psoriasis. In this final article, PDM President Dr Allan K C Yee highlights an important message for people with psoriasis – there is no cure yet for psoriasis, but its symptoms can be effectively treated and managed. Be open-minded and willing to work with your doctor to find a treatment that will work for you. The object of treatment is to reduce the extent and severity of psoriasis – the red scaly stigmata, the tell-tale scaling on one’s clothes, the rough cracked palms that make handshakes awkward, painful joints that limit one’s activities. In short, the goal is to improve the quality of life which has been shown in studies to be as affected as much as other major diseases such as cancer, heart disease and depression. The good news is that with today’s medical armamentarium, much can be done to allow the sufferer a greatly improved quality of life. Treatments must be individualized Fortunately, only 20% of psoriatics suffer from severe psoriasis, and the site involved is so variable that the treatments must be individualized. Limited disease can be treated with topical agents but more extensive skin involvement will require oral systemic treatments, phototherapy with artificial UV light, or even injectable agents (biologics). Furthermore psoriasis can affect any part of the body, each meriting special measures. Site-specific treatments For instance, thick scalp psoriasis is often mistakenly treated with endless anti-dandruff shampoos with little results. Scalp psoriasis invariably responds dramatically to tar pomades under occlusion for one to two weeks, a tip that an experienced dermatologist would gladly share with sufferers. Similarly, thick and cracked scaly palms and soles that prevent working with the hands or sometimes even walking, can be significantly improved with special steroid-salicylic acid ointments used under occlusion. These soften and shed the thickened dead skin making the skin pliable and usable once more. Psoriasis affecting the face, body creases – groins, armpits and private areas can be improved with the udicious use of weaker topical steroids and the newer and safer nonsteroidal calcineurin-inhibitors. The problem is that these thinned skinned areas are often treated with strong steroid creams that are not meant to be used in these sensitive areas. The end-result is irreversible side-effects such as ugly pink stretch marks, easy bruising and skin infections. We see a lot of these unfortunate cases who are sold these strong steroids from errant pharmacies without a prescription, or are introduced to them by well-meaning friends and relatives. The Dermatological Society of Malaysia is working with the Ministry of Health to ensure that potent steroids are only available with a prescription. The treatment should not be worse than the disease! Hopefully with warnings such as in this article, the lay public will be better informed about the dangers of self-medicating with potent topical steroids. Topical Treatments Generally, when the extent of psoriasis is limited to less than 5 – 10% of the body surface area (BSA), it is best to use topical treatments in the form of creams, ointments, lotions. As a guide, 1% of the BSA is the area covered by one’s palm. The red, thickened skin in psoriasis is due to the increased multiplication of the skin, allowing the collection of the dead skin layer to be manifested as thick scales. Most effective treatments whether topical or systemic work by reducing the cell multiplication, and by removing the dead skin layers. Time tested agents are coal tar, and anthranols which are messy and brown-staining thus adding further to the stigmatization sufferers feel. More cosmetically acceptable topical agents are steroid creams, vitamin D analogues and calcineurin inhibitors. The latter two are more expensive than the ubiquitous steroid creams but with a superior safety profile. Most psoriatic lesions also tend to be dry and glycerin, urea-based or other humectant moisturizers help relieve soreness and improve recovery especially when used in conjunction with keratolytics – agents that soften and shed the abnormal dead skin layers. Systemic treatments When more than 10% of BSA is involved it becomes impractical to rely on topical measures alone. It may take more than half an hour just to apply creams on large areas of affected skin. Hence, oral or injectable medications are required. Many of these drugs are able to reduce the skin’s cell multiplication or maturation rate eg methotrexate, hydroxyurea, retinoids. However many others suppress the disease process at a more fundamental level by suppressing the activity of abnormal white cells (T-cells) or by neutralizing the T-cells inflammatory chemicals (eg TNF a) eg cyclosporine and the newer biologic agents licensed for use in Malaysia. With the proper use of these systemic agents singly or in combination, it is often possible to control even the most severe cases of psoriasis. However, these systemic agents should only be used by experienced physicians as many of them can have significant side effects. For example, persons with liver disease or gastric ulcers should not be treated with methotrexate; women of child-bearing age should not use retinoids as it can cause fetal abnormalities; persons with high blood pressure or kidney problems cannot use cyclosporine. If a person with severe psoriasis has liver disease, is a woman of childbearing age, or has kidney problems what options then are available for him/her? There are 3 options – oral salazopyrine which only works in 50% of Asians, the injectable biologic agents, or phototherapy (see below). Biologic agents are the new kids on the block. They have a much better safety profile than the above mentioned oral drugs and can be used in persons with liver, kidney disease and women but unfortunately their high cost means relatively few can afford them. Even in the west, where such expensive treatments are reimbursable, the psoriasis must be shown to be non-responsive to conventional oral drugs, or organ toxicities with these drugs are present. Some of them are very helpful in controlling psoriasis as well as the disabling arthritis that affects 10-30% of psoriatics. Phototherapy (PUVA, UVB, nUVB) This is an excellent form of treatment with artificial UV light which is relatively free from serious side effects apart from a small risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancers with prolonged use. This risk is probably not significant in the setting of Asian skin types especially with the newer types of phototherapy equipment such as narrow band UVB (nUVB), and the excimer laser or excimer light. Another advantage of phototherapy is that it is a clean form of treatment, nonmessy and can give a long remission period of up to one year. The main drawback is that it does require visits to the phototherapy centre 3 times a week for 2-3 months. The good news is that most states in Malaysia now have phototherapy units to treat not only psoriasis, but also vitiligo and severe atopic eczema. Alternative therapies In this day and age where the emphasis is on evidence-based medicine (EBM), alternative therapies must prove its worth with hard core scientific evidence from well-conducted clinical studies. Many people with psoriasis who have suffered from the condition for years are, not surprisingly, hopeful for answers, breakthroughs, and even a â€Å"cure† perhaps. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of charlatans offering â€Å"cures† for psoriasis, often in network marketing schemes. One has to acknowledge the fact that psoriasis has a genetic basis, and unless gene therapy becomes a reality, there cannot be a cure, even with accepted treatments such as climatotherapy in the Dead Sea. Diets for psoriasis are as yet unproven, although an FDA-approved healthy diet with at least 5-9 servings of fresh preferably organic produce may be of help in improving one’s general health. Stress reduction strategies may help insofar as stress precipitates and aggravates psoriasis. Prayer has been shown useful in several medical conditions, and a strong faith life can only help, if only to give one the equanimity to deal with the turbulence of modern life. The future of psoriasis treatments There is considerable optimism in the search for better and safer treatments for psoriasis in the near future. We now have a much better understanding of the genetics and underlying immune derangements in psoriasis. It is only a matter of time before the tremendous amount of ongoing research bears better fruit that is sweeter and without the bitter aftertaste of side-effects. Indeed here are promising smaller molecules in the offing that are cheaper to synthesize. Watch out for this space. Psoriasis affects 2-3 percent of Malaysians. This is the final article of a six-part series from PDM’s â€Å"KULIT – Living with Psoriasis† Campaign 2007. For more on psoriasis, treatment options and KULIT, visit www. dermatology. org. my or email [email  protected] com. This article is a guide to help you better understand psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Consult a suitably qualified medical practitioner before acting on any information contained above. KULIT is a community programme sponsored by Wyeth Malaysia.

How health, safety and hygiene legislation has impacted Essay

Introduction In this assignment, I shall be explaining how health, safety and hygiene legislation has impacted on selected two food retailers. I have selected Jimmy’s and Tesco. Jimmy’s  Jimmy’s World Grill & Bar is a chain of buffet restaurants in the United Kingdom. In 2012 it launched its flagship restaurant in The O2, London. The first Jimmy’s World Grill & Bar opened in 2003 and the chain now operates restaurants including Luton, Derby, Bath, Peterborough, Watford, and Wimbledon. Each restaurant offers cuisines from multiple international countries including Italy; China; India; Mexico; the US and the United Kingdom. The restaurants all offer â€Å"live cooking stations† where food is cooked to order in front of the customer. Tesco Tesco is the UK’s biggest food retailer offering a variety of services for food and non-food products to include insurance, entertainment, electrical goods and many more. It employs over 440,000 people around the world with over 280,000 in the UK. It has over 2,000 stores in the UK and a growing number of stores abroad in countries such as Thailand, China, Hungary and the United States. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is a regulation to make further provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of employees at work. This law applies to all workplace for controlling the keeping and use and preventing the unlawful achievement, possession and use of dangerous substances. Additionally, this act is for controlling certain emissions and also to help prevent employees from getting hurt. It has an impact on Tesco because they are responsible for creating a safe, healthy and productive workplace. Tesco provides training to their employees to assist staff in identifying, minimising and controlling hazards complying with all safety and health requirement applicable to their workplace. The employees of Tesco must wear protective cloth and safety equipment which are safe without risk to health. If anyone gets injured at Tesco, they can be eligible to be sued because it is Tesco responsibility to ensure that everyone is safe within the working environment. Jimmy’s provides a safe and healthy working environment and they meet their responsibilities. Jimmy’s manages risks to health and safety  to prevent accidents. Jimmy’s identifies, assesses and reduces risks to health and safety as it’s reasonable and practicable. Jimmy’s aims to prevent any accidents by training their employees to work safely. For example injuries by knifes/fire. The European Union The European Union ensures that control standards are established and adhered to as regards food hygiene, animal health and welfare, plant health and preventing the risk of pollution from external substances. Food hygiene is a way of preserving and preparing food which ensures that the food will be safe for people to eat. This regulation covers all stages of the productions, processing, distribution and placing on the market of food intended for human consumption. It affects Tesco because they are responsible to provide safe foods, implement procedures in order to prevent unsafe foods and withdraw and recall unsafe foods. For example, use of separate areas and equipment for handling and preparing raw and cooked foods and also use of appropriate cleaning chemicals. If the food is not well prepared, cooked or not washed or out of date then Tesco will be entitled to cheating/fraud as customers don’t get what they pay for. So Tesco has to make sure they provide good quality foods that meet customer’s needs and expectation. Jimmy’s measure key product and its quality attributes by focusing on ingredients and materials, as well as samples collected from the trade. They also try to become the ideal restaurant to meet company requirements and consumer expectations in the marketplace and they also ensure that they do the correct use of appropriate cleaning chemicals. Jimmy’s provides proper training to their employees to ensure hygiene in cooked and raw foods. Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulation 1981 Health and safety is a regulation and procedure intended to prevent accident or injury in workplace or public environment. For example, fire exit alarms are installed inside the building. Fire aid is the initial care given to a sick or injured person until full medical treatment can be accessed. It is mostly performed by a non-expert or sometime by an expert in case of an emergency. It has an impact on Tesco as they might need first aid anytime to their workers and every staff must report it to manager if any accident occurs and treatment is necessary. It is important for Tesco to record  details of any accident or injury in the book kept in the workplace and they also should report from any witness. Jimmy’s trains their employees for first aid certificate so that they can be available in their shifts to aid anyone who gets injured. Jimmy’s kitchen staffs are more likely to be injured by knifes /fire etc., so they make sure they have first aids stored in a safe place as well as fire extinguisher. Jimmy’s makes sure that they trained their staff and also ensure the checklist of daily presence of first aider is always signed in the beginning of the shift. Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 is a law which puts duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises to report certain serious workplace accident, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences. These reports enable the enforcing authorities to identify where and how risks arise and to investigate serious accidents. If someone has died or has been injured because of a work-related accident this may have to be reported. Not all accidents need to be reported, other than for certain gas incidents, a RIDDOR report is required only when: the accident is work-related and it results in an injury of a type which is reportable It has an impact on Tesco because they have a legal duty to report accidents or incidents occur in the workplace. This will help to find out where and how risks arise and also to investigate any serious accidents. Tesco staff helps and advices you to prevent actions in order to minimise injuries, accidents or incidents. Jimmy’s provides the information that enables the HSE to identify where and how risks happened in the workplace. Therefore, Jimmy’s makes sure that they maintain their information about accidents, injuries or incidents Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 is a regulation that provides a framework to help protect people in the workplace against health risks from hazardous substances. The substances may be used directly in the work or may arise from the work such as cleaning chemicals. This law requires employers to make an appropriate assessment of the health risks created within the working environment and also to define the measures necessary to  protect people’s health. It has an impact on Tesco because they need to make sure prevent or minimise their workers’ exposure to hazardous substances. For example, Tesco must provide sufficient information in order to reduce harmful to health. Jimmy’s always provides suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training in order to follow the legislation. Jimmy’s makes sure that they prevent exposure to hazardous substances and sufficiently control the risks from such exposure. They also ensure to keep chemi cals stored in a different room to keep avoid in touch with food items. If cleaning chemicals are mixed in food, the customer who eats could cause a severe injury or even may be poisoned. Food Safety Regulations 2005 Food Safety Regulations 2005 is a law that applies to all types of food, drink and ingredients. This regulation requires businesses to make sure food is supplied or sold in a hygienic way, identify food safety hazards and know which steps in the business activities are critical for food safety. Also, ensure safety controls are maintained and reviewed in the workplace. Tesco maintains the highest standard of hygiene by preventing any infection on food with bacteria or chemical. Furthermore, Tesco also keeps their foods in a correct temperature. If any equipment affected by food safety, employees must need to inform their manager. Tesco follows the regulation by not allowing their employees to smoke or drink alcohol in the workplace. If they found their employees smoking or drinking alcohol in the workplace, it will lead to disciplinary action and may result in dismissal. It has an impact on Jimmy’s because it is their regular practice to ensure that all their employees are keeping their workplace clean and tidy. By taking these active steps, they can ensure that everyone works in the workplace are confident in the health and safety. They also have different tools for different food items. For example for cutting chicken they use different knives and different cutting objects and plates, for cutting vegetables they have use different knives. Also these tools are colour coded so they know which one is for meats and which one is for vegetables. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point is a procedure carried out for food safety and biological, chemical and physical hazards in production processes  that can cause the finished product to be unsafe and designs measurements to reduce these risks to a safe level. In addition, they need to ensure that everything they use or touch needs to be cleaned properly. It affects Tesco because they need to make sure that the foods produced are safe to eat. The foods need to be kept in a correct temperature level. Tesco ensures that these are safe for consumers to eat when they have passed through the entire food supply chain. Temperature is an important aspect of HACCP and improper storage temperature can makes foods unsafe to eat. Jimmy’s following this legislation by making sure that their drinks are safe for human consumption. Jimmy’s focus on the standardisation of raw materials and all the materials must be offered by the Jimmy’s suppliers. Conclusion In this task, I have explained how health, safety and hygiene legislation has impacted on Tesco and Jimmy’s.

History of Art Music Essay

The change of phase from Baroque to Classical occurred in Europe between 1600 and 1750 had significantly affected music ideologies and expressions. During the Baroque period where counterparts and highly melodic structures of polyphonic sounds are employed, the classical period, on the other hand, utilized the effects of instrumental and solo-work in certain musical instruments especially on the piano and other keyboard instruments.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The clavichords and harpsichords, which precede the pianoforte and the modern pianos today, have made a significant impact on the quality and type of music produced during and between their inventions. These inventions and their further utilization were realized during the Baroque to Classical periods. For instance, the clavichord that was usually played alone in gatherings had been largely replaced by a harpsichord, which sounds like much similar to our modern piano—these instruments were essentially key players in genres and music prototypes in those eras. ROLES OF KEYBOARDISTS During the baroque period two genres emerged: sonata de chiesa (church sonata) and sonata de camera (chamber sonata). Since sonatas are usually accompanied by any string instrument such as viol ( a predecessor of violin), or cello, other keyboard instruments such as harpsichords can be seen in certain chambers. Thus, solo players or part players, as mentioned earlier can be variably noticed in musical audiences.   The basso continuo, where the melody is commonly accompanied by varied harmonies, was perfected. This is when; harpsichordists came into play, usually to improvise such harmonies and melodies. Yet, the roles of keyboardists were secondary than primary. Cellos, viols, violins or more frequently the lute or flure were the accompanying instruments in this basso continuos. Chamber music is not the predominant work field of the keyboard. Unlike in church music where, organ, as the major instrument, played significant parts in masses, services and the church music itself; harpsichords were not usually used.   As seen in the illustration below the common melody employed was realized higher notes or other forms rather than keyboard pieces. Perhaps, the non-use of this instrument in many basso continuous can be attributed to the thick texture and complex sound of other keyboards such as the organ. The Harpsichords and Clavichords are also somewhat polyphonic in effect with the sounds of strings on its mechanisms. Below is the sample where, a flute was used in a composition, Badinerie Suite no. 2 typifies this. The dawn of chordophones such as clavichords and harpsichord forced the early keyboardists to play using the available sounds and dynamics that early chordophones provide. The early harpsichordists or clavichordists usually lack the intensity in dynamics since, the pedals and the strings were almost heavy and no effect on dynamic structure can be totally and artistically achieved. Thus, playing the harpsichord or clavichord became a solo-piece performance (it was even considered house furniture), usually in homes of the elite rather than including the instrument in large ensembles (Burrows, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The pianoforte, the father of the modern piano, had changed the way keyboard is played. The piano was used in ensembles that coordinate with the total harmony and polyphonic strength of the ensemble. While, pianoforte pieces were supported by strings to achieve the artistic expressions of a certain period, the keyboardists during the baroque era had not explored much on the variety and musical potentials of the piano.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The pipe organs, much popularly used in chapels and cathedrals were widely used but keyboardists using the organ, singly played the instrument. Consequently, the player usually employs himself in the church as organist than joining an ensemble. This made the organ almost a single instrument played than adjoining it in an orchestra.   The reason for this is rather physical than musical. Organs, especially the pipe organs are attached to large balconies of churches than other handy instruments in an orchestra. The bulk structure cannot be of use to courts where symphonies were usually arranged. On the textural aspect, organs are somewhat polyphonically sounding with trains of sounds verging simultaneously; thus if included in an orchestra   it will greatly affect the harmony and cadence in an orchestra play. It can be very much assumed that keyboard players assume the role of a single player than a team player musician in an ensemble.   One major and leading keyboardists and vocal master is Johann Sebastian Bach. His operas and organ work largely determined the success of keyboard playing. Later, his works on the organ for instance â€Å"Toccata in F, from BWW 540† is one great example of recitative expression of a single instrument—that in organ. This work exemplifies that during his period—the baroque, where he flourished, the use of single-man keyboard playing was a typical role. In fact in compositions in early baroque, employed only parts for keyboards in sonatas, especially those of Scarletti. However, the latter employed much of strings than keyboards. The keyboardist in the baroque period usually plays as a part-player or a contributor to achieve the musical piece requirement such as solos in ornate baroque orchestral compositions. But since, baroque music typifies the grand structures even in melodies, the assumption of keyboardists are largely in parts than seen doing solos. During the middle of the baroque period, operas were in its foundational stage, and in ensembles, keyboards played secondary roles to the grand operas being established that time. Thus, this contributed to the less prominence in compositions and focus on keyboard instruments, much less to the keyboardists.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The use of keyboards in more symbolic and serious music was not contemplated; in fact, harpsichords were used in dances during its invention. Francois Couperin is one of those leading keyboardists who effusively experimented keyboards in his compositions, â€Å"Ordres†. This has become the structural base of certain French dances, commonly played in German and English settings. CHANGES IN KEYBOARDS: PIANOS Cristoforis and harpsichords are the early versions of keyboards. While many keyboards exist during the baroque period, chordophones such as pianos, were the only significant instruments that had gained certain prominence. Fortepianos, a prototype of the modern piano today had not made any significant contribution to the world of keyboard playing, since it was immediately replaced by a more complex sounding-machine—the modern piano. Modern pianos were only invented during the early mid-baroque periods, thus compositions for the single piano and pianos with orchestras are usually not common. The early musicians such as Handel, for instance, never really explored keyboards because during his time pianos and other forms of keyboards were not the main instrument in musical scenarios. Instead, classical and dramatic polyphonic structures of vocal prowess were extensively used to maximize the tonal harmony and musicality. Notice that, while the keys are almost the same, musical effe cts are different. Clavichords in many respects are totally different in mechanism, in comparison with the sound of harpsichords. And the latter, has a very distinctive sound than that of a modern piano. Carl Philippe Bach is one who used clavichord sufficiently, slightly deviating from his father Johann Sebastian Bach, who revolutionized the artistic and harmonic sensitivities of an organ.   Francois Couperin, on the other hand, a great French musician and keyboardist influenced the use of harpsichords to the latter piano masters in integrating the playfulness of keyboard keys.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The great virtuosos such as Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven used in number of scores piano pieces to show their musical artistry. But only the modern piano, because of its complexity and ability to be bent on musical artistry and be confined in musical elements, received much recognition and acceptance. This later on leads to development and creation of various musical compositions exclusively for the piano. Chopin, Dvorak became household names for the use of virtuostic piano effects and melodies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The early physical developments of keyboards have dampened, for some time, or even stunted the growth of texture and sustaining power of piano music during its early invention. As noticed, clavichords or harpsichords do not have many pedals on them to sustain sounds in longer time periods, as it is required. Thus, fewer sustaining effect on the melody can be heard from an early pianoforte, compared to the modern pianos nowadays. A notable comment was given by Charles Rosen: â€Å"Instrumental changes since the eighteenth century have made a problem out of the balance of sound in †¦ all chamber music with piano†¦.The piano, in turn, has become louder, richer, even mushier in sound, and, above all, less wiry and metallic. This change makes nonsense out of all those passages in eighteenth-century music where the violin and the piano play the same melody in thirds, with the violin below the piano. Both the piano and the violin are now louder, but the piano is less piercing, the violin more. Violinists today have to make an effort of self-sacrifice to allow the piano to sing out softly †¦ The thinner sound of the violin in Haydn’s day blended more easily with the metallic sonority of the contemporary piano and made it possible for each to accompany the other without strain.†Ã‚   (Rosen 1997, The Classical style, p. 353) ADAPTION OF COMPOSITIONS DURING THE CHANGES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Perhaps the greatest adaptation of musicians during the changes in keyboard structure and sound quality is the creation of solo work for keyboards. Sonatas were created that clearly emulsified the sound of singe instruments such as pianos. For instance, Haydn made numerous piano sonatas, total of sixty-two to exemplify the work on piano. However, earlier keyboard sonatas, particularly for the organ by Johann Kuhnau were created to give life to the single instruments. The changing physical features of the piano and other keyboard instruments had made the piano an isolated musical instrument. However, sonatas and concertos for the piano never end, Bach in Part II of the Well-Tempered Clavier (BWV 870-893), is one such example that though keyboards like organs were not part of chamber music, expressed that keyboard music can be complete in itself. Isolation of these instruments had been one of the solutions as form of adaptation to the physical changes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The changes in sounds and quality had pushed several composers not to consider the keyboards in many of symphonies and compositions with orchestra. Concertos however were created also especially for organs, pianos, harpsichords to adopt and singly bring out the best music of such instruments without compromising the quality of the orchestra in general. The general temperaments in music and its complexities also greatly changed with the improvisations of sounds and experiments done by musical geniuses. Bach made several attempts to adapt the keyboard to the changing times of baroque to classical.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The diminishment of counterpoint and polyphonic structures as discussed was the central figure of baroque music which was partly decreased in use during the classical period, made also serious effects on keyboard music. The monodic forms, where keyboards are only accompaniments, placed the players on the background rather than the forefront of musical scene.   While Gluck, Bach, Haydn and other late baroque composers have significantly made contributions to the prominence of the keyboard music such as harpsichords, clavichords, organs and pianos. Only the classical era made the first giant leap to put to pedestal keyboard instruments particularly the piano (Rosen, 2002). This can be attributed because during the baroque period, keyboards had not yet been perfected. Later,   great masters such as Chopin, Dvorak, Lizst and Debussy of the Classical era elevated the piano and other keyboard instruments to the level of the elite harmonic quality, and explored the endless possibilities of this instrument. WORKS CITED and PICTURE CREDITS. Good, E. (1982) Girrafes, Black Cragons, and other Pianos: A Technoligical History from Cristofori to the Modern Grand. Stanford, CA. Standforn University Press Hanning, B.R. (2002) A Concise History of Western Music (2nd edition). New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Rosen, C. (1997) The Classical Style, 2nd ed. New York: Norton. Baroque Period. Wikipeda, Free Encyclopedia, from Wikipeda Online. Retrieved May 10, 2007 from Encarta Encyclopedia, 2006. J. S. Bach’s Badinerie Suite No. 2 (sample score). Encarta Encyclopedia, 2006. Clavichord photograph by H. Deutsch. Encarta Encyclopedia 2006. Harpsichord photograph by Encarta (photograph credits cited above) Wikipeda Free Encyclopedia. Photograph and outprint source of Well-Tempered Clavier, credits cited above. Encarta Encyclopedia, 2006. J. S. Bach’s Badinerie Suite No. 2 (sample score). Rosen, C. (2002) Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas: A Short Companion. New Haven: Yale University. Burrows. Baroque Music. Encarta Encyclopedia. USA: Encarta History of Music and Piano. Wikipeda Free Encycolpedia, from Wikipeda Online, retrieved May 10, 2007,website:< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_history_and_musical_performance†>   

Ikea Invades America Essay

Founded in 1943 by a poor Swedish farmer named Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA is now one of the largest furniture retailers in the world. From its inception, Kamprad wanted to create cheap, quality furniture that everyone could afford. That formula led to IKEA’s early success in Sweden and has carried over until today. To its customers, IKEA is not just a store but a way of life, which may be evident through the cult-like following the company has achieved. When talking about the four P’s of marketing (product, price, place, promotion), there are few companies in the world that have mastered this concept better than IKEA. IKEA has been able to recognize the demands of its shoppers and create compelling products that meet those demands at a reasonable price. Its products are sold at unique stores that serve strategically important, geographic markets. This paper examines the factors that have made IKEA such a big success and offers some recommendations for future growth in the United States. Today, IKEA has over 240 stores in 35 countries and has revenues of over $26 billion. Its revenues double every 5-6 years and the company is now expanding to growing markets like China, Japan, and Brazil. The future of IKEA looks brighter than ever. For a brief snapshot of IKEA’s current sales around the world see Appendix 1. In 1985, IKEA decided to invade America. Faced with this early failure, IKEA retooled its furniture to fit American tastes. IKEA soon became the fastest growing furniture retailer and the 14th largest furniture retailer overall in the United States. IKEA executives needed to find a balance of how to create new furniture offerings without losing its unique design and corporate soul. By examining IKEA’s marketing strategy and answering a series of four questions, we have developed recommendations (see Appendix 2) that we think will lead to IKEA’s continued growth and success. 1) What are some of the ways that furniture retailers have sought to overcome these purchase obstacles? : a) identifying a product that consumers like, b) visualizing the product in the consumer’s home, and c) getting the product in the consumer’s home? In furniture sales, there are two general strategies: the low-end and the high-end. The low-end offers cheap, utilitarian furniture that is dreary looking. Cheap furniture is marketed to people such as college students who have a small budget. The cheap furniture is also displayed in poorly lit showrooms that offer little to no customer service. High-end furniture stores compete on quality and service. The high-end offers a large selection in each style and sub-style of furniture, which results in the showroom having a large inventory. The broad, variety strategy virtually guarantees that a customer’s preferred style will be available. The high-end stores also have high touch sales associates to help customers with product selection and furniture measurement. Sales associates are trained to educate their customers; such as explaining the life spans of different materials. They also reassure customers that their furniture will last a life time. Visualizing a piece of furniture in a person’s home can be very difficult. The high-end furniture stores have beautiful showrooms that are elaborately decorated to help the customer visualize where they can place new furniture or how they can redecorate their home. High-end stores also offer interior design services. Most retailers offer credit to make high-end furniture more affordable. All retailers offer home delivery, sometimes free, to make the transition as painless as possible for the customer. As an added bonus, retailers offer to assemble the furniture in the customer’s home. Sometimes, delivering the furniture also involves rearranging furniture, as well as removing and discarding old furniture. Providing these services makes the purchase of new furniture an easy and worry-free process. 2) Explain IKEA’s reverse positioning strategy. IKEA created a matrix used to prioritize product lineup and price. (See Appendix 3) Primarily the matrix is used to set a target retail price and select a product style. With the matrix system, IKEA is able to identify product line opportunities and gaps; creating a well rounded store. IKEA has avoided the image of the low end furniture store by displaying furniture in brightly lit showrooms. These showrooms help customers envision how the furniture interacts with the allotted space. Plus color coordinated cards provide design tips and information kiosks are on hand to help customers. All of these features reinforce IKEA’s self service ethos without making the customer feel abandoned. In IKEA’s case, the firm rejected the standard business models for both high-end and low-end furniture stores. IKEA’s furniture is composed of cheaper parts that are not visible and are not under high stress through use and a higher quality material is used for the visible parts or parts under high stress. This gives IKEA’s furniture a higher end look while keeping their costs low. IKEA’s reverse positioning kept prices low, while eliminating many services thought essential to a higher-end store. The company replaced them with unique services for its category: a bright, inviting showroom, furniture that was attractively designed, a child care center, a restaurant serving Swedish meatballs, and brightly colored house wares and clever toys. As a result, IKEA successfully avoided the feel of the low-end retailers, and customers â€Å"find the IKEA shopping experience to be immensely appealing (Moon, â€Å"IKEA Invades America,† 5). 3) What are some of the various product/service attributes that IKEA has chosen to withhold from its customers? IKEA seems to incorporate a hybrid strategy focusing on both cost and differentiation. IKEA attempts to price in the low to midrange category. IKEA does not build its furniture to last a lifetime, which in-fact flows well with its ad campaigns focused on letting go of the semimetal value Americans often place on furniture. IKEA products are known for falling apart after a few years; however, its customers are typically satisfied with the look, functionality, and affordability of IKEA products (Moon, 2004, p. 5). Its focus is on cost-efficiency, so the company uses higher-quality materials on visible surfaces and lower-quality materials elsewhere. High-end stores compete on quality and â€Å"high touch† experience and selection. Nearly all types of furniture stores offer delivery services. However, IKEA successfully eliminated many of these attributes. IKEA products are designed to be transported unassembled in flat boxes, which keeps shipping costs low and prevents IKEA from having to deliver/assemble furniture for customers (Moon, 2004, p. ). Customers are responsible for transportation of their furniture and assembly of their furniture. Although this step may seem like its decreasing the consumer experience/perceived product value; it’s actually keeping the customer involvement level high. Moreover, the competitive pricing offered at IKEA is attributed to letting customer build their own furniture, which keeps costs to a minimum. Formerly, IKEA only produced a few different designs; however, this has changed in recent years. In order to be consistent with IKEA’s self-service ethos and to keep costs low, the ratio of sales assistants to customers is kept low. The low number of sales associates can have a negative effect on the consumer experience. To handle furniture questions, customers are provided with product descriptions and measuring tape so they can make their own measurements. 4) What are some of the areas that IKEA has managed to achieve cost efficiency by implementing a number of firm-specific operation processes? A number of cost effective operating processes have been implemented by IKEA. In furniture design, IKEA engineers often select cheaper/low quality materials for less visible areas that experience minimal stress and expensive materials for visible areas that undergo stress. This aids IKEA in producing durable, good-quality products at low costs. IKEA has worked with over 1,800 suppliers in over 50 countries and often uses suppliers from developing countries. To keep costs down, IKEA usually purchases in bulk and often orders various components of a given product from different suppliers. IKEA is strict with employees about waste; it enforces minimal travel budgets and requires them to save electricity. IKEA keeps a small staff in stores and provides self-serve trolleys to aid consumers in loading their vehicles. Typical furniture retailers require a larger staff and/or incur shipping costs for delivery of their bulky, already assembled products. Flat packaging allows IKEA customers to transport their purchases home and eliminates the expense of home delivery. IKEA’s flat packaging strategy is another firm specific operating process. The strategy was inspired by an employee who, in 1955, removed the legs off a table to fit it into a customer’s car. This strategy requires designers to keep in mind the amount of space their products take up in their unassembled form. Flat packaging also helps prevent damage to the products during the shipping process. IKEA will often redesign their products multiple times to achieve space optimization and reduce shipping costs. Space optimization typically lowers prices for consumers; however, it may lengthen the assembly process. IKEA should continue to incorporate cost cutting activities across the board so long as the consumer experience remains positive.