Setting and character portrayal, not plot, are essential elements of fiction The Assault and Chronicle of a Death Foretold - Literature Essay Samples

Setting and character portrayal play monumental roles in conveying themes as well as the author’s purpose in literature. In The Assault and Chronicle of Death Foretold, Mulisch and Marquez use these techniques to illustrate the dynamic within groups as well as the impact of society on an individual. In these works of literature, setting and character portrayal help the authors critique society and convey major themes, while plot plays a minimal role, thus proving that setting and character portrayal are more essential in literature. In both works, the setting plays a critical role in shedding light on the society the novels exist within, and through this major themes are developed. For example, The Assault takes place in Holland, and one of the defining characteristics of that society is its violence. The novel details events such as Anton’s â€Å"house burning inside and out† (p 28) and it becomes apparent to the reader that war is a constant there. Violence and war are major part of their culture and its effect is nowhere more prevalent than in Anton’s life. The entire novel focuses on how Anton deals with his post-traumatic stress, and the reader watches as he struggles with processing his emotions and accepting his past. This ultimately develops into one of the main themes of the novel- embracing the past. Through Anton’s struggle Mulisch illustrates to the reader that society has a profound effect on an individual’s past and present. In Chronicle of a Death Foretold the setting revolves around the backwards culture of a town and its effect on the individual lives of the townspeople. Their culture penetrates all aspects of their lives, and the major plot points center around their traditions as set by their society. Bayardo returns Angela to her family because of tradition, and the Vicario brothers feel obligated to commit murder because of the â€Å"horrible duty that’s fallen on them† (p 57). Traditions and rituals rule the town, and they shape the lives of the people. The oppression the townspeople is obvious, and through this Marquez critiques their society, forming one of the main themes of the book. In both works the setting revolves less around a physical location and more around the society in which they live. Furthermore, in both novels the setting serves as the inciting incident and propels the plot forward. In The Assault the war torn society is the reason Anton’s family was killed and in Chronicle of a Death Foretold their traditions result in Santiago’s murder. In both of these cases, the setting allows the author to show the reader the darkside of society. Ultimately, setting plays a critical role in literature because it allows an author to delve into a society and provide a commentary on it. In both novels, character portrayal, particularly of the minor characters, plays an indispensable role in developing the themes and conveying purpose. In The Assault, Mulisch displays the dynamic between groups and society through minor characters in order to show the reader that even when in a group, responsibility to do what is right still falls on the individual. This can be most appropriately seen in the character Schulz. As a member of the Nazi party, he is clearly the â€Å"bad buy†, yet he sacrifices his own life to save Anton when he â€Å"pulled [him] out from his hiding place under the steering wheel and dragged him to a ditch† (p 48) during an air raid, and this surprises the reader. It is accepted in the novel, at least in the beginning, and in our society in general that the Nazis were evil, yet Schulz, a Nazi, traded his own life for Anton’s. The dichotomy of the reader’s expectation and the characterization provided by Mulisch is striking. M ulisch uses this contrast intentionally to convey his message that an individual exists outside of their group and that they make their own choices. Mulisch conveys to the reader that an individual ultimately must take responsibility for themselves and that their individual choices must still contribute to the greater good. In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Marquez makes a similar point, also through a minor character, explaining how an individual can break away from society and make their own choices. In the novel, the town encourages the Vicario brothers to murder Santiago, some actively and some passively through their inaction. Clotilde, however, breaks this tradition by doing everything in her power to prevent the murder. As a woman in a patriarchal society, Clotilde has limited influence, but she still attempts to get them drunk by â€Å"selling them of a bottle of cane liquor† (p 54) so that they are too intoxicated to murder Santiago. Ultimately, her plan fails, but Clotilde gains the reader’s respect for trying. The reader finds it maddening that there is no meaningful attempt from the townsfolk to prevent the murder, and Clotilde’s effort, albeit unsuccessful, is refreshing and stands out. This indirect characterization displays Clotilde’s courage, and due to the po sitive tone through which her actions are conveyed, Marquez encourages the reader to do the same. Marquez is making a similar point to Mulisch and illustrates that while individuals might have limited power, they have control over their decisions, and are responsible for themselves and for contributing to the greater good. In both works, character portrayal plays an indispensable role in developing themes. Through characterization and tone, the reader gains insight into the author’s purpose and helps display to the reader that the responsibility towards the greater good falls onto individuals and that sometimes, they must go again society. This major lesson learned through character portrayal epitomizes how vital of a role it plays in literature and in revealing an author’s intentions. In both works, the plot is relatively insignificant and serves as little more than a premise through which the authors explore their respective themes. In The Assault, the plot is dull, focusing only on how Anton deals with his post traumatic stress from a singular event in his childhood. The lone plot point with even a hint of excitement is in the very beginning when Anton loses his family, but following this the events are mundane and center around him meeting minor characters such as Fake Ploeg Jr. and Takes. The narrative in The Assault meanders through Anton’s life, bringing the reader’s attention to smaller conversations as opposed to major life events such as his marriages or the birth of his child. Because the plot is dull, emphasis is placed on individual conversations, usually with minor characters, that impacted Anton’s life. As result of the sub par plot, Mulisch focuses on conveying themes through other avenues such as the indirect characterization g ained from these conversations. Similarly to The Assault, Chronicle of a Death Foretold centers around a single event, with the plot rarely deviating from it and focusing on what happened leading up to and after it. The plot is told through a non-linear narrative structure, and this allows Marquez to focuses on various aspects of the before and after from multiple points of view. The emphasis is mainly placed on the before because it provides an explanation for the tragic events and this entices the reader. Furthermore, it also helps convey one of the main messages of the novel. By focusing the events leading up to Santiago’s murder, Marquez stresses the importance of why things happen. Overall, in both works, and in literature in general, authors are rarely interested in the events themselves, but rather the fallout. How the characters deal with conflict and the authors indirect critique of it is where the readers learn the lesson, and this is usually conveyed through character portrayal and incited by sett ing. In conclusion, setting and character portrayal are essential elements of literature, while in comparison, plot is not nearly as significant. As can be seen in The Assault and Chronicle of a Death Foretold, setting provides a reason for the major conflicts in a novel. The reader sees Anton harmed by the traumatic events of his childhood as caused by his society, and as well as Santiago murdered in an attempt to up hold archaic traditions. How the characters deal with this conflict and how the author conveys this through character portrayal reveals the author’s intended message. In The Assault, Schulz is viewed favorably by the reader, and through this Mulisch conveys that an individual must hold onto their humanity, even when apart of a group. Chronicle of a Death Foretold conveys a similar message through Clotilde by showing that an individual is still responsible for their own actions and they sometimes must break away from a group for the greater good. Plot, on the other han d, serves as little more than a vessel through which the authors convey their message, and is therefore insignificant in terms of literary importance compared to setting and character portrayal.

New Deal Acronyms

Following are common New Deal acronyms with their corresponding names.  Franklin Roosevelts  New Deal programs have been referred to as alphabet soup. For more detail check out the  Top 10 New Deal Programs. ACRONYM WHAT IT STANDS FOR AAA Agricultural Adjustment Administration CCC Civilian Conservation Corps CWA Civil Works Administration FERA Federal Emergency Relief Administration FHA Federal Housing Administration FSA Farm Security Administration HOLC Home Owners Loan Corporation NRA National Recovery Administration NYA National Youth Administration PWA Public Works Administration REA Rural Electrification Administration SSA Social Security Administration TVA Tennessee Valley Authority WPA Work Projects (Progress) Administration More information about the Great Depression and the New Deal

Globalisation Has Revolutionised International Business Essay

Critically examine how globalisation has revolutionised international business and evaluate impacts of this on changing view towards Corporate Social Responsibility. Introduction Globalisation has been a prevalent issue and a wide trending discussion topic. It is defined as, â€Å"a complex economic, political, cultural, and geographic process in which the mobility of capital, organisations, ideas, discourages, and peoples has taken on an increasingly global or transnational form.† (Moghadam, 1999, p. 376). This globalisation phenomenon has built the interrelationship between national markets and industries into worldwide arena. Thus, the trend towards global markets, global production and global competition has been occasioned by the interdependence growth between national economies (Brooks, Weatherston Wilkinson, 2004). Therefore, in consequence of emerging globalisation, it has impacted the international business organisations; the way international business operating the business practises has changed. The nature of macro-environment based on political, economic, technological, environmental and legal areas is required to be measured and analysed by business organisation, specifically for international firms in order to set the strategy and look for the opportunity and threat. One of the elements of globalisation changes is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The concept of CSR nowadays is becoming more crucial as many international business organisations have beenShow MoreRelatedTeaching And Learning Of The 21st Century1098 Words   |  5 Pagescentury is not just about technology or skill for the global economy. Today teachers must be innovator, mentors, entrepreneurs, motivator, illuminators and catalysts. 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The Adaptive Human Resource Management Measurement

Question: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scope, significance and legal framework of HRM in business organisations. 2. Critically examine the factors affecting human motivation in business organisations and how motivation affects standards of performance. 3. Analyse the causes of conflict and alienation at work and evaluate the methods of their resolution. Answer: Introduction Human Resource Management has become an integral part for productive performances in the new millennium. That is because it positions an enterprise to keep up with the increasing yet dynamic demands of the markets. According to Armstrong (2010), aspects that define employee motivation, retention, and performance appraisal have become the definitive pointers in the principles adopted by enterprises to organize and manage their employees. To realize the objective for improved employee performances in order to keep up with the dynamic trends in the market, enterprises have employed the use of varied mechanics and management models in their HR Departments (Beardwell Claydon 2010). Despite the fact that Frishco has employed such measures and has consequently benefited from the Human Resources management criteria, it has also endured challenges that have mired its productivity in various accords. These elements have been evaluated in this report. The H. R Management Criteria used by Frishco to engage its Employees Open Communication Open communication was defined by Mondy and Mondy (2011) as the application of organizational precepts that demand for clarity and two-way communication. In this measure, HR Managers always require the employees to relay the information that they need to relay and to wait for feedback or to provide feedback when communicated. At Frishco, these have become definitive principles for communication as the employees have been cultured into the practice of ensuring that they provide feedback and relay their perceptions and conceptions whenever necessary. Noticeably, this measure is integral in ensuring that the employees develop trust and confidence in the management and organization in entirety (Armstrong, 2010). It is a measure that has also been integral in ensuring that the employees effectively solve conflicts that may hamper their performances and hinder their ability, capacity, and will to participate in teamwork and projects that may aid the realization of the organizations objecti ves (Beardwell Claydon 2010). Mondy and Mondy (2011) posited that such benefits are accrued as the open communication also ensures that other organizational aspects and management goals are realized in timely fashion. Frishco has also benefited from the propositions and innovative ideas presented to the boards of management because of the principle of open communication. That is because the employees feel free to help and participate in the identification of the measures that would peg the organizations productive performances or even to exploit the enterprise rivals loopholes in the market (Price, 2011). This measure has sustained its competitiveness and profitability despite the economic challenges that affect numerous enterprises on regular bases (Armstrong, 2010). Commitment to the wellbeing of the Employees Frishco has expressed its value for its employees by committing to their wellbeing. Aspects such as the employees health, safety, and security have been the epitome of such commitment (Armstrong, 2010). Besides, the enterprise ensures that the employees are afforded the right amount of rest and time with their families and that they are paid in values that are commensurate to the demands of their work. As Mondy and Mondy (2011) clarified that such level of commitment always encourages the employees to value the enterprises need for improved performances and to ensure that they provide inputs that can facilitate the realization of the objectives, Frishco has surely benefited in this measure. Markedly, the enterprise has continually managed to realize its objectives for growth and development (Beardwell Claydon 2010). Equity and Fairness in the Execution of Principles Most enterprises have set principles that guide the way they treat their employees. Examples of such principles are the allowance and promotion principles that may define promotions in pay or positions and superiority in the said organizations. Regulations may also be set by enterprises to determine the processes through which they provide their employees with rewards and holidays. However, not every enterprise always executes such principles with equity (Price, 2011). Torrington, Hall, and Taylor (2008) illustrated that compromises are always made with the notion that such compromises may protect the organizations productive positions. For instance, an employee may be afforded a shorter holiday because they may be considered as integral to the organizations performances and that the organization may fail in their absence. Some enterprises may also deny some people promotions with the notion that they are not as productive or better suited as the persons who are being favoured (Mondy Mondy, 2011). However, Frishco has maintained its operations on the precepts of equity with the belief that it motivates all employees and makes them confident in their abilities to improve their performances. In the execution of polices the kind that have been identified above, the enterprise has ensured that all employees are provided with similar chances and are afforded the opportunity of complaining should they feel that they have been wronged (Armstrong, 2010). Essentially, this has catalysed unity and openness among the employees and with the management personnel. Consequently, there has been improved organizational productivity (Beardwell Claydon 2010). The Possible Repercussions of failing to Employ Precepts that enhance Employee Engagement Incoherent Communication Though Frishco has employed various communication measures as have been identified in part 1, the enterprise still lacks aptitude in this measure. Notably, its communication strategies are not clear and the application of inept strategies has hampered the ability to relay information. As a result, the discords in communication have affected the efficacy of the employees as there always results changes in the task details. Such changes, as Torrington, Hall, and Taylor (2008) noted, kill their morale and make them susceptible to factors like fatigue and poor concentration. Reactive Decision-Making Frishco has various hierarchies in its HR Management. This management criterion is targeted at ensuring that the enterprise can withstand the challenges that effect enterprises abilities to withstand challenges in various accords (Price, 2011). However, a criterion has significantly affected the enterprise by affecting its position to ensure effective integration of employees in decision-making processes. Markedly, the hierarchies demand for the employees to provide information and wait for long durations for the consideration of their contributions. Torrington, Hall, and Taylor (2008) opined that enterprises with such complications in their hierarchies always subject themselves to such challenges. As Mondy and Mondy (2011) also opined, the reactive decision-making can still make the employees feel alienated despite any attempts to convince them that there is an open communication process. As a result, they may be less willing to contribute to the decision-making processes, a factor that may negate the productivity of the workforce in entirety (Beardwell Claydon 2010). Poor Work-life Balance Despite the value for equity in the execution of its principles, some of the organizational precepts used by the organization do not favour the interests of the employees. That is so because the work demands and loads have been significant and the motivational measures employed like face-to-face communication have not been productive as the employees still exhibit reactions and attitudes that are indications of an imminent failure. In essence, the employees should be provided with more time to spend either with their families or with friends. As Mondy and Mondy (2011) indicated, such breaks are always significant in ensuring that they report to work rejuvenated and motivated to continue participating in their tasks. This is an aspect that the enterprise is not benefiting from and that risk compromising its productivity in entirety (Armstrong, 2010). The Disengagement of Employees and the Possible Consequences Employee disengagement is definitive of the use of principles and practices that do not incorporate the employees in the execution of measures and decision-making processes. Making the employees feel like foot soldiers instead of feeling as valuable members of the enterprise is an aspect that not only kills their motivation, but also makes them less inclined to participate in the enhancement of the organizational performances through the issuance/making of proposals that would ensure that the enterprise adopts new and competitive measures. In Japan, motor enterprises, such as Toyota and Honda, always engage their employees in ways that make them feel valued and encouraged to propose ideologies that would enhance performances. According to Mondy and Mondy (2011), it is for such reasons that the enterprises have managed to compete on a global scale despite the supposed superior technology that should be existing in Europe and the US. To accrue such benefits, Frishco would need to revis e its H. R Management Criteria to restore trust, unity, commitment, innovation, and productivity as the instigators of its performances (Armstrong, 2010). The best Mechanics that would Improve Employee Engagement for Frishco Audit of the HR. Practices Auditing would be integral in helping the organization to identify its weaknesses, strengths, the efficacy of the already employed measures, and the fortification measures that it needs for its practices (Armstrong, 2010). It would be targeted at the collection of the opinions and perceptions of the employees concerning the HRM Management policies that are being used by the department (Mondy Mondy, 2011). Other than that, the auditing would also need to cover the remuneration of the employees in order to help with the idealization of propositions that would ensure effective compensation and motivation of employees. As Beardwell and Claydon (2010) indicated, auditing would help the enterprise to define effectively its position. Considering that the audit would be integral for the identification of weaknesses, it would also be integral for the idealization of measures that would eliminate these weaknesses and the efficacy of the measures (Armstrong, 2010). Training and Development The enterprise also needs to adopt training practices to aid the performances of its personnel (both the employees and the managers) (Mondy Mondy, 2011). The trainings would ensure that both factions of the personnel understand the most effective measures for projecting and executing propositions for the organizations performances. The training would also significantly modify the climate of relations within the enterprise thereby making other employees more willing to direct and teach the junior and new personnel on the actions and demands that define their tasks (Armstrong, 2010). Improving Employee Motivation To improve employee motivation, the enterprise would need to employ measures that include improved salaries, allowances, and benefits. This measure would make all the employees more willing to help the organization in the realization of its objectives and tasks. That is because it would make the employees feel appreciated and that the work they are subjected to do are commensurate to the compensation that is offered by the enterprise. Clearly, this would result into unity, openness, and improved productivity (Mondy Mondy, 2011). Essentially, the combination of the measures identified in parts 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 would ensure that coordination within the enterprise is improved and that the personnels performances befit the changes in the dynamic market of operations (Beardwell Claydon, 2010). That is because they would improve communication, organization, and performances in various accords. Besides, they would help the organization to tally its performances against those of rivals to ensure that they can continue competing effectively (Armstrong, 2010). Conclusion Meeting the dynamic demands of the new trading markets requires the application of astute measures that enhance performances by making the employees feel valued and desired by the enterprises for which they are working. Notably, Frishco has continually attempted to position itself to benefit from the execution of such measures. However, the measures have not adequately benefited its development and it is still faced with numerous challenges. As has been illustrated in the case evaluation, its failures are defined in incoherent communication, disengagement of employees, and a poor balance between work and life for the employees. Markedly, these factors have compromised its position in the market in various measures. To ensure that the company is positioned to overcome the challenges effectively, the enterprise should consider the application of improved employee remuneration, training, and development, and the use of an audit report/evaluation to determine its weakness and to recommen d measures for the fortification of its HR Management principles. These would ensure that it develops a motivated and united workforce that is also committed for the realization of the organizational objectives. Conclusively, these would be a built up on the already productive measures that have been employed by the enterprise. Building on productive HR practices positions an enterprise to improve its competitiveness and profitability. References Akor, P.U. (2014) Influence of autocratic leadership style on the job performance of academic librarians in Benue state, Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2(1), pp. 2224 Armstrong, M. (2010) Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice 12th edition: Kogan Page ltd. Beardwell, J. and Claydon T. (2010) Human Resource Management: a Contemporary Approach 6th edition Harlow: Pearson Education Limited Bhatti, N., Maitlo, G.M., Shaikh, N., Hashmi, M.A. and Shaikh, F.M. (2012) The impact of autocratic and democratic leadership style on job satisfaction, International Business Research, 5(2), pp. 3638 Gilbert, C., De Winne, S. and Sels, L. (2015) Strong HRM processes and line managers effective HRM implementation: A balanced view, Human Resource Management Journal, 25(4), pp. 600616 Hakanen, J.J., Schaufeli, W.B. and Ahola, K. (2008) The job demands-resources model: A three-year cross-lagged study of burnout, depression, commitment, and work engagement, Work Stress, 22(3), pp. 224241 Komańda, M. (2016) Communication about A business model within an Organisation in the opinion of Czechs and polish, Economics and Culture, 13(1), pp. 126128 Kompaso, S.M. and Sridevi, M.S. (2010) Employee engagement: The key to improving performance, International Journal of Business and Management, 5(12), pp. 8996 Mondy, R., and Mondy, j. (2011) Human Resource Management 12th Global edition: Pearson Education Pinnnington, A.H. and Pinnnington, H. (2014) International human resource management. Edited by Anne-Wil K. Harzing and Ashly H. Pinnington. 3rd edn. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Price, A. (2011) Human Resource Management 4th edition: South Western Cengage Learning Sterling, A. and Boxall, P. (2012) Lean production, employee learning and workplace outcomes: A case analysis through the ability-motivation-opportunity framework, Human Resource Management Journal, 23(3), pp. 227240 Torrington, D., Hall, L. and Taylor, S.(2008) Human Resource Management 7th edition: Harlow Pearson Education Limited Torrington, D., Hall, L. and Taylor, S.(2008) Human Resource Management 7th edition: Harlow Pearson Education Limited Walls, R. (2007) How to keep productivity and employees humming during a facilities move, Employment Relations Today, 33(4), pp. 2128 Wickramasinghe, V. and Samaratunga, M. (2016) HRM practices and post-promotion managerial performance, Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, 4(2), pp. 144161

The Poetry Of E. E. Cummings Essays - Guggenheim Fellows, La

The Poetry of E. E. Cummings E. E. Cummings, who was born in 1894 and died in 1962, wrote many poems with unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and unusual line, word, and even letter placements - namely, ideograms. Cummings' most difficult form of prose is probably the ideogram; it is extremely terse and it combines both visual and auditory elements. There may be sounds or characters on the page that cannot be verbalized or cannot convey the same message if pronounced and not read. Four of Cummings' poems - l(a, mortals), !blac, and swi( - illustrate the ideogram form quite well. Cummings utilizes unique syntax in these poems in order to convey messages visually as well as verbally. Although one may think of l(a as a poem of sadness and loneliness, Cummings probably did not intend that. This poem is about individuality - oneness (Kid 200-1). The theme of oneness can be derived from the numerous inezces and forms of the number '1' throughout the poem. First, 'l(a' contains both the number 1 and the singular indefinite article, 'a'; the second line contains the French singular definite article, 'le'; 'll' on the fifth line represents two ones; 'one' on the 7th line spells the number out; the 8th line, 'l', isolates the number; and 'iness', the last line, can mean "the state of being I" - that is, individuality - or "oneness", deriving the "one" from the lowercase roman numeral 'i' (200). Cummings could have simplified this poem drastically ("a leaf falls:/loneliness"), and still conveyed the same verbal message, but he has altered the normal syntax in order that each line should show a 'one' and highlight the theme of oneness. In fact, the whole poem is shaped like a '1' (200). The shape of the poem can also be seen as the path of a falling leaf; the poem drifts down, flipping and altering pairs of letters like a falling leaf gliding, back and forth, down to the ground. The beginning 'l(a' changes to 'le', and 'af' flips to 'fa'. 'll' indicates a quick drop of the leaf, which has slowed by a longer line, 'one'. Finally, the leaf falls into the pile of fallen leaves on the ground, represented by 'iness'. Cummings has written this poem so perfectly that every part of it conveys the message of oneness and individuality (200). In mortals), Cummings vitalizes a trapeze act on paper. Oddly enough, this poem, too, stresses the idea of individualism, or 'eachness', as it is stated on line four. Lines 2 and 4, 'climbi' and 'begi', both end leaving the letter 'i' exposed. This is a sign that Cummings is trying to emphasize the concept of self-importance (Tri 36). This poem is an amusing one, as it shows the effects of a trapeze act within the arrangement of the words. On line 10, the space in the word 'open ing' indicates the act beginning, and the empty, static moment before it has fully begun. 'of speeds of' and '&meet&', lines 8 and 12 respectively, show a sort of back-and-forth motion, much like that of the motion of a trapeze swinging. Lines 12 through 15 show the final jump off the trapeze, and 'a/n/d' on lines 17 through 19, represent the deserted trapeze, after the acrobats have dismounted. Finally, '(im' on the last line should bring the reader's eyes back to the top of the poem, where he finds 'mortals)'. Placing '(im' at the end of the poem shows that the performers attain a special type of immortality for risking their lives to create a show of beauty, they attain a special type of immortality (36-7). The circularity of the poem causes a feeling of wholeness or completeness, and may represent the Circle of Life, eternal motion (Fri 26). Cummings first tightly written ideogram was !blac, a very interesting poem. It starts with '!', which seems to be saying that something deserving that exclamation point occurred anterior to the poem, and the poem is trying objectively to describe certain feelings resulting from '!'. "black against white" is an example of such a description in the poem; the clashing colors create a feeling in sync with '!'. Also, why "(whi)" suggests amusement and wonder, another feeling

The Insanity Plea

The Insanity Plea Free Online Research Papers The concept of defense by insanity has been in existence since ancient Greek and Roman times, although it did not emerge in American history until the mid 1800’s. In 1638, in colonial America, a delusional Dorothy Talbye was hanged for murdering her daughter. At that time, Massachusetts common law made no distinction between mental illness (insanity) and criminal behavior. In America the use of the insanity defense did not first appear until 1859 in a case in Washington D.C. Then, in 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the common law rule that those who have been found to be insane can not be executed (Ford v. Wainwright 477 U.S. 399). There have been many developments, and changes in the defense by insanity, and how the term â€Å"insanity† is defined in a legal sense. Some opponents of the insanity plea believe that psychiatry itself has become a way to justify mercy by making persons â€Å"exceptional† in some way, and therefore not deserving of harsh punishment we as society would deem just and fair consequences for the crime committed. Mental illness itself has not always been recognized as a legitimate disorder and there has often been lacking in understanding it and/or misdiagnosed. What is the legal definition of insanity? If a person is not convicted due to mental insanity, then what becomes of them after court? What are the pros and cons to having the ability to plea insanity? Is there truly such a thing as temporary insanity? What does the Bible say, if anything, about this issue? These are all questions I will explore and answer further throughout this paper. The most influential and most quoted tests of legal insanity are the M’Naughten Rules. In 1843, Daniel M’Naughten shot and killed Edward Drummond, the secretary to the Prime Minister of England. M’Naughten was delusional and under the impression that he was being persecuted by a number of people in England and Scotland. M’Naughten had intended to kill the Prime Minister, Robert Peel, and thought that is exactly who he had killed. The Queen and The House of Lords asked the judges in the M’Naughten trial to explain the tests by which a person could be properly judged criminally insane. The M’Naughten Rules state: The defendant is insane if they have a diseased mind that caused a defect of reason, such that when they acted, they either did not know the act was wrong or didn’t understand the nature and quality of their actions. Critics of the M’Naughten have argued that this emphasis on reason is based on the assumption that cognition is the only or the most important mental capacity with relevance to responsibility. This assumption implies that the mind can be separated into compartments and that cognition is the most important determining factor of behavior. For example, it is implied that cognition, emotion, and volition could be compartmentalized, when in fact that is not the case. Even if it were possible to compartmentalize mental functions, this criticism of the M’Naughten test emphasizes another important point, which states: a person’s mood may color how he perceives his actions, and as a result, what he believes about them. Critics also point out the fact that a person may very well understand their actions but for some reason are unable to control them. M’Naughten ignores the aspect of self-control. Psychiatrists agree that it is possible to understand that oneà ¢â‚¬â„¢s behavior is wrong, but still be unable to stop themselves from committing the act. The 1950’s had seen a growing dissatisfaction with the M’Naughten test. Viewed as rigid and antiquated, it was criticized in both legal and psychiatric circles. Critics were now calling for the introduction of medical evidence of mental illness into the insanity defense equation. Prior to the Durham Rule, some states had modified the M’Naughten test with an â€Å"irresistible impulse† provision, which basically absolves a defendant who can distinguish right and wrong but is nonetheless unable to stop himself from committing an act that he knows to be wrong. (This test is also known as â€Å"the policeman at the elbow† test, in other words, would the defendant have committed the crime if there were a policeman standing at his elbow?) The Durham Rule was first established in the United States District of Columbia in 1954. In the case of Durham v. United States, Judge David Bazelon ruled that â€Å"an accused is not criminally responsible if his unlawful act was the product of a mental disease or defect. The judge had instructed the jury as such: He instructed that if the jury believed beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was not suffering from a diseased or defective mental condition at the time he committed the criminal act charged, the jury may find him guilty. He then stated that if the jury believed that the defendant was suffering from a diseased or defective mental condition when he committed the act, but believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the act was not the product of such mental abnormality, they may find the defendant guilty. Unless the jury believed beyond a reasonable doubt that either the defendant was not suffering from a diseased or defective mental condition, or that the act was n ot the product of such abnormality, the jury must find the defendant not guilty by reason of insanity. The Durham Rule proved vague and difficult to apply, and many were concerned that the broad definition would exonerate many more defendants than previous. There was too much confusion over whether â€Å"mental disease and defect† should be interpreted as only psychosis or to also include a larger variety of minor disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It was a concern that defendants would begin to use alcoholism or antisocial disorders as excuses for their crimes. It became evident that it was difficult to prove whether the question of a defendant’s actions was a product of their disease was a factual question for the jury, or for expert psychiatric witnesses. Many skeptics felt that it gave psychiatrists and psychologists too much influence in the courtroom. In 1962, The American Law Institute (A.L.I.) set forth a model Insanity Defense Statute. The A.L.I. standard was intended to allow for the introduction of medical and psychiatric evidence as well as soften the M’Naughten standard. In essence, the A.L.I. standard consolidates the principles of the M’Naughten â€Å"right and wrong† rule and the â€Å"irresistible impulse† test. As of 1998, States were split between 2 standards: 22 states used some type of A.L.I. rule, while 26 used a version of the M’Naughten. During the 60’s and 70’s many state courts issued rulings showing a growing concern to protect the civil rights of the mentally ill. At this time many courts eliminated laws providing for automatic confinement of defendants who had been acquitted by reason of insanity. It also struck down an indefinite sentence of confinement. If the evaluations did not find justification for continued confinement, the defendants would be released. After the acquittal of John Hinckley Jr. who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Regan, U.S. Congress responded to the public outrage to the verdict by introducing 26 pieces of legislation designed to abolish and/or modify the insanity defense. During the time of the Hinckley trial, all but one federal circuit had adopted the A.L.I. â€Å"substantial capacity† test, and all the new proposals were devoted to creating a stricter federal standard with the intent to avoid acquittals like Hinckley’s in the future. During the 1980’s through to the 1990’s courts shifted burden and the standard of proof in such a way that made it more difficult to sustain an insanity plea. There are three states that abolished the defense all together: Utah, Montana, and Idaho. The culmination of all of the previous sanity tests, rules, and all standards by which we measure if a defendant is mentally ill and therefore not responsible for their actions, came to a head with the GBMI or Guilty but Mentally Ill verdict. A defendant who receives this verdict is still found legally guilty of the crime they are being tried for, but because they are in fact mentally ill, they have the right to receive mental health treatment while institutionalized. If symptoms desist, however, at that point they must serve the remainder of their sentence in a regular correctional facility. In 2000, there were at least 20 states that have adopted GBMI provisions. So, what becomes of the criminally insane? What happens to a defendant after a judge or jury returns a verdict of insanity does somewhat depend on the crime committed, and on the state in which the trial takes place. In most cases, those found â€Å"not guilty† by reason of insanity are institutionalized in a hospital for severely mentally ill people who have committed crimes. After a period of time, the defendant may request a hearing to determine if he or she is no longer a danger to others or to themselves, or no longer mentally ill, which would make them eligible to be released. Max was a white man in his forties who was brought to a veteran’s hospital after he was arrested and convicted in South Carolina for check forgery. In the past he had been hospitalized in various psychiatric units for treatment of his mental disorders, and both his wife and VA officials argued that he was not responsible for his actions. For this reason, an agreement had been reached whereby he would receive psychiatric treatment rather than a prison sentence. Physical examinations on admission revealed a small man, alert and orientated, with no signs of psychosis or any other physical or mental disorder. A test for syphilis was positive, but lumbar puncture showed no signs of neurological involvement. Engaging and clearly intelligent, Max spoke proudly of his birth in Vienna, his many achievements in sports, and his scholarly work as a student at the University of Heidelberg. He said that at Heidelberg, Kant and Schopenhauer were his special objects of study, and he also mentioned his deep interest in Shakespeare. He spoke of his skill at fencing, remarking that he was well-known, even feared in Heidelberg and Vienna for his deadly skill with the sword. He denied all the criminal offenses that had brought him to the hospital. His medical records showed that he had been admitted to psychiatric hospitals on six previous occasions. During none of these admissions had a symptom of orthodox psychiatric disorder been noted. On his last admission he had initially been friendly and cooperative with the hospital staff, but soon became disruptive in rather petty ways, such as encouraging fights between mildly psychotic patients. Several months before that admission he had been admitted to a veterans hospital in Maryland; he had complained of having blackout spells where he would loose his temper and unknowingly attack people. These spells were especially unfortunate for his victims, he claimed, because he had at one time been the featherweight boxing champion of England. He described his seizures lasting up to ten hours, during which he would convulse so violently as to rattle the windows and shake the slats off his bed. Max had escaped prosecution for many misdeeds thanks to the help of his wife, in spite the fact that since marrying her, he had also undertaken two different bigamous marriages, all this in addition to another previous legal marriage which had ended in divorce. His present wife was the proprietress of a brothel, but even she appeared embarrassed by the behavior of her husband, who apparently intruded frequently upon the brothel’s guests, insisting on reminiscing nostalgically about his sports achievements, often parading and roaring at the closed doors behind which the clients were conducting their business. On the occasion of his present hospital admission, on the ward, Max was very cooperative for a while, but soon became restless and hostile. On one occasion he kicked out an iron grill and escaped from the hospital, taking two psychotic patients with him. He committed petty thefts and started fights on the ward, and on one occasion when he was granted leave from the hospital, he escaped from his attendant through a tiny bathroom window and made his way to the nearest bar. He would ask for a loaf of bread in the presence of his psychiatrist. He would then break off a large chunk and place it in his mouth, chew, and remove, then model it into a large crucifix, complete with pedestal, rosettes and a garland of intertwining leaves. The bread would harden quickly and he began painting these crucifixes and presenting them to staff. Despite all his seemingly odd behavior Max was described as an exceptionally intelligent man. It was believed by those who observed him that Max would easily have been able to earn an M.D. or a Ph.D. at most American Universities. In the weeks following his admission, Max began to get in touch with local members of the community who were interested in welfare work and in helping disabled veterans. Soon these well intentioned people would begin to bring pressure on the hospital to allow Max to rehabilitate himself. On several occasions he was given parole, but each time, sometimes after only a few hours, he would become involved in a fight and be brought back to the hospital by police. He would plea his case claiming he had amnesia, he was schizophrenic, claiming he could communicate with his dead ancestors, and one occasion convinced authorities he was deluded, by claiming he was being chased by baboons. (Excerpt from The Rules of Insanity By: Carl Elliot) What does this man de serve, the psychiatric ward or jail? Who makes that decision? It’s not always a clear cut line. What are the pros and cons of the insanity defense? The pros, and the main reason this defense was ever originally created was the concern by some in the validity and ethics behind punishing a person of a criminal act, if the person committing the act suffers a debilitating mental condition that hinders the person from the ability to execute proper judgment and discernment about the morality of their actions. But with that noble concern is the flip side of the coin. The con to this defense is the repeated abuse of this defense by people who are not mentally ill, but looking for pity and/or a way to escape full consequences of their criminal actions. The insanity defense continues to be a controversy, because those who are acquitted are still usually committed to a hospital for an indeterminate period, which some view as a way to escape their sentence. Is there such a thing as temporary insanity? Yes, there is, however, it is under just as much scrutiny as the regular insanity defense. Lots of sane people are sane merely because they have never had an extremely uncomfortable circumstance that pushed them beyond their capability to cope. Causes for someone to temporarily loose sight of normal rationale could be several different things. Some examples could be, catching a spouse in the act of cheating, the effect of a strong medication, or brainwashing. Such happenings in someone’s life could cause a temporary loss of reasoning ability. The person who committed the crime could have entered a â€Å"dissociative state† briefly and committed an act that, under more normal circumstances, they most likely would not have committed. To serve the purpose of a defense in law, the disorder must show to have caused an absolute alienation of reason, â€Å"ut continua mentis alienation†, â€Å"omni intellectu careatâ € - such a disease that would deprive the defendant of the knowledge of the true aspect and position of things about him, in other words, it hinders the defendant from properly distinguishing between friend or foe. So, what does the Bible have to say about insanity? The Bible does not specifically say whether or not mentally ill people go to heaven. But, there is some biblical evidence that anyone who is not able to make a decision for salvation is covered by Christ’s death. It would be similar to how many commonly believe that children are automatically taken to heaven when they die until they reach the point where they are able to make a decision for or against Christ. When King David suffered the loss of a child, he comforted himself with the thought, â€Å"Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me† (2 Samuel 12:23) King David was fully aware that one day he would see his child again in heaven. It is from this example that we can see that young children and babies are, by God’s grace, covered for salvation by Christ’s death. I feel we can make a cross reference from this assumption with children, that another group of people who lack the same accountability standards as the rest of us, mentally ill and mentally retarded people are covered by the same salvation principle. It is true that the word of God does not specifically state this. However, this would seem consistent with the character of Christ, as we as Christians are aware of His love, grace, and mercy. Any person who is mentally challenged to the degree that he could not be aware of his sinful state and believe in Christ for himself to receive salvation, would be in the same category as a child and therefore it is not unreasonable to assume that this individual is saved by the grace and mercy of the same God who saves babies and small children. To conclude, I have learned more than I ever thought imaginable about the insanity defense. This has really been a fascinating and incredible journey of research. The insanity defense came into play when the fall of man came into play. We all sin and fall short of the Glory of God. With sin come things that God never intended, like disease of the mind. I have seen more and more that the controversy over the insanity plea will never be completely resolved because it is such a gray area to be in. Only God can ever truly look into the heart of man and see his true heart and mind and intentions. As man with limits to what we can discern about another’s actions or mental capability, we do the best we can to judge those who should face judgment and give help to those who are mentally sick. But until the end of this life, there will always be this issue. Research Papers on The Insanity PleaCapital PunishmentUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Comparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoStandardized TestingEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenQuebec and CanadaPETSTEL analysis of IndiaThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseThree Concepts of Psychodynamic

Stragtegic Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Stragtegic Management - Case Study Example The enormous size of the band had also drained its financial resources besides forcing members to rely on supplies from nearby villages. Travelers were now avoiding the forest altogether in order to prevent their goods from being confiscated. Robin Hood has the unique opportunity of encouraging people to travel through the forest by not robbing them and instead levy a transit tax. He also has the chance to contain the size of his band and remove any weak members who had become a liability for the group. These measures are necessary since the Sheriff’s power and determination are growing constantly. Besides enjoying a mighty political clout, the Sheriff has been probing the group for any weaknesses through a dense network of spies. CORE Competencies of the Company The band enjoys the benefit of dedication amongst all members towards the common cause of fighting against the rich and corrupt. Robin Hood has also knit the group into a disciplined unit where each task or responsibi lity is handled efficiently by an experienced member of the group. The group has also established policies to distribute any proceeds from raids equitably among members and has arrangements in place to store and safeguard the surplus. The group has also devised an efficient spying network that collects information on the movements of the Sheriff and other high-profile individuals in the region. Company Basic Objectives The primary objective of the band is to overthrow the corrupt and oppressive administration of the Sheriff. The band also aims at improving the living standards of the lesser privileged people in the region by targeting rich individuals and distributing their loot among the former. The group also works towards establishing alliances with people who have similar grievances against the government and are interested in fighting against this injustice. Company Basic Business Strategy The band’s leader, Robin Hood, believes in an inclusive approach in his fight agai nst the Sheriff. His primary strategy is to increase the strength and size of his band to match the might of the Sheriff and his men. All members of the band are also trained rigorously in skills like Archery and their strength and vigil is always put to test. There is also evidence that the group believes in covert tactics as it operates out of the forest and plans all its moves in advance based on gathered intelligence. Current Strategic Management Issues As mentioned previously, the group has grown vastly in size and it has become to maintain discipline and respect within the group. There is also a growing sense of uncertainty among members as experienced by Robin Hood, who could not recognize many of his band members. The band’s encampment is now thinly guarded as members have become more relaxed and discipline has become hard to monitor and implement. Robin Hood has given considerable thought to assassinating the Sheriff to take his revenge, but realizes that such a poss ibility is distantly remote. Moreover, the Sheriff enjoys enormous political and royal support and has friends in the judiciary. These factors render any planned move against the Sheriff even more dangerous, raising the chances of retribution if things were to go wrong. Actions which should be taken to address these Issues Firstly, Robin Hood should restrict the size of his band and refrain from including any new members. He should also reduce the size of his current group by retaining the strongest and skilled individuals while assigning