Dead Man Walking Essay examples -- essays research papers

Dead Man Walking   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The film â€Å"Dead Man Walking† is a film about redemption. The film is directed by Tim Robbins. Susan Sarandon plays a Nun called Sister Helen Prejean. She is asked by a convicted murderer to get him a lawyer, and then later is asked to be his spiritual advisor. The convicted killer is named Matthew Poncelet, and he is played by Sean Penn. The film is set in the Angola state penitentiary, in Louisiana. Matthew Poncelet first asks her to get him a lawyer so he can repeal his Death sentence. Sister Helen gets him a lawyer, but they fail after several good attempts to get him off death row. Sister Helen begins to come to him almost every day after Poncelet asks her to be his spiritual advisor on the day of his death. During this phase of the film Sister Helen tries to get Poncelet to tell her about his own life. Poncelet tells her about his life and why he was put on death row. Poncelet was convicted along with another man in the murder of the youth and a girl after raping the girl. Sister Helen is very sympathetic and is also looked down upon for this reason. Though she is repressed she still goes on helping Poncelet and she digs around in his feelings and soul. Sister Helen eventually finds a good soul in Matthew Poncelet, a person no one else knows. Matthew constantly denies to Sister Helen, himself, and to God that he had committed his horrible crime. Poncelet continues to blame his problems on other things such as his father dying early in his life, his drug use, his immaturity, and that he was unable to stand up to his partner in the brutal crime. Sister Helen urges Poncelet to come clean and face the part that he took in the crime. And at nearly the last minutes of the film he tells the truth. Though he tells the truth of his sin, he is still put to death by lethal injection.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The purpose of this film, I believe, was to show that capital punishment is not right in all circumstances, but the redemption and preservation of the human soul being better. Tim Robbins tried to show how most people and even more accurate, Christian people tend to always want vengeance for a crime. Most of them have a line from the old testament committed to memory, â€Å"An eye for an eye,† is what they always want to say. But it really confuses me. To me that saying is not clear, if you think about it, i... ...n church. I read the Bible, though not as much as I should, but the â€Å"Eye for an Eye part has always confused me. If the Bible states, â€Å"Thou shall not kill,† then why does it justify the killing of a person who has killed before. I believe that God loves all his children. If people are really followers of Christ, they will learn from him how to forgive people for their faults and mistakes during life. If the people in the film would have stopped and though what it would be like to be in Poncelet’s shoes, maybe they would feel different about the death penalty. He was in jail facing lethal injection. I’m sure if they thought about it they would not want to be killed, but then the people who Poncelet had killed did not have a choice, they had death forced on them. This film does a great job of showing both sides of the capitol punishment controversy. I can see how people think killing someone who has killed is a good thing. It keeps the person off the streets and from killing again. Though is it really justice? I still believe that people can be evil, but people can also be cleansed. I believe this film has a dramatic point, and the purpose is pretty clear to anyone who may watch it.

Family of Woodstock Essay

ABSTRACT: This paper will explore the factors that led the Founders to create the Family of Woodstock while discussing its ability to meet the needs of the community. Further discussion will include creation of the agency’s values, attitudes and beliefs and how they have changed over its 40 year period of service to the community and how specialization has become a trend in the human services delivery. The Family of Woodstock, a social service agency, was founded by those individuals who felt that certain factors presented the opportunity for them to start a social service agency as a direct result of the Woodstock Festival held in a town approximately 100 miles from their location. Many of those who attended the Woodstock Festival brought little, if any, personal belongings or food with them. They were sleeping in parks and spent time hunting down food and/or shelter. In many cases, the attendees were looking for shelter, food and clothing. The community came together with one resident offering her home as well as her telephone service to prevent the Festival attendees from roaming through the area and possibly being arrested for vagrancy. This began the Family of Woodstock whose mission is â€Å"to provide confidential and fully accessible crisis intervention, information, prevention, and support services to address the needs of individuals and  families. The scope of the agency’s vision allows us to bring to bear resources to address a broad spectrum of human problems.† (Family of Woodstock, 2014) With the commitment that the staff at Family would not tell people what to do nor pass judgment on them, the staff was instructed to listen and encourage those who came for help to make choices that would be of benefit. The staff’s eventual goal was to refer people to existing agencies, but be able to fill in when no other agency could assist individuals seeking assistance. Family of Woodstock has become the premier agency for individuals and families seeking assistance in the areas of homelessness, domestic violence, emergency services, child and adolescent services. The agency has certainly met the needs of their community and beyond. The Family provides numerous shelters and housing programs such as Family House – a runaway and homeless youth facility; the Darmstadt Shelter for the Homeless – for men and women primarily in various stages of recover; the Family Inn – a shelter for homeless families; the Washbourne House – a domestic violence shelter for women and their children. The agency also provides supervised transitional living residences for homeless adolescents, and if necessary, their children. A few of the other programs that the Family of Woodstock provide are child care programs for the community, case management services for adult and adolescent substance abusers, inmates at the county jail, homeless individuals and families, victims of domestic violence as well as the general public. Non-residential services are provided to victims of domestic violence as well as supervised visits ordered by the local courts. Keeping in mind that the values, beliefs and attitudes of the Family of Woodstock may have changed over the 40 years since its inception, the original three concepts have continued and have been incorporated into how the Family continues to provide service to the community and its residents. Forty years ago, this fledging not for profit took its concepts from the way the founding members saw their commitment to the community. Today that commitment to the community continues with the addition of more programs and services to assist a broader spectrum of individuals and families who require service. The original client base were individuals and families who attended the Woodstock Festival; today’s clients are residents of the community, some of whom may be part of the original client basis and/or their family members. In this day and age,  specialization has become the latest trend in the human service profession and innovation is equally important and powerful. It is part of how agencies deliver outcomes today, while preparing for tomorrow. Not for profit leaders and others realize that processes, technologies and cultures must be part of the change today in order to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services in the future. However this change takes place, not for profit leaders and others know that in order for their agencies to formulate change, they must assimilate the change with the unique positions that their agencies hold. In conclusion, the Family of Woodstock has moved forward utilizing their talents and abilities to seek changes which move their agency forward by providing more services than originally planned and utilizing their successful outcomes as the pivotal point. References Burger, W.R. (2011). Human services in contemporary America (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. Family of Woodstock, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014 from http://familyofwoodstockinc.org

Management Planning and Ethics

First American Guard Services Company provides unique security services to all our clients. To maximize on our services, the company operates round the clock to ensure all the customers’ requirements are met.   Our core values are innovations, competence and reliability.   The company strives to offer quality services, professional development and high ethical standards.   Our team is highly committed to understand customers’ expectations and solve all safety problems.   The services offered not only will they accommodate all the clients’ needs but also exceed their expectations. (Francesco, 2006) Organizational Structure First American Guard Services is made up of qualified and professional team.   The company is under the Chief executive officer, the Vice president of company operations and Vice president of marketing and Finance.   The Chief Executive Officer manages the whole company and holds the final word.   The VP is in charge of departmental operations and the second VP is in charge of marketing and finance. The planning Function of the Management To ensure the smooth flow of all the activities within the company, the company has decided to embark on management planning and ethics plans to harmonize all the plans laid out.   The management will streamline legal issues, ethics and corporate social responsibility and how it impacts the management and business planning.   All the issues will enhance proper communication, accountability and clarify the vision of all the plans.   The corporate social responsibility will broaden the perspectives of communications at the corporate level within the management so that sound policies can be made. The management consists of the CEO, and the two VPs (Francesco, 2006) Legal issues are vital if any organization must perform well.   The legal issues affect the management since they are responsible for laying out rules and regulations that staff members are expected to adhere to.   First American Guard Company’s management will evaluate all the processes to improve the performance of the management.   The Chief executive will lead the team by initiating workshops and seminars whereby they will be exposed to management courses.   The courses will enhance ethical standards and adhere to the law. (Francesco, 2006) Legal issues, ethical factors as well as corporate social responsible are interrelated since they affect performance of the management and ultimately output of the organization. (Francesco, 2006) Legally, there are rules stipulated by the law that businesses must follow.   The rules determine the types of decisions and plans made at the management level.   Some of the legal issues will determine the quality of services offered by First American, to ensure they meet the standards set by the law.   Despite all the innovations, that the management hopes to come up with, they must be within the law.   On the other hand, ethics are designed by the company, that is, code of ethics indicating the conduct and organizations expectations of all the employees.   The ethical infrastructure will support the effective implementation of ethical responsibility and corporate strategies.   (Francesco, 2006) The ethical training will be directed to the first American Guard service team, so that the members can make use of moral reasoning tools so that questions related to ethics and corporate activities are properly addressed.   The image of the management relies on the code of ethics.   Ethical standards set by the company are usually the crucial tools which enable the management carry out corporate, social and ethical responsibilities.   The function in essence is beyond legal requirements. (Francesco, 2006) The corporate social responsibility will however consider the international standard as well as the best practices. (Francesco, 2006) Conclusion According to many writers, the social responsibility of any business must have ethical responsibilities.   First American Guard Services Company has social responsibilities which will further be subdivided into ethical, legal and economic.   In addition, the ethical responsibilities of the company are parallel to the legal issues. (Francesco, 2006) The management function will therefore revolve around harmonizing all the issues concerned, to ensure all the business plans, implementation adhere to the management function.   This is because, all legal, social and ethical guidelines, determine the policies that the management will formulate and who the implementers will be. (Francesco, 2006) It is important to note that, most social responsibilities are not clear and are more or less an assortment of legal and moral responsibilities, vested interests and some moral ideals.   This package however, inhibits the managements to consider other ethical responsibilities of the company.   This means that if the company trades on ideals, corporate social responsibility myth diverts the attention from the duties of the management. (Francesco, 2006) References Francesco, P. (2006) Developing Corporate Social Responsibility, Edward Elgar   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Publishing.            

China’s 1998 Summer Flood Disaster on the Tangtze

Jethro LeRoy Gibbs Ms. Shepherd Honors English 10 24 March 2013 Mighty Hell from the Yangtze China’s 1998 summer floods killed thousands of people, affected billions of people across the globe, left millions homeless, destroyed or damaged millions of homes, affected millions acres of land, and killed billions of dollars in their economic status.One unfortunate factor that played a huge role in the strengthening of the summer floods that China faced and suffered was human neglect (â€Å"Bad Planning†). However, one of the many significant factors that are highly crucial in flood control is the world’s largest power station (â€Å"Three Gorges†) also known as the Three Gorges Dam. Without the Three Gorges Dam capability of controlling the river floods, each summer poses a great threat to those who dwell near the Yangtze and its tributaries.But despite the complications concerning with the yearly river floods, the Yangtze played a significant role in establis hing many trade routes for many centuries (Wakeman 492). However, since the early dawn of civilization, the Yangtze River proved to contain some of the deadly summer floods that China will ever experience. The Yangtze is naturally located in the Eastern Lowlands, which also contains most of China’s best farmland.In 1998, a collection of floods of the Yangtze River caused by deforestation, overpopulation, location, and failure to learn past mistakes all resulted in a high number of deaths, millions of homeless people, life-threatening water borne diseases, and the suffrage in the industrial and agricultural status; however, the aid and support of China’s government, the United Nations, China’s army and military, and the unification within the people of China eventually brought a better realization on how the repetition of its summer floods could have been avoided in the first place.In other words, the chaos and suffrage that was endured by the many that were affe cted by China’s repetition of its collection of summer floods made the government, United Nations and supporting countries, army and the military, and the people much stronger than before, helping China to correct its past mistakes in order to prevent further trouble socially and economically. One crucial fact that one must observed was that the numerous human errors that occurred before the year 1998 and the failure to correct them took part in the summer flood disaster.Deforestation was the first recognizable human error, especially and specifically in the Eastern Lowlands where the valley of the Yangtze River was geologically located (Wakeman 492). Deforestation brought many environmental problems which aided the summer floods of the Yangtze to increase its size and the risk of damage (Lang). This happened due to soil erosion (Lang) and the removal of top soil (Gittings) which resulted from the lack of trees (Lang). Another environmental problem was the lack of firm top so il due to the lack of trees which can create water run-off, especially near a river (Gittings).The bottom line was that deforestation caused the rich top soil to disappear or disperse creating water run-off which in return encouraged floods to increase its damage capabilities (Lang). The growing population of China also contributes to the deforestation of China because people needed land to live on. The second major human error was overpopulation. Overpopulation in cities or areas prone to deadly natural disasters is more likely to result in higher number of deaths and causalities (Gittings). More people mean a higher demand in food, land, and crops (Gittings) which helped caused deforestation in many areas along the Yangtze.The third major human error was the location in which they built their vast cities and homes. Where there is a river, there is the potential risk or threat of a river flood. Throughout the summer flood disaster, tens of thousands of people were force to either f lee or evacuate their homes as entire villages were wiped out and crops sustained heavy damage (Ansfield). Flooding was always a negative factor to many cities, towns, and industries which were built relatively close to the Yangtze River in the Eastern Lowlands throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries (Wakeman 492).Finally, the fourth major human error was failure to improve after many flood disasters before the year 1998. The government did not have enough resources to initiate a complete plan to avoid summer flooding’s and disasters that follows it (Gittings). The government lacked on the money, funds, labor, and support according to this quote during the 1998 summer floods, where many Chinese flood victims answered a question to who to blame saying, â€Å"There was nothing to be done. China was too poor. China has too many people† (Gittings).Thus, many victims advocated for improvement yet failed because political power and complete social unification with the rest of the country was out of their league (Gittings). The bottom line was that human errors not only set up the devastating Yangtze summer flood disaster, but also encouraged it to happen. There were severe flood consequences following China’s summer disaster. First, the disaster negatively impacted socially, where panic and chaos ensured in many of the flooded streets (Watson).But chaos wasn’t the only thing on flooded streets. Damages took place in many commercial businesses, which were either damaged or destroyed by the floods putting thousands out of work (â€Å"YouTube†). According to a video recording the disaster, the entire streets and major roadways were completely flooded, only leaving sewage and unsanitary debris behind (â€Å"YouTube†). The second consequence was unsanitary drinking water. Even flooding as a natural disaster can tamper with the public drinking water making it harder to have access to safe water (Watson).People who drink unsa fe water can risk getting diseases and illnesses, such as diarrheal (Watson). This only put more negative pressure on the victims who were striving to survive the disaster. The third consequence was structural damage complications. Collapsed or damaged structures can create havoc and add more problems to the picture as shown in a video where it showed flood waters surrounding underneath a damaged bridge, full of trapped survivors who were waiting to be rescued (â€Å"YouTube†).Another example of structural damage was the breakthrough of many dikes and levees along the Yangtze River holding back heavy flood waters to protect nearby cities and industrial centers (Hutzler). Many dikes were placed in areas prone to flooding especially near the industrial centers and oil fields in order to protect them and keep them from affecting their economic status (Kurtenbach). The condition and strength of the many dikes literally was a death and life situation for not only the government, b ut for the population as well.Lastly, the fourth consequence was the rise in health issues. An example was the extreme scarcity of safe drinking water. Drinking unsafe water can increase the risk of getting diarrheal disease which exactly happened in many cities affected by the Yangtze floods (Watson). Also, many hospitals and clinics were damaged, destroyed, or completely submerged under water which caused a shortage in medicine and medical equipment for the many flood victims (Hutzler).As the flood waters affected millions, negative health factors such as colds, stomach illnesses, dysentery, hepatitis, and diseases carried by waterborne parasites all threatened the flood victims and those nearby to which health Minister Zhang Wenkang himself tried to warn that these factors were on the rise (Hutzler). The many flood consequences radically brought devastating damages to China and immediately alerted the people and the government that changes and solutions in its society was needed to prevent further flood catastrophes.Agricultural, economic, and industrial damages were dealt with throughout the summer disaster. Fact: â€Å"Flooding across vast areas of China that began in June of 1998 had affected more than 140 million people, destroyed 2. 9 million houses and ruined nine million hectares of crops by July 15† (â€Å"China Moves†). In agriculture, about 21 million hectares of land were underwater which disrupted successful farming and the growth of crops (Harding). The grain production of 1998 was difficult to accomplish for the flooding’s cut back some 11 million tons of summer grain harvest (Harding).Also, cotton wheat and rice got hit the worst (Harding). Economically, losses were estimated around 85. 6 billion Yuan. Agriculture and the economy were extremely associated with each other. For example, the cotton industry was highly affected by the Yangtze summer floods (Harding). Even though it still had enough cotton to produce for the u se of China, flooding still damaged some cotton fields thus forcing a decrease in its cotton exports (Harding). In other words, the reduction of cotton exports and imports greatly damaged its economic shipping.Thus, agricultural had a strong mutual bond with the economy, a bond where one can become affected and overwhelmingly impact the other. But that wasn’t the only complication, for billions of money was spent by the government (â€Å"1998†) to provide food, water, and shelter to the flood victims as well as spending money to clean up and rebuild the affected cities and lands (Ansfield). One example that can be examined was a quote from the mayor of Qiqihar, â€Å"We need about three years to make up for the heavy losses caused by the floods† (Gittings).When a natural disaster hits so suddenly, the damages can be so severe and restoration of anything takes time and patience. Finally, the floods damaged the industry of China. A total of 335 oilfields were subm erged underwater or affected by the floods at Daqing (Kurtenbach). But according to Xinhua, China’s oil production still continued, even though 282 oil wells were shut down and 1443 oil wells were overwhelmed with flood waters (Hutzler).Despite the amount of damages sustained during the disaster, China eventually received much needed help and support by its government, the United Nations, army and military, and the people. The 1998 summer disaster created problems that changed China economically, socially, and politically. But most problems eventually were solved, mostly by the reactions and responses of China and other helpful nations. There were four recognizable reactionaries and responses. The first was government involvement.During the summer flood disasters, the government helped in supplying the thousands with medical supplies, food, water, and shelter (Kurtenbach). Even President Jiang Zemin urged relief workers to ensure social order and guard against the spread of d iseases (Kurtenbach). The government also built the world’s largest powerhouse dam, the Three Gorges Dam (â€Å"Three Gorges†), in order to control flooding and provide an eco-friendly power source for its cities and people (â€Å"China Moves†).Deforestation was a major cause and problem of the 1998 summer floods, thus the government devised a plan in which they will replant thousands of trees to regain rich top soil especially near the Yangtze and its rivers (Lang). In order to complete this major task, the government received help from the Sloping Land Conversion Program or SLCP which will devise a plan to turn some 37 million acres of land back into forests or grasslands (Hance). The government orders some of the dikes to be destroyed to flood plains and farms in order to save the many industrial cities and centers from being flooded (â€Å"Background†).Most importantly, the government banned all logging activities in the headwaters of the Yangtze and in the Sichuan province, stopping the lumber jacks from cutting down trees to planting new trees (Gittings). The second reaction and response was the help from the United Nations. The World Food Programme or W. F. P. officially got involved and helped China and its people by sending and distributing food and water to the flood victims (â€Å"Chinese Agency†). The W. E. P. Deputy Executive Director Namanga Nyongi stated, â€Å"The aim of W. F.P. ’s emergency operation is to provide food and to help these people rebuild their homes and the local infrastructure which were destroyed by the floods† (â€Å"Chinese Agency†). This quote simply explains on how Nyongi spoke a reassurance statement in which help was on the way and that the Chinese flood victims will not be abandoned. The United States also helped by sending in a shipment of humanitarian relief equipment (Harding) and dispatched some cargo planes carrying essential supplies vital to the flood victims (â€Å"Background†).The third reaction and responses was from China’s army and military. Countless Chinese troops are sent in to complete search and rescue missions, reinforce weak dikes, clean up the wreckage of the many cities, and secure public safety and provide protection (â€Å"YouTube†). More than two million people including most military personal all helped reinforce the weak and outdated dikes holding some or most of the flood waters back (Harding). Lastly, the unification of the people of China was a significant reaction and response to the summer floods.It took millions of helpful people of all social classes and society to work as a team to reinforce the poor dikes and drain flooded roads as well as replanting drowned crops (Ansfield). Teamwork in rescue missions was crucial especially when dealing with a crisis that involved victims in a dangerous situation (â€Å"YouTube†). Another example of unity and teamwork was the millions of hands wi llingly sacrificing their time and efforts in the moving of earth and sand to avoid greater disasters (Gittings).The fact that President Jiang Zemin encouraged the country and nation to team up with one another in the struggle of the 1998 summer floods also helped in unifying the people. The 1998 summer flood disaster in China devastated both the government and the people caused by major human errors such as deforestation, overpopulation, location, and past failures only to be later resolved by its reactions and responses to improve its status with the Yangtze and avoid future, major complications. Human errors were most to blame since the government and the people did not learn from their past disaster mistakes and continued to lose countless lives.Deforestation, overpopulation, location, and all of the failures could have been recognized and solved by the people of China thus preventing such high deaths and leaving millions homeless or affected. But despite the complications, ther e were some changes that were made to help them correct their past mistakes, and the government, people, and the United Nations all did their best to help China succeed. The restoration of thousands of trees and the facility of the Three Gorges Dam was to both play a crucial role in controlling the river floods or to prevent soil erosion, as well as protecting those living along the Yangtze.Despite the complications and solutions, natural disasters can change and shape countries, people, governments, and society. But it is the reactions and responses to the disasters that determines whether the outcome is a success or a failure based on learning from the mistakes and correcting them. Works Cited â€Å"1998 Yangtze River Floods. † Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 May 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. Ansfield, Jonathan. â€Å"China Rebuilds in Wake of Flooding: 540 Reported Deaths. † National Post [Don Mills, Ont] 25 June 2002, Toronto ed. , Sports sec. : S10. ProQuest Newsst and. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. . â€Å"Background: The Yangtze's Wrath. † Interview by Elizabeth Farnsworth, Phil Ponce, and Woman. PBS. PBS, n. d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. . â€Å"Bad Planning Made Flood Damage Worse. † The Daily Yomiuri [Tokyo] 14 Sept. 1998: 1. ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. . â€Å"China Moves 132,000 as Floods Approach Three Gorges Region: Flood Season Has Killed 1,000, and Officials Tell Residents to Brace for Massive Crest of Water Expected on the Yangtze. The Vancouver Sun [Vancouver] 20 July 1998, Final ed. , News sec. : A5. ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. ;http://search. proquest. com/docview/242848508? accountid=3785;. â€Å"Chinese Agency Reports UN Food-aid Programme Launched in Flood Aftermath. † BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific – Political [London] 19 Sept. 1998: 1. ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. ;http://search. proquest. com/docview/450127178? accountid=3785;. Gittings, John. â€Å"Environment: High and Dry The Floo ding of the Yangtze River Has Devastated the Lives of Millions. Now China Is Claiming It Can

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Themes There are a few themes in the novel, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The first theme is achieving one’s dream. Professor Lidenbrock shows that with determination, one can achieve one’s dream. So when he got an opportunity to do so in making the  journey to the centre of the Earth, he seized it immediately. At the end of this novel, he successfully completed the journey. Second theme is facing challengers with perseverance and courage. Many times during the journey, the travelers faced challengers.For example, Axel wanted to turn back but the Professor and Hans persevered till Hans courageously explored the cave to look for a stream. Third theme is facing difficulties with optimism. Axel lost hope many times and wanted to give up. Fortunately, his uncle was full of optimism throughout the journey. For example, when they went through the chasm of fire, his uncle believed they were on their way back to the surface. He was right. His optimism kept them going ti ll they completed the  journey. Moral ValuesIn the novel, Journey to the Centre of the earth, the moral value I have learned is we should practice co-operation, obedience and loyalty when doing work as a group. Professor Otto Lidenbrock, Axel and Hans undertook the journey to the centre of the earth. They were unsure of  what they would see and the dangers they would face. To make sure they were safe, they worked together and looked after each other. Hans saved Axel when he almost fell into the pit from a tunnel. Hans made the effort to look for water to save them.He made the raft for them to sail across the sea. Axel did everything his uncle expected of him. There was co-operation, obedience and loyalty. Synopsis In the novel, Journey to the Centre of the earth, Professor Lidenbrock discovers a coded message in an ancient  manuscript about a way to get into the centre of the Earth through a mountain in Iceland. After decoding the message, Lidenbrock and Axel set off to Icelan d to begin their journey to the centre of the Earth. They hire an Icelandic guide, Hans Bjelke to help them on their journey.When they enter the volcanic crater, they face several difficulties and see a lot of strange things, including prehistoric life. They build a raft and set sail on the ocean and reach a coastline. They are swept into a large vent filling with water and magma and are ejected onto the surface. When they regain consciousness, they find out that they are on the island of Stromboli in Italy. They return home to Germany. In Germany they are treated like heroes and Professor Lidenbrock's achievements are recognized. Axel marries Gretchen, and Hans eventually returns to Iceland.Charaters Professor Otto Lidenbrock Professor Otto Lidenbrock is a middle aged eccentric dedicated scientist. He had an intense scientific curiosity. After reading the runic script, he was decided to make the journey to the centre of the Earth. Once he had decided to do it, he pursued it till it was accomplished. He was concerned for Axel through the journey. When Axel wanted to give up and turn back, hepersevered Axel to continue the journey. At the end of this novel, He succeeded in making the journey and returned to Hamburg a hero.Professor Otto Lidenbrock became a well-known scientist internationally acclaimed. Axel Lidenbrock Axel Lidenbrock was Professor Lidenbrock’s young nephew. He had a girlfriend by the name of Gretchen. At times, he was helpful to his uncle. It was him who found the secret to decode the message in the script. Later, he found the message on the back of the paper he was holding. Though he had misgivings about the journey his uncle wanted to embark, his loyalty to him made him go with his uncle.However, he could not endure the hardships of  discovery. Many time he wanted to give up and return home. Hans Bjelke Hans Bjelke was an Icelandic guide who was reliable and brave. He was a strong and reliable man, he spoke few words. He was good at his job as a guide. Being resourceful, he always had the things needed. When they had to climb down the cave, he had the ropes ready for them to do it. Through his help, Axel and his uncle succeeded in completing the journey.

Corporate finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Corporate finance - Essay Example In tradeoff theory, the search is for an optimum capital structure. The tradeoff is between the interest tax shield, bankruptcy costs and agency costs. The firm would seek the optimum debt ratio that maximises the value of the firm. It therefore balances the marginal present values of interest tax shields against bankruptcy costs and agency costs. The theory therefore predicts the mean reversion of the actual debt ratio towards a target or optimum and also predicts a cross-sectional relation between average debt-ratios and asset risk, profitability, tax status and asset type. In pecking order theory, there is no optimal debt ratio. Due to asymmetric information and signaling problems associated with issuing equity, financing policies follow a hierarchy, with preference for internal over external financing and for debt over equity. The debt ratio is therefore a cumulative result of hierarchical financing over time. 2. Managers are prohibited from trading in the shares of the firm. This prevents them from going against the interests of the firm, example short-selling the shares before announcing bad news about the firm even though the firm is doing well. 3. 3. Investors use the face value of debt held by the company to tell whether the firm is successful (type A) or unsuccessful (type B). 4. By changing the capital structure, the firm alters the perceived market value of the firm even if the true value of the firm remains the same. 1 period interest rate r t = 0 t=1 V0 V1 Market perception Truth is revealed Manager's compensation, M, paid out at the end of the period t=1: V1 if V1 D M = (1 + r)0V0 + 1 V1 - C if V1 0, 1: positive weights of the value of the firm r: one period interest rate V0, V1: value of the firm at t=0 and t=1 VA: value of successful type firm at t = 1 VB:

Mixed- Methods Research Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mixed- Methods Research - Assignment Example The researcher is in a position to cover a wide scope because of a wide range of research questions since there is no confinement in a single approach. The method has its weakness such as increased costs of carrying out the research and more time is likely to be consumed before ones completes a given study (Creswell and Clark, 2007). The researcher has no choice but to learn how to integrate the different methods for a coherent study. I will use mixed methods design strategy because it will add more insights and understanding that is not achievable when using one approach. For instance, evaluating the features of childcare services will need one research method while understanding how the parents choose the particular methods of caregiving will require another research method. The on the number of mothers working outside their homes uses mixed methods approach. The quantitative method in this study was used to evaluate how parents check on different characteristics of childcare services given to their children. The researcher used qualitative method through questionnaires to establish the experiences of the mothers from their caregiving services. The researcher used mixed methods design in order to broaden the research questions and get more insights into caregiving services to the rural parents. I would have chosen the mixed methods approach in order to provide a strong proof for a deduction through corroboration of