Loneliness and Dreams in Mice of men Essay

John Steinbeck wrote the novel of Mice and Men during the great depression. During this time there were few jobs which meant people had to migrate in search of jobs. This meant they were constantly moving and could not establish lasting friendships or relationships. Steinbeck portrays the loneliness and hardship felt by people living through the 1930’s American depression. He shows how the dreams of the characters were what helped them survive through this period. In this essay I will discuss the dreams and loneliness of the characters in the novel and how Steinbeck reveals each characters loneliness and dreams. George and Lennie both experience loneliness. Even though they had each other George needed somebody on his wavelength, with his level of maturity because Lennie is like a child and does not think like an adult, he is mentally retarded. One almost gets the feeling that he doesn’t want Lennie for companionship at all when he is talking to Lennie about how he would live without him. † God a ‘mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy.† Page 11 As George carries on talking of his laid back carefree lifestyle he dreams of he progressively gets angrier. It makes the reader wonder why he even stays with Lennie if he feels so overwhelmed with the responsibility of looking out for Lennie. George is a thinker he sees how bitter other men on the ranch have become through their loneliness; George knows that staying with Lennie stops him from being truly lonely. He also has protection from Lennie because he knows he is safe when he has a big guy like Lennie as his friend. Looking out for Lennie gives him a purpose, a reason, a role in his life he gets the satisfaction of knowing he is needed. ‘George fell silent. He wanted to talk.’ Page 41 This quote is from when George talks to Slim. He is happy to have the chance to talk to someone on his level of maturity. As Slim is a good listener and tries to understand the relationship between George and Lennie. Lennie doesn’t really experiences loneliness although he needs to pet something, to hold something. He always has George to look after him sees George as a father figure. George instructs him on how to behave and what to do in certain situations. ‘Slowly, like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached,’ page 9 This quote is taken from when George wants to take a dead mouse away from Lennie who doesn’t want to give it up. It reveals how George has an authority over Lennie. George and Lennie’s dream is to one day own some land. They wish to live on this land and be their own boss. George no longer wants to comply with somebody else’s rules. He wants to have a purpose in working hard on the land because then he will benefit from his hard work. Whereas when working on a ranch he is working hard for somebody else’s profits. Lennie is only interested in tending to the rabbits. He just wants to be able to pet some animals. His dream fits in with George’s it doesn’t matter if he owns the land or not. Curley’s wife’s name is never mentioned she is always referred to as Curley’s wife. Steinbeck never uses her name because the other men see her as belonging to Curley, just another possession of his on the ranch Curley’s wife is the only woman on the ranch, she married Curley recently and she is still quite young. She is lonely because she has no one to confide in. When she wants to talk to the men she uses the excuse she is looking for Curley. ‘Any you boys seen Curley?’ Pg81 This quote is from when Lennie, Candy and Crooks are in Crook’s room and Curley’s wife comes in. In this chapter we know she uses the excuse she is looking for Curley as a way to talk to the men on the ranch. We know this because, after the men tell her he hasn’t been there she says ‘Think I don’t know where they all went? Even Curley. I know where they all went. ‘ Page 81 She uses this excuse every time she wants to talk to the men but she has shown that she knew exactly where he was this time. She then calls them the weak ones the ‘bunch of bindle stiffs’ but even after that she wishes to talks to them. This is because she is desperate for some company anyone to talk to. She is seen to be a ‘tart’ and ‘jail bait’ by the other men on the ranch, but she still wants to have them for company. Curley’s wife also had dream, she still has, and when she was younger she wanted to be an actress. She says how she could have been famous, rich and happy. † I coulda made somethin’ of myself.’ She said darkly, â€Å"Maybe I will yet.† Pg 93 The fact that she still hopes to fulfil her dream is rather pathetic. Her dream is very unrealistic she will never break free from her unhappy marriage. She has this dream because it is a form of escapism, she can pretend that she is not lonely and that one-day she will not have to live the way she very much dislikes. † I tell you I ain’t used to livin’ like this.† Pg 93 She reveals her dreams to Lennie when he’s on his own she finds that the men only talk to her when they are on their own. Even when Lennie is on his own he is reluctant to talk to her because of what George has said about her. Crooks is a Negro in a society that considers non-whites as sub-human. He also is partially crippled which does not help when he is living in a society that value people by their ability to provide a service. Because of his race he does not sleep in the same room as the other workers, he lives in the room where he works in and ‘ a manure pile under the window.’ Because of this Crooks spends most of his time on his own leading to a great feeling of loneliness. His only companions are his books and as he has seen people come and go he has acquired more possessions than the others have. His loneliness is revealed when he is talking to Lennie. Lennie is talking to Crooks in his room, telling him about the land they will one day own. † A guy needs somebody-to be near him.† Pg 77 Crooks reads books but because of his colour he has no friend not even somebody on his wavelength. He is on his own every night whereas all the other men share their room in the bunkhouse. Crooks is so overcome with his loneliness that he cannot hope or dream anymore. He doesn’t take any notice of Lennie’s dream because he has heard it all before. â€Å"I seen hundreds of men come by on the road†¦ An’ every damn one of ’em’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ never a god-damn one of ’em ever gets it. Pg 78 Although after he hears how this dream could become a reality Crooks is influenced and wants to join in. He later retracts his statement because of the way Curley’s wife treats him. † Well you keep your place, then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.† Pg 85 She’s racist and through her body language she shows that she has the authority over him. This is why he no longer wanted to join in with the plan of owning land. Candy is lonely because he has nobody; he only had one companion, which was his dog that he had since the dog was a puppy. Candy was very upset when his dog had to be killed. His loneliness is revealed when Carlson proposes that the dog should be shot. † Why’n’t you shoot him, candy? The old man squirmed uncomfortably.† Pg 47 The thought of Candy’s only companion being shot fills him with dread. The thought is uncomfortable. He tries many times to reason with Carlson and find a way that he can put off the death of his dog. â€Å"Candy said hopefully, ‘you ain’t got a gun.† Pg 50 The only reason he lets his dog die is because he cannot argue with Carlson. Also Slim agreed with Carlson and Slim word is the law in this play, the voice of reason. Candy is so desperate for companionship that he keeps a blind dog that is in pain from dying in a way this is an act of selfishness. Candy listens attentively while George and Lennie are talking about their dream. He offers to buy the land they need to fulfil their dream. â€Å"S’spose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in † Pg 62 Candy is very old, because of the great depression there is no job security and because of this he thinks he will be sacked soon. At this point the dream seems more real to them than it has ever been before. Before it was just a fantasy, some thing to find comfort in, but he could never actually let himself believe it. † They all sat still, all bemused by the beauty of the thing,† Pg 64 I think now their dream is more realistic but not realistic enough because George says if Lennie and he don’t spend anything they would have $450 but they are bound to spend something especially when George is interested in going to the cat house. Also the asking price is $600 it will take a lot longer for them to raise that amount of money. The great depression in America had its effect on many of the characters; money was hard to come by. Loneliness is a major theme in the novel Of Mice and Men because many of the characters suffer from this more than anything else. Loneliness kills Curley’s wife, embitters Crooks and candy although Lennie and George put it off through the fact that they have each other for companionship. â€Å"Guys like us, that work on the ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’†¦. Lennie broke in. ‘But not us! Because †¦because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why’ Pg 14 Steinbeck doesn’t offer any answers to the character’s problem of loneliness. Showing the reader a graphic and moving portrayal of how loneliness affects people without providing an antidote or giving a happy ending makes the novel really sad. Lennie and George’s dream brought nothing but pain and grief instead of promised joy and happiness, which ties into the tittle of the book which was taken from a poem titled to a mouse by a Scottish poet called Robert Burns. This poem was about how a mouse, which had planned for the winter by making a nest, had its nest ruined by a tractor. George and Lennie planned carefully how they were going to achieve their dream of being free and independent but forces beyond their control shattered their dream. Steinbeck never suggests that dreams should not be had, Lennie and George’s dream was so powerful that Candy was drawn in and for a short time so was the cynical Crooks. This dream was what comforted Lennie and helped George survive. The dreams the characters had had to be had they were what was needed to hold on to, to survive and to work for. This period of time made people bitter because they were lonely, the only person they had to look out for was themselves, kindness had no place on the ranch. They all cried out for love and care but only Lennie openly expressed his need for it through his constant talk of rabbits. Characters like Crooks had become cynical, he had lost hope and he couldn’t dream. At first when Lennie talked of his dream Crooks thought it was another pathetic dream he was beyond imagining how everything could be. Curley’s wife’s dream was rather pathetic and quite unrealistic but it was a form of escapism for her. So she fantasised about her dream coming true but it was her way of coping when she was in an unhappy marriage that she had no way out of. It is sad to think that the loneliness that she was trying to get away from killed her in the end.

ICT has changed the way people live, work and communicate

Information Communication Technology ( ICT ) has significantly changed the manner people live, work, communicate and learn. Therefore, ICT influences many parts of our plants and lives, every bit good as many of our free clip activities. The fact is it includes a assorted figure of tools like computing machines which help to better human life. In instruction to be more specific it has been proven that ICT is a really of import portion of instruction and acquisition procedure. ICT creates new signifiers of larning that can be customized to pupils demands. Using ICT tools, such as multimedia, e-mail, synergistic presentation, CD-ROM, computing machine simulations, computing machine lab and www-based resources, can form learning so that the pupils can command the acquisition procedure. Lessons that based on the scholars ‘ accomplishments can be designed in new and more effectual ways.A Enhancing collaborative activities among pupils utilizing networked computing machine labs. Stud ents can discourse subjects specified by the teacher utilizing on-line treatment forums. Scientific surveies are going easier through computing machine simulations and ocular tools enable pupils to better understand constructs ( Morrison, Lowther and DeMeulle, 1999 ) . The integrating of ICT in the instruction sector is of import to run into the challenges presented by new tendencies, particularly with the planetary communicating of cognition. It is of import that the pupils become familiar with the construct and usage of ICT in order to fit them for future occupation market. Besides, the instructors can accomplish better quality in learning methods.A A1.2 Education system in Saudi ArabiaThe primary instruction system began in Saudi Arabia in the thirtiess. By 1945, King Abdulaziz bin Abdelrahman Al-Saud, the state ‘s laminitis, had initiated an extended plan to set up schools in the Kingdom. Six old ages subsequently, in 1951, the state had 226 schools with 29,887 pupils. In 1954, the Ministry of Education was established, headed by so Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz as the first Minister of Education. Primary, intermediate and secondary schools are handled by the Ministry of Education, but policies sing third instruction are handled by the Minist ry of Higher Education, established in 1975 ( Ministry of Education, 2010 ) . The kindergarten in Saudi Arabia is non-mandatory. It starts when kids aged 3-6 old ages. Nurseries and kindergartens are supervised, established and developed by different sectors ; the private sector, the Ministry of Education, General Presidency for Girls Education, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Health and governmental and private universities. The official instruction in Saudi Arabia starts from primary schools and above. A brief description for each phase is as follows: Primary schools in Saudi Arabia consist of six classs ( from age 6 to 12 ) . Get downing from this phase the male child and misss are separated in different schools. Middle schools in Saudi Arabia or intermediate schools consist of three classs ( from age 13-15 old ages old ) . In Saudi Arabia there are different sorts of secondary schools like general secondary schools, commercial, proficient and vocational secondary schools which are under The General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training. The general secondary schools consists of three classs 10, 11 and 12 ( from age 16-18 old ages old ) ( Ministry of Education, 2010 ) .1.3 ICT in Saudi ArabiaDeveloped and developing states have responded to the challenge by originating national plans to present computing machine engineering into instruction. Saudi Arabia made great paces in the countries of computing machine usage in instruction. With respect to the computing machine usage as learning stuff within the course of study of general instruction or its usage in the disposal of the educational procedure. Saudi Arabia takes the advantages of computing machines and introduced it in instruction since 1996 as a tool and course of study to heighten instruction system. Consequently, Computer l abs have been established in secondary schools to learn computing machine scientific discipline as a topic. Many undertakings were implemented beside part from private sector to the airing of computing machine civilization in line with the Ministry of Education programs ( Computer and Information Centre, 2008 ) . The Ministry of Education ten-year strategic program was established in 2004. It stated that its Information and communicating engineering ( ICT ) end is to develop the substructure of information and communicating engineering and its employment in instruction and acquisition ( Computer and Information Centre, 2008 ) . This comprehensive program for the integrating of engineering in instruction, through many undertakings such as: King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz undertaking for the development of public instruction was in 2007. It has a budget of SR 9 billion and aimed to vouch the handiness of a extremely skilled and motivated work force in the hereafter. The undertaking will get down with making a hi-tech schoolroom environment in the Kingdom in six old ages. More than 400,000 instructors will be trained to manage categories in the hi-tech manner ( Ministry of Education, 2008 ) . The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia identified 39 stairss to implement this undertaking which includes course of study development, professional development programmes for instructors, betterment of the educational environment and the extra-curricular activities for pupils of the more than five million pupils ( Ministry of Education, 2007 ) . The execution of this undertaking required the readying of course of study, digital electronic books and educational elements of the course of study, and constructing proficient criterions integrating into the course of study, course of study development at all phases, get downing from primary through to secondary school. In fact, MOE identified nine stairss to better the educational environment including associating all schools through high-velocity digital communicating and supplying webs within schools with the necessary waiter, and supplying portable Personal computer ( laptop ) devices to each instructor for readyings and lessons. The Saudi authorities ‘s end is to intermix ICT with instruction ( Ministry of Education, 2007 ) . As a consequence, the Computer Based Labs undertaking has been established in schools across a scope of different engineerings. One of the Ministry of Education precedences is the development of Learning Resource Centre ( LRC ) in each school to supply information through ICT. LRC purpose to supply appropriate acquisition environment that allows the scholar to take advantage of several different types of beginnings of acquisition and make self-learning chances and heighten his accomplishments in research and geographic expedition, enabling the instructor to follow the modern methods in the design of the lesson and develop stuffs, execution and rating. This twelvemonth is the 3rd stage of the constitution of Learning Resource Centre in the public schools. Therefore, this undertaking contributes to increase pupils ‘ technological civilization and the effectivity of lessons. Fu rthermore, the authorities encourages the investing in E-learning or â€Å" distance instruction † to supply instruction and preparation of national workers. In short, Saudi MOE gives precedence in heightening instruction and acquisition procedure and developing educational environment with all updated engineerings.1.4 Statement of jobThe hereafter of the computing machine engineering as an educational tool which allows the interaction between the scholars and lesson, distinguishes computing machine engineering than the remainder of the educational tools that came before it. Furthermore, Banathy ( 1996 ) asserts that the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and acquisition is an educational invention that touches all facets of a school system such as course of study, instructional patterns, learning schemes and techniques, schoolroom scenes, stuffs, resources, instructors ‘ preparation and professional development, appraisal, etc. Teachers are an of import factor in the execution of computing machine engineering integrating in instruction. Without the engagement of instructors, most pupils may non take advantage of all the available possible benefits of computing machine engineering on their ain. The educational system in Saudi Arabia keeps increasing the attending in recent old ages on developing instructors and course of study. Promoting the usage of modern learning AIDSs such as computing machines and develop instructors ‘ accomplishments. The Saudi Ministry of Education has launched ambitious programs to incorporate engineering in instruction, and attention was given to both instructors ‘ and pupils ‘ computing machine accomplishments, like set uping the Learning Resource Centres which to a great extent depending on computing machine engineering to supply information for scholars, computing machine labs and computerized scientific discipline labs to research its assorted applications in t he Fieldss of instruction ( Computer and Information Centre, 2008 ) . Teachers ‘ phases of concern about this invention are an of import component to promote instructor to incorporate computing machine engineering in their instruction. Without the cognition of instructors ‘ phase of concern in this invention it will be hard how to continue in the execution of computing machine engineering integrating in instruction and acquisition among instructors in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, because instructors play cardinal function in the diffusion of educational invention it is indispensable to cognize their phase of concern about this invention while most of the surveies investigate instructors ‘ attitudes and degree of usage of computing machine engineering in learning and larning. Besides, teacher preparedness is a cardinal to measuring a instructor ‘s ability to originate, develop or follow a given invention ; it is utile for decision makers and pedagogues to understand instructors ‘ concerns, both before and during the execution stage of an invention ( Fullan, 1999 ) . Harmonizing to Hord, Rutherford, Huling-Austin, and Hall ( 1987 ) , alteration is best carried out by single instructors, and, therefore, placing instructor concerns about an invention is indispensable in easing the acceptance procedure and besides they recommended the usage of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model ( CBAM ) to steer invention execution to a successful point of acceptance. A few surveies about instructors ‘ phases of concern in The Arabic context like Al Shammari ( 2000 ) in his survey in instructors ‘ concern about computing machine engineering execution in the intermediate schools in Kuwait. He indicates that instructors with many old ages of experience expressed higher impact concerns, while instructors with few old ages of experience reported lower ego concerns. On the other manus most of the surveies focus on one learning country like scientific discipline instructors ( Dass,1997 ) , English instructors ( Aziz,2008 ) , computing machine instructors ( Al Shammari,2000 ) and societal surveies instructors ( Al-Aghbari,2007 ) . †¦ †¦ Therefore, the job of this survey is because of the deficiency of information sing Saudi secondary schools instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and acquisition.1.5 Research aimsThe purpose of this research is to look into Saudi secondary school instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and larning. The research aims are: To place Saudi secondary school instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and acquisition. To place the differences between Saudi secondary school instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and larning in footings of learning experience. To place the differences between Saudi secondary school instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and larning in footings of country of learning country.1.6 Research inquiriesThe information of this survey will be analyzed to reply the undermentioned inquiries: What is Saudi secondary school instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and larning? Is there a important difference between Saudi secondary school instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and larning in footings of learning experience? Is there a important difference between Saudi secondary school instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering in learning and larning in footings of learning country?1.7 Significance of the surveyDeriving an grasp of the instructors ‘ phases of concern about the integrating of computing machine engineering for learning and larning may supply utile penetrations into engineering integrating and use of engineering in learning and larning. It is expected that the consequences of the research will steer future research and development in the state and sketch the importance of the usage of information and communicating engineering in instruction for instructors, pupils, and decision-makers. Besides, this research will lend to the research on instructors ‘ concerns about the acceptance of an invention. The findings of this survey can assist the facilitators of alteration to do appropriate determinations on when and how to supply support to single instructors during the execution of ICT integrating in Saudi instruction.1.8 Restrictions of the surveyThis survey is conducted with the undermentioned restrictions: it is applied in Saudi general secondary schools in Al-Hassa state. The private general secondary schools, the proficient and vocational establishments and the schools in rural country are non included in this survey. Another restriction of this survey that the sample is from the male childs ‘ Secondary schools instructors merely because the educational system in Saudi Arabia is gender-based. Data will be collected from Secondary schools instructors in Al-Hassa state in Saudi Arabia by utilizing lone Phases of Concern Questionnaire ( SoCQ ) as a study instrument of this survey. Therefore, the consequences from this survey can non be generalized to all the Saudi secondary schools.1.9 Operational definitionsSaudi Secondary school instructors: this refers to instructors who teach in the 3rd phase of general instruction system in Saudi Arabia. This phase consists of classs ( 10-11-12 ) where the pupils are in the age from age 16-18 old ages old. Teachers in this survey are in different learning countries. Computer engineering: This term refers to the full scope of digital hardware and package used to back up instruction and acquisition across the course of study, runing from desktops, laptops, handheld computing machines and applications, local web and the cyberspace to digital peripherals such as cameras, scanners and adaptative devices. It does non include older parallel media such as movies ( Centre for Applied Research in Technology Education, 2005 ) . The integrating of Computer engineering: The incorporation of engineering resource ( computing machines and specialised package, network-based communicating system and other equipment and substructure ) and technology-based pattern into day-to-day modus operandis, work and direction of schools ( Christensen,1997 ; US Department of Education,2002 ) . It refers to the usage of computing machine engineering to heighten instruction and better the pupils larning ( Baker, 2003 ) . Phases of concern: It refers to the phases of concern in CBAM which includes Awareness, Informational, Personal, Management, Consequences, Collaboration and Refocusing.

Response Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Response Paper - Assignment Example Edward Fairfax Rochester but they face some challenges. While reading the novel, I envision an old Jane writing about her memoirs by looking back at her life from her childhood to where she is currently. The narrative helps me in understanding both sides of Jane such as the more passionate and loving woman who loves Rochester and a coldly dispassionate individual (Brontà « Web). These make this narrative more of nonfiction than fiction. Although Jane is unimpressed by the inhuman acts, no one seems ready to help her out of the situation. In fact, she feels lonely and unsupported. I think this is a good example of what happens in both fictional work and in reality. In fictions, an individual or a subject would first undergo several sufferings before emerging victorious. However, nonfiction would also highlight such kind of stories that either concerns the authors or an individual they know about. The narrator says that she is always reminded of her poor status in the family (Brontà « Web). I think this is a very sad sentiment to make to a young person especially considering that she was always on the receiving end. Being humble is regarded as undergoing sufferings and inhuman acts without raising even a voice. This kind of act is only common in fictions that are intended to pass certain information. Staying useful and pleasant is an irony in this book because despite the sufferings that the narrator goes through, i t is still felt that she is not pleasant and that she is not helpful. I envision such irony in fiction although there are some authors who have attempted to tie their sufferings as the cause of success in their nonfiction. The presence of the red room where Mr. Reed died is believed to have been guarded from frequent intrusion by a sense of dreary consecration. The issue of spell and myths is only found in fictions but not in the nonfictions. Jane

Final Exam Essay Questions Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Final Exam Questions - Essay Example For example, a Dominican friar Montesinos criticized the Spanish authorities on the way they mistreated their subjects, especially the American Natives. This criticism provoked the authorities to amend parts of the Laws id Burgos. In general, more criticism of the way colonialists treated the natives caused the some sort of rebellion among the church leaders, who took interests in demanding to be included in the state administration. The establishment of the first Catholic Church in Philippines in 1521 saw the beginning of a church led governments. This was later followed by the arrival of Franciscan missionaries in Mexico, where they established their presence through direct association with Catholic Church by building missionary schools and hospitals. In England, the church played critical role in establishment of the marriage laws, particularly after Henry VIII annulled his marriage. This was after the mainstream Catholic Church was perceived too rigid to understand the people’s needs and desires. For example, the Catholic Church had tried to impose strict sexual mores on ordinary people (Sherman and Joyce 121). The Catholic Church grew unpopular, and Church of England started to offer a worthy alternative. Although they started off with very few followers, the Church of England grew faster than anticipated. Although there were increased lamentation about Catholic headed institutions’ continued traditional ways of doing things, they exerted a lot of authorities over these institutions that spread the education of the masses and establishment of the elite society with highly educated society. However, this influence has since waned as the Catholic Church strived to assert its own identity away from state. This journey started when Pope Pius XI started cutting links with the Government of Italy (Sherman and Joyce 173). Today, most of the states

Singapore Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Singapore - Research Paper Example At the end of that period, the economy expound by 7.7%, reducing the level of unemployment to 2.1% and the level of employment being 235,000 (World Trade Organization, 2008, p. 112). The level of inflation, on the other hand, reduced from 4.9% to 3.5% this year. Singapore is one of the richest nations in the world. This has been facilitated by the removal of trade barriers, letting over 99% of the rest of the world to visit the country for trade without imposing a tax on them. This means that it is easy to import and export goods from and to other countries of the world and shows how open the country is. The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore dollar denoted as SD. It is almost equivalent to the US dollar with the exchange rate being 1USD =1.23 SD meaning that it is weaker than the US dollar by 0.23 (Huff, 1997, p. 44). Trade (expressed in billions of USD): Singapore Exports Imports 1975 5.375 8.133 1980 19.376 24.007 1985 22.812 26.285 1990 52.752 60.899 1995 118.268 124.507 1998 109.895 104.719 (International Monetary Fund, 1999) Trade is one the major factors that facilitate the growth of an economy since it earns the country foreign exchange that can be used to develop other sectors of that economy. It involves one country exporting goods that it produces more to avoid wastages and also importing goods that it lacks to avoid shortages. In this, it ensures resources are used appropriately and fully. Singapore’s current export stands at 41,538,700 showing a decrease by about 1,028,330.7 as compared to the previous period (Gerber, 2007, p. 94). Its major exports include: Aircraft and its parts Singapore is ranked number one among the many countries that provide aerospace design, manufacturing services and maintenance. It has all the required equipment to facilitate this, and this has also enabled it to capture a large market in Asia. It has created employment opportunities to the citizens, having over 18,000 employees in this sector. Oil and Gas Singapore is in the top three major traders of oil, and it has become the most important center for shipping in Asia. Oil is being used all over the world, and this is a major source of revenue for the government for different countries (Huff, 1997, p. 64). Since all the countries use oil and gas to run their daily activities, means that they have to purchase it. Singapore being one of the major exporters of oil and gas, it earns a lot, and this helps to improve its economic performance. Computers Computers are very essential in raising the total productivity and in transformation of business processes. Many of the citizens in Singapore have access to computers, and this has greatly contributed to its economy. Some of the computers produced are exported to the other part of the world, earning the country foreign exchange while others are used locally to facilitate or ease production of other products. The total trade value it obtains from export of computers and printers is about 1 2.5 billion (World Trade Organization, 2008, p. 119). Telecommunication Equipment Internet is very useful in the modern world. Many businesses advertise their products online as it is cheap and attracts many customers all over the world. With networking, it is easy to get more ideas on how you can compete globally through improving the quality of your products. Singapore provides the best network in the world and is in the

What Happened to Coca Cola Companys challenges of Coca Cola Case Study

What Happened to Coca Cola Companys challenges of Coca Cola - Case Study Example Many challenges and company’s fiasco are caused by intolerant policy of the company directed on racial, gender or religious discrimination against its employees. On the example of Coca Cola failures on the basis of racial discrimination issues, it is clearly seen that careful and equitable attitude to all employees is a guarantee of the company’s success and a protection against company’s failures. What about diversity, Coke? A famous lawsuit in 1999, which accused the company of racial discrimination against black employees, even after a challenging resolution, resulted in further racial persecutions in the company (What Happened to Coca Cola? p. 264). It would be better for Coca Cola to prevent incidents of racial discrimination at work, because the major part of potential clients is ethnic minorities. Accoring to Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign, â€Å"The Coca-Cola Company is a model employer for diversity and inclusion within its own work for ce and as a member of the larger business community. Its leadership on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the workplace is not only reflected in its long-standing achievement of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index, but in its principled support of anti-discrimination legislation that would protect every worker in the United States from being judged on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity† (Creating an inclusive workplace). ... In reality, it was evident that Coca Cola appreciated ethnic minorities as their customers and not employees. The Task Force underlined that it was relevant to evaluate career opportunities for white employees with career opportunities for black employees. In spite of the fact that the company hired a third of employees from ethnic minorities, top positions of the company were taken by white employees. It would be relevant to promote to the higher rank positions black employees and in such a way, other employees would realize that they have a real chance to occupy a better position in the company. That is why the majority of plaintiffs did not miss their chance and joined other plaintiffs in the famous lawsuit of 1999. People felt like having a real opportunity to renovate just and tolerant policy at workplace. Unfortunately, their hard struggle did not lead to a complete success. The issues of diversity are still believed to be invented by managers in the company. There is no proof or evidence that there are many examples of career promotion among black employees in the Coca Cola Company. Consequently, the fact that black employees felt indignant and cooperated in the name of equitable attitude at work may be justified. In accordance with Parker, steps made by black employees (plaintiffs) could be explained with regards to Parker’s triangle â€Å"The Emotional Connection of Distinguishing Differences and conflict†. He explains that emotions of black employees were hurt and they had no other way out, but to join to other claimants and to fight against racial discrimination in the company. Conclusion Thus, we can claim that Coca Cola made fake attempts to reach diversity in the company. In the majority of cases managers were just saying some words describing

Diversity in the Workplace Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Diversity in the Workplace - Coursework Example In addition to these groups of people, diversity also focuses on people belonging to other categories like, people having different educational background, different tenure with the company, different functional backgrounds and the resulting diversity from the mergers and acquisitions activity of organizations. Affirmative action is concerned with people who are experiencing issues related to discrimination based on color, ethnic groups, etc (Kravitz, 2008, p. 175). However, managing diversity is more related to the desire of the manager of a company to explore the potentials present in all the employees. Thus, affirmative action is only a means of attaining diversity in an organization through the implementation of various policies and diversity is a broader concept which is the end result of affirmative action. Answer 2: Cultural diversity in workforce mainly refers to the various types of people that work in an organization and can be differentiated on the basis of their race, gen der and ethnicity. In a culturally diverse workforce one can find people who have different cultural values (Pride, Hughes, & Kapoor, 2011, p. 253). According to Esty, Griffin & Hirsch (1995), they have suggested ten different dimensions of diversity which are thought to be the critical in a workplace. They are: 1) Sexual Orientation, 2) Class, 3) Ethnicity, 4) Age, 5) Race, 6) Hierarchy or Status, 7) Gender, 8) Religion, 9) Physical ability or disability, and 10) Family situation. Hence, people working in a workplace can be differentiated based on any of these cultural dimensions. Organizations having culturally diverse workforce are characterized of having people who have different cultural values and varies with respect to the dimensions mentioned above. Answer3: Managing a diverse workforce is not an easy task and is associated with many challenges to be faced by the leaders in an organization. Diversity management is not restricted to acknowledging the differences that exist be tween people working in an organization. It also involves the recognition of values associated with such differences between people, promoting inclusiveness and combating discrimination. The leaders of an organization managing a diverse workforce may also face the challenge of losing the personnel or reduction in work productivity because of discrimination, prejudice, legal actions and complaints against the organization. In addition to this, negative behaviors or attitudes can prove to be barriers for an organization because this can result in having a negative impact on the working relationships between the employees and reduce the work productivity and morale of the people. The negative behaviors or attitudes that have been referred here include stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination and it should not be utilized by the company management while performing activities like retention, hiring, and termination of employees. Answer4: Increasing diversity in the workforce of an org anization needs implementation of an effective diversification strategy. By following the four steps mentioned below it is possible to increase diversity in the companies. Step 1: Explaining diversity for the company: The first step is to define and explain what diversification implies to the company as a whole. It is an important step to initiate diversity because the term diversity carries different meaning for different people in the organization.

In Favor of the Protect Life Act Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

In Favor of the Protect Life Act - Research Paper Example The litmus test for any efficient law is that it creates a favorable and just society, while leading to a minimal wastage of the tax payers’ money. After seriously deliberating and pondering on the varied aspects of law, American values and the available statistics, I have decided to emphatically support the Protect Life Act. I strongly and reasonably believe that the American tax payers’ money should not be wasted on facilitating, funding and allowing abortions. It is not only contrary the time tested Western ethics, but also does not make a sound economic sense. Many people are perhaps simply not aware of the fact that abortion currently qualifies to be labeled a gargantuan problem for our society that is undermining its values and economy. Every year, 42 million abortions take place in the United States of America. This roughly amounts to a horrendous 115,000 abortions per day. Things will get clearer if one takes into consideration as to whom the people are having t hese abortions. 52 percent of the women resorting to abortions happen to be less than 25 years of age. (The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform: Online)). Moreover, of these, 20 percent happen to be teenagers (The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform: Online). Also, out of all the abortions conducted every year, only 1 percent are performed on women who are victims of incest or rape, and a mere 6 percent of these abortions are performed for reasons classified as potential health risks to the mother or the child (The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform: Online). Astonishingly, 93 percent of the abortions are carried on for social or personal reasons ((The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform: Online). The American society and the American tax payer certainly have ample responsibilities towards people facing health risks and those who are the victims of crime and abuse. But, going by the mentioned statistics, why should the American public be wasting its hard earned money on supporting the abortions of people who simply get carried away by the recreational aspects of their love life, without giving a serious thought to the possible outcomes of their irresponsible attitude. I am no way against unmarried people engaging in sex, and am all in favor of sex education. Yet, I also hold that as people are responsible for the consequences of their career decisions, financial decisions, they are also as much responsible for the outcomes of their coital decisions and choices. Hence, it is they who should be bearing the cost of their irresponsible acts and not the American tax payer. The other thing that needs to be taken into consideration is that is abortion simply a problem or also a symptom of a bigger problem existing in our economic system? Again, it would be realistic and pragmatic to resort to the available and credible statistics. Almost, 29 percent of the abortions are availed by women whose family income stands to be less than $ 15,000 (The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform: Online). 19.5 pe rcent of the abortions are performed on women whose family income is between $ 15,000 and $ 29,999 (The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform: Online). In the case of women whose family income is more than $ 60,000, a mere 13.8 percent of the ab

Write on anything related to European history from the Ancient World Research Paper

Write on anything related to European history from the Ancient World up through the Reformation - Research Paper Example The history of the country starts from the Stone Age. Minoan and Mycenaean kings also have contributed significantly to the history of the country. This paper will try to enlighten the history of the ancient Greece and its historic reformation. The ancient Classical and Hellenistic periods of Greece are without any shadow of doubt the most splendid eras the world has ever come across. Those periods left behind lots of ideas, art and concepts. The history of the ancient Greece is popularly known as the building blocks of the western civilization. Before the 8th century BC, the country was submerged in the dark era. In the 8th century the country started to came out of the Dark Ages. It was introduced by the fall of Mycenaean civilization. During that period the country replaced Mycenaean script with Greek alphabet1. Archaic period of Greece witnessed Lelantine War which was the oldest documented war as far as the Ancient Greece is concerned. This period was almost three century before than the time of classical age. During the Archaic period the country advanced a lot as far as the art, poetry and technology were concerned. After the Archaic period, the next period is popularly known as the Classical Period. This period las ted for almost 200 years. The period has undergone lots of annexations by the Persian Empire. Different political thoughts, architectures, philosophy, and scientific thoughts are the results of this era only. The Hellenistic period of Greece is significantly marked due to the presence of the Alexander the Great. Alexander III was famously known as the Alexander the Great2. He was one of the most military geniuses that the world has ever produced. This Macedonia based military genius taught the whole Greek people about the modern war fare. Like the other Greek people the genius was highly inspired by the divine ambition. The king rewrote the history of the Greece with his indomitable

Human resource management simulation game of Green leafs hotels Essay

Human resource management simulation game of Green leafs hotels - Essay Example Absenteeism was also not more than the national average of 498 but equal to it. For the second quarter, the cost of hiring and layoffs dropped to $185,000. This comprised a sum of 60 new hiring, 5 new promotion additions and 5 promotion losses. This move helped in recording no overage or shortages. Different rates of wages increases were carried out across various levels given as $20, $15, $10, $7, and $5. This was in relation to a total training cost of $33,800. Indeed, the department did not pay as much attention to issues of training as it did in the previous quarter. The reason was that there were not as many new vacancies that needed to be filled. But the absence of training slightly increased accident rates and absenteeism (Chen and So, 2002). The total cost of hiring and layoff for the third quarter came up to $158,000. This entailed 59 new hiring, nine new promotions nine promotion losses. Consequently, there was no vacancy, anytime there was a loss of promotion position. Except for level 5, there was planned wage increase across all levels with levels 4, 3, 2 and 1 recording increases of $60, $55, $50 and $45. This was in relation to overall training cost of $33,800 just as in the second quarter. This means that we learnt from our mistakes in the second quarter were wages increases were not used as a means of morale boaster to ensure that there was sufficient wage increases this time round. The motivation helped in improving punctuality but because cost of training was not increased, minor accidents were still recorded (Hissam and Daniel, 1999). The fourth quarter saw one of the least total costs of hiring and layoffs, which came up of $100,000. Much of these went into promotions as compared to hiring as there were 50 new hiring; less than previous quarters but 19 promotions; far more than had been for any previous quarter. This quarter saw the highest increase in

Web 2. 0 application namely YouTube Essay Example for Free

Web 2. 0 application namely YouTube Essay The second group had expressed interest in other social networking tools aside from facebook and myspace. The other respondents, particularly the Chinese people indicated that they are not familiar with facebook and myspace and only very people have heard about facebook and myspace. Very few if not all had used facebook and myspace. On the other hand, they had indicated that they used Xinlang blog and MSN Space. MSN Spaces is a social networking tool developed by Windows (O’Reilly, 2005). In addition to this, they utilize MSN messenger as the main tool for sending and receiving messages from their classmates or friends. They had indicated that they used Xinlang blog and MSN messengers as a tool for chatting online and having online group meetings. In addition to this, the good thing about using MSN Space is that they are able to stay in touch with friends and get in touch with new news. In addition to this, they are able to acquire the latest photos of interesting events very much the same as what the first group had encountered. In summary, both groups generally have the same uses for social networking tools but utilize very different social networking tools. Going into another part of the discussion, the study focused on flickr – another Web 2. 0 application being used by the group. In general, Flickr is a Web 2. 0 application that can provide a venue for photo sharing and is also a web services suite and is also a social networking community medium. In addition to this, Flickr has been known as a photo repository (Anderson, 2007). Students that would want to share academic related pictures opt to utilize flickr as a means of uploading pictures and sharing them to their classmates, at the same time classmates and other peers can comment on it. The popularity of flickr has been furthered because of the innovations posed by online community tools that allow photos to be tagged and be searched by â€Å"folksonomic† means. According to recent studies, flickr is quickly approaching almost one billion images. According to the first group, all members of the group weren’t really utilizing flickr as a means of sharing photos to and fro each other. With this, they could not provide any substantial comments particular to flickr. Some of the group shares their photos in facebook since it would be easier only to maintain a single account instead of having to maintain so many accounts. Students indicated that their current needs only require them to share a certain amount of pictures thus there is no need for a photo repository account as facebook and other social networking tasks responds to the task adequately. Group 2 had the same response as that of the first group when asked about photo sharing repositories such as flickr. They mainly utilize their social networking tools as a means of sharing information to and fro their partners as a means of being able to upload their photos, whether academic or non-academic related. One thing that was noted by the moderator is the sentiment of many of those use their social networking sites in sharing tools is the capacity of the site to upload and download pictures. Other than that, they indicated no intention of utilizing flickr in the near future, unless there may be academic related tasks that would create for the utilization of such a photo sharing repository in order to achieve the academic goals set. The next part of the focus group discussion focused on another Web 2. 0 application namely YouTube (Anderson, 2007). According to the discussion, most of participates in Group 1 are quite fond about this service, and they think that the benefit of Youtube is the venue it provides for people to share videos to a very diverse audience. Video learning such as the one in open universities can be thought of sharing this same kind of concept. A person in the group pointed out that the good thing about Youtube is that they contain a variety of videos that are categorized in genres and topics which can help while the user is searching for his/her desired video. On one note, it can be approximated as facebook as people can make an online video diary so that people can view what a person wants to be viewed and essentially it is quicker and is more interactive as videos can cover a considerable number of human senses. Similarly, educators can utilize this to present learnings that are otherwise very difficult to be explained by using only words and pictures. One person from the group prefers to get educational videos and documentaries from the network, instead of having to buy them. In focusing on the supposed future of Youtube as seen by the eyes of the respondents, she believes that the video sharing network would remain a very popular cultural tool in the future, especially if the internet connection becomes ever so faster and more efficient in order to upload, download and view videos (Anderson, 2007).

Implement person centred approaches Essay Example for Free

Implement person centred approaches Essay 1.1 Define person-centred values Person-centred is about providing care and support that is centred or focused on the individual and their need There are eight person centred values that support person-centred care and support: Individuality, Independence, Privacy, Choice, Dignity, Rights 1.2 Explain why it is important to work in a way that embeds person centred values. Taking into account person centred values, rather than imposing my own choices on them and taking away their own right to independence and choice. It is important to do this as person centred approaches, policies and procedures, as well as care practices should always put the people whom we support at the centre of the day-to-day activities, as well as including the residents and their families in the planning and maintaining of this. 1.3 Explain why risk-taking can be part of a person centred approach. Risk-taking means being aware of the potential hazards, but still carrying on with the activity. Risk Assessment Processes include: visual check, recorded risk assessments. If you were no longer allowed to take risks that means you can’t progress in anything. Risk is about learning! Your inner questions. Can I do it? Can I REALLY do it? To take risk is all about challenge! 1.4 Explain how using an individual’s care plan contributes to working in a person centred way It is document where day to day requirements and preferences for care and support are detailed. Using an individuals care plan where own needs and wishes are being met, rather than offering them a choice of what is available. Using their care plan, you can build on what they want and see where there are gaps that need to be addressed. 3.1 Explain the importance of establishing consent when providing care or support. Consent is agreement to an action i.e. in social care agreeing to a bath or a shower, to medication, agreement to have details shared with others. Lack of consent could be construed as abuse i.e. forcing an  individual to have a shower when they have not agreed. Consent can be in different forms like Verbal written via a representative or advocate. It is important to establish consent because it is a basic human right for everyone to have the choice. 3.3 Explain what steps to take if consent cannot be readily established. Steps to take when consent cannot be established include, not continuing with the task, reporting to the supervisor or manager, recording the information 4.1 Describe how active participation benefits an individual. Active participation is a way of working that recognises an individual’s right to participate in the activities and relationships of everyday life as independently as possible. 4.2 Identify possible barriers to active participation. Barriers include: lack of opportunity, lack of events, lack of staff, unwillingness of residents, and lack of confidence. Ways of encouraging residents include: discussion and encouragement with the individual, providing useful information, using friends and family to encourage, ensuring appropriate activities, peer-group encouragement, persuasion techniques, highlighting the benefits of the activity 5.3 Explain why a worker’s personal views should not influence an individual’s choices. A personal view should not influence individual choices as everyone is an individual in their own right and therefore should be able to make their own choices as their interest would be different to a staff. 5.4 Describe how to support an individual to question or challenge decisions concerning them that are made by others. Different approaches for individual, discussion, providing relevant, information, guidance from friends or family using an advocate or support service. We can also challenge decision where we can encourage questions and comments, be prepared to listen, assist the individual to ask for a second opinion, speak  to/refer the individual to a senior member of staff, use the complaints procedure 6.1 Explain how individual identity and self esteem are linked with well-being Well-being may include aspects that are: Spiritual Emotional Cultural Religious Social – Political Sexual Physical – Mental. Individual identity and self-esteem are linked with well-being as everyone has their own interests and what one person may find interesting another person may not find interesting, for example, some residents like gardening and some don’t and we should never force anyone to do what they don’t like or don’t want to do. 6.2 Describe attitudes and approaches that are likely to promote an individual’s well-being Attitudes and approaches that are likely to promote an individual’s well-being include: being treated as an Individual, dignity respect, choices and good communication. It can also be environmental which includes physical environment bedroom, handbag, personal belongings, and social environment personal boundaries, subjective feelings.

Cost Effectiveness of Dialysis for ESRD Patients

Cost Effectiveness of Dialysis for ESRD Patients From 2002-2009 diabetic nephropathies represented 41% of all end-stage renal (ESRD) patients in St. Lucia, which is significantly higher when compared with global distribution. Renal replacement therapy for ESRD is resource intensive, consuming a significant part of the health budget. Financial pressures on the health system continue to increase in the face of the global financial crisis, yet cost-effectiveness studies of ESRD treatment options are not only scarce but nonexistent in the Eastern Caribbean. A retrospective approach to data collection was used and a Markov model of cost, quality of life and survival will be developed to compare hemodialysis and pharmaceutical management of ESRD among diabetics. Micro-costing was used to assess the cost of hemodialysis for ESRD over the 8 year period. While preliminary findings have not identified whether or not hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy is cost-effective the economic burden of hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy was signif icant: EC$6.9 million, in St. Lucia for the 8 year period. Pre-emptive procedures need to be considered for the treatment of diabetes to delay onset or progression of ESRD. From a medical as well as fiscal perspective, prevention is the most cost-effective intervention. The health system in St. Lucia needs to focus attention on effective prevention strategies as the mean age among diabetic ESRD patients is 56 years (2.3SD). This age group is representative of a significant part of the countrys labour force and, if left unchecked, could have serious implications for economic development. Introduction End-stage renal disease (ESRD) and its precursor, chronic kidney disease (CKD), are globally emerging as a significant public health problem, with increasing morbidity and mortality as well as economic implications for healthcare (Szucsa et al., 2004). The World Health Organizations 2002 estimate indicated that globally CKD contributes to over 850,000 deaths and over 15 million disability-adjusted life years, with epidemic rise of ESRD in multiple regions in the world (WHO, 2003). The report also predicted that by 2010 more than 2 million people would require maintenance dialysis worldwide, and global estimates indicate that approximately 30% of patients with ESRD suffer as a consequence of diabetic nephropathy (Zelmer, 2007). The economic pressures of ESRD treatment on the collective health system are well documented. Haller, et al. (2011) identifies it as resource intensive, requiring substantial amounts of finite healthcare funds to treat a small percentage of the population. In 2005 alone, care for ESRD patients in Canada represented 1.2% of all healthcare expenditure, despite a 0.092% incidence of the disease (Zelmer, 2007). In St. Lucia, chronic renal insufficiency as a result of diabetes, hypertension, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and sickle cell disease are the main reasons for starting dialysis treatment in patients with kidney function failure. This is similar to the findings of Perovià ¡ and Jankovià ¡ (2009). In addition to being a chronic disease with significant morbidity impact, ESRD also involves high-cost treatment options (Zelmer, 2007), which are often limited in developing countries such as St. Lucia. Yet cost-effectiveness studies of the modalities of treatment are few and limited, especially in developing countries (Haller, 2011). Previous research has been conducted to identify the economic impact of the estimated health-care costs for ESRD, as well as the cost-effectiveness of various alternatives for renal replacement therapies; however, similar studies have not been replicated in the Eastern Caribbean. The findings are especially relevant to the health system in St. Lucia, as the incidence of diabetes continues to increase in the Caribbean Region (Henry, 2004). Additionally, the recent decision to expand the dialysis service to two new facilities without understanding the scope and magnitude of the total economic burden of ESRD could prove to be challenging. Cost-effectiveness is the fastest growing field in health research and it embodies a form of full economic evaluation that looks at cost and consequence of health programmes or treatment (Muennig, 2008). Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of intervention programmes as a valuable tool employed by decision-makers can be used to appraise as well as possibly improve how the health system operates. Its application allows policy makers to identify which interventions provide the highest value for money and assist in helping to select interventions and programmes that maximize health for the available resources. Health economists are able to purchase the most health under a fixed budget, prioritizing services within the health sector. CEA therefore requires information to indicate the extent to which current and potential interventions are effective for improving population health, and which resources are required to implement the interventions, i.e., costs (Muennig, 2008). Referring to Palmers 2005 definition that states cost-effectiveness studies compare costs with clinical outcomes measured in natural units, like life expectancy or years of diseases avoided, Glassock (2010) noted that the totality of costs may not necessarily be captured. The inclusion of cost means that the design of the study will incorporate cost-unit analysis as a tool to examine the economic impact of dialysis for ESRD patients with diabetes and cost effectiveness to determine the quality adjusted life year (QALYs) or health related quality of life (HRQoL) for that population. The main outcome measure will focus on costs per quality-adjusted life years ($/QALYs), similar to a study conducted in Austria (Haller et al., 2011). Glassock (2010) notes that community willingness-to-pay is the threshold value used to determine cost effectiveness. He goes on to note that these values vary globally, and are estimated at  £30,000/QALY in the United Kingdom, 40,000/QALY in Europe, Aus $5 0,000/QALY in Australia, and US $90,000/QALY in the United States (Glassock, 2010). In the absence of a national threshold value, one can be established using GDP as an objective economic benchmark, (Eichler, et al., 2004). Cost will be viewed from the perspective of direct spending on health care for dialysis, coupled with the indirect costs of productivity losses due to premature death and short- and long-term disability. The impact of mortality costs as the sum of the discounted present value of current and future productivity losses from premature deaths will be measured from an incident-based human capital approach, drawing from a similar study conducted in Canada in 2000 (Zelmer, 2007). Muennig (2008) posits that because it is often difficult to account for all cost, and the time and resource constraints associated with micro-costing, certain assumptions related to costs are often made during cost-effectiveness analysis. This paper serves to examine the cost-effectiveness of hemodialysis among type 2 diabetics in St. Lucia over an 8 year period (2002-2008). Employing the use of CEA, it aims at comparing the cost and effects or outcomes (cost-effectiveness) of hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy using the comparator of doing nothing, which in this case is the pharmaceutical management of patients with diabetic nephropathy to delay progression of ESRD. The findings will also help to inform those making policy decisions, and may be useful in establishing a set of priorities for further research, prevention programs, and in the planning of alternative treatments to help alleviate that burden. Perspective of the Study Cost effectiveness of dialysis for ESRD patients with diabetes in St. Lucia will be analyzed from a government perspective. This requires conducting cost analysis that measures the recurring direct and indirect cost of providing the service. In the region, specifically in the country under study, health care organizations rarely know the cost of the service provided and rarely employ the tools needed to assess that cost on a regular basis. In a globally operating economic society, economic trends have made it imperative for both profit and non-profit organizations that provide services, including government agencies, to assess the cost of clinical services provided. Finance for health is not infinite and with substantial budget cuts in the health service industry, there is increasing pressure for health care facilities to become more accountable and efficient with the funds allocated to health care (Basch, 1999). Health economics recognises the need for health services to be provided in a manner that is not only efficient but sustainable. Measuring, understanding and documenting the cost of services makes it easier to improve cost-efficiency of these services; it also highlights the funding needs of the sector and by extension, the government. It also provides an opportunity to establish fees for clients that are based on realistic site costs. Previous studies on cost-effectiveness of treatment options for ESRD have compared different modalities of dialysis or transplantation (Haller et al.; Gonzalez-Perez et al., 2005, Yang et al., 2001). Treatment modalities for ESRD patients in St. Lucia are either hemodialysis or pharmaceutical management. The analysis of hemodialysis versus pharmaceutical management to delay ESRD progression hinges on the fact that the current capacity of the Renal Unit in St. Lucia cannot provide dialysis for all ESRD patients. In an interview dated December 14, 2010 with the head of the Nephrology Unit, Victoria Hospital, Saint Lucia, it was indicated that while dialysis is offered, the increasing ESRD population means that patients are placed on a waiting list if they are not able to commence treatment due to unavailability of space (Olivert Dupree, 2010). If a patients prognosis requires immediate dialysis, he is treated at the private facility and the government absorbs that cost. But it is quit e clear that hemodialysis, like pharmaceutical management, is not the optimal treatment option for ESRD; rather, the optimal protocol is transplantation. The health system in St. Lucia is mandated by its objectives to improve the health of the population and consequently needs to ensure that its limited resources are not devoted to expensive interventions with small effects on population health, while at the same time low cost interventions with potentially greater benefits are not fully implemented (Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations, 2000). Methods Data Sources The study population comprises of ESRD patients with diabetic nephropathy. Patients were considered depending on whether they received hemodialysis or whether their diabetes was being pharmaceutically managed to delay ESRD progression. Data was collected retrospectively and the study population was selected from the only public Renal Unit which forms part of the general hospital, Victoria Hospital. While there is another Renal Unit in St. Lucia that offers dialysis, it is a part of the private hospital, which did not wish to participate in this study. Of the 111 patients on dialysis, 45 were due to diabetic nephropathy and 19 were actively receiving dialysis at the time the study was being conducted. The nephrologists identified 12 ESRD patients who were not receiving dialysis but were being managed pharmaceutically. All diabetics who are or have been on dialysis with end-stage renal disease for the period 2002-2009 and were receiving dialysis due to diabetic nephropathy were included in the study. Persons were excluded from this study if they were on dialysis prior to being diagnosed with diabetes. The comparator group differed from the hemodialysis group only in the form of treatment that they are receiving, and consisted of all patients with ESRD due to diabetic nephropathy who are not receiving dialysis but whose diabetes is aggressively managed with medication to delay ESRD progression. Other variables were considered in the study and a standard questionnaire was administered to the study population to obtain data on the socio-economic status of individuals. A pool of eight persons from those who were on dialysis for reasons other than diabetic nephropathy served as a pilot test group for the socio-demographic questionnaire. This group was similar to the study population in terms of gender, education, socio-economic status and geographic location (Table 1). Content analysis was used to evaluate the information obtained from the socio-demographic questionnaire. All study participants received a letter concerning anonymity and confidentiality and informed consent was obtained prior to participation. Ethical approval was obtained from the IRB at St. Georges University and the ethics committee of the Ministry of Health in St. Lucia. A literature review conducted relied upon peer-reviewed economic evaluations of dialysis treatment modalities among diabetic patients. Ebscohost and PubMed were searched using the keywords cost-effectiveness, dialysis, end-stage renal disease, and diabetic nephropathy and was limited to articles published in the last 12 years (2000-2011). Some articles, if they were published outside of the selected timeframe, were accepted based on the strength and relevance of their findings. Articles were included if they had the keywords in the subject headings as well as focusing on Renal Replacement Therapy/economics, Renal Dialysis/economics, Hemodialysis Units, or Kidney Failure. If they included the term peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis they were also selected. Exclusion criteria comprised of non-English articles and those that did not compare treatment options. A total of 379 articles were identified but 31 were selected as being relevant. Models Used Chronic conditions such as ESRD require continuous treatment and as a consequence, the cost-effectiveness of treatment options over a period of time for a cohort of patients employs the use of the Markov model to investigate long term costs and outcomes. The Markov model developed for this study describes the process of care noting that patients began their progression through the model in either of two states, hospital hemodialysis or pharmaceutical management of type 2 diabetes to delay ESRD progression, with death signifying the end of the cycle. Data on health care costs, transition to other health states and quality of life were inputted into the Markov model. Data was obtained from the Renal Unit at the Victoria Hospital, the public health facility. Data on quality of life was obtained using the 15D, a multidimensional, standardised generic instrument to measure quality or health-related quality of life (Sintonen, 2001). The 15D was used since it combines the advantages of a profile and single index score measure that describes the health status by assessing 15 dimensions. The mean score value for each dimension was used to determine the health related quality of life in the study population. The use of the 15D to measure quality of life outcome was reported in terms of QALYs, a measure of the burden of disease that included the quality and quantity of life lived against a monetary value, medical treatment or intervention. The mean score value for each dimension measured by the 15D was used to determine the health-related quality of life of the study population using the scale provided by Sintonen (2001). The findings were standardized against the burden of disease markers identified by the WHO. Costs and Analysis Cost-effectiveness, examined from a governmental perspective, used the clinical records of the Division of Nephrology patient registration and billing systems at the Victoria Hospital coupled with information from published studies on survival and quality of life among diabetic nephropathy patients. The model used included the direct health service costs associated with the treatment options, and an annual cost per patient was calculated for each health state in the model. Direct healthcare costs associated with dialysis use included costing regular dialysis sessions, complications of the dialysis, such as clotting of the fistula or hypotension episodes, laboratory tests and services required as a consequence of dialysis and medication use as a result of treatment. Assumptions were made on the regularity of direct healthcare cost associated with dialysis, such as that involving laboratory testing and blood transfusions. Micro-costing, collecting data on staffing, consumables, capital , and overheads were used to determine the cost of one session of hemodialysis (Table 2). Structured interviews were used to obtain details regarding staff time allocated to dialysis activities, as well as the regularity of other services used as a result of the treatment options. Capital items were identified as the building space allotted to the Unit for treatment, and equipment such as the dialysis machines and air conditioner unit. Costs have been reported in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (EC) presented at the 2008 level and an equivalent annual cost calculated using a 3 percent discount rate over the predicted life span. Muennig (2008) argues that a governmental perspective can include some aspects of transportantion costs. Evidence from the Minstry of Communication and Works and the Transport Board implies that there is no nationally agreed-upon policy for transport costs. There are variations across St. Lucia in terms of mileage costing; therefore for the purposes of our analysis, transport costs are excluded. The study reviewed costs over an 8 year period (2002-2009). This time frame was partly determined by the availability of the data two years after the programme was initiated and the assumptions made with reference to the analysis were tabulated (Table 3). Incremental costs per QALY gained will be calculated by using the estimates of costs and QALYs for each of the two modalities obtained from the model, and the findings were presented as incremental costs per QALY ($/QALY). The threshold value used to determine cost effectiveness of the intervention was established based on the recommendations of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health, and CHOICE, which uses gross domestic product (GDP) as an indicator to determine cost-effectiveness. They established that an intervention was highly cost-effective if cost per QALY was less than GDP per capita, it was cost-effective if it was between 1 and 3 times the GDP per capita but was not cost-effective if it was more than 3 times GDP per c apita (WHO, 2011). A one-way sensitivity analysis will be used to investigate variability in the data, varying the discount rate from 3% to 5%, then age weights and finally, the disability weights. A final sensitivity analysis of mortality rates will be conducted since the assumption was that the mortality rates for hemodialysis were the same as those of pharmaceutical management of ESRD diabetics. Based on that assumption it becomes important to identify whether any one of these factors, discounted rates, age weights, and disability weights independently affected the data. Multiple linear regressions will be used to identify how the variables and assumptions affected dialysis lifetime. Preliminary Findings Demographic Characteristics The socio-demographic characteristics of the study population are presented in Table 4. According to the modalities compared the mean ages were 52 years (SD 10.06) for hemodialysis patients and 42 years (10.34SD) for patients who were being pharmaceutically managed. Briefly 62% of the patients were male (Figure 1), 40% had completed only primary level education and 20% had received no formal education. Married patients made up 46.7% of the study group and 26.7% were currently employed; but of these patients 80% of them received some form of family support or National Insurance Corporation (NIC) compensation. There was little variation between the groups (hemodialysis and pharmaceutically managed) in terms of employment and education. ESRD, as a consequence of diabetic nephropathy, represents 41% of all patients who have received hemodialysis for the period 2002-2009 (Figure 2). The end of that 8 year period mortality rate among that population is 53% with the average age of death at 57 years and average dialysis lifetime of 3 years. Costs A list of the parameters used to determine cost is presented in Table 2 and total yearly cost for the period is presented in Table 3. The total cost of dialysis for diabetic nephropathy was EC$6.9 million. From a governmental perspective, in 2009 the total cost of dialysis for diabetic nephropathy patients with ESRD totalled EC $1,002,597.23, accounting for approximately 2.27% of all healthcare expenditure for 0.01% of the population. Secondary and tertiary care services accounted for 59% of the total health budget for 2001-2002, 60% for 2002 -2003 and 64% for 2003-2004. Primary care services accounted for 22% in 2001-2002, 22% 2002-2003 and 18% for 2003-2004 (Figure 3). Discussion This is the first study of its kind in the region. It is able to serve as a precursor to further research and therefore is poised to help guide policies on how cost-effectiveness studies are done in the region. Additionally, there will be future application to decision-making in healthcare. While the absence of other studies that compared the treatment modalities used in this study serves as a limitation to this paper, it remains the only viable comparator that was available to the researcher, and being the first of its kind allows it to inform the existing research. The preliminary findings of this paper have significant implications for health and the operations of the dialysis unit. The literature from other studies (Haller et al, 2011; Zelmer, 2007) indicates that the average lifetime on dialysis is 7-10 years, with survial rates lower among senior adults, aged older than 65 years. The inverse seems to be suggested by the preliminary findings, with an average lifetime of 3 years in patients less than 57 years. The deviation may be attributable to younger persons being less compliant with regular dialysis sessions and the strict dietary and lifestlye adjustments that dialysis requires. Further research would need to be conducted to validate these findings. The economic burden of ESRD for diabetic nephropathy is significant: EC$6.9 million, in St. Lucia for the 8 year period (Table 2). While the focus of this study is on the cost-effectiveness of dialysis, the data identified that health services accounted for most of the observed costs. The governmental perspective of the research restricts the papers ability to adequately address the diabetic nephropathy related morbidity and premature mortality among the study population and the substantial burden that it places on society. The early indicators suggest a need for the effectiveness of the programme to be examined against its objectives and how its outcomes compare with other units within the region or the privately operated unit in St. Lucia. In 2006 Government health expenditure per person per year was EC$499.50 (Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations, St. Lucia). Yet for that corresponding period, government spending for dialysis per person per year was EC$48,597.81 (Figure 5), for 0.0014% of the population. St. Lucias GDP for that period is estimated as $6,037.00 PPP (EC$16,299.90) and total expenditure on health is estimated as 6.3% of GPD (Table 5). While cost-effectiveness has not been conclusively established, using the threshold value of GDP as an economic estimate to determine cost-effectiveness, a cost-effective programme is one that is between 1 and 3 times the GDP per capita (WHO, 2011). The National Strategic Health Plan 2006-2011 (2006) posits that the Ministry of Healths actions have not been consistent with its declaration of a commitment to Primary Health Care (PHC) as part of its strategy for National Health development. Health spending continues to increase in the areas of secondary and tertiary care and less of the health budget is spent on primary care. The expansion of hemodialysis to meet the growing ESRD population, and an increased incidence of diabetic nephropathy in St. Lucia has implications for the findings of this study. It is important that focus is directed at primary and secondary interventions aimed at reducing cost of diabetic care and consequently complications from diabetes, such as diabetic nephropathy. Primary interventions are the most cost-effective and as such health promotions to reduce risk of developing diabetes, a risk factor for ESRD, needs to become part of the mandate of the Ministry of Health. A policy on chronic diseases develop ed within the primary healthcare plan that currently exists would help guide that focus. The study was limited by the accuracy and quality of the data, which Basch (1999) argues is a recurring problem in developing countries. There are limitations and difficulties in any attempt to calculate the mean cost of a dialysis session, especially in public facilities where cost is subsidized, as every facet of care and cost associated with the session must be taken into consideration. Consequently, assumptions were made on cost for direct and indirect services related to treatment options compared in this study. Assumptions are justified as this is a non-funded research with time constraints and a need to reduce cost drivers. The study was also limited in its perspective as it could not present on national costs from a societal perspective such as the patients ability to work or opportunity costs. Costs from the private facility could not be used as they did not wish to participate in this study. The inability to capture their costs is relevant as they are used by the government to provide dialysis for ESRD patients whose prognosis prevents them from being placed on a waiting list; this cost is incurred by the government. A patient who commenced dialysis at the private facility and transferred to the Renal Unit at the government facility is not distinguished in the patient register. The strength of the research lies in the use of triangulation to gather and analyse data to ascertain their common conclusion, effectiveness based on costs, and QALYs. Decrop (1999) concurs that one of the main ways to avoid the contentious issue of validity and reliability is the use of triangulation. Triangulation involves the use of multiple data sources in the investigation of a research question for justification or clarification, which in this case involved utilizing primary and secondary data, as well as information from the attending physician. Denzin (1978) also claims that triangulation limits personal and methodological bias as well as enhances the studys generalizability. The use of the Markov model is an inherent strength of the study. Gonzalez-Perez, et al. (2005) argue that the models ability to prognosticate relative effectiveness and cost overtime makes it appropriate for modelling chronic treatment options such as Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT). Cost-effectiveness to determine QALYs as well as the use of a standardized instrument to measure QALY also strengthens the findings of the research. The 15D is recognised as generally being a small measurement burden to both respondents and researchers. As an evaluation tool it is highly reliable due to its repeatability of measurements with minimized random error. The results generated are valid because of the degree of confidence that researchers can place in the inferences that are drawn from the scores. Sintonen (2001) posits that as an instrument to measure cost-effectiveness, it is particularly suitable for calculating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). While the majority of cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment modalities for diabetic nephropathy focuses on the disease at its latent or progressed stage, Glassock (2010) noted that a study by Gearde et al. (2008) identified that early detection of diabetic nephropathy and intensive pharmaceutical interventions are not only cost effective but significantly reduces the risk of ESRD among type 2 diabetics. These findings are replicated in two studies by Keane and Lyle (2003) and Szucs, et al. (2004) who found that Losartan reduced the incidence of ESRD among diabetics. They went on to argue that proteinuria, which is the single most powerful predictor of CKD in type 2 diabetes, is a simple and inexpensive screening test, and early detection can lead to the early administration of drugs that have been proven to reduce ESRD incidence. Mann, et al. (2010) argue caution against population based screening for CKD, and advocate that screening, as a secondary intervention, should focus on at-risk populations. Their study concluded that targeted screening of people with diabetes is associated with an acceptable cost per QALY in publicly funded healthcare systems. Such an approach can be adopted in the health system in St. Lucia. Cost-effectiveness analysis is able to provide valuable insight to prioritizing within healthcare and so the findings of this research will be able to provide evidence to support efficiency in the use of limited resources. Policy-makers would be able to use these findings to review the decision to expand the number of hemodialysis centres in St. Lucia. Further research to identify more cost-effective treatment options would be the first step to improving efficiency of resource allocation. The preliminary findings have not identified whether or not hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy is cost-effective. The domination of hemodialysis as a treatment modality for ESRD, despite the plethora of studies that have identified it as the least cost-effective of RRTs (Haller, et al., 2011; Just, et al., 2008, Kontodimopoulos Niakas, 2008), provides the health sector with the evidence needed to revise treatment protocols and an opportunity to improve cost-effectiveness of ESRD treatment. This can be achieved by reducing the use of hemodialysis and introducing as an alternative peritoneal dialysis, which has been cited as being the most effective of dialysis options. Just, et al. (2008) caution that the economics of dialysis in the developing world, where labour may be cheaper than the importation of equipment and solutions, may lead to the perception that peritoneal dialysis is more expensive than hemodialysis. They go on to note that this is not conclusive as there is a dearth in economic evaluations in developing countries to substantiate that view. As an alternative, a well developed CKD Care Program is able to significantly reduce the probability of developing ESRD among at risk populations, as well as significantly lower healthcare costs among ESRD patients (Wei et al., 2010). There is a need to expand the services offered by the Renal Unit as well as its coverage to help achieve that end. Conclusion of Preliminary Findings Despite a declared commitment to Primary Health Care (PHC) as a strategy for National Health development, the Ministry of Healths actions have not been consistent with its declaration. Secondary and tertiary care service is posing a great financial burden on the health system, as purported by the preliminary findings of this paper. Evident in the resource allocations for health in St. Lucia, Primary Care Services are allocated a decreasing or stagnant proportion of the health budget, considered against a decreasing allocation of total public expenditure to health. A sustainable health system needs to maximize the use of health resources, creating a more efficient health system that is capable of providing quality health services in a cost-effective manner in order to maximize population coverage. Primary health care needs to become the thrust used to promote efficiency in health as it is recognized as the most cost-effective of interventions. References Basch, P. (1999). Textbook of International Health

The Recluse Essay -- Literary Analysis

Wordsworth suffers solitude, even as he celebrates it. Alone, the poet can explore his own consciousness; it exists at both poles of the notion of ‘emotion recollected in tranquillity’, and is the dominant developmental mode of Wordsworth’s childhood as depicted in The Prelude (1805). Independence is what is exalted in his introduction to that poem: he greets the ‘gentle breeze’ as a ‘captive†¦ set free’ from the ‘vast city’ which has been as a ‘prison’ to his spirit. The oppression of city living is alleviated in this opening reacquisition of isolation; the relief is evident: ‘I breathe again’, ‘that burthen of my own unnatural self [is shaken off], /The heavy weight of many a weary day/ Not mine, and such as were not made for me’. In this, the commencing statement of his autobiography, the independence of solitude is represented as the essential quality of his poetic felicity. T he ‘egoistical sublime’ observed by Keats is manifest in this poetry in a separation from other men, rather than in that of a Byron, whose narrators’ egotisms are evinced by their social interactions. Wordsworth’s company is nature; his sister, his wife, his children exist as assimilations rather than relationships. The sister of Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, is conjured into independence in the final paragraph, so as to exist as a previous self: ‘For thou are with me’, he suddenly reveals, ‘and in thy voice I catch/ The language of my former heart’. She is externalised when poetically useful; and it is by this externalisation that Wordsworth is able to avert and diminish his poem’s undercurrent doubts. ‘This prayer I make/ Knowing that Nature never did betray/ The heart that loved her’, has a contrary traction as a plea intimating des... ...this as his essential condition, but it is worth observing that ‘recluse’ does not imply total isolation. Wordsworth’s solitude, as he left childhood, was never again to be absolute; for as consciousness developed, so did his capacity to apprehend himself, in language, so even alone he could not be alone without self-intercourse, mediated by language. His solitude was necessary for his vocation, but his vocation trespassed on that solitude; for to be a poet is to cast experience away from the self: even in egotism, isolation is disrupted by the projection of an audience. Works Cited Gil, Stephen ed. William Wordsworth: The Major Works (OUP 1984) Hartman, Geoffrey Wordsworth’s Poetry 1787-1814 (Yale University Press 1971) Morgan, Monique R. ‘Narrative Means to Lyric Ends in Wordsworth’s Prelude’ (Narrative, Volume 16, Number 3, October 2008, pp. 298-330)

Self-fulfilling Prophecy Essay -- essays research papers fc

More often than not, the outcomes of events that occur in a person’s life is the product of the idea of the self-fulfilling prophecy. It is that which â€Å"occurs when a person’s expectations of an event make the outcome more likely to occur than would otherwise have been true† (Adler and Towne, Looking Out, Looking In 66). Or restated, as Henry Ford once put it, â€Å"If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right!† This brief research paper touches on the two types of self-fulfilling prophecies, those that are self-imposed and those that are imposed by others. Additionally, it gives a discussion on how great of an influence it is in each person’s life, both positively and negatively, and how it consequently helps to mold one’s self-concept and ultimately one’s self. The first topic of discussion is the self-imposed, or self-inflicted, self-fulfilling prophecy. This idea follows that if one has a preconception or notion of an outcome, then chances are that person will raise the possibility of making it so. Take for example these cases-in-hand that Channing Grigsby, teacher of self-esteem speaks of: ‘I can’t handle this.’ And guess what? We don’t handle it well. If I tell myself I won’t have a good time at the party I’m going to, I am likely to behave in ways that generate exactly that reality, eliciting from other people indifferent responses, proving my premise. (â€Å"A Course in Self-Esteem† 5) Additionally, and antithetically, consider the example of the student studying for a mathematics test the following morning whose belief is that since he is and has been studying and has a good working knowledge of the subject area, that he will do well on the test and does so the following morning. When compared to another student doing the same but is less prepared and knowledgeable in the area and additionally thinks that he will fail and did, he performed better because of his positive expectation and preparedness. Take a moment to reconsider the inclusion of the idea of preparation in the example. Here, preparation is just as important a factor to consider because it is a variable that can greatly surpass the influence of the self-fulfilling prophecy. The other student who did not prepare well and did not know the material as well would have failed anyway, despite how great of preconceived thoughts he may have had. In this case, because the concept... ...pment. And because it does so, it is absolutely essential that as a collective, as a body, as a society, as a people, that a certain degree of understanding is found. That is so that individuals may have a better understanding of their internal, emotional and psychological processes as well as those of others. And with that, a mutual understanding of one another that helps to promote community and a better state of physical, mental, social and spiritual health. Works Cited Adler, Ronald B., and Neil Towne. Looking Out, Looking In. USA: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1999. Bidwell, Lee D. Millar, and Brenda J. Vander Mey. Sociology of the Family: Investigating Family Issues. MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2000. Bushman, Brad J., Roy F. Baumeister, and Angela D. Stack. â€Å"Catharsis, Aggression, and Persuasive Influence: Self-Fulfilling or Self-Defeating Prophecies.† Online Posting. 17 July 2001 . Grigsby, Channing. â€Å"A Course in Self-Esteem: 5. Sources of Low Self-Esteem.† Online Posting. 17 July 2001 . â€Å"Self-fulfilling.† Def. 2. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 10th ed. 1997.

Shakespeares Macbeth - The Transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

The Transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth      Ã‚   In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the characters  Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide, in a great fit of ambition, to kill King Duncan.   Later in the play we see the same two characters undergo a transformation in their personalities after murdering the King.   Macbeth begins the play as a noble soldier and gradually changes into an ambitious and murdering tyrant.   Lady Macbeth begins as a strong, ambitious woman who dominates her husband and gradually changes into a weak and guilt-ridden woman.   This essay will explore the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth before and after the murder of King Duncan. Macbeth begins the play as a noble and trustworthy soldier, with a placid and honest personality.   Unfortunately he is told three prophecies by three witches and it is these prophecies that gradually change Macbeth into a greedy, untrustworthy, ambitious tyrant.   Similarly, like Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is also overruled by her ambitious nature and not only encourages her husband to kill the king, but plans it herself.   Lady Macbeth begins as an ambitious, overpowering and domineering woman, particularly towards her husband.   Though as time passes we see Macbeth become domineering and unbearably ambitious, while Lady Macbeth becomes the lesser of the two and her guilt becomes too much to bear, hence leading her to death.   Macbeth is obviously gullible as he believes the witches after a while and relies on their prophecies constantly.   This changes not only his life, but also Lady Macbeth's life and the lives of those living in Scotland at the time.  Ã‚   However Macb eth and Lady Macbeth believe that the witches are good luck, this proving to be quite the opposite. ... ...on Shakespeare s Tragedies . A Course  Ã‚  Ã‚   of Lectures on Dramatic Art and Literature. London: AMS Press, Inc., 1965.  Ã‚   Shakespeare, William.   Tragedy of Macbeth . Ed. Barbara Mowat and Paul  Ã‚   Warstine. New York: Washington Press, 1992.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Steevens, George. Shakespeare, The Critical Heritage. Vol. 6. London:  Ã‚   Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1981.  Ã‚   T.W. Shakespeare, the Critical Heritage. Vol. 5. London: Routledge & Kegan  Ã‚   Paul, 1979.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Wills, Gary. Witches & Jesuits. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.      Epstein, Norrie, The Friendly Shakepeare, New York, Viking Publishing, 1993. Harbage, Alfred, Macbeth, Middlesex England, Penguin Publishing, 1956. Magill, Masterplots- Volume 6, New Jersey, Salem Press, 1949. Staunten, Howard, The Complet Illustrated Shakespeare, New York, Park Lane Publishing, 1979.