Driving the Dairy business Essay Example for Free

Driving the Dairy business Essay In the article â€Å"Driving the Dairy business†, Howard assert that, this article focuses on the impact of unprecedented food inflation to bakery and dairy products in the U.S. It cites that recent price volatility fueled by a weak dollar, rising energy costs, consumer wariness, competitive pressure and other factors is making it hard to market staples like bakery and dairy items, primarily fluid milk. According to the article, the weakening on the commodity in cheese and nonfat dry milk drives the prices for dairy in general. Application of the content to my group project A company profile of Saputo Inc., which is engaged in manufacturing and marketing of dairy products like milk, cream, sour cream, yogurt and cottage cheese, is presented. An overview of the company is given, along with key facts including contact information, number of employees and revenues. Positive aspects of the article In the article , Howard use the specific numbers and statistics to illustrate the worst food inflation in nearly decades. Also , the author quote some famous person or the authority system said Dairy is a staple item that has been subjected to some record retail price points. That is now softening, which may be good news for the consumer. The flip side is that it will hurt the farmers in the short term so we may see further attrition in the agricultural community because of that Missing items and points The analysis of how to driving dairy business. Personal reflections on the article As the report noted, Smaller households are less likely to shop (a supermarket or convenience store) in-store bakery, in large part because they dont want to deal with waste or spoilage from products that are too big for them to consume. As the categories in cheese and nonfat dry milk are weakened on the commodity side it ultimately drives the prices for dairy in general. If the larger stores like Costco, Wal-Mart and Price Chopper are moving prices down, overall market prices are moving down with them. A lot of the big stores–the club stores, the large supermarkets and the mass merchandisers–will move their milk price each month, going up or going down

Theme of Revenge in William Shakespeares Play Hamlet Essay Example for Free

Theme of Revenge in William Shakespeares Play Hamlet Essay Shakespeares Hamlet is a complex play where many themes are intertwined themes that are essential to the development of the play. The issue of death and disease, both physical and emotional is very prevalent throughout the duration of the play, as well as fate and divine intervention. The play also questions madness and whether it can be feigned, as well as corruption and its moral implications. Also the To be or not to be soliloquy, where Hamlet not only questions life and death, but many of lifes other uncertainties as well. see more:hamlet thesis statements However, the most important theme in the development of Hamlet is revenge and question Does revenge pay? Revenge is a frighteningly bloodthirsty emotion, which causes people to act blindly and without reason. Revenge is a theme that is cleverly built upon throughout the extent of the play; with it being the driving force behind two of the main characters in the play. The play is introduced by the appearance of the ghost of Hamlets father in the first scene, which automatically gives the impression that something is amiss. This is later clarified by the statement; Something is rotten in the state of Denmark (I.iv). The ghost materialises before Hamlet suggesting that his death was not as natural as it may first have seemed. The ghost requests Hamlet to Revenge [my] foul and most unnatural murder (I.v) and points him towards the murderer with The serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown (I.v). This indicates that King Hamlet murder was committed by his brother, Claudius, who had now taken over as King of Denmark. The Ghost taunts Hamlet, telling him that it is part of every mans honour to avenge his death. Hamlet agrees to revenge his death, but his mind is still full of many doubts, and he just thinks about what he will do, rather than actually do it. However, when the time for action comes, it is the beginning of a ferocious cycle of hatred, death and revenge, which ultimately consumes all those who use it. Hamlets doubts cause him to forget about his promise to the ghost, and finally to determine if the ghost was true, he attempts to prove Claudius guilt. He creates a play, The Mousetrap and it is performed in court. The Mousetrap recreates a similar scenario as the one that had occurred when  Hamlets father was murdered. Hamlet was watching for a reaction from Claudius to see if he really was the vile murderer. Subsequent to the Kings outburst after watching the performance, Hamlet confronts his mother and began to insult her betrayal of her first husband. Meanwhile the meddling fool, Polonius, was hiding behind a decorate rug that was adorning the wall in Gertrudes room. Hamlet sensed his presence and thinking that it was Claudius, plunged his dagger through the rug. This rash action causes much grief and sadness for many people. Hamlet, after Ophelias betrayal of him, acts rudely to her, lying about his love for her and suggesting some inappropriate comments to her, mocking her for a whore. This, joined with her fathers death causes her to go mad and eventually drown herself. This was a particularly tragic death because the virginal Ophelia was just an innocent bystander in a cruel plot for revenge. Also hurt was Polonius son, Laertes. Laertes believes that it was Claudius that killed his father, but the king quickly puts Laertes on Hamlets trail and pushes him to avenge his fathers murder. From this point on, Hamlet and Laertes become the main characters in the play two characters driven by a blind revenge. Despite this, Hamlet continues only to speak about his plans for revenge, and never acts until the last scene. At one stage Hamlet had a perfect chance to kill Claudius whilst he was praying but chose not to because doing so would have meant that Claudius would be sent to heaven, rather than hell. Hamlet wonders about that idea, saying that Now he is prayinga villain kills my father and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. (III.iii) Hamlet thinks that patience will pay off for him in the long run, but unfortunately for him this is not so, and it causes an even greater tragedy. It is not until Act V that revenge brings the play together. In Scene ii, Hamlet explains to Horatio how he had been sent to his death in England. In a moment of brilliance, Hamlet substitutes the letter from one demanding his death, to one demanding the execution of Rosencrantz and Guildenstem. Hamlet sees no immorality in this action; he simply sees it as part of his  revenge on Claudius, and he does not feel for them as they sided with the enemy, other than himself. They were just sponges. Upon arriving back in Denmark, Hamlet is challenged to a duel with Laertes, who is still powered by the need to avenge his fathers death. Hamlet accepts this as he knows he is better than Laertes. Prior to the duel, Hamlet attempts to apologise to Laertes, blaming the murder on his madness. Laertes, who is still blinded by his quest for revenge, accepts Hamlets apology, but says he must retain his honour. He tells Hamlet that I am satisfied in nature, whose motives in this case should stir me most to my revenge; but in terms of honour I stand aloof I do receive your offered love like love and will not wrong it. (V.ii) The pair prepare for their duel, and Laertes selected an unbaited sword with a poisoned tip. This shows that Laertes was still not thinking straight because he would have realised that choosing such a sword could proved dangerous for him as well. During the fight Laertes struck a blow against Hamlet with the tip of his poisoned sword, but the duel continues and the swords get swapped. The next hit was made by Hamlet, who had the poisoned sword at that point in time. Just then the Queen collapses and the King attempts to cover it up by announcing that she doesnt like the sight of blood. The Queen denies this and tells the court that it was the drink! O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink. I am poisoned.(V.ii). At that point Laertes realises that he has been used by the King and tells Hamlet that he will soon die, because his sword was poisoned too, and that the King was to blame. Finally, Hamlet has set the scene for the revenge that he has been craving. He attacks the King, pushing him over, and picks up the poisoned wine. He forces it down the Kings throat, yelling Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother. Laertes dies, content that justice has been served. Hamlet himself dies soon after; his revenge plot is finally complete, and so is Laertes. However, the price that was paid was large, the death of; Polonius, Ophelia, Gertrude, Claudius, Laertes and Hamlet himself. The obsession and need for revenge displayed by the two main revenge characters eventually led them both to their downfall. Not only did they hurt themselves, but many others close to them. Ophelias death, for example could be blamed on Hamlets desire for revenge, whilst Hamlets death occurred as a result of Laertes quest to avenge his fathers death. Revenge shapes the entire plot of Hamlet and could be blamed for corrupting Hamlet and Laertes, making them almost as evil as the person who started all the problems. Shakespeare highlights the moral implications of revenge, and how a person can be corrupted by their need for revenge. The somewhat clichà ©d saying An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth is outlined perfectly in Hamlet. You cannot receive a punch, return a punch and then all be friends. The second that revenge is planned, a horrible chain that is almost impossible to break forms. The revenge, while completed, also caused many other problems in Denmark. The royal advisors family; dead, the entire royal family; dead, and the Norwegian foe, Fortinbras now takes over as King. Revenge does not pay, the price to achieve it is just way too high.

Wit by Margaret Edson Analysis

Wit by Margaret Edson Analysis In the play Wit by Margaret Edson, the relationships between the doctors are in need of examination. Dr. Harvey Kelekian, and Jason Posner, is morally viewed characters because of their discussions with the patient. Furthermore, the death of Vivian Bearing in the play Wit by Margaret Edson plays a role by teaching Vivian how to use compassion. In which, she could than die in more of a peaceful manner. The doctors help Vivian fight the battle against ovarian cancer and ultimately revealing that kindness is a simple reward of action (Edson, 2012). However, the lack of compassion that Vivian receives from the doctors reveals that she is like all humans, who long for kindness. Dr. Jason forgot his bedside manners in a clinical manner showing how he feels for Vivian (Edson, 2012). Dr. Jason would not properly greet Vivian during her examination process for the treatment of ovarian cancer and left her stomach uncovered, she was not properly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which left her unstablized. Vivian felt that there is no respect for her, she is sarcastic towards Dr. Jason and makes comments towards Dr. Jason because he does not show some consideration for her. Vivian rejects Susie the nurse, who is kind to her and eventually becomes appreciative of the kindness that the nurse shows her during her stay in the hospital for chemotherapy; the nurse cares for Vivians wellbeing and cares for her physically. Furthermore, the nurse does whatever she can to make Vivians stay in the hospital comfortable. Vivians nurse has every intent to be straightforward with her and her disapproval of her doctors choices. Due to honesty and respect, Vivian befriended Susie and the only person in the entire play she let close to her. With phrases such as I wanted her to come and see me (Edson, p. 64). The play takes place during the final hours of Dr. Vivian Bearing, a university professor of English, dying of ovarian cancer. Vivian recalls the initial diagnosis of stage 1V metastatic ovarian cancer from her oncologist Dr. Harvey Kelekian. The doctor than proposes an experimental chemotherapeutic treatment regimen consisting of eight rounds at full dosage (Edson, 2012). Over the course of the play, Vivian reflects on her life through the intricacies of the english language, especially the use of Wit in the metaphysical poetry of John Donne. Throughout the play, she recites Donnes Holy Sonnet X, Death be not proud, while reflecting upon her condition (Wilson, 2004). Vivian has lived her life alone, is unmarried and without children, her parents are deceased and she has no emergency contacts (Edson, 2012). Margaret Edson is about a woman dealing with her lifes issues with an uncommon approach. Edson got the idea for the plot after many hours of volunteering at a hospital (Wilson, 2009). Instead of being gloomy and negative which lead Vivians remains witty and tough during her struggle with different stages of ovarian cancer. Throughout her life, Vivian and those around her have been an active part of student mentor relationships with someone retaining to Vivians condition. Whether it was personality or behavioral changes, a change in life direction, at least one person involved in each relationship underwent a transformation (Wilson, 2009). The power and result of these relationships, serving as fundamental themes in playwrights formed one or both participants and their future goals at the times the relationships were occurring. Vivian also tried to thoroughly illustrate her point and eventually gave up trying to understand, but unconsciously comprehended her viewpoints. The important information she utilized throughout her life because of this conversation and relationship was how to better understand John Donnes pieces, allowing her to expertly teach his work (Cite). She was also able to discover the differences between different effects on his sonnets and even herself. A valuable relationship not experienced with her treatment was between Dr. Jason Posner. Vivians primary doctor Dr. Harvey Kelekian, Jason worked directly under him and always listened to his mentor and showed off what he learned in front of him. Addressing Kelekian the quizzes than regarding Vivians medicine options with the question ok, problem areas with Hex and Vin (Edson, 2012). Dr. Kelekian had pushed Jason to learn as much as he can, while also doing something beneficial to medicine. Dr. Jason was working on a research project and constructed on Vivian and the dedication to Dr. Kelekian, which his job was so strong that Jason did not realize how impersonal he was to his patient. Both doctors want to keep Vivian alive and didnt always take their individual desires and feelings into account when directly interacting with them. The play gives a visual context in comparison to the book, in which describes her as intellectual and challenged person. Thus, Vivian becomes emotional during the chemotherapy treatment. Additionally, Vivian has a Ph.D., and is a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the brilliant, yet difficult metaphysical sonnets of John Donne. When Vivian was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, her approach to the study has been aggressively getting worse. Comparison, of the book illustrates how the course of her illness could make a change in her life. In addition, her time at the hospital is as a prize patient at a major teaching hospital, Vivian comes to review her life and her work with a profound humor that are transformative both for her and for the audience. Thus, Vivian Bearing walks on the empty stage during the play, pushing her IV pole. She is fifty, tall and very thin, bare foot, and completely bald (Edson. p.7). Vivian describes herself in detail that she is dying and her ovarian cancer is progressively getting worse. Furthermore, she speaks with Dr. Kelekian and explains that the doctors are developing an experimental combination of drugs to help cure Vivians ovarian cancer, which is also a stage three that is moving into stage four. Thus, Dr. Kelekian then describes to Vivian that she must be very tough (Edson, p.12). Furthermore, the doctor stated that there are side effects and the treatment of chemotherapy would be good for her. The doctor than stated that she also has stage three and four metastatic ovarian cancers and there is no stage five. Furthermore, it appears to be a matter as the saying goes of life and death (Edson, p.13). Thus, Death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so (Edson, p. 13). Vivian than explains that she is in isolation because she is being treated for cancer and her treatment imperils her health (Edson, p.39). Vivian also states that John Donne would revel in it, if he wrote a poem about it. She also stated that her students would flounder in it, because paradox is too difficult to understand (Edson, p.39). Every ambiguity, every shifting awareness could draw so much from the play. Now at the height of her powers, she grandly disconnects herself from the IV (Edson, p.40). Technicians remove the bed and hand her a pointer; The poetry of the early seventeenth century. What has been called the metaphysical school, considers an intractable mental puzzle by exercising the outstanding human faculty of the era, namely wit (Edson, p.40). The greatest Wit, the greatest English poet, some would say was John Donne. In the Holy Sonnets, Donne applied his capacious, agile Wit to the larger aspects of the human experience: life, death, and God (Edson, p.40). Susie than explains that the doctors like to save lives. Therefore, anything is okay, as long as life continues. It does not matter if you are hooked up to a million machines. Kelekian is a great researcher and everything like Jason has honor and wants to know more things. Susie than states that she can be full code, which means that if your heart stops, theyll call a Code Blue and the code team will come and resuscitate you and take you to Intensive Care until you stabilize again (Edson, 2012). Alternatively, you can be Do Not Resuscitate, so if your heart stops we will just let it; you will be DNR. You can think about it, but I wanted to present both choices before Kelekian and Jason talk to you (Edson, p.54). E.M. Ashford stated to Miss Bearing that you take this to lightly. Moreover, this is a metaphysical poetry, not the modern novel. In addition, The standards of scholarship and critical reading, which would apply to any other text, are simply enough for Vivian (Edson, 2012). Thus, the effort will total the results in a meaningful way of the sonnet, begins with a valiant struggle with death calling on all the forces of intellect, and vanquish the enemy (Edson, 2012). Additionally, it is ultimately about overcoming the seemingly in separable barriers separating life, death, and eternal life. At that moment, Vivian explains her death as a metaphysical conceit. Furthermore, Vivians former undergraduate student, Jason is trying casually to understand Vivian undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore, Vivian Bearing, the main character from Margaret Edsons play Wit is not like those other teachers. She is tough and nonetheless does not care about her students and their many struggles (Wilson, 2004).Thus, Her only passion is for 17th century poetry, particularly the complex sonnets of John Donne (Edson, 2012). In some parts of the play, Dr. Kelekian seems sympathetic towards Vivian leading readers to believe that he is a morally sound character. However, at some points in the play Dr. Kelekian seems to discuss Vivian as a parent asking their child to handle an adult issue (Edson, 2012). Furthermore, the doctor knows how much pain she is going through, which Vivian will be in pain during the Hex and Vin treatments. Making sure that Vivian is trying to recognize the side effects of the treatment. In question, Dr. Kelekian invites knowledge to Vivian making her feel important, although the two doctors are completely different in subjects of doctorates, while Dr. Kelekian units himself as well as Vivian as educators showing his humanity towards her (Wilson, 2009). He is steadfast about Vivians chemotherapy treatment and does not consider Vivians opinions creating a wall between them. Moreover, as Vivian goes through series of tests and ways to treat her ovarian cancer, Vivian undergoes a series of tests and then knows the prognosis is not good. However, Vivian tries to overcome her fear of hospitalization to get better. Additionally she expresses her thoughts as being a teacher and scholar specializing in the holy sonnets of John Donne. Furthermore, Vivian tries to illuminate her achievements in the world of scholarship and show what happens to her as she receives treatment of aggressive chemotherapy for eight months. What Vivian is trying to perceive is the reality of her lifes experiences about how she will overcome the aggressive chemotherapy treatment. Thus, Vivian recalls her child hood with her father and takes a look back from her past of an counter with her graduate school professor, E.M. Ashford, after she decides that nothing will stop her from becoming a top-notch scholar (Edson, 2012). Furthermore, Jason tries to save Vivians life; in treating her cancer, Vivians chemotherapy weakens, the cancer starts to take full control of her body. The doctor is taking less and less notice of her, which she than relies on her nurse, who sees her suffering from the pain of her treatments. Furthermore, the nurse is kind to her and helps her decide, if she wants a DNR, which is do not resuscitate. Vivians enjoyment of Susies care and company, and affection were shown. Susies kindness also allowed Vivian to feel comfortable enough to finally open up about her real feelings of fear and confusion as she sorrowfully confided in her and said, I am scared (Edson, 2012). She than says how she do not feel sure of herself anymore, Vivian rests in peace with herself, as she dies. Thus, through the morally ambiguous character of Dr. Harvey Kelekian and Jason Posner, who tried to help Vivian to recognize the mistakes of the past and see that kindness is simple, nevertheless a powerful gesture (Edson, 2012). Vivian has strength and weaknesses that are exposed because of Susies own qualities, which helped her, emphasize how people are only capable of being who they are because of their experiences through their life. Vivian had educated, Susie had showed her some sense of weakness and she has been educated to the level it takes to be a nurse whereas, Vivian has gone beyond her own expectations. This shows that she has strength in knowledge of English literature and reveals the weakness of Susie being illiterate. Vivian than comes to terms and finally learns how to be compassionate on her last few months on earth due to her deathly illness and the way one person can affect another person. Though Vivian meets an unfortunate end in her life she than decides that the only resolution is peace. She exhibits her life and her final days to drive home a message of kindness and compassion, turning a sad ending to a happy conclusion. Margaret Edson utilizes Vivians flash backs not only to provide back ground of her life, but also provide evidence to her past actions and former passions. Leading to the audiences and understanding of her strive for knowledge and the lack of success without the human interaction to accompany her Wit. Vivian has viewpoints that the strength and the pride in her prestigious position, which maintained and would garner a fixed sense of fulfillment. She found that the simplicity of human kindness could have an impact greater than the answer she thought she had acquired from years of study. Life and death had beginnings and endings and people come in terms with the end of life, people make life more enjoyable and how they present their life. Work Cited: About.com Search Find it now!. About.com Search Find it now!. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2012. Givhan, Jennifer. Crossing The Language Barrier: Coalescing The Mind / Body Split And Embracing Kristevas Semiotic In Margaret Edsons Wit. Women Language 32.1 (2009): 77. Biography Keaveney, Madeline M. Death Be Not Proud: An Analysis of Margaret Edsons Wit. Women Language 27.1 (2004): 40. Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson). Web. 13 Dec. 2012 Kristevas Semiotic In Margaret Edsons Wit. Women Language 32.1 (2009): 77. Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson). Web. 13 Dec. 2012 What are fundamental themes found in Margaret Edsons short-drama, Wit. YoExpert.com | Education | Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.Education | Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec.  2012. What are fundamental themes found in Margaret Edsons short-drama, Wit. YoExpert.com | Education | Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. What are fundamental themes found in Margaret Edsons short-drama, Wit.  YoExpert.com | Education | Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 12  Dec.  2012.

Computers in Drug Research and Development :: Essays Papers

Computers in Drug Research and Development As the computer becomes more and more powerful, its uses and abilities grow. Scientists have been able to harness this power in to assist them in their goals of researching and developing drugs for human use. Computers can be found in nearly every drug research laboratory and development center in the world. In the process of developing a drug, thousands upon thousands of chemical compounds are tested to be used in laboratory tests and animal tests. Generally, over 5000 compounds are chosen for such testing. Of 5000 chosen compounds, around five will be acceptable for use on humans in testing. Computers play a huge role in the testing and narrowing down of such chemical compounds used in drugs. Models of chemicals and reactions can be computer simulated to rule out compounds that would not be acceptable. Using computers in such a way greatly reduces the time spent on lengthy animal testing, and also ensures that the drugs that do pass will be safe for human testing. Home computers are now being used to aid scientists in drug research as well. One web site, www.FightAidsAtHome.org offers a downloadable program that uses your home computers idle processes to perform complex computations that aid in AIDS drug research. The results are automatically sent back to the researchers who use them in their developmental process. Such a program would have been insignificant ten years ago, when very few people owned computers powerful enough to perform the operations needed by researchers today. However, because the internet is so widespread and because home computers are becoming so powerful, such a program works and works well. One specific use of computers in drug development is a program developed by Art Olson called AutoDock. This program is used to simulate the interactions of proteins in molecules as they meet. Because of the extreme power of today’s computers, the program creates extremely accurate results, even though there are thousands of factors that determine the final result. Using these simulations, scientists are able to more easily understand how two different molecules will interact, which helps greatly in the drug development process. Many programs similar to AutoDock are used by scientists. Each of these programs are used to determine the outcomes of specific interactions between molecules, chemical compounds and other biological and chemical interactions.

Baby Bosses :: essays research papers

Hendrick, Bill. â€Å"Baby Bosses: Youth vs. experience doesn’t have to be us vs. them.† The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Monday, 18 April 2005. â€Å"Living.† Pg. B1.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The article addresses a different side effect of the generation gap between the 79 million baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation Xers (those born between 1965 and 1984). The already-present tension between managers and their subordinates becomes exponentially worse as the age difference between them continues to widen. More and more young adults are starting their careers in managerial positions instead of having to start their way at the bottom and work up to the top. Understandably, older workers often have a difficult time accepting direction from someone young enough to be their child—or, in some cases, their grandchild. Baby boomers often perceive their younger co-workers as impersonal, condescending, and disrespectful. This view is unjustified more often than not; the older employees’ views are clouded by the fear of losing their jobs or the resentment of others’ advancement over theirs. A large catalyst for tension is seniorsâ€⠄¢ lack of hesitancy when it comes to filing ageism suits. In worst-case scenarios (the likes of which are all too common in the American business world), the seniors complete their tasks while always on the lookout for the opportunity to sue, in the not-so-great American tradition of suing every individual who makes you feel uncomfortable or slighted; in response, the younger crew go about their business ever on the edge, not wanting to succumb to the negative pressures of those above them but unwilling to deal with a lawsuit.

Suicide in A Perfect Day for Bananafish by J. D. Salinger Essay

A Perfect Day for Bananafish follows the events leading up to the eventual suicide of Seymour Glass. In the story, Seymour is described as a lost spirit who sees himself as being fundamentally different from his social environment following his wartime experience; he leaves the war â€Å"seeing-more† and as a result, awakens to find that he has lost touch with the material world. Salinger uses the story’s dialog as the medium for conveying Seymour’s struggle; he establishes the shallow nature of the environment Seymour is exposed to using the dialog between Muriel and her Mother while simultaneously giving clues about Seymour’s character from the perspectives of the two women in his life. Seymour’s character is built upon further in the second half of the story during the scene in which he converses with Sybil, and also when Seymour is in the elevator moments before he commits suicide. The subtle clues Salinger weaves into the dialog suggest that Se ymour commits suicide to escape the dilemma of either conforming to the materialistic world and sacrificing his spirituality, or choosing not to conform and consequently live estranged from his own wife and the society in which he lives. The opening of the story serves to create the precedent that Muriel is shallow. The first passage describes how Muriel â€Å"uses† her two and a half hour waiting period before her mother’s call. She accomplishes multiple tasks such as painting her toenails, reading a women’s pocket-size magazine article, brushing her hair, and removing a stain from a skirt. Salinger describes Muriel as â€Å"a girl who for a ringing phone dropped exactly nothing.† The references to Muriel as â€Å"a girl† are repeated throughout the story to signify her immaturity; her concern for trivial... ...nd his own life. Many of these clues can be found in the story’s dialog. They suggest that Seymour’s suicide is the manifestation of an awakening gained through his war experience; he is separated from the shallow environment he lives in and can find no other escape. Perhaps Seymour commits suicide in an attempt to break through the barrier that separates him from Muriel and the rest of society. Or maybe Seymour’s mental faculties were damaged by his wartime experience, leaving him disturbed and unstable. The text can be read many ways; however, there is no single interpretation that captures the complexity of Salinger’s short story. While the clues that Salinger leaves throughout the story influence the reader’s perspective on Seymour Glass, ultimately the meaning and justification of Seymour’s suicide depends on the reader’s personal connection to the protagonist.

Japanese Period

Japanese Period Background The Japanese period is known as the era with the most brutalities in Philippine history. Unlike our previous capturers, the Japanese had no shame in hiding the cruelty that they imposed on the Filipino people. With their aim of capturing the Philippines in a span of 50 days, they did not hold back on the meaner of getting what they wanted. No one could escape the torture and hardships, and some could not even escape death. The Japanese had motives. They wanted the Filipinos to stray from the western culture, and become part of the east-Asia co prosperity sphere.They wanted a complete reformation of the people, for them to forget about their materialistic ways and to focus on vocational education and love of labor. Whenever someone would go against what they wanted, they would result to imprisonment and torture. They had no mercy for those that they suspected were against them. Conditions of the Prison The Kemp-ATA, or the Japanese military police would usua lly pick up Filipinos on the streets or in their houses, and throw them in prison cells either in Fort Santiago, in Blind prison, or in any compound that the Japanese have taken over.Some accounts say that the Japanese would keep them in small rooms, with nothing to do. Whenever they would look out the window, all they could see were ill-fed and unhappy Filipinos roaming the streets. Everyday, they would do the same things, and they would be fed tasteless and inadequate food twice a day. Most times, it's Just boiled vegetables and rice. Sometimes, they would add fish to the prisoners' food, but only the heads and the parts that they have thrown in the garbage. One source told his story of being kept in a hospital by the Japanese.He mentioned that two garbage dumpsters were located right outside the building where they were staying in, so flies would come in thousands each day. Whenever they would close their eyes, after about five minutes, the bed would be covered with flies, litera lly making a black blanket. Another source, quoted below, wrote his accounts of torture and hardships in his memoir, and what he experienced in the cell that he stayed in: â€Å"After a pause of a few minutes, I felt the searing Jerks of slivers being extracted.Minutes later, I could not remember how long, I regained consciousness. I was shivering and wet lying in a pool of water mixed with blood, semi-digested food, excrement and urine. The smell was terrible. I must have moved my bowels, vomited and urinated in my unconscious state. † The Japanese didn't care about the condition of each prisoner. They would Just leave them there, bruised and unconscious, until the next water cure session.Some rooms can only occupy a limited number of people if they allocate a bed for each person; therefore, what the Japanese did was to fit about 70 men inside one empty room, where the prisoners would sit in a squatting position. Most of the rooms couldn't have a bathroom; so instead, the Ja panese would provide the prisoners squatting Rules Inside the Prison There were no exact rules as to what should and shouldn't be done inside the prison cell, but the Filipinos were smart enough to know what the Japanese didn't like and what they capable of.Whenever a Filipino is captured, he is tied up and beaten, sometimes until he is unconscious, then he will be brought to a prison cell, where he will stay indefinitely and will continue to be tortured. Almost everyday, they will be questioned and tortured until they give an answer that would satisfy the Japanese en watching over them. Of course, like in any prison, no one was allowed to leave the facility. If anyone attempted to leave, they would be beaten and tortured to death.Family members were not allowed to visit them, except on April 29, when the emperor would celebrate his birthday and is considered a special holiday for the Japanese. They were not allowed to leave their cells, unless they were told to do so. Even bathing was limited to once a week, sometimes once every two weeks if they were unlucky. In 1941, a new Blind prison was available for use of the Japanese. Upon entering he facility, there was a standard procedure followed to accommodate the new prisoners: 1 . The carpets (bio-data) were taken and supplemented by fingerprinting 2.Heads of prisoners will be shaved 3. Clothes will be deposited for safekeeping, and replaced with a uniform 4. Medical examination of physical condition of the prisoners, and giving of immunization shots 5. Photos are taken with a prison number tag 6. Brigade assignments are issued. The new Blind was seen as a chance to live anew, and the prisoners noticed that the prison officials were more lenient than the ones in the old Blind facility and the nest in Fort Santiago. Rights Human rights were non-existent during the time of the Japanese.The torture methods were so inhumane that some prisoners felt like they were being treated like animals. They were not allowed to speak or do what they wanted, they weren't even allowed leave their prison cells unless they were told to do so. There was no regard for human life, at least for those who were imprisoned and tortured. Illustration of the water cure method of torture The methods that the Japanese used to get answers from the Filipinos were severe and barbaric. The water cure was the most used method for prisons.The prison officials would dip the head of the prisoner in a tub of water, or a wet material is placed on top of the nose and mouth of a prisoner until he starts gasping for air. They would then ask questions, and if they don't get a â€Å"satisfactory' answer, they would repeat the process. In the case of a prisoner drowning, they would immediately untie him and place him face down on a barrel. The Prison guards would then roll the barrel back and forth like a rocking chair to remove the water from the poor prisoners stomach and lungs.Then the process will continue once and striking with a baton or a slab of wood. Reasons for Imprisonment Most of the prisoners during the time of the Japanese were accused of being part of guerrillas. This was the main trigger for the Japanese to capture people in the streets or in their homes because they didn't want any secret anti-Japanese organizations to plan revolts, as well as keep in the Filipinos under the influence of the Americans. Although they captured many accused Filipinos, they were not able to fully and completely silence the guerilla groups.