Postmodernism in White Noise free essay sample

For example, comical events precede the shooting of Willie Mink, like Jack repeating the name of Hitler’s dog three times during the Hitler conference, when in fact the atmosphere should have been dark and sinister. This creates an illusion that the plot did not look like it was going to move toward a dark ending. Also, the novel seems to be a parody of the quest for meaning. This can be seen in the character of Murray Jay Siskind, who tries to find meaning in every quotidian thing, especially the wide array of technology around him. For example, the supermarket, for him, seems like the â€Å"Tibetan holding place for dead souls. † He also thinks of the television as a powerful spiritual and psychic tool. The sense of paranoia, another postmodern element, is also palpable in White Noise, as the question â€Å"Who will die first? † or â€Å"When will we die? † haunts almost every chapter of the novel. We will write a custom essay sample on Postmodernism in White Noise or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Finally, one of the most obvious indicators of postmodernism in this novel is the â€Å"technoculture† and â€Å"hyperreality† present in the consumer and advertising culture not just of Jack, but of the people surrounding him. Because of the latest technology, the line dividing reality and artifice has become a blur, which can be seen in the SIMUVAC (Simulated Evacuation), wherein a real emergency event served as a preparation for a simulation. The artificial has replaced the real; the representation has become more important than the thing it represents. Consumerism and technology also give a false sense of security to the characters, like in one scene where Jack feels some sense of â€Å"comfort and reassurance† while shopping in the supermarket. Don de Lillo’s White Noise: Influences of consumerism and advertising Consumerism is introduced as early as the first five chapters of White Noise. The school where Jack works in has a whole department for popular culture. Murray, his colleague, even proposes to establish a department for Elvis Presley, similar to the Hitler department chaired by Jack. Obviously, the professors in the college consider this as significant even if other people think otherwise. Image and aura is also important for Jack. Upon installation as the department chair of Hitler studies, he was advised by the college chancellor to change his image into a more formidable one. Hence, Jack starts to refer to himself professionally as J. A. K. Gladney, and he also starts wearing eyeglasses with dark lenses to give him an academic, professional look. However, Jack feels detached from the identity he created for himself. Later in the novel, during the airborne toxic event, Jack wishes that he had his academic clothes and dark glasses with him during that time. From this, one can see the power of image, or advertising, on the protagonist. Jack’s academic regalia can be equated to Jack’s increased sense of security when he is actually wearing his academic gown and glasses, as opposed to his vulnerability when he is not wearing them. In this case, the image that Jack projects has become more important than him–the representation ahs become more essential than the one being represented. The supermarket also serves as a huge symbolism of security in the novel. In Chapter 5, Jack was said to have felt a sense of completeness after shopping in the supermarket. â€Å"Consumerism has the power to complete the individual, and the supermarket stands at the center of that commodity-driven world (Sparknotes, 2006). † But this is not the same for all individuals. The old people, specifically the Treadwells, find the supermarket a fearful place. For them, the mall can swallow them up in its vastness. This can be interpreted as the lack of adaptation skills of older people to modern technology as compared to the younger ones. But in a way, the supermarket only gives a false sense of security because it is not constant. At the end of the novel, it is said that the supermarket’s contents are rearranged, throwing the individuals â€Å"in a state of panic and confusion. † Here, â€Å"the supposed consumers end up consumed themselves (Sparknotes, 2006). † Technology, in general, gives a false sense of security to Jack and the other characters in the novel. Examples are when Jack feels in control when he withdraws from the ATM, or their Friday night ritual of watching television as a form of bonding. Another pertinent example is when Jack’s wife, Babette, is secretly taking pills called Dylar, supposedly alleviating her fear of death. But instead of doing that, Dylar changes her into a withdrawn individual. It is also through Dylar that the fact that she has committed infidelity toward her husband just to procure this unlicensed medication is revealed, thus crumbling all the walls of security that Jack had built around himself. Babette made him feel secure, and because of her infidelity, Jack is overcome with a sense of revenge for the manufacturer of Dylar, Willie Mink. But when he is ready to kill Mink, he finds him in a state of near craziness, watching television and repeating advertisements and fragments of the show as if thinking he were the television himself, while popping Dylar into his mouth. Both the Dylar and the television has destroyed Mink, because at that point, he is unable to differentiate the words from the things that they represent–the artificial blurring the reality. Mink, perhaps, is one of the worst casualties of consumerism in this novel. The title, White Noise, refers to the constant hum of technology around Jack, something he hears often and which he equates with death. The SIMUVAC is also an example of the artificial rising over reality, since real events are used to prepare for later simulations. This seems a bit comical, but it reveals the fact that because of technology that allows for duplication, it becomes harder to see where reality ends and the artificial begins. The airborne toxic event is also a proof that too much technology can eventually ruin and destroy not just a person but even the whole society. This is an image of technology gone berserk, when people cannot control what they have created. John Updike’s Rabbit, Run: Postmodern elements Written in 1960, author John Updike creates a complicated hero in the character of Harry â€Å"Rabbit† Angstrom, a former basketball star in his high school days, who never quite gets over that fact. One very big postmodern element in Rabbit Run is the hero himself, Rabbit, who is unlike all other heroes in other novels–he runs off and deserts his family, lives with a prostitute, runs off a second time and indirectly causing the death of his newly-born daughter, does not admit to this crime, nd finishes the book running off a third time. The title itself is what the book is all about–Rabbit running away. Rabbit is also a picture of irony. He is a religious man, yet he takes a prostitute, Ruth, and leaves his family. He runs away from his mundane job as a Magipeel peeler salesman, his boring marriage with a â€Å"du mb† wife, social climbing his in-laws, but he runs toward his inner reality, what he perceives to be more real than the hypocrisy surrounding him. Rabbit searches for meaning in his life in a most unusual way–by running away, not caring if he hurt the people surrounding him. It can also be seen here that unlike Jack from White Noise, Rabbit is not fooled by the society around him. He is not led to believe that the television or any other modern technological gadget has power over him, and these things does not give him the false sense of security that characters from White Noise gets from them. Rabbit can discern what is real–his instincts–from what is not. Rabbit is irresponsible, but he is â€Å"still fighting,† as Ruth says, from the clutches of the fraudulent world, albeit excessively. John Updike’s Rabbit, Run: Influences of consumerism and advertising It is interesting to note that Rabbit, the novel’s protagonist, is a Magipeel peeler salesman, and yet he always tries to run away from his marriage, family, job, and life in general. This is because despite Rabbit being an instrument of consumerism himself, he rejects consumerism–he does not want to accept the â€Å"phoniness and mass delusions offered by society (Monarch notes, 1990),† and which then can be considered as a virtue because he does not tolerate hypocrisy. He resists to be tricked by the modernity that has enveloped the world around him, hence he runs away whenever things get unbearable for him. However, though this might seem virtuous, this attitude of Rabbit hurts the people around him. This can also be seen as a lack of responsibility on Rabbit’s part. He cannot adapt to the changes in society, he cannot take responsibilities, and these, in turn, destroy him. Two metaphors can be analyzed in relation to consumerism: basketball and Ruth, the prostitute. The first one, basketball, is a resonating metaphor throughout the novel, often symbolizing the lost youth of Rabbit, and even used to describe Rabbit’s sexual escapades. Since it is a fact that Rabbit is immature and childish, it can be gleaned in the text that basketball is something that gives Rabbit a false sense of security–a characteristic of consumerist societies. Rabbit was once a basketball hero in his high school days, and he never gets over this fact even as he grows older. In fact, the novel opens with Rabbit playing basketball with unknown teenage boys. When he becomes older and the fleeting fame basketball gave him has vanished, Rabbit is left vulnerable, because in reality, he uses the principles of playing basketball in every aspect of life (i. e. sexuality, neatness). He uses this as a shield against society, but when his fame has left him, there is nothing left for him to do but to escape, because his security object is not there anymore. Rabbit is of course, seen as a childish person in the novel. The mere fact that he cannot get over basketball is childish, plus the fact that he somehow envies his son Nelson when he is being fed by Rabbit’s parents. He also refuses to â€Å"mature. † Rabbit can be quoted telling Eccles, â€Å"If youre telling me Im not mature, thats one thing I dont cry over since as far as I can make out its the same thing as being dead. He does not care about others’ feelings. It seems like he goes through life in a childish way, always running away from the phonies and domesticities in life. He runs away from the artificiality of American society, and runs toward his own inner reality, which is his instinct, his guts, his heart. For Rabbit, â€Å"Goodness lies inside, there is nothing outside. † His constant running makes him a social outcast, because he cannot–and will not–adapt to change. Rabbit has this sense of primitiveness. This was perceived by Eccles, and so â€Å"he takes him away from the world of gadgets to nature itself–a job gardener for Mrs.

The eNotes Blog New Quizzes fromeNotes!

New Quizzes from! Hi, everyone! While some of you might already be preparing for  the next quiz youll be taking at school, some of us over at have been having (way too much) fun trying to   make some. Dont worry, though- none of these quizzes will affect your grade. Have a look at the list below to see what weve added to our collection so far! 1. Take the  Shakespearean Deaths Quiz  to figure out which tragedy has the highest body count, where you can read about revenge in the form of unwitting cannibalism, and more!   Why, William why?! 2. If you take the   Authors and Animals Quiz, be prepared for more than beloved dogs and cats of various authors. There may or may not be a lobster involved. Oh, also a bear.   Fluffy? 3. At some point in your life, you might  have  encountered a book for which your hatred  now burns  with the fire of a thousand suns.  Well, you are not alone in your passionate distaste for certain literature. Take our  Author-on-author Insults Quiz  to learn about the scathing remarks authors have  made about other authors and their work. Lame! 4. Remember that bit about people sharing your hatred? Well, not everyone is just content to rant about it at the next book club meeting. Some books offend people so deeply that they  start throwing around the dreaded b-word- banned, that is. Our Banned Books Quiz  contains questions that highlight some of the silliest reasons for banning books, quotes from authors who disapprove of censorship, and other fun tidbits about the baddest books in the business. A warning to those with weak constitutions: one of the books in this quiz features two rabbits getting married.   Wont someone please think of the children? 5. Last but not least, theres a little something to brighten your day and give you a nice change of pace if you happened to have already taken the first and admittedly morbid quiz on this list. The  Love Quotes from Famous Authors Quiz  is sure to give you some warm, literary fuzzies.  What did Mark Twain have to say about matters of the heart? Who loved so deeply he longed for a new set of  words to express his devotion? Take the quiz to find out!   Daww.

Business Model Concept

Model in business is a precise and clear way in which a company can generate profit or revenues. Due to the technology change and advance in communication has put customers in a variety of choice. Competitiveness and efficient has contributed to managers employing the business model to provide better product and services. The business model is a way of analyzing data and evidence presented to prove how they can increase the value of their customer (Peris-Ortiz, 2016). Type of product determines the criteria in company choose a business model. Additionally, the model determines how a company goes about sales and marketing strategies including pricing, sales channel, potential partners, and branding. However, produce a super average profit and sustainable competitive advantage, business should excel in both business model design and product innovation (Fields, 2016). Business model differs from one company to another; because of companies offering differing products (Piperopoulos, 2012 ). The main aim of a company is to generate high-profit margin. For instance, the mobile industry might decide to sell the mobile at a low price, and then they will generate revenues from the sales of recharge card. Due to global economy development, the company has changed the relationship between the customers and suppliers (Rainey, 2010). This essay aims to explain and provide a discussion of value creation and appropriation and innovation process at firms. The business model is how a company makes, delivers, and gets value in the social, cultural and economic environment (Baden-Fuller and Morgan, 2010, P.161). Theoretically, a company comprises core aspects including trading practices, strategies, infrastructure, targeting customers, purpose, operational policies, organizational structures, and business process. In a theoretical perspective, design logical is a process of changing organization management to get profit. â€Å"Managers were interviewed, and also various literature was conducted to understand what comprises business model† (George and Bock, 2012).In this design logic, it explains how the managers can view and explain business modeling. The relevant studies show how managers create a strong narrative study on how to move the business from one point to another. If the stories are incoherent, the business will fail (George and Bock, 2012). Companies create value by their products in the stable market. Suppliers set up and capture value by introducing their product to a competitive market price (Ruzzier et al., 2014).The law of demand and supply states that vendors are ready to provide their product to market if demand is high and therefore recording high-profit margin. On another side, the customers will buy the product if the price is less than utility yielded (Ruzzier et al., 2014). Innovation occurs due to technology change (Rainey, 2010). The ability of value is capturing; the firm must embrace new business modeling. The technology that does not match with new business modeling is meant to fail (Piperopoulos, 2012). The history shows that innovation will fail if the market system does not offer quality at good prices and also compelling value. On the contrary, small business does not require business modeling change (Zott and Amit, 2010). Therefore expanding the market share and segment one can achieve innovation; helps to create new business models will further create a new organization. Innovation process cannot make sense without the process of innovation of products and services. For instances, the Google, e-bays, and Apple: embraced new business models due to advancement in technology (Ruzzier et al., 2014). Apparently, designing efficient business models require one to have an in-depth knowledge about various items including market research, availability of the intelligent system and Innovation point of view (Chesbrough, 2010, p.355). The business model is worthy if the system is dynamic.Therefore contributes to the success of the firm. Business modeling is all about organizing value chain. However, it shows also the value capturing importance (Teece, 2010, p.176). Hybrid framework of business model  Ã‚  Ã‚   Importance of business model in value creation Perception of the business concept, antecedents, then consequences Clarity in the business model and innovation The first quadrant represents a clear understanding of the business concept`s conceptualization. There is also conceptual of antecedences and its consequences. It focuses on academic rather than practical oriented. This quadrant shows the essence of the concept, whereby academic journals published mainly in the English language. The second quadrant shows the established business for an existing technology like automobile industries. There are openness and clarity to external environment and technology innovation. .in order to further understand this quadrant, (Daimler AG (‘Car2Go’) and Volkswagen AG (‘Quicar’) have developed an approach to car sharing. The third quadrant examines the efficiency and novelty lock-in centered designs (Amit & Zott, 2001). Automated electronics industries in Germany such as control systems, electric drives, measurement and testing equipment and finally electric drives (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218). The fourth quadrant takes most dynamic aspect. It focuses on content, structure or governance.it represents the new to the technology. Quadrant identifies the element of business model change. (Berglund and sandstorm, 2013, p.280). Another importance issue worth discussing is that complementary in finding the business partner. When finding a business partner, Managers should make sure that value drivers of partnering business; can only be achieved by analyzing their business model (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218). According to Zott and Amit (2009) considers themes design and content design as important in business model design. Design content refers to examining to greater details actions completed, and finally sequencing the operations and looking for someone to perform. Themes design is the dominant value of the system in value creation. Basing on the above, Zott and Amit (2009) views the business model as two market choices: differentiation and cost leadership (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.219).Design themes include company description and modeling: targeting segment, the channel of distribution, partner network, value appropriation, customer relationship, revenue model and cost structuring (Zhang, 2009). Building on the same literature argument, a business can be conceptualized as series of dependent events forming business and then expanding its borders. The designer of action systems needs to check design themes and design elements (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.220). For a new entrepreneur, the business model is vital while for already existing firms, their managers will have difficult tasks to change a new one (Fields, 2016). These dependent events are performed or done by the leaders integrate organization activities to form business activity system. Value appropriation depends on the way competitors put pressure to the choice of business modeling manager as chosen (Berglund and sandstorm, 2013, p.277).The pricing strategies are related to product design while revenue design compliments the model layout. Conceptualization of business is the set of activities. First, business systems enable addressing of all vitals issues. Managers and academic languages have conceptual tools on how to engage in a proper manner (Zott et al., 2011, p.1025). Another point is that activity system enables firms not to think about product activity, but help in the holistic system is thinking about the business model (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218).  Ã‚   Zara is a retail enterprise in Spain which has an excellent thoughtful of the business model. Conceptualization in the business activities enables more of further theoretical development. Even though there is little devotion in the world of business management literature, scholars have been unable to put together the relationship between team activities, individual actions, and performance of business model to come up with activity system (Zott et al., 2011, p.1020). The operation system could crucial in developing old and current business model, improve on predictive business design model. To conclude, this essay has addressed some significant issues regarding business model. Managers must be considerate to an external and internal environment surrounding the firm. The companies should know what their customers want, where and when. Activity system is vital in the development of new and old business model. Zott and Amit’s (2010) contribution to this essay is highly significant. Zott and Amit work explains largely on Business modeling, business as an activity and innovation in respect to the business model design. Baden-Fuller, C., & Morgan, M. S. (2010). Business models as models. Long range planning, 43(2), 156-171.   Berglund, H., & Sandstrà ¶m, C. (2013). Business model innovation from an open systems perspective: structural challenges and managerial solutions. International Journal of Product Development, 18(3-4), 274-285. Chesbrough, H. (2010). Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range planning, 43(2), 354-363. Fields, Z. (2016). Incorporating business models and strategies into social entrepreneurship. Hershey, PA: Business Science Reference. George, G., & Bock, A. J. (2012). Models of opportunity: How entrepreneurs design firms to achieve the unexpected. Cambridge University Press. .Peris-Ortiz, M., & Sahut, J. (2016). New challenges in entrepreneurship and finance examining the prospects for sustainable business development, performance, innovation, and economic growth. Cham: Springer International. Piperopoulos, P. G. (2012). Entrepreneurship, innovation and business clusters. Farnham: Gower. Rainey, D. L. (2010). Sustainable business development: inventing the future through strategy, innovation, and leadership. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ruzzier, M. K., Ruzzier, M., & Hisrich, R. D. (2014). Marketing for Entrepreneurs and SMEs A Global Perspective. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. Teece, D. J. (2010). Business models, business strategy and innovation. Long range planning, 43(2), 172-194. Zhang, X. (2009). Values, expectations, ad hoc rules, and culture emergence in international cross-cultural management contexts. New York: Nova Science . Zott, C., & Amit, R. (2010). Business model design: an activity system perspective. Long range planning, 43(2), 216-226. Zott, C., Amit, R., & Massa, L. (2011). The business model: recent developments and future research. Journal of management, 37(4), 1019-1042.

The Prophecy of the Witches and the Plot to murder a King Essay

The Prophecy of the Witches and the Plot to murder a King - Essay Example The groundlings, who have paid a penny each, a day's wage for some of them, to stand at the pit under the open portion of the Globe, are totally thrilled. The middle class who can afford to pay a penny more to sit in the galleries jostle with each other taking care not to crush their best clothes. Having paid a penny more than them to sit on a cushion in the gallery, at a separate door, I settle down to watch the play. The rich and the titled sit at the Lords' rooms and Ladies rooms in the covered galleries, having paid as much as half a crown each and enjoying the privilege of being spotted by their peers at the theatre. The groundlings are largely from the working class and you can see butchers and tanners, millers and iron workers, seamen and servants, glovers and shopkeepers, bakers and wig-makers- in short tradesmen of every description along with their families. So boisterous is their conduct that you anticipate their throaty shouting, smiling and winking in scenes that cater to their taste. The shoving and fighting amongst them even as the play is staged form another interesting sight from the higher level at which I sit, having paid twice as much as they have done. The hissing and mewing noise from the groundlings at totally unpredictable moments of the play add colour to the atmosphere.

Complimentary and alternative medicine in nursing Essay

Complimentary and alternative medicine in nursing - Essay Example Most conventional teaching curriculums in nursing schools do not cover alternative and complementary. This creates a discord in the practice since nurses lack adequate information on the use of the various complementary and alternative medicine. The report, therefore, argues for the need for incorporation of the medicine in the curriculum to improve the productivity of nurses. Nurses are important people in the dispensation of health care services. Nurses handle patients and often give advice to patients either in the course of their treatment or during discharge. Patients rely on their nurses for a number of factors key among which is the decision of the type of medicine to use in the treatment of particular diseases. However, nurses learn how to use conventional medicine a feature that makes complementary and alternative medicine a contentious issue in the practice. The discord that arises in the existence of the two types of medicine thus makes it important for colleges and universities among other institutions that train nurses to expand their curriculum in order to equip nurses with holistic information that enhances their suitability in the practice. Complementary medicine just as the name suggests is a type of drug that works concurrently with the conventional drugs. While chemotherapy is the conventional mode of treating cancer, a patient may decide to use marijuana or may decide to go through acupuncture that alleviate anxiety and vomiting and nausea all of which are side effects of the process. Alternative medicines, on the other hand, are a non-conventional medicine that functions as the conventional medicine. The lack of such medicines in the curricula of nursing school is a fundamental policy issue in the modern society. As shown in the above example, some patients often consider marijuana as a complementary medicine. The fact that marijuana is illegal according to the federal government

An Inspector Calls Essay Example for Free

An Inspector Calls Essay Miss Sheila Birling, a prominent character in Priestlys play An Inspector Calls, undergoes many changes throughout the play. The audience and readers perspective towards her also alters. Sheila changes before our eyes from a little girl into a strong young woman. In the beginning, Sheila is described to us as being in her early twenties and very pleased with life. This gives us an impression that she is just a girl, who has not seen enough of the world yet and is very young in her thoughts. We see her as being very immature at first, addressing her parents as Mummy and Daddy. She is clearly a mummys girl who follows her parents instructions and orders For example, she meekly follows her mother to the drawing-room and leaves the men including her husband-to-be. Although she is engaged to Gerald Croft, Sheila places her husband-to-be on a pedestal, admiring him and calling h9im darling. She takes the engagement ring like a little girl would receive a new toy look, mummy! The way Sheila acts in the first part of the play makes her seem like someone who is soft, innocent and silly, or plain immature. After the Inspector arrives, our opinion towards her changes. After she confesses to the Inspector, Sheila breaks down. She feels very sorry for all the pain she has caused Eva Smith. The Inspector makes her feel responsible for using her wealth, importance and influence to get a truly innocent girl sacked from her last steady job. Sheila sobs and cries, like a child. However, our opinion really changes when she confronts Gerald. Sheila laughs hysterically, at the end of Act One, when she says, You fool. Of course he knows. And I hate to think what he knows that we dont know yet. This behaviour is rather like that of a teenager throwing a tantrum, showing her growing realisation and maturity. When Gerald begins to confess, Sheila shows a rebellious streak. She refuses to be led away by her parents who want her to be protected. This is like what the average adolescent would do when they wish to cross new territory. Sheila begins to control herself a little more rationally during Geralds interrogation Gerald falls off the high placing he was originally on as Sheila calls him by name rather than by some playful nickname.

Tsetse Fly :: essays research papers fc

Tsetse Fly African sleeping sickness is an infectious disease of tropical Africa. This infectious disease is caused by a protozoan organism that exists as a parasite in the blood of a number of vertebrate hosts. There are three variations of the disease that predominate in humans are transmitted by an insect vector: Two types of African sleeping sickness are caused by the following: Trypanosoma rhodesiense and T. gambiense, both transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. Trypanosome, which early symptoms include fever, headache, and chills, followed by anaemia and joint pains. Later, the disease attacks the central nervous system, causing drowsiness, lethargy, and, if left untreated, death. The cycle of this deadly disease starts out with the tsetse fly and usually end in death if untreated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tsetse flies are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, class insecta, order Diptera, family Trypanosoma. Tsetse flies are unusual insects. The medium to large brown flies are between six to 14mm long, excluding its proboscis (which is the trunk-like process of the head). The wings are folded and scissor-like while at rest and extend a short distance beyond the end of the abdomen. Other flies have their wings projecting side-ways unlike the tsetse fly, which has overlapping wings. Tsetse flies are confined to Africa. There are 390 different species and four are found in Zambia. They are in the same family as the house and horse flies, they feed extensively on blood be it that of humans or animals. They are parasites that live in the blood or tissue of humans and other vertebrates. Egg and larval stages develop within the female. The female fly produces only one egg at a time. The larva hatches from the egg and is nourished during the growing period inside the body o f the parent. When the larva is full-grown, it is deposited on the ground, and it becomes a pupa. She gives birth every 9 to 10 days. Tsetse flies mate only once, but that mating provides enough sperm to fertilize the female throughout her 90 to 100 day lifespan. Female tsetses produce at most nine larvae and therefore have one of the lowest reproduction rates in the insect world. The single-celled trypanosomes that cause sleeping sickness spend their time cycling between humans and tsetse flies. They linger in the gut of the fly, absorbing amino acids and other molecules that the fly gets by biting mammals. After about ten days the trypanosomes move into the fly's salivary glands.