Media Portrayal of Female and Male Body Image :: Media Argumentative Persuasive Argument

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Representation of Gender in the Film The Crucible Essay

Nicolas Hytner has used a number of techniques such as camera angles, dialogue and music to represent gender through the film version of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. This is evident through the study of the characters John Proctor, Reverend Hale, Judge Danforth, Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams. The film is set in the mid 17th century in the Puritan society of Salem. The Puritans are a group of people who take the Bible literally and very seriously. Law and religion was tied together so that sin became crime and visa versa. Salem was a place where pleasure and relaxation of any sort was restricted and people lived under rigid Puritan constraints that allowed no room for privacy. All power within the society was derived from biblical authority and the patriarchal views of Salem, thus the society was led by ministers of religion and the patriarchs, with women as the third class citizen. Miller, reflecting his own 1953 context, is paralleling the Salem witch-hunt with the infamous drive by Senator Joseph McCarthy to expose ‘radicals’ and ‘communists’ in the USA. Clearly, the term â€Å"witch hunt† has come to mean the slandering of innocent people using them as scapegoats for the things that are wrong in society. Discrimination against Muslims during the recent Gulf War and War on Terrorism illustrates the universality of the issue of witch-hunting. With the context in mind, the representation of gender in Salem can be analysed. The tragic hero of the film, John Proctor, is presented as a stereotypical man of the late 1600s Salem. John is presented by Hytner as very much the moral centre of the film through the use of a variety of filmic techniques in the construction of his character. In the first scene he appears, his clothes are natural and earthy in colour and his movement while reaping is close to the natural rhythms of the earth. This paints a picture of Proctor as a handsome masculine man, a worthy farmer doing an honest day’s work. The rhythmic reaping of the field gives a comforting feel and shows John’s confidence with his tools – a man used to hard work. The sunlight reflects off his face bathing him in some spiritual power. His  children are out working with him giving the impression of a family man. Images of Proctor are also painted in the scene in Proctor’s household and both male and female roles in the home and family are juxtaposed. John as the head of the family is blunt and abrupt to his wife which was representative of family life at the time. John is master of his house and shows his power when he shouts the word â€Å"Woman!† at Elizabeth. The single word establishes that John’s status is higher than that of Elizabeth and she must submit to his will. Proctor’s dominance is shown in the repetition of the words â€Å"I’ll think on it† and his slamming down on the table signifies the end of their argument. His male qualities are shown in the way he uses his body to make a point and his physical supremacy over his wife. Juxtaposed to this is the representation of female gender through Elizabeth’s character. She is constructed as a rather cold, but highly moral woman. Elizabeth’s role in the home is to care for the house so John can relax whilst she waits on him. This is shown by how she begins to clean up the table as dialogue is established and how she serves John and does the dishes while he is comfortably seated. Thus her inferior status in this patriarchal society is established. The scene portrays the female gender as quiet, submissive and subservient, and a protector of the home from outer influences as we learn that she â€Å"sent Abigail on the roads† because of her sexual attraction to John. Elizabeth is a fine example of the women in Salem. She is stoic, in keeping with the cultural expectations where any show of emotion is considered unseemly. She demonstrates the reserve that, as a woman, she has practiced all her life. This gender role is celebrated throughout the film. She is resigned, willing to accept the laws of her society however unjust which can be seen in the scene when she is arrested. Endowed as the home maker and nurturer, socially expected roles, her meek submissiveness highlights her strength of character as a wife and a mother. This is done through the close up of her hugging her children before she is taken away. The film lauds her behaviour in this scene as quietly dignified, and her integrity is highlighted when she organises the care of her children and comforts them  and hopes her husband will bring her home soon. Essentially, Joan Allen’s acting accounts for much of Elizabeth’s dignity, for the actress stands upright and faces her ordeal with confidence. Hence, the actions of an actor compliment the other filmic techniques that represent gender roles in the film. Despite his patriarchal prerogatives in the household, Proctor’s status is eclipsed by the status of those involved with the theocracy, such as Reverend John Hale and Judge Thomas Danforth. Reverend Hale is portrayed in the traditional stereotype as a gentleman of intellect and authority. He acquires this authority through his unique knowledge of ‘the invisible world’. This can be seen in the scene when Hale interrogates the girls. His demeanour and dress linked with his patronising voice threaten the powerless girls, and establish his authority as a feared ‘expert’. The tilted camera angle looking up at Hale and down at the girls reinforces this power. Judge Danforth represents another form of biblical power in the patriarchal society of Salem. He is the enforcer of law, one with absolute power over the individual, one who holds power over life and death. In the scene of his arrival, his importance and power is signified by the music with an insistent drum beat that is very loud. The camera angle looks up at the entourage showing soldier, carriages and horses charging into Salem to take control. The crescendo of music stops with a gong like sound as Danforth steps out of his carriage in medium close up with an upward camera angle. He is dressed very formally in black with a gold buckle standing out on his hat and stands in an upright and confident stance. These factors combine to establish Danforth as the stereotypical judge – an aged man endowed with wisdom and knowledge, but nonetheless with a hint of stubbornness. Contrasting to all this is the representation of female gender. Women in the society possess barely any power at all, not even the right of freedom of expression. This is why they were dancing in the woods and ultimately triggering the whole episode of the witch hunt. It is no wonder why a girl like Abigail would seize her chance to enjoy her powers as â€Å"God’s fingers†. However this empowerment of Abigail, her unnaturally strong sexual  attraction and her unwilling to be a submissive maid/housewife all works against social expectations of Salem and the film’s stance on being male and female – this establishes Abigail as evil and dangerous. Apart from being represented as countering stereotypical qualities, she is also established as a manipulative whore. This could be seen in the scene where John and Abigail meet against the wall. Dialogue is used to represent Abigail as a seductress, â€Å"give me a sweet word John†. Music accompanies Abigail’s emotional state, simple, unmelodic and mysterious as Abigail tries to seduce John and becoming more melodic and threatening as Abigail grabs John’s crotch and harangues him to position Abigail as a more powerful figure. As Abigail and John start to argue, Abigail occupies the foreground and the centre of the frame. This framing positions her as an empowered female. All this contributes the film’s construction of Abigail as a resistant and countering role and a temptress. In conclusion, Miller has used various filmic techniques to construct and represent gender roles as pointed out above.

Discuss the Roles of Language and Reason in History

Discuss the roles of language and reason in history. History as the area of knowledge is virtually indivisible from language and reasoning. Language is one of the most potent means of interpreting and reporting historical information that is derived from the sources pertinent to the events and occurrences. The sources themselves, in their turn, are frequently presented by the written documents, recorded anecdotal experiences, and works of art, archeology, anthropology and photography which, yet again, are interpreted through the language in conjunction with the context of a historical event. It appears to be an endless loop, where language is the alpha and omega, the main vehicle of†¦show more content†¦Here, historical event calls for the help of reasoning, which can raise further questions to authorities that put the entire responsibility on the Al-Qaeda. The more scientific and factual evidence emerges from the research, the more controversial this event seems to be. But it is for an individual to arrive to a conclusion pr ovided he or she is concerned with the issue. However, the prevailing opinion that was projected into the minds of the public by mass media remains adamant: the terrorist group dealt a tremendous blow to the democracy of the United States and must pay for it. Hence, there is a fully justifiable war with Iraq, the country which has a doubtful connection with Al-Qaeda, apart from the fact that it is run by a dictator and constitutes a predominantly Muslim society. But the non-Muslim world has already been contaminated by the fear of Muslims who seem to be nearly synonymous with â€Å"terrorists†. â€Å"Thus, [†¦] crowds have come,[†¦] to acquire a profound antipathy for the images evoked by certain words†2 and fully accepted the justification for the war in Iraq. Reasoning is an indispensable tool for those who wish to form a personal opinion on historical events which are presented through language. Yet this process entails searching for the information from the alternative sources. Language is used as a powerful vehicle inShow MoreRelatedDiscuss the Roles of Language and Reason in History1695 Words   |  7 PagesTOK- Essay Question 9 â€Å"Discuss the roles of language and reasoning in history† 1451 words Nadia Lotze 000 865-015 Mr Skeoch History is the past written by the present. The very nature of this statement creates the predicament of historical knowledge. The historians of the present are under constant pressure of rapidly changing society; therefore what we discover from the past is dependent on our perceptions that are forever changing. History and historical explanations are deduced and manipulatedRead MoreVowel and British Poetry Assignment784 Words   |  4 Pagesclass your teacher would have discussed your assignment with you, pointed out what made a good essay and what a bad one. We have done exactly the same thing in Unit 52 of the Thereafter decide upon a topic, i.e. a period or literary group in the history of British Poetry. You may, if you wish, select a topic from the list given in 52.2.1 (p.70). Alternatively, you could write on a British poet of your choice. You may write on a poet discussed in the units, i.e. on the syllabus, or even a poetRead MoreGutenbergs Printing Press as a Turning Point in Modern Society924 Words   |  4 PagesGutenberg’s Printing Press as a Turning point in Modern Society A turning point entails the landmark moments and forces of change that make up modern history (Liulevicius, 2014). The most important turning point happened way back in 1400. They have helped the human race in their struggle for civilization. These turning points have become a reckoning force in areas that affect people across all parts of the globe. These areas include scientific development, social change, the ever growing waveRead MoreThe Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad973 Words   |  4 Pagesperil†¦reducing Africa to the role of props for the break-up of one petty European mind.† This quote, in my opinion, not only applies to the Heart of Darkness, but to most images and ideas of Africa posed by western countries. Africa is the continent that is in â€Å"need† of help from their former empires and these empire including the United States seem to helping Africa to ease the guilt of what they did and allowed to happen to the African people for centuries. Nevertheless, the history of Africa is not generallyRead MoreThe Future Of Black English And Its Academic Impact On African American Children1291 Words   |  6 PagesEnglish’ and its Academic Impact on African-American Children Introduction Language plays a key role in communication in any society, culture and organization. This medium of social interaction is universal and has been passed down for centuries as a legacy. Therefore, it is imperative that the purity of the language is kept within each framework of heritage. Culture also plays a very important role in the evolution of language. It is the foundation of social engagement and personal commitment. VerbalRead MoreCultural Diversity For Nursing Care1177 Words   |  5 PagesIdentify and discuss concepts related to cultural diversity in nursing. Culture is a multifaceted characters of a diverse sets of people that have a common ground on values, languages, emotions and identity. It is a symbolic communication perpetuated in a much larger society that influence by means of conditioning and imitation from one generation to the next. Knowledge of cultural diversity is crucial at all levels of nursing practice. It require nurses to be challenge on a multilevel amplitudeRead MoreThe Introduction Of The Modular Model Of Thought, By Jerry1468 Words   |  6 Pagescurrently understood, show the complexity of thought not through general intelligence, as is more common in the animal kingdom, but rather, through specific intelligence and instinctual intelligence coalescing into the modules of natural history, technology, social, and language modules of intelligence.   These differences tend toward the development of modules, as well as; the communication of the previously mentioned modules or, more commonly, the lack thereof.     Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Before an analysis of AMH and N brainsRead MoreWomens Role in Society Analyzed and Debated in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House918 Words   |  4 PagesFor various reasons, the role of women in society has been analyzed and frequently debated throughout history. Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is no exception to the rule. In Norway, and during the Victorian period in history, women’s responsibilities were simply to keep house or do small jobs on the side such as sewing or light secretarial work. Henrik Ibsen may have had several intentions when writing his play A Doll’s House, but the one that stands out so clearly is the role of women in the timeRead Morethe more languages you speak the more of a person you are1395 Words   |  6 PagesLanguage is one of the most important things in the world. The ability to communicate in other languages is what sets us apart from the animal world. If we do not preserve the old languages and force the world to only speak one, we are forcing the world to lose its own identity and culture. Without language we couldnt read texts and stories from other countries, or even from further back in history. I love learning other languages and I love speaking them. To speak another persons language, toRead MoreThe, Fathers Of The Pueblo : Patriarchy And Power998 Words   |  4 Pagesthey lose all their land and belongings and are lost to history. Pubols uses the de la Guerra family to show that California Mexicans not only had agency but also played a large part in society. Pubols second argument was that patriarchal language was being used to describe the de la Guerra’s family governance within their community. First, lets discuss Pubols main argument about California Mexicans having agency and playing a large role in society. Pubols did a great job of using the de la

Short Story Dream Come True - 1553 Words

Dream Come True â€Å"You know you can , Rock, Rock, Rock† I look into the crowd and notice my entire family watching, and smiling. They look so proud. I m doing great. As I turn around to belt out the last note , I’m looking right into the eyes of Nate. â€Å"You cannn ROOOOOOOOooockkkk† As we belt out the last note together he leans in for a kiss! Right in front of everyone- â€Å"Sofie get down here , your going to be late for school!!† As I open my eyes I realize it was all a dream- â€Å"Noo† â€Å"Don t tell me no, young lady† I can tell she’s coming up the stairs. There s a horrible creak with every step. When I hear two angry knocks at the door, I know she’s arrived. When she walk in she gasps. â€Å"SOhpie†! â€Å"GET UP, your bus will be†¦show more content†¦As I sit down in 1st period , I notice Josh(The Drummer) standing in the door window trying to motion my attention. How long has he been standing there. When I get an excuse from the teacher , I go out the door and see Josh standing casually as he always does. â€Å"Hey , whats up?† I asked him. â€Å"Oh nothing , I just wanted to ask you something† â€Å"O..kay what is it?† I’m a little worried now. He leaned in and kissed me really fast and I had no time to react. Right at that moment the worst thing possible happened . Nate walks around the corner and sees us. â€Å"Oh , sorry to interrupt† Nate says , I could see the hurt in his eyes. He walks into the classroom that I just came out of and took a seat. â€Å"Um , Josh , I-† â€Å"Shhhhh† he put his finger to my lips , â€Å"I know you like me† â€Å"No actually , I don t , I like you as a friend Josh , I don t know what gave you the impression that- Mrs. Johnson walked out and told me it s time to start class. â€Å"I gotta go† I said swiftly and rushed into the class. This was the worst day ever. School passed by as a blur , I don’t even recall what I got for homework. The only thing I can think about is Nate. Does he think I like Josh . Is he mad? Is he jealous? Ugh. Why did Josh have to do that. I haven t even had time to callShow MoreRelatedHarveys Dream and Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?1707 Words   |  7 PagesSneaky Similarities The pair of short stories I will be analyzing and comparing is â€Å"Harvey’s Dream† by Stephen King, and â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† by Joyce Carol Oates. These two stories are similar in many ways, and they can be compared critically based on their diction, point of view, similarities in narration, characterization, tone, et cetera. Though the stories are from different authors and have different plots, by comparing their literary techniques, their similaritiesRead MoreComparison of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby and â€Å"Winter Dreams†953 Words   |  4 PagesThe short story of â€Å"Winter Dreams† was written around the same time that Fitzgerald was developing ideas for a story to turn into a novel. While The Great Gatsby wasn’t published until 1925, â€Å"Winter Dreams† dà ©buted in 1922 and the similarities between the novel and short story were done on purpose. â€Å"Winter Dreams† became a short draft which Fitzgerald paralleled The Great Gatsby after, but also differentiated the two in specific ways (â€Å"Winter Dreams† 217). The main characters are both men, Jay GatsbyRead MoreImagination In The Veldt, By Ray Bradbury795 Words   |  4 Pagesneeded for destruction. As portrayed in the short story â€Å"The veldt† by Ray Bradbury, that talks about a family that lives in an unrealistic world, in a fantasy they created for themselves and ended up harming them. Imagination gives a world to escape to. It gives a chance to change and to create anything an individual pleases. Some take imagination too far to make their ideal world come true and they end up living in a fantasy. As portrayed in the short story â€Å"The veldt† where the family buys a houseRead MoreEveryday Use, Lorraine Hansberry And The Sun, And Langston Hughes s Poetry Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesWhile reading literature, we manage to forget that they have true roots to what is being written and what they actually represent. When looking at the similarities of how literature is represented it obvious to see that there are certain socially constructed groups presented. Although these socially constructed groups do vary throughout literature, they still tend to be very similar. In Alice Walker’s short story â€Å"Everyday Use,† Lorraine Hansberry play â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun,† and Langston Hughes’sRead MoreNarratives, It Is How You Inter pret Them1091 Words   |  4 Pagesand not seen at all,† was stated in the 2008 movie â€Å"It might get loud.† This quote is true to life today. We often look at things one way, and one way only. We repeatedly have to be reminded to take a step back and look at a situation from someone else’s shoes. When we look at certain situations through another angle, often times our perception and emotions toward the situation change. While reading several short narratives this semester, I recognized the same thing. The characters were put into situationsRead MoreSemiotics of the Landscape1006 Words   |  5 Pagesalways find a way to express themselves. This is true of every individual. Our secret desires and experiences show themselves little by little through our dreams, our personalities, and even through our hobbies. This is a partial description of Sigmund Freuds theory of the unconscious mind. What secrets are being expressed in Margaret Atwoods short story which is called Death by Landscape? How are these secrets manifesting themselves through the story? The answer to that question is how the presenceRead MoreDream As A Butterfly And The Butterfly1444 Words   |  6 PagesDreams in Japanese Tales â€Å"Chuang Tzu in dream became a butterfly, And the butterfly became Chuang Tzu at waking. Which was the real—the butterfly or the man?† -Li Po In these few lines from the poem â€Å"Chuang Tzu and the Butterfly†, Li Po simplifies the question raised by Chuang Tzu: Which is the true reality? Are we currently in the true reality or is the true reality in our dreams? These questions separate dreams and reality into two different concepts; however, in Japanese tales a common themeRead MoreTheme Of Independence In The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin1087 Words   |  5 Pagesof many short-stories and novels. Her short story, â€Å"The Story of an Hour,† is about a woman named Mrs. Louise Mallard with a fragile heart that suddenly and unexpectedly loses her husband in a train accident. Throughout the story, Mrs. Mallard learns to embrace the accident because for her it meant she finally obtained freedom from her demanding life that she has been wanting to break away from. Freedom and independence is one of the themes of â€Å"The Story of an Hour† and appears in the story when MrsRead MoreDestino By Salvado r Dali And Walt Disney And The Great Gatsby930 Words   |  4 Pagesemotions, symbols, and motifs, an artist can show or tell a unique story; however, despite the usage of creative symbols, distinct stories can show a similar theme. Two such examples are the short film Destino by Salvador Dali and Walt Disney and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald which share the common theme of â€Å"the struggle of obtaining dreams†. Based on what is shown in these works of art, it is a challenge to attain dreams. The story of Destino is about a young mortal woman and an immortal manRead MoreJourney Motif in Boys and Girls by Alice Munro Essay1270 Words   |  6 PagesMany short stories are recognized as milestones in the development of modern realist fiction. â€Å"Boys and Girls† is a short story that evokes a realistic rather than romantic view of a girl’s journey towards finding herself. This short story includes the fight for her gender, and her struggle with her identity. Also, in addition to these two defining aspects, this short story contains the realistic account of who and what she is to become. Clearly one of the main themes evident in this short story

Plato s Allegory Of The Cave - 1217 Words

Have you ever judged a person, an object, or even a place by what it looks like on the outside? Or maybe you have judged all of that just by what someone else has told you. Everyone in this world has either judged someone or something in their lifetime or has been judged. Many people out there in the world also believe they know many things and have tried to get the point across to someone and well, they just don’t believe them in any way. They believe there point of view is more right than the other persons and sometimes that can get a little out of hand, depending on who you are dealing with. I guess the major point in all this is to never judge a book by its cover, always learn yourself. In Plato’s â€Å"Allegory of the Cave†, there are these prisoners that live in a cave and have never seen any natural sunlight. They can only see shadows of things displayed on the wall by the light coming from the fire. The prisoners get happy and interested by the shadows th ey see. The shadows could be of humans, objects, animals, or even plants. They see them as real, whereas, we see them as just shadows. One day, a prisoner goes out into the real world. He is blinded by the sunlight, so after his eyes adjust, he realizes that the shadows that were being shown in the cave aren’t actually real and that all the real objects are outside of the cave. Objects like plants, colors of what the animals look like, animals, tree, and even stars. Plato puts it as, â€Å"Previously he had been lookingShow MoreRelatedPlato s Allegory Of The Cave1716 Words   |  7 PagesIn Plato’s, Allegory of the cave, a key theory I found was the importance of education. Plato uses an â€Å"allegory to illustrate the dilemma facing the psyche in the ascent to knowledge of the imperishable and unchanging forms† (104) Based on my research of the republic, the allegory can reveal multiple hidden messages. Plato describes, ordinary mortals are chained within an underground chamber, which according to Fiero, represents the psyche imprisoned within the human body. These mortals can’t lookRead MorePlato s Allegory Of Cave1979 Words   |  8 PagesJaneva Walters December 6, 2016 Dr. T. Brady ENG 391 Plato’s Allegory of Cave The allegory of the cave is regarded as one of the most reputed and acclaimed works by the Greek philosopher Plato in modern literature as well as philosophy. First published and presented in his work known as a Republic (514a–520a), the dialogues that have been used as conversation can be regarded as fictitious as the main conversation takes place between Plato’s brother Glaucon and Socrates. First and foremost, allegoricalRead MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave1814 Words   |  8 PagesIn Plato’s, â€Å"Allegory of the Cave†, a key theory I found was the importance of gaining knowledge. Plato uses an â€Å"allegory to illustrate the dilemma facing the psyche in the ascent to knowledge of the imperishable and unchanging forms† (Fiero, 104). Based on my research of the Republic, the allegory can reveal multiple hidden messages. Plato describes in the Allegory, ordinary mortals who are chained within an underground chamber, which according to Fiero, r epresents the psyche imprisoned within theRead MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave1379 Words   |  6 Pagesbeen in a cave? Caves are dark, cold, and often times dangerous. People who lose their source of light in a cave often face death from physical injury or hypothermia, unless otherwise rescued. The Greek philosopher Plato illustrated the difference between reality and illusion through a story about prisoners who lived their entire existence in a cave. Plato tells the â€Å"Allegory of the Cave† as a conversation between Socrates, his mentor, and Glaucon, one of Socrates’ students. Plato’s allegory of theRead MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave Essay1630 Words   |  7 Pagescondition impressed by an image can sometimes like as a flame, spreading throughout other discourses for long after its initial kindling. Such is the case with Plato s allegory of the cave, which has for over 2,500 years inspired significant contributions to theorizations of truth. Despite t he age of Plato s work, the truth in the allegory is demonstrated by its own universality; as a formative piece of literature, the story acts as a gateway into Western discourses of truth. Truth remains an elusiveRead MorePlato s The Allegory Of The Cave1965 Words   |  8 PagesIn this paper I shall argue for Socrates’ notion in the Allegory of the Cave, saying that the purpose of education is not to place knowledge to the mind where there was none, but instead to recognise the already underlying existence of such insight inside the mind, and to help divert the ones in need of teaching onto the correct path to find and retrieve such knowledge. Plato in his time was a dedicated student of Socrates, so most of Socrates â€Å"logos† and concepts heavily influenced Plato’s futureRead MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave910 Words   |  4 Pagesnature within them to reach their potential. Allegory is to reveal a hidden meaning, normally a moral, based on fictional stories. Plato Allegory of the Cave reminds us that the theory of Forms is real and suggests that the one with the empirical science would share his mind with the commoner in society. We must grasp the complex different types of Forms – opinion, knowledge and beauty really meant for Plato. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, Plato talks about dualism, mind (soul) and body. InRead MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave Essay1370 Words   |  6 Pagesflesh to satisfy the god (Ahmed 2010). All of these civilizations were interactive with their environment, but imagine if one knew only of the reality they believed inside of a cave not experiencing e vents within the real world. In Plato’s, Allegory of the Cave, he describes the scenario of prisoners kept isolated in a cave left to come up with a reality that they comprehended with the images that they saw in front of them. This applies especially to politics, because people are left to decipherRead MoreAnalyzing Plato s Allegory Of The Cave874 Words   |  4 PagesI’ll be analyzing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave through my own interpretation. An allegory is defined as â€Å"a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.† In Plato’s Republic the short excerpt The Allegory of the Cave can be viewed through multiple perspectives. Plato’s image of the cave is known as the â€Å"theory of forms†¦ The theory assumes the existence of a level of reality inhabited by ideal â€Å"forms† of all things and concepts (Revelations:Read MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave Ess ay1842 Words   |  8 Pagesto find pieces about importance of our ego as well. Plato is one of the most important philosophers in western history. That brings us a question, why ego is such significant for both western and eastern philosophers and religious works? Sigmund Freud, who carried on Plato’s thinking on humanity and our society, pointed out what Plato has vaguely discussed about that the significance and impact the ego has on us. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, what the prisoners are actually experiencing the fight

Write An Essay About The Consumer Relationship And Behavior

Question: Write an essay about the consumer relationship and behavior. Answer: Overview Communication in the existing market place is one of the most important factors in corporate functioning. For maintaining the continuous growth in existing competitive business environment, regular communication with its stakeholders is an essential step. Customers are the significant parameters of the corporate marketplace. As a marketing manager of a lifestyle caf based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it can be asserted that the customers are the key building blocks of such kind of service provider businesss profit. According to the present scenario of corporate competition, every caf delivers more or less same kind of products. Subsequently, the differentiation is highlighted from the area of physical evidences in service environment. This specific physical evidence of cafs service environment is directly related with the customers. Customers feedback and effective communication help at the time of business expansion, franchise programs along with gaining an understanding regarding the need of the business as well (Parvatiyar Sheth 2001). In order to expand the business and to open almost eight retail branches of lifestyle caf throughout Kuala Lumpur metro area, the business needs to focus on a franchise program along with strengthening the customer relationship first. This essay is based on the perception of a marketing manager of lifestyle caf and includes an in-depth literature survey on the importance of customers feedback, incorporation of IDIC model to improve the customer relationship, and certain programs that can assist to understand the customers behavior. Literature Survey on the Importance of Customers Feedback According to Torokoff (2006), feedback is the proof of development and continuous growth of a business. Organizational goals rest on the factor of profit maximization through implementations of strategic business ideas. These business thoughts are developed towards a practical perspective through the efficient intellectual capital incorporation within the existing operations of the respective firm. Torokoff (2006) also asserted that intellectual capital mainly includes the organizational learning and the effective feedbacks of its stakeholders. In respect of the organizational learning process, Mets (2002) depicted that it is a cognitive mapping, wherein learning originates from the organizational external as well as internal environment. In this context, Mets (2002) asserted about a basic framework of organizational development through effective feedback. From this framework, it is evidently illustrated that the feedback system plays a significant part in the organizational developm ent as well as both are having a mutual impact on each other. In respect of the mutual impact, Georgievska (2007) stated that communication is a return message of certain service or products. There are always two parties involved in the feedback system; feedback provider and taker. One is providing the service or product for the feedback and the other one is offering feedback about it. This feedback is most effective one for the service providers because through the feedback system they are able to gain a comprehensive idea about their provided service or product. Oja (2010) supported this fact and commented that it is easier to rectify the gaps within the provided services or products through the feedback system. According to Hearst Newspapers, LLC (2016), feedback also helps in launching new products or services within market. Simultaneously, for expanding the business or enhancing the existing customer relationship along with creating new customer base, a large number of corporate firms utilize several marketing research surveys to collect the information about the customers. At times, these information collecting surveys include customer feedback as well to know their perceptions. According to Torokoff (2006), feedback is a regular development process for the modern corporate firms, through which it is capable to gain an in-depth understanding about a newly launched or existing product or service in terms of whether it is ready for the marketplace or not. Customer feedback is one the best sources through which corporate firms are able to know about the customers requirements and tastes. Specifically, when a corporate firm introduces new products in the market then the customers feedback is the most important factor for profitable business. With the assistance of customers feedback, the modern corporate firms are able to gain knowledge regarding the features, flavors, and styles i.e. the requirements and expectation of the customer. In respect of this context, Hearst Newspapers, LLC (2016) reported that it is the only one process through which corporate firms can understand the products or service differentiation from the competitors products or services and identify the gaps. The modern firms distinguish their loyal customer base from the feedback reaction and take significant proceedings to attract new customers as well. Moreover, based on the customers feedback, the modern corporate firms can gain competitive advantages in the respective marketplace. From the perspective of functional approach, it has been emphasized that customers feedback is the manifest of the behaviors of firms employees towards the customers, which also determines the customers satisfaction level from the employees services (Hearst Newspapers, LLC, 2016). Besides the internal manifestation scenario, it also assists to identify the market trends along with technological advancements. Customers feedback program is one of the potential ways through which respective firms can get an idea about competitors technological improvements as well as significant threats in terms of price and quality from marketplace. If the customers feedback indicates that they prefer other firms as compared to the firm which is conducting the survey due to better quality, price or technological support, the respective firm should make necessary changes i n order to transform their overall operations for gaining utmost customer satisfaction (Hearst Newspapers, LLC, 2016). Based on these literature supports regarding the importance of customers feedback, as a marketing manager it can be determined that to launch new products or services from lifestyle caf, it needs to seek feedbacks from the customers. Moreover, to ascertain potential customers feedback, the caf first requires developing strong customer relationship. In order to augment the customer relationship, certain steps are required to be followed that are illustrated below. IDIC Model and Customer Relationship Customer relationship management is one of the core business strategies, which integrates the functions and generates values for the organization and the customers too. There are several models that can assist the business firm to collaborate with the customers for building an operational distinction, product and service leadership along with customer familiarity (Parvatiyar Sheth, 2001). In order to set up the relationship with the customers, on behalf of the managerial position, it requires to be accomplished through the IDIC model implementation. The model includes four basic steps, which are described in the following section: Figure: IDIC Model Source: (Marketing Information, 2015) Identify the Customers Individually: Before creating the relationship, it is essential to know each other. In respect of this statement, the lifestyle caf will be required to identify its actual customers and gain a comprehensive knowledge regarding them. For generating such database of existing customers, the caf require to have an information system wherein it segregates all the data about customers, their individual tastes and their visiting time span in the caf. Differentiate Each Customer from Another: Every customer is valuable for the business purposes and they have different tastes and preferences as well. If the business can value its customers preferences and behaviors, the ultimate result will be in favor the firm. Conversely, a negative turn of events can also happen due to disregarding customers behaviors. The lifestyle caf will segregate its customers in two significant bases such as value and requirements. Though the caf gives more value to its customers, the customers are also generating value for them. Furthermore, differentiation in customers needs makes the business profitable for caf, because serving as per the tastes of individual customer makes them satisfied and loyal as well. Interact with the Customers: Relationship always depends on the communication between two parties, who are mutually ready to interact with each other along with sharing the individual conceptions. Moreover, it would facilitate the set forth a clear blueprint regarding the firms understanding about the customers expectations and their relationship with the product or service, through which the caf will be able to find out the key success drivers of its continuous profitability. For the caf, interaction must be cost effective but intense in order to reciprocate the market needs. Customize for Customers: Customization is the word that has the power to increase the business profitability of an organization. Through understanding the requirements of every customer, if the firm presents products and services as per their choices, it will be able to add value to the customers behaviors along with the firms presentation as well. Customization is required to be adopted for the lifestyle cafs future expansion and franchise program because it will reflect an in-depth interaction with the customers and will enable it to transform and channelize its operations according to their values and requirements along with enhancing the chance of profitable business (Sphan, 2015; Gordon, 2013). Based on the IDIC model, it is quite apparent that the lifestyle caf will need to implement certain steps for gaining utmost customer relationship and comprehensive interaction. For further business expansion process, it is the most crucial factor for the caf. At the time of arranging the steps, the caf will need to concentrate on each of the steps to eliminate the gaps and evade the failure. Plans for Understanding the Customers Behaviors Customers behaviors are typically replicated through their buying behaviors. Customers buying behaviors are often influenced by the initial impressions that they derive of a particular product of service. At times, this influence comes from their peers groups via the internet. Now, people are connected with each other through the internet, hence it is the best way to reach the customers and develop knowledge about them. Here are certain possible processes through which the lifestyle caf will able to reach its customers accordingly. Search Engine Optimization: It is one of the internet marketing strategies that can be utilized for generating connection with the customers for future business prospects and sustainability. There are several search engines present in existing web networking process such as Google and Yahoo among others. Through these networking sites, the lifestyle caf can easily connect with the customers. The caf can also open its own official website for its customers. It will be a great opportunity for the caf to attract the customers and maintain the growth (Lee, 2015; Spais, 2010). Social Media Traffic: Social media is recognized as one of the most prominent networking platforms in the modern day purview. Almost every person nowadays has their social media accounts in several social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn among others. Hence, it is one of best ways to directly connect with the customers and collect their feedbacks. Besides, the caf can also operate through a Facebook page or a Twitter and LinkedIn account for connecting with a large number of people through sharing information, pictures and updates. This process will be able to deliver huge prospects for the lifestyle caf to get the attention of new customers and build relations with them (Management Association Information Resources 2015). Content Marketing: It is an enhanced marketing strategy through which corporate firms are able to present a specific content to its customers. These content pages are enriched with information and adequate relevancy to attract the target customers. Moreover, this process is also applicable as the customer retention strategy. From the perspective of a marketing manager, it can be inferred that content marketing is a trendy process in the present global marketplace. If the lifestyle caf needs to attract a large number of customers at a time through the internet, content marketing can be one of the best ways (Brito, 2013; Close, 2012). Summary The essay has highlighted an important factor of marketing scenario namely consumer relationship and behavior. In order to get the relevant knowledge regarding the stated fact, a literature survey on the importance of customer feedback and relationship with the corporate firm has been conducted. Accordingly, a comprehensive idea to lifestyle caf for creating potential relationships with customers has been provided. References Brito, M 2013, Your Brand, The Next Media Company: How a Social Business Strategy Enables Better Content, Smarter Marketing, and Deeper Customer Relationships, Que Publishing, US. Close, A 2012, Online Consumer Behavior: Theory and Research in Social Media, Advertising, and E-tail, Routledge, UK. Georgievska, A 2007, The feedback, Comunication, The Importance of Feedback and A Study Research on the Rating of the Two Courses Advanced Fife Support and Emotional Management in the Areas of Emergency, pp. 43-55. Gordon, I 2013, Managing the New Customer Relationship: Strategies to Engage the Social Customer and Build Lasting Value, John Wiley Sons, US. Hearst Newspapers, LLC 2016, Business Technology Customer Support, Viewed 9 July 2016, Lee, A. Y 2015, Handbook of Culture and Consumer Behavior, Oxford University Press, UK. Lee, E 2013, The Consumers, Impacts of Social Media on Consumer Behavior. Decision Making Process, pp. 11-23. Management Association Information Resources 2015, Social Media and Networking: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, IGI Global, US. Marketing Information 2015, Models Of CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Mets, T 2002. Learning-based strategic development framework: implementation in Estonian company, Management of Organizations: Systematic Research, pp. 83-93. Oja, P 2010, Significance of Customer Feedback, An Analysis of Customer Feedback Data, 2-40. Parvatiyar, A Sheth, J, N 2001, Customer relationship management: emerging practice, process, and discipline, Journal of Economic and Social Research, vol. 3, iss. 2, pp. 1-34. Rani, P 2014, Factors influencing consumer behavior, Int.J.Curr.Res.Aca.Rev. vol. 2, iss. 9, pp. 52-61. Spais, G S 2010, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as a dynamic online promotion technique: the implications of activity theory for promotion managers, Innovative Marketing, vol. 6, iss. 1, pp. 7-15. Sphan, N 2015, Customer Relationship Management Strategies in the Digital Era, IGI Global, US. Torokoff, M 2006, Introduction, The Importance of Feedback in the Organisations Development Process, pp. 1-12.

Surfer dudes duds case free essay sample

During the Surfer Dudes case the going concern assumption and opinion an auditor might issue at the end of an audit are a focal point. It is brought up in relation to the audit of the Surfer dudes company. Whether or not to issue a going concern opinion is a tough decision and can have a serious effect on a company. Taking into account the relationship between the audit partner and CEO in this case the issue becomes even touchier. Going concern is an assumption that a particular company will be financially stable enough to continue and fulfill its obligations in the present and future. When an auditor issues a going concern opinion it is because this assumption is not met. An unqualified opinion is issued when all financial statements are thought to be free of material errors. Technically a company could have financial statements free from material errors and deserving of an unqualified opinion but still not meet the requirements of the going concern assumption and therefore have a going concern opinion issued by the auditor. We will write a custom essay sample on Surfer dudes duds case or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page While deciding whether a going concern opinion is appropriate there are several types of information the auditor should consider. The auditor would need to decide from the information they gathered over the course of their audit whether or not they believe there is substantial doubt that the company will continue as a going concern. If the auditor does have substantial doubt they would then discuss with management any plans that they might have to turn things around. After these considerations they would then decide whether or not there is still substantial doubt that the company will continue as a going concern. If there is they then would disclose this and write an explanatory paragraph. If there no longer is considered to be substantial doubt they would then decide whether or not disclosure is necessary. There are many different audit procedures an auditor could perform to decide the appropriateness of a going concern opinion. Some of these are; analytical procedures, review of su bsequent events and terms of debt agreements, as well as an inquiry into legal issues and others. Surfer Dude is currently struggling financially and the auditor has substantial doubt that they will continue as a going concern. If he is to issue a going concern opinion with an explanatory paragraph this might become a self-fulfilling prophecy for Surfer Dude. Even though they are not doing well now, issuing a going concern opinion might cause customers, lenders, and creditors to shy away from doing business with the company causing a very negative affect by completely dooming any chance they had at turning things around. This would then prove the substantial doubt about the company continuing as a going concern to be true. There might be several implications an audit firm would face in the case of Surfer Dudes if they issued an unqualified report without a going concern explanatory paragraph. One of these would be possible litigation from lenders and creditors who relied on their audit opinion. Another might be litigation from Surfer Dudes themselves claiming the audit firm didn’t inform them about their going concern and therefore didn’t allow for them to make necessary changes. Another alternative is that Surfer Dudes might turn the company around and no one will be affected by the absence of a going concern explanatory paragraph. Taking into account everything concerning the Surfer Dudes case Mark should try to come up with a strong argument to convince George issuing a going concern opinion is the right thing to do. He should explain how this would allow George to sit down with the audit firm and discuss plans to turn things around; as well as giving customers, and creditor’s faith that Surfer Dudes is reliable in disclosing important information. CONTENT REQUIREMENTS What is a going concern opinion and what does it mean? How is it dif Requirement 1 ferent than an unqualified audit opinion? (3 pts) Requirement 2 What are the types of information the auditor should consider when determining whether a going concern opinion is appropriate? What audit procedures might an auditor perform to determine the appropriateness of the going concern opinion? (5 pts) Requirement 3 How might a going concern opinion become a â€Å"self-fulfilling† prophecy for Surfer Dude? (4 pts) Requirement 4 What are the potential implications to the audit firm if they issue an unqualified opinion without the going concern explanatory paragraph? (4 pts) Requirement 5 How might Mark convince George that a going concern opinion is in the best interests of all parties involved? Give some arguments that Mark might make. (4 pts) WRITING REQUIREMENTS Requirement 1 You MUST include the following in your paper. Underline them, bold them, or italicize them so I can find them easily. Use both â€Å"effect† and â€Å"affect† Use a semi-colon twice Requirement 2 Include a proper introduction and a proper conclusion for this paper. In addition, ensure that this paper is cohesive throughout and paragraphs flow from one to another. This should read like one comprehensive essay rather than answers to specific requirements. Writing Restrictions for this assignment: Any spelling/punctuation requirement included on a prior assignment will also be reviewed for accuracy if included in this paper. For example, since â€Å"than† and â€Å"then† were included on the first assignment, if you use either in this assignment, they must be spelled correctly. Read â€Å"On Writing† for the things I will be looking for in your writing 12-point font Double-spaced Two page maximum