Royal Dutch Shell Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Royal Dutch Shell - Assignment Example Royal Dutch Shell is a trend setter in innovation. From a large, but weak and mediocre company to an innovative multinational, now being 2nd largest in revenue and highest in profits (Rijnbach), and with services in more than 90 countries, Shell has definitely revolutionized the concept of Energy Business. Shell uses multi innovation practices to enhance its innovative tendencies and maintain its name as a brand in the energy business. It has a Projects & Technology organization which heads research into different technological aspects for Shell’s Products and services, and aims at providing solutions for the technological hurdles faced by the upstream and downstream product organizations (shell). Like any organization, the Innovation Structure at Shell has its strong and weak aspects. Strengths of Innovation Management Structure The innovational structure at Shell manifests strengths not only aimed at energy but also at the well being of the Planet, its customers, and employe es. Here is a look at the strengths of Shell’s innovation management structure. 1. ... The management at Shell is not only an advocate of change but also takes initiative in this regard, by all means possible. Special departments have been constructed, to research and propose new avenues of change. The senior management is involved in activities that show risk taking tendencies, an important characteristic of innovation; and also try to bring together groups and people that brainstorm (Ruth) and introduce new ideas and concepts. The Shell Australian Innovation Challenge is one of such attempts made by Shell. It is a joint venture of The Australian and Shell. The challenge allows you to enter whether you are a scientist or not. There is also a category of backyard innovation, which is open to general public, and has prize money of $10, 000 (The Australian). 2. Scenario Planning Strategy Shell has been following its innovation strategy for the past 40 years. Shell utilizes scenario planning in its aim to tackle the energy problems of tomorrow. It first implemented the sa id strategy during the 1970’s oil shock (Rijnbach). With the uncertainty of future growing with every passing day, scenario planning is a strong way to devise strategy. The world is faced with resource, market, organization, and technical uncertainty, the proper management of which leads to radical innovation (O’Connor). Scenario planning refers to the orchestration of probable certain scenarios in the future result from social, economical and political factors (Rijnbach). Shell has a Scenarios Team, which has six members. These members look into different versions of the plausible future (Shell). They do not predict future, rather analyzing different facts, create plausible future scenarios taking place between now and 2050 (Mainwaring). Scenario

Databases Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Databases - Assignment Example The pitcher statistics are strikeouts, walks, saves, innings, pitched, earned runs, wins and losses. An entity is in the first normal form if it contains no repeating sets of data. Similarly the above attributes contain several repeating attributes. Walks for example are found within the pitcher and the hitter. This wastes a lot of space in the data base. To normalize the ERD into INF we eliminate the redundant data. In 2NF we further normalize the diagram and include foreign keys. These foreign keys are items that are used as primary key in other attributes. The awayteamID for example was used in 1NF as the primary key for the Awayteam. It is therefore introduced into the game attribute as a foreign key When we develop the 3NF we ensure that there is no redundancy. The relationship between player and batting is one to many. This means that a player can play for only one team at a time. The relationship between a team and a player is many to one meaning that many players can batt. Marston, T. (2004, September 30). The Relational Data Model, Normalisation and effective Database Design. Retrieved February 27, 2015, from Tony Marston:

Macro-environment and Micro-environment for Topshop

Macro-environment and Micro-environment for Topshop Introduction As a global marketing manager of Topshop, it is very necessary to think about expanding its global marketing. China is a good choice as it owns a large number of persons. And, alongside changing lifestyles and income growth, Chinas fashion retail market is booming (Reuters, 2007[Online]). For Topshop, it means many potential customers. But, some other international brands, like Zara and HM, have opened its market in China for few years and have created customer loyalty to some extent. Then, before entering into Chinese market, it is still need to make a detailed analysis of the whole Chinese environment include internal and external and decide the most suitable entry strategy for Topshop if it wants to be successful. Situation of Topshop: Organization overview Topshop is a U.K. based clothing store chain which is founded in1964 for young women selling fashion clothes, shoes and accessories and also is a part of the Arcadia Group (Mahalo.com, 2010 [Online]). It is owned by Sir Philip Green and the stores feature Kate Mosss designer fashions (Mahalo.com, 2010 [Online]). Now, the flagship store in London Oxford Street is the biggest fashion store in Europe. It operates in more than 20 countries currently and has over 309 fashion stores nationwide, and 50 stores outside the UK (Oppapers.com, 2008 [Online]). It also has a website where you can buy a lot of the Topshop (Oppapers.com, 2008 [Online]). SWOT analysis Strength of Topshop as it belongs to Arcadia Group which managing several successful brands, and has accessed to target market with over 300 stores nationwide (marangonimarketing.blogspot.com, 2008[Online]). It provides numerous choices in product lines and design variety of products with thousands of looks per season creatively (Irina Klebelsberg, 2008[Online]). Compete with other brands, it also offers free personal style consultants (Irina Klebelsberg, 2008[Online]). And, internet website makes it attract more customers around the world and make everybody shopping online quickly (marangonimarketing.blogspot.com, 2008[Online]). All of these make Topshop keep trend of awareness and follow the fashion (Irina Klebelsberg, 2008[Online]). Weakness of Topshop is that the company is global, but it has a presence in few countries worldwide (Irina Klebelsberg, 2008[Online]). A large number of staff and products make it difficult to manage and increase the management costs. And, big store space lead to weak customer services. On web shopping, there is no detail and size for accessorizes (marangonimarketing.blogspot.com, 2008[Online]). Moreover, some garments quality is not matching with the price (Irina Klebelsberg, 2008[Online]). Opportunities for Topshop are about a large number of people in China which means it can get many potential consumers. Compared with other fashion retailers, it is not just target young Chinese, but also white-collared workers and a part of middle aged persons who follow the latest fashion in China, as this kind of fashion group can afford it and willing to spend on fashion (Reuters, 2007). It is easier for attracting Chinese customers and makes them know about this brand by online shopping to increase revenue and profits (marangonimarketing.blogspot.com, 2008[Online]). Threats always reflected by its competitors, such as Zara and HM, also are fast fashion retailers who have entered into China and have a status for few years(Irina Klebelsberg, 2008[Online]). If Topshop wants to be successful in China, it is necessary to show its unique features and improve quality and retain low price and good design, because its competitors cooperate with top designers and fashion icons too (marangonimarketing.blogspot.com, 2008[Online]). Whats more, it needs to face some limitations from government policies and to know about the cultural and demands of China as soon as possible. Key competitors For Topshop, Zara and HM are considered international competitors in China, as all of them have some common features as fashion retailing. For example, they are all creativity, quality design and rapid turnaround to adjust to changing market demand (Thinking made easy, 2009[Online]). However, Zara is the closest competitor for Topshop because of the relative higher price than HM. To some extent, HM is less fashionable. Analysis of China: PEST analysis In aspects of policies, China insists its way of peaceful development and keeps the stable political situation for a long term which offers a favorable external environment for Topshop to develop its market. And, the government also enhances its attention on overseas-funded enterprises and develops a well environment for investment to achieve its goal of investment attraction. By economics, from 2003 to 2010, GDP in China has increased as a whole (real growth rate showed as the chart below) which means the growth in the living standard. Moreover, this reflects that purchase power has been improved. It suggests that consumers can afford its products at reasonable price if Topshop enter into Chinese. China GDP (indexmundi.com, 2010) In social, China is a country with a large population which means many potential consumers for Topshop. And, it targets except young, also includes white-collared workers (Reuters, 2007). In China, they are both paying more attention on fashion products and brands. It is not difficult for Topshop to be a new focus as a famous international brand. About technologies, in China, E-commerce becomes more and more popular nowadays. In comparison, shopping online is more perfect in such a developing country. It is easier to set up its own network platform to advertise and sell products for Topshop. It is also a useful way to attract consumers. The theory of Porters diamond (Value based management.net, 2010) The four point of the diamond contributes towards global success as the picture shows (Henry, 2008). Factor conditions as China has large populations and have a low labor costs. And, perfect network it creates make it successful in business, especially for selling. Demands conditions as various customers demands in China make Topshop to innovate and provide an insight into future global trends for Topshop stay in a better position to exploit (Henry, 2008). To cooperate with Chinese suppliers provide Topshop with the most cost-effective inputs and communicates with local suppliers can make Topshop to learn about new fashion features to shape new styles (Henry, 2008). The structure of Chinese market is complex and multilevel with a large and various demand (Xinhua, 2009 [Online]). With this feature, it may work well in retailing industries. For Topshop, as a fashion retailer, it is driven by a need of fashionable and trendy for providing products to meet demands variety which suit for current Chinese market (elegman.com, 2005 [Online]). And, the existed strong competitors create pressures for Topshop to update to compete successfully (Henry, 2008). The theory of Porters Five Forces www.anythingresearch.com The five forces as the picture shows are used to analyze for assessing the competitive environment (Henry, 2008). The threat of new entrants depends on entry barriers and the reaction of existing competitors (Henry, 2008). For Topshop, if entry barriers are high, the threats of new entrants will be low. For example, as a global brand, Topshop already has a large-scale, to some extent, it can achieve economies of scale to decrease its costs, gain more profits with stronger proclivity. Then, if new entrants without enough strength, it will be difficult to entry into the industry and the threats will be low for Topshop. Bargaining power of buyers, buyers always want lower price and more services and bargain for high-quality (Henry, 2008).Topshop has to face to the forces come from buyers, if products can not satisfy customers demands, they will find other products to replace which leads to the loss of customers. This asks Topshop to make products with reasonable price and high quality. Bargaining power of suppliers, sometimes the costs of Topshop based on its suppliers. It is unnecessary to worry about if Topshop has many suppliers because it has opportunity to choose one which can offer lower costs. But, if fewer suppliers can provide goods and services for it, the profits may be decreased as suppliers will ask for high costs and there is no space to choose. Threat of substitution, there are products and services can meet similar needs, if Topshop cannot meet customers demands, especially for price, they will choose another one (Henry, 2008). It has to under the pressure and adjusts its price for maintaining its customers and profits. The intensity of rivalry, Zara is the closest competitor for Topshop as the similar price and products, so it has to face a strong competition. And, both them target young persons. The competition also is reflected to gain customers. What makes China attractive to invest in China keeps its stable political situation by peaceful development and offers a favorable environment to attract investment of foreign-funded enterprises. And, a large number of populations which suggests many potential customers make it attractive for Topshop to invest in. Moreover, it is worth investing as the attitude for following the fashion is enthusiastic and people also willing to spend on it (Reuters, 2007). Though it has to face the pressure of competition, Topshop still can maintain its competitive advantage with reasonable price, good design and high quality. Available market entry strategies for Topshop: Exporting is one of entry mode strategies for Topshop as it can make goods and services in UK and sells them in China. This method provides an opportunity for Topshop to acquire international experience for decreasing its risk exposure and resource commitments (Henry, 2008). But for Topshop, a famous international brand, has expanded its market in many other countries, it has already owned enough experience and strength to undertake risks. Exporting may waste a long time for it to entry into China, because it relies on local distributors and some of them have less ability to marketing and promoting international products (Henry, 2008). Then, it is not a suitable strategy for Topshop. Licensing is another way for Topshop to entry into China with less resource commitments. It is attractive for small firms as it requires little capital (Chee Harris, 1998). It can make Topshop to enter China quickly and fairly and help to access market knowledge, distribution and contact with customers immediately (Chee Harris, 1998). It also invests with a low cost. But, Topshop will have a less and direct control for its products and also make licensee is able to imitate its products and become its competitor (Henry, 2008). To some extent, it may enhance the stress of competition in Chinese market because of it is common for customers in China to choose imitation which is similar with what they wants of a lower price. It is easy to be replaced by imitation for Topshop. Franchise is particular form of licensing which can make Topshop enter into China rapidly with minimum investment (Chee Harris, 1998). Benefits of franchise as franchisee can provide local market knowledge which similar with Licensing. And, Chinese market may be more receptive to this strategy by a large area because of it involves local ownership and employment (Henry, 2008). The disadvantage is about lacking of trust and understanding between Topshop and its franchisee (Henry, 2008). The successful of franchisee means mutually beneficial for both side, not just for Topshop or its franchisee. Joint venture is a new company which is created by Topshop with its partners if it chooses this form. It differs from licensing as Topshop can take a managerial role and participate in operation and control its product line (Chee Harris, 1998). Partners will share the risks and costs of investment. Other benefits as joint venture can help greater familiarity with the local environment, especially for cultural of Chinese market. This enables joint venture to be more aware of culture sensitive. By joint venture, Topshop may benefit from government support and with a local partner (Chee Harris, 1998). Strategic alliance is sharing some resources and capabilities of Topshop with its two or more separated organizations (Henry, 2008). Their common aim is to learn from its partners. They all need to grow and develop based on their strategic objectives. It is beneficial because the opportunity to build new skills that Topshop can get from its partners (Chee Harris, 1998). But, it is difficult to identify each companys boundaries and ownership is also not clear. For a long-term strategy, Topshop cannot show its obvious features to attract customers and establish a superior position. Wholly owned Subsidiaries is the strategy can make a total control for Topshop. This entry involves the greatest commitment of resources with the highest risk (Henry, 2008). The unique resources and the distinctive capabilities provide for competitive advantage of Topshop (Henry, 2008). The drawbacks is just about Topshop has to undertake the most risk compared with other strategies. Conclusion: Through analysis of the situation and competition environment of Topshop and China, and think about some available strategies for Topshop entering China, Wholly owned Subsidiaries is the most suitable entry strategy for Topshop to choose. The decision depends on the vision of Topshop and its attitude towards risks and available investment capital. For Topshop, though it needs to face the highest investment cost and the most risk by strategy of wholly owned subsidiaries, it also can get the greatest returns based on this mode (Henry, 2008). Topshop can maximize the control of products line, operation and managements in China with this strategy. And, to expand its new market in China by this way can fully reflect competitive advantages of Topshop with enough capital. This entry mode provides a chance for Topshop to make a full use of local resources to produce, to some extent, helping to decrease the cost. Moreover, comparative low labor cost in China makes Topshop to save investment c ost on human resources, combined with its enough capital and competitive strength, it is real to reduce the threats if new entrants. By the development of business, it is not just open one store in China of Topshop, so wholly owned subsidiaries make Topshop can control its business in China and prepare the foundation for its future development. As a famous global brand, some suppliers are also in China, to choose wholly owned subsidiaries as an entry strategy make it close to the source of raw materials (Henry, 2008). Based on its local suppliers, it is easier to catch up the local fashion trend by communicating with its suppliers and serve the market better to satisfy local needs. Whats more, a base established in China can help to avoid government policies and barriers to trade which is better than exporting (Chee Harris, 1998). Other strategies like joint venture and licensing are common choice for other retailing. Then, Topshop choose wholly owned subsidiaries helps it enter into China rapidly and show its strength. And, in the initial period, Topshop choose wholly owned subsidiaries as entry modes can help to introduce other series products of Topshop gradually, such as Topman, to expand its market share at the right time.

Native American Literature :: Native American Literature

Native American Literature Spending this semester reading Native American Literature, really brought me to make comparisons to my past experience. I think in each story, there was always something significant that seemed similar to my life. There were stories that had similar connections, and as I read them, I put my mind to connect what the author was saying and to what I remember from my life and make a connection. Actually, I thought every story was good and well to understand. For the most part, the story that really brought my attention and that made a connected to my life was reading Indian Education by Sherman Alexie. Somehow as I read this story, I understood what the author was saying. The story Indian Education is a story about the author explaining his childhood in school from grade to grade until he graduated. It explains in detail from his first grade till his twelfth grade. It shows how his personality changes as he grows and how things differ in perspective. It's like what we went through in our childhood. From remembering that bully in first grade till having your first date in eight grade. I really thought of my experience and made a few comparisons. I believe I went through the same things the author did. For instance, in his first grade the author writes how he used to get picked by the other Indian kids, and how they used to take his glasses and tossed them around. I remember once two of my ex friends chasing me and taking my glasses and ended up damaging them. I remember hating my second grade teacher because she would always punish me for talking back to her. She had this ugly face, and i hardly looked at her when she talked to me and that made her mad. As you can realize, being a child, it's just fights and games. Not caring about anything, until the consequences come. Sherman Alexie does a good job how his life changed from his childhood, and maturing in his years to come. For example, in his ninth grade, he tells how after a basketball game, he passed out after several drinks in a dance. His friends carried him to the hospital and saved him. I remember getting drunk, in which I wasn't suppose to, but those hard shots of liquor and beer, made me fall to the ground a couple of times.

European and Asian continents Essay

The author Jared Diamond in the book Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies writes that the alternative title for his book would probably be a short history about everyone for the last 13,000 years. This topic will explain the author’s main argument as well as cite a passage where he states his points clearly. We will also give two proximate and two ultimate factors to support his claims, ending with an evaluation of his main argument. It should be noted that the main argument the author brings forward in this book has been mentioned quite well in the preface the rest of the book merely acts as a supplement to his main idea. The main argument in this book is summed up clearly in the following question: â€Å"Why did wealth and power become distributed as they now are, rather than in some other way? For instance, why weren’t Native Americans, Africans, and Aboriginal Australians the ones who decimated, subjugated, or exterminated Europeans and Asians? † (Diamond p. 13-32,1999) He explains this by saying that the advancements in culture in the European and Asian continents are not due to their moral, intellectual or genetic superiority. Rather the gaps in development are mostly due to the geographical advantages each race had. He says that the earliest civilizations were hunter-gatherers before they eventually developed a system of agriculture. This of course leads to the production of food surpluses such supports larger populations and in effect a larger population necessitates a division of labor. This leads to large societies with ruling classes and supporting classes which in turn becomes a ruling organization. He explains two Ultimate factors which lead civilizations down this path, a large east/west axis and easily domestic able food and animals. â€Å"There were also great differences in the completeness with which suites of crops and livestock spread, again implying stronger or weaker barriers to their spreading† (Diamond p. 176-192, 1999). He says that the early advantages of finding suitable plants to grow and domesticated animals helped certain cultures advance further than others. Genetically geographical areas decide whether certain crops will be wild or domesticated. It also decides the animals that will inhabit the area. â€Å"Most of the wild species from which our crops were derived vary genetically from area to area, because alternative mutations had become established among; wild ancestral populations of different areas†. (Diamond pg 176-192, 1999) For example the Middle East had the best collection of plants and animals suitable for domestication. And as they began to trade they found the importance of using horses and donkeys as transport. In contrast in Africa they had to contend with growing wild plants such as sorghum and yams. Animals such as zebras could not be domesticated and those animals which flourished in one area could not survive in the other. â€Å"South Africa’s Mediterranean climate would have been ideal for them, but the 2,000 miles of tropical conditions between Ethiopia and South Africa posed an insuperable barrier†. (Diamond pg 176-192, 1999) He also says that the east-west axis is certain countries were essential to the advancements of their societies through trade. While the north-south axis of certain countries such as Africa promoted slow diffusion. The title of this book sums up the two proximate factors that lead to the dominance of the Eurasian races and the displacement and subjugation of the Africans, Native Americans and Aborigines. In terms of germs the Eurasians increasing levels of trade and use of livestock increased the number of pathogens they were exposed to forcing immunity among their populace. When they met the indigenous tribes of South America these diseases dwindled their populations to a point where the Europeans could subjugate them. â€Å"As a result, over the course of history, human populations repeatedly exposed to a particular pathogen have come to consist of a higher proportion of individuals with those genes for resistance–just because unfortunate individuals without the genes were less likely to survive to pass their genes on to babies† (Diamond p. 195-214, 1999). The technological progress of these people also depended on food production. The increasing organizational systems and trade with other areas provided them with the tools to develop a writing system of their own. This writing system was essential to the continued technological development of societies. â€Å"Here we have to remind ourselves that the vast majority of societies with writing acquired it by borrowing it from neighbors or by being inspired by them to develop it, rather than by independently inventing it themselves† (Diamond p. 215-238, 1999). After reading this book I found myself agreeing with many of the author’s contentions about our history. It is difficult to conceive that the history of human civilization was decided even before it births. However the argument the author provides not only for the agricultural advancements but also in terms of geopolitical advancements seem as true as they are simple to understand. If I had to point out one fault it would be that the author speaks of competing civilizations in terms of continents rather than individual societies. It is unreasonable to me that all the societies on a continent would follow a singular goal of increasing their footprint upon the earth. Additionally he does not adequately expand his theory to include the society of ancient Egypt, which despite its geographical commonality through several decades managed to go through several periods of dominance and subjugation. However, the book itself is an essential read when taken as a viable theory of the history of human civilization. References Diamond, J. M. (1999). Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.

How We Learn Essay

‘What have I learned about learning, and what are the implications of this for my future practice?’ In this assignment I will be identifying in a personal way, what I have learnt about learning from my own education and also drawing from my previous experiences. I will also be exploring ways in which I believe, for my future practice as a teacher, children will be able to achieve their full learning potential. â€Å"Learning is a complex concept and activity† (Hewitt 2008) in which every individual does in enabling them to gain new skills or knowledge. Every individual learns in a different way, where as one technique may work well for one individual, it may not work for another. We should never stop learning in order to progress as an individual. In order for the skills and knowledge to remain stored individuals should keep using the skills in which they have acquired overtime. These skills should be applied to different things such as projects so that the skills are remained stored and fresh in the mind. As every individual has a certain learning style, to help us learn more effectively it is best to know and understand our learning style. Through identifying your learning style, you will be able to capitalise on your strengths and improve your self-advocacy skills. Learning a specific subject, knowledge, skill and so on, is down to many factors which play an important role in learning, these include: intelligence; aptitude; goals; interests; readiness & maturation; motivation; self-concept; attitudes & values; level of aspiration; learning style and socio cultural determinants – to name a few. I believe that interests and goals are the catalyst to being a successful teacher. Children’s motivational levels in subjects need to be at a high level in order for the child to reach their full potential with their learning capabilities. â€Å"Interest is one of the most important factors which mediates learning and which motivates to act† (Factors Affecting Learning), if a child is not fully engaged in a particular subject due to low levels of interest then their learning capabilities will not be fulfilled. Whilst working in a school setting in 2010, child A stated†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I can’t do maths – it doesn’t interest me† when there is no interest from the child, as shown in the example, there can be no learning. For my future practice it is vital that every child’s interest is engaged in subjects in order for the child to  fulfil their whole learning capabilities. Young children possess a need for activity, play, adventure etc. and therefore learn much better through a play way approach. This intern arouses their interest in learning and helps sustain their involvement in learning new skills and knowledge through their work. For effective learning to take place, we should be able to relate it to all that we learn. This will enable us to achieve our goals. â€Å"Goals play a significant role in learning since they give strength and direction to it† (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) because goals help to direct our attention to the task at hand. Psychologist Murphy and Alexander (2000) have wri tten about a variety of goal orientations which help us to understand learners learning and performance especially at a young age. â€Å"The important orientations are the learning goals, performance goals and work avoidance† (British Journal of Educational Psychology). In my future practice as a teacher, in order to gain children’s interest in learning my aim will be to encourage children to be curious and eager to learn. From my work placement in a school setting, children are more successful when they learn to ask questions, think independently and also being very creative. Children need to be curious about the world, interested in how things work, and also know how to creatively approach problems. Child B asked a question†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Do Fly’s sleep?† I resisted answering the question straightaway and asked Child B â€Å"What do you think? Where do you think we could find the answer?†. In responding in this way, I was encouraging Child B to think for themself, this also helps children build their self-esteem. Creativity is a very important tool in every individual’s l earning, â€Å"creativity is essentially a form of problem-solving. But it is a special type of problem-solving–one that involves problems for which there are no easy answers: that is, problems for which popular or conventional responses do not work. Creativity involves adaptability and flexibility of thought. These are the same types of skills that numerous reports on education† (e.g., the Carnegie Report, 1986) have suggested are critical for students (Creativity in Young Children). During my work placement in a school setting, creativity was essential for progressive learning. In order for creativity to take place the school created an environment that allowed the children to explore and play without undue restraints. Also, a key to the successful progression of every child’s learning was that we adapted to  every childs ideas, rather than trying to structure the child’s ideas to fit the adults. Learners need to have the opportunity and confidence to take risks, challenge assumptions, and also see things in a new way. I believe in educating the whole child as education comes from a wide range of experiences. All powerful learning occurs through engagement with others, the process and also the product of this learning is very important. Children learn mainly by modelling, actions speak louder than words. â€Å"The majority of learning is tied to developments and takes time to see results† (Emphatic parenting). In order to teach children, we need to supportively help them understand first. A vital part of all learning is that of reflecting over what the individual has learnt. Every individual matters in the learning process because every individual has equal rights to dignity and also respect. As seen, I have learnt about a vast amount of learning techniques that will enable children to reach their full potential, as well as realising how this will be applied throughout my life as a continual learner. I have also, through-out my educational life and previous experience in my placement, discovered the ways in which I learn. This will now enable me to take this knowledge and skill base and apply this to progress successfully in my future practice as a teacher. Bibliography * P. K. Murphy and P. A. Alexander. A motivated exploration of motivation terminology. Contemporary Educational Psychology 25. 2000. Pages. 3–53. * http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/Creativity_in_kids.html * http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/studentreports/schools/personalgoals/suppdevplg.htm * http://www.unco.edu/cebs/psychology/kevinpugh/motivation_project/resources/pintrich00.pdf * https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Q96li6CTQZIJ:pgche09.middlesex.wikispaces.net/file/view/Designing%2BModules%2Bfor%2BLearning.pdf+emerging+beliefs+and+values+about+learning&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiw1wdWPcNk-ZQBL2ACM-0-W7K9O1lstl04yY3WlPsommKZNp5iTWsBOHljIA1MRtl54C9rRZR-3qAr5EDvHKuYlDM9gfX_60nQdQPd2MKpVMLOWXZLH0h7eLLO3xdmc9TmBKhK&sig=AHIEtbSk1Lb_X3XtcRobYxX30al-Ig7KQw * http://www.egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/32872/1/Unit-5.pdf *

Inconsistent Characterization in Main Street by Sinclair Lewis

Inconsistent Characterization in Main Street by Sinclair Lewis Free Online Research Papers Inconsistent Characterization in Main Street by Sinclair Lewis Sinclair Lewis uses the novel Main Street and his characters within it as a window, which reveals his inconsistent feelings about his hometown, Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Throughout the novel his characters fluctuate based on how Lewis characterizes them. Also Lewis’ characters have wavering opinions of the novels setting, Gopher Prairie based on Lewis’ conflicting opinions of his hometown. Sinclair Lewis’ characterization is inconsistent throughout the novel Main Street. This inconsistency reflects in the townspeople of Gopher Prairie, Will Kennicott, and Carol Kennicott. The Townspeople in Main Street appear inconsistent based upon how well they are characterized. The Townspeople are depicted from a highly satirized point of view. Lewis stresses and exaggerates characteristics making some characters seem overly bland while others are more realistic. Sinclair Lewis transformed ordinary likable people into monsters through his satirism, according to Dooley (69). Lewis also uses Main Street to reflect his biased viewpoint of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, the town he grew up in. As a result of his indecisive feelings towards Gopher Prairie his characters seem inconsistent. Some of his characters such as Miles Bjornstam seem more realistic than others such as Mrs. Bogart. Lewis portrays the two-dimensional townspeople from a grotesque point of view. Most of the townspeople appear as stereotypes- the town gossip, the town atheist, the town doctor, the rebellious young artist, etc. â€Å"They are,† as Dooley writes â€Å" two-dimensional figures, painted in primary colors. They have no minds, only voices; loudmouthed, breezy pioneers†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (67). Lewis used all of the townspeople as a way of portraying his mixed views of his hometown through his inconsistent characterization of them. Throughout Main Street the reader holds a shaky view of Kennicott’s personality. Kennicott is portrayed as a very basic hero at times, and also as grotesquely unrealistic as the townspeople. When Kennicott performs various medical operations for the townspeople Carol looks upon him as a hero, and when he defends Gopher Prairie he seems dull and arrogant. Although Carol feels he is heroic, she also feels that he is as provincial as the townspeople and thus the reader sympathizes with her. According to Dooley â€Å"†¦ he appears crude, loud-mouthed, and hidebound: ‘Next thing, I suppose you’ll be yapping about free speech. Free speech! There’s too much free speech and free beer and free love and all the rest of your damned mouthy freedom.. ‘ A few pages after this, he is once more presented as a sensitive and considerate person †¦Ã¢â‚¬ (71). Although Kennicott is intelligent and insightful; the reader also feels that he is unimagina tive, materialistic and rather dull. Kennicott holds a patriotic attitude towards Gopher Prairie. He defends the townspeople by saying that they are happy living as they are and that they do not need any advancements. While he defends the town on many occasions he also supports Carol in her attempts to advance the town. The reader receives mixed signals from the characterization of Will Kennicott, and therefore he appears as inconsistent as the rest of the townspeople. Carol appears inconsistent throughout the novel. Carol appears as an illogical reformer throughout her attempts to change Gopher Prairie. Dooley writes, â€Å"†¦She is impulsive, undiplomatic, and ignorant of complications.† (63). Her restless personality lends to her ideas of reform but she is easily discouraged by the towns criticisms, and also lacks the motivation to achieve results leaving the reader with the feeling that she is does not have realistic goals and in turn is not realistic herself. Carol quickly tangles herself in a love-hate relationship with the town, â€Å"She is depressed to the point of a near breakdown,† writes James Lundquist â€Å"by the dullness of its provincial life.† (36). She enjoys the beauty of the countryside and the company of Kennicott, in spite of her hatred for the townspeople and their dullness as well as the dull appearance of the town itself. Carol reveals more inward conflicts when she works in Washington D. C for two years. While she was away from Gopher Prairie she missed it greatly and felt awkward being back in the city. When she returns to the city she accepts it the way it is yet is still distressed by her past attempts to reform it and hopes her daughter will continue her attempts to renovate Gopher Prairie. Main Street is a direct reflection of Lewis’ feelings about Sauk Centre. His characterization, and how it is easily identified as inconsistent throughout the novel, gives its readers an insight as to how he feels about his hometown. His minor characters are inconsistent and two dimensional, while his two main characters, Will and Carol Kennicott are occasionally realistic, but equally inconsistent. Carol was specifically used to portray Lewis’ biased opinion of his hometown, and because she was the main character the reader sympathized with that viewpoint. Main Street’s characters are in essence Lewis’ feelings and beliefs of his hometown, Sauk Centre, resulting in their inconsistency. 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