Stopping By Woods Essays - Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Stopping By Woods The visible sign of the poet's preoccupation--the word is not too strong--is the recurrent image, particularly in his earlier work, of dark woods and trees, Often, as in the lyric with which we have begun, the world of the woods..., a world offering perfect quiet and solitude, exists side by side with the realization that there is also another world, a world of people and social obligations. Both worlds have claims on the poet. He stops by woods on this darkest evening of the year to watch them fill up with snow, and lingers so long that his little horse shakes his harness bells to ask if there is some mistake. The poet is put in mind of the promises he has to keep, of the miles he still must travel. We are not told, however, that the call of social responsibility proves stronger than the attraction of the woods, which are lovely as well as dark and deep; the poet and his horse have not moved on at the poem's end. The dichotomy of the poet's obligations both to the woods and to a wor ld of promises--the latter filtering like a barely heard echo through the almost hypnotic state induced by the woods and falling snow-is what gives this poem its singular interest.... The artfulness of Stopping by Woods consists in the way the two worlds are established and balanced. The poet is aware that the woods by which he is stopping belong to someone in the village; they are owned by the world of men. But at the same time they are his, the poet's woods, too, by virtue of what they mean to him in terms of emotion and private signification. . . . . What appears to be simple is shown to be not really simple, what appears to be innocent not really innocent.... The poet is fascinated and lulled by the empty wastes of white and black. The repetition of sleep in the final two lines suggests that he may succumb to the influences that are at work. There is no reason to suppose that these influences are benignant. It is, after all, the darkest evening of the year, and the poet is alone between the woods and frozen lake. His one bond with the security and warmth of the outer world, the little horse who wants to be about his errand, is an unsure one. The ascription of lovely to this scene of desolate woods, effacing snow, and black night complicates rather than alleviates the mood when we consider how pervasive are the connotations of dangerous isolation and menacing death. From From Woods to Stars: A Pattern of Imagery in Robert Frosts Poetry. South Atlantic Quarterly. Winter 1959. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Meyers Like The Road Not Taken, it suggests vast thematic implications through a lucid narrative. . . . The most amazing thing about this work is that three of the fifteen lines (the last line repeats the previous one) are transformations from other poems. He gives his harness bells a shake comes from Scott's The Rover (in Palgrave): He gave the bridle-reins a shake.: The woods are lovely, dark and deep comes from Thomas Lovell Beddoes' The Phantom Wooer: Our bed is lovely, dark, and sweet. The concluding And miles to go before I sleep comes from Keats' Keen Fitful Gusts: And I have many miles on foot to fare. Though these three lines are variations from other poets, Frost, writing in the tradition of English verse, makes them original and new, and integrates them perfectly into his own poem. The theme of Stopping by Woods--despite Frost's disclaimer--is the temptation of death, even suicide Shakespeare Essays

Prehistoric Life During the Carboniferous Period

Prehistoric Life During the Carboniferous Period The name Carboniferous reflects the most famous attribute of the Carboniferous period: the massive swamps that cooked, over tens of millions of years, into todays vast reserves of coal and natural gas. However, the Carboniferous period (350 to 300 million years ago) was also notable for the appearance of new terrestrial vertebrates, including the very first amphibians and lizards. The Carboniferous was the second-to-last period of the Paleozoic Era (542-250 million years ago), preceded by the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian periods and succeeded by the Permian period. Climate and geography. The global climate of the Carboniferous period was intimately linked with its  geography. During the course of the preceding Devonian period, the northern supercontinent of Euramerica merged with the southern supercontinent of Gondwana, producing the enormous super-supercontinent Pangea, which occupied much of the southern hemisphere during the ensuing Carboniferous. This had a pronounced effect on air and water circulation patterns, with the result that a large portion of southern Pangea wound up covered by glaciers, and there was a general global cooling trend (which, however, didnt have much effect on the coal swamps that covered Pangeas more temperate regions). Oxygen made up a much higher percentage of the earths atmosphere than it does today, fueling the growth of terrestrial megafauna, including dog-sized insects. Terrestrial Life During the Carboniferous Period Amphibians. Our understanding of life during the Carboniferous period is complicated by Romers Gap, a 15-million-year stretch of time (from 360 to 345 million years ago) that has yielded virtually no vertebrate fossils. What we do know, however, is that by the end of this gap, the very first tetrapods of the late Devonian period, themselves only recently evolved from lobe-finned fish, had lost their internal gills and were well on their way toward becoming true amphibians. By the late Carboniferous, amphibians were represented by such important genera as Amphibamus and Phlegethontia, which (like modern amphibians) needed to lay their eggs in water and keep their skin moist, and thus couldnt venture too far onto dry land. Reptiles. The most important trait that distinguishes reptiles from amphibians is their reproductive system: the shelled eggs of reptiles are better able to withstand dry conditions, and thus dont need to be laid in water or moist ground. The evolution of reptiles was spurred by the increasingly cold, dry climate of the late Carboniferous period; one of the earliest reptiles yet identified, Hylonomus, appeared about 315 million years ago, and the giant (almost 10 feet long) Ophiacodon only a few million years later. By the end of the Carboniferous, reptiles had migrated well toward the interior of Pangea; these early pioneers went on to spawn the archosaurs, pelycosaurs,  and therapsids of the ensuing Permian period (it was the archosaurs that went on to spawn the first dinosaurs  nearly a hundred million years later). Invertebrates. As noted above, the earths atmosphere contained an unusually high percentage of oxygen during the late Carboniferous period, peaking at an astounding 35 percent. This surplus was especially beneficial to terrestrial invertebrates, such as insects, which breathe via the diffusion of air through their exoskeletons, rather than with the aid of lungs or gills. The Carboniferous was the heyday of the giant dragonfly Megalneura, the wingspan of which measured up to two and a half feet, as well as the giant millipede Arthropleura, which attained lengths of almost 10 feet! Marine Life During the Carboniferous Period With the extinction of the distinctive placoderms (armored fish) at the end of the Devonian period, the Carboniferous isnt especially well-known for its marine life, except insofar as some genera of lobe-finned fish were closely related to the very first tetrapods and amphibians that invaded dry land. Falcatus, a close relative of Stethacanthus, is probably the best-known Carboniferous shark, along with the much bigger Edestus, which is known primarily by its teeth. As in preceding geologic periods, small invertebrates like corals, crinoids, and arthropods were plentiful in the Carboniferous seas. Plant Life During the Carboniferous Period The dry, cold conditions of the late Carboniferous period werent especially hospitable to plantswhich still didnt prevent these hardy organisms from colonizing every available ecosystem on dry land. The Carboniferous witnessed the very first plants with seeds, as well as bizarre genera like the 100-foot-tall club moss Lepidodendron and the slightly smaller Sigillaria. The most important plants of the Carboniferous period were the ones inhabiting the large belt of carbon-rich coal swamps around the equator, which were later compressed by millions of years of heat and pressure into the vast coal deposits we use for fuel today.

Strategic Management Portfolio Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management Portfolio - Case Study Example The company's unswerving concentration and consistent strategies on its retail activities are also noteworthy and undoubtedly one of the main reasons for the company's stellar performance records over the years. (Micha Gisser and Raymond D. Sauer) Nonetheless, Thorntons needs to keep tabs on its competitors at the top level. There is no mention of the margin of lead between Thorntons and its competitors whose performances are better than that of Thorntons. The company needs to put together its act on horizontal integration too. In the current market scenario of mergers and acquisitions, if aggressive policy of horizontal integration is not in place, the company is in danger of having the rug pulled from under its feet. And the threat is not always from the top players. The global economy is full of eyes waiting in the wings like a hawk to scoop down on its prey from unexpected regions. (Globalization Challenge) The company also needs to exploit its in-house manufacturing resources. There is no mention if this supply base is allowed to cater to competitors' requirements. Thorntons is sourcing some of its products from outside suppliers. Hence, it makes business sense to allow part of its manufacturing activities to be used to meet competitors' needs. (Michael Porter's Five Forces) Thorntons' strength lies in its popular brand name which it has assiduously built over the years. Its hold over its product ingredients, market maneuverability based upon differentiation, marketing and manufacturing expertise, influence over retailers and customers, ability to secure outlets at key locations, and traditional family ownership, albeit professional management policies play key roles in Thorntons' market presence as a worthy entity. The company has also done well in building up strong presence in Midlands and North England. Nevertheless, Thorntons must aggressively pursue its agenda in London and South England where its presence is vulnerable. There are strong contenders in the form of existing players such as Cadbury and Nestle, and potential competitors. The company has wisely invested in a strong in-house supply base in Midlands and North England. It can begin its marketing operations in London and South England on a stronger note to shore up its sales figures. It can supplement its inventories from its own manufacturing plants in Midlands and North England, keeping its options to begin manufacturing operations in London and South England as soon as opportunities unfold. (Carol Propper et al) Thornton must also begin its sales activities from its own retail outlets. Besides serving as deterrent to ever present threat from strong retailers and manufacturers as potential competi

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 13

Psychology - Essay Example Likewise, if it is, as long as complete data sets, measurability, inference and hypotheses can be drawn, it is likely that the researcher is dealing with a form of science. However, the biggest obstacle to such measurability and data sets as a function of the field of psychology is the fact that such a great level of variance is oftentimes presented to the researcher. As opposed to a more environmentally centric approach or a more individualist approach (theology/religion), psychology works to explain both the external and internal determinants of human thought and behavior. In this way, a more complete understanding of what gives way to action and the causation of a multitude of factors is understood. Furthermore, through incorporating scientific approaches, psychology has a distinct advantage over the use of less structured and/or reliable means of understanding such as a theological approach (Haig 2008). Likewise, in the mind of this author, the practice and implementation of psychology should not be distinct from the other branches of science. Although its study deals with a divergent field of material, it is important that psychology work to minimize differences between itself and the other branches of scientific knowledge due to the fact that psychology actively employs the very same scientific methods as do the other forms of analysis and understanding of the other sciences. Likewise, with respect to the methodological approaches that should be employed, these will necessarily be based upon the particular field of specialty that is being analyzed and have a direct relation to what prior studies have concluded. Therefore, as long as the analysis is performed in a verifiably scientific and rigorous way, there is not one methodological approach that one can consider superior to another. Similarly, when a certain theory

Pricing and Quality Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pricing and Quality - Assignment Example g them to provide a top quality healthcare service, our healthcare organization can benefit as it fulfills the ultimate objective of a patient which is none other than obtaining a quality healthcare service and we are here to provide that quality service to every patient. There are different justifications for negotiating the rates with the managed care organizations such that a long term relation with those managed care organizations can ensured in future, assurance of charging high price from the customer but expecting an exchange of providing the top quality service from the managed care organization to the patients, ensuring the managed care organization to increase their share in the profits in the future if they kept providing higher quality services to both the healthcare organization as well as to the patients. As the healthcare organization is in its early stage therefore in order to make an impact upon the patients, initially higher quality of healthcare must be provided to them even at a lower cost, but as the healthcare organization will be gaining more popularity, the price charged from the patients can be

Choosing Between Debt And Equity Finance Essay

Choosing Between Debt And Equity Finance Essay In financial decisions, the choice between debt and equity financing is one of the most difficult ones. Both types of financing have its advantages and disadvantages. Debt financing is based on borrowing finance, and incurs debts that should be repaid in a certain time. The obligations of the company include repaying the loan and paying interest on the loan until its repaid. Debt financing does not impact the ownership of the business, but might cause high debt servicing costs. On the other hand, equity financing represents the exchange of finance to a part of business ownership; this is commonly done by issuing stocks. Equity financing allows to receive investments without additional payments and does not cause financial concern of investors, like debt financing does. However, since the ownership is shared, the owners have to dilute their decisive power (Grossman Livingstone, 2009), and might even lose control of the company. For the companies, the choice of debt or equity financing is based on many factors, such as size of the company, state and dynamics of the industry, perspectives of the company, debt-to-equity ratio, debt servicing costs etc. The purpose of this essay is to consider the decision of American Superconductor Corporation to shift to equity financing from debt financing, made in 2003. AMSC case American Superconductor Corporation is a company providing wind turbine design, electrical control systems, power systems and superconductive wires (Madura, 2008). It operates mostly in Europe, North America and Pacific Asia. Before 2003, the companys investment policy was based on debt financing; however, in 2003, the decision to forgo a secured debt financing and to adopt an equity financing strategy under current market conditions (Esposito, 2003) was made. The company experienced recession in 2003; in October 2002, its stock prices have fallen to the record level of $2.25, and in 2003, they constituted about $3.36, which was very low compared even to 2002 level of $12.26 (AMSC Stock, 2010). The company needed financing, and their choice was to issue a public equity offering instead of debt financing. This decision was explained as strategic solution based on the consequences of 2003 blackouts, and CEO of American Superconductor, Greg Yurek, forecasted an increased need for their power grids and public attention to better voltage support with dynamic reactive power compensation (Esposito, 2003). The results of first six months of fiscal 2004 year seemed to prove the efficient of the decision to pursue equity financing, since no long-term debt was reported, and $17.4 million revenue in the first two quarters of the year. The company also focused on wind turbines, which were gaining popularity. Wind power in 2007, for example, became the first $30B clean energy industry (Madura, 2008). Current financial position of AMSC shows that its total revenue and gross profit values have significantly increased during the last years (2008-2010 financial information available); the companys gross margin is 39.14% compared to 32.19% in the diversified electronics industry in general (AMSC Stock, 2010). The operating margin is also higher: 14.70% compared to 5.71% industrys operating margin, the EPS is also higher (0.64) than 0.08 average (AMSC Stock, 2010). Although the financial position of AMSC is weaker than that of main competitor, ABB. Ltd., the company managed to override another major competitor, SatCon Technology Corporation. The industry provides a significant development potential, and the stocks of the company were not priced less than $10 since 2007 (AMSC Stock, 2010). Analysis of financial decision The combination of debt and equity financing impacts the companys cost of capital. Debt financing is safer for investors, while equity financing is more risky for investors, but at the same time safer for the company (Grossman Livingstone, 2009). Since debt financing creates contractual obligations, the companies should carefully consider their ability to repay the debts. Debt servicing incurs higher costs than equity financing, and if the company experiences fast growth, it might suffer from high debt servicing expenses. It has also been shown that companies with consistent profit operating in low-risk and slowly growing industries more often opt for debt financing, while companies operating in risky and rapidly changing industries as well as in volatile ones, should choose equity financing since these companies have more opportunities for investments, and would not suffer from underinvestment (Grossman Livingstone, 2009). By 2003, AMSC experienced financial problems and its stocks have dropped in price, but the conditions of the environment indicated the quick growth of interest to AMSC production. It could be forecasted that in some time the company would need significant investments and 2003-2004 was the right time to expand. If AMSC continued debt financing, its growth would be hindered by debt servicing costs and worse stock dynamics. Thus, the decision of AMSC to replace debt financing with equity financing was very appropriate in this situation. Conclusion In order to perform the choice of business financing (debt versus equity), it is necessary to consider the perspectives of the company as well as the nature and dynamics of the industry. In 2003, AMSC was experiencing financial difficulties and its stocks have significantly fallen. However, there were many opportunities for development, and the 2003 blackouts increased the interest to AMSC production. Therefore, the company had strong potential for growth, and needed strong financing source without excess cost increase. Thus, American Superconductor Corporation performed a right decision to stop debt financing, and to issue a public equity offering. The correctness of the decision can be also traced looking at further financial development of the company: AMSC is stably growing, creates new products and shows good progress compared to its competitors.

Zoos: Pitiful Dirty Prisons Essay -- essays research papers fc

Zoos: Pitiful Dirty Prisons If you have ever stepped into a zoo, you have stepped into a prison in which the inmates are defenseless and innocent, the sentence is long, and the penalty is cruel and severe. Zoos are not made for educational purposes but for entertainment, they do not benefit animals but push them toward extinction. "Zoos range in size and quality from cage-less parks to small roadside menageries with concrete slabs and iron bars." (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.) The larger the zoo and the greater the number and variety of the animals it contains, the more it costs to provide quality care for the animals. Although more than 112 million people visit zoos in the U.S. and Canada every year, most zoos operate at a loss and must find ways to cut costs (which sometimes means selling animals) or add gimmicks that will attract visitors. (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.) Zoo officials often consider profits over the animals' well- being.(Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.) A former director of the Atlanta Zoo once rem arked that he was "too far removed from the animals; they're the last thing I worry about with all the other problems." (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.) Zoos are nothing more than animal prisons maintained for human amusement, not for education. ("Zoocheck".) Most zoo enclosures are quite small, and labels provide little more information than the species name, diet, and natural range. (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.) The animals' normal behavior is seldom discussed, much less observed, because their natural needs are seldom met. Birds' wings may be clipped so they cannot fly, aquatic animals often have little water, and the many animals who naturally live in large herds or family groups are often kept alone or, at most, in pairs. (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.) Natural hunting and mating behaviors are virtually eliminated by regulated feeding and breeding regimens. (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.) The animals are closely confined, lack privacy, and have little opportunity for mental stimulation or physical exercise. Animals forced to endure such confinement often display abnormal and self-destructive behavior called "Zoochosis".(Zo os: Pitiful Prisons.) Zoochosis is a mental illness; symptoms include pacing, neck twisting, and other repetitive behaviors.("Zoocheck".) &... ...oadside zoos at all costs. If no one visits these substandard operations, they will be forced to close down. Contact PETA and start your own "Zoocheck" program in your local zoo. Zoos claim that they are good for research, but the purpose of most zoos' research is to find ways to breed and maintain more animals in captivity. If zoos ceased to exist, so would the need for most of their research. The key to saving exotic animals lies in saving their habitat, not removing them from it only to be placed in an unnatural and abusive environment.("Zoocheck".) Works Cited Zoo Target of "Bloody" Protest Over African Elephants PETA News Release http://www.peta-online.org/news/basel199.htm Zoocheck PETA's Action for Activists http://www.peta-online.org/library/actionideas/zoo.htm 21, Nov. 1999 Zoos:Pitiful Prisons Campaigns http://www.peta-online.org/cmp/ccircfs3.-html 21, Nov. 1999