East of Eden by John Steinbeck Essay

Published in 1952, East of Eden is a novel written by John Steinbeck, a Nobel winner). It tells the story of the intertwined lives of two families- the Trasks and the Hamiltons amidst a backdrop of California’s Salinas Valley (Steinbeck, 2003). The novel follows the stories of these two American families from the Civil War to World War I (2003). It is said that the novel, which was published ten years before Steinbeck received a Novel, drew inspiration from the Bible and was dedicated to Steinbeck’s sons- Thom and John IV (Pearson, 1995). The title itself was culled from a Biblical verse, depicting Cain as he set out in the land of Nod, east of Eden (Genesis 4: 16 New International Version). Told in third-person point of view by a narrator who sometimes offers annotations, swings among characters’ vantage points and even suspends the story with snippets of human history, East of Eden tackles the universal theme of good vs. evil, the fall of Adam and Eve and the bitter enmity of Abel and Cain. Dramatizing the societal sins of Salinas Valley and the individual members of the Trask and Hamilton clans, the novel aims to resolve the dilemma on how evil may be overcome by choice. Spanning the period between the American Civil War and the end of the First World War, it dovetails the lives of two brothers- the gentle Adam and the rough Charles. Adam marries the scheming Cathy who deceives him and ran off with Charles on the night of their wedding (Steinbeck, 2003). After giving birth to twin boys, Aron and Cal, Cathy leaves her children to Adam and returns to a life of debauchery. The rivalry between the siblings reignites as they vie for their father’s attention and approval (2003). The story is beautiful and revolting as it unravels the universal problem man has to face: choose to be good or remain on the dark side. The tone is somber, philosophical and perhaps even propitious. Showing how illustrious as a writer should be, Steinbeck is able to create characters with various tempers, contrasting them realistically as possible, polar opposites as one may say. There is Adam, who may very well be the archetype of good intentions and Cathy, the scheming prostitute whom Adam fell in love with. It is also Adam who has been deceived the most, reminiscent of the betrayal of the serpent in the biblical Eden. The novel is peppered with shades of Cain and Abel. In the same vein, the agony of parental rejection, an issue touched with the story of the biblical brothers, is again explored in the novel, like the acceptance of Adam’s puppy gift and the rejection of Charles’ knife gift, reminiscent of Abel’s accepted gift and the rejection of Cain. Cyrus Trask favored Adam over Charles, for no distinct reason. Later on, Adam repeats the cycle with his own sons, favoring Aron over Cal. Throughout the novel, the tension is palpable, giving the reader the proper stimulus to continue reading. It also helps that the setting, Salinas Valley is actually a real place, giving a pragmatic voice to the novel. The words used by Steinbeck are easy to read and understand , and is not loaded with so many symbols that would make the reader spend 98% figuring out what the symbols stood for rather than letting the words flow and grasping its essence. There are no flowery words, either. This is a good sign on the part of Steinbeck, allowing the readers to comprehend the gist without resulting in a head ache. The flow of the story is also commendable, especially as it expands from 1860 to 1918. The incorporation of â€Å"timshel† is also appropriate, fortifying the theme of good winning over evil, of human making the power to decide. East of Eden is grounded in pragmatism and the handling of good and evil may be simple but it speaks one universal truth: that there is good and there is evil and that human beings are flawed, perhaps influenced by their genes or shaped by circumstances, but they have the choice whether to follow that footstep and repeat the mistake or make their own paths and break the cycle. References Pearson, P. (1995). East of Eden. Retrieved February 17, 2009, from National Steinbeck Center Website: http://www. steinbeck. org .html Steinbeck, J. (2003). East of Eden. New York: Penguin Books.

Paper on the Glass Castle, for communications class Essay

Paper on the Glass Castle, for communications class - Essay Example The author has made use of an autobiographical approach to reach out to the readers. As per my reading transition of the story, I noticed that the tone of the author is quiet straight, clear and less emotional. This means that it is entirely up to the reader to decide regarding the occurrence of the incidents that Walls family had undergone. The main purpose of the author to select such a tone in the book is to send out the message to readers regarding communication imperativeness in a family setting. It would not be incorrect to state that the author has been successful in this regard (Dunn). It should be noted that the author seemed to be a communication specialist as she has provided real-life instances and the experiences of the author with her family. As noted by Daniel Dunn in his book Communication that interpersonal communication often fails between the individuals because of the semantic errors (Dunn). Similar instances have been found in the book where author has experienced a closure to the communication with her parents because they did not understand her meanings behind subjects (Walls 129). Also to note is the fact that Danielle Dunn mentioned in his research that sometimes people have their perception settled in a firm manner which causes the communication gap. A person might talk convincingly but he will continue to fail to make a difference through his or her communication because of the perception being firm. The perception can be neutral, negative or positive with an effective, disconnected or balanced impact respectively. Similar instance can be noted in the book The Glass Castle where the author notes that sometimes she even felt helpless in elaborating her plans to the parents despite their increased level of education. This was merely because the perception that failed their interpersonal communication. In addition, non-verbal communication has a stronger impact on the receiver. In the case of Wall family it can be said that this was

1996 Health care reform Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

1996 Health care reform - Essay Example It also endorses the graduate health learning and finance different health programs including a health program for children. There is also the pharmaceutical coverage program for the elderly, initial care, countryside wellbeing care and quality advancement (Rutherford, 2004). The enactment of this act came into effect in 1997. In 1997, the HRCA substituted almost twenty years of rate controlled health compensation with an assortment of bargained rates and persisting public funding for a varied combination of significant health connected schemes. This encompasses medical tutoring, destitute care and coverage initiatives for the uncovered. HCRA authorization has been conducted two times. This is in 1999 as well as in 2003. It was considerably modified in 2002. The expansions and modifications have extended health coverage for the uncovered, gives protection funding for small corporations and employed persons, and also funding to support health security for employees enrolment and retention. Finances for these extensions were to emanate from allotment of a part of the State tobacco payment money, escalated cigarette duties and a onetime augmentation of federal income (Charles and Carl, 2002). Moreover, the public funds sustained by HCRA came via three sources. Firstly, the Public Goods source endorsed by one percent state wide evaluation on hospitals net inpatient incomes, supplementary fees on hospital services as well as protected lives evaluations on sovereign coverage organizations. These organizations depend on the number of individuals protected. Secondly, there are funds from Tobacco Control and protection initiatives, initially endorsed by cigarette excises and tobacco payment finances. Thirdly, there are resources for the Bad Debt as well as Charity Care. There is also the destitute care and inconsistent share. The resources for this emanate from

AEGON Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

AEGON - Research Paper Example Apart from the qualitative methods of data collection named above, other quantities methods of data collection such as experiments and conducting surveys got used. Among the findings was that the organization has sought to improve personal and community development in different aspects as well as growing and developing worldwide. Some organizations, including learning and non-learning institutions, profitable and nonprofitable firm, have sought the need to expand globally in their fields of service provision. Other groups have realized the importance of developing in their service provision as well as introducing new ventures that can drive them in the realization of their set goals and objectives. Some have employed business experts to carry out researches on various available business opportunities around the world that they can venture in, with the primary goal of profit realization. In the process of exploring the different available business opportunities, some firms have sought to generate incomes and later use them for community development, personal development as well as the improving the general welfare of the society. To realize these, some organizations and other institutions have employed some strategies such as blueprint strategy, online marketing, product differentiation and improving product qualities among others. In this research paper, I am going to look at the AEGON organization, as a global firm that is seeking to realize its goals of global expansion and international business. I am going to see the growth of the organization, its international business, as well as the marketing strategies used by the institution in meeting the needs in various international markets. This organization is one of the top global organizations in the financial industry, offering financial services such as the provision of life assurance, pensions to the retired employees and management of various assets. The group got

Explore significant differences from Western models of consumer Essay

Explore significant differences from Western models of consumer behaviour in different parts of the world - Essay Example Companies have models in marketing and research in Western sales markets designed to identify or predict responses and involvement level based on their characteristics unique to specific target markets. What separates Western views of consumer behaviour from regionalized marketing strategy is the quantity of research information provided on consumer lifestyle in the U.S. and United Kingdom (as two examples) versus resource restrictions in the international community on market characteristics and homogeneity. Additionally, the approach to Western consumers is one in which the business must have flexibility and adaptability in areas of production and procurement in order to find sales success. This means oftentimes restructuring the organisation to support new product development or rapid innovation, however largely driven by external consumer behavioural characteristics. Foreign marketers are often limited through resource allocation concerns or simply do not have enough localized market knowledge to proceed with effective marketing strategies. The Western model of consumer behaviour is rather generic when compared to international models, especially in terms of use of the positioning map and the five stage involvement model running from problem recognition through supplier selection. Basic human behavioural traits act as the foundation for these models common throughout the world, thus rather standardized. Based on segment preferences, either demographic, geographic or psychographic related to lifestyle or attitude, Western models identify the consequences of decision-making, based on certain environmental conditioning scenarios or social influence, and predict buying trends using modified or standardized version of the selection and purchase processes. However, Martin-Consuegra, Molina & Esteban (2008) identify a key difference in Western consumer behaviour models related to market orientation. A

General Motors -- Consumer Market Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

General Motors -- Consumer Market - Assignment Example It also seeks to target the posh market by growing its sales for Cadillac and increase its growth in the Chinese market through its joint ventures. Its investments in China reach $14 billion expected to improve production and manufacturing between 2014 and 2018 (Rama, 2013). With every market, GM realizes that it has a different target and a new challenge to create a car that will suit the customer profile. To understand the market, the company has to create products that make it easier to fit into the customer’s profile. The goal is to ensure that the customer expectations are met and even exceeded. To do this, the customers range from low-income earners to the high-income earners, with each class given an affordable car pricewise and comfortable to the drivers (Falter, 2013). Despite the class, the comfort is a guarantee. The company has a proactive approach towards meeting customer profile needs and demands by starting from the design process so as to be in accord with the customer. This allows the improvement of any process to be in line with the needs noted from the customers (Kurtz, 2010). To attain its goals, GM has resulted to the use of the values that have held it together all along. The aim is to establish a vision they can meet by allowing customers to be their sole determinants of what to manufacture. This has made the company use its resources to market those cars that have maintained steady growth over the years to create a platform that revolves around the mission of growing the value that GM has attained over time (Falter, 2013). This is coupled with increased objectives of satisfying their markets and ensuring they have quality products to satisfy their customers and eventually improve its financial results. In fact, boosting the company’s profit has become one of the important objectives of its marketing goals because of the years that reduced its profitability and led to its bankruptcy. With the urge to create, connect and compete, GM

Cultural Event Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Cultural Event Report - Essay Example These works include a lot of paintings, photography, media arts, sculpture and design. The collections and works in the museum therefore serve the international community. When I arrived at the museum I saw different cadre of people from all walks of life either entering, leaving or in the museum. This attracted my attention and I got interested as to why all these people came to this place. I knew there must have been something very unique. When I arrived at the museum, it was appealing enough. The buildings are lovely and the architects are very touching. I felt as if I should stay there for the rest of my life. When I was entering I realized that it was not necessary that I follow a particular route. I saw everyone else following their self made routes. This enabled me to go the direction which I admired. The freedom that was there was just amazing. The oceanic galleries were dramatic and marvelous (Kino, 2010). The department of Media arts at San Francisco develops exhibition programs as well as educational events (Littlejohn, 2010). The events relate to video, performance art related to media arts and films. This department is composed of diversified modern art production technologies. This department consists of videos, digital film experiments and web projects. The museum has archives which are used as a conservation and research centre. Modern paintings, paper works, analogue and digital objects. It provides security to these objects and is also used by various professionals as a laboratory for carrying out research. The research library is composed of exhibition catalogues, monographs, serials titles and general art resources. Other things in the archives are a collection of artists’ books such as Margery Mann and Tillim (Kino, 2010). In general this department is composed of all the historical things and objects. After a visit to the museum I can say that it was a good experience to me. It provided me with positive