Literary Review of Rabbit Run by John Updike Essays

Literary Review of Rabbit Run by John Updike John Updikes novel, Rabbit, Run, is about a man named Harry â€Å"Rabbit† Angstrom. Rabbit is a brainless guy whose career as a high school basketball star peaked at age 18. In his wifes view, he was, before their early, hasty marriage, already drifting downhill. We meet him for the first time in this novel, when he is 22, and a salesman in the local department store. Married to the second best sweetheart of his high school years, he is the father of a preschool son and husband to an alcoholic wife. We are at ground zero watching Rabbit struggle with aging, religion, sexuality (particularly sexuality), nature, and the trade-offs between freedom and attachment, and rebellion and†¦show more content†¦Its a well-traveled premise for a novel, but executed and polished to a hilt. As we see Rabbit Angstrom struggle to keep apace with his given life, we are meant to see the social milieu that he lives in. Readers do get an acute sense of time and place, but what of it? Not that all fiction should strive for the Meaning of Life, but the feeling you get after reading Rabbit, Run is that of caffeine rush which you know will fade. And it does. I dont mean to slight Updikes legacy - he is one of the best writers we have in the States. And read as a tetralogy, the Rabbit books do encapsulate four decades of Americana with a sprawling and lyrical sweep. It truly is an accomplishment. As an individual novel, Rabbit, Run is emotionally involving and a hell of a good read. But it moves us tantalizingly close to showing us what literary greatness is, then ultimately leaves us short. Has life ever seemed to much for you? Do you sometimes just want get away from it all? Well, here is a man that does it all for you, Mr. Harry Rabbit Angstrom. He is the man for running away from just about anything that is a conflict for him. Updike investigates this unfortunate soul of the suburban middle-class with the use of many similes, metaphors, motifs, and imagery. In Rabbit, Run, John Updikes simple language brings reality to the central character of Harry and his boredom and disgust with his present life. In his early

Microsoft Case Study Essay - 2255 Words

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MICROSOFT: COMPETING ON TALENT CASE STUDY 5/09/07 Microsoft: Competing on Talent CASE STUDY OVERVIEW Microsoft has had a long standing practice of aggressively pursuing and hiring the brightest engineers in the software field. Yet by 1999 Microsoft had matured and many of its talent employees were leaving the company as documented in a Wall Street Journal article â€Å"As Microsoft Matures, Some Top Talent Chooses to Go Off Line†. The article reported that many employees were tired of grueling deadlines, frustrated by the bureaucracy, and lured away by high-tech start-ups. Newly appointed president and COO recognized that Microsoft had to change or adapt some of the human resource practices†¦show more content†¦BILL GATES PHILOSOPHY Bill Gates has long believed that it is important to hire extremely intelligent and driven personnel rather than experienced individuals. I do not agree with his belief that Microsofts ability to attract, motivate and retain superior people is its core source of competitive advantage. While I do believe these traits are important and a valuable asset, it is not the reason for his company’s competitive advantage. It is their marketing and positioning of their products that sets Microsoft apart. In the early 1980’s when his company was just starting up, they defeated a few less committed competitors to develop an operating system for IBM and their newly introduced personal computer. This operating system victory has been the core of Microsoft’s continual success as they correctly positioned their products to create a monopoly in the computing industry. And in 1999 a judge ruled just that, Microsoft was found guilty of restricting competition. There are many companies with exceptional minds, but if they don’t create a product that the public likes and has access to it will all be for not. 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Letters Torvald Essay Example For Students

Letters Torvald Essay Nora: then, Kristina, you must bear witness that it isnt true. Im perfectly sane, and I know exactly what Im doing now, and I tell you this: no one else knew anything about it I did it all by myself. Remember that. Nora again hints of her planned suicide when she claims that she might not be here, and Nora believes that when Krogstad exposes her crime, Torvald will take it all on himself to protect her. Torvalds previous words, Youll see that Im man enough to take it all on myself had led her to this belief, and Nora, horror-struck, had asked, What do you mean? And later determinedly claimed, You shall never have to do that. Nora has obviously set her mind to prevent this horrible miracle from happening at all costs, even if she has to exchange her life for it. Mrs. Linde, after learning of the horrible news, she offers to look for Krogstad and persuade him to ask for his letter back. In the meantime, Nora has to keep Torvald occupied to prevent him from reading his letters yet, and she successfully does so by insisting on Torvald to coach her on her tarantella dance for the costume party the next night. Helmer: But, Nora darling, youre dancing as if your life depended on it! Nora: So it does. Ironically, the tarantella is rapid whirling dance from Southern Italy, commonly known as a dance to shake off the deadly bite of a tarantula spider. This makes it a rather fitting symbol in this situation. Nora dances as if her life depends on it, dancing more and more wildly, as if to shake off the disaster, or even death itself. Nora confirms that the end of the tarantella tomorrow night symbolizes the end of her life, announcing, Seven hours till midnight. Then twenty-four hours till midnight tomorrow. Then the tarantella will be over. Twenty-four and seven thirty-one hours to live. In addition to that, Nora becomes very wild and excitable, calling for a champagne supper lasting till dawn and lots and lots of macaroons, just for once. This is possibly Noras way of celebrating her death, enjoying herself just for once before she kills herself. Towards the end of the play, Nora decides to accept the whole thing as fate. Nora : Now you must read your letters, Torvald. This shows that she has made up her mind, and instead of accepting Torvalds refusal to read his letters as an opportunity to delay the miracle, she resolutely insists on it happening. What she doesnt expect is that instead of proceeding with the ideal line of conduct, Torvald flies into a vulgar rage and accuses her of disgracing him. Helmer: Do you realize what youve done? Answer me do you realize? Nora : Yes, now Im beginning to realize everything? Nora comes to a realization, not of what she had done to Torvald, but that he is not the man she thought him to be. Her disillusion is further displayed, Nora looks fixedly at him without speaking and when Torvald again angrily questions her about her understanding of her doing, Nora : Yes. Later, after Torvald receives another letter from Krogstad detailing his apology and with the bond enclosed inside, Torvald rejoices and after destroying all the evidence, resumes to his normal state and forgives his wife. Nora returns to her room, and in reply to Torvalds question of her action, stated, Im taking off my fancy-dress. This sentence is meant in a literal way, but at the same time, also symbolizes Nora taking off her illusions, removing her mask and role as Torvalds doll wife. This signifies the end of her marriage, and after a reckoning with Torvald, she leaves him in search of her own life. .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 , .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .postImageUrl , .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 , .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2:hover , .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2:visited , .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2:active { border:0!important; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2:active , .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2 .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u691be86eaa10e997764c0851abce7ac2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Empowering the Unempowered: Character Analysis EssayIbsen has cleverly used symbols to externalize the characters inner problems in A Dolls House. From small actions such as moving to the stove, to significant symbols, such as the tarantella, he has managed to effectively convey to the audience what each character is thinking, and hints of upcoming events, without using too much monologue. While preventing the audience to be totally at sea at what is going on, it also keeps the play enjoyable and realistic, making A Dolls House as popular as it is.

The Case Against Perfection’ by Michael J. Sandel Essay Example

The Case Against Perfection’ by Michael J. Sandel Essay The article in question offers an in-depth analysis of the emerging preference for genetic engineering (GE). The author identifies various reasons why instances of genetic engineering are on a rise and shows the fallacies and superficialities of those arguments convincingly. For this essay, the tendency to utilize genetic engineering for ‘enhancing’ an individual’s life is chosen as the most important item of criticism by the author. Sandel is in support of GE as a life-saving measure. He supports its incorporation into standard medical practice for strictly medical reasons. But where he is strongly critical is in co-opting this new technology so as to gain a competitive edge over peers in any walk of life. Sandel believes that just because a technology is available it should not be applied recklessly without considering all the moral dimensions of the practice. Sandel highlights two areas where ‘performance enhancement’ is much sought after is in the worlds of sports and academics. As it is, the sports world is ridden with illegitimate methods of performance enhancement. Unscrupulous athletes use banned drugs and substances to gain an unfair competitive advantage over their rivals. If athletic performance can be improved by manipulating certain genes corresponding to endurance, alertness, etc, then they certainly will be used by some athletes. But the problem is not so much the legality as the spirit of competitive sports. After all, the Olympic Games honor human excellence only because it is the product of ‘persistent effort’ as opposed to honoring natural talents and gifts. As Sandel points out, the Olympics Games are a celebration of human will and achievement and not that of the doctor or the pharmacist’s prescription. We will write a custom essay sample on The Case Against Perfection’ by Michael J. Sandel specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Case Against Perfection’ by Michael J. Sandel specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Case Against Perfection’ by Michael J. Sandel specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Likewise, among parents of school students, the common concerns are about the height, memory and academic performance of their children. If GE practices are allowed unfettered in the future, getting the top grade in school might just become a matter of meeting the right doctor, rendering meaningless all the haughty meaning that education is supposed to carry. Sandel is not against employing GE for an ailing Alzheimer’s patient, whose memory enhancement is a medical need. But he is critical of applying the same technique so as to improve the memory of students so that they can ‘cram’ vast quantities of information before exams. Sandel is not dogmatic in his opposition of genetic enhancement, for he is sympathetic to the needs of a child identified with hormonal deficiency that hampers growth. In such ‘medical’ conditions, GE-based solutions are permissible, he rightly asserts. I mostly agree with Sandel’s line of argument with respect to GE aided enhancements. Beyond the question of morality, legality and fairness, there is the more fundamental question of accepting nature. People should see themselves as part of an expansive natural world that operates with its own set of rules. Attempting to circumvent these rules is akin to playing God and thereby usurping vast creative powers into our hands. But the danger lies in how the power to create can easily morph into the power to destruct. The best example of this phenomenon is the national military system, which is euphemistically called ‘defense’, but largely employed as instruments of ‘offence’. Reference: Society, Ethics and Technology, Fourth Edition Morton E. Winston and Ralph D. Edelbach, pp. 329 The article in question offers an in-depth analysis of the emerging preference for genetic engineering (GE). The author identifies various reasons why instances of genetic engineering are on a rise and shows the fallacies and superficialities of those arguments convincingly. For this essay, the tendency to utilize genetic engineering for ‘enhancing’ an individual’s life is chosen as the most important item of criticism by the author. Sandel is in support of GE as a life-saving measure. He supports its incorporation into standard medical practice for strictly medical reasons. But where he is strongly critical is in co-opting this new technology so as to gain a competitive edge over peers in any walk of life. Sandel believes that just because a technology is available it should not be applied recklessly without considering all the moral dimensions of the practice. Sandel highlights two areas where ‘performance enhancement’ is much sought after is in the worlds of .