The Realism In War English Literature Essay

The Realism In War English Literature Essay In times of war one must simply endure to survive; as a seemingly insignificant foot soldier discovers in Charles Harrisons novel, Generals Die in Bed. Through this character Harrison strips away any possible glorifications that were previously found in most stories of war. Charles Harrison presents the reality of war without attempting to romanticize the idea of grand battles. War, as depicted in Harrisons work, is an unadorned, hollow, and meaningless endeavor that nations have had the unfortunate habit of creating and recreating throughout history. Without this sense of safety, which previous works have accomplished by sugar coating war, Generals Die in Bed weaves together a representation of war that maximizes the full-blown power of a harsh reality. Harrison achieves a graphic portrayal of war through the novels form. More specifically, the clever use of structure, plot, characterization, language, and point of view allows Harrison to portray the stark contrast of the reality of war with the common perception of chivalry in battle. True to its anti-war reputation, the novel illustrates war in a dramatic and horrifying way. This is easily identified as the concept and purpose of war are continuously questioned. As the disapproval of war becomes a common theme, of Generals Die in Bed, many justifications behind these views become clear. Needless deaths and constant terror, as well as emotional suffering and trauma, become common factors that contribute to the distaste involved with war. Deaths and misery need no annotation; they simply are. These daily horrors only increase the damning nature towards war when they have no justifiable cause. As the question of why constantly crops up in the plot, the idea of a just war is heavily questioned. More simply, war makes no sense. The plot further enforces the incomprehensible aspects of war by avoiding the traditional eight point arch and adopting a sustained tension and conflict, without the obligatory resolution that is supposedly substantial. Harrisons novel does not employ this common convention; but creates a structure consisting of two main components: rest and action. The rest is represented by the moments and periods in which the protagonist, and his fellow soldiers, takes his time away from the front lines. The action, on the one hand, represents the trench times, bombardments and raids that the soldiers had to face and endure. This structural preference adds to the sense of immediacy and involvement that the reader experiences and allows the story of war to become more believable. In this way, Generals Die in Bed is debunking the romanticized notion that war is a duel and an extravagant battle. Even in war, there are periods of inaction. The dispatch; the months and weeks of being away from the trenches; the visit to London; and the benign conversations of soldiers all construct the varied pauses that punctuate the lives of the soldiers during the war. By including these inactive periods, Harrison is not making an attempt to portray the absence of conflict. In fact, Harrison achieves quite the opposite by means of including aspects of the war in every facet of life. For example, when the protagonist was vacationing in London, the conflict was not unfelt. Despite efforts to escape the war, vague traces of it follows him wherever he goes, like the sound of distant cannons. Even while trying to escape the ter rors of warfare, the protagonist is unable to let go of his current mindset. During his visit to the theater, for example, the unnamed soldier notices that the play and audience trivialize the war, and feel[s] they have no right to laugh at jokes about the war (107). Despite this, however, conflict does more than merely contribute to the sense that war is slowly consuming the lives around it. The conflict depicted in the novel works as an important event. By jumping from important event to important event, Harrison allows the protagonist to express his sense of confusion. Much like a lost soul, the soldier seems to wander through time. This effect, although not conventional, allows the reader to understand the effect that war can have on the mind, as well as contributes to the impression of a dazed soldier. In addition to this, the jumping of event also can contribute to a sense of befuddlement, suggesting that war cannot be understood, and lack of control. This lack of control can relate back to the inability to stop the damaging effects of war, but can also help portray the situation of the soldier: A soldiers life is not his own, but belongs to the hierarchy of war. This sense of being lost, and not belonging to ones self, is supported when Ha rrison does not give the novel a satisfactory and definitive resolution. Although the protagonist was sent home because of his leg injury, the reader knows that the conflict stays with him even after his separation from the war. The war bears eternal inner conflicts that an individual who had seen and borne the war will wrestle with throughout most of his life. This final portrayal of the damaging effects of war is, in truth, the turning point in Harrisons protagonist; making the young soldier a round character. Harrison depicts most of the characters as people who do not feel a glorified and heroic attachment to war. They are all practical and intent on staying alive during the course of the war. These characters are regular people who see the war as a terrifying nuisance and a needless disruption to their normal lives. The protagonist represents the qualities and features of all the other characters in the story, but shows signs of a struggling sense of self as well. Harrison tries to capture the realistic emotions and concerns of regular soldiers in his characterization of the male young protagonist. In the novel, the lead character holds no romantic notions about the war. He did not join the war out of patriotism or the need to feel heroic. He went there because he had to and was left with no choice. The first chapter of the novel sees the protagonist and all the other soldiers leaving Montreal with a heavy heart. They were well aware that their participation offered two possibilities: l ife or death. What makes Harrisons characters realistic is that the soldiers in the story are made to see the war for what it truly is. Their reactions to the war are honest because they have been exposed to the horrors of flying shrapnel and dead boys. What they see; hear; and feel, they reflect in the novel without pretense or pride. The horrific actions required for survival have humbled the soldiers, much like the thoughts of the protagonist after witnessing Brownies death. The soldiers felt no hate towards their enemies, but wished only to survive; they looked without resentment towards the woods. [They were] animated only by a biting hunger for safety. Safetyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (47) and the protagonist was not ashamed to admit that their immediate reaction was not pity, but the pressing need to survive and live. These harsh living conditions, allow the soldiers to view the war from an entirely new perspective. The characters, particularly the protagonist, develop acute perceptions of the truth due to intense experiences. This is generally caused by self-reflection after some sort of struggle, similar to the internal conflict that the nameless soldier experienced after killing the young German soldier with his bayonette. Due to this and other conflicts, the protagonist eventually came to the realization that the true enemies in the war were not the soldiers from the opposing camp, but the struggles and hardships they continued to face. More specifically, the lead character believes that the their enemies are- the lice, some of our officers, and death (36). The protagonist also concluded, along with his fellow soldiers, that while they are busy fighting the war; others are making a profit out the necessities and demands of war. Each soldier wish[es] the war was over, but believe me, theres plenty that dont (143). These perceptions reflect the characters understanding of wars true nature. From their perspective, the war is entirely cruel and without benefits. More specifically, to the soldier this business of military glory and arms means carrying parties, wiring fatigues, wet clothes, and cowering in a trench under shellfire (140). The characters in the novel are skilled in bringing down the narrative of war from its high and mighty perch, and pulling it onto the ground to reduce it to facts. Harrison simply reflects the ideals of his characters by his use of language. The novel is saturated with a language that is terse and to the point. Harrison does this on purpose in an endeavor to support and expound on the novels theme and intent. Conversations between comrades are never lengthy or pompous. While many would surmise that talks during war would tend to veer towards the philosophical, in truth, soldiers exchange few in depth conversations. Due of the tension-filled surroundings and the dire context they find themselves in, the soldiers often find the need to seek relief. Their conversations reflect this as they often daydream of food and clean sheets. In fact philosophy is almost never discussed between soldiers, and religion was only sought after in moments where one found himself close to death. During these moments the language used becomes more abrupt and jolting, adding to a sense of terror. The abrupt contains the apprehension, worries, and pain of the soldiers. Aware of this, Harrison employs disjointed, and almost monosyllabic, articulations and exchanges to create the sense of tension. The frugal use of language can give off a sense of dread, allowing readers to immerse or take part in the experience of the characters. When being bombarded in trenches, the world around them didnt burst into extravagant, superfluous trains on thought and emotion; the world erupted into chaos and fragments of clear thought. The sky is lit by hundreds of fancy fireworks like a night carnival. The air shrieks and catcalls. Still they come. I am terrified. I hug the earth, digging my fingers into every crevice, every hole. A blinding flash and an exploding howl a few feet in front of the trench. My bowels liquefy. (25). This effect causes a more direct focus on the basic emotions and instinct in a moment of severe stress. This lack of thought process gives the protagonist animal-like qualities and emphasizes the sense of immediacy and confusion for the reader: this highlights their connection to the protagonist and creates an emotional reaction in the reader that is closer to what one may experience in war.. However, short sentences are not the only way in which Harrison creates this effect. To depict the war in realistic and personal terms, Harrison adopts the first person point of view, using the pronouns I and We throughout the novel. The first person perspective makes the realities of war more pronounced and believable. The way in which he switches from the use of I and we can give the reader a more powerful reaction to the events in the book. During stressful times, as depicted in the excerpt above, the protagonist refers to himself as I to emphasize his survival instinct, and the action in the scene. In other words, the realism that Harrison aims at is conveyed effectively because the protagonist tells his story of war from his own vantage point. The events, feelings, and ideas contained in the novel take their basis on the narrator having participated in the war himself. . However, during periods of rest or contemplation, the protagonist uses the pronoun we to refer to himself and his comrades. The use of we enables the reader to realize that the war extends beyond the protagonist. In addition to this, the pronoun we promotes the reader to feel the unifying effects of war, ultimately creating a more realistic account of the war. It is not enough that Harrison employs a first person point of view; he chooses to depict the war from the perspective of the soldier. This is an imperative narrative strategy because it creates more trust between the reader and the protagonist, encouraging a sense of reliability. In his novel, Generals Die in Bed, Charles Harrison challenges all the glorifying and romantic notions people may have about war. Although his protagonist is not a hero, he is a realistic representation of the survivor. The war in which the soldiers see themselves holds no splendor, but it kills, traumatizes, and scars. This is the war that Harrison came to witness as a former soldier, and this is the image in which he hopes to leave his readers. Armed with this vivid experience, he makes no attempt to discolor the truths about war. In not aspects of his novel does Harrison shy from his realistic perception of war. In fact, the strategic method in which Harrison constructed his novel helps to convey his message to his readers: war holds no glory, it holds not meaning, and yet it is pursued.

Business Ethics :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Businesses have power through their ability to spend vast amounts of money. They have the ability to enhance or change situations that the common individual does not. As organizations affect many people, they have obligations to their employees, consumers, community and the world. They have a responsibility to conduct business in a way that is not harmful and which positively benefits as many people as possible and themselves. Although this sounds simple, it is "easier said than done!" as there will always be a conflict of interest between various groups of people. Any decisions made by businesses need to be made with an informed awareness of the specific situation and then act according to some sort of system of principals which is Business Ethics. What is Business Ethics? Business ethics is exactly the same as normal ethics, and that is knowing what is right or wrong, and learning what is right and what is wrong in a business environment. Then doing the right thing, but "the right thing" is not as straightforward as explained in many business ethics books. Most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simply a matter of "Should she steal from him?" or "Should he lie to his boss?" Businesses cannot function without ethics, why? Society dictates a set of rules and conformities and seeing as all businesses strive after common goals it means that these goals can only be achieved on the basis of standards, values and morals in society. It can be assumed that business life has to be called 'moral' as well. As in society, standards and values are spontaneously formed once people come that's when morals come into effect, and when businesses decide on implicit or explicit ways to achieve certain goals and then are agreed on. Businesses in general are working on the basis of an ethics that settles different interests. The standards and values within companies can be characterized as mutual respect. In this respect it is in everyone's interest, and is considering people as an end in themselves, not as a means, reciprocity and fairness. This ethics is passed down and filtered to a group of stakeholders who have an interest in the company. These parties usually are: personnel, customers, suppliers, subcontractors, shareholders, society and those who speak on behalf of the environment and future generations. Many ethicists say there's always a right thing to do based on moral principle, and others believe the right thing to do depends on the situation, ultimately it's up to the individual on w hat they do and on what they believe to be the "right" thing is.

Women Past and Present

Women Past and Present During the 20th century, women in general was limited, however women are now in a much better position than before. We, as women, especially those of us who live in liberal parts of the world, often take for granted the rights and benefits, which we have. We forget that in other times, women were not considered to be equal to their male counterparts; they were considered to be helpless subordinates to the men with whom they lived. Though we do not often consider it, we owe much of these everyday freedoms to women of the past, who struggled and pushed for equal rights and recognition.Their determination helped us gain increased education, economic status, and political rights, among other things. In the colonial times, the Colonial women’s role in the family was the keeper of the home, and that was all she was really allowed. She made the family’s clothes, she provided a home cooked meal, and took care of the children, all of this by herself until the female children were old enough to be of use. She could do nothing for her sons, they were to be submissive on the farther, or be apprenticed out. She was, in fact, her husbands slave.Women were seen as weak human beings. They were not allowed to have other aspirations. She had no say in anything that went on; she could only follow her husband’s commandments. This male dominated society dictates that women be inoffensive and obedient and is financially dependent of the husband. Woman’s role was strictly limited to home and family. As for the question of free time, what free time? If they by chance had any, they usually baked, or got some mending done or make candles. Basically, more tasks. â€Å"Idle hands are the devil’s tools,† is what they were encouraged to believe.During the nineteenth century, women were viewed as homemakers, not able to perform in society with men. They were degraded by men to believe that they were worth almost nothing, only w orthy of bearing children. This superfluous male domination lead too many women feeling trapped in their own homes, unable to escape from the confinements placed on them by their husbands. However things did change, women started working outside of their home. Besides farm work, their jobs were mainly in traditional women’s fields such as teaching, nursing, and domestic service.Textile mills and clothing factories are traditional employers of women. They worked in these factories and war-related industries while World War II was being fought, and many of them enjoyed the opportunity to work outside the home. By the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century improvements aided in giving women more rights, and educational and occupational opportunities. The growth of commercial laundries and expanding production of clothing, processed foods, and other household items relieved women of many tasks and created hundreds of jobs for them outside the hom e.Manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, banking, and services grew rapidly in the early 20th century. The success of many of these ventures depended on women. Middle-class women had it much easier than lower class women. More opportunities, more advancement, and more respect. When they did accept women the numbers were limited because women lacked the education to be prepared for any type of higher learning. Other women found jobs in rudimentary school teaching, managing clubs for poor youth, poor young women and schools for infants.Women during this time were beginning to see that not only did they belong in the home, but they could also find a role in the workplace. Today, women study subjects of personal interest, they seek degrees that match their talents and aspirations. Once they began to go to college, they began to challenge society’s expectations as well as their personal experiences. The major detonator of the women’s movement was education, changing the woman’s role in society from passive to an active and vital force. Once women began receiving higher education, there was no turning back.Occupations were limited but women began to filter into the male-dominated world. Before this time women were uneducated and not capable to vote. A four-year college education is likewise common as women go to earn their master’s degree and PhD. Yet, for women in the workforce, there are still many cases where barriers exist that may limit their chances of earning that promotion. They still have a hard time with power and they have a harder time keeping power. In the long run, women became activists pushing for the rights and eventually succeeded.They have much more freedom and equality now, thanks to the women who pushed for equal rights, and it was slowly realized that females have the same capabilities to think and have responsibilities as men. Women today are postponing the role of motherhood and are concentrating more on their careers. If there are any needs that needs to be fulfilled in a woman’s life, this is it; well paying job, being on the executive level and prove that we can also be female dominators. Women in today’s society are focused more on independence.

Ford Motor Company Case Analysis Essay - 1776 Words

Introduction The Ford Motor Company (Ford or â€Å"the company) is an American automotive producer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. The company was founded on June 16, 1903, by Henry Ford. The Ford Motor Company manufactures and sells commercial vehicles, luxury cars, Standard Utility Vehicles (SUVs), and automotive parts all over the world. Known for their size, geography, and business model, Ford is often referred to as one of the â€Å"Big Three,† along with General Motors and Chrysler Automobiles. Per the Ford Motor Company MarketLine Company Profile (2016), Ford is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the country. However, since the 1990s, Ford struggled to maintain its spot in the â€Å"Big Three† as intense competition presented a significant risk to Ford’s ability to enhance its revenue, and preserve its market share during the global financial crisis that began in 2008. In 2006, the Ford Motor Company lost 25% of its market share. This case stud y targets all people diverse in culture, religion, and social, economic background. It examines the daunting task of restoring one of the largest automotive company’s back to greatness under the profound leadership of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Allan Mullaly, making him one of the most influential people in global history. Previous Leadership at Ford Before Mulally stepped in as the CEO of Ford on September 5, 2006, Chairman, William Clay Ford, Jr. also known as, Bill Ford headed the corporation. Ford was theShow MoreRelatedFord Motor Company Written Case Analysis2381 Words   |  10 PagesTABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. Case Question 2-8 2.1 Define and discuss Fords business-level strategy. 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The passenger, a 13-year old boy named Richard Grimshaw, was also severely injured from burns, which caused his face and body to be permanently disfigured. After