Friday, December 27, 2019

Essay on BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico - 3115 Words

An oil spill of 4.9 million barrels, which happened in 2010, created not only turmoil for the environment, but caused the economy to take a great hit from the loss of an important raw material. Transocean were the owners of the oil rig drilling on behalf of BP, who were the ones at fault for the spill. This event caused a stir in both the government and non-governmental organizations, because of the extensive damage that it caused. Federal investigations were put under way to determine the factors that caused the spill and once the investigation was concluded several environmental groups began to target the company to portray them as negligent. BP became the sole recipient of both the government and environmental organizations†¦show more content†¦The first step begins with geologists and geophysicist exploring areas around which they might consider drilling in order to examine rocks, the formations they make to the earth, and they type and shape of the subsurface of the roc k. They also use aircrafts that are able to measure the gravitational pull, and acoustic surveys to receive pictures of the layering of the earth through the use of sound waves. Once all assessments have been completed and â€Å"experts have been consulted, the risks have been assessed, the environmental studies have been carried out and the data has been compiled into workable maps of the exploration site, it’s time to send in the drilling crew† (BP, 2013, para. 1). The decision to drill is not a hasty one and once it is decided, drilling in the ocean is a more difficult task when attempting to maintain an oilrig in place with the currents and waves. As many precautions as possible is taken before the drilling actually begins and when it does, BP is concerned with using the best type of technology in order to maintain a safe environment. Because of the gravity of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the enormity of the situation, the government was obliged to step in and investigate. According to Ososfky, â€Å"the spill takes place at the intersection of legal regimes governing offshore activities and those governing oil spills and other disasters.Show MoreRelatedBP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 905 Words   |  4 PagesCASE STUDY- MINI CASE: BP GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL CASE SUMMARY 1. In a narrative format, summarize the key facts and issues of the case. In the case of the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill, we examine the effects of an organization not being prepared for this particular crisis. The world scrutinized the actions, inactions, and the human decisions made by BP that led to a major catastrophic crisis. The organization was not prepared for a crisis of this magnitude. Our text stated that this type of negligenceRead MoreBp Oil Spill On The Gulf Of Mexico1249 Words   |  5 PagesBrittneigh Campbell POS 303 BP Oil Spill Survey Research Question How did the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 affect our economy and environment, and what does the future hold, with regard to the environment, oil drilling, and sustainability? Introduction For the best range of participants and the east of analyzation, I chose to conduct an electronic survey. I posted the survey (publically) on Facebook. This allowed people from all over the country, from almost all sections of social-economicRead MoreBP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill771 Words   |  3 PagesDiagnosing Conflict caused by the BP rig explosion of spring 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico and analyzing it through the Triangle of Satisfaction was a challenging endeavor. Looking through the eyes of BP, the State of Louisiana and the US Federal government I first identified the motivating factors from each perspective. British Petroleum BP is a powerful mega-organization, with a business model that reports â€Å"their belief of achieving sustainable success as a group, is to act in the long term-termRead MoreCase Study: BP and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill3602 Words   |  15 Pagesdisaster strictly a BP failure or an industry accident?........................................................................2 What factors affect the competitive environment of the oil industry? ...........................................................2 Question 2 ............................................................................................................................................................4 What were the most significant flawed decisions made by BP and its partnersRead MoreBp And The Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill Case Study3246 Words   |  13 Pages BP and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Case Study Tamatha French Management 6000 Hawaii Pacific University â€Æ' Introduction and Background On April 20, 2010, the petroleum industry suffered the largest maritime disaster oil spill in its history known as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Deepwater Horizon oil rig that had been working on a well for BP in the Gulf exploded and went up in flames. Subsequently, massive amounts of oil spilled out into the water, threatening the marine life andRead MoreThe April 2010 BP Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico1011 Words   |  4 Pages These two studies investigated the effects of the April 2010 BP Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the observable effects that it has had on coral reef and salt marsh ecosystems. The study conducted by White investigated nine coral communities six months after the spill using ROVs. In an area 11 km west of the spill site, the researchers studied scleractinian, gorgonian, antipatharian corals and found many that were covered with floc, a brown flocculent material, that is linked to coralRead MoreBp s Rebranding After The Us Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill 20101792 Words   |  8 PagesBP’s Rebranding After The US Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010 A brand is an organisation, product or service which has created an emotional connection with their consumers in order for them to favour their brand over their competitors. It is incredibly important for brands to keep up their image and one little thing could change the global perception of a business. It takes a lot to maintain a brand image that has been built up over a long period of time and even more to regain it if that reputationRead MoreThe Deepwater Horizon Mobile Offshore Wells Exploratory Platforms1537 Words   |  7 Pagesnear the Gulf of Mexico, operated by British Petroleum, on April 20, 2010, or known as BP oil spill. The BP oil catastrophe ignited due to high-pressure methane gas by drilling a deep exploratory at Macondo well, reported by Up Stream Online news. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill still outlasts as a great size accidental marine oil spill in the records of the petroleum industry. The date, report details, and location were based on a doctrine of New York T imes. Multiple consequences of BP oil spill includeRead MoreBritish Petroleum and Its Corporate Strategy1595 Words   |  7 Pagesthat British Petroleum (BP) adopts with specific focus on the Deep-water Horizon offshore oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010. BP will be assessing using varied strategic theories and strategic choices will be suggested. It is commissioned for Carl-Henric Svanberg, BP s chairman. Brief Company Profile BP is the third largest energy producers in the world. The business is integrated in finding, extracting and supplying oil, gas and petroleum. BP was privatised in 1980 sRead MoreBp Oil Explosion in the Gulf of Mexico1412 Words   |  6 Pagesits worst oil spill disasters in the history of marine petroleum exploration. A deadly oil well blowout at Macondo Prospect, about 41 miles off the southeast coast of Louisiana, spewed huge quantities of oil for 87 long days causing major environmental and economic troubles to the Gulf region (Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill). It started with a fire and explosion, killing 11 workers, and then unleashed a slow motion disaster that spread across the 600 mile gulf coastline. The massive oil spill disrupted

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Key Success Factors - Organizational Culture - 3384 Words

In this assignment we introduce the idea that the organizational culture is the personality of an organization which can be defined, measured, sustained and changed and have an important impact on an organizations effectiveness. We want to define organizational culture as it is presented by two theorists, indicate levels of expressions of culture in an organization, and provide specific strategies or tools to modify organizational culture. We know that every individual has something that psychologists have termed personality. An individuals personality is made up of a set of relatively permanent and stable traits. When we describe someone as innovative, relaxed, warm or conservative, we are describing personality traits. An†¦show more content†¦We believe that the internal and external problems are closely interconnected and organizations must deal with them simultaneously. In conclusion, Schein (1992) defines the organizational culture as shared assumptions and beliefs about the world and their place in it, the nature of time and space, human nature, and human relationships. Organizational culture have distinct dimensions that can be defined and measured. This is important to know in order to develop and use change strategies of the culture. Otts definition of the organizational cultureOn the other hand Ott (1989), in The Organizational Culture Perspective describe organizational culture as a social constructed, unseen, and unobservable force behind organizational activities. Organizational culture is a social energy that moves organizational members to act and unifying theme that provides meaning and direction to and mobilizes the members. It functions as an organizational control mechanism, informally approving or prohibiting behaviors (Lawson and Shen, 1998). In short, organizational culture is a hypothetical construct that must be inferred from the share thoughts, feelings, values, and actions of organizational members. Last, Ott suggested that organizational culture is a concept, construct, energy, idea, ratherShow MoreRelatedHow Organizational Culture Affects The Success And Failure Of An Organization Essay1134 Words   |  5 Pagesbrought an overview of an essential factor to all organization, which is organizational culture. It is the key to make a success of an organization, as well as the reflection of the company’s manager leadership. In this essay, the definition of organizational culture, how organizational culture can influence both the success and failure of an organization and what managers can do to create an encouraging and effective culture at workplace will be discussed. Culture is defined as all of humans’ perceptionRead MoreTeamwork Culture1199 Words   |  5 Pagespersonality or culture. For an organization to be successful over the long term, its culture needs to be managed effectively. Management Systems culture management products or process are designed to help firms define our culture and understand how it affects behavior and organizational success. The process serves as input to the development of strategies for systematically managing culture as a competitive advantage. Besides, I think a manager is directly responsible for an organization’s success or failureRead MoreReshaping Organizational Culture Using the Burke-Litwin Model1110 Words   |  4 Pagesreshape the culture of an organization in an image they feel is more appropriate. The group went to Mexico to impose American ideas about organizations, power, gender roles and other American cultural ideas on an organization in a foreign culture. This paper will describe their efforts using the lens of the Burke-Litwin model for organizational change. Burke-Litwin The Burke-Litwin Model seeks to explain the processes and influences by which organizational change occurs. The organizational change processRead MoreThe Success Of Wi Fi Connectivity1599 Words   |  7 PagesQuestion 1] How would you propose to evaluate the success of the Wi-Fi connectivity initiative at McDonald’s restaurants? Answer 1] Baltzan, Phillips, Lynch and Blakey (2010) stated that success is difficult to measure. Markova, Aula, Vainio, Wigelius, and Kulju (2007) discussed how tools for measuring success lies in the fact that success means different things for the different stakeholders that are the users of the service might emphasize the easiness of use while improved productivityRead MoreLeadership and Organizational Culture Essay1310 Words   |  6 PagesLEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE In this paper I will discuss the effects and responsibilities leaders have on an organizational culture. I believe leaders have an enormous effect on the well-being of an organizational culture. Leaders must take an active role within their organizations culture. Whether positive or negative, in an organization, things tend to follow suit down hill. A leader has the power and influence to maintain, create, or repair an organizational culture. However, thisRead MoreThe Importance Of A Greater Role Of A Project Management976 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction The three key things which play a greater role in project management. These include: †¢ Culture †¢ Talent †¢ Process The three factors remain outstanding in success of any organization. As read in the Pulse study it’s clear that most organizations are focusing on these fundamentals of culture, talent, and process in order to realize excellence in project, program, and portfolio management. The PMI focused on high performers and low performers for comparative purpose. These as per theRead MoreProject Management : Management Culture1499 Words   |  6 PagesManagement Culture Whether one is referring to a recently formed company or an organization that has been in existence for years, all organizations can be identified according to their culture. Project or program management styles may vary based on an organization’s goals, objectives, and established organizational culture. Furthermore, whether managing a project or program, the culture of an organization can sometimes influence the project or program management culture. Organizational managementRead MoreDeveloping Corporate Culture : Role For The Growth And Success Of Any Organization1440 Words   |  6 PagesDeveloping Corporate Culture Introduction: Corporate culture plays key role for the growth and success of any organization. Corporate culture comprises of the people and their behavioural activities, which include vision values, character, plans, follow up, beliefs, habits, technology, communication, assumption, management and many other parameters. Humans are only subjects have the skills to think in any organization, remaining all other body like instruments, techniques or technology will alwaysRead MoreChanging A Company s Culture1133 Words   |  5 PagesChanging a Company s Culture Introduction Many companies reap the benefits of identifying, implementing, and managing culture change within their organizations. One of these companies is Aetna Health Care. Aetna is a company who suffered from poor performance as a result of negative organizational culture. The impact was costly to its reputation as well as its financial standing. However, a change in the organization s culture proved to be an effective way to improve the company s wellbeingRead MoreKey Parts Of Organizational Communication1277 Words   |  6 PagesDefinitions of Key Parts Organizational Communication is best described by as an action that is continually evolving. In a given workplace there must be the sending and receiving of information. This concept is the central component to achieve both individual and common goals. Essentially, there would be no organization without communication. Knowledge Management is an organization’s methodology of making their intellectual assets as fully functional, or effective as possible. This is a systematic

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Compare and Contrast Theater, Poetry and Fiction Essay Example For Students

Compare and Contrast Theater, Poetry and Fiction Essay In the poem, London written by William Blake, the city of London and its people is being controlled by the government that mistreats its citizens. This paper will show the similarities and differences each story and its effects of tragedy. In the story, A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Marquee tells the story of an angel-like man who falls from the sky into the courtyard of Appeal and Lessened. The angel-like man is seen when the couple is out in the courtyard disposing crabs. They believe the odor from the crabs is causing their newborn to become ill. Appeal sees something from a distance and hear sounds of moaning. The author writes, He had o go very lose to see that it was an old man, a very old man, lying face down in the mud, who, in spite of his tremendous efforts, couldnt get up, impeded by his enormous wings (638). At first, they describe him as a raspier with little to no hair. They had no clue what he is so, they called the neighbor woman to evaluate the man. She says, Hes an angel. He must have been coming for the child, but the poor fellow is so old that the rain knocked him down (639). She suggests they should kill the angel-like man. Instead of killing the man, they place him into their chicken coop. Later that night, their child awakes without a fever and gains his appetite. Acknowledging this, the couple rejoices and decides to put the angel on a raft and send him out to sea with food and drinks for three days. However, before Appeal and Lessened could send the angel-like man off, the whole neighborhood is there to see the angel-like man. Even the towns priest came out to see him but he doubts that the man is an angel because he looks human-like, smells, and covered in bugs. The author says, The parish priest had his first suspicion of an imposter when he saw he id not understand the language of God or how to greet His ministers (640). The priest thought it was Just another act. The people all over town became curious of the angel-like man in search of good health. Lessened thinks to fence in the yard and charger the observers a fee to see him. People tried to feed him, poke him, burn him and throw stones at him to get an arousal from him. The angel-like mans feathers began to frail, wings cripple, and grow weak. As time progress, the couple saves enough money to build a mansion. The child is healthy and is in school. Having to arrive the worst winter, the angel-like man health improves and he is determined to spread his wings. Lessened catches the angle-like man from the kitchen window and is relieved that he is gone. The movie, Endgame written by Becket, tells the story of a group of people living in a house and think that the world has come to an end. The movie begins with Clove pulling the curtains from two small windows on opposite sides of the room. Clove walks with a limb. He chuckles as he takes the sheets off of two garbage cans that Nell and Nag lives in, he also takes the sheet off the chair that Ham sits in. Right before Clove goes into the kitchen; he turns to say, Finished. Its finished. It must be nearly finished. Ham takes the old handkerchief from his face and places it over his lap and cleans his glasses. He blows for Clove to help him to bed. They bicker back and forth. Hams parents rise from the garbage can. They examine each other to make sure they can hear and see each other. They laugh and reminisce about yesterday. Nell is uncomfortable and becomes unhappy with the living condition her son has her in. Nag is comical. He enjoys telling Jokes about things they use to o. Clove also helps Ham with his parents. They eat dog biscuits and have sawdust in their cans to use the bathroom. Nag tells Nell a long Joke hoping to cheer her up but shes not enlightened by his humor. Unhappy and discouraged, they go back down into their cans. Ham comma nds Clove to push him around the room. As Clove does as he is told, the blind guy reaches out to touch the wall. Ham refers to the wall as the other hell. .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 , .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .postImageUrl , .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 , .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878:hover , .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878:visited , .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878:active { border:0!important; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 { 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; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878:active , .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .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; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878 .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7533bddd544c7683b6d1da32ebfcc878:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Role Century Poetry In Resisting 'Nationalism' EssayClove brings him back to the center of the room. Ham directs him to place him in the same exact spot in the center of the room. Ham asks Clove for the weather. Clove gets a microscope from the kitchen. He looks out the window and describes to Ham what he sees. Ham then ask Clove, We not beginning to mean something? Clove laughs it off. Ham then questions Clove about how he is feeling, and reminds him that he still has his eyes and legs to use. Clove seems bothered with the question Ham asks and threatens to leave. Ham recalls moments with Cloves father. Ham uses food and fear of what could happen if Clove decides to leave. Ham uses the fact that Clove has no place to go and no food to keep him as a revere to him but Clove wants nothing more than to leave. Ham requests for his dog so Clove goes into the kitchen and returned with a stuffed dog. They then discuss how Ham will know when Clove leaves. Clove thinks to set an alarm when he finally leaves. Moments after, Ham has Clove to wake up his Nag to tell him a story. He agrees to listen if he gives him a sugar plum. After he tells the story, he yells, there are no sugar plums. Nag remembers when little Ham and how he calls for him because hes scared of the dark. He then knocks on Knells can; when he did not get a respond, e went back down in his can. Clove cleans up the mess around the room. Ham ask, What are you doing? Clove yells, putting things in order! Ham commands Clove to check for his mother. Clove discovers that she is dead. His father cries quietly next to her. Ham shows no remorse. Ham demands him to push him to the window so he can feel the sunlight. Clove does as told and places him back in the same spot. As Clove take a look out the window he sees a young boy. Ham assures him that there is nothing but death outside. Clove goes into the kitchen and grabs a clock. First, he hangs it on the wall then he places it on top of the garbage can. Clove becomes irritated and threatens to leave. He packs his things and stands quietly at the steps. Ham calls for Clove but he does not answer. Good, he says. He calls out for his father but he does not answer either. He cleans his glasses and places the handkerchief over his face. He sits there quiet and alone. In the poem, London by Blake, the speaker talks about the event that takes place as he walk the streets of London. In the first stanza, Blake speaks about the people of London being sad and oppressed from the strict laws of London. The poet writes, l wander through each chartered street, near where the chartered Thames does flow, And mark in every face meet Marks of weakness, marks of woe (lines 1-4). He warns us that the streets and rivers are being controlled by a sovereign power. Every person he sees is in distress and weak among other sickness. In the second stanza, he describes the feelings of the people. He writes, In every cry of every man, in every infants cry of fear, in every voice, in every ban, the mind-forged manacles I hear (lines 5-8). He witnesses the cries of men and the fear of each child. Although they were banned from freedom to express themselves, he could still read their expressions as if it is written on their face. In the eighth line he uses mind-forged manacles to describe a people who are suffering and frightened and their feelings are imprisoned in their own mind. In the third stanza, he tells how some have become used to this way of life. .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f , .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .postImageUrl , .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f , .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f:hover , .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f:visited , .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f:active { border:0!important; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f { 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; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f:active , .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .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; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u314d168fd4a7cd07acd25dde19a2b48f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Beowulf is a story about a man named Beowulf who desired fame and fortune in life EssayHe writes, How the chimney-sweepers cry every blacking church appeals; and the hapless soldiers sigh runs in blood down palace walls (lines 9-12). He tells how the blood of soldiers who fought battles is poured down the walls of the palace. He is even appalled by the churches. In the final stanza, he tells of a curse placed on women. He writes, But most through midnight streets I hear how the youthful harlots curse blasts the new born infants tear, and blights with plagues the marriage hearse (lines 13-16). Theres a young girl who resorts to prostitution and wonders the street every nigh t. Some have been cursed. When the rich get married in a carriage, it will be cursed and her carriage might turn out to be a hearse. In conclusion, each author illustrates a familiar feeling of tragedy in three different ways. In London, Blake uses the word marks in the first stanza to mean the visible marks, the metaphorical scars, left by the controlling, oppressive system which is leaving the people of London vulnerable. Whereas in A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Marquee uses the angel-like man magical wings, which should lift him to great heights, become the very thing that keep him from even getting out of the mud.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Separate Peace Essays (2248 words) - Phillips Exeter Academy

Separate Peace In John Knowles book A Separate Peace he communicates how the war in him was taking its toll on him. He uses the characters in a complicated plot to show the destructive forces of war. The characters, Gene and Finny, are the opposing forces in a struggle between the reality of war (World War II) and a separate peace. A peace away from the real war and the awful things that come from it. Through their relationship, which is a struggle on both sides, Knowles establishes the reality of war through a relationship. Gene Forrestor is established as the force of reality. This idea is established clearly in a speech Gene gives as the narrator of the story. "Everyone has a moment in history which belongs particularly to him. It is the moment when his emotions achieve their most powerful sway over him, and afterward when you say to this person " the world today" or "life" or "reality" he will assume that you mean this moment, even if it is fifty years past. The world, through his unleashed emotions, imprinted itself upon him and he carries the stamp of that passing moment forever." (Knowles, 32) This statement explains that Gene must have something that is his "stamp". This stamp defines an individual standing up for something he believes in. The next paragraph shows that this is true where Gene continues, "For me, this moment-four years is a moment in history-war the war. The war was and is reality for me. I still live and think in its atmosphere." (Knowles, 32) Later in the same paragraph he goes on to say: "America is not, never has been, and never will be what the songs and poems call it, a land of plenty. Nylon, meat, gasoline, and steel are rare. There are too many jobs and not enough workers. Money is very easy to earn but rather hard to spend, because there isn't very much to buy. The war will always be fought very far away from America and it will never end. Nothing in America stands still for very long, including the people, who are always either leaving or on leave." (Knowles, 32) This is what Gene stands for in the book A Separate Peace. Gene appears to understand the reality of war and how it affects people. Throughout the entire story Gene is used to bring the destructive reality of war into everyday life at Devon High School where there is an attempt to create and exist in a separate peace. There is a reality known by Gene that is headed by Gene's best friend, Finny. Finny has his own reality that he creates and exists in is the separate peace spoken of earlier. Finny who is a very athletic person, begins to create this separate peace with games. Because Finny can't face the reality of the real war, these games are a representation of the war. Finny makes the rules so that he can exist in these games as an invincible force. The first game Finny invents is "The Super Suicide of the Summer Session." This game consists of jumping of the limb of a tree into the river by Devon. As the game is invented, both Finny and Gene, agree to start it by being the first ones to jump out of the tree into a river. One time Finny allows Gene to jump out first. This is the start of a separate peace. "We were standing on a limb, I a little farther out than Finny. I turned to say something else, some stalling remark, something to delay even a few seconds more, and then I realized that in turning I had begun to lose my balance... There was a moment of total, impersonal panic, and then Finny's hand shot out and grabbed my arm, and with my balance restored, the panic immediately disappeared." (Knowles, 24) In this instance Finny saves Gene from falling out of Finny's world and into Gene's reality. The idea of Gene understanding that this is Finny's world comes in chapter three. "Yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me. I wouldn't of been on that d#%* limb except for him. I wouldn't have turned around and so lost my balance, if he hadn't been there. I didn't need to fell any tremendous rush of gratitude toward Phineas."(Knowles, 25) This is when Gene knows he was out of his reality and into Finny's world, and Finny's world could