Online Shopping In India

Online Shopping In India Online shopping is the process of researching and purchasing products or services over the  Internet. The earliest online stores went into business in 1992, and online  retailing  took over a significant segment of the retail market during the first decade of the twenty-first century, as ownership of personal computers increased and established retailers began to offer their products over the Internet.   Consumers across the globe are increasingly swapping crowded stores for one-click convenience, as online shopping becomes a safe and popular option. Online shopping has some advantages over shopping in retail stores, including the ability to easily compare prices from a range of merchants, access to a wide selection of merchandise, being open 24*7 and the convenience of not having to drive to a physical store. But despite that the online shopping cannot replace the experience of shopping in a retail store or the entertainment value of going to a mall or market. A customer who knows exactly what he or she wants can look it up online, read and compare the information, and purchase from the site that offers the best price or service. But a shopper who is uncertain what to look for, or who just enjoys browsing through items on display, will prefer a retail store where the merchandise can be seen, handled and sample. The dà ©cor, music and arrangement of goods in a retail store creates a multi-dimensional shopping environment that cannot be duplicated online. For many people, going shopping at a mall, department store or market is a form of entertainment and a social experience. Many people who are currently unfamiliar with computers and do not feel comfortable using the Internet to shop are not likely to change their habits.   The Future growth will come through improvements to the shopping process on existing Web sites; the implementation of more online shopping sites by existing retailers; the coming of age of a younger, more technology-oriented generation; and the introduction of novel goods, services and online shopping experiences. The growth of online shopping in developing nations like India will occur as more people acquire personal computers and credit cards. Global Arena Online shopping, or the use of the Internet to gather information on products and services, has already shown significant growth globally. The Nielsen survey, the largest survey of its kind on the topic of  Internet shopping  habits, was conducted from October to November 2007 and polled 26,312 Internet users in 48 markets from Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East. When The Nielsen Company conducted its first survey into online shopping habits two years ago, only 10 percent of the worlds online population (627 million) had made a purchase over the Internet. Within two years, this number has surged by approximately 40 percent to a staggering 875 million. The burgeoning popularity of online shopping is a truly global phenomenon. Online shoppers can be found scattered across the globe, but the worlds most avid Internet shoppers hail from South Korea 99 percent of Internet users in South Korea have shopped online. German, UK and Japanese consumers come in a close second. US consumers are slightly more recalcitrant, clocking in at number eight. Indian Scenario While the Internet and the World Wide Web are continuing to expand at a rapid pace, the development of electronic commerce has been slower. Surveys indicate many Indian Internet users employ the developing interactive medium to shop or browse for information on products and services, but a far smaller percentage has actually made purchases online. The number of people and hosts connected to the net has increased worldwide. In India too, Internet penetration has became more widespread. Online shopping though a small proportion of the Internet activity is believed to increase in the coming years. Some of the prominent factors leading the change are greater Internet penetration, fall in prices of hardware, fall in the price of Internet communication, development of better and more reliable technologies, and increased awareness among the users. Some of the various ways in which online marketing is done in India are company websites, shopping portals, online auction sites, etc. E-commerce may not have taken off in India the way it should have, yet prospects are bright. India is expected to be the third largest Internet market in the world in the next five years (Source Ac Nielson). The advantages are there for both buyers and sellers and this win-win situation is at the core of its phenomenal rise, as it is believed that e-commerce transactions will represent the largest revenue earner especially in the business to consumer (B2C) segment in India. Indian customers are increasingly getting comfortable with online shopping, and there is a higher acceptability for the concept. India has 25 million Internet users and more is now turning to online shopping. There has been an influx of online shopping sites in India with many companies hitching onto the Internet bandwagon. The revenues from online shopping are expected to increase tremendously. According to IAMAI, the average number of transactions per month in India has gone up from 2 lakh in 2003-04 to 4.4 lakh in 2004-05 and has doubled to 7.95 lakh transactions per month in the year 2005-06. The online sales during the festival season had increased rapidly especially during Diwali and Ramzan which recorded a sales of Rs115 crore, a 117 per cent increase from the Rs53 crore in the year 2004-05 (source IAMAI). These figures clearly show that online shopping has truly come of age and consumers are keen to shop on the net. Effective customer communication on products plus reduced shipping costs and timely delivery has helped online marketers to seize a slice of the Rs 115 crore sales. Though a miniscule amount in the global context, the Indian online shoppers population would make its presence felt quite remarkably. The potential of the Indian e-market can be gauged from the fact that 16 percent of Indian consumers want to buy online in the next six months, making it the th ird most online-potential country after Korea (28 percent) and Australia (26 percent) (Source:IMRB). This is an indication of a growing breed of Indian consumers who are not only better equipped but also more confident of the online transactions. LITERATURE REVIEW The consumers attitude towards online shopping is known as one of the main factors that affects e-shopping potential (Michieal, 1998). Though attitudinal issues are thought to play a significant role in e-commerce adoption, however social-demographic variables such as the gender, income, age, and nation also affect customers in purchasing. In a study of customer satisfaction and repurchase behavior, Mittal, Kamakura Wagner (2001) divided consumer characteristics into six social-demographic variables. They were gender, age, educational background, marital status, children, and living area. A review of empirical studies in this area shows several things. Many studies have found that typical online buyers have used the Web for several years, and because of their familiarity, they searched online for product information and purchase options (Bellmanet al., 1999). There was also evidence that the Internet shopper was convenience-oriented (Donthu Garcia, 1999; Korgaonkar Wolin, 1999), innovative and variety-seeking (Donthu Garcia, 1999). He or she did not appear to be brand-or price-sensitive (Donthu Garcia, 1999). From a consumers viewpoint, Yao (1998) who researched the purchase behavior of online shopping in demographic variables and behavior variables angle, found that different age groups affected customers product choice in price. Sheth (1983) considered that consumers purchase preference would affect their intention. Considering that Internet shopping, is still not at the mature stage of development, not too much is known about consumers attitudes towards adopting this new shopping channel and factors that influence their attitude toward (Haque et al., 2006). That means that, through motivation and perception, attitudes are formed and consumers make decisions. Thus, attitudes directly influence decision making (Haque et al.,2006). Attitudes serve as the bridge between consumers background characteristics and the consumption that satisfies their needs (Armstrong and Kotler, 2000; Shwu-Ing, 2003). Because attitudes are difficult to change, to understand consumers attitudes toward online shopping, can help marketing managers predict the online shopping intention and evaluate the future growth of online commerce. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research study is to investigate online Indian consumer behaviour, which in turn will provide E-marketers with a constructional framework for fine-tuning their online strategies. The objectives of this research are: To study the attitudes and behaviour of Indian consumer regarding online shopping. To evaluate the contribution of online shopping in India. To understand the issues and challenges of online shopping in India. To analyze if the Indian online buying behavior is affected by demographics, cultural and social characteristics. To identify factors which determine online shopping. To examine the satisfaction level of online purchases of Indian consumers. To investigate the future and growth of Online Shopping in India. HYPOTHESIS: Keeping in mind the above objectives and in order to address the problem in the most effective manner the following hypotheses have been formulated: There is no significant difference between the frequency of online buying among male females Indian consumers. There is no significant difference between the Indian consumers educational background and their online purchase intention. There is no significant difference between the income of regular online shopper and occasional online buyer. There is no significant difference between the convenience orientation of consumers who make frequent online purchases or those who purchase occasionally. There is no significant difference in the dominance of usage of shopping online between the Generation Y shoppers (those born after 1977) and other online buyers, that is, people over 45 years of age. RESEARCH METHODOLGY: The general purpose of the study is to conduct a descriptive research on the customer attitudes and behaviors for online shopping in Indian setting. To this end exploratory or qualitative research tool would be used, which can help better understand and gain data that, shows how consumers make online shopping. Sampling designs chosen for use in this research is non-probability judgment sampling. A non-probability sample group would be used and the surveys would be mailed and distributed among the Internet users chosen. As discuss by Cavana et al.(2001), when time or other factors become critical, non-probability sampling is generally used. By using this sampling design, no probabilities are attached to the elements in the population under research. However this research may able to collect preliminary information in a quick and inexpensive way. In judgment sampling, the researcher uses his/her judgment in selecting information rich units from the population for study based on the populations parameters to answer the research question. Five hundred surveys would be conducted because it is considered to be a large sample size to se rve the purpose of the research. A combination of primary and secondary research techniques would be used to collect the data to meet the objectives. The primary research would be conducted across Delhi through structured consumer survey questionnaires administered among all the people who use Internet through judgmental sampling. Any person who meets the criteria would be a potential sample unit for the survey. According to Sekaran (2003), surveys type is a useful and powerful method in finding answers to consumer behaviors research. To carry out the research, the questionnaire consists of a combination of several types of questions. Also the researcher will seek to review related literatures of consumer behavior on online shopping. After data collection the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) would be used for data analysis. Various tests would also be conducted like T Test, Z Test, Factor Analysis. These methods would help to reach an answer and come up with results to prove the findings. SCOPE: Today Internet is not only a networking media, but also as a means of transaction for consumers at global market. Internet usage has grown rapidly over the past years and it has become common means for delivering and trading information, services and goods (Albarq, 2006). Since online shopping is growing tremendously in the current business scenario it is imperative to study how consumers make purchase decisions on the Internet. With the advent of Internet shopping, consumers are faced with an overwhelming amount of product offerings, and consequently have a greater degree of freedom to choose among many different alternatives. Internet shopping carries a number of different characteristics than traditional shopping methods. In India the Internet has taken root and grown along many fronts in the past decade. The research assumes significance since marketers have endeavored to cater to this growing segment of consumers. Research undertaken within India on the profile of Internet shoppers is piecemeal and incomplete. This empirical research intends to explore into this issue, this study among the Internet users will help marketers to plan highly focused online campaigns in the future. PROPOSED CHAPTERIZATION: Keeping in mind the objective of the research, In this research proposal, the background, context and theme of the study would be presented first; then the objectives of the study and the research statements would be formulated. Here, vital concepts, questions and assumptions shall be stated. Finally, the scope and limitation of the study, methodology to be used and the significance of the research will be discussed in detail.    So, proposed table of contents for the research are as follows Acknowledgement Executive Summary Table Of Contents List Of Tables List Of Figures Chapter 1 Introduction In this chapter the background to the research area is presented. This presentation leads to a discussion of the issues within the research area which further leads to the formulation of a research question. This research question will be answered later in this thesis. The purpose of this thesis is also presented. Chapter 2 Literature Review This chapter includes a review of relevant and supporting theories for this research. They begin with broader theories of segmentation and online buying behaviour before two models relevant to the empirical study is presented. Chapter 3 Research Methodology The means that were used to conduct this research will be presented in this chapter. This includes the methodological approach, the research strategy, method of data collection, the sample and quality standards. The methodology is chosen to fulfil the purpose and aim of this thesis. Chapter 4 Analysis Findings The results of the empirical study will be presented in this chapter. The empirical findings will assist in the analysis of results presented in chapter five. The extent by which data analysis done would depend on the amount and quality of data collected through primary and secondary research. Principle objective in such a process of data analysis would be the use of statistical tools wherever required which could include the use of worksheets in excel. This would involve extensive discussion with industry representatives to get an accurate and valuable opinion. Based on the analysis suitable analysis and recommendations would be fixed. Chapter 5 Conclusion The conclusion answers the research question and presents implications for marketers. It answers whether the purpose of the research has been achieved. Chapter 6 Recommendations And Limitations In this chapter the limitations of this research is presented as well as recommendations for future research in online communities References This research has referenced the following reputable sources Literature, Journals, Articles, and Websites Appendices

A Comparison of Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur as Heroes :: comparison compare contrast essays

Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur - Three Heroes The three heroes discussed here, Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur, are heroes for different reasons. Beowulf, our earliest hero, is brave but his motivation is different than then other two. To Sir Gawain personal honor and valor is what is important. King Arthur, Sir Gawain's uncle, is naturally the quintessential king of the medieval period. Though all men to a certain extent share the same qualities, some are more pronounced than in the others. It is important to see how these qualities are central to their respective stories and how it helps (or hinders) them in their journeys. The greatest value of Beowulf is his bravery, some may say bravado. There is no doubt that he is a great warrior. Beowulf's heroism belongs to a different time than that of King Arthur or Sir Gawain. For that reason his bragging about his prowess might seem decidedly unheroic. When he tells Unferth "I count it true that I had more courage, More strength in swimming than any other man" (514-15 (41) it might be interpreted in a poor way. What he is saying though is true. In addition, in order for him to succeed he must orally deliver his resume. Nevertheless, bragging aside, Beowulf is undoubtedly a brave man. When Beowulf sets out to kill Grendel's mother he simply "donned his armor for battle, Heeded not the danger..." (1328-29 60). When his sword fails him he uses his physical strength: "On the might of his hand, as a man must do Who thinks to win in the welter of battle Enduring glory; he fears not death" (1420-23 62). Certainly he is in search of fame. Though this is true it must not discount his brave actions. He gains his fame truthfully by doing battle with menaces to society. He does not lie or manipulate to achieve fame, he uses what is rightfully his, his bravery. Beowulf's bravery differs from that of King Arthur's for several reasons. King Arthur by being king must be brave, to rule the state people must respect him. Beowulf's bravery carries the story. One because it details his ascension in fame and secondly it also outlines his downfall. The honor of Sir Gawain is his best value, though he suffered a set-back. His honor is the catalyst for what happens through the rest of the poem.

A Movie Review on “El Presidente” Essay

E. Own Synopsis The story is told in flashbacks as Emilio Aguinaldo thanks the US government for giving him the opportunity to attend the full restoration of Philippine independence on July 4, 1946. The film begins with his capture by Philippine and US forces under Frederick Funston’s command in 1901, then flashes back to 1886, when an old woman gives Aguinaldo and childhood friend Candido Tirona cryptic prophecies. Ten years later, Aguinaldo is inducted into the Katipunan and later assumes leadership of its Cavite chapter while becoming mayor of Cavite El Viejo. When trouble breaks out in Manila in late August 1896, Aguinaldo tries to assure the Spanish provincial government of non-interference and covertly marshals his forces despite a lack of weapons. Learning that the Spanish mostly put their forces in Manila, Aguinaldo finally mobilizes his troops and take the fight to Spanish troops in Cavite. As the rebels gain ground in Cavite and several provinces, its Magdalo and Magdiwang factions convene to elect a provisional government. Andres Bonifacio oversees the Tejeros Convention, which elects Aguinaldo as president, Mariano Trias as vice-president, and himself as interior minister. He storms out of the convention when Daniel Tirona objects to his election. Aguinaldo’s brother Crispulo informs him of his accession and convinces him to leave his troops just as he was seeking to defend against the Spaniards at Pasong Santol. The rebels are defeated and Crispulo is killed. Meanwhile, an embittered Bonifacio establishes his own revolutionary government and is later arrested. Aguinaldo is concerned about Bonifacio’s actions and wanted him exiled, but the War Council advises his execution. Several months later, Aguinaldo leaves Cavite with most of his forces intact and makes it to Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan, where he signs the Pact of Biak-na-Bato and heads for Hong Kong. There he meets with US officials who approach him with offers of support and recognition of a new Philippine Republic amidst the Spanish-American War. Aguinaldo returns to the Philippines and formally declares independence from Spain. As the Malolos Congress convenes, Felipe Agoncillo tries to represent the new nation at the Treaty of Paris negotiations, but gets stonewalled at every turn even as US forces gradually arrive in the Philippines. The Philippine-American War breaks out in February 1899 and Antonio Luna is appointed commander of all Filipino troops. He is assassinated three months later and the Filipino troops are gradually routed by the Americans. As a result, Aguinaldo’s forces travel all over northern Luzon to escape the Americans. General Gregorio del Pilar volunteers to lead some troops in holding them off at Tirad Pass and buy Aguinaldo time to get away. His loyal courier is later captured by the Americans while getting some medicine for his son. Now aware of Aguinaldo’s hideout, Funston plans his capture. Having been made to accept US rule over the Philippines, Aguinaldo lives a quiet life, which is marred by Hilaria’s passing in 1921. He meets and marries Felipe Agoncillo’s niece Maria in 1930. Over the next few decades, the couple witness Philippine history unfold once more as he is defeated in the 1935 presidential elections, Japanese occupation and the restoration of full independence. In 1962, an elderly Aguinaldo and his wife comfort each other over President Diosdado Macapagal’s decree to restore the actual date of the Philippine declaration of independence. In his final hours, the same woman who gave him his prophecy appears to him one more time. F. Criticize on the following I. Story and Theme El Presidente is a Historical Film wherein the life of Emilio Aguinaldo is portrayed from the Spanish Era, until the Philippine Independence. II. Screenplay The screenwriters inserted some Spanish Dialogues, English, and Filipino in the script. And I was discontented with the screenplay itself. I didn’t like the dialogues especially when Baron Geisler who portrayed as a Spanish official talked to Emilio Aguinaldo in Spanish saying that he doesn’t understand Filipino, but then all of a sudden he understood it. That is just an example of the lack of continuity of the script. III. Direction The Director in this movie did a decent job of portraying the life of Emilio Aguinaldo. I said decent because I was quite disappointed with the way the movie played out. I expected so much from this movie, but in every scene, I don’t know if the director overlooked it, but I really am discontented with every scenes. IV. Cinematography The Cinematography was good in terms of portraying the proper scenes though in the fight scenes, the cinematography was quite lacking for the actors weren’t shown in many different angles. V. Editing The editing from the start is quite good but I didn’t like the editing on the war scenes. I didn’t like the editing because you can see that some of the fight scene was either fast-forward or in slow motion. With that in mind, the fight scene was discontented for me because the feeling of intensity in a fight scene isn’t quite felt by me. VI. Acting From the casting, to the acting, to the costume, I didn’t like it. Bayani Agbayani and Bearwin Meily are good comedians for me. But here in this movie where it is sort of historical and more on drama, they didn’t fit the roles and also there are also some cast in which I didn’t like. I also didn’t like the costume of some artist, especially the fake moustache of some of the actors. I also didn’t like the acting of Jorge Estregan as Emilio Aguinaldo because he seems to be lacking in facial expression and at some point too melodramatic. VII. Dialogues The dialogues were good but they could still improve. The consistency of the dialogues form Spanish to Filipino were lacking just like my statement on the Screenplay. VIII. Soundtrack The soundtrack of El Presidente is no doubt entertaining and good that is why it won some of the awards in terms of theme song. IX. Visual Effects We liked the visual effects of the movie because it’s simple and realistic X. Costume and make-up The costume seems to be good for it portrays the historical background of our country. G. Additional notes to consider i. Interesting Facts about the making of the film * Judy Ann Santos was initially offered to play Hilaria Del Rosario. She refused to accept the movie saying she can’t relate to the character because she doesn’t know Hilaria personally. * Tikoy Aguiluz backed out of directing this film after a misunderstanding with Jorge Estregan over Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story. ii. Budget and box-office performance Box office: P872,972 (partial Manila) iii. Awards and honors * Youth Choice Award: â€Å"El Presidente† * Best Sound: Michael Idioma, â€Å"El Presidente† * Best Musical Score: Jessie Lazatin, â€Å"El Presidente† * Best Theme Song: apl.de.ap and Jamir Garcia, â€Å"El Presidente† * Best Make-up: Warren Munar, â€Å"El Presidente† by Warren Munar and company. * Best Supporting Actor: Cesar Montano, â€Å"El Presidente† * 2nd Best Picture: â€Å"El Presidente† iv. Social, political, and/or historical context for the film The movie is partly based on Aguinaldo’s Memoirs of the Revolution. Writer-director Mark Meily states that the project had its genesis back in 1998. Over the intervening years, careful research was made in order to accurately portray Aguinaldo’s life, especially facts that have been glossed over in history books. These include his conduct over the trial of the Bonifacio brothers and his other actions during the Revolution. Meily himself was brought into the project as director after Ejercito pledged never to work with original director Tikoy Aguiluz because of their rift over editing Manila Kingpin. Shooting took place over 43 days at select locations in Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan, with the Las Casas Filipinas de Azucar in Bataan substituting for urban scenes v. What others have said about the film * The Philippines’ Cinema Evaluation Board graded the film at A. * Phillip Cu-Unjieng of the Philippine Star said it â€Å"vividly recaptures† one of the Philippines’ most turbulent periods in history by exposing the infighting among the Katipunan’s members and how Aguinaldo wanted to resolve them. He noted that the film’s quality makes it almost stand out as much as Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, and Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator. * Philibert Ortiz-Dy said making the film was tricky, but dragged towards the end. * The movie garnered most of the awards at the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival, winning the plums for Second Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Cesar Montano), Youth Choice Award, Best Float, Best Sound, Best Musical Score, and Best Make-up. * Columnist and radio show host Jessica Zafra, however, was critical of the movie’s treatment. She said the depiction of Bonifacio’s death raised questions about its authenticity. She added that the film itself â€Å"does Emilio Aguinaldo a disservice by portraying him as a victim of circumstance† and even highlighted the â€Å"amnesia† prevalent among contemporary Filipinos. H. Values and Relevance The film was more of a historical appreciation of our previous heroes. The film taught us that our Filipino heroes fought for our freedom therefore we should cherish it. I. Over-all analysis Over-all the film is good for it depicts the life of our national heroes. Though the film seems to be a bias on the part of Emilio Aguinaldo because the death of Andres Bonifacio and Antonio Luna were different on the history books. From the acting to everything, it is a good film but it can still improve by so much.

Free Essays on Prohibition In The Roaring 20’s

When you think of the roaring 20’s, you think about people having a good time and partying, but most often people don’t think about what was going on behind that. Prohibition was started in 1920’s and was named â€Å"the noble experiment†. Though it was a failure, it was meant for good. They thought the banning of alcohol would reduce crime rates and improve health, among other things. It was such a big failure in fact, it raised the amount of alcohol people drank in the end. It also led many drinkers to start on other drugs such as opium, marijuana, cocaine and other harmful substances. It was not very likely that they would have used these drugs if Prohibition had never occurred. It makes you think how different things would be if Prohibition never became a law. Would the use of drugs be as prevalent as it is today? This was truly an age of downfall for all of America. It is so hard to tell whether prohibition was a good thing or a bad law to pass, but either way people found a way to get around it. It all started because the people who originally started prohibition found the drinking behavior of Americans to be a problem. They didn’t want it to spread all around and grow with the immigration of Europe. With good intentions, they believed banning alcohol would make better workers and in the end, more productivity. They also believed it would decrease violence. So on January 12, 1920 America went dry officially. In the next twelve years, complete corruption, violence, and other scandals occurred. You would think after this alcohol would be very hard to get, but it was just the opposite. It became much easier to get alcohol then ever because so many people made a profit bootlegging. Alcohol was such an easy thing to come by, and believe it or not, during prohibition it was much easier to get. Since this law wasn’t enforced as much as it should have been, crime grew even larger. People were willing to ... Free Essays on Prohibition In The Roaring 20’s Free Essays on Prohibition In The Roaring 20’s When you think of the roaring 20’s, you think about people having a good time and partying, but most often people don’t think about what was going on behind that. Prohibition was started in 1920’s and was named â€Å"the noble experiment†. Though it was a failure, it was meant for good. They thought the banning of alcohol would reduce crime rates and improve health, among other things. It was such a big failure in fact, it raised the amount of alcohol people drank in the end. It also led many drinkers to start on other drugs such as opium, marijuana, cocaine and other harmful substances. It was not very likely that they would have used these drugs if Prohibition had never occurred. It makes you think how different things would be if Prohibition never became a law. Would the use of drugs be as prevalent as it is today? This was truly an age of downfall for all of America. It is so hard to tell whether prohibition was a good thing or a bad law to pass, but either way people found a way to get around it. It all started because the people who originally started prohibition found the drinking behavior of Americans to be a problem. They didn’t want it to spread all around and grow with the immigration of Europe. With good intentions, they believed banning alcohol would make better workers and in the end, more productivity. They also believed it would decrease violence. So on January 12, 1920 America went dry officially. In the next twelve years, complete corruption, violence, and other scandals occurred. You would think after this alcohol would be very hard to get, but it was just the opposite. It became much easier to get alcohol then ever because so many people made a profit bootlegging. Alcohol was such an easy thing to come by, and believe it or not, during prohibition it was much easier to get. Since this law wasn’t enforced as much as it should have been, crime grew even larger. People were willing to ...

A ROSE FOR EMILY Essays - Fiction, A Rose For Emily, Free Essays

A ROSE FOR EMILY Essays - Fiction, A Rose For Emily, Free Essays A ROSE FOR EMILY A Rose for Emily takes place after the Civil War and into the 1900?s in the town of Jefferson, Mississippi?a town very similar to the one in which William Faulkner spent most of his life. It is a story of the conflict between the old and the new South, the past and the present?with Emily and the things around her steadfastly representing the dying old traditions and the present expressed mostly through the words of the narrator but also through Homer Barron and the new board of aldermen. The issue of racism also runs throughout the story. In part I, Faulkner refers to Emily as a "fallen monument", a monument to the southern gentility that existed before the Civil War. Her house is described as having once been white?the color of youth, innocence and purity, and also of the white society?but decayed now and smelling of dust and disuse. It stands between the cotton wagons (the past) and the gasoline pumps (the present)an "eyesore among eyesores". Emily comes from an upper class family and grew up privileged and protected by her father. An agreement between her father and Colonel Sartoris?a character we assume was a veteran of the Civil War and who also represented the old South with his edict that no Negro woman should appear on the streets without an apronexempted her from paying taxes. The authorities decide to pay Emily a visit to try to collect the taxes due the town. When we are introduced to Emily, she is described as being in black?the color of death?and her eyes are lifeless?"two small pieces! of coal". The description of Emily is not unlike that of her house, and I thought of a corpse when reading that "she looked bloated, like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue."the dying old traditions. The tarnished gold head on her black cane is the one reminder of her affluent, upper class position of years ago. And the invisible watch hanging from her neck but hidden under her belt is symbolic of her living in the pasttime at a standstill in the Grierson house. When asked if she got the tax notice from the sheriff, Emily claims she has no taxes to pay and refers them to Colonel Sartoris who has been dead for ten yearsanother indication of Emily?s living in the past. Referring to the sheriff, she says, "Perhaps he considers himself the sheriff?I have no taxes in Jefferson." This implies that Emily still considers herself superior to the rest of the town. Emily has difficulty accepting the death of her father, and she hangs onto him and the past for three days after he dies until she finally allows the body to be taken away for burial. Her father had overprotected her throughout her life, chasing suitors away because they weren?t good enough for her. And when her sweetheart deserts her, she becomes a virtual recluse. The "only sign of life" is the young Negro servant who gardens and cooks for her. In fact, it is apparent that Emily would have died years earlier if he had not taken care of her. To me, Faulkner is suggesting that the South will die, or certainly not progress, unless its culture changes and it accepts the Negro as a vital part of society. I wonder if the smell of Homer?s rotting corpse represents racial prejudice: the 80 year old mayor refuses to directly confront Emily about the odor?just as he would not deal with the immorality of racial repressionand after several complaints, four aldermen take it up! on themselves to do something about it. Three of them are "graybeards" representing the old South; one of them is a "younger man, a member of the rising generation". I think the three older men helped to find the source of the stench, but they didn?t really do anything to stop it?I believe it is the young alderman who spreads the lime in a "sowing motion" in an effort to get rid of the smell?the lime perhaps representing tolerance. After her father dies, Emily disappears within the house for some time; but when a construction company comes into Jefferson to pave the

Debate the pro' and cons of death penalty Essay

Debate the pro' and cons of death penalty - Essay Example Usage of powerful killing drugs has been now put to use for the extermination of criminals sentenced to capital punishment. There was a time when this noble profession of medicine was used only for the purpose to serve mankind and heal. But now it has taken a new turn and physicians are being turned into executioners with the different techniques evolving for capital punishment. There has been an instant where there has been an excellent example given, the case of the Abu Ghuraib who was the alleged man behind the 9/11 attacks being held prisoner in Guantanamo bay prison where he was tortured by physicians and also that physicians are used for torture prisoners often. Dr. David Waisel, a physician participation in capital punishment proceeding (Mayo Clin Proc.2007; 82(9): 1073-1080), described this in terms of saying that what physicians consider dehumanizing the condemned through torture during execution process. They dehumanize themselves and grow numb to the idea of death and kill ing. John Bright (1811-1899), a British Quaker and member of Parliament, put it thus in 1868 "that it is actually the law of capital punishment tends to destroy the fact that reverence for life finishes". There was thing heading under which the basic idea strewn together was that United States does not permit execution of children. Here the idea that is being projected was that United States has allowed the execution of children. In the biological sense, teenagers are considered as children but the law states that children above the age of 14 are considered as adolescents and are vulnerable to commit capital offense therefore they are also candidates who, if commit crime can be taken care off using capital punishment which the adults get. Considering another heading which state that the barbarism is being disguised as an act of benevolence referring to the physicians being involved and taking up the role of that their respective field doesn't allow. It also discusses the idea that this capital punishment which has now been slowly converting physicians to mere executioners by making them to take potent medicines. A medicine which was at one time meant to cure people is now being used against them. This whole act by physicians is called barbaric and also that this mal practice of medicine is considered to be hypocritical to the oath of medicine and physicians. Saving lives isn't the deed but taking has been nowadays. Instead of easing pain the condemned go through torture and succumb to the ultimate, death. Here Dr David Waisel argues, as to why not make death easier for the condemned using medicine and not increase sufferings. It's the final act of benevolence that could be acted out even if it for the sinner. Article 2 Cathleen Kaveny (2008). Justice or Vengeance: IS THE DEATH PENALTY CRUEL & UNUSUAL February 15, 2008. Commonweal. In this article the author throws light on the very delicate issue of taking the decision as to what lengths should a capital punishment or death penalties go and yet not touch the boundaries of

Shopping is a complex and contradictory activity which cannot be Essay

Shopping is a complex and contradictory activity which cannot be reduced simply to the act of buying goods or services - Essay Example Shopping on the other hand is a term which is often used in a recreational context , as in : "it's a pleasant afternoon, why don't we go shopping". Shopping necessarily does not mean purchasing objects of requirements; rather, it pertains to purchasing objects of desire and interest. Shopping is an integral part of every vacation, celebration and for most people, even part of their free time. Shopping in these contexts is classified under leisure activities. In most cases shopping is a harmless and sometimes a relaxing activity but on the other hand it is not uncommon to see "pathological shoppers" who tend to go over the top with their buying spree irrespective of requirement, available finances and affordability. Shopping has a dark side too, just like all other leisure activities when done in excess. In some cases, uncontrolled habits may transform into mental disorders and even dependency which eventually require psychological intervention. Compulsive shoppers may feel a false and temporary phase of happiness just by attaining ownership of a particular object but most often than not, this phase is followed by regret and remorse over monetary wastage. For the typical shopper, that Tracy Reese dress or Prada bag may just be a piece of merchandise but for a shopaholic it is medication. Women often joke about "retail therapy." But that laughter may actually be a disguise to veil depression, loneliness or boredom. Shopping is an easy way to numb ourselves or boost our self-esteem, even if relief only lasts until buyer's remorse sets in. Shopaholics try to fill in their emptiness with "stuff" they might not even need. That void, in reality, may be from years of emotional or spiritual deprivation: fear that there's never enough, whether its money, material objects, recognition or love. Retail therapy is shopping with the primary purpose of uplifting the buyers' mood or disposition (Oxford Dictionary). It is a short lived habit and is often seen in people during periods of depression or transition. Items purchased during periods of retail therapy are called "comfort buys". Retail therapy was first used as a term in the 1980's: "we have become a nation measuring out our lives in shopping bags and nursing our psychic ills through retail therapy" (Chicago Tribune, 1986). In a study by European Union revealed that 33 percent of shoppers surveyed had "high level of addiction to rash or unnecessary consumption" (Observer, 2001) which eventually ran them into debts. Melbourne University researchers have coined a term "oniomania" to this psychological disorder, also known as compulsive shopping disorder. For a generation, 'retail therapy' has been the ultimate source of salvation from the stresses of modern living. But a major new study now suggests that for millions of people, binge shopping is no longer an emotional cure, rather it may make an individual feel worse. Retail therapy is actually an expensive way of distracting oneself from life's problems which one would eventually have to face and solve anyway! In short, it is a method of escapism. The pleasure is short lived and shallow in nature. Materialistic belongings can never bring peace and true happiness. Moreover, the sense of ownership imparts a false sense of pride which can be addictive as well as