Underlying Messges in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s My Kinsman,...

A lot of the time when we look at the writers that wrote specifically during the romanticism era we see it vital to figure out the significant, every so often underlining, messages that an author may be trying to convey through their plot, character arrangement or even the scenes that the characters find themselves in. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s My Kinsman, Major Molineux, is a great example of how an author tells more about the world around themselves through the stories they write. In this short story we are introduced to a young boy, Robin, who is in search of an older gentleman, Major Molineux, which he feels a strong connection to and is determined to find. From a literal perspective one could see this short story for exactly what is†¦show more content†¦By thinking so fondly of them he begins to miss his father even more. He now enters a dream like trance where he focuses on his family. Robin breaks the trance when he encounters a gentleman who comes off as an intell igent and well-mannered man. Here, through Robin’s dialogue with the man, we get a deeper look into the relationship between Robin and Major Molineux. Robin elucidates to the man that his father was once a clergyman while his brother and Robin’s uncle, Major Molineux had inherited riches of the family. He goes on to tell the man that his uncle did not have any children of his own. Robin tells the man that Major Molineux showed an interest in him and because his older brother was to inherit the farm that his father would leave behind, he was the one that was supposed to receive his uncle’s wealth and generosity. As they sit, they hear a crowd of people approaching. As they approach their grumblings grow louder and louder. When the crowd comes nearer, the street is filled with people. Robin recognizes the leaders of this crowd as the very man who had insulted and threatened him in the inn and given him advice to wait by the church because the Major would come by t here. Robin recognizes that in the center of the crowd Major Molineux was standing there tarred and feathered. When Robin and his uncle’s eyes meet he finally sees the truth about his uncle. Nathaniel Hawthorne does a tremendous job of showing a sense of coming of age and the destruction of

SWOT Analysis of Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc Free Essays

ABSTRACT This is an in-depth analysis on market capitalization of Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc., a global hotels company ranked at position 72 in the FTSE 100 index at the close of business on March 2nd 2012. It is a comprehensive analysis of its strengths and weaknesses in strategy and operations, threats in its business environment, current and future opportunities for growth both financially and in its market. We will write a custom essay sample on SWOT Analysis of Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc or any similar topic only for you Order Now INTRODUCTION Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc. (IHG) is a global hotels company headquartered in Denham, United Kingdom (Datamonitor 2007). It is involved in ownership, management, leasing or franchising hotels and resorts, through subsidiaries around the world with 4,480 hotels in about 100 countries and territories (Datamonitor 2007). Its brands include Crowne plaza, Holiday Inn, InterContinental and Staybridge Suites. Listed at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) with a secondary listing at the New York Stock Exchange (NSE), IHG is ranked 72nd in the FTSE 100 index with a market capitalization of ?3.4bn at the end of 2011 (FTSE index report 2012). The company operates a diverse portfolio of brands across multiple economic segments which cater for multiple price segments from the upper upscale (5-star) segment focusing on the international business traveler, to the upscale (4-star) segment catering both to the business traveler and the leisure traveler down to the midscale (3-star) targeting both domestic business and leisure travelers (Annual report 2010). It makes most of its money from royalty fees of franchises and management fees from the hotels it manages. IHG provides expertise in hotel management, systems, and marketing leaving investment in property to its partners as it is far more capital intensive. This â€Å"asset-light† operating structure enables the Group to commit less of its capital in development and maintenance its hotels. It only owns a small number of hotels it deems important strategically to its brands. A major strength for IHG is its preferred brands with its vast portfolio commanding leadership in their market segments (Annual report 2010). Quality service from these brands strengthen the market position of IHG giving it its competitive edge as it seeks to take advantage of increasing business and leisure travel globally. The group is also keen to grow new innovative brands that meet the unique experiences guests desire. It has newly launched the EVEN hotels brand, the first mainstream hotel focusing on wellness keen to take advantage of the growth in the wellness sector globally (IHG 2011). This brand fulfills a demand for healthier travel by uniquely providing solutions for all aspects of traveler’s wellness needs in the areas of exercise, food, work and rest. Additionally, its re-launch of its Holiday Inn brand focused on quality and consistency for a better customer experience shows the company’s focus to improving its brands. With these, IHG is positioning itself to benefit from enhanced customer numbers and their demand for specialty services. IHG’s diversified geographical presence reduces risks associated with operating in a particular region due to adverse geo-political, economic conditions as well as demand fluctuations. The Group is taking advantage of potential growth opportunities that other regions offer and is investing in expansion in these emerging markets such as China. Growth in these new markets counters slump in traditional markets such as the Euro zone which is experiencing economic and political challenges affecting travel. Furthermore, presence in far-flung areas of its tourist resorts and getaways also differentiates it from its competitors who mainly focus on major cities. This gives the company an additional revenue stream with more to offer to the customer in terms of diverse locations and experiences. The Group’s global systems and scale is also its strength with it commanding leadership positions in 13 of the top 20 markets around the world accounting for over 80% of global lodging spend (IHG 2011). Its hotels are strategically positioned to benefit from the market segments and nature of travel in the regions. For instance, the segment in the US with the greatest share is the midscale and IHG’s Holiday Inn brand family is the largest in this segment. The company is seeking to enhance its presence with more rooms in more locations through its pipeline with franchise agreements and signing of additional rooms (hotels) to the group’s portfolio (IHG 2011). The Group also boasts of an innovative web and mobile presence mainly focused on online reservations. Its reservation system consists of 11 global call centers and several local language websites making it the most active on the web in the industry and strategically positioning it to benefit from an increase in online reservations (Annual reports 2010). This channel delivered 19% of rooms revenue through IHG’s direct websites in 2011. Also of note is Priority Club Rewards, the group’s loyalty program with over 63 million members which creates repeat traffic and enhances its relationship with its clients (IHG 2011). The company’s balance sheet is robust with a 26% growth in operating profit from $444m in 2010 to $559m, with revenue of $1,768m in 2011 up from $1,628m the previous year (IHG 2011). These gains allow IHG to invest in accelerated growth strengthening its brands with a lowering of its debt. Raising finance is a challenge globally as it diminishes the net system for growth. As such, IHG has expectations for growth in the region of 2-3% in 2012. However, perceived as offering greater security through reservation systems, loyalty schemes and international networks, branded hotels are gaining in market share over the unbranded portion of the industry. This perception makes it easier for property owners to leverage on these brands when seeking debt financing. IHG is positioned to gain from this trend with its attractiveness boosted by its offer of great brands and effective revenue delivery through global reservations channels. Intercontinental hotels group has a weakness in its geographical concentration. The hotel and hospitality industry though fragmented is still geographically quite concentrated with the top 20 countries having over 80% of the world’s rooms and the US accounting for 25% of that (IHG 2011). Over half of IHG’s revenue comes from the Americas, accounting for 69% of the Group’s operating profit (IHG 2011). This large exposure to the US market makes IHG vulnerable in the event of a recession. However, having long-term management and franchise contracts for most of its hotels makes IHG less vulnerable than its competition. Its focus on growing its presence in emerging markets and globally also seeks to counter such vulnerability with diversification of revenue sources. CONCLUSION The strength of IHG’s brands, bolstered by their global systems and scale enables the company to perform well in the US and Greater China, key global markets. With its deliberate attempt at strengthening its business through developing its brand portfolio supported by targeted investment. IHG ensures that it benefits from opportunities available in its business environment in spite of considerable uncertainty in the Euro zone and the Americas. IHG is striving to position itself globally to benefit from opportunities in industry trends in the long term, in particular, emerging markets with growing demand and specialty. This it is enabled by its preferred brands, geographic diversity, robust balance sheet and its scalable business model. APPENDIX Revenue per available room (RevPAR) – room revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available (can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average room rate). Occupancy Rate – rooms occupied by hotel guests, expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available. Pipeline – signed/executed agreements, including franchises and management contracts, for hotels which will enter the InterContinental Hotels system at a future date. REFERENCES Annual report, 2010. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC . {Viewed on 5th March 2012} from http://www.annualreports.com/Company/2353 Datamonitor, 2007. Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc. {viewed on 3rd March 2012} from www.datamonitor.com FTSE Index report, 2012. FTSE All-Share Index Ranking (unofficial guide) as at close on Fri, 2 March 2012. {Viewed on 3rd March 2012} from http://www.stockchallenge.co.uk/ftse.php Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc. (IHG), 2011. Preliminary results 2011- twelve months to 31 December 2011. {Viewed on 3rd March 2012} from http://www.ihgplc.com/index. How to cite SWOT Analysis of Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc, Essay examples

Who do you think Miller intended us to feel sympathy for Essay Example

Who do you think Miller intended us to feel sympathy for? Essay Marco goes to America solely to make money. He is quiet and serious and he is very protective of Rodolpho, his brother. When Eddie hurts Rodolpho in their friendly boxing match, Marco senses trouble and shows Eddie indirectly that he is stronger by lifting up the chair. This is as if to say, You think you are strong hurting my brother but if you fight me I can beat you. Eddie betrays him and his brother to the authorities so that they will be sent back to Italy. He can no longer achieve his goal of making money to support his poor family in Italy, and because of this Marco accuses Eddie of starving his children and kills him in a fight. The killing is unnecessary and sad. However, Marco is provoked by Eddie who draws the knife and attacks first. Marco is stronger and he acts in self-defense; Eddie brings upon his own death thinking that he is defending his own reputation and name. Throughout the play, Miller uses the character Alfieri as the narrator and as a means to influence the audience. Alfieri is a third party outsider of the situation but he knows what is going on through his talks with Eddie. This means he is inside the action while commenting on it from the outside. This makes him the perfect character to present exactly what Arthur Miller wishes to put across to the audience. His role is very important to tell the audience what is happening and to influence how they feel. Through him, Miller encourages the audience to feel sympathetic towards Eddie. At the start of the play, an introduction is given by Alfieri which ends with him describing how he sat there as powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course. We will write a custom essay sample on Who do you think Miller intended us to feel sympathy for? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Who do you think Miller intended us to feel sympathy for? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Who do you think Miller intended us to feel sympathy for? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Alfieri knows from the start that a tragedy is in the making. He tells this to the audience right in the beginning, thus projecting a sense of foreboding, of inevitable tragedy. In this way Eddie gains the audiences sympathy because he is presented as a doomed figure. In the middle of the play, after a conversation between Alfieri and Eddie about Catherines relationship, Alfieri says, I could see every step coming, step by step, like a dark figure walking down a hall toward a certain door. Alfieri sees the hopelessness in the whole situation and he tries to persuade Eddie to compromise but he knows Eddie will not listen to reason. Once again Alfieri predicts the inevitable. In the end, Eddie dies a pointless death not realizing that his stubbornness has caused his own demise. The tragedy is avoidable if Eddie is willing to settle for half; yet it is inevitable because of the community he lives in and their own traditional beliefs. The people around him are not normal law-abiding Americans. They are a community of Italian immigrants bringing from Italy with them their virtues, beliefs and ways of life. Justice is not dealed out by the law. Rather it is taken into the citizens own hands to do as they think right. Eddie betrays his own people therefore breaking the code of his own community; yet he tries to defend his own name which leads to the fight and his own death. However, Miller encourages the audience to feel sympathy for Eddie. After Eddie dies, Alfieri says, I know how wrong he was, and his death useless, but, something perversely pure calls me to his memory. He expresses his sympathy towards Eddie pointing out that, although Eddie was very wrong, he died for his name and he died for honor. Alfieri reminds the audience that Eddie was not in the right but he was true to himself not purely good, but himself purely. Due to this Alfieri respects him and mourns him but with a certain alarm. Right till the end, Arthur Miller uses Alfieri to influence the audience to feel sympathy for Eddie. In the end however, I felt most sympathy towards Beatrice. Throughout the play she is neglected by all the other characters especially her husband. All the while watching Eddie and Rodolpho fighting over Catherine. She feels jealous but not angry and tries to persuade Eddie to let Catherine go. She wants Catherine to be happy and encourages Catherine to go away with Rodolpho. She is constantly trying to ease the tension and she tries to resolve arguments between all the characters because she wants to do what is best for everyone. Unfortunately, despite her efforts, she watches her family fall apart and the death of her beloved husband, who dies in her arms saying, My B.! Perhaps, Eddie finally realizes too late what he really has to lose.

Rural Cellular essays

Rural Cellular essays Making its home in Minnesota and owning and operating cellular and digital phone service companies in thirteen states, the Rural Cellular Corporation is quickly making a name for itself. Sense its inception in 1990 Rural Cellular Corporation, or RCC, has become the ninth largest rural cellular company in the country. A rural cellular company is exactly what it sounds like. It has no holdings or contracts in major metropolitan areas, but instead it groups together small rural cellular carriers and providers into one large corporation. By starting in their home state of Minnesota, they have branched out to all sectors of the country, including Washington, Oregon, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Mississippi, Alabama, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. By gathering up small cellular companies in these areas, RCC has given itself a foothold in fast growing areas of the country. As they have grown in location, so have they grown in service and product they offer. They have just recently begun to offer digital phone service in some of their areas, while at the same time they have implemented paging and phone service packages. By packaging these together they offer the convenience of a mobile phone with the practicality of a pager. Something that will benefit both the businessman and the family man. Just by taking a quick look at the RCC annual report, you may see a company that is in excellent condition, and is on a sure footing for the future. However, certain aspects of this company are raising my suspicions of a short-lived existence. The annual report I received and analyzed is from 1999. When I requested the most current report, the 2000 was unavailable. Therefore, the numbers I relied on and cite throughout this analysis are one year old. As a whole, the annual report is very easy to follow and understand. The first twenty pages are charts, graphs, time-lines...

Difference Between Relative and Absolute Location

Difference Between Relative and Absolute Location Both relative location and absolute location are geographic terms used to describe the location of a place on the Earths surface. They are each unique in their ability to pinpoint a location on Earth. Relative Location Relative location refers to locating a place relative to other landmarks.  For example, you could give the relative location of St. Louis, Missouri as being in eastern Missouri, along the Mississippi River southwest of Springfield, Illinois.    As one drives along most major highways, there are mileage signs indicating the distance to the next town or city.   This information expresses your current location relative to the upcoming place. So, if a highway sign states that St. Louis is 96 miles away from Springfield, you know your relative location from St. Louis.    Relative location is also a term that is used to indicate a places location within a larger context.   For example, one could state that Missouri is located in the Midwest of the United States and is bordered by Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. That is the relative location of Missouri based on its location within the United States.    Alternatively, you could state that Missouri is south of Iowa and north of Arkansas. This is yet another example of relative location. Absolute Location On the other hand, absolute location references a place on the Earths surface based on specific geographic coordinates, such as latitude and longitude. Based on the previous example of St. Louis,  the absolute location of St. Louis is 38 °43 North 90 °14 West. One can also give an address as an absolute location. For example, the absolute location of St. Louis City Hall is  1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. By providing the full address you can pinpoint the location of St. Louis City Hall on a map.   While you can give the geographic coordinates of a city or a building, it is difficult to provide the absolute location of an area such as a state or country because such places cant be pinpointed. With some difficulty, you could provide the absolute locations of the boundaries of the state or country but most of the time its easier to just display a map or describe the relative location of a place like a state or country.

Econ assignment 2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Econ 2 - Assignment Example Sweden has comparative advantage in Volvos while Norway has a comparative advantage in fish. The free trade relative price is different from the autarkic relative price and thus both countries gain. Both countries specialize in their comparative goods and thus they gain. The minimum expenditure that is needed to attain the autarkic level of utility at autarkic prices is lower than the minimum expenditure required in achieving the free trade level of utility at autarkic prices. The external economies of scale are important in production of semiconductors and the industries are concentrated in certain locations. Thus if a semiconductor industry is established in a certain location, the export of semiconductors by the country will not be due to comparative advantage but the economies of scale. It is true, and Scotch only comes from Scotland since it requires skilled distillers who are mostly found in the region. The region also features favorable climatic and soil conditions for the grains used in the production of scotch. The production subsidy creates an imaginary shift of the supply curve to the right since producers are willing to supply larger quantities at every price due to the subsidy. The rightward shift crosses the $10 line at the quantity, 170 and producers gain in the area, which is given by (120x5) + (50x5/2)= 725, the government will lose an amount = (170x5) = 850 and the social benefit = (10x50) = 500 Goldberg, Linda S., Michael W. Klein, Jay C. Shambaugh, and Paul R. Krugman. Study guide to accompany International economics, theory and policy, sixth edition, Paul R. Krugman, Maurice Obstfeld. Boston, Mass.: Addison Wesley, 2003. Web. 8 July 2014

Goodness of the Service Level and Current Structure Assignment - 22

Goodness of the Service Level and Current Structure - Assignment Example However, equation 2 and 4 only hold if y= 0, for non-negative values of x andy. Consequently, x= 4300 is the optimal number of vaccine doses that the facility can purchase for optimality. From the confidence interval formula for normal distribution, Z=(mean-Â µ)/(standard error) And mean-Â µ = zero and this means that Z is not defined. As Z approaches infinity, however, the probability of failure approaches zero. Therefore, at 4300 doses, the facility has a zero percent probability of failure. The optimal number of vaccines and chance of running out of vaccines Optimal profitability occurs when total cost equals total expenditure for generating the cost. Assuming that an organization purchases z doses of the vaccine and sells x doses and returns y doses to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following are computations for the optimal number of vaccine doses and the chance of scarcity. Cost of vaccine= 4z= 4(x+y) Revenue= 15x+ y, based on $ 15 sales price and $ 1 buy back price. Reduction to lower levels such as $ 7 per dose would motivate people into and increase a total number of used vaccines. A reasonable profit level would, therefore, be possible, and even higher levels attained due to a higher number of unit sales. Such a reduction in price would also promote quality of health by preventing flue (Thompson 1). A hold on the buy-back policy is likely to reduce facilities’ stock level and therefore limit the availability of vaccines. In addition, unused vaccines would lead to greater losses and prompt facilities to charge higher prices on sales. Consequently, holding the buy-back is likely to reduce demand for vaccines and increase the burden of the flue.